Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 4, Episode 13 - Episode #4.13 - full transcript
I'm Dick Strawbridge.
Along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
Dick: we're now 5 years...
Angel: Whoo!
Dick: into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
Dick: and some amazing rewards.
Angel: Thank you for my
flower garden, Mr. Strawbridge.
Dick: And across France,
there are dozens
of other Brits
who are on their own
chateau adventure.
Yay!
Dick: We'll meet
some old friends...
Woman: Smile.
Man: I am.
Dick: and new faces.
Man: These rooms really haven't
been touched in 60 years.
Dick: And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: It is so much better
in real life!
Dick: There'll be highs...
Woman: Yay!
Dick: and lows...
Both: Oh, no!
Man: God, what a disaster!
Dick: as these plucky Brits...
Woman: Time is money.
Dick: transform these
once unloved buildings
into incredible homes...
Woman: I just cannot believe
how much work
you put in for us.
Dick: as well as businesses...
[Cheering]
and get to live the dream
as custodians
of their very own castle.
Woman: Cheers, everybody!
Dick: Today, it's D-Day...
Woman: The priority is,
for me,
in 24 hours to get these
beds made and constructed.
Dick: as one couple
prepare for their biggest
chateau booking ever.
Woman: Why did I think
this was a good idea,
getting you two--
Man: Ah, the chuckle brothers.
Dick: DIY decorations see some
creative escapism.
Woman: This panel is all about
a lady sitting by the window
looking out
and...a bird is set free
and flies out.
Dick: And wildlife roof
squatters...
Woman: I can see big poo
up there.
Dick: make a messy task
even messier.
Woman: OK, here goes, Tom.
Tom: OK.
Lovely.
Dick: Across France,
there are lots of Brits
snapping up chateaus
and turning them into homes
and businesses.
Like former fashion designer
Mariam,
husband Johnno, an ex-tailor,
and son Monty,
who have been renovating
Chateau Domaine de la Salle
for over a year now.
Mariam: I love making
something happen,
working on a project,
and seeing a difference
that you can make.
And I love bringing old places
back to life.
Dick: Located near Bordeaux
in southwestern France,
they've come a long way
in 12 months,
transforming it from
an empty shell
into a luxury B&B
and events venue.
Mariam: Let me take you in.
Woman: Thank you.
Dick: They recently got
the bedrooms finished
just in time to welcome a large
group of visitors.
Woman: [Gasps]
Oh, it's huge.
Mariam: I feel really relieved
about progress
because now we can actually
receive guests
and not worry whether they've
actually got
a door to their room or
a toilet that flushes
or a sink that's gone missing
or whatever.
People can come and it's
all sorted.
Dick: Mariam wants to ensure
every room
has a sense of elegance
and style,
so has made even grander plans
for their ground floor salon,
which she wants to turn into
the crown jewel of the chateau.
Mariam: We really need
a grand salon
for people to sit in and have
their afternoon tea
or, you know, be invited
to a cocktail.
You've got to have somewhere
in a chateau
that makes you feel special.
Johnno: It's mainly for me,
so I can sit there and read
the newspaper.
Mariam: You aren't allowed
in there.
[Laughs]
Dick: It sounds like it's VIPs
only,
and such an exclusive room
requires a very special floor.
Mariam had wanted to use
parquet de Versailles flooring,
a design first used in
the 17th century
for the most prestigious chateau
in France.
Mariam: I looked around
and I got in touch with people,
and it was going to be about
30,000 euros,
and we couldn't do it.
Dick: Instead, she's gone for
the next best thing--
reproductional panels that are
still handmade
but around a third of the price.
Mariam: It should be really good
fun to see it all...
Um, joining up.
Dick: They're fairly easy
to install.
A combination of glue, nails,
and wooden beading
which slots between the panels
keeps them in place.
Mariam: Ah, that's the joining
of them.
Dick: The boys are making
light work of it,
but Mariam is leaving
nothing to chance.
Mariam: Kind of learned
to sometimes actually
come and watch
because otherwise, something's
done and you come and look at it
and you think, "That's not
what I wanted."
Dick: Keeping a close eye on
what's going on
can save costly
misunderstandings.
This job runs smoothly,
and just 24 hours later,
Mariam is keen to give Johnno
a glimpse of her vision.
Mariam: What do you think of
the floor then?
It looks good, doesn't it?
Johnno: I think it looks
magnificent, yeah.
No, I'm very pleased with it.
Mariam: Phew.
I think it's very nice.
It'll look fantastic
when it's oiled.
Mariam: Tubby likes it.
Johnno: [Laughs]
Dick: It's a thumbs up
so far.
Mariam has equally extravagant
plans for the walls.
Mariam: Put in the pomegranates,
which I really wanted.
And then somewhere we've got
to have a peacock, don't we?
Dick: She's designing
decorative panels,
which she'll be painting on
the salon walls herself.
Mariam: These are really just
rough sketches
so that I know what I'm doing
before I do it.
And I've got two big panels
and 4 little panels.
There's going to be a wooden
molding around them.
Then we paint these
two walls blue,
and then afterwards, I paint
the mural inside those moldings.
Dick: Mariam grew up in
the Middle East
and wants the murals to reflect
her time there.
Mariam: This panel is all about
a song by Fairuz
that my father translated for me
when I was younger.
We used to sing it together.
It's all about a lady sitting
by the window looking out
and...the bird is set free
and flies out.
I really hope they look good,
otherwise I'm gonna have to just
redo the whole thing.
Dick: It certainly sounds
impressive.
I can't wait to see what
it looks like
when it's all finished.
In northern France lies
Chateau de Montvason.
Built in 1878,
it has 30 rooms
and is set in 8 and a half acres
of woodland.
It's owned by Emma, a freelance
development consultant,
and partner Paul, who retired
from the car industry
on ill health.
They run it as a B&B
and events venue.
Paul: We do work very well
together.
Emma: I'm OCD and he's messy.
Perfect combo.
Yeah, he messes up, I come in
and clean.
I'm happy bunny.
Dick: Located next to
the Normandy coast,
Emma and Paul are gearing up
for one of their biggest events
since moving in just over
two years ago.
Paul: 75th anniversary this year
for D-Day.
And we've got a booking of
sort of retired
and ex American servicemen.
Emma: The whole of the chateau
is getting taken over,
so, yeah, that puts a bit of
extra stress on.
Right, let's go see how
we're doing.
Dick: As well as hosting a party
for 250 people,
the chateau is fully booked.
Emma: Right.
Dick: They're expecting
15 guests tomorrow,
but only have 5 bedrooms.
Emma: The priority is,
for me,
in 24 hours to get these beds
made and constructed.
Dick: Fortunately,
Emma has a plan.
Emma: I'll tell you what we
need to do.
I want the boys to get
the furniture in place.
WE need to move the iron--
the white iron bed
from the gold...
Man: Into the Prussian.
Emma: to the Prussian.
So I would like you and Jim
to do that.
Jim and Jude on that.
Dick: Emma wants to put extra
beds in the rooms.
Emma: No, not that stuff.
We just want the bed that's
underneath it.
Dick: Emma's tasked mate Jim
and son Jude with the job.
Emma: Stuff is everywhere,
so I'm now trying to get
literally everything
where it needs to be.
So I need
to get beds constructed,
then made up,
then clean the chateau.
That's all.
Dick: To help dress the rooms,
friend Maggie's been brought in,
which leaves Emma time to keep
a close eye on the boys.
Jim: I'm doing it. I know how to
do it, don't worry.
Emma: All right, I'm not gonna
micromanage you.
I'm going to leave you.
Just don't scratch
the wallpaper.
[Sighs] Fantastic.
Jude: Keep going.
Dick: Although Emma's not
straying too far away.
Jim: Ahh, watch the paintwork.
Emma: Seriously.
Seriously watch the paintwork.
Jim: All right, come to me.
Come to me.
We should be able to get it
through here.
That's it.
Watch the paintwork.
Emma: Other way around.
Jim: Twist the--
Emma: Why did I think this
was a good idea,
getting you two to work--
Jim: The chuckle brothers.
Emma: Oh, at least
you have fun while you work.
Jim: To me, to you.
Dick: With the extra beds
safely in place,
Jim's now needed in an
unfinished room
in the west wing.
Jim: Correct treatment
for a rug.
Paul: What's that?
Jim: Boot it.
Paul: Boot it? Exactly. Exactly.
Jim: Ooh.
Dick: With so many guests
staying over,
Emma and Paul are moving
in here.
It just needs to be a touch
more habitable.
Paul: There we go.
Jim: Bingo.
Emma: Oh, lovely.
OK, so I just need to do
a bit of tweaking in here.
Dick: Perfectionist Emma wants
everything to be flawless.
Emma: I've just been focusing
on trying to get
all of the bedrooms ready for
all our guests tomorrow.
