This is the story of the Gray Family search for a home in France and the eventual conversion of a Barn in the Creuse that has now been turned into a beautiful home for our family to enjoy in the years ahead.
The story of La Grange Grise gives an indication of our experience of doing so between 2006 and 2016.
Also added are details and history of the subsequent purchase and work on La Maison Grise from 2013 and the renovation work started in 2016 on the house opposite our the Grange.
I arrived at end December 2020 to continue with the attic work at La Maison Grise and managed to avoid any hassle from an early January crossing, complete with a Covid PCR Test, which French Border Control were not interested in!
Been here under lockdown restrictions for 2 weeks now and been busy doing tidy up work to the Insulated Plasterboard walls and the Ceiling Plasterboard. Lots of fiddly and time consuming work, but all complete now and just some fine filling to do next week.
I initially switched all the Radiators in the house ON to provide some warmth, but this blew the 6kv Mains Supply Fuse. I decided to switch most rads off, but left the underfloor mats in the Garden Room and Bathroom on, with the Salon and Stairs/Landing rads on at 14 degrees, This was more than adequate to take any chill away and I have determined we will need to increase the supply to 9 or 12 KVA at a later stage.
The Store and Services Rooms have been fully framed and insulation installed, then both walls and ceiling board. Again fiddly work around the main back horizontal oak beam, but eventually all worked OK.
I decided to check the electric cabling I had installed, before finalizing the boarding. I did this with a Light bulb fitting at room ends and the supply end of the cable attached to a Plug into an extension leads. All proved successful!
Retaining the wood and boarding off cuts has proved invaluable and leaves very little waste to take for recycling next week.
I finally cut the skirting board for the main space today and will do the Store and Services Rooms next week, although delay fixing until plastering is complete, once the virus restrictions are relaxed.
Here below are some pics of the room today and once I empty and clean up, I will attached a video:
West Back
Service Out
West Front
East Services Side
West Front
East Ceiling
Across Attic
Weekending 24th January 2021
So the week ended with me having been able to complete the work I had planned for this trip.
All the insulation has been installed and I applied extra spare Fiber Installation on top of the Foil Insulation of into the voids
All the electric cables for Down Lighting , Sockets and Radiators was run throughout the ceiling and walls
Installed Plasterboard has been applied to all the stone walls and Plasterboard to the ceiling and new partition walls.
Expansion Foam has been used to fill the difficult gaps that it was not suitable for plasterboarding
Outside Corner Strips has been applied to the Chimney Breasts
All the skirting board has been cut and positioned, although not yet secured as plastering needs to happen.
I have tested all the electric cable runs using a light fitting and connection the fuse box end to an extension lead. I will hopefully get ALS Frappat to connect to the fuse box later this year.
My tools have been moved into the Store Room and the floors swept and tidied .
I will do a final video before leaving next weekend and post below.
Another hot morning on Tuesday so I started the work early and finished by mid day with the render to the inside wall of the Utility Room. The experience yesterday made the task a lot easier and I managed to create a smooth finish, before apply the stipple effect with the brush to texture the wall and hide the imperfection!
Work Completed - 1st to 18th June 2020
Having arrived here at the end of May, I commenced work on La Maison as planned and covered on the Task List. After 3 weeks all the planned work on the Task List below is completed up to Connecting the Water and Basins, Shower and Bath, as well as Sanding the Floor Boards.
The Wood Burning Stoves are in and the Balsalt Stone Hearths arrived and are in position. Really pleased with these and they set off the stoves on the flooring.
Had a small problems with the Bath water waste not escaping and had to get access to fix the pipes. I messed up before by using a long piece of flexible pipe, but had sorted it all now.
Here is a short video of the work completed to 18th June 2020
On Monday and Tuesday, I did some little tidy up jobs and took the opportunity to load the trailer with the old loft insulation and take it down to the recycling center and total cleared the loft, as well as order three door for the upper stair, the new store and electrics, boiler room from Lapeyre. These come complete and assembled with the doors, so making it easy to construct the framework around, rather than making them fit the frame. Should be collected on 10th July.
Despite the heat wave starting I decided to moved the Kitchen Unit carcasses into the house. These have been stored in the barn since 2014, but have survived without issue and I managed to move and loosely position in the morning before the heat became too much.
