This week at Château de Borie, it’s facades, frustration, and finding the right paint color.
After a major storm, I’m cleaning up fallen branches, trimming back overgrown trees, and assessing damage around the property. The façade work continues — with some tense contractor negotiations along the way — and I finally close the loop on the cliff stabilization plan.
Meanwhile, I’m preparing for an upcoming wedding on the grounds and making big decisions about landscaping (gravel or grass?) and repainting the dining room. With help from ChatGPT renderings, I test new color directions and consider what will bring more light into the space.
Renovating an 18th-century French château is never simple — especially when navigating contracts in another language.
Welcome to real château life.
More about life at the château and upcoming retreats:https://chateauchronicles.com
Music this week:
Intro: Belle Epoque: (The Devil’s Sway Feat. Roof) https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/fFEeJaOAOK/
28 Comments
If you go with gravel go with a fine shale. Its easier to walk on with heels because it has flat edges vs round like most gravel. I think you should look at creaping thyme or even moss. What about a pale lavender for the dining room?
Boy I can’t wait to move to France, buy a chateau or two! I feel bad for you frankly, and think you’re being taken advantage of in many ways. ClaudiaSJI
Grass and weeds will still grow in gravel sadly. Just saying, I've fought grass for years 😜 beautiful place and it's looking a lot better. A lot to keep cleaned up! Even hire some young people to help do some of that ground work, you've so many balls in the air😜
Good riddance to bad contractors!
Consider a landscape plan for your property; it can be implemented over several years. The benefit is reduced re-work and associated expense and an overall cohesive look.
Yes! I have used Chat GPT for that as well….to help decorate my living room.😊
I don't suggest using landscaping fabric. It will keep the weeds down for a short while but then they will be growing on top of it and through it and they will be harder to pull. Plus if decide to plant something, dealing with the old landscaping fabric is a real pain.
The Cottage looks fantastic great finish of the walls but sad that dude was so hard to deal with . Pleased finally u can get that garden done . all those rocks would make a great wall but a lot of work. Should get a battery powder chainsaw not to big u be amazed how u cut through some of that tree and make it easier to move im just talking about the odd branches that fall . Anyway take care and hope the weather in proves too . 🙂
FYI – ChatGPT is a curse on our environment. It’s a huge energy and water sucker. It’s is destroying our environment. Please use software and real life human resources to help you make design and other decisions.
It seems to be a mixed bag on the gravel solution in the comments. I had a large 'courtyard' at my last place, that was on the north side and had a huge maple covering it. It was fenced in for my Doberman, and she ran around it to the point there only remained a small patch of grass in the center, and the rest got muddy. I tried many things, but in the end i got a load of 'pea gravel' to spread over the area. It turned out to be the best. It was easy to spruce up with a metal leaf rake and leaf blower. It always looked neat and tidy and the pea gravel being rounded, was easy on my dogs paws (not to mention no more mud in the house). It was perfect to put outdoor furniture on, large decorative pots and statuary. Over 25 years, I got 2 loads to refresh it, as over time you loose some from seasonal raking and pooper scooper clean up. Too bad you can't get Lulu a sibling to help run off energy, LOL!
HAHAHAHAHA do NOT trust chat.. its so often wrong use at your own risk! Ask a professional!
Creo q tienes muchos problemas con el manejo de las aguas… deberías arreglar eso … también veo muchos árboles viejos cerca de la piscina q deberías quitar despejar … y el acantilado deberías buscar otras 2 opiniones lo digo por todo lo q has pasado al contratar obras … pero lo q más problemas te da es el agua … eso se soluciona con un alcantarillado .. bueno eso veo q estés bien 😊
Esa piedra podrías usarla para arreglar esa vía de acceso para rellenar partes q se ven peligrosas
Tasks are never ending and throw in a wind storm … adds so much more to the do list! I think Daffodils are one of the strongest early Spring flowers one of my favorites as a child in MI my grandmother had Daffodil bulbs planted which even if we still had a lot of snow on the ground they would still rise up and bloom! All things will fall into place one day at a time! The brighter dining will really open up and refresh the space! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! Au Revoir 💜
I don’t think I would trust putting a tent by the area where the rock came down I would be scared of it .
If you do gravel be sure to place a weed barrier/mat down first otherwise you will be weeding the gravel for the rest of your life! Haha! ❤❤❤
I’m certainly no gardener, but I think landscape fabric is not good. I agree you should consult with a landscape person to get an opinion. Love the lighter shades for the dining room…moldings and walls, all the same color. I liked the first two shown. Also, in spite of horrible contractor, the cottage exterior looks great. I so admire you, in spite of all the setbacks, you are creating a thing of beauty.
Gravel always has non stop weeds. Pick out a reasonable space and have artificial grass the longer one with brown through it. Very realistic no water no mowing always green, then plant winding beds of flowers around. Place grass on lrvel surface and hammer in nails with wide tops to keep it done. I have done this, spot on.
You keep making good progress Abby! My yard is landscaped (xeriscaped) for the high desert climate. All rocks and smaller rocks with the fabric underneath. Climate appropriate trees and plants on a drip system. I thought I was putting in a low maintenance yard. Nope. Weeds still grow and the yard has to be sprayed every year with a pre-emergent weed killer. Its the only thing that keeps it under control.
Good video Abby. Its -27 here & bleak. I envy you out there raking & cutting. I've gotta come visit!! Thankyou for sharing.
Abby may think about walking on gravel if wedding high heels! Clover or creeping tyme to waking on and they will grow in low light ad cut with a mower little soil needed ! Lighter colour makes room look fresher ! Thanks for sharing glad the radiant floor heatingbwill work for you ! Need neighbour to cut fallen trees up and move to dry ad use as fire wood !
Is there another lawn area? To have gravel everywhere would just look beige and grey which might look a bit sad.
I think you could be taken advantage of with spending a lot of money on the gravel. There is shade grass seed that will give you a lush lawn with fertilizing it regularly. I would call in a landscape designer before making a decision. I love the lighter colors for the dining room and the round tables, and drapes on the windows is very elegant. The buildings look great with the plaster work despite you having a horrible time with the company. ❤
They did a great job breaking all the large rocks down! I’m sure the yard will look great whatever you decide! 😊
The gravel covering all of that space makes me nervous. You have a beautiful tree you want to save, that has roots coming to the surface, covering that with gravel I would think would burn the roots? Please, please check with and arborist on how to handle your trees and plants. they know how to deal with that. I'd rather see you get professional information.
Leverage
Just an idea, when you are cutting back different things, trees, bushes, etc. on your property, maybe google what they are and how they individually need to be pruned? or you will have more work in your future or worse, you could kill it.
Where is Tomas’?