We recently (finally) decorated our vintage bedroom. It is the second from last room to be totally renovated in our 5 year project. Until now it has been a dumping ground for anything and everything as well as doubling up as my dressing room. To be honest, the only thing going for it was the gorgeous original 1950s/60s wallpaper which I wanted to keep.
On one wall there is an amazing flower power paper which is divine and has always been on my “to keep” list. The other three walls also had nice pink and gold paper but overall was too grubby to keep. I however did keep some and framed it for future nostalgic moments!
I wanted this room to be dark, which is a huge contrast to the rest of the house which is white. I already had the mirrored Laura Ashley furniture and crystal chandelier bought a lifetime ago as well as a metal Ikea bed – both I wanted to keep. But I still wanted to retro the room up, like the rest of our house.
I referred back to my Biba book for inspiration – I loved their retail design and how they teamed art deco/art nouveau shapes but gave it a contempary (late 60s/early 70s) feel using dark rich colours. I decided to paint the walls with a Crown Period colour called Scarlet Ribbon, which picked up some of the colours in the wallpaper. I was a little nervous at first but I totally love it.
I was so happy to get all my pink, cranberry and crystal glass from the loft which has been stored away for 4 years. It was like being reunited with old friends!
Adam promised me a shoe wall so he made one beside the chimney breast using Ikea Lack shelves – every girl’s dream surely? In fact I want more but there is not any space so I have settled for just one row!
The bedside table is a vintage laundry basket woven in gold. On this is my bird shade which I recently found at the local tip!
I have finally hung my favourite print on the wall – the same as my grandma had. This was going to be hung in the bathroom but I felt she fitted in perfectly here!
I love the cupboard built into the wall for my vintage dresses. I have kept my two wedding dresses out on show – a 1950s lace dress and a 1960s John Bates for Jean Varon. They are so pretty and make me smile.
The mirror was from TK Maxx. I wanted a vintage chain mirror but I also had this one from a previous house, so decided to use it instead. Hanging from it is a dried flower crown from a photo shoot I styled for Vintage Life magazine.
The eiderdown at the end of the bed was bought for my book. The rest of the throws and cushions are from John Lewis and Laura Ashley. I have added vintage brooches to the cream ones for a bit of added sparkle.
My 2 favourite tins designed and produced by my parents in the 1970s/80s are out on display. The Ercol chair is temporary until I find something that suits the room better.
I am so happy with the room, infact we often sleep in here as it’s so cosy due to being darker than our bedroom. But most of all I love that all my clothes and accessories are now organised and I can get to them. I could never have done #dressupjune without this room!
