Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

What Do You Really Want to See?

Delivery

What do you really want to see on our construction site in Paris? I am asking you this, because I am certain that my brother Mat (who is a designer of homes and such, and a very good one at that!) would love to see the details of the actual construction. The dirty little details of how it is done in France. The ins and outs of how it takes place.

He would like to see photos like the one above: Our apartment is on the third floor. It is on the corner of two busy streets. One of the streets has only one lane. The FIVE tons of debris had to be sacked and carried downstairs. We hired a crew to do it, because in Paris dumbing/recycling debris is extremely difficult to do due to rules and regualtions.

Then the delivery truck came and left everything in the middle of the sidewalk. Yann (French Husband) Regis (the boss) Sammy and Florent carried the THREE tons upstairs.

That my folks is what I call a YO-YO project, up and down, up and down and moving stuff all around to make room in a 500 square foot apartment to be renovated.

A shower never felt so good.

Brother Mat, I am not making this shit (as you would say) up.

 

 

Ladder

 

So back to the original question… What do you really want to see? 

Brother Mat, this blue ladder is for you curiosity.

We do things differently in France.

 

Copper wiring

 

A cupboard full of copper wiring and pipes. To be recycled.

Next time you see this cupboard it will have dishes in it.

 

Plumbing in old stone wall

 

Regis replaced the terre cuite piping in the bathroom with PVC or plastic piping.

On the other side of the wall is the occupants/common stairwell. 

Chiseling slowly, stick and stones and no broken bones.

 

But what do you really want to see?

 

The hunks

The happy faces of bare chested young men.

And Yes, Brother Mat, they work like this.

I told them what you said about the safety gear, and they said,

"In France we do it differently."

How, ladies am I to keep calm and carry on with those teasing two?

 

Muscle man

Carrying wood

 

Umm, er, a… 

Two young men carrying wood panels upstairs.

I only took photos to prove to my Brother Mat that they do work with out shirts, gloves, hard hats and protective goggles.

And I must say that as much as I love renovating and working on this project, photos of ladders, debris, big trucks, and tools isn't that fun… but throw a guy in there without a shirt, really brings the project to a new level. A glistening hunk will never lose to a bucket of nails.

What do you really want to see? 

 

Nails

OH and I have a bunch of very old nails (1700s-1820s).

SO I am giving more away.

Tell me what you would like to see regarding the Paris apartment project, and or leave a comment on yesterday's post about the nails. I will randomly pick several winners tomorrow.

Also if you want to see more photos and details, follow me on Facebook by clicking here.

Comments

75 responses to “What Do You Really Want to See?”

  1. Kitty Gagen

    More photos of the shirtless young men,the old woman said!!!

    Reply
  2. ruth ribeaucourt

    I just giggled out loud at the photo of the two hunks…and then their biceps appeared…more giggling!… but of course I want to see photographs of every moment you uncover layers of history too!
    Just keep em coming my dear!
    This is very very exciting!
    Oh la la
    P.S. am so very thrilled with that art nouveau boucle ceinture and have made it into a pendante …. oh and I used some of those beautiful limoges estampes in a ring…will send you pics

    Reply
  3. Bev S.

    I would like to see what you all eat/drink for a mid-morning or afternoon break.

    Reply
  4. Monica

    Forget the young men, let us see the charpente!

    Reply
  5. annie

    What a marvelous photo story. And what cuties!!! What do I want to see in the apartment??? That uncovered nook had me swooning. Hands down – a shrine to Our Lady.
    And a nail give away??? Cool. I have to check the details.

    Reply
  6. Star

    This is so different from the US. I want to see whatever you want to or are willing to show us–it’s fascinating to me.
    Still praying for your friend. I hope his most recent change of location is serving him well and that brightness is returning to his skies.

    Reply
  7. Star

    P.S. I sent a friend request to follow you on Facebook. I’m Pinkjab

    Reply
  8. Lynne

    I’d be onsite everyday too with eye candy workmen like that. Love watching this apartment come to life, LOVE the old nails!!

    Reply
  9. Evelyn H in NYC

    Well, I do like seeing the construction details too. It’s fun to see something transform and you take fabulous pictures. That being said, please include more photos of the work crew. We must study how differently they do things in France.

    Reply
  10. martina

    All of it! How do they wire outlets? What does the plumbing look like under sinks? Is terra cuite the same as terra cotta? Do they need permits for the plumbing, electrical and construction from the City? How long are their workbreaks and lunch?
    I was expecting a photo of a wall and you had to show those handsome workmen! There is a construction crew across the street, building townhomes here. I came home today and some of the men were barechested. It was not pleasant—middle aged with beer bellies.

