dining room Archives - Page 33 of 39

Our best sellers of the year

Have you noticed how, as we get to the end of the year, everyone from retailers to TV shows chart the year in what was amazing, funny, sad and popular? We decided to take a look back at which items from our collections were popular, from the farmhouse table to the most popular chairs…

The Standford Industrial Reclaimed Table

In the top spot is this impressive industrial dining table. Mixing the elegant with the practical, customers loved the dining sets with bench, as well as the extendable dining surface that makes it ideal for any busy home. It is robust and yet not devoid of style, brought about, we think, by the reclaimed wood top. With reclaimed wood, you can bask in the warmth of knowing that the item you have purchased is completely unique. Every grain and blemish hints at its past, just one reason why this is one of our best sellers.

The Luxe Kensington Dining Table

Just as popular is this pleasing mix of styles, the rustic dining table with a reclaimed wood top and the elegant metal work legs. As well as the larger, rectangle dining table, there is also the round Luxe dining table, with the exquisite metal legwork column that sets it apart from all others. There is a rawness to this table top that really makes it stand out. Perfect for when you want something different, but without compromising on the ideals of the industrial or rustic styles.

English Beam Table

The simplicity of the English Beam dining table in a ‘medium finish’ is probably the main feature that makes this a popular seller this year – and we don’t expect its rising star to wane anytime soon. It has the industrial look to it that easily fits a home, the perfect table for friends to gather round. The other factor that we know makes this a popular item is that you can order it in custom sizes too. So, no need for a table that is too big or too small.

Allegro Chairs

Fourth on our list are dining chairs that we always knew would be a hit – and we weren’t proved wrong. The Allegro chairs in Cerato leather are the ideal teammates to any of our rustic or industrial styled dining tables. Cerato is a herb that when correctly prepared and administered, helps people to realise their individuality and we think this is a fitting name for our leather dining chairs. Available with wooden and metal legs, which would you choose?

Florence Chairs

Whereas the Allegro dining chair oozes a deceptive simplicity, the upholstered dining chairs from the Florence range offer exquisite detail that brings sophistication to a dining room. Light in colour, the robust fabric is soft to the touch, it is the stud work and the added detail of the ring metal handle on the back of the chair that gives it the edge. Available in natural and white, it is no wonder these dining chairs are popular with our discerning customers.

Did you purchase one of our best sellers this year, or are you looking for inspiration for next year? Either way, we’d be glad to hear what you think of our best sellers!

How to style: dining set or mix and match chairs?

The dining table is an important piece of furniture so it’s no surprise that customers take time to consider all their options. From considering which shape will work best, to which style will suit their home, there is also the question of whether a dining set which gives a cohesive style to the dining room is the way to go or whether choosing chairs separately, so you can have your own unique take is the best step forward.

No one can make this decision alone, so we asked our Houzz and Instagram followers what they thought.

We showed them the Wycombe, one of our oak dining sets, complete with chairs and dining bench…

And we showed them the Maddox industrial dining table…

And we asked which do you prefer? Are dining sets still on-trend or is creating your own dining table styles with mix and match chairs the way to go?

What YOU Said

It was a close-run thing but there was a clear push for the Maddox industrial table with mix and match chairs. But why?

There was no doubting that for many, the contemporary style and fresh feeling of the Maddox industrial table with mix and match chairs were appealing. But why?

The table itself is perfection when it comes to the industrial style. The combination of raw, not overly processed reclaimed wood with the stark, cool contrast of metal is perfect. But the edginess and angles of the industrial style are softened by the lower backed velvet dining chairs with wooden legs but, more importantly, the colour of the chairs and the plush fabric adds texture and warmth. In fact, this was one comment about the Maddox dining table; the great colours and the soft look were exactly what many people wanted.

But the winning comment must surely be that the mix and match effect ‘offers so many possibilities’. If you are looking to create a unique look to your dining room that is on-trend but warm, genuine and stylish there is no doubt that the Maddox table and mix and match chairs is the style path for you.

Dining Sets – Not as Old Fashioned as You Think

But that doesn’t mean the Wycombe dining set missed out on its admirers.

