- 2 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:01Across France, there are thousands of spectacular chateaux,
00:06often neglected and run down...
00:09Do you want a stick of dynamite?
00:10It would help, but it's less controlled than I am, so...
00:13..in desperate need of loving restoration.
00:17Things are definitely been living up here.
00:19..now being brought back to life by brave new owners...
00:23It is emotional.
00:25Flippin' it is!
00:27..who are turning them into extraordinary homes.
00:30It's actually unbelievable. It's amazing.
00:33..and exciting businesses...
00:37..taking on monumental challenges...
00:40Only, what, a thousand miles, probably.
00:43..with highs...
00:44Victory approaches!
00:47..as well as lows.
00:49It's at times like this, I wish I knew what I was doing.
00:52..but with daring ideas...
00:54I'm going to do something that you can't buy in a shop.
00:57..and hard work...
00:58..comes great joy.
01:00Oh!
01:01That is beautiful!
01:03..as they fulfil their dream...
01:05This is going to be our bedroom.
01:07..as custodians of their very own castle.
01:11It's going to be amazing.
01:16Today, a palatial pergola project doesn't measure up.
01:22Oh, dear!
01:23I've cut it the wrong way!
01:24One Chatelaine is painted into a corner...
01:27..it's just peeling off.
01:29I've never had this happen before.
01:31..and delays threaten to derail a chateau wedding.
01:35It's all a little bit late.
01:37I'm stuck only being able to go so far.
01:46Located in the lush Loire Valley is the impressive 19th century Art Nouveau style,
01:54Chateau de la Croix Boisie.
01:58Sitting in seven acres,
02:02..it has 12 beautiful rooms.
02:07..and an indoor pool and spa area.
02:13In 2019, it was bought by American artist and antique jewellery dealer Vivian...
02:20..and her British husband Simon, a software manager who works in Paris.
02:27What I love about the chateau is the space.
02:30When we've been busy and surrounded by lots of people in our daily jobs and in the cities,
02:34..to come back here and to be able to breathe and to feel the space around us is so beautiful.
02:41It's a chateau, but at the same time, it's a home.
02:44And that's a big part of it for us.
02:48Just an hour's drive south of Le Mans,
02:50..the couple bought the property for £716,000
02:55..and have a future plan to use their passion for French history
03:00..to host official tours of the local area.
03:05Last time we saw them...
03:07We might be close to testing it.
03:10Wow, well done!
03:12..they transformed the bland top-floor bathroom
03:15..into an opulent luxury retreat.
03:20This time, they have an ambitious plan for a guest room.
03:24We have a bedroom upstairs that we are turning into the Empire Room.
03:30This is a room we've been working with in terms of concept for a little while.
03:35It's a really important period of French history.
03:38It's around the period of Napoleon I and his transition to becoming emperor.
03:43It is a complete deviation from everything else we've done in the chateau,
03:46..which is much more inspired by pale colours and pastels and 18th century style.
03:53And this is a little bit more masculine.
03:55And so it's a really exciting new project for us.
03:58Yeah.
04:01Right, so we have a few things to do today.
04:04In the alcove, their wallpaper is coming off,
04:08..so we need to strip that off and see what's underneath.
04:11If the walls are in good condition, I would love to paint that area.
04:15Sure. I will do the wallpaper and you're going to go and do what?
04:18Yes. I'm going to go and start painting the bed.
04:20All right. Let's go to it.
04:22Let's go.
04:25Heat up, heat up.
04:26It's like waiting for a boiled kettle.
04:34Now, this bed is actually the very first bed that Simon and I ever had together.
04:39So this bed is 30 years old.
04:41This was the real statement piece of our one-bedroom flat in Edinburgh.
04:46Years ago, I did paint it black, but it was already looking shabby.
04:50You can see it's really worn.
04:51So we're going to give it a repaint.
04:54And what we're trying to make it look like is like it's been ebonized.
05:03The style for the room, which is empire,
05:05so a lot of the decorative elements come from the Roman period,
05:10which means to say that there's quite a large use of things like columns.
05:14The four-poster bed is going to have this column look.
05:17And then the bold use of colors like black and gold.
05:24Done.
