THESE WERE A MISTAKE... Abandoned Old Stone Cabin Renovation

Some days on our abandoned old stone cabin renovation everything goes to plan…other days, not so much! 😁 Celebrate Reolink Prime Day with discounts of up to 48% (US) & 53% (EU) until 21st July:
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With our DIY wooden shutters constructed, they’re ready for painting (although we have reservations about how the colour with look against the stone & terracotta of our quaint little building). If all goes well, then we can FINALLY install the shutters & transform the facade of our beloved off-grid tiny house…I’ll leave it to you to guess which part of our plan doesn’t work out! 😅
LIKE THIS VIDEO if you enjoyed it and SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey as we document our life here in Portugal and the many DIY projects that we'll be tackling including renovating a tiny stone home, setting up systems to grow some of our own food and finally restoring the 100+ year old farm house.
Also say hi in the comments! We'd love to hear from you 😊
Ricky and Victoria x
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We're Ricky & Victoria 👋 We're slowly bringing an abandoned off grid Portuguese farm back to life & transforming it into a beautiful homestead for us & our two rescue dogs Teddy & Poppy.
We both agree that we’re not experts in anything that we do here, however we don’t let that stop us from giving it a try. We live our life by trying. We live our life by doing. We live our LIFE BY LIVING.

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

id make a wood frame and attach the shutters to the frame

[@NepetaHouse]

Second this. Color looks great as well.

[@jeffcove]

@@NepetaHouse Will that mean the shutters will have to be cut down to fit into the window with the wood added to the sides?

[@NepetaHouse]

@@jeffcove Maybe, depends on how things are set-up. I suppose the frame could be inset and the shutters are then mounted on the outside.

[@lfuentes4098]

Good idea.

[@NepetaHouse]

Not sure how the hinges would work though.

[@edwardfry5502]

Shutters look great! Personally I’d consider some cranked hook and band gate hinges, they allow more flexibility on placement and when open allow the shutters to be lifted off for maintenance. An anchor resin like r-kem can be used in the stone to ensure you have a solid fixing point to attach to

[@gennevieve6969]

I second this. Bonded anchor could work. We were able to attach a screw into a really heavy stone and it worked perfectly, it seems to be firmer than the stone itself and I believe that if we try to remove it the stone would crumble and the anchor would stay.

[@RichardfRice]

Agreed. I call them butt hinges but I think we are talking about the same thing. My house in Italy has these hinges everywhere (including the shutters) and they make maintenance very easy.

[@kathleennascimento9265]

Have you considered a hinge pintel?

[@Anne-gs1ji]

The shutters look fantastic ,you have done an amazing job of making them .love the colour .So sorry things didn't go to plan with the fixings but if you sleep on it I'm sure you will have a solution . Good luck guys .x

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Anne 😃 We love the colour too!

[@heathermorrison938]

Love your shutters. You will find a fix for them. You both are doing a great job. Take care.

[@eutc7]

You're artists those shutters look amazing! The color means "sage green"

[@paulholt2758]

What about a wooden frame fixed in good firm position and painted the same as the shutters, good luck. Regards PSH

[@jangrosemartindale8740]

A Pergola!

[@marilynlautner2454]

The shutters are so elegant! It ties in beautifully with the stone. Now, my favorite word today is “fiddly”! I will incorporate it into my Texas lingo!

[@loredanarosimodesti4799]

Verde salvia = green sage .... It is a lovely color! I love your videos, please keep them coming!

[@LifebyLiving]

Glad you like it too! It’s a nice calm colour, isn’t it ☺️

[@lyndanewey184]

The louvre shutters on our property here in the Algarve have a thee sided frame that lines the inside of the window opening, both side and the header, it works well.

[@legrandeileen4863]

Excellent the shutters, beautiful colour. Great job. Bravo you two. ❤❤

[@LifebyLiving]

It’s a subtle colour but we think it highlights the stone beautifully! 😊

[@legrandeileen4863]

Abolutely. They turned out great. 😘😘

[@jaytopham8514]

Wow. The shutters look amazing. Knowing how resourceful you both are I feel certain that you will resolve the problem and achieve the result you need. Good luck and I look forward to your next video x

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you for your vote of confidence! 😄

[@1bint]

Maybe for the brackets, you could use some construction resin in a tube and cement the rawl plugs in or cement bolts in to hold them in? I had to use resin anchor system for my curtain pole due to the crumbly wall.

