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Wood Trends – Discover latest Textures & Styles

Rattan chairs positioned around wooden stools and tables in a bohemian cafe

Wooden furniture has been around for so long, that we could all fail at times to recognise its real beauty. Wood is a versatile material and can be made into so many different shapes and styles of furniture that there is a different texture, finish and style for every room in the home and any design style. Let’s take a look at what is trending in the world of wood right now…

Geometric heaven

Top of our list is the texture and pattern that can be created with wood, including timbers used in reclaimed wood furniture. The geometric shapes included in the reclaimed elm large sideboard from the Glasgow Collection, for example, showcases the true versatility of wood but also the warmth and detailing it brings to a room. What stories could this piece of reclaimed wood furniture tell?

The elegance of parquet

Who would have thought that rectangular wooden tiles laid in a fishbone pattern could be so elegant and, in the 21^st century, coveted by so many? Oozing sophistication, the parquet design can be used to good effect on tabletops such as an oval dining table and a reclaimed oak coffee table.

The beauty of rattan

Rattan, like wood, is a natural material, taken from fast-growing vines in countries with tropical climates. Once cut and dried, the strips are incredibly strong, more so when woven together. Some people consider rattan a ‘wood’ or a timber because it has the strength and versatility of wood. As well as rattan dining chairs, it can also be used in light shades too, perfect for a pendant light over a reclaimed wood dining table.

Texture and warmth

A smooth surface is delightful and the less polished texture of the rustic styles are equally as appealing and popular. But when you want to ‘lift’ a piece of furniture so that it stands out from the rest of the room, texture is the means by which you can do it. The panels created by wood and exquisite craftsmanship on the head and footboard of a reclaimed wood bed, for example, are perfection as too, is the texture of such as a reclaimed wood sideboard. As well as the grain, there is the dimples and scarring of its previous life to add to the overall appeal.

A 3D effect

Building on the idea of panels and textures is when the wood itself is worked so that it has a raised, three-dimensional effect. The beauty of this is shown to its maximum in the large oak industrial sideboard from the Mitcham Collection. Ever popular, it is the panelled details that make this piece a really ‘stand out’ piece of furniture for the dining room, the living room or even the hallway.

Curved edges

Corners and angles don’t have to be sharp. In fact, a curved edge is so much friendlier and brings more than a hint of refinement to any wooden piece. From the oak dining table to the oak carver dining chairs to a hallway bench, these pieces are perfect for any home but, if you enjoy the simplicity and warmth of the Scandinavian or Nordic style, these are a must.

And, on top of all this, you have different timbers giving different colours, from dramatic dark furniture to light oak and elm. Our world would be so much less vibrant without wood, wouldn’t you agree?

5 Brilliant Need-to-Knows about Reclaimed Wood

A reclaimed wooden coffee table with bowls of food and a plant

We have been using wood for hundreds of thousands of years. Even before early man discovered fire we were using wood to make tools, implements and weapons and our long love affair with this magnificent material is as strong as ever.

Despite modern breakthroughs, wood is still considered the most versatile and beautiful of materials for making furniture. Resilient and adaptable, it can have multiple lifetimes and although you can use any type to make furniture, not all woods are equal. In fact, every piece is different, which is why we love it so much, but that does mean it’s important to understand all of its amazing intricacies to make sure you choose the right furniture for you.

This is why we’ve put together our Top 5 brilliant need-to-knows about reclaimed wood.

HAPPY HISTORIES – AGING GRACEFULLY

If only wood could talk, what stories it could tell! You can’t beat the history reclaimed wood furniture brings. Reclaimed wood is experienced, grounded and wise – qualities that are as invaluable in furniture making as they are in life. Some wood can be as old as 200 years and still look better than its younger counterparts!

YOU OLD CHARMER – FULL OF CHARACTER

One of the things that we like most about reclaimed wood is that it is full of character, and by character, we mean imperfections. Much of this comes from its age and history – nail holes, bolt holes, bug holes, staining, open knots and even scratches We love the process of finding ways to use reclaimed wood to create unique furniture and give it a new story to tell. For example, old scaffolding boards with tall stories crafted into a modern office desk ready for a new and very different career ahead.

EACH DIFFERENT, EACH UNIQUE

Reclaimed wood furniture is genuine and comfortable in its own skin. It has evolved over the years to become what you see today and its proud of how it looks. And just like us, no two beams, planks or boards are exactly alike. We love this about reclaimed wood and think it adds to the excitement of buying a reclaimed wood dining table or reclaimed wood bed frame, but it does come with its surprises. Those wonderful cracks, nail holes, knots and tones differ from wood to wood and furniture to furniture, so when you’re buying reclaimed wood furniture you need to be prepared to expect the unexpected. There will be slight differences in tone and texture, all of which add to its individuality. If you’re looking for furniture with personality, warmth and one that will keep improving with age, you’ve found a friend for life in reclaimed wood.

