What’s your favorite era? Many people feel like they were born in the wrong decade. They would rather be drinking champagne cocktails at a trendy 1920s speakeasy, or ‘cutting a rug’ in a 50s poodle skirt.
For Estelle Bilson, she feels most at home in the 70s. The era of bellbottoms, disco dancing, and shag carpets.
She’s always loved the retro aesthetic, and has been collecting original vintage pieces since she was just 13 years old.
“When I was at university you could pick up 1970s bits and bobs on the street when people were having a clear-out.” – Estelle
Whether it was attending auctions or spending hours digging through thrift stores, she’d be there. And she found some great gems trawling through eBay.
“Mostly I stumble upon things when I’m not even looking for them, like my dining table and chairs and my space-age bed.” – Estelle.
When she, her husband, and four year old son bought their home in Manchester, UK five years ago, she was finally able to decorate with her prized antiques.
And the entire interior re-design only cost her about £1,500 ($2000 USD)!
She was able to marry her love for the 70s with her keen eye for home design. As an upholstery designer, she could customize all her furniture to complement the rest of the home and still keep it looking fresh. It also helped to keep the costs down!
All of her amazing antiques are now on display, making a walk through the inside of her home feel like stepping into a time machine. Like a reverse-Austin Powers moment.
“Things were built to last back then and to be repaired, not discarded.” – Estelle
The only modern home items she’s purchased, are a mattress and a vacuum cleaner. Some things just need to be new, you know?
Everything else, including a TV inspired by the Space Race and a flashy disco ball hanging from the ceiling in the gold bathroom, are totally authentic.
She and her partner love their sleek 70s home. Though not all aspects of her life are in keeping with 70s grooviness. They do have modern laptops, smart phones, and they invested in a more modern TV. Especially with a young child at home, it’s a 21st century necessity.
She has described her own style as a bit kitsch. Defined by Urban Dictionary as “pleasingly distasteful”.
“I’m a bit like a kitsch magpie; anything really random, gold, shiny, multi-colored, and the weirder the better. That’s why I’ve got the tiger and flamingo sculptures.” – Estelle
“Some [Instagrammers] have compared it to a shrine or a museum–it’s neither. It’s simply our home which we chose to furnish with things that make us happy.” – Estelle
And now it’s making others happy too. I will definitely be browsing through my local thrift stores sometime soon!
Watch the full tour by clicking below, and prepare to be transported back in time.