rustic Archives - Page 40 of 45

How to decorate with a display cabinet

From a regal Welsh dresser to a modern, contemporary display unit, the display cabinet is a stylish means of extra display space. Whether you want to show off your prized sculptures and ornaments, or organise books and other accessories, the display cabinet is ideal. But how do you get the most out of it?

Symmetry

When it comes to displaying items, you need to ensure symmetry and connection between items. It is effectively this ordered approach that promotes harmony and stops things looking chaotic.

There is a clear pattern to how items are displayed on this Maddox industrial elm display unit, perfect for promoting harmony between items.

Complimentary Style

A display cabinet also works well when it has a connection to other items in the room. For example, the earlier mentioned Maddox unit works well with an industrial dining table. When there is a complimenting connection between styles and items, this too lends itself well to the symmetry within the room.

Open or Closed?

Modern, contemporary display units tend to be open shelving systems but there are times when you want an extra layer of protection for some items and that means opting for closed, or glass display cabinets.

Again, keeping in style with your farmhouse kitchen or rustic dining room, the large Windsor display cabinet is imposing, yet elegant and sophisticated. To help the display cabinet stand out even more, add coloured pieces to the shelves and enjoy the contrast between light and dark.

For a raw and more rustic feel, opt for Standford reclaimed wood and glass display cabinet, perfect because every notch tells a story. To tie everything together, use similar coloured pieces in the cabinet as to those in the room – for example, match pretty and delicate flower-patterned items with candle holders on the mantelpiece and so on.

Reclaimed wood furniture and crockery

And this brings us nicely onto the items you have to display. If you enjoy the appeal of reclaimed wood furniture, then you will understand the appeal of trawling charity shops and second-hand emporiums for pretty porcelain pieces. Vintage or anything of age doesn’t mean your display unit has to be twee – like mixing patterns, keep colours similar and patterns similar too, and watch them enjoy a new life on your display cabinet.

Adding Detail

You would think that all the ceramics and glassware would make the display cabinet look too cluttered and full, so why add extra details? But designers suggest that a great way of helping a display cabinet stand out is to add something ‘different’ that maybe you wouldn’t consider is in its ‘rightful’ place. For example, artwork in the kitchen or a dashing sculpture or two.

There is also an argument for adding pretty lighting to a display cabinet, such as fairy lights weaved into the mesh of lanterns or a larger table lamp to illuminate the display cabinet and its content.

In essence, adding light, items that link and connect not only together in the cabinet but across the rest of the room, along with a dash of symmetry will see your display cabinet, contemporary styled or otherwise, ooze with glamour and sophistication. Try it!

Easy tips to decorate your mantelpiece

The fire and mantelpiece make an obvious focal point for a room but that doesn’t mean decorating and accessorising it has to be ‘obvious’ too. Opt for something different, modern or quirky, as well as your own take on traditional mantelpiece adornments.

Breath Taking Art Work

Art work with an impact but a timeless appeal is much coveted and sought after. The mantelpiece is the ideal location for such a piece of exquisite art. Anything too quirky or outlandish can have a short shelf life but Ant Fox’s Stag canvas wall art is a delight to behold. Either fix to the wall above the mantel or enjoy it propped against the wall, with a carefully positioned garland of evergreen leaves or lights at the base.

Mirror

The bigger the better and with a superbly ornate, detailed frame, the mirror-above-the-mantelpiece will be a style and accessory of which we will never tire.

There are some exquisite pieces that will give the mantelpiece the emphasis it deserves. How about the arched Colette reclaimed wood framed mirror? Grand without over-the-top pizzazz, it would either hang or lean beautifully on any mantelpiece. As a rustic mirror, it ticks so many boxes but there are other styles that can pull the spotlight to the fireplace, so to speak.

Or why not try a striking geometric appeal of an art deco mirror? Although perfect for any room or hallway, the addition of such an iconic shape, an unashamed nod to the art deco era, must surely mean that the best place for it must be above the mantelpiece?

The Glow of…

… Candles

It is, of course, a traditional and harmonious marriage between the candle and the mantelpiece. Back in years gone by, before the convenience of electric light, the fire and the candle was the source of night time light. It made sense to keep the flickering candle flame from harm’s way on the mantelpiece and thus, the tradition of candles on mantelpieces remains.

Statuesque pillar candle holders are an ideal addition, adding romance to the room. Use alongside artwork to enhance it and with a mantelpiece mirror too so that the dancing glow is reflected in the room.

