omg! I'm watching live and this is all very meta! I love you both and I am so thankful for the lessons - spending 2 years having fun is something I aspire to one day! You know how to live life. You are my heroes :)
@@elegantlyknackeredstyle I hope you understood how much I admire you both. nothing about it was meant to be negative. I especially admire your lovely family life
Hi louisa and Mark, greetings from the west of Ireland. I've just come across your channel recently and im loving it. Im 6 yrs into a similar project. I work in a similar way to mark😂. My poor children are so patient. My husband passed away a few days before Christmas, so i no longer have the drive to finish the project. Watching you two together have lifted my spirits. ❤
Oh gosh, I am so saddened to hear of your husband's passing. Sending you so much love. I am pleased that in some small way we are able to lift your spirits.
Do you know how inspirational you two are? When I’ve got a project going and it seems to be lasting for eternity I think if you can be patient and enduring then so can I, even the intro music is upbeat. I very much look forward to your weekly vlogs and it’s sensible that you are not setting yourself silly impossible goals as some people do, I totally get where you are both coming from because my husband is a bit like Mark, hard working and thinks the total opposite to me, it just works for us as with you, we are in our very late 50’s and what used to matter doesn’t any more, we certainly have a very different outlook to the views we had twenty years ago, plus the aches and pains ☺️❤️
I have a pedestal sink out back lol I found it I have another sink too lol can make into a flower pot lol. I love water fountains I bought a mermaid one 200.00 just to adore the new back garden😊
Liked you both chatting about how you are doing. Good to see more of Mark and what style he likes and when he has influenced the renovation his way. Love how your home looks. Getting tradespeople is hard work. Hope the plumber has been watching and gets over to you soon.
I so enjoy your channel & love watching the progress of your home. What do you & Mark do for work outside your renovation? You certainly are allowed some privacy, but just interested if Mark does construction , etc. and if you Louisa do decorating and antiques. I will miss your family once renovation is completed! Thank you.
I don't mind you asking at all. Mark is an entrepreneur. He currently owns an oven cleaning business which he is in the process of franchising. We both have a small antiques business and I have a portfolio of jobs (after jumping off the carer ladder 10+ years ago). I am mostly a social media content creator but I do occasional photography and styling jobs. Basically, if someone asks me to do something for them, I say yes.
I found you long ago on Instagram. I feel so bad that you can't find a reliable plumber. That's not really a problem in the US. Why do you think it's such a huge problem in the UK?
The plumber situation is such a pain. I think plumbers are in such demand, they can pick and choose which jobs they take. There is so much building work going on in Norfolk, most plumbers opt for the easy installs.
Absolutely love the channel , reminds me so much of me and my husband and we are in a reno with young children ! I always stand by the motto “ if it makes sense to you , it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else “ xxx
Really enjoyed this . Love the mention on the podcast and hearing the lady discussing it . I love your sofa chats with Mark and it’s lovely to hear the story of the renovation . You and Mark and a great team ❤ hope Marks knee is better quickly and your cold has subsided and you are both back to full renovation fitness soon. Ps the new microphones are great 👍
I really appreciate your openness and honesty in a world where perfection and uniformity is pushed; you've given me permission to be a little more elegantly knackered, too. ;) Such a respectful, loving relationship shared, another lesson in how to live. :) Thanks!
Thank you both for sharing your life with us. It cannot be easy, but you both are managing this renovation in your own ways together. I love watching this channel and am rooting for the day that the elusive plumbing can be fixed. Well done on making it this far. A new subscriber. xx
Hi Louisa and Mark, I really enjoy your channel. I think you are a lovely couple and communicate very well. I really like the way Louisa talks through projects with Mark and gets his input and each of your openly say how you feel about the project you are working on and you both show a willingness to consider the other person's opinion. I also like that Louisa then writes out a plan of agreed upon decisions. I think your openness, flexibility, cooperativeness and consideration is very healthy and a model for other couples. You seem to love each other and your children very much, that really comes through in the way you speak to each other and your children. It is clear you have a long term plan and I have no doubt your house and garden will be fabulous when you finish. I must confess I would probably be depressed if my project took as long as yours is taking but you have adapted well and seem to be able to celebrate daily life and holidays in the midst of your renovation. I love your antiquing and videos of visiting thrift shops. Louisa I love seeing your decorating ideas, and table settings, and Mark you seem like such a hard worker and good craftsman. Keep up the good work. I will be tuned in to see your progress. I can't wait to see the finished home and garden. Fondly, Sharon
This was enjoyable. Even my husband watched with me, and he enjoyed it. I only recently found your channel and subscribed, so I don't know all your back story, etc.... but it seems to me you are both doing a great and massive job very well.
