dining room Archives - Page 30 of 39

Leather Vs PU leather dining chairs – Which side are you on?

Do you opt for leather, a natural material with a unique pattern to each piece or should you rely on its hard-wearing synthetic alternative, PU leather? With pros and cons to both, we thought we would take a look but first, we asked our followers on Houzz and Instagram which option they preferred.

We Asked, You Answered

Which do you prefer, real or faux leather chairs? It is a question that proved divisive with a dead heat between real leather and faux leather but for our Instagram followers, real leather pipped faux leather into second place.

As we offer both options, we thought we would address the pros and cons of both.

1. Cost

For most of us, the cost of something is an important, if not the most important consideration when it comes to investing in an item. We want quality, but we also need to be affordable.

As a natural material, leather furniture tends to be more expensive than its synthetic counterpart. But with all the look of leather, it is hard to tell that the faux leather dining chairs teamed with your industrial dining table are not the real thing.

2. Quality

Both materials are of high quality but as you would expect, as a natural material leather is more susceptible to show signs of ‘nature’. In other words, every hide is different.

For many people, understanding where their products come from is increasingly important. Most leather is cowhide and is a by-product of the meat industry. Even with high prices, breeding cows or any other animal for their hide alone is not cost-effective – and neither is it environmentally friendly to do this.

In other words, for as long as there are cows and as long as they are bred for their beef, there will always be leather.

PU or faux leather as it is sometimes known is manufactured and as such, there is a similarity between one piece and the next. This isn’t a bad thing as some people like the look and feel of uniformity from one piece to the next.

3. Robustness

In essence, when it comes to quality, there is no clear winner but there is when it comes to hard-wearing robustness.

Unfortunately, as yet, PU leather is not as robust as leather and so, in the busy family home, you may find that leather dining chairs and sofas may hold up the rigorous of use better than its synthetic cousin. The material can be treated with a special stain repellent coating so that they remain as pristine looking for as long as possible too.

4. Finish

Over time, leather ages and takes on a something called a patina. This refers to the natural ageing process and how it affects the look and feel of the leather. Looking after it can help it to age gracefully and beautifully – but don’t worry, it takes no more than a wipe over with conditioning wipes or cream every now and then.

Faux leather maintains the same appearance for a long time and again, looking after it by wiping off spills and stains quickly helps it to last longer.

The process of creating faux leather produces a material that looks incredibly like its natural counterpart. It can also act like leather too but opting for leather dining chairs with your reclaimed wood dining table is a decision you won’t regret.

The useful guide on renovating a conservatory

The conservatory is a welcome addition to many homes. The terms sunroom, orangery and conservatory are used interchangeably and although there are differences between the three, they all spell out one thing: more social space.

As a renovation project, it can be one of the most pleasing in which you can really create a stylistic splash. But, like all renovation work, there are pitfalls.

Think through the renovation project by considering;

How will you use the conservatory, sunroom or orangery?

They may have had distinct uses in the past – an orangery was not a social space but rather a hothouse connected to the home – but in modern times, we can use the space for almost anything.

One example of many is the creation of a dining space, complete with reclaimed wood dining table, fabric dining chairs and beautiful accessories that make it a divine spot to eat with family and friends.

But all too often, we don’t consider how we will use the space until after we have built or renovated it.

Does it need to be that big?

In most cases (but check with your local authority planning rules), conservatories are a permitted development providing that they don’t swallow more than a quarter of your outdoor space. Anything bigger will usually need permission.

There is a balance that needs to be struck between how much interior space you gain and whether this detracts from the beauty of your outdoor space. And so, even with your ideal conservatory being the relaxing sunroom, complete with sumptuous furnishings, leather armchair, reclaimed wood coffee table and a unique Louis de Poortere rug, do you really need all that space.

Style starts with the appeal of the conservatory

There are many different examples of fabulous conservatories, sunrooms and orangeries, thus it pays to take your time and get the right style, finish and appeal to your renovated or newly built conservatory.

It can be easy to be swept away in a tide of idealism when it comes to style but to combine everything seamlessly and without effort, you need the conservatory to match the style of your property. If the exterior is slightly off centre, then creating the perfect interior may not be easy to achieve.

Does it flow? Does it combine with the rest of your home?

