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

New bedroom arrivals to fall in love with

Chelwood Reclaimed Wood Bed collection including reclaimed wood bed frame

Adding a new range to our reclaimed wood furniture collections is always an exciting time, something we will never tire of! As we welcome the Onslow Bedroom Collection, you can imagine just how excited we feel about it – and once you see it, you’ll feel the same too!

With clean lines, a light wood finish and beautiful rounded textures, the simplicity of the collection belies its beauty. There is a nod to the Scandinavian furniture style, just as there is a natural rustic and modern farmhouse appeal about the pieces too. In other words, it has a style of its own, perfect for any bedroom.

Starting with the bedframe

The Onslow king size wooden bed frame is certainly one to take a closer look at. Made from beautifully crafted reclaimed wood, the tall headboard of the reclaimed wood bed frame gives it a presence in a room without being overly imposing. The beautiful knots and grooves in the reclaimed wood give it an air of romance too, something that is strong throughout the entire collection.

Moving on to the bedside table

The bedside table with both drawer and shelf is a desirable piece of rustic furniture for the bedroom. The perfect companion to the bedframe, this small bedside table is mighty in the storage space that it offers.

A Chest of drawers suitable for every bedroom

We know that bedrooms come in all shapes and sizes, which is why we always offer different sizes of chest of drawers. There are three options in this range so you have a choice from which choose, meaning you make the best of the space in your bedroom.

The lithe dimensions of the the six-drawer large chest of drawers not only solves many storage solutions in one, but makes quite the impression. Likewise, the smaller chest of drawers in this collection is a welcome addition too. Perfect for the master bedroom, this set of three drawers would also be ideal for a teenagers bedroom, the guest room and the nursery too.

Not forgetting the wondrous wardrobe and beautiful blanket box

A restful and clutter free bedroom is what we all desire and this can only be achieved with stylish storage. No bedroom is complete without a wardrobe and the reclaimed wood wardrobe in the Onslow Bedroom collection will inject instant warmth to a room. Standing 195cm, it has height and grandeur, something that we have come to expect from a bedroom wardrobe.

But it doesn’t tower above you or swallow too much space or light in the bedroom, two things that are often a concern when creating the perfect bedroom. There is an abundance of hanging space, however. And with a drawer for extra storage, this is a truly versatile wardrobe for any bedroom.

And finally – but by no means least – is the reclaimed wood blanket box. Beautifully crafted, this rustic wooden blanket box is a treasure to behold, and the ideal storage spot for blankets, cushions and all your bedroom linens. It also makes a lovely spot to sit before you start your day.

A delight from top to bottom

Every piece in the collection features sleek black steel A-frame legs, ideal for many reasons but especially if your bedroom is on the small side. The legs optimise the feeling of space allowing the eye to wander across the room unhindered.

There is a presence to the Onslow Reclaimed Wood Bedroom Collection that is both subtle and elegant, as well as being versatile and practical. A truly beautiful collection of rustic and Scandinavian furniture for the bedroom.

A Match Made in Heaven

Mathematical calculation drawn in the sand for love

With Valentine’s day near, it can mean only one thing – love is in the air! And for us, that means celebrating the partnerships that stick together through thick and thin. In the world of furniture, there are many and our love for them is as strong as ever…

Armchair and side table

Is there anything better than sinking into the warm folds of an armchair after a long day or when you need to escape real life for a while? We think not, which is why the partnership between armchair and small side table is as strong as ever.

For an armchair to be truly useful, it needs its trusty sidekick of a side table or if space allows, a rustic coffee table to perch your feet, coffee cup or wine glass. One ties in with the other…

Dining table and chairs

… which is exactly how the companionship between a reclaimed wood dining table and chairs can be described. Both have their uses separately but they are better together. Whether you opt for wooden dining chairs or the plush fabrics of upholstered dining chairs, the chemistry between both is the ultimate love affair.

