"I studied fashion at RMIT in Melbourne which I think helped me to develop my own design rules. In fashion, you have the freedom to play with shapes, fabrics and colors to create your collection. That early training is very much reflected in my aesthetic. In fashion, it was important to edit the collection, removing the items which didn’t work. This is something I like doing with interiors. I never want to be ‘of the moment’, like fashion, but I do want my designs to be playful and colorful.

I’m very methodical in my process, but I don’t like to be governed by formulas; they can stop you moving forward. I like to be free to experiment, which is an important part of the process in any area, whether it’s fashion, interiors, craft, lighting or textiles."

"Recently for Christmas, my friend [writer, model and photographer] Laura Bailey gave me three candlesticks with foliage all around the stems by the French jeweler, Robert Goossens. It was designed in the 50s, and I knew very little about him. I like to put things where they can be admired and used. "

"My bedroom at our farm has lovely wall-to-wall windows that overlook the woods. I can watch the deer, hares and red kites congregating around the circular pond it faces. I love lying there with my dogs doing little sketches and notes that I’ve thought about overnight in the mornings.

The fabric padded walls are made of cream raw silk. The ceiling is in wood, and the bed and side tables are made from raw oak with waney edges. There’s a very cool 1970s chair in orange mohair, too. It’s a cozy room."

"The first piece I bought was a beautiful desk which now lives in my bedroom about five years before we built the house. It’s deep enough to hold a small collection of ceramics from the 1970s. It looks like a Gio Ponti desk with curved corners and angled legs, but it’s not. You’ve got to snap up these vintage or antique pieces whenever you see them—there’s no point thinking about it, if you love it, get it.

My most recent acquisition is a beautiful large malachite ashtray that I chanced upon as I was trawling dealers’ sites for unusual pieces to finish off a project. I initially wanted to use it for that project, however I love it so much that I just can’t part with it!"

"For a tablescapes and coffee tables, have a look at David Hicks’ tablescapes. He was the best. He had it themed. I find it's something that should reflect your personality. You can theme it, but for me, it generally revolves around three materials, for example you could have a ceramic bowl, a ceramic sculpture, and then something taller, like a vase. Once you have your material, then add some books and candles. I like having a book on the artist beside a piece of their art so if a guest is interested, they can read about it. Remember to always step back from your creativeness and remove one or two things! Editing is crucial."

"I’m more of a book man. Like my craft objects, I like finding old books and I’ve got a lovely collection of out-of-print books on artists and ceramicists that I find at Kempton Park or online. I’m obsessed with 1970s interiors books. They were so brave then with colors and styles. I love their use of fuchsia carpets and orange walls! My latest book find is called Decoration, Collection Connaissance des Arts by Hachette. It’s a 1970s interiors book with a wide range of interior styles. I imagine myself in those interiors lounging around with a cocktail in hand."