When we first arrived, we could see its potential, but we also knew it would require a great deal of work. The first issue to tackle was the stormwater drainage, because whenever it rained, the walls leaked and the floor remained constantly damp.

The bedroom and bathroom walls were also covered in mould, and it took four full days of bleach and scrubbing to clean the walls and floors. The lower parts of the walls, which sit below ground level, had moisture coming through. That in itself is a normal part of an old stone wall. The real problem was that the stone had been coated in paint and render, which stopped it from breathing. Stone does not respond well to that. We had to remove the old coatings so the walls could breathe again, then build timber panelling with vents so the rooms would both function properly and still look beautiful.

There were also pipes running across the lounge ceiling and from the kitchen up the walls. Given the apartment sits below ground level, the plumbing had clearly been difficult to conceal when the space was first created. We wanted the apartment to feel tidy and calm, so we boxed in the pipework and streamlined it along the walls close to the ceiling, which allowed us to improve the look without losing valuable floor space.

The bathroom was one of the hardest spaces to imagine finished, but we sensed it could become something very special. The enclosed shower was black with mould, and the whole room felt permanently damp. After cleaning it thoroughly, we improved the ventilation so moisture could be controlled properly in the future. We also exposed a panel of stone, both to help the wall breathe and to create a feature within the room. The shower was replaced with an open walk-in design so that moisture would not be trapped. For the sink, we used an old battered table we found in the cellar, sanded it back, coated the top with resin, and added a stone basin. Combined with the vaulted ceiling and carefully placed lighting that highlights its curve, the bathroom now has a wonderful cave-like character and has become one of our favourite rooms because of how dramatically it changed.

In the kitchen, we replaced the old fittings and tiled one corner with metro tiles to suit the partly underground feel of the apartment. We chose stainless steel for the kitchen itself, feeling that it worked perfectly with the character of the space. The ceiling lighting, made using copper pipe, adds a slightly industrial note that complements the stainless steel beautifully.

And yet, despite those industrial touches, the apartment never feels cold. With a very comfortable sofa, a spacious queen bed, and the large bathroom, it feels warm, welcoming, and full of character.

We love it, and our guests love it too. On the hottest summer days, it is the coolest room in the whole château, which means the team are also very fond of it on turnover days.