I BOUGHT A HOUSE IN JAPAN 😱🇯🇵 Tokyo House Tour

[@sharlainjapan]

Watch ALL VIDEOS of the Renovation Process here! 🥳 ▶︎ kzbin.info/aero/PLT5W7CXHO8LewVy1fjw0nPP61P1dZ4kXd FYI - the floors aren’t wood, they’re laminate made to look like wood. Very common in Japan.

[@Fluteperson01]

I was gonna say please keep the hard wood if you can refinish it. But yea it’s gotta go if it’s laminate

[@biteofdog]

This is so cool!! I hope you two are successful in flipping homes! Already, your ideas are wonderful in improving the use of space in the house :)

[@ebugasubaraka5488]

Once renovated how much do you think the rent would be?

[@KJ-jq9pq]

The camelias shouldn't be an issue. Talk to a builder tho. Grats.

[@danielmacdougall2697]

is your business partner from australia ? the project looks like great fun, best of luck :))) cheers from Oz !

[@o0OCheyO0o]

There are so many great creative artists in Japan, Maybe its an idea to let somebody paint the accent wall with something custom made? I think it would even cost less than shipping wallpaper to Japan! Esp because it's only one accent wall!

[@moxellex]

that is actually such a cool idea !

[@beatriceboschiero8373]

I was about to comment the same thing! It would be so nice if they supported an artist

[@azfortuna9398]

if i recall correctly most walls in japan aren't your standard western drywall so you cant really paint them, thats why you have to resort to wallpaper

[@o0OCheyO0o]

@@azfortuna9398 Maybe they could use a white wallpaper as a base and paint on that?

[@DuskdemonsAngel]

Came here to say the same thing. Minori is a Tokyo based KZbinr, she's a great artist. It would be an awesome Collab!

[@Taylor_R]

Congratulations to both of you!! 🎉🥰 Really looking forward to more renovating and decorating content! 😍 maybe a toilet in the kitchen? 🤔😆

[@sharlainjapan]

HAHA tempting🤔🤔🤔 Wonder if anyone gets this reference lmao

[@sserafimimpact]

The funky Airbnb you guys rented together haha!! I loved that video 💕

[@thisismelissaaaa]

🤣⚰️

[@HamsterPancakeAU]

@@sharlainjapan As soon as I checked the username I laughed.

[@SnowClover]

@@sharlainjapan right away 🤣

[@flogarr1]

Don't forget to upgrade your electrics while you have the walls open. Check all your plumbing too. Congratulations on your new house!

[@ieattacoss]

did they use alluminum wires in japan too in those years ?

[@samsoner2]

Yes, this is great advice.

[@dominik4154]

very important advice. Would be a shame if they put lots of work in just to find out, that they have to open up walls again.

[@sakurachanmemory8921]

Flo that's very good point. One of the most expensive and dangerous most people are not aware when buying old homes. Electric and plumbing.

[@JasZRose]

This is great advice. We just brought a house that was built in the 80's in Australia. Just had to replace all the piping behind the shower as it was all rusted. Now we have to replace the wall and tiles. So thankful we got the pipes checked before we retiled the bathroom.

[@0ozmichka0]

I'm an interior designer, don't hurry to get rid of some of the old stuff! The kitchen might be easy to update simply by changing the hardware (handles etc). That vintage lamp is gorgeous, maybe try spray painting the stem bronze or black to give it an updated look; that weird deep closet would do great with a mirror installed in the back, fairy lights, glass shelves and you've got a stylish "wall bar" ; the bathroom tiles are also nice if you go with a Portuguese vibe bathroom (olive green, gold). Hope you get inspired by some of these ideas 😊

[@sharlainjapan]

Ooo wall bar, I like that🤩✨

[@shizuevoltam]

I have the same feeling about thw tiles in the bathroom. if they are intact, I think the rest of the bathroom could go with a similar color scheme and it would come out really stylish!

[@einfachnurleo7099]

Thank you. I had a similar feeling. It almost seemed like they wanted to replace everything. Sure it does look old in its current state but it would probably look way different after a good cleaning as well as some better lighting. Lots of the stuff (as long as its timeless quality work) can probably be updated like you said. What shook me the most is how they instantly wanted to throw out the tatami. Not sure how much care needs to be put into it but I would most definitly want to save it (at least as long as it still looks good).

[@TokyoLens]

BONKERS!! Congratulations to both of you!! Now I gotta get back to Tokyo to help with renovations! lol

[@yorimoon8045]

Handyman norm!

