contemporary Archives - Page 9 of 12

Give your bedroom a new look with these bedside lamps

It’s amazing how changing a small but important accessory in a room can give it a completely different feel. And this is no truer than in the bedroom.

The bedside lamps are important in a bedroom – they provide an extra layer of light, adding softness and warmth to a space too. But because they are ‘not on show’ to guests, we perhaps tend to ‘settle’ for the ordinary.

Banish mediocre bedside lamps to the recycling bin and opt for these stylish lamps instead.

Add texture in neutral tones

If your bedroom is a haven of peace and tranquillity, you won’t want to be introducing a bold light with a bold colour. But, adding texture is a great way of adding detail to a room. Stick with neutral shades but consider the finish and final look.

The Miranese table lamp is the ideal choice with a great shape and texture to its base, as does the raindrop table lamp.

Hang low

We often think of table lamps as being exactly that – table lamps that can sit on bedside tables. But if you want to save table top space, using a hanging pendant light is the ideal solution. Keep the wattage of the bulb low so that it casts a soft glow.

Enjoy the industrial pendant hanging light hanging low next to the bed or the Arlington pendant light casts a gorgeous golden-copper tone. Works especially well with a modern look to the bedroom, including the clean lines of modern furniture.

Less is more

You want a de-cluttered space in which to end a busy day and start the next feeling refreshed and invigorated. But this can sometimes leave us feeling that the room is a little stark.

Adding a table lamp is ideal but with such a minimal backdrop, it is hard to introduce shape and form without it dominating the feel of contemporary furniture and detracting from the contemporary bed too.

When less is more, turn to the coolness of metal and barely-there designs such as the Kingsport table lamp. For a superb minimal look, opt for a floor lamp with the sleek design similar to that offered by the Rainbow Vallen range.

Metallic heaven!

Following on from using metals, there is a growing trend for not only metallic bases to lamps but metallic shades too. Reminiscent of Moroccan design and shapes, adding a metallic table lamp complements modern bedroom furniture perfectly.

The tear drop shape of this table lamp, for example, is ideal for any bedroom style.

Function

There are times when you need function and adjustability in a table lamp, especially welcomed by those of us who enjoy a good book far too late into the night!

The Wire Weave Fairy Light has an appeal all of its own, and we think works well where white bedroom furniture shows it off.

Warmth of wood

If you prefer a traditional style and want the warmth that wood offers, the Mollo Table Lamp is the ideal choice. It suits reclaimed furniture but looks great with any backdrop.

Which of these table lamps will add a fresh appeal to your bedroom?

How to customise a sofa you will love forever

bretby grey harris tweed and black leather sofa

On one hand, it sounds a great idea – create your own contemporary sofa in your choice of style, colour and fabric. But on the other, overdone customisation leads to an item looking dated and out of place in a blink of an eye as interior design trends change.

Hence, customers tend to stick with the ‘tried and tested’. But we think people are missing out on creating something not only unique to them but with careful consideration when it comes to what and how to customise the new sofa, an item they will love forever.

With this guide, your sofa will not look out of place either.

The Shape

When it comes to sofa shape, there are various styles to choose from. From the ultra-modern to the iconic shape of the Chesterfield, choose the shape that is comfortable to use and will generally sit well with your wider interior design tastes.

HINT The more iconic the shape of the sofa, the less likely it is to look dated as trends change.

The Colour

The real issue for many people is choosing a colour that will be subsumed across the year into the new colour schemes and changes you will make to the room in which it sits.

You want a sofa that stands out for all the right reasons but choosing a strong accent colour for the sofa can mean that you are restricted to using certain colours on the walls and soft furnishings.

You may think sticking with a brown leather sofa is not quite at the upper end of customising a sofa, but just look at the different shades and unique appearances you can create using natural fabrics, such as leather.

It can be the detail that adds the extra sense of it being different, such as the magnificence of the stud work that makes a luxury sofa to behold.

Lighter brown work well too, for adding a sense of luxury to a space, but choose the best like this uncorrected Italian leather sofa. In effect, you are allowing nature to customise your sofa as using leather means embracing the difference in one hide when compared to another.

