Arts impresario and entrepreneur Sally Greene on the Left Bank and the dynamic art of Suzy Murphy

My personal style signifier is a light sheepskin coat from Ralph Lauren that I’ve had for ages. I have quite a collection of coats and I particularly love designs with good pockets for theatre notes and a mint or two. ralphlauren.co.uk

The last thing I bought and loved was a burgundy velvet dress by Dodo Bar Or from Matchesfashion.com – Jenny Antoniou, a personal shopper there, is a friend of mine and delivers things in 90 minutes. Similar, £553; matchesfashion.com

The things I’m eyeing next are Diptyque Cerf Sapin candles. I travel with candles to make my hotel rooms smell nice. £30 each; net-a-porter.co.uk

The best gifts I received recently were two artworks by the musician Goldie, who likes to play at Ronnie Scott’s. One is of a skull and roses, the other the Queen. They are on my wall at home.

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is the southwest coast of Italy on a yacht. I was invited by my friend Michael Hintze, along with Barry Humphries, Commodore Jerry Kyd and nine other guests. We started in Sardinia before heading to Positano and finishing in Salerno. It was such fun to jump off the deck into a warm sea. 

The best souvenirs I’ve brought home are my Cirque des Merveilles coffee cups by Richard Ginori. I got them in Florence. They’re like theatre on a mug. Coffee set, £245; richardginori1735.com

My favourite room in my house on Cheyne Walk is my bathroom. It’s dark and moody with a big bath overlooking the garden, where my dogs Ronnie and Izzy run around. The garden was designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll in 1911. 

The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a “1970” sweatshirt by Bella Freud. I wore it to a party on Ronnie Scott’s roof where Johnny Depp played guitar.

The best book I’ve read in the past year is Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know about Global Politics by Tim Marshall. It’s heavy but interesting. I read everything by Anthony Horowitz, who is on the board of The Old Vic and is my mentor. I also read Whistler: A Life for Art’s Sake by Daniel E Sutherland as the painter once lived on our street.

The last music I downloaded was the Best of Gregory Porter and Laura Mvula’s Sing to the Moon.  

If I didn’t live in London and Paris, I would live in New York. I stay at The Lowell or Crosby Street Hotel, as Kit and Tim Kemp create a home from home like no other. I go to see Chris Botti play trumpet at Blue Note Jazz Club, watch jazz at the Lincoln Center and visit my favourite off-Broadway venues The Public Theater and Park Avenue Armory. Blue Note Jazz Club, 131 W Third Street, 10012 (bluenotejazz.com). Crosby Street Hotel, 79 Crosby Street, 10012 (firmdalehotels.com). Lincoln Center, Lincoln Center Plaza, 10023 (lincolncenter.org). The Lowell, 28 E 63rd Street, 10065 (lowellhotel.com). Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, 10065 (armoryonpark.org). The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, 10003 (publictheater.org)

The object I would never part with is my handwoven Bottega Veneta briefcase, a gift from Elton John and David Furnish. I’ve had it for 10 years, so it’s part of my life. £2,005; bottegaveneta.com

My favourite website is Broadwayleague.com for theatre news.

My style icons are my friends, the two Amandas: fashion designer Amanda Wakeley and businesswoman Amanda Staveley. One – and I’m not saying who – has such beautiful taste and the other buys off-the-peg, but puts pieces together with such style. 

The last meal I ate that truly impressed me was at Oswald’s. I try to get there every couple of weeks as it feels like a restaurant that puts women first. Members can store their own wine in the club’s cellar, the staff are attentive and caring and the decor is beautiful. I tend to choose one of its salads, as they are always so fresh and go well with the white wines. 25 Albemarle Street, London W1 (020-3794 6320; oswaldsclub.com).

A recent “find” is interior designer Robert Kime’s renovated showroom. He did my house 15 years ago, but I hadn’t been to the showroom for ages and discovered it has all changed. I love his style, especially his lampshades, and I pop in for updates. 190-192 Ebury Street, London SW1 (020-7831 6066; robertkime.com)

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Suzy Murphy. We have been friends for five years and we’ll occasionally walk the dogs together. I recently visited her studio in Chelsea and I love the dramatic beauty of her paintings; she has such an eye for colour. suzymurphylondon.com

An indulgence I would never forgo is fresh flowers from Rob Van Helden. I order them every week and he makes the selection; I trust him completely. 8 Tun Yard, Peardon Street, London SW8 (020-7720 6774; rvhfloraldesign.com)

The best gift I’ve given recently is a Connolly leather notebook. Connolly is my go-to for all sorts of gifts as I love everything in there. From £155; 4 Clifford Street, London W1 (020-7952 6708; connollyengland.com)

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellbeing are the hairdresser Charlotte Frimand, who always puts my hair up, and Jade Farmiloe, who does my hair and make-up. I’ll go for an occasional massage or have my nails done at the KX club in Chelsea – the juices are some of the tastiest and freshest I’ve ever had. Then I’ll have lunch and use the spa at the Bulgari Hotel. Bulgari Hotel, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 (020-7151 1010; bulgarihotels.com). Charlotte Frimand, c.frimand@sky.com. Jade Farmiloe, jadefarmiloemua.com. KX, 151 Draycott Avenue, London SW3 (020-7584 5333; kxlife.co.uk)

In my fridge you’ll always find milk from Harrods, Fever Tree tonic water and dairy-free yoghurts. Fever Tree, fever-tree.com. Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1 (020-7730 1234; harrods.com)

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose the Left Bank in Paris. I have an apartment in the 7ème, on Rue de Verneuil, just along from the late Serge Gainsbourg’s place. I love Ralph Lauren for shopping and eating, and there’s nothing better than sitting in the courtyard with a glass of chablis on a summer’s evening. I remember years ago sitting in Café de Flore, listening to the wonderful jazz and thinking, “I’d love to open a jazz club,” and that’s exactly what I did when I got back to London. Chez Julien and La Palette are my other favourite spots to stop, have a coffee and soak up the atmosphere. Café de Flore, 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 (+331- 4548 5526; cafedeflore.fr). Chez Julien, 1 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 (+331-4278 3164; chezjulien.paris). La Palette, 43 Rue de Seine, 75006 (+331-4326 6815; cafelapaletteparis.com). Ralph Lauren, 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 (+331-4477 7700; ralphlauren.fr)

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be Mayor of London and sort out all the roadworks and traffic jams, so visitors to the city could get to the theatres and shows. But seriously, I love doing what I do.