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This place is like a phoenix. It came back from the dead several times already and now it's coming back to life once again thanks to you Dan. Godspeed, man.
More like A PROMISE , , the world's going crazy , again, so your work may be truly appreciated in the future , IT could again be a haven , I think your mission is extraordinary , ❤
My husband said you are one smart dude when he saw the hoist. He was very concerned with you doing all the heavy work by yourself. He’s a retired machinist with a building back ground. You have received the ultimate compliment from him💕
Me too. My 9yr old loves it and it shows him that anything can be fixed. He wants so badly for me to take us there for a week to help but kiddo doesn't follow directions well (yet) so it'd just drive all the adults to drinking.
@@urukh Me3. Trouble is, when I was 30years younger I could not have spent a summer in France with no income. The best I could do was a couple of weeks every few years.
@@beverlymiller3102 I was just thinking that. If he had had the chance to plant a few flowering bushes or roses, or throw some bulbs in the ground, it would help the bees, and they could pollinate. Easy plants can be transplanted later, to better locations. People always worry How to make money off of their larger properties. Honey can bring money! And, maybe, have a flower business, of sorts.
Or just throw some flowering annual seeds on one of the out of the way cleared patches and just leave them to do their thing. Honey sales sounds like an earner.
That's provided they aren't yellow jackets or something like that. Honeybees are certain species. But yes, beekeeping is lovely but takes alot of work and probably isn't something to get into at this stage, but he could definately have someone interested come and take care of them if they valie them. Actual hpneybees should never be exterminated unless they carry contageous diseases.
Well at least the original furnishings were sold off long before the fire. Some day somehow you may just run across or track down some of the original relics. You’re doing a brilliant job rebuilding and I enjoyed the photos of its last rehab. I have every confidence you’ll give this castle back the architectural dignity it deserves!
I look at the beautiful brick work and the dental molding and think of the *craftspeople* that worked so hard on the place. The woodwork, even the doors and leather door handles.
Your Chateaux is like an old Grande Dame who has been left abused and unloved . And you Dan , are loving her back to life !!! She will love you back and treat you well through out your life . And Dan , she's a blank slate . Design her for yourself . 💖💖💖
Dan works extremely hard single handed and still manages to create some great content and edits for a daily Vlog lasting more than 15 mins long for his dedicated subs as some can only manage to string together 15 mins a week and tells their subs to watch old vlogs over and over again for the ads.
Yes, he is definitely one of my favorite vloggers. He also comes across as a genuine person, I obviously don't know him, but I would be comfortable in betting that what we see on the vlogs is his genuine, authentic self.
Just As long as he stays true to himself . Doesn’t get too greedy, then cries poverty to his patrons that he can’t afford a luxury top of the range kitchen after blowing thousands on expensive antiques or holidays then he’ll be just fine.
Yeah,, kind of like how Billy Petherick started his patreon account and dropped to once a week for his regular subs. I get it's more work to provide that patreon content but regular subs provide income by subscribing and watching the videos and they built your vlog empire.
It would be incredible if you replanted one of the tree sapling shown in the video, outside in the chateau grounds. One day when it’s 50+ feet tall you can tell the story of how it was originally growing within the walls of the chateau.
Even tho a lot of the interior bits were sold off, there are a few things from the original building, such as those beautiful tiles you saved. You are bringing this old gem back to life. Thank you. The entire building did not crumble from the fire because it was fighting to hold on for one day someone would come and love it again.
I totally agree!!! Those tiles, moldings, columns, and outside brick designs are absolutely original!! She is such an historical beauty who loves to tempt you with her charm!! You’ve got this, Dan!! And thank you for bringing us along in the journey!!
I so admire your optimism where the chateau is concerned. We all are in awe of your dedication and what you are able to do single handedly. Crack on Dan!!!
"Disappointing" surely that's French "Shabby Chic"! It appears that Dan has the classic French Chateau in mind anyway, but maybe on a budget so "Brocante" shopping in the future, as if we didn't know ;-)!?!
@@thomasherrin6798 Not of a classic french chateau, but of a big house around 1900. I would visit a lot of houses and first of all watch a lot, a lot of old photos (1900-1920) of the interior of this kind of house.
The history sort of gives you license to recreate in your own vision while keeping the bones that you first viewed through all the trees. Keep what you find and add to improve. Oh ya, that is what Dan does! Perfect.
