After showing us around her contemporary barn-like house in east Sussex, former costume designer Gina Portman shares her house style.

You’re happiest at home when…
Cruelly, when everyone has gone out. I can listen to a play on the radio full blast and just potter.

How would you describe the interiors of your house? 
Spartan.

If you could only save one thing, what would it be? 
My photography books. Interestingly, my son informs me that photographs are the most popular answer to that question. The books are a legacy from a friend. 

What was the last thing you bought for the house?
The outbuilding was quite a major purchase…

Top three coffee table books?
Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna; anything by François Halard and Vincent van Dyson. Oh, and the Great Dixter Cookbook.

If money was no object, what changes would you make?
Oh, I would love to build another room on top of the library with a spiral staircase going up into the space. It would be small just big enough for a bed with a big window, and another room jutting out to house fabrics and dogs. The room would have a small geodesic dome on the roof for vulnerable plants to shelter over winter and be accessed by a ladder. 

You’re having people for dinner, what do you cook? 
Sadly, I am rubbish at cooking, luckily my husband is better.

Recently I invited some friends for lunch and made pea soup from Oliver Rowe’s book, Food for All Seasons. It was simple to make and delicious. Encouraged, I then attempted a strange rice fritters recipe I found on the back of a pack of Venetian rice; the packaging was beautiful and the fritters were also rather good, if a little complicated.

What does a Sunday here look like?
My dream Sunday would be a brisk walk alone, then a long late lunch or early supper with friends. I had just that in Cornwall last week and it was perfect.

What are the best things about the neighbourhood? 
The sea, the sea, the sea.

How long will you be here for?
I have the feeling longer than I thought.