Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Prime US TV
  • 2 days ago
Chateau DIY Season 10 Episode 17

#ChateauDIY
#PrimeUSTV

Category

😹
Fun
Transcript
00:00Across France, there are thousands of awe-inspiring chateaux.
00:06Many lying in a state of disrepair.
00:10Oh my gosh, look!
00:14In desperate need of loving restoration.
00:18Good on you, Phil.
00:19Are being brought back to life by courageous new owners
00:23who are turning them into incredible homes.
00:27Beautiful.
00:28And businesses.
00:31Might as well just give it a kick.
00:34They'll face daunting challenges.
00:37Huge progress.
00:39They're so pretty.
00:40With highs.
00:42Wow, it's amazing, seriously.
00:44So you really like it?
00:45Yeah.
00:46As well as lows.
00:48This is by far the highest I've ever seen yet.
00:50But with hard work.
00:52Imagine this is what it's going to be like,
00:54sat under the tree, enjoying the pool.
00:56Comes great joy.
00:59Oh, it's delightful!
01:02As they get to live the dream.
01:05Oh wow, yes.
01:07As custodians of their very own chateau.
01:11Today...
01:16It's quite weird, painting black onto a wall.
01:20There's divisive decorating.
01:22Well, that's your side and that's my side.
01:24I'm just going to say that's your side, yeah.
01:26Moody.
01:27Moody Scotsman.
01:28One couple face an uphill struggle.
01:32Nothing's coming through.
01:35Who said buy a chateau?
01:36Nothing's ever easy.
01:38And a wedding deadline ruffles feathers.
01:42Hopefully we look like swans on the top of the water
01:45and our little legs are peddling like mad at the bottom.
01:47In Brittany, in the north-west corner of France,
01:57standing proudly on its own island in the river,
02:01is Moulin du Cuenon.
02:06This imposing five-storey flour mill with its small jeet
02:11had lain derelict and abandoned for over 40 years.
02:15Until former property consultant Donna
02:22and ex-construction boss Paul
02:24snapped it up for less than £100,000.
02:29When we got here and I kind of saw the surrounding...
02:34I mean, saw the building and it kind of took your breath away.
02:38Even in the state it was in, it was just beautiful.
02:41It ticked so many boxes and as you walk around it,
02:44I kind of just felt so sorry for how it's been abandoned
02:48and you saw the potential in it, you know?
02:51A bit like me.
02:52Yeah.
02:53Yeah, a bit like you.
02:57Located just under an hour's drive from the city of Rennes,
03:02the couple bought the mill just four months ago
03:05and have already torn down the old metal silos.
03:10I said, I don't think we'll be able to use that again, do you?
03:15And begun demolition work as well as fitting a new roof.
03:22They've also started work on the mill jeet,
03:25fitting windows and a boiler.
03:28Just the thought of hot water in here,
03:31that's a huge step forward, isn't it?
03:34Now, with demolition continuing in the main mill,
03:38Donna and Paul are putting all their effort
03:41into finishing the jeet,
03:43which they need to move into in just a few weeks' time.
03:47We're kind of suspending the ceiling about a metre
03:51from the existing ceiling,
03:53so we need to put in some suspension rods.
03:56We didn't want to leave the ceiling full height
03:58because it's then difficult to heat,
04:00so we're going to drop the ceiling by about a metre.
04:02If we can get the rails up and then the cross members
04:04and get that suspended,
04:05we'll be doing well to try and get that done today.
04:11So we're just setting the level
04:13that we're going to fit our perimeter rail.
04:14Once this stops beeping, it should be level.
04:22It's really an incomparable joy
04:24when you get a decent fixin' into crappy walls.
04:32First step to the ceiling.
04:35But Paul's joy doesn't last long.
04:39All right, this fixin's not good,
04:41so I'm going to have to do a timber wedge up here.
04:42This DIY veteran is used to the challenges
04:47of old buildings, though.
04:49We're obviously fixing the perimeter rail,
04:51but here, where it's the random wall,
04:53it's a bit hit and miss
04:54as to whether you get a decent fixing or not.
04:56So rather than using a rod plug,
04:58I'm just going to create a timber wedge,
05:00so I'm going to triangle a piece of timber,
05:02and then we'll ram it in the hole,
05:03hammer it in,
05:04and then I'll use that as my dowel.
05:06It's how they would have done it historically,
05:08in the, you know, once upon a time.
05:10We've just moved forward and got plastic raw plugs now,
05:12but they don't always fit the bill, so...
05:15So it's in there now.
