Renovating an abandoned house in the village

Is it possible to transform an old, abandoned village farmstead into a comfortable, modern house? That's the question I asked myself three years ago, and today we've achieved this. Enjoy! First, let's recap how it all began. We originally had a house like this with a blank wall. Even then, I realized that the entrance to the house and the panoramic wall needed to be here, so we could enjoy the forest view from the window in the future. So that's what we decided to do. First, we built a clever lock to keep the house from falling apart, and then began cutting out the wall. It was then that it became clear that a terrace was absolutely essential. So, first we poured concrete supports and began constructing the frame, as the terrace needed to be covered. In the end, in just a couple of days, we had this structure, which feels like an extension of the house. The next step was laying wooden sheathing on the concrete supports. Two days later, the sheathing was ready, and we covered it with decking scraps, which we got for the price of firewood at the factory. The next step was glazing. It's all relatively simple. We gave our friends the exact dimensions, and a month later we had a finished solution that just needed to be installed. The entire wall is planned to be panoramic. The entrance door will be on the left, and in the near future, we'll install a large accordion door in the center that can be opened during the warm season to create one large space, a terrace and a room. But more on that in the next episode, our plans for today's episode are to finish decorating the terrace. A new episode, a new life. The hardest part is always coming up with a name for the series at the beginning. I suggest calling it Terrace 2.0, since the last work done here was this decking. It's holding up very well. Maybe because it's under a canopy. Although sunlight does get in, and we've been working here constantly for three years now. We wear boots all the time, work, and everything's fine. And of course, all that's left to do is spruce everything up. To that end, we're currently tidying up, applying makeup, and then climbing up. Looking ahead, I'll say that the codename for this series ended up being, Cranes. I don't know why. Someone just happened to call the ice days, Cranes, and the name stuck. And when the name sticks, it's hard to change and much easier to accept. That's how the story of Cranes began. After we cleared away all the unnecessary details and took measurements, we began sketching out the design. The original idea for decorating the terrace ceiling was to create a unique lighting effect. Along the way, we decided to go with not just a decorative pattern, but birds, to create a sense of lightness and fairytale. Storks were chosen, as the AIST is one of the symbols of Belarus, embodying peacefulness, happiness, and family well-being. Its significance is linked to folk beliefs, where it is considered a sacred bird, a patron spirit of the home, and a harbinger of good things, bringing youth and prosperity to the family. So, the visual is ready, now all that's left is to figure out how to implement it. First, we decided to make a test piece and see how it would look. To do this, we engraved the design using a laser machine to highlight it and give it volume. Yes, good laser machines can do this too. The next step is to use a milling chip on the machine to cut out another layer, something like an outline. And after 20 minutes, we have a complete set that needs to be sanded and then move on to the next step. We were tasked with making a test paint job of this crane on plywood. It's a decorative element for the Cagetor project. We will be painting it with Metaplex paints. This is a metallic coating that, when dry, sands and polishes, resulting in a mirror-like metallic finish. In this case, the color is copper. We've already tried these paints on several other projects. We like this paint and want to use this technology on the farm as well. So, we're doing a test paint job. If everything looks good and we get approval, we'll paint the rest of the elements. I think those who've been following the project know that we've been using this material for years, and it's truly a revelation. Initially, we wanted to get a natural metal reflector, but obviously that's very expensive. And this paint is just the perfect solution, because after polishing, we get that very natural metal. Again, this isn't the color of copper. It's copper applied in a liquid state and then polished. Actually, we were planning on brass, not copper. But for the test, we used what we had. We had some leftover copper paint. Our crane had dried. It's been a night, and now we'll shade all these recesses with a dark patina. Basically, we'll dust it with patina. We'll sand and polish the top of the crown and fill these areas with patina to keep them brown. It will look prettier. Well, we'll shade the design this way. Now we'll spray on a light dusting of patina, using a minimal amount so that the droplet is small. And we won't paint it all over, just dust it on. Now that's what I was talking about. After it dries, we'll sand the metal with fine sandpaper and, in principle, we already have a real metallic coating. Here's our test crane. And in principle, we're happy with the quality. We didn't polish the surface here. We settled on sanding with 2000 grit abrasive, like the foam ones. We want a slightly aged look, so I don't see any point in polishing. It already has a pretty, mirror-like, semi-matte sheen. I think this suits us. As you remember, we need to assemble a kind of sandwich. We cover the final layer with a dark stain and apply a matte varnish over it. So, after two days, we have the following kind of test piece. The LED strip will be positioned at an equal distance from the image. Accordingly, we will have equal illumination on all sides. The top layer turned out quite neat. I was a little worried about some large chips in the plywood, but fortunately, everything is more than satisfactory. We can confidently begin making the final product. Even though we only made one small piece as a test piece, this is a great victory and result, since we have come up with the overall technology and are completely satisfied with it. Well, now it's just a matter of time. Meanwhile, work is also in full swing at the farmstead. We gave the guys the go-ahead and informed them that the idea worked. Accordingly, they need to prepare