katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk, Author at Modish Living

Top tips: How to give your dining room a designer look

How to give your dining room a designer look blog

Whether you have a separate dining room or a dining area in an open plan kitchen, getting the right design and layout isn’t always as straight forward as it first may be seem. For the space to work you need to strike the right balance of form and style so that it’s a functional and flexible space with just the right amount of ambience. Here, we set out some top tips and advice from experts on how to design this all-important space.

Get the layout of your dining room right

Unsurprisingly, the position of the dining room table is the most important and having the right size table for the space is paramount to the success of the space. If you are starting from scratch and buying a new reclaimed wood dining table then take some advice from interior stylist interior Emily Henderson who recently told livingetc. “Where possible you should allow a walkway of at least 75cms around large furniture pieces – however, if you are really pushed for space then your walkway must be no less than 60cms”. This is a great tip, as it means you don’t have to disrupt the entire table when you want to grab something from the kitchen or your guests use the bathroom.

The dining table is the centrepiece of the room so it really shouldn’t be pushed up against the wall. If there is normally only four of you around the table then choose a smaller table rather than a table that seats eight – a great option is to consider a wooden extendable dining table, so you get the best of both worlds.

Pick the perfect seating

Comfortable seating is so important for a dining room – especially if you entertain often. Think about how you’re going to use the space and what type of seating would be best. For example if you often need extra seating around a table consider a wooden dining bench as it tend to take up less space than individual chairs. Again if space is a challenge in the room then choose narrower seats without arms as they will fit under the table better and are also easier to get in and out of. When it comes to adding style and colour to your dining space, your dining chairs are the perfect items for this. A rustic dining table looks gorgeous when paired with sumptuous green velvet dining chairs or cream upholstered dining chairs with a buttoned back for sheer sophistication.

How to look after beautiful fabric dining chairs

Don’t forget about dining storage

Storage is essential in the dining room. In order to get it just right, think about how much space you have and how much you want to store – there are so many options you’ll be sure to find just the right piece. If you have plenty of room then a wonderful rustic sideboard is the obvious choice, this will provide you with acres of storage space inside together with extra space for decorative pieces on top. If you’re limited on floor space then a reclaimed wood shelving unit or a dresser is a good choice – you can display your favourite dinnerware on its shelves as well as other ornaments, plants or other items to personalise the room.

Set the mood with lighting

Lighting is another important consideration in the dining room. You want to make sure it’s bright enough that you can see what you’re eating, but not so bright that you lose the ambience. A pendant light is definitely a popular solution for many a good reason. Not only do they look good, but they create a focal point. Designers recommend a dimmer switch so you can change the mood when needed. A table lamp or floor lamp is also a great choice for after dinner relaxed lighting.

Create a centrepiece

Even when it is not in use it’s nice to have a centrepiece on the dining table – it makes a dining room look styled and complete. If it’s an arrangement that you will leave on the table when you dine, make sure it is a practical size. An oversized vase with a big bouquet of flowers or dried grasses look stunning, but you will need a wooden sideboard or someplace similar to move it to whilst you’re eating, so that you can see your guests!

3 colours that complement a brown leather sofa

Brown leather sofa with floor lamp and dark green walls

The classic brown leather sofa is a timeless piece of furniture that is found in thousands of stylish living rooms up and down the UK, if not the world. There’s a good reason for this – it’s such a versatile colour that can be styled in many different ways with many different colour schemes and furniture, including rustic furniture or modern furniture. If you’ve invested in one of these interior classics, to help you make the best decision for the colour scheme of your living room, we’ve picked three of our favourite looks that we think complement a brown leather couch beautifully…

Best colours for a brown leather sofa

1. Glorious Green

Green and brown are the colours of nature and work so easily together. We’re not talking bold bright greens here, but a subtle shade that could used as an alternative to bright white walls. Sage green is a popular hue this season as is a darker more moodier shade of green. This can be introduced as an accent wall in a more neutral colour scheme or if if you’re feeling bold, cover all the walls, skirting boards, coving and even the ceiling in a dark brooding green! For more subtle pops of green, large house plants are the perfect accessory, along with layers of green cushions, a lamp shade or rug. If you want the room to appear brighter, consider a lighter tan leather sofa paired with an accent piece of furniture like a modern armchair to add an extra eye-catching feature to the room.

