Shawn Henderson

20 questions with New York based interior designer Shawn Henderson

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

“Living a truthful life to both myself and others”.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Treat others as you wish to be treated”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

Not supporting equal rights for all.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss those long, carefree summer days of my youth spent in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. That, to me, is heaven.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

An airstream trailer parked in a field overlooking the ocean.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

I think it’s a different world that we are living in. The rules seem to be established in a way that has allowed the rich to keep getting richer. But, seeing that my business directly benefits from this, I don’t have much room to criticise.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

It drives me insane when people confuse the word “supposably” for “supposedly.”

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I support The Point Foundation.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

There are exceptions of course, but I think it’s rude to use your phone during meals, car rides and intimate gatherings. Of course I’m guilty of doing all three, but I try my best not to.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

I would take along all of my closest friends and family along with Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, P!nk and Fun. to provide entertainment.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

My mom’s roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy. It has always been my favorite meal.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

5pm is respectable.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Most definitely a dirty martini. Delicious.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I rarely enjoy parties. When I do, they are small, intimate affairs thrown by close friends.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Does it have to be a person? I think my dog, Gus, is the happiest little guy that I know.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Nice clothes.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

The paw prints of my two dogs because they are the centre of my life.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Jaguar XKR-S convertible.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’m really a simple, unfussy guy.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A collection of Red Wing pottery.

Shawn Henderson is a New York based interior designer. His clients have included actor Glenn Close, actor Will Ferrell and racecar driver Jimmie Johnson.

Follow him on Twitter @shawn_henderson

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