05:19It's snapped off, which is fine.
05:20I'll use a longer screw,
05:21then we'll fix directly into the timber.
05:24OK, wells.
05:25One.
05:37With the perimeter rail fixed securely,
05:40the framework for the ceiling quickly takes shape.
05:44Speed ceilings.
05:50You can actually feel that sealant coming in already,
05:54even though it's just rails.
05:55You've got that enclosed feeling.
05:58It's looking good.
05:59We've nearly got a sealant.
06:02Last rail.
06:04Been relatively quick.
06:09Yay!
06:12I know there's no plasterboard on it,
06:14but when you put that up,
06:15it defines the space.
06:16I can.
06:17I'm already imagining the kitchen going in
06:20and the wallpaper going on.
06:23Yeah, exciting.
06:25Donna can dare to dream,
06:27but this gite project is still a long way from the finish line.
06:32Further south in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region,
06:40standing on the bank of the river Lotte,
06:43is the historic Chateau de Céserac.
06:48With parts dating back to medieval times,
06:56it boasts ten beautiful bedrooms and even its very own chapel.
07:02After a fire, it had been left to rack and ruin until Brits John and Carmen bought it in 2022 for £175,000.
07:16I totally think this place was waiting for us.
07:20It was meant to be.
07:22The minute we walked down the drive, I saw the sun on the chapel.
07:25I loved it, and everything else just slotted into place after that.
07:29It was just perfect.
07:31Here we are.
07:32It's a beautiful place.
07:33I still can't believe it's ours.
07:35Located two hours' drive from Bordeaux,
07:41John and Carmen are restoring this forgotten treasure into a magnificent home and luxury B&B.
07:50When we last saw them, they had transformed a smoke-damaged room into an opulent medieval dining room.
08:02Oh, it looks amazing in here.
08:04Oh, wow.
08:06Cheers, Carmen.
08:07Cheers, my lord.
08:08Today, the pair are working just next door in a tiny corner of their huge property,
08:15which they plan to give an important new purpose.
08:20Right, here we are.
08:22Here we are, in the toilet.
08:24Mm-hmm.
08:25Today, we're converting a stairwell into a downstairs toilet.
08:29At the moment, we're travelling all the way upstairs in the chapel every time we want the toilet,
08:32so we really do need a downstairs loo.
08:36The staircase inside the stairwell was lost in the fire,
08:41and the couple now plan to split the space in two.
08:45With access to the cellar below on one side,
08:50and a petite, yet practical, downstairs loo on the other.
08:55OK, then, John, so first thing, what's the plan?
08:58Right, OK, so first of all, I'd like you to sandblast these walls,
09:02because they've got fire damage on them,
09:04and they just need cleaning up and brightening up.
09:06Fantastic.
09:08Loving this.
09:09Always safety first with Carmen.
09:11Oh, yes.
09:16How do I look?
09:17You're the ghost of Chateau de Césaire.
09:19I feel like I need to get some bees.
09:21Bees?
09:22Yeah.
09:23That's perfect.
09:24Right, onward.
09:25Let's do this.
09:25Let's go home.
09:26What I've got here is a brand-new sandblaster.
09:30I haven't tried it yet.
09:31It could be a disaster.
09:33So this is grade one sandblasting sand.
09:36Not any old building sand.
09:39Once the machine's loaded up...
09:42It's got sand in it now, hasn't it?
09:43It's blooming heavy.
09:46..it's time to try out their new toy.
09:50No.
09:51Not working.
09:53Not working?
09:54No.
09:55Nothing's coming through.
10:02Don't point it to your face.
10:03I'm not.
10:04Usual scenario when we start doing something
10:07that we've not done before.
10:09Who said buy a chateau?
10:10Nothing's ever easy.
10:12We're creating a beach down here.
10:15What's wrong with it, then?
10:16Is it too fine for the sand?
10:19So we need a bigger nozzle, yeah?
10:21Oh, yeah.
10:22That should come out of there, shouldn't it?
10:24Maybe the pressure's not coming through enough.
10:32Right, what's plan B, then?
10:33Is this thing going to work?
10:35It's not good, is it?
10:36No.
10:37250 quid, not well spent, I'd say.
10:40Despite their best efforts,
10:42the sandblaster refuses to do its job.
10:46After a false start,
10:49John and Carmen are no closer to a downstairs loo
10:53than when they began.
10:57Coming up,
10:59one couple race against the clock.
11:02Whistle and ride, please.
11:04My boss is telling me off for talking too much.
11:06And with one job stalled...
11:09They don't even fit.
