Category: Features

In the Hot Seat with Karen

Karen Jones

Creative Artisan
Title

Tell us your Frenchic story...

I had a shop in a little town called Bromyard in Herefordshire. It was primarily a retail shop, but I also ran workshops — something I've always been passionate about, especially when it comes to the distressed look. 

One day, a friend of mine came into the shop and said, “You've got to try this Frenchic wax.” I tried it and loved it so much I became a Frenchic stockist. I was a stockist for over seven years before joining the head office team, where I handled stockist training calls and recruited new stockists. 

 

But I found that it wasn't quite my ideal role in life because it meant I had stopped being creative. One thing I felt was missing was hands-on training for stockists. When stockists run workshops, they not only sell more products, but they also attract more people into their shops and create stronger engagement with their business—not just with Frenchic, but overall. So, when the opportunity came to take on that role, I jumped at the chance.

How would you describe your signature style? How has it evolved?

My signature style is definitely not that of a neat painter. I think everyone has a style that suits them. I'm not saying I'm scruffy, but someone once said to me that my style wasn't as much distressed, but more totally traumatised furniture!

 

My style is about layering, chipping, and creating something that looks genuinely old. It’s the way my style has always been, and I think it stems from my inability to get a smooth finish! I've got a great love of France, and for me the ideal piece looks like it's been found in a barn or a château. Whenever I see a door with peeling paint, I fall in love with it.

My décor is my painted furniture.

What does an average day look like to you?

It’s usually a combination of planning workshops for stockists, which involves everything from sourcing the boards that we're going to be working on, to supporting the stockists themselves. Liaising with them on where we’re going to host the workshops and looking after the bookings. Then it’s a mixture of working in my flat on blogs, training techniques, photographs, and videos. 

What about weekends?

An average weekend would be going to flea markets and auctions to source new pieces. Malvern Flea Market is my favourite. It's on every month and there's hundreds and hundreds of traders. Without fail, I always bump into another Frenchic stockist there. I also go to regular craft meet-ups with a close group of friends, where somebody cooks, and somebody is in charge of bringing a craft and we just chat, natter, and upcycle.

What is your favourite room in the house?

This is a tricky one – about two and half years ago I moved into rented accommodation, so the décor is largely dictated by the landlords. The first thing I asked when I moved in was “can I put things on the walls?” Now, there’s probably not an inch of wall space left!

 

My décor is my painted furniture. I have a painted French armoire in my kitchen, and I adore it. It’s done in Sugar Puff and is a bit rough around the edges. 

 

My favourite area is my big kitchen-come-dining-room, it’s got both upcycled and inspirational pieces. From oil paintings on the wall to broken frames, and my much-loved upcycled kitchen pantry (pictured). 

Any other standout projects in your house?

In my hallway, I’ve got an old pink, French solid shutter that's about ten-foot long and I use it as a shelf, with the larger part of the shutter going up the wall. I like putting things in my décor that's slightly unusual. So rather than just putting pictures on the wall, I've put up a massive, distressed dressing screen.

I just trust the process and keep going like an artist.

What is the one tip or piece of advice that you'd give to first time painters or upcyclers?

If you’re upcycling pieces in your house, that might have otherwise thrown out then you’ve got nothing to lose — so go for it! And don't stop till you love it. If that means adding layer after layer, keep going. Because you will love it when you’ve finished. 

When it comes to new projects, where do you find your inspiration?

I know what I like, but I never really know, how it’s going to turn out. I usually have a rough idea of the colours I want. But inspiration can come from anywhere really, from an oil painting to a piece of fabric. 

 

I don't necessarily have a vision. I just trust the process and keep going like an artist. And I know when it's time to stop.

Who would be on your guest list for a dream dinner party? 

As far as celebrities go, I'm not a big celebrity person, but as far as you know, somebody nice to look at the table, it would be David Ginola, the French footballer. And everyone else around the table would be friends and family. In fact, David would be waiting on us all.

What are your top three can't live without Frenchic shades?

When it comes to shades, I love the original range for the authentically old look, and it would be Sugar Puff and Grey Pebble because that's the classic creamy white and grey French look. But for me, it’s all about the products as much as the paint. I couldn’t live without browning wax, and there's there's no way I'd ever use anything other than Frenchic brushes.

Sugar Puff

Grey Pebble

Browning Wax

What's your favourite film and your favourite meal?

I love the film Papillon with Dustin Hoffman and Paul Newman. As for a favourite meal, I love cooking, and it would probably be a selection of delicious homemade tapas.

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