SUSTAINABILITY – GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK

As we become more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainability is becoming a key driver when it comes to home furniture. Reclaimed wood will not only make your home beautiful, it will benefit the planet and help you stay the right shade of green as it’s, by default, recycled and repurposed. It also preserves natural resources by reducing the need for logging; less trees being cut down equals more time to grow. Go on, give it a hug.

REMEMBER, IT’S ALIVE!

Even after wood has been cut down and turned into furniture, it continues to be a living, breathing matter that responds to its environment just like a tree in the forest. It expands and contracts with changes in humidity, and can also change colour over time as it’s exposed to air and sunlight.

Set a modern farmhouse scene with the Worcester reclaimed range

Dorset reclaimed wood trestle dining table

The farmhouse style is a perennial theme that will never date. Its familiarity oozes warmth, which is why as a style, it is often seen as a fail-safe option. But that doesn’t make it predictable. Staying true to the roots of this popular style, we take a look at styling a calm, yet refreshing farmhouse look.

The Worcester dining set at its centre

The dining room or area is the space around which everyone congregates, a close second to enjoying the kitchen. The Worcester dining set is the perfect choice for styling your kitchen diner along with the farmhouse look because it has lots of interesting twists and turns. The sublime combination of white paint against bare wood is surely the epitome of this popular style.

But so too is the mix of wooden dining chairs and dining bench. It brings to the fore the versatility of the style. Better still, the set has an option of an extendable table too.

The farmhouse style has function and practicality at its core, so making sure the space flows and works are just as important as choosing the right pieces for the scheme.

Large sideboard and bookcase as supporting acts

A white large sideboard makes the perfect addition against the white dining table. The assumption would be to add a dresser to the farmhouse dining area, but switch things up a bit with a sideboard and reclaimed wood bookcase. Again, as reclaimed wood furniture goes, the display unit is the ideal companion in any room.

Staying true to the style roots

The use of natural materials and colours is at the heart of the farmhouse style. Originally, materials that were to hand would have been used. Hence, wood would have been reclaimed from redundant items, much like we do today.

Against a white-washed backdrop, the beauty of the wood stands out, and thus with refinements over the years, the use of wood and other natural materials have remained prominent. A modern natural material that also fits is bamboo.

Fast-growing and sustainably sourced, the long bamboo pendant light over the reclaimed wood dining table is perfect in this setting. The white shade sits delightfully with the white dining table and wooden dining chairs and dining bench.

The small details

Adding texture is the small but oft-forgotten detail in many design schemes, but it shouldn’t be ignored in the farmhouse dining room. Linen is a natural fabric that has many properties with its flat weaved texture fitting right into this room.

The linen table cloth can be both a covering and a table runner (simply fold several times along its long edge) and with matching linen napkins, you have the perfect place settings too. Keep the colours light and natural in shade such as misty shades of blue and light green and pastel yellow.

Finish the room with additions such as lush, green houseplants as well as softly textured rugs and cushions but don’t overcrowd the room with busy patterns and too many different textures as this crowds and clutters

Give your classic country dining space a style refresh

Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Trestle Table and Chairs

We love the country farmhouse rustic look. It never dates, but simply morphs to embrace new trends to stay current. This season, it is all about adding individual quirks and charm to the small details of this familiar and popular style and the Farringdon Collection has everything you need to create a beautiful farmhouse rustic dining room or kitchen diner.

Start at the centre

The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it’s no wonder that in the country farmhouse and rustic styles, the dining room or area is of such importance. The same applies to the dining table, which is a vital piece of functional furniture, around which family and friends gather.

The centrepiece of any dining room or kitchen-diner must surely be the dining table and chairs. When it comes to the farmhouse or rustic style, a reclaimed wood dining table should be at its heart.

The Farringdon reclaimed wood dining table set comes with a range of options, including a 6 seater dining table, perfect for when you need a little extra space every now and then. You can opt for wooden dining chairs or a dining bench or why not go for a mix of both.

Sideboard elegance

Adding detail in this dining room is the small sideboard, a delightful piece of reclaimed wood furniture that offers hideaway storage in the dining room. But, like all pieces of furniture in a room, it needs framing. As well as houseplants (note how we’ve used two to balance the room), a piece of wall art or, as in this case, a beautifully detailed round wall mirror sets the sideboard in its position.

