For years, the best conversations I had about interiors happened off the record. Standing in a half-finished kitchen with a client, coffee in hand, talking about why they'd chosen that tile, what they'd regret, the moment it all clicked. Those conversations were honest, funny and full of ideas anyone could use. And they disappeared the second we walked out of the room.
Heart & Home is my way of keeping them.
Why a podcast, and why now
Starting a podcast has been on my wish list for a long time. I've always shared what I know, the budgets, the decisions, what really goes on during the interior design process, because I believe everyone deserves to live in a home they love, no matter the budget. A podcast felt like the most natural way to do that properly. Not a polished reveal. The real story, told by the people who lived it.
There are no filters and no fluff. You'll hear the "oops" moments, the "oh wow" moments and everything it took to get from one to the other. It isn't about big budgets or designer labels. It's about clever thinking and knowing where to spend, so you can take every idea home with you.
Who you'll hear from in Season One
Six of my clients have opened their front doors, with a new episode every other Friday on Spotify and YouTube:
- Sally Dynevor, Coronation Street's Sally Webster since 1986, on the house she and Tim fell for before they'd even seen inside, mixing antiques with modern pieces, and why you should be braver with colour. Out now.
- Anya Lawrence, Vicky Grant in Hollyoaks. Friday 23 October.
- Lucy-Jo Hudson, Katy Harris in Coronation Street and Rosie in Wild at Heart. Friday 6 November.
- Ross Adams, Hollyoaks' Scott Drinkwell, now in The Good Ship Murder. Friday 20 November.
- Angela Lonsdale, Coronation Street's Emma Taylor. Friday 4 December.
- Steph Waring, Hollyoaks' Cindy Cunningham for almost three decades. Friday 18 December.
Every episode also comes with free Style Notes: a guide to the home we've just talked about, covering what's in the rooms, why it works and where to buy it.
What I had to learn
I can talk about pocket doors and worktop materials all day. Asking good questions on camera is a completely different skill, and I had to learn it from scratch.
Here's what made the biggest difference:
- Do your homework, then put it down. I knew every one of these homes inside out, because I designed them. But the best moments came when I stopped steering and let my guests tell it their way.
- Ask open questions. "Did you like the kitchen?" gets you a yes. "What was the first thing you noticed when you walked in?" gets you a story.
- Follow the interesting bit. If someone laughs halfway through an answer, there's usually something better underneath. Ask about that.
- Let the silence sit. People fill a pause with the honest version.
- Talk less. This was the big one! I'm a designer. Ask me about storage and I will tell you about storage. By episode two I'd written "LET THEM TALK" in capitals on my notes. I'd love to tell you I never needed it.
Why it matters for your home
The funny thing is, learning to interview made me a better designer. A great interview and a great design consultation are the same conversation. Before I draw a single line, I need to understand how you live, what drives you mad about your home now and how you want it to feel. The same rules apply: open questions, real listening and space for the honest answer.
So here's something you can take from Season One before you even press play. If you're planning a renovation, sit down and ask yourself the questions I ask my guests:
- What's the one thing about your home you'd change tomorrow if you could?
- Which room do you avoid, and why?
- When you picture the finished space, what does it feel like, not just look like?
Write the answers down. That's your brief, and it's worth more than any moodboard.
Listen now
Episode one Sally Dynevor is out now on Spotify and YouTube, with Anya Lawrence's episode landing this Friday. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and come and hear the honest version. Listen to Heart & Home.
Let me put a little love into your home.
Love, Lisa x
