Réparation, mise à niveau et amélioration

We bought the property after falling in love with it when we stumbled across an old auction listing. Completing the purchase took eighteen months of determined work by the notary, who had to search far and wide to locate the two legal owners — but we got there in the end.

By the time we bought it, the property had been neglected and unloved for many years — we’ve been told around 20. Both La Maison d’Artiste and La Maison de Calèche had suffered damage, and although some repairs had been attempted, more roof tiles had been lost over time. Water ingress caused further deterioration to the floors and ceilings. To add to the challenges, squatters had moved in. Luckily, the police had removed them for the auction to take place, and the house was still empty 2 years later.

The squatters had burned anything they could, removed items they could sell — including the fireplaces in the salle de séjour and the coach house, and the pillar tops at the roadside entrances (which should be pyramids to match the pillar next to the laundry room). They also left the land strewn with dead and dying vehicles.

It took weeks of hard manual work to rake the land by hand, followed by many hours on hands and knees digging out and removing car and building debris scattered across the grounds. Only then could we begin cutting back the grass and weeds, and the land is now fully workable and kept under control. Several damaged trees had to be removed, though new ones have appeared, which we’ve chosen to keep to help the property mature. The acacias along the front are particularly beautiful, filling the air with scent when in flower and attracting bees. The large lime tree provides gentle, dappled shade without the dripping common to UK lime trees, making it a lovely place to sit and enjoy the birds, bees, and other wildlife. 

From the outset, we aimed to repair the damage, restore original details and modernise the house while preserving the essence of the artist’s original design. Over the years, as custodians of the property, we carried out a complete rewire and installed new plumbing. We added two en-suites and created dressing rooms, the side room, and the attic. We also reinstated the original layout of the front rooms by replacing the wall and original French doors between the salon and the salle de séjour.

During the land clear-up, we discovered the original front doors rotting in a pile of rubbish. Restoring them and returning them to their rightful place was a real pleasure. We are equally proud of the restored original windows, doors, and all four sets of French doors. Although they were in extremely poor condition, they are solid oak and beautifully made, allowing us to bring them back to life. With the shutters open, they flood the house with light and remain an integral part of its character.

Cleaning and repairing the veranda and balcony, along with restoring, refitting, and repainting the shutters and decorative details around the house, made a huge difference and helped recover much of the character.

When it came to decorating, we chose a simple approach that highlighted the wood features throughout the house. We had intended to return to each room later and introduce more detailed décor inspired by Art Deco elements. That decision is now left to the future owners — should they wish to continue in that direction.

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, we now need to pass our French home on to its next custodian, to continue its story and complete the journey of restoring the property to its full potential

Work carried out

• Complete re-wire

• Complete re-plumb with ensuite additions with all new sewer pipes into mains and new 200 litre ballon d'eau chaude (hot water tank)

• Complete wood treatment

• Overhauled and repaired zinc water goods

• Installed suspended ceilings downstairs

• Ceilings and walls repaired, replaced and decorated throughout

• Floors repaired, sanded and treated with wax throughout

• Skirting repaired, recreated and replaced where necessary and painted

• All doors and windows repaired, restored, rehung and either stained or painted

• Shutters repaired and painted in traditional creusoise colours

• New bespoke gates fitted to the original vehicle entrance and pedestrian entrance

Our suggestions for further work required

• Finish painting the exterior of the houses using the creusoise standard colours and style - all paint and tools will come as part of the sale.

• Fit Kitchen for La Maison d'Artiste

• Install woodburners and/or alternative form of heating - at present we use paraffin and electric heaters, which will come with the sale.

• There is 'space' on the new electric consumer unit for electric radiators, etc

• Create pillars and a gate to 'new' main entrance

• Decide on use and renovate the 'Laundry room'

  • Previously, it had been a 'granny annexe' with its own sink, heating and cooking facilities (using the outside toilet)

  • We had been thinking of knocking through to the kitchen and having steps down from the kitchen into a 'garden room' with bifold doors opening out to the garden below the lime tree, where we planned to lay a large patio area.

  • At present, it has the remains of the collapsed ceiling, plaster and other miscellaneous house debris, which we have added to!

• Clear & tidy cellars

• Completely renovate La Maison de Calèche