05:25And look, this side's already dry.
05:27Today's going to move quickly.
05:29Hooray.
05:30So this one, we're trying to take it from looking more Georgian to looking more empire.
05:35And so we're going to add some bronze onlays.
05:38And then we're going to give the whole thing a good wax.
05:48Hopla.
05:50I'm in my own steam room.
05:53It's crazy, but it's working.
05:56Most of the paper is off.
06:00Hey there.
06:02This is doing wonders for my cold.
06:04How's the stripping going?
06:06Are you a good stripper?
06:08I don't know.
06:09Actually, the wall is in pretty good shape.
06:12I'm thinking we might want to paint, actually.
06:14I think it could be really pretty.
06:16Yeah.
06:17And dramatic.
06:18Yeah.
06:19Having set themselves quite a challenge, Vivian and Simon may have a battle ahead.
06:32Located in the Charente region of Western France is the elegant 19th century Le Parc.
06:42The original grand stable block and only remaining part of Chateau de la Roche-Beaucourt.
06:57Sitting in 12 acres with 15 rooms, it had lain abandoned for two decades until in 2022.
07:08Oh, I'm going to try whatever that is.
07:09Lovely.
07:10Oh, you've got the phone.
07:12Freelance web developer Andrew and his wife Michelle, along with their two children, Madison and Sienna, bought the property for
07:22£300,000.
07:25So we're sitting in the ruins of what would have been one of the most beautiful Chateaus in France, but
07:31unfortunately it was destroyed in the Second World War.
07:33What we're privileged to have, though, is the stable block that is part of this estate and was directly associated
07:39with this Chateau.
07:40It was absolutely incredible when we first drove up the drive.
07:43It was just immense and situated in a beautiful, beautiful parkland and a wonderful feeling.
08:00Located just a two-hour drive from Bordeaux, the family have taken on the enormous challenge of turning this dilapidated
08:09stable block into a residential recording studio.
08:14We've always had a passion for music. Andrew's always played in bands. Our son is incredibly musical and he and
08:23Andrew had the idea of having a residential facility that people could come and be creative.
08:28Almost the entire property is derelict, but the family are undeterred by the prospect of rebuilding it from scratch.
08:38So this is going to be one of the recording studios that we're looking at putting in.
08:42And I can almost hear music coming out of these rooms. I'm just so excited about the day when we
08:48actually have our first artist here.
08:51And eventually there will be two three-bed apartments upstairs, a two-bed suite for Michelle and I to live
08:58in, and then the artist accommodation.
09:00It's a sort of dream project for us. We always like a challenge.
09:08Today, in what will eventually be the guest accommodation, Andrew and Sienna are cracking on with the vast renovation.
09:20Today's job is basically trying to finish off getting the stub work in above us up there, so that we
09:26can get the plasterboard and the insulation in.
09:29But we got off to a good start, but it's hot already. It's early in the morning and it's going
09:34to be a struggle, I think, working up there in the heat.
09:37The whole project is a family affair.
09:40We've been, I guess, very fortunate in the fact that just how well we get on.
09:47There's the benefit of having multiple opinions, so when it comes to things like design or what we want to
09:54do with a space, there's always kind of someone to bounce off of.
09:56Yeah, my idea's always right. Is that what you mean?
09:59Well, that as well. You know, more, less bounce off of and more Dad to show us this is what
10:05we're doing.
10:06Right. When in doubt, get the drill out.
10:12Right, that should do it. And then can you push me into the far corner over there, Sienna?
10:17In your own time.
10:19Oh, steady on.
10:22Patience is a virtue.
10:29Meanwhile, out in the grounds, Michelle and music producer's son, Madison, are putting the groundwork into another space.
10:39Sadly, the barn has killed itself. So, plan is clear this, create a courtyard outside, lovely south-facing space, and
10:52eventually there will be a pool in here.
10:58Big strong.
10:59Strong.
11:00Strong stone lifting.
11:01Hot rock. Here you go.
11:08Are you ready?
11:09Yeah.
11:09Sure?
11:10Yeah.
11:11Feels like I'm under siege.
11:14That one's really heavy.
