Interior decorating, 90s style

Remember a simpler time, when we regarded our houses as places to get away from everybody, rather than investment vehicles? When a chill-out zone was two bean bags and a plastic Buddha? When a man in an open-to-the-waist floral shirt could be a sex symbol to a nation? Remember, is what I’m getting at, Changing Rooms?

changing rooms

I worked very briefly for a TV channel focused on home shows, and there was an ongoing debate about them buying and showing old episodes of the classic make-over show. Would it be a bit of kitsch fun, or forever drag down the channel’s reputation? I put in my twopenneth – “Buy it! Buy it!” – but was overruled, naturally. But stumbling on this Buzzfeed appreciation of the show the other day made me think again of how much I would enjoy a station that showed it day and night on a loop. Linda Barker stippling for her life. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen glossing masterfully over extremely passive-agressive reactions to an astro-turfed living room. Handy Andy taking a jigsaw to health and safety concerns… The show had it all, and the cringe-inducing reveals (don’t forget this was two teams of neighbours making over each other’s houses) surely set the tone for the theatre-of-discomfort that became the norm in reality TV until this very day.

changing rooms

If you have 5 minutes to kill then I urge you to check out Buzzfeed’s ’13 Changing Rooms Designs That Really Haven’t Aged Well’ (one wonders which ones have). You’ll find all the classic tropes – mauve paint in abundance, a random beach ball for set dressing, beds draped in flammable ‘sari’ fabric off the market. The author, sadly, hasn’t attributed which disastrous room was the work of which interior designer, but I feel pretty certain that I can spot the Larry Bowen finger marks on a few. And, might I add, that these rooms, while totally naff (see above), at least adhere to some sort of design principals. At least still resemble rooms. Unlike some of the others… You also get the video of the infamous ‘priceless teapots’ episode at the end. Go on, enjoy yourself. The 90s are having a moment. Pass the stencilling kit.

5 Responses to “Interior decorating, 90s style”

  1. Madeleine
    August 16, 2017 at 6:10 pm #

    Mmmmm, are you sure you’re feeling alright?

  2. Henry Rees
    September 13, 2017 at 1:28 pm #

    It’s funny how the 90s are making their come back, yet I don’t see the 90s vibe in this decor. It’s interesting though too much for me.

  3. Jeanne
    September 15, 2017 at 7:00 am #

    Amazingly wow!!!Great feel of living in 90s.would like to get this interior design.Thanks.

    • Sarah Clarissa
      September 18, 2017 at 7:16 am #

      Yes, I agree with you. It feels like we were living in 90s era. I just want to look back to the past and it seems like dream comes true.

  4. Sienna
    September 18, 2017 at 7:10 am #

    Amazingly great looking!!feeling in 90s.I think this is a great idea.Thank for such article.

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