Can We Finish ONE Room? - Laying Stone Tiles in the Kitchen - Portugal Renovation Project 

As I was buying a wreck of a 100 year old house, my realtor said, "just remember, progress is progress". It been my mantra for 20 years. Things are much improved. The floor looks great. I think tiling (particularly creating a flat surface is the hardest job I've done ... particularly with large profile tile. Looks terrific. Merry Christmas! Progress IS progress!

The floor is very beautiful, even unfinished, and the room is equally so. You guys have excellent taste (along with all your other attributes), and it’s really fun watching your vision take shape.

As usual, you did a lot of planning before you laid your first tile. I was impressed with the pattern plan on your computer. Compare your progress to an early video when you first started the laborious task of digging out the cellar floor by hand! Open a bottle of your wine and have a merry Christmas.

I'm living my ultimate dream through your endeavor of love. I fell in love with stone buildings when I visited the countryside of France. If I was younger I would be doing what you two are doing. Instead, I designed and had my French country stone home built with the constraints of budget, limited building material choices, and convincing my contractor to work outside of his comfort zone. I have a beautiful home, but it's missing the history, the natural materials, and the patina of age and originality of yours. Thank you for sharing your adventure. Both of you are awesome.

I would definitely recommend you use a notched trowel next time around, the gaps created in the mortar by the notches makes adjusting the tiles soooooo much easier. I'm not quite sure what size of notch you should go with, the usual rule of thumb is 1mm of notch for 1+something inch of tile, so a 6x6mm notch for tiles roughly 6x6 inch to 8x8 inch, 8mm notches for 8x8 to 10x10 inch tiles, etc. With the different sizes of tiles you have, maybe go with an both an 8 and a 12mm one? thanks for mentioning the different grout sizes in the end, that really confused me during the video, i'm curious to see how that'll look once its all done, the tiles, in that pattern, already look really nice

We find that a schedule puts an unnecessary stress on us; so it’s good to see that you are willing to let that slip. Instead we have aspirations.

I love how you guys show how difficult these tasks really are for amateurs, rather than editing out all of the head-scratching, redo, and mistakes. Hang in there, it is taking shape and it will be amazing when you are done!

Well done thinking ahead on sight lines and cuts. We recently had limestone tiles laid through 3 rooms and the tiler who is a perfection, very experienced in laying stone started as you did getting the sightedness and levels right first. However he sealed the tiles first before laying them to protect them. He dry laid the tiles first to check layout, then cut and dry laid, then put the cement down laid a tile, then lifted it and checked that the adhesive was level and no air gaps, laid the tile again and pressed it down all over making sure it was fully bedded down. He then sealed them immediately after the grout had dried making sure the grout was sealed as well so that it is totally protected from dirt. Very hard and heavy work, well done it looks beautiful, now rest your aching bones.❤

As someone who spends her life scribing (we are building a log house and anything that butts up against the walls or around the vertical posts needs to be scribed) I think Kylie did a brilliant job! It's so rewarding when it looks like the posts just grew out of the tiles...👍🙌🏻

In most of your construction videos there is a point where I feel like crying.

"We love fiddley bits" 😅 The floor looks wonderful.

Not that you haven’t had my admiration of all your hard work and vision before, laying those huge tiles in a difficult pattern has cemented it forever. I will never try to lay anything bigger than 12 x 12 inches ever again. 16 inch ones just about got me. But I will be so happy when you are able to have at least one warm, clean, beautiful room to relax in. Merry Christmas!

You guys are amazing. The patience it takes to do the work you do is unbelievable. The floor looks great. You will have such a lovely house to live in after it’s all done. I can hardly wait to see that. Cheers!

Using a notched trowel will solve your levelling problems half inch should do it. Also use a 6mm notched trowel to butter the tiles in the opposite direction, which is important as by placing the tiles straight on to a solid bed then tamping will bring the moisture to the top and increase the likelihood of your tiles coming loose. Hope this helps in the future. Well done.

The tiles are just gorgeous! The room will be beautiful when you finish it. Almost there! Learning a lot from both of you. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! ❤

I would have to agree with the other viewers who suggested using a notched trowel. You need room for the tile to settle or be moved into position. Also, larger tiles should be "back buttered" as they call it to improve adhesion. There is nothing worse that testing the tiles after they are set and discover one or more that did not adhere. They make a hollow sound when you tap them. Those tiles look beautiful though. Merry Christmas!

"Line of sight" I would never have thought of that, how clever. Love your work.

Flooring is one of those jobs that is frustrating as it looks a mess to the till the last tile, then the rewards come rushing in. All that pain is forgotten, till you start the next room😳 Great video, have a great Christmas.

OMG! I know you practiced by doing the toilet room first, but... for "nit-picky" people like me those tiles look great. I know you two will always "see" the little flaws, but you will impress the heck out of anyone that comes to visit in the future.

if you're going to do more floor tiling buy a contour gauge and a notched trowel it'll make you life a little easier

Notched float makes life so much easier .

