House Style with Smita Patel
After showing us around her minimalist house in Peckham, radio producer Smita Patel shares her house style.
You’re happiest at home when…
Nothing gives me as much joy as eating with friends. I’m a big cook and feeder!
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
Calm, serene and quiet.
If you could only save one thing, what would it be?
My collection of Tomoko Abu ceramics – they are very special as they are no longer made. I’ve had them for years and use them every day.
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
A lovely 1950s white wire metal stool from Faversham flea market for £15. And 150 Alliums blubs for the garden to be planted when it stops raining! It’s a very boring task but come spring the garden looks heavenly when they pop up looking tall and majestic.
Top three coffee table books?
They change with my mood but at the moment they are: Ruth Asawa, David Zwirner Books. Her metalwork is sublime and the recent exhibition was amazing – a truly original talent.
Even though I live in a late Victorian house I adore modern architecture and I love looking at my favourite architect’s work in Tadao Ando: The Colours of Light, which shows the work of a Japanese master.
White Porcelain by Taizo Kuroda. A Japanese potter whose work I’d love to have in my home! Until that happens I can stare at his sublime creations in this book.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
I would make the garden room bigger with double doors onto my 200ft garden, and build the cabin my friend architect Matthew Giles has designed for me. I would also plant more evergreen plants in the front and back garden to make it green all year round. I wish I’d done it eight years ago when I moved in as it would now be very lush. But, as they say, it’s never too late, so I am planning to do that this autumn and spring.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
I cook a lot but if I am rushed my go-to menu is paneer and spinach samosas with a carrot relish, caramelised onion and aubergine biryani with cucumber cumin yoghurt raita. And, as I am so bad at pudding, my lovely friend Louise would bring her amazing apple tarte tatin.
What does a Sunday here look like?
For the past two years, a morning of volunteer work, chatting for hours to a woman who is 90. We put the world to rights and she never ever moans. When I am that age I want to be just like Gwen: fun, creative and wise. And then I go for a walk with a friend and have people over for an early supper.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
Peckham and Nunhead have vast green spaces: Peckham park, the Rye and Nunhead cemetery are my favourite places for long walks.
The area also has great independent restaurants – it’s food heaven. I love Forza Wine, Mr Bao, Miss Tapas, Babette and Naifs. We are spoilt for choice.
And for me, the most important thing is that I have the best neighbours.
How long will you be here for?
Probably until they take me out in a box! I love living here, but I wouldn’t mind a little shack near a beach like St Leonards or Olhão in Portugal.
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