- 8 minutes ago
Chateau DIY Season 11 Episode 26
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Across France, there are thousands of spectacular chateaux.
00:07Many are neglected and run down.
00:11Up and over.
00:13Now, they're being revived by intrepid owners.
00:19It's all a bit Wild West, in my opinion.
00:22Perfect is the goal.
00:24Who are taking huge risks.
00:27That's not very strong.
00:28To restore these precious buildings.
00:33Creating beautiful homes.
00:36Oh, incredible.
00:39And businesses.
00:41Look at this, belly rubs.
00:44There'll be triumphs.
00:46We're in.
00:47We're in.
00:48And tribulations.
00:50This is the bit I was worried about.
00:53But despite the challenges.
00:55It's not sticking.
00:56It's not sticking.
00:58Those who have made the leap.
01:00I'm liking the look of this.
01:03Get to live the dream.
01:04First place.
01:05Thank you very much again.
01:06Thank you very much.
01:07As custodians.
01:09Congratulations.
01:10Of their very own magnificent castle.
01:16Today.
01:18Oh, gosh.
01:20Wedding preparations come unstuck.
01:23Oh, it was going well up until this point.
01:26A spa renovation takes an unusual turn.
01:30Should really use a welding torch on it.
01:32But I haven't got one at the moment.
01:33So we've got to improvise with kitchen utensils.
01:36And it's one step forward, two steps backwards for this pair.
01:40I think the pieces of wood are the wrong way around.
01:43We should have mucked up the boards more effectively.
01:52Perched on the banks of the River Lotte in southwest France is the remarkable 15th century Chateau de Céserac.
02:04Built on medieval foundations, it boasts several bedrooms, a unique 1,000-year-old tower, and a Roman-inspired swimming
02:17pool.
02:19After being destroyed by fire, it had lain derelict for 15 years,
02:26before entrepreneurs John and Carmen snapped it up for £175,000 in 2022
02:35and began transforming it into a boutique hotel.
02:40I think we're a great team.
02:41What you don't do, I do, and vice versa.
02:44And it just works.
02:45We do it to as high a standard as we can.
02:48It is the last home we're going to ever do.
02:50So we want to do it properly, and we want guests to experience something very, very special.
02:58Located just a two-hour drive from Bordeaux,
03:02last time we saw them, the couple were preparing the Chateau Grounds for their own upcoming wedding.
03:09High five.
03:10I'm going to glide down the aisle now, John.
03:13Glide?
03:14Glide, like swans on the water.
03:16With a new path built and a fountain relocated,
03:20they can now turn their attention to the area where they'll take their vows.
03:25Yeah, we're going to put a patio in.
03:27It's about three metres wide.
03:28So that's going to be fun.
03:30It is.
03:36The couple are hoping to lay their new circular patio
03:40at the end of the wedding path.
03:43We want to be 150.
03:48Squirt that there.
03:51Did you do it from that very corner?
03:53Yeah.
03:54But it's not quite measuring up.
03:57That can't be the centre.
03:59You're never going to fit that in there.
04:00I'm sorry?
04:01If that's the centre of that circle, no way.
04:04It doesn't look right.
04:10I'll just show you what I'm thinking.
04:14If this goes here, right?
04:16That will go there.
04:18That patio looks too big to fit in these lines.
04:21If we look at this, from the centre here to the edge,
04:25it's exactly 1.5 metres.
04:28So from the centre here to here is 1.5 metres.
04:35But I don't know if I want that.
04:37Where do you want it?
04:38Further back.
04:40It will look odd, surely.
04:42Well, however far back it goes, it will cut into the path this way.
04:45From a width point of view, it will only come out to just beyond it.
04:49Oh, wow.
04:50This doesn't come out far.
04:51No.
04:52It's only three metres.
04:53Hmm.
04:54OK, then.
04:54The path is 2.2 metres.
04:57Spot on.
04:58With Carmen still unsure of the end results,
05:01the pair plough on by laying gravel and trying out the slabs in place.
05:08Oh, nice fit.
05:09Feel free to help me, John.
05:11I'm really good at watching.
05:12I know.
05:13I'll help you.
05:14Especially when there's manual work involved.
05:17He's an office boy.
05:18The word keyboard warrior has been used before.
05:22I'm a doer.
05:24Carmen and I are very similar in that we're very, very meticulous about what we do and how we do
05:28it.
05:28There's a spare one there, John, if we need to change any.
05:31The gap's too big here.
05:33John is a perfectionist.
05:35It'll be millimetre perfect, believe me.
05:38There's no point rushing it.
05:39As much as there's always a pressure to try and rush things.
05:42This line here should hit the centre of that.
05:47They all actually should go over a little bit.
05:51If we put this one more in the middle.
05:54In the middle there, yeah.
