Show Home… on a Budget

I was recently asked to create a show home on a budget, for a new re-development of a number of flats in Cheltenham. Coronation Square in Cheltenham is an expansive 1960’s shopping centre, with flats and offices above. Regency Cheltenham… this is not. New owners recently bought the whole centre and started a re-development programme, including the renovation of an initial phase of 9 flats. I was asked to create a show flat and, as the flats are aimed at first time buyers, the brief was to use only IKEA products.

I designed the concepts for each room, and specified everything we needed, and one saturday went to buy the contents of the flat in IKEA. Taking my assistant for the day (my ever-helpful sister), we spent 5 hours in IKEA, finding and buying everything you need to kit out a flat.

Last week, I spent a day at the flat putting everything in place, getting artwork on walls, plumping cushions and even hemming the curtains.

While the outside of the centre might not win any beauty contests, the flats are spacious and well designed. The giant windows make the rooms light and bright and offer lovely views over a nearby park. Everyone is really pleased with the fully IKEA’d flat, which really shows how a blank canvas can be turned into a warm and inviting home, on a restricted budget.

Alex