Category Archives: Buying a House in France

From Rice to Riches

Now that the frosty days of winter are here, I’ve done due diligence by adding a little bit of weather stripping here and there, where there were gaps. We’ve really noticed a difference, even with that little effort. Don’t know … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 6 Comments

Learning Curve At the Brico

Anything Brico is a big box home improvement store—Bricorama, BricoCash, Brico Depot, Mr. Bricolage, Bricomarche… I tend to go armed with my phone and Google Translate, but also with paper and pen. As literal translations from English to French often … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 4 Comments

Holy apertures, Batman!

Although personally suffering from what appears to be multiple fall viruses, the work at Le Coudeau continues. We’re forging ahead with our final projects for the property—the outbuildings. We’ve repaired and replaced much of the roofing on the outbuildings. Since deciding … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 3 Comments

Going Through the Roof

With all the chaos still going on around here, I was so delighted to find this little colony of Sternbergia lutea that popped up this month. Now if I can just keep the guys from stomping through them! Will need … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 1 Comment

Design 101

I promised to bring you along on my Magical Mystery Design Tour and offer a glance inside my process. Now, after looking at thousands, probably more like tens of thousands, well maybe a million different items online (in French), I’ve pulled … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Interior Design Concept Boards, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 2 Comments

Dig, dig, diggin’ disasters!

I’m certain this post will not be of interest to most of you, as it deals with stinky things underground, but as a testament to our process, I wanted to record our little escapades. When we first viewed the house, … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Drainage and Foss Septic in Dordogne, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 1 Comment

Bombe, My Ass!

Since some of the rooms are starting to take shape with the drywall installed, I am starting to think about furniture. We bought a bed a while back and can’t wait to sleep in it and get off this gite … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 3 Comments

The Tale of Cindy’s Kitchen, Part I

Warning: For those of you NOT interested in my overblown design process and painful detailing, please skip this entry… When we first viewed the house, the kitchen was my least favorite part. It was long and narrow, with dark wood ceilings … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 7 Comments

It’s Gotta Get Worse Before It Gets Better

We finally settled on a contractor for the remodel. Due to the lack of urgency from almost every French contractor we dealt with, we signed with a company from Bergerac to come in with a whole crew of Portuguese guys to … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 10 Comments

What a Difference a Week Makes…

It’s been a whirlwind of activity since taking possession of the house last week—   We started immediately with the garden. Had a super duper gardener lined up who has absolutely ATTACKED the garden. I’m so thankful, not only for … Continue reading

Posted in American Expats in France, Buying a House in France, Expat Blog, Renovating a Home in France, Southwest France American Expat Blog | 4 Comments