At the bottom of the garden, a large area of lawn, a huge pink sky and a hundred-year-old oak tree on the edge of the woods, a concert of birds and squirrels. “Something is happening here, right?”
The IKIGAI project, that of my reconversion and a great adventure as a couple, was about to begin: to build on this space an eco-responsible wooden villa intended to welcome a clientele in need of recharging their batteries.
This project combines both our desire to receive and my taste for well-being and interior design.
To give thanks to this inspiring place, one thing is obvious: to be as demanding as possible in terms of respect for the environment : saving the trees in place, permeability of the soil, natural insulation materials…
The meetings with architects, urban planning, potential builders follow one another. The project is written on a Powerpoint, perhaps the most important of my career.
The choice of the builder, the cornerstone of the project, is strategic for its success. We choose AB Construction, specialized in timber frame construction. Antoni listens and demonstrates technical knowledge and a sense of Beauty that is demonstrated by numerous achievements in Bordeaux and the Bassin d’Arcachon.
The design of the plans, the search for financing, the selection of local craftsmen take time before seeing the first blow of the excavator in January 2023. Gaping hole in the middle of the garden, mega machines, mounds of soil, several overlapping construction sites, sometimes up to 10 people on the construction site(s) more complex than it seems: “What have we gotten ourselves into?”
The walls are made in the workshop and placed with a crane on the foundations like Legos, the most impressive day with that of the pouring of the slab.
It is in the test of a new construction that we measure the strength of a couple! When one’s morale falters, the other takes over. At nightfall, we meet on the terrace to debrief the day, make decisions over a glass of wine. In hindsight, these precious moments have allowed us to move forward and overcome difficulties.
Over the months, we see the potential of the Ecovilla, its majestic volume, the beauty of its glass doors.
Gilles becomes the official landscaper of the project: he terraces the exteriors and transplants with the strength of his arms and a shovel. Muscle pain prevents him from sleeping. He lays grass, clears brush, creates hedges, the Japanese garden, decides on a central Niwaki (olive tree pruned in the Japanese style); he even tries new skills like masonry and electricity. Bravo, sir!
Swimming corridor with a pool builder: the staircase has steps of all heights. It’s a disaster. To be redone!
Water supply 1 month late: September 2023 without having been able to enjoy it…disgusted!
12 months of work and the villa is delivered to us under the tree, at Christmas 2023. Then begins the phase of appropriation of the places: sanding and painting. We appreciate the ceiling of the living room at 4 m high …!
And then comes the turn of the terraces site, designed to be the final touch to the “lounge” spirit of the project. This is a major structural work on foundation screws then decking which lasted 6 weeks: Thanks to Alain, Alex and Vincent!
I’m glad I stuck to the idea of having mini terraces for the suites: it’s really nice to find yourself in “green privacy” when you leave the rooms.
Interior design requires a lot of application from me. I want to create a warm and soothing atmosphere, tinged with exoticism, drawn from my memories of distant travels including Bali and Mauritius. I combine beautiful pieces of solid teak furniture with a few selected objects, natural textiles and soft colors.
Summer 2024: I bring the last decorative elements and we finally enjoy the villa as a family. Our daughters invite their friends to the pool and to a few sleepovers, knowing that we will have to “return” the villa to its original purpose.
They support us in this adventure by bearing the mess in our living room which has become a storage place for materials and by preparing evening meals. Thank you Dream Team for your help and patience!
And then came the thorny question of the name … too much this, too much that, everyone coming up with their idea, one name replacing another. A consensus is finally reached: NUMA HOUSE, from the Greek “nomos” (which is beautiful and pleasant). Simplicity, exoticism, softness: bingo!
Andry, our talented web designer, and Marie, the graphic designer, work together to create the visual identity and the website which will go online in November 2024.
Like many entrepreneurs have experienced, the moment when I press the green button is very exciting. We were eager for the Ecovilla to exist outside of us, the first step to cutting the cord and giving birth to Numa House!
October 2024: the Ecovilla is audited by Gironde Tourisme. We obtain the 5 stars, a great moment of joy, feeling like having my degree all over again! This is also a great boost to finalize the creation of the company and the brand.
January 1, 2025: with excitement, I ask Andry to connect the booking platform to the website.
NUMA House is operational.
To be continued, with you…
