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Discover the timeless elegance of the wingback chair

Brick wall with electric blue velvet armchair and yellow cushion

It’s not a new shape by any means but the winged armchair never goes out of fashion. No matter what interior décor style you opt for, there is a place for this iconic armchair amongst your reclaimed wood furniture. And we’ll show you how to use it.

In the bay window

The bay window gives a sweeping curve to any room and whilst you may have fallen in love with it, dressing it can be problematic.

A sofa is too straight across it, swallowing too much floor space and other pieces of furniture are a mismatch too.

But now imagine two modern-shaped velvet winged back armchairs, with a reclaimed wood coffee table between them, complete with a pretty lamp and a rug to pull it all together. Wouldn’t that make a fantastic space to sit, to unwind, to chat, to relax, to read…?

Sofa companions

In many living rooms across the country, the living room furniture is placed to revolve around the TV. An important piece of equipment it may be but shouldn’t the living room space be about you, your family and the time you spend together.

If the have the room, remove the TV and make the living room seating area into a space where you re-connect.

With a large wooden coffee table as the centrepiece, place two leather winged back armchairs directly opposite your brown leather sofa. Immediately, you have created a seating circle.

If you don’t want it to look too matchy-matchy, stick with the same style of armchair but opt for fabric armchairs instead.

The statement piece

The high back armchair, as humble as it may be, can be the statement piece. And so if you want to create a space that draws the eye, a leather winged back armchair with generous proportions is a perfect choice.

Frankly, it will fit in any space in any room but there is something imposing about a single leather armchair in the office or in the reading nook. Emphasise its proportion with a small side reclaimed wood side table and a generously sized rug that will balance the setting. To give it warmth, add texture with a soft throw or a scatter cushion or two.

Remember – opposites attract

All too often, we are guided by designers and stylists to bring cohesion and style to a space by opting for items that are the same.

Whilst this can be pleasing to the eye, it can all look a little predictable. Or maybe your style is eclectic, the marrying of pieces into a combination that is stylish yet individual, balanced yet exciting.

And so fabric winged back armchairs playing against your leather sofa would work a treat as too would mixing styles. A modern, sleek sofa for example with the traditional-shaped fabric armchairs would be a case of opposites attract.

A worthwhile investment

There are some pieces of furniture that we invest that stay with us for years. No matter how many times you move home or change the décor, there is one piece that always seems to be fit in. The wingback armchair is one of those.

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.

Learn how to Zone

A rustic living room with a wooden desk and upholstered chair

Many of us crave larger rooms and yet, one of the most difficult spaces to style and dress is a large space. Items of modern furniture can look lost and small and with no clear definition and an open space can soon look jumbled and incoherent. Zoning makes sense, but you don’t want to cut out light or restrict its flow. How do you achieve this?

1 Sofas

A large sofa can be perfect for creating the boundary between the dining area and the social zone. To maintain the sense of flow between different areas, don’t opt for a high back armchair or sofa, keeping their height lower to maintain a clear vision of the space.

2 Side tables

The often unsung hero of any room, side tables are perfect for clustering together to create a clear definition between one area and another. Sleek and versatile, they can be easily moved when you want to open up the space, such as when you are entertaining.

3 Dining sets

Uniformity is the key to symmetrical balance in open-plan living and so a clearly defined dining area with a dining set makes sense ‘to the eye’. No matter your style, opt for a dining table with chairs or dining bench that has a clear connection. For example, an industrial dining table with dining bench and complementing chairs is one option, or upholstered chairs could add a hint of luxury to a reclaimed wood dining table. Coordinate the upholstered dining chairs with any other seating in the kitchen, such as the bar stools for an effortless stylistic connection.

4 Upholstered dining bench for a cosy corner

If your dining area is in a corner, you can create a cosy nook with high-backed, upholstered dining benches. Once again, balance and symmetry are key, so make sure there is a clear connection between the benches and the dining table and other items in the kitchen area, otherwise they’ll look like an afterthought.

5 Shelving

Open shelving or display units add semi-privacy to an area and can also help to reduce noise in an open space too. As they are easy to move, shelving gives many future options for creating corners and zones in the space as your family and needs change.

6 Sideboards

Opting for long or large sideboards is also ideal for creating smaller space in the room. Coordinate your choice with the shelving units you have picked for a balanced and stylish appeal.

7 Console tables

The console table, a narrow but tall table, is not just for the hallway. In the open-plan setting, they make the perfect addition. They don’t have to stand alone either. Place them at the back of the sofa in its centre to give a more definitive edge to the seating area.

