Farmhouse Restoration To-do list

Just back from the house the reality of how much work there is still do to is sinking in, plus the question of how to get it all done with us here in London. I just read about how English property investors in Italy are cash-rich (I wish!) and time-poor (indeed!) but that is not the only issue. One of the biggest issues of restoring a house in Italy long distance is keeping control over the project. Not just the financial aspects of the project, but mostly making sure that things are done as we'd like them. To most builders and plasterers 'rustic' is not an aesthetic to aspire to and the concept of the eco-building is considered folly to all but a few architects - most of whom are in the north of Italy where heating costs make any eco-architecture all the more attractive.

But I digress! Back to the to do list. The to do list to finish our little farmhouse in Montevettolini:

• Upstairs electrical wiring
• Lay wooden floorboards
  
• Plastering throughout
• Windows and doors to be ordered, made and fitted
• Fit radiators
• Build Fireplace
• Fit kitchen cupboards
• Fit bathroom - bath, basin, toilet
• Fit railing around stairwell
• Clean terracotta tiles for fienile
• Laying tiles in the fienile room
• Windows and doors to be ordered, made and fitted

And that is just inside. Externally there is a 3 metre high retaining wall to build in the most awkward hard to get to spot ever - we are talking about digging out the backfill by hand. I don't even want to think about it. It's all about the challenge!