- 19 minutes ago
Chateau DIY - Season 11 - Episode 13
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Across France are thousands of breathtaking chateaux.
00:06Many fallen into rack and ruin.
00:09Oh my goodness.
00:10I want the state of it.
00:12Now being brought back to life by plucky new owners.
00:17Careful!
00:18He doesn't have any idea of danger.
00:21They're taking on the challenge.
00:24These floorboards are gone.
00:25The only thing the good for is the fire.
00:27To transform these once unloved buildings.
00:31Hands down, recommend a cherry picker to anyone.
00:34Back into incredible homes.
00:37Holy chandelier!
00:39This is just phenomenal.
00:42And businesses.
00:43Thank you so much.
00:45You're welcome.
00:46There'll be successes.
00:47I'm a bit giddy.
00:49Giddy? Giddy?
00:51And setbacks.
00:52Oh my God, what's that? It's a bat.
00:54But however hard the going gets.
00:58Oh my poor Patio.
00:59These intrepid DIYers.
01:02No, not on the...
01:04I know, I know.
01:05Get to live the dream.
01:07Cheers!
01:08As kings and queens of their very own castle.
01:15Today, an ambitious suite renovation reveals hidden horrors.
01:22If you can see daylight, it's not a good omen.
01:24Back to back weddings push these chateau owners to their limits.
01:30I don't need slowing down.
01:32I need speeding up.
01:34And a pair of novice DIYers plumb new depths.
01:39I've photographed the royals and presidents of the United States.
01:43I now find myself removing a toilet.
01:51In the rural corner of the idyllic Vienne Departement of Western France lies the fairy tale Chateau de la Boutiniere.
02:02Set in 52 acres.
02:05With 12 outbuildings and boasting 47 rooms over 5 floors, it had lain abandoned for 5 years before builder Zion
02:17and interior designer Alison began bringing it back to life.
02:22Good morning ladies.
02:25I don't know.
02:26I think we are a very good team.
02:29Alison give orders and I do them.
02:31As an interior designer, to have somebody as capable as Zion, as a builder, it takes my designs way beyond
02:39the box.
02:42Dream machine.
02:48Located under an hour's drive from Poitiers, Alison and Zion snapped up the place for 580,000 pounds in 2021
02:59and set their hearts on running a luxury wedding business.
03:04We are so happy to have you in our place.
03:07Last time we saw them.
03:09Oh yuck.
03:1040 year old cobwebs.
03:11They transformed their chapel from dumping ground to stunning sanctuary.
03:21And hosted a very special 60th wedding vow renewal service.
03:28What joy and peace must fill your hearts this day as you stand before Christ after 60 years together.
03:36It feels like you know this is what it's all about.
03:38Now, with the wedding season fast approaching, they're on to their next project.
03:46We're doing a bedroom suite on our second floor.
03:50This one has to be magnificent.
03:51It's the biggest room up there.
03:53We're knocking all the walls down and making this glorious bedroom and an ensuite bathroom.
03:58We don't have a lift.
04:00So when people get up to that second floor, it's got to be worth arriving.
04:06So we're going to start on this one.
04:08The plan is to knock three small rooms into one epic bedroom suite.
04:15It's not going to hit anything.
04:18Oh, you're getting that.
04:22In under 15 minutes, the first wall is down.
04:32When you hit, you can damage the beam.
04:35So let's take this with the cheese, gently.
04:37In their new suite, Alison and Zion hope to strip back to the structural bones.
04:44Looks like it's a new beam.
04:46It's amazing how it's been kept all these years.
04:53Meanwhile, Alison's on a treasure hunt of her own.
04:57That's really old.
04:58That's even underneath the old shelf that was in there.
05:01We don't have any records of the Chateau in terms of its history.
05:06We're rebuilding its history whilst we're uncovering its history at the same time.
05:10So that, for me, is really exciting.
05:12But not all their discoveries are quite so positive.
05:18Yeah, you can see the outside.
05:20Really?
05:21Oh, God.
