dining room Archives - Page 13 of 39

How to choose a large dining table for your family

Large wood dining table with food and arms

A dining table is most likely the place where you and yours all sit down together at the end of a busy day, a place where you enjoy your dinner and talk over the day’s events. It’s always a good idea to have a big dining table so you have plenty of space to put dishes on the table and plenty of room to spread out and dine comfortably. But what if you have a large, or growing, family? Here we look at some large super stylish rustic and reclaimed wood dining tables, which can be paired with other reclaimed wood furniture, as well as with a more contemporary interior.

Size matters

How many people normally sit around your dining table? Do you have guests often? Does your dining table double up as an occasional workspace? Do the kids use it to do their homework? Do you need a bit of space to fit a highchair around it? If you have the space for a large table then all is good and you can get a lovely large homely rustic dining table with plenty of chairs to fit around it. If your dining space does not allow it then an extendable dining table might be just what you need.

The Portobello oak extendable wood dining table is a great choice. A gorgeous light solid oak dining table, in a minimalist Scandi style which can be combined with a dining bench, perfect for the little ones to squeeze up when you need a bit of extra space! Another rustic option would be the Farringdon dining table, it extends from the centre of the table with a cleverly hidden mechanism to ensure little fingers won’t get caught.

Reclaimed dining table

A reclaimed wood dining table is a clever option, the nature of the wood used means it has beautiful natural texture and undulations in the wood so small “everyday use” marks, chips and dents easily blend in. A reclaimed wood table is a homely and warm place to sit around and will make a stunning centrepiece in your kitchen or dining room.

The Standford extendable wood dining table is crafted from reclaimed wood often over 100 years old, with old nail marks adding interest and plenty of character, it easily extends to become a six-seater dining table. The Dorset is another super stylish extendable trestle table, for which there is the option to add a combination of benches and / or chairs.

Spider leg table

A spider leg table just makes so much sense when you need to add extra diners as there are no table legs to compete for space with! You can position your chairs anywhere you like, move them up a bit when you have guests and spread out when you have none.

The stunning Sussex oak oval dining table has a spider leg, is 2.5 metres long, it combines style and industrial elegance with a classic parquet top. It will also give the impression of taking up less room because of the rounded corners – meaning an oval table is a good choice if you still want a large table in a smaller or narrow room. Another bonus is the little ones not banging knees into table legs, so hopefully no kicking under the table!

How to glam up your dining room with glorious gold

wood dining table with gold candlesticks

You can add timeless sophistication to your dining space with the use of gold. Whether you opt for furniture with gold elements or go for the more subtle option of just accessorising in gold.

Here are some ideas on how to dazzle up your dining room.

You might already have some gorgeous reclaimed wood furniture in your dining room that you don’t want to part with. By simply adding a gold wall mirror, some wall art with a gold frame or a clock, it could even be an antique gold if you prefer a more rustic look, you can transform the feel of the room. You can add more gold elements, by using gold cutlery, serving dishes and table linen when dining. To really embrace the theme you can add gold by having a feature wallpapered wall in gold, some gold curtains or even a rug with gold in it. An ornate gold chandelier over a dining table will never look out of place.

If you are starting a gold-themed dining room from scratch then now is the time to consider dining furniture with gold elements. The contrast of dark wood and gold is undeniably a classic combination. Below we have styled the elegant Belfort table, which blends a dark textured resin top with striking gold legs, with the sumptuous Skyline Ella Dining Chairs.

The Blackbone gold extendable dining table is another one of our favourites. We love how it adds a chic twist to industrial furniture by having gold legs rather than the normal black, perfect for adding dining room sparkle. The dark oak rustic dining table top features a classic parquet design, as it is extendable it can seat up to ten, making it perfect for comfortable and glamorous entertaining. To complete the theme you can add a sideboard from the same range, perfect to pop some glitzy decorative items on such as candlesticks, pictures or a table lamp.

Cream and gold is another great combination – you can keep the decor a clean light cream and add a gold extendable dining table then style this with gold-framed dining chairs upholstered in a cream fabric. Depending on your style you can go for a classic style of chair to achieve a more traditional look or choose a modern dining set for a contemporary look.