11:20Back inside the artist's accommodation, Andrew is also struggling in the heat.
11:27This is the first time I've done this particular job, and I understand the principle of it, but it hasn't
11:35gone quite to plan.
11:37I've got a great big gap between the beam and here, so I've got to make some adjustments.
11:43Right, here we go on the chain again.
11:49This chate demands an awful lot of manual work.
11:54Andrew's putting stuff back together at the moment, but there's been about 18 months or two years of knocking things
12:01down.
12:04Right, well, that's the first bit done.
12:05It's hard work, very hot, but that's a good start.
12:12When you wake up in the morning and you start something, you try and get as much done as you
12:19can.
12:20You never get as much done as you want to, but it is a magnificent way of living.
12:27The family are determined to tackle this giant project step by step.
12:33But with friends visiting soon, they may need to pick up the pace.
12:43Coming up, there are surprises in store.
12:47The wedding couple have absolutely no idea that I'm doing this.
12:52And Vivian is fearing failure.
12:55If it's too shiny and too blingy, then that's not the look we're going for.
13:05In the Languedoc region of southern France lies the beautiful 19th century Chateau du Puy-et-Prin.
13:17Complete with its own vineyard, the chateau boasts 39 characterful rooms built around a magical courtyard.
13:28It's home to photographer Tim.
13:30Good morning.
13:33And former fashion designer Sasha.
13:36Yes, that's my fingers.
13:38Who run it as a successful wedding venue with their daughter Lily and son-in-law Luke.
13:45Having Luke and Lily together here has given us more freedom.
13:50They've got the energy, they've got the vision and the determination as well, which is wonderful to see.
14:00Located near the town of Narbonne, Tim and Sasha bought the chateau for £390,000 in 2003.
14:11Last time we saw them, they gave their central courtyard a facelift in time for the start of a hectic
14:22wedding season.
14:23I am happy to announce that Emily and Gemma are married, you may now kiss the bride!
14:31Today, they're preparing to host yet another happy couple, and Luke and Lily are once again taking the reins.
14:39Max and Eleanor, they booked the venue over two years ago now, so it's been a long time.
14:44There's been a lot of changes here, so hopefully they're going to like all the changes.
14:49In the kitchen, head chef Lily gets down to business.
14:54The wedding couple have asked for a croquembouche wedding cake,
14:58which is a traditional French cake made of profiteroles in the form of a tower.
15:03So at the moment, I'm making the profiteroles ready to make their cake.
15:08So it's quite a tricky one, but we're always up for a good challenge.
15:15Ooh, aren't they lovely? They look nice. Yes.
15:18Meanwhile, in a bid to make the day extra special, florist Sasha is letting her creativity flow.
15:26With this wedding, I'm going a bit rogue and creating a surprise.
15:32So I'm creating this new look out of twisted wrought iron with copper bowls on the top,
15:43with huge sprays of flowers coming up.
15:48And I'm making the new entrance to the gardens.
15:52So we're going to go...
15:53That one needs straightening.
15:55Well, probably.
15:57And that on the top.
15:59So we need to fix this...
16:02Yeah.
16:02..to this.
16:04Yeah. OK.
16:05Leave that to me.
16:05The wedding couple have absolutely no idea that I'm doing this.
16:17Sasha always goes above and beyond with the floristry for the weddings.
16:24I won't say she always goes rogue.
16:27This is a slight exception.
16:31I don't normally, as her floral assistant, get involved in painting anti-rust liquid onto Roald Island.
16:40Being married to a creative lady like she is, it's...
16:46Life's full of surprises.
16:49But with the wedding party due to arrive shortly, Tim needs to hurry if this surprise is to be finished
16:57in time.
17:03450 miles north, in the Loire Valley...
17:09Right, let's try that and see if the idea works.
17:13Whilst Simon tidies up the skirting board in the guest bedroom...
17:17That's nice and neat.
17:20..Vivian is working on an Empire-style motif for the freshly painted bedhead.
17:30This is actually going to be the focal piece of the entire bed.
17:33And so I'm gilding it to make sure that all of the golds in the room match.
17:42So now I'm going to put the gold leaf on.
17:44I'm actually using fake gold leaf.
