Number 42, Before Us
Yesterday we had the great pleasure of being visited by a former resident of number 42. One who grew up here and loves the place as much as we do. … Continue reading
The Wonders of Absurdist Entertainment: Chateau DIY
Imagine this scenario: There are British people who want to live in a grand French country house, but they (a number on this program) can’t quite afford to do it. … Continue reading
Some beautiful places in the Tarn
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 … Continue reading
Winter in Mazamet: Visiting the Molinié Villa
It’s been cold! The lawn has been regularly covered in a white dust of ice. There have been storms and flooding in various parts of France. Luckily, we’re not in … Continue reading
The Redemptive Power of Beautiful Things
A more light-hearted post since whenever one turns on the television all we hear are terrible things – so I give you some beautiful things: I found this great little … Continue reading
Early February in Mazamet. A little bit of wonderful.
First things first, I’ve been doing the interiors of the cabinets in the scullery. They were plain and boring – completely unrefined. So I thought I’d add a bit of … Continue reading
Happy Holidays!
As usual, we couldn’t get the dogs all together and still for a Christmas card picture – so this year there are two. The boys were particularly disruptive, which meant … Continue reading
Mazamet: Being Gazumped & Hot August Real Estate
Okay, so we weren’t actually gazumped – I just like using that word. An apartment came up for sale in the building across the street (Residence du Haut Languedoc) and … Continue reading
Mazamet: Creating a new life in the South of France – Interview with Gareth Johnson for MainlyMale/GTV London
Journalist Gareth Johnson of GTV London and MainlyMale asked me a few questions about our move to Mazamet. The original source has been archived, so I’ve included a copy of … Continue reading
Amazing deal: Maison Bourgeoise in Mazamet for 85 000€
Source: Vente maison / villa 12 pièce(s) à Secteur de Mazamet : 245 m² avec 7 chambres à 85 000 euros – Lopez immobilier Apparently this is in a fantastic location … Continue reading
Mazamet: The property market this week
This just came on the market this week. I recognise it as I’ve gone by many, many times. This house faces the park on Avenue Albert Rouvière, almost directly across … Continue reading
Les belles demeures des anciens patrons mazamétains – 11/02/2018 – ladepeche.fr
“…Face au château, trois belles et grandes demeures. «Elles ont toutes appartenu à la même famille Vidal, propriétaire d’une des grandes fabriques de délainage. C’est d’abord le père qui a … Continue reading
Life at no. 42, month 16. The good and the not quite
So it’s been sixteen months. I’ve more or less lost my sense of time. Some days I feel like I’ve been here forever, others I wake up and still … Continue reading
April at number 42
…I’ve been up a ladder cleaning the facade. Up a very tall ladder-and it was incredibly frightening. Between not falling off and holding the power-washer gun (big and heavy) with … Continue reading
Doodling Floor Plans
Okay- I’ve been doodling and doodling to see what I could actually come up with for the currently unused atelier area. If you don’t recall, it looks like this: The … Continue reading
Work on apartment #3; Two bed, two bath
Work has begun. This is one of the apartments I prefer, which means it’s more fun. It’s got an interesting L shaped layout with a bedroom at each extremity (each with … Continue reading
A finished one bedroom apartment
The kid moves in tomorrow at noon, so as you can imagine we’ve been running around to get everything done in time. It looks quite decent. Still need to set … Continue reading
They just scream number 42!!!
Just got a pair of amazing candle sconces. HUGE! 85cm x 75cm (that’s 33 by 29 inches.) They’re going to be absolutely perfect for number 42. I’ve been having a … Continue reading
Lunch at the Grand Balcon
Sunday we went to lunch at the Grand Balcon. It’s been open for over 100 years. The back of the wine list is an amusing page of little notes and … Continue reading
Work at the 1 bedroom
A ton going on this week. The double glazing is in place in the 1 bedroom flat. Big, lots of light. Showing off the bedroom window is Ted Thatcher, our friend … Continue reading
What makes a home?
Work on the flats is well on its way. We’ve started with floor plan changes. That meant knocking down a couple of walls because the room distribution in two … Continue reading
Work and then more work. Months of work ahead.
I did ask for it. Now I’ve got a total of six serious reforms on my hands. Six kitchens to be redone, six bathrooms- goodness knows how many square metres of … Continue reading
The Works. August in Mazamet
The bathroom in the master bedroom is finally nearing completion! I wasn’t sure about a new bathroom in a century old house, but I’ve been converted. Everything Mike chose is … Continue reading
Upstairs/downstairs; Examining staff quarters
For comparison’s sake I have to start with the grand staircase. That’s because I think it’s the most shocking example of inequality/aristocratic thinking. As incredible as it may seem to … Continue reading
An Almost Kitchen
We’re nearly there. Three of the curved bits are delayed: The tall curved door and two pieces of the curved skirting. The Zimbabwean brushed granite is installed. It has a lovely … Continue reading
Roof-work, kitchens and sculleries
Now there’s a good picture for proportion! Doesn’t he look tiny? He’s replaced eight broken roof tiles and repaired cracks on the chimneys. Fortunately the roof is in quite good condition. … Continue reading
Pattern, Colour and Progress
Working with such an intense pattern is not easy. It takes tremendous skill. To be honest I think it’s only brilliantly done in England and in India. Henrietta Spencer Churchill comes to … Continue reading
And now back to work
The fabric for the formal (grey) salon arrived, I’m thrilled. I’ve been looking at fabric samples for months. I wanted something special and different because the house deserves it; that … Continue reading
In which deeds are signed
At last! Transaction complete, the house was paid for in full Thursday. No more mortgages, hurrah! Thursday was Mike’s birthday, so it was a great day for it to happen. Married on March 2nd, his birthday … Continue reading
Just another mini-update. Of furniture and new homes.
Home alone, as Mike is off to Burgundy to see a double dresser on stretcher legs in Burgundy. Nearly identical to the one above except instead of three drawers it has … Continue reading
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