Meet Deb and Greg Warren from Hampton & French, the dynamic duo behind Summer Hill’s go-to destination for all things stylish and timeless. Deb personally handpicks every piece, from homewares and furniture to unique décor, bringing together the perfect blend of Hampton charm and French flair to elevate any space. Loved for their warmth, community spirit and impeccable eye for detail, Deb and Greg are always on hand to help customers create homes that feel cozy, classy, and genuinely authentic. Pop in for their popular creative workshops, where you can learn to upcycle furniture, craft decorative pieces, or simply get creative in good company. You’ll also find a curated range of original furniture plus all the paints and tools you need to tackle your next home project with confidence.
Hampton & French – a Story of Creativity, Community, and Second Chances
When Deb first arrived at The Flour Mill in 2020, the world was in the middle of Covid uncertainty. She was simply looking for a studio, a place to keep creating, keep upcycling, and keep her hands busy while everything else felt stuck. But the lockdowns meant a messy, stop-start beginning.
Instead of giving up, she decided that when the doors finally opened again, she would give everything she had.
What began as a small upcycling studio soon blossomed into something much bigger. Deb added a gift and homewares shop at the front. This curated treasure trove is designed to catch the eyes of passers-by, spark curiosity, and complement her lovingly restored furniture. It was an experiment that felt natural, and it worked. Hampton & French became a place where people didn’t just shop, they wandered, fossicked, chatted, and felt welcomed.
Today, Hampton & French is part workshop, part studio, part boutique, and entirely Deb. She upcycles furniture for both sale and commission, runs creative workshops, and stocks an ever-changing range of homewares, gifts, and specialist upcycling supplies. Everything is chosen with intention, leaning towards pieces that are “deliciously different,” intriguing, or beautifully unusual.
If her brand were a person, it would be just like her: creative, interesting, a little mysterious, and always welcoming. There’s no direct competitor because Hampton & French is its own universe – a blend of craftsmanship, story, personality, and style.
Her customers are the treasure-seekers, people who appreciate quality furniture with history, who love the thrill of discovering something unique, and who value creativity and reuse. Deb looks after them with genuine care, keeping workshops fresh, displays ever-changing, offering honest advice, and stocking exactly what upcyclers need to keep their own creative sparks alive.
What makes her customers happy? The same thing that makes Deb happy, good service, honesty, warmth, and a feeling that they’re in safe, capable, friendly hands. She wants every visitor to feel uplifted, to walk in and feel the positive energy of the space, and to leave knowing they’ve been treated with integrity.
Deb is passionate about reducing unnecessary waste, and upcycling has become her most rewarding creative journey. Outside work, she’s an obsessive crafter and reader, though many locals also know her as the woman who has performed in three musicals (a fun surprise for first-time visitors who only know her as “the crazy woman from the Flour Mill shop,” as she jokingly says).
Her favourite part of the day? Opening the shop early, just as the neighbourhood wakes up, greeting locals as they wander past to start their morning. She loves The Flour Mill for its friendliness, a place where people look out for one another, share, support, and come together like a true village.
Running a small business has its challenges, “Where do I start?” she laughs. One minute she’s an accountant, the next a merchandiser, social media manager, psychologist, fortune teller, or furniture magician. All while juggling the roles of wife, mother, daughter, and carer. And somehow, she does it all with a smile.
Through it all, Deb has built something special. A place bursting with colour, personality, creativity, and community. A place where old things become new again. A place where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected.
Hampton & French isn’t just a shop. It’s the beating creative heart of The Flour Mill, and a reminder that beautiful things can come from second chances.