You are both such troopers! It looks amazing as is, looking forward to the final floor product.

You guys are superstars for what you’ve taken on and how you’re tackling and mastering each step! Bravo!

Thanks for a wonderful year of stories. The cutting around the difficult edges is not easy so you've done a fantastic job. For those heavy tiles a hand held tile suction lifter might make things easier. Buon Natale.. R&M

That's a gorgeous room! Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas and well-deserved holiday.

My patient pants are on!! Most excellent work on a challenging pattern!

“We will have to put on our patients pants once more”….. 😂😂😂 that’s what I have been missing all these years!!! Where do I find those? I need to buy some of them… ❤. Your kitchen is looking fabulous!

Wow!! You two never take the easy way, you remain true to your vision regardless of how difficult it is. Seeing your computer version of the floor was mind boggling!! Merry Christmas to you both. Hugs from 🇨🇦

Wow ! Such hard work, but great progress ! Your attention to detail with each project is bringing you closer to a beautiful, functional dwelling ! Well done !

FYI, you could put a block of wood down to tap the tiles in. Happy Holidays Kylie & Guy!

Keep including the challenges - we are all learning from you. Very well done for your huge efforts. Steadfast is an understatement; you have admirable patience! It seems to me to be THE most important quality of all, when renovating.

Brockstone Landscape Construction are the people to watch for hints and tips for tile floor laying. Merry Christmas

Admire the over engineering and planning and fantastic result. That's what it takes! 🎉

Merry Christmas all let’s get this channel to 100k viewers!

And in the end they had a gorgeous floor!!!

I am so impressed by how methodical you both are, but mostly by how well you work together. I'd say you inspire, but I'm just sitting here watching and enjoying. Best of the holidays to you.

Merry Christmas guys! We are very proud of what you guys have managed to accomplish there. Making ones dreams come true is very fulfilling and satisfying! keep at it and we'll see you soon! On RU-vid I mean. Of course. *nervous laugh*

You did it!!!! It turned out beautifull!!! Congrats!!!!

The floors really beautiful, it is a long job isn’t it. Well done. ❤️❤️⭐️⭐️

I'm so proud of you both. It's been quite a journey getting this far, hasn't it. Those big cuts of tiles are huge. Hope you have a very merry Christmas now. 🎶🌟🪽👼🎄🎁🍗😍

The work on your floor is so beautiful

Really nice tiles, the pattern choice was superb so well done on a difficult tiling job.

What a back breaking job, but it sure looks beautiful! 👏😀

Have a lovely Christmas, thanking you both for all the videos.2023 looking forward to to seeing you 2024.

From one of your silent followers thank you for sharing your live and progress in 2023. I really enjoyed it! Wishing you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Greetings out of the Netherlands, Marjan. 🌷

Well done, Kylie and Guy!!! 👏👏👏 Merry Christmas!!! 🎅🌲⛄️❄️❄️❄️🎶🎶🎶🥰❤️🎶❤️🇨🇦

After I finished my last tile project, I saw a tool that looked like an electric sander that helped you vibrate and sorta float the tile into the mortar bed. Helps eliminate breaking caused by hammering the tiles.

Nocturnal Christmas celebration concrete mixing parties. A new trend that I feel sure will catch on......

Very long days but we'll worth it to actually see a floor down. Merry Christmas Kylie and Guy. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Xx

Y’all did a great job. Floor is beautiful!! Merry Christmas from South Carolina. I’m hoping for a pair of patience pants from Santa 😂

When you use a Rubber mallet don't use brute force but vibration, lots of smaller hits get the adhesive to spread underneath

When Guy was using the mallet in the corner of the second tile, I was actually thinking: "good thing those are made of thick stone. I hope those blows are not enough to break them", and them, the "f" word...... My wife says I have a "shit is about to happen" sense. Maybe she is right. Anyway, GREAT job. Looking forward to seeing the kitchen being used. Happy Holydays.

Great work with your real life Tetris! have a relaxing Christmas and best wishes for 2024, Rob.

The floor looks teriffic. We done. You two have worked incredibly hard in 2023. You videos a enlightening and entertaining. Thank you.

The tiles look lovely, and I'm a fan of the pattern you're going for. I'm sure you may have a reason for doing it as you're doing, but... there are special trowels to lay the cement/lime adhesive layer beneath the tiles... this trowels are slotted (the edges look like a square wave, i'm sure you know what i'm talking about), and will lay the cement/lime with consistent grooves, so it'll be much easier to level each tile, without compromising the tile support (the tiles you're using seem to be fairly robust, so they'll cover air pockets beneath... but a badly supported tile, will be much easier to break that a well supported one). if you lay the cement layer compact, then if you want to push the tile down, the cement will have no free room to move into, and you'll have a much harder time leveling it. You should give it a try in the next room... and if you can't find a trowel that works well with the cement/lime mix that you're using... you can try to make one of you'r own, with larger slots that what is usually available,

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful Xmas filled with loads of love and laughter, no lime mortar.❤

Use a notched trowel. As others have said, mortar needs space to move when you press to level.

