reclaimed Archives - Page 22 of 24

Which is for you? Maximalist, Minimalist or Meditative

home sweet home plaque with dried lavender

Do you live for vibrant colours and bold, eye-catching patterns? Maybe you prefer a blank canvas with clean crisp lines and clear white surfaces? Or do soft neutral colours and touches of nature make you happy?

Whatever interior style tribe you belong to, reclaimed wood furniture will elevate your scheme. We look at each tribe and what reclaimed wood furniture fits…

white kitchen with reclaimed wood table and sideboard

Maximalist

Bold colours, rich fabrics and patterns are just begging for an aged reclaimed wood table or sideboard. The tapestry of life visible in the natural grains of wood will complement rich fabrics and bright colour schemes, by adding a focal point for the eye to rest on. You can also introduce a “bold and bright” element to an otherwise neutral room, by simply adding accent chairs around a reclaimed wood dining table. Consider a velvet dining chair to create a warm and sumptuous atmosphere.

Minimalist

Decluttered, clear surfaces, minimal colour and furniture are what the minimalist loves. This may risk looking lifeless and soulless but adding reclaimed wood furniture adds life to a minimalist home. Keep the wood light or white painted to blend in with the scheme and a natural wicker light fitting for additional texture and warmth in your room. Bedrooms are particularly suited to minimalism. Create a calming and tranquil space by adding reclaimed wood bedroom furniture to your blank canvas, just a few, well-chosen decorative items, will complete a personal and welcoming haven.

Meditative

Linked closely with biophilic design this is a mix of fresh, neutral colours that make the most of natural light and the colours of nature. Natural reclaimed wood really is the obvious choice to complete this theme through your living space. Consider reclaimed wood shelving as a way to display houseplants by adding height and plenty of space, to really embrace a meditative decor style. A reclaimed wood sideboard is not just a place to stand your houseplants on but it also provides handy storage space.

houseplant display in front of large window

5 of the best dark bedroom ideas

Big Ideas for Small Urban Outdoor Spaces

Clay coloured garden bistro table and chairs

Living in the city comes with a whole host of benefits, but outdoor space is not usually one of them. Having an outdoor area, no matter how small, is something to cherish, and with summer on our doorstep, now’s the time to make the most of your patch. Here are some creative ways to create an urban oasis in the heart of the city. Your neighbours will be green with envy…

Go Vertical

Vertical planters and ‘living walls’ are a clever way to bring greenery to outdoor areas without taking up too much room. By planting upwards, instead of outwards, you maximise the space you have for an outdoor table and chairs or a rattan sofa maybe, whilst giving you the chance to be as green fingered as your country cousins. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive. DIY planters made from everyday objects or a simple trellis is a wonderful way to add plant life to your urban pad.

Mirrors

It’s a tried and tested interior design trick to use mirrors to create the illusion of space inside our homes, but did you know the same principle can be applied outside? Cleverly placed mirrors in small gardens, especially walled ones, help to bounce light into dark corners, giving the illusion of depth and space. It also adds a focal point to your courtyard, balcony or terrace. Just be sure to place the mirror with care and out of direct sunlight to avoid any glare and potential fire hazard.

Create Flow From Inside Out

Taking the floor level inside straight out into the garden or outdoor space is a proven strategy to create a sense of one bigger space. The natural flow from inside to out is achievable by using the same flooring and wide open doors or bi-folds. Another top tip to help make your balcony or courtyard feel like a natural extension of your living space is to position a pot with a tall plant right inside the doorway to your outdoors. It helps create a strong indoor-outdoor connection, making both appear more spacious.

Create some privacy

By adding a choice of tropical evergreen plants, you can create a lush secret haven in any type of small urban space. Bamboo is ideal for privacy and as it’s hardy and fast growing, you don’t have to be a master gardener to make it work. Place in a large container to not only contain its size (as we said, it’s a grower!), but a large planter will make your urban space look grander. Style with rattan furniture or a bamboo bench, such as the Hampstead Outdoor Bamboo bench or Bamboo armchairs for a classic colonial feel.

Go natural

To truly enjoy your outdoor haven you need somewhere to sit and relax. Keep it simple with natural reclaimed wood furniture or a rattan outdoor furniture; the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle on your doorstep. For small patios, terraces and even roof tops, a laid-back garden sofa set with a low table or footrest, is ideal for lounging.

Or how about a sleep-inducing hammock for a real castaway mood? If space really is on the tight side, keep it super simple and create a cosy corner with a floor cushion tucked into a corner. The cushions can be kept inside and brought out when needed for added flexibility. A garden bistro set is also a great option for small areas as they can be folded away when not in use.