… Lights

If candles are not your thing, you could always opt for the gentle flight of small ‘fairy’ lights. The small lights weaved into these lanterns are so very pretty but if you feel you want something more, why not opt for a lamp at either end of the mantelpiece? We love the idea of ringing the changes with modern table lamps, with vibrant colour or a modern shape that adds something extra to the room.

Whatever you choose to add to your mantelpiece, it is sure to dazzle and look exquisite. After all, you want to draw attention and add to it with pieces that are planned and placed with design, whether that is a mirror or a piece of artwork, or a lamp or a candle.

What will you add to your mantelpiece?

How to style a Made in Britain dining table

For many consumers, buying British designed and produced goods is their way of supporting the local and national economy. And this is the movement behind the Buy British Day on Saturday, October 3^rd. And because it is the start of the festive shopping season, it is no wonder that many British retailers, designers and small businesses look to entice shoppers with festive gifts and accessories.

In our eyes, there is nothing better and more ‘British’ than the use of reclaimed wood in furniture and other accessories. And with the festive season on our doorstep, our thoughts have turned to Christmas dinner table. With a British designed and made dining table, complete with dining chairs and accessories, it is a beautiful sight and one your family and friends will admire.

But how do you create a stunning ‘made in Britain’ dining table?

The Dining Table

It is the largest piece of furniture you will invest it and you will sit around it countless times. There will be times of merriment and mirth, and with reclaimed wood, it is a chance to add to its history and story with your own memories.

The most popular by far is the English Beam extendable reclaimed wood dining table. Made from reclaimed wood also means that it is unique and although it has a character of its own, it doesn’t limit your ideas or style. Finish the look with either leather dining chairs with their own unique appearance or opt for the opulence of fabric dining chairs.

Dress it – maintain the rustic charm with platters for protecting it against the heat of plates. Use candles in ornate holders with evergreen garlands of leaves around the centre of the table. Add droplets of sparkling ‘diamond’ shaped pieces to catch the flickering candle light.

If you want exquisite detail and the feel of artisan skills beneath your fingers, then reclaimed wood furniture is a must, and the Rustic Inlay reclaimed wood dining table is a firm favourite of ours too. In fact, this table, handcrafted in the UK is the Editor’s favourite. As rustic furniture goes, this is surely one of the best examples of what can be crafted with skills developed and honed over decades.

Dress it – take care when choosing dining chairs. They make look stunning and grand but wider chairs need more space at a dining table. If the chairs are forced to sit too close, trapped fingers ensue and no one wants that at the Christmas table.

And for the dinner?

If you want something a little different or one that suits the kitchen diner, then this rough sawn Stanford dining table is ideal. Popular because it is both extendable and made from reclaimed wood, its crossed legs also give it a feature.

There is something elegant about this chunky table. It looks sturdy and solid, and yet it has a gracefulness that makes it one of the most appealing dining tables we have. Unlike the other dining tables in our range, there is a height to this and that means investing in high dining chairs, almost like bar stools if you like. But, as you would have come to expect, our bar stools are far from ordinary.

They pack their own punch when it comes to style. But better still, with the right place settings and dining table accessories, the Stanford dining table offers both formal and relaxed dining experiences.

Rustic furniture is beautiful. Reclaimed wood has a romance of its own, so which dining table will you choose?

Celebrate all things British and buy British this season

Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, the Buy British Day which aims to encourage us to buy products designed and made in the UK will be held on 3^rd October. It is a time to examine what Britain has to offer, a chance to enjoy the exciting talent of local, small and British businesses.

Within retail, there are many things that as a consumer, you can buy and when it comes to British designers and products, there is no shortage of options either. Within the furniture sector, it has become clear of late that the modern consumer that flimsier items are no longer an option. People want good quality products at great prices – and if they are supporting British producers and designers, then this is a bonus too.

Our ‘Made in Britain’ Collection

We work with designers and producers based across the globe, supporting fledgeling industries but we are exceptionally proud of our ‘Made in Britain’ collection. Add to this our penchant for using reclaimed wood, using the skills of artisan furniture makers, and you can see we are proud of our British made products.

We source wood from bakeries, London pubs, bakeries, anywhere that have large pieces of timber ripe for reuse as pieces of fine furniture. Our Rough Sawn collection, for example, is a range of reclaimed wood items that look are refined, a chance to show the beauty of the wood. When it comes to rustic furniture, there is nothing better than this collection.

