rustic Archives - Page 34 of 45

Is a blanket box only to be used in the bedroom?

Aimee Reclaimed Wood Trunk Coffee Table with Storage

As you know, we regularly conduct polls on interior design blog Houzz. And our followers never disappoint, offering us a glimpse into what they think of the latest styles, trends and ideas, from reclaimed wood furniture to lighting ideas.

Our latest Houzz poll attracted attention because we asked about the blanket box and how people tend to use theirs or, if you would like one, how would you like to use it. As always, our followers and customers gave fantastic feedback.

We Asked, You Answered

Traditionally, the blanket box or chest was exactly that: a place to store blankets and usually, the box was located in the bedroom.

And it made sense at a time when the need for an extra blanket or two on a cold night was common. But times changed, as did our bedding. No longer were beds made up of layers of sheets, blankets and a top eiderdown. The continental duvet became the simpler, easier and, some say, more stylish way to dress the bed.

And that meant the blanket box would either become a relic of the past or we would find a new use for it. Thankfully, the blanket box hung around and is still a common piece found in homes today.

But we wanted to know, how would you use a wooden blanket box?

In the bedroom

For a storage chest in the bedroom was the most common answer and we can understand why. The key to successful storage is accessibility.

Being able to get at bed linen, blankets, spare duvets and towels quickly is something that a wooden blanket box offers. Simply lift the lid, extract or store what you need. Is there anything more complicated about a wooden blanket box.

But simplicity doesn’t mean ditching style. Who could fail to love the simmering broodiness and the smooth arched lid of the Winchester wooden box?

Toybox and hallway bench

It was a tie between these two uses of the humble blanket box and we can see what this would be the case.

Again, for a toy box, the beauty lays in the quick access and the fact that a box, its generous proportions – like the Dulwich blanket box– means most things fit. And as far as a large toy box goes, it has a stylish aplomb all of its own. In other words, it sits well within the rest of the room.

As a hallway bench, we can see its versatility too. The Savannah blanket box, with its sturdy lid and hinges, along with the painted base would suit all hallways, offering plenty of storage for shoes and boots too. As far as small hallway ideas go, you’d be onto a winner with this.

In the living room

And finally, people also said that they used the storage chest or blanket box as a coffee table with storage, which, to us, seems an excellent use of its generous storage proportions and sturdy table top.

And with so many styles and finishes to choose from, it seems that the blanket box could perform all of these options at some point. It could be a blanket box when needed, and then a toy box and then a perfectly serviceable seat in the hallway, maybe ending up in the living room, hiding all the junk when unexpected visitors arrive…

Beautiful reclaimed dining tables for all budgets

Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Bench

As you know, from time to time we share customer stories and photos of how they use items from our reclaimed wood furniture collections in their homes. In this post, we are taking a look at dining tables and how, no matter what your budget, you can get a fantastic look for your home.

Top end budget

The Kensington dining table is a firm favourite and so, if your budget will stretch, it is well worth the investment.

Just a Little Build and I am Emily Halil shared photos of their Kensington reclaimed wood dining table with us and we think you will agree, in the setting of their kitchen diner, with the modern dining chairs, it looks simply stunning.

Opt for the same table with glass top and polished stainless steel legs from the Kensington Collection.

The mid-price range

For a similar look to the Kensington but at a slightly lower price, the Beam reclaimed wood dining table is a fantastic alternative. If your budget is tight, there is a rustic version that offers no less in terms of style and elegance, siding more with the rustic interior design trend that so many of us enjoy.

Still, with an industrial pedigree, it also comes with a dining bench, fantastic for when you need some extra seating and a little more space too.

If you prefer dining chairs, Allegro leather dining chairs are ideal table partners for the Beam dining table.

For a similar price, you can also enjoy the luxury of upholstered dining chairs. We think the neutral tone of the Florence dining chair offers fantastic scope for creating a beautiful styled landscape to any dining room or kitchen diner.

Affordable, stylish and chic

Of course, money isn’t everything and just because you spend thousands on a table doesn’t mean it does any better a job than a cheaper alternative.

And that’s why we love the Farringdon trestle table. A design that is both familiar and chic, the trestle style table is perfect in so many ways, as shown by our discerning customer Chess Harris. Showing the versatility of a combination of chairs and dining bench, you can see what can be achieved.