Whatever outdoor space you have, summer in the city has never looked so good. Don’t you think?

Create a Bedroom Both You And Your Teen Will Love

Teenagers can be a tricky bunch, and not just because of their general untidiness and moody tendencies. Not quite adults, but fiercely independent, they are starting to carve their way in the world and a demonstration of this new individuality often starts with claiming their bedroom space.

When it comes to designing a teen’s bedroom there are several factors to consider, but the most important thing is that it has to be a space they enjoy spending time in and is personable to them. It’s their space, not yours and although it is you who will be paying for it, going against their likes and dislikes is a false economy – you’ll only end up redecorating anyway!

Industrial furniture has everything a teenager could want in a bedroom. Natural reclaimed wood furniture with black steel and metalwork gives a Shoreditch loft vibe that teens and parents alike will love. Check out our guide to creating a space where your teen can sleep, study, socialise and just be themselves..

Space to sleep

Sleep is important to all of us, but for a teenager, it is more important than life itself! Jokes aside, during teenage years sleep is vital for their development, and therefore, the right bed is not only central to the design scheme, but to their growth.

Picture features: Standford High Reclaimed Wood Bed

If you have the room, a double bed is a win and for a double win, make that a bed with storage. A reclaimed wood bed frame is ideal, especially for an industrial look; solid enough to withstand a strapping teenage boy, yet soft and warm to blend with a prettier scheme if desired.

And, don’t forget blinds or curtains. Blackouts are the best way to ensure natural light is blocked out as much as possible.

Incorporate a study space

A personal work space will come in very handy over the teenage years. Like it or not, they will be spending a lot of time at their desk and if it can be an area that helps them be more productive, they’ll thank you for it.

Picture features: Oldman Industrial Reclaimed Wood Desk

A slim reclaimed wood desk or even a shelf against the wall can be all that is needed. Pick an industrial desk with black metal detailing for a utilitarian feel and don’t forget space for organising notes, books and pens. Desks with drawers are great to help corral everyday study essentials or consider industrial shelving, a small bookcase or wall-mounted storage if space is tight.

Say yes to savvy storage

Picture features: Zinc Top Architects Cabinet

Of course, the end objective as a parent is for your teen to keep their room tidy. A losing battle perhaps, but storage is key to helping them at least attempt to keep their bedroom tidy. As well as hidden storage under the wooden double bed, doors and draws are the trick here or any closed storage for that matter. A small chest of drawers, wooden blanket box or wooden wardrobe will help keep items out of sight and tidy habits encouraged.

Flexible furniture

Teens can be fickle and prone to change, so furniture that can be moved or used for other functions is a wise choice. Built-in furniture is perfect if the room is a tricky shape, but isn’t so great when a teen’s quest for change kicks-in. A reclaimed wood wardrobe with black metal feet can be moved to the other side of the bed should a teen decide on a different look, whilst an industrial desk can be used as a dressing table or gaming station at the weekend.

Picture features: Dulwich Reclaimed Wooden Wardrobe

Personal touches

A teenager’s bedroom is the perfect place for them to show off their style and spend time with their friends. Adding elements that make it easy for teenagers to take ownership of the decor will help ensure they are happy with the end result. Notice boards or wooden shelves to display photos, old festival tickets and wristbands and holiday memorabilia works well in a teen room.

Grooming station

Grooming and cleansing may not be high up in an early teens priority, but as they progressive into teenagedom, this is going to become a well-used spot. Not only to ensure the rest of the family gets an opportunity to use the bathroom, adding an area for a teen to get themselves ready gives them a personal space to experiment and express their identity in private. A modern dressing table will be a welcomed addition or simply adding a floor mirror or round wall mirror will help create a zone to get ready.

Final tip

Don’t ever use the word ‘cool’ or ‘hip’ to describe any part of the room or piece of furniture; teens are likely to instantly disown it (and most probably you)!

How a Rustic Bedroom will Help You Reclaim Your Calm

Rustic reclaimed wood bed frame with wooden blanket box and bedside table

Having a sanctuary to retreat to is more important than ever right now and the bedroom is the one room in the home where you can shut the door and find a moment of undisturbed peace. But if you thought calm and zen were plain and minimalist, you’ll be pleased to hear there are other more homely ways to create a pared-back, simplistic zone. The modern rustic bedroom is a cosy escape that brings comfort and tranquillity to our daily life in a natural, pared-back and simplistic way. Want to know how to create this fresh take on the rustic style? Explore our Winchester Reclaimed Wood collection to find out how..

