Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 4, Episode 5 - Episode #4.5 - full transcript
Dick: I'm Dick Strawbridge,
and along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
we're now 5 years into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
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.
April: 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, as a new
gite project gets underway...
Man: The worst thing
that'll happen
is you'll drop it on the floor
and break it.
Dick: It's a case of
famous last words.
Man: Oh!
Dick: This owner nears the end
of a [indistinct] project.
Woman: This I got for a very
kind of bold, luxury feel.
She's a very expensive mistress,
that's all I can say.
Dick: At our place, a new
interior designer gets to work.
Dad, do you want
the shiny color? I love it.
Dick: Darling, when you're
working on that,
you can tell Mommy and just say
"Daddy agrees with me," OK?
And sparks fluster
one couple.
Man: Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Woman: That is dropped.
Man: Drop--don't push it
back in. No.
No, no, grab it.
Dick: But it's not just the sink
they're struggling with.
Woman: Whoa! What was that?
What was that?
Oh, no! It's cracked! Nooo!
Dick: Our decision to start
a new life across the Channel
is one we've never regretted.
We're not the only Brits
who've decided
a French chateau is
a perfect place for a family.
like here at the elegant
Chateau de la Ruche,
home to IT engineer Tim,
journalist Rebecca,
and their boys Rufus and Laurie.
With 24 rooms and 15 acres
of parkland,
they bought it in 2017
for £380,000.
It's a decision
they've never regretted.
Rebecca: We have a much more
outdoorsy lifestyle here.
The kids have got so much more
space and freedom
to run around and play
with their friends,
and that's just something
they didn't have
where we lived in the UK.
Tim: The best thing for me
is not having to do
the Monday to Friday, 9-5,
but we have replaced that with
Monday to Sunday, 7:00 in the
morning till midnight instead.
Dick: But an hour's drive from
us in the Pays de la Loire,
after months of renovations,
Tim and Rebecca launched
as a B&B last year.
Tim: We have had an incredibly
busy year,
and we've had
lots of bookings.
Rebecca: We're definitely in a--
I feel a lot more secure
this year, in that we know
that the business can work
if we work really hard.
Definitely in
a better place.
Dick: With the business going
from strength to strength,
Tim and Rebecca
are looking at ways to
meet the increasing demand, and
that means more accommodation.
[Saw whirring]
So they're now creating a
2-bedroom guest gite
in what is currently
a derelict outbuilding.
To keep costs down,
they're doing the vast majority
of the work themselves
with a spot of help
from builder Dave
and Rebecca's dad Pete.
Tim: We worked to our center
and then measured out
from the center, didn't we?
Dave: Yes.
Dick: Now the next
crucial job for Tim
is to install the windows
in what will be
the gite's living area.
Tim: We've done
some of the prep work.
We've taken the tiles off
from the outside
and marked out where they
need to be,
and we've started putting in
some of the frames.
Dick: That's the easy bit.
Dave: So what we're gonna
have to do is
fit it in that way,
tilt it back in.
Dick: Now to try and get
the window into position.
Tim: This end goes
through first,
and it goes in upside-down
almost.
Dave: And when you
tilt the window,
the other bit slides in.
Famous last words.
Right. Ready when you are.
Tim: The worst thing
that'll happen
is you'll drop it on the floor
and break it,
which wouldn't be ideal.
Dave: But the ladder
is in the way.
Dick: Weighing in at about
40 kilos,
you can say that
again, Tim.
Dave: You see that clip?
Make that--
Tim: I can't see anything now.
Dave: This has got to
go in there first.
Make the black pin go into that
groove, if you can.
So bring that across.
Tim: Which screw--
Dave: That's it, that's it.
Dave: Top a bit
and in there.
Dave: That's in
the right position.
Tilt the window back
to the top,
and now it should start
sliding down.
Open it slightly
so I can get out.
Tim: You all right?
Dave: Right.
Now tilt it.
Tim: No, that bracket's gone.
Dave: That's all right. OK.
Oh!
Dick: Well caught!
Dave: Now, this one...
We gotta come down.
Come down...
Dick: A lucky escape.
Dave: 'cause we're gonna
drop it.
Tim: That black pin was in--
let me try to spin it round--
was in the wrong place.
It's supposed to be
in the big groove,
not in that little groove.
Dave: Yeah.
Dick: Undaunted,
they try again.
Dave: Right.
Now tip it down.
Close it like
you would normally.
[Click]
Tim: OK.
That's a click.
Dave: That's click.
[Loud click]
Success.
The second time's easy.
Tim: Yeah.
Dick: Nice work, chaps,
and just in time...
That wasn't stressful.
as here comes the site manager
to inspect the job.
Cool!
Looks good, doesn't it?
Tim: I think we've realistically
got a day to go
on the skylights--a man day.
And then probably 4 man days
to go on the dormers.
Rebecca: Is a man day different
to a girl day?
Tim: Yeah, it's more productive
and less talking.
Rebecca:
I find that hard to believe.
Tim: So I think--
Rebecca: If it was girls
doing it,
we'd have it all done by now.
There'd have been less
messing around,
a bit more multi-tasking.
Tim: Yeah, and it would have
probably looked
exactly the same, just been
vastly more expensive.
So, yeah. Other than that,
we did fine.
Dick: Ooh-ooh, fighting talk.
But with 3 more
skylights to go,
perhaps it's better just
to agree to crack on
and get this place watertight.
This is the stunning
19th-century Chateau Caillac,
sitting pretty on the bank
of the river Lot.
It's been home to Cheshire
couple Steve, an engineer,
and his wife Angela,
since 2004.
Angela: We do literally
pinch each other
and go, "I cannot believe
this is ours."
Steve: We own it. Yeah, yeah.
Angela: How amazing
is this place?
Dick: Located 60 miles
from Bordeaux,
they mortgaged themselves
to the hilt
to buy this 20-room chateau
for £800,000
and have spent the last
15 years renovating it
into a luxury home
and holiday rental.
Steve: You have to really
work at it.
It's absolutely full on
all the time,
but I think we've got to
the point now
where we are enjoying it.
Angela: I am proud
of what we've achieved.
Steve: Oh, yeah, definitely
proud of what we've achieved.
Angela: And the fact that we're
still together and talking.
Steve: That is amazing.
Angela: That's probably the most
surprising thing, actually.
Dick: To pay off their mortgage,
Steve and Angela let
the chateau each summer
and return to the UK
to live on their houseboat.
Angela: I hate to say it, but
it always feels lovely
as we drive away
and we look around
and we go, "Oh, my gosh."
Steve: Every year,
we do more and more, don't we?
And that's really good.
Dick: When we last met them,
they were getting the place
ready for the summer season
by improving the grounds...
Angela: They look lovely.
Dick: and the guest suites.
Angela: That one's falling out.
Quickly, there. That one.
No! Oh, gosh.
Why on earth did I choose
one like this?
Dick: The holidays
are now over
and Steve and Angela
are back in France,
but there's no question of them
putting their feet up.
Steve: Something that we've
noticed through the summer
is that the poolhouse kitchen
is definitely now
letting the side down.
Angela: Yeah, it's become more
and more obvious
that more people cook outside
by the poolhouse.
So we want to just make it
that little bit step up, really.
Dick: Off-season improvements
are part of the
never-ending cycle of owning
one of these places.
And a poolside revamp
would hopefully increase
summer bookings.
Steve: We'll take it
all away,
and then we'll have a look
at what we've got.
And then we'll see how this plan
is gonna fit in--
Angela: OK.
Steve: to this space.
Might not quite look
like this, you know.
This is only
an artist's impression
that I did on a computer
in about an hour.
Angela: Right, then.
Let's get on with it.
Steve: Let's get started.
Angela: I always love the start
of a new project.
It's so full of promise,
isn't it,
and you've not got the mistakes
and the nightmares yet.
I actually--I'm not too worried
about this project.
I think--there's not a lot
that can go wrong, really.
Dick: Famous last words,
Angela.
At least clearing out this area
should be straightforward.
Steve: You know, look at that.
Angela: Ooh!
Dick: All it really needs
is a bit of teamwork.
Steve: All right,
lift a bit.
Angela: Ah!
Steve: Come your way.
Angela: Now you're talking.
Steve: Don't turn it.
You pulled--
Angela: You know, you need to
push your end in. That's it.
Steve: Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Angela: That is dropped.
Steve: Drop--don't push it
back in. No.
No, no, grab it.
Pull it towards you, Angela.
Right. Keep pulling
towards you.
That's it.
Then just tip it up.
That's it.
The skill is making it
Angela's idea
and then that's fine,
but we just did it my way.
Angela: What are you
trying to say, Steve?
Steve: Nothing. Not saying
anything
about you at all,
darling.
Dick: Just like I said--
teamwork.
Now the fun
can really begin.
Steve and Angela have plans
to make new worktops
the centerpiece
of the revamped kitchen...
and have come to
a local timberyard
to pick up something
rather special.
Man: Bonjour.
Steve: Bonjour. Ça va?
Angela: Bonjour.
Angela: We're here at
the sawmill today
to pick up the two pieces
of tree
that we're gonna use
for the worktop
in the poolside kitchen.