And meanwhile, Paul's been
making our little room nice.
It's just temporary, but
originally I just thought
we'd have a mattress,
so this is--this is great.
Dick: It seems Emma plan is
slowly falling into place.
And with 250 people due to
descend on the chateau grounds,
they're about to get busy.
This is the picturesque
19th century
Chateau de Perriere.
It has 20 rooms,
an outdoor swimming pool,
and lots of outbuildings.
It's owned by Paul, who runs
a workplace design company,
wife Karen,
an interior designer,
and children Tom and Katie.
They bought it 15 years ago
and have renovated it
into a luxury holiday retreat.
Karen: We dream big,
and our dreams never stop.
And therefore, I don't think
the renovations here
will ever stop
because they'll always be
more to do. Always.
Dick: Located in the Loire
Valley in northwest France,
last time we met them,
they renovated part
of an outbuilding...
and transformed it
into a stylish cinema
entertainment room.
Karen: That's more palatial than
most cinema seats.
Dick: But as with most chateaus,
not every project goes smoothly.
Karen: The roof guys ended up
sticking his foot in the roof
and making a hole.
Paul: La Perriere strikes again
is what you're saying.
Dick: It's been 6 months,
and Karen and Paul
have finally got the builders in
to fix the outbuilding roof.
It was an old stable
and coach house,
which they now want to transform
into a wedding venue
to help bring in more income
to work towards their aim of
living here permanently.
Karen: To be able to hold events
and celebrations
here at the chateau would be...
Paul: It'd be great.
Karen: Would be great.
Paul: But sprucing is a major
project.
I think it's more,
here we go again.
Dick: Today the plan is to start
ripping down the ceiling
in the coach house.
Karen: Best place to start is,
I think, here,
'cause there's a hole already.
Dick: As Paul's away working
in the UK,
it's left to Karen and
15-year-old son Tom
to get their hands dirty.
Tom: We're going to expose the
beams, aren't we?
Karen: Exactly. At the moment,
it's a pretty soulless room.
So we're just gonna of crowbar
and pull it down.
Well, that's the theory.
Dick: Sounds like a plan.
But there's just one thing
bothering Karen.
Karen: I can see big poo
up there.
Like, it's that big.
Tom: Are you sure that's not
just not like a dead mouse?
Karen: They're called--
what are they called?
Um, something martens.
And that's just the ideal space
for them.
Dick: Ah, yes, pine marten.
They're common in France.
We often spot evidence of the
little fellows in our grounds.
There's a wild animal here,
and it's pooping in one place.
Child: Ew! That's disgusting!
Dick: They belong to the same
family as weasels and ferrets
and normally live in
the woods.
Now it's nighttime.
Watch, watch, watch, watch.
Ahh! What is that?
When they decide to visit
your attic,
they can be a nuisance.
But as Paul and Karen are having
their roof redone,
it shouldn't be an ongoing
problem.
Karen: All right, hat on, then.
Tom: Mum, put your mask on
first.
Karen: Oh, god, yeah.
Oh, I'm such the pro.
Dick: Well spotted, Tom.
This job requires
the full kit.
Tom: [Laughs] Glasses.
Karen: This is not working.
Dick: And at this rate,
it could take a while.
Karen: OK, you--you'll hold
my gloves for me
'cause I'm making a right old
mess of this.
It's a really good start.
You've practiced putting
that on.
Tom: Have I?
Karen: Yeah.
Fine, OK. Let's go.
Dick: Safety equipment sorted,
Karen gets stuck in.
Karen: OK, here goes, Tom.
Tom: OK.
Lovely.
Karen: That's the poo.
It's quite big, right?
Tom: Ew. That's not nice.
That's horrible.
Karen: Ahh, heck.
That was all horrible.
A lot easier than I thought
it was.
However, it's actually
a lot more disgusting
than I could ever have imagined.
Dick: So much so, she decides
to let Tom try his luck.
Karen: Oh! God, you're up there.
Ahh. That is disgusting.
Karen: Ha ha ha!
It's really gross, isn't it?
Dick: That's one unpleasant job
started.
There's a huge amount of work
to turn this old coach house
into a luxurious wedding venue.
119 miles away at
Chateau de Montvason...
Paul: Let's have a look at
what we've got.
Dick: Emma and Paul are busy
preparing
for their 75th anniversary
of D-Day.
Paul: Yeah, it's gonna be our
first big one,
so it's quite important
we get it right.
Dick: Tomorrow they'll be
hosting a barbecue
for 250 people in the garden.
But today it's all about getting
the chateau ready
for a group of Army veterans
and their families
who are due in just a couple
of hours.
Emma: We are behind schedule
for my liking.
So a little--a little stressed.
Dick: The chateau itself played
a part in the Second World War,
where the building was occupied
by German infantry
before being liberated by
American troops in 1944.
On the chateau's second floor,
the bedroom doors
still have soldiers' names
scribbled on them.
Emma: So the fantastic thing
about this group
is that they come--some of them
come from the Fourth Division,
which is the division that
actually liberated this chateau
in the Second World War.
So we can have a really nice
chat about, you know,
the history, D-Day history,
and the chateau's histories.
Dick: 15 people are staying,
which is their biggest booking
so far.
As well as putting in extra beds
to accommodate everyone,
they've also arranged everything
with military precision.
Emma: Great.
Dick: And their guests arrive
right on time.
Emma: You brought the sun with
you. Hi, I'm Emma.
Phil: Hi, Emma, I'm Phil.
Emma: Oh, Phil.
Phil: Nice to meet you.
Paul: Of course.
Phil: Hi, Paul.
Paul: Hi, Phil. How are you?
Phil: This is my wife Lisa.
Lisa: Jameson.
Emma: Jameson. Come on in,
we'll show you around.
So this is your room.
Lisa and Philip and Jameson
are in here, so--
Phil: Jameson, look.
Emma: This is your room.
That's your bed.
Phil: That's your bed.
Dick: It looks like they're all
going to arrive at once.
Emma: So you know where you are.
Is it just you three?
Or is there someone else?
Mike: Mike, my son Carson.
My wife's in the car.
Emma: Lovely to meet you. Cool.
Carson: Nice to meet you.
Emma: You like? So again,
I don't mind who sleeps where.
Dick: Emma and Paul don't waste
any time
telling the guests about
the chateau's impressive
military history.
Paul: That's where the Germans
were.
Emma: Oh, yeah, we'll show you
that in a sec, yeah.
Paul: And the Americans.
The Americans were up there
after they chased
the Germans out.
Emma: Yes, it hasn't been
touched since World War II,
so we've got the names--
Paul: Marked up the ceilings.
Emma: We've got the names
of the--yeah,
got the names of the Germans
on the door
and also the Americans,
who then liberated the chateau.
So that's why we were so excited
about you guys coming.
Paul: At the end of the drive
there
is the Fourth Division line
whilst the battle for Valognes
was going on.
Emma: Yeah. And they got the
Germans out of the house
by dropping bombs in the back
garden, and they just left.
So then the Americans stayed
till 1946.
Phil: Having talking to Paul
and Emma,
this is a pretty special place.
I mean, to get a chance to stay
somewhere
that was part of history,
pretty special for us.
Mike: This is exactly where
you would hope to be and to stay
when you come to Normandy.
Just incredible.
Dick: Without a doubt,
Emma and Paul
have already won their guests
over.
Paul: It's great,
and they're all happy.
And I think they'll enjoy
their--
think they'll enjoy
their stay.
These are real Army guys,
and people were saying earlier
they're not used to this level
of comfort,
so that's a really good thing.
Dick: They couldn't have wished
for a better start.
With a barbecue for 250 people
due to take place
on the chateau grounds,
the party's about to ramp up.
In southwestern France
at Chateau Domaine de la Salle,
Mariam has called in specialist
decorators
to help complete the next part
of her grand vision
for the salon.
Mariam: We're just about to put
up the ceiling rose,
and after that, we might be able
to put up the chandelier.
Dick: Mariam's had a ceiling
rose made
at a cost of over £600
and doesn't want to risk
fitting it herself.
Mariam: This one's made in
a French factory.
These guys deal with that
factory
and they put them up
the whole time.
For them, it's straightforward.
If it actually drops off,
they have to replace it.
Dick: That's a pretty good
insurance policy.
[Both speaking French]
Dick: But let's hope it doesn't
come to that.
Mariam: I didn't want anything
too pompous.
Thought if I put a huge great
big ceiling rose there,
it's like pretending
I'm at Versailles.
I'm not.
This is a little bijou chateau.
[Laughs]
Dick: To ensure the ceiling rose
is stuck firmly in place,
the decorators attack
to wooden props to support it
until the glue dries.
Mariam: It's like a pair of
stilts holding up the ceiling,
and if we took them away, the
whole thing would come down.
