Author: designer

Wooden furniture is often associated with rustic and English country style interiors. However, this versatile material can be used to balance and decorate even the most modern of living spaces. All it takes is a basic understanding of how to use effectively use wooden furniture, and you can tailor them into your home in an ultra-sleek style. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when introducing wooden furniture into your modern interiors.

Match the right wood to your style

The first thing to consider is the type and colour of wood you are going to use in your room. Smaller sized spaces will benefit from a lighter shade, making pine and oak furniture from Oak Furniture UK an ideal choice. To add a bit more drama into a larger room, opt for a darker and richer shade of wood, such as mahogany or rosewood. Modern interiors usually have a very simple and understated colour palette, so make sure you reflect this with your use of wood. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one type of wood, but in order to avoid giving your room a chaotic and unorganised appearance, try to match wood tones to wall colours. If you want to use multiple types of wood, then it’s best to stick to a more subtle shade.

Keep larger furniture items in the same tone

If you do decide to use different types of wood, then make sure you keep it balanced. One way to do this is to keep larger pieces of furniture in a matching shade. You can then use smaller items in a different colour to add an eye-catching style.If you do decide to use different types of wood, then make sure you keep it balanced. One way to do this is to keep larger pieces of furniture in a matching shade. You can then use smaller items in a different colour to add an eye-catching style.

If you do have furniture in different wooden shades then make sure you integrate them throughout the room. Keeping dark wood on one side and lighter wood on the other will just make an unappealing appearance and leave your room looking disjointed. The modern style is all about a smooth and understated flow. A very easy way to achieve this is to contrast dark woods on a light coloured wooden floor for an instant visual impact.

Soften darker woods with furnishings

A popular colour choice for modern rooms is light and monochrome shades. This means that darker woods can look very out of place. However, once tied into the room in the right way, they can become a very striking statement piece. To stop your furniture from looking mismatched, simply use upholstery to mimic the wooden tones. If you have a dark coffee table, then place a lighter
rug underneath or add subtle coloured drapes that pull that bookcase into the room.

Tie-in furniture using an accent colour

Finding wooden furniture in exact matching tones can be a difficult task. Often you can buy a piece that you are sure is a dead match, only to find out once you get home that they differ slightly in tone or finish. This problem can be easily solved by adding some finishing touches in an accent colour. Choose a colour that will stand out against your room. With modern styles, a dark grey, striking white or deep red will usually work well. Then add small items, such as simply styled lamps, vases and cushions, across both pieces of furniture to create an aesthetically pleasing continuation between them.

We always liked origami handmade items for interior design and we never miss the opportunity to show you our discoveries regarding this subject. Talented designers all over the world create amazing objects with intrincate designs using this traditional Japanese art of paper folding called origami, helping in this way homeowners to beautify and personalize their interiors.

We recently see Orikomi, a wonderful handmade pendant lamp produced in Portugal and envisioned by a young, international design team called blaanc. It draw attention through its alluring design, elegant and simple in its visual effect, yet complex to create. The suspended lamp create a cosy, warm light in any environment, and the fact that comes in an extensive combinations of colors, makes it suitable for a variety of rooms and styles. Orikomi is made of high quality art paper and cardboard, and it comes with a cord set and mounting instructions. Be aware that such lamps should only be used with an energy saving light (or any similar fixtures with low heat generation).  Take a look on these images!

Photos © blaanc

I’d like to start this blog with a confession, in order that we can better understand each other and build trust. I’m aware you’re not a priest (and if you are, I won’t consider this admission binding in a religious sense), but here goes: when I first came into the interiors market many moons ago I didn’t really care about it. Yes, I know. Criminal, isn’t it?

This story ends well though, as now I find myself the kind of person who is happy to expatiate on why certain toilets are brilliant, or asseverate that thermostatic showers really are the only choice in your bathroom. With knowledge comes responsibility, so they say, so I have taken up another cause as well, that of proving that functional items can play a very big role in the look of your rooms. More to the point, I now feel that radiators are very important stylistic items.

If you ask me, properly stylish designer radiators came about fairly recently, as designers became more adventurous. I also think radiators became cool due to three separate changes in thought and practice, as below.

Materials

Seems a strange one to kick off with this but it’s an interesting thought. The shapes and malleability of radiator design has really come about due to the incorporation of low carbon steel to build radiator and towel rail bodies. This metal is of course strong, but relatively lightweight, and its composition means that it is extremely amenable to welding. This means that manufacturers can attempt more exciting, angular designs as they know the joints of the radiators will not come under undue stress.

Finish

This was more a change in fashion than anything else. As far as I can think back, radiators were painted into obscurity, to disguise and obfuscate, usually in bland, neutral tones. Now you can get radiators in all manner of hues, from standard white and grey glosses up to glimmering chrome. Perhaps the biggest strides have been made with darker radiators, with black gloss and anthracite finishes demonstrably popular. You can have pretty much anything you want now.

Attitude

Radiators have been tipped on their heads, that’s right. Where horizontal radiators took up a heavy proportion of those fitted in homes, in recent times vertical column radiators have really come to the fore. Slimline and upright, these units present a wonderfully fresh aspect, and look very contemporary. This look is only accentuated by flat panels, available on many models, due to the minimalist profile.

Whether you’re planning a dinner party or just bored with your layout and furniture, sprucing up your dining room is easier than you think. A few simple changes can do wonders to the overall atmosphere of the dining room so your family will enjoy spending time there.

Before you start overhauling the room, remember that its primary function is for eating, and that should not be affected at any cost. And while minimal is always best, it doesn’t mean that design ideas are limited. Here are a few simple tips for a fabulous dining room.

Make Your Dining Room Table Shine

If your table is looking a little scruffy, or even if you think it’s time for a change, there are numerous styles of dining tables to choose from; visit sites like Made for more ideas.

From extending tables, to wooden tops and adjustable height tables, choose a piece that will set the tone for the room. Remember that the table should be the main feature in the room, so start there and build your design outwards.

Invest in a solid but attractive table that you’ll be happy to showcase for a few years.

Soft Lighting is Your Friend

Whether you want to have your family dinners surrounded by mood light or want to hide the imperfections in your freshly baked bread, soft lighting is your friend in the dining room.

Candles and chandeliers are the most obvious ways to create soft light during dinner. The size of the dining room and dining table will dictate whether or not you get a chandelier. For instance, a grand chandelier will not be appropriate if the dining room and the table are small. Instead, you can resort to a small pendant light or a 5-light pendant depending on the size of the table.

Apart from soft lights, you should outfit the dining room with task lighting and accent lighting on the walls. All fixtures and finishes must complement the overall theme of the room.

Add a Splash of Color

You can add a pop of color just as effectively as style gurus. A bright but complementary color might be just what you need to rejuvenate and update this very social room.

A metallic blue or bright green adds a burst of color and interest to an otherwise pale room. Fortunately, there are many simple ways to include color without overpowering the room. Choose one item to carry the color in the room: Paint the chairs, add a bright rug, paint one wall, or add vibrant curtains.

Another option is the add cushions to the dining room chairs and use the bright colors in a pattern or neutral form.

Paint or wallpaper, new furniture, area rugs, and clever decorations are your ally when it comes to adding pizzazz to your dining room.

Use decorations in moderation and change them according to the season. Remember to keep it minimalistic on the dining table. Remember that an attractive dining room starts with a great dining room table- get that right and everything else should fall into place.

Amy Grimshaw is an interior designer. She loves writing about decor on home design blogs.