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

Revive your home office with the perfect desk

At the last estimate, over four million people choose to regularly work from home. For some, the home office is the place from which they run their own freelance empire, from the comfort of a leather office chair. Like other rooms in the home, when it has a function, it means there is a main player just crying out for reclaimed wood furniture.

For the home office, it is the desk. It is the table at which you will spend many, many hours. It needs to be comfortable and large enough for everything you use as part of your working day, as well as offering storage, but you also want it to be stylish. So, where do you start when it comes to choosing a home office desk?

What size should an office desk be?

The dimensions of the desk are important. Not only does it need to offer ample working space for you, but it also needs to fit in the room itself.

Measure the space where you are considering sitting your desk – remember to consider the lighting and never work in shade or bright sun glare – and then consider how large you need the desk to be.

If you need minimal equipment, you could opt for a slimline desk and even with IT equipment, you’ll find that their streamlined nature means you won’t need a gargantuan desk. How about a reclaimed wood desk with two small drawers on either side for your pens and notepads?

How deep should my desk be?

A deep home office desk allows you to complete various tasks without necessarily putting equipment away each time. For example, when you want to handwrite or draw something, by pushing your keyboard or laptop aside you have plenty of desktop space.

If you don’t need a huge amount of space, why not opt for a slimmer desk? If you are really struggling for space, a foldaway desk is another great option. Situated next to your reading chair and an oak bookcase, you’ll have created the perfect home office come snug.

How much space do you need for a desk?

Try to be practical. You need plenty of space to push back your office chair and to move around the room. The issue with most home offices is that they are jam-packed and have no real storage solutions. That means keeping it tidy and a place that is productive is even harder.

A slimline desk with accessible storage is perfect, especially if it gives you the tabletop space you need. Home office furniture needs to ‘fit’ just as much as it needs to be stylish and offer storage.

Where should a desk be placed in an office?

We touched on this in an earlier point but when it comes to position, it is the light that is your most important consideration. Working with some natural light on your desk is good and natural light should be maximised but watch for glare. Of course, if you can position your industrial desk in a position where you have a view that’s perfect for those daydreamy moments we all have in our working day…

New rustic beauties to make a house a home

Lovely Linen Tablecloth and Table Runner

Moving to a new home is a momentous occasion and it is customary to offer family and friends a small gift for their new castle.

There are so many different new home gift options, ranging from luxury candles to a more generous round wall mirror, but the giving of table linens is always a welcomed treat. Our new launch of linen tablecloths, napkins and runners make for a stylish gift for new homes, or better still, a beautiful addition to your home.

Why choose linen?

Linen is a natural fabric, made from the fibres of the flax plant. It’s quite a lengthy process to create and every linen item is essentially unique, boasting a range of other beneficial properties too. For example, the close weave of high-quality linen items makes them very strong, absorbent and naturally fast drying. Not to be confused with cotton, linen is the fabric of choice in countries with hot climates because it is a cool, fresh fabric to wear and use, not to mention timelessly stylish.

Linen tablecloths

There is nothing more luxurious than adding a fabric table cover or cloth to the dining table. It adds a protective layer, as well as acting as a delightful platform from which to showcase your table settings. The closer the weave of any fabric, the more luxurious it feels and we can’t think of a better way to style our collection of dining tables than with these high-quality linen tablecloths.

From rustic to farmhouse, industrial to Scandi, the tablecloth is an accessory that fits with every design style. Choose from six delicious colours – the soft neutral shade of off white, dusty pink, avocado, denim blue, light and dark grey.

Linen table runners

The table runner is perfect for adding a dash of colour and vibrancy to the dining table. And with our colour range, you can add contrasting and complementary colours. How about a dark grey linen table runner, for example, with an off white table linen cloth? Or a grey tablecloth to complement the dark, black steel legs of your industrial dining table with a dusty pink linen table runner to add an element of surprise?

The table runner is also the ideal location for nestling Rathbornes scented large candles. Allowing their delicate scent to waft gently around the dining room…

Linen napkins

Linen napkins are a perfect choice. Opt for the same colour napkins as the white tablecloth for coordinated elegance. Or mix and match the colours to present a truly unique table setting that is also slightly quirky (but still full of style).

Linen tablecloths, napkins and table runners are a wonderful way of adding colour and texture to your dining table. Accessorise with large candles and diffusers or keep them carefully stored in a dining room sideboard and bring out on special occasions.