Dick: Next Mariam sets
the decorators to work
painting two of the walls.
But first they have to get
the color mix exactly right.
[Both speaking French]
Dick: Luckily, designer Mariam
has a great eye for color.
Mariam: Oops. I shouldn't be
leaning on this.
[Laughs] Kaput.
Dick: One near-miss avoided,
and the paint color is bang on.
Mariam: Ooh.
This is brilliant.
It's exactly what I wanted.
It's very, very pretty.
Dick: With the walls painted
and the ceiling rose dry,
it's now over to Johnno
to hang up an 18 kilogram
antique chandelier
they picked up for about £150.
Johnno: It's jolly heavy,
this thing.
Mariam: Oh, it looks nice
in here.
Johnno: Yeah. Can you...
Mariam: Yes, I'm trying, dear.
Johnno: This was one of Mariam's
all-time bargains.
We purchased it from
a very nice lady
in a magnificent house
in Paris.
That will be all right.
Right.
Anyway.
Dick: With the chandelier
safely in place,
Mariam's already spotted
an imperfection.
Mariam: I've got to change these
revolting bulbs.
Johnno: I think it's actually
an old one
that would have originally
had candles in it.
It's been converted
at a later date, I think.
Dick: Well, that's another job
to add to the list.
I can't wait to see what grand
plans Mariam comes up with next.
At Chateau La Perriere,
with work started transforming
the coach house
and stable block into
a wedding venue,
Paul is back from the UK
and Karen's called a budget
meeting.
Paul: So these are the plans,
are they?
Karen: Sit down.
Paul: OK. Do I have to relax?
Karen: It's always best.
Paul: Do I need to brace myself?
Karen: Always say yes
to everything.
[Laughter]
I want it all.
Paul: Course you do.
Karen: So we were thinking
celebrations,
parties, weddings.
So I'm thinking that
the coach house
would be where people would
enter in,
and it's gonna be
the welcoming area,
maybe champagne, canapés.
Then flowing through to
the stables for the main meal.
Then I'm kind of thinking
we will end up
with two long tables here.
Paul: Mm-hmm. So the only
structural work
is that, isn't it?
Karen: OK. Yeah.
Dick: Karen's plan is to remove
part of the wall
between the coach house
and the stable block.
Karen: Our roofer has already
given us a price
for putting a lintel in.
Paul: Yeah. Is it--
Karen: So you tell me how much
would you think it would cost
to put a lintel in?
Paul: 2,000.
Two to two and a half--
2,000 euros. There you go,
my final offer.
2,000 euros.
Karen: God. [Mumbles] OK.
Paul: And how much is it?
Karen, quietly:
Three and a half.
Paul: Three and a half thousand
euros?
[Laughs]
Karen: It's really--it's
5 meters.
It's 5 meters, that expanse.
Paul: OK, so it's three
and a half...
I can't even say it.
We haven't budgeted any of this.
We haven't budgeted the 40 grand
for the roof, have we?
Karen: No.
Paul: There's always,
"Oh, we've just found this."
Karen: Yeah.
Paul: Chateau life.
Get a quotation, add 20%,
and you might be just
about there by the
time they're finished.
Karen: OK, so we've got
to do something,
'cause it's a--it's a--like
a tiny door at the moment,
which is just not big enough.
The thing--the question is,
how big
and how much money we spend
on doing it.
Dick: Paul might need a bit more
convincing.
So Karen wants to show off
the work she's done
in the coach house while he's
been away working
to pay for the project.
Paul: Oh, god.
Karen: Stop, because I want you
to admire it.
Dick: She's so far managed to
remove the ceiling
to expose the wooden beams
and strip back the plaster walls
to reveal the original
stonework.
Paul: That's just awful before,
wasn't it?
Karen: Why would you cover
this wall up?
It is so beautiful.
Paul: The size, isn't it?
Karen: When you look at the
beams, they're not that old.
Paul: No.
Karen: Sadly.
I was a bit disappointed.
Paul: I'm not.
We're not having to replace
them all.
Karen: I know, yeah.
They're not rotten.
Paul: That's the thing,
this is why I'm actually smiling
'cause we've actually opened up
and we--for once,
we actually don't seem to have
opened up a can of worms.
Dick: I wouldn't count your
chicken just yet, Paul,
as Karen also has plans
for the stable block.
Paul: We've got lots of
decisions to be made here.
Karen: OK, I've got
some great ideas.
Great ideas.
Can I tell you?
Paul: [Laughs] Yeah.
Go on.
Karen: OK. I'm going to
attempt to
draw what I want these divisions
to be,
'cause we need this space
to be open
with tables running down
the length, two long tables.
So what I'm thinking is
we're gonna take out
these--all of these,
take them all out.
Paul: Yep.
Karen: So we end up
with just a frame.
Paul: Yeah.
So they're not staying here,
then?
Karen: No, no, no.
We're gonna take these
and then put them on the wall
that we've just taken
the render of.
Paul: So just one of them.
Karen: Just one.
And then that can be our support
for our table
and that be our welcoming
drinks, dessert table.
Paul: So they go flat
against the wall?
Karen: Yeah, they're--
Paul: No, no, no.
Dick: Repurposing a stable
partition
into a buffet table
is a great idea,
and it'll save some cash, too.
Paul: That.
So we're doing these
at Easter, are we?
Karen: No, today.
We're starting today.
Paul: OK.
Am I not on holiday?
Karen: No.
Dick: Well, when you own
a chateau,
it's always more of a busman's
holiday.
In southwestern France,
Mariam is still working in
the grand salon.
A previous project in
a bathroom above
meant they decided to lower
the salon ceiling
to accommodate plumbing.
Mariam: I feel like this
ceiling's even lower
than everywhere else.
Paul: Do you think it's too low
as well, Mariam?
Mariam: Yes.
Paul: Huh?
Mariam: Yeah. I think
I made a big mistake.
Because I'm not like terribly
experience in plumbing,
I didn't think that you needed
some pipes
at the bottom of the bathroom,
and that's why it's come down
so low.
Paul: It's a bit hard
to change it now.
Mariam: I know. I know.
Dick: Renovating a chateau is
always a steep learning curve
and some problems have
a knock-on effect.
Mariam: It means that I've got
no space to put a curtain rail
above the window.
Dick: This one calls for
a creative solution.
Mariam: So we've been thinking
about it,
and we're going to put in
pelmets
with just a really flat
curtain track underneath.
Dick: Mariam and Johnno have
left gaps in the cornicing
to make spaces for the pelmets.
Mariam: So these are the bits of
pelmet-y stuff
that I've made, OK?
Dick: Today she and Johnno
want to choose a design
by experimenting with
cardboard cutouts.
Mariam: All right.
So option one.
So we cut this piece and we put
it in there.
My other option was this.
We can have that.
Johnno: Mm-hmm.
Dick: To make an executive
decision,
Mariam decides it's best to see
them both in situ in the salon.
Johnno: OK, so that's that.
Oops.
Mariam: OK, that looks silly,
that one.
We'll try this one instead.
Johnno: [Sighs]
OK.
Mariam: Yeah.
Well, that's fine, then.
Dick: With the decision made,
she now wants Johnno to make
a more representative sample...
Johnno: Right.
Dick: as he's going to be making
the pelmets himself.
Johnno: Maybe that'll do
the trick.
Making a mockup of it first
before we do the real thing
because then it will allow
Mariam to change her mind
like she usually does.
Dick: While Johnno works
on the design,
Mariam is keen to perfect
the murals
she started on the walls.
Mariam: When it's going OK,
it's quite soothing doing it.
And when it's not, it's most
frustrating thing on earth.
I haven't done it for
so many years,
I'm completely and utterly
out of practice.
Dick: Mariam was a budding
painter
before choosing a career
in fashion.
Mariam: I find it really
therapeutic.
I really enjoy it.
During the process,
I normally hate it,
and I think, "Why did
I start?"
And I think I can't finish.
And hopefully when it's
finished,
what usually happens is I think,
"Oh, it's not that bad
after all."
Dick: Let's hope the same
can be said
about Johnno's mockup pelmet.
Johnno: Whoops.
Mariam: Oy.
Johnno: Heh. Right.
Do you want to test
opening the windows?
Mariam: This should be fun.
Ha. It's good.
Johnno: OK.
Mariam: You're good.
Dick: Result.
Mariam: Very happy.
You've done a very nice sample.
I thought it was rather good.
So we're all good to go.
Problem resolved.
Dick: With the seal of approval
from Mariam,
they're inching ever closer
towards finishing
their grand salon.
In Normandy, Emma and Paul
are hosting a D-Day barbecue
for American troops
and their families.
Emma: I love that, Lisa.
That is so pretty.
Isn't that perfect?
The colors.
I want to sit in this bit.
Dick: Arranged by their guests,
it's due to start in just
a couple of hours.
