Escape to the Chateau DIY (2018–2021): Season 4, Episode 9 - Episode #4.9 - 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...
Woman: This is probably, yeah,
my worst nightmare.
Dick: it's panic stations
at one chateau.
Man: I'm gonna leave you.
Woman: Yeah, I was gonna say,
you just get out of the way.
Dick: One owner has big plans
for a Renaissance revival...
Woman: I would like a
four-poster in here,
but I don't think I can
afford one.
Dick: but standards start
to slip.
Woman: This is disastrous.
Man: It's only disastrous
because you've got a defeatist
attitude.
Dick: And at another chateau,
a wedding couple are
impressed...
Woman: Look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Dick: even though the chapel
needs a spring clean.
Woman: We've got to do the
de-cobwebbing,
but that's absolutely fine.
Dick: All over France,
British chateau owners
are working hard
to keep their dream properties
up and running.
Renovation work can be endless,
so to help pay for it,
many run as B&Bs.
But doing both can be
challenging.
Take the 19th-century
Chateau Gioux,
bordering the gorgeous
Millevaches Park.
Sitting in 5 acres of land,
this 23-room pile is run as
a B&B
by Yorkshire couple Debbie
and Nigel,
who moved in 3 months ago.
Debbie: Main change moving from
a two-bedroom cottage
to a chateau is obviously
the size of the place.
So when we moved here,
it just felt like,
wow, you can really, like
push--push out a little bit.
Nigel: Really expand, and we can
hide from each other.
Debbie: Yeah.
Dick: Located 30 miles east
of Limoges in central France,
Debbie and Nigel snapped it up
for £280,000.
And they got straight to work
doing it up.
Debbie: This is
vassiviere room.
Dick: So far, they've renovated
3 guest bedrooms.
The work didn't stop there.
Next was a neglected sunroom.
Debbie: It's lovely just looking
out, isn't it?
Looking out over the estate.
Nigel: [Chuckles]
Dick: Today they're taking on
the chateau's main room--
the salon.
Debbie: It's currently
an interesting purple color.
Because it is the guest salon,
we'd like to make it a little
bit brighter and lighter.
Just hate the purple.
I hate it.
I hate it so.
And the more I look at it,
the more I dislike it.
Purple and red and gold
don't go.
Right. Are we ready to try it
out and see?
OK, go for it, then.
Nigel: All right.
See what this looks like.
Debbie: See what it's like.
Nigel: What do you think?
Debbie: Yeah. Do you know,
I think that's maybe not going
to be as bad coverage
as we think.
- I think two coats will do.
- Yeah.
Debbie: I think we might
be lucky.
Dick: Now the B&B is busy,
fitting in renovation work
between guest bookings
is tricky.
Debbie: We've got to get this
finished fairly quickly.
We've got less than a week until
our next guests arrive.
So the essential thing is that
we get paint on the walls,
everything back in place,
but then there will be other
bits to do.
We are intending papering
the fireplace wall.
We just haven't got
the paper yet. We haven't
chosen any paper.
Nigel: Are we?
Debbie: We are, yeah.
Nigel: That's the first I've
heard of this.
Debbie: No, it isn't.
You just don't listen.
You choose not to listen.
Nigel: Right. There we go.
Debbie: Done?
Nigel: That's the lot.
Dick: With everything out
of the way,
it's time for Nigel to show off
his skills.
Nigel: Got a very delicate
touch.
Debbie: Yeah, if you've--
Nigel: Delicate as a baby
elephant.
I think I could be described as
the savior of the salon today.
What would you say?
Debbie: Oh, god.
I couldn't possibly go in on
that now.
Nigel: [Laughs]
Dick: They could both do with
a savior now.
They thought they had a week
to do work,
but they've just had
a last-minute booking.
So they need to down tools,
as 5 guests are on the way
to them.
Debbie: This is probably, yeah,
my worst nightmare.
We'll put this chest over there.
That--that way because that's
the bed--
the mattress sits on there.
You hold the end.
Nigel: I'm gonna leave you.
Debbie: Yeah, I was gonna say,
you just get out the way.
That's probably the best thing.
This is what it's all about--
emergency bed making,
emergency feeding people.
Just shows you should always
be prepared.
Be like a Boy Scout.
Dick: Brownie points for
bed-making, you two.
But let's just hope the guests
don't want to use the salon.
Debbie: We're just going to have
to make the best of it.
Hopefully the sun's gonna
come out
and they can sit outside
and everything will be fine.
But, yeah, little element of
panic setting in.
Lot to defrost.
Dick: 37 miles north is the
enormous and stunning
16th-century Chateau de Lalande.
Sitting on 60 acres of land
with its own chapel,
it's home to Stephanie,
who 13 years ago traded in
London life as an opera singer.
Stephanie: I've always dreamt of
living in a chateau.
This is my dream come true.
Every day I'm living my dream.
Amidst history, feeling part
of this long continuation,
I love that.
Dick: Located near Limoges
in central France,
Stephanie recently hosted her
mum Isabel's wedding to Percy.
[Cheering]
Now with the wedding behind her,
Stephanie's focusing her
attention
on upgrading guest
accommodation.
Stephanie: Having finished our
last bed and breakfast room
finally, after all these years,
it seems natural as
the next step
to move on to making our
first gite.
Dick: Stephanie has her sights
set on
the ground floor apartment
in the east wing,
which is currently not used
for guests.
It has a large salon
and a double bedroom.
Stephanie: It's in the original
part of the chateau,
which is Renaissance,
probably 16th century.
We're not entirely certain
because we don't have papers
from the earliest parts
of the chateau.
If I can find a way of
bringing back the history
of the chateau, that would
be ideal.
Dick: To tackle the bedroom,
she's brought in
her mother Isabel
and close family friend Gerry.
They and Isabel's new husband
Percy
often stay to help out.
Stephanie: I would like
a four-poster in here,
but I don't think
I can afford one.
Isabel: No.
Stephanie: I think I quite like
the blue as well.
Isabel: Yes, I like the blue
because otherwise it's going to
be very, very dark.
Gerry: Blue and gold.
Stephanie: Blue and gold
and red.
The color scheme is good.
Isabel: I think the bed needs
to be dressed.
Gerry: Would you be putting
that crown in?
Stephanie: I think it needs
something.
Gerry: And then coming down.
Stephanie: We could...
attach curtains
just to be hanging down.
And then maybe make something of
the window seat.
Isabel: Definitely you need
a cushion there.
Stephanie: And then the
furniture has to be changed.
Dick: With all that to do,
costs can escalate,
so something Angel and I do
whenever possible
is reuse what we already have.
And Stephanie has a treasure
trove of leftover fabric
for just this kind of thing.
Stephanie: Perhaps this could
work...
in the bedroom.
It's just a little bit paler
than I was looking for.
This one is amazing.
I've had this 15 years.
I keep things for a while
not knowing what they'll be
used for.
It's incredibly rich
and ornate.
People are coming to
an old chateau,
and they should feel that they
are going
into a Renaissance apartment
that was used by a marquis,
and it has to be beautiful.
I'm guessing, but I think it's
probably £300 a meter.
So I would not be able
to go crazy.
I have to use what I have
very, very carefully.
Dick: With prices like
that, Stephanie,
you better make sure your
measurements add up.
The elegant 19th-century,
25-room Chateau de Brives
sits in 30 acres of grounds
and has 5 outbuildings.
It's home to antique dealers
Sarah and George
and their children Tatiana
and Alexei.
Sarah: Owning a chateau is
definitely a lifelong job,
but we wouldn't change it
for the world.
George: When we wake up
in the morning
and you look out the window
and you look around you,
you do feel very privileged.
Dick: Located 58 miles
from Bordeaux,
the chateau has been beautifully
restored
over the past 9 years it's been
their family home.
Sarah and George are now keen
for it to earn its keep
as a wedding venue.
George: I think weddings
at the chateau
are a crucial part of our
life now
because we want to stay here
forever.
There's always more to do,
there's always jobs
that come up that need doing.
And this will enable us to have
the money to do these jobs.
Dick: They've decluttered
their home
to make it more guest friendly.
And they've spent over £10,000
transforming their old
coach house
into an event space...
Sarah: Oh, my god.
Dick: which was no mean feat.
George: It's quick, isn't it?
Blimey.
Dick: Today the pressure is
still on.
Their first-ever wedding
is in two months,
and the bride and groom are
due to arrive
for a planning meeting.
George: What do you want me
to do, boss?
Sarah: Well, look, because
they're going to
be here any minute,
could you just go around
and just check the house looks--
George: Air freshener.
Sarah: Oh, yeah.
We like it to smell nice when
everyone arrives.
Dick: It's the first time
the happy couple
will have seen the chateau
in the flesh,
so hopefully it'll live up to
expectations.
Sarah: I am nervous.
I just hope that they--
that they fall in love
with it.
Dick: Shauna and Charlie have
arrived from the UK.
And Sarah and George have been
joined
by their new wedding planner
Sarah
and stylist Beth.
Sarah: Hi, Charlie.
Charlie: Hi, there.
Sarah: Lovely to meet you
finally.
You have a good journey?
Charlie: Yeah, fine.
Sarah: Yeah? Perfect.
Charlie: Fine.
Dick: First a quick tour of
the chateau's ground floor.
Shauna: Oh, my goodness.
That'll look perfect
in photos.
Charlie: Yeah, yeah.
Shauna: It's gorgeous.
Sarah: So this is the main
salon.
Quite nice for photo
opportunities.
Charlie: Gorgeous.
And it's cool as well.
Sarah: Yeah, yeah, exactly,
if you need to escape.
Shauna: Oh, look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Sarah: It's good downpour.
[Pop]
Yay.
George: Cheers.
