Mum transforms council house into 2000s paradise despite £7,000 penalty
A mother-of-three transformed her social home into a fun 2000s paradise with iconic Bratz dolls drawings.
Influencer Jemma Murphy, from Solihull, spent just £1,500 on the transformation despite the council threatening a hefty financial penalty.
The 34-year-old lives in the three-bedroom semi-detached house with her three children, which she started renting in June 2021 for £800 a month.
During the first year she lived in her house, Jemma was not allowed to make any changes to the decoration of the property as it was a new build.
A year of living with white walls was like living in a “padded cell,” Jemma said, and once that year was up, she was determined to leave her own mark on the house to reflect her personality.
Since 2022, the mother has spent ten hours a week arranging her house, decorating and painting the walls and ceilings herself.
She continues to add features despite being told by her local council that if she creates her dream Hello Kitty kitchen she will have to pay £7,000 in damages.
Despite transforming it into a Bratz paradise of the year 2000, Jemma must make sure the house is a blank, neutral canvas when she leaves.
Jemma said: “I think because it’s a brand new area and the houses for sale are selling for between £350,000 and £700,000, they’ve been a bit restrictive with the amendments.
“They told me if I wanted to fund the replacement of the cupboard doors myself I could do so, but they classified the paint as unhygienic and the vinyl as harmful.”
Despite the amount the mother-of-three has already spent, she also had plans to design a Hello Kitty-themed kitchen.
“I spent about £300 on the bathroom, which I think is a good thing,” she said.
“I usually spend a lot of time looking for vintage items on Facebook Marketplace because that’s what I love.”
“The bathroom is probably my favourite space in the house because it is fully equipped and looks exactly how I wanted it.”
“Plus is not a usual design and it is nice to relax.”
Her favorite addition to her home recently has been her Hello Kitty cake pop machine.
This complete redecoration was delicate for the mother, who wants it exactly as she imagines it in her head.
“The painting process was by far the most difficult because I was doing it freehand and ended up having to use a makeup brush,” she explained.
“I would define my decorating style as 90s and early 2000s. I like pastel colors, but I also have gothic elements in the house. It’s very nostalgic.”
Jemma, who says her family are supportive and help her with her work, shared her home transformation online, where it has received some praise.
The video went viral and took off on TikTok when Jemma shared her bathroom design.
She said she didn’t expect her video to be so successful and that the comments were very supportive of her decorating choices.
TikToker Ells wrote: “If this isn’t going to be my bathroom when I’m older, I don’t want it.”
“My inner child is screaming,” Kovoshedoll added.
“The warmest comments I’ve received include people saying I help them heal their inner children,” Jemma said.
“Some people say they love the design so much they want to move in.”
But its design choices aren’t for everyone.
She added: “Some people comment online and criticise my design, they are usually men, saying I have ruined the new build and the council house.
“My parents are very supportive, they also help me decorate the house.”
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