'We bought a tired Tunbridge Wells property and brought it back to life – on a budget'

For Jules Haines, the Victorian townhouse in Royal Tunbridge Wells that she moved to eight years ago is more than just bricks and mortar. ‘It might sound strange, but I feel like I have a relationship with the house – it has a real presence,’ she says.

Since moving in, each room has been reimagined. She and husband Ollie reinstated dado rails in the hallway, stripped layers of black paint from marble fireplaces, and introduced a thoughtful mix of colour and texture. ‘The idea of painting over marble breaks my heart,’ she shudders.

Dining table and bay window — The dining table, made from upcycled railway sleepers, was bought in Singapore. The bench is from an antiques shop on Lots Road, London. - -

From the outset, Jules’ approach was rooted in her long-standing enthusiasm for antiques. She grew up surrounded by them, spending her early years in a Victorian terraced flat in London and much time at her grandmother’s Georgian house in Scotland.

Those experiences, she says, were her greatest influence. ‘I’ve always felt comfortable living with older things – they make a house a home. Beautifully made objects carry with them a sense of history and continuity, and I enjoy being part of that.’

Chipboard kitchen — Both the kitchen and the island are ‘vintage’ Ikea. Jules and Ollie added chipboard to the back of the island so it matches the cupboards. The pictures were bought from charity shops. - -

Her home today is a tapestry of such items. Treasured finds include a Berger cane chair, discovered for free on Facebook Marketplace, and a pair of traditional Peruvian hats inspired by her travels in South America, which she has box-framed and hung in the kitchen.

‘Every antique or second-hand piece has a story – even if it’s just that I rescued it from the back of a charity shop,’ she says.

Jules' company sources surplus interiors stock by leading brands and saves it from going to waste — Jules Haines in her light and bright sitting room, filled with colour and lively patterns. - -

Upcycled kitchen — Inheriting a functioning kitchen, Jules transformed the base units with new chipboard doors and leather handles made out of old belts. When it finally gives up the ghost, she plans to stay sustainable by replacing it with one from The Used Kitchen Company. - -

Larder shelves with wallpaper — The larder has been treated like a proper room and given a top-to-bottom makeover, with wallpaper in Palampore Leaf by Anna French. The jars, vases and jugs are vintage and have been collected over the years. - -

The thrill of the hunt is central to Jules’ collecting. From charity shops and antiques fairs to car boot sales and online marketplaces, she relishes the serendipity of stumbling across something special. Auction houses, she says, are next on her list. ‘I feel like they could be a slippery slope for me,’ she laughs.

This passion naturally extends to her work. Jules is the founder and director of Haines, a resale platform dedicated to sourcing surplus interiors stock from leading, sustainably minded brands.

Living room — Positioned at the front of the house on the ground floor, the sitting room features an elegant fireplace which was covered up with layers of black paint when the Haines family bought their home in 2017. The urns sitting on either end of mantle mantel were Jules’ grandmother’s, and the carriage clock was a christening gift for Jules. The wooden 1950s bergère chair with cane sides was given to Jules by a lady who remembers her mother sitting in it. It has been recovered with Haines Collection fabric. - -

Fabrics by names such as Sanderson, GP & J Baker and Fermoie – all at around half their retail price – are saved from landfill and offered to design lovers looking for affordable ways to decorate responsibly. ‘It’s so rewarding knowing that I’m helping reduce waste while enabling people to create homes they adore,’ she says.

Comfy sofa and bold artwork — Muted colours on the walls and sofa are livened up with cool contemporary art and colourful cushions crafted from remnant fabric from Haines. All curtains have been made using designer print seconds. The large artwork is by Tommy Penton. - -

String stairway — Jules safety-proofed the stairs leading to the lower ground floor by creating a wall of bright red vertical bungee cord, using pipe holders as fixings. - -

Exterior, Tunbridge Wells — The front door of the red brick four-storey semi-detached Victorian townhouse, in Royal Tunbridge Wells. - -

She describes her design sensibility as ‘heritage contemporary with personality and craft’. While traditional English style may be her bedrock, she layers it with unexpected colours, modern art and, above all, antiques.

‘I’m always interested in balancing the old and new. Antiques are sustainable and soulful. They bring depth and authenticity to a space – they anchor it, while up-to-date elements keep it fresh.’

Blue master bedroom — This impressively theatrical bed canopy has been made using fabric from Blithfield, a company Haines work directly with. The bed and mattress are from Naturalmat. - -

It’s an ethos that runs through every corner of the house. In the sitting room, bold red bookcases flank the original fireplace, while a collection of vintage paintings and recent pieces sit happily side by side.

Upstairs, her daughter’s old headboards are upholstered in a floral fabric by Sophia Francis. And in the dining room, a Bloomsbury-inspired striped mantelpiece painted by a local artist nods to her appreciation of heritage craft and her playful use of pattern.

Pretty twin room — Jules’ daughter’s top floor bedroom features twin beds from The Original Bed Co, both with a striking canopy feature and headboards covered in a Sophia Francis floral. - -

Ornate bedroom chair — This antique tub chair has been reupholstered in a 1970s John Stefanidis fabric. It was on a sofa
being given away on Facebook Marketplace – Jules wanted the fabric and her friend the sofa, so they struck a deal. - -

Green bathroom — The family bathroom, with its striped blinds and botanical wallpaper, has older period touches such as tongue and groove panelling and an antique bamboo mirror. - -

Stripes are another signature of Jules’ interiors – from DIY canopies in her daughter’s room to hand-painted walls in the kitchen. ‘Stripes can be used as a neutral,’ she explains. ‘Their rigid lines don’t distract, and they can work just as well as a plain backdrop.’

She adds, ‘I’d like to think my home is far from boring. Life is too short to be safe.’
Find out more about Haines at hainescollection.co.uk