Name: Becky Emmett and Cheeky the cat
Location: Hove; Sussex, UK
Size: approximately 500 square feet
Years lived in: 5 years
A light-up McDonald’s sign, a pair of buffalo horns, a miniature Ghostbusters tableau, framed graffiti on the walls, a gumball machine in the living room: Becky’s one bedroom apartment in central Hove packs a lot of personality into a small space. She has transformed the basement flat of a tall, skinny, very English Victorian townhouse into an Americana-inspired Aladdin’s cave of vintage, retro and salvaged finds.
The homage to American pop culture and design runs all the way through Becky’s home. Her fondness for all things stateside comes from her British mother who was raised in Palm Springs: “I have happy memories of California and I love New York for its art and vibrancy.” On trips to New York, Becky has added to her impressive graffiti collection with pieces by Claw Money, Cope2 and Cap. But the most eye-catching piece is outside, a 6 foot high spray painted ‘B is buff’. It was a surprise Valentine’s message from a now ex-boyfriend. Luckily they are still on good terms. “I can see it through the window when I wash the dishes, and it makes me smile.”
Becky’s apartment is full to the brim with her many and varied collections: Nikes in every hue, the letter B everywhere, toys from the 70s and 80s. “It’s a childhood nostalgia thing for all the toys I was never allowed.” But somehow she makes it feel curated and not cluttered. Becky has an admirable ‘one in, two out’ rule and doesn’t buy things on a whim. Everything in Becky's place is actively hunted down at Dodo Vintage where she works, on Ebay, at markets and in thrift stores. It’s kitschy, it’s retro, it’s colorful, but mostly it’s fun.
My Style: Eclectic. I love collecting anything different or unusual. I'm not a hoarder, but there is a fine line between clutter and collecting.
Inspiration: Toys, graffiti, Americana.
Favorite Element: The McDonald's sign. I was searching for years, and I finally found one on Ebay.
Biggest Challenge: Not overcluttering. I have to stick to my 'one in, two out' rule or it would be terrible.
What Friends Say: "It's a fun place to come to."
Proudest DIY: I painted the front of the house.
Biggest Indulgence: The artwork, which is all based on graffiti. I feel lucky to have some of the pieces in my collection. I'd like to get something by KAWS next.
Best Advice: Don't follow the rules. Go with whatever makes you happy.
Dream Sources: There is a sign graveyard in Las Vegas. I'd love to go there. Also the Old Cinema in Chiswick, London for vintage furniture.
McDonald's sign: ebayBuffalo horns: Dodo VintageGumball vending machine: thrift storeFisher price record player: ebayGraffiti: by Tox, Cope2, Claw Money, Cap and INSAPull down light: ebayChalkboard coffee table: found in skip
Leather armchair and footstool: Dodo VintageRed vinyl wall stickers: DomesticExpedit shelves: IKEAPiano keys as doorstop: Dodo Vintage
Sofa: HomebasePrint maker's tray: Dodo Vintage
Curtains: homemade with fabric from Brighton Saturday market
Letter B stencil: Not on the High Street
units: installed by previous owner
Bed:IKEAFlower garland: homemade
Bedside table: old ballot box from Dodo VintageFrench factory chair: Dodo VintageBedside lamp: Maclamp by Conran from Brighton Saturday marketBotanical wall print: Dodo VintagePink chair: found in a skip and repaintedMetal lockers: Dodo VintageBlanket box: garage saleBMX: custom madeBookshelves: crates from Dodo Vintage
Chest of drawers: present from my motherHatbox: garage sale
Thanks, Becky!
(Images: Rebecca Bond)
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