#42 Three doors down (almost) and starting on the garden shed - Italy farm renovation

We're Isis & Bertus. In the summer of 2023 we moved into a neglected farmhouse in a tiny village in the northwest of Italy. The last inhabitants left some 10 years ago, but large parts of the property have been empty for over 20 years.
The pigments and other ingredients for the natural paint we are making in this episode were purchased through www.ocres-de-f... (5% off your first order with promo code STORIESFROMTHECASCINA) who we absolutely recommend if you were thinking of doing this yourself too.
Thank you for joining us on our adventure!
Your support is deeply valued | www.buymeacoff...
Instagram | / storiesfromthecascina
#homerenovation #diyrenovation #farmlife

[@storiesfromthecascina]

For those of you interested in flour paint: we talk more about the process in video #37 The pigments and other ingredients for the natural paint we are making in this episode were purchased through www.ocres-de-france.com/ (not sponsored) who we absolutely recommend if you were thinking of doing this yourself too.

[@judykook8753]

I love how skilled you two are! From making your own paint to everything you do in your workshop and how you pay attention to details! I also love how neat and organized you are with all your materials. This makes my heart sing and I love watching your videos.

[@Blueberryblues513]

I am so impressed with all that you two do. The property and home you are living in is so beautiful. I have always been attracted to older homes like that but will probably never get to live in one. My grandparents farm had an old stone Dutch home on it in the US that was built in 1749, very old for New Jersey. They came from Italy and farmed the land for many years. I did laugh as I have the same LeCrueset pot in the same color in my kitchen and have cooked in it for almost 50 years. And you are using it to make paint! The Dutch glass insert in the door makes it really special. Thank you both for such special videos.

[@patriceogrady9763]

Love the new door with the windmill glass and the new color! Fabulous! You both are amazing!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

⚒️❤️

[@thebroketester]

I love how the cat situation slowly improves :D

[@cosmiccat777]

I have been watching your channel for about a year or more and wow, you both are like a jack of all trades. You two can fix anything! Love your door. The color and the glass is beautiful! Happy to see Velutto coming that close to you now. What a pretty kitty!

[@lagringa7518]

Oh Isis... I love the little windmill pane of glass.... so appropriate, it's like a little signature from you 2 from the Netherlands and all the hard work you are doing to breathe new life into this home so far from your old home! 🥰🦋🌷

[@cherylreid9165]

The stone work in the new garden shed is superb. I can just picture living there. I am also envying ALL the STORAGE and WORKING space in the large shed. Brilliant! Good luck with your future endeavours.

[@SerendipitySharon]

Bertus your skilful editing keeps the story moving along, and your explanations of things you are doing and what you are doing them with are great for understanding your plans and vision. Isis, consider having separate videos of your crafts, recipes and herb gathering, even perhaps a cookbook! Love how your hair is always down, btw. Must be great to not have to be in a hurry, to have the time to do things well and thoroughly. YOu are making steady, remarkable progress and its great you waited until June to mow the grass. Love how you are letting the cat set the pace of his trust of you both - I see him by the fireplace by winter!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

seperate (seasonal) videos of foraging and cooking are something that might be in the future of our channel ❤️

[@justlife765]

I agree, a cookbook/gardening book would be wonderful!

[@tonyphillips4156]

What a fantastic couple and friends....great to watch such hard workers.Well done.

[@cbrashsorensen]

This is "Sunday Church" for me. Joining the two of you in Northern Italy is the perfect blessing for the week - nature, hard work and love for the land.

[@Dilan007]

I don't know why only 16k subs you have! Amazing videos and nice hard working people! Following you since video 4 :)

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you Dilan! Glad you're enjoying the videos! Of course we'd love to inspire more people through our project and videos, but we're very happy and grateful for every single one of those 16k people, including you

[@cbrashsorensen]

Wabi-Sabi is "beauty that comes from the broken." Those doors are perfection and wholeness from what was once broken.

