A mountain house called Coin Perdu.
A few weeks ago we did the final signing for a little house, Coin Perdu, in the mountains in Corréze. It dates from the 1880′s, was built by the farmer himself, then handed down to the son and we bought it from the granddaughter, who inherited it from her brother. Complicated. Like all French administration.
We’ll be doing some restoration, keeping the spirit of the house with all the fixtures and just adding some modern day comfort and running water. I’ll keep a journal of this whole process, as we’ll be rolling up our own sleeves, climbing the ladders ourselves and stacking the stones ourselves.
We were down there this past week to meet the mayor: an interesting woman with a charming accent and an obvious love for chatting. We asked permission to buy a stretch of “municipal road” that goes through our propery. (for peace of mind) Nobody sees a road, it is somewhere in the brush, but because it is shown on the map, it does exist. Therefore it has to be put before the community of 200-something inhabitants of Puy d’Arnac, to contest should they “need the road”. Complicated. French freedom.
…coin Perdu…
…pig house at Coin Perdu…
Sketches done in moleskine, with pen and watercolour.
Oh this looks like so much fun and what a treasure!!!!
December 13, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Congratulations on your new house and project. Wonderfully captured in your distinctly lyrical style.
December 13, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Wow, Ronell, what an adventure – your energies must be back in full force – it looks and sounds amazing. Your sketches make me look forward to seeing lots more from your journal. Baie geluk!
December 13, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I love your little corner of paradise, Ronell and am delighted to see the journal underway.
Of course we are now all going to be greedy for more.
December 13, 2008 at 8:52 pm
“…greedy for more…” Yes, indeed. Bon chance!
December 13, 2008 at 10:39 pm
HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 OH RONELL, I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE PROCESS!! IT’LL BE LIKE THE BOOKS OF PROVENCE ONLY IN IMAGES AND WORDS OF SOMEONE I LOVE .. YAHOOO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, THESE SKETCHES ARE ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!! OH, HON — A BOOK, A BOOK!
December 13, 2008 at 10:57 pm
It looks beautiful, Ronell – and you’ll be able to do endless sketches there.
I know the restoration will be perfect – you have such impeccable taste.
December 13, 2008 at 11:11 pm
It looks beautiful, Ronell – and you’ll be able to do endless sketches there.
I know the restoration will be perfect – you have such impeccable taste.
December 13, 2008 at 11:13 pm
how wonderful! it looks gorgeous and I’ll enjoy watching it develop :>)
lovely sketches – I hope you have the energy to carry on with all that lifting of stones ;>)
December 13, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Lovely house, lovely sketches!
December 14, 2008 at 12:14 am
So exciting, Ronell. How far away from your main home is Puy d’Arnac? Two hundred people… 1880′s house….It sounds like a lovely little village. Are there brooks or ponds on your property?
I agree, with the rest, just love your sketches of it, and hope you get the chance to share many of your watercolors with us.
annie
December 14, 2008 at 12:48 am
Ronell, this sounds so exciting! Your sketches are wonderful — so free and yet detailed. Wonderful.
December 14, 2008 at 4:29 am
Beautiful painting and VERY exciting news! I look forward to seeing more.
December 14, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Congratulations on the new house. It sounds wonderful! Lovely sketches too.
December 15, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Oh it looks so charming and I can’t wait to follow along on the restorations!
December 16, 2008 at 10:20 pm
How wonderful for you!!! love your sketches– good luck with this project!
December 18, 2008 at 4:58 am
Wow, Ronell, how exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it, and see what will surely be a treasure trove of wonderful art that emerges from all this. Congratulations and good luck on your new adventure!
December 18, 2008 at 6:17 pm