It must be disheartening at times, and very tiring, but as I was watching this today --- what we are actually watching is you, Dan, creating history of the chateau!!!! Whatever happens, you are now part of the chateau's history and, by definition, so are all of us who watch these vlogs. I'm surprised as I had always thought of history as 'way back when' but you've just shown me that we create it each moment. Hope you've got backup of your vlogs - they'll be a book or movie one day.
So this is really going to be at least the fourth life of this one chateau? That’s … actually kind of awesome! I hope, eventually, you’ll consider pulling together all the information you’ve found about the chateau to publish a coffee table book or something, documenting the building’s history all in one place for its next caretakers.
Dan, the reading about the chateau's previous reincarnations was the magic you're looking for. Imagine the hope this place gave those children during their occupancy during WWII. The idea of taking photos of the ruin as you uncover those floors, the bare windows, pillars, the wrecks will become the next compilation of restoration circa NOW. The photographs can become the next historical book combined with your story and how this has transformed you in the process. I'm impressed!
Yes, I have seen a movie within the last few years with women living in an old mansion whose husbands are at war & they are pregnant ...maybe in Spain? Anyway they have been displaced by war and the mansion/chateau is a refuge for the expectant mothers and a few of their children. The mansion is like a personality itself in the context of the story because it provides protection and hope for these vulnerable women in an occupied territory. I'd love to learn more about these children in Dan's chateau ...were they orphans or displaced by the war ...or both? Were they Jewish children or was that a reference to the owners? Were they going to school? ... it looked like they were all girls from the pictures... I wonder if any of them wrote diaries and later published them ...or wrote books about their experience at the chateau?
Hi Dan, you are an inspiration! This is exciting seeing this beautiful building being reborn. Just a suggestion for the interior....if you can find out who the original architect or builders were, see if they were involved in any other chateaux, maybe those are still intact and you could visit them. Perhaps it might give you an idea of the layout and decoration. Good luck.
Compliments to the computer person who created a "new" image of the chateau windows over an existing photo! Wouldn't it be wonderful if he/she could "recreate" the four-flue fireplace in the entry room, or the bathrooms with their tubs and mirrors, or the stairway, or ... Interior designers compile photos into a vision board to guide them -- so could you! You can do this!!!
I think Dan has his hands full at the minute, hopefully he will put the complete structure in good order first (That will be the biggest improvement) and leave the room decorating until last, he could then design them digitally, one at a time before committing to carry out the works!?!
I really enjoyed “story time with Dan” in the beginning! It’s a little ASMR-y 😂 I am sort of glad that the interior photos were disappointing. It gives you some freedom to do what you want inside!
So many gems in the vide greniers in France for a low price. It wont be hard to find beautiful furnishings again. In the Uk they are selling Brown stuff which is beautifully made furniture for a song as it isnt in fashion. Things of great value are selling for pennies:So no problem for the chateau who will need things.
The Chateau wants to live and you have been chosen to be the new caretaker. ❤. It takes someone young with vision to make this happen and you definitely have the energy and the dream.
The yo-yo chateau! Bouncing between inhabited and abandoned. It seems such a shame for the old girl, but maybe she can finally get a family that wants to live there for a long time ❤
I love hearing the history of the chateaux. Of course they all can't be fairytales, but the reality of it is so much more interesting. Thank you for sharing the truth, even if it isn't entirely glamorous.
Gosh that was a real tear jerker Dan but now you know the history of the place I bet your going to do your best to restore that beautiful house where there will be children's voices heard laughing again with your two boys
Dan, I feel for you when you say that you would have liked to find something, some objects or relicks from the past of the Chateau that would ring back its history. Particularly as it was such an emotional, welcoming and protective abode to the children during the war. But it doesn't matter. The soul of the chateau will never, ever go away. You captured this in today's film. Beautiful. I am pretty sure (and I am not spiritual/religious) that you were drawn to this place for a reason. I can't think of a better person to bring this place back to life. And do it your way. Allez, vas y mon vieux, mais prends ton temps.
maybe he can find some of those things. Many chateaux were plundered and new owners needed only a few years reserarch to find many of the old fournitures and decoration
In a strange way the knowledge that most original elements have been long eliminated is freeing. You can create your original interpretation of what you want the space to be. Good luck Dan!
