We live like we’re living in the 1930s – ‘hipsters’ praise us from vintage shopping

A couple who live like they’re living in the 1930s have complained that demand among “hipsters” for vintage decor is driving up prices for items they want for their home.

Lisa and Neil Fletcher, from Watchet in Somerset, have transformed their home into an antebellum retreat with a 1930s style fridge and black and white TV.

The couple also applies the vintage theme to their way of life and refuses to pay for anything with credit or debit cards.

In an effort to stay frugal and sustainable, the couple also buy vintage second-hand clothing from that era.

But as other homeowners choose to outfit their homes with vintage items, they risk being priced out of their lifestyle.

Lisa, 58, said: ‘Everyone wants vintage and second-hand now and that’s driving up prices.

‘I used to go to the thrift store and then I was alone with an old lady. Now everyone goes.

‘Trunk sales are also rammed. It never used to be like that.’

She explained that much of the older clothing she and Neil buy used to be available in thrift stores – but the vintage clothing trend means they are now being sold for much higher prices in vintage stores.

Instead of a computer, the couple uses an old-fashioned typewriter to produce documents at home

Lisa, 58, has claimed it’s harder than ever to maintain their 1930s lifestyle due to high demand for vintage items

Lisa prefers to be a stay-at-home wife who takes care of the household (cooking photo) while her husband Neil goes to work

The couple only own items from before or shortly after World War II, including an old Ford Y

The couple, living on Neil’s engineering income as Lisa prefers to be a housewife and take care of the house, struggles as the cost of living crisis hits.

“Our rooms are quite large, so we have to watch the pennies,” Lisa said.

“In the winter we have to let the cat sit on our knees to keep warm.”

However, the summer months are easier to get by, especially if you try to stick to a traditional way of life.

“We’re picnicking with our gramophone,” she said. It’s the full work, with lots of vintage picnic baskets.

Neil maintains the house with old-fashioned appliances, including this vintage lawnmower to keep the yard in shape

Neil and Lisa don’t use cell phones, instead relying on an old-fashioned landline phone with a dial pad

The detached house in Watchet, Somerset has been renovated by the couple in keeping with their vintage lifestyle

Lisa and Neil live as a 1930s couple, with Lisa choosing to become a housewife and maintaining the house for her husband

“Everything is homemade – there are no packages or processed foods.

But like everyone else, they too have been hit hard by rising energy costs.

“We’re just like everyone else,” she said.

‘Even if I pay a pound for a dress we still have huge gas bills and spend a lot on petrol.

‘We have great radiators – they really drive up our bill.

“We try to live up to the 1930s lifestyle as much as possible, but we don’t go around on pennies or anything like that.”

However, the Fletchers have no intention of giving up their old-fashioned lifestyle and continue to redecorate their home.

“We’re decorating and tidying up all the time,” she said.

“We recently redecorated another room, but we’re not done yet.”