The Farringdon extending dining table is also a hit with another of our customers. The dining bench coupled with the table gives Pretty Little Home Things the perfect appeal to their dining space. Clean lines don’t have to mean harsh angles and sharp corners, as this homely style shows us.

Again, for these tables the upholstered or leather dining chairs wouldn’t go amiss, more so when combined with the versatility of a dining bench. If you want a hint of decadence, consider the rollback leather dining chair or why not opt for the simplicity of an industrial style upholstered dining chair.

We have a dining table for every budget, and fantastic dining chairs and dining bench options too. And we would love to see how you styled your dining table and chairs – share your photos with us!

Get the perfect reclaimed TV unit for your budget

Whether your budget is tight, or you have an unlimited pot of cash, choosing the right TV unit is not just about the money. It is about style too! Whether you want a TV cabinet with doors, drawers or without storage at all, we’re sure to have something to suit your style and budget.

The bestsellers

On this journey through TV units, we are going to start with two best sellers. We can seek inspiration from the choices of others.

The first best seller on our list is this TV storage unit from the Dorset collection. Its rustic appeal marks it out from all other TV units with storage. It makes a statement but does so without being too ‘over the top’.

The second on the best seller list is similar is that it has a white painted body contrasting with the wooden top. Slightly more refined in appearance, this TV unit with storage from the Savannah range, a reclaimed wood furniture collection that has long been popular.

In terms of pricing, both are in the lower price bracket so great news on all fronts.

When budget needs to work really hard…

This reclaimed wood TV unit with a handy shelf and drawers has refinement and appeal that you have come to expect from us. This wouldn’t look out of place in a farmhouse styled home or one with a rustic appeal either. It delivers what you need from a TV unit stand – and its uber-stylish too!

Fair to middling price range

Right in the middle of the budget range are exquisite examples of TV units that are a pleasing mix of function and style.

In a similar price bracket is the industrial style Standford TV unit with a small shelf and plenty of drawer space. The other similar priced TV unit is the deliciously quirky – but rustic in its appeal – Ashburnham TV unit. With a cabinet at either end and a shelf in the middle, this rustic TV unit comes with two holes pre-cut in the backing from hiding all the cables that come with modern TVs and gadgets.

Climbing the price bracket we are looking at the refined Beam TV unit. Delightfully sturdy in appeal, this is one of those investment pieces that we all seek because we know it will morph to any style and any colour scheme. In other words, this is a future-proofed investment – you just need to find the long-term investment comfy armchair to match!

The top end

We carefully select which designer collection to stock, handpicking every item so that we are confident when our customers make an investment in an item, they are buying a high-quality piece.

This isn’t just about style and composition but the detailing that sets something apart from all else. And so, when it comes to the top end of your budget, you can be confident we have everything covered, from style to quality, to excellent craftsmanship.

The Barclay range is popular -as we knew it would be – possibly down to the elegant appeal of the detailing. The Barclay TV unit from this range had an accessible combination of storage of shelf and four long drawers, hidden behind the handles.

Pipping it by mere pounds in the steel framed Maddox TV unit. Made from worked steel and reclaimed elm, there is a weight that makes this two-shelf TV unit substantial. Deceptively simple, it is a piece of furniture built to outlast all others.

Which would be your choice?

Kitchen storage hacks for summer dining

With the summer finally upon us, we not only change our eating habits regarding how we eat, but we also often change where we eat. From juicy burgers off the BBQ to picnic lunches in the garden, al fresco dining is something we can all enjoy, but it does come with some complications.

Outside dining often means a change in cutlery, plates and more. For many of us, changing the storage in our kitchen is a must in summer because no one wants plates dishes and salad bowls clogging the worktops. With these tips below, however, outside or summer dining indoors should be an absolute breeze.

Add a sideboard to the dining room or area

A sideboard is not the old-fashioned addition you may think of it, especially not when you consider the rather splendid and cool chic of the Picasso industrial small oak sideboard. Simple yet striking in its appeal, a sideboard can hide a myriad of sins whilst also providing handy, accessible storage space.

Depending on the look and style you want, there are many other options, including the Dakota sideboard. Imposing without being overpowering, there is ample storage space, as well as stylish design.

Not just ideal for the dining room, this versatile investment piece will look great in a hallway too – because who says your kitchen supplies needs to be hidden in the kitchen?

