Some home renovations are “new paint, new vibes.” And then there are renovations that feel like you’ve time-traveled:
you walk into a familiar 1930s Colonial Revival and somehow come out in a brighter, smarter, more functional version of
the same houselike your home got a glow-up and a graduate degree at the same time.

That’s the energy of This Old House Season 46, Episode 16, titled
“Modern Flare”. It’s the big reveal and moving-day finale for the Ridgewood, New Jersey
Colonial Revival projectwhere the crew wraps up months of work and the homeowners finally get to live in the “after.”
(And yes, there’s a patio and water feature, because if you’re going to do a final episode, you might as well end on a splash.)

What “Modern Flare” Really Means in a 1930s Colonial Revival

Colonial Revival homes were designed to echo early American architecturesymmetry, classic proportions, and a “don’t mess with me”
front facade that politely dares you to add anything too weird. The trick is that modern families don’t live like it’s 1933.
They want storage, real bathrooms, better kitchens, quiet workspaces, and mechanical systems that don’t sound like a spaceship
launching every time the heat kicks on.

“Modern flare” (with an abecause we’re adding style, not medical emergencies) is the art of upgrading function and comfort
without bulldozing the home’s character. In this episode, that concept shows up everywhere: a reworked first-floor layout for everyday
practicality, a new rear extension that respects the original house, upgraded plumbing and water treatment, and outdoor improvements
that make the backyard feel like a destinationnot just the place where the trash bins live.

Episode Snapshot: Moving Day, Big Reveal, and the House Tour

1) The first floor: storage, flow, and the kind of “small” upgrades that change everything

The episode opens with the satisfying reality of moving day: boxes, excitement, and that moment when you realize your socks have been
living in a random tote for nine months. On the tour, the homeowners show how layout changes created a
new coat closet, a full bathroom, and a pantrythe holy trinity of “why didn’t this house have this already?”
functionality.

It’s easy to obsess over statement lighting and fancy tile (and, sure, we support your dreams), but in many older homes the biggest quality-of-life
leap comes from boring-sounding wins: a place to drop your bag, a bathroom that doesn’t require an expedition, and a pantry that keeps snacks from
staging a cabinet takeover.

2) The home office: modern life, classic shell

The first-floor tour also highlights a favorite space: the home officewith a view of the backyard. In a Colonial Revival,
that’s a smart move: keep the traditional public rooms feeling classic, then carve out a modern work zone that supports how people actually live now.
And if you’ve ever tried to take a video call from a corner of the dining table while someone unloads groceries behind you, you already understand why
this matters.

A “modern flare” office isn’t just a desk in a room. It’s thoughtful lighting, comfortable sightlines, and a setup that won’t destroy your neck by Thursday.
A simple ergonomics check (monitor height, chair support, relaxed shoulders) can be the difference between “productive” and “why does my spine hate me?”

3) The upstairs reveal: a hidden door detail that’s equal parts clever and charming

Upstairs, the tour leans into the kind of craftsmanship detail that feels like This Old House: a hidden door in the primary bedroom.
The punchline? The doorknob situation. In the episode, a new knob is turned from red oak so the hardware looks right for the doorproof that “modern”
doesn’t mean “soulless,” and “old” doesn’t mean “fussy museum piece.”

The homeowners also tour the primary bedroom and a refinished bathroom that includes a new skylight.
That’s a classic “modern flare” move: bring in more daylight, make the space feel larger, and keep finishes aligned with the home’s style.
(Natural light is basically free happiness. It’s science. Probably.)

The Mechanical Glow-Up: Plumbing, Water Quality, and a Smarter Basement

Hard water solutions: filtration and softening

One of the most practical upgrades in the episode happens where guests don’t usually hang out: the basement. The homeowners review new
water piping along with a water filter and softener to address neighborhood hard water.

If you’ve lived with hard water, you know it’s not just an “aesthetic” issue. Scale buildup can reduce efficiency, shorten the lifespan of fixtures and appliances,
and leave you in an endless cycle of cleaning spots off everything you’ve ever loved. Tackling it during a renovation is smart because you can integrate the system cleanly,
plan access for service, and avoid the “we’ll deal with it later” trapaka the trap where later never comes.

A new combination boiler: comfort plus reclaimed space

The episode also highlights a new combination boilerimproving performance and freeing up basement space.
In many older homes, mechanical equipment sprawls like it pays rent. Upgrading to efficient, right-sized equipment (installed correctly) can reclaim storage,
reduce noise, and help the whole house feel more comfortable.

