Château de la Grifferaie S4, E3 "Hands Up!"

[@jillphillips2835]

Lord, make these next three months come quickly!!! Buckets, buckets everywhere! The stenciled wall is amazing! Great wall treatment! Good find on beds and other antique pieces! Loved lunching at Ikea! I lived in Moscow Russia for many years and was SO thrilled when IKEA opened about 6 stores around the city. It made our lives so much easier to live! I would often take the metro to the furthest station on the line and could pick up an IKEA bus to transport me the rest of the way. They must have had a fleet of 6-10 busses for every IKEA but a brilliant way to transport hundreds of customers to each store every hour. Lunches were the highlight of the trip and were also catered to the local delicacies. A stop at their food department would never disappoint! Sure miss those days! Cheers!

[@janetvorenkamp3655]

LOVE the stencil. Seems to be good light in the garden rooms. theyll be great

[@gioiapharo7433]

🙏 …… for no more broken glass & surprise fixes ……. 🙏 …… for smooth sailing ahead on your projects ….❤️

[@cynthiabradford155]

I loved the longer video! It is almost like being there at the lovely Chateau. I admire the two of you, because you are doing something great not just for yourselves, but, for all the young adults. What a wonderful experience for all involved.

[@claireroper4897]

Wow, the stencilling is beautiful! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@harvester24-7]

I thought the stenciling was wallpaper! Trés beau! I think I said that right?! You two have been on my heart and mind all week! What a daunting task with only the two of you, at the moment. Praying for great favor for getting the roof done sooner, done right, and attic repairs, too. What if people sponsored a room, to help pay for specific repairs and to get each room habitable for the students? How could that happen, beyond Patreon? God always makes a way. Prayers continuing for you and your chateau.

[@rt3box6tx74]

Agree, that stencil is perfect for hiding imperfections on walls. I'd be shopping for other similar patterns. Never in my life would I attempt that plaid wallpaper on ancient walls. Takes some tough cookies to mount that challenge.

[@potterkelly487]

Thank you! Enjoyed this long video, making up for all the weeks not in France. 🇨🇦❤️

[@jessebeattie7504]

What a neat idea with the stenciling!! It's beautiful Leslie fantastic job!! ❤ Grace What a relief it will be when the roof gets done...

[@donnablake5358]

Great great video. I love the progress. Even I feel stressed about your roof all the way here in Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City) USA 🇺🇸

[@lmaier5171]

I’ve noticed that the chateau owners who are English, take trips to England and buy all kinds of paint. Interesting concept.

[@rjb9886]

Never worry that your videos are too long. We enjoy them. Rob, have you thought of purchasing a safety harness for when you clear the gutters?

[@chateaudelannoy]

Well done guys 👍 we having also roof trouble, now saving for a new one 😉

[@suehall3298]

Awesome work Lesley🤗 Rob please take care Love you both 🙏great video 🌹🌹🌹🍾🍷🍷🌹🌹🌹 Love Sue❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤

[@keepsakestitches7591]

So much good things happening even with the leaks, but those will get fixed soon. You two accomplish so much and Leslie, I am so looking forward to seeing the finish on the basement rooms. The stenciling is fantastic. I love to do stencils so really enjoying seeing your results. Love the long video. Keep them coming. Sending good wishes. Norma

[@JanColdwater]

I love the long videos! 😊 Thank you 🙏🏻

[@elisabeth6108]

Great progress! The stenciled walls look great. So sorry about the storm damage but nice to know the end is in sight with the roof issues.

[@loriwill9968]

If the temperature is too cold, interior paint will fail. It happened to me in Canada when I was painting the interior walls our new, 85 year old house in February. We hadn’t put on our central heating yet… A professional painter told me to blast the heat in the room while the pain is curing.

[@deborahwatts436]

Watching the rain pour into the chateau is unbelievable. The new roof cannot come soon enough. You guys are amazing!

[@loriwill9968]

The stencil is gorgeous! It looks like vintage wallpaper. Great job!

[@beverlysmith9854]

You have to stop and smell the roses! So much work to do but you are making progress. Love what you have done.❤

[@christinewilkinson3772]

Thank goodness you’re getting a new roof. My nerves couldn’t take it.

