(Virtual) Tour of our Tuscan home

[@leighevans1489]

That view !!!!! Can't wait to see the house come together

[@wendygarfagnana4681]

It has great bones ! We are doing a similar project quite near to you ! It's a wonderful area, with plenty to see and do, soak in the culture, the wine and amazing food ! Enjoy the journey as you bring it back to it's former beauty.

[@DmitriyRozhkov]

Thank you for sharing this, Darren!

[@NepetaHouse]

My pleasure!

[@saraoum91]

I'm a moroccan watching you from Italy, i'm so impatient to see the renovation, hope you'll share with us all the details with a good quality videos. Good luck

[@NepetaHouse]

Hello Sarah, Thanks! We're pretty excited to get started too. I'll probably record a video in the next week or so with some (small) updates.

[@ehsanhaq1940]

Good luck with the adventure . Should be great fun

[@sarahofer4368]

This is a wonderful adventure for you; gorgeous region, old stone building and it's ITALY! Look forward to following your journey.

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks for following along!

[@kl5589]

That is a beautiful authentic not messed about with house and so glad you are working with what you have there and retaining its charm albeit made fit to live in. Well done for finding such a gem in such a lovely spot. Looking forward to the journey and thanks for taking us with you. That puppy is also beautiful and cute!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you! Yes, the puppy is very cute. We're big fans. We definitely want to maintain the original charm, since that was one of the big draws for us. We saw more modern houses, but it just isn't the same... 😀

[@ciaram4907]

Wow! That view! I can literally see how you fell for the house. Great detail, though a spa is a beautiful idea....I think a dining room would be the more practical for those autumn/early spring nights too. Maybe a little spa later in the barn? or a bathtub in your master by the window?? Super tour, excited for you guys..

[@NepetaHouse]

Yup, dining room will certainly be more practical, and likely what we'll do. I'm hoping the barn is where we can get more creative.

[@EmilyBoltz]

This was very well done. You were very detailed in explaining exactly where everything is and getting to see the drive in is such a bonus. I'm going to share your video with chat friends on other channels. This is so worth following! Thank you!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks for the follow! Hope you enjoy our adventure :-)

[@quintonperson4155]

Wow ! You're BRAVE ......and lm green with envy ! Good luck and keep posting videos of the progress ! Also dont forget to detail what it's all costing !! Lastly that pooch is toooo sweet for words! Keep including him too ! Best of luck!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks! Brave or foolish, time will tell. I'll definitely share more about the costs of things in future videos. I'll also make sure to keep the puppy in future videos too.

[@jimlaird4808]

Have you considered flipping the guest bedroom and bathroom so it could possibly serve as a Jack and Jill bath set up? More importantly direct access from the MBR when you don’t have guests.

[@NepetaHouse]

This is actually our architects suggestion as well. Pretty decent chance we'll actually go with this arrangement, especially if we have the barn be a proper guest suite in the future.

[@veroniquefarge2241]

Very nice Project!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you!

[@lieuwina]

This is beautiful. Looking at your barn there is a couple I am following and they are converting a barn in Portugal into a tiny home they are called 'The Indie Projects' maybe looking at their video may give you some ideas how to do your barn. Look forward to watching your renovations.

[@NepetaHouse]

Big fan of The Indie Projects! I've been super impressed with how much they are taking on themselves.

[@rogerhampton4111]

Good luck with your project. I am starting out on something similar in Le Marche. Unfortunately the cost of materials has gone crazy, but if you get started with the superbonus already now, you will save more than the added expense. I recommend a air to water heat pump and underfloor heating with photovoltaics, if you are allowed. You can connect cooling to it too.

[@NepetaHouse]

The photos I’ve seen of La Marche are beautiful, so congrats! I hope the super bonuses will help a lot, though I’m worried about the cost of materials as well. I expect we’re *many* months away from construction so I’m hoping (praying?) things moderate a bit until then. Or at least don’t get worse. Agreed on the heat pump and photovoltaics (our neighbor has them). We’ll do underfloor eating on the cellar floor. Not sure we’ll have the height in the middle floor tho. Good luck on your project!

