I have so enjoyed reading all your comments about the possibilities of the little house in my brother's French village. I know I made fun of it when sharing those photos but, in all honesty, I still have a feeling about that little house and how it could be restored into a comfortable vacation home. This weekend my brother and sister-in-law plan a stroll through the village to try to locate the property and report back. Until then - look what marvelous places these village houses have become once loved, renovated and cared for....................................
In the beautiful book 'Les Maisons Romantiques de France' by Barbara & Rene Stoeltie, the imperfections of the tiny village houses of France are shown lovingly restored. Sometimes from the outside they do not appear inviting, stark stone walls and creaking delapidated gates.
Colette wrote in My Mother's House ~ "A large solemn house, rather forbidding, with its shrill bell and its carriage entrance with a huge bolt like an ancient dungeon, a house that smiled only on its garden side."
What do you think? Do you agree that every house has the potential to become a true home if one has a vision and is prepared to take on the job? Money is a huge part of the equation of course. Some strong, hard working craftsmen would be needed...................and an understanding husband who owes his sweetheart a really special Valentine gift could make this dream come true.
Well one has to have a dream, right?
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Mary, never stop dreaming!
ReplyDeleteAs Amber said in a comment at the Back Porch, a home is more than brick and mortar. It's the love that lives there, that makes the home.
I know what you mean about the cost of renovating an older home. J and I were in my old hometown in the Ozarks last summer and looked at a home in what once was an upscale neighborhood during the 50's and 60's. I could see all the possibilities, but age and pocketbook prevented us from going forward. Lets just say the house has issues...but oh what a showplace it could become.
I hope your brother finds the house you wrote about. Would be fun to know more!
Pat
Panic at the thought of doing a thing is a challenge to do it... go for it, Mary!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Cielo
Mary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful dream, I say you follow it....I can't wait to hear the follow up. Thanks for taking us along on your dream.
Rose
Last night I watched the movie 'Chocolat' that took place in a small french village. Oh the beauty in the old, quaint buildings........We could have that here in America if we weren't so wasteful. Here we just tear it down and build new that is of poorer quality and much poorer craftsmanship. So sad.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you are going to do it aren't you! It sounds do able, but from USA to France, maybe not so easy. Good luck if you go for it..
ReplyDeleteWell dear Mary, wish upon a star and yes, dreams do come true! I don't think it is crazy at all. Jos has a dream to do this very thing. He talks about it all of the time. I told him he needs to look at the photos on your blog of that little house. How much is it? :) I too think every house has potential and just needs someone to love it and noursish that special soul within those walls. And then lets not even talk about the French lifestyle.....
ReplyDeleteI would cheer you on if you do decide to go for this little piece of paradise! I have been to this area and Carcassonne is just wonderful. I really believe that we have to go out and grab the things we want in life.
Hugs ~
Heidi (who is watching poor Jos works his arms off painting the living room...)
I truly think every house has a chance at becoming a beautiful home....it all depends on your own definition of beautiful :-). I would buy a run down old house anyday, if the location and view was right.... Go for it!!
ReplyDeletePenny
What a wonderful dream! I love the history in those old rooms. The oldest house in our town is barely 100.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to tell you thank you for your sweet message Mary. I am so overwhelmed by the kindness shown me by my blog friends!
Oh we all have to dream and hey, dreams do come true! Go for it Mary! The pictures are very inspiring! If anyone could do it, you definitely could! We are all behind you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteMary, I spent magnificent weekend reading your posts (I think all of them!) and dreaming about beautiful house too. I want to thank you for it!
ReplyDeleteSure you can do it! You have an outstanding sense of style, and really good eyes on color palette, antiques, and decorations. I believe if you will brave enough to start such project, your French house will became true vocational retreat for all you family. You are lucky girl! I wish your dream came thru and good luck!
Oh Mary! What gorgeous photographs!! I just love the look of each of these....Thank you so very much for posting my artwork on your blog, dear ~ I really appreciate you! And thank you too for your kind comment on my blogiversary...the land of blog is a lovely place to be! Hope you have a wonderful day, xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeleteI could walk through the pages of this book forever looking at these unique and wonderful rooms....and oh, how I loved Colette's book My Mother's House when I read it a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, mary...yes, keep on dreaming!
ReplyDeletexo,
Rhoda
Dear Mary, thank you for your lovely encouraging, warm comment that you left at Thatchwick Cottage. I must tell you that blogging is opening a wonderful new world to me. It's addictive. I am going to write about my lovely thatch roof and house with round rooms on the blog. But to anwwer your questions in the meantime. Thatch roofed houses are not uncommon in South Africa. Thatching is the traditional roofing of the African people built over their round huts. Thatchers are easy to find - they are usually African men and the materials are local. Long ago the thatching was done by women. Of course, the popularity of thatch houses also links to our colonial past and British heritage. Living under a thatch roof is special: the smell of the grass and the sound of rain on thatch is magic. Do visit again. Maybe for a glass of ice cold dry South Africa savignon blanc taken on my verandah! Warm regards Eleanor
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Whenever I see an old house I want to restore it. I think of house as having a life. They provide shelter for a family and ask for nothing in return and I feel so sad when I see a house in need of repair. It's like they don't deserve it!
ReplyDeleteDreams are fun and sometimes they come true, so who knows... I would be curoius to know how much a little house like that would cost.
Rhondi xo
The wall colors are so amazing...love those.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea:-). And dreams have been known to come true, who knows maybe yours is just around the bend:-).
ReplyDeleteThese photograps are wonderful! I too love everything french. I´d love to spend some time living the "slow" life in a little village.My Husband did for a while while working in a little restaurant in France. Lots of looong dinners with wine!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Liisa