Here, the duo share their dream future projects; their heroes; their proudest moments; and why it’s imperative never to be too grand to get the hoover out.
Proudest professional moment to date?
Both: Having one of our projects feature in the World of Interiors magazine. An absolute career height.
Your dream future project?
Both: We have enjoyed working on some recent projects in the US and upcoming projects in the mountains but dream of a beach house somewhere like Harbour Island, or a holiday home in Nantucket.
Who has been your most inspiring mentor, professionally or personally?
Mary: My former boss, Cindy Leveson, a true mentor in the fullest sense. Taught me everything I know about interiors but also about how to be confident in myself, interact with people and get the job done. She also exposed me to people and places I’d otherwise not have known about.
Nicole: Like Mary, I learnt so much from working for Nina Campbell. How to relate to both clients and the site and project teams, and never being too high level to get stuck in and get the hoover out! Also important lessons on running a business that have been an inspiration in how we interact with our team today.
What book is on your nightstand/ kindle right now?
Mary: Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. Leant to me by a friend and so topical right now with the war in Ukraine, it gives an insight in to why politics is so linked to geographical borders.
Nicole: I’ve recently read The Four Winds, which actually connects well to Mary’s book above. It tells the story of the Great Depression in the US and a devastating drought in Texas leading to a great swath of refugees having no choice but to flee to find work elsewhere and the mistreatment they faced as a result. Though the cause was so different, their trials really brought home the current plight of the Ukrainian people for me.
Best film you’ve seen recently?
Mary: The only films I watch at the moment seem to be children’s films! I did re-watch The Dig the other day and was reminded how beautiful and sensitive that was.
Nicole: I have probably most recently been affected by Don’t Look Up. I was left speechless, which is rare!
Best binge-watched TV show?
Mary: How to choose! Bridgerton if my husband’s away! Before that, probably Schitt’s Creek – the humour is just so off-beat and hilarious.
Nicole: I’ve just watched Inventing Anna and really enjoyed that. But the best drama recently which is highly recommended is Save Me – it had us completely hooked.
Top podcast of the moment?
Mary: The Rest Is History by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. I just love anything to do with history and I love the way that podcasts expose you to topics you might not have been drawn to naturally. I never listen to the radio anymore – it’s always a podcast.
Nicole: I’ve actually recently got into audio books and have most enjoyed Anya Hindmarch’s If In Doubt Wash Your Hair and can’t stop raving about it!
Your hero?
Mary: Probably my Grandpa, who was a missionary doctor in the African jungle. I don’t really remember him that much, but I remember his legacy and what others say about him. To be spoken off with such respect, admiration and love is a goal for me.
Nicole: I don’t think I have one particular hero but a whole host of people that inspire me, from the great interior designers of the past to mountaineers and explorers and successful entrepreneurs. I love to see how others have approached life and how they learnt from their successes and failures while also remaining kind and respected.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Mary: Heidi! Anything Alpine was all I could think about, from painting wildflowers to having my own goat.
Nicole: So many things! Though I am very happy with how things ended up!
Worst job you’ve ever done?
Mary: Probably work experience in the kitchens at the Savoy Hotel when I was very young. It was a very stressful environment where tensions ran high and people were quite volatile! A bit of a shock to the system for a naive 15-year-old from the countryside.
Nicole: I temped in some incredibly boring office environments in my early years in London waiting for a special job to come along – luckily I didn’t have to wait too long!
Favourite dish to cook?
Mary: Not so much a dish but homemade focaccia is a favourite. It tastes delicious and looks way more impressive than it actually is!
Nicole: I have a huge love from cooking learnt from my very talented mother, but I feel so sad I so rarely have time to indulge at the moment. I do love to go back to basics and challenge myself to cook the BEST Bolognese or other simple dishes. I now love pottering in the kitchen with my children, peeling potatoes and podding beans!
Favourite café/ restaurant?
Mary: The Wolseley. I love the old-fashioned glamour of it. Being met at a revolving door by a man in a top hat, starched tablecloths and eggs Benedict is perfect.
Nicole: I love so many and sometimes it’s location that wins out, but if it is London I will agree with Mary – we have had many happy meals there together, sneaking off after work events!
What tune always makes you want to dance?
Mary: So – I love happy music! I often dance round the kitchen with my kids to rock n’ roll – a favourite is Run Around Sue by Dion DiMucci.
Nicole: I apparently love what my children love nowadays – there is always music being played and sung along too in our house!
Favourite website or app?
Mary: I look at Sellingantiques.com daily and it’s now become something of an addiction.
Nicole: Instagram is a constant source of inspiration for work and life but I do think it has to be used with a pinch of salt as there are too many people posting unrealistic, heavily filtered imagery that it can be too easy to get swept up into at the end of an exhausting day. So I use with caution and try my hardest to limit myself!
Most useful thing on your desk?
Mary: A tape measure. On my desk, in my handbag, on my bedside table… I’m never without one!
Nicole: Snap!
Favourite building?
Mary: An almost impossible question to answer! Favourite genre would be the English country house and within that Reddish House (former home of Cecil Beaton) would be up there as one of my all-time favourites.
Nicole: Wherever we go we take a far too many photographs for inspiration all over the world, but we have hugely fond memories of a pre-Covid trip to Charleston that has certainly influenced our work.
Favourite Instagrammer or tweeter?
Mary: I don’t follow Twitter but on Instagram it would probably be @jennyroseinnes for pictures of her gorgeous homes and gardens (past and present) and I also love @pollyanna_wilkinson for her amazingly generous gardening advice
Nicole: I am currently decorating my own chalet in the Alps, so I am suddenly following an array of mountain related accounts on Instagram! I do generally always love to gaze at the posts and stories from @sarahbalineum and @gpschager, @mcalpinehouse.
Your screensaver?
Mary: At home, a picture of my kids, which really needs updating. And at work, a picture of our Scallop Rug.
Nicole: My computer screensaver is currently the happiest photo of my three daughters at the end of a wonderful summer holiday last year – it makes me smile every time!
Your epitaph?
‘They were always prepared to go the extra mile.’
By Nancy Alsop
September 2022