everything for installation. But we will provide everything that needs to be installed ready-made. First, we erected the scaffolding for ease of work. We will proceed to the next steps, such as these visible beams. This, this, this will all be visible. We're cleaning and staining. And we also have, as we did before, a task that wasn't quite as enjoyable for us. Hemming the soffit of the fascia board, the same here. So now we'll probably go about it this way and hem the soffit not horizontally, but at an angle, like our rafter system. I think it will look better that way. Also, at the same time, we need to screw on the frame for the wall sheathing. The next step is preparing the old wall for the new decor. First, we decided to tidy up all the beams, since most of them will remain visible and will be a decorative part. And here the task is extremely simple. Cut off everything unnecessary and And that's what we did. And here, unfortunately or fortunately, we don't have a finished project that we're systematically moving forward. Of course, most people will say this is wrong, and yet it's a shame we don't have a plan. But I see both advantages and disadvantages in this, as ideas often come to us as we go, and we make decisions based on what we've already accomplished. Simply put, if I'd designed the house and its layout three years ago, I certainly wouldn't have come up with this decking solution, as I didn't even know the materials that played a key role in the decor existed. A little patience, and you'll see what I mean. We unloaded a huge pile of scrap thermowood next to the deck. While sorting through it, we selected the decking boards. So, basically, we have everything ready to install the soffit and facade. But to cut everything quickly and accurately, you need a fast and precise saw. That's exactly what we bought. As you can imagine, these shots were taken back in the spring. And after six months of daily use, I can confidently say that this is the best purchase I've made in a long time. A truly cool, reliable tool. And considering the price is an order of magnitude lower than well-known similar ones, it's a real find. I highly recommend it. Now the work is going like clockwork. And here again, the Beslatech is essential. We bought this small compressor for the farmstead. And I can tell you, it's a very handy thing. I don't know how we ever lived without it. In fact, at the farmstead, we've mostly switched to elk tools. I think it's already noticeable in the footage. As you can see, we don't treat these wooden elements in any way. The thing is, it's thermo-finished wood. It's moisture-resistant and can be safely left unprotected. But in the sun, of course, it will fade. That's the idea. Ultimately, we want to achieve a natural, aged look for the house, and unprotected thermo-finished wood does the job perfectly. Now our goal is to hide this space, let's call it the frontal board. For this, we milled boards like these at the base, the width we needed. Now we're dismantling the scaffolding, repositioning it on this side, and we'll be screwing in our fascia board. Here, we're making do with what we have. And mostly, it's ingenuity. It's always at hand. First, we place the board against the complex gable shape of the roof and trace the contour with a pencil. The next step is to use a jigsaw to replicate the pencil outline. This is still thermoplastic decking, and we don't plan to protect it in any way. After a year, it will fade slightly in the sun and blend in completely with the roof. As you can see, the fascia board isn't the simplest shape and, on the one hand, resembles a herringbone pattern that perfectly matches the shape of the roof and ultimately covers up the unsightly gable end. It's the same story with the house's facade. We're sawing off cuts of thermoplastic decking, which were purchased at a huge discount, practically the price of firewood. The thing is, a lot of material is wasted during the production of expensive decking, and we often buy it back for this very purpose. Essentially, it's the same cool material with the properties of thermowood, but with subtle nuances like knot cracks, which are a plus for us, creating the desired effect of an aged forest house. So, the terrace is basically ready for installation. So, I suggest we head to the workshop and see how things are going. First, we need to make the brass storks. To do this, we'll cut the plywood and head to the laser cutters. Now we're faced with the task of creating a three-dimensional design. In simple terms, the laser burns everything around the specified design, and after painting, we'll achieve the desired effect. The next step is to take our tried and true sandpaper and sand the blanks, removing any carbon deposits. Before applying the expensive brass paint, we prime the plywood with a cheaper transparent primer. Once it dries, we'll use less metallic paint, and the finish will also be improved. Finally, we apply a black patina, but in theory, it could be just plain black paint. Andre explained and demonstrated the entire application process in detail, so we won't repeat ourselves. The next day, when the paint has dried, we move on to the most interesting part, polishing. This is where the magic happens. The relatively unsightly coating becomes a true metallic surface. A very cool material. I'll leave a link to the Metaplex store in the description. I know. We have a lot of artisans watching, as well as those just thinking about starting their own crafts. And we've developed this kit especially for you. It's a kit for creating your first piece using both resin and wood. Everything is thought out in advance and is suitable for both professionals and beginners. By ordering this kit, you can easily make this table yourself, which, by the way, would make a great New Year's gift. And if you've never worked with wood or resin before, that's no problem. The kit includes detailed video instructions that will help you create this beauty, even if you've never worked with wood or resin before. We've thought of everything you need. A formwork mold, a side, and, of course, a ready-made table base. You can contact the manager right now by following the link in the description, choose a unique piece from the catalog, and begin your journey into this craft for just 19,000 rubles. Quantities of these kits are limited, and there won't be any more. This is a one-time offer, so hurry. Link in the Once the piece is polished and gleams with a