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

A cup of coffee with That’s So Gemma

Interior stylist That's So Gemma positioning storage baskets in a bedroom

We sat down with Gemma Gear, freelance interior stylist and author of esteemed blog, That’s So Gemma, to discover more about her career, home and interior design.

How would you describe your style?

Believe it or not, this is a tough one to answer! Being an interior stylist, I have to be quite versatile in my designs with many varying projects and briefs to work on. I think I almost always fall in love with something different about every single style, which is reflected in my own home. I have a very eclectic mix of things that I love, which in effect makes my own ‘style’ quite unique. I think it’s safe to say that I absolutely love colour and vibrant mixes of patterns and textures, so I always try to bring a little bit of ‘me’ in that way to each project that I work on.

Where do you look for inspiration?

I quite often find inspiration from things when I least expect it, even more so when I’m not actually looking for it! Even just being outside in nature is a great source of inspiration for colour and texture. I found huge inspiration when travelling to India and Marrakech last year, again for the clash of colours and patterns. I also love to visit design exhibitions for research on upcoming trends. Decorex and the Design Centre is brilliant for this.

What do you think makes a house a home?

Well, they say ‘Home is where the heart is’ for a reason. I believe what truly makes a home is a place that you feel most comfortable in. It should be a space that you curate from things that inspire you, and make you feel happy. Whether that be on trend, or not, it shouldn’t matter! Everyone has their own personal taste and style and your home is the one place where you can truly show that off to make it feel like your own.

What do you think will be big in homes & interiors in 2020?

Plants are most definitely becoming more of a popular trend, not just because of their leafy-green aesthetic, but because of their ability to improve wellbeing too. I’ve always been a huge plant hoarder, so I’m pleased to see they’re being appreciated more in interiors. Sustainability is becoming another huge factor in people’s homes and design ideas. Organic materials such as reclaimed wood furniture is being favoured for its durability. In terms of colours, deep jewel tones are definitely on the ‘up’ this year. Emerald greens, teal and amber is a great combination for 2020 trends.

What pieces at Modish Living are you lusting over at the moment?

The Standford range definitely has me swooning the most. I absolutely love the combination of wood and metal as it makes a really modern aesthetic. The reclaimed wood dining table is brilliant too as it cleverly extends so that it can be more compact in a room. The bamboo pendant ceiling lights are another huge fave of mine too. I am a proud owner of the Bamboo Manta Pendant Light which hangs perfectly over my stairwell!

What’s your favourite room in the house and why?

Funnily enough I have recently spoken about this with my partner as we moved into our new house just a few months ago. We’ve put so much love into each of the rooms in our home, but I can safely say that my favourite room in the house is our bedroom. It feels very warm and cozy, and is filled with lots of sentiments and pictures. It really does feel homely and I genuinely believe it’s because we’ve filled it with things that all mean something. I also have a lovely chair by the window which I enjoy sitting in to relax, and the original cast iron fireplace gives the room tons of character.

What’s the trick to pulling together an interior scheme?

Mood boarding is a great way of planning a scheme. If you’re new to designing/planning interiors for a room then it’s really useful to gather your ideas and see it all in one place. Use paint charts, fabric/wallpaper samples and cut out pictures of furniture pieces to create a collage of materials for the room you are planning; it will not only help you decide what things you prefer but also make you aware if something is not quite right. I’m a visual learner, so it’s important that I do this prior to any project I work on… it’s also a lot of fun to do!

How did you become an interior stylist?

I started as a visual merchandiser in home retail stores such as Laura Ashley and Zara Home. I always knew I had a passion for interiors and creating visual displays, so when I found out more about interior styling it was like a ‘light bulb’ moment in my head as I realised it was what I wanted to do. I reached out to a few editors of various interior magazines, and I was lucky enough to get some work experience and assist on a few shoots before being confident enough to go solo. It took a lot of motivation, endless emails and copious amounts of coffee whilst building my online website and portfolio, but here I am now, with no turning back!

What’s a typical day like for you?

Just recently I became a very proud dog owner, so my day now always starts off with a long dog walk, which is brilliant for my mental health and ensures I start my day feeling fresh and energised. The type of projects I am working on will determine what my day will generally be like. Quite often I’ll be mood-boarding or curating plans for a photoshoot, and other days I’ll be out prop shopping or visiting press shows. It’s safe to say that my day-to-day life is quite spontaneous as I rarely have two weeks the same, but I very much enjoy working in different places with different people each week, so it suits me perfectly.