Ooze rustic style with these reclaimed tables

Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Extendable Dining Table and Bench

A 6-seater dining table is one of the most versatile pieces of reclaimed wood furniture you could own. The perfect size, it is neither too big to impose on a room and yet, it is just right for when you have guests around to dine. Ideal as a family dining table too, a six-seater dining table in a rustic style is a must-have for any dining room or kitchen/diner.

The rustic style – white paint, natural materials, heavy set

The rustic style has a slightly different tone to its close cousin, the farmhouse style. There is a heft to the overall look and yet it is done so without being heavy or imposing.

The expanse of a 6-seater dining table with white painted legs ticks all the rustic style element boxes. With softened edges, it doesn’t overtake the room, and the white painted legs of this trestle style table prevent them being too overpowering. For everyday dining, leave the top bare, with a jug of flowers in its centre but for formal dining, dress with a plain coloured tablecloth (stick with classic white) and add the gentle flicker of candles alongside the cutlery and other accoutrements.

An extendable appeal

An extending table solves all kinds of problems. Versatile and practical, the extendable rustic dining table seats four with plenty of room but when you have guests, simply extend it for more space.

Choose a rustic dining room table that has a slightly more refined and worked edge to it and you’ll have a classic, elegant finish that sits well within the rustic style. With the painted legs and bare wood tabletop, it will also transform with the addition of a few well-chosen items – the luxury of a heavy, white damask tablecloth, polished silver (or even brass) cutlery, candles in lanterns or glass storm jars… the possibilities are endless.

TOP TIP – don’t forget the backdrop of the dining room either. Neutral warm shades and dashes of a metallic finish such as the frame of a mirror all contribute to making a rustic dining room charming.

The true beauty of reclaimed wood furniture

If there is a style that truly welcomes repurposed and reclaimed wood, it is the rustic style. That doesn’t mean that nothing matches, certainly not with the modern twist on the traditional rustic style. There are refinement and elegance in the heavy-set, chunky legs and thick top of the Beam reclaimed wood dining table. In fact, it is this ‘chunkiness’ that makes it so very popular.

For an added touch of luxury, opt for upholstered or leather dining chairs – high-backed dining chairs are the perfect match for this table – and keep the accessories of the dressed formal dining table just as obvious and substantial. Equally at home as a kitchen table and chairs set or in the formal dining room, the rustic dining table is a beautiful centrepiece.

Same style, different shading

The rustic style embraces wood of all shades and types. A reclaimed wood dining table is a thing of beauty but it is also practical. A great place for homework to be done, family matters to be discussed and guests entertained.

An extendable dining table is perfect, we know, in the dining room and kitchen but if you want a ‘certain something else’ – the same chunkiness but with a lighter touch – then the Farringdon reclaimed wood dining table is the choice. As well as the classic dining bench, the upholstered dining chair would look stunning and chic along its edge. For a truly rustic appeal, stick to natural colours – dark brown or tan – or, if you want to inject a hint of the unexpected, a richly coloured velvet dining chair would do the trick!

How to stylishly dress your farmhouse dining table

Dorset Reclaimed Wood Trestle Dining Table

The farmhouse dining table is the perfect style choice in a farmhouse style kitchen or dining room. How would you style and accessorise it?

The Elton Farmhouse Dining Table

The angular, trestle-style hand-painted solid wood legs of the Elton Farmhouse Table are typically farmhouse and rustic in appearance which makes it a firm favourite. The beautiful wooden top of this farmhouse dining table is ideal for everyday dining and for informal dining parties. For when you want a more formal setting, a few choice accoutrements instantly transform it.

As well as a dining bench, upholstered dining chairs are a great addition. Opt for neutral colours, such as grey, that sits well with the white legs and beautiful wooden top of this farmhouse table.

Set the scene with some pretty accessories. A table runner adds texture as well as colour, a material platform for candles and lanterns to set the mood for your dinner party.

Framing the table in situ is important for balancing the room. fitting with the farmhouse style is a pretty industrial bookcase, a beautiful piece of reclaimed wood furniture for the dining room.

Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table

A similar style to the previous table, it is the solid wooden legs at either end of this oak trestle table that makes it a popular choice for people looking for a 6-seater dining table. Again, pair it with upholstered dining chairs. The Elton Upholstered Dining Chair has an understated elegance to them.

As well an off white table cloths, coloured runner and matching napkins, frame the beautiful large dining table with a beautiful farmhouse reclaimed wood large dresser.

HINT – for symmetry and balance, keep the choice of metallic finish the same. In this case, polished silver sits beautifully within the farmhouse style.

