My guess is if you are going to stick kids in the tv room the parents would want a way to keep and eye on them..hang a heavy curtain you can pull to the side and if there is no one watching tv in there you can pull the curtain aside and still get the light and the charm of the french doors.
Exactly this, parents are going to want to keep an eye on the kids so the existing door is perfect. If I'd wasn't there I'd be thinking about adding one in!
Yes. Just like in Bedroom 1 that had a fireplace in the corner. Someone covered over the fireplace in the main bedroom and created a doorway into another small room to make it into an ensuite.
A few thoughts and suggestions: 1. Have you thought about painting/staining the concrete floors. It can be quite beautiful. 2. Have you considered having an old fashion Shooting Party/or an Environmental Event? I am sure you could sell out a weekend. You could also include lectures about rewilding and the need to cull deer. You could also do tree planting, hedge planting and collecting tree seeds. ETC. 3. Have you thought about donating the meat to a food bank? Or having the meat processed and selling it at the gift shop? Venison pepperoni or kolbassa are both quite tasty. Just a couple of thoughts. Love your channel. :)
Keep the doors, sometimes parents want to check on the kids without going out of the room they are in to walk around to get to go check on them. Easy enough to look through the door. Put some curtains on the doors to give the illusion of privacy and that way if someone needs to go into the room to get to a child, they can. I do understand about deer hunting. My late 1st husband was an avid deer hunter. I went with a couple of times, I found mushrooms when he did not find a deer, but it is always better to hunt with a buddy. The meat does not go to waste either. I love deer meat. I've seen deer in on my 50 acres when we lived north of where we are now, eating the trees because there were too many deer and not enough food for them all. I've put out food for them to keep my fruit trees and help them through a tough winter. I was living in the IL and MO area back then now I'm in TX.
When you go on holidays, you gather together ,you don't isolate. Keep the the doors so people can lounge in both rooms and still be connected. Put the sofa in front of the doors but leave just enough room for people to walk behind.
If you are referring to me, Ms. Kilmer, I grew up on a farm. Yes, I am informed enough. However, that knowledge gives me no comfort when an animal is slaughtered.
I am an American and I would want to have a bathtub. Loads of homes here have a bath/ shower combination which just need a fabric shower curtain with a plastic liner curtain. The views are spectacular. The outside needs some sort of grill and outdoor chairs and big table so the outside can fully be enjoyed.
The french doors between the tv room and sitting room have SO MUCH CHARM I'd hate to see them go away. Can you use love seats in the sitting room instead of a sofa? The carpet in those 2 rooms and the draperies will muffle the sound some. In any case, I CAN'T WAIT to see the farmhouse reno unfold👏👏👏👏
No, leave the doors, there must be a way to damper down noise. Use small love seat type sofas and large chairs. Please keep it rustic, slate or such floors and loads of small vintage rugs. Visitors will love it! We all have conventional livingrooms, it will be nice to have a different space to stay in. Love from New Jersey!
Do nothing with the doors. They are beautiful. As a sound barrier just cover them on each side with a thin layer of insulation and then a thin sheet of plywood. Paint and cover with a pretty curtain. That’s it and you are done
I agree. Keep the French doors. The TV room won’t be too loud and parents would want to keep an eye out as well from the main room. Most guests will be out during the day visiting yr beautiful area of England or sitting on yr back stone patio enjoying the view.
Agree about the use of love seats plus chairs rather than a sofa as adults in particular due to 'personal-space comfort', seldom seat more than three on a sofa.
I agree first floor leave the glass doors between the rooms Kids don’t make that much noise typically traveling and most likely they would be outside running around I would mk sure there is WIFI connections
Luke avoids the more unsavory aspect of allowing too many deer to graze on the land. By maintaining a certain ratio, the deer live healthy lives. The ratio they have at present can cause winter starvation with a slow and inhumane death, and the resulting carcasses can breed disease that is carried over to other animals who may feed on the carcass. It can also breed a type of tuberculosis that is contagious to healthy deer. Culling the herd is a very necessary task, and the sacrificed deer can be dressed and the meat donated to agencies who provide meals to people who are at risk. I could never shoot a deer but I do understand how imperative culling the herd can be. Just thought I would share this in case some people take umbrage with the practice.
A brilliant comment, and as a Canadian prairie girl, I know from personal experience that hunting is managed by scientists who know their stuff, but I’ve never heard or seen it explained so well. Bravo!
@@shagundala7458 this sounds callous but on the average deer are like rabbits...they multiply quickly. The cost of herding them and transporting them would far outweigh any benefits. Just imagine what it would take to capture a deer...it can run about 40mph. So no, it is not feasible. It is just good (and humane) land and wildlife management to cull the herd.
My fantasy life is your real life. It is such s delight to muck a barn without the mud; but i would do it in a heart beat for the pleasure of the experience. Thank you for sharing your experience on a bit of earthly paradise.
Lol. I love how you keep saying it will be "controversial" 😂. We all know whatever Malcolm comes up with, that it will be very complimentary while also remaining sympathetic and respectful of the home's history. I just cannot wait to see it progress. ❤
Personally I would leave the doors and just put more thought into furniture that would best fit with the doors. The light and the views are the cottage’s best assets. ❤ The Cottage ❤
It is absolutely CHARMING ! You should renovate some nearby stables (or a shed ) so families can bring their horses and and spend a week riding the glorious estate lands (marked trails only of course). Are there any existing trails that go all the way to the sea? I know I could get my American cousin and her charming knighted English husband come for at least a week with their friends. I hope this cottage is a reliable money maker so you can continue with all the wilding projects and family activities.
That's a great idea! I vaguely remember them saying at some point that there were horses, or maybe they were thinking about doing something similar to your suggestion? I don't recall, but either way I think that's a great idea, if there is interest.
PS: once the wood floors are sanded and stained it won’t matter how patchwork the planks are….I am for it! I also vote for a claw foot tub in the main bathroom.