All: Cheers.
Sarah: So lovely to finally
meet you.
Shauna: Yes, you, too.
It's nothing like what I
thought it would look like.
And not in a bad way.
But you know when you've just
seen pictures,
you don't have any context of
what is near
or where things are?
So we drove up and we came to
the back of the barn,
the other barn.
I was like, "It looks like it
needs a bit of work still."
And Charlie was like,
"It's just rustic."
And then we came around and I
was like,
"Ahh, wrong barn. Whew."
[Laughter]
Dick: Time to see
the right barn.
George: Party room.
Charlie: Oh, this looks
fantastic.
Shauna: No, it's beautiful.
Really lovely.
Much nicer than pictures,
actually. I'm really surprised.
George: Oh, good.
Shauna: It's perfect.
Charlie: Love the wood up there,
where it's sort of exposed.
Sarah: And then there's a little
courtyard outside.
I know you wanted a gin bar.
Charlie: That's a lovely set up
just to have.
Nice sort of gap there,
[Indistinct]
And the pool there, that's...
Happy?
Shauna: Yeah, really happy.
Sarah: [Laughs]
Dick: Then it's just a short
stroll
through George's newly-restored
gate to the local church.
Shauna and Charlie's ceremony
will be the first here
for 20 years.
Shauna: [Gasps]
Oh, wowwy.
Dick: Sarah and George have
agreed
to give it some TLC
before the wedding.
Sarah: We've got to do
the de-cobwebbing,
but that obviously
will be fine.
Shauna: It's really lovely,
isn't it?
George: There's a gallery
up there
if you need more seating.
Sarah: Well, it sits 150
down here, so it'll be--
Charlie: That'll be fine.
Sarah: It'll be good.
George: Yeah, that's a hundred
now as it is.
Shauna: OK. Lovely. Perfect.
Exactly what we wanted.
Charlie: Yeah, it's nice.
Sarah: So you guys happy
with that?
Charlie: Lovely.
Shauna: Yeah.
Sarah: Good. Good.
Dick: Well, that must be music
to George and Sarah's ears.
Hopefully the decluttered
honeymoon suite
will round the tour off nicely.
Shauna: [Gasps]
Look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Smell of fresh paint.
Sarah: Yes. [Laughs]
George: Sarah. Touching up.
Sarah: Shall we leave you then
to have a bit
of peace and quiet and time
to think about things?
And we'll see you down whenever
you're ready to have--
Shauna: Have a drink.
Sounds great. Have a drink.
Charlie: Lovely. See you later.
Shauna: Thanks, guys.
Sarah: Good.
Charlie: Bye.
Shauna: It's great.
Charlie: It's amazing. It's--
Shauna: It's perfect.
Exactly what we wanted.
It's beautiful.
Sarah: I think today was an
enormous day for us, actually,
because it is the first day
that, you know,
opening our doors to people
that we don't know.
George: Start of our
new business.
Sarah: Yep.
George: Wonderful.
Sarah: A good start.
George: Really good start.
Shauna: It's just different.
It's different to a hotel,
it's different to something
corporate.
It's just--it's loved,
and we just wanted to get out
and see it.
So now we're seeing it,
I just feel so much better.
It's exactly what we wanted.
Charlie: And anything that
goes wrong,
we can always get it better
the second time.
Shauna: Shut up.
Charlie: Sorry.
Dick: No, Charlie, that's not
the idea.
While it's been
a successful day,
the wedding is in just
two months' time.
And with plenty to prepare,
Sarah and George can't relax
just yet.
115 miles away,
back at Chateau Gioux,
Debbie and Nigel are having
a busy summer with their B&B,
so have to fit in their DIY
when they can.
Nigel: We're right in the middle
of the busy August,
and we're just in between
guests,
so we've managed to get
the beds stripped,
we're washing on the line,
waiting for it to dry
before we have to iron it
and then get it back
on the beds again.
So we've got a little--small
window of about an hour.
Debbie: Is that the--is that
the collective--
Nigel: It's the royal "we."
Debbie: It's the royal "we."
Yeah. It means me washing,
ironing.
Nigel: I just do as I'm told.
Dick: Today they're going to use
this small window
to start work on the chateau
shutters.
Nigel: The best thing is
I can go up there,
try and put a structure
on a pulley.
Dick: Nigel's using
a chain winch
to lift the heavy oak shutters
off their hinges
and bring them down to work on.
Nigel: The block and tackle
that we're using
is one that I managed to pick up
very cheap.
And it's ideal because you can
lift two ton of weight
just by pulling the chains.
To try and do it manually,
it's, one, dangerous,
and, two, very heavy,
and I don't think you could
do it.
This is the first time I've ever
done anything like this,
but in theory, it should work.
Debbie: Watch the chain
on the glass, Nigel. Oop.
Nigel: That would be terrible
if that--
Debbie: That would be
disastrous.
Nigel: It would be
an absolute disaster.
Is that solid?
Debbie: [Laughs]
It doesn't look very solid
to me.
Nigel: Is that gonna pull
through?
Debbie: Yeah, it's going up,
yeah.
Nigel: Oh, marvelous.
[Chain rattles]
Debbie: That was slightly--
slightly nerve-racking,
but well done.
Dick: The first of the 36
shutters is off its hinges.
Now begins the job of
restoring them one by one.
37 miles north at Chateau de
Lalande,
Stephanie is freshening up
the bedroom in the gite.
But in true Stephanie style,
it's not straightforward.
Stephanie: It's a shame
to have this beautiful
Renaissance apartment
that's in the oldest part of
the chateau,
and it just feels like,
I don't know, a normal bedroom.
It's wrong somehow.
So obviously, as always,
the original plan has
snowballed.
Dick: She's decided to create
a half tester bed,
basically half a four-poster,
a style dating back to
the 14th century
that only has curtains above
the head end.
And she wants to make it as
cheaply as possible
by using material she
already has.
Stephanie: We looked in
the outbuildings,
and there's a tiny little bit
of paneling that's left
from a room where we had to burn
most of the paneling
because of dry rot.
But these few little bits
were OK,
and we kept them,
and there's enough
to make a half tester,
which is great.
Dick: While Stephanie's live-in
handyman Ian
starts making the wooden pelmet,
helped by local builder
also called Ian,
she brings Isabel and Gerry
up to speed.
Stephanie: OK, I've managed to
find some spare bits of fabric
left over from the curtains
that I did in here.
Isabel: Yes.
Dick: Stephanie's had
a change of heart
about her fabric choice,
as she wants the half tester
drapes to match the curtains.
Stephanie: So the idea is
we'll have a box,
I'll make a pelmet around it,
we'll have curtains on
either side.
Dick: Isabel and Gerry are
heading back to the UK tomorrow,
but first Stephanie has
a wee job for them.
Stephanie: The window seat
needs to be made.
Isabel: Yes.
Stephanie: Can you two make
the window seat?
'Cause I--no, I haven't
got time.
Seriously, I've got to do
the curtains.
Gerry: Yeah, yeah--
Isabel: Have you made
a window seat before?
Gerry: Well, this is--you know,
everybody has to
make something for
the first time.
Dick: Very true.
And Gerry's not taking
any chances.
Gerry: Right. Let me check
your measurements.
70. 86.
Isabel: Correct.
Dick: Size agreed, they can now
start cutting down
the foam pads to fit.
So while they get stuck in,
Stephanie needs to prepare the
fabric going on to the pelmet
for the half tester bed.
Stephanie: OK, so this patch
and repeat
looks to be about 60 centimeters
or so.
Dick: She needs to get the
pattern matching up perfectly
for the front of the pelmet.
Stephanie: We'll have to leave
enough fabric
over for the great window seat
project.
Dick: Once the fabric is cut,
pinned, and sewn, that's it,
any mismatch will be obvious.
Stephanie: Should we see if
it's worked?
[Laughs]
Oh, yes.
Look at that.
We are OK.
Isabel: Is he right about that?
Dick: Back in the bedroom,
Gerry has marked out where
the foam needs to be cut
using Isabel's dimensions.
Gerry: I just hope your
measurements are right.
Isabel: One centimeter here
and there. Pfft, pfft.
Gerry: All right, let's see if
that's going to fit.
You don't want people falling
down the sides.
Isabel: Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!
Gerry: Let me see that piece.
Isabel: Too tight. Too tight.
Gerry: Well, it's better
to be tight.
Isabel: Ha!
[Laughs]
Dick: That's a relief.
As for Stephanie,
she's got the trickiest bit
to do--
attaching the fabric
to a sticky board
to give it some structure.
It has to be totally smooth.
Stephanie: I now have to cut out
the pattern.
Dick: The pelmet will
have an edge
that follows the pattern.
Stephanie wants to check
her measurements
against the box for the
half tester bed,
so master measurers Isabel
and Gerry are on hand to help.
Isabel: It is rather glorious,
isn't it?
Stephanie: Yeah, it looks
very grand.
Wow!
Ian, I love it.
I can't believe that that's just
been put together
from things that were lying
around outside.
Isabel: Well done.
Stephanie: Put it there
like that.
To there.
Isabel: Yes.
Stephanie: And down on your
side, Gerald.
- How much?
- Down to where the color is.
Yeah.
Please tell me it fits.
It fits on this side!
Gerry: Yeah, looks like
it's perfect.
Stephanie: That means it's
perfect.
Do you reckon you'll be able to
fix that up soon?
Ian: This week.
Stephanie: All right.
Then I can wait. Ha ha ha!
'Cause going up, that'll be much
better to do it in place.
Dick: While Ian and Ian come up
trumps with the pelmet,
Isabel and Gerry still have
their work cut out.
Isabel: Oh, for goodness sakes.