8 Rugs

A change in the flooring also denotes a change in the zone and so a large rug in the seating area serves a dual purpose – a change in pace in that space but also adds texture and colour. Smaller wool rugs can also be helpful but keep the pattern, styling and colour similar so that there is a hint of cohesion.

9 Colour

It’s tempting to paint different walls and sections in contrasting colours but that can be too obvious and jarring. Opt for one base colour that filters throughout the space with colour afforded by upholstery and rugs in bold prints and patterns. Choose pendant ceiling lights that set off your zones to perfection.

Zoning larger rooms will not make your space look smaller; rather, it will give you an open-plan feel but with structured areas for different uses of the same space.

Enrich Your Workspace With Biophilic Design

A man sitting by a wooden desk typing on a laptop with a green plant in the background

Biophilia is the “love of life and living things”, referring specifically to the connection humans often feel with nature. Many experts believe that when we nurture our connection with the outdoors, our creative self is enhanced. And that’s why getting to grips with biophilic design will reap rewards in your workspace.

Whether you work from home at an industrial desk or from your office in a corporate building, introducing elements of nature will help you. But how?

1 Introduce live and artificial plants

As you would expect, top of the list is the introduction of plants to the office space. We’ve long known the benefits of adding plants to a room, many of which are true for the work and office space too.

Real plants can help purify the air and also add a pleasant scent to a space too. Plants also make a space look welcoming and the great news is, you can opt for artificial plants too.

Top tip – simply clustering plants on a wooden table in the office or adding a plant to your reclaimed wood desk will add an instant welcome note of biophilic design.

2 Make the most of daylight

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real complaint that many of us suffer from at times during the drab winter months. But it can also affect us when we are shielded from natural daylight at other times of the year.

Natural daylight is a softer light for the eyes to process and so maximising this is an important part of biophilic office design.

What you don’t want, however, is harsh sunlight that makes you squint and drains the colour from everything with its harshness.

Top tip – maximise daylight in your office space by choosing office furniture that reflects light around, as well as metallic finishes that are stylish and reflective. As well as desk lamps, consider pendant lighting for darker areas.

3 Choose natural colour schemes

Decorating the office with colours we find in nature that soothe and calm are perfect for firing up our underlying creativity.

As well as muted greens, consider light blue for notes of the sea or pale yellow to bring the feeling of warmth. Avoid dark hues and shades that swallow natural light as they can also be too brash and jar the senses.

Top tip – this design is all about maximising comfort and so opting for office furniture that supports and enables your creative flow is just as important too. From choosing ergonomic office desks and storage solutions to choosing the best office chair, this design embraces the ideals of how nature supports our wellbeing in every sense.

4 Use natural materials

Using natural materials is especially important. Reclaimed wood furniture is ideal within a biophilic designed office, for example. Repurposing hardwood such as English oak beams and fashioning into desks and sideboards is ideal for supporting your endeavours to create a welcoming and productive office space.

Top tip – as well as the industrial style, consider rustic furniture for the office space too, including reception areas and meeting rooms as this style has very close ties with nature.

Create a bedroom to boost your wellbeing

A white bouquet of flowers on a wooden bedside table next to a white bed

With the New Year – and a new decade – upon us, our thoughts turn to how we can welcome healthier habits into our lives. From making better food choices to being more active, we want to make changes that benefit our physical and emotional wellbeing. Sleep is an important factor in both of these things but how can you create a bedroom that supports your wellbeing by promoting better sleep?

1 Calming colours

Calm colours – muted shades of green, blue, yellow and pink as well as neutral hues such as cream and beige – are perfect for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere to a bedroom. Avoid colours that are stimulating and brash.

2 Choose natural materials

As well as a muted colour palette, surrounding yourself with strong hints of nature help to create a restful boudoir. Reclaimed wood furniture for the bedroom is perfect and so a wooden double bed such as an oak bed is a wonderful choice.

3 Create symmetry and harmony

A restful space is one that is pleasing on the eye and so as well as oak bedroom furniture and muted shades on the walls, you also want to introduce symmetry and harmony by using complementing pieces. Likewise, you also want the space to be functional and so bedside tables are a must, along with other essential items such as a dressing table with drawers and so on.

4 Think about lighting

With the room furnished, you now need to ‘set the scene’ and lighting plays a key role. Layer light so you have a functional option, essential for when you want to see what you are putting away in the large chest of drawers – but softer lighting when you want to bring the day to a close with restful sleep.

