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Mom gives tour after transforming home into 70s themed paradise with thrift store finds
Stepping inside is like being transported to another time. What wonderful ideas on how to incorporate the old with the new!
Naomi Lai
10.12.20

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.

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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.

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I did it, I only bloody did it and tackled the huge floordrobe in our room, hiking to the peak of everest had nothing on that baby, a giant mound of 70s crimplene, faux fur and sequins, it looked like a drag queen's charity shop donation. 🤦‍♀️😂 . Styled up the Greek flokati rug I bought at the car boot for £12, can decide if I prefer it as a rug or a throw, one thing I do know that by thrifting I saved myself £400, and saved something beautiful from landfill 😁 . I think that this possibly is one of my best ever thrifts, whats yours? . Almost everything thrifted. Wallpaper @kitschkatz Bed, shelf – @facebookmarketplace Curtains, side lights, main chandelier, sheepskin on floor (vintage) – @ebay_uk Flokati rug/throw, wings of love picture, phone, planters, books, accessories, cushions – Charity shops and Car boot Sales . . . . #70sstyle #70sinteriordesign #decorcrushing #eclectichome #maximalist #vintagehome #styledupinterior #sorealhomes #eclecticallycool  #myeclectichome #moreismoredecor  #atomicranch  #Smallspacesquad #interiordesire #interiorwarrior #homedetails #howyouhome #luxeathome #vogueliving #laidbackluxe #colourmyhome #apartmenttherapy #ihavethisthingwithcolour #crashbangcolour #colourfulhome #eclecticdecor #maximalism #maximalistinteriors #habitatandhome #instahomedecor

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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.

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This is our home, you may have seen it in the press this week. . If you're here because you have spotted us, then a big warm welcome, hope you stick around 😉 . To me, living with second hand, and old things is second nature, it honestly doesn't occur to me to buy new things. We love our home and everything we have put in it. . Thanks for all the positive love guys, its been a weird one. When I interviewed with an independent journalist a while back I had no idea the article would be picked up by the national press and run in so many places. I'm still baffled that people are interested 😂 . Photos by Alex Cousins for @swns . #70shousemanchester #70sdecor #70s #70sstyle #kitschluxe #manchester #70sinteriordesign #trashitreasure #shootlocation #retrodecor #decorcrushing #mythriftedhome #ebayfinds #eclectichome #maximalist #vintagehome #walltowallstyle #retrohauls #styledupinterior #sorealhomes #eclecticallycool  #myeclectichome #moreismoredecor  #peepmypad #atomicranch  #apartmenttherapy #crashbangcolour  #colorlovedecor

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She has really brought her retro fantasy to life!
“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.

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Happy Wednesday from Instragrams one and only Disco bathroom 🌐✨ . I cleaned her up yesterday so all the thousands of copper glass tiles are shining again. . Can't believe it's hump day again, it's also my turn to host Retrohauls today so post your retro swag and tag us in and give us a follow @retrohauls . . . . #70sinteriordesign #70sdecor #70sstyle #decorcrushing #mythriftedhome #retrohauls #snapshotofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #styleithappy #colourmyhome #walltowallstyle #mygorgeousgaff  #howyouhome  #scrollstoppinghomes #currenthomeview #showmeyourstyled #hometohave #makehomeyours #simplystyleyourspace #bathroominspo #maximalist  #interiorstyle #myhomevibe #livingroomstyle #sorealhomes #ebayfinds #realhomesofinstagram #70shome

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But she doesn’t leave her obsession with the 1970s at the door.

She loves to step out in retro clothing, frequently slaying in outfits that could have been pulled straight from a Biba catalogue.

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Hello to followers old and new. Welcome to @70shousemanchester come on in…. 😂 . Well, yesterday was really weird, REALLY WEIRD! This time last year if you told me I'd be interviewed for @bbcnews and @bbcradiomanchester in one day because of my tat collecting habit, I'd have laughed and told you to F right off 😂 . For those that have joined because you spotted me on North West Tonight, you'll expect a slightly mad, potty mouthed person who collects 70s tat like a kid collects panini stickers and also likes a good natter on dms (feel free to drop me a line) . Don't worry I don't show my mush on here very often, I'm more likely seen looking like a hobo chatting to you on stories. . I'm working on some new bits in the house using our new range so thatll be exciting. . Historically I've shared our home, vintage inspiration and other accounts I love on Sunday, tell me, dear followers what you want to see more or, or less of, as Billy Butlin, who cribbed Shakespeare "Our true intent is for all your delight" . . . . #70sinteriordesign #shootlocation  #mythriftedhome #atomicranch  #retrohauls #snapshotofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #styleithappy #colourmyhome #walltowallstyle #mygorgeousgaff  #howyouhome  #scrollstoppinghomes #currenthomeview #showmeyourstyled #hometohave #makehomeyours #simplystyleyourspace #midcenturymodern #myeclecticmix  #interiorstyle #fearlessinteriors #livingroomstyle #sorealhomes #ebayfinds #realhomesofinstagram #70shome #interiordesign #70shomedecor #70sdecor

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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

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DOUBLE CELEBRATION – The Tiger That Came To Tea. . We had a birthday tea at the weekend for our 4 year old, covid and local lockdown put pay to having any of his little chums over to celebrate, so we had a tiger instead like one of his favourite Judith Kerr books. . I was going to post this anyway today, but double celebration here as I woke up to 30k followers, which absolutely blows me away. I suppose I should have sorted something like a give away in standard insta fashion, but yet again I've failed to sort anything 🤦‍♀️ I'll do one when I launch the new collection of wallpaper, fabrics and accessories. . Thank you to all of you that follow me on this little grid, its been a crazy, crazy year and never in my wildest dreams I thought I'd ever be here. ❤️ . #70shousemanchester #30k #interiorsnapshot #styleithappy #colourmyhome #walltowallstyle #myeclecticmix #maximalist #retro #vintagedecor #manchester #party #retro #retrodecor #midcenturyliving #70sinteriordesign #70sdecor #sodomino #moreismoredecor #70shomedecor #70schildhood #retrohome #thetigerwhocametotea #judithkerr

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Her three-bedroom has totally transformed into a retro-lover’s fever dream. And the internet is loving it.

She has more than 30,000 followers on Instagram!

People looking to take a little inspiration from her amazing eye for interior design, and tips on how and where to find the best antiques.

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A view less seen….. . House plants make a room, before I moved to Manchester I didn't have any plants at all. . I love super 70s style plants like monstera and spider plants. . Do you enjoy plants at home? Which ones are your favourite? . Plants & Lava Lamp on sideboard part of previous gifted/discounted collaboration from @mathmos_originals and @oneclickplants . . . #70sinteriordesign #shootlocation  #mythriftedhome #retrohauls #snapshotofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #styleithappy #colourmyhome #walltowallstyle #mygorgeousgaff  #howyouhome  #scrollstoppinghomes #currenthomeview #showmeyourstyled #hometohave #makehomeyours #simplystyleyourspace #midcenturymodern #myeclecticmix  #interiorstyle #fearlessinteriors #livingroomstyle #sorealhomes #ebayfinds #realhomesofinstagram #70shome #interiordesign #70shomedecor #70sdecor #plantsofinstagram

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“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.

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