We spent the first summer here just as it was. We reconnected the electricity, water, and old water heaters, added light bulbs and sockets in every room, cleaned up, brought a few mattresses, and invited family and friends to celebrate with us.
I remember how differently everyone saw the place. Most were daunted by the never-ending work ahead. Some thought of the money-draining film that came to mind, worried about whether we had enough savings or a business plan. Although everyone saw the potential, some thought we were being brave, while others thought it was an irresponsible decision.
During that first summer, we were simply planning and gaining experience. We searched for local professionals and considered what to tackle first and how. What should be done with the houses, and what about everything else?
At first, we just thought about painting the house, installing a new kitchen, and taking care of the terrace and the pool. Then came the windows. After that, we thought that if we added two more bathrooms to the three already there, each room would have its own. But then, a new room layout would be useful, something more practical and comfortable. And an energy-efficient heating system. But for that, insulation would also be needed. And the wiring needed to be replaced. The stoves needed refurbishing to be functional, and so our to-do list kept growing. By the end of the summer, it was clear that we wanted to touch everything. And that we would need external help for this…
Thanks to the work of many wonderful people, the machinery began to move: the planning, the design, the execution… We started in the fall, and by the following spring-summer, we had completed the renovation of the big house and the landscaping around it. It was a huge job with countless unexpected challenges, but it turned out beautiful. With every step, it got prettier. It became more and more comfortable, warmer, and more like what we had imagined – a place where we wanted to be. And in the first summer, when we were finished, we invited our friends and family again. To celebrate with us once more, and share the result and the fruits of our hard work after the excitement of waiting.
We proudly toured the place, touching every piece of furniture, the parquet floor, and the refurbished stoves. We laughed a lot amid the frustrations with the craftsmen: together we picked the chandelier pieces or arranged the tiles in different patterns to see what looked best.
Meanwhile, we also gained permanent helpers who still work with us today on beautifying, running, and developing the estate. We are incredibly grateful to them even today.