Property in France - interiors
When interior designer Kathryn Rayward and her family moved to France for a break from work, it didn’t take long before her good intentions were forgotten and she found herself working harder than ever. Kathryn is better known as the stylish interiors queen on ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover and France proved to be fertile ground for her penchant for second-hand style.
‘We took a long-term let in southwest France so that I could have a break from my hectic filming schedule and Simon could start to write the book he had always wanted to write,’ explains Kathryn. ‘Stan is only two and as Roxanna is a September baby, she had another whole year before she had to start school so it seemed the perfect time to take a break – I think of it as a gap year for Roxy!’
But it didn’t take long for Kathryn’s eye for a bargain to begin roving. ‘It started with our own property,’ she continues. ‘Even though we’re only renting, the property still had to reflect us as a family. The house is owned by an American couple and, from a designer’s point of view, this appealed to me.
‘I am a huge fan of the British take on French style but I find that the true French version can be a little too matchy-matchy. The style of this property is very minimalist, almost stark and now we have integrated a couple of our own pieces, it really feels like home. We brought our bed over with us which was a wedding present from Simon’s parents; it’s a huge lit bateau and fits in perfectly with the house.
‘The aesthetics of our environment are important to both of us – we like to be surrounded by lovely things. Not necessarily expensive things,’ Kathryn laughs, ‘but things that are pleasing to the eye.’
A home from home
The property they temporarily call home is a stately maison de maître in the Tarn countryside between Albi, Gaillac and Cordes-sur-Ciel and the sight of Kathryn driving around in her big white van is now a familiar one to the locals.
‘I know our time in France was supposed to be a bit of a break from work but I can’t seem to help myself. I spend a lot of my time driving round unexpected parts of local towns in my van finding all sorts of treasures,’ she laughs. ‘The difference is that this doesn’t feel like work. I started Scarlet Puppy, my business selling restored furniture, back in the UK and it has definitely taken off since being in France. And I am obsessed with troc-ing!’
Troc literally means to barter and un troc is like the miscellaneous classifieds under one roof – think eBay but it’s all in one warehouse. If you have something to sell, from a bed to a bike to a bath, you take it to your local troc where eagle-eyed bargain hunters like Kathryn can snap it up at a very reasonable price.
‘I also love Emmaüs for finding treasures in need of a little TLC. It’s a military expedition though and I have to go with backup. There are queues of people in my local one as it only opens up once a week and so my friend sits on whatever I spy to stake our claim while I pay.
‘I absolutely love vintage fabric and have picked up some great lengths here. I reupholster the pieces of furniture I buy to give them a new lease of life but with a vintage feel. I specialise in bedroom furniture so beds, chaise longues and dressing tables, and they are really popular with my clients back in the UK.’
The French influence
Sourcing forgotten French treasures has injected Kathryn’s work with a new vigour. ‘My style has definitely evolved since being in France and my influences have shifted. You can’t help it; it started with my clothes – friends would comment on how French I look! – and now it’s definitely filtering through into my interior design. Our property back in Brighton is very minimalist but I am already picturing how to integrate my French finds. I know they’re going to look great.’
As she has been commissioned for a sixth series of 60 Minute Makeover, Kathryn and her family have to move back to the UK at the end of the eight months. Having overcome initial teething problems, their next project now is to buy a second home in France.
‘I have to admit that it was difficult at first. I only had very basic French and no-one really speaks English around here. I was unhappy for the first few weeks and missed my friends dreadfully; Roxy took a while to settle at school too so it was hard to watch her be upset. After about a month though, everything just seemed to fall into place and now we are all really happy, it’s great!
‘The plan is definitely to get a second home in this area; the food, the delicious Gaillac wines, the people, the property and the great climate – we love it here. We have already decided that we want a lovely old town house nearby...’
But with still a few shopping months remaining of their sabbatical, they better make sure their new French retreat is big enough for all of Kathryn’s finds.