That's a very difficult questionf who determines what is stylish or not? In the main I would say yes, I have been in some very stylish homes, however I also think that there are some truly less than inspirational interiors, especially in furnished 'buy to let' properties.

Your biggest design disaster?

It has to be paint. You cannot believe how many paint tests we end up with every time we decorate a room. Colour is virtually the only thing my wife and I can't agree on!

Most stylish hotel interior?

The Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok. It's calm, sophisticated and gentle . . . a real oasis, in a busy, dirty and noisy city.

Top tip for future classics?

Ribbon light by Claire Norcross will be around for a long time. A classic? Who knows!

Distinctive, functional as a light and as a piece of sculpture, ask me in 50 years if I was right!

Malcolm Brighton is managing director of Habitat Ireland