furniture Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Furniture Fit For A King

August 12, 2020 by Mandy

In ancient mythology the mighty Oak rules supreme. From the Celts to the Vikings, and even the Greeks, the oak has been venerated as being the ‘king of the forest’, a sacred tree, worshipped for its strength and longevity.

Those qualities make the oak a top choice in furniture making. And even if you think it isn’t furniture fit for a king you can surely agree that at least a piece of solid oak furniture is furniture made from a king.

Found in the Northern Hemisphere oak has been used to make furniture for hundreds of years due to its plentiful and hardy nature. It is very sturdy and durable and, properly cared for, can last for generations.

Considered, along with pine and walnut, as being one of the more affordable woods in furniture it does tend to be more expensive than the others as it takes a much longer time to grow and that time and investment raises the cost.

Two Main Types Of Oak Furniture

There are many different types of oak used for furniture making but in look it usually comes in either a red or white. The white could be described as a warm, almost honey colour which suits a wide range of different decors and styles. The red, which in its raw state has a pinkish heartwood, is obviously darker and has its own unique and endearing appeal.

The grain of these oaks is quite similar. The only other real difference in look, besides the colour, can be found in the medullary rays which are a natural feature of oak which are formed during the growing of the tree. The rays of the white are longer than the red and both are found in most pieces of oak furniture.

White oak is a much harder and heavier wood than the red and would be similar in hardness to maple and birch. Thus making it more durable and more expensive.

Room or Collection

The best way to shop for your solid oak furniture is by room or collection. And there are plenty of rooms to choose from and some fine and exquisite collections.

By room you are thinking of the practicalities of that space. What is it used for? Is it a living room or a bedroom, a home office or a bathroom? What is the style of the room you have or want?

Do you want a coffee table or tv cabinet? A hallway table or a wardrobe? Thankfully, there are many pieces out there to choose from.

You want your chosen piece of solid oak furniture to suit the look you are going for as much as the task it will be required to do.

Shopping by collection could be considered the most discerning choice of the two. The only real reason being that you like that particular style. You appreciate the art and craftmanship which has went into that specific range. It suits you and the look you are after and you want to replicate that theme throughout your home.

One of the latest collections is Cadiz solid oak. A cursory Google search (Cadiz Solid Oak) will find items in this range described as a ‘work of art’, ‘expertly handcrafted’, ‘practical and unique’, ‘stylish’. There are other collections of course and all worth your appreciation.

There is no doubting the continuing and endearing quality of solid oak furniture. It has been with us for centuries and no doubt will continue on for many more. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to durability and strength and may well be a solid investment for future generations. A piece of solid oak furniture is a solid choice.

LATEST TRENDS IN HOME FURNITURE

May 3, 2020 by Mandy

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Whenever you feel like you want to overhaul your surroundings, your home is the best place to start with. Living in a home that is full of very old furniture and design that you set up years ago can become boring at some point. It is at that point where people start to look for new interior design and furniture ideas to spice up their place. After all, your home is the place where you spend most of your time. So it is a sensible thing that you would want to have new furniture inside it after some time.

The first step to take would be to pick the right furniture that goes well with other aspects of your home, be it your living room, bedroom, or the kitchen. Furniture can either be custom made or bought directly from the store. If you are someone who has gotten bored with the same old furniture inside your house, then this article is for you. Today, we will share with you the latest trends in home furniture that you can incorporate in your house to make things fresh and interesting. Some of these furniture trends are listed as follows;

Reclaimed Wood

When it comes to environment-friendly furniture, using reclaimed wood is a great option and has become a trend nowadays. One of the most significant advantages of using reclaimed wood is that every piece of it has a story behind it. You should incorporate warm tones with reclaimed wood, which will allow your home to have a cozy feel.

An example would be a modern dining table made out of old reclaimed wood that is oddly shaped. It would give a beautiful and vintage feel to your dining room. People nowadays are focusing more and more on saving the trees and the environment, so this trend is never going to get old.

Plywood furniture is also a good choice if you want to introduce a retro and minimalistic feel inside your house. A customized cabinet made out of reclaimed plywood will be an amazing addition to any bedroom inside any house. If you want to jump on the bandwagon of saving the environment, then this home furniture trend will be the best for you.

Pink Colors

Different shades of pink have become a trend this following year, and many homeowners are covering every piece of furniture with upholstery that is available in this specific shade. This trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. So it is a decent idea to add a touch of pink in every room of your house to brighten things up.

Also, shades of grey are making a comeback these days. When strategically incorporated into the interior of your home, they can make any drab old furniture look new and lively. To sum up, it is all up to what you prefer. A good practice would be to go online and look at new design trends that go well with the overall setting of your house.

