Latest news with #NickyHaslam
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hidden signs in your home that scream you're 'common': Socialite Nicky Haslam reveals artwork that says your tastes are lower-class - and takes a pop at Kate Moss
Socialite and arbiter of all things posh Nicky Haslam has released his annual controversial list of all things 'common' - and it will certainly ruffle some feathers. The furniture designer, 85, began releasing his tea towels, titled 'The Latest Things Nicky Haslam Finds Common', in 2018 usually just in time for Christmas, but he has put one on the market early this year in collaboration with Saatchi Yates, a London-based art gallery. He has titled his £50 tea towel 'Art Things Nicky Haslam Finds Common' and the list contains 36 places and people who are lower class and concepts, words and phrases that he believes are used by 'commoners'. This year, Haslam, who is based in the Cotswolds, has aimed his infamous tea towel at art snobs and says that silent auctions, selling art and 'artsplaining' are low-brow. He also took aim at supermodel Kate Moss, who is on the list of averageness, despite modelling some of the world's most famous art in the form of fashion, strutting down the catwalk clad in Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Westwood. She even designed her own sell-out collections with Topshop and Zara. The 51-year-old grew up in Croydon with her parents, barmaid Linda and Peter, then an airline employee, and admitted that it 'wasn't easy' growing up in south east London. And despite being one of the original 'It' girls of the 90s, she has certainly been reminded of her status in the industry professionals. In 2007, US store Barney's then-creative director Simon Doonan called Moss 'a working-class s**g from a crap town, like me.' Also on Haslam's list was the colour white, The Mona Lisa, arguably Leonardo da Vinci's most famous painting which now sits proudly in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Millions of tourists descend on the French capital to catch a glimpse of the slightly smiling brunette woman, an international symbol of art. But for Haslam, the painting is basic and ringarde. Also on the list of 'common things' is Banksy, a pseudonymous England-based street artist and political activist. The anonymous artist has been painting on public streets and signs since the early noughties and is responsible for some of the most famous pieces of art in the world. Balloon Girl is one of his most recognisable displays and it is of a monochrome young girl appearing to let go of red heart shaped balloon carried away by the wind. However, during a live auction in at Sotheby's in London in 2018, the painting - which was selling for millions of pounds - was put through an automatic shredder as soon as the gavel hit the block and was later known as 'Love is in the Bin' and became almost instantly more valuable. Banksy also went on a painting spree in the summer of 2024, creating a whopping nine new murals spanning across London, which could have contributed to Haslam believing that he has become somewhat 'common' and overhyped. While putting together his list of 'common' things for 2025, Haslam spared no one and nothing in the realm of art; targeting hanging photographs, the Sistine Chapel, oversized garden art and even the colour white. The only designer brand on the list was French fashion house Saint Laurent which is currently being managed by Belgian-Italian creative, Anthony Vaccarello. He has held this position since 2016 and the brand is owned by the French holding company Kering, which is also responsible for other renowned brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. Saint Laurent has been good enough for the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jane Fonda, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga to wear at red carpet events, but it appears it is too 'low class' for Haslam. Full list of 'art things Nicky Haslam finds common' Selling art Artsplaining Sistine Chapel Christie's Downlit art 'Art is subjective' Silent auctions Children by Renoir Symbolism Hanging photographs 'Can't see what you see in that' David Hockney can't paint for toffee but can draw like a god Francis Bacon is the campest artist since Gustav Moreau Waldemar Januszczak's real name Giverny The Mona Lisa Oil paintings of big game Oversized garden art Studio visits Philistine Genres Frieze White Trauma Interpreted Banksy Validation 'Have you got anything to fit this space?' Meaningful 'I'm afraid it's reserved' Kate Moss Tapestry wall hangings Have you noticed there is no 'school' of Lucien Freud Saint Laurent Buying art at weekends The Biennale Tapestry wall hangings, Christie's art gallery, the word trauma, and the phrase 'art is subjective' also