I was inspired by this lovely spread in the latest issue of Ideal Home magazine. It’s simple and functional, but with a personalised aesthetic that stops it looking like it came out of a Staples catalogue. I also really love white and grey-blue as a base palette.

Ideal Home magazine, September 2012 issue

I’ve already got a few bits and bobs that I’m planning on using as starting points, including a gorgeous vitage-inspired world map (actually a piece of wrapping paper in an Ikea frame – bargain!) and a set of photographs by the lovely and talented Cassia Beck.

But the one thing I don’t have is a lamp. I want a task light so that I can illuminate my keyboard without having the overhead light on.

So, which one to choose? Now that’s a question. Here is a selection of some that I like…

First up, a pharmacy lamp I’ve been drooling over for about six months. It was out of my price bracket. Really, it still is out of my price bracket. But resisting a sale is sooooo hard!

Green pharmacy lamp £83.30 (was £119), Graham & Green

This one from John Lewis is much more like it, price-wise, and looks a lot like one I saw elsewhere for about six times as much.

Penelope lamp £45, John Lewis

Of course, there’s always the original Anglepoise (ok, I know, I know I can’t afford it)…

Anglepoise Type 75 mini LED lamp £165, Heals

This cute silver number is from Homebase, believe it or not, and a bargain at £29.99. It looks like it might have escaped from Wall-E (Tesco does similar ones in black and in white).

Orlando desk lamp £29.99, Homebase

This Terence Conran design is gorgeous in oak and white (it also comes in red, but I’m not a big fan of bright colours).

Conran Globe task lamp £89, Marks & Spencer

I quite like this functional looking nickel-plated lamp from Ikea.

Barometer work lamp £37, Ikea

So what do you think? Which one would you choose, or have you seen another stylish bargain elsewhere that I should be looking at? Answers on a postcard (or, you know, in the comment box…)

…Who said Jane Goodall ever settled for a tent?

Whether your weekend is spent exploring the wild or catching up on Mad Men, this playful, bright living room design plan will serve as happy backdrop.

1. Pharmacy Lamp / 2. Terracotta Table Lamp / 3. Wing Back Chair / 4. Zebra Bust / 5. Star Mirrors / 6. Ceramic Vase / 7. Sage Console Table / 8. Numeral Jar / 9. Soumak Rug / 10. Chinoiserie Mirror / 11. Vintage Library Chest / 12. Geometric Pillow / 13. Arden Sofa / 14. Ikat Pillow / 15. Woven Cross Stool / 16. Expresso Coffee Table / 17. Oyster Shell Chandelier / 18. Vintage Desk Clock / 19. Magnifying Glass / 20. Country Blue Paint / 21. Upholstery Fabric / 22. Chevron Gray Hardwoods

My friend Sarah lives in a gorgeous two-bedroom apartment with beautiful bones and plentiful space.  She asked me to flesh out her classic, romantic style into a mood board centered around her stunning purple fainting couch (for a similar piece, see #5).  I tried to maintain the feel of her dreamy clippings and opted for temporary wallpaper opinions as it offers high impact at a relatively low cost (such as the ones offered by Sherwin Williams (be sure you click “easy change”) and Tempaper).  While I’m certain we won’t be purchasing all my picks here, I will be sure to provide updates.

If you’d like me to create a mood board, feel free to email me at howiwastetimeblog@gmail.com.

1. Pottery Barn Velvet Drapes | 2. Ebe Table Lamp | 3. Martha Stewart Fretwork Rug | 4. Crate & Barrel Faulkner Media Console | 5. Edie Velvet Fainting Couch | 6. Pharmacy Lamp  | 7. Kelly Wearstler Pillows by Plum Cushion | 8. Trophy Print by Shelter Serra | 9. Porter Brass Lamp | 10. Plum Print by Alicia Bock | 11. Sherwin Williams Easy Change Wallpaper – Damask, Stripes and Toile Library | 12. Tempaper Temporary Wallpaper in Bronze Edie | 13. Target Mirrored Coffee Table | 14. Room & Board Lorick Sofa | 15. Jacqueline Mirror | 16. Crate & Barrel Jules Accent Tables | 17. Vintage Urn Lamp

because it came to them in the post, the friends had to assemble this beauty- an exercise which strikes me as akin to building your first AK47 blindfolded. but the friends are smart and so their evenings are already bathed in golden light.