05:23If you can see daylight, it's not a good omen.
05:28Obviously, if there is daylight, you need to stop it.
05:31That means it's going to be wind, cold, so all have to be insulated.
05:36No rest for the wicked in this place.
05:38You must be very wicked.
05:40The job seems to be growing by the minute.
05:44And with the walls to insulate and the design and decor still to plan,
05:50Alison and Zion just need to hope there are no more nasty surprises in store.
06:02Tucked away in the L'Ethippe de Loire in Western France stands the majestic Chateau de la Verne.
06:11This 19th century Chateau boasts 14 rooms, a private chapel, and five acres of parkland.
06:25It's home to married couple Claire and Lionel, both former photographers who swapped life in London for a French Chateau
06:36adventure in 2022.
06:40I have to say, it wasn't my dream to have a Chateau. A large house would have been nice.
06:47I'm afraid it was me. I've always wanted a Chateau.
06:50My DIY experience is somewhat limited.
06:53I like to call myself the reluctant DIYer.
06:57Quite good at ordering people around.
07:00That's not really DIY though, is it?
07:03That's do you why.
07:07I'm a bit more adventurous with the DIY.
07:09I will definitely have a go at anything.
07:12I am really hoping that Lionel will discover a love for DIY
07:16and will get really stuck in and help me with all the difficult jobs.
07:19I think it might happen sometimes.
07:23No, no, I don't think so.
07:34Located just half an hour's drive from New York,
07:38Lionel and Claire bought the Chateau for £820,000,
07:44with grand plans to renovate it into a spectacular family home.
07:49But so far, they've only completed the salon.
07:54Today, they're taking on a new guest suite.
07:58This room has traditionally been the room that's dedicated to Claire's parents.
08:07I want to make it really nice for them.
08:08At the moment, it's got this tired old wallpaper
08:10because we just haven't done anything in here yet.
08:13So, I want it to be a bit of a surprise for everybody
08:15and make it really posh, really lovely for them to come and stay.
08:19It's going to be posh.
08:19Yeah, it's going to be posh.
08:20Yeah, I think so.
08:22Before they can start work, the space needs to be cleared.
08:28Oh, you're so helpful, Margot.
08:32Do you want a hand?
08:33That's going to be heavy.
08:35Hey!
08:36There we go.
08:38Are you all right?
08:39All right.
08:40Where are we going with this?
08:41Just lean it against here.
08:45We're going to need a step ladder here, darling.
08:47Er, well, you might need a step ladder.
08:49Oh!
08:49All right.
08:50I can reach out.
08:51You're such a wit.
08:54OK.
08:54Ready?
08:55Go.
08:59Ready as a short person will ever be.
09:04Er, I don't need a step ladder.
09:07All right.
09:08All right.
09:09So, good morning.
09:13There.
09:14Perfect.
09:15OK.
09:18Beautiful.
09:19Well done.
09:19Well done.
09:20That little diplomatic effort.
09:22Well done.
09:22With the room now clear, Lionel and Claire can set about stripping off the old dated wallpaper.
09:29And it's a first for reluctant DIYer, Lionel.
09:34Come on.
09:36Honestly.
09:38You're like one of those people who unwraps their Christmas presents really carefully to save the paper.
09:42Do you want?
09:43I'm trying to get as much...
09:45I'm trying to get as much off the wall.
09:48You know, like, so if I go like that, right, the bit that's still stuck properly will remain on the
09:53wall.
09:53If I go gently, gently, gently like that, then I'll get more off, won't I?
09:57Come on, it's quite easy.
10:00Right, so what you're doing there, right, is what I'm trying to avoid, right?
10:05Is that you're leaving all of that.
10:07No, no, no, I'm not being funny.
10:09I'm being serious.
10:10So, are you not...?
10:13Forget it.
10:14You're suddenly the expert, aren't you?
10:16So, it's basically that, like, throw caution to the wind.
10:23And just have fun, right?
10:25Like this.
10:30Oh, come on, you can do it.