I personally would steer clear of Sisal matting, it doesn't work in holiday let's for many reasons. I would use heavy duty lino with a wood effect on floors with the MDF, sand, repair, stain and seal floorboards the same colour as the lino in other rooms then decorate with rugs throughout upstairs. For the stairs themselves I'd sand, repair, stain and seal them with a non slip sealer. The small fireplaces I would block off chimneys, keep the black leaded grates and place salt crystal lamps in each grate. I would see what fireplace is hidden behind that wall near the ensuite bathroom and if similar to others treat like the others. Downstairs on concrete floors, I would lay cushion vinyl flooring again with large rugs. With the double glass doors I would remove the doors, brick halfway up and put a fixed window in ( almost to look like a slim fishtail but with some sort of faux creeper inside) let's light through, keeps noise out, sofas can sit below and curtains can be added if required. The flagstone floors I would scrub, steamclean, dry then cover with a resin floor to preserve the stones. The kitchen cupboards I would keep the units but paint the doors and draw fronts with brass handles/knobs. Always keep baths as many love a bath as well as a shower. ( where do I stay while helping?) As for decoration, I'd probably wall paper using subtle patterns all throughout except for kitchen and utilities. I used to look after holiday let's on a large country estate and while most people were fab there were the odd guest who were not so 'careful'. Looking forward to the next update. Xxx
Super ideas but am going to add; any floor boards that have been replaced and if planning on staining them 'ensure they are the same wood' as the original were otherwise even with stain (or stripping the old ones) the colour can differ.
The primary bedroom I would go with a walk in shower for mobility issues that guests may have. Some older people cannot lift their legs high enough to get into a tub
When my father retired from the embassy service and after we had been living in London for 15 years, we moved to the family ranch in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, USA. It was there that I learned the lesson of culling the herd. It is never pleasant, but always necessary. Too many cattle on the land would destroy the delicate open range that was essential to feeding the herd.
Sorry Julie but I would definitely put carpet in the bedrooms. A) the floorboards aren’t that great. They are quite mismatched. B) insulation from the cold. C) A sound buffer between the upstairs and downstairs. Carpet in a bedroom especially in an old house will give more of a cosy comfortable feel. If it’s timber on the ground floor yes definitely try and save and expose the timber.
Yes, I say keep the bath. Some days in England are quite cool, and in addition are damp, and that gets into your bones. A shower would help, but a hot bath would be so luxurious if you've been out in the wild lands.
Yes, but there's already a bath in the main bathroom so no need for two - especially as it would be a small one. Better to have a lovely big double shower cubicle - much more luxurious than a tiny bath!
@@sallyannc3176 So then all 6-8 people can duke it out over that one bath lol. Double showers don't impress me, most of the time I don't have three people in my shower at once. 😉 I did have an en-suite once with a window that opened, right in the shower, which was INCREDIBLE. The breeze coming in felt amazing while I was showering.
@@celticlass8573 baths aren't very popular in the UK - most of us prefer showers, and a large shower cubicle on your own is very nice, especially for my tall husband.
@@sallyannc3176 Yes, but this isn't to be a residential dwelling, it will be a vacation rental, which means that people from anywhere in the world can stay with them. Actually it surprises me that having a bath isn't more popular, given how cold and damp it can get in the UK. It gets in your bones!
@@celticlass8573 Yes but who wants to be crammed into a wee tub like that, not very warm having your knees sticking up and not being able to lie back in the bath! Plus if they put a shower over it you have to step over the bath to use the shower - not something many people like. You also have to remember that it takes a lot of electricity to heat enough water for a bath - much more than using a shower - which is expensive in the UK (and people renting will usually be charged for that too).
I would think that if you have one nice bathtub in the house that should be enough. A clawfoot tub would be lovely in the family bath. Maybe a luxury shower with a built in bench or dual showerheads in the master bath. I love the french doors downstairs. The views from the house are just breathtaking!❤
My vote is keep the doors. If kids are watching tv it would be easy to 1) hear the kids if they get too rowdy, and 2) check in on them. We had french doors btwn our living room & tv/dining room, kept one closed so the sofa would fit and only used the other. Worked well & sound level was never a problem. P.S. the target practice was fun to watch, and yes in the absence of natural predators, herd culling must be done to insure the health of the overall herd.
We have deer over-populations here in northern Virginia USA, so I totally understand the havoc they can wreak on a natural ecosystem. And I really appreciate that you're practicing to make it as humane as possible. And I hope the venison goes to deserving tables. And I laughed out loud at Ben and Luke's shooting competition! :-)
Good, we have the door issue sorted out by overwhelming votes! You also asked about leaving the one tub as is vs. a large walk in shower. Julie, I know you are a lover of a good warm bath and I think having one tub in a home is always a good idea, so there is my vote on that. Hubby and I were wondering if there is a slight greenish tinge along the floor boards in one of the bedrooms after you pulled up the carpeting, could it be mold? You mentioned putting down sisel carpeting in the “bunk room”. Would that look like the carpet you used in Italy up your stairs? That is a great look. I can’t wait to see plans as they get finalized for this. For Luke, I found the segment on your deer population and how to cull the herd to be just a fact of life and I totally understand your need to do so. It makes no sense to try to work on your beautiful land and the rewilding and get things to grow all around only to have everything destroyed. You and your caretakers know what needs to be done. One more note is the views from the different bedrooms in this Farmhouse are beautiful, as Luke noted. Thanks to you both!
I think a benefit of keeping the doors is the adults can be in the next room over and still keep an eye on the kids. Hopefully you can save that stone floor. Really good that the kitchen is in such good shape. I think it's OK that the floorboards upstairs are more rustic, it will be part of the charm of an older farm house. The soft boards should probably be replaced. That tub upstairs is so deep yet small, I think it would be easier and safer if it was a shower. Put a clawfoot tub under the window in the downstairs bath instead. A sundial in the garden would be quite nice. You really shouldn't be pulling up that nasty old carpet without dust masks. No matter what you all decide I am sure the house will be lovely!
As a designer speaking: Sisal for a guest house is a BAD idea. Hard to clean, marks easily. Why not put in a good engineered wood floor? I bet the cost would be comparable, and maintenance would cause you so many less worries!
