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

Get the perfect farmhouse table for your party

The chill of December tells us one thing: winter is coming. Darker evenings and shorter days may spell doom and gloom for some but for us, it means party season.

And there are plenty of options from the spooky party for Halloween to apple bobbing on Firework night to informal get togethers as the festive season arrives in December, followed by late night revelry to welcome in the New Year.

Most parties revolve around the kitchen and the food which is why this handsome and stylish Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table is a must. This dining area looks fresh, bright and inviting – but how do you get the look?

To Extend or Not to Extend, that is the Question

Not quite the correct Shakespearean quote but near enough. The Eastwood Dining Table is versatile – just look at the chunky legs and sturdy frame, with the smooth oak table top – seating six to eight diners.

The Eastwood Dining Table doesn’t extend. But it does, however, tick all the boxes, especially if you love oak, complete with a story all of its own.

Seating

Now you have the table in place, you need to set about creating the perfect dining space. Ambience is set by lighting, atmosphere by your hosting and appeal by the style you choose to use in the space.

For a room to look and feel warm and inviting, which is why the hardness of wood for the dining table is perfectly offset by the tactile nature of fabric dining chairs.

There are many options when it comes to style (and colour). The Skye Dining Chair with Arms are simply delicious, even if we do say so ourselves. There is something simple, yet appealing about the high, straight back of the chair. There is support and comfort, perfect for your diners to enjoy the delicious meal about to be served.

Another great option if you want more detail but without clutter are the Dawson Dining Chairs. With sumptuously padded seat and back, adorned with chic square paneled stitching for an extra touch of sophistication, they offer the same support and plushness, with a little extra detail.

The Background

The table is set, the chairs look magnificent – you just need something extra. From bespoke artwork on the walls to a colour-enhancing rug, you need another piece of furniture that brings yet more glamour to the room. Understated, yet essential, the Windsor large glass white display cabinet is perfect.

And that is all it takes to recreate this beautiful, stylish dining room – perfect no matter what the party!

Is the formal dining room becoming extinct?

Mary Berry, the former judge of The Great British Bake Off, has courted controversy by publicly declaring she has ‘ditched the formal dining room’. Whilst many have thrown their hands up in horror, it is easy to understand why.

But, we need to dig a little deeper because whilst Mary – and others, it has to be said – have rejoiced in the demise of the formal dining room, they are not suggesting we all invest in lap-top trays and eat dinner, hunched over our plates whilst watching the TV.

So, who is right? Should the formal dining room be consigned to the history books or is there still merit in a separate room?

The Jury is Out…

We did a quick straw pool on Instagram and we found that 50% ate at the kitchen table and 50% of our audience ate in the dining room. It is not so much that people are against the ‘formal’ dining room, maybe it is the perceived notion of how this space should be used that concerns people.

The dining room style and use has changed of late and for busy families, eating together in the kitchen has advantages. But is there merit to still having a separate room?

Not just for formal occasions…

People surveyed by us through Houzz said that they only used their dining room when there was a formal occasion such as a dinner party or Christmas dinner. Rather than seeing the dining room as hallowed ground, wrest control back and make it a fun space.

Seating

The dining table doesn’t have to be a large, dusty expanse of coldness: warm the dining table with brightly coloured upholstered dining chairs, perfect for adding texture and warmth to a space.

The seating can also be far less formal than the straight-backed dining chairs or overly-ornate wooden dining chairs that many of us grew up with. Kitchen chairs are sturdy practical simple yet have enough style to make them pleasant items to have in the dining room.

Size

Size is not always important either, with a small kitchen table being just the right size and space for the family to re-connect after a long day at the office and at school.

Material

Be practical in your choice of dining table too. We all remember the fear of placing something on the dining table that would cause a scratch mark or a water ring that would forever destroy its veneer! Modern day wood dining tables are perfect for any home as they have a much better resistance to heat and moisture, a far better and more practical option.

