"Tacky or Tasteful? Interior Expert Exposes Celebrity Homes That Scream ‘New Money’—From Beige Bunkers to Velvet Monstrosities"
Move over, minimalism—there’s a new kind of aesthetic crisis sweeping celebrity real estate. From floor-to-ceiling grey-on-grey monotony to crushed velvet couches the size of small cars, a growing number of A-listers are falling into what top interior designers are calling the “new money trap”: spending millions on homes that scream wealth… but whisper tacky.
In an exclusive deep dive into the world of celebrity interiors, renowned stylist and design critic Eleanor Vance has lifted the veil on which stars are nailing timeless elegance—and which are drowning in beige banality, gaudy gold fixtures, and décor so over-the-top it looks like a hotel lobby designed by AI.
The Rise of the “Beige Bunker”
At the heart of the problem? A trend so pervasive it’s become a punchline: the all-beige, all-grey, soul-sucking neutral palace.
“Take Molly-Mae Hague’s Essex mansion,” Vance says, flipping through mood boards. “It’s immaculate, yes—but it’s also emotionally sterile. Everything is 50 shades of oatmeal. There’s no warmth, no personality, no art that isn’t framed in white. It’s less ‘luxury home,’ more ‘showroom waiting for a human.’”
Michelle Keegan’s Cheshire manor gets similar treatment: “Stunning architecture, beautiful bones—but inside? It’s like walking into a very expensive cloud. Soft, silent, and utterly forgettable.”
According to Vance, this monochrome mania stems from a desire to appear “Instagrammable” rather than livable. “They’re designing for likes, not life,” she explains. “You can’t curl up with a book on a £20,000 sofa if you’re terrified of spilling tea on it.”
When “Luxury” Crosses Into Gaudy
But it’s not just the neutrals causing concern. Some celebrities have swung hard in the opposite direction—embracing gold-plated taps, crystal chandeliers in every room, and marble floors so reflective you can do your makeup in them.
“One reality star recently installed a life-sized bronze lion in their hallway,” Vance reveals, shaking her head. “It’s not opulence—it’s insecurity dressed in gilt.”
Even among the super-rich, there’s a fine line between grandeur and garishness. “True luxury whispers,” she insists. “It doesn’t shout through a speaker system built into your bathroom mirror.”
The Exceptions Who Get It Right
Not all celebrity homes miss the mark. Stacey Solomon, for instance, earns praise for her beloved Pickle Cottage—a warm, lived-in family home where mismatched china, bold wallpaper, and—yes—that iconic Aga stove create a space that feels joyful, not staged.
“Stacey understands that a home should tell a story,” Vance says. “Her kitchen isn’t just for show—it’s where homework happens, cakes burn, and kids spill juice. That’s real luxury.”
Similarly, Tom Hardy’s countryside retreat—filled with second-hand furniture, vintage rugs, and books stacked haphazardly—gets a nod for authenticity. “He’s not trying to impress anyone. And that’s exactly why it works.”
The Golden Rule of Good Taste
So what separates tacky from tasteful in the eyes of the design elite?
“It’s not about how much you spend,” Vance asserts. “It’s about intention. Does the space reflect who you are? Does it welcome people in? Or does it feel like a museum where you’re scared to sit down?”
She offers three red flags of “new money” décor:
Matching everything—from curtains to cushions to cutlery.
Oversized furniture that dominates, not serves.
No personal items—no photos, no heirlooms, no signs of actual life.
The Final Verdict
As celebrities continue to unveil their dream homes on social media, the message is clear: money can buy marble, but it can’t buy taste.
And in a world obsessed with surface-level perfection, the most enviable interiors might just be the ones with scuffed floorboards, dog-eared novels, and a well-loved Aga humming in the corner.
Because at the end of the day, a house isn’t made luxurious by its price tag—
but by the life lived within it.
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