Your dream house is on fire. What three items do you grab?

Great question! If we are not including my partner and pup, then it would have to be the following three things: Firstly, my storage box filled with sentiments and photographs – I’m pretty sure everyone has one of these tucked away that they couldn’t walk away from! Secondly, my colourful pouffe from Marrakech that’s hand knotted and made from different types of fabrics. It reminds me of a fantastic holiday and I would be gutted to see it go up in flames. Finally, my giant peace lily plant. I’ve been keeping it alive for 8 years now and it’s probably one of my most proudest accomplishments! It always gets commented on… How could I let that burn?!

Get Cocktail Ready to Welcome in the New Year

The Christmas parties are over and with only a few days to recover, there is another celebration on the doorstep – New Year’s Eve! Who can resist partying the night away with friends and family to welcome in a new year? No doubt drinks and cocktails will be on the party menu but is your drinks cabinet up to the challenge?

The host with the most

Hosting a cocktail-themed party of New Year’s Eve is a great way to bid farewell to one year and welcome in another. As well as your hosting skills being at the top of their game, you also need to be confident you have all the liqueurs, spirits, glasses and accoutrements your guests will need.

The trick of being the perfect host and cocktail drinks host is organisation. You need to be able to find the bottles quickly, your measuring cups and glasses in the blink of an eye… and that means you need an important piece of furniture: the drinks cabinet.

But is your drinks cabinet the epitome of glamour? Does it shout look at me or is it best to avert your gaze?

Here are five cocktail cabinet options picked by our editor…

The Twister Drinks Cabinet

Japandi style furniture oozes drama, opulence and elegance. Paired with black effect legs presents your cocktail New Year’s Eve party with the glamour it deserves.

Never fail to find glasses, drinks and sliced lemons in the towering grandeur of the Twister 2 Door Drinks Cabinet.

The Wardour rustic elm cabinet

A seismic shift in style it may be from the Twister drinks cabinet, but the Wardour elm cabinet punches just as much weight when it comes to stylish impact. The raised detailing of the door makes it a stand out piece, as too does the generous shelving space for all cocktail making paraphernalia.

The Farnham Bar Cabinet

This cocktail cabinet is a standout addition to any room, poised to impress guests with its clever storage for your go-to beverages and glasses. Its refined interior, adorned with a glass back and shelves, perfectly complements the exterior’s inlaid wrapped brass and Acacia wood sections. When it comes to the Farnham Bar Cabinet, it is this subtle detailing that makes it a beautiful piece for the dining room, the living room or even the hallway.

The Skandi 2 Door Cocktail Cabinet

Sleek and stylish, the Skandi 2 Door Cocktail Cabinet is a statement piece adorned with a captivating inlay chevron design. Expertly crafted from European oak and complemented with rustic oak structured veneers, it beautifully captures the oak’s natural grain and intricate knots. Its flush-finish doors further accentuate the chevron pattern, celebrating the inherent beauty of the oak.

Oldham 2 Door Cocktail Cabinet

Last but not least is the Oldham 2 Door Cocktail Cabinet, the epitome of modern living room furniture. Present without being imposing, the Oldham 2 Door Cocktail Cabinet has a beautiful elegance all of its own. Heavily influenced by the Scandinavian style it adds a hint of luxury without being garish.

These are just five ideas. Why not take a look at our complete range of drinks cabinets?

Curl up in Your Living Room for our best Xmas Movies

Person sitting in an arm chair in front of a TV

Is there anything better for getting in the festive spirit than to kick back and watch your favourite Christmas movie? We think not, which is why our team are sharing not only their favourite Christmas movies but the best living furniture to snuggle up on and be transported to a soft, welcome world of Christmas movie land…

Turn the lights down and let’s begin

You want a cosy atmosphere to the living room when watching your favourite movie but this is surely compulsory at Christmas?

As well as dimming the lights, you need essential supplies next to your leather armchair or brown leather sofa to sustain you through the entirety of the film. Depending on the movie, you might need a box of tissues to wipe away the happy or sad tears, as well as plenty of chocolates – a tub of Celebrations or old school Quality Street never fail – a drink or two and maybe a scented candle for an extra flicker of warmth and gentle perfume.