[@pendragnx]

Norm can fly over your house and drop off supplies ^_^

[@billfulton-lahti7278]

Really you should have an additional channel Norm and call it Norm on the go and just document all your day to day stuff, lol

[@sharlainjapan]

Yes please😂😂🙏🏻

[@strangetimez]

Aww.. What a friend! 🦊🐾

[@mattwinward3168]

If the apartment is mostly aimed at being rented/airBnB-ed out to foreigners, I wouldn't get rid of the tatami room, and I'd keep the adjoining closet. Though the novelty might wear off if you live in Japan, one of the aspects I liked most when visiting Japan the first time was sleeping on a futon on the floor in the tatami room; it was a novel experience that would give the would give the house some added character. Something I have less of a strong opinion about is separating the rooms. It would be acceptable to do so, but it would definitely make the tatami room feel less open because of the lack of light coming through the balcony window. I also wouldn't put the TV in a closet, but given the room layout I'm not sure it can be helped. Regardless of what happens to the house though I'm excited to see what it turns into!

[@AnnaHeey]

Agreed! Huge selling points for AirBnB in Japan

[@attorox]

100% about the tatami if its going to be an airBnB that would be something i would think is pretty neat and would play into which place i rented for sure

[@shllybkwrm]

Agree as well, it's a selling point!

[@devilovesdevil]

They can always mount the tv which gives more space on the floor and for the closet space

[@MikeEPerez]

Agreed. My house was an airbnb before we moved in, and the listing photos were nuts. They had these huge western style beds jammed into each room (the biggest is 6 tatami). I'm not against remodeling with western influence, but some things were built with a specific use in mind, and things just don't flow as well when attempting such a drastic change. Personally, I would worry less about tearing out the oshiire (great for futon and luggage storage), and more about making sure the plumbing is in working order.... Oh, and replacing the windows with clear glass! 😅

[@jimsmith5148]

It looks like this house has a lot of potential. but, I think you definitely need to invite an engineer to inspect load-bearing structures, plumbing end electrics. in such old houses, many problems can be hidden and cannot be solved by DIYers.

[@johndoe-dj3iy]

@@realisticadvisor9931 those issues are actually more common in Japan

[@Lisallamaa]

Not sure what it's like in Japan, but in Canada you generally have those inspections done before you buy a house. Sharla may have already had it done. If not, good advice, they really should!

[@chlorox01]

She said she worked for a construction company that specialized in bathroom stuff so I'm sure she is aware of all that stuff, I thought the same thing too until she said that.

[@BLUEHOUNDZULU]

@@realisticadvisor9931 Pretty sure age based deterioration happens everywhere in the world...

[@XSemperIdem5]

I was thinking about that when she said she wanted to move the washing machine area because you need to possibly run the water lines and drainage differently.

[@lowkeylowkey1000]

After having seen the inside, there looks to be a serious mold problem in some areas. Namely the kitchen and shower closet. I would VERY seriously take into consideration taking mold sample kits and drill some of the dirty areas for testing. Before any wall paper goes up too. That way if you have to replace entire dry wall sections, you don't have to do anything over again. Plus you won't have legal trouble if someone gets deathly ill from being in the building.

[@RodrigoTsu]

if mold is visible at the point, just get it professionally removed and redo all the walls affected by it.

[@lowkeylowkey1000]

@@RodrigoTsu Not that simple. Hence taking drill samples. To explain: Mold can be like a tree root system. The roots cannot be seen with the naked eye. They often burrow deep into a material like dry wall and spread. If mold is seen with the naked eye as can be seen on a camera, this is VERY dangerous, because the spores are spreading the mold all over the place. By the time you can smell that "musty odor", its already a health hazard that can be deadly. Hate to break it to them but it really is not a simple matter, because when you don't remove entire walls and see behind them. You can end up with a contamination that spreads to everything else. As anything the spores land on become a new growth location to then do more damage. Everything in the building turns into a new health hazard and a new spot for more growth. Its sort of like a wild fire that you can't see, until its to late. How to help? If I were the owner, I would have the walls removed entirely. Then look behind them and see if the mold is growing behind them. Use bunny suits, masks and a few air filters running. If there is growth behind it, have ready warm water, dish detergent and bleach in a bucket with lots of sponges to clean every inch possible. Wait a day for it to dry and have have a sealant sprayed over the surface to encase anything missed. You can also add Microban Paint and Stain Additive 1.5floz to 1 gallon of spray sealant for several extra years of prevention. Put up a new wall and seal that also. Then add wall paper. If paint, add the microban to the paint and do this with every wall in the building. The bathing area will most likely be a tricky area, short of removing the whole thing and getting a easy to clean bathing system. No hard to reach or closed off areas. Takes a little extra work for these ladies, but if they don't its a health hazard that can be really problematic if ignored.

[@georgianaradauti7315]

Thats not mold. Its very old dust around appliances and not painting walls for over 10 years and u get that

[@glynnth]

@@lowkeylowkey1000 - More likely, they'll just do like most property owners in the US - aka - surface clean &/or paint over whatever's outwardly obvious, pretend what's out of sight, doesnt exist, rent or sell the place to unsuspecting "victims", & resort to denial, harassment, threats, bribery of local offcials, etc, if anyone dares to complain.... Heck still hard to even get a diagnosis of mold-related illness, to this day. Good luck proving your case.... Interesting to see Japan is now allowing American house-flippers to buy property in their country, & profit from it's resale at inflated prices - hence contributing to rising housing costs for their citizens... (Seems like SMART leaders, who actually CARE about their citizenry, would OUTLAW such things?)