Elegance with the Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table

A beautiful 8-seater dining table, the Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table is in a class all of its own. Grey fabric dining chairs are just one choice of seating partners that allow the beauty of the almost-blonde sanded oak tabletop to shine.

In a similar shade, a sideboard is a perfect complement to this farmhouse table and chairs. As well as offering ample storage in the dining room or kitchen, the sideboard is also ideal for adding welcome touches and notes of detail. Infusers, for example, are ideal for the dining room as their scent is gentle, wafted about the space as people move through it. Add to the grace of the space with candles too and consider. However, don’t forget the backdrop to the sideboard. As well as artwork, you can also layer mirrors.

The small details can often make the space but get the table, seating and supporting reclaimed wood piece right, and you have a beautiful dining space, no matter the occasion.

Love industrial style? Love our oak dining tables

Hoxton Industrial Cross Leg Oak Dining Table

The industrial style was born in the lofts of reclaimed warehouse and industrial buildings. Open plan, they embraced bare brick, steel and reclaimed wood and the modern industrial interior design style as we know it was born.

The core elements remain the same as too does its penchant for being a practical, versatile style. The reclaimed wood furniture used through the scheme brings warmth and so its no wonder it is still a popular style for every room in the home. But where it does come into its own is in the kitchen.

Why choose an oak dining table?

Oak is a slow growing tree thus its grain is packed tightly together. Hard and incredibly robust, oak is a timber used in a variety of application. And when it is no longer needed in that shape or form, reclaiming it to make reclaimed oak dining table means we continue to benefit from its robust, yet warm nature.

The industrial style kitchen

The industrial style is not without its points of luxury. Don’t starve your industrial style kitchen of the finer details and hints of glamour because, with well-placed accessories, it will be a stylish and unique space.

A 6-seater dining table is an ideal size – it makes for a great everyday table as well as space for when you entertain more formally – and by keeping it simple, you effectively allow it to shine even more.

With a dining table in the kitchen, it is easy to forget the wall accessories or assume that because it is the kitchen, it must be kitchenalia that adds the detailing that complements your industrial kitchen table. A wall mirror with decadent frame won’t go amiss in the kitchen and with a metallic frame, it sits beautifully within the industrial scheme landscape too.

Make a statement with an oak dining table

Oak, as a material, makes a statement all of its own. People love it, they love its appearance and the feel of it too. The industrial style is a tactile scheme – the cool of metal, for example, contrasting against the warmth of the wood. The modern, slightly rustic feel to this sustainably sourced luxury oak table is a worthwhile investment. To maintain the industrial edge – and for practical reasons in the kitchen diner space – leather dining chairs are a must. Available in a range of colours and styles, there are also faux leather dining chairs to choose from too.

X marks the spot

Making a statement is exactly what styling your home is all about which is why the cross legs of the Hoxton industrial dining table will appeal to you. Imposing, immediate and obvious, this in-front-of-your-eyes detailing is a rare find in the industrial style but when you want to make a statement, you need to be bold.

Marry this table with brown leather dining chairs to retain the softness of the wood but don’t forget to add accessories such as Rathbornes large scented candles and other sculptural delights too.

And with our new range of table linen, you have everything you need for your new industrial dining table.

Dine in Scandi style with these oak tables

Hudson Living Wycombe Oak Extending Dining Table

We’ll never tire of the clean lines of Scandinavian interior design style. The oak dining table is the perfect centrepiece in the Scandi-inspired dining room but what about seating and accessories?

True to the Scandi style

The Scandinavian style is an amalgamation of furniture and accessories in a room that has a clear connection. Full of natural materials and an abundance of wood, the minimal approach is far from sparse but instead, oozes a warmth that is attractive to everyone.

Clean lines, softened angles and light woods are typical, as is a heavy dash of functionality which is why an oak dining table, with an oak bench, is the ideal choice. If there is a typical Scandinavian dining table, it is rectangular with rolling edges matched by equally unfussy seating. Keep the remainder of the room lightly accessorised with neutral colours on the walls and perhaps a bright dining room rug to add a zing of colour and you have the stylish, Scandi-setting you crave.

Curls and rolls

There is nothing brash or confrontational about the Scandi style and this is something that can be emulated with Scandinavian furniture. Essentially, the delicate appearance of the slim, round legs on an oak dining table make it an ideal choice, more so if you have a tendency towards minimalist interior design. Functional with a heavy dose of style, why not consider a dining bench, as well as matching dining chairs, to maintain the practicality of this dining table?