[@julievawser896]

I remember Johnny working on that tiling of the London bathroom, Brooke and Ellie removing the shower walls, and Kinsley stripping wallpaper. How far you have come. Amazing makeover.

[@patcardiff2563]

ITReally is So frightening seeing you dealing with this roof wow

[@lizmasi9918]

I get so excited when I get your notifications!

[@normamurray4450]

Thank you so much for including us in your week. I felt so bad for you when the rains poured in and the gutters filled...wow! The lovely food is making me hungry! The stenciling and the painting is looking good. You do such good work with young people....bless you both.

[@risalangdon9883]

LOL Rob! That just cemented that I will never move to France lol. If they send automated tickets for more than 3 miles over the speed limit, I will not be able to afford to live there! That is just nuts unless it is like a school or construction zone.

[@renatadennis777]

Praying that all the funds are available for the new roof!

[@susannoonan1]

Stencil wall is spectacular! That is such a hard technique, but boy, do you have that down.

[@fredscott1199]

As always, beautiful video! Have a super weekend! Keep up the good work!

[@stephjezo6470]

Suggestion for the gutter back-ups.......maybe get something like a pump for a tabletop water fountain tou can plug in and drop in there in a bind. It will clear them out pretty quick. They can actually move a decent amount of water, just be sure it is submersible. Most are. I am so glad you shared about the police situation, I saw your post and couldn't imagine what could have happened. Maybe some lead-free footwear is in order? ;) I am glad it got handled expediently and seemingly smoothly. The leaks, how frustrating. Maybe get a good headlamp and a couple good flashlights and go up and try and pinpoint where it is leaking from so you can use that awesome camera and investigate from the outside? Maybe the roof people will have some suggestions for how to keep gutters clear in the long run. No falling slates will be a great start but maybe they know some tricks? I would also make sure that replacing all the flashing is part of the contract with them. I am sure they will do it right, but it never hurts to make sure. A new roof is going to look amazing! And when you are ready to do a good clean of the outside, a power wash followed by a spray of a 4-5% bleach solution will also make a huge difference. Billy of The Pethericks did this on his Chapel and wow! However, I think a long term investment in a proper cherry picker may be wise because then you can do repairs and cleaning more for yourself. If that is the route you choose to go. Another huge reason folks lose weight when overseas is that the quality of food is SO much better. People that are gluten free here are fine with flour over there almost every single time. But they cannot consume it here. We need European food standards in all reality. Products that we have here have counterparts there that are either not sold because they are SO unhealthy or have a very different looking ingredient list. So enjoy ALL the food!

[@theFrenchChateau]

We have the same problem with new paint peeling in our house in France. We've found that lightly sanding the patch and then doing a coat of pva glue stops the problem and then you're free to paint over again

[@amish-landchateau]

Good morning from the first day of “Spring forward “ 1 hour, here in the Niagara Falls area.

[@jamesgriffin2598]

We had a leaky roof at work and used an item from Uline, a leak dieter. It helped while we got the money to fix the roof. The item was H-5744W, like a reverse umbrella with a collection hose on one end. Just an idea 😊

[@gorginacharon7912]

I absolutely love the stencil on the walls. It’s so pretty and it’s given me some ideas. Thank you 😁

[@Daihatsu_Hijet]

🤣😂🤣 🚙…Rob🚓 🚔 it’s been a week. You guys got so much work done (and the rooms look awesome) and some time for yourselves 😊have a better week 😊

[@Randy8923]

Enjoyed your entire video. Blessings.

[@Juna2019]

Wonderful, thank you for sharing your journey. Loved the longer time.

[@Jana-wz7dr]

Love the stencilling you are doing Lesley. The never ending leaks are gutter issues are nuts and really shows the reality of owning one of these historic gems. Speaking of hands up, I would probably throw my hands up and say I am outa here. Glad you are strong and persevering Canadian prairie folk. I think it’s in your blood to never give up. 👏😄🇨🇦

[@allisontison40]

I just googled rental cherry picker, it’s $300 to $500 per week. You might want to rent one, you deserve it!

[@sharongruener6078]

Loved the video. You did get a lot done and it looks amazing. Really like the beautiful stenciling. Prayers up!!! Blessings.

[@donnabeaty4760]

Your vlogs are never too long.😊❤

[@heidi3597]

I really enjoyed seeing the long version this week. The London bathroom is looking good and the Gardeners suite is going to be charming. Love the stenciling!

