industrial Archives - Page 22 of 26

How do you decorate: with metal or wood accessories?

We posed yet another tough styling question to our social media followers. We really had no idea which way people would vote but unlike some of our other polls, the answer is quite definitive.

So, which do you prefer to accessorise your home with? Metal or wooden sculptures, objects and accessories?

The majority of our voters on Houzz opted for metal – twice as popular as wood – and our Instagram followers also opted for metal, again a choice that was twice as popular as wood.

But this doesn’t mean that wooden sculptures and accessories have had their day. The popularity of metal accessories is an indication of the current trend of interior design styles but with the right look, wood accessories can bring out the delight of wooden furniture, no matter what style you are aiming for.

Metal accessories

Another factor that may affect people choices is the time of year.

The festive season – as well as autumn and winter – are associated with sparkling items that reflect light around the home. With the night’s drawing in – by Christmas, sunlight fades by 3.30pm in most parts of Britain – we want accessories that maximise light in the home.

And, of course, anything shiny or sparkly fits right in with the Christmas theme and so this magnificent metal antler stag head, perfect for wall mounting in any room, is the ideal choice.

This stag head also fits well with both the rustic and farmhouse styles, two themes you may have assumed would only welcome wooden accessories into its folds. However, both are themes that embrace the outdoors and so anything that alludes to nature and wildlife is welcome.

This metallic bison head is a modern twist on something commonly associated with the deep west. It brings something different, raises a smile and certainly fits with many of the interior design styles popular today.

Wood Accessories

Wood is a beautiful material, no matter from what tree the timber derives.

But our reclaimed wooden furniture gives off a different vibe entirely. The scuff marks and blemishes, the undulations and the grain all give off a small flavour of its past, something that we think should never be lost or hidden.

Many interior design styles embrace wood as a component part of its theme, including the industrial style. Surprising, you may think, as when we think of ‘industry’, we think of metal and bricks, cement and tough solid features. But wood had its place in industry and thus, this rather fetching circular wooden accessory is the perfect antithesis to industrial furniture. Imagine it on an industrial coffee table or maybe a modern console table.

Of course, there is no doubt that wooden accessories fit with the rustic and the farmhouse theme (and be easily slipped into a modern style too!) but all that wood, you may think, can look too uniform.

The trick is to use various shades and timbers, as well as painted furniture. Imagine the rustic appeal of this gorgeous wooden horse against a painted sideboard in the dining room?

Even though there was a clear winner, do you think wooden and metal accessories could work in your home?

How do you prefer a display cabinet: with or without glass?

It was a big question. But we asked it. And you answered.

It was a dead heat. Half of you who responded to the question “how do you prefer your display cabinet, with or without glass?” said with glass and the other half were clear in their conviction: the only way forward is without glass.

With this in mind, we examine the pros and cons of glass display cabinets with those without glass.

With Glass

There is something undeniably beautiful about glass, whether it is as a glass door on a display unit or a shelf. Why do we love glass display cabinets so much?

Reflective – glass is a reflective material and so in any room, large or small, it allows natural and ambient light to play.
Elegant – this reflective ability means it adds a sense of elegance to any space or any interior design scheme.
Versatile – glass fits any interior design scheme. There is the traditional appeal of the farmhouse style display unit or the non-fussy finish to the modern style.
Protective – glass doors (any doors from any material) mean an extra layer of protection to the items inside. This is why most farmhouse or rustic style cabinets and dressers will have at least one section with glass doors.

The Con

We struggled to think of any, but we did come up with one…

The Glass Cleaning Dilemma – the smears, the annoying bits of dust and fibres left behind, the sticky finger marks… we could go on, but this is the only real bug we have about glass. And yet, it is not a ‘real’ one, is it? As well as homemade glass cleaning remedies (warm water with white vinegar, a lint-free cloth) or high-quality shop bought glass cleaners, keeping the glass doors of the display sparkling takes no more than a few minutes, if that.

Without Glass

Of course, we recognise that there are times when a cabinet without doors is the order of the day but what pros do these open display cabinets bring to a room?

