“We’re proud of the space we’ve created and have filled it with references to queer life by the seaside,” Marion, who’s passionate about film and works at BIMM University, explains. 

They both are immigrants — Hannah is German-Canadian, and Marion is from Belgium — so you’ll see books in many languages and photographs of the places they’ve lived alongside Sapphic literature, keepsakes from their travels, and plenty of plants. Their travels likely inspired the pair to create the LGBTQIA+ travel blog, Gay Girls Guide. 

“We’ve been able to add references to our other homes within this home,” Hannah says. “It helps, in a way, when either of us gets a little homesick.”

The apartment — that they share with their two cats, Pascal and Margot — is also the location for Movies at Medina, the queer film club they host together. 

Marion studied film and previously volunteered in film programming, and starting Movies at Medina was a great way to share her knowledge and create a community. Both Marion and Hannah are particularly fond of queer classics such as But I’m a Cheerleader and Carol and often have themed events with opportunities for guests to dress up if they want.

“Even in Brighton and Hove, queer spaces are disappearing, particularly spaces for queer women,” Hannah adds. “So we realized these spaces can also exist within our homes.”

This shows up in their home decor style, where their goal is to create a welcoming and warm environment for all who visit. They explain that small things add to this, like offering guests slippers to pop on when they come through the door. The home feels big for them, so they’re always happy to host friends and family who might want to stay for the weekend and even have spare dry robes to encourage their guests to jump into the sea with them.

When it comes to their home decor approach, Marion laughs: “We pick things up from the bin!” The two love to find secondhand pieces, whether they come across them tossed away or in one of the local vintage shops. Hannah’s advice is to arrange around the plants and books, joking that most home decor pieces simply exist to put more plants and books on. They love to experiment, too, and find themselves with a new mantelpiece every season.

This is the first time the two have lived together, so there has been the added special element of creating a home that represents their relationship. “It has been really interesting to merge our styles,” Hannah adds. “The most significant thing for me — even more than moving in together — was merging our book collections. Once that was done, I was like, ‘OK, well, we’ve combined our books. It’s official!’”

Reflecting on sharing a home, Marion says it’s been easy. “I noticed as soon as we moved in together that coming home to this space, I come home and I just feel relaxed. I’m just so happy to get to come home to spend time with Hannah.”

• All Rooms — Landlord Beige

ENTRY

• Shoe Baskets — IKEA
• Vintage Chair — Found on the Street
• Mirror — The Futon Company

• Sofa — Facebook Marketplace
• Rug — Facebook Marketplace
• Wardrobe & Glass Cabinet — YMCA Charity Shop
• Mustard Egg Chair — Stolen from an Ex (Sorry!)
• Rocking Chair — Facebook Marketplace
• Bookshelves — IKEA
• Piano — Facebook Marketplace, Painted by Hannah
• Painted Nude Woman — Three Angels
• Grey Armchair — IKEA

• Desk — DIY
• Work Lamp — Handmade by Hannah’s Brother
• Bookshelves — Facebook Marketplace

• Smeg Fridge — Facebook Marketplace
• Table — Facebook Marketplace
• Eames Chairs — Freecycle
• Other Chairs — Facebook Marketplace
• LE ST. JACQUES Print — Permild & Rosengreen

• Bed Frame — Facebook Marketplace
• Trunk — YMCA Charity Shop
• Hannah’s Dresser — Department Flea Market
• Hannah’s Bedside Lamp — Department Flea Market
• Marion’s Dresser — Found on the Street
• Vintage Milking Stool — Three Angels
• Floor Cushion — Three Angels
• Giant Mirror — YMCA Charity Shop

Thanks, Hannah and Marion!

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

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