It’s good that you’re more secure now.

It's a sleeping beauty ❤

Such good bones.❤

That storm was crazy! C ended up getting stuck in the next town when the trains were all cancelled, and he met some kind people who drove him to the airport to get the car. Sicily is a real adventure!

Love the orange content! We have several Seville orange trees in our garden but I’ve never thought to make orange juice! Heck, we haven’t even tried them yet bc we always heard they’re too bitter, so I’m glad to see they’re more versatile than we thought!

Thanks for the update. Was just making Kefir cheese for the first time and thought about your Cheeeese Shop. Yes, I love cheese. We have a great one nearby in Texas. Will you eventually be making Italian cheeses in your kitchen?

I will be visiting Sicily in July for over two weeks. My great-grandparents immigrated from Augusta and Cefalu in the early 1900's...like so many others at that time. I have never been on a plane before...I am terrified of them. I always said I would only get on a plane for Sicily and somehow the opportunity presented itself. I cannot wait to immerse myself in Sicilian culture, eat the glorious food, and roam the streets my grandparents did. Maybe I will get the opportunity to visit you. I have been following your channel since I learned about it from a co-worker. I am from Warren so we were basically neighbors at some point. LOL. Love your channel!

All those beautiful vaults!!😍

My thoughts since you asked😄 It seems best to work with the flow of the seasonal weather so for me I do the outside work especially cement/mortar type projects in the warmer, drier months. The Pigeon Room seems to be a great work station area for many different projects and useful for times when it is raining outside. Due to the amount of tiles I would designate an area of the PR for just restoring the tiles so when you have a little down time between projects or it’s raining outside you can put some work into cleaning up the tiles. Working with outdoor wood you definitely need to make sure it is seasoned( dry enough and bug free) before creating with it and I’m sure there are local wood craftsmen that can give you an idea if that wood is ready to work with efficiently. Especially since the Pigeon Room needs so much TLC it makes sense to use it as a work station to get other projects done first since it is protected from the outside elements and making a mess in there right now is not a big deal.LOL Whatever path you choose is exciting and many of us are looking forward to seeing how you transform this incredible piece of Sicilian history. Best Wishes on your Labor of Love!

Someday the shrine but your heart in it find out significance restore get a house blessing for successful completion. Priorities spirit of the home safety security outdoor living comfort but not Americanizing it… you asked!

Since the weather is so nice now, and the summers are so hot, I would work on outdoor things first since it’s cool out. That said: 1. Set up your equipment in the Solarium. Seems to me you can always move it during demo, then set it back up in there. You’ll still have a roof. 2. The Shrine is outside, so work on this next. As you indicated, you will need to consult people about how to restore this treasure, so you can work on this simultaneously while you get the information. 3. As previously suggested, the tiles could be done over time. A couple a day by each of you. Cannot wait to see them all cleaned up and shiny. 4. I don’t know about wood, but someone made a comment that you might want to hold off to let it dry out properly. You need to find out about this. If you can work on it now, I would do it while it’s cool. . The FUN Flex Rooms project: I mentioned a while back that I am not a fan of the Yoga option. Don’t think the space is big enough for a retreat. You need lots of room for storage of bolsters, blankets, etc. I AM A FAN of the ART and WINE TASTING/CHAMBER MUSIC options, though the music option would require chair storage. FLEX FURNITURE for the flex room is in order. One suggestion: Perhaps attractive high-top tables that fold flat could be hung on the walls when not in use. They could be done so that it is pleasing to the eye. I suggest looking for foldable furniture pieces. You might even find some chair or table options that can be hung and fold down as small spaces to put glasses of wine. I will search for some photos. Hope these ideas get those creative juices flowing.😊

the wood likely needs to dry or season before being worked. If cut up too soon likely to split or crack. I favor working with tiles as they are part of the house character and can be approached in small lots as convenient

I would set up the pigeon room and do a few tiles every week. :)

I would start with the tiles. There are so many and it would save a lot of money to do it yourself- (once you learn how!) You will want them ready when the builders are ready for them so there's no hold up to put them back down. I think the shrine should wait until that area is done being worked on so all your work on it doesn't get damaged. After the tiles are done I'd the pigeon poop room so it can be re-named! I would find a woodworker to take care of the wood because they will know of some other options you may not have thought of like using some of it for the desk top in studio window and maybe keep it's live edge. Just my thoughts.