Functional – there is a pleasing sense of utilitarianism about an open display cabinet. You can see its structure, the skeleton of the pieces that is just as beautiful as the reclaimed wood shelves of the industrial-style cabinet.
Openness – for many, it is the openness of the shelving that is appealing. Items are not hidden away behind door frames and glass but allowed to shine in their own right. In some ways, this is a testament to the history hidden in reclaimed wood furniture. Why wouldn’t you want to see it and admire it?
Easy to Access – and for many, it is the fact that when you need something, you can grab it off the shelf. No need to open doors and shut them again; a case of ‘grab and go’, perfect for when you need things quickly and frequently.

The Con

Again, we struggled because it is a personal question of style, likes and dislikes…

Look too bare? – depending on your style, likes and dislikes, the utilitarian feel can be too much. It lacks character, some might say but we think that in the right setting, with accessories to bring it out of its shell, the open shelving of a display unit come to life.

The Answer?

It depends on your style and what statement you want your display cabinet to make because with or without glass doors, both types pack a stylish punch.

Take advantage of our Limited Edition collection

Are you looking for a truly unique addition to your home? Our stunning collection of limited edition furniture will only be available until the end of the year, so act fast to get your hands on these truly beautiful designs. Here are a few of my favourite pieces from the collection.

Solid oak furniture is the perfect choice to add an elegant, timeless style to your home. Create the perfect centrepiece in your dining room with the gorgeous Hoxton Oak Normandy A Frame Dining Table. The natural wooden markings of the oak dining table are complemented beautifully by the chunky, A-shaped base creating a style perfect for pairing with rustic oak furniture.

To add personality to your kitchen or dining room, a reclaimed wood dining table is a fantastic choice. The Abbey Round Reclaimed Wood Dining Table is a gorgeous take on the classic reclaimed wood table, with the rounded shape and truly unique base. The statement base has been given a fresh white finish, perfect for creating a glamorous, rustic finish in any dining room which is perfectly contrasted against the natural markings of the table top.

Alternatively, take advantage of the hugely-popular industrial furniture trend by investing in a wonderfully unique industrial dining table. The Hoxton Industrial Double Cross Oak Dining Table features a gorgeous solid oak table top which creates a charming, rustic look. Contrasted against the solid steel base with a unique double cross design, the industrial table has been given a sophisticated twist which will look fantastic in any contemporary or rustic home.

The collection also features a fantastic array of dining room storage. The Windsor Large White Sideboard has a stylish and elegant finish which would work wonderfully in any dining room or kitchen. Complete with two double cupboards, and four good sized drawers, the sideboard also offers plenty of storage space.

Alternatively, the Windsor Large White Glass Cabinet will create an opulent finish in your dining room, giving you extra storage behind the stylish painted glass doors.

Have any of these pieces caught your eye? View the Limited Edition collection here.

Is the formal dining room becoming extinct?

Mary Berry, the former judge of The Great British Bake Off, has courted controversy by publicly declaring she has ‘ditched the formal dining room’. Whilst many have thrown their hands up in horror, it is easy to understand why.

But, we need to dig a little deeper because whilst Mary – and others, it has to be said – have rejoiced in the demise of the formal dining room, they are not suggesting we all invest in lap-top trays and eat dinner, hunched over our plates whilst watching the TV.

So, who is right? Should the formal dining room be consigned to the history books or is there still merit in a separate room?

The Jury is Out…

We did a quick straw pool on Instagram and we found that 50% ate at the kitchen table and 50% of our audience ate in the dining room. It is not so much that people are against the ‘formal’ dining room, maybe it is the perceived notion of how this space should be used that concerns people.

The dining room style and use has changed of late and for busy families, eating together in the kitchen has advantages. But is there merit to still having a separate room?

Not just for formal occasions…

People surveyed by us through Houzz said that they only used their dining room when there was a formal occasion such as a dinner party or Christmas dinner. Rather than seeing the dining room as hallowed ground, wrest control back and make it a fun space.

Seating

The dining table doesn’t have to be a large, dusty expanse of coldness: warm the dining table with brightly coloured upholstered dining chairs, perfect for adding texture and warmth to a space.

The seating can also be far less formal than the straight-backed dining chairs or overly-ornate wooden dining chairs that many of us grew up with. Kitchen chairs are sturdy practical simple yet have enough style to make them pleasant items to have in the dining room.

