Building Off-Grid with Natural Materials | Pros & Cons + Regrets

Which 8 Materials we chose for a sustainable and eco-friendly cabin build.
In this video we take you through the materials we chose to rebuild an off-grid cabin in the woods of Southern Sweden.
We wanted to go as non-toxic and plastic-free as we could, now that we had the chance to start something from scratch. We ran into some challenges, made some compromises and have some regrets.
May this 10 minute video be an inspiration to you, who is looking to build your natural dream cabin.
We're not here to preach about right or wrong - just to inspire ♡
Love,
Annie & Julian
Follow us on Instagram: / annie.and.julian

Пікірлер: 70

  • @Nick-13
    @Nick-13 Жыл бұрын

    These aims, techniques, materials ad approach should be paramount in all construction projects. And restoration / repurposing is another priority. The building industry is far too wasteful, greedy and profit seeking - we all have to be sustainable and considerate of the environment and how we treat it. You have made an admirable attempt that should be an example to every single person in the world. Thank you for sharing your exemplary approach

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Wauw! You are really putting us up on a throne here 😅 Thank you so much! We really hope it can inspire to do something good for the environment and for our health, big or small, whatever is approachable. Sending much love, Annie

  • @rolandvasquezguzman9083
    @rolandvasquezguzman9083 Жыл бұрын

    Hej, you two. I would recommend boiled Lineseedoil and Beeswax for your floorboards, its easy to use and natural non toxic. Otherwise you have done an excellent job so far and it was a pleasure to watch all the episodes of your cabin restauration. Thanks for sharing.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much 😀 How would I go about with the beeswax? 🤔 Love, Annie

  • @MrTravisEngland

    @MrTravisEngland

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian The Wood By Wright ASMR KZread channel has a video about making this type of finish at kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZ2B2ZlqhaXQY7A.html

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh! Thank you 😃

  • @Susan.I
    @Susan.I6 ай бұрын

    Having asthma I would like to build a house as natural as possible! Good job!!!!

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    6 ай бұрын

    Great idea! I believe the house can breathe the fresh forest air. Thank you! Love, Annie

  • @GwennieBenjamins
    @GwennieBenjamins Жыл бұрын

    Wax or oil for your floors! That will be great. And healthy... Whitewash wax for a light version, or beewax for a warm colour... Love what you are doing!!

  • @goatman3828
    @goatman3828 Жыл бұрын

    I would recommend an oil based stain ove any latex paint. Stain needs no removal when a new coat is needed, soaks in much deeper into the wood grain offering much more protection to the wood, and can be found (at least here) using natural oils like linseed so there is no chemical odors. And, if you could keep at least 1 wall showing the original log wall in the inside I think that would look great (we Americans love our log cabins) and showcase the origins of the building. Best of luck.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey goatman. Thanks! So, we don’t need to remove the dark stains on the window frames before coating them? Am I understanding it right? Ohh I know 😅 Everyone reacts to the wall. It’s just so damaged. We talked about making a “window” or having new old planks put up. Because you’re right, it looks so cosy! Lots of love, Annie

  • @goatman3828

    @goatman3828

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian with a good oil based stain, no. It may show a bit of darkness, but to me that is just character and charm.

  • @iliarts8539
    @iliarts8539 Жыл бұрын

    Hei!😊Thank you for sharing the thoughts behind your desitions! I really recommend Linseedoil and Linseed paint for your windows and floor. Sweden has been known for their quality linseedoil for hundreds of years. It is simply the best painting for old houses and wood in general. And totally free from chemicals. Look it up! Two good brands are Engwall O. Claesson and Ottoson. The best for outside white windows are Zink white. I am also renovating a house from early 1800 in Norway and it is really fun to see that we have made alot of the same desitions. It is so inspiring to follow your progress! Lykke til videre❤

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Wauw, thank you so much for the recommendations! We will definitely look it up. So funny we made some of the same decisions. Exciting with your project! Lykke til