[@micheledeanda4854]

So envious (and jealous) of your new adventure. Looking forward to watching your progress.

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you! We've very excited (though may be someone less excited when the big bills come in, ha).

[@micheledeanda4854]

@@NepetaHouse Haha! Yes, I can imagine.

[@reneedougal5282]

My thoughts about the cellar floor, have an eat in kitchen, then the other room could be a sitting room. Dining table will probably be outside on the terrace. Good luck, what an amazing project!

[@NepetaHouse]

We're thinking something very similar. We may have the "dining room" be a study and a small table in the kitchen for us and in the colder months. Every other time it is eating on the terrace.

[@flipwilzon5287]

I love all your videos and your new puppy is cute!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks!

[@Bmhanes]

I love these videos! What an amazing location. So excited to see future progress on the house.

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you!

[@sidrashirazi2458]

Hey new subscriber here so glad I found your channel congratulations for the new home you’re so lucky and I’m so jealous lol looking forward to more videos like these keep them coming

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you! Hope the journey proves interesting!

[@kindlurkerfrazier5476]

If your budget allows for it, you might think of installing in floor radiant heat versus forced air. It is much more efficient and comfortable.

[@NepetaHouse]

We want to have underfloor heating on the lowest level, so certainly hoping the budget allows! 😀

[@lisareed6159]

So excited to see progress. Congrats!!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you!

[@edonisimasa]

Grande!

[@NepetaHouse]

😃

[@branimirremenar5383]

I am so excited to see the process of renovation and I already can see how beautiful it’s going to be when you’re done with it, the views are just phenomenal wow. I can’t wait for more videos. Sending love from Croatia 🇭🇷❤️

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you! Also, we're super eager to visit Croatia. It is one of our top planned destinations whenever we are really able to get out and travel again.

[@alex_g_wood]

Access will be interesting in the winter!

[@NepetaHouse]

Agreed! They do get snow in the area, especially since there's a bit of elevation. I don't think it sticks around too long though. My hope is that, because there are families that live there full-time, that the "road" is kept reasonably clear.

[@marlenebos6140]

Might also be a challenge for construction vehicles and trucks that have to deliver building materials. It often happens in an area like this, that goods can only be brought up to a certain place and have to be transported on with smaller vehicles. Hope that's not the case here. Plenty of challenges already.

[@TheFiown]

I think that any soak tub will be outside, maybe cover the terrace with a pergola and vines thus extending the inside out. I live in south west France and have two terraces and that's where we do everything most of the year. I put up a pergola with some bamboo on top until the vine and kiwi take hold but at the rate they are growing that will be next year as our region is very green like yours. Parli italiano, aiuta molto almeno a conosce ne conosci un po'. Buona Fortuna xo

[@NepetaHouse]

I like the idea of the soaking tub outside. We have a few neighbors, but none with a direct view onto the terrace. We’ll probably put up a pergola of some sort too. Cannot wait until it is covered in greenery!

[@michelles2299]

Outside bathing or showering is amazing ❤️

[@matthewkuhl457]

Just subscribed since we’re considering doing something similar. Looking forward to learning from all your mistakes and successes! Also, as an architect, I really appreciate the plan view orientation with the walk-through! Best of luck and look forward to some in-person videos.

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks for the follow. I also appreciate the comment on the plans! I wish I had your experience going into this, but I suppose it means there will be more mistakes for people to learn from. 😀

[@kateaustin8235]

What a gorgeous view! And the house has so much amazing potential! You mentioned it might be difficult getting approval for more windows, is it hard to add windows / or put in larger windows to buildings in Italy?

[@NepetaHouse]

Hi Kate, Thanks! From everything I've heard, if you are in a historical conservation area (most of Italy it seems) or you have a historic building, it is very difficult to make any sort of change to the outer shape of the building, so new or larger window/doors, any sort of additions, are very difficult to get. We wanted to expand one of the doors, but our architect said it will almost certainly not be approved. We'll give it a shot though.

