The home of shop owner Kelly Wood, who runs The Hen House in Southwell, Nottingham, is a treasure trove of antique curios. Framed artwork and botanical prints mount the walls, vintage stoneware pots line the surfaces of oak cupboards, and an eclectic mix of small tables occupy the sides of beds and sofas.
Styling with vintage collectables
“It’s basically a collection of the things I love,” says Kelly. “My work life has definitely had an impact on how my house looks. I’m always out buying for the shop at antique fairs and flea markets, so there are many times when things that may have been intended for sale at the shop have stayed at home.”
The Hen House offers a curated range of antique furniture and homewares, such as rustic pine dressers, Italian bamboo armchairs and timeless oil paintings. The small, thoughtful touches in Kelly’s home are the same collectables in her online shop, including primitive wooden boxes, farmhouse stools and ceramic marmalade pots.
Kelly and her partner, Rupert, have been living in their current home in Newark, Nottinghamshire, for over six years. Typical in style for a Victorian semi-detached, it has a bay window, slate roof and a stained-glass front door, which they had specially made by a local joiner using stained glass replicating an original Victorian porch door.
“There was lots of potential to put some life back into the property as it had previously been rented for eight years,” says Kelly. “There were brown carpets and magnolia walls in every room. Now, every room has been renovated, and we have installed a new kitchen and bathroom.”
Uncovering the past
Their first job was to get rid of the gas fire in the living room and fit it, and the snug, with wood burners. Most rooms have uncovered all original floors, and wood flooring has been laid in the bedrooms and living room. In the snug, they uncovered original quarry tiles hidden by plaster, paint and cement. “They were grim, but with a lot of elbow grease, they came up beautifully,” says Kelly.
“I think my hallway is a feature in itself, with the handmade front door, original quarry tiles and an unusually wide staircase, along with a vintage folding bench and walls full of artwork sourced from flea markets, auctions and antique fairs.”
Decor with personality
Kelly’s eye for vintage finds and her aversion to bare walls means every space, wall or otherwise, is mindfully curated with unique pieces with a history. Her favourite item is a 1950s Mickey Mouse money box purchased for £4 on eBay. “He sits proudly in my kitchen and just makes me smile,” says Kelly.
“I always think it takes time for your home to become what it is. I love collecting things, and I feel my home really works around what I have bought or collected. I never set out to have a certain style,” she says. “I love being at home and spending time there, so I want to enjoy and appreciate everything around me.”
