Gallery 1B – Brittany 2018-2020 | Mark Harmes: Decoration, Restoration, & Maintenance

THE 1800s COETLOGON COUNTRY HOME

Two of our favourite clients during 2020, Nicholas Le Ny-Clarke and Remy Le Ny-Clarke, are the owners of a lovely house and moulin (mill) in Coetlogon, Brittany, France. When we asked about the history of the property, we were told, “The house is from 1834 and was built as the miller’s residence by the marqué de COETLOGON. There has been a mill on the site of the existing one since the 14th century. We’re the first owners of this property since the de COETLOGON family.”

1800s residence in Coetlogon, Brittany. Formerly a miller’s cottage with ancient moulin (mill) in the smaller building on the right.

Ancient moulin in Coetlogon, Brittany.

Mark has done a variety of work both inside the principal residence — and also in the old moulin as it was converted into a unique and colourful office, conference space, and party room. The photos below are from the newest work to the slightly earlier work. And yes, with a property of this size, there will always be something new for the creative couple who live here to think up, and for Mark to interpret and implement.

FROM BOX ROOM to BATHROOM

Guest bathroom (formerly a box room) before completion.

Guest bathroom after refinishing floor and painting the new walls.

Finished ensuite bathroom after tiling walls and installing glass shower doors.

THE MOULIN RENOVATION

The owners decided to leave the old moulin wheel in place as a historic feature.

Plasterboard beginning to be applied to the walls and ceilings of the old moulin.

Beginning to line the walls and ceilings of the old moulin.

Mark beginning to paint the moulin interior.

THE MOULIN — COMPLETED

Once Mark had finished the dramatic paintwork, rendered the interior stone walls, and refinished the timber floors, the owners moved in their collection of furniture, artwork, rugs, lighting, and design accessories. All photos below were provided by the owners.

The completed moulin — ready to function as a party room or gathering space for family and friends.

COMPLETE BATHROOM INSTALLATION

The client requested a completely new bathroom, from insulated walls to tiles on the floors and walls to fixtures and fittings.

Bathroom build – new walls, floor tiles, fittings

Completed bathroom

Completed bathroom

PAINTING and DECORATING in a BRITTANY VILLAGE

One of our repeat clients is a charming artist with a good eye for subtle colour variations. She purchased the paint in advance, and Mark refreshed her bedrooms, the large bathroom, and the lounge — including the beautiful feature fireplace. Mark forgot to take before pictures of the lounge room. These next three images are AFTER shots.

Bedroom before Mark repainted it.

Bedroom after Mark repainted it.

Fireplace wall of the master bedroom BEFORE.

Fireplace wall of the master bedroom AFTER redecoration.

Bathroom BEFORE-1

Bathroom AFTER-1

Bathroom BEFORE-2

Bathroom AFTER-2

We spent quite a lot of time in England, Italy, and Sweden during 2018 and 2019. Some of the work done during those periods is placed separately in the ITALY gallery.