2. Beautiful Blue

A brown leather Oswald sofa and pale blue work so beautifully together – reminiscent of a classic Wedgewood blue. This pale elegant colour will not only brighten your room, but will allow the beauty of your sofa to stand out, let’s face it, a gorgeous Oswald sofa is one that you really want to show off. Whilst pale blue is a lovely soft shade to pair with a leather couch, it would be shortsighted to not also consider a rich peacock or navy blue. These hues work well with reclaimed wood furniture as well a brown leather sofa by adding depth and balance to the scheme. Bring in a contrasting accent colour via accessories or furniture, especially if you have chosen a modern leather sofa.

Talking colour with Little Greene Paint Company – discover how to use colour in the home

3. Devilishly Dark – Grey or Black

If you’re fond of the boho style, a dark grey or black colour scheme with leather furniture is a win. It can also work if you’re wanting to achieve an industrial style living room – what doesn’t feel more NYC loft style living than a brown leather sofa paired with an industrial coffee table featuring black metal legs and exposed steel beams in the ceiling. For a more boho take, pair your sofa with natural materials, such as jute, rattan and rustic furniture with black or dark grey accessories, such as a Berber style rug and a wooden side table with black steel legs. If you’re wanting to create a cocooning space then a brown leather sofa with dark painted walls, such as Farrow & Ball Railings, will make a statement. The brown hue of the sofa will soften the darkness adding instant warmth. Black as a colour scheme is always popular and is re-invented time and time again as interior decor trends change, as does a brown leather sofa. By marrying these two classics together, you have a timeless scheme that will stand the test of time.

Relevant articles

5 bold dining tables for a striking dining space

Since the pandemic changed our lives, we are looking at ways we can use the space in our homes better. It is no secret that over the last two years as the home became our safe place and sanctuary more than ever before and the nation has collectively spent millions of pounds upgrading inside and out. One of the biggest investment areas is the combined open plan kitchen, diner, living room.

Spending time as a family has always been important and post-pandemic many of us realised just how much we enjoy this time together and how easily it was skipped pre-pandemic. With everyone now back at school and heading into the office, the only real opportunity we get to join as a family in modern-day is over dinner around the dining table. With mealtimes being so central to our interaction with family and friends, we think it’s worth making this space somewhere that makes a statement.

Bold dining tables that shakeup a room and make it the centre of the home is an upward trend, and why not? Here we look at our pick of large dining tables that are there to be noticed and enjoyed.

Our top 5 Striking Dining Tables

1. Canford dining table

The Canford collection of mango wood furniture definitely has a retro element to it. The mango wood dining table features a striking geometric design all skillfully created out of sustainable mango wood. This table will definitely add an injection of style to your dining space – we think the bold patterning on the table will look great in a room with dark atmospheric decor. The collection also includes, among other items, a rustic TV stand, wooden coffee table and a stylish mango wood highboard included in the collection you can deck your entire open plan living space in a cohesive and sustainable style.

2. Standford Industrial Dining Table

The Standford has always been a hugely popular choice with our customers and it’s easy to see why. This striking table takes old reclaimed wood and pairs it with polished new black industrial style legs to create a stylish contrast piece. This is one of those tables that will fit in with any style of décor in a room – choose from wooden dining chairs, faux leather dining chairs or mix in a wooden dining bench for a very modern look. This reclaimed wood dining table is a standalone feature in any dining space – a real talking point.

3. Rocco Spider Leg Dining Table

If you love the thought of an impressive industrial dining table in your dining space then the Kingsbridge could be just what you are looking for. Cool industrial black metal legs are paired with warm and rustic reclaimed oak set in a parquet pattern that catches the eye. Each table is unique having its own one-of-a-kind markings and undulations giving it history and character as well as individuality.

4. Mitcham Oak Dining Table

Black is indisputably the colour to go with if you want to create a dramatic, chic and stylish dining space, especially when paired with silver or gold shiny metal legs. This is a modern dining table is a true statement piece – pair with many different chair styles but a velvet dining chair up the style stakes further.

