Jean Hill and her late husband Douglas came across the property that became their London home a little over a decade ago, after many years of living in Mougins, France, where they ran a shop specialising in antiques and decoration.
As well as antiques, Doug had also always been very interested in property. Originally from South Africa, he first came to the UK in his twenties to further his studies in acting and dance. 'Tall and rather attractive - like many an actor before and since whilst "resting" between roles he would work as a photographic model,' says Jean.
By the time he and Jean met on a photographic shoot, he'd managed to buy several rundown houses in Fulham. I helped him with renovating, decorating and sourcing the furniture. After each house was sold we did another and then another, learning more about decoration and antiques with each project,' she recalls. 'There was no stopping us decorative antiques had become our passion.'
The couple got married a year or two later and, while their two daughters were still quite small, they bought a ramshackle farmhouse in the south of France as a holiday home. Having renovated this, they sold it on and began to repeat the pattern they'd established in the UK. Soon they were living in France full-time, based in a 12th-century village house in Mougins, just north of Cannes, which became their much-loved home for several decades. They also opened their shop, which helped to fulfil their enduring passion for sourcing decorative pieces and antiques.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2024-Ausgabe von Homes & Antiques.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2024-Ausgabe von Homes & Antiques.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday