Laura Jackson On The Art Of Homemaking (And On What To Add To Your Gift List)

Laura Jackson is a woman of many talents: the co-founder of Glassette, a broadcaster, a podcaster, an author, a food writer, and the creative powerhouse behind the social smash hit, The Art of Hosting. She’s amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, and millions of views sharing her love for life and interiors online. It’s not hard to see why. Her approach to hosting and homemaking is both practical and personal; she skilfully balances the needs of her family of six (she’s married with three children and a dog), with her own preference for bold colour and playful design. The result is often an exquisite tablescape and meal that’s as much a feast for the eyes as for the tummy. We’re huge fans of her work, which is why we’re so pleased to be collaborating with her at The Wedding Present Company. To celebrate the launch of Glassette, Laura shares how the partnership came about, gives some marriage advice, and offers gift registry tips for stylish couples everywhere.

How inspired the partnership with The Wedding Present Company? 

We were inspired to partner with The Wedding Present Company (WPC) because we wanted to curate a joyful and colourful selection of products for people’s wedding lists. Over time, we've been inundated with wedding registry requests and saw this as the perfect opportunity to collaborate with WPC, whose ethos aligns with ours. Together, we could offer a unique, vibrant range that adds personality and joy to every couple's special day.

Tell us about the selection of prints you’ve chosen...

The selection of Glassette prints is deeply personal to us, especially since some of them are by my husband, Jon. Many of them are places we’ve explored together, and they hold so much meaning for us. For example, the Baja Mexico print is a special oneit’s a country we both love, and the colours and vibrancy of the landscape really speak to the energy we felt when we visited. The prints capture moments, places, and emotions that we’ve experienced together, making them a constant reminder of the beauty and memories we’ve shared. Each one is a little snapshot of our journey.

What wedding planning tips would you give to engaged couples when it comes to hosting (probably) the biggest dinner party of their lives?

For me, your wedding is your wedding. Lots of people will give you opinions on what you should do, who you should invite, who should sit next to who, and what you should wear — you name it, they have an opinion. Stand firm and strong in your decisions about what your best day looks like, being kind and sensitive to others needs, but not taking on the burden of other people's ideologies. You don’t have to stick to wedding traditions — Jon and I walked down the aisle together, but then there may be other traditions that you, love like speeches. You do you.

You and your husband don't always agree stylistically. Do you have advice for couples with different aesthetic tastes who are creating a home or wedding list together?  

Jon and I don’t agree on things for the home, he has a very clean (and tidy) aesthetic. I would love to know what couples can agree on things like paint and cushions! We usually have to compromise — but Jon says he has to compromise more than me — but I will then reiterate that I have the better taste (hehe). I think when thinking about a wedding list, think about the things that you would like to have that remind you of people, or things you need that are expensive so people can club in, think about those forever pieces — a vintage dining set that will last a lifetime, or a cutlery set.

As someone who’s been married a while, can you share any advice around how to nurture a good relationship in marriage? 

Marriage is a wonderful thing — I think sometimes it gets a bad rep — but I love being married. Jon and I are growing and learning together. A good relationship to me is communication, love, loyalty and flexibility. Jon is all of these things and more. Ha — I am probably less so!

Glassette is a family business you founded with your brother-in-law. Do you ever collaborate with your husband on work too?

My husband and I are very creatively collaborative, we often help each other with mood boards and creative ideas — I wouldn't make a big creative decision in work or life without talking to him, I really value his opinion and his amazing eye (he is a fashion photographer). He won’t make any big creative decisions without my input either — we really respect each other's taste within work and business. We sometimes collaborate on brand shoots — but he shoots all my Glassette content, he understands the brand, and he can execute my vision with very little briefing.

You grew up in a crafty household, has that influenced your style and Glassette in any way? 

My mum is incredibly creative, from making cushions to all of our clothes when we were kids, having dinner parties and cooking amazing food —  she has taught me so much about welcoming people into the home and creativity. She also has the most amazing wardrobe and is great at putting her outfits together. She has influenced many things for me, and it's great that my daughter also sees it —  telling me often how colourful Franma's collection of jewellery is. We are a family of magpies!

What are the hardest working items, and your most treasured pieces in your home? 

The hardest working item in my home has to be my table. At 3 metres long, it’s the heart of everything — from kids crafting to wine nights with Jon, to hosting dinner parties with friends. It’s used for so many different things and has become the backdrop for countless memories. I genuinely treasure all of my homeware. My vintage finds, like the tablecloths I bought in Cairo or the pink glasses from a flea market in rural France, everything carries a story from travels and holidays. My newer pieces, many of which are from Glassette, feel equally special — like the Dar Leon tablecloths or the Frenchette glasses I designed and created. Each piece has its own history and brings its own little spark to my home.

Has your approach to hosting changed over the years as your family has grown?

Quality time with my friends and family is even more important than ever, so making things easier for myself when hosting is a skill I am learning. The key in doing this is prepping and keeping food simple, if your guests can bring sides or a dessert, that takes the pressure off some of the courses. Something I've cooked before is usually on the menu, and I’ll get my daughter to help dress the table — it’s her favourite thing to do.

What advice would you give couples choosing items for their wedding gift lists?

Think long-term, what would last a lifetime in your home, something you could pass down to other generations? Artwork and prints are a great wedding gift idea. Something that feels personal and thoughtful will always stand the test of time.

What none Glassette brands and items from WPC should couples add to their gift registry?

I think this would be a Roberts Radio. It’s timeless, stylish, and practical, perfect for adding a touch of personality to any room. A Roberts Radio brings warmth and ambiance to your home, whether it’s playing your favourite music during breakfast or setting the mood for dinner. It’s one of those classic items that feels like it’s always been part of your home.

What’s next for you and Glassette? 

We are really excited to be working with great brands and have so many fun things in the pipeline. We’ve just launched the Glassette pantry and have our very own product coming soon.

Theme when hosting: I love colour, go bold.

Cookbook: Bee Wilson

Playlist: Glassette’s Valentine’s playlist on Spotify

Tablescape prop: Dar leon floral tablecloth

Flowers: Seasonal... Winter, Icelandic Poppies, Spring, Daffodils. Summer, Cosmos. Autumn, Dahilas

Snacks: Malteasers

Crisps: Seabooks Prawn Cocktail genuinely my favourite but if you want to be fancier, Torres Pickle

Cocktails: I love a margarita, or a martini

Salads: No thanks

Sharing dish: Pickles

Desserts: Chocolate mouse or a plate of cheese

Homeware brands: Anything Glassette

The Wedding Present Company is a bespoke wedding gift list experience; couples come to us seeking the extraordinary. We offer a tailored and completely personalised wedding registry experience free of charge. Our team goes above and beyond to help you create a wedding list that is unique to both of you and full of items that you will love and use for a lifetime.

All images courtesy of Laura Jackson's archive.