Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1506595
(Continued from page 134) Hannah Cecil Gurney Director, de Gournay, London When you knew you were going to be part of the design world. My father paid me pocket money to help roll and unroll sample panels of the early hand- painted wallpapers he was creating for clients. Growing up surrounded by these exquisite designs, I think it was perhaps inevitable that I would eventually assume a more meaningful role in the company (which is not to say that rolling panels is not a valid skill!). Design books everyone should have in their library. A hard question to answer, as I have never not found an idea, tip, or picture of interest in the many books I've amassed over the years. For pure visual escapism, Around That Time: Horst at Home in Vogue is a spectacular compendium of the world's greatest interiors photographed by Horst P. Horst, in an era when the rich and tasteful really were riding high. First important piece you bought. One of my favorite pastimes is a trip to an antiques market or fair with my father — ideally in Italy or France. They have been the source of my most treasured items. One in particular is an impressively deep sofa with elaborately carved arms and upholstered in a beautifully faded, marbleized fabric. You collect. In an ideal world, it would be the work of Belgian artist Pierre Bergian, who paints interior scenes of a fascinating array of beautiful houses across Europe. In reality, it appears to be children! I have four so far. Museums you love. The recent transformation of the National Portrait Gallery in London proved to me that it really is possible to love a place more than you already had, and we were delighted to have our hand- embroidered wallcoverings installed within the newly renovated restaurant. Elsewhere, I'm especially fond of the Victoria and Albert Museum — not least due to its wonderful collection of Chinese wallpapers. Further afield, I'm in awe of the quiet elegance of Berlin's Gemäldegalerie. Home scent. I find most scented candles eventually smell much the same. Fresh flowers, however, never fail. Personal fragrance. I don't wear perfume. Movie you love because of the design elements. Having seen it just last week, I think that Barbie deserves special mention for the sheer vision of its production design. We worked with designer Sarah Greenwood on the 2020 adaptation of Rebecca, supplying wallpaper for the set, and I feel her efforts will guarantee her an Oscar. Farrow & Ball hue that always works. Surely that's a trick question? They all work, always! I love the idea of using Cinder Rose but haven't found the right place for it just yet. Second home. My husband's family has a beautiful house in North Wales — the very wild, windy and wet part — where we now have a little cottage that has become a welcome refuge from the city. Next for you. We are nearing completion of our first showroom in Los Angeles — a city I've always loved. Texas Design Week Dallas is October 30 through November 3 — a full week of salon talks, panel discussions, book signings, product launches, and cocktails with some of the most celebrated designers and architects in the country. For information and tickets, go to texasdesignweek.com.