1. The Bed

The choice of bed is without doubt the most important decision in any bedroom and for the rustic bedroom, the quickest way to inject some modern charm is with the Winchester Reclaimed Wood Bed. You’ll be sure to fall in love with the smooth lines and curves of this double wooden bed frame, king size double wooden bed frame or even super king size, as quickly as you’ll want to fall into it (and possibly never want to get out of!). The modern curves fit well with the texture of the old reclaimed wood, which is peppered with natural markings, notches and nail holes, proof of its heritage.

2. The Chest of Drawers

Arguably the next best piece of furniture in the modern rustic bedroom, both in terms of styling the room and the function it provides. The perfect piece to store clothes, sheets and blankets, a large chest of drawers is also a lovely spot to add some personal style to your bedroom. Dress with a table lamp, a plant (Lavender is great as it looks pretty and is known to relax and calm), maybe a framed photo of your loved ones and hang a mirror or piece of artwork on the wall behind. With its elegant curved drawers, the Winchester Reclaimed Wood collection of chest of drawers is fresh, modern and effortlessly rustic, with absolutely no rough around the edges. Go large or go tall with a choice of three sizes.

3. The Wardrobe

A well designed bedroom should always include a double wardrobe and for a calming rustic style, it should be a reclaimed wooden wardrobe. But this large piece of furniture can sometimes be guilty of dominating your modern rustic scheme.

4. The Bedside Table

Believe it or not, bedside tables are one of the first things you notice when you walk into a bedroom. Yes, the bed is an important part, but the right bedside table can balance out the decor in our bedroom. If your modern rustic bedroom is going to become the calming retreat you desire, you’re going to need somewhere to put your relaxing herbal tea, favourite book and reading lamp. We love the three curved drawers and smart pull-out tray feature of the Winchester Reclaimed Wood Nightstand – perfect for lazy Sunday mornings or an afternoon lie down.

5. The Blanket Box

And finally, the finishing touch to a calming modern rustic bedroom is a wooden chest to store your riches, and we can guarantee you will be sure to treasure the Winchester Reclaimed Blanket Chest. Useful for so much more than storing linens, this versatile little gem has been beautifully handcrafted from 100% reclaimed wood and features a curved lid design for a fairy tale treasure chest look.

Dress your rustic bedroom with natural fabrics and a neutral colour palette and it will ooze zen-like calm. What else would you add to make it your natural haven?

At home with Cassie Nicholas, Interior Designer

Congratulations on winning 2019 BBC 2 Interior Design Masters. What did you learn from being on the show?

Thank you! I learnt so much on the show from both the other designers and the judges. One of the main things I discovered is that I am more organised than I think I am. I learnt that meticulous planning and communicating to everyone in the team helps, but also to be able to adapt and change the plans as inevitably nothing ever goes quite as you expect!

What’s your philosophy when it comes to good interior design?

I think interior design is very much entwined with how a space can make you feel, as well as what it looks like. I believe good interior design, especially in your home, can make you happier. Within the home, the process of growing your space and interiors from pieces you find and collect can help to make it really personal. By not being too trend focused, you can create something more timeless and unique.

Photo credit: Cassie Nicholas

Describe your signature style in three words?

Romantic, authentic, timeless.

What tips do you have for bringing sustainable designs into the home

There are so many ways to bring sustainable designs into the home. When I started designing it was not my first thought, but I soon realised sustainable design is just how I think inherently . As well as an interior designer I have been an antiques dealer for the past ten years. I love antique, reclaimed wood furniture and vintage pieces and feel I get so much enjoyment out of the hunt in finding them. It is extremely fun and not only is it much cheaper, but it also means these pieces have had another lease of life. Plus, you are bound to get a more individual home.

Photo credit: Cassie Nicholas

We try and buy a lot of our wood for making furniture or shelving etc. from our local Bristol Wood Recycling project. We love going there, getting drawn in by fabulous pieces of wood and trying to create a project around what we have found.

You’re quoted as saying your style is based around authentic character and imperfect beauty. How do you incorporate that into your designs?

I don’t like things to be too contrived or overly styled and I want most decorative things to have a purpose and feel natural. I aim for each space I create to have a sense of the people that use it, whether it’s a restaurant or a living room, and be authentic to who they are rather than what trends they like. I think this gives spaces more longevity and can grow with the clients. Crisp perfectionism isn’t my thing. I love real age, patina and pieces that show their history.

