Lakáskultúra, Ezermester, and Szép otthon

From the 1960s onwards, with the increasing consolidation of the Kádár era (1956–88), Hungary allowed a limited role for the market economy. The government did not intervene directly in personal life, but expected people to stay away from politics. Designers were assigned the pleasant task of making homes more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Home decor slowly became a hobby. By this time, interior design exhibitions (organized by Hungary’s Design Council) promoting the modern home were also appearing in larger towns and attracting respectable numbers. In 1965, the first issue of Lakáskultúra (‘home decor’) was published with playful educational exercises and home decor tips. It often included articles by respected designers. Ezermester (‘handyman’) was a classic DIY magazine of the era which also published its Szép otthon (‘fine home’) special issues.