The story of Jinny Blom's restoration of her mother's house in the South of France is a testament to the power of personal connection and the joy that can be found in honoring a loved one's legacy. Blom, a landscape gardener with a promise to keep, found herself entrusted with a house in the medieval village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, a place that held deep resonance for her mother, Françoise. This house, with its simple white walls and Georgian furniture, was a reflection of Françoise's taste and a place where she felt a strong connection to her roots.
The restoration process was a labor of love, with Blom and her husband, Marc Fox, taking inspiration from the exuberant patterns and fabrics of Manuel Canovas. They filled the house with a riot of colors and patterns, from the copper 'Cote d'Azur' wallpaper to the pretty 1950s French daisy chandelier in the bedroom. Blom's personal touch is evident in the eclectic display of treasures on the shelf above the worktop, including a surrealist painting of an amaryllis, Murano cockerels, and Basque wine jars.
The house's history is a fascinating one, with Françoise's move to the village in the early 1990s, a time when it was desolate and parochial. Today, the village is a charming and vibrant place, with a mix of inhabitants, including a Parisian interior designer and a former member of Yohji Yamamoto's fashion design studio. This transformation reflects Françoise's spirit and her influence on Blom's life and career.
The restoration of the house was a means to keep a promise, but it also became a passion project. Blom and Fox filled the house with vintage furniture, such as the Arne Norell 'Ilona' sofa in the sitting room and the 1960s rattan lounge chairs in the attic. They are also keen art collectors, with a landscape of trees by Hazel, Peggy Guggenheim's sister, among their impressive collection.
One corner of the sitting room is a special tribute to Françoise, with a Georgian cabinet, a Russian samovar, and a small sculpture of Venus de Milo. This space is a testament to the deep connection between Blom and her mother, and the joy that can be found in honoring a loved one's legacy. The house, now filled with life and joy, is a reflection of Françoise's spirit and a testament to the power of personal connection and the joy that can be found in honoring a loved one's legacy.
