We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

We sit down with the Escape to the Chateau star to talk all things home, thrifting and family.

As part of our interview series, My Happy Home, Escape to the Chateau star Angel Strawbridge tells us about her home bargains, date nights with husband Dick, and why her cutting garden changed her life.

Angel Strawbridge is a business owner, author, and founder of 1940s-inspired hospitality company, The Vintage Patisserie. Before becoming a household name on Escape to The Chateau with husband Dick Strawbridge, the redhead appeared on BBC Two's Dragons' Den (then known as Angel Adoree) where she won an investment backing from entrepreneurs, Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis.

Since appearing on Escape to The Chateau, Angel has released a home fragrance range with Sainsbury's, a collection of beautiful flowers with Next, and a soft furnishings range comprising wallpaper, bedding and cushions inspired by her French castle, Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson. Angel has also released a series of books, including for The Vintage Tea Party Book (2011), The Vintage Tea Party Year (2012), and The Vintage Sweets Book (2013).

Back in 2018, Dick and Angel released their first joint book, Chateau: The Beginning, which offered a unique glimpse into their new life after relocating to Pays-de-la-Loire in France. Their second book, Living the Château Dream, was released in October last year and shared the next part of their renovation journey.

AS: There is lots that makes me happy, but it's got to be family life. When we were searching for the chateau, we were looking for a business, but more than anything, we wanted it to be a family home. We were strangely looking for an opulent place that felt warm. We found this place after four years of looking!

I love it when we wake up and the kids are giggling and happy. It's so simple. It's getting up on our day off and walking to collect eggs from the chickens. I love it when we can all sit down with dippy eggs and relax.

It's so important to get the right balance. It's nice to work, but it's all about finding that balance within your life. It has been really challenging for me but I think we are getting there. Especially with weddings, events and school, there are always things to do. It's about taking that time out.

AS: It's a hard question because I have been thrifting since I was about seven. I'm 44. At least I'm think I'm 44! I have had so many bargains. In the early days, I remember picking up a fur jacket for 10p. As I got older, I picked up a whole collection of The Face magazines. He was asking for something like 2p a magazine which is bonkers. That felt incredible at the time. I've also got some Art Deco china in my work space which I'm keeping for Dorothy. I've got hand-painted tea cups and saucers that I paid nothing for. I can't just give you one bargain!

When Dick and I got together we were obsessed with copper pans. We've got a copper fish kettle which we paid €12 for. I saw the same one at the copper factory for €600! What you consider to be your favourite item changes over time. I've got decades of thrifting. My work room is filled with so many special memories that I have collected over the years. There's old phones and royal memorabilia that I've picked up. And I've got boxes of this stuff! My children have already bagged it.

If you want to start thrifting, always make sure you get there early. Don't forget to go with a trolley. They don't look the sexiest, but if you find a tea set that's on the other side you will be really thankful. Also, look at the clientele who is selling stuff. If they are slightly older, their stuff might be older. You have to rummage. You can't be scared.

It's important to have the vision of taking the item and putting it within your home. When Dick and I first starting thrifting together, he used to take a lucky bag with him. One time we got up really early and he forgot his lucky bag. It was quite stressful for him because he thought he wouldn't find anything.

Also, it's important to pay what you think is fair. Lots of people love to haggle, but sometimes I offer more for things because of its worth. We all love a bargain, but if something is ridiculously cheap, offer what you think is fair.

AS: My mum would always have her sewing machine on the dining room table. We used to eat dinner on our laps for months while she was doing a project. Another memory I have is visiting the haberdashery store with my mum. There is nothing like going into one to feel all the buttons and fabrics – it's like a sweet shop.

I also loved flying kites with my dad. He used to take us to Clacton-on-Sea and we'd just spend hours by the seaside. Some of my earliest memories are those spent by the sea. I'm hoping that Arthur and Dorothy will have those memories as well because we take them to the beach quite a lot to build sandcastles.

AS: That's a hard one! I think it's probably what is the worst that can happen? Dick says that a lot to me. We can often be scared about doing things because we're worried about the outcome. Even if you have to repaint something or sand it back, what is the worst that could happen? There aren't many circumstances where things can't be fixed. It's all about giving it a go.