[@andoku2]

Just some advice from one architect who's seen many reno jobs. Renovating a house s a big feat and tests the relationship. Understand and respect each others boundaries, strength and weaknesses is key and bring in a professional interior designer. Best of luck, its a big journey, but Super rewarding.

[@Domspun]

As an ex-homeowner, I approve this message. Except maybe the rewarding part... sure I was proud of the work I did and it made life in the house better, but now in hindsight, I should have done something better and more fun with my time and money.

[@yeevita]

It really depends on the personalities involved. I generally am a prickly personality but my husband and I and a few other people for some reason get along really well, even when we are arguing. Our arguing styles seem to not stress our group out that much and we are all still friends and still like each other. Working together is actually very rewarding, but if you did not know each other well before, you will afterwards. The two of them seem like they have overcome discussions before and seem like they like similar things, so I think it will be ok. They seem like they talk to each other very well.

[@SnowAnayathatweirdgirl]

Yeah.. my brother and I nearly disowned each other while we were upgrading our parents home. Definitely gotta respect each other even if disagreeing there’s always common ground. What we ended up doing is picking different room s to work on and making sure the design matches the overall look of the whole house. Not gonna lie our mom had to tell us we were breaking her heart with all our fighting that’s when we knew we were emotionally taking it too far.

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

Buying a house which can never be knocked down and rebuilt just does not exist in Australia. Sooner or later, the house will be an abandoned stranded asset, where the final owner will have nothing of value. Bizarre property.

[@RyotarosJapan]

Congrats! If you ever need a portrait of mine, ,let me know😁

[@sharlainjapan]

Well that’s one way to spice up the bathroom 😅😅

[@CrimsonLadyVT]

@@sharlainjapan HOW CAN YOU POO WITH RYOTARO'S FACE IN FRONT OF YOU? MY POOP WOULD... BACK OFF 🤣🤣 Jk jk

[@phangirlable]

PS: I don't know but to my western eyes this is a really pretty little house as is. It has such a clean, simple, harmonic style. Very Bauhaus (yeah, Bauhaus is inspired by Japanese design after all. lol). Something to keep in mind if you want to rent it out as a B&B because as a tourist I'd probably enjoy renting something more traditionally Japanese looking (or for manga/anime fans, something that looks like those houses) than something more western.

[@nicolatoomey4882]

Exactly what I was thinking! Keep it retro and authentic!

[@zomicide_]

I thought this aswell, might aswell stay in North America with all those changes lol

[@evercuriousmichelle]

Agreed, and even if you decide to flip the house, the people you'll be selling to are likely locals who may appreciate and expect the deep closets and the tatami floor.

[@melchoe516]

Congratulations!!! How FANTASTIC!!! House is beautiful. I love all your ideas. I will say I was a bit sad when you Said you were getting rid of Tatami and closet lol Otherwise I can’t wait to see it when it’s done!!!

[@hippychu3761]

@@abcdefg3315 I was also bummed to hear they aren’t keeping the tatami room. I feel like that would be super attractive to people looking to stay in Japan! They know a lot about air bnb though so they know what works best for them

[@butterflymuse2707]

This house has some great potential! I would say if it's old, definitely get a structural engineer in there and make sure you check the electric and plumbing for anything you need to bring up to modern code (especially electric that may need a fire hazard)! For the camelias, I wonder if you can dig them up and put them in large pots as decor?? They're really pretty! Excited to see the progress!

[@dg-low314]

Congrats Shar and Ushka, can't wait to see the progress! I'm a state-side preservationist and gotta say find a way to save the Tatami room closet doors! Those and the shell light would be a nice homage to the original home pre-renovation! Or if not is there a company that saves them for resale so that they could be used in another homes renovation?

[@mmhope9411]

Good idea! Not only the doors, but also the tatami mats. There must be a company that cleans and refurbishes them somewhere....

[@laurieleonard8209]

Hi sad to say we could not salvage our very old cast iron tub without tearing down walls l hope it will become nice new cars for some lucky people ❤️ refurb can be painful 😓

[@GardensOfChina]

In Japan as she said they like all new things... As much as these look cute to us (and I am an art historian so understand the impulse) I don't think they are in good condition enough. She could perhaps sell them online though!

[@CoffeehouseCrime]

This is so cool! I’ve loved watching Tokyo Llama and his three year renovation project on KZbin so this really ticks a lot of boxes. I’d love to see your progress videos on here 🙌

[@captainanorach]

@Coffeehouse Crime my wife is addicted to watching your videos! 😅

[@PanzerChief]

My man I didn't know you watch Tokyo Llama

[@soniclevels1514]

COFFEE HOUSE?! I did not expect seeing you here. Please to be in your presences 🎩 😎

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Yeah, I loved the Tokyo Llama project too. I also just wrapped up my own construction project here in Japan - less exciting because we built from zero - but feel free to check out the vids if you’re curious. 🍻

[@haleyobermier7154]

Two channels I watch that I never thought would collide ..