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

It must feel amazing to finally get to this stage after all your hard work? Love watching the process happening. Merry Christmas from Australia.

Enjoy your Christmas holiday you have earned it. The floor looks amazing perfection as per usual. 😊😊😊

What a beautiful floor. Great job.

I was shouting at my phone "use a batten!" when you were trying to lay the one next to the pole that cracked. Lay a batten on it and press down carefully or tap with the hammer. In the end though it isn't very noticeable. And skirting was pretty much invented to hide the messy bits round the edges! It's looking good though.

Patience pants - on! Looking good.

Great work ! Moleanos is a hot stone, an excellent choice! Treatment is essential, wine stain is your worst enemy..

Happy Holidays, Kids. Things are looking good.

Happy holidays wonderful family! The room looks beautiful, the progress it’s yes slow but end result is outstanding. Well done you! Wishing you strength, good health and, prosperity and dreams come true in 2024 ! May it be peaceful and joyful!

You have got to get a notched float and a contour gauge so much easier.

Merriest of Christmases, kids!

Patience pants 😂 I could definitely do with some of those.

Those tiles do look great up against the lime walls, though you were brave to go with such heavy tiles and complicated pattern, it will be worth it... I love that you show the reality, mistakes and all, I keep learning from you guys thanks and Happy Christmas from one stone renovation to another

Excellent and you are very deserving of a good rest

You work so well together!

floor looks good from here

Not going to read all the comments, but notched trowel and a green 360 laser level will speed things up, and a blue powder line to work too! but good luck and Merry Christmas

T Shirt, "Put on your patience Pants" lol

Merry Christmas to both of you. We watched the tiling adventure on Christmas Eve, and I woke to find an Undo-Redo t-shirt under the tree. Makes me look forward even more to returning in February to continue our project. Take care and all the best for ‘24

I love that floor, the style you laid, the colour of the tiles. It is beautiful.💖

Season greetings,and good luck with the build for next year. 😊😊😊

The floor looks great!! I hope that you have a Merry Christmas, Kylie and Guy❤️❤️🎄 I also hope that you have a rest a bit👏👏👏👏👏

I literally spent the evening binging on your videos..... omg, I love this!! So happy I bumped into your channel! So much work, and all of it awesome! ♥ I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Hola,os veo desde España,no hablo ingles pero me encanta veros trabajar lo haceis fenomenal y veo que sois muy perfeccionistas,un saludo

Imperfections just show what a hand crafted home you have. ❤

Welll done! Merry Christmas; wishing you allthe best in 2024 ✨

Merry Christmas and please have some rest time and enjoy yourselves , looking forward to your video's/ progress in 2024

if the joints dont look right and are annoying then you can run the grinder blade through them to sort out the gaps to give a more constant width 🙂before grouting

Sooo beautiful! Hard work and excellent taste!

Great work. There’s a scribing tool that’s all over RU-vid that you might find useful and speed up the next lot of measuring for cut times. I don’t think it’s too exy.

You're one week away of finishing the space! I'm sure you will be able to accomplish it 💪

Great work, i woulda loved to have seen more of the intricate tile cutting

Amazing perseverance

Looks gorgeous even without the grout & sealing I love the tiles. As usual you did a great job rest up and have a merry Christmas 🍾🥂🎄

You floor me!😂😊. How you got all those wee fiddly bits around the pole so perfectly set was amazing. 😊 Patience pants on! But being Xmas and all, feeling a bit tight….so don’t make me wait too long to see your beautiful kitchen reveal!!. 😉. I’m sure it will be homey, comfy, beauty. Merry Christmas to you both. 🍾🥂. Bye bye 🛖⛺️ in 2024.

Merry Christmas and a healthy happy 2024 God bless

I’m excited for you. Looking forward to the next video. Merry Christmas. Get some rest, you both work so hard.

Lovely job! Just an idea for tiles that crack in the moment of installing - I used superglue to put them together, not the grout - with superglue it really looks like a hair line, barely visible. I hope you don't get need for that, but if you do ...try. Enjoy your Christmas in the first finished room!!

You go to great length just to plug your T-shirt merch :-D Turned out to be a very nice floor!

You are soooooo close to being able to move into your home. Not finished but able to camp out more comfortably indoors. Happy Christmas!!!

And yes a notched blade

The floor will look even better when grouted & skirting on. Even more so when you are sat in a comfy chair with a glass of something in your hand admiring your HeART work❤ Merry Christmas 🎄

This is going to be an amazing home. 🥂