Cycling And Upcycling

"We're Very Lucky...It's A Good Time For The Whole Upcycling Things. People Are Interested And Enjoy The Recycled Look"

Sisters Charlotte and Mel had been holidaying in France with their respective partners, Marcus and Jim for over a decade, but during one trip to Tarn, talk turned to how they could make their summertime adventures into a lifestyle. “It was a turning point,” Charlotte remembers. “Something changed where it went from being a pipe dream to being something that we made happen,” she says. “After that holiday we didn’t let up.” With plans to run cycling holidays and cycle-friendly accommodation in the Tarnet-Garonne area, the four finally moved to France in June 2016. The property was far from being in move-in condition; there was a barn that needed to be converted and the entire property needed to be renovated to get it ready for guests. Keen to keep costs low, and to add humorous quirky touches, the two couples trawled brocantes, vide-greniers and kept an eye out for bits and bobs that they could make use of. “Budget was very, very important,” Charlotte explains.

“It was expensive enough to have the conversion done and then to create a place people want to come and stay in. It was a combination of sticking to budgets, bringing some character to the place and making use of all the lovely nice French things you find at the local brocantes.” While it might take a little extra effort to turn a run-down property into your dream home, it can be a whole lot more fun, as Charlotte explains. Just steer clear of IKEA and remember that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure…

USE YOUR IMAGINATION