[@BenCG]

You don't need me to tell you this, but make sure you get the place treated for the damp and mold on the walls and well insulated (where possible, I know Japanese places aren't known for insulation) before you start decorating anything. Despite the dirt, it does have some nice bits of character worth preserving! Congratulations both of you!

[@alevakkor]

Congratulations on your purchase! I work as an architect in a design and build renovation company in Osaka; not really sure what kind of accent wallpaper you’re looking for but there is Sangetsu, Lilycolor, Toli, Sincol, Runon, and Tokiwa that we mostly use and they all have a few catalogues to choose from. About tatami flooring, i know it’s a pain to take care of it but there is this brand called Bolon, which is Swedish originally as far as i know, they make synthetic woven flooring that looks like tatami but has funky designs and you can buy them in Japan too.

[@kemushichan]

I am SO hyped for this project! Congrats you two!

[@Moaritsu]

Wow!! Congrats. How many people can say they bought a house in Tokyo, regardless of the state it's in haha. I think this will be super rewarding and profitable for you. Plus you'll learn so many skills.

[@fox4ab]

So much fun! My only concern is the amount of closets/storage spaces you want to get rid of… especially if you want to resell it I feel like people always want more storage. Just a thought, excited to see the progress

[@evercuriousmichelle]

My thoughts exactly!

[@KarinMysticnature007]

Keep some of the original flooring and make photos of before and after, then print it out and put it into an ring binder/folder to document for the people who might live there after you. Don't forget to insulate and I would keep some of the tiles, maybe for reusage. Have fun renovating it! (never did renovations)

[@danaberries]

I personally love the light fixture in the living room. I think if everything else is updates it would look nice if left. Cant wait to see what you guys do with this cute house !

[@alexshewan]

As a Canadian / North American, I always see these videos and think “WOW, what a life”. Congratulations on your new home to you both and current / future successes. It’s remarkable

[@jazzvanravenswaay2696]

Congratulations!🎉Personally, I would not separate the bedroom and tatami room, it will make it look so much more cramped with a solid wall! With a good sliding door, people have more options on how they want to use the space. I would also not remove the tatami... I understand it's a lot of maintenance but it's also the one traditional part in the house that gives it a lot of character :) (And I don't mean the kind of character we're getting from the curtains, haha)

[@Maxid1]

The floors (depending on the thickness) could probably just be sanded and clear coated. Not sure of the species of wood or if they're stained that dark. I imagine they are stained. They look to be oak and it doesn't take stain deeply. It could be red or white oak. Both will be nice and bright after you get the mahogany stain off.

[@phangirlable]

I agree, those look like some really nice flooring, would be kind of a pity to remove it.

[@kattkatt744]

A lot of floors in Japan are linoleum even if the look like wood. My instinct is that these are the typical wood look alike linoleum floors that you find all over Japanese residential houses. But maybe the house is just old enough to actually have wooden floors?

[@yeevita]

I was wondering about this but it depends on what that floor is, but sanding it certainly would save money.

[@blackshadow-_-c9441]

It's Laminate

[@cassm7269]

the cabinets are actually not bad! Vintage looking and gen z is starting to like 70s/80s aesthetic. I think it would be cool to switch out the counter tops and the drawer handles

[@BlackStorm555]

I agree clean off the rust or replace, but the sink with the grooves is cool.😊

[@reow7858]

12:12 That lamp is made of kapis or capiz. Yes it is from a shell (oyster). In the Philippines, this is very popular and quite pricey. Most of them were from a province called, Capiz (literally named after the shell) in Visayas area where my mom was born. The place is surrounded by a sea and that’s the main reason why it is also called the seafood capital of the Philippines. ☺️Anyway, congratulations to both of you! I hope when I visit Japan again, your house will be listed in airbnb. Good luck and have fun with the renovations! 🥰

[@delukxy]

More likely plastic. It's easy to copy it cheaply. If it was real shell I think the previous owners would have taken it with them.

[@BaranoJosei]

@@delukxy Not necessarily- you'd be amazed at the stuff people leave behind in old houses (in Japan). Especially if the last resident died.

[@shan_anigan]

The interior designer in me is PUMPED for update videos on the journey this takes and the finished product! Congrats on the opportunity to bring life and modernity to this whole house!

[@thomasinajefferson9971]

ANIMAL CROSSING PREPARED YOU FOR THIS MOMENT!!! 🤣 So excited for you guys! Im doing the exact same thing in California right now! We get the keys on Monday! Please, please, PLEASE take us along on the journey with you! I can’t wait to see how and what you gals do with this! Congratulations! 🥳🎊✨ 💜❤️🧡💛

[@IvanaPerkovicOfficial]

Ahhhh omg this is INCREDIBLE! Congrats and can't wait to watch the journey of fixing it up 😁❤️

[@HelaFortuna]

Just a note: those wood floors look really nice, if they are real hardwood you can just sand off the stain and re-stain them lighter! 😃 Either way, such a cool project!