Dick: In a very novel fashion,
Gerry is trying a quick fix,
using tape
to join the foam pieces.
Gerry: So even if I do that...
Isabel: Gerry, the edges are
pulling.
I wonder if I should sew.
I don't know if one can sew
through foam.
Gerry: No.
Isabel: This is disastrous.
Gerry: It's only disastrous
because you've got
a defeatist attitude.
Stephanie: How's it going?
Isabel: Help!
Stephanie: Ohh.
[Crinkling]
I don't think that that sound
is acceptable.
Isabel: I don't think it is,
either.
Stephanie: No. No.
We have to take the masking
tape off.
And you could sew the pieces
together.
Gerry: I didn't think you could
sew foam.
Stephanie: You can sew foam.
Gerry: I told you you could.
Stephanie: Ha ha ha!
Dick: So it's plan "B"--
good old needle and thread.
Isabel: Yes, excellent, Gerry.
Gerry: I should be a surgeon.
Isabel: Oh, my goodness.
God help us.
Stephanie: So the room looks
fairly catastrophic now.
And I wish Mummy and Gerry
weren't going tomorrow,
but I think we're in
the right direction.
Dick: Let's hope so, Stephanie.
There's a lot to finish off
on your own.
In southwest France near Cognac,
Sarah and George are preparing
to open their home to guests
when they host their first
wedding in just two months.
Today their mission is finding
foliage to make a statement
at the back of their revamped
coach house.
George: Wow, these are nice,
aren't they?
Dick: So they've come to the
local garden center
with daughter Tatiana.
Sarah: They're great.
George: Yes.
What we're looking for today
is two architectural,
structural, large plants
to go in the two barrels
we've got
on the side of the barn,
something kind of a real
wow feature
and something weddingy as well.
Now, they're nice, darling.
These.
- They're enormous.
- Yeah, but they're lovely.
Sarah: Oh, wow.
[Speaks French]
Sarah: Oh, gosh, they're
wonderful, aren't they?
George: Yeah, they look good.
And they're not too expensive.
50 each? I think that's right.
Sarah: It's superb for
that place.
George: [Speaks French]
Merci.
Dick: Back at the chateau,
they can see
if the enormous box sage
does the trick.
Sarah: Ooh, great.
I love it.
Dick: Sarah's keen that no area
gets overlooked.
Sarah: For the first wedding,
we're having to hire loos,
which are going to
be out here,
so everyone's going to
see this part.
And we want it to look pretty.
And these plants, it's going
to be fab,
but also continuing for
next year.
George: So he said near
the front.
Sarah: Here we go.
I think these plants look
perfect,
and since they're light and airy
and blow in the wind
and feminine.
George: 1, 2, 3.
Well done.
That's it. Perfect. OK.
- Oh, I think they're lovely.
- Yeah.
Sarah: And they will fill out
more.
George: Yeah, great.
Sarah: Really lovely.
Dick: Another job crossed off.
But Sarah and George still have
to tidy the grounds
and do all the finishing touches
before they're wedding ready.
125 miles northeast
in central France,
Stephanie's Renaissance-style
gite is beginning to take shape.
With the pelmet finished,
it's down to handymen Joe, Ian,
and Ian to get it up.
Ian: It would be happy
[Indistinct] go up inside.
- It looks good.
- Once centered and supported...
Stephanie: That looks perfect.
Dick: it needs to be fixed
securely in place.
Stephanie: Yay!
Gerry: Team Ian and Ian!
Stephanie: Team Ian.
Isabel: I think it's going to be
beautiful.
Gerry: Yeah, pleased with that.
Isabel: Yes, very.
Gerry: I'm pleased with that.
Dick: Stephanie's fabric for
the inside of the pelmet
has gold flor-de-lis,
but there's confusion about
whether
they're the right way up.
Stephanie: Come and have a look,
Mummy. Come and have a look.
That flor-de-lis is
the correct way up.
Gerry: Yeah, that's the way
it should be.
Isabel: That's correct.
Stephanie: Good.
That's how Gerry likes his
flor-de-lis, so we are sorted.
Gerry: Yeah, I like my
flor-de-lis like that.
Stephanie: I think it makes
the room look much grander.
Tomorrow the big thing is
putting the pelmet up,
and I will also start moving
more of Mummy's tapestries
in here.
That's quite a lot. We'll see.
We'll see how it goes.
Dick: The next day, Isabel and
Gerry are leaving for the UK,
but first, Stephanie wants to
make the most of them.
Stephanie: We're putting
a red trim
all the way around to hide
the cut edge here.
This is the last thing that
needs to be done
before it goes up.
Once it's up, there'll be
more glue gunning.
Dick: Time is running out,
as with the braiding done,
Stephanie now needs everyone
to help attach the fabric
to the pelmet.
Stephanie: Does that look
central?
Isabel: It looks straight, yes.
You're going to put something
on top there?
Gerry: Yes.
[Staple gun clicks]
Stephanie: I just want to
have a look,
make sure I don't have to rip it
all out.
Oh. I've got to staple the bit
underneath
before I finish this.
You will understand in
a moment.
Oh, I've really made my life
easy, haven't I?
Gerry: We've got 5 minutes
before we have to be
in the car.
But, Stephanie, there's
no pressure there.
All the hard bit's done.
It's just a matter of you just
staplizing things now.
Stephanie: Oh, it's just a
matter of me finishing
the room, is that all?
Gerry: Just staplizing now.
Isabel: Darling, we have to go,
my love.
Gerry: We have to go,
sweetheart.
Stephanie: OK, so I'll do that
after you go.
Gerry: It's OK?
Isabel: Bye-bye, darling.
Stephanie: Rush back.
Well, at least you're traveling
in style.
Gerry: I need my bag.
Bye-bye.
Stephanie: Bye.
Dick: Despite that flurry
of activity,
Stephanie's Renaissance-inspired
room remains unfinished.
Now it's down to her to complete
Isabel and Gerry's cushion
and the half tester bed.
Stephanie: I feel like I need
another lie down now.
And I can't believe they didn't
finish that window seat.
Dick: 37 miles south
at Chateau Gioux...
Nigel: Lift it. That's it, yeah.
There, that's better.
Dick: Debbie and Nigel have
worked wonders in their salon.
Nigel: You ready? One--push up
and off, I think, is it?
Debbie: Yeah.
Dick: With 3 walls painted,
now they turn their attention
to the last one.
Debbie: We wanted to make
a feature wall.
We've just recently been
to the UK,
brought some paper back,
so we're gonna make
an attempt
at getting it on the wall today.
I don't--I haven't papered
before,
so this might be interesting.
Nigel's in charge.
Nigel: Oh, yes.
Debbie: We've got plenty of
paper, haven't we?
Nigel: Hope so.
[Laughter]
Dick: An unorthodox approach,
Nigel is first pasting the walls
rather than the paper.
Nigel: Normally when you paper,
you paste the wallpaper
on a table and then you
put it up,
whereas this is different
technique.
The wallpaper manufacturers,
they recommend doing it
this way,
so it's how we're doing.
Right, here we go.
The moment of truth.
Debbie: You'll have to tell me
what you need me to do, then.
I do feel a bit like
a magician's assistant
standing here.
Dick: Come on, Nigel.
Time for you to do your magic.
Nigel: I'm getting to
the edge here.
Getting booted into the column
without stretching it.
Debbie: That's fine. I think.
Nigel: All right.
Dick: Push down because you
don't want to have
any air bubbles in.
Pass me--oh, I got--
the paste brush.
I'm just gonna put a little bit
more paste on here
just to be double sure.
Thanks.
You put paste on it, didn't you?
Debbie: What?
Nigel: Did you put a bit of
paste on it?
Debbie: Oh, no, sorry.
[Laughter]
I was just having a blonde
moment there.
You didn't say.
You've got to be specific.
Nigel: Ahh, sorry.
[Laughs] Thanks.
Debbie: Oh.
Will it be difficult, Nig,
when we get to the mantelpiece?
Nigel: Yes.
It will be very difficult.
I'm making this up as
I go along.
Dick: It's at times like this
I always remember
the old saying,
measure twice, cut once.
Nigel: I'm going to cut this bit
here.
I've gone too high.
Debbie: Yeah.
Nigel: That's not good.
Debbie: Oh, no.
Nigel: Maybe use that as
a template, you think?
I'm just gonna think how
we're gonna do this.
Dick: By using the piece as
a template,
hopefully Nigel won't make
the same mistake twice.
Nigel: All right, pull that
towards you.
Debbie: Yep, I am doing.
Nigel: Pull, pull, pull.
All right, now I can pull it
back
once I find out where
the match is, right?
That's the match there.
Long enough? Yeah.
Debbie: Just, yeah.
Nigel: Right.
Dick: Having brought only 4
rolls from the UK,
it would cost time and money
to get extra,
so they can't afford to waste
any more.
Debbie: Leave a bit to trim,
Nige.
Don't--don't cut too close.
Nigel: Is there enough end?
Debbie: Yeah, yeah.
No, that's fine.
Nigel: Ahh, that's better.
The last cut.
Debbie: Well done.
Nigel: How's that looking?
Debbie: Absolute sterling job.
Dick: You take the words right
out of my mouth, Debbie.
After 7 weeks of juggling
renovations and guests,
the salon has been transformed
from a dark, drab
deep purple room
into one which is bright
and sunny.
The feature wall stands proud
with its peacock feather paper
and the angelic finishing
touches.
Debbie: It is what I wanted
it to be.
Nigel: I don't think we could do
anything any better.
Debbie: And the thing is
as well,
we haven't thrown lots of money
at it.
We've thrown a bit of wallpaper.
Nigel: Yeah.
Debbie: And a bit of paint.
Nigel: We haven't got any money
to throw at it.
