📣 Club News from Lisa - Jul 2026

Inspiration, reality checks & featured group member! By the way, you’re going to hate renovating!

Renovating Italy

Jul 07, 2026

Giving my husband Sam that LOOK that says ohhh I’ve had enough!

Are you in a love-hate relationship with your renovation project? You’re not alone.

We have been for the last 26 years since our very first home renovation back in Australia.

You could say that we’re Serial Renovators!

When you love something so much, you’re bound to want to throw in the towel at times *or throw it at your husband! Although this feeling might not last long, it can feel like enough to make you quit altogether.

With over a dozen cosmetic & structural renovations, we’ve come close a few times back in Australia.

Doing what you love won’t always feel like love.

Here are some of our tips to help you stay calm and in love with your project: (even if you’re renovating with your other half, we’ve been doing it for the past 26 years)

Remind yourself that all things are temporary (although a renovators house never seems to be finished). When we were renovating to sell back in Australia we lived in the finished projects for a few months (with the house ‘‘dressed’’ for sale). Then it was time for the next one.

Renovation - Brighton Queensland Australia

If you’re serial renovators like us take some time before moving onto the next project to enjoy the one you just finished. (we did over a dozen renos in Australia)

Take a break and do something else you love! A spritz, a book, a day at the beach, what ever takes your fancy.
Finish a small corner of a favourite room, to focus on when you’re going crazy. I would always paint a little patch of the new colour somewhere I could see it each time I entered the room.
Look at your long-term dream and focus on why you started (I keep mine on my Pinterest boards) also think about how you want to ‘‘feel’’ in your home, how you want your life to look.

” It always seems impossible until it’s done” is the difference between showing up on a schedule and only showing up when you’re inspired.

So, try not to get discouraged! Keep in mind that your home will one day be a wonderful reflection of you, eventually you get to the fun part, decorating. We’ve been here fourteen years now and our house is still transforming.

Luckily Sam is an energizer bunny and once he gets started on a project there is no stopping him till it’s done.

When they say it can’t be done, we just say Tosh!

Well I say ‘‘tosh’’ (did I tell you I lived in the UK for three years back in my 20’s)

As you know, as a renovator you have to rely on the help of others (often your long-suffering wife in our case!).

Your project is going to need a team of people, a plumber, electrician, architect if you’re using one, just to name a few. These are the people you want to keep on side, make sure to get to know them, we have great contacts built up over the years.

Make sure you’re part of the community. When we first moved to the Valley, Sam would go every morning to the village bar, early when the tradesmen were there having a morning coffee. Slowly he became part of the group, but it took a while (and he is mega friendly).

Most of all you need to learn to rely on yourself! This is something that I am still learning, having my husband who speaks Italian has made the whole process easier, yet it has meant that I haven’t really had to jump in the deep end very often.

Renovating also led me to create our Facebook Group, a way to share our passion for homes, travel, and saving old buildings, with almost 10 thousand others with a similar passion. I’m super proud of the group and all the amazing members!

Although Sam does like to be a one-man band when ever possible. He even did the roof at La Caserma (I promise to post about it asap)

NEVER tell him that it can’t be done!

Did I tell you that currently we have 4 accommodations on the go with guests staying from all over the world. It is our busy time of the year with August coming up and we are fully booked.

We start our next project in Villar Pellice in September when things slow down a little bit.

Who could resist? Join the Club today for just $5 per month

La Caserma-Bobbio Pellice roof replacement

Featured Group Member - Gin Ma
When I first say this photo of Gin & Linda I knew we’d be friends. They are renovating an amazing home nearby, we’ve even been for a visit. If you aren’t following along with their project you’re missing out.
A Cabin in Italy

We are realising our dream of a house in Italy!

We are Gin & Linda, two retired professionals who developed a love for Italy from our university days in Rome and Florence.

Our project aspires to breathe new life into this centuries old stone cabin, or "baita" - to bring a new vitality to this spot of land on the lower slopes of the Cottian Alps in Piemonte while respecting the heritage and traditions of this valley.

In the design of the cabin, the exterior will follow the traditional vernacular of stone and timber construction.

We’ve enjoyed reimagining the interior in a clean modern aesthetic to be the serene, functional abode from which to appreciate the land. In the same way we hope to give the restoration project the love and attention that it deserves.