If you’ve only just found us… Where have you been? Want more? This is a good place to start:
A day out turned into a turning point for our renovation plans.
We’re visiting Château de Lalacelle and coming home full of ideas.
This episode is a collaboration with Château de Lalacelle (@chateaudelalacelle) — and we’re genuinely grateful to Terry, Ash and Tracy for welcoming us and showing us what’s possible when you restore with patience, craft, and obsession-level attention to detail.
Before an early start, we do the very British thing and arrive with gifts (local chocolates, homemade shortbread, and something celebratory), then step inside their château for a proper tour. Seeing it in real life is something else: the scale, the atmosphere, the hand-finished work that looks authentically “old,” and room after room that makes you stop and stare.
We also talk honestly about the leap of buying a château, the speed it can all happen, and that familiar renovation truth — sometimes you have to make it worse before you can make it better. And yes: we bring our own ceiling mistake to the table and ask for advice, because if anyone understands the messy middle, it’s them.
By the end, we leave Château de Lalacelle inspired — and thinking differently about what Château de La Vergne could become next.
Go and watch more of their beautiful work here: Château de Lalacelle (@chateaudelalacelle)
https://www.youtube.com/@chateaudelalacelle
00:00 Chocolate mission before the big visit
00:44 The 4:30am reality check (the journey)
01:00 Weirdly nervous… right before we arrive
02:03 First glimpse of their French château
02:19 How a “maybe” became buying a château (the Covid push)
04:22 Gifts, introductions, and instant chemistry
07:05 Touring the rooms: why it’s “better in real life”
07:46 The iconic blue tiles (and the acid cautionary tale)
12:11 Our copper-leaf ceiling dilemma (making it worse to make it better)
16:20 Suite tour goals: luxury without losing the history
23:32 The hand-painted finish secret (and the €200k reality)
26:47 “Here’s to the crazy ones” + what this visit changed for Château de la Vergne
👉 Subscribe to follow our château restoration journey
👉 Like & comment — we read every message
👉 Thank you for being part of this story
🔗 Stay connected with us and search @ourchateaulife, see you there!
Our Patreon account is here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/OurChateauLife
42 Comments
If you've only just found us… Where have you been? Want more? This is a good place to start:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7mIbTYkscxeH7_QQOIbP3A65DILCazvV&si=C2JKI5g2x3s-Gu2X
This week we stepped into someone else’s château story… and left with our heads spinning.
What struck me most wasn’t just the scale of what they’ve done, but the care. The layers. The decisions made slowly, deliberately, room by room. It’s a reminder that these places change you as much as you change them.
There was a moment in the wood room where we quietly thought, “We’ve been there.” That feeling of going too far… before it all comes together.
I’m curious — which room stayed with you the most, and did anything you saw here change how you’re thinking about our own rooms at La Vergne?
Their door is open to us. Ours is open to you. And I suspect what happens next at La Vergne might get interesting.
Just found your channel , liked and subscribed. I love Terry, Ash and Tracy ! Stephanie from The Chateau Diaries is also one of my favorites.
I'm from Arkansas USA ❤❤
It's nice to visit la la Versailles (lol) to see the flow from room to room even going up the stairs to see the landing. As a viewer we see each room but don't know how it flows. So thank you. It's nice to meet you as well.
What a lovely video! I have watched Terry and Ash from their very beginning and I marvel at the work ethic they have along with Traci! What they have accomplished is nothing short of miraculous! I do believe they are as genuine as they appear. I'm sure they would be very willing to offer advice when asked. It shows just what can be accomplished if you have the imagination and drive they have and honestly haven't spent nearly what I see other chateau owners sending with far less results. You will get there also, I just know it! Enjoy watching you both! ❤
You all need to follow Amy Howard At Home. She is your kindred spirit!
They have done an amazing job. Very talented. 🦋
yes ive just found you and nice to meet you ! good luck on your rennovations and best wishes
Stéphane and Phillip found the manufacturer of the tiles seen in so many chateaus. So if you are in need reach out to them for more information.
Wonderful to see you welcomed and integrated into the Chateau community network, meeting Ashley, Terry & Family in person 🫶 Thank You, it was lovely to learn of everyone’s profession, prior to becoming chateau custodians. Did I hear you correctly, Lionel, that you were a royal photographer?
Chateau de Lalacelle Family members are so inspirational, next level, mega talented, authentic make it right chateau custodians, through their resilient determination, and vision, to turn the impossible into the possible 🌟
Thank You, very much, for sharing your visit to Chateau de Lalacelle with us 🥰
Viewing from Canada 🇨🇦 enthralled with the history, and culture of France, feeling absolutely deprived, that we do not have the pleasure to shop in magnificent French Brocantes, where the furniture and houseware speak volumes of historical stories, and are available at realistic prices !
New subscriber here! Me, my brother and my mother had the good fortune of meeting Ash, Terry, Tracy and Patrick this last summer as we were traveling through France! They couldn't been more gracious to us!
OMG, this is Great! I was hoping you would meet up with at least one of these fantastic Ex Pat turned Chateau owner duals. I do hope you go forth and meet some of the others and become part of their fantastic group. All of them have great ideas, different ideas and yet similar.
Chateau LaLacelle is being restored in the most exquisitely creative and beautiful way. Ash, Terry and Tracy are unbelievably talented. I wish you well with your own chateau and will enjoy following your journey too.
What a beautiful ending, your words made my eyes tear up, “Laughlin the rooms.” I so love watching Chateau owners get together. Thank you for taking us along and I hope to see Terry and Ash visit your Chateau soon.
Hello Claire & Lionel ! I've been following Terry, Ash, Tracy and Jonathan for years at Lalacelle. And I am curious to see what you can glean from their experience. Straight off, I love your two dogs with unusual coats! Terry has vision while Ash and Tracy help bring it to life. I'm happy you feel inspired.
