Here she tells us which book changed her life; whose garden she would most like to transplant to her own; and the epitaph she aspires to, thanks to one of her grandmother’s old photo albums.
Discover more of Jessica’s world here.
Favourite place in all the world?
My bedroom at home: it is to me the most comfortable and wonderfully cosseting room – the sun streams in on a morning and I have views from my bed over the gardens. It’s heaven.
Dream holiday?
Anywhere hot and sunny with palm trees and cocktails.
Most coveted item right now?
If I could transplant the gardens at Highgrove to my own home, then I don’t think I would ever need anything ever again. Except for maybe an army of gardeners! I visited Highgrove last summer and was completely spellbound by the beauty of the gardens: they are utterly charming.
Proudest professional moment to date?
Deciding to quit my corporate job and become an interior designer is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I’m proud of myself for taking that risk and making the change: it takes courage to leave a career that you’re already well-established in and strike out in a new direction. Every project I’ve worked on gives me a sense of pride that stems from that moment of deciding to change paths.
Your dream future project?
I’d love to do a project in the Bahamas or the Hamptons: somewhere with lots of space and light and a completely different vernacular style to projects I’ve worked on before.
Who has been your most inspiring mentor, professionally or personally?
Fifteen years ago, I was given a book by Nina Campbell and I was absolutely transfixed by her style. I loved the colours and the comfort and everything about the rooms she created. Nina inspired me to become an interior designer and I have boundless admiration for her work. Of course, she is not a mentor per se, but I am certainly inspired by her.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere?
A beautiful old pile in the Cotswolds countryside would be the dream: somewhere with lots of pretty rooms to decorate, a glorious garden and a charming village pub not too far away. Or Paris, perhaps. I imagine the reality of living in Paris is probably vastly different to my fantasy-world version, but I might give it a go one day.
What book is on your nightstand/ kindle right now?
I have a huge stack of books next to my bed at any one time: I have just finished reading Spring Cannot be Cancelled by David Hockney and Martin Gayford and found it to be very uplifting and inspiring.
Best film you’ve seen recently?
I loved Power of the Dog – it’s thrilling and tense throughout but in a very nuanced way. The ending is extremely satisfying; I hate films left with open endings.
Best binge-watched TV show?
I whizzed through The Andy Warhol Diaries on Netflix recently and loved every minute. What a fascinating life!
Top podcast of the moment?
I love listening to The Guilty Feminist. They recently did a redux of the Sex And The City’s follow up series ‘And Just Like That’: having been a huge fan of SATC in the late ‘90s I was thoroughly entertained with the insights Deborah Frances-White and her guests provided on the podcasts – much more than the TV show itself. Anyone who loved SATC but is cringing over And Just Like That will really enjoy the podcasts.
Your hero?
That’s a tricky question…I don’t think I really have a hero as there are so many people who do extraordinary things all the time. HM The Queen is probably the most exceptionally dedicated person on the planet so maybe that’s my answer.
Image: Photograph taken by Julian Calder for Governor-General of New Zealand, CC BY 4.0
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A Cocker Spaniel – enthusiastic, greedy and always picking the most comfortable spot to sit.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I liked the idea of being an astronaut when I was very little. I’ve always been very ambitious!
Worst job you’ve ever done?
I worked in a sofa shop for a short time. The job was fine but some of the customers were vile.
Favourite dish to cook?
I love cooking Italian food, mostly because I love to eat it! I cook a lot of recipes from Skye McAlpine’s book A Table for Friends. I don’t eat so much red meat but her recipe for cold roast beef is sensational and couldn’t be easier.
Favourite café/ restaurant?
In London I would pick The Delaunay: faultless service, delicious food, every inch as smart as its sister restaurant The Wolseley (although I like that too) but somehow more discreet. In Edinburgh I would pick Noto. I always choose the crab to start.
What tune always makes you want to dance?
Get Up by James Brown… how could you not?
Favourite website or app?
The hours of my life spent on Instagram is more than I care to admit.
Most useful thing on your desk?
I would be totally lost without my Mac. Ninety per cent of my work is done on a computer rather than being creative with lovely fabrics, sadly.
Which five people, dead or alive, would you find most interesting to be stuck in a lift with?
Nina Campbell, The Queen, Skye McAlpine, Sarah Jessica Parker and David Hockney.
Image: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0
Favourite building?
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is sensational. Of course the architecture is beautiful, but it also has an overwhelming sense of glamour and sophistication. A glass of champagne in what used to be called the Floral Hall spells the start of a great evening.
Favourite Instagrammer...
I love seeing snippets of VSP Interiors’ work taking shape. Henriette posts a lot of work in progress on her Instagram stories and it’s wonderful to see her projects taking shape. I think she has the most wonderful style. Also high on the list is Vanrenen GW, John Tanner, and Octavia Dickinson as I love everything they do too.
Your screensaver?
A fabric design – one of my favourites from Soane Britain. I might use it for my own home but for now it’s on my screen.
What would your biography be called?
I might suggest ‘Home can be Anywhere’. I am a real homebody so a story about my life would be completely entwined with the houses and flats in which I have lived. The importance of home to an interior designer is obvious but I think what many people misunderstand is that it doesn’t need to be grand or even necessarily beautiful (although that’s definitely a bonus): it is how it makes you feel. And as such, home can be anywhere.
What would be your epitaph?
I remember my glamorous American grandmother had a photo album in which there was a black and white snapshot of a drinks party taken in the late Fifties/early Sixties. Everyone looked so glamorous and like they were having the best time. My grandmother had written a caption underneath the photo naming the hostess and the words ‘Gave Good Parties’. I’d be thrilled to have that as my epitaph.
By Nancy Alsop
June 2022
