IN WITH THE OLD Serenity reigns in a 14th-century Rye town house

A 14th-century town house in historic Rye provides the perfect backdrop for an antiques dealer’s favourite finds

The naïve painting of the house and vegetable garden is one of my favourites,’ says Jackie Harris about the simplistic but charming picture that takes pride of place by her kitchen window. ‘I bought it from the famous La Grande Braderie de Lille and it cost the princely sum of a tenner!’ She pauses, before adding, ‘but it actually dates from the early 19th century’. Without giving much away, one can only assume that it is one of those lucky bargain finds whose current value would outsmart its flea market price tag several times over.

But while most of us would just put it down to beginner’s luck, for Jackie it is the culmination of more than 30 years’ experience as a professional antiques dealer. Now in partnership with her son Martyn, the duo run Puckhaber, which specialises in country primitive, Swedish and French decorative antiques from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Martyn heads up the original showroom in west London, while Jackie bases herself at the new space in the historic Cinque Port town of Rye in East Sussex, a stone’s throw away from her characterful home. Rye, with its labyrinth of winding cobbled streets and half-timbered medieval buildings seemed the ideal place to set up home and business.

Jackie’s house, which she shares with her partner Allan, daughter Amelia, plus dogs Mabel and Tilly, dates from the 14th century and is full of original features. Wonderfully wonky walls, superb centuriesold wide plank floorboards and exposed beams all point to a property that has been loved over time and, despite its low ceilings, is flooded with light. ‘The house has a great feeling of light and space, so I’ve gone for a minimal look, which is a beautiful continuation of the Puckhaber style,’ says Jackie.

Downstairs, against a backdrop of sophisticated off-white wall colours, Jackie’s eclectic taste and love of decorative antiques is immediately apparent. A mid-20th-century industrial floor lamp sits alongside 19th-century oil paintings and a pair of antique lidded tea tins. ‘Everything has been sourced from my love of antiques,’ says Jackie. Throughout the house are paintings of all styles and eras. ‘Paintings are what I am most attached to. Martyn found the lovely portrait of the young lady that hangs above the chair in the sitting room.

It is 19th-century English and quite captivating.’ And paintings aren’t just on the walls – they are propped up casually, leaning rather than hanging, throughout the house. ‘I’m a great fan of propping pictures – it prevents a room looking static,’ explains Jackie.

Upstairs, in her bedroom, is a sublime French unframed oil painting of a nun that dates back to the mid-19th century. Set against a moody backdrop of Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball, it imbues the room with a serene atmosphere, complemented by Jackie’s fine antiques. The vintage English bedstead has its original paint finish still intact, an antique mirror is French and an unusual inlaid continental concave commode dates back to the early 19th century. ‘Only ever buy things you love because they don’t always go up in value,’ advises Jackie. ‘Antique buying, believe it or not, is a fashion-led industry, so don’t just buy for investment’s sake. I have a wonderful collection of things accumulated from being an antiques dealer.’ Which brings us nicely to one well-worn, chipped and cracked china pot tucked in among the kitchen jugs and inscribed with ‘Mrs Puckhaber 1876’. ‘This ceramic chalice was picked up many years ago for a few pounds,’ says Jackie. ‘It has been given a new lease of life now as it inspired the name of our business!’ Mrs Puckhaber, whoever she was, would certainly have approved.

Puckhaber, puckhaberdecorativeantiques.com

SITTING ROOM The neutral palette and wealth of light showcase beautifully the eclectic collection of antiques. Sofas in fabrics from Merchant & Mills

SITTING ROOM Simplicity is what gives this corner such character – the delightful 19th-century English portrait draws the eye to the Windsor comb-back chair. Wall and floor in Strong White, Farrow & Ball

DINING ROOM A late-19th-century dining table from France and 19th-century Swedish chairs create a traditional look, in keeping with the classic inglenook fireplace. The lampshade provides a single flourish of colour

SITTING ROOM Paintings are Jackie’s favourite items to source, and many are dotted about the house. ‘I’m a great fan of propping pictures – it prevents a room looking static,’ she says

Paris, the elegant inlaid continental commode (above right) makes an eye-catching dressing table. The French portrait of a nun strikes a serene note. Walls in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball

MASTER BEDROOM The antique English bedstead adds character and has its original paint finish, while the painting propped on the side table brings informality to the space. Dating back to early 19th-century

BATHROOM Old and modern are perfectly combined with a contemporary bath, an antique stool and a decoy duck from 19th-century France. Similar bath, West One Bathrooms