    Reply
  11. Carol L

    Everything, absolutely every detail. From the removal of the old toilet to the washing of the windows. There is nothing that excites me more than a home remodel and something tells me watching yours evolve will be so much more fun considering the hunks, ahhh I mean help that you have hired. Ooh, la, la !

    Reply
  12. Suzanne

    I want to see LOTS more of the guy on the left with the beautiful teeth. I’m drawn to his smile……. really, I am.

    Reply
  13. Karen C

    Corey, you naughty little cougar, you!
    But boy, oh boy. You know what women want 😉

    Reply
  14. Rachel Schindler

    Every inch of the renovation. I am addicted to reno’s, especially one’s that are in France. Are you keeping the black and white tile in the pic above? Its beautiful…

    Reply
  15. karen

    I think you could put together a very artful hunk calendar at the rate you are going. You cold call it: Hunkstruction……ha ha!

    Reply
  16. Celeste

    Just for you Corey –
    http://barnmice.com/video/naked-show-jumping

    Reply
  17. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Ooh la la!
    And what do you do all day to stay useful, aside from flirting and taking photos? Oh, you build up material to entertain us with your blog too!
    Where’s Mat. I want to see his responses.
    Actually I enjoy the construction parts too. Did Regis have to get special permission to block the street at various points of construction/delivery/etc? You’d better take donuts or something “the way they do it in France” to every inconvenienced new neighbor!

    Reply
  18. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    P.S. I’m making myself read the name “Regis” like Ray-ZHEE which is what I’m imagining it to sound like in French. Instead of REE-jus like “Kathy Lee and Regis” on US morning TV some years ago. How is it really pronounced?

    Reply
  19. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Annnddd, one final thought.
    Mat, for the record, this in from my little town on Puget Sound. The guys who are hauling masses of soil and debris 5-gal-bucket by 5-gal-bucket up the equivalent of several stories, from where the house they demolished used to be up to the street — those guys aren’t wearing hardhats or protective goggles either. I still can’t believe this sort of hand labor is being done in the States, actually.

    Reply
  20. Gail Lannum

    More of those shirtless workers!!! They are cute. And a few picks of your apartment…well…a lot of pics of the apartment. That is my dream…to have an apartment in Paris. But it will only come true if I hit the lottery

    Reply
  21. Joan

    I want to see everything! Construction, supplies, etc. And since I am not on Facebook I can only see it on your blog so keep blogging with many pictures and descriptions. Thanks. You should choose one spot in each room to take progress pictures from and then make a flip book of the pics for your renters to enjoy.

    Reply
  22. Suzanna

    Corey, your’re killing me here with pics of these French guys ~ shoot them to the USA/ Florida specifically ~ MERCI ! one thing always leads to another when in restoration….yet, so much fun fun fun……loving this! WOW, these old nails, love them, humm, lets see, I could put them around fruit trees for iron, esp. pears….and/or art as in my name or your name as they came from you, hanging in my bunker here! lol

    Reply
  23. Suzanna

    OH, bring on the guys, we never go blind!! I’m single…..zoooooooooom France….

    Reply
  24. WR

    I really want to see progress pictures. Love this kind of project. First time I realized I loved renovating was when I saw Don’t Eat the Daisies with Doris Day back when I was a kid.
    Love seeing before and after pics too.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Esther in Wisconsin

    I was howling with laughter….I want to see the guys!…but I’ll also be demure enough to say of course I want to see what elements of the original structure you’re keeping.
    You’re such a tease.

    Reply
  26. Brenda Roberts

    As many details as you are inclined to offer! I sure would like to see these gorgeous guys wearing eye protection, at least during the tearout, but don’t guess that will happen. Hooray – after about 10 tries over several months, I finally figured out that I had to be logged in to facebook before I hit your link. So glad to be your fb friend, I know I will enjoy all of your posts! Merci!(?)

    Reply
  27. Cyn

    Cory, You are doing a fine job showing us everything!! Ooooh la la!

    Reply
  28. Shelley Amaro

    Mat wants to know if you have any women on the job site! I say… Keep those pics coming!( and I’m not talking about the nails!)

    Reply
  29. g

    I like the progression photos…how each day progresses-although those two men have PERFECT SMILES -HAPPY DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING IT SEEMS – love it all

    Reply
  30. Brother Mat

    Enough rusty nails already. How about a women construction workers? What do they wear in France?

    Reply
  31. Laurie SF

    I dare you to do a prolonged stare, followed by elevator eyes, a head tilt with smile, and dropping your handbag….forcing those french beefcakes to bend over and pick it up for you.
    Love the Paris renovation!!

    Reply
  32. Marcia

    I am in agreement with requests for pictures documenting your progress. What fun to watch the changes unfold! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  33. Tracy

    I love progression photos AND shirtless men photos!

