What is wrong with John Lewis?

I like the vintage colourful look, Carries look is a bit too busy for me, but I like it.
As to who should finance it, they should, as they would have to if they lived anywhere else, an allowance towards it is acceptable as they entertain there, if they want to spend a load of their own money, that’s up to them.
But to be fair, we all want to redecorate a new home, not sure if I’d want to spend too much if my tenancy was so insecure.

What I also find extraordinary is that whilst sneering at those with John Lewis taste they are still willing to fleece those with John Lewis taste to buy a flat full of what looks like Recycled furniture.

I saw some pictures of the new interior, not sure if it was the real thing or just an impression. The sofa material was the same as the hideous wall paper, it all looked very garish to me. I have to say I'm not a fan of lots of patterns in my decor but each to his own.

Politics aside, what I find most extraordinary about this whole sorry affair is that two highly-educated people from wealthy families, both with high earning potential, can’t scrape together enough cash to buy a couple of sofas and a few tins of paint. Bear in mind, they already get a £30,000 allowance. That would turn my modest abode into a palace, John Lewis or no John Lewis. He is hopeless with money. She must be, too. Advertising the fact when you are Prime Minister is just stupid.

M0nica

I think the flat at No 10 should be treated like an army quarter. Marched in with an inventory check, marched out in the same way at the end of the tenancy.

The government department in charge of maintaining government buildings should paint it in neutral colours every 5 years, after that the incumbent can do what he/she likes, but it all has to be returned to standard neutral colours when it is vacated.

That would clip the wings of the current lady incumbent. She could learn the skills of any forces spouse of turning a bog standard quarter into an attractive personal home by just unpacking the box or so of home ffects that go everywhere with you.

I'd go further and get all these MPs claiming for second homes as they 'have to work in London' (ever come across Zoom?) marched into - and later out of - a flat furnished to a reasonable standard, for the length of their standing as an MP. No need then for massive claims for second homes and their various 'essential' accoutrements.

Duck houses, anyone?

I just wonder how long they expect to stay after all this money has been spent.

Pantglas
Your correct. I have a letter sent to me by Alan Clarke. Personally sighted.

The Government should have a storage facility that current PMs could go to and select furnishings, art work etc.

They should use their own bedding and towels.

Must be plenty of furniture in Embassy lofts.

I'm with M0nica at 0829 this morning
My thoughts exactly.

As far as I am aware there have been no actual photographs released of the new interior or No.11 so I am unable to comment on whether I like it or not. (I am curious though)

Have a look at the link I posted, GG13. That might give you some idea.

I see what you mean about The Recycled Look, WwMk2, but it somehow just manages to miss looking attractive.

And why pay £200k to look 'recycled' when you can do the real thing for a song? I thought she was meant to be an environmentalist. Nothing spells environmental concerns so much as conspicuous consumption..?

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but the best snobbish comment about furniture I ever read was in Alan Clarke’s diaries, when he rubbished Michael Heseltine as the sort of person who has to buy his own furniture!

I’m another fan of John Lewis. I made my first post lockdown shopping trip this week, yes, to John Lewis.
The store looked great, the staff as always friendly and helpful.
I’ve bought furniture, rugs, bedding and this iPad (on line when my old one died during lockdown)
We are all obvs dead common because we prefer JL understated, good quality style to well, I’d be rude if I said what I think about Johnson and Carrie Antoinette-s taste

I’m with MOnica on treating the Downing Street apartments like any other temporary accommodation for public servants. I grew up in a series of houses owned by the police service dad worked for. I recall an allowance for carpets when we moved in. Mum scoured the markets and cheap stores as the allowance was low. The expectation was you maintained the house to a standard that the next inhabitant could move in and live there. Why is Downing Street any different. Ms Antoinette and her fiancé have other places they own

She did up her rooms at Windsor recently and it looked just like a cosy John Lewis.

What I do find sick is that a fortune has been spent on doing up said flat, but they could be gone tomorrow if things go wrong; then the next incumbent does it all again at more cost.

Loislovesstewie

Having seen some examples of how Number 10 might look, I have to say that the wallpaper looked liked something from a tart's boudoir!
(P.S my spellcheck told me that the term I was going to use is offensive, so now it's judging me!)
Nothing wrong with John Lewis IMHO.

?????threaten your iPad with the skip!

Whitewavemark2

I always think that the Queen has John Lewis taste and you can’t get any posher than that can you?

Oh, come on, WwMk2, the Queen is in the class that doesn't have to buy its furniture. ? She has rooms stuffed with priceless antiques..inherited, of course.

The comment and attitude are both snobbish and rather stupid. There isn’t a John Lewis style, surely John Lewis has a large enough stock that most styles can be created .
I’m inclined to agree with the suggestion that incoming PM should not need to totally refurbish when they may not be there that many years !

maizie I think you could call that The Re-cycled Look as it looks just like stuff some of my more creative friends have in their house all recycled and painted in all lots of colours.

I quite like it (not my taste) and can appreciate their style.

But I wouldn’t pay £200000 for the same effect.

Having seen some examples of how Number 10 might look, I have to say that the wallpaper looked liked something from a tart's boudoir!
(P.S my spellcheck told me that the term I was going to use is offensive, so now it's judging me!)
Nothing wrong with John Lewis IMHO.

John Lewis is our go to shop
I am in my sixties not my thirties as I believe Carrie Symonds is. There are many more interior shops with individual looks/styles available.

As far as I am aware there have been no actual photographs released of the new interior or No.11 so I am unable to comment on whether I like it or not. (I am curious though)

suziewoozie

There is nothing wrong with John Lewis. On the other hand, there is a great deal wrong with Carrie Antoinette as evidenced firstly by her taste in men.

Oops, somehow missed quoting sw's post.

I think you've hit a nail on the head there suziewoozie ?

I think we should have a bitch discussion about her designer's taste.
I think it looks like really bad Laura Ashley..

Have a look at these..

quintessenceblog.com/at-home-in-london-with-lulu-lytle/

www.tatler.com/article/lulu-lytle-interior-designer-no-10-downing-street-carrie-symonds

Incidentally, the picture of sofa that's been doing the rounds isn't from no. 11 at all.

Grandma70s

I agree that it is not John Lewis that is tasteless,

I suppose if you’re used to very expensive furniture John Lewis is thought of as cheap. To most of us, John Lewis is reasonably high up the social scale.

Wish I could afford John Lewis. ??

I think the flat at No 10 should be treated like an army quarter. Marched in with an inventory check, marched out in the same way at the end of the tenancy.

The government department in charge of maintaining government buildings should paint it in neutral colours every 5 years, after that the incumbent can do what he/she likes, but it all has to be returned to standard neutral colours when it is vacated.

That would clip the wings of the current lady incumbent. She could learn the skills of any forces spouse of turning a bog standard quarter into an attractive personal home by just unpacking the box or so of home ffects that go everywhere with you.

I always think that the Queen has John Lewis taste and you can’t get any posher than that can you?