Getting our 200-yo Italian farm ready for winter - Renovating in the north of Italy

[@cynthiavenegas2891]

What a great storyteller you are! ❤ that you are letting the cucina, the land speaking to you, giving you your next direction. The Thoreau in you. Bravo!

[@pattyseree]

Well planned and executed projects and film! ❤

[@mnossy11]

I LOVE your filmmaking and the cascina is beautiful! I notice how everything you do is so well done, and very Dutch I think haha. Always measured, planned, orderly!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you! I did have to giggle a bit reading your comment as today I started painting a door before being completely done with sanding it because my brain was craving the dopamine of seeing results :-P Now we have a half painted door with the bottom drying and the top still needing sanding. :-) But then again, I'm the belgian half of us, so I definitely don't represent the average dutch person. :-P (coming up next week ;-) )

[@mnossy11]

@@storiesfromthecascina haha lovely 😆 looking forward to it!

[@_PJW_]

I wholeheartedly agree, old houses will tell you what needs be done and what suits their character. Just look and listen. Those who don't look and listen install a modern kitchen and bathroom in a centuries old treasure.

[@anntonbeateSchmidt]

I love your way of film making.

[@arleenfotiu6095]

Even though I have watched your journey from the beginning, I lOVED this recap!

[@jbyrd2516]

Oh Isis, I loved your closing comment about old houses. I feel like this video ties a lot of your previous stories together in another way, which I am guessing was the intention. Thank you both for sharing your stories with us. Regards from Australia 🌱

[@happy8ofus]

I totally agree with this comment. We are now the stewards of a 1819 home and a Loom house. My husband is a direct descendant who grew up in the home. I feel a close affinity to the home and property. Watching your pace and sensitivity to the home is so helpful.

[@wendysalter]

That's lovely - all tucked up for winter! A tremendous achievement in your first year. "As the sun goes south and the days draw in, Life slows down and long nights begin, But just when hibernation just gets going A snow-drop appears and Spring's here again!".

[@MamaRazz]

Thank you so much for the Italian translation. My Italian family is now gone with only 95 yr old Zion left. I have been following you from day one. I live vicariously through you.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Our pleasure and thank you for watching!

[@SerendipitySharon]

love your attitude and sensibilities, of course the house will speak to you. Bubble wrap helps so much, even clear plastic as well. I put a layer on the outside as well sometimes making it 3ply.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

thank you for the tip! we'll give taping clear plastic to the outside of the windows a try too! (we ran out of bubble wrap for now 😅)

[@paulettebarber7219]

I think sometimes we are all to impatient for things to be done. When we take time to observe and slow down what needs to be done reveals itself. And sometimes a project is started simply for the joy of it.

[@judiehavard4903]

The bubble wrap makes a huge difference in keeping out the cold.

[@wendyscott7432]

I hope this video goes viral for you. I had no trouble watching it all again in one video. Another greeting from Australia.

[@mists_of_time]

That bubble wrap trick is quite smart! I have to try doing it in my wood workshop.

[@kalle.m.friberg]

What a nice recap, as others said, it ties everything together as a story, in preparation of the winter. Thank you!👍

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@QueenOfArchers]

There is so much in this that I love! Starting with the creepy experimental style when Bertus is turning all the lights on. By the way, my all time favourite is from a few months ago when Bertus was doing something outside and then lifting his head to a car that drove by. Pure silent comedy. Then some more house improvement and gardening, I'm here for that and I like that it's not perfect because we can all relate to that. And of course my first thought when you hung up the lovely black curtains was "that would make an amazing medieval dress". You can take a girl out or re-enactment but you can't take the re-enactment out of the girl. As the owner of a quirky old English house with double glazing but without central heating (luckily my husband installed some in my bedroom) who also doesn't deal well with cold I hope your measures work for the winter and your kitchen oven keeps you warm.

[@celiaellen3408]

How wonderful to see that you are listening to the house and not rushing into make short term decisions that are often wrong. I hope you progress well at the pace you set and are warmer this winter. You both are very talented and I love your vlog. Thank you!

[@franm5418]

Loved this recap - your videos are so beautifully made, captivating and interesting to follow. Your winter preparations look very well considered and I'm sure will work very well for you.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you so much!