Here are some pics of them in position:
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I have realized that the Corian Worktops I bought with me will not fit or any too much and risky work to undertake so have ordered units for Leroy Merlin, with a new compound sink, dishwasher and a corner Extractor Unit.
I should have enough of the same Oak Doors to construct units for the Utility Room, so they will all match, hopefully....!
After discussion, we have decided to remove the tall fridge cupboard enclosure on the left side wall to keep it clean and have a under counter fridge and a large freezer in the utility room. This has improved the look, flow and will make things easier. I have also temporary erected the partitions to create the look. the counter top partition will be 20cm above the final worktop, which I have ordered, but is 30cm at the moment and. will be cut to size when and I get the worktop installed.
So tomorrow, I will be able to fit the damage feet to some units and then adjust all to level and ensure room for the bottom Kick Board I am also expecting delivery of the additional tin of Manns Pine Stains - Driftwood to finish the upstairs floor and then next week finish these floors with the OSMO Polyx Oil to protect the floors.
Friday 26th June 2020
It is funny how things have a way of solving themselves when you have time and least expect it!
Having removed the large fridge cupboard I needed to move it out of the way and into the Utility Room and this was the first task this morning and went easier that expect, as I was fresh, but I now need to move forward a low level socket.
The wood filler on the damaged feet base had dried enough to secure the feet bases to three units and I was able to get them done and in position, but will wait until next week to fit the feet secure. In doing so I realized 45cm Waste Bin Cupboard would be better by the sink and swapped over a 30cm cupboard to the hob/oven area.
Having misplaced large chimney cover, Barry from Stove Sellers delivered a replacement and this allowed me to adjust it to fit into position and next week I will secure it fully to complete the Wood Stove installation.
Additionally, I was delighted that DPD delivered the extra Manns Pine Stain I ordered and this allowed me to complete the upstairs floors, again making them ready for the Polyx Oil treatment next week as hoped. Success!
Weekending 5th July 2020
Monday and Tuesday
So, the week started well and having adjusted the feet of all the units to allow the Kickboards underneath, I secured the new Kitchen-Utility Room partition wall against the end Larder with Expanded Foam and it has proved really good and strong.
The chimney cover has been applied and now just needs a little plaster filler to tidy up, but the most satisfying task on Tuesday is that I managed to clean and install all the cupboard drawers and doors, making the kitchen take shape. Just need to work out how the Larder Pull Out cage gets properly installed. Easier said than done!
Wednesday
In preparation for work next week, early this morning I went to collect 10 bags of the VPI Enduni 65 single coat render for the old rear house exposed stone wall. This is now the Garden Room Wall that I expose and will coat and brush off the render to fill the gaps and leave the stone exposed, but more of that next week.
So, today I also replace the single wall socket that was left expose when we decided not to use the Tall Refrigerator Cupboard on the side wall. It looked silly to have the wall and worktop space without at least tow appliance sockets and the single, as well as another double socket will be used on partition backed worktop, once the dishwasher is installed, the low partition secured and lowered.
I also got some french partition corner strips, which are excellent and rigid, as well as code coded and applied this to the partition by the door to the Utility and will plaster fill tomorrow
The rough plan for the rear wall of the Utility Room was adjusted today, which I decided to utilse the last full cupboard and three drawer and thought it look better on the end and visible from the Cuisine as shown below.
So, I have finished the week successfully with apply the first coat of plaster to the partition corner on the units to the door and pleased with the result, just need a little clean up and a final fine coat. Satisfyingly, I succeeded in working out what bits were needed and how to install the Larder mechanism and wire baskets, as well as the door.
I also decided to raise the height of the Utility Room cabinets, so that the work-surface ran above the ledge on the east side wall and moved the water feed tap to the east side where I have decided it will be better to locate the washing machine.
After days of try to work out how the small cupboard wire trays would work it came to me late Friday evening and first thing on Saturday confirmed how to changed the support bracket so the door opened to the right and I succeeded in mounting the mechanism and trays correctly...very satisfying!
So, now I have finished the units in the Cuisine until the appliances and worktop arrives. Next week, I will make a new cupboard unit in the Utility to support the sink, once the washing machine arrives that will fit next to it and will start to render the rear Garden Room Wall, if all goes well.
