Category: industrial

There is no reason why your boardroom, complete with conference table, can’t be a stylish, creative space. In fact, forward-thinking companies are realising that a stylish work environment is an important consideration in productivity and employee happiness too.

There is no denying the sublime fusion of a gold finish with the opulence of velvet. And it has its place in the boardroom too.

Working with strong players and accents

Colour is an accent and a statement as too is the use of materials such as velvet. They are not easily siding lined – and they shouldn’t be – but creating a seamless, stylish fusion between the strong characters that are gold and velvet can be a tall order, even for those with a clear vision and a stylistic eye for detail.

It isn’t a case of determining which one will sing the loudest, but how to create connection and cohesion between each. Opt for items from one collection, such as the Blackbone range, whilst also attempting to keep the shade of the gold finish the same. Flecks of colour will work, opting for variations in the shade of one colour. Don’t be too light in your colour choices as the danger is it will look insipid against the dramatic backdrop of the dark furniture.

Black, gold and velvet

Using colour in any design is always welcome and for the work environment, it brings a welcome note of the change. Getting the right combination is key and if you are looking for opulence and a sense of luxury, then the fusion of black and gold is simply perfect.

And that’s why so many business clients opt for items from our Blackbone Collection, where black industrial oak marries perfectly with the gold coloured finish.

Better still, all the items are ideal for the workplace, including the boardroom as well as staff and client areas.

The extendable dining table, for example, would make a superb boardroom table with leather or velvet upholstered boardroom chairs to match. Sitting alongside it the drinks cabinet would make an ideal storage unit and a large bookcase as a display unit would be a versatile addition to the meeting room too. You could even throw in a velvet armchair or two if you have the space.

Work and social space

Many more business clients are creating social spaces within the workplace. How we work has changed beyond all recognition and that means the workplace is no longer row upon row of desks or cubicles that isolate colleagues from one another.

Creating breakout areas or social areas is defined by what is used. Just as you would create a welcoming, comfortable informal space at home, you would do the same at work.

Build from the floor upwards, opting for a gold rug that brings a warm, happy tone to the space. For a neutral base, consider using a grey rug to allow the metallic gold finish of the items to glow and shimmer.

Against the backdrop of the dark drama of the Blackbone Collection, lighter shades can look too insignificant. Thus adding yet more colour with earthier shades on the colour spectrum if a failsafe way of combining and contrasting colours.

The terracotta orange shade of the Chestey velvet sofa is fast-becoming one of our most coveted sofas. For the home, it adds depth. For the workplace, it adds comfort and style too.

Is this a landscape you could see working in your boardroom?

Considering the magnitude of some of the decisions taken around the conference table, it is no wonder that as a business, you need to pay attention to the styling and comfort of the boardroom. Just how do you create both a stylish and comfortable space, that is functional and practical?

The size of the boardroom table and seating

First, you need to determine the size of the meeting table that suits your needs. Clearly, it needs to be big enough to seat the number of people who will regularly gather around its perimeter. However, you may be limited by the dimensions of the room and you will also need other boardroom furniture too.

Seating around the table

You will need enough space for people to sit comfortably around the conference table. The rule of thumb is to allow 3 feet or around one metre of clearance between the back of the boardroom chairs when someone is seated on them to the nearest wall or object.

In other words, you need a pathway measuring 3 feet in width around the industrial table, allowing for ease of access and movement around the room. Clearly, placing a large sideboard could eat into this minimum corridor space so you will need to consider carefully where you place additional meeting room furniture such as the small display cabinet, console table and so on.

There is also a suggestion that at each short end of the boardroom tables, a clearance of 4 feet is left. As well as being practical, this also contributes to the setting of the boardroom.

TIP – with these dimensions in mind, mark out the minimum clearance ‘corridor’ around the edge of the room. You can now calculate the maximum dimensions of the table and boardroom chairs you opt for. This will also help in deciding the best shape of boardroom table too. The options include oval, round and rectangular.

What else is needed in the boardroom?

If you use the room regularly for internal and client meetings, there will be items you need on hand thus stylish furniture is a must, whether you choose reclaimed wood furniture or something different.

Reclaimed wood furniture is suitable for both domestic and business use, adding both style and versatile storage option for the boardroom.

Why not consider…?

• A small display cabinet or unit for awards or displaying products, as well as stylish accessories?

• Keeping technology and IT equipment stored for safe use in a sideboard? Opt for a large sideboard as a cupboard or one that has a combination of cupboard and drawer space. A sideboard is also ideal for stationery items too.