You can use the old carpet to stabilize slopes in your rewilding projects. Grass and brambles will grow through it and the carpet stops erosion. It works amazingly well. Better fate for the carpet than be dumped in a landfill.
I think you were right that people would oppose taking out those doors. I do think you can absolutely put a couch in front of it for now tand let he light through …the view. I don’t think you need absolute sound proofing, for family vacationers. Part of the fun that is all the togetherness. Closed doors I think is enough. ❤❤❤ Love love love this house.
Just a quick hint about carpet. If you want to move a large carpet out of room but don't want it anymore, cut it into large strips and roll them. It's a lot easier to move. I'm looking forward to seeing this lovely property shine!
I love you Luke and Julie, so funny together. Julie lying in the sun was gorgeous. The house is lovely and I am sure whatever you do it will be great. Love your work you guys ❤from Australia
Mmmm not sure sisal carpet/rug is the way to go in a kid's room. It's not easy at all to clean, more so with the who-knows-what they might bring in. In my opinion, a washable and replaceable rug between the bunks is the way to go.
Julie, I used to have large limestone flags one and was given an old wives tale type remedy ; that was to put an egg white or two in the mop bucket after cleaning and wipe over. It slowly builds up a beautiful patina. You could test a section but it really works!
I agree Julie the floors are wonderful and characterful. Replace whatever is a true issue and keep whatever you can. I also love Julie’s approach of tear up the carpet so we can see what’s under there 😂
In the primary bedroom have you considered painting the wood floors rather than covering them over with carpet. The patching in may be less noticeable in a painted floor. My 1850’s New England farmhouse has painted floors throughout the bedrooms and in the kitchen.
I’m a big fan of rustic wood floors. People pay big money to have flooring installed that is distressed in order to achieve that look. You guys have hit the jackpot! Keep as much wood flooring visible as possible.
Okay, I agree with keeping the small bath. It’s one of my favorite things to do whilst on vacation. Also, if they’re taking long walks and enjoying the countryside that would be a nice treat. I would also make a cute reading bench and nook in the kids’ bunk room overlooking the view. That would be so special for children.
I’m really enjoying the videos from Mapperton Live and Julie’s little Italian House. Initially when I came across this channel, I thought ‘aristocrat problems’ but as a lover of history, I find the renovations and the history of the main house interesting. I particularly enjoy the episodes on the renovations to the cottages and farmhouse as I can relate even more to these. This episode just reinforced how hard working you both are. This can’t be easy but must be hugely rewarding knowing you are persevering something beautiful. Special shoutout to Julie. You’re a dynamo. Ripping out carpets, laying on the grass having a sunbathe in your boilersuit had me in stitches. 😂
This looks like an amazing project , can’t wait to see how it all turns out!! I’m a designer in Miami Florida. Born and raised in Chicago and my humble opinion is too leave the French doors between the tv room and playroom because you can install blinds on the doors with hold down brackets so they don’t swing around when the doors open and close. But if you have small children and you want to keep an eye on them you can , but you can also open the doors for a bigger connected space and have with the entire family 😊. Good luck and love to see your you tube channels, all of them, so much fun. 👏
Pulling up carpet is extremely satisfying! Those wood bedroom floors would be gorgeous if they were stripped and hard wax oiled in a natural or medium color with Osmo instead of making them a mahogany color. I've seen this done in other English homes of similar age. Darker floors show scratches and dirt more than light and medium floors.
Hi Julie and Luke! When our children were young, up through grade school age, when traveling, I always wanted them with in sight or at least in hearing so to be aware of what they were up to. Would your renters really want that small room walled off tho be that quiet? Very best of wishes with this project!!
I'm happy to see you're keeping the double doors. They add so much to the character of the house. I think it might be a good idea to powerwash the stone floors and regardless of variation in color, keep them, once again for character. Beautiful old house. I look forward to your progress videos.
Idea: Outside where the sundial or urn was I would put a fire pit with Adirondack style chairs around it and whomever rents the farmhouse can roast marshmallows or s’mores either at sunset or at night. I’m sure from the 0:13 high vantage point the scenic views and evenings will be magical.
Keep the doors. If the heat comes from the two fireplace inserts, it’s going to be freezing in the TV room. The doors allow better light. You can use other seating options other than a sofa. I agree with sisal in some rooms, but prefer rugs instead of wall-to-wall.
Lots of great ideas. Julie sunbathing. She sure knows how to march to the beat of her own drum when she feels it. I'm from the little dot in the middle of IL, USA Julie.
Julie just laying on the ground sunbathing!! 🤣 But all I've been thinking is that that area needs some nice patio furniture to dine or sit outside and enjoy the views.
Hi guys, watching from New Zealand! I'm absolutely delighted to find your channel, and equally gutted that I had no idea Mapperton existed until a few weeks ago. But now, I get to binge and catchup. My family coming from Kent, I'm obsessed with everything English! ❤ Luke, you are a gorgeous man, and Julie, wow! A powerful tiny lady with wonderful family loyalty. It's marvelous that through all the stress you endure, you both look like you're in your mid-30s. (Genetic celebrities).🎉 Thank you for sharing, teaching, and entertaining us. I wish you the best life can offer. Love you. ❤❤
In the kids room - definitely wall to wall carpet - and do something softer than sisal, kids like to sit on the floor of their rooms. Make it warm and inviting.
Beautiful old home! I can see sanding and sealing the hardwood floors. In the past with stone, I've had to do an acid wash to clean off and refresh stone. It was mostly slate and other local stone in Maine.
The first two rooms, could you make the one floor concrete then lay stone on them. The room with the fireplace may have once been a kitchen then a dining room. The worm wood boards need to be replaced before sanding. The stone in the master may indicate that there had once been a fireplace there, possibly before the bathroom was put in. Putting a sun dial in is an awesome idea, with some English Roses around the doors. Anyone who hunts understands the reasoning behind the need to cull a heard. Besides the fact it's healthier for the herd it puts meat on the table.
