logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
1h 2m

Cath Kidston: the floral-obsessed entrep...

Matt Gibberd and The Modern House
About this episode

There’s barely an oilcloth, mug or ironing board cover that hasn’t been embellished with a nostalgic floral print from Cath Kidston. Because of the brand’s ubiquity, it’s easy to forget quite how influential it was when it appeared in the 1990s.


What I love about Cath is that she’s living proof you can be a wildly successful entrepreneur whilst also being a kind, gentle soul. Although her name’s still above the door, she hasn’t been involved with the Cath Kidston business for many years, so I was intrigued to find out what that feels like. 


She’s now set up a bodycare brand called C. Atherley, which makes all of its products using scented geraniums. Despite her love of flowers, life hasn’t always been a bed of David Austin roses for Cath and she talks very honestly about the personal grief she’s suffered through her life. 


She has a great eye for interiors and we had this conversation at her kitchen table in London, with a surprisingly modern backdrop of Danish wood flooring and an Ellsworth Kelly artwork. 


Cath was very generous with her time and emotions and I’m really happy with how this episode has turned out. I hope you enjoy it.


This episode was recorded in person at Cath Kidston’s West London home.


For more: 

Visit The Modern House website to see images of the spaces discussed in this episode

Check out Cath Kidston’s latest venture, C.Atherley


Producer: Hannah Phillips

Editing: Oscar Crawford

Graphic Design: Tom Young

Music: Father


This episode was sponsored by Vitsoe.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Sep 30
Bethan Laura Wood: the multidisciplinary designer on the need to make and create
Bethan designs everything from furniture to lighting and textiles, and some of her work is currently on display at the Design Museum in London. She presents herself to the world like a human peacock. She dyes her hair different colours, wears layers of vivid clothing, and puts do ... Show More
1h 28m
Sep 18
Lakwena Maciver: the renowned artist on colour, creativity, criticism and connection
Today's guest is the wonderful Lakwena Maciver.Lakwena is an artist whose work has exploded out of the Instagram generation. She uses bright colours and patterns inspired by her African heritage and bold written slogans.Given that her work is so positive and uplifting, I was real ... Show More
54m 49s
Sep 4
How My Garden Grows: A pint-sized coastal plot thickly cloaked in climbers
Welcome to the first instalment of our new gardening series, How My Garden Grows, hosted by lifelong gardener and journalist Francine Raymond. "I have visited hundreds of gardens, some for work and others for pleasure, but what excites me most about gardens is their atmosphere an ... Show More
27m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
Trinny Woodall (Replay): The Art of A Makeover (At Any Age)
This episode is a replay from 2018 with Trinny Woodall, author, fashion advisor and beauty entrepreneur. You may know her from the hugely popular Trinny and Susannah makeover days. Her and Susannah met in 1994 and wrote a weekly fashion column for The Daily Telegraph. This led to ... Show More
25m 38s
Jan 2021
#308 Cathy Heller: Turning Passion Into Profit
Cathy Heller is the host of the popular podcast Don’t Keep Your Day Job, which has had over 16 million downloads - in this episode we talk about her book of the same name Don’t Keep Your Day Job which was released in November 2019 with Macmillan. It reminded me of all the advice ... Show More
41m 53s
Dec 2023
Kate Flannery on the Rise and Fall of American Apparel (PT 2)
On today’s episode of the Daily Stoic podcast Ryan speaks with author Kate Flannery on how having worked for American Apparel gave Kate a bad reputation, It’s hard to get someone to see something that their salary depends on them not seeing, the difference between quitting and ge ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 2023
Author Interview: Jeannie Marshall's "All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel"
Hello, listeners! I’ve got a special surprise for you this week. I’ve been waiting to share this amazing conversation that I enjoyed recently with expat and author Jeannie Marshall about her lovely book, All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel. What do we hope to ... Show More
37m 24s
Apr 2019
Kate Malone on clay.
Kate Malone is one of Britain’s most important ceramicists, with pieces in the collections of Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Manchester Art Gallery and the V&A, to name just a few. She works in many different areas, from nature-inspired gallery pieces to batch production mugs ... Show More
46m 4s
Aug 2022
Cathy Heller (Replay): How To Build A Life You Love
Welcome back to Ctrl Alt Delete, this is a replay episode with the brilliant Cathy Heller. Cathy is the host of the popular podcast Don’t Keep Your Day Job, now rebranded as The Cathy Heller show which is one of my favourites, it has had over 20 million downloads and she is a gre ... Show More
41m 9s
Nov 2023
Author Interview: Joanna Moorhead's "Surreal Spaces: The Life and Art of Leonora Carrington"
Hello, listeners! I’ve got a special surprise for you this week. I’ve been waiting to share this amazing conversation that I enjoyed recently with expat and author Joanna Moorhead about her fantastic new biography, Surreal Spaces: The Life and Art of Leonora Carrington. The Briti ... Show More
39m 9s
Aug 2022
Ep 29 - Organised Life Organised Mind - Shelina Jokhiya
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff you have? Do you have too many things at home that you don’t know what to do with? You are not alone: most of us have a bit of a hoarding streak and live with clutter in our lives.So my guest this episode is perfect for al ... Show More
46m 34s
Mar 2021
Episode 247 - Katie Dooley - Owner + Lead Designer - Paperlime Creative - Edmonton AB.
This weeks guest is Katie Dooley. She is the talented designer and owner behind Paperlime Creative out of Edmonton AB. A fellow Canadian! @paperlimecreative During this episode we talk about:  -how she was always creative as a kid. -the brochure design she made when she was 11 ye ... Show More
36m 2s