- Nov 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Ah, the high street furniture circus, where prices have reached theatrical levels, and yet quality often seems to miss the mark. This is the second installment of my simmering annoyance with what’s on offer: vast sums demanded for pieces that, let's be honest, aren't exactly made at the hands of a seventh-generation craftsman. Many are churned out as quickly as you can say landfill, with little regard for longevity, the enviroment or in fact the customer.
So here I am, sounding the bell for second-hand treasures. Nearly everything in my home has been plucked from the hands of other dealers, and I’d wager not many pieces were over £500. All said pieces that I bought from dealers have been the shining light in my home, helping age my home in the most flattering fashion.
Bedroom Scheme
For my bedroom scheme, I imagined a bedroom for a single gentleman. Necessity drove the design since finding a bed under £500 was a bit of a struggle, so I’ve gone £45 over with this beauty of a daybed from French House York. I thought, a 19th-century French daybed, you’d forgive my little overspend. Naturally, I haven’t dressed the bed because I didn’t want to get bogged down with mattress dimensions; thankfully, I’m just an imaginary interior designer.
I adore all the pieces chosen for this scheme, and it isn’t worlds away from my own bedroom. But I believe the sconces are the chef’s kiss. They’re mid-century Spanish, and I think the SA (sex appeal) of having sconces in the bedroom more than makes up for any small fire hazard. The Umberto Pasti chair from Ancien Et Jolie has my heart, I have always adored that chair and one day I hope to have my own.
Clockwise From The Pendant Light
Bathroom Scheme
As I said, I don't get too tied down by the realities of actual interior design. So obviously I found the bathroom the trickest room to get together. It’s hard to find those sturdy second hand plumbing fixtures, and I have heard from freinds that they can come with some costly faults. But to the the victor the spoils, some of the most sublime bathrooms I have laid eyes on have been cobbled together through the relentless search for these plumbing perfections.
That all being said the bathroom has some of my favourite pieces in it. I think if you can - most bathrooms should have a boat. Plaster is an excellent decorative element for bathrooms and art deco plaster is a humdinger.
(p.s The Telka bathmat is obvioulsy new, I couldn't bring myself to find a second hand bathmat. As I’m coming clean the mobile is also new, I just felt it needed a pop or primary)
Clockwise From The Mobile
Fat City Antiques, Narrow C19th ebonised bookcase, £450 (Heinz cans not included)
Hallway Scheme
Well the house I have created obviously has a hallway - a big one. Probably with some heavenly stone floor or orignal floorboards, my only worry with floorboards is that this scheme mostly consits of wood, a handsome variety of types, but still- its woody. I shan't apologies, it’s a material I find incredibly alluring. When people question the legitamacy or beauty of brown furniture I find myself poised and ready to defend it to the death. Anyway, you and I won't have that argument as we aren't heathens. But if you do think the below is a little too brown, I will relent and direct your gaze to that copper boot in the corner. Still a shade of brown, but a dandy little thing if ever I saw one.
Clockwise From The Pendant Light
Ebay, English 18th century oak gateleg table from a sculptors studio, £350 (I have been lusting after this table for quite some time - how can no one have bought it yet - the whole world has gone mad)
Kernow Furntiure, Antique Walnut Chest on Stand, £595 (If I could crowbar this piece into my home, it’d be wedged in here faster than you could say jumble shop)
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