05:56Yeah, that's it.
05:56And then, like, does that one line up, though, John?
05:59Is that straight in the middle?
05:59Well, I just want, that's my first choice, really.
06:02Let's get to take measure and just measure that out.
06:04Oh, gosh.
06:06So, 1, 1, 5, so the centre is there.
06:09OK, well, so...
06:10That's the centre line there.
06:11OK, we'll move that so that the join is in the centre line.
06:16John and Carmen want every last detail
06:19to be perfect for their big day.
06:23But with a pergola still to build
06:26and the 24-metre path to lay with gravel,
06:30they need to pick up the pace.
06:40Nestled near the Normandy coast in northern France
06:43is the elegant 19th-century Château Trois-Cloches,
06:48meaning three bells.
06:52Set in several acres,
06:55this impressive property boasts 20 rooms,
07:00a magnificent bell tower
07:02and stunning orangery.
07:06The lucky owners are celebrity assistant Chris
07:09and husband Jolyon,
07:11a civil servant who have thrown themselves
07:14into a hands-on renovation.
07:17We've achieved an awful lot.
07:19Yeah, it's not until you kind of stop and sit down
07:21and you realise how much you've actually done.
07:23You have to kind of give yourself a pat on the back now and again.
07:25It does work really well,
07:26and we both lean into our strengths.
07:28I take a real pleasure from doing joinery
07:30and Chris is really very good at the aesthetic
07:34and creating a vision.
07:35Quite often he will come up with some ambitious plan
07:38and I quite enjoy then working out
07:40how I'm going to solve the problem.
07:46Located a short drive from the coastal town of Le Havre,
07:50Chris and Jolyon bought the Château in 2022
07:54for £520,000
07:57and run it as an events venue.
08:00In the three years they've owned the property,
08:05Chris and Jolyon have been honing their DIY skills.
08:09I don't think you've got the right ones.
08:11So far, they've transformed six of their eight guest bedrooms
08:16and revamped their Grand Salon
08:19into an inviting and luxurious space for entertaining.
08:25This year, they've got a final bedroom project to tackle,
08:29a two-room family suite with a twist.
08:34We've got quite ambitious plans.
08:36The latest kind of challenge for Jolyon is their bookcase door
08:40that the key thing for me is I don't want to notice a door.
08:44And we've already done a secret door on your injury,
08:46which is amazing.
08:47This is like the next level, so that's the challenge.
08:50And I think you're up for it, aren't you?
08:51Yeah, I'm up for the challenge.
08:56Before work can start on their hidden door,
08:59the pair need to finish insulating the walls in the larger bedroom.
09:07There we go.
09:08That's very easy.
09:13It's very satisfying, isn't it,
09:15knowing you're improving the building and the walls.
09:18It really makes a big difference as well to the temperature.
09:21Yeah.
09:21It's like wrapping it up.
09:27With the bedroom space comprising three drafty external walls,
09:31filling every gap is crucial.
09:37We are saving the planet one strip of insulation at a time.
09:48We've got the mineral wool in,
09:49and now it's just a case of putting the plasterboard on.
09:54There we go.
10:02Since the last time we plasterboarded a room,
10:04I think our skills have come on probably about 50%.
10:08So I feel like we're better, quicker.
10:09We're definitely quicker.
10:11Are we good?
10:12But the final board is testing their skills.
10:16Probably too thick for this wool, really, isn't it?
10:19Is that OK?
10:22Keep the pressure on.
10:23I'm just a dead weight.
10:24You're a very useful dead weight.
10:26It's always the last one that's the most awkward.
10:29I mean, that's partly because we left it.
10:31That's for that reason.
10:33We always save the hardest to last.
10:39We have a wall again.
10:40Yay!
10:44With the bedroom better shielded
10:47from the unpredictable French weather,
10:49the pair are one step closer
10:52to completing these last two rooms.
10:55But with all the decoration
10:57and the secret doorway still to tackle,
11:00there's a lot of work ahead.
11:07Coming up, a much-needed spa makeover...
11:10The sensory experience I'm getting at the moment
11:13is cleaning slime.
11:15Lovely.
11:16..and wedding worries.
11:18I better not fall off this ladder and break my leg
11:20because I can't walk down that long oil with a broken leg.
11:29Amongst the world-famous vineyards of the Loire Valley
11:32in Western France
11:34lies the elegant 19th-century Chateau La Grande Maison.
11:43This magnificent property
11:45is set within three acres of secluded woodland
11:49and boasts 45 rooms.
11:54Once home to a renowned French botanist
11:57who built its remarkable ballroom and orangery.
12:03Since 2011,
12:06it's been lovingly brought back to life
12:08by professional musicians Ben and Billy
12:11and their daughter Ella.
12:14It's impossible to estimate
12:16how long it's going to take to restore a chateau.
