Answering your questions about The Rectory
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2024
- 00:00 Meet Emma!
01:09 Looking for horses
02:45 Who are we?
03:45 How did we get it?
06:02 What needs doing?
06:34 Where is it?
08:07 Original features
09:20 Developers!
11:11 How much money do we have?
15:57 Plans
17:41 Wallpaper
18:28 GRASS! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Just a thought for you to consider...
As long as you don't have an endless amount of money to restore this house, AND as long as you have been so kind as to share your restoration journey for people to enjoy, you should be aware that some of your followers might be willing to support you in ways that are small to them but could mount up to be significant for you. I've seen other content creators use such sites as Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, or Ko-fi.
I don't know much about these support venues, except that I know a lot of content creators use them. I have supported a content creator that had to drop Patreon and move to another site due to poor technical support and other difficulties with their account, but a lot of folks still use them. The other sites, I've heard no complaints about. You could also do channel memberships and an Amazon Wish List for supplies that you need.
Anyway, offering something like this to your subscribers, might make it possible for you to do this job quicker than if you tried to finance it yourself, and there are many folks who appreciate people like you who buy and rescue historical buildings like this one. Good Luck! 😃
I’ve also seen this with other content creators. One person who is on a very tight budget doing up a small cottage has had a lot of stuff sent to them from their Amazon Wish List. Other creators have a Tip Jar. I’m all for it. After all, Emma and Charlie are entertaining us. Why shouldn’t we give them something in return?
Invest in a wallpaper steamer to get the wallpaper off.
Plant some young trees around your border for future privacy. They grow quickly enough on a long renovation. The damp will be from the continued condensation and you could invest in a good dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture. We left one running for 6 weeks to remove the damp in our house. It works. Always get the largest skip available because it saves money in the long run. Start looking at auctions to replace the original features. You will find real bargains. Furniture too because people don’t have houses big enough now to take the antique furniture. Do some research on grants available to help with the cost to restore it to its original splendor. Cut a small hole to view inside that ceiling because it looks like the rest of the original features are behind the current ceiling. You don’t need loads of money when your hearts are intent on restoring the property. Just learn as you go along. Craftsmen are happy to advise and impart their expertise to help you succeed. The windows you could get sponsorship for and they use the photographs for their promotions. Every little will help. Looking forward to watching the progress as our successful restorations come to the end of a 7 year labour of love. Take lots of photographs to look back on to see how far you have come when you feel low. It will encourage you to see the light ahead. Good Luck. 😊
Thank you for encouraging them, it's a beautiful thing to do.
Happy Reno!!!. 🏘️.
Well you sound very positive
.It is a beautiful property .My daughter lives in a similar property in Cornwall.The Trust are very good about paying for major repairs to the exterior of the property
Its not a cheap property to run none of these old Georgian properties are .However they are just so beautiful and make wonderful family homes.My daughter has four children but still manages to grow her own veg and has a large orchard and her husband loves making chutney and jam.The secret to keeping grass under control is to cut it regularly and have a large compost heap for all the cuttings.Heating oil fired but Aga in the kitchen and log burners in all the downstairs rooms.The place then stays warm and dry.Good luck .
Great advice here.
Architectural salvage people for putting features back into the house. Antique Auction sales around the country for furnishings later. Just get on their email lists. I so wish you well, it has such great bones and I have no doubt you will create a wonderful home together. Take all the advice you can, especially from architects, surveyors engineers. You have time on your side and a willingness to make something rather wonderful from this house. I wish you well in your endeavours!
If you want to replicate the ceiling rose and cornices make a plaster mold of them. It would bring every room such benefit.
Christine McConnell has a video here on how she made her ceiling rosee(s). It's a nifty watch, IMO.
You had luck yes, but also the vision. Ignore those people saying they’d outbid you - you won and they didn’t. It’s gorgeous and I’m so glad you are converting it back to a family home. The roof looks great, it just needs cleaning and repointing ridge caps etc.
