trends Archives - Modish Living

Let the Soho Style showcase your home furniture

Reclaimed - Soho reclaimed wood furniture collection

Inspired by the uber-cool Soho neighbourhood in downtown New York City, Soho Style is a type of interior design that is popular in homes all around the world. More sleek and polished than the industrial loft-style interiors you might think of when you picture loft-style living, Soho Style still features reclaimed and rustic elements, but with a contemporary finish and shape that is smooth and less textured. With a focus on neutral colours, natural materials and an emphasis on natural light it is an altogether more refined type of style. If you’re looking to add the Soho Style to your home furniture, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Start with a Neutral Palette

The Soho Style is all about simplicity, so start by choosing a neutral colour scheme for your walls. Shades of white, beige, grey, dark brown and black are popular choices as they create a calming and relaxing atmosphere that is perfect for this type of interior design. Beige is a warm and inviting color that provides a soft contrast to the rustic elements typically found in the Soho Style, whilst if you want to add some drama and contrast, consider using charcoal or black accents. Used sparingly in rustic furniture, accessories, or even on an accent wall it can bring depth and interest to a room.

2. Mix Reclaimed and Modern Elements

Mixing reclaimed and modern elements is a hallmark of the Soho Style. Incorporating rustic furniture, such as a reclaimed wood dining table or rustic sideboard, can add character and depth to your space. Pairing home furniture with modern accents, like a sleek sofa or contemporary lighting fixtures, creates a beautiful balance between old and new.

3. Use Natural Materials

The Soho Style is all about simplicity and natural materials, such as reclaimed wood, metal, and leather or faux leather, are often used to achieve this look. Consider adding natural elements to your home furniture, such as a jute rug or a wooden coffee table, which can add warmth and texture to your space. This creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

4. Keep it Simple

When it comes to the Soho Style, less is often more. Keep your decor simple and avoid clutter. Opt for a few statement pieces of reclaimed furniture rather than a collection of small items of home furniture. This creates a clean and uncluttered look that is perfect for this type of interior design. The best way to achieve this is with stylish storage furniture, such as a large wooden sideboard or display unit – here, you can bring an eye-catching addition to the room, whilst also having somewhere to store plates, books or clutter that would usually end up in a pile on the surface.

5. Focus on Natural Light

One of the key elements of the Soho Style is natural light. You may not be blessed with large windows, skylights or glass doors, but if you can, bring in as much natural light as possible. This creates a bright and airy atmosphere that is perfect for this type of interior design. If natural light isn’t in abundance, use clever lighting to create a brighter interior. A table lamp will brighten a dark corner, whilst a cluster of hanging pendant lights will not only instantly lighten the room, but add an interesting design feature and draw the eyes up towards the light.

6. Add Texture and Layers

Adding texture and layers to your space can help create a cosy and inviting atmosphere and is essential to ensuring your space feels like home. Adding cushions, blankets and rugs can add layers of depth and interest to your space, whilst also enabling you to bring in some of your own personality and style. Mixing different textures, such as a fabric sofa with a leather accent chair or reclaimed furniture with dark grey metal hardware, can create a beautiful contrast that keeps your space fresh, modern and appealing.

In summary, the Soho Style is all about simplicity, natural light and a mix of reclaimed and modern elements. By following these simple tips, you can create a beautiful and inviting space that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Remember to keep it simple, focus on natural materials, and let natural light do the work.

Or check out our new Soho Reclaimed Wood collection and discover a beautiful range of dining and living room furniture with a cool Soho Style vibe.

What is Nordic furniture style?

Simple and striking in design, Nordic furniture has a functional design and look that is appealing to many people. There are many ways to incorporate the Nordic style in your home, from the right flooring solutions to a mix of materials to give them a Nordic look. Here, we take you through the 10 most important design features to consider when using Nordic style furniture to create this timelessly popular interior scheme this season.

The Floor

Wall-to-wall carpets are a rarity in Scandinavian countries, so team your Nordic furniture with wooden floors, finished in a light colour.