5. Mayfair Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

This rustic modern dining table is perfect for the dining area that wants to be noticed. The lack of straight lines will help give the illusion of there being more space around the table. You can fit 8+ dining chairs around the Mayfair Dining Table, dinner parties will be glamorous and intimate events around this striking rustic dining table.

Design inspiration: French farmhouse dining room

Our love for the rustic French farmhouse look in our homes never seems to fade. Elegant, rustic, laid-back and romantic, it’s an oxymoron of styles all working in beautiful harmony.

Before we look at how to create the French farmhouse style in the dining room, first, let’s understand how this look evolved! This style is said to have been originated by Louis XIV as he lavishly renovated the palace of Versailles in the 1600s. Over the years it has been downscaled and adapted to suit chic Parisienne apartments as well as a more country style in quaint country homes in Provence. A mix of classic style and rustic furniture, chic French farmhouse interiors is now as popular here in the UK as it is with our Gaelic neighbours.

How to create a French country dining room

We all have that image of a large rustic dining table next to a French door opening onto a lavender-scented garden with sheer nets blowing in a gentle warm breeze and whilst that may be difficult to replicate in many urban homes, you can bring a touch of French farmhouse to your dining room no matter where you live.

For fear of stating the obvious, the dining table is the most important item in the dining room. To get the French country style look you should match classic accents with homely rustic furniture. The Colette refectory reclaimed wood dining table is a perfect centerpiece for your room and brimming with French charm. The natural rough finish allows the knots, grains and splits of the reclaimed wood to shine through, which is just what your dining space requires. With a gorgeous rustic dining table in the room, next you need to complement it with some suitable dining chairs. For this, we think upholstered dining chairs covered in light linen, such as the Natural Sand Button Back dining chair, will sit prettily next to the rustic wood. The feature button back brings some classical style, whilst the modern shape keeps it on-trend.

The Derby collection is just made for the French Country dining room. This reclaimed wood furniture collection is skillfully crafted using salved wood with many pieces featuring decorative finishes, it includes a wooden sideboard for dining room storage. Another great choice is the Worcester white farmhouse table. This statement farmhouse dining table with white painted monastery style legs has all the charm you need for this look.

If you are seeking a more polished take on French farmhouse design, we suggest steering away from pale and rough wooden furniture and instead choose a farmhouse dining table with a soft smooth finish.

The Ringwood mango wood dining table with its rich homely colour is great for adding instant warmth in a dining space. Keep walls natural by using stone, bare brick or even smooth plaster and let the honeyed hue of the wood bring a glow to the room.

When it comes to décor and the finishing touches there are many wonderful ways you can cement the look, including decorative chandeliers or wall lights to add a lovely contrast to the rustic wood. Keep colours mainly neutral, but you can consider a printed wallpaper on a feature wall to add some interest – a pale blue or green print is ideal for a French feel. Also on the walls add a wall mirror or gold decorative frames and, of course, make the most of any original features you have in the room whether it is wood panelling, a fireplace, skirting boards or cornicing.

Kitchen trends 2023 – and how to style them

Kitchen trends 2022 and how to style them

Considered the heart of the home, the role of ours kitchens have adapted over the past couple of years to become a multi-functional epicentre where we can eat, work, relax and socialise. As we spend more time than ever in our kitchens, you will won’t be alone if you are considering planning an upgrade this year. We’ve taken a look at three hot trending kitchen ideas for 2023 and selected our pick of rustic furniture to sit beautifully alongside these hot new designs.

3 Top Kitchen Trends for 2022

Back to nature

As in the rest of our homes, we are looking to connect with nature wherever possible and this trend extends in the kitchen too. The colour we are seeing again and again in the kitchen is green – in particular a muted sage or mint green, together with a deeper rich hue. We think this colour is the perfect companion for reclaimed wood furniture – natural wood is another way to connect with nature making it the ideal material to pair with a green kitchen, not to mention it being the eco-friendly option.

The Standford industrial extendable table is the perfect choice for this with the green gently softening the cool industrial look. Crafted in reclaimed wood this timeless table will be a home staple for years to come.

Moody blues

Darker rooms have gained popularity in interior design over the past couple of years with interior designers opting for darker shades of teal, green, grey and blue. These rich tonal colours are a great way to bring some atmosphere into the kitchen and dark navy blue units are especially having a moment. If a wall of kitchen units is too much for your space, paint an accent wall or tile your splash back in a dark blue; you can even add some sumptuous dark blue velvet dining chairs around a kitchen table to bring in this on-trend hue.