10:33Oh, you see?
10:35That's exactly what I think it is.
10:42Hey, that's a good bit.
10:43Oh, that was a good one.
10:45There is an extraordinary amount of satisfaction in doing this.
10:53I'll remember you said that for the next room, and then you can come and help me with it.
10:56I can't tell you how enjoyable it was to remove wallpaper.
11:00Up until now, it's been Claire's job.
11:03And now, now I love it.
11:06Who are you?
11:08What have you done with my husband?
11:09You're not my husband.
11:12It's been a successful start, but with some serious demolition next on the to-do list, will Lionel's journey of
11:20DIY discovery continue?
11:28Coming up, the pressure's on to deliver two dream weddings.
11:34So we just need to make sure that the chefs are providing the perfect food.
11:39Sasha does a fantastic job on the flowers.
11:41Yeah, and to transform the courtyard to the beautiful wedding day setting.
11:45And Alison and Zion hit a stumbling block.
11:49I don't think it's going to work.
11:50Back to the drawing board.
11:52Back to the drawing board.
11:59In the wine-growing countryside of the Languedoc in southern France stands the magnificent 19th century Chateau du Puy-et
12:09-Prin.
12:13It comes with seven acres and boasts 39 sumptuous rooms.
12:20It's home to Tim, a photographer, and Sasha, a former fashion designer, who bought the place for £390,000 in
12:312003.
12:34Their thriving wedding business, built up over two decades, is now being run by daughter Lily and son-in-law
12:42Luke.
12:44We're so proud. Proud of this wonderful place we're living in.
12:48Now Lily and Luke are looking after the guests more and running the business side.
12:53It's given us the freedom to just make sure the visual aspect of everywhere, gardens, courtyard, has a unique visibility
13:05and quality about it.
13:09Located close to the Mediterranean coast, their mission during the winter months has been to restore the Chateau Courtyard.
13:18Starting with the ingenious transformation of a hidden bricked-up window into a magical arched vision bearing Sasha's glowing artwork.
13:31The courtyard is what Sasha and I fell in love with when we first came to see the property.
13:36It's got a magic of its own.
13:37We just tried to amplify that feeling, that ambience that we felt 24 years ago.
13:47Oh my poor patio, what have you done to it?
13:50Last time we saw them, they removed the old cracked tiles from a raised patio terrace on one side of
13:58the courtyard
14:01and relayed it with pristine stone.
14:06Then, the courtyard slabs were cleaned, painted and have now been resealed with protective resin ready for wedding season.
14:17It's been a long winter, it's now spring, sun shining and we've done numerous projects in the courtyard that are
14:25looking good, we're proud of and we're looking forward to the guests enjoying them.
14:32With one spring betrothal already under their belts, they're facing a busy few days with back-to-back weddings scheduled.
14:42Then you've got the choice of orange or red?
14:44No, that's it, those go round the back.
14:46The first is for American couple, Tiara and Luke.
14:51And in her workshop, Sasha is getting to grips with their tricky floral colour scheme.
14:58I think it's because we have blue shutters.
15:01Blue is always so popular and it's so difficult to come by.
15:08But anyway, it's fine.
15:10This has got to be the best job in the world.
15:13Meanwhile, in the new courtyard, Lily is welcoming the bride and groom.
15:19Hi!
15:20Hi!
15:21How are you guys?
15:22Nice to meet you!
15:23And bride Tiara cannot wait to check out Sasha's efforts.
15:29Perfect.
15:30Ah, Tiara!
15:32Hey!
15:33Lovely!
15:34Nice to meet you!
15:36Welcome, welcome to the flower heaven!
15:39It smells so good, isn't it?
15:41Yay!
15:43So, we've got, this is going to be your wedding arch.
15:47OK.
15:48Look at these beautiful delphiniums.
15:51They're so pretty!
15:52Yeah.
15:53I think the lilac and the blue is just really beautiful.
15:57And it does, it makes it pop.
