living room Archives - Page 31 of 31

Our Gift on Galileo’s birthday: Ideas to Display Your Books

As Galileo Galilei’s birthday passes, we are able to reflect on the remarkable discoveries he made. As an astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician, he led a scientific revolution in the 17^th Century. Galileo was known for his superior mind. Galileo Galilei inventions continue to be embraced in today’s technology. He revealed amazing astronomical discoveries that have led to significant scientific breakthroughs today, inspiring many with his work. A celebrated author, he has also had many books written about him and his work over the past 400 years. Do you have any in your rustic bookcase? If not, it may be an excellent way to celebrate his birthday by reading some of his great works.

Display Your Book Treasures

If you’re someone who owns many books – or is looking to add to their collection with some of the great scientific works of our time, like Galileo, then you may be faced with the struggle of finding a great way to keep them all on display where it is not only easy to see them all, but to have access to them too. No matter how you do it, you need a bookcase that not only contains but shows off your treasured books – especially if you want to show your intellect with some of the greatest classics, and non-fiction texts adorning your shelves.

The bookcases available in high street stores are usually plain, simple and more than a bit bland. Overall, they don’t add any natural appeal to a room. If you want a fantastic piece that will look amazing in your living room, why not try a rustic bookcase similar to this open-shelf design? The simple yet elegant design can easily be added to any room. It will look great with pretty much anything on it.

For a slightly more unique design, why not try a shorter but wider shelving unit with added drawers and a cupboard? Made from reclaimed wood, it is a beautiful piece. It is sturdy enough to display books, art or anything else for that matter. It adds character to a room, too, especially when you pair it with a vase of flowers to give an effortless shabby chic style.

Finding smart ideas to maximize space in the bedroom is pretty much what everyone is looking for. With this ladder bookcase you can effortlessly display all the books you have. As a tall unit, it doesn’t take up much floor space; it is also thin meaning it doesn’t feel bulky or large.

Getting More Form Your Bookcase

Whatever it is you love to read, why not add a contemporary look to your bookshelf by breaking up the rows of books by including plants to soften corners. Or, for a real quirky and unique statement, add a vintage bicycle into your living room next to the bookcase.

Lighting is also a great way to pinpoint key features in your room and really make them stand out. For a quick, easy solution, use plain fairy lights with a soft glow or, for a longer-term solution, use backlights to make your bookcase glow. LED strip lights can be added to shelves to help them stand out too.

And don’t forget to incorporate picture frames, small pot plants and little ornaments in your rustic bookcase to bring your display unit and bookcase to life, as well as clustering your books together to create a display that is not chaotic to the eye.

Whether it’s Galileo or Goethe you prefer to read, or perhaps something a little more modern, there’s no reason not to show off your books and make them a design feature in themselves!

7 Mistakes You Do When Decorating Your Living Room

Contemporary canvas art painting in living room

We spend a lot of time in our living room so it is natural to want to decorate the space well. We want our living room to seem homely and welcoming whilst at the same time impressing our guests. Many of us are happy to spend many hours decorating our living rooms and will have spent many more choosing colours and décor and yet, when the room is finished we are unsatisfied with the result.

The reason could be because there are simple decorating mistakes that are made time and time again. By knowing what they are before you begin you can avoid making them and end up with a room to be proud of.

Lighting

Living rooms are used both night and day so it is important to get the lighting right. Contemporary lighting schemes involve creating drama with sculptural light fittings. Try placing an oversized lamp by an armchair for reading or fitting a dramatic pendant.

Patterns and colours

One or two carefully chosen patterns can add drama and interest to carefully selected parts of your room but you can have too much of a good thing. Use neutrals for most of your colour palette when it comes to pattern choice and stick to one or, at most, two patterns for decorating individual pieces such as a beautiful Louis de Poortere rug or eye-catching scatter cushions. Choose different shapes, materials and finishes to provide diversity and individuality.

Rugs

Bigger is better with rugs. Many rooms are spoilt by having a “floating rug” that seems like an afterthought. Rugs that touch all the main pieces of furniture will bring the room together.

Focal Point

Too many rooms lack a focal point so the room feels directionless. A single, large, piece of contemporary artwork placed in a prominent position will give the room focus. Be careful not to hang your art work too high as you will usually be sitting down when using the room and you should not need to strain your neck to see it.

