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19 Sep 19

House tour with Laura Jackson – Podcast show notes S4 Ep6

So here we are at the last episode of the fourth series of The Great Indoors and do we have a treat in store. The very lovely TV presenter, Supper club host, food editor and author, Laura Jackson let us have a nosey around her Insta famous London home. You can catch up on the whole episode here. As ever, a huge thank you to Topps Tiles for sponsoring this series and our producer Kate Taylor.

Laura is in the midst of a renovation, or at least the kitchen and back extension. So I thought I would collate some of Laura’s helpful tips for you following her own experiences.

First up… unfortunately, Laura and her husband were the victims of a cowboy builder after they decided to convert the loft as they wanted to start from the top down. 

  • Do not pay all the money upfront
  • Be smart about the decisions you make – don’t be taken in by the sales speak!
  • It’s true what they say – always get three different quotes
  • Try and go with recommendations and see the builders work if possible.
  • Laura’s new builder was able to show her other client’s homes – so she could see for herself that he was qualified for the job. If this isn’t an option see if they have pictures of the work they have done – some have Instagram accounts too!

Walls are painted in Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball

On to the loft space which now thanks to the new builder looks gorgeous. Laura kept the original pitched roof creating a triangular form which adds interest to the space. I love the tongue and groove she’s got going on around the room it adds a grown-up country vibe I think. It’s painted in Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball and according to Laura it changes considerably throughout the day, it has a lilac tone in evening sunlight and on a bright day it has a green tinge.

Bedroom tips
  • Paint can change its appearance depending on the light, so think about what the light does in your room
  • Sisal may not be the best flooring option for the bedroom – not particularly comfortable underfoot. Water can stain it too as Laura discovered when it rained and the skylight was open!

Laura created the flower motif herself within the mosaic floor tiles from Topps Tiles by removing some of the white and replacing with black

At the other end of the room is a roll-top freestanding bath which, believe it or not, cost Laura £25.99 on eBay. Which leads us onto her great ability to scope out the bargains, which I discovered after following her on Instagram.

  • We all know it can be very time consuming but Laura says, plough through and don’t be scared to start a conversation to see if you can get a bit knocked off the price – befriend the seller!
  • However, there are certain things that you just can’t skimp on. Laura’s curtains were bespoke so the money she saved on the bath she managed to get the exact curtains she wanted. She says, think about your budget and decide where you want that money to go.

Can you believe the reeded wardrobe door was painstakingly made by a carpenter – he split individual dowel rods to create the effect – it was quite an investment!

The overwhelming top tip from all of us is to invest in a quality mattress – save on the base if need be – but it’s all about the mattress!

She certainly loves eBay and it’s not hard to why she picked up this cute little kidney shaped sofa for £8!! and reupholstered it in this beautiful Palmyre L3709 fabric by Le Manach she found at Pierre Frey. Kate pointed out the curvey ‘esque’ blind here, and quite rightly it’s virtually impossible to buy a vintage blind to fit a window, so Laura went to the Hackney Draper 

Moving on to the bathroom…

The fabric inside the cabinet was a bargain at £5m and the bistro-style curtain is from Volga Linen

Laura didn’t want the house to appear too trendy or something that will date too quickly so the bathroom, in particular, is very classic and the fab glass-fronted cabinet was found at a design fair in Brussels – not all the best finds are in the French markets!

The reclaimed roll-top bath was found after lots of research as she just couldn’t justify the cost of some new baths. So, she eventually found this one from Original Baths based in Devon. The bathroom was made larger by knocking through to the small bedroom but Laura says, be wary as if you ever plan on re-mortgaging reducing the number of bedrooms can have an effect on the value of the house.

The thick shower wall has a certain Morrocan flavour giving the bathroom a unique and interesting look. After being inspired by a polished concrete bathroom years ago, she researched options and discovered Tadelakt, a Morrocan plaster (she went to Decor Tadelakt) although she said it is a very long and stressful process. The brass fittings were another eBay find.

The living room

I love this rich forest green on the walls, it’s Hunter Dunn by Paint & Paper Library

Laura and her husband didn’t want the ‘traditional’ wedding list so they asked guests to buy their favourite book and the reason why – what a gorgeous idea and what a keepsake. But they needed somewhere to house them so they built a mini library for somewhere to sit and read all the messages from loved ones.