15:59While Sasha cracks on, Lily and Luke take the couple through a rehearsal against a backdrop of the chateau's very
16:09own vineyard.
16:11The more natural you are, the best photos you're going to get.
16:14So, don't try and force anything.
16:16We are very excited for tomorrow.
16:20So, we just need to make sure that the chefs are providing the perfect food.
16:25Sasha does a fantastic job on the flowers.
16:28Yeah.
16:28And to transform the courtyard to the beautiful wedding day setting.
16:32The revamped courtyard is looking its best after all of its pre-season pampering.
16:39But can the family pull off the perfect alfresco event?
16:51350 miles north, Alison and Zion's second floor guest suite renovation is underway.
17:00Ta-da!
17:02With all the demolition done, the couple are turning their attention to the ensuite bathroom.
17:10Basin.
17:11And then shower.
17:13Shower.
17:13Shower.
17:15Alison and Zion have bought a marble-topped unit at a brocante.
17:20But now need to test it out in the space.
17:24I can't remember how much we paid for it, but it wouldn't have been more than about 30 euros.
17:29That's quite a large piece of furniture.
17:33And the other thing is, I'm not sure it's going to look right with the tap like that.
17:38Because that's going to have to come through here.
17:41Which is a shame.
17:54I don't think it's going to work.
17:58Back to the drawing board.
18:02Designers, eh?
18:05While Zion tackles the plasterboarding.
18:10Downstairs, Alison is concentrating on the finer details.
18:19In a bedroom of the style that we're trying to achieve, we need something really grand and these chandeliers are
18:25going to be just the biscuit.
18:30You've got to be so careful with it.
18:33Look at that.
18:34It's beautiful, isn't it?
18:37The two cut glass chandeliers are currently in pieces.
18:41And before they can be reassembled, decades of dust need to be removed.
18:49So every single one of these needs to be cleaned.
18:52But these are going to shine like the sun when they're finished.
18:56This chandelier, or these chandeliers, this is one of two, have a bit of history.
19:01And what's really nice is that it's family history.
19:03Because the gentleman who gave them to us was a very old family friend.
19:08And he said, I think I might have something that would suit your chateau.
19:13And he told us a story about this beautiful old house that he and his wife had done up.
19:17He had some idea of what it is, the challenges we're facing here at the chateau.
19:22And sent Zion up in the attic.
19:24And we came down with these amazing chandeliers.
19:27It just makes it really personal.
19:29It makes the chateau feel like a home rather than a business.
19:32And that's special because it is our home.
19:34And all the things we do here, we do with love.
19:37Which matters, matters a lot.
19:39Alison and Zion are pouring heart and soul into the bedroom suite renovation.
19:46But it's a painstaking task.
19:49And there is still a long way to go.
19:56Just 100 miles away, in their new guest bedroom suite, Lionel and Claire are stepping up their DIY skills.
20:06I am dreading this.
20:08This is making a hole in the wall, in order to get through to the loo that's on the other
20:13side.
20:14But this is a bit bigger than what we've done before.
20:16So, um...
20:16This is a doorway hole.
20:18This is a doorway hole.
20:19And I'm going to do it.
20:20And one hopes that I'm not going to lose any limbs.
20:23Please don't.
20:24Well, I'll try not to.
20:25That would really slow us down.
20:26The plan is to create a new en suite by connecting the toilet next door to the bedroom.
20:35Not my chosen colour.
20:49It's a bit difficult because I can't actually see the laser line as I'm cutting it.
20:53So, there's a lot of guessing going on.
20:59For a man who doesn't like DIY, he's doing very, very well.
21:05Next, Lionel needs to drill marking holes all the way through.
21:14You're going, oh my goodness, it actually looks like it might be in the right spot.
21:17Oh, that is a miracle.
21:18Getting to grips with the angle grinder, Lionel is leaning into his new DIY skills.
21:31When I'm chopping trees, Claire goes all wobbly on me.
21:36Because she, you know, she likes a good lumberjack.
21:39Is that right, darling?
