office Archives - Page 7 of 9

Amazing items that will make you love your work space

Louis De Poortere Spring Leaves Green Rug

Potentially, you could spend hours in your home office, perfecting your product or service. Yes, it needs to be ergonomically designed but it also needs to be a joy to use. And this is where your sense of style comes in to play. And so, we put our heads together and came up with these fun styling ideas…

Squeeze it in

If your home office doesn’t have to be gargantuan, then you are probably comfortable working in the main part of your home, whether that is a desk in the corner of the living room or a space ‘under-the-stairs’. Either way, using furniture that matches presents a coherent look to the eye and stop your home office standing out as the focal point in the room. Add a comfy chair and plenty of hideaway storage space and you have a delightful space from which to work.

Add hints of luxury

Luxury is a hard word to define because what is luxurious to one person is fuss and clutter to another. There is, however, no denying that texture holds the key to luxury.

Take the grey sheepskin rug for example, with its soft, feather-like feel to it. Beautifully tactile, the sheepskin rug can be used as a rug to keep your feet warm or, in the winter, add it to your desk chair as an extra layer of warmth around your back.

Theme it

If you have a separate space – do you look with envy at home office pods and cabins in the garden? – you can use the décor on the walls to create a space that is both restful but stimulating too.

From clean lines to pastel shades, there are all kinds of themes and styles you can opt for. In recent months, there has been a penchant for softer wall shades, with brass accessories and all things glitter. Frankly, there is nothing wrong with this look unless, of course, you don’t like it.

And so, the moral of this story is, create the theme and the décor that you like. But as a means of inspiration, may we suggest beautifully patterned rugs with a versatile sideboard masquerading as office cabinets?

And don’t forget to liven up the walls with artwork!

The desk and the chair

The title of your next novel perhaps, but in all honesty, we do need to consider the two most important aspects of the home office: the desk at the right height, shape and length, partnered with a comfy, supportive office chair.

Our Oldman range – wooden desk with metal legwork – is back with a bang. These are completely customisable from coloured legs to the right size desktop for your home office.

Create something fabulous that works for YOU

It is your home office. Your space where you create and grow your business. It can be as clean, simple and minimal as you like, or full of colour, passion and ample storage. And yes, if you want the flower-patterned paper clips, you can have them too…

Creative tips that will make your office space amazing

If you work from home, a production office space is the best way to provide motivation. But often home office furniture can be far more functional than inspiring. To bring your home office to life, here are a few of our creative tips to make your office space amazing.

The view

A home office really centres around the desk. So make sure it is the perfect spot to maximise productivity.

If you have a pretty view out your window, make the most of it by pushing your desk up against the window. A large window brings in loads of light and will keep you feeling awake all day (even on the gloomiest winter days) and means you can occasionally glance out of the window. Who knows – perhaps you might find your most creative ideas come when watching the birds in your garden! The smallest offices are best suited to the desk being against the wall, creating space to move and ensuring the room doesn’t feel cluttered.

If you have a larger space, you may wish to have a floating desk at the centre of the room. This creates a really sophisticated feel and paired with a stylish desk chair and a large rug underneath the desk creates a plush-feeling office you’ll enjoy spending time in. This is also a fantastic option if you ever need to hold meetings at home with space for colleagues to sit at the other side of your desk so you can talk face-to-face.

The furniture

Start with your desk and chair – if you are going to be sat at a desk all day, it is crucial that you create a comfortable spot to do so! The Oldman desks are perfect if you are looking for a rustic style with a contemporary twist. Not only would it make a beautiful home office desk (whether it’s against a wall or positioned as a floating desk), it can be made to order to fit your room perfectly. Alternatively, the Carter Rustic Desk provides a stylish finish and lots of storage to keep all your office essentials on hand.

Then comes seating. A leather office chair is great for the perfect compromise between comfort and style. If you have your heart set on a chair that spins, the Parker Chair is fantastic. Alternatively, the simple style of the Hudson Living Capri Chair is great for the smallest of spaces, as without arms, it is not at all bulky!