  • @iliarts8539

    @iliarts8539

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian Thank you😊 and! Sidenote. I see some people mention beeswax and I would like to mention hardvoks olje too. I used it on my old bathroom floor. It gives a really nice old patina and looks great 👍🏻

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    @@iliarts8539 Oh! 😃 Thanks! Sounds very interesting 👌

  • @marcellejosephine9119
    @marcellejosephine9119 Жыл бұрын

    Love your choices! It’s the best way💚🌿🌷

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 😊🌸

  • @trite76
    @trite76 Жыл бұрын

    My mental health does massively improve when doing any form of DIY you must feel it to the both of you yes it's tiring but when you look at what you accomplished day to day it warms your heart ❤️ much love from DIY hygge guy 👦

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, absolutely ☺️ Much love to you, Annie & Julian

  • @susannemcmahon6093
    @susannemcmahon6093 Жыл бұрын

    Love this adventure Best of luck to you

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @jimjohandes
    @jimjohandes Жыл бұрын

    Very nice job in deciding what materials to use on your cabin. I know that it is impossible to build with only natural materials. You seem to have done the best that can be done. Remember that there are no mistakes. It is all education. You learn a lot. I am curious about your kitchen stove and the small stainless one I saw on your decking. Maybe include some info on them in a future video. Once again.........great video!!! Jim in California

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Jim! Thank you so, so much :) Oh, maybe you haven't seen our latest video about heating the cabin up? We talk a lot about the stoves in that one, #29: kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2F-s82SmcrAedY.html

  • @kyram4471
    @kyram4471 Жыл бұрын

    Hello there! Glad to see another video up! It was really interesting and I took plenty of notes! Thank you for sharing and being so positive all the time!

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Amazing! Thought this might be something for you 😊 Thank you for always letting us know 🥰 Hugs, Annie

  • @kyram4471

    @kyram4471

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian aw thank you! It is definitely useful! And in all fairness, everything you post is useful for me, be it for my mental health or my plans for the future! Wishing you all the best! Stay awesome!

  • @beatrizs2236
    @beatrizs2236 Жыл бұрын

    I love it. thank you for sharing all of this😊

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! ❤️

  • @savingsiskola
    @savingsiskola Жыл бұрын

    The only way to go with log buildings is with breathable natural materials. You did really well choosing them. I also believe that plastic drains are the most reasonable and safe choice for water pipes and also electric chords. Traditionally wooden floors were scrubbed with a mixture of soap and linseed oil (såpskurning) or even with milk. For the floors you could also go for an oil based stain or vax but after that you cant paint on top. So perhaps a linseed oil based paint if you prefer a painted finnish. The pros with that is that you can easily change the color or paint on top but the cons are that the woods grain is not that visible. Another pros with the paint is that there are really nice traditional colors to choose from and the finnish is durable.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 😃 And great tips! 👍 I’ll take notes to when we get back to the floors ☺️ Thank you. And all the best to your build ❤️ Love, Annie

  • @savingsiskola

    @savingsiskola

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian Thank you Annie!❤️ I cant wait for spring to come to get back to work. Unfortunately today its snowing here again. Take care!

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    @@savingsiskola Ohh, real april weather 😅 We're looking forward to spring as well. Exciting what will happen this spring, for you and us...

  • @MageThief
    @MageThief Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, that Falu rödfärg is something special, I might be biased as a Swede but man it is cozy 😊 Yeah, hard slow work always pays off I think, since you tend to put more of your self in to a job like that.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, I wonder if there’s any Swede who doesn’t like it ☺️❤️ So cosy. Definitely, our heart and soul (and sweat) is in every corner of that house 😄 (That’s actually the reason I don’t really feel like keeping the log wall.... I have removed soo much mouse poo from there 🙈) All the best, Annie

  • @MageThief

    @MageThief

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian Is there any thing similar to the traditional red house with white corners that we have in Sweden, in Denmark?