Wooden beams were made from slow growing trees, such as oak, as it is a dense wood with superior strength. Before stainless steel and concrete plinths, large wooden beams were hoisted into position and would have easily borne the weight of a building. Now, this wood – undented and largely undamaged – enjoys ‘retirement’ in our English Beam collection. Again, with the fine eye of a designer and the skills of an artisan furniture maker, these beams become exquisite pieces for your home. Imagine Christmas dinner around a reclaimed wood table with family and friends?

The Industrial Revolution that swept the country in the 18^th Century brought about monumental change. It also saw industrial and traditional materials brought together. This collaboration, at first an uneasy combination, is now a harmonious marriage. Reclaimed wood, concrete and steel feature throughout the Oldman Collection. A British designed and made collection, it shows the end product of when new meets old, modern meets traditional.

British Designers

We support many designers and one is the Brighton based artist Ant Fox. There is something endearing about his animal canvas prints. Something sweet without being sticky. His art catches and retains the eye, they are pieces that guest will admire and comment on. His art fuses the modern – printing on canvas – with the traditional, as he finishes them by hand. In other words, each piece is unique and personal.

The List Goes on…

Our mattresses are British made, as our elegant, crushed velvet Padstow sofa and armchairs. Even better, we think, is that many of our items can be made to your exact requirements. So, if you want a statement piece in a reclaimed wood coffee table, then go for it!

Supporting homespun industries is essential for the economy and so this season, why not indulge yourself with reclaimed furniture that will last for generations to come?

It’s time to get your perfect party table

English Beam Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Your dining room table is an important centrepiece in your house and Christmas time is no exception. As well as choosing the all important decorations and table settings, you need to ensure that you have enough space for all your guests. Whether you’re planning for a pre-Christmas party or the main event, there are a number of factors to take into account when planning your perfect party table.

What shape will work best for me?

If you have limited space, a round or oval table will often work best. It is more convivial to squeeze extra guests around a circular table rather than being seated on an awkward corner of a rectangular shape. Round tables have a common centre for all the guests and offer a friendly, intimate feel. The brand new Colette round dining table has an elegant, statement base and adds a splash of rustic style to your dining experience.

Rectangular tables offer sleek lines for a room with space and usually seat more people. Choose a rustic or industrial style if you want a stylish piece without compromising on functionality. This popular Lansdowne Industrial dining table makes a statement whilst being practical and offering one or two 45cm extension leaves.

Do I need an extension?

Extending tables offer the best solution for seating extra guests and making most of dining space. Just don’t forget the extra chairs!

You may want to consider where you would keep the extra sessions. Big chunky rustic furniture is gorgeous but do you have storage options for a heavy extra section? Also bear in mind the space in your room, whilst it’s great to be able to find seating for all your guests, make sure you allow enough room for people to move around the rustic dining table comfortably once it is extended.

The Farringdon reclaimed wood dining table offers superb value. Impress at parties with this stylish piece of reclaimed furniture which includes a slick fold away extension, perfect where storage is at a premium. This table is sure to wow, especially when teamed with the luxury grey fabric dining chairs.

A fabulous alternative is a bespoke piece made to your own size specifications. Two particular favourites from Modish Living include the English Beam extendable reclaimed wood dining table which offers a stylish and characterful solid top and legs using English beams that are over 100 years old. We also love the White wash inlay reclaimed wood table for a Scandinavian feel. This too is extendable and can be made up to 300cm long.

Be sure to order your bespoke rustic furniture by the end of October to ensure it arrives in time for the party season.

I’ve found my perfect table but how do I decorate it?

Christmas is a time for giving your table some extra glamour and sparkle but you may want to think about works best for the shape that you’ve chosen. Rectangular tables lend themselves to fancy table runners, which allow you to set the base for your colour.

For a rustic, traditional look choose warmer colours, whilst cooler wintry colours lend them more to a Scandinavian style table.

A great idea for a round table is to set a circular mirror in the centre to match the shape and then add some flickering candles or table jewels for gorgeous reflected sparkle.

With these tips, you’ll soon have a dining table to be proud of – no matter what the size and shape of your dining space.

How to create a rustic retreat in your guest bedroom

Nilsson Rustica Reclaimed Wood Dressing Table

Rustic furniture is a fantastic choice for guest bedrooms. The beautiful, natural markings of the wood create a cosy feeling which is perfect for making your guests feel at home.