Debbie: We haven't. But that's
the point, isn't it?
We've made it nice without
having to spend
thousands of pounds.
Nigel: Now we can starting doing
other projects.
Debbie: Mmm. And relax a bit.
No. [Laughs]
Dick: I'm afraid relaxation
is rarely on the agenda
as a chateau owner.
Onwards and upwards, you two.
In southwest France,
Sarah and George
are getting ready to host their
first-ever wedding
in less than two months' time.
George: If it looks really nice,
then why not leave it up
for all our future weddings?
Dick: While George and Tatiana
fix fairy lights to the fence...
Sarah and 13-year-old Alexei
set to work
on the overgrown plants around
the pool and coach house.
Sarah: So these are the ones
we're doing, Alexei.
So not that many of them.
Just tidying up these
[indistinct] beds.
They've done their bit
for this year.
They were beautiful earlier,
but now they look awful
and they shoot their seeds,
and they end up in the pool,
so it's a bit of a nightmare.
Dick: Angel and I know
only too well
that you have to think ahead
to the next season.
That's why we had to pollard,
or cut back, our trees.
Dick: You've got to use this
cold weather
before the sap rises.
Every single piece of goodness
is stored in the root system,
right back down in there,
because it's chilly.
The tree's sleeping.
So we're giving it a haircut
while it sleeps.
That's what pollarding's about.
Dick, voice-over: But it came
as a bit of a shock to Angel.
Angel: I am freaking out
a little bit.
Dick: Why?
Angel: I haven't really
understood this fully.
Like, honestly, when you said
they were gonna be pollarded,
I thought maybe we were gonna
have a little haircut.
Dick: She's panicking.
But, darling, it has
to be done.
Angel: Yeah.
Dick: It's nature.
Angel: Trust nature.
Dick: Those trees want to live.
Angel: I know.
So it's done now.
Dick: It's done now.
It is done now.
Angel: It is done.
Dick: At least for Sarah
and Alexei,
tidying these plants isn't quite
as dramatic.
But many hands still make
light work.
Sarah: Is that OK?
Alexei: Mmm.
Sarah: Well done, Alexei.
You're doing a fab job.
Somewhere, Alexei, I think
behind you, is a bucket.
We could just use that for the
kind of dead leaves
and things that are coming.
Would you mind getting it?
Alexei: Mmm.
Sarah: Voila. One done.
Alexei: What?
Sarah: Sort of.
Alexei: One done?
Sarah: One. We've got two more
to do.
Alexei: Why not go home?
Sarah: [Laughs] No.
Dick: You've got to finish what
you start, Alexei.
Sarah: Oh, gosh.
Right, do you want to get on
and drive?
Alexei: No, I'll run ahead.
It's OK.
Sarah: All right, Alexei, if you
just chuck it on this pile,
and then we'll have a great bit
bonfire one day.
Just fling it.
Alexei: [Grunts]
Sarah: Oh, my goodness, Alexei,
honestly.
Alexei: Gah.
Sarah: Shall we call it a day?
'Cause it's getting dark.
Alexei: And I'm hungry.
Sarah: Are you? [Chuckles]
OK, then. Do you want to ride in
the trailer back?
Alexei: Yeah, OK.
Sarah: We'll try this way.
Dick: A satisfying evening's
work.
But with that first wedding in
less than two months' time,
you're not out of
the woods yet.
Sarah: There is still
a whole long list
that we've got to do for
the wedding prep,
but we are slowly ticking
them off.
And actually, nearly every day,
more come on to the list.
But hopefully we'll get there.
Dick: That first wedding booking
is all important,
so stick with it.
It'll be worth it in the end.
At the close of day,
it's time to appreciate
what George and Tatiana have
been up to
with the fairy lights.
Sarah: George, are you ready?
George: I'm ready. Tell me when.
- OK, you--yeah, let's try.
- Now?
Sarah: Yeah.
Tatiana: Yeah.
Sarah: Oh, pretty.
Tatiana: Oh, my gosh.
Oh, that looks really lovely.
Well done.
Tatiana: Thank you.
George: I'm pleased with that.
Sarah: Well done, George.
That looks really lovely.
I think it looks gorgeous.
George: Well, good.
Dick: There's nothing like
a bit of sparkle
to make somewhere feel special.
125 miles away in
central France near Limoges,
Stephanie's been working on
her gite
and has added some rich
Renaissance style
to the half tester bed.
Stephanie: This wing of
the chateau dates
from the 15th or 16th century,
and I want it to feel like that.
Dick: With Isabel and Gerry back
from the UK,
Gerry's helping with
the finishing touches.
Stephanie: First job,
to get this all ready
for Mummy to see, let's move all
the bits of furniture out
that we don't need, 'cause then
we've got space to work.
Dick: Stephanie wants to
illuminate
the Renaissance-style tapestry
above the headboard,
so she's called in handyman Ian
for advice.
Stephanie: I have some lights
that are
kind of long, bendy things,
weirdly.
If they went here,
if that would mean that would
give them the length
to just come into the bed
opening.
Ian: Oh, I see. Right.
Stephanie: We have to get
the bed right
because the room is all about
the bed.
And it's not right till we get
lighting in here.
Dick: Fingers crossed Stephanie
has something fitting
in her treasure trove
of stuff.
But looking for a needle
in a haystack springs to mind.
Stephanie: Ahh, now this is
part of it.
Here, here.
This is one.
All I need is the other.
Gerry: What's that for?
Stephanie: I think it's
a gun rack.
Gerry: Oh, well, that's handy.
Dick: Well, sometimes
you just have to go
with what you dig out.
Stephanie: We don't have much
mini matching ones, do we?
Dick: We've got a collection of
bits like that, too.
Stephanie: Ian, I have just
in a picnic box found these.
I wonder if they're cupboard
lights,
'cause maybe we could rig
something up with this
to have lights inside the bed
area.
Dick: Good thought, Stephanie.
Thinking outside the box
is often the answer.
Stephanie: Thanks.
So if we could find a way
of just putting it as high
as we can get it
just to get a little bit of
light in there.
Dick: Leaving Ian to wrestle
with the lighting,
Stephanie rearranges
the artwork...
Stephanie: Perfect.
Dick: in keeping with her
new décor.
Gerry: Well, do you think that's
gonna be it?
Dick: Ian's made progress
with the lighting
for the half tester bed.
By illuminating inside
the canopy,
he's created a gentle
halo effect.
Stephanie: [Gasps]
Let there be light.
Love it. All right, but we need
to reveal it to my mother.
- That's gonna be the hard part.
- Yeah.
Dick: Stephanie's got one
unique feature
which will tie the whole
Renaissance theme together.
Stephanie: This is
La Grande Mademoiselle.
She was Louis XIV's cousin.
And in the 17th century,
she actually owned Lalande.
So she's our most prestigious
previous owner,
though goodness knows if she
ever even visited Lalande
because she was the richest
heiress of Europe,
so she had hundreds of chateaus.
But I feel that, as it's that
kind of period,
she should be in this room.
So she's going to go on
this bed.
Dick: Stephanie's taken
the tired old bedroom
and given it a new lease of
life.
She's created a half tester bed
using wood and fabric
she found around the chateau,
upholstered a window seat,
and added a rich tapestry.
She's now ready to reveal
her Renaissance masterpiece
to Isabel and new husband Percy.
Isabel: Tell me when. [Gasps]
Sweetheart, this is beautiful.
Percy: Yeah, that's very nice.
Isabel: Oh, lovely.
Oh, goodness me.
Darling, I don't know how you
managed to do this.
Stephanie: It's old paneling,
fabric that we had left over
from the curtains,
and then the old tapestry that
I found online.
Isabel: Absolutely lovely,
darling.
Percy: That looks brilliant.
Gerry: Do you remember where
we were working in the window?
Isabel: Yes.
Gerry: Look what she's finished.
Isabel: How sweet, darling,
this little corner.
Gerry: We were thinking there
should be a little ribbon
for you and Percy.
Stephanie: Ha ha ha!
Isabel: It's lovely.
Gerry: What do you think?
Percy, you sit there
and then I'm gonna sit there
and Stephanie is gonna
sit there.
Isabel: It is lovely.
I love the bed.
I mean, the bed is
a masterpiece.
Stephanie: Thank you.
Masterpiece.
I'm gonna run with masterpiece.
Isabel: Yes.
To do Renaissance on a budget
is quite a tall order.
Far easier to make it look
modern.
Stephanie: I think she's happy.
She looked like she'd quite
like to swap.
But she always wants
the latest room.
She's a bit like me for that.
I do a room and I'm like,
"Ooh, this is nicer
than my room."
I better get the salon right
because I did this
without spending any money
on it,
so if I spend money on
the salon
and it's not as nice as this,
I'm going to feel pretty stupid.
But I'm excited now.
I think that the whole gite's
starting to take shape.
Dick: Splendid, Stephanie.
Now I can't wait to see what you
do with the salon.
Next time...
Debbie: It doesn't look square
to me.
Dick: Debbie and Nigel get to
work in their garden...
Debbie: And that top's
completely too cock.
Dick: And risk a flat-pack
fallout.
Nigel: I didn't want to deal
with this in the first place.
Dick: A new gite projects lifts
off for Stephanie.
Gerry: Ian and I is gonna
shoogle that.
Stephanie: Shoogle?
Is shoogle--is it--
shoogle's a word?
Gerry: Yeah, we're gonna
shoogle it.
Dick: At our place, it's a case
of boys and their toys.
It's our own private road, so it
has to be looked after.
And as George and Sarah gear up
for their first-ever wedding...
George: All right, look,
there's the groom.
Sarah: He's forgotten
his cufflinks.
Dick: They're in for a shock.
