Our FRENCH HOUSE TOUR | Charente Living | Lifestyle in the rural France

Finally, welcome to the house tour! Many of you have asked us to show how is the house blueprint and here we go. We take you around our small French townhouse and present you what we have renovated and what is still to be done. As you see even the rooms that look ready, have still a lot to do such as installing the skirting boards, painting walls, wallpapering etc. But this is where we are at the moment. A lot has been done already since the first days when we purchased this abandoned house in a small town in the rural France.
We are Robert and Jyrki - Irish and Finnish artists living in Helsinki, Finland. With no renovation experience, but lots of enthusiasm and passion we take on the big challenge of renovating a townhouse in rural France, and enjoy the lifestyle it has to offer. We bring you travel, lifestyle, interiors, renovation and more. Get inspired by the French way of life in beautiful South West of France!
Follow us also on our Instagram:
/ charenteliving
Music by Epidemic Sound:
Faded Silhouette by Helmut Schenker
#france #oldhouse #diy #charente #renovation #frenchhouse #rural #countryside #farmlife #lifestyle #lifestylevlog #lifeinfrance #ruralfrance #charente #french #frenchvillage #village #villagelife #villagevlog #villagelifestylevlog

[@mariaetheridge8343]

Wow! You have made great progress!! Looking good!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Maria!

[@rodolfogarcia4359]

Thank You. Since it isn't a large house to not have the dining room next to the kitchen, the flow is nice. Having a neutral wall coloring makes all your beautiful furnishing stand out more and shows them off.

[@hazel1960]

Totally agree the flow is not great Lots to do I like to finish one project at a time otherwise your always in a mess

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Rodolfo. Yes its not a big house so easy to walk through from the kitchen to the dining room. If it were a large house, maybe more of a problem.

[@leapingkitties]

Lovely space and you have done a lot of work on it. Can't wait to see what you do with the scary room. Cheers.

[@charenteliving]

Looking forward to starting that room, will be a great transformation I am sure!!!

[@deborahblair3672]

What a nice presentation and explaining everything in a nice relaxed way. Even a serene dog Kitty.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Deborah!

[@christiandouriaud5630]

Thank you for sharing your fantastic home renovation with us? Prefectionist and talanted, I appreciat it. Greetings from Burgundy.👌👍

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the kind words Christian.

[@thechatelaine]

Your home is delightful so enjoyed your tour Thank you for sharing

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!

[@angelakilroe3271]

It all looks cosy and homely just wished you lived there permanently so that we can have the enjoyment of watching you renovate more regularly.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Angela. We often wish we lived there too. Maybe one day!!!

[@Michael_Sheldon]

Your loving caretaking of this house is inspiring. And we are so fortunate to see its former glory come alive again in your capable hands.

[@charenteliving]

Aw thank you so much!!

[@lawrencebaker2318]

Thank you for the tour of your charming home! I think it is nice that you are living there (at least part time) and getting to know the house and how it works for you before going full steam ahead trying to renovate and decorate everything at once. You are making great progress and doing what is right for you both. Fantastic!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Lawrence. We very much enjoy taking it bit by bit...really get to know the house that way. Easier on the purse strings too haha!

[@jelsner5077]

I love how you've decorated with vintage pieces. It's very charming. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@charenteliving]

So glad you like it so far!

[@patrickjourneytothechateau8243]

Nice job so far. We know it is a lot and you are on your way! Hugs from Journey to the Chateau!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Patrick!!!!

[@phyllisburrell8661]

Good to see another update, cannot wait to see the French doors in siteau, that will be so nice. Thank you for sharing, sincerely, from San Diego California.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Phyllis. Looking forward to the doors also. Hopefully we get them up in the new year.

[@neilschipper3741]

I sure have enjoyed your documentation of the Journey of your home. The hard work you guys have put in bringing this home back is absolutely beautiful! I always enjoyed getting to see one of your videos of your home and your excursions out to other villages.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Neil for the kind words. So happy you are enjoying the videos!