We think the golden colour of a mango wood dining table is the perfect fit for a darker kitchen, adding another layer of depth and warmth to your decor.

Monochrome

Black and white is classic colour scheme that is making waves in kitchen design. If you opt for white kitchen units you can bring in black in so many ways – wall tiles, black marble work surfaces, new floor tiles, even a kettle and toaster. The same applies in reverse – a black kitchen with white walls and accessories make a instant eye-catching interior scheme. To complement this minimal design choose a statement dining table like the striking Blackbone rustic oak dining table in your dining space to complete the look. The solid dark oak set in an appealing parquet pattern will sit very comfortably next to a white or black kitchen.

Woodgrain

Natural textures are a big deal for 2022 and the return of woodgrain in the kitchen is predicted. Natural wood will appear on units, work surfaces, floors and even walls. Pair this with neutral colours for a bright and airy feel, along with other natural accents. Any reclaimed wood dining table will work well with woodgrain units although the Chelwood Reclaimed Wood Dining Table is our top pick. Bring in plenty of different textures to pair with a natural wood kitchen – wicker storage baskets, natural weave covers on upholstered dining chairs or rattan dining chairs, faux leather dining chairs would also look great. Or keep it natural with modern wooden dining chairs and a wooden dining bench with a faux fur throw.

3 heavenly bedroom makeover ideas to stay cosy

We don’t know about you, but at this time of year we like to spend a lot of time in our bedrooms. The nights are long and cold – we naturally want to hibernate and snuggle up under the duvet in our cosy warm beds. With all this time spent in the bedroom, now is the perfect time to give this room a makeover and create a cocooning environment you’ll never want to leave. To help you get started, we’ve pulled together three classic looks that are easy to create in any size room.

1. Bedroom blues

Calming, tranquil and restful, blue is often a go-to colour for bedrooms. Not just pleasing to the eye, some studies have identified that a blue room may even be able to help improve your mood and also help reduce our blood pressure and heart rate. It makes you wonder why a bedroom should be any other colour, right? To keep it warm, choose a blue with a purple bias or a rich navy and steer clear of more icy blue colours. Blue is very versatile and can be accessorised with a whole array of other colours to add accents to your bedroom like grey, pink, lilac and brown to name just a few. You can choose patterned fabrics to bring in an accent colour and opt for different textures to add variety and interest. We think the Dulwich reclaimed wood furniture collection are just perfect for a calming blue bedroom.

2. Neutral nesting

Neutrals are always great for a bedroom – like blue it’s calming and works well in just about any space and with any style of furniture. Neutral colours will never make a room look cluttered or dark. If you do choose a neutral theme for your bedroom in order to keep it cosy, choose comforting and warm earthy tones – off white, soft grey and cream. These colours make a great foundation for reclaimed wood furniture! With a neutral theme, why not opt for the Oldham King Bed with a feature wooden headboard? The natural grain and beauty of the wood will certainly shine out against a neutral wall. Or add softer features with a grey velvet bed and rustic bedside table. With this timeless bedroom decor you can bring in soft colours in the way of bedding, scatter cushions and floor rugs to keep it current year after year.

3. Boho boudoir

The Boho style lends itself perfectly to the bedroom. For a bohemian look, you want to include floor pillows, pouffes and plenty of scatter cushions on the bed, as well as cosy throws in different textures. Warm up the floor with some natural floor mats or patterned Turkish style rugs. It’s all about being light and airy – stay away from really dark bedroom furniture (a medium wood colour is about as dark as you want to go) – choose a natural wooden wardrobe and solid wood chest of drawers in rustic wood. The predominant colours should be shades of browns and beige, but bring colours in with your accessories. Hang some macrame wall hangings on the walls, add some pot plants beside your rustic bed and bring in a variety of textures, such as a mix of earthenware and terracotta pots as well as wicker baskets.

Designer tip – use the 60-30-10 colour rule like a pro

Many interior designers work with the 60-30-10 rule when it comes to implementing colour schemes in interior design projects. So let’s look at this in a little more detail and see how you can use this pro trick in your own home to achieve that finished designer look.