17:45I'm not using real gold leaf because there's going to be a lot of gold.
17:50But it's very satisfying to stick it on.
17:56The key is to age it.
17:59Because if it's too shiny and too blingy, then that's not the look we're going for.
18:06Aiming for an ancient bronze effect,
18:08she's now painting a mix of bitumen and turpentine over the top of the gold leaf.
18:15And now I'm going to go a little bit darker.
18:24So I'm really, really pleased with how this is starting to come along.
18:28It's just beautiful.
18:33Last piece.
18:38There we go. That's a nice tight fit.
18:41It's impossible to get a complete match because the walls aren't straight to that.
18:46OK, there. Good.
18:51Outside, the bedhead has dried.
18:54But there's a major problem.
18:56As soon as it was dry, I started waxing it,
18:58which is a traditional way to make it look authentic.
19:03And look at this.
19:05It's just peeling off.
19:10I've never had this happen before.
19:12I mean, this is insane.
19:14Look at that.
19:21How are you doing?
19:23My God, this is a disaster.
19:24You've got a little bit of peeling going on.
19:25I've got a disaster. Have you seen this?
19:27This is terrible.
19:28I think it's dried too quickly and it's actually peeling.
19:31Yeah, let's bring it in because it's boiling out here.
19:33Yeah.
19:37Do you know you've got tape on the back of your leg?
19:40That's a happy accident, I think.
19:42Be careful coming around.
19:44Yeah, thankfully it's not too heavy.
19:46Oh!
19:47All good, honey?
19:49Yes.
19:49Yes.
19:52All right.
19:56There we go.
19:58That's it.
20:00In situ, it's clear that the paintwork is a pressing issue.
20:04So I think that once you can get this headboard in this condition, we can then think about where we
20:13go from there.
20:14OK.
20:15With the headboard to fix and window dressing and bare walls still to tackle, their to-do list just got
20:23even longer.
20:31One hundred and seventy-five miles away, at Andrew and Michelle's, the main recording studio project has been put on
20:39pause.
20:42With unexpected guests dropping by later today, who haven't seen the place since the family first bought it, they have
20:51to turn their attentions to the entrance hall and do all they can to make it presentable.
20:57Right, Madison, so that's the door that you can tackle that one first, so I'm going to work on this
21:01one.
21:02Just got some door trims to go on, rehang one of the doors, because I haven't set the hinges properly.
21:08And then we've got to move some furniture in, so hopefully when our friends turn up, they'll be certainly impressed
21:13and actually think we've done something, made a change, made a difference.
21:17Try doing it like this.
21:18Yeah, yeah, I see.
21:20Then they come out a piece of cake.
21:22Don't worry about that one, Madison.
21:25It's lovely working with the kids, because I get a chance to pass on some of the things that I've
21:30picked up over the years and people have explained to me.
21:32Madison, don't do it so tight that the door will never join up if it swells slightly.
21:37Yeah.
21:37I think things might go a little bit pear-shaped if I were to try and start paving the way
21:42myself.
21:43But, yeah, definitely, yeah, I feel like we understand how we work.
21:49We have one knife, we can choose to do what we want with it, and we might as well do
21:53something ridiculous and exciting.
21:56You done?
21:57Yeah.
21:58Excellent.
21:59For us, ridiculous and exciting is buying a ridiculously large, derelict project in France that needs decades of work.
22:07So, these French hinges go very easily if you've got everything in line.
22:12So, that's that.
22:16Next.
22:17Andrew may be leading the way with a DIY.
22:21Right, where do you want this relative to your carpet, Mish?
22:24But it's Michelle who's in charge of the furnishings.
22:27Perfect right angles with the wall and perfect right angles with the carpet.
22:33Is that good?
22:34Absolutely perfect.
22:34Right, there's my dust.
22:35So, give that a quick one of those.
22:37When Les and Vanessa get here later today, it should all look absolutely beautiful.
22:42And, because they haven't been here for three years, so they will be completely astounded.
22:49Right, so that goes here, Madison.
22:52Old man Andrew has got something to sit on to put his boots on.
22:58Yeah, good call.
22:59You can also sit on here in the wee small hours of the morning when you've been snoring and think
23:05about the...
