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

How to create an indoor-outdoor space that flows

Outdoor patio with rattan sofa and large glass window

Here we are looking at ways you can transform a small balcony, courtyard or patio into an outdoor masterpiece that will blend seamlessly with your indoor living space.

Some of the ideas in this blog would be perfect to create a small “outdoor extension” to your living room, kitchen or bedroom. You may find some great ideas to help brighten up your outdoor space if you are in a flat in town or have a small brick-walled courtyard out the back of your house …….and you might even find it makes both the indoor and outdoor spaces feel more spacious and light.

Wherever you can, choose natural materials

If you have a wooden interior floor consider wooden decking for your outdoor space. If you have a tiled floor then get tiles that are as close a match as possible to let the space flow. Stone also works well – it looks lovely and natural and is perfect for outside. When it comes to furniture, again choose something natural that would be used inside and out – a rattan sofa set for a living room and a rustic wood dining table paired with rattan dining chairs for a dining room. Reclaimed wood furniture fits in perfectly here.

Bi-fold, crittall or sliding doors will open up the space

To make the most of any available light and to make your space look as large and open as possible then big doors and windows that can slide open or fold back are a must-have. If you do have the opportunity to replace a window or door then make the new one you install as big as possible and you will get to see even more of your cosy garden space.

Think about walls inside and out

Just as you have with the floor, if your patio is surrounded by a brick wall, consider exposing the brick on one side in the inside, if the brickwork is a bit dull then you can paint it white. Or how about wood panelling to mimic fencing? Or some bamboo panels for an eco-friendly fix. If you are in a flat and want a bit of privacy when you are sat out then you can add thin bamboo panelling to the railings, if you don’t want to block out light then a nice thin panel would be ideal.

Match planting inside and out

You can have the same plants inside and out and set a theme for your plant pots to give the feeling of continuity from indoors to out. Plants don’t just have to be stood on the floor you can save space by having hanging baskets, wall boxes and plant stands. To mimic this indoors arrange houseplants on reclaimed wood shelving. If you have a wooden table and chairs then place a garden-inspired centrepiece to it. A tall plant in a pot by the doorway will help disguise any door or window frames and give the feeling of a continuous space. Fairy lights help make your outdoor space magical as day turns to night, you can wrap them around your plants which again will ensure your outdoor space doesn’t fade away in the darkness!

How to perfect alfresco dining indoors

Group of people eating around a rustic dining table

Create a magical outdoor dining scape table setting even if you don’t have an outdoors with our stylish garden dining tips…

A wooden dining table

First off, a wooden table is a must. We value nature more than ever before meaning many of us feel the need to connect with the outdoors. You can start this in your own home by introducing rustic wood and other natural materials. And, because we value and respect nature more then it should really be an authentic reclaimed wood or rustic dining table to be true return to nature!. Adding a wooden dining bench or wooden dining chairs will also give you a bit more of an outdoor feel during the summer months.

Decorate the table with green foliage and flower displays

A great way to bring nature into your dining space is to use natural table decorations, houseplants, twigs, green foliage and freshly cut flowers. If your table is small and you need all the space on it you can consider a reclaimed wood sideboard. This surface of this would be another great (and more permanent) place to add a beautiful natural-looking garden display that will also give you a whole load more storage space too!

If tabletop and room space is tight create a botanical display to hang over the table

Use a piece of wood and rope and entwine ivy, leaves and flowers to create a magical display. You can add some fairy lights to this to create some gentle candle-like lighting for a more intimate evening. Garlands around a mirror or along a mantlepiece or hanging on the wall will help make your dining space even more naturally magical.

Credit: Bex Partridge

Cover the table with natural linens

Here you can opt for a natural linen table cloth and play with layering, add a runner and garden colour napkins – choose a light and dark shade of green and add an accent colour like red, orange, yellow or lilac to mimic your favourite garden flowers. A combination of brown and green table linen is also great and would work particularly well with the beautiful, natural grain of a rustic wooden dining table.

Open the windows to let in fresh breezes

It’s always good to get some fresh air into your living space – we recommend you open your windows wide at every opportunity and let the gentle evening breeze into your room.