Clutter

Messy wires and too little storage can quickly ruin the effect you are trying to achieve when you redecorate. A coffee table with drawers will offer storage for magazines, books and those all-important but easily mislaid remote controls.

Make sure you think about where your electronics are going, especially if you have a wall-mounted television. If you are planning on repapering or repainting you can take the opportunity to have sockets moved so that wires can be neatly hidden away. For wiring that is not so permanent in nature use trunking or cable tidies to stop the cables becoming tangled and unsightly.

Windows

Big heavy curtains, whilst ideal for blocking out light and noise, hide the windows and can make the room feel dark. Instead choose a blind that can be retracted completely during the day.

Furniture placement

Although tempting to increase floor space, pushing your furniture up against the walls can actually make your room look smaller than it is.

By knowing the mistakes that others have made when decorating their living rooms, you’ll be able to avoid them, allowing you to create a living room you can really be proud of!

How to Transform Your Home Into a Contemporary Space With Art

Cow portrait canvas painting contemporary modern art

So, you’ve been aiming towards a contemporary home, you’ve decluttered and minimalised. You’ve painstakingly redecorated in neutrals with bold statement colour here and there, added contemporary lighting, and introduced sleek pieces of furniture. Maybe you’ve even gone as far as renovating your bathroom and/or kitchen into a seamless contemporary masterpiece.

But your home just isn’t feeling quite right, and you’re not sure you’ve put your own stamp on it. If this is you, one sure-fire way to bring your home to life is to introduce an art collection or expand upon your existing collection with some contemporary art.

How to choose the right art for your home

There are a number of aspects to choosing the right contemporary art for your home, and if you’ve never purchased artwork before, it can seem a little daunting. Panic not, however –below, we’ve explained the basics, so that you can get it right first time.

Colour

Colour is one of the primary reasons for choosing a piece of contemporary art, Go for colours that echo the rest of your room and, if necessary, finish the room with some extra touches, like cushions or ornaments that complement your new art collection.

If your room is mainly black or white, then choosing art that is predominately that colour with an accent colour like red or yellow and one or two matching ornaments of soft furnishings in the room brings about balance within the room making it feel complete.

Rhythm

Choosing art that echoes your furniture in terms of shape or rhythm will also help complete a space. For example, if your study desk has a curved finished, then selecting a painting with a curved composition works well. Emulating shapes in a subtle way has a big impact on any space.

Size

When it comes to size and position, think about symmetry. Lining up a large canvas painting with the edges of your bed looks seamless and sleek, and truly contemporary. Don’t be afraid to oversize on your art for maximum impact!

Texture

Art that has been hand finished with oil or acrylic paint really gives the piece character, really making it a feature and bringing your room to life. If your room is full of earthy tones, then a textured canvas works very well.

Where to hang your new art?

Choosing where to hang contemporary art can be daunting at first, but the best place to start is your new contemporary living room. This is the space you spend most of your time relaxing – not counting the time you spend asleep in your contemporary bedroom of course. First of all, think about where you might like to hang or place some contemporary art, whether it be on a wall, a shelf or even on the floor – don’t be afraid to think outside of the box be creative with placement. Don’t forget, you can always move furniture around and relocate it to suit your new art addition – you’d be surprised at how much a room can be transformed with careful art-furniture placement.

With the right contemporary art, and the right placement, you’re sure to pull the look of any room together, giving you a seamless finish to any room.

Let the Valentine’s Day countdown begin!

Contemporary modern art grey hare canvas painting

Sick of looking at all of the cheap plastic trinkets that are meant to show you care about your partner just one day a year? Or the expense of a piece of jewellery you’re not too sure of just to make sure you get them something? Bored of the traditional chocolate and flowers? If so, then why not consider something more longstanding to reflect both the commitment to your relationship (and therefore your home) and opt for a statement piece of furniture or special accessory instead? Every time your spouse or partner admires it, they’ll be reminded of your good taste and generosity – better yet, it will no doubt become a unique talking point for guests.

