Taking on a house that hadn’t been lived in for over 30 years was no small feat. When we finally purchased the property in late 2019, it felt like we had taken on more than just a house—we had inherited years of neglect, worn-down materials, and the challenge of preserving something that was quickly falling apart.
We didn’t rush the renovation. Covid-19 started and we had kids at home a lot to deal with… even without renovation.
One of the first things we had to face was the state of the wooden elements. As much as we wanted to keep the original wood, we quickly realized that almost everything had to go. The ceilings, walls (yes, the outer walls as well), and floors were beyond saving. The wooden beams that held up the roof (and the roof itself) were the only parts still in decent shape. The rest of the house was in desperate need of attention. Also, we had to put new beams in, cause we wanted our bedrooms be in the upper floor.
It was a careful balancing act—keeping the character of the house intact while making sure it was strong enough to withstand modern living. The stone and brick combination gave the house a beautiful, rustic look, and we wanted to keep it, so we needed to renovate it. In the end, using aerated concrete blocks for the new walls gave us the best of both worlds: retaining the old charm while making it energy-efficient for the future.
This was only the beginning. As much as we loved the process of breathing new life into our home, the reality of renovating an old farmhouse was more intense than we had expected. But with each step, we inched closer to turning this neglected house into the dream home we’d imagined 🙂
Can you see it?
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
Wow, I am impressed by your choices for your new home, great material choices! I am enjoying following the work on your home, Ilze. I had to look at a map of Europe to refresh my memory of there Latvia is and read about it’s history too. The construction methods look exactly like those used here in the States. Solid work! Have a dandy weekend my friend. 😊😎
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Thank you so much! 😊 It’s been quite the journey, and we’ve put a lot of thought into the materials to make sure it’s both practical and true to the house’s original character. I’m glad you’re enjoying the updates! Latvia’s history and construction style definitely have their charm. Hope you have a fantastic weekend too, my friend! 😎
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You’re welcome, Ilze. Being different is usually good!
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It’s too bad that so much of the original wood wasn’t salvageable. You’re absolutely right about how the foundations and structure are so important and are worth getting right. Looking forward to hearing more about your renovations.
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Thank you! Yes, it was disappointing that we couldn’t save more of the original wood, but making sure the foundation and structure are solid is what matters most in the long run. I just shared another renovation progress post 🙂
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It’s going to be amazing!
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I hope so! I hope you can come over for a visit when it’s finished!
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