made the notorious tea towel of 2025. Haslam said the exclusive one-off tea towel collaboration was to celebrate Saatchi Yates's 'incredible exhibition' called Once Upon a Time in London. Last November, he released his 2024 tea towel just in time for Christmas and declared that his controversial list should be varied enough to upset everyone in some capacity as he took aim at dairy free alternatives, destination weddings and yellow bags (in which the products will be sold by Selfridges). Although he appeared to take a veiled aim at Prince William through one of the 'common' things on his list, Haslam praised Meghan Markle for giving Prince Harry a 'nice life' as the pair mingle with A-listers in Montecito - away from what Haslam says are Harry's 'ghastly' family. He declared the Duchess too, was 'ghastly' but added she has 'got guts'; referring to the Duke and Duchess's move to California in 2020 when they stepped down as working royals. 'Who'd want to live in a damn cottage in Frogmore and open boring things and have to be part of that ghastly family, all of whom hate each other? Much more fun to be with movie stars and tycoons in California and flying about. Much nicer life, and she's given it to Harry,' he said. Despite his apparently sharp barbs towards the royals, Haslam is friends with Queen Camilla and was once a decorator for King Charles. He was even associated with Wallis Simpson during the Swinging Sixties. While putting together his list of 'common' things for 2024, Haslam spared no one and nothing; taking aim at people who get married abroad, people who have fire pits in their garden, people who drink almond milk and people who hold gender reveal parties. He even put Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour on the list for her daily routine, which she has shared on a number of occasions and involves her going to the gym and getting her hair done. Among those considered lower class by Haslam are people who rescue dogs; suggesting an adopted pooch is now akin to a 'Birkin bag'. He revealed his method for devising the tea towel each year is by jotting down 'common' things throughout the year that have irritated him.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Nicky Haslam reveals the 'tacky' garden item ruining your outdoor space - and what you should use instead
Interior designer and socialite Nicky Haslam has named the one garden item he considers truly tacky - and it's not your plant choices. According to the famously outspoken tastemaker, it's modern, matching furniture sets that are ruining outdoor spaces across the country. The green-thumbed enthusiast, whose London-based studio has designed glamorous interiors around the world, believes today's sleek patio sets look more like airport seating than something you'd want in a garden. 'Nothing looks more horrible in winter than furniture with covers over it,' he told the Telegraph. Now in his 80s, Nicky is as opinionated as ever when it comes to what's tasteful and what isn't - publishing his infamous 'What Nicky Haslam Finds Common' tea towel annually. Recent entries have included 'strawberries', 'remote-controlled lawnmowers', and 'music', but his garden gripes are particularly exacting. Nicky has no time for coordinated outdoor sets or synthetic-looking materials, and instead prefers a more eclectic, characterful approach. Lloyd Loom woven furniture is, in his words, 'definitely too common'. His own ideal setup features classic wooden or wrought-iron benches and sofas, dressed in thick mattresses, throws and a generous scattering of cushions. For fabrics, Nicky favours timeless stripes, especially green and white. He recalls a particularly chic example of garden elegance from a visit to Belvoir Castle with the late socialite Diana Cooper. There, old cane benches were lined with black chintz cushions patterned with oversized red roses - a look he calls 'so chic'. Nicky is also a fan of mixing indoor and outdoor elements, though only when done with style. An outdoor bench in a hallway or trellis on an interior wall can bring charm, but dragging your dining chairs outside is a step too far. It's a flair for style he's honed since his school days. While a pupil at Eton, Nicky transformed his study with faux ocelot curtains, cardboard ostrich plumes, artificial grass from a local greengrocer and carriage lamps. A dramatic photograph of James Dean completed the look - so impressive that his house master would bring guests to see it after dinner. From Eton schoolboy to international designer, he has always had an eye for the fabulous, and a sharp tongue for the faux-pas. If your garden furniture came as a matching set, you may want to rethink. The socialite also said yellow garden flowers are 'tacky', and lower the esteem of your back yard space. And