katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk, Author at Modish Living

New mango wood furniture – introducing the Oasis collection

New mango wood furniture - introducing the Canford collection blog

Eco-friendly furniture is not limited only to reclaimed wood furniture, oh no, sustainable furniture such as mango wood furniture is another option to go green at home. Mango wood is a by-product of the many mango fruit farms found in India and Asia. The trees are felled as the tree stops bearing fruit or if they naturally grow too big to harvest the fruit, and what is great is that a new tree is planted in its place – a tree for a tree!

We are always looking out for new furniture collections that meet our style and sustainable ethos and we are over the moon to be able to expand our rustic furniture collection to include several new ranges of furniture crafted from mango wood. We look in more detail at the gorgeous new Oasis mango furniture collection – it’s one of new favourites and we think you’re going to love it too! Here we look at the new dining and living room additions from this collection that are guaranteed to bring a warmth and elegance to your home.

Mango wood dining table

You really won’t need many other features to add interest to your dining room. The retro geometric design of the Oasis Sustainable Mango Wood Dining Table will be the ultimate talking point as you sit down to dine. Pair with the Oasis Dining Chairs for a lush and stylish look.

Mango Wood Dining and Living Room Storage

For hidden storage in your dining room, you can choose the Oasis Sustainable Highboard Cabinet. This would sit beautifully next to your mango wood dining table – do take a second to take note of those gorgeous brass metal handles and those lovely legs!!

The highboard is perfect for the living room too, especially when paired up with the gorgeous mango wood coffee table. The coffee table has a plain mango wood top – allowing the gorgeous wood grain and undulations of the mango wood to shine through the warm, rich, dark-honey finish.

All your living room media storage needs can be organised in one stylish place with the help of the mango wood TV unit. It has two open-backed shelves for consoles, and TV boxes and two cupboards each with a shelf for those items you would rather hideaway!

The gorgeous colouring of this wood means it will match a whole variety of interior design schemes from airy light rooms to dark and luxurious rooms.

Decoration ideas for a more sustainable Christmas

Collection of Christmas ornaments against rustic wood background

One of the reasons people love to buy reclaimed wood furniture is how wonderful and natural it looks but the other reason is, of course, the positive environmental impact it has on our planet – ie. reusing wood that would otherwise be destined for landfill. So if you do not have a liking for mass-produced plastic Christmas decorations and want a more sustainable Christmas, as well as having something fun and creative to do as a family – this blog will be of interest to you…

Here we have put just a few ideas together so you can decorate your home with something a little more personal and individual. Some suggestions could also work as a small personal gift for a friend or family member.

You may have some old decorations and want to reuse them in a new and more modern way instead of just throwing them away.

A homemade wreath on the front door is a perfect seasonal welcome to your home – just a simple wreath made from fir branches, pine cones, dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. A bit of red ribbon or some holly berries finish it off – hang it on your door and you give your door a bit of Christmas cheer for passersby and for any visitors.

It is lovely to create a welcoming hallway when you come in from the cold – it’s generally a small space so Christmas decorations should be sized so people can easily walk past them on their way in and out of the house. You can make a small twig tree to fit on a narrow console table, add fairy lights and just a few decorations. If you have a hallway storage bench you can add a wall-mounted decoration like a twig tree above it and hang fairy lights around that to give a bit of Christmas cheer as you walk in and take your boots off.

You can also make a twig tree for the dining room – this is perfect for next to a rustic dining table. If you have a nice large sideboard you can place a wreath on it with one or more candles to create a more festive atmosphere. There is so much in nature that you can use, the kids would love foraging for pinecones, twigs, leaves and the many other things they would find to incorporate into your masterpiece.

We love this simple and effective Christmas display – this is so simple to achieve and would look brilliant on a wood bookcase in the living room or as a centrepiece, arranged on a silver tray or plate, on a rustic coffee table, you could add some more candle holders to turn it into a real feature.

Delightful Table top Decorations for Every Room

Gift tags spelling out 'merry' on a wooden surface with Christmas berries and green twigs

With well-chosen festive accessories around your home, you are spreading Christmas spirit! The dining table is important at any time of year but at Christmas, it is extra special. How can you create a Christmas dining table with timeless, festive elegance?

