So when Kate Watson Smyth- my good friend who writes the formidably successful Mad about the House blog, and author of the best selling book of the same name, called me up and asked “Fancy doing a Podcast with me” , I said, yeah of course- will be fun. Just talking innit?
I must admit I had no idea of the herculean task it would take to bring it to fruition, but here we are on launch day! As our podcast goes out into the podiverse I’m like an expectant mother with a mixture of emotions; bursting with pride and trembling with anxious anticipation. Will anyone listen to it? Will it be any good? Either way, we have had a tonne of fun making it.
One thing’s that’s really amazed me is how much we have to share and how quickly you can rip through half an hour when talking about something you love and are passionate about. And oh how we can talk. For our first episode we recorded well over two hours of fabulous content and producer Kate Taylor worked her magic and tailored into a lively 30 minutes but not missing out any of the value or heated debate.
It’s been a fascinating process working with Kate and discovering what we agree on and more intriguingly how much we disagree and that’s what I really love about interior design. It’s not a science, it’s an art and there is so much anxiety about getting it right but when the experts can’t agree that’s when you know you have to throw the rule book out and follow your gut!But needless to say with over 50 years experience in the business between us you can count on tonnes of tried and tested advise as well as some out of the box ideas.
So as for format, our intention in this first series is to share some topical discussion about interiors, the latest news, launches and trends and then finally take one room in the house and share our ideas on how to best plan and decorate it. We’ve signed up to six episodes in the first series, going out every other week and most excitedly within that, episode 4 is a live recording in which you can be in the audience.
Our sponsor, Dfs, is holding a pop-up event The Staying Inn, in Bermondsey London on the 30th October, and we will be hosting a live audience podcast recording as part of that event! It’s a relaxed affair, glass of wine, get comfy on the sofa and have your interior design questions put to the experts face to face. The Staying Inn event features five inspirational living spaces, designed by our chums 2LG Studio, and a swanky bar for eats and drinks. And as staying in is the new going out, I’m very much looking forward to it. If you’d like to join us and be in the audience, it’s a small intimate affair, you can buy tickets and find more details here.
Finally I must share how we’ve managed to launch in such a short time. We have a real whizz bang team behind us. Our producer Kate Taylor has been instrumental in guiding us through the podcast publishing maze. The technical bits – as well us helping us to produce a format that offers something to everyone with an ear for interiors, keeping it light and entertaining while packed with information. DFS have been a dream sponsor in so much as they’ve supported the series but have given us total editorial freedom to talk about the stuff we really care and know about. Then my photo shoot A -team came to the house for our publicity shoot, Alun Callender behind the lens and Jade Farmilou on hair and makeup. Alun really captured the fun that Kate and I have had making this podcast and was patient while Kate managed to repeatedly fall off the back of the sofa. . Finally a massive shout out to Aye Oo at Headlight designing for our logo and the wonderful Maria for keeping the whole project on track.
So what’s coming up? We launch with the first episode where I challenge Kate with the news that grey is dead as a decorating trend, followed by our round up of some of the key design trends we spotted during London design week. We throw in a few design crimes (you are going to love them!) before finishing off with discussing how to plan a kitchen. Moving swiftly onto episode two and we revel the new paint colours that have recently launched, discuss colour psychology, followed by how to plan a bathroom. In which we discuss strategic positioning of mirrors a lot!
So if any of that tickles your earlobes then hop on over and have a listen. You’ll find us on Apple podcasts, Tune In, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket casts, Acast.
See you in the Great Indoors!