I CHILL BOTTLES IN AN ANTIQUE DIOR CLAM SHELL

CELEBRITY interior designer Celia Sawyer, 53, lives with 57-year-old film director husband Nick, and their children, Lili, 20, and Jack, 17, in Poole, Dorset. Celia says:

JUST as the lockdown started, the sky was a perfectly inviting blue. even though it was still freezing outside, I told my family: ‘Grab a blanket, we’re going outside to our bar!’

The world feels rather depressing and weird right now, so it’s so good to be out having a drink and trying to feel positive.

And having been out delivering food parcels to elderly neighbours, it was the perfect moment of downtime.

Nick made our garden bar as a surprise for me in 2014. It took a carpenter three days and I love it. It has a beach hut feel that fits perfectly with the location of our seaside home on the Sandbanks peninsula.

The mirrored panels reflect the beautiful sea views and I keep the open bottles chilled on the counter in a giant antique silver clam shell — one of a pair that used to belong to Christian Dior that I bought for around £4,000. Since that first night of lockdown, we’ve been using the bar most days; my favourite drink is a good dry rose, or a nice oaky chardonnay.

I’ll admit we have been drinking more than normal, but I attribute that in part to the good weather. The bar has got full plumbing and electricity, plus speakers, so we’ll often put on some relaxing jazz or reggae.

It’s the ideal spot to entertain friends — which can include famous faces, such as Harry and Sandra Redknapp — but I’ve been sensible and resisted the temptation to have drinks over the fence with our neighbours. I’m looking forward to the day — hopefully not too far off — when I can invite friends over again.