Monday 8 June 2015

Del Boy's Flat Reflects Our Taste Changes in Decor

I was watching a rerun of the iocnic British TV show called
 Only Fools and Horses.

It's one of those shows that is so entrenched in the British mentality that there are references in conversation that allude back to this show even to this day.

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So much so that the first few years I lived here I did wonder who this Del Boy character was that everyone seemed to know...
I still don't find it that funny but I watch it just to familiarize myself with pop cultural references and see what my husband laughs at.

I was watching an episode the other day and found myself ignoring the dialogue and concentrating for once on the wallpaper.


The flat is meant to be in a high rise public housing building but looking at the wallpaper and decor it could be a modern day flat in a gentrified part of London.
To be fair I am not sure how the viewing audience would have viewed the wallpaper in that time...


Okay the carpet is definitely not current and would be ripped out on the day after purchasing the flat but the rest of it would not be so alien to decor aficionados.
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The animal print throw on the sofa, 

the strong colors and graphic walls and fabrics, and the brass accented dining chairs that I would buy off Del Boy but perhaps reupholster are surprisingly bang on trend. 
( which means past its sell by for some!)

Forget that Peckham is now referred to as Peck Jambon
but isn't that something Del Boy should have referred to Peckham as back in the day with his penchant for Frenchifying everything!

Love Peckjambon it should say.

The closest I could find to recreate that bamboo wallpaper was the following.  
In terms of shape of the leaves
 this Florence Broadhurst was rather similar.
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In terms of color and copying almost exactly is the black and white version from Farrow and Ball.

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This Timorous beasties rendition is nice althought the planting is a bit clumped or am I getting to Chelsea flower show judgey?
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An old print from Cole and Son is another option.
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But isn't it funny how standards of taste and trend can vary?
Who would have thought that the wallpaper in Del Boy's flat in public housing is now a motif that is sought after and stocked in such stores like Farrow and Ball and Cole and Son.
A good reminder in the fluidity of trends!
I might start watching Eastenders to see any future design trends...

Just a quick note to say I am going away for a couple of weeks in a few days so will be quiet on the blogging front and may or may not be on Instagram wifi depending! 
Stay safe and see you in July xx

23 comments:

  1. There's an old show called "The Persuaders" with Roger Moore and Tony Curtis. Both rich guys who jaunt around the world solving crimes. There are some amazing interiors in that show, including a room with blue walls and deep orange curtains!

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    1. I have never seen the show but will see if Netflix has it!

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  2. I just can not get into wall paper. Having stripped it and replaced it once...never again. My parents have to put the subtitles on when they watch British TV. Not a bad idea actually.

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    1. I know many who can't understand strong Scottish or Welsh and Mr CSW needed subtitles when we were traveling in the South! I think it's hilarious. Re wallpaper. I do love it but waiting around for decorators is making me tear my hair out. I am still waiting for stuff to be done...

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  3. Or you could get a duck "murial" like Hilda Ogden's on Corrie... I love a good bamboo motif, though!

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  4. I'm going to have watch this Fools and Horses once I'm back on my normal shed-julll...love saying it like that.

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    1. I think you will enjoy it but it gets better once you try to not understand oddly enough!

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  5. Hipsters the world over would want those dining chairs and table. I know I am ALONE but I like proper brown antiques from France circa1750 and I don't care how wrong this makes me.

    I will miss you where you going? x

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    1. Actually many like it but I couldn't get those dining tables literally through my front door and maybe might squeeze through the windows if I took them all out!! Going to Norway for some midnight sun and troll sighting! X

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  6. "The animal print throw on the sofa" .... I had to look twice to find the sofa in that cacophony of color and pattern. I do love this show though and for any of your readers that have yet to see it, I suggest YouTube and that great Batman and Robin scene for a good laugh.

    Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Ha! well that is camouflage at its finest then. I did enjoy their chandelier hanging episode!

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  7. Hello Naom... I've only ever seen about 5 episodes of this series.. I cannot tell you how many times I've been watching a movie/TV and looked around and loved something about the interiors and this was before we were able to push 'pause'!! xx

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    1. I think I have only properly sat through about 5 as well because I try then I get distracted...But yes some sets are so good and in fact better than the show!xx

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  8. Off YOU GO..........enjoy!
    Question when you get back of course.......are you from the good old USA?Something tells me YES!

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    1. It's funny you say that Contessa because I do speak with an American accent and I did live in the States for a bit so am very comfortable in America but alas I am half Aussie Half Korean. :)

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  9. Oh god I've got the theme tune going round in my head now. I know of the show, of course, but I've never watched it. I don't watch Eastenders either but from the snippets I have watched the set reminds of this! Happy travels my dear - I hope the wifi is working so we can follow you on your travels xx

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    1. I kind of want it to work half the time so I can switch off because it's too easy to scroll my phone!! xx

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  10. Oh my goodness I loved that show - and love that wallpaper and the whole flat. They were the original mid century shabby chic when it meant something.
    Funny, my sister bought a house in Peckham and everyone was very snobby about it and thought she was crazy, she's laughing now.

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    1. That flat is suprisingly curretn no? Peckham is buzzing right now and has so many things going on there.

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  11. Enjoy your midnight sun and the trolls.

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  12. Dearest Naomi, is there any way you can get to the jewelry show "Masterpiece London" sometime between June 25 and July 1? Van Cleef is going to be there for the first time and I need you to be my eyes if you can! Oh pretty please! Get pictures of the ballet dancer brooches!!! And then do a post and dedicate it to me!!! xx

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Thank you for dropping by!