Jodie Nicholson is spinning a Solange vinyl on a sunny afternoon at her home in Hackney, east London. As a music executive, listening to records is very much a part of her everyday life. She formerly fine-tuned her talent working as managing director at Boiler Room, the events platform known for live streaming parties around the world. In between the two roles, however, in September 2019, Jodie embarked on a project that was less audio, more visual: transforming the then newly bought two-storey apartment into a calm respite from the fast-paced excitement of her work.

Taking the joyful warmth of Ibiza and LA as inspiration, she sought to create a gentle sanctuary, with a fresh palette of white walls and natural materials. The peaceful interiors have since made space for the most important aspects of Jodie’s life: for hosting friends, for music, for summer mornings in the garden. Now, as the home comes on the market, she tells us about the beauty of its simplicity and how the movement of the sun is in natural rhythm with her life here. Plus, the music enthusiast shares an exclusive summer playlist perfect for barbecues.

Jodie: “Although I took a six-month break between working at Boiler Room and starting a new role in the music industry, it didn’t feel like one at all because I was renovating this place. I squeezed in the six-month project just before the pandemic hit, finishing in April 2020. I had been living on Brick Lane before, which I loved, but I was looking for somewhere with outdoor space.

“When I first moved in here, the only access to the garden was from one of the existing two bedrooms on the ground floor. I knocked the walls between them both down, transforming both rooms into one open-plan living room and kitchen, with sliding glass doors that create a beautiful flow to the outside.

“I was pretty tenacious throughout the renovation. The builders would constantly tell me they couldn’t go through with the ideas I had, so I’d go away and research them, then come back to site with examples. I was a nightmare!

“I wanted a pared-back white scheme with quality natural materials, influenced by places like Ibiza and LA. From an architectural perspective, the white buildings there pop so beautifully against the sunshine and ocean, and are complemented with darker teak-type wood or the local olive branches used as decoration.

“The influences are not only about the aesthetics, but atmosphere and energy too. With Ibiza in particular, you can’t ignore its old-school music scene, which really resonates with me. There’s definitely an outdoor music-led lifestyle there, which includes just hanging out with your friends and living life in a happy, simple way.

“With the furniture, I wanted to play around with the textures. I introduced different materials to the space, from the rattan rugs to the beautiful wooden drawers in the living room, which I inherited from my grandmother. She was an amazing artist. The drawers were full of her writing and sketches when I got it.

“On the walls around the house, I have Julian Wolkenstein prints of horses that were given to me on a shoot I once worked on. I thought they were so wild – in the best possible way. The horses have different hairstyles: there’s one with braids, another with perfect curls, for instance. I think the pictures are awesome.

“In summer, this place comes into its own. The movement of the sun is one of the most significant things here. It pours into the main living space at the end of the day, time for the perfect convivial moment when I can relax with a beer and unwind.

“But it’s also lovely in the winter, especially with the snug. I initially wanted to make one big open-plan area, but there is a significant structural beam that meant I couldn’t. But it actually works so well as it is, as it enables a change of energy between the two living areas. The snug is really cosy, while the other space is blissfully light.

“I love entertaining, but it’s the tranquillity of my home that’s important to me. Too much visual stimulation makes me feel stressed. That’s linked to what I do for work, as I’m constantly stimulated with sounds. At Boiler Room, I was basically putting on parties for a living. Working in music is exciting and I love it, but I want my home to be my sanctuary.

“I always have music on in the house. I listen to NTS Radio a lot – I love the range of genres the DJs play. Sometimes, though, I will tune in to Classic FM or Worldwide FM. I also play a lot of my vinyl at home. The limited-edition Solange record, A Seat at the Table, has this beautiful exclusive cover sleeve, with still-life imagery of fruit, which I just love. I’ve also been listening to lots of Cleo Sol and Little Simz.

“My home is peaceful, but it’s so close to Dalston, where there is such a fun energy. I love my local pubs, The Prince George and The Spurstowe Arms. London Field’s Lido is near for a swim too. 

“For me, modern living is about simplicity. I aspire to create space for the good stuff: hanging out with friends and family, music and dancing. That’s true to what I’ve tried to do here. I’ve created a backdrop that allows me to focus on things that really matter.”

Jodie’s summer playlist

“The playlist I’ve created for The Modern House is inspired by the journey of a barbecue at my house in summer on a Saturday. It starts with some disco, reggae, old school hip-hop and R&B. Then it gets a little more uptempo, ready for when the sun goes down and it’s time to head out for a dance.” 

Cool Cat – Remastered 2011 by Queen
Love Come Down by Barry Biggs
Estrelar by Marcos Valle
Woah! There’s No Limit by Lord Echo, Mara TK
Time (You and I) by Khruangbin
Everything by Gotts Street Park, Rosie Lowe
Gettin’ In The Way (2020 Remastered) by Jill Scott
93 ‘Til Infinity by Souls of Mischief
Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder) Remastered 2021 by Maxwell
Hey Mr. D.J. by Zhané
Outstanding – Original 12″ Mix by The Gap Band
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – 2005 Remaster by Talking Heads
Only You by Steve Monite
Thinking of You – Dimitri From Paris Remix by Sister Sledge, Dimitri From Paris
It’s My House by Diana Ross