Habitat RIP
And there it was, gone, quicker than you could say Chicken Brick. Before Habitat disappears from the high street forever (?), here’s a salute to the days when Habitat was still owned by El Tel, and was genuinely revolutionizing British interiors style.
Check out this contents list on a 70s catalogue for a glimpse into the buying preoccupations of our forefathers. H is for herbs, hammock and hessian. Japanese lanterns and rush matting were a must. You definitely needed a fish kettle as well as a fish smoker. But what in heaven’s name is a Sagbag? Actually don’t answer that.
Jazzy! I remember Habitat opening in the grotty city where I was at university as a joyous occasion – I went and bought a bright orange cushion and a bright blue throw plus loads of coloured shot glasses. But recently Habitat seemed to loose its way, becoming less affordable and a bit stale, with the same furniture designs on sale for years on end.
…and yet, they did always have something I wanted. I haven’t honestly been in one for a couple of years, but I’ll miss having the choice.
Oh how you forget! The Sagbag/beanbag/floor cushion was part of our sixties/seventies home and the later version ((eighties, in the shape of a hamburger!) only went a few years ago. Now the retro bag is back and for sale online as “the piggy bag”. There are still a couple of floor cushions in the attic if you want them.
Aaaaah dear old Habitat. I worked in it for years, got offered my first design job when ‘on the till’ there, had many a hungover lark in the Rug Department, and once, was made to dress up as a clown for a children’s promotion. I shall miss it… and it’s 40% off staff discount which I abused for everyone and anyone.
I tell you I am still in shock and very sad to see it going I hope they keep a few shops and the online shop, come on you can not live on ikea and Dwell as a paper recently suggested has people gone mental or what?
A house furnished just with Ikea and Dwell . Indeed, but I think companies like Zara Home and even H&M show that there is a market for high street interiors shops that aren’t snobby or too expensive. I think Habitat lost it’s sense of their customer. A shame.
Amazing post!!! There’s no one like Habitat.