Rose Ferguson interview: her sensorial pleasures

(Image credit: Courtesy of Rose Ferguson)

In Sense Check, our monthly Q&A, we unearth the sensorial pleasures of a contemporary tastemaker.

What is the first thing you see in the morning?
My husband, asleep. I'm a morning person and he's a night person. Then I look out of the window to see what the weather is. I rarely close the curtains. I like to see what's going on with the day.

Describe the view from where you are right now...
I'm actually looking out of my cottage at a white beach with a palm tree. I have been dodging the rain for a few days in the Caribbean, on Mustique.

Is there a view you can't quite forget?
Being at the top of Oblivion at Alton Towers. It tips forward before you plunge into the dark. I'm not great at heights, but I love rollercoasters.

Which artwork could you see every day?
My husband [Jake Chapman] is an artist, so I am lucky to have lots of things. I see a Mat Collishaw every day, a Damien Hirst, a huge Harland Miller Penguin print, and the Chapman Brothers' art.

What sound do you wake up to?
I live in the country, so in the summer it's birdsong. In the winter, it's quiet. It might be my dogs barking downstairs! I'm usually up by sixish. It's quiet and calm, and I quite like that.

What sound would you like to wake up to?
I suppose because of where I am today, waking up next to the ocean is pretty nice.

What gets you dancing?
I'm a bit of a 90s raver, so I like house music. Disco will always get me on my feet. Being around my girlfriends makes me feel like dancing. There's been a lot of dancing here – on the beach, in the kitchen, around the pool…

Which singer or song do you never tire of hearing?
The Stone Roses' "I Am the Resurrection". Also, Alison Limerick, "Where Love Lives". Music is amazing. It can change my mood.

Which smell takes you back to childhood?
When I was seven, we lived in Rio for two years. Then my dad moved to Kuala Lumpur. So the smell of tropical rain really reminds me of being a child.

What do you smell of today?
I just had a dip in the sea, so I smell of the sea and a bit of suncream. And the Dior perfume Lucky.

Does your home have an aroma?
Usually whatever my latest cooking adventure is. Garlic, herbs, things like that. And I usually have a candle going. Ambre Nuit by Dior is amazing.

What's your flavour?
I love spices, like cumin, turmeric and coriander seeds. Anything with ginger in it, I'm happy with.

Describe a dish that's stayed with you...
When I'm away, it’s vongole. I am not a massive pasta fan, but vongole to me is always like you're on holiday. Even just the clams – delicious!

What is the taste of spring?
I'd think of the colour green: cabbages, spring greens. Spring can still be a bit cold, so I'd make a roast chicken with slaw, new potatoes and mint.

Olive or a twist?
Are we talking Martinis? They are my go-to and I like the best of both. A Dirty Martini with a twist.

A dish you cook for yourself ?
I have a Thai green curry that I like to make. It's really easy, you just put everything into a blender. I love the taste of it and enjoy the whole process.

Silk or cashmere?
I'd say silk pyjamas but cashmere for everything else. The feeling of cashmere is the best.

Marble or wood?
To touch, wood. Marble is quite cold and hard.

What does spring feel like?
To me, exciting. It's a fresh breeze rolling in after winter. You can see things coming up, growing. This sounds cheesy, but spring feels quite hopeful!

Favourite piece of furniture at home?
My bed – I look forward to getting into it. I actually have a dead posh cashmere blanket on there, from Louis Vuitton. I love my sleep, basically

roseferguson.com

This article was originally published on The Week

Felix Bischof is the executive editor of The Blend. A contributor to HTSI, British Vogue, Pop and Vanity Fair, he has also worked with brands such as Dior, Piaget and Herzog & de Meuron.