Colour

White walls, mixed with blue and grey fabrics and rugs are perfect for creating a laid-back Nordic ambience in your home. We love the Nordic look of a deep, earthy leather armchair sitting alongside a light-coloured floor, with light blue throw to add texture to the scene.

Materials

Natural materials are a must. There is nothing contrived with Nordic furniture – nothing that works too hard to be noticed or separate in the design scheme. Opt for wood – and plenty of it – with leather for seating and other well-placed accessories.

Form

Clean lines are key to an interior design taking its cue from Nordic inspiration. For example, opt for a leather armchair in black or tan that is uncomplicated, with smooth flowing lines and generous curves.

Function

Every room in your home needs to be practical and functional. Nordic homes have a minimalist design, without being devoid of character. Function is vital however, and that applies to everything, from every piece of Nordic furniture to every accessory you choose.

Furniture

Eye-catching yet pulled together – this is how you need to be able to describe everything in a Nordic style interior. This style can be a rustic dining table with the character of the wood on display or a smooth small oak sideboard with a arm chair in a soft leather.

Fireplace

Scandinavian winters are harsh and therefore an open fire is a must. In the UK we make the fire the focal point of the room, often in the centre of a wall, but Nordic tradition places them in the corner of a room. However, modern Nordic fires, whether they are more traditional simple columns or a modern black metal wood-burner, are a design statement, adding both warmth and style to a living room.

Eco-Friendly

The Scandinavians have been quick to embrace environment-saving technology and processes. Triple glazing, superior wall and roof insulation, ground source heat pumps… all are more or less standard and should be considered wherever possible to complement the furniture and style in your home.

Inside/outside room

Nordic countries love embracing nature – it may be cold, but an inside/outside room can be idyllic and with the right heating system. Having an inside/outside dining room or living room means you too can enjoy the beauty of winter without feeling the cold.

Minimal accessories

Declutter! There is no need for stacks of ornaments, books or a sculpture on every surface. Choose key accessories wisely and use them sparsely across the home.

Nordic furniture boasts an interesting, simple, and elegant interior design style. Sit back in a sumptuous leather chair, enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire, gather around an oak dining table and enjoy the peaceful ambience of your Nordic inspired home.

Get the look you want

Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

How to mix and match dining chairs

wooden dining table with fabric dining chairs and wooden dining bench

While it is certainly possible, and often preferable, to buy dining room sets, there is no reason you can’t buy your reclaimed wood dining table and chairs separately for a more unique look. Where once this mismatched style might not have been the done thing when it came to home decor – we all remember our student house or first flat with all sorts of hand-me-down furniture – mismatched dining chairs are not just seen as acceptable now, they’re very much in vogue.

Of course, just like any other fashion trend, mismatched dining chairs can be a tricky look to pull off. However, when it is done properly it can create a wonderful and somewhat elegantly eclectic design statement in your home. Read on as we share some of the things you should think about if you want to create a really well-thought-out look.

The big rule

When it comes to using mismatched chairs in your dining room there is one big rule to remember. You can mix and match seating styles, patterns and designs but don’t even think about mixing all three! It is important to include some form of unifying elements. This could be in the form of the design of the chair, the material and/or the colour. So for example, if you opt for fabric dining chairs, they can be different colours, but you should try to keep to the same style.

If you choose six chairs that look completely different, then you risk ending up with a dining room that looks like a second-hand shop. Great if that’s the look you’re going for, but not for the effortlessly eclectic trend we’re talking about here. The only exception to this would be if the rest of your house has a completely eclectic mismatched look, in which case, go for it!

Read more: Best style chairs for an industrial dining table

Different chairs for the foot and head of the table

One look that works well, and one you see in a lot of the dining room sets online or in-store, is where the dining chairs at the foot and head of the table are different to the rest of the chairs. You may want to consider dining chairs with arms, different coloured dining chairs, or both. This is a great look that works well in a more final dining space.

Chairs and benches

Another well-established tradition when it comes to mix-and-match dining chairs is to bring in benches as well as chairs. This works well with wooden chairs and wooden benches and is a great option in a smaller room where the table needs to be stored against a wall, with a bench underneath. Corner benches are also a great choice when mixed with chairs to create a cosier eating nook in a kitchen diner.

