contemporary Archives - Page 8 of 12

What are the benefits of choosing a rug

Living Room Styled With Louis de Poortere Vintage Patchwork Rug

Whilst hard wooden or tiled floors are beautiful to look at and have many benefits of their own, sometimes, a carpet or rug underfoot feels like a luxurious accessory. In the colder months, it feels so much nicer to step into a thick, warm material instead of a chilly floorboard. For those who are keen to keep some of their hard flooring visible and prefer not to choose a permanent solution to their chilly toes, a rug provides the perfect solution.

Rugs help to reduce dust

Rugs absorb and retain more dust than hard surfaces, meaning a reduction of visible dust in your home. Living room rugs, and indeed rugs for any room in the home, are easy to clean and a once a week vacuum should rid your rug of any dust accumulation. Most are tolerant of damp cloths and cleaning products should a spillage occur. The moveable nature of a rug means that it can be taken outside and shaken or beaten for a deeper clean.

Rugs are great for playing

If you have ever spent time on a hard floor playing with children you will know all too well the benefits of a rug. A cosy surface in a child’s bedroom is such a lovely addition both for them and for you. A wool rug like our Agnetha grey twist feels indulgent, is soft to touch and great for playing. Made from 100% New Zealand wool, these wool rugs have the additional benefit of being easy to maintain – a must where children are involved!

Rugs enhance acoustics

Soft furnishings absorb sounds and rugs are no exception. Resonance is reduced in an area with a rug and the bigger the rug, the greater the impact. This makes for a calmer, softer ambience and can be easily achieved by placing a rug underneath a dining room table or coffee table. A big Louis De Poortere rug is a perfect solution here. Available in a range of colours and patterns inspired by the Far East, this gorgeously eclectic collection is easy to blend into a range of interiors. Made from pure wool and cotton chenille, it feels beautiful as well as looking great.

Rugs are comfortable

The bottom line is that a great quality rug feels luxurious underfoot and is a pleasure to walk on. Rugs are naturally warm and a lovely treat for your bare feet on a winter’s morning. Next to the bed is particularly indulgent. How about a large sheepskin rug like our luxury double white sheepskin which is naturally warm with a deep and fluffy feel as well as offering a touch of style and glamour to your room. Our reindeer rugs from Finland are also truly luxurious offering thick, sumptuous warmth as well as being individual and unique.

With so much to choose from, we can help you find a beautiful rug that is perfect for your home. Whether traditional rugs, contemporary rugs, simple or patterned rugs, you can be sure it will be a treat for your feet.

How to make your new room welcoming

September is the month that signals the arrival of autumn and change. Leaves change colour, plants and shrubs die back and the weather cools. But as well as nature’s changes, there are changes in life too.

All over the UK, children walk through the doors of their primary school for the first time, older children enter the hallowed corridors of their new secondary school and in Universities across the land, nervous fresher students are also starting a new life.

Making new friends, adjusting to adult life and a new routine, fresher students also find that their own two feet at the only things that steady them in this new world. They have to shop for food, cook, eat it and then tidy away. They have to manage money. They have to kit out their room so that they have a place to call home.

Your new room at university needs to be welcoming and practical. But how? We have the answers…

#1 The desk

You will spend hours hunched over your desk, beating on the keyboard of your laptop or PC to create essays and assignments. It is important that this is an ergonomic space. Thus, an Oldman reclaimed wood desk made to measure for you, with a chair that supports your back and encourages a healthy seating position is a must. Oh, and don’t forget a desk light for those late-night cramming sessions.

#2 Storage

All those years of your folks nagging you to keep your room tidy will now come to fruition. It is simple: space is limited and you want a pleasant room to come back to after a long day of lectures. Climbing over piles of clothes, clean or otherwise, is not conducive to helping your settle at university and enjoy your time there.

For easy storage, we suggest the Wycombe open wardrobe. Really quick to put things away, it is also uber-easy to grab something as you race out the door with minutes to spare until your first lecture of the day.

#3 Accessories

Bringing items from home is comforting when the home sickness bites – and it will – but you will get through it. And this is why a welcoming, warm, comfy and stylish room is essential. From cushions to throws, to photos of friends and family, consider;

Lighting – the central light and the desk lamp are utilitarian (that is, practical). You need a warm light to enjoy the evenings by hence a bedside lamp is a great move. Keep the bulb a soft, warm white. These wicker white bedside lamps are perfect.
Mirror – you need to make sure you are not leaving for the fresher’s ball with jam on your chin and thus, a full-length oak mirror is essential. However, a mirror also helps to make the room feel bigger and also reflects light about the space.

