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

How to dress your dining table for a stylish Halloween

black and gold dining table decorations for Halloween

If you have organised a spooky Halloween dinner party for friends and family then you might want to give the dining table a little bit of a Halloween makeover. Go for something a little bit more stylish and alternative with our top tips for a stylish Halloween.

Top tips for a stylish Halloween

Set a colour scheme

Kids love to see ‘busy’ and fun decorations with lots going on and lots of colour but it tends not to look very sophisticated. Set a colour scheme for your table decor – like white and gold, it doesn’t have to be orange.

We love how pale pink has been bought into this Halloween table setting – small Halloween ornaments can be clustered together used as a room decoration, on a mantlepiece for example, or on a rustic dining table where you can create a spooky centrepiece. The beauty is that these pieces can be stored away and used year after year.

All black

All black never fails to impress and is the perfect colour for Halloween – it always looks dramatic, stylish and sophisticated, especially when combined with the warm wood tabletop of a reclaimed wood dining table. Of course, mixing in a touch of gold will also help to break up and bring some glamour to the black table setting. Add some faux cobwebs to the back of upholstered dining chairs and stand a witches broom and black hat in the corner.

Work with nature

If you have reclaimed wood furniture then you have the perfect opportunity to bring in natural elements. A twig tree to suspend cutouts of bats and spiders from, an autumnal garland around the fireplace. If you have a rustic sideboard then make the most of the surface by adding some more Halloween displays, something chic and simple, like an autumnal display of flowers and berries.

Halloween wreath

Wreaths are gaining in popularity for every seasonal celebration. Traditionally part of Christmas decorations only, wreathes have made their way to Easter and now are gaining popularity as a Halloween decoration. You don’t have to hang one on the front door but you can use it as a chic wooden dining table decoration. Make one yourself using Halloween decorations bought in any store and add them to a wreath made from autumn foliage and some candles for a spooky atmosphere.

Pumpkins

A carved pumpkin is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think about Halloween so this humble fruit (and, yes, it is a fruit not a vegetable) should not be left off the list. But you don’t have to stick with orange, you can paint small pumpkins black or white and add some glitter over the top to bring in some glamour. And of course, if you are looking for a farmhouse style Halloween table setting then traditional orange pumpkins are absolutely the right thing.

Here, pumpkins and gingham napkins give the farmhouse table an elegant country feel while still looking super stylish. Wouldn’t your guests love to squeeze up on a wooden dining bench and dig into a spooky Halloween meal around this beautifully set table?

Easy ways to elevate your Halloween decorations

Halloween is often thought of as a bit kitsch – something just for kids to get dressed up and go trick or treating – but adults can get in on the action too with something a little more sophisticated and grown-up. If you have any reclaimed wood furniture or rustic furniture in your home then you already have a great foundation to set off some super stylish Halloween decorations. Here we look at a few alternative ideas that will help you elevate your Halloween house decor.

5 Stylish Halloween Decor Ideas

1. Paint pumpkins

Instead of carving out creepy faces on the standard orange pumpkins, you can paint the pumpkins a stylish white. Paint simple black scary faces on them if you like, much easier than pumpkin carving! Get a selection of different sized pumpkins and create an attractive and elegant feature on a reclaimed wood coffee table in your living room or on a rustic console table in the hallway ready to welcome your guests as they arrive.

2. Fill glass jars or vases with Halloween decor

Keep your Halloween decorations in more impressive clusters rather than scattered all around the house. Use glass jars to display Halloween decorations and attach several cutouts of black bats together on a string and suspend them from a witches broom or add simple cob webbing to the corners of rustic furniture for a spooky feel.

3. Go for a cosy and welcoming look

Mix mini white painted pumpkins or white squashes with cosy autumnal textures like wool and faux fur. Dim lighting will help create a more spooky and cosy atmosphere, candlelight is perfect for a Halloween dinner party or you can use fairy lights scattered with mini painted squashes on your reclaimed wood dining table. Marry Halloween with autumn and bring in warm-coloured autumnal flower, or twig, displays.