We have all seen the gorgeous vibrant colour schemes in stately home dining rooms – for this, you can blend bold vibrant colours like red, green and blue with all that glitters and really get to grips with some majestic interior styling.

Which is for you? A round or rectangular dining table?

dark kitchen with dark round table and pink chairs

We just love a reclaimed wood dining table here at Modish Living. People automatically think of the traditional farmhouse rectangular version, but when should we consider a round one?

Here we look at some reasons for going for the circular option and why it might be the best choice for your kitchen, dining or living space.

First, you need to consider how much space you have for your new round dining table with chairs and how many people will be normally be seated at it – do you have guests often and need the option of extra space? If you only have a couple of diners most days but still like to entertain, then a small round dining table with an extension leaf would be an ideal choice for you. For a guide on how big your table should be, we suggest a 150cm diameter to seat five comfortably, if you have room, then a large round dining table with a diameter of 180cm would comfortably seat eight people.

A rectangular table works well in a rectangular room but a round dining table with no corners gives the impression of taking up less space, the same applies with an oval dining table. A round kitchen table is also the perfect choice as a breakfast table, again giving the impression of taking up less space in one of the busiest rooms in your home. Opt for a minimalist Scandinavian style to really keep that cluttered feeling at bay.

A round dining table would also look great in a small open-plan living space. Consider a round dining table set, this would also solve the dilemma of which type of dining chairs could be styled with the table. The Standford reclaimed wood dining table is featured below. A round table with one pedestal leg allows you to place the chairs where you want as well as preventing diners from annoyingly banging their own legs into the table legs!

One of the best aspects of having a round dining table is that it allows all diners to see each other, to make eye contact as they talk and also reach across more easily….one of the reasons they are so popular at weddings and functions. They are perfect for friends and families who enjoy playing board and card games – all can see the board and easily reach across for counters and cards!

How to tidy up your dining space

industrial kitchen with glass cabinet and sideboard

The dining space is an important part of every home, whether you dine in the kitchen, have your table in the living room or have a separate room, it’s a place where the whole family comes together to chat about their day and enjoy a hearty meal. It’s also a place where we are most likely to entertain guests which makes this space the heart of every home.

For these reasons, storage is vitally important. Here we have a look at different reclaimed wood cabinets that will provide storage solutions whether you like clear and clutter-free, if you like a few select items on display or if you prefer the homely feel of having your prized possessions in full view.

Is a sideboard for you?

A low-level sideboard is the most popular choice, there will be a style and size on the market to suit your needs perfectly. We love a reclaimed wood sideboard with doors and drawers to keep table linen, cutlery and serving dishes in.

A great place to start is to work out what you need to store in it and how much room you have to place one, of course allowing plenty of room to walk past it and to pull your dining chairs out. You can dress the top of a solid wood sideboard with candles, houseplants and ornaments, add a picture above it, or a mirror if you want to brighten the space. This will also provide an extra surface to place serving dishes and save your dining table becoming cluttered up when you have a houseful.

Would you prefer a display cabinet?

This is another popular choice for a dining space, in this, you can display your finest wine glasses, decanters and other dining room essentials, whilst keeping them all dust-free and ready to use. The Standford reclaimed wood display cabinet is a firm favourite of ours. Handcrafted from reclaimed wood with nail marks still visible and the natural beauty of the wood left to shine through the finish, it looks amazing in a traditional as well as a modern room.

Is a drinks cabinet the most useful option?

Drinks cabinets are becoming increasingly popular. A must-have for any amateur bartenders. Fill it with your favourite tipples, cocktail glasses, a shaker and a mixing spoon and you have everything to hand to entertain your guests without trips back and forth to the kitchen. An oak drinks cabinet will last you a lifetime making it a great investment if you enjoy stylish entertainment.

Create Your Own Beautiful Dinner Party Table

Just A Little Build founder, Sarah-Jane, shares her dinner table style

We’ve been lusting after the interior style of Sarah-Jane, the stunningly gorgeous and oh, so talented lady behind Just A Little Build, since she completed her build and renovation project back in February 2019. Documented on her Instagram and blog, her honesty, enthusiasm and love of interiors shines throughout, but it is her stories of family life (she’s a full time mum of three with a menagerie of animals and a career of her own) and how she juggles this with her wonderful style and design that makes us ‘just a little’ bit obsessed with Sarah-Jane.