It’s called “Schadenfreude”. People who are jealous of your good fortune. I know we have a snooty English word for it: epicaricacy. Just plod along with your plan Charlie and Emma❣️
Wow. What a wonderful find. We've been in "The Old Rectory" in a Lincolnshire village for 15 years now and were lucky because we are only the third private owners since the diocese of Lincoln sold the building in the 1960's. 1839 so classed as Victorian but it's pure Georgian. The electricity is mental, the plumbing from another worldscape, the roof leaks like a holey bucket, it's freezing in winter...and cool in summer. The 2 acre garden is an entity unto itself. Cellar has been half filled. Attics are bonkers BUT we ADORE this home. Original deep skirting, cornicing, gas mantle fixings, cast iron fireplace in an attic room, indoor shutters and original sash windows. We uncovered a glorious York Stone mantle behind the ugly 50's style gas fire and every room still has it's original fireplaces.
The place is a challenge (or more) a day but worth everything. Good luck. Enjoy what you are doing. Much love...Jackie xxx
So glad to hear you plan to make the Rectory a family home again.
FYI-if the roof isn’t leaking don’t fix it, clean it, chalk around the chimney, fix any fascia rotten boards and you’re good to go…try not to bring any more vents up thru it…the fates brought you here you are truly blessed.
This.
I would agree that the roof looks really good. I would ask lots of awkward questions if a roofer tells you otherwise. It also has vented slates (a row near the eaves and a row near the apex). These are modern, to prevent damp by increasing airflow up the inside of the pitch. First thing I would do is check the vents aren't blocked (especially near any damp). Also, if there is any roof insulation in the loft rafters near the eaves, check it is pulled back from the edge. There should be a gap to allow air up the inside of the walls into the loft space. If insulation is in the pitch, (above the loft space) check it could also block airflow. People these days are obsessed with blocking up all the gaps/drafts that these older houses rely on to prevent damp. Also check the gutters aren't clogged.
Always check the gutters and downspouts!
Greetings from Normandie. A suggestion for you, change your channel name to 'The Georgian Rectory". I believe you will gain more followers and boost your channel's presence. Yours is a wonderful building that has been treated very badly in the past. It needs dedication and passion and you and Charlie have this! On screen, you are a delight! Also and alas you are correct about electricians. Every electrician we have ever met is a millionaire lol.
Or, seeing it was built in 1812, The *Regency* Rectory.
Agree
@@user-yc4fz7vv6u true, but it doesn't really have any Regency features tho, so Georgian is probably a more accurate description.
Sounds to me like this old house was just waiting for you to come and rescue it. I was thrilled to have stumbled across your channel this morning and have seen all the episodes so far. No doubt you and Charlie have a lot of work ahead of you, but please don’t get too discouraged. Wish we could come and help remove some of that stuff on the walls (I live in the US), I’ve removed simple wall paper before, but that stuff looks like it’s going to put up a fight. Looks like you have a lot of viewers to cheer you on. So nice to have met you today!❤~Barbara from Maryland,USA
The fact that the estate agent didn't do a great job with the marketing of the property and you only stumbled upon it by chance means the place was meant to be yours. I am looking forward to seeing you and Charlie restore this property into your new home.
My favorite channels are those where people learn to do something and we share their progress. I think you are right this building needs a loving touch to be its best again.
Since you love the garden, you can use those grass clippings to start a compost system. Many people use old pallets to set this up and it's all free after that...cardboard, grass clippings, etc., it all free and your garden will thank you.
Good idea. Plus chicken manure - and horse manure from next door - ask the owners - the compost will process nicely.
I'm not a gardener so happy to be fact checked but... I'm sure once I read that it's good for a lawn if you can keep the grass clippings on it instead of raking them up. Obviously the lawn will not look great but.. you've other stuff to focus on so who cares😉
@@andyjackson3663 a little is ok but this much could actually kill the grass.
@@mathieubrassard834 Yes it acts to block the sun with that much as a mulch layer on it.
Cardboard is often full of chemicals
Hiya Emma, I've just watched this episode, and to be honest, I am quite shocked that some people are actually asking for information about your personal finances??? To me, that is no ones business other than your own, so please don't ever feel you have to explain your financial circumstances to anyone.
The only advice I would offer is to try and put some boundaries in place as to what type of personal information you give out. You do have to be so careful these days.
At the end of the day... let people ask whatever questions they want....it doesn't mean you have to give them an explanation.
Really enjoying watching your new chapter unfold xx
Good advice and very nice comment!👍😃🐾🌈☮️🇨🇦
You may not have deep pockets Emma, you do have time however… don’t listen to the naysayers🇦🇺
This property was meant to be yours! Looking forward to enjoying watching your progress! ❤ XXX
The house has good bones and you are the lifeblood it needs...