Emma: The problem I have now
is the caterers have turned up,
and the people who are
organizing tonight's thing
aren't back yet.
So I have no idea where I'm
gonna put them.
[Clicks tongue]
Dick: With no one around
to check with,
Emma's going to have to
take over.
Emma: [Speaking French]
Dick: On the menu's going to be
barbecued lamb.
Emma wants to make sure
the trailer has prime position.
Emma: [Speaking French]
Dick: Being a perfectionist,
she also has an exact spot.
Emma: [Speaking French]
I think I'm being a bit
of a pain.
But I just want to do
the right thing.
[Speaking French]
OK. [Speaks French]
Dick: With the barbecue
up and running,
one thing's ticked off the list.
The returning guests haven't
missed all the fun.
Paul's been put in charge of
getting wood for a bonfire.
Paul: Bonfire matter.
Let's go.
Dick: And he's recruited
some helpers.
Paul: Over the back there,
that back lane,
there's loads of it,
just drag it all up.
Man: Wait a minute,
I'll get the truck.
Paul: Yeah, go and get
the truck.
Dick: With 8 and a half acres of
woodland to choose from,
it's a simple task.
Paul: Really good way to get
your woods cleared out.
It's fantastic.
I love it.
I don't have to do it now.
Dick: Two jobs for the price
of one.
Paul: Yeah, that's it.
Man: That's better.
Dick: While the guests head back
to help with preparations...
Paul: Yeah, tight lot.
Tight, tight, tight, tight.
All the way. Tight. No!
Dick: Paul's left to navigate
the truck
safely out of the woods.
Paul: Keep going, keep going.
[Indistinct shouting]
Dick: It's proving to be a bit
of a squeeze.
Paul: You're all right.
You've got loads of room.
Yeah, off you go. Go on.
Let it go.
Yeah. Go on.
Dick: With no damage done,
it's been a successful sortie.
Back at the chateau,
the barbecue is in full swing,
and it looks like they've got
all the bases covered
with the catering.
Paul: Oh, you've gone for
cold cuts.
Jim: Gone for the cold cuts.
Paul: Yeah.
Phil: I think these are
appetizers.
Jim: Yeah.
Paul: Oh.
Phil: Amuse-bouche.
I think it's been great.
It's been very welcoming.
Lisa: The chateau's been
amazing.
Emma and Paul are awesome.
I'm gonna be sad when we leave.
I literally probably will cry.
I really will.
Mike: We got food, we got drink,
we got fire, we got friends.
Doesn't get much better
than that.
So as we say in America,
it's been awesome.
Emma: This has been our biggest
booking this year,
and it's very important for us
to have, you know,
big group bookings.
It's really great to have
the chateau full.
It's really fun.
I like--I like that.
I think it's what it's made for.
Dick: Successfully hosting
one of their biggest events yet
is another notch in this
couple's chateau business belt
and should give them confidence
to expand their events
in the future.
In the Loire Valley,
Karen wants Paul
and children Tom and Kate
to help dismantle
an old stable partition,
as she has grand plans
for reusing it
as a buffet table
for their wedding venue.
Paul: Tasks.
Karen: Tasks are sanding.
Job. Katie, you're gonna be
sanding with Mummy.
Kate: I will sand, but I'm not
doing the cobwebs.
Paul: OK.
Karen: OK, that's fine.
Daddy will do the cobwebs.
Paul: Mm-hmm.
Dick: Karen wants to remove
the decades of grime
to see the condition of the wood
underneath.
Karen: Quite like the markings.
I don't want to get rid
of the markings.
Paul: OK.
Dick: Tom's task is to cut out
the panels,
and he's already hit
a problem.
Paul: Yeah, Katie--
Tom: Who's gonna move the
stones, first of all?
Paul: Who's gonna move
the stones?
Tom: The tiles. 'Cause I can't
cut until that's moved.
Phil: Wow, that is a job.
Kate: I don't think Mum thought
about that.
Paul: Do we have to move all of
those now?
Tom: Yes.
Karen: Yeah.
Paul: Wow.
A thousand tiles.
Bloody marvelous.
Dick: Jobs like these are never
straightforward.
But until the tiles
are removed,
the panels can't be cut out.
Paul: That was half an hour
of my life
I will not get back, I think is
the best description.
Karen: You love me all the more
for it.
Paul: But we want to use this
one, not that one
or not that one, we need to use
this one, apparently.
So...yeah, it was--it was
a good half hour. Loved it.
Kate: I don't know how
you do this.
Karen: You're doing a great job.
Dick: Problem solved, the sawing
can finally begin again.
Karen: No.
It needs--you need to watch--
Paul: I know, I'm going down,
but I can only go down slowly.
Karen: You're cutting the top.
You're cutting the top.
Paul: I can only go down slowly,
'cause otherwise I'll
snap a blade.
Dick: Taking extra care to avoid
a cut in the wrong place...
the panel should now be loose
enough to come out.
Karen: You ready?
Now try and slice them up.
'Cause they should all
come out.
Push it in to me. That's that.
Dick: Now they're getting
somewhere.
Tom: There you go.
Dick: Although Karen is starting
to doubt herself.
Karen: Hopefully I've done
the right thing
by taking the panels out.
Paul: What else would you
have done?
Karen: Kept them in.
Paul: Just finished them? Hmm?
- Kept them in.
- You told me to take them out.
Karen: You're supposed to--
you're supposed to say, "No, I
think you absolutely
did the right thing."
Paul: Well, I think it looks
great.
Karen: Oh, good.
Dick: Right answer.
Paul: Pleased?
Karen: Yeah, I'm really pleased.
Paul: Right. Let's go and have
some tea.
What are you thinking?
You're not changing
your mind again.
Karen: I'm not changing
my mind.
I'm actually really pleased
with how they look.
Paul: Good.
That's it, then.
Karen: For another day.
Paul: For another day.
Dick: It's a start,
but there's still a lot
of decisions to make,
money to spend,
and work to do
before this place is transformed
into a wedding venue.
A hundred miles away in
southwestern France...
Mariam: Johnno!
Johnno: Right. At your service,
duchess.
Dick: Mariam, Johnno,
and son Monty
are putting the finishing
touches
to their grand salon.
Mariam: Do you want a hand?
Hang on.
Dick: Starting with a 300-kilo
baby grand piano.
Johnno: OK.
1, 2, 3.
Mariam: No, it's come off
its coasters, hasn't it?
Dick: Oops.
Johnno: It doesn't matter.
You want to put the coasters
back if I lift it?
Dick: Mariam's put coasters down
to protect the parquet floor,
but I'd be more worried about
Johnno's toes.
Johnno: Is it there?
Mariam: Yep. Perfect.
Johnno: I'm stuffed in
the corner.
Pfft.
Dick: Maybe in the corner, but
no foot injuries.
Mariam: Can we now lift up
the wing bit
to see whether that works?
Johnno: You just want to
hide the chicken.
Mariam: Yep, I want to hide
the chicken.
They're meant to be pheasants.
There's a rather unpleasant
couple of pheasants
which I painted and don't have
the time to redo.
Johnno: No great work of art is
made in a day.
Dick: All that's left to do now
is to finish dressing
the room.
Mariam: Right.
What do you think?
Johnno: Yeah, not bad.
Dick: 4 months ago,
this room was nothing more
than an empty space.
Now it's been transformed
into a stylish and elegant
grand salon.
Mariam's savvy shopping
has saved her
a significant amount,
from the wooden floors
to the second-hand finds.
And she's found creative ways
to make the most of
the lowered ceiling.
Mariam: The pelmets have worked.
You know what's worked
is the fact that you don't
notice them.
Johnno: That's great after
all that work.
Dick: Mariam's eye for detail
and her artistic skills
on the walls
help give the room that
personal touch.
Mariam: It's been quite a lot
of work
to get the salon to the state
it is now,
but I feel quite relieved that
the salon's finished.
I just like the way it all
comes together--
the pale blue, the golds,
the painting,
the velvet sofas.
It does look like a pretty room.
I wanted something that looked
a bit like a pretty cake
or something like that.
[Laughs]
Don't ask me why.
Dick: Mariam certainly pulled it
out of the bag.
And I'm sure it'll only be
a matter of time
before the guests come flocking.
Next time...
Emma: Oh, my wisteria's
gonna go.
Dick: Emma and Paul tackle
a huge garden project...
Emma: Yes.
Woman: Whoo!
Dick: Mariam turns on
the style...
Mariam: I'm just not used to
this kind of thing.
Dick: in an effort to drum up
more business.
Mariam: Smile.
Johnno: I am.
Dick: and Karen and Paul's
wedding project
hits the buffers.
Karen: OK, so here is that wall.
Paul: Is it?
Karen: Which has just cost
[Coughs] £7,000.