And don’t forget artwork, photos and all those little bits and pieces that make a room YOUR room, YOUR space, YOUR domain.

Foods that will help you sleep better

With the fast pace and distractions of modern life, sleep matters. As the evenings get darker, and with World Dream Day on 25th September, now is the perfect time to think about how you can improve your sleep pattern and conserve energy for those cold winter days.

Two things which make a huge difference to sleep is your diet, and your bed. Here a few of our food and master bedroom ideas to help improve sleep.

Food

There is plenty of foods which will make you sleepy (and lots that will keep you awake too). Stick to these foods for late night bites, and incorporate these into your diet, to help improve your sleep.

Vegetables like sweet potatoes, nuts like pistachios and almonds and fruits like prunes, bananas and cherries are all great to help you feel sleepy. Herbal teas are also great to help you rewind at the end of a long day.

You could even make a banana cake incorporating foods which will make you sleepy (and also make a delicious dessert). Check out a delicious recipe for banana cake here.

Foods to avoid include peppermints, burgers and spicy food. For drinks, of course coffee, as well as orange juice, are ones to avoid in the evening.

Bed

In order to get the best night’s sleep possible, it is important to ensure you have the perfect mattress. Our blogposts on choosing the perfect bed, and choosing the best position for your bed, are full of handy hints and tips to make sure you’ll get a great night’s sleep every night.

Most importantly, to ensure you wake up free of aches and pains, your mattress should support the three natural curves in your back (the neck, middle and lower back). The mattress should be a soft, luxurious surface you can sink into which doesn’t force your back straight. Whether you go for springs or pocket sprung is up to you. Further, when it comes to bedroom decorations keep it simple. You don’t want to provide your brain with more distractions, keeping you awake.

The bed frame is more about style than comfort, however a solid bed frame is important to give adequate support to the mattress upon it. A bed with a curved headboard is great for providing comfort if you like to sit up in bed and read or talk and will also create an elegant finish. Alternatively, contemporary beds with a slim, oak frame will create a sleek look that will perfectly compliment modern furniture.

Of course, patterns are also hugely important when it comes to improving your sleep. For example, turning off any gadgets at least 30 minutes before going to bed will help relax the brain. Ensuring you don’t do work in your bedroom also provides a separated, relaxing space which will make it easier to doze off.

Did you try any of these bed ideas? What are your tips and tricks for getting a better night’s sleep? Let us know.

How to choose the perfect armchair

A good quality armchair can be a statement piece as well as another place to sit. There are some fabulous designs available that are eye catching and original and can add a quirky or luxurious touch to a room. Armchairs don’t need to be confined to living room sets. Consider a cosy reading spot on a landing, bedroom or even bathroom, wherever you have space.

Fabric

Fabric armchairs are soft and often available in a variety of interesting colours. Experiment with hues but be aware that dark coloured fabrics on a fabric armchair can fade if they are placed in direct sunlight and very pale colours can collect grubby marks. Shades of grey are good at hiding dust and marks.

Leather or faux leather remains a popular choice for armchairs. Leather is a sumptuous, natural fabric that can improve and soften with age. It is also wipe clean which is a benefit. Faux leather furniture is treated to look like leather but isn’t quite as durable.

Colour

If you are adding a new armchair to a room that you have already perfected, try to choose a colour or design that harmonises with your existing décor. For example, if you choose an armchair with wooden legs, match the colour of the wood to other wooden pieces in the room such as a coffee table or bookcase. Choosing a modern style for a contemporary room or a traditional shape for a rustic theme also makes sense. If you have a patterned sofa you may like to pick out a dominant colour and use that for your armchair. Alternatively, a more daring but eye-catching option is to contrast bright, statement colours.

Style

Before choosing a style that you think is beautiful and befitting of your room, consider your measurements as this may impact on your decision. Consider the height of a chair, both from the point of view of comfort as well as coordination with the rest of your furniture. Bear in mind that many of the armchairs at Modish are bespoke so if you don’t spot it in your preferred fabric or colour, it may still be possible to order your ideal combination.

