Sun Jan 19, 2020 London
Menu
X

The Steeple Times is an online magazine with a following of upto 880,000 unique views per day on our best day yet.

  • We have 91,000 daily subscribers by email.

  • We typically average around 320,000 unique views per day.

  • We currently have 65 contributing authors who range from students to the actor, writer and producer Steven Berkoff and the champion jockey Frankie Dettori.

Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".

 

The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.

 

Tag: SW7

January 30, 2019

Dr Bernard Ecclestone (AKA Bernie Ecclestone, ‘The Grinch’ and ‘Bungling Bernie’)

by Matthew Steeples

This common as muck, stingy, diminutive dwarf once suggested Hitler was “able to get things done” and outrageously suggested the leader of the Black Shirts’ son, Max Moseley, “would do a super job” as Prime Minister. Notoriously tight, a former garage mechanic and once forced to pay £10 million in connection with tax avoidance, utter … Continue reading “Dr Bernard Ecclestone (AKA Bernie Ecclestone, ‘The Grinch’ and ‘Bungling Bernie’)”

January 10, 2019

Bitter Toxic Brady

by Matthew Steeples

Lady Brady branded a “bitter, toxic feminist” after going on a publicity tour for her pretentious ‘Get What You Want’ podcast   Last year, Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge CBE (and yes, she does remind everyone of that Knightsbridge bit on the homepage of her website despite hailing from Edmonton) issued a vicious and unwarranted attack … Continue reading “Bitter Toxic Brady”

December 23, 2018

Punish Pavement Pests

by Matthew Steeples

In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned from spaces meant for pedestrians   ‘Pavement pests’ – adults on both pavements and roads on such things as children’s pavement scooters and rollerblades and people capable of walking on … Continue reading “Punish Pavement Pests”

October 29, 2018

The Poppy Pariahs

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples names and shames the retail giants who won’t be selling Royal British Legion poppies this year; they include Boots, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Tesco, Waitrose and Wholefoods   Even ‘Murky’ Meghan Markle – down under in New Zealand on tour – is sporting one right now; the humble poppy. A mark of respect to those … Continue reading “The Poppy Pariahs”

October 22, 2018

Overheard – 22nd October 2018

by Matthew Steeples

Clangers overheard and snippets spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’   Mobile Arabs An Arab sat outside a shisha café on Brompton Road told her friend: “I lost my phone in Harrods today but I went back and they’d found it. Thank God it was Harrods. They’d have been so racist anywhere else but … Continue reading “Overheard – 22nd October 2018”

August 30, 2018

Borwick is Back

by Matthew Steeples

Former Kensington MP Lady Borwick returns to the fray and is branded a #FearlessPillarOfTheCommunity in spite of her bizarre comments linking the Grenfell Tower tragedy and gangs   “Triple dipper” – branded as such because at one time she was paid nearly £100,000 of public money per year as a councillor, Member of Parliament and … Continue reading “Borwick is Back”

August 22, 2018

The Arab Arrival

by Matthew Steeples

As Knightsbridge’s Brompton Road is invaded by Arabs, The Steeple Times finds that there is both good and bad in their number   Last night, it was a party of two halves on Knightsbridge’s Brompton Road.   At one end, close to the Caramel restaurant, a gaggle of vulgar Chanel handbag wielding Arab women (pictured … Continue reading “The Arab Arrival”

March 4, 2018

#LazyBrady

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples suggests ‘Lady’ Karren Brady of Knightsbridge has shown herself to be nothing but a muckspreader in her latest pathetic opinion piece for ‘The Sun’   The Steeple Times delighted in exposing the former Member of Parliament for Kensington, Lady Borwick, as #LazyBorwick during the 2017 General Election campaign and now, it seems, we … Continue reading “#LazyBrady”

February 26, 2018

Clear The Roads

by Matthew Steeples

Irresponsible Volkswagen Polo driver – registration HW06 CWM – needs to be removed from Britain’s roads   Jeremy Clarkson regularly shares the registration plates of irresponsible motorists he spots on his Twitter feed and having encountered similarly bad driving yesterday, here we share imagery of a woman who deserves to be removed from Britain’s roads. … Continue reading “Clear The Roads”

