After the most bountiful spring for years, the garden at the Hunting Lodge, my house deep in the Hampshire countryside, is a cornucopia of flushed pink roses and raggedy-petalled pinks. The scent of nicotiana and rosemary drifts over pools of shimmering blue lilies into an indoor-outdoor room where I’ve just installed a carved rococo fire-surround below a naive C18th portrait of the man who wrote the words of Rule Britannia. Hard to tear myself away to fly with Fares and Tania Fares to their hometown, Beirut. Once-war torn, its now a buzzing, rebuilt, hive of art and fashion…Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman was amazed to see clothes London will wait seasons for in the dazzling new department store Aishti.

I bought some intricate cedarwood place-settings from designer Nada Debs, and a wonderful fake beaten-gold cuff for two dollars from a souvenir seller in Baal’bek. It turns out that immense temple complex was originally dedicated to thunder and lightening, and three hundred or so years later rededicated, by the Romans, to the Sun. Maybe this signifies cyclical warming, as evidenced by Ian Plimer in his brilliant book Heaven and Earth which pretty well proves the much-heralded global catastrophe is bunk.

Next week I go to New Orleans to work on a new project for my friends Rodney and Frances Smith. A secret, and immensely rich, figure has insisted on buying the house I did for them a decade ago. I’ll stay at the Soniat House hotel, the most romantic in that most romantic of places, the French Quarter, eat oysters Rockefeller at Galatois and get legless on Sazaracs, the original of all cocktails. From there I go to New York to correct the proof copy of my memoir “Redeeming Features’ which will be published in November. A. N. Wilson has already written ” this…evocation is indeed a masterpiece’.

I’m pretty sure the film on me that Hannah Rothschild has been making over the past year will be a masterpiece as well. Anyone who seen her latest, “The Jazz Baroness” knows how brilliant Hannah is. She’s spending August cutting me down to size for airing mid-November. Beautiful  Kirsty Young kept me in stitches while recording my Desert Island Discs. It’ll be broadcast on Sunday the 2^nd of August on BBC 4…..put on your dancing shoes!

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Wednesday 20th January 2010

Nicky hosted a lunch for Luise Reiner last week to celebrate her 100th birthday !! Luise is the only star to have won the Best Actress Oscar two years running in the 1930’s. Luise was surrounded by young cineart fans, the youngest being Nicky’s godson (Tony Snowdon’s Grandson) 2yr old Rex von Hofmannstahl.

Coming soonfor you to hear – Luise’s thank you voicemail message – it’s sublime !

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Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Nicky is being interviewed by Mariella Fostrup on BSKYB for The Book Show tomorrow. To be aired on 15th April on the Sky Arts Channel.

Be sure to tune in !

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Monday 8th February 2010

Sheer Opluence – Nicky’s wonderful design book showcasing some of his most beautiful interiors is being re-printed !! The new publication date is 8th April 2010.

www.amazon.co.uk/sheeropulence.co.uk

Talk about re-prints Redeeming Features (Nicky’s memoirs) is on its 3rd re-print in the USA !!!

www.amazon.co.uk/redeemingfeatures.co.uk

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Wednesay 10th February 2010

Check out Nicky on the BBC Radio 4 website for his appearance on Desert Island Discs back in September.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Thursday 11th February 2010

Go to the BBC wesbite and check out “High Society” an hour long film about Nicky  – written, directed and produced by Hannah Rothschild.

www.bbc.co.uk/storyville

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Friday 12th February 2010

In November last year, Nicky was in the USA for the publication of Redeeming Features, he was asked to appear on none other than the Martha Stewart show ! !

See link below for the TV feature…

http://www.marthastewart.com/nicholashaslam

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Monday 15th February 2010

See below for the press release for a London Design Week special at The Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London:

Wednesday 24 March 2010

• Design Lecture hosted by Financial Times

Nicky Haslam in Conversation

Internationally renowned interior designer, Nicky Haslam, in conversation with Creative Director Colette van den Thillart, talks about his fascinating life at the pinnacle of great design 11am

• Book Signing:

Famed interior designer, Nicky Haslam, signs copies of his books Sheer Opulence and Redeeming Features at the RIBA Bookshop 12.30pm

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Tuesday 16th February 2010

Nicky has been given the honour of being asked to be the keynote speaker at the opening night of the highly prestigious Design Leadership Summit in Venice.  It boasts as the most unique gathering for principals of leading Architecture and Design firms around the world.

Sunday 11th – Wednesday 14th April

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Monday 1st March

Nicky is off to the USA for the Oscars and to promote his books.

First stop New York,  check-in with the publishers and old friends, then off to Los Angeles where he will be attending the Vanity Fair Oscars party, the most prestigious of all events that weekend. Nicky will be signing some copies of his memoir Redeeming Features at Book Soup on Sunset Boulevard on Friday 5th March. Then it’s off to New Orleans to see some wonderful clients. Nicky is finishing his American road trip with a visit to Palm Beach to stay with friends and for another book signing at Books & Books on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

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Tuesday 2nd March

Shop Like A Designer

US edition of Architectural Digest April 2010 – you’ll find the designers shoppers special. You’ll find Nicky’s shopping secrets and favourite destinations all featured.

Out now..!

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Wednesday 3rd March

Check out April 2010 House & Garden the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre supplement where you’ll see the fabulous double Penthouse apartment in central London with views stretching across two skylines designed by Nicky has been photographed. The images feature beautifully amongst an interview and trade secrets into suppliers !

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