Bed and bedside table

No matter the dimensions of your reclaimed wood bed frame, without a bedside table it offers little apart from a place to lay your head. Taking care of everything from your alarm clock to bedside table lamp, this small but mighty piece of bedroom furniture has one of the biggest hearts and is a must in any bedroom. There is an undeniable connection between the bed and bedside table that is set to last for all eternity.

Kitchen island and pendant light

No man is an island, a saying that shows we all need some kind of emotional connection in our lives. The same could be said of the kitchen island and the relationship between it and the hanging pendant light. Casting light where there is shadow is its number one priority and catching the light when it falls is the kitchen island’s job. When you are working, eating or sitting at the kitchen island, you need light, something that our stylish pendant ceiling lights offer. The only problem is deciding which one…

Console table and mirror

Another couple that every could benefit from having it its life is the console table and mirror. Commonly found in the hallway, this must-have combination is so stylishly versatile it can lend itself to anywhere in the home. The slimline features of a narrow console table give it an elegant style and with handy storage solutions combined, it’s no wonder so many of us choose to have one in the home.

And with a mirror hanging above it, reflecting light in what can sometimes be a small space, you see how the two personalities complement each other.

Coffee table and rug

Both have a streak of independence but that makes their partnership even more wonderful. The rug provides the colourful, patterned platform that the coffee table needs to shine. And if there is one thing that makes any relationship a success, it is the mutual support that one offers the other.

Spread the love if you can you think of other furniture combinations that are perfect together.

What Dining Room Table Shape Should You Choose?

Rustic dining table and chairs with white soup bowl

The dining table is a piece of furniture that will be in your home for years. It will be the place where homework is completed, where meals are shared and where family meetings take place. Getting the right one is, therefore, of paramount importance. As well as style and size, you also need to consider shape. So which shape of dining room table is right for you?

The shapes of dining tables

There are four shapes from which you can choose – oval or round, square or rectangular, with all offering something different.

The round dining table

If it is inclusiveness you want, then the round kitchen table could be the perfect option. No matter how big or small the round dining table, you can see everyone sat around it.

There is also no ‘head of the table’, something that you may decide is important. In fact, in boardrooms, negotiations often flow better around a round table which is why many people opt for the circular shape.

There is also one other benefit to opting for a round dining table and that is space. It affords plenty of dining space but doesn’t swamp the room.

The oval dining table

Another great and sociable shape is the oval dining table. Effectively, a circle has been stretched between two points to create a shape that is wide at its middle, but less so at either end.

Like its cousin the round table, this shape is perfect if you prefer a friendly and all-inclusive dining space.

There is also an elegance to this shape that marks it out as something different. In a formal dining room setting, it has a splendour all of its own. It can also work in the kitchen diner, especially as its shape makes the best use of space too.

Having said that, many oval dining tables tend to have generous proportions, so take care not to swamp a small space or room. If you want a statement dining table, the oval shape ticks both of this box.

The square dining table

Simple, elegant, functional – there are so many ways that the square dining table could be described. Its sharp corners and pleasing angular shape makes it perfect for ‘fitting’ into a space.

For example, if you want the table to sit against a wall, the square shape is the better option. Its symmetrical qualities are not its only selling point, either. Available in a range of sizes, you can have a small square dining table in the kitchen/diner that still offers plenty of dining space.

Again, they are available in a range of styles and sizes. Pair with detailed and sumptuous dining chairs and you have a dining table that offers everything that you need.

The rectangular dining table

The stretched version of the square table, the rectangular dining table is a popular choice. You could choose a modern dining table in the kitchen or industrial dining table in the formal dining room. Whatever your choice of style, it delivers.

The beauty of this shape is that as well as opting for dining chairs, you can also opt for a dining bench along the longer sides, great for squeezing in guests at an impromptu gathering.

With a range of leg options, you can emphasise the space you have available too. There are smaller versions as well as extendable dining tables that afford more flexibility.

Have you made your choice? Which reclaimed wood dining table from our range would fit best in your dining room?

