Why a farm? Future plans? Time to get some questions answered! / Renovating an 1908-old Belgian farm
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Time to get some questions answered! What is this UA-cam channel about? Why a farm? What is our background? What are our future plans? Enjoy the video! And let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! And what does ‘de hoeve’ actually mean? It is as simple as «the farm» :-) Be our guest, enjoy this video and don't forget to subscribe! :-)
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![Get to know us and Anneke / Q&A [ Part 1 ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/27ak2L-kDS8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Get to know us and Anneke / Q&A [ Part 1 ]](/img/tr.png)
I'm Belgian living in Germany, and I get homesick watching your videos. There is probably nothing more Belgian that a person can do than buy an old building, decide to renovate, have the plans change 20 times while it's being done and find water damage, dampness and at least one septic tank no one knew about. Bouncing between excitement and despair, possibly in the same conversation, is practically mandatory. The only thing missing is roping in family and neighbors for free labor paid in beer and pastries.
In other words, you guys are doing great.
Aww... you captched it in words so concise and up to the point 😂 made me laugh so hard! Our friends said that we became real Belgians when we invited them to have a look what we bought.
We are not yet so far, but I can relate to many things you mentioned 😁
Many thanks for your comment here, you really made my day!
You pay friends and family with beer and pastries in Belgium? Yum! My American friends and family need to start doing that.
@@liammaxsmama beer and fries after a days work, we dont ask alot of our friends :D
👍🇺🇸🐈
❤🙏❤
I love how the internet has brought people from all over the globe together. It is very inspiring to see you start this massive project, and how far you've come already. You've inspired me to document my journey as well of turning my yard into a garden and doing improvements to my home as well.
You guys are a wonderful adorable couple. I wish you all the success and happiness in your new home. I am old now but I purchased my first home to restore when I was nineteen. Thirteen properties later and now seventy one years old I am still at it. Where there is a will, there is always a way.
Thank you, Louis! Your words and life are so inspiring 🥰
Thanks for sharing your back story! I love how you’ve embraced so many challenges, moving to a new country, learning multiple languages, and renovating a big house all at once. Keep the positive attitude! Keep the love alive! When you share the same goals, you can achieve anything.
Many thanks for the kind words, Roy!
Greetings from the US. I discovered your channel yesterday and was amazed at how hard you and your husband worked on clearing the front. The cobblestone is beautiful and I’m glad you’re preserving it. With your work ethic and determination you’ll succeed - be patient with yourselves 😊 you have a beautiful home!
Your husband is quite, but he puts in the work and keeps moving forward, awesome drive by both of you.
Workhorse
Oh my gosh, that cat loves you. I thought it was yours!
Can’t wait for all the videos to come!
Lovely video. It was wonderful to finally meet Ilya. He's amazing and such a hard worker. You must be very proud of him. Together you'll create a fabulous home for your family.
Thank you, Viv! I am proud 😊and I am very grateful for all the support and confidence in myself that he gives me.
Thanks so much. That was brilliant. We have done up several houses over the years but I think we would have kept a property like yours as our 'forever home'. It is truly an exceptional find. The additional barn (even if it takes a few years) will be a game changer. The amount of space and the green views are lovely. Don't worry about making the house too livable before you move in. As long as you can have a hot shower, indoor loo and have a camp kitchen you will be fine.Kids are resilient and will look upon the whole thing as an adventure. I look forward to seeing what you are upto each week. All the best and stay safe.
Many thanks, Liliane. You are so right - before finding this farm, we were playing with the idea to move to another country once the kids leave us for the universities. But since we found it, the idea doesn't seem to be that attractive anymore. Living a couple of months somewhere on the seaside would be nice, but our home is here.
Thank you for your support and encouragement, very much appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing your renovations with us. We took on an abandoned property six years ago and it was one of the best decisions We ever made. We did all the work ourselves and it’s very rewarding. You both have a great attitude and will to get things done. Once you move out of your rental, it will get easier and move along a bit more. Blessings.
