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The Perfect Dining Table

The dining table is a staple in most households. It's where we share the most memories with our family and friends, eating, laughing and sharing. A dining table that satisfies all of our needs, lending itself to practical functional requirements alongside fitting into our sense of style, is key. Here we’ve pulled together some advice on how to select the perfect dining table to suit your space, needs, and aesthetic. 

   
Pictured above: Delta by Calligaris and Tom by Bontempi Casa

Consider your Space - Thinking about how much space you have is vital. You don’t want your dining table to overshadow your entire dining area, but, if you need to seat a lot of people at times then this could be a challenge. We recommend exploring extending options such as the Delta Table by Calligaris or the Tom Table by Bontempi Casa both of which come in a wide range of finishes and more importantly, have a mechanism which extends the table out to a much larger size ready for hosting dinner parties

   
Pictured above: Abrey Round by Calligaris and Maxim Argile by Cattelan Italia

Consider the Shape - Space again. As a rule of thumb, with enough room a rectangular dining table is most practical, but in a smaller space a round design is easier to walk around and may involve less corner bumps! We love the Abrey Round Table by Calligaris for an easy timeless aesthetic, or Cattelan Italia’s Maxim Argile Table for a design-led kitchen highlight.

   
Pictured above: Millennium Wood by Bontempi Casa and Quadrifoglio Wood by Porada

Consider the Texture - Is your space made up of more natural elements, is it more industrial, or perhaps you want to contrast with the two? Whatever you're looking for, consider the material of your table. Wood is a great option for something that won't jar with its surroundings. Take the Millenium Wood Table by Bontempi Casa or the Quadrifoglio Wood Table by Porada; both designs offer the comfort of this natural material to add warmth to your space, combined with contemporary details.

   
Pictured above: Butterfly Keramik and Skorpio Keramik by Cattelan Italia 

Consider your Aesthetic - Your space needs to meet your own design brief, so thinking about whether you seek a design that is bold, minimalist, elegant or sleek can make all the difference. For those spaces that allow for a more signature look, the Butterfly Keramik Table or any of the the Skorpio Tables by Cattelan Italia offer striking bases that draw great focus and attention. These designs make great talking points for your space, so perfect for those dinner parties. 

Your dining table and overall home dining experience is one that will make you many lasting memories, so we hope you can utilise these top tips to help you find the perfect one for you and your space.

Sunday Lounging

There’s nothing quite like lounging on a Sunday morning, and no better way to do so than in an armchair with a footstool. The ultimate in comfort and relaxation, this setup is perfect for reading a book, watching a film or enjoying a cup of coffee. We’ve explored the benefits of adding an armchair and footstool combo to your living space and have added some tips on how to style them for maximum comfort.

Pictured above: Isa Relax by Sits

One of the biggest benefits of an armchair and footstool is the comfort they provide. An armchair should be designed to support your back and arms, while the footstool allows you to put your feet up and relax. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from back or leg pain, as the footstool can help alleviate pressure away from these areas. The Isa Relax by Sits features a tilting backrest that can adjust to the correct position for you. Additionally, the armchair provides a cosy and inviting space to sit, making it the perfect spot to unwind.

   
Pictured above: Amy and Alex by Sits 

Another consideration is size. The armchair should be proportionate to the room and other furniture. The Amy and Alex armchairs by Sits offer oversized designs that are perfect for a room with ample space. And the footstool should be large enough to comfortably rest your feet on, but not so large that it takes up too much space in the room — a balance carefully struck in the Teddy by Sits.

Pictured above: Teddy by Sits   

When it comes to styling an armchair and footstool, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is to choose a colour and fabric that complement the rest of your living space. If your living room is mostly neutral, consider a pop of colour with a bold or patterned design. On the other hand, if your living room is already quite colourful, you could opt for a neutral armchair and footstool to balance things out. The Daya Armchair by Bontempi Casa comes in an array of finishes and materials.