[@jin8339]

Totally agreed ! 🙏🌹🌺

[@Kuralai95]

It’s laminate!

[@Gunnumn]

you actually bought a real house!!! nice achievement. my biggest annoyance is when people say theyre buying a new house when its really another apartment. I wont mention any names.

[@SammieSpeaks]

The inside is almost identical to the state of the family house I stay in when I go to japan 🥹 hopefully your house doesn’t have a spider problem like ours! Also spoonflower has great wallpaper and ships to japan ✨

[@SleepingFairy]

Spider problem sound like a nightmare 😖😖😖

[@darbychai]

Spoonflower's William Morris' revamped designs are so good!!

[@breeze9248]

spider problems... Let's not talk about it

[@annefresia2102]

I second Spoonflower. They have so many. I suggest getting a swatch before committing to a full wall though.

[@mismonsta]

I third Spoonflower ❤️ congrats on the new place!

[@gingersytsma623]

Eager to see the renovations. I lived my whole childhood in Japan in the 50s and 60s. Not sure why you would get rid of the shoe box (geta bako) unless you just want to replace it with an updated version. You need a place to put your shoes!

[@Stumbo99]

Holy shit, congratulations Shar!!! I'm sure you've thought this through, but he careful these home renovations can be a giant money pit if you're not careful; even the most experienced home renovators can very quickly dig themselves into a deep hole. It may sound obvious but dont be afraid to hire professionals, it'll cost you alot less to hire someone to do something than to pay them to fix a mistake and then do it. Best of luck ☺️

[@RenegadeRanga]

Well at least she had 10 years experience back home so she's not going in blind.

[@surft]

Hopefully it's high demand in her area. It's Tokyo after all and houses are indeed pretty valuable.

[@nate3315]

Well at the very least you'd need an experienced electrician and plumber.

[@zbaby82]

I think the first thing to check is to make sure the roof is good and doesn't leak. Paint is probably cheaper than wallpaper. Latex paint is good for outdoors. Good luck.

[@SunnydahyeIn]

Congratulations babe !!! super proud of you❤❤cannot wait to see the progress ♥️♥️♥️

[@sharlainjapan]

Thanks babe!! Come stay at it when it’s all ready😍🙌🏻💕💕

[@jessicanigri]

House Renovation Arc! LETS GOO!!

[@sharlainjapan]

🥳🥳🥳🥳 Come stay at our Airbnb~😍

[@jessicanigri]

@@sharlainjapan yes maam!!

[@dwdl420]

Why replaced the first tatami room, it's so pretty! The sliding doors have a lot of characters and are in good conditions

[@callumlaws9049]

tatami needs a lot of care

[@xrystal89]

Oh, this makes me really wish there was an HGTV Japan. Renovating is really interesting and in Japan with limited spacing in cities and people moving from the country, it would be really something to see properties and towns being revitalized. Japan drives me nuts with all of the dark wood (the doors, the floors, the outlines of ceilings and walls like dark crown and wainscot moldings); I love their lighter wood tones because it makes a house/room feel warm, open, bright but those dark ones feel tight and claustrophobic. And with the places already being quite small, it makes it feel even worse. This seems like it will be a fascinating journey. I'm excited to see what you all do with it.

[@SurgStriker]

I'd imagine you could probably make good profits doing it as a rental for foreigners coming to visit Japan. hearing all the horror stories about how banks and apartments refuse to sell/rent to foreigners, having a space where they could rent from a westerner who knows the ins and outs of Japan could be beneficial and you might be able to custom make things specifically for those visiting (like include some stuff for the renters to help them, like some maps or informational booklets that properly express what they need to know. There is plenty online, but you never know how much of it is written by people who either haven't lived there long enough to know the real needs, or who lived there too long to remember what westerners would need to know). Like you could probably have a nice premium on rental costs that way. Only downside is potential for bad tenents, either that mess up the place or aren't respectful of neighbors.

[@funniburnz4942]

Mr. Kate now has a line of Wallpaper & coverings as well as easily put together, affordable, furnature. And her company gives back to others too focusing on sustainability. You could maybe even see if she would be interested in working on an international Collab on this if you guys want.

[@calibunnyVT]

Gonna be honest, I LOVE the retro kitchen fixtures and lights, with a little bit of cleaning those would give it so much charm and personality! But to be fair, I prefer retro design over modern home designs as it is, so my bias may be showing LMAO. But as I see it, you can find modern interior design everywhere, finding a comfy retro interior is rare and exciting!

[@BlackStorm555]

I totally agree.

[@craigmuller2013]

I agree

[@virginiealohaa8163]

Amazing project!! Imo it's a mistake to want to get rid of most of the closets as storage is super important in Japanese houses because they are already super tiny. But I can't wait to see what it will look like after the renovations!