Sarah: George, the power's
gone off again.
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...
Woman: This is probably, yeah,
my worst nightmare.
Dick: it's panic stations
at one chateau.
Man: I'm gonna leave you.
Woman: Yeah, I was gonna say,
you just get out of the way.
Dick: One owner has big plans
for a Renaissance revival...
Woman: I would like a
four-poster in here,
but I don't think I can
afford one.
Dick: but standards start
to slip.
Woman: This is disastrous.
Man: It's only disastrous
because you've got a defeatist
attitude.
Dick: And at another chateau,
a wedding couple are
impressed...
Woman: Look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Dick: even though the chapel
needs a spring clean.
Woman: We've got to do the
de-cobwebbing,
but that's absolutely fine.
Dick: All over France,
British chateau owners
are working hard
to keep their dream properties
up and running.
Renovation work can be endless,
so to help pay for it,
many run as B&Bs.
But doing both can be
challenging.
Take the 19th-century
Chateau Gioux,
bordering the gorgeous
Millevaches Park.
Sitting in 5 acres of land,
this 23-room pile is run as
a B&B
by Yorkshire couple Debbie
and Nigel,
who moved in 3 months ago.
Debbie: Main change moving from
a two-bedroom cottage
to a chateau is obviously
the size of the place.
So when we moved here,
it just felt like,
wow, you can really, like
push--push out a little bit.
Nigel: Really expand, and we can
hide from each other.
Debbie: Yeah.
Dick: Located 30 miles east
of Limoges in central France,
Debbie and Nigel snapped it up
for £280,000.
And they got straight to work
doing it up.
Debbie: This is
vassiviere room.
Dick: So far, they've renovated
3 guest bedrooms.
The work didn't stop there.
Next was a neglected sunroom.
Debbie: It's lovely just looking
out, isn't it?
Looking out over the estate.
Nigel: [Chuckles]
Dick: Today they're taking on
the chateau's main room--
the salon.
Debbie: It's currently
an interesting purple color.
Because it is the guest salon,
we'd like to make it a little
bit brighter and lighter.
Just hate the purple.
I hate it.
I hate it so.
And the more I look at it,
the more I dislike it.
Purple and red and gold
don't go.
Right. Are we ready to try it
out and see?
OK, go for it, then.
Nigel: All right.
See what this looks like.
Debbie: See what it's like.
Nigel: What do you think?
Debbie: Yeah. Do you know,
I think that's maybe not going
to be as bad coverage
as we think.
- I think two coats will do.
- Yeah.
Debbie: I think we might
be lucky.
Dick: Now the B&B is busy,
fitting in renovation work
between guest bookings
is tricky.
Debbie: We've got to get this
finished fairly quickly.
We've got less than a week until
our next guests arrive.
So the essential thing is that
we get paint on the walls,
everything back in place,
but then there will be other
bits to do.
We are intending papering
the fireplace wall.
We just haven't got
the paper yet. We haven't
chosen any paper.
Nigel: Are we?
Debbie: We are, yeah.
Nigel: That's the first I've
heard of this.
Debbie: No, it isn't.
You just don't listen.
You choose not to listen.
Nigel: Right. There we go.
Debbie: Done?
Nigel: That's the lot.
Dick: With everything out
of the way,
it's time for Nigel to show off
his skills.
Nigel: Got a very delicate
touch.
Debbie: Yeah, if you've--
Nigel: Delicate as a baby
elephant.
I think I could be described as
the savior of the salon today.
What would you say?
Debbie: Oh, god.
I couldn't possibly go in on
that now.
Nigel: [Laughs]
Dick: They could both do with
a savior now.
They thought they had a week
to do work,
but they've just had
a last-minute booking.
So they need to down tools,
as 5 guests are on the way
to them.
Debbie: This is probably, yeah,
my worst nightmare.
We'll put this chest over there.
That--that way because that's
the bed--
the mattress sits on there.
You hold the end.
Nigel: I'm gonna leave you.
Debbie: Yeah, I was gonna say,
you just get out the way.
That's probably the best thing.
This is what it's all about--
emergency bed making,
emergency feeding people.
Just shows you should always
be prepared.
Be like a Boy Scout.
Dick: Brownie points for
bed-making, you two.
But let's just hope the guests
don't want to use the salon.
Debbie: We're just going to have
to make the best of it.
Hopefully the sun's gonna
come out
and they can sit outside
and everything will be fine.
But, yeah, little element of
panic setting in.
Lot to defrost.
Dick: 37 miles north is the
enormous and stunning
16th-century Chateau de Lalande.
Sitting on 60 acres of land
with its own chapel,
it's home to Stephanie,
who 13 years ago traded in
London life as an opera singer.
Stephanie: I've always dreamt of
living in a chateau.
This is my dream come true.
Every day I'm living my dream.
Amidst history, feeling part
of this long continuation,
I love that.
Dick: Located near Limoges
in central France,
Stephanie recently hosted her
mum Isabel's wedding to Percy.
[Cheering]
Now with the wedding behind her,
Stephanie's focusing her
attention
on upgrading guest
accommodation.
Stephanie: Having finished our
last bed and breakfast room
finally, after all these years,
it seems natural as
the next step
to move on to making our
first gite.
Dick: Stephanie has her sights
set on
the ground floor apartment
in the east wing,
which is currently not used
for guests.
It has a large salon
and a double bedroom.
Stephanie: It's in the original
part of the chateau,
which is Renaissance,
probably 16th century.
We're not entirely certain
because we don't have papers
from the earliest parts
of the chateau.
If I can find a way of
bringing back the history
of the chateau, that would
be ideal.
Dick: To tackle the bedroom,
she's brought in
her mother Isabel
and close family friend Gerry.
They and Isabel's new husband
Percy
often stay to help out.
Stephanie: I would like
a four-poster in here,
but I don't think
I can afford one.
Isabel: No.
Stephanie: I think I quite like
the blue as well.
Isabel: Yes, I like the blue
because otherwise it's going to
be very, very dark.
Gerry: Blue and gold.
Stephanie: Blue and gold
and red.
The color scheme is good.
Isabel: I think the bed needs
to be dressed.
Gerry: Would you be putting
that crown in?
Stephanie: I think it needs
something.
Gerry: And then coming down.
Stephanie: We could...
attach curtains
just to be hanging down.
And then maybe make something of
the window seat.
Isabel: Definitely you need
a cushion there.
Stephanie: And then the
furniture has to be changed.
Dick: With all that to do,
costs can escalate,
so something Angel and I do
whenever possible
is reuse what we already have.
And Stephanie has a treasure
trove of leftover fabric
for just this kind of thing.
Stephanie: Perhaps this could
work...
in the bedroom.
It's just a little bit paler
than I was looking for.
This one is amazing.
I've had this 15 years.
I keep things for a while
not knowing what they'll be
used for.
It's incredibly rich
and ornate.
People are coming to
an old chateau,
and they should feel that they
are going
into a Renaissance apartment
that was used by a marquis,
and it has to be beautiful.
I'm guessing, but I think it's
probably £300 a meter.
So I would not be able
to go crazy.
I have to use what I have
very, very carefully.
Dick: With prices like
that, Stephanie,
you better make sure your
measurements add up.
The elegant 19th-century,
25-room Chateau de Brives
sits in 30 acres of grounds
and has 5 outbuildings.
It's home to antique dealers
Sarah and George
and their children Tatiana
and Alexei.
Sarah: Owning a chateau is
definitely a lifelong job,
but we wouldn't change it
for the world.
George: When we wake up
in the morning
and you look out the window
and you look around you,
you do feel very privileged.
Dick: Located 58 miles
from Bordeaux,
the chateau has been beautifully
restored
over the past 9 years it's been
their family home.
Sarah and George are now keen
for it to earn its keep
as a wedding venue.
George: I think weddings
at the chateau
are a crucial part of our
life now
because we want to stay here
forever.
There's always more to do,
there's always jobs
that come up that need doing.
And this will enable us to have
the money to do these jobs.
Dick: They've decluttered
their home
to make it more guest friendly.
And they've spent over £10,000
transforming their old
coach house
into an event space...
Sarah: Oh, my god.
Dick: which was no mean feat.
George: It's quick, isn't it?
Blimey.
Dick: Today the pressure is
still on.
Their first-ever wedding
is in two months,
and the bride and groom are
due to arrive
for a planning meeting.
George: What do you want me
to do, boss?
Sarah: Well, look, because
they're going to
be here any minute,
could you just go around
and just check the house looks--
George: Air freshener.
Sarah: Oh, yeah.
We like it to smell nice when
everyone arrives.
Dick: It's the first time
the happy couple
will have seen the chateau
in the flesh,
so hopefully it'll live up to
expectations.
Sarah: I am nervous.
I just hope that they--
that they fall in love
with it.
Dick: Shauna and Charlie have
arrived from the UK.
And Sarah and George have been
joined
by their new wedding planner
Sarah
and stylist Beth.
Sarah: Hi, Charlie.
Charlie: Hi, there.
Sarah: Lovely to meet you
finally.
You have a good journey?
Charlie: Yeah, fine.
Sarah: Yeah? Perfect.
Charlie: Fine.
Dick: First a quick tour of
the chateau's ground floor.
Shauna: Oh, my goodness.
That'll look perfect
in photos.
Charlie: Yeah, yeah.
Shauna: It's gorgeous.
Sarah: So this is the main
salon.
Quite nice for photo
opportunities.
Charlie: Gorgeous.
And it's cool as well.
Sarah: Yeah, yeah, exactly,
if you need to escape.
Shauna: Oh, look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Sarah: It's good downpour.
[Pop]
Yay.
George: Cheers.
All: Cheers.
Sarah: So lovely to finally
meet you.