[@faithvansanden82]

Love the colour of the shutters and the matt black brackets what a shame. Did you manage to catch the orange thief, don't get too disheartened it will come together ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

We haven’t seen the orange thief on camera yet - but it’s only a matter of time! He can’t resist those tasty oranges for too long! 😄

[@raymondmumford6255]

The colour is awesome. Beautiful choice.

[@jentreurnich9500]

Gorgeous colour. Perfect choice!

[@LifebyLiving]

The jury was out for a while - but we love the colour now! 😃

[@anniemac3075]

Wood frame round the window to attach the shutters. Get up very early to work until it gets hot then either work indoors or have a kip until late afternoon when it's cooler then work until the light begins to fade. Nobody works during the hotter hours middle of the day. You'll get there, never known you to be beaten by anything that comes your way.

[@Gretchen-vh9xt]

I love it that you show the things that don’t work. I really appreciate that. Thank you

[@pthaloblue100]

My husband who used to work in construction suggested T hinges, attached on the inside of the shutter and to the thick rock inside of the window frame, like a door hinge. The hinge is folded up tight when the shutter is closed, they are not strapped across the shutter like you had them, so you only see the hinge barrell from outside of the house. The crossbar of the T attaches to the edge of the shutter, not the face, and the strap, the long part of the T, attaches to the thick rock inside of the window frame, not as stylish as what you had, but much stronger. He also suggested using masonry screw inserts to help that crumbly rock, drill the holes and then epoxy the inserts into place into the rock, hopefully that will help keep everything stable. We hope that helps, so sorry about that rock crumbling, that was heartbreaking! It is very disappointing when you are so close to completing a job!

[@angiebrain67]

Absolutely T Hinges

[@peterlindsay8235]

Great solution! Agree using a resin or chemset to secure fixings

[@melaniebeaver2845]

Maybe you should keep the hinges you already sprayed (they look great!) and pretend attach them to the stones with adhesive of some sort, stealthy camo glue? and use pivot pin hinges into the top and bottom instead. Think bifold closet doors, the pins that hold them in place on the fixed parts, and also cafe door pin hinges, which are similar. I know it will hurt a little making holes into your perfect sill forms, but maybe that's the answer? I don't know if this is the solution, but it feels worth looking into. I'm sure you'll come up with something great. You've gotten this far!! The color is spot on, BTW. Still cheering you on!

[@MezzaLoey]

Your video editing skills are going through the roof! Love your channel. 🏛💚✅🍀🌳🍐

[@emma_m0]

That is his main job so that’s handy!

[@SJ-fj5jz]

Colour of shutters - beautiful, simple and stunning

[@mokeboi3328]

Another sunday treat...you and martaijn doolaard

[@maxwalchli5093]

Green you are painting the new shutters I love your two dogs the little one you rescued is so cute he looks wonderful now you have looked after him so well bet he never thought that he would find such a great forever home you are such good parents lots of love Christine and Max xx

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you both 😊 Poppy’s a really smart, funny little dog, it was a great day when our family went from 3 to 4! 🐕 🐕

[@carolwoodward6141]

OK, you went green. It’s ok. I painted my family room sage green. Just was hoping for Mediterranean Blue.

[@martindevlin9152]

Delighted , a new video to enjoy when Granddaughter goes home and peace and quiet again to enjoy

[@LifebyLiving]

😂 Have a great day with your granddaughter!

[@markrobertson6491]

Does not matter were you come from or were you live. Keeping the old way of life is the most rewarding thing of all. You two are great

[@lesliekwan6654]

Love the colour of the beautifully hand crafted wooden windows. It is gorgeous

[@lindaparkin61]

Shutters look amazing ❤

[@taniadevilliers348]

It must give you such a sense of accomplishment to see your shutters completed so perfectly. The colour is beautiful, and will blend perfectly with the house and surrounding landscape. As always your choices are in perfect synergy. Trust yourselves, you know what you are building.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you Tania 😊 The colour of the shutters is everywhere on the land, as I realised it’s the exact colour of the underside of olive leaves 🍃

[@Strange-Viking]

Back when living in Brazil in some states it gets so hot so everyone works from around 7 to 11, then 11 to 16 you really cant do anything involving heavy work so you do other things, taking a siesta, inside work or anything else. And then 16-2000 work again. Well I did. Locals worked more from 6-11 and 1600 to 21 or even 22h p.s. for long term pear storage check up "stoofpeer" its a Dutch (according to my local knowledge) tradition, really easy to make too and deliciously refreshing Edit: Usually window panes and panelling go into a frame, dont need to resize, you can make a frame ontop of the wall. If you wouldnt like that then it involves drilling and cementing, instead of having the outer part of the hinge sit on top, it can be on the inside of the window(sill?) as well. Although I would go for framing. Drilling in that stone will probably end in rubble

[@noordic]

And yes stoofpeer is Dutch and delicious 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

Just looked up a stoofpeer recipe, they sound delicious! Thanks for the tip!