21:42No problem. Get back to work.
21:48But unfortunately, it's not long before the enclosed, dust-filled space proves too much.
21:56I can't breathe.
21:57I can't see.
21:59I can't hear.
22:00It's crazy.
22:01People do this for fun.
22:03I feel butch, though.
22:07Time to see if all Lionel's hard work has paid off.
22:12Look at all you've got.
22:17Oh, yeah.
22:19Oh, yeah, yeah.
22:21Shall I go around the other side and do the Channel Tunnel hand chase?
22:28Yes!
22:30Yes!
22:33Victory!
22:37After a long day's DIYing, the couple decide to finish on a high.
22:44We've made a breakthrough.
22:45We've got through the wall.
22:46I thought we might get more done today, but at least we've got a bit through.
22:49We can see that it is possible.
22:54It's definitely possible.
22:55And once the wall is down, Lionel and Claire will need to brace themselves for a first foray into plumbing.
23:11Still to come, Alison and Zion tackle an elaborate ceiling design.
23:17It's like a series of boxes.
23:19And where does the coving fit in relation to that?
23:23And Lionel and Claire have toilet trouble.
23:26Oh.
23:36Back in Western France, Alison and Zion have made huge progress with their second floor guest suite.
23:4486 steps later.
23:46The walls are now fully insulated, and today's task is to start on their grand plans for the ceiling.
23:55We don't want to have just coving.
23:58And because we're going to have this coffered ceiling, and we want to combine the two together.
24:05We're taking the language of the chateau from the dining room downstairs, which is a very grand room,
24:10and we're trying to bring it up here because we love that old, very old chateau sort of ceiling style.
24:17Coffered ceilings are a classic architectural detail consisting of a series of rectangular square or octagonal 3D grids.
24:27It's like a series of boxes that we're putting on the ceiling of the bedroom.
24:32And to get the boxes against the wall, you have to plan to have a...
24:38Like, this is the box, if you like, and then this has to fit underneath it to finish off the
24:43decoration of the wall.
24:44And that's what we're deciding to do now.
24:46How do we adjust the depth of the boxes?
24:49And where does the coving fit in relation to that?
24:52So it's quite a challenge to get it right.
24:56I'll find it on it there.
24:58Yeah.
25:01Helped by their two on-site labourers, Zion gets to work.
25:06Cut it one meter sixty.
25:16It's too good to be true.
25:20Meanwhile, Alison has her own beautifying challenge.
25:25These are the original roof structure.
25:30This is working really well.
25:32So, a very weak acid of some sort.
25:36And it just takes off the white colouring.
25:41Look at the colour of that wood, isn't that gorgeous?
25:44Goldy.
25:45Yeah.
25:47It's really lovely.
25:48I mean, this is the structure that's 1872 this was put in.
25:52Can you believe it?
25:55With all the boxing in place...
25:59..the decorative details can be added.
26:02Now we have to cut the coving.
26:04And this is the challenge.
26:07Zion has made the plaster coving himself.
26:10And it's a fragile, nerve-wracking process.
26:14If you get this wrong, you just have to work harder when it's up there.
26:24It's exactly what I wanted.
26:27Let's see if that's what she wanted.
26:31That looks very nice, doesn't it?
26:34I got what I wanted.
26:35The approval.
26:41It's taken a lot of hard work.
26:44But at last, their dream of a decadent bedroom suite
26:48is properly on the horizon.
26:50Now it's like, you know, you put your direction on the sat-nav.
26:56And it's go.
26:58The direction is there.
26:59The sat-nav is working.
27:01Reception is good.
27:03Put your foot down now.
27:04Now we've just got to get there.
27:06Now we've got to arrive.
27:08And with a complicated fireplace to install,
27:12bespoke ceiling panelling to create,
27:14and all the decorating to do,
27:17it's a long and winding road ahead.
27:25Under two and a half hours' drive away,
27:28Lionel and Claire are pushing their DIY skills to the limit,
27:33creating a new guest bedroom suite.