Curve Craze

Gone are the days when people used to buy huge boxy sofas. Curved furniture has become a new trend now for the last two years. Curvy furniture is making a comeback in the form of roundtables, dining tables, and even coffee tables. Beds and sofas are also being made in curved and oddly shaped form to add a unique aesthetic to every room inside a house. Not only furniture, but the use of curved tiles are also considered in the room flooring and design.

It is one of the most fascinating trends to consider as far as the latest home furniture trends go.

Mixing Metals

Metals are being used in different ways, and the trend has become popular than it has ever been. Metals such as copper, brass, and gold give a classy feel to any furniture it is used in. Another good idea that has recently become a trend is mixing different metals with different textured materials.

Materials such as cashmere and velvet are mixed with shinny metals like gold or silver to give everything a more eye-popping look. An example of such a mixing of material would be a sofa that has golden legs and velvet upholstery.

THE FINAL WORDS

At the end of the day, it is all up to your preferences and what type of design and furniture you like the most. Pulling off a beautiful looking interior design with the right furniture is not an easy thing to do. Home furniture trends are changing with every passing day, and sometimes it can be challenging to keep up and stay up to date with everything. Everything also depends on what your budget is and what type of furniture you can afford to buy. Other than that, today, we have shared with you some latest home furniture trends, so it is a good idea that you consider them before your next remodeling or renovation project.

Different Types of Leather Used in Furniture Upholstery

October 20, 2019 by Mandy

Have you ever sat on a quality leather sofa and wondered if a similar piece would work well in your home? A good sofa is always the focal point in any living room. If you invest in a good quality couch, it can become a valuable part of your life, and essential in providing much-needed comfort at the end of a long day. Indeed when it comes to buying a sofa leather is the top choice. This article will help you understand further the different types of leather furniture, and how you can choose which is best for your home.

Full-grain leather

Full-grain leather refers to the outermost layer of cowhide, including the fibrous secondary layer also known as the split. This material is smooth, stiff, and highly durable. But despite the characteristic stiffness, full-grain leather remains breathable. As such, it is also absorbent and will last a long time. After years of use, you will notice the leather developing a distinct patina and ‘aged’ appearance.

Full-grain leather is the best choice when making furniture. You will find most sofas, ottomans, recliners, and chairs made using this material. Those who prefer a more natural style and texture to their leather furniture will like full-grain leather.

Top-grain leather

Unlike full-grain leather, top-grain leather only uses the outermost layer and does not include the ‘split’ layer of cowhide. Since it is thinner, it is also more stretchable and become much softer after years of use. Top-grain leather is another excellent choice for furniture upholstery, which is often treated with a protective coating.

Sanding top-grain leather creates the velvety texture of nubuck, and nubuck is another excellent material used in upholstery. Top-grain leather is also easier to clean, making it the perfect choice for a living room, and games room furniture.

Bonded leather

Bonded leather is another popular material in upholstering furniture. But, unlike other types of leather, bonded leather is made by blending pieces of cowhide. The heating process used to bond leather scraps together makes it easier for the manufacturer to customize textures and patterns on the leather’s surface. Compared with other kinds of leather which did not undergo processing, bonded leather tends to be thinner; hence, less durable.

Split leather

Separating the top-grain and full-grain layers from cowhide yield the lower layer known as split leather. The texture is soft and downy, which makes it ideal for making suede. The delicateness of split leather does not make it suitable for furniture upholstery. However, it may be used to accentuate furniture pieces, but not to upholster an entire piece.

Different types of leather finish

Apart from the different kinds of leather used in furniture upholstery, you will also encounter leather finishes that give the material its color as well as enhance its strength. Ideally, you’ll want your leather furniture to be as natural as possible. Aniline leather, for example, refers to treating the leather with a transparent dye which accentuates the grain and texture of the leather. On the other hand, pigmented leather adds a layer of protection over the material; hence, it is more stain and scratch-resistant.

7 Interior Design Tricks to Improve Your Home

August 12, 2019 by Mandy

Source: Unsplash | Sven Brandsma

Transforming your home doesn’t have to be an extensive and expensive process. Sometimes, it’s the simplest changes and additions to a room which can make your home feel completely different in a positive way. Knowing easy tricks and simple decorating tools means you’re well equipped to create a more enjoyable home space.

Here are some excellent tips to get you started.

1. Paint Smaller Rooms in Lighter Colors

The number one rule when it comes to decorating a small space, especially if the space is limited in natural light sources, is to avoid deep and rich colors which may make the room feel more enclosed and darker. When reinventing your smaller spaces, you should opt for lighter colors, such as magnolia, white or very pale pastel colors. If you’re unsure about your painting techniques or would like the advice from an expert regarding which light color would look best in a specific room, you can go online and search for “painters near me” to find a professional.