[@carollloydjones5735]

Enjoyed the longer vlog 👍

[@rosem5904]

Pay roofers to tarp the roof now and it will save you house until you put the new roof on it could save your house from getting mold

[@southloupriverhomestead4696]

The video was not too long for me! I enjoyed it! The stenciling in the bedroom is so beautiful! The furniture prices are so good! The basement is really coming along now. Looking forward to the next video! Thanks!

[@virginiawestcot3111]

Leslie what a fantastic decorator and painter you are. You have an eye for sure. The bathroom black ceiling is gorgeous with the chandelier and the wall paper I never would have chosen and it's perfect!! Love how you are painting the bedrooms can't wait to see the finish.....really beautiful

[@LorraineParis1]

They have I believe a meter app for phone like a alarm if you drive to fast.💜🌈💜maybe get dehumidifier for basement. Missed you two so much! Look so forward next video

[@WisconsinLinda]

Super enjoyable; loving the progress you're making! The new roof can't come soon enough. That will be some interesting footage upcoming. Thanks Rob and Leslie!

[@daanh8194]

goodness, that episode flew by!! so much going on... bless you 2, for all the things you share with us - France is certainly very beautiful, and i really hope the leaking roof will be sorted soon! feel so sad to see the rooms underneath crumbling away... praying that this will be a thing of the past a haute vitesse!! 🙏🏻💕🌸

[@dawnkupczyk4247]

Love the long video, lots of details and lovely works being done. To air on the side of Leslie a bit. Working can be done the American way - hard work, aggressive, minimal breaks, but time eventually to rest and reflect( usually Sundays) . Then the European way, slower, less gets accomplished, but you rest more often and relish in the time to enjoy the breaks. It's a lovely thought that you will have a lifetime to continue to work on the Chateau - but as you age, it becomes more expensive. Either you don't want to do it, or you no longer can. So you need to hire someone to do it, and they like the EU way of doing things- which drives you crazy because you just want it done. It can all become exhausting. Ultimately it really comes down to what you are comfortable with.

[@wenDesigner]

My heart breaks for you with that roof anxiety. It’s coming along! ❤

[@jerridavis6462]

Great progress! Sending love from Texas!

[@bobimt77]

Love watching the progress! Blessings on your week.

[@carolynblack420]

So, your story about seeing the flashing lights and going out to the gate really scared me. If you heard what you thought was a shot and saw flashing lights why did you leave the safety of your chateau? I’m glad that it all worked out for you. Call me cheap, but a 45 euro ticket (x4) seems painful! Good on you that you can brush it off!

[@jenateer2518]

The stenciling looks great. Please be careful with climbing outside. Awesome job guys

[@trigger4418]

I really did enjoy your video, you have been so busy and done well!! Your two new bedrooms look great 👍. Xxx

[@jonimarchese7655]

France has had a lot of rain this year, the new roof can't come fast enough. Water damage is so destructive. The bathroom is looking very nice. Lunch in an Ikea store wow. Nice video, it wasn't too long at all. Love from N.Y.

[@lechateaudupeu3910]

I am so happy you work together so well and have each other to lean on! It had taken me quite a few months to figure out how not to get speeding tickets!! I think I finally get it though-don’t speed EVER!!- it helps that my car always shows me the speed limit. OMG your roof…. So thrilled you have gotten the funds to fix it. Love what you are doing and I also appreciate how hard it is. I have been dealing with so many ‘surprises’ since I bought my château in Aug 2022. Your previous owner is right! Gutters are EVERYTHING. Is there any ways to remove that crown molding and put the wires behind it? Regarding flaking paint, when I have it, it means too much humidity inside the walls. Usually due to incorrect materials (Iike cement) to render or cover which was done for many years before people here realized that is it not good for historical stone buildings. Stone buildings must breathe. The gardener room looks beautiful. Do the best you can, til you can do better, and great job on getting a 1 year visa!!! And thank you for sharing-you give me courage to work through my challenges!! ❤

[@chateaudelagrifferaie953]

Bon Courage to all of us:)

[@kellylarson3020]

I really enjoy seeing all that is going on at your beautiful chateau. You are doing such a wonderful job. Did you say another 3 months for the roofers to come? It would be so wonderful if they could get yours in sooner. Prayers up!