Many thanks for kind words! It's so satisfying and calming to here that it 'was one of the best decisions you ever made ' 😊
You compliment each other and I'm impressed with your determination to undertake such a big investment and undertaking I wish the best for your family! I'm along for the journey with you with all its up and downs can't wait what you both do next!!!
Hello from Central Texas USA. I just discovered your channel and looking forward to all the revelations. Thank you for posting.
Hello, Marina and Ilya! How wonderful you've found the farm of your dreams but now, let get to work to make it fit today's lifestyle! It's so interesting to follow your renovation, wall by wall, brick by brick. Please stay healthy and happy in your endeavor. Consider it the biggest adventure of your life.
When I sold my landscape business, I was able to buy a farm, (65 acres)
And over a 3 year period transformed it into a live able, peaceful place.
Great video, great content. 🇬🇧💯👍👌
Really? Where? lol
Hello from SOUTH AFRICA. Really enjoying your videos. You both have such a great work ethos. The place will be fantastic when you are done. Enjoy the journey!
I love your enthusiasm as a couple. I have been married for 53 years and we worked hard together as partners. I hope you continue to keep your out look on achieving your wonderful (but hard work)goals in creating a home for your family. There will be struggles but together the world has no limits when you work as one.
I love the work you guys are putting into this place. I used to live in a house of over 100 years old left by my grandparents so I know what it’s like taking care of a place like yours.
Wishing you the best in your undertakings and I hope to see the wonderful place you guys will turn this house into in months to come.
God bless!
Greetings from Kraków, Poland. I am delighted to have discovered your channel. Nice family, beautiful property, excellent adventure with restorations. Homemade pizza baked in oven with a wood fire.
You two are adorable. Look so forward to all your progressions. Take your time, enjoy each project. Appreciate being able to accomplish a somewhat daunting task. But! That's what makes it fun and interesting for us all. Keep the faith and the very, very best of luck. Bob
We are all cheering for you! You’re doing a great job! Keep it up! :)
Sweet couple and I am very excited for your dreams to come true!
Good for you, I wish you the best and thank you for taking us along on the journey.
I traveled to the Belgium countryside when I lived in Germany. I remember these larger Belgian Horses that the Monks used at a Monastery. I wish you the best. I live in the Southern USA now. I see how much work you do and I am fully impressed. I am always wishing Ukraine will be okay. We support Ukraine.
Thank you, James :-)
Glad to finally know both your names. You have a big job ahead of you but after seeing how you cleaned up the front yard I am sure you are going to succeed with this project!
You can do this! Keep the vision in your mind and don't let the hardness overwhelm you. It will be beautiful and we are happy to see your progress! Thank you for sharing your life!
I thought the cat might’ve been yours too. So sweet & affectionate ❤️
Bravo to your entire family, it’s a lot of work but the family bonding that can occur is worth the world. I wish you a very happy and rewarding experience. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way, the desire to complete the project can sometimes over shadow the memorial parts. Stay positive and keep moving forward you will be rewarded in the end.
Hi from Australia. I love the house and your bread oven is just amazing. Thanks for taking us along on your journey ❤️
I love your channel. I'm a Belgian and I bought an old farm in Flanders in 2016. After some hard work and headaches, I've nearly completed the renovation. Such projects are challenging as you will always find surprises but at the same it is also really rewarding to overcome them. I really appreciate that you invest the time, means and effort in renovating your beautiful farm and I'm sure you will get there. Based on my own experience, I must say that sometimes I got a bit demotivated due to the amount of work but if you persist, be patient and work in your own pace and in line with your own priorities you will get there :-).
So reassuring to read your words, Laurens. Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations with the final stage! You managed to do it in 5 years, that’s impressive!
I love to see the progress you are making on turning the neglected farm into a home for your family. Keep watching on UA-cam how others have preserved old properties.
I first came across the transformation of the front yard video. I was so impressed with your work ethic and the beautiful results.
