This week feels like a collection of small beginnings!Dylan launches his own YouTube channel (youtube.com/@dylan-de-graaf), while here at the farmhouse we continue shaping this place into something that feels more and more like home. Nikky searches the old buildings for forgotten wine barrels to turn into flower pots — and unexpectedly uncovers a buried bottle of wine hidden beneath rubble. Of course, we couldn’t resist tasting it together to see if time had been kind to it…
Outside, the first seeds go into the soil — the very beginning of our vegetable garden. We keep clearing the driveway and opening up the view, slowly revealing the landscape that first made us fall in love with this place. Along the way, Nikky discovers a special corner of nature on our land, and we build a simple fire barrel to gather around in the evenings.
As always, it’s a mix of physical work, quiet discoveries and slow moments that remind us why we chose this life.
This video is part of our ongoing journey restoring an abandoned farmhouse in the Langhe hills of Piemonte, as we learn to live more simply, grow our own food, and build a future here step by step.
If you enjoy slow living, renovation projects, gardening, and life in rural Italy, consider subscribing to follow along.
Thank you for being part of this new chapter 🤍
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If you’re new here: we’re Nikky and Dylan, a sister and brother duo who left the Netherlands to start over in Italy. On this channel we share every step of our journey — the wins, the setbacks and everything in between — as we restore our abandoned farmhouse and document life in the Italian countryside.
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💬 Question for you: Are you excited for Dylan’s YouTube start too?
👉 Subscribe to follow our journey as we turn this forgotten house into a home, one project at a time.
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🌍 Stay connected:
Dylan’s youTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dylan-de-graaf
Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.it/hz/wishlist/ls/207LBCI3NMJHI?ref_=wl_share&language=en_GB
Print store: https://nikkydegraaf.pixieset.com/printstorebynikkydegraaf/
Instagram: @nikkydegraaf
Paypal: nikky_de_graaf@hotmail.com
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#AbandonedFarmhouse #MovingToItaly #ItalyVlog #FarmhouseRenovation #StartingOver #LifeInItaly #RuralItaly #SlowLiving #CountryLiving #OffGridDream #RestoringAnOldHouse #ItalianCountryside #NewBeginnings #HomesteadLife
33 Comments
first of all CLEANING!!
Lovely naturalized landscape back there!
Looks like you both are making it home
You can get some walkie talkies.
Nikky, the higher altitude makes the sun much more intense, so as you say take care of your skin as it will burn more easily. Your flowers are beautiful!
Get a big hat and sunscreen! Love the flower barrels! And the creek will be a magical place to dream and plan! You have a beautiful homestead.😎
Zo heerlijk in de zon koffiedrinken 😊
I kind of waited the whole day for this video to see what's new ❤
I love how you just dive right in and take on whatever needs to be done. Meanwhile, every time you head into those old buildings, all I can think about is SPIDERS. I’m absolutely terrified of them — even though I know they’re probably more scared of me.
I have one of those it’s useless. You need to put a petrol one on your wish list. I was very dissapointed with mine. Maybe better to send it back for a refund
Hi, your videos are always great. That wine almost certainly turned into vinegar.
But it's completely natural.
Oh no, as I wrote below the last video, the yellow daisy (Euryops) grows (or wants to grow) to 2x2x2 m (or even more)! Yet currently your planted barrels really do look lovely! I have a similar fire pit made of a barrel which a friend gave me, she hammered a beautiful pattern into the upper part, just with a nail, looks sooo nice when the fire is lit.
you are living in a piece of paradise
Clever girl, I like… 😀
Such a beautiful creek, very lucky to find it on your property.
You could string a rope down that pathway so you don’t slip
Buying battery pressure washer is waste of money.
Dear Nikky, I love your channel, what you and Dylan do and share, Pinot, other animals, stars and night sky, ideas, work ethic, your stunning place and surroundings ! I've subscribed to Dylan's channel. Thank you. Prayers and blessings to you and all your loved ones from South Africa 🙏🙌🕊️
What a fun video Nikky, full of discoveries!
The spring barrels are a nice pop of color softening the front of your farmhouse.
The wine discovery and taste testing had me holding my breath.
I agree with you that using your mind to problem solve is the best tool you have.
Who doesn't like the sound of a babbling Brook? It is a wonderful retreat spot.
The burn barrel you improvised made a nice cozy fire pit.
Of course we are happy to hear about Dylans blog and I'm heading over there now.
So long Nikky see you next week 🏡
Nikky and Dylan, I suggest a channel that could be very useful to you. It's the channel of a Dutch/Belgian couple who, like you, bought an abandoned farm in Italy. They are very organized and know a lot about how to restore and transform a ruined farm into a profitable and habitable property. Here's the link to the channel. https://www.youtube.com/@storiesfromthecascina
😊
Hi, you are making good progress, I was wondering if u need to think about getting a better chain saw, like a Skil brand. It will make chopping the trees down an easier task also clearing the brambles etc. As u also want to reuse everything on the land which is great a better shredder more industrial would go a long way too. Why don’t u start a buy me a coffee to help towards getting this equipment
Nikky I love your channel and I’ve subscribed to Dylan’s channel. Now I can look forward to 2 videos from your Italian homestead. Continued health to you both and many wonderful adventures
Just subbed to dylan also 🎉
Ciao, what you call THE CLIFF is probably millions of years old seabed called CALANCHI. You might find sea shells if you are lucky. Enjoy !
Love the flower barrels
We are currently sowing our pepper, chilli, tomato seeds, along with herbs, brassicas, salads and celery. We are lucky, we have a good sized conservatory which we use as a greenhouse! It has a radiator in it and is south facing so should be good. Love the progress you are making, I hope you can get your plumbing and bedrooms sorted out soon though, to give you both some privacy.
Gezellig, de plantjes, staat leuk! Wat een vondst, die kreek. Ben benieuwd of hij in de zomer ook stroomt.
Ga beslist Dylan's youtube kanaal bekijken!
Hello Nikky:
So nice to see you today. Those barrels look very beautiful with the fresh flowers! I am sure that you will enjoy sitting by that
lovely creek – perhaps eat your lunch there – listen to the birds too. You are looking very well, and hope that you have a nice
week. I will be here next Sunday – my only wish is that you could stay with us in longer videos, (ha,ha). Take care, and see you
and Dylan next week. M. in Upstate New York.
beautiful video, especially seeing your flower barrels and the STARS! thank you! oh and dylan having the courage to taste the wine
Oh, the wine, and the photography of the wine …. would love to taste rose hips and tobacco in a wine – sounds great! Enjoy! (Oh, and thanks for another lovely vlog!)
I do enjoy your videos! Thank you for sharing your lives with us! You've got a wonderful place and it is full of discoveries!
Wondering can the wine still be used for cooking or for a sangria type drink… infused with fruit…..?
My knowledge of wine is limited though I have been learning a lot about bitters and more so as a tonic as was their original purpose….at 70, I look at every advantage lol.