[@beverlymurray6554]

Great progress. Another great video

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@susanhayirli8474]

You speak and understand Italian well

[@dotwillcoxson5352]

We love your videos and the slow pace you take living in the cascina. Everything gets done but in slow time. Thank you from Australia.

[@masodimontagna3771]

Congratulations for your work, progress and strength of mind in what you do...excellent work ❤👏👍💪

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you so much!

[@susanadams-wauro6716]

What a wonderful compilation of the love and dedication you have bestowed upon the Cascina. We've been watching you and Bertus from the beginning. Some comedic moments with Bertus and the light switch, then the creepy moments, again with Bertus, being a ghostly figure in the rooms...the Bertus deadpan gets a guffaw everytime. The water issue was huge, and you succeeded in mitigating the situation brilliantly, with an eye to your future plans. What a whirlwind in 5 months...Bravo, Brava, to you both, and we can't wait to see more transformations, especially with the terraces! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@lindachenoweth9002]

So much done in the short amount of time you had, bravo! Thank you so much for sharing your progress with us. What you both have learned to do is amazing! You no longer have a house, you have a home, your patience has paid of greatly. Looking forward to the next segment. Take care and keep on keeping on!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you so much! It definitely feels like a home!

[@jessicareynolds4100]

Wonderful recap of an amazing list of accomplishments in just 6 months. Thank you for sharing your journey, I really look forward to each video, and I truly enjoy your narratives.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

You are so welcome!

[@GloriaDiaz-gg2iv]

Hi there, I have been following your new chapter in your life for some time now and enjoy every piece of it. Beautiful place and even better sundowns. I am looking forward to watching your next video. Take care

[@ateliermavi]

Great start guys! We wish you the best for the next steps of your project 💪 and if you need an architect, you know where to knock ☺

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you Maddi and Vince! If we do at some point decide we need an architect you will be on top of mind! And to anyone we know who's looking for one, we'll warmly recommend you :-)

[@nevisscot7697]

Fantastic window restoration 👍👍

[@lieuwina]

This was a beautiful recap of what you both have done over the 9 months. I have not been getting notifications that you have uploaded a video and today yay!! it came back in my feed, I was so happy, as I have missed you two. Now watching the videos I have missed and enjoying the peace and tranquillity of you and your projects.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

welcome back Lieuwina ❤️

[@lieuwina]

@@storiesfromthecascina Thank you.

[@neutonrenda2303]

Great to see how far you've come, still can't believe how wonderful you repaired that window, really impressed. 👍❤

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thank you! 😊

[@martinjames3950]

Although i watch you each week nice to have a catchup of what has been achieved, slowly slowly and you get it right , rush and then comes the I WISH😊

[@tracylyon-woerner8189]

Love the draft stoppers - they are very pretty and fantastic recycling project 🥰

[@michaelaronsohn3624]

I think you have achieved a huge amount in a little time. Well done!

[@Neroli-Daydreaming-of-France]

Thanks, I enjoyed watching the progress towards winter, stay warm and keep the videos coming, I love them.

[@marthayahoogillespie9567]

Impressive woodworking skills.

[@NancysBungalowLife]

Wonderful! I absolutely agree that old houses talk and will tell you what they need.

[@EricOnYouTube]

Oh, those rocks look good above that trench. Now you just need to add some moss and it will be beautiful :)

[@cynthiahudson7528]

You both have intelligence and patience to do a job well. Great progress. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. Regards from Texas.

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Love your style of narration. When you see all you have achieved in 9 months you've got a lot done! It's nice to see someone who doesn't rush into everything and then regret their rush. You also need to balance your mental health along with all you are physically doing. That tricky work/life balance. You both have such an air of calm about yourselves, it's as if you give the viewer a chance to breathe. Let's hope winter is not too cold and snowy for you. That you still have a chance to carry on with all your projects. I look forward to your video each week, a chance to forget all the rush of day-to-day life and to glimpse in on your quieter and more relaxed pace of life. ❤️❤️ 24:31

[@johnpeterdean1653]

Great progress in your first year. There is so much to do however. Take your time and keep enjoying the restoration, the improvements will be there for you to see....

