Treasure hunter Cat Ridley knows what she likes – and if it’s pink, glittery, neon or gold, she’s in (preferably all of them)

My first glimpse of the gloriously pink, glittery, neon, petal-strewn world of Cat Ridley was when I stumbled upon her popular Instagram account @pinkhomebythesea, which showcases her amazing house in all its candy pink splendour.

Scrolling through the posts I didn’t immediately realise it was in Hastings – the glamour level is so high octane, it could be Los Angeles – but the moment I figured it out, I knew I had to meet this icon of undiluted fabulousness and see the pink house with my own eyes.

Befitting a home that is so particular, even getting to it was a bit of an adventure. It’s on a road I’ve driven past for the last 18 years – but never knew was there. 

Once I found the street, picking out Cat’s house was not a challenge… The front door is painted her signature sugar pink, with a shiny brass bee (another of her favoured motifs) doorknocker and surrounded by multi-coloured pastel faux wisteria. There is no missing that you are entering Cat World.

Inside, her special style is everywhere your eye falls, but once you step into the kitchen/living room, even after noting the multiple mirror balls, the neon sign advising you are ‘Welcome to the jungle’, the vintage bar and much more, your attention is grabbed by something even more extraordinary (and that’s saying something in this space): the view.

From the bifold doors leading onto a deck on the south side of the house is a panoramic sea view that could make you think you are in the Hollywood Hills again – which must make the open air cinema nights, which Cat hosts in the garden in the summer months, something special.

Even the garden furniture, out on the raised deck, is in her bold style. Two deep pink tropical leaf-backed chairs, by Italian outdoor furniture company Urban Balcony, sit alongside a salmon pink bench table, with a pink flamingo jug for good measure.

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Holly Levett

At home with history

After looking at over 100 properties across Oxfordshire, Sussex and Somerset, artist and creative director Sean Joo finally fell in love with a country house near Lenham, bringing a dash of the South of France to a leafy corner of...

A home of light, life & joy

Peter and Sarah’s modern family home, built on the site of an old turkey farm, is a reflection of the couple’s passion for travelling and filled with all the things that they love There are houses you step into and...

A Second Life

A collaborative parent-and-son design and build process has resulted in a multi-generational family home that couldn’t be more fit for purpose The original barn, from which this warm and welcoming family home has emerged, dates from around 1840. But this...