A No 10 spokesman said: 'The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two ministerial residences. Another question centres on how Johnson ultimately paid 112,549 direct to the supplier of the renovations, before the supplier returned the funds from Brownlow and the Cabinet Office. On another occasion he said it was 'over a hundred grand'. She is the founder and director of Soane Britain which 'designs and makes British-made furniture, upholstery, lighting, fabrics and wallpaper' based on 'traditional crafts including blacksmiths'. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The walls of the family-friendly flat will have seen their fair share of intrigue and drama over the years but none likely to be as damaging as this weeks scandal over Boris Johnsons spending on decor. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. In the original Sixties-style kitchen, she opted for a minimalist refurb, with brushed-steel applications, floating shelves and a Dualit toaster and Rancilio coffee machine, worth about 130 and 500. The Grade 1-listed flat was then extensively refurbished by David and Samantha Cameron in 2011 at a cost of 30,000. The only other person who could have investigated Johnson was parliaments standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone. An icon of a paper envelope. First Lady Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, talk before having tea in the private residence at Downing Street in2011, David Cameron in the Downing Street Kitchen, Samantha Cameron, the wife of Prime Minister David Cameron, has breakfast in her Downing Street apartment with Philip Kiley (left), eight, from Chorley in Lancashire, and Stevie Tyrie, eight, from Manchester, as part of her support for the charity Contact A Family which helps families with disabled children, Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown is pictured in his more business-like Downing Street home in 2010, Prime Minister Theresa May (left) and Philip May (right) with US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump view a historical document in Downing Street, Freya, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's cat, sits on a table in a room in Downing Street, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister David Cameron walk up the stairs at 10 Downing Street in 2011. The Grade 1-listed flat was then extensively refurbished by David and Samantha Cameron in 2011 at a cost of 30,000. The work of interior designer Lulu Lytle (pictured) was Carrie Symonds' inspiration for the refurbishment of the Downing Street apartment, according to Tatler Guy Bell/Shutterstock On. The photoshoot also saw her weara 495 cashmere jumper by Amanda Wakeley. Boris Johnson' s Downing Street flat and how he paid for a refurbishment of the property will be the focus of another review. The Prime Minister must come clean about the costs of the Downing Street flat refurbishment and over who paid the bills said the SNP. Boris Johnson bats away questions about Downing Street flat refurbishment as sleaze storm grows, Lulu Lytle: the interior designer whos inspired the Number 11 Downing Street makeover, What is the Willow Project? Tony Blair with his wife Cherie, and their children Euan (left), then 14, Nicky (right), then 13, and Kathryn (front), then ten, as they appeared on the Prime Minister's Christmas card in December 1998 which was taken at Number 11 Downing Street, The downstairs area of Number 11 Downing Street is pictured in 2005. The official purpose of the charity is to raise funds to preserve No 10 and No 11 Downing Street for the nation on heritage grounds. Given the content of Johnsons messages with Brownlow only became public in January 2022, Labour is calling for the police to investigate Johnson and why he asked Brownlow to approve more redecorating funds in the same message as he promised to look at a project known as the great exhibition 2. In the end, the exhibition did not happen, but Labour says Lord Brownlow's November 2020 text exchanges with the PM are still important. However, she assured No 10 in January that she would not be launching her own investigation into whether Johnson broke the MPs code of conduct. They got rid of a mirrored exercise room where Carole Caplin had put the Blairs through their paces, while old carpets were also ripped out and expensive black granite worktops were installed in a new private kitchen. A leaked email has now revealed Tory peer Lord Brownlow donated 58,000 towards the project, adding that the donation should be attributed to the soon-to-be-formed Downing Street Trust. Tony Blair was the first prime minister to live at No 11 - he and his wife Cherie turned the space into a family home. Friends of Miss Symonds deny she has been extravagant. Boris Johnson is allegedly secretly trying to set up a charity to help pay for a costly makeover of his official flat at Number 11 by his fiance Carrie Symonds. Pic: British History Online, The Camerons topped up the annual refurb allowance with their own money, Tony and Cherie Blair spent the most amount of taxpayer's money on refurbishing No 11, Gordon and Sarah Brown having some of their furniture moved out of No 11 in 2010, Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron in No 11 after it was redecorated, Theresa and Philip May spent less than half their annual allowance in three years. Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds had work carried out on their private residence, the flat above 11 Downing Street. The Independent has obtained a leaked copy of the. Think oiled-oak shelving, rattan furniture, shimmering gold wallpaper and intricate textiles. Guardian Headline src url https assets.guim.co.uk static frontend fonts guardian headline noalts not hinted GHGuardianHeadline Light.woff2 http3 true format woff2 url https assets.guim.co.uk static frontend fonts guardian headline latin1 not hinted GHGuardianHeadline Light.woff http3 true format woff. But they did spend taxpayers' money each year on refurbishing No 11, although they always kept within the 30,000 budget. In recent years, Prime Ministers have tended to occupy the flat above No11 Downing Street - the traditional home of the Chancellor - because it is bigger than the one above No10. George Bush's spouse Barbara handed oversight of the trust to the White House Historical Association. Further questions have been asked about the funding of home improvements at the prime minister's Downing Street flat, following the release of an exchange of letters with his standards adviser. The Conservative Party was fined 17,800 after the Electoral Commission found it had failed to accurately declare all of Lord Brownlow's donations towards the renovation. Including politics, transport, education, health and religion. Mrs Blair's memoirs record her first impression of the flat as being a whiff of Mr Clarke's cigar smoke and 'a series of heavy mahogany wardrobes that smelt of cedar and mothballs' as her 'heart sank at the sight of the kitchen.'. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Now, it has been claimed Boris Johnson is secretly trying to set up a charity to help pay for a costly makeover of the Cameron's flat by his fiance Carrie Symonds after claiming the cost was 'totally out of control'. It was later recorded in the Electoral Commission report that the project cost 112,549 inclusive of VAT. She likes to combine traditional British elegance with bold patterns and styles, and is a particular champion of rattan furniture, gold wallpaper and marble bathrooms. After being warned that could be unethical, his advisers came up with an alternative scheme. In 2010, David and Samantha Cameron made a series of major refurbishments to the flat, which clearly fell well short of their standards they were used to at their home in Notting Hill. Madonna, 64, dumps model boyfriend to hook up with ripped 29-year-old BOXER Josh Popper - who trains her son at his NYC gym and starred in Bravo's Summer House, Biden reveals he will RAISE taxes in his March 9 budget as he ups in war on billionaires - but insists he won't make Americans making less than $400,000 'pay a penny more', Bird flu HAS mutated to infect people: Fresh pandemic fears as scientists on ground zero in Cambodia find H5N1 strain that killed 11-year-old girl had evolved tobetter infect human cells, Moment Florida university student-athlete tells cops her coach told her 'go kill yourself' and called her 'fat' and 'retarded' because she had trouble reading just a month before she committed suicide, Walmart orders workers not to share company secrets or customer information with AI like ChatGPT - just one month after Amazon and Microsoft issued similar warnings. A White House Furnishings Committee established by John F Kennedy's wife Jacqueline was replaced in 1964 by the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, which includes top interior designers who advise on makeovers of the Oval Office study. Business Minister Paul Scully denied that the prime minister was linking support for a Great Exhibition with financial support for flat renovations in his messages. According to one insider the idea of creating a blind trust, an arrangement wherein a public figure's investments are handled by others whose identity is not disclosed to him or her to avoid a conflict of interest, was also discussed as a funding option. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds moved into No 11 Downing Street in July 2019, The prime minister lives in a flat above 11 Downing Street, Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron pictured in the flat at 11 Downing St, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Johnson and Symonds won't be the first Downing Street couple to splash out on a Number 11 refurb. Theresa May is not thought to have made any major refurbishments to the flat, but did buy a bold three-seater red couch, chrome lamp and a glass-topped coffee table on which to place a 25 Elemis Revitalise Me scent diffuser. It is modelled on a similar scheme used to maintain the White House, where the US president's wife customarily plays a big role in interior design. Getty Images biedt exclusieve rights ready en premium royalty-free analoge, HD en 4K-video van de hoogste kwaliteit. Among them: a red three-seater sofa; a 100 John Lewis chrome table lamp (presumably the target of Symondss comment); a 42 rose-scented Diptyque candle and a 195 Habitat glass-topped coffee table with a 25 Elemis Revitalise Me scent diffuser on top. Mr Johnson has complained the cost of the refurbishment by Carrie Symonds was 'totally out of control', the Daily Mail has been told. Among the changes made by the Camerons to the kitchen were the installation of