I spent almost 40 years turning my cottage into a ‘real life dolls house’ – but my quirky interior design choices means it’s ‘unsellable’

An artist who spent almost forty years converting her country cottage into a ‘real dollhouse’ has been told the property is now ‘unsellable’.

Mary Rose Young and her husband Phil Butcher bought their house, which also serves as a pottery studio, in Lydney, Gloucestershire, in 1987.

At the time, the couple were able to purchase the property for £30,000 and decorated each room in their unique style.

The kitchen has a checkerboard back wall and yellow walls with flowers painted on them.

Meanwhile, Mary’s pottery studio – where she creates her Alice in Wonderland-inspired designs – features a multi-coloured striped ceiling with various floral patterns.

The couple’s living room features bright blue walls and a yellow ceiling, while their dining area features a black and white magenta wallpaper on the floor.

Mary has also installed several statement lighting fixtures throughout the property, including a multi-colored chandelier in her workspace and a miniature version in their kitchen.

Ten years ago, Mary and Phil decided they wanted to open a boutique hotel and put their house up for sale.

At the time, estate agents were convinced the house was worth £500,000. However, buyers may have been put off by the quirky interior design choices.

Mary explained in 2021: ‘I created this house around my own life and I didn’t think about it being sellable.

‘We live like two children in a dollhouse and, in retrospect, why would anyone else want to buy that? It’s like a playhouse for adults.

“I thought it might go to some crazy collector of my work who might want to buy it, but no one was interested.

“Only one person came to see it the year it was on the market, and they weren’t here long.

Mary’s pottery studio – where she creates her Alice in Wonderland-inspired designs – features a multi-coloured striped ceiling with various floral patterns

Pictured: Mary’s multi-colored kitchen also features a black and white checkered backsplash and yellow walls

Mary Rose Young and her husband Phil Butcher around the time they bought their house in Gloucestershire

“I think they just came out of curiosity about the decorations and were never interested. The brokers became desperate.

‘I could have painted over all my work, but I didn’t want to. I love my home and the home really works for me.

‘I am a colorful person and even have pink hair. I like it more and more as I get older.’

Mary appears to still live in the property and last posted about the house in October 2023.

Mary shared a photo of a rainbow perfectly framing the house, writing on Instagram: ‘Somewhere under the rainbow! This is Mary Rose Young’s home, studio and gallery, taken yesterday… and yes, it rained in The Forest.’

The couple’s living room features bright blue walls, a yellow ceiling and vibrant furniture

Their dining area has a black and white magenta wallpaper on the floor. Mary also has a miniature version of her workshop chandelier here

In 1987 the couple were able to purchase the property for £30,000 and decorated every room in their unique style.

Furthermore, Mary says she sees nothing unusual in her design choices.

She explained, “I don’t notice how colorful it is anymore because I’ve lived here for so long.

“Many people are self-conscious and don’t say much when they see the decorations, but the right response is to smile and say ‘oh wow.’

‘It should make you feel like a kid walking into a candy store. I want people to feel like adults can have fun too.”

Mary Rose Young sells her pottery on her website and her Easter-inspired collection starts from £95 for an egg cup.