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What is wrong with John Lewis?

(234 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Thu 29-Apr-21 07:50:18

Carrie Symonds was reportedly appalled at the “John Lewis nightmare” after Theresa May moved out. I have seen pictures of May in the flat and I think it looks absolutely fine. Very British in taste as you would expect.

I nearly always shop in John Lewis for stuff, so do I assume my taste is a nightmare?

Apparently John Betjamin that very British poet remarked that when the end of the world came, he hoped to be in a John Lewis store as nothing unpleasant can ever happen there.

Perhaps that it the point - it is all so bland and British that it becomes a nightmare of boredom?

leeds22 Sat 01-May-21 12:03:01

I've never lived near a John Lewis store but next time I'm in Leeds or Newcastle or even High Wycombe (DS lives near) I shall be there. As someone else said, Carrie's taste in men shows her tastes, definitely not mine.

Lin52 Sat 01-May-21 12:01:52

This is all hearsay and Daily Mail gossip. If you believe anything that paper writes, well I’ll say no more.

JaneJudge Sat 01-May-21 11:58:44

I honestly think the remark was a two finger salute to his old pal George Osborne whose family business stock their wallpaper/fabrics in John Lewis but maybe I've been over thinking again.... grin

grannygranby Sat 01-May-21 11:54:41

It’s the marks and Spencer’s of furnishing ...though perhaps even more on the employee ownership, good quality sensibly priced. ‘Never knowingly undersold’ was their tag line. In that respect it’s boring but if you are in temporary accommodation and you want to represent the values of the country you are leading it is the brand to have. They have shown a very adolescent attitude we all roll our eyes. I think John Lewis could be Carrie-Antoinettes ‘ cake’ . Chip chop.
Also read that theresa may didn’t refurbish. That was done by Cameron’s.. who had a young family, SamCam had it painted white and got in some family friendly John Lewis furniture. Like a grown up

CarlyD7 Sat 01-May-21 11:53:31

Like others, I cannot understand why they are allowed to do a total refurbishment. It's an apartment that comes with the job so should be kept fairly neutral and maintained, but then each occupant can bring in their own curtains, furniture, etc (and take it with them when they go 4 years later). They shouldn't be allowed to change the decor at all. All very well to be blaming Carrie (who obviously has very poor taste in men, not to mention decor) but it's Bojo that's given the go-ahead (as well as those around them who have facilitated this). Time to review the whole arrangement.

Tanjamaltija Sat 01-May-21 11:47:25

It's all about New Brooms Sweep Clean. And Just Because She (thinks) She Can. Some people can be very generous with other people's money.

suziewoozie Sat 01-May-21 11:45:57

Pedwards

Issues about breaking rules etc aside, the incumbent gets £30k to furnish the flat which should be enough for anyone - my issue is also with the waste!

They get £30k a year ?

4allweknow Sat 01-May-21 11:32:57

No 11 is a publicly owned building and should be treated as such. A basic standard of decor maintained from public funds. Any alterations should need to be approved by "landlord" and at tenants expense. Considering the lease can be very short term why would anyone spend a fortune on decor. Sure both Boris and Carrie have other properties they can use their expensive decorating talents on.

Nannan2 Sat 01-May-21 11:26:43

I like to buy the odd thing or two at John Lewis online, salt & pepper grinders, huge bath sheets, cereal containers, 4-in-1 coat hangers, all practical stuff.They seem good quality & last longer.Not sure about wallpapers/furnishings though..?

Nannan2 Sat 01-May-21 11:22:34

I think the Queen probably has Harvey Nichols and Harrods taste but there you go.....?Why is Boris et al spending so much on 'the flat' (not even a whole house!) when he'll most likely be out before too long anyway the way he is going....?

icanhandthemback Sat 01-May-21 11:20:00

What a boring world it would be if we all went to John Lewis. I like bold styles but not sure about Carrie's tastes!

Gwenisgreat1 Sat 01-May-21 11:15:44

There is nothing wrong with John Lewis furniture - it may be bland to some, but what I'd like to know, how long does Carrie thing she is going to be there? Has she created an expensive nightmare for any successors?

Pedwards Sat 01-May-21 11:11:59

Issues about breaking rules etc aside, the incumbent gets £30k to furnish the flat which should be enough for anyone - my issue is also with the waste!

Nannashirlz Sat 01-May-21 11:09:05

Well how many times have you moved into a property and thought. Wow I love that paper etc you don’t you wanna put your stamp on it. Wouldn’t be a boring world if we all liked the same. If we had the money we would all have designer stuff. But when we in military we could have their stuff and postage stamp carpets as we would call them as they never fitted but we also bought our own stuff.

GoldenAge Sat 01-May-21 11:08:49

Seriously? Offended by Carried Symonds? Let's not waste our energy here on someone whose taste in everything can be questioned but basically if she can come out and insult Teresa May (and I'm no Tory) so publicly in that way does this woman even deserve a second thought? John Lewis has always been my go to not just for the variety but because the shop assistants have manners - something Miss Symonds seems to be short of.

Treacletoffee Sat 01-May-21 11:05:12

Am l right in thinking there is an allowance for redecoration every year? If so wouldn’t it have been great to forget this year and give the money to Marcus Rashfords appeal

Ellet Sat 01-May-21 11:04:16

Sorry, should have also stated that there aren’t any JL shops anywhere near me, ergo, I can’t really comment on their quality personally but know several (well off) friends who swear by JL.

Ellet Sat 01-May-21 11:02:32

I think there are more pressing problems to sort and really couldn’t care less what is done to the flat, or who pays for it for that matter.
I wouldn’t expect my son and DiL to keep anything of mine if they moved into my house, just as I wouldn’t want to live in a house decorated by my in laws.
It’s simply a generational thing and people wanting to assert their own taste.

dorabelle100 Sat 01-May-21 11:00:41

what i cant understand is that they have a baby/ toddler - think of all the crayon scribbling and scuff marks from wheel barrows/ peddle cars etc.

jaylucy Sat 01-May-21 10:57:28

Nowt wrong with John Lewis imo. Never had a problem with anything I have purchased from there and in fact was the only company that kept me fully up to date with an online order I made before Christmas.
Quite frankly, being linked with someone that has multiple children with multiple women like BJ would be more of a concern to me than what was on the walls!
I just feel sorry for the following incumbent of Number 10 , having to follow after someone with questionable taste in more than one area!
Imagine what they have done to the decor at Chequers!

Frankie51 Sat 01-May-21 10:52:14

Our "flagship" John Lewis store has just closed down, throwing all the employees out of work. So much for "partners". So I think there's a lot wrong with John Lewis right now.

Quizzer Sat 01-May-21 10:51:01

Only one thing to say about Carrie Symonds tastes - she chose Boris !

Aepgirl Sat 01-May-21 10:50:22

I’m a great fan of John Lewis, however at the moment their stocks are very low. My daughter wants some cushions stocked by JL, but they only have one in our local store, and none online, and won’t reserve it for her to collect as it is less than 3 items - who made up that rule?

Happygirl79 Sat 01-May-21 10:48:03

Inverted snobbery by Carrie

Babsbada Sat 01-May-21 10:45:49

Typical old Etonian snobbery. Contemptible.