UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL JILLIAN BASHFORD-EVERS BASHFORD ANTIQUES LIMITED JILLIAN BASHFORD HAS BEEN AN ANTIQUE DEALER, IMPORTER AND RETAILER FOR 30 years. Jillian was an owner and organiser of national events such as ARTEX Art & Interiors Expo and Antique Expo from 1987 to 1996. Over the last 14 years she has successfully run her established business in Ponsonby - Bashford Antiques & Interiors. Prior to that Jillian had three antique shops in Remuera as well as a purpose-built warehouse/‘living showroom’ in Ellerslie. She told Ponsonby News, “I strive to provide a distinct environment and buying experience for my loyal clients to discover unique and rare antiques sourced from Spain, France, UK and Rajasthan to further enhance their homes, gardens and work spaces. I am able to source antique furniture, fine art, objet d’art, artifacts, ancient olive oil and storage pots, decorative and architectural items with confidence.” Do you have any children? Israel Evers aged 42 years - a trained Chef de Cuisine who has worked in major restaurants in Auckland from the age of 17. Israel attended Auckland Grammar and embraces the New Zealand outdoors, sailing, mountain bike riding, gardening and restoring vintage cars in the winter. Do you have any pets? Mr Beaumont, my 19 month-old miniature schnauzer: the new canine face of Bashford Antiques. How do you keep fit? Walking my ‘four legged personal trainer’ Mr Beaumont, and I intend to get back to Mandy White Yoga to tone up the body again before it is too late! Your best friend would say of you... “Generous to a fault, talented, organised, humorous, a great host and cook, great instinctive eye for interior design and for sourcing amazing items to challenge and enhance most interiors.” Your mother would say of you... My mother died young but always quoted the motto from the family crest (Bashford’s logo and coat of arms) ‘LENTE SED ATTENTE’ - slow but sure - patience is a virtue - something I am still coming to terms with. What are your virtues? Focused, tenacious, kind, worldly, visionary, determined and perceptive. And your vices? ‘Fortune Favours the Brave’ on a daily basis! Who's your ultimate rock icon? Elvis Presley - The King of course! What’s your secret passion? Precious jewellery.
Taken at Jillian Bashford’s 60th birthday with her son Israel and daughter-in-law Rachel Dovey How did you come to be an antique dealer? I began collecting from an early age, influenced by staying in grand family homes filled with fine antiques and historical art. If you weren’t an antique dealer you’d be..? An artist, interior designer or singer. What’s your favourite Ponsonby Cafe? Nyima Tashi Buddhist Centre - Luciana expresses the best coffee in Ponsonby. Your favourite Ponsonby restaurant? Queenies - a credit to Allana Owen and Paul Brown, a dynamic husband and wife team. Your favourite Ponsonby store? Ponsonby Central - well done Andy Davies! Favourite Ponsonby fashion label? Trelise Cooper - perennial haute couture with an X factor. What’s your best kept Ponsonby secret? Art of Produce - well done Aldo What's inspired you recently? Catherine Ryan’s interview with Winston Peters on reviving the manufacturing backbone of New Zealand particularly in the South Island - three dimensional profits not ‘paper profits’ not to mention the ‘legalised’ theft of line charges by the power companies. Your desert island distractions: Alistair Cooke’s ‘Letters from America’, every ‘World of Interiors’ ever printed, Ponsonby News (goes without saying), Downton Abbey, Antiques Road Show, History Channel, opera greats like ‘Depths of the Temple’ from The Pearl Fishers by Bizet and all Mozart operas.
What's your secret talent? Problem solving, diplomacy, perception and if all else fails singing.
The house is on fire and your family is safe - what do you save? Mr Beaumont my miniature schnauzer, my iPad, my ‘black box’ from my computer and my family tree.
Where do you live? In an apartment above my business and at Bashford’s Barn in Clevedon which houses a ‘living antique showroom’ with potage garden created by Fionna Hill.
“I'd be lost without..?” ...my family, my close network of fabulous friends and National Radio.
Where do you spend your holidays? In Spain, France, UK and Rajasthan buying antiques and treasures. What's your perfect Sunday? A long lunch with special friends sampling fabulous local food, fine wine, riveting conversation and lots of laughter. What were you going to be when you grew up? An artist.
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One thing you have learned about life is..? Life is a continuous journey of entertainment, mystery, and achievement to love, cherish and enjoy - ‘happiness is a place to come from not to get to.’ Live in the now and focus on the impossible. What was your standout sale of the last 12 months? An 18th century deconsecrated Spanish Catholic High Altar to a celebrity. Any advice for Ponsonby News readers? We live in a great area. Support your local retailers - it is a privilege to shop in Ponsonby the most vibrant suburb in New Zealand. F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)