reclaimed Archives - Page 14 of 24

Loft living: how to get industrial style in 2021

Girl sat on brown leather sofa facing a large warehouse window with exposed brick wall

It was in the late 60’s / early 70’s that the trendy loft conversions really started to take off in NYC ….and to this day they continue to gain in popularity. This is now spilling over into UK suburbia. Here we have a look at some inspirations and ways to bring the industrial look to your home.

The features we associate with the industrial loft are bare brick walls, metal, neutral coloured walls, even bare plaster and concrete floors. You can interpret this look by having a grey tiled floor or using reclaimed wood floorboards and painting walls grey or off white. This all sounds a little harsh and cold but you can break it up by adding rugs, prints on the walls, houseplants, throws and cushions to soften the look. Mix different textures and materials together like leather, wood, metal etc. The loft look is supposed to be rustic, functional industrial furniture with simple sharp lines, and not too much fussines!

Loft spaces tend to be large open multi-use spaces – often incorporating a dining space, sitting area and even an office space. We love to see a brown leather sofa in a loft seating area – the brown leather will tie in warm reclaimed wood furniture on an industrial metal frame. The Oldman range is handmade, to bespoke sizes, right here in the UK – so you can furnish your open living space with an industrial reclaimed wood desk, shelving, coffee table and console table all from the same range in the sizes that suit your space. If you wanted an accent piece to slot in with the industrial theme then the Chestey 3 seater sofa in burnished orange velvet will definitely bring a pop of colour and luxury to your space.

Photo featuring: Oldman Industrial Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

Of course you don’t have to go the whole way with this industrial look, take a more subtle approach by introducing a few elements to your home. The Standford range includes the perfect industrial coffee table that you can build an industrial theme around – bring in an industrial sideboard from the range or the TV unit to introduce more elements. Again, the metal frames have the industrial element with the reclaimed wood adding warmth. In the dining room, you can add an industrial style pendant light over the dining table and opt for a dining bench instead of just chairs.

Photo featuring: Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

Style fix: chairs for an industrial dining table

Industrial dining room with reclaimed wood dining table and six velvet dining chairs

In a new regular feature, each month we help one of our customers with a styling quandary. This month our customer is interested in buying some new industrial furniture for her dining room but needs some guidance before making the final decision.

“I would really love to buy an industrial framed reclaimed wood dining table but am hesitating as I can’t decide what chairs to buy for it. Will metal and leather-look too industrial and cold? Would wooden chairs feel warmer? What are my options…?”

This is a great question and one that is often asked! So let’s dive right in and look at some options

Photo featuring: Standford Reclaimed Wood Cushioned Dining Chair

All wood

The Standford range of reclaimed wood furniture has everything you need to furnish a house in industrial style paired with eco-friendly reclaimed wood. The dining room furniture from this range is definitely our best-seller, so we’ll start here! The Standford industrial dining table is available as a fixed top table as well as an extendable dining table and includes wooden dining chairs that look great together – perfect for a family as the chairs can be wiped down. You can also opt for a wooden bench, which are very fashionable right now. They are easy for people to squeeze up on and a bench fits in perfectly with the rustic-industrial feel. To cosy an all-wood dining set up a little you can add cushions or faux fur throws to soften and bring it into your existing colour scheme.

Photo featuring: Standford Brown Leather Dining Chairs

Leather or Faux leather

The Standford range also includes a round reclaimed wood dining table – perfect for the smaller dining space – but of course, we don’t want to compromise on comfort just because our dining space is small. We think the Standford leather dining chairs are perfect with this table – stylish industrial legs with a soft Italian leather seat to relax back into – if you prefer not to have real leather then you can opt for the faux leather dining chairs. The Tilde vegan leather chair is also a perfect match!

Photo featuring: Skye Dark Grey Dining Chairs

Luxurious velvet

If you opt for an industrial dining table with a glamorous touch like the Standford then you can add plush upholstered dining chairs, velvet is a top choice – the Celine stone grey velvet chair is a perfect match for a dining room with a west end look. The silver legs of the dining chairs match the silver legs of the Mayfair table, complementing each other perfectly. Of course, these chairs are superbly comfortable, perfect for long dinner parties.

