Category: reclaimed
Style tips to transform your coffee table
A coffee table is definitely a living room staple! But, it can be so much more than just a place to put the TV remotes and cups of coffee down on. Here we have put together a few ideas to create a perfect centrepiece for your living room.
First decide if your coffee table really matches the style of your room – a chunky sofa with a small elegant coffee table may not be the best combination for your room. Your coffee table should be in proportion with other furniture pieces. If you are going to splash out on a new coffee table try to get the proportions right.
To make the coffee table appear as though it takes up less room you can opt for a round wood coffee table. If you have a long sofa with two chairs opposite them you should choose a rectangular one. If you have a large room then a square coffee table will work with the room best. If you don’t have room for a coffee table then you can choose side tables or a nest of tables, giving your more free space when they are not in use.
Once you have decided what shape and size coffee table would work best in your room you can home-in on the style. A rustic coffee table is perfect for a traditional style farmhouse whereas an industrial coffee table would look as perfect in a loft-style room as it would in a suburban home – to bring in a stylish industrial element. A reclaimed wood coffee table is a beautiful and versatile piece of furniture and will look great in your room whether you have other pieces of reclaimed wood furniture in it or not.
Now let’s have a look at how to make the most of your coffee table and turn it into a stylish centrepiece.
Make it about you – You can add plenty of personal touches to your coffee table if you like to read books display some of your favourites on it, if you and your family enjoy games then have a chess board on it, if flower arranging is your thing then display a vase of flowers.
Less is more – Don’t overload your coffee table, a couple of things on top are all you need to add. If your coffee table has a shelf below don’t be tempted to fill it with books, magazines and other bits and bobs, if you need storage space in your living room add baskets on the shelf to keep things hidden or consider a trunk coffee table or a coffee table with drawers.
Style tips – Use the 4 step guide – 1, place something tall on your table, 2, something quirky, 3, something living like a house plant or flowers and 4, some books. Try to choose different height items, different colours and shapes to keep it looking original and interesting.
Use a tray to keep it looking ordered – If you do have a few little personal things you like to keep close at hand like TV remotes, glasses, a pen, drinks coasters etc. then put them on a tray on your coffee table – this will help consolidate these smaller things into one larger item helping it look less cluttered.
Is reclaimed wood cheaper than new?
As with anything we consider buying, a bit of background knowledge goes a long way, here we will look at if reclaimed wood furniture is cheaper than furniture produced from new wood.
The answer to this is no – but also yes!! There are several factors that you should take into account when considering what to purchase.
Reclaimed wood is wood that is being reused after the end of its first life as part of a building, ship, barn or factory etc. As the structure is demolished any reusable timbers are collected and sold on to craftsmen and salvage yards. One of the main benefits here is saving perfectly good useable wood rather than it just being disposed of in landfill.
The wood used to craft reclaimed furniture, whether that’s a reclaimed wood coffee table or rustic bed made from reclaimed timber will have been assessed by the craftsmen before they use it to ensure it is completely fit for its new purpose. So there is a bit of a process it has to go through before it actually starts to be reused. Having said that the same is true of new wood, the trees are felled, transported, debarked and cut into planks to get them to the ready to start working with, but this uses more energy and resources and will have more of an environmental impact.
Reclaimed wood is generally stronger and more durable than new wood as it is already decades old and has passed the test of time – it will most likely also be more climate resistant than new wood. The trees that were originally cut down, decades ago, were likely to be mature trees – rather than new trees grown as quickly as possible for mass furniture production.
Reclaimed wood is more aesthetic – craftsmen working with reclaimed planks will know how to make the most of any features the wood may have and celebrate them! Little dents, cracks and knots are what you want to see in your industrial dining table – these add character, history and uniqueness to your furniture. Rustic furniture, in particular, made from reclaimed wood is absolutely stunning.
Another thing to factor in is the fact that reclaimed wood can be repaired more easily – so a reclaimed wood table in a family home is a great choice. Furniture technicians are be able to repair and make good any damage to a reclaimed wood dining table than a new one.
In summary, there are many pros to purchasing reclaimed furniture which do justify the slightly higher price tag. So although the initial outlay may seem a little more – you will have a product that has many more benefits in the long run
- Using reclaimed wood helps the environment
- The furniture has more character
- Reclaimed wood is more easily repairable
- Most furniture is handmade and finished giving it an individual touch
- Reclaimed wood furniture is more likely to last longer than some new wood furniture
How to do pattern with Prestigious Textiles
Marie Parry, Head of Design for Prestigious Textiles on working with pattern
Introducing pattern into your home is a wonderful way of adding a sense of your own personality and style. From a statement feature wall to adding beautiful upholstery and fabrics, pattern can breathe new life into any room. But, where to start and how to make it work? It can be daunting incorporating patterns into the home, so we spoke with Marie Parry, Head of Design for Prestigious Textiles to ask her advice of how to bring your rustic furniture to life with pattern and colour….
