Sophie Rossdale: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks designer Sophie Rossdale: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

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

An inkpot and a computer.

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

“If in doubt, add more wine”.

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

The TOWIEs and Made in Chelsea crew. They’re so scripted and utterly crap.

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

My dog, Mojo.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A time machine so I can go back and find out which horse I should have backed for this year’s Grand National. I’d then put all my wealth on it.

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?

It’s terrible. I don’t think anyone could comment in any other way.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Moist”.

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

I like to support smaller charities as I’d like to know where my money is going. I support a charity for children in India because of my business involvement there. I also support a charity for women in Iran.

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 can achieve a lot on my phone without moving. I deal with people in India to manufacture and supply my fabrics and being able to communicate with them so easily is just great.

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

Maggie Smith, Danny DeVito, Peter O’Toole, Paul Newman (when he was younger). It’s such a weird mix but I’d rather have these than the obvious.

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

I would have dressed crab to start and as a main I’d opt for a steak and green salad. I’d have a raspberry cheesecake to finish. I’d eat it on a terrace in the sun with a glass of rosé.

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

I think 12 o’clock but some people say just after 11.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of tea. I don’t like the other two.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

My own, as I know where everything is.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My father.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Smoking.

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

A tattoo of bubbles as “Bubbles” is my nickname.

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

Something old and rusty.

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

I’m colour-blind but my fabric designs are much loved because people consider them unusual.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

An empty wine glass, pictures of my sisters and a smelly candle.

Sophie Rossdale is a designer and importer of fabrics from India. Her tablecloths, cushions, bedspreads and napkins are a combination of Indian and European styles and she sells them through her firm, Adair UK.

View Sophie Rossdale’s official website at: http://www.adairuk.com

Follow her on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/AdairHomeware