A deep dive into the makings of journalist and TikTok star, Nicholas Fearn’s home.
Image credit: Nicholas Fearn
Today, we live in a beige world. In a world that seems to be pushing the ‘less is more’ aesthetic, Nicholas Fearn goes against the grain with his bold and unique interior decoration. Fearn, an established freelance journalist and social media star, goes by the iconic handle “The Diva Supreme” on TikTok, amassing over 100,000 followers on the platform. He has shared his struggles with bullying growing up, having been diagnosed with autism; however, he hasn’t let his past experiences dim his shine or artistic eye. Fearn’s growing popularity online proves his talent, and his passion for his living space proves that the home is where the heart is.
How would you describe yourself and your space?
I would say I’m a bubbly and vibrant person, and that definitely carries over into my home. I have a different colour theme for every room in my home, including yellow, purple, blue, green and pink. I believe a home should be an embodiment of someone’s personality.
What does ‘comfort’ mean to you at home?
Comfort to me is chilling on my sofa in front of the TV with a cuppa not too far away. The best thing about my sofa is that it’s packed to the brim with cushions and blankets, so cosy evenings are what life is all about for me.
What inspired you to document your home on social media?
I’ve always wanted a bright and cheerful home. But my ex wasn’t a fan of colour, and so the apartment was grey and dull for many years. When we broke up, I kept the flat and slowly started adding colour.
However, as I’m autistic and struggle with coordination, I’m not very good at DIY. All I really did was buy a few new ornaments, flowers and canvases to hang up. Then I met my now-husband, Rhys, who is good at DIY and was willing to paint each room for me.
Last year, he redecorated most of the rooms in the apartment and made my dream purple hallway a reality. I started my TikTok account to document this process. I never expected to have 121k followers one day!
What’s the story behind your favourite room?
Purple is my favourite colour. Even when I was with my ex and we moved into the flat five years ago, I dreamed of having a purple hallway. I wanted purple to be the first thing people saw coming into my home.
I remember buying a purple artificial Bonsai tree in Cardiff a few years ago to keep in my hallway. This unique purchase further made me want a purple hallway. I often design my rooms around a particular object.
Are there any interior design rules you like to follow?
I rarely follow interior design rules or trends. I decorate my home for me and nobody else. I’ve filled it with colours and items that make me happy. For instance, I have a Lady Di plate and a yellow owl teapot on a shelf in my living room. Lady Di is one of my icons, and I love owls and collecting teapots. Some people might see such items as tat. But I love buying tat and filling my home with it!
How does your autism shape the way you decorate and experience your space?
While I collect a lot of tat, everything does have its place. I hate it when things aren’t symmetrical or aligned – I would say how I order my ornaments, photo frames and various other trinkets comes down to my autism. Hyper-fixations are also a common reality for autistic people. At the moment, I’m obsessed with leopard print, and for the past few weeks, it’s all I’ve bought for my home and worn. These hyper-fixations do change a lot, so you might not see the leopard print for long. I guess this means my home is always changing as my hyper-fixations evolve.
What is your greatest style inspiration?
I’m a massive fan of cosy, colourful spaces – I would have fit well into the 1970s. I think it’s a shame that, nowadays, you don’t see colourful homes as much anymore; most homes are either grey or beige. I’m proud that my home is different.
What has been the most challenging part of curating your own space?
Along with my autism, I also have OCD. While a lot of people love my home, it never feels truly perfect to me. I’m always finding flaws that may seem trivial to other people but are major issues for me. It could simply be a little mark on the wall. Then I’ll ask my other half to repaint it. So, the stress of constantly obsessing over little things is a challenge, and I guess it can be challenging for my husband, too. He’s good at painting but doesn’t enjoy it.
How would you consider accessibility being incorporated into your home?
It could be little things like choosing textiles that won’t overstimulate me, as I experience sensory issues as a result of my autism. I prefer to purchase things like blankets in a physical shop, so I can make sure the material is suitable.
How do you know when a room is complete?
I don’t think a room is ever truly complete for me, and I’d say that does come down to my neurodivergence. For instance, my autistic hyper fixation is currently leopard print, so whenever I’m out and about, all I want to do is buy new items with this pattern. So, I’m always adding new items. Then, with my OCD, I’ll keep finding flaws that I feel must be addressed straight away. The result is that my home is always changing – it probably won’t look the same in a few months.
What would be your advice for a beginner trying to develop their own style at home?
My biggest advice would be to avoid following the latest interior design trends and instead design your home for yourself. At the end of the day, it’s you who’s going to live there. What’s cool in interior design today will likely become outdated in no time. So, just do what’s right for you!
How would you define ‘home’ and what it means to you today?
I love the old saying, “Home is where the heart is”. Yes, I love my apartment and all the bright interiors. But it wouldn’t feel like home without my husband or our kitten. Before meeting my husband, I was very lonely and found the apartment to be isolating. I’ve only really started enjoying my home now that I am happily married.
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