Same style different colour

One incredibly effective, and simple way you can mix and match your dining chairs is to choose different colours of the same style of chair. For example, why not mix the grey fabric dining chairs of the Owen range with one of the other colours in the range? The Skye range is another great option for this type of blended décor.

Read more: How to look after your upholstered dining chairs

Think symmetry

Finally, one more tip. When mixing and matching your chairs, consider the symmetry of the different chairs you are looking at. Seek out chairs that are the same height or the same width. Whether you opt for an upholstered dining chair or wooden, this will help to pull together a mismatched look that provides just the effect you’re looking for.

Are you going to give the mix and match trend a go? Browse our wide range of fabric dining chairs, wooden dining chairs and faux leather dining chairs, here at Modish Living. And, don’t forget to visit our Ideas and Inspiration for more great ways to refresh your home. Or sign-up for our newsletter below and get a weekly dose of inspiration straight into your inbox.

How to create a boho bedroom

The terms boho and boho-chic are ones that have become increasingly popular in the last few years. From clothing to interior décor, boho as a style can be found everywhere. Its carefree style works breezily in a living room, but it can also bring a wonderfully relaxing mood to the bedroom. If you are looking to bring a touch of boho style to your bedroom, then we have put together some tips that will help you.

What does boho style mean?

Boho, or bohemian style, is a free-spirited one that can be incredibly colourful or monochromatic. Its roots are deeply embedded in the Romani culture, seen in oriental designs and over the years, it has been influenced by hippies through the use of romantic floating fabrics, lace, florals and a sense of freedom. In essence, there is no one set of rules that govern what constitutes a boho style. It is more about the ability to mix colours, textures and a range of items into one cohesive look. Rustic furniture in particular makes a great start to any boho design.

When it is done well it can create a relaxing space with a hint of travel and adventure, yet somewhere cosy enough to relax at the end of a day. This is what makes it a great choice for a bedroom.

The boho bed

As the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom, the bed is particularly important when it comes to tying a boho design together. First and foremost, it should be made with natural materials – a solid wood bed frame, preferably in reclaimed wood or rattan lends itself well to this style. The boho style also fits well to a bed with a low profile with or without a wooden headboard, and look for curvy and tactile shapes, dressed in natural linens.

Boho bedroom furniture

When it comes to the rest of the furniture in your boho bedroom, the only rule you really need to follow is to keep it natural. Because the boho style is often a mixture of different, and sometimes eclectic items, you can actually blend different styles of furniture to create a harmonious mood. Whilst you should stick with wood for your bedroom furniture, your bedroom chest of drawers and rustic wardrobe do not need to match the exact style of your bed to make this look work.

Think about layers

For bedding, soft furnishings and textiles in your room, layers is a must to bring the boho look together. A throw on the wooden bed, piles of cushions, several rugs on the floor, macrame and hanging baskets or planters crafted in rope. Both cotton and linen are great choices for bed linen and window dressings; soft, romantic and floaty. Jute is another great option for the floor, whilst tassels also work well both on cushions and as things like curtain tie-backs. Boho bedroom decor is relaxed and unconventional, so mixing colours, patterns and textures will bring your boho bedroom to life.

A boho colour palette

For your base colour, earthy and neutral shades such as white, off-white, browns and yellows should be introduced. These warm hues are also a great complement and canvas for natural wood furniture. If you want to add a splash of colour opt for pops of jewel shades, such as grass green, azure blue and fiery red, even pastel pink can work, especially in the bedroom. Another popular bohemian colour accent is black or natural brown. Add in the way of accessories or patterns on textiles.

For more interior decor trends take a look our Ideas & Inspiration or to buy the look, visit us at Modish Living.

Top 1950’s interior style and design trends

Interior design trends in the 1950s

As we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, let us take a look back at the interior design trends that were in fashion when the Queen came to the throne in 1952, and find out which of these trends we are still lusting after today.

