So, are you ready to go for a ride? A wild one? Ok, then come along but I will ask you to put on your most Open-Minded Glasses to clear your vision. They are critical for enjoying the show.
As our house-hunting deadline accelerates rapidly, I am spending more time everyday on the internet, looking at ads with all of the intensity of a witch trying to conjure a magic potion. All of the truly interesting properties – either to rent or to buy – disappear like lightning. And yet, there was one that lingered that I just couldn’t ignore, I wanted to go see it. An appointment was made.
We arrived in a neighborhood that we knew nothing of – very unusual as Arles is not that big and I cover a lot of ground on my walks with the dogs – to find what by all appearances is a traditional Provençal farmhouse in the middle of town with a very large courtyard in front and an attached garage.
Now, to say that the…decor…in the courtyard is…unusual…is an understatement. Wait, did you already take your glasses off? Please put them back on and step inside.
To the left of the entry, is a very large living room with French doors leading to the courtyard. It was filled with light but as the owner was there, I had trouble photographing it so this photo is borrowed from the charming real estate agent. Underneath the crêpi on the walls is gorgeous stone waiting to be revealed.
A fire was roaring in the poêle à bois that had been newly installed and a good thing too as it is the only source of heat for the house!
Ah, just a tad rustic. Such as the pipe descending by the front door…
But there is a charming staircase and again, all of that pretty stone so close and yet so far…
…not to mention very interesting 1930’s ceramic tiles and a sleeping pupper on the entry floor.
Remi was fascinated by the stone surrounds on the doorways, dating from the 18th century, most likely.
Ok, are you ready? Hold your breath and dive in…
…to the kitchen! Ta-dah! Oh, I so wish that I could see the look on your face right now.
But here is the kicker. The kitchen has enormous potential.
It is far bigger than I could capture and would be just gorgeous once the stone is uncovered and say, oh something wacky like cabinets were installed.
Back in the hallway, a door that looks as though it is from the beginning of time opens on to…
…a long thin storage space that runs the entire length of la maison, one that has been divided and redivided many times – more of that in a bit.
The roof of the space could be easily replaced with glass to make a lovely veranda.
Up the twisting stairs and you arrive to see…
…Not one but two toilets! hehehe Oh, I am enjoying this. For the house originally was shared between two families that agreed to share the staircase! I told you there was history in Arles…
To the right, is the first bedroom…
…filled with light and larger than it looks.
We don’t need to mention the bathroom.
And to the right is a positively huge room…
…that had been cut in two with a partition (the position of the bed is different in the second photo)…
…in order to create a bathroom and dressing area.
Underneath the linoleum lies lovely tomettes tiles, just waiting to breathe again.
And downstairs off the kitchen is a big garage that looks onto the courtyard. That iron door could be replaced by a glass and steel frame to make this Remi’s office.
See? Here is the angle of the house showing the garage. But what is that you ask?
The possible veranda as seen from above. I’m sorry I can’t hear you. You are asking…what is that just beyond?
Oh, that would be…the train tracks.
Dun, dun, dun, duuun. Yep, they are right there. Several trains passed while we were visiting the house and oddly, it wasn’t that loud at all. But of course, it would mean the house is unsellable and explains why it has been on the market for nine months.
Now. Here is the question – and I ask you to be polite in your answers please – can you see the potential that Remi and I saw? Because we really did. Or maybe you would have to have lived in Provence as long as we have in order to know. Because it is there. The agent is determined to keep trying until she finds just the right people to bring it back to life.
That won’t be us but we would have been sorely tempted if it weren’t for the proximity to Choochoo Land. It was a fascinating little trip back in time. I hope that you enjoyed it.
We are ramping up the visits. We saw an absolutely stunning rental last week that is sadly, too small (we have non-negotiable things to consider with Remi’s equipment and the printer for the gallery). And we have two visits today, one for a rental, another for sale. Yes, I will keep you posted.
Have a wonderful week, everyone!
I've lived in Provence long enough to see the potential. All houses in Provence come with that rustic 'potential' unless you're RICH! My home has loads of potential 😉
Thank you G!!! That is much appreciated. And TLC is the perfect term. It really is not that much work–much of it we could have done ourselves…but we need quiet…I am sure that you understand that.
Bisous,
H
I have to say that I really do love it. And ps. That woman from HHI never wrote back?! 😮
You see those ovens a lot here. And yes, they seem to work wonders! Used properly with conducting vents one can heat a whole house. We are hopefully looking at a house soon that has antique ones in the fireplaces. Yes, I will take a photo for you at the least!
And I know you can visualize anything–it is one of your great talents. 🙂
Do you know of the blog Renovating Italy?? I think that you would get a kick out of it. A family from Australia that moved to Italy and are renovating their home from top to bottom. It is quite something and the author, Lisa, has a beautiful spirit too.
Gosh, can't Penny find you a mantel?
I could see possibilities until the rail tracks. The kitchen wasn't daunting because you would just rip everything out. But those tracks. I actually like the last house you posted – I loved the fireplaces and the outdoor space. Keep us posted.
ps thanks for the hugs
I think that house has loads of potential. It's even rather good as is. Just needs some TLC. However, I can see that the train tracks make it a no go. Sending lots of helpful energy and happy thoughts as your search continues.
I could see what you are talking about with all the stone but man that will be one heck of a gut job for whoever takes it. It is a type of house you would only purchase if you had an enormous chunk of change to spend on it. Le sigh – I hope you search proves more fruitful soon! But at least in the meantime you are having fun seeing all these cool places!
You know as well as I do the people who haven't LIVED in your neck of the woods DONOT GET IT!I get it cause I lived in ITALY……….YES> I see the potential.Most AMERICANS would be horrified.I haven't read the comments yet!As they only see the hotels or rented apartments but this is real life living in FRANCE and ITALY.In ITALY you do not get kitchen cabinets nothing just a room cause its all on wheels and you take it to your next house!Except they seldom move so its ancient old not ancient ANTIQUE cabinets!The washing machine is always in the kitchen!!!What ever you and Remi find………I will adore!I CAN VISUALIZE ANYTHING!
PS> We had one of those ovens in this house now 20 years ago……..and they do work!We used it to heat our little RANCH house for at least three years………..then I had him take it away!!!!STill looking for a stone fireplace mantle that sailed the ATLANTIC from your neck of the woods!Hard to find here in my price range too!!!!!!!!XXXX
Yay!! Thank you Sister! I had fun writing it. 🙂
I love you!
If you have a big enough of a "presse" near you, they might have it! It is a good read to boot, not just eye candy. And hello? The dogs! Ok, not Ben, but I swear that Kipling can get out of anywhere if he wants to…can you imagine? 😮
It is funny that you should mention that first house. We actually went back to the village (I'll post on it soon) on a really sunny day but we could still see that there was no light! Have to have light…and quiet…but otherwise, we really could have gone for that house. Most of the comments here were of the "definitely not" kind so I am glad to hear that I wasn't alone in liking it!