2. Embrace Plant Life

Nothing can transform a room better than an attractive plant. Equipping your room with greenery not only makes it feel more functional and fresh but also increases health and positivity, due to a plant’s contribution to cleaner air and their ability to absorb pollution. The great thing about choosing plants for your home is that you can put them anywhere, and opt for any shape and size, encouraging a new hobby and interest, too.

3. Make Use of Area Rugs

If the majority of your home is fitted with hardwood flooring, then laying the right rug down can truly make a difference. Area rugs can add splashes of color and character to any room, and be functional additions to a space which you might want to make more cozy, especially during the colder winter months. They can also be very family-friendly if you have a new baby or toddler spending a lot of time moving around the floor and are looking for a comfortable spot to sit with them.

4. Add Mirrors Wherever You Can

Not only do mirrors serve to make a room feel a whole lot bigger, but they are also useful for adding more natural light to a space. Try and position your mirrors on the opposite wall to a window and witness the difference in the amount of light within the room.

Mirrors are also attractive additions to any wall space you are looking to fill, and with so many varieties, styles and colors, the right mirror can make a room feel significantly better. This is also a good choice if you’re looking to fill bare walls but aren’t particularly a fan of bold artwork.

Go a step further and opt for mirrored furniture to increase the amount of light and reflection in your space.

5. Mix Your Aesthetics

A room can quickly feel and look bland if it’s kitted out in a lot of the same colors, furniture, and textures. It’s not imperative to make everything match the same style. Channel your personality and quirks more by furnishing a room in different shades, different styles of furniture and different patterns, such as bold cushion prints on an otherwise plain couch. These unusual additions can make a room a whole lot more interesting again, and a fun place to spend time in.

6. Be Creative with Storage

Optimum storage will always be a necessity in any home, and sometimes it’s not always possible to have enough closets and cupboards to hide everything away. If you must have storage pieces taking up space in your rooms, fully embrace the situation, and choose stylish and fun options for your storage needs instead of trying to make them invisible.

This could be upholstered storage boxes in an attractive fabric instead of plain wood options, or you could use wicker baskets or quirky antique cupboards.

7. Upcycle

If you’re looking to decorate your home with more unique items, while also trying to find a new use for items gathering dust, consider transforming old objects into new decorative pieces. This could be an old table which you’ve avoided using because you hate the color; you could sand it down and re-paint in an attractive modern pastel shade better fitted with your dining room! Or you could give old and worn photo frames a new lease of life and display them as your favorite room’s focal point.

Have a good sort through items you’ve considered getting rid of and see if you can create a new use for them.

Think About This Before Visiting Furniture Stores

July 30, 2018 by Mandy

Whenever looking for brand new furniture for the home you want to consider various options in regards to where to start. There are so many furniture stores you can visit and various furniture types. It is quite normal for the choice to seem overwhelming. You want to first narrow down what furniture type you like and then decide where to go buy. Alternatively, Gary Friedman states that you want to consider custom furniture since it can be perfect for any part of the home.

Contemporary Versus Traditional Furniture Stores

You want to decide exactly what furniture style you prefer. This is a good idea for redoing the whole room or just updating décor. Analyze the rest of the home and see if all matches perfectly since you do not want to be faced with discrepancies.

When unsure what furniture type you want, analyze what is considered modern on online websites and in interior design magazines. Cut out or print furniture sets and room photos and then go to the furniture stores. This will help you find something that is just as you would like it to be. You can easily be guided to create a room that is truly beautiful.

Chain Versus Local Furniture Stores

When living in larger cities there is a big possibility you can choose out of various furniture stores. There are normally small stores, regional chains, national chains and even locally-owned options to consider. Both the local furniture stores and the large chain stores have negative and positive points to take into account. Local stores can employ some furniture designers instead of salespeople. Smaller stores will often focus on a more personal customer service and employees tend to have higher knowledge about trends and furniture styles.

The large chain stores usually offer a huge selection and many furniture styles. You usually get the opportunity of finding everything in one location, which is quite convenient when in a hurry. The problem is that the large chain stores tend to be impersonal and employees rarely know a lot about the latest trends and styles.

Ready-Made Versus Custom Furniture

When looking around various furniture stores and not finding something that you like, custom furniture designers can easily step in and help you create a one-of-a-kind room that perfectly fits all your current wishes. You can choose every single furniture aspect, including wood type, stain, style and even textiles used. It is true that custom-made furniture will take a long time to be completed but it is normally worth the wait as you get exactly what you wanted.

With ready-made furniture you can quickly buy what you like as the furniture is already manufactured and designed. You can pick it up soon after you order it and you know exactly how it will look. The downside is that others might have the exact same pieces.

There are also some items that will be semi-customizable. You can basically customize some of the parts of the furniture, like wood type, leather or fabrics.