23:05Get kicked out, the error of my ways.
23:07The error of your ways, yes.
23:09And that's on being married for 30 years.
23:13Right, are you going to help me lift this in or not, Mason?
23:16Right, keep walking.
23:17And that darts him on the chest and that's it.
23:20Excellent.
23:22With the furniture in position, there's just time for a few finishing touches before friends Les and Vanessa's arrival.
23:32Hello.
23:33Look at you, good to see you.
23:35Wow.
23:37We did, thank you.
23:38Very good chance.
23:40Nice to see you.
23:42Thanks for coming to see us again.
23:44Come on.
23:44Exciting.
23:45So exciting.
23:47We've done so much.
23:52Wow.
23:55It's a small step on a massive renovation journey.
24:00But with little time and no budget, they've managed to pull off a warm and welcoming entrance space,
24:07which they will continue to evolve with the rest of the property.
24:11Oh, wow.
24:13This was not even here when we came before.
24:16No.
24:16This area, certainly no furniture, no ceiling.
24:20Couldn't believe when we walked in to see what they'd done and how well it had all been matched in
24:25and the new with the old was spot on.
24:30For me, the nice thing that makes it more comfortable is that there's still a few wires showing.
24:35Try the best. Try the hardest.
24:37So different.
24:38Yeah.
24:40It's just the whole transformation and they actually said they liked it.
24:43And they actually said they liked it.
24:45So that was reassuring.
24:46And they liked the styling.
24:48Ready?
24:49Brilliant.
24:51We couldn't have imagined you would be this far forward because it was a complete shell and now it's becoming
24:59a home.
25:00We've even got running water.
25:01Fantastic.
25:02Yeah.
25:03Yeah.
25:03When you go to bed tonight, you can turn the lights on and all sorts of things.
25:07There you go.
25:09Apart from saying, I think they probably said that we were a bit mad, I think they could see why
25:14we bought it.
25:15It's been a successful day for Andrew and Michelle.
25:19Congratulations.
25:20Thank you so much for coming.
25:22Cheers.
25:24But with so many more renovations still to tackle, their dream home and business will be a labour of love
25:32for many years yet.
25:44Still to come.
25:47A new pergola proves problematic.
25:50Look what you've done.
25:52You're meant to be a carpenter.
25:53And there's a missing person.
25:56I've just heard from Luke.
25:58Bride isn't here.
26:07In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France, lies the remarkable 15th century Chateau de Céserac.
26:18Complete with a medieval tower.
26:22Its own chapel.
26:25And an open-air courtyard.
26:28King and queen of this castle are John and Carmen.
26:32Looking good, eh?
26:33Who bought the Chateau in 2022 for £175,000, with grand plans to run high-end holiday lets here.
26:44The house has a wonderful feeling and warmth and presence.
26:46You just come here and it just feels great.
26:49There's something about it.
26:52Sometimes I just sit outside, just look at the place and I think, wow, can't believe it.
26:56It's just, it's beautiful, John.
27:02Just an hour's drive from the town of Bergerac, last time we saw them.
27:08Helped by friends, John and Carmen began building a chateau-sized pergola and wooden sundeck.
27:17I'm going mad.
27:18Right, let's have a look at what I've done wrong.
27:19But John's measurements fell short.
27:23Measure twice, cut one.
27:25We measured three times.
27:32Today, with the structure finally taking shape, their next task is to add balustrade and rails to the decking.
27:41This sits in here.
27:44These don't break.
27:45And then this sits on the top.
27:49As so.
27:51Happy days.
27:5292 back.
27:5392 in.
27:55John needs to cut the decking boards to fit around the uprights.
27:59That piece is so delicate.
28:01Carmen?
28:02Yeah?
28:02Can you do your honours that end again?
28:05Just drop it in like that.
28:06This job...
28:08Then turn it in.
28:10..requires ultra accuracy.
28:13Oh.
28:16Well, it is big.
28:18John, what have you done?
28:19Oh, dear.
28:20I've cut it the wrong way.
28:22Oh, for goodness sake.
28:23Now we have a problem.
28:25What's the matter with you?
