A Renovation Story - AKA 18 Months in Damp House

A year and a half of progress restoring a stone house in Normandy, France. On a tight budget and with minimal experience, we share our progress.

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Music:
Oliver Massa - Satie (Excerpt)
Brock Hewitt - Ages Ago (Recurring Piano Theme)
Oliver Massa - Satie
Studio kolomna - So What
Studio kolomna - Drillosophy
Jeff Kaale - Block Chronicles
Dan Barracuda - Casuarinas
Yeti Music - Turn Away

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Humble Beginnings
02:52 - Digging It
03:27 - The Garden
04:35 - Barn Floors
06:47 - The Terrace
07:52 - Gentle Progress
09:33 - Set Backs, Small (& Personal)
11:57 - Work In Earnest
14:27 - Back To The Terrace
15:54 - The Attic
16:37 - Ventilation
17:38 - The Question
18:35 - What's Next?
19:00 - Outro

[briangrammer]

I enjoyed myself and very informative. First time on this channel”❤” Do you plan on keeping the channel going.. or you have any ideas on what’s next. I hope you find something ❤❤❤ I will check back and review your answers later❤❤❤

[richard-sh]

sorry to hear poppy past away
I am sure she is watching you from heaven and tells her mate what a wonderfull live she had

[robertchautardjensen]

If you buy yourselves a dehumidifier, it will draw out up to 20 liters of water from the room it is in per day and this will really help with drying out the structure.

[stevendaniel]

I LOVE how slowly he speaks and deliberately pronounces his words. Very calming and controlled. Thank you !!😊

[pskraken]

I’m very sorry to hear about Poppy. He was clearly a loved companion. I think the resting place you built for him is beautiful.

RIP ❤

[OurFrenchHouseRenovation]

were all guilty of underestimating cost and time etc... and forgetting how far we have come, thanks for sharing cheers

[lucaspolderman]

What a nice video. Nicely spoken, so this old guy from the Netherlands can follow every word.
Thanks for sharing, sad for your Poppy, but she is still with you in a nice grave.

[joachim.charleshogg]

You are both doing a fantastic job, it’s coming together nicely. Regards

[lindagage]

You have a great sense of humour! Thanks for the update I'm trying to catch up on older videos! Well done both of You!

[diannegungor-yirf]

Love your careful consideration for every task. Great work so far.

[kailand]

I’m so sorry you lost Poppy. My heart goes out to anyone who has loved and lost a companion animal because I’ve had that experience too and I know how painful it is. Perhaps in time you will have the joy of welcoming another companion into your life.

[rogerchassignol]

Bonjour à vous. Félicitations pour votre travail accompli pendant ces 18 mois, beaucoup se seraient découragés, alors bravo. Je suis vraiment navré pour Poppy, j'ai moi-même 3 chats et j'imagine votre peine. Je vous souhaite le meilleur pour la suite.

[cathywillaert]

Bravo à vous pour cette très jolie maison🤗. Et une pensée pour Poppy🐱❤️

[sandicoppins]

Love your considered narration style. So glad I found your channel. Lots of lovely rich compost. Hope your home is much cosier now. The digging around the property looked like an absolutely massive task, wow😮... So sorry to learn about sweet boy Poppy🌸

[Jumbolata]

You have a fantastic documentary voice😊

[cnuta]

good to come across a youtuber with a real sense of prose.

[patricerieublanc]

Quant il reste de l'humour, il y a toujours du courage à terminer... Vive l'humour Anglais, et bravo pour le job. J'adore ce boulot

[girlnorthof]

I wish more channel creators offered these retrospect vlogs so new subs like myself have the needed context, and then can slowly view your vlog archives as time permits. YT Suggestions got it right, I'm inspired by your tenacity, enjoy the humour, and appreciate the time & effort that goes into documenting your journey. 🙏 Cheers, Pat- Yukon, Canada

[kimrafferty]

I cannot believe it has been 18 months, I really enjoy how you are learning so much but the best part is your narration and I thank you for always putting a smile on my face 😊
Thank you for sharing your very hard renovation and what seems endless tasks of getting your home how you imagine it to be when you have finished. I hope you have better weather this year and I look forward to coming along with you through your videos xx

[stevejohnstonbaugh]

Thank you for answering my question! No condensation, no mold growth and the air in your home is much more "comfortable" for living - now that is an A+ report! The ventilator for the kitchen and bath that blows up the chimney is brilliant. I hope you will be able to put a chimney cap on top of all the old flues some day. Old flues are ideal as ventilation shafts. And during the cold months, the air you send up the flue will warm that mass of stone from the inside out. Beautiful <3
I think you have developed the capacity to knock doorways through 2 1/2 foot thick walls. All you need (in addition to the tools you already have) is a 4' length of substantial I beam, 2 screw jacks, and bricks to spring an arch using the form you will build. OR, use a stout timber as a lintel. I'll suggest taking your design cues from the garden facade. Brick accent around the windows or the sprung arch above the well door.
All the best to both you and Marion :)