I recommend opening the original door, removing and walling off the door by the stairs, and of course keeping the back door. The occupant can decide which way to enter. It would be a good idea to eliminate that door by the stairs so that the upper two apartments (which are being combined into one) have complete privacy and security. And the downstairs bedroom will have a smooth wall on that side. You have relatives moving in there now, but in the future you may have outside tenants, and they will appreciate the separation.
Good thinking. Wherever the main entrance to that downstairs apartment is I would never want to go to my bedroom to get to the other rooms. It's OK if there is a locked door to the vestibule from the bedroom, but yeah, I wouldn't want that for my main entrance. Maybe a little plaque directing visitors around the corner to the downstairs main entrance.
Agreed. As the upstairs occupants use the stairs, it will be much noisier inside the ground floor apartment bedroom if that door stays. Reopening the vestibule door gives a proper entryway.
I agree open the older entrance and then it becomes a more secure door way that is not opening into the bedroom and you can insulate the wall where the door currently is located to cut back on any noise from people walking up the stairs.
To remove the wallpaper there is a tool we call A Paper Tiger. It puts small holes in the surface of the wallpaper to allow the steam and paste solvent to get behind the waterproof coating of the paper.
You were reading my mind. It brought back memories of removing a gold flocked wallpaper that was a nightmare to remove. Thankfully it was only a hallway and not a whole room or I would still be working on it 😂
My opinion, considering noise from the stairwell, I would seal up the "newer" door and re-open the old doorway. This would allow for an emergency egress for the occupant but not subject them to as much stairwell noise since that is a bedroom.
Hi there my name is will bunce I’m from Cardiff in wales I only came across your channel yesterday and must have watched about 30 videos what a great channel you are such a nice genuine guy and verry inspiring I do property renovations but have been so busy last couple of months you have given me the kick up backside to get on with it .I’m totally inspired by your videos your journey and working on your chateau you are a genuine nice guy totally wish you well 😀
I only came across your channel yesterday I’ve subscribed to it I am totally enjoying what you are doing after months of not doing my renovations on my house I saw your video today when you did your kitchen so today I chose my kitchen black and great you are verry inspiring thank you so much for your channel and I look forward to learning and seeing more will
You don’t need to be critical about your decision making process. You just work things through by talking, walking, and envisioning your different ideas. As an educator and a visual learner myself, I think you might be a visual learner - a perfectly wonderful kind of thinker!! Loved your planning of the apartment layout!! 💕
Maybe open the old entrance so if a neighbor comes knocking, the tenant won't have to open a door exposing their bedroom. Use the outside door as main entrance & close off door near the stairs. Nothing wrong with having two ways out of the apartment. Would be nice for them to have inside access to their mailbox, too. Excited to see what you decide!
Perhaps you could open the original doorway and just leave it locked from the inside which could be used as an emergency exit. That little hallway could be a nice closet for the occupant. You could seal up the 1950s that goes into the bedroom. Then the occupant could use the courtyard door as the main entrance. Sadie & Mo could then have a private entrance & Hallway to their 2 floors.
This is likely my favorite RU-vid channel. I really enjoy the daily updates, even though I know they are really difficult to keep doing, I appreciate them so much!
I like Shaun too, he has done some excellent woodworking in Michael’s Gardners Cottage too. I enjoyed his vlogs when he was working but too many flea markets and charity shops lol 😂 Sorry about the very English translation though xx
I believe that little "island" of grass in the middle of the court yard would be beautiful filled with roses surrounding a small bench, or possibly a bird bath or small fountain also surrounded by flowers.
I’ve noticed a huge difference since Ryan took over the filming of the videos. Billy seems much more full of energy since he no longer needs to worry about filming and editing everyday.
I would have considered blocking the new entrance and opening the old one. The occupant you have now is a person you are okay with walking through the convent entrance, but to future proofs it you need the other entrance from the car park. The reason I think you should go with the old entrance is because of the total flow of the apartment and personally I wouldn't have been comfortable letting people straight into my bedroom.
Also this person is a family member but if a future tenant is not the stairs only serve the upstairs apartment that is Sadie and Mo's by moving the door to the old location It gives the upstairs tenant the ability to lock off the apartment at the foyer.
Agreed. One door by the car park with a small entry hall leading to the bedroom, and one lovely one leading to the lounge from in the courtyard. Who is to say which is the front and which the back? Personal preference, I guess!
Billy you sure keep your vlogs interesting by taking on so many projects around the convent and chateau. I can’t miss a single episode! Thanks for all your hard work and for your willingness to have us come along with you…
Usually you want two exits for escape in case of fire from any residence. It's a matter of safety. You guys are doing an amazing job! The place looks beautiful!
