Best Timeless Designs by Melissa Podcasts (2025)

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George Monbiot: 'Farmers need stability and security... Instead, they're contending with chaos' 41:05

1d ago41:05

41:05

For four four decades, George Monbiot has been one of Britain's strongest voices speaking out on the environment. After starting his career with the BBC, Monbiot is now best known for his books and his weekly column in The Guardian, winning a reputation as a tireless and passionate advocate for the natural world, as well as making plenty of enemies…

1
Is Cambria Worth It? Here’s What You Need to Know 38:05

4d ago38:05

38:05

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa from Timeless Designs talks with Kayleigh from Cambria about the latest quartz countertop trends, wall cladding, and how Cambria surfaces are changing home design. Learn about new colors, satin finishes, backlit designs, and why Cambria is more than just countertops. Whether you're rem…

1
Vintage tractors and memories of summers past, with Oliver Godfrey 27:00

6d ago27:00

27:00

Everyone has their passions. I, for example, enjoy collecting football shirts. Other people like stamps. Some people like vintage tractors. Oliver Godfrey, from Cheffins, is very good at auctioning them. It is important to understand people and their passions. So we asked Oliver to join the Country Life Podcast, to talk us through the slightly nich…

1
Lighting Layouts That Make Your Home Pop! 39:32

11d ago39:32

39:32

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa from Timeless Designs chats with Aaron from Pro Service Electric about must-know electrical tips for home renovations, new construction, and lighting design. Learn how to plan your lighting layout, why wafer lights are taking over, and how Permanent Pixels can add custom lighting to yo…

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Melissa Harrison: The accidental nature writer who became an accidental nature app developer 31:12

15d ago31:12

31:12

The nature writer, children's author and journalist Melissa Harrison joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast to talk about her life, her career, and how she found herself creating a smartphone app to help people connect with nature. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Cou…

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Stop Using the Wrong Blinds in Your Home! 43:43

20d ago43:43

43:43

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, host Melissa from Timeless Designs chats with Amanda from Budget Blinds of Sioux Falls about the latest trends in window treatments. From motorized shades and drapery to energy-efficient cellular shades and custom shutters, they cover everything you need to know to elevate your home's design a…

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The remarkable history of Britain and its animals, with Karen Jones 28:00

22d ago28:00

28:00

The animals we share Britain with mean far more to us than we realise. Beyond the obvious companionship, food and farming, they are a part of our folklore, our language and intertwined with our lives. Karen Jones, professor of environmental and cultural history at the University of Kent, has long been fascinated by the creatures that populate our i…

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This Secret Home Feature Will Make Every Golfer Jealous! 33:28

27d ago33:28

33:28

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa from Timeless Designs sits down with Ryan Austad, president of Austad’s Golf, to talk all things golf—from building custom golf simulators for your home to how technology is transforming the golf experience. Learn about the rise of virtual golf, indoor golf simulator setups, and how go…

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Chloe Dalton: The woman who swapped top-level geopolitics to rescue a baby hare, and had her life changed forever 36:05

29d ago36:05

36:05

Before lockdown changed life in Britain in early 2020, Chloe Dalton led an almost overwhelmingly metropolitan existence. A foreign policy expert, her comfort zone was in the corridors of power, around Whitehall and Westminster, a person who — in her own words — was ‘addicted to the adrenaline’ of flying around the world playing a key role in the de…

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First-Time Homebuyer? LISTEN Before You Get a Mortgage! 33:17

1M ago33:17

33:17

Send us a text Thinking about buying, building, or refinancing a home? In this episode, Kyle Swiden from Plains Commerce Bank breaks down everything you need to know about getting a mortgage. Learn how to get pre-approved, boost your credit score, and avoid common mistakes. Kyle also shares smart tips for new construction loans and explains why it’…

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The photographer on a 15-year quest to find the most incredible doors in London, with Cath Harries 30:31