Setting the canvas

Like a painter, stylists will often spend time getting the backdrop right before they start adding structure with accessories and pretty festive objects.

Reclaimed wood furniture offers a superior blank canvas from which to start and so consider all the tabletops you have in your home and which ones are ripe for a touch of festive elegance.

And so, as well as the reclaimed wood dining table, don’t forget the reclaimed wood console table in the hallway and on the landing. Festive aplomb on the coffee tables wouldn’t go amiss either. And the reclaimed wooden sideboards also make a great space for scented pillar candles and festive delights.

Go minimal

Reclaimed wood has a delightful rustic edge with character a-plenty but if you want a more minimal look, then turn to the Scandinavian style for inspiration. Using pale oak furniture with rounded edges, this style makes a clean and minimal statement, perfect for when you want to bring a Nordic style to your festive decorations.

Welcome in winter

Take a walk in your local woods and snip a few sprigs for the table, along with other evergreen shrubs that you may find. And don’t forget that pinecones, sprayed with environmentally friendly glitter, make a fantastic centrepiece clustered in a bowl on the coffee table.

Make a wreath of it

As well as clustering evergreen sprigs of holly and the like in vases and small pots, making a wreath can keep more order to your displays as the festive season wears on.

You can buy the frame of the wreath online for a few pounds and then add your own foliage, fresh or fake. Add a speck of colour with fresh flowers or berries for the big day itself.

Wreaths are great additions for the dining table and for the rustic coffee table too. For more elegance, add candles to the wreaths laid out on the sideboard.

Festive cheer in the hallway

The small console table is often overlooked but in the hallway at Christmas time, but a few festive touches set the Christmas spirit from the moment people walk in the door.

Replace your normal vase of fresh flowers with a small Christmas tree, for example. Opt for a live, growing tree that once the season has passed, can be planted in the garden.

Don’t throw old or broken baubles

We all have one eye on fixing rather than throwing and baubles no longer fit for the tree do have a second life. As well as adding pops of colour to your wreath and table-top displays, give them an extra dusting of eco-friendly glitter and then bundle them all in a large glass bowl or jar.

Add battery-operated wire lights for extra glint and place the bowl or jar one of your wooden sideboards or the console table in the hallway.

Small details can make a huge difference to your home, and this is certainly true of Christmas decorations and accessories that set off your reclaimed wood

Our team share their favourite Christmas traditions

Close up of white box with red ribbon with cookies

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here at Modish Living HQ! This year may be a little different to others, but that’s not stopping us from getting into the festive spirit. We asked some of the team to share their favourite memories and traditions with you to help spread the seasonal joy..!

Brigit

Christmas is really busy for me as we have three birthdays in December as well- one on boxing day! My favourite tradition is putting up the last of the decorations on my dad’s birthday, which is on 20th December. We like to change the decorations up every year – we’re all really crafty and we tend to make our own. This year, we’re going for a silver and white origami theme, with wild mistletoe from the garden.

Three images of white paper origami Christmas baubles

Candy

I love the build up to Christmas more than the day itself and my all time favourite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree. We always do this together with my children and pick an afternoon over a weekend, preferably a Sunday. We’ll have a traditional Christmas movie on in the background and we open a tin of Celebrations or Roses and warm some mince pies. As well as the tree, we have a lovely fireplace and old rustic coffee table, which we always decorate with candles and other Christmas ornaments. This year I’m planning on foraging for lots of greenery and berries to weave amongst the scented candles. Whilst the deccies are going up, we’ll have a roast in the oven, filling the house with its comforting and delicious smell, and we’ll sit around our wooden dining table to eat once the tree is finished.

Traditional decorated Christmas tree next to large stone fireplace with open fire

Hellen and Chris

Christmas is a time for us to switch off, recharge and enjoy time with family and friends. Our Christmas traditions are a mix of old and new, much like our reclaimed wood furniture. On Christmas Eve if we’re in Norway (Hellen is Norwegian), we’ll ski and have a special Nordic supper and open presents with family. If we’re home in the UK, we still have a celebration on Christmas Eve, but we will open our presents on Christmas Day. A new tradition we enjoy is to walk along the seafront on Christmas Day morning with our dogs, Masey and Dave, together with whoever we have staying with us. We’re so lucky to live near the sea and it’s a lovely way to start the day. Once home, Hellen will beautifully decorate our reclaimed wood industrial dining table and we’ll have a late and long lunch of traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings.