At home with Lorraine Pascale

TV chef Lorraine Pascale with two dishes

During these dreary winter months, what better way to brighten up your day than with the lovely Lorraine Pascale. TV chef, speaker, author and emotional wellness advocate, Lorraine is devoted to helping us live the best life possible and her wellbeing advice and delicious recipes certainly feed our soul as well as our stomach.

One of our favourite go-to recipes at Modish Living HQ is Lorraine’s Blackened Honey and Paprika Salmon with Garlicky Kale and Peas – the perfect feel good dinner for these long dark nights. See her recipe below and after a cold winter’s day, gather around your reclaimed wood dining table and enjoy this quick, healthy, life-affirming and delectable supper….

“If it’s healthy and it feels good for your soul, do more of it this weekend”

Lorraine Pascale

Lorraine Pascale’s Blackened Honey & Paprika Salmon with Garlicky Kale & Peas

Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Salmon fillets
1 tbsp paprika
3 tbsp honey
Salt & pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice 1 lemon or 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
5 sprigs thyme
150g frozen peas
150g kale – broken into bite sized pieces
1 clove garlic finely chopped
80g pomegranate

Method

Preheat the oven to 200c. Put some oil in a frying pan. As this heats up, season the tops of the salmon with salt and pepper and sprinkle with half of the paprika.

Place the salmon fillets upside down in the pan and cook for about 2 minutes or until the salmon is blackening on top.

As this cooks, mix together the other half of the paprika with the honey, salt and pepper, olive oil and lemon juice or balsamic vinegar and set aside.

Once the salmon is blackened, place it on to a baking tray, right side up and brush well with all of the glaze.

Place the baking tray into the oven with half of the thyme scattered over the top. Cook for about 10-12 minutes.

As this cooks, prepare the vegetables. Carefully wipe out the salmon pan, so there are no burnt bits in there. Drizzle some more oil in the pan, add the peas and let them sit over a medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until they blister and go brown. Then throw in the kale, garlic and rest of the thyme.

Keep the pan moving so the garlic doesn’t burn. Season with salt and pepper and when the kale has softened slightly (about 2 minutes), set the pan aside.

Once the fish is cooked, serve with the vegetables and spoon over any of the glaze remaining in the baking tray and sprinkle over the pomegranates.

Recreate Lorraine’s interior dining style

A fan of reclaimed wood furniture, Lorraine serves her delicious home cooked meals on our gorgeous Stanford Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table with matching Stanford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Bench. Style with natural table linens, bamboo pendant ceiling lights and plenty of houseplants.

Stanford Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining table & Bench

Photo credit: @lorrainepascale, Table: @modishliving, Skillet pan: Utopia

Top tips to add character to a new kitchen

A white and sleek kitchen with light wooden flooring

A new contemporary kitchen is a wonderful thing to behold. Smooth, clean surfaces, gleaming tiles and backsplash… but there is something missing. As beautiful as it may be, if your new kitchen is lacking character, it can feel soulless. Here’s how to add that little extra something to your fabulous new kitchen.

1 Add a plant or two

Any room, from the kitchen to the hallway, is given an immediate uplift when a plant is added. Clearly, in the kitchen, you’ll need to add a variety of plants that enjoy heat, so opt for evergreen plants, such as Aloe Vera (also great for the bathroom). These types of plants flourish without too much fuss and care, apart from the occasional watering. Place one on a reclaimed wood dining table as a centrepiece, or on the windowsill.

2 Layer the kitchen lighting

We often see the kitchen as being only a functional space but in truth, it is an important room with a variety of functions. This is especially true if you have opted for a kitchen/diner.

Layering lighting in the kitchen needs as much considering as it does in any other room. That means as well as bright lights that you can work under, you could choose softer lighting, such kitchen pendant lighting hanging above the kitchen table and chairs, for when you are eating or entertaining. Different light levels can also be important, as the kitchen table is often the place that homework is done and other important work. A rattan pendant light might help to add texture too.