[@storiesfromthecascina]

There's definitely a lot to do still - in fact - we are just getting started! On the upside (for those who enjoy watching), it doesn't look like we'll run out of videos to make for the next two decades probably :-P

[@marinavisentini2855]

Siete stati bravissimi. Avete fatto un lavoro enorme e impegnativo in questi mesi. Adesso è ora di godervi un po’ questi mesi invernali e freddi e prepararvi gustosi piatti e del buon vino ovviamente piemontese. 😜😜😜 Buon inverno ragazzi. 🌦️❄️☃️

[@storiesfromthecascina]

grazie maria! abbiamo bevuto un po di barbera stasera 😉 con bovino in casseruola (una ricetta francese). 👌

[@TAG993]

I've been watching since your beginning and always look forward to your videos. Glad you were both able to get your home ready for winter. Running water, working stove, heated water for a warm shower but the bubble wrap on the windows is brilliant. Thank you for sharing. It truly is inspiring what the both of you have accomplished in a short amount of time.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Glad to hear it was fun to watch even for those who have been following our journey from the beginning! thank you so much for being here and cheering us on!

[@shannonlynne1558]

I completely agree with your closing statement. We’ve refurbished a few homes and while some things need to be done right away; for others I would wait and let the house “talk” to me. So I totally know where you are coming from. 😊

[@davideborgna4918]

Bravissimi 💪👋

[@chriskiefel7735]

You are doing a marvelous job. I love the listening and the slow and steady pace that it in itself full of flexibility. Isis, is there a book in this sometime?

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Who knows, there might be! If you feel like it, feel free to let us know what kind of book you'd like to see me/us write (here in the comments or you can find our email address in our about section). I'd love to hear!

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Enjoyed

[@maggiesue4825]

As one who lives in a 130 year old farmhouse, I know that it is true - old houses DO talk to you!

[@donataj2213]

You have really done a lot in 5 months, both in the house and the cleaning work on your property on top of that you had an additional water system replacement, you can be proud of all this progress. As for the house, what he wants is true, it's an old house with a soul and that soul must not be killed in it, I can't stand it when people buy old beautiful houses and then completely remodel them into modern interiors destroying everything that was beautiful and precious and making them into cold, soulless modern rooms. Someday your house will be beautiful, it takes time, but it has you and you will restore that beauty to it.

[@Nancy-j8o1t]

You are to be commended for your intelligence, hard work, creativity, skill and resourcefulness. I wish I had some of your many talents! 😄

[@OutbackCottageOz]

Just terrific! Loved the Church Bells in the Background, real sense of the old Village Community.

[@Anne-yw6ed]

You have both learned to do so many new things already, very impressive!

[@HubertusSchaper]

Hi Isis & Bertus,It`s a long time ago when I did visit your channel🇮🇹,Iwasnt forgott you but I did have my one issues.So now Im back again,🙏🏻It is great beseeing what you guys have acomplised during the last time Im impressed by the great progress you did reached👍🏻,Electricety waterleaks new waterpipes etcetera etcetera👏,well-.see you ao the next ep.Greetings from the old Dutch Norwegian.Hubertus.🇳🇱🇳🇴☮🍀🙏🏻🇮🇹

[@storiesfromthecascina]

hi hubertus! good to have you back ❤️ hope all is well with you!

[@poodlegirl55]

I loved the ending. You have accomplished so much.

[@chrisdouglass7962]

Very nice to present a recap!! 🙏🥰🥰🥰 And yes, everybody's worked hard!!

[@waynefink1641]

Good luck with growing Kiwi fruit in Portugal. In Australia only areas that have a similar climate to New Zealand seem to have much success in growing Kiwi fruit. The hot summers may prove to be a challenge. Keep us posted. You have done so much in a short time…always with a great sense of humour. We enjoy watching your interactions with the animals as well as every thing thing you do. ❤❤

[@MrHuismeester]

Prachtig om te zien hoe jullie Huis beetje bij beetje weer in gang wordt gezet, eerst electriciteit, dan water en de kachel plus brandhout en dan het aanpakken van de tocht, Het repareren van de ramen was erg mooi om te zien en het zag meer dan perfect uit toen het geschilderd was ! Nu de Winter, maar volgens mij waren jullie prima voorbereid !