[@mlomarechal6877]

Comme nous disons en France : "petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid". Vous avez réalisé jusqu'à aujourd'hui une belle restauration de votre maison, vous avez raison de prendre le temps de réfléchir à la suite des travaux et de la décoration. Félicitations ! As we say in France: "little by little the bird makes its nest". You've done a great job restoring your home so far, and you're right to take the time to think about the rest of the work and the decoration. Congratulations!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the beautiful comment!!

[@lisainnewzealand8461]

Thank you. I have been following your vlogs since you started. From Whakatane, New Zealand. xo to you both

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much for the support Lisa. Its so appreciated!!!!

[@adelinefinlay1582]

That is such a lovely,peaceful space ….good idea to live a bit before you finally decide on colours….looking forward to seeing your progress….

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Adeline!!

[@jaimeochoa7256]

Thank you for sharing your journey...lots of love, sweat and tears...and the satisfaction for your achievement, creativity, ingenuity and effort!... Congratulations.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you for the wonderful and kind words!!!

[@critcalreader4160]

You've done a lot of work and it shows. I'm afraid houses never stop needing work; and the house, and your taste, will continue to evolve. You'll be glad you're documenting it along the way.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@LaReynedEpee]

You've achieved a huge amount and the house is very liveable as it is now, but your future plans will make it even more pleasant. At least it sounds like all the worst tasks are done in the scary room and you probably just need to tackle it one job at a time. In another three years, it will all be done!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you for the lovely comment. Yes with time it will get there for sure!!

[@jameswilliamson6665]

Thank you for the tour. I love the house so much and your approach to doing little by little really pays off. Just lovely.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much James!

[@barbidorin107]

I LOVE the scary bedroom...it is by far my favorite!! I cannot wait to see what you two do with it. The original fireplace...to die for!!

[@charenteliving]

We really look forward to start!!!

[@TheCrowsNest1950]

Hi Robert and Jyrki, I am finally catching up on some of your vlogs that I missed. What a great tour of the work and progress the two of you have made on the house so far. It is an evolutionary process of renovation, restoration and shopping to take it from just a house to the home that makes you happy. Great work so far and I look forward to seeing the progress as I catch up with your channel. Mark & Scott

[@davidlogan4329]

A most charming tour of your beautiful home. I really love what you have both done so far. Enjoy a happy week!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much David!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Your house has come a long way, it is looking absolutely wonderful. Love the new kitchen and the plans for the courtyard. Stunning guys.❤👍

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much for the lovely compliments!!

[@charmees6637]

I really love the layout of your home and especially the flow that you will have from the kitchen to the lounge. With the lovely French glass doors leading out into the courtyard. I can imagine that will be wonderful. Lots and lots of potential throughout. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us around❤

[@charenteliving]

Our pleasure. So glad you like it. We feel very lucky!

[@claudiamann7111]

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. You have done an amazing job in all the rooms. Love your furnishings.

[@charenteliving]

So glad you like it so far Claudia!!

[@brendamann6106]

You have the place cleaned up so you can see what needs to be done. Fixing structural problems has to happen first to protect your house then the rest can begin. So much work but it’s easy to see the progress! Thank you for sharing!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Brenda. It has been a wonderful project and we are very blessed I must say. Looking forward to continuing over the coming years.

[@albertpeckham8708]

Very charming! You have done well...keep going.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Albert!!

[@angielu3273]

So Lovely, so inspiring.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Angie!

[@flaviakaiser9204]

Your videos are so pleasant to watch: the fine décor, your great taste not only in furniture but also with the music you choose for the videos, your calm voices, the perfect scenes - I'm so happy I found your channel. Looking forward to what's to come :)

[@charenteliving]

Oh thank you so much Flavia, so kind of you. Really happy you are enjoying the videos so far.

