The rich and famous have an irritating habit of knowing the names of the country’s best masseurs, yoga teachers, chefs and plastic surgeons. They are equally discerning when it comes to their homes. The contact details of good builders, upholsterers and handymen are fiercely guarded, shared only with a select group of friends, most of whom are also celebrities.

With a bit of digging, however, finding out the names on a celebrity’s speed dial isn’t too difficult — as I discovered when researching my new book, Home UK. And surprisingly, the more obscure the service, the more celebrity clients it seems to have. Famous people might gush about top interior designers such as David Collins or Kelly Hoppen in interviews, but they prefer to stay tight-lipped about the tiny but brilliant architect’s practice that operates out of a garden shed in Bow.

So, read on to discover the information that they would rather remained secret — the top celebrity home services in the country.

SOFT FURNISHINGS

MADE; 020 8960 6969
Any funky sheepskin spotted in a celebrity’s house is likely to have been made by Tanya Thompson and Emily Bradbury, a dynamic duo who count Kylie Minogue, Paul Weller and Damien Hirst as clients. “We’ll give anything a go,” says Thompson — and she means anything. You can order a 12 sq ft sheepskin beanbag, or design a cushion or rug in any shape, colour or size.

What it costs A small beanbag is £300.

CURTAIN-MAKER

JON RHODES; 01263 731888
Talk about luck: Jon Rhodes’s first client was Adam Clayton — U2’s bass guitarist Adam Clayton. Then Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones asked him to whip up some drapes for their home in Barbados. Now a host of celebrities — including Natalie Imbruglia, Michael Crawford and Cameron Mackintosh — go to him for their curtains and cushions, though everyone is welcome.

What it costs Consultation and measuring fees from £150.

AUDIOVISUAL SPECIALIST

GIBSON MUSIC; 020 7384 2270
Angus Gibson witnessed the high-tech revolution first-hand, having set up his company in 1985. Not surprisingly, his vast expertise means he can count half a dozen movie stars (Hugh Grant, Dustin Hoffman) and rock stars (Elton John) as clients. Each pays up to £500,000 to have music piped into their kitchens, bathrooms, yachts and aeroplanes, or have their home cinemas, in-house discos, broadband internet and security systems installed.

What it costs From £25,000.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

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