A French antique collector's hidden Perth Hills home

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH CLARKE

@cleo.collects cleocollects.com

Antique dealer Bronte Taton is the name to drop in the French vintage and antiques scene.

Having grown up in France and San Francisco, Bronte and her husband are raising their daughter Clementine in a glamorous 1940s house nestled in the Perth Hills, which was once home to pianist David Helfgott (portrayed by Geoffrey Rush in the 1990s cult film Shine). Between buying trips to Paris, Bronte runs Cleo Collects, selling her precious antique finds and a sourcing service that specialises in exclusive European homeware designs from the Art Deco to the Mid-century era.

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Bronte, what was it like to split your childhood between France, Australia and the United States?

Bronte Talon (BT): I was born in Australia and moved to Paris at 13, which was a daunting experience for a teenager, leaving behind childhood friends. However, it turned out to be an incredible journey. I attended BSP in Paris, and later, when we moved to San Francisco at 17, I enrolled at the French School of San Francisco. My diverse upbringing helped me become adaptable and more understanding of various cultures and lifestyles. I have wonderful memories with France, inspiring my love for art and history, and California granting me the space to discover my individuality.

Where did you learn about vintage and antiques?

BT: My passion for art originated from visits to galleries with my mother and my father's deep appreciation for design. His home, filled with character pieces, including an antique fridge with a potted plant atop it, inspired me to create a similar sense of warmth in my living space. While studying Fine Arts in Paris, I visited numerous museums and galleries, immersing myself in Impressionist art. When I bought my first apartment with a limited budget in my early twenties, I started scouring vintage stores and collecting vintage pieces. On trips to Paris, I often explored The Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen for treasures.

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Tell us about your beautiful home and garden in the Perth Hills?

BT: Our home, designed in the late 1940s by a furniture designer, sits on the site of former tennis courts of a Victorian homestead. The rose garden at the front was instrumental in establishing the Rose Society in Perth in 1932 and featured in the ABC garden scheme, where visitors could admire the heritage roses. The property was once home to the pianist David Helfgott, who loved its acoustics for his private piano concerts. We are so lucky to have a home with so much history!

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What is your favourite way to spend time at home with your daughter Clementine?

BT: Spending time with my daughter Clementine in the garden. We love lounging on our plush GlamSwags on the grass or our portico, surrounded by our chickens and ducks, who eagerly await a bite of our sandwich or snack! Living in the hills offers a refreshing sanctuary after working in the city.

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What is your best tip for collecting antiques and what do these pieces bring to a home?

BT: My best tip for collecting antiques is choosing pieces you love. If something resonates with you, you'll find a place for it in your home. While the provenance and designer's reputation matter if you consider it an heirloom or investment, emotional connection with the piece is paramount to me. Whether you discovered it in a quaint antique shop or it reminds you of fond memories, antiques bring a layered story to your home, serving as conversation starters for friends and family.

Your best tips for styling a bed and bedroom. 

BT: I love a French Stripe GlamSwag Bedhead Cushion for my bedroom, which adds a refined yet relaxed look that complements my country aesthetic in the hills. A soft GlamSwag in white linen at the end of the bed gives the marshmallow-like cosiness I want in bedding. 

Linen Bedhead Cushion in French Stripe , Quilted Throw in Natural

 

What is your favourite meal of the day?

BT: I adore early dinners, especially when we host them on our portico during spring. With the sun shining and good music playing, it’s a great way to wind down from work. 

Where are your favourite places in Paris to shop, eat and fossick?

BT: For antique hunting, I recommend The Puces de la Porte de Vanves and les Puces de Montreuil. They offer great deals, but you'll need patience to sift through them. The Saint-Ouen markets consist of 14 separate markets full of exclusive finds. Last year, we dined at Jaja on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie — it was laid-back and delicious, a welcome alternative to tourist traps. Saint Germain en Laye is another beloved spot, just a 20-30 minute RER A ride from Paris, with its beautiful weekend markets and the historic château of Saint-Germain.

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Best celebrity sighting?

BT: Chris Martin walked by me in Paris!

Perth’s best-kept secret?

BT: I love Guildford for its charming atmosphere—it’s like stepping back in time. The architecture along the main street reflects a beautiful English village aesthetic. It’s also an awesome place to find antiques and enjoy breakfast at Padbury’s—the perfect weekend activity!

What is on your playlist?

BT: I love listening to Bon Entendeur and Stereolab.

And on your reading list? 

BT: I love to lounge on my white linen GlamSwag reading French Vogue. I am also reading Fleishman Is in Trouble by American author Taffy Brodesser-Akner.

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Where would you love to visit next?

BT: I would love to visit Cuba and take Clementine snowboarding in France.

What is your favourite fictional character and favourite real-life character?

BT: My favourite fictional character is Becassine, one of the first female protagonists in French comics. I have her figurine, which I’ve handed down to Clementine. As for real-life inspirations, it's tough to choose, but my daughter is a constant source of laughter. I was also moved by the film The Swimmers, which tells the story of two sisters fleeing Damascus to compete in the Olympics as part of the refugee team — so inspiring!

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What are your most treasured objects?

BT: I wear my gold lion pendant, a baptism gift from my nana in Paris, every day, and my vintage Cartier tank watch, a gift from my husband when we had Cleo. I also have an obsession with chairs, so I found my Charles Dudouyt chair and Edmund Jorgensen sheepskin chair during a buying trip in Sweden last year. 

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