12:18Our skills have had to improve massively
12:20since we've come here.
12:21Everything is on another level.
12:24Luckily, the love is still there
12:26because if you didn't love the place,
12:28you wouldn't do it.
12:35Located 100 miles south of Le Mans,
12:38last time we saw them...
12:40Yay!
12:42Take that, big grumble!
12:44Ben and Billy transformed the chateau's overgrown riverbank
12:50into a tranquil waterside retreat.
12:54Oh, this is paradise!
12:57I couldn't be more delighted.
12:58I love it.
12:59I feel really reconnected to this part of the land.
13:03It's just heaven.
13:04As part of their evolving vision for the place,
13:07today, the pair are turning the orangery
13:10into another serene new space.
13:14The orangery is what we use for events.
13:17It's such a beautiful, incredible building to have.
13:20But we want to kind of define
13:22what it's used for in between events.
13:24We want to turn the space
13:26into like a well-being space.
13:28So, you'll walk in
13:30and it'll be a place to relax,
13:32a place to read,
13:32a place to eat healthy food,
13:34listen to the fountain,
13:35and just be.
13:37Our intention is to get it ready
13:39for the summer season
13:40before all the guests come,
13:41so it's another new feature.
13:47Do a bit of oil on it, couldn't it?
13:48Oh, yeah.
13:50It's like ours,
13:50it's a bit creaky in the joints, isn't it?
13:53First up,
13:54restoring comfort to an antique daybed.
13:57This piece here is slightly bent.
14:00We need to heat it sort of there
14:02and then just sort of bend it
14:05just that way.
14:07It's high risk, though, Ben.
14:08If you push it too far and it snaps,
14:10we can have a three-legged bed.
14:12True, it's not ideal.
14:14Do you know where the creme brulee blowtorch is?
14:16Yeah.
14:17Should really use a welding torch on it,
14:19but I haven't got one at the moment.
14:20So we've got to improvise
14:22with kitchen utensils.
14:24Hoping it's a sweet solution
14:26for the wonky bed leg?
14:28Maybe a little bit down.
14:30It's time to see
14:31if the torch is up to the task.
14:34OK.
14:35OK.
14:40Oh, gosh.
14:42Whoa.
14:44Oh, yes, OK.
14:45I think don't do it anymore.
14:47I'm happy with that.
14:48That worked quite well.
14:49It's just got a slight charm about the leg now
14:53instead of a total bend.
14:58Daybed levelled,
14:59attention turns to reviving
15:01their neglected water feature.
15:04The sensory experience I'm getting at the moment
15:07is cleaning slime.
15:09Lovely.
15:12Before Billy heads outside
15:14in search of some lush foliage.
15:17With the focus on well-being,
15:19it'd be nice to bring nature
15:20right into the orangery.
15:22So I'm going to dig some canna plants
15:24out of the garden here.
15:26They should come up
15:27in these big sort of tropical leaves
15:29for the summer.
15:30So it will feel quite
15:33jungly and exotic in there.
15:37There you go.
15:38Right, I think that's plenty for one pot.
15:42Right.
15:44These look like just little
15:47harmless plants,
15:48but they're going to be
15:49big drama queens
15:50when they come out fully.
15:53The orangery was only built
15:54to house the exotic species
15:56that the botanist had.
15:58So we've got to keep
15:59the spirit of the orangery alive.
16:02The first steps
16:03to reimagine the orangery
16:05as a peaceful well-being space
16:08are taking shape.
16:10But with a busy summer
16:12on the horizon,
16:13there's no time for relaxing
16:16just yet.
16:25Over in southwest France,
16:27John and Carmen
16:28are preparing the chateau grounds
16:30for their own
16:32upcoming wedding.
16:33With the patio
16:34now finished,
16:36their next task
16:37is to build the pergola
16:39under which
16:40they'll take their vows.
16:42Do you like my hat, John?
16:43Oh, very nice.
16:43My wedding hat.
16:44Can you just hold this, Carmen?
16:45Yeah.
16:46Come and make yourself useful.
16:48Got it?
16:49Yeah.
16:52The ornate metal pergola
16:54has come in many pieces.
16:56There you go.
16:57Bit of a challenge.
16:58But, you know,
16:59that's the fun and games,
17:00isn't it, this stuff?
17:00I'm sure we'll work it out.
17:02Yeah.
17:02It doesn't quite reach,
17:03but there we go.
17:04How's that?
17:05You can come over
17:05and give me a kiss
17:06if you like.
17:07Oh, yeah.
17:09Charming.
17:10Right,
17:10shall we put the top on?
17:13Hold on,
17:13just let me climb up the steps.
17:15Whoa.
17:17You got it?
17:17Yeah.
17:21Oh, that's heavy.