[@gitteawwal5447]

So nice to see how well organised your workshop areas are❤

[@lieuwina]

The garden shed door with the little mill window in is lovely and the colour is just right. Isis you and Bertus are bringing that little farm into a beautiful haven. Vello is getting closer and closer to you and now eating from the bowl while you are holding it, soon he will be totally at ease with you both. Have a lovely day and look forward to next weeks episode.

[@seaview9948]

I really admire that you keep your workshop space so tidy and well organised!

[@Anne-yw6ed]

Such a tremendously beautiful garden shed - perfetto!

[@eulchen13]

Wunderbare Handwerkskunst. Respekt! Für das Handwerk am Gebäude und auch für den Videoschnitt, Kameraführung etc.. wunderschön anzuschauen.

[@neutonrenda2303]

I love your new colour, it looks amazing. I can't believe how much has changed in the last two videos, it's all coming together now and your hard work is being rewarded. Love your garden shed as well, it's really charming.❤

[@margomoore4527]

The two of you are much more meticulous about cleaning things up than some other reno channels. 😁🌟❣️

[@deniseiozzo8821]

I just love how you use things you find on the cascina! Nothing is put to waste …wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone fixed and retrofitted things …we would have so much less waste in this world…we have become a throw away society…Your videos are so ☺️

[@happywilliam1]

I have to agree, that garden shed is the most beautiful garden shed i've ever seen.

[@RLM1943]

Beautiful lunch. I appreciate your attention to detail. Love the channel. Very calming to watch.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you so much 😀

[@maryannknox7158]

Gorgeous photography!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Many thanks!

[@Susan-iy5fv]

So many lovely things to look at . . . the cute door, the tools lined up along the garden shed wall, the exquisitely orderly wood shed, the scenery, Velvet eating from your lap, the delicious meal.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@melissaeden1219]

Velluto meowed! That's wonderful--I've always understood that feral cats don't meow, so he must really be adjusting too you two. Always fun to see what you are up to! Also, that old cart is just too perfect!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

we love that old dog cart too! it just needs new tires 😅 it's taken velluto 5 months since arriving to meow, but now he does it frequently and freely when his food is taking too long to arrive 🤣

[@sharlettedavidson81]

The door is fabulous. The glass is outstanding….very nicely done, the paint is wonderful, I thought it would dry Evan darker, but this color is wonderful ❤ Loving the wood storage area, it is like goeing to your own lumber yard. Enjoying the Upcycling, you both do work very hard for it as well . As the door shows, it is well worth your efforts and you should be pleased.

[@maluneid5277]

Hi, Bertus would you be willing to teach my husband (85) how to „really“ clean a workshop. Don’t really think it would work at that late stage. But kudos for you and Isis. We have your chapter of renovating and, and, and of our life mostly done (I hope). We were born in southern Germany and emigrated to Canada. Long way from “home”.

[@sarahofer4368]

Give a little love and let's get this channel to 100K subs!

[@tejolisboa]

It is fascinating to see the story of these buildings emerge every time you clean or improve something. All the best

[@cindyblair1283]

Hello there. I just absolutely Love that color and you make it look simple 😊. I can’t wait to see what they look like on the building I am most positive that it’s going to look fabulous. I am always looking for the kitty before your content is over and sure enough you bring out food and she is eating out from the bowl from your hand. Love it❤ Thank you for always sharing cause I truly enjoy them. Have a bless week and hope to see you both soon. Love from 🇺🇸

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Eirene-vw1dt]

Isis, your painting process looks complicated ftom my standpoint yet you go from step to step effortlessly. Not only is this paint more in keeping with the times and environmentally friendly it is bound to be far more economical than store bought. More steady progress this week. Well done. Lovely. ♥️🇨🇦

[@davidanalyst671]

I followed you guys since you moved in and were showing us around. Your mellow style of videos are great. I hope you get renovations done and can make some profits from all the extra room you have!!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks so much!