The Materials

So far, we have discussed leather. Cool to the touch but with an exquisite look and a sense of luxury, it is also a practical addition to any home.

You may, however, hanker after the soft luxury and warmth of fabric but keenly aware that spilt drinks, stains and sticky fingers are not great bedfellows with fabric.

As you would expect, we have a solution across our fantastic sofa range. The ‘leather and wool’ sofa is the solution but is in no way a compromise. The batted wool exterior frames the piece perfectly and the seating benefits from all that leather offers.

Or, if fabric is your ‘thing’, this Bretby sofa comes in a range of finishes and fabrics. Again, look at the exquisite detail that frames this marvellous piece. Can you see the look of this beautiful sofa being out of date and fashion any time soon?

A mix of the new and the old, reclaimed furniture and luxury sofas are worth every penny of the investment you make. Why not take a closer look at what a customised sofa could do for your home! Browse the Sofas and Armchairs collection and choose your perfect one to customise.

How to position a rug in the bedroom

Louis de Poortere Atlantic Ocean Blue Waves Rug

A rug is a great way to bring any room to life. This is especially true in a room which should feel homely and welcoming, like your living room or bedroom.

In a room with wooden floors and reclaimed furniture, a rug will create a feeling of warmth and break up the wood. But not only that, a rug will add a touch of colour and personality to a neutral space or beautifully tie together a colour scheme.

Determine the Size

The first thing to think about when purchasing a rug is the size. This generally comes down to personal preference and balance. If you have a very large bedroom, a small rug may be swallowed up and loose its impact.

In smaller bedrooms, don’t assume you need an equally small rug – the choice is yours. You could either go for a smaller rug, which may be better if you are going for something very bright, or alternatively, when choosing a larger rug, try and find one which will work at the centre of the room.

For the best look, try and follow a few general rules with regards to positioning. In any room, a rug shouldn’t be touching the walls. Try and leave at least 5 inches around the edge of the rug, more if your room is larger. You may want to find a rug which just about the edge of the furniture around the walls of your room for an easy guide. Just be careful to ensure it either sits underneath or just short of – you don’t want it pushed up against the furniture!

And what about positioning around the bed?

There are several different options, depending on the size of your room.

If you want a large rug, for the best look, either ensure the bed (and the bedside tables) sit entirely on the rug, or, the lower two-thirds of the bed sits on the rug and the bedside tables and the top part of your bed are on the bare floor. This will create a more balanced look.

Alternatively, if you have beautiful wooden floors you wish to showcase, you could put a smaller rug beside your bed to sink your toes in on cold mornings. Put a rug on both sides if you share with a partner, you have a large bedrooms or you want symmetry.

You could even put a rug at the foot of the bed. This works particularly well if you have a blanket chest and a large chest of drawers opposite each other as it breaks up what may otherwise be a fairly plain space.

Next comes style

If the bedding and furniture in your bedroom is upholstered in a solid colour, a gorgeous pattern would work well. But then again, don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and create a wonderfully unique finish.

Wool rugs add a feeling of luxury and warmth to any space. The understated, sumptuous design of the Grey Twist New Zealand Wood Rug will look beautiful in any bedroom to give a genuine Scandinavian ambiance. Not only this, if you have gone for a slightly more intricate design when it comes to furniture, such as the blanket chest featured above, the simple styling of this rug will work wonders to create a luxurious space.

Alternatively, the Louis De Poortere Mad Men Soho Copper Rug will really make a statement. The flecks of copper will bring nothing but delight and would work beautifully in a neutral colour scheme with some warmth to them.

If you have a fairly clean, contemporary look to your bedroom, modern rugs with vibrant patterns are sure to look fantastic. Modern style is all about adding personality to your space.

White-on-white has been a popular style choice in homes for many years. In a bedroom, this looks great to provide the ultimate tranquil space to relax in. However, a rug is the perfect opportunity to add a pop of colour and really make a statement if you want to add something with more personality or if the all-white look is a little too clinical for your tastes. Go for a bright colour or pattern for the best effect like the Louis De Poortere Atlantic Ocean Blue Waves Rug.