    Reply
  34. Heather

    All of everything! So enjoying this journey.

    Reply
  35. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    What do I want to see? any tiles on the floor? any flooring you can salvage? How big is 500 sq. ft??? Is there a private loo? Oh, yes the workers are yummy!!

    Reply
  36. Vickie

    balcony? windows. cupboards, drawers & doors. hunks. and street. thank you! oui oui!

    Reply
  37. Marilyn

    Curious if the black and white check tiles will stay and clean up beautifully. I like them. Will there be a balcony? I want to see what you do with the tiny kitchen. I just want to see those bare chested cuties too.

    Reply
  38. debbie

    I would love to see the layers of renovations that have taken place over the years – and certainly what you might discover at the bottom of those layers. How exciting – and can’t wait to see the final product!

    Reply
  39. Kathie B

    Like your brother yesterday — and my father, if he were still alive — I’d like to see the workers wearing safety goggles, helmets, surgical masks, and other protective gear, because accidents DO occasionally happen, and it’s not worth the risk of harm to skip safety precautions.

    Reply
  40. Carolyn Mallin

    I may be old but I’m not dead. Love the way the apartment is coming along but those hunks are such cuties!

    Reply
  41. Debbie

    Love the before – the intermediate – and the after. Also love to see how the construction actually takes place. ( the truck the street ) oh, and did I mention how much I like the workers photos? Great fun, thanks!

    Reply
  42. carolyn

    Am excited to see what you are doing and what you end up as a result of working with centuries old material. Awesome!!!! All about old nails and iron,

    Reply
  43. Jennifer

    Show us everything Corey! We want more, we want more!

    Reply
  44. Val

    This is like a series on tv that you can’t miss! I am enjoying every episode!

    Reply
  45. Julie Schaefer

    I want to see everything! Renovation is interesting, and the increased difficulty of renovating a small space in the middle of Paris is even more interesting. Bring it on, Corey–I can take whatever you dish out. BTW–I’m so glad you retained your blog banner–I love seeing the spoon and the dice every time I open your blog.

    Reply
  46. Rosemary

    Oh this is fantastic Corey, its almost like a history lesson. I adore Paris so much, so whatever you post is going to be so interesting looking forward to it every day and following you on FB too. Those nails are a dream such age and history, who first hammered those in ? what did they look like, what sights outside the windows then ?? What clothes were the people wearing..what etc etc !!
    We are just loving this so much, will be coming to Paris in a couple of months so will be looking out for those workman guys – no health and safety there.
    Just lovin it well done you

    Reply
  47. 24/7 in France

    Love the black and white tile flooring! Great photos too 🙂

    Reply
  48. Linda

    When we renovated our apartment there were no young, handsome men carrying the debry but a very old skinny little man who looked like he was 70. It hurt me to see him carry those heavy sacks of debry down the stairs on his back. I thought they would send everything down a chute out the window. Who knew?

    Reply
  49. Marie-Noëlle

    Lucky that the Labour inspectors are not around, Corey !
    Those two workers could pretend they’re models, actually!
    (your flat being the showroom).

    Reply
  50. jend’isère

    Love reading the nitty gritty with a little eye candy throw in. Realism /famtasy melange for all!
    On second though I am interested in winning extracted nails. They remind me of the 4 wisdom teeth my teen had pulled out yesterday!

    Reply
  51. Jan

    Love seeing every detail, and every worker! With so many construction materials, are you able to store them in a hallway or are they all in the apartment? It seems it would be hard to work around all of the supplies in a small space.

    Reply
  52. JudyO

    More, more, more! It is fascinating to see your pied a terre progress. And the hunks are a bonus!

    Reply
  53. charland

    I am enjoying all that you are showing but I would like to see it, wall by wall. What a transformation is in the works. I liked so much the white and black floor tiles which reminded me of a photo my sister sent me from The Netherlands. And the nails, those wonderful nails. They intrigue me.

    Reply
  54. Marilou

    Love watching the process…..can’t wait to see finished apt!!!! would LOVE one of those nails!

    Reply
  55. La Contessa

    JUST EXACTLY what you have shown us here!This will BE FUN!!!!!!!

    Reply
  56. Debra Pinheiro

    I would like to see the the shops, hardware stores, brocantes, etc., in which you find supplies to renovate your apartment!

