I finally reveal our GLAMOROUS DOWNSTAIRS LOO!!!
In the calm after Christmas, we get back to work on the chateau, clearing the porcelain, preparing for Nic and Marie's arrival, getting garden furniture for next summer, and - most importantly - unveiling the downstairs loo!!!
The Chateau Diaries Episode 282 ✨🏰✨
Escape to the chateau with ’The Chateau Diaries’ 🏰
This channel follows the adventures of chatelaine Stephanie in her French 16th century home, the Chateau de Lalande, in the heart of rural France ❤️
We share our life in this ancient chateau in the heart of the French countryside, and show you the diy, renovations, crafts, cooking and gardening that are needed to bring a home like this to life!
A very special thank you to all of you who have become Patrons of the Chateau de Lalande. You have made The Chateau Diaries one of the top 400 Patreon accounts in the world, and have transformed not only our lives here, but the future of this beautiful chateau! I’m overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. On behalf of this beautiful chateau that will continue to survive and flourish because of you, thank you!!!
If you're interested in becoming a Patron of The Chateau Diaries, click here: / thechateaudiaries
Dear Stephanie , you are always kind and generous, never nasty always fun and a pleasure to to see . That is why so many people love you. Eileen and Brian
So sad to see Amaury's parents leaving. They are a wonderful addition to Lalande! The downstairs loo is gorgeous! Stephanie, you are truly blessed to have two amazing master craftsmen in Selmar and Amaury to start and finish the downstairs loo. As well as the great teamwork of Maria and Sabina, Philippe's thoughtful reorganization of Nick's apartment and of course Nati, to keep it all together. Glad to see Nick, Marie and Antoine back at Lalande!
The stack of hedgehogs in the bird bath is adorable
Isabelle and Percy won't recognize the place after all the work that's been done over the last 18 months. Absolutely lovely!
🥰It would be awesome if Stephanie would film them viewing each project for the 1st time when they come!!💕💕
And let's not forget all the work Selmar did in the Downstair Loo! Bravo! 👏👏👏👏👏👏
What’s the deal there? He’s out because she’s got the cousin in for free?
@@Harmon1ca Nothing like that at all. Selmar found the love of his life and they went off together, to work to make their dreams come true. And i am sure Amaury is compensated. Steph is not at all into taking advantage.
@@theresaromero2855 i agree. Steph is not like that. Selmar is starting his wonderful adventure at his new home with his beautiful gf❤️❄️
@@theresaromero2855 thanks for writing it, i had a bit of a hard time formulating it in a good way.😉👏👏
@@Harmon1ca Stupid comment. I've said it.
Amaury's mother and Nati have similar qualities that are quite charming. Such lovely women.
they resemble each other in happy faces with dark hair etc.
So similar, I sussed that out right away, dark hair, full figure, accents, similar heights, both chic, I get it.
Those little half moon shaped side dishes: I grew up in Germany and had an education in classic haute cuisine. Those little side dishes are meant for the debris of shell courses and always to the upper left of the dinner plate. Snail shells, oyster shells, shrimp shells, fish bones. Everything was eaten with the appropriate knifes and forks. The debris would be placed on the side dish with the knife and fork. Never the fingers! Except oysters which were eaten by hand, asparagus as well, but then little matching finger bowls were added to the side of the plate, lower left under the debris dish, with a slice of lemon to cut the grease on the fingers. Hence the oversized cloth napkins to dry the hands. Of course with the next course the waiter, server, would bring a fresh napkin and remove the used dishes and glasses of that course. A little bit of fine dining history. Which gives me an idea for a gift for Philip :)
My german grandmother called them bone plates.
What an easy, natural, delightful and well matched couple Nati and Amaury are. So pleased they are together.
Marie looks so beautiful, her shorter hair shows off her lovely face. Dancing in the loo with Anton! Loved that.
Yes...
J'adore Marie!
@@cindygarrison6338 J'adore Marie et Antoine dansez dans le loo! (my French is poor) :)
Love the downstairs loo. That mirror is just gorgeous. You, Amauri, Selmar, Ian, Gerald and everyone else who contributed to its success should take a bow! Love your channels…from PA, USA!
Selmar’s contribution of the stone floor was amazing. Such hard work reducing the depth of each slab. Impressive stonemason work.
Actually the “moon-shaped” dishes are called bone dishes. They were originally used to put bones from fish or poultry, etc in. Today we seldom have bones food prepared with bones-in. They are beautiful.
In The Netherlands we also had meat- and fishbone dishes in this shape, but they were made of stainless steel and you could clip them on the side of your plate. My mother had a set.
