Bright & beautiful

This 19th-century Hastings villa has been embellished with brilliant colour, fascinating collections and unique pieces, all of which reflect the lives and interests of its creative owners

- SHARON PARSONS

'I suppose I would describe my approach to decorating as slightly haphazard,' laughs Susan Wealthdale as she sums up the bold, eclectic and creative decor of the unique Victorian villa in Hastings that she shares with her husband, Julian.

Haphazard or not, it works: every room of their stylish four-storey house, which they moved into 10 years ago, is a tapestry of colour and pattern, clever combinations and unexpected elements, all of which demonstrate a lifetime of travel, creativity and wide-ranging influences. I've always had strong opinions on style, be it fashion or interiors, Susan admits. When I was a student in London more than 50 years ago, I fell in love with vintage clothing dating from the 1920s to the 1950s, and would seek out authentic pieces in places like Portobello Market. Not only were they cheap back then, they were unique: I've always liked things that are a bit different, and I loved imagining the lives of those clothes before they belonged to me.'