Ideal Home Show 2011 – The Show Homes – No.1 Coronation Street
As this was my second experience of the illustrious Ideal Home Show, I had a good idea of what to expect, having worked on the show homes last year I was excited to see what they had done with them this year.
First house was a Coronation Street remake of Ken and Deidre’s house, the original rooms and next door a new, modernised, eco-friendly take on what for Ken and Deidre could do with their property.
This is such an iconic home on the street as Ken has lived there on and off for over 40 years, witnessing some of the streets most famous scenes and characters. This is why it is an ideal home to show key differences, they duplicated the set of the 2007 episodes (which is basically unchanged from it’s first showing in 1968) to how a home can be transformed with a really modern vision to something much more desirable for 2011!
Here is the original recreation of Ken and Deidre’s current living room, kitchen and bedroom, which as you can see are not the most modern or up to date designs, especially the living room which looks like it has been in a time warp. It could probably be used to rehabilitate people who think it’s still the 60’s. To be perfectly honest it needs a good make over!
So, here is interior designer George Clarke’s remake of this distinguished old house, giving it not just a new look, but making it eco-friendly too!
As you can see, the living room albeit basic, looks fantastic, modern and a more comfortable living area. The flooring is made from sustainable timber, with underfloor heating to help avoid heat wastage.
The kitchen has been refreshed, keeping the green element, but tying in the living rooms white walls through to the kitchen links the house better. The kitchen units are not only unique to look at, but when you realise what they are made of it is an even bigger eye opener. The divine work surfaces are made from recycled wine bottles and tube windows. Just to take the kitchen one step further to being a greener room, the appliances are all triple ‘A-rated’, which is the most energy efficient possible!
The bedroom is again sticking to the trendy neutral theme which is ever present in modern interior design, but adding colour through the materials used in a bedroom such as the quilt cover, which add much needed vibrancy to the room. Another interesting thing about this room is (although you can’t see it) the carpet is made from British wool with a recycled rubber underlay made from recycled UK car tyres!
And just to make sure Ken and Deidre really are living a life of luxury on the street, George even added a small conservatory on the back. Its purpose was not just to add room or look good, but to collect rain water from the roof storing it in a water butt.
To ensure the popular couple were leading the way into the energy efficient market they even had photovoltaic solar panels on the roof to farm electricity for their home. To prevent heat loss they also had wools sheep insulation, potentially saving them £110 a year!
Ken and Deidre’s house would also benefit from energy efficient light bulbs, water-saving taps and double glazed windows. All of these changes will save them a lot of money annually!
My personal opinion of the house was that it was nice, but very basic. I felt it was a bit clinical with white everywhere, although I understand it is popular at the moment, I think more colour bursts were needed. However, the energy efficiency of the home was great and I was really impressed with how good the worktops were considering they’re made from recycled wine bottles and tube windows!
If the efficiency of this home has impressed you, wait until tomorrows blog about the Prince’s Home! Now that has some impressive recycling, eco-friendly ideas that may just surprise you.
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