I’m super into Christmas. My golden rule is the decorations don’t go up until December (even in lockdown!). Once December hits, there’s a Christmas explosion in my home! As my partner is Norwegian we celebrate on both the 24th and 25th December, and last year we spent it in Norway, which was amazing. Sledging, cooking dough over an open fire and loads of wonderful food! Something my parents did and now we have started to do is have a real tree. There’s something about the smell that just screams Christmas. A tradition I miss from when I was younger is table presents. My grandparents had a large reclaimed wood dining table and would put a homemade cardboard snowman on it which they hand filled with small presents, one for each person at the table.

Wooden sledge stuck in snow with snow covered pine trees and blue sky

Esta

When I was younger we lived in Germany – my favorite Christmas tradition was going to one of their world famous Christmas markets. We would get all wrapped up and go with some friends and spend a few hours walking around and taking in the atmosphere, sights, smells and sounds. After this outing we would go back with our friends and enjoy a Christmassy evening at their house – the highlight of this was the bottom shelf of the large sideboard they had in their living room – it was always brimming with traditional German treats – it was a bit like being able to choose anything you wanted from a sweet shop. To this day I still love all the German traditional Christmas treats that are now much more available

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.

Create a farmhouse bedroom that is fresh and modern

Create a farmhouse bedroom that's fresh and modern

There was a time when a farmhouse bedroom was the preserve of fussy country cottages only, but this interior look has come a long way since its patchwork, shabby-chic days. The modern farmhouse bedroom is a much more contemporary, cooler and pared-down incarnation of its former self and works just as well in city spaces as it does in rural homes. From wood panelling for added texture to neutral colour palettes, you can create a chic, contemporary look that still has a timeless, rustic feel.

Invest in a wooden bed frame, add rustic and reclaimed furniture, and layer up natural materials, such as linen and wool, to give your bedroom a cosy atmosphere. With the right styling, you can create a fresh and modern farmhouse bedroom that will be an inviting and stylish space for years to come.

What is modern farmhouse decor?

Compared to traditional farmhouse décor, modern farmhouse is more sophisticated with cleaner, smoother lines and a simpler palette. It still brings a high level of comfort that you usually associate with country and farmhouse styles, but rather than being overly rustic and fussy, modern farmhouse interior schemes mix minimal, luxurious textures with neutrals and smoother finishes.

Farmhouse Bedroom Ideas – Get the Look

Wood panelling

A foolproof way to give a bedroom an instant farmhouse feel is to incorporate some wood panelling. A panelled wall provides the perfect backdrop to add warmth and depth, especially in new builds that lack character. To keep it modern, paint the panelling in a soft neutral colour scheme. That’s not to say you can’t have exposed wood panelling in a contemporary farmhouse bedroom. Deep blues and warm primary colours such as mustard yellow and rust brown contrast beautifully with the warmness of natural wood, whilst keeping it fresh and modern. If you want to keep the space light, stick to chalky white walls to create a simple and serene background to the wood.

Texture is key

According to interior designers, the secret to making a farmhouse bedroom feel authentic is to bring in lots of natural elements and textures. Wood and rustic wood add instant texture, whether that’s rustic furniture, a wooden floor, beams or panelling. But for a modern take, bring in other materials drawn from nature such as layers of bedding in natural linen and soft wool, cushions, window dressing, rugs and interesting accessories, including stylish lighting.

Read here: Quick fixes for an extra cosy farmhouse bedroom

Invest in a wooden bed frame

When picking a bed for a farmhouse bedroom a wooden headboard is an obvious choice. Again, this goes back to texture, the glue that holds the modern farmhouse look together. You can’t go wrong with rustic and reclaimed furniture for that genuine and natural finish and a king size wooden bed frame crafted in reclaimed wood as a focal point sets an immediate farmhouse tone. For a contemporary feel, keep other furniture to a minimum – a pair of wooden bedside tables and a rustic chest of drawers should be enough – and pick a clean and simple colour scheme for walls and bedding. Reclaimed furniture comes with its own unique personality, but to put your own stamp on the space, focus on the finer details, such as lighting and other accessories in the room.