Dick: With the help of
the yard's forklift,
they're getting their timber
to take away.
Angela: Careful, Steve.
[Forklift beeping]
[Angela humming]
So exciting
when you see something!
That's gonna be our worktop.
How amazing is that?
C'est parfait. Whee!
I think it looks nice.
it's gonna be good.
Right. I'll just get
my checkbook.
Steve: Right. You get
the checkbook.
Dick: The cedar sections have
cost 120 Euros, just over £100,
a bargain any way
you slice it.
Angela: Merci, monsieur.
Steve: Merci, monsieur.
Dick: But back at the Chateau,
Angela's wondering
if they might have sourced it
from even closer to home.
Angela: Have a look
at this wind.
We might well have one of our
own trees down
to chop up for the wood.
Steve: Yeah.
Angela: It's absolutely
blowing a hoolie!
Steve: Ha ha! Is a bit
windy, isn't it?
Dick: The last thing they want
is for the worktops to get wet
in the brewing storm,
so there's no time to lose.
Steve: OK, I'm gonna do
the lift now, OK?
Angela: 1, 2, 3.
That went--
Steve: Oh, not really.
Angela: Whoo!
Who ordered
the gale force winds?
Steve: Put that
cardboard underneath,
so it carries on on the...
[Angela laughing]
Steve.
That was heavier than
the piece of wood!
OK, we're in.
Other than the cardboard
becoming a sail,
they look really nice.
Dick: They certainly do. Let's
just hope the wind dies down
or the rest of the job is going
to be far from a breeze.
5 years ago, when Angel and I
first walked into
the elegant hallway
of our chateau...
Angel: Look, this is not
too shabby.
Dick: its magnificent staircase
was one of the first things
we fell in love with.
Angel: It's pretty incredible.
When we first
walked up those stairs,
this had beautiful burgundy
lino in it with gold
up the edges.
It was oddly delightful.
Dick: Once we'd renovated
the suites,
we wanted to restore the
staircase to its former glory.
With 40 steps,
it was going to be a challenge,
so Angel called in
the experts.
Angel: Arthur, Dorothy,
I've got a job
that I need a bit
of help with.
OK, you won't remember this,
but this is very, very close
to the color of
the original carpet.
Dick: Our new burgundy
carpet was being laid
in a couple of days,
so we needed to decide
on the edging,
and Dorothy took it
very seriously.
Dorothy: That's the same.
Angel: Well, they're
the same thing,
but they are different.
Oh, well, that's
very pretty.
Mmm...all those reds are a bit
clashy, now, aren't they?
Arthur: Hi.
Angel: Perfect timing.
Dick: What's going on?
It looked like
the Strawbridge ladies
needed a bit of help in the
interior design department.
And that's grand,
of course.
Angel: Well, it's quite good.
That would go with it.
Dorothy: This could work.
Dick: Oh ho ho ho!
Angel: "This could work."
Dick: Just remember what you
need me to do
is agree with you
is what you're saying.
Angel: Yep.
Dick: I should have remembered.
When it comes to this stuff...
I think she did it
more different.
just stay quiet.
Dad, do you want
the shiny color? I love it.
Dick: Darling,
I gotta tell you,
I missed it when we did colors.
When you're working on that,
you can tell Mommy and just say
"Daddy agrees with me," OK?
Yeah.
Dick: In the end, there was one
thing we were all agreed on.
Angel: Does that look
amazing or what?
Dick: We kept our fabulous
carpet simple,
and the only bling
was the stair rods.
It just feels so right.
Dick: What's it like
up at the top?
Dorothy: Yes!
Angel: I am so happy.
Dick: Angel, if you're happy,
then I'm happy.
We're not the only ones
restoring chateaus
to their past grandeur.
Take historic, 12th-century,
13-bedroom
Chateau de Masgelier,
home to DIY dynamo Fiona
and her 11-year-old son Louis.
Fiona: I did really want a
really big project
from start to finish.
So, you know,
it suited me
for what I was looking for--
it was a bit of a find.
Dick: Located in the central
Limousin area,
after hosting a wedding
last year,
Fiona is looking
to holding more
as a way of
increasing her income.
[Cheering]
Dick: But her latest project
is transforming two rooms
on the first floor
into a luxury suite.
Fiona: My vision is to re-create
a beautiful bathroom suite
in the King's tower, and then,
you know, the master suite,
I'm going to go for kind of a
black-and-gold theme in there
and with an Oriental wallpaper.
So, yeah, quite
excited about that.
Dick: She's already been working
on the suite for 3 months,
ripping out the
seventies' decor
from when the chateau was
a children's holiday camp
in a former life.
[Ripping]
Having now wallpapered
the turret bathroom,
today she's making a start
on the flooring.
Fiona: I've got to
knock it all out
because it's such
a peculiar room,
a circular rather than
a square room.
Kind of got to mark it out
and then center
and work my way
to the sides.
Dick: Laying rectangular tiles
in a circular room
requires a bit
of organization,
so Fiona has a laser guide
to help line them up.
Fiona: The lovely thing is,
the floor is nice and flat,
so that makes it much,
much easier to lay.
Dick: That's the floor
marked up.
Now Fiona can get on
with laying the tiles.
Fiona: So this is like
a slate look.
It's a beautiful effect.
Don't have to use underlay,
completely waterproof
and so flexible, and it
literally clicks together.
If I can lay the floor
downstairs
with heavy-duty
terracotta tiles,
this is a walk in the park.
Dick: With that, she's off.
[Click]
Dick: These tiles simply
slot together
so there's no need for adhesive.
Yeah. Wow, it's lovely.
Look at that. Perfect.
Dick: Happy that her
laser-guided floor is on target,
Fiona's on to her next task
in the bedroom,
and she's not holding back.
Fiona: Because I've gone for a
very kind of bold, luxury feel
with silks and satins
and velvets,
I wanted to go for a beautiful
Oriental paper,
and, you know,
the castle can take it.
The castle can take bold,
strong colors.
It's important to me.
I want the castle
to regain her luxury,
sophisticated look.
She's a very expensive mistress,
that's all I can say.
No, there's nothing straight
in this place.
There's no point getting
halfway around the room
with a lot of wonky pagoda.
Dick: It's looking good so far,
but there are plenty more
pagodas to line up
before the room is finished.
Over 150 miles north
at Chateau de la Ruche,
work on the new gite
has ground to a halt.
Rebecca: Hello! Hi!
Dick: A booking for a weekend
retreat has come in.
And as it could be a big
earner for Tim and Rebecca,
it's all hands and paws on deck
until after the event
in 3 days' time.
Rebecca: Raw & Gather is a
floristry, foraging,
slow-living
photography retreat,
which sounds a bit
wafty,
but it's gonna be lovely.
Dick: The guests, a group of
florists and photographers,
are paying well
for the retreat,
which means everything
has to be perfect.
The only problem is,
the barn where it'll be held
is presently full of
garden equipment, logs,
and lots of dust.
Rebecca: What if maybe move
the machinery
and things out of the way?
We've got a group of lovely
women coming from all over
for a couple of days
here at the chateau,
and we're going to forage
for foliage,
arrange flowers,
have massive feasts,
and it's all going to be
beautiful.
And it's my baby, really,
and Tim is being dragged along
for the ride. Um...
Tim: And we don't have to
do any preparation
or put up any lights
or run electricity anywhere
or clear out entire barns
of stuff at all, so it's great.
[Rebecca laughs]
You love it.
He loves it.
Tim: I do love it.
Well, let's move this stuff
out into the farm now
so that we can see
what's going on.
Rebecca: Yeah, OK.
Tim: Yeah.
Rebecca: Monty, can you not
leave things everywhere?
No. No.
Sit!
Sit!
Dick: To run the retreat
in the barn,
they're going to need
electricity.
Tim: So this is hopefully
our power supply.
So I'm gonna plug it in
in the house
and then run it all the way
across the garden to the barn.
Right. So 50 meters
gets me here...
which is hopelessly short.
I'm gonna go and get
another one.
There we are. Made it.
Rebecca: Oh, and with
bits to spare.
Tim: Ended up plugging
two together to get here.
Dick: With the barn now tidied,
Rebecca can begin cleaning...
Rebecca: Monty loves rakes.
Dick: although Monty seems
to be a bit more of a hindrance
than a help.
Rebecca: He also like brooms.
Really unhelpful, dog.
Enough.
[Monty barks]
Enough!
Tim: Monty.
Rebecca:
The dog's an idiot.
Tim: Ah, right. Lights.
Rebecca: I don't know what
we're gonna hang them with.
Tim: I'll hang them
with hopes and dreams.
Just hold the bottom of my
ladder for me.
Rebecca: Yes, yep.
Tim: If you take up the slack
of some of that.
Rebecca: So I've got a mighty
fine view of your bottom.
Tim: Mighty fine bottom?
Rebecca: It is.
Dick: And with all the lights
in place...
Tim: Give 'em a try.
Rebecca: Ready?
Tim: Ta-da!
Rebecca: Cool!
That looks good.