Great video again! A few things, from 20 years of renovating old houses:
1. I don’t think you’ll find any hazardous class asbestos, judging by the age of the council fit out? Possibly just in the floor tiles.
2. The roof looks great! My father had been a builder and roofer for over 50 years, and always says the same thing about slate roofs: Slate has been used by humans to roof structures since the Mesolithic period, because slate is lightweight, waterproof and will last millennia! Just look for cracked slates, and check the timbers in the loft space. You only need to replace broken slates, not the whole roof. Go with your surveyor rather than a roofer, as a roofer will encourage you to re-roof.
3. You should make a lot of money back in scrap on your wiring and plumbing, although a good plumber will re-use as much piping and fittings as they can. Your sparky might do the same if the wire is within regs.
4. That ceiling rose is beautiful! I suspect that a false ceiling around it! So you might find something amazing above!!
5. There are a few really good wooden window specialists, building Victorian style double glazed wooden windows, who are still cheaper than uPVC from companies like Everest and Anglian windows… 🪟. We paid £1200 per large wooden sash window (4ft x 5ft 6ins) with Jim Cordner windows, compared to £2100 quoted by Everest.
5. Behind that fireplace, might just be something older?! We discovered a huge chimney breast behind a 1920’s tiled fireplace, in our current house, and do the same in our first house.
Best of luck with it all, I’m sure it will be beautiful and will give you a great sense of achievement!
We are on our 4th restoration, with this one being completely derelict when we bought it, and already are talking about a 5th one 😂
Thank you for mentioning Point 4, with which I totally agree. I grew up with a Dad who bought properties like this, and we lived in them (sometimes camping) until they became the beautiful homes they were meant to be. Enjoy every moment - there's always a way to achieve your goals! 🎉
Talk with an electrician BEFORE you start running cables or else you will have a job to find someone to test and sign off. Talk first and they will give you guidance, knowing that you will go to them for the final work. There are MANY regs that you won't be aware of. Same on plumbing. Befriend a plumber to work with you. We have done what you are about to do. It's amazing what you can learn.
My husband and I have been married for 50 years and have remodeled eight houses, the latest one when we were 70 . I'll share our motto with you. "Take out anything that isn't a nice house." Knowledge and experience helps but one way to get that is by doing. Good luck, I will watch.
Thank you for your candid comments and responses. We look forward to seeing your progress, nice to meet you. This will be an exciting project and journey. Gordon and Diane from North Essex.
Congrats on buying this noteworthy mansion! It will be fun to work through all the upcoming projects with you! Working with the historic commission is not FUN! Get moved in soon so you can be on site and start making plans. You can get lots of tips by reading what others have gone through, how they worked through it, and learn from their mistakes! Now count your blessings, don't get discouraged, take a well deserved break once in a while and stand back often to admire the progress as you finish each task. Hugs from the States (Michigan, with similiar weather to yours!)
One step, one job at a time, little by little you will have a beautiful home! I will be watching every vlog you post and be cheering you on! The house is huge with so much potential…until the next vlog, take care!
Yes! This is more important than it may seem. When you come up with a plan and carry it out one job at a time, you have the satisfaction of seeing that job done. Otherwise, if you do a little bit here and a little bit there, it can feel overwhelming. You'll feel so much less at sea when you know exactly what has to be done and can plan it out logically.
Best of luck to you both!
Two suggestions / ideas for keeping the grass at bay:
1. Get a lawn mower tractor. It may seem like a large investment, but go look for a used one or something, because with all that land you will need it. Depending on the type it will also come in handy doing lots of other stuff.
2. If possible try to contact the farmer or whoever owns the land where the horses are and see if he can go over your lawn with a big tractor and mower once in a while until you are finished rebuilding and have time to tend to the garden. Maybe even make a makeshift access to your garden from that field so he can just do it quickly...
Ask to borrow the horses for grazing!
It’s time to start a cold compost pile. If you plan to garden down the road, it will be a lovely source of compost.
I've seen almost new sit-on-mowers large and small 'going for a song' at farm and bankruptcy and other vehicle and closedown of factory auctions.
Did I hear horses clip clopping past your house?
Always trust your own opinion/eyes/judgment first. A lot of professionals want to make a lot of money. Several times in the past I was quoted for extensive works where only minor, or even none, were actually needed. Books and TH-cam are your friends. Research and research again. Above all enjoy it.
Couldn't agree more. The more of us who give it a go on a limited budget, the more of these old houses will be restored.