Thanks for sharing your story and revealing more about your lives. I have seen many of your posts before this and your natural appeal was evident and captured my interest. Surprised to hear the cat is not yours but neighbors. It is so affectionate toward you.
I believe it senses your good hearts and you show that to us also. Such a beautiful family I look forward to going along with you and offer good thoughts, best wishes and moral support.
I just discovered your channel and am enjoying it very much. I am an American living in the US. I feel a little ashamed of myself for not learning other languages. I am always so impressed with how well people from other countries speak English. Both your accents are very charming. Don't worry if you don't speak English perfectly, most Americans don't either, myself included. Keep smiling, your smiles brighten my day. I can't wait to see all you do with your beautiful farm. Don't give up! It is going to be lovely, I am sure of it.
Вы просто молодцы, ребята! Завидую вам...
Желаю вам удачи и счастья на новом месте! Ну и с каналом тоже :)
You 2 are amazing souls.
Love the LOVE YOU BRING TO YOUR FAMILY.
AND THE WORLD.
I would much rather watch your renovation, than fake news
Thanks for your introduction. 👍🏾😎Greetings from Berlin 🇩🇪
Greetings from Florida, USA. I think the physical work is a nice change from your office jobs. All you need to move in: electricity, plumbing, place to cook (a hot plate or microwave), a place to wash yourselves and room for beds. You can use a laundry in town or wash your clothes by hand and hang them to dry outside -- the wind will dry them quickly. You can live in just a few rooms while you work on the other rooms. Then you can move out of your rental. And keep your household stuff from your rental in one room in the new house. As you renovate the rooms move the furniture into it. Slowly your pile of household furniture will shrink as you finish off your rooms. I think Belgium is a better place to live than Ukraine. My husband's family came from Ukraine in 1095 from Chernigov province. They were Jewish and the pogroms were very destructive so they came to America. My own heritage is Swiss-German and my ancestors came to the USA in 1764. They came to America for religious freedom. So moving to another country to start a new life is just a part of life for many people. I wish you health and happiness as you renovate your home.
Hello from Dresden. You are such a sympathetic couple. I wish you all the best and a lot of strength for your project! I think the two big decisions you mentioned in your video (moving from Ukraine to Belgium 6 years ago and now buying this farm) are the right decisions - for you and your children. Good luck!
Thank you very much for your kind words and support, Ingolf! I have been to Dresden, when I was 20. Just a day city trip, but I still recall the excitement when I entered your railway station. Beautiful city!
When the world calms down you need to come again and take a new look. So much has changed now, it's almost a new city now!
Thank you for this video, you have answered a lot of my questions about your family. I love that you are not afraid to step out of your comfort zone
Thank you for this lovely introduction. You are young, brave, and adventurous, so you will succeed with your dream renovations. I will be following you all the way.
I'm glad I spotted this channel. It will be fun to watch your progress.
Hello from Washington State, USA. I’ve watched your videos and am so impressed at the progress you’ve made in only several months. Your home will be beautiful and I love the brick walls inside. You’re building a dream most people don’t have the energy to pursue. Best wishes for a happy future.
Thanks for letting us all live your dream with you. I look forward to watching your progress. David from Indianapolis, Indiana USA
I've recently discovered your channel (from Chicago). As Illia plumbed the water well, and immediately started watching everything from the beginning. I've been to Belgium a few times - Zedelgem, and absolutely love the people. As mentioned below, I agree; you two show the love and admiration for each other in some of the most difficult and stressful times. Your creative skills show in the music you use, the thoughtful video titles, and editing. I love your sense of humor. I am inspired as I watch you learn new skills and make this farm into your dream come true.
You two are so inspiring. All that hard work and you just tackle it. Revealing those wonderful cobblestones in the front of your house was a massive effort. It will be worth it in the end I’m sure.
Jullie doen wat ik mijn hele leven ook wilde een oude boerderij kopen en opknappen. Ik heb de kans nooit gehad maar vindt het geweldig wat jullie doen.
Dank u wel, Yolanda! Ik voel me een beetje vereerd dat ik deze kans heb :-) zou niet makkelijk zijn maar zeker de moeite waard.
