When Nick Powell, 55, came to France at the tender age of 20, it was to help with a building project on a house close to Poitiers.
“It was meant to last just two or three months,” he says, “but I never went back!”
Instead, Nick fell in love with France, going on to work in various roles including a temporary job at ski accommodation in the Alps in 1992, where he met his now wife Sally. The pair married two years later.
“I had various jobs during my time in France, including breeding rabbits and hares to be distributed into the wild,” he says.
“I started off by helping someone in the village, but ended up being an associate of the company. I had that job for 10 years, after which I moved back to the building trade.”
With experience and training, Nick was able to develop his craft and until recently was working as a carpenter.
“I’m very passionate about architecture and old buildings, and provided quality, authentic restoration.”
Career conversion
However, after 16 years, now aged 55, Nick began to consider moving to a less physically demanding role.
“Over my years as a carpenter, I’ve often had to source authentic materials for my work,” he explains. “I decided to buy a piece of land in my commune and create a reclamation and salvage yard.”
Together with Sally, 55, who supported Nick with his previous businesses by carrying out admin duties, Nick bought a plot of land with a barn on a small industrial site in Limogne-en-Quercy (Lot).
Once the plot was acquired in March 2024, Nick set about building a 300m2 shop and workshop on the site, as well as building up his stock.
Read more: French atelier restores objects through ancient art of lacquer renovation
“We have a great many stone window surrounds, flagstones, early roof tiles, gates, railings and garden gates ready for people’s renovation projects, as well as one or two novelty items.”
Nick’s son, Louis, 18, has also been helping to set the business up – making it a real family affair.
Items of interest
Working in reclamation sometimes means acquiring objects that owners don’t realise have a value, or have not thought to sell.
Fortunately Nick has his nose to the ground – after so many years working in the building trade he has a wealth of contacts and word is already spreading.
“What often happens is that I’m in touch with local antiques dealers who are offered a house clearance. Often within that clearance there will be something in the garden or cellar – small quantities of stone or tiles at least.
“Also, as a former carpenter, there’s a network of artisans – often people will come and ask me to take things away when they’re demolishing buildings for example.”
Since opening D’Origine in July, Nick and Sally have also had people pop in and speak to them about items they have that might be of interest.
“People often have something on their land or in a cellar,” Nick says.
“Now that people are starting to find out about us, they’ll come in and see if we’re interested.”
So what is life like running a salvage yard and how does it compare to Nick’s previous work in building?
“Before opening at 09:00 or 10:00, I’m off buying things or delivering items I’ve sold,” he says.
“Sally will come in and open the shop. Then in the afternoon I’ll be on site, working with stock and putting things in place. In the evenings, I’m back out to rendezvous with potential sellers.”
Read more: What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling
Skilled carpenter
While Nick eventually hopes the work will be less physically demanding than building, his skill as a carpenter mean he has not been able to fully down tools just yet.
“Sometimes I end up fitting things for customers, such as stone steps,” he says.
“I don’t propose it to all customers, but if someone is struggling to find an appropriate artisan, I’ll offer to fit it for them. I’m hoping to do less of that, but although it’s heavy work it gives me real pleasure to see a job well done and see the item given a new lease of life.”
As for future plans, Nick hopes to grow the business enough that it can become a family affair.
“I want the business to take off, but stay manageable,” he says.
“Our daughter Natascha, 27, lives quite close and is helping with the admin and social media; her husband is a builder. If we could get everyone involved doing something, it would be ideal.”
“Our eldest, Sam, is a dental surgeon, so a completely different field! But I’d love to build a business I can pass on if any of the kids are interested when I retire.”
