My Sicilian Renovation Diary: Before, During, and After
Falling in Love With a Little House in Sicily
I still remember that day with absolute clarity. It was the end of January 2024, one of those quiet winter evenings where nothing special is supposed to happen. My partner’s cousin, who works closely with one of the biggest notaries in Noto, is always aware of the latest properties coming onto the market. That evening, my partner received a short message from him that simply said “You want it?” with a few photos attached.
I had some money saved, and my partner, knowing this, looked at me and asked if I would feel ready to invest. It fit perfectly within my budget and did not require a loan. On paper, it made sense. Emotionally, it felt unreal. Opportunities like this do not appear often, and for a moment I wondered if it was too good to be true.
What surprised me the most was my own calm reaction. I am usually someone who overthinks everything, but this time I did not panic. Even though buying a house in Sicily had never been part of my plans, something about it felt right.
From the photos, the house looked simple and old fashioned, but not neglected. A few days later, I visited it in person. Stepping inside felt like entering another time. Everything seemed frozen in the 1960s, yet the light coming through the doors and windows immediately caught my attention. The house was small, only forty square meters, but it felt open, bright, and full of potential.
The location sealed the deal. Tucked into the historic center of Noto, the house sat quietly among stone streets. The walls were in good condition, everything was functioning, and there were tenants living there at the time. I remember standing in the middle of the room and thinking that this little house deserved a second life. Saying no no longer felt like an option.
The House Before Renovation
The pre sale agreement was signed in February 2024, and by May the house officially became mine. I remember holding the keys for the first time and feeling both excitement and responsibility settle in at once. Renovation could finally begin.
The first challenge was finding someone trustworthy to manage the major work. Replacing the tiles, rebuilding the bathroom, updating the pipes, and installing a new water pump were not small tasks. Sicily also faces a labor shortage in construction, which makes finding reliable workers even more difficult.
Through my partner’s family, we were lucky enough to find someone available quite quickly. As this was my first renovation, and I was living in Malta, having someone on site felt essential. I also wanted the work to move forward efficiently. Managing everything on my own from another country was simply not realistic.
Looking back at the photos of the house before the renovation, it is hard to believe how much it has changed. At the time, it felt like a risk. Now, it feels like the beginning of something meaningful.
The Vision: What I Wanted to Create
From the beginning, I knew I wanted this house to welcome people who truly love Sicily. I did not want it to be just a place to sleep. I wanted it to feel like a pause, a breath, a moment of calm.
My vision was simple. I wanted the house to feel peaceful, warm, and honest. A place where you could slow down the moment you stepped inside. I never wanted it to feel like a typical holiday rental. I wanted it to feel lived in, personal, and full of quiet details that make a space feel human.
I was deeply inspired by the rhythm of Sicilian life. Slow mornings, warm light, natural colors, and a strong connection to nature. Life here unfolds at a different pace, and I wanted the house to reflect that feeling.
Every decision came back to one idea, making the house feel like home. Natural materials, soft colors, and thoughtful details were chosen to create a space where guests could truly relax. A place to rest after a day of exploring, or to sit quietly and work while feeling inspired.
The Renovation Process
Renovation started at the beginning of May 2024. At the time, I genuinely believed it would be finished by early summer. Looking back now, I smile at how optimistic and naive I was.
Renovating is never simple, but doing it from another country while not speaking the language adds an extra layer of complexity. I relied heavily on my partner for translations and communication. At that point, learning Italian felt like one challenge too many, especially while balancing work and daily life.
Most updates came through a WhatsApp group, with photos and messages marking each small step forward. I traveled regularly to Noto to see the progress with my own eyes. Being able to walk into the house and touch the walls, see the tiles, and smell the dust made everything feel real. Malta being only 1H45 minutes away made these trips possible.
The renovation included:
Repainting all rooms and the outside walls
Replacing every tile
Completely rebuilding the bathroom
Installing a new water pump (that had not been planned)
Fitting a new kitchen
Replacing all doors and windows
Installing a new air conditioning system
Furnishing the entire house
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, reality eventually caught up with the dream. Not everything went smoothly. Delays, misunderstandings, and stress became part of the journey.
