HOT!

Off the French Presse

Have you ever received a message that both surprised you greatly while at the same time found you feeling full of wonder, yet somewhat doubtful?

A few years ago I received a message from a woman who lives in the Dordogne, is Dutch, and makes her living styling, photographing, and publishing articles for a variety of magazines in Europe.

Could she and another come to view my house – they had heard it was an interesting property - with the idea of photographing my maison, finding a magazine to publish my story of both renovating and the questions I have answered a million times; Why this house? Pourquoi la Charite sur Loire? Is Minette French?

So, along they came and happily appreciated what they saw, and booked a few days of my life to return with their cameras.

The light in the chosen day was a factor as they do not use artificial light, ever.

At this point in my adopted French life, I was struggling with a ‘What’s It All About Alfie’ moment. I truly had to put on an act of warm welcoming, and generally stayed out of their way until they insisted they needed a few images of moi.

I let them have their way with the house and garden as they felt it fit into their lens - though I did ask them not to photograph the third floor flat, where I was sleeping and bathing at that time. When all was done, we sat about the kitchen with wine and nibbles, enjoying a few hours of conversation, then off they went. After thank you messages the next day – communication was over.

I completely forgot about the experience and the intention of Madame Custer to sell an article about my house to a French magazine. You might imagine my surprise when 6 months ago, 2 years past the experience of a thousand photos, I received a message saying the article had been sold to two magazines – Casa Chic in Italy, and Maison Chic en France. An interview with an English woman living in London was arranged which took place over the landline. A few weeks ago another message came into my mobile saying that Maison Chic was on the shelf in fine presse magasins across the land.

In 5 minutes after reading the message, I was in my local Presse and had purchased two copies (leaving one for the proprietaire to read) and ordered 10 more. I went back the next day and ordered another 10.

This 14-page spread is not all about me, or the chambre d’hote that I operate within these storied walls. It is a selection of photographs and a short story for a magazine that features houses and life-styles that appear to be chic.

I came here with a bended heart, and an idea that felt to be a cure. Within every molecule of my being I imagined it necessaire to follow through with this project - while bestowing a great deal of blood, sweat, tears, and love - into this property. I now look upon this episode as my coming out. How I manifested my depression into creative expression.

I was - and still be a smiling flabbergasted soul when I flip through this alluring printed spread – a creative expression of others who knew me naught. I write to you feeling both proud and validated for this decision that brought me into a new old world, et la decouverte of living differently.

As one would say in France: C’est un bon moment pour moi.

My sincerest merci beaucoup to Stylist - Wilma Custer, Photographer - Morgane van Liere, and Writer - Ellie Tennant. Et bien sur, merci beaucoup Maison Chic.

Long live print on paper.