The sofa

The sofa should be deeply cushioned and one which will envelope and welcome us. This is something that Hellen insists is a must when watching her favourite movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. However, Hellen also has a penchant for watching Love Actually on an annual basis too and from the warmth and softness of the York chesterfield sofa, who can blame her?

You might want to consider adding yet more comfort with a large footstool too, ideal for taking the weight off your feet whilst you take in a movie or Christmas box set.

Candy, on the other hand, votes for Elf as her favourite Christmas movie, a wonderful movie that sees the oversized elf Buddy find his father in the city of New York. Full of laughs and romance, it’s no wonder that she voted this her favourite.

On a side note, she also has a soft spot for Paddington 2, a must for anyone who grew up with the bear and his exploits. Not strictly a Christmas movie, we understand, but still a great choice.

The armchair

Chris is a great Bill Murray fan and so clearly, top of his list has to be Scrooged. The self-important film executive character played by Bill Murray is plagued by the three Christmas ghosts as per the Dicken’s story.

A great movie to enjoy from a large armchair generously proportioned to welcome two people to snuggle or very, very roomy for one.

From the warm confines of a winged armchair, Victoria enjoys the thrills and spills of her favourite Christmas movie, the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation. The domino of disasters that befalls the characters in this film are both comical but also send a clear message about what the festive season should be: family and being together, even if it is less than perfect.

Claire has a different taste completely with The Grinch being her favourite. Fed up with the bright lights of Christmas in Whoville, the Grinch pretends to be Father Christmas and pinches Christmas! There is a happy ending, however…

And for Jo, the best Christmas movie that always signals the start of her festive season is The Polar Express. Tom Hanks never gets it wrong, even when he stars in an animated movie.

What’s your favourite Christmas movie?

Last minute Christmas Hosting Checklist

The ultimate Christmas checklist with X Mas decorations in the background

Santa may have checked his list twice, but have you? With everything to do it’s easy to overlook those last minute essentials. Use this checklist to make sure you and your home is ready for anything this Christmas.

The turkey: don’t forget to pick it up! Or if you bought a frozen one, don’t forget to take it out of the freezer.

Check condiments: auntie likes bread sauce, grandad likes cranberry, kids like ketchup! Make sure you have all pickles, sauces and other condiments on your reclaimed wood dining table to keep everyone happy.

Presents: you’ve ticked off everyone on your list, but what about those unexpected guests that turn up? Have a couple of last minute presents, such as large candles, stowed away in your kitchen sideboard to wrap in an emergency.

Outfit: whether you like to dress up, dress down or go full out sparkle, get your outfit out of the oak wardrobe to avoid any on the day disappointments.

Music: make or download a Christmas playlist to get everyone into the Xmas spirit. Or if there’s only so much Michael Bublé or Maria Carey you can take, create an alternative playlist of your favourite songs.

Candles/Tealights: make sure you have enough for the reclaimed wood dining table and living room to create a cosy atmosphere.

Batteries: there will always be one present that requires a double or triple A! Stock-up, or better still invest in rechargeable batteries.

Ice: even if you have an inbuilt ice machine in your freezer, Christmas is a time when ice cubes are in big demand. Stock up with bags of ice or fill plenty of ice bags and get them in the freezer. No one likes a Bailey’s without ice!

Firewood: make sure you have enjoy wood to keep that fire going and your guests warm and toasty.

Recycling bins: you’ll need a bigger bin for all that wrapping paper and empty bottles of wine. Use an old wicker basket, laundry bucket or wooden blanket box and ask guests to put all recyclables straight into the correct bins to make recycling easy.

You’re ready! Now all that is left to do is to have a very merry Christmas.

Happy Christmas!

Our Best Sellers throughout 2019

Series of cut outs of tables and a sideboard with 2019 written in balloons

As 2019 nears its end, we look back at what our customers have been loving this year.

Industrial dining

The industrial style is limitless in its appeal and the trend for industrial design is showing no signs of slowing down. And when it comes to the dining table, the industrial look is certainly one that our customers are choosing over many others.