Emma, thank you for sharing who you & Charlie are and your plans for the property ‼️ I will enjoy watching your adventures while making it your home 🏡 Best wishes from Maryland, USA
I'm another watcher from Maryland!
Hi Emma. It is wonderful to meet you! 😊 I hope you get a nice comfy seat in your shady horse-watching area.
Thank-you. I was one of those asking where you are....and it turns out you are literally a few miles up the road from me!
Noting the auctioneers....mmm, kinda surprised at the job they did. That said, I believe you make your own luck in this world when it comes to property. If others didn't see it they weren't looking hard enough, so well done you. Good that it's not listed. I guess you'll have to make decisions about whether to return original fixtures/fittings. One rule of renovation, well two really...everything takes longer and costs more than you think. I speak from vast experience.
Good luck and enjoy the process 😊
Suggestion for your sanity and future. You are faced with what appears a daunting project. Don't stress. Just focus on one job at a time. Pick a room and finish it. Then stand back and ask yourself "what could I have done better?". Move onto the next room and apply the things you learnt from the first. If you do this then pretty soon all tasks will fall into place.
I worked in a high stress industry and soon learnt how easy it was to become over whelmed by the multiple jobs at hand. One job at a time is the answer and will avoid not being able to "see" the tree's for the woods. I wish you every success in your endeavors and consider you very fortune in gaining a place like that. So much can be done to enhance the character of the building. Best wishes from the Antibodies down under.
If the budget will stretch , then get a ride-on mower. If you get one that collects the grass you will feel much more able to keep on top of the garden without killing yourself or taking all day away from other tasks. Some expenses are worth it.
Get mulching blades too, it’s easier than picking the grass up
Such mowers come up at Farm and bankruptcy and other auctions.
We looked for an old house to restore in Lincolnshire back n 2012, auctions were the best source but without fail the best period houses with land and needing restoration went to developers and the price went into orbit based in building in the gardens. You were lucky to get this. We got our restoration project in the end and I did most of the work myself…so speaking from experience it’s going to be very expensive….£100k will be eaten in the blink of an eye! Don’t worry about the roof and don’t always follow advice from ‘experts’. Virtually everything will have asbestos in it the 70s part of the house, floor tiles, lagging, wall boards, you have a large land area…remember asbestos is best put back where it came from…the earth. I would contact the housing association and they should be able to send you the ‘asbestos resister’ for the house which as a business they are legally required to have had put together.
We will definitely contact the housing association about the asbestos register, that might save a ton of effort, thank you!!
That's a good tip
Really interesting to see the progress, thanks so much for sharing your dream, I'm 53 years old now and brought a late 1700s 2 semi detached cottages to turn into one 10 years ago to renovate in Suffolk, its looks like a third of the size as your property, ( floors falling through, ceiling falling down, walls crumbling, damp and in a very bad way !) im not rich but its been so worth the 10 years of very hard graft renovating this, ( yes not a lot of money coming in her here hence the long time ! ), I'm just coming to the end of the renovations now. Please dont get too overwhelmed by the work, it will be so worth it for you in the future i promise you, you will not regret it. you will be living your heaven in the future ! like i am now. Good luck and thank you for your uploads. blood sweat and tears to come !!! but the future is going to be great for you !!!!!!!!! take good care
Cannot wait to see the renovation, good luck with making this house into a home for you both.😊
Beautiful home and garden! I think it would be fun to research the history of the home, maybe you can find old architect drawings or someone local has pictures of the inside before the features were removed. I can only imagine how fulfilling it would be to restore it to its former glory!
Even if you can't replicate the features that were ripped out, you can research that style and incorporate it to make it appear as if it was never removed. Everything will be a "live and learn" moment beginning with the mowers who did NOT bag that grass!
Such an exciting time for you! Take it one step at a time and go with your gut/instinct. Thank you so much for including us on your journey. Cheers from Kansas 🌻
Nice to get to know you better 😀. Having been an avid follower of the lads in France renovating neglected once magnificent homes and of course Dan and the burnt out Chateau I’m so glad to see you two reconverting this, lets face it bastardised flat conversion, back into the family home it once was. Best of luck from the other side of the world. 😀👍 Cheers Chris.
Your honest answers to the questions help build support for your enterprise....it will be a huge project but you've rescued a piece of history. Thank you for that.