I don't know if Thomas and Jack P listen to the podcast Little Stories for Tiny People, but it's a wonderful podcast for kids that's also fun for grown-ups, and one of the stories a few months back was about an old house, told from the perspective of the house. The episode was called The Story of a House. It reminds me of your chateau a bit. You might look it up. The boys might enjoy the podcast in general, too. It's one of our favorites in our house.
Now that you have the first floor's floor installed, you should consider building at least a temporary staircase to the new floor. This would make it so much easier to get materials up there to continue your great work.
Well after Your reading about the history of the chateau, knowing there will be no artifacts left, sure makes your floor tiles valuable! Glad you lifted them and saved them. Treasure.
Other chateaux from the same period whose interiors have not been dismantled or burnt could give a hint on how to decorate. Also, there should be a lot of expertise on this in a country with over 40 000 castles...
Amazing history of this Chateau from the begining. When you think about the children that survived because of this safe haven, how it inspired them maybe to go on to having a good life of their own and having a family of their own is just wonderful. As you say the Chateau was modernised continuously in the past, but you Dan have free range to make your mark in its history. Which ever way you restore it, some parts Grand and some parts practical it will be your legacy to its ongoing history. So exciting to watch. 💕🇦🇺
This story chokes me up. Shes a beautiful building and I'm so happy shes in your hands now. You're really something else Dan. Can't wait to tune in every day!
So sad to learn this about the Chateau ... Dan I hope that you restore a great life to this lovely building. A great legacy to you and your boys. So special that you are doing this. Love following the progress. Yes, that is so inspiring to see how it can become you your hard work and love for the chateau ... Wow, you need to capture them and put in a hive! I hope you can find nice old pieces to furnish the Chateau. I love hearing the history of the Chateau. Thanks for sharing, and All the Best to you Dan. God Bless.
I know you were hoping to put the house back to its original, but not knowing what that is gives you the ultimate freedom to recreate its best self for the future.❤
The chateau is a fighter and will breath again with the love and sweat you put back into her, she will be a blank canvas for you to put the love and respect this chateau deserves, love watching your vlogs, stay safe Dan x
My Dad was a carpenter by trade after he retired from the barge line on the Ohio River. He loved restoration work on old Victorian and Queen Anne grand houses, Second Empire and the like. If he'd seen your chateau, he'd be excited since you can recreate her without fear of 'remodeling' since the chateau has already been remodeled repeatedly and all that remains of her that's original is just the shell. She's a blank slate. You have a few clues of her past with bits of coving and millwork, the columns, the tiles. You have photos of a previous remodel that wasn't suited to the building that you can feel free to disregard entirely without guilt. Since she was gutted once before and redone, you don't have to stay faithful to those remnants because, chances are, they weren't original either. Anything you do will be beautiful and, if you choose, you can outfit her in a way that's in keeping with the spirit of what she 'might' have been before...or, make her into something completely different since her past is now lost and beyond the concept of a true restoration. It's very exciting to say the least and whatever you do, it's going to be a hell of a fantastic journey. I can't wait.
Hearing that story, I felt her as a sorrowful grand lady, stripped of her glory, abandoned. But now, if I may indulge a personification, she has an advocate, a friend, someone who has her back, more than just an owner, a champion. It is a wonderful thing. Keep heart, and the vision will come, as you go on.
You're an inspiration Dan. I look forward to your videos each day when I get home from work. The Chateau is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Keep up the great work!
Gee the chateau has sure been on a roller coaster. I was thinking the same Dan, however disappointing, the pressure is off and you are free to dream 😀💪
Don't forget to carefully remove and try to keep and preserve some of those still intact cornices and roof surfaces so you have a template when it comes to replacing them all. Unless you already know they are readily available still.
Dan, the beginning of this vlog was a beautiful piece of cinema. If there were Oscars for vlogs, I’d nominate you. So moving. The music, the shots, the narration….perfect. Just imagine someone 100 years from now will read about a gentleman named Dan that rescued the chateau and how much courage and vision he brought to the quest. ❤️
There’s been so many different lives of this fabulous house and so few original bits left but don’t be sad, it gives you totally free rein to decorate exactly the way you want to 😊
I'm sure, Dan can still find pictures from the beginnig of the century, and see how everything looked like. And i would look as many pics as possible of the interior of other very similar big houses of that time.