28:28Um...
28:28I take my own off of you for one minute and look what you've done.
28:32I measured it incorrectly.
28:33Not again.
28:34Yeah.
28:35Look, we can just pop that bit back in and nobody will know any different.
28:39John, you've lost the plot, mate.
28:40I have lost the plot.
28:41You have?
28:43I know, you used to be such a perfectionist and now he's just like...
28:47I don't know what's happened.
28:51Yuck.
28:52Right.
28:53Could you help me?
28:54Yeah.
28:55Do you want me to do some measuring for you?
28:57No, no measuring is required now.
28:59We're all good.
29:05I'm OK with that.
29:06Perfect.
29:06See?
29:07You really would never know.
29:08Good.
29:09Get this one in then.
29:11With no spare wood, John and Carmen can't afford any more miscalculations.
29:25Over in the Longuedoc, with just 24 hours to go until the wedding, Sasha is working on her floral surprise.
29:37What I want to do now is just to do an antiquey effect with metal paint.
29:43So I want them to look sort of rusted, but not.
29:51I'm always in a happy place with a paintbrush in my hand.
29:57It's so joyous, giving them surprises, keeping to their theme, doing absolutely what they want.
30:08If they don't like the surprise, it can be lifted up and taken away.
30:12But I've never had one of my surprises taken away.
30:16With the wedding party arriving imminently, outside, Lily is all set to meet and greet.
30:27Hello, Lily.
30:28How are you?
30:28Hello, Lily.
30:28After welcoming groom Max, it's time to get him settled in the bridal suite.
30:34Perfect.
30:34Thank you so much.
30:35Sure.
30:35Do you need anything else?
30:36I don't think so.
30:37A drink eventually.
30:38I'll get that at the same time.
30:39Everyone waiting.
30:40See you in a bit.
30:49I've just heard from Luke.
30:51The bride isn't here.
30:52She's having her hair done, but it's all a little bit late.
30:57I'm stuck only being able to go so far.
31:02I can't start on the bouquet.
31:04I can't start on the bridesmaids.
31:06I can't start on the bottiniers until I have a talk with the bride,
31:11because I need to have verification on her choice of flowers.
31:15So, I'm twiddling my fingers at the moment.
31:19The metal stands for Sasha's surprise displays are providing Tim with a different challenge.
31:26I've got to make sure the floral mousse is stable and firm
31:31and won't move under the weight of flowers.
31:34But I'm still working out how I'm going to fix it to the actual pedestal.
31:39That's what the funny noise is, my mind thinking.
31:47With so much still up in the air...
31:52..and less than 24 hours to go, they're cutting it fine.
31:57Tim and Sasha just need to hope that there are no more complications in store.
32:09An eight-hour drive north at Chateau de la Croix-Boisée.
32:16In Simon and Vivian's empire-themed bedroom,
32:20the bed's headboard is now smoothed and the couple can plough on.
32:26So, today I'm working on a mirror that actually is an original mirror to the Chateau.
32:30It was left behind by the previous owners.
32:32So, it's already been painted red.
32:34Today I'm going to be gilding all of this.
32:36And then we have the most fabulous little bronze,
32:40original Empire Ormolu onlay that's going to go here.
32:44And it's of sphinxes.
32:46And so I think when it's all done, it's going to be fabulous.
32:51From the bedroom window,
32:53Simon has been tasked with creating a symmetrical,
32:57neoclassical-style wooden pelmet.
33:00So, I'm going to use a little bit of trim that I've got here.
33:03That's going to run on the two sides.
33:06I'm going to build my blocks in here.
33:08So, these are going to sit in here as though they were jointed in,
33:12which would have been the old way of doing it.
33:14And I'm fairly confident.
33:16I'm like 80% confident that it's going to work all right.
33:28Simon and I both love history.
33:30And this little Chateau that we're renovating now,
33:34this is actually the sixth historical property that we've renovated.
33:39Each one brings kind of a renewed joy and a sense of history
33:43and also a way to deep dive into the history and the furnishings
33:47and really get carried away with it.
33:51I'm racing against the clock in case the wind picks up.
33:59Okay, so, Vivian, are you ready?
34:02Oh!