What are the basic principles to follow when adding pattern?
The basic principle I recommend following when adding pattern is combining one or two statement prints with smaller or more simple complementary designs. You can then break up the pattern with coordinating plain fabrics to add blocks of colour to the space.
How do you avoid pattern overload and for it to look too busy or cluttered?
There is no need to be scared of a pattern overload! As long as the patterns complement each other and share the same focal colour or theme, then your scheme will flow effortlessly. Be brave and go for it! Maximalism is a big trend this year, so more is more.
What type of patterns go well with rustic furniture and reclaimed wood furniture?
I would recommend our Inca Trial collection, inspired by the recent Global Traveller trend. The textured weaves and rustic Aztec-style patterns pair extremely well with reclaimed wooden furniture. The fabrics embrace both a warm and neutral colour palette, making them the perfect choice for complementing natural wooden tones.
Can you add more than one pattern to a space?
With maximalism being a key interior trend for 2021, there has never been a better time to use more pattern in a space. Rather than having only one statement curtain or feature wall, combine patterns that have similar colours and themes to create a bold room. The fabrics and wallpapers from our Caribbean collection work together effectively and stylishly to combine patterned upholstery, statement wallpaper and large-scale curtains.
How would you add pattern to a dining room featuring a large, reclaimed wood dining table?
There are many ways to add both pattern and colour into a dining space. Start by injecting colour and pattern to a table decor with a fabric table runner. The Aesop tree embroidery from our Journal collection is perfect for creating a focal point in any dining area.
Another way to add to a table setting is with cushions or upholstery. We have used cushions in fabrics from our Kyoto collection to add texture to a reclaimed wood table and industrial style wooden dining bench, helping to add both warmth and comfort into a dining space. For a bolder statement, a printed velvet such as Hidden Paradise from our Journey Beyond collection would look amazing against the reclaimed wood.
Can you add pattern to a small space and how?
You can definitely still fill a smaller space with pattern. For this, I would recommend smaller designs balanced with plain fabrics to ensure you don’t make the space appear smaller. Our Penthouse fabric collection is full of small-scale designs in neutral tones that will help create a serene smaller space that has personality too!
Founded in 1988, British based Prestigious Textiles is well-known for its original and high-quality fabrics and wallpapers. From modern prints to embroidered silks, its exquisite collections offer fresh design concepts in pattern and colour.
Are reclaimed wood tables good?
We are often asked questions about reclaimed furniture and in particular if it is good for dining tables ….In answer to this question, we think reclaimed wood is absolutely perfect for dining tables – read on to understand why, together with some answers to other questions we often get asked about reclaimed wood furniture.
What is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood, repurposed or salvaged wood is basically wood that has been used previously – whether that be as part of an old building that is now being demolished, old railway sleepers, doors or even boats that are no longer seaworthy. Once the building is dismantled, the timbers are sorted and only the best quality wood qualify to be re-crated into beautiful and unique pieces of furniture.
Is reclaimed wood easy to maintain?
Scuffs, marks, scars and blemishes which were picked up in its previous life are all part of what forms the character of reclaimed wood this makes it perfect for everyday family use. Little scratches and dents will simply blend in, you can help this along with waxing your furniture relatively regularly. To be honest, waxing once a month or every other month is all you really need to do to keep up the rich lustre of the wood. Apart from that it is just the same commonsense stuff as other wood furniture – use mats under glasses and plates, wipe up spillages as soon as possible, lift rather than drag furniture etc. Full care guides for all our reclaimed wood furniture can easily be found on our website or read our blog How to Treat Marks on Reclaimed Wood Furniture.
What qualities does a reclaimed wood table have over new dining tables?
Imagine walking into a cosy farmhouse kitchen with a large dining table set ready for a hearty family meal – it’s welcoming and comforting, right? Reclaimed wood is older, it has an extra warmth and depth to it which will add to the ambiance of the room, something new wood simply can’t replicate.
Is reclaimed wood strong?
Absolutely! Reclaimed wood has already aged during its first life and is stronger than ever. Only quality salvageable timbers are used to craft furniture – meaning the furniture which is created will be long-lasting and sturdy. Reclaimed wood furniture and reclaimed wood dining tables are considered to be investment furniture that will stand the test of time.