it's not the first time the designer has been outspoken about plant selection. Nicky has in past said he cannot stand red roses in the garden - along with other plants such as berberis, rhododendrons, sunflowers and conifers. He also relegated red hot pokers, aubretia, and copper beeches to gardening purgatory. Red roses are acceptable when picked and displayed in a vase, Haslam added, making a design concession for the flowers widely associated with romance, passion, and devotion. He also highlighted that, while plants can help set the mood in your garden, it is important to consider how they are arranged - not just what kinds of plants you have growing. Instead of letting your plants grow recklessly in a wild garden that Haslam deems 'quite boring', the furniture designer and socialite recommended informally organising them into large groups. Some of his favourite plants include the stinking iris, that can be found blooming in Britain all-year round, white foxgloves, white pansies, and the Stokes' aster 'White Star'. While Nicky adores white flowers, he recommends steering clear of yellow-coloured blooms.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nicky Haslam reveals summer trends that will make you appear 'common' - plus his rules for a classy picnic
Nicky Haslam, whose famous annual tea towel determines the things that make a person 'common', has revealed his list of summer faux pas people should avoid. The furniture designer and socialite, whose tea towels retailed for £50 in Selfridge's last Christmas, has contributed his verdict on summer etiquette rules ahead of the summer season in the UK. Adding to a Sunday Times guide as a 'tastemaker', Haslam, 85, who is friends with Queen Camilla, revealed his 'ins' and 'outs' for the summer. Among the Costwolds-based socialite's list of rules is the correct time of year to drink rosé wine - which he says is all year round. Responding to the assertion that the variety of wine should not be served before June 1 or after August 31, Haslam vehemently objected to this logic. 'Absolute balls. It's delicious at all times of year, even midwinter, and particularly Léoube. It's the only wine I really like,' he said. He also offered his views on 'picky bits' for dinner during the summer when dining al fresco or attending a picnic. According to Haslam, there is no issue with indulging in picnics with friends - as long as none of the guests bring a knife and fork to eat their canapes. He stated picnic participants should only bring foods that can be eaten with one's hands should be available in a spread, but food that lends itself to cutlery should be avoided altogether. Drinks should be easy to access, and shouldn't require a screw or any on-grass mixing, he said. He suggested a home-mixed bloody Mary 'is very nice indeed'. He said: 'All you want at a picnic are pork pies and scotch eggs — you don't want anything you can't eat with your fingers. Some cold chicken dipped into mayonnaise? That would be acceptable. 'But not a beetroot salad as you need a fork, or tomatoes as they just go squashy. Although tomatoes on the vine could be nice.' He also shared his views on what are appropriate food contributions at a summer BBQ. Haslam also jokingly took issue with guests bringing dishes to the table inspired by beloved chef Yotam Ottolenghi - as this could constitute 'showing off'. Generally, guests should avoid bringing anything unless they are 'explicitly' asked to do so, he asserted. Cake and wine are also banned, with the socialite saying it's only ever a 'bore' and 'faff' to the host, who wants to believe 'they've got everything right from the beginning.' Haslam also shared his advice on summer style advice. Asked whether he believed wedding guests should be allowed to attend a nuptial without a tie, Haslam had one definitive answer - 'absolutely not'. 'The very word 'formal' says you shouldn't. Being without a tie means the shirt collar disappears under jacket lapels and you look like you've been at the champagne already,' he said. And lastly, neither fascinators nor 'souped-up headbands' are acceptable as replacements for a summer hat, said Haslam, who called the alternative headwear 'completely useless'. He said the point of wearing a hat should remain functional - to shade one's face and keep flyaways at bay. Last year, Haslam teamed up with Selfridges - a collaboration that could well have fallen victim to the list in years past - to release the 2024 tea towel which retails at £50 (up from £18 when it was first released in 2018). Unveiling the towel, he declared that his controversial list should be varied enough to upset everyone in some capacity as he took aim at dairy free alternatives, destination weddings and yellow bags (in which the products will be sold by Selfridges).