3 Add wood accents with freestanding kitchen furniture

When designing your new kitchen, you may have assumed that the more everything is fitted and streamlined, the better. Whilst in some kitchen spaces this is the better option, if you have a larger kitchen, freestanding furniture can be a workable alternative. Consider reclaimed wood furniture as a contrast to the modern kitchen design.

From a large kitchen sideboard to a wooden kitchen dresser unit, adding freestanding kitchen furniture that complements the overall design will be simply perfect.

4 Make a feature of the dining table

A kitchen/diner is a popular choice and that means the kitchen table becomes the focus of attention with style being the main ingredient. For example, a rustic dining table is not only functional but stylistically dramatic. Team this with functional and equally dramatic rustic styled chairs and you have an immediate focal point.

5 Add pattern and colour

The easiest way to lift any room is to add hints of colour and pattern. Colour brings a homely feel to the space and pattern is perfect for giving it a lift.

Choices of both depend on the style you have chosen for the kitchen. Popular pattern choices can work well with most styles but with some, you need to make careful choices. Choose a neutral and muted palette for the industrial and Scandinavian styles, sticking with natural colours for the farmhouse style. For a modern look, any colour and pattern will work although geometric patterns are on-trend.

Make it YOURS!

An important room, you will spend a lot of your time in the kitchen, cooking and eating with family and friends. In our drive for style, we can sometimes leave out the important things – us. And so those small personal effects, such as photographs and your children’s paintings are never out of place, even in your new contemporary kitchen.

How To Avoid the Floordrobe Effect

A rustic wooden bed with a matching bedside table and a table mirror

The floordrobe, the piling of clothes on the floor and in other areas of the bedroom, is more common than you think. And it is not just a phenomenon on the teenager’s bedroom either. Poor storage solutions and inaccessible storage solutions are the cruces of the problem so how can you stop this happening? Just what are the solutions?

Introduce a bedroom chair

If you research the original bedroom chairs, you will notice that they are far smaller than a ‘normal’ chair. A small armchair can be more easily accommodated in the bedroom whilst still being of use.

Don’t opt for a larger armchair as it will immediately become a dumping ground for clothes, despite your best intentions.

Make use of under bed storage

Easy storage solutions mean that you are more likely to stop storing clothes on the floor because you are able to reach and use the drawers quickly and easily.

Our Beam wood bed is possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of reclaimed wood furniture that you would come across. As well as being beautifully stylish with a strong rustic tone, it also comes with optional under bed storage drawers. From bedlinen to clothing, under bed drawers can be the tool that solves your floordrobe problem.

Hooks can work too

Not overcomplicating storage solutions is key. If there is one tool that is the simplest yet most practical of them all, it is the humble hook.

Hooks on backs of doors, a hook on the wall in different places in the bedroom and even a hook or two on the back of a wardrobe door can work wonders for keeping that the pesky pile of clothes off the floor.

Don’t dismiss shelving

Again, the simplest solutions can be the most effective. Reclaimed wood shelves in the bedroom in the shape of a bookcase or display unit can be useful for everything from hats to shoes, books and more.

But – and this the only the caveat – whilst shelving can be useful, it can look cluttered, becoming an essentially different place for things to gather. Keep an eye on the styling and don’t let it become a place where useless and unused things gather.

Easy storage with a blanket box

The blanket box or blanket chest was an automatic staple of the bedroom at one time but as bedrooms decreased in size, it became a casualty.

But now, we are looking again to the versatility of the wooden blanket box. And for those of us who have an unfortunate habit of making use of the floordrobe, the wooden blanket box is perfect because all you need to do is open the lid, put things in and close the lid. Can you get any simpler than that?

Go for an open wardrobe

The open wardrobe can also be a wonderful addition to the bedroom. As well as being an uber-stylish solution, for those who struggle with hanging clothes or don’t have the patience to do so, this wardrobe is the easy to access piece that you need.

With a shelf for shoes and jumpers, this minimal piece with a welcome Scandinavian edge is ideal, no matter how big or small your bedroom.

