Our count down to the 10 best dressing tables.

10: The Silver Embossed Compact Dressing Table; a beautiful silver embossed dressing table that is ideal for those short on space. Its compact design includes everything you need from a dressing table including a gallery section with mirror and drawer storage for all your bits and bobs. A beautifully delicate design that is ideal for those seeking something just that little bit different from their dressing table.

9: Venetian Etched Shaped Dressing Table; a beautifully delicate piece that has been designed for the girlie girl. Gorgeous etching on the corners and drawer fronts are beautifully rounded off with glass pumpkin style knobs that make this dressing table the height of elegance. Stunning cabriolet style legs complete the look and make this piece the perfect choice for those wanting to inject some femininity into their bedroom.

8: Oxford Oak Pedestal Dressing Table; hand crafted from solid oak this dressing table is made to perfection. Sturdy in nature and functional in design this dressing table is designed for those wanting a piece that will last a lifetime. The three ample sized drawers make this the ideal dressing table for those lacking in space and the added bonus being the choice of 3 handles means you can compliment a multitude of decors.

7: French Noir Small Dressing Table; handcrafted from solid mahogany wood this dramatic piece is designed to be the centre piece to any bedroom. The quaint but functional design offers everything required from a dressing table, a number of drawers offer ample storage for all your bits and pieces and the stunning shaped cheval mirror is perfectly adjustable. This piece is the ideal choice for those wanting to inject a bit of drama into their bedroom.

6: French Gold Leaf Carved Dressing Table; this stunning addition to the gold leaf range is perfect for those wanting a more regal feel to their bedroom, this piece instantly injects glamour and wealth into a décor and is stunningly carved with delicate attention to detail. The gallery section offers ample space and the secret pillow drawers are beautifully integrated into the design of the table. The gold leafing used on this dressing table gives a really authentic antique aged effect finish and is the ideal choice for those wanting to create a luxurious feeling of wealth into their bedroom.

5: Venetian Etched Dressing Table; an absolutely stunning dressing table that has been beautifully hand etched on the corners and drawers fronts to create a truly gorgeous dressing table that’s fit for a princess. Those wanting to inject some femininity into their décor this dressing table is the perfect solution and is only further complimented by the matching stool and elegant dressing table 3 way mirror. The classic design of the etched Venetian design has proven to still be incredibly popular amongst the Venetian furniture range; this is due to its ageless design and its ability to work with a number of decors.

4: Chateau Carved Dressing Table; although the same design as the gold leaf, this dressing table has earned its right to be up in the top ten selection due to its sheer popularity. The Chateau range is one of the best selling French collections due to its versatility to coincide with a multitude colours and styles. The Chateau Carved Dressing Table is the height of subtle elegance, displaying stunning carved detail and functionality that make this dressing table the perfect piece for those wanting to create a luxurious living space whilst using your imagination to combine any style and colour furnishings to work alongside it.

3: Rustic Oak Pedestal Dressing Table; the rustic oak collection is an incredibly popular range due to its raw and natural appeal. Within the rustic oak range you really feel like you own a slice of nature and this is down to a combination of its solid and durable nature teamed with its rustic imperfections. Handcrafted from solid oak throughout and completed with a sealed natural oil finish the rustic range beautifully captures all the natural raw elements of the oak tree and enhances it further by using rounded off edges and emphasising the natural grain of the wood. The pedestal style dressing table is perfect for those needing a little extra storage space as the 3 drawers provide ample space and this piece is only complimented further by the addition of the vanity mirror and stool creating a perfect station for all those beauty needs.

2: Venetian Plain Mirrored 2 Drawer Dressing Table; one of the most popular Venetian designs to date, this console was one of the first of its kind to take Venetian furniture into the modern market and has influenced a number of matching pieces since. The contemporary design means that pretty much anyone can now indulge in a mirrored décor and why wouldn’t you? it lends itself to any style home and décor and has the unique ability to lighten any room using light reflection off its many panelled edges. The mirrored 2 drawer console is simplistic in design using bevelled edges whilst offering ample storage space in its two well sized drawers, as with most dressing tables this piece can only be further complimented with the ‘in keeping’ 3 way dressing table mirror and plain stool that follow on this cool and contemporary design to create a dressing table set that would even entice any man to sit at it.

