Friday, 10 October 2025

The Bedroom Makeover - Waking Up With Morrissey

Last weekend we revamped our bedroom - and it didn't cost a penny. (Of course, me being me, in a rush to get it done I completely forgot to take a before photo!)


The Morris and Co. wallpaper, although lovely, felt a bit boring so we had a rummage through our collection of pictures and used the wallpaper as a backdrop rather than the main event. 


Jon rescued these Lloyd Loom bedside tables from a skip 15 years ago. We'd originally painted them Antique White to match our rattan wardrobes but they were starting to look really grubby. I remembered that we'd still got some of the metallic paint we'd used on the ceiling when we decorated the middle room last year (HERE) and a couple of hours later they were transformed. The existing bedside lights, although very cool, took up too much space on the top of the cabinets so we moved the vintage brass wall sconces from the spare bedroom, adding some fancy Edison light bulbs bought as a job lot from a charity shop last year.


The 1960s Indian silk brocade bedcover was £10 from a Wolverhampton charity shop back in the summer. It still had the paper label from the crafts emporium in Jaipur attached, from where it was originally purchased.




My beloved Queen is Dead has languished in Jon's study for years but after moving my dress rail to the spare room we created enough wall space to accommodate it. Now I can look at a very young Morrissey and Johnny f*ckin' Marr, when I wake up every morning. 

@vixbrearley I've loved The Smiths forever...I bought this Queen is Dead poster from a tout outside a gig in Birmingham 39 years ago! It's hung on the bedroom wall in all seven of the houses I've lived in since 1986. #vintagestyle #TheSmiths #over50women ♬ The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (2017 Master) - The Smiths


The antique cloakroom hooks were in the house when my grandparents bought it in 1953 and have been in one of the outbuildings for years awaiting a purpose. Looking after a few of my hats seems as good a use as any. The side tablewas previously in the spare bedroom & from the B&M clearance section last year. I spotted the seagrass plant stand with the hairpin legs in a charity shop last week, it was £2.50.


I made the patchwork curtains using scraps from tatty vintage clothes back in 2010, the 1950s Axminster carpet was £10 from Ebay in 2019.


I repotted and divided up a lot of my houseplants earlier this week, I've got more houseplants than a florist! 


This antique Baloch rug is the only new addition to the room. I sold a skirt on Vinted and bought it with some of the proceeds. William spent the night on it, it must be okay!

 
We bought the huge pewter framed mirror from a discount warehouse back in 2005 (I think it was £35). For years it hung over the fireplace in the middle room but was relegated to a corner after we did the room up last year.


Now I can check out my entire outfit before I leave the house, boots and all! 


And take decent photos of my latest Vinted bargains.





I thought the room was finished until I spotted this antique Indian fretwork shelf in Acorns, a local charity shop, for £2 this morning...isn't it gorgeous? 


Attaching it to the wall above the big mirror will be a task for tomorrow. I'll be back soon with more tales of our Greek Odyssey very soon. In the meantime, have a bostin' weekend (I intend to)! 

31 comments:

  1. My goodness the Indian fretwork shelf from Acorns is beautiful and so is your new Jaipur beadspead, rug and mirror - mirrors make such a difference to a room. I see you still have a dollshouse on display, might go back over some of your old posts as I enjoyed peering inside them all! Betty x

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    1. Thnaks so much, Betty! I could see the volunteer unpacking that shelf out of the corner of my eye and immediately asked the price, it made me laugh when she asked if I was sure I wanted it as it was "old"! Mirrors are brilliant for bouncing light back into a dark room, something we need with all our trees.
      I was going to sare a few photos of the dolls house interior but left it too late and there wasn't enough light! xxx

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  2. I always enjoy a peak into your home. The wallpaper is lovely and I like the art. I love how you arrange art on your walls. When it comes to art, I also believe that more is better. I like to see all kinds of art and posters. The more, the merrier. The Indian bedcover is gorgeous!
    Your plants look lovely...and really healthy. The rug is very eye-catching. So great that William has already taken a liking to it.
    The big mirror is fabulous. It is great when you can check your entire outfit...and take a selfie.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! I agree, the more art the better, it makes a bigger impact when there's more of it! It is great to have a full length mirror - perfect for those self-indulgent selfies! xxx

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    2. and I think I illustrated once that dress you're wearing in the video...or maybe it was just a similar one? https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2020/12/inspired-by-vix.html

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  3. I love those sort of make-overs, they happen regularly here.