You two are terrific ! I could only imagine trying to learn several languages. Love every video.
You’re very lucky to learn a new language. I have mild dyslexia & math & reading are a problem. Since I love to read I am better at that than math. New languages I can get some phrases, but no true conversation.
You’re a sweet couple & I will continue to watch your progress. Hurry up & finish the guest house. You may have a few of us visit (& help you. I’m a ret. painter & nurse).
Keep going! Illia, As an online English teacher (With many students in the Ukraine) keep going with your languages also. You are doing fine. You are an amazing, hard working couple and I wish you all the best. I am looking forward to many more videos.
Hello from Tennessee USA. I have done the saving old brick and the house tearing down by hand. Hopefully soon you can get some power tools to save your backs and hands. It is good to see old things made like new again. Good Luck and God's speed. Some hopefully helpful advice. Get a designer before you hire a architect.
You have come a long way and you will still have to do it but you can see from your enthusiasm that you will not be afraid, congratulations!
I am curious to see your "palace" when it is finished, for now I wish you all the best!
I too just discovered your channel. The title of your videos intrigued me since I was born in Belgium, but my family moved to Canada in the 1960s. So, a big hello from Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦. I subscribed to your channel so that I could follow you on your journey. You are truly inspirational. I wish you success in this huge endeavour!
This video popped up on my newsfeed and a few minutes in I'm subscribed! Good luck on your journey in renovating this beautiful farmhouse. (Note to self, I subscribed when your channel was only 9.48k subs)
Thanks a lot, Julie! Happy to have you onboard :-)
Wow, there the background story is. What a marvelous initiative. I am a neighbour from Holland, and feel very related to your story. I hope you found your paradise and can live your dream. Have confidence and take it one step at a time, both financially and fysically.
Good luck with your renovations! Looking forward to seeing how things progress. It is so refreshing to see someone take a chance to get to their dreams. It is a lot of work, but it will be so worth it!
My grandfather was born in the Ukraine in what was then called Katerynoslav. He emigrated to Chicago in 1918 I think. I love the series and can't wait to see how your story unfolds. Hello from Alaska.
Such a lovely family. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Best of luck to you.
Hello from Greece! I just found your channel today and I already love it! You both are very hard working and I love your vibe! The house is just enchanting, I can't wait to see it finished! You have a beautiful family and soon you'll have your perfect home... I wish you the best and God bless!!!
Hi Eleni and welcome! I am so glad you enjoyed the videos. Thanks a lot for your compliments.
I was not blessed in my 66 years to find a compatible partner. I enjoy so much watching you both and your renovation adventures!
Just found you guys. Loving the channel. I get the IT reference about languages, that's so true. As an IT teacher, IT is easy English is difficult. My kids loved the magazines yiu found in the loft. There must be a lot of history.
Looking forward to your journey, im hooked already. All the best from Derry Ireland.
Very interesting! You have a great attitude when you say small steps. Looking at the big picture is overwhelming, but if you focus on smaller projects and accomplishments a little at a time, it's not quite as scary. You can have lots of celebrations for every small step you finish!
Thank you for the background. We are really enjoying watching your progress.
Renovations are difficult and costly but the rewards for your time, effort and money will last a lifetime! This is a very large property and you will have a treasure when you're finished!
Wow! I thought that the cat was yours! 😻😸 He/she is so friendly! I love seeing the cat in all the videos. Thanks for the Q&A I was won where you are from. Thanks for the information.
Very nice to know you better (and to see that loving cat)! Keep up the good work! Much love from Brazil! ;)
Originating from a very small farm and having renovated my childhood home a few years ago (mostly, due to working a few hunderte kilometers away, done by professionals and only partly by ourselves) I really want to express my deepest sympathy for you, you are such a great couple, and respect for the great and wonderful work you are doing. You will be rewarded with a real, real great home where you know each single brick and tile and post by heart. Maybe your grandchildren one day will roll their eyes when grandma and grandpa start telling the story of the house over and over again, but in the meantime you have a lot of people on UA-cam that celebrate you. And please don't mind that all the hard work you are doing is not as often mentioned in the comments as the cat doing the supervision ;-). That's life! If (s)he becomes too cumbersome, just talk about some ancients habits in some countries after finishing the building of a house - just kidding, we serve some cats, too (and other animals).