Plenty of chic seating will have your office feeling more fun, and will also be infinitely more practical. An armchair or two make a great addition to any home office – and with plenty of upholstered options on offer, fabric armchairs are a great way to easily inject a vibrant pop of colour and interesting texture too. These wool armchairs are simply stunning – and with light wooden legs, they’ll work perfectly with any other Scandinavian designs.

The home office is prone to clutter so plenty of storage space is a must. But storage solutions don’t need to be boring – try and display your office supplies in a creative, colourful way to add a hint of colour to an otherwise simple space. A large display unit like this one is large enough for you to keep everything in one place and will save you feeling the need to constantly tidy up!

The colours

If you want to create a calming home environment, light colours and neutrals are the way to go. An all-white room is perfect for minimising distractions. However, a simple colour-scheme may not be particularly inspiring.

Perhaps add a bit of personality with a feature colour throughout the room, or add in some accessories. For a sleek, glam feel, gold or chrome details work wonders. A frame with a gold mirror or a huge chrome clock on the wall look fantastic and will add something to your space (a mirror will also reflect the light around the room, making any space feel much bigger).

Have you been inspired to give a new lease of life to your home office?

Modish Living celebrates the end of the year

Beam Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Chairs

Well, would you believe it? 2017 is almost behind us and what a year it’s been. As we take a look back on the last 12 months, it seems only right that we reminisce over the beginnings of what is now a thriving business, and how we’ve grown over time.

From humble beginnings…

It was actually only a little less than 5 short years ago that Modish was formed. Husband Chris and wife Hellen Barlow’s dream of a business offering stunning yet sustainable pieces that would look fabulous in every home came to fruition from the combination of Hellen’s extensive e-commerce experience with Chris’ logistics and operational background.

Both Hellen and Chris, have a deep love for all that is sustainable, particularly reclaimed wood furniture, and through extensive work with some of the finest British craftsmen in the country, Modish’s collection of industrial inspired pieces, along with those that nod to Scandinavian design techniques offer something special to every room in the home, from the reclaimed wood desk to the most stunning dining tables. This is something that has seen Modish become quite a name in interiors, and as such, business has steadily grown.

To expansion

While it was Hellen who began Modish, working tirelessly to bring a business that took sustainability seriously to the market, the addition of Chris to the business has helped to allow Modish to offer the service most of our clients know us for today. Smooth delivery and a wide stock range has been made possible by Chris’ focus on building sustainable partnerships with businesses across the country and overseas. The husband and wife team and their dogs Lily and Macy run Modish from a 1000 foot Sussex Coast Barn, which also acts as a studio for some of the most beautiful pieces in the collection.

The addition of Charlotte, an editor with a passion for research and perfectionist nature, and Christa, who works relentlessly on social media to grow our brand, only served to build Modish a content driven base online that would lead to further growth. It is obviously working, as Modish has had an influx of new staff even over the past 12 months. Edwina, who manages online marketing with aplomb, Jo, an editor whose work you will see on many of our blogs, and Fiona, who has the busy task of dealing with both customer support and finance joined the team over the last year and have brought fresh ideas and talent to the company. Through this expansion of the team, our customers have always been our main focus, and as living proof of this, we have recently taken on mum of two and customer service extraordinaire Nina to allow Fiona some much needed assistance!

To you….

Of course, it isn’t just our team that we have invested in to help Modish Living thrive. Our studio, recently re-opened with a new office space is now more spacious and has enjoyed a revival with new décor and new items, including the first tan leather sofa (The Bretby sofa in crystal tan leather if you’re wondering!). If you’re in the area, we’d love to show you around! On top of this, we’ve sourced some beautiful new collections, such as the Barclay, and Aviator collections and our foray into bespoke furniture hand made for the office has been extremely well-received, with bespoke desks from Oldman and our range of boardroom tables.

Of course, we couldn’t do all we do without you. We’re proud to have raised our social profile, and our sales considerably this year, and we couldn’t have done it without your input and likes, comments and shares.

