Cottage TOUR & Renovation Plans | Grants, floorplans & dreams

#offgridhomestead #cottagelife #movingtoireland
Come and see our renovation plans for this abandoned 1880s old stone cottage in Ireland. We bought this uninhabitable farmhouse in the Irish countryside and used our life savings to make this move and change our way of life. Now we're walking you through all of our plans to restore this unloved house into our dream forever-home; sharing how we're funding the first phase, floorplans, dreams and more!

[@bhavens9149]

Getting in is definitely more important than HGTV style to start, so understand! Love the logic behind the reno. Very Practical!

[@lauraquigley6403]

You guys’s are cute & hysterically funny! Love your channel🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s

[@jinns9503]

Idea for the master bedroom: Make a floating wall in front of the future ensuite to place the bed against so it faces the fire and the wall disguises the ensuite from direct eyeline. Granted that depends on how much space there is but, its an idea. You guys are living my dream! I am living vicariously through you as I am too disabled to ever be able to do something like this. Keep up the good work.

[@moiraleech6506]

Every blog on U tube has a different scenario story and unique in itself. Can't wait to see how your journey progresses. Laugh and light and fun and the whole homestead appeals especially in the beautIrish countryside. Keep going folks enjoy my time with you all 🙏❤️

[@Laura-ih7vv]

You two make me smile 😊.

[@jeffbrown2401]

Fantastic video big respect for the two of you.

[@patobrien6364]

love the end snippets 😂 you both have become so chilled since coming to Ireland 😎

[@nyshanelson2252]

Excited to see progress. Up till now has been amazing! One bed idea - floating bed without floating. Build a partial wall for headboard with cabinets or drawers behind.

[@willsonj]

Don’t worry about showing us instant progress. I work on my own projects, so I understand the real work that goes into getting things done. It’s always interesting to see what you guys are up to.

[@carolreardon2138]

Love you guys so much, and your daughter is such a hard worker you have raised her well.❤😊

[@charlieehstephenson4893]

Yaye let me grab my coffee ❤your channel

[@Melissa02891]

The vision you have now may not be the vision you end up with. After you get the neccesary prep work done and the concrete flooring installed and actually start living inside it, you might change your mind about certain aspects. I think you're smart to concentrate on doing what you need to complete the criteria for the grant funding and the rest will come as you go along. Seeing how the natural light fills the rooms and plays up certain features seasonally will make keeping the appendages or removing them an easier decision. Loved the tour, your positivity and the ability to see the humor in situations always shines through.

[@John2801Walsh]

Slow and steady wins the race - I love your cheerful, optimistic approach! Keep up the good work!

[@ronwebster4764]

Another great vidio, plenty of planning and enthusiasm, keep up the great work❤

[@lovleypoppy]

Yay! Love this channel! 😊

[@keyflexon]

If memory serves (I can't remember where I read this) but I think the appendages may have been added to provide better visibility around the property/house and adds more natural light. A friend doing a full rehab had very similar little appendages and turned a couple of them as indoor greenhouses and grew herbs and some vegetables during winter months.

[@neutonrenda2303]

That's the great part, it's your forever home, so time is relatively flexible after you get past the grant. The other things like the outside part are just as important to enjoy as well. ❤️

[@lucindajennings148]

😊 Looking forward to watching it all!! And I'm sure that no matter what your end plans are...just getting into the cottage at last will be wonderful!

[@annjarvis9300]

We are wishing you well with all the projects and look forward to sharing all with you so kind of you to share tc now till next time love to all from the oldies 🤗🤗🤗👍👍👍

[@dianewyatt7617]

Love the out takes

[@neutonrenda2303]

Keep the bumble....... coming, it just makes me smile hearing you say it. 😄❤️

[@johnevans8688]

No comment of the week. Love your work.