Just got to find a way of paying
for it now.
Along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
Dick: we're now 5 years...
Angel: Whoo!
Dick: into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
Dick: and some amazing rewards.
Angel: Thank you for my
flower garden, Mr. Strawbridge.
Dick: And across France,
there are dozens
of other Brits
who are on their own
chateau adventure.
Yay!
Dick: We'll meet
some old friends...
Woman: Smile.
Man: I am.
Dick: and new faces.
Man: These rooms really haven't
been touched in 60 years.
Dick: And we'll reveal more
about our own chateau life.
Angel: It is so much better
in real life!
Dick: There'll be highs...
Woman: Yay!
Dick: and lows...
Both: Oh, no!
Man: God, what a disaster!
Dick: as these plucky Brits...
Woman: Time is money.
Dick: transform these
once unloved buildings
into incredible homes...
Woman: I just cannot believe
how much work
you put in for us.
Dick: as well as businesses...
[Cheering]
and get to live the dream
as custodians
of their very own castle.
Woman: Cheers, everybody!
Dick: Today, it's D-Day...
Woman: The priority is,
for me,
in 24 hours to get these
beds made and constructed.
Dick: as one couple
prepare for their biggest
chateau booking ever.
Woman: Why did I think
this was a good idea,
getting you two--
Man: Ah, the chuckle brothers.
Dick: DIY decorations see some
creative escapism.
Woman: This panel is all about
a lady sitting by the window
looking out
and...a bird is set free
and flies out.
Dick: And wildlife roof
squatters...
Woman: I can see big poo
up there.
Dick: make a messy task
even messier.
Woman: OK, here goes, Tom.
Tom: OK.
Lovely.
Dick: Across France,
there are lots of Brits
snapping up chateaus
and turning them into homes
and businesses.
Like former fashion designer
Mariam,
husband Johnno, an ex-tailor,
and son Monty,
who have been renovating
Chateau Domaine de la Salle
for over a year now.
Mariam: I love making
something happen,
working on a project,
and seeing a difference
that you can make.
And I love bringing old places
back to life.
Dick: Located near Bordeaux
in southwestern France,
they've come a long way
in 12 months,
transforming it from
an empty shell
into a luxury B&B
and events venue.
Mariam: Let me take you in.
Woman: Thank you.
Dick: They recently got
the bedrooms finished
just in time to welcome a large
group of visitors.
Woman: [Gasps]
Oh, it's huge.
Mariam: I feel really relieved
about progress
because now we can actually
receive guests
and not worry whether they've
actually got
a door to their room or
a toilet that flushes
or a sink that's gone missing
or whatever.
People can come and it's
all sorted.
Dick: Mariam wants to ensure
every room
has a sense of elegance
and style,
so has made even grander plans
for their ground floor salon,
which she wants to turn into
the crown jewel of the chateau.
Mariam: We really need
a grand salon
for people to sit in and have
their afternoon tea
or, you know, be invited
to a cocktail.
You've got to have somewhere
in a chateau
that makes you feel special.
Johnno: It's mainly for me,
so I can sit there and read
the newspaper.
Mariam: You aren't allowed
in there.
[Laughs]
Dick: It sounds like it's VIPs
only,
and such an exclusive room
requires a very special floor.
Mariam had wanted to use
parquet de Versailles flooring,
a design first used in
the 17th century
for the most prestigious chateau
in France.
Mariam: I looked around
and I got in touch with people,
and it was going to be about
30,000 euros,
and we couldn't do it.
Dick: Instead, she's gone for
the next best thing--
reproductional panels that are
still handmade
but around a third of the price.
Mariam: It should be really good
fun to see it all...
Um, joining up.
Dick: They're fairly easy
to install.
A combination of glue, nails,
and wooden beading
which slots between the panels
keeps them in place.
Mariam: Ah, that's the joining
of them.
Dick: The boys are making
light work of it,
but Mariam is leaving
nothing to chance.
Mariam: Kind of learned
to sometimes actually
come and watch
because otherwise, something's
done and you come and look at it
and you think, "That's not
what I wanted."
Dick: Keeping a close eye on
what's going on
can save costly
misunderstandings.
This job runs smoothly,
and just 24 hours later,
Mariam is keen to give Johnno
a glimpse of her vision.
Mariam: What do you think of
the floor then?
It looks good, doesn't it?
Johnno: I think it looks
magnificent, yeah.
No, I'm very pleased with it.
Mariam: Phew.
I think it's very nice.
It'll look fantastic
when it's oiled.
Mariam: Tubby likes it.
Johnno: [Laughs]
Dick: It's a thumbs up
so far.
Mariam has equally extravagant
plans for the walls.
Mariam: Put in the pomegranates,
which I really wanted.
And then somewhere we've got
to have a peacock, don't we?
Dick: She's designing
decorative panels,
which she'll be painting on
the salon walls herself.
Mariam: These are really just
rough sketches
so that I know what I'm doing
before I do it.
And I've got two big panels
and 4 little panels.
There's going to be a wooden
molding around them.
Then we paint these
two walls blue,
and then afterwards, I paint
the mural inside those moldings.
Dick: Mariam grew up in
the Middle East
and wants the murals to reflect
her time there.
Mariam: This panel is all about
a song by Fairuz
that my father translated for me
when I was younger.
We used to sing it together.
It's all about a lady sitting
by the window looking out
and...the bird is set free
and flies out.
I really hope they look good,
otherwise I'm gonna have to just
redo the whole thing.
Dick: It certainly sounds
impressive.
I can't wait to see what
it looks like
when it's all finished.
In northern France lies
Chateau de Montvason.
Built in 1878,
it has 30 rooms
and is set in 8 and a half acres
of woodland.
It's owned by Emma, a freelance
development consultant,
and partner Paul, who retired
from the car industry
on ill health.
They run it as a B&B
and events venue.
Paul: We do work very well
together.
Emma: I'm OCD and he's messy.
Perfect combo.
Yeah, he messes up, I come in
and clean.
I'm happy bunny.
Dick: Located next to
the Normandy coast,
Emma and Paul are gearing up
for one of their biggest events
since moving in just over
two years ago.
Paul: 75th anniversary this year
for D-Day.
And we've got a booking of
sort of retired
and ex American servicemen.
Emma: The whole of the chateau
is getting taken over,
so, yeah, that puts a bit of
extra stress on.
Right, let's go see how
we're doing.
Dick: As well as hosting a party
for 250 people,
the chateau is fully booked.
Emma: Right.
Dick: They're expecting
15 guests tomorrow,
but only have 5 bedrooms.
Emma: The priority is,
for me,
in 24 hours to get these beds
made and constructed.
Dick: Fortunately,
Emma has a plan.
Emma: I'll tell you what we
need to do.
I want the boys to get
the furniture in place.
WE need to move the iron--
the white iron bed
from the gold...
Man: Into the Prussian.
Emma: to the Prussian.
So I would like you and Jim
to do that.
Jim and Jude on that.
Dick: Emma wants to put extra
beds in the rooms.
Emma: No, not that stuff.
We just want the bed that's
underneath it.
Dick: Emma's tasked mate Jim
and son Jude with the job.
Emma: Stuff is everywhere,
so I'm now trying to get
literally everything
where it needs to be.
So I need
to get beds constructed,
then made up,
then clean the chateau.
That's all.
Dick: To help dress the rooms,
friend Maggie's been brought in,
which leaves Emma time to keep
a close eye on the boys.
Jim: I'm doing it. I know how to
do it, don't worry.
Emma: All right, I'm not gonna
micromanage you.
I'm going to leave you.
Just don't scratch
the wallpaper.
[Sighs] Fantastic.
Jude: Keep going.
Dick: Although Emma's not
straying too far away.
Jim: Ahh, watch the paintwork.
Emma: Seriously.
Seriously watch the paintwork.
Jim: All right, come to me.
Come to me.
We should be able to get it
through here.
That's it.
Watch the paintwork.
Emma: Other way around.
Jim: Twist the--
Emma: Why did I think this
was a good idea,
getting you two to work--
Jim: The chuckle brothers.
Emma: Oh, at least
you have fun while you work.
Jim: To me, to you.
Dick: With the extra beds
safely in place,
Jim's now needed in an
unfinished room
in the west wing.
Jim: Correct treatment
for a rug.
Paul: What's that?
Jim: Boot it.
Paul: Boot it? Exactly. Exactly.
Jim: Ooh.
Dick: With so many guests
staying over,
Emma and Paul are moving
in here.
It just needs to be a touch
more habitable.
Paul: There we go.
Jim: Bingo.
Emma: Oh, lovely.
OK, so I just need to do
a bit of tweaking in here.
Dick: Perfectionist Emma wants
everything to be flawless.
Emma: I've just been focusing
on trying to get
all of the bedrooms ready for
all our guests tomorrow.