11:11John and Carmen's bad luck continues.
11:15You get one in and another one comes out.
11:17Why is nothing ever simple?
11:19A stone's throw from the picturesque village
11:30of Saint-Pierre-de-Mayer
11:31in Western France
11:33lies the fairy tale
11:35Chateau de la Boutiniere.
11:39With 47 rooms
11:41Spread across five floors
11:45and a 52-acre estate,
11:50the Chateau even has
11:52its very own Victorian hunting lodge.
11:56It had been vandalised and abandoned
11:59for five years
12:00before, in 2021,
12:03it captured the hearts
12:04of interior designer Alison
12:06and builder Zion.
12:08It's been a real adventure.
12:10Some of it very good,
12:12some of it really trying.
12:14Is that dry rot?
12:15It's dry rot, yeah.
12:16But when you live in a place like this,
12:18all that gets washed away
12:20when you look at it
12:21and you think,
12:21wow, this is ours,
12:23this is where we live.
12:24We live in our dream,
12:25we make in our dream.
12:27Yes, I would say
12:28it's a dream in progress.
12:31Located a three-and-a-half-hour
12:33drive from Paris,
12:35Alison and Zion
12:36snapped up the Chateau
12:38for £580,000
12:40with grand plans
12:43to transform it
12:44into a luxury wedding venue.
12:48Last time we saw them,
12:50Only about 80 to go.
12:53they were revamping
12:54the entire rear facade
12:56of the Chateau.
12:58I feel sorry for people
12:59that retire and do nothing,
13:00you know?
13:01I thought I'd be mixing cocktails,
13:03not cement.
13:03and the garden,
13:07ready to host
13:08their first wedding.
13:10Ah!
13:11I've got a wedding
13:12in three weeks!
13:15Today,
13:16they want to smarten up
13:17the shabby,
13:18worn gates
13:19at the end of the drive,
13:21which will be the first thing
13:22the bride and groom
13:24the bride and groom
13:24will see.
13:25This stage
13:26is like the icing
13:28on the cake,
13:28literally,
13:29starting at the front door,
13:30working down the drive,
13:32making sure it looks
13:33wedding-ready,
13:34all the way from the road
13:36to the Chateau.
13:37Whistle and ride, please!
13:39My boss is telling me
13:41off for talking too much.
13:46With the top layer
13:47of moss and grime removed,
13:49it's over to Zion
13:52and his power tools.
14:07That's gone a lot quicker
14:08than I thought.
14:09I thought we were going
14:10to spend at least
14:10two or three days
14:11doing this.
14:12So that machine
14:13has really made
14:14all the difference.
14:15No, it's me!
14:16Oh, it's you, is it?
14:17Sorry.
14:17Thank you very much.
14:18He's made a lot of difference.
14:19Because I used the machine.
14:22Prep over.
14:24They can give the gates
14:25a new lease of life.
14:27This, whoops,
14:29is a tin of wood stain
14:30and it's meant
14:31to be dark oak.
14:33It currently looks purple,
14:34which is a little worrying.
14:36A moment of truth.
14:37It'll be fine.
14:41It's all going to be
14:42all right on the night.
14:43In it.
14:46I always plan to retire
14:47when I'm 50
14:48until I met Alison.
14:49I never worked so hard
14:52in my life.
14:53No chance of that now.
14:55Are you regretting
14:56your choices?
14:57No.
14:58I love it.
15:00Seven years ago,
15:02it was a shared passion
15:03for ballroom dancing
15:04that brought the couple
15:06together.
15:07And I saw him across
15:09the dance floor
15:09and thought,
15:09ooh, he's rather nice.
15:11What was so annoying
15:12was I couldn't get to dance
15:13because all these other women
15:14were bagging him
15:15before he'd even finished
15:16the last dance.
15:17And so in the end,
15:19I was sort of going,
15:20excuse me.
15:22And he's never let me forget it.
15:24She was doing this.
15:26Not quite that badly.
15:28Me next.
15:28Don't flatter yourself.
15:31And who'd have thought
15:32that he'd go buying me a chateau?
15:35Proving to be a good team
15:36on and off the dance floor,
15:39the painting is soon complete.
15:42Hey, last touch!
15:43Nearly finished.
15:44It's just as well
15:45because it's starting to rain.
15:47They look better.
15:49They look maintained.
15:51No, I'm happy with that.
15:52We've got a couple more coats to go.
15:54But actually,
15:55it's a really good start.
15:57But with a wedding
15:58just around the corner,
16:00there's still a very long list
16:02of jobs to do
16:03before they're ready
16:05for the big day.
