ESCAPE to the Chateau’s Angel Strawbridge has revealed the surprise struggle behind the home’s beautiful Christmas makeover.
Boasting a staggering 45 rooms, a moat and 12 acres of grounds, Dick and Angel’s Christmas decorations are, as you can imagine, rather regal indeed.
However, the stars of the beloved Channel 4 show have revealed that they struggled financially during their first holiday season at the majestic Chateau de la Motte Husson in 2015.
During an interview with Woman & Home, Angel said the pair resorted to repurposing some of the light fittings to create DIY decorations.
“Our pennies were tight and the tree had to be a reasonable size,” she explained.
“We ended up hanging crystals from an old chandelier from paperclips, which we still have.”
Despite struggling six years ago, the couple now boast some truly eye-catching and stunning festive decorations.
The couple revealed the entrance hall has been decorated with two wreaths hanging in the windows on either side of the front door while snowflake garlands hung from the ceiling.
A large Christmas tree was positioned in the middle of the internal doors and tastefully decorated with white, silver and glass ornaments.
Angel added of their family traditions with children Arthur and Dorothy: "They write their Christmas list and we put it up our chimney, so it gets to Santa the quickest way."
The couple purchased their 19th-century home, located in the commune of Martigné-sur-Mayenne, for a bargain £280,000 back in 2015.
The property had stood empty for 40 years with no electricity, heating or running water and they have spent the last six years restoring it.
Angel reaffirmed that they always viewed the property as their "forever home".
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She concluded: "This is our forever home – we'd already decided it was before the show got commissioned.
“There are lots of moments when you might want to be away on holiday, but we couldn't be happier at the chateau."
Escape to the Chateau airs Sundays at 8pm on Channel 4.
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