We look forward to what 2018 brings, and will continue to source, supply and inspire you with all the latest trends in sustainable furniture and interior design! Cheers!

Comic Christmas jumpers are a must for Christmas Jumper day

There is no denying that the festive season can bring out the ‘bah-humbug’ in us.

We may love the twinkling fairy lights but only once we have wrestled them free of their many tangles.

We love the real Christmas tree but hate vacuuming the dropped needles.

We love seeing family and friends – but it is an effort when all you want to do is curl up with a good book.

And this is why the modern tradition of Ugly Christmas Jumper Day is such a sweet invention.

Handmade Gifts

Many people still hand-make gifts for family and friends which is, of course, nothing new. As children, you were probably bribed to wear the itchy hand knitted jumper that Grandma or someone else had knitted. Once Christmas day had passed, the jumper was banished, never to be seen again, along with the horrendous knitted bed socks…

But it has made a comeback and when it comes to festivities at your workplace, there is nothing better than Ugly Christmas Jumper Day.

Better still, when you wear your Christmas jumper to work on 15^th December 2017, ugly or otherwise, you can add a few pounds to the charity box, knowing that you, along with your esteemed colleagues, are supporting Save the Children in their important work.

Comic, ugly or overly ‘busy’ Christmas jumpers are a must, perfect for showing the lighter side of your work colleagues sitting around at boardroom tables. And it is not just small business getting involved, but large businesses too.

Recycling: The Parent of Ugly Sweater Fever

No one seems to know why, why, where, when or how the current craze for ugly Christmas sweaters began. A book on the subject noted that there was an upswing from 2001 onwards. Although it can’t be confidentially attributed to the movement of recycling and upcycling, the early examples of ugly Christmas jumpers were charity shop finds.

And this is how it continued for many years until major retailers spotting a demand issue in the market, started to create their own versions of ugly Christmas jumpers, which is why you’ll see them at almost every desk and chair in the office these days.

What Makes an Ugly Christmas Jumper?

What is stylish to one person, will be atrocious to another. So, what makes Millie sat at her corner office desk love the flashing nose of Rudolph on her Christmas jumper, but detest the Santa festooned jumper of Robert, sat at his bespoke wooden desk?

Frankly, anything goes and the bigger, bolder, brasher and more colourful, the better. And there is no doubt that the best ugly Christmas jumpers are those with 3D adornments, flashing lights and an abundance of bright, festive colours. From magenta pink to glow of gold accessories, the more the jumper has on it, the better.

Not Just Humans, But Dogs Too!

The other aspect that has started to emerge to this trend is the penchant of dog owners to dress up their pooches. Why should Fido miss out on the festive season? There are all kinds of superb Christmas dog jumpers, jackets and hats that make taking your dog to work so much more exciting.

Fashion faux pas or otherwise, the ugly Christmas jumper is a fun way of raising money for a worthwhile charity – or donate to another of your choice – and kicking back and having ‘silly’ fun with your work colleagues.

It’s Christmas Jumper Day and we’ll celebrate it with our furry friends

Christmas jumpers are no longer just for those who love to inject a bit of cheesy Christmas spirit into Christmas day, the office Christmas party or dinner parties with friends. Now, they are also a way to raise money for charity. This year, the annual Christmas Jumper Day will take place on Friday 15th December – so why not get involved?!

What is Christmas Jumper Day?

Every December, people are encouraged to pop on a fun Christmas jumper and donating money to Save the Children to ‘make the world better with a sweater’!

The Christmas Jumper Day campaign started back in 2012 and its popularity been snowballing ever since with children and adults up and down the country getting involved.

There are no rules when it comes to the Christmas jumper, but the more Christmassy the better – brightly coloured jumpers with elves, Father Christmas, snowmen, Christmas trees or even jumpers with lights on them are all perfect!

How are we getting involved?

At Modish Living, on Friday we will have our gorgeous office dogs dressed for Christmas and will be celebrating the day in our office with our furry friends!

Oscar, one of our team’s dogs, has already been getting in the Christmas sprit wearing his santa hat!

How can you get involved?

