FRENCH FARMHOUSE

Keen to find a country retreat for slow-paced holidays, this couple gave a dilapidated watermill a new lease of life

Alove of the wide expansive sunflower fields, streams and meadows of the French countryside is what brought Moniek and Bram Drexhage to their mill house, the Moulin Calbel. The couple, who live in Holland, spotted the crumbling property in 2015 while touring the surrounding area. ‘We already had a house in the region and we used to swim in the stream. When we saw the mill was up for sale, we knew we had to act,’ says Bram.

Both admirers of the French lifestyle, Moniek and Bram had bought their original holiday farmhouse after a walking tour in 2002. The region they settled for, Quercy in southwest France, is between Bordeaux and Toulouse, just south of the Dordogne. ‘The landscape is still pure and unspoilt, with green hills, cypresses, fruit trees, endless sunflower fields 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 very friendly.’

The mill came on the market when an estranged daughter returned after her father’s death to sell his estate. ‘The house was falling apart. Honestly, if you saw it then you would think we were mad for buying it, but we embraced the challenge,’ Bram recalls. ‘The roof was leaking and the floors were rotten. You could just about walk on the second floor, but the first floor was full >

❝ WE ALWAYS WANTED TO BUY A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE – WE CRAVED A QUIET PLACE WITH A SLOW PACE OF LIFE HOLIDAY❞ WHEN WE’RE ON

❝ WE SAFEGUARDED THE CHARACTER OF THE ANTIQUE MILL, BUT ADDED ALL THE FEATURES OF A LUXURY HOUSE ❞

of holes, so you had to jump from beam to beam.’ Making plans 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 cats and dogs all winter so the pool wasn’t ready for the summer but we started using the house from December.’

The renovation involved installing new polished concrete floors, fixing the roof and creating three new terraces – one at the back over the canal, one to the side, plus a large loggia for dining. The plot is dissected by a stream, while the house straddles the canal that was dug to direct the water for the mill. ‘The canal was filled with around 2.5 metres worth of mud, which we dredged out so now it can function as a sort of swimming pool. By opening and closing the sluices you can control the level of water, creating a current to swim against.’

The mill itself was last used in the 1960s as part of a bakery, providing bread for the medieval village of Beauville. It’s now been renovated to create a second kitchen. The rest of the plot of two hectares includes an orchard of walnut, hazel, peach, apple and pear trees that Moniek and Bram planted. ‘A large magnolia tree stands in front of the house facing south, providing shade and beautifully filtered sunlight. It’s the perfect place for enjoying a cool glass of wine and a good >

book,’ says Bram. It is perhaps the first place to rewind after the 10-hour drive from Amsterdam.

The interior of the house, which comprises two kitchens, a dining room, living room and eight bedrooms across two floors, has been brightened up with crisp white walls. The kitchen units feature reclaimed wood cupboard doors with more modernist touches such as the resilient concrete surfaces and strip light over the island. Handmade ceramic tiles on the front of the island unit give a tactile, light-reflecting quality. Much of the furniture, apart from the beds made by Bram’s brother and outdoor furniture, which came from Holland, was sourced from the brocantes the region is celebrated for. ‘My wife loves the flea markets and has a real flair for finding antiques that bring character to the house,’ Bram enthuses.

A keen hostess and talented cook, Moniek caters for large numbers of guests utilising both the kitchens and feeding up to 16 on the covered terrace dining area. ‘Over the months we stay here we might have as many as 80 friends and family visit us. The village of Beauville is about three kilometres from the mill and we buy fresh croissants and bread every morning,’ says Bram.

Given the idyllic surroundings and bountiful hosts, the restorative powers of this charming farmhouse once experienced, won’t be forgotten.

Available to rent, visit moulincalbel.com for details.

❝ WE LOVE THE FACT THAT FROM ANYWHERE IN THE GARDEN YOU CAN HEAR THE QUIET MURMUR OF THE STREAM AS IT PASSES BY ❞

Exterior Moniek and Bram planted rosemary at the foot of the house and wisteria climbers to give it an inviting, rural appearance. For similar shutter paint shade try Calluna, Farrow & Ball

Front hall Yellow panes in the original front door were replaced with clear glass to bring in more light. For similar antique Windsor bench, try 1stdibs

Front kitchen Well-lit shelving makes it easy to find crockery, while cutlery stored in glasses frees up space. Farmhouse-style cone wall sconce 1, Litfad, is similar

Front kitchen The warm wood tones add traditional farmhouse character against the sleek, contemporary polished concrete floor. Find a similar basket at Etsy

Outdoor dining area Woven basket lanterns are hung from wire to give them a floating appearance. Moniek and Bram restored the steel and wood benches. The Chianti wicker pendant shades, Iconic Lights, have a similar look

Dining room A modern black table creates a relaxed dining space with the warm tones of the Bauhaus chairs. Find Bauhaus chairs at 1stdibs

Living room A large wooden plaque from an old cart makes a focal point of the fireplace in this pared-back rustic scheme. Lohals rug, Ikea. Find a similar sofa at Dunelm

Living room Cogs from the original mill are displayed in a glass dome, while natural textures of woven pendants lend rustic character. Find similar pendant lights at Scandiborn

Bedroom An antique bedspread introduces a tactile feel, while a woven pendant provides softly diffused light after dark. The Ferm Living braided lampshade, Scandiborn is a match

Bathroom Wall-hung taps are a chic space-saving solution in this modern, simple scheme. Rak Nova basin; Franke wall-mounted heavy duty mirror, both Victorian Plumbing

Exterior Modern outdoor furnishings resonate with the contemporary details found inside. The shutters were colour-matched to early photos of the house. Hay Palissade stacking chair, Made In Design

Bedroom Bedding picks up on the grey tones of the shutters. Find grey stripe bed linen at Secret Linen Store. Antique wooden bed bought at a brocante

Exterior Now dredged of mud, the stream water runs beautifully clear