Mention the word ‘fashion’ and most people automatically think of personal appearance, items of clothing, hairstyles, and even music… You may recognise these lyrics from the Kinks ‘They seek him here, they seek him there, his clothes are loud, but never square’

However, fashion also has a huge influence over our homes, and even the way in which we live.  So, could property really be the original ‘dedicated follower of fashion’?

‘They seek him here, they seek him there, his clothes are loud, but never square’ – The Kinks 1966

One of the most facinating things about being an Estate Agent is that you get to see how and where other people live. This is why reality TV shows like ‘Big Brother’ have proved so popular!

The interesting thing is… most of us are fairly similar, yet so very individual. Advertising agencies are constantly looking at new ways to get products and ideas firmly embedded into our minds.  If I were to say ‘The futures bright, the future’s… ??? most people will be able to finish the sentence.  This is the power of advertising and the way in which we are influenced daily, often without even realising it.

Paint companies spend millions on TV commercials and they have done very well over the last 10 years. Could this be the reason why so many people fell out of love with wallpaper?  Smooth painted walls were in, and wallpaper was well and truly out!  This trend has now swung back the other way!

So how has property fashion changed over the last 30 years?

Structurally

In the past

• Covering over, or removing fireplaces that were considered dated
• Covering entire ceilings in Polystyrene ceiling tiles
• Removing chimney breasts to create more space
• Covering the outside of the house in stone cladding
• Installing aluminium double glazing 

And more recently

• Installing old fireplaces
• Restoring original features

Decoratively

In the past

• Laying carpet tiles
• Leatherette Sofas
• Loads of stiff Lino, often beneath swirly patterned carpets
• Brass looking power sockets
• Candle effect lights (and bulbs)

And more recently

• Carpet is coming back around
• Beware – Laminate flooring is already (slowly) on its way out!
• Lionel Blairs (flairs – Oops wrong list).
• Flock wallpaper has also made a huge comeback (the butt of many old restaurant jokes)

Lifestyle and Gadgets

Of the past

• Remember the TeasMade? By the time you got your milk and sugar ready you may as well have run down stairs, made the tea (with fresh milk), and grabbed a couple of biscuits while you were at it! 

• And let’s not forget our old favourite the ‘toasted sandwich maker’ - many of us loved the taste but couldn’t be arsed with all the fuss of the preparation, when a slab of cheese on toast would do the trick in half the time! 
• The Hostess Trolley
• Perhaps a cocktail from the ‘home bar’ (complete with soda syphon).

And more recently

• Espresso machines
• Smoothie makers
• Microwave Ovens

Our job is to match the right people with the right property -whatever the style or décor. Taste is subjective and no matter how attractively finished a property is to the current owner, the chances are a purchaser will want to put their own individual stamp on it anyway!

I always have a little grin to myself when I see clothes hanging off of (now unused) exercise equipment (usually in front of the tv in the bedroom – TV shopping channels have a lot to answer to), but with best intentions and all that… many of us do it, and it always seems such a good idea at the time!

Our job is to match the right people with the right property – whatever the style or décor. Taste is subjective and no matter how attractively finished a property is to the current owner, the chances are a purchaser will want to put their own individual stamp on it anyway!

Whatever our taste and style, we should be comfortable with ourselves and our surroundings. When it comes to selling a property, the best advice is always to remain as decoratively neutral as possible in order to appeal to as many different buyers as possible… that said we successfully sell many different type of property to many different types of people!

Why not add more retro items, if you can think of any.