The Lansdowne 6 seater dining table has proved a particularly big hit and no wonder. The classic fusion of the black steel frame with the reclaimed wood tabletop is a classic design that will never date.

As well as faux leather dining chairs, pairing the table with a dining bench has also proved a big hit this year.

Extending dining tables

We’ve written extensively on the beauty and versatility of the extending dining table in the family home and so it’s no wonder that the Standford reclaimed wood extending dining table has been a popular purchase throughout 2019.

A beautiful piece for your dining room, it comes in two lengths, perfect as a 6 and 8-seater dining table.

Spider legs dining table

The detailing of the spider leg dining table is one reason why they have been super popular over the course of the year. The current trend is to make the most of the space around the dining table which is why we have two best sellers in this category.

The Rocco oak spider leg is an excellent example of industrial furniture. Another prime example is the Mitcham industrial oak spider leg dining table. Pair it with upholstered or leather dining chairs of your choice for a personalised and stylish finish.

Small dining solutions

Informal and small dining spaces don’t miss out either with many of our customers looking to create a stylish dining zone separate to the larger dining table.

We have plenty of options but the one smaller dining table that has proved popular in 2019 has been the bar table.

Perfect for any stylish setting, our industrial Lansdowne rustic wood bar table has topped the list of popular items in 2019. Team it with a wooden sideboard in the dining area and you have handy storage solutions available too.

Sideboards

Talking of wooden sideboards, they have remained in constant demand throughout the year. Keeping a bit on the side was a popular choice, whether in the kitchen, dining room or the living room. A statement sideboard seems to be the furniture item of the moment.

Both the medium and larger Standford reclaimed wood sideboard have been a popular purchase as too has the Farringdon reclaimed wood sideboard, again available in a medium and large size.

Nudging its way onto the list in all its shiny metallic glory is the Aviator industrial sideboard, in particular, the jet brass finish.

What will 2020 hold?

Styles and trends for 2020 are promising yet more excitement in terms of the finishes and design we will be opting for. But for now, let’s bask in the glory that 2019 bestowed on us.

Top Festive Deco Tips on a Budget

Several hanging paper stars with a string of lights

You want your home beautifully decorated for the Christmas season but on the other hand, you don’t want to spend too much on decorations – Christmas is expensive enough as it is. But don’t worry, because we have amazing ideas using nature and natural resources to give your home a wonderfully real and homely festive welcome.

Reuse and repurpose

Adding glitter gives an instant festive feel and you can never have too much sparkle in our opinion. If you kept hold of your white pumpkins and squashes from Halloween, a magical sprinkling of glitter will make a stylish and rustic decorations.

Cluster white pumpkins with pretty lights and green foliage on the slim console table in the hall, on a hallway bench, or on display units in the living room for a wholesome Christmas style.

Repurpose and reuse different kinds of decorations – they won’t look out of place.

Go foraging

When we get crisp winter days, the time is perfect for foraging to your local woodland or park to find all that nature has to offer. Forage for evergreen foliage and pretty winter flowers to make a wreath for your front door. Having said that, a natural woodland wreath is in perfect sync with reclaimed wood furniture too. A perfect addition to the dining table, wreaths are easy to make.

Dried fruits as decorations

There are plenty of winter fruits in season right now which means that their prices drop. Having said that, this is a more cost-effective approach if it means you oven-dry fruit that is past its best.

Pierce the skins of oranges with cloves and dry out in a warm oven. With a needle, thread twine or strong cotton through one end and hang on the tree. The scent is wonderful!

You can also dry sliced orange in the over and use in garlands and wreaths too, a natural look that ties in beautifully with rustic furniture.

Get stamp happy!

Make your own wrapping paper by getting festive with stamping. Local craft and hobby stores stock a range of festive stamps, from Christmas trees to the jolly face of Santa, as well as a range of different coloured ink pads. Stretch out the paper, stamp all over with your chosen stamp, allow to dry and then wrap your gifts.

Use recyclable paper, as well as string and homemade gift tags and you have affordable but chic wrapped gifts for under the tree.

Nature on a plate

Place settings add decadence to the Christmas dining table, but they can be expensive to buy. Making your own is far more cost-effective, takes relatively little time and adds a personal touch.