1. Revived modernism

The style of the 50’s – often referred to as “revived modernism” – is a continuation of the modernist style that began just before the Second World War and is currently a very on-trend style today. The impact of WWII, when 1 in 3 homes in the UK was damaged and around half a million homes were completely destroyed, was hugely significant to the style. The need to mass-produce, and quickly, in order to replace everything, led to this austere, simple and mid-century modern trend in furniture design. Rebuilt housing was smaller and more utilitarian, ceilings lower and windows smaller, and the furniture needed to be simpler and smaller in order to fit.

Big design names of the time include Ercol and G-Plan. Their designs offered simple, more organic shapes with splayed feet and legs to items like their wooden sideboard, and of course their famous chairs. They also featured easy to clean surfaces and rounded ergonomic shapes.

2. Scandinavian influence

The styles of the period were heavily influenced by Scandinavian furniture; simple, and lighter woods like birch, beech and ash were used, and in order to appeal to the UK, market items were also created using darker woods. This mid-century modern furniture was designed to be completely practical, and make rooms look less cluttered. The Scandi look remains hugely popular today and whilst simplicity and minimalism is still at its heart, it has a softer edge with more of an emphasis on natural tactile materials, such as reclaimed wood.

3. Fabrics

The war was over, but shortages were still very much in place. Textiles used in the mid-50’s were inspired by the emerging Pop Art scene of the time. These were bright, optimistic designs that added huge “pops” of colour to people’s homes (and lives) through the use of designs based on organic shapes and stylised images of normal items. Bold yellows and green, mixed with greys, bright reds and pale blue were all the rage – something we are inviting back in to our home today. A brightly coloured accent armchair is a wonderful way to add warmth, personality and personal style to a room.

4. American retro influence

Towards the end of the 1950’s, future space travel and particularly American culture and the Rock and Roll world of Elvis Presley were significant influences in both fashion and interiors. This look brought chequerboard floors, kitsch touches and colours in bubble-gum hues. Whilst this may not be a look that appeals to everyone, we do still use influences from this trend with a revival of American diner-style seating, benches and wooden dining tables that are now a commonplace design feature in modern dining spaces. Towards the end of this decade we also saw an increase in mass production of items, such as furniture as the new age of consumerism emerged.

Get the look

Whether you lean towards the 1950’s style or not, there are lots of modern furniture with a mid-century vibe that emulates this look, but that also perfectly fit into other interior schemes, be that rustic, modern or traditional. Mango wood furniture has a fantastic golden tone that makes it the perfect choice for mid-century design. The Eastwood Rustic Oak and the Farnham living rooms pieces are perfect examples of furniture that would fit the look and don’t forget to check out the Mitcham Industrial Oak collection. Whether you are looking for a mid-century sideboard or a solid wood coffee table, these collections are the perfect example of mid-century design, brought in to the modern age. Will you bring this look into your home?

Check out our Ideas & Inspiration for more home trends and tips or to buy the look, visit us at Modish Living.

What colours go best with industrial design

When you envision industrial design, what do you see? You may instantly think of old factory spaces and abandoned buildings with stripped back walls and exposed duct pipes. Well, you wouldn’t be far wrong, because that’s exactly where the interior style evolved from. Over time, the industrial design has evolved from its historical roots and old world charm to today’s more modern expression, making it the most versatile and adaptable trend for your home. Whether you prefer light and airy pastels, or earthy and nature-inspired colour schemes, you can now add a contemporary and cool feel to almost any space with some industrial furniture and our top styling tips.

Back to basics

For a more traditional and classic approach to the industrial style, sharp contrasts between black and white interiors pair well with the edginess and rawness of industrial furniture. In your home office, an industrial style desk looks fantastic with this sophisticated colour palette, where the simplicity allows the space to feel modern, but also creates a clear and calming environment for you to work in. The Standford Industrial Wood Desk will add a little style to your 9 to 5 and the sturdy design will also leave you spoilt for storage space. Hang a large black steel clock on the wall or add some metal shelves to complete your sleek study. This minimalistic style also looks great in other rooms, including bathrooms to give them a fresh and functional feel.

