I’ve been in contact recently with a pair interested in moving to the region. After having looked at a few of the properties they’ll be visiting I was bombarded by advertisements thanks to trackers and algorithms and all that. On the positive side, I did get led to some glorious places. My favourite was this:
It’s in the Gaillac area which is gorgeous, wonderful wine too. It’s 899 thousand euros. Quite big, a lot of land, gorgeous restoration. You can see it here.
Another interesting place is one of those I’d call a fabulous little monster. It’s in a very unusual style which was popular for a very short period during the reign of Napoleon III.
Great original features, fab garden and a kitchen redone to perfection. It needs editing, the current furniture is completely the wrong proportions and it also needs a new colour scheme; but it’s a fantastic starting point. Price is 390 thousand euros and you can see the ad here.
Finally we have one that’s a bit of a departure for me. It’s in Labastide Rouairoux which has historically been a partner town to Mazamet in commerce. It’s a mid century house by Charles Veaute who was a very popular architect in our region. The bones of the house are lovely. Easy to live in. I’d take it in an Oliver Messel (my hero) direction.
Here’s a Messel living room that would work well there:
Or if you want to make it even more interesting, take it in a John Saladino, or maybe even Addison Mizner direction. At the moment it’s all a bit harsh. A hard white with some hard browns. They’ve also done something a little bit off-putting to the fireplace, but that’s easily fixed.
Asking is 435 thousand euros which is incredibly reasonable for a house of that size with that garden in this region. You can see it here.
I’m quite fond of the little monster. And gee, my refreshing my high-school French on duolingo actually helped me look through the ad.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m very taken by this one I found too https://www.leboncoin.fr/ventes_immobilieres/2132755597.htm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! All the impact of a period property without the work ๐
LikeLike
Same! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Re “Itโs a mid century house by Charles Veaute who was a very popular architect in our region.” Here in the US, “mid century house” means a house built in the 19650s to 1960s. There, I think you need to state which century.
:o)
PS Is that your business? Consulting on design? If not, I think you are missing a trick!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mid century as in 1953 ๐ I love American mid-century as a concept, but less so to live in.
LikeLike
I liked the look of the first one and its grounds sounded great…but then felt rather disappointed by the interior. The monster was a delight, however!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The interiors can be built upon on the first one, but I agree, the little monster is a wonderful creature. It’s the house that doesn’t care what anyone else is doing, it’s going to do its own thing, and do it very well. The Jonathan Franzen of houses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the ‘monster’ too, especially the kitchen. I could be very hsppy baking & cooking in there. It has plenty of cupboards too. Sadly my lack of French made it impossible to understand more than a few words of each advert. I was taught French at school from the ages of 8 until 16, and not much sank into my poor brain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The kitchen is a huge success. They had the original cabinetry all copied to modern standards. Then added all modern appliances and countertops. We have floor to ceiling cabinets here in the scullery and it’s incredibly practical because you have space for an extra set of china (or three), different sets of glasses. Things for special occasions ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a very interesting region architecturally. Some parts of the south like Provence are very generic, but here things really have personality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like a lot of the others, I was rather taken with the little ‘Monster’. Re the first one, if I had the money, I’d buy the…coach house?…in a heart beat. Much more my style. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the exteriors of the first. The romantic slightly crumbly texture against the green of the trees ๐ But yes, the little monster has a ton of charm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to say I loved the indoor-outdoor feel of that living room you showed as an example. I could live in something like that. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
That house is in the Caribbean , so it works particularly well; but all of Messel’s work is just beyond wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaaaaah! That explains the glorious quality of the light. I assumed the photo had just been taken on a particularly bright day, but now it makes a lot more sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s the whole house: https://www.habituallychic.luxury/2016/03/fustic-house/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my god….
That place is so beautiful I’m lost for words. The views of the ocean, and even the bathrooms open onto verandahs, and the colour scheme… Honestly, pale green is not my colour. I love a richer, deeper olive green, and on my walls rather than the floor, and yet…I would not change a single, solitary thing. Not one. Well, maybe one. What about mosquitoes? I didn’t see any way to keep the little blighters away, but maybe mosquito netting is hidden from view until needed.
Thanks for letting me see what Messel is all about. I’m now a fan. ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. All so gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can see myself having a great time in any of those places ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the little monster.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Metaphor?
LikeLiked by 1 person