I'd seal up the bedroom door and open the original. Then your relative can still pop up to Sadie and Mo but the bedroom would look better. Use the door to the lounge and kitchen to get in and out the apartment. Looking good and nice for another member of the family to be close to everyone.
Billy, i live in a building that's about 120 years old, so relatively new. You enter my apartment into the kitchen then into the living room. This is most unsatisfactory unless I manage to keep the kitchen immaculate when receiving guests. Entering into a bedroom would cause similar problems so far from ideal. You'll work it out. But I am more concerned with the long endless hallways with the around 44 bedrooms. With your walkthrough of the convent I found them institutional and frankly terrifying like something out of Franz Kafka. I've thought long and hard and I think I have a solution. If you sacrifice two units, opposite each other and remove the walls to the hallway they will flood the hallway with natural light from the windows. This new area could be lined with book shelves, comfortable chairs, tables and be a reading meeting area for all guests, or kept as a gallery space for paintings, or some such idea, for the enjoyment of all. Most importantly it would take the gloom out of the long hallways and like all the bedrooms would have a fine view into the courtyard, and if you decide on making the former convent a hotel or not, a much warmer place to be. We all want this to be a such great success for you.
Thank You Rick you are a jewel! Thank you Ryan for filming and Billy for showing us your work. I want to keep saying those Sweet Nuns are smiling down at you all!!
@@phyllisburrell8661 Hello sweet Cali Lady! So good to hear from ya! As for our weather here in the Hot & super Humid State of Tx, it has been quite nice! Climate change has been drastic & shown us here never to take a day for granted so we’re enjoying it. It has been in the low to mid 80’s thus far. Very strange though for this time of year, but so so nice. Plus it has gone down to the 50’s in the past 3 days which is even weirder for Tx & we have welcomed it with open arms😂😂😂 I am sorry to hear about those bad winds in your area though hope they die down. Stay Safe dear.
@@phyllisburrell8661 awe You are so Sweet & MAY YOU AND YOURS have a Wonderful, Blessed THANKSGIVING TOO! Love, Devine White Devine Light & Blessings!! 💖🕊🕯🙏🏽
@@karenniehues4786 hi Karen, San Angelo is a couple of hours drive (North east) of San Antonio. I am in South Texas dear! Have a wonderful and blessing Thanksgiving with your family. Stay warm and safe too.
Definitely the right idea to use the French doors into the living room as the main entrance but keeping the bedroom entrance there too. Two exits from a space in case of fire is important if its possible to manage it.
I would not want guests walking through my bedroom at all. If you keep a door from the bedroom into either the foyer or the stairwell for the apartment occupant to use, can it be really solid and soundproof and made to blend with the wall and not obviously a door?
Close up existing door by stairs open old door ,as bedroom next to stairs in new layout up and down the stairs at night will drive them mad otherwise also an in and an out on the ground floor gives a fire exit from the court yard by passing the big gates.
Great video guys! Thanks. I think you should seal that door to the stairway. That gives Sadie and Mo a private front door/entry for coats and boots and bikes or whatever. Cheers!
Great video as always! With the ground floor apartment you should still move the internal door back to the original place in the main hallway and then block off the existing one. This will completely make the two apartments self contained and Future-proof. Even though it’s close family moving in, it would be nice to have that privacy and also know that in the future anyone can occupy the apartments.
I thought this was an important move when Sadie was talking about the upstairs apartment the staircase needs to have a separate entrance from the downstairs apartment.
@@gordonulrickson3626 Precisely! I would guess at the person moving in is a female sibling, that has been brought up briefly before, but some privacy is still going to be wanted.
As I was watching the drain sequence I was thinking surely he’s not going to stick his hand in the drain. And lo and behold he did. I was a bit grossed out. But you managed to make it interesting none the less. Good job remodelers.
Billy, I respect how you respect your occupants privacy. Courtyard looks amazing. Nice you have great drains that function well. I'm with Rick. A tidy place is a pleasant place! Great video, as ever, Ryan.
The editing, angles, and music are absolutely spot on to excite interest! Great job Ryan with filming! And as always, inspiring great work on all your parts, with great attitudes in the process. You inspire me to continue the restoration of my property on the Pacific Ocean. The land my property is built on emerged out of the ocean only 150 years ago, so we face unique challenges, including endless sand, wind, rain and beauty. Restore on!
Love the daily updates! We never know what you'll be doing! The passion you all have for your work really shines ✨️ through! "Let's....go do some work", really?!? No way! "Let's CRACK ON!" *side note 📝...I think Rick needs an office/workshop. He is a very valuable asset indeed! Thank you 😊 👍🌟🌍🌎🌏⛪️🕍🏘
Rick is a sweetheart! He has a beautiful smile and is always cheerful while working. Can't wait to see the renovations of the apartments. Blessings to you all.