Dark and moody

If you are drawn to a more moody industrial vibe, a dark interior will appeal to your sense of style. Darker colour schemes such as rich dusty blues with an exposed brick wall create an on-trend canvas for you to work with. Lighting within this type of room is key as it’s important to keep the room well lit to avoid a dingy feeling. For your living room, consider a vintage-style black steel chandelier to add immediate drama or pendant style lighting for a casual feel. In the centre of your space, a nest of tables or an industrial coffee table will create an interesting focal point. Our Derby Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table boasts a trendy look with its weathered repurposed wood top and slim black steel base, which will complement your dark industrial interior effortlessly.

Back to the roots

Earthy and nature-inspired colour schemes work exceptionally well with the industrial style. Olive green, brown or deep taupe open plan kitchens pair perfectly with a reclaimed wood industrial dining table, the combination of recycled materials harmonise seamlessly with the natural interior. Pair with our Standford tan leather dining chairs to give more texture to your space and complete the raw and authentic feel of your industrial dining set. For a more subtle take on the trend, opt for hardened black metal utensil storage, reclaimed shelves or a wine cooler for an impressive and eye-catching feature.

Pretty pastels

Not all industrial design spaces need to feel unfinished, delicate and subdued pastels provide a perfect backdrop for a contemporary scheme when layered with industrial details. Pale and pretty pastels such as powder pink tiles in your kitchen or bathroom paired with black metal taps or towel rails create a softened take on the industrial style. If you want to embrace the style in your bedroom, complement industrial features with layers of soft and muted textures and tones to create the bedroom of your dreams. Loft style rustic bedroom furniture can be styled with a variety of pastel hues within your bedding to dress down the heaviness of the wood and achieve a more feminine take on the trend. Finish with grey or black metal storage baskets or duct pipe clothes rails to style the pastels of your choice.

Enjoyed this? Check-out our ideas and inspiration for more home styling advice.

5 of the Best Home Office Chairs

Broken-plan v Open-plan: What’s the difference?

Four wooden bar stools in front of a kitchen island in an open plan home

We’ve all heard of open-plan living. It became the architectural style of choice in the 1970s when the trend for building homes with fewer interior walls became a thing. It resulted in a surge of knocking down walls and joining rooms in period homes to create a better space for the way we live today and is still one of the most popular designs to dominate interiors. For some, it is the epitome of style and luxury, but the latest buzzword in interiors is broken-plan. Have you heard of this? Is this a style that could suit you?

We absolutely love open-plan living as a nation, but it is not always the most practical option bearing in mind the various activities that have to take place in this space. So, in came another option which is the “broken-plan” space.

What is broken-plan living?

A buzz-word that has been around for a while, broken-plan is the clever use of space in which the open floor is zoned into areas by the use of various floor finishes, split levels and semi-permanent partitions such as a display unit or bookcase.

These subtle divides give a sense of division to a room without closing down the open space. It gives a semi-private feel to some of the zones, something that can be important for families today.

Why did people fall in love with open-plan living?

Modern lives are busy and multitasking is an everyday necessity. Light and spacious, open-plan living promotes flow and fluidity in a home, but also allows us to perform different tasks at the same time. Preparing supper while supervising the kid’s homework or being part of the conversation when friends are over and sat around the dining table, rather than stuck in the kitchen alone.

But, some people find open-plan living too ‘open’ with a lack of privacy. It also tends to be noisier. Contrary to what you may think, dressing and styling an open space can be hard too; even gargantuan sofas can look timid and lost in such a cavernous space. A completely open-plan room can look devoid of character and be hard to make cosy and inviting. Most people want their living space to be relaxing and cosy. This is were broken-plan living has emerge as a compromise.

How broken-plan living differs

Broken-plan attempts to retain all the good things about open-plan – fluidity, light and space – while bringing in elements based on a room-by-room basis. For example, you can retain a large open-plan seating area, but use various pieces of reclaimed wood furniture, ceiling pendant lights and an accent armchair to create a small nook for reading or listening to music.