[@malgaa3655]

What you do with so much patience and love will pay it back someday...It looks like you have great adventures unfolding ❤

[@lindabrooks8242]

An awesome story, snd narrated so well. Your words at the end were perfect.❤

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Francedefence]

You should put your water pipes in a sheath to protect them.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

could you perhaps link a product? we've followed the instructions as given by our plumber, but are always interested in learning more.

[@jillbeechey4453]

Thank you for sharing this. I really enjoyed this video. ❤🇨🇦

[@albertoarcudi8431]

Congratulazioni per l'ottimo lavoro svolto. Grazie e ciao!

[@mariapottery]

You doing amazing job with the house! Congratulations!

[@andrewdean1216]

Dear Isis & Bertus, What a superb recap of events and challenges. I saw things I missed first time round. We too have a 3 phase 380v system, not sure it will ever be used again, from another time when our building had a significant farming element. We are taking it out. It looks like you are in good shape for winter... Do you have any idea how much snow you might get up there? Don't forget snow chains for the van just in case... also those wide wooden snow shovels... maybe you can make one. I am looking forward to how you will decorate the house for Christmas. Loving your films and content. Thank you! Andrew

[@storiesfromthecascina]

not yet sure if we will decorate for christmas this year 😬 maybe just a little 😉 last winter there were two weeks of snow - a layer of about 40 cms. back in the 1980s, our neighbour showed us photos, there used to be up to 1m40 cms of snow. every few winters there is one without snow.

[@thegoldenmean01]

Um, this is crazy, I'm hooked I cannot get enough. Love this couple: This is the romantic ideal in me. Sure it's insanely hard work but you both have amazing skills and are young enough to see this through. Now make a Casa for renters who want to visit your property 😉. Best of luck and keep putting out the love.

[@michaelaronsohn3624]

I see you using bubble wrap as double glazing. Did you know that bubble wrap was originally designed as wallpaper.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

We had no idea! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@marcocarlson1693]

Fantastici. Auguri.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Grazie mille Marco!

[@damdekmyhomeដំដែកផ្ទះខ្ញុំ]

Very nice recap

[@giovanniratto8209]

Welcome to Italy/Piemonte/Langhe, beautiful videos that does justice to one of the one of the most beautiful area in the world , for that reason is part of UNESCO ( Langhe Roero Monferrato ). I've been living in one of the cities of Monferrato for the past 25 years. The stones have their own name ( Pietra di Langa ). Keep up the good work and good luck. Giovanni

[@CynthiaEvans-i2f]

Love your videos!

[@lucaspolderman6622]

We discovered your channel today. Such a nice videos Thx for sharing

[@storiesfromthecascina]

Thanks and welcome Lucas!

[@gunlindblad6816]

Wonderful!

[@silviac221]

Oh I loved this video

[@mrjbbarker1947]

Great work on the house and your channel.

[@duben55]

Bravi!

[@bridgwll]

I wonder how far or close you are to Martijn Doolaard. He is in the Alps. He has a YT channel.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

He's about 2,5 hours drive away from us. :-)

[@jeanrichardson2044]

I am not sure you have sufficient wood stored for a long winter, I know you have central heating, but there is the potential for power cuts. I know it looks a lot, but believe me one cannot have too much.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

we are fairly sure it won't be quite enough 😄 (even though there's quite a bit more that hasn't made it into neat piles yet) but we can always buy more from our neighbour if needed. 👌

[@gerarddegraaff9220]

Great summary, you have accomplished so much already! You must be really proud ❤I also have a question: where did you purchase the rechargeable led lights you use on the stairs. The solution I have been looking for to install in our house in Italy. 😊 Thanks!!!!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

we purchased them from ledkoop.nl - they took quite a while to arrive and we have to recharge them ca every 10 days (in practice we charge one light every two day or so. they never run out all at once). our hallway is quite dark during the day, so they have to work hard 😄

[@gerarddegraaff9220]

Thank you so much for your answer and the link 😊

[@storiesfromthecascina]

graag gedaan ❤️

[@mikestarkey7989]

Take a lesson from the military; no plan survives 1st contact with the enemy!