A wingback armchair is high backed with flared wings on either side. Check out our grey studded chair for a modern, elegant interpretation of this classic style. Our Carson retrosit leather armchair is reminiscent of a barrel back armchair and offers a retro feel with a curving edge and cool metal frame design. Or for more traditional feel you might choose a club chair which is low slung and heavily padded. A comfy armchair that stands the test of time. Our Harris Tweed fabric version is made of wool and offers a warm welcome as you sink into it.

With true French elegance, the Bergere armchair is built with an ornate wooden frame and covered with opulent upholstery. Our version of this luxurious statement piece is the Cream Studded Stella armchair which offers the same opulent upholstery and padding but with modern armchair styling and simple lines. Today’s contemporary styles demand sleekness and simplicity whilst drawing from more traditional styles. We think the Vienna grey spoke edged tub chair is the ultimate modern head turner.

We’re delighted to offer you a wide selection of high quality armchairs that will fulfil your style needs as well meeting all your requirements for comfort.

Browse our collection of armchairs and get in touch with us for bespoke armchair options.

Get festive for National Grandparents Day

Founded in 1979 by Marian McQuade of West Virginia, National Grandparents Day is celebrated this year on 1^st October (or the first Sunday after labour day if you are in the US). Unlike so many celebrations of its ilk it is not a “hallmark” day, that’s to say one that is designed to see you buying gifts and cards, but rather a day to get together with your grandparents and spend time together as a family.

You don’t need to spend lots of money, you don’t even need to make fancy plans for the day, just gather everyone together and spend quality time as a family; it’s the perfect occasion to get together.

Family Reunion

Nowadays it’s all too common for families to live all over the country rather than close by, make National Grandparents Day the perfect excuse to get everyone together in one place with a family reunion. It’s a good idea to start planning straight away though if everyone needs time to make travel arrangements.

One of the main principles behind the celebration is to give grandparents the opportunity to show love not just for their own children but also for their children’s children. Coming together as a family can have so many benefits for all generations of the family, youngsters benefit enormously from being around older people and vice versa.

The Perfect Table

Of course, no big family reunion could possibly be complete without a meal, and it is worth considering that there is more to a meal than just the food; the ambience and the atmosphere, and even the fabric dining chairs all play a huge part in creating a good meal.

When it comes to a big family meal, you want the conversation to flow, with everyone being able to join in, after all the whole point of a reunion is to get everyone together. An oval or round extendable dining table such as this Victorian distressed white extending oval dining table is the perfect choice for your dining room, and an extending table gives you the flexibility to seat even more people.

If you are worried about getting the conversation flowing, and it can happen when people haven’t seen each other for a while and don’t know what to say then why not set a few nibbles in serving dishes out for people to help themselves; food can always help to get the conversation started. We love this Bramble Flower Candy Dip dish, it won’t look out of place in either a contemporary dining room or something that is more traditional in style. Place it on a glass cabinet in the corner of the room and watch people head over to dip their hands in!

Activities

And when the meal is over why not carry on the celebration with a few activities to bring the generations even closer. Board games are a perfect example of something you could do together, and something you don’t need to rely in good weather for. Why not organise a chess challenge between the grandparents and the nephews?

If you are fortunate enough to have one of those lovely warm October days then get the whole family outside, you could have a game of football or even just take a leisurely walk in the local countryside.

However, you choose to celebrate National Grandparents Day, spend it with the people you care about because spending time together is so important.

How to style an awkwardly shaped living room

Leather and Harris Tweed Sofa and Armchair

From L-shaped rooms to large, cavernous open spaces, there are times when dressing a room can be difficult.

But, there are solutions and these tips show you how:

The L Shaped Room

Part dining room, part living room is can be tough space to dress;

Use a moveable room partition for when you want to close off part of the space but open up the other.
Move seating away from the wall to give more of a conversation zone.
Use rugs to create different zones too, such as under the dining table.
Add height with taller display units and wooden shelving, than half-height side boards.

‘Dull & Boring’

On one hand, straight walls and angles are a dream but if you feel the style of the room is dull and more than a little predictable, ring the changes with these tips;

Create a walk way around the edges of the room of at least 36 inches but again, pull the comfy sofa and fabric armchairs away from walls.
Offset the angle of the furniture against the angles of the room. In other words, instead of the rug being laid parallel to the walls, offset it at a jauntier angle.
Use a corner as a study nook, if you have the space but place the desk at an angle across the corner.

