UK-based interior designer Paul Alfred Andrews was delighted to help his friends from Australia, Graham and Neil, create the French holiday home of their dreams amid the sunshine and sunflowers of the gorgeous Gers
I have spent my career designing residential and commercial interiors across London and Europe.
Originally from Lancashire, I recently moved from London to the seaside town of Margate where I'm currently transforming the interior of a historic printworks into a modern seaside retreat. So it’s rather a contrast to have been designing a townhouse in the Gers for my Australian © PAUL ALFRED ANDREWS friends, Graham and Neil, who also originally hail from Lancashire. This is where our ‘French fancy’ begins…
I was delighted to be a semi-finalist on the BBC1 show Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr. It was during my time on the programme that Neil and Graham, who were looking for an interior designer, spotted me. As teenagers, back in northern England, we were best friends. Fast-forward some 30-plus years later and we were reunited through their love of Gascony and interiors.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Having moved to Australia in 1999, Graham and Neil were looking for a bolthole back in Europe, where they could spend time with friends and family. They wanted a property in a town or village where they could enjoy the tranquillity of the Gers while having amenities within walking distance. This was important as they wanted to spend time there with their Uncle John.
Suzanne Bullerwell of Leggett Immobilier was integral to helping find what is now their dream holiday home. In late summer 2019, they arranged viewings in the beautiful bastide of Valencesur-Baïse, nestled in the Golden Triangle between Condom, Lectoure and Auch. As its name suggests, the village sits above the Baïse river, and is centred around a square, surrounded by ancient ramparts. Lovely restaurants and shops nestle under the arches and there’s a weekly market and brocante.
The house that stole their hearts there is 19th century, and typical of the style in Gers. It was important to retain its character while designing a contemporary interior. We started the renovation work in late summer 2022.
This kicked off with an inspiration and research trip, informed by the palette of the Gers region: Bleu de Lectoure. I immersed myself in the French lifestyle, soaking up the colours of the area, the sunshine and the sunflowers of this beautiful rural landscape. We visited the brocante, local markets and surrounding villages – full of the most amazing art and antiques – while sampling the many culinary delights!
PASSION AND PLACE
Graham and Neil were very specific about what they wanted. The c
