Nostalgic vacation-goers can now enjoy a 1970s experience by staying in an incredible retro bungalow in England that’s just like a time capsule for the decade.
The meticulously restored Retro Bungalow in Hoghton, Lancashire—where houses have sold for £500,000 ($625,000) in recent years—has vibrant wallpaper, bright colors, lava lamps, fondue sets, and era-appropriate house plants.
The house is currently owned by a couple, Nigel Peter, 60, and Melissa Peter, 58. The pair inherited the property from Mr. Peter’s late father, who built the house in 1973.
However, instead of renovating the two-bedroom house, they decided to turn it into a “'70s living experience” where guests can stay overnight and celebrate the era.
“It was just a 1970s time warp to be honest because [Nigel’s] mom and dad had never thrown anything away,” Ms. Peter said. “It’s just that generation—my parents didn’t throw anything away because they either mended or repaired it.”
Since Mr. and Ms. Peter have the same ethos, they decided that instead of ripping it all out and refurbishing the house, they would just put it out there.
Keeping what was already there, they added some 1970s memorabilia that they found in charity shops and on eBay. However, they removed the original wallpaper but stayed true to the era by replacing it with authentic wallpaper from the ‘70s.
“We decided that the wallpaper needed updating because we realised that when you start taking a few pictures down, that it starts to fade over time,” Ms. Peter said.
The couple also furnished the property by adding garish carpet with a swirling design, vibrant outdoor furniture, and ‘70s-inspired bedding, with a television in a wooden cabinet to complete the look.
The place boasts endless iconic accessories that can instantly bring a smile to people’s faces or evoke memories.
Meanwhile, the kitchen contains bright green daisies.
“It’s now like a ‘70s living experience really—you come in and escape the modern-day pressures of what’s negative in the world at the moment,” Ms. Peter said. “It also reminds you of your childhood if you were a child of the ’70s.”
To brighten the place up, they’ve incorporated many elements of the ‘70s.
“When most people think of the ‘70s, they think of brown and orange—or they think of David Bowie, so we’ve got a bit of both going on,” Ms. Peter said.
The couple welcomed their first customers in March.
“Our first guests absolutely love it,” Ms. Peter said. “Some people don’t want to immerse themselves into the ‘70s and just want a holiday let.
“People can embrace the ‘70s, come dressed up, and get the Scalextric set out.”
They also offer some 1970s clothes and allow people to embrace as much of the experience as they wish.
Guests can book to stay at the bungalow for around £400 ($500) for two people for two nights.
Apart from welcoming people to stay, the couple has also converted the on-site greenhouses into an indoor education center for local school children.
As part of this, they have decided to give away a house plant to everyone who stays in the bungalow.
“We also took over my husband’s father’s garden nursery business, so we’ve converted the greenhouses into an indoor education center,” Ms. Peter said. “House plants were very much a thing of the ‘70s, but they aren’t anymore because everybody has a plug-in air freshener.
“But everyone used to take pride in having a house plant because plants kept the air fresh.
“We decided that it would be a lovely gift for people to be able to come into the greenhouse before they leave and choose a spider plant to take home with them.”
