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Darlene in the Dordogne
France
Registrace 21. 09. 2021
This is a channel about the life-changing story of two Aussies, who relocated to France in 2023. We bought a deceased property in the small village of Daglan, which includes a Maison, a Gite (B&B) and 4 out-buildings including an old walnut processing plant and carriage house.
We are Darlene and Shaun, an ex-Army Officer and an Engineering and Tech CEO and we have been fortunate enough to retire young and enjoy a quiet life in country France.
Why? Well the reality is we couldn’t see ourselves retiring back in Aus and so we sought this new beginning with little to no idea of what we were getting ourselves into! You will hopefully be entertained by our experiences, and maybe inspired by our travels, and the highs and lows that come with moving abroad.
SHOP INFORMATION:
There is so much to do on the property to restore it and transform it so if you would like to help us, please visit my shop for very reasonably priced items: darlene-in-the-dordogne.myspreadshop.fr
We are Darlene and Shaun, an ex-Army Officer and an Engineering and Tech CEO and we have been fortunate enough to retire young and enjoy a quiet life in country France.
Why? Well the reality is we couldn’t see ourselves retiring back in Aus and so we sought this new beginning with little to no idea of what we were getting ourselves into! You will hopefully be entertained by our experiences, and maybe inspired by our travels, and the highs and lows that come with moving abroad.
SHOP INFORMATION:
There is so much to do on the property to restore it and transform it so if you would like to help us, please visit my shop for very reasonably priced items: darlene-in-the-dordogne.myspreadshop.fr
S2 EP3: Welcome to my NEW art studio in the South of France!
Tools down (in respect to the Maison) and in their place Shaun and I pick up new tools for our own creative projects! In this episode I show you some incredible pieces of furniture that Shaun has made and repaired and I also take you for a walk to my art studio where you get to see some of my new work on the easel.
We talk Visas.... As the process of applying for and getting Visa's and Residence Permits in France is always mmm, what's the word... tricky!
And I introduce to you some new friends that we've made during our time in Daglan and on my Darlene in the Dordogne Channel! Shaun and I have met so many lovely people from all around the world! Happy viewing and I hope you enjoy it!
We talk Visas.... As the process of applying for and getting Visa's and Residence Permits in France is always mmm, what's the word... tricky!
And I introduce to you some new friends that we've made during our time in Daglan and on my Darlene in the Dordogne Channel! Shaun and I have met so many lovely people from all around the world! Happy viewing and I hope you enjoy it!
zhlédnutí: 3 263
Video
S2 EP2: An incredible TERRACE TRANSFORMATION!
zhlédnutí 11KPřed měsícem
In this episode, Shaun and I bring lots of love and life back to the old rundown dilapidated southern-facing terrace of our Maison. Wait till you see what we’ve done to transform this space and turn it into an enjoyable outdoor room fit for long lunches and fun soirées! Included in this transformation are the famous Anduze French pots I sourced from the Provence, a large waterproof Italian perg...
S2 EP1: It may be cold and wet but we still have a spring in our step!
zhlédnutí 3,1KPřed měsícem
S2 EP1: It may be cold and wet but we still have a spring in our step!
EP 21: Celebrating 1 YEAR in France!
zhlédnutí 4,6KPřed 2 měsíci
It's crazy but it's true, Shaun and I have now celebrated 12 months in France in the beautiful Dordogne Department. This episode takes you for a stroll down memory lane and summarises all that has happened in what feels like a very short period of time! It's a celebration and validation too that what ever you put your mind to, you can achieve. I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for wat...
EP 20: I open the door to my newly renovated and very French Chambre D'Ami!
zhlédnutí 17KPřed 3 měsíci
Welcome back to my little Maison in country France! In this episode I show you all the hours of work that went into renovating my Chambre D'Ami. I started work on the downstairs guest room late last year and after waiting on a few items to complete the room, I can now say it's finished! It's been a lot of fun and I've taken some gambles on the design, colour scheme and styling but I deliberatel...
