About
Designed in the late 1960s, the De Beauvoir Estate in Hackney aimed to accommodate all needs with high-rise and mid-rise flats, as well as terraced houses like this one, centred around shops and communal areas. It was part of a long-running housing initiative which resulted in nearly 6.5 million council homes by the late 1970s.
The evening has grown cold in Dalston so Edd has lit the paraffin heater, which provides warmth and noxious fumes in equal measure.
Valerie is using the opportunity to heat her straightening comb, so her mum can help her get ready for a big date tonight.
The McMillan family have all gathered around the television for the premiere of Empire Road, the first British soap opera with a predominantly black cast and crew.
Michael, who has been allowed to stay up late for the occasion, is excited to see families and homes like his own represented on TV.
This room was curated with Michael McMillan.
Objects to look out for

Crochet Doilies
Crochet was taught to young women in the Caribbean by Christian missionaries. The pieces displayed in the room belonged to Michael’s Mum, Letha, and family friends Cynthia and Linda, who, like many Caribbean migrant women, made pieces to supplement their income.
Crochet doilies, Credit: Jaron James

Plastic in the Home
By the 1970s, many of the objects used in the home such as telephones, radios, toys and ornaments were made from plastic. Seen by many as the material of the future, plastic was celebrated for its low cost and endless uses, and little concern was paid to its environmental impact until the end of the century.
Plastic in the home, Credit: Jaron James

Filled to the Brim
Class and ethnicity play an important role in the design and content of this home. Front rooms in the homes of many Black Caribbean families were filled with objects and colourful patterns drawn from a tropical palette, a style distinct from English interiors of the time.
Filled to the brim, Credit: Jaron James

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