Bulldog Vintage, bespoke lamps to light up your home or office
How often have you come across an old piece of equipment or object - neglected, broken or just outdated and useless in the modern age - and thought what a shame it is for it to be left disused?
Many of these old objects feature fine materials, interesting design features and excellent workmanship, and are crying out to be re-purposed and appreciated. Thank goodness then for businesses like Bulldog Vintage, who upcycle outdated, damaged or broken items into bespoke, hand-made lamps, creating amazing statement pieces to enhance your home.
Business owner Chris scours flea markets and antique shops for interesting items to re-make into his amazing lamps: Typewriters, fire extinguishers, trumpets, violins, vintage phones, sewing machine, milk churns… even Cold War bomb cases! As long as an item has a certain design style Chris can convert it into a eye-catching floor-standing piece of lighting or table lamp.
Upcycling is an innovative method of material sourcing and production, and this relatively new movement is a breath of fresh air after years of mass production. One of the biggest reasons for the rise in upcycling as a craft is the positive impact on the environment - items destined for the dump are rescued and remade into something useful. By re-using these items Chris is preventing them going to landfill, and reducing the demand for new raw materials.
Upcycling also breathes new life into well-used and loved items to give them a new story and personality, while at the same time creating something that is useful, functional and very cool and on-trend. In fact Bulldog Vintage’s lamps rival those seen in glossy magazines and high-end design stores, yet these handmade, unique furnishing pieces are affordable and accessible to everyone.
Chris’s lamps make wonderful gifts that can appeal to people based on their interests; a saxophone lamp for a jazz lover maybe, or a lamp made from an old cine projector for a film enthusiast. The range of lamps on offer is changing constantly depending on what Chris finds on his travels, but the sort of lamps often available include:
Garden and Industrial - From antique garden shears to vintage fire extinguishers; a range of bespoke lamps handmade from delightfully distinctive garden and industrial items
Literature – for lovers of reading, Bulldog Vintage offer a range of lamps created from novels, cookery books, vintage typewriters and more
Home Furnishings – Lamps made from unusual homewares like miniature sewing machines and vintage home movie projectors
Musical Instruments – Violins, trumpets, saxophones, trombones… a range of lamps handmade from all manner of instruments
Kitchenalia – Great for amateur chefs; lamps created from old tea urns, milk churns and more
Militaria - Upcycled from bomb casings and test missile tails; definitely unique and, dare we say, striking!
Note: All the materials used in the conversion process are new, and all lamps conform to British Standards with most being wired using three core cloth twisted flex.
Bespoke Lamp Service
If you have a piece of equipment you’d like turning into a lamp, or an idea for something you’d like, simply contact Bulldog Vintage and ask about their Bespoke Lamp Service. Chris likes a challenge so don’t assume it can’t be done!
Stockists
Bulldog Vintage lighting and lamps can be admired and purchased at a number of stockists in the Ipswich area:
Cake & Catwalk - Boutique and fashion accessories, look fabulous for less. St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, IP1 1TW - www.cake-and-catwalk
Carley’s Yard - A unique retail destination selling art, antiques, vintage, collectables, lighting and retro items. 25 Fore Street, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9DY.
Cult Café - A modern cafe with spectacular views over Ipswich Waterfront. James Hehir Building, University Avenue, Ipswich, IP3 0FS.
I Make Fun Stuff - Handmade & Timeless markets held at the Ipswich Town Hall. With over 40 of the best craft and vintage stalls East Anglia has to offer including bespoke lamps by Bulldog Vintage.
