My haven, Alex Polizzi, 49, in the living room of her south London home

1. MUM AND ME 

This is probably my favourite photo with my mother Olga, who strangely hates having her picture taken. She is exquisitely petite, almost bird-like, while I am more photogenic than pretty, and built more for distance than speed. 

We’ve always been incredibly close, yet doing up a hotel – The Star in Alfriston, East Sussex – during lockdown was our first official joint venture. 

We’re both used to being bossy so it was a challenge. In my role as The Hotel Inspector I’ve got used to being forthright. Or as my son Rocco says, ‘Mum, you have no filter!’

2. GLASS ACT 

I adore Venice and am fortunate to have spent a great deal of time there, including a night of my honeymoon at the magnificent Gritti Palace. 

We were last in Venice with my wonderful in-laws and it was a delight to go to a glass-blowing demo in Murano. My husband Marcus [Miller] bought me this vase, with its stunning colours, and it’s a lovely reminder of Venice.

3. MY ART INSPIRATION 

My mum introduced me to Jean Lurçat’s ceramics – and I’m hooked. He was a fascinating painter, a contemporary of Picasso, who also worked in tapestry. 

The way he mixes imaginary and mythological creatures with foliage and adds vibrant, saturated colour is inspiring. They make me happy.

Mum bought me my first Lurçat, and now I buy myself a plate once a year from The Whitford Fine Art gallery in London.

Alex treasures this piece of art (pictured) that was originally a weight for a buoy

4. FAB FURNITURE 

Marcus, who has a bakery business, and I can work sitting with each other at this exceptionally long 1930s ‘partner’ desk, though I tend to have more piles of papers than he does. 

I obsessively keep stuff, hence my ingenious idea of the ottoman filing cabinet alongside the desk, built by my cousin’s husband Giles Wilson-Copp. It’s not often we both find ourselves here – I’m away a lot filming or heading up front-of-house at The Star, and Marcus is overseeing his business – so it’s a treat when we can have a work/chat day together.

5. POTTY ABOUT MUMMY 

I love this pot inspired by coral made by my daughter Olga, 13, who throws herself into new creative things. The Mother’s Day card was from Rocco, eight, who is so affectionate. 

His words in it make me laugh: ‘I love you more than anything in the world and that includes TV, iPad and sweets, combined. I’ll give wine to you whenever you want.’ He knows his mum.

6. A SANCUTARY BY THE SEA 

This wonderful piece of art was originally a weight for a buoy and was designed by a fishing company in St Mawes in Cornwall. I like to hang necklaces on it. It really reminds me of my mum’s Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall, which I helped run before having children. 

It is such a special place, like a sanctuary. Mum gave this to me and I love the way it brings a little bit of Tresanton and Cornwall back to south-west London. 

As told to Sudi Pigott. The Star in Alfriston in East Sussex is part of The Polizzi Collection of hotels.