We absolutely love how the Knightsbridge reclaimed oak dining table looks when paired with the modern spider leg Knightsbridge chairs. These velvet chairs are available in grey or striking teal. We think the teal works well to give your dining room a more contemporary feel, for a more neutral colour scheme the grey will work a treat.

5 reasons rustic furniture makes our heart flutter

Wooden heart with red gingham ribbon on rustic wood

Reclaimed wood and rustic furniture are so popular right now. We have found the top five top reasons why people fall in love with wood furniture produced from salvaged timbers.

1. It’s environmentally friendly

Why should we waste perfectly good wood? This is a natural resource that does not need to go into landfill or be burnt. Reclaimed wood furniture is generally hand finished meaning expertly skilled craftsman are employed to give each piece a unique and personal touch.

2. It has its own story and history

This is where reclaimed wood furniture really does shine – the timbers used are often over 100 years old and have been salvaged from factories being demolished or old railway tracks that are being replaced. It is full of character and history. Brimming with gorgeous natural undulations, just waiting to be given a new lease of life.

Photo featuring: Knightsbridge Reclaimed Wood Medium Sideboard

3. It fits into any scheme

A piece of rustic furniture adds character and texture to your room. A natural wood, large sideboard in a dining room or living room will bring a natural and warm earthiness whether your style is retro, traditional or ultra-modern. If you fancy a move around, this sideboard can be used in a different room as reclaimed wood pieces just slot in with so many different styles of furniture. You can move a wooden sideboard into a dining room, kitchen, living room, home office, conservatory or a hallway,

4. A love that will last a lifetime

Solid reclaimed wood is transformed into pieces of furniture, such as reclaimed wood dining table and reclaimed wood shelves that will last a lifetime – in fact they grow old very gracefully, looking even better as the wood ages! Your family and friends will love to gather around a rustic dining table for a family feast. Another great feature of choosing reclaimed wood is that any general wear and tear marks will blend in and add your own story to the piece. To keep reclaimed wood looking great, just go over it every now and then with some clear wax or oil – depending on the finish.

Photo featuring: Kensington Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

5. It’s glamorous too

Please don’t think reclaimed wood furniture is only for the farmhouse look! The Kensington table above is a perfect fit for a sophisticated dining space, as is the Redmond Reclaimed Elm dining table. These are just two ranges that elevate reclaimed wood to a higher level. A shiny industrial element is added in the shape of silver polished legs – pair these gorgeous tables with sumptuous velvet dining chairs for the ultimate high-end dining space.

A romantic table for two at home

A red and white handstitched fabric heart with two silver forks

This year we will not be making a reservation for a table for two in a romantic restaurant. Instead, we will be staying at home and getting a takeaway or preparing our own special dinner for two.

Set the scene

Place some candles on a reclaimed wood dining table to get the lighting right, some fresh cut flowers always spell romance on Valentine’s day. A dining bench with back is a great love seat – make it cosy and comfortable with cushions and throws.

Prepare your meal

Here are a few meals to consider cooking for your special meal for two.

A classic steak dinner, serve on a wooden board on a rustic dining table with fries or jacket potato and a crisp fresh salad, if you like you can add a mushroom or tangy pepper sauce.

A smoky Spanish chicken dish with roast potatoes and greens, the simple ingredients for this dish, chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes and paprika take need little cooking on the stovetop, soak up the sauce with rice or couscous.

A creamy salmon and pasta dish is always a winner – indulging and comforting it is quick to prepare and cook leaving you free to enjoy your evening. Serve this with some fresh crusty bread rolls.

For a completely vegetarian meal, ricotta-stuffed aubergine rolls – all tomatoey with melted cheese, serve this with a side of pasta or fresh bread rolls and a green salad. Again these can be prepared in advance and put in the oven to warm through just before serving.

A chocolatey desert like a double chocolate mouse is quick and easy and can be prepared well in advance, then left in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

Sit down, relax and enjoy the evening

Whether you have a farmhouse table or an industrial dining table, bring your dishes and set them out, grab a glass of wine or special drink and get comfortable for the evening on some sumptuous fabric dining chairs. Wooden sideboards provide an extra surface for additional romantic lighting and to place dishes on, keeping your table clear of pots and dishes.

