The Steeple Times asks realtor and television personality Christophe Choo: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
That’s a great question. The first thing that comes to mind are the joys and wonderful things in my life: my family & friends and those who guide me in do what I do.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Proper everything and everyone now” and “do the right thing”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
I don’t like to make judgments on others so I stay away from making those kind of comments.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
My mom, she was such a wonderful lady and I lost her too young.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Happiness, joy, fulfillment and love.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Greed is a bad thing and that is the root of the crisis and many other evils in life.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
I don’t think I have one. I don’t loathe many things.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Covenant House California (homeless shelters for youth). I believe our future lies in the youth of today and I want to do whatever I can to support them, encourage them, help them dream and be their best.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I love my mobile device as I can virtually run most of my business in the field from it. It helps me be very productive and in touch with my followers and friends.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Valentino.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Pizza, champagne, caviar eggs and a stiff vodka rocks with a splash of grapefruit juice.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
A martini at lunch is always great and on vacation, champagne at breakfast is quite lovely.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I hate Negronis. I’ll have a martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
That is so hard to answer as every party is so different and has its own special energy. Sometimes you think a party will suck and it turns out to be spectacular. However, I would say the best party ever is the Bal De Débutantes in Paris hosted by my friend Ophélie Renouard.
Who is the most positive person you know?
I think I am as I work on that every day all day.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Cocktails.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I would never ever get a tattoo. I really don’t like them.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Rolls-Royce.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I may appear bougie or prissy, however I am really down to earth and come from simple folk, country people in France. I can have a great morning enjoying gardening or being on a farm with animals and enjoying nature and then get changed for a black tie affair and hob knob with the who’s who. Basically, though, I am a simple country boy at heart.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
On my family room mantel: A collection of rock crystal carvings, a marble Kwan Yin bust and an 18th century master oil painting of a mythological scene and a few very special rock crystal pendants filled with the ashes of our babies (dogs and cats) that are no longer with us.
On my salon mantel: Several Meissen urns, Porcelain de Paris vases, a pair of Meissen 18th century nodders and an 18th century pastel portrait of Marie Antoinette. I feel like I belong in the 18th century.
Los Angeles based Christophe Choo is the founder of the Christophe Choo Real Estate Group. He is a regular cast member on the HGTV show Selling LA and has also appeared on numerous other television shows.
View Christophe Choo’s official website at: http://www.christophechoo.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/ChristopheChoo