Size

Size is not always important either, with a small kitchen table being just the right size and space for the family to re-connect after a long day at the office and at school.

Material

Be practical in your choice of dining table too. We all remember the fear of placing something on the dining table that would cause a scratch mark or a water ring that would forever destroy its veneer! Modern day wood dining tables are perfect for any home as they have a much better resistance to heat and moisture, a far better and more practical option.

Accessories

Soften the edges further with stylish salt and pepper pots, as well as pretty accessories that make eating in the dining room a pleasant affair, such as the gentle flicker of candles in lanterns.

And don’t forget, the dining room doesn’t just have to be a place to eat. It can be the place that homework is done, a best-selling novel is written, friends gather…

Tell us about your dining room and how you use it. Do you use it just for formal occasions or is it the extra room that you need for other activities?

How to choose the perfect coffee table

Hudson Living Kielder Oak Nest of Tables

The coffee table – a piece of furniture that has to be all things to all people. It has to balance tea and coffee mugs, nibbles for film night, as well as serving as an impromptu art and office desk for members of the family. It also doubles as a footstool too…

It is no surprise then, that when it comes to choosing a coffee table, we can feel overwhelmed by the choice on offer. With so many functions, just how do you choose a new coffee table?

Step 1 – Know your style

First and foremost, knowing your interior design style is key. For example, if you enjoy a rustic appeal to your home, then choosing a rustic coffee table that complements your existing furniture is key. The coffee table is also ideal if you want an item with a hint of character, like this reclaimed wood coffee table on wheels – makes a change from the usual casters…

Step 2 – Be bold

The coffee table is one of those items that is not usually a talking point, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be! Look for details that will set it apart, such as the beauty and impact of this oval industrial coffee table. The large trumpet base is perfect for adding detail and glamour to any room.

Step 3 – Size IS important

Frankly, too small for your needs and it is not worth the investment but too big, the coffee table could swamp the space, impeding travel between the sofa and the rest of the room. There is a ‘rule’ that can help you out with this: the coffee table should be no longer than your biggest sofa so that it frames the coffee table (and not the other way around). It should also be no smaller than half the length of the sofa, a great way to stop the coffee table from looking ‘lost’.

There are many examples of stylish large, medium and small coffee tables that could suit your room or why not invest in a custom made and sized reclaimed wood coffee table? Made from reclaimed English beams, there is something satisfying about the presence of this rustic coffee table in any lounge or living area.

Step 4 – Be practical

The coffee table is a practical piece of apparatus for the busy home, as well as a showpiece and a platform for showing off a graceful sculpture and vase of flowers. In the busy family home, why not invest in a coffee table with drawers? Ideal for hiding away magazines and other ‘stuff’, as well as a handy place for keeping the myriad of remotes from falling down the back of the sofa. A wooden storage chest works great as a coffee table too but also as a toy box, blanket box and more!

Step 5 – ‘Divide and Conquer’

Some styles and purchase decisions become so entrenched that we assume they are the only solution. So why buy one coffee table? Why not buy three?

Of course, your budget and floor space may not stretch to that so instead, consider a nest of tables. Versatile chic and stylish, they can be used to frame the armchair in its position (along with a beautiful rug), as well as used as handy side and occasional tables the next time you have a soiree. Again, choice and styles are vast, for example, this cubed oak nest of tables is perfect for the modern pad.

Follow these five steps for a stylish, versatile coffee table that will be the ideal investment for your home.

How to style the best seller: The Kensington Reclaimed table

Luxe Kensington Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and chairs

Let us admire it, just for a moment or two – the Kensington reclaimed wood dining table is glorious in all its industrial inspired style. This autumn, the trend, interior designers tell us, will be the industrial furniture look. But if you think this means cold steel and little overall warmth and appeal, prepared to be surprised because this is not what the industrial style is all about.

Rawness, but with warmth

There is something essential raw, yet appealing and warm about the industrial look and that is down to the wood used in the scheme. But how do you pull off this look with success and aplomb?

