EVERYTHING has CHANGED! Château Restoration Progress #7

[@wimvanmoerbeke]

Oak for wood-chip ? I would really recommend you to make planks out of it, such beautiful wood !!!! Or sell it, its an expensive wood

[@sparklepea]

My first thought too! Mill it for roofing

[@gaelenecole4053]

❤❤❤ 👍🙌😁😇

[@elizabethcazan4049]

Mill. Too precious to toss into the fire!😢

[@jeanjackels6384]

I think it is to twisted to mill, if you could have got something out of lower section it definitely wouldn't be long enough for the roof. But oak dense so it is a slow burn so it will heat well.

[@debrascott8775]

Oak for use is felled deliberately. A tree like this fell due to some issue, likely some level of rot. Clearly it lay for some time, the moss indicating further degradation of the wood. Not really suitable to craft or other use.

[@kirstiemarshall7764]

The extraordinary contributions of the craftsmen/women and their expertise and passion leave me speechless. They treat every inch with such care and attention and are clearly inspired to by Tim and Felicity's positive 'can do' attitude. Bringing the chateau back to life has become not just a goal for Tim and Felicity, but for a community who are every bit as invested in its success. With so many different projects at the chateau underway simultaneously, their calm nature and meticulous planning are reaping the rewards. It would be an honour to be a part of this team with such great leadership.

Thanks Kirstie. Your comment really captures what we're creating here. Wonderfully skilled artisans working to restore something of rare beauty and a local community thrilled to see their heritage and history being protected and celebrated.

[@hmeyers5114]

Stone masons are so incredibly impressive! They need a lot of math and geometry to create curves and decorations, as well as strength to cut and shape the stone. They also need to be able to "read" the stone to determine it's porosity and flaws. What a creative art from! You are so very fortunate to be able to find and hire such craftsmen.

Thanks for your comment. We're very proud of them.

[@winterhawk1987]

You are doing an amazing job and that I hope you can get schools worldwide to show this to the children that quality, workmanship, and time is so important

[@katpat12345]

So nice to see fellow Aussies working on such an immense project . So proud to have you representing our country . Admiration in abundance !

Thanks for your message. We're thrilled that you're following our adventure!

[@08fgant]

I am French. This weekend I watched all your videos from the beginning. You made the renovation of this castle a dream, and the task of a lifetime. You participate in preserving the heritage of France, and more deep from the heart, I thank you. Je suis Français J'ai ce week-end regardé toutes vos vidéos depuis le début.Vous faites de la rénovation de ce chateau un rêve,et la tâche d'une vie.Vous participez à préserver le patimoine de la France,et du plus profond du coeur,je vous en remercie.

Merci beaucoup pour votre message!

[@francesdoyle9833]

You are incredibly patient with some of the comments - as for the personal questions….. can I say you are both remarkable. Thank you.

[@brettkruempel244]

It’s marvelous seeing all these problems corrected and centuries of wear and tear being restored. Your hard work is appreciated. Thank you.

[@juliefrench1594]

Love the changes in the bathroom layout and choice of bath and furniture.

[@ManWhoLovesTheMary]

With Crocodile Dundee for a husband, those antique wood timbers are moving along fast and they HAVE to be heavy and bulky. Can’t wait to see how they’ll be utilized in the future. Shocked in the best way that a roof THAT spacious with so many slates to sort through that it can be done in three weeks. Also amazed at how you guys can have the main chateau roof being worked on at the same time as that of the original chai. That is the definition of efficiency.

[@laurabronson6173]

I’m so happy that I found this channel. I’m amazed that it doesn’t have more subscribers and views.

Welcome to our adventure. We hope you enjoy following our journey.

[@thehouseofoz1079]

Thank you for your update on this beautiful Chateau de Pernon. You have all got so much patience to be doing such a massive job and it will all be well worth the time and effort that you are putting in to restore her to her original state. I do hope you are both taking time out for yourselves and also preparing for your wedding when the chapel is restored. Keep up the amazing work and thank you again for the updates. Heather ❤❤

Thanks Heather. Sometimes its a little hard to maintain the right balance. But I suppose that's true for many of us. We are eager to progress as fast as we can while respecting all the heritage elements that need to be carefully studied and assessed. Thank you for your interest - not sure whether the chapel will be ready when the time comes!

