Julia Twigg has been magicking up the most beautiful homes in South Africa, London and Hong Kong for decades. In fact, if we had the opportunity, we’d haul her in to make our lives more beautiful too. Her eye for gorgeous colour, textiles and items with provenance is legendary, but so are her sense of humour and interest in the world. From film to books and everything in between, she is a mine of information.
What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year. And why?
The best four are: The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen – it’s funny and clever; The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne – I have always been interested in the Dunne family; Voyage around the Queen by Craig Brown – so witty and so well written, I couldn’t put it down; and I reread a Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh – just wonderful.
How do you keep fit?
I walk around the Inanda polo field.
Weekday, lowkey restaurant go-to? What do you order?
Pron for the hand-break bread, green beans and aubergine; Mastrantonio for all the starters; Glenda’s for the fish cake; and Tortellino D’Oro for the vitello tonnato.
What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why?
I went to the Matisse Cut-Out exhibition at the Tate Modern years ago and it has stayed with me forever. I would like a huge Matisse cut-out!
What do you regret most?
I was asked a long time ago to go to see Turandot in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Pavarotti was singing . I didn’t go. It was spectacular and every time I hear it, I feel weak. It’s the things I haven’t done that I regret.
The one unusual item you can’t live without?
My basket. It has all I need for work and play – even a little first aid kit. It goes with me everywhere.
Who was your high school celeb crush?
Barbara Zoellner, who married Chris Barnard. She was so beautiful and elegant.
Three songs that you’d take to a desert island?
American Tune by Simon & Garfunkel – the tune is from Oh Sacred Head, Now Wounded in St Matthew Passion by Bach, which is my favourite Bach; I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free by Nina Simone; and a recording of the fish eagle from the Sasol Birds of Southern Africa recordings to always remind me of the bush.
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