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Never ask ‘what's for dinner' and hide food from teenagers - my essential rules for happy home dining
'You'll never eat a good meal in a restaurant that puts caviar on scrambled eggs'; 'Your dining companions should have a say in what you order'; 'There is nothing wrong with making multiple reservations for the same evening and then cancelling them.' The Financial Times asked its food writers to produce a set of commandments for restaurant dining, which were reviewed by industry experts (and, erm, Brooklyn Beckham). The experts were not impressed: 'The dumbest thing I've ever heard'; 'Over my cold dead body'; 'This is not just a bad rule, it's an act of terrorism.' Although entertaining, I'm not sure how useful this is at the moment. Have you seen how expensive eating out is now? When a fancy croissant costs £6 – in York! – most of us aren't wondering whether or not a seven-course tasting menu is likely to deliver on its promises. We're mostly eating in these days, but that doesn't mean there aren't rules to argue over. Here are mine – I expect, and hope, you'll disagree. Soup is a drink, not a meal. Yes, however 'hearty'; yes, even with bread. Toast, however, is totally a meal. 'What's for dinner?' is a despicable question. Come with realistic suggestions or for ever hold your peace. Similarly, if you claim you 'don't mind' what you eat, you can't then criticise what is presented to you by someone who has taken on the mental load of planning and preparing dinner. You can have one special mug (or bowl, or plate) that no one else can use, but just one. Pointy-ended spoons can go to hell. So (this is my best friend's rule, not mine) can kitchen roll. 'It's toilet paper for the kitchen,' she says, with the devastating finality of Nicky Haslam. 'Everyone should have napkins.' I'm a heavy kitchen roll user, but took this on the chin and am currently on eBay buying 12 vintage napkins for the price of a single croissant. If I am preparing vegetables, it is NOT cute to cruise by, cheekily steal a handful and pop them in your mouth; it just means I have to chop more carrots. Rude. Backseat cooking is never acceptable, unless the cook is causing imminent danger to life or health. Back off, or take over entirely. A supermarket packet of fresh pasta serves one, not two. As an adult guest, unless you're allergic to, genuinely intolerant of, helplessly revolted by, or religiously or philosophically prohibited from eating a certain food, you should try some of what you have been served. Yes, even if it messes with your 'macros', or you're 'avoiding refined sugar' or 'doing keto'. I was so shocked by another Financial Times article in 2023 that said it was OK to upset people in the pursuit of thinness ('The worst outcome is that someone resents you for a bit. You aren't a teenager in a California high school drama.'), I've been brooding on it ever since. Collective eating is a sacred social ritual, and sometimes making your granny happy trumps your wellness goals. But, if you're the host, no food you serve should become a referendum on your worth or lovability. Get over it – worst-case scenario, there will be leftovers, which are the best reason for having people round to eat in the first place. Speaking of leftovers, it's finders keepers: all little bowls in the fridge are fair game. Conversely, if you put something into the fridge, it is your responsibility to dispose of it. Don't make me tackle your putrid prawns. Home working couples should not have weekday lunch together. Relationships need what my husband calls 'un jardin secret' – a certain mystique. For me, that's never letting him witness the sell-by-date-defying garbage I shovel into my face at 1pm. Never judge someone else's condiment and seasoning choices; you don't know what is going on in their mouth. 'One person cuts, the other chooses' is not just for kids sharing cake, it's a lifelong, universal principle. The maximum amount of time you can claim a dirty dish to be 'soaking' is overnight (eight hours at most). Any more is gross dereliction of duty. Hiding food is acceptable only if: 1) Society has broken down completely and it's a survival scenario; or 2) You live with teenagers. Everything goes in the oven at 180C. I said what I said. Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