[@elaineayres1989]

I never thought I’d find another channel after Martijn Doorland that could make me a devotee . I was wrong. I too love the long grass . In an earlier video I found so much pleasure in just watching the breeze blowing softly the grass in different directions. I love the sound of the clock ? bell chiming and try guessing the time of the day it’s telling. I love it when the camera pans out across to the mountains and up the hill where the little village tall buildings stand out. I became invested in waiting for Velluto to finally accept you as his new neighbours. I’m so pleased that you give the same respect to craftsmanship as the original owners .There are many stories in your new home. I love the way you carefully examine scraps of paper or materials etc and bring the possible background to life . An admiring Australian 🇦🇺

[@fifthfloorgarden]

You have lots of space and lots of tools! I had never heard of flour paint. I really like the idea of ​​using that glass with the mill for the door

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks so much! 😊Flour paint has been used in Northern Europe/Scandinavia for centuries, and it's gaining popularity again especially in eco-building together with loam-paint, linseed-oil paints, distemper paints etc. I love using it as it has a nice texture, goes on smooth, doesn't smell, creates natural colours and it becomes one with the texture of the wood - unlike most modern paints that create a film on top of the wood.

[@justlife765]

I love the garden shed! What a beautiful and relaxing place to ‘work’ while potting your plants! I’m so happy for you!

[@lindabrooks8242]

The door on the garden shed is awesome! It's like it was meant to be! You'll figure something on on the top part I'm sure. You guys are really getting organized, and it looks great! Velluto is a happy cat, I can tell. I'm always so excited to see him, he is so beautiful.❤

[@heatherlaird-mcleod3271]

Doors are looking fabulous. You will able to open your own paint making business soon the finish & colour looks so good.

[@cbrashsorensen]

OK...I admit to ;being so taken that I've watched the video a THIRD time. I so look forward to spending time at the "cascina" when you are ready for guests! I hope it is before the fields of wild flowers are mowed for hay.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Aaah thank you! The fields are mowed at the end of may-beginning of june usually, but by august they are filled with flowers once more untill the first frost :-)

[@patriziadelorenzis378]

I love this wonderful place and your relaxing educational videos. Thankyou.

[@alaskanrockvodka9622]

How marvellous to find a Dutch windmill glass panel. The Renovation Gods smile. Another gorgeous vid, thanks I & B. (Episode 41 in the playlist? 🤞)

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks for pointing out we forgot to add #41 to the playlist. it's there now! :-)

[@KittyMcGee1001]

The windmill door will be an easy fix. It might actually have interesting proportions with a slimmer piece of wood on the top. It’ll frame the window more and emphasize it. You probably won’t even have to move the hardware. Just add a piece to the top and call it quirky.

[@Reet64]

I like the colour you chose even better! And Velluto is getting so close!

[@Ecila-Samerberg]

This paint is not washing off, when it rains? Great looking 🥰 all the old materials.... I love it

[@storiesfromthecascina]

it has been used in scandinavia for centuries as an exterior paint. i know, it's pretty mind blowing that a paint made from mostly boiled flour doesn't wash off with rain 😅 the only thing it doesn't do well with is intense friction (from walking, sitting, scrubbing etc), so it's only used for vertical surfaces.

[@kassy6373]

Nice window pane. Also an impressive collection of old school tools in the garden shed.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

we love our old tools ❤️ some came with the farm, but a good deal if them are the garden tools I grew up with and that used to be in my parents' garden shed. ☺️

[@tiborgarvelink1925]

Dank weer, voor een mooie aflevering... Fijne week!

[@DennisWhite-s5k]

If you use some damp sawdust with a little parafin in it scatted over the floor you will get less dust and a cleaner floor.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

thanks for the tip! great idea. no shortage of sawdust here :)

[@davidwillettts931]

With the ceiling removed and the stone floor exposed the 'poulailler' has been transformed into a splendid room, befitting garden tool storage 😺 The gap at the top of the door looks intentional - ventilation. For what it's worth, I think you are going about developing your house the right way - cleaning, organising, saving useful kit, repurposing stuff, and doing essential repairs, methodically, steadily, and calmly, in preparation for major works. I have watched some episodes from a few of the other many homesteader projects and am bemused that several of them seem to have little sense of priorities - for example, spending time planting overcrowded fruit and veg amongst weeds in unprepared ground yielding miserable crops, while their house is left uninhabitable🙄 - still, they enjoy themselves, which is all that matters.