And meanwhile, Paul's been
making our little room nice.
It's just temporary, but
originally I just thought
we'd have a mattress,
so this is--this is great.
Dick: It seems Emma plan is
slowly falling into place.
And with 250 people due to
descend on the chateau grounds,
they're about to get busy.
This is the picturesque
19th century
Chateau de Perriere.
It has 20 rooms,
an outdoor swimming pool,
and lots of outbuildings.
It's owned by Paul, who runs
a workplace design company,
wife Karen,
an interior designer,
and children Tom and Katie.
They bought it 15 years ago
and have renovated it
into a luxury holiday retreat.
Karen: We dream big,
and our dreams never stop.
And therefore, I don't think
the renovations here
will ever stop
because they'll always be
more to do. Always.
Dick: Located in the Loire
Valley in northwest France,
last time we met them,
they renovated part
of an outbuilding...
and transformed it
into a stylish cinema
entertainment room.
Karen: That's more palatial than
most cinema seats.
Dick: But as with most chateaus,
not every project goes smoothly.
Karen: The roof guys ended up
sticking his foot in the roof
and making a hole.
Paul: La Perriere strikes again
is what you're saying.
Dick: It's been 6 months,
and Karen and Paul
have finally got the builders in
to fix the outbuilding roof.
It was an old stable
and coach house,
which they now want to transform
into a wedding venue
to help bring in more income
to work towards their aim of
living here permanently.
Karen: To be able to hold events
and celebrations
here at the chateau would be...
Paul: It'd be great.
Karen: Would be great.
Paul: But sprucing is a major
project.
I think it's more,
here we go again.
Dick: Today the plan is to start
ripping down the ceiling
in the coach house.
Karen: Best place to start is,
I think, here,
'cause there's a hole already.
Dick: As Paul's away working
in the UK,
it's left to Karen and
15-year-old son Tom
to get their hands dirty.
Tom: We're going to expose the
beams, aren't we?
Karen: Exactly. At the moment,
it's a pretty soulless room.
So we're just gonna of crowbar
and pull it down.
Well, that's the theory.
Dick: Sounds like a plan.
But there's just one thing
bothering Karen.
Karen: I can see big poo
up there.
Like, it's that big.
Tom: Are you sure that's not
just not like a dead mouse?
Karen: They're called--
what are they called?
Um, something martens.
And that's just the ideal space
for them.
Dick: Ah, yes, pine marten.
They're common in France.
We often spot evidence of the
little fellows in our grounds.
There's a wild animal here,
and it's pooping in one place.
Child: Ew! That's disgusting!
Dick: They belong to the same
family as weasels and ferrets
and normally live in
the woods.
Now it's nighttime.
Watch, watch, watch, watch.
Ahh! What is that?
When they decide to visit
your attic,
they can be a nuisance.
But as Paul and Karen are having
their roof redone,
it shouldn't be an ongoing
problem.
Karen: All right, hat on, then.
Tom: Mum, put your mask on
first.
Karen: Oh, god, yeah.
Oh, I'm such the pro.
Dick: Well spotted, Tom.
This job requires
the full kit.
Tom: [Laughs] Glasses.
Karen: This is not working.
Dick: And at this rate,
it could take a while.
Karen: OK, you--you'll hold
my gloves for me
'cause I'm making a right old
mess of this.
It's a really good start.
You've practiced putting
that on.
Tom: Have I?
Karen: Yeah.
Fine, OK. Let's go.
Dick: Safety equipment sorted,
Karen gets stuck in.
Karen: OK, here goes, Tom.
Tom: OK.
Lovely.
Karen: That's the poo.
It's quite big, right?
Tom: Ew. That's not nice.
That's horrible.
Karen: Ahh, heck.
That was all horrible.
A lot easier than I thought
it was.
However, it's actually
a lot more disgusting
than I could ever have imagined.
Dick: So much so, she decides
to let Tom try his luck.
Karen: Oh! God, you're up there.
Ahh. That is disgusting.
Karen: Ha ha ha!
It's really gross, isn't it?
Dick: That's one unpleasant job
started.
There's a huge amount of work
to turn this old coach house
into a luxurious wedding venue.
119 miles away at
Chateau de Montvason...
Paul: Let's have a look at
what we've got.
Dick: Emma and Paul are busy
preparing
for their 75th anniversary
of D-Day.
Paul: Yeah, it's gonna be our
first big one,
so it's quite important
we get it right.
Dick: Tomorrow they'll be
hosting a barbecue
for 250 people in the garden.
But today it's all about getting
the chateau ready
for a group of Army veterans
and their families
who are due in just a couple
of hours.
Emma: We are behind schedule
for my liking.
So a little--a little stressed.
Dick: The chateau itself played
a part in the Second World War,
where the building was occupied
by German infantry
before being liberated by
American troops in 1944.
On the chateau's second floor,
the bedroom doors
still have soldiers' names
scribbled on them.
Emma: So the fantastic thing
about this group
is that they come--some of them
come from the Fourth Division,
which is the division that
actually liberated this chateau
in the Second World War.
So we can have a really nice
chat about, you know,
the history, D-Day history,
and the chateau's histories.
Dick: 15 people are staying,
which is their biggest booking
so far.
As well as putting in extra beds
to accommodate everyone,
they've also arranged everything
with military precision.
Emma: Great.
Dick: And their guests arrive
right on time.
Emma: You brought the sun with
you. Hi, I'm Emma.
Phil: Hi, Emma, I'm Phil.
Emma: Oh, Phil.
Phil: Nice to meet you.
Paul: Of course.
Phil: Hi, Paul.
Paul: Hi, Phil. How are you?
Phil: This is my wife Lisa.
Lisa: Jameson.
Emma: Jameson. Come on in,
we'll show you around.
So this is your room.
Lisa and Philip and Jameson
are in here, so--
Phil: Jameson, look.
Emma: This is your room.
That's your bed.
Phil: That's your bed.
Dick: It looks like they're all
going to arrive at once.
Emma: So you know where you are.
Is it just you three?
Or is there someone else?
Mike: Mike, my son Carson.
My wife's in the car.
Emma: Lovely to meet you. Cool.
Carson: Nice to meet you.
Emma: You like? So again,
I don't mind who sleeps where.
Dick: Emma and Paul don't waste
any time
telling the guests about
the chateau's impressive
military history.
Paul: That's where the Germans
were.
Emma: Oh, yeah, we'll show you
that in a sec, yeah.
Paul: And the Americans.
The Americans were up there
after they chased
the Germans out.
Emma: Yes, it hasn't been
touched since World War II,
so we've got the names--
Paul: Marked up the ceilings.
Emma: We've got the names
of the--yeah,
got the names of the Germans
on the door
and also the Americans,
who then liberated the chateau.
So that's why we were so excited
about you guys coming.
Paul: At the end of the drive
there
is the Fourth Division line
whilst the battle for Valognes
was going on.
Emma: Yeah. And they got the
Germans out of the house
by dropping bombs in the back
garden, and they just left.
So then the Americans stayed
till 1946.
Phil: Having talking to Paul
and Emma,
this is a pretty special place.
I mean, to get a chance to stay
somewhere
that was part of history,
pretty special for us.
Mike: This is exactly where
you would hope to be and to stay
when you come to Normandy.
Just incredible.
Dick: Without a doubt,
Emma and Paul
have already won their guests
over.
Paul: It's great,
and they're all happy.
And I think they'll enjoy
their--
think they'll enjoy
their stay.
These are real Army guys,
and people were saying earlier
they're not used to this level
of comfort,
so that's a really good thing.
Dick: They couldn't have wished
for a better start.
With a barbecue for 250 people
due to take place
on the chateau grounds,
the party's about to ramp up.
In southwestern France
at Chateau Domaine de la Salle,
Mariam has called in specialist
decorators
to help complete the next part
of her grand vision
for the salon.
Mariam: We're just about to put
up the ceiling rose,
and after that, we might be able
to put up the chandelier.
Dick: Mariam's had a ceiling
rose made
at a cost of over £600
and doesn't want to risk
fitting it herself.
Mariam: This one's made in
a French factory.
These guys deal with that
factory
and they put them up
the whole time.
For them, it's straightforward.
If it actually drops off,
they have to replace it.
Dick: That's a pretty good
insurance policy.
[Both speaking French]
Dick: But let's hope it doesn't
come to that.
Mariam: I didn't want anything
too pompous.
Thought if I put a huge great
big ceiling rose there,
it's like pretending
I'm at Versailles.
I'm not.
This is a little bijou chateau.
[Laughs]
Dick: To ensure the ceiling rose
is stuck firmly in place,
the decorators attack
to wooden props to support it
until the glue dries.
Mariam: It's like a pair of
stilts holding up the ceiling,
and if we took them away, the
whole thing would come down.
