Restoration STORY

Moniek and Bram Drexhage took an ambitious approach when they restored a crumbling old mill house

Touring the expansive rural landscape of southwest France in their beaten-up Citroën Méhari, Moniek and Bram Drexhage always had their eyes open for opportunities. Both admirers of the French lifestyle, the pair, who live in Amsterdam, first bought a holiday home in the Quercy region in 2002. Situated between Bordeaux and Toulouse, just south of the Dordogne, the area is known for its sunflower fields, streams and meadows. ‘We have loved this region for many years. The landscape is unspoilt with green hills, cypresses, fruit trees and bastide villages. It is sometimes called the Tuscany of

France,’ says Bram. ‘The inhabitants are known as the happiest people in France and they are so friendly.’

It was in 2016 that the couple spotted the crumbling ‘Moulin Calbel’ mill that they felt would be the perfect renovation project. ‘We used to swim in the stream and when we saw the mill was up for sale we were quick to act,’ says Bram. ‘The house was devastated. If you saw it then you would think we were mad for buying it. The building hadn’t been used since the 1960s, when it provided bread for the people of the village of Beauville. The roof was leaking and the floors were rotten.’ Making plans, together with the

architect who had worked on their first French home, the couple set out an ambitious schedule to get the house ready for summer 2018. ‘That year it rained all winter so the pool wasn’t ready for the summer but we started using the house in December.’

New polished floors were installed, the roof was fixed and three new terraces were created including one at the back of the house over the canal and a large loggia for dining. The Petite Séoune stream dissects the plot while the house itself perches over a man-made canal. ‘The canal was filled with around 2.5 metres worth of mud, which we dredged out so we can use it for swimming. By opening and closing the sluices you can control the level of water creating a current to swim against.’

The interior has been uplifted with crisp white walls, resilient concrete surfaces and furniture made by Bram’s brother. Other pieces were sourced from the well-known local brocantes. ‘My wife loves the flea markets and has a real flair for finding antiques that bring character to the house,’ says Bram.

Since completing the renovation, the couple regularly visit the mill house, joined by their three grown-up children, Fleur, Toom and Wiep, as well as their Australian Shepherd dog, Piet. ‘I spend about 10 weeks of the summer here and Bram flies in at the weekends,’ says Moniek. ‘Over the months we are staying here we might have as many as 80 friends and family visit us. We’ve even celebrated our daughter’s wedding here,’ says Bram. ‘We’ve always craved the slow pace of life that greets us when we arrive. There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.’ The farmhouse is available to rent, visit moulincalbel. com for details.

COVERED TERRACE The newly built loggia at the rear of the house provides sheltered dining conveniently close to the second kitchen. Lanterns sourced at a brocante; try Chianti wicker pendant shade, £20, Iconic Lights. Handmade in Brighton sells bespoke live-edge dining tables

KITCHEN The polished concrete provides a resilient floor surface for this high-traffic area and chimes with the pared-back aesthetic. Arctic White Zellige tiles, £130sq m, London Encaustic, have the same look. Hkliving garden bench, £547, Nunido, is similar

DINING ROOM Painting the cabinet grey adds another layer of interest . Jute Soumak woven rug, £399, The Rug Seller, would work

SITTING ROOM Textured pieces and unusual antique finds are the perfect foils to the white walls. Fortuna floorstanding lamp, £325, Oka, has this look. Exotic hide rug, from £189, Hide Rugs

BEDROOM The artwork and light are brocante finds. Try Cristal hanging lamp, £119.99, Trouva, for a similar look. Source a vintage French crochet throw from Vinterior

BATHROOM Wall-hung taps are a space-saving solution. Rak Nova sit-on basins, £129.73 each; Franke mirror, £157.44, all Victorian Plumbing

BEDROOM The bedspread beautifully echoes the lines of the cupboards and window. Try Ferm Living braided shade, £85, Utility

White walls pull the beauty of the wood into focus. Jutta jute rug in Light Brown, £102.95, Benuta, is a good option

BEDROOM Locally bought artwork elevates this space where a metal chair doubles as a bedside table. Art bought at a brocante. Louis Poulsen wall light in Black, £315, Heal’s, would suit this scheme