February 18, 2018

McMoneya

by Matthew Steeples

London has simply become a money park for dodgy money and though ‘McMafia’ reflected elements of that, the truth is far more depressing   Since the 1st January, the nation was engrossed (though many were also totally bored) by the BBC’s eight-part drama series McMafia.   Based on a fictional – though plainly inspired by … Continue reading “McMoneya”

February 5, 2018

The Perfect Bachelor Pad

by Matthew Steeples

Ultimate bachelor pad for sale for £6 million in South Kensington; it has garaging for five cars   Originally a mews that was home to Rothmans’ Shire horses, a £6 million ($8.5 million, €6.8 million or درهم31.1 million) property in Elvaston Mews, South Kensington has been transformed into a perfect bachelor pad.   Sold in … Continue reading “The Perfect Bachelor Pad”

October 29, 2017

Pleading for Police

by Matthew Steeples

London set to see number of police stations reduced from 149 in 2010 to just 32 by 2020; we urge readers to support a petition to stop this   In 2010, London had 149 police stations; there are now just 73 and if Conservative plans go ahead there’ll be just 32 – or one per … Continue reading “Pleading for Police”

September 30, 2017

Commie Ferraris

by Matthew Steeples

Protestors descend on H.R. Owen Ferrari dealership in South Kensington screaming: “Kill the Rich!”   On Saturday afternoon a bunch of protestors held a protest outside the Brompton Road Ferrari dealership H.R. Owen.   Seemingly something to do with rights for cleaners, the assembled ragbag waved Communist flags and shouted: “Kill the rich!” and “Fight … Continue reading “Commie Ferraris”

September 9, 2017

Gaining a Lambo (or five)

by Matthew Steeples

Convoy of five yellow Lamborghinis spotted cruising around Kensington and Chelsea   Someone once said: “Work until you feel a Lamborghini is cheap” and plainly the owner of a convoy currently in London has exactly that attitude.   Pictured here on Brompton Road opposite the former premises of La Brasserie, a fleet of five yellow … Continue reading “Gaining a Lambo (or five)”

August 10, 2017

Tales of The Tube

by Matthew Steeples

South Kensington house for sale for £4 million in spite of being literally right next to a noisy London Underground line   Estate agents are not known for honesty but Strutt & Parker certainly neglected a key detail when preparing particulars for a £3.95 million ($5.13 million, €4.38 million or درهم18.83 million) property in Pelham … Continue reading “Tales of The Tube”

July 26, 2017

Dr No More

by Matthew Steeples

Gatecrasher ‘Dr Nastro’ admits defeat and announces he’ll be retiring from the ligging circuit; perhaps Denis Doble, David Pun and Sandra Shevey ought to follow his lead   On Wednesday, we received a message from a known member of London’s ligging community of aging oddballs using the pseudonym ‘Dr Nastro’.   In an email to … Continue reading “Dr No More”

July 9, 2017

Expensive Shit

by Matthew Steeples

‘SHIT’ to be sold at Christie’s in South Kensington; it comes at quite a price   A painting which simply depicts the word ‘SHIT’ is to be sold at Christie’s in South Kensington, London this month.   Offered with an estimate of £2,000 to £4,000 ($2,590 to $5,180, €2,260 to €4,520 or درهم9,470 to درهم18,940) … Continue reading “Expensive Shit”

June 26, 2017

Tea at Blakes

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples takes tea in the delightful courtyard garden at Blakes Hotel in South Kensington, London   Blakes Hotel is synonymous with the now much overused description “boutique hotel” and is generally considered the world’s first. It opened in 1978, is a destination that is popular with the likes of Seal and Sharon Stone and … Continue reading “Tea at Blakes”

June 21, 2017

Disappointing Dent Coad

by Matthew Steeples

New Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad fails to join Labour heavyweights showing support for the single market   Prior to her victory, the now newly elected Member of Parliament for Kensington, Emma Dent Coad, clearly and repeatedly said she’d “fight to retain access to the single market”. Yesterday, however, she failed to join a whole … Continue reading “Disappointing Dent Coad”

