Claudia Donaldson: the pioneering editor and creative director on creating a sanctuary at home – and the luxury of pink loo roll
About this episode
During her tenure at Nowness, Claudia commissioned the well-known ‘In Residence’ series, which took us inside the homes of the biggest names in design and architecture. Today, I’m meeting Claudia in her beautiful London home to give her a taste of her own journalistic medicine …She tells me about what it was like to grow up in an English prototype of the American dream, and talks fondly about her ‘impossibly glamorous’ grandparents’ house, which had shagpile carpet, pink loo roll and a telephone next to the sunken bath.We discuss why she prefers to define space with furniture rather than architecture, what happened when she broke her hip and couldn’t get down the stairs, why a home is never truly finished, and the power of procrastination.This episode was recorded at Claudia's home in north west London.For more:Visit The Modern House website for images of some the spaces discussed in this episodeCheck out CloakroomFollow Matt Gibberd on InstagramFollow The Modern House InstagramWatch our Homing In films on YouTubeProducer: Hannah PhillipsEditing and mixing: Oscar CrawfordGraphic Design: Tom YoungMusic: FatherThis episode was sponsored by Vitsoe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Claudia Donaldson: the pioneering editor and creative director on creating a sanctuary at home – and the luxury of pink loo roll from Homing gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Why Comfort Isn't Always Good for Us | With Architect Stefan Behling Jul 9, 2026
- Architect Sophie Hicks on being an 80s cover girl, and why every object should have a purpose Jul 2, 2026
- Johann Hari: How to Find Connection in a Lonely World Jun 25, 2026
- Chef Margot Henderson on Home, Food & Caring for Fergus Jun 18, 2026
- Can a Home Help You Heal? – With Psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE Jun 11, 2026
- Patrick Williams on Grief, Restoration and the House That Shaped His Life Jun 4, 2026
- Can Your Home Make You Healthier? – With Dr. Esther Sternberg May 28, 2026
- David Shrigley on Anxiety, Absurdity & Ageing Disgracefully May 21, 2026
- Can a Prison Ever Feel Like Home? – with Professor Yvonne Jewkes May 14, 2026
- Sue Stuart-Smith on Nature, Childhood & The Garden as Medicine May 7, 2026
- Why Doesn’t Where You Live Feel Like Home? — with Urban Designer David Engwicht Apr 30, 2026
- Sue Webster on Punk, The Mole House & The Art of Non-Conformity Apr 23, 2026
- Do We Really Need More Stuff? — with Japanese Architect Takero Shimazaki Apr 16, 2026
- Henry Holland on Reinvention, Resilience & Home in Two Halves Apr 9, 2026
- How to Detoxify Your Home with Dr. Jenny Goodman Mar 26, 2026
- Maria Balshaw on Creative Rebellion, Life After the Tate & The House as a Container Mar 19, 2026
- Alain de Botton: Is Your Home Making You Happy? Mar 12, 2026
- Tom Stuart-Smith on Landscapes, Legacy & The Uplifting Power of Nature Mar 5, 2026
- Anxiety in the Body: Creating a Sanctuary at Home with Dr Alexandra Shaker Feb 26, 2026
- Elizabeth Day on Perfectionism, Positive Affirmations & Rebuilding Home After Loss Feb 19, 2026
- Wintering at Home: The Power of Rest & Ritual, with Katherine May Feb 12, 2026
- Natasha Landers on Curating Black Art, East London & The Home as a Living Exhibition Feb 5, 2026
- Dan Pearson on Landscape Design, Mindfulness & the Alchemy of Gardening Jan 22, 2026
- Matilda Goad on Balance, Joy and Playful Homeware Design Jan 12, 2026
- Skye McAlpine on Hosting, Christmas & the Myth of Perfection at Home Dec 11, 2025
- Max Rollitt on Interior Decorating, Sentimentality & the Home as Autobiography Nov 27, 2025
- Polly Morgan on Taxidermy, Family & Letting Things Go Nov 13, 2025
- Chris Packham on Neurodiversity, Safe Spaces & Finding Solace in Nature Oct 30, 2025
- Homing With Matt Gibberd Oct 30, 2025
- Bethan Laura Wood: the multidisciplinary designer on the need to make and create Sep 30, 2025