Whether you’re enjoying one of your favorite soaps after a long day at work or spending your weekend binge watching a popular TV series, it’s not just always the characters who stand out to their viewers. The iconic TV homes they live in really catch the eye too. Although the likes of soaps including Emmerdale and Coronation Street are fictional, the show’s settings have been designed to replicate the lives of normal people. This really helps to give us an idea as to how other people live.
From spacious family homes to more confined apartments favoured for those living on their own, it’s more than likely you’ve commented on the living areas of some of your favourite TV characters. But have you ever wondered what Britain’s most iconic TV homes would look like in a reimagined style?
With Brits watching more TV than ever over the past few months, it made Age Co wonder what some of the nations most favourite TV homes would like if they were taken back in time to the 1940s. The rooms Age Co picked include the kitchen from the Great British Bake Off, Gwen’s living room from Gavin & Stacey and the dining room of Emmerdale’s the Tate family.
The Great British Bake Off – Kitchen
If you’re a fan of the hit baking series then you’ll be familiar with the identical kitchen’s the contestants use. Each baker has their own space which includes modern equipment which is often found in the homes of keen bakers across the country. But this is worlds apart from what would be on offer during the 1940s.
A 1940s kitchen would be seen as a room which needed a focus on functionality rather than appearance. During this time kitchens were often small in size, with not much colour. Equipment we take for granted today such as a fridge or freezer weren’t available during the 40s. So people would have to resort to a meat or food safe to keep items as fresh as possible.
Gavin & Stacey – Living room
Gwen’s living room in the popular series Gavin & Stacey portrays the living areas of many homeowners across the UK. Leather sofas, curtains and a coffee table are all features many of us have in our own homes. But how would Gwen’s living room compare to the same space during the 40s era?.
One of the most noticeable differences was that furniture was kept for much longer than what it is today, due to its high cost. This meant that items were often plain in design and matching sets were a rare sight. Accessories such as cushions were often created from old garments. So homeowners could add a personal touch to their living room but without breaking the bank.
Emmerdale – Dining room
For any Emmerdale fans you’ll know that the Tate family home screams luxury. The dining room in particular is a large space containing a modern dining table, which is perfect for social gatherings. As money was hard to come by during the 1940s, it’s surprising how Age Co imagined this room to look like during this decade.
Similar to the living room, furniture used in a 1940s dining room would be plain and not very comfortable to sit on. As Britain found itself in the middle of a World War, the most eye-opening feature came in the form of a multi-use dining table. In the event of an enemy attack from above, dining tables were able to double up as a Morrison Shelter. This meant individuals could protect themselves if need be.
What do you think of Age Co’s reimagined designs for Britain’s most iconic TV homes? Share your thoughts and favourite design on social, using #BritishHomesReimagined.
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