What Potential Buyers Don’t Want To See In A Bedroom

A rustic wooden bed with white bedding in a bedroom

With the New Year comes new ambitions and plans, one of which may be to sell up and move on to another place to call home. Selling your property can be a minefield with all the things you think are delightful are actually off-putting to buyers. When it comes to the bedroom, a very personal and intimate, space, what is it that buyers don’t want to see?

1 Dark and dinginess

Firstly, you need to be confident that the décor and styling are appealing to buyers and if there is one thing that immediately puts people off it is how dark and dingy the bedroom appears to be.

Avoid a dark bedroom by;

Minimising window dressings to maximise light
Cleaning the windows
Adding layers of light with bedside table lamps, floor lamps and pendant lighting
Using mirrors, especially to darker corners

2 Clutter, clutter, clutter

Clutter doesn’t mean you are untidy (although it can be!) but what it certainly does highlight is lack of bedroom storage. Essentially, you need to declutter and then take a look at how bedroom storage can be improved from bedroom side tables to chest of drawers and more;

A small bedside table maximises floor space but make sure it has a combination of drawer space, shelving and/or cupboard space
Make storage part of the bedroom scene such as a wooden blanket box that complements the wooden double bed
Opt for a wooden wardrobe that is stacked full of storage solutions so there are no clothes and other accessories hanging around

3 An unmade bed

By making your bed in the morning, you have started your day by accomplishing an essential task.

If potential buyers are viewing your property, you want to show it off to the best of its ability and when it comes to the bedroom, making the bed is paramount. Why? It allows people to focus on the room and to admire your style. In other words, they will notice the beauty (and size) of your beautiful rustic double bed rather than the heap of crumpled bedlinen…

Make the bed
Add sumptuous layers such as throws and cushions to create the right styling vibe

4 Clear the clothes

We mentioned the importance of bedroom storage in an earlier point. Clutter, we said, was a giveaway as to lack of storage and so clothes hanging over bedroom chairs or the trouser press are also not what buyers want to see;

Make sure all clothes are cleared away, hung in the wooden wardrobe and folded in the chest of drawers
If you are struggling to fit everything in, it is time to recycle

5 Too many personal items

Buyers get that this is your home and they will expect your things about the place but spaces that are overly personally accessorised can be a little off-putting. Why? Because feel like they are trespassing in your home and they can’t see past these things to the bedroom as a whole.

Remove or reduce personal belongings

6 Smell

We all know the estate agent tricks of fresh coffee or baked bread, but what about in the bedroom? Scent is a key sense when it comes to selling properties and although you don’t want your bedroom smelling of a bakery, it is still an important consideration;

Throw open the windows to change the air
Use scented candles and diffusers to add a gentle wisp of perfume to the space

Reclaimed wood furniture is ideal in the bedroom and can really show potential buyers just how beautiful your home is. But if other things cloud their vision, they won’t be rushing to make any offers.

Top tips to bring Classic Blue into your Bedroom

Reclaimed wooden beam bed with classic blue bedding and a blue rug

As we head into a new year and a new decade, Pantone has released its Colour of the Year 2020. This year, it is luring us into a world of relaxation with a subtle hint of drama in the shape of Classic Blue. It’s a beautiful shade and one that has a place in every room, but for the bedroom, it is simply sublime.

How to use Pantone’s Classic Blue in the bedroom

Blue has a natural cool undertone, one reason why it is so popular. But this year’s colour of the year is a darker, dramatic shade and yet there is something tranquil about the hue too. If you are a fan of blue and what it brings to your home, then you will love this shade.

1 Team it with the rustic style

If there is one style that this colour suits it is the rustic furniture style. As a style, there is an elegance to it that makes it ideal for the bedroom. Essentially, you want to create a relaxed, luxurious backdrop to your bedroom, a calming space where you can unwind at the end of the day.

Classic Blue has the level of warmth you need but if you feel it will be too overpowering on the walls, add main accessories using this colour. For example, a rustic reclaimed wood bed frame with dark blue bedding would welcome your tired self at the end of the day. The dark blue shade of the recycled glass bedside lamp would also slot right into the rustic bedroom scheme and would look at home on other bedroom reclaimed wood furniture too.

