farmhouse Archives - Page 10 of 10

How to decorate with round tables in dining and living room

Angles and straight lines are all well and good – they give the dining room and the living room a pleasing order to the eye – but, if it all feels a bit too strict and 90° angles, the time has come to introduced some curves.

Circles and curves are welcoming. When you have guests round the dinner table, the roundness of it is ideal for no one person being ‘in the hot seat’ or at the head of the table.

But as we will show you, introducing curves into your home is not just about round dining room tables…

Invest in a Classic Piece

The dining table is an investment that you will use time and time again over many years and so it pays to make a considered purchase.

Invest wisely, and your round dining table will fit any interior design style but, more importantly, it will be versatile enough to sit with your signature style.

We love…

Dining Tables

Classic white frames and wood table top – great in any design for adding freshness to a dining room. This Elton Round Dining Table works really well in the farmhouse or rustic style dining room or kitchen.

For something a little edgier, the Parquet Round Dining Table is ideal for an ‘industrial’ inspired scheme.

We love the circular base of this small round dining table, complete with reclaimed wood top. Fantastic for when you want to make a statement to your guests. The Kendrick Round Table also extends.

Curves in the Living Room

We love…

Coffee Tables

With no sharp edges to knock your shins against, a curvaceous coffee table or side tables are ideal for helping the ‘traffic’ in a living room to flow.

For a modern and minimal appeal, we love the cool-to-the-touch Kensal marble top coffee table. Choose the leg material – polished stainless steel, brass or matte black – so that it truly complements your living room style.

As well as a round table top, introducing a series of curves into an interior design style brings conviviality to a space too.

This round metal coffee table has a delightful series of interconnecting circles as its base and is very modern.

Side Tables

As well as coffee tables, side tables are ideal for the living room. As well as adding a pleasant note of interest to a room, they are also a handy extra surface that we all need occasionally in the living room.

To keep a sense of cohesion, choose two or three items from the same range. For the industrial look – think exposed brickwork, metal and wood dancing in harmony together – the Oldham range has it all.

For a smaller side table, the reclaimed wood table top can be finished with an optional glass ‘cover’ if you feel it needs it.

But you don’t want the living room cluttered with tables here and there which is why a nest of tables is an ideal choice. However, drag yourself out of the 1970s and ditch the set of 3 nesting tables made from MDF. Instead, opt for the thrill of matte metal bases and the mango wood tops of the Melbury Industrial Nest of Tables.

Curves are friendly, inviting and welcoming – and they sit alongside the straightness and pleasingly formality of angles and straight lines in both the dining room and the living room. Why do you love curves so much?

Make the most of a one wall kitchen layout

Single wall kitchen layout with white kitchen furniture

A one wall kitchen layout is great if you are looking to save space or if you want to create a kitchen diner in a small or narrow space. Not only this, they are practical and cheap to install. Here a few of our ideas to make the most of this kitchen style.

With a one wall kitchen layout, it is a great idea to separate your room out with flooring or a rug, to create some separation between your cooking and eating areas, and also to ensure your floor doesn’t look too blocky. Depending on the shape of your room, you may be able to use different flooring to create kitchen and dining areas. However if you have a narrow space and the kitchen along one of the longer walls, this is unlikely to work so well. In that case, add a rug underneath a small kitchen table.

Dining tables for a one wall kitchen layout

With dining tables in a smaller kitchen, the trick is not to go for something too large or with a chunky design. Slimmer designs will create the illusion of more space and will suit a smaller or narrower kitchen.

Something like the Worcester Large Reclaimed Wood Extendable Dining Table would be perfect. The farmhouse kitchen table offers a neat, clean design making it perfect for smaller spaces.

One of our oval kitchen tables would be a great option. The Holborn Oak Oval Dining Table is stunning, and is perfect for adding simple elegance to a traditional or an ultra contemporary kitchen.