I'd leave the doors and place a comfy sofa in front of the fireplace with chairs on either side, small coffee table or bench for placing magazines and food an area rug on top of the sisal carpet to define the sitting area. Upstairs, paint wood floors and use rugs. It's going to be a lovely rental.
What a treat it will be to watch this already lovely farmhouse get a refresh! And Luke, thank you for educating some viewers about culling. It’s a sad but truly necessary action needed when original predators have been exterminated from the landscape. I’m sure Mapperton makes good use of the carcasses-perhaps primarily used on site or in surrounding restaurants, shelters, and neighbors’ homes as food-so the circle of life is maintained.
What a beautiful home. That stone floor once cleaned and sealed will look gorgeous, it's part of the character in this house. I wouldn't put carpet, maybe an area rug.
Holiday folks wont care about the inconsistencies in the wood floors! Repair, sand and stain or paint!!! We want to see all the interesting bits of an old house!!!
Close up the door space, it will create a livable space and allow for good furniture placement. Make the cottage a place that lends itself to how people live. Great idea - salvage the doors to use somewhere else on the estate. Happy Holidays!
Keep the doors. Find a sectional or loveseat and easy chairs to put in that room. Nobody spends a lot of $ on a vacation cottage to just sit on a sofa and look outside. The light is much more valuable. Plus, you already have the fireplace as a focal point in that room. Yes, definitely keep the bath.
Keep a bath - plenty of room in the main bathroom for a good sizes bath, better to have a nice big shower cubicle in the other rather than a tichy wee bath.
The Barn looks great. Would love to see more about the structure of it (foundation and attic). Sorry, that's the architect in me. In the meantime, a small suggestion and of course depending on your timeline, instead of rushing to rid yourselves of those lovely double glass doors, take a breath and faux it. For example, in the TV room, you can put up floor-to-ceiling thick drapery across the whole wall (Yes Darling, thick enough to drown sound out). On the other side, you can affordably find a Darling Fan-Fold divider. I only make this recommendation because those lovely double glass doors allow a lot of light to flow through the two rooms. At least it should buy you some time before you make a permanent decision. Great luck with all of your renovations. It's wonderful to see all the progress you both make. Quite honestly I am so proud of my fellow American for taking such a wonderful interest in all the Grand Brish History. Julie, your preservation efforts have not gone unnoticed and your commentary of the Royals is always a blast. Keep us posted. - Much Love and Cheers from NYC. Nicely done Guys.....Nicely Done !!!
Viscount and Viscountess your episodes are so good that you should have a regular spot on the BBC, your effortless energetic and creative nature is what we love about this channel, you both are so loveable to watch can’t get enough of your episodes, we love all you work, discussions, content so unique. Thank you so much. Take care, be safe and God Bless 😇🙏🤩🏰
No don’t close up the door …people watch tv alone at home …it’s a holiday so keep it open …so games and kids can be involved ❤maybe put a small sofa in front of the glass doors….and big cushions on the floor …the little room is too small to shut off the opening The stone floors are lovely Yes keep the floorboards..a few rugs ❤ The bunk beds is a great idea …sisal is lovely Patchwork floors are fine …look in great old houses and they are always a patchwork of boards…sand and wax and repair any that are too far gone Carpets are horrible….people don’t care about noise on holiday…nice thick coir rugs are cool Haha your adorable handstand 😂❤
Love this channel just to look at the scenery! Watching Julie and Luke together is a bonus! Julie is a powerhouse and Luke’s humor adds another dimension to their interaction. Look forward to every video!
Here in the US people sometimes have stained concrete for floors, even in very expensive houses. Just an idea that you might want to consider. It is an awesome farmhouse btw!
My guess is if you are going to stick kids in the tv room the parents would want a way to keep and eye on them..hang a heavy curtain you can pull to the side and if there is no one watching tv in there you can pull the curtain aside and still get the light and the charm of the french doors.
Exactly this, parents are going to want to keep an eye on the kids so the existing door is perfect. If I'd wasn't there I'd be thinking about adding one in!
Yes don't get rid of the beautiful french doors
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
I agree. Love the doors!
@@MappertonLive sound proof curtains are a thing...
Luke's talking and Julie's on the ground. 😂😂
Lord that's funny.
😂😂😂😂😂
I thought she had passed out she was so out of breath from pulling up the carpets! 😂
@@BarbaraOlson-qg3ex 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Promising to wrap her up as a gift.... 😂
That stone slab in the master bedroom is probably a hearthstone for a blocked-up fireplace
Possibly a fireplace been covered over during last renovation
Yes. Just like in Bedroom 1 that had a fireplace in the corner. Someone covered over the fireplace in the main bedroom and created a doorway into another small room to make it into an ensuite.
A few thoughts and suggestions:
1. Have you thought about painting/staining the concrete floors. It can be quite beautiful.
2. Have you considered having an old fashion Shooting Party/or an Environmental Event? I am sure you could sell out a weekend. You could also include lectures about rewilding and the need to cull deer. You could also do tree planting, hedge planting and collecting tree seeds. ETC.
3. Have you thought about donating the meat to a food bank? Or having the meat processed and selling it at the gift shop? Venison pepperoni or kolbassa are both quite tasty.
Just a couple of thoughts. Love your channel. :)
Keep the doors, sometimes parents want to check on the kids without going out of the room they are in to walk around to get to go check on them. Easy enough to look through the door. Put some curtains on the doors to give the illusion of privacy and that way if someone needs to go into the room to get to a child, they can. I do understand about deer hunting. My late 1st husband was an avid deer hunter. I went with a couple of times, I found mushrooms when he did not find a deer, but it is always better to hunt with a buddy. The meat does not go to waste either. I love deer meat. I've seen deer in on my 50 acres when we lived north of where we are now, eating the trees because there were too many deer and not enough food for them all. I've put out food for them to keep my fruit trees and help them through a tough winter. I was living in the IL and MO area back then now I'm in TX.
When you go on holidays, you gather together ,you don't isolate. Keep the the doors so people can lounge in both rooms and still be connected. Put the sofa in front of the doors but leave just enough room for people to walk behind.
