I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Go big or go home. Of course the last time I said this it was about cutting off my hair, relatively minor compared to what I’ve gone and done now.
The wise thing to do would be to live a while in France, see how I like it, ease into the culture, blah, blah, blah. Instead, why not buy a roof and four walls from a Parisian artist and then embark on a full scale renovation without even knowing how to say the word hammer?
Those who know me are not surprised, I can actually hear the rolling of eyes and the sighs of the wise, those who know full well that 2 months into this I’ll be pulling out what’s left of my hair. My real concern is that my unconscious motivation to buy this house was that the reno would offer months of fantastic blog material.
The good news is that the house is about 950 square feet so it fits with the plan of trying to live with less (space, heat, cleaning, etc.) and will be quite the challenge both in terms of small space design and a small budget. Anyway, the offer has been accepted but the papers are still not signed so who knows? I know you’ll be as amazed as I was by how cozy yet luxurious this house is. All one needs to do is open the wine and relax…
This may be the day that all the marbles have actually been lost.
Wow! :)
Having some experience in construction I shall warn(!) you to be paranoid with everything the subcontractors and/or material providers are telling you. They will try (and usually succeed) to first rip you off, and secondly drive you crazy. ;)
Nowadays, when we have Eastern European small construction companies pushing down (if not dumping) prices, at least in Scandinavia, I can tell you that one can get a brand new house for the price of 800,00 eur/m2 ready to be moved in. Of course, this would not be built from stone, but at least it should give you some perspective. ;)
Good luck with your project. No matter what they say, it can be done, it just requires common sense and, as I mentioned, a bit of paranoia.
hopefully this home has good bones since that is what you are down to. I can envision a very cool space however. Good luck. Seriously. I think this project will teach you French for sure. At the least you will learn every French cuss word.
Well it’s obvious that you are up for big challenges! and this looks to be a pretty big one for sure!
Bobbi – you continue to amaze me! Happy renos!
What took you so long….?
Ah Monique, it’s scary how well you know me…
XO
B
Bobbi,
Being a lover of stone houses, small houses, and all things old and primitive, I ADORE the place!!!! I know you will make it amazing.
Brenda
Very cool digs, Bobbi. I think you and Neil should be the next couple featured on the BBC show “Build a New Life in the Country”. We could watch it all unfold on TV! Felicitations! You go girrrrrrrl!!
Tabula rasa …knowledge comes from experience and perception…
…looks like you have a true blank slate…+ years of experience + excellent perception = An amazing find that will bring you great joy, much exhaustion, and as someone said…lots of French cuss words…
I love it Bobbi! That’s my kind of house. Just be careful (one expat to another) when you are actually staying there and the contractor confidently says there is no storming coming on the day the guys come to rip off part of the roof, even though everyone else says there is a storm coming. Believe the everyone else…learned that one the hard way!
Looking for volunteers with a tent and experience as an interior decorator?
Bobbi, just to let you know I do read your blog. Not regularly, but I catch up from time to time. I was starting to feel like a lurker so I thought I better write. Also, to confirm, you do want to be read? Right? This is not just for fam & friends. Then I look at the “share” button and the social network connections and think, yes, she does want to be read. Whew. It occurred to me to ask because I have passed your blog on to others. Some you may know and no creepy stalker types. Though some may be harmless lurkers like me.
Also, wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. You are an excellent writer. Your stories are by turn touching and funny and always vivid. I love getting the occasional little picture of what you are up to and am always pleased when Neil pops up in your stories. Say hello to him.
The new property looks like a fascinating undertaking. Lots of work I’m sure and big rewards I hope.
Maura
Oh too bad, I love creepy stalker types. Share away my friend and Neil says hi…
Love
B
On the bright side, the demolition has already been done. One less thing.
I would recommend my plumber, but…
(P.S. – it clearly has incredible potential and I hope you’ll post a photo of the view, too!)
Love the open concept! Don’t lose it in the reno!