When you were little what did you dream of being?
I grew up on a cattle farm in North East NSW so I wanted to be a Rodeo Cowboy. After that wore off I dreamed of moving to New York to live with the teenage fashion model Roxane (daughter of a London playboy bunny who grew up growing vegetables on a hippy farm next door to my parents).

What motivates you?
Humour.

If you had a spare five minutes what would you do?
Surf the internet, specifically Google Earth. I love travelling and adore map reading, seeing where I’ve been want to go next.

How has the recession affected your approach to design?
I only want to manufacture and support products that stand the test of time. Quality and longevity are fundamental to beauty and comfort. With creativity comes responsibility. I’ve focussed on sourcing only the finest quality locally hand made fabrics and wallpaper; products printed to order rather than mass produced ‘by the kilometre’ then stock piled and shipped from afar. All of our finest quality paints, hand printed fabrics and hand blocked wallpapers are all manufactured in the UK and my new paint ranges being launched in US this November will be manufactured and distributed from within America for Americans.

Is there anyone you’re watching?
My two children (aged 10 and 13).

What are you working on?
Writing a new book for Rizzoli and Conran Octopus called the ‘Importance of Colour’, Fall 2010.

What are your current favourite materials/looks/moods?
Pale blue 100% cashmere walling for ski chalets (Courchevel), shagreen lined dressing rooms (Manhattan Upper East Side pre war apartments) and shaved mink beanbags for teenage girls’ bedrooms (Belgravia).

What are you tired of in the world of design?
High contrast feature walls, three lemons in a row and retail customers wanting a discount.

Has the internet affected your business?
Yes, particularly for visibility and convenience. Emails cut costs, notably postage.

Who is your hero?
Billy Baldwin for furniture (interior design)
Tom Stuart Smith for planting (garden design)
Kasimir Malevich for geometry (art)
Polly Borland for colour and light (photography)