5 The Laundry Space at Château Destinée

The laundry space was one of those practical projects that may not sound glamorous at first, but it quickly became clear just how important it would be to the smooth running of Château Destinée.

When we first arrived, the washing machines were located on the first level of the château, in what is now the kitchen dry store. At that time, the area was divided into three very small separate rooms, which made it difficult to use well. There was very little storage, and hardly enough space to move comfortably while carrying out everyday tasks.

Professional laundry room equipped with LG and Bosch appliances, commercial stainless steel utility sink, and ice maker for event service.

To make the space truly functional, we removed two walls and reconfigured the layout into two rooms. The smaller of the two became the laundry, while the larger space was transformed into an essential utility and storage area. This allowed us to install a walk-in refrigerator, three chest freezers, a red wine fridge, and shelving for crockery and glasses.

As is so often the case in an old château, the deeper we went into the project, the more work revealed itself. The room needed new plasterwork, repairs to the ceiling where there had been visible gaps up to the level above, and, of course, plenty of paint. Before finishing the walls, we also treated them carefully to stop moisture and lime coming through the stone, making sure the space was properly sealed and protected for the future.

Today, it is one of the key working rooms in the château. Its two-door access makes it especially practical, with the door at the end of the building giving us easy access to glasses when preparing canapés outside. It also provides the space we need to process tablecloths, serviettes, and linen for both the accommodation and events side of the business.

This was one of the first utility spaces to be completed, with the walk-in refrigerator installed in time for the 2021 summer season. Since then, it has become even more useful, now also boasting an ice machine — a very important addition for events, because no one wants drinks without ice.