Pictured above: Daya by Bontempi Casa

Regarding accessories, less is more. A throw blanket, a few pillows and a small side table can add comfort and style to the space. Also, you can add a tray to any level footstool design to hold a book, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

To make the most of your armchair and footstool, be sure to take time to relax and enjoy them. And, if you want to take the relaxation to the next level, consider adding a floor lamp for a cosy reading nook or a table lamp for a soft ambience.

In conclusion, an armchair and footstool are the perfect addition to any living space. Not only do they provide comfort and relaxation, but they also add character to an interior. With the right styling and accessories, you’ll have a comfortable and inviting spot to relax and unwind.

Spring Decluttering

We all love a good spring clean, helping us to dust away the cobwebs from winter and allowing time to refresh and declutter. This is a good opportunity to remove unwanted items from the home to make way for either new items, or, to simply allow your space to embrace a more minimalist aesthetic. We’ve compiled some top tips to help you get the most out of a declutter in time for the new season. 

   
Pictured: Oleandro Chair, Abrey Round Table and Lake 5-Door Sideboard, by Calligaris 

1. Setup a ‘Declutter Station’ - This is an area with 3 boxes. One box for items to throw away, one box for items for charity, and one box for items to sell. When you are decluttering your home and clearing it of unwanted items, you won’t want to just throw everything away, so separating things into these categories can help you to make the most out of your time. 
2. Think Storage - Once you have removed the unwanted items from your space, take care to re-organise those items you're keeping — and part of this process should be considering how you’re going to store belongings to make sure the space is appearing neat and tidy. Organisers and caddies can be used to keep items together, and they can be hidden away in clever storage designs from sideboards to ottomans. 
3. Re-Shaping - Sometimes de-cluttering and tidying is not enough to refresh your space, so consider new configurations of your room to give it a new lease of life. It may be swapping where your TV and unit sit in the room to change the focus, or perhaps an armchair can be located nearer to a window to absorb the spring sunshine. Moving your furniture around also provides you ample opportunity to clear out the dust and cobwebs from all those hidden corners of your space. 

Whilst these 3 steps may seem simple, they are proven effective ways of giving your space a good de-clutter. Why not make plans for a seasonal refresh and revamp today. 

Wavy Wood

The natural curves of wood can add a unique dimension into your space. Smooth and gradual waves will still create a linear illusion, but they also give a raw, organic fingerprint too, allowing you to play with the juxtaposition of soft and firm edges. 

Here we’ve selected some of our top designs that feature wavy wood edges, bringing a little bit of nature indoors.

   
Pictured above: Millennium Wood Table by Bontempi Casa 

The Millennium Wood Table by Bontempi Casa features an angular metal frame that supports a large rectangular table top, with options including an innovative veneered wood top edged with a shaped edge strip, or a solid wood top with its original naturally wavy edge. 

   
Pictured above: Stratos Wood and Tyron Wood tables by Cattelan Italia

Also exploring veneered tops with shaped, 'irregular' edges, the Stratos Wood Table by Cattelan Italia features a striking embossed lacquered metal base, adding depth and drama to your room. Or why not explore the bold Tyron Wood Table by Cattelan Italia with its confident X shaped sculptural base. 

   
Pictured above: Gordon Deep Wood Table by Cattelan Italia 

Alternatively, you may be seeking the natural edged finish to give your space a more rustic and organic feel, if so, the Gordon Deep Wood Table by Cattelan Italia is an innovative design featuring a geometric rope-look sculptural base that supports a large solid table top, complete with wavy wood edges.

   
Pictured above: Terminal and Rapa Nui console tables by Cattelan Italia 

The Terminal Console Table by Cattelan Italia, like the Tyron Wood Table, features a striking X shaped base, and supports a wood table top that gently follows the organic waves and curves of the wood itself. Lastly, the Rapa Nui Console Table by Cattalan Italia harnesses the wavy wood edge table top, but is supported by two unique stone-shaped pillars in white or grey concrete, adding even more organic lustre to your space. 

However you decide to introduce wavy wood into your room, you will find it allows a multitude of introductions between organic and man made materials, that harmonise and add volume to your space