A Troubled Wall & Garden Progress | French Countryside Renovation Vlog

Описание: 🌿 What would you have done with a crumbling wall like ours? Have you ever had to deal with a major renovation challenge in an old house? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to watch until the end for all the updates on our biggest structural issue yet.

This week’s video takes you straight back into the heart of our French countryside renovation project, and we’re starting strong: in the final segment, I share important new developments about the deteriorated wall that threatens one entire side of the house. If you're following our renovation journey, this is a key episode with valuable insights on the decisions we’re making, including the advice we received from local masons, and how this will shape the future of the renovation.

But before we get into that, let me take you through a peaceful but productive few days in the garden and basement: a proper return to slow living after our trip to Edinburgh.

In the garden:
We began by planting six jasmine vines along the terrace posts. These are the very first climbing plants going into the garden, chosen both for their classic fragrance and the romantic English-cottage feel they’ll bring to the space. We carefully watered them and visualised how they will grow over time, creating soft green arches of natural shade.

The next day, we began shaping spiral supports around each post to guide the growth of the jasmines. We also worked on the entrance fence: planting two more jasmine vines to begin closing off the front of the property and providing a bit more privacy from the main road. It’s small details like these that make such a difference in transforming a space from a building site into a home.

Wall damage & protection:
We switch gears to address the major renovation problem, the damaged wall we’ve been concerned about since day one. I show you how I protected it using a tarp, walk you through the current state of that section of the house, and explain why this wall has become one of the biggest structural challenges we’re facing.

We also take a moment to show you how the jasmine spirals are settling in, as well as the visual impact of the new plants at the garden entrance.

In the basement with Hamish:
Hamish takes over in the basement, clearing out years of damp and neglected wood stored underneath the house. It’s a part of the property we haven’t shown much yet, but it’s crucial. Wood that has been left untreated in humid conditions can quickly become a risk, so we’re applying Xylophène, a professional wood treatment product that protects against termites, insects and mould.

This type of maintenance is rarely aesthetic, but it’s what creates a safe, long-lasting foundation for everything else.

A calm moment on the couch — wall discussion:
I sit down on the couch to talk honestly about where we are with the wall. It’s a quiet moment, just you and me, to share the updates, our conversations with the masons, and what this might mean for the future layout and timeline of the renovation. These are the decisions that aren’t always visible in our videos, but they’re part of what it means to renovate a home authentically, patiently, and with intention.

Whether you're here for gardening inspiration, English cottagecore vibes, renovation insights, or just the soothing rhythm of rural life, I hope this video brings you something valuable. Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your thoughts on the wall situation. I’d love to know how you would approach it.

In this video:
• French countryside farmhouse renovation
• Planting jasmine vines & shaping spiral climbers
• Creating garden privacy with natural green fences
• Protecting damaged wall in an old stone house
• Treating basement wood with Xylophène
• Honest discussion about major renovation challenges
• Life in France after a holiday in Edinburgh
• Slow living and rural home inspiration

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00:00 – Introduction & Back from Edinburgh
01:21 – Planting jasmine around the terrace
04:40 – Creating spirals and closing the garden entrance
09:46 – Protecting the damaged wall + garden update
11:26 – Basement clean-up & wood protection with Hamish
18:00 – Chat on the couch: our wall problem & updates
24:34 – Outro

#FrenchFarmhouse #HomeRenovation #CountryLiving #JasminePlanting #BasementRenovation #WallDamageRepair #EnglishCottageStyle #VictorNox

This video is in English and intended for an international audience.
All music used in this video is royalty-free.