Questioning whether it's the most appalling home decor fad ever witnessed in British history?
In a puzzling post-war British home design quirk, the addition of plush carpeting to the bathroom has become something of a national joke.
Once the epitome of luxury, the attempt to warm up the steamy and accident-prone humidity of the bathroom with a shagpile carpet now raises eyebrows.
On the HistoryExtra podcast, Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan, a design and home historian, dispenses sympathy and skepticism for this questionable furnishing trend, acknowledging it as "one of the worst" in British history. But why, and how did this curious decision happen?
According to Sugg Ryan, understanding the answer to these questions – and how they reflect on Britain's national identity – lies in recognising the distinct history of home ownership in the country.
"Enamored with the idea of home ownership," Sugg Ryan explains, "our homes offer an excellent lens to examine our taste, aspirations, and desires." Examining the evolution of British homes and their designs allows for insightful commentary on the shifting tides of class and social status.
The Peak of Practicality
However, not all home design trends stand the test of time, and of them, the carpeted bathroom is arguably one of the most infamous.
Decades after its popularity surged, the sight of a soggy, pastel-toned carpet (often extending up the side of a sunken bath) is a cringe-worthy throwback to the seventies.
This design misstep was not isolated but instead a part of a broader transformation in post-war domestic life. The bathroom, once a utilitarian space, evolved into a haven of comfort, style, and even status.
Hobbies and Horrors
Sugg Ryan's exploration of British domestic design history reveals a plethora of baffling choices, many once considered cutting-edge.
For instance, the gas-powered iron – with its liquid fuel tank – remains a source of terror for Sugg Ryan, who sees it as an arduous and risky invention. Similarly, the Teasmade, a bedside contraption promising a fresh cup of tea upon waking, produced mediocre tea at best.
The Gossip Gone... Gone...
While some outdated innovations were merely redundant in the face of advancing technology and changing social habits, others were downright dangerous. The telephone table, or "gossip bench," as it was affectionately known, was a standard feature of British hallways in the mid-20th century. This combination of a seat and phone storage shelf offered a private place to chat, but was eventually replaced by more modern options.
The Return of the Bin-dent?
Shockingly, some once-mocked trends are making a comeback. Sugg Ryan mentions the avocado bathroom, which, due to its fetching high prices on the antiques market, might be destined for a resurgence. One can only wonder if the bathroom carpet will join this revival. Only time, and perhaps the cyclical nature of taste, will tell.
"In an exploration of British domestic design history, Professor Deborah Sugg Ryan points out that the carpeted bathroom, once a symbol of comfort and style, is now considered a baffling choice, as evident in its infamous status decades after its popularity."
"Furthermore, Sugg Ryan suggests that the return of the once-mocked avocado bathroom on the antiques market might pave the way for the resurrection of the bathroom carpet, showcasing the cyclical nature of trends and taste in lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden design."