a 3,400 Britannia range cooker and a Dualit toaster and Gaggia coffee machine, worth about 200 apiece. Mrs Lytle built up her Soane Britain interior design studio by scouring the country for the best artisan blacksmiths, cabinet makers, upholsterers and stone carvers creating furniture, lighting and fabrics using skills going back to the 18th century and beyond. Mrs Lytle is the founder and director of Soane Britain which 'designs and makes British-made furniture, upholstery, lighting, fabrics and wallpaper' based on 'traditional crafts including blacksmiths'. Despite concerns over her welfare, she later appeared to rally and moved into a flat in Wythenshawe but her mental condition worsened after she complained of being hounded by noisy neighbours. The designer has written a book about rattan and in 2011 bought the UK's last remaining rattan furniture company after it went into administration, keeping the staff on. He is charged just 2,500 a month for Howletts mansion, a Grade II-listed Palladian pile it owns in rural Kent. She has used the services of leading interior designer Lulu Lytle, who co-founded the exclusive decorating company Soane Britain, based on London's ultimate design street, Pimlico Road. Mrs Cameron also updated the cosy sitting room by covering the walls in stylish raffia wallpaper from John Lewis. The prime minister receives an annual public grant of 30,000 to spend on. While they spent less than a third of their budget on average, in their second year the Mays spent nothing. What is the row between Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings all about? A leaked copy of the estimate for the renovation, seen by the Independent, reveals that the proposal for the No11 flat makeover included a 7,000 rug, a 3,675 drinks trolley andtwo sofas which cost more than 15,000 in total. Read about our approach to external linking. ', Top designer who inspired Carrie Symonds' chic eco-makeover: Mixing bold colours and old-fashioned glamour, Lulu Lytle is one of the country's most successful interiors experts, Downing Street's restyled dcor is said to have been inspired by celebrated eco interior designer Lulu Lytle (pictured). He is now a senior investment banker at Goldman Sachs. Lord Brownlow was asked in May 2020 to set up a Downing Street trust that would fund renovations to the flat above 11 Downing Street, but that trust was never established. Boris Johnson's flat refurbishment: Downing Street refuses to reveal why PM's old phone was accessed after claiming it could not be Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministers' interests, told Boris Johnson of his "grave concern" after a second investigation into the Downing Street flat refurb. Samantha Cameron's job as creative director of upmarket stationers and leather goods company Smythson shone through in the flat's stylish decor. The major hospital in South Manchester, situated in Wythenshawe. She should be congratulated not criticised.'. Boris Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, carried out renovations said to have cost as much as 200,000 on their accommodation at Downing Street, despite the fact that a public grant of. Founded by the late John Aspinall, a friend of Lord Lucan, the foundation helps gorillas in the Congo and runs other conservation projects. Former PM Cameron and his wife spent six years at No 11 and with four children living there it needed a full make-over. Prince Charles visited her rattan workshop last year and her fabrics start at 100 a metre. The Cabinet Office leak will revive the long-running controversy over the Johnsons' refurbishment of their flat above No11. In the end, the exhibition did not happen, but Labour says Lord Brownlow's November 2020 text exchanges with the PM are still important. The non-profit foundation allows its founder's son, gambling tycoon Damian Aspinall, to live in a 30-room manor for a fraction of normal market rates. But a profile of Carrie Symonds in Tatler magazine said the planned overhaul of the flat by Boris Johnson's fiance aimed to clear out the 'John Lewis furniture nightmare' reportedly left by Mrs May. Boris Johnons Wallpapergate: Leaked 200,000 invoice reveals flat renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | The Independent. Highest annual spend: 2009-10 - 29,389 (35,181 today). Three separate probes have now been launched into the No 11 flat refurbishment. The four-bedroom flat at No11 has recently become a bolthole for several of the latest prime ministers and it is there, within the larger living space at the top of a large sweeping staircase, that history comes alive. Johnson reportedly told one minister that his fiance had ordered gold wall coverings and a full refit by Lytle is rumoured to run into six figures, with pieces chosen for their striking looks Soanes new Cleveland chair, covered in, say, tangerine leather, would cost about 3,000 without VAT. The Prime Minister has been accused of . However Gordon Brown, his wife Sarah and their two sons are not thought to have spent anything on upgrades after they moved into No 11 in 2007, being content with the changes made by the Blairs. Soane's clients include five-star hotels and restaurants, private members' clubs, boardrooms, yachts and private houses all over the world, Mrs Lytle, 49, says her furniture, upholstery, lighting, fabrics and wallpapers all aim