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Kevin McCloud: my house is shambolic and autobiographical

May 19, 2014

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Jen interviews Kevin McCloud in London

Myย scheduled chat with Kevin McCloud in London was delayed by a mere five hours due to his non-stopย schedule but he was, of course, worth the wait. The inimitable Grand Designs host arrived withย some new sustainable materials made from old air bags and car tyres, capable of making furniture. “This stuff is going to change the world,” he tells me, excitedly. And I think it’s this infectious enthusiasm which is one of the things which makes him so likeable on TV.

A regular visitor to our shores for Grand Designs Live Australia the past three years, Kevin is amazed by and grateful for his popularity on the other side of the world, with more people watching the show in Oz than in the UK. He has a real fondness for the country and its people, telling me the story of how he almost was Australian (his parents had tickets booked but then found out his mother was pregnant with him and decided not to go).

“It’s actually amazing how popular the show is in Australia,” he says, joking that some of the re-runs are so old he has a lot more hair in them. “I’m very, very grateful. Here, Grand Designs is successful and everything else I do is two-thirds as successful. In Australia, Grand Designs is even more successful and everything else I do is just as successful too.”

Kevin, who was appointedย MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to sustainability in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, says he’s seen more passion in the decoration of houses in parts of Melbourne than he has in the UK. “I’ve probably seen more delight and wonder in Sydney and Melbourne than I have here.” He’s been blown away by Queenslanders (the houses) in Brisbane and loves how the architecture can be so different between states and territories, but always uniquely Australian due to our climate. “I’m really fond of some of the 19th Century and early 20th Century stuff, ” he says.

So, what is Kevin’s own home like? “It’s as shambolic, autobiographical, worn around the edges and unplanned as anybody else’s in truth! You and I know that the rooms we see in mags are highly engineered to meet the demographic and advertisers of that mag. Sometimes I look at those homes with a single pineapple in a bowl on the side and think where’s their toaster?! When we’re filming for the show, I always prefer the homes which are a little more shambolic, they’re more interesting.”

kevin quote

If Kevin was invited into your home he’d probably go straight to your library (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or bookcase (more likely), which he believes gives a great snapshot of someone’s life.

I couldn’t resist asking him how he deals with being an unlikely sex symbol, to which he joked it was a but a myth touted by journalists like me. I think we all know that isn’t true! Certainly not judging by the number of readers who tell me otherwise… “Nobody’s ever thrown their knickers at me anyway, ” he adds.

Kevin McCloud Grand Designs Live London

I was lucky enough to meet Kevin a couple of years ago at a media dinner in Melbourne. I can vouch for him being aย thoroughly charming, polite, fun, clever and interesting man.ย He’s exactly as he seems on the telly! I totally meant to tell him that my husband and I watch an old episode of Grand Designs most nights before bedย but I’m not even sure that’s a good thing…

Thanks to Grand Designs Live London and Publicasity for orginaising my interview with Kevin.

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Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
#weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ

Need a new blanket? Look no further than these gorgeous South African blankets from @baobabcollective, sustainably sourced, ethically crafted and imported by a Southern Highlands couple.

On the blog now via link in bio.
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Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Comments

  1. AvatarEmma - My Bespoke Chair says

    May 19, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    We Interior Addicts are far too classy a bunch to throw knickers at him! But he is many a woman-of-a-certain age’s secret TV crush (ahem….meaning mine!)

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:20 am

      ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. AvatarJasmine Mansbridge says

    May 19, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    What a wonderful opportunity Jen! Well done you, and shambolic sounds like my house!

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:20 am

      ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ve seen your house and it’s gorgeous!

  3. AvatarSharon Chisholm says

    May 20, 2014 at 7:58 am

    Wonderful interview and I have loved Kevin and his show for many a year. He always seems like such a passionate, authentic and funny man and I’m glad to hear that’s how he is in real life. Thanks for sharing. x

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:19 am

      You’re welcome, Sharon, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

  4. AvatarSamantha Bailey says

    May 20, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Great interview Jen and so lovely to hear your ‘voice’ in your words. Awesome opportunity and yes, he is kind of cute!

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:19 am

      Thanks lovely, glad you enjoyed it!

  5. AvatarKimberly Hughes says

    May 20, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    What a great interview! I have to admit, I’ve always had a bit of a crush on him, especially when he starts speaking in Italian *swoon*. If it’s knickers he wants thrown at him, I’m sure there are plenty of women out there that are happy to oblige ๐Ÿ˜‰ x

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:18 am

      Seems you are not the only one! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  6. AvatarPenny Magro says

    May 22, 2014 at 8:24 am

    Great interview Jen and thanks for being you through the minutes of interaction! Kevin is just another guy but his warmth, love of the world that we live in, his humanity – makes him very real and a likeable bloke! (I’m nuts about him!)

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:17 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Penny! Thanks for commenting.

  7. AvatarRoberta says

    May 22, 2014 at 9:21 am

    What a great day that must have been Jen – one of my favourite shows and personalities!

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 23, 2014 at 3:17 am

      Oh, it was!

  8. Avatarsimone says

    May 29, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    Loved reading this and have to say “Who HASN’T got a secret crush on Kevin?!”

    I’m pretty sure that he’s playing down the success of GD over here though, it must be the biggest house show over here – and has led to him getting involved in loads of other projects.

    A family from my school were featured on the show & they said he was lovely too!

    I’m smiling at watching GD before bedtime….I may or may not have done that too ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 29, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      I think he is very humble in general. Just makes him even more likeable!

  9. AvatarTerese says

    May 31, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Jen I had the opportunity to win a meeting with him at the Sydney Grand Designs Live. I was absolutely star struck…I babbled about something. He is everything and more in real life. So polite and gracious with this time that day as each of us only had a few minutes with him before he was whisked away. I did manage to give him a small hand made gift for his Christmas tree.

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      May 31, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Everyone seems to have the same positive experience! He really is very genuine.

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