Pick up terracotta pots from your local garden centre or DIY store and add miniature trees into damp compost. At the end of the meal, your guests can take them home to plant, for more environmentally friendly than all the waste from crackers – and a welcome gift too!

And finally…

Choose your scheme for Christmas well in advance and collect items through the year to make it more affordable. And you’ll find loads of bargains in the New Year sales too.

Spruce up your hallway with these Christmas deco ideas

Small Christmas tree with fairy lights on a dark wooden mantelpiece with three hanging light blue stars

Create a winter wonderland entrance in your home this Christmas with these magical hallway tips and ideas…

First impressions last so spruce up your hallway by making the most of its architectural features and by adding a few well-placed accessories.

Bring the best of winter foliage in

Winter is not a completely grey month. There is colour in nature over the winter months. From the dark green of evergreen holly with bright red berries to other evergreen plants, such as ivy, there are options that make decorating your hallway banister easy – and with a stunning finish. Intertwine fairy lights as you go and it will enjoy an extra festive glow.

Clear away the clutter with a wooden shoe rack

As well as being beautifully decorated and full of a glorious winter scent, the hallway also needs to be free from clutter, which can be hard to do when there are bags, coats and shoes to hideaway. The solution is to invest in hallway storage that works for you.

A wooden shoe rack, for example, is ideal. Shoes are slotted into vacant slots where they remain until they are needed again. You can also keep house slippers in the slots so when guests arrive, they have something warm and soft for their feet.

Add a seat for practical purposes

The hallway is the place that guests pass through as they enter and leave your home. That means there are coats to be stored and outdoor shoes to be stored away too. As well as a unit with rattan drawers, you might also want to consider a hallway storage seat.

Another great option is for a hallway bench. And there are many styles and sizes to choose from. A simple yet stylish wooden bench is a great investment. It’s one of those items of furniture that can be used for many different purposes across the home. When winter arrives and you prepare your home to welcome guests, the wooden dining bench in the hallway is great for bags and coats.

Another option is a hallway storage bench. Similar to a blanket chest in the bedroom, the lid is lifted to so items can be securely stored but with a nice padded seat for guests to sit on.

For even more elegance, go all out with a leather upholstered hallway bench. With button-back detailing, there is something very striking about this style of bench. The design has hints of the iconic Chesterfield sofa about it, making it perfect for the winter wonderland hallway.

Update the hallway console table

The hallway console table is an absolute must. Give it a fresh look with an arrangement of evergreen foliage and winter flowers, as well as a recycled glass lamp to cast a pleasantly warm and welcoming glow to the hallway. The console table would also be perfect for a scented candle or a diffuser too.

Don’t forget the mistletoe

There are many different varieties of mistletoe but the one we know and love at Christmas is the one with thin green leaves and white berries. Hang a sprig or two of mistletoe above your door for a chance to share a stolen kiss or two!

Christmas Fix Solved – Fitting Everyone Round the Dinner Table!

People huddled around a rustic dining table with lit candles

Christmas is a time to bring everyone together, but that doesn’t mean we all want to dine on top of each other. If you are hosting Christmas this year, ensure there are no Christmas Grinches at your table by following our top tips to seat everyone around the reclaimed wood dining table in comfort and style.

Consider table legs when seating guests at your table

As well as being too cramped at the dining table, there is nothing worse than constantly banging knees on table legs. Aside from it being painful, it also makes eating a long Christmas dinner very uncomfortable.

There are various options, one of which is a central pedestal type leg that keeps the perimeter of the underside of the table pain-free for knees! The Mitcham Industrial Oak Spider Leg Dining Table has a stylish twist on the central pedestal leg, perfect as an 8-seater dining table.

Greater seating flexibility with H bar legs

Everyone wants seating flexibility when it comes to investing in a reclaimed wood dining table and so opting for one with H bar legs makes sense. The Amalfi industrial H bar rustic oak dining table has a delightfully contoured edge that makes it an instant stylish hit in the dining room.

Of course, all this talk of large dining tables is only as good as the seating options you have available. Fabric dining chairs certainly make a decadent and luxurious addition to a wood dining table. We love adding jewel colours for more of a statement or for a classic edge, neutral colours, such as stone, work well.