Chic, modern and with a Scandinavian style, there is an understated simplicity about the Wycombe dining set. Our dining room sets come in a range of options: in this case, you can opt for four chairs, or dining benches or a combination thereof.

An oak extending dining table is, of course, also worth its weight in gold in a busy; the extending section works well with the dining bench as there is more room for guests in an instant.

Oak dining sets are also practical, something that many of our voters on Houzz and Instagram were keen to point out. There were many comments about the Wycombe set being infinitely practical but there were also clear preferences for it because of its versatility in the home.

Even though there was a clear winner – the Maddox industrial dining table with mix and match chairs – there was a respect and a big nod of approval for the Wycombe dining set too, for all that it offers. Which is your favourite?

How to: gift wrapping on a budget

There is nothing more exciting than receiving a gift and when that gift is wrapped beautifully, it shows even more thought and love. The good news is, that elaborate gift wrapping needn’t be complicated nor expensive. With these crafty tips of gift wrapping, you can delightfully wrap all kinds of gifts, sitting on your upholstered dining chairs at your table without spending a penny on wrapping paper.

Many of these suggestions use items that you already have to hand and also re-use wrapping paper, tissue paper, string, ribbon etc. that you have kept from previous birthday and Christmas gifts. So what do we suggest?

Take a Walk!

When the rain stops, and the wind is no longer howling, step outside and enjoy the crisp winter air and everything this season has to offer. We may associate winter with sparseness and hibernation, but many shrubs and trees drop their seeds to the ground in readiness for spring growth.

Fir cones along with a few small sprigs of an evergreen pine or holly bush make for a simple, yet effective adornment alongside homemade gift wrap.

Sitting in the warmth of your home at a wood dining table, loop string or twine (or old ribbon if you have any) around the centre of the gift many times, with a gift tag looped in, and tie securely at the back. Insert the spring of greenery and use string looped over the base of the fir cone to securely anchor it to the gift.

Homemade Gift Wrap Style

As well as buying gift wrap, you can make your own by recycling wrapping paper and tissue from previous gifts you have received.

For your own unique touch, wrap the gift in a block colour paper – a lot cheaper than festive paper – adding your own layer of colour and detail over the top.

For example, this black tissue paper base entirely coverts the gift but the star-festooned tissue paper is recycled, with a small band covering the top of the wrapped gift. Again, use natural elements to complete the look such as twine or craft string.

For a fantastic display, wrap gifts in similar colours, using the same natural adornments and cluster them together under the Christmas tree or hide them in plain view in the glass cabinet.

Newspaper Chic

Save a few of your broadsheets to create your own bespoke wrapping paper. Use twine to hold it all together, tying a spring of cinnamon and a parcel tag to give it not only a festive look but a festive smell too.

Ribbon Perfection

Adding decoration to a wrapper gift is the ideal way of adding a little bit of the wow factor to it. Ribbon is used not just on gifts, but on clothing and other bought products. Keep all these for the Christmas wrapping season, matching your ribbon to recycled tissue paper, or use with newspaper too to give it an extra bit of chic. There are some great online sites that will show you how to tie elaborate bows too, great for adding even more detail.

Other material can be recycled too, especially if you make your own hampers. If it doesn’t look festive enough, why not spray it with glitter paint for added sparkle?

Map It

Frankly, maps are a little old hat, especially with Satnavs and smartphone apps taking over. Reuse the pages of old atlases and maps for wrapping paper. Use ribbon and string to add detail, just like in all the other examples.

Creating your own gift wrap is about a little bit of imagination, and plenty of reusable wrapping materials.

How to impress your dinner guests with no effort

It’s great having family and friends over for Christmas dinner but it can be so much work and effort that you are too tired to enjoy it. From chasing perfection from the dinner table settings to the food itself, inviting dinner guests over can be a situation that balloons to nightmarish proportions.

But not with this guide as to how to impress your dinner guests, without too much effort.

The Table

There is a saying, we eat with our eyes first and our bellies second. As well as presenting the food nicely on plates and in bowls, the table also needs to look the part.

And frankly, when it comes to table setting trends and fashions, we say leave them behind! The festive season is all about twinkling lights, anything that sparkles, as well as colour combinations such as red and green with a dash of gold or silver.