For the look to work (for any style, in fact), there needs to be a connection between all the main pieces:

The Kensington dining table with its reclaimed wood table top and the metal leg frame works with a variety of dining chairs. In the below dining room scene, it is the legs of the table, the ever-popular Gustav industrial dining chairs and the Barclay sideboard that pull all the pieces together in one cohesive look.

Choose an element of the industrial style, whether that is wood or metal, and use that throughout the room. And keep the colours similar too – in the above dining room, the metal legs are black, perfect for promotion harmony to the eye.

Ring the changes by using dining chairs that contrast with the heady rawness of the table. The reclaimed wood table top of the Kensington industrial dining table is unfinished in its appeal thus, teaming it with the more refined wood of cream dining chairs, such as the Roxy upholstered dining chair.

In this case, the cohesion is provided by the neutral colour palette with the warmth of the reclaimed wood sitting well with the cream upholstery. The natural warmth of wood is not lost in this instance either and choosing all-natural materials also helps to pull it all together.

Don’t be frightened of colour in an industrial style dining room. The industrial look is synonymous with earthy colours, those that you would find in an industrial setting but that doesn’t mean a hint of colour is ‘not allowed’. Far from it! The Luxe Macy Grey dining chair, available in blue or grey, as well as rich Bordeaux red and sea green, is a perfect choice.

When not in use…

The table doesn’t need to be kept bare because with its striking table top, why wouldn’t you want to touch it or admire each time you pass?

And when not in use, soften the edges and enhance the appeal of the industrial dining table with fresh flowers and accessories that are stylish. Take a look at grand, statuesque candle holders as well as table and industrial floor lamps that also hint at the industrial style.

Materials are key to getting this look ‘right’. From fabric dining chairs to bringing cohesion to the space by matching details such as legs on chairs, sideboard and table, the industrial look is not cold and detached, but warm, stylish and ultimately a practical style for any home.

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!

Welcome the latest industrial dining tables

In the spotlight: essentials to add character to your hallway

The hallway is a unique space in any property. It is the part of your home that forms the important first impressions when guests call round. It is the small, but functional space that houses everything from shoes to coats, shopping bags and more.

Thus, function and style need to be an effortless fusion. It needs to be a welcoming space with a charm and warmth all its own and yet, it needs to be neutral so that it introduces the rest of the home.

You need detail in the hallway but not clutter. Your need colour but not darkness. You want brightness but nothing too stark.

We have the solutions…

Add Character Without Clutter

Console Table

Traditionally, the hallway was the place where the telephone was located. Most homes had one telephone handset and one telephone point – and the hallway was it. As a result, the console table became the furniture item of choice. Today, the phone point can be located anywhere in the home and with different handset types too, there is no need for the telephone to be the sole occupant of the hallway.

But you still don’t have oodles of space to play with and thus, the slimline console table is still popular. A console table with drawers is perfect for storing car keys and house keys, for example. And we love the idea of reclaimed furniture, with its fine pedigree and history, now being the basis for the home’s broadband and Wi-Fi router.

If you want a more rustic appeal, choose a console table that is both longer and satisfyingly ‘chunkier’ in appearance, like a hallway table. To maximise space, keep a sense of openness about the design of the console table, especially if you don’t need shelving or drawers. The Maddox console table is fun and stylish, perfect for a table lamp to cast a pleasant glow in the hallway (and there are two finishes, both in the industrial furniture style, to choose from too!).

Mirror

It is almost compulsory to have a mirror in the hallway not only to reflect light but to also check you look the part before you walk into the important meeting you have scheduled. A mirror is ideal for adding character and detail too, like with the pretty shaped Lana mirror.

For simplicity, think round mirrors with narrower less imposing frames, especially important in a very small hallway. To make a statement, even the most decorative wall mirrors add character without clutter, like this Capella mirror with its wired, spider-web like frame.

Light

Of all the hallway decorating ideas, light is possibly the most important feature. As well as table lamps on console tables, the ambient light reflected by your choice of hallway mirror, don’t forget the hanging pendant light.

Practical, yet stylish, pendant lights allow for enough luminosity in the hallway without it being stark or overly bright. Gold coloured shades are beautiful, casting a delicious brassy glow about the space and glass pendant lights are beautiful too, casting more than a hint of luxury and decadence.

Tell us how you add character to your hallway?