17:24I better not fall off
17:25this ladder
17:25and break my leg
17:26because I can't walk down
17:27that long aisle
17:27with a broken leg.
17:30Nice one.
17:31Oh, it's not in yet.
17:33Can you just keep it still
17:34rather than...
17:34All right,
17:35well, I've got to...
17:38Oh, gosh.
17:40That's damn heavy.
17:45It's just not lined up properly.
17:47No.
17:47Wait a minute,
17:48I'm pushing it really hard
17:49to try and get it lined up.
17:51This is not working,
17:52I can't let go of this side,
17:53that's the problem.
17:57Every time you pull it,
17:58it comes out of mine.
17:59But I can't...
18:00This end...
18:02I need to support.
18:03All right,
18:03you put yours in
18:04and I'll get mine in last
18:05because yours are going to
18:06keep pulling it out.
18:08I've got to go this way.
18:09You get yours in
18:10and then I'll get mine in
18:12at the end.
18:12Right, don't move anything,
18:12I'm going to let go.
18:15The pergola
18:16is proving trickier
18:18than anticipated.
18:19Oh!
18:20It was going well up
18:22until this point.
18:23And with the whole
18:2424-metre path
18:26still to gravel...
18:27Lift it back up again.
18:28This fairy tale wedding...
18:31You all right?
18:33..is still far, far away.
18:43Back in Normandy,
18:45with both rooms plasterboarded
18:47in their new family guest suite,
18:50Chris and Jolian
18:51are hoping to add
18:52a little magic.
18:54So, when I was a kid,
18:55I always used to love Narnia
18:56and the whole, like,
18:57witch and wardrobe
18:58and the secret door
18:59going through to the other world.
19:00So, as this is a kid's bedroom,
19:02it would be really nice and fun
19:03to have, like, a secret door.
19:05You don't own a chateau
19:06without wanting to have
19:07a bit of fun with it,
19:08so it's a bit of a challenge
19:09as well,
19:10but I think we'll...
19:11We'll get there.
19:15Last week,
19:16we created the outside
19:17of the door frame,
19:18so we kind of had an idea
19:19of what size
19:19the book case
19:21was going to be itself.
19:23We've got more space
19:24in the orangerie,
19:25so I've made all
19:26of the bits of wood,
19:27cut them to size down there,
19:29and now it's just
19:29a case of assembling it
19:31and then hoping
19:32that it fits in
19:32the hole that we've made.
19:34But it's definitely
19:35going to be quite tight.
19:36I have faith.
19:38Mm.
19:39Don't know if that's justified.
19:47Their first task
19:48is to remember
19:49what goes where.
19:53What are these?
19:54I'm getting...
19:55In a muddle now.
19:56Oh, those are the shells.
19:59I wish I'd marked
20:00the map of it better.
20:03While Jolyon's been making this,
20:04I've had a rather
20:05more fun job
20:06of actually going
20:07and finding old books,
20:08so we found some
20:09at the local tip
20:10and a old charity bookshop
20:13in Bloomsbury.
20:14It's really old,
20:14nice, kind of worn books
20:17with, like, leather-bound
20:18and some they've got
20:18beautiful embossing
20:19on the front of them,
20:20so it'll be quite nice
20:21to showcase them.
20:23Where's the wood glue gone?
20:25I hope we've got enough.
20:33Right, let's do this.
20:35How can I be your, like,
20:37joinery assistant?
20:37What can I do?
20:38If you can just, um,
20:39pop the pieces together.
20:41Yeah.
20:41It's going to be a bit tricky
20:42because the wood's got
20:42some warp in it,
20:43so, um,
20:45we'll have to put it
20:46semi-in place
20:47and then clamp it
20:49before we start
20:50nailing it together.
20:51A little bit, jeez.
20:53Yeah.
20:54How are you doing it
20:55if the clamp's too small?
20:58Um, you've just got
20:58to be creative.
21:00Uh, we're short on long
21:01clamps, so we're having
21:02to hook one to the other
21:03because we really need
21:04four clamps in total,
21:06two on each end.
21:08There we go.
21:09Yeah, that's cool.
21:10Yeah?
21:14Now, there's just
21:15the other end to tackle.
21:17I think the pieces
21:18of wood are
21:18the wrong way round.
21:19We should have
21:20mucked up the boards
21:21more effectively.
21:23So, um...
21:25Right, undo them all.
21:29It's one step forward,
21:31two steps back,
21:33and they're running
21:34short of supplies.
21:36So, I was having
21:37to cut the top
21:37off the glue
21:38because we're literally
21:38scraping the barrel.
21:39We've got hardly
21:40anything left,
21:41but I think it's
21:42important to use it.
21:43With the last
21:44of the glue applied,
21:45the pair will have
21:46to hope it's enough
21:47to secure the boards
21:49as they reposition
21:50the clamps onto the frame.
