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Postcard from The Podcast (episode 99)

We interrupt this half term break with a postcard from the podcast. This week Sophie and I are discussing the amazing Brooklyn townhouse home of Lily Allen and her husband David Harbour as featured in Architectural Digest. Would you have carpet in the bathroom? Would you sleep in a cupboard so the light didn’t wake you up? And just what sort of house would you expect Lily Allen to live in?

the plain english kitchen belonging to Lily Allen ad David Harbour as featured in Architectural Digest
the plain english kitchen belonging to Lily Allen ad David Harbour as featured in Architectural Digest

After that we moved on to the other big interiors story of the month and the revelation that the Queen of Decluttering, Marie Kondo has, after three children, realised that tidying doesn’t spark joy and more.

Now I was first alerted to this when I was invited onto Radio 4 PM with Evan Davis (yes him off Dragon’s Den) to discuss it. You can listen here if you fancy – it starts at 53.53 and is very short!).

But Sophie and I wanted to chat in more depth about this and how to keep your own homes in order. You can listen to that and all our previous episodes here.

I hope you enjoy. And next week is our 100th episode so do watch out for that.

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.

2 Comments

  1. My reaction to their home overall was negative. The kitchen was fine, the living room wallpaper glorious. After that, the rest fell apart. That bathroom is simply so tacky. And no matter how pretty the carpet ( and I don’t think it is), it’s just not practical and gross. The bedroom gives me cheap motel room vibes. It’s like they almost hit the mark, but then something is off and the space just leaves me wanting to leave. Maximalism, traditional design is fabulous, but this space was not it for me. I guess I just don’t get all the rave reviews about it.

  2. Adore this home ! thank you for introducing it to me. The wallpapers, the sofas, the decor ! Do you like carpet in the bathroom ? how can one not when it is as beautiful, as pretty, as layered, as decadent, as comfortable as this ?! How I love this bathroom. I hope no politics of envy come into this, as, although personally I have nowhere near the means of this privileged couple, I can fly with the inspiration, the bravery & the ideas to steal with a much more modest, even tiny/nonexistent, budget! I love that the gentleman was unapologetic about wanting florals ! why not ! And the lady inspired by a Zebra ! A 21st century couple achieving a home with modern credentials but wrapped in a chocolate box nod to the past. Truly scrumptious. so glad there are couples like this who fly high. I have always dreamt of a plain English kitchen too. it will remain a dream but boy! what a company ! this kitchen truly flies the flag for them & they deserve every accolade.

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