Weave fairy lights throughout the dining space

Use as many fairy lights as you like to mimic romantic garden lighting. Yes, hang them everywhere, around mirrors, pictures, along a sideboard wrap them around tall house plants or place a bunch of string lights in a glass dish on your large dining table….you can even add a touch of greenery and some stones to this to create your own unique table centrepiece! You will want good lighting for dishing up and while you are eating, to keep the garden feel going, we would suggest a bamboo pendant light over your dining table.

Serve an alfresco style menu

Serve the type of food you would usually have if outdoors, such as garden party favourites like antipasti, grilled meats, and a green garden salad. Consider share platters, tear and share bread and other traditional garden party favourites like burgers and grilled vegetables. For drinks, you can serve sangria, a delicious lavender champagne cocktail, or a summery, zingy and minty mojito! Enjoy!

5 ways to bring the great outdoors in

Green houseplants in living room with grey fabric sofa

Summer is getting closer and closer and we all want to make the most of being outside, topping up our vitamin D and enjoying the sun whenever possible. But if you don’t have an outdoor space then you really don’t want to feel like you are missing out. Here we have a look at some great ways you can bring the outdoors in.

1. Add plants & trees

Reclaimed wood furniture, such as a reclaimed dining table is a great way to bring wood into your home and just works perfectly with other natural elements like house plants and trees. It may seem a bit extreme at first but, yes, you really can bring a tree into your home! If you have a rustic sideboard then fill the top with greenery – house plants are proven to lift your spirits and reduce stress. Use rustic-looking plant pots in natural materials to give your room a garden feel!

Credit: Prestigious Textiles, Whisp Collection

2. Use natural materials

You should use materials that are found in nature whenever possible like wood, rustic wood, reclaimed wood, stone, wicker and rattan. Pots for your house plants that look like stone or baskets that are produced from wicker are another great choice. If you are lucky enough to have a reclaimed wood coffee table then go for natural granite or wicker drinks coasters. Leather frames look great on wall art and mirrors.

Reclaimed wood coffee table with white painted legs

3. Large windows

If you have the opportunity to change your windows then make them as big as possible. Of course, this is a bigger initial investment but it will be well worth it when you have a whole load of lovely sunshine spilling into your room. You could also look at changing a window for a floor-to-ceiling patio door, if you are in a flat above ground level you can add decorative railings so you can open them wide without the risk of anyone falling. If that’s not an option, keep windows clean and drape sheer fabrics so the outdoors is clearly visible and the sun can still filter in.

4. Choose nature-inspired artwork and accessories

If you wanted to add some wall art you could opt for a print of a tropical plant or forest scene. For cushions, get covers in a natural fabric with botanical scenes and pair with a matching sofa throw, or curtains to hang at the windows.

5. Introduce natural scents

We all like our living space to smell fresh and inviting to achieve this you can use fresh flowers, diffusers and scented candles to give a wonderful nature-rich fragrance. Try a few different aromas depending on your mood and go for gentle smells rather than strong scents that can get overbearing.

Real Homes: Adding character to a new build

Terracotta vases on rustic console table

When you buy a new build you benefit from a blank canvas, but what can be tricky is bringing in character. Not so for Arthty Ragupathy of @av.home. With some clever DIY hacks and a beautiful eye for rustic furniture and accessories, Arthty is transforming her new build into a wonderfully welcoming and stylish home. We talk to her about reclaimed dining tables, minimalist styling and wood panelling….

Who lives here?

Arthty and her husband, Vasanth and their half Pomeranian, half Jack Russell fur baby, Royce.

Type of property?

A semi-detached new build house in Basingstoke with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms + 1 WC

What changes have you made and are there any you would like to do?

Our completion date was delayed as a result of COVID, which meant we had extra time to figure out how we could inject character into our new build. When we got the keys, we started by hiring contractors to build two fireplaces and add a backsplash in our kitchen.

We DIY’d our glossy kitchen cabinets into a traditional shaker style, painted the doors in our house black and even added a unique panel wall which our Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table sits beautifully in front of. We would love to add panelling through our entryway leading up the staircase, running through the landings of both our floors. The list is endless but we’ve learned that it’s a slow yet satisfying process.

You describe your style as modern with a traditional twist – how do you achieve this?

I love adding wooden, rustic elements to our interior decor – alongside modern, more “current” pieces. This creates such a cosy feeling without appearing too outdated. I’m always looking for ways to keep our decor timeless, inviting and aim to evoke a sense of gathering as we love having family and friends around.