27:35So far, we've cut a hole for the new door
27:40into the bathroom loo, I suppose it is, isn't it?
27:45And we are going to reposition the loo.
27:51This is going to be our first attempt at plumbing.
27:53We've never done any plumbing before.
27:59Ah!
28:06Don't ever say I don't give you anything, Di.
28:08Thank you so much.
28:09Enjoy your system.
28:10Still full of water.
28:11I'll go get rid of that.
28:17Yeah, no, that was fairly straightforward, wasn't it?
28:20OK.
28:22Goodbye!
28:24Is that working?
28:24Oh, you know what I've got to do?
28:26I've got to hold it under the rim.
28:29Fuck!
28:31Oh!
28:35Yeah!
28:38I win!
28:46I've photographed the royals and presidents of the United States.
28:50And now I've found myself removing a toilet.
28:53Toilet's out.
28:54What next?
28:55Floor.
28:56Try and get rid of this floor.
28:58Just rip it up, I hope.
29:00I hope it's not too stuck.
29:02Ooh!
29:02Thankfully there's a nice wooden floor under there.
29:05Under some lino.
29:06But it doesn't seem like it's too badly stuck down,
29:09so we might be in luck.
29:15Muscles!
29:17Muscles!
29:25The covering has come up reasonably easy,
29:27but it seems to be stuck to an old lino floor covering,
29:32which we're hoping is not glued,
29:35so we might be OK to reveal the wooden floor underneath.
29:44I don't think it is lino.
29:46I think it's sort of like a self-leveling type stuff
29:49because it's seeped between the floorboards and hardened.
29:53So it's a lot more difficult to get off than lino,
29:57but it is get-off-able.
29:59It's in really good condition.
30:00Yeah, look at that.
30:01Beautiful.
30:02What we're uncovering is the continuation of the floor in the bedroom.
30:08What's always lovely is to discover something original
30:16and that is in good condition,
30:18and the fact that I suppose that you've managed to do it yourself,
30:22which is lovely, and sort of reinstating the original fabric,
30:28part of the original fabric of this building,
30:30which is always really a lovely experience.
30:32The joys of chateau restoration are being laid bare for Lionel and Claire,
30:39but with more plumbing still to tackle, will their luck run out?
30:49In the Longuedoc at Tim and Sasha's, they're preparing for the first of two back-to-back weddings.
30:59One has to remember to make each detail perfect,
31:03and that's the way I approach every single wedding that we do.
31:08Every wedding is individual.
31:10In the newly renovated courtyard,
31:13daughter Lily is sticking to the same mantra.
31:17So right now we're getting all the tablecloths down,
31:19we're going to get the steamer out.
31:21The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, which is exactly what we need.
31:25So yeah, it's all looking good.
31:29I started at seven.
31:31I've almost finished the wedding arch.
31:33I've done the champagne reception.
31:36Wedding days for us are not what they used to be.
31:38No more late nights.
31:40As soon as we've finished the floristry and everything that Sasha needs to do,
31:45we knock off.
31:46Let the kids run the show.
31:48That's it.
31:51With the groom already mingling out in the courtyard...
31:56I haven't a clue what stress is until it all falls down.
32:00Last-minute flourishes are added to the ceremony arch.
32:09Good.
32:12Before the guests take their seats,
32:15and bridegroom Luke awaits the love of his life.
32:22After a hug with her grandpa,
32:28Tiara and Luke are ready to make their vows.
32:32All of us have come here to share in the commitment they will make today.
32:36We are especially thankful for the presence of Papi,
32:40who has been a source of strength and love for Tiara.
32:47Behind the scenes, however,
32:49it's all hands on deck,
32:51as a sudden drop in temperature means the wedding dinner
32:55is now taking place in the wine barn.
32:58You may kiss your bride.
33:13And while the refurbished courtyard isn't warm enough for dinner,
33:18it is the perfect spot for the newlyweds to have their first dance.
33:32Literally, any little girl's dream comes true.