Show the love with contemporary art

There can’t be a more thoughtful gesture than selecting contemporary art as a generous Valentine’s Day gift. Many couples enjoy art galleries and exhibitions together. Why not have some of this atmosphere at home to complete your room? Animals and wildlife have always been a traditional subject for art, so our Giclée canvas animal prints could be the perfect gift to hang in the dining room while you enjoy your Valentine’s Day meal, or perhaps behind the couch while you snuggle up and enjoy a romantic movie. The signed work of Brighton artist Ant Fox is stunning and a treat for anybody to own. Art is a personal decision, yet with a little consideration it will be enjoyed for years to come and echo the furniture and design of your living room as well as showing your other half just how much you know their taste.

Give the gift of time with contemporary clocks

Any home needs a good quality contemporary clock; not just for good time keeping but also for visual effect, and to complete the overall look of the room. It can sometimes be difficult to find the right size of clock for your taste, but these days you can find some really striking clocks that offer are a fusion of traditional Roman Numerals, together with a contemporary finish and metals. These contemporary clocks are made in 10 colours or finishes, which means you will be spoilt for choice. There will no doubt be one to suit your dining room or kitchen, especially if you have gone for an industrial or rustic look. Choose from chic industrial styles with contrasting numerals next to the frame, or a more understated black open design, to suit yours and your partners’ tastes.

Contemporary Sheepskin Rugs

Sheepskin rugs are very much sought after these days, thanks to the various colours available and the romantic overtones they portray. There are various light or dark shades and different sizes to suit your tastes and budgets and best of all – much like your relationship, each one is unique. Why not embrace this option as a lasting addition to the lounge? They really are reworked classics to add a feel of luxury to your home. This gift really will become a talking point next time you have guests and best of all, you won’t just be buying a token gift that will be put in a drawer and forgotten about. Instead, you’ll have a beautiful gift that adds both style and substance to your living area and reflects the home you’re building together.

And finally…..

Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to involve chocolates or flowers. With consideration and generosity, something for the home can reflect your good taste as a couple and your way of life. Either contemporary art, a contemporary clock or a contemporary sheepskin rug will become a much-loved addition to transform the home. And the good part is that all of these can be delivered to you right in time for Valentine’s Day.

Keep the romance alive for longer with a more long-lasting statement-piece as your gift this Valentine’s Day and give a romantic cosy feel well beyond February 14^th.

How would you describe rustic furniture?

Doset Reclaimed Wood dining table with wooden dining bench white

Whether you enjoy cosy nights in by the fire or hosting dinner parties with delicious food, rustic furniture can complement a lot of lifestyles. Rustic interior design is all about personality, giving your home that unique feel and character. Filling your home with rustic charm, whether that’s dark rustic furniture or a more lighter variety, can create a warm, welcoming space that you can’t wait to get back to after a long day.

What is rustic furniture?

At the heart of shabby chic or vintage style, is rustic furniture. The interior design industry is abundant with reclaimed wood, handmade furniture, upcycled, recycled furnishings and distressed décor. This can sometimes mean dark rustic furniture made with reclaimed wood giving an air of old age, mystery and character.

But handmade and hand finished rustic furniture doesn’t have to be dark and enigmatic to ooze character and charm. Some of the most stylish pieces and most rustic interior design trends can be finished in lighter shades of wood, paint and varnish.

Whether you opt for light or dark rustic furniture depends on your taste. Light and dark furniture both work well no matter the style of your home. Edging towards lighter shades of reclaimed wood furniture such as those in our Worcester Reclaimed Wood collection will make furnishing the rest of the room a lot easier as you can mix and match fabric and finishes more easily and create a more peaceful, tranquil feel.

Rustic Colours

Light rustic furniture finished in subtle whitewash finish, pewter and grey-green gives your space a sense of clean and fresh living, while retaining the rustic eccentricity we love so much. Country cottage style homes really thrive when filled with charming pieces of rustic furniture to create casual, relaxed beauty. The best way to fully appreciate light wood and neutral colours is to paint your space as a blank canvas; off white walls ensure that light rustic reclaimed wood and all those textures really stand out.

Combining whites and slightly darker earthy shades to complement each other really brings a sense of character and individuality to a space, and gives your home that rustic shabby chic vibe. Blending white or neutral shades with exposed reclaimed wood means you get the best of both worlds – clean and calm, yet rustic and warm.

