One of the first things I did after arriving in Bagni di Lucca was go to our building site in Vergemoli to check the progress of our stone house. There has been lots of snow in the area, but the road was OK. The snow makes for some very dramatic scenery along the way to Vergemoli.
These photos were all taken from the car. I was not driving.
There was more snow to navigate on the way to the house. Normally we would drive to the house from the village, but we were unsure of the snowy road so we decided to walk the last bit.
Adriano and Nila lead the way.
Nila loves her visits to the house. The snow doesn’t bother her at all.
The house is visible from the path in winter when the trees are bare.
Here is some riveting stuff for you. Our first stop was the workroom at the back of the house. The heating system has been installed, and the pump to bring water from our spring and some other very interesting bits and pieces.
We have solar panels on the roof to provide heating as well as a pellet heater to feed the under floor heating and the general heating system. It should be a very comfortable house in winter.
The internal walls are completed and we are now waiting for the windows to be installed. They are waiting impatiently in the factory for the truck to come to bring them to their new lovely home.
The steps are being built now. I was disinclined to use the ladder to the top floor.
Adriano forged ahead to take measurements for the tiles.
One of the upstairs bedrooms.
Looking from the main bedroom. I love these beautiful window spaces with the chestnut and granite.
The view from the bathroom window.
The house is looking great. I can’t wait to get into it to start decorating.
This is the back door. We saved and rebuilt the gorgeous volcanic stone arched doorway.
I can’t get enough of the view from the house.
The required measurements were all taken and we set off back to the car.
Then it was back down the mountain and a quick stop at Paolo’s gelateria.
For those of you are new to the blog you can see the progress from a pile of rocks to our lovely stone house. Look in the category – New house in Vergemoli.
We are hoping it will be ready to rent/sell by spring.
Your house is looking gorgeous! Congratulations Deb! Rose
By: Mia Dolce Toscana on February 16, 2012
at 12:15 pm
We are very happy with the progress.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 12:27 pm
Wonderful place… it would be a pleasure to live there.
By: maru on February 16, 2012
at 12:17 pm
It is going to be difficult to sell it, but that was always our intention, so I have tried not to get attached to it.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 12:28 pm
Just love all the stone!
By: Susie Q on February 16, 2012
at 12:22 pm
The stones were gathered from the land around the house. I love that!!
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 12:28 pm
Your house is beautiful and quaint! My husband would love the wooden ceiling, he did ours in cedar! Thanks for these lovely photos.
By: Jennifer Avventura on February 16, 2012
at 1:02 pm
Chestnut is the wood that is used in this area, because there is so much of it growing in the hills.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 2:28 pm
Now that is a very beautiful and decent house! With that stunning mountain view I believe the house gives you what a house should: peace and comfort.
By: Bama on February 16, 2012
at 1:18 pm
The setting of the house is wondeful. It faces south, so there is sun on the property all day.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 2:29 pm
Such a beautiful house in such a gorgeous setting! You’re not tempted to go and live there yourselves?
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on February 16, 2012
at 1:55 pm
It is tempting to live there, but we love our place in Bagni di Lucca and we cannot keep both.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 2:32 pm
It would be hard not to get attached to that house, it looks like it’s coming along perfectly. And that view … ! Paradise.
ps – I’m glad you weren’t driving whilst taking those photos from your car 🙂
By: sheof108names on February 16, 2012
at 2:03 pm
It is difficult not to become attached and I think that will be worse when it is finished and looking even more beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 2:30 pm
The house is looking fabulous Debra. Won’t you miss those amazing views if you sell it?
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on February 16, 2012
at 2:38 pm
We always intended to sell it. In the current climate it may not sell quickly, which is fine. We would like to spend some time there before it goes.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 4:48 pm
You are building a house? I had no idea, how fantastic and it looks glorious, those big spaces, that ceiling!! I also love the deep window sills.. You must be so excited! c
By: ceciliag on February 16, 2012
at 2:41 pm
The walls are very thick. There is a brick layer, then insulation, then the stone layer on the outside. If you go back to the beginning you can see what we started with and look also for our handsome builders.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 4:49 pm
It must be so exciting to see your new house come together. The views from it look absolutely amazing.
By: Just Add Attitude on February 16, 2012
at 2:49 pm
We have had a dream run so far. Everyone has done a great job and the site is incredible.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 4:50 pm
Simply amazing! I wish I was in the position to buy your gorgeous house.The views are just spectacular. Good to see a photo of you!
By: paninigirl on February 16, 2012
at 2:54 pm
Somebody is going to love this house as much as we do. It is in a national park, so nobody can build anywhere near us.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:24 pm
Good God, that house is gorgeous, Deb! Wish I could help decorate–how fun that will be!
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on February 16, 2012
at 3:04 pm
Why don’t you slide on over? I want to keep it fairly traditional. We chose the terracotta tiles for the floor today. That was a compromise!!! The ones I really liked were handmade pentagonal shaped, but they were extremely expensive, so I have settled on hand made rectangular ones. The bathroom tiles I chose turned out to be Gianni Versace and the most expensive ones in the shop…..back to the drawing board.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 4:55 pm
The house is looking great, Debra. Congratulations!