I'm pleased with how
the lights have turned out,
'cause I was slightly concerned
with how dark it was in there
and whether we'd have
enough light
for everybody to do
the flowers in.
I'm not worried
about any of it.
Tim: I honestly think
we'll be fine.
And we'll just have to go
with the flow, see what happens.
Dick: So far, so good.
This old barn is really
beginning to look the part.
Back at Chateau Caillac,
Angela and Steve
are busy revamping
their poolside kitchen
to make the chateau more
appealing to guests.
[Tapping]
The cedar sections that will
eventually become their worktops
have been sanded and treated.
Angela: We treat any new wood
to help protect it
against termites.
Dick: But before they can think
about fitting the worktops,
they need to figure out
a way to support their weight,
and engineer Steve
has something up his sleeve.
Steve: This is our steel store.
So these are old posts
that we've had from
the old fence gate
down by the river.
And I'm thinking if we're
putting this wood down,
and we cut this in two,
and one side of it goes up
against the underside
of the worktop, and the other
one has one of those legs on it
so it's actually
supported off the ground--
Angela: Perfect.
Steve: I think they're not
gonna go anywhere, are they?
I'll take this end,
and then you take the other end.
That's it.
Dick: Reusing an old steel
gate post like this
is a sound idea.
It'll save money, and it should
be easily strong enough.
Tim: Hold on a moment.
Did that come to 85?
Angela: Yep.
Tim: Sure?
Angela: Yep. When it does.
Dick: All measured up. Now they
need to make the two supports.
[Cutter whirring]
Tim: OK.
Dick: Next, a spot of welding.
Tim: Eyes.
I think that'll do fine.
Dick: And finally,
fixing the feet
salvaged from the old
kitchen carcasses.
Angela: So look.
That's what you call
a seriously amazing post.
Dick: Impressive work,
but Steve and Angela
aren't done upcycling yet.
Angela; I think these will make
really good lights.
Steve: Yeah?
Angela: Yeah.
Dick: Angela's had the bright
idea of using
these old demijohns
as light shades
for the poolside kitchen.
Angela: We need 3.
How many have you got?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
So you've got quite a few
to get wrong.
Steve: Ha ha ha!
What do you mean
me get wrong?
Angela: Shall we take
a couple with us, do you think--
Steve: Yeah, I'll just
take two of this.
Angela: And see how we get on?
Dick: Back in Steve's workshop,
it's time to formulate
a plan.
Angela: The idea is
in order to make these
into a really lovely light--
Ha ha! Difficult to imagine
at the moment.
we need to cut
a hole in here
so that we can actually get in
to change the bulb.
Steve: So what we gotta do
is drill a hole in that.
Dick: Sounds simple, but cutting
through thick glass like this
can be tricky,
so Steve's bought a fancy new
piece of kit for the job.
Angela: You see these
little sparkles.
Are they actually diamonds,
or is it just a word for it?
Steve: That's diamonds on there.
Angela: So the light fitting
will be really cheap,
but the tools to make the light
fitting cost an arm and a leg.
Steve: Right, you ready?
[Whirring]
Dick: Diamonds really can be
a chateau owner's best friend.
They're super hard-wearing and
with low-friction properties.
It's a slow and steady way to
cut through ceramics and glass.
Angela: Don't go too fast,
Steven,
because I think you're
better going slower.
Dick: You have to be steady
and gentle.
Angela: Is that a crack,
or was that there already?
Steve: Oh, it's a crack.
Angela: Hee hee hee hee!
Steve: I think I'll have to
go a bit slower
and probably put less
pressure on, maybe,
and then fingers crossed that I
don't break another one, really.
Dick: Here goes take 2.
[Whirring]
Angela: That doesn't seem
to be cutting anything, right?
Steve: I'm not pressing
very hard at all.
[Whirring]
Steve: How many lights did you
say you wanted up there?
Angela: Um...
Dick: But moments later...
[Crack]
Steve: Whoop!
Angela: What was that?
What was that?
Oh, no, it's cracked! Nooo!
Dick: In central France,
Fiona's making steady progress
in her new suite.
Wow. I'm loving that.
I'm so thrilled with that.
Dick: Named the Bremond Suite
after a French nobleman
who lived here
during the 18th century,
Fiona's keen to furnish the room
in keeping with the period
and has picked up a Louis XVI
style chair for 50 Euros
from a local brocante.
That's about £40.
Fiona: Actually, the bones of it
is in really, really
good condition.
It is sprung, so I don't
have to do anything with that.
Dick: The idea is
to restore it
into a piece worthy of the
Palace of Versailles.
Fiona: The frame will be black,
or noir, as they say in France.
And I'm going to then
upholster it
with this beautiful fabric--
if you can imagine,
'cause this is horrible.
If you can imagine that
with a black frame
and then this
beautiful fabric.
I think that's going to look
really plush,
really expensive.
Dick: For this job--
Fiona: Come on, then.
Dick: she's off to the
outbuilding
she keeps for her
restoration projects.
[Ripping]
Fiona: I know it looks
a bit barbaric taking it apart,
but it really only is
superficial.
It is very dusty
and musky.
[Coughs]
And it smells of...cats.
And what I want to do
is try and salvage
some of the wadding,
the stuffing.
But it's all original.
I think it's really beautiful
to try to keep that.
Dick: Fiona's workshop
may look like a TV crime scene,
but once her dog Valentine
is lured away...
Fiona: Come on. Come on.
Quickly. Come on.
That's it. That's the postman's
leg he's eating.
Dick: It's perfect for using
a paint gun.
[Whirring]
The trick is
is when you're doing this,
don't wave it all around.
You just go up and down,
keep it the same distance,
and just the slow coverage.
Dick: Spraying ensures Fiona
will get an even finish
in all those ornate
nooks and crannies.
And a little while later...
Look at that.
Look at that!
That is really nice.
What do you think?
Really smart. I know.
Dick: Stage 1 of this
restoration project is complete.
Fiona: Can you imagine that now
with the gold and black
fabric on?
Really thrilled. Love it.
Love it.
Dick: Now to get the chair
and suite finished.
In the Pays de la Loire,
it's the day of the retreat
and Rebecca is adding
the finishing touches
to the now unrecognizable barn.
Rebecca: Will my dog
ruin your display?
Dick: The retreat's organizers,
florist Paulina
and photographer Kim
recently arrived from Canada
and will be running
the workshops.
Kim: I think we're gonna land
the champagne here, right,
so I need to get out
of this space.
Dick: 7 guests are arriving
from all around the world
this evening, and their work
is still far from finished.
Tim: We're going to get bread,
go to the station,
meet the people...
Rebecca: And then we can
leave them
while we go over
and sort the children out,
get them to bed,
finish cooking dinner,
and all that.
Tim: When you say "we"...
Rebecca: We me.
Tim: Shall I just stay with the
kids through all of this?
That sounds fine.
Rebecca: OK.
Dick: You can't get out of
things that easily, Tim.
Kim: Go ahead, go ahead.
Second picture
of me doing work.
Kim: This is you in motion
doing work.
Rebecca: You having
a great time, Tim,
being bossed around
by 3 women?
Dick: The plan is for
a champagne reception
followed by dinner
in the chateau garden.
Rebecca: Think we've got about
an hour and 15 minutes.
It'll be fine.
I'm worrying about
people getting cold,
'cause it gets quite windy,
even though the sun's come out.
Pumpkins, gourds.
Paulina: I won't be at all
offended if you move things
that I've put down.
Rebecca: Yes, for sure
I'll move them.
Paulina: Yes, for sure.
Rebecca: The guests are coming.
They're all quite...
amazing kind of florists
and photographers,
so that makes it
slightly more stressful
because you want them to think
that everything you've done
is beautiful and amazing, so the
pressure is kind of on a bit.
Dick: There's no time
to worry about it now.
You're all set, and they'll
be arriving any minute.
[Camera shutter clicks]
Over 250 miles south,
Steve and Angela
are in the finishing
straight
with their poolside
kitchen refurbishment.
They've tiled the walls
and the worktops are in place.
Angela: Oh, it's looking good.
Steve: Yeah.
Steve: So you've grouted
the tiles now.
They're all done, aren't they?
Angela: Yep.
Dick: And that's not all.
Engineer Steve
has come up
with an inventive way
of solving their
demijohn lighting problem.
[Whirring]
I've set this up on--
Basically, it's an engine lift
with a drill on it.
And that's the demijohn
upside-down.
And just set it up with a little
bit of weight on it.
Another couple of days
should see it done, I think.
Dick: As one engineer to
another,
I love it!
Well, done, Steve.
But they're no waiting around,
as two demijohns have already
come off the production line.
Angela: Just go real slow,
though, with everything.
You've done such
a lovely job,
I don't want it
to get spoiled.
It already looks good.
How exciting!
Steve: I like it already.
Angela: Yeah!
Dick: Angela's picked up an oar
at a local brocante
to suspend the lights from.
Steve: Is that enough now?
Angela: I think one more time.
Steve: Will that then mean
if I take that away,
that actually just hangs down
like that.
Angela: Yeah. OK.
Steve: Is that where
you want it?