How to use the 60-30-10 colour rule

The rule applies to how much you should use of each colour in your room. Let’s break this down. There should be 60% of the main colour you have chosen, 30% of the secondary colour and 10% of an accent colour. The theory is that this will give you an aesthetically pleasing and balanced allocation of the colours you have chosen. So in a kitchen for example the 60% can be natural wood – kitchen units, a reclaimed wood dining table and a wooden sideboard or kitchen dresser – you can bring in 30% by painting an accent wall or pairing coloured upholstered dining chairs with a rustic dining table and for the 10% you can use table linen, a coloured toaster and kettle and wall art in your chosen colour.

For a living room theme, why not choose a pale grey for the 60%? You can paint walls in this colour with a grey sofa and a floor rug and add a 30% blue hue via curtains, scatter cushions and throws on your sofa. For the final 10%, choose a dramatic black and add accent pieces to your room – a velvet armchair, wall art, plant pots, a table lamp etc. or you may prefer something more vibrant such as red, yellow or a rich teal.

Of course, it is your space and you don’t have to stick to the rules! We all know the best rules are there to be broken…! In the living room scenario, there is no reason why you can’t add two lots of 10% (we know, it doesn’t add up, but we’re breaking the rules!) and go for a vibrant colour as well as black. The numbers are just to help get the proportions right, the important thing is to choose three or four colours that go together well.

Colour in the master bedroom

Another room you can apply this to is the master bedroom. Let’s make our first 60% a soothing ‘perfect for the bedroom blue‘ – then we can add 30% in a dark navy – this can be curtains, a floor rug or an accent wall. If you were to add some printed scatter cushions as part of your bedding, to tie it all together and bring in your 10% colour, take a colour from the print on the cushions and add a small velvet armchair or bedside lamps on your bedroom side tables.

When purchasing new bedroom furniture you can easily change and adapt your colour scheme if you opt for solid wood rustic bedroom furniture. Good quality neutral bedroom furniture will last you for years and due to the classic styles will never go out of fashion. You can then simply update parts of your bedroom accessories when you fancy a fresh new look.

Decluttering tips from professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn

As much as most of us don’t choose to clutter our living space, it’s an inevitable part of home life and all too often life gets in the way of keeping it the calm space you worked so hard to create. From that pile of papers on the corner of the work surface to a wooden chest of drawers full of unworn clothes and other odds and ends, there always seems to be ‘stuff’ staring at us no matter how hard we try to stay tidy. If you’ve attempted to get on top of the mess and to declutter only to create more work and stress, you may have come to the conclusion that it just isn’t for you. However, according to professional organiser, Vicky Silverthorn, of You Need a Vicky, decluttering isn’t rocket science, it’s simply a matter of mindset and organisation. Far from being the preserve of obsessive tidiers only, Vicky shares with us her pro Decluttering Tips of how to declutter without having to follow strict rules and make it a way of life….

Decluttering Tips for an organised home with Vicky Silverthorn

1. Live with less

One of the easiest changes you can make is to switch your mindset to enjoying to live with less. Life for many of us is frantic and already full, we don’t need more ‘stuff’ to busy our minds. The less belongings you have, the less you have to be responsible for and the easier it is to manage your belongings. You don’t have to follow strict rules, such as ‘if you haven’t worn an item for over a year, chuck-it’, to be good at decluttering; we don’t need more pressure! We’re all individual and live our lives differently, so there can’t be one rule-book that works for all. I believe once you get to grips with the concept of living with less, you will automatically be more selective with what you want in your home.

“being organised starts at home; if your home is in shape, other elements of your life will follow.” Vicky Silverthorn

2. Hold on to the things that are special

Many people think that decluttering includes ridding yourself and your home of everything that is special or holds precious memories. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you enjoy living a minimalist lifestyle, clutter is unlikely to be a problem for you, but for many of us, surrounding ourselves with reminders of those we love or happy times is what makes our house a home. By reassessing your belongings and moving some on, you will discover which items are genuinely most precious to you and give them pride of place on your shelves or wooden sideboard. Rather than be lost amongst other items, the important things are able to shine through and you will notice them more. It comes back to the notion of living with less. When we have less we value those special mementos more and this brings us greater appreciation and happiness.