[@p1ural391]

Fun. This will be the first time I see a Japanese house being renovated. So excited to see the outcome of this place.

[@soltersortna]

One of my favorite channels starting one of my favorite topics on KZbin, renovations?! A dream come true

[@SailorVdizzle]

No way!!! I was literally JUST talking about how I'd love to find old traditional style houses in Japan and renovate them!!! So so sooooo excited to see this journey Sharla!!! 😍💖

[@Val.Kyrie.]

I'd love to retire to an old house in japan, or have a second home to work on to vacation to.

[@SailorVdizzle]

@@Val.Kyrie. Yess!!! That's literally my dream also!! 🥰🥰 I'd love to do that and turn them into ryokans if I can find big enough homes!!

[@TheCreator1197]

I think an Air BnB for your fans is a great idea! You should consider removing/moving some of the walls though - you might not even need all the rooms. If your target audience is us (i.e. tourists, with an interest in Japanese culture), then you should probably try to make the bath bigger and fancier and keep the tatami flooring though.

[@tccandler]

What a fun project! Have a great time doing it!

[@NimrodClover]

At 12:38 - I seem to recall you mentioning, ever so briefly, about your job back in BC, this was like five years ago or so. This is the most you've ever mentioned about it the channel. (10 years, wow!) Great to see you getting to flex that designer muscle. Being an Architect, I can't help but see all the potential in these spaces too. Your bath renovations are all great as that area is just not well configured. Thanks for sharing as this old building has its own inherent charms. Yes, more Architecture videos, renovation videos, open house tour, etc. I've seen some of these Japanese home design catalogs and it is true, a thick magazine entirely devoted to... doors or car ports or toilets - you do get a lot of options.

[@percivallavoie4415]

Per chance, would you happen to know if you can find those catalogs online? Not presently having anything built, just dreaming my dream home 😂

[@samanthah6286]

I can’t wait to see how you guys remodel this house! If you do turn it into an AirBnB, I would love to stay here! 😃😍

[@ivenstorm]

Speaking as a recent homeowner (I bought my house 5 years ago), my home is a 2 bedroom 700 sq. foot Canadian home. Since I was going to be living alone, my father and I actually removed one of the closets and put a desk in its place. My suggestion as for layout, would be to have the tv in the closet, with storage above, with a loveseat and chaise, so its a bit more comfy for taller people.

[@juyuvlogs4211]

Make your Airbnb in Pokémon theme!😍 All your fans will come to your Airbnb in Japan and it will be booked out all year long lol 😆

[@hizokadarkwolf]

NIntendo Lawyers don't like this

[@mariefischer6402]

lol just because someone decorates an AIRBNB with some pokemon plushies and put some pokemon pictures on the wall Nintendo will sue this person 👌

[@tastymuesli9304]

Architect here - really pumped for the future videos about this project! From what you've shown, the house needs lots of work and love, but also has quite some potential in it as well, so I'm hyped already to see, what you guys make of it!

[@kattkatt744]

The house looks 1980s to me. It is not as old as the 1960s. I love Japanese houses from the 1960s and the floors and walls look totally different. If they wheren't building a traditional Japanese style house they would use a lot of fishbone and square designs in the flooring and the walls where covered in red stained woods. That mid Showa regular peoples aesthetic is fantastic I think, but hard to find in Japan today. The lamp with shells looks 1980s Tiffany style and the other lamp also looked 1980s. The curtain rods looked late 1970s, early 1980s, so my bet would be the whole house is from the 1980s. Hope the renovation ends up being fun!

[@malcolmdrake6137]

They weren't talking about the _house,_ they were referring to how "retro" the fixtures look...no one pays attention to anything; they just immediately start disagreeing with what they _want_ to hear, so they can _disagree!_

[@SAK556]

@@malcolmdrake6137 I mean… if the house was built in the 1980s like they predict then the stuff inside is probably not from the 60s so they are still correct. Not like the year matter anyway

[@SAK556]

@@malcolmdrake6137 I mean… if the house was built in the 1980s like they predict then the stuff inside is probably not from the 60s so they are still correct. Not like the year matter anyway

[@Gunbu]

Good eye and info 👍. The house being from the 80’s makes more sense to me as well.

[@SpecOpsFox_]

Honestly there's A LOT of potential with this house!! With the TLC I'm sure you're gonna give it, it's going to be a super cozy house!!

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

Buying a house which can never be knocked down and rebuilt just does not exist in Australia. Sooner or later, the house will be an abandoned stranded asset, where the final owner will have nothing of value. Bizarre property.

[@houseofeufori]

This feels like one of those home renovation games with all those catalogs with so many options to choose from, and I am soooo here for it! Can't wait to see now it looks, why am I so excited about someone else's house? 😂

[@mediacenter3592]

Just my personal feel, those existing retro lights will likely look awesome once you get the wall paper and floors redone. Retro lighting is very "in" these days and is often the thing people pay a fortune for to accent their living space after they're done a fresh coat of paint and new floors. I'm not sure I would be in a rush to replace them before I see how everything else pans out.