It adds texture and style with the merest hint of decadence, something that is also afforded to the room by the beautiful rustic cabinet in the opposite corner. As well as storing glasses and other dining ware, it also makes for a fantastic drinks cabinet. Its textured surface is simply delightful too.

Dressing the rustic country farmhouse dining room with the detail

With the main players in place, you now need to dress the room, adding the detail that lifts it to become a welcoming, stylish and functional space.

We’ve mentioned a key accessory previously – that is, houseplants. Evergreen plants with lush foliage are a must for any room, adding a wonderful injection of colour that is simply wonderful.

Alongside the extendable table, there is also the lighting to consider. In this case, we have opted for a pendant light, a functional layer of light that fills the room with a soft glow. Remaining true to the natural aesthetics of the country farmhouse and rustic styles, we opted for a bamboo pendant light. A raw material light in colour until it is dyed, this light fits perfectly within the landscape we have created.

And finally, the brown rug adds warmth to the room. By offsetting it against the 6 seater extendable reclaimed wood dining table, we allow the table to shine and the room to have a symmetrical, cohesive finish to it.

How to stylishly dress your farmhouse dining table

The farmhouse dining table is the perfect style choice in a farmhouse style kitchen or dining room. How would you style and accessorise it?

The Elton Farmhouse Dining Table

The angular, trestle-style hand-painted solid wood legs of the Elton Farmhouse Table are typically farmhouse and rustic in appearance which makes it a firm favourite. The beautiful wooden top of this farmhouse dining table is ideal for everyday dining and for informal dining parties. For when you want a more formal setting, a few choice accoutrements instantly transform it.

As well as a dining bench, upholstered dining chairs are a great addition. Opt for neutral colours, such as grey, that sits well with the white legs and beautiful wooden top of this farmhouse table.

Set the scene with some pretty accessories. A table runner adds texture as well as colour, a material platform for candles and lanterns to set the mood for your dinner party.

Framing the table in situ is important for balancing the room. fitting with the farmhouse style is a pretty industrial bookcase, a beautiful piece of reclaimed wood furniture for the dining room.

Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table

A similar style to the previous table, it is the solid wooden legs at either end of this oak trestle table that makes it a popular choice for people looking for a 6-seater dining table. Again, pair it with upholstered dining chairs. The Elton Upholstered Dining Chair has an understated elegance to them.

As well an off white table cloths, coloured runner and matching napkins, frame the beautiful large dining table with a beautiful farmhouse reclaimed wood large dresser.

HINT – for symmetry and balance, keep the choice of metallic finish the same. In this case, polished silver sits beautifully within the farmhouse style.

Elegance with the Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table

A beautiful 8-seater dining table, the Eastwood Rustic Oak Dining Table is in a class all of its own. Grey fabric dining chairs are just one choice of seating partners that allow the beauty of the almost-blonde sanded oak tabletop to shine.

In a similar shade, a sideboard is a perfect complement to this farmhouse table and chairs. As well as offering ample storage in the dining room or kitchen, the sideboard is also ideal for adding welcome touches and notes of detail. Infusers, for example, are ideal for the dining room as their scent is gentle, wafted about the space as people move through it. Add to the grace of the space with candles too and consider. However, don’t forget the backdrop to the sideboard. As well as artwork, you can also layer mirrors.

The small details can often make the space but get the table, seating and supporting reclaimed wood piece right, and you have a beautiful dining space, no matter the occasion.

How to create a white living room in farmhouse style

Crisp and yet warm. Practical and functional, yet full of comfort and detail. Creating a white or neutral coloured living room with reclaimed wood furniture takes consideration and thought. And yet, with no more than a few simple hints and tips, you can bring this white living room farmhouse style to your home.

Starting with a neutral base is essential and that means choosing a warm white for the walls and ceiling. Opt for one that has a creamier base to it because white paint described as bright will have a blue tinge to it, leaving too clinical a feel in a room that demands comfort. Also, opt for matt paint, leaving the glossy finish to another room for now.

If you are wincing at an all-white 3 seater sofa, there are other solutions. Plenty of white throws that can be laundered or even opt for a grey sofa would work too, especially with a white coffee table. For a farmhouse styled room, tones of brown and tan would lift it thus a three seater sofa in brown Harris Tweed would be a delightful addition.

A rattan armchair or two are a delight in any space – and not just the conservatory – but when it comes to the farmhouse style, this textured and natural material fits right in. Soften the edges with cushions and throws.