You can also decorate your front door with Halloween wreaths and a few different sized pumpkins by your front door, they don’t even need to be carved. Garlands of autumnal leaf displays framing the door also look lovely and give a warm welcome to guests.

4. Go all black!

Halloween doesn’t have to be orange. Stick with black and decorate an area of your dining room or living room; maybe around the fireplace to make a really impressive display. If you don’t have a fireplace then consider the top of a wooden sideboard. A witches hat or cape is a really handy accessory, hang one on a hook by the fireplace in the living room.

5. Keep it simple

If you are just having a quiet Halloween night in then there is no need to go all out and spend hours decorating your house! Bring in a hint of Halloween and add small accents here and there in your home. Just a little display on a sideboard, wooden side table or rustic bookcase is all you need to be part of the fun.

How to choose the best seating for your living room

Whether you’ve moved into a new home or just fancy giving your living room a bit of a revamp the type of seating you choose will be one of your biggest decisions, not to mention cost. Living room seating is generally a large expense so you really do want to get it right first time.

Style

This can partly depend on the style of house you own or are purchasing and, of course, your taste. You can by all means choose a very modern leather sofa for a more traditional house – rustic and modern do mix really well, or you may prefer to keep the sofa a classic style and add modern accent armchairs.

A leather Chesterfield sofa looks just as good in a more traditional setting as it looks in the modern living room – it is one of those classic pieces of statement furniture which is well worth the initial investment. You can pair this with a modern armchair which can easily be replaced as fashions or your tastes change.

Photo featuring: Oswald 2 Seater Sofa Vintage Brown Leather

Colour

Now is the time to decide on the colour of your sofa – do you want to stick with neutral sofa that will blend in? Or do you want an accent sofa to make a statement and bring some bright and bold colour into your room? If you are planning on something long term then I would suggest that you go for a neutral option and bring in your accent colours through cushions and throws….things that aren’t too costly to replace when you fancy a change!

Lifestyle

It’s a good idea to consider how you’re going to use your living room and what your seating is going to be subjected to! Take into account if you have pets that you like to have sat with you on the furniture – will they shed fur that will get into the fabric. Do you have young children? Or do you like to throw parties? If you think your sofa will get a lot of use then a durable hard wearing fabric may be is best or easy to care for leather. You could even opt for seating with removable covers that can be easily cleaned. If the sofa is in a secondary living room and will be used occasionally then go for something a little more delicate – the cream York 2 seater fabric Chesterfield sofa below could be just the thing.

Will it fit?

Draw a plan of your living room and see how your new sofa and chairs will fit in, remember to allow plenty of room for walkways and space around your reclaimed wood coffee table and make sure your sofa will not be too far from or too close to your TV – there is lots to take into account. If your room is small you can opt for a coffee table with storage or a wooden chest. You can also have a matching footstool that doubles up as a coffee table by putting a decorative tray on it to stand drinks on. Most importantly you need to be able to get the sofa into the room in the first place – double check if it will fit along any narrow corridors, upstairs or round any tight bends on the way!

If space allows it’s a good idea to have a combination of different types of seating. For example, a large sofa with one armchair or a smaller 2 seater sofa and one or two wingback armchairs.

Whatever you choose you can be assured that reclaimed wood furniture will look amazing with any style seating.

How To Look After Beautiful Fabric Dining Chairs

It’s important to take your time choosing your fabric dining chairs. You should consider the colour, the texture and how they work in the style of your dining space to make sure you pick the perfect set that effortlessly complement your reclaimed wood dining table.

As beautiful and durable as upholstered dining chairs are, they will most likely show some signs of everyday use over time. Of course, if you have a young family, that day may come sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, stains and marks, even if they are just small, will be increasingly noticeable, if only to you! We can share a few insider tips on how to keep your fabric dining chairs in tip-top condition!

First of all, it depends on the fabric….different treatments are needed for different fabrics.

How to care for all fabric dining chairs

Vacuum your chairs

Vacuuming regularly will stop dust and food particles from getting ground in between the fibres of the fabric. We recommend regularly lightly vacuuming using the upholstery attachment, but take care not to snag the fabric of the chair.