[@LLover166]

That's so exciting! Make sure you know what the goal of the house is though before you make decisions. If you just want it to be a flipper don't bother wasting money and time on choices like wallpaper and curtain rod height because the next owners will change that to their liking but if it's a vacation rental that you will still own go crazy

[@tp6678]

Congratulations!!! I always thought it would be cool to buy a traditional Japanese farm house out in the countryside (the kind with sliding partitions both inside and along the exterior with those wooden hallways around the outside. Some of my best memories of Japan were visting my ex's grandfather's house, opening the exterior wall, and looking out over the terraced rice paddies.

[@Akasan]

Ooooh NICE! Congrats Sharla!!!!

[@sharlainjapan]

Thanks so much!! :D

[@the_great_zuk8326]

OMG SHARLA PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE THIS AN AIR BNB!!! im planning to go to japan in like 2023 and would loveeee to say here!!!

[@SvjatoslavPodoplelov]

The house kinda reminds me of Ryuji's home from Toradora. It is simple and oldschool yet cute.

[@shesfrench]

Congratulations!! This is such an exciting new chapter! That cat wallpaper would look super cute framed as an art piece!!💘

[@madelinemomo2828]

Sharla! I’ve been watching your videos for many years and now I’m moving to Japan this summer to teach English! Thanks for educating me about Japan. I will be making many fun trips around Japan thanks to you!

[@miamo3567]

MARIMEKKO!!! Marimekko also makes wallpapers, they are a bit expensive, but great for a small wall! LOVE their patterns! 🥰

[@Sindri27]

Congratulations! This seems like a fun project! Sadly I'd remove that tree its roots could seriously damage the foundation underneath. We bought a house that had trees planted up close around the house the foundation had to be repaired. The people we bought it from fixed part of it. Its very expensive to repair. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[@marcibartlett6880]

Omg I love the idea of an Airbnb! As long as the house is insulated and there’s no holes or cracks for bugs, running water, etc then I would definitely reserve your Airbnb.

[@ArtsieRose98]

Congratulations!! Moving into a home is a big step! For home renovations i would suggest asking Rachael and Jun since they did the same thing there in Japan. Looking forward to seeing the updates!

[@HoneyGun]

I do some interior design in my free time. Some of the most fun colors to work with right now for accent walls are a dark teal, or emerald then adding some really colorful chairs/sofa with throw pillows to really make the space stand out. Some wallpapers have really lovely prints with the dark colors too, but with everything together its very colorful.

[@sharlainjapan]

Love that😍😍

[@ZoeShears]

Every time I see those Japanese closets I can't help but think of the grudge lol. Congrats on your new project can't wait to see what you do with it

[@the_oslovian]

I grew up with the exact same shade of shell, on our kitchenlamp... In Norway! Made me jump in the chair to see it. So many memories.

[@ayram617]

This house has so much potential. Congratulations!! 💛

[@_.mxggxn._]

I stayed in an AirBnb in Osaka which was very much the same style as this house! They had modernised the kitchen but kept that retro feel. It was really cool and the house had maintained its traditional Japanese style with the sliding panels and tatami, while having all the mod cons. I’m really excited to see your journey with this! What a great find that house is too. Pretty much a blank canvas!

[@Sollux]

I actually like some of the retro furniture haha but I'm really excited to see what you guys do with it!

[@phangirlable]

Me too. lol That old kitchen is so cool and seems to be in good condition, just needs a good cleaning. People pay good money for that kind of retro stuff.

[@nicolatoomey4882]

Me too! I'd love to see it as a retro airb&b

[@izabellavanryn3531]

Me too! I liked the Kitchen, maybe just a new counter top and hardware. I also liked that light fixture 😅I'm in the process of having my kitchen re-done, and I'm seeing acrylic cabinets in a lot of designs out there. Everything comes back into style I guess!

[@kyeoptawerk93ah]

i liked the bathroom floor tiles! i would want to keep so much as retro as possible with minor updates (like yeah def change up the main floor to a lighter color)

[@ModernFollyDa2nd]

Seriously the bathroom flooring, kitchen cabinets and living room light fixture are too cute to remove. I imagine it would be much more cost effective to preserve as much as possible.

[@cottoncandyheart894]

Congrats hun so proud of you I wish you well in all your endeavors hopefully you make alot of money from it hopefully people stay in it and I hope that you are successful in your endeavors💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💔💔💕💔💔💕💕💙💙💚💚💗💗💚💚💗💗💖💖💖💖💖💗💗💗💙💙💚💚💖💗💗💙💙💚

[@MoonDoggie82]

This house really isn't that bad seems like not a whole lot of big reno jobs need to be done. I bought a house built it in 1920 and had updates done in the 70's and I had to gut the entire place.