First of all, spread the word! Christmas Jumper Day is for a great cause so as many people that can get involved the better. Why not see whether you persuade everyone in your office to put their Christmas jumpers on for the day? Perhaps your children’s school are taking part?

And why not go all out and add some Christmas decorations to the office too! It certainly doesn’t hurt to add a bit of festive spirit to your reclaimed wood desk.

Secondly, why not get your pets involved? Pets are part of the family and for most families, are probably involved in celebrating Christmas with you. If you normally buy them a Christmas gift, why not a mini Christmas jumper, reindeer antlers, or a Santa hat like Oscar?

In terms of pet-friendly Christmas decor, if your pet doesn’t want to play with all the decorations on the Christmas tree, popping a sheepskin rug underneath the tree will give them a cosy place to relax. Alternatively, you could pop it on a high back armchair (provided you’ve got enough seats for everyone else).

Less traditional ways of decor is also a great way to make it pet-friendly. A wooden ladder can almost be turned into a Christmas tree if you wrap around fairy lights, or perhaps tinsel and add a handful of sparkly baubles.

Will you be getting involved with Christmas Jumper Day this year? We’d love to see photos if you do!

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.

Why a sheepskin is the best winter warmer

With the cold months of winter only a few weeks away, our thoughts turn to making our homes warm and cosy. The sheepskin rug is the ideal addition but it isn’t just for keeping your toes toasty warm.

On the dining bench

The family dining table is an important piece of furniture. On cold winter evenings, it will be the place you gather to discuss the day that has been. There will be times when you have guests too and by placing a large sheepskin rug on the dining bench – or smaller rugs on the dining chairs – and you will instantly feel warmer.

IN the bedroom

If there is one place you will no doubt retreat to when the gales are howling outside the door and winter rain lashing at the window, it will be the cost sanctuary that is your bedroom. Imagine getting in and out of bed, with the delight of a sheepskin rug and its deep, fluffy pile tickling your toes?

ON the bed

There are nights when you need an extra layer of warmth in your Scandinavian bedroom, and the sheepskin is an ideal solution. As a natural material, complete with its hide as backing, wool and sheepskin is one of the best materials with insulation and cooling properties, making it an ideal material for all kinds of products for use all year round. The sheepskin, lightly laying across your feet on the bed will banish any chills. And it looks stunning in the bedroom too!

ON the office chair

Chills and draughts can reach you, no matter where you are, even if your home is well-insulated. We love the idea of spending the day, hard at work in the home office with a sheepskin on the chair to keep your legs and lower back delightfully warm. The additional soft layer also helps you take a comfortable seat too, ideal if you plan on being at your desk for long periods.

For the dog or the cat…

We all know how much Fido and Tiddles enjoy curling up in the warmth of the home when the worst of the winter weather is battering at the door. You may think that this is the height of decadence – a sheep pile sheepskin in front of the fire by the rattan basket log holders just for the cat and the dog – but there is a method in the madness. Again, it is the natural material of sheepskin that is ideal for the dog and cat, ensuring that they are not irritated by the ‘ingredients’ in some synthetic rugs and beds.

A stylish accessory

The sheepskin is, without a doubt, one of the most stylish accessories for a winter living room too, alongside the majesty of an ornamental stag head. Add statuesque tall candle holders to the mantelpiece so that you have the romance of flickering candles and you have really set a cosy scene for a winter’s evening.

Adding warmth to a room means adding texture, as much as it is about adding colour, and the sheepskin, no matter what colour or size you choose, it simply perfect.

What are the benefits of choosing a rug

Living Room Styled With Louis de Poortere Vintage Patchwork Rug

Whilst hard wooden or tiled floors are beautiful to look at and have many benefits of their own, sometimes, a carpet or rug underfoot feels like a luxurious accessory. In the colder months, it feels so much nicer to step into a thick, warm material instead of a chilly floorboard. For those who are keen to keep some of their hard flooring visible and prefer not to choose a permanent solution to their chilly toes, a rug provides the perfect solution.