21:52We haven't got anything
21:53long enough to do
21:54the ends.
21:55They also need
21:56to increase the pressure
21:57on the warped wood.
22:00What about the ratchet
22:01strap for the car
22:02that we've got?
22:03Ah, genius idea.
22:04Yeah, that's much better.
22:10Yeah, it should be all right.
22:17There we go.
22:18Ah, that'll do.
22:20You never say that.
22:22Right, we've got it
22:22braced up and clamped
22:24up and everything.
22:24Now we just need to get
22:25some screws in it
22:26to hold it all together
22:27whilst the glue dries.
22:33There we go.
22:37It's an innovative fix,
22:38but the pair will need
22:40to wait and see
22:41if the previously
22:42wonky bookshelf casing
22:44manages to hold
22:46its new shape.
22:52Still to come,
22:55contrasting approaches...
22:56He's so exact about it.
22:59Oh, I just go,
23:00oh, that looks about right.
23:01And it's make or break
23:03for Chris and Julian.
23:04If I get this wrong,
23:06well, I don't really know
23:08how I fix it.
23:16Down in southwest France...
23:21Yes!
23:24..preparations are underway
23:25for John and Carmen's big day.
23:28With the wedding pergola
23:30finally assembled,
23:31they're turning their attention back
23:33to the path.
23:36Just in time.
23:38So today,
23:39you're going to be
23:39bringing the calcare in.
23:41Whoa!
23:42And I'm going to be
23:43doing all the hard work
23:44as usual,
23:45raking all the calcare.
23:50Whoo!
23:51The 65 tonnes of limestone
23:54need to be evenly spread.
23:57I always get the manual jobs,
23:59the hard jobs,
24:00but I like it.
24:01It keeps me fit.
24:04After all,
24:04I've got a wedding dress
24:05to get into very soon.
24:07And once the last load
24:09has been delivered...
24:10Bit more, bit more.
24:12..John has to slip away
24:13to deal with an unwanted guest
24:16in the pool area.
24:20Right, where are you, Freddie?
24:23Where are you?
24:26We've got a visitor here now.
24:28Thought we got rid of all the frogs
24:29when we cleaned out the pool originally.
24:31But one's come back.
24:33We call him Freddie the frog
24:34and he's in there
24:35somewhere around here.
24:37He hides
24:38really, really well.
24:39How weird.
24:42How weird.
24:44There we go.
24:45Found him.
24:46He's hiding in the corner.
24:49Here he is.
24:51See?
24:54Ah, see, I can't quite get him.
24:58I mean, how do they live
24:59in this sort of water?
24:59I just don't get it.
25:01I really don't.
25:03Right, let's box them off
25:04into a corner.
25:08Got him!
25:14We're saving him.
25:16I'm saving him.
25:17Salt water's not good for him.
25:18Damages skin, so he needs to go.
25:21Anyway, he's safe now,
25:22which is the good news.
25:27With the intruder dealt with...
25:30That's looking good.
25:31...John can now return
25:33to the task at hand.
25:34I've no idea what she's going to look like
25:36because she hasn't shared with me
25:37what the dress is like, so...
25:39I know it's white.
25:40Ivory, darling.
25:42You see, this is...
25:43It'll be exciting.
25:44It'll match the cowl care,
25:45that's for sure.
25:46You better look good
25:47because I've gone to a lot of effort
25:49on this wedding aisle.
25:50I always look good.
25:51I want you to look the business.
25:53I'm always looking the business.
25:58You need some sparkly shoes
25:59to be walking down this special aisle.
26:01What colour?
26:02Gold.
26:03Gold sparkly shoes?
26:04OK, for the deal.
26:05Especially for the wedding.
26:06It's a deal.
26:06OK.
26:07I'll get some.
26:09The wedding aisle is taking shape.
26:13But with plenty more tasks
26:15to tick off their list...
26:17How are we looking?
26:18...shoe shopping.
26:19We'll have to take a back seat for now.
26:32430 miles north in Normandy,
26:35it's the moment of truth for Chris and Jolyon,
26:38as they see if their twisted secret doorframe
26:42has been pulled into shape.
26:45So, now we're just going to take the straps off,
26:47but that piece of wood was quite warped,
26:49so I'm hoping it's going to still hold together.
26:53I can never work out how to do these things.
26:55There we go.
26:58It seems to be holding, yeah, so it looks like it's worked.
27:02That one's going to be the real test, though.
27:05That was so warped.
27:07This one's holding, it's good.
27:10It looks like the ratchet has come to the rescue.
27:15Next, Jolyon needs to carefully align
27:17and secure the backboard to the frame.
27:24Oh, yeah, I might have actually made it to the shape,
27:28so maybe it only fits one way.