5 Appeal to your sense of smell too

Scent plays an important role in helping the brain to slow down and switch off ready for sleep. Scented candles are a great addition to the bedroom as are diffusers, small reeds infused with a beautiful scent of your choice. Take care with candles in the bedroom as you don’t want to fall asleep and leave the candle burning on the dressing table with drawers.

6 Add a plant (or two)

There has been a growing trend of introducing plants to interior design, a popular choice for many of us. Plants are great in the bedroom because as well as being a welcome hint of colour, they also look great alongside oak bedroom furniture and other wooden furniture in the bedroom. An evergreen, easy-to-care-for aloe vera plant, for example, will be a great addition to the large chest of drawers.

7 De-clutter and stay tidy

With the right bedroom storage in the shape of reclaimed wood wardrobes, chest of drawers and a console or dressing table, keeping surfaces free from clutter should be easy. A clean and tidy bedroom is certainly a more welcoming one than one that is cluttered and too ‘busy’.

A calming, restful space promotes relaxation and sleep. Is this how you would describe your bedroom?

6 Seater vs 8 Seater Industrial Dining Tables – What will you choose?

Friends standing around a dining table with food and drinks

If you’re hosting parties and dinners this Christmas, you’ll need the best of our 6 and 8 seater industrial dining tables. Celebrate Christmas in style and comfort with these handpicked tables from across our range – from the 150 cm table to the 2.4m table – there’s sure to be enough space for everyone.

Mitcham industrial oak spider leg dining table

Most 6 seater dining table options offer 150 cm of space and 8 seater dining table have a length of 2m. The Mitcham industrial dining table with its beautiful spider legs comes in two generous sizes – 2m and 2.4 metres – more than enough for hosting 6 people or more with comfort and style. If nothing else, this table is the perfect fusion of industrial and a hint of rustic.

Maddox reclaimed elm dining table

The interlocked grain of elm makes this hardwood less prone to splitting and so an elm dining table is a sure investment. Industrial meets glamour with the Maddox industrial dining table, another table with beautiful proportions. For your diner’s comfort, chairs with a seat width of between 47 and 57cm are recommended. But for optimal comfort at a six or eight-seater dining table, we suggest dining chairs with a width of 55cm.

Amalfi industrial H bar rustic oak dining table

As well as the beautiful contoured, textured edge of this table, the H bar legs make this a versatile dining table for your home. Easily accommodating eight people, the Amalfi industrial dining table has stylish aplomb all of its own and with no knees banging on the table legs, you know you have made the right choice. As well as dining chairs, you may want to consider a dining bench for this delightfully proportioned dining table with a clear nod to the industrial style.

Sussex oak parquet industrial oval dining table

We often associate a large dining table with a rectangle shape and no wonder. The two short sides are ideal for accommodating impromptu guests at a Christmas party (or any other time of the year). However, that doesn’t mean oval dining tables should be dismissed. The Sussex industrial oval dining table is one of the most elegant examples of a reclaimed wood dining table you will come across. The beautiful inlaid parquet table top will wow your guests almost as much as your menu. As well as leather dining chairs, consider how well velvet dining chairs would look at the beautiful curved edge of this table. There is a saying we feast with our eyes first and so a beautiful stylish table with equally delightful place settings completed by comfortable velvet upholstered dining chairs will certainly raise the bar of dinner parties.

Hoxton industrial cross leg oak dining table

Our Hoxton industrial dining table comes in four length options, making it the perfect choice for the busy family home. The smaller 6-seater dining table offers comfortable dining as there is a generous overhang at each short edge that could support an impromptu guest or two. The largest table measures a delightful 2.8 metres, meaning that it can easily accommodate up to 10 diners or more. If ever there was a table that was crying out for an upholstered dining bench along one long edge, it is this industrial style dining table.

8 Bedroom Design Mistakes & How to Fix Them

A rustic wooden bed with matching bedside tables and white bedding

The bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary but when styling mistakes are made, it can look cramped, cluttered and far from restful. Here’s how to set eight common bedroom mistakes straight from choosing a wooden double bed instead of a king size to adding bedside drawers…

1. Bed too big

A large king size bed can be the epitome of luxury, but when it swamps the floor space available, it sucks the life out of the room. Measure the room and measure the bed you are considering purchasing to make sure you have ample room to walk around it. It is possible to buy made-to-measure bespoke bed frames, such as our Beam bedroom collection, but remember mattress sizes are standard (unless you have a mattress made too).

