HB Edit - Edition 16

Sharing the things on my ebay watch list that I don't have the space or money for, but wish I did.

May 22, 2025

Back to regular broadcasting with 8 nuggets of eBay gold, and a look at the bathrooms decorated like rooms, not simply utilitarian spaces. Having grown up in a house where bathrooms were carpeted and wallpapered, I might be biased, but I think we should bring some of that drama back. Bathrooms are rooms too after all!

20th Century Mercury Mirror Glass Lamp:

Certified lamp addict just checking in here. This is another corker. Small, but perfectly formed, and at a pretty reasonable price - most lamps on Pooky cost more than this, with a fraction of the charm.

Antique French (Walnut?) Throne Chair:

Long-time readers of HB Edit will already be familiar with my delusions of grandeur; this chair is no exception. I think the shape is very pretty, without being too ornate or heavily detailed. And while I like the fabric, I would understand the need to modernise and remove stains. I think by the fire in a hall, or as a more up-right alternative in a library, this chair would be a winner.

Set of 3 Antique Gilded Iron Wall Lights:

I find myself drawn to wall-lights more and more; maybe we all want what we can’t have (my flat has zero wiring for wall-lights). I think this set of three is very smart. I am envisaging pierced card shades, like those from Hum London, which would cast a warm and interesting glow. Three might seem a bit random to some, but I am sure there’s a home out there for them…

Set of 6 Mid Century Dining Chairs:

I’m often asked to source dining chairs for friends, and I think you can’t go wrong with this slightly more masculine, mid century shape. They look in good nick, but would require the seat pads to be re-covered (easily done with a staple-gun). And a good price! Cheaper than John Lewis, and better for the planet. Too easy.

French Louis XV Marble-topped Bedside Cabinet:

This ticks lots of boxes: it’s very handsome, has ample storage, is not too big, and brings both marble and wood to add a mix of textures into a scheme. It’s got a sizeable price-tag, but nothing wildly unreasonable. For the right buyer, this is a real winner.

Arts and Crafts Antique Frame:

I have vivid memories of first visiting the imitable Wilson Stephens Jones gallery in Westbourne Park, and seeing the stacks of beautiful antique frames that Rosanna had collected. It was one of the many exceptional nuances of her taste, which allowed her to elevate and transform whatever work of art she was selling. While this is a far cry from the WSJ collection, I have found eBay to be a good source for antique frames. I like the way these frames bring some texture to what is more often than not a print or some less expensive artwork. It’s all in the mix, and if I’ve learnt anything, it’s a safe bet to try and copy WSJ.

Vintage Wrought Iron Plant Stand:

More garden scheming has introduced me to these wrought iron plant stands. For those balconies or terraces, it’s all about levels (or so I’m told). This sort of thing helps bring some height, which adds depth and a sense of abundance. If I wasn’t so worried that any more weight on my terrace would cause the roof to fall in, this would be straight in my basket.

2.4m of Ottoline “Guirlande” in Green:

I am less good on fabrics, but I think this is very sweet. I can picture it as a headboard, a cafe curtain or even just seat-pads with bow ties. 2.4 metres is enough to do something properly, and it’s a gentle enough pattern to keep the floral-phobes at bay.

Feature: for each edition, I will feature a person, object, room or place that inspires me.

This week I am writing about bathrooms.

I have been reflecting on how ugly modern bathrooms can be. In the pursuit of cleanliness, bathrooms tend to feel more clinical than personal; they are all hard surfaces with an insulting number of spotlights. It has got me thinking about the decorative history of bathrooms, and what an interesting read that would be (I can no longer pretend to be embarrassed for harbouring niche interests; I am who I am).

I was thinking about how you sometimes see bathrooms that were plainly never meant to be bathrooms; either much too big where a bedroom might have been, or far too small, squeezed into cupboards or under the stairs. Oftentimes you see an extension onto an older building, with kitchens and bathrooms stacked on top of each other for ease of pipe distribution. And in new build properties, which seem to demand an almost grotesque number of en-suites, bathrooms have become almost hotel-like in their uniformity, devoid of any visual interest.

And while modernisation has allowed for more efficient uses of space, I miss the days of decorating bathrooms like rooms. After all, bathrooms are rooms too!

To that end, I thought I’d share some of my favourite bathrooms from my extensive interiors archive (my Instagram saved folder). I like those that feel like somewhere you want to spend time: a comfortable armchair, candlelight, books, pictures on the walls, a table by the bath for salts. Some of these images fall into that category, and others I just think are cool. Enjoy!