refined metallic hue, it needs to be accentuated with lighting. We attach an aluminum profile around the perimeter and an LED strip to it. Finally, all that remains is to power it all up, and half the sandwich is complete. The other half, however, requires some work. First, thoroughly sand the wide-format plywood. Then we take it to the chipping machine and select a suitable cutter. And this, of course, is the Adwork cutter. We've completely switched to this manufacturer and highly recommend it. And after 20 minutes of milling, we have another puzzle. And after another 15 minutes, another, simpler puzzle. So, 12 times in a row. Yes, in order to get a complete design and cover the entire terrace with it, we had to break the composition into 12 separate pieces. But the main problem is that all these elements are connected by common lines, and if you miss even a few millimeters, it will ruin the entire composition. We really hope that Leosha didn't miss, and we send the blanks off for sanding. It's all relatively simple. We initially chose a lower-grade plywood so that it would look more like wood with knots and other imperfections. Accordingly, sanding and finishing are still minimal, but still necessary. Once the plywood is ready for painting, we don't keep the stain waiting long and begin the process. Everything follows the standard procedure. First, we tint the plywood, then seal it with a matte varnish. On the 10th day, when the varnish has dried, we have the long-awaited fitting, the reason for all this work. And just look at how beautiful it is. In the end, we have finished panels that fit together to form one large, beautiful picture. But to appreciate the result, this construction kit still needs to be assembled properly. First up is the wiring. We connected the power supply from the distribution board, ran the cable through a conduit, and routed it out to the terrace. The next step is installing the finished panels one by one. Since the ceiling is visually divided into two slopes, it was natural to divide the composition into two halves, day and night, with illuminated birds in flight silhouetted and contoured. The birds themselves also turned out unique, as in addition to using different materials, the compositional distance between the birds' outlines and silhouettes creates a three-dimensional effect hovering within the figure. And as the icing on the cake, a pattern based on traditional patterns was created as a reflective surface within each bird, slightly modified to preserve the dynamism and highlight the plumage. Thanks to Metaplex technology, the smallest details are refracted as light is reflected, creating an additional depth effect. This gives the composition an airy and light feel, completed by subtle lines on the front side. For the sun, simple straight lines, and for the moon, concentric circles, equally spaced from each other. In fact, even though we've already assessed the result and are completely satisfied with the appearance, this is quite a nerve-wracking moment, as we don't yet know exactly how the entire composition will look when mounted on the terrace. But with each new panel, it becomes clear that the concept was successful, and this is exactly what we wanted. Of course, during the final installation, it becomes clear that certain aspects could have been implemented differently. For example, ideally, the joints between panels should have been covered with a dark underlayment, which would have made them less noticeable. It's practically impossible to plan everything in advance, so these issues are ultimately addressed on the spot. In some cases, a light background is touched up with dark paint, while in others, the plywood is adjusted to create a perfect joint. The ability to work under conditions of complete or partial uncertainty is crucial here. And with each new project, we hone this skill more and more. Once all the panels are installed, we can begin finishing the ends and other adjacent surfaces. This is one of the most enjoyable stages, when each screwed-in board becomes the final piece and the puzzle comes together completely. We only had to finish the window joint, so we cut the boards on the base to the required dimensions to conceal this joint and the foam. And only after that can we disassemble everything, and the picture will begin to emerge. Now we need to open the connection to the window itself, the window frame. For this, we prepared some slats with some extra width. Now we apply them and draw. But we need to saw them in half precisely in the field. 60mm wide, as if we were cutting something like this by hand. We came up with this saw table. We'll cut the slats. And that, it would seem, is it. All that remains is to turn on the light and admire the result. But, as they say, the devil is in the details, and I felt like there weren't enough details, so we went back to the workshop and fired up the CNC. The thing is, after installing the panels, the terrace supports themselves began to look too simple, and their size was already starting to seem a bit small. That's when the idea came to enhance them with these overlays on all sides. We actually put a lot of effort into the terrace, as we assumed this is where we'd spend most of our time. I think this pattern looked familiar to regular viewers. And it is. We made similar panels for the bathroom. And after we backlit them, I simply fell in love with the design, so I didn't really think about how to decorate the supports. Besides, the file had been ready for a long time, and we're cutting out a Belarusian pattern again. It's actually a fairly simple, yet striking technique. We take a thicker board and mill the pattern directly into it. No glue, no fitting, no complications. Of course, that's assuming you have a CNC machine. Literally a couple of hours of CNC work, then an hour for finishing and painting, and you're ready to head back to the farm for installation. It's all incredibly simple here. We initially assembled ready-made boxes that clearly frame the columns, as you see on the screen. And of course, backlighting is essential, as leaving such a design without the accent lighting would be a crime. We're law-abiding citizens, so we don't skimp on light bulbs. And 3 years later, we finally got what we were promised. Frankly, I'm very pleased with the result. It turned out exactly as planned. And now I can confidently say that this is my favorite spot on the farm. And thank you for watching and for your kind words.