Not sure if I am correct, but I think this size might be bone dishes and the larger crescents are salad dishes. These are smaller than the salad crescents I have seen.
Yes Bone plates .
Exactly, was just typing the same thing! They are fish bone plates or chicken bone plates.
I found this excerpt. The book is on free view Google books and the reference is page 59. Abby Buchanan Longstreet, Dinners, Ceremonious and Unceremonious and the Modern Methods of Serving Them . F.A. Stokes & Brother, 1890 These plates were originally used to keep hot and cold foods separate but were then used to accommodate bones. [S]alad follows at once, and is also self-helped [i.e. self-served] to a cold, small, round, or crescent-shaped dish set at the left of, and close to, the hot one. This crescent is called a bone dish in America and, until recently, has been used for the small purpose that its name suggests, while its actual reason for being is, that cold and hot food may be eaten at the same time without injury to the flavour of either. Crescents, if of fine quality and pretty colour, are as ornamental as they are convenient.
Maria and Sabine belong at LaLande! They’re a fantastic team in talent and organization skills! And I love their personalities too. And yay Marie, Antoine and Nick are back!!!
I totally agree they are a hoot.
You are so right!!! I hope they stay for a long time (or come back and back!)
@@karenpowell2828 I believe this is Maria’s second stay and I was so happy to see her return.
Stephanie, I have very similar wrought iron pieces in my garden. One small suggestion, if this is available in your area: Don’t paint them; have them POWDER COATED in gloss white (or the color of your choice). It will definitely be more expensive, but it will be one-and-done. No yearly wire-brushing, scraping and repainting. I’ve done this with several pieces of outdoor furniture (I live near Chicago), and I’ve never regretted it.
Maybe ask a car body shop to do it. They have the sand blasting and powder coating.
Amplifying this comment!
You’re onto something now.
Yes! Great idea!
YES! @Sherri Rinker - this is the best advice. I've had my wrought iron pieces redone several times & it's expensive + time-consuming. Next time - it's POWDER COATING.(Mine are black)
Selmar did a fabulous job with stone work on the floor, and Steph did an awesome job with the wallpaper ( with the help of Gerry !)
Amaury is a wonderful craftsman, he reminds me of my brother - Nati is a very lucky woman.
And Amaury is very lucky too! Nati is a special woman.
They are both so fun, skilled, thoughtful ...and by golly both are so organized; it's a match made in,... Lalande, which is definitely magic.
@@christinevr7698 And both have wonderfully caring and nurturing natures 💞
@@jennifercampbell7698 yes- very true!
So sad to see amuarys mum and dad leaving, lets hope next Christmas will see Isabel and percy back to celebrate with everyone 😃the downstairs loo looks like something out of a magazine, its absolutely beautiful, well done to amuary👏im so happy to see nick,Marie and antoine back 😃🐝🦋🌻❤
Phillip did a lovely job with Marie and Nicks apartment. Even though it is to be made over one day, there is a skill in making a space look good with what you have in the meantime. Phillip has that skill. The row of books, the mantlepiece, the lamp positioning, the little seat by the bar cart....love it!
Maria's Cat Sweater is great, whimsical, and Sabina's shawl is outstanding, and Phillips Sweater is great!!
LMAO when your Uncle said on his way out "check the silver" 🤣. Such fun people, hopefully we will see them soon. I could look at all your china all day long. 😍
Stephanie can you please tell me what you are calling your Uncle? It sounds like Ton Ton Steven. Can you explain in America we usually call our Uncles (Uncle and their first name). I am not trying to be rude just trying to understand. Thank you!
@@GrandmaRM Tante means aunt in French and ton ton is the way small children say uncle.
@@qmanh72 thank you for replying. I should have known they speak French so that makes perfect sense.
The little dishes were used for putting your bones in while you were eating! I have a beautiful 19 century set of French dishes and have those half moon dishes 🤗 Have a Blessed Day 🦋
Yes! Bone plates. ☺️
Yes bone plates you both are so cute!
It was hilarious when he said it was for Salads. It is bone plates 🤪
They are in theses modern times (1960s on) used as side plates. I have seen them on many Southern sideboards and tables. 😁❤🌺🌹
@@AnnMaryJoseph Actually, nothing to laugh about. Stephanie was correct. Someone above in the comments quoted from an 1890's reference book about servingware history that stated that the crescent dishes were used to keep cold foods separated from hot foods on the plate and that Americans took to using them for discarded bones and referring to them as bone dishes, but that was not their original intended usage.