[@vickeyefremidis9234]

I’m bust bee for the pup 🐶 thank you ☺️

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks! He’s a cute one

[@seeingyouontube]

I imagined the kitchen on the same floor as the living room. Having your Landry in the second floor bathroom would be easiest instead of moving it up and down two flights. Why not use the ground story as a guest room or apartment? Thanks for asking and buon progetto!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks for the reply! We thought about having the kitchen on the middle floor, and that was the thinking of the prior owner. Ultimately we decided that we want to cook and then eat on the terrace, so it made more sense to have a simple walk outside rather than have to go down the stairs. We're also thinking the barn will be the guest apartment sometime in the future too, so we don't want to use too much space in the main house for guests. We'll see though, still mulling over ideas...!

[@moirashapiro100]

I live I the dolomites I Trentino. Many of the old houses here have a utility kitchen on the ground floor because it's just too hot to cook on the main floor. However your going to have to take into consideration the winter and how to keep these thick walls dried out. Having the kitchen on the Main floor with a wood burning stove will not only heat your living area but also provide hot water and cooking. Its primitive and hard work but it's how most rural areas still live in Italy. Good luck .

[@jedwards1975]

Maaaaannn. That view. WOW!! Have you named it yet?

[@NepetaHouse]

Thanks! Ha, good question. We haven't named it, but we've been trying to think of a good one... which is tough! Maybe something with Italian, American (where we're from), and German (where we live) influences.

[@cambbrown6205]

What a wonderful view. Just an idea...Have you thought about using the top floor for a sitting room to benefit from the high ceiling and amazing views? The views are probably amazing on all floors and no doubt your architect will have considered this anyway.

[@NepetaHouse]

That's a good idea actually. We've talked about having it be both a bedroom and a sitting space or office, possibly with a sofa bed or something. The view from the other floors is pretty much the same, though that side of the building does have less natural light.

[@fishermann1102]

nice home!

[@NepetaHouse]

Thank you!

[@donnaleiner986]

This is beautiful! Looking forward to seeing your dream come to fruition!! Highlighting your doggy at the end if each video is sweet, and adds a bit of personalization and charm to your vlog's. You may have mentioned this in a prior comment, and I may have missed your reply, but what is your puppy's name?

[@mharrisona5526]

Che Bella! What a treat to see new life in that home and grounds. I quite enjoy landscaping and would enjoy planting lavender around that barn and terrace. We hope to benefit a bit from the 110 program with windows, doors, and heating system but that remains to be seen. I’m told a separate program will likely pay most of the restoration on our facade. I don’t rely on any of it but will utilize if appropriate. I look forward to following along on your Tuscan adventure!

[@NepetaHouse]

Lavender would be great, and contrast nicely with the stone. My wife also wants to plant wisteria on the terrace (not sure if it is local, but I've seen others do it too). We also want to have a small herb garden off the kitchen. On the super bonus, we have the same thinking. We don't need it, but it sure should help. My understanding is that there are a whole bunch we can utilize, including: seismic work, most things energy related (windows/doors, insulation, solar), and several others. We're going to talk with a bank, UniCredit Banco when we visit in July, since they should handle most of the financing.

[@meowypotter1246]

Ya, ok, so where's your kitty?!!😺

[@NepetaHouse]

Ha! Next video (this weekend I hope) will include the kitty.

[@anna_m59]

How much was this property?

[@NepetaHouse]

Hello Anna. We paid about €60k, not including closing costs (I think about €8k or so for taxes, fees, etc.). The house had recently been reduced to a list price of €75k, with the original listing at (I think) €175k. If you are looking at a place, don't go by the list price. 😀

[@anna_m59]

@@NepetaHouse thank you for your response ..Good to know that listing price is not always what the closing price. In California the opposite listing price always less because people over bit.

[@indiadraghi1172]

Ma hai comperato una casa in Toscana ...ma non parli la lingua italiana come farai a seguire i lavori?

[@NepetaHouse]

We've found bi-lingual people to work with. There are a lot of ex-pats in the area who are also providing advice. I do expect it to be a challenge however and we plan to learn some Italian.