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30 May 19

The new workspace & Podcast show notes S3 Ep 5

Kate Watson-Smyth and Sophie Robinson record part of the Great Indoors podcast at Clerkenwell Design Week.

From the glamour of Pearl Lowe’s gorgeous country pile last episode to today’s tour of Kate’s new downstairs loo, don’t tell us that we don’t cover all aspects of design on The Great Indoors. But that’s not all, we pour over droolworthy new interiors book that should adorn every style savvy coffee table, and of course, the usual design crimes. But first up, hottest design news brought to you post Clerkenwell Design Week by your favourite roving reporters.

This is a key design date in the design diary as the trendy Clerkenwell district of London is bursting with new design ideas, latest trends and product launches. Kate and I were invited to the press breakfast where we bumped into many a journo friend and interiors designers. We also went roaming with the podcast microphone to conduct some interviews!

Workspace redefined

The key theme from the festival was a focus on the workspace and how it has had to change and adapt due to the digital age. Traditionally the office desk was just that – a chair, a desk and a bit of storage, simply all we needed for a typewriter. Now with portable laptops, tablets and smartphones, the ergonomics of the furniture has come to the forefront and not only that the way we need to move throughout our day to stay healthy. Established & Sons’ At Work collection features this Lucio lounge seat (as modelled by me below) designed by Sebastian Wrong, which was developed around the notion that people are looking for the same comfort and style they expect at home, reflected in their workspace. 

A new take on the office chair, the Lucio lounge seat designed by Sebastian Wrong for Established and Sons. Can’t see me getting up to much work though!

With more of us working from home these days, it seems less of us are using a designated office, and with some rather interesting research saying that it is key that we move around throughout the working day to increase productivity, this shift can only be a positive thing.

Coincidently, National Work from Home Day on 17th May aimed to promote flexibility and home working and our very own podcast stat queen, Kate said that the TUC recently conducted research which found that 1.5 million of us are working from home and it is increasing, and the majority being women in their 40s and 50s – Mums doing the work and family juggle. I can vouch for that and I find throughout my working day I don’t want to be restrained to an upright sitting position, so I can often be found on the sofa with my laptop. 

If you want the comfort of your sofa as your office space consider one with substantial arms and scatter cushions for back support. Windsor sofa by DFS

In my home, I didn’t want to dedicate a room solely as an office so I have a dual purpose office which doubles as my formal dining room (we mostly use the kitchen table but need the dining room for when we have visitors). I designed the space with a huge fitted storage unit for all my work supplies which are always hidden, this way it doesn’t impose when the space is being used for dining. Then, voila my desk becomes the large dining table.

My notice board and fabric hangings can easily be removed if I need to transform the space into a dining room. Photograph by Alun Callender

Colour trend updates from Clerkenwell saw lilac and mint being the new hues on the horizon. Would love to know your thoughts on that, as I’d say they are quite marmite colours but then everyone said that about pale pink and now that is so well established we are almost calling it a classic! Our sponsors Dfs confirmed that recent sales of pink sofas were up 146%, and yellow sofas up 87%. All music to my ears as we continue to champion banning the beige!

Book launch

We both get very excited by new book launches and have shelves groaning under the weight of interior design tomes. But do we have room for one more?  The latest contender is huge (literally) and published by publishing heavyweight  Phaidon. Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century – is proof that interiors has been recognised and celebrated by the style mafia.  Not only does it look fabulous with its sumptuous velvet cover, available in four colours – platinum, merlot, midnight and saffron so you can tie it in with your room scheme, but it’s bursting with rooms, all 400 of them. A sweeping view of some of the most exclusive homes designed by top interior designers, celebrities, artists and tastemakers across 27 countries spanning over the last 100 years. Let’s just say it is very elitist rooms but well worth a drool.

Kate’s downstairs loo

The big reveal was worth the wait. This very compact under stairs cloakroom is now marvellously adorned on all three walls, plus the door, with a fabulous waterproof mural called Coralful in browns, terracotta’s and creams – all Kate’s colours. Isn’t it a triumph, and the picture just can’t do it justice, it really is a rather magical space.

The Coralful wallpaper is available at West One Bathrooms

Much to my surprise, I actually like the black wall hung loo (slightly irritated when I get these things wrong!) and it has a matt finish which Kate tells me is all the rage in sanitary ware. So no more glossy loos, I have to admit it’s looking very sleek.

Design Crimes

This week it was my turn to add to the list of crimes and it’s fluorescent strip lighting. It stems from my early years in a magazine office which, while I loved the job, I’m traumatised by doing late night deadlines under rows of harsh strip lighting.  No matter what time of day, the lighting stayed the same and it was hugely unflattering, and depressing!  However, just before I threw it into Design crime room 101 Kate declared that those clever boys at 2LG Studio have re-invented the strip light with Cameron Design House and completely turned it on its head. Here I am eating my words again. Looks cool doesn’t it!

The Capsule Saldo light is available in different finishes and bespoke options

As ever, a huge thank you to DFS for their continued support and sponsorship and to our fab producer Kate Taylor. If you haven’t already, you can listen to the full episode here.

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What makes a happy home? At home with Pearl Lowe, Podcast S3 Ep4 show notes

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

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
Hip hip hooray it’s PODCAST DAY and @mad_about_ Hip hip hooray it’s PODCAST DAY  and @mad_about_the_house and I are back with a fresh new series, and thrilled to have @harlequinfw  supporting the show. 
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
I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are eve I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are everywhere in my home and it gives me full on joy to see them layered up on walls, on furnishings and my latest edition this hollyhock cushion. But they don’t  love me. As the blossom is bursting out this spring my hay fever is in full flow. 🤧sending love and tissues to my fellow sufferers! 

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. 
Swiftly moving on we interview the fabulous @_paintgirl , creative director of paint brand @littlegreenepaintcompany who explains why there is a thirst for neutrals right now and how to pick the perfect shade. I’m currently giving my living room a refresh and for one nano second considered a neutral for the walls. 😳 But then I had a chat with myself and remembered that leopard is a neutral. There, I feel so much better! I hope you love the show, it’s the last in the current series. Kate and I will be having a short lie down and then back with a bang on 15th of April. I can promise you an awesome series we have planned with some know guests! So make sure you subscribe and why not leave us a little review if you get a moment. We read them all you know! Thanks to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#leopardisaneutral #banthebeige #thegreatindoors #thegreatindoorspodcast #livingroom #interiorrefresh #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistinteriors
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