Accessories

Soften the edges further with stylish salt and pepper pots, as well as pretty accessories that make eating in the dining room a pleasant affair, such as the gentle flicker of candles in lanterns.

And don’t forget, the dining room doesn’t just have to be a place to eat. It can be the place that homework is done, a best-selling novel is written, friends gather…

Tell us about your dining room and how you use it. Do you use it just for formal occasions or is it the extra room that you need for other activities?

Things homeowners with cats know to be true

They stalk in when it pleases them. They will eat when it pleases them and you will serve what they desire. They will snooze where they like and when they like. Every cat owner knows the truth of the situation – the cat owns you! But you wouldn’t be without your feline friend simple because there is nothing better than a home with a pet – and a home with a cat or cats is a very rich one indeed.

But science has got in on the act, confirming what cat owners have known all along…

1 Cats lower your stress level

There is a whole load of research that suggests being with and around pets, cats included, lowers blood pressure and ‘stress levels’. The simple act of stroking your cat and cuddling up with them on an even in front of a roaring fire on a wingback armchair or modern sofa is rejuvenating for mind, body and soul.

2 They are great with kids

Cats and other pets, dogs included, are great for a household with children. As well as teaching responsibility, compassion and how to care for them, cats and other pets play an important role for children with additional needs, including autism. The change in autistic children around pets is unbelievable, helping them to gain the social interaction skills some children struggle with.

3 Cats heal

Purring is a wonderful sound, isn’t it? It shows that Tiddles is content and you feel a sense of well-being too. But did you know that there is therapeutic value to their purring and healing? Studies have found that the gentle vibration of purring at 18 to 35 Hz has a positive effect on joint mobility, especially after injury. There are all kinds of studies ongoing that hope to find out more about how cats purring help to heal bones, muscles and ligaments in humans.

4 They fuel romance

You’ve enjoyed a romantic meal, the candles are flickering and along comes Tiddles to share the sofa with you and your beau. But don’t throw your feline friend out as there is research to suggest that potential partners find the presence of a cat in the home a welcome one.

5 Your kids are healthier

It may be the bane of your life but cat hair all over the house and feline paw prints on the surface of your reclaimed wood furniture are actually great for boosting your immune system and that of your children too. Because your kid’s immune systems are tackling dirt, detritus and cat hair, it is stronger and more able to ward off common germs.

6 Allergies are kept at bay too!

Of course, if you are allergic to cat or dog hair, then this is not good news but research has shown that the common day trend for keeping everywhere scrupulously clean is harming our ability to fight off allergies. And so yes, those pawprints across the wooden furniture and the fur left on a Harris Tweed sofa are all doing sterling things for your immune system.

7 Cats are great for mental health too

Mental health is a hotly debated topic at the moment, great for increasing exposure and changing attitudes towards this common problem. Cats have it sussed – when they curl up on your lap or walk across your laptop keyboard, they are sending an important message: let’s cuddle and let your emotional well-being receive a boost. The repetitive act of stroking your cat, its purring, its cuteness and its warmth all help your brain and mind to unravel and slow down.

8 Don’t have a cat? Cat videos are the next best thing!

It was a huge study of over 7,000 participants and the findings cannot be disputed: after watching cat videos, people said they felt better, they had more ‘mental energy’ and positive emotions. So yes, watching those endless cat videos online all in the name of procrastination is doing you some good.

Why a sheepskin is the best winter warmer

With the cold months of winter only a few weeks away, our thoughts turn to making our homes warm and cosy. The sheepskin rug is the ideal addition but it isn’t just for keeping your toes toasty warm.

On the dining bench

The family dining table is an important piece of furniture. On cold winter evenings, it will be the place you gather to discuss the day that has been. There will be times when you have guests too and by placing a large sheepskin rug on the dining bench – or smaller rugs on the dining chairs – and you will instantly feel warmer.

