Our first Emotional Utilitarian is Matt Gibberd, co-founder of the UK’s first design-led estate agency, The Modern House. They curate and celebrate houses along principles of space, light, and materiality, and have in common with Cubitts a fondness for the utilitarian principles of modernism. In 2021, Matt and his business partner Albert Hill established a sister brand, Inigo, adding a flair of the romantic with a focus on historic houses. He also hosts Homing In, exploring the lives of his guests through the places they’ve lived.

Matt brings in a trio of (apparently coincidentally) colour coordinated objects, which speak to a meticulous and wistful character. A bag equally at home floating down the River Dart and accompanying him to business meetings, a watch purchased with his first paycheque, and a perfectly practical jacket, designed by his wife, Faye Toogood.

Matt and Tom also discuss machines to live in, skull door knobs, toy cars, and toothbrushes.

The full episode is available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Acast. Tom will not always be dressed as the guest.