Yes love the doors. Sofa needs to look at the fire.
That's interesting, because I'd much rather have the fire at my side, and be able to look out the window. :) Especially during a storm!
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
I’m another vote for keeping the doors. They are lovely and will ensure much needed light in the winter months.
On the flagstone floors, it doesn't matter what color the flagstones end up being, they will be beautiful!
I hope your viewers are informed enough to know that herd culling is essential for good management.
If you are referring to me, Ms. Kilmer, I grew up on a farm. Yes, I am informed enough. However, that knowledge gives me no comfort when an animal is slaughtered.
@@lorigray9291I can’t help but agree.
@@lorigray9291 Not referring to you! I understand both sides!
LOL Julie and the carpets! 😂 She’s like a squirrel fussing about with walnuts 💁♀️
❤she's a wee energizer bunny.❤
I am an American and I would want to have a bathtub. Loads of homes here have a bath/ shower combination which just need a fabric shower curtain with a plastic liner curtain. The views are spectacular. The outside needs some sort of grill and outdoor chairs and big table so the outside can fully be enjoyed.
The french doors between the tv room and sitting room have SO MUCH CHARM I'd hate to see them go away. Can you use love seats in the sitting room instead of a sofa? The carpet in those 2 rooms and the draperies will muffle the sound some. In any case, I CAN'T WAIT to see the farmhouse reno unfold👏👏👏👏
No, leave the doors, there must be a way to damper down noise. Use small love seat type sofas and large chairs. Please keep it rustic, slate or such floors and loads of small vintage rugs. Visitors will love it! We all have conventional livingrooms, it will be nice to have a different space to stay in. Love from New Jersey!
Do nothing with the doors. They are beautiful. As a sound barrier just cover them on each side with a thin layer of insulation and then a thin sheet of plywood. Paint and cover with a pretty curtain. That’s it and you are done
I agree. Keep the French doors. The TV room won’t be too loud and parents would want to keep an eye out as well from the main room. Most guests will be out during the day visiting yr beautiful area of England or sitting on yr back stone patio enjoying the view.
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
Agree about the use of love seats plus chairs rather than a sofa as adults in particular due to 'personal-space comfort', seldom seat more than three on a sofa.
I agree first floor leave the glass doors between the rooms
Kids don’t make that much noise typically traveling and most likely they would be outside running around
I would mk sure there is WIFI connections
I do love those doors
And the doors are a good way to keep an eye on the kids in the adjacent room.
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
@@MappertonLiveGreat Choice! Hi from North Carolina. We are having a beautiful fall season.😊
Luke avoids the more unsavory aspect of allowing too many deer to graze on the land. By maintaining a certain ratio, the deer live healthy lives. The ratio they have at present can cause winter starvation with a slow and inhumane death, and the resulting carcasses can breed disease that is carried over to other animals who may feed on the carcass. It can also breed a type of tuberculosis that is contagious to healthy deer. Culling the herd is a very necessary task, and the sacrificed deer can be dressed and the meat donated to agencies who provide meals to people who are at risk. I could never shoot a deer but I do understand how imperative culling the herd can be. Just thought I would share this in case some people take umbrage with the practice.
A brilliant comment, and as a Canadian prairie girl, I know from personal experience that hunting is managed by scientists who know their stuff, but I’ve never heard or seen it explained so well. Bravo!
I could not shoot any animals & understand the process.....these are probably families. Can they be moved somewhere else .......
@@shagundala7458 this sounds callous but on the average deer are like rabbits...they multiply quickly. The cost of herding them and transporting them would far outweigh any benefits. Just imagine what it would take to capture a deer...it can run about 40mph. So no, it is not feasible. It is just good (and humane) land and wildlife management to cull the herd.
My fantasy life is your real life. It is such s delight to muck a barn without the mud; but i would do it in a heart beat for the pleasure of the experience.
Thank you for sharing your experience on a bit of earthly paradise.
Old patchy wooden floors gives the place an amazing character x
Lol. I love how you keep saying it will be "controversial" 😂. We all know whatever Malcolm comes up with, that it will be very complimentary while also remaining sympathetic and respectful of the home's history.
I just cannot wait to see it progress. ❤
I love Julie. Keep being natural and doing as you please. You can never please everyone.
So glad you are educating people on true conservation - which includes hunting!
Personally I would leave the doors and just put more thought into furniture that would best fit with the doors. The light and the views are the cottage’s best assets. ❤ The Cottage ❤
It is absolutely CHARMING ! You should renovate some nearby stables (or a shed ) so families can bring their horses and and spend a week riding the glorious estate lands (marked trails only of course). Are there any existing trails that go all the way to the sea? I know I could get my American cousin and her charming knighted English husband come for at least a week with their friends. I hope this cottage is a reliable money maker so you can continue with all the wilding projects and family activities.
That's a great idea! I vaguely remember them saying at some point that there were horses, or maybe they were thinking about doing something similar to your suggestion? I don't recall, but either way I think that's a great idea, if there is interest.
Julie you crack me up! Laying out in the sun while Luke and Chris just go about the sun dial ! 😂😂😂❤️
PS: once the wood floors are sanded and stained it won’t matter how patchwork the planks are….I am for it! I also vote for a claw foot tub in the main bathroom.
Claw foot tub is a maintenance/cleaning nightmare in a rental. Looks good in the magazines, though.
Malcolm is a gem. A rare decorator with common sense, practicality, respect for the budget and... very good taste!
I personally would steer clear of Sisal matting, it doesn't work in holiday let's for many reasons. I would use heavy duty lino with a wood effect on floors with the MDF, sand, repair, stain and seal floorboards the same colour as the lino in other rooms then decorate with rugs throughout upstairs. For the stairs themselves I'd sand, repair, stain and seal them with a non slip sealer. The small fireplaces I would block off chimneys, keep the black leaded grates and place salt crystal lamps in each grate. I would see what fireplace is hidden behind that wall near the ensuite bathroom and if similar to others treat like the others.
