Gothic Dream Home: Artist's £230k Victorian Transformation Sparks Debate
Welcome back to What I Own, a property series exploring the journeys of homeowners as they climb the property ladder. Daniel Bland, a 31-year-old artist and specialist decorator, embarked on his homebuying adventure eight years ago with a unique focus: creative potential over location. As a self-employed creative, he wasn't tied to a specific area, allowing him to hunt for a property with character rather than a trendy postcode.
His search led him to Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, a Georgian town he'd never heard of before. There, he discovered a five-bedroom Victorian home that he purchased for £230,000. With a deposit of £12,000 saved over two years while renting a cheap room, Daniel secured a mortgage with a 4.2% interest rate over 35 years, resulting in monthly costs of £1,500 including bills.
Transforming a Victorian Gem
Daniel has transformed the property into a Gothic-inspired sanctuary, featuring dark ceilings, copper-leaf walls, and rich, deep colours. Every room has been decorated at least twice since he moved in in 2017, as he honed his skills in mural painting and gold leaf work. His distinctive style includes glossy black woodwork and ornate gold ornamentation, turning the house into a living portfolio of his artistry.
One standout project is the "cartoon room," created during the 2020 lockdown with just white and black acrylic paint. This boredom project involved three days of painting black lines and a stop-motion Instagram post that captivated his audience. Daniel's DIY efforts have garnered over 1.5 million followers on social media and earned him the Best Interior Instagram award at the 2025 Ufurnish Awards.
Reactions and Resilience
While visitors to the home are often complimentary, online comments can be harsh. Daniel embraces the controversy, stating that his enjoyment of his own home offends some people, but he's fueled by irritating "boring" individuals with his bold designs. His favourite room is the music room, a dark yet calming space without a TV, where he plays the piano and accordion to unwind.
DIY hasn't always been smooth sailing. During renovations, he discovered a missing wall between the cartoon and red rooms, causing part of the ceiling to collapse. He handled it by keeping the vaulted ceiling without structural changes, adhering to his motto: "if in doubt, rip it out (or paint over it)."
Future Plans and Advice
Daniel has no major plans to change the property, though he might remove a false ceiling in the kitchen or convert the attic. He deals with typical old-house issues like sketchy electrical work and roof repairs. For aspiring homeowners, he advises focusing on what truly brings happiness in a home, rather than societal expectations.
Looking ahead, Daniel has purchased a renovation project in northern Italy, which will be his next creative endeavour. His journey from a £230,000 purchase to a Gothic dream home shows how personality and passion can transform any space, regardless of location.