What styling tips can you give to our readers on how to get the rustic look in a modern home?

I’m by no means an expert, but I definitely recommend creating mood boards and gathering items that will work in your given space. I use Morpholio to make sure different elements complement one another before I spend my money.

I’ve found that small businesses, such as Modish Living, are great for rustic decor. Ultimately, wood is your best friend when trying to make your new home feel rustic and traditional. Decorate with natural tones and don’t be afraid to incorporate texture. My reclaimed wood console table, entryway bench and rustic dining table make our home feel “lived in”.

An all-time favourite tip of mine is to always save photos that you feel drawn to and look back at these to understand the common theme. This is the best way to uncover your taste when you feel like you can’t quite pin it down.

Our Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table looks fabulous in your home. Tell us what you love about it and how you like to style it?

What do we not love about our Soho table?! The reclaimed wood, the different lines, dents, markings – all add character to our dining room. In the short time we’ve had it, it has taken its fair share of dog scratches, fallen cutlery, etc. and any marks simply blend with the timeless texture of the wood. We love that it’s extendable so it can accommodate our large family when it’s safe to host indoors again and that it blends into our cosy home – we could not be happier!

At the moment, we keep our table styling very minimal. Our oversized stone vase takes pride of place in the centre of the table. We’ve opted for black wooden dining chairs which go so well with the reclaimed wood of the table.

Who would be your dream dinner guests to have around your dining table?

I’m utterly obsessed with Studio McGee and I’d love to have Shea McGee at my dining table, discussing all things home interior-related. For those that are unfamiliar, definitely check out “Dream House Makeover” on Netflix and prepare to fall in love! I’ve been following the McGees on Youtube for several years and my obsession with home decor is very much inspired by them.

See more of Arthty’s gorgeous style by following her on Instagram @av.home. To discover more about bringing the rustic style into your home read our blog 5 Reasons Rustic Furniture Makes our Heart Flutter.

All images Arthty Ragupathy @av.home

5 Ways to get farmhouse style in your kitchen

Reclaimed wood butcher's block with two drawers and metal bottle opener

There is nothing quite as homely as a farmhouse kitchen – full of character and homeliness. This obviously works really well in an older property but adding some classic farmhouse furniture pieces can help recreate this lovely homely look in any type of home, including newer properties.

Farmhouse table

The farmhouse table is one of those pieces that adds instant cosiness to a kitchen – and one crafted from reclaimed wood will give you an inviting warm rustic look.

Photo featuring: Worcester Large Reclaimed Wood Extendable Dining Table

By adding a wooden table and chairs to your kitchen you are creating another space in your home for people to spend time in…and keep the chef company as they cook. A place for the kids to do homework or just to hang out – it makes your kitchen more of a family room rather than just a functional “service” room.

Dress up dining chairs

Whether you have wooden or fabric dining chairs in your kitchen you can add some cushions to them to give them a warmer farmhouse vibe. A neutral natural fabric cushion always works well – you can choose some patterned cushions with cottage flowers to add some interest to your seating area. Faux animal fur throws and chunky knits are another great way to cosy up kitchen chairs and benches.

Photo featuring: Worcester Medium Reclaimed Wood Kitchen Dresser

The kitchen dresser

A kitchen dresser is an iconic piece of kitchen furniture and a must-have in the farmhouse kitchen – a place to keep all your serving dishes, cutlery, condiments, placemats and so on. But a dresser with some glass doors also gives you the opportunity to add personal display items as well as your favourite cook books. The Chelwood dresser has everything you might need from several handy large and small storage drawers, to an open shelf as well as glass doors – and at 1.55m wide it will not take up too much floor space. A reclaimed wood sideboard is another option, again many different sizes are available that will fit right into your farmhouse kitchen.

Photo featuring: Elton Butchers Block – Prairie

A butchers Block

A butcher’s block is another one of those pieces that fits right into the farmhouse look – even if you have a modern or retro kitchen one will add an instant touch of rustic farmhouse. Our new Elton range includes a butchers block that provides an extra storage option for the kitchen – you can place it near the table if you need extra serving space and also stand decorative items on it when not in use.