June 19, 2017

Letters – Berkoff & Brenda

by Matthew Steeples

Actor and producer Steven Berkoff suggests Her Majesty The Queen should open up Buckingham Palace to survivors of last week’s Grenfell Tower tragedy   Sir   In these grim times, when the shadow of death is stalking us with bitter regularity, an opportunity presents itself for our beloved Queen to actually do some real service … Continue reading “Letters – Berkoff & Brenda”

June 10, 2017

Empire State of Knightsbridge

by Matthew Steeples

Penthouse with tower in prominent Knightsbridge landmark for sale for £8.25 million   A penthouse with a tower in a Grade II listed landmark triangular ‘flat-iron’ building on the border of South Kensington and Knightsbridge has gone on sale for £8.25 million ($10.51 million, €9.39 million or درهم38.62 million).   Created in 1991 to designs … Continue reading “Empire State of Knightsbridge”

June 8, 2017

A Question of Borwick

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples asks Conservative candidate for Kensington Lady Borwick five questions; he put the same to the Liberal Democrats Annabel Mullin also whilst Labour’s Emma Dent Coad failed to respond   In the final hours of the 2017 General Election campaign, I asked the Conservative candidate for Kensington, Lady Borwick, five questions I considered relevant … Continue reading “A Question of Borwick”

June 6, 2017

A House of Hide

by Matthew Steeples

Grade II* listed Kent townhouse for sale for just £166 per square foot; a similarly sized property in Knightsbridge would set you back £2,000 per square foot   A freehold 2,500 square foot detached 15th century timber framed house just 23 miles south of London has gone on sale for the lowly sum of £166 … Continue reading “A House of Hide”

June 1, 2017

Annabel Mullin – What’s on your mantelpiece?

by Matthew Steeples

A 20-question interview with criminal justice expert, former police officer and Liberal Democrat candidate for Kensington Annabel Mullin   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? To live every moment to the fullest and make the biggest difference to people’s lives that I can.   “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, … Continue reading “Annabel Mullin – What’s on your mantelpiece?”

May 29, 2017

A Land of Contrasts

by Matthew Steeples

Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far   The mere mention of the area of Kensington and Chelsea brings all sorts of connotations: One thinks of the Albert Hall and Hyde Park, Harrods and Harvey Nicks and one imagines affluence and culture. Here … Continue reading “A Land of Contrasts”

May 20, 2017

Faded Grandeur

by Matthew Steeples

Knightsbridge flat for sale for £3.75 million in spite of needing complete renovation and having a lease with just 9 years remaining   A lateral flat – with an interior that could be described as ‘Miss Havisham-esque’ in terms of its faded grandeur – at 16/17 Ennismore Gardens, SW7 has gone on sale for £3.75 … Continue reading “Faded Grandeur”

May 19, 2017

Hannah, Soleil and Winter Strafford-Taylor

by General

Narcissist and “yummy mummy” Hannah Strafford-Taylor describes herself as “Instagram’s most stylish mum” to her 8,600 followers. Mocked as a “plastic clichéd fool using her bizarrely named daughters [Soleil and Winter] as accessories”, Mrs Strafford-Taylor told the Mail Online: “My husband says I have my own unique currency of holidays. I compare everything to the … Continue reading “Hannah, Soleil and Winter Strafford-Taylor”

May 18, 2017

Poore Borwick

by Mark Newton

New contributor Mark Newton shares his views on the “dubious record” of Lady Borwick, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Kensington Kensington, Kensington, its name beats the drum of the Conservative heartland of London. Tory grandees have worked long and hard to be fortified in this Bastion with greats like Alan Clark, Michael Portillo and Malcom Rifkind … Continue reading “Poore Borwick”

May 5, 2017

Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

by Matthew Steeples

As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?”   Last May, the acerbic Spectator columnist Taki wrote a brilliant opinion piece bemoaning the ghastly affair he believed New York’s Metropolitan Museum Gala had become. It perfectly summed up the vulgarity of an age where Kardashians … Continue reading “Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’”