1M ago30:31

30:31

It's almost two decades since photographer Cath Harries set out to work on a book documenting London's finest pubs. As she walked the streets of the capital, however, she found herself wondering about a new project: London's most extraordinary doors. The idea took hold, and she found herself embarking upon a project which would take a decade and a …

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Insider Secrets to Choosing the Perfect Windows & Doors! 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

Send us a text Join us as we chat with Shane Patton from Builders Millwork in Sioux Falls! He shares his 30+ years of experience in windows, doors, and millwork. Learn how their showroom helps homeowners and builders pick the perfect materials, what’s trending in home design, and tips to avoid costly mistakes. Plus, hear about Sioux Falls’ fast-gro…

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This Waterproof Deck Ceiling Will Change Your Outdoor Living Forever! 46:05

1M ago46:05

46:05

Send us a text Transform your outdoor space into a year-round living area with this revolutionary waterproof deck ceiling system! In today’s episode, we chat with Jon and Erica Williams from Undercover Systems of the Heartland about how their innovative solution is changing the way people use their decks. What You’ll Learn in This Podcast: How wate…

1
Britain's whale boom and and the predator that's far scarier than a great white shark with Dan Abbott, aka Shark Man Dan 32:15

1M ago32:15

32:15

Wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbott has travelled the world documenting marine life from the peaceful turtles of the Mediterranean to the iconic great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. More recently, though, Dan has hit the headlines for the videos he has shared of the colonies of whales who have made the British coast a regular stop in r…

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The timeless elegance of English country house style, with Guy Goodfellow and Steven Rodel 34:33

2M ago34:33

34:33

Guy Goodfellow and his Creative Director Steven Rodel have carved out a reputation as two of the finest interior designers working in Britain today. We're thrilled, then, that they were able to join us for the Country Life Podcast, to discuss the unique qualities of British design, the country house look, and what it feels like to see your cushions…

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Eleanor Doughty: The secret lives of the aristocracy in Britain 34:41

2M ago34:41

34:41

After starting her career writing about student life, Eleanor began to write about Britain's great country houses, and — more importantly — the people who live in them. Over a decade later she has travelled to over 150 of the finest country piles in Britain, interviewing their owners to discover the ups and downs of their lives. Listen to the Count…

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Patrick Galbraith: Dukes, drug dealers, nudists, and the truth about access to Britain's countryside 27:42

2M ago27:42

27:42

Should we have a right to roam? It's something that we've talked about a fair bit at Country Life in recent times — not least with our articles from opposing sides of the argument from Alexander Darwall and Lewis Winks. Rather than just listen and read, Patrick the author and journalist Patrick Galbraith decided to travel the length and breadth of …

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Gareth Dennis: The truth about HS2 that you never knew until it was too late 37:29

2M ago37:29

37:29

HS2: blot on the landscape? Or the greatest missed opportunity in a generation? What if the future of transport in Britain wasn't about electric cars and extra runways at Heathrow, but a 200-year-old technology of the past? That's the argument made by Gareth Dennis, the engineer, writer, policy adviser and podcaster who has made a name for himself …

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Building Wealth Through Real Estate with Amy Stocker 29:41

3M ago29:41

29:41

Send us a text Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make—so how do you ensure it’s building wealth for your future? In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, we talk with Amy Stocker of Amy Stocker Real Estate about how smart homeownership strategies can set you up for long-term success. 🎧 Key Takeaways: ✔️ How Lifetime Hom…

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The Ultimate Guide to Flooring: Trends & Tips with Thornton Flooring 24:14

3M ago24:14

24:14

Send us a text Choosing the perfect flooring for your home can be overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered! In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa chats with Nick Castello from Thornton Flooring to break down the best materials, trends, and expert insights for 2025. 🎧 What you’ll discover: ✔️ The difference between LVP, laminate, carpet, a…

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The best places to visit in 2025 and hunting for the Ark of the Covenant, with Lonely Planet's Tom Hall 39:06

