In EPISODE 116 we’re having an honest sit-down conversation from our renovation farm in France. We talk through the progress we’ve made at Lelas, the problems we’re currently facing, and how some of our ideas and plans are changing as the renovation continues.
Renovating a 200+ year-old French farm is never straightforward, and this episode is a real update on where we are, what’s been challenging, and what we’re thinking about next.
We’re one step closer to transforming our French farmhouse into the home of our dreams — blending restoration, craftsmanship, and everyday life at Lélas — and we’re so happy you’re on this journey with us. 💛
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode of our farmhouse renovation series — new vlogs every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM (French time)!
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#RichmondMade #FarmhouseRenovation #FrenchFarmhouse #ChateauLife #DIYHome #Woodworking #Restoration #RenovationJourney #FrenchDoorRestoration #Craftsmanship #Workshop #Renovation #DIYRestoration
47 Comments
What a wonderful chat that we’ve had with you both. Thanks for taking the time.
Really enjoy following you. Thanks for sharing your wonderful life with us. You both are such humble individuals.
I’m sure most of us are just enjoying hanging out with you as you go about your lives. I would love to see a bit more about your daily lives and interactions in addition to the renovations and projects on the property. If you feel comfortable “bringing us along” of course! ☀️
My husband is 79 and I am 75☺️.
We are on possibly our last project🤔😉
I think we are a certain breed of humans that love a project.
Makes our hearts full and bodies move.
Now our 9 grand children are grown and don’t need us so much, a hole opened that needed filling so another little dog to call our own.
Be true to yourself, was my lesson to learn and I have finally got it.☺️
Enjoy your aging parents away from work time.
Find a halfway spot between you and them that you all can enjoy relaxing together.
Celebrate all the wins.
Life is uncertain but intention to be love and be happy is a choice.
Take your time.
Xx
I really like this vlog. You sat down to discuss life, dreams, and plans. This should be a new "weekly check-in ". Thanks, for sharing 🙂
No it’s not a sob story, lots of people have full or part time jobs and are working on renovations on their houses and have to work that around work as me and my husband had to do. You are also videoing everything too which is a newer thing that wasn’t around when we did works. You are both doing so well with your jobs and work at La Lillas and filming, editing and just normal living as well. ❤❤🐾
It’s amazing how much you’ve already done, in such a short time. Amaury’s years of experience really makes a huge difference. Building the deck alone, was very impressive in such a short time as a solo project.
I think when weather doesn't permit you have a lovely little home. Take naps after Lalande. Eat relax togetherness.
I thought you had to open the cap of the sparkling wine half way, every day for half a second to release a bit of the pressure , so it does not explode , like kombucha does if not aired😰
Not the last three days before use, that will leave more than enough fizz.
It’s not cool if it explodes or everything comes out all at once when you open the bottle 😢
Have you researched that?
I’ve seen many people do it.
It might not be a necessity , but I’d check it out to be sure❤
Thanks for acknowledging sparking wine, cordial vs Champagne. Homemade wine is usually left in one barrel/pail/container for 4-6 weeks for the yeast to eat the sugar, then the dead yeast sinks to the bottom of the container & is discarded. Bottling then occurs. It is unlikely your Elderberry mix will be very alcoholic unless you added 1 1/2 teaspoons of yeast to every bottle. Gases will make the liquid expand & can blow caps right off bottles in the first 1-2 days (but I dont think you need to worry about exploding since you didnt use a lot of yeast & left head space). I put ballons on the rim of each bottle (I use cleaned plastic 2 litre soda bottles) which inflate. This method can be done with most fruits (syrup made from water, fruit, sugar & yeast) & makes a delicious homemade alcoholic drink. Cheers.
Is there a possibility to start on the house when it is raining and do the storage garage when it isn’t raining.
You are the most genuine and real people on YouTube. I have always been impressed at Amaury,s gentle ways, that are reflected by his mom and dad. So kind. Nati you are such a hard worker. Organizing for so many people. I can't wait until we hear that a baby is on the way, God willing. Keep up the good work and yes, enjoy the process.
I really love watching you both as you take this journey. The walks with Mollie, the beautiful countryside and listening to the sounds of life. It is wonderful to see you taking your time and teaching us along the way! The reality of renovation and restoration is that it takes time. I really appreciate you sharing the truth , warts and all!!!
I especially enjoy Amurays “fiddlesticks” exclamations
when he realises his mistake!
Nati, I’m loving exploring gardening and your learning new skills! What a champion with wallpaper you are.
As a old girl I would have to say that in my life the journey towards something is far more important than the destination. It builds love and relationships, learning what works and what doesn’t. So enjoy every day.
It is lovely to follow your journey but never feel that you HAVE to post a vlog. Always take time for yourselves..after all the vlog is all about you. You have many loyal followers who understand life can be very complicated juggling all sorts of jobs….we are here for you. ❤
I really appreciate all the thought you two put into everything. Don't be too hard on yourselves; everything takes longer than you think it will, especially when you already have two very busy jobs! Take care and know that you are loved. Give Molly a pat on the head for me.
Take time to smell the roses.
