Rosalind Grinstead's Home Truths
Everyone, this is Rosalind. Why ask her for her Home Truths? Cos she’s got great taste (see below), is one of the first people I’ll see post-corona, and is married to this total babe.
1. The song to put a smile on your face…
She’s A Rainbow - The Rolling Stones. It was the soundtrack to our wedding video and whenever I hear the first few notes I can’t help but smile!
2. You can only watch one film for the next three months… What is it?
Iris. It’s a docu-film about Iris Apfel by Albert Maysles. She is truly extraordinary and has lived the most fearless and interesting life. Her positive attitude and intense curiosity is very inspiring, as is her relationship with her husband who has very sadly now departed.
3. The TV series you want everyone to watch:
Abstract. It’s brilliant and profiles creatives in many different industries, sort of like Chef’s Table for design.
4. The book you most recommend to people:
The Bolter by Frances Osborne. I adore a good biography and this is a fascinating book about the life of Idina Sackville. There’s everything you could possibly want in a good story, and it’s all true!
5. The subject you’ve put off exploring that’s now top of your to-do list
I’m a natural homebody and love a project, so I have lots of things on the go! Given the current situation, I’m trying to focus on using the things we have already and not letting anything go to waste.
So far this has mainly involved using overripe fruits to make jams and sorbets, but I’m also trying to propagate plants for the garden using existing vegetables and cuttings. There are lots of tips for this on YouTube.
6. The wild card you wish more people knew about…
Quintessence is my favourite YouTube channel, it features the lovely Susanna Salk interviewing designers in their homes. My favourites are Alexa Hampton and Roman and Williams but they're all wonderful!
7. We’re allowed dinner parties again… What are you cooking?
My dinner party staple is Chicken Marbella by The Silver Palate, an 80s classic that my mother-in-law introduced me to. It’s perfect for a dinner party as you prep it a day in advance and it’s a tray bake so you can pop it in the oven and leave it. After so long apart I’ll want to keep it simple and spend as much time as possible with my friends, and this is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
8. Everything’s back open. What’s the first coffee shop, restaurant or pub you’re visiting?
The Punter on Osney Island. I’m longing to see my parents in Oxford so it would have to be there. It’s our local pub and the food is seasonal and delicious.
P.S. What you know now, that you wish you knew then…
It has been alarming to see how fragile everything we consider to be ‘normal’ is, such as visiting friends and going shopping. The positive is that we are so resilient and adaptable, and I’ve realised how little we actually need to be happy. If you are lucky enough to have a home and enough money to buy food and pay the bills, then you have everything you need.
C’est fini... Now what?
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