Instead of one of our rustic kitchen tables, you could also create extra storage space and potentially extra worktop space in your one wall kitchen layout with an island. A reclaimed wooden island will not only section out different areas of your room if this is what you are looking to do, it will keep a smaller kitchen area clutter free and will give you space for bulky items you may not otherwise have a home for.

Storage space for a one wall kitchen layout

If you don’t want extra worktop space and are just looking for storage, a reclaimed sideboard would make a perfect accompaniment to your kitchen furniture.

The sleek design of the Eastwood Rustic Oak Large Sideboard would be great in a sleek, contemporary one wall kitchen layout with its clean lines and minimalist look. Behind each cupboard is a shelf so there is plenty of storage for dinnerware, or even for putting baskets with store cupboard ingredients or vegetables and potatoes.

If you love to entertain, a one wall kitchen layout is great for creating an easier space to move around. You could even create a bar area with a space for serving and making drinks for all your guests, or even just for use as a breakfast bar. Pair with a couple of oak bar stools to complete the look. Not only is this perfect for entertaining, a bar area tends to take up less space than a dining table.

The Raw Light Oak Tall Stools are perfect for this. The Scandinavian kitchen stools perfectly blend timeless design and the beauty of natural wood for a look which will look great in any room.

For more inspiration, or to find the perfect kitchen furniture for your space, take a look at the Modish Living website or get in touch with one of our team members.

How to choose the perfect wooden dining table

Your dining table and chairs are substantial pieces of furniture. You should choose your wooden dining table with care, thinking about how it will need to adapt in the future, but you’ll also know only too well what you like the look of – so it’s essential to strike a balance between great design and versatile functionality. Here we bring you some tips on what to consider when purchasing your dining table.

The Shape of your wooden dining table

A round dining table or a rectangular table are the two most favored options, but which will work best for you? A small round dining table works well when space is limited as with a little squeezing, you can seat a fair few diners around your table without encroaching on too much space. This rectangular oak wooden dining table and chairs is also ideal for when you want a streamlined, minimal look but without compromising on quality.

Which comes first, the table or the chairs?

Some people prefer to purchase wooden dining room table sets, whereby the table and chairs match perfectly. But, if you want to make a statement, choosing chairs and a dining table separately could be the answer.

Making the wooden dining table the centrepiece of your dining room

There is nothing quite as attractive as a grandiose dining table. No matter what your style, a fantastic dining table really packs a punch. This exquisite example of a reclaimed wood dining table is the perfect example. The distressed look of the wood, full of history and character, works well with the modern gloss of the metal frame. Even the sumptuous upholstered dining chairs cannot detract from its beauty.

Making the chairs the stars of the show

Dining chairs can really add va-va-voom to a dining room. There are almost unlimited options when it comes to upholstered dining chairs, with all shades of colours, as well as a choice between fabric and leather.

Of course, fabric dining chairs don’t work for everybody. A great option are wooden dining chairs. Equally as elegant, wooden chairs are easy to keep clean and suit a range of styles, from farmhouse to rustic

Most of our dining chairs are customisable too, so you can create something truly unique for your home that diners will admire.

Choose your style

Of course, a large factor in your choice of wooden dining table and chairs is your style.

This oak farmhouse table works well in a dining room or kitchen space where you want the pleasing feel of the farmhouse style.

Likewise, opting for the rustic dining table or the industrial dining table style is ideal in a busy home where you don’t want to compromise practicality and function for style.

Adding details

The ‘how and why’ of your wooden dining table are also important considerations.

For example, if you regularly host family dinners and extensive gatherings, an extending dining table with chairs make perfect sense.

But we think that dining furniture is a great way of adding detail without overpowering the space. The legs of the dining table are often forgotten in terms of design which is why we have added details to ours…This reclaimed wood round dining table with the circular, art deco-esque leg adds a wow factor to any dining space. If you want detail but without too much fuss, this rectangular dining table with robust legs is one choice. The circular elements add the right level of detail. And there is something pleasingly ‘chunky’ and firm about the end-of-table column legs on this farmhouse table.