EP19: Living and learning from some VERY valuable lessons!
zhlédnutí 4,4KPřed 4 měsíci
In today's episode I show you a little of the surrounding area of Daglan which produces the best black truffles in all of France! And I show you the results of a protest that has intrigued the country. Why indeed are all the location signs along the roads upside down?? I then share a number of my lessons learnt through a challenging 10 months of assimilating to this new country. Plus of course,...
EP 18: Aussies braving our first winter in France!
zhlédnutí 4,9KPřed 4 měsíci
Ep 18: Aussies braving our first winter in France! These two Aussies are certainly feeling the cold here in the height of winter but the best thing about -6 degree temps is that you can rug up and drink wine around a camp fire to warm up! The cold can be debilitating but as you will see it takes more than a few cool mornings to slow us down. In this episode I show you the finishing touches made...
EP17: Our DREAM French kitchen is now complete!
zhlédnutí 12KPřed 5 měsíci
We've done it..! We had a number of delays along the way but our new French kitchen is finally finished! Of course we started highly motivated and very ambitious that our renovation plan and schedule would run smoothly and that we would seamlessly remove the old and replace with the new, with minimal fuss! And for the majority of the time, it was! However our biggest set back was not being able...
EP16: Christmas and NYE all wrapped up!
zhlédnutí 3,2KPřed 5 měsíci
It's a little belated so I hope you forgive me... however, here it is! The final episode for 2023!! That, everybody, is officially a wrap! In this episode its all about festive cheer, and celebrating 10 months living in France! In 2023 I hope to leave behind anxiety and nervous energy that comes with a huge move abroad. And in 2024 I welcome patience, persistence and peace with this life-changi...
EP15: I create a winter wonderland in the guestroom
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 6 měsíci
Life in the south of France is certainly very chilly right now as we are emersed in dark days, surrounded by skeletal trees and misty horizons. Over the last week I have managed to complete the guestroom walls with beautiful and very colourful wallpaper. We near the end of our time cooking in the basement as our bespoke kitchen is about to be installed. And Macy Gray continues to provide laughs...
EP 14: Bespoke iron railings are delivered and the result is amazing!
zhlédnutí 4,1KPřed 6 měsíci
In this episode our long awaited wrought iron fence and hand rails for the terrace and front stairs get delivered. The iron work design replicates the style already found on the property on the lower level where our smaller yard is. I'm so happy with the result and the new railings add a bit more of that country rustic charm to the property. I also take you on a walk through the Daglan cemetery...
EP13: Autumn has arrived in the Dordogne
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 7 měsíci
I have so much to show you in this episode starting with the stunning colours of the changing climate here in Daglan, to the maison renovations where I reveal the wallpaper design for our guestroom chambre. Shaun sharpens his machinery for some furniture making and I learn I have a huge fruiting fig tree and delve into the world of preserve making. I go to my very first brocante (flee market) a...
EP12: Celebrating 6 months in France
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 7 měsíci
Where has the time gone? If someone had told me a few years ago I would move overseas and buy a beautiful home in the South of France I would have laughed! But here we are 6 months later. In today's episode I show you what we've completed in that time at our beautiful Maison as well as the current renovations in play. We've been busy and some days worn out from all the work and then we take a d...
EP11: Renovating a Maison!
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 8 měsíci
We're in the height of summer here and of course that's when all the hard work inside the Maison begins! We have, leading up to this point, managed to get the floors professionally sanded and polished as well as organising the design and fabrication of a new kitchen. Our plan is to integrate the removal of the old kitchen before the installation of the new with as little disruption as possible!...
EP10: J'adore la cuisine francaise!
zhlédnutí 4,6KPřed 8 měsíci
We've just celebrated 5 months in France and in this episode I want to share with you our favourite food moments during that time! Of course the countryside is stunning and the history is breath-taking but OMG the food is better than I had ever imagined here! And the best thing of all is that food or 'cuisine' unites people here in France and provides an opportunity for enjoyment and celebratio...