That was really interesting - thank you. You come across well on canera (very natural and relaxed) and also very likeable. I didn't find it too much talking as you had said it was a Q and A so that's what I expected. I feel much better informed about the whole project now and look forward to following the journey. Loads of luck with it.
When I saw the amount of work needed for the garden grass I envisioned letting some borrowed sheep do the work for you ! Lol
Love what you are doing . Thanks for introducing yourself !
That place was meant for you guys!
My thoughts would be to sort the 'add on' first. You can then live there whilst undertaking the rest! Good luck guys, I can't wait to see what you do! Oh and love to Mutley ❤😊xx
All the best - take your time. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend visiting Georgian and early Victorian houses for inspiration and guidance. Good luck, can’t wait to see the house evolve.
Consider making the Annex habitable so you can reside there while working on the rectory! It will reduce the pressure of feeling like you must reach completion before you can relax! Enjoy!
About 15 years ago, my wife and I renovated / restored a 100-year-old in the Japanese countryside. We hired professionals to do earthquake safety foundation work, but have done most of the rest of things by ourselves. My advice is that you can. probably do more than you think you can. You save a ton of money and it's fun. The only thing is that it's slow. (Pick two: done quickly, nicely, cheaply.) Good luck and I will keep watching and cheering you on.
I too would love a walled kitchen garden! How wonderful that would be. I really love all the bird songs surrounding you as you sat outside :-)
Thank you for such a down to Earth explanation of what you are doing with this house. I look forward to seeing it come together!
Emma, thank you for sharing your plans for the home! I hope it will be restored to its glory and be loved by you and your family once more! It has to be a very simple and beautiful home and gardens!
The garden is wonderful and will bring you much joy over the years. All of tha grass you raked will make great compost, too!
My only advice so far is regarding the lawn, get a mulching lawn mower, cut it more frequently and leave it slightly long and then you won't have to rake. Best of luck, I'm looking forward to your renovation adventures. You can learn to do almost anything it just depends on how long you want to take to do it.
Good afternoon, Emma. I live in the USA and all that grass would make fabulous compost for a vegetable garden. I dug up a small area and planted 4 tomato plants and used the grass clippings as mulch. It really enriched the soil in the first year. You have a much larger garden than what I had. It will be exciting watch you fix up this house. The back of the house is stunning. I love the windows and can see plants in them. Stay healthy and safe.
I am so excited to watch a renovation commence from the first walk through! I'm so glad this popped up in my feed. You are in luck that it isn't listed, so you aren't constrained. Honor it's history and the vernacular, but bring it into this century. I'm in New England and have done a whole house renovation of a plain Jane, 1880's New Englander so I appreciate how daunting it can be. Let the house speak to you once the garbage is torn out. Watch the light and how it changes through the day and it will tell you what should be. What a great score of a house, and what an opportunity! I hope you have popped the cork on a good bottle of wine and walked through, savoring this place!
Those grass clippings would make suitable compost if you plan to put in a new kitchen garden somewhere near the main house. Don't put your compost pile that close, however! 😄 Find a spot to fence it in/contain it, so the wind doesn't blow it all over the yard again, and be sure to get a pitchfork to turn the pile over from time to time to keep it from combusting. Let it decompose naturally. Add any other organic scraps like coffee grinds, potato peels, etc., and by next spring you should have some decent fertilizer for your garden. There are many good sites on the internet about how to create your own compost piles. Yes, you could just burn it all off in a huge bonfire, but this way recycles and puts all that grass to good use. Something to consider.
The cut grass is perfect for starting a composting area, you'll need it when you get the garden going, and you'll save yourself having to haul it away. I can't wait to see your property being brought back to a family home, it's really beautiful and with the right passion, vision and hard work you'll end up with a gem. 👍
Compost idea great
I am enjoying the whole process of your restoration. This kind of work isn't my cup of tea, but I love all of the ideas you have, and your ability to see the house's potential
Happily following feom North Carolina, USA
Hi Emma Charlie Blossom & Muttley, I think it's great you have taken on the task of renovating your lovely Georgian Rectory.