[@karenmccarthy8017]

What a beautiful home!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Karen!

[@saraheschweiler4939]

Charming home! Thank you for giving your tour, & best wishes in manifesting your beautiful dreams for it! 💞🌿💐🌿😊💚😘🌿💐🌿💞

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Sarah!!!

[@pattersonmendiola]

Great house tour, congrats on all the hard work!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!!!

[@user-do5rr2ff7c]

Love your townhouse. Keep up the good work

[@dianesmith5254]

Thank you for the lovely tour of your house, what you have done is beautiful and I'm sure the rooms that are not finished yet, will look beautiful once they are finished. You both have done a great job😊

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Diane, looking forward to the projects ahead!!!

[@torxsal7008]

Beautiful work and nice cosy house ! Thanks to share with us

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!

[@michaelw.8614]

Absolutely lovely house.

[@gypsy1588]

Thank you for the lovely tour of your home.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much!!!

[@eileencronk7520]

You have done a wonderful job so far. I know you’ve taken time, thought and love.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Eileen. So glad you like it!!!

[@lollygee172]

Wow! What beautiful progress!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!

[@jangriffiths8013]

You really have both accomplished a lot in a relatively short period of time. It was so nice to see the entirety of the cottage. It's lovely; very warm, comfortable and inviting. I can't wait to see you progress with your decor and "finishing touches"!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Jan. Looking forward to getting to the finishing touches stage.

[@nativetexson]

Thanks for the tour! Cheers-

[@charenteliving]

Thanks as always Glen!!!

[@margiechism]

Curvy walls in the upstairs scary wall room ■ I believe if you were to frame curve walls from the window, that would create a wonderful accent and setting room that balances the attic's stair rails art style shape. Who really wants to walk into the last room and it is boxed in? Having this shape would be the journey to explore walking to the limits of the home; a retreat. M

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Margie for the wonderful suggestion. Definitely something we will consider when starting the renovating, thank you!!

[@pamelapeel4893]

You guys have made great progress ..thank you for tour charming home ..enjoy ❤🎉

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Pamela!!

[@louiscecere5636]

Great house. Thank you for the tour.

[@charenteliving]

Thank Louis!

[@nimuehmoon872]

The house is beautiful!...You're doing a great job.❤

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!!!

[@annettedelahunty3899]

Absolutely charming♥️

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Annette!!

[@shirleygraham6229]

Thank you. Considering how it was previously, you have done a wonderful job so far.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Shirley.

[@sheldonsworld8853]

One of your best videos and informative ones …well done . It’s all looking very beautiful

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Sheldon!!

[@flowerfairy1950]

Thank you. You are creating a beautiful home. A lovely living space. 🧡

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so so much!

[@kathleenmueller8660]

Lovely!

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Kathleen!!!

[@kathleenmueller8660]

You are most welcome!@@charenteliving

[@kefaad]

Guys thanks for the 'grand tour'! The progress is truly amazing! Like the colour and the floor of the entrance hall the way it is but you know better. So many lovely fireplaces too! Second floor has so much porential! I like your sense of interior decoration a combination of cozy rustic atmosphere with a chateau like calm opulence. Keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing!

[@charenteliving]

Oh thanks so much. So glad you like it so far!!!

[@lindaf4103]

lovely tour thank you

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Linda.

[@marquamfurniture]

You gentlemen have a fine aesthetic sensibility very much in keeping with the house and village. It's coming together in a natural, unforced and unpretentious way. I am so happy for both of you, living a meaningful and satisfying life.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the wonderful and charming words!!

[@worldwanderingwoman]

Beautiful home. Next time I would love to see your lights on! You have beautiful light fixtures.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Sarah! Some of our chandeliers need to be rewired so just hanging pretty for now.