With her love of entertaining and attention to detail, when it comes to creating a show-stopping dinner party table, Sarah-Jane is the lady to ask. So, we did just that.

Here are her style secrets for a dinner party to impress….

Fresh Flowers: never underestimate the impact fresh flowers can give to your table decor. Not only do they instantly lift the mood of the room, but they also lift the eye, creating height and interest.

Use seasonal blooms to add colour to your table or for an understated elegance, simple green foliage, such as eucalyptus, are a wonderful way to add a stylish bit of substance. Just be careful that they don’t obstruct the natural eye line, so you can still see your guests!

Accessories: when sourcing plates, placemats and glasses etc. for the table, I use the same design process I would for a room. It all comes down to the styling and what materials, colours, heights and textures work together. I coordinated the smoked grey water glasses to mirror the frames of my sliding doors and blue bottom wine glasses to match my kitchen island and cushions.

Placemats: these can play an integral role in helping frame the plate and tie in your colour scheme. Here I have layered two different styles to add texture and contrast. The silver woven mat ties in with the cutlery, whilst the smaller slate placemat on top brings out the smoked grey of the water glass, as well as highlighting the stunning natural cracks and grooves of the wood in the reclaimed wood table. I love how the varying sizes and contrasting materials add interest and dimension to the table.

And lastly, the final piece for a heavenly table setting is lighting, or more specifically, mood lighting. To make a dinner party special I love to bring in a bit of sparkle and atmosphere to the room. I do this by placing tealights in small glass votives along the table or by adding tall candlesticks with long candles. You can also introduce a small wired string of LED’s for a festoon of light. Weave the lighting amongst the foliage or flowers for a stunning table setting. And, don’t forget the rest of the room. I like to add additional candles for a subtle glow and floor and side lamps to layer the light.

Who would be on your ultimate fantasy dinner party guest list?

Michael McIntyre – for happiness and laughter; Prince Harry – to find out all the goss!; Bradley Cooper – my celebrity crush; Jennifer Aniston – I think she’s just fab!

What’s your signature dinner party dish?

A good one which I used to cook and was originally passed down to me by my mum is chicken breasts stuffed with Stilton cheese, wrapped in parma ham and served with a cream and port sauce. However, as I no longer eat meat I tend to serve fish these days – I love pan-fried sea bass with cider braised mussels.

Summer BBQ or cosy winter supper?

Summer BBQ – I love cooking with marinades and you can do so many lovely fish dishes on the bbq. A favourite of ours is this Sunshine Tuna recipe; tuna steaks marinated with orange juice, fresh coriander, chili, garlic and then barbecued – pure summer on a plate!

What’s your food guilty pleasure?

I love a Gu Hot Chocolate soufflé – with raspberries pushed into the middle!

Woman leaning against kitchen island with dog

When you’re not being a mum, blogger, Instagrammer, brand consultant, holiday rental manager and events organiser (phew!!!), what do you do to relax?

Ha! For me, a quiet night in with a lovely candle burning, some mindless tv and some sweet and salty popcorn is pretty much the ticket!

For stunning dining tables to create your perfect dinner party, take a browse through our wonderful wood dining table collection. It includes Sarah-Jane’s stunning reclaimed wood dining table.

Which is for you? Maximalist, Minimalist or Meditative

home sweet home plaque with dried lavender

Do you live for vibrant colours and bold, eye-catching patterns? Maybe you prefer a blank canvas with clean crisp lines and clear white surfaces? Or do soft neutral colours and touches of nature make you happy?

Whatever interior style tribe you belong to, reclaimed wood furniture will elevate your scheme. We look at each tribe and what reclaimed wood furniture fits…

white kitchen with reclaimed wood table and sideboard

Maximalist

Bold colours, rich fabrics and patterns are just begging for an aged reclaimed wood table or sideboard. The tapestry of life visible in the natural grains of wood will complement rich fabrics and bright colour schemes, by adding a focal point for the eye to rest on. You can also introduce a “bold and bright” element to an otherwise neutral room, by simply adding accent chairs around a reclaimed wood dining table. Consider a velvet dining chair to create a warm and sumptuous atmosphere.

