70s House: A bold homage to the most daring decade in design

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I just think that when all the cornicing and arches and aesthetic stuff went away the best of society went with it,” he explains, adding that he takes his behavioural lead from Victorian etiquette books. I have always been surrounded by antiques, the eldest daughter of a Cabinet Maker and Antiques Dealer, my father worked for many illustrious clients over the years and took me to my first auction aged four, whereby I was instructed to sit on my hands, save I bid on something accidentally.

Estelle Bilson Dealer Wikipedia: The Bidding Room Alum Estelle Bilson Dealer Wikipedia: The Bidding Room Alum

Unfortunately, a lot of original features were ripped out when it was converted from a shop to a house in the 80s, so it was a pretty blank canvas from that respect.’ (image credit: Estelle Bilson) In the unlikely event of winning the lottery, I’d love to be in a position where I could afford to keep this house for our son and buy a more modernist/1970s home to restore to its former glory. This house has such a lot of memories for us, as Steve has owned it for nearly 20 years. I would be very content if this was to be our forever home as the area is lovely.’ (image credit: Estelle Bilson)It’s a house that makes you smile. I see so many houses that go for a plain, rather minimalist finish and that’s absolutely fine. Some people prefer their living space to be understated and after a hectic day, that might be the calming influence you need. (image credit: Estelle Bilson)

Retro-obsessed mum transforms her Stretford home into a

Apart from the fun, Estelle also believes there is a serious point to make about sustainability. ‘People talk about “fast fashion”, but 23 million tonnes of furniture goes into landfill in this country each year so we should also be looking at “fast furniture” with new eyes.Our WowHaus, United Kingdom Estelle Bilson’s 1970s house in Manchester Estelle Bilson’s 1970s house in Manchester (image credit: Estelle Bilson)

Inside the home of 70s style guru Estelle Bilson | Great

I don’t wish I lived in the 50s. I love vintage style, not vintage values. When I’m reading magazines from that period, some of the adverts are so archaic. It’s all about buying the woman in your life a vacuum cleaner for Christmas. But I couldn’t live in modern surroundings, either. This trend for grey at the moment – I can’t bear it. Everything is grey. People are even painting the exterior of their houses grey! I need colour in my life. House is the definitive guide to the most daring decade in design, covering everything from shag carpets and supergraphics, to Hornsea ceramics and G Plan furniture. The book is split into three sections: 70s influences – what shaped the era?; How to bring the 70s to your interior design; and At home with 70s House Manchester. And of course, it wouldn’t be the 70s without a good old-fashioned shindig – Estelle also reveals her secrets to throwing the grooviest get-together, complete with vintage recipes and record selections to match. With that in mind, it’s a house that is unlikely to appear on the market anytime soon. (image credit: Estelle Bilson) We do get children pointing and laughing’: Michael Koropisz in his bedroom at his parents’ house in Greater Manchester. Photograph: Alex Telfer/The Observer Estelle also has a fine collection of 1970s clothes. ‘It’s an era that really speaks to me and I’ll grab any chance to get dressed up. But don’t get the idea I swan around the house in my 70s finery. With a four-year-old, they’d just end up covered in snot and yoghurt!’

The tulip chair

Our home may be on the extremes of this, but all of the furniture within could be used in a less dramatic setting, sideboards, for example, have become hugely popular in recent years, they’re stylish and useful.