Alternatively, the Louis De Poortere Fading World Rug in Beige Sky is perfect for a more neutral look if you have colour in your bedding or want to make a statement elsewhere. Mix in metal elements for a stylish blend of contemporary, industrial and elegant vintage design.

To find the perfect rug for your home browse the Louis de Poortere collection or get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries.

Why dream of your perfect armchair? Create it!

bristol leather and harris tweed armchair for living room

Armchairs are the perfect accent chairs in any living room, and their size allows them to be fully versatile. If you have more space, create a reading nook; in a bay window, place two next to each other with a side table and a pretty lamp in the centre; place on either side of your fireplace for a classic, cosy finish; or place one facing your sofas as an accent chair.

Given how versatile they are, you probably want to look for the perfect one for you home so you can get as much enjoyment as you can out of it. At Modish Living, our bespoke design option means you can customize each part of your chair and make it exactly how you want.

When it comes to living room chairs, you have two options – go for a classic design which will work in any colour scheme, or go for a bright colour to add a pop of colour and a real statement.

High back armchairs are great. The Preston Armchair is a true beauty and the perfect fabric chair for your home.

If you are looking for a leather armchair, the classic style of a brown leather armchair, like the Edward Leather Armchair is perfect for any room. The stunning leather gives it a real stylish vibe.

For a different take on leather, go for the extraordinarily special Oswald Armchair Vintage Brown Leather which offers all the elegance and comfort. Wherever you put it, the Oswald Armchair is sure to turn heads.

To find out more about our bespoke design service, get it touch with one of our team members or find the perfect armchair for your home here.

How to instantly make your old dining room look luxurious

Your dining room is one of the most important rooms in your home.

But getting the right look, style and feel to the dining room can be difficult. The dining table and chairs can look cumbersome, the décor tired and if storage is an issue, it can look cluttered too.

The answer is to revamp the dining room but what about the budget?

The good news is that with small changes that cost very little, you can have the luxurious dining room you crave.

New Chairs, Same Table

The easiest and most affordable way of instantly updating the look of your dining room is to change the chairs.

There are many ways of doing this;

These black velvet dining chairs with lion knocker detail to the back of the chair add a certain elegance to a dining room. Black is a dramatic colour, velvet a sumptuous fabric to feel and the silver bead edging make these black dining chairs ideal focal points in a room.

These grey velvet dining chairs have a subtle feel. There is something beautifully chic about these grey dining chairs. Lower backed, they are no less comfortable. The wooden legs and frame are ideal to match an oak table or similar reclaimed wood dining table.

Smaller dining rooms can feel crowded, especially if you have dining chairs with high backs and armrests. These modern upholstered dining chairs, with their mirrored legs, are ideal for adding a modern feel to a dining room, but the elegant grey coloured fabric of these modern dining chairs adds depth and texture too.

Top tip: look for the smaller details on a dining chair are as well as style, fabric and colour. The lion knocker on the black dining chairs, for example, or the mirrored, classic leg of the armless, upholstered dining chairs mentioned above are the details that add a layer of luxury to a room.

Paint the Walls

Of course, giving the dining room an updated feel is not just about the wood table and great chairs. Any furniture is given a different appeal when the colour of the walls changes.

Keep the drama with a dark coloured ceiling but only if you have the height in a room. For smaller rooms, stick to neutral tones and colours on walls and ceilings.

Using wallpaper in the latest pattern and colours also make a for a great feature wall, an ideal way to pull out focal points in the dining room such as a fireplace.

Or add a focal point with fantastic wall art. Mirrors and other wall accessories work really well too. Large wall clocks, for example, sit well with any interior design style but for a rustic dining set or a solid wood dining table, there is a certain harmony between it and the over-sized roman numerals.

Accessories

As well as dressing the walls, adding small details to existing dining room furniture will also give it a new lease of life. It can be something as simple (and affordable) as clustering tall, elegant candlesticks on a sideboard.