For something ‘different’, nip outside with your secateurs and bring in some cutting of ever-green fronds from your fir trees, holly bush (even better if there are red berries too!) or any other evergreen leaf. Along with pine cones, cluster the foliage along the length of the rustic dining table. To finish, sprinkle with glitter or colourful beads, adding tea lights in pretty holders too, to add pretty twinkling lights.

Top tip – we love the battery-operated lights that are available online and in high street stores. Simply intertwine these around the foliage, hiding the battery compartment under it. Switch on and let them work their magic.

Table Settings

No one has unlimited matching plates, cups, and cutlery lurking in their cupboards and, so it comes as no surprise that when you have many dinner guests for Christmas dinner that there is a range of plates and glasses. We think it makes the occasion.

Remember, perfect table settings are not your goal: making memories and having a great time is. So, bring a range of chairs to nestle against your statement fabric dining chairs and enjoy the fact that your dining room is full of fun and laughter.

Top tip – table full throughout the year with guests? Why not consider investing in a dining bench, a great alternative to different chairs and great for accommodating more people.

However, using matching key plates can lift the table and so it is worth investing in some key items. We think that…

Matching or complimenting oven to tableware – as well as having plenty of cutlery to go around, why not invest in a cluster of oven to tableware dishes? These present a sense of cohesion and providing that all your ‘mismatch’ plates and bowls share the same colour palette, it won’t look too chaotic.
Handmade, designed and created plates – clustering bowls and plates is a way of showing off your ‘best’ tableware too. We love the idea of opting for something different but one that is timeless and elegant. Tableware, from serving plates to dinner plates, are items that over the years, you will come to amass in your cupboards. And so, you need timeless, elegant pieces that look as fresh today as they will in years to come.

Planning Ahead

Impressing your guests can place you on a collision course with festive season stress, a condition that can see you become fixated on smaller details that really don’t have bearing on the wonderful meal you are about to cook.

What do we suggest? Planning ahead is the solution, along with getting as much done as you possibly can before the main event. And we have some useful tips too:

Don’t battle through Christmas shoppers for your groceries and other essential – shop online! Get as much as you can beforehand, making the best use of pre-prepared foods and put in the freezer.
Shop local – local suppliers, such as butchers and grocers, will often have affordable hampers in the run-up to the festive season. As well as supporting local businesses, you will also be getting quality produce that tastes delicious.
Set the table the night before – for many of us, creating a fantastic looking table is the fun part but it can take longer than you think to create the ultimate dining table setting! Make it your ‘night before’ task or even a day or two beforehand. Enjoy a few dinners off your lap as a treat!
Nothing wrong with ready meals – we are not suggesting you serve a ready meal for Christmas dinner but with so much going on, be kind to yourself and invest in high-quality ready meals for you and your family. Again, local grocery stores and food suppliers have some great pre-packed products.

Choose Dishes Carefully

Chose dishes that can be prepared beforehand and then simply finished off before you serve them. The best course to do this with is dessert and this Festive Pavlova is ideal.

You will need:

6 large free-range egg whites
350g caster sugar
1tsp white wine vinegar
1tsp cornflour

For the filling;

600 ml double cream
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
50g sifted icing sugar
900g of fresh fruit – any combination, such as raspberries and blueberries
50g pomegranate seed
A few mint leaves

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160°, Gas 3 and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper. Draw around a large dinner plate as use this as your guide.
Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks then gradually add the sugar slowly until stiff and glossy.
Mix the vinegar and cornflour and stir into the egg whites
Heap the mixture onto the greaseproof paper, shaping it into a ring, leaving a gap in the middle
Place in the oven reducing the temperature to 140° to gas 2 for an hour or until the meringue is hard on the outside but soft on the inside.
Allow the meringue to cool – it will keep well in the fridge!
Just before serving, whip the cream with the vanilla paste and icing sugar and spread generously on top of the ring of meringue. Pile the fruit on top, finish with the jewel-like pomegranate seeds and decorate with mint leaves. Serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar or edible glitter dust.

