I’m not sure where you live in the USA or maybe you’re already living abroad. Are you thinking of renovating your home? Or, in the midst of a renovation. Maybe you are wishing to redo your kitchen or bathroom – but don’t think you can do it. Maybe you are like us, dreaming of Italy …but, only in the dream stages of purchasing your “Italian dream home”. Have you turned down a potential home because it requires renovations? You could be like us too….your budget is peanuts. Yet, your wishlist is endless. What if your skill levels are basic. Perhaps you’ve never done a D.I.Y. and think it’s just never something you could see yourself doing. Who thinks renovations are just so expensive? Better yet, what about renovations in another country…..nothing you could tackle?
Let me tell you how easy things can be done. Probably better stated, how affordable things can be done. Ok …things can be both easily changed out for a very reasonable budget. So, if you see that perfect house in the perfect village, but needs renovations….don’t be afraid.
I still have photos to upload from our trip. But, before I just show this or that – why not share the process. The thought process. The budget process. The design and delivery process. Maybe it will help you both in the comfort of your own home, or in your future vacation villa somewhere amazing!! You shouldn’t be afraid of a good renovation. I can guarantee your budget is absolutely larger than what our budget is, every time. It all starts with a vision.
What was my vision in Italy? Authentic, Rustic, Charm, Cozy, Warm, Comfortable, French country – European farmhouse chic and organic. Enough words lol.
Those are all words I would say started my vision. If you ask Mike, he’ll say “I don’t care, whatever you want”. Now trust me, that is exactly what I want to hear ….most of the times. Mike has NEVER been that husband that I need to argue over curtains, furniture or anything for that matter. He loves my style, trusts my judgment and just goes with the flow. HOWEVER, when you‘re off in Italy all by your duo self 👫 and you’re trying to pick between this or that….this style or that style….this pendant or that one, these curtains or those curtains….he will every time look at me and say “I don’t care honey, whatever you like.”
Our home in Italy took every single penny we had to purchase. The home expense itself wasn’t even all that bad. I think you’ll recall that the home was listed at 25,000 euros. We offered 20,000 euros and they accepted it without any negotiations. Amazing! Literally 3 floors, 2 full bathrooms, a huge kitchen and beautiful original character and charm. The extra expenses that quickly added up certainly took from our “renovation budget”.
Those extra expenses:
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Realtor commission – 4,000.00 euros. Come to find out, after our complaining over some major issues we had with “Nicoletta”, our Attorney’s office informed me: they understand how difficult she was to work with and they decided not do work with her in the future. I think that is great, however, her name is on most listings in our village. So, that stinks for potential buyers. She really was horrible looking back. She gave us completely the wrong information on the cantina. That could have ended really bad, had Mrs. Josepina been upset Mike cut her lock. The survey/inspection of the home failed to discover the major plumbing issues. Again, a major headache for us and additional expense the first 2 weeks we were there. And obviously the clean out of the house. As the agent, she should have ensured it was left in better condition.
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The Attorney’s fee- 5,000.00 euros. This fee we felt was money very well spent. We don’t know the law or language. They handled all the steps and documents and are still assisting us with the utilities. Get yourself a good lawyer if you can’t be there!
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The notary/vat 3,300.00 euros- again this fee is mandatory. But, nonetheless an additional expense.
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The survey- 450.00 euros. In our opinion this wasn’t the most thorough survey/inspection. Things should have been found and discovered. But, for the fee we did receive additional photos of the property. Quite a few videos of the village and the street. Having these alone was worth the fee. Especially for us not being present to view the home. I guess looking back besides the corroded pipe…..the non functional inside fuse breaker and oh ya….the not our cantina but included in our photos cantina this was money well spend. See, I’m still finding the positives.
So, what did that leave? Nothing. Actually less than nothing. So, what can you do with a nothing budget? Think. Sit down and think about how you want the space to look. What overall feel are you going for. Are you a modern design person? Or perhaps you are a minimalist? How about industrial or a bit shabby chic? Come up with a vision. If you’ve never used “pinterest” I suggest you take a look at the app. It’s full of anything and everything design and decor. Get ideas. See what makes you smile, then…..think, how can I do that for less. Trust me you can.
I know my design style has always been the french country, romantic & cozy vibe. I love whites, creams, linens & muted tones with black accents. After spending Christmas in Italy 2019, I came home and had a new vision. We recently bought a new house in Florida. I changed things up a lot here. I gave up my french country whites and went with a more boho, tropical, european chic-flare….say that 3 times!! We did concrete countertops, which we love!! Extremely affordable and durable. This was Mike’s first time making those kinds of countertops. He has mastered the butcher block style, but we were ready for a change. I always encourage him to try something he hasn’t done before. He is usually very hesitant until I annoy him enough, that he just goes for it! He is very skilled. He is a perfectionist with his work, so he gets upset with himself. However, only he and I can see the minor flaws. But, when you are creating something, there will be flaws. That’s what gives it the character and appearance of something old in a new renovation. Built in charm. I posted the photos of the kitchen renovation here In Florida. It looks beautiful and we’re both so pleased.
The biggest challenge besides no budget for us was logistics. How the flip would we find all my necessary supplies. Wood, for example. We were pleasantly surprised when we found Leroy Merlin and Bricoman. These stores have everything you could need for your Italian dream home renovations. Or, in the states Lowes and HomeDepot. What I decided immediately entering the house that Monday morning 2/22/2021…..”those kitchen cabinets are coming down”……”that stove/oven contraption deathtrap thing is getting thrown out”…….”the backsplash tile is hideous and getting smashed out”…..that’s a good place to start right!! So then what…..how do we complete all this on a tiny budget?