[@MrPoilleke]

You can always use the Park or the space next to the chapel and have a blast too?

[@ronniemensch2400]

Thank you for putting more content on KZbin. I love watching you both work on the restoration and all the artisan craftsmen using the old techniques to repair and replace. I hope you had a change of heart on the oak tree. That you have now had it planked to use for repairs in the chateau. Oak is so expensive and people pay a hefty price to buy it these days. Having watched Nick on The Chateau Diaries and on Escape to Rural France, working on their woodlands, using all the trees that can be planked and utilized on the property. If you can not use it sell it to someone looking for oak and use the money towards the renovation.

[@nativetexson]

I like that you featured work by the stone masons. I am restoring the 16th century facade of my house in the south of France and have been amazed at the work performed ranging from special beveled bricks for the window frames to the replicating stonework to allow for the installation of the original balconies that were removed almost 100 years ago. Keep up the impressive work. Cheers-

Thanks for your comment and interest. Well done for bringing back those original balconies. Best wishes for your project!

[@nativetexson]

@ Thank you. Most appreciated.

[@just_a_nother_Matt_on_YouTube]

I would have saved the oak for milling new beams for the rafters of those buildings that need new beams and rafters.

Thanks for your comment - we have several barns full of oak charpente (roof structural pieces) that will be repurposed for these projects. We do save some wood for timber/lumber but some trees do end up being used for our biomass heating system.

[@louiselewis5061]

The artisans are so impressive and their work fascinates me. Such a slow process fixing the stone joints, but such an important one great video.

[@garyc5483]

Great progress on many of your tasks. Condensation is not good. I know its probably all you have for heating BUT LPG heaters give out huge amounts of water. Might seem strange when trying to heat the room but crack the windows open while the heater is running. ATB regards from the UK

[@nickosbye]

at minute 5, you were using a LPG heater, be careful as it creates LOTS of humidity in the air, hence the droplets on the window, try using a 3 - 5kw electric heater instead

[@marie9244]

Great to see a lengthy video of the progress of the chateau. Congratulations with all the work on the chateau I am sure you can not make a step or decision without the approval of the conservation department of France. It is the same here in Australia can’t make a move on a historic building without approval of the materials being used including the paint. I am sure your architect and craftsmen are all experienced people with approval of the ministry. Well done fellow Australians 🇦🇺

[@skdoremi6666]

It's not really the case in France....there are 2 type of classified monuments in france: classé and inscrit, chateau de prunon is isncrit which is more regional and less restrictive, the prefecture will restrict the masonry and preserving the architecture (decoration) but they won't put restrictions on each room or it content.....owners can decorate however they like, they aren't forced to respect the 18th interiors at all...for instance some buildings that r Inscrit were transformed into 2 or 4 apartments but the façade had to be restored and preserved...its really up to the owners in general but they can change wallpapers and paint...unless the prefecture put restricted preservation on a historic wallpaper or paint which they rarely do anyway. The prefecture interests are about preserving the structure and the historic values only.....a classified monument is a national treasure and it can't be restored without the approval of the municipality which r pain in a**....even if it's damage they won't let u restore it ! like she did with the bathroom plinth. They will not let u cut woods to have plugs....its their choice to restore the chateau to its glorified 18th century and the prefecture will help her but they can't force her to do it...

Thank you for your comment. Yes, every aspect of our restoration has to be carefully planned with our architect and the french heritage authorities. The interior and the exterior of the chateau are heritage listed as are all of the outbuildings and even our dry moat, terraces and park. We work very closely with the French Government and our experience has been extremely positive. Although things sometimes take a little longer, the extra planning and the careful studies that are done before we do things means that the final result is exceptional and respects heritage in every way.

[@marie9244]

⁠@@skdoremi6666you must of restored so many château to know so much and are an expert at it. You need to check your spelling of the chateau you are writing about.

Thanks for your comment. But just to clarify Chateau de Purnon is actually 'classé' (the chateau itself inside and out, the terraces and moats, the large communs, even the 1812 Gate). Some of the smaller outbuildings are 'inscrit'. Further, it's not the case that we can decorate inside any way that we like. Because the interiors of Purnon are 'classé' we must work closely with our architect and DRAC (representing the French Govt) on everything from paint selection to any interior works on wood panelling and other aspects.