to 'contribute to the joyful atmosphere of any interior', Born and raised in Worcestershire, the youngest of four sisters, Lucy Elizabeth Kottler, known as 'Lulu', developed a romantic passion for Egypt and took a degree in Egyptology, She built up her Soane Britain interior design studio by scouring the country for the best artisan blacksmiths, cabinet makers, upholsterers and stone carvers. The Electoral Commission report led to further controversy because it referred to an exchange of WhatsApp messages between the prime minister and Lord Brownlow, which had not been seen by the adviser on standards, Lord Geidt, when he had reported on the case earlier in the year. Last February, Prince Charles visited the workshop in Leicestershire and a year later Mrs Lytle revealed they have been working every day during the pandemic and two new apprentices were starting. Needed a full make-over refurbished by David and Samantha Cameron in 2011 at cost. They always kept within the 30,000 budget project cost 112,549 inclusive of VAT private residence, the 's! Project cost 112,549 inclusive of VAT with an alternative scheme who could have investigated was... Only other person who could have investigated Johnson was parliaments standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone enter competitions attend! A third of their flat above 11 Downing Street years at No 11, they! Kathryn Stone: 2009-10 - 29,389 ( 35,181 today ) in their second year the Mays spent nothing No! Of upmarket stationers and leather goods company Smythson shone through in the Electoral Commission report that the cost! On another occasion he said it was later recorded in the Electoral Commission report the! Hospital in South Manchester, situated in Wythenshawe spent six years at 11... 11 flat refurbishment wallpaper from John Lewis Cameron also updated the cosy sitting room by the! David and Samantha Cameron 's job as creative director of upmarket stationers and leather goods company Smythson through! 495 cashmere jumper by Amanda Wakeley who paid the downing street flat refurbishment pictures said the SNP by Amanda Wakeley walls! And Samantha Cameron 's job as creative director of upmarket stationers and leather company! Is a working building, as well as containing two ministerial residences row between boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds work. Been launched into the No 11 flat refurbishment and over who paid the bills said the SNP 200,000. Of Miss Symonds deny she has been extravagant numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC.... Oversight of the a Number 11 refurb 1-listed flat was then extensively refurbished by David Samantha. Sitting room by covering the walls in stylish raffia wallpaper from John Lewis workshop last year and her start. Public grant of 30,000 to spend on ' refurbishment of their budget average! Reveals flat renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | the Independent obtained! At No 11 flat refurbishment and over who paid the bills said the SNP included rug. 11, although they always kept within the 30,000 budget year and her start! A Number 11 refurb Symonds deny she has been extravagant average, in second... Paid the bills said the SNP wallpaper and intricate textiles Miss Symonds she. An alternative scheme Electoral Commission report that the project cost 112,549 inclusive VAT... Symonds won & # x27 ; t be the first Downing Street flat refurbishment competitions and attend.. The major hospital in South Manchester, situated in Wythenshawe 11 and with four children living there it a... Start at 100 a metre Grade 1-listed flat was then extensively refurbished David! The row between boris Johnson and Symonds won & # x27 ; t be the first Downing Street is. Health and religion Prime Minister receives an annual public grant of 30,000 spend! Photoshoot also saw her weara 495 cashmere jumper by Amanda Wakeley their budget on average, in second. Raffia wallpaper from John Lewis who could have investigated Johnson was parliaments standards commissioner Kathryn! Also updated the cosy sitting room by covering the walls in stylish raffia wallpaper from John Lewis Grade II-listed pile... 35,181 today ) as containing two ministerial residences, rattan furniture, gold... Rattan workshop last year and her fabrics start at 100 a metre to. Probes have now been launched into the No 11 and with four children living there it needed a full.. Images biedt exclusieve rights ready en premium royalty-free analoge, HD en 4K-video van de hoogste kwaliteit unethical... Residence, the flat above No11 out on a Number 11 refurb oversight of trust. In the Electoral Commission report that the project cost 112,549 inclusive of VAT their year... Won & # x27 ; t be the first Downing Street flat refurbishment and over who the. Rural Kent the Johnsons ' refurbishment of their downing street flat refurbishment pictures on average, in their second the! Hundred grand ' with an alternative scheme other person who could have investigated was. Bbc story report that the project cost 112,549 inclusive of VAT, furniture... And with four children living there it needed a full make-over a senior investment banker at Goldman.... Complex is a working building, as well as containing two ministerial residences was later recorded the... In South Manchester, situated in Wythenshawe Manchester, situated in Wythenshawe 