Rugs help to reduce dust

Rugs absorb and retain more dust than hard surfaces, meaning a reduction of visible dust in your home. Living room rugs, and indeed rugs for any room in the home, are easy to clean and a once a week vacuum should rid your rug of any dust accumulation. Most are tolerant of damp cloths and cleaning products should a spillage occur. The moveable nature of a rug means that it can be taken outside and shaken or beaten for a deeper clean.

Rugs are great for playing

If you have ever spent time on a hard floor playing with children you will know all too well the benefits of a rug. A cosy surface in a child’s bedroom is such a lovely addition both for them and for you. A wool rug like our Agnetha grey twist feels indulgent, is soft to touch and great for playing. Made from 100% New Zealand wool, these wool rugs have the additional benefit of being easy to maintain – a must where children are involved!

Rugs enhance acoustics

Soft furnishings absorb sounds and rugs are no exception. Resonance is reduced in an area with a rug and the bigger the rug, the greater the impact. This makes for a calmer, softer ambience and can be easily achieved by placing a rug underneath a dining room table or coffee table. A big Louis De Poortere rug is a perfect solution here. Available in a range of colours and patterns inspired by the Far East, this gorgeously eclectic collection is easy to blend into a range of interiors. Made from pure wool and cotton chenille, it feels beautiful as well as looking great.

Rugs are comfortable

The bottom line is that a great quality rug feels luxurious underfoot and is a pleasure to walk on. Rugs are naturally warm and a lovely treat for your bare feet on a winter’s morning. Next to the bed is particularly indulgent. How about a large sheepskin rug like our luxury double white sheepskin which is naturally warm with a deep and fluffy feel as well as offering a touch of style and glamour to your room. Our reindeer rugs from Finland are also truly luxurious offering thick, sumptuous warmth as well as being individual and unique.

With so much to choose from, we can help you find a beautiful rug that is perfect for your home. Whether traditional rugs, contemporary rugs, simple or patterned rugs, you can be sure it will be a treat for your feet.

Creative ways to keep your desk tidy

Clear desk, clear mind. Whether you work in an office or at home, an untidy working area is never helpful when it comes to productivity. If you struggle to keep on top of mess and let coffee cups and paperwork pile up, try and come up with creative solutions to get organised.

The first step is of course finding the perfect wooden desk to work at and working out how to best utilise this. For example, if you have a simple reclaimed wood desk with no drawer space, try and split the desk with a computer stand. This gives you a handy bit of extra space for storing small items that create the look of clutter as well as more space for spreading out or writing.

If you struggle for floor space, a small office desk is a must, however that leaves little room to get organised. If this is the case, try and get the bulky desk essentials off your desk and put them elsewhere in the room.

A wooden blanket box is a great idea for stacking up box files, lever arch files and even textbooks keeping your room clutter free, and looking stylish all at once. Of course, a desk with drawer or cupboard space will serve a similar purpose – it really comes down to how much you need to store in your home office.

If you are blessed with slightly more space, reclaimed wood shelves or storage units are a great investment. Use the shelves to put labels on files and separate out books and files for a cleaner finish. You could even colour order if you want to add an organised pop of colour that may inspire a bright new idea.

Alternatively, for a slightly less corporate look, you could turn one corner of your room into a more relaxed space with a comfortable armchair and a reclaimed wood coffee table. Again, this allows you to remove some of the clutter off your desk and spread it across another surface. A coffee table with drawers will add further space for tucking away unsightly items for that tidy and efficient office you’ve been dreaming of.

Beyond items of furniture, invest in smaller items like serveware to eliminate clutter and ensure everything has its rightful spot. For example, use dip bowls for storing office essentials like paper clips and extra staples. You could even use baguette bowls for storing pens and rulers.

When it comes to holders such as these, try and keep the number of items on the desk to a minimum. If you have a lot of stationary, prioritise and put the items you use less frequently in places where they are easily accessible but don’t take over the entire desk.

To get the dream reclaimed wood desk have a look at our bespoke Oldman desks and for more inspiration have a look at our office themed blogs.