For what it’s worth, Nati and Amaury, my husband and I have been renovating our little 1200 square foot house and running a store together, for 22 years and counting. We do a project a year as we can afford it and that’s just how it is. We wish you both many years of joy, sweat and happiness. Love from Canada.🇨🇦
🇦🇺🦘👋🏼👍🥰🙃
OMG We all get it. Welcome to our world of balancing so many competing priorities. We all face this but what is fun is too see what that looks like for a couple in France. Keep doing what you’re doing guys❤.
Rome wasn't built in a day either. Every day you're glad for the work you did the day before. Enjoy it. You're doing great!
Nati, I am viewing from Seattle and love all the work you’re both doing. Learning about gardening takes time. When you create flower beds try creating edges that curve or meander. It softens the strait lines of buildings and walls. Take the time to refresh yourself and enjoy your progress.
Hello from Winnipeg, Canada. The description of your recent weather was VERY interesting because thousands of miles west of France, here in Winnipeg we have had exactly the same experience. Historically we can expect a risk of frost here until the end of May. This year was no different. The third week of May we had temperatures down to O degrees celsius. Then the next week the temperature shot up to 35! And the winds were horrific! We had a whole week of over 30 degrees before it settled down a bit. There was literally NO spring! We went from winter to summer, bingo! It's a crazy world this year. You do a lovely job of your vlogs. My husband and I look forward to watching them every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Cheers, Susan 🇨🇦
NO apologies, EVER .We just love watching what both of you are doing . Listen to me l was changing my bedroom furniture around and was hoping you would come on so.im sitting on my floor with a beer and a messy room heck don't care when l get done lol. PS. AND who doesn't mind looking a great hulk .😅😅
Just breath and enjoy. You are both cracking it! Kia Kaha/Go strong. Kia pai to rā/Have a good day😊👏👍
I love your videos! You are both doing a fantastic job!
Enjoy life❤ & its good to have time to yourself thats life .
You’re doing a brilliant job in both your jobs. We live in Australia and we deal with the heat by making sure we stop working for at least an hour during the worst of the midday heat, we don’t just drink water, we include Gatorade or apple juice to counteract what we loose when we sweat in the heat and we wear a hat, sunglasses and make sure to just stop and have short breaks when needed. Sunstroke and dehydration is a real threat in the heat and it’s awful ❤😊
Neighbours helping each other .🎉we always had great gatherings . We had lots of door step coffees with ours. Lots of potlucks😊
We would love to see more of the renovation work that you are doing at the Chateau – not in any way to take away Stephanie’s content but more details of you doing your woodwork, detail that Stephanie will not cover… if possible! 😊
What a treat to have such a lovely chatty vlog. I think you have stolen everyone’s hearts and we are all totally behind you. Sometimes the Chateau is quite overwhelming so it’s nice to watch a simpler renovation. It will be absolutely beautiful when it is done but the journey getting there is going to be exciting for all of us. Take care of yourselves. Love from Sam
Please, I personally watch because I just love spending time with you both .I would hate to feel that you are doing things ,just to make a vlog . Too many others do this and they end up almost burning out . Your family is very special and I feel priverlidged to be able to share,so please just keep being you ,and let’s spend time sharing a coffee chat lol🤗take care
Oh please do live your full life in a healthy pace. I love seeing Nati gardening, making wine and making a home. Would love to see your gatherings with friends and neighbors.
Good talk.
Nice to see you both having a chance to relax in your lovely comfy little home 🙂
I actually really like the mix of content. I love the renovations but the gardening and cooking and things give it a soft, cosy edge. Also, I don't know what people are on about you not helping Nati. I know you are doing loads of the organising side, sourcing and getting everything you need for the work, and that can take hours and hours to do, as you have to get it right. Also, the work you are doing in the garden is helping lay the foundation for your future life there, even Dan has been doing that in the enormity of his project. I think the two of you make a fantastic and very balanced team.
If the renovations were done overnight then we would not have anything to watch.
We see the progress. You guys did the cozy room. I was right there. I almost handed you guys the hammer, the nails. It did feel as though i was right there.
These are the best years of your life together. Take your time. Don't worry. The weather will stop weathering and you'll do what you can. Enjoy these days.
Enjoyed your little chat guys.
Hold the comfort projects, you got 5000 farmhouse jobs to do. Now you need to gear up for a mass BBQ land clearing project? Hold the squirreling around. Build cozy comfort structure 3.
❤❤🐶
Pillow across waist :)) when sitting reminds me of my Dad and Son
Do what y’all can do and most importantly enjoy the journey
Enjoy y’all’s content
God bless 🙏🏼💙🩷
Hello to the lovely & loving couple
Coming to you from Ontario, Canada
What a beautiful job you are BOTH doing on your new project of making a life & home for yourselves. The comfy home Nattie has decorated, the Cozy Room, now the garage. Inspiration abounds. Love the work you both do & the love of living your best lives that you manage to share. I watch from afar, but feel your sharing spreads your caring ways to others. At 77 I am inspired to see your upcoming party
Cheers!❤
We realise the demands on your time and you still manage to post videos, so don't worry – we're along for the ride (however long it takes). Can I ask…are you still using the cosy room?
….Jeunes beaux et courageux, alors …….To be continued ?