EP 9: What to do with an old Walnut Processing Plant?
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 9 měsíci
EP 9: What to do with an old Walnut Processing Plant?
EP 8: A tour of our Maison and surrounds
zhlédnutí 10KPřed 10 měsíci
EP 8: A tour of our Maison and surrounds
EP 5: Surviving our first week in France!
zhlédnutí 9KPřed rokem
EP 5: Surviving our first week in France!
Bravo kiddo well done very enjoyable enjoy the sunshine lots of love.
Stunning, and you made some practical decisions to make it affordable. Truly inspiring and amazing!
Thanks so much! You can get so carried away with wanting expensive things during renovations but then you have to live with financial anxiety! We have so many renovation plans so it’s important to make affordable but effective decisions. 😊
Such hard work and absolutely beautiful
Thank you 🙏
Good to watch you enjoying this lovely walk with the dog and sharing time with your friends both of you great talent I love the art you always artistic wish both a happy stay in France take care see you soon bye
Thanks so much that’s lovely of you to say ☺️
What a great ep hon! Loved the silly glasses, singing with friends, stunning table creation, walk around Daglan, wildflowers and of course your art studio! Magnifique! 👏💖
Merci ma sœur 😍 I’m so happy you get to see my life over here and what we’re been up to. Miss you and love you very much. 😍
@@DarleneLavett Miss you, love you too! 😘😘😘
Absolutely beautiful! 🤩
Thank you! 😊
Fabulous vlogs Darlene .Thank you for sharing your lives with us and giving us a tranquil walk through your village areas..it's very pretty... the terace is looking beautiful. Love your flowers, pots and finishing touches . The pergola is fab. You've given me sooo many ideas for our place in France ( dept 36) . I can't wait to see how the dining Romanques patio comes along good luck with it all 😊 ... Your art work that you create is simply gorgeous best wishes with the exhibition and open event.. It was great to see Shaun's creativity too in his workshop.love the pieces he did 😊. Take care both & Enjoy the summer ahead!! 😊❤
Thank you for your thoughtful message, is so very kind of you! I see where you are at Indre. We’ve driven past you on our way to Paris. Happy to help with ideas and I’m so excited about the pillar pergola too! Thanks for watching along and enjoy this beautiful weather we’re finally having!
You’re both really excellent at your chosen craft. It’s a pleasure to see such high quality art and craftsmanship. Best wishes from Australia
Hi Australia! Thank you so much! That is really kind of you. ☺️
Yayyyyy Marisa and David!
Love Marisa and David! 😍
You've added so many different things in this video, which was so entertaining, informative and fun. Loved seeing all the friends you've made in such a short time in France. It was lovely to see Marisa from 'tales from Tuscany' too. Your paintings are so beautiful, I'm sure they're even more stunning in real life. The best i can do is 'paint by numbers'🤣. Shaun is amazing and so talented, there doesn't seem to be anything that he can't do! Did Shaun bring all his woodworking gear from Australia or did he purchase most things from France? I love the open area with the shed , i think it would be great as an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. Love your home and your channel. Hope you two have a great week and i look forward to the next video. ❤Zeljka
Hi Zeljik, thank you for your lovely message, how very kind of you! I’m so glad you like the content I produce. Shaun is very talented and I’m one lucky girl! He already had the machinery before we came to France. And yes I agree the lower carriage house would be a perfect spot for entertaining. 🩷
never say you retired early, one never retires! You both have changed directions to channel your creative side. Personal question, what was Shaun's previous careers? That table was so modern in design loved the oak, top with dark legs.
Well said John. You never retire do you? One door closes and another one opens and behind that one are all the projects you’ve always wanted to do. And you never seem to have enough time! Shaun was a tech CEO and mining exec. His original trade was electrician and then electrical engineer.
You guys are both so talented.