Photo featuring: Raffles Reclaimed Wood Industrial Dining Table

Great films for a Valentine’s night in

White and red candles lit on a coffee table with two red mugs

This year Valentine’s day falls on a Sunday so you will get the opportunity to spend the whole day with your loved one. Obviously there isn’t anywhere special to go this year so we are having a look at some of the most popular romantic films that you can snuggle up to and watch together. Even if you are spending the day on your own, with a box of chocolates for company, these films will bring a touch of romance into your life!

Prepare some snacks

Whether you opt for cinema-style after-dinner snacks and nibbles or a buffet spread to share and pick at throughout the evening then think about this in advance to give you a chance to get food in. To make it a bit different to every other evening you can decorate your reclaimed wood coffee table with love-themed table decorations, and candles of course. Don’t forget to get some wine, beer or champagne chilling in the fridge.

Get the mood right

You can stage your front room beautifully – turn down the lighting for a romantic ambience, place a table lamp on a sofa side table and candles on your coffee table. Fresh cut flowers are a great addition on large sideboards – you can opt for fairy lights to keep the lights toned down but still draw your eye to the flowers.

Photo featuring: Knightsbridge Reclaimed Oak TV Stand

Sit down and enjoy the film

Reclaimed wood furniture paired with a brown leather sofa is a match made in heaven. Get your sofa super cosy with cushions, blankets and throws to snuggle into ready to pop your favourite movie (or two) on your TV on a romantic rustic TV stand. Below are some films to give you a few ideas…

Ghost
Dirty Dancing
Just Go With It
Love Actually
When Harry Met Sally
Crazy, Stupid Love
A Star is Born (2018)

Photo featuring: Chelwood Nordic Reclaimed Wood TV Stand

If you prefer the golden oldies then you can opt for Casablanca, Gone with the wind or An affair to remember – to name just a few!

How to create the perfect sleep sanctuary

Woman in long sleeved white t-shirt asleep in wooden bed with white covers

Sleep good – feel good

Lots of stressors and changes in routines are playing havoc with our sleep patterns. Here we have put together a few practical things that you can do to help create the perfect bedroom sanctuary…..to help your drift off into an easy sleep.

Woman wearing white long sleeved t-shirt asleep in wooden bed with white covers

Get the right size bed

A king size wooden bed frame is the most popular size bed in the UK – this will fit in most bedrooms and allow you some room for a small bedside table either side of the bed as well as other bedroom furniture. But, what about the headboard? If you like to wind down by propping up and reading then you might be more comfortable with a custom height headboard. The Winchester range, a old wooden range that’s used through-out is full of character and beauty. The Winchester Reclaimed Wooden range includes chests of drawers, bedside tables and blanket boxes all produced using reclaimed wood to fill your sanctuary with warm and rustic charm.

Photo featuring: Winchester Reclaimed Wood Sleigh Bed

Invest in a good mattress

You might have the perfect reclaimed wood bed frame – but this is only the half of it. A good mattress is a must-have – especially if you’re experiencing back pain in the morning, you’re not sleeping well or if you get better rest in other places like a chair or sofa. Do some online research to see what might suit you. A mattress should be replaced around every 10 years so it’s definitely worth getting a good one.

Keep tech out of sight

It really is a good idea to keep phones and tablets off the bedside table. If you can’t sleep then it is way too tempting to start scrolling or keep checking the time on your phone. Unfortunately, this will do quite the opposite to getting you off to sleep. If you have a large chest of drawers a bit further away from your bed put your phone on there to charge.

More decluttering

A restful environment should be clear of clutter – make sure you have the right storage solutions in your bedroom. A small dressing table is perfect for keeping cosmetics and toiletries in, a chest of drawers for foldaway garments and a wooden wardrobe to hang clothes. The Onslow Wardrobe (below) has shelves inside, this is a great choice if you are limited for space.

Get the temperature right

The ideal temperature for sleep is 15 to 22 degrees Celsius but this does vary from person to person. If your partner likes a cooler bedroom then keep an extra throw in a wooden blanket box at the foot of your bed for those cooler nights.

How to create a feel good home office

White office desk with dark fabric chair with large green floor plant and wide sideboard

I guess by now, all those that can work from home have got some sort of office space set up. Here we concentrate a little more on creating a feel-good factor in the home office.