No doors or walls

Just like with open-plan living, there are few doors and permanent walls in a broken-plan living scheme because it relies on semi-permanent structures instead. In other words, when the need for change arises, you can move the items of rustic furniture to create new spaces and zones.

What can you do to achieve this?

Different floor levels – this is a great way to instantly define different zones of a room. Create a step up from a seating area into the dining space to it a more intimate feel or add a floating floor to denote a different space. you don’t have to use a rustic bookcase or display unit as a partition on their own. You could use them in tandem with a change in floor level. A floating floor is simply a step up but instantly denotes a different space.
Half walls – partitions don’t have to be full height. If you find open-plan living too noisy or soulless, a wooden sideboard makes the perfect alternative. Place a rustic sideboard at the back of your sofa with some tall plants or dried grasses to create a natural division as well as extra storage and privacy.

Is there a future for open-plan living?

There will always be a place for the open-plan style, just as there will be fans of the new way of doing things, broken-plan living. We’re in favour of both. What do you prefer? Leave a comment below or start a conversation @modishliving.

How to create the red thread in your home

Have you heard of the red thread? No, we’re not talking about a new movie or Netflix series, but the holy grail of successful interior design! The red thread, also known as the throughline, is an essential guide interior designers follow to achieve cohesion and consistency in the home by binding living spaces together. The trend focuses on one design detail of high importance, such as colour, shape or texture, which becomes a common thread throughout your home. The good news is that many of us will do this automatically, however if you are struggling to find continuity, these tips will help you find your own unique red thread to seamlessly unify your home.

Photo credit: Dulux Heritage

Colour

Colour is a popular red thread used to link rooms together. Focus on finding the most prevalent colour in your home, or simply pick your favourite. This can be found within subtle hints of your decor or in statement furniture pieces. When continuing these colours throughout your home, you can also maintain the thread by using variations of the hues. For example, splashes of gold can be carried through the thread with the warm and golden tones of a rustic oak sideboard or coffee table. You’ll be pleased to know that your key colour doesn’t have to match each room’s colour palette either. You can incorporate the boldness of your classic blue velvet dining chairs within your dining room through to your sophisticated living room by using blue accents in the way of comfy cushions, throws or a rug. If you have an open-plan home, colour is considered increasingly important to bear in mind as it helps your space flow.

Texture

You can also use primary textures as the red thread in your home. These can be shiny metals, patterned textiles or coarse and earthy reclaimed wood furniture. As an example, to create the thread within a bedroom, a king size wooden bed frame is a beautiful piece of furniture to start with. Complementing furniture, such as reclaimed bedside tables or a wooden wardrobe will create the DNA of the thread. However, make sure you pay attention to the pattern and finish of the wood. The beauty of reclaimed wood is that it’s totally unique, but the finish, knot or grain of the wood will alter the aesthetic and texture of each piece. When continuing the theme throughout your home, the nature of rustic furniture is versatile. If you have a traditional living room but a contemporary kitchen for instance, you may consider a rustic dining table or solid wood sideboard as a contrast to modern units and hi-tech appliances, creating a sense of harmony between the two spaces. To establish the thread without investing in new furniture, reclaimed wood shelves or wooden photo frames are another gorgeous and authentic additions for creating consistency.

Shape

Focusing on the shape of your furniture and decor is an interesting yet exciting way to allow your living spaces to flow. Shape is extremely powerful and can be used within your home to evoke all different kinds of feelings and impressions. Whether you embrace the popular trend for minimalist and contemporary round furniture or the bold and angular art deco feel, maintaining these shapes within each room, and not just in isolation, will help create a consistent feel and look throughout your home. If you have curved furniture, the soft outline of your sofa can be echoed within the smooth edges of a round rug or a circular and organic shaped mirror hanging on the wall to achieve a calming and fluent space. For bolder and straight-edged furniture such as a square coffee table with a linear design pattern, you can convey this theme throughout your home using geometric accessories or the sharper points within intricate line art to achieve a decadent yet harmonious home.