That's perfect because
I can see through it
but it's still in your
peripheral vision.
Dick: With the first light hung,
Steve makes short work
of the other two.
Angela: Whoo!
That looks nice.
Right, OK, let's see
if they work.
Whee!
Dick: All that's left
is to put the finishing touches
to the kitchen.
Angela: Need to go
towards the railing, Steven.
Mm-hmm.
[Whirring]
Angela: Perfect.
Steve: Happy with that?
Angela: Yep.
Dick: And with the table set,
the transformation is complete.
Over the past few weeks,
a rundown corner
has been turned into a
sophisticated guest area
truly in keeping
with the rest of the chateau.
Best of all,
by reusing and recycling,
not only is it unique,
but at £1,300,
that's cost a fraction
of what it could have done.
And as night falls,
Steve and Angela
get their chance
to give it a spin.
Angela: Ohh...
Steve: Yeah.
Angela: Steve, that looks ace.
Steve: It looks great,
doesn't it?
I think people are gonna
really enjoy using this space.
Angela: Cheers, lovey.
Steve: Cheers.
Here's to our new kitchen.
Angela: Well done.
Steve: Oh, I get a kiss as well.
Angela: Yeah. Ha ha ha!
Angela: Cheers.
Steve: Well done.
Steve: We should toast
the lights.
Angela:
Yeah, let's toast the lights.
Steve: Here's to demijohns
and drilling.
Dick: And here's to
doing it yourself,
especially when the results
look this good.
Excellent work,
Steve and Angela.
Your guests next summer
are in for a real treat.
Steve: Well done.
Angela: Yeah, well done.
Dick: In Central France,
Fiona is a whisker away
from finishing
the Bremond Suite.
She has just one last
job to complete.
Chair's coming along
really beautiful.
I mean, it's completely
transformed, isn't it?
I want to just try
and get the pattern central.
I don't want the pattern
to be off, obviously.
I just want to secure it
at the back,
and then I can pull it
from the front...
[Staple gun clicks]
and then you can
pull it nice and tight.
You get a beautiful look. See?
You get a really nice,
tight finish.
Dick: Fiona wants an
authentically 18th-century look,
even if her methods
are less traditional.
[Click]
I prefer personally
to use a staple gun
rather than all the little,
teeny tacks
because they're so short,
they just pop out.
It's just a nightmare.
So that is really
nice and tight.
And then the braid--give a nice
little touch at the end.
Dick: And it will cover up
those staples, to boot.
That is really, yeah,
eye-popping.
I like bold, and I like
statement pieces.
I'm, you know, I'm not
a Magnolia girl.
Look at it! It looks like
a totally different chair.
I'm very pleased with that.
Dick: After 4 long months
of single-handed graft,
Fiona's new suite
is almost complete.
Fiona: It's nearly finished!
I'll be a free woman.
And you always know
you're at the tail end of a job
'cause I got a no-shoes policy
now with the new carpet down.
Dick: Today, her vision
will become a reality
once she's added
the final flourishes.
Fiona: This is all the nice bit,
isn't it, really,
when you're just
styling the room,
setting it all up?
It's like having a baby.
You forget about all the pain
you went through.
Hmm!
Dick: Fiona just needs to give
her restored Louis XVI chair
pride of place.
Fiona: I'm really pleased
with that.
It looks completely
different, doesn't it?
Yeah, I love that.
Isn't that nice?
Looks really luxurious.
Dick: This has been a job that's
tested even Fiona's stamina.
You know, I could get to a point
I thought...
I'd never get there.
So much work.
I did think halfway through,
"Couldn't you have done
an easier suite? I could have
got two done in this time."
But it's been worth it. I think
it's turned out really well.
Dick: By stripping away
the dated seventies' decor
and ripping out
the existing bathroom,
she's pulled off
an amazing solo feat.
Fiona's created a suite
that I'm sure
even the Marquis de Bremond
himself
would have been happy with.
In the King's tower,
the bathroom,
centered around
this freestanding bath,
is now a perfect place to relax.
Great work, Fiona.
It's quite an achievement.
Fiona: I'm so pleased
with the way the Marquis de
Bremond Suite has turned out.
It's exceeded my expectations.
It was well worth
the long, long summer.
restoring the room and restoring
the whole suite, actually.
Dick: And will provide
perfect guest accommodation.
Fiona: It's just super to have
a really special place
for the bride to get ready
before the ceremony
and even for the bride and groom
to stay for the night.
Dick: It's been another busy
year for Fiona.
[Door creaks]
She celebrated the chateau's
illustrious history...
[Cheering]
and even found time to create a
bedroom for daughter Rochelle.
Rochelle: Thank you, mum.
Fiona: OK, you're welcome,
darling.
Dick: But Fiona is determined
to keep on going.
Fiona: The next project will be
to create another bedroom suite,
and then I have the beautiful
4-story spiral staircase.
It was the servant's staircase
in the 1700s.
So I'd like to get two projects
complete for the year ahead.
Dick: I salute your energy and
appetite for renovation, Fiona.
It's reassuring to know
this beautiful place
is in such good hands.
Back at Tim and Rebecca's,
the first guests for their
weekend retreat have arrived.
They're from South Africa
and America.
Rebecca: How are you?
Woman: Hi. I'm [indistinct]
Rebecca: Hi. Nice to meet you.
Woman: Lovely to meet you.
Woman: Oh, my word!
Dick: As they settle in,
[Rebecca speaking
indistinctly]
Rebecca is busy juggling
her other responsibilities,
helping Laurie and Rufus
with their homework.
Rebecca: Tim's gone to pick up
the next lot of people.
The main courses are done.
So I just need to do
the side dishes and pudding.
Rufus: My dinner!
Rebecca: And your dinner, yes.
Have you finished
those sums, Laurie?
No, you haven't?
I don't know--
Rebecca: No cheating.
Rufus: 7 plus what makes 10?
[Sighs]
Rebecca:
I'm glad that I got ahead
because I knew I would
need to be ahead today.
I knew this would happen,
so I'm really glad that
I was up late last night
cooking.
It's quite scary, especially
when people have traveled
such a long way, it kind of puts
the pressure on a little bit,
'cause you think, "Well, they
better have a good time."
Dick: Homework done, and as
the final guests arrive,
there's just time for some
last-minute prep in the barn,
and the evening
can get underway.
Kim: We thought we'd be in a
beautiful, creative workspace.
Yes, but we're not having
dinner in it,
so we wanted to show it to you.
Woman: It's beautiful.
Dick: Festooned with lights
and beautifully decorated,
the barn is now
unrecognizable
from the neglected outbuilding
they started with 3 days ago.
Woman: What?
Woman: That's beautiful.
Rebecca: Who would like
some champagne?
Well, some bubbles.
Woman: These are the ultimate,
ultimate scissors.
It's good reactions, yeah.
It's going really well.
So lots of photos,
lots of sharing.
Dick: It's taken some twisting
of Tim's arm,
but it looks like Rebecca's
vision has paid off handsomely.
Woman: I think the space is
magic.
And I think, for me,
this kind of space
inspires me to create,
and I hope it inspires
everyone in the room
to create for the next two days.
Dick: It seems that champagne
quaffing has been hungry work.
Woman: Smells so good.
And with a classic coq au vin,
the menu is clearly a big hit.
Tim: Potatoes as well.
Women: Wow!
Dick: The entire evening,
it seems, has been a success.
Woman: First, I'd like to say
thank you to Rebecca and to Tim
for hosting us.
Woman: I mean, it's been
a dream already,
and this is only
the beginning.
So thank you so much.
This has been amazing.
And I'm looking forward to the
next couple of days with you.
[Cheering]
Rebecca: Thank you very much
for you guys for all coming too.
Tim: Cheers. Thanks, everybody.
Rebecca: I can't reach,
but cheers.
Tim: Sante!
Women: Sante!
Dick: And the biggest turn-up,
even Tim's now on board.
Tim: It's been a surprise
for me.
I was very skeptical of it
and very grumpy about
wasting my time on it.
The barn looks
really, really amazing,
and it looks like we always
imagined it could look,
which is really nice--it's the
first time it ever has done.
Rebecca: Yeah, it's really good,
and it shows you
what magic you can do
with candles, festooned lights,
and some flowers
Dick: Congratulations, you two.
You've worked hard
and deserve all your success.
And once you get back to it,
I can't wait to see
how the gite turns out.
Next week...
Woman: Right. We're here.
we follow the peaks...
Man: Wow!
Woman: Oh, my God!
I've forgotten how
fantastic this place is.
Dick: and troughs.
It looks a lot worse today.
Man: You're not supposed to
say "It looks worse."
Dick:
One couple digs for gold...
Very possibly, there is treasure
right below my feet right now,
and we're gonna be getting our
tickets to go to Barbados.
Dick: Angel shares some
knowhow...
That's not
the right figure.
Woman: Is it too much?
Angel: No. It's not enough.
All right.
Dick: And at this chateau...
Woman: I hope it doesn't look
like a washing line.
Dick: the owner hosts
a very special wedding.
and along with my wife Angel
and our two children...