What’s your favourite room in the house and why?

The kitchen. I work at the kitchen table, love to cook and socialise in here too. It is forever changing and it always reflects our everyday. It is my total haven.

Photo credit: Cassie Nicholas

Name three Modish Living products you are lusting over?

1. I love the classic feel to the Hudson Living Wycombe Dining Chairs. They could work well in so many different style interiors.

2. The Bordour White Woodchip Pendant Lights have a great look and I love that they are made out of waste timber! They are a great way to add texture to a room.

3. Linen is something I use a lot, especially at home. I love the texture it creates and how the colours change subtly when washed and used over time. I am always on the hunt for tablecloths and think they can really transform a space and table, making it feel very comforting, layered and cosy. I’ve got my eye on your Lovely Linen collection.

Do you have any design rules you never break?

No, I have tried my best to not to ever read what the rules are supposed to be, so I can just do things my own way.

Photo credit: Cassie Nichoals

What three things would you take with you to a desert island?

I am very practical, so I know I would want to build something. I think a saw would be useful, loads of seeds to plant some food and a radio, so I can still have some music.

Would you rather go back to age 10 with everything you know now or know everything your future self will learn now?

I think I’d rather know everything my future self will learn now.

Where To Spend & Where To Save with Home Staging

Home staging is an American concept that they have long used to sell properties. In a nutshell, it is about showing your home in its best light, suggesting the lifestyle the buyer could have if they bought your property. It sounds a good idea and simple enough, but spending too much and spending it on the areas can prove a costly mistake. So, what should you be doing to get the best possible price when you sell your home?

1 The kitchen

For many buyers, this is the room that can make or break a house viewing. A kitchen that looks dated and tired is not visually appealing.

The solution is not always to rip out and replace the kitchen, however. Replacing worktops, painting cupboards doors or replacing them, updating the tap and generally decluttering so the work surfaces are clear can make it look far more attractive than it currently is, without too much of an investment.

2 The dining room

Another important area. The dining room lost its popularity for a while with homeowners preferring the more socialable kitchen/diner set-up. However, in recent years its seen a bit of a come back and whilst a tired or dated dining room is not as off-putting as a dated kitchen, there are still some tricks to making it more appealing.

Declutter by getting rid of furniture if needed or putting it in storage so that buyers can see the dimensions of the room. Reclaimed wood furniture is very beautiful but furniture around every edge of the room closes it down.

With your reclaimed wood dining table, add a stunning centrepiece such as a floral display (great for colour and scent too!) and arrange the dining chairs so that the room’s accent is on the important bit – the dining table and the space the room offers.

3 The living room

Like the dining room, you need to place an accent on the dimensions of the space and what potential buyers could do with it if it were their own.

Thin out bookcases and the like so that the range of furniture in the room, from the wooden coffee table to the beautiful sideboard and display units, shine through.

When buyers can feel the space in the room by seeing the edges and the furniture that is in there, it will have the feeling of space and style that they are looking for.

4 The bedroom

Clever home staging is about drawing the buyer’s eye to the points you want them to notice.

Bedroom furniture that has the same style is key as it creates symmetry in the room, but you also want to balance it by clever placement. The large chest of drawers, for example, shouldn’t dominate the room as the reclaimed wood bedframe should draw the eye first – make sure you have the best bed linen for viewing day!

A rug can help draw the eye around the room and with key items such as a wooden blanket box helping to ‘hideaway’ blankets and spare linen, the room will have the feeling of organised space that people want.

5 The spare bedroom

And finally, don’t underplay the spare room by leaving it looking sparse. Make sure that buyers understand this space too. For example, a single bed with sideboard and a wardrobe and a small chest of drawers showcases the room perfectly.

With hallway rugs adding pops of colour and texture, the smallest and cheapest home staging tweaks will make a difference.

10 Items That Are Cluttering Up Your Home

Pile of books with what's cluttering up your home writing

Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or simply want to create a fresh and more ordered space, you’ll need to de-clutter. But what items are cluttering up the space in your home and what should you do about it?

1. Things that are not yours – simple but true, if you have items in your home that are not yours and are just taking up space and gathering dust, either return to the sender or find another home for them. From library books to furniture that friends are storing at your place, now is the time to move them on.

2. Thin out your bookcase – if you are an avid reader, you will possibly have hundreds of books. Thinning out your bookcase is part of the de-cluttering process as is investing in display units that match your interior design style to store your edited book collection. Pass your books forward to friends and family or give them to charity and you will not only create space for new tomes, but share the pleasure of a great read.

