Like many other women who arrive in Provence for a variety of reasons, Caren Trafford has been busy restyling her life: previously based in Sydney where she was an author of environmental books for children, she is now additionally becoming expert in the world of antiques.
Caren has become the Provence representative of The Antiques Diva® & Co, Europe’s largest antiques touring company, which offers customized, private one-on-one antiques buying tours in 11 countries to tourists, antique dealers and interior designers.
This means that she has to be the best local source for antiques – local flea markets, antique warehouses or private, by-appointment-only antique stores across a 400km geography. Quite a challenge. But she is loving finding new homes for old doors, windows, tables, and architectural elements that can lie forgotten.
‘Most of our clients come to the south of France in search of Provencal items when they are refurbishing their homes or houses for their own clients’, she explained. ‘Provencal style is incredibly popular. They also like to know the provenance of each piece, especially if there is a story behind it.’
‘My books are based on environmental issues, and this new role fits in well as I am finding new homes for pieces that are unloved here’.
She enjoys taking her visitors around the region – the market at Isle de la Sorgue is of course a favourite, but there are also Grand Déballages at Beziers, Montpellier and Avignon for larger items of furniture. Transport is all arranged too to wing these Provencal pieces off to new homes abroad.
Read more about the company here: http://antiquesdiva.com/
and info on Caren’s books here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caren-Trafford/e/B0058V20PY
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