Dick: Next Mariam sets
the decorators to work
painting two of the walls.
But first they have to get
the color mix exactly right.
[Both speaking French]
Dick: Luckily, designer Mariam
has a great eye for color.
Mariam: Oops. I shouldn't be
leaning on this.
[Laughs] Kaput.
Dick: One near-miss avoided,
and the paint color is bang on.
Mariam: Ooh.
This is brilliant.
It's exactly what I wanted.
It's very, very pretty.
Dick: With the walls painted
and the ceiling rose dry,
it's now over to Johnno
to hang up an 18 kilogram
antique chandelier
they picked up for about £150.
Johnno: It's jolly heavy,
this thing.
Mariam: Oh, it looks nice
in here.
Johnno: Yeah. Can you...
Mariam: Yes, I'm trying, dear.
Johnno: This was one of Mariam's
all-time bargains.
We purchased it from
a very nice lady
in a magnificent house
in Paris.
That will be all right.
Right.
Anyway.
Dick: With the chandelier
safely in place,
Mariam's already spotted
an imperfection.
Mariam: I've got to change these
revolting bulbs.
Johnno: I think it's actually
an old one
that would have originally
had candles in it.
It's been converted
at a later date, I think.
Dick: Well, that's another job
to add to the list.
I can't wait to see what grand
plans Mariam comes up with next.
At Chateau La Perriere,
with work started transforming
the coach house
and stable block into
a wedding venue,
Paul is back from the UK
and Karen's called a budget
meeting.
Paul: So these are the plans,
are they?
Karen: Sit down.
Paul: OK. Do I have to relax?
Karen: It's always best.
Paul: Do I need to brace myself?
Karen: Always say yes
to everything.
[Laughter]
I want it all.
Paul: Course you do.
Karen: So we were thinking
celebrations,
parties, weddings.
So I'm thinking that
the coach house
would be where people would
enter in,
and it's gonna be
the welcoming area,
maybe champagne, canapés.
Then flowing through to
the stables for the main meal.
Then I'm kind of thinking
we will end up
with two long tables here.
Paul: Mm-hmm. So the only
structural work
is that, isn't it?
Karen: OK. Yeah.
Dick: Karen's plan is to remove
part of the wall
between the coach house
and the stable block.
Karen: Our roofer has already
given us a price
for putting a lintel in.
Paul: Yeah. Is it--
Karen: So you tell me how much
would you think it would cost
to put a lintel in?
Paul: 2,000.
Two to two and a half--
2,000 euros. There you go,
my final offer.
2,000 euros.
Karen: God. [Mumbles] OK.
Paul: And how much is it?
Karen, quietly:
Three and a half.
Paul: Three and a half thousand
euros?
[Laughs]
Karen: It's really--it's
5 meters.
It's 5 meters, that expanse.
Paul: OK, so it's three
and a half...
I can't even say it.
We haven't budgeted any of this.
We haven't budgeted the 40 grand
for the roof, have we?
Karen: No.
Paul: There's always,
"Oh, we've just found this."
Karen: Yeah.
Paul: Chateau life.
Get a quotation, add 20%,
and you might be just
about there by the
time they're finished.
Karen: OK, so we've got
to do something,
'cause it's a--it's a--like
a tiny door at the moment,
which is just not big enough.
The thing--the question is,
how big
and how much money we spend
on doing it.
Dick: Paul might need a bit more
convincing.
So Karen wants to show off
the work she's done
in the coach house while he's
been away working
to pay for the project.
Paul: Oh, god.
Karen: Stop, because I want you
to admire it.
Dick: She's so far managed to
remove the ceiling
to expose the wooden beams
and strip back the plaster walls
to reveal the original
stonework.
Paul: That's just awful before,
wasn't it?
Karen: Why would you cover
this wall up?
It is so beautiful.
Paul: The size, isn't it?
Karen: When you look at the
beams, they're not that old.
Paul: No.
Karen: Sadly.
I was a bit disappointed.
Paul: I'm not.
We're not having to replace
them all.
Karen: I know, yeah.
They're not rotten.
Paul: That's the thing,
this is why I'm actually smiling
'cause we've actually opened up
and we--for once,
we actually don't seem to have
opened up a can of worms.
Dick: I wouldn't count your
chicken just yet, Paul,
as Karen also has plans
for the stable block.
Paul: We've got lots of
decisions to be made here.
Karen: OK, I've got
some great ideas.
Great ideas.
Can I tell you?
Paul: [Laughs] Yeah.
Go on.
Karen: OK. I'm going to
attempt to
draw what I want these divisions
to be,
'cause we need this space
to be open
with tables running down
the length, two long tables.
So what I'm thinking is
we're gonna take out
these--all of these,
take them all out.
Paul: Yep.
Karen: So we end up
with just a frame.
Paul: Yeah.
So they're not staying here,
then?
Karen: No, no, no.
We're gonna take these
and then put them on the wall
that we've just taken
the render of.
Paul: So just one of them.
Karen: Just one.
And then that can be our support
for our table
and that be our welcoming
drinks, dessert table.
Paul: So they go flat
against the wall?
Karen: Yeah, they're--
Paul: No, no, no.
Dick: Repurposing a stable
partition
into a buffet table
is a great idea,
and it'll save some cash, too.
Paul: That.
So we're doing these
at Easter, are we?
Karen: No, today.
We're starting today.
Paul: OK.
Am I not on holiday?
Karen: No.
Dick: Well, when you own
a chateau,
it's always more of a busman's
holiday.
In southwestern France,
Mariam is still working in
the grand salon.
A previous project in
a bathroom above
meant they decided to lower
the salon ceiling
to accommodate plumbing.
Mariam: I feel like this
ceiling's even lower
than everywhere else.
Paul: Do you think it's too low
as well, Mariam?
Mariam: Yes.
Paul: Huh?
Mariam: Yeah. I think
I made a big mistake.
Because I'm not like terribly
experience in plumbing,
I didn't think that you needed
some pipes
at the bottom of the bathroom,
and that's why it's come down
so low.
Paul: It's a bit hard
to change it now.
Mariam: I know. I know.
Dick: Renovating a chateau is
always a steep learning curve
and some problems have
a knock-on effect.
Mariam: It means that I've got
no space to put a curtain rail
above the window.
Dick: This one calls for
a creative solution.
Mariam: So we've been thinking
about it,
and we're going to put in
pelmets
with just a really flat
curtain track underneath.
Dick: Mariam and Johnno have
left gaps in the cornicing
to make spaces for the pelmets.
Mariam: So these are the bits of
pelmet-y stuff
that I've made, OK?
Dick: Today she and Johnno
want to choose a design
by experimenting with
cardboard cutouts.
Mariam: All right.
So option one.
So we cut this piece and we put
it in there.
My other option was this.
We can have that.
Johnno: Mm-hmm.
Dick: To make an executive
decision,
Mariam decides it's best to see
them both in situ in the salon.
Johnno: OK, so that's that.
Oops.
Mariam: OK, that looks silly,
that one.
We'll try this one instead.
Johnno: [Sighs]
OK.
Mariam: Yeah.
Well, that's fine, then.
Dick: With the decision made,
she now wants Johnno to make
a more representative sample...
Johnno: Right.
Dick: as he's going to be making
the pelmets himself.
Johnno: Maybe that'll do
the trick.
Making a mockup of it first
before we do the real thing
because then it will allow
Mariam to change her mind
like she usually does.
Dick: While Johnno works
on the design,
Mariam is keen to perfect
the murals
she started on the walls.
Mariam: When it's going OK,
it's quite soothing doing it.
And when it's not, it's most
frustrating thing on earth.
I haven't done it for
so many years,
I'm completely and utterly
out of practice.
Dick: Mariam was a budding
painter
before choosing a career
in fashion.
Mariam: I find it really
therapeutic.
I really enjoy it.
During the process,
I normally hate it,
and I think, "Why did
I start?"
And I think I can't finish.
And hopefully when it's
finished,
what usually happens is I think,
"Oh, it's not that bad
after all."
Dick: Let's hope the same
can be said
about Johnno's mockup pelmet.
Johnno: Whoops.
Mariam: Oy.
Johnno: Heh. Right.
Do you want to test
opening the windows?
Mariam: This should be fun.
Ha. It's good.
Johnno: OK.
Mariam: You're good.
Dick: Result.
Mariam: Very happy.
You've done a very nice sample.
I thought it was rather good.
So we're all good to go.
Problem resolved.
Dick: With the seal of approval
from Mariam,
they're inching ever closer
towards finishing
their grand salon.
In Normandy, Emma and Paul
are hosting a D-Day barbecue
for American troops
and their families.
Emma: I love that, Lisa.
That is so pretty.
Isn't that perfect?
The colors.
I want to sit in this bit.
Dick: Arranged by their guests,
it's due to start in just
a couple of hours.