[@didierjacob250]

@@skdoremi6666 Le château de Purnon est CLASSE' ! , intérieurs et extérieurs, donc, ils ne peuvent pas faire n'importe quoi, comme tout ces anglais souvent qui rachètent des châteaux, sans intérêts ou cultures historiques des lieux. Mais, Tim et Félicity, recherche l' authenticité tant mieux, et la préfecture n' a rien à voir dans les décisions....ils ont des aides conséquentes du gouvernement...

[@rosemariedeschenes7013]

So fortunate to have talented craftsmen who still know how to repair the roof, stones, facades of your chateau. I like the redesign of the bathroom. Bonne chance with all the repairs and renovations 😍😘

We are very proud of the artisans working on the restoration. They are very talented. Thank you for your interest.

[@MrPoilleke]

France has a decades long tradition of 'artisans' with every year a contest for the best artisan. Artisanship has keeps those traditions and techniques alive 😊

[@kellydriver]

As much as those sleepless hours would have been so frustrating for you Felicity, it has helped you come to a great decision. I am sure you will be able to use the bath and pedestal sink elsewhere. And the louis 16th vanity will be gorgeous!

Thanks for following our journey. We hope you love the final result when it is finished!

[@Sarah-fy3qf]

I love the idea of having the bath in the window nook. Would be a lovely place to relax.

[@christikapa3856]

I too was so excited to see the window in the center of the bath!! ❤

[@farminginafricaethiopia6889]

Oak is a hardwood. I strongly suggest using it for restoration and pls do not burnt it.

[@antoinettelelu5731]

Magnifique restoration.

[@davidhopkins2747]

So inspiring to see the process of Chateau de Purnon being restored, keep up the amazing work!

Thank you!

[@peterwhite9261]

Love seeing the progress. That bathroom will be beautiful. I love the french gray color, especially 2 tones together.❤

Thank you! These colours were carefully selected in consultation with our architect and specialists from Farrow & Ball respecting the original 18th century colour palette. The colours are Pavilion Gray and Lamp Room Gray.

[@christinehodge3608]

Like all this good work on the Chateau!

We love it when there is a burst of activity on multiple projects... it's great for our morale!

[@Kitty_cat2001]

Can’t you get a portable saw mill & cut the tree so it eventually can be used in the chateau? It seems a waste to burn it.

[@kimvanek2322]

Your home is beautiful!! Thanks for the update. Sending good luck and much love from Ohio!!!🎉😊

Thank you!

[@greglance4712]

The oak should be cut into beams for the restoration of rotten roof, they used green timber in olden days, for rooves. Unless it has rot through out, somebody local must have a saw mill.

[@kipeagan8543]

Are you going to have the trunk of that fallen oak tree milled into lumber or as you call it, timber, for use in future restoration projects? Seems like a waste to chop it up for firewood.

Thanks for your comment an interest in our project. Some trees that fall in our woods we reserve for timber (depending on tree type and quality). We also have several barns full of old oak charpente (wooden beams - normally oak) that we repurpose for projects around the property. We can't save every tree in this way however as we have quite a few hectares of woods. So some of it is used for our biomass heating system.

[@forevermay95]

Oak can be pretty rough on the plants.

[@petrekovairena1891]

WOW

Yes, the progress and the attention to detail are breathtaking.

[@claudiamann7111]

How exciting seeing the other roof being fixed. How much longer will it take till the chateau is finished?? Love seeing all the progress. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

I would say 10 years.

The main works on the exterior of the chateau itself (roof, facades, shutters and various ancillary works) still have a little over a year to go. But we are eager to try and protect some of the other fragile buildings before its too late.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@ Dear Felicity, dear Tim, I am joining Claudia on this question : I wrote "ten years" because I sincerely thought, given all the rooms, all the restorations required, all the furniture to find, that you would need a lot of time. Maybe I was wrong. You think everything will be finished in a year ?