Shauna: Yes, you, too.
It's nothing like what I
thought it would look like.
And not in a bad way.
But you know when you've just
seen pictures,
you don't have any context of
what is near
or where things are?
So we drove up and we came to
the back of the barn,
the other barn.
I was like, "It looks like it
needs a bit of work still."
And Charlie was like,
"It's just rustic."
And then we came around and I
was like,
"Ahh, wrong barn. Whew."
[Laughter]
Dick: Time to see
the right barn.
George: Party room.
Charlie: Oh, this looks
fantastic.
Shauna: No, it's beautiful.
Really lovely.
Much nicer than pictures,
actually. I'm really surprised.
George: Oh, good.
Shauna: It's perfect.
Charlie: Love the wood up there,
where it's sort of exposed.
Sarah: And then there's a little
courtyard outside.
I know you wanted a gin bar.
Charlie: That's a lovely set up
just to have.
Nice sort of gap there,
[Indistinct]
And the pool there, that's...
Happy?
Shauna: Yeah, really happy.
Sarah: [Laughs]
Dick: Then it's just a short
stroll
through George's newly-restored
gate to the local church.
Shauna and Charlie's ceremony
will be the first here
for 20 years.
Shauna: [Gasps]
Oh, wowwy.
Dick: Sarah and George have
agreed
to give it some TLC
before the wedding.
Sarah: We've got to do
the de-cobwebbing,
but that obviously
will be fine.
Shauna: It's really lovely,
isn't it?
George: There's a gallery
up there
if you need more seating.
Sarah: Well, it sits 150
down here, so it'll be--
Charlie: That'll be fine.
Sarah: It'll be good.
George: Yeah, that's a hundred
now as it is.
Shauna: OK. Lovely. Perfect.
Exactly what we wanted.
Charlie: Yeah, it's nice.
Sarah: So you guys happy
with that?
Charlie: Lovely.
Shauna: Yeah.
Sarah: Good. Good.
Dick: Well, that must be music
to George and Sarah's ears.
Hopefully the decluttered
honeymoon suite
will round the tour off nicely.
Shauna: [Gasps]
Look at this.
Oh, it's beautiful.
Smell of fresh paint.
Sarah: Yes. [Laughs]
George: Sarah. Touching up.
Sarah: Shall we leave you then
to have a bit
of peace and quiet and time
to think about things?
And we'll see you down whenever
you're ready to have--
Shauna: Have a drink.
Sounds great. Have a drink.
Charlie: Lovely. See you later.
Shauna: Thanks, guys.
Sarah: Good.
Charlie: Bye.
Shauna: It's great.
Charlie: It's amazing. It's--
Shauna: It's perfect.
Exactly what we wanted.
It's beautiful.
Sarah: I think today was an
enormous day for us, actually,
because it is the first day
that, you know,
opening our doors to people
that we don't know.
George: Start of our
new business.
Sarah: Yep.
George: Wonderful.
Sarah: A good start.
George: Really good start.
Shauna: It's just different.
It's different to a hotel,
it's different to something
corporate.
It's just--it's loved,
and we just wanted to get out
and see it.
So now we're seeing it,
I just feel so much better.
It's exactly what we wanted.
Charlie: And anything that
goes wrong,
we can always get it better
the second time.
Shauna: Shut up.
Charlie: Sorry.
Dick: No, Charlie, that's not
the idea.
While it's been
a successful day,
the wedding is in just
two months' time.
And with plenty to prepare,
Sarah and George can't relax
just yet.
115 miles away,
back at Chateau Gioux,
Debbie and Nigel are having
a busy summer with their B&B,
so have to fit in their DIY
when they can.
Nigel: We're right in the middle
of the busy August,
and we're just in between
guests,
so we've managed to get
the beds stripped,
we're washing on the line,
waiting for it to dry
before we have to iron it
and then get it back
on the beds again.
So we've got a little--small
window of about an hour.
Debbie: Is that the--is that
the collective--
Nigel: It's the royal "we."
Debbie: It's the royal "we."
Yeah. It means me washing,
ironing.
Nigel: I just do as I'm told.
Dick: Today they're going to use
this small window
to start work on the chateau
shutters.
Nigel: The best thing is
I can go up there,
try and put a structure
on a pulley.
Dick: Nigel's using
a chain winch
to lift the heavy oak shutters
off their hinges
and bring them down to work on.
Nigel: The block and tackle
that we're using
is one that I managed to pick up
very cheap.
And it's ideal because you can
lift two ton of weight
just by pulling the chains.
To try and do it manually,
it's, one, dangerous,
and, two, very heavy,
and I don't think you could
do it.
This is the first time I've ever
done anything like this,
but in theory, it should work.
Debbie: Watch the chain
on the glass, Nigel. Oop.
Nigel: That would be terrible
if that--
Debbie: That would be
disastrous.
Nigel: It would be
an absolute disaster.
Is that solid?
Debbie: [Laughs]
It doesn't look very solid
to me.
Nigel: Is that gonna pull
through?
Debbie: Yeah, it's going up,
yeah.
Nigel: Oh, marvelous.
[Chain rattles]
Debbie: That was slightly--
slightly nerve-racking,
but well done.
Dick: The first of the 36
shutters is off its hinges.
Now begins the job of
restoring them one by one.
37 miles north at Chateau de
Lalande,
Stephanie is freshening up
the bedroom in the gite.
But in true Stephanie style,
it's not straightforward.
Stephanie: It's a shame
to have this beautiful
Renaissance apartment
that's in the oldest part of
the chateau,
and it just feels like,
I don't know, a normal bedroom.
It's wrong somehow.
So obviously, as always,
the original plan has
snowballed.
Dick: She's decided to create
a half tester bed,
basically half a four-poster,
a style dating back to
the 14th century
that only has curtains above
the head end.
And she wants to make it as
cheaply as possible
by using material she
already has.
Stephanie: We looked in
the outbuildings,
and there's a tiny little bit
of paneling that's left
from a room where we had to burn
most of the paneling
because of dry rot.
But these few little bits
were OK,
and we kept them,
and there's enough
to make a half tester,
which is great.
Dick: While Stephanie's live-in
handyman Ian
starts making the wooden pelmet,
helped by local builder
also called Ian,
she brings Isabel and Gerry
up to speed.
Stephanie: OK, I've managed to
find some spare bits of fabric
left over from the curtains
that I did in here.
Isabel: Yes.
Dick: Stephanie's had
a change of heart
about her fabric choice,
as she wants the half tester
drapes to match the curtains.
Stephanie: So the idea is
we'll have a box,
I'll make a pelmet around it,
we'll have curtains on
either side.
Dick: Isabel and Gerry are
heading back to the UK tomorrow,
but first Stephanie has
a wee job for them.
Stephanie: The window seat
needs to be made.
Isabel: Yes.
Stephanie: Can you two make
the window seat?
'Cause I--no, I haven't
got time.
Seriously, I've got to do
the curtains.
Gerry: Yeah, yeah--
Isabel: Have you made
a window seat before?
Gerry: Well, this is--you know,
everybody has to
make something for
the first time.
Dick: Very true.
And Gerry's not taking
any chances.
Gerry: Right. Let me check
your measurements.
70. 86.
Isabel: Correct.
Dick: Size agreed, they can now
start cutting down
the foam pads to fit.
So while they get stuck in,
Stephanie needs to prepare the
fabric going on to the pelmet
for the half tester bed.
Stephanie: OK, so this patch
and repeat
looks to be about 60 centimeters
or so.
Dick: She needs to get the
pattern matching up perfectly
for the front of the pelmet.
Stephanie: We'll have to leave
enough fabric
over for the great window seat
project.
Dick: Once the fabric is cut,
pinned, and sewn, that's it,
any mismatch will be obvious.
Stephanie: Should we see if
it's worked?
[Laughs]
Oh, yes.
Look at that.
We are OK.
Isabel: Is he right about that?
Dick: Back in the bedroom,
Gerry has marked out where
the foam needs to be cut
using Isabel's dimensions.
Gerry: I just hope your
measurements are right.
Isabel: One centimeter here
and there. Pfft, pfft.
Gerry: All right, let's see if
that's going to fit.
You don't want people falling
down the sides.
Isabel: Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha!
Gerry: Let me see that piece.
Isabel: Too tight. Too tight.
Gerry: Well, it's better
to be tight.
Isabel: Ha!
[Laughs]
Dick: That's a relief.
As for Stephanie,
she's got the trickiest bit
to do--
attaching the fabric
to a sticky board
to give it some structure.
It has to be totally smooth.
Stephanie: I now have to cut out
the pattern.
Dick: The pelmet will
have an edge
that follows the pattern.
Stephanie wants to check
her measurements
against the box for the
half tester bed,
so master measurers Isabel
and Gerry are on hand to help.
Isabel: It is rather glorious,
isn't it?
Stephanie: Yeah, it looks
very grand.
Wow!
Ian, I love it.
I can't believe that that's just
been put together
from things that were lying
around outside.
Isabel: Well done.
Stephanie: Put it there
like that.
To there.
Isabel: Yes.
Stephanie: And down on your
side, Gerald.
- How much?
- Down to where the color is.
Yeah.
Please tell me it fits.
It fits on this side!
Gerry: Yeah, looks like
it's perfect.
Stephanie: That means it's
perfect.
Do you reckon you'll be able to
fix that up soon?
Ian: This week.
Stephanie: All right.
Then I can wait. Ha ha ha!
'Cause going up, that'll be much
better to do it in place.
Dick: While Ian and Ian come up
trumps with the pelmet,
Isabel and Gerry still have
their work cut out.
Isabel: Oh, for goodness sakes.
Dick: In a very novel fashion,
Gerry is trying a quick fix,
using tape
to join the foam pieces.
