from Scratch Starting

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1 Starting IN A DELIGHTFUL PART OF SOUTHERN FRANCE TWO MEN TOOK A VERY BIG CHANCE ON BUYING A HOME THAT HAD BEEN CRUMBLING FOR A CENTURY. THEY HAVE RESCUED IT IN STYLE THOUGH, CREATING from Scratch A TRULY BOUTIQUE B&B W O R D S Alex Gaudin One of the exquisite quiet corners of La Maison d Ulysse, a boutique B&B that has been reinvented in just over two years. Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

2 A medieval town, only 20 miles from Nimes, Uzès is one of those corners of southern France that doesn t get the publicity it deserves, then again perhaps that s deliberate. A place unspoilt by mass tourism, every second building is a protected structure. Heritage is important round here, and something which one of the town s boutique guesthouses revels in. La Maison d Ulysse based in one of the aforementioned protected structures is a B&B that boasts the kind of elegance usually found in five-star hotels, but with a far more personal touch. This wonderful place is the result of some very hard work from proprietors Guy Toullelan and his partner Gauthier Wouter Wandendriessche. Complimented as being simple, warm and unpretentious by some reviewers and a complete delight by others, La Maison d Ulysse is still relatively new. In a little over two years Gauthier (a garden enthusiast who has worked on developing the fair-trade industry in his native Belgium with Oxfam) and Guy (who originally worked as a physical therapist as well as having interests in the building industry, tourism and real estate) have turned the place around. The structure had been part of the locally-born Dumas family until 1996 before being bought by an Englishman who unsuccessfully tried to renovate the building (which had in truth been deteriorating since the beginning of the 1900s) in order to rent it out as a holiday home. Guy mentions that while fortunately the home had not been destroyed by the Second World War, the ravages of time had left it a challenge nonetheless. The pair however, saw potential for a boutique destination. What immediately attracted us, says Guy, was the conservation of original features as well as the authentic and sophisticated nature of all the architectural features. The variety of those features included vaults, vaulted ceilings, cement tiles, floor tiles laid on the original sand bed, a parefeuilles roof (which is a traditional type of terracotta tile), not to mention some wonderful stonework, lots of adjacent water and the beautiful farmlands that surround the place. [Above] The suspension lights come courtesy of Belgian lighting company Dark, and are called Bridge Two. [Opposite] The carpet on show in the Suite Belle du Seigneur is from Danish company Hay and is entitled Peas, while the lighting once again comes from Dark, this time their Hoppy design is featured 30 Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

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4 WE WANTED A CONTEMPORARY DECOR, SIMPLE AND WARM. WE DID NOT WANT A GUEST HOUSE RULED BY OBJECTS, A PROVENCAL DECOR, OR A GUEST HOUSE/ART GALLERY. IT IS PRIMARILY OUR HOME 32 Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

5 [Left] In the Chant du Murier room Stone Glass tiles from Spanish brand Onix work beautifully with the Vitra Sense washbasin [Right] A Viebieffe chair named Feeling is complimented by a table and carpet from Danish company Hay Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

6 Cross Light White lights from Belgian company Dark work perfectly in both the Suite Belle du Seigneur bathroom, as well as the bedroom of the Chant du Murier 34 Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

7 There were exterior architectural details such as wells, terraces, corridors and staircases of stone that showed a certain richness of the building, adds Guy. There was, he says, opportunities to expand and develop both around the home and within the garden space. They had been on the lookout for such an opportunity, though the location was a result of compromise. They had initially thought about opening a business in Guy s preferred location of Paris, Gauthier however wanted to set up shop in Brussels. Says Guy, For Gauthier Paris was too big, for me the sky was too low in Brussels! But with a professional background and friends in this region we have a natural incentive to seek a place near Nimes and Uzès. He continues, After many difficulties and research we had a really strong feeling for this building, it was just waiting for us. With its architecture, its history, its potential, its location between sea and Cevennes, it was for us you might say. They made a request to the local heritage foundation to look into their plans for the building, and in the end their ideas of a charming guesthouse won over both the locals as well as the decisions-makers in local government. There was a library, steam room and magnificent fireplace installed before they got to work on the rooms. The outdoor space would consist of 5,000 square-metres of gardens where Gauthier really made his mark and a selection of Mediterranean plants immediately catch your attention. Indeed when guests dine in the morning, afternoon or night many of the ingredients will have come from the lush garden space. Architect, as well as friend and perfectionist Frédéric Jacquot guided and advised the pair on the design and redevelopment details for many areas around the home, as well as offering advice on choice of materials. The decoration is in our image, says Guy, We wanted a contemporary decor, simple and warm. We did not want a guest house ruled by objects, a Provencal decor, or a guest house/art gallery. It is primarily our home. He adds that their Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N

8 respective cultures and experiences have been married in order to restore the building with a sense of authenticity. Trade shows across France and Belgium were visited as they tried to find just right objects for each and every room. And what of those rooms? The rustic surroundings are divided between relaxation areas such as those pictured here, as well as practical areas where food is grown There s the Chant du Murier room which has a private terrace and faces the south garden and a magnificent mulberry tree. It s simple with basic features and fabrics and some colourful notes. You will love it, Guy assures. Then there s the Baron Perché room which is perched on the very top of the house. Adds the co-owner, It s romantic due to its simple, light and modern design and remains cool at all times. It also overlooks the north garden, patio and, importantly, the sunset. Next is the Tour du Gui room, which intriguingly is located in a small tower. Located at the centre of the property, it overlooks the garden, patio and pool. Of course you can t forget the two suites and first is the Suite Belle du Seigneur, located close to the Tour du Gui at the heart of the property, and indeed the oldest part of the home. At 60 square-metres, it boasts a high ceiling and open fire, while in terms of design it s decorated in a simple and modern way with original lighting fixtures. The Suite Fleur Dumas is a tribute to the home s former owners who actually lived in this part of the home. The original charm of the room was preserved, says Guy. Its original cement tiles have been polished and kept. The vintage bathroom is of a 1930s style and lighting fixtures are of Belgian design. You will enjoy its private shaded terrace and you will rest in a large bedroom with a king-size bed. It s Zen, he adds, and quite cool! While the partners are extremely proud of the interiors it s obvious that one of the things which pleases them most is that they have remained true to the original structure. Guy relays a story of how a local man who has lived near the building all his life commented that despite two-and-a-half-years of work, not one day has gone by where locals were disturbed by the development. It looks like you ve done nothing, he told Guy. Perhaps that man should take a look inside, for what s actually happened is something very special indeed. 36 Select I N T E R I O R S A U T U M N