Cohesion is important in styling your entire home and it is not enough to just opt for everything rustic or industrial or Scandinavian. It needs to be more than just the furniture you choose.

It needs to be the colour of the walls and the lighting – the two factors that combine to give your home its ambience – and it needs to be the flooring options too. When it comes to flowing either choose the same throughout the ground floor of your property or, if this is beyond your budget, create a definite divide between the two spaces with a different colour of flooring.

With the ‘basics’ in situ, you will have renovated your conservatory, sunroom or orangery to be a desirable space.

How to make your home pet friendly

April is National Pet Month and, as a nation of animal lovers, it comes as no surprise that we are pampering our pets more than ever. When it comes to dogs, there is no denying that our pooches are a welcome and important part of the family.

But where and how they are integrated into family life can still be divisive and so we took to our poll, asking our fans and followers what they thought about letting their dogs into the kitchen, bedroom, dining room and living room.

We Asked, You Answered

Of all the polls we have conducted, this has been the one to have drawn the most comments! Further proof, if we needed any, that our dogs ARE a part of the family. Most people responded that their dogs were allowed in any room of the home, with some saying that they were allowed in any downstairs room, but not allowed upstairs.

But it was one comment that summed them all up;

“He is a Beagle, but thinks he is a human and would just howl if excluded from family life”

But sometimes, our adoration of Fido goes beyond the pet dog being a member of the family – sometimes we decorate our homes to accommodate them too…

The dining room

With your pooch snoozing peacefully whilst you eat with the rest of your family, it is common to find Fido in the dining space. Dining room furniture can prove irresistible to puppies losing their teeth or for a bored dog. To protect the legs of your farmhouse kitchen table and wooden kitchen bar stools, spray with anti-chew spray, harmless to dogs.

The living room

Unfortunately, your four-legged fur ball may also find the aroma of a leather armchair or an upholstered sofa enticing and have a little nibble too. Although with supervision, you can stop it.

We didn’t ask about pets on furniture (another poll, perhaps?) but to keep your sofa or armchair fur-free use sticky tape to pick up the worst of the hair and vacuum to remove all traces (works on cat hair too!). On leather armchairs and sofas, use a quality leather wipe or conditioner to keep it in tip-top conditioner.

Dog adoration

But our adoration of your pooches goes further than snuggling up on the sofa together. We have seen some fantastic dog motif items that will suit a dog-mad home!

• Dog motif cushions – perfect for injecting a little fun and kitsch into the modern living work and suit all kinds of furniture and style

• Doggy wallpaper – perfect for a feature wall or for adding a bit of zing in the kitchen or utility room, we love the doggy wallpaper we have seen of late.

• Dog sculptures – from the quirky, cartoon-style dogs to the posed, majestic looking sculptures, these items are ideal for displaying your allegiance to a certain dog breed on your reclaimed wood shelves.

• The unexpected touches – whether you are a dog lover or a cat lover, adding a touch of the unexpected with table lamps with dog or cats are ornament bases, you really add a sense of quirkiness to a room. Why not add it to the bedroom?

So, tell us, how much of your home does Fido make his own?

How to decorate with luxurious velvet dining chairs

In a modern family home, the dining room is perhaps one of the lesser-used rooms. Many of us now opt for open plan living spaces with a more informal kitchen-diner. However, if you still have a formal dining room, it is the perfect space to get creative with your decor, and also create a space which exudes glamour.

If you are looking for luxurious, there is simply no better option than velvet. With its tactile feel and silky smooth look, velvet upholstery on your dining chairs will create a boutique space you’ll be dying to invite all your friends round to see.

Style

Velvet works whether you are going for a more rustic feel with your decor, or you are looking for ultra-contemporary, industrial style.

For those with a penchant for rustic pieces, dining room chairs with gorgeous wooden legs are perfect. Not only this, wooden legs paired with velvet creates a more understated finish, the perfect look for day-to-day family life. The classic style of both the Miss Bronte Velvet Dining Chairs and the Telford Velvet Dining Chairs is the perfect option for rustic and reclaimed dining tables like our Beam Extendable Table or Rustic Inlay Dining Table.

