Design

Photograph by Jack English

I loved decorating as a child. My mother encouraged it. She was delighted when I had fun doing my bedroom and she let me have complete freedom...I adore "shocking pink". I adore red. It was my tidy paradise in orderly chaos.

My ex husband was the same he allowed me total freedom. I was offered places at interior design schools but did not take them. I will leave experts to sort out the correct cornice for a house and the plumbing, but nobody will change my passion for colour.

Eden Place, Beverly Hills,  designed by Hal Levitt

Martyn Lawrence Bullard had the most adorable fairy who helped me do my latest house in Los Angeles, called Leura Fine. The house was a wreck belonging to the Hitchcock Blonde Janet Leigh, famous for being murdered in the shower.

Summitridge Drive, Los Angeles, the home of Janet Leigh

We made use of the houses natural charms and have turned it into a LA pad with views to the sea.
It has a very happy feel to it and I have nearly forgotten the charms of Eden Place, my favourite house house designed by the architect Hal Levitt. Of course it has a tennis court. One of its greatest assets for those that love the game.

My house in London is completely different. You can however see that they are mine.

Cheyne Walk, London

 

Amanda's flat in Paris

Chester Square 

This house once belonged to John Osbourne writer of Look back in Anger.  He was very famous in the 1960's the huge bronze doors came off the stage at the Royal Court Theatre. He said of the house it had cost him a fortune. Sir Hugh Casson was the architect.  I bought it in 1990 and moved there two years later.  It was a huge amount of work. My husband let me do anything to it.  It became a stage for my life.