C’EST TOUT INTERIORS

Kathryn McFall rescued and restored a magnificent old barn in the Cotswolds, from where she now runs her brocante-style store selling predominantly French antiques. She tells us more…

I started out as an accountant in the NHS, then ended up with a 16-year career buying coffee. While working in this corporate environment, I also had a stand in an antiques centre to indulge my passion for buying beautiful things. I shared this with my sister until I became pregnant – my boys are 21 this year!

Several years ago I was involved in a serious car accident, after which I could no longer work in such a highpressure environment. I met my new partner, Steve, shortly after my accident. He had lived in France for many years and was an antiques dealer –a perfect match. C’est Tout was born, albeit in an antiques centre to begin with.

Eventually I wanted somewhere with enough space to get across our look, somewhere with atmosphere and, above all, a place that wasn’t intimidating. When I found this barn it was derelict and unavailable; it needed a lot of vision. We finally got the keys in May 2020, right in the middle of the first lockdown. We threw ourselves into renovating and documented the process on Instagram, selling things to make money for the renovations.

The barn is on a small industrial estate in a little Cotswolds village. We sell decorative French painted antiques and specialise in comfortable, rustic, timeworn pieces – things you don’t have to be precious about, but can live comfortably with. We travel to France once a month to hand-pick our stock and bring it back to the UK.

People say walking into the barn is like walking into France. The look and atmosphere is everything. The staff are knowledgeable and welcoming, and we allow dogs in, too!

I love everything about being an antiques dealer – the thrill of the chase, hunting down stock, and arranging the barn to entice people. I love meeting customers and seeing their purchases in their homes. Every day is different and exciting.

C’est Tout Interiors, Groves Industrial Estate, Milton under Wychwood, OX7 6JF. @cesttoutinteriors