Many pieces in our dining furniture ranges can be customised to suit, giving you even more scope on creating a wooden dining table and chairs that you will love for a long, long time to come.

How to measure your living room for a farmhouse coffee table

If you love the farmhouse style, you are in good company. Popular as an interior design style, it is warm and homely, but with tweaks of finesse that makes it a firm favourite.

Farmhouse furniture is chunky and wholesome, but modern. It has a level of detail that adds a certain panache. It is functional and practical, stylish and suitable for every home, from a busy family house to a bachelor apartment.

What Makes a Farmhouse Coffee Table?

An essential component of a successful farmhouse living room design, the coffee table is the platform for refreshments, as well as magazines, newspapers and other essential accessories.

It has a clearly defined purpose, and in the farmhouse style, it is just as important as the industrial modern look.

So, what sets a farmhouse coffee table from any other?

Chunky.

Solid.

Wood.

If there are three words that sum up the farmhouse coffee table, it is those above.

A solid wood coffee table pulls together the farmhouse style in the living room. Not only does the platform – the top of the table – have a sturdy satisfying chunkiness, it comes complete with a drawer or a handy lower level shelf, perfect for hiding things away.

Scaling, Size, Dimension – Getting the Measurements Right

Have you noticed how in the glossy pages of magazines, everything looks together, united and scaled? So why doesn’t your farmhouse living room furniture have the same scaling?

The answer lay in following the golden interior design rules of measuring, scaling, dimension and size.

The distance between the reclaimed wood coffee table and your sofa should fall within the 14 to 18 inch of space rule. Close enough to reach a magazine, but without cramping leg room.

The height of the coffee table would match the height of the sofa, with not more than 4 inches’ difference in height in either direction. This ensures easy access too but also helps the coffee table fit in the space, not looking too big nor too small.

The final scaling factor is the coffee-table-to-sofa size ratio. In terms of visual appeal. The coffee table should be ½ to ⅔ the size of your sofa. Too big and your handpicked chunky wood coffee table will simply look enormous. Too small, and the carefully chosen, handcrafted reclaimed wood furniture will look pitifully minute.

What Happens When the Size of Your Living Room Doesn’t Fit the Equation?

These measurements imply that there is a ‘right’ sized living room. But there isn’t. Some farmhouse styled living rooms have acres of space, others are delightfully bijou and compact.

What this presents is not finding a coffee table big enough nor one small enough to complement the space perfectly.

There is a solution in the shape and curvaceous form of the made to measure and resplendent Mayfair Coffee Table. Made from reclaimed wood, its dimensions and scale will fit your room perfectly, in width, length and height.

For extra functionality, team your farmhouse coffee table with a taller in height reclaimed wood side table.

The farmhouse style is ideal for any home, but which coffee table catches your eye?

The myths and marvels of reclaimed wood

Luxe Kensington reclaimed wood dining table with glass

Luxe Kensington reclaimed wood dining table close up sleeper

Reclaimed wood has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Here at Modish Living we supply some truly exquisite examples; we feel privileged to be working with such an exceptional material and we’re always happy to discuss the merits of reclaimed furniture.

There are a few well-held myths about reclaimed wood, and we feel it’s important to refute many of them, but first it may be useful to clarify the meaning of reclaimed wood in the furniture industry. If you’re buying a reclaimed wood dining table, for example, you’re not buying an original dining table that has simply been restored. Instead, you’re purchasing a brand new piece that’s using reclaimed wood that has then been turned into your table.

Myth number one: Furniture using reclaimed wood is more expensive

This isn’t necessarily true at all, and in fact some pieces may be cheaper. Reclaimed wood contemporary furniture can take a great deal of work, because the wood has to be de-nailed, cleaned and specially treated, so it’s not an easy process. The overall cost of many items, such as a reclaimed wood desk, may be cheaper than you would think.