I really enjoyed this and I’m glad it may become a regular feature in future. Strangely I have never participated in a renovation project and have no immediate plans to start one. However I found your channel after searching for all things Norfolk and just fell in love with you all. Selfishly I love that you’re taking your time (= more viewing hours for me 😂) and I enjoy the variety of your vlogs from the antiquing trips, to spending time in your garden, to family sofa chitchats. You have the right mix of content in my opinion and long may it continue ❤
I'm another newbie to your channel but have now caught up with all the older posts. You are my new fav vlogger. You are a naturally joyous soul and that comes across really well. I love trundling along with you to the auctions, markets and brocantes. My husband and I currently live in derbyshire but are planning a move to Norfolk and watching your outings has helped me get to grips with all the best places to buy antiques and desirables. Thank you. Just ignore the naysayers, "never apologise, never explain", not sure who I'm quoting there but it is apt.
Absolutely love your vlogs (as you know) and, as I’ve said to you previously in our “chats”, we are 23 years into a reno and it never stops and we always seem to be in chaos one way or another!! My hubby is in the trade too, so it’s even worse! You are a fabulous family, keep up the amazing work x
It never ceases to amaze me how complete strangers feel the need to make adverse comments on your life choices. You lead the life you want to and ignore the naysayers. (Which I'm sure you do 😂) Anyway, I like your renovation project and love your videos. xx
It was lovely seeing you both have chats but I also feel for you that you feel you need to defend your renovations. You guys do you and sod everyone else. If people don't like how you guys live your life they can always stop watching. I am here for exactly how you are...for me the clue is in the channel name ha 😉 People will have opinions no matter what you do. One of my favourite quotes is by Dita von Teese...you can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world and there is still going to be somebody who hates peaches!!! Love your channel xx
We were so excited by our podcast mention & Louise's comments were so positive & lovely. It was a great opportunity to use the podcast to generate conversation. Yes some watchers can be negative but they just don't understand what we are trying to achieve. Thank you for your support.
No need to defend - as I said, I love everything about them and recommended their channel to others. I certainly don't hate peaches! I said I couldn't live that way - but I also said I'd like to learn how x
@thispaintinglife Your podcast was brilliant. You were totally positive. Thank you. Negativity can be received in YT comments - that's the nature of social media.
Me again! Just a question - could Mark do the plumbing and just get it signed off? My friend is a builder and he has learned plumbing just to keep projects going. He then just gets a certificate at the end. He did my bathroom start to finish and installed my oil boiler. He thinks Mark's more than capable of doing the same xx
Great idea & that was the original plan, We just found that plumbers were not willing to do the sign off without doing the work. Thank heavens that we are on the last stage of work. If they turn up for this last job it will all be signed off 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
It must seem really weird hearing people discussing your way of life. There is a method in your madness and I mean that as a compliment. 😊 When I bought my cottage over 20 years ago I took a step back, you need time to know how to use a space, the cottage had been rented and was a tired mess. Decorating and soft furnishings are great fun but their no good if your roof is leaking and the windows are rotten. I love what your doing, in the house and the garden and always look forward to the next vlog. ❤❤👏 🌷🌹
There are many reasons why we move on to a new project or back to an unfinished project. Sometimes it's money, sometimes it's waiting on pros, sometimes it's product finally arriving, sometimes it's that only one of us is available...and sometimes we are uninspired by the current project , but need to work on *something* , so we pick a project that currently inspires us. We figure we will finish this house two minutes before we sell it! LOL
It was lovely to watch you both discussing the podcast. Your home is lovely and I love following your progress. You have a super channel charting your life and your renovation. More of these chats between you both would be lovely. Look forward to your next vlog. Xx
Well we lived on site as Reno house years ago, daughter had to have urgent ear surgery, suppose have clean area, walked in with her from hospital, to see then hubbys leg through the hall ceiling! Bye going to mums! Lol
Hello from Upstate New York in the USA. I have my grandparents home built in 1906. The wall aren’t 90 degree angles. My kitchen is being renovated. Don’t laugh it’s been 6 years and still isn’t done. I love antiques and have been incorporating them in the rooms.
My mother used to say if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. So don’t take any notice of the nay sayers. Live your life as you want to live it. Love what you do.
