Our House Renovation Journey in Tuscany

PART 148: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems that are worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.

This week, let's explore how we transformed our house in Tuscany.

Step 2: What we liked.

We visited the Monte Amiata area of Tuscany to explore potential new bases as we considered moving north from Puglia. We looked at some houses for sale during our stay, primarily for fun. While we were open to buying, we felt more comfortable renting as we had done in Puglia.

As we toured various houses, one in Arcidosso particularly caught our attention. In fact, it was the first house we viewed, and we returned to it the following day and again the day after.

The original main room

What we loved about this house was its historical character. Located in the historic center of Arcidosso, the town is rich in Templar symbols and other marks left by pilgrims who traveled the Via Francigena, an important medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. Above the door of the building, which dates back to the 16th century (or possibly earlier, depending on whom you ask), there is a curious elf-eared figure peering out and inviting viewers to a bygone era.

When we stepped inside the house, we were struck by its charm: the beamed ceilings, tile and terrazzo floors, wooden accents, a massive fireplace, and an unmistakable aura of Tuscany enveloped us.

Step 3: What our goal was.

When we decided to purchase the house (discussed in another blog), our goal was to preserve its historical character while upgrading it to suit the needs of two Californians. We aimed not to replicate our life in California but to create a peaceful, relaxing, and convenient environment.

Step 4: What we wanted to change at the beginning.

Before we purchased the house, we made our offer contingent on the possibility of adding a second bathroom. Measurements were taken, and our realtor consulted with his design team to determine if a bathroom could be constructed in the second bedroom according to code.

The new bathroom

They confirmed it was feasible, and we received a design plan from our contractor, also recommended by our realtor and friend. The bathroom was our top priority for renovation.

Next, we wanted to replace the existing bathtub, in the main bathroom, with a shower. The house had a half-bathtub with a sloping interior that seemed designed for either a child or an acrobat. We discussed this with our contractor, and he agreed to build a shower that matched the tub's dimensions, which would be ideal.

The third issue was the lighting. We kept bumping our heads on the hanging fixtures, so we wanted to install lights that were more flush with the ceiling and featured a Tuscan/industrial aesthetic.

We wanted to make these three main changes in the house before moving in.

Step 5: What we decided to change during the renovation.

Living in the house has brought to light some issues we hadn't anticipated. For example:

• Kitchen: We were initially fond of the old-fashioned Tuscan kitchen but soon realized it didn't meet our needs. There was little storage space, no room for a dishwasher, and the stove relied on a portable propane tank. Midway through the renovation, we decided to replace the kitchen. Our new kitchen features an induction stovetop and oven, a new refrigerator and microwave, and a dishwasher.

• Main Bathroom: We originally planned to convert the bathtub into a shower and leave it at that, but we soon recognized that the rest of the bathroom would appear dated alongside the new shower. As a result, we decided to install a new sink and vanity, update the mirror, remove the bidet to create additional space, and replace the toilet.

Previous bathroom with half tub Renovated bathroom with shower

Practicalities: Several practical matters arose while we were working on the house. Here are some of the key issues we addressed:

• Windows: We noticed the windows had paper-thin glass, which didn't keep out the cold. Therefore, we opted to have double-pane glass installed in all the windows.

• Hot Water: When we bought the house, we didn't realize that the hot water heater for the bathroom was about the size of a microwave, making showering nearly impossible. We purchased a large flat water heater and installed it behind the bathroom door to provide ample hot water.

• Laundry: Our approach to laundry evolved, as I described in another blog. Initially, we hung our clothes outside in Puglia. However, after moving to Tuscany, we found we didn't have an outside terrace to dry clothes. We bought an electric clothesline, but we started using a laundromat when that didn't work. Eventually, we realized that too much of our valuable time in Italy was spent on laundry, so we purchased a dryer a few weeks ago, which completely simplified the laundry process.

• Theme: We adopted a specific theme for the house, particularly with the tile and furnishings. We chose a Tuscan/industrial/mid-century modern look, which is reflected in the color scheme (green and wood tones), as well as the lighting and appliances, such as our fridge and microwave, which have a 1950s design.

• Heating: When we took possession of the house in winter, we were unprepared for how cold it would be. We had asked the seller to remove the pellet heater from the kitchen because it took up so much space, thinking we could address the heating later. However, the lower house ended up being really cold, with the only warm area being the bedrooms where we kept the pellet heater upstairs.

  
  

  Eventually, we devised effective heating solutions: we installed electric logs in the fireplace (in the living room) that produce heat, added electric towel racks in the bathrooms to warm the rooms, and kept the pellet heater in the main bedroom area. The pellet heater, in fact, warms the whole upstairs area. Fortunately, the new double-pane windows are also helping keep the house warmer.

• Paint: Initially, we thought the interior paint was in good condition. However, as we installed new appliances and furniture, we noticed that the kitchen ceiling was dingy due to years of fireplace use, and some walls appeared more gray than white. After consulting with our contractor, he found us a painter, and now the place looks fantastic!

  
  

The new main room

Step 6: How it came out.

The house turned out beautifully, boasting much Tuscan charm with features such as wood beam ceilings, tile and terrazzo floors, exposed rocks in the walls, painted stucco, and a 16th-century structure. In addition to its rustic appeal, the house includes all the conveniences that an American or British person would find comfortable: a large refrigerator, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and a second bathroom.

Step 7: Would we do it again?

As we were wrapping up the project, my partner asked me, "What would you think about selling this place to someone looking for a 'move-in ready' home and taking on a bigger renovation project?" My initial reaction was a firm, "No way!" However, I considered the idea after reflecting on how much we had learned through this process and how we could renovate more efficiently if we did it again in Italy. It would be nice to have extra space for family and friends. A few weeks later, I discussed the topic again and said, "Well, maybe…."

Insights: Renovating a house is like a journey that unveils what needs to be addressed along the way. Living in the house during the renovation posed challenges but brought to light issues we hadn't previously considered. Now that the renovation is complete, we have a charming, cozy home with all the necessary amenities.

More next time.

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