Impressing Christmas dinner guests is just as much about the company, the laughter and the stories as it is about the ‘right’ decorations on your dining room furniture or the ‘correct’ festive inspired sculptures in your small display cabinet. And don’t forget – enjoy it too!

Bring a touch of industrial style to your Christmas decor

There is something magical about the festive season. Maybe it’s the twinkling lights, the glitter and the sparkle that the season is known for.

For some of us, decorating our homes for Christmas is more than a bunch of baubles and a tree. We want to create a stylish haven, full of Christmas cheer and colour. But we want it to be part of the overall style and appeal of the home.

It’s a tough ask, even for the most seasoned interior designers but there are simple tips and hints for decorating your home for Christmas that is in tune with the interior design style.

Festive Decorations, Industrial Style

The industrial style is a surprising harmony between the raw materials of brick, steel and wood. It is a style that takes note of a by-gone era, embracing the industrial heritage that swept the nation all those centuries ago.

It is a style with a robust and pragmatic appeal, possibly why it is still a popular style today and one that looks set to grow in the coming year. So how do your combine festive cheer with the sharp angles and edges of this style?

Tip 1 – Geometric Shapes

It doesn’t have to be laughing Santa’s and nodding reindeers. Opt for geometric shapes, festooned with glitter and sparkle. There are plenty of options on the high street and online. Stick with one or two main colours, using a third as the occasional accent. Choose a muted but bright palette, such as the silver and ice white, using black as the accent colour.

Tip 2 – Soften with Texture

The sharp, clean lines of the industrial style are what makes it but for the festive season, you may decide to soften their impact for a while. Texture adds warmth and depth to any room, as well as taking the edge off the angles. Add large sheepskin rugs with their natural, deep pile for the perfect solution. Even better, they come in neutral colours too so no danger of adding too much colour that drowns the appeal of industrial furniture.

Tip 3 – Velvet for Luxury

Again, a great material for bringing texture to space is velvet. The industrial dining table is ideal for formal dinner parties to Christmas dinner, to Boxing Day parties but it doesn’t have to be devoid of colour. The Luxe Sasha velvet dining chairs bring glamour and sophistication to the industrial style dining room, as well as colour.

Or, if you stick with leather upholstered dining chairs, for the festive season artistically drape throws over chairs. Or add a small, colourful cushion if you feel the room needs it.

Tip 4 – Add Romance with Candles

No matter what your style, no one can deny the ambience that gently flickering candles add to a room, including the industrial style landscape of the living or dining room. These pillar candle holders have an elegance all of their own, but we think are worth their weight in gold because they add height to a dining table. Varying the heights of accessories adds interest.

As would this classic lantern, perfect for housing a candle by the door, welcoming guests to your home on a cold, winter’s evening…

How do you prefer your door handles: in brass or silver?

We asked, and you answered. Like some of our other polls on Houzz and Instagram, there was a clear winner on one, but a difference of opinion between fans on another page. It was a tricky question too, we thought – which handle finish do you prefer, the timeless elegance of brass or the chic of silver?

We gave you two amazing pieces to look at too – a display cabinet with painted frame and brass handles, and a large display unit, complete with silver handles.

Which do you think came out on top?

Silver Handles

On Instagram, the majority of people voted for silver handles, with around half of those that expressed an opinion opted for brass.

Silver effect finishes are an option that has been around for some time, with some trends demanding a matte silver finish, whilst other design trends championed the polished, sparkling silver look. Either way, it brings a dash of modern detailing to a room and the items within it.

A glass display cabinet with darker, pewter or silver-plated handles is perfect for so many interior design schemes, especially a modern-looking finish. And it is worth paying attention to these small details. They may not be immediately obvious but mis-matching handles on a display unit or wooden sideboards can stand out – for all the wrong reasons.

The Scandinavian style seamlessly blends warmth, character and natural materials. It is an understated interior design scheme and one that is becoming more popular in recent years. Brass fitting and detailing would be too heavy and cumbersome in this kind of scheme, too out of character and not in keeping with the seamless marriage between the different materials in the space.