Renovation lesson: mechanical systems are not glamorous, but they are the reason your glamorous rooms feel good to live in.
If your budget is tight, prioritize the upgrades that improve health, safety, and durabilitythen add the fancy stuff when your house stops trying to wage war on your comfort.

Building Science Without the Boring: Moisture, Air Sealing, and Comfort

“Modern flare” also means the house performs better, not just looks better. When you add space or rework layouts, you’re changing how air moves,
how moisture behaves, and how temperature is controlled. Ignore that, and your beautiful renovation can turn into a greatest-hits album of problems:
condensation, musty smells, uncomfortable rooms, and the occasional “why is this corner wet?” mystery.

Moisture control is durability control

Practical moisture management starts with common-sense steps: keep bulk water away from the home, dry wet materials quickly, and control indoor humidity.
Especially after construction, you want a plan for ventilation and drying because new materials can hold moisture and older assemblies can react to changes.

Air sealing: the quiet hero of comfort

A renovated home should feel calmer. Less drafty. More stable. Air sealing helps reduce uncontrolled air leakage, which improves comfort and can lower heating and cooling costs.
It also supports moisture control because moving air can carry water vapor into places it shouldn’t go.

The takeaway isn’t “seal the house until it becomes a submarine.” The takeaway is “tight where you should be tight, ventilated where you should be ventilated,”
and intentional about how the building breathes.

The Back Extension: Adding Space Without Making the House Look Like It Swallowed a Box

The episode includes a tour of a new back extensiona key “modern flare” move because it adds the space modern families want while keeping
the original front of the home true to its era. Rear additions are often the best compromise for historic-leaning homes: the street-facing character stays intact, and you get
a more functional daily layout.

Better circulation, better access

In this project, the new extension improves how the home connects to the outdoors with access to both the driveway and backyard.
That kind of circulation matters more than you think. When routes through the home make sense, daily life gets easier: groceries, kids, pets, muddy shoes, deliveries,
the whole circus.

A refreshed kitchen with a breakfast nook and larger windows

The kitchen gets a “modern flare” upgrade toofeaturing a breakfast nook and larger windows for better views and light.
It’s a reminder that you don’t need to turn a Colonial Revival into a glass cube to make it feel modern. You can introduce daylight and openness strategically,
especially at the rear where you can be more playful.

Design tip: when you add or enlarge windows in an older home, consider proportion and rhythm. A window can feel “right” even when it’s new if its sizing and placement respect
the home’s original logic.

The Backyard Finale: Drainage, a Revived Sugar Maple, and a Water Feature Worth Applauding

Drainage first: because patios should not double as ponds

Outdoor upgrades are often where “modern flare” becomes “modern lifestyle.” But the episode makes an important point: you don’t start with the pretty stuff.
You start with what makes the pretty stuff last. That’s why the project includes a new drainage system.

If your yard holds water, you’re not just dealing with muddy shoes. Prolonged wetness can affect foundations, patios, plant health, and the long-term usability of the space.
Drainage strategies varysurface grading, catch basins, French drains, rain gardensbut the goal is the same: move water where it needs to go and keep it away from structures.

Tree care as a design decision: the sugar maple revival

The homeowners and the landscape expert reflect on the revival of their sugar maple, handled by tree specialists.
Mature trees can be the “roof” of your outdoor roomshade, privacy, character, and property value. Saving one is often more impactful than buying a truckload of new shrubs.

If you’re renovating a property with mature trees, treat them like key assets:
protect root zones during construction, avoid soil compaction, and bring in qualified arborists when a tree shows stress. A stressed tree can be a symptom of bigger site issues,
including drainage problems and soil changes.

The patio and water feature: the final flourish that makes the space feel finished

And thencue the final reveal energythe project lands on the new patio and water feature. This is where “modern flare” becomes tangible:
a clean, usable entertaining space paired with the sensory payoff of moving water. A fountain or water feature does more than look pretty; it adds sound that can mask street noise,
creates a focal point, and encourages you to actually use the yard.

If you’re considering a water feature at home, think beyond aesthetics:

• Placement: Can you see it from the kitchen or office? That’s daily joy.
• Maintenance access: You’ll want to clean it without performing acrobatics.
• Water management: Avoid splash zones that keep nearby materials constantly damp.
• Winter strategy: In cold climates, plan shutdown or freeze protection so your “calm oasis” doesn’t become “broken pump season.”

