Patina Provençal

As seasoned dealers in French antiques, Cathy and Peter Bullen were well placed to turn this historic house into their home from home

- AMANDA HARLING

With homes in Suffolk and the South of France, Peter and Cathy Bullen lead a life full of contrast and travel. As antiques dealers we divide our time between the two, spending roughly six weeks based here in Cotignac before driving back to our Suffolk home, the van laden with the latest items we've bought,' says Cathy.

The couple initially got to know the area 15 years ago when Peter, who was then in the army, was posted to the South of France as a liaison officer with the French army. Cathy, who was working as a dance tutor and choreographer, joined him in Provence, having packed up their Suffolk home. We found a house to rent just outside Cotignac, a beautiful village not too far from the French army base, and I began exploring the surrounding area, stopping to rummage through antiques fairs and brocantes where I'd find pieces to style our home,' she says.

Three years later, Peter's posting came to an end and Cathy's by-then sizeable collection of French furniture and artefacts was trundled back to Suffolk in a large removal lorry. 'Fortunately, our home in Bildeston, though not huge, does have a couple of old stables and an artist's studio, so we piled it all in there while figuring out how I'd start a French brocante from home. We sent out invitations to our friends, styled the outbuildings into room sets and waited to see the response. By the end of the weekend there was scarcely anything left!'