AS: I shop everywhere really. In my early days it was all very thrift-led, but the fashions have changed over the years. I always used to pop into Woolworths when it was still around.

There are a couple of shops in France that I love, such as Maisons du Monde and Anthropologie. I also love those curiosity shops that you can wonder past. It can feel a bit too much if you only have second-hand items at home, so it's nice to have that combination. We've got that real mixture of everything.

AS: It would probably be someone like Vivienne Westwood, for obvious reasons. You'd just hope the inside would be gorgeous, voluptuous, beautiful and elegant. When I earn some actual money, I want to buy myself an outfit from Vivienne. I've been busy for years so haven't had the time to go shopping!

If I could choose someone else then it would have to be Zandra Rhodes' house, although I have actually been to her home. It was bonkers! It was her London Bridge studio. Either one of those two would be great. I think they're both such eccentric ladies, although they probably wouldn't call themselves eccentric. They're fabulous for who they are. I'd also love to look around Meryl Streep's home, too.

AS: It's got to be something children-related. I've got a treasure box filled with cuttings of the kids' hair, photos, and their first teeth, even though they were taken by the 'Souris' mouse (the French version of the tooth fairy). Maybe one day I'll have a chat with Arthur and Dorothy about that...

Dick once bought me a fascinator on our very first date. It's beautiful, but I've never worn it because it didn't quite look right on the shape of my head. We keep it in our bedroom next to Dick's father's hat, which is also really special to us. While we are always looking forward, it's good to have those things that make us smile from the past. I'm a bit of a hoarder and want to keep everything for the children.

AS: We would probably start off by having a BBQ, then we would come inside, make homemade smoothies and watch a movie. We've got quite a big bed, and whilst we have got a TV downstairs, we all love to snuggle up under the quilt and watch a film. As a family, we love cooking together and doing something that makes us smile.

If Dick and I had a night off from the children, we would be happy anywhere. We don't get much time together, so even just walking hand-in-hand is so special. Life is busy, but two or three times a year we will get those moments together. I love going for a picnic, strolling, having a meal or going for drinks.

AS: Even though I've had a garden before, I'm not a country girl. Dick actually bought me wellies for one of our first dates – I've still got them, although they haven't been worn much!

One of Dick's favourite things is to watch me potter around the garden. Until we got a cutting garden, I never really planted things. Dick's mum said to me that the first time you plant something, watch it grow and eat it, it will change your life – and it did. That has been so exciting to me. I could retire and just potter around all day.

AS: That would have to be our Strawbridge suite. It's airy and filled with home comforts. I love the big comfy bed, pictures of family, coffee machine and the table where we sometimes have breakfast. It's got everything we need — nothing more.

AS: I'm going to sit on the fence here because I don't look at things and think, 'that's terrible'. We've all got our own individual tastes. Of course, not everything is my cup of tea, but well done to people who just give things a try. If we were all the same in the world, it would be boring. When I look back at my life, I've even outgrown my own likes.

AS: A swimming pool, sauna and a spa! And a big extension filled with boxes of memories because I am running out of storage space.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

One of our absolute favourites, Potagerie is a joyful celebration of a French Chateau garden with its vegetables, herbs, flowers and bees.

This beautiful art deco design features entwined herons and reed-like foliage with subtle metallic highlights. 

This honeycomb pattern, entwined with a pretty floral trail accented by bees, is set on a soft cream background.

This lampshade features the iconic Wallpaper Museum design that Angel originally created from piecing together (with braiding) original Chateau archive wallpapers.

Inspired by the blossoms that grow at the Chateau, this design features a beautiful white blossom trail with a red butterfly set on a basil green background.

This elegant curtain has a pencil pleat header and is fully lined, which improves the drape and enhances the overall look.

This striking, oriental garden-inspired design depicts beautiful blossom and butterflies. Bonus: It's reversible, so you have a choice of basil green or ochre. 

Inspired by the Château's plantation, this elegant cushion has a natural looking woven texture. It's ideal for an armchair, chaise lounge or sofa.