Depending on the size of your guest bedroom, you may only have limited space for furniture. But of course, a good bed is a staple in any guest bedroom. It’s World Dream Day on 25th September so make sure your guests have a luxurious bed, they can snuggle up and get comfortable in. Dress your bed with crisp, white bedding and add chunky throws and extra cushions to create a cosy retreat for your guests.

Alternatively, place a wooden blanket box at the end of the bed with extra bedding, cushions and throws so guests don’t feel like they have to bother you if they are cold.

At each side of the bed, bedside tables are a staple for any bedroom, giving guests a spot for the cup of tea whilst they rewind. Keep the tables simple with table lights or perhaps a bunch of fresh flowers to create a welcoming feel. For the ultimate guest bedroom, you could also leave a selection of books and magazines to read.

Then comes storage. If you have guests for extended periods of time and you have the storage space so your guests don’t have to live out of a suitcase for the duration of their stay is a great idea. A small wardrobe with hanging space is a great idea, giving guests to hang up dresses and suits they don’t want to get creased.

Finish the room off with simple accessories. A large rug will add understated style to your guest bedroom and tie any colour scheme together perfectly. A rug is also fantastic under the bed for cold winter mornings when your guests get out of bed.

A rustic mirror is another essential piece so that your guests can get ready comfortably. You could even go one step further and create a dressing area with a beautiful wooden dressing table and a comfortable upholstered chair if you have the space.

To find the perfect reclaimed wood furniture for your guest bedroom to achieve a luxury, rustic look, take a look at our beds, wardrobes and chest of drawers collections or get in touch with one of our team members for any enquiries for bespoke bedroom furniture.

5 ways to creatively decorate your hallway

Your hallway is the first room anyone sees when they enter your home, yet its a room often forgotten when it comes to decorating. However, as a room you don’t spend too much time in, your hallway is the perfect opportunity to experiment and get creative with colour and statement decor you might be worried about using elsewhere.

Here are a few of our favourite hallway decorating ideas.

Embrace the industrial

If you have an old building, there are always features you can make the most of when it comes to decor. Make the most of old wood or industrial features like old bricks in your home for a chic, urban finish that will create a beautiful contrast against sleek, contemporary furniture.

Create a gallery

Your hallway is a fantastic space to display your favourite piece of art. From large canvases to ultra contemporary wall art, a selection of your favourite pieces will add large amounts of personality for relatively little effort. You could even mix in family photos both old and new.

For a thought out, coordinated look, go for a colour scheme. Monochrome is great for a glamorous finish which looks truly magical paired with simple white furniture and greenery. Or alternatively, work with more vibrant colours like blues or greens to bring a simple room to life.

Add mirrors

Mirrors are a great way of creating the illusion of more space and bringing light. This is a great trick for small or narrow hallways. A floor length mirror is especially great for this trick and can almost make the space seem double the size.

Even a large hallway mirror hung above your hallway console table can work wonders. Go for mirrors with ultra slim frames or no frames or those with light or metallic frames to maximise the effect.

Add bold accents with furniture

Vibrant, colourful accents are fantastic if you have a small or dark hallway to bring interest without adding too much clutter and taking up floor space.

Colourful chairs will instantly bring life to your hallway. Go for an armchair with a slim design but high back to create drama without taking up unnecessary space. Jewel tones like amethyst, sapphire or jade are sure to attract endless compliments. Alternatively, a painted console table or display unit will add a vintage-inspired finish to any room which will be beautifully complemented by glamorous accessories and greenery.

Turn your hallway into a library

Books can also make for great decor pieces and don’t take up too much space. Adding slim bookcases on one or both sides of the hallway means you can fill the space up with your favourite books and create a room with plenty of personality too. For a sleeker, coordinated look, you could place your books in colour order.

Make the most of your space with this small hallway ideas. Let us know what you did.

All you need to know about choosing a bed and mattress

With National Make Your Bed Day looming large on 11^th September, it is a timely reminder just how important the mattress and bed is. The right bed frame and mattress can make the difference between getting a great night’s sleep or waking full of aches and pains, with a headache too.

Sleep Matters

It is the body’s way of rejuvenating the physical and the emotional, which is why sleep matters. Thus, getting the right mattress is essential to a good night’s sleep and of course the bed frame, as well as supporting the mattress, also adds a dash of style to the room too, just as well as painted bedroom furniture can.