[@gnarbeljo8980]

So the algorithm suggested this just now. Very pleased it did! Charming house! Lots of work but as a labor of love (which is clearly the case) your approach to it is very smart. First make things livable and freshen up with neutrals, gotnthe kitchen moved and working, then later on you'll know what colors and energy you want for each space. It's quite an ideal sized house for a couple. The whole downstairs is charming, and the upstairs will be too once that's taken care of. The idea of a walled courtyard in tge adjacent house sans the roof is quite original and daring! Would you really want to keep the walls that high? I'm thinking of sunlight for things to grow properly... You seem very creative! Its all oozing with charm, so I can only imagine what it will be like once you do the finishings! That's a new sub from me for sure! Kitos for sharing! Cheers from Stockholm! ☺️👌💕

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. So glad you like it so far. With regards to the cottage garden, we would have to reduce the height somewhat for stability, but when getting the roof off I guess we will see exactly what needs to be done. An interesting project for sure.

[@SindyBoyle]

Epic transformation. The sweeping attic staircase is a real WOW factor.

[@charenteliving]

Oh thank you so much!!!!

[@denniscampeau6577]

Always a pleasure to be invited into your home and see all your hard work and elegant design, thank you.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Dennis!!!

[@cynthiahudson7528]

Beautiful dining room,good light.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Cynthia!

[@user-ji4rc2ou1l]

Its going to be just a wonderful house inside and outside 🧡

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much!!

[@claymccleery9451]

Lovely home. I've just now discovered you, and am pleasantly surprised!

[@charenteliving]

Oh thank you so much.

[@user-sg7ic8xn6t]

you guys are loved, miss your videos and the music you play

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the wonderful words.

[@Frenchcountryfriends]

Bonjour! Just discovered your channel this morning. I particularly love your dining area. A So a huge fan of your minimalist kitchen. ❤❤❤❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much, so glad you like it.

[@enrriquemurillo7391]

Felicitaciones esta quedando hermosa..mucho trabajo

[@charenteliving]

Gracias!!

[@peterwhite9261]

In 3 1/2 years, you both have done a lot considering you don't live there full time. You have the main areas done well. The rest will come in time. ❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Peter, very much enjoying the process!

[@davidmiller-br4bu]

You have both done so much in a short time can’t believe it’s been a couple of years... take your time let it evolve as you see it. It’s a journey! Hugz to both of you

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much David!!!

[@user-iu4mu3bv5v]

Thanks!

[@charenteliving]

Thank you!

[@lynnmk2384]

Beautiful place

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Lynn, we feel very lucky!!

[@LCamp-cr7fs]

Your house is the perfect size and already functions well. You want to relax when in France and not maintain acres of house and land after all.

[@charenteliving]

Looking forward to when we can purely relax....but of course the process is very enjoyable.

[@AuroraSoto-bb8ed]

Muchas gracias , me dio una buena idea de como colgar mis sartenes , hermosa casa

[@charenteliving]

Gracias!!

[@gillianrobinson5428]

Dinning room lovely

[@charenteliving]

We love it now! Thank you.

[@gillianrobinson5428]

Beautiful stairs.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Gillian!

[@joseraimundomarques8735]

Hello from Brazil. I love your charming house. I have vintage pieces in my apartment too.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Jose!!!!

[@barbidorin107]

So glad I found your channel! I've been catching up and love what you all are doing! My husband I left the US about a year ago and purchased a Gascony maison in the Gers region. I wanted to let you know when the time comes that you install the new doors to the kitchen if your garage doors fit my garage, I'd be open to purchasing them from you. I think they are beautiful! No rush at all as we are busy with renovations too but please reach out if you like to sell them.

[@charenteliving]

Oh so glad you're enjoying our videos. We well might be removing those doors so would be great if they would suit you.

[@gillianrobinson5428]

Wood furniture lovely

[@charenteliving]

We have had a great time collecting it.

[@fatimamantovani8381]

Casa linda!!!

[@charenteliving]

Muchas gracias!!