3M ago39:06

39:06

It’s an annoying thing to have to write down, because in my head it felt like it was only yesterday, but it’s been 10 years since I finished university, packed a big rucksack, and went to go and see the world. Lots of people had gap years. We all knew that there were only two essential items that you needed. Some rehydration tablets and a Lonely Pl…

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Crafting Timeless Designs: Upholstery & Beyond with Sandy 54:40

3M ago54:40

54:40

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa chats with Sandy from Sandy’s Custom Workroom about the artistry of upholstery and drapery. With nearly 50 years of experience, Sandy shares how she transforms heirloom pieces, collaborates with designers, and mentors her team to uphold her legacy of quality craftsmanship. 🎧 Key takeaw…

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Marina Gibson: The angler extraordinaire on salmon fishing, conservation and bagpipes on the Tay 40:17

3M ago40:17

40:17

We are back. Thank you all for bearing with us while we get our ducks in a row for another year of the Country Life Podcast. If it’s even possible, it’s going to be better than last year, that we can guarantee. Our first guest for 2025 is the legendary Marina Gibson, angler extraordinaire, who was more than happy to indulge me in lots of fishing re…

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The Art of Custom Metalwork: Insights from Wynia Works 20:26

3M ago20:26

20:26

Send us a text In this episode of A Well-Designed Home, Melissa sits down with Braden Wynia of Wynia Works to discuss how custom metal fabrication enhances home design. From elegant railings to intricate fireplaces, Braden shares his passion for craftsmanship, tips for homeowners, and why investing in quality makes all the difference. 🎧 Topics cove…

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Mushroom gin, Lego houses, and Dull Men (and women), with James May 29:37

5M ago29:37

29:37

Like all serious journalists, James May used to work for Country Life writing about cars. It didn't go very well, but thankfully he bounced back and went on to present Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and many other TV shows including his latest, James May and The Dull Men. He's also been busy making his own gin. James Gin started off as something to pass…

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Champagne with fish and chips, and what to drink at Christmas with Oscar Dodd of Fortnum & Mason 36:44

5M ago36:44

36:44

'Anything said with absolute confidence and in absolute terms is normally nonsense,' says Oscar Dodd, about Fortnum & Mason's wine and spirits buyer, when it comes to discussing the oft-trotted out truisms about wine, beer and spirits that you often hear. But not everything you hear is so wide of the mark. 'They say that the English drink their red…

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Kelvin Fletcher: From Strictly to sheep dip 23:34

5M ago23:34

23:34

Dancer, actor, father of four and farmer. There are very few things that Kelvin Fletcher cannot do. ‘Hold on’, you might say. ‘What do you mean farmer? I thought that was just acting?’ Well, it was, until about three years ago when Kelvin and his wife Liz decided that they needed a change of scenery. Plans to move to Los Angeles were touted, but a …

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Henrietta Spencer-Churchill: My life at Blenheim Palace 25:41

5M ago25:41

25:41

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, the only daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, has by any measure led an extraordinary life. As a girl she moved from the family home in Oxfordshire to Blenheim Palace, the family seat and — by any measure — one of the finest buildings not just in Britain, but the world (it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status…

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The science behind how Nature can heal us, and how it's easier than you think, with Professor Miles Richardson 33:14

6M ago33:14

33:14

The idea of 'nature as a healer' as become a truism, often repeated without much thought given to how or why it should do so. One man who has thought about this phenomenon — and spent much of his life researching and writing about it — is Professor Miles Richardson, a member of the psychology department at Derby University, founder of the Nature Co…

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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen: Changing rooms, velvet and leather, and growing old disgracefully 32:13

6M ago32:13

32:13

In 1996, a television show arrived on British screens which changed the way we see interior design: Changing Rooms. It made household names of several of its stars, including host Carol Smilie and carpenter 'Handy Andy' Kane, but none became so famous as designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, whose flamboyant dress sense, often outrageous designs and la…

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Louise Davidson: Haunted houses, psychic aunts, Gothic novels and writing at night with the lights off 33:12

