- Features:
- Character, Large garden, Landscaped garden, Renovated recently, Terrace
Summary
For sale : South of France near Puylaurens
Charming old stone country home with separate studio
Tastefully renovated, perfect condition
Lush garden, tranquility, privacy, 1.8 acres
Contact : pavillonsuzanne6@gmail.com
Phone: 33 (0)5 63 73 42 07
Details
Charming old stone country home with separate studio located in the Tarn, 5 kilometers from the village of Puylaurens, southwest France. The house and studio have been tastefully renovated and meticulously maintained by loving owners. The lush gardens have been professionally cultivated and are magnificent. The views from the property are of perfect pastoral landscapes that change with the season. The property is located in a hilltop hamlet but is on the far slope of the hill so that it offers the ultimate in privacy and tranquility. The house is completely invisible from the surroundings.
Upon arrival the car is parked on the hilltop and the house is reached by walking down a 30 yard long gravel path with steps and handrails. The path is lined with lilac, iris, roses, and fig trees. Part way down the path to the right one enters a garden with raised beds for flowers or vegetable cultivation. At the foot of the path is an entrance to the second floor of the main house where a glass door opens into the living room. The path turns left and descends further. Straight ahead is the separate studio. Over the last 8 years this studio has been used by iconic American landscape painter Gregory Kondos and the gardens here have inspired many paintings including a recent series of Irises. The studio has a nicely lighted painting space, a bedroom and a private bathroom with shower. The studio is heated with a wood stove or electric radiators. This building could easily be used as an apartment for guests or family members.
The path at this level has a terrace with breakfast table and is a place to enjoy the wonderful views that abound here. From this path one can also enter the lower floor study entrance of the main house, laundry room, or use the outdoor shower.
The lower floor of the main house has terra cotta floors. Some walls are beautiful exposed stone and others are finished with a warm natural ochre pigmented lime wash producing a comfortable ambience. One enters the lower level through double French doors into a study that also contains the natural wood stairway to the second level. To the left after entering the study is the kitchen. The eat-in kitchen is cozy and decorated in the French country fashion including wood stove that produces a warm comfortable glow on cool mornings. Off of the kitchen is a small dining room that will just seat 8 with two large windows overlooking the garden. Also off of the kitchen is a large comfortable bathroom complete with claw foot tub situated so that the bather can view the garden. A truly relaxing atmosphere to take a long soak.
Up the hand crafted stairway from the study is the upstairs living room. This space has two windows overlooking the lush foliage and the glass entrance door that looks out at the roses and the entrance path. There is a small loft over the living room reached by a ladder. The upper level features wood floors.
From the living room one enters the main bedroom, a quiet subdued space for finding refreshing rest.
Gregory and Moni Kondos have carefully maintained and improved the property. They converted an outbuilding into the current studio and added the dining room for entertaining. The roof was new 2 years ago and was completed with all ecologic but efficient insulation. Though this home was renovated and furnished as a private residence with their own furnishings it could be used as a weekly summer rental property if the new owner desires. At 87 years of age Gregory now finds the travel from California too demanding and they have very reluctantly decided to offer their cherished house for sale. The house and studio are offered furnished if the buyer chooses.
Seller