Move the chairs around

It is a good idea to rotate your chairs around your dining table. There are two good reasons for this, one, the amount of light they are exposed to can vary in different parts of the room, even if they are not in direct sunlight and two, we are creatures of habit and tend to sit in the same spot around the table. These will obviously show signs of wear quicker than chairs that are not used as frequently.

Give your chairs some fresh air!

Open the windows from time-to-time to let in some fresh air. This will help disperse the build-up of any smells that get trapped in between the fibres of your chairs.

How to care for velvet dining chairs

A velvet dining chair is a thing of beauty, you will find velvet covering on a huge array of designs from striking modern chairs all the way through to traditional and formal high back dining chairs. The sumptuous luxurious fabric is a beautiful contrast to the rugged texture and look of a reclaimed wood dining table.

Spills

No matter how careful you, your family and guests are little accidents will happen. The best way to treat these is to spot clean them with a water-free solvent – it’s best done as soon as possible. Keep some close by in a wooden sideboard or console table. You can buy spot cleaner in many dry cleaners. As with most preparations please always test some before use on a small unseen patch of the velvet.

A soft-bristled toothbrush

This can be used to spot clean your chairs. A velvet brush is also a great investment you can gently vacuum your chairs and then brush the nap in one direction to keep them looking perfect.

Stubborn stains

These are difficult to treat yourself. If you have ground-in stains on your chairs, that are harder to remove, we suggest consulting a dry clean specialist to help.

How to care for linen dining chairs

Linen is a woven, very durable, fabric that will bring a modern touch to your dining room and, even better, it is super easy to clean.

Upholstery shampoo

This is the perfect thing to clean linen dining chairs with. Again always test before on a hidden area, before using fully and as always, try to clean up spillages as soon as possible. A good hint for using this is to not use too much and get the fabric too wet.

Dry cleaning

Whether the chairs have marks or stains on them or not, having them professional cleaned is something that can be done periodically to prolong the life of the fabric. It’s best to get the whole set done at the same time just in case the colour lifts slightly.

What chairs to choose for your rustic dining table

You have your gorgeous new rustic dining table picked for your dining space, maybe you already have some chairs you want to use or maybe you’re looking for some new ones. Discover different options of dining chairs that pair beautifully with a rustic table.

Wooden dining chairs

The Standford Industrial range marries together an industrial and rustic look beautifully. The reclaimed dining table from the collection is an industrial style table, so let’s look at chairs that match it. To soften the industrial look consider a set of wooden chairs. The Standford Wooden dining chair with an upholstered seat is crafted from reclaimed wood and will sit perfectly around a rustic dining table or industrial dining table. Alternatively, the Standford leather chair is another very popular choice. This classic seat design sat on solid industrial legs with the tan leather blending easily with many different styles of table, not just rustic. The Standford collection also includes a stylish faux leather dining chair perfect for if you are trying to achieve a sleek and slightly more modern look in your dining space.

Faux leather dining chairs

Faux leather dining chairs are so convincing these days. They look and feel just like real leather and are a great ‘wipe clean’ choice for a household with children…as well as being the animal friendly option. The Cleo faux leather dining room chairs are a perfect addition to a rustic table and will add contrast to your dining space by mixing rustic and modern. You can mix and match chair colours – we love how great grey and tan look together, the tan complementing the wood on your table and the grey adding contrast.

Dining benches

We all know that benches are “the thing” when it comes to dining room seating right now. They are right up to date and also bring the benefit of being able to get extra people around your table as well as bringing a casual mood to your dining space. There are so many different styles and coverings to choose from. A classic wooden dining bench can be easily mixed with other rustic or reclaimed wooden dining table and chairs, as can soft and plush velvet benches. A velvet bench for example is the perfect partner for our sophisticated Chelwood Large Reclaimed Wooden Dining Table bringing a dash of bling to your dining seating.

The aforementioned Cleo range of dining room seating also features benches and corner benches, both with backs for super comfortable dining. If your dining space is in a corner then you can save space by pushing them up against the wall.

