A vibrant Victorian villa in Hastings

‘I suppose I would describe my approach to decorating as slightly haphazard,’ laughs Susan Wealthdale as she sums up the bold, eclectic and creative decor of the unique Victorian villa in Hastings that she shares with her husband, Julian.

Haphazard or not, it works: every room of their stylish four-storey house, which they moved into 10 years ago, is a tapestry of colour and pattern, clever combinations and unexpected elements, all of which demonstrate a lifetime of travel, creativity and wide-ranging influences.

‘I’ve always had strong opinions on style, be it fashion or interiors,’ Susan admits. ‘When I was a student in London more than 50 years ago, I fell in love with vintage clothing dating from the 1920s to the 1950s, and would seek out authentic pieces in places like Portobello Market. Not only were they cheap back then, they were unique: I’ve always liked things that are a bit different, and I loved imagining the ‘lives’ of those clothes before they belonged to me.’

Her love of vintage clothing gradually extended to ‘bits and pieces’ for the home, too. ‘My career in the music business saw me living in Hamburg for a time, and one evening every month any household that wanted to get rid of items would put them on the street so people could help themselves,’ she recalls.

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‘Sometimes, I’d come across wonderful vintage pieces that were often overlooked. While I was in Germany, I also started to collect lovely little pieces of delicately coloured crystal glassware, that would have been on a dressing table for trinkets. I thought they were beautiful, even if nobody else was particularly interested!’

Living in Germany also helped to establish Susan’s individual design aesthetic. ‘In the main, the decor there was so beige and restrained at that time,’ she recalls. ‘It didn’t suit my sensibilities at all, so I went in the opposite direction altogether – I think we call it maximalism now!’

Luckily, Julian is also an advocate of the ‘more is more’ approach to decor, and over the years the couple have picked up much-loved pieces in far-flung spots all over the world, from flea markets and brocantes to antiques emporiums and auctions, souks, junk shops, car boot sales and more.

‘We tend to buy what we fancy rather than adhere to a particular look – it’s much more about choosing items and souvenirs that evoke memories, and a sense of place,’ explains Susan.

‘Over the years, we have gradually collected or inherited certain items that all mean something: even now, my favourite piece is a crocodile made from snakeskin that my father brought back from his time in West Africa during the Second World War. It sits on the mantelpiece in the sitting room with various other pieces we love. Somehow, all these items and colours seem to work together.’

The couple’s confident approach to decor has served both them – and the house – well. ‘Of course, it’s important to respect a property’s heritage and original features, but that doesn’t mean you have to conform to a particular style or existing layout,’ Susan says.

‘We’ve made this our own home, and no doubt the people who live here in the future will do exactly the same. I just hope they don’t paint it beige!’