Downstairs on concrete floors, I would lay cushion vinyl flooring again with large rugs. With the double glass doors I would remove the doors, brick halfway up and put a fixed window in ( almost to look like a slim fishtail but with some sort of faux creeper inside) let's light through, keeps noise out, sofas can sit below and curtains can be added if required. The flagstone floors I would scrub, steamclean, dry then cover with a resin floor to preserve the stones. The kitchen cupboards I would keep the units but paint the doors and draw fronts with brass handles/knobs. Always keep baths as many love a bath as well as a shower. ( where do I stay while helping?)
As for decoration, I'd probably wall paper using subtle patterns all throughout except for kitchen and utilities.
I used to look after holiday let's on a large country estate and while most people were fab there were the odd guest who were not so 'careful'. Looking forward to the next update. Xxx
Love all these suggestions!
Super ideas but am going to add; any floor boards that have been replaced and if planning on staining them 'ensure they are the same wood' as the original were otherwise even with stain (or stripping the old ones) the colour can differ.
Keep the doors! They are lovely!
😂😂😂😂😂😂 I just about died 😂 when I saw Julie lying on the ground sunbathing! I’d been doing the same thing!😂😂😂😂😂😂
The primary bedroom I would go with a walk in shower for mobility issues that guests may have. Some older people cannot lift their legs high enough to get into a tub
When my father retired from the embassy service and after we had been living in London for 15 years, we moved to the family ranch in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, USA. It was there that I learned the lesson of culling the herd. It is never pleasant, but always necessary. Too many cattle on the land would destroy the delicate open range that was essential to feeding the herd.
I understand and appreciate managing the deer. I’m just glad I don’t have to do it as I’m too tender hearted.
Make deer sausage….yummy.
🇨🇦The views from those windows are marvellous!!😍
Sorry Julie but I would definitely put carpet in the bedrooms. A) the floorboards aren’t that great. They are quite mismatched. B) insulation from the cold. C) A sound buffer between the upstairs and downstairs. Carpet in a bedroom especially in an old house will give more of a cosy comfortable feel.
If it’s timber on the ground floor yes definitely try and save and expose the timber.
Yes, I say keep the bath. Some days in England are quite cool, and in addition are damp, and that gets into your bones. A shower would help, but a hot bath would be so luxurious if you've been out in the wild lands.
Yes, but there's already a bath in the main bathroom so no need for two - especially as it would be a small one. Better to have a lovely big double shower cubicle - much more luxurious than a tiny bath!
@@sallyannc3176 So then all 6-8 people can duke it out over that one bath lol. Double showers don't impress me, most of the time I don't have three people in my shower at once. 😉 I did have an en-suite once with a window that opened, right in the shower, which was INCREDIBLE. The breeze coming in felt amazing while I was showering.
@@celticlass8573 baths aren't very popular in the UK - most of us prefer showers, and a large shower cubicle on your own is very nice, especially for my tall husband.
@@sallyannc3176 Yes, but this isn't to be a residential dwelling, it will be a vacation rental, which means that people from anywhere in the world can stay with them. Actually it surprises me that having a bath isn't more popular, given how cold and damp it can get in the UK. It gets in your bones!
@@celticlass8573 Yes but who wants to be crammed into a wee tub like that, not very warm having your knees sticking up and not being able to lie back in the bath! Plus if they put a shower over it you have to step over the bath to use the shower - not something many people like.
You also have to remember that it takes a lot of electricity to heat enough water for a bath - much more than using a shower - which is expensive in the UK (and people renting will usually be charged for that too).
I would think that if you have one nice bathtub in the house that should be enough. A clawfoot tub would be lovely in the family bath. Maybe a luxury shower with a built in bench or dual showerheads in the master bath. I love the french doors downstairs. The views from the house are just breathtaking!❤
That house has AMAZING views!
My vote is keep the doors. If kids are watching tv it would be easy to 1) hear the kids if they get too rowdy, and 2) check in on them. We had french doors btwn our living room & tv/dining room, kept one closed so the sofa would fit and only used the other. Worked well & sound level was never a problem.
P.S. the target practice was fun to watch, and yes in the absence of natural predators, herd culling must be done to insure the health of the overall herd.
We have deer over-populations here in northern Virginia USA, so I totally understand the havoc they can wreak on a natural ecosystem. And I really appreciate that you're practicing to make it as humane as possible. And I hope the venison goes to deserving tables. And I laughed out loud at Ben and Luke's shooting competition! :-)
Enjoyed the target practice segment. I love to target shoot. Loads of fun and skill.
Good, we have the door issue sorted out by overwhelming votes! You also asked about leaving the one tub as is vs. a large walk in shower. Julie, I know you are a lover of a good warm bath and I think having one tub in a home is always a good idea, so there is my vote on that. Hubby and I were wondering if there is a slight greenish tinge along the floor boards in one of the bedrooms after you pulled up the carpeting, could it be mold? You mentioned putting down sisel carpeting in the “bunk room”. Would that look like the carpet you used in Italy up your stairs? That is a great look. I can’t wait to see plans as they get finalized for this. For Luke, I found the segment on your deer population and how to cull the herd to be just a fact of life and I totally understand your need to do so. It makes no sense to try to work on your beautiful land and the rewilding and get things to grow all around only to have everything destroyed. You and your caretakers know what needs to be done. One more note is the views from the different bedrooms in this Farmhouse are beautiful, as Luke noted. Thanks to you both!
All I can say is Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez! Julie you are hilarious!
I think a benefit of keeping the doors is the adults can be in the next room over and still keep an eye on the kids.
Hopefully you can save that stone floor. Really good that the kitchen is in such good shape.
I think it's OK that the floorboards upstairs are more rustic, it will be part of the charm of an older farm house. The soft boards should probably be replaced.
That tub upstairs is so deep yet small, I think it would be easier and safer if it was a shower. Put a clawfoot tub under the window in the downstairs bath instead.
A sundial in the garden would be quite nice.
You really shouldn't be pulling up that nasty old carpet without dust masks.
No matter what you all decide I am sure the house will be lovely!