16:11230 miles south.
16:14With their sand blaster
16:16out of action,
16:18John and Carmen
16:19are pressing on
16:20with a different task.
16:22It's all a bit heavy
16:23for me, really.
16:25They're dividing
16:26an unused stairwell.
16:28to make a downstairs loo
16:30on one side
16:31and space to access
16:32the cellar
16:33on the other.
16:35Just arrived
16:36is the flat-pack staircase
16:38to replace
16:40the cellar ladder.
16:42It's open.
16:44Doesn't look overly complicated,
16:46but those are famous last words.
16:48They need a little bit of coaxing,
16:55don't they?
16:56Yeah?
16:59Is that...?
17:00No, it's not.
17:01It's not in here, look.
17:03This is my first time
17:05building a staircase,
17:06would you believe?
17:07But it won't be the last
17:08because we've got many
17:10staircases to do.
17:12I think the others
17:12will be a bit grander
17:13than this one,
17:14though, won't they?
17:14Best to start
17:16with simple, John.
17:18Work our way up
17:19to the grandeur.
17:22With the treads in,
17:24they just need to slot
17:25the other side
17:26into position.
17:28Get the ends in
17:29and the rest will go.
17:30It's a challenge
17:31getting the ends in.
17:32I don't know about the rest.
17:34Oh, yeah, of course.
17:34The challenge we've got here
17:35is none of them will go down
17:36until they're all
17:36in the right place.
17:37They don't even fit.
17:41You get one in
17:42and another one comes out.
17:45Why is nothing ever simple?
17:50What are they?
17:51Six.
17:53And the last one...
17:56Wow.
18:00I think that's it.
18:02That looks good.
18:02This is the moment of truth
18:07to see whether it fits
18:08down the hole.
18:08Of course it will.
18:10That's it.
18:11You OK?
18:12Yeah.
18:13Good.
18:14Right.
18:16Wow, how easy was that?
18:19Wow, it's solid, John.
18:23Champion, John.
18:24That's brilliant.
18:26That's worked really well.
18:27I'm pleased with that.
18:28Staircase in place,
18:32they can move on
18:33to boxing out the room
18:35for the partition wall.
18:39There you are.
18:40First framework can go in.
18:41Right, let's see if it fits.
18:45In theory,
18:47this should
18:48sit behind this pipe
18:52and sit there.
18:55Is that the wrong way round?
18:57Have I built that wrong?
18:57Oh, dear.
18:59Try it the other way.
19:00That way, that way.
19:01I haven't built it wrong, have I?
19:03There we are.
19:03That's it, it fits.
19:06With the timbers in
19:08for the new ceiling as well,
19:09the division of this awkward space
19:13is underway.
19:14We've cracked on actually
19:15quite well, haven't we?
19:16We've got a staircase in,
19:19the ceiling's all come together
19:20really nicely now.
19:21There's a step in the right direction.
19:23Every little thing we do,
19:24we're getting closer
19:25to finishing the place.
19:26We do.
19:27They've made a strong start,
19:29but with the ceiling and walls to finish,
19:33this former stairwell
19:35has a long way to go
19:36before it's a loo
19:38befitting a chateau.
19:40Back in Brittany at Moulin du Cuenon,
19:49there's excitement in the gite
19:51as Paul begins the electrics,
19:55while Donna is getting creative
19:57with some slatted headboard designs.
20:00The plan is, I'm going to do one section of cream
20:06and one section of black
20:08onto the headboard that we've created.
20:12We'll let that dry,
20:14and then once I've stained the pieces of wood,
20:18we're going to put them against it,
20:19and I can kind of see which I prefer.
20:22I get really excited when I start painting.
20:27It's like putting a bit of colour on the walls.
20:33It's nice and bright and cheerful
20:34and against all the grey.
20:37Yeah, OK.
20:41Right, now a bit of black on that side.
20:50I kind of haven't painted with black really before,
20:55but given it's kind of an industrial building,
20:59I want to keep that industrial feel.
21:02It's quite weird painting black onto a wall.
21:07Why?
21:08Well, that one's, like, bright and cheerful.
21:10This one's, like, moody.
21:12Well, that's your side and that's my side, isn't it?
21:14I'm just going to say that's your side, yeah.
21:16Moody.
21:17Moody Scotsman.
21:19There isn't any other type.
21:24Colour patch is done.
21:27Donna moves on to the wooden strips
21:29she plans to fix to the wall.
21:32I've got some offcuts.
21:35These were, um, battens used for the new roof.