By: Mulino Dominillo on February 16, 2012
at 3:46 pm
The house is progressing very well. The windows will be delivered tomorrow. That will make a huge difference. The workmen will be able to work up there without freezing.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 4:56 pm
I’m very glad for them. It must be very difficult to work with freezing temperatures and empty houses under construction feel even colder than outdoors. Lots of snow in the area. I do hope it will start warming up soon. This is really unusual; however, the cold spell has affected the whole of Europe.
By: Mulino Dominillo on February 16, 2012
at 6:23 pm
it is beautiful Debra… a true haven
By: realme07 on February 16, 2012
at 6:33 pm
We have our own spring on the land – what a bonus!
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:25 pm
Every bit as stunning as you and Jim had imagined when you first saw ‘the pile of rocks’ .Well done to Adriano and all those clever italian tradesmen who have worked on this project. Love the stonework and those marvelous wide window ledges. Will look forward to visiting the house in April when I arrive .
Di
By: dianne Cant on February 16, 2012
at 8:00 pm
Of course, we may put a paint brush in your hand.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:26 pm
Wonderful to see the progress and the details. I can hardly wait until I’m able to show progress on ours! In a fiscal pause at the moment…makes me very impatient.
By: Shelagh on February 16, 2012
at 8:25 pm
It is a bit of a money pit. We are over budget, but we expected this to an extent.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:27 pm
The house is looking fabulous Deb. Has come a long waymsince I saw it and the depth of the windows sets off those marvellous views beautifully. guess it’s a bit cold for a winter shot of the buff builders??!!
By: Alison on February 16, 2012
at 9:00 pm
There were no builders there at all, shirtless or otherwise, but it will happen.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:27 pm
Love the house progress, and the windows are gorgeous. The stone arch doorway is perfect. How exciting. Have fun decorating.
I like Alison’s idea of an update on the buff builders but I guess we should wait until it is warm again.
By: lizgolding on February 16, 2012
at 9:22 pm
Yes, we don’t want the poor chaps to get cold. Decorating is going to be fun. My linen curtains are coming along. On these cold days it is good to sit inside doing things like this.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 16, 2012
at 10:29 pm
It looks lovely and just waiting for your touch
By: Liz Litzow on February 17, 2012
at 1:14 am
I am very keen to get in there and start work.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 5:57 am
Deb, it looks AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!
Mike Makras
By: information@optiko.com.au on February 17, 2012
at 2:22 am
Would you and Kellie like a lovely stone house in the mountains of Tuscany?
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 5:58 am
Hi Deb, Nila looks happy and well. She has great adventures.
Thank you for the lovely photos. I am in Tassie at the moment. Lucca and Lake Garda next year, I hope.
Cheers Judy
By: Judy on February 17, 2012
at 6:26 am
I included Nila for you. She loves her visits to Vergemoli.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 7:01 am
Your house is looking fantastic! How exciting to see how far it has progressed!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on February 17, 2012
at 7:27 am
We are delighted with the progress. I can’t wait to see the windows and doors in place.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 8:11 am
It is GORGEOUS…but that has to be one of the scariest roads in the world. I’d come willingly, but I’d never get my daughter up…
By: The Daily on February 17, 2012
at 7:41 am
I have driven it a few times by myself now and it isn’t too bad. The views make it worthwhile and Vergemoli is a gorgeous village.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 8:10 am
The house is really coming along and look amazing. The views are to die for. Can;t wait to see how you will decorate the inside.
By: Paula on February 17, 2012
at 10:24 am
We have ordered the terracotta tiles for the floor and soon we will look for a kitchen.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 5:31 pm
Rustic chic. Lovely Debra! You’re a woman of taste…Jx
By: janinevasta on February 17, 2012
at 1:11 pm
I think it is going to look pretty good when it is finished.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 17, 2012
at 5:31 pm
Gasp!! What a gorgeous view and work in progress. WOW!
By: Marcie on February 17, 2012
at 8:37 pm
We are very happy with our stone house.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 18, 2012
at 2:23 pm
Wow! The house is looking stunning. I can’t wait to see your decorations!
By: Julie on February 18, 2012
at 3:59 am
It is going to be fun decorating the house.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 18, 2012
at 2:22 pm
Vergemoli and gelato – oh, and let’s not forget the snowy landscape – gee whiz I’m sooo glad I’m sitting here in hot, humid Brisbane with the vacuum cleaner staring at my back.
By: Jan on February 18, 2012
at 5:49 am
How wonderful! When will the house be done? What a view!!!
By: thirdeyemom on February 19, 2012
at 2:54 am
We are hoping the house will be finished by April/May. I would like to rent it for the summer.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 19, 2012
at 6:49 am
It’s looking stunning Debra. I love seeing how the house has come along. That window from the main bedroom…wow. I hope someone places a desk there and has an inclination to write, I know that’s where I would be.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on February 19, 2012
at 3:22 am
A desk under that window sounds like a great idea. I will try to find a little one. I can’t wait to get a good look at the top floor. I love the ceiling up there.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 19, 2012
at 7:04 am
The views look breathtakingly beautiful. I love the fact that the bathroom has a great view too!
By: Lu on February 20, 2012
at 11:03 am
I love a bathroom with an open window and a view.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 20, 2012
at 1:52 pm
it is simply spectacular. one of these days i hope to see it in person. it will happen.
very happy for you. what a life dream. and that is what life is made of. dreams.
george
By: george miori on March 3, 2012
at 5:24 pm
The house will be ready quite soon we hope.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 3, 2012
at 5:46 pm