Opt for a style of dining chair without arms and lower backs so the dining table looks less cluttered. Or ring the changes with a dining bench. As well as the elegant simplicity of a Scandinavian style wooden bench, there are also high-backed upholstered dining benches that are perfect for your Christmas guests.

The all-inclusive round dining table

The one thing about the rectangular dining table is that when you have a larger group of diners, it can split into one conversation at one end and another group discussing another matter at the other. The solution comes in the shape of a round dining table.

The Sussex Oak Parquet Industrial Oval Dining Table is a must-have. It allows for every diner to see each other, for conversation to flow easily and for food to be enjoyed. As well as the delightful shaping of the table and plenty of room for diners, the parquet tabletop of this table is also a talking point.

Complement it with leather dining chairs to emphasise the elegance of this beautiful table.

An extendable table is the gift that keeps on giving

An extending dining table is an obvious choice, especially if you enjoy entertaining. At times when you don’t need the extra dining space, simply remove or drop down the extending panel. The Kingsbridge is the perfect example of an oak extending dining table that guests will admire and enjoy being seated around.

Alternative plans

If the festive period will mean a large crowd gathering for dinner, thinking of an alternative to the sit-down turkey roast is also an option. Go for casual seating and a hot buffet – there’s nothing better than a hot turkey, brie and cranberry baguette, and pigs in blankets make for the perfect finger food?

You might also want to consider moving the dining table to another, larger space. If you have a conservatory or orangery, this would make the perfect temporary dining room or even the hallway. You just need to add plenty of festive decoration to set the right atmosphere!

Give your Rustic dining table a Nordic style Christmas

A Christmas gift wrapped in white paper with string

A Nordic style Christmas is about embracing the simple elegance of the Scandinavian furniture style whilst adding warmth and texture to the space. Relaxing and calm, the Nordic style is unhurried and well-thought-out; a perfect antidote to the chaos that Christmas can bring. It provides comfort to any room and when it’s cold and dark outside, it is the ideal style solution for a cosy and relaxing Christmas.

Bring nature inside

The Scandi style embraces nature and so bringing strong hints of the outside in is an excellent starting point. Where you would normally have fresh flowers on a wood dining table in the summer, replace with a glass bowl, filled with pinecones and gently flickering lights.

Choose earthy scents when it comes to scented candles in your dining space. Comforting and nostalgic, they create the right mood, complementing the reclaimed wood furniture in any room.

Wreaths are also a great way of bringing in the winter wonderland to any room. From pinecones to holly, ivy and red berries, your local woods will offer up plenty of materials for easy wreath making. Hanging a wreath horizontally above the dining table makes for a great talking point, perfect for continuing the Nordic style through your home.

Mix the new with the rustic

The Nordic style has a rustic side to it, but not so much that it takes over from the refined edge that it brings to a room. Mixing the new with the rustic is perfect for creating a comforting Nordic style to a room.

Opt for sublime throws and cushions against the backdrop of a leather sofa and armchairs in the living room, for example, and scatter cushions along the dining bench with a Christmas table runner across your rustic dining table.

Natural materials and neutral colours

The beauty of the Nordic style is how it takes lighter colours and blends them with natural materials to create a cosy backdrop to a room.

Alongside your reclaimed wood dining table, for example, incorporate light colours such as white, cream, or even a light sage green.

Layers of light

Lighting is important in any style to create a welcoming ambience to a dining space. Opting for a warm glow will help, but for the full effect, you need to consider light in layers.

As well as a beautiful hanging pendant light – opt for natural materials for the shade such as rattan – you also need to make sure there is a soft glow in dark corners. Add ambient lighting to the dinner table or mantelpiece in a dining room, for example, with twinkling string lights; a perennial Christmas favourite in any design.

Adding the gentle flicker of candles is also ideal for any room, from the centrepiece of the wood dining table to the hallway console table.

Coordinate colours

There is nothing to say you can’t have bright colours with the Nordic style, but they do need to be streamlined, cohesive and symmetrical. Against a neutral backdrop, add dashes of red, dark blue and green or maintain a neutral palette to hit all the right notes.

But it is texture that brings this style to life which is why Scandinavian furniture with its soft curves is so very popular. Use faux furs and large wool knits for cushions and throws. Stack up logs by the fire for a snug Christmas dinner and settle in and enjoy the festivities in this beautiful stylish scheme.