To hear Karina’s story first-hand right here in Melbourne, join us at our Movers, Shakers, Makers High Tea on 28 March. Use promo code FRIENDS to get 10% off tickets to High Tea.

This special feature is a tour of the enchanting Chateau de Gudanes in the Midi-Pyrenees currently owned by husband and wife Craig and Karina Waters. I talk to Karina about chasing dreams, casting doubts and diving in.

WORKSPACE TOUR

Resident: Karina and Craig Waters

Location: Midi-Pyrenees, France

Workspace: Chateau De Gudanes

Photos: Carla Coulson

When Perth couple Karina and Craig Waters decided to buy a home in France in 2011, Karina was clear about what she wanted, “shabby chic, rustic, petit chateau style”, she told The Good Life France. Despite ideas and lots of help from several French friends, nothing came even close to her vision of a dream home during their first viewing trip. Then one day, when they were almost ready to give up, an enchanting, mysterious chateau standing proudly at the base of Place de Beille, overlooking the Midi-Pyrenees, cast its magic spell.  Steeped in French history, the site is a crumbling ruin weathered by time and the elements; and with beauty both raw and exquisite at the same time, Chateau de Gudanes captured their hearts the day they laid eyes on her.

Karina, the self-appointed CEO of this colossal renovation project, is breathing life into this  sleeping beauty. Suffering from years of neglect and falling into disrepair, Chateau de Gudanes is slowly reawakening, revealing hidden secrets, treasures and stories with Karina at the helm.

I had a long chat with Karina about chasing dreams, casting doubts, and diving in.

Robelen: Tell us about life before Chateau de Gudanes.

Karina: There isn’t a lot to tell really, I hadn’t done anything mentionable. I grew up in Perth, mostly sunburnt, reading fairytales and adventure stories, but never believing they could come true.

I married, and spent years working as an accountant, worrying far too much about superannuation and yearly tax returns. My husband is a doctor, and contentedly so. We have two children, now both at university. We built a home together in Perth, but apart from that had no prior experience in restoration or renovation. We tried painting once, our bedroom, but it ended painfully when the paint tin tipping over, spilling onto the newly polished floorboards.