I’d agree, keep the existing door from the vestibule(private entry) and also have the option of using the French doors as another front (visitor/ public)entrance. Flexibility is the key…..and less work, is always a bonus.
Billy, you know so many kids of skilled parents don’t always pay attention enough to pick up on the wealth of knowledge the parents are teaching. You did, and have put those skills to work in the most magnificent way. Don’t ever sell yourself short. Do the same for your sons and if they decide to go in a different direction they will still have good skills to fall back on. You must attract very good people because Rick is a gem, as well as of course Ryan, Dunkin, and everyone you hire. I wish I was your family member because the apartment will be very nice. I love the entryway from the courtyard. Would opening up the original entry and giving Sadie and Mo their private entrance down by the door leading to the steps a better option for both apartments? The original door can remain locked and used only by the tenant (family member) when they need to. Sadie and Mo will have better privacy and can then leave their two levels of doors opened and not be concerned for their privacy. Just a thought.
Just come across this channel today and I am addicted to this series! As a plumber I have a little trick with the fisher bolts for the sink instead of grinding them off you can use a combination drill with nothing in it and tighten the chuck on to the bolt and then go in reverse and should unscrew easy. Keep up the good work guys and crack on!
You are an amazing team. Working so well with each other. Rick made me smile when he said ' A tidy place is a happy place.' My dad used to say that all the time. Thanks Rick for the happy memory xxx
Billy - Re: the kitchen wallpaper, there is a tool you can buy that’s triangular with a handle on top underneath at each point there are 3 wheels that are spiked So you run the unit over the wallpaper in a circular motion and it makes holes in the plastic covering allowing you to spray water and get the paper wet underneath and it makes life so easy, I’ll see if I can add a link for you! Good luck with the convent! You are all working so hard!! Stanley Max Orbital Wallpaper Scorer By Stanley Product code: 75359
Yes 😊👍 Excellent tool for removing vinyl wallpaper. We used to call them "frogs". 😁 After you score the paper with the frog, you can apply wallpaper remover gel and/or steam, and scrape that paper off. It does make a mess so put a tarp down. 🙂🖖
I've had great success with those previously! We removed about 6 layers of paint and wallpaper from one room in our house with one and a steamer. I think they are also called wallpaper perforators or scoring tools.
@@affiniteapot I stripped a hallway and staircase, I only had weekend and Monday but it still took me Six weeks as it was done in “wood-chip” wallpaper, it’s a nightmare to get off!!
The courtyard looks like it is all brand new...well done Billy, Rick and cameraman Ryan. You have done so much Billy...very impressed. It is great that you are starting the apartments as they can now generate some income for you. Your Dad has certainly taught you, Michael and Sadie so many important skills that are needed in your lives today. What a treasure he is!! Now you are passing those skills on to Rick and Ryan. Thank you Ryan for your excellent filming and editing of these vlogs for Billy...what a team! Thank you!
I would recommend opening the original door of the apartment so the main entrance doesn’t go straight into the bedroom. Then the tenant can decide if they’d rather use the direct door from the courtyard or the one from the vestibule, but they have a greater sense of privacy.
Better to have a doorway leading to the front of the apartments so the occupant doesn't need to open the main gates every time they want to enter or leave the apartment. Can still have the other door to the courtyard as a 'back' door.
They make a roller that perforates the coating on the paper so the steam can loosen the adhesive. You can probably get it at your local builder supply store.
I can agree the first room keep the wooden door to this apartment locked as that first room would make a lovely bedroom. Having the french glass doors as a front door leading into the lounge room is a great idea. Its going to be a cosy little home for someone, ground floor with lovely views on the courtyard. You are all working away at making the Convent courtyard look beautiful, its an ongoing job but so worth it. Well dine Billy and Rick, Ryan keep up the good work filming. 💕🇦🇺
Rick the renovator is a brilliant motivator!! One observation Billy, at the beginning of the video , the extension lead you brought out needs to be fully unwound. Any lead left coiled will produce heat when the current is flowing and if left unattended could cause a fire. Loving the daily vlogs, it's great to be on this journey with you it makes us feel like part of the team!
I recommend having the main door be the one that opens into the living space so if/when guests visit they don’t have to pass through the bedroom for added privacy and removing the need to organize the whole house if have people come over.
I have to say that Rick is becoming my favorite person that is after Billy. He just keeps going like the energizer bunny. And he's cute too! The whole teem is amazing
So excited to see what you’re planning to do with the apartments😊!!! There’s endless possibilities for the place , but I’m sure whatever you decide to do is going to be amazing
❤❤❤As a prospective occupant, I'd like to come in through the courtyard and have the original door reopened as an emergency exit. Seal up the existing front door and give the bedroom more wall space.❤❤❤
the more videos I watch, the firmer I feel that if everyone in the world worked as hard as Rick, Billy & the rest of the convent crew; with as positive an attitude they have.... the world would be a better place!
