People & Blogs

#1 First days at my cabin in the Italian Alps

by Martijn Doolaard

📚 Main Topics

Introduction to the Homestead Project
- Martijn Doolaard introduces his new adventure of building a homestead in the Italian Alps.
- The property is located in Val Pellice, 1200 meters above sea level, with 2.3 hectares of land.
Property Details
- The homestead consists of two historical stone cabins dating back to 1903.
- The buildings are in a bare-bones condition, lacking plumbing, electricity, and toilets.
Renovation Plans
- Martijn plans to renovate one cabin first, focusing on creating a kitchen and stove.
- The goal is to complete major renovations by the following spring.
Initial Setup and Challenges
- He discusses the logistics of moving tools and supplies to the site using a wheelbarrow.
- Martijn shares his experience of setting up a solar system for electricity and the challenges of working in a remote area.
Water Connection Issues
- There is a water connection from a nearby aqueduct, but the previous owner’s plumbing was poorly done, leading to potential freezing issues in winter.
- Martijn plans to dig a trench to install new plumbing to prevent future problems.
Daily Life and Cooking
- He describes the chaos of setting up his living space and cooking for the first time in the new environment.
- Martijn mentions the need to be cautious about food storage due to potential mice.
Community Interaction
- He meets a neighbor, an Austrian priest, who offers assistance and shares insights about living in the area.

✨ Key Takeaways

Embrace ChallengesMartijn's journey highlights the importance of embracing challenges and being prepared for unexpected issues when taking on a renovation project.
Community SupportBuilding relationships with neighbors can provide valuable support and resources during a new venture.
Planning and PreparationProper planning, especially regarding utilities like water and electricity, is crucial for a successful homestead project.
AdaptabilityThe ability to adapt to changing circumstances, such as weather and logistical challenges, is essential for living in a remote area.

🧠 Lessons Learned

Historical ValueInvesting in historical properties can be rewarding, but it often requires significant effort to restore and modernize them.
SustainabilityUtilizing solar energy and local water sources can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle in a remote setting.
Patience and PersistenceRenovating a homestead is a slow process that requires patience and persistence, especially when dealing with unforeseen complications.

Transcript excerpt

0:34 hey guys, welcome to this channel. my name is Martijn Doolaard, and this is the first day into my new adventure, which is building a homestead, in the Italian alps I signed the documents yesterday, i've got the keys, and here i am. it's on the top of this hill at 1200 meters, in Val Pellice which, is west from Turin, about two hours from Turin

1:09 quite close to the French border. quite a lot of land, 2.3 hectares, which is almost 6 acres, i believe so it's these two stone cabins, or they're more like barns, animal shelters dating from 1903, which is very old. thick walls, dry stone walls ,and it's very bare bones.

1:40 it's basically four walls and the leaking roof. there's no plumbing, there's no electricity, there's no toilets or whatsoever, it's very basic. so there's a lot to be done, but that's why i bought this. i didn't want to buy a house to simply just live in there, i wanted the project. and i fell in love with these historical buildings which are beautifully built, the walls are dry stone wall so all the stones are neatly stacked on top of each other very thick walls, so it keeps standing by the weight of the building

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