Picking the Right Furniture for your Space

A reclaimed wood sideboard finished in off white with exposed wood tops is the perfect addition to your country kitchen. It not only provides functional storage space, but it can be home to all your favourite knick-knacks, much loved family photos, along with a great place to display special souvenirs picked up while on holiday in far-flung places – or even the local seaside town!

Choosing the right furniture for your space is very important, but it’s not the only element that gives you a home that rustic chic appearance. Complement your rustic furniture with soft textures and textiles, such as rugs and cushions, and other tactile touches. Playing around with harmonious shades and colours will not deter from the rustic charm of reclaimed wood furniture, but balance the space and enthuse your home with a sumptuous, cosy mood.

What Makes the Contemporary Furniture Style a Great Design

What Makes The Contemporary Style So Great - Modish Living

Contemporary style is more than just design; it’s a way of living. We have seen a rise in the use of contemporary interior design combining both form and function as we as a society lead busier and more stressful lives. Contemporary furniture design does away with over complicated and over the top style by stripping back on non-essentials and embracing smart technology.

Contemporary interior design combines architecture, décor and best furniture designs to make one seamless style, which at first glance is almost too cool for most households, or in a lot of cases too daunting to embark upon. However, contemporary style doesn’t have to be out of reach in any home. Here, we explain the main elements of contemporary style and reveal how to create your ultra modern living space without adding any extra stress to your busy life!

Clean Lines

The kitchen and bathroom in a contemporary home scream clean lines and sleek finishes. These are usually finished all in one or two colours, with a statement piece here and there to avoid feeling clinical. There are no unnecessary knick-knacks or junk – this only complicates your space and contradicts what contemporary style encompasses.

Bold Colours

Contemporary spaces mean you can be brave with your colour choices – think black and lime green, white and pink, even on black or dark blue wall with contrasting gold or copper light fixtures. This can help you create a statement and warmth in your home without having to deal with overcomplicated, cluttered spaces. Block colours and bold patterns as opposed to intricate, busy designs, promote a calmer, clearer environment – somewhere you’d like to be after a busy day.

Contemporary Art

Every home needs art and contemporary clutter-free spaces are no different. Think statement art on the walls or modern picture rails. Choosing the right kind of art for your taste and your home can be tricky – remember to keep things simple with bold modern pieces. If your space is neutral then don’t be afraid to explore and experiment with colourful modern pieces as long as they don’t overcomplicate the room.

Scale & Proportion

Contemporary style works best when you pick the right accessories to complement your minimalist space. The most effective way to create interest without clutter is to play about with scale and proportion of objects. Over-sized light shades on pendants, over-sized lamps on side tables and large pieces of artwork can all make a big impact. But it isn’t just large pieces that transform a room – smaller details also add variety and interest. Small lighting fixtures like single bulbs work well in contrast with a high ceiling; and low coffee tables make an interesting distinction between pieces of furniture in your living room.

Latest Materials/Materials Mix

Contemporary design also means using new materials – usually cutting edge, eco-friendly or recycled. Yes, contemporary style is all about being modern, but it is also about reinventing something and making it works for our modern lives.

Reworked Classical Furniture

Reinventing old classic furniture could mean giving your much loved armchair a complete revamp, but remember to stay clear of rustic or shabby chic, and keep things simple with neat, seamless spray paint and new, modern upholstery. Or if DIY isn’t your thing, you can add contemporary remakes of classical furniture.

If you’re looking to bring contemporary furniture style to your space, it doesn’t have to be too difficult. Simply take not of the tips above, and start with one room at a time, decluttering as you go to create a home that is completely at one with your contemporary life.

How to Brighten Up Your Living Room with a Pink Sofa

For some time now, we’ve been encouraged to decorate with neutrals, embrace earth shades and go gaga for grey. The contemporary living room is all about minimalism, Scandi and Hygge – soft, inoffensive and enveloping. That’s all well and good – and there’s no denying that done well, any of those styles look magnificent in any home. But what happens when you feel the need for a little bit of colour again? When you yearn for warm, bright and welcoming?

