Category Archives: Setting up a business

Inspiration for Christmas 2014

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I’m really enjoying the Christmas atmosphere in the UK right now. Having lived abroad for a number of years it’s great to be in the thick of the build up rather than just parachuting in for a few days… getting down the old Christmas decorations box and sifting through the contents of memories past, making mince pies, dashing out to get those last few presents, catching up with old friends, etc.

The other great thing about this particular year is this: I have time on my hands. I can curl up with a cup of coffee and my iPad and seek online inspiration for seasonal trends and creative projects whenever I feel the urge. Today, for example, I’ve looked at what’s new in the world of present wrapping, sought ideas for a simple yet stunning iced Christmas cake, and sought inspiration for Christmas decorations inside and outside the home.

There are some things that really stand out and I would like to build these into my Christmas theme and ‘to do’ list next year. Below is a selection of images that inspire me (all via my boards on Pinterest). I plan to hit the sales after Christmas to gather some of the items I will need ahead of next year’s Christmas celebrations at Le Manoir and The Little Grange. SCH

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The Little Grange at Le Manoir Saint Gervais is (officially) born!

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The house purchase is complete! The Little Grange is soon to be a living, breathing reality that was barely a dream a year ago.

I signed the deeds in France on very sunny yet frosty afternoon – a glimpse of what’s in store this time next year! It was lovely to be back and also to see the house and area in winter; certainly a huge contrast to summer. The previous owners have permission to stay in the house for the next four months so that they can renovate the barn across the road. So for now it’s a case of taking lots of photos, measuring up, getting quotes for the work that needs to be done and finalising those spreadsheets.

The major renovation work will be to the top floor (attic). It is currently an open roof space with stud walls for two rooms already in place – but it is going to need additional rooms and bathrooms as well as insulation for the roof.

Below are a few pictures of the house before we start work in April next year to turn it into a boutique B&B with vintage crafts workshop. What do you think? SCH

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Time to take stock

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Time is ticking away. It’s almost six months since I left the Middle East and panic is finally setting in!

The contract on the house in France is due to be signed at the end of November with completion following shortly afterwards. However, until the house is officially mine it isn’t really possible to start the real business of seeking the relevant permissions for the B&B or developing marketing materials. I have researched long and hard and know what needs to be done but can’t actually put any of the theory into practice until the keys are firmly in my hands.

As the days draw in and we approach the end of October, I continue to sew, bake, garden, renovate and bargain hunt – important skills that need perfecting in advance of next year’s grand opening.

I have on my ‘to do’ list a few personal sewing projects that I put on hold over the summer because of the good weather; piped cushions for Mum’s outside Adirondack chair; a blue cushion with assorted numbers for my maths-mad nephew; and renovation of an old wooden stool that sat in Mum’s garage for thirty years until it was nominated ‘guinea pig’ for my recent upholstery course.

But right now I am sitting at another auction buying more items for The Little Grange. This particular auction is in a village hall, it is not very well known and only occurs once a month so everything is super cheap and items rarely achieve double figures!

So far I have bought a large cloth folding screen (£22), vintage ‘Covent Garden’ wooden fruit tray (£10), an ornate gold mirror (£10), and a box of assorted tools including chisels that will be useful for upholstery projects (£20). The buyer’s premium is 18% so my total bill will be £73.16. SCH

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Property update: sale agreed!

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Since visiting the house last month I have been back again for a second viewing and to also visit friends. My offer has been accepted and we are looking to sign mid-September. It is hard not to get excited this early in the process when so much could go wrong (!), but it feels good to visualise the house when building plans for the B&B.

While I was in the area I dropped into a local bric-a-brac store and picked up this little painting in an ornate frame. It isn’t particularly old but I thought it was in keeping with The Little Grange so bought it. Oh and it was only €3 so I couldn’t really resist. SCH

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Small painting in gilded frame

Property update: this is the one!

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The house is perfect! A quick four-day trip over to France was all that was needed to confirm that it was the property destined to become The Little Grange. It has all the proportions of a grand house with the feeling of a warm and cosy home. It has four large bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, wide hallways on the ground and first floor, a spacious kitchen, three big reception rooms and bags of character. There is also a whole other floor for renovation and a barn for when I run out of things to do and need more projects!

We had a viewing on Monday and plan put in an offer this week. Exciting times indeed as we really start to create The Little Grange! SCH

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Iron detail above the front door

Could this be the perfect property?

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Last summer, while staying with friends in France, two of us drove out to a little village to see a house that was for sale. We didn’t have an appointment so peaked through the front gates and managed to sneak around the back which was accessible by a side road. It was an intriguing property; a manor house on the edge of the village with uninterrupted views across fields to the front. Unfortunately I was not in a position to buy it as I hadn’t even begun to think about leaving the Middle East so we left the village and I didn’t give the house any more thought.

Fast forward a year and having spotted the property online, and realising it has a barn and accommodation all with en-suite bathrooms, I have booked flights to view the house next week! I am throwing caution to the wind and just going for it… I have a really good feeling that this might actually be the property we transform into The Little Grange! SCH

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New beginnings

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The Little Grange is born!

The concept is firmly planted in my head… now to articulate it and make it a reality. I remember my cousin saying to me two years ago: “please be the one that actually does it!” . How exciting: to begin the process of setting up and running a B&B of sorts; something I have been dreaming of doing since I was about eight year’s old.

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Time to get outdoors

The concept, then, is a boutique retreat set in a rural location with rambling farm buildings where people can spend time indulging their passions or learning new skills: from baking to sewing to DIY to kitchen gardening. All those essential skills our parents and grandparents knew so well… ones which are at risk of disappearing as technology takes over and reduces our leisure time. I want the space to be beautiful and inspiring; somewhere you can totally switch off. Food needs to be grown either on-site or grown locally. Guest bedrooms need to be fresh and comfortable with an element of surprise.

Until very recently I was working in Dubai running a PR training academy. I plan to use the course management skills I gained there to set up a schedule of exciting courses based around modern crafts and artistry as well as practical, everyday skills courses.

At the moment I’m busy sorting finance, spending hours trawling websites for the perfect property as well as sourcing items that are going to add to the overall atmosphere of the The Little Grange. Until Launch Day I will be documenting my thoughts and inspiration via this blog, as well as seeking ideas and advice. As the project materialises, I will be sharing practical experiences too (the good, the bad and the better)!

If, as you read this blog, you have creative inspiration or practical advice to share – please do!  If you think an idea is crazy, I would like to know. Similarly, if you love, love, love what I have planned, do comment… that will give me the courage to keep going! SCH