Design duo offer taste of the Med
By Tom Kelly, Daily Mail
Last updated at 07:42 03 March 2005
Colin and Justin unveil their latest creation.
A magnificent vision of life on the Mediterranean warmed up visitors for the launch of the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show yesterday.
The cold snap sweeping Britain seemed like another world at the sight of a stunning Spanish villa, a carefully crafted French chateau and an Italian merchant house complete with canal and gondola.
Most dramatic of all was the Cave Home created by TV's design experts Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister.
It is based on dwellings on the Continent carved out of caves that have become popular with families moving to Spain.
Mediterranean living is the theme of this year's Ideal Home Show, as a survey reveals that seven in ten Britons would like to live on the Continent.
'If we can't go to the Med, we make the Med come to us by incorporating elements of Mediterranean design into our house and garden,' said Niki Baker, Group Show Director.
More than 500,000 visitors are expected to see the scores of cutting- edge displays at Earl's Court in West London. The show opens to the public this morning and runs until March 28.
Yesterday, Viscountess Rothermere, wife of Viscount Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust, enjoyed a preview tour. She was particularly taken by the Cave Home after being shown around by Ryan and McAllister, of Channel 5's How Not to Decorate.
'It's a fascinating idea for a place to live,' she said. 'Once again, the whole show is inspirational. What impresses me most is how quickly interior design is improving.'
Lady Rothermere also visited the replica of a £200,000 villa on Crete that is being given away in a competition by the Daily Mail, in association with the show.
As well as the Mediterranean-style homes, the show includes hundreds of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and gadgets.
More than 800 exhibitors feature every possible household item, from top-of-the-range Jacuzzis to the smallest garden tool.
Miss Baker said: 'The Daily Mail Ideal Home Show has been the country's biggest home event since 1908 and it continues to showcase all the best trends for home living.'
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