WInemakers house completely & lovingly restored

In the past many of the winemakers in rural France were small produces seling through cooperatives. This rich history has left the region scattered with ‘maison de vigneron’ or buildings configured for small scale winemaking in a ground floor barn with living accommodation above. It’s a typical sight in towns and villages all over the South of France. These properties make great conversions, especially if there’s a garden with a view.

This complete renovation of a 19C stone winemakers house near Faugeres in the Languedoc included a total transformation of the exterior spaces and the creation of a parking zone from a dilapidated stone barn. Taken together this was complex works involving significant remedial works and significant changes in exterior levels. Looking at the before and after photographs it’s amazing to see the transformation of this tired and unloved house into a beautifully renovated and intimate family home.

The client had the vision and confidence and renosud supplied the rest.

The house was on three levels. The ground floor barn housed the original ‘barriques’ or wine fermentation vats. The main living floor, accessible from the road at the front, was elevated off the ground from the rear giving this property a fabulous south facing view to open vineyards from the living and sleeping accommodation levels.

The small rear garden offered just enough space for a concrete pool and landscaping, but it was to require clever work with levels to make it work. This Scandinavian client, a professional engineer, was able to grasp the scale and importance of the works. Equally, his partner was able to bring a well thought-through and accomplished design storyboard which made developing the design and ‘look’ much easier. WIth committed and visionary clients on-board this project was able to realise a full potential with tasteful development of the entire site. The result is not only confident and crafted, but quite simply beautiful.

Old houses always have hidden problems

It was easy to see the charm of this property. Dilapidation has an alluring quality in old buildings. But beware, patina, decay and character nearly always conceal the less attractive [and expensive] side of dilapidation. If you’re reading this with plans to buy and renovate in France, remember that old properties almost always have hidden surprises. In this case:

• A failing roof that the estate agent had told the client was fine, but which had to be completely replaced

• Structural weak floor platforms which had to be supported with steel

• A rear first floor terrace in severe dilapidation and structurally unsafe

Parking dilemma solved with demolition and clever levels

Many old villages with charm suffer from a parking problem. In this case, there was no guaranteed parking for this property in the very small square adjacent to the house and narrow streets. The solution we used was to demolish a small barn attached and raise the level to create a parking space. This became the natural gate entry into the property and garden. In order to make sure the plan was correct we used 3D models to show the turning circle of the clients Mercedes [see one model below]. This was a useful remote technique to ensure the client could fully understand the concept before signing it off.

The design strategy was to create an open plan living floor with ‘zones’ but with the emphasis on the rear view and terrace. The kitchen and dining area are defined by new classic geometric cement tiles, the dining area with an added tile border for extra emphasis. We used new cement tiles but manufactured to the same ancient method. These types of quality materials add significant cost, but the results are unmatched by ‘printed’ versions of the same style. The floor material changes to softer reclaimed oak floorboards in the salon which was remodelled around a wood burning insert fire as a focus. Th wooden parquet was reclaimed from warehouse floors and was over 100 years old with deep patina and character - again unmatched by any new material. Exposed stone and repointed walls add further character. Wainscot paneling pull the design together with classic steel radiators and cool neutral paint tones.

The dilapidated [and dangerous] rear terrace was replaced with a new concrete terrace, deeper to accommodate a dining table and furniture. A structural steel pergola and railings, which all followed the same style with twisted basket ‘torsade’ detailing, added shade and security while focussing the rear of the house on the south facing views over the open vineyards and private landscaped pool.

The upperfloor basic layout was largely retained but modern bathrooms were added. In order to realise the new layout we had to demolish and rebuild all the walls .

The external spaces were so radically changed that it’s very difficult to discern the changes from original photographs [see media/photos]. The rear level was raised 1.1m to accommodate new levels and retain demolition and pool excavation spoils on the site to save cost. Private parking was added from a demolished barn. Generous terraces spill from a courtyard to the pool and fully landscaped Mediterranean garden.

The whole building was re-rendered leaving an exposed area at the rear for character. It’s a fabulous house but more importantly a family home. The realisation of a lifelong dream for the clients who guided this project to a fabulous result.

Practical design insights:

• 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, kitchen, dining, salon, laundry room, and cave

• Complete renovation including new concrete elevated rear terrace

• Resolution of complex levels to create a split level exterior pool/garden/courtyard

• Creation of private off-road parking from a barn

• Complete Mediterranean landscaped garden

• L-shaped Concrete tiled pool and extensive terracing

• Courtyard

• Structural steel supports on two levels

• Reversible air-conditioning