Weekending 12th July 2020
Have made a good start to the week Fitted an outside light above the front door, with some minor changes needed and start the rendering of the Garden Room Wall, as planned. Have completed two 1.5m sections at either and or the wall and with the advice of a neighbor left the first coat to dry for nearly two hours and then brushed off and buffed the main stones with a wire brush. Good advice and I am pleased with the final result. With luck should finish the rest of this wall tomorrow and then just need some touching up down later in the week.
Today was a good day that resulted in the wall being completed, with just a little touch up work once all is dry later this week. Very satisfying and the render is great to work with.
Visited Limoges on Thursday to collect the 3 doors and frames for the Loft from Lapeyre and the Sink Taps from Leroy Merlin. By the time I returned it was just under 30 degrees so time for only easy work. The wall has dried out nearly and the colour softened nicely. Having cut most of the panels for the Utility under Sink Cupboard yesterday, I assembled and fitted the feet and door today as shown. very pleased with the result and just need to add a filler panel, before the Washing Machine is delivered tomorrow and then finalise the space and fittings before the worktop is collected in August.
So finished the week with a productive day and got the Utility under Sink Cupboard finished, with the blanking side and shelf installed, and adjusted the door. The extra Polyx Oil arrived in the morning and I was able to finished the Bedroom 3 floor before the delivery arrived of the DishWasher and Washing Machine. Unpacked both and placed them into position to verify the space requirements and will complete things next week.
Sunday 12th July 2020
Yet again, the benefit of time and reflection has [roved beneficial and resulted in me deciding to swap the Dishwasher and Fridge locations. I realised the water feed to the DW was going to be difficult and would be easier and accessible if I located the DW where the Fridge was planned If fact it might prove a better preparation work area for the fridge to be under the partition wall and more natural for the DW to be between the sink and hob. So next week I will prepare the wall feed and electric points for the new plan, in advance of the worktop collection early August.
Weekending 19th July 2020
As has often been the case, the smaller tasks can take longer and this week has eventually seen the fixation of the cabinet units, securing the low partition wall and installing electrics to the partition wall. I have added a second side of plasterboard to the insulated board and this has give added strength and installed a double and single socket in the back. I used Expanded Foam to glue the two sections together, after cutting cable channels in and then used the foam and a few brackets to secure the board to the back of the units.
Today, I have connected the electrics supply and added a small double socket to the inside rear void of the waste bin unit, which is perfect as it gives access to the sockets for the Fridge and Lighting for the kickboard that I will install.
Working week has come to an end and a few small but time consuming tasks underway I gave the kitchen partition a fine plaster coat on the main corner and top. The top and and end will be finished with Oak and I will need to rub down on Monday and give hopefully a final coat. Whilst I had the plaster I gave the Bath End Panel by the radiator a fine coat as well
I found a piece of panel to be able to cut and make a kickboard for the Utility Room Cupboards and did some plumbing prep, ahead of getting the worktop and final fit of the sink.
Weekending 26th July 2020
The hot weather continues and despite this I proceeded to mix and apply Enduit65 render to the Garden Room side wall. It again went on easily and after waiting for it to partially set I was able to Stipple the wall to give a texture and flatten the look. There is some added fixing needed, once all has dried but tomorrow I should complete the internal side wall in the Utility Room.
I also cleaned the Garden Room floor in prep for the final grouting being applied tomorrow.
Weekending 30th August 2020
Work continued during August, but As I was doing a large detailed update I lost the page! This result is my tiredness stopping my updates, but good progress has continued and he is a video of the status of work:
So now once I have fitted the additional worktop in the Utility Room and got the Plumbing connected to the Utility sink, it is just painting of all the Skirting Board and Architrave to do next week and then lots of fine finishing to complete the work. Oh! and get the door handles and locks sorted, as I need to use french ones and not the cheap UK sourced items.
Weekending 27th September 2020
The great weather continued during September and we only had a little little rain in the final few days of the month. The final video of work this summer shows that all the key tasks have been completed and now just fine finishing is needs during my next winter visit.
Well, it has now been more than 2 years since our dream came true and the French Adventure continues.
We have had a busy 2 years or so and nearly all of our time during each visit has been dedicated to the garden, or as I keep saying 'the taming of the field'. It really is not possible to have a garden like we do in England out here in this area of France, if you rely of holiday breaks to attend to things.