33:36I feel like a princess. I have my Prince Charming.
33:38It's been amazing. I think it has surpassed our expectations.
33:43Everything went according to plan. It's been perfect.
33:46Perfect.
33:48Work's done today, yeah? Successful.
33:51Yeah.
33:51Another wedding in two days' time.
33:53But this has been great.
33:57The first of their back-to-back weddings has been a glorious success.
34:03Tomorrow, a new wedding party will arrive,
34:06and the family will have to pull out all the stops
34:09to deliver yet another dream day.
34:17Coming up...
34:18Now is the time to get my hands dirty.
34:21Lionel lays waste to the soil pipe.
34:24It's raining.
34:26And wedding plans are in chaos.
34:30What are we going to do?
34:36Back in Western France,
34:39Claire is battling to remove an old floor covering
34:42and expose the original wooden boards in the guest en suite.
34:47The edges of the floor were coming off really easily,
34:49so I thought this was going to be quite straightforward.
34:51But the middle bit is really thick and really tough,
34:55and now it's taking forever.
34:58Meanwhile, Lionel is down in the bowels of the chateau
35:01on an important mission.
35:04We're now in the corridor which is outside the chapel,
35:07which is directly beneath the bathroom upstairs,
35:10where the soil pipe runs.
35:13You can hear the banging upstairs,
35:14and that's Claire banging away.
35:18I need to cut the soil pipe
35:20because we're going to move where the toilet is.
35:27I might cut that down there, actually.
35:35Once the surrounding insulation has been removed,
35:43Lionel has to bite the bullet.
35:45Thankfully, I haven't been wearing gloves,
35:47but now is the time to get my hands dirty.
36:02Oh, victory approaches!
36:06I was a little bit concerned that something might pop out.
36:22Oh, yes! Look!
36:24Oh, hello!
36:26Hello.
36:27Hello, darling.
36:29Well done. Very impressive.
36:30The vistas of our relationship never cease to expand.
36:34Amazing, isn't it?
36:39I think I've got about just over, like, a square metre,
36:42one and a half left to do,
36:43but it's just going slower and slower.
36:48Meanwhile, Lionel's next challenge
36:50is to remove all the old skirting
36:52and architrave around the doorways in the bedroom,
36:56keeping them intact so they can be reused.
37:02Oh, that's nice.
37:04Oh, that's nice.
37:06Came off in one piece.
37:07No damage.
37:10And really quite easy, actually, which is great.
37:14Lionel just has to hope the architrave goes as smoothly.
37:18These are quite chunky,
37:19so these would be very, very expensive to replace
37:23if they get really badly damaged.
37:37Oh!
37:39Oh, that was satisfying.
37:41One down.
37:44Probably about ten more.
37:46Ten, twelve to go.
37:49I am getting there.
37:50I am not going to let it defeat me.
37:53We got a lot done today.
37:56My favourite job was the removal of the architrave,
38:00because it was just so satisfying.
38:03It was wonderful.
38:08Doing that floor has absolutely tested my patience
38:11and done me in, and everything hurts now,
38:13but it's going to be worth it,
38:16because it's going to look beautiful in there.
38:18However, their dream of an elegant, luxurious guest suite
38:22is still a long way off.
38:31Back in the south of France,
38:33it's turnaround day for Tim and Sasha.
38:36The second of two back-to-back weddings
38:40is due to take place in the Chateau Gardens tomorrow.
38:44But things aren't quite going to plan.
38:48I'm a little bit worried because my flower delivery
38:52hasn't come first thing in the morning,
38:55and we're looking at the afternoon sometime
38:58before I can start.
39:00So, it's putting me under enormous pressure.
39:04I don't know why this has happened.
39:07Ah!
39:08I think your flowers have just arrived.
39:09The flowers have arrived, right this second.
39:12How are your flowers?
39:15And that's not the only arrival,
39:18as the wedding couple, Emily and Gemma,
39:21and most of their guests are here.
39:25Hiya.
39:26How are you?
39:28Hiya.