Gerry: So even if I do that...
Isabel: Gerry, the edges are
pulling.
I wonder if I should sew.
I don't know if one can sew
through foam.
Gerry: No.
Isabel: This is disastrous.
Gerry: It's only disastrous
because you've got
a defeatist attitude.
Stephanie: How's it going?
Isabel: Help!
Stephanie: Ohh.
[Crinkling]
I don't think that that sound
is acceptable.
Isabel: I don't think it is,
either.
Stephanie: No. No.
We have to take the masking
tape off.
And you could sew the pieces
together.
Gerry: I didn't think you could
sew foam.
Stephanie: You can sew foam.
Gerry: I told you you could.
Stephanie: Ha ha ha!
Dick: So it's plan "B"--
good old needle and thread.
Isabel: Yes, excellent, Gerry.
Gerry: I should be a surgeon.
Isabel: Oh, my goodness.
God help us.
Stephanie: So the room looks
fairly catastrophic now.
And I wish Mummy and Gerry
weren't going tomorrow,
but I think we're in
the right direction.
Dick: Let's hope so, Stephanie.
There's a lot to finish off
on your own.
In southwest France near Cognac,
Sarah and George are preparing
to open their home to guests
when they host their first
wedding in just two months.
Today their mission is finding
foliage to make a statement
at the back of their revamped
coach house.
George: Wow, these are nice,
aren't they?
Dick: So they've come to the
local garden center
with daughter Tatiana.
Sarah: They're great.
George: Yes.
What we're looking for today
is two architectural,
structural, large plants
to go in the two barrels
we've got
on the side of the barn,
something kind of a real
wow feature
and something weddingy as well.
Now, they're nice, darling.
These.
- They're enormous.
- Yeah, but they're lovely.
Sarah: Oh, wow.
[Speaks French]
Sarah: Oh, gosh, they're
wonderful, aren't they?
George: Yeah, they look good.
And they're not too expensive.
50 each? I think that's right.
Sarah: It's superb for
that place.
George: [Speaks French]
Merci.
Dick: Back at the chateau,
they can see
if the enormous box sage
does the trick.
Sarah: Ooh, great.
I love it.
Dick: Sarah's keen that no area
gets overlooked.
Sarah: For the first wedding,
we're having to hire loos,
which are going to
be out here,
so everyone's going to
see this part.
And we want it to look pretty.
And these plants, it's going
to be fab,
but also continuing for
next year.
George: So he said near
the front.
Sarah: Here we go.
I think these plants look
perfect,
and since they're light and airy
and blow in the wind
and feminine.
George: 1, 2, 3.
Well done.
That's it. Perfect. OK.
- Oh, I think they're lovely.
- Yeah.
Sarah: And they will fill out
more.
George: Yeah, great.
Sarah: Really lovely.
Dick: Another job crossed off.
But Sarah and George still have
to tidy the grounds
and do all the finishing touches
before they're wedding ready.
125 miles northeast
in central France,
Stephanie's Renaissance-style
gite is beginning to take shape.
With the pelmet finished,
it's down to handymen Joe, Ian,
and Ian to get it up.
Ian: It would be happy
[Indistinct] go up inside.
- It looks good.
- Once centered and supported...
Stephanie: That looks perfect.
Dick: it needs to be fixed
securely in place.
Stephanie: Yay!
Gerry: Team Ian and Ian!
Stephanie: Team Ian.
Isabel: I think it's going to be
beautiful.
Gerry: Yeah, pleased with that.
Isabel: Yes, very.
Gerry: I'm pleased with that.
Dick: Stephanie's fabric for
the inside of the pelmet
has gold flor-de-lis,
but there's confusion about
whether
they're the right way up.
Stephanie: Come and have a look,
Mummy. Come and have a look.
That flor-de-lis is
the correct way up.
Gerry: Yeah, that's the way
it should be.
Isabel: That's correct.
Stephanie: Good.
That's how Gerry likes his
flor-de-lis, so we are sorted.
Gerry: Yeah, I like my
flor-de-lis like that.
Stephanie: I think it makes
the room look much grander.
Tomorrow the big thing is
putting the pelmet up,
and I will also start moving
more of Mummy's tapestries
in here.
That's quite a lot. We'll see.
We'll see how it goes.
Dick: The next day, Isabel and
Gerry are leaving for the UK,
but first, Stephanie wants to
make the most of them.
Stephanie: We're putting
a red trim
all the way around to hide
the cut edge here.
This is the last thing that
needs to be done
before it goes up.
Once it's up, there'll be
more glue gunning.
Dick: Time is running out,
as with the braiding done,
Stephanie now needs everyone
to help attach the fabric
to the pelmet.
Stephanie: Does that look
central?
Isabel: It looks straight, yes.
You're going to put something
on top there?
Gerry: Yes.
[Staple gun clicks]
Stephanie: I just want to
have a look,
make sure I don't have to rip it
all out.
Oh. I've got to staple the bit
underneath
before I finish this.
You will understand in
a moment.
Oh, I've really made my life
easy, haven't I?
Gerry: We've got 5 minutes
before we have to be
in the car.
But, Stephanie, there's
no pressure there.
All the hard bit's done.
It's just a matter of you just
staplizing things now.
Stephanie: Oh, it's just a
matter of me finishing
the room, is that all?
Gerry: Just staplizing now.
Isabel: Darling, we have to go,
my love.
Gerry: We have to go,
sweetheart.
Stephanie: OK, so I'll do that
after you go.
Gerry: It's OK?
Isabel: Bye-bye, darling.
Stephanie: Rush back.
Well, at least you're traveling
in style.
Gerry: I need my bag.
Bye-bye.
Stephanie: Bye.
Dick: Despite that flurry
of activity,
Stephanie's Renaissance-inspired
room remains unfinished.
Now it's down to her to complete
Isabel and Gerry's cushion
and the half tester bed.
Stephanie: I feel like I need
another lie down now.
And I can't believe they didn't
finish that window seat.
Dick: 37 miles south
at Chateau Gioux...
Nigel: Lift it. That's it, yeah.
There, that's better.
Dick: Debbie and Nigel have
worked wonders in their salon.
Nigel: You ready? One--push up
and off, I think, is it?
Debbie: Yeah.
Dick: With 3 walls painted,
now they turn their attention
to the last one.
Debbie: We wanted to make
a feature wall.
We've just recently been
to the UK,
brought some paper back,
so we're gonna make
an attempt
at getting it on the wall today.
I don't--I haven't papered
before,
so this might be interesting.
Nigel's in charge.
Nigel: Oh, yes.
Debbie: We've got plenty of
paper, haven't we?
Nigel: Hope so.
[Laughter]
Dick: An unorthodox approach,
Nigel is first pasting the walls
rather than the paper.
Nigel: Normally when you paper,
you paste the wallpaper
on a table and then you
put it up,
whereas this is different
technique.
The wallpaper manufacturers,
they recommend doing it
this way,
so it's how we're doing.
Right, here we go.
The moment of truth.
Debbie: You'll have to tell me
what you need me to do, then.
I do feel a bit like
a magician's assistant
standing here.
Dick: Come on, Nigel.
Time for you to do your magic.
Nigel: I'm getting to
the edge here.
Getting booted into the column
without stretching it.
Debbie: That's fine. I think.
Nigel: All right.
Dick: Push down because you
don't want to have
any air bubbles in.
Pass me--oh, I got--
the paste brush.
I'm just gonna put a little bit
more paste on here
just to be double sure.
Thanks.
You put paste on it, didn't you?
Debbie: What?
Nigel: Did you put a bit of
paste on it?
Debbie: Oh, no, sorry.
[Laughter]
I was just having a blonde
moment there.
You didn't say.
You've got to be specific.
Nigel: Ahh, sorry.
[Laughs] Thanks.
Debbie: Oh.
Will it be difficult, Nig,
when we get to the mantelpiece?
Nigel: Yes.
It will be very difficult.
I'm making this up as
I go along.
Dick: It's at times like this
I always remember
the old saying,
measure twice, cut once.
Nigel: I'm going to cut this bit
here.
I've gone too high.
Debbie: Yeah.
Nigel: That's not good.
Debbie: Oh, no.
Nigel: Maybe use that as
a template, you think?
I'm just gonna think how
we're gonna do this.
Dick: By using the piece as
a template,
hopefully Nigel won't make
the same mistake twice.
Nigel: All right, pull that
towards you.
Debbie: Yep, I am doing.
Nigel: Pull, pull, pull.
All right, now I can pull it
back
once I find out where
the match is, right?
That's the match there.
Long enough? Yeah.
Debbie: Just, yeah.
Nigel: Right.
Dick: Having brought only 4
rolls from the UK,
it would cost time and money
to get extra,
so they can't afford to waste
any more.
Debbie: Leave a bit to trim,
Nige.
Don't--don't cut too close.
Nigel: Is there enough end?
Debbie: Yeah, yeah.
No, that's fine.
Nigel: Ahh, that's better.
The last cut.
Debbie: Well done.
Nigel: How's that looking?
Debbie: Absolute sterling job.
Dick: You take the words right
out of my mouth, Debbie.
After 7 weeks of juggling
renovations and guests,
the salon has been transformed
from a dark, drab
deep purple room
into one which is bright
and sunny.
The feature wall stands proud
with its peacock feather paper
and the angelic finishing
touches.
Debbie: It is what I wanted
it to be.
Nigel: I don't think we could do
anything any better.
Debbie: And the thing is
as well,
we haven't thrown lots of money
at it.
We've thrown a bit of wallpaper.
Nigel: Yeah.
Debbie: And a bit of paint.
Nigel: We haven't got any money
to throw at it.