[@martinjames3950]

Your patience with the cat is paying off 😊

[@storiesfromthecascina]

It really is! nearly 6 months of giving him time and space now :-P

[@ceciliaferrari5832]

Bellissimi i risultati di questa settimana … 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pian piano la Cascina la trasformate in una Reggia .. Vi ho soprannominati Meister Geppetto e Tinkerbell 🪄 Ogni utensile o materiale che trovate lo riutilizzate con rispetto 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Siete di esempio alla nuova gioventù Che se uno vuole i sogni si possono realizzare 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻 Grazie 💝 buon lavoro Alla prossima settimana 🎩🪄🐈‍⬛🥰🧚‍♀️

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Grazie mille Cecilia ❤️ Buona domenica di noi!

[@carolbulmer8253]

I love the door with the windmill glass window.

[@poodlegirl55]

Very interesting how you made the paint. The door is fabulous.

[@sonyagair1219]

Awww your efforts to get the cat to not be afraid of you is admirable and the cat is so cute and I am not even a cat lover 😅❤

[@goodphone156]

Ohh what a spectacular landscape!!

[@zeaberger]

Beautiful Door!!🤎

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you!

[@maryannmorgan5566]

Hello again again. 😊

[@donna4137]

Such an enjoyable vlog as always.....the doors are just amazing!!! The glass insert is the perfect finishing touch......

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Another beautifully paced video. There’s never any hurry and hassle in your videos. It’s not unlike that feeling of peace one feels having sat quietly in a church, reflective contemplation. Bertus. your attention to the finer details when restoring the doors is just amazing. Beautiful craftsmanship. The new colour works really well, I think it looks better than the first colour. You have between you created a most beautiful garden shed. What an amazing coincidence that you should find a windmill etched into the glass, fate has a way of bringing things together that just cannot be explained! Although all the wild flowers will get cut when the grass is cut it will make the most beautiful hay, to have a wildflower meadow is such a privilege, feeding and sustaining the local wildlife. As the grass is being cut this early I would expect a second blooming of the meadow such a rare sight these days. Have a good week.❤

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you! And yes, by July/August there will be new flowers in the meadows :-)

[@lozinozz7567]

😊

[@cynthiavenegas2891]

❤ Velluto moments. You have made great progress. I can’t wait till he lets you hold him.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Us too! Would love to calm his little over-activated nervous system all the way down :-)

[@sylvanaire]

I only watched your channel occasionally when I first subscribed, but I’ve come to look forward to your weekly episodes and wouldn’t miss one now if I could help it. 😊 I liked the original green on your door so well that I was hesitant about this new color at first, but it does look beautiful against the stones. You have a good eye! I had to laugh at the time lapse of Bertus sweeping the old workshop (it looks like an airplane hanger from out here 🙄), if only it was that easy, lol. I have 2 much smaller sheds that need cleaning out & reorganizing & I have been procrastinating the work dreadfully. 🥴 Happy to see your progress with the kitty, does s/he have a name yet? I might have missed it in prior episodes. 😊

[@storiesfromthecascina]

his name is Velluto / Velvet ❤️

[@KAC-5555]

I love Velvet .. He is just beautiful . ❤ 🇺🇸 watching from Western North Carolina

[@vickyoakes4584]

I like the door, it's very quaint and well suited to the building.