All the very best of luck, I will look forward to watching your progress. Regards'
Nice to meet you Emma. I'm watching from the New England area of Australia, an ex-pat from Norfolk. I'm looking forward to watching you both bring this back to life and bring love back to those old walls. I love watching all sorts of restoration videos: homes, furniture, antiques, toys etc. Enjoy the process ❤
Very relieved to hear you have an inspector coming in to look into asbestos. Wearing a respirator is not enough when you’re doing renovations that disturb anything containing asbestos. Watched a TH-camr that had to have asbestos abatement done (Max & Occy is the channel) & the building was tented off in plastic, the workers had full suits that sealed at all openings, fully hooded, etc, plus a respirator, to ensure that asbestos fibers didn’t escape while they were working. It’s a really big health concern that isn’t covered by just a mask, and not just for you, but anyone who is around you with clothes worn while working, etc.
Excited to see what’s to come. Love what someone else suggested about making The Annex into a temporary residence/small flat so you can get in there quickly (presumably paying rent elsewhere, so can stop paying that sooner), then can work through the main house at a reasonable pace without stressing about timelines. Watching from Toronto, where we don’t have anything remotely like these gorgeous old houses you have over there.
I stumbled on your channel, and I'll be watching from the states. We have many renovation shows here. One of my favorites is HomeTown from a couple in Mississippi. They started with a small budget and redid their kitchen. My favorite saying they have is "find a way to have what you want." It doesn't ever have to be perfect or expensive, but so many options are available for close enough that will bring you joy. My neighbor spent $80,000 on a kitchen redo. I spent $32,000. In reality, they don't look a whole lot different, and they both equally cook home meals. Also, the wall paper: slide your scraper between the top and back, brown, layer. Then soak the heck out of the back. It'll scrap off. Nothing needed. It may rip some of the wall, but patching and drywalling is easily done. One last thing, there may be restoration majors in history/art programs at the local colleges that are always happy to come share what they know if you let them record the time with you. Sometimes, they can even show you restoration techniques. Google and you'll find some local craftsmen. A few of the right people can be a lifesaver!
Emma, the ceiling with the ceiling rose looks like a suspended ceiling you may find further original features if the ceiling was carefully removed.
I'm thinking they'll find cracked plaster, but you're right that there may be cornice moldings hidden by the thickness of that ceiling.
Well done both love watching your channel what a dream .wish you all the luck
Thank you!
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do. Just a small tip. When stripping wallpaper put a layer of newspaper on the floor before you begin. It’s so much easier to clear up!
Most of the channels I watch or have watched are people like yourself who have never built a cabin, never DIY'd a house and one from the 1800s, etc, but they did and the end results were amazing. I'm watching 1806 Stonehouse and he's still working on his home after 5 years, but it's been a heartfelt project and the whole family has been helping. It's wonderful. I just thought of this other channel called, Turning an Old School into our house. You'll do absolutely fine and will be all the wiser for it. I'm sharing these because of all their tips and tricks they have learned just might help you.
Oh I love new channels like this because it’s great watching how much your editing skills and stuff come along and also watching the house go from old to new! Particularly interested in the heating and plumbing side of it.. that boiler set up does look like massive overkill but it also looks very well done and rather expensive too! Good luck with your endeavours and I look forward to catching up with you guys soon
Great to hear your back story. We are embarking on our own reno journey soon and will be sharing videos. Following you for tips!
Wow! you have Georgian rectory in Reno?
@@ruzziasht349 yep - it's a Victorian farmstead. There's a picture on our channel.
@@FixingClare in Reno, Nevada? I don't believe you.
@@ruzziasht349 😂
@@FixingClare Not sure you're cut out for TH-cam.
Even though it will be an expense, I encourage you to hire an architect to make a plan for you. It will provide a way for you to prioritize jobs and make certain you aren’t doing work you will later have to pull out to accomplish other work. It’s so fun to see you take on this project.
The drone shots are great, gives a good perspective on the property and area. Really beautiful area you're in.
I would pressure wash the garden terrace and the red brick walls. Making the place look really presentable on the outside will make it more pleasant to arrive to each day. It will keep your motivation up.
I am so excited to see this project as you get started. I love the homes from that time period and this home seems like the perfect size for my wild imagination!!
You are gifted. May the Lord bless your new journey, and keep the content as real as this one. We are enjoying it too.
Thank you for this Q&A. I wonder if a local college or adult education service offers painting, decorating, plastering, etc. courses so you can get more confident in your skills and gain some new ones. Having just stripped wallpaper in one room of our 1905 mid terrace house I don’t envy you with an entire rectory to do. 😉 I hope you find that some rooms have the original features covered up rather than removed. Maybe ask Santa for a ride on mower or a couple of goats to tackle that lawn.