As a designer speaking: Sisal for a guest house is a BAD idea. Hard to clean, marks easily. Why not put in a good engineered wood floor? I bet the cost would be comparable, and maintenance would cause you so many less worries!
Those kitchen floors are absolute PERFECTION. Do not touch them!
You can use the old carpet to stabilize slopes in your rewilding projects. Grass and brambles will grow through it and the carpet stops erosion. It works amazingly well. Better fate for the carpet than be dumped in a landfill.
If I want to eat, Ben is my man. If I want comfortable lodging, Julie is my lady. If I want common sense with charm, Luke is my man. Such choices! 🥰🥰🥰
I think you were right that people would oppose taking out those doors. I do think you can absolutely put a couch in front of it for now tand let he light through …the view. I don’t think you need absolute sound proofing, for family vacationers. Part of the fun that is all the togetherness. Closed doors I think is enough.
❤❤❤
Love love love this house.
Just a quick hint about carpet.
If you want to move a large carpet out of room but don't want it anymore, cut it into large strips and roll them. It's a lot easier to move.
I'm looking forward to seeing this lovely property shine!
Not Julie bringing pure✨chaotic✨ energy to this tour 😂 love it
I love you Luke and Julie, so funny together. Julie lying in the sun was gorgeous. The house is lovely and I am sure whatever you do it will be great. Love your work you guys ❤from Australia
Absolutely love all of Julie’s ideas my gosh, you are absolutely a treasure. You really totally make this channel. Lots of love from California
Wow, thank you!
Mmmm not sure sisal carpet/rug is the way to go in a kid's room. It's not easy at all to clean, more so with the who-knows-what they might bring in. In my opinion, a washable and replaceable rug between the bunks is the way to go.
I agree! My experience with sisal is it stains too easily and is impossible to clean
It's horrible to walk on without shoes.
For some reason sisal is a magnet for my dogs to puke and pee on!
@@giovannagallottini Oh dear lol. I bet that's hard to clean up!
Paint the concrete. No rug in a kids room. That way, it’s dog friendly.
Julie, I used to have large limestone flags one and was given an old wives tale type remedy ; that was to put an egg white or two in the mop bucket after cleaning and wipe over. It slowly builds up a beautiful patina. You could test a section but it really works!
Love the doors!! Somehow keep them and work around with furniture!
That's the plan!
I agree Julie the floors are wonderful and characterful. Replace whatever is a true issue and keep whatever you can. I also love Julie’s approach of tear up the carpet so we can see what’s under there 😂
In the primary bedroom have you considered painting the wood floors rather than covering them over with carpet. The patching in may be less noticeable in a painted floor. My 1850’s New England farmhouse has painted floors throughout the bedrooms and in the kitchen.
That farmhouse is perfect!! Just clean it up and make it safe of course, but I'd live there in a heartbeat!!
Sisal carpet? Everything sticks to that and it’s difficult to clean. I love the look.
I’m a big fan of rustic wood floors. People pay big money to have flooring installed that is distressed in order to achieve that look. You guys have hit the jackpot! Keep as much wood flooring visible as possible.
Okay, I agree with keeping the small bath. It’s one of my favorite things to do whilst on vacation. Also, if they’re taking long walks and enjoying the countryside that would be a nice treat. I would also make a cute reading bench and nook in the kids’ bunk room overlooking the view. That would be so special for children.
But who would use a small bath when there's a bigger bath available?! Having a decent sized shower in there would be so much better.
I’m really enjoying the videos from Mapperton Live and Julie’s little Italian House. Initially when I came across this channel, I thought ‘aristocrat problems’ but as a lover of history, I find the renovations and the history of the main house interesting. I particularly enjoy the episodes on the renovations to the cottages and farmhouse as I can relate even more to these. This episode just reinforced how hard working you both are. This can’t be easy but must be hugely rewarding knowing you are persevering something beautiful. Special shoutout to Julie. You’re a dynamo. Ripping out carpets, laying on the grass having a sunbathe in your boilersuit had me in stitches. 😂
Keep the bath in the bigger bathroom and clad it around with a very cool cladding..perfect for bathing kids!
This looks like an amazing project , can’t wait to see how it all turns out!! I’m a designer in Miami Florida. Born and raised in Chicago and my humble opinion is too leave the French doors between the tv room and playroom because you can install blinds on the doors with hold down brackets so they don’t swing around when the doors open and close. But if you have small children and you want to keep an eye on them you can , but you can also open the doors for a bigger connected space and have with the entire family 😊. Good luck and love to see your you tube channels, all of them, so much fun. 👏
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
Pulling up carpet is extremely satisfying! Those wood bedroom floors would be gorgeous if they were stripped and hard wax oiled in a natural or medium color with Osmo instead of making them a mahogany color. I've seen this done in other English homes of similar age. Darker floors show scratches and dirt more than light and medium floors.
You could do epoxy flooring. You can pick whatever color or pattern. Easy cleaning. And you could put rugs down, Julie.
Definitely need outdoor seating
Families will be outside
I really enjoyed this episode! Thank you from Canada!
I love the abundance of fireplaces. It'll feel so quaint and cozy.
Hi Julie and Luke! When our children were young, up through grade school age, when traveling, I always wanted them with in sight or at least in hearing so to be aware of what they were up to. Would your renters really want that small room walled off tho be that quiet? Very best of wishes with this project!!
we've decided to keep the doors as is!
I’m with Malcom on the Walk in shower. Makes way more sense.
I'm happy to see you're keeping the double doors. They add so much to the character of the house. I think it might be a good idea to powerwash the stone floors and regardless of variation in color, keep them, once again for character. Beautiful old house. I look forward to your progress videos.
Idea: Outside where the sundial or urn was I would put a fire pit with Adirondack style chairs around it and whomever rents the farmhouse can roast marshmallows or s’mores either at sunset or at night. I’m sure from the 0:13 high vantage point the scenic views and evenings will be magical.
Keep the doors. If the heat comes from the two fireplace inserts, it’s going to be freezing in the TV room. The doors allow better light. You can use other seating options other than a sofa. I agree with sisal in some rooms, but prefer rugs instead of wall-to-wall.
