Christine d’Ornano talks personal taste Part Two

The Sisley vice president concludes her list of likes with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, The River Café and London’s Pimlico Road

My style icon is Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. I knew her husband, John F Kennedy Jr, as we were related, but I never met Carolyn. She represents to me the essence of the Calvin Klein style of the 1990s and I find her look still relevant today.

The last meal that truly impressed me was lunch with my mother and cousins, who were over from Paris, at The River Café, a restaurant that continues to impress me. To start I had burrata with wood-roasted green vegetables and then pasta with crab and basil with a glass of Gavi di Gavi. Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 (020-7386 4200; www.rivercafe.co.uk).

John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy | Image: Tyler Mallory/Liaison

John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy | Image: Tyler Mallory/Liaison


The last music I bought was Lana Del Ray’s Honeymoon; my girls love her music too and they play her songs on the guitar.

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Sumba, a beautiful island in Indonesia where we went for two weeks last summer with about 20 family and friends. We all surf, even my kids, and surfers follow the wave; August is the best time for it. The people of the island are very special too, full of mischief and extremely elegant.

And the best souvenir I’ve brought home is a dozen very thin and fragile glasses from Venice with a red rim that I bought a couple of years ago on a whim. Good wine tastes even better in fine glasses.

If I didn’t live in London, the city I would live in is Paris for the museums, art galleries and flea markets; I also love visiting Astier de Villatte, a wonderful ceramics shop. Paris has my favourite places to eat, such as Le Petit Lutetia – a small, lovely bistro – and Anahi, an Argentinian restaurant in an old butcher’s shop, which is fun and very cool. Anahi, 49 Rue Volta (+331-4887 8824; www.anahi-restaurant.fr). Astier de Villatte, 173 Rue Saint-Honoré (+331-4260 7413; www.astierdevillatte.com). Le Petit Lutetia, 107 Rue de Sèvres (+331-4548 3353).


Nihiwatu, Sumba, Indonesia | Image: Robert Harding/Alamy Stock Photo

Nihiwatu, Sumba, Indonesia | Image: Robert Harding/Alamy Stock Photo


An indulgence I would never forgo is a bath, not only before I go to bed but also if I am going out, as a pick-me-up. I light candles and drop some lavender oil in the water.

My favourite room in my house is my living room. It has pink walls and a lush red velvet sofa that you can really cosy up on.


David Hockney | Image: © King Collection/Retna/Getty Images

David Hockney | Image: © King Collection/Retna/Getty Images


The best gift I’ve received recently was a wonderful folklore-inspired blanket from Décors Barbares, embroidered with the words “Children’s Tales”, which came from a friend. There is something very Charleston Farmhouse and Bloomsbury set about it. www.decorsbarbares.com.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose Pimlico Road in London as I love passing by a few of my favourite interiors shops – Rose Uniacke, Howe and Soane Britain. I will have a look at Jamb for antiques and then have a coffee at Daylesford Organic. Daylesford Organic, 44B Pimlico Rd (020-7881 8060; www.daylesford.com). Howe, 93 Pimlico Rd (020-7730 7987; www.howelondon.com). Jamb, 95-97 Pimlico Rd (020-7730 2122; www.jamb.co.uk). Rose Uniacke, 76-84 Pimlico Rd (020-7730 7050; www.roseuniacke.com). Soane Britain, 50-52 Pimlico Rd (020-7730 6400; www.soane.co.uk).

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is David Hockney. He is the most fascinating artist, his work is so varied and he is such a great craftsman.

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a furniture restorer – or something that involved seeking out old things and creating something functional out of them.