[@NukaPooka]

One thing i will say. Keep in mind where your plumbing is. Because sometimes you wont be able to move anything due to how the plumbing is set. Pain in the butt, though keep it in mind. (Especially the laundry/washer/dryer area. as you may be limited) Congrats! and looking forward to seeing it.

[@Pharphette]

So exciting! I’d make it an airbnb. It would make for a longer term investment with consistent income (vs selling). The only caution would be having to go to Tokyo to clean/set up the place, being a host, and dealing with potentially bad guests.

[@jennymarshall8340]

Congrats guys, all the fun things ahead!

[@VagabondTurtle]

I saw this and went immediately "WHAAAAAAAT, gotta see this". CONGRATULATIONS Sharla, that is amazing :) Good luck with all the renovations!

[@chantelmartin8434]

That dog picture lol I'd nme him, mount the picture and add a plaque in the entrance with how he came with the house. That way every time you walk in, there's an inside joke that makes you smile.

[@NameePark]

Ahhhh congrats sharla!!! It’s so cute !!!! 😍😍😍

[@sharlainjapan]

Thanks so much!! 🥰❤️❤️

[@user-fy4hh3bo9h]

久しぶりにシャーラさんの動画を観ました。😂　元気に日本で暮らしているのを知ってとても嬉しいです🥹

[@LG-ll4cc]

Congratulations! This looks awesome. I’ve also renovated about 3 houses in the past. Some of the things I’ve learnt the hard way…White paint yellows over time so make sure to choose a neutral white that isn’t too cream as it’ll start looking more Nana than fresh and modern. Also I’ve just spent a fortune recently getting tree roots out of my plumbing pipes so please be very wary of that tree that has broken through the pot and the root system that’s heading under the house! Wish I could come and help you out! I love renos…Best of luck!

[@chereisiecrawford339]

Oh wow! Congratulations! Definitely a fixer-upper, but the both of you look excited for it! Lots of work pulling the insides from the 70's but going to be super worth it!

[@baygoesmoo]

since i been a long viewer of pewdiepie and he just moved fully to japan i've been getting these japan house tour videos recommended to me and i find it so interesting. edit: idk who you are but you look VERY familiar but thats besides the point but i'm so invested in this japanese home reno so i will be subscribing to see feature updates!

[@kristindiamandis4297]

Can't wait to see all the renovation videos and the final product

[@Kuralai95]

This is amazing, Sharla😻. I’m very happy for you and wish you both a great success wether you decide to sell it or rent the house out! For the accent wall, I know that some people hire artists to do the hand drawing of any design they want. But of course that can be a bit $$$ depending on the artists’ rates

[@lightninglouise]

Accent wall paper: Farrow & Ball (British company but available in Japan, I have 3 accent walls after renovating a Japanese house a year ago)

[@cindaya]

Hi Sharla, I think Spoonflower does international shipping and they have so many cool designs! Excited to see all your renovations!

[@violetsprite]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! I hope this new project brings you joy and allows you to learn and master new subjects you didn't know before. If you can, please record as much as you can and share with us. I find renovation projects, especially in Japan, interesting because of the different laws and environmental conditions.

[@twodimensionsjhr]

Congrats on your new home! Actually I'm kinda surprised you haven't bought one earlier!

[@thekatalexander]

I love the suggestion of having an artist do a custom piece on the accent wall! But if for some reason you can go with that option, I suggest Anthropologie (if they can ship to Japan) they have very unique and pretty wallpapers!

[@talesofmichele]

Wow! Congrats! It's exciting for sure. I hope it turns out well and please please keep the info coming lol I'm a homeowner down in Kansai and just having to replace our toilet on the first floor was about $3,500 I can't even imagine how much this will all cost ontop of the price you guys paid. Just hearing the tip of trying to look on aucitions and things for the display model is very helpful. I'm not surprised you got it with rules. Got so much info when house hunting and making sure the sizes of the roads for trucks (moving and what not) and being in a high landslide area. Rules of every city changing on how close you can build to the edge of the property line (thats why here some cities seem to have houses so close to each other a person wouldn't fit between and other cities there has to legally be more space between). The whole if it's over 30 years old it basiclly has to be rebuilt because chances are it's not up to earthquake code. That's my biggest fear for you guys since you can't rebuild only retrofit. We are trying to sell my inlaws house which basicly will need to be rebuilt no bites so far at i think $80,000? they are asking. I think cause it will cost to tear down and what not and we are basically selling the land. Good luck ladies!! And please please keep the videos on this coming lol

[@oulewappeur76]

So Cool. Congrats to both on the new project.

[@OrsaBear]

The weird cubed area in the bedroom could make a cute makeup/vanity space

[@nelsoncabrera6464]

Is this going to be a series? Can't wait to see the final renovation.

[@stephaniedodds7329]

I'd definitely make that deep, odd and high little "closet" into a bookshelf or something. Remove the door ofcourse. So much potential throughout! Best of luck. Keep us posted.

[@OddHijinxx]

it's so nice to see you guys having fun and enjoy designing a house, this should definitely keep you guys motivated! I'm excited~!