Welcome aboard, mateys!
we're now 5 years into restoring
this once-abandoned chateau.
Angel: It's beautiful.
Dick: It's brought
its challenges...
Angel: Ohh!
[Crash]
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.
April: 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, as a new
gite project gets underway...
Man: The worst thing
that'll happen
is you'll drop it on the floor
and break it.
Dick: It's a case of
famous last words.
Man: Oh!
Dick: This owner nears the end
of a [indistinct] project.
Woman: This I got for a very
kind of bold, luxury feel.
She's a very expensive mistress,
that's all I can say.
Dick: At our place, a new
interior designer gets to work.
Dad, do you want
the shiny color? I love it.
Dick: Darling, when you're
working on that,
you can tell Mommy and just say
"Daddy agrees with me," OK?
And sparks fluster
one couple.
Man: Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Woman: That is dropped.
Man: Drop--don't push it
back in. No.
No, no, grab it.
Dick: But it's not just the sink
they're struggling with.
Woman: Whoa! What was that?
What was that?
Oh, no! It's cracked! Nooo!
Dick: Our decision to start
a new life across the Channel
is one we've never regretted.
We're not the only Brits
who've decided
a French chateau is
a perfect place for a family.
like here at the elegant
Chateau de la Ruche,
home to IT engineer Tim,
journalist Rebecca,
and their boys Rufus and Laurie.
With 24 rooms and 15 acres
of parkland,
they bought it in 2017
for £380,000.
It's a decision
they've never regretted.
Rebecca: We have a much more
outdoorsy lifestyle here.
The kids have got so much more
space and freedom
to run around and play
with their friends,
and that's just something
they didn't have
where we lived in the UK.
Tim: The best thing for me
is not having to do
the Monday to Friday, 9-5,
but we have replaced that with
Monday to Sunday, 7:00 in the
morning till midnight instead.
Dick: But an hour's drive from
us in the Pays de la Loire,
after months of renovations,
Tim and Rebecca launched
as a B&B last year.
Tim: We have had an incredibly
busy year,
and we've had
lots of bookings.
Rebecca: We're definitely in a--
I feel a lot more secure
this year, in that we know
that the business can work
if we work really hard.
Definitely in
a better place.
Dick: With the business going
from strength to strength,
Tim and Rebecca
are looking at ways to
meet the increasing demand, and
that means more accommodation.
[Saw whirring]
So they're now creating a
2-bedroom guest gite
in what is currently
a derelict outbuilding.
To keep costs down,
they're doing the vast majority
of the work themselves
with a spot of help
from builder Dave
and Rebecca's dad Pete.
Tim: We worked to our center
and then measured out
from the center, didn't we?
Dave: Yes.
Dick: Now the next
crucial job for Tim
is to install the windows
in what will be
the gite's living area.
Tim: We've done
some of the prep work.
We've taken the tiles off
from the outside
and marked out where they
need to be,
and we've started putting in
some of the frames.
Dick: That's the easy bit.
Dave: So what we're gonna
have to do is
fit it in that way,
tilt it back in.
Dick: Now to try and get
the window into position.
Tim: This end goes
through first,
and it goes in upside-down
almost.
Dave: And when you
tilt the window,
the other bit slides in.
Famous last words.
Right. Ready when you are.
Tim: The worst thing
that'll happen
is you'll drop it on the floor
and break it,
which wouldn't be ideal.
Dave: But the ladder
is in the way.
Dick: Weighing in at about
40 kilos,
you can say that
again, Tim.
Dave: You see that clip?
Make that--
Tim: I can't see anything now.
Dave: This has got to
go in there first.
Make the black pin go into that
groove, if you can.
So bring that across.
Tim: Which screw--
Dave: That's it, that's it.
Dave: Top a bit
and in there.
Dave: That's in
the right position.
Tilt the window back
to the top,
and now it should start
sliding down.
Open it slightly
so I can get out.
Tim: You all right?
Dave: Right.
Now tilt it.
Tim: No, that bracket's gone.
Dave: That's all right. OK.
Oh!
Dick: Well caught!
Dave: Now, this one...
We gotta come down.
Come down...
Dick: A lucky escape.
Dave: 'cause we're gonna
drop it.
Tim: That black pin was in--
let me try to spin it round--
was in the wrong place.
It's supposed to be
in the big groove,
not in that little groove.
Dave: Yeah.
Dick: Undaunted,
they try again.
Dave: Right.
Now tip it down.
Close it like
you would normally.
[Click]
Tim: OK.
That's a click.
Dave: That's click.
[Loud click]
Success.
The second time's easy.
Tim: Yeah.
Dick: Nice work, chaps,
and just in time...
That wasn't stressful.
as here comes the site manager
to inspect the job.
Cool!
Looks good, doesn't it?
Tim: I think we've realistically
got a day to go
on the skylights--a man day.
And then probably 4 man days
to go on the dormers.
Rebecca: Is a man day different
to a girl day?
Tim: Yeah, it's more productive
and less talking.
Rebecca:
I find that hard to believe.
Tim: So I think--
Rebecca: If it was girls
doing it,
we'd have it all done by now.
There'd have been less
messing around,
a bit more multi-tasking.
Tim: Yeah, and it would have
probably looked
exactly the same, just been
vastly more expensive.
So, yeah. Other than that,
we did fine.
Dick: Ooh-ooh, fighting talk.
But with 3 more
skylights to go,
perhaps it's better just
to agree to crack on
and get this place watertight.
This is the stunning
19th-century Chateau Caillac,
sitting pretty on the bank
of the river Lot.
It's been home to Cheshire
couple Steve, an engineer,
and his wife Angela,
since 2004.
Angela: We do literally
pinch each other
and go, "I cannot believe
this is ours."
Steve: We own it. Yeah, yeah.
Angela: How amazing
is this place?
Dick: Located 60 miles
from Bordeaux,
they mortgaged themselves
to the hilt
to buy this 20-room chateau
for £800,000
and have spent the last
15 years renovating it
into a luxury home
and holiday rental.
Steve: You have to really
work at it.
It's absolutely full on
all the time,
but I think we've got to
the point now
where we are enjoying it.
Angela: I am proud
of what we've achieved.
Steve: Oh, yeah, definitely
proud of what we've achieved.
Angela: And the fact that we're
still together and talking.
Steve: That is amazing.
Angela: That's probably the most
surprising thing, actually.
Dick: To pay off their mortgage,
Steve and Angela let
the chateau each summer
and return to the UK
to live on their houseboat.
Angela: I hate to say it, but
it always feels lovely
as we drive away
and we look around
and we go, "Oh, my gosh."
Steve: Every year,
we do more and more, don't we?
And that's really good.
Dick: When we last met them,
they were getting the place
ready for the summer season
by improving the grounds...
Angela: They look lovely.
Dick: and the guest suites.
Angela: That one's falling out.
Quickly, there. That one.
No! Oh, gosh.
Why on earth did I choose
one like this?
Dick: The holidays
are now over
and Steve and Angela
are back in France,
but there's no question of them
putting their feet up.
Steve: Something that we've
noticed through the summer
is that the poolhouse kitchen
is definitely now
letting the side down.
Angela: Yeah, it's become more
and more obvious
that more people cook outside
by the poolhouse.
So we want to just make it
that little bit step up, really.
Dick: Off-season improvements
are part of the
never-ending cycle of owning
one of these places.
And a poolside revamp
would hopefully increase
summer bookings.
Steve: We'll take it
all away,
and then we'll have a look
at what we've got.
And then we'll see how this plan
is gonna fit in--
Angela: OK.
Steve: to this space.
Might not quite look
like this, you know.
This is only
an artist's impression
that I did on a computer
in about an hour.
Angela: Right, then.
Let's get on with it.
Steve: Let's get started.
Angela: I always love the start
of a new project.
It's so full of promise,
isn't it,
and you've not got the mistakes
and the nightmares yet.
I actually--I'm not too worried
about this project.
I think--there's not a lot
that can go wrong, really.
Dick: Famous last words,
Angela.
At least clearing out this area
should be straightforward.
Steve: You know, look at that.
Angela: Ooh!
Dick: All it really needs
is a bit of teamwork.
Steve: All right,
lift a bit.
Angela: Ah!
Steve: Come your way.
Angela: Now you're talking.
Steve: Don't turn it.
You pulled--
Angela: You know, you need to
push your end in. That's it.
Steve: Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Drop your end.
Angela: That is dropped.
Steve: Drop--don't push it
back in. No.
No, no, grab it.
Pull it towards you, Angela.
Right. Keep pulling
towards you.
That's it.
Then just tip it up.
That's it.
The skill is making it
Angela's idea
and then that's fine,
but we just did it my way.
Angela: What are you
trying to say, Steve?
Steve: Nothing. Not saying
anything
about you at all,
darling.
Dick: Just like I said--
teamwork.
Now the fun
can really begin.
Steve and Angela have plans
to make new worktops
the centerpiece
of the revamped kitchen...
and have come to
a local timberyard
to pick up something
rather special.
Man: Bonjour.
Steve: Bonjour. Ça va?
Angela: Bonjour.