IN the bedroom

If there is one place you will no doubt retreat to when the gales are howling outside the door and winter rain lashing at the window, it will be the cost sanctuary that is your bedroom. Imagine getting in and out of bed, with the delight of a sheepskin rug and its deep, fluffy pile tickling your toes?

ON the bed

There are nights when you need an extra layer of warmth in your Scandinavian bedroom, and the sheepskin is an ideal solution. As a natural material, complete with its hide as backing, wool and sheepskin is one of the best materials with insulation and cooling properties, making it an ideal material for all kinds of products for use all year round. The sheepskin, lightly laying across your feet on the bed will banish any chills. And it looks stunning in the bedroom too!

ON the office chair

Chills and draughts can reach you, no matter where you are, even if your home is well-insulated. We love the idea of spending the day, hard at work in the home office with a sheepskin on the chair to keep your legs and lower back delightfully warm. The additional soft layer also helps you take a comfortable seat too, ideal if you plan on being at your desk for long periods.

For the dog or the cat…

We all know how much Fido and Tiddles enjoy curling up in the warmth of the home when the worst of the winter weather is battering at the door. You may think that this is the height of decadence – a sheep pile sheepskin in front of the fire by the rattan basket log holders just for the cat and the dog – but there is a method in the madness. Again, it is the natural material of sheepskin that is ideal for the dog and cat, ensuring that they are not irritated by the ‘ingredients’ in some synthetic rugs and beds.

A stylish accessory

The sheepskin is, without a doubt, one of the most stylish accessories for a winter living room too, alongside the majesty of an ornamental stag head. Add statuesque tall candle holders to the mantelpiece so that you have the romance of flickering candles and you have really set a cosy scene for a winter’s evening.

Adding warmth to a room means adding texture, as much as it is about adding colour, and the sheepskin, no matter what colour or size you choose, it simply perfect.

How to choose the perfect coffee table

Hudson Living Kielder Oak Nest of Tables

The coffee table – a piece of furniture that has to be all things to all people. It has to balance tea and coffee mugs, nibbles for film night, as well as serving as an impromptu art and office desk for members of the family. It also doubles as a footstool too…

It is no surprise then, that when it comes to choosing a coffee table, we can feel overwhelmed by the choice on offer. With so many functions, just how do you choose a new coffee table?

Step 1 – Know your style

First and foremost, knowing your interior design style is key. For example, if you enjoy a rustic appeal to your home, then choosing a rustic coffee table that complements your existing furniture is key. The coffee table is also ideal if you want an item with a hint of character, like this reclaimed wood coffee table on wheels – makes a change from the usual casters…

Step 2 – Be bold

The coffee table is one of those items that is not usually a talking point, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be! Look for details that will set it apart, such as the beauty and impact of this oval industrial coffee table. The large trumpet base is perfect for adding detail and glamour to any room.

Step 3 – Size IS important

Frankly, too small for your needs and it is not worth the investment but too big, the coffee table could swamp the space, impeding travel between the sofa and the rest of the room. There is a ‘rule’ that can help you out with this: the coffee table should be no longer than your biggest sofa so that it frames the coffee table (and not the other way around). It should also be no smaller than half the length of the sofa, a great way to stop the coffee table from looking ‘lost’.

There are many examples of stylish large, medium and small coffee tables that could suit your room or why not invest in a custom made and sized reclaimed wood coffee table? Made from reclaimed English beams, there is something satisfying about the presence of this rustic coffee table in any lounge or living area.

Step 4 – Be practical

The coffee table is a practical piece of apparatus for the busy home, as well as a showpiece and a platform for showing off a graceful sculpture and vase of flowers. In the busy family home, why not invest in a coffee table with drawers? Ideal for hiding away magazines and other ‘stuff’, as well as a handy place for keeping the myriad of remotes from falling down the back of the sofa. A wooden storage chest works great as a coffee table too but also as a toy box, blanket box and more!

