Curated collections

Step into Marc Kitchen-Smith's atmospheric Cornish home, where antiques, history and passion intertwine to create a timeless, well-curated sanctuary.

- ALICE ROBERTON

With a passion for history cultivated in his early childhood (something he traces to having a mother with a love of sourcing antiques, and frequent family trips to National Trust properties), decorative antiques dealer Marc Kitchen-Smith embraces all things old and beautiful. An ardent collector of pieces, ranging from antique pigeon decoys to natural history books, he lives surrounded by a wealth of treasures in the Cornish home he shares with his picture researcher partner, Pauline Hubner.

The three-storey terraced townhouse features a façade dating back to the early-19th century, though its structure is much older. 'The rooms aren't huge and the ceilings aren't high, so there's a cosy feeling throughout, somewhat reminiscent of an old tavern,' says Marc. The staircase runs through the centre of the house like a spine, so it feels as though the building is giving you a hug from all sides as you climb the stairs."

Having associated Cornwall with holidays and quality time, Marc and Pauline saw a move to the county as a chance to leave behind 30 years of London life.