Alternatively, for more industrial dining table styles, our stainless steel based velvet dining chairs are simply sublime. The Luxe Madison Grey Upholstered Dining Chairs offer the perfect seating option for any contemporary dining room. With the angular base and ultra padded button back seat, these grey velvet dining chairs would certainly make a statement in any dining room. The Arielle Navy Velvet Dining Chairs offer a wonderfully unique, romantic base which your dinner guests will love sitting on long into the evening.

To match or not to match?

Co-ordinated dining chairs have plenty going for them – especially if you are looking to create a serene, sophisticated space which won’t date. However, if you are looking to make a statement with your dining room furniture (or if you are not sure about having 6 vividly coloured velvet dining chairs surrounding your rustic dining table) mismatched dining chairs may be the way to go.

The great thing about different coloured chairs upholstered all in the same fabrics, is they look co-ordinated without being matchy matchy. You could even go for a selection of colours, just like this trio of pastel pink yellow and blue around our gorgeous Maddox Industrial Reclaimed Elm Dining Table.

How much velvet is too much velvet?

And how about amping up the use of velvet? If you have the space, the addition of a velvet armchair may be the perfect option. In an open plan space, you could even use the armchair to create a reading nook, with a bookshelf loaded up with all your lovely cookbooks.

If you are really blessed for space, why not think about creating a perfect spot for your guests to sit with a glass of wine while you make the final touches to dinner, the addition of a velvet sofa is great in formal dining rooms and more open-plan spaces where you are likely to spend longer, chatting and drinking away.

Do you have velvet dining chairs around your table? We’d love to see photos.

Amazing Easter decorating trends to look out for

Easter is just around the corner and for many people, this means a long weekend full of sunshine and fun family time. It is also the ideal time for entertaining. If this is the case, you will be wondering what Easter decorating trends are coming our way.

We have sourced the best ideas so that you can create the perfect stylish and sumptuous backdrop to your home this Easter, from a reclaimed table to the centrepiece that rests on it.

Dining, Food and Table Settings

Easter is, for many, a time to feast together as a family, and friends too. And this means pressure on the dining room to be a stylish, spring-inspired room. Whether you have a large extending farmhouse table or an urban modern landscape to the dining room, we have some great ideas.

Table centrepiece – Flowers

With Easter comes warm summer sunshine and this means that the garden wakes from its winter slumber. Spring flowers are delicate and usually pastel coloured and so use this as the centre table piece. Keep colours light and pastel, from indoor flowering bulbs to arrangements of flowers in vases.

Detailing – Simple

Spring is a time of simplicity and so this means keeping the details and accessories simple too. As well as flowers, keep the patterning light. Ditch the heavily coloured table cover for your reclaimed wood table and replace with crisp white. Napkins should be white or keep them a light colour with simple patterning.

Invest in – Fabric dining chairs

Spring is a time when we make changes and updates to interiors. From re-decorating to investing in new pieces of furniture, spring is the time to make big and small changes. If there is one thing you invest in this year make it coloured dining chairs. There is a range of colours and fabric to choose from when it comes to upholstered dining chairs. And again, they work well with a farmhouse dining table as they do with a modern dining room set-up too.

Metallic finish – Your choice!

Candles are a great addition to the dining table at any time of year but come Easter, they add a gentle, romantic flicker. But if you want to ring the changes from tea lights, opt for tall candle holders instead. Use these pretty accessories to add the metallic finish to the spring dining room, something that every room needs.

Colour scheme with a difference – monochrome

The classic mix of black and white is perfect for any time of the year. Elegant, simple and non-fussy, to add a hint of spring to the look soften the sharper edges of the monochrome colour scheme with hints of pastel shades such as pretty peony pink or watery spring sunshine yellow.

Spring schemes are all about nature and so it makes sense that alongside your reclaimed furniture and your impressive farmhouse table that you bring in as much nature as possible. From spring flower arrangements to indoor flowering bulbs, there are many ways in which you can ring the changes. How do you decorate your Easter dining table?

How to transform your rustic dining table for an amazing Easter

Oak Dining Table and Velvet Chairs Set fo Easter

Do you take advantage of each ‘holiday’ by decorating your home? You don’t need to go all out. But decorating your reclaimed wood dining table with some gorgeous Spring decor will make a fun addition to your Easter Sunday roast dinner with friends or family.