You are real,and that makes sense to me.I am still watching you and that is a big deal, because if you did not keep my attention, I would have stopped watching. Love your vlogs Felicity Jacobs, Cape Town, South Africa
I was new to your channel about a week ago I think. You popped up in my feed because I watch a lot of thrifting/antiquing shows. The first episode I watched was when you went thrifting with a friend. I thought this is fun, I will explore a bit more. So I popped around a bit and thought, “what is going on here?” This wasn’t with a lot of judgement, but with a bit of confusion. So finally, I watched all your reno videos from the start. Of course it all made more sense. You should be proud of yourselves for all that you’ve accomplished. I hope you become wildly successful RU-vidrs. I love your channel. Beth, Sonoma California 😊
My second ever comment…! just watched your ‘open and honest’ chat, breath of fresh air. I so get how you work Mark. My partner says the same to me but plates apparently spinning is more efficient than not getting on with another job. And Louisa, I so get what you mean too…. I do not collect ‘tat’ it is all treasure that is lining up to take its place to create magic. Popping flowers, candles and beautiful things around you, in what is apparently chaos to others, makes it home, and a very individual one at that. Your kitchen is great... I prefer to live with the ripped off wall paper effect rather than what was there before in mine… I will get there 😅 Wonderful, perfect combo, love what you are both doing 🎉
hahaha that was so funny! I listen to Art Juice every week and remember that conversation now! but I never looked you up. Until today, in the latest episode of Art Juice, Louise mentioned this video. I am so happy I found you. It will be nice company in my studio listening to you two.
We put in jacuzzi tub and surround porcelain. New toilet and backsplash in kitchen and porcelain on kitchen floor. Painted basement walls and new apoxi floor. Now basement is my-storage I sell on marketplace everything down in basement all unorganized. Spare room upstairs storage I need guest bedroom. Big problem have had a handy man I hired for most jobs. Lots to do need to sell whole lot of 35 yr collection
Love Love this channel I got hooked like the podcast spoke of from watching you go antique hunting then I subscribed, love watching all the Reno’s your style your attitude to this project everything, I know all about waiting for things to get done around the house all good things take time trust me I’m married to a plumber wish I could send him to you big hugs from Australia ❤🐫🦘
I love watching your channel, I can’t believe people make such opinionated and negative comments. You’re doing what works for your family and being so kind as to share it with us all. Can’t wait to see the next episode you make my week 😊 I love everything 🥰 PS love the sofa chat and would look love to see more of the same 😊
Many years ago I undertook a refurb which then became a new build after our builder inexplicably knocked it down! I can remember the horror of going down the drive and seeing piles if timber. Complete nightmare with the planning but we ended with a beautiful home. And yes we could laugh about it after.
😊😊most enjoyable.I completely understand Marks tackling of the work.My Father was similar and to me it made sense.The house I am in now has taken 26 years to go through whilst raising my son.Looking at it you would wonder what and where.But like Starre Corner;completely back to bare brick,insulation etc.Any home is a mamoth task,espically on your own.😊😊😊I love how you stopped for Christmas and loved each other celebrating the season.So important.
Your show is adorable! This is my first time to watch your shows. I watched your brick path while cooking dinner and now this show. Love you both and your discussion! Keep up who you both are.
Very well said about how you do have many things done...they just aren't the pretty bits. Redecorating and renovating are not the same thing. My daughter is on year 2. Maybe 3 of a kitchen renovation. Every time one thing gets removed, there is something new to fix first behind it. Keep doing it your way. Those of us in the thick of renovating love having company.
We both LOVED this vlog! We are in our 60’s and live in a 60’s bungalow in Norfolk, and have lots to do as it needs updating. We get the getting older thing, we move slower and can do less at a time these days, and we are not skilled in DIY, so often it’s also budgeting what you can afford to do next. We’ve recently had the hall, lounge/ diner flooring updated, which has made a big difference, from carpet to LVT, much easier with pets and keeping dust allergies at bay! Much more to do, biggest being the kitchen and replacing the shower unit, but we will get there! Our garden is the big project this year, hubby’s bad knees and my bad back have caused it to get away from us this last year, so lots to do to get it back into shape! And you do need days out, we went to Holkham hall fair this past weekend, got some lovely pure honey and sauces too!
I really enjoyed this video I only found your channel a couple of months ago so it was good to hear more of the backstory but I love how your home is so homely and have found myself hoping it won't change too much when the renovations are finished (!) but it's not for other people to tell you how or when this should be it's your life and your family who are doing it and I for one am loving being along for the enjoyment so thank you very much 😊❤
I’m hoping you don’t change this room too much. On one of your tours I took a screen shot of the space you’re currently sitting in and it is my screen saver. You are completely inspirational.
My husband and I have renovated two older homes, and built a new one all by ourselves while both working full time. Only so much can be done on weekends. I wish more people understood that. Keep doing what you're doing - the result is beautiful.