Myth number two: Reclaimed wood is dirty

All our reclaimed contemporary furniture pieces are thoroughly cleaned by our craftsmen using tried and trusted techniques, and only after they have been deemed suitable does the major work begin. Reclaimed wood is often taken from old houses, so the environment may not be clean, but once the wood has been treated it is more than usable.

Myth number three: Reclaimed wood is not pretty

One look through our website will convince anyone of the sheer beauty of our reclaimed wood items, including our superb choice of living room furniture pieces. The wood that’s been used has a story to tell, and each piece has its own unique character. It may not feature the clean lines and sterile feel of brand new wood, but of course it’s not supposed to. Reclaimed wood is, in our opinion, utterly beautiful.

Myth number four: Reclaimed wood doesn’t need maintenance

Clearly this isn’t true at all. Every item of wooden furniture, including brand new wooden pieces, needs to be maintained. Wood, by its very nature, is strong, robust and can last for a lifetime and beyond, but only if it’s well looked after. Our rustic furniture will always look impressive if it’s maintained properly. If you purchase an English beam table, for example, from Modish Living you will receive information about proper care for the wood.

Myth number five: Reclaimed wood is poor quality

Our craftsmen select only top quality wood before creating heavenly pieces of furniture. Reclaimed wood is more dense than new wood because it has been allowed to grow naturally, and of course using reclaimed wood is better for the environment. It’s solid, dependable and extremely attractive.

Myth number six: Reclaimed wood makes a room look old

Reclaimed wood can be used to create many different styles, so it depends on how it is used. We supply many examples of iconic industrial furniture, for example, which use reclaimed wood to showcase modern styling. Of course, other themes such as rustic and contemporary can be created using reclaimed wood, so it’s worth remembering that it can be used to make rooms look old or new.

How to choose the TV cabinet of your dreams

We all enjoy a night in front of the TV at times, but your evening can be utterly wonderful if you choose a modern TV stand that matches your dreams. There are a number of styles to choose from, so whether you have a contemporary living room or you favourite rustic living room furniture, Modish Living have the perfect piece to add elegance to any quiet night in.

It’s important to measure the TV and other items, and perhaps to map out your project with sheets of newspaper before placing an order. Decide upon the location by placing newspapers on the floor to measure the space you have available if you would have to move around. You don’t want your sofa or footstool to be in the way when someone needs to go in front of the TV.

On the other hand, you don’t want your TV too close to your sofa, so by placing newspapers, you can simulate the location of your TV unit and how things will flow around it. Also, it will help you to determine the length and height of your TV unit, especially if you need a bespoke size for your living room.

You should also consider the need for storage space and shelving, perhaps to hold DVD players, satellite boxes and a veritable spaghetti junction of wiring. If you’re choosing a bespoke item such as the iconic Beam One Door Reclaimed Wood TV Stand, you can be flexible with size options.

Choose a size, choose a style… then choose a night in

The beautiful Beam Cube Reclaimed Wood TV Stand offers eye-catching design and a sumptuous finish. Reclaimed furniture has a style all of its own, and this is an example of solid wood furniture at its very best and full of character.

There has been a noticeable increase in the popularity of industrial furniture in recent years, in part because it allows for unique home designs that enable owners to put their own personal stamp on the design. The sublime Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood TV Cabinet is an excellent example, with its clean lines and its use of solid steel legs to complement the reclaimed wood top.

If you’re looking for a wide cabinet with unique natural design, the Derby Reclaimed Wood TV Unit could be the one for your large living room. Farmhouse furniture is always popular, and the stunning Dorset Reclaimed Wood TV Stand is a particular favourite thanks to its distressed paint finish. Alternatively, why not explore the beauty of the new Soho Reclaimed Wooden TV Cabinet instead?

There’s so much choice, so by measuring your space and deciding on a style, you can take your TV viewing experience on to a whole new level.