The kitchen before..

Sorry, there’s no ‘after’ shot just yet as the extension is still underway. They are working with Retrouvious on a reclaimed freestanding kitchen which I think will be a lot more difficult as you have to work with what’s available rather than made to measure, although ascetically it will suit the rest of the house.

A huge part of Laura’s life is cooking and entertaining so the kitchen island with it’s hob and travertine top will face the large dining table so she can chat with her guests while she cooks.

Laura’s biggest tip is to not rush, even though it can be extremely frustrating, she waited and found the perfect key pieces at a great price – it can become very satisfying.

Thanks so much to Laura to being warm and welcoming and of course very entertaining. Check out Laura’s new Supper club website hostelondon.co.uk  and on Instagram @iamlaurajackson and @hoste.london

Please do remember to rate and review us and check out our new Facebook group. This may be the last in this series but fear not, we’ll be back in a fortnight with a brand spanking new series!

 

 

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New colours by Farrow & Ball with the Natural History Museum Dulux Colour of the year 2020

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I absolutely adored visiting @annalysejacobs in he I absolutely adored visiting @annalysejacobs in her beautiful rental apartment. Her love of colour and creativity just over flows and is positively infectious ! I spent a morning in her gorgeous company filming another fabulous house tour for my new inline course and Anna generously shared all the insights, tricks and hacks she’s used to turn her rental  flat from its previous mushroom incarnation into the splendid expression of colour joy that it is now. As an artist Anna is a master of colour and conjures up some mouthwatering palettes that feel fresh, new and playful. And because she rents she’s used paint to make the biggest transformation. From walls, ceilings, kitchen units, furniture to her fabulous murals she has quickly and affordably made this apartment her own. Because the thing is beige makes Anna feel low and depressed but because she knows what her happy colours are, she’s rolled them out in all her walls, and she is thriving. 😁 Anna is a complete creative whirlwind and I found it a real tonic being in her home. It’s lovely, she’s definitely one worth a follow! 

My new course, Confident Colour scheming launches on the 17th May, but you can enrol now with a juicy £100 discount with the pre-launch offer. Just follow the link in my profile. Trust me, colour makes you happy and I’ll show you how!

Lots of questions about my dress on stories yesterday, it’s new from @phaseeight and is the most amazing colour for spring! 

#colourpalette #colourlover #banthebiege #springdecor #colourconfident #confidentcolourscheme #bbbinteriors #ihavethisthingwithcolour #colourcolorlovers #springiscoming #interiordesign #colourmehappy #housebeautiful
Happy Friday! The end to a marvellous week visitin Happy Friday! The end to a marvellous week visiting some of my favourite colour filled homes. This is a peek into the wonderful world of @interiorcurve which is a maximalist masterclass. I interviewed Siobhan for my new online course, which is called Confident colour scheming. I love Siobhan’s passion for Art Deco and fifties Hollywood glam and she fuses it using her own fearless  approach to decorating. She pulls together pattern and colour and designs from the heart. She feels it abs when it feels good she goes for it. And as a result you feel it too. Being inside her home infuses you with a real feeling of joy and fabulousness. What a tonic! Siobhan’s house will be one of many inspiring house tours that are inside the new course. Enrolment opens today with a juicy £100 discount if you sign up before the course launches on the 17th May. ( link in bio) I think we could all do with being a litltle more Siobhan. #bemoresiobhan 