3. Look at your room differently

Once you have embraced the idea of living a less cluttered life and start seeing the benefits, you will enter a different mindset that makes it almost second nature. I really believe you don’t have to follow a strict formula and should do what works for you, think more guidelines than rules. My clients often tell me they no longer feel the need to have a dedicated declutter day as they naturally move on belongings they no longer want or need as they go. They view a room differently and as such, decluttering becomes a natural way of life.

“Ask yourself ‘can I live without it?’ – this is the most powerful question to ask yourself.” Vicky Silverthorn

4. Find friendly ways to restore order

One of my most important decluttering tips is to think of being tidy and ordered as a friend, rather than a foe. We all too often see order and restoring order as a chore and an unwelcome necessity. Being organised will work for you, not against you. Having order in the home, and your life, is not something that will add to your workload continuously. Give everything a home and get into the simple habit of putting things back where they belong, even if that takes you an extra 20 seconds – it will save you time in the long run.

About Vicky Silverthorn

Being organised is something that comes naturally to Vicky. After ten years working as a PA for professional footballers, pro golfers and eventually the musician, Lily Allen, Vicky set up her own business, You Need A Vicky, to help people declutter and organise their homes. Vicky and her team share a passion for organisation to improve your life for the better and with their decluttering tips have helped people from all walks of life organise their homes and to declutter their spaces. To find out more visit www.youneedavicky.com.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, check out more from Our Friends to discover tips and inspiration to create a home you love, including Key Wallpaper Trends from wallpaper designers Feathr and How to get an Insta-worthy Home with interior stylist, Maxine Brady.

What is sustainable wood and why is it important?

We constantly hear the terms eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, recycled and sustainable when it comes to home interiors, but you’re not alone if you’re not clear what makes wood sustainable? Here, we look at everything you need to know about sustainable timber.

For many hundreds of years when people wanted to build something, they would go into the forest or woods and chop down the trees they needed for the job. Of course, after 1000’s of years of people just helping themselves and with the huge increases in population across the world, the forested areas were starting to get a bit sparse. After the first world war, the forested areas in the UK was at an all-time low and so the Forestry Commission was formed to replant and manage forest areas in the UK.

What actually is sustainable wood?

Sustainable wood is timber that can be used for building, furniture production etc. without having a detrimental effect on the environment. It generally comes from a renewable source where trees can be felled and replanted with little knock-on effect to local wildlife, eco-systems and the environment in general. The felling of trees is responsibly managed by organisations whose main concern is the long term well-being of the environment.

Why buy sustainable wood?

It makes perfect sense to buy wood from a sustainable source as opposed to other sources. Sadly, still much of the wood sold around the world is not from a sustainable source, even in Europe. The impact of deforestation, even rain forests 1,000’s of miles away, affects us all. There is a human element to deforestation too – tribes people are forced out of their homes and local farmers are often subject to exploitation if the felling of trees is not regulated correctly. All of these reasons point to why sourcing sustainable wood for our rustic furniture is the responsible choice.

Types of sustainable wood

There are many types of sustainable wood you can choose from – mango wood is a fast-growing hardwood that is a by-product of mango farms, so this is ideal to produce sustainable furniture from. Other materials, such as, rattan, Douglas fir, certified oak and ashwood are also sustainable. Of course, the best wood to use is reclaimed wood – this can be used to craft the most gorgeous reclaimed furniture such as a full of character farmhouse table, a sturdy and solid wood bed frame or a decorative rustic sideboard.

How can you identify sustainable wood?

You can easily check if unprocessed timber or a piece of reclaimed wood furniture is crafted from a sustainable source by looking out for the internationally recognised FSC certification.

Which woods should be avoided?

When it comes to choosing wood furniture or timber for construction then there are some woods that should be avoided….unless of course, you are satisfied it has the correct FSC certification. These include teak in general, Mahogany, Ebony and Sapelee. Many of these tree species are endangered and frequently felled and exported illegally even though they are vital to the people, the wildlife and ecosystems that surround them.

If you want some ideas on how to furnish your home in a sustainable way, we’ve created some top tips, or read our blog on creating an eco-friendly interior design.