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In 2020, Kristina Knighten, 38, and her spouse Paul Cordier, 46, finalized the purchase of their picturesque home overlooking Lake Iseo in Italy. They acquired this charming two-bedroom residence for €23,000 (approximately $24,973 USD).
Describing their new home, Knighten shares with CNBC Make It, “It’s the kind of home you imagine as a child—complete with a gabled roof, centrally placed door, and quaint windows on the upper floor. It’s ideally located, just a short walk from both the train station and the lake, almost seeming too perfect to be true.”
The duo initiated renovations in March of the current year, anticipating costs around €100,000 ($108,578 USD). Despite meticulous planning, they faced a 25% surge in expenses. “Reviewing the bills highlighted that labor was our major expense. My husband taking over some of the work seemed like a wise choice to manage our budget,” Knighten explains.
Their goal was to move in by Christmas, but unforeseen delays pushed their timeline.
During the renovation, they stayed in a nearby rental, but as their lease ended prematurely, finding another temporary home became urgent. Coincidentally, Cordier’s sister was also finalizing her own purchase of an apartment directly across from theirs, intending to move from Bangkok in a couple of years.
This apartment, which had been sporadically used as a vacation spot since 2002, was steeped in history. Inside, they discovered relics like a 2006 calendar, a dresser from the 1920s, vintage photographs, and hand-painted culinary bowls.
Currently, they reside in this apartment rent-free, focusing on renovations. “The place was laden with dust and the smell of mustiness. The walls needed fresh paint as the old plaster was peeling off. We even had to ensure the electricity was stable due to the building’s age,” Knighten recounts. The apartment’s quirky layout includes an external bathroom, and the bedrooms are accessed via an outside staircase, adding a rustic charm to their living situation.
One major benefit of this apartment is its backyard with a lake view, a feature absent in their main residence. “Had it been available, we would’ve chosen this apartment initially,” Knighten muses, appreciating the outdoor space where they now enjoy evenings with a glass of wine.
As they work on the property, they are not only enhancing its aesthetics but also ensuring it’s comfortable until they can move into their home hopefully by the upcoming Christmas. Despite the challenges, including the unconventional bathroom arrangement, Knighten appreciates the unique opportunity. “It’s a bit like glamping in some ways, but we’re fortunate to have this place for as long as we need, without any cost,” she concludes.
Cordier’s sister, meanwhile, plans to renovate the apartment before her move. In return for living there rent-free, the couple is revitalizing the place, from the garden to the interiors.
This intimate glimpse into their life reveals not just the challenges of renovating a long-unoccupied property but also the joys and unexpected adventures that come with making a historical Italian apartment their temporary home.
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