34:03What do you think?
34:04Did I do it properly?
34:06Show me inside.
34:12Seriously, sweetheart.
34:13No!
34:13What have I done wrong?
34:14How could you get it?
34:15No, you did a great job.
34:17I'm just winding you up.
34:18It looks great.
34:19Okay, so that's that.
34:20So, we're going to paint this black.
34:29The wind picked up.
34:30I feel like we're gold leafing the grass at this point.
34:33We're gold leafing the grass at this point.
34:35You can pick up all the little pieces for me.
34:39What's going on here?
34:40Look.
34:41Gold everywhere.
34:42What's going on?
34:44I think you're doing great.
34:46It's really good.
34:48I'm close to the fun part, which is being able to age it and finish it off.
34:59The second trim is going to come down here on the bottom part, like that.
35:05And so that's going to give us some nice lines on the pelmet to dress it.
35:12Before we met, I hated doing anything like this myself.
35:16I had no time for it, no interest at all.
35:19I couldn't be less interested.
35:21But over the years, I've learnt how to do things.
35:24So now, six houses in, you know, I enjoy doing it.
35:32Their grand vision for the empire bedroom is coming together.
35:36But there's still a tricky pelmet to fit and all the soft furnishings to create before Vivian and Simon reach
35:45victory.
35:51Coming up.
35:52If I put a screw in your mouth.
35:54Yeah.
35:55Keep you quiet.
35:56John's rendered speechless.
36:00That's the idea.
36:02And wedding day jitters set in.
36:04High strung.
36:05Got to make sure everything's perfect for everybody.
36:14In south-west France, John and Carmen have almost finished building a wooden pergola for their chateau grounds.
36:24Today's a big day.
36:25We're finishing off the decking.
36:26We are.
36:27It's going to be great, isn't it?
36:28I'm so excited.
36:29But they still need to add all the decorative touches.
36:33It's just really dressing and getting the lights on and getting the chairs in and making it look like home.
36:42My friends Amanda and Emma are coming down from the UK and they were with us when we put the
36:46concrete posts in at the very beginning.
36:48So I'm excited for them to see it.
36:50And then we'll just screw them up properly.
36:52Can you do that one, John?
36:53Yeah.
36:57A bit more.
36:59I've just discovered something really good.
37:01What's that?
37:02If I put a screw in your mouth.
37:03Yeah.
37:04It keeps you quiet.
37:09That's the idea.
37:12Hey, looking good.
37:15They're big, aren't they?
37:16They're huge chairs.
37:17Quick, because I've got to go up a step.
37:19That is the middle there.
37:21Superb.
37:23There we go.
37:24We need a centipede.
37:26So I've chosen a really beautiful pink azalea because all girls love a bit of pink, don't they?
37:30Really nice, isn't it?
37:31Yeah, let's just lift these waters.
37:39Perfect.
37:40Shall we go and get changed?
37:41Yeah, okay.
37:42Nice.
37:46Before, this corner of the garden was bare and unloved.
37:55Now, using timber frame, John and Carmen have created a grand pergola with elegant balustrades, modern floating stairs,
38:08vines that will grow and eventually offer shade on hot summer evenings, and festoon lighting, so that the spectacular views
38:20of the vineyard and the chateau can be enjoyed during any season of the year.
38:31To celebrate the end of the pergola project, friends Amanda and Emma, they're here, they're here, have arrived from the
38:40UK.
38:41Wow, guys.
38:43It's amazing.
38:44The king and queen of the chateau.
38:47Very well.
38:47Very well, thank you.
38:49How are you?
38:49How are you?
38:51How are you?
38:52Whoa.
38:52Beautiful.
38:54Oh, it's in the drink.
38:56Oh, look.
38:57Their reaction was quite, wow.
38:59Wow.
39:03I love the lights, guys.
39:05Oh, thanks.
39:07And then you can look up to this vista and you've got the vineyard.
39:10Beautiful.
39:11What they've done is unbelievable.
39:14Whoa!
39:17I'm absolutely thrilled with the result of the decking.
39:20It's great to get another project in the bag, isn't it?
39:22Cheers.
39:24Santé.