April 30, 2017

Advertorial – City Relay

by Matthew Steeples

Matthew Steeples takes a look at the services offered by City Relay, a hassle free short-term rental management company   Established three years ago and based in Earl’s Court, City Relay offer the very best guest and host management services for over two hundred apartments and houses in Central and West London.   Primarily focused … Continue reading “Advertorial – City Relay”

Breaking with Boris

by Matthew Steeples

Breaking News – Rachel Johnson explains why she ditched the party of her Foreign Secretary brother Boris and defected to the Lib Dems   On this morning’s Andrew Marr Show on BBC1, Rachel Johnson was interviewed about her decision to defect to the Liberal Democrat Party.   Explaining her rationale for ditching the Tories and … Continue reading “Breaking with Boris”

April 24, 2017

Marked by Mice

by Matthew Steeples

Scott’s in Mayfair to reopen after closing due to a mice infestation; Montpeliano remains open in spite of receiving a Food Standards Agency rating of zero out of five   Today, Scott’s restaurant in Mount Street, Mayfair reopens after having been closed for six days for what they called “a spring clean and revamp”.   … Continue reading “Marked by Mice”

A Serious Shed

by Matthew Steeples

South Kensington flat with ‘summer house’ shed for sale for £3.25 million   An apartment in Malvern Court, SW7 has gone on the market for £3.25 million ($4.2 million, €3.9 million or درهم15.3 million). It comes with an extra one wouldn’t expect to find with a pre-war mansion block flat just by South Kensington Underground … Continue reading “A Serious Shed”

April 11, 2017

K&C Doesn’t Care

by Matthew Steeples

As 50% of care homes in Kensington & Chelsea are rated “inadequate”, we suggest this reflects what the area has become: A money park for the selfish rich   A society that does not care for its elderly is, as the Pope pointed out in 2015, a “perverse society” and bizarrely, it has just been … Continue reading “K&C Doesn’t Care”

April 10, 2017

81 Miles From New

by Matthew Steeples

1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500 that has been driven just 81 miles and stored in a Knightsbridge garage since new to be auctioned for 1,000% more than a normal example of its age   A Mercedes-Benz with a difference is to be auctioned on its twenty-first birthday on 12th April. The car to be offered is an … Continue reading “81 Miles From New”

March 30, 2017

Narrow in Knightsbridge

by Matthew Steeples

Tiny 2.5-foot deep Knightsbridge “corridor house” sells for £810,000 at auction   Yesterday, at an auction in London, a 2.5-foot deep (at its minimum) and 3-foot deep (at its maximum) mews house sold for £810,000 ($1 million, €936,000 or درهم3.7 million) despite being nothing more than a very long corridor.   Extending to 275 square … Continue reading “Narrow in Knightsbridge”

March 24, 2017

An Expensive Blank Canvas

by Matthew Steeples

Repossessed Knightsbridge flat for sale for £5.25 million in spite of being a complete wreck   Originally built in 1870 with a façade created from the Portland stone from the original Blackfriars Bridge, 33 Ennismore Gardens was converted from a single-family home to six flats in 1947.   In 1998, an additional mansard level was … Continue reading “An Expensive Blank Canvas”

March 16, 2017

Not So Roomy

by Matthew Steeples

Small, single room in South Kensington to be sold for £150,000 at auction   A single room in South Kensington is to be auctioned for the staggering sum of £150,000 ($184,000, €172,000 or درهم675,000).   Curiously offered with a “reserve price not to exceed” that sum, the 205 square foot space is on the lower … Continue reading “Not So Roomy”

January 12, 2017

A Serpentine Summer House

by Matthew Steeples

Serpentine Galleries summerhouse originally installed in Kensington Gardens for sale – it’ll cost you a bit more than what you might find down at B&Q   Each summer, since the year 2000, the Serpentine Galleries have commissioned what they term a ‘pavilion’ to stand alongside their original gallery in Kensington Gardens. These have varied from … Continue reading “A Serpentine Summer House”