Extra storage that works for YOU

When making any decisions about storage, you need to consider how YOU would use it. All too often, the stylish additions that glossy magazines wax lyrical about are all well and good aesthetically, but they offer you very little in the way of space and accessibility.

Choose with care because you may end up with an elephant of a piece sat in the corner of the room that you don’t really know what to do with. With this smaller kitchen sideboard, you have no need to worry. Perfect for storing away all the picnic and al fresco dining, it would look stunning alongside your reclaimed wood dining table too.

However, if you want to make a statement, the rather handsome dimensions of this large sideboard from the Colette range is a must. With more than enough room to store everything from napkins to table linens, it is a versatile piece of kit no matter what time of year. Perfect for putting away Christmas table decorations too, we think…

Not everything needs to be hidden

Reclaimed wood furniture can be beautifully styled even with items that don’t perhaps fit in the cupboards and drawers – it doesn’t always have to be that everything needs hiding away. As well as shelving and open-shelved units, why not consider a large sideboard complete with display unit.

Offering the best of both worlds – cupboards and shelving – the grand, but not overly tall or looming Dorset reclaimed wood dresser is an investment that will keep on giving for years to come and it’ll go perfectly with your reclaimed wood dining table too!

And finally…

… ditch the plastic boxes with lids. Utilitarian they may be, but beautiful they are not. Complementing reclaimed wood is not hard, especially when you choose wide-weave baskets.

Now, what are your perfect storage solutions for summer?

Why we love sofas in the garden

West Strand Grey Corner Sofa Set with Coffee Table

If you love to entertain in the summer months, it’s good to spend some time thinking about how you can get the most of your garden. A garden sofa set is the perfect option to make your space more sociable, providing all the comfort of a living room – but in the garden.

We’ve been thinking about the best ways to make your garden a sociable spot and outdoor sofas are among some of our favourites. Dressed right, an outdoor seating area is capable of creating a real focal point. You could even create a wall of plants or add an eye-catching feature like a fire pit to grab your guests’ attention and draw them out into the garden. If you are limited on space inside, this is a great idea, as it clears out the kitchen for you to prep food and drinks with ease!

When you are deciding on the perfect sofas for your garden, think about the look you want to achieve?

Are you looking for something ultra modern to make your patio area an extension of your glossy kitchen? The West Strand Grey Corner Sofa may be the perfect option. Coming in a set with a matching armchair and an outdoor table, the West Strand set will create the ultimate space for entertaining family and friends all evening long. A modern set is also perfect set for those that love greenery in their garden – lush, palm leaves and brightly coloured flowers will pop against understated design.

For something more classic, a rattan sofa is a great option. To create more of an outside living room, the Harting Set is fantastic – the separate chairs mean you can create a really sociable spot where all your guests can chill with a glass of wine in hand. Alternatively, for something slightly more compact, the Walderton Corner Sofa Set looks ultra sleek. On warm evenings, you can even bring classic living room pieces out onto your patio area such as rugs, blankets and side tables to blur the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors.

If you are looking for something truly unique all your guests will want to sit in, our Rattan Hanging Nest Chair is truly superb. Paired with a rattan sofa set, a statement chair such as this is bound to be the star of the show. Finish the look with some statement Morrocan inspired cushions you can put out when you are entertaining and set the mood with some fabulous outdoor lighting to ensure that your outdoor space remains a hive of activity long after the sun sets. The large cocoon shape of the seat makes it perfect for relaxing in and being fully waterproof, the seat will bring enjoyment for many years to come.

What do you think? Will a garden sofa set be making its way into your garden this summer?

The most beautiful extendable tables for summer soirees

English Beam Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

With the summer finally here, spending time in the garden is a top priority. But as well as catching a few rays, it is more than likely that at some point, you will invite family and friends over for a get-together, BBQ or party.

Dining space and seating needn’t be a problem with our favourite extendable dining tables, perfect for indoors and outdoors.

Bring the indoors to the outdoors

Extendable dining tables are a fantastic and versatile investment, but it doesn’t have to stay in the dining room or kitchen diner – they work just as well on the patio too!

Reclaimed wood furniture is not just a trend, it is a stylish means of reusing wood that has plenty of life left in it yet. But a reclaimed wood table also brings an air of romance to any room or space – as your fingers glide over the table top, you will wonder what secrets are hidden in the grains and knots.

And this romantic vision is perfect for entertaining outdoors, complete with a reclaimed wood table to act as a focal point, whether it is a sit-down meal or a buffet you are hosting.