    Reply
  57. Angelic Salyer Towe

    I want to see what YOU see, what YOUR artistic eye is drawn to – especially if it is shirtless workmen! 😉

    Reply
  58. Jeannie

    I am with Brother Mat, I want to see the bones. I feel like I am on an archeological dig with you. How many layers of plaster? wallpaper? Can you see the various style changes over the decades through the paint? Are there more hidden alcoves? stairs to no where? hidden cupboards? What odd toys are found hidden in a child’s secret place? Even when we remodeled our 1960’s ranch, we found history of the first owners. Working on an apartment as old as your’s, I can just imagine how with every chink of plaster being removed, you peek behind to see what lies beneath. (The eye candy isn’t bad either! :D)

    Reply
  59. Cindy

    Corey, your photographic eye is capturing so much of this reno, and I’m living vicariously through you. The magic is brought to even more life by your comments. I love it all — the dust, the piles, the bags, the beautiful walls, floors, niches, windows, doors, and the handsome men! And, of course, I’m smiling at your purchases for the place, so a photographic trip through some shops — especially antique — would make me drool! Love to have an old French nail with so much patina! Merci for sharing your life with us!

    Reply
  60. Laurie SF

    I really want to see you recreate Gustave Callibrotte’s ‘The Floor Planers’ with your workmen, complete with a wine bottle on the wooden floor.

    Reply
  61. Carolyn in Pittsburgh

    I really would love to see how you work on an old building without hurting it. Everything you show us is very interesting including pipes, plaster and nails.
    (My dad was a stone mason.)

    Reply
  62. jody

    I love seeing the pictures of the walls tumbling down, the new walls going up, the alcove, the nails, the shop below, looking out the window, the shops nearby , anything really to do with the actual renovation and the apartment to be and then….what lovely things your ‘guests’ and ‘renters’ can do and see while they are there!
    oohlala….my husbands interest in being a so called ‘renter’ is up! hurray! blessings, it looks like it is such a fun endeavor for you! xo jody

    Reply
  63. Carolyn in Pittsburgh

    I really would like to see how you work on an old building without hurting it. Everything you show us is
    interesting, from the pipes, plaster to nails.

    Reply
  64. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh Jend’isere OUCH!!! Hope your healing is gentle !

    Reply
  65. Grace

    I am drooling seeing all the “secrets” behind the walls. Oh my goodnes such beauty. The outcove where you have to search for a statue and the holy water fountain were gorgeous. I am loving all these pictures and I can’t wait to see everything come together. Good luck! Grace xoox
    PS the nails are beautiful….and the males also lol

    Reply
  66. Sylvia

    Those happy handsome men are quite a treat! Sorry, Corey, but they win over the nails!
    Oh, and I got my “prize” from you for guessing about the asparagus tongs. Thank you!!

    Reply
  67. Tara

    Hi!
    Well, I’d like to see all of the renovation. I’d like to see those checkerboard floors restored to glory. I like seeing the stripped down “guts” of the place, and I’m looking forward to seeing the full glory of the finished project. Of course, the “stripped down” helpers you have are a complete bonus…I’m not sure how you’re getting anything done!
    Enjoy!
    -Tara
    Ambler, PA

    Reply
  68. Anjanette

    The boy with the phone in his hand and great smile looks like George Michael from Wham! in the 80’s! That’s a compliment! Your adventure so far sounds amazing, I’ve been following on FB and your blog, now I need to find you on Twitter!!
    BTW Brother Mat is designing house plans for my sister-in-law’s sister – Can’t wait to see them!!

    Reply
  69. Paula

    Love, love what you are showing and saying. Keep doing it.

    Reply
  70. Sel

    Working on more then one project in San Francisco, Ca…for many years, reminds me of yours. So many
    rules and so many inspectors. Debris, is not easy,
    however, a shute is used, and the debris goes down
    encased and into a huge truck that hauls it off
    immediately. Space is a very big thing, in a city
    of many.
    Yes, we would love to see this project from start
    to finish….exposing all. Would love one of the
    old nails….great post…Sel

    Reply
  71. Desert Linda

    I loved every picture. I too am not on Facebook, so seeing what you post on your blog is especially interesting. Thank you!

    Reply
  72. Barbara Blizzard

    Your peeling of the onion, layer by layer is fascinating. Having lived through a 2 year full house remodel, I can appreciate the entire event. Continue to share all the wonderful finds, iron nails and iron men!

    Reply
  73. Teresa Young

    Please continue showing the history of the renovation. Love every moment of it. And don’t leave out those georgous young men! Teresa

    Reply
  74. Lr

    Having just gone through this with part of our house, I found myself fascinated to see the new roughed in plumbing. I was particularly excited to see the painted ceiling and other bits of wall and floor treatments before the final fixtures. Then I did not look until all of the fixtures were in and it was time for me to decorate.
    the entire process was much fun and so nerve-wracking at the same time.

    Reply
  75. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I surely do wish your blog comments had “like” feature like facebook. I wanted to click it on a number of these comments!

    Reply

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