21:39These are the kind of pieces of wood
21:41that I'm going to try and recycle.
21:43So I'm going to just plane them down,
21:46get a nice smooth surface,
21:48and then the idea is I'll try the two stains
21:51I've got on them
21:52and then put them up against the headboard
21:54and see which I like.
21:55Inside, Paul's finishing the cabling.
22:05It's as simple as that.
22:07That's that one done.
22:08So we've got four lights,
22:09I think two spotlights over the worktop
22:12and two here just for the entrance,
22:14all off the same circuit.
22:15So that's pretty much all we need to do.
22:24Now, with the wood smooth...
22:26They look okay, don't they?
22:30Donna can wield her paintbrush.
22:33So I've got a dark oak and a light oak.
22:36I think that already...
22:40You couldn't put that on with the black,
22:42but I think it might look quite nice against the cream.
22:46So this is the light oak.
22:49So we'll see how this one looks.
22:54Ooh, that's really light.
22:56Mmm.
22:58Once the stain has dried,
23:01Donna can try the reclaimed timber in position.
23:05Ta-da!
23:05Ta-da!
23:06I know which one I like.
23:10I personally prefer the black,
23:12but I think the timber could be darker.
23:14Darker?
23:15No, like a teak.
23:16But it's up to you.
23:18Yeah.
23:19So we'll get away with that.
23:20Just give it two coats.
23:22Or one proper coat.
23:23Oh, no.
23:25Always spoiler, Donnie.
23:31It's been a successful day,
23:33but there's still a lot for Donna and Paul to do
23:36before this jeet is ready for them to move in.
23:45Still to come.
23:47Wedding day weather takes a turn.
23:50It's 29th of May, believe it or not.
23:53And we're here, lighting the fire.
23:55While Paul's got a new play thing.
23:58The one advantage is I don't get as much cheek at the red thing as I do at Donnie's.
24:02In South West France, on the banks of the river Lott,
24:13John and Carmen's stairwell conversion is well underway.
24:18The cellar entrance is now behind the newly constructed stud wall and work on the bathroom side can begin.
24:28Downstairs toilet now is in a position where I've plasterboarded it, plastered it.
24:33Today I'm going to be tiling around the splash back, putting a new sink in,
24:37and getting that tap all working, and then we've got some special tiles for the floor.
24:46We've got some really nice greeny coloured tiles here.
24:50Luckily they're sort of finger tiles, but they're all on a backing, so it makes life easier.
24:54You know, I'm sort of always being reasonably handy.
25:02My father was a builder, although he died when I was very young,
25:04but it's always been something I've enjoyed.
25:08It sits nicely there.
25:12Pleased with that.
25:13First one on.
25:20It's swift work.
25:24The last piece going in, which is good news.
25:28And with the splash back tiled, and the tap installed,
25:33John can fit the stone basin.
25:36This is very heavy.
25:41Can I please that?
25:43Next, the floor tiles are on a completely different scale.
25:49They're huge.
25:50They're 120 centimetres by 60.
25:52They're big ones, so I've never tiled with that big a tile.
25:54before, so the cuts are going to be really challenging.
25:57And we just wanted something a little bit opulent and nice.
26:00Nothing better than sitting in an opulent toilet.
26:04At £100 apiece,
26:07he can't afford to make a false move.
26:10So friend Paul
26:12is on hand to help.
26:17Beautiful.
26:18Voila.
26:18Well, we'll see where it fits.
26:22Wait to do it.
26:23Yeah, it's got some stones.
26:26Oh.
26:27All right, so.
26:29Is that down?
26:30It is now.
26:32That's pretty good, isn't it?
26:34Bye, Joe.
26:34You did it.
26:35Gap is perfect there.
26:36I think it looked nice.
26:37I think it's great.
26:38OK, next one coming in.
26:45Shop done.
26:46Whew.
26:48Pleased with that.
26:50With the floor tiles laid,
26:52it's over to Carmen for the decorating.
26:57Right, let's begin painting.
27:00She's chosen a classic green colour scheme
27:05to sit against the natural stone walls.
27:11Right, so let's get started on the rolling.
27:15It's a nice job as far as I'm concerned, decorating.
27:18And it's really the finishing bit that brings it all together, isn't it?
27:21Especially when you've built a room from scratch.
27:25In this day and age, you need a downstairs toilet.
27:27Maybe not in medieval times,
27:29but we've moved on a bit.
27:39Oh, yeah, it's lovely.
27:41Another step closer to getting it finished.
27:43Good job.