Kitchen Decor Ideas For Spring

Stanford Cross Leg Reclaimed Wood Extendable Dining Table with Bar Stools

With spring on the doorstep, the promise of warmth after winter and longer daylight hours are the signs we need to throw open the windows and blow the cobwebs of winter away.

The kitchen is the place the family gather, especially over the winter months where food and warmth are the basis of comfort, so having the right kitchen decor is more important than you probably think. Is it time to make a few changes?

Here’s some of our top kitchen decor ideas for Spring (and summer!) to get you started;

Farmhouse Sink

One way to add a practical element to your spring kitchen it to opt for the staple ingredient of every country farmhouse kitchen: the big, deep, ceramic sink, perfect for washing all sizes of pots and pans. Beautifully robust and chunky, it has an aesthetic appeal all its own.

Freestanding Not Fitted

Rather than opting for everything fitted in the kitchen, freestanding furniture is a great way of adding detail. Freestanding kitchen furniture suits almost any style, from the industrial to the farmhouse, country kitchen look.

Choose the style and material of a freestanding piece, like a reclaimed wood dresser to compliment your style.

Panelled Wall

Cheap and easy to fit, panelling one wall with tongue and groove panels is a quick decorative tip for transforming your kitchen into a country house styled room. Paint either a matte white or opt for a pastel or soft colour. Grey works well, as does a very light, pastel shade of pink.

Family Appeal

A kitchen, so they say, is the heart of the home and as such, you want to encourage and welcome family, as well as guests and visitors to feel comfortable – and stay a while.

And that’s why you need to invest in two staples of the farmhouse, country style look:

A large farmhouse table, simple and yet superbly stylish is the key feature. Used as both a dining platform and a worktop, the kitchen table is the central point of the kitchen.
Farmhouse chair complete the look. But if your budget is creaking at the thought of both table and chairs, updating the chairs on their own can be enough to complete the transformation of your spring kitchen.

Not Too Smooth…

And finally, we assume that the best materials are the ones that are smooth and finished, engineered to be striking and stylish. But, the stories that weathered wood can tell are amazing in any space but certainly the kitchen.

When choosing items for your kitchen, leave the modern, cut-and-dried style behind. Choose furniture and accessories that complement the space, but are not necessarily too neat. Weathered or distressed wood is a great addition, but so are scales, for example, that have been well used, or jugs for flowers that have a slightly faded pattern or the odd chip on the rim.

Your kitchen must be both practical and clean, but you also want it to be light and airy, with more than a dash of style.

And why not? Welcome spring into your kitchen with a contemporary farmhouse style.

Check our inspiration page regularly for more home and kitchen decor ideas!

Welcome Spring in Your Farmhouse Style: All You Need to Know

reclaimed wood dining table with white legs in farmhouse dining room with white kitchen dresser

The farmhouse style is an elegant and classic one, meaning that this type of interior is coveted by many. With a few farmhouse decors, it is a style that you can use throughout the home. Here, we outline what Farmhouse Style encompasses, and how to bring it into your space this Spring.

1. Open Shelving

In the kitchen especially, having items on display was essential in the busy farmhouse kitchen. Open shelving is the perfect solution. Choose similar storage jars but remember the farmhouse look is not about having everything the same. Therefore, mix different styles and sizes, but keep key elements the same such as glass storage jars and so on.

2. Reclaimed Wood Furniture

The farmhouse style relies heavily on wood as the main material for furniture. It was cheap and plentiful, unlike other materials. This is why large reclaimed wood furniture is perfect for the farmhouse style. Use a reclaimed wood trunk as a toy box-cum-coffee table or opt for the shelf ladder bookcase as the perfect addition to the lounge and living area. Use it for books and other sculptures that fit with the farmhouse theme.

3. A Farmhouse Kitchen

Farmhouse kitchens are not necessarily fully fitted with fitted cupboards. Part or all of the kitchen would be freestanding furniture like a reclaimed wood kitchen dresser. The dressers were part and parcel of the home but for most farmhouse kitchens, the best dinner service was usually white with pretty detailing around the edges of plates and serving platters. They would be stored on the open shelving of the dresser during the week, and used weekly for the large Sunday roast.

