It’s a flippin construction zone over here. Today we headed back into Rome to find a new store. Luckily we’re not far to all the major shopping spots. It’s about 45 min and we rented the car this trip (for this purpose). We haven’t really hit much traffic either. Our neighbors told us about Bricoman. It’s another Home Depot / Lowes type store, much like Leroy Merlin. However, it’s more contractor style. It was an excellent place to find. After Mike took down the existing upper cabinets and patched the holes, we were going to put the tiles our neighbors gave us… but…as wonderful as it was to get them, it would require a whole lot of extra. A Tile cutter purchase, mortar, grout…and labor. Mikes been going non stop. So we reevaluated, contemplated and went back & forth…We found extremely affordable tongue & groove shiplap wood – (3” x 7’ )10 pieces in a package for $10.00. So, 2 boxes later and only $20.00 out of pocket! They’ll cover the mess we are staring at. Oh and 2 tubes of liquid nails. Nailing into concrete isn’t the easiest thing to do. Mike‘s got all the drill bit things & some tools he brought in our checked bags. While there we also found cement & sand. We did require google translate yet again. Come to find out this store has an outdoor section (much like Lowes, but it’s separate. You drive around to the back, and make a separate purchase there. Mike had to get that crap to refill the holes caused by the pipe damage. We tried to match the existing grey tiles, but no luck. That’ll be another headache for another day 💆♀️. So while he mixed that stuff, I stained the other stuff. The cement stunk like awful, so I opened the kitchenette window (even though I have 2 heaters going) and our favorite stray cat thought she’d take a peek and come say hi. She’s my little design buddy. She’s the sweetest thing and is at our home all day 💕.
The kitchen is coming along. It was a hot flippin mess when we first walked in. A broken hibachi grill, cabinets and bureaus and storage things everywhere, a big orange umbrella bucket, 5 recycling bins, 27 chairs, a big nasty 1967 brown camping looking stove contraption thing 😳…like what the actual bleep…the list goes on. We have decluttered, cleaned up, thrown out, donated…thrown out… and waiting to throw more out. So, be aware if your dream home OR renovation home in Italy comes “furnished” make sure the sellers take ALL THEIR CRAP with them. Sure, leave furniture, Grazie. But, I don’t need 21 strainers, 11 frying pans, a 1971 industrial size meat slicer, Grampa‘s old slippers, aunt Suzie’s hairbrush… you get my point. It’s funny because when we found out this home came “furnished” I said to Attorney’s assistant – with all do respect “I don’t want their crap”. She said it’s customary to leave it furnished, but they were disappointed it was left how we found it. In the USA we are use to “broom swept condition“. This purchase wasn’t found in that condition.
Back to positive….🌟🌟 For working with a nothing budget, I’d say it’s coming along pretty nicely. A little white paint, some wood (ok a lot of wood) and curtains can really transform even the most dated looking space. My neighbor from South Africa commented “you dressed everything“ referring to my hung curtains on the washer machine, stove, sink etc. You know the French farmhouse style-look. I do have a vision and it’s trying to get to that without spending anything. The key is to figure out the overall look you want, and then really look at your options. Go with the less affordable option always when in a nothing budget ~ and you may stretch your money a bit more. I have to keep reminding myself, this is NOT our primary home. It’s a vacation home that is ancient. Any work and upgrades we do, will look 100% better than how we purchased it. But I do want it comfortable and transformed. Clean rooms, new bed linens, a clean & functioning bathroom, some paint, wood & curtains and it is starting to look like HOME. It is looking beautiful.
Some photos of today’s progress. I hope you’re following your heart wherever it takes you. Home is where your heart is. My phone just freezes mid texting. And it won’t allow corrections . Hopefully tomorrow we get the email the modem is in to pick up. This is pretty painful just trying to get through an update. So, thanks for sticking around.
PS.. wine makes everything look better
My daughter Brett is doing well. Her recovery is as expected, slow and painful. Thank you to everyone who has been asking. I miss her so much and wish I was home helping her post op. I’m missing all my kids 💛💛💛💛. But they’re why we are here doing this. Our families Italian vacation home.