I am impressed by the handstand.
Lots of great ideas. Julie sunbathing. She sure knows how to march to the beat of her own drum when she feels it. I'm from the little dot in the middle of IL, USA Julie.
Julie, you are a hoot!!!
Yes, keep the doors!
We've decided to keep them! hooray!
Julie just laying on the ground sunbathing!! 🤣 But all I've been thinking is that that area needs some nice patio furniture to dine or sit outside and enjoy the views.
Will you be taking all of your subscribers along on this adventure? Thank you. I enjoy watching the interacting of the two of you. Blessings.
Hi guys, watching from New Zealand! I'm absolutely delighted to find your channel, and equally gutted that I had no idea Mapperton existed until a few weeks ago. But now, I get to binge and catchup. My family coming from Kent, I'm obsessed with everything English! ❤
Luke, you are a gorgeous man, and Julie, wow! A powerful tiny lady with wonderful family loyalty. It's marvelous that through all the stress you endure, you both look like you're in your mid-30s. (Genetic celebrities).🎉 Thank you for sharing, teaching, and entertaining us. I wish you the best life can offer. Love you. ❤❤
In the kids room - definitely wall to wall carpet - and do something softer than sisal, kids like to sit on the floor of their rooms. Make it warm and inviting.
Beautiful old home! I can see sanding and sealing the hardwood floors. In the past with stone, I've had to do an acid wash to clean off and refresh stone. It was mostly slate and other local stone in Maine.
The first two rooms, could you make the one floor concrete then lay stone on them. The room with the fireplace may have once been a kitchen then a dining room. The worm wood boards need to be replaced before sanding. The stone in the master may indicate that there had once been a fireplace there, possibly before the bathroom was put in. Putting a sun dial in is an awesome idea, with some English Roses around the doors. Anyone who hunts understands the reasoning behind the need to cull a heard. Besides the fact it's healthier for the herd it puts meat on the table.
I'd leave the doors and place a comfy sofa in front of the fireplace with chairs on either side, small coffee table or bench for placing magazines and food an area rug on top of the sisal carpet to define the sitting area. Upstairs, paint wood floors and use rugs. It's going to be a lovely rental.
What a treat it will be to watch this already lovely farmhouse get a refresh! And Luke, thank you for educating some viewers about culling. It’s a sad but truly necessary action needed when original predators have been exterminated from the landscape. I’m sure Mapperton makes good use of the carcasses-perhaps primarily used on site or in surrounding restaurants, shelters, and neighbors’ homes as food-so the circle of life is maintained.
What a beautiful home. That stone floor once cleaned and sealed will look gorgeous, it's part of the character in this house. I wouldn't put carpet, maybe an area rug.
Holiday folks wont care about the inconsistencies in the wood floors! Repair, sand and stain or paint!!! We want to see all the interesting bits of an old house!!!
Can't wait to see what Malcolm does he's a miracle worker
Close up the door space, it will create a livable space and allow for good furniture placement. Make the cottage a place that lends itself to how people live. Great idea - salvage the doors to use somewhere else on the estate. Happy Holidays!
Keep the doors! If the kids are in there you can keep an eye on them through the doors!
We've decided to keep them! hooray!
Keep the doors. Find a sectional or loveseat and easy chairs to put in that room. Nobody spends a lot of $ on a vacation cottage to just sit on a sofa and look outside. The light is much more valuable. Plus, you already have the fireplace as a focal point in that room. Yes, definitely keep the bath.
Keep a bath - plenty of room in the main bathroom for a good sizes bath, better to have a nice big shower cubicle in the other rather than a tichy wee bath.
The Barn looks great. Would love to see more about the structure of it (foundation and attic). Sorry, that's the architect in me. In the meantime, a small suggestion and of course depending on your timeline, instead of rushing to rid yourselves of those lovely double glass doors, take a breath and faux it. For example, in the TV room, you can put up floor-to-ceiling thick drapery across the whole wall (Yes Darling, thick enough to drown sound out). On the other side, you can affordably find a Darling Fan-Fold divider. I only make this recommendation because those lovely double glass doors allow a lot of light to flow through the two rooms. At least it should buy you some time before you make a permanent decision.
Great luck with all of your renovations. It's wonderful to see all the progress you both make. Quite honestly I am so proud of my fellow American for taking such a wonderful interest in all the Grand Brish History. Julie, your preservation efforts have not gone unnoticed and your commentary of the Royals is always a blast. Keep us posted. - Much Love and Cheers from NYC. Nicely done Guys.....Nicely Done !!!
Viscount and Viscountess your episodes are so good that you should have a regular spot on the BBC, your effortless energetic and creative nature is what we love about this channel, you both are so loveable to watch can’t get enough of your episodes, we love all you work, discussions, content so unique. Thank you so much. Take care, be safe and God Bless 😇🙏🤩🏰
No don’t close up the door …people watch tv alone at home …it’s a holiday so keep it open …so games and kids can be involved ❤maybe put a small sofa in front of the glass doors….and big cushions on the floor …the little room is too small to shut off the opening
The stone floors are lovely
Yes keep the floorboards..a few rugs ❤
The bunk beds is a great idea …sisal is lovely
Patchwork floors are fine …look in great old houses and they are always a patchwork of boards…sand and wax and repair any that are too far gone
Carpets are horrible….people don’t care about noise on holiday…nice thick coir rugs are cool
Haha your adorable handstand 😂❤
Excited to see how the farmhouse turns out. If it's anything like cottage, it will be gorgeous...of course! 🙂
Love this channel just to look at the scenery! Watching Julie and Luke together is a bonus! Julie is a powerhouse and Luke’s humor adds another dimension to their interaction. Look forward to every video!
Here in the US people sometimes have stained concrete for floors, even in very expensive houses. Just an idea that you might want to consider. It is an awesome farmhouse btw!
Such beautiful land and awesome buildings. Thanks for sharing
Keep the opening between the two rooms! Make the doors barn sliders if you need space. You will have many types of guests keep it flexible.