{"id":562,"date":"2025-04-12T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/?p=562"},"modified":"2025-04-13T08:04:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-13T08:04:49","slug":"what-i-own-i-decorated-my-148000-bristol-flat-like-a-famous-80s-nightclub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/12\/what-i-own-i-decorated-my-148000-bristol-flat-like-a-famous-80s-nightclub\/","title":{"rendered":"What I Own: I decorated my \u00a3148,000 Bristol flat like a famous 80s nightclub"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Harry\t<\/div>
We’re in colourful Bristol this week visiting Harry Matuszewicz-Milne (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Welcome back to What I Own<\/a> \u2013 Metro\u2019s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.<\/a><\/p>\n

Harry Matuszewicz-Milne moved to Bristol<\/a> with his wife in 2011. A year later, they purchased their \u00a3148,000 two-bedroom flat where they live with their two-year-old Cavapoo, Bonnie.<\/p>\n

It might now be 2025, but inside, it’s 1982 \u2014 the very same year The Ha\u00e7ienda nightclub<\/a> opened its doors in Manchester<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The venue was the epicentre of a music scene that pulsed through the veins of not just Manchester<\/a>, but rave culture across the UK in the 1980s and early 1990s. Legends from Oasis and The Happy Mondays to The Stone Roses and even Madonna<\/a> performed there.<\/p>\n

As soon as he picked up his keys to his Bristol home, Harry, now an interior designer<\/a>, knew that he wanted to commemorate the nightclub, which closed in 1997.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry retrained as an interior designer last year (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inside, it’s a maximalist dream, with leopard prints, blaring colour and the same yellow and black striped hazard tape that adorned the walls of The Ha\u00e7ienda.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tReady to start your homebuying journey?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Award winning service from the UK\u2019s leading mortgage broker<\/p>\n

\u2013 Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week<\/p>\n

\u2013 Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market<\/p>\n

Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice.<\/p>\n

Find out how much you could borrow online<\/a><\/p>\n

Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

With that in mind, here’s what Harry had to say about his property journey…<\/p>\n

Tell us about yourself! <\/strong><\/h3>\n

I’m Harry, aged 42. I\u2019m originally from Aberdeen but have been in Bristol since 2011. <\/p>\n

I was a registered mental health<\/a> nurse until very recently, and then I requalified as an interior designer after I graduated with a first from the University of the West of England (UWE) last summer.<\/p>\n

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Old Market, right in the centre of Bristol. My wife and love it here. We can walk everywhere we need to get to, so I rarely get taxis.<\/p>\n

Town is right on the doorstep, but Old Market itself has a great range of pubs, shops, a bakery and places to eat. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Beforehand, he worked as a mental health nurse (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When did you move in? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

July 2012. <\/p>\n

How much did your property cost? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a3148,000.<\/p>\n

How much was your deposit? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a322,200.<\/p>\n

What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a31,151 per month.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
It’s a maximalist dream in here (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Mandatory\t<\/div>
Harry’s broadly inspired by rave culture (Picture: Peter J Walsh\/Pymca\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How did you save up for your deposit? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

We were able to save up a lot over the years. When I was a nurse, I worked extra shifts, which would often give me an extra weeks’ pay per month. We also got married in 2008, and were kindly gifted money from our guests. <\/p>\n

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

It was relatively straightforward. We used the services of a financial advisor, who talked us through things. In many ways, it was daunting as nobody teaches you stuff like this at school. <\/p>\n

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate\/term)?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

It was a 33-year term.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Before they moved in, Harry and his wife were renting in Clifton (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where did you live before this \u2013 were you renting or living with family? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

We’d been renting a property in Clifton. We were fortunate to have a good landlord, but it was a bit dingy as it was a basement flat. Before that, we’d been renting in Aberdeen.<\/p>\n

What made you want to buy rather than rent? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

I wanted to be able to decorate properly! I was really excited about this aspect. And as our flat was relatively cheap, the mortgage ended up costing less than our rent did, and for a much bigger space.<\/p>\n

How did you find this property? What made you choose it? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

I think it was through Zoopla. It had been on the market for a while, and the estate agent told us people thought it was too big, which seems insane! I’d rather have this than a pokey wee place.<\/p>\n

We chose it for the central location, it being a beautiful historical building, the massive rooms, high ceilings and big windows. <\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry says the flat was a ‘blank canvas’ for them to decorate (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was also a blank canvas for us as all the walls were plain white to put our own mark on. We knew as soon as we viewed it that we wanted to live here.<\/p>\n

How have you made the property feel like home? What\u2019s the inspiration for your interior decor style? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

My love of DJ-ing, acid house, dance music and dance culture eventually led me to reading up about the history and origins of the movement, which is where I first learnt about The Hacienda. <\/p>\n