27:41It's pretty good, actually.
27:43I sound surprised.
27:46I'm not that interested in power tools.
27:48Give me a paintbrush any day.
27:55You can both lift it that side.
27:57You can probably take that clamp off.
28:00This is the moment of truth.
28:08All nails in exactly the right place.
28:10Well done.
28:11I wouldn't have done that.
28:12You would have.
28:13We've almost got a bookcase.
28:15It's very exciting.
28:16It's really coming together.
28:18So, what's next?
28:20Well, it's all going to hinge on the next stage.
28:23The heavy, book-filled shelves will need special fixings to work as a door.
28:29Lift it.
28:30Can't use normal hinges on it.
28:32So, I've got this fancy little hinge mechanism here,
28:34which has a ball bearing in it.
28:36And once that's on top, it can hold a huge amount of weight.
28:44The hinge has to be fitted at a precise angle to open smoothly.
28:49This is quite a nerve-wracking moment, because if I get this wrong, well, I don't really know how I
28:55fix it.
28:56So, I can only really do this once.
28:59So, I hope all of my calculations are right.
29:04All right.
29:05Here it goes.
29:12That's very close to the edge, isn't it?
29:15I just worry it's going to split the wood there.
29:17I'm just nervous it's not in the right place, but do you feel quite adamant?
29:21I'm fairly confident.
29:24I can't cross my fingers.
29:28All right, here it goes.
29:29Nothing.
29:30Nope.
29:35Does that fit in?
29:38Beautiful.
29:39All right, shall we try?
29:41All right.
29:44Watch your fingers.
29:47Ah, I think it's on.
29:49It's too high.
29:51It's not down yet.
29:52No, it's stuck at the top.
29:56It's too tall.
29:59Um.
30:01So, there was enough clearance.
30:03I think we do it without my plate.
30:07The packing block I put in has lifted it too high, so I can't quite get the bookshelf on top
30:13of it at the moment,
30:13because of how much the hinge sticks up.
30:17They will have to fix the hinge directly into the floor to see if that solves the issue.
30:23All right, I've got it, if you want me to.
30:26I think you might.
30:26It's quite heavy.
30:29And my foot.
30:31Is it the actual thing that's catching now?
30:34It's still looking like a tight squeeze.
30:38It's caught.
30:39But with some careful manoeuvering...
30:43Is that in?
30:44It's done something.
30:45Yeah, I think it's in.
30:50Ready?
30:51The bookcase finally pivots into place.
30:55Woo-hoo!
30:55Perfect.
30:56Well, perfect's a stretch.
30:58Yeah, that is perfect.
31:00When you saw the door swinging, you, like, you actually see the vision come to life.
31:05So, well done.
31:06You should be proud.
31:07Yeah, I am.
31:07The skill's paying off.
31:08Yeah, it's getting there.
31:09The secret door may be successfully fitted, but with an intricate chinoiserie wallpaper still to hang,
31:17and a bespoke bunk bed to build, their challenges are far from over.
31:29Back in the Loire Valley, Ben and Billy's efforts to shape the Orangerie into a serene well-being space are
31:38underway.
31:39This is going to be lovely.
31:41While Billy polishes up the daybed's rusty iron frame...
31:45Can't wait to have a lie down on here with a book.
31:49Maybe some herbal tea or a glass of wine.
31:53Ben is preparing to display a set of vintage botanical prints on the walls.
32:00Opposite each window is going to be a fresco of a beautiful garden.
32:05We've also used them in the botanist suite, but we want to share them with all our guests
32:09and create this sort of feeling of symmetry in the room.
32:11So, everywhere you look, there'll be a garden scene.
32:17We've got five prints up on the wall, so I need to make five frames.
32:24It's particularly nice doing your carpentry outside with all the birdsong.
32:28I've got a plan to go down in the garden with a tape recorder and record some of the sounds
32:33and maybe incorporate it into a soundtrack for the well-being space.
32:41This orangery, it's a really, really special place.
32:44It's everything to do with nature.
32:46You know, the light comes in here and floods through the green leaves.
32:50It's just absolutely beautiful.
32:51And part of the well-being feeling that we want to create in here
32:54is sort of making sure it's going to really connect you with nature.
33:04Oh, well done with the frame.
33:06That's very skilled.
33:07They look pretty.
33:08And good timing, because the bed's ready for the mattress.
33:18I think I've got too much spare this end.
33:21I remember hospital corners.
33:23We need orangery corners, which is slightly different.
33:27OK.
33:28I think if that goes like that, and that goes underneath like that.
33:31Right.
33:32And then that comes straight down like that.
33:34I love a man that can make a good bed.
33:42And relax.
33:44Yeah, that's good.
33:45Let me know when you've finished all the other jobs.
33:48Now I need a hand.