[@paulinewilson613]

Your shutters look amazing and such a beautiful colour, very disappointing that the brackets are unsuitable but I'm sure you'll find the right ones in the end xx

[@milesaleski7116]

Id put in an extra hinge in the middle og the shutter so it has 3 installed of 2 ,it would make it more stable a lot fermer and it would esteticly good as well.

[@lauraquigley6403]

Almost 100 subs soon❤ So proud to be one of your earliest subscribers. The shutters look gorgeous ❤Spray painter would be a great investment 🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Laura 😊I think spraying may have been a quicker method! 😅But hey, it was a great mediation practise!

[@lauraquigley6403]

@@LifebyLiving Absolutely 🙏😎

[@jeannestewart3636]

The little dog winked after she said "some people are the help"

[@LifebyLiving]

😂 She has a great sense of humour!

[@nomadscouser4063]

Just a suggestion,I'd think about T hinges reversed and then you could site them anywhere on the frame were you could get a chunkier purchase on the stone for screws,that's my solution,happy days hope you fix it

[@sharlenemorris3821]

The shutter colour is perfect ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Sharlene! We’re really happy with the final colour too 😊

[@petro3441]

Take a break enjoy the pool and believe me you will come up with a solution.❤

[@user-qz3oo4nw5j]

Painting afterward was definitely the right choice. It’s time consuming but well worth it.

[@karens5429]

The shutters are a lovely touch…style and color. Eager to see how you figure out the hanging process.

[@davidrickards]

I love the shutters and I hope you find a solution to securely mount them !

[@audreysuter4315]

Love your choice of colour for the shutters ❤ since they are light it makes sense that they will be reflect the sunbeams instead of absorbing them and hence should have a greater longevity.

[@LifebyLiving]

We wanted a colour that wasn’t going to compete for attention with the stone, glad you like the shade too! 😊

[@jeanniehyde8090]

Beautiful choice of colour for the shutters 🥰🤗👏🏾

[@bcarithers22]

The shutters are beautiful! The color is a great choice, lovely. An idea for the stone is some sort of epoxy to mold in to the stone to repair it then drill it. Maybe with some rods into the body of the stone…….? Good luck, you guys do great work, you’ll figure it out.

[@patriciapadgett4696]

The shutters are stunning, as usual a very professional job. Think i win first prize, immediately said ' sage green " 😂 a perfect choice. A great video, make sure you rest now & then. Love from the mountains of Spain ❤

[@user-bb1by3ww8z]

Try to get some "Tap Con" Masonry screws (they are blue in color) also purchase a couple of tubes of clear construction adhesive. Then position the shutters where you want them, drill another hole in the hinge for extra support. Then drill a small diameter hole (masonry bit should come with the screws)to accept the tap con screw and fill the hole with the clear construction adhesive first and then screw in the tap con screw. The construction adhesive will also serve to glue together the lose bits of stone. You don't have to crank them in so tight that it distorts the hinge. let the adhesive cure overnight and they will be "set for life". PL Premium is a great construction adhesive but it is yellowish in color , (but I guess you could paint and over run adhesive ...black.) but it is sooo strong you can use it to set masonry. You can also take a small brush and paint the heads of the Tap con screws black. I also see you using shiny screws to secure outside items. I hope they are galvenised or have some kind of coating so they will not rust in the wet humid climate you live in. Rusty screws will run down the woodwork and stain the wood. As well they will rust away to nothing. Love your videos Wayne Paddock from Nova Scotia , Canada

[@Bitza00]

What a fantastic job you did on these shutters!!! Plus I love the vibe you have, the way you are, I hope it is the real you also behind the scenes as they say.

