The interior designer and antique dealer paints a picture of his life, work and inspirations
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1. Flint
One of my most favourite possessions is a flint I bought for £30 in Dorchester. It is a perfectly faceted blue flint dagger. It is man- made but natural and gives me a lot of pleasure.
2. The Lake District
There is nowhere like the Lake District. My wife was from the Lakes and we bought a seventeenth-century house there together. It was a terrible mess at first, but now it's pretty wonderful. The weather is marvellous and so changeable.
3. Carpets
Carpets mean more to me now than they ever have. I adore the textures and colours. When it comes to decorating, everything must start with the carpet.
4. Eric Ravilious
I think Eric Ravilious was a genius. His style was delicate and huge all at once - unlike any other. I own his watercolour New Year Snow 1935 and I think it's just a magical piece.
5. Books
I have more books than you can imagine possible. I inherited my father's library, which knocked me for six when I first saw it - it contains over 20,000 books. He went to war at 18 and was shot down and captured. He was the prison librarian; books were his education, they kept him alive.
6. Pimlico Road
Museum Street was the perfect place, but we have now moved our shop to the Pimlico Road to start a new chapter. We will be in good company - I love Jamb and Rose Uniacke is splendid.
7. Istanbul
I absolutely love Istanbul. I first went there 40 years ago. I have been buying carpets from the same people ever since they started out in a little booth in the Grand Bazaar - they are my secret.
