What The Papers Say

Not That I'm Keeping Tabs

I think full fat is quite a good way to describe my style. It’s the design equivalent of Belgian chocolates – an easygoing everyday luxury that you don’t have to save up for or save for best. - Concept for Living Magazine, April 2005

..in his millionaire’s suit, white silk shirt and billowing great-coat, he looks like a cross between a Mafia don and the Cutty Sark… He’s surprisingly rugged in real life – quite hewn, and more Heathcliff than Sun King. But then of course, he does still looks dandy. It’s a slightly unsettling combination, like he could have you killed in a lot of very creative ways… - The Times, Caitlin Moran, Friday 4th March 2005

Bowen is undoubtedly clever, and clever about his cleverness, too, in that he knows when to put it away. - The Times, Caitlin Moran, Friday 4th March 2005

One of the problems of architecture and design at the moment is that everyone’s trying to build their own sepulchers. Foster is definitely building his own sepulchers all over London. - Heritage Magazine, December 1st 2003

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the high priest of makeover shows, said on the BBC Home Front programme: ‘I declare carpet back in fashion’. - Financial Times, August 23rd 2003

Absolutely not. It hasn’t got uglier, it’s just got blander. The Blairite auesthetic means semi-skimmed, politically correct buildings calculated not to upset anyone. There’s no wit, no cleverness, no humour, no beauty. The Government are trying to be decent. But they’re just so dull. - The Times, February 8th 2005

Christmas is the only time of year we move from blandeur to grandeur in this country, so it seems a shame not to make the most of it. - The Guardian, Saturday December 4th 2004

I diggeth Design Rules, hosted by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, in part because I love the posh roll of his name, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. He explains and illustrates use of colour, mass, and perspective with a clarity and logical progression near extinct on home-improvement shows, where jump-cut Tilt-a-Whirl effects make the simplest task – setting tiles – look like a madcap escapade. - Vanity Fair, James Wolcott, January 2003

Magnolia, scientifically, is not great for our climate. It’s greeny, yellowy, pinky-grey light, so it’s just like existing inside a bogey. - Time Out Students Guide, 2003/2004

The dining room at the Ritz is one of the most flamboyant in London; where there is not a twiddle, there is a twirl. So what better venue could there be for an encounter with the decidedly twirling and twiddlesom Jackie and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen? - Sainsburys Magazine, February 2004

The Queen represents stability and continuity and her décor reflects that. When we want a change of style we go to B&Q and get a tin of paint. She has paneling and chinoiseries. It’s not so easy for her. I thought it was great that she eats from Tupperware boxes and her style is slightly downmarket. She’s like my great-aunt. - Daily Express, Friday November 28th 2003