Key Takeaways: How to Add “Modern Flare” to Your Own Traditional Home

1) Start with how you live, not how the floor plan used to live

The Ridgewood project shows the power of rethinking circulation and storage. A coat closet, pantry, and well-placed bathroom aren’t flashy, but they remove friction from daily life.
Map your routinesarrivals, laundry flow, cooking patterns, work-from-home needsand let that guide the layout.

2) Put modernity where it belongs: in performance and comfort

Modern flare isn’t just modern finishes. It’s quiet, steady comfort. It’s systems that work. It’s moisture control and air sealing done thoughtfully.
Performance upgrades are the foundation of a house that feels good for decades, not just for the photos.

3) Respect the original home’s “face,” then have fun in the back

Rear additions and backyard upgrades are often the safest places to push modern changes. If you’re nervous about “ruining” the style,
preserve the street view and concentrate bold moves where they serve everyday life: bigger windows facing the yard, better indoor-outdoor connections,
a patio that invites people outside.

4) Treat the site like part of the house

Drainage, trees, gradingthese are not separate from renovation. They’re durability work. The Ridgewood project’s backyard improvements show that
outdoor comfort starts with water management and plant health, then blossoms into the fun stuff.

Conclusion: A Colonial Revival That Lives Like It’s 2026 (Because It Is)

“Modern Flare” lands because it doesn’t treat “old” and “new” as enemies. The episode’s renovation keeps the charm of a 1930s Colonial Revival while upgrading the home
to support real life: better layout, brighter spaces, smarter mechanicals, and an outdoor area that feels like an extension of the home rather than an afterthought.

If you’re renovating a traditional house, take this as your permission slip: you can honor the past and still build for the present. Add the closet. Add the pantry.
Fix the drainage. Upgrade the systems. Then top it off with a patio and a little water feature magicbecause responsible adults are allowed to have nice things.

Modern Flare Experiences: of Real-Life Lessons from a Big Reveal Renovation

Watching a “big reveal” episode is satisfying because it compresses months of messy reality into a neat, optimistic tour. But if you’ve ever lived through a major renovation
(or even a medium one), you know the truth: the final week is a strange mix of celebration, panic, and a sudden obsession with tiny details you never knew existed.

One of the most universal “Modern Flare” experiences is moving back in and realizing you’ve become a person who can identify paint sheens by smell.
You walk through the new space and your brain does two things at once: it’s thrilled by the big winslight, flow, storage, that glorious pantryand it’s laser-focused on
the one outlet that’s half an inch off from where you pictured it. This is normal. Renovations rewire your expectations. You spent months imagining perfection, and now your
eyes are trained like a hawk’s. Give it time. The house will feel like home once you stop grading it like a final exam.

Another very real experience: discovering that “extra space” fills instantly. That beautiful new back extension? In the first two weeks it’s a zen breakfast nook.
By week three it’s a charging station, a package drop zone, and the unofficial headquarters for backpacks. The fix isn’t “try harder.” It’s building in habits and storage:
hooks where you naturally pause, a drawer near the entry for the daily chaos, and a rule that the dining table is not allowed to become a paper museum.

The backyard makeover comes with its own set of truths. A patio and water feature look like relaxation, but they also introduce a new relationship with maintenance.
The first time you hear the fountain running, it’s pure joy. The second time you notice leaves collecting in the basin, you understand why “easy access” matters.
A good water feature should be designed for real humans: reachable filters, clear instructions, and a plan for seasonal changes. If you live somewhere cold, there’s also that
annual moment where you decide whether you’re going to winterize early like a responsible adult or push it until the first freeze and panic-text everyone you know.

Then there’s the underrated experience of quiet comfortthe thing people don’t photograph. When mechanical upgrades are done well, you don’t “notice” them
so much as you notice the absence of annoyance: fewer temperature swings, better water pressure, and a basement that feels less like a dungeon and more like usable space.
The first shower with improved water quality can feel like a small miracle, especially if you’ve been battling hard-water buildup forever. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the kind of
upgrade that makes every day slightly better.

Finally, the most emotional “Modern Flare” experience: realizing the renovation wasn’t just about materials and layoutsit was about how you want to live.
A real office changes your workday. Better circulation changes your mornings. A functional yard changes your weekends. And when you finally sit outside, coffee in hand,
listening to water trickle in the background, you understand what the episode is really selling: not a house that looks modern, but a house that feels modern
because it supports your life.