Styling tips

When it comes to styling there are many things you can add to give your kitchen some farmhouse character. Open display shelving and spice racks are a good place to start. Rustic pendant lights crafted from metal or an industrial style pendant will work particularly well to add some modern farmhouse character. Natural weave baskets on shelves are a great way to keep things tucked away and rustic. And, of course, be sure to make the most out of exposed brick if you are lucky enough to have some in your kitchen. Keep materials natural – wood, stone, linen – and you have your farmhouse style sorted.

Spotlight: Introducing our new Eastwood collection

Rustic dining table with fabric dining chairs and white linen table runner

Our new Eastwood range is here and we couldn’t wait any longer to tell you about it! This gorgeous new range is characterised by the rich oak wood used to craft it and beautiful rustic furniture fittings.

For the dining room

This collection includes the perfect rustic dining table to suit any space from the monastery to the refectory dining table. The tabletops on all of these proudly boast natural markings and undulations which will bring a little history and individuality into your dining space. These tables really do match many styles of dining chair from plush velvet in a bold colour, to a neutral fabric dining chair. If you want a solid wood sideboard to match your dining table then there are two different styles to choose from, either giving you loads more handy storage in your dining space.

For the living room

Sideboards are traditionally found in the dining room – but nowadays we like to see them in the living room too – a whole load of hidden storage for books, children’s toys, your DVD collection and so on. The Eastwood range does not stop there when it comes to living room furniture. Put your favourite display pieces on the rustic oak highboard and match up with a wood coffee table from this range. For something stylish to set the TV on there is the perfect media unit.

Other pieces from the range

The Eastwood range does not end with just these home staples, to add some reclaimed wood warmth in your hallway you can choose the rustic console table – this also looks great in the living room behind a sofa with a lamp!

Quick ways to spruce up your living room

Brown leather sofa with industrial coffee table

With visitors allowed back inside, it’s time to show off your living style. Many of us have already been doing some much-needed re-decorating jobs in our homes but if not, here we have put together some ideas to quickly transform and update your living room ready for guests.

Rearrange the furniture

It’s amazing how moving a chair or large sideboard out of a room can make such a difference to the space you have. You can try your 3 seater leather sofa in some different positions in the room. Maybe you had to bring in a work-from-home-desk and had the kids in there with their toys for the last year or so. Now is the time to sort through what has accumulated and recycle / dispose of it or put it back in the kid’s rooms.

Restyle your bookcase or sideboard

If you have a bookcase in your living room you may have been using it to keep work-related items on – if you’re back in the office you can put these away now. Clear it of old books and add some decorative pieces or houseplants, so you’re turning it more into a display unit. Reclaimed wood shelves are perfect as they bring another element of nature into your living space and we all now know that house plants are a great addition to any room and are proven to be good for your health. If you have a sideboard then get a couple of new decorative pieces to stand on it.

Photo featuring: Chelwood Nordic Reclaimed Wood Sideboard

Repaint the room

We did say this was quick transformations and this is a bit of a bigger job but it’s amazing how painting can freshen a room. With the kids being at home more and as much space as possible being needed then you may not have had the opportunity to decorate over the last year. Now is the time, ready for welcoming guests! You don’t have to do the whole room either – you may just want to paint, or even wallpaper, one feature wall to bring in a new colour scheme.

Buy new cushions, throws and curtains

If you have a neutral leather couch then you can really play with different colour schemes to quickly give your room a fresh new look. Mix fabrics, patterns and colours to add interest, an accent velvet armchair in a contrasting colour is also a lovely feature in a room. The windows are another place where you can change things up a bit – get some new curtains in your colour scheme – or opt for some neutral blinds if you prefer a more minimalist style. The most important thing here though is – clean windows!

Change your rug & bring in some wall art

A floor can get to look a bit worn over the years, whether it is carpet or wood. For a quick fix, you can put a rug down to cover this up. This is also a good idea if you have a new floor to protect areas that are walked on more – again it is a great way to reinforce a new colour scheme.

Re-vamp your guest bedroom for overnight guests

White bedcovers with gold and white cushions and ornaments on shelf behind

Now we are finally allowed people over to stay you may be looking for a few ideas to get the guest room ready for overnight guests….seems like ages doesn’t it! With the spare room being used for a completely different purpose, or not at all over the last year or so, it may need a bit of a freshen-up, clear-out and re-vamp.