You are doing great work, lots done, and lots to do. Well done to you both. I’m loving the content. Keep up the great work 👍🍀 From Dublin Ireland 😉
I do not know where to start. I'm so convinced that the right two people have met here. Two cool kids who lively help and support. I can only say so much about your work, the unbelievable endurance and strength of both of you is simply supernatural. You still have your jobs and children to look after. Respect! When you get tired, just look back at what you've already achieved. To the house with the rooms that are too high and large, think of a good foundation and to insulate them well from the outside - maybe also to reduce the height with a well-insulated and thick floor and ceiling a few inches. But what I would pay particular attention to and would also ask several experts are the options for heating the large building. You can save a lot of money there later. There are so many self-promoters on youtube who call themselves "professional" youtubers (no other Job), want to restore an old farmhouse and create nothing but complete nonsense, like planting new trees in a garden completely overgrown with wisteria and building a ridiculous demolished chicken coop - they need then 5 months and about 50 videos for that. In every video they just chatter silly, complain of the hard work(???) and thank the viewers for the donations. So dear family, why don't you set up a donation account in your description at my urging so that those who really enjoy your tremendous progress can send in a few euros to support you. After the first video about cleaning the forecourt, you already received my subscription, which I've never given away so quickly. Trying to improve the sound quality, that's all I would change. Thanks for uploading and all the extra work and good luck! Friendly greetings from Switzerland.
Hi Ernesto, many thanks for your kind words! I am so touched. I will keep in mind all your advices :-)
loved the cat ... he was petting you! :)
Very excited for you and the new life you are building! I can’t wait to watch your progress!
i am in Australia i love anyone restoring or renovating old place which keeps their country s history
The kitty has adopted you. He was scent marking you with his mouth/cheeks. And the head bumps are a sign of affection. You're his now. :)
I don’t mind at all 😂 he is so cute, runs around like a small black and white ball.
New subscriber here from Bath, England. Good luck on your renovations and you speak English very well!
Thank you very much, Claire, and welcome!
какие вы молодцы! замечательная покупка, непростой проект, но вы работаете как слаженная команда! так что все у вас получится, зовите друзей и родственников на подмогу! первым делом чините крышу и делаете грамотный отвод воды от дома - главное дом сделать сухим, а потом все пойдет как по маслу :-)
very inspiring content, looking forward to you taking us along on your journey
Thanks for making me smile, you two make a lovely couple.
Hej from Denmark 🇩🇰
Just discovered your videos.
What a job. 💐
Wow. You are doing an amazing job. Your home will be beautiful and an inspiration.
Thank you for your little biography. It’s nice to know these things about you .
I'll be watching your progress all the way from Wisconsin!! Best of luck to your courageous family! Some day we hope to be as brave and purchase such a lovely historical place. They are becoming a bit scarce but I am a hopeful soul!! It's going to be hard but so worth it for your family! All that hard work makes as a house a home.
Many thanks for your kind words, Kerri! It’s definitely a life changing choice, but If you both want it - than go for it :-)
You're taking up a huge challenge, on a scale most people wouldn't do.
But I think that's your adventurous spirit, willing to move from Ukraine, starting a new future, learning a language and having a clear goal.
I wish you both much luck and perseverance to end this project.
Btw, the grey cat from the first video, is he/she still in the place you rent?
Thanks a lot, Tom, for your kind words!
Yep, still in rented house. Let’s see how they both will get along...
I really enjoy your videos, and having them closed captioned helps me understand what you are saying if the sound isn't perfect. Thanks. You have taken on a huge job, and it will be frustrating and exhausting and worth everything that you do. I'm glad that you are young and strong enough to do it. Very wise to hire others for the huge jobs to make sure they are done correctly and hopefully quickly. Best wishes on your adventure.
