D. Strawbridge & A. Strawbridge 2 Books Collection Set - Non Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
A Year at the Chateau
Living the Chateau Dream

Format: Paperback

Overview:
Two candid, inspiring memoirs from Dick Strawbridge and Angel Strawbridge chart the couple’s real-life journey to a fairytale French château. A Year at the Chateau captures the decisive moment when they purchased Château-de-la-Motte Husson and began their family adventure, blending humor with honest milestones as they learned to live in a grand, imperfect home. Living the Chateau Dream continues the story, detailing years of hard work, problem-solving, and meticulous restoration as the château becomes not only a living space but a sustainable business and a welcoming family residence. This paperback set offers an intimate window into DIY resilience, design choices, and the daily rhythms of rural life in a centuries-old estate. Readers will enjoy warm storytelling, practical insights, and the palpable sense of turning a dream into a tangible, character-filled home.

What This Collection Covers:
Collectively, these two volumes trace a bold transformation from dream to daily life on a grand scale. The books cover hands-on renovation decisions, budgeting and scheduling, sourcing period details, and the realities of maintaining a large historical property. They blend design inspiration with workable tactics—how the couple prioritizes essential repairs, selects sustainable energy solutions, and creates spaces that honor the château’s history while meeting modern living needs. The narrative also emphasizes family, hospitality, and community—showing how a home can become a gathering place for friends, neighbors, and guests. The collection balances aspirational country living with practical constraints, offering readers a reliable blueprint for ambitious renovation projects, whether tackling a castle-sized project or simply infusing a home with timeless charm and purpose.

A Year at the Chateau
From the very first steps of ownership to the intimate details of life inside a sprawling French château, this volume invites readers into the couple’s day-to-day reality. They share early missteps, surprising wins, and the exhilaration of progress as each room is staged for a new chapter. The narrative interweaves practical planning with personal growth, showing how a family builds routines, negotiates work schedules, and stays committed to a long-term vision. The tone is engaging, witty, and deeply human, making the challenges relatable while celebrating the small, meaningful victories that accumulate into a fully lived dream.

Living the Chateau Dream
Continuing where the first book leaves off, this volume dives into the years of hard graft that followed the initial purchase. It documents the transformation of Château-de-la-Motte Husson from a dilapidated ruin into a thriving home and a sustainable enterprise. Readers gain a concrete sense of how to balance renovations with everyday life: designing functional layouts, restoring period features, and integrating energy-efficient systems. The authors share pragmatic guidance on budgeting, scheduling, and working with local craftspeople, all framed by personal reflections on perseverance, patience, and the joy of creating a space that reflects family values and timeless charm. The narrative remains warm, practical, and highly engaging for fans of real-life home projects and country living.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This two-book collection is ideal for readers who crave authentic home-renovation diaries, memoirs with practical insights, and the romance of rural life in France. It suits fans of DIY projects, sustainable living, and lifestyle transformations who want concrete takeaways alongside an uplifting, story-driven read. Gift buyers will find a complete, giftable package for anniversaries, house-warming occasions, or to accompany a move toward a more intentional lifestyle. Book clubs and DIY enthusiasts will appreciate the approachable cadence, the real-world budgeting considerations, and the way personal ambition and family life intertwine within a grand, historic setting.

Key Benefits:

• Authentic, behind-the-scenes look at château renovation and restoration
• Clear, practical guidance on budgeting, planning, and project scheduling
• Inspiring narrative of dream-to-reality transformation with heart
• Warm, engaging voices that blend humor with hands-on expertise
• Perfect gift set for fans of country living, DIY, and French lifestyle
• Accessible paperback format ideal for dipping in and out

About the Author:
Dick Strawbridge and Angel Strawbridge are a husband-and-wife team whose real-life château adventure has captivated audiences worldwide. Through their writing and shared projects, they offer a practical, hopeful voice on home renovation, sustainable living, and family life in a historic setting. Their approach emphasizes resourcefulness, hands-on craftsmanship, and a respect for history balanced with modern living. In these volumes, they bring together decades of collaboration and a shared passion for turning grand dreams into tangible, welcoming spaces. Their storytelling blends personal anecdotes with actionable insights, creating a compelling blueprint for readers who want to approach ambitious projects with curiosity, patience, and a can-do spirit.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’ve ever imagined restoring a château or simply long for a living space that feels magical yet livable, this set delivers. You’ll meet a couple who turn ambition into discipline, and you’ll see the practical steps that make a dream sustainable in everyday life. The pair’s warmth, honesty, and craftsmanship make the journey feel achievable for readers at every stage of a renovation or lifestyle transition. Owning both volumes means access to a complete narrative arc—from the initial spark to the ongoing evolution—paired with tips you can apply in your own home projects or aspirational goals.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.