As well as shaker style cabinets – wooden fronts with same coloured wooden handles – a deep Belfast sink, with old-style miser taps is the perfect means of setting the farmhouse kitchen style.

4. The Dining Room

The dining room would often be a formal room in a farmhouse. Again, it would only be used on special occasions or on Sunday for a large family dinner. More often than not, during the working week, meals would be taken around the table that formed a central isle in the kitchen. The kitchen table itself would be both a work station and a dining table, so the typical farmhouse table would be heavy and robust. Getting the look is easy with a reclaimed wood dining table that is as imposing as it is stylish.

For the dining room, the table would be slightly daintier in its appeal, with more finesse and style.

5. Farmhouse accessories

Once you have your main pieces of farmhouse furniture in situ, you need to accessorise the space with farmhouse decor to add warmth and texture.

There is a range of farm artwork that would work well, adding a touch of the modern without detracting from the main style of the room. Carry on the outdoor/farmhouse theme with animal-themed cushions, along with plaid patterns for throws and cushions.

Farmhouses, for practical reasons, would often have hard floors, thus rugs were an essential component, especially in front of a roaring fire. Use rugs and other textiles in natural fibres to add colour, shape and form to a space.

How will you create a farmhouse style that works in your home?

5 Types Of Interior Design Styles To Implement In Your Home

Windsor Oak Farmhouse Extending Dining Table in Dining Room with blush pink dining chairs

If you are looking for inspiration to create a new look for your home, but aren’t sure which style to adopt, then you need to know about these fantastic interior design styles and ideas. In this article, we bring you the 5 types of interior design styles and how to implement these popular trends in your home.

Industrial Look

The turn-of-the-century industrial era emphasised the liberal use of steel and distressed wooden furniture, along with exposed brick walls.

This is achievable in rooms and space across your home, including distressed-wood modern beds. Create a rugged effect but soften with softly draping, but clean-lined window dressings, along with rugs and cushions.

Find out more about the Industrial Style here.

Nautical

Nautical décor is a relaxing one, with warmth and an air of positivity to it, just like a day at the sea-side. The spirit of the sea is captured in many ways, and is the perfect style for capturing the urban modern style.

Think linear patterns, think blues and creams and think nautical patterns, from birds to anchors. Reclaimed wood is also welcomed in this style and with this modern dining table set, you can welcome the sea scape into your home, throughout the space.

Scandinavian Style

There is something delightful about the clean, minimalist lines of the Scandinavian style, but without lacking the warmth and texture that so many of us look for. Scandinavian pieces that fit perfectly within this style are balance engineered with organic materials, have a playful accent on colour and think smooth, rounded edges, rather than hard, angular lines.

Farmhouse

And finally, the farmhouse style is a welcome trend in the urban modern style that so many of us covet. There is a warmth in its familiarity and is a style that is simple to replicate, easy to live with. It is truly practical and versatile.

Again, distressed wood furniture is the backbone of the style, as it is furniture that is simple to incorporate into the scheme. Think pastel colours with neutral tones on both walls and floors. Be romantic in your outlook, including accessories that are not overly fussy. And stick with natural materials as much as you can.

Mid-20^th Century Modern

The mid-1900s provided some of the most iconic furniture design. New technologies gave rise to moulded plastics, plywood and aluminium furniture all perfect for the refined lines, minimalist silhouettes and natural shapes popular in the period.

To keep your home looking fresh, mix in modern-day interior design pieces, such as bright coloured modern rugs.

In the end, all types of interior design styles are focused on making your rooms look homely. It is about adding your creative tastes and takes on styles of yesteryear – like plucking the best bits and bolstering them with modern-day textiles and furnishings to create a space that’s all your own. Choose among the types of interior design styles and make your house not only stunning but also attractive.