Stick with tried and tested tricks for the Scandi-style, such as framed mirrors to reflect the light and when it comes to accessories and sculptures, maintain curves and neutral colours.

Extending a warm welcome

When it comes to the dining room, entertaining and extending a warm welcome to guests runs through the core of Scandi-style. Whether it is a planned get-together or an impromptu evening with good friends, an extending 6-seater dining table comes into its own.

Again, with a matching dining bench, you could squeeze plenty of guests around its curved edge and matching wooden dining chairs bring instant balance and symmetry to the dining room.

Opt for plenty of candlelight and let the gentle flickering of a naked flame accent the hues and tones of oak. Accessories such as lanterns also make an ideal addition with their classic shape and design.

Circle of change

Once you have formed the basis of an interior design style you love, you can add a personal touch with small twists and quirks This round luxury oak table, with its heavy-set central pedestal leg, is a brilliant alternative to those showcased so far.

And here’s a bigger twist – dark-coloured wooden dining chairs. An elegant contrast full of drama, this is a combination that will enhance every mealtime.

Maintain the same neutral backdrop and accessories so that the table and the wooden dining chairs remain the focal point of this stylishly designed room.

Enhance your dining experience with an 8 seater table

Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

Eight is the perfect number for a dinner party. Not too big that the group fractures into smaller groups but not too small to feel ‘awkward’. But what can be awkward is when diners are squashed around a table, elbows knocking when someone reaches for the salt or their wine glass. An extendable, 8-seater dining table is a must. But what are the style options?

Industrial extravagance

The industrial style – the fusion of reclaimed wood furniture with steel – is not one you would expect to be described as extravagant. But the modern twist on the style means that it can and so we’ll start with the Kingsbridge reclaimed wood dining table.

The beautiful inlay design of its top should be admired by everyone. The angular U-shaped legs also allow for a diner to be easily accommodated at either short end, with no painful banging of the knees.

It is an extendable industrial dining table that welcomes an extra layer of glamour which is why the velvet upholstered dining chairs, in rich, beautiful colours, are a perfect choice, making for a fantastic extendable dining table and chairs set that looks and feels inviting.

Not that you would want to hide the inlaid tabletop but imagine this large wood dining table with a midnight black tablecloth draped over it, complete with brass accessories and champagne flutes for your next dinner party – what a table setting that would be!

True industrial style

Reclaimed wood can be left both in its ‘natural’ state or it can be sanded and nurtured to become the elegant table top of the extendable reclaimed wood dining table Standford Industrial collection.

It too has generous extendable proportions that make it ideal for when you entertain. Like the previous table, it has angular, U-shaped legs which are ideal for accommodating diners around all four edges. For a chic look at a formal dinner party, a crisp white tablecloth is a perfect base from which to build.

Soften the edges with the gentle glow of candles in lanterns dotted around the rest of the dining room – the large, industrial sideboard would welcome a little attention! – along with a soft glow from a table lamp being reflected by a dining room mirror.

Industrial meets rustic

The fusion between the industrial style and rustic is a natural one. Both rely heavily on the fusion of natural materials – reclaimed wood – with the natural setting from which the style emulates.

The reclaimed wood trestle dining table is a remarkable piece of furniture as it fits both styles and can provide a bridge in connecting one to the other. When you uber-usefulness from the dining table, a dining bench is your instant friend. Imagine the number of friends you can squish on a bench for an informal get-together.

But add a variety of accessories and leather dining chairs and it instantly transforms into beautiful, formal dining space to welcome guests for an evening of eating, drinking and merriment.

Adding a polished metallic finish instantly lifts any dining table and adding metal-framed mirrors to the walls continues this theme, bringing cohesion, symmetry and balance to the dining room.

And then, when guests are gone, the table resumes its stance as an everyday staple.

How to design a functional home office with flair

The home office can be a difficult thing to style. Often built into whatever space you might have to hand, there is often very little room to create a really productive working area. However, with the right home office furniture, any office, large or small can be organised to make it a more rewarding environment. Here, we take a look at a few examples of reclaimed wood furniture, and a few extras too, which will inspire you to design a home office that is a beautiful, yet highly functional space.

Choose your desk – and chair – wisely

Opting for a reclaimed wood desk is something we’d obviously recommend, as we have so many beautiful options to choose from. However, getting the right home office desk is all about how you want the space to feel. For example, if you’re trying to make your home office seem larger, you might want to opt for a lighter colour when it comes to your furniture, and this white industrial desk clearly fits the bill – allowing for plenty of workspace without taking up the whole of the room.