I’m that kind of person that knows immediately. First of all, I can see past the crap. I can overlook the sh*t in a space. Cosmetic changes don’t scare me. I knew looking at photos of the house what I wanted to change….even 5000 miles away. Mike was definitely a bit hesitant only because he had no idea where we could just go and get “stuff”. Well, once we found our stores, we were good to go! Demo time!! Who needs kitchen cabinets anyway!! I do love the look of open shelving. Yes, it can add more housework. A little extra dusting. However, it looks beautiful if styled properly. I will say you have to be somewhat of a neat person to have open shelving. Ok, both neat and organized helps. I shared the before of the space where the cabinets were, and how lovely it looks now. Even if you are an “I. NEED. CABINETS” kind of person, you have to admit, removing them was the best decision we made! Total for this project was under $100.00. We found this awesome shiplap style wood planks 2 packs of 12 in each for 20.00 euros. A bottle of wood stain 10.00 euros and then the shelves – 10″x8′ for 24.00 euros each. Then the black brackets $4.00 each x 6.
The stove thing. What a flipping eyesore it truly was. I refused to light the damn thing. I told Mike, I will never cook on it. It was not only gross, but terrifying. So, that was gone! But, how do you replace it on a budget? We found a pretty 4 burner propane stovetop. There obviously was nothing to put it on or attach it to. Mike had to built a base cabinet for it. These are the photos I haven’t shared yet. Simple, affordable and cheap-o-depo! I will double check with Mike, but I believe it was some 2×4’s for probably $20.00 total. Ok, he just told me they were 3″x3″ (they come in 8′ length). Those were 5 euros each. We only needed 2. Then the top piece was a pine board for 14.00 euros 12″ x 6′ cut in half. Under $30.00. I had brought some of my favorite cafe curtains from home with me. I knew the look I was going for and for an old italian – french country farmhouse style….I need curtains. Curtains everywhere. So, once the cabinet was built, all it required was a small tension rod from the store for $5.00 and the curtains to finish the look. The stove top itself I believe was $160.00. I’ll have to check on that. The curtains hanging on the new stovetop, the huge existing farmhouse sink and the additional countertops Mike made truly finish off the space. It appears to now blend better in the space than the 60-70’s renovation that looked very outdated.
The other big thing we did was added a top to the existing kitchen table. The previous owners had left all the furniture. It was definitely dated and a hodge- podge of this and that. The table was a 70’s laminate top style. It would have only sat maybe 6. Mike got 3 pieces of pine 8’x 15″ for 27.00 euros each. So for under a $100.00 we had a new, huge kitchen table that now comfortably seats 10. We didn’t need to worry about finding, transporting and getting a huge table to the house. Mike created it at the house with wood. Custom is always best.
The kitchen backsplash….let’s talk about that for a minute. It looked like someone was kind of an artist, but not really. There were random placements of what looked like hand painted scenic tiles. Bold colors and just not my style. I would have loved to demo the heck out of the tile, but that wasn’t going to happen on that trip. We didn’t have the time or money. Mike didn’t have all his tools, no tile cutter etc. So, a pint of “multi purpose white paint” applied in several coats, covered those suckers right up! Fresh, clean white paint is the best thing you can get your hands on! Everything looks better when it is freshly painted and white adds a crisp look to even the most dated space.
I have to say the kitchen was a dreaded space for me. It was cold, dark, dreary and outdated. It actually stressed me out. When we were leaving, I remember stepping back taking pictures and in awe at the transformation. We truly made this a beautiful space. When I think about what we had to work with and the budget we had, it just makes it even more beautiful. The biggest impact was removing all the upper kitchen cabinets. Adding 3 open shelves on the blank wall. This is now a beautiful place to display both new and vintage housewares. I absolutely love this little corner of the kitchen.
I do have some additional plans once we return. I’ll be daydreaming until that day arrives. I’m always looking to add something to give more charm. But, even if we didn’t do 1 more thing, I would be delighted to have friends and family over for coffee or tea in my new italian -french country farmhouse kitchen. I can’t wait to wander through Tuscany looking for those 1 of a kind pieces.
D.I.Y.- Do it yourself. Don’t be afraid. Get creative! Think outside the box. Or, stay in your box, but believe in yourself. You can do it, you can fix it. You can renovate and save the money….if saving money is what you are worried about. That is how we started out years ago. We never had the money to pay for someone to do this kind of work. So, I would dream it up and convince Smartie that “yes you can do it’…..and he did it! Every time. He’s done it. We still don’t have the extra money to hire someone to do this kind of work. Why would we though. I think M&K Designs Studios do fantastic, affordable work! So we do it. I dream it all up and Smartie’s hands bring it all to life. I’m so proud of us. When you actually see what you have created, it is truly the most rewarding feeling.You can love your work a contractor does in your home. You should! No doubt you spent a pretty penny! But, when you are the contractor, it just brings you an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Renovations on a flippin budget! D.I. Y. The only way to go!!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. All my Italian home buying peeps….how goes the battle? Have you found anything yet? Are you staying hopeful and excited? I truly hope so!! Your dream house IS out there!! Keep the search fun and exciting. Stay in love with the process. And please let me know how things are going!! I love hearing from you all.
And all my other peeps, I hope you aren’t getting tired of hearing all about anything and everything “Italy”. It’s just still fascinating to me that “we did this”. Oh and I forgot to add, the owner;s manual for the stovetop was in ~ Italian. Try reading and translating that manual. Smartie is the man!
Buona Notte ☺️.