Start with the table

A simple dining table with wooden dining chairs is a simple yet classic look. But when it comes to entertaining, it’s good to add some colour and interest.

Start with the basics of table setting. Whilst decorations look great, a dining table has to be, above all else, practical for eating at. Set the table with a few spring additions – perhaps place cards or decorative napkins? You could even mark each place with a chocolate bunny or egg if you fancy.

Then think about centrepieces. For something simple, you can pop together really quickly, use a large round vase and filling it with pastel coloured eggs. You can also do a version of this with a terrarium filled with flowers or eggs. A bunch of flowers is another simple option, but one which looks fabulous.

Go all out

If you have the space for a rustic console table, make the most of it. Even something as simple as a gorgeous bunch of daffodils will add a pop of colour to your dining room.

And if you want to add something extra – add a wreath to your front door. Most of us put a wreath on the door for Christmas but refrain from adding decoration the rest of the year. However, a simple Easter wreath is a great idea to make an impact before guests have even stepped foot in your home.

For something understated, a simple design made of foliage and a few flowers in spring colours look great. Alternatively, eggs are big business at Easter so why not make a wreath using twine and pastel coloured eggs for something a little more playful. If you’re looking for a rainy day activity with children, painting polystyrene or plastic eggs to create a wreath out of is a great idea.

How do you plan on transforming your dining room table this Easter?

A unique farmhouse table for a modern dining room

The farmhouse style is a popular choice. Easy to achieve, warm and homely, it is the top choice for any home, from a busy family pad to a stylish apartment. But if you think that this means harking back to traditional long-gone days, think again.

A farmhouse table, along with subtle accessories and detailing, is ideal for the modern dining room. But how do you seamlessly marry the farmhouse look with a modern, light airy feel?

The farmhouse table

Undoubtedly, when it comes to the kitchen/diner or dining room styled along farmhouse lines, it is the farmhouse table that is undoubtedly the centrepiece.

The Windsor oak extending farmhouse dining table has all the key elements needed to pull off the look. Large without being imposing, it is the satisfying chunkiness of the top and the detailed legwork that makes this the perfect solution.

If you want more than a hint of modern, then take a look at its same table with white legs. The colour may be neutral but in a modern dining room landscape, the white oak farmhouse table is a great option.

Tying it together

With any design scheme, it is the details that tie it all together, bringing a sense of cohesion to the whole dining room.

With the farmhouse style, this can be relatively easy to do, IF you know what you are looking for!

Worktop and tabletop – the farmhouse style is all about natural materials but especially wood. For a farmhouse kitchen, opting for wood worktops and cupboard doors is a great move, especially if you can marry them to the farmhouse table top. Choose lighter woods and the best quality for your budget too.
Matching sideboard – a sideboard in the dining room is an essential piece of furniture for storage. And matching this with the farmhouse table brings a sense of cohesion and style to the room. The Windsor large white painted sideboard will work with either the painted or non-painted version of the Windsor table.

Modern twists – on one hand, you want the room to flow in terms of its appeal and looks but everything too matching means a boring landscape. Introducing small twists is a way of avoiding this and with the dining room, there is no denying that modern dining chairs are a great addition. From soft-to-the-touch leather dining chairs to fabric upholstered dining chairs, there is an array of solutions that allow you to create a unique finish.

Other farmhouse details

The farmhouse kitchen is as much about function as it is about style. And so, accessories can be as simple as you like. From fresh flowers as the table centrepiece to a functional wool rug that acts as a carpeted island for your farmhouse table, keep the colours light and pastel for a true homage to the farmhouse style.

Its no surprise that the farmhouse style is popular – always warm and welcoming, it is the perfect style for any dining room.

How to create this amazing look with a unique reclaimed wood dining table

Simple, elegant, fresh – just three words we would use to describe anything from the Cotswold collection. But this Cotswold reclaimed wood table is particularly pleasing.

There is a pleasant sturdiness and appeal to all this reclaimed furniture; not just to the table, but to the dining chairs and the reclaimed wood bench. But how do you stop it looking too blocky? How can you go on to re-create this look in your home? We show you how…

Neutral walls and shades

The first this with this pleasing rustic look is to think ‘natural and neutral’ – we’ll add detail later with accessories. Everything should support this theme and that means plenty of reclaimed wood furniture that has a character all of its own. Those blemishes and imperfections are not flaws, but the story of its past before it reached you.

