Lucy Searle
Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens for over 30 years, starting within the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to some of the world's most loved interiors only titles in the mid-1990s. After five years as Associate Editor on Ideal Home, she became Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine for Channel 4, one of the UK's top TV channels which runs a number of high profile property shows. She made her move to digital content in 2007, launching the award-winning 4homes website which also covered everything homes and garden related.
Following some years on the interiors freelance scene, Lucy was invited to take the role of Global Editor-in-Chief of Realhomes.com in 2018, taking what was a small magazine website to global success, pushing the brand into the US market. Following this success, she was then asked to head the UK's oldest interiors magazine, Homes & Gardens, which is celebrating over 103 years in the business. This includes editorship of the magazine, but also Global-Editor-in-Chief status of the website which is also home to other heritage brands including Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors.
Lucy's personal property experience includes a string of renovations and she also owns rental properties in the UK and Europe. She loves the high end work of her design heroes Jake Arnold and Irene Gunter, but it certainly not scared of a hands on project with lots of budget savvy design details.
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How I renovated 'Downton Abbey', by the real lady of Highclere Castle
Last weekend, RealHomes.com was lucky enough to be invited to Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey, to meet Lady Carnarvon. We talked decorating on a budget, lighting mattresses and more...
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to repair a washing machine: 13 reasons it might be doing a bad job
How to repair a washing machine? If yours isn't working properly, your appliance might not be the only thing to blame. Use these tips to troubleshoot
By Lucy Searle Published
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The Google Nest Hub Max is here – in limited quantities, so buy now
The Google Nest Hub Max is on sale (we've LITERALLY) just had the email. This neat buy combines its Home brand into Nest to make smart homes less complicated and more helpful
By Lucy Searle Published
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10 ways to Marie Kondo your garden this weekend
Marie Kondo your garden? Yup, her KonMari tidying and decluttering method has become so prolific we're even using it as a verb. Now the holidays are here, here's how to tidy your garden this weekend so that it 'sparks joy'
By Lucy Searle Published
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Party wall agreements explained
Party wall agreements are an element of extending and renovating you might need to know about. Confused by the legalities? Expert property renovator Michael Holmes explains what is involved and the rules of the Party Wall Act
By Lucy Searle Published
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Real home: an eco-friendly barn conversion
It took Carol and David Spenser half a decade to get planning permission for their home, but the eco-friendly, contemporary design makes it worthwhile
By Lucy Searle Published
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Simba Mattress Topper review
How did the Simba Hybrid Topper stand up to review? We're big fans of the Simba Hybrid mattress, so were interested to see how it stood up to our thorough testing
By Lucy Searle Published
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The smart plug: a beginner's guide
Considering buying a smart plug (or five) to turn your home into an instantly smart space? Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about the smart plug – from what it can do to whether it’s worth the spend
By Lucy Searle Published
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Royal baby: Archie starts his first trend – the gender-neutral, smart nursery
Harry and Meghan have chosen a gender-neutral nursery equipped with smart technology for baby Archie – and it's started a trend that's being copied worldwide
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to build a timber frame extension
Timber frame extensions are quick to assemble, cost-effective and energy efficient, and offer a huge range of design possibilities. Here's what you need to know...
By Lucy Searle Published
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Extending for under £100,000: 6 tips for getting it right
Extending for under £100,000? Find out how to stick to your budget and get the best home extension with these top five tips from industry experts
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to clean a house for a new baby: 10 easy jobs new parents can fit in between naps
Want to know how to clean a house for a new baby? It's unlikely Harry and Meghan will be rolling up their sleeves to clean for their new baby, but just in case they're reading this... here's how
By Lucy Searle Published
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Best ways to clean up after dogs
Here are the very best ways to clean up after dogs so that your best friend stays your best friend
By Lucy Searle Published
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Modern extension ideas: 18 contemporary extension designs
From modern extension ideas and glass boxes to oak frames and brick built additions, find inspiration with our pick of the best contemporary extension designs
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to clean brass
Need to know how to clean brass? If you're a fan of authentic fixtures and fittings, it's likely this will be a cleaning job you need to add to your list. Find out how here
By Lucy Searle Published
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Design a nursery: create the best environment for you and your baby
Want to design a nursery for your baby? Here's how to design the room to be practical, pretty and made to grow with your child
By Lucy Searle Published
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Best ways to clean up after cats
From smelly litter trays to cat sick on the sofa, our feline friends can make just as much mess as a dog, given the chance. Here are the very best ways to clean up after cats so that your furry friend stays that way
By Lucy Searle Published
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Year-on-year rise in temperatures brings summertime earlier to our gardens
Summer comes earlier thanks to climate change
By Lucy Searle Published
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Government proposes to extend permitted development rights beyond May
The rules that govern whether homeowners have to apply for planning permission for extensions to be decided soon and could affect hundreds of thousands
By Lucy Searle Published
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Real Homes Loves badge helps you find the best products for your home
We review hundreds of home products a year, and now the best of the best are being awarded the Real Homes Loves badge so you can identify them – fast
By Lucy Searle Published
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Real Homes: the fastest growing homes brand
Real Homes magazine and this website have seen fabulous growth this past year. We love what we do and hope you like it, too. Find out more about joining our community
By Lucy Searle Published
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Household smells: 41 hacks to get rid of them
Whether you want your house to smell nicer all round, you're fighting a daily battle with a niffy pet bed or there's an suspicious whiff you want to get to the bottom of, our guide to getting rid of nasty smells will give you a fresher home
By Lucy Searle Published
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11 light filled extension design ideas
Looking for light filled extension design ideas? Make your extension feel larger and brighter with our clever design tricks
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to add an oak frame extension
Gain extra living space in your home with the addition of a well-executed oak frame extension – a characterful option for a period property
By Lucy Searle Published