How to mix rustic and modern furniture in your home

We see the images on social media and in all the home magazines….beautiful rustic furniture and features mixed in with sleek modern furniture and wondered how do they get it so right? How do they know what goes well with what? What should the modern element be and what should be antique or rustic to get the blend just right? In this blog, we hope to answer some of these styling conundrums.

First, how do we define modern? By this term, we mean anything from about the 1950’s onwards whether it be an original piece of furniture in this style or an updated copy. The minimalist Scandi or the more popular scheme, Japandi look is a good example of what we mean by “modern”, the chic uncomplicated style of this furniture is perfect to mix with rustic and antique.

Rustic incorporates anything that has a natural worn look with rugged, neutral and earthy touches. Antique pieces and antique furniture can also be included.

Use natural wood

Reclaimed wood furniture is perfect for this look. An ultra-modern sofa or armchair with crisp modern lines looks great when pulled next to an industrial coffee table with the tabletop crafted in rustic reclaimed wood. The natural lines and undulations of the wood soften the sometimes slightly clinical look of modern furniture. You can lay reclaimed wood floorboards to stand your modern furniture on, again a lovely contrast of rustic and modern. In the hallway, go for a modern tiled floor with a rustic hallway bench seat – it will not only be a very useful addition but will change the look of the entrance to your home.

Use texture and colour to cosy up the room

Texture is another great way to help your rustic and modern elements look more cosy together. Use a rug to bring elements together in your room – the rug will also help to define zones – or add a deep cushioned upholstered armchair in front of a brick fireplace with a wooden mantel to soften an otherwise hard and cold surface. Another trick is to use modern on-trend colours with rustic features. Be bold and go for an all-dark interior by painting walls, coving and skirting boards in the same dark colour and add a rustic edward leather armchair – the look is dramatic and cosy, yet modern at the same time.

Use contrasts

Opposites do attract, so consider placing a striking modern table lamp on an antique or rustic bedside table. A reclaimed wood dining table with modern dining chairs – maybe choose a bold colour to provide contrast against the wood? Rustic bar stools can bring in different shapes and add interest into a minimalist straight-lined kitchen. Also consider contrasting finishes – glossy surfaces with wood rich in natural features are a great pairing.

Tips to create a modern country home

Years ago we considered traditional farmhouse decor to be a little bit dated and we felt quite restricted with what we could do with it to bring it up to date. This has all changed now – out goes dark wood panelling, doilies and farm animal prints and in come calming neutral colours and a beautiful blend of rustic and modern.

Colour scheme

The modern country home should be filled with light! So bring it in with your decor and furnishings – stick with pale and neutral colours for walls, floors and ceilings. You can, of course, dot some accent colour into your rooms to add depth and interest but the overall feel should be light and airy.

Plenty of texture

A modern country home should have a good selection of different natural textures to give it a wholesome feel. Baskets of fire wood, wicker baskets, a jute rug, rattan pendant lights, exposed wood beams and brick walls will all work together to bring in a whole load of different textures.

Rustic furniture

Of course, you need to fill your home with gorgeous reclaimed wood furniture – statement, investment pieces that simply shout out country home. It’s a natural and earthy feel that you want to achieve. So a solid reclaimed wood bed, choose one from the handcrafted Dulwich range, for your country bedroom. A statement reclaimed wood dining table in the kitchen, with a practical dining bench so that diners can budge up to accommodate extra dinner guests. A rustic sideboard in the living room and a stylish Oswald 2 seater sofa pulled up to a large square coffee table crafted from full of character reclaimed wood.

Bring the outdoors in

We are all way more aware of how important the great outdoors is to our wellbeing now. So bring the outdoors in however you can, of course, the natural materials help, but position your furniture so you can see out to the garden or countryside wherever possible. Bring life into your home in the shape of houseplants and not just in the living room, you can add plants in every room of the house so you get the pleasure and benefit of seeing them wherever you are!