Love the Loo...Amaury is such a creative person and a perfectionist...wonderful combo...
Good taste in women too. They make an attractive couple🐧💕
I love the downstairs loo colours! Blue and green are my favorites and then a crisp white for the appliances and silver accessories… simple, elegant colours which don’t confuse by having too many colours but allow us to truly appreciate the beauty of the few! Bravo!
Amaury is so meticulous with his work. What a great addition to the chateau. Those garden chairs will be perfect in the bucolic garden setting.
Fantastic! A finale to the downstairs loo at last! The arduous task by Selmar of chipping away at all those floor stone slabs makes the whole room timeless and was a tremendous job well done. It is so glamorous and beautiful with Stephanie’s gorgeous wallpaper, the exquisite mirrors and chandelier and a credit to the many hands that worked on it. 👏😍😍
Yes, Selmar worked so diligently and focused on every detail of the original floor covering. They were a pain to move and work on. Congratulations Selmar for perfect results...
Everyone gave it their absolute best-and it shows. Does it seem weird it’s become my favorite room?
I miss Selmar.
The first entrance to Narnia was thru an attic in The Magician’s Nephew.
Stephanie's chateau is perfect and beautiful.
I love Stephanie's energy and eternal happiness and awe in every project. Also how she treats every one with respect and caring. This channel makes me happy to watch, and I learn a lot too! Thanks.
Aumery is gold! So many skills!
A little tip for old sticky drawers: rub some dry soap on the edges and sliding parts. Scented soap of course!
Yes! or bees wax works well too!
Lavender.
I was dying to say that!
I just adore how you manage to make special moments for everything, an afternoon tea in the garden for example, you really know how to create a life worth living and celebrate each moment in style, it teaches me to live in each moment and not dwell on what I do not have. Thank you
nailed it.
The cousin needs a day at a spa , with nattie, getting pampered and some rest. Don't think he stops working, he looks tired..
My grandmother collected porcelain. She gave me some beautiful moon shaped plates and said that they were for bones.
The mirrors! So exquisite in that bathroom! I need a chateau so I can justify collecting tableware…
Amoury man award of the year!
Those old telephone benches make cool cell phone charging stations.
the telephone chair would make an amazing dog bed!
I never thought I would be so excited about seeing the completion of a powder room! And to think this all began with Selmar's tremendous effort chiseling and re-shaping the stone floor blocks. Congratulations to all who made this transformation possible. (What percentage of the household contributed to the final project in the end?)
Wish I could leave multiple ‘ likes’ for Selmar for his incredible work on this chateau, and he landed in Lalande almost by accident at the beginning of the first lockdown. A very serendipitous accident!
@@barbaraoshea8639 hi
Thank you Amy for your nice Comment X
amaury is the man! well done with the downstairs loo! and the floor rocks as well.
When your Aunt was thanking everyone at the table, I confess I got a little weepy. I want them to come back very soon. They are darling. Lovely loo!
The best part of this video is watching Amaury love on his mother!
The downstairs loo is a masterpiece. 👏👏👏👏
I enjoy watching everyone working together. Lots of love from Tennessee!!!
When Maria first came to the chateau she was so quiet and shy (on camera at least) but as we’ve all gotten to know her better I’ve come to appreciate her so much. What a helpful, talented, and just all around nice person! I have to put in a word of praise for Sabina as well, she’s such a fun and lovely person too. 💜
I think of it as "The Enchanted Loo". Well done all!
THAT is the perfect name! Definitely enchanting.
As a 53 year old from Georgia,USA…I am thrilled that exact garden chairs were in grandparents garden and my first Easter photos are at LaLande!!!
I just love your Aunt and Uncle! Hated to see them leave. They are so fun! And I loved watching her cook❤️❤️
I must say I had tears too when Amoury’s parents were leaving, it was so touching but a funny quip lightened the mood. And then the joy of Nic and Marie’s return with adorable Antoine. I see a very loving relationship between Antoine and his mother and loved their spontaneous dancing together in the ‘loo!’ Love and laughter abounds at Chateau la Lande! 😂❤️🏰❤️💃🕺🏻❤️⛲️❤️
Underneath a canopy of grapevines, that garden furniture will be perfect, magnificent. That loo wallpaper is stunning. I predict major usage of that room now and people will be lingering over their business in there, to the point that other Lalanders will be banging on the door screaming 'Hurry up! Hurry up!!!!!' LOL! Thank you for the video. Another epic adventure!