@@heliedecastanet1882 So there is no confusion, I was referring to the exterior of the chateau! Those works (roof, facades etc) should take a little over a year. Of course, the interior works will take somewhat longer. There are also two enormous 'communs' or outbuildings and about a dozen other smaller buildings. These house important structures - for example our chapel, stables, orangerie and even an old mill that is older than the chateau itself. Restoring these buildings will take more than a decade. Perhaps some will not be finished in our lifetime.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@ Thanks for the time you took for writing this long explanation 🙂

[@zeenatbaer138]

Fantastic as always to see the progress, you must be so happy. Well done. P.s I desperately want to live in one of your outhouses 😊 love that rustic charm. What a dream come true you are living. Pps with the cost of oak these days, and old growth at that, is a shame not to use the tree for future lumber needs ? I know oak takes at least 3 years to season so you can't use it for firewood any sooner anyway. Hope you dont mind me saying not trying to be negative. Thanks for all the updates, just so exciting !!

[@Mindsi]

And wood turning🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@inabates8919]

The straight parts of the main trunk can be milled.

[@Francis-kw9ui]

The moss and ivy got the tree before the storm … ivy does do damage

[@lynellajordan420]

My goodness, that is a lot of terracotta tiles. Does the roof have a layer system of adding more tiles as they get older or for needed patching? Is it more likely that all those tiles were added at once and only once when the roof was originally put on?

[@jamesford3322]

HOT WATER RADIATED HEAT WITH WOOD FROM THE PROPERTY. BOILER WITH OUT n RETURN LINES THE BEST n MOIST HEAT OUT THERE !!!

[@inabates8919]

The natural “Tuffeau” stone, is that like the limestone in Australia?

Tuffeau is a very soft local (lLoire Valley) limestone. It's typically white or yellow. We can't really compare it to Australian limestone but it obviously shares some similar properties.

[@ScottRobins-g5e]

Please mill that oak for planks…just use the trimmed pieces for heating.

[@katehobbs2008]

Be wary of getting that ivy into the wood chip to go on the garden. You do not want ivy springing up throughout the gardens. Curious, how do you spell ‘chait? Chaet? Not familiar with the word and can’t find it. 🌸🇦🇺

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Chai

Thanks for your comment. The correct spelling is 'chai' and the english translation is roughly 'barrel room'. It is the place where the wine would be aged after the grapes were pressed.

[@bobolpatrick3789]

Bonsoir ,je vous ai vu sur TF1 c'était formidable félicitation

Merci beaucoup 😊

[@elisabethbenders-hyde5286]

No harness for the roofers? Maybe I'm being an overly cautious American, but they had a fatality at the Chateau La Lande a few months ago when someone fell off the scaffolding of the chapel they are restoring. And they were professionals. Makes me nervous.

[@KimEdwards-e9q]

I really like the neutral color that you’re using for the woodwork. I noticed that you’ve painted over the door latch and window latches. Perhaps you addressed that in a previous video.? The hardware is an important part of the aesthetic especially if original to the chateau.It’s requires more work but worth it in a restoration project. I initially did the same once and regretted it. Your bathroom layout will look great! Can’t wait to see it completed. 😊

[@danjuliephillips]

💙

[@danjuliephillips]

Solar panels 💙

[@cherylkurucz8852]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bethcervenka1813]

How long have you and Tim been together? Do you plan on having children? Since you are both from Australia, how did you become so fluent in French?

[@PhilAshcroft-l7f]

Oak?? Please make it into roofing supports, plank it or otherwise use it, but please, please do not use it for biomass

[@bethcervenka1813]

It says paid promotion, but I didn’t see you promoting an item or service.

[@lynellajordan420]

I haven't made it all the way through the video yet, but SMART STRIP is a product they are using.

[@ji8044]

Such a massive project, do you guys ever feel like you run a major corporation with the time commitment involved? My hat's off to your diligence!

Thanks for your comment and interest - yes, it's pretty much a full-time job for both of us.

[@pascaline161]

None of them Wear security harnesses ..😱 in case od fall, insurrance will not Work

[@pascaline161]

Period furniture transformes into a handbasin 🤔🤔🤔 it will never stand the humidity, waterstains etc. Will destroy the beautifull piece of furniture and will have to be redone in short time. Not worth it I think. A bathroom must have bathroom furniture ...