1. Size

There are, of course, a range of mattress and bed frame sizes from single, to small double, double, king and super king. There is also the possibility of having a bespoke mattress and frame made (but you will need bespoke bed linen too if you are opting for bigger than king size), as well as round mattresses.

Choose the right size bed for you and your budget.

Recycle your old mattress – as far as materials go, there are many components of the mattress that can be reused and repurposed. There are various schemes that will gladly accept your old mattress for recycling.

2. Style

In effect, there are two main styles of bed frame:

Divan base – which is a box like base
Bed frame – which is what it says: a frame with a footboard (although not always) and a headboard.

Both offer great support but many customers opt for the bed frame as it gives more scope for setting a style to a bedroom. For example, contemporary beds are ideal when the style is modern, as is creating and customising your own bed frame.

Another popular choice is reclaimed wood bedroom furniture which offers warmth, familiarity and the sense of the unique, complete with bedroom sets of reclaimed wood furniture to match or contrast.

3 Health Issues

The mattress should be the soft, luxurious platform you sink into at the end of a busy day that affords you ample support and a great night’s sleep. Or it can be the too squishy or too hard a sleeping platform that makes for a poor night’s sleep.

The mattress should support the three natural curves in your back – the neck, the middle and the lower back – and not force your spine straight, an unnatural and pain-inducing position for the spine, the neck and other joints too.

4. Which mattress?

There are various types of mattresses, from memory foam to pocket sprung. Essentially, as well as budget, you need to consider the support that the mattress offers. With a pocket sprung mattress, for example, the coils are encased in individual fabric pouches so they stay exactly where they should be. And the more coils and springs the mattress has, the comfier it should be…

5. Testing, Testing…

Of course, all this support of support and mattresses leads to one logical conclusion; you need to test it.

That doesn’t mean spending the night in the show room, but more about lying on the mattress to see how much support it offers your tired limbs and body…

Once you’ve found the right bed and mattress for you, you should reap the benefits of a great night’s sleep every night.

How to make your bed like a pro

National Make Your Bed Day is celebrated annually on September 11^th. And if you think this is yet another fad, think again. Research shows that making your bed every morning is critical.

It makes your bedroom more appealing – perfect for when you slump into bed after yet another busy day – it helps to keep your room tidy, and it is known that making your bed has an important psychological impact on your stress and mood levels.

But if you do nothing more than fling the covers back on the bed, you are missing a trick. And that means you need this guide on making your bed look delightfully sumptuous and luxurious.

Start with the Basics – The Bed Sheet

Picture of the Onslow Reclaimed Wood Bed

Picture, if you will, your bed and mattress in front of you with no sheets or duvets on it. This guide starts building from the mattress up.

Once you have protected your mattress with a good quality protector, you need the bed sheet. For ease, opt for a fitted sheet or if you want super luxury, opt for a flat sheet. However, the flat sheet will soon come undone if you don’t perfect the skill and art of ‘Hospital Corners’. Watch this minute long ‘How to’ clip and say hello to fantastic corners that never come undone.

Top Tip – the better-quality bed linen, the more comfortable a night sleep you will have and the better they will wash. Look for high-count cotton sheets and pillowcases to get the best.

The Duvet

For a super-sumptuous look, the bigger, the fluffier the duvet the better. Each morning, give it a quick ‘fluff’ by giving a shake or two, watching not to knock off your coveted bedside table lamps, books and so on!

Top Tip – in European countries, it is not uncommon to hang the duvet out of the window for a good airing for an hour or two. Great for keeping mould and creepy crawlies at bay, the air circulating through the fibres keeps the duvet light and fluffy.

Pillows – and Lots of them!

You may only sleep with one pillow but that doesn’t stop you having several pillows piled stylishly at the top end of the bed.

Place the base pillows upright against the headboard and then the other pillows piled against it. Finish the bed with decorative cushions.

But Don’t Forget the Rest of the Room

The bedroom should be a haven of peace and tranquillity, which can be hard to carry off if it is full of clutter and ‘stuff’.

If bed side tables are not quite cutting it, then consider substituting a tall chest of drawers for extra storage space.

Table lamps help to add more light in a room, as well as being the softer lighting option for bed time reading.

Don’t forget, the small details help the reclaimed wood or solid wood furniture in the bedroom stand out, like the throws and the rugs. And keep walls plain so that fantastic canvas art stands out.

Choose accessories that support the main style of your room but always follow the colour rule: two main colours and a third accent.

Do you make your bed every morning?