33:49Come on then.
33:50I need my glamorous assistant.
33:52I'll go and get her.
33:56With no time for rest,
33:58attention turns to finding the perfect spot
34:01for a grand, ornate mirror to shine.
34:07I'll just leave all of this to Ben,
34:09because he's so exact about it.
34:12I'll just go, oh, that looks about right.
34:16So that's 98.
34:18It's a little bit tricky,
34:19because the wall is actually plasterboard
34:22stuck onto a stone wall made of small stones.
34:25So when I drill, I can put the drill through here
34:28and hold this against the wall.
34:29So the end of the drill is going to try and drift
34:31through the little stones.
34:33Hopefully this will hold it still.
34:36Fingers crossed.
34:42If it was just plasterboard to wall,
34:44it wouldn't be strong enough to hold this mirror.
34:46No, true.
34:47So it swings them roundabouts.
34:53One, two, three.
34:58Yep, I've got contact.
35:01Shall we let go?
35:01It's on, yeah.
35:04Let go?
35:04I don't want to let go.
35:07Nice one.
35:08Excellent.
35:11That is looking beautiful, isn't it?
35:13It's beautiful.
35:14When we bought the mirror, I thought, that is absolutely huge.
35:17You put it in a space like that, and it's just about the right size.
35:21Fantastic.
35:22I think I can have a lovely ancient garden in the pictures, and then the mirror reflects
35:26our garden, so it's like this lovely symmetry.
35:28Every window is going to have a window into another garden.
35:32We've got our day bed.
35:34We've got our mirror.
35:35We've got to build the rest of those frames now.
35:39It's been a productive day, but with the artwork to finish and relaxing spa touches to layer
35:46in, Ben and Billy need to press on before they can unwind in their new space.
35:57Coming up, John and Carmen have their differences.
36:02I measure stuff and things, and Carmen just does it.
36:04Exactly.
36:05Just get the damn lights up.
36:07And it's the final push for Ben and Billy.
36:10It looks very spa-y.
36:18Down in the Lott Valley, John and Carmen are putting the finishing touches to their wedding
36:25pergola.
36:26Let's make this thing twinkle, John.
36:30We're going to make this pergola have some lovely, subtle lighting on it.
36:36Yeah, just basically it's brightening up, so when it's night time, it'll be rather pretty.
36:40Fairy lights.
36:41We need to work out how we're going to do this.
36:43So, if I stand up here, you can run round with the lights.
36:47I could do some maths, if you want.
36:50Where are you going to go, though?
36:51Are you going to run across the top?
36:52Around the top?
36:52No, I'm just going round.
36:54I don't think we'll have enough to put them over the top, will we?
36:56Well, if we knew the length of it, I could work it out, because, you know, pi r squared
36:58and all that will tell us.
37:00Oh, he's such a mathematician.
37:02It's a simple way of working out how long they are.
37:04Just put them up and see where you get to?
37:06Yeah.
37:06Is that what you're saying?
37:07Yeah.
37:08This is the difference between Carmen and me.
37:10I measure stuff and things, and Carmen just does it.
37:12No need for complex mathematics.
37:14Exactly.
37:14Just get the damn lights up.
37:16Get them out and get them up.
37:22I'm about to get married in France.
37:24I know.
37:24How romantic is that?
37:25It's good, isn't it?
37:26It was obvious, really, once we'd got a chateau.
37:30This was the place to get married?
37:31It's such an amazing, beautiful place.
37:33It was so obvious that we should get married here.
37:35But people won't come unless we get his fairy lights up, though, will they?
37:37All right, move along, then, so I can move my chair.
37:39Yeah, if you're sure.
37:41Where are you going, then, John?
37:43Well, somebody needs to hold it, don't they?
37:44The other way, you fool.
37:45It's quite easy work in the respect of what we've done here in the past.
37:50I love this, being on the chair together.
37:54Is that right?
37:55Yeah.
37:55It makes a huge difference to the outside space of the chateau.
37:59It just pulls it all together and makes it absolutely lovely.
38:05I think we're about done, aren't we?
38:15Two months ago, this area was made up of an unimpressive path
38:21and a weathered and worn fountain.
38:28It has now been transformed into a crisp, clean, lavender-lined wedding aisle
38:36complete with perfectly laid patio and show-stopping pergola
38:42where John and Carmen can say, I do.
38:51And as night falls, the sparkling lights add a touch of fairy-tale magic.
39:00Yay!
39:01Oh, yeah!
39:02Oh, look at that!
39:03Oh, my gosh!
39:06Let it fly up to the sky!
39:09Woo!
39:10Woo!
39:11How's that?
39:12Perfect, I would say.
39:18I mean, where else would you want to get married?
39:20This, John, is a dream.
39:22I love it.
39:22It's incredible.