The project manager I initially trusted eventually disappeared halfway through the renovation. He had taken money for the doors and windows order, and 5 months later I discovered that the wood needed had not even arrived in Sicily. That moment was deeply frustrating and disheartening. Time was passing, money was tied up, and the house stood still.
After pushing and insisting, I managed to get my money back. We were then lucky to find another local craftsman who stepped in and carried the project to the finish line. He built the wooden doors and windows, installed the kitchen, and completed all the remaining details.
There were also mistakes with electrical wiring and water pipes, which required corrections. It was a stressful period filled with uncertainty, extra expenses, and moments of doubt. Still, each problem solved brought the house closer to life.
Design Choices and Materials
The door that inspired me.
The design story truly began with an entrance door I noticed one day while walking through the streets of Noto. Something about its color and presence stopped me. I took a photo without knowing exactly why, but that door stayed in my mind.
I decided that my own entrance door would be painted in a soft pastel/sage green. From there, everything else followed naturally. When IKEA launched a kitchen collection in that exact shade in 2025, it felt like a sign. I knew immediately it belonged in this house.
To echo the kitchen, doors, and windows, I painted the wall behind the bed in the same calming green. In the bathroom, palm leaf patterned tiles bring a sense of freshness and escape. Only later did I realize how personal this color choice was. My childhood bedroom was painted in the same shade. Without consciously planning it, I was recreating a feeling of safety and calm.
Wood was always meant to be the main material. It brings warmth and a sense of authenticity that felt right for this house. The door and window frames were made in wood to respect traditional Sicilian style. The furniture follows the same idea, with natural wood tones used throughout the space.
To stay within budget, most of the furniture comes from IKEA, with the exception of the bathroom, which was sourced locally. I added a few vintage touches, like a retro style fridge and matching kettle, to give the house a bit of personality. Above the bed, small decorative elements inspired by Sicily, lemons, and the iconic Fiat 500 bring a smile and a sense of place.
The House After Renovation
After a full year of work, waiting, and adjusting expectations, the house was finally ready. Welcoming my first guests in July 2025 was an emotional moment. Seeing people walk through the door and feel instantly comfortable made every challenge worth it.
I created a small before and after video showing the transformation room by room. Watching it still reminds me how far this little house has come.
Living in the House Today
Today, the house feels alive. It adapts naturally to different rhythms of life, whether someone is staying for a few days or a few weeks. It works just as well for slow everyday living as it does for welcoming guests who want to experience Sicily at their own pace.
After a day spent wandering through Noto, the house becomes a quiet refuge. A place to cook something simple, sit down, and enjoy the calm of the evening. The layout offers both openness and intimacy, making it easy to feel at ease from the first night.
For remote work, the house has become an unexpectedly inspiring place. Natural light, a peaceful atmosphere, and reliable Wi Fi make it easy to focus. Work blends gently into the day, and once the laptop closes, the streets of Noto are just outside the door, ready to be explored.
More than anything, the house now feels balanced. Practical, warm, and flexible. It was renovated exactly as I would want my own home to be.
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Looking back, renovating this little house in Sicily was both more challenging and more rewarding than I ever imagined. There were moments of doubt, long periods of waiting, and decisions that required patience and trust. Renovating here teaches you to slow down and accept that not everything can be controlled.
Yes, it was absolutely worth it. The house today reflects what I hoped to create from the start, a warm and simple space that feels real and lived in. It reminds me that beauty often lies in imperfection and that taking time to do things thoughtfully truly matters.
For anyone dreaming of renovating a house in Sicily, my advice is to start with a clear vision and stay open to change. Respect the character of the house, trust local craftsmanship, and allow the process to follow its own rhythm. Most importantly, create a place that feels like home to you, because that feeling is what others will sense the moment they step inside.
In the end, this renovation was not just about restoring a house. It was about creating a way of living rooted in simplicity, intention, and the quiet joy of feeling truly at home.