A few weeks ago when Mr Coleman went to have some work done on his car, I received a photo message of the magazine selection in our local garage. Like a shining beacon amongst the Readers Digests was a ‘vintage’ edition of Ideal Home. A few hours later he appeared home with the said magazine. (He didn’t steal it I hasten to add, it was negotiated with the cost of four spanking new tyres). I have a rather large selection of interiors magazines and so was thrilled by my 1997 version.

Scanning through the pages the concept of the interiors magazine still holds true, showcases of peoples homes, lifestyle articles, how-to’s and the odd celebrity peppered amongst the pages. In fact on one page there’s a how-to for creating a floral arrangements with single stems just like our own RMS feature from our first week. (I must get some more creative ideas…)
Thankfully styling techniques have moved on from the thoroughly entertaining ‘desk top publishing’ article. Here we see Ian Rankin sprawled on the floor and the lovely Madeline Wickham (now known to us all as Sophie Kinsella) straddle her desk. Check out that state of the art AppleMac in the background! Lolly and I have discussed at length if we can use this tactic in the next Rock My Wedding shoot and perhaps have a bride propped across a table. We think not.

Back in 1997 my room was painted a very pale blue shade with a Daisy border from the Next Directory. I had checked curtains and duvet cover and a penchant for ‘Bang on the Door’ postcards that were blu-tacked to the wall. I spent every last bit of my pocket money having photos of my friends printed in my local ‘Klick’ and then proceeded to cut them all out to make collages in clip frames. As my Dad was a Decorator, my Sister and I were allowed to have our bedrooms decorated every couple of years. I think around this time she had a whole moon, sun and stars thing going on in her room that I was particularly envious of.

There does seem to have been a distinct change in the pace of interior trends in the last few years, with things coming in and out of fashion as quickly as you can say ‘shabby chic’. Stick with what you love I say, but perhaps think twice about whether it’s wise to bring back the curtain pelmet. (I have it on good authority they are on their way…)

So now it’s time to cast your mind back to 1997. It was the year the world lost Princess Diana, the year Leo and Kate took to the waves in Titanic and the year that All Saints made combats cool. What was your bedroom or house decor like back then? What was taking pride of place on your walls? Any interior design features you’d love to bring back?