Your Hosts
Anne
Anne is the visionary founder of the family business, bringing a wealth of experience from her diverse ventures in furniture, viticulture, and hospitality. A true globetrotter, she has traveled extensively, gathering insights and inspiration that have shaped her successful career, earning numerous awards along the way for excellence in each field.
With a deep love for Italy, Anne's connection to the culture and the antique industry’s hard to crack network of dealers, the ‘work’ has paid off. She thrives on hosting groups, whether in New Zealand or abroad, creating memorable experiences that reflect her passion for hospitality.
Now, as she combines her strengths with her daughter Tamara, Anne is excited to embrace this mother-daughter partnership. Together, they fuse their unique talents and shared love for design and antiques, enriching the family business with a blend of tradition and innovation. Anne's warmly invites you to join her in exploring the beauty of timeless pieces and unforgettable experiences.
Tamara
Having spent many years in high-end furniture and interior design, she now joins forces with Anne to grow Founders of Rome.
Her passion for antiques, extensive travel, and inability to ‘leave anything behind’ have shaped her unique perspective, allowing her to discover and curate exceptional pieces that not only enhance any space but also carry rich histories waiting to be shared.
With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and storytelling, Tamara is dedicated to increasing awareness and access to heirloom-quality items that can be cherished for generations. Her travels through Italy & France have fuelled her love for timeless design, and she is excited to guide clients on personalised journeys to find their own treasures.
Favourite quote: "Nothing haunts you like the antique you left behind"
Client Testimonials
It is important to us that our clients do some of the talking for us!
Paris to Provence 2025. - April | Sue - Auckland
I am delighted to provide a testimonial for the wonderful Founders of Rome hosts, Tamara and Anne, particularly in relation to my 10 day French Antique Buying Tour in April 2025. My experience of this tour was nothing short of wonderful thanks to the exemplary organisation and dedication of our hosts.
From the very beginning, at our meet and greet lunch in Auckland prior to flying to France, I knew I was going to be in good hands (travelling without my husband and not knowing other people on this tour).
Anne and Tamara were not only knowledgeable but exuded warmth and enthusiasm, making every participant feel welcomed and valued. Their genuine passion for antiques greatly enhanced our understanding and enjoyment over the entire journey. The group dynamic was fantastic and it was a great opportunity to connect with fellow antique enthisiasts and share insights, ideas, wine, food, and laughter along the way.
A standout feature of this tour was the thoughtful logistics - all purchases made during the tour were expertly handled; from the purchase docket to items picked up, packaged and sent to storage until the were ready to be shipped back to New Zealand. The process allevieated any concerns around transitting your precious and hand picked delicate antiques.
In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend Founders of Rome, Tamara and Anne, to anyone interested in exploring the opportunity to embark on an antique tour in Europe.
Sue