    Your new dress from Vinted is rather familiar - I had my eye on either the same one, or its very attractive twin! Talked myself out of buying because I knew I was unlikely to wear it enough - look forward to seeing it on you, xx

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    1. Minimal spend and effort, they're the best, aren't they?
      How funny about the dress! I didn't really need another 1970s Indian block printed midi but at £15 I had to have it. It's so lovely on, the listing photo didn't do it justice. xxx

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  4. Love this makeover! Yes to the Smiths in prominent place, yes to the hat-rack and updated side tables. That bed cover is a work of art, as is the Morris & Co. wallpaper. Gorgeous outfit and selfie mirror!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! I'm quite excited about seeing my feet, I don't usually see what an outfit looks like until I'm out and about! xxx

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  5. I wish I could stir himself into redecorating! He's all about the garden.

    Total sidetrack, did you get the email about Lotta? Shutting up shop

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    1. I bet you're wishing for snow so he can come indoors and work on the interior (not that you want that just yet!)
      I haven't had an email from Lotta in ages, what a shame. Mind you, I think I've probably reached optimum clog now! x

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  6. In all that art I especially love the portrait of the two of you.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth! That was a 50th birthday present from Liz, isn't she clever? x

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  7. Que precioso, me ha encantado como quedó todo!, sabes combinar todo muy bien.


    Blog de Bea- recomendaciones, animes, juegos & mƔs!.

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  8. Wonderful to go shopping in your own home and with great results. Careful hanging that beautiful shelf, it must weigh a ton? That bedspread is everything.x

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    1. Having loads of stuff has its advantages, there's always something we can repurpose! You're right, I think the shelf is fruitwood so it is quite weighty, rawl plugs and heavy duty screws for that baby! xxx

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  9. Love the cloakroom hooks!!! And the Indian piece. Actually everything does look really fab.

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  10. I have that wallpaper in my living room, on my chimney breast, but it a green/blue colour way. It was originally printed in 1910, which is the same year my house was built, which is partly why I chose it. The other part being because it’s bloody fabulous. Have a great weekend xxx

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    1. I've seen the wallpaper on your blog and it looks lovely! Its a gorgeous print, if I could find it printed on fabric I'd make a dress out of it! xxx

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  11. The room is a work of art, I love the hats on the hooks, the pictures and I am very excited to see how the Indian shelf will look once you have attached it to the wall.

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! I like being able to see all my hats, I hang them on the wall in the spare room but I'd run out of space! The shelf is up now, I'll share a photo soon. xxx

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  12. Your revamped bedroom looks amazing Vix! And I thought it was already amazing when you showed us around last year!
    That metallic paint has totally transformed your bedside tables, and that1960s Indian silk brocade bedcover is absolutely stunning!
    And of course I'm quite green with envy for your The Queen is Dead poster, which really deserves taking pride of place in your bedroom! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann! It was okay befre but you know what it's like when you've been away for a while, you see everything with new eyes! I'm so happy to have Morrissey visible again! I've been offered ridiculous amounts of money for the poster over the years but its going nowhere! xxx

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  13. Hello!
    I'm impressed with the transformation you've made to your room - it's a shame you didn't take a before photo - without spending a lot of money, recycling, buying from charity shops. In my room, I also have lots of pictures hanging on the wall, but they're cross-stitch embroidery that I made myself. I love this giant inspiration from The Smiths!
    Happy Sunday!

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    1. Hello Marisa! Thanks so much. I remember you sharing some of your cross stitch creations on a previous post, they are so beautiful. My wall would be full of them if I had your talent! x

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  14. That gorgeous shelf is a great find, and for £2, wow!! The whole room looks amazing, a lot of work to do it all but gosh how very satisfying. I LOVE the bedcover, that's right up my street.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sue! I was so excited to spot that bedcover, it feels amazingly luxurious! xxx

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  15. Always lovely to have a look at your home, and so lovely redecoration!
    That metallic paint makes a difference and I like particularly those bedside lights (totally agree about lampshades taking too much space on bedside tables)
    Lovely little video too!
    besos

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Lots of love, Vix