“Huzzah!”: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen explores homes that are simply over the top

These are people who value originality above all else, and decorate their homes without fear or limitations.

“Huzzah!” Says Laurence, speaking about his project. “At last, a property show that turns its back on Delusions of Blandeur and instead celebrates homes that take OTT to another level of FABULOUS.

“In fact, we’ll be filming in spaces of such OUTRAGEOUSNESS I’ll be the most understated thing on screen which is, let’s face it, an extraordinary achievement”.

It promises to be rollicking good fun, even if we might not be able to picture ourselves in too many of the featured abodes.

If it’s interior design hints and tips you need, there are programmes for that. This is to Interior Design Masters what Netflix’s Is It Cake? is to the Bake Off. Impractical but unforgettable.

Deborah Dunnett, commissioning editor for Channel 4, agrees, saying: “This is an altogether different property series. So as the epitome of extravagance and eccentricity, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is the perfect person to host it. Who wants uniformity anyway?”

Laurence begins this four-part adventure by meeting Dawn, whose home was once owned by millionaire publisher and poet Felix Dennis. And as one might expect from the man who owned magazine titles including Fortean Times and Viz, it’s not your average domicile.

Felix built the impressive barn on a party theme, and didn’t spare the features. It is replete with swashbuckling pirates and real palm trees.

The house itself is set around a gigantic indoor swimming pool that forms an unusual heart of the home.

As well as the people who live in these (fever)dream homes, the series also hears from some of the designers, architects and decorators who helped to bring the bold and creative visions to life.

It is, really, the ultimate judgement-free zone – the message is that there is no such this such thing as bad design.

Laurence also meets Billy, who has converted his cottage garden into a Wild West ranch with its own moonshine saloon. Then he travels (presumably in a DeLorean) to catch up with 1970s-obsessed Estelle.

If nostalgia is your thing, then Estelle has a wealth of examples of the various home furnishings that delighted people in her favourite decade – and continue to delight her today.

But what will Laurence think?

He’ll love it of course. How could he not? It has the one thing he likes best: too much of everything. Perfect!