A mum has shared how she transformed her plain house into a colourful “maximalist” abode – complete with a quirky cocktail bar and risqué ornaments.
Nikki Shore, 53, from Ware, and husband James, 41, purchased the property in September 2011 and have spent the last decade renovating and redecorating to create their “forever home”.
They hired builders to complete a renovation of the home, converting the loft to create a third bedroom, as well as having a porch extension, kitchen extension and conservatory extension over the years.
But the real transformation came from their choice of décor – adding Nikki’s trademark “maximalist” look, inspired by the Art Deco movement with an assortment of bright colours, clashing wallpapers and quirky knick-knacks throughout the home.
In the kitchen, which was formally painted light green with plain white cabinetry, Nikki has chosen clashing dark green and baby pink walls – and even a pink tap.
The quirky mum is a fan of more risqué ornaments, with additions including a pair of pink mannequin legs with a plant bursting out of the groin area and a matching pink-and-gold headless bust hanging next to the fridge.
Completing the room is the lighting fixture – a gold disco ball.
The lounge is almost unrecognisable, having previously been painted a light cream colour, with wooden flooring, a stone fireplace and neutral furnishings.
Now, the room is painted green with a red velvet sofa full of clashing cushions, dozens of pictures and artwork in opulent frames, and a leopard print carpet leading upstairs.
The bedrooms are every bit as full of life, with the loft bedroom being transformed from a drab room with beige carpet and lilac walls, to a funky paradise – with pink leaf-patterned wallpaper, opulent gold décor, a bright pink bed and plenty of leafy plants.
The garden has undergone an equally impressive transformation, having previously been a lawn surrounded by brown fence, with a washing line strung down the middle.
In lockdown, Nikki and James created their own pink and green cocktail bar – accessed via the bright pink conservatory – decorated with flamingos, colourful lights and decked seating area.
At the end of the garden, reached by bright blue paving stones and lit up with fairy lights and candles, is a green garden room – which their son Hayden, 13, uses as a gaming room.
Nikki’s style is so popular that she has built a following of more than 15,000 people on Instagram (@weeny_victorian_house_in_ware), where she shares shots of her carefully-curated home.
“I would say I am an eclectic maximalist,” Nikki, who works as a senior lead analyst, told Jam Press.
“I love lots of colour and adore vintage – mainly the 1920’s era.
“I would say I haven’t stuck to one era throughout the house, its mainly Art Deco but there are other styles/decades – I think a miss match works.
“I do love colour, especially the pink and green combination which I think really works. I also like black and gold.
“I love gallery walls and am addicted to buying art.
“I think there is an interior design rule that you should only have one gallery wall but I have definitely broken that!”
While she doesn’t do it professionally, Nikki is a qualified interior designer and describes it as her “passion”.
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