Kate Watson-Smyth

London

Interior and Design Writer at Freelance

Blog: https://t.co/ih3zLizhHJ, Books: Mad About The House, Podcast: The Great Indoors, Online design course: Create Academy, Columnist: Red Magazine

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Articles

Design Details: It's All About Art

1 week ago | lisadawson.substack.com | Lisa Dawson |Kate Watson-Smyth

Last Friday, and I shared a Live where we talked all about art - what to do with it, where to find it and how to hang it (amongst other things). It was great fun to do and we’re going to do one of these a month going forward for all subscribers where we’ll focus on one subject (taking additional questions in advance from our audiences) and then summarise the key points and info afterwards for our paid subscribers. An excellent plan, we thought.
Let's Talk About Art

2 weeks ago | lisadawson.substack.com | Lisa Dawson |Kate Watson-Smyth

Mini podcast/chat focusing on what has brought guests joy and the journey taken to do what they love - what has formed - and continues to form - their home, life choices and decisions. Mini podcast/chat focusing on what has brought guests joy and the journey taken to do what they love - what has formed - and continues to form - their home, life choices and decisions.
Five Things That I Have Learned In 2024

2 months ago | lisadawson.substack.com | Lisa Dawson |Kate Watson-Smyth

Admittedly, it has taken me a few days to work out if I have actually gained any knowledge AT ALL throughout the previous twelve months or if I have simply gained extra finger strength from constant phone use and an excellent first name term relationship with both DPD and Evri couriers. From a family perspective, however, we certainly appear to have made progress.
How to renovate your home fast

Jan 23, 2025 | thetimes.com | Kate Watson-Smyth
How to find the right light bulb for every room in the house

Oct 25, 2024 | telegraph.co.uk | Kate Watson-Smyth

It doesn’t matter how many light bulbs you have in your house; you almost certainly haven’t got the right one for the lamp that just blew. And if, by some miracle, you do have one that fits the bulb holder, there’s a good chance it won’t be the correct wattage for what you need to see. Or it won’t have enough lumens to illuminate. And, I hate to say it, but we really do need to talk about Kelvin.
PRAISE FOR MAD ABOUT THE HOUSE

Jun 5, 2024 | madaboutthehouse.com | 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.
Small kitchen? Don’t despair - you can make it beautiful and practical

Apr 13, 2024 | thetimes.co.uk | Kate Watson-Smyth

Type the words “dream kitchen” into Pinterest and you are immediately served pages of huge rooms with islands, bar stools, range cookers and tall windows or doors out to an equally spacious garden. But while we might all like to while away our time thinking of how we would furnish such large rooms — a cupboard just for Tupperware? Darling, you spoil me! — the reality is that most of us are trying to cram a lot of function (and too much Tupperware) into a really small space.
A House Tour of the Private Home of Piero Fornasetti

Nov 5, 2023 | madaboutthehouse.com | Kate Watson-Smyth

Hello everyone, firstly can I thank all of you who have followed me over to the new house on Substack either as a free or paid subscriber. I’m dropping in here to let you know that my first post will be going live this morning. I won’t be writing on here every time there is a new post but as it’s all still new I wanted to give everyone time to catch up.
Come With Me To My New online House

Oct 31, 2023 | madaboutthehouse.com | Kate Watson-Smyth

Well today’s the day. From today you will be able to join me over on Substack where I have been busy behind the scenes hanging the curtains, unpacking the archive and arranging the furniture ready to welcome you in. Some of you will have already seen the email I sent on Monday in which I said I would explain in a little more detail while I have decided to move house. I have been very happy here in my little corner of the internet but times have changed and it’s time to move on.
The Househunter: Colour Drenching

Oct 12, 2023 | madaboutthehouse.com | Kate Watson-Smyth

Off to a grand Victorian house in south London this week which has taken full advantage of the large rooms and high ceilings to really make bold use of colour. But before you worry this isn’t for you, the colour drenching used throughout this property works brilliantly in smaller rooms with lower ceilings so this house, which is on the market with Inigo can still provide inspiration on a decorative level even if the budget is fantasy.