I’ve been in the interiors biz a long time. I started out as a stylist in my earliest days, and trained as an interior designer in the States. I opened my very first store in 2003, and now I’m a retailer, designer, blogger and author (with not enough hours in the day!). We have two stores in London, including our brand new flagship store, and stock with other retailers such as Selfridges and Heal’s in the UK, and Terrain in the US. We’ve launched our own label and are now working with manufacturers and artisans across the world to design and create our ceramics, furniture, lighting, paints and faux plants to sell to other retailers.
I live in a Victorian townhouse in East London - Dalston more specifically. It’s me, my husband Graham and our two dogs Mungo and Maud, otherwise known as the two M’s!
My favourite piece is a sculptural Willy Guhl concrete chair that I bought 13 or so years back. I remember my husband being crazy mad at that purchase! We were renovating the house at the time and had no seating at all, so I had set out to buy something loungy and comfy and instead I more than blew the whole budget on this one concrete chair. We had nothing else to sit on for a year. I don't think he will ever let me forget it.
I always paint everything out in one colour, because it really opens up the room.
If you paint everything out in the same hue - walls, floor, ceilings, woodwork, windows, radiators, literally everything! - it removes boundaries and instantly creates the illusion of more space.
Coffee
Artist
Trust your gut
Angus & Julia Stone
Kelly Wearstler
Favourite = black (or Madison Grey!).
Least favourite = pastel anything.
Gardening
Dogs
Borough Market
Walking on Hampstead Heath or an early morning swim at London Fields lido.
Street Feast is my all-time favourite haunt. It's a night market in Dalston Yard (my ‘hood) that runs all summer. The food and drink is incredible, from amazing Korean burritos and crispy fried chicken to a gin store, and tequila treehouse.
I love the casual vibe - you plonk down on benches and load up on whatever takes your fancy. Even though it’s super urban in the heart of Dalston, as the light fades and the fire get lit it turns truly magical!
And anywhere I can take the two M's is always a plus in my book.
One of my favourite spots in London is Criterion Auction House on Essex Road. This isn't a hip place in any way – it’s dusty, a little dingy and often hit and miss but I've found the most incredible pieces there.
I also love Columbia Road market.
Merci – Paris
ABC Carpet & Home – New York
Rossana Orlandi - Milan