Accessories also add a hint of sparkle and luxury and again, work well with any interior design scheme. If you are nervous about adding ‘permanent’ detail to a room, ornate serving ware is the ideal choice. You can use any piece you choose when you want.

Updating your dining room doesn’t mean buying an expensive dining table and chairs set. What have you got to work with?

How to fit more seating in your living room

From large families to parties, there is always one issue that causes family arguments and discomfort for your guests: lack of seating.

Get it right, and your living room is the epitome of style, comfort and ample seating. Get it wrong, and it will either look like a waiting room or a case of musical chairs at every sitting.

Modern furniture offers fantastic solutions but just as important is making sure that you have the right seating, in the right shape and form.

Size and Dimension

Firstly, take note of your room, its shape and size. Think about what would look great in that space. For example, a longer, leaner, narrower room would look fantastic with a longer, leaner sofa.

Contemporary furniture offers many solutions, such as the L-shaped sofa that looks fantastic across the corner of a living room.

Don’t forget ad hoc seating solutions for short term seating – armchair and footstool combinations provide two seats at a party, with someone perched on the footstool being the perfect solution.

Placement, Placement, Placement

To stop the ‘waiting room’ feeling you need to think outside of the box and not just assumed that the only rightful place for a sofa is against the wall.

If your living room has a view or a large bay window, for example, make the best of that. Place a sofa opposite the window with a garden view so that when people lounge of the Italian leather sofa, the vista is framed perfectly.

Armchairs provide much needed extra seating and because they are easier to re-position that a large sofa, they can be moved as and when needed. But keep the placement of the sofa in mind and make sure that they don’t block the view.

Mix Colours, Materials and Finishes

We are often taught that to get cohesion in a room so that the brown leather sofa connects with the armchairs and the footstool is to stick with one colour, one material choice and one colour.

However, you can mix and match – and you can certainly do this within the confines of any style.

For example, a ‘traditional’ appeal of a brown leather sofa such as a Chesterfield works well with the grandeur of a winged armchair. Or mix fabric armchairs with a leather sofa.

Or, get super-creative and bold with a sofa and armchair that incorporates both leather and fabric in their design, such as Harris tweed and Italian leather sofa or leather and wool seating.

Or Opt for One Colour

You can sink back into a comfy sofa with a same colour comfortable armchair. This works well in a smaller room where you need plenty of seating options. Break the monotony with a throw or two in different colours, and don’t forget the power of the scatter cushion for adding a zing of colour or an interesting pop of a pattern.

Top tip – creating cohesion with many separate pieces of contemporary furniture such as footstools, armchairs and sofas can be rough, even for experienced interior designers. That’s why designers always say to match in pairs – so, think sofa with two contrasting armchairs.

No longer will family members have to have first dibs on the comfy sofa now that there is plenty of choice of comfy seating.

Complete your modern living room furniture with a luxurious rug

There are many benefits to using a rug in any room. No matter what style you go for, from the uber-modern minimalist look to the farmhouse living room, there is a rug for every style.
But why bother with a rug? Will it really help your room look better and does it really ‘go’ with modern living room furniture?

Lift the ‘Look’ of the Room
You have everything in place. Everything just as you want it. You have taken hours of research to find the contemporary furniture that creates the modern living room that is stylish and functional. But is there something missing? A rug can lift the look of a room. One way is by injecting a vein of colour that is eye-catching, but without starkness. This Atlantic blue striped rug is just one of many solutions.

Supports a key piece
There is a need for a rug to have the right dimensions, as much as there is for it to fit the space in terms of style, colour and appeal.
You may have selected an item of furniture, such as a black leather sofa as the focal point, the shining star that instantly attracts attention. You need to support this piece, whether it is a reclaimed wood coffee table with considerable age, a beautiful living room sideboard or a contemporary sofa that is simply delightful.
Wool rugs can support a piece. Match the colour of the rug and its style with that of the piece you want to support. A great colour for bringing out wood tones or contrast with the coolness of a marble coffee table is red, like this red patchwork rug.

