The spirit of place

Chewton Glen | 29 Oct 2016

The men in saffron robes walk the streets holding out their begging bowls. It is called tak bat. I get up at 5.30am to see it. The monasteries are empty and their monks are seeking aims. The pious – and tourists – sit on low plastic stools, as if kneeling, and hand out sticky balls of rice and cereal bars to these holy men. In this way, the former gain spiritual merit and the latter demonstrate their vows of poverty and humility.

• Travel: Asia/ Oceania

Daisy Yellow or Dead Canary?

Evening Standard | 17 Aug 2016

When I set out to redecorate and furnish our house I started by thumbing through interiors magazines and buying paint. Once the painting was under way I hit the shops, selecting fabrics and furniture as I went along. I was making a big mistake.

• Homes, Interiors & Property

Perfect for Dior

Evening Standard | 8 Jun 2016

Peter Marino – known in his circles as Peter the Great – is one of the world’s most sought-after architects and the fashionistas’ favourite. He’s designed hundreds of shops for super-brands – Chanel and Louis Vuitton among them. And this week he displays his creative genius in the transformation of two magnificent Georgian Mayfair townhouses that have become the House of Dior boutique.

• Shopping & Fashion

Neutral Zone

Livingetc | 6 Jun 2016

‘It’s all about the light,’ insists Rebecca Wakefield. ‘I need it! Don’t we all? A simple thing, but it makes me happy.’ This explains why, as the owner of this sun-saturated ground-floor apartment in southwest London, Rebecca’s smile is rather bright and shiny too.

As flats go, this one is huge. A converted space in a Victorian bakery factory, which after spells as a children’s nursery and an architect’s studio was discovered ‘unloved, but full of so much potential’

• Homes, Interiors & Property

Sicily’s Finest

Lusso | 22 Jan 2016

The Fattoria Corleonese is heaven on earth in the heart of a bustling working estate. (Think parfaito homemade cheese, olive oil and luscious tomatoes which the owners leave you as a welcome.) It’s in the middle of the Sicilian countryside – near Corleone – with views of hills, meadows and avenues of pines and eucalyptus trees from the house to eternity. And gardens of walnut, cherry and apple trees. The estate dates back to 1873 and the accommodation is in part of a bougainvillea-covered manor house – built around a cobbled courtyard –that’s still a family home.

• Travel: Europe/ Africa