Nicholas Haslam Quotes

Interior decoration partly thrives on being social.

You can learn the subtle language of interior style, but many people simply buy it. If you put yourself in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, you can be confident it will look good.

I had a face-lift, and I would have another if I needed one. It definitely changed my life. I’m not vain. In fact I don’t like looking at myself. The face-lift was just about looking rested.

I tend to look out for things with a resonance to my youth – artists or objects that seemed romantic all those years ago. I never buy anything purely for its value. I like possessions that smile back at me.

Vanity is not having facelifts if you’re ugly. Those people who say: ‘Oh, I’d never dream of having anything done!’ That’s rude. It’s rude, to other people, to not try and look your best; to not try and stir things up, to not reinvent… or just invent… it’s one’s duty to not get stuffy.

I think what I have is straightforwardness, unabashedness rather than charm.

I’ve never paid attention to politics. I only have the vaguest notion of what the IRA is.

I have a thirst – it’s an awful word, but I’m thirsty for knowledge. I like knowing things, the odder the better, the more obtuse the better.

Sunday afternoon is for papers and writing.

I could care less if it’s Mick Jagger or the man on the street. I just like interesting people, and I happen to know a lot of stars.

I’ve always wanted to look different. I always think I’ve got this terrible figure. I’d like to be 3 inches taller.

I don’t feel I have to charm somebody, I feel I want to know them; it’s a different thing.

It’s rude to not try and look up-to-date. Is rude the right word? Yes! It’s rude – rude to other people.

I don’t do nostalgia. The phrase ‘the good old days’ never passes my lips.

The English truly understand the dynamic between buildings and land.

I believe every room speaks, tells you what to do to it. You have to listen to that.

Most English houses, grand or small, nestle in an intimate pastoral setting.

I wanted to be grown up the minute I could.

I’m about love.

I have a natural curiosity for people.

I’ve always chased glamour.

It’s the fashion, I tell you: big, tall women going out with tiny, tiny men.