Angela: We're here at
the sawmill today
to pick up the two pieces
of tree
that we're gonna use
for the worktop
in the poolside kitchen.
Dick: With the help of
the yard's forklift,
they're getting their timber
to take away.
Angela: Careful, Steve.
[Forklift beeping]
[Angela humming]
So exciting
when you see something!
That's gonna be our worktop.
How amazing is that?
C'est parfait. Whee!
I think it looks nice.
it's gonna be good.
Right. I'll just get
my checkbook.
Steve: Right. You get
the checkbook.
Dick: The cedar sections have
cost 120 Euros, just over £100,
a bargain any way
you slice it.
Angela: Merci, monsieur.
Steve: Merci, monsieur.
Dick: But back at the Chateau,
Angela's wondering
if they might have sourced it
from even closer to home.
Angela: Have a look
at this wind.
We might well have one of our
own trees down
to chop up for the wood.
Steve: Yeah.
Angela: It's absolutely
blowing a hoolie!
Steve: Ha ha! Is a bit
windy, isn't it?
Dick: The last thing they want
is for the worktops to get wet
in the brewing storm,
so there's no time to lose.
Steve: OK, I'm gonna do
the lift now, OK?
Angela: 1, 2, 3.
That went--
Steve: Oh, not really.
Angela: Whoo!
Who ordered
the gale force winds?
Steve: Put that
cardboard underneath,
so it carries on on the...
[Angela laughing]
Steve.
That was heavier than
the piece of wood!
OK, we're in.
Other than the cardboard
becoming a sail,
they look really nice.
Dick: They certainly do. Let's
just hope the wind dies down
or the rest of the job is going
to be far from a breeze.
5 years ago, when Angel and I
first walked into
the elegant hallway
of our chateau...
Angel: Look, this is not
too shabby.
Dick: its magnificent staircase
was one of the first things
we fell in love with.
Angel: It's pretty incredible.
When we first
walked up those stairs,
this had beautiful burgundy
lino in it with gold
up the edges.
It was oddly delightful.
Dick: Once we'd renovated
the suites,
we wanted to restore the
staircase to its former glory.
With 40 steps,
it was going to be a challenge,
so Angel called in
the experts.
Angel: Arthur, Dorothy,
I've got a job
that I need a bit
of help with.
OK, you won't remember this,
but this is very, very close
to the color of
the original carpet.
Dick: Our new burgundy
carpet was being laid
in a couple of days,
so we needed to decide
on the edging,
and Dorothy took it
very seriously.
Dorothy: That's the same.
Angel: Well, they're
the same thing,
but they are different.
Oh, well, that's
very pretty.
Mmm...all those reds are a bit
clashy, now, aren't they?
Arthur: Hi.
Angel: Perfect timing.
Dick: What's going on?
It looked like
the Strawbridge ladies
needed a bit of help in the
interior design department.
And that's grand,
of course.
Angel: Well, it's quite good.
That would go with it.
Dorothy: This could work.
Dick: Oh ho ho ho!
Angel: "This could work."
Dick: Just remember what you
need me to do
is agree with you
is what you're saying.
Angel: Yep.
Dick: I should have remembered.
When it comes to this stuff...
I think she did it
more different.
just stay quiet.
Dad, do you want
the shiny color? I love it.
Dick: Darling,
I gotta tell you,
I missed it when we did colors.
When you're working on that,
you can tell Mommy and just say
"Daddy agrees with me," OK?
Yeah.
Dick: In the end, there was one
thing we were all agreed on.
Angel: Does that look
amazing or what?
Dick: We kept our fabulous
carpet simple,
and the only bling
was the stair rods.
It just feels so right.
Dick: What's it like
up at the top?
Dorothy: Yes!
Angel: I am so happy.
Dick: Angel, if you're happy,
then I'm happy.
We're not the only ones
restoring chateaus
to their past grandeur.
Take historic, 12th-century,
13-bedroom
Chateau de Masgelier,
home to DIY dynamo Fiona
and her 11-year-old son Louis.
Fiona: I did really want a
really big project
from start to finish.
So, you know,
it suited me
for what I was looking for--
it was a bit of a find.
Dick: Located in the central
Limousin area,
after hosting a wedding
last year,
Fiona is looking
to holding more
as a way of
increasing her income.
[Cheering]
Dick: But her latest project
is transforming two rooms
on the first floor
into a luxury suite.
Fiona: My vision is to re-create
a beautiful bathroom suite
in the King's tower, and then,
you know, the master suite,
I'm going to go for kind of a
black-and-gold theme in there
and with an Oriental wallpaper.
So, yeah, quite
excited about that.
Dick: She's already been working
on the suite for 3 months,
ripping out the
seventies' decor
from when the chateau was
a children's holiday camp
in a former life.
[Ripping]
Having now wallpapered
the turret bathroom,
today she's making a start
on the flooring.
Fiona: I've got to
knock it all out
because it's such
a peculiar room,
a circular rather than
a square room.
Kind of got to mark it out
and then center
and work my way
to the sides.
Dick: Laying rectangular tiles
in a circular room
requires a bit
of organization,
so Fiona has a laser guide
to help line them up.
Fiona: The lovely thing is,
the floor is nice and flat,
so that makes it much,
much easier to lay.
Dick: That's the floor
marked up.
Now Fiona can get on
with laying the tiles.
Fiona: So this is like
a slate look.
It's a beautiful effect.
Don't have to use underlay,
completely waterproof
and so flexible, and it
literally clicks together.
If I can lay the floor
downstairs
with heavy-duty
terracotta tiles,
this is a walk in the park.
Dick: With that, she's off.
[Click]
Dick: These tiles simply
slot together
so there's no need for adhesive.
Yeah. Wow, it's lovely.
Look at that. Perfect.
Dick: Happy that her
laser-guided floor is on target,
Fiona's on to her next task
in the bedroom,
and she's not holding back.
Fiona: Because I've gone for a
very kind of bold, luxury feel
with silks and satins
and velvets,
I wanted to go for a beautiful
Oriental paper,
and, you know,
the castle can take it.
The castle can take bold,
strong colors.
It's important to me.
I want the castle
to regain her luxury,
sophisticated look.
She's a very expensive mistress,
that's all I can say.
No, there's nothing straight
in this place.
There's no point getting
halfway around the room
with a lot of wonky pagoda.
Dick: It's looking good so far,
but there are plenty more
pagodas to line up
before the room is finished.
Over 150 miles north
at Chateau de la Ruche,
work on the new gite
has ground to a halt.
Rebecca: Hello! Hi!
Dick: A booking for a weekend
retreat has come in.
And as it could be a big
earner for Tim and Rebecca,
it's all hands and paws on deck
until after the event
in 3 days' time.
Rebecca: Raw & Gather is a
floristry, foraging,
slow-living
photography retreat,
which sounds a bit
wafty,
but it's gonna be lovely.
Dick: The guests, a group of
florists and photographers,
are paying well
for the retreat,
which means everything
has to be perfect.
The only problem is,
the barn where it'll be held
is presently full of
garden equipment, logs,
and lots of dust.
Rebecca: What if maybe move
the machinery
and things out of the way?
We've got a group of lovely
women coming from all over
for a couple of days
here at the chateau,
and we're going to forage
for foliage,
arrange flowers,
have massive feasts,
and it's all going to be
beautiful.
And it's my baby, really,
and Tim is being dragged along
for the ride. Um...
Tim: And we don't have to
do any preparation
or put up any lights
or run electricity anywhere
or clear out entire barns
of stuff at all, so it's great.
[Rebecca laughs]
You love it.
He loves it.
Tim: I do love it.
Well, let's move this stuff
out into the farm now
so that we can see
what's going on.
Rebecca: Yeah, OK.
Tim: Yeah.
Rebecca: Monty, can you not
leave things everywhere?
No. No.
Sit!
Sit!
Dick: To run the retreat
in the barn,
they're going to need
electricity.
Tim: So this is hopefully
our power supply.
So I'm gonna plug it in
in the house
and then run it all the way
across the garden to the barn.
Right. So 50 meters
gets me here...
which is hopelessly short.
I'm gonna go and get
another one.
There we are. Made it.
Rebecca: Oh, and with
bits to spare.
Tim: Ended up plugging
two together to get here.
Dick: With the barn now tidied,
Rebecca can begin cleaning...
Rebecca: Monty loves rakes.
Dick: although Monty seems
to be a bit more of a hindrance
than a help.
Rebecca: He also like brooms.
Really unhelpful, dog.
Enough.
[Monty barks]
Enough!
Tim: Monty.
Rebecca:
The dog's an idiot.
Tim: Ah, right. Lights.
Rebecca: I don't know what
we're gonna hang them with.
Tim: I'll hang them
with hopes and dreams.
Just hold the bottom of my
ladder for me.
Rebecca: Yes, yep.
Tim: If you take up the slack
of some of that.
Rebecca: So I've got a mighty
fine view of your bottom.
Tim: Mighty fine bottom?
Rebecca: It is.
Dick: And with all the lights
in place...
Tim: Give 'em a try.
Rebecca: Ready?
Tim: Ta-da!