Make space

Of course, ideally, we would have an empty room, and budget, just waiting to be converted into the perfect home office! But if you need more space and a bigger reclaimed wood desk – see if you can move the furniture around in the spare bedroom to accommodate more suitable home office furniture. Or would some new office cabinets give you the additional storage space you desperately need? Working from home could be around to stay for quite some time yet. Having a clear and clutter-free space away from distractions, should help you feel more productive and help your day go more smoothly.

How to make do with space

If your office is still the rustic dining table in the kitchen or the dining room then try to clear your work items away at the end of the day – you don’t want to be sat at dinner, after hours, having a quick peek at what is lined up for you for the next day. A large sideboard, that complements your dining room furniture is a good investment – not only for your office paraphernalia, but also for dinner plates, serving dishes and napkins! If sharing the dining table is becoming a bit tedious then maybe now is the time to consider other locations in the home where you can add a small home office desk. A garden view in a nice sunny window would be perfect, is there a bit of space on the landing? A dressing table in a spare room could be big enough and easily converted ……or a console table in the hallway might also be an option.

Get comfortable in your surroundings

If you can only invest in one thing to help you work from home in comfort then make it the best office chair that you can afford – I promise you, your back will thank you for this in years to come. Make your space personal and beautiful. A potted plant will help lift your mood and is also a nice backdrop during video calls, as are bookshelves and photos of family and friends.

Rest and move around

When you were in the office you will most likely have moved around and had a quick chat with a colleague as they pass by your office or in the coffee room. This is one of the downsides to being away from the office, a video call or zoom meeting will never replace person to person contact and many of us make friends for life in the office. Try to find time to send a colleague a quick message to ask if they are OK, how are the kids, the dog – it will just keep your relationships going. Take a brisk walk when you get chance or take your coffee into the garden for some fresh air and a change of scenery. Do not be tempted to carry on working into the evening, you need to take time away from the “office” to recharge, relax and spend quality time with your family

Home improvements to improve your wellbeing

Girl sat crossed leg in bright white room with lots of hanging green plants

January, arguably the toughest month of the year, is over…..! Made worse by spending too much time at home of late – this may be starting to affect the wellbeing of you and your family. Here are some ideas to improve your home environment and help bring back some balance.

Bring in natural elements

House plants are a great start, but we are talking more than a putting a couple of house plants in the living room – this is making the most of nature and bringing in as many natural elements as you can. Add in organic materials – wood, reclaimed wood furniture in particular, will add an earthly, natural element to your home. With it still being winter, you should make the most of natural daylight – open your curtains to let in as much daylight and sun (if there is any) as possible. Make sure your windows are clean to make the most of it. Use essential oils to help your mood – citrus is uplifting while you can use lavender to calm down and relax. Fresh cut flowers are also great at boosting your mood.

Bright living room with large cream sofa, two armchairs, industrial coffee table and two big green house plants

Choose the right colour palette

Much is written about the use of colours in the home. Light colours for a room that feels bright light and airy, if you prefer a cosy, cocoon-like feeling in your home then you should opt for darker colours. Bold and bright colours will give your room an energised feel. Whichever colour scheme best suits your personality, what will always work with it is rustic furniture. Your living space can be bright and airy but why not give your dining room a more dramatic look by using dark colours? If you like to create an atmospheric mood when entertaining family and friends around a statement wood dining table, then dark accents bring in a touch of drama.

Round industrial dining table with four brown leather dining chairs

Photo featuring: Standford Round Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Add round shapes

Circular shapes create balance and calm – reinforce this by adding a round kitchen table, round pendant ceiling lights over a breakfast bar and round coffee table in your living room. A round rug on the floor can help you zone a room as well as give it a warmer feel.

Photo featuring: Melbury Industrial Nest of Tables

Clear away clutter

We all know that a clutter-free room is easier on the eyes and the mind, generally more calming to be in. If you add one piece of furniture in your living room then it should be a large sideboard – this will give you so much space to tuck things away and also provide an extra surface to display something on, such as favourite family photos, a houseplant and a table lamp for when you want subtle lighting. Another great way to hide clutter is a coffee table with drawers – perfect to stash away remotes, coasters, books you might be reading, glasses and anything else you like to have close at hand while relaxing in your living room.