Antiques
A Well-Traveled History
A Fayetteville family travels to the French provinces to find unique and rare antiques, which they share in their downtown shop
BY
Allison Cook
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Meredith
STYLED BY
Allison Cook

“We always look for the highest quality pieces that will bring the most joy to our clients,” Renée says. “It’s the attention to detail and the research we do that make us different.”
This cigar box, circa 1850, is from the Napoleon III period and is inlaid with mother of pearl and bronze. With a bottom drawer fashioned for cigar cutters and several top drawers with indentations for individual cigars, this is truly a gentleman’s piece.
This Art Deco bistro chair is paired with a Louis Philippe walnut chiffonier, a gentleman’s chest featuring a marble top. A buffet deux corps, translated a buffet with two parts, stands in the background.
“We always focus on bringing home pieces that people would truly want to live with that also add warmth and interest to their homes,” says Renée Hunt of French Metro Antiques in Fayetteville. “We look for rare and expensive pieces, as well as more affordable vintage items. We have all types of clients, and we want the best quality of each style.” Renée and her husband Terry have been traveling to France for the last 25 years and started importing antiques in 1999. Renée is fluent in French with a master of arts degree in French language and literature, while Terry has dual degrees in business management and fine arts and is highly skilled in woodworking. Their son Alexander, also fluent in French and educated on French history and culture, has recently joined the business and adds a much-appreciated fresh eye on design. Together, this family travels frequently to France to purchase rare antiques, researching each item’s specific history and inspecting its craftsmanship and authenticity. “Our continued goal is to foster our personal relationships in France, because those are the people who allow us to travel with them and keep us up-to-date on the latest discoveries,” Renée says.

With so many years in business, French Metro has established a large clientele of experienced collectors and novices alike. “Thanks to my clients, I’m constantly learning,” Renée says. “My clients teach me about what they are collecting, and I look for those pieces in my travels. It’s wonderful to continue my education because there is always so much to learn.” Although it’s common for antique dealers to shop entirely in Paris, the Hunts focus on the outlying provinces. “We travel to the provinces because we’re able to find truly unique and unusual items without the overpricing that is common in Paris.”

Once the Hunts’ chosen items arrive in Fayetteville, they then focus on the layout and design of their store. “We want the shop to feel like an art gallery,” she says. “We don’t want it to be overwhelming with inventory. Instead, we create beautiful areas where people can really see and appreciate each piece.” As customers enter the store, the thought and planning that the Hunts put into each furniture grouping are immediately apparent. “Our inventory is always changing, and each time we receive new shipments or sell large items, we redesign the lighting schemes and switch around accessories,” Renée says. “We want customers to be able to imagine how these pieces could work in their homes.”