Therein lies the beauty of those soft dove greys and creamy beige neutrals. When you decide that all your room needs is a pop of colour – those go-with-anything schemes can take it. Any colour, light or dark, soft and chalky or bright and in your face accents are what it’s all about. An accent colour can add that splash, or pop with a feature wall or a few simple accessories. Add a few bold, red or terracotta cushions, a matching throw and candle jars to a grey room and you’ve a whole new look. Or try aqua with beiges and creams. Again, you wouldn’t know it was the same room.

Pinks for every style

For more impact and a slightly more permanent accent without redecorating, one fabulous, statement piece of furniture will do it. Take, for example, pink. Now, pink is a colour that many will shy away from in all but a little Princess bedroom – but that’s really missing a trick. Pink has warmth and softness without the harshness of reds and purples. Pink says soft and welcoming, not just candy floss and dolls. Pink is love and romance, spring blossom, comfort, gentleness. Pink implies health – ‘you’re in the pink’. The hotter shades – magenta, cerise and fuchsia – are vibrant and energetic and can add opulence, while the salmons and corals are sophisticated and elegant enough to grace any dining room.

Don’t go all out – accents are perfect

Pink is versatile, but will always show itself, so don’t overdo it. Choose a gorgeous piece of contemporary lounge furniture – a stunning pink sofa, perhaps. A pink sofa will reinforce the vibrant colours of any room and add a welcome pop to the more neutral space. Immediately, your room has a centerpiece, a focal point and everything else is just background. Your living room will have a real style and class, as well as feeling instantly updated.

Know your space

A baby pink sofa, although pretty and refreshing may lack practicality in the family home – but in the professional’s loft would look effortlessly cool and stylish. Magenta would immediately add impact and bright candy pink could add a retro, kitsch vibe. Soft crushed strawberry pink falls somewhere in the middle – it has a satisfying depth and practicality but is still undeniably pink.

Whatever your preferred shade, add some pink to your home today and feel the happiness and contentment that this adaptable colour can bring.

Grey furniture for your home

In recent years, grey has become the neutral colour of choice with homes all over the world picking this cooler hue to decorate their interiors. And, its popularity is far from limited to just our walls – grey furniture is now very much of the moment fitting perfectly into all types of interior schemes, including Scandi and Nordic style interiors that many of us have adopted here in the UK. From grey living room furniture to bedroom furniture, we look at why it is a great choice and how to style it in your home.

There are more than 50 shades of grey

Grey is so much more than just a mix of black and white. From the palest dove grey to a deep and dramatic dark stormy grey, there are many shades and tones to choose from. A grey can be cool and fresh, soft and relaxing, warm and enveloping. Better still, grey will go with anything. Add a vibrant pop of colour to grey living room furniture for a complete change of mood, or accessorise grey furniture with dusty pink or pastels for a softer more feminine style in the bedroom.

It’s versatile

Grey colour for furniture is also incredibly versatile. Think heritage, chalky shades in a cosy, country cottage or conjure up the greys of a contemporary industrial interior. Two schemes that could not be more different and yet grey furniture would work equally well for both.

With all the same varieties and vagaries of shade, mood and depth you can add whatever style you like to your room. Grey living room furniture can be calm and collected or softly relaxing, whilst grey bedroom furniture can add warmth and energy to an otherwise cold north-facing bedroom or bring a cooling breeze to a hot south-facing space. It brings hints of blue, pink, purple, even brown and yellow – think of the sky just before it snows, heavy with yellow tones, or the almost purple hints of the sky about to burst with thunder and lightning.

It doesn’t date your décor

Due to its neutral nature, Scandi furniture will never date and so you can update your décor and make it on-trend without replacing every item of furniture. It lends itself to any colour scheme you choose for your walls and accessories – right now, grey furniture would stand nicely next to a living room wall painted in a muted natural plaster, such as Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster, as well as a dark anthracite grey or even sunshine yellow.

How to do it right

Try pairing grey living room furniture with a warm, squashy brown leather sofa, adding a contemporary rug, throw or cushions for a pop of colour. In a period property experiment with chalk paint on grey bedroom furniture to add some personality to the piece and the room. In the more industrial or minimalist-style room, a sleek grey dining table and wooden dining chairs will keep the mood modern, whilst if you covet a Scandi or Nordic interior, grey colour for your furniture will seamlessly blend in with this style of décor.

Grey doesn’t have to mean dull. Why not make timeless furniture on top of your home wish list?