Great British Interior Design Challenge

[jocelyn plummer]

Just got round to watching this--tonight's programme had me squealing with horror at the messy workmanship and the misinterpretation of the brief---I shall have to torture myself tomorrow to see if the next lot of contestants are any better----- :shock:

 

[plasticpigeon]

It's been going all week. I've not liked very much, there is a lot of "upcycling" going on, which has meant painting nice Victorian furniture very badly in the majority of cases, and everyone seems to be in love with grey paint. The winner of the first day I thought was quite good though, the room looked nice and I think she was pretty skilled at painting, upholstery and other useful things like that.

 

[Owain]

The contestants don't seem to get properly rebuked do they?

They need a Mary Berry pointing out they've under-sanded their driftwood.

 

[Moo]

The two programmes so far remind me of 'Changing Rooms' - all about Effects cobbled together in a hurry with absolutely no mention of craftsmanship or technique.
And I'm amazed that Shabby Chic is still around - surely it's become a bit of a joke by now.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

The programme reminded me of Changing Rooms too! like Moo says it does seem a crime to paint lovely Victorian and Georgian furniture, a trend that I think is slowly disappearing, but up cycling of later stuff is no bad thing. Shabby Chic is the corner stone of many an 'Antiques Centre' with things like old trunks and suitcases for coffee tables and bedside storage are selling really well at the moment.

 

[Penners]

I've never watched this programme, and on the basis of the above reviews I think I'd rather spend the time bashing my head on a wall.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Bash away Penners - it's on again now. Why is painting the cat scratcher called 'repurposing'? It's still a cat scratcher. That's it's purpose and still is. I'd hate someone to do this to my home.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I could not watch more than the first 10 minutes--- had a friend round for coffee instead----

 

[Juju]

Sadly we've been watching it cos it's on when we have our tea and we've been lazy this week and slumped on the sofa most evenings. We like that architectural historian bloke and we like seeing the houses. But yes we've been shouting 'Changing Rooms' at the telly on a regular basis. It's ridiculous that the challenge is done in a short space of time - no-one would pay an interior designer to slap paint on the walls like that.

I was envious of those lovely Art Deco sun rooms (before the designers got at them)
Juju

 

[Penners]

Why is painting the cat scratcher called 'repurposing'?

That reminds me - I must repurpose the stairs and landing.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

:lol: :lol:

 

[LadyArowana]

Why is painting the cat scratcher called 'repurposing'?

That reminds me - I must repurpose the stairs and landing.

Funny I never figured you for a man that liked tchotchkes.

 

[Penners]

If that's an exotic spelling of "choccies", then you've read me entirely wrongly.

 

[PeterI]

Not been watching it but here's a new find from the internet in the wacky interior designs challenge stakes

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-42427621.html

 

[jocelyn plummer]

OMG! hardly a haven of peace and serenity---must be related to the person who did the other house that was spotted towards the end of last year--purple all over!

 

[Penners]

Mmmmm - tasteful! I particularly admire the choice of a puce and turquoise colour scheme with a leopard-skin carpet, in the hallway.

The house reminds me of a famous comment once made by Dolly Parton:

"What you don't realise is that it costs a fortune to look this cheap."

 

[plasticpigeon]

I know this program is a bit naff, but tonights show comes from the suburb of Birmingham that I grew up in, and the the houses on the road featured, which if I have identified them correctly, are on Chantry road, and range from large 4 storey semis to quite spectacular detached properties that back onto a private park. I am amazed that the homeowners of such houses would be willing to risk their front rooms to these amateurs, let's hope they don't all get painted grey, which seems to be the precedent set thus far.

 

[DJH]

I think they're off to vandalise Victorian properties next/soon... Mrs DJH likes it... :shock:

Doug

 

[Flyfisher]

Mmmmm - tasteful! I particularly admire the choice of a puce and turquoise colour scheme with a leopard-skin carpet, in the hallway.

The house reminds me of a famous comment once made by Dolly Parton:

"What you don't realise is that it costs a fortune to look this cheap."

Indeed, and she is equally unabashed about it.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Shame the one woman who obviously wanted to make a tasteful and elegant room, felt forced into providing a garish fire surround to make it modern and different. I'm certain it was removable and I'm sure the owners took advantage of that as soon as the cameras were turned off. In my opinion knowledge and taste trump gratuitous innovation every time.