You never know what you will find when you are renovating an apartment in Paris. Our apartment is in a small building that has three apartments, and a butcher shop on the bottom floor. The building has been around for over two centuries. The only things that are left to remind us that it is over two hundred years old is when we start taking walls apart, or redoing the plumbing, or change a door… The only way we would know was when we looked beyond the surface.
Regis, the mason (renovator) and our friend for over twenty years told me, "Corey make a plan, but be ready to discover something you hadn't expected and be willing to change gears."
Yann, French Husband, told me, "When I renovate a building, and they are all old, I expect the unexpected, the element of surprise, the beauty under the beast (Okay, I added that part, he didn't say that.) but I do not change. I stick with the plan. Otherwise, it would be too costly considering time and money. So don't ask me what I would do, because I would say stick with the plan. Just do what you think it best when the surprises come."
When the first wall came down I gasped…"Oh no! Look at that wood! Look at that structure!" I had to admire it. I had to. I guess that is because I am new at this renovating old places game. Yann, Regis and his workers, looked at me with that "She is wet behind the ears" kind of look.
The wall came down.
Tools of the trade.
Because when renovating an old building in Paris, you will find stone, and a ton of it.
If you go too fast, or too hard the entire building would fall in.
I admired Regis as his hands danced with precision and perfect aim. Stone broke into rock, and they flew right and left.
Regis pulled a nail out, handed it to me, "Your diamond."
I was so pleased, I hugged him.
Isn't it incredible?
Hand forged iron.
When the second wall started to come down I had to say, "Stop!"
I couldn't stand it. I had to rethink the plan. Change gears. I had to save the wall. I had to expose the nails….
And so the Paris apartment plan changed gears within the first few hours.
Regis grinned, "I expected you would change it."
I guess he knows me well, which is a good thing. Regis took me aside and teased, "I would do the same thing."
You see Regis loves the brocante too.
The French Hunks, I mean the renovators, saving the old frame.
It will be exposed.
A ton of work.
Done with class,
and sex appeal.
and wonder.
If you would like to see more of the apartment unfolding, follow me on FACEBOOK by clicking here.
If you would like to win an 18th century French nail, tell me so in the comment section. I will pick a random winner tomorrow.
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