The reclaimed wood Cotswold dining chairs are a must. With a padded seat, they are sold in pairs, thus you can add two ‘heads of the table seat’ and two other on one side, with the reclaimed wood bench opposite adding a strong note of ‘the rustic look’.

The extendable dining table is a must if you host dinner parties and fantastic family gatherings. Simply adding extra dining table space without effort, the extending table is a must.

Display and storage unit

Adding extra details starts with a supporting piece of furniture that doesn’t detract from the appeal of the table. The tall Cotswold display case with drawers and glazed doors is a must.

You can store all kinds of items in the glazed unit, from tall candle holders that would make a great centrepiece for the table, to rustic inspired accessories. Although everything about this style is natural and neutral, the addition of glass gives it the sumptuous feel that stops the ‘blocky’ feel to this look.

As in this dining room, soften the edges with pretty flowers and greenery as well as unfussy accessories such as that of the reclaimed wood framed mirror.

There are other sideboards available in this range but if you want to continue the rustic theme with a heavy dollop of the practical, there is no better choice than the Cotswold sideboard and wine storage rack. If you entertain regularly, you’ll know how some wines need to be stored to preserve their fruity and spicy notes and thus, this is the ideal piece for wine connoisseurs.

Soften corners

Wood is a warm material, both to touch and in visual appeal. But without a few soft touches here and there, it can look a little too bland.

Getting the balance between detail and fuss is tough but stick with the natural and neutral mantra, and you won’t go far wrong. You only catch a glimpse of the pleasant rug on the floor in this dining room but notice the slightly longer pile and the neutral colour.

If you don’t want a floor rug, for the bench consider adding a sheepskin rug for a soft underlayer for when guests dine and an extra layer of warmth in the depths of winter. It also makes a great addition to the rustic look dining room (or any room for that matter!).

With subtle hints of colour and detail, this rustic-inspired dining room with this beautiful dining table is a sheer delight. Would it suit your home?

Why choose unique reclaimed wood furniture for your home

English Beam Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Did you know that on 21st March it’s the International Day of Forests. If you haven’t heard of it – the International Day of Forests is a celebration to raise awareness of the importance of woodlands and trees and to recognize the ways in which forests sustain us as a society.

At Modish Living, we love to work with natural reclaimed wood. We even have our Worcester Reclaimed Wood Desk in our gorgeous Sussex studio.

Why? Because not only does it look beautiful, and add a real charisma to your home, it is sustainable too. One of the big benefits of using reclaimed timber is that it prevents unnecessary waste entering into landfills, instead giving old wood a new lease of life and thus preventing the need for further trees to be cut down. And, one of the best things about reclaimed wood furniture, is that, as everything is handmade and nothing is mass produced, each piece of furniture is truly individual.

And its not only the prevention of cutting down trees that makes reclaimed wood wonderfully sustainable. Wood is a major renewable energy source, currently making up around 45% of the global renewable energy supply. Not only that, strategically placing trees in urban areas is actually said to lower energy bills and contribute to optimal urban living, specifically by cooling the air temperature.

It is certainly a resource we should cherish and make the most of – repurposing wood into beautiful reclaimed wood is just one of the many ways we can do that. So how do you like to use reclaimed wood in your home?

There is something calming about reclaimed wood – whether its the piece of mind that its natural or the beautiful unique markings on the wood, reclaimed wood makes for the perfect rustic bedroom. Two of our newest collections have been handcrafted from reclaimed wood and are truly stunning. Whether you’re looking for a light wood large chest of drawers or a grey-toned blanket box for the end of your bed, these collections may be the answer.

One of the other best uses of reclaimed wood is a reclaimed wood dining table. As the largest piece of furniture in most dining rooms, and with a gorgeous table top to showcase the beautiful natural markings of the wood, a reclaimed dining table is able to make a real statement whether you prefer classic styles or ultra modern pieces.

Are you a fan of reclaimed wood furniture? Let us know your favourite reclaimed wood piece in your home.