[@johnshaw4140]

Fabulous as usual , cannot wait to watch the build phase . I am watching 3 other couples building and renovating Irish properties and hoping that the war will end here so that I can buy and renovate a property here in Ukraine with my partner . Take care of yourselves and look forward to more viewing . And thanks for the entertainment

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Wishing you well in your endeavours re a real, peaceful and happy home.

[@Marion-tz5hb]

Well done guys! Excited to see how it all turns out!!

[@pamelashanholtzer3832]

You’re both young and you have plenty of time. I love your stone cottage. I have no doubt it will be beautiful when it’s finished. But I agree being outside with your animals and your beautiful garden is priceless. By the way I loved the wooded cabin that you put up for your office. I looked for one on line, but not available in the US. It would have been perfect for an art studio in my backyard.

[@sarameitner6770]

Yeah, they have them in Canada - so close, but...

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

I think everything sounds very exciting. I certainly don't know where I'd start if given the opportunity. It's challenging, which speaks to me in one way, but it's also a bit intimidating. You have my admiration in any case. Having replaced my roof twice in 30 odd years, I'd probably start with the roof (probably because I know it would require someone else to come and make it happen, and our changeable weather would demand it). A couple of feet of snow on the roof usually talks me into having a good roof with insulation. Anyway, wherever you begin, I'll be cheering for you and supporting you in spirit.

[@jackiturner9228]

What a wonderful explanation of yours plans and it’s great to see you living your dream!

[@maryw389]

❤❤ Thanks for sharing

[@juliefuggle314]

Love your channel guys x

[@gailh3048]

The appendage near the planned kitchen extension - enlarge it, join it to the wall of the new kitchen and make an orangery?

[@mariadange06]

Suggestion: use one of the appendages in the master bedroom as a wardrobe.

[@mindmatters2922]

A home like that would need the energy cleared in it. old houses hold many years of energy built up from previous owners. This is my job and I love it! energetically clearing homes and land back to neutral. They feel light and airy afterwards. Myself and hubbie have moved into a 50 year old cottage, and after the cleansing it is light as a feather!!

[@merilynp-j294]

Just a suggestion - I would look at creating a powder room so you have a toilet for guests on the ground floor. Clearly this would be in phase xx but at this stage where you are trying to figure out the best plan particularly with the unusual components of the building.

[@BrendaRobinette-zx5ix]

Love watching you all

[@tomwinch9107]

Thanks for sharing your plans ... I've always loved looking at floor plans and dreaming of possibilities! My son's just started an A level in 3D design with a plan to be an architect. Thankfully we have family friends who are architects so he got work experience from one to help him understand if it was what he thought Someone mentioned a floating wall to help provide a wall for your bed ... I was wondering if you opened up a doorway in the wall diagonally across from the bedroom door (in the corner) to access a dressing room, them had the en-suite wet room off that with its door to the outside. That will allow the existing doorway to be closed up, providing a longer wall for your bed head. It will also provide direct access to a sink / toilet from outside, which could be useful when 'coming in from the fields after a hard day's farming', giving you somewhere to change / shower without getting the house dirty (and avoiding having the outside door and bedroom door opening into the same space) Just a thought, good luck!

[@LittleMollyDog123]

In the bedroom you could build a loft and put the bed on it.

[@evamanbeck1380]

I enjoy watching your channel but feel you should keep to the original kitchen plans. It would be so light and also cozy with the fireplace, and perhaps have room for washer/dryer and lavatory in the far end. Your bedroom/on suite could be on the side of the great room that you plan to tear down. People don't need such a huge bedroom as they think as they are mostly sleeping there. Also, you mention that this will be your forever home. I have found that it rarely happens that families stay in one home forever, my family included.

[@katrina4690]

Sunroom/Florida room could be an indoor small green house, maybe??? ❤

[@katrina4690]

Ooo stick some green plant in thise sunroom nooks in the bedroom and turn them into reading nooks??? Just an idea. ❤😊

[@mickbowler9111]

You can have a 40 sq meter extension without planning.... Also, just in case you are thinking of doing your own electrics, its illegal in Ireland to do electrical work in a house in Ireland unless you are a "Registered Electrical Contractor" (Safe Electric approved).