Every shurb we have planted has grown without any problems, as a result of the mixture of the rain and sunshire here in the Creuse, but that also means the weeds and grass grow quickly as well. We have only succeeded by finding a reliable local to regularly give the grass a cut and it is essential this is done every 2 weeks in the height of the season, otherwise the field take overs!
We have put lots of effort every visit into weeding in the shurb borders and it appears that our hard work is starting to bring success. Weeding is getting less, as the shrubs grow stronger and compete for the space and light.
Around the perimeter we have planted around 400 Berbris bushes in an effort to create some definition and keep weeds out and these are growing strong. We have used grass clippings as a mulch inbetween and around each bush to make weeding easier and it has helped loads.
At the recommendation of a local friend, we have also started to use wood chippings as a mulch covering in the borders to help keep the weeds down. The best thing is we have found a wood yard that lets us load up and takeway some chippings. The owner would not accept any Euro payment and even seemed disgusted when I presented him a bottle of fine wine in thanks. Perhaps my choice of wine was not agreeable!!
Over the months we have made a number of local friends and none is more reliable than 'Applebee' or her real name is Cici, but her appetite for apples gave rise to Joshua giving her an english name.
The funny thing is she responds to us calling her by the english name and waits at the bottom of the garden for us to give her a treat!.
Well, the day of our arrival had come and it was wonderful to see everything we had agreed, actually complete!
The Oak Staircase was in and looked great, Whilst the upstairs bathrooms were not complete, this was because I had only asked S.C.C.L to do the Tiling in the bathrooms in June and we had to wait for the tiles to be delivered. However, we had the downstairs shower room ready so we did have some facilities to use.
We were able enjoy our first holiday of many to come, staying in our own beautiful home in France and enjoy a different type of life.
Our experience of acquiring the Grange and going through the renovation project has been exciting and very enjoyable. It has been problem and hassle free, so we have been fortunate and our experience has been nothing like the many horror stories often heard.
I had decided to spend 3 weeks in June in Colondannes to get some work done myself and I chose a great time. The weather was sunny and hot, with temperatures for the duration of my visit up at 35o. It was wonderful and despite the heat I managed to do a few jobs:
· give all the ceilings and walls an emulsion coat · fit the utility room cupboards, worktop and sink, as well as getting the washing machine operational
Most importantly, I also managed to spend lots of time getting the field into a manageable state. When I arrived the grass and weeds were over a metre high. This took about three goes at progressively cutting with a strimmer and having to clear the area and burning the remnants.
I had also bought and took out with me a Flame Gun to burn the major weeds and the perimeter of the property to avoid too much weeding by hand. It was great fun, but dangerous in the dry conditions!!
It was a big surprise that by mid June considerable progress had been made and the end was really in sight. At this time the following had been completed in 4 weeks:
*Chimney Pipe was installed for the Wood Burning Stove* *Second fit electrics were in and our light fittings installed, both inside and outside. *The galvanised Guttering was installed. *The pathway and drive aggregate was in around the Grange *The fosse was all installed and the field landscaped a little! *The Buderus Oil Boiler had been installed and was operational *Under floor heating had been completed and the floor tiles were looking great downstairs. *Final fit plumbing was in the process of being done.
We had a project meeting as normal, but the major point of discussion was the Oak Staircase, which had not been delivered, and had not even been started. After some involved discussions on the precise requirements we were assured that is would be completed and installed by the time we visited for the Summer Holidays on 25th July 2006. For the first time I was worried and concerned.
By mid May, the water pipework was in the process of being installed and the radiators had been positioned upstairs. We were having under floor heating throughout downstairs and this was not yet planned to start.
It was a pleasing surprise to see the exposed stone walls had been pointed and were looking fantastic. We had decided to only leave the West Side walls and around the Barn Door as exposed feature walls, with the other being insulated and boarded.
Before we knew it Easter was upon us in early April and it was pleasing to see all the windows and doors had been installed and the Grange was now water tight. The plasterboard had been installed to create the utility room downstairs and the bedrooms upstairs. In addition, the first fix electrics were all installed.
It was now possible to get a real feeling of the proportions of the space and height we had with our 3 metre ceiling both down and upstairs.
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