Personal Taste

I have photographed thousands of homes and commercial premises over the last 20 years or so, and the range of decor-types is simply staggering. Each property is individual, and you need to respect the fact that each home has been a sanctuary for its inhabitants no matter the visible state of the place, and the myriad styles exhibited within those walls. I recently photographed a house with some of the most eccentric interior elements that I’ve seen in my career - even after the £500K worth of Nazi memorabilia had been completely stripped from its dedicated exhibition room subsequent to the selling agent pleading with the owner to remove it all in order to give them a chance to market it without undue contention.

So with that in mind, here are a few of the more memorable examples of times when I’ve walked in and thought “Help ma’ Boab!”.

The house I alluded to earlier was actually a pine-clad home absolutely stuffed to the brim with “stuff” collected and commissioned by the owner. Every bit of space was home to a wall sign, stuffed animal, jukebox, or historical artefact that would have the grandkids screaming with excitement. The dominating centrepiece was the giraffe neck protruding from the wall in the main lounge space. Various signs obtained from various north-east mental hospitals were dotted around the place, and a sign saying “Black Sambos” with an arrow showing direction of travel was placed at the bottom of the stairs up to the mezzanine level. The entire room of nazi stuff had been completely removed, and the garage was packed with more stuffed animals including a male lion. The viewings would be a total treat to observe.

Indian owners provide some of the most eclectic interior decor out there, and this place didn’t fail to deliver the goods. This gargantuan property on Montagu Avenue in swanky Gosforth has now been completely gutted and refurbed by some trillionaire, but it was a 1970’s showhome when I visited. The owners at the time were a retired surgeon and his family. The house was apparently built by the traveller family involved with the creation of The Hoppings - the biggest funfair in Europe which visits the adjacent Town Moor every June, and the decor had been adapted a few decades ago to reflect the cultural heritage of the Indian family within. Some of the original features remained, but the use of mirrors, leather-padded walls, thrones, and over the top gilt surfaces dominated the space. The highlight was a subterranean nightclub which had suffered some flood damage, but presumably could accommodate hundreds of people in it’s heyday. It was like being back in Madisons in the late 80’s. I would give anything to have a look at the house now that it’s been transformed.

Off to the depths of County Durham next. This was a farmhouse which looked to be pretty normal and modern at first glance, but the complex domestic situation became apparent within minutes. This was about 9 years ago, so I’m sure I’m not revealing any personal secrets. The married couple were divorcing, but were forced to remain in the property until the house was sold and they could finally go their separate ways with the means to do so. To accomodate this, they lived in completely separate halves of the house - one was a contemporary, comfortable space with modern kitchen, lounge, bedrooms, and a spectacular temperature controlled wine cellar carved into the floor of the living space. The other half was a tired, dilapidated wing which was previously used to house elderly relatives as far as I could tell. One of the bedrooms housed a spectacular train set with a hole in the middle. The poor bloke had this half. It was literally like shooting two separate houses. I hope they found their happiness in the end.

Staying in Durham, this one was on South St - one of the oldest thoroughfares in the city, and home to a row of gorgeous terraced townhouses overlooking Durham Cathedral. As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. Another giraffe! The place had previously served as a posh B&B, but was now a residential home draining the owners of cash, as it was just the two of them in a six-bedroomed behemoth. Much like the “nazi house”, every bit of available space was filled with “quirky” things like stuffed animals, statues, skeletons, and memorabillia acquired from every corner of the world. Getting any work done in the study would have been impossible because of the evil-looking masks and whatever staring you down. The new buyers would have a lovely home to work with once the clearance had taken place however.

Look at the location of this bad-boy! The owner had a boutique hotel next door to his home - complete with a gold Rolls Royce in the rear garden section no less. The home reflected the hotel perfectly, with stuff planted everywhere. The house quickly went viral on the property listing mickey-take sites - sometimes a good thing in terms of exposure and potential interest - due to the Chinese statues guarding the main lounge and dining area. The multi-ethnic theme continued throughout, with an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus displayed in one of the bedrooms. I later shot the hotel next door, but never found out if either property sold succesfully.

Last, but definitely not least was this big country mansion house in Durham - owned by a local hairdresser with a particularly flamboyant style. Every inch of space was adorned with over-the-top wallpaper/paint/gilted surfaces and accessories. The kitchen was spared any of the flamboyance thankfully. The highlight here has been described in a post a good few years ago - an evil clown which faces the door to the master bedroom suite, and greets you as you walk in. Terrifying.

There are scores of other examples I could have included, but I’d bore the wits out of you to be honest. It shows just how varied our personal spaces can be - and it also shows how buyers need to see past the decor in front of them to appreciate the individual house which could eventually become their own home. Just don’t stick a stuffed giraffe in their mate.