RESTORING our neglected 300-YEAR-OLD FARMHOUSE and garden [2 years in 24 minutes]

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Published 2022-08-20
In August 2020, our family packed up everything and moved to France to begin restoring a 300-year-old farmhouse and overgrown garden. This is our story.

We made the choice to sell our business in the UK and move with our young son in the hope of creating our dream forever homestead in rural France. We had no DIY experience so tackling a farmhouse restoration project was going to be a steep learning curve.

Moving to France hasn’t been easy and the journey certainly isn’t over yet. The restoration of the farmhouse will take many more years. Uncovering the garden took most of the first year and it has only been in the last year that we have really been able to put our stamp on it. This year we have created a potager (vegetable garden) at the front of the property having been inspired after we discovered this is what the land used to be used for. We have loved growing our own fruit and vegetables and plan to double it in size next year.

In 2021 the family had a new addition – our second son. Our children are one of the main reasons why we decided to move to France and why we took on this ambitious restoration project.

#farmhouserenovation #restoringfarmhouse #2yearrenovation

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00:00 2 Years in 24 seconds
00:37 Prelude: A boat, a baby and a pandemic
2:56 Chapter 1 : A new beginning
7:14 Chapter 2: Renovating the interior
9:26 Chapter 3: Exterior landscaping
12:25 Chapter 4: A family effort
17:19 Chapter 5: Creating the potager
21:14 Chapter 6: A considered life

Music sourced form SoundStripe (in chapter order)
Wicked Cinema - A Game of Chess
Wicked Cinema - Cat and Mouse
Wicked Cinema - Crest & Mantle
Chelsea McGough - Hook or Crook
Featherland - Crescendo
Alice in Winter - Woven
Alice in Winter - Azure
Awyr - Out of Sight

All Comments (21)
  • I am thoroughly exhausted and this only was 25 minutes long. I don’t know where you guys found your strength. But I am so impressed. Keep going.
  • @Koitus36
    I am a 37 year old contractor and watching this moved me to tears. You have a beautiful family and are creating a beautiful space to enjoy it.
  • The sheer amount of work involved is inspiring. So many nights just crawling into bed dusty and exhausted only to get up and do it all again. I'm sure there were arguments and days where you questioned it all, but it's worth it, so so worth it. The results are beautiful. The production quality is amazing. The combination of light, color and sound is transporting. I can see, smell and taste it all, quality storytelling. Keep doing what your doing. Thanks for sharing and bringing us all along for journey.
  • @Cliffiechatt
    I’m a 75 yr old man from South Africa. Your endeavours are inspirational. You succeed even when you fail because others are taught. Your parents would be hugely proud just as your children will be. Bless you all in a world of new values. Stay true to yours.
  • Wow! I loved every minute of this, I was lost with you and slowly it all started to come together, well done both of you. Such hard work and the vision you have , I take my hat off to you x
  • @malez6198
    Your family is living the dreams of many people. for some of us it will only be a dream because of different circumstances. But hats off to you, for your hard work and your videos are very well put together. All the best for your future
  • In all honesty the sheer amount of work you put in reviving the land is indeed appreciable. Y'all are living my dream. The cinematography and editing is top notch.
  • @calebshupp
    I don’t know if it’s the music, the fact that I’m waiting to homestead, the fact that I’m pregnant, or just that the video makes me emotional but I wanted to cry the whole time 😅 Such a huge and rewarding undertaking for your family. It’s beautiful to watch you build a legacy on such a beautiful, historic property.
  • Absolutely amazing what you both have achieved, and while raising a young family, beautifully put together video, hope you’re well and can’t wait to follow you on your further journey x
  • @2L82Sk8Bye
    I’m amazed at what you’ve accomplished so far. So many unexpected problems with the houses but you did a boatload of renovation. The gardens are wonderful. I subscribed and look forward to watching more of your progress. 🌷
  • My wife and I retired and moved to Kentucky, USA at the beginning of the Pandemic. A year later we found and purchased property and because we were waiting for the economy to become stable again, we planted fruit trees, established 18 no till garden beds, several raised beds and preserved lots of good healthy food while waiting to build our home. This year we added 21 additional garden beds and hope to sell at the Farmers Market. Your video brought me to tears. Such great memories. At 66, I remember the first year. It was challenging work but never have I felt more complete. I admire you for beginning this journey and teaching your children this way of life. I loved the video and will continue to follow your journey. Cheers!
  • @caseyjude5472
    I liked how you showed the neighbor farmer at work in their fields as a time stamp. And when this is all done, you get to live & grow old IN FRANCE! And you were able to give this gift to your children. Thanks for sharing this video with me, I really enjoyed it!
  • How wonderful you both are. Not only to tackle such a (seemingly) endless and uphill task, but to do it with two babes in the midst of a pandemic and in a new country. I am filled with admiration at your story thus far and hope that your future plans bring you equal amounts of achievement and joy. Brava! Bravo!
  • @First_Rain
    “We grew in our ability to transform the neglected…” such a powerful line. You have definitely made such a transformation! I loved watching you plant and harvest. Not only in your farm, but in your life. All your hard work has given a fruitful harvest. God bless you and your beautiful family💕. -Dyana
  • Bienvenue en France ! You did honor to this old property, I hope you enjoy your new lives there, it's well deserved, so much work!
  • PURE INSPIRATION!!!! A Diamond in the rough is forever a diamond!!!! Thx. Now y’all have snatched my excuses away. To the garden I go!!!! 😂
  • @stonerjazz
    Just bought a 4 bed townhouse with 1000m² of land in the Almeria mountains of Spain. I am a 53 year old lady used to singing in Spain, but am not going to let this stop me 😅 Thank you for ideas - would love more insight into your struggles and wins. Love Claire ❤
  • @justmepraying
    I have to say if all parents would raise their children like yall are the world 🌎 would be a better place. God bless 🙏 from America 🇺🇸
  • One of the Very Best in this Genre I've seen so far! The Footage, Narration, Music and Editing were Excellent!
  • @simongamez
    I can't imagine the face you guys made when you first arrived at the property and saw all that mess! But woah! This is probably the best restoration video I've ever watched. We got to see your children, plants, and abilities grow, everything. What a beautiful video, glad you documented this process. I have no words to describe how happy I felt watching it. Hats off, you did an incredible and beautiful job, guys.