Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'

Interior stylist Maxine Brady created a swoon-worthy bedroom filled with elegant styling ideas and vintage furniture finds

Published: July 13, 2020 at 5:00 am

When Maxine moved into her home, her bedroom had a damp problem. The plastered walls were crumbling in places, and there was a long, outdated radiator taking up one wall. The beige carpets were worn and the windows were rotting away, and everything in the room needed attention. Here, she recalls her renovating experience...

A bit about me

I’m Maxine Brady and I live in a two-bed house in Brighton with my Maltese dog, Teddy.

Maxine Brady

My renovating experience...

Month by month I would tackle something in my bedroom, saving up for the renovations as I went. First off, my plumber moved the radiator to under the windows to free up wall space. A bulk of my budget went on repairing the rotten sash windows to stop draughts, and then blinds were put up.

To save money, my dad and I stripped off all the wallpaper and underneath we found the plaster was crumbling. I called tradesmen to plaster the walls and sort out the damp.

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
Style idea! A clear Perspex chair adds a modern touch to a vintage room

A reclaimed fireplace was installed at the chimney breast. The fireplace was installed at the chimney breast - it was originally in my dining room and I ripped it out when renovating the downstairs, saving it to install in my bedroom.

I found the plaster ceiling rose in a skip years ago, and it had been stored in my parents’ garage for over 15 years, just waiting for the perfect place to be fitted. Once the plaster was dry, I painted everything grey, including the ceilings, woodwork and walls.

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
Maxine has dressed her bed in sumptuous style, with a mix of decorative cushions and a soft throw in baby pink

However, I quickly realised this was a big mistake – the room felt dark and gloomy – so I painted the ceiling white to brighten it. A bulk of my budget went on plastering, paint and new carpets, but I saved money elsewhere, furnishing the space with junk shop finds.

My chest of drawers was just £15 while my wardrobe was £100. To make the furniture blend in with the room, I upcycled them with a lick of paint.

I found the Chinese rug in my mum’s attic. It’s worn in patches, but I love it. The colours go perfectly with the style and colours in my home.

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
An Art Deco mirror was carefully restored by a glazier. ‘The small shelf is ideal for displaying my perfume bottles,’ says Maxine

My style advice...

Try these simple tricks in your own home

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
Maxine's renovation cost a total £1,757

Look out for junk shop finds

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
‘My bedroom is unashamedly girly – I love all the pastel colours’ says Maxine

Almost all the furniture in Maxine’s bedroom was bought at junk shops, flea markets or in charity shops. By upcycling, she gave them a new lease of life, either by reupholstering or painting them.

Add a hidden feature wall

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
‘I’m so proud of all the hard work that has gone into my bedroom’ says Maxine

Maxine wanted to add a warmer colour to her bedroom to tie all the shades together. Rather than paint all the walls pink, she chose to just paint the wall behind her wardrobe and broke up the block of colour with a gallery wall of vintage artwork.

Reuse period features

Bedroom makeover: ‘My bedroom is filled with vintage bargains'
'My favourite part... I’m torn between my pretty fireplace and my shoe cupboard - it makes me feel like Carrie from Sex and the City' says Maxine

The antique Art Deco fireplace was salvaged from Maxine’s dining room and was installed by her plasterer, creating a beautiful focal point in her bedroom. She then painted the metal hearth white to help it blend into the colour scheme of the room.

This is a digital version of a feature that originally appeared in HomeStyle magazine. For more inspirational home ideas, why not subscribe today?

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