I don't look at what people do with their homes in terms of money, but the social and personal value of what they're trying to do and achieve.

My favourite authors include Trollope and Dickens.

I'm terribly fastidious. I like symmetry and neatness, but my house is as chaotic as any other family's.

Life involves other people and it is a compromise.

I spend a frightening amount of money on books.

I'm not too fond of really cool design. I've got quite kitsch taste really, in things like tableware. I'm quite a sucker for 1930s pressed glass.

I don't look at what people do with their homes in terms of money, but the social and personal value of what they're trying to do and achieve.