Magnificent Stone farmhouse

Close to Condom & Lectoure

The views are uninterrupted by telegraph poles, or other modern blights to the landscape, enhancing our sense of rural beauty and that feeling of stepping back in time.

The estate comprises the main farm house, and a non-adjacent barn, with another small outbuilding in stone.

The acquisition of additional plots of land around the property by the current owner has ensured that the private park (5 hectares) is pesticide free, creating a protective barrier around the house.

From a distance nothing appears to have changed since its construction in 1700. Only an internal inspection can reveal the extent of the work that has been carried out to ensure every modern comfort, from: solar heating, underfloor heating, thick insulation, a new roof, a perfectly functioning state of the art boiler, etc.

If “rural” conjures up images of creaky houses, and draughts, it is reassuring to note that this property received an incredible “B” rating on its energy performance certificate, which is highly unusual for a period property in stone.

The pool is not at first visible, discreetly positioned where the land tapers down to the valley, beyond the vegetable plot, offering a sheltered and private place to swim.

This incredibly beautiful and yet practical home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

The house has been designed to work well for the larger or extended family, or possibly for a luxurious gîte, with a downstairs apartment suite, and two separate flights of stairs which separate the master bedroom and bathroom from the other guest bedrooms and bathrooms.

Guests can enjoy their privacy, with the kitchen and two main reception rooms occupying the heart of the house, and the bedrooms designed as private appartments.

Throughout the house there is the greatest attention to detail. The light oak beams contrast perfectly with the soft butter-coloured exposed stone walls and are in keeping with the peaceful neutral colour tones which have been chosen throughout the property. Each room flows seamlessly to the next and is harmonious to the eye.

The rooms have been re-jigged and opened up to seek the view. The position of the kitchen, at the heart of the house is a prime example. Once an old barn, it is now the heart of the house and flooded with sunlight and stunning views.

The work has been orchestrated by its talented owner, a skilled interior designer, who has chosen with care internal elements such as the stone floor from a local quarry, or the contemporary metal framed windows which form a perfect picture frame view from the impressive kitchen, once a barn, now a stunning room, with every modern convenience.

Each fixture and fitting in the property has been restored, designed or reconditioned; from the upstairs bathroom sink (an antique table that has been given a second lease of life with a new marble top), to the state of the art kitchen, with its metal topped central island.

The vestibule, or main hallway, features an original old stone working fireplace. From here there is access to a cosy sitting room, also with an open fireplace, the kitchen and the main reception room.

The kitchen has been designed for a professional chef, which is not a coincidence, as cooking is one of the current owner’s passions. This spoke kitchen ensures everything is hidden from view (garbage, etc) with ample space for storage. A rear kitchen and laundry room (as spacious as a normal sized kitchen) ensure the main kitchen to remains decluttered and a great space, for entertaining family and friends. The view from the kitchen window is stunning and although we viewed the property on a warm day, the feature stone fireplace a promise of a very special winter ambiance.

The main reception room is elegant and spacious (60m2), with high ceilings and bleached white beams. French doors dark in contemporary metal (contrasting perfectly with the exposed stone walls) lead to a pleasant terrace area in front of the house, with views over the valley to the pool side. There is also a feature fireplace for an open fire.

The smaller sitting room, also with original stone fireplace and feature exposed stone walls, provides an ideal place to welcome guests to the house, or to sit on cold winter evenings, in a snug environment.

A private suite on the ground floor (with study, bedroom and en-suite bathroom) is perfect for a family wishing to have separate accommodation for a nanny, parent, or guest with mobility issues.

On the ground floor there is a powder-room/WC, and boiler room, which provides oil central heating, and solar heated hot water. There is underfloor heating downstairs with radiators on the first floor.

The first floor is accessed by two different flights of stairs. One leads to a private master bedroom, bathroom and spacious bedroom, which is entirely separate from any of the other bedrooms on the other side of the house.

A second flight of stairs leads to the other three guest bedrooms, all with magnificent recently furbished bathrooms, and for one lucky resident, a private balcony/terrace. The perfect hideaway for a romantic breakfast.

One cannot fail to be impressed not only by the standard of work (restoration was carried out by local artisans using materials of the highest quality) but also the thought that has gone into the transformation of this old farmhouse into a place of beauty and comfort.

One of the most stunning properties we have seen at Bliss and a pleasure to spend time in.