I instantly fell in love with Ben Kelly’s iconic design – it just really resonated with me and turbo charged my interest in interior design, and\u00a0to studying it at UWE. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, I’m just slightly too young to have ever partied there, but I remain obsessed with it to this day. I wrote my last essay at university about its design, and even managed to interview Ben Kelly as part of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I’m very lucky that my wife is extremely laid-back and was fine giving me free reign to go nuts interior-wise when we bought the flat. There are a lot of prominent beams, and straight away I knew I’d paint them like those that were at the Hacienda. We didn’t decorate it all in one go; it\u2019s been more of an organic process.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Mandatory\t<\/div>
A clubber by the yellow hazard tape and bollards similar to those in Harry’s home (Picture: Peter J Walsh\/Pymca\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’ve always thought most people\u2019s homes are a bit boring really \u2013 and I’ve been asked before why our flat is so loud, but I always think, why is everyone else\u2019s so dull?<\/p>\n

I’m also inspired by industrial and rustic themes, as well as Bristol’s street art scene, pop art, kitsch, maximalism, dance music\/rave\/acid house culture and even politics and activism.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry’s favourite room is the living room-cum-nightclub (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s your favourite room and why? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The living room\/home bar\/nightclub! I feel I’ve poured all that I am as a designer into this room, as well as reminding me that this was essentially the room where I became a designer.<\/p>\n

Do you feel like you have enough space? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pre-lockdown, yes, we did. But now, the spare room is my wife\u2019s home office. I also really need space for a workshop and my own design studio, as I take the next step in opening my own interior design practice. <\/p>\n

Do you have plans to change the property? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

No. But we are now selling up to get a house that will fit in a design studio, workshop (and maybe even a nightclub room).<\/p>\n

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nope!<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry says his wife is very relaxed about the decorating (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What do you want people to know about buying a home? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Honestly, we just got really lucky with a flat that, for unexplainable reasons, couldn’t shift for what was a real bargain price.<\/p>\n

But I can’t give people advice on how to have good luck. The housing market is a killer, and I believe the government really needs to do more to help young people get on the ladder.<\/p>\n

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

We’re selling up and looking to move to a house in Edinburgh for a change of scene – I want to explore more work opportunities and hopefully get a new place to put my stamp on with more space.<\/p>\n

Shall we have a look around?<\/h3>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Welcome home! (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
We’re huge fans of the leopard print sofa (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
…Pat Butcher realness? (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Spot the playful acid house sign in the background (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry’s a big fan of the bar space he’s created inside the living room (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
It’s just like the disco ball inside the original nightclub (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Do we have a Nintendo fan? (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
You can’t go wrong with a lava lamp either (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
It’s a pop of colour in here (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry and his wife are moving back to Edinburgh (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Even the traffic bollards are Ha\u00e7ienda-style (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Shall we put a record on? (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Pop art is another of Harry’s interior design inspirations (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
There’s another disco ball in here (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Even the hallway is colourful (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry’s wife uses the second bedroom as her home office (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
They repurposed the second bedroom during the lockdown (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
In their next space, Harry wants his own workshop (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
…which is part of the reason they’re moving to Edinburgh (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry is constantly asked why his flat is so ‘loud’ (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
…and in turn, he wonders why other homes are so ‘dull’ (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
A splash of yellow in the kitchen is always a good idea (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Even the bin matches the cupboards (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
The wallpaper in here is super funky (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
We’re always in favour of clashing patterns (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Are those two cinema seats we spy? (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Look at those big bassy speakers (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Is this the ultimate party flat? We think so (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
We think we’re allergic to mornings, too (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
One can never have too many wall prints (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
There’s an industrial vibe going on in here (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
Harry loved designing the flat so much he retrained in interiors (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
…and now he’s looking to open his own interior design practice (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Gv\t<\/div>
And of course, it’s the essential What I Own toothbrush shot (Picture: Jon Rowley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\tWhat's your home like?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

This year Metro <\/strong>is partnering with the Ufurnish.com<\/a> Home Awards<\/a><\/strong> to bring readers the best in UK property.<\/p>\n

From jaw-dropping before-and-after renovations to effortlessly stylish spaces on a budget and rental DIY masterpieces, the awards recognise outstanding talent across 20 categories covering interiors, gardens, furniture innovation and home accessories.<\/p>\n

As part of our partnership, Metro\u2019s Property channel <\/a><\/strong>will be full of inspiring homes, fly-on-the-wall property pictures and tips and tricks from those in the know.<\/p>\n

Need some inspo (or some eye candy)? We\u2019ve rounded up nine winners<\/a><\/strong> from last year\u2019s awards to get those creative juices flowing.<\/p>\n

Head to <\/a>Ufurnish.com<\/a><\/strong> to enter now.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’re in colourful Bristol this week visiting Harry Matuszewicz-Milne (Picture: Jon Rowley) Welcome back to What I Own \u2013 Metro\u2019s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=562"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":609,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562\/revisions\/609"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.merlinscove.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}