October 22, 2016

The Pret Prayer

by General

A new addition to the South Kensington neighbourhood in October 2016, the Pret Prayer likes to get his mat out in front of all and sundry in Pret A Manager in Old Brompton Road, SW7. He also likes to paint and listen to his radio – on full volume, of course. He then joins the … Continue reading “The Pret Prayer”

October 18, 2016

Slumping Super-Prime

by Matthew Steeples

Sales of super-prime properties in the UK fall by 86%   Yesterday, the property group London Central Portfolio released data that showed that sales of £10 million-plus properties in the UK had fallen 86% over the past year.   Blaming hefty Stamp Duty increases and Brexit uncertainty, the firm reported that just 5 “super-prime” properties … Continue reading “Slumping Super-Prime”

October 15, 2016

The Pret Sleeper

by Matthew Steeples

Spotted early in the mornings in Pret A Manager in South Kensington, the Pret Sleeper wears loafers and an entirely black outfit. He usually purchases nothing and sits and sleeps. Occasionally he takes out a notebook and biro but only once has he been heard to speak; he choose to ring his bank manager about … Continue reading “The Pret Sleeper”

August 11, 2016

Room to swing a cat

by Matthew Steeples

Tiny studio in London’s SW7 offered for sale for more than the average price calculated to buy enough space to swing a cat in that area   It costs £119,965 or £1,527 per square foot to buy enough room to swing a cat – calculated at 78.54 square foot by the homeless charity Shelter – … Continue reading “Room to swing a cat”

May 19, 2016

Mr Make a Big Issue

by General

Big Issue sellers are normally pleasant but Mr Make a Big Issue is quite the exception.

May 12, 2016

Parked

by Matthew Steeples

Knightsbridge garage offered for the same price as an 18th century house on Orkney

April 21, 2016

A Nutty Nissan

by Matthew Steeples

Nutty Nissan Micra art car appears in Knightsbridge

April 19, 2016

The Pret Spitter

by General

Always in a red ski jacket and always with a trolley and umbrella, The Pret Spitter is a most unpleasant vagrant.

April 12, 2016

Overheard – 12th April

by Matthew Steeples

Clangers overheard and snippets spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’

April 11, 2016

The Pamborghini

by Matthew Steeples

Pink Lamborghini owned by 32-year old multi-millionaire appears in South Kensington (complete with images of Pamela Anderson)

April 5, 2016

Lawrence Van Hagen

by General

Big haired art curator and international jetsetter Lawrence Van Hagen is based in London and Paris.

April 3, 2016

Two guys sitting at a bar

by Matthew Steeples

An amusing artwork based on a conversation at a bar is to be offered at Christie’s in London in April

March 20, 2016

The Inspector Clouseau lookalike

by General

A new sidekick for David Pun in 2016, The Inspector Clouseau lookalike is undoubtedly also a fellow lover of free champagne.

Review: The Adria Hotel

by Matthew Steeples

The Steeple Times’ Matthew Steeples and ‘photographer to the stars’ John Stoddart review South Kensigton’s The Adria Hotel and are pleasantly surprised (despite the lack of alcohol)

The Ranting Crasher

by General

A lover of parties in Central London, little else is known of The Ranting Crasher.

March 17, 2016

Going for gold

by Matthew Steeples

Gold Rolls-Royce Phantom convertible hits the streets of London and illustrates a new level of vulgarity

February 26, 2016

Studios on the up?

by Matthew Steeples

Tiny Knightsbridge studio on the market for the bonkers sum of £1.375 million or £3,000 per square foot will set a new record if it sells for its asking price

February 21, 2016

Hannah Wick

by General

Despite having suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Herefordshire born Hannah Wick displays passion and gusto that’s hard to find.

February 15, 2016

Tom Read Wilson

by General

Berkshire born singer, actor and sports massage therapist Tom Read Wilson described himself as “a cultural throwback” when he appeared on the BBC show The Voice in February 2016.