Brass Handles

On Houzz, the must-have handle choice was, without any shadow of a doubt, brass. And it is no wonder…

The surprise accessory trend

Trends come and go but there was one that caught by surprise and that was the growing popularity of brass accessories. But in some ways, we shouldn’t have been surprised. With earthy tones and colours being the mainstay colours for the last year or so, brass was perfect against the darker shades of earth green and midnight blue. Great for the traditional appeal and interior design schemes, brass seems to have shed its ‘old-fashioned’ tag as remains the must-have finish for everything from handles to candelabra.

The farmhouse appeal

An interior design scheme growing fast in popularity is the farmhouse style. Similar in its appeal to the rustic scheme, the farmhouse look has a slightly more refined edge to its finish and this means that the detailing of brass handles – ornate or slimline – is a welcome addition to the living room or the dining room (or anywhere in the home). From the half-moon brass handles on wooden sideboards to ornate brass knobs on farmhouse furniture, there is a beauty to brass that is certainly not lost on our Instagram followers. With the farmhouse kitchen table at its heart, this is a scheme that is simple to replicate and enjoy in your home – and be warned: the smaller details give it the edge!

Whatever your choice of finish, we’re sure to have something to suit you – whether it’s brass or silver handles you prefer!

Order today to get it in time for Christmas

The build-up to Christmas has begun and if you plan on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere with sheepskins rug this festive season, you must order this week to guarantee its arrival in time.

But why opt for sheepskin rugs? What do they bring to different rooms in the home?

Ways to Use a Sheepskin Rug

Sheepskin rugs are perfect for introducing colour and texture into a space, and work well with many interior styles but especially the clean lines of the Scandinavian style and the warmth of the rustic style. So how can you use them for maximum effect?

Added Warmth

The beauty of a white fur rug is that as a natural product, it has amazing insulation properties. Perfect for winter, they can add warmth not just for your feet on the floor but for armchairs, sofas and dining benches.

In the Bedroom

As well as using a sheepskin rug on the floor, these rugs can be used as an extra layer of welcome warmth on the bed too. When the temperature plummets and the combination of bed socks and duvet are not keeping your digits toasty warm, layer a sheepskin rug on top. This king size sheepskin rug will add not only an ideal bedroom decoration and accessory but adds unbelievable luxury too.

The Hallway

Both the rustic and Scandinavian interior design styles are about practicality and function but also about creating an impact where you need it most. In the hallway, a space often devoid of storage, a bench is a perfect addition. Soften the sharp lines and make an impact with a deep pile rug on the bench. Don’t go overboard with colour otherwise, it may look out of place. A grey sheepskin rug, for example, would add warmth without a distracting colour.

Dining Room Essential

Again, for when winter comes, and you want to add warmth both in terms of texture to space and a practical element, there is nothing better than a smooth, deep pile sheepskin rug for dining room seating. Perfect for both upholstered, leather and wooden dining chairs. In fact, in the dining room, using a rug in this way is part and parcel of the Scandinavian style.

The Office

If you spend hours at your desk, you will know the discomfort that being seating for long periods brings. Why not soften the blow with a sheepskin rug? Use a rug that is large enough to cover the whole chair as it will bring warmth to your back too.

A Reading Corner

There is nothing better than getting lost in a good book but what improves the experience is having a space that is all your own. Opt for a comfortable armchair and a small table close by for the essential coffee (or maybe a glass of wine?) and to frame the space, use a black sheepskin rug for the floor. If you want to, add an extra layer to the chair, perfect for snuggling down on a winter’s afternoon.

If you don’t order today, you won’t have this stylish rug for your home in time for Christmas…so why not browse now to order yours? View the sheepskin collection.

Celebrate Christmas Card Day by making special cards

The first commercial Christmas card appeared in 1843 and ever since, it has been common practice to send pre-printed cards to friends, family and neighbours.

For many consumers, these cards in the 21^st Century can seem wasteful and as a result, they send cards to people who live some distance away and then donate a small financial gift to a charity of their choice in lieu of cards.

This is a commendable idea, but we love the idea of handmaking special cards, a great way to show close family and friends, neighbours and colleagues, just how much you think of them. And with December 9^th being the annual Christmas Card Day, we thought the time is right to look at creating stunning hand-crafted cards.