6M ago33:12

33:12

Why are country houses so often the perfect settings for horror novels? That's just one of the questions posed by James Fisher to Louise Davidson, author of The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond, on the latest episode of the Country Life Podcast. Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify Listen to Country …

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Do leopards hunt in packs, and other frequently asked questions on travel, with Rosie Paterson 34:30

6M ago34:30

34:30

When it comes to travel, few know more than our very own Rosie Paterson. She has been to many places, and seen many things. And that’s just this year. She also has her finger on the pulse when it comes to places people might like to go in the future. Imagine how smug you would feel telling friends at a drinks party that, actually, ‘Japan is a bit o…

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Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham: 'We're designing houses for the next 50 years' 36:03

7M ago36:03

36:03

Interior designers Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, better known by their company name Salvesen Graham, have earned a reputation as some of Britain's most sought-after interior designers, developing an aesthetic which blends classic principles with modern touches. Yet as well as having a great love of beautiful rooms and objects, they're both firml…

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The truth about growing up in a castle, with Cosmo Linzee Gordon 30:59

7M ago30:59

30:59

I suppose we all remember the house, or houses, we grew up in. Where we learned to walk, or first explore the garden, or climb some stairs. Most houses are quite small. Some are quite big. And then there are houses like Cluny Castle in Abderdeenshire. I was joined on the podcast this week by its owner, Cosmo Linzee Gordon, who grew up there. Cosmo …

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Poems about pies, the foul-mouthed parrot upstaging Margaret Atwood and starting World War III via Desert Island Discs: Ian McMillan on the Country Life Podcast 33:54

7M ago33:54

33:54

What is the fundamental job of a writer? 'We try to turn the world into language,' according to the poet, broadcaster and writer Ian McMillan. Ian, one of Britain's best-loved poets and writers, as well as the presenter of The Verb on BBC Radio 4, joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast in what is one of the most entertaining and wide-rangi…

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Literature, landscape and bending rivers, with Vicky and Charles Rangeley-Wilson 35:04

7M ago35:04

35:04

Organising a literary festival is no mean feat. You've got to book the right guests, organise plenty of activities, and find somewhere to host it. Vicky and Charles Rangeley-Wilson joined the podcast this week to talk about exactly that, ahead of the upcoming Literature and Landscape Festival in Norfolk. With a star-studded lineup, there was plenty…

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Lucy Shepherd: Britain's most intrepid young explorer on trekking the Amazon 31:21

8M ago31:21

31:21

The bushmaster snake is on the one hand, very polite: it announces its presence with a two-tone whistle. On the other hand, however, it's utterly merciless: a creature which will chase humans through the jungle, attack aggressively, and should it miss with its fangs will leap on to its intended prey and attempt to whip them in to submission. Listen…

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Charlie Bigham on food, farming and why it takes three hours to make the perfect lasagne 32:14

8M ago32:14

32:14

We were thrilled to discover that Charlie Bigham is a real person. It's a bit like meeting Aunt Bessie, and asking how she does her Yorkshire Puddings, or running swapping tips with Ronald McDonald about how to get your fries crispy. But real person he is, and he's a man with a fascinating story to tell, from ditching a hugely promising career in o…

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Adam Hay-Nicholls: How to sneak onto a yacht at the Monaco GP, rub shoulders with Beyoncé and accidentally buy a Bentley 25:33

8M ago25:33

25:33

Here at the Country Life Podcast, we like to think we deliver a useful and necessary service. We want to discuss the important issues. We want to talk to Norman Foster about why architecture matters. We want to speak to farmers about how they can help tackle the climate crisis. We strive to compress the beauty of nature into an audio format so we c…

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The Spice Girls, The Stage and the state of the Arts, with Alistair Smith 33:00

8M ago33:00

33:00

If it wasn’t for The Stage, there’s every chance that Britain and, indeed, the world may have been deprived of such great names as Kenneth Brannagh, Harold Pinter, Michael Caine, Sharon D Clarke, Idris Elba, The Spice Girls and Steps. Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify Listen to Country Life p…