Emma: The problem I have now
is the caterers have turned up,
and the people who are
organizing tonight's thing
aren't back yet.
So I have no idea where I'm
gonna put them.
[Clicks tongue]
Dick: With no one around
to check with,
Emma's going to have to
take over.
Emma: [Speaking French]
Dick: On the menu's going to be
barbecued lamb.
Emma wants to make sure
the trailer has prime position.
Emma: [Speaking French]
Dick: Being a perfectionist,
she also has an exact spot.
Emma: [Speaking French]
I think I'm being a bit
of a pain.
But I just want to do
the right thing.
[Speaking French]
OK. [Speaks French]
Dick: With the barbecue
up and running,
one thing's ticked off the list.
The returning guests haven't
missed all the fun.
Paul's been put in charge of
getting wood for a bonfire.
Paul: Bonfire matter.
Let's go.
Dick: And he's recruited
some helpers.
Paul: Over the back there,
that back lane,
there's loads of it,
just drag it all up.
Man: Wait a minute,
I'll get the truck.
Paul: Yeah, go and get
the truck.
Dick: With 8 and a half acres of
woodland to choose from,
it's a simple task.
Paul: Really good way to get
your woods cleared out.
It's fantastic.
I love it.
I don't have to do it now.
Dick: Two jobs for the price
of one.
Paul: Yeah, that's it.
Man: That's better.
Dick: While the guests head back
to help with preparations...
Paul: Yeah, tight lot.
Tight, tight, tight, tight.
All the way. Tight. No!
Dick: Paul's left to navigate
the truck
safely out of the woods.
Paul: Keep going, keep going.
[Indistinct shouting]
Dick: It's proving to be a bit
of a squeeze.
Paul: You're all right.
You've got loads of room.
Yeah, off you go. Go on.
Let it go.
Yeah. Go on.
Dick: With no damage done,
it's been a successful sortie.
Back at the chateau,
the barbecue is in full swing,
and it looks like they've got
all the bases covered
with the catering.
Paul: Oh, you've gone for
cold cuts.
Jim: Gone for the cold cuts.
Paul: Yeah.
Phil: I think these are
appetizers.
Jim: Yeah.
Paul: Oh.
Phil: Amuse-bouche.
I think it's been great.
It's been very welcoming.
Lisa: The chateau's been
amazing.
Emma and Paul are awesome.
I'm gonna be sad when we leave.
I literally probably will cry.
I really will.
Mike: We got food, we got drink,
we got fire, we got friends.
Doesn't get much better
than that.
So as we say in America,
it's been awesome.
Emma: This has been our biggest
booking this year,
and it's very important for us
to have, you know,
big group bookings.
It's really great to have
the chateau full.
It's really fun.
I like--I like that.
I think it's what it's made for.
Dick: Successfully hosting
one of their biggest events yet
is another notch in this
couple's chateau business belt
and should give them confidence
to expand their events
in the future.
In the Loire Valley,
Karen wants Paul
and children Tom and Kate
to help dismantle
an old stable partition,
as she has grand plans
for reusing it
as a buffet table
for their wedding venue.
Paul: Tasks.
Karen: Tasks are sanding.
Job. Katie, you're gonna be
sanding with Mummy.
Kate: I will sand, but I'm not
doing the cobwebs.
Paul: OK.
Karen: OK, that's fine.
Daddy will do the cobwebs.
Paul: Mm-hmm.
Dick: Karen wants to remove
the decades of grime
to see the condition of the wood
underneath.
Karen: Quite like the markings.
I don't want to get rid
of the markings.
Paul: OK.
Dick: Tom's task is to cut out
the panels,
and he's already hit
a problem.
Paul: Yeah, Katie--
Tom: Who's gonna move the
stones, first of all?
Paul: Who's gonna move
the stones?
Tom: The tiles. 'Cause I can't
cut until that's moved.
Phil: Wow, that is a job.
Kate: I don't think Mum thought
about that.
Paul: Do we have to move all of
those now?
Tom: Yes.
Karen: Yeah.
Paul: Wow.
A thousand tiles.
Bloody marvelous.
Dick: Jobs like these are never
straightforward.
But until the tiles
are removed,
the panels can't be cut out.
Paul: That was half an hour
of my life
I will not get back, I think is
the best description.
Karen: You love me all the more
for it.
Paul: But we want to use this
one, not that one
or not that one, we need to use
this one, apparently.
So...yeah, it was--it was
a good half hour. Loved it.
Kate: I don't know how
you do this.
Karen: You're doing a great job.
Dick: Problem solved, the sawing
can finally begin again.
Karen: No.
It needs--you need to watch--
Paul: I know, I'm going down,
but I can only go down slowly.
Karen: You're cutting the top.
You're cutting the top.
Paul: I can only go down slowly,
'cause otherwise I'll
snap a blade.
Dick: Taking extra care to avoid
a cut in the wrong place...
the panel should now be loose
enough to come out.
Karen: You ready?
Now try and slice them up.
'Cause they should all
come out.
Push it in to me. That's that.
Dick: Now they're getting
somewhere.
Tom: There you go.
Dick: Although Karen is starting
to doubt herself.
Karen: Hopefully I've done
the right thing
by taking the panels out.
Paul: What else would you
have done?
Karen: Kept them in.
Paul: Just finished them? Hmm?
- Kept them in.
- You told me to take them out.
Karen: You're supposed to--
you're supposed to say, "No, I
think you absolutely
did the right thing."
Paul: Well, I think it looks
great.
Karen: Oh, good.
Dick: Right answer.
Paul: Pleased?
Karen: Yeah, I'm really pleased.
Paul: Right. Let's go and have
some tea.
What are you thinking?
You're not changing
your mind again.
Karen: I'm not changing
my mind.
I'm actually really pleased
with how they look.
Paul: Good.
That's it, then.
Karen: For another day.
Paul: For another day.
Dick: It's a start,
but there's still a lot
of decisions to make,
money to spend,
and work to do
before this place is transformed
into a wedding venue.
A hundred miles away in
southwestern France...
Mariam: Johnno!
Johnno: Right. At your service,
duchess.
Dick: Mariam, Johnno,
and son Monty
are putting the finishing
touches
to their grand salon.
Mariam: Do you want a hand?
Hang on.
Dick: Starting with a 300-kilo
baby grand piano.
Johnno: OK.
1, 2, 3.
Mariam: No, it's come off
its coasters, hasn't it?
Dick: Oops.
Johnno: It doesn't matter.
You want to put the coasters
back if I lift it?
Dick: Mariam's put coasters down
to protect the parquet floor,
but I'd be more worried about
Johnno's toes.
Johnno: Is it there?
Mariam: Yep. Perfect.
Johnno: I'm stuffed in
the corner.
Pfft.
Dick: Maybe in the corner, but
no foot injuries.
Mariam: Can we now lift up
the wing bit
to see whether that works?
Johnno: You just want to
hide the chicken.
Mariam: Yep, I want to hide
the chicken.
They're meant to be pheasants.
There's a rather unpleasant
couple of pheasants
which I painted and don't have
the time to redo.
Johnno: No great work of art is
made in a day.
Dick: All that's left to do now
is to finish dressing
the room.
Mariam: Right.
What do you think?
Johnno: Yeah, not bad.
Dick: 4 months ago,
this room was nothing more
than an empty space.
Now it's been transformed
into a stylish and elegant
grand salon.
Mariam's savvy shopping
has saved her
a significant amount,
from the wooden floors
to the second-hand finds.
And she's found creative ways
to make the most of
the lowered ceiling.
Mariam: The pelmets have worked.
You know what's worked
is the fact that you don't
notice them.
Johnno: That's great after
all that work.
Dick: Mariam's eye for detail
and her artistic skills
on the walls
help give the room that
personal touch.
Mariam: It's been quite a lot
of work
to get the salon to the state
it is now,
but I feel quite relieved that
the salon's finished.
I just like the way it all
comes together--
the pale blue, the golds,
the painting,
the velvet sofas.
It does look like a pretty room.
I wanted something that looked
a bit like a pretty cake
or something like that.
[Laughs]
Don't ask me why.
Dick: Mariam certainly pulled it
out of the bag.
And I'm sure it'll only be
a matter of time
before the guests come flocking.
Next time...
Emma: Oh, my wisteria's
gonna go.
Dick: Emma and Paul tackle
a huge garden project...
Emma: Yes.
Woman: Whoo!
Dick: Mariam turns on
the style...
Mariam: I'm just not used to
this kind of thing.
Dick: in an effort to drum up
more business.
Mariam: Smile.
Johnno: I am.
Dick: and Karen and Paul's
wedding project
hits the buffers.
Karen: OK, so here is that wall.
Paul: Is it?
Karen: Which has just cost
[Coughs] £7,000.
Just got to find a way of paying
for it now.