They thought the house was fine. The old building for half a million swallowed five times that amount.

Lívia Gažová and her husband undertook a challenging renovation of a historic house in Smolnícká Huta, Slovakia, initially believing it would be a simple task. After purchasing the property for 18,000 euros, they discovered significant structural issues that escalated their renovation costs to nearly 100,000 euros over six years. The couple aimed to preserve the house's mining heritage while incorporating modern elements, resulting in a unique blend of old and new. They collaborated with an architectural firm to maintain the original character of the home, avoiding stylized rural aesthetics. Despite the challenges, including hidden damages and rising material costs, they now rent the house to guests and use it as a family retreat.