I think with the purchase of this house it’s time you switched to Escape to Rural France with Dan Preston. I think you’re both on the same learning curve. I immensely enjoy your channel so far - excited to follow along. Best.
All the best from New Zealand. What an amazing amount of progress you have made already. The grass will become a lawn!
Fireplaces are a tricky one. No doubt the original surrounds and chimneys were a key part of the Georgian aesthetic, but as for replacing them with architectural salvage or modern reproductions as many renovators might do... well, if they're not original features one might ask, what's the point? Even the best new wood burners pose a significant cancer risk, and open fireplaces in the home are not something residents should ever expose their lungs to.
If your flues are contained within the walls you won't gain any interior volume, but if if there are chimney breasts you can take out you'll have much more usable walls. Underfloor heating is good for houses with tall ceilings, and also keeps walls free of radiators. May be difficult to insulate your house enough for underfloor heating to be effective, though.
Removing chimneys also makes roof waterproofing much, much easier. With slate tiles you'll regularly have scaffolding up and roofers on top fixing leaks around the junctions. On the topic of the roof, those three dormer windows look retrofit, are you keeping them? Obviously you'd lose a lot of attic volume if you removed them.
If you're keen to move in a.s.a.p. I'd repeat the advice on your earlier videos to renovate the annexe first and use that as your temporary on-site home.
Exciting project, I look forward to seeing how it develops.
You have taken on a very big project but how exciting to bring this beautiful house back to life. Looking forward to watching the transformation, you can do this.
The roof looks in beautiful condition, so you may need to be cautious about any roofer 'quotes'. I think most of your mould problems are a result of years of condensation. Having the place divided up the way it is has limited cross ventilation, and there probably hasn't been enough dry heat either. The kind of heat those fireplaces once produced!
Meantime, I'm with whoever suggested renaming the channel to include "Georgian". The appeal of anything Jane Austen, can never be overstated .. haha!
Check for lead based paint, lead pipes too
Found you quite by accident and I’m hooked! It was lovely to see you introduce yourself and answer questions so honestly. I was also impressed that you read the comments - it very much adds to your appeal. Good luck!
Good to find out you are actually next door to the horse pasture, they will make great neighbors. Love the little walled courtyard area. That will be fun to spruce up. I think you guys got a great deal. Yes, it will require money but you can do so much yourselves and learn as you go.
If UK mowers have mulching blades, it's worth investing in a few such blades, considering how large your garden is. You won't have to rake grass, the finely shredded grass will quickly compost and add their nutrients back into the soil.
The mulch - (re mow it and the mower will gather it) the worms will do most of it...... and if there's cows they love fresh grass..... (but on a more longer term set up 5 compost hemps mixed with vegetable cut off's etc)... good luck by the way it looks exciting ! !
So excited for you both, I'm from the USA and I love this adventure! Good luck
Think this is the 4th of 5th video I have seen today on your house, first found your husband's tour after you bought it at auction. From the outside it still has the Regency look, except for the PVC windows and doors. And the land is great. I would have been overwhelmed seeing the inside, as you said "pigerly, wiggly in the inside. Laughed my head of at the fire escape under the bathroom sink. Pretty sure that was never up to code. Used to do a lot of DIY and some reno, but never anything of this size. I do wish you both and your parents all the best, and will be watching your journey from here in Canada. P.S. re the removal of the woodchip wallpaper. Years ago I used a garden sprayer to hold a solution of warm water and liquid fabric softner, never cold, to spray on the wall, after scoring the paper first. Still lots of work, but it worked and the woodchip came off the wall. Good luck to you all.
It's going to be an interesting journey. I am excited to follow you both. Small bits at a time, rake breaks and research other properties that brave people have tackled. So take it from one who has the tee shirt! Don't give up , enjoy and look to future rewards. ❤
Hi Emma, lovely to meet you and hear your plans for your beautiful new home, I'm sure it will all be worth all the hard graft in the end and I am looking forward to watching as you and Charlie bring this magnificent home back to it's original glory. I really love seeing old English country homes, I'm in Australia and we have few of this type of building here
Morning Emma. Lovely to meet you and Charlie! Forgive me if I’m repeating what someone else has already said but here goes. That’s a huge garden you’ve got! I would be inclined, at this stage, to section off a manageable chunk of it close to the house and let the rest ‘return to nature’ for now. You can always change your mind later. To keep having to mow that vast area will be expensive and also time consuming if you’re having to bag up all the cuttings. I follow Josie on YT and Instagram. They have a house that’s a similar size to yours in the Cotswolds and they’ve sectioned off their sizeable garden so that it has different rooms. Another tip I learnt pretty quickly is that if you have a large garden centre near you it’s most likely got expert plants people who will give you any amount of free advice. Good luck and I can’t wait to see how you get on.