We are very grateful for you taking the time to do a historical visit as this rehab develops. The constant questions as to the history served a distraction, but oddly now make us feel more connected. Patreon earned!
I almost felt a tear coming as you showed us around the old lady well she is old now and not young anymore, yes a once loved home and filled with beautiful furniture and leather door handles but we now see the ruins of what is left and you have come and given hope and love once more to make her beautiful again ,well done Dan to follow your dreams it take courage and perseverance and lots of hard work which you have in a abundance. Make her shine and be beautiful again and she will love you for ever more. Thank you x
Your vlogs are always good, but this is one of your best. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. You are one of the highlights of my days. Somebody mentioned moving your bees out to their own new hive in the garden. When you do, that will also be an excellent vlog! Meanwhile...bee seeing ya...tomorra🐝❤🐝🐝🐝🙏
I loved you reading with the great shots in the beginning. Very interesting read, rather sad how so many times the Chateau has been stripped down. Thanks for sharing the pictures. 🤗 I feel like you kinda have it better because you can start with a relatively blank canvas to work from to make it how you want. 🦋
Yes, I agree. Take it back to more of the original feel with modern touches and materials. Dan has such an artistic eye that I can only imagine how stunningly beautiful this chateau will look when done.
I recommend you first build some temporary stairs up to the second floor. Going up and Down that ladder is insane. The stairs will improve your productivity and it’s safer then the ladder.
Dan, the Chateau is like an old lady who has lost all of her fancy ball gowns and fine jewelry, but she's still just as beautiful. So, you get the fun of giving her a whole new wardrobe and add new bijou to show off her loveliness. I know it is a bit disappointing not being able to look forward to unearthing some piece of past glory in all that rubble, but the bones of the place are still there.
In a way, all the abandonments, sales of contents, and refurbishment give you an opportunity to follow your imagination as you bring the house to life again. Really enjoying the videos. Can't what to see where your imagination takes you and the chateau.
Your fantastic. I love your project and spirit. I just made that scaffolding comment because I've wrestled that beast for my stained glass restoration years. You are an inspiration. I'm a fan.
What an amazing building you have taken on. The history of the transformation it's all fascinating. On that note, as a mother, I sometimes have to hold my breath watching the situations you get yourself in, lol 😂. Thank you for allowing us along on this journey.
Wouldn't it be nice...we're so used to being able to fast forward with computers and such. Every once in a while I'll catch myself looking out the window and see something happen and automatically my mind says "rewind, go back!" and then realize instantly that I can't, it happened in real time....LOL
I love that someone sent you that image of what the chateau could look like. It is hard to keep the end goal in sight when you are working so hard. Keep up the good work and you'll hit little milestones and really see the improvement. Luckily you have these videos to look back on which will help.
Woooooooow that’s super interesting about the history😮.. the years definitely haven’t be kind to her and she keeps fighting back to live and breathe life …. “Beyond the ashes”the Château rise’s once again … You Dan are the best Guardian she’s has ever had ❤❤you will do her proud 🥹 Thank you 🙏 for sharing the pictures… See you tomorrow … Ps love the winch 🙌😁
a nice and slow video today ... really enjoyed it, once again, thanks Dan ... loved that mock-up image of the bedroom with the walls and floors finished, the long tied-back curtains and the wonderful windows, inspirational 👍
Always kind of magical when one thinks of all the feet that climbed the steps up to the château. So nice to see the story being revealed as we go along on your restoration.
Superb Dan, thank you. Great to see the photos…that 70’s look is definitely one to quickly forget! After everything this Chateau has gone through it deserves to be finally given its life back. You are the MAN DAN…. Take care…Dottie x
At one time the house was grand. You can tell that from the gilded mirror in the bathroom. You will make it a beautiful gracious home again. And we are enjoying your daily progress.
The new knowlege of the Chateau being stripped before , although in a way a little deflating , on the flip side is you are now free to recreate and interpret the Chateau as you see fit .
