The mushrooming world of ideas and technology have given us more choice in the type of home we want than ever before, and nowhere will you find a better display of it than at The Ideal Home Exhibition at Earls Court from March 20th to April 5th.
In a relatively short space of time we have gone from a basic approach to our homes, in the 1950’s, to being bombarded by every conceivable kind of luxury, gadget and labour saving device.
Aided by increased media presence and credit availability we now spend more on our homes and their contents than at any time in the last 100 years, and it shows no sign of ending.
There must be, or have been, a television programme about every conceivable aspect of our home life. The TV chefs are legion, gardening experts are everywhere, anyone seems to be able to become an interior designer and even the oriental art of feng shui persuades some of us how we should arrange our home and lifestyle.
If it’s inspiration you’re after it will be there in abundance at Earls Court. Some of it will cost you a second mortgage or worse but you can spend hours, days even, wandering the exhibitions and demonstrations and then tailor them into your own dream home.
The recession has meant that we spend even more time in our homes and consequently the money which we were spending on outings is budgeted to provide more home comforts. Kitchens have achieved cult status in recent years, and are often the centre of a home where we can experiment with the grand ideas provided by the TV chefs and hold dinner parties for willing victims!
There is a vast array of ideas for the perfect lounge on show, from the space age to the country look and heating plans from solar panels to log fires. The self styled queen of the interiors, Linda Barker, is on hand for 2010 while out in the garden you can get a few tips on perking up your petunias and making your brassicas thrive from Monty Don.
With spring and summer hopefully on the way many visitors will be looking for ideas for the outdoors and there will be several set show pieces including an innovative plan for a lodge and outdoor café. How’s that for a home business plan?
There will be sections on ideal interiors, ideal home improvements, ideal home gadgets, ideal food, ideal shopping, even the ideal woman, but I note there isn’t one for the ideal man!
When the Ideal Home Exhibition first opened its doors in 1908 as the Ideal Home Show founded by The Daily Mail, it was envisaged as a publicity machine for the newspaper. This was in the days when suffragettes were chaining themselves to railings and the Model T Ford was on the road.
The vast majority of the public rented their homes but living standards were slowly starting to improve. In the 70’s and 80’s whole villages were built in the centre. In the 90’s and onwards into the 21st century we have seen things which early visitors could only dream about. Many have now become reality in our homes today.
Take a trip and indulge yourself. Many of the ideas may be out of your reach but I suspect you just might find that certain something which is “ideal” for your home.
Graham Smith for Third Age.
Written by Editor.
