Wacky artist’s dazzling ‘Barbie’

MOST people who set foot inside this 80s-inspired home are tickled pink.

And the artist who transformed the three-bedroom semi into a pink palace is pretty pleased, too.

Rachael Havenhand, 28, is still trying to think of more ways to brighten up the house.

She moved in six years ago and managed to contain her creative urges for two of those.

Rachael, who lives with her two daughters, said: “I tried to be normal. I bought things in grey, white and other neutral colours but it just wasn’t me.”

Using budget paint in shades of pink, purple and blue, she brightened up the walls.

She also snapped up unloved furniture on ebay and bought rainbow-coloured throws and cushions from high street shops such as TK Maxx. Most of the artwork displayed on the walls was also created at home.

Rachael, mum to

Gabriella, nine, and

Florence, five, said:

“The girls absolutely love our home as it is like Barbie’s house – and their friends do, too.” Rachael’s striking kitchen floor is particularly ingenious.

When she Googled 80s patterns for the floor, she found swirly lines and shapes and got to work.

Creative Rachael said: “I put down white lino which cost about £40, gave it a bit of a sand to give it some abrasion, then I went wild with masonry paint and some varnish.

“I impulsively decided to do it one night and only finished at about 4am. I had prosecco to celebrate.”

Over the years, the fireplace has been six different colours and she’s even painted her stereo. Rachael said: “I didn’t want to get rid of it because it’s really good, but it didn’t fit in.

“I tried searching for a tutorial on Youtube but couldn’t find anything so I stuffed the CD drawers and insides with tissue and spray painted it purple.

“Then I drew the buttons back on with a Sharpie.”

Rachael, who has over 23,000 followers on Instagram, always decorates on a budget and often mixes paint together until she gets the colour she wants.

Once, she accidentally bought silk paint instead of matt but a website suggested adding talcum powder to get the desired effect. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ It worked,” she said. Rachael admits she gets “bored easily” and would rather decorate than watch TV. “I need to be doing something creative,” she said.

“My house may be wacky but it is normal to me. Even when it’s doom and gloom outside, it’s impossible to feel miserable in our house.”

But not everyone is a fan. Rachael said: “I have received negative comments from people who ask how I don’t suffer with headaches but I don’t mind. It isn’t for everyone.

“We love our home and that is all that matters.”

Amazingly, Rachael doesn’t own the house, in Sheffield, but rents from a “very understanding” landlady.

“She said I can do whatever I like as long as everything is white when I leave,” Rachael said.

“Most of the stuff is superficial – the walls can be repainted and I’ll stick another white lino down on the kitchen floor.”

Visit Rachael’s Instagram @rachaelhavenhanddesign or her Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/haven handdesigns.