Always number one! – clear the clutter

De-cluttering can completely transform a room, the clear space will make the room feel less claustrophobic and will give a much more relaxed feel for your guests. You will also be able to keep it cleaner with fewer dust catchers around – making it quicker to clean and prepare for your next overnight guests!

Spoil your guests with indulgent touches

It’s been so long….. spoil your guests a little. Add some fresh-cut flowers in a vase or a houseplant or two. Use scented candles or a diffuser to give the room a fresh or relaxing atmosphere. Put together a little basket of treats for your guests to enjoy in their room, you can include some fruit, snacks, a chocolate bar or two and some soft drinks like water or orange juice.

Bring in some character with reclaimed wood furniture

A wooden super king bed with a good mattress will be a treat for anyone to sleep in. Get the bed all cosy and inviting looking with different textured cushions piled up against the headboard and add some throws to create a layered look. If you want to give the room a whole new look you can add other pieces of rustic furniture – a large chest of drawers so there’s plenty of room for your guests to put away their clothes – and a narrow bedside table, an essential addition for them to place a drink, book or charge their phone overnight. Check out our Winchester range for this – stunning reclaimed wood furniture hand made to order right here in our UK workshop.

Photo featuring: Winchester Reclaimed Wood Bed

Add a rug to cover up worn carpet or flooring

A new floor rug not only makes a room feel cosier, but it’s also a great way to reinforce your colour scheme… and also perfect for covering over worn flooring or carpet. In a bedroom with a wooden floor, I would definitely add a rug to both sides of the bed so your guest has something nice to step on when they get out of bed.

Add some personal touches

Add some pictures to the wall to give the room some personality. If you are not a fan of paintings or prints you can hang up family photos or get a feature wall mirror.

Buy a blanket box

A blanket box at the foot of the bed is perfect to keep spare bedding and pillows in. If you have guests to stay during a warm spell you can pop the heavy duvet away in there. But we all know it could be much cooler in the next few days so it’s a great place to keep it handy for them. Spare pillows can also be put in there. And of course, the top provides another surface in the room to put things down like their travelling bags or a tray of tea or coffee.

Get your dining space ready for visitors

Friends gathered around a rustic dining table

Things really are starting to look up (at last) for this summer! With restrictions easing further, after one of the hardest years most of us will remember, we will be allowed to entertain our much loved and much-missed friends and family outdoors. And now of course we can host a small get-together indoors of six people or two households as well. We’ve all been waiting for this- life coming back to a bit more normal!

After the last-minute disappointment of Christmas and a scaled-down and chilly Easter, we have much catching up to do. Now we will no longer be held to ransom by our unpredictable weather we and can start planning some indoor celebratory dinner parties, as opposed to just barbecues and evenings, huddled around a fire pit! Time to dust off the best serving dishes and wine glasses and start planning your dinner party. Here we will be looking at different styles you can choose to go for.

Rustic setting

This is perfect for cosy cottages and old farmhouses – We think the Colette Reclaimed Wood Refectory Dining is the top choice if you are looking for a new statement wood table for your dining space, whether it sits in a dining room or you want to bring a rustic dining table into a farmhouse kitchen. To add a hint of sophistication you can add a velvet or fabric dining chair. When setting your table, ready for entertaining, we think tableware with a rustic air looks great on this such as earthenware, twigs in a vase and a crisp white linen table cloth. For placemats, we like a natural material like wicker.

Glamorous setting

This is what you expect to see in a smart city apartment or house. The Knightsbridge reclaimed dining table just has the wow factor whichever way you look at it. From the solid reclaimed wood tabletop to the very elegant metal legs to the gorgeous velvet chairs from the same range, this table will be a much-loved centrepiece in your dining space. When setting this for guests we think shiny and glamourous is the way to go! Silver candlesticks and a large vase with fresh-cut flowers for a real air of sophistication.

Modern industrial setting

The Picasso Industrial Oak Dining Table is the type of industrial dining table that just works beautifully in a modern kitchen/ diner extension. This is a versatile dining table that can be glammed up, mixed with industrial table dressings or go natural. House plants and neutral colours look great with this table to tie in with a no-frills and no-fuss industrial theme. Here we have paired it up with industrial dining chairs. Black tableware and crockery also work well to continue the industrial dining theme from the legs to the tabletop.