Make the kitchen the heart of the home

The kitchen should definitely be the heart of any country home – somewhere to sit around a rustic dining table in front of a range cooker with a cup of tea or coffee and a slab of home-baked cake. It’s the picture we all automatically conjure up when we think ‘country kitchen’. Make the kitchen homely and inviting in a modern way by using light neutral hues then bring in pops of accent colour.

Glamorous industrial dining that oozes style

industrial dining table with grey and blue velvet dining chairs

Industrial furniture is known for being practical, streamlined and functional – but who doesn’t like a bit of bling? Here we look at how to achieve an industrial but glamorous look in your dining space.

Top of the list has to be the ever-popular Mitcham Industrial Oak Spider Leg Dining Table a perfect blend of striking shiny legs topped by a full of character reclaimed wood tabletop that will definitely delight your diners. The Mitcham range has dining room storage covered too in the shape of a stunning industrial sideboard!

The Standford range features several dining table designs guaranteed to get your guests talking. This collection includes rectangular, round and extendable dining tables as well as console tables and glass display cabinets – everything you need for the industrial wow factor.

The Oasis collection is another stunning example of how glamorous the dining table can be. Pair this table with the Oasis Dining Chairs.

Add in some of this season’s must-have house plants to bring in some greenery to your room, this will add another layer of luxury. In addition to ceiling lights, you can bring in glitzy decorative floor standing lamps or tabletop lamps, use these to subtly highlight your favourite features in the room. Tall candlesticks also look great and give height when displayed on a sideboard or console table. Mirrors also add a bit of sparkle to a room so make sure you hang one of those to reflect features and bounce light around the room.

Although you don’t want to completely overdo the glamour, and draw the eye away from other features, dressing the table does give a luxurious finishing touch. Place a runner down the middle of the table with a glitzy centerpiece on it. This is a place to add contrasting decorative items that can be changed to suit your mood and the changing seasons.

The industrial look as we know is all about being functional, practical and streamlined and we hope that our hints will help you decide how to elevate this look to create a gloriously glamourous dining space.

How to create a rustic family dining space

This week we have been exploring how to make spaces at home a little more rustic, in this blog, we are looking at the dining space and easy ways to bring in some rustic warmth ready for the coming cooler months. The dining area is one of those spaces that will be used for quick midweek dinners as well as more formal occasions – so it is good to remember this when choosing how to decorate and furnish this space. Remember to take into account who will usually be dining at the table – a rustic wood dining table is a great family choice as it will already have stunning natural marks and undulations on it….which will help to disguise any additional ones made during day to day use! Being solid wood, a reclaimed dining table is also much easier to repair by furniture technicians.

The dining room

There is a huge array of rustic furniture available these days giving you plenty of scope to create a basic rustic dining room or to elevate your room to an eclectic blend of rustic and modern – a rustic dining table crafted from reclaimed wood would look great in either.

To keep it simple opt for a minimalist style table and wooden dining bench and if you want to blend rustic and modern you can pair this very same table with a plush velvet bench, velvet chairs or more modern faux leather dining chairs.

Adding a rustic sideboard allows you to bring in another element of cosy rustic to really reinforce the theme…. this also gives you ample storage opportunities for your serving dishes and table linen…. saving your room from getting cluttered and unruly!

A ‘faded look’ rug under the dining table and chairs will bring in extra rustic warmth and will anchor it in the room – it will also help to zone the area – this would also work in a combined dining and living space.

A fire place is not just for the living room – if you have a fireplace in your dining space then make the most of it – you can also add wood cladding for extra warmth and make the most of any exposed brick, stone or beams.

Dining area in the kitchen

If your dining space is within your kitchen then you just as many opportunities to bring in some cosy rustic elements. Rustic and farmhouse just belong together, so if you are lucky enough to have a farm-style house then you can go to town and bring in a butchers block instead of larger a rustic sideboard – a kitchen dresser is a classic piece of farmhouse furniture offering ample of storage and usually open shelving at the top to show off your more decorative crockery.

A breakfast bar or bar table is another feature in the kitchen that you can give a touch of rustic . The Dorset kitchen stools with backs look great at a breakfast bar – hang pendant lighting above the breakfast bar produced from a natural material like rattan or wicker.