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 of creating a space that reflects one's values and memories. 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. This house, once belonging to her mother, Françoise, became a canvas for Blom's creativity and a way to honor her mother's legacy.
The village itself is a charming and evolving community, attracting a diverse range of individuals, from Parisian interior designers to former members of Yohji Yamamoto's fashion design studio. This evolution, Blom notes, adds to the village's allure, making it a place of constant change and growth. Françoise's choice of this village was, in hindsight, a whimsical one, but it became a place of belonging for her daughter.
Françoise's influence on Blom's life and career is profound. From her love of France and its culture to her appreciation for the arts and gardening, Françoise's values and interests shaped Blom's path. The regular visits to Hidcote Manor, an Arts and Crafts-inspired garden, instilled in Blom a deep appreciation for gardening as a vital part of life. And, surprisingly, Françoise became a skilled vegetable gardener in her later years, a skill that Blom attributes to her mother's influence.
The house itself, dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century, is a simple structure with one room per floor. Françoise decorated it with Georgian furniture and white walls, filling it with an abundance of books. After her death, Blom and her husband, Marc Fox, a former music executive, decided to renovate the house, turning it into a passion project.
The renovation process was extensive, addressing issues like a damaged roof, plaster walls, and wooden floorboards. Blom and Fox took inspiration from the exuberant interiors of the Hôtel des Marronniers in Paris, known for its tiny rooms adorned with toile de Jouy. They embraced a similarly exuberant approach to pattern, adorning the walls with riotous Manuel Canovas papers and fabrics. This bold use of pattern and color is a signature of Blom's style, as seen in her work for clients like Victoria Getty and The Fife Arms hotel.
The couple's personal touches are evident throughout the house. Vintage furniture, such as the Arne Norell 'Ilona' sofa and 1960s rattan lounge chairs, adds character and a sense of history. Their art collection, including a landscape of trees by Hazel, Peggy Guggenheim's sister, showcases their appreciation for the arts. And a special corner of the sitting room pays tribute to Françoise, featuring a Georgian cabinet, a Russian samovar, and a sculpture of Venus de Milo.
What started as a means to keep a promise became a labor of love. Blom and Fox spent time and effort renovating the house, and the result is a space that reflects their personal style and the memories of Françoise. Blom's loyalty and commitment to her promise have transformed a house into a home, a place where joy and playfulness thrive, and a lasting tribute to her mother's life and legacy.