Don’t forget the ‘framing’ needed in a room, something that is provided in this all-white living room with the coffee table framing the sofa. Choose one that is not overly large for the room and certainly no bigger than your chosen sofa. Mixing white pained furniture with bare wood is ideal in an all-white landscape and thus our choice of coffee table would work well.

For balance, a side table on either side of the sofa brings the harmony the room needs in the form of detailing but without clutter. Notice how they do this with plants too, creating the corners of a square with those on the side table and then one the wall shelving above.

In fact, the artwork and shelving bring the eye up the wall, giving the room height. As well as wall shelving, you could consider the rustic charms of a ladder bookcase for the same effect.

And underpinning this all is a wood floor – keep it as wood, don’t paint it or it will become too matchy-matchy – but introduce texture with neutral toned flat weave rug.

And finally, add hints of detail sparingly, something that is done with the layers of cushions and throws, but also the brass-coloured lamps. When daylight fades, these lamps will add the warm glow and atmosphere the living room needs.

The lack of colour doesn’t leave the room stark but if you need to add some, then do so sparingly. We love the checked light blue cushion on the rattan armchairs. Even if there is just two, they do the job of bringing a hint of detail.

Is the all-white living room farmhouse style something you can see yourself embracing?

How to create a stylish white farmhouse dining room

White is a practical colour. And yes, it can be used in a family home and yet so many of us stay away from using ‘too much white’ for fear of clinical blandness. But it can be a mix of both cleanliness and warmth, more so when a white room is style and accessorised in the right way. Just how can you bring a white dining room together?

1 Choose the right white wall paint

Surely there is only one white?! Actually, there isn’t. There is white, crisp white with a bluer base that brings a crisp finish to white painted walls and there are warmer shades of white, which usually have a creamier, beige base that still brings fresh appeal but without being too stark.

2 Take care with adding other white elements

Choosing the right furniture for a white dining room is key to success and although it can be tempting to choose all white dining room furniture, you may find you end up with a room that looks unfinished.

Opt for reclaimed wood furniture that retains bare wood and white painted elements to it. The grandeur of an oak dining table wouldn’t be lost in the white farmhouse dining room nor this large sideboard with bare wood top.

3 Add a little colour

Take care with adding colour. Such a beautiful and neutral backdrop turns the mellowest of shades into bright ones. But having said that, if you are adding colour, be bold in your choice.

From yellow leather armchairs in a white room to black, wooden dining chairs alongside a 6 seater dining table, the secret is to add one colour and add it well so it doesn’t look an afterthought.

4 Warmth and depth with texture

The other downfall of an all-white dining room is that is can look flat. With the right furniture – the mix of painted white and bare wood – the room starts to lift but different textured materials and fabrics will lift it further.

Oversized patterned rugs would work wonders but don’t be tempted to opt for colour unless you are bringing in a strong colour streak to the room. For example, if we used the black wooden chairs in this space, we would add a white rug with black patterning to support the colour but bring texture to it.

5 Sympathetic and evocative lighting solutions

A white room can feel airy and gigantic, or it can feel cold and empty. If you are still struggling to bring the sense of warmth to the room that you want, there are two solutions, both of which work together and on their own: plants and lighting.

Add a lush green plant, either as a table centrepiece or a taller floor plant and you bring colour and detail. Add lighting, and you add something extra.

But keep the lighting numerous in detail and don’t forget, you won’t need lumens of brightness. A statement chandelier wouldn’t go amiss. You know the kind – detailed metal work with decadent tear shaped drops with the smallest of LED bulbs to add a little extra va-va-voom.

A white farmhouse dining room with a beautiful farmhouse dining table and other farmhouse furniture is a practical style for many homes. Is it right for yours?

How to style a farmhouse or an industrial bedroom

After a long hard day, you retreat to your bedroom, looking forward to hours of restful slumber. Creating a restful and peaceful environment in the bedchamber is essential and that means choosing a style that you like and enjoy. We take a look at two popular styles – farmhouse furniture and industrial furniture – matching their style components to the master bedroom.

The farmhouse style bedroom

The farmhouse style is not just about collecting things in this category – it is more than that. This is a style that is all about feeling and mood. Calming, soothing and relaxing, the modern farmhouse style has moved only slightly from its roots.

Originally, this look was created by using whatever materials were at hand which, in most cases, was an abundance of wood.

You can capture this essence today by using reclaimed wood furniture. It was also common for reclaimed furniture to be painted, white being the preferred choice. The Dorset reclaimed wood wardrobe is a prime example of the painted farmhouse furniture. For cohesion, choosing matching furniture such as the Dorset white bed. If you want a ‘truer’ farmhouse style, err on the rustic side such as with a heavy set reclaimed wood high-backed bed.