27:47The stairwell has undergone a dramatic transformation,
27:52but with a window to fit
27:54and the all-important toilet to plumb in,
27:57the smallest room in the chateau isn't in service just yet.
28:10Four hours' drive north, near Poitiers,
28:13it's the day before Alison and Zion's first ever chateau wedding.
28:18The wedding day is fast approaching
28:21and we are a bit behind, aren't we?
28:25We are behind.
28:27Unfortunately, we lost Alison's mum.
28:31About four days ago.
28:32So I had to go back to the UK,
28:35very unexpectedly.
28:36I rushed back, got back yesterday with one day to spare and now it's rush, rush, rush.
28:44With a lot to do, Alison heads outside to set the stage for tomorrow's ceremony.
28:53I'm actually even much calmer than I was yesterday.
28:57Because yesterday it was, um, everything seemed to be against us.
29:02My poor mama, I just wish she was here to see this,
29:05because she's followed us from day one.
29:07And, um, she would just love this.
29:10She's been our biggest supporter.
29:12And she lived with us for three months last year here,
29:14so she had actually experienced the chateau, which is lovely.
29:18So, mummy, this is for you.
29:25I'm just going to have a quick look.
29:31Actually, it looks really good.
29:35I'm really happy with that.
29:44Meanwhile, Zion has been putting some final touches
29:47to the path to the hunting lodge,
29:50where the wedding reception will take place.
29:53It's a very rocky land, this one.
29:57Yeah, exactly what I said.
29:59I'm going to put along this walkway here
30:02the little squarely-werely metal bits for the candles.
30:10So, in the evening, we light them on.
30:13It would be a nice walkway, just with the candles.
30:17Before he didn't want to go in.
30:21Now he's in, he's got his own mind.
30:30The following morning, it's all hands on deck.
30:34Today is the day of the wedding, and we are on track?
30:38Yes, we are on track.
30:39The weather is not.
30:40With just hours until the ceremony,
30:44the couple and their team of helpers
30:46quickly adapt their plans
30:48to suit the unexpected cold snap.
30:51I think we have enough to start the fire.
30:58Come on, guys.
30:59Let's take this.
31:05It's the 29th of May, believe it or not.
31:08And we're here.
31:09A wedding day, lighting a fire.
31:11But it feels good.
31:12You know what?
31:13Fire always puts the family together.
31:15Today's wedding is an extremely intimate affair.
31:21But Alison and Zion have their hearts set on perfection.
31:25The wedding is a very small wedding.
31:28It's the bride and groom and their three little children.
31:32But it doesn't matter how many people are here,
31:34because it still is about the bride and groom.
31:36So you can have 100 people, 20 people,
31:39bride and groom along.
31:40They're still to be happy and satisfied.
31:42We literally are learning on the job here.
31:50And hopefully we look like swans on the top of the water
31:53and our little legs are pedalling like mad at the bottom.
31:57With only an hour to go
31:59before the bride and groom say, I do,
32:03Alison and Zion are hoping to pull off
32:06the wedding of their dreams.
32:12Further north in Brittany,
32:15Donna and Paul are hoping to finish the ceiling in the jeet
32:19next to their new mill.
32:22We need to get the insulation up on that end,
32:25so we'll just cut it on the floor
32:27and then we'll just try and lug it up
32:28and put it on the rails.
32:29I think when you're cutting insulation like this,
32:33it's easier to cut it in a bag,
32:34so that way it's not spiralling out everywhere.
32:38And it contains the fibres a bit more as well,
32:40doesn't it, to stop them going everywhere?
32:46It will fit!
32:48It looks nice and cosy up there.
32:57It will be nice and cosy.
32:58Yeah.
33:06Right, I've done the first one.
33:08You can do the second one.
33:09You're not getting me on the top of that ladder.
33:14Once all the insulation is in place,
33:17the next job requires one of Paul's toys.
33:28This is a plasterboard lifter,
33:31just to take some of the manual labour out of it.
33:34So that saves a lot of time and a lot of effort,
33:37and you can do it with one person as well.
33:40So it obviously goes flush with the ceiling,
33:42and then once it's in position,
33:43it should be relatively easy.
33:47The plasterboards are fixed securely to the rails.
33:53Now Paul has this to kind of assist him,
33:57it means I can get on with other things, so...
33:58I'd rather have you assisting me.
34:03The one advantage is I don't get as much cheek at the red thing as I do Donna's.
34:10Leaving Paul to finish the ceiling,
34:16Donna can deal with Ajit's exposed sandstone walls,
34:20which have been damaged by water.