The Open Living Space with No Focus

A vast room can seem like a dream but without some stylish tweaks, it can feel like the furniture is lost and that there is little cohesion;

Go large with rugs (the bigger, the better) and use as a platform for the seating area and another for the dining area – the sofa, armchairs and coffee table should fit comfortably on the rug, the same with the dining furniture too.
Use an appropriately sized console table or living room sideboard behind the sofa to help ‘frame’ the space and use a table lamp to help define the space with light.
Add more definition by adding a side table to each armchair too, as well as a wood coffee table as an island in the conversation area.

Nooks and Crannies

They may add character, but nooks, crannies and alcoves can be a nightmare to dress and become wasted space;

Create vertical lines by ‘filling’ nooks and crannies, but not necessarily all of them. However, consider bespoke furniture that fits the space exactly otherwise gaps between wall and furniture gives for an ill-fitting look.
Use curves to soften the angles too e.g. a round coffee table and round-edged wooden TV unit that has few harsh angles but a softer, curvier appeal

Long & Narrow

Long and narrow rooms can look like corridors and so again, you need to shake up the feeling of everything being in its predictable place.

Zone the room, for example, add a quiet reading corner complete with fabric armchairs and a small wood coffee table.
Again, pull reclaimed furniture from walls and create a zone that fills the void in the centre of the room.
Use a rug to pull the sofa, armchairs and reclaimed wood table together but make sure you create a pathway around the room so that it doesn’t look jumbled.

Which of these tips will you try?

Spend a day with your dog and don’t worry about cleaning

Do you sometimes struggle to balance everything in life? When this is the case, it is sometimes because there is so much going on that you can no longer prioritise tasks and activities.

This ‘not being able to see the wood for the trees’ is rectified by only one action; taking a step back. There are many ways you can do this – retail therapy, a walk in the hills or a day spent with your dog.

Treat Your Dog Day (And Restore Balance in Your Life!)

Your four-legged furry friend with their wagging tail and cold, wet nose quickly become an important member of the family. No matter what the weather is doing outside or what life throws at you, your dog welcomes you home with snuffles and barks.

But don’t just take our word for it. It is a known and scientifically proven fact that stroking a dog, cuddling buddies or simply taking Fido for a quick walk around the block restores and supports a sense of emotional healing.

So, how could you spend the day with the man’s best friend?

Take a Walk

Every dog needs exercising and every dog appreciates a chance to spend at least half an hour sniffing out the smells of their local neighbourhood. You could, of course, venture further afield. Find a dog park for fun with other canines or enjoy a stroll in the fresh sea air (checking local bylaws that dogs are allowed on the beach!)

Snuggle on the Sofa

Not everyone allows their pets on the sofa – and with good reason because getting rid of dog hair from fabric chairs or a crushed velvet Chesterfield sofa can be a nightmare (but stick with us because we’ll show you how) so instead, create a fantastic bed for your furry best friend with a wool rug in front of a roaring fire, perfect for enjoying a winter’s afternoon and evening together.

Removing Dog Hair, the Easy Way

Leather furniture, from sofas to club chair, is the better option for the dog-friendly household. Unlike other fabrics, pet hair doesn’t stick to leather. Simply wipe it off with a damp cloth or use the leather-nourishing wipes to ‘feed’ the leather.

Fabrics such as velvet attract and hold on to both dog and cat hair and thus need a special, but affordable cleaning implement in the shape of a lint roller. This is a roller on a handle that rotates and has a tacky surface. Simply gently roll over the surface of the fabric armchairs and what dog hair and unseen remnants of dust stick to it too. Some people use sticky tape but be careful not to damage the velvet pile or you velvet chair and sofa will soon have a ‘matted’ or flat appearance.

Of course, you can always protect your sofa before a day of snuggling with your canine best friend by covering it. What about a warm, cosy throw, perfect for you and the dog to share – if they let you? Shake the loss dog hair from its fibres and pop in the washing machine, making sure you read the washing instruction label, once you have spent the day restoring your balance and enjoying the company of your canine companion.

The small bedroom and how to decorate it

The smaller bedroom always presents a conundrum when it comes to decorating – do you opt for the cosy feel with reclaimed furniture or try to expand its walls and space with clever tricks on the eye?