Hello my new friends! I just really enjoyed today’s video. Your English is doing better every time. The court yard is so inviting to sit in the warm sun. You are a great team, and gaining new friends every episode posted! I look forward to my “ Tuesdays on the farm”, with all of you.looking forward to all the future projects. Many Blessings from Michigan.
Thank you Cookie :-) Happy you joined us on this journey!
It is also 'camera' that makes me stumble over my words and feel awkward, I am not used to it at all. Now much less though than in the very beginning 😄
@@DeHoeveOldBelgianFarm you are doing fine! Keep up the good work!
Hey guys, I stumbled onto your channel, and how interesting!
You're such a beautiful family!
I'm subscribing from Cape Town South Africa. I'll follow your renovations and bringing that property into home status.
I love you both! You are so inspiring. You should invite people/fans from around the world to come and help you (working vacation) - just an idea... FInish the guest room and put it on Airbnb. I will come! Much love from Canada!!!!
Saludos desde argentina rosario.no entiendo lo q dicen pero me encanta ver como reviven esa casa tan bellísima con tanto esfuerzo.
Amazing place, congratulationssss, it is a beautiful place and a beautiful dream for many people, i give you the best, greatings from Chile
Love this sweet couple on their journey of a life time. Thanks for sharing🌻🆒😊❤️☮️💛🦋‼️🇺🇸
Great video! Big dreams but a property with massive potential. Good luck, and keep posting. I am looking forward to seeing how things go. With your energy and positive attitude, I am sure progress will be fast!
Thank you, David! That's very kind of you 😊
From one ITian to another I absolutely get what Illia is saying about learning new languages. For me programming languages are easy and make sense but I'm lost when it comes to learning French and Spanish been struggling a lot with those lol. I'm surprised to know that both of you are from IT background Illia I guessed must be a geek like me and a systems or computer engineer but I thought Marina was an architect or something. You guys are inspiration to many like me and I'm inspired by you guys and am going to pickup a similar Reno project soon but not as huge as you guys. Both deserve a pt on the back for taking this step and doing a great job at it. Lots of love, keep them videos coming.
Your neighbor’s cat is so cute! 🇺🇸🐈
Hi from France ! I discover you and i like your joy and courage! You do an amazing work with the front yard...it s so nice now!!! I follow you each time now and wish you to be happy in this new life and beautiful farm😉😊
Wat super leuk om jullie te volgen via ytube.. ben ook zo benieuwd welke kleur jullie kozijnen en luiken krijgen🤷♀️ denk dat antraciet heel mooi staat🥰
Succes met de verbouwklus... ik blijf volgen!!
Heel erg bedankt Liesbeth en welkom! Voor de kozijnen hou ik nog alle opties open: ofwel hetzelfde kleur hoe het vroeger was, ofwel iets helemaal anders om de buren te verassen 😂 antraciet vind ik heel mooi.
Hi from Nashville Tennessee USA! It so good to see people working toward their dreams. I wish you all the good luck in the world. I subscribed so I can keep up with your progress.😊🐝❤
Your neighbor's cat is the REAL star of the show!
Ребята, вы большие молодцы! Успехов в вашем начинании
Спасибо большое!
Ty for sharing , that's a great change for sure , but can inspire more ppl like us , have a blessed life , keep the videos up !!
You both have a good positive energy. That wil bring you a long way ! Good 🍀 luck .
Привіт з Харкова, підписався на вас 6міс. тому - ваше найпопулярніше відео вискочило в рекомендаціях, але глянув тільки його, зараз переглядаю інші ваші відео.
Дуже цікавий будинок-ферму купили.
Бажаю успіху вам в реконструкції.
You two are fun for us and each other.
Such a great video! Well done to you both, getting through each episode and loving it, enjoy the journey. Watching you from Durban, South Africa.
Thank you for your kind words, Richard! Happy you liked the videos. Greeting from Belgium!