James Lowther — 52 Weeks of Design

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If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? My second home is in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and I love working in a tropical city whilst having the exotic countryside, beaches and cities of Asia nearby.

I have fantasized about building a villa in Bali, but I will probably start by renovating a charming cottage in Somerset (England).

Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It was very tidy! I recall having various fossils from my father and strange objects from godparents found around the world, all neatly arranged of course. I remember particularly liking a small round silk upholstered box from China that I received in 1986 which contained old Chinese coins. The Far East was calling me even then. My curtains were beautifully sewn by my mother in red with lions on stripes…a Jane Churchill fabric called Pageant!

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? My first investment piece was a large antique Indian chest I found in west London around 20 years ago. It is teak with lovely brass hardware; It’s a simple design and the wood glows with the sunlight. It traveled with me to New York for 12 years and is now back home in England.

No room is complete without David Hicks.

People think of me as John Fowler, but I am really Jim Thompson.

…PS I am not grand enough to be any of the above!

Things you omit from:

A flower arrangement: Too many fighting colors and anything bridal or funereal
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything that makes your breath smell bad
A bar cabinet: I hate whisky, but others love it so I omit nothing from a bar cabinet!

A song for:

Dinner at home: Something old soothing and French like Django Reinhardt
Working at your desk: I can’t do emails with music playing!
Going for a run: Ibiza beats

Biggest Vice? White bread

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I’ve had some quite dangerous interactions with art dealers online but thankfully haven’t yet caused too much damage.

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Not really. I am much happier rummaging for an antique mirror than I am yanking on trousers in a fitting room.

Who is your star crush? Leonardo DiCaprio

What is the one thing you would never decorate your home with, but don’t detest when you see others do it? I suppose there are girly things like flamboyant frills and some florals that I don’t detest but would not use in my own home.

If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Gosh that’s hard. I guess David Hicks.

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? That’s easy… The best lacquer.