RUNNING OUT OF TIME! DIY renovation project

#lifeinbulgaria #expatlife #houserenovation

Since leaving the UK and buying this house in Bulgaria we've had no time to just relax and be a family, for the last few weeks we've set a massive target to get one room ready in the house so that we can at least relax over the holiday period.

have Can we transform this room in our Bulgarian farmhouse into a lounge before Christmas, we've got so much to do.

This week was the most pressure because we are running out of time.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: can we pull this off for Christmas renovating our Bulgarian home
00:13 Drone fly over the Bulgarian House
00:48 The room still look like a building site we will finish what we can in 24 hours and tidy up in time for Christmas
01:12 Painting and transforming the room in the Bulgarian house
04:05 Chris wash the dog, ZORO
06:11 Chris progress the transformation of the driveway
09:02 The Bulgarian neighbour comes with his tractor to help with the driveway transformation
17:04 Elaine painting the windows to renovate the Bulgarian house
18:31 Chris reveal the finished driveway to Elaine for the first time. See her reaction.
20:33 Before and After TRANSFORMATION
20:44 END

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☉ WELCOME TO FRESH START STICKS ☀︎
We’re a family of five who left the UK to start a new life in rural Bulgaria.
After the events of 2020, life in the UK changed dramatically. Attitudes shifted, businesses struggled under constant regulation changes, and with three young children, we began questioning whether the traditional path still offered the future we wanted for them.

We didn’t feel that the school system could provide the structure, freedom, and real-life skills our children need as they grow into young adults — so we chose to homeschool.

After researching several European countries, we chose Bulgaria. It’s still organic, the people are welcoming, and the nature is truly beautiful. After months of searching — and almost giving up — we finally found an old farmhouse in the countryside that had been empty for over a year. We decided to buy it and renovate it, learning as we go.

OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE:
Renovate our Bulgarian farmhouse
More freedom.
More family time.
Growing our own food.
And travelling together as a family in the Balkan countries

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🎥 WHAT WE SHARE HERE

This channel documents real family life after moving abroad — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Real-time relocation & rural living
Honest DIY & renovation (no experts — just learning as we go)
No crew. No big budgets. Just us.
New videos every Sunday.

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🔔 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

👉 Subscribe here:
www.youtube.com/@freshstartsticks

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🌍 Official Website & Project Links:
Homepage → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/
Watch the Journey →
Support the build → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/donate
Property services →
Press & Media →
Blog →
Contact →

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Explore renovation blogs, cost of living guides and sustainable living insights

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📝 FEATURED BLOG GUIDES

Cost of Living in Bulgaria → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/post/cost-of-living-in-bulgaria
Rural Living in Bulgaria → https://www.freshstartsticks.com/post/rural-living-in-bulgaria-our-honest-experience
Buying Property in Bulgaria
Home Renovation in Bulgaria: What You Should Know

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🤍 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
Your support helps us continue renovating and documenting this journey.
https://www.freshstartsticks.com/donate

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🎵 MUSIC
Song list: Morning Mist
If you enjoyed our music selection and would like access to it, you can find it here:
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Unauthorised use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.

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