January 1, 2016

Happy New Year 2016

by Matthew Steeples

The Steeple Times wishes readers a prosperous 2016 and reviews some of our favourite stories from 2015

December 9, 2015

A hidden place

by Matthew Steeples

Unusual South Kensington artist’s studio in hidden mews for sale

December 1, 2015

Overheard: 1st December

by Matthew Steeples

Clangers overheard by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’ in the last week

November 27, 2015

Grand gardening

by Matthew Steeples

South Kensington communal garden offered for sale for the staggering sum of £175,000

November 5, 2015

Club class

by Hugo Campbell-Davys

Hugo Campbell-Davys tours London’s latest private members’ clubs

November 4, 2015

Taking bijou to another level

by Matthew Steeples

South Kensington studio with what are described as “two sleeping areas” hits the market for a staggering £1.195 million or £1,950 per square foot

September 27, 2015

Mr Penny Farthing

by General

Often spotted on the roads of Kensington and Chelsea, as little is known about Mr Penny Farthing as his fellow eccentric The Fantasy Cyclist.

September 19, 2015

Sandra Shevey

by General

Though she claims to be a feminist, a writer, an expert on market towns and a film and television location tour guide, Sandra Shevey tends to busy her days writing complaints about amongst others Asda, Debenhams, Tesco and Waitrose on Twitter.

September 17, 2015

Opening up

by Matthew Steeples

Knightsbridge residents have a right to peace but they should not have the right to stop legitimate businesses such as Harrods running a restaurant that will serve both locals and visitors

September 16, 2015

Five of the Best: Artists’ studios

by Matthew Steeples

‘The Steeple Times’ chooses five artists’ studios for sale that will appeal to creatives with significant means

August 21, 2015

The Ark of Brompton Cross

by Matthew Steeples

Playboys swarming the streets of SW3 have turned Brompton Cross into the Arabian answer to Oxford Circus

July 10, 2015

A Spitfire soars

by Matthew Steeples

Spitfire smashes £1.5 million pre-sale estimate and soars to sell for £3.1 million for charity in London

July 9, 2015

From Russia with Cash

by Matthew Steeples

Anyone who watches Channel 4’s ‘From Russia With Cash’ will agree that it is now time for estate agents to be regulated suggests Matthew Steeples

June 30, 2015

Bring your own bidet

by Matthew Steeples

Most expensive house to be publicly offered for sale in the UK to be stripped of everything including the kitchen sink

June 25, 2015

Baroness Marie-Claire von Alvensleben

by General

Though convicted and sentenced to a six-week suspended jail sentence for a racist tirade in December 2013 in which she claimed “brown people are ruining London”, Baroness Marie-Claire von Alvensleben continues to parade around as if still acceptable in polite society.

June 6, 2015

Britain’s most expensive hut?

by Matthew Steeples

Tiny converted hut in the Lake District placed on the market for the same price as a flat in Kensington, London

May 21, 2015

A light mile

by Matthew Steeples

Running shoes in which Sir Roger Bannister became the first man to run a sub four-minute mile to be sold for £30,000 to £50,000 in the Christie’s ‘Out of the Ordinary’ sale

May 8, 2015

Ann Barr (1929 – 2015)

by General

Despite defining “The Sloane” and “The Mayfair Mercenary”, the co-author of The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook lived out her final years in Notting Hill 

April 27, 2015

Ava Gardner (1922 – 1990)

by General

Once described as “having a mouth like a truck driver and the looks of a goddess”, thrice married American actress Ava Gardner spent her final years in Knightsbridge’s Ennismore Gardens.

Kensington Claus

by General

It’s Christmas every day for this bearded giant. Generally spotted in the pubs of South Kensington and always on his own, Kensington Claus has favoured drinking spots at each bar he visits

April 25, 2015

The Knightsbridge rose seller

by General

A well-known fixture each and every evening at Knightsbridge restaurants including San Lorenzo and Scalini during the 1990s and 2000s

April 23, 2015

Tommy’s troubles

by General

Thomas McLoughlin sentenced for his latest actions against Matthew Steeples

April 21, 2015

Nina Campbell

by General

On her website Nina Campbell describes herself as “one of the world’s most respected and influential interior designers” and someone with a “contagious wit and brilliant sense of style”.