Merci beaucoup 😊
With your charm Darlene how can they refuse you an appointment. 😜
…charming? Merci! As well as total look of confusion at our ‘mistake’.
What a pleasure it was to meet you both and spend some time with you at your beautiful home. We truly hope that you can join us one day in Tuscany! Your artworks are sublime, Darlene and I truly hope that your studio creates a wonderful income for you, as well a fabulous creative space. Shaun is a wonder when it comes to DIY and workwork etc! You're both creating masterpieces! Bisous à vous deux! 🥰😘💖
Hello Marisa, you are too kind! We had such a lovely time meeting you that evening. We will definitely visit Italy very soon and head straight to Tuscany of course! X
Marvelous! Wishing great adventures all around.
Merci 🙏
Thank you for always sharing the highlights of what’s going on with you both but also the “everyday slice of life“. I loved the walk to the village the “Long Way“. 😊
Merci Robin! The long way has now become the normal way given the amount of food and wine I am consuming here. ☺️
Encore une superbe video🤩 Merci de nous avoir fait découvrir votre magnifique village Bravo à vous deux pour vos talents La table est incroyablement belle🤩
Merci beaucoup et merci d’avoir regarde. ☺️
Love your walk , good luck getting your studio set up. Hope all goes well
Fingers crossed! Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the walk.
You and Shaun are both very talented and I loved that you shared your projects with us. Hope to see more from you both. Bev in Colorado
Hi Bev from Colorado! Thanks so much, you are very kind.
BEST WISHES TO YOU
Merci ☺️
vos tableaux sont magnifiques vous avez beaucoup de talent
Merci beaucoup tu es très gentil 😊
Loved Shaun's sense of humour. 😂 From the art I've seen, you have a great talent. I'm glad you're both able to 'work' doing what you love. I wish it were the way for everyone.
Thanks so much! Daisy. I have to pinch myself at how lucky I am. 🌼
Superbe vidéo 👌👌❤️❤️
Merci beaucoup Virginie!
What a fabulous walk. Loved the table Shaun made.
Merci!
Always exciting to watch the next projects, two talented artists in your field.
Thank you Christie! So glad you enjoy the vlogs.
Shaun you are one talented dude, what a loss to Australia 😊 We knew that you too would assimilate into the French way of life, Daglan does not know how lucky they are to have you both talented individuals and best of all bloody great aussies doing your bit to get the French back on track. Love your episodes, we always hang out and can’t wait till you posts. Take care, god bless. 👍😇🙏🇦🇺🏰 PS - State of Origin - 1st game went to QLD - they smashed NSW(if you follow NRL) if not the Brissy Lions beat the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast suns are getting done by St Kilda 🇦🇺
Aww thanks so much! We love our new community. PS great result in the first state of origin. Queenslander!
Looks really lovely & welcoming. Love your awning & furniture
Thanks so much! 😊
Beautiful transformation ❤
Thank you! 🤗
your terrace looks absolutely beautiful ❤️❤️
Thank you! 😊
Magnifique réalisation Votre terrasse et votre pergola sont vraiment très belles L'arrangement de vos plantes et vos fleurs sont remarquables comme dans une revue paysagiste Bravo ,votre maison et votre jardin se transforment en un véritable petit château 🤩🤩🤩
Votre petit chien et vos petites chattes vont sûrement adorer votre canapé sous la pergola 😍
Merci beaucoup! Tu es très gentil.
Music is awful and distracting but you’ve probably changed that in more recent episodes. (Lol, just saw others said the same thing).
It's really lovely. Good job.
Thank you! 😊
Hi from the UK. I have just found your channel and am loving seeing you both settle into your new French life. Very inspirational. I can't wait to see your progress x
Bonjour et bienvenue Deb. Thanks so much! Let me know if there’s anything in particular you would like to see 😊
Hi! I’ve been laid up today and your latest episode appeared in my feed. I’ve binge watched your entire series! Such fun and took my mind off my migraine. You both are such wonderful people.
