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.’
an organised arrangement of natural history and treasured finds. - Tamsyn Morgans -
saved from a nearby house. - Tamsyn Morgans -
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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. They discovered the house by chance, finding it the most intriguing option within their budget. ‘The location was perfect; we wanted to be in a town rather than a more isolated countryside spot.’ They moved in 10 years ago and have transformed the house from what Marc describes as ‘habitable – but safely decorated in woodchip, magnolia and gloss’ into a vibrant, atmospheric home.
Much of the internal architectural detail had been destroyed or covered up, with only the crooked ‘clockwork’ staircase hinting at its history. Marc compares renovating an old house to conducting an archaeological dig. As they peeled back layers of history, they uncovered wallpapers from the 1920s, with horizontally planked Georgian panelling beneath. ‘We even found small objects – like a pair of Regency silk slippers – hidden behind the panelling, perhaps placed there as lucky charms,’ Marc says.
To maintain authenticity and keep things sustainable, they used materials salvaged from skips and reclamation yards. ‘Whenever I see builders gutting houses in town, I make a beeline to see what I can reuse,’ says Marc.
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Marc and Pauline embrace a well-worn, lived-in aesthetic, where nothing is pristine or perfect. ‘For me to love and live with an object, it must bear the scars of wear and tear, as though it’s been here for 100 years,’ says Marc. Mirrors are foxed, painted furniture is chipped, and rugs are delightfully threadbare. The home’s decor is inspired by the simplicity of the early-18th century, though Marc and Pauline aren’t strict purists – 20th-century pieces mingle seamlessly with 200-year-old antiques.
For inspiration, they often reflect on Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields – a Grade II-listed Georgian house, reconfigured by Severs to narrate an imaginary Huguenot family’s 18th-century life. ‘While we find inspiration in other houses, we let our home dictate what feels right for it,’ says Marc.
Marc’s passion lies in the history of things and buildings, and discovering items with stories to tell. ‘Surrounding yourself with such objects creates a rich atmosphere,’ he says. From top to bottom, gracing shelves, and carefully arranged in unstuffy glass cabinets, antiques fill the house – a testament to a lifetime spent collecting.
wild boar’s head sculpture (just seen) was made by Marc’s
mother. - Tamsyn Morgans -
in the bedroom. The cushion is by Desiree Mejer
of post-punk fashion brand Fake London Ltd. - Tamsyn Morgans -
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As a child, Marc amassed bird skulls, feathers, tea cards and stamps, but his collecting habit is now driven more by a passion for interior design. ‘Collections of objects, grouped by theme or style, create greater impact together, and make striking focal points,’ he says. ‘They should be limited and contained though, or they risk crossing the line into visual clutter.’
In Marc’s study, a painted glazed dresser serves as his private Wunderkammer. Filled with an organised arrangement of natural history and found objects – bones, shells, taxidermy, petrified horse teeth from the River Thames, scientific tools and Victorian apothecary bottles – it creates an intriguing tableau.
Marc’s most treasured piece, however, is an enamel sign for Melox dog foods: a relic from his grandfather’s 1930s and 40s wholesale animal-food store. ‘I remember visiting him in one of his sheds, looking up, and seeing an amazing patchwork of enamel signs lining the ceiling,’ he says. ‘He let me take a couple, including this one, which I’ve treasured for 50 years.’