Renovating our rural schist house
in Central Portugal
a nossa
Casa Grande
Portugal Home Renovation
We’re nestled in the heart of Central Portugal. Casa Grande stands as a testament to timeless beauty and schist grandeur. The journey of renovating this rural Portuguese property, lovingly named A Nossa Casa Grande – Our Big House, is an adventure filled with challenges, triumphs, and the discovery of the rich cultural heritage that surrounds it.
What’s been happening at a nossa Casa Grande?
As the restoration of our Portugues house unfolds, each piece of hand-cut stone reveals tales of a bygone era, providing a glimpse into the history of this rural part of Portugal. Casa Grande was close to total ruin when we found it and we are by no means professionals when it comes to renovating property. However, the desire to respect the original fabric of the building and its architecture, while incorporating modern comforts into our home design, has been the driving force behind the Casa Grande project to date. So follow our journey as the story of renovating our house in Portugal continues here and also on our social channels Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
Laying our first limecrete floor
It’s about time we had a bathroom so now would be a good time to lay our first limecrete floor. First job though is to clear the way.
From prison bars to a new window
Traditionally the adega was an open space area used for winemaking and storing straw and animal feed. The windows were open for airflow, with iron bars built into the granite surrounds for security.
Concrete Spiral Staircase
Going outside at 3am to visit the loo isn’t ideal. This is the story of how we made our concrete spiral staicase leading to a new bathroom.
We are switched on
For the first time in it’s history, Casa Grande has an electricity supply. It’s been a long road to power!
Feliz Ano Novo
Feliz ano novo – Happy New Year from a nossa Casa Grande. Here’s a look at what we have planned for our Portuguese house renovation in 2023.
The arched windows
We’ve battled with the best way to approach the replacement of the arched windows at Casa Grande. Wood, PVC or aluminium?
Entrance Door Restoration
Entrance door restoration | We have taken the decision to restore and make our own windows and entrance doors. Follow our progress here.
Casa Grande First Look
Casa Grande First Look | It’s exciting to be able to stay updated and see the beginnings, the process, and end results of a project.
The Barn Restoration
Currently a ruin, the barn restoration will eventually be completed to provide a rural retreat and guest accommodation here at Casa Grande.
Days in the sun
It’s not all about living a renovation life in Portugal. As we work to make Case Grande our home, we will also explore nature, discover fascinating places to visit, learn a new language and immerse ourselves in a warm and historic Portuguese culture. Over time we’ll share our experiences and hope that we inspire you to visit Portugal one day and perhaps call by and enjoy a glass of wine with us.
Mata do Buçaco
Mata do Buçaco (Bussaco National Forest) is home to one of Portugal’s finest national monuments – O Palácio do Buçaco
Portugal dos Pequenitos
Today we crossed the Mondego at Coimbra and headed into Santa Clara to visit a miniature village – Portugal dos Pequenitos.
Palheiros Costa Nova
A day trip out to the Atlantic coastal town of Costa Nova where the palheiros houses wear pyjamas!
Gary & Julie
As we settle into our new life in Portugal, our main focus will be our house renovation, but we also have other projects and business interests that we will continue to nurture and grow. Watch this space.
Our Creative Work
Gary is a professional graphic designer, photographer and web site developer.
As well as the casa’s renovation work, Gary provides creative services to clients in the UK and Europe and is continuing to grow his impressionist fine art print business, Linescape Arte e Fotografia
Julie is a retired English and Maths tutor and has a degree in English Literature and Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
Julie is currently designing and organising creative writing courses and planning to offer retreat accommodation here at Casa Grande. She is also starting a new business in Portugal, making her unique brand of handbags and purses.
Casa Grande Renovation
In 2021 we sold our city house in the UK & headed for a life in rural, central Portugal.
We literally have years of renovation work ahead of us. We will be restoring this beautiful old Portuguese house and outbuildings using a great deal of hard work (to the best of our aging abilities), an abundance of love and affection, and with an ever growing respect for nature and the rural life that now surrounds us.
Exploring Portugal
Gary has worked with his friend and business partner Tony Oswin (author of the A to Z Greece Travel Guides), for over 10 years.
Tony is a British Expat living on the Greek island of Thassos, and anually revises and publishes his A to Z Travel Guides to Kos, Rhodes, Thassos and Santorini.
To expand the A to Z catalogue further, we will be writing an A to Z Travel Guide to now cover Central Portugal (due to be published 2023/4).
Watch this space!