[@shannonlynne1558]

The etched glass is adorable. My grandfather came from the Netherlands so my mother often had elements of our home decorated with windmills and wooden shoes. 💕

[@samcollage7682]

I talk to my tools also.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

tools make for good conversation 😅❤️⚒️

[@angelicavis]

Love how Veluto is getting more and more used to you, he'll be a schootkat in no time 😉 Love the green of the doors!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

voor hij een echte schootkat wordt zal nog wel eens 5-6 maanden duren vrees ik 😅 maar net nestelde hij zich bijna in de zetel, tot hij weer ergens van opschrok en het huis uit rende 🤣🙈

[@angelicavis]

@@storiesfromthecascina Baby steps!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

zo is het 🐈‍⬛

[@daledowner6696]

Enjoy your channel. You have a beautiful and interesting property. Can’t wait to see the progress you are making in future videos. Dale from (Virginia, USA)

[@shelleymacdonald3492]

Very cute door. I love how you are restoring the old doors, some people would have built new. I love the old and authentic look👍🏻Well done!

[@karinbenedetti172]

Wow,love what you’re doing…how you recycle the old wood and things you have and who these days still makes their own paint…congratulations on all you do,I love watching your videos

[@Eirene-vw1dt]

It definitely is...saw this today.. 'wabi sabi' .. beauty that comes from broken

[@KMD2832]

Thanks Bertus and Isis for another great video :) I looked through the comments and didn’t see one that I expected ……. How appropriate that piece of glass with the windmill was :) absolutely perfect :) Do you think the stone bench should be named Velluto’s bench? He definitely seems comfortable there….. and letting you know he was ready for food …. That was a loud meow :) When you started opening the doorway in the ‘garden shed’ I thought you were opening it completely…..was it opened partially for light or something else? Thanks again… I look forward to your next episode 😊

[@storiesfromthecascina]

We opened it partially for light, to be able to use the shelves from both sides - AND because it's a cute camera angle :-P We decided to keep the bottom half for now so that we could make the shelving unit / workbench full-width.

[@flickerina7]

I so enjoy watching you both take care of business.

[@bridgetonhouse9533]

We love the tall grass too. Why not select a small field that you see & use daily & mow a path to walk through. Keep it not mowed for you & the bees & flowers We have done that on our property & love it. You can mow in the fall to keep tree etc out. I enjoy your channel so much, thank you.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

yes, we definitely have a part that we leave tall! ❤️ there will no doubt be a larger flower meadow (perhaps combined with an orchard) in the future too 🥰

[@juneberries1109]

Loving watching your beautiful home being restored . Fantastic you’re making your own paint. I’m inspired will be doing some testing this summer

[@romykarlen2683]

So beautiful there, idyllic and live you using eco-friendly materials😊🎉

[@simpleartofhealing286]

very cute door!

[@goodphone156]

I am sure that once restored this house will be extremely beautiful!!

[@ronaldburkett8688]

❤❤ you guys are doing an amazing job on the new house keep up the great work

[@ileanaghione5720]

Complimenti per il rispetto e la cura che mettete nei restauri di edifici e oggetti e per la sapienza nel riutilizzare pietre legno e perfino il delizioso vetro col mulino a vento!!! Vorrei trovare persone sensibili come voi per la mia casa dei nonni nel Monferrato…

[@vivalaleta]

The color of the door is well chosen.

[@hondaryder3779]

Hoog tijd om van de bank te komen en wat achterstallig onderhoud aan mijn tuintje te verrichten. Hopelijk blijft het eindelijk een keer droog en zit er nog een klein toertje door de Peel en de Kempen in. Mooie kleur verf! Ga ik ook eens proberen, ik maak al mijn eigen brood en deodorant, verf moet ook wel lukken. Veel succes en tot de volgende video.

[@nadya4719]

Ottimo, dipingere le porte con vernice naturale. Mi piace molto il vetro con il mulino, ricorda le vostre origini. State facendo un lavoro da certosino, braviiiii.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Grazie mille Nadya

[@Wxcvbnmlk]

Si paisible vos videos merci 🌻

[@chrisdouglass7962]

What a treasure you found with the window!! 🥰🥰❤️❤️

[@ableaquariums5480]

7:44 Bertus, you did it again, you cleared the blade before the saw came to a stop. You’ve done it in several videos. Here is a second example in this one and I’m sure it’s in all the cuts you edited out too. Take the 10 seconds for the blade to stop to show your 10 digits you love them.

