The May edition of French Property News features an article on creating rustic interiors with all mod cons for holiday lets, using two French Connections owners and their houses as inspiring examples.
The attractively illustrated colour article is on page 52 of the best-selling monthly magazine and is also featured on the cover. It gives advice and information on creating interiors that offer all the comfort and modern conveniences that many holidaymakers expect without losing the authentic, traditional rustic character that we all love about France.
The first 'case study' is The Barn, near Bourganeuf in the Limousin. On the outside, this is still a fairly simple stone building typical of the French rural landscape, but inside owner Chris Hill has created a dramatic four bedroom house with a lofty living room, a mezzanine library high up in the roof, underfloor heating and a designer wet room - all with a wealth of beams and period features.
The Baby House in the Auvergne was originally a shelter for sheep. Now, thanks to the creativity and hard work of Teresa and Steve Cox, it is a romantic rural retreat with a feeling of light and space. Luxury features are a roll-top bath and a period wrought-iron bed clothed with antique monogrammed French linen.