The Restorer’s 10 Commandments:

1. Keep it simple, try to work in the old ways
2. Establish a programme for the restoration, outline it on paper, take your time to work at it progressively.
3. Take account of the composition of the project as a whole and keep small details in proportion. Above all, make sure it stays in keeping.
4. Keep on asking the question: In this particular case, how would they have done it before? And do the same.
5. Retain the previous character of the building, even during restoration or extensions.
6. Only use materials in the role for which they were meant.
7. Watch over the workmen with authority, do not change your mind and understand their problems.
8. Respect the surroundings, the countryside, and plant trees and flowers without over doing it.
9. Think of your neighbour. Keep in with him as much as possible and if mistakes are made, help them to be resolved in an atmosphere of goodwill.
10. Spread good ideas, with individuals as well as with administrators. Try and keep up with what is going on around you and react positively, to avoid possible damage.

How to restore a house

Take time to get to know your house. Many errors which one regrets afterwards are due to hasty decisions. Go in, go out, turn around, sit down here and there, look at it during daybreak, nightfall, in sunshine and rain, think, dream, imagine the result. Try and understand your house.
To respect an old house, obviously it is better to repair it without modification. But modern life will no doubt force you to make a few changes.

The outside

To make it lighter, you may have to make one or two window openings. Never enlarge a window. It is better to create another one near the first one and always of the same height. Do not make doorways too low. No small window panes for a building less than 200 years old.
Shutters? Wide planks with two or three strong bars, rarely in "Z" form. Do not use varnish or "rustic" fittings painted black! Except in certain areas, your house should not be symmetrical. Do not look for symmetry on the outside.

Roofing

You may wish to use the attic space. You can make one or two skylights, but not too many! Think about making a gable window instead. They should be copies of local ones.
You can put in one or more small metal framed skylights which would not look out of place.
Look around at nearby chimney stacks. Small stacks look ridiculous.
Your house should not look too rigid.
Straight lines would not look right.

Plasterwork

As your house is a living thing, doubtless you must know never to use cement in its masonry. It stops the house breathing and retains humidity internally. Use slaked lime and certain types of natural hydrated lime. Stand back and you will see that it has a rare and mysterious quality — the charm is in its authenticity.

Look around you

The surroundings of the house are just as important as the house itself. Avoid fake "rusticity"; modern decorative ideas that would stand out and fill the owner with self-esteem; overdoing the flower beds; Thuya and Laurel hedges which were never planted in the countryside, Wouldn’t you want the house to be happy with you? Then keep it low key, letting local vegetation gently surround it. Your house belongs to the area and has a certain history. It was built where it stands with materials found there. As well as being a place in which to live and work, it was perfectly adapted for its use. That is why it is different from other nearby houses. Respect this.
Always be in keeping with local architecture and the countryside, and you will feel happy.

You can call upon the Association for the restoration of your heritage. To help you, someone of experience will visit you without charge.

Phone
05 49 17 35 30