[@penotmichel4024]

Je viens de m abonne et je suis ravie de voir qû Que vous repondai aux commentaires merci pour cela 17:00

Merci beaucoup!

[@CarolLoch-ww7po]

What a waste of good wood you could make new floor boards or doors anything but burn it x

[@cjpowers9330]

It would be better to ruin a reproduction piece of furniture rather than a Louis XI antique.

Thanks for your comment - Just to clarify, it's a Louis XVI piece. But the marble was already cracked in two places. Therefore, installing a basin on the marble won't ruin it. As much as possible we try and use original furniture as we restore rooms rather than the more recent reproductions.

[@cjpowers9330]

@ my mistake, I didn’t catch the ‘V’ was missing. Eyesight isn’t the best. Nonetheless, as I was saying, water, old wood and old finishes are a combination that spells enormous upkeep and difficulties. It’s a beautiful piece, why risk it? Marble can be replaced, which I’m assuming must be done anyway so it may hold the sink instillation. I do not mean to be argumentative, but I am always saddened to see a beautiful irreplaceable antique used in such a way that would jeopardize it’s very future existence.

[@gnarbeljo8980]

I can't wrap my head around all these Chatelaines claiming to want to do historic, proper restoration using acrylic paint on 18th century woodwork. I realize people have used this in the 20th century but it's really bad for the wood, it's plastic and doesn't let the natural material breathe. Farrow & Ball, Little Greene is all water based acrylate paint, same as any other acrylic based paint, just they research and have matched colors to suit certain English hostorical sites. It's in no way the proper chouce for historical preservation. The method would be to scrape any synthetic paint off all wood. Then sand, and prime with diluted linseed oil, then sand again and paint with a linseed oul based paint in very very thin layers, at least 2 or 3, and let dry. This would be done during the brighter time of year to cure faster and takes about 3 weeks to be dry, cures fully to a very hard protective surface over 4 months. The oil penetrates the pores of the wood preventing any future drying and cracking, as well as protecting from humidity and mold spores. The whole thing has so called open diffusion, meaning it allows the narural materials to breathe and last for a very long time, and can be touched up decades from now. Not ONE of the foreign Chateau owners in France use these very established conservation methods. It's baffling to me. Also not more costly than these English paints which are simply branded fancy acrylics. So much research done, and nobody seems to no any better. I can't understand why.. You put so much thought and work in it doesn't make sense to me, I just have to ask, I hope you dont mind. Thr "national trust bit is as impressive as" supplier to HM the queen" and really isn't ever used by historic conservationists of these types of properties. Ever.

The restoration of Château de Purnon is being overseen by the head architect of Château de Versailles. He is one of France's most highly regarded architects, an 18th century expert and has meticulous attention to detail. Every single aspect of the restoration of Purnon has a two step approval process. It is approved first by the architect and then by DRAC, the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles, a service of the French Minister of Culture. This is after a thorough diagnostic study on each room to discover the original purpose of the room, original paint colours, wallpapers etc. This involves carefully researching the chateau archives and the room itself. Our commitment to a high quality, historical restoration is unwavering. I'm wondering if this comment was directed at a different channel where the property is not heritage protected or the restoration project is not a historical restoration project. Additionally a linseed oil based surface treatment was used for the restoration of Purnon's second floor and attic windows as this wood is exposed to the elements.

[@oliversmum1]

I understand your point but I think you are harping on the wrong crew here. Tim and Flick are being very well-guided and being extremely cautious about what they are using and there is no doubt that breathability has been very much considered throughout this restoration - as Flick has detailed the process in her response. Additionally, you may wish to refresh your knowledge of those paint ranges- and you will find that both F&B and Little Greene do have distemper and linseed paint ranges. I know they didn't used to have as wide of a range, but with the attention to and understanding of breathability in recent years, both companies have included those ranges and I am certain if you refresh your knowledge of those companies that you will find that they have those products now. I would concur that the vast vast majority of the chateau renovations currently on other channels( essentially- all the rest that I have seen), are not concerned with breathability- and I cringe also when I see all sorts of non- breathable products being used on other channels. Karen Rdg

[@MichaelBouchicas]

The tub next to the wind is a much nicer place. You can see out the windows 🪟.

Exactly! What a relaxing way to soak in the bath!