Emphasise the space
The right size rug brings the room together. But it also needs to be the perfect colour.
This grey rug, for example, would look well in a space where the overall colour scheme if neutral but warm.

Create a focal point
The rug is an important addition in many living rooms because it is the focal point.
In order for any design scheme to be successful, there needs to be a reference point for the eye. Also known as a focal point, the rug is ideal because you can attract attention to it with shape, but with colour too.
Design and pattern can help it stand out too. The deep red of this rug, along with the emphasising grey swirls of colour is an ideal example of texture being added to a room with a red and grey rug.

Add Warmth
When interior designers talk about ‘adding warmth’, they are talking of adding texture to a space. The different textures of fabrics and materials stop a space being ‘flat’ and cold to the eye.
To add warmth, choose sumptuous fabrics and with rugs, this means a looser pile so that it caresses the toes.
The mix of chenille cotton and wool in a rug is luxury for the feet, ideal for adding warmth to your living room.

Adds a Twist
There is something delightful about adding a little cheekiness to a space, an item, a colour or a shape that is not expected.
Whimsical without being childish, a rug can add a sense of something extra to a space. As well as pattern, there is colour to play with.
This rug, with understate copper tones, would come alive in a space in front of a brown or black leather sofa.

Not Just for the Fireside
A rug was, and still is, commonly used to protect the floor in front of an open fire. But it is not just for the fireside.
With the right size, pattern and colour, it can be the platform that emphasises a piece such as a wood table or the beauty of a leather Chesterfield sofa.
Or it can be a piece of art work in itself…

How to make your home smell fresh

There is something about a good smelling home; whether it be the smell of your family’s favourite food cooking, a wonderful new candle or just the smell of home. Here are a few of our favourite ideas to create an uplifting and homely smell throughout your home and incorporate some cool dining accessories.

Candles are always an easy option for making your home smell amazing and they give you the freedom to change the scent of a room depending on your mood or the time of the year.

When it comes to scents, you may wish to tailor the candle to the room. For example, floral smells like eucalyptus and jasmine or foody scents like basil, lemon or rhubarb would be fantastically in your kitchen whereas a warmer or a subtle, coastal scent would be perfect for your living room, dining room or bedroom. Candles are also great left un-lit in places like linen cupboards so you get a lovely smell when you open the door or get out new bedding.

If you prefer to use tea lights so you can switch up the smell of your room more often, the Bella Ball Tea Light Holders are great. The clear curved glass holders with curved stainless steel framing offer simple, contemporary style which would look great in any room or on a rustic coffee table. Place three together on a solid oak sideboard or above your fireplace or spread around your room.

Alternatively, the Contemporary Anthracite Lanterns make a fantastic statement decor piece in your living room, crafted out of aluminium. Place a tall pillar candle in the centre, or on an oak display unit to create a warming glow and a wonderful smell.

Also in your kitchen, make the most of fruits. Keep fresh fruits like oranges, limes and lemons in fruit bowls which are not enclosed. Not only will they smell lovely and fresh, but they also look great and add a bit of colour!

The unique design of the Encore Stainless Steel Basket Bowl is perfect for any kitchen. With its elegant curve and contemporary caged style, the colour of fresh fruits will pop right through and look great in the centre of your kitchen sideboard, table or on a worktop.

For a slightly different alternative to fruit, you could always add oranges and cinnamon to a bowl of water which will create a lovely warming smell. Or you could add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil, like mint, lavender or vanilla and put these in a bowl.

The Pearl Wrap Bowls are a statement in themselves but are perfect for placing your pinecones. With their beautiful curved design and inside coated with pearl coloured enamel, their Scandinavian inspired design will work beautifully in any room for a touch of glamour.

Use the largest in the set of three in your living room, or in an open plan house, somewhere where it will reach the largest amount of space. You could place one of the smaller ones in your hallway, on a small console table, so you get a lovely smell when you walk through the door.

The Four Corner Bowls are another great option. The tops of the bowls are elegantly curved and have a dark interior for a little drama.

