Jane Churchill
photo by Ed Shepherd
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Antigua today, last summer the Cotswolds. Depends on the weather.
What are three words to describe your style? 1. Timeless 2. Eclectic 3. Comfortable
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? My sister Melissa and I both had four posters from when we were quite young and I remember having to take a running jump to get into it, so quite cool I would say!
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? My mother always insisted on extremely comfortable beds so the first thing I bought was a mattress, an equivalent of Savoir beds today, it cost the national debt but worth every penny as it was like sleeping on a cloud! My 8 year old granddaughter is already obsessed with a comfy mattress!
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be?
I would hire the late Alberto Pinto, best for houses abroad, private planes and yachts. He was the most charming man.
No room is complete without me in it!
People think of me as ________, but I am really _____________
I would rather not know- I am too old to change now!
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Red Anthurium, they even look fake when they aren’t and as for that yellow thing sticking out… say no more.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Dates wrapped in bacon as I always think it is a sausage.
A bar cabinet: Anything goes in a bar, there is no too far.
A song for:
Dinner at home: I loathe music at dinner it ruins conversation.
Working at your desk: Classic FM has propelled me sanely through lockdown.
Going for a run: Nile Rogers - so upbeat!
Biggest Vice? Daily Mail Online and Instagram.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I would buy a really expensive watch as I had one once and it was stolen so have made do with fakes. Now I am so grown up I feel it is the right time for the real deal.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, because Zara sells clothes that are easy to put together to achieve a chic and uncluttered look. Also, I don’t have to look at the price, so I feel rich! They are so reasonable and well made.
Who is your star crush? Robert DeNiro until I saw him interviewed on a chat show.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Wallpaper the ceiling, seems to be the new thing. Haven’t got my head round that yet.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? John Cornforth- great for detail.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Making the best of every project.
photo by Ed Shepherd
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Casino.
Book: War and Peace- as yet to read.
Scent: Caleche by Hermès.
The fabric you always come back to: Natural dyed linens.
Dream project: The one where I can make final decisions, with input from the client so they feel it is their home.
Meal: Anything that ends with chocolate.
Drink: Elderflower pressé.
Hotel: Anything 5 star- I love luxury and there is always a new one to investigate.
Travel Destination: Far East- I love the different culture.
Artist: Lucien Freud- don’t want and can’t own one but fascinated by his painting.
Thing to collect obsessively: I would collect ceramics, anything from Adrian Sassoon.
Era in the history of design: Every era seems to add something but I am depressed by the architecture allowed that will not stand the test of time.
Museum: The Wallace Collection. I am on the International Committee. That sounds grander than it is- basically bottom line = fund raising! Such a wonderful collection in a small space and the next exhibition I am involved with is a collaboration with Disney, as The Swing by Fragonard, seen in Frozen, is in the Wallace.
Paint Color that always looks great: Fenching from Papers and Paints. I am a blue person.
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @citychic4ever_ as it always shows wonderful houses and gardens.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Hell in London, perfect in the country.
