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2nd December 2008
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Renovation & Decoration in France

karen and andrew topic hosts
Welcome to the Renovation and Decoration zone of FrenchEntrée. To introduce ourselves, we're Andrew and Karen Johnson and we're your topic hosts and we aim to make this site the best place for information on renovating your home, from advice on hiring an artisan in France, whether a builder, electrician or plumber, information on building methods and materials plus where to buy DIY and furnishings. The zone also covers getting planning permission and installing a pool.
We’ve been in France since 2003. Andrew is a qualified and experienced carpenter and builder, Karen does design and sources products.
If you have any questions or ideas for topics you would like covered, do get in touch. We’re always interested in hearing about your renovation project too.
Andrew and Karen

Renovation and Decoration Dictionary

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Whether you need a translation for a copper tube, double-glazing, paintbrush or electric drill, it's here more...

Houses to inspire you...

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Decorating your house and in need of some inspiration? Then take a look at our new section - gorgeous houses in France with ideas to steal! More...

My Renovation in France

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Read our reader stories of renovations in France, with helpful tips
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French antiques for sale

Antique French clocks - click to see moreWhat better way to give your new French property that immediate touch of Gallic "je ne sais quoi" than with some well-chosen objets d'art or some lovingly crafted French furniture? Browse, bid or buy from the comfort of home now with FrenchEntrée's new online listings: including many items of furniture, collectables, decorative art, maps and other treasures from France. Check out........ French antiques for sale

Where to Shop

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Where to go in France for DIY materials, furniture, white goods and accessories more...

Enjoying Life in France

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Click here for your FREE newsletter - a monthly hit of French culture, real lives, language tips, food ....

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RENOVATION & DECORATION IN FRANCE

What do you need to be prepared for when renovating and decorating your house in France? Here's everything you need from renovating to obtaining planning permission

+++++ Renovating safely +++++

If you're renovating your French home, here's what you need to know before you start

What should you expect?

builder beltWhile renovating and decorating a house in France is similar in many ways to doing the job in the UK, there are significant differences too - especially when it comes to methods and materials more...

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring an Artisan

artisan illustration smallUnfortunately today in France there are a number of unscrupulous artisans, a number of them British. To help you find the artisan who will help you realise your dream of living in France - rather than wreck it - Topic Host Karen Johnson gives some advice on choosing an artisan, as well as what to do if it does go wrong.


more...

Legal advice when hiring an artisan in France

toolsIf you're hiring an artisan or builder in France do as the French do and keep it official. Anne-Marie Gordon of Anglo-French Lawyers advises on what to do - and not do - to ensure you're legally protected when getting work done on your French home more...

Swimming Pools in France

Image supplied by Piscine-Plus Visit our swimming pools in France zone devoted to purchasing, installing and maintaining swimming pools and spas in France. It doesn’t matter whether you want a small on ground pool to splash about in, or an olympic sized pool, there are a great number of pools on the market to suit numerous needs!Swimming pools in France...

Employing labour legally

painterIt is both dangerous and financially risky to employ someone illegally in France. To make sure you're protected, you need to understand the SIRET system

more...

New VAT rules on renovation

roof repairsThe French government has issued new forms for people entitled to pay just 5.5 per cent tax on building work rather than 19.6 per cent; the rules have been clarified and the onus is now on householders to show they qualify more...

Termites - an underground menace

wood termiteTermites, which eat your house from the inside out, can be a problem in France so it's best to find out whether your house is at risk. more...

+++++ Planning and Permission +++++

Do you need planning permission? Take a look at our guides to French planning and permission laws

French homes without planning permission – beware

Building propertyHélène Mézin, a French qualified notaire at Sykes Anderson solicitors LLP in London, discusses the implications of purchasing a building that does not comply with French planning regulations...more...

New French planning laws for building and renovating homes

France’s sometimes complex planning regulations on building new homes or renovating existing ones have been simplified by changes that came into effect on 1 October 2007. Experts from the International Law Partnership told us what they mean more...

French planning law Q & A

new build houseLawyers Jérôme Frances-Lagarrigue and Julia Jones examine how French planning law works and consider what you need to know before you get started – and what to do if planning permission is refused ... more...

+++++ Materials and decoration +++++

How to find just the right materials for renovating and decorating your house in France

How to save energy in your French house

saving energy France With the cost of energy – and especially fuel – rising and with many people concerned about doing their bit for the environment, we asked Lee Coleman, the distributor in France for renewable energy company Navitron, what the options are for cutting heating and electricity billsmore...

How to get the French Country Look

french kitchen tableYou dream of big farmhouse tables, grand armoires and gorgeous chandeliers? Here's how to put it all together to achieve the French Country Look more...

Materials for an old house

old houseIf you're renovating an old house, you will have to use older style materials that work with the methods and original materials more...

How to point your French stone property

pointing stone wall scaffolding It's not difficult to get it right - but it is very easy to get it horribly wrong! Trevor Morris, a successful UK builder in France and author of Vivé La Rénovation explains how to do the external pointing on your traditional stone property more...

The right tool for the job

toolWhen considering what tools were used in your renovation project, take the time to find out about those that were used when your home was built... more...

Finding reclaimed materials

roof tiles blue green slateFrance is a paradise for those who want to obtain secondhand or reclaimed materials or who merely enjoy hunting through ‘antique’ shops. Nevertheless, outlets aren’t always easy to find... more...

From mermaids to chickens and everything in between!

sarah andrews tile chickensSarah Andrews had been an artisan tiler in the UK but it took her a lot of time and patience to become registered in France. But now her designs are popular with the French as well as expatsmore...
Wood burning Stoves & Cookers
Stove SellersSales and installations of quality woodburners, boiler stoves, cookers including Rayburn, chimney systems and parts throughout France. Shop on-line or visit our showroom
Granite Worktops for everyone!
Diapol worktopDiapol Granite specializes in the best ratio quality/price kitchen worktops. We deliver and fit bespoke worktops in every area of France. For Info click here
Hot Tubs, In-Ground Spas & Swim Spas
Med and MountainWarm bubbling water and a cool glass of wine... the perfect combination. In-Ground Spas, Portable Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, plus a stunning range of Cedar Wood Hot Tubs and Garden Saunas. Learn More.
Looking for British Paint in France?
Keep it SimpleWe are the premier distributor of English paints in France, supplying quality British brands to the Ex-Pat community. To celebrate our new web site 15% off your next purchase - Just quote "RmFe. 245608". Learn More.
Home Security in France
See it all 24-7Camera system to monitor your home wherever you are 24/7 for peace of mind. Simple to Set-up, an affordable and effective solution to securing your French home. Learn More.
Stop septic tank smells!
Humm Busters Heroes SmallThe STUDOR® MAXI-FILTRA™ is specially designed to eliminate bad odours produced by your fosse-septique. Easily fitted to an existing ventilation pipe, its replaceable filter allows the septic tank to "breathe" but stops the bad smells from reaching the atmosphere. Learn More.
Furniture for France
Furniutre for France tableDelivering high quality furniture from the UK direct to your property anywhere in France. click here for more including our special offer delivery prices.
Swimming pools at affordable prices
Shaped PoolWe have been selling and installing pools in France for over 17 years. Let us give you a free quotation for your pool project.
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HELPFUL BOOKS

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For even more information, see these books more...

Your Metric Converter

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A question of balance
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