A French man named Tom and his Australian partner Tess are transforming a structurally compromised 18th-century residence on Italy's Lake Como. Documenting their journey as the "Lake Como Project," the couple is tackling a massive renovation of the 1719 property through a mix of professional help and intensive manual labor.
Reclaiming the character of a 1719 lakeside home
The trend of purchasing historic European estates often involves a difficult trade-off between aesthetic grandeur and modern stability . For Tom and Tess, this meant acquring a property originally built in 1719 that required significant structural reinforcement to remain viable. As the report notes, the couple is working to strip away poorly executed 1970s renovations to reveal the home's authentic character.
This type of "fixer-upper" lifestyle has gained traction on social media, but the reality of maintaining a three-century-old building is far more grueling than typical home improvement shows suggest. the couple's approach, which they have nicknamed the "Stairmaster Reno," involves handling everything from painting and tiling to full-scale demolition and mould removal.
Helicopters and mini tractors on Lake Como's steep hills
Logistics at Lake Como present a unique set of challenges due to the steep terrain and narrow pedestrian streets surrounding the estate. The Lake Como Project has documented extreme measures, including using a helicopter to lower massive blocks onto the grounds. Such air transport is often necessary when the property's location makes traditional road access impossible.
However, the couple does not rely solely on aerial deliveries. According to the source, they also utilize a local team of builders who navigate the ancient paths using specialized mini tractors. This blend of high-tech transport and traditional local machinery is essential for moving heavy building materials up the hillside to the 1719 property.
Uncovering Moltrasio stone and hidden porthole windows
The renovation has yielded several historical treasures that were previously obscured by decades of modern updates. during the demlition process, Tess and Tom discovered original Moltrasio stone flooring beneath layers of laundry-room tiles and rubble. They also found local cotto lombardo terracotta hidden under layers of linoleum in the bedrooms.
One of the most significant architectural finds was an original porthole window that offered a view of the lake. This feature had been completely hidden behind a kitchen fireplace that was installed during a renovation in the 1970s. By removing these later additions, the couple aims to restore the original 18th-century soul of the house.
The mystery of the purchase price and foreign mortgages
While the couple has shared much of their journey via Instagram and YouTube, several key details regarding the acquisition remain unverified. The specific purchase price of the 300-year-old home has not been disclosed, though the couple has hinted that the cost was a fraction of what an apartment would require in either Milan or Sydney .
There are also lingering questions regarding the financial logistics of the project. the couple reported facing delays while attempting to secure a mortgage as foreign nationals, and the full scope of the property's legalities—such as the completion of included parking spaces—remains a point of contention . It is currently unclear how these initial bureaucratic hurdles might impact the long-term financing of their ambitious restoration.
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