Home Truths with Lisa Faulkner - find out what love-it-or-hate-it smell says 'home' to her
Actress, TV presenter and chef Lisa Faulkner tells us how she likes to relax at home. Spoiler: food plays a big part!
When Lisa Faulkner is not on our TV screens on either the BBC drama Waterloo Road or appearing alongside her chef husband John Torode on their ITV show Weekend Kitchen, the actress, TV presenter and chef loves nothing more than relaxing at home with a good cup of tea. She lives in north London with husband John and her daughter, Billie.
What is the first thing you do the second you walk through your front door?
Make myself a cup of tea or coffee, depending on the time.
Where’s your happy place at home?
Being in our kitchen. In fact, I probably spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in the house.
What's on your bedside table?
Cookbooks, recipe ideas and water.
What’s your home pet peeve?
Seeing wet clothes on the air dryer and nobody putting them away.
What smell says home to you?
It has to be cooking! Some people can’t bear the smell of cooking but nothing smells better than a roast chicken cooking in the oven. That smells like home to me.
Do you have a bad home habit you’d like to quit?
I’m not very tidy!
What chore do you love doing?
I absolutely love doing a wash. Putting the dirty clothes in the washing machine is easily my favourite chore, though once they're dry, folding them and putting them away afterwards is a job I hate more than anything!
Do you have any routines at home?
I always have a cup of coffee at 11am. It's something I really look forward to.
Do you try your hand at DIY or always get someone in?
I’m totally useless at DIY so I’m really lucky that John is brilliant at it. He has done a great job tidying up our garden, building shelves and is excellent around the house whenever anything needs doing.
Do you think you’re a good host?
Absolutely. John and I love nothing more than hosting our friends. We always do the main course and if friends come for dinner they often bring small plates of food, we put it all together and eat around the kitchen table.
Has anything changed in the way you live your life at home ever since the pandemic?
Yes. I’ve learnt to appreciate being at home and actually spend time sitting down in the day for a cup of coffee alongside John.
What do you do if you have time at home on your own?
I always spend time alone doing yoga. I have been doing it since I was 25 and enjoy taking my mat, lighting a candle and being by myself to focus on the day.
What do you miss most about your home when you’re away?
The people I love. Plus a good cup of tea! I only like the one we make at home.
Quick fire questions with Lisa Faulkner
- SHOES – ON OR OFF? Definitely off.
- EAT – TABLE OR ON LAPS? At the table.
- LIGHTING – BRIGHT OR MOODY? Bright!
- ARE YOU A NEAT FREAK OR DO YOU PREFER TO BE SURROUNDED BY CREATIVE CHAOS? I’m quite untidy - fortunately John is the opposite!
- QUICK SHOWER OR LONG BATH? A bath, always.
- ROOM DECOR – COLOURFUL OR NEUTRAL? Both. I have neutral colours that provide a space of calm, but I also love a splash of colour.
- DO YOU TEND TO HAVE MUSIC/THE RADIO/TV ON AT HOME IN THE BACKGROUND OR DO YOU PREFER A QUIET HOUSE? I always listen to music or LBC Radio when when I’m cooking.
You can catch up on the latest series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen on ITVX.
Lisa has also teamed up with the Del Monte to create a host of delicious meals using canned fruit.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
-
I'm seriously surprised by the quality of ProCook's indoor pizza oven - here's why it's a fun family buy
You don’t need a garden to enjoy cooking in this pizza oven
By Helen McCue
-
Should you remove ivy from your house? Experts reveal that you don’t need to, but you must follow these guidelines
The classic plant isn't exactly the pest you think it is
By Kezia Reynolds
-
The £10 M&S candles that are set to be the buy of the season – and they're selling out fast
The light up city candles we can't get enough of
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Sara Cox shares her home truths about her GSD weekends to the pet peeve she can't stand
Sara Cox gets up close and personal with her home
By Andrea Childs
-
Shirley Ballas Home Truths - her favourite Matalan pjs and where she's spending Christmas day
The Strictly Come Dancing judge reveals her festive Home Truths, from her decorating style to what she hopes to find in her stocking this year
By Gemma Calvert
-
Home Truths with Emeli Sandé - and why she's always on Christmas Day dishwashing duty
Singer songwriter Emeli Sandé reveals how she spends Christmas each year and why tradition is so important to her
By Ginevra Benedetti
-
Pinterest UK's Head of Home reveals what the most popular Christmas trends this year will be
Pinterest UK’s Head of Home Matt Siberry shares the top three festive trends that people are ‘pinning’ the most
By Matt Siberry
-
Home Truths with Emma Bunton - the Spice Girl reveals her love for cleaning
We speak to self-confessed clean freak Emma Bunton and find out what part of her home she loves to clean every day!
By Ginevra Benedetti
-
Home Truths with Joan Collins - find out why she never misses home...
Dame Joan Collins tells us all about her home life and why she loves instant coffee and eighties music...
By Ginevra Benedetti
-
Home Truths with Helen Skelton (and what bad habit she can't quit)
The presenter and Strictly alumni Helen Skelton loves nothing more than a relaxing long soak in the bath
By Rebecca Knight
-
Home Truths with Tamzin Outhwaite - and why she loves DIY
Actress, presenter and narrator Tamzin Outhwaite reveals her secret love for DIY and that she's a dab hand at upcycling
By Suzanne Baum