[@Pilot333]

haha I will remember

[@hullabaloo-hcd]

❤❤❤

[@josephmartignetti8941]

Again , love that you are living your dreams, can you tell us what is your source of income, and what is the amount of income per year that you have to spend on fixing the farm ?

[@connieperkins5135]

❤❤

[@daynight4902]

NICE

[@sarahofer4368]

Hi all, let's show some love and get this channel to 100K subs ASAP!

[@Potageduyour]

It's not so strange to see the 'newer' parts of the property working on 380v. With the large machinery in the big barn and the older part of the property running 'just' on 220v; it meant not replacing the whole system. But I seriously hope the domestic plugs in the new system show 220v; And you mean the supply from the power company; Since if your domestic plugs measure 380, you're in for a costly treat ...

[@storiesfromthecascina]

oh yes absolutely, the 380v was used for the big machines. the weird part is that the old part of the house is 380v and the newer part 230, where they more recently also installed a few power sockets that are 380v. it's an interesting mix. but we currently only use the 230v circuit. what's also funny is that on each circuit there is only one group. there is no "stoppenkast"/fuse box. 😅

[@juliefindlen9882]

​@@storiesfromthecascina as one who grew up on a farm, maybe the 380V was used for farm equipment in the back extension of the old part of the house. Taking your time with every task ensures that it will be completed correctly the first time. Some 'temporary' fixes can seem to last for years.

[@delwichedanielle3999]

♥️😘🇧🇪

[@claudiacables945]

The scenes in the house turning lights on and off and Bertus wearing all dark clothing with the hat, was creepy.

[@juliefindlen9882]

Yes, but as an electrician and electronics technician, I found it kind of a cute little scene

[@robertsteele8688]

😀❤🙏🙏

[@lekago]

How much was excavator rent? Like roughly.

[@storiesfromthecascina]

The cost for renting the digger was 270 euro for two days, including delivery and pickup. :-)

[@lekago]

Nice, very reasonable. Thank you!

[@storiesfromthecascina]

yes, we thought so too! we rented with our local, family owned diy/building shop, not a big company.

[@coby6417]

🌟👍🍀💐

[@UmaAuroville]

🥰❤🧡💛🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ThePacificatore]

a waiting time for windows is half a year??? why is that?

[@storiesfromthecascina]

the demand is higher than the supply. and custom made windows take time to produce.

[@ThePacificatore]

@@storiesfromthecascina and a custom part was the size, the design?

[@storiesfromthecascina]

@@ThePacificatore could be both but in old houses like ours where not one window is exactly the same size, the size has to be custom for sure 🙂

[@luckyhomestead]

I still don’t understand Italy, Spain and Portugal planning permission system…. Why you need any permission when you renovate thing that is already there?! Someone who builded the house already got all permission and now you restoring pretty much same thing and you need all permissions again…. That’s what you call bureaucracy at its finest…

[@archeanna1425]

Italy is a zone of frequent serious earthquake activity. Tens of thousands of people have been injured and died in living memory. Spain and Portugal have had deadly forest fires and have some building codes that seem strange until you know the reason for them. The most effective way of reducing human suffering from these causes has been through laws regarding safe home construction. Those laws are developed as new information becomes available.

[@luckyhomestead]

@@archeanna1425 I get what you’re saying, but not buying it… because every restriction that we have in modern world are backed by slogan “for your safety…” And I always remember my grandmother who are 98 years old now and somehow lived successfully in “old style world” without all these restrictions… And now I’m stepping by her steps and now thinking that only thing that we need is respect to each other. That’s about it…

[@storiesfromthecascina]

In Italy, you're strictly speaking allowed to repair what is there, but as soon as you want to change anything, you need permission. So for fixing the leak under the courtyard we did not need permission, but for putting in a new bathroom in the house in a place that used to be something else, we do need permission. To fix a window you don't need permission, but to paint the outside in a different colour, you do. We knew this up front and we decided that it was worth it for us :-)

[@bekindfox]

If you live in a country that has the most ancient art and architecture of the world, you want it protected to avoid people with money and no style to change ancient houses into brutal pieces.

[@marcocarlson1693]

@@bekindfox Yes.

[@sandrahughes3799]

Your husband is creepy

[@storiesfromthecascina]

🐇 he can be if he tries hard 😉

[@nevisscot7697]

Shockingly rude.