Chateau Dumas

18/10/2020

We’re pleased to announce that on Saturday 7 November at 6pm GMT we’re hosting a free online Draping & Upcycling demo class with Christine Mayer and The Textile Retreat Company

During the hour-long class, Christine will show you how to create a unique dress using two every day men’s shirts. The class will give you an insight into the upcycling process and how you can transform your wardrobe without leaving the house or spending a penny.

Spaces are limited, to find out more and book your place, click here:
https://www.textileretreats.com/draping-upcycling-online-taster

31/08/2020

It's not too late to join us from 28 September-5 October for our retreat in the New Forest with Mandy Pattullo and Anna Corba. Handstitch beautiful textile colleges and a doll using vintage fabrics with Mandy and velvet fruit, a letter holder and decorative tags with Anna. Read about it here:
https://www.textileretreats.com/textiles-in-the-new-forest

21/08/2020

I love this funny little book from the turn of the century called "Know-How and Good Practices: a practical guide to everyday life for the young woman". I’ve just been reading up on how to wash my linens with ashes which sounds counter intuitive if you ask me as it involves dripping water through a basin of ashes, collecting the water through a tap at the bottom, heating it up and then repeating. Think I’ll stick to Persil.

17/08/2020

I'm not a doormat......

14/08/2020

Far too nice to use! I discovered these gorgeous plates at the back of a cupboard when we bought the Chateau and put them away for safekeeping in another cupboard and I’ve just discovered them all over again. Déjà vu!

12/08/2020

A dash of violet liqueur in a glass of white wine adds a delicious sweetness and fragrance and is much in demand at aperitif hour at the Chateau. Violets are a speciality of Toulouse and popular since the 19th century. You can find violet flavoured drinks, sweets, jams, pastries - even perfumes. The crystallized violets are my favourite.

08/08/2020

They say that lichen only grows where the air is pure

06/08/2020

Ven-Ven makes sure that Nicola's fabric design is done to his liking Madder Cutch & Co.

05/08/2020

Screenprinting textile designer Nicola Cliffe of https://www.maddercutchandco.com/
is our artist in residence this week. She's finding plenty of inspiration in and around the Chateau for new patterns for her printed linens. We're looking forward to seeing how the designs develop this week.

04/08/2020

Guests often ask “What’s that building at the end of your drive?” The answer is: it’s a dovecot-cum-kennel. Built in 1860 to house both the hunting dogs (below) and pigeons (above) it remained part of the Chateau estate until 2009 when it was sold to our commune (Auty). In 2013 it was completely restored by master craftsmen and is a famous landmark in the area, although sadly it's too small to use for any practical purpose.

Dovecots used to be a sign of social distinction and you can see them dotted throughout our region, sometimes raised up on stilts. Doves were bred for the table with their droppings providing a rich fertiliser for the land.

03/08/2020

Lucky me! This beautiful first holy communion commemoration certificate, initialled with a CD and dated 1885, was given to me by Sandra Neal, a many times Dumasienne, who found it in a fleamarket in Toulouse and thought of me! Thanks again Sandy.

31/07/2020

Made Makers Online is back with another online design and craft fair that opens tomorrow at 9am GMT. Support contemporary artists from the comfort of your home and get the chance to acquire one-of-a-kind limited, edition pieces. Be smart and go online early.

MADE MAKERS online is a monthly online event featuring best contemporary craft makers. Makers Galleries go live 9.00am on the first saturday of the month.