Debbie: We haven't. But that's
the point, isn't it?
We've made it nice without
having to spend
thousands of pounds.
Nigel: Now we can starting doing
other projects.
Debbie: Mmm. And relax a bit.
No. [Laughs]
Dick: I'm afraid relaxation
is rarely on the agenda
as a chateau owner.
Onwards and upwards, you two.
In southwest France,
Sarah and George
are getting ready to host their
first-ever wedding
in less than two months' time.
George: If it looks really nice,
then why not leave it up
for all our future weddings?
Dick: While George and Tatiana
fix fairy lights to the fence...
Sarah and 13-year-old Alexei
set to work
on the overgrown plants around
the pool and coach house.
Sarah: So these are the ones
we're doing, Alexei.
So not that many of them.
Just tidying up these
[indistinct] beds.
They've done their bit
for this year.
They were beautiful earlier,
but now they look awful
and they shoot their seeds,
and they end up in the pool,
so it's a bit of a nightmare.
Dick: Angel and I know
only too well
that you have to think ahead
to the next season.
That's why we had to pollard,
or cut back, our trees.
Dick: You've got to use this
cold weather
before the sap rises.
Every single piece of goodness
is stored in the root system,
right back down in there,
because it's chilly.
The tree's sleeping.
So we're giving it a haircut
while it sleeps.
That's what pollarding's about.
Dick, voice-over: But it came
as a bit of a shock to Angel.
Angel: I am freaking out
a little bit.
Dick: Why?
Angel: I haven't really
understood this fully.
Like, honestly, when you said
they were gonna be pollarded,
I thought maybe we were gonna
have a little haircut.
Dick: She's panicking.
But, darling, it has
to be done.
Angel: Yeah.
Dick: It's nature.
Angel: Trust nature.
Dick: Those trees want to live.
Angel: I know.
So it's done now.
Dick: It's done now.
It is done now.
Angel: It is done.
Dick: At least for Sarah
and Alexei,
tidying these plants isn't quite
as dramatic.
But many hands still make
light work.
Sarah: Is that OK?
Alexei: Mmm.
Sarah: Well done, Alexei.
You're doing a fab job.
Somewhere, Alexei, I think
behind you, is a bucket.
We could just use that for the
kind of dead leaves
and things that are coming.
Would you mind getting it?
Alexei: Mmm.
Sarah: Voila. One done.
Alexei: What?
Sarah: Sort of.
Alexei: One done?
Sarah: One. We've got two more
to do.
Alexei: Why not go home?
Sarah: [Laughs] No.
Dick: You've got to finish what
you start, Alexei.
Sarah: Oh, gosh.
Right, do you want to get on
and drive?
Alexei: No, I'll run ahead.
It's OK.
Sarah: All right, Alexei, if you
just chuck it on this pile,
and then we'll have a great bit
bonfire one day.
Just fling it.
Alexei: [Grunts]
Sarah: Oh, my goodness, Alexei,
honestly.
Alexei: Gah.
Sarah: Shall we call it a day?
'Cause it's getting dark.
Alexei: And I'm hungry.
Sarah: Are you? [Chuckles]
OK, then. Do you want to ride in
the trailer back?
Alexei: Yeah, OK.
Sarah: We'll try this way.
Dick: A satisfying evening's
work.
But with that first wedding in
less than two months' time,
you're not out of
the woods yet.
Sarah: There is still
a whole long list
that we've got to do for
the wedding prep,
but we are slowly ticking
them off.
And actually, nearly every day,
more come on to the list.
But hopefully we'll get there.
Dick: That first wedding booking
is all important,
so stick with it.
It'll be worth it in the end.
At the close of day,
it's time to appreciate
what George and Tatiana have
been up to
with the fairy lights.
Sarah: George, are you ready?
George: I'm ready. Tell me when.
- OK, you--yeah, let's try.
- Now?
Sarah: Yeah.
Tatiana: Yeah.
Sarah: Oh, pretty.
Tatiana: Oh, my gosh.
Oh, that looks really lovely.
Well done.
Tatiana: Thank you.
George: I'm pleased with that.
Sarah: Well done, George.
That looks really lovely.
I think it looks gorgeous.
George: Well, good.
Dick: There's nothing like
a bit of sparkle
to make somewhere feel special.
125 miles away in
central France near Limoges,
Stephanie's been working on
her gite
and has added some rich
Renaissance style
to the half tester bed.
Stephanie: This wing of
the chateau dates
from the 15th or 16th century,
and I want it to feel like that.
Dick: With Isabel and Gerry back
from the UK,
Gerry's helping with
the finishing touches.
Stephanie: First job,
to get this all ready
for Mummy to see, let's move all
the bits of furniture out
that we don't need, 'cause then
we've got space to work.
Dick: Stephanie wants to
illuminate
the Renaissance-style tapestry
above the headboard,
so she's called in handyman Ian
for advice.
Stephanie: I have some lights
that are
kind of long, bendy things,
weirdly.
If they went here,
if that would mean that would
give them the length
to just come into the bed
opening.
Ian: Oh, I see. Right.
Stephanie: We have to get
the bed right
because the room is all about
the bed.
And it's not right till we get
lighting in here.
Dick: Fingers crossed Stephanie
has something fitting
in her treasure trove
of stuff.
But looking for a needle
in a haystack springs to mind.
Stephanie: Ahh, now this is
part of it.
Here, here.
This is one.
All I need is the other.
Gerry: What's that for?
Stephanie: I think it's
a gun rack.
Gerry: Oh, well, that's handy.
Dick: Well, sometimes
you just have to go
with what you dig out.
Stephanie: We don't have much
mini matching ones, do we?
Dick: We've got a collection of
bits like that, too.
Stephanie: Ian, I have just
in a picnic box found these.
I wonder if they're cupboard
lights,
'cause maybe we could rig
something up with this
to have lights inside the bed
area.
Dick: Good thought, Stephanie.
Thinking outside the box
is often the answer.
Stephanie: Thanks.
So if we could find a way
of just putting it as high
as we can get it
just to get a little bit of
light in there.
Dick: Leaving Ian to wrestle
with the lighting,
Stephanie rearranges
the artwork...
Stephanie: Perfect.
Dick: in keeping with her
new décor.
Gerry: Well, do you think that's
gonna be it?
Dick: Ian's made progress
with the lighting
for the half tester bed.
By illuminating inside
the canopy,
he's created a gentle
halo effect.
Stephanie: [Gasps]
Let there be light.
Love it. All right, but we need
to reveal it to my mother.
- That's gonna be the hard part.
- Yeah.
Dick: Stephanie's got one
unique feature
which will tie the whole
Renaissance theme together.
Stephanie: This is
La Grande Mademoiselle.
She was Louis XIV's cousin.
And in the 17th century,
she actually owned Lalande.
So she's our most prestigious
previous owner,
though goodness knows if she
ever even visited Lalande
because she was the richest
heiress of Europe,
so she had hundreds of chateaus.
But I feel that, as it's that
kind of period,
she should be in this room.
So she's going to go on
this bed.
Dick: Stephanie's taken
the tired old bedroom
and given it a new lease of
life.
She's created a half tester bed
using wood and fabric
she found around the chateau,
upholstered a window seat,
and added a rich tapestry.
She's now ready to reveal
her Renaissance masterpiece
to Isabel and new husband Percy.
Isabel: Tell me when. [Gasps]
Sweetheart, this is beautiful.
Percy: Yeah, that's very nice.
Isabel: Oh, lovely.
Oh, goodness me.
Darling, I don't know how you
managed to do this.
Stephanie: It's old paneling,
fabric that we had left over
from the curtains,
and then the old tapestry that
I found online.
Isabel: Absolutely lovely,
darling.
Percy: That looks brilliant.
Gerry: Do you remember where
we were working in the window?
Isabel: Yes.
Gerry: Look what she's finished.
Isabel: How sweet, darling,
this little corner.
Gerry: We were thinking there
should be a little ribbon
for you and Percy.
Stephanie: Ha ha ha!
Isabel: It's lovely.
Gerry: What do you think?
Percy, you sit there
and then I'm gonna sit there
and Stephanie is gonna
sit there.
Isabel: It is lovely.
I love the bed.
I mean, the bed is
a masterpiece.
Stephanie: Thank you.
Masterpiece.
I'm gonna run with masterpiece.
Isabel: Yes.
To do Renaissance on a budget
is quite a tall order.
Far easier to make it look
modern.
Stephanie: I think she's happy.
She looked like she'd quite
like to swap.
But she always wants
the latest room.
She's a bit like me for that.
I do a room and I'm like,
"Ooh, this is nicer
than my room."
I better get the salon right
because I did this
without spending any money
on it,
so if I spend money on
the salon
and it's not as nice as this,
I'm going to feel pretty stupid.
But I'm excited now.
I think that the whole gite's
starting to take shape.
Dick: Splendid, Stephanie.
Now I can't wait to see what you
do with the salon.
Next time...
Debbie: It doesn't look square
to me.
Dick: Debbie and Nigel get to
work in their garden...
Debbie: And that top's
completely too cock.
Dick: And risk a flat-pack
fallout.
Nigel: I didn't want to deal
with this in the first place.
Dick: A new gite projects lifts
off for Stephanie.
Gerry: Ian and I is gonna
shoogle that.
Stephanie: Shoogle?
Is shoogle--is it--
shoogle's a word?
Gerry: Yeah, we're gonna
shoogle it.
Dick: At our place, it's a case
of boys and their toys.
It's our own private road, so it
has to be looked after.
And as George and Sarah gear up
for their first-ever wedding...
George: All right, look,
there's the groom.
Sarah: He's forgotten
his cufflinks.
Dick: They're in for a shock.
Sarah: George, the power's
gone off again.