[@nigelherriott1083]

Ricky & Victoria, I have just finished watching all the 70 videos from the start, (much to the relief of my wife - who says I should be getting on with our projects haha), and can say I have really enjoyed the journey you have shared over the last year of so. Well done. I wish I was with you from the start, so I could make my comments each week, but I thought I would share with you what has gone through my mind. - I was so glad to see you got a new wheelbarrow. I cringed each week watching that wheel as a slight angle, and kept thinking... any time now its going to break. Until you get a puncture, your new wheelbarrow should make the load moving far easier. - I would have suggested investing in a sack truck, for the moving of the stones and sacks, etc. I find one so useful as the weight is all at the bottom. - Did you think of running an electric cable from the main house to the tiny house, to save cost of generator fuel, and having to mix the cement up at the main house? - I was watching one episode and thought the scaffold boards had gone from black to silver, then I saw that you had a second set. Hopefully that helped a lot. - I wonder if you could run through the tools that you have for the projects. Are there any you would never be without, and those that really you bought but have not got a full benefit from them. - You said that you got around 60L of olive oil. That's a fair amount. How will get through the 60L per year now, and with the new olive trees too? - You appear to have many hours of filming each week. How long does it take you to review the footage, and edit to the final set? - It looks like the gazebo is coming to its end of life - Replace it with a all-in one pop up frame. So much easier to put up and move around, as well as more sturdy. I'll finish off saying that what you have done to the tiny house is a credit to you both. As you say you are learning as you go along, well it looks great so far. The making of the shutters - you made it look so easy (though I appreciate what went into them) The roof work, tiling, rendering, window sills look amazing, and I bet when you stand back and look from a distance you must both have smiles on your faces, and say 'We did that'. I'm now up to date with all the clips, so will now be able to join your weekly journey. Thanks guys, Nigel (Australia)

[@carolwoodward6141]

I am hoping for blue. Deep blue.

[@lizregan1949]

Hi, so good to see you. Missed you. Love the color.

[@pamknoll7383]

In Spain, afternoon nap 😴 ESSENTIAL

[@horstbrock5819]

Very beautiful shutters - precisely crafted and painted in a very matching color. Compliments! If the hinges are screwed IN THE WINDOW RECESS (not the front) and on the INSIDE of the shutters, they cannot be removed by uninvited guests. This way they provide better protection against evil people...

[@garyhollywell2112]

Also maybe a slim Timber Frame internally to help fix the brackets to.

[@trevoryoung6941]

The colour choice is gorgeous, very inkeeping and natural. I hope you get sorted with the hinges. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your produce from your garden. I hope your dogs have their own plunge pool! Take care, both of you. I can't wait for your next vlog. Love Frances & Trevor, Sophie the box/springer ❤

[@danielamercol9884]

Love how they look!! I know you both will figure out a way to make them work, you always do!!!! It will be worthy at the end!!

[@harrisonandrew]

What a magnificent pear Victoria. Well impressed. ❤

[@dianevessels2632]

The shutters and the tiny house look great.

[@juwe9516]

Victoria sound the ECO Warrior in her sales pitch of the Link wild life, security camera and door bell camera... good on girl.

[@sharonmaddox3390]

I guessed the colour correctly as it is my favourite colour love the shutters. Perfect. looking at other shutters they seem to have a peg type of thing then the shutters hook on the peg sorry haven't a clue what they are called though. Don't get disheartened you gave done an amazing job.

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

They are going to be beautiful! Hang in there, you will figure it out!! The color is LOVELY!! So happy to see you relaxing in your pool!! Blessings to you both!❤

[@nicolaharris3709]

I just love the colour of the Shutters pure class

[@sharonbuckley4591]

I agree they look great, very pleasing to the eye. I would have suggested green myself. Don’t get too down, keep going.

[@joeykottnitz4831]

Hi.Victoria and Ricky, the shutters look beautiful, very good colour. You work so hard on the farm and to me it is awesome to see how your fruit trees and vegetables comes to live. Enjoy your live and rest I little bid. I love your attitude to each other, joking and laughing with each other. God bless you. Love from Walvis Bay, Namibia. ❤❤

[@bobhale8325]

Sad about the stone, but you will find a solution as you are both very creative.

[@NicoleDyer-sg6ru]

Love the colour of the shutters

[@juanitakauffman6336]

The shutters look nice . Good luck finding the solution on the brackets.

[@ginacrusco234]

I don't have the expertise to recommend a fix for the brackets, but I think you're right about the fix for your mood -- a cool plunge!

[@7WordsWorth]

I do admire your perseverance on building those shutters, but I definitely would have bought pre-made shutters. Love you both. 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you 😊 They’ve been a labour of love but we’re pleased with how they turned out in the end!

[@jangrosemartindale8740]

Color on the video is a light sage. I’m not a green person, except for live plants- but- I think it looks lovely! The trail camera idea is brilliant.