2. Not enough storage

When you don’t have enough storage in a bedroom, you risk setting a scene of chaos and clutter. From clothes hanging off the footboard of the bed and the bedroom chair to boxes piled on top of wardrobes and things being lost, the need for storage is clear. Consider open shelving or bookcases for the bedroom for easy to access storage, but for when things need hiding away, you’ll need a chest of drawers or a dressing table with drawers. You may also want to consider hidden storage under the bed or even a wooden blanket box.

3. The radiator taking centre stage

You need it for warmth in the bedroom and so leaving it uncovered makes sense as the heat would be blocked otherwise. But that means the radiator can take centre stage which isn’t what you want. If this is the case, a radiator cover is an ideal solution.

4. The wrong level of lighting

From being too stark to being too dim, bedroom lighting is important to get just right. You need to layer light from the functional pendant light to the softer glow of a bedside table or floor lamp. Add a dash of something different by choosing materials such as stone, as in the rock pendant light, perfect for the industrial style bedroom.

5. Nowhere to sit

A lack of a small armchair will put you at a disadvantage. The truth is, there are plenty of low backed bedroom chairs that will become an instant hit in the bedroom. A yellow velvet armchair adds both colour and texture, whilst a specific style grey velvet armchair can add a statement to a bedroom.

6. Not cosy enough

Talking of textures, when a bedroom is devoid of different textures and shapes, it looks flat and almost clinical. Rectify this problem with cushions and blankets thrown across the bed or draped over the velvet bedroom chair. Add texture and warmth to the floor with rugs on either side of the bed (also great for adding a dash of colour!).

7. Cluttered bedside table

Not just a problem with the bedside table, we grant you, but when there isn’t adequate storage space, ‘things’ tend to gather on the bedside table. Opt for a bedside table with drawers and consider how other items of reclaimed wood furniture in the bedroom can be commandeered to offer the storage you need.

8. Electrical sockets deficit…

… and then they are never in the right place! Common in older properties, you need to think carefully about where you add more electrical points. Do this with a qualified electrician and not through messy and unsafe extensions and the like.

Wondrous Ways to Maximise your Bedroom Space

Reclaimed beam wood bed with matching sideboard and bedside table

If you haven’t got acres of space in the bedroom, you’ll need to think through carefully the items you include in the room, but also the layout, such as where to place items and so on. With these hints and tips, you’ll get the best layout for your rustic furniture that doesn’t cramp bedroom space or style.

Choosing the best size

The luxury of a king size bed is not to be underestimated (or super king bed!) but if this eats into the bedroom space too much, it can feel cramped. Of course, if you are willing to sacrifice floor space for a statement king size wooden bed frame, go for it!

But, bed size is important if you want to fit in other items of furniture in the bedroom and be able to use the space easily and comfortably, so you may wish to consider a twin bed or a double.

At the end of the bed, you need about half metre between it and the wall to be able to move past it with ease. At either side of the bed, you’ll need about 60cm. This allows free movement but also space for when you sit on the edge of the bed. It also means you can fit in a bedside table at either side of the bed, essential for storing items, as well as a lamp.

For two beds, a half-metre gap between the two is recommended, again for comfort and accessibility.

Styling tricks

Sometimes the things we add contribute to the bedroom feeling smaller than it actually is. Adding detail without clutter is key, which is why these stylish tips will help a bedroom feel bigger. Opt for reclaimed wood furniture such as an oak bed that has a low headboard. A large headboard ‘swallows’ wall space, something that will impact on how big or small the room feels.

Having said that, a tall chest of drawers could work in a space such as a small recess that would otherwise be unused, wasted space.

Measure and measure again – wardrobes

Choosing wooden wardrobes for smaller bedrooms can be problematic. On one hand, you need plenty of usable clothes storage but on the other, you don’t want a wardrobe that looms large in the room.

The minimum depth for a wooden wardrobe is 24 inches (2 feet) or around 60cms. This gives the clearance needed for clothes to hang without being cramped or damaged.

For smaller bedrooms, this can feel too big. If this is the case, consider fitted wardrobes. These can be designed around you and the space you have available. The solutions can be ingenious such as hanging clothes facing you rather than side on, as well as shelving space for bulkier items and so on.

Hideaway storage

The other issue is adding extra storage in a way that is unseen, but useful. When storage is at a premium, don’t be tempted to add too many boxes on top of wardrobes or on the floor as this simply closes the space down.

Consider adding drawers beneath the bed. For example, our Beam bedroom range comes with optional drawers. Under bed storage is perfect for bed linen and blankets. If you have room at the end of the bed, adding a blanket box that doubles as a seat makes sense too.