Is reclaimed wood furniture only for older traditional-style rooms?
Not at all – it will actually fit in with most interior styles and is no longer associated with just the classic farmhouse dining table: It can be modern and glamorous, as is the case with the Knightsbridge reclaimed oak dining table, a beautiful solid oak tabletop sits on a stylish slim silver frame which will bring industrial elegance to any dining room. Alternatively, it can be homely, cosy and comforting, what group of family and friends would not want to gather around a rustic wooden dining table like the Chelwood for an evening of good food and conversation? If minimal industrial furniture is more for you then the Standford range ticks all the right boxes. The reclaimed wood adds warmth and texture, whilst the black steel frames brings an industrial edge.
Why is reclaimed wood better?
In this blog we will look at the benefits of choosing reclaimed wood over new wood the next time you purchase some furniture for your home.
Firstly and most importantly it’s the eco-friendly thing to do. Choosing to buy furniture produced from reclaimed wood saves new trees being cut down – but just as important, it saves wood going to landfill or being burnt when it is perfectly good enough to be reused. As long as there are old buildings and boats being dismantled, here in the UK and overseas, and railway tracks or scaffolding boards being replaced there will be a good supply of wood ready to enjoy a new lease of life.
Wood hardens and strengthens with age which makes reclaimed wood more durable than new wood – this ensures your reclaimed furniture pieces are robust and sturdy – perfect for the family home.
One of the key features of reclaimed wood furniture is that it fits in beautifully with either a modern or rustic look. Reclaimed wood can be mixed with a bit of shiny bling…. as it is in the case of the highly stylish Kensington industrial range. The wood used to create the Kensington range is salvaged railway sleepers that are processed and then teamed with a striking silver framework. The end product is just perfect for a high-end dinner party in a swanky city centre apartment. The Kensington dining table can be purchased with an optional glass top which allows the beautiful wood to be seen, while also making it completely practical for family day-to-day use.
If you are looking for a rustic dining table for a traditional or modern farmhouse kitchen then one of the Colette tables could be for you – they’re just gorgeous!
The Standford Industrial range uses reclaimed wood, this time from old buildings being demolished, this is a more rustic and raw range and is perfect for any home wanting to bring in a little industrial style. Take a look at the beauty of the wood used to create the Standford industrial coffee table, pair this up with the reclaimed wood sideboard from the range and you have two very stylish pieces of furniture for your living room.
Every piece of furniture crafted from reclaimed wood is one of a kind – yes, you are buying a piece of furniture with a bit of history and its own individual fingerprint when you choose reclaimed. Undulations, old nail holes, blemishes and small knocks and dents in the wood are beautiful features of reclaimed wood and should be celebrated! These little bits of character are all there to give your piece of furniture its individuality and uniqueness! This also means any new little scratches or dents from day-to-day family use will blend in and you will be adding your own little piece of history to your furniture. Even a small scratch on a flat, smooth, new wood table would be very hard to disguise!
It looks better than new wood – reclaimed wood just looks warmer and more homely than new wood. Salvaged wood will have matured and darkened as it has aged giving it a depth of colour that new wood just doesn’t have.
5 ways to balance a long narrow room
A long narrow room can be a bit tricky to furnish so here we have a few simple suggestions to make the space feel more balanced.
1 – Create a walkway
How you do this depends on where the doors are in the room but if you can have a clearly defined path going the length of the room it will allow the energy to flow better. A curved walkway through the room will emphasise the width of the room more rather than a straight one. On the practical side, you don’t want people stubbing their toes on pieces of furniture that’s in the way all the time.
2 – Don’t position all your furniture against the long walls
Do not be tempted to line all your furniture up along the long walls – the best way to create an illusion of width….is to use the width of the room! So you can position a leather couch against one of the long walls and place a chesterfield chair or an accent chair perpendicular to it, to help balance it out.
3 – Create zones
Zoning is a great way to deal with a long narrow room. You can section off areas using floor rugs and reclaimed wood furniture pieces to create the zones. An L-shaped sofa with a rug and rustic coffee table will instantly zone an area, perfect for sitting and chatting. If you place your sofa widthways in the room then you can position a desk at the back to create a small home office area, again you can use a floor rug to zone the space. If your room is a living room / diner then zone one area to be the dining space, using a round dining table will also help with the aesthetics of the room.
4 – Use the height of the room
To make the room seem wider you should use the full height of the room. A rustic bookcase will add a bit of balance in a long narrow space and will draw the eye to the height of the room rather than the narrowness of the room. Create a display on your bookcase of trailing house plants, your favourite decorative pieces and some books. Another way to bring some height to the room is to add an industrial sideboard, the fuss-free minimalist metal frame will give more of a feeling of space. Hang a wall mirror above the sideboard and place some tall table lamps or candlesticks on it.