The bathroom is wonderful but if I could make two possible suggestions. I owned a decorating company and saw the damage water can do to wallpaper/cabinets/paint. You might want to consider having a clear piece of tempered glass cut to size to protect the paper behind your taps from the splashing water. The screws can be drilled prior to the temper being applied so you can decide where the four screws need to be placed. Also the small wall under the window could possibly benefit from a piece of glass also. The glass in no way detracts from the paper and makes any random water spots easy the clean.
I ADORE MARIE'S JUMPER IN THE NARIA SCENE !
Beeswax on wooden runners will help the drawers close smoothly
Love the renovations and if you want to see a hard working family restore a beautiful abandoned chateau I suggest “ escape to the dream renovating a chateau “ fast becoming an equal favourite to this channel. Xx
Why do piles of china make me so happy? As usual, in the middle of stress and worry, this is an oasis of happiness and calm.
Aunt and Uncle are precious
Stephanie is so funny when she says, Oh, I love this set ,then she looks at another 😍 I just love this set. Love her.
"This one is my absolute favorite!" "Oh, THIS one is my absolute favorite!" "This one... oh! I love it! It's my favorite!" 🤣😂🤣😂
@@BDThomas Honestly - so many beautiful things/delicious meals/great experiences - how could you choose? They'd all be my favourites too!
The moon shape dishes are called bone dishes...where you put your chicken, fish, poultry bones in
"Count the silver!" "I always do after you leave." What a hoot!! Best wishes from the Pacific NW where we have been snowbound for several days. ( It is lovely - as long as the super icy, below freezing temps don't cause my pipes in my 122-year old house to burst!! ha! - or not so ha!) Happy New Year to you all!!
Yes sure been cold up here/Seattle
Those are antique bone plates. It is to put your bone off of a fish, steak, chicken leg, and one didn't have to have it on their own plate. The loo wallpaper is fabulously gorgeous! Love from Cajun country in Louisiana! It's so Chateau chic!! Au Revoir!!
Your aunt and uncle and just too precious
I remember that cast iron set!!! At the time I was so sad that you felt they were too expensive, and walked away from them - because I thought, it's EXACTLY the sort of gorgeous unique, antique pieces you need in the future garden project somewhere!! It's the LaLande magic at work yet again - meant to be! Re: Narnia - absolutely set up your forest of fake Christmas trees, AND a lamppost and isn't it the perfect place to put all those crazy stuffed critters, that have accumulated! I adore the idea of putting Wardrobe doors framed out, perhaps over that ancient staff loo that needs to be tidied up anyway. Does it have a window? Put in forest wallpaper, and star style lighting - the space is already there! Somewhere in Narnia might be a great place to pop that tiny little telephone table out of Nick and Marie's apartment- a place to park, while you are trying on shoes or selecting an outfit - that table side is great for laying out items for consideration. ALSO - I think it's going to be so fun to see - in the future - the transformation of Nick/Marie/Antoine's apartment. I love that they are going to collaborate with you, Stephanie and Phillip, in the renovation of their unit. If the vision of the downstairs loo is anything to go by, they have made a wise decision to take you on as design consultants! That loo is GORGEOUS.
So many lovely changes, details, & additions! Thank you for this delightful episode, @The Chateau Diaries & all Lalanders! I hope Amaury's parents come back soon, as well as Isabelle & Percy! That would be splendid! 🌲❄🌲💐💚💐🌲❄🌲
Stunning loo. I don’t believe I’ve ever put those 2 words together before. ❤
Seeing a big strong man like Aumary emotional makes me all teary 😭😭😭
Wow! The Downstair Loo looks fabulous! Your Cousin did an awesome job! Bravo !👏👏👏👏👏👏
Yes, the bone dishes can be used for many things, fish, prawns, muscles - a place for the shells.
Aunty and Uncle the World doesn't want you to go! You must move to Lalande!! love you both (sorry mummy, I love you too!)
Love Amaury's to the point one liner: "Yah, It Sucks!" Says it all and cuts the undue emotion while still acknowledging it, so moving forward is now to the fore.
Oh! What if you had fur coats in one deep wardrobe, and Aumary (who seems to have about a dozen ways to spell his name!!!) built a false back in it, and children could walk through the back and into a portion of the attic with the fake trees. And there would be the lamp post. And a sleigh. And a box of Turkish delight ....
You should sand blast the Garden Chairs and more of the design will come out.
The cast iron chairs would look fantastic in a similar sage green colour as the wooden pergola on the front of the chateau. It will mute their over top character, regardless they’ll look fantastic under the pergola in the walled garden.
Couldn't agree more, "Love/hate relationship; they're simultaneously hideous and awesome." When I see that kind of thing I'm drawn to them (even knowing they're VERY uncomfortable).
