Roomscapes

"I’ve chosen Roomscapes not because I like Renzo Mongiardino’s taste but because he was a genius. He had access to such great plasterworkers and mosaic artists and the quality of workmanship that he achieved for his clients is incredible. He once did an apartment in New York and someone else laterbought it and had it photographed with Mongiardino’s faux marquetry library in the background. He said: ‘This is my scheme’ because he’d put a rug down or something! Mongiardino was a really talented, passionate designer. It’s all very elaborate – way too much for many people to live in, I think. He has a very high Catholic taste but his presentation sketches are incredible. You should not be threatened by other designers – it is like directing a film. Each designer’s vision is different and each has a different solution."