Scandinavian style

Style is about creating a sense of cohesion and flow between objects thus, most designers suggest choosing an interior design style, deciding which key elements you will keep and build the interior or appeal of a space around these ideas.

The Scandinavian style is popular – clean, clear-cut, no fuss but with a penchant for all things natural, it is the ideal style for a kitchen diner or conservatory that leads out into nature and the great outdoors.

This oak table has it all – the warmth of wood, oozing with quality and yet stunningly simple.

Inclusive

A round extendable dining table is not the only solution when it comes to creating a dining space that invites conversation and interaction. A rectangular extending dining table and chairs also offer the perfect means to bring about warmth and connection over delicious food.

Some garden parties and get-togethers – like the BBQ – run along informal lines but sometimes, you want to dress it up a little. Not too formal that the summer dinner party becomes sticky and awkward but just enough to give it a sense of occasion.

There are various ways of doing this and higher-backed chairs, along with flickering candles are just two factors that create an ambience of delightful formality in and around the room. From rattan to upholstered dining chairs, there is an extendable reclaimed wood dining table to match, giving you many options both for the Scandinavian appeal and other design schemes too.

Summer dining – an exquisite experience

There are so many ways you can throw a summer dinner party, creating a truly relaxed and almost magical experience. From the hustle and bustle of a BBQ to a more sedate afternoon tea party, to a formal dining experience in the conservatory looking out over your garden, the table is the central point around which everything pivots – so make it a stylish one.

Beautiful chairs to suit your reclaimed table perfectly

English Beam Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Grey Chairs

The Beam collection is simply exquisite. It doesn’t need any other introduction other than that.

However, it is worth discussing the dining table a little more especially in how the choice of dining chair will highlight its patina and character.

The Table

The English Beam table is available in three coloured finishes;

• The lighter finish to this reclaimed wood dining table allows the grain, knots and markings to come to the surface. Perfect for the rustic and Scandinavian-styled dining room.

• The medium finish to this reclaimed wood table also allows the grain and unique patterning to rise to the surface but the darker shade to the table is perfect for the farmhouse appeal. It adds a depth of colour without sucking all the light.

• The darker finish is exquisite and demands attention. For those that love the look of darker wood furniture, then this is the choice for you. Adding drama and depth to the reclaimed wood, it is a dining table that will age beautifully too.

The rules for dining chairs

Here’s the good news – there are none. But here’s the bad news – there are none. Lack of rules can mean we are uncertain about which choices work best with a certain style of dining table and finish.

Upholstered or not?

The first decision is whether to opt for a wooden chair, similar to the matching English Beam dining chair. It has a pleasing sturdiness to it, that sits beautifully with the same sturdiness of the table.

Matching chairs can be a signal of cohesiveness, but it doesn’t mean that ‘matching’ dining tables and chairs are the only options. Or, ring the changes by choosing upholstered dining chairs.

Fabric or leather?

If you want an upholstered dining chair to sit alongside your English beam rustic style table, then you have another choice to make: do you opt for the warmth of and colour of fabric, or do you introduce the appeal of leather dining chairs.

Lighter fabrics work well with all three finishes of the reclaimed wood dining table. Grey dining chairs are a popular choice for the lighter finish, giving a fresh and modern appeal to a space.

Lighter colours also work well as a contrast alongside the darker and medium finish – in essence, the choice of colour, shade and tone of fabric dining chairs is down to your own personal choice.

Leather dining chairs are also a popular choice and no wonder – easy to keep clean, they remain looking pristine and stunningly beautiful for a long time. As a natural material, the pattern of the leather can be as unique as the reclaimed wood of the table, something that creates a perfect connection between them.

The allegro leather dining chair, as seen here with the industrial styled English Beam table, is a sought-after dining chair, sitting well with all three finishes of the rustic style of dining table too. Sometimes, the simple and unadorned are the best chairs for such a grandiose dining table, something that the Barton dining chair has.

Which dining chairs would you sit alongside this fabulous example of a reclaimed wood dining table?

The useful guide on renovating a conservatory

The conservatory is a welcome addition to many homes. The terms sunroom, orangery and conservatory are used interchangeably and although there are differences between the three, they all spell out one thing: more social space.

As a renovation project, it can be one of the most pleasing in which you can really create a stylistic splash. But, like all renovation work, there are pitfalls.