How to Create Beautiful Handcrafted Cards

A homemade card, with all its embellishments, is so much more personal and enjoyable than an online Christmas card, don’t you think? And this is why you need these ideas…

Get Started

The best time to make handcrafted cards? On a winter’s afternoon, with the fire blazing and a hot chocolate to hand. Don’t forget a Christmas film or plug in your iPod and enjoy a sing-song as you create your masterpieces.

Sit at your reclaimed wood table, with everything to hand, from glitter pens to water-soluble glue – easily washed off fabric dining chairs with warm water and fabric conditioner – sticky stars and more.

You may not be keen on using glitter now that we know how it pollutes the oceans. But, there is a biodegradable alternative! Buy it online from specialist crafts suppliers and have an extra warm glow knowing that your sparkling cards are not damaging the environment.

Make a List

If you have a long, long list of who is to receive your handmade cards, you may need to put aside many afternoons and, so we suggest taking time to prioritise your list. Get the kids involved to make handcrafted cards for grandparents and other important people!

Have a Drying Area

There is nothing more disappointing than spending all that time create masterpieces to find that as they have dried, they have stuck together. Create a drying space for your cards, essentially when you have glued items. Why not line them up on the kitchen sideboard?

Use Photos

There is nothing more personal than including a photo as part of the overall design of the card. You can either use a photo of the recipient or use one of your family, making sure you add plenty of detail and embellishment (you can never have too much!).

With so many different ideas to try, there’s really no reason you have to go for shopping Christmas cards again!

Why dark chairs are the best for dining room

We often steer away from dark colours, assuming they will close down a space or be too imposing. But interior designers tell us that adding a little bit of black or another dark colour frames the room to the eye.

With this in mind, we thought we would take a look at dark coloured chairs for the dining room, not just in fabric but in wood too. But how well will this work? What needs adding to create a pleasant contrast, without losing a sense of stylish cohesion?

Introducing yesteryear

There cannot be many who would fail the remember the cross-back dining chair. Free from upholstery, it was a style that relied on the colour of the wood to bring interest to a dining table. Fantastic for a rustic or farmhouse styled traditional dining room, the Belle Noir cross back dining chair brings an elegance to any dining table.

A similar styled cross back dining chair is available in grey too, perfect for creating a more open feel to a dining room. Think café style or a bistro setting, perfect for the informal, casual kitchen or dining table.

Dark Upholstery Heaven

Dark coloured upholstery works particularly well. From a practical point of view, for a busy home with children and pets, dark fabrics are certainly brilliant for hiding a multitude of sins until you can get around to cleaning them properly after spills.

But darker coloured fabrics also bring depth and texture to a room. The black button back dining chair with exquisite studwork detailing is perfect for adding detail to the dining room, without compromising on the formal style.

For a more sumptuous appeal, take a look at these black fabric dining chairs, with same-coloured fabric buttons. The velvet soft texture just invites you to touch it and again, the studwork detailing and the ‘lion knocker’ on the back of the chair make these chairs things of beauty.

To offset the black dining chairs, usually an equally strong colour, such as ruby reds or deep purples. Consider adding colour to the floor with a sumptuous rug or for the festive season, berry red and sage green table accessories are simply perfect.

Ramp up The Style

Rose gold has been the must-have colour for the last year and we see no sign of this beautiful coloured metal disappearing anywhere soon. In fact, interior designers are predicting they will use it throughout their upcoming collections and ideas, so these black dining chairs with rose gold frames are an absolute must. The curvaceous ‘bucket’ shape is ideal for when you want to introduce modern styling into a dining room. These would make great bedroom chairs too!

But if you don’t want black, these Luxe Madison velvet dining chairs are a great solution. Why not team them with a glass top dining table- like the Luxe Kensington Reclaimed, itself a modern stylish icon of the dining room?

An Industrial Dining Room Landscape

The utilitarian appeal of the industrial style is perfect for any home, from a bachelor pad to a busy, family home and these Barton grey fabric dining chairs are no exception. The black metal legs are perfect for introducing this dining chair in the dining room with a hint of the industrial style. The simplicity of the chair, its lack of adornment, buttoning and studwork means it adds style, but without the fuss.

Which of these darker coloured dining chairs would suit your dining room?