Nicky Haslam was a celebrated interior designer who thought his business would be sold and the new owners could continue pasting wallpaper for the famous homes.
However, I am able to reveal that Nicholas Haslam Ltd has been involved in an intense High Court fight with an Italian heiress about alleged unfinished work.
Violetta Caprotti — who inherited a fortune from her supermarket billionaire father, Bernardo — is suing the firm, of which Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen are co-directors, for £1 million.
She says that the pair began work on her French Riviera villa in 2019 but were interrupted by the pandemic. The company then abandoned the plan without ever finishing it.
According to her, the delay and confusion caused leaks that damaged the flooring, walls and carpets of her house.

Nicholas Haslam Ltd gets into a heated High Court fight with an Italian Heiress about allegedly incomplete work

Violetta Caprotti sued Nicholas Haslam Ltd for alleged delays, confusion and leaks in her French Riviera villa
Furthermore, the handrail of the staircase’s stairs was dangerously unstable and presented a risk to injury. Caprotti alleges Nicholas Haslam Ltd that they failed to complete the project within a reasonable period of time.
A writ issued in London’s High Court claims the designers supplied goods of unsatisfactory quality which were not reasonably fit for purpose, and which were not installed correctly, either.
Haslam is worried that others may be able to link him with claims of poor work. He says such an accusation has never occurred under his leadership.
‘I’d like to think people know I’m not involved any more,’ he tells me.
‘It’s never happened before, so I don’t know what will happen or what people will think.’
Caprotti claims she was forced to rent a villa in Saint Tropez for a considerable amount and that her home could not be used between April and Oct last year. This caused her much inconvenience and cost.
Now she is seeking a price reduction of £202,500, and damages of up to £1 million for breach of contract, negligence and breach of statutory duty.
A spokesman for Nicholas Haslam Ltd’s lawyers tells me: ‘As the matter is subject to legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment other than to say that the claim is denied and is being fully defended.’
Daisy is You are savvy Savile Row

Daisy Knatchbull at The Dorchester’s Walpole British Luxury Awards on November 15, 2018.
When Daisy Knatchbull became the first designer to have a women-only shop front in London’s Savile Row, she feared a frosty reception from the stuffed shirts.
In fact, the great-granddaughter of the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma tells me: ‘The street has embraced change and been so supportive. I feel very welcome.’
Daisy Knatchbull (29-year-old daughter of Philip Knatchbull), is the boss at Curzon arthouse cinema chain Curzon. She wore this striking pink suit to Mayfair party.
She adds: ‘It’s a crying shame that there wasn’t a shop front for women [in Savile Row] before.’
Strictly Come Dancing might be our favorite family TV show. However, it is run by an incredibly ruthless group, says Frank Skinner.
Each week a celebrity reads out the voting terms and conditions, and Skinner says: ‘I turned down doing this once, and the Strictly group are unforgiving.
They’re like a sultan of old — once you offend them, you need to flee the country. They have great power as they’re a TV institution.
‘It’s a joyous experience with some nastiness, which is what people want.’
Rumour has it Adele’s Bored stars, giftless gig

Adele performing in Los Angeles, October 24, for the primetime special Adele: One Night Only. It aired Sunday.
Adele’s new album will certainly struggle to live up to the hype, but famous guests at ITV’s London Palladium show An Audience With Adele were left shocked.
The music is not what I hear. It’s the absence of any goody bags that I notice.
‘We weren’t even given a copy of the album,’ wails one member of the audience, which included model Naomi Campbell, actress Emma Watson and funnyman Alan Carr.
‘It was a long and rather dull evening. There wasn’t even a party after to thank her friends for coming.’
It’s a gratifying swine! They were lucky even to hear her sing — tickets for her London shows sold out in minutes.
One person not moaning is Adele’s manager, Jonathan Dickins, who’s sitting on £20 million.
Newly released accounts reveal that his management company saw cash reserves increase from £18.4 million last year.
Hewer’s Aston is closing in on the deadline

Nick Hewer pictured while hosting Countdown. To save the world, he is looking to get rid of his Aston Martin.
This is a paradox: Former Countdown host Nick Hewer loves his Aston Martin, but wants to save the world.
‘I think the time has come for me to grow up and sell my beloved Aston Martin Rapide,’ he laments.
‘I want to do my bit for the environment.
It will be illegal to own a car with such high horsepower within a few years.
‘So, if I don’t put it on the market soon, who in their right mind is going to buy it?’
Matt Tebbutt, BBC Saturday Kitchen host, is sarcastic about fellow television chefs.
‘I’m not an actor and I don’t put on an act,’ he tells me.
‘A lot of TV people do. They’re nice on camera but as soon as the camera’s off, they’re a********.’
Tebbutt is 47 years old and has a great reputation. However, he’s not considered a priority for top London restaurants.
‘If I call to reserve, they don’t recognise my name, which is disappointing,’ he says.
‘It’s lovely when you go to friends’ restaurants as you always feel special.’
Her former lovers include Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield, DJ Calvin Harris and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood’s son Tyrone, but pop singer Rita Ora says she’s found Mr Right at last.
Of her Bafta-winning film director boyfriend, Taika Waititi, she says: ‘I’m finally happy, and it’s taken me a long time to get here. I love him — he is so funny.’

Rita Ora photographed attending the Walpole British Luxury Awards at The Dorchester in November 15.
Rita, 30, who’s a close friend of society figures including Cara Delevingne and Lady Lola Bute, tells me: ‘People can just tell when you’ve found happiness — it radiates on your face.’
Rita received the British Artistic Icon award from Taika at The Walpole British Lux Awards at The Dorchester.
Christian Horner, the boss of motor racing team admits that Bernie Ecclestone, former Formula One chief is still behind the scenes.
‘I usually get a call from him after every race,’ says Christian, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Horner.
‘He still gives me plenty of grief. He’s 91 now but is an avid follower of the sport and not afraid to voice an opinion.’