[@MidnightVisions]

If the roofers sealed an access port, call them back, it's a safety issue.

[@elvaporter9111]

In Germany, they had wallpaper similar to the paper you used under the finish paper in the London bathroom that you put on the plaster walls, and then you paint over it. I know for sure it was used in a basement apartment we lived in. I wonder if that would be available in France to help with the peeling paint. I know it is an extra step, but it might be worth it. It was thick, and you used a thick piled roller to then apply the paint.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Crazy storms here in California too, after a very long drought. I so feel for you with the constant leaks, falling slates, clogging gutters, and broken glass panes causing anxiety. We have a (much, much smaller) weird gutter/roof transition spot that seems impossible to fix completely, and 1970s metal windows that all leak at the corners. I hope by the end of the year these will be dealt with, and we will all rest easier, enjoying a rainy day without worry. The stenciled wall in the colors Leslie chose are perfect! A much better choice than wallpaper, and the softness of the pattern will forgive bumps and divets in the walls. Your fancy lunches out are a visual treat!! And no calories for me, lol! I so enjoy the feeling of space and quiet on your grounds.

[@brendabevacqua9617]

Liking the longer video, the rooms are coming along nicely,it will be nice when you can finally have the roof fixed

[@darlenegreen5171]

As for your videos, there’s no such thing as too long!

[@judysoubry5146]

Suggestion for the sous sol suites where the wires are exposed: cover / cap with coving that is hollowed out on the back side which can be clipped in so will still have access behind ?!?

[@deborahelmore5554]

It concerns me as well. Wiring should NEVER be painted because the insulation will crack and fail.

[@jeanetteeast7343]

I love the longer videos ❤

[@TheasChristmasVillages]

Real life -- ups and downs. I love how you always look for the silver lining. I so enjoy seeing the entirety of your experiences. Glad to hear you will never be finished, yet you are finding joy. Take care of yourselves, God will bless you.

[@celsal2000]

Enjoyed the longer video and you daily tidbits for the week.

[@turawolfe2841]

WOW! Great progress! I love everything you guys are doing! The chateau is the most magnificent ...........candy for the eyes and heart!!

[@carolynlarke1340]

Love your videos. I'll be in France this summer. Maybe I'll check out your place. Is that cool? I used to refinish classic sailing yachts for wealthy people. Am considering a farm or village house in France to retire. Would love to see a big project.

[@michaelabordessoule9388]

I remember from my childhood when was popular to have patterns on walls, a roller with a pattern. So, instead of stenciling, the roller was dipped in a paint and roled from the top of the wall to the bottom or any predefined line.

[@rayn8740]

It seems to me that château is one of numerous exceptions to the rule in French. The intellectuals who wrote the rules of the language felt beau château sounded better than belle château. For them, it was all about how beautiful the spoken word sounded. Another exception is belle homme versus beau homme. The latter followed the standard rule but didn't sound as pretty.

[@christhankyou6452]

I would’ve never thought of that, but it absolutely could be true. And in those days women were nothing. Fortunately, is no longer that way.

[@ellebelle8515]

What a great team you are! You have achieved so much, and Leslie has amazing design ideas. Even the basement is looking beautiful.

[@ColetteMitchellFrenchDreams]

I love waking up to you guys video ! You guys are doing an amazing job ! Long videos are great !

[@Trava56]

Take care up there on the roof! You sure have some work to do. Wish i were younger and could chip in. But going home to Sweden tomorrow to take care of grandkids for a week or two. Greetings from Nice, France.

[@genelane2243]

Prior to retiring I was climbing 26 flights of stairs per day just at work just by not taking the elevator, plus several more flights at home. Great weight control.

[@barbaramurfitt6295]

Thank you 🙏😊

[@susanswanson4677]

Your videos are so informative and entertaining. They are never too long. Thank you! Watching from Topeka, Kansas.

[@gingermonette7455]

Love the flower light fixture and the 'gardener's room' stencil! Do they make gutter guards for chateau-sized gutters??