That story made the chateau enter our hearts. She is such a lucky chateau to find an owner like you. The best parts of her remain, plus the beautiful grounds, so let’s see what unfolds…
what a fantastic history, you can now not worry about getting it back to original, restore it how you feel, in keep with your vision of a chateau. you are doing amazing, doing it on your own but you also have some great guys helpingyou when they can. This adventure was meant to be yours. its a learning curve for you, thats for sure. keep up the great work
That's what's so interesting about many of these old buildings that havent been handed down for generations, , they've had so many different lives. Someone likened this house to a Phoenix bird, and it's a great metaphore. Most Chateau heavily renovated in the 60s to 80s had a really ugly period akin to those old school photographs of onesself as a trendy teenager from that period (if anyone can relate) hahaha... not the prettiest picture!😂 Again, it might not be the most economical idea to realize and not your personal vision, but throughout this I always thought if I was doing it, I'd keep some part of the interior aspect of the house really raw as a testament to the history and the double edged kindof beauty that these ruins have when we see them. Ie some area where the joinery, the original stonework, layers of materials are visible and remain a record of all your work and all of those before you. A stairway wall, or a tall shaft with a roof window to illuminate it with and decorative plants to echo the ruins with the trees you once took on, and some photos and stories of its past lives. I can't help but think of "the old lady" the former "La Badette" and her daughter who first had the miraculous good fortune of being taken care of (and fathered by) that eccentric English Lord, only to be living as isolated paupers in an old cottage on the grounds while the house was gutted before them a decade later.... I wonder who her daughter was and whatever happened to her. Theres a story there for sure. What's always been so cool about this whole project is that you're not bound to replacing historic minute details as far as the interior goes. Theres absolutely no call for pink toile de jouy here, knowing well that's not quite your vibe, and that means alot of freedom to create the space you want, in keeping with your ideas on how to make this house pay for itself to some extent in the long haul. It can be anything you envision; a hub for workshops on restorations and sustainability when reinterpreting historic spaces in hands-on practice, a spectacular restaurant with home grown organic produce from your estate gardens as well as your private home, (you could definately do that with your cooking skills), a home with a unique B&B business of interesting off- grid tiny houses on the land, a seasonal educational center of any kind, an events location with in-house catering and any bells and whistles you want to add, a local plant nursery, the fact is your niche business possibilities for this place are endless really, you just have to listen in and follow your heart and do what you're personally passionate about and can envision a future actually doing once the major restoration is done, thats always the better choice! Only you can know. These stories you share really remind us of how nothing is permanent but always changing, time is a continuum of ebb and flow, easy come easy go, prosperity, wars, displacement, pipe dreams and fortunes, brave initiatives, nothing is etched in stone, lasts forever, but people will always gravitate towards places like this that evoke history, jog the imagination and remind us of our tapestry of collective past history. There's alot of freedom in all this, and I'm confident you'll transform this chateau marvelously! You just have to ponder what your long term dream looks like, after the building is back in action, and do whatever is necessary to take steps now towards that direction. I expect you are, and it's an ongoing process we all will understand more of later down the line. I love this project because it's not the conventional "chateau fantasy" bordering on Disney dreams of living like royalty, and that very selective historic, utterly romantic (often non contextual) lens that usually entails. This project isn't about that kindof nonsens. And neither are you Dan, so it's really very interesting and a truly creative personal journey to behold!
Lol, that's basically what I said. My mom heart literally jumps sometimes watching the somewhat precarious situations he finds himself in. Especially now that he is going higher. He seems like such a great person, I may have to watch some of the upcoming videos through my fingers. 😂😂
Make it yours Daniel , make it revive for your family , forget the past. We live in the present not the past. You can make it much better. LIVE THE PRESENT , LIVE THE MOMENT, People that try to revive the past can be detroyed by it. It can become an obsession that can consume you. Dont go there Dan . Just build your future, forget the past. It has a sordid past, make it a happy place of joy and happiness. A new begining that does not have to be the copy of the past.
This is what I’ve been saying, block and tackle, come along whatever they call it and you’ve managed to get it electrical which is even better👍🏼. Very happy to hear about the history and see any free pictures , I am retired on a fixed income and do give a few donations when I can to displaced Ukraine families who had to leave with not much of anything. You’re making great progress👍🏼🙋🏼♀️
Dan, I'm amazed at your progress single-handed. What dedication and determination. Would you mind if I asked what's happening with the work at the farmhouse? Will you be working both projects simultaneously? Best wishes from Ohio, US.
I love your daily progress. Don’t stress over the past because it’s gone. I would like to add, stay close to the design of the year it was built, but modernize it.
