Blogging

I am posting this post as in the next couple of days my blog will be changing to a word press blog with the address as www.casacolleverde.com/blog  where as at the moment it is http://www.casacolleverde.blogspot.com/ a small change. Hopefully things will otherwise remain the same. But I hope to gradually improve on the posts as I learn how to do things. Hopefully I will not loose those of you who are following on the way!

Did the earth move for you?

My neighbbour called yesterday ( I thought to complain about the builders) but no.. that was a relief. My neighbours wanted my view on putting gates on the private road which leads to our houses... I will have to think about it i am not so sure ( apart from being on a severe budget at the moment). However she also mentioned that the builders have started moving the earth to create the parking area, new terrace and swimming pool. Cant wait to see how things are going but will have to wait until next week..... I will then post some photos.Lets hope the weather holds.

Thoughts on a new colour for the house.

We took this picture on one of our many visits to the Comune. We are looking back toward the house from Castelnuovo Magra. You can see the house with our neighbours a little to the left and below(terracotta) and our other neighbour above us and to the left(cream). We are thinking of painting our house a darker colour so that it doesnt standout so much. Maybe a dark mushroom/taupe colour. The house would then blend in with the background more. Also we will be putting some dark wooden shutters on some of the windows.These will not only be decorative but will also keep the summer sun out if required.

Aspirations to be Green!

When I was looking for a property I was interested in buying a relatively new house rather than an old property. I wanted to create a modern home in Italy. Most expats want to buy a piece of history and restore it. I have done this with some friends in Tuscany www.fontelunga.com but now I wanted to do something a little different for myself. By buying a modern property I had more scope for doing something a little bit different and at the same time not being constrained too much by history but only the bureaucrats!

The problems with renovating a 70s' house you become aware of when you open it up like any property. You realise that the methods of construction during these times were a little slap dash to say the least. Little or no foundations no insulation the use of asbestos etc. The much older houses were probably better built or at least they had thick walls.

We are removing some old asbestos water tanks in the roof. - the cost is expensive and as they are not broken I could leave them there but probably better and I feel better with them not there. I just have to make sure they are disposed of correctly. As we are digging up the old floors to put in foundations we can now insulate them properly and at the same time we will insulate the roof. We are putting in under floor heating with photovoltaic panels to use the suns energy to provide the electricity for use in the house and solar panels for heating the water for the underfloor heating and domestic use. We are also using air heat pumps which are economical in their use of electricty. These are also useful in that they can be used to cool the water and therefore cool the house as well by keeping the floor cool. The larger windows mean we have to use glass that reduces energy and heat loss/gain in the winter and summer. The frames themselves will also be insulated. Use of blinds in the house will also reduce energy gain in the summer.

Water is a problem for us as we rely on a well. We will be conserving water wherever possible using rainwater in the loos and washing machine and for irrigating the garden and also by encouraging our guests to use less! Trying to be green has to be a passion as its expensive, I can understand people thinking twice before doing it. But inspite of the higher upfront cost our energy consumption should be low.

Progress? The house has not fallen down!

Just got back. We had a meeting with the Electricians and Plumbers today.. so they are now appointed and we can move forward! The builders will be happy. The house has not fallen down and I am told it is a lot safer now as they have filled in some of the holes and started to put in a cordolo (foundations) . Also there are a few more metal beams around the place holding things up! The space inside is beginning to come together and we are beginning to see how the spaces/rooms will look. Next week they hope to start earth moving so lets hope the weather stays good and the rate of construction remains at a good pace. Next week we will meet the falegname, who we hope to use to do the wooden shutters on the house and pergola in the garden.

Progress?

Tomorrow I hope to appoint the Idraulico and elettricista who will be working on the house. The electrics quote doesnt seem too bad, and the quote for the photovoltaic panels has come in less than I thought (the only one!) and that helps. It seems trying to be green and help the environment is expensive and I am not suprised few people are doing it at the moment.
It is the same as using rain water in the bathrooms you need double the number of pipes! I must be mad but it should be worth it in the end. I will be going to the house again to see it is still standing so i will post tomorrow and hope to have more pictures of what remains of the house.

The house has not fallen down!

We visited the house on Friday. Well that despcription could not apply now! They have discovered that the back of the house is built on rock and the front on soil with little foundations if any. So that explains the cracks in the old house. Well now we have to put new foundations in as well as strengthening the first floor. It would be less expensive to knock the whole thing down and start again maybe we should let it fall down. It reminds me of a film called The Money Pit a storey of the restoration of an old house which I think ended up bankrupting the owners.... I hope not!

Progess

Well after a long day we are back. We spent an hour wandering round the house or whats left of it, if any more holes are made in it I am sure it will fall down. They have already put some scaffolding in to shore up one ceiling.(see pictures). The old pine trees are down which has improved the view from the house but in addition has also drawn more attention to the dead trees on my neighbours property. I will have to have a word with them and ask if we can have them taken down. They are gradually falling down mostly on my side of the fence with each storm! The work is progessing inside so much so that we need the [lumbers now to put the pipes down inside unfortunately we havent apponted one yet as they seem slow in doing the quotes! The only one we have is way over the top on cost.Tipical.Anyway you cannot rush things in itlay!

I havent posted for a while. I am going to see progress on the house on wednesday next week. Unfortunately depsite the continued dry weather they havent started the earth moving. I know when they are ready to start it will rain! Its always the case. They are however still getting on with the work inside.

I will post new photos when I have them

Work on the project is continuing. They have taken oup the floors and dug down inside the house to see if the foundations need redoing. Only in part thank goodness. As that will be a small saving!
I have also received a quotation for the fotovoltaic panels and electrician. These seem ok ... I say ok they are less than forecast and having said that I have asked what is not incuded there is always something! Next week I will go down and take some more photos! Cant wait to see the progress even if it still all demolotion!

Have a good weekend

I think I was getting carried away with the view but actually it is Corsica and not Sardinia. I think Elba is obscured by a hill we have in the way. But which ever it is it is still a nice view :-)

The view from what will be the dining room and breakfast terrace towards Forte di Marmi. On a clear day it is possible to see Sardegna! Obviously not today.

There are more photos of the house on facebook - Casacolleverde Villas

This is the view from the first floor. Once the old pines are cut down and an Olive tree moved it will also be the view from the ground floor. We will be replacing the pines with some old olive trees which will become the focal point of the garden obviously not taking anything from the view!

As you can see the work has started. There is still a lot of demolition to do. But they are off to a good start. As ever they have discovered that the old building was not built very well(1970s') and as a result we have to strengthen the entire first floor, otherwise we risk guest ending up on the ground fllor if they are not careful tipical!

The house backs onto Olive groves and woodland which forms part of the Parco Apuane. There are lovely walks from the house. There is much evidence of wild boar and the other day we suprised a young one on the track from the house. I know our neighbour who is above us has problems with them digging up his garden and so he is fencing a large part of it off. Tomorrow I will post photos of the progress.

Work has started on the house. The windows ,doors and blinds have been removed and some walls. I will try and go down and take some pictures to post on the site to update everyone on the progress!

Sun setting over Castelnuovomagra yesterday evening. The photo was taken just before we went to dinner at our local restuarant - Rizieri.
The buidlers are going in on Monday... there is no turning back now!

We arrived at the house this afternoon. It is very hot and very dry. The last time we were here it had rained a few days before. The okd well is dry. Just as well we have our reserve tanks for our last week end here before work starts. They will have to get the new bore hoel working if they want water for the building work.