{"id":73,"date":"2021-11-08T13:34:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T12:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=22612"},"modified":"2021-11-08T13:50:23","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T12:50:23","slug":"explore-wim-joops-country-house-rebuild-in-france","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/explore-wim-joops-country-house-rebuild-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Wim & Joop\u2019s country house rebuild in France"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 08 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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For Joop and Wim, nothing could be more charming, or tempting, than an old house in desperate need of repair. \u2018It was almost falling apart,\u2019 they recall as they explain how they came across the maison de ma\u00eetre that is now their home.<\/p>\n

Forty years ago, abandoned houses in the Midi-Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es (now the Occitanie) region of the south of France were countless. The rural population had dwindled following the disappearance of traditional industries, such as mining, spinning, weaving and fabric dyeing. The homeowners were mainly French farmers who didn\u2019t particularly care for the aesthetics of old buildings. Not so Joop and Wim, who were able to see past the dilapidation to a wealth of possibilities.<\/p>\n

Having already restored one farmhouse in the Haute-Garonne \u2013 a property they\u2019d acquired with friends before moving permanently from Holland to France \u2013 the couple were well-versed in the trials and tribulations of major restoration.<\/p>\n

Their future home, which dated from 1757, stood just outside a small village, next to the churchyard. It had belonged to a notable local family, but for the previous 25 years it had been abandoned and left to the elements. The roof was missing and the stairs were badly damaged, there was no electricity and no running water, no bathrooms and only one toilet. \u2018But its spirit was phenomenal,\u2019 Joop and Wim explain. Having persuaded the last heiress to sell, the couple set to work.<\/p>\n

Sheds and stables beyond repair were demolished and a large garden established in their place. Once a new roof had been installed they began to reinstate the staircase. An old baluster found languishing in the attic provided the template for the replacements needed to restore the banister.<\/p>\n

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The oak staircase with pine rail was badly damaged and needed restoring. Wim found an old baluster in the attic, which he used as a template to make more to support the rail.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The couple make an impressive team, their talents perfect for the challenge: Wim is a gifted craftsman and Joop is a talented decorator with a passion for colour and fabrics \u2013 skills he acquired while working as a costume designer. When walls were not straight or smooth enough to be papered, Joop picked up his brushes and painted them with stripes, flowers and arabesques. Their style is simple, and they try not to ever make things look too slick or polished.<\/p>\n

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