39:23It's perfect.
39:24Yeah.
39:25The wedding aisle has been a labour of love.
39:29I can't believe we're actually stood here
39:30because we've just been working so hard.
39:33Yeah, but the hard work pays off, right?
39:36Certainly does.
39:37Now John and Carmen...
39:39Here's to you.
39:40Here's to you, my lord.
39:41Love you.
39:42Mwah!
39:43Aw.
39:43Can look forward to their big day.
39:59Back in Western France,
40:01Ben and Billy are pulling together the final elements
40:05for their Orangerie makeover.
40:07So the centre of the wellbeing space
40:09is going to be this amazing cushion
40:11and you lie in the middle of it
40:13and you're just asleep in five minutes.
40:15It's amazing.
40:16We just want to make that really zen in there
40:18and a lovely place to hang out.
40:19Our daughter has just got home
40:21so we're going to let her be the first person
40:23to try it all out.
40:27Having given the frames a lick of gold paint...
40:30Shall we look?
40:32Yeah.
40:36Oh, lovely, Ben.
40:38Pass it to me.
40:39Ben's botanical prints are now ready to take pride of place.
40:44Right.
40:45Yeah, OK.
40:47Come down.
40:48Oh, so nice.
40:49Look at the colours in here.
40:51It's gorgeous.
40:52We've got oranges in the Orangerie.
40:54Yay!
41:00Decor done,
41:01Ben adds some sensory touches,
41:05crafting a bespoke stand
41:06to house their oil diffuser.
41:10It looks very spary,
41:12but it's an important part of the sensual experience
41:15because it's the sense of smell.
41:19While Billy has concocted
41:21a refreshing mint and rosemary spa drink...
41:24Isn't that beautiful colour?
41:26I just think that looks so lovely.
41:42Outside of events,
41:45the Orangerie was previously an overlooked space.
41:50Now, Ben and Billy have created a tranquil haven
41:55their guests can enjoy all year round.
42:00Vintage botanical prints adorn the walls...
42:05..alongside lush, tropical canna plants...
42:09..while their large, ornate mirror
42:11brings the outside in...
42:14..with their antique daybed
42:16and relaxation cushion
42:18offering a cosy spot to unwind.
42:22Essential oils...
42:24Trickling fountain
42:25and composed soundscape
42:28fill the senses,
42:30making the Orangerie
42:32a calming sanctuary
42:33of rest and relaxation.
42:36And first to try it out
42:39is daughter Ella,
42:40home from university
42:42for the summer.
42:44Hi, Ella!
42:45Hi, Ella!
42:45Welcome!
42:48Wow, it looks really good!
42:52Oh, my gosh, you've done such an amazing job!
42:54I love it!
42:55I love the colours!
42:57Oh, it's so magical!
42:58It's beautiful!
42:59Well done!
43:00Thank you, darling!
43:01You've worked so hard
43:02this year at uni!
43:04It's great!
43:04You deserve to have a nice...
43:06You two work so hard!
43:07You deserve to have a nice relax!
43:08It's so beautiful!
43:10You can have a relaxing cushion
43:11or you can read your books
43:13on the daybed!
43:14It's beautiful!
43:15I love the artwork!
43:16Oh, and the mirror's gorgeous!
43:18The fountain!
43:20See Mum's plants?
43:21They're shut up!
43:22They were that big when they went in!
43:23Wow!
43:26Nice music!
43:28Composed right here in the studio
43:30by your very talented father!
43:36It's nice!
43:37A real showcase of all your talents!
43:40Aw, thank you, Ella!
43:41Thank you!
43:42Cheers!
43:42Cheers!
43:43To relaxing!
43:44And well-being!
43:46Looks really good!
43:51I'll probably say this every time
43:52but it's my favourite room
43:53in the chateau now!
43:54It's absolutely beautiful!
43:59It's just a go-to place now
44:01to relax, read a book,
44:03have something healthy
44:04to eat or drink,
44:05just, you know,
44:06revive yourself!
44:09So, better go and use it!
44:11Yeah, can we relax now?
44:12Yeah, yeah.
44:13Come on!
44:13With their new
44:15well-being space,
44:16Ben and Billy have added
44:18to the chateau's charm,
44:20creating a peaceful retreat
44:21where guests can truly unwind.
44:29Next time, Chris and Jolyon face a daunting DIY challenge...
44:35There's part of me that does wonder whether it would have been easier to get a flat pack.
44:39A big event is thrown into doubt...
44:42We've had the most biblical storm overnight,
44:45so we're going to pray for some sunshine.
44:47And one chateau couple take on a risky renovation job.
44:52Once this thing starts to move,
44:54it's not going to take any prisoners.
44:55Toes!
45:09A stolungen
45:12So there may be a workout
45:25You
Comments