[@VMSmith]

Ditto that. you can do it but you won’t get an REC electrician to finish off unless he’s sure you knew what you were doing …. it’s his insurance and rep on the line if you did something wrong

[@mickbowler9111]

@@VMSmith A REC is not allowed to certify anyone else work, only a Safe Electric inspector (and lots of €€) can do that. Nothing to do with insurance or his reputation. Some still do it, but that's up to them.

[@cahalcostello9295]

The extension must be to the rear of the existing building and satisfy a number of other regulations

[@better_than_nothing]

Free men don't ask for permission.

[@dangerous2095]

Ironmaster dumbbells! Nice, best money can buy.

[@nancykinsinger974]

It may be quirky but it has wonderful potential. I love the fireplace and wood areas. The " appendages" look like small sun rooms. Might look good with plants hanging in. Are you planning to keep them on the house? Thanks for the tour.

[@rlrafter]

Just a suggestion there are two bedrooms and reno bath upstairs. Why not make them habitable for yourselves to live while renovations continue downstairs?

[@jmfs8738]

Fun to hear what you’re thinking with such a big project ahead! Does the grant require that you build a barn etc. along with your cottage for the homesteading part, or are they more interested in strengthening their tax base with livable homes first? Lastly, will Kayvan’s office remain in your van, or will you eventually add on to the other office space? I’m super pleased for you all and hope that you’re enjoying your new way of life as well and it’s building plans!

[@re33ce]

Don't forget the multi fuel stove 🔥🔥🪵🪵

[@angelavan478]

uhmm....maybe architect first??--past experience here as you never want to redo basic, foundational work. It doesn't have to be the final plans w/ everything that you would use w/ contractors & file w/ area authorities, etc.---but certainly get 3 basic alternatives (just in case). Dig, tear-down, do foundations/rebuild walls only once...I blew a bunch of cash--just invest in a good architect who will work w/ you. (**Oh, and make sure a detailed staircase is formalized in each version--not sure why that is sometimes left out, can be a headache later if rebuilding one from scratch. It impacted 3 areas and cost twice as much to include in plans later.) Good luck--have enjoyed your channel!!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Get used to 3D Tetris, you are going to be moving the same items multiple times as the build progresses, it's the part of building that normally drives you crazy.👍❤️

[@kathik5643]

What is the grant deadline to finish phase 1?

[@bhavens9149]

Question are you using a pre loaded Project management tool for the reno or are you winging it? just wondering!

[@joannewall5499]

Wait what, no comment of the week

[@MrMooneclips]

hi there. i think i have a bad or good idea, that i dont know yet. what if you remake one or more off the appendages into a mini green house? whit that i mean if you put a door and seal up one or more of the appendages and put like seeds or flowers in there then that could infact become a mini green house . maybe it is a bad idea or not, that i dont know. anyways have a great day!

[@willsonj]

Would be a great place to have fresh herbs etc. growing, so you could grab them for cooking

[@better_than_nothing]

When are y'all actually going to get some work done? "In a world of talkers, be a thinker and a doer." ~Destin Sandlin

[@jimharry8318]

Really bothersome. The wife still can’t let her husband finish a sentence or thought without interruption. It’s makes it so difficult to want to watch an otherwise very interesting series. She really should go back and rewatch these videos. Hopefully then she could see how disrespectful she is to her husband. He always looks like a deer in the headlight, waiting to be interrupted. See how many times he just nods because it isn’t safe to speak.

[@l.r.dizing498]

too much talk bla bla . Is not douing the ting not interesting

[@NoonyNewborn]

Loool, Kayvan stepping into the hole in the ground was a hilarious scene. You two are amazing 😊 good luck and blessings for all these plans coming into fruition in the next 11(?) months 🙏🏻🙌🏻🩷

[@SteveHainesCounsellor]

It looks like the appendages were very well considered 😂🫣