Rebecca: Cool!
That looks good.
I'm pleased with how
the lights have turned out,
'cause I was slightly concerned
with how dark it was in there
and whether we'd have
enough light
for everybody to do
the flowers in.
I'm not worried
about any of it.
Tim: I honestly think
we'll be fine.
And we'll just have to go
with the flow, see what happens.
Dick: So far, so good.
This old barn is really
beginning to look the part.
Back at Chateau Caillac,
Angela and Steve
are busy revamping
their poolside kitchen
to make the chateau more
appealing to guests.
[Tapping]
The cedar sections that will
eventually become their worktops
have been sanded and treated.
Angela: We treat any new wood
to help protect it
against termites.
Dick: But before they can think
about fitting the worktops,
they need to figure out
a way to support their weight,
and engineer Steve
has something up his sleeve.
Steve: This is our steel store.
So these are old posts
that we've had from
the old fence gate
down by the river.
And I'm thinking if we're
putting this wood down,
and we cut this in two,
and one side of it goes up
against the underside
of the worktop, and the other
one has one of those legs on it
so it's actually
supported off the ground--
Angela: Perfect.
Steve: I think they're not
gonna go anywhere, are they?
I'll take this end,
and then you take the other end.
That's it.
Dick: Reusing an old steel
gate post like this
is a sound idea.
It'll save money, and it should
be easily strong enough.
Tim: Hold on a moment.
Did that come to 85?
Angela: Yep.
Tim: Sure?
Angela: Yep. When it does.
Dick: All measured up. Now they
need to make the two supports.
[Cutter whirring]
Tim: OK.
Dick: Next, a spot of welding.
Tim: Eyes.
I think that'll do fine.
Dick: And finally,
fixing the feet
salvaged from the old
kitchen carcasses.
Angela: So look.
That's what you call
a seriously amazing post.
Dick: Impressive work,
but Steve and Angela
aren't done upcycling yet.
Angela; I think these will make
really good lights.
Steve: Yeah?
Angela: Yeah.
Dick: Angela's had the bright
idea of using
these old demijohns
as light shades
for the poolside kitchen.
Angela: We need 3.
How many have you got?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
So you've got quite a few
to get wrong.
Steve: Ha ha ha!
What do you mean
me get wrong?
Angela: Shall we take
a couple with us, do you think--
Steve: Yeah, I'll just
take two of this.
Angela: And see how we get on?
Dick: Back in Steve's workshop,
it's time to formulate
a plan.
Angela: The idea is
in order to make these
into a really lovely light--
Ha ha! Difficult to imagine
at the moment.
we need to cut
a hole in here
so that we can actually get in
to change the bulb.
Steve: So what we gotta do
is drill a hole in that.
Dick: Sounds simple, but cutting
through thick glass like this
can be tricky,
so Steve's bought a fancy new
piece of kit for the job.
Angela: You see these
little sparkles.
Are they actually diamonds,
or is it just a word for it?
Steve: That's diamonds on there.
Angela: So the light fitting
will be really cheap,
but the tools to make the light
fitting cost an arm and a leg.
Steve: Right, you ready?
[Whirring]
Dick: Diamonds really can be
a chateau owner's best friend.
They're super hard-wearing and
with low-friction properties.
It's a slow and steady way to
cut through ceramics and glass.
Angela: Don't go too fast,
Steven,
because I think you're
better going slower.
Dick: You have to be steady
and gentle.
Angela: Is that a crack,
or was that there already?
Steve: Oh, it's a crack.
Angela: Hee hee hee hee!
Steve: I think I'll have to
go a bit slower
and probably put less
pressure on, maybe,
and then fingers crossed that I
don't break another one, really.
Dick: Here goes take 2.
[Whirring]
Angela: That doesn't seem
to be cutting anything, right?
Steve: I'm not pressing
very hard at all.
[Whirring]
Steve: How many lights did you
say you wanted up there?
Angela: Um...
Dick: But moments later...
[Crack]
Steve: Whoop!
Angela: What was that?
What was that?
Oh, no, it's cracked! Nooo!
Dick: In central France,
Fiona's making steady progress
in her new suite.
Wow. I'm loving that.
I'm so thrilled with that.
Dick: Named the Bremond Suite
after a French nobleman
who lived here
during the 18th century,
Fiona's keen to furnish the room
in keeping with the period
and has picked up a Louis XVI
style chair for 50 Euros
from a local brocante.
That's about £40.
Fiona: Actually, the bones of it
is in really, really
good condition.
It is sprung, so I don't
have to do anything with that.
Dick: The idea is
to restore it
into a piece worthy of the
Palace of Versailles.
Fiona: The frame will be black,
or noir, as they say in France.
And I'm going to then
upholster it
with this beautiful fabric--
if you can imagine,
'cause this is horrible.
If you can imagine that
with a black frame
and then this
beautiful fabric.
I think that's going to look
really plush,
really expensive.
Dick: For this job--
Fiona: Come on, then.
Dick: she's off to the
outbuilding
she keeps for her
restoration projects.
[Ripping]
Fiona: I know it looks
a bit barbaric taking it apart,
but it really only is
superficial.
It is very dusty
and musky.
[Coughs]
And it smells of...cats.
And what I want to do
is try and salvage
some of the wadding,
the stuffing.
But it's all original.
I think it's really beautiful
to try to keep that.
Dick: Fiona's workshop
may look like a TV crime scene,
but once her dog Valentine
is lured away...
Fiona: Come on. Come on.
Quickly. Come on.
That's it. That's the postman's
leg he's eating.
Dick: It's perfect for using
a paint gun.
[Whirring]
The trick is
is when you're doing this,
don't wave it all around.
You just go up and down,
keep it the same distance,
and just the slow coverage.
Dick: Spraying ensures Fiona
will get an even finish
in all those ornate
nooks and crannies.
And a little while later...
Look at that.
Look at that!
That is really nice.
What do you think?
Really smart. I know.
Dick: Stage 1 of this
restoration project is complete.
Fiona: Can you imagine that now
with the gold and black
fabric on?
Really thrilled. Love it.
Love it.
Dick: Now to get the chair
and suite finished.
In the Pays de la Loire,
it's the day of the retreat
and Rebecca is adding
the finishing touches
to the now unrecognizable barn.
Rebecca: Will my dog
ruin your display?
Dick: The retreat's organizers,
florist Paulina
and photographer Kim
recently arrived from Canada
and will be running
the workshops.
Kim: I think we're gonna land
the champagne here, right,
so I need to get out
of this space.
Dick: 7 guests are arriving
from all around the world
this evening, and their work
is still far from finished.
Tim: We're going to get bread,
go to the station,
meet the people...
Rebecca: And then we can
leave them
while we go over
and sort the children out,
get them to bed,
finish cooking dinner,
and all that.
Tim: When you say "we"...
Rebecca: We me.
Tim: Shall I just stay with the
kids through all of this?
That sounds fine.
Rebecca: OK.
Dick: You can't get out of
things that easily, Tim.
Kim: Go ahead, go ahead.
Second picture
of me doing work.
Kim: This is you in motion
doing work.
Rebecca: You having
a great time, Tim,
being bossed around
by 3 women?
Dick: The plan is for
a champagne reception
followed by dinner
in the chateau garden.
Rebecca: Think we've got about
an hour and 15 minutes.
It'll be fine.
I'm worrying about
people getting cold,
'cause it gets quite windy,
even though the sun's come out.
Pumpkins, gourds.
Paulina: I won't be at all
offended if you move things
that I've put down.
Rebecca: Yes, for sure
I'll move them.
Paulina: Yes, for sure.
Rebecca: The guests are coming.
They're all quite...
amazing kind of florists
and photographers,
so that makes it
slightly more stressful
because you want them to think
that everything you've done
is beautiful and amazing, so the
pressure is kind of on a bit.
Dick: There's no time
to worry about it now.
You're all set, and they'll
be arriving any minute.
[Camera shutter clicks]
Over 250 miles south,
Steve and Angela
are in the finishing
straight
with their poolside
kitchen refurbishment.
They've tiled the walls
and the worktops are in place.
Angela: Oh, it's looking good.
Steve: Yeah.
Steve: So you've grouted
the tiles now.
They're all done, aren't they?
Angela: Yep.
Dick: And that's not all.
Engineer Steve
has come up
with an inventive way
of solving their
demijohn lighting problem.
[Whirring]
I've set this up on--
Basically, it's an engine lift
with a drill on it.
And that's the demijohn
upside-down.
And just set it up with a little
bit of weight on it.
Another couple of days
should see it done, I think.
Dick: As one engineer to
another,
I love it!
Well, done, Steve.
But they're no waiting around,
as two demijohns have already
come off the production line.
Angela: Just go real slow,
though, with everything.
You've done such
a lovely job,
I don't want it
to get spoiled.
It already looks good.
How exciting!
Steve: I like it already.
Angela: Yeah!
Dick: Angela's picked up an oar
at a local brocante
to suspend the lights from.
Steve: Is that enough now?
Angela: I think one more time.
Steve: Will that then mean
if I take that away,
that actually just hangs down
like that.