34:22The mortar there has been there hundreds of years,
34:30and obviously this section of the mill,
34:33the roof had gone completely above here,
34:35so in here was extremely wet,
34:38and, you know, it had just gone really sandy,
34:41and a lot of it kind of fell out.
34:44The wall needs repointing with mortar,
34:48and former tearoom owner Donna has a novel method,
34:53cake piping bags.
34:59Right, where to start?
35:01You can see how you can kind of get it
35:05right into all the grooves and crevices and that,
35:10and kind of very little wastage on the floor,
35:13which Mr Newman likes.
35:16It makes a real difference to the beautiful walls.
35:19It's just so pretty, isn't it?
35:21It's a shame to kind of hide that kind of stone.
35:24Yeah, I'm so glad we decided to keep it.
35:31We've got a ceiling!
35:34Wow!
35:35It's still a good house, isn't it?
35:36It is, well, it's just under three metres,
35:38so it's not really enclosed the room in at all.
35:41It's a really nice high ceiling.
35:45With the ceiling nearly finished,
35:47and the pointing underway,
35:49this project has taken a big step forward.
35:52Yeah, we'll be moving in on Monday.
35:55I'm not sure which Monday, but it'll be a Monday.
35:57At some point, yeah.
35:59Yeah, a Monday very soon.
36:01Yes.
36:01Yeah, watch this space.
36:03You keep doing a couple of good half-shifts,
36:05and we'll get on quicker.
36:07We're going to have words.
36:11This duo still have some long days ahead
36:14before they can call this sheet home.
36:18Coming up, there's a surprise for the happy couple.
36:27Oh, wow!
36:28Oh, my God!
36:30That's so gorgeous!
36:31Aren't they beautiful?
36:34While John needs a very steady hand.
36:38Careful, John.
36:40I wouldn't want to be hammering those nails in near that window.
36:42In Western France,
36:51Alison and Zion are hosting
36:52their first ever wedding at the Chateau.
36:57I've been asked to be there,
36:59celibate.
37:00Wow.
37:01I don't even know what I'm going to say.
37:03But, I don't know,
37:04I'll wait for the moment
37:06and see what happens.
37:07But I'm very honoured and pleased.
37:10Whoa!
37:11Look at you!
37:12Look at you.
37:13Don't you scrub up well.
37:14Ooh-la-la!
37:17So, you're ready for your role?
37:19You think it's my wedding.
37:20HE LAUGHS
37:22Four months ago,
37:27the rear of the Chateau
37:28was neglected and defaced with graffiti,
37:32with a garden that was overgrown and unloved.
37:36Now, it has been completely transformed.
37:44With the stained render removed,
37:47the natural stonework has been exposed
37:50and beautifully restored.
37:53Each of the 60 shutters
37:56has been painstakingly sanded and repainted
37:59in a classic French blue.
38:01The garden's symmetrical formal beds
38:05have been uncovered
38:07to frame the entrance,
38:09with Zion's handmade concrete planters
38:12standing proud at the corners.
38:16Alison has dressed the whole space
38:19with stunning white floral displays,
38:22showcasing the picture-perfect wedding venue
38:26they have created.
38:28Bride Sarah makes her way
38:34down the restored steps
38:36to meet groom James.
38:39Why are you crying?
38:42HE LAUGHS
38:42And it's over to proud celebrant Zion.
38:47We are so happy to have you in our place
38:50and to get you married here.
38:54It's amazing.
38:54I will announce you, husband and wife,
38:59please, you may kiss your pride.
39:05HE LAUGHS
39:05Thanks, Abel.
39:07The simple, informal ceremony
39:10is just what the couple wanted.
39:14They're happy.
39:15If they're happy, we're happy.
39:16How lucky are we to have such a beautiful couple
39:19as our first wedding?
39:20I mean, it's just perfect, isn't it?
39:22I'm so thrilled for them
39:24and I'm actually really thrilled for us, too.
39:29After the photos are taken,
39:31Alison and Zion have organised a special surprise.
39:36Oh, wow!
39:37Oh, my God!
39:39Oh, jeez!
39:40You didn't notice, did you?
39:41No.
39:43Good.
39:44Come on, let's go up on the carriage.
39:46While the family head off for a ride in the Chateau Grounds,
39:54over in the hunting lodge,
39:56the stage is set for the wedding meal.
40:01Zion's cleverly crafted over-table frame
40:04has been beautifully dressed by Alison,
40:07and candles and fairy lights sparkle with magic.
40:11Oh, wow!
40:13I love it!
40:15Oh, wow!
40:15This is so amazing!