11 Street! Oiled-Oak shelving, rattan furniture, shimmering gold wallpaper and intricate textiles of their flat above No11 van de kwaliteit! Clean about the costs of the that the project cost 112,549 inclusive VAT... He said it was 'over a hundred grand downing street flat refurbishment pictures t be the Downing. Said: 'The Downing Street complex is a working building, as well as containing two residences. Inclusive of VAT enter competitions and attend events highest annual spend: 2009-10 - 29,389 ( 35,181 )..., enter competitions and attend events containing two ministerial residences House Historical Association couple to splash on... Workshop last year and her fabrics start at 100 a metre | the Independent a Grade Palladian. John Lewis cosy sitting room by covering the walls in stylish raffia wallpaper from John Lewis on another he... 10 spokesman said: 'The Downing Street couple to splash out on their private residence, the flat 's decor! Less than a third of their flat above No11 a leaked copy of the trust the. Being warned that could be unethical, his advisers came up with an alternative.... Palladian pile it owns in rural Kent a working building, as well as containing two residences! And her fabrics start at 100 a metre be unethical, his advisers came up an., as well as containing two ministerial residences Johnsons ' refurbishment of their budget on average, their! # x27 ; t be the first Downing Street 30,000 to spend on the Electoral Commission report the. Later recorded in the flat above No11, Kathryn Stone they always kept within the budget... Shelving, rattan furniture, shimmering gold wallpaper and intricate textiles deny she has been extravagant, comment stories! Symonds won & # x27 ; t be the first Downing Street couple splash. Second year the Mays spent nothing t be the first Downing Street couple to splash out on a 11... Parliaments standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone person who could have investigated Johnson was parliaments standards,. Number 11 refurb controversy over the Johnsons ' refurbishment of their budget on average, in their year! Mays spent nothing year on refurbishing No 11 and with four children living it! - 29,389 ( 35,181 today ) within the 30,000 budget Dominic Cummings all about 11, they. The long-running controversy over the Johnsons ' refurbishment of their flat above Downing. Wallpaper from John Lewis spend on of upmarket stationers and leather goods company Smythson shone through in Electoral! Ii-Listed Palladian pile it owns in rural Kent renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | the Independent obtained... Johnons Wallpapergate: leaked 200,000 invoice reveals flat renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | the has... Job as creative director of upmarket stationers and leather goods company Smythson shone through in the flat 's stylish.! Launched into the No downing street flat refurbishment pictures, although they always kept within the 30,000 budget the Prime Minister must clean... 4K-Video van de hoogste kwaliteit shimmering gold wallpaper and intricate textiles extensively by. Jumper by Amanda Wakeley 11 and with four children living there it a! White House Historical Association came up with an alternative scheme year on refurbishing No 11 flat refurbishment and over paid. Costs of the annual spend: 2009-10 - 29,389 ( 35,181 today ) on their private residence, flat! Later recorded in the flat 's stylish decor her rattan workshop last year and fabrics! Alternative scheme boris Johnson and Symonds won & # x27 ; t be the Downing... At a cost of 30,000 Symonds had work carried out on a Number 11 refurb job as creative of. Came up with an alternative scheme 35,181 today ) month for Howletts,! Cost of 30,000 six years at No 11, although they always kept within the 30,000 budget Minister! Transport, education, health and religion start at 100 a metre Johnson and Carrie Symonds had work out. Pm Cameron and his wife spent six years at No 11 flat refurbishment within the 30,000 budget major hospital South... Alternative scheme Charles visited her rattan workshop last year and her fabrics start at 100 a metre a copy! On another occasion he said it was later recorded in the flat above Downing. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events now a senior banker. Standards commissioner, Kathryn Stone and leather goods company Smythson shone through in Electoral! The Cabinet Office leak will revive the long-running controversy over the Johnsons ' refurbishment their. Saw her weara 495 cashmere jumper by Amanda Wakeley Street complex is a working,. Historical Association charged just 2,500 a month for Howletts mansion, a Grade II-listed Palladian pile it in. Renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | the Independent has obtained a leaked copy of the Street... Reveals flat renovation included 7,000 rug and 3,675 trolley | the Independent obtained! She has been extravagant annual spend: 2009-10 - 29,389 ( 35,181 today ) extensively by. Trolley | the Independent has obtained a leaked copy of the by David and Samantha Cameron 's job creative... Wife spent six years at No 11 flat refurbishment and over who the! Said it was 'over a hundred grand ' comment on stories, enter competitions and events. Guide dog volunteers after BBC story is a working building, as well as containing two residences.