Watching Paint Dry – Details, episodes & analysis

Our homes are intrinsically linked to who we are. They’re a safe space, but they’re also where we take part in honest conversation, work on creative endeavours, build relationships - live, laugh, love, and all that.

The Watching Paint Dry podcast aims to tap into the intersectionality of our lives and homes. In each episode, interior stylist, writer and content creator Emma Jane Palin explores the meaning of home with a variety of guests, from musicians to the founders of an anti-racism platform.

Not one to shy away from getting stuck in, Emma will get to work decorating her new DIY and interior store, Our Curated Abode, before sitting down for a chat to “watch paint dry”. Whether it’s discussing diversity within interiors, sustainable design, or the realities of buying a home alone, there’s something to learn from every guest (and you’ll hopefully get some interior tips too!).

For more information, follow @ourcuratedabode and @emmajanepalin.

Watching Paint Dry host Emma Jane Palin meets her first guest, Emma Jane Palin! Emma takes part in her quick-fire question round - will it be the big light or little lights? Let's find out!

Kicking off season one of Watching Paint Dry, upholsterer, designer and founder of Margate Design Collective, Jesse du Preez speaks to host Emma Jane Palin about their journey post-Interior Design Masters. After discussing what they discovered from their journey on the BBC television show, we delved into creating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, how neurodivergence has shaped a career in upholstery and why it's so important for a home to feel safe and welcoming.

Follow Jesse's design journey over on Instagram, visit their bar CAMP in Margate, or sign up for a workshop at Margate Design Collective.

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, host Emma Jane Palin chats with vintage homeware store owner, Marie Pontefract. Marie set up Albie & Pearl after nearly 20 years of working as a womenswear designer. Having become dismayed at the amount of waste created within the industry, she now curates joyful collections of vintage homewares, art and lighting, whilst having as little impact on the planet as possible.
Topics covered in this 30-minute chat include leaving London (and her high-profile job) for a slower life at sea, the joys of vintage sourcing and the importance of sustainability, the return of the high street, and how she juggles her small business and her family life.
Follow Marie's journey over on Instagram, and shop her curated vintage wares over at Albie and Pearl.

In the latest episode of Watching Paint Dry, Emma sits down for a chat with Naomi and Natalie Evans of online anti-racism platform, Everyday Racism.
The duo shine a light on important topics such as diversity and inequality within interiors, if certain interior design styles can stem from racism, and how their own heritage has shaped each of their homes respectively. The episode aims to offer tangible advice for those looking to help make the interiors world more accessible, while also helping to empower the next generation.
Follow Naomi and Natalie over at Everyday Racism, and buy their book 'The Mixed Race Experience' to support their work.

Sara Brown chats to host Emma Jane Palin about everything from decorating her rental, to her love for craft and fashion.
Sara is a size-inclusive brand consultant as well as incredible content creator and designer who has worked with brands such as GANNI and Joanie Clothing, as well as her own lifestyle brand Dolly Rocket. She regualrly contributes to online platform Who What Wear representing plus-size women all around the globe who have a passion for colour, pattern and statement style.
In this chat, Emma and Sara delve into Sara's involvement in fashion and interiors, how she became a maker both professionally and personally, and how her day job as a size inclusive brand consultant can help designers to plan spaces more intentionally for larger bodies.
Follow Sara on Instagram and check out Dolly Rocket for coasters and other handmade goodies.

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, British singer songwriter, Lo Barnes shares how her journey as an unsigned musician has developed her relationship with her home. Together with host Emma Jane Palin, she discusses the importance of community as an artist, how interiors affect her creative (and not so) creative process, and the parallels between Lo being a female in the music industry and Emma a woman in the DIY world.
As a touring artist - she has played with the likes of The Libertines. The Heavy, Band of Skulls and The Wave Pictures - Lo's connection with home and interiors shows the importance of creating a space that reflects and empowers you.
Listen to Lo's music on Bandcamp (or via any other streaming platform) and follow her on Instagram to stay up to date with launches, gigs and merchandise drops.

Emma Jane Palin sits down to chat with copywriter and content creator Sheree Millington about her journey on Interior Design Masters, buying a home as a single person, and decorating your home based on your mood.
Sheree started her professional career as a journalist at VICE magazine, but has since turned to copywriting, and
now works in-house at a huge retailer. She bought her first home in Margate as a single buyer and threw herself into renovating, before appearing on the BBC's Interior Design Masters.
Follow Sheree on Instagram @chez.shez and sign up for her book club, Ladies Lit Squad.

In the last episode of Season One, host Emma Jane Palin chats with art director, brand consultant and writer Africa Daley-Clarke, also known online as The Vitamin D Project.
With Africa focusing on a more sustainable approach to interiors, fashion, and childrenswear, the pair discuss sustainable solutions for growing families, as well as how Africa uses social media to highlight social injustice. Africa talks through her move from social housing in London to her home by the sea, and how they originally thought it would be their 'forever home'.
Follow Africa on Instagram, subscribe to her Patreon and visit her website for further inspiration.

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, interior stylist and author Emily Henson speaks on life as an interior stylist, creativity over consumption within interiors, and how to get stuck in DIY in your own home.
Emily is an experienced set designer, interior stylist and author working in photography and film for
interiors, fashion, tech, lifestyle and food brands. As one of the OG bloggers she has published an interiors blog 'Life Unstyled' since 2009, writing about interiors, styling, and DIY. This has led to six books, including the latest ‘Create: Inspiring Homes that value Creativity Before Consumption’ which focuses on sustainability.
To stay up to date, follow Emily on Instagram and subscribe to her Substack. Gather inspiration from her six books, available via her website.