A warm and minimal colour palette

When it comes to colours for a farmhouse bedroom, a rule of thumb is to keep it simple and pared back. Most modern schemes adopt a neutral palette, combining different shades of white, brown and grey. Warm neutrals, such as beige and tan will add various levels of warmth, whilst cool neutrals, including grey, greige, stone and taupe invite a sense of serenity. If you want to expand your farmhouse horizons, look to nature for colour inspiration to be confident the hues will work together harmoniously. Earth tones, including mushroom, chestnut and terracotta sit well with warm neutrals, as do spicy hues like saffron and mustard. For cool neutrals, greens of all kinds, warm cornflower blues and even pastel pinks create a new and appealing farmhouse style.

Credit: Runo Hotel, Porvoo

Read more: Neutral bedroom decor ideas – why it’s timeless

Source rustic and reclaimed furniture

We’ve talked about the importance of adding texture to bring a farmhouse bedroom to life, and one of the easiest ways to do this is with reclaimed furniture and rustic furniture. Timeless and built to stand the test of time, reclaimed wood furniture not only looks beautiful with authentic knots, grains and imperfections, but it also carries with it a unique story and charm that modern furniture simply can’t replicate.

But reclaimed furniture doesn’t have to be all raw and exposed, it can range from rustic to modern, depending on the type of finish. For a more modern take, pick wood with a lighter finish or if you prefer a classic farmhouse furniture style, painted reclaimed furniture in an off-white or dark grey is a stylish choice.

Farmhouse bedroom accessories

As with any interior scheme, it’s the attention to detail that helps pull the look together. For a truly authentic modern farmhouse mood, opt for accessories with a rustic feel or made from natural materials such as wood, metal, stone or clay. Look for wooden wall-mounted shelves, woven baskets, terracotta pots and jugs, along with wooden framed mirrors and picture frames. Similarly, pick something made from natural materials such as jute or sisal when it comes to choosing rugs.

Lighting should not be overlooked and in order to create the right ambience it needs to be layered. From dark metal or vintage wall lights to oversized pendants or antique chandeliers to hang on lofty beamed ceilings, when choosing lights for a farmhouse bedroom the main consideration is to strike a balance so they blend harmoniously without it becoming too much of one thing and overly themed.

By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a cosy and modern farmhouse bedroom that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day.

The highback armchair: making it cool again

pair of brown leather highback armchairs

The trend for armchairs has taken a bit of a back seat (pun intended) over recent years with the humble highback armchair in the living room replaced by oversized, overly plump L-shaped sofas and jewel-coloured velvet loveseats. But, the best thing about trends is that they come, they go and come back around and the style statement of a single armchair is growing momentum. That’s right, the highback armchair: making it cool again is coming to a living room near you.

The best comfy chairs are made for escaping it all and a highback or wingback armchair offers a private, intimate space to unwind and enjoy a moment of me-time. Carefully positioned in your living room, the bedroom or even an open-plan kitchen/diner, a highback chair provides the perfect spot to curl up with a book or relax at the end of the day and with its elegant silhouette it brings a certain amount of style to a room.

An interior classic that’s good for the planet

With sustainability high on everyone’s agenda the desire to buy once, buy well is replacing the throwaway culture. The environmental implications of buying once are well-known and a high-quality leather armchair, whether that’s a highback chair or wing chair will last a lifetime. And because of its classic shape, it is sure to suit all interior tastes. From a distinguished chesterfield wingback chair or tweed highback armchair to one with a modern twist, this iconic armchair will not only stand the test of time, but ever-changing trends as well, making it the ultimate investment piece.

How to style a highback armchair in a modern room

Elegance abounds with a highback armchair, but because a distinguished leather armchair is such a design classic, it can also sit in a modern or more rustic space. Mixing old and new pieces in a room is a well-trodden interior design hack as it helps add character and creates a lived-in eclectic mood, perfect for modern homes.

Read more: styling tips for a leather sofa or armchair

To get the right balance it’s important to be aware of the scale of each piece within the space. A leather wingback chair in a minimalist setting becomes an eye-catching standout piece, but in a room crowded with other big items of furniture, it could look cluttered and lost. Keep things understated by choosing a high back wing chair in a classic colour such as brown or tan, or go against tradition and choose a contemporary bright colour.