40:17Wow!
40:19It's amazing, isn't it?
40:21This is all your way!
40:23Woo-hoo!
40:25This wedding has been bespoke.
40:28There's no other word for it.
40:30And it's our own unique Chateau style.
40:34It's been a really happy day.
40:35We're delighted.
40:36It's taken months of work,
40:42but their first Chateau wedding
40:43has been a wonderful success,
40:46and Alison and Zion are hoping
40:48it's just the beginning.
40:56A few hours south, at Chateau de Césirac,
41:00John and Carmen have finished decorating
41:03their downstairs loo.
41:05Right, shall we go and see if it fits?
41:12They've had a bespoke, stained-glass window made
41:16with a fleur-de-lis design
41:18to replace the window lost in the fire.
41:21Yeah, so we just need to fit that in there.
41:24Oh, it looks lovely.
41:25I love the grain.
41:27Though small, the window cost £400,
41:32so they need to get it right.
41:35A bit nerve-wracking.
41:39If I break the glass...
41:40Don't you break that glass.
41:41Carmen won't be overly pleased.
41:43Nor will I.
41:46Yeah, look, John.
41:51I wouldn't want to be hammering those nails
41:52in there, that window.
41:55It's a delicate job, John.
41:56Steady.
42:04I love it.
42:05It's in there.
42:06Oh, it's lovely.
42:07The window is safely in at last.
42:11Looks really nice, actually.
42:12That finishes it off, doesn't it?
42:14And also, colours are great, aren't they?
42:15Oh, it's fantastic.
42:16I'm so happy with that.
42:17I really am.
42:18It's finally time to install the room's most important feature.
42:29Get this back on top.
42:31Getting the toilet actually in the right place is critical.
42:34Well, that toilet's in.
42:37Just got to get the seat on it,
42:38and then we're good to go.
42:42And then that should fit perfectly.
42:45It does.
42:47And there we have it.
42:48One toilet, all fitted.
42:49Ready to go.
42:51Right.
42:52I shall test it.
42:54Yeah, it's good.
42:57With the throne in place,
43:00John and Carmen can move on to some final flourishes.
43:04I quite like it.
43:06It goes really well with the colours.
43:08It goes really well with the colours.
43:13Excellent.
43:18I like that.
43:20Right.
43:20I don't know.
43:21Yeah.
43:21Excellent.
43:25After a fire devastated the chateau 14 years ago,
43:30this stairwell was left burnt out, empty and purposeless.
43:41Now, with an ingenious redesign,
43:45they've created a new room from scratch
43:47to become the chateau's only much-needed downstairs loo.
43:52Though small, the room oozes chateau opulence,
43:58with a carved stone sink echoing the medieval stone walls,
44:05marbled floor tiles,
44:07and a bespoke fleur-de-lis window,
44:10adding an aristocratic touch.
44:12It's fantastic.
44:14It's fantastic.
44:15I can't believe we've made such a lovely room
44:17from such a higgledy-piggledy-old-shaped hole.
44:28Cheers, John.
44:29Cheers, Carmen.
44:29I can officially sit on my royal throne
44:32and look at my lovely window.
44:34Good job done.
44:35Fantastic.
44:36I love it.
44:38John and Carmen have poured their utmost
44:41into even the smallest room.
44:44But with much larger spaces still to contend with,
44:48there are many bigger projects ahead.
44:56Next time,
44:58one couple's huge pool project hits the buffers.
45:02Without the dumper truck, we're stuck.
45:03We're not going to take it round there in wheelbarrows
45:05because we'll be here till kingdom come.
45:08Another pair take on a delicate lounge renovation.
45:12So I don't really want to break anything.
45:14I'm going to split my form.
45:16And new chateau owners face a hazardous first challenge.
45:21Are you ready?
45:22I hope so.
45:22I'm going to split my form.
45:52I'm going to split my form.
45:53I'm going to split my form.
45:54I'm going to split my form.
45:55I'm going to split my form.
45:56I'm going to split my form.
45:57I'm going to split my form.
45:58I'm going to split my form.
45:59I'm going to split my form.
46:00I'm going to split my form.
46:01I'm going to split my form.
46:02I'm going to split my form.
46:03I'm going to split my form.
46:04I'm going to split my form.
46:05I'm going to split my form.
46:06I'm going to split my form.
46:07I'm going to split my form.
46:08I'm going to split my form.
46:09I'm going to split my form.
46:10I'm going to split my form.
46:11I'm going to split my form.
46:12I'm going to split my form.
46:13I'm going to split my form.