Jazz FM's mid–morning DJ Anthony Davis is a nostalgic fellow with a love of all things retro. He talks to mydeco about impromptu jam sessions, furniture that sparks his imagination, and beating Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright to a Sixties sofa.
I live... in a Victorian stucco, basement flat in Westminster, London.
My style is... retro. I was born in 1974 and my house is a throwback to that time. I have a strong sense of nostalgia for the house I grew up in and I've tried to recreate that look in my own home with authentic furniture and lighting.
I love... contrast, so I've made the rooms in my flat very different. The living room is soft and welcoming. It has a long, low, Sixties leather sofa, a warm, chocolate brown carpet and an original, Late Sixties, orange rocket lamp, which casts a soft glow. By contrast, the open plan kitchen/diner is a lot harder. It's bright, echoey and minimalist, with a dark wooden floor and some lovely Art Deco features.
I could never get rid of... my black baby grand piano. I saved for months and months to afford it, and when I finally could, it had been discontinued! I ended up ringing every music shop in the phone book to track one down. The last place I called had an ex–demo model in their warehouse and I snapped it up. It was definitely a labour of love getting hold of it.
What makes a home is... a bit of chaos. I don't think homes should be too pristine or well–organised. Letting things accumulate adds an additional dimension to a place.
