Amy Bannerman (@amybannermanstylist) has built a career on coaxing new life from the old and worn out. A stylist and advocate of all things secondhand, she is best known for dressing the cast of Love Island in eBay finds – a move that landed her the role of eBay’s pre-loved style director.
That same eye makes her a fitting custodian of the Grade II-listed Hastings home she bought in 2023. Amy recalls its original state as ‘tired and dated’ but full of promise. The constraints of a listed property ruled out a full renovation, but Amy’s careful updates are proof of what resourcefulness can achieve.
For her bedroom – spacious but light-starved, with heavy beams that run in all directions – Amy envisaged a personal haven, filled with her cache of pre-loved treasures. ‘I wanted it to feel eclectic but unfussy, with a clean and natural finish on the walls.’
She enlisted colour consultant Lena Dahnsjo at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint to achieve the right effect: ‘It simplified the process so much and definitely saved me money on sample pots!’
The before
‘The bedroom felt tired and dated, and much of it was hidden under old wallpaper and paint.’
The plan
‘I love using Pinterest to plan spaces in my home, but I get overwhelmed by all the choice,’ says Amy. ‘I asked the team at Edward Bulmer to help me achieve the look I wanted and had them lead on the vision.’
Lena identified some problem areas. ‘Amy’s bedroom has exposed beams and limited natural light, which can make the space feel heavy or gloomy if colours are too dark,’ explains Lena. ‘Our aim was to create a palette that lifted the room while still feeling calm.’
The pair landed on Edward Bulmer’s Portland for the walls, ‘a grown-up neutral’ that mimics the creamy Portland stone, contrasted with the spicier Clove on woodwork. ‘Soft, warm neutrals and muted tones help reflect light and enhance traditional features without overpowering them,’ says Lena.
The process
Amy’s next priority was replastering uneven walls and addressing the bare window. ‘I had shutters made by an incredible local carpenter. They’re completely light-tight, so it feels as though I am being reborn when I open them of a morning.’ Her curtain was made by a local seamstress from an old Toast blanket.
She had lights installed inside her dark wardrobes, which ‘revolutionised’ her mornings – ‘I no longer have to wear a head torch when getting dressed!’ – and furnished the rest of the space with a cast of pre-loved furniture.
A secondhand Ikea mirror, a vintage chest of drawers from Heal’s and two Kartell cabinets flank one of Amy’s most prized eBay finds: a B&B Italia bed. ‘I had it recovered in a flecked bouclé wool that reminds me of the walls of Bottle Alley, one of my favourite places in St Leonard’s.’
A mix of charity-shop and contemporary artwork sit alongside painted beach pebbles and a much-treasured charcoal drawing by Amy’s mum.
'The faux-bamboo trunk was about £20 on eBay and I cherish it,' she adds.
Get the look: the pre-loved bedroom scheme
Design hero
Invisible Green, Amy’s favourite Edward Bulmer colour. ‘I stare at it as I drift off to sleep. It also makes an excellent backdrop for my ever-growing collection of pre-loved handbags.’
Biggest challenge
‘The low natural light. We had to choose colours to balance it, while also complementing the age and character of the property,’ says Lena.
Best bargain
‘My B&B Italia bed was a mega bargain. I got it for a tenth of its retail price. I had coveted it for years before I found it on eBay. I’ll never get another.’
Sourcebook
- Paint Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
- Bed B&B Italia via eBay
- Table lamp Habitat via eBay
- Bedside tables Kartell via eBay
- Mirror Ikea
- Chest of drawers Heal’s via eBay