Love the house. Thanks for sharing the tour and your progress.
I'm so excited for you! Next time, invite the horses over to eat the grass! I'm looking forward to following the progress you make!
Interesting video, thanks for taking the time to make and share it. 😊👍
Not only a lovely home to renovate but the surrounding thatched cottages and narrow roads hark back to a very old (and beautiful) setting. Have fun with this project (even though it will definitely be a LOT of hard work) and I'll be following along watching your endeavours.
This beautiful house bought you I think , it knew who would lovingly restore it and care for it in the most wonderful way you both are. Absolutely amazing , really looking forward to how it turns out Xxxxxxxx
Thanks for sharing your perspective Emma. I was happy to hear your philosophy about restoring that beautiful old home. I fell in love with the rear windows during Charlie’s walk around in your first video. Natural sunlight streaming into those rooms must be magical, not to mention the generous view of the garden. I wondered what was behind that huge bush at the back, what a peaceful space. Please keep up a mix of these longer form discussions and the nitty gritty of the project. Gives a more complete story of your journey. Good luck and I look forward to your next video - Mindy from the USA.
You do need to be concerned about asbestos, but also, if there are rodents, you must be concerned about haemptavirus in their stools. I would set up traps for them just in case. Emma, it is lovely to meet you and I adore Mutley. I will follow this channel and try to offer help. I'm a disabled RN and will keep my eye out for you. I love how you want to restore the original features.
Looking forward to the transition. The bones of the home are great with the big windows over looking the big back yard. Happy house renovating.
With all that grass raked up in a pile you will have a beautiful supply of compost for a future garden. Check out simplify gardening on how to make yourself compost bins to keep it contained and also Charles Dowding - no dig gardening. Excellent information. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more progress ahead.
Hi Emma! It's good to meet you and learn more about this fascinating building. I'm so glad to hear that an asbestos inspector is coming to check out the Rectory. My fingers are crossed for you. In the meantime, don't generate any dust even if you're wearing a mask. If you do need remediation, the workers will be wearing HazMat suits, goggles and masks. In the US, by law, the stuff they haul away needs to be in special bags, and disposed of properly. Sorry to say this, but it's very expensive. Don't worry about learning the DIY, You Tube is a wealth of informative videos, and a great source of advice from people who have done what you're doing. I don't know about you, but I've loved learning the DIY things I've done! Since you admit to not having deep pockets, you might think about online types of funding for this project - Go Fund Me, Buy me a Coffee, etc. Other DIYers seem to generate at least some of their needed funds this way. Also, even though the Rectory isn't listed, there might be some grants, etc. available that might help. Also, please consider volunteers. Again, other You Tubers have made wonderful use of them for their projects. Bless you two for taking on this wonderful house. Tell us how we can help!
Moving in quickly means you are in your reconstruction. But that means also that you can secure the construction and items. The less you take out the less you have to put back. But get your living space set and the rest can wait. I was impressed by the plumbing with all the copper…. We have done several homes and always more expensive than planned…. Have fun!
I enjoyed hearing a little more about the history of the house and am glad you are going to try to restore it. I come from a small town in the U.S. and when I was growing up so many of the big old beautiful houses were either converted into apartments (Americaneze for flats) or torn down and things like McDonalds put up in their place. Unfortunately America has had over the years a policy of tear out the old and rebuild rather than restore and so much has been lost. I know you have a hard job ahead of you but I encourage you to keep at it!
Despite comments, you are not required to tell anything about yourself. Especially things like deep pockets, personal details, that is for you to determine what you want to release or not.
I'm so excited for y'all!❤ This is very exciting to watch!
Appreciate the update, loved the grass dive at the end. Best of luck to you!
Very interesting! Looking forward to watching your adventure!
That grass would make great mulch. I use my clippings to fill in holes and low areas. Mother Nature will return it to soil. Nice to meet you.
The house has amazing potential, im really loking forward to following your journey into making this a lovely family home again.
Really enjoyed this update and of course looking forward to your future progress!