What to avoid with this style – avoid anything too matchy-matchy and ditch the chintz fabrics and frilly curtains, keeping that for the French country look. Keep wall colours neutral but warm – choose a pleasant yellow for cheeriness or an understated chalky green.

The industrial style bedroom

Born from loft living in buildings that were once the hub of heavy industry, the industrial style is a fusion of raw, natural materials such as exposed brickwork, wood and metal.

As with other interior styles, modern designers have given this style an extra twist here and there. The main structure of this style is simplicity – nothing too fussy or cluttered but using plenty of natural materials for warmth and depth.

It’s an ideal choice for the bedroom. You could opt for a metal bed frame but if you find this too cold and austere, don’t panic as there are plenty of rustic, reclaimed wood bed frames that will fill the void.

Again, avoid anything too refined and for authenticity, stick with medium to dark shades of wood. A fantastic bed for the industrial bedroom is the delightful Standford reclaimed wood high bed.

The dents, scuffs and marks of old on this rustic large chest of drawers would also fit perfectly within the industrial bedroom. Simple in design and minimal in detail, there is a block sturdiness to this piece that means it fits within the industrial style bedroom. Aside from its style, customers love it for the ample bedroom storage it offers too.

What to avoid with this style – anything too ‘fancy’ or detailed, such as an overly ornate wall or floor mirror, for example. Keep textures simple too, avoiding deep piles textures such as sheepskin rugs or fluffy textures. Choose a neutral but warm palette although you can take a chance with deep reds, emerald green and terracotta if you feel the need for colour.

Which of these two styles attract you?

Choosing and styling a reclaimed wood dresser

The dresser is popular for many reasons. We well as breathing life into any room, it is a piece of furniture with ‘practicality and function’ running through its reclaimed wood grain. But how do you choose the right one? Should you opt for glass doors? How do you style it?

Glass or no glass?

When it comes to choosing your dresser, as well as making sure that its dimensions fit the room and its overall style is pleasing, you will face the conundrum of whether to opt for glass doors or not.

Glass has delightful reflective properties but if you don’t want people to see items on display, opting for one with opaque doors is clearly the answer.

But glass lightens the mood, a bit like the glass doors on the Chelwood reclaimed wood dresser. It lightens the fascia, giving it a beautiful feminine soft appeal.

Location is everything

It is one of the main considerations for any piece of reclaimed wood furniture but for something as large as a dresser, it is essential you understand where and how this beautiful piece will be used.

There is no right or wrong location but you need it in a place where it will serve a purpose as well as ‘fit’. Too small a space, and it will look shoehorned in. if it isn’t framed in a larger space, it will look like an afterthought.

The Kensal wooden glass display cabinet gives you a taste of everything and is perfect for when space may be tight. You get elegant height, along with an array of storage options from a cabinet to shelving and drawers, leaving your farmhouse kitchen table or reclaimed wood dining table decluttered.

Go for the painted look

When you think of wooden dressers and wooden shelving, you probably think of the dark wood, gargantuan pieces of furniture that was so vast it hides a small army of ‘best plates and crockery’ within its Tardis proportions.

In some ways, it is its bulk that makes the wooden dresser the must have for the rustic kitchen or the farmhouse dining room bedecked with farmhouse furniture. It acts as a small display cabinet as well as a storage unit but if you want the grandeur without the imposing nature of a large, dark piece then opt for the painted dresser.

Beautifully rustic and farmhouse all at once, there is a beauty that shines from the painted surfaces of the Savannah large reclaimed wood kitchen dresser. The Savannah Collection is one of our most popular, with this dresser having the very best of everything. Handy cutlery drawers, ample cabinet space, complete with open shelving that is simply crying out for your organising skills.

Full shelving without the clutter

The dresser is a practical piece of furniture. It is meant to be. Its pedigree lies in containing everything that a dining room or working kitchen needs.

And yet, we want to style it but without the clutter. What tips do designers give when it comes to styling open shelving?

Always be practical – group items together, such as mugs and cups, bowls etc.
Keep similar colours together
Lift the final look with greenery, whether it’s a plant or a sprig of greenery from the garden.

The piece itself gives you the symmetry you need and with empty the shelving, put things away first in the Farringdon reclaimed wood dresser that you don’t want on display and then add the items onto the shelving, in a position where you can reach it. The more you use an item, the easier it should be to get to.

Which is your perfect dresser?