Alternatively, you might prefer a desk with drawers, such as the Worcester reclaimed wood desk for all those spare pens and post-its that form part of most people’s office clutter. This will again help the space to seem more ordered, and you’ll be able to find all those small items such as paperclips and the like easily, allowing you to be more productive. For a more serious feel to the office, the Quinton desk would be a fantastic choice, paired with a sumptuous brown leather office chair, it offers comfort, style and space to stack away any paperwork you might not need to hand right away.

Storage options can be stylish

When it comes to creating a space that helps with productivity, storage plays a key role. While the filing cabinet may have its uses, many people now prefer something a little more stylish – think a beautiful wood bookcase such as the Mitcham or the Rocco, with neat box files interspersed with quirky ornaments – the ultimate in style and organisation. Alternatively, you could consider bringing in a sideboard to your home office. The Rustic Mitcham sideboard would easily fit a home printer, a set of wire ‘in trays’ and some greenery on top, allowing you to have everything you need within easy reach in the cupboards below. Or, you could go quirky with the squared sideboard, also by Mitcham. This is an ideal alternative to a filing cabinet, as you can separate all your important filing but without the unattractive design of the standard filing cabinet.

It’s the little things that count

Of course, it’s not just the layout of the office that could have an effect on your productivity. Choosing your accessories will not just set your space off nicely, it could add real value to your working environment. Our tips on accessories to boost your productivity include:

Keeping an eye on the time – Opting for a large industrial wall clock that you can’t miss, or considering a table clock in your eyeline means you won’t lose track of time.

Creating the right atmosphere – There is a range of options when it comes to boosting your productivity with scent. Whether it’s stress-busting lavender misting gently from a diffuser, or a scented candle with a citrus fragrance to make you more alert, getting the atmosphere right really can have an effect on how much you can get done.

Get the lighting right – Whether a table lamp for darker evenings, or a floor lamp you can position to best effect, having the right light could really help you work better.

These are our picks for the ultimate in home office productivity, but which one will you choose to help you work more efficiently?

How do I choose chairs for a rustic kitchen?

Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Chairs in Rustic Kitchen

As the heart of the home, you want to make sure you get the right look and style for your kitchen, and that key additions such as dining chairs are functional too. When it comes to the rustic style kitchen, with reclaimed wood furniture what are your options when it comes to dining chairs?

Do chairs have to match the dining table?

There is an assumption that dining chairs must match the table and match each other. Beautifully balanced, four, six or even eight wooden dining chairs that match and clearly sit well with the reclaimed wood table is ideal in the rustic kitchen. Dining table and chair sets are a worthy investment and perfection for if you want a refined edge to the rustic dining table and chairs.

But there is no rule book that says you have to have matching dining chairs. And if there is one style that enjoys this switching up in temp and style, it is the rustic kitchen.

You could go for an all-out-complete-mis-match look – it works when there is a heavy hint of quirkiness in the room – or, if you want a cohesive undertone to non-matching chairs, this is how you achieve it:

Mix materials – for example, opt for four wooden dining chairs, flanked by two upholstered dining chairs at either end of the reclaimed wood dining table but keep the styles the same. Opt for unfussy materials but one that has elegance, such as faux leather dining chairs, perfect for giving the rustic dining room table an uplift.
Same style but with refinements – this is commonly seen with four or six wooden dining chairs without armrest but the chairs at either end of the dining table would have armrests and a taller back.
Dining bench and chairs – the other option (and it’s one we love for the rustic kitchen) is a beautiful rustic dining table flanked by dining benches on each of its long sides and two beautiful upholstered dining chairs at either end.

On a side note on rustic dining tables and upholstered chairs, choose neutral colours and shades to stay true to the rustic style. Brown leather dining chairs or tan faux leather dining chairs are ideal partners to such a table.

How wide should dining chairs be?

There is nothing worse than the feeling of being ‘perched’ at a table. Dining chairs need to be functional and comfortable – and that means getting the correct sizing for the space you have available.

A wooden dining chair (or event an upholstered one) that is as wide as it is deep makes for an incredibly comfortable seat. For example, the beautifully simple Worcester wooden dining chair is 47cm in width and just over 50cm in depth. With 15 centimetres minimum between diners, you’ll have a beautifully proportioned rustic dining table in your kitchen.

Your choice of rustic dining chair

Essentially, what drives this important decision is your own likes and dislikes (as much as your budget!). Wooden dining chairs are a dream to take care of and perfect for a home with children and/or pets. Upholstered and leather dining chairs add a streak of elegance to your rustic dining table. So which would you choose?