Homing In

Christopher was President of the Royal Academy for eight years and given a knighthood in 2021. 

I first met him a few years ago, when The Modern House was selling his beautiful home in Camberwell. Shortly after that, he had a joint exhibition in Los Angeles with my wife, Faye Toogood, so I got to know him better during the week we were out there together. 

This podcast gave me the chance to go a bit deeper, and I really enjoyed finding out more about his life.  

Despite always finding himself in positions of authority, Christopher paints a picture of a naturally shy and introspective character.

He and his wife, Charlotte Verity, moved out to Somerset a couple of years ago, and we had a snoop around their studios before sitting down to record this podcast in their lovely Georgian farmhouse. 

Christopher gives me a fascinating insight into what it's like to be a professional painter: from the importance of the space he's working in, to the rituals he goes through and what he's thinking about. 

He tells me about what it's like to live with another artist – how they need to give each other space, and how they critique each other's work. 

And we discuss the important houses in his life, notably the Victorian villa that he extended with the help of the architect Jamie Fobert. 

I've got a huge amount of respect for Christopher, and I found this conversation so fascinating. I hope you enjoy it too.

For more:

Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration

Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live

Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram

Follow The Modern House Instagram

Watch our Homing In films on YouTube

Producer: Laconic Collective

Graphic Design: Ben Tucker

Music: Simeon Walker

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zandra's home is one of the most colourful, cluttered and downright bonkers living spaces I've ever been in. 

We recorded this podcast just before Christmas, so there was an extra layer of sparkle on top of the kaleidoscope. 

Zandra walked me through her incredible life story... from being born during an air raid in 1940, to being discovered by American Vogue's fashion editor Diana Vreeland... dressing people like Freddie Mercury, and having lunch with Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.  

We discussed why she dyes her hair pink and wears flamboyant clothes, and why she's never seen herself in the mirror without makeup on.  

She told me about her colourful family history, including a dad she was embarrassed by, a mum who channelled all of her ambition into Zandra, and a grandmother who was murdered.  

Zandra's in her mid-eighties now. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. 

But I found someone who's incredibly full of life, working as hard as ever, and optimistic about the future.  

This episode was recorded in person at Zandra's home in London.

For more:

Pick up a copy of Zandra Rhodes' latest book, Iconic

Subscribe to The Modern House newsletter for weekly interiors inspiration

Pick up a copy of Matt Gibberd’s latest book, A Modern Way To Live

Follow Matt Gibberd on Instagram

Follow The Modern House Instagram

Watch our Homing In films on YouTube

Producer: Laconic Collective

Graphic Design: Ben Tucker

Music: Simeon Walker

This episode is sponsored by Vitsoe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.