There are also plenty of other ways to keep your house smelling amazingly fresh day-to-day.

When it comes to cleaning, citrus-scented products are great for creating an uplifting smell. Products for cleaning your worktop or your floors will leave a lovely smell once you’ve finished cleaning. You can also clean your bins with citrus to keep it smelling fresh and hide any food smells you don’t want to hang around!

In your kitchen, growing herbs is a great option. Herbs like basil and mint have a wonderful scent, and you can use them in your cooking too! Alternatively, fresh flowers always add a welcoming feel, look beautiful and can smell amazing. A bunch of flowers in the hallway on a reclaimed wood console table; or bedroom, on a bedroom chest of drawers, is always a lovely touch.

For more inspiration, have a look at the full collection of home decor at Modish Living, get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries.

Spend one hour in the garden and see what it does to your body

Expert gardeners will tell you how therapeutic gardening is. Fantastic for mind, body and soul, Garden Exercise Day on June 6^th serves to remind us of the many benefits of spending an hour or two in the garden. Whether it’s varnishing your teak garden furniture, jet washing your outdoor seating or planting shrubs, the mix of vitamin D and endorphins can be hard to resist.

Whether your garden is a jungle of weeds or a vista of manicured borders and well-chosen plants, Garden Exercise Day is ideal for upping you and your family’s activity levels.

NB Whilst we want to encourage as many people to pursue an active lifestyle, you need to be careful. If you haven’t exercised for some time, check with your GP whether turning the compost is the right form of exercise for you. And don’t forget the make sure you wear sunscreen and stay hydrated too. Most of all, start small and build up your daily gardening regime over time.

Get Fit Whilst Gardening

Getting fit in the garden you will be pleased to know is mainly free – apart from investing in tools etc. – and requires no special equipment or clothing, other than a floppy hat for shade and a decent pair of shoes if digging – oh, and an outdoor bench to sit down on afterwards of course!

No matter how big or small your garden, there are plenty of ways to get exercising…

Mow the lawn – rather than taking your time, get a hoof on the next time you get the lawn mower out. The best exercise is when it leaves you slightly breathless and on the verge of a sweat. And no stopping half way through!

Mowing the lawn with a push mower expends 243 calories. Great for keeping your weight in check and save on electricity or petrol too.

Digging and tilling – if you’ve always wanted to get rid of a shrub, plant new ones or get to grips with a border, now is the time to do it. Sharpen the spade and get digging, using a fork to turn over the soil. Use a hoe to cut weeds off at their base and sit back on a deck chair to admire your handy work.

Heavy digging and tilling can expend more than 200 calories and, is great for strengthening back muscles and toning the arms.

Bagging leaves – in late summer, some shrubs and trees will start to drop their leaves in readiness for winter. Deciduous plants and trees shed their leaves to conserve energy so they make it through winter unscathed. Leaf mulch – rotted leaves – makes a great fertiliser the following spring so when the leaves drop, get raking, bagging the leaves in bin bags to hasten decay.

Burning 162 calories, bagging leaves is a fantastic way to tidy the garden. Sit back and enjoy a small gin with slimline tonic, with only 64 calories in the evening sun, cooled to perfection in the garden bar.

Chopping wood – wood for the winter months for the log burner or for the fire pit in the garden is a great way of building up a sweat and shedding calories. However, chopping wood can be tough on the back and the arms.

Shedding around 250 calories, several sessions of wood chopping will soon add up.

General gardening – from tidying and storing equipment away to ‘pottering’ about, plant seeds and nurturing tender seedlings, there are many smaller gardening jobs that help to shift the calories.

Spending an hour doing general gardening jobs can see us expend more than 200 calories.

But enjoy your garden too!

The whole point of outdoor space is to extend the interior of your home to the outside, whether you choose an outdoor table and outdoor chairs or a hammock for relaxation. When the sun shines and the temperature is warmer, as well as completing essential gardening jobs, don’t forget to relax amidst nature on comfortable garden chairs or rattan outdoor furniture with a drink of choice and the latest novel on hand.