Minimalist

Decluttered, clear surfaces, minimal colour and furniture are what the minimalist loves. This may risk looking lifeless and soulless but adding reclaimed wood furniture adds life to a minimalist home. Keep the wood light or white painted to blend in with the scheme and a natural wicker light fitting for additional texture and warmth in your room. Bedrooms are particularly suited to minimalism. Create a calming and tranquil space by adding reclaimed wood bedroom furniture to your blank canvas, just a few, well-chosen decorative items, will complete a personal and welcoming haven.

Meditative

Linked closely with biophilic design this is a mix of fresh, neutral colours that make the most of natural light and the colours of nature. Natural reclaimed wood really is the obvious choice to complete this theme through your living space. Consider reclaimed wood shelving as a way to display houseplants by adding height and plenty of space, to really embrace a meditative decor style. A reclaimed wood sideboard is not just a place to stand your houseplants on but it also provides handy storage space.

houseplant display in front of large window

Where To Spend & Where To Save with Home Staging

Home staging is an American concept that they have long used to sell properties. In a nutshell, it is about showing your home in its best light, suggesting the lifestyle the buyer could have if they bought your property. It sounds a good idea and simple enough, but spending too much and spending it on the areas can prove a costly mistake. So, what should you be doing to get the best possible price when you sell your home?

1 The kitchen

For many buyers, this is the room that can make or break a house viewing. A kitchen that looks dated and tired is not visually appealing.

The solution is not always to rip out and replace the kitchen, however. Replacing worktops, painting cupboards doors or replacing them, updating the tap and generally decluttering so the work surfaces are clear can make it look far more attractive than it currently is, without too much of an investment.

2 The dining room

Another important area. The dining room lost its popularity for a while with homeowners preferring the more socialable kitchen/diner set-up. However, in recent years its seen a bit of a come back and whilst a tired or dated dining room is not as off-putting as a dated kitchen, there are still some tricks to making it more appealing.

Declutter by getting rid of furniture if needed or putting it in storage so that buyers can see the dimensions of the room. Reclaimed wood furniture is very beautiful but furniture around every edge of the room closes it down.

With your reclaimed wood dining table, add a stunning centrepiece such as a floral display (great for colour and scent too!) and arrange the dining chairs so that the room’s accent is on the important bit – the dining table and the space the room offers.

3 The living room

Like the dining room, you need to place an accent on the dimensions of the space and what potential buyers could do with it if it were their own.

Thin out bookcases and the like so that the range of furniture in the room, from the wooden coffee table to the beautiful sideboard and display units, shine through.

When buyers can feel the space in the room by seeing the edges and the furniture that is in there, it will have the feeling of space and style that they are looking for.

4 The bedroom

Clever home staging is about drawing the buyer’s eye to the points you want them to notice.

Bedroom furniture that has the same style is key as it creates symmetry in the room, but you also want to balance it by clever placement. The large chest of drawers, for example, shouldn’t dominate the room as the reclaimed wood bedframe should draw the eye first – make sure you have the best bed linen for viewing day!

A rug can help draw the eye around the room and with key items such as a wooden blanket box helping to ‘hideaway’ blankets and spare linen, the room will have the feeling of organised space that people want.

5 The spare bedroom

And finally, don’t underplay the spare room by leaving it looking sparse. Make sure that buyers understand this space too. For example, a single bed with sideboard and a wardrobe and a small chest of drawers showcases the room perfectly.

With hallway rugs adding pops of colour and texture, the smallest and cheapest home staging tweaks will make a difference.

How to Arrange your Furniture Around a Rug

Grey sofa with grey floor rug and coffee table

For many of us, the rug is the item we have most agonised over when it comes to picking items for the home. It brings warmth, colour and texture to a space and so it’s no surprise that from a stylistic point of view, you want it to get it just right. But how do you make sure the rug remains prominent, without creating a ‘hole’ in the room’s décor?

The round rug

For square or boxy rooms, the round rug is the perfect way of adding a change in motion;

For larger rooms try adding more than one round rug, but keep them the same design and style otherwise it will look too choppy. Place them randomly in the space or better still, allow them to float around the room as you use it (but make sure they aren’t a slip hazard!).