Billy, Ryan, and Rick my loves. Great job with cleaning the bricks on yard and cleaning out the drain holes. The remodel of the apartment looks promising. Everything going good. See ya tomorrow. Take care and stay safe 🍺🍺🍺❤️🌹🕊🌈🙏👍😇🌞🎈🇺🇸
Billy, Old rehab expert & ex Real Estate Agent. Seal off door & give Sadie privacy. Open up the original, because driving through that gate might not always work for the family member. Better to ALWAYS have 2 entry/exits. If person is elder age: Put in 36” wide doorways for handicap accessible. In bath & shower, put in proper 2/4 blocking INSIDE bath shower & toilet area for handicap grab bars onto finished wall. Place handicap height toilet too. Great info on ALL measurements for baths & kitchens on PINTEREST! Fantastic architectural blueprint layouts for those areas too. Fantastic ideas. Enjoying new work.
I like using the back entrance near the car park as the main entrance. And the door to the bedroom can remain to be used as needed. It’s always best for safety to have 2 functional means of access to an apartment.
I like the idea of the main entrance door opening to the courtyard. The new door near the stairs could be locked but it is there incase the person changes their mind re bedroom position. If you choose to have your bedroom at the foot of a shared staircase you choose to accept the noise.
It makes me so Happy this place. It's my escape. Something to live for ! The courtyard is unbelievable Billy the whole project the gates the bell !!!! The giant fireplaces
The more videos I watch, the more I see how well the Convent is constructed. I have been in construction my entire career and I see things most people don't notice. From the oak framing in the attics, the vent holes in the attics,( here in US we plug outside holes, and then install a flapper vent because of negative pressure), the oak cabinets and woodwork trim, (I can actually see modern lack of workmanship, and materials as the remodeling has progressed thru the years. The stonework of the outer walls and fireplaces is pure artistry. Overall an amazing building. Good on, Billy and crew.
Maximizing space for the occupant is worth all the brainstorming. Who lived in the space originally. Maybe that motivated the design. “A tidy place is a happy place” …brilliant! More men should follow that adage.
I can’t imagine the place, my brain likes those floor plans things, like paper and lines, words and that compass so I can imagine where the sunshine comes in.
Great job with the drywall, the courtyard is looking fabulous the before and after appearance of the pavers is amazing. With you ( Billy) and Rick getting into the nitty gritty and Ryan doing the video is great to see.😊
I commented on your 2 week earlier video "7 months in 12 minutes" that " this property is absolutely worth the money you spent on it,its beautiful and like my dream house, which i can never afford😅" But after this renovation, i must say you made the whole building even more beautiful❤️❤️
Rick is fantastic! He’s always willing to jump in and get working and it seems like he never complains and has a great attitude. Also, have to say that Ryan and Billy’s video production level has really improved. Good job guys.
It'll be good to have family living at the Convent to keep an eye on the place after hours. Dry Walling is fun, but dirty work. That will be a good skill for Rick. Thanks for sharing your day. 😀
I would use the old doorway, make the first room the lounge and put the bedroom next to the kitchen. Would have no issue with smells from the kitchen. Those smells are smells of home and comfort!
The courtyard is parfait. Rick is a gem. Loving that you have started on the apartment be interesting to see how it goes. Loved watching Billy Crack On😘
I removed a vinyl waterproof wallpaper on all of my bathroom walls, by purchasing an inexpensive roller that had sharp tines or teeth that made tiny holes in the wallpaper to allow a paste-remover or solvent, to penetrate the wallpaper. Shaved off hours of trying to peel it off dry. I’m in Canada but I’m sure someone would carry something similar in your country.
I wonder if Billy always had this work ethic. He truly is a hard worker and always seems to be doing something. He never lets his family, friends or fans down.
There’s a wallpaper perforating tool called a Paper Tiger here in the US. You roll it around on the wall, perforate the paper, then steam or scrape. Could check into it. We used a mixture of liquid fabric softener & water in a spray bottle to moisten the paper to scrape it off. Worked pretty well. The wallpaper was decades old. Good luck & crack on!
You spoke volumes there, my son. Everything I ever learned growing-up was from my old man. Back in his youth you learned how to be smart with your hands and he was, thankfully, kind enough to pass that down to me.
I'm totally addicted to watching your progress. Only discovered your vlogs yesterday. You are all such lovely people. Proper work ethics and team work. Time consuming work creating and posting your videos etc. so thank you 😊
Work with what you have. The building is so beautiful, the apartment shortcomings will be forgiven whatever you decide to do. Just loving the spit and polish the old building is receiving after years of neglect ❤
You know it’s funny, there are some channels on RU-vid devoted entirely to pressure washing! I think that cleanliness is next to Godliness! Cheers! Thomas!