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How to live like a Tudor, and other stories, with Ruth Goodman 26:51

8M ago26:51

26:51

It’s important to think about the past. I think about it often. Usually when I’m lying in bed and my brain decides that’s the best time to think of mistakes I’ve made, loves that have been lost, and, of course, the Roman Empire. A lot of history is about kings, queens and battles. Which is very interesting in its own way. But is it real history? Af…

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David Messum: Whimsical tales from the life of one of Britain's greatest art dealers 30:01

9M ago30:01

30:01

When it comes to the world of British art, few names are more widely recognised than David Messum. From extolling the virtues of the English Impressionists to resurrecting interest in the Newlyn School, David has spent more than 60 years reminding us all that English art is as good as any across the world. Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Po…

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From Tudors and Georgians to pet monkeys in Roman Britain: Matt Thompson of English Heritage on telling the stories of the past 32:02

9M ago32:02

32:02

This week on the Country Life Podcast, Matt Thompson — Curatorial Director of English Heritage — joins our host James Fisher to talk history. · Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts · Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify · Listen to Country Life podcast on Audible Recent research from English Heritage asked people to name their favo…

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Lady Violet Manners on the past, present and future of our heritage 31:47

9M ago31:47

31:47

The thing about good ideas is that they sound incredibly obvious only after they’ve been invented. Take Deliveroo, for example. Looking back, of course it makes sense to get restaurants to deliver food, above and beyond the old-fashioned takeaway. Of course being able to summon a cab using an app will be a successful business, considering we tell e…

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The best beaches in Britain with Chris Haslam, the man who's just visited 543 of them 37:10

9M ago37:10

37:10

The award-winning journalist Chris Haslam doesn't just like beaches; he loves them. Chris, chief travel writer for the Sunday Times, recently returned from spending seven weeks touring the coastline of Britain to produce his list of the very best beaches in Britain. It's a mammoth undertaking, in which he and his dog — a Jack Russell called Dave — …

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Buckingham Palace, Taylor Swift, and how to get your house featured in Country Life, with John Goodall 35:01

10M ago35:01

35:01

Buckingham Palace’s East Wing has opened up to visitors for the first time in 2024. St James’s Palace did so at the tail end of 2023. Even Balmoral — a royal residence privately owned by the Windsors, rather than part of the holdings of the Crown — has opened up its doors, something which would have been unimaginable during the lifetime of the late…

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The accidental invention of the teenager and other stories from the history of the home, with Sonia Solicari 31:30

10M ago31:30

31:30

Look around you. You might be reading this in your home. Or perhaps someone else’s home. The point is we spend a lot of time in our homes, more so now than ever before (apart from that year we don’t talk about). Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify Listen to Country Life podcast on Audible They …

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Charlie Waite: Britain's greatest landscape photographer on the secrets of his art 32:06

10M ago32:06

32:06

The landscape photographer Charlie Waite is a true national treasure. A fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, he has published dozens of photography books and founded the Landscape Photographer of the Year awards back in 2006. We're absolutely delighted that he joined us on the Country Life Podcast, telling host James Fisher about his life in p…

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The worst new buildings in Britain, with Charlie Baker 30:34

10M ago30:34

30:34

The Carbuncle Cup — the award given to the worst new building in Britain — has returned after a six-year hiatus. Competition judge and magazine editor Charlie Baker spoke to James Fisher about why pointing out bad architecture matters. You can see pictures of all the buildings Charlie and James discuss in our show notes. Listen to Country Life podc…

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What you need to know before you move house, by property expert Annabel Dixon 27:54

11M ago27:54

27:54

From the rollercoaster of mortgage rates to the calling of a surprise election, the economic landscape of Britain never seems to sit still these days. Thankfully, award-winning property journalist Annabel Dixon writes regularly for Country Life to help us make sense of what's going on and we're delighted that this week she joins James Fisher on the…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Timeless Designs By Melissa Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen