ForLook Interior Design

Well, I watched all three episodes of The Perfect Home last week. It was really interesting. Alain De Botton investigated why British people like to live in old-looking houses, what he called “pastiche” homes.

He argued that one of reasons is that we no longer know what is supposed to be beautiful or tasteful. In the past there was a generally accepted idea of beauty and taste. Anything goes these days. But if this is the case, surely new buildings would be a mish-mash of styles? Whilst in fact most newly built homes are faux-Georgian or mock-Tudor..

The other reason he was suggesting is that people want to escape from reality to an idealised rustic life. Modern life gives us stress and insecurities, so we look into the past for reassurance.  In the next part of the programme, however, he showed us Dutch people living in modern homes. Don’t they get stressed out by modern life?

I think he should have investigated this subject further. In my opinion this is more of a sociological issue than a modern life problem. The Victorian era was one of the most successful times in British history. The industrial revolution brought prosperity and economical growth into the country. Britain was the most successful economy and society in the world. People living during this period wanted new and better things. They built houses according to the styles of their time and they decorated them with contemporary furniture and elements. These days British people don’t seem to have any confidence - in themselves, in their society, in their economy. This is why they are looking into the past - nostalgia brings them some meaning and confidence. As soon as the British people get over their glorious past and start living in the now - they will gain more confidence and respond to current designs & styles. This is still a great country, despite not being an Empire anymore and despite the gloomy grey weather. If people looked at themselves more positively - society would be a  better place to live in.
There are many talented designers and architects eager to be commissioned to create environments that reflect our time & our personalities. So why wait? Forget the past, live in the present!