What compelled you to become an interior decorator?
A desire for beauty and order. Always interested in interiors, I visited many houses in youth and followed the work of the good decorators of their time. I very much wanted to have an outlet for my imagination.

Who or what is your biggest design inspiration?
Individuals both houses and people. The inspiration can come from an exhibition – wonderful colours of icons or Mughal paintings, from landscape – again colours, from historic interiors and antique carpets and textiles.

What does the Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler look mean to you?
Suitability for the client and the house. A strong feeling for the structure of the interior. A lightness of touch with the decoration so that it feels very agreeable but is not obvious.

What element of past Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler design would you like to see revived for the modern day?
Pared down elegance. Our carpets which are being revived and work wonderfully well in numerous contexts being tough and long lasting and capable of being made in any colour which can greatly change the character.

What are some of your favourite pieces from the auction, and which Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler design would you pair them with?
The fabric I have chosen is Seaweed – khaki. It can be used on walls, upholstery, curtains, anything! It is so versatile. In this particular khaki colour, it is a good contrast to the blue. With the objects I have chosen I would use it on the walls probably with a seaweed coloured braid to finish it. Plain linen a shade lighter than the background of the print for the curtains and possibly two inset petersham ribbons – seaweed over blue.

The items which I have chosen could work in a contemporary or traditional context. I particularly like the commodes which are chic and feel that the colour and flavour of the lamps sit happily with them. The planters would be lovely filled with white and green plants. I like the fact that they don’t match. They would freshen the whole thing. The rug is charming and sits well with the simplicity of the rest.

View Page Turning Catalogue

Auction Details

Thursday 20 February, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Browse the auction
Sign up to email alerts

VIEWING:

• Viewing in Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 14 February: 10am-4pm
  • Sunday 16 February: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 17 February: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 18 February: 9am-4pm
  • Wednesday 19 February: 10am-4pm
  • Thursday 20 February: 9am-4pm