Loved your discussion. I think loads of people could learn from your experience working together. Your home and garden are charming and it is so refreshing to watch an unvarnished journey. Glad you have decided to ignore negative comments which serve no purpose. We all should follow that path. 😊
It was realy wonderfull and funny chat.Thank you. Few days ago I was writting about mess around your home, not inside.I undestood your idea of living, as well I undestood how rebulit look like and how is life in it.I adore the way how you can menage your interiors beatiful.Flowers and candles, yes it built climat.I just wrote about painting the bricks in the kitchen because its looks ugly and needs half an hour work! Just a few moves:)Exept this I love your kitchen.Specially the table! I just wonder why Mark has been started so many works and haven't finish any? Why he work in such a big mess diggings trench? Even didn't remove trampoline and scattered bricks? And so on... I'm sorry of my writting but I'm not english speeking person. Best wishes and do your bathroom first:)))
You would have to live with it for a couple of years to find out what your plans are for remolding. I understand all the work you have done that is not glamorous and everyone does not see. I know I would be crazy with the plumber issue you are having. So many people complain you cannot find good workman which is so frustrating. I am one of those people who have said please get one room done, I know that would make me so happy. I was so excited to see you working on your garden.
You don’t have to justify to anyone. Relax,breath,let life go on at the pace you are enjoying life in, things happen, life changes, people children change.but ain’t it all fun, if it’s not then don’t do it. I love your banter, it’s not arguing it’s discussing, or chewing the fat. Yes you’re both different,but isn’t that what makes life interesting? Slippery eel lol no he’s not, he’s gorgeous, and I feel sorry Marks hurt his knee, but renovations are hard on your body, it really takes it’s toll ,the body at 50+ is not the same as a 20+ hay so let’s say bug-gar off everyone and their negative comments I recon it looks just fine
I loved this! Please do more... You both have so much energy and optimism and I love your honesty. I have never thought you've argued, it's just banter isn't it?! The way your home is so beautiful even with partially done rooms shows how creative you are! So good to see the subscriber numbers growing - you so deserve it. Sorry to see you have had negative comments and trolls - I can never understand why people don't just stop watching if they don't like what they see! A question for next time (even though I have already mentioned it in previous comments), I would love to see you write a book - would you consider it? Oh, and lovely story about the caravan, John and his mother. PS. Buy me a coffee link not working.
You both remind me of me and my husband. After 40 years married my husbands just been diagnosed with ADHD - hard to focus, starting projects and not finishing etc ❤ we are still renovating after 16 years in our current house.
Although I am not adverse to daily vlogs in the future, it's not currently conducive to family life & my other work commitments. Producing VLOGS takes up hours and hours of my time. One day.......😊
Really enjoyed this !! You don’t need to explain or justify your decisions though. Your relaxed approach is heartwarming but you also have an attention to detail and firm ideas about how to style and build your home to suit your family ( which is more than just bricks and mortar ) with the confidence to stick to your beliefs and get it how you want it even if you have to wait for things. I enjoy watching and spent this morning arranging some flowers and greenery from my own garden having seen you do this in a previous video . Thank you
It is the important things in a renovation which we do not see which take the time. Also, funds as well as time are items which need to be factored in. I do not believe you argue, you discuss! Hope Mark makes a speedy recovery.Sophie
Yes! I worked out the sound issue 😕 n the end. It was when I received feedback in the last video about when the sound went - I knew I'd swapped mics over at that point. Hurrah! It took some time to sort out but I got there in the end. Thanks for sticking with me 😊
I love the channel, you make me laugh so much and appreciate our own 9 years and counting renovation. As a couple, my husband and I are scarily similar. Unless someone has lived through a big renovation doing it mostly themselves they cannot appreciate the time and exhaustion bringing in trades can suck up, pray the weather holds and we can end the 3 month wait for the roofer so that the work to install a back door and new window in the pantry can gap begin, so that I do not trudge up a flight of stairs to load and unload the dishwasher. Having oodles of cash might be nice to get builders in, but it is no5 as satisfying as building and curating your own home. BTW Louisa on the dumper truck footage gave me a real giggle.
We lived in our house 🏡for 22 years before renovating. It's easier (financially) being an empty nester.😅 So in my opinion, you both have moved mountains with what you've done🙌
Brilliant vlog, very inspiring lovely home and family. We’re on our 6th year of renovation. It’s hard going and like you, looking forward to it being finished but enjoying the process also xx
I watch you from Nebraska, USA and I find you both very real and honest. I only recently have found your channel and have been binge watching to catch up on your renovation journey. ❤