[@evangeliemourouti]

Good morning, you are making such great work! I wish I could be there to help you! Congratulations!

[@peterwerrenrath1112]

Love the breakthrough wall!

[@wendydee3007]

Such a lovely paint colour :o)

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Making your own paint is very nice.

[@vivalaleta]

Bees, butterflies and animals love the tall grass and flowers. If you're not using the land leave it fallow.

[@katievenegas693]

Bertus mentioned that a farmer was going to cut the grass to feed his cattle. I think it's a win-win! Looks better for them and feeds livestock!!

[@vivalaleta]

@@katievenegas693 Wild creatures take precedent over people's bovines. Since 1979 there's been a 60% drop in wild species. This planet is in crisis.

[@bekindfox]

When I saw the two "preti" in the upper room, my heart just melted... I still have a very old one from my grand mother (and a modern, electrical one, as in that house I don't have a wood stove). I hope you also have the pans for the "preti"! ♡

[@storiesfromthecascina]

sadly we haven't found the pans that would have been used with the preti! I didn't know electric ones existed also! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@richardcovell1707]

Just a suggestion. As the door with the window is used and distorts.....despite your best efforts, it will cause the glass to crack and break, since the glass is so snugly installed. If you make the opening for the glass slightly larger, it will allow the potential distortion to occur without damaging that lovely glass.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks for the tip! There was quite a bit of leeway horizontally, but we could have could have left a bit more space vertically.

[@richardcovell1707]

@@storiesfromthecascina I heard the remark that it was a snug fit. I just didn't want that nice etched glass to break.

[@suzyking9973]

Be lovely to see how your lavenders 🪻 are getting on your front entrance sometime. Good video, all your hard work your house and land looking great. Well done both we love Italy too. ourselves

[@storiesfromthecascina]

thank you ❤️ it's a mix of catnip and lavender, the catmint have been flowering for a few weeks now and the lavender is just getting going!

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

DIY paint , that is very impressive. I love the colour too.

[@alisoncoomber3698]

I want a pretty garden shed now 😄 love the glass ❤️

[@darkfs3912]

LEGENDAS EM PORTUGUÊS 😢😮

[@storiesfromthecascina]

so sad that they are not working for you! 💔 we double checked and we can set the subtitles on our videos in any language we want.

[@soaring1]

Great work guys! Thanks for sharing...

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks for watching!

[@bridgetonhouse9533]

We love the tall grass too. Why not select a small field that you see use, daily & mow a path to walk through. Keep it not mowed for you & the bees & flowers We have done that on our property & love it. You can mow in the fall to keep tree etc out. Enjoy your channel so much, thank you.

[@SilviaAxisa-rn1gn]

Your meal looked very nice

[@HubertusSchaper]

Hello Isis & Bertus🇧🇪🇳🇱🇮🇹, You to guys has learnet a lot by doing , It`s a proces that takes time but you are doing verry well👍🏻💪🏻,The storage from the planks & other wood resorces are well stored🛠,The painting of the doors after the repairs & the securety precoutions to close the doors savely make it difficult to brake in to the diverses rooms, Bertus has make a great improvement restoring the doors amount the other items he toke care off👍🏻.Te big workspace will be a exciting part to see how you guys will make as efficent as posible😓, looking forward to that ep.Greetings Hubertus🇳🇱🇳🇴🙏🏻🍀🇮🇹

[@storiesfromthecascina]

finishing the srtting up of the workshop will be a bit of a process, it's definitely not finished!

[@HubertusSchaper]

@@storiesfromthecascina I,m Sure of that, good luck with the procces.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you Hubertus!

[@HubertusSchaper]

@@storiesfromthecascina You are verry welcome.🙏🏻