39:25Everything's coming together now, isn't it?
39:26It is.
39:26They've been working on lots of different things and it's lovely to see it all coming together.
39:32With another task firmly ticked off the list.
39:35There's only one more thing to do.
39:37What's that?
39:38Drink more champagne.
39:40It's time for John and Carmen to put their feet up and enjoy the stunning space that they have created.
39:48For a little while, at least.
40:03150 miles south in the Languedoc, at Tim and Sasha's, it's wedding day.
40:09There we go.
40:11Cheers, guys.
40:12Cheers.
40:12And with just two hours to go until the ceremony, Sasha has her work cut out.
40:18Come back, okay?
40:20Yeah.
40:20Like that.
40:22And...
40:23No, no.
40:24Here.
40:24Voilà .
40:26Perfect.
40:27Having finally caught up with bride Eleanor, Sasha is able to put the finishing touches to her surprise flowers.
40:36Assisted by Jade, whose grandmother Stephanie has worked at the Chateau for 20 years.
40:42She's helping me to, er, finish off the bowls, to get into the, er, the floristry vibe.
40:54Okay, c'est le même jusque le comme ça.
40:59Un, oh, si, très délicate.
41:06But with the wedding due to start imminently, there's no time to spare.
41:13Even though we've done hundreds of weddings, we still get a little bit, you know, high strung,
41:18want to make sure everything's perfect for everybody.
41:21As the guests begin to take their seats for the ceremony, on the other side of the Chateau,
41:28Sasha's flowers are ready to go into position, framing the door where Eleanor and Max will walk out to Confetti.
41:37Why do I get these jobs on the hottest day of the year?
41:42Okay.
41:47Bride and groom, that looks beautiful.
41:56Meanwhile, bride Eleanor makes her way down the aisle to meet groom Max.
42:04We've had so many incredible adventures together already and so much more to look forward to.
42:09You're my favourite person and I love coming home to you every single day.
42:13I can't wait for our lives together.
42:15I'm so happy I found you.
42:18In that pub, that fateful Wednesday night, in Borough Market.
42:21I love you too.
42:22Good job.
42:23Good job.
42:29As I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all of the ages of this world alone.
42:35Cool.
42:38Cute.
42:39Oh, sorry.
42:43You may now kiss the bride.
42:45Yay!
42:50The new Mr and Mrs, framed by Sasha's flowers, are ready to celebrate.
42:58And now, they and their guests can enjoy drinks on the lawn, whilst in the courtyard, Lily and the team
43:06prepare for the feast to follow.
43:09Lily's croquembouche takes centre stage.
43:13I think we're ready.
43:15And Sasha's floral displays are moved to add an extra touch to the dining tables.
43:26It's just been incredible, like, everything, every single part of today, every single part of yesterday has been amazing.
43:34Sasha, like, putting additional little flower things together, like, that was amazing.
43:39Like, it's blown my expectations, so I'm really happy.
43:42It's absolutely surpassed our expectations.
43:44It's been amazing.
43:45As Eleanor and Max take the first dance, celebrations are set to continue into the night.
43:59At the end of the day, when people start to really eulogise about everything, about how wonderful and the beautiful
44:12colours and everything, then I'm satisfied and I can go to bed and relax.
44:20Until the next week.
44:22The day has been an enormous success, and with the rest of the wedding season still ahead of them, the
44:30family will continue to make magical memories for every couple they host.
44:39Next time.
44:41Problems flood in on a basement build.
44:44The water level's so high, I can't physically get outside just to finish the external face of this wall.
44:50A chateau search proves an eye-opener.
44:53Whoa, look at the pink!
44:56And it's battle stations in an Empire bedroom renovation.
45:00I caught you in the act!
45:01I'm just standing by it!
45:02I just caught you in the act!
45:04I'm not catching on the marble!
45:05The isopener is kinda cool!
45:18It's so hot!
45:18This is the Holy Ghost...
45:18WRAP, that's very cool!
45:19It's a very cool mess!
45:19The fire!
45:19The fire!
45:19The fire!
45:19Await!
45:26The fire!
45:27The fire!
45:28The fire!
45:28The fire!
45:33The fire!
Comments