#colourlover #banthebeige #maximalistinteriors #eclecticdecor #interiordesign #artdeco #artdecostyle #colourmyhome
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During lockdown sales of scented candles have gone through the roof so we tackle the topic of whether a smelly candle really can transport you somewhere else. Whether it’s fig and pomegranate , gingerbread, sea salt or ‘scent of freshly signed divorce papers’ there is a scent to suit every mood it would appear. One of my favourite smells is ‘Love is the drug” by @rockettstgeorge.co.uk  and I use it to help me unwind as I soak in the tub. Would love to know what your favourite home scents are so drop me a comment as @mad_about_the_house needs some inspiration in this department! 
We also round up the latest design books all launching this spring . New out this month Is ‘Resourceful living’ by our favourite style savvy insta influencer @_lisa_dawson_ . We drool over the colourful world created by @beataheuman as she shows us how ‘every room must sing’. And I couldn’t put down this little gem of a book, ‘the mindful home’ by @joannathornhillstylist is set to inspire and inform you in equal measure to create a home you can thrive in. 
You can find us as always in your podcast app by looking for ‘The Great Indoors’ so make sure you subscribe. A huge thanks to @katetaylorldn for producing the show, and to you for listening. 😍
. #thegreatindoors #greatindoors #thegreatindoorspodcast #scentedcandles #smellycandles #bathroom #howivintage #colourlover #banthebeige #patternlover
Just completed a fabulous trip to Leeds to do some Just completed a fabulous trip to Leeds to do some filming inside some of my favourite colour fuelled homes. 
Meeting Sandra from @the_idle_hands and getting to experience the fabulous interiors she has created (that Ive drooled over for years here on Instagram), was a huge treat for the eyes and food for the soul. This past year more than any other has got us deeply connected with how much our homes mean to us and I love to learn how they have also become a creative outlet for so many. We have this wonderful platform to share our designs and indeed egg each other on to ignore the sensible advice and instead make bolder and more audacious design choices. Following your true heart always pays off!  I’ve got connected to the passion, joy, and uplift that can be gained by doing it your own way and owning your style 100% .  It involves plenty of graft but ultimately if you get connected to the colours and patterns that chime with you,  and dare to make some bold moves along the way, you are rewarded with a home that just feels awesome to be in. My little trip away has left me inspired and invigorated itching to get some fresh new colour rolled out on the walls! And possibly to get a puppy! Nel totally stole my heart 🐶
These little films I’ve made will be part of my exciting new course, coming out in May all about how to create confident colour schemes because a little know how goes a long way to creating your dream colour filled interior. Cannot WAIT to share all this mouthwatering content with you 😍

#colourlover #banthebeige #colourscheme #interiordesign #ihavethisthingwithcolour #styleithappy #myhomevibe #victorianhouse #interioraddict #eclectichome #eclecticdecor #crashbangcolour #colourcourse #bbbinteriors #houseofhackney #puppylove
How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Dri How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Drink a beer in a pub garden?! I’ve attempted train travel today  and three cancelled trains later I’m wishing I stayed at home! Anyone else not ready for this new normal yet! I’ve grown very attached to my sofa and cosy clothes this past few months! 

CREDITS Cardigan @jumper_1_2_3_4  Trousers @me_andem Trainers @nike Sofa @sofaworkshop (discontinued) in magnolia @gpjbaker  Tiger print cushion @trashvelvetuk pink cushion @grahamandgreen Flowers @sageandco.floraldesign Curtains @habitatuk (discontinued) 

#nonewnormal #banthebeige #colourlover #myhomevibe #noplacelikehome #pink #ihavethisthingwitpink 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto
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CREDITS Wallpaper is Artemis @houseofhackney . Painting by @beckyblairartist . Side board is vintage from @vinestreetvintage . Vases and chair are @grahamandgreen . Hollyhocks heavy petal cushion @houseofhackney . Flowers by @sageandco.floraldesign . Wall light @pookylights . Floor is intenso parquet @quickstepfloors 

#heavypetal #floralwallpaper #floraldesign #flowerpower #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #mycolourfulinterior #mycolourfulhome #howivintage #sodomino #interiors123 #interiordesign #countryinteriors .
Had a very busy day filming today and I got my mak Had a very busy day filming today and I got my makeup done all fancy and put on some pretty clothes. I’m exhausted because it was hard work but I also feel like I’ve had a real boost to play with some all the pretty things in all the pretty colours. Like these new pumps from @roguematilda which are giving me life! And they are flat so my feet are happy to. 😍

Thanks @swainy2021 for the style inspiration and @jadefarmiloemua for the eye bag hack! (See my stories)
It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_abo It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_about_the_house and I discuss the pitfalls of shopping online, because admit it, we’ve all fallen down one! Whether it’s find out your forest green sofa is shiny teal (mentioning no names Callum) to discovering the dining room chandelier is no bigger than one of pat butchers earrings. 
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#leopardisaneutral #banthebeige #thegreatindoors #thegreatindoorspodcast #livingroom #interiorrefresh #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistinteriors
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