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MageThief I think that would be the “bindingsværkshus” half-timbered houses 😊

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MageThief I think that would be the “bindingsværkshus” half-timbered houses 😊 And on The Faroe Islands (where I come from) they’re painted black with white windows and grass roof. Love, Annie

  • @MageThief

    @MageThief

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian Aaah those bindingsværkshus are really beautiful, I love that style. I had to search for photos of the black houses and white windows, not sure I seen this before, but it is very metal 🤘 haha

  • @skyval6359
    @skyval6359 Жыл бұрын

    I can say something along your idea to not use plastic film/liner on the roof ... I use plastic window film in my old house to survive the winters in the cold north but every time I put it up , my eyes start burning and are that way all winter so it really is not so healthy even though my budget makes it necessary because new windows are too costly . And I love !! your beautiful , cozy eating corner with the table and chairs and walls and oh my gosh , it's just so perfect . Sometimes I keep that view on my screen for hours just to make me happy when I look at it ❤

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this comment! ❤️ Oh and it touches my heart to know it makes you happy. Thank you thank you thank you 🌈 Love, Annie

  • @buildingadream
    @buildingadream Жыл бұрын

    amazing, thank you for sharing all of this! I've been looking forward to this video 😄

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Great! 😃 So glad you enjoyed it. Did it answer your question? Exciting with your rebuild ❤️ Love, Annie

  • @buildingadream

    @buildingadream

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian we have decided to at least do the roof with wood fiber insulation, the walls depends on what the state of the current insulation looks like ^^ so yes, your build did make us change a little bit of our plans at least :D

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh wauw 😃 We hope you will be happy with it 🌲 Are you gonna film it? 😍

  • @buildingadream

    @buildingadream

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian definitely!

  • @emmso94
    @emmso94 Жыл бұрын

    For the floor i would go with såpskurning and linseed oil paint for the Windows :)

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! 😃❤️

  • @EricShellTheArtOfTheCraft
    @EricShellTheArtOfTheCraft Жыл бұрын

    I second the oil/beeswax comment, I use tung oil and beeswax personally and love it! I go 12 parts oil to 1 part beeswax and buff it in well, then wipe off the excess after a few hours. If Odie’s oil is available in Sweden I would highly recommend their finishes too. It is tung oil based too but dries a little faster.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 😃

  • @Susan.I
    @Susan.I6 ай бұрын

    I live in the USA and would love to use denim insulation.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    6 ай бұрын

    Do you have similar insulation there? Ours is from Norway. Love, Annie

  • @Rens27
    @Rens27 Жыл бұрын

    Would you be open to do a video on the costs? I'd like to know the costs of the total renovation, when you're done. but I'm also interested to see the price difference between all natural and the more popular choices

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely... It's more a question of doing the math and remembering the prices 😄 Love, Annie

  • @Rens27

    @Rens27

    Жыл бұрын

    @@AnnieJulian I can imagine!

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for showing the interest, so we know 😃

  • @QuesttoFIRE
    @QuesttoFIRE Жыл бұрын

    Please forgive me as an American and listening with that lens- if the “chemically” treated wood would protect you from replacing this material later, why wouldn’t you use it? If it saves tree destruction later… I struggle with the decision to go the route you chose. Please help me understand, because I completely want to be as rural, but yet as environmentally friendly as possible.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this comment, and for being curious and asking in such a loving way ❤️ The answer to your question is that we are treating it ourselves with more natural protection, such as linseed oil. We get to choose how to treat on the inside and on the outside. We’re not planning on replacing everything in a few years, that wouldn’t make sense to us, just as you say. Does it make more sense? We hope you will find the way that suits you best 😊❤️ Love, Annie & Julian

  • @goatman3828
    @goatman3828 Жыл бұрын

    I'd been wondering why you didn't reuse the old roof tiles? At least the majority of them. Then at least 1 full side of the roof would have been free. And the weathered and moss growth would look original. Or, why not slate? Even here in USA there are hundreds of old buildings with slate roofing. My farm has all the older buildings (1950's and earlier) are still in their original slate roofs. Also, what is the R value of that wood pulp insulation? I have never even heard of it before. We (USA) have a blown-in cellulose insulation, but it is mostly waste paper pulp and is super dusty and can (will) settle with time leaving the upper areas of a cavity with nothing but air. And how does your insulation compare to just regular sawdust? That used to be (a century or more) common, at least in rural farming buildings.