I think you could do the tiles as a "little bit every day" project. You both do two tiles a day or something manageable like that. I would practice on any broken or partial tiles you might have to get the hang of or even figure out if it's possible for you to do by hand. Then regularly do a few or save them for rainy days when you don't feel up to anything else. So they can be "filler" work in between other stuff. As for the wood, wouldn't it be nice to have someone (You, if sculpture is your thing) could carve a bust of a female head as an artwork, and call it Caterina?

I would start with the tiles and then clean and set up the Pigeon room as a reward!

I think you should take on the wood - just to take a break from the massive project you have undertaken, and to do something totally artistic and hands on. I know it doesn’t move the house project forward, but what fun to be totally creative. I would forget about the little shrine. It is in terrible shape. The tiles will be a grueling job. Wait on them - perhaps an opportunity to hire someone to do it later on will arise. The pigeon room is the most practical, and as someone else said, it would give you space to do the wood and other projects.

I would go with pigeon room first so you have a place to work and then the wood. I tend to do the stuff I don’t care todo first and save my favorite till last so it’s a reward.

Wood. Make Carmelina into something that can be remembered.

Fabulous Mother Nature! We had them here in Reggio Calabria late this afternoon as well! Thanks for sharing.

Were those kumquats?

Happy New Year🌿🌿🌿

Happy New Year to you too! The garden is wonderful with tons of possibilities! You just need to get rid of the junk first… 😅 How do you even do that?

I'd love to have a go at that garden! Do you have a landscape architect or local gardening expert on hand to consult? And happy new year!

Love all your ideas for this amazing space!

This is probably wayyy too late, but I’m just getting caught up.🥴 I would probably leave the space open so that window can contribute light to the larger area, and have a curtain one can pull for privacy. Then I’d be inclined to have a sleeper sofa so there’s another sofa/cozy lounge space/reading nook, work space etc away from main TV/living area. Super helpful watching your design process unfold!

Personally I'm so glad you are keeping the arches- they would make lovely windows for the office/studio spaces.The washroom arch area would make a lovely potting/garden tool "shed" if the faucet worked but I totally get the pool bathroom idea too. I love the idea of outdoor furniture and ceiling fans made from local woods like Cyprus or other local species.I can envision the trifecta of gold, rust reds and sagey olivey greens. I'm just dreaming outloudish. Whatever you do I am sure will be beautiful.

So much potential. You’ve got some great plans and it’s good that you’re still flexible to change those as needs be.

So are the ceilings going to need to be supported in the future too?

Studio rooms! Teach!

BEAUTIFUL

Now, I'm wondering if I can bring some Nutella home in my luggage? Anyone know the answer?

Too much talking. Let's see some action.

May I ask, do you know the Italian word for the ceiling shape in the frescoed rooms? This vault name has been difficult to track down! Thank you! 🇨🇦

I'm only about an hour from Squam! I keep thinking the apothecary you found would be perfect for the kitchen of the main house instead of cabinetry for all the items needed for cooking classes and catering events if you use the property that way. Can't get it out of my head.

Following from Marseille….I’m originally from Massachusetts too and all my family live there ❤

It’s like a long game of Tetris. I’m glad you’ve got a good team of people.

Nice to meet you~! We're so happy for you both. 💚 Salute, Croce & Carol Amato

Hi, love following your journey! Would love to see a video reviewing each light fixture you purchased individually to share its history, circa, etc. and then show it in the actual room you intend to place it! You have exquisite taste and the palazzo is coming back to life! LOVE THE DAISY CHANDELIER….chef’skiss😍

Your renovation when will you stsrt

How on earth do you choose with so many incredible options???

The pencil portrait of Gina Lollobrigida! Collectors have paid a lot for his items at auction. If it is original and done by a famous portrait artist, it is worth a fortune. if it's a photocopy, you have a nice portrait at home. I love Filiberto's painting 🙂

Love it! I'm all about Italian sculpture. Thanks.

Such fun!!! Loved your video of antiquing and your enthusiasm is so wonderful to see. You truly are like a kid in a candy store. The chandeliers are drop dead gorgeous🌿

Thanks for taking us along…there were a few things I spotted that I wanted.

That was great to see all those antiques and modern replicas. Also love your shorter hair cut.

Well done. That is going to look fabulous!

Its your old or current septic tank. You'll see the pipe behind the ladder. lol

It's just an old building method.

My husband and I are considering Italy and getting a house over 100 yrs old to restore. I'm looking forward to watching your videos