Angela: Yeah. OK.
Steve: Is that where
you want it?
That's perfect because
I can see through it
but it's still in your
peripheral vision.
Dick: With the first light hung,
Steve makes short work
of the other two.
Angela: Whoo!
That looks nice.
Right, OK, let's see
if they work.
Whee!
Dick: All that's left
is to put the finishing touches
to the kitchen.
Angela: Need to go
towards the railing, Steven.
Mm-hmm.
[Whirring]
Angela: Perfect.
Steve: Happy with that?
Angela: Yep.
Dick: And with the table set,
the transformation is complete.
Over the past few weeks,
a rundown corner
has been turned into a
sophisticated guest area
truly in keeping
with the rest of the chateau.
Best of all,
by reusing and recycling,
not only is it unique,
but at £1,300,
that's cost a fraction
of what it could have done.
And as night falls,
Steve and Angela
get their chance
to give it a spin.
Angela: Ohh...
Steve: Yeah.
Angela: Steve, that looks ace.
Steve: It looks great,
doesn't it?
I think people are gonna
really enjoy using this space.
Angela: Cheers, lovey.
Steve: Cheers.
Here's to our new kitchen.
Angela: Well done.
Steve: Oh, I get a kiss as well.
Angela: Yeah. Ha ha ha!
Angela: Cheers.
Steve: Well done.
Steve: We should toast
the lights.
Angela:
Yeah, let's toast the lights.
Steve: Here's to demijohns
and drilling.
Dick: And here's to
doing it yourself,
especially when the results
look this good.
Excellent work,
Steve and Angela.
Your guests next summer
are in for a real treat.
Steve: Well done.
Angela: Yeah, well done.
Dick: In Central France,
Fiona is a whisker away
from finishing
the Bremond Suite.
She has just one last
job to complete.
Chair's coming along
really beautiful.
I mean, it's completely
transformed, isn't it?
I want to just try
and get the pattern central.
I don't want the pattern
to be off, obviously.
I just want to secure it
at the back,
and then I can pull it
from the front...
[Staple gun clicks]
and then you can
pull it nice and tight.
You get a beautiful look. See?
You get a really nice,
tight finish.
Dick: Fiona wants an
authentically 18th-century look,
even if her methods
are less traditional.
[Click]
I prefer personally
to use a staple gun
rather than all the little,
teeny tacks
because they're so short,
they just pop out.
It's just a nightmare.
So that is really
nice and tight.
And then the braid--give a nice
little touch at the end.
Dick: And it will cover up
those staples, to boot.
That is really, yeah,
eye-popping.
I like bold, and I like
statement pieces.
I'm, you know, I'm not
a Magnolia girl.
Look at it! It looks like
a totally different chair.
I'm very pleased with that.
Dick: After 4 long months
of single-handed graft,
Fiona's new suite
is almost complete.
Fiona: It's nearly finished!
I'll be a free woman.
And you always know
you're at the tail end of a job
'cause I got a no-shoes policy
now with the new carpet down.
Dick: Today, her vision
will become a reality
once she's added
the final flourishes.
Fiona: This is all the nice bit,
isn't it, really,
when you're just
styling the room,
setting it all up?
It's like having a baby.
You forget about all the pain
you went through.
Hmm!
Dick: Fiona just needs to give
her restored Louis XVI chair
pride of place.
Fiona: I'm really pleased
with that.
It looks completely
different, doesn't it?
Yeah, I love that.
Isn't that nice?
Looks really luxurious.
Dick: This has been a job that's
tested even Fiona's stamina.
You know, I could get to a point
I thought...
I'd never get there.
So much work.
I did think halfway through,
"Couldn't you have done
an easier suite? I could have
got two done in this time."
But it's been worth it. I think
it's turned out really well.
Dick: By stripping away
the dated seventies' decor
and ripping out
the existing bathroom,
she's pulled off
an amazing solo feat.
Fiona's created a suite
that I'm sure
even the Marquis de Bremond
himself
would have been happy with.
In the King's tower,
the bathroom,
centered around
this freestanding bath,
is now a perfect place to relax.
Great work, Fiona.
It's quite an achievement.
Fiona: I'm so pleased
with the way the Marquis de
Bremond Suite has turned out.
It's exceeded my expectations.
It was well worth
the long, long summer.
restoring the room and restoring
the whole suite, actually.
Dick: And will provide
perfect guest accommodation.
Fiona: It's just super to have
a really special place
for the bride to get ready
before the ceremony
and even for the bride and groom
to stay for the night.
Dick: It's been another busy
year for Fiona.
[Door creaks]
She celebrated the chateau's
illustrious history...
[Cheering]
and even found time to create a
bedroom for daughter Rochelle.
Rochelle: Thank you, mum.
Fiona: OK, you're welcome,
darling.
Dick: But Fiona is determined
to keep on going.
Fiona: The next project will be
to create another bedroom suite,
and then I have the beautiful
4-story spiral staircase.
It was the servant's staircase
in the 1700s.
So I'd like to get two projects
complete for the year ahead.
Dick: I salute your energy and
appetite for renovation, Fiona.
It's reassuring to know
this beautiful place
is in such good hands.
Back at Tim and Rebecca's,
the first guests for their
weekend retreat have arrived.
They're from South Africa
and America.
Rebecca: How are you?
Woman: Hi. I'm [indistinct]
Rebecca: Hi. Nice to meet you.
Woman: Lovely to meet you.
Woman: Oh, my word!
Dick: As they settle in,
[Rebecca speaking
indistinctly]
Rebecca is busy juggling
her other responsibilities,
helping Laurie and Rufus
with their homework.
Rebecca: Tim's gone to pick up
the next lot of people.
The main courses are done.
So I just need to do
the side dishes and pudding.
Rufus: My dinner!
Rebecca: And your dinner, yes.
Have you finished
those sums, Laurie?
No, you haven't?
I don't know--
Rebecca: No cheating.
Rufus: 7 plus what makes 10?
[Sighs]
Rebecca:
I'm glad that I got ahead
because I knew I would
need to be ahead today.
I knew this would happen,
so I'm really glad that
I was up late last night
cooking.
It's quite scary, especially
when people have traveled
such a long way, it kind of puts
the pressure on a little bit,
'cause you think, "Well, they
better have a good time."
Dick: Homework done, and as
the final guests arrive,
there's just time for some
last-minute prep in the barn,
and the evening
can get underway.
Kim: We thought we'd be in a
beautiful, creative workspace.
Yes, but we're not having
dinner in it,
so we wanted to show it to you.
Woman: It's beautiful.
Dick: Festooned with lights
and beautifully decorated,
the barn is now
unrecognizable
from the neglected outbuilding
they started with 3 days ago.
Woman: What?
Woman: That's beautiful.
Rebecca: Who would like
some champagne?
Well, some bubbles.
Woman: These are the ultimate,
ultimate scissors.
It's good reactions, yeah.
It's going really well.
So lots of photos,
lots of sharing.
Dick: It's taken some twisting
of Tim's arm,
but it looks like Rebecca's
vision has paid off handsomely.
Woman: I think the space is
magic.
And I think, for me,
this kind of space
inspires me to create,
and I hope it inspires
everyone in the room
to create for the next two days.
Dick: It seems that champagne
quaffing has been hungry work.
Woman: Smells so good.
And with a classic coq au vin,
the menu is clearly a big hit.
Tim: Potatoes as well.
Women: Wow!
Dick: The entire evening,
it seems, has been a success.
Woman: First, I'd like to say
thank you to Rebecca and to Tim
for hosting us.
Woman: I mean, it's been
a dream already,
and this is only
the beginning.
So thank you so much.
This has been amazing.
And I'm looking forward to the
next couple of days with you.
[Cheering]
Rebecca: Thank you very much
for you guys for all coming too.
Tim: Cheers. Thanks, everybody.
Rebecca: I can't reach,
but cheers.
Tim: Sante!
Women: Sante!
Dick: And the biggest turn-up,
even Tim's now on board.
Tim: It's been a surprise
for me.
I was very skeptical of it
and very grumpy about
wasting my time on it.
The barn looks
really, really amazing,
and it looks like we always
imagined it could look,
which is really nice--it's the
first time it ever has done.
Rebecca: Yeah, it's really good,
and it shows you
what magic you can do
with candles, festooned lights,
and some flowers
Dick: Congratulations, you two.
You've worked hard
and deserve all your success.
And once you get back to it,
I can't wait to see
how the gite turns out.
Next week...
Woman: Right. We're here.
we follow the peaks...
Man: Wow!
Woman: Oh, my God!
I've forgotten how
fantastic this place is.
Dick: and troughs.
It looks a lot worse today.
Man: You're not supposed to
say "It looks worse."
Dick:
One couple digs for gold...
Very possibly, there is treasure
right below my feet right now,
and we're gonna be getting our
tickets to go to Barbados.
Dick: Angel shares some
knowhow...
That's not
the right figure.
Woman: Is it too much?
Angel: No. It's not enough.
All right.
Dick: And at this chateau...
Woman: I hope it doesn't look
like a washing line.
Dick: the owner hosts
a very special wedding.