39:29Lovely to meet you in person. How are you?
39:33Meanwhile,
39:34Sasha's floral struggles aren't over.
39:38It's bad enough with the flower delivery
39:41coming at 2 o'clock or 3 o'clock in the afternoon
39:45when I need it first thing in the morning,
39:47but...
39:48Oh, gosh.
39:50Then you're faced with this,
39:54where...
39:576 out of 10 flowers are damaged.
40:01I'll use them in smaller decorations.
40:04It's just annoying because it slows me down.
40:10And, at the moment,
40:12I don't need slowing down.
40:14I need speeding up.
40:18Over in the barn,
40:19Luke and Lily are preparing for the evening ahead.
40:24First,
40:26Tim hosts a wine tasting
40:27for brides Emily and Gemma
40:29and their guests.
40:31Good evening, everybody.
40:33Welcome to the south of France.
40:35Bonsoir. Oh, yeah.
40:36I've forgotten that.
40:37Lived here for 23 years,
40:39and my French is rubbish.
40:41And then,
40:43karaoke and dancing
40:45as they party the night away.
40:54The next morning,
40:56it's wedding day,
40:57and Sasha has been at it since the crack of dawn.
41:02I seem to have everything to do
41:04in the last couple of hours.
41:06But I'm used to it.
41:08It'll all come together.
41:09And with Tim and Laurent running around,
41:12I'll make it.
41:14I think.
41:15I hope.
41:18Tim and handyman Laurent
41:20are busy setting up the ceremony on the lawn.
41:23But it looks like there's a storm brewing.
41:28It's raining.
41:33It's not looking good for an outside ceremony.
41:38It's now an hour before the sale.
41:40What are we going to do?
41:42Move into the wine barn?
41:44If we have to.
41:45I think.
41:46If we have to.
41:47I wait at the last minute.
41:48Yeah.
41:52Thankfully,
41:53the waiting game pays off.
41:57It's hot now.
41:58This is crazy.
42:05That looks good.
42:06Right, I think that's it.
42:07And the guests can at last take their seats
42:11for a gloriously sunny garden wedding
42:14at the chateau.
42:23I'm honoured to have been asked to be here today
42:25to officiate the marriage between Emily and Gemma,
42:28as I love them both very much.
42:32Whew!
42:34Soon,
42:35vows are exchanged
42:37and the ceremony is complete.
42:40Through
42:41no power whatsoever vested in me.
42:45I am happy to announce
42:46that Emily and Gemma are married.
42:48You may now kiss the bride!
42:53Please be standing for your brides
42:55and show Gemma some love!
43:02As the newlyweds skip into married life,
43:06the revamped courtyard is all set to host an al fresco wedding dinner.
43:13We're so happy we came to the chateau.
43:16It's been absolutely amazing.
43:18Everything has been perfect.
43:20Nothing has...
43:21Felt stressful.
43:22Exactly.
43:23Just been so free here.
43:25Yeah, yeah.
43:26It's been incredible.
43:28It's been a hectic few days,
43:30but Emily and Gemma aren't the only ones counting their blessings.
43:36This chateau has been able to give us a life that's inventive, creative and exciting, as well as being our
43:49own home.
43:50And we're very proud of what we've achieved.
43:54Luke and Lily have taken the whole business a step forward.
44:00And the old chateau is looking after all of us, which is quite wonderful really.
44:08The family effort to revamp the courtyard has paid off.
44:12And the wedding season has been suitably launched in stunning style.
44:26Next time...
44:27Can I throw you this tape?
44:29One project is in deep water.
44:35Oh, you are kidding me.
44:38There's a spooky surprise.
44:41Oh my God, what's that?
44:42It's a bat.
44:44And this owner fights a decor war.
44:48Amazing. It's exactly what I want.
44:51I'm a bit giddy.
44:53Giddy? Giddy?
44:56Good one.
44:57Good one.
45:14End of drama.
45:15Good one.
45:17Good one.
45:18Good one.
Comments