[@wildreeds]

👍👍

[@johnbourke2778]

Great house,your accent makes me nostalgic as I am a Dubliner in London

[@charenteliving]

Thanks John. Greetings to London.

[@july7436]

I congratulate you. Beautiful and hard work done. You can see that they have put a lot of love into that house. The only thing that caught my attention was that in the dining room they didn't put the electric cable under the wall. Those plastic tubes that are on the first floor to “cover” the cables don't look good.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much. Yes we are not a fan of those plastic covers and do intend to change them when possible. Sadly many of our interior walls are too thin to have the cables underneath.

[@donk9171]

Hi, love your place. I was taken by your dining room chairs - I have 6 of the same ! Not sure how they ended up in Canada. Cheers.

[@charenteliving]

Oh wow amazing!! Greetings to you there!

[@charisoutofTexas]

I used to have a scary room. 😂 I’ve moved so I had to deal with it.😂 You two have done an amazing job on your home. Do you ever plan to move to France permanently?

[@charenteliving]

Haha we are soon having to just confront it and get it done. Thanks so much for the lovely compliments. Not sure if we will move, maybe one day.

[@mayihusosky7]

Love what you have done and your channel! Have you thought of renovating the cottage to make it a big sitting or dining room next to the kitchen. I love your current dining room but with the move of the kitchen it seems rather disconnected. I would convert it to downstairs bedroom with ensuite(former kitchen).

[@charenteliving]

Yes lots of potential and ideas for the cottage. Sometimes hard to know what the best solution would be!!

[@renatoalvescorretor9259]

Hi. Thank you for the tour. Lovely home. I am an interior designer and I never give any opinion unless asked, but if you allow me 1 single? 😅 Wallpaper the entry hall and use a shackle board white and gray on the floor. It will be stunning ❤

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Renato. Will definitely look into that. Is shakle board a style/finish/colour?

[@fayee8986]

Thank you so much for the tour, you're really going to have a beautiful home when you guys get done with it. I can't help but Wonder why you didn't incorporate more windows it's some of the rooms it seemed a little bit close then and dark. Maybe it was just the time of day in the camera. May the Lord bless you and your family 2 enjoy many years and your beautiful home.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much. There is a wonderful amount of light from the original windows so thankfully no need to add more, must have been the camera in some of the spaces. Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@fishermann1102]

A beautiful job! Thank you for sharing. Want to adopt me? I will look after the house for you while you are away.

[@charenteliving]

haha accepting applications!!

[@arisasis7502]

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" should be playing in the background.

[@charenteliving]

Haha definitely.

[@lesley2110]

Love your house....I presume your bedroom is on the ground floor?

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Lesley. We don't have a bedroom as such yet, we float around between all the rooms as we need, or when guests arrive. All the bedrooms are upstairs. Maybe when we renovate the last bedroom it would be the best master bedroom.

[@loom1c]

Does the pump organ in the upstair bedroom work?

[@charenteliving]

Yes it does, a beautiful little piece. We have featured it in one or two other videos so you can hear it. One of our arriving to France videos, if I remember.

[@bernicebabe4154]

Just a question? Why not swap the sitting room and dining room around, so that the dining room is closer to the kitchen?

[@charenteliving]

Hi Bernice. We considered this but loved the shape of the current dining room with the table so decided to keep it. It's rather close so still easy to serve there. Also the positioning of the doors makes getting furniture into the dining room extremely difficult so we opted for this layout now.

[@debo398]

Why would you have the dining room on the opposite side of the house from the kitchen...it would be more convenient to move that room nearer the new kitchen and move the living room to the location of your dining room.

[@charenteliving]

The idea of the kitchen swap came later and we had the dining room already complete but it wouldn't take a lot to switch them over so its an option for sure to think about.

[@Jane-3229]

Oh wow 🤩 your home is stunning ❤ I love everything you have done so far. Thank you so much for sharing. It was a wonderful tour xx

[@charenteliving]

Oh thank you so much Jane!!!