Workshops and artisans

Workshop in the cellar at Chateau St Ferriol

Often Chateau owners are fastidious about using up good materiels.   When we bought chateau St Ferriol the 'paysanne' (farmer) who had owned it before us had been hoarding beautiful ancient oak beams.  The chateaunaut temptation is often to make expensive decisions based on the pursuit of the  beautiful.
Old Oak kitchen door

Old oak kitchen door from the inside

At Chateau St Ferriol we wanted to make some doors re-using wood from these probably 300 years plus old oak beams.  ' No way mate, not with my blades' chimed the menusiers, in French of course "Sacre bleu, pas avec mes lames".  We decided at this junction to build up our workshop and amde amongst other things lots of lovely doors.  We mostly used orignal 17th century doors at the castle as our models.

Robert Nalewajko



Sturdy second hand machines were found in Poland.   reenfoced the cellar floor for it.   Although it was a big expense we 'saved' money with economies of scale.  We employed the wonderful Robert Nalewajko for several years and we used not only the old oak  but also  the noble chestnut and cedar  locally, locally grown.





How many of the chateaux do you think have built their own workshops in a quest for beauty or economies.



#chateauworkshops
#escapetothechateauDIY

www.st-ferriol.com


See More photographs of woodwork on this google pics link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oc8yIlocYQmfRhMm1

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