Step 5 – ‘Divide and Conquer’

Some styles and purchase decisions become so entrenched that we assume they are the only solution. So why buy one coffee table? Why not buy three?

Of course, your budget and floor space may not stretch to that so instead, consider a nest of tables. Versatile chic and stylish, they can be used to frame the armchair in its position (along with a beautiful rug), as well as used as handy side and occasional tables the next time you have a soiree. Again, choice and styles are vast, for example, this cubed oak nest of tables is perfect for the modern pad.

Follow these five steps for a stylish, versatile coffee table that will be the ideal investment for your home.

How to style the best seller: The Kensington Reclaimed table

Luxe Kensington Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and chairs

Let us admire it, just for a moment or two – the Kensington reclaimed wood dining table is glorious in all its industrial inspired style. This autumn, the trend, interior designers tell us, will be the industrial furniture look. But if you think this means cold steel and little overall warmth and appeal, prepared to be surprised because this is not what the industrial style is all about.

Rawness, but with warmth

There is something essential raw, yet appealing and warm about the industrial look and that is down to the wood used in the scheme. But how do you pull off this look with success and aplomb?

For the look to work (for any style, in fact), there needs to be a connection between all the main pieces:

The Kensington dining table with its reclaimed wood table top and the metal leg frame works with a variety of dining chairs. In the below dining room scene, it is the legs of the table, the ever-popular Gustav industrial dining chairs and the Barclay sideboard that pull all the pieces together in one cohesive look.

Choose an element of the industrial style, whether that is wood or metal, and use that throughout the room. And keep the colours similar too – in the above dining room, the metal legs are black, perfect for promotion harmony to the eye.

Ring the changes by using dining chairs that contrast with the heady rawness of the table. The reclaimed wood table top of the Kensington industrial dining table is unfinished in its appeal thus, teaming it with the more refined wood of cream dining chairs, such as the Roxy upholstered dining chair.

In this case, the cohesion is provided by the neutral colour palette with the warmth of the reclaimed wood sitting well with the cream upholstery. The natural warmth of wood is not lost in this instance either and choosing all-natural materials also helps to pull it all together.

Don’t be frightened of colour in an industrial style dining room. The industrial look is synonymous with earthy colours, those that you would find in an industrial setting but that doesn’t mean a hint of colour is ‘not allowed’. Far from it! The Luxe Macy Grey dining chair, available in blue or grey, as well as rich Bordeaux red and sea green, is a perfect choice.

When not in use…

The table doesn’t need to be kept bare because with its striking table top, why wouldn’t you want to touch it or admire each time you pass?

And when not in use, soften the edges and enhance the appeal of the industrial dining table with fresh flowers and accessories that are stylish. Take a look at grand, statuesque candle holders as well as table and industrial floor lamps that also hint at the industrial style.

Materials are key to getting this look ‘right’. From fabric dining chairs to bringing cohesion to the space by matching details such as legs on chairs, sideboard and table, the industrial look is not cold and detached, but warm, stylish and ultimately a practical style for any home.

How to bring autumn style into your home

Autumn is a delightful season, even though it is a time of golden colour, the nights drawing in are a signal to the onset of winter. The wind and rain have a chillier edge to them, and we consider bringing out the warmer coats and the throws for snuggling on the sofa of an evening.

The time has come to bring a cosy feel to your home. And here’s how:

Refresh with a Rug

Dressing your home for autumn (and winter too) is not just about adding autumn colours – deep reds, golden yellows and rich orange – but about adding texture too. With a rug, you add the both colour and depth of texture so why not add a zing of colour and an extra layer of warmth with wool rugs? Add to the living room, the dining room, the hallway and the bedrooms: the choice is yours.

The gentle glow of candlelight

Light becomes important in autumn, especially with the shorter days. But this doesn’t mean you want bright light all of the time. Banish dark hallways and corners with beautiful, soft glow ambient lighting as well as the romantic flicker of candlelight. For safety, keep candles well cocooned in suitable vessels such as a lantern or large candle holders.

