Interior Design

Do you talk to your television set? I do on occasion. Then Himself gets up and takes a book or the newspaper and goes into another room, shutting the door firmly behind him, so that he can read in peace. I don't so much talk to the t.v. as have a bit of a rant, "Oh, for goodness sake!" "What a mess!' and the like. At the moment I'm watching, 'The Great Interior Design Challenge'. Himself doesn't understand, since it offends me so, why I don't just switch off. But each programme deals with a different architectural style and period and the architectural historian, Tom Dyckhoff, demonstrates what is of particular interest in the different homes. The wide variety and the beauty of the buildings on this small island is fantastic. Last night's programme was of particular interest to me because it featured a street near to where I live. It is very special and one that I absolutely love, a medieval street adapted over the years to suit the changing patterns of living. I've never been inside any of the Vicars' Close houses so this was a chance to be nosey and take a peek.

Chimneys and windows added at a later stage to the medieval houses.

Contestants are given a budget and, following consultation with the owners, come up with and execute a decorative scheme for a room. Each night a contestant is eliminated from the competition. 

So, what is there to complain about? I hear you ask. Plenty! Storyboards are presented that give scant attention to the wishes of the clients and even less attention is given to the period of the property. 

Worst of all, and this is not the fault of the contestants but of the programme makers, they have only three days, yes,  THREE DAYS in which to  complete the challenge. This means that the work is rushed  and rather bodged. I feel so sorry for them as they are genuinely trying to do their best. It makes me wince. Why can't they have a week to complete their make-over  and the opportunity to do a half-decent job?

The clients always appear to be delighted with the finished result but I wouldn't let anyone anywhere near my home. They fill the rooms with random pieces that have no connection to the lived lives of the clients. I firmly believe that the things that you have around you need to have a relevance, that a room needs to develop gradually and not spring up fully formed down to the last fluffy cushion. I wonder how many of the rooms will be quietly stripped of all the gewgaws and redecorated once the show is over.

It's the final programme tonight. I'll be watching and no doubt complaining throughout. Himself will be fine - he's got a new book to read.