Chuck
Loved that from a different point of view 👍🏻
If Terry asks for an opinion from people, what do we think about his choice——-Terry always wins. Worst of all he is always correct. Don’t you hate that. Great family.
I recommended Terry and Ash to you guys a while back and maybe other people did too so this was great to watch
Love these three so awesomely human so amazingly talented lucky you two ❤❤
Terry Ash and Tracy are the most amazing people. Creative, hard working and genuinely loving. I’m like you, if I was able to visit them I think I would just be walking around with my eyes bugged out and wanting to touch everything.
I have been a fan of Escape to the dream, from their beginning. It is nice to see their work through someone else's eyes. I see you picked up on all of the work that Tracy does that goes unseen. She is amazing. The paint brush vs the roller has been a topic of conversation more than once. Now we get to see how they inspired you.
I think the chateaux owners who do well – are real.
Personally, I don't watch the 'DIY from scratch' who pretend something was made in 1850. I think Philip (particularly) and Stephanie have the better idea, in that they put in very low bids by the hundred and win 5-10%. But every piece they buy is genuine. And doesn't need patching up. And he bids for nothing that won't have a special purpose, in a special place – which makes for a beautiful chateau and home. Just like the brushstrokes – you can feel the difference.
Nice to see you visited Chateau de Lalacelle . I’ve been watching them since the beginning of their journey…they truly have done a fantastic job
I love, love, love, Terry, Ash, and Tracy. I was hooked from the very beginning.
What a transformation they've achieved. They've accomplished so much more than you were able to mention in the time allowed. They rebuilt one of the massive garden walls when it collapsed.
They've built and rebuilt multiple gates.
They've replaced all of the Château windows.
They renovated the cottage where Tracy and Jonathan live.
You didn't show their personal apartment on the top floor. It's beautiful.
They're nearly done with installing the formal gardens.
Their future projects are just as ambitious, in their own way.
Terry is a brilliant designer. His mother Tracy and his partner, Ash, are faithful accomplices in executing his vision.
Team Lalacelle, what an amazing trio!❤
What a delightful video. Looking forward to the next one
This was a very nice visit and a heartwarming video to watch. Everyone is very genuine and humble. Much appreciated.
Great video! Thank you.❤
🎉 bonjour à tous merci pour ces superbes vidéos que l'on regarde à chaque fois pouvez-vous avoir la gentillesse de nous dire ce que la maman des jeunes hommes passent sur le bois cela fait une jolie couleur marron qui teinte le bois nous vous remercions par avance nous avons acheté un petit château dans les Pyrénées que nous sommes en train de restaurer bien cordialement Laurence et Didier
Terry and Ash are the best along with Tracey of course; thats how i came across your channel you showed up in my feed; I watched a few of your vlogs and you are both just wonderful to watch the banter between you both is adorable lol . Anyway I'm happy to subscribe … sorry to hear about the loss of your mum too … well I've got a few videos to catch up with ….
Terry & Ash are so modest & my favourites, it was good to see them being praised so much here! It’s so well deserved!! What a lovely couple to appreciate the Chateau! John in Monmouth 🏴
i feel i had to post after watching.. a sensitive and genuine visit i could see the sentimentality and understanding.. your eulogy(correct?) stopped me eating my bananas on toast for breakfast! it really touched me.. those guys have worked their socks off, taste is personal, but they have transformed that chateau…. oh and i loved the dig!! my sentiments exactly 👍🏻 😜 i will now be following you guys 😊 thanks ❤
Hola chicos! Es la primera vez que os veo y ya acabo de suscribirme a vuestras aventuras 😂 Gracias por crear un contenido tan agradable y divertido. Saludos 👋🏻
Wonderful episode. I imagine you might have more rooms to work on so woo hoo here you go.
I love seeing Claire smiling ☺️
Gostei muito de ver que visitaram o Terry, Tracy e Ash !
Como já vos disse , a minha vida é a pintura decorativa e o restauro, por isso encantam me estes canais como o vosso . Ainda bem que a solução que vos deram para o teto , foi uma das que vos sugeri . A pátina é realmente uma boa solução , mas , se pensarem numa decoração mais contemporânea , insisto no lime wash !
Vou continuar a assistir , curiosa para ver o que e como vão solucionar e claro está , todo o resto da conservação e remodelação do castelo 😊
I have watched Terry, Ash and Tracey since their beginning, what STUNNING renovations they have achieved, their talents are extremely impressive. I look forward to your evolving home and what you both create. Xxx
Guys don’t forget to hype the video. It really helps the channel. ❤
A brilliant video of chatalains getting together. Xx
New follower here…that was a great interview with Terry and Ash. Got a little more of their backgrounds. Look forward to seeing what you are doing as well.😊
🌟 Cheers! I just found you and will watch more. I love when other chatelains visit other château’s when we get a different perspective especially with Terry, Ash, Jonathan and Tracy’s Lalacelle.
That looks just like my local chocolate shop in Foussais- Payré.
I would ask terry what to do. He is excellent at this kind of thing! Actually I like it i would just repair some of the places where it looks flaky. That's how it looks to me. Good luck. Enjoy watching you two! Best wishes from Kansas, USA Hugs, connie❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
I am so happy that you went to see what Terry, Ash and Tracey have done at Lalacelle. Terry's vision and eye for detail is amazing. I am floored how much they have done and how gorgeous their chateau is. I look forward to seeing how what they have done inspires you as you work on your chateau. When I consider the length of time they have had their chateau and have accomplished so much. They began with Tracey's cottage and then the attic area for their living quarters, it just amazes me. Lots of inspiration for you. Ronnie in Saskatchewan