Keep lights and shades soft in colour and opt for curves rather than harsh angles and bright bulbs. The Sassa bedroom lamps are an ideal addition to any bedroom but work well on the hallway console table too.

Warmth in textures too

As well as staying warm with heating and the fire, the materials used in a space add depth and warmth too. The best materials are those that are natural, such as wool rugs, wool throws and wooden furniture and accessories.

The log burner will no doubt be throwing out serious heat over the coming chilly days and nights, and the log holder baskets made from fast-growing rattan are the ideal carriers. It is the colour and the natural material that make these the ideal choice for the farmhouse or rustic styled interior.

Small accessories: Big difference

Autumn affects every room in the house including the kitchen. This wooden ladder is perfect for keeping throws in the living room or a convenient piece of furniture for the bedroom.

Accessories such as decorative mirrors are not to be forgotten either. In fact, the humble mirror is ideal for the autumn home as it helps to bounce flickering candlelight about a space, giving them an even warmer, softer feel.

Colour, texture & material

When autumn comes knocking at the door, your home becomes your sanctuary and feeling warm is not just a physical thing. Warmth to the eye is important too and that means creating a space that feels and looks warm and appealing. As well as colour, add texture with natural materials and enjoy your home this autumn – even if the autumn rain is lashing at the window.

How to decorate with a display cabinet

From a regal Welsh dresser to a modern, contemporary display unit, the display cabinet is a stylish means of extra display space. Whether you want to show off your prized sculptures and ornaments, or organise books and other accessories, the display cabinet is ideal. But how do you get the most out of it?

Symmetry

When it comes to displaying items, you need to ensure symmetry and connection between items. It is effectively this ordered approach that promotes harmony and stops things looking chaotic.

There is a clear pattern to how items are displayed on this Maddox industrial elm display unit, perfect for promoting harmony between items.

Complimentary Style

A display cabinet also works well when it has a connection to other items in the room. For example, the earlier mentioned Maddox unit works well with an industrial dining table. When there is a complimenting connection between styles and items, this too lends itself well to the symmetry within the room.

Open or Closed?

Modern, contemporary display units tend to be open shelving systems but there are times when you want an extra layer of protection for some items and that means opting for closed, or glass display cabinets.

Again, keeping in style with your farmhouse kitchen or rustic dining room, the large Windsor display cabinet is imposing, yet elegant and sophisticated. To help the display cabinet stand out even more, add coloured pieces to the shelves and enjoy the contrast between light and dark.

For a raw and more rustic feel, opt for Standford reclaimed wood and glass display cabinet, perfect because every notch tells a story. To tie everything together, use similar coloured pieces in the cabinet as to those in the room – for example, match pretty and delicate flower-patterned items with candle holders on the mantelpiece and so on.

Reclaimed wood furniture and crockery

And this brings us nicely onto the items you have to display. If you enjoy the appeal of reclaimed wood furniture, then you will understand the appeal of trawling charity shops and second-hand emporiums for pretty porcelain pieces. Vintage or anything of age doesn’t mean your display unit has to be twee – like mixing patterns, keep colours similar and patterns similar too, and watch them enjoy a new life on your display cabinet.

Adding Detail

You would think that all the ceramics and glassware would make the display cabinet look too cluttered and full, so why add extra details? But designers suggest that a great way of helping a display cabinet stand out is to add something ‘different’ that maybe you wouldn’t consider is in its ‘rightful’ place. For example, artwork in the kitchen or a dashing sculpture or two.

There is also an argument for adding pretty lighting to a display cabinet, such as fairy lights weaved into the mesh of lanterns or a larger table lamp to illuminate the display cabinet and its content.

In essence, adding light, items that link and connect not only together in the cabinet but across the rest of the room, along with a dash of symmetry will see your display cabinet, contemporary styled or otherwise, ooze with glamour and sophistication. Try it!

Author: katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk