Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks architectural antiques expert Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Design, travel and friends.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

The best revenge is to have a fabulous life.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?

The current government in Australia and especially our left-wing Socialist friend Julia.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss being a father and a provider.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

More time on this planet.

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?

All bankers are stewing in their own muck.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Envy”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Too many people support charities for the wrong reasons. One must support a charity close to one’s heart rather than for superficial reasons.

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?

An unnecessary evil.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Matthew Steeples, Julia Gillard, Carlos Santana, John Cleese, Sigmund Freud, Pablo Picasso, and my son, Morgan so that he can witness it all. It’d be nice also to have Ralph Lauren and Axel Vervoordt as that would be just perfect.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I’d love a lamb shank on the Noosa Foreshore in Queensland. It’s a fabulous place and it would be divine.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Don’t be silly, alcohol doesn’t know what time it is.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

I’d rather have a glass of good red wine.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

The ones thrown by fabulous people who are creative, funny and innovative.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My son.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Polo.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I have tattoos that date back some 25 years. The one that would sum me up would be of a Viking.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

I would love to be an Aston Martin DB6.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I am very romantic.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A photograph of my beautiful daughter, Camilla.

James “Jim” Ruig is the founder of the architectural business, The Salvage Company. Operating out of London, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Hong Kong, Ruig sources reclaimed materials and antiques for commercial and residential clients.

For more information about The Salvage Company, go to: http://www.salvageeurope.co.uk