2 Works with the Scandi and Nordic styles too

On one hand, you want the drama of this beautiful shade, but you’re worried it will feel too dark or oppressive.

The solution if you want the darker shades on the walls is to opt for lighter coloured wood furniture.

The Scandinavian and Nordic styles are ideal. Both are similar with only the smallest of differences between the two.

As well as a lighter coloured wood, Scandinavian and Nordic style furniture tends to be lighter in silhouette too. And so whilst rustic reclaimed wood furniture for the bedroom has a decisive and ‘present’ style, the leaner silhouette of these two styles lend themselves very well to creating a fresh, contemporary feel with all the warmth and cosines you want in a bedroom.

Against the backdrop of Classic Blue walls, opt for light oak bedroom furniture, including an opulent king size wooden bed frame. Opt for lighter shades of blue or grey bedlinen, perfect for complementing the wall colour with a layer of texture and cosiness.

It’s important to match the litheness of Scandi and Nordic style furniture in accessories too. And so a beautiful rattan pendant light would be ideal, along with lighter shades on bedside table lamps.

3 Layering is essential

Classic Blue lends itself to any style and no matter which you choose, it will be sure to work. But don’t forget to lift the room by adding texture, as well as colour. A bedroom rug is more or less essential in our style bible. A blue rug will bring cohesion and balance to the space, giving the room the ‘border’ and emphasis it needs. Opt for one large enough to frame the bed frame or opt for two smaller, identical rugs either side of the bed.

Come out of the dark – how to incorporate dark wood

Are you afraid of the dark? Dark wood furniture, that is? For too long, we have seen it as imposing and difficult to handle but there is a growing resurgence in love for dark wood furniture. It is possible, however, to welcome darker tones of furniture into your home without it being too imposing. Here’s how…

1 Bright lights and dark wood

The monochrome design – contrasting a very dark shade such as navy or black with white – is a design option that has always been, and always will be, popular. You can emulate this with dark reclaimed wood furniture nestled against a crisp, white backdrop. You can’t argue that the enhanced proportions of a dark reclaimed wood dining table would look out of place in a bright and airy dining room.

2 You can add colour too

Of course, for many, bright white walls simply do not fit well with their home or their style and so you may think that using colour with dark wood furniture is something that should be done with caution. However, adding flecks of colour is possible and welcomed too by furniture with a darker timber.

Dark furniture can be dramatic both in colour and texture, similar to this beautiful but practical reclaimed wood TV unit from the Luxe Kensington Collection. Add the colour of your choice to bring out the depth of its beautiful patina and texture.

3 Dark + dark = perfection

The one thing about a piece of dark furniture that many people are uncertain of is the fact that it will stand out. Enter a room and a dark piece of furniture, no matter how small, will hit you between the eyes. If you want dark furniture but don’t want ‘the-only-thing-that-stand-out-in-a-room’ effect, this is what you need to do: match like with like.

And that means standing a piece of dark furniture against a dark coloured wall. A dark reclaimed wood desk, for example, sat against a dark forest green wall would bring a welcome Victorian style to a space, showcasing its elegance without it being uncomfortably stark or stand-offish.

4 Choose more than one piece of dark wood

We know the rule – dark colours close down a space – but sometimes, we just need to embrace the obvious and dress it so that it becomes an elegant, stylish and comfortable space.

Choosing more than one dark piece of furniture brings cohesion and symmetry to a space and when you opt for pieces from the same collection, you also promote a balanced feel to a room. Take a look at the Luxe Kensington Collection, for example. With its darker shade matched with the reflective chrome legs and frames, it brings a heightened drama to a room.

5 If you have a large room, go for it!

If you are blessed with a larger space, there is no denying that dark wood furniture is simply perfection. You could deck out the whole room in dark furniture from the same collection that brings instant symmetry and drama to a space.

If there is one thing to learn it is this: there is nothing to fear from dark wood furniture.