A FAMILY literally step back in time when they open their front door – after turning their home into an ode to the 1940s.
Kitten and Richard Von Mew from Stratford love the era so much they even follow a Blitz diet and give 14-month-old daughter Betsy toys from the early 20th century.
The family only wear vintage clothes – but admit to owning some mod cons such as a tv.
Burlesque fan Kitten, a former Warwickshire College student, got the bug after modelling as a pin-up girl a decade ago – and she quickly converted her construction site supervisor husband Richard.
Stay-at-home mum Kitten said: “We’ve got amazing respect for those who lived through the Second World War.
“In the face of all the atrocities, came out amazing things like the positives of people coming together in a community spirit.
“People came together for strength and support which I don’t think you get nowadays.
“I just find the whole thing awe-inspiring how they got through it and found positivity and escapism.”
In their vintage-style kitchen the family prepare meals straight from the period and try to adopt a Blitz-style diet, saying they love Spam but draw the line at powdered eggs.
They also embrace technology but don’t like it to ruin the appearance of their home.
Kitten – who wears victory rolls to style her hair – said: “We don’t shy away from modern technology. We use social media to meet other like-minded people and go to events, so it’s important to embrace it.”
Film buff Kitten believes the number of war films which have been released have made the era fashionable again and says she and has seen the price of vintage clothes rise considerably.
The 36 year-old added: “It can definitely be expensive. When I first started things were very reasonable and you could pick things up from jumble sales really easily.
“But now the bigger following for it after war films means things are getting more expensive, I used to pick up dresses for £15 but now it’s between £60 and £100.
“I don’t wear tracksuits or anything like that. The most relaxing thing I have are vintage jeans but everything I own is either vintage or reproduced vintage.”