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey! Oh, the old roof tiles were really, really damaged. So to protect the house 😊 I’m not sure we would have liked the look if it was mixed. I don’t think I’ve seen slate around here... Thank you so much for your comment, we really appreciate it 😃 Love, Annie

  • @nickandersen8228
    @nickandersen8228 Жыл бұрын

    so glad you didn't use drywall. it would destroy the old charming house. 😎

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you ☺️ We think so too. Love, Annie

  • @zerpheros
    @zerpheros Жыл бұрын

    Hej, there! We are on a similar project in the Alpes - it‘s an old stone barren, though. I was wondering, what you did to protect the untreated wood from woodworms and (worse) and Hylotropes bajulus (commonly called old house borer)? Or don‘t you have that problem in Sweden? Take care and have a nice day …

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Hej! So wonderful to hear from you. How amazing you're doing a project like this too. So curious to see your stone barren. Well, nothing yet. What are you gonna use, do you know yet? Love, Annie

  • @zerpheros

    @zerpheros

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi, Annie I haven’t got a yt-channel (yet), but imagine an old rustico in the Lepontinian Alpes at a height of approximately 1300 meters above sea level. It‘s steep, meadow is facing south, and the light is stunning. What I would consider against wood worms, and this nasty hylotrupes bajulus: kind of wood (more heartwood, less sapwood, for certain parts larch, but its pricy, of course), its dryness (the drier, the better), construction (the air should circulate freely in the space between tiles and construction), biological barrier. One elegant way is to burn wood, brush the ash off, oil it. Works with façades, terraces, flooring. It‘s a japanese technique called yaki sugi, also shou sugi ban if you want to do some research on it. The idea is to carbonise the surface as a barrier - no damaging chemicals involved. Second idea is to use less risky chemical barriers (with keywords „wood protection“ and „biological“ you should find some products). Pay attention to ingredients, though - boron salt e. g. is cancerogenic when inhaled, but is sometimes sold as „biological protection“. I‘d also rely on local knowledge: Maybe ask old farmers how they protect their houses. Of course one has to accept the impossibility of a hundred-percent-control, when one lives off-grid, but one can control certain aspects like materials, construction and barriers. Have a nice day! Anne

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    @@zerpheros Thank you so much, Anne! I will show all of this to Julian, when we get to this. So much great advice, thank you ☺ And Oh my Gosh, your place sounds stunning! Looking forward to that KZread channel. Let us know 😊 Beautiful day to you. Love, Annie

  • @zerpheros

    @zerpheros

    Жыл бұрын

    Good morning, Annie welcome and I am happy to help. I bet, we can all watch on your channel how you decide what to do with the wood … By the way - I have stolen your put-the-tent-oven-in-the-chimney-idea. I added a steel basket with sauna stones on top to store the heat. It helped a lot to heat up the ground floor - stone huts are awfully cold in winter. Take care and have a nice day …

  • @AnnieJulian

    @AnnieJulian

    Жыл бұрын

    Good morning, Anne :) Oh yes, it will be an exciting one, when we treat the wood. So many beautiful suggestions. My Godness, really?? I love that! Thank you for telling me (gives an amazing feeling of purposefulness when someone gets inspired!) The sauna-stone basket is a wonderful idea! I will tell Julian about it. Take care, and have a beautiful day too. You are amazing! Love, Annie