Those chairs will be under the Pergola for another 100 years. Robust, austentatious and perfect for a Chateau!👏👍🥳💖
The downstairs loo is fabulous. Well done everyone that helped. Jerry, Selma, Amoury, the two (same name), Stephanie, hmm I sure I left a few out that helped. The Pea family is so beautiful. I liked the idea of the dressing room in Narnia. Thanks for sharing today.
Stephanie would you consider painting the downstairs loo ceiling a pale pale pink. I think it would be so beautiful with the gorgeous wallpaper you chose and complement the pink in the stone floor. BTW the white wrought iron grape vine garden furniture is EVERYTHING! I’m obsessed.
NEVER EVER HAVE I FELT SO MUCH JOY WHEN THE IDEA OF WALKING THROUGH A WARDROBE DOOR TO A SMALL ROOM WAS SUGGESTED FOR NARNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT'S JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE WITH FOREST WALLPAPER TO CREATE THE FULL SCENE 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😃😃😃😃😃😃😁😁😁😁😁😁
Oh my gosh! So much to see in one vlog! You're so clever. Firstly Amuary's parents leaving brought tears to my eyes 😢 I only noticed tonight that Amuary's mother and Nati are so much alike! I wish they could stay forever! The downstairs loo.... well, just wow! Well done Amuary, Selmar, Scott man and Stephanie. Philip did a lovely job on making Marie and the elusive Nick's apartment cosy for their return and the girls did an amazing job on all the crockery. Well done to all! 👏👏👏😊
Suggestion for the downstairs loo wood trim around the plumbing: if you can find the right color of blue/teal that blends with the wallpaper to paint that trim, it will minimize the fact that the trim is there, and make the wallpaper feel more like one unbroken line from the ceiling down to the floor next to the loo. I realize you have a lot of white painted trim in the room, and wouldn't change it, but I would sure make an effort to find the right blue to make the other trim disappear for the sake of the linear effect. Here in the states, we have paint stores where they use computer technology to match a color swatch from any item you bring in. Maybe you could fine the right spot in the wallpaper and get the paint custom colored to match. If it doesn't work, you could always go back and paint it white.
very beautiful Loo. 💙 💚 💛 the furniture will be beautiful in the walled garden. they are beautiful. Narnia attic is wonderful. wonderful to see Marie and Antoine.
Stephanie your aunt and uncle are so precious.
That loo is just spectacular! And how nice to have Marie and and Antoine and the invisible Nick back.
Those crescent shaped antique dishes are actually bone dishes.They were primarily used to hold discarded fish bones.
Great work in the bathroom. That was the room you and your brother did the wallpaper. Beautiful job
I love so many of the polite English phrases, like Amaury’s “…spend a penny” meaning to go to the restroom!
The half bath is just a beautiful jewelry box.. The garden furniture is also be a great place for the gardeners too. I thought it looked familiar.
Love the downstairs Loo ! Amoury (and Selmar) are so talented! Narnia keeps filling up! Love the garden furniture!
What a wonderful young man!
I LOVE the idea of the trees and stuffed animals in Narnia!! Fantastic!
I love the new lawn furniture. It looks pagan, like the Green Man. A grape arbor is the perfect place for it.
Marie looks fab.
Now your aunt and uncle need an apt there. And yall can live there one big family. Seeing your aunt and uncle there was heart warming. And she almost had me crying before she left
The Loo is very posh. I love it.
I loved having your Aunt and Uncle visiting, they are both charming, and the relationship to your mummy is obvious. The downstairs loo is lovely! So good to have your fellow owners and friends together.
'Table for Two'❤️. It's so cute seeing you both swooning over the crockery. Lovely couple.
I LOVED Antoine’s initiated Loo dance party at 26:18 - 26:22!
"Simultaneously hideous and awesome"! I think that sums up my personal esthetic. I adore those chairs!!
The loo is gorgeous... I m in love with the wallpaper, really pretty.. ❤️
Lovely furniture for the garden! I forgot how awesome the Loo's wallpaper is! Safe trip to your Aunt and Uncle! I know you and your Cousin will miss them terribly!
Hi
For Nattie: its very easy to make dulce de leche yourselves if you ever need it. Buy a can of condensed sweetened milk and put it in a pan of boiling water, completely cover the pan and boil it for 2-4 hours (depending on how dark you want the caramel to be) and make sure to keep the can covered. It takes a bit of time bit other than that its dead simple.
The Downstairs loo is ……. Words can not say …….. how gloriously Gorgeous