[@helennicolaou9673]

Beautiful choice of colour for the shutters

[@Michael-m4y]

They look very good, in hindsight maybe you should have picked up a paint sprayer, why are you fitting them before you have done the pointing or rendering at least then if you was working with a flatter more level surface you could have made a frame for the shutters to attach too

[@paulrogers3385]

Surface granite exposed to weathering for long time is soft and brittle, not good for fasteners. Unless large and deep away from edges. Will not hold screw fastener or expansion fasteners well, use an epoxy mix injected into pilot hole with sized fastener for hole

[@wandamartin6503]

Beautiful shutters. I am positive you will come up with a solution. ☺️

[@LianeSpicer]

The sage colour is beautiful.

[@marymick3402]

The shutters look nice. I like the colour you have chosen. 🤗

[@user-cv2iz8ie5l]

The shutters look great. Love the color!

[@kimbolton2842]

Great job on those shutters, love the colour too. You two work so well together. Hope you find an easy solution 👍

[@catarinacarrasco5938]

Beautiful color for the shutters 😍

[@michaeldean-jackson8242]

verde= green, salvia= sage.... lovely colour and compliments the colour of the stone of the building and the surrounding land

[@user-rz2tp7jv9q]

just finished watching the painting of the shutters the colour looks great with the stone work, and you two seam to have a great time

[@suzielou7631]

so sorry for your loss, iv lost dogs throughout my life all from old age so it was expected, i can not imagine your pain right now

[@lydiamitchell6814]

Love the color of the shutters! My house is a similar color. All tones of green my favorite!💖😊

[@PaulaMReyMelcon]

Those shutters are absolutely beuatiful! Sage green is one of my favourite colors for buildings/decoration. The quality of your kraft is excellent too! 😊 it is a pleasure to watch you work, and I am sure you will find a solution for the hinges

[@allenlaakso794]

I’m going with the other comments about adding a wood frame on three sides - top and left and right. You can drill in anchors and before mounting level the back with mortar to avoid critters living behind the frame. Shim and attach the small shims to use as a guide to set the depth of your mortar backfill. Happy building mate 😅😊

[@lia12345Abc]

Love the shutters. The color is beautiful

[@portugaldreamzzz920]

Lovely shutters. Love the colour. ❤

[@mariaemiliaindalencio3533]

The color is sage green, very pretty 😊

[@madelinemarrero4672]

Wow you've done a great job with the shutters and I'm loving the sage green.

[@TofferJ-UK]

Ey up mi ducks, high five Ricky I guessed right 👍 The shutters look great, so gutted for you at the end, but I know your resourcefulness will get you there. My best wishes from the old home town. P.S can you send some of your sunshine please ! X

[@DMSP24]

Love the color 👍🏼 Great idea to catch the or🍊 thief. Lot of work and a great job. Smart keep the 🌞 off you in the pool.

[@Reet64]

I think the wood frame is the answer. They do look good, though!

[@lindabrooks8242]

So many good suggestions here for your shutters. You always conquer these things, and you do it beautifully. I love the color, sage green is one of my favorites. The plunge pool will be so helpful for all decisions! ❤

[@nancylakeman9678]

I like the color of the shutters. Also you 2 are fun to watch

[@darlenehanfmann896]

Beautiful color for shutters♥️

[@phuongnguyen-qw6gl]

Love ❤always 👍🥰🥰🇺🇸California.

[@petro3441]

Hi. Love the color of the shutters❤❤❤❤

[@user-hp2il6su8r]

Shutters look great! Love your pool

[@nancypelletier7590]

Love your little family,😊❤its so much fun watching your videos. The shutters look amazing, everything will work out.

[@accountmward]

You could paint the plaster on top the same colour.

[@debbiesmith1626]

Shutters look great, when you find solution to hinges, use black screws, will finish look so much better.

[@mimiedacuycuy1651]

You may wanna put the hinges inside, to avoid someone unscrew them. And maybe make a frame that can hold it properly as the stones are crumbling... just saying 😊

[@andymccabe6712]

'Just saying' is a meaningless and unnecessary phrase.... .... Just saying....!

[@user-tw9kl9kf4z]

Your shatters are great.Love all your videos. You work so well together.Wish you great success in your future adventures.

[@fullpulse2000]

Shutters look great, just a slight turn fir getting them attached and mounted to the stone work.

[@anneta71]

Great video 👍,love the colour of the shutters blends perfectly with the stone work. I have shutters on my home in Greece, the brackets are on the inside of the window and door frames so the shutters sit in the window. Mind you i have flat walls and window frames. I'm sure you will find a solution and it will be amazing. Thank you for sharing 😊. 🇬🇧🇬🇷