Shop highback armchair

Grayson Fabric Armchair – Grey

A modern fabric armchair is a perfect piece of furniture to add colour and style to a living room and this beautiful accent armchair combines both comfort and sophistication.

Edward Leather Armchair

Take a seat on this stunning brown leather armchair with a solid oak frame, the perfect addition to any stylish living space.

Christmas closure dates 2022

As Christmas draws near, our warehouse and office will be closing to let the team spend quality time with their families.

During this period orders can be placed on our website, but they won’t be processed or fulfilled until our service fully resumes on January 3rd 2023.

Full list of closure dates over Christmas:

23rd December – No production or dispatch. Customer service will be available until 12 PM.

24th to 31st December – Closed for Christmas.

31st December to 2nd January – Closed for New Year.

3rd January – Re-open with all services fully resumed.

We want to thank you for your support throughout the year and wish you a very Merry Christmas!

All the best,

The Modish Living Team

Preparing for Christmas – get an organised home

get your home Christmas-ready like a pro blog

With the Christmas holidays nearly upon us, how ready do you feel? Most of your gift shopping will be finished and wrapped (hopefully!), so it’s time to turn to other matters, the home. When it comes to preparing for Christmas, now is the perfect time to get an organised home and have a sort out, ready for guests and to make room for the lovely new gifts you may receive. Take a look at what you can do now to make your home merry and bright all year long.

Organise the children’s bedroom

Clothes are a popular gift choice for children, so as part of your preparing for Christmas routine, get organised and have a sort out of their wardrobe or even upgrade to a bigger solid wood wardrobe if you need more storage. Go through old jumpers, jeans and t-shirts to donate or recycle to make way for new clothes. For younger children, it’s highly likely they will receive a stash of new toys too – it’s worth making time to sort through their wooden toy box to make room for the new favourites. According to expert organiser, Vicky Silverthorn of You Need a Vicky, this is best done when younger children aren’t around. Create three piles of ‘definitely’, ‘maybe’ and ‘keepers!’. If you have a children’s dressing table in the bedroom or a reclaimed wood desk then sort through the drawers and have a declutter. Give any unwanted toys to charity or school raffles – your child may have outgrown their cars or dolls, but there will be plenty of children who would love to give them a new home.

Plan your dining room

The dining room is a place that tends to accumulate items when you’re preparing for Christmas – packs of paper serviettes with a few left in them, serving plates and bowls that you no longer use, you may have even been using it as a wrapping station for your Christmas gifts. Now is the time to sort through and check what you have for the dining room and what you need to buy or replace. Maybe treat yourself to some new linen napkins or a festive table runner, perfect for styling a rustic dining table? Or how about some new Christmas serving platters? If you have a wooden sideboard, re-organise and declutter to make sure there is enough room for everything you need for a seamless Christmas lunch – the rustic top also provides the ideal surface to create a wonderful festive scene to continue the Christmas theme.

Preparing for Christmas – hallway decor

The hallway is the place you and your guests see first, so you want it to look its festive best. If you have a hallway storage bench then chances are it contains a few things that aren’t supposed to be in it! Get rid of old scarves, hats and odd gloves. Donate any shoes you no longer wear to a local charity and stash away any summer shoes and flip flops – your guests will need space to leave their shoes when they visit.

Related: read our blog on how to bring character to your hallway, not clutter for more entrance hall ideas.

Decorate the hallway to give a cheery warm welcome with some fairy lights around a hallway mirror and of course, a sprig of mistletoe for a stolen festive kiss. If you have a wooden console table a real or faux small tree adds to the Christmas mood, especially with a few carefully placed scented candles and other Christmas decorations.

In the modern living room

Just as you have in other rooms in the home, take the opportunity of preparing for Christmas to declutter and have a clear-out in your living room. Go through the drawers of your coffee table and make room for items you want close at hand over the holidays – chocolates, drinks coasters, remote controls, games etc. You may also want to move your rustic furniture around to make sure there is enough room and seating for everyone. Seating or having enough seating can be a problem at Christmas – see our guide on the best seating solutions to ensure you have enough room for everyone to be comfortable.

But remember, the most important part of preparing for Christmas is to enjoy it and everything else will fall into place. If you’re looking for some festive home inspiration, check out our blog for ideas on how to create an insta-worthy home this Christmas.