What complicates the situation is when the small bedroom is occupied by a young person. Complete with a raft of GCSEs under their belt, they ‘lodge’ at home as they complete A Levels or an apprenticeship. They may still be ‘lodging’ at home whilst completing their degree too.

Thus, decorating the small bedroom is not just about a pot of beige paint, but about injecting character, warmth, style and texture that the ‘student lodger’ will love for years to come.

Here are top tips to decorate and style the small bedroom into a fitting place for the maturing student…

Nest of Tables

Ring the changes (and introduce a note of stylish functionality) with a nest of tables instead of a bedside table. It may be an item you associate with the 1970s lounge, but for the modern student, extra surfaces are ideal when you have phones, tablets and laptops to charge.

Console Table

We are tempted in a smaller room to add ‘smaller’ furniture. This can have the opposite effect to what we want and so rather than considering the dimensions of the piece, look at its footprint.

Even though a wooden side table may be small, it may not be the ideal fit next to the bed and if the nest of tables doesn’t add the storage you want, consider the humble console table instead.

Available in single or double drawer style they are a stylish and ‘grown-up’ piece of any bedroom. (Better still, a console table doesn’t subscribe to being a piece of either a boy’s or girls’ bedroom furniture!)

Customise the headboard

In a small bedroom, adding details can be difficult as there is a fine line between detail and clutter. But anything that adds light and sparkle is welcome. A simple trick is to customise the headboard with fairy lights, of which there is now an amazing range.

Why not artistically drape fairy lights around the frame of a reclaimed wood mirror?

Storage solutions

Clearly, a smaller bedroom may not have the space for a gargantuan reclaimed wood wardrobe and so you need to be creative about storage solutions. Adding too much ‘stuff’ on top of wardrobes and over the bed can shorten the room, making it look and feel smaller.

Instead, opt for custom made under the bed storage drawers. Made to contrast and complement the rest of the bedroom, they are ideal for storing all kinds of bits and bobs, clothes included.

Substitute the bedside table for a small chest of drawers if you want to combine ample storage with surface space too.

The Remainder of the Room…

Ditch the clutter of a sidelight with a dimmable central pendant light that also acts the wow factor in the room
This reclaimed wood wardrobe with its small footprint is ideal as it won’t dominate the room but place it where it can be easily accessed (no excuse not to put clean clothes away…)
And don’t forget that the working space needs to be in good light so that when they are studying, they are not doing so in shadow.

How will you decorate your small bedroom to give the illusion of space?

Pamper yourself and your pet on Dog Day

Dog Day is on 26th August and is a day to celebrate all breeds of dogs. It honours family dogs plus those which work to save lives, bring comfort and keep individuals safe.

There are so many reasons why a canine companion is the perfect addition to your home. First and foremost, a dog will provide unconditional love to you and your family and also gives you a reason to get exercising.

But there are other not so obvious benefits to having a dog too. Firstly, according to experts, by bringing a dog and its germs into the home, it gives your body a chance to build up antibodies thereby boosting your immune system. Not only this, a dog is a great way of meeting new people – namely, other dog owners in the park! If your neighbours have dogs too, you could even walk them together.

If you have a dog, Dog Day provides the perfect excuse to pamper your dog. Think about how you can make your dog bed that little bit more luxurious. One way to do so is to move the bed into a more social space – if they love a treat or two, move the bed into the kitchen. Alternatively, placing the dog bed in the living room will allow them to be a part of family life.

If you love vintage items and you want to create a unique bed for your dog, you could re-use a vintage suitcase. This creates a stylish dog bed which will look fantastic with your home decor, and can also be neatly packed up when you want to go away, with all their favourite toys inside too!

And what about if your dog enjoys the finer things in life? Create a glamping-inspired bed for your dog with a sheepskin rug which will keep them warm and comfortable. A sheepskin rug can even be used as a kitchen rug. Why not place under a farmhouse kitchen table for a glamorous twist and a spot your canine will love sleeping in whilst you eat.

If you don’t have a dog, it doesn’t mean you can’t get involved. Instead of pampering your dog, pamper your home with some canine-inspired decor. Cushions with dogs on them are hugely popular at the moment, and can look incredibly stylish on a simple armchair and footstool or even on wooden chairs in the kitchen. There are plenty of other unique options too. Look out for quirky dog-shaped lamp bases to add plenty of personality to your space or even a statement wall of dog wallpaper.

How are you going to pamper your dog on Dog Day?