Britain’s best known living room has been given a 21st Century upgrade. An exact replica of the set of Only Fools and Horses is the main attraction at this year’s Ideal Home Show.
Architect George Clarke has lovingly reproduced the unique decor of the Trotter family’s flat complete with floral print curtains, 1980s furniture and living room bar.
Visitors can emulate their favourite character by wandering around the replica interior of the famous Nelson Mandela House set.
The scene sits alongside an installation which demonstrates how Del Boy and Rodney might have improved their Peckham council flat.
The modern re-fit shows the many creative ways that city dwellers can make the most of their homes by using space saving furniture.
“It was very much about looking at small spaces in cities,” said Clarke.
He chose the recognisable sitcom setting to make a point about modern living.
“The Only Fools and Horses house is the quintessential 1970s council housing apartment. I thought we could take that, which is so familiar to everyone, and transform that space and drag it into the 21st Century.”
The new flat features items such as a wall bed and a stowaway dining table.
“It’s about multifunctional living, about changing the spaces so they can be reconfigured into lots of different things,” said Clarke.
John Challis, who played Boycie in the series, and a Del Boy lookalike opened the exhibition today.
Visitors have the chance to dress up as characters from the show and have their photo taken with a yellow three-wheeler to raise money for Comic Relief.
Only Fools and Horses first aired in 1981 and there were 64 episodes in total. In 2004 it was voted Britain’s Best Sitcom in a BBC poll.
The Ideal Home Show at Earls Court, London, is open until April 1. Other attractions include The Quiet House of the Future and a seminar on the dangers of cowboy builders by Channel 5’s Melinda Messenger.