For smaller rooms when you don’t have a huge amount of floor space, getting your round rug noticed can be difficult. Placing it under a piece of large furniture so that its rounded curved peep out is perfect. In the bedroom, for example, put the bedroom rug under the bed so you have it to welcome your feet as you get out of bed but with plenty of rug on show at the foot of the bed.

In the dining room, use a round rug in the centre of the room, even if you decide to off-set your dining table.

The square or rectangle rug

They are, by far, the most popular shaped rug that people opt for. There is a comfort in the pleasing angular, lines of the rectangle or square rug that draws our attention. Our belief is that with this shape, a large living room rug could be easier to accommodate in any room, from the bedroom to the living room.

We can still make fundamental errors, however, which means that the rug becomes lost beneath our feet…

Not applying the four-two-none rule – when furniture doesn’t feel anchored in a room, it and your cherished rug will feel lost and floating in space. If this is happening, address it by applying the four-two-none rule. With your furniture dotted around its straight edges, either all four legs need to be on the rug (only advisable for big rugs), or two legs of each piece or none. If you have a side table on the rug and the two legs of one sofa but none of the other sofa, it will not look right.
Mismatch colours – when you want to add a rug to a room, it is best to start with the rug, matching the wall colour to it rather than the other way round. This way, your vibrant red rug or stylish blue rug won’t be jarring against the room’s décor.

Irregular shaped rugs

Irregular shaped rugs can be a welcome note of change in a room but it’s important to understand how best to use them. With rectangle and round rugs, the dimensions of the room and size of the rug will dictate whether you place furniture on it or not. With an irregular shaped rugs, designers suggest keeping furniture off it, opting for a suitably sized rug that fits the floor space you have available.

Mirror Mirror On The Floor – 5 Ways To Use An Oversized Mirror

Freestanding wooden floor mirror with white console table and green plant

In every room, you want a statement accessory, one that draws the eye and adds the wow factor. From artwork to statement furniture pieces, there are many options, with the oversized floor length mirror being one of them. But simply adding it to a room is not enough. You need to give it the focal point it deserves.

Not just for the bedroom or the dressing room

The traditional spot for the full length floor mirror is in the bedroom or the dressing, and at a push, the bathroom. Clearly, it has a practical purpose from allowing you to do a final check of your appearance before leaving the room or house to bouncing light around a room, but the good news is, the floor mirror is not just for the bedroom…

In the living room

Double up in the living room by adding two floor standing mirrors together on one wall. There is something very dramatic about a large floor mirror but when you add two, you are ramping up the dramatic impact, not to mention doubling up the amount of light bouncing around the room, For extra drama, choose dark wood framed mirrors or in a unique shape.

HINT – when doubling up, always choose mirrors with a chunky frame. Floor standing mirrors with thin frames have their place but won’t have the same impact.

In the dining room

Mirrors in the dining room should never to be underestimated and when it comes to the floor standing mirror, you can emulate the living room by doubling up or, if wall space doesn’t allow, opt for one large mirror with a frame that blends into the wall.

This style of floor length mirror still has all the impact you need but ‘blends’ into the background more. This gives the room a cosy feel, ideal for when you are entertaining.

Go extra large!

An oversized mirror is just that – one that is far bigger than a wall hung mirror or a handheld one – but if you want to really make a statement, opt for a super-sized mirror that covers most of the wall. It’s a statement, for sure, but one you won’t regret.

In the bedroom

We’d go as far as to say that a large floor mirror in the bedroom is an absolute must. But just because it is essential doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish; just don’t overdo it. You want it to be a restful space and so adding too much drama to your bedroom furniture is counter-intuitive. Opt for a floor standing mirror that has a stylish but not over-the-top frame.

A large rustic mirror, for example, would be a great addition. The warmth of the wood brings comfort to a space that you want to be cosy. Also, consider where you place it. A corner near the door is a handy spot for a full length mirror without taking up too much room.

Can you go wrong?

Not really. A mirror is welcome in any room, but don’t be constrained by ‘traditions’ when it comes to frame style, colour and size. A floor standing mirror in any room is an easy design statement to make, so go on – make an impression.