Think through the renovation project by considering;

How will you use the conservatory, sunroom or orangery?

They may have had distinct uses in the past – an orangery was not a social space but rather a hothouse connected to the home – but in modern times, we can use the space for almost anything.

One example of many is the creation of a dining space, complete with reclaimed wood dining table, fabric dining chairs and beautiful accessories that make it a divine spot to eat with family and friends.

But all too often, we don’t consider how we will use the space until after we have built or renovated it.

Does it need to be that big?

In most cases (but check with your local authority planning rules), conservatories are a permitted development providing that they don’t swallow more than a quarter of your outdoor space. Anything bigger will usually need permission.

There is a balance that needs to be struck between how much interior space you gain and whether this detracts from the beauty of your outdoor space. And so, even with your ideal conservatory being the relaxing sunroom, complete with sumptuous furnishings, leather armchair, reclaimed wood coffee table and a unique Louis de Poortere rug, do you really need all that space.

Style starts with the appeal of the conservatory

There are many different examples of fabulous conservatories, sunrooms and orangeries, thus it pays to take your time and get the right style, finish and appeal to your renovated or newly built conservatory.

It can be easy to be swept away in a tide of idealism when it comes to style but to combine everything seamlessly and without effort, you need the conservatory to match the style of your property. If the exterior is slightly off centre, then creating the perfect interior may not be easy to achieve.

Does it flow? Does it combine with the rest of your home?

Cohesion is important in styling your entire home and it is not enough to just opt for everything rustic or industrial or Scandinavian. It needs to be more than just the furniture you choose.

It needs to be the colour of the walls and the lighting – the two factors that combine to give your home its ambience – and it needs to be the flooring options too. When it comes to flowing either choose the same throughout the ground floor of your property or, if this is beyond your budget, create a definite divide between the two spaces with a different colour of flooring.

With the ‘basics’ in situ, you will have renovated your conservatory, sunroom or orangery to be a desirable space.

How to make the most of white bedroom furniture

White bedroom furniture brings crispness and freshness to a bedroom. But is it a favourite choice? We took to our popular Houzz poll to find out…

We Asked, You Answered

We wanted to know – for your bedroom, would you opt for white furniture or stay with tried and tested dark wood bedroom furniture?

We gave four exquisite choices – two from our white bedroom range, the Dorset and Savannah ranges – and two from our darker wood collections, the Winchester and Beam reclaimed wood ranges.

Three-quarters of those that voted – why not join in next time? – were clear: white bedroom furniture held the most allure, with the beautiful stylish Savannah winning the most votes. Of those people that loved the earthiness of darker wood, it was the smooth lines of the Winchester range that attracted them most.

What Influences our Choices?

The results of this poll got us thinking – what influences us when it comes to making a choice about the colour of furniture? Is there a reason why many of us opt for lighter painted or stained items, as opposed to those items that retain their natural patina?

Time of year – light and dark

In the UK, we should have four separate seasons, characterised by both weather and light. We wondered if we asked the same question again in the depths of grey winter, would we get the same result?

Lighter coloured furniture, like a white bed frame from the Savannah range, plays along with the natural light of spring and summer, whilst the darker tones of dark wood furniture such as the wooden side table may be more welcome when we want to feel cosy in our homes in winter.

Style

There is no denying that personal choice, as well as our chosen style, is a major influence on whether we opt for painted bedroom furniture or darker wood tones.

The rustic style, for example, is always a popular choice. Practical, functional but with a twist of elegance, it makes the perfect statement in any room. And it is a versatile style and one in which both white and dark furniture works.

Take the Savannah range, for example, easily the most popular among voters. There is a crispness that is delightful but with soft furnishings softening the edges, it is perfect for the rustic or even the nautical styled bedroom.

For those that want a sense of country or farmhouse in their rustic style, the rawness of reclaimed dark wood, as in the English Beam collection is ideal. The Winchester collection adds a smoothness, and more refinement to the rustic style, perfect for anyone wanting to add even more elegance to a room. Just look at the sleigh bed, and you’ll see what we mean.

Using painted bedroom furniture or dark wood furniture in the remainder of the room allows for a sense of cohesion. Or to ring the changes and add a touch of the unexpected, why not mix and match, using a painted chest of drawers, for example, to stand out against darker furniture in the bedroom?

It’s your choice so which would you choose, white bedroom furniture or darker wood items?