[@amandahayter3643]

Fab week this week guys, loving the basement rooms and the furniture for those rooms looks cool. Glad you were there to sort the blockages on the gutter in, can’t wait for you guys to get the roof sorted, have you thought about investing in a heavy duty vacuum for sucking up the rubbish in the gutters, not sure if one exists or whether you have power that high in the chateau currently, but might be worth checking out, looking for to next week, and hears to you guys having a good coming week, take care ups x

[@pfmastin]

I appreciate how much hard work you guys do and enjoy your videos. This may be a stupid suggestion and I'm not there so I don't really comprehend the scope of the gutter problems. :-) Is it possible to use a leaf blower to clean out what gutters you can reach from the windows so that you don't have to climb out onto the edge of the Chateau?

[@julievawser896]

Love love that stenciling.❤

[@hollykeller1545]

Love the stenciling❣️✨⭐️✨⭐️

[@wendypitts7690]

Rain gutter issue - obviously the roof needs to be addressed. It seems the rain gutters are just as much of an issue. I’m wondering if you could put battery powered submersible water pumps in the rain gutters for when they start to fill up (activated by a float - like in a toilet tank). You could place the outflow hose so it pumps water over the outside, so water doesn’t flow into the chateau? It wouldn’t solve the debris & dirt issues but would be a back-up to give you extra time when the rain really comes down. I’m not an expert AT ALL & never post, but have been thinking about this & thought I’d share. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your video updates! ❤❤❤❤❤❤ I’ve watched every one of them! Thank you for sharing your journey!!

[@wendypitts7690]

Oh & I think a wet/dry shop vac might help with cleaning those rain gutters. Hoses with attachments might give you a longer reach without having to climb out of the windows.

[@lisadurban3525]

Great episode

[@nigelirmamaher5811]

Love the stencilling,.Leslie! My favourite room so far!

[@nigelirmamaher5811]

Leslie always gets a chocolate dessert,I noticed!

[@crystalhipp3644]

Such progress being made. It’s all coming along nicely.

[@catherineteglasi]

You have not only inspired me but helped and informed.. I wanted to wallpaper a wall behind my bedhead in a William Morris wallpaper, Sunflowers, but presently couldn't afford the wallpaper 😢.. so seeing you stencil lead me to find a stencil in the exact same pattern in William Morris Sunflower 🌻..thus I am super excited to get and stencil this particular wall.. Thank you so much 👭😘

[@maggirae1961]

Looks like you have a tough road ahead with your projects. Keep ploughing away and enjoy France

[@christhankyou6452]

Two words, gutter guard

[@lorikeller7990]

Loved the video. You two work so hard but I can feel your desire to make this work. There must be a better way of dealing with the water off the roof. What would be the modern way of fixing it?🙏🙏

[@martynpavey2408]

Hmm, sorry to bring you bad news, but as a French couple, traditionally, we cut the croissant through the middle and spread the jam inside, our favourite is black currant jam, we suspect that who ever told you to use the back was pulling your leg

[@chateaudelagrifferaie953]

Ahhhh... Leslie told me she noticed that by watching people. But good to know.

[@martynpavey2408]

@@chateaudelagrifferaie953 maybe they were British trying to figure out how to use them lol

[@TerraTopics]

Those speed cameras would get me every day 😂 6 miles over, man! It’s almost customary to go 9-10 over the limit in Florida 😅

[@cirorosas4540]

So I was thinking, not that its something you have to do just an ideal....Are there asphalt shingles that look like slate? Slateline® Asphalt Shingles feature bold shadow lines and tapered cut-outs to create the appearance of slate at only a fraction of the cost of traditional slate. I found this and its cheaper and I think it might hold up better with all the issues you have with leaks.The only downside is that they have to be replaced every 10-20 yrs. I was just thinking this because you keep getting the roofers to come over but the leaks still continue

[@paulwolter3494]

Hi Robb! (Annie on Paul's phone) Is there a shop vac that can get to those hard to reach sections of the gutters?

[@glendapietrantonio3046]

You can put molding over those wires.

[@Francis-kw9ui]

Hope that you can use plexiglass after cracks, and grad students have their own rooms Hope that you give yourself extra big bedroom and bathroom

[@MX-PEACEKEEPER]

I love the gutter cleaning

[@jackiebeauty9007]

Try to blow the Billups with a leaves blower!

[@christhankyou6452]

Good idea

[@janetvorenkamp3655]

what about wqrapping wires with tape. would look neater.