5 – Bring in circular elements
Circular elements are great to use in long narrow spaces. You should opt for round floor rugs, a round nest of tables, rather than a rectangular coffee table, (this saves space as well) a round dining table in your dining zone. Choose a round pendant light over your dining table, round lamp shades, wall mirrors and artwork, a clock is perfect! All these round elements will pull the eye away from the straight lines of the room.
Ways to style the foot of your bed
The foot of the bed is often a slightly overlooked space. In this blog we share a few different ideas to style up and make good use of this little bit of bedroom space.
An upholstered bench
An upholstered bench is a great addition to the foot of your bed, somewhere to sit and put your socks on when you are getting ready to go out. A place to pop the decorative scatter cushions off your bed at bedtime, somewhere to keep a selection of reading books or a surface to pop a tray of coffee on in the morning.
A wooden blanket box
A blanket box or wooden chest is the classic piece of furniture to place at the foot of your bed. A great way to add a little more storage space for your winter or summer duvets, spare blankets, pillows, winter jumpers and anything else you don’t need to hang in a wardrobe.
A TV stand
A TV is a very popular addition to the bedroom and the foot of the bed is a good spot for maximum viewing potential. Of course there are the hugely expensive custom TV storage cabinets from which the TV rises using just a remote control. But if you like the look and feel of reclaimed wood furniture you can, of course, achieve the same thing using a rustic TV stand or if you like the TV a little higher up a rustic console table would also work.
A wooden bench and baskets
A wooden bench is a simple place to put things down or sit on. If you were to add some wicker baskets underneath it or next to it, this would give you additional hidden storage that is easily accessible, you could also use one as a laundry basket.
A pair of chairs or a small sofa
You can create a small seating area at the foot of your bed – this would be perfect in a spacious guest room where you can place a small sofa or two armchairs. In a teen bedroom, a chaise longue or just a single velvet armchair would most likely be enough, add a small lamp table and you can create a cosy sitting area.
A gorgeous reclaimed wood footboard
Maybe less is more for you and you really like to keep things simple and just allow your bed be the main feature in your bedroom. The Dulwich Reclaimed Wood Bed could be the perfect investment for you, with its impressive head and footboards you will have the foot of your bed completely finished!.
Easy ways to brighten a dark room
A dark room can be a bit of a nightmare to decorate but chances are all of us have that one room in our homes that just always seems a bit dull. In this blog, we will look at some quick and easy ways to bring in some light and brightness! ☀
In the dining room
A dining room is generally one of those places that doesn’t get used as much as the kitchen or the living room so a quick fix solution to bring in light, is perfect! In this room we think about the furniture as these will be the main elements in the room – dining table, chairs and sideboard. A rustic wooden dining table is perfect in this room but keep it light. The Dorset furniture range is our top pick – a beautiful reclaimed dining table top finished with a hint of grey sits atop a white painted trestle frame, perfect for keeping things light and bright. This is great paired with the dining benches from the same range or a mix of a bench and light coloured chairs. The white wood sideboard from the range will keep you perfectly organised and clutter-free. To add an extra splash of light, hang a wall mirror over the sideboard and drape some fairy lights over it.
In the living room
This is a room where we do tend to spend a little more time in and in recent years, a dark living room has become quite a trend. However, if a dark room is not for you then you should have a few more tricks up your sleeve to help brighten it up. Let’s start with walls – try to keep them light – crisp white is great, you can add some brightly coloured wall art. Direct your lighting onto the walls and ceiling as this will really help brighten the space. A light coloured floor – for this you can simply add a light coloured rug if you don’t want to replace the whole floor. Keep your window dressings light, and, keep your windows clean, something that is often overlooked but makes a big difference! Ideally, choose light furniture, white painted or gorgeous pale reclaimed wood. The rustic coffee table from the Chelwood Reclaimed Wood range is perfect with its pale wood and its no-fuss design.
Brightening a dark entrance hall
This is a dark space in many homes – hallways don’t often have windows and with a solid door not much light gets in, so this is a place where you may want to bring in some added brightness. A hallway can be a cluttered space with shoes coats, jackets, umbrellas, bags etc. all confined to a relatively small space – a hallway cabinet is a great investment to keep everything hidden away in. If space is limited then a simple rustic console table will give you a little storage space for a few essentials. Again here to lighten the space, keep the decor light and add a mirror over the console table. Dried flowers are making a huge comeback and would give a cheery splash of colour to your hallway.
