Out with the old, in with the new

The only furniture I have ever bought from new for my bedroom is my bed. Everything else has either been passed down from family or I have picked up from antiques shops – the bedside tables, chest of drawers, wardrobes, chair. I love antiques, vintage finds and pieces of furniture that have a story.

However, just of late, I have felt really bogged down by my bedroom. I know that may sound weird to many (including my partner) but the state of my home really affects my mood. Having so many bits and old furniture has turned from comforting to cluttered and confused and I have felt a desperate need to cleanse and rejuvenate. As many of you will know, especially if you follow me on Instagram, this has resulted in a mini-bedroom makeover. I say ‘mini’ because apart from painting the floor, there haven’t been major changes or loads of DIY going on, it’s been more about swapping out some of the old for new pieces with cleaner lines and fresher colours. I’m sure lots of you will be horrified at the idea of getting rid of vintage stuff, but don’t worry, I just move it to other parts of my home; it’s a constant swap-athon around here. Before long, when I feel differently, I’m sure lots of it will find its way back to the bedroom but for now I want to feel uplifted.

I started my re-style with my bedside table, which was a great antiques shop find and would have been a washstand in a previous life. I used to have my grandmother’s silk lamp on my bedside table, which is beautiful but well over sixty years old. The silk has started to disintegrate so every time I turn it on or off more silk falls away. I have decided to remove it from my bedside as it’s too precious to be ruined so a new lamp had to be found. When Occa-Home offered me this Garden Trading Bermondsey lamp to review, I was delighted as it is everything I am looking for: vintage feel, practical, perfect colour for my ‘new’ bedroom and clean, modern design. Plus, it’s called Bermondsey, so I felt it was meant to be seeing as I live there!

I love the oak arm of this lamp, which works perfectly with my table and bed frame. It contrasts beautifully with the enamel head and base.

The soft putty grey colour of the lamp head and base works so well with the pinks I have added to my bedroom. The lamp head tilts right up and down, which makes it super practical for the bedside so I can adjust it for reading. It can also act as an uplighter if tilted up, which adds a softer light to the room.

Each joint of the lamp arm is fully adjustable and the flex lead is right up my street – I hate horrible cables but I don’t mind this lead being on show as I like its vintage feel.

I will share more of my bedroom spruce soon!

Katy x

*This post was written in collaboration with Occa-Home but all opinions and views are my own.