3. Small appliances that don’t work or you don’t use – heading into the kitchen, you’ll no doubt find an appliance or two that you either don’t use or are broken. Recycle them (many councils recycle at the kerbside) and free up kitchen cupboard space.

4. Containers that don’t do anything – from baskets to plastic boxes, we buy these containers assuming that they will be perfect for helping us de-clutter and store things. Ironically, the trouble is, they are often aren’t and simply create more clutter! Get rid of these and replace them with other solutions, such as a coffee table with storage or a slimline console table with drawer for the hallway, so you still have places to store your belongings, but in a much more stylish way.

5. Toiletries in the bathroom – often the smallest room in the house, thinning out your toiletries will mean clearer surfaces. Easier to clean and keep clean, less clutter on tops and open shelving will work wonders for the appearance of the bathroom.

6. Spare bed linen, duvets, blankets… – from piling on top of the wardrobe to piling them in boxes under the bed, spare bed linen and the like are bulky and take up space. Consider a blanket box for the bedroom, which can also serve as an occasional seat or even update your bed to one with underbed storage drawers.

7. Magazines in the living room – there is something about reading a printed glossy mag that is a real treat, but you’ll soon find that they pile up in inconvenient places. The solution is to recycle or opt for storage solutions such as a coffee table with drawers.

8. Stationery and ‘stuff’ in the home office – it’s your work space which means you’ll be surrounded by the things you want and need, but if you’re not careful, it can look messy and unappealing. Clear surfaces by recycling items you don’t want or need and opt for home office storage solutions that allow for easy storage of items.

9. Out of date technology – we all have them; phones from years ago or chargers that we are no longer sure what they are for… streamline these tech bits and bobs and consider adding something like an open shelving display unit for charging phones and other tech.

10. CDs and DVDs – like books, CD and DVD collections grow over the years, but with todays streaming services, how many times do you ever put a DVD or CD on? If they are now obsolete in your home, ask yourself if you need to keep them. If you can’t bear to lose your favourite album or movie, consider sliming down your collection and how you are storing them. A reclaimed wood TV unit with cupboards and drawers is a perfect solution.

Create A Good First Impression – Hallway Focus

Wooden letters spelling home with a red heart for letter o

Spring has arrived! A sign of new life, it is also the time of year that most people who have decided to sell put their property on the market. But before you welcome potential buyers over the threshold, you need to make sure your property is ready – and that means every part of it, including the welcome buyers are given when they enter the hallway. So why is the hallway so important?

When people view a property, they come with a set of criteria, but they also need to fall in love with it. It needs to have ‘the feeling’ they are after and that’s why first impressions matter.

Styling your hallway is key and that means…

Decluttering – thin out the coats, the bags, the boots, the shoes and wrangle the scarves and gloves into a hallway storage bench so that the hallway is tidy. This also helps make it more appealing by giving a sense of space.

Make hallway storage a priority – no matter who buys your property, the hallway is a functional and practical space, something that you need to show. Emphasise its dimensions and functions with storage. There are many different hallway storage ideas, such as a hallway bench to a reclaimed wood hallway cabinet or narrow console table.

Hooks – if there is one storage item that can solve a range of problems in the hallway it is the humble hook. From coat hooks to a wooden shoe rack, the simplest solutions are often the best. BUT, just keep one or two coats per person in the hallway other it can look like a growing mountain of coats and jackets!

Lighting – a warm, soft glow from a table lamp on the hallway table, window ledge or console table is a must. Remember, to create the right impression you want to appeal to all the senses. Lighting helps the space to feel welcoming, as well as being a practical addition.

Gentle scent – a welcoming scent is important too. You can opt for a fresh flower display, ideal for perching on the hallway small console table or you could also light a scented candle (opt for a gentle floral scent). Similarly, diffusers also work well in the hall as their gentle perfume is wafted around as people move through the space. Remember to regularly turn the reeds, so they don’t lose their fragrance.

Mirrors – don’t underestimate the power of the mirror in the hallway. Perfect for reflecting light about, its reflective surface also makes the space feel bigger. But it also has another important role too and that is, ‘anchoring’ hallway furniture in the space available. For example, behind a piece of reclaimed wood furniture in the hallway, such as the console table, a large mirror hung a few inches above its top gives a sense of grandeur to the room but also gives the item a definite place in the order of the room. Try it – you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

Alongside practical flooring – a hard floor with a hallway rug for texture and colour is great in this space – if the hallway ticks all the right boxes, the viewing will go from strength to strength.