Living Room Furniture - Stylists Tips

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IS YOUR WALL NAKED?
"Create your perfect wall unit with endless options for all walls!"
 

Modular wall units provide a vast number of design options and a multitude of storage and display solutions. The flexible nature of these units allow for personalisation and can even give an impression of a custom made wall unit as they can be tailored to the individual’s wall dimensions.

This truly versatile wall display and storage solution is made possible by the components working as individual pieces and allowing freedom of choice when positioning them together to work as a whole with the other components. With the options of wall hung cabinets, floating shelves and backboards, TV benches, drawer units and many more components the looks and possibilities are endless.

When deciding what wall unit look will suit your wall consider the wall size, a longer wall will lend its self to a more horizontal look; to help the wall unit look not too heavy stick to lower units so as noy to not overpower the space. In regards to a shorter wall try to go for a higher, vertical design, this not only maximises the wall space but it also makes the smaller wall more of a feature.

If you are looking for some storage solutions the Viano & Genova wall hung cabinets are a simple yet effective way to add concealed storage and are also great to place opposite the TV to create balance within the overall wall unit. Be creative by hanging several Viano cabinets low on the wall, the fact that they are ‘floating’ will keep the wall looking light and they are great for DVD storage. The streamline Basso low line unit is also great for a bit of extra storage and teamed with the l-shape bench adds a modern look with a practical appeal. 

Designing a wall unit that has open display is easily done with simple floating shelves or backboards with attached shelves; these give a great linear appearance and will keep the wall looking light and subtle.

Lastly choose your colour combinations to either create a stark contrast ie white and dark grey or use one lighter colour for the entire wall unit. If using just one colour add accent colours and style your wall unit through accessories, to see tips on styling go to our ‘Style Your Wall Unit’ page. 
 

> How to plan your wall unit…

1.Download the PDF
2.Measure your wall
3.Bring a sketch in or call us and we can assist
4.Or if you would like further assistance our interior decorator service is available

 

SPRING STYLE TRENDS 2011

The Spring 2011 season sees modern forms and shapes brought together with a casual flair, a looseness of composition that speaks of a more relaxed and casual attitude, reflecting contemporary family life. A new, earthy colour palette is emerging after seasons of monochromatic styles, the neutrals are accented with glossy charcoal greys and bold punches of mustard yellow and ochre tones, which work to both brighten the neutrals and sit comfortably within the earthy palette. There is a focus once more on traditional detailing, materiality and craftsmanship, with new season products making use of cow hides, metals and exposed timber grains. Layering materials, textures and colour has introduced a new way of expressing personality within a room, whilst the overall neutral palette ties the look together. The new season furniture styles are all about framing your personality, whilst offering practical solutions to the modern needs of a working home, housing entertainment gear, concealed storage, modular options and wall units that maximise storage where it is needed most.

GET THE LOOK AT HOME

“The New Earthy Palette- It’s all about Mustard Accents”

> Mustard Yellow & Ochre Tones: The Mustard yellow glass doors on the Bronte unit are a fantastic way to introduce the bold tone, the glass means that as various lights hit it throughout the day the tonality changes, giving it extra depth and a dynamic nature. You can look to introduce smaller Mustard elements in the way of cushions or a print on the wall.

> Grey Tones and Charcoal: From light grey through to very dark glossy charcoal, grey’s are the perfect neutral, they are modern, yet practical and the perfect counter-balance to bold yellows. Look to bring in different shades of grey in different textures, use different sized weaves on the sofa, some ash grey timber veneer and glossy dark grey accents.

> Chocolate, Bronze & Beige tones: A selection of brown toned neutral pieces in different shades and different materials and textures will complement warm greys, whilst being practical, and liveable. The most important thing with brown tones is to avoid being too ‘matchy/matchy’, look for details; rugs with multiple tones, or textures throughout, such as the mosaic rug or the cowhide rug; and fabrics with a hint of silver and leathers with just the slightest shine to them, this will help keen brown modern. For wall units and furniture, beige colours will tone in with the overall look, without being dominating, and work best when contrasted with dark grey.

ASSEMBLING THE LOOK

“Relaxed and Casual”

> Storage Wall Units: A great idea for big homes or small, the storage wall units such as the Bronte and the Vedicombine open storage, concealed storage and integrate media options. In big homes, or open spaces use a large wall unit to frame an area, run them the length of the living room boundary to contain the space. In small homes maximise your storage by filling a wall with a storage unit, you can even run your sofa in front of it if need be, effectively forming a storage wall. The units then provide a platform on which to express yourself, the sections allow you to frame your favourite accessories, and have a variety of styles on display. Integrate indoor plants with your favourite photos, and storage for extra throws and glasses, all in the one unit. If you have small walls or difficult to furnish walls, use floating shelvesassembled in a way that you can display books and accessories, turning an empty space into a beautiful feature and a practical storage solution.

> Media Wall Units: Designed with strong lines, and intersecting horizontal planes, the latest range are designed to house your media equipment in a way that complements it, and integrates the latest technology into your living room. The Genova and Viano Series are made up of hanging wall units; low, streamlined benches; open shelving and hanging plasma boards. They are designed to give you access to the components you need, yet integrate them into the furniture so they do not dominate the room.

> Modern, Modular Sofas: Modern forms and generous proportions are given a casual edge with relaxed loose cushions, deep seats and corner configurations for the family to spread out on. Enhance the look with oversized scatter cushions in co-ordinating neutrals and accent cushions in highlight colours. Casually arrange the cushions, and have a throw handy for a relaxed look, and relaxed living. Check out the Rimini or Verona in fabric, or the Arsizio in leather.
 

> Leather Armchairs: Leather armchairs are a design classic; they never date, regardless of the style you pick. Group 2 together at the edge of a rug to define the boundaries of the living room, or have one, more casually angled for relaxed open spaces. When looking for leather armchairs look for a style that suits the room, if the overall look is modern, stick to chairs with a modern look such as the Pelle, or, for a more formal look, the Seggio. Also look for unique detailing; the latest Beyond Furniture ones each have a unique element, such as the webbed seat back of the Marco and Polo armchairs.

> Coffee Tables & Side Tables: Coffee tables and side tables are both highly useful, and the key to balancing the overall look. The coffee table is crucial to the balance and scale of the room, it usually sits at the centre and it should reflect both the size of the room, and the proportions of the sofa. A too small coffee table will throw off a whole room, so look for a generous size, which suits the space. Side tables are perfect to complete the relaxed look, scatter them around where needed, they are always useful to put your drink on, and they can be moved around the house to suit. Look at the Piccollo version in the new Ash grey, or the new leather Cruz range.

> Rugs: Rugs tie the look together; they set the boundaries of the room, and create a haven within the greater room dimensions. If you have the room, look for a generous size that tucks under the front of the furniture, and look for styles that complement rather then compete with your look. The new range of cow-hide rugs are easy to work in, the single colour palette is enhanced with varying textures, patterns and tones, giving it visual interest without being dominating.