Aww thank you! I’m glad we could help you get through a bad day and thanks for giving my channel a go. 😊
@@DarleneLavett You certainly did. Can’t wait for the next episode.
Beautiful job on the terrace and another wonderful episode! You are both incredibly innovative. Enjoyed seeing you guys make a guest appearance in Tales From Tuscany also!
Thank you so much! My next vlog will feature the beautiful Marisa and David during their visit with us.
What an amazing makeover, both did a marvellous job. Cheers from a Cook Islander Kiwi in the UK. 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks so much! 😊
😪😪😪
Have you consideted contacting aussie homes and gardens magazine editors with a view to featuring your fabulous transformation? Definitely would be worth a try I love the mirror, makes such a difference to feeling more open, the new roof cover is perfect. I can see you spending a lot of time there telaxing away from the traffic noise. Well done
Thank you! That’s not a bad idea at all. I’m thinking big and hoping someone will find us to feature us but maybe I need to preempt it. 😊
Beautiful room!
Thank you! 😊
Love seeing the kitties and pup. Lovely video.❤
Thank you! 😊
You did a great job, really enjoying your videos.
Thank you. Glad you like them!
This is lovely. Did you put any edging down to stop the stones going down the steps or anything
Thank you and yes we did. Galvanised angle iron probably about 8cms deep.
I’ve never heard of the sand Pots are much more pleasing together
What a fabulous transformation! 👏😍 Great to see Shaun putting the farm machinery to work and I'm loving the colour, light and life you've brought to the space! Good thing you ended up with the larger arched mirror as well, it's a perfect size👌 The cascading geraniums are divine, the pergola is lovely and your pot selection is sublime! A stunning spot to enjoy a wine and cheese platter 🍾😋 Hoping it warms up soon sis! Well done, love you xxx ❤️🥰
Thanks sis! Miss you!!!! Come over for a glass of wine! Monsieur Smith can be our butler and we could just spend countless days relaxing on the terrace together! 😂😍 Love you 🥰
@@DarleneLavett yes please! Another Chablis Monsieur Smith! 😆😘
Oh, so sorry for your loss Jackie💔 it’s been my experience that the rescue animals are the most loving and appreciative of your care and love. They should give it to you back 1000 fold . I am a new subscriber just yesterday I stumbled on your Vlog and I am enjoying it from Vancouver British Columbia.🇨🇦 I really love all the work you’ve put into your property inside and out. It’s turning out very beautiful. That is a nice piece of property that you have purchased. Enjoy it in good health. Your art is amazing. Wow I didn’t know you are an artist till quite a few videos later.😊 I’m impressed with your art work.🤩 The bedroom makeover is sublime the colours are just beautiful and the layout of the room is so chic, warm and inviting it’s perfect . The bedroom drapes look like they were done at a high end drapery shop. Well done.💝🌈🇨🇦
Bonjour Vancouver and welcome! What a lovely msg, thank you so much. Shaun and I are loving the challenge (most days) of transforming this beautiful home. There’s so much to do and we are always learning along the way. I’m glad you are enjoying my vlog and hope it’s something a bit different from the others. Bon journée!
Magnificent, simply magnificent!
Many thanks! 🤩
Hi, you two have done such a beautiful job! The terrace looks cosy and inviting. Its amazing how a simple solutions (with lots of muscle power) completely transforms a space. Did the compacting sand work? Can you share the link to the awning please? Lovely video and thanks for sharing. I look forward to seeing your next transformation. Have a lovely week. ❤Zeljka
Pea gravel will wander and don’t stay in place. Though pretty!
Stays in place with the stabilising sand, hasn’t gone anywhere, doesn’t move underfoot, seems to have worked at this stage, cheers Shaun
Looks beautiful. You spent a lot of time thinking through and executing the details. Details are everything.
Thank you! Cheers!
I will never understand removing wood cabinets and replacing with modern zero personality who knows what.