• A board room trolley or a slimline console table? Both are perfect as a refreshment station for teas, coffees and food too, great for meetings that last for some time.

Extra Chairs

As well as these extra items, you will also need to consider extra board room seating too. For many businesses, the realisation of the importance of workplace design means that a cohesive style is important. When you invest in boardroom chairs for around the table, consider opting for a few extra chairs too.

Is there anyone who has not known the shortcomings of an office chair? It is an integral part of the home office furniture set up and yet, we spend little time considering what we really need from a home office chair. Guided by price, we choose one that looks the part and yet, spend more than a few minutes sitting in it, and the lower back starts to grumble and we start to feel the first few aches of discomfort.

The truth is you can have a stylish office chair that offers support and comfort.

Height

An adjustable office chair is simply essential. Sitting at your home office desk at the right height stops you hunching your shoulders or placing an uncomfortable strain on your lower back.

The need for an adjustable home office chair is needed because we are all different in terms of our height, as well as finding the right position that is comfortable for us.

Adjustable and on castors for easy maneuverability, it is no wonder the Standford Grey Faux Leather Office Chair is one of our most popular in terms of sales.

Depth

How do you prefer to work – perched on the edge of your seat or sitting back into the depths of a chair? Again, it is about comfort but also supporting your skeleton as you work.

As well as standing and stretching from time to time, a deep seat to an office chair is critical for some people who perfect different tasks at the home office desk.

Material

In terms of style, the material is important but it is also important in terms of longevity. Once you’ve found your perfect office chair, it’s hard to let go.

There are options when it comes to the office chair, from the upholstered swivel office chair to the beauty and robustness of leather. And then there is faux leather, a synthetic equivalent of the real thing that offers even more robustness and longevity.

A leather office chair brings a style statement, as well as being perfect for those of us who buy once and enjoy for a lifetime.

 

It is predicted that by 2020, half of the UK workforce will spend some or all of the working week working from home, according to smallbusiness.co.uk. And that means more of us will be looking to create and decorate a practical and stylish home office with home office furniture. Just how do you achieve this?

Choosing a home office style

Just like the rest of your home, you want your home office to be stylish and practical. The industrial bespoke furniture style is a pleasing one, perfect for every room in the home, including functional spaces such as the home office.

Reclaimed wood furniture offers clean lines and practicality as well as warmth and a feeling of creating a room that is unique to you. The industrial home office is ideal and with a huge array of industrial furniture to choose from, creating the home office is a cinch.

The home office desk and chair

The desk is often the most important piece in the office and needs to fit with your needs. The home office desk doesn’t have to be huge with a foldaway design being perfect for the smaller home office – without compromising on style nor practical use.

You can, of course, always opt for a custom-sized industrial reclaimed wood desk, with a beautiful reclaimed wood top.

Maintain the industrial style with a leather office chair, opting for an adjustable and moveable chair to support you as you work and move around your home office.

Home office storage

We may work in a very different way today than we did years ago – there are far less paper and filing, for example in the modern office – but that doesn’t mean the home office doesn’t need storage. What it does mean is that storage needs are different.

The key to successful storage is accessibility. The easier and quicker we can retrieve an item and put it back again is the key to a tidy, functional home office.

With the home office desk and leather office chair in situ, you can begin the process of the furnishing the rest of the room.

Our top tips for furnishing a home office would include;

• Mixing shelving and cupboard space with an industrial display unit that offers both. A bookcase with doors is a fantastic investment.

• If you want less of an ‘office’ appearance, opt for more cupboards, such as a sideboard, that will hide away work paraphernalia. Soften the edges with a few well-chosen accessories.

• Ditch filing cabinets and other typical office furniture, choosing items that you would see in other areas of the home. The hallway console table, for example, makes a practical addition as a narrow desk.

Get colour-wise

Colour is important in any room but for the industrial home office, it plays a crucial part in adding both warmth and light.

Opting for lighter shades on the walls and ceilings will open up the room, with darker colours adding drama but pulling the walls in.

Keep the walls white or a very light shade of blue, cream or beige but add pings of colour with other items. A rug with pops of colour such as a yellow and grey rug will lift the room instantly or choose a darker colour that fits within the industrial style.

And finally, don’t forget to adorn the walls with your favourite artwork and choices. And don’t forget, a beautiful wall mirror would be ideal for bouncing around the light as well as being a statement piece.