This Former ‘Teenage Goth’ Made the Dreamiest Dark and Moody House on a Budget

Name: Amber Kaye and family
Location: Manchester, UK
Type of home: Victorian house
Size: 1400 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I’m a print/pattern designer for home textiles, mother to Ziah and wife to Anthony. Our home is a four-bedroom Victorian semi in Manchester. We instantly fell in love with the house when we saw it as we both love period properties. It stretched our budget when we bought it and so we have decorated resourcefully by buying second-hand/vintage, upcycling furniture, and painting bathroom tiles. The majority of the changes we’ve made are cosmetic; I’ve probably spent most of our money on soft finishing. I can’t resist a good cushion or throw. We’ve tried to retain as many original features as possible as it brings so much character to the house.

I was a teenage goth and I’m 100% a goth at heart. I am drawn to things dark and moody but I also love bold colors. I like a good mix of vintage and antique with modern influences here and there. As a professional creative I’m exposed to lots of imagery and so I try to go with what I’m naturally drawn to. I like lots of different conflicting styles and sometimes this means things really work and sometimes it doesn’t! I’m a Capricorn and very stubborn — I think this helps persuade my husband to go along with my creative ideas.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Moody, maximal, eclectic, bohemian, vintage

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room is the lounge. Before we bought the house I really wanted a room with black walls but was obviously nervous about doing it. I’m so pleased we went for it because the room oozes atmosphere and pleases my soul.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The spare room was most recently decorated. I bought the wall mural from a friend who has an independent homeware brand called Avalana. The color I have it in is not available on the website but this is the mural in a slightly different color.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Go with what you’re naturally drawn to. Make a bit of a plan before you start buying things for a room. Your starting point for inspiration can come from anywhere: a film, a holiday, a cushion. Similar colors and accents through accessories help pull everything together but don’t feel like you have to play by the rules.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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