1: Barcelona Mirrored Dressing Table; this piece does not require much introduction, its iconic and contemporary design speak for itself. The Barcelona style began in the form of a lounge chair created by the great Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe some 80 years ago. Since then this design has flourished whilst still maintaining its iconic status recognised by generations. The Barcelona dressing table is quite a new addition to the Barcelona family but has proved incredibly popular for those seeking style and sophistication from their décor. The complimenting Barcelona dressing table stool featuring the button detail of the original lounge chair really makes you feel like you are owning a piece of history. The Barcelona dressing table features 2 substantial drawers and the mirrored panels are rounded off using bevelled edges, the polished stainless steel frame is sturdy and secure giving the dressing table a substantial presence.  This piece is designed for those who know and appreciate style and want to be a part of the Barcelona phenomenon that has influenced the world of interior past and present.

How to decide on the right interior for you before committing to a complete decor change.

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Decorating, re-decorating and renovating can be a daunting task for most. I come across people on a regular basis that just can’t make up their minds on colour, style and what goes with what. Interior design is not something to be scared of and it is important to reflect your own interests and style into a decor so it really speaks to you.

The easiest and most inexpensive way to do this is through a ‘mood board’. Many may think of this as just an excuse to waste time cutting, gluing and sticking pointless pictures and images to a board with very little effect. This couldn’t be further from the truth; a mood board is the perfect way to view colours, styles and texture in a set space to really determine if they work together. In looking at a decor in this compact way makes sure that even if you were to throw all your chosen furniture, furnishings, colours and fabric all in one big pile they would still have the ability to work well together.

The idea behind the mood board is to do a few, experiment with your favourite colours and don’t be afraid to mix colours that you wouldn’t usually, at the end of the day if you don’t like it you can just crack on with another and alter the aspect that didn’t sit right with you. For the more experienced designer; instead of using actual images of let’s say a chair or a bed they will use a more metaphoric style of what they want to achieve, for example if they are looking to create a funky, chic and sassy decor they will opt for images of skyscraper designer high heels for example or contemporary architecture and maybe a cut out of luscious red lips to portray this image along with splashes of colour and texture that they want to create. It doesn’t need to be this complicated however when decorating a room in one’s home, sticking to images of the kind of furniture you are looking to introduce into the room gives you a better understanding on the workings of the decor, If you can find pictures of the actual furniture that you want to use or purchase for the room then all the better for a clearer picture.

Once you have played around with colour, texture and style and applied the one’s that you are happy with onto a mood board you should find that the finished collage is one that sits well with you and is pleasing to the eye. This then gives you the basis you need to start tackling the practical side of the job and hopefully means you can enter into it with a little more confidence knowing that your colour and style work well together and just needs a little application.    

Oak Furniture

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE

Oak furniture and a homely feeling… but why does it?

Why do you like oak furniture? Maybe we subconsciously associate it with the countryside? Maybe it reminds us of going home to our parent’s house? I don’t know.  I am no interior designer but when I think about it. A home usually reflects the area it is in and what it is made from. Modern apartments in the big smoke usually are made from glass and metal. So it makes sense that contemporary living is reflected inside the home itself. Slim minimalist furniture made from glass and composite materials. All leaves a feel that the architecture didn’t end at the front door. The furniture in modern living becomes an architectural extension of the building… the inner reflects the outer.

Maybe it always has, or maybe it’s the other way around. It’s something I have only just thought of. I think it’s referred to as ‘in keeping’? When I think about oak furniture it reminds me of home and relaxing and unwinding. Oak furniture then is a reflection of the homeliness of the countryside and of nature itself. Solid oak furniture used in a kitchen for example really adds warmth to the heart of the home. It reminds us of the strength and longevity of family life, of roots and possibly of good old fashioned home cooking.

No wonder then that oak furniture is a main stay in the furniture market some designers are getting more contemporary with how they fashion oak for modern urban living but for me it just leaves me with a sense of twisting nature, I am never really at easy with pieces that are too radically opposed to its composition, for example there is something a little unnerving about an apple carved from oak. To me it just doesn’t make sense.  It is only slightly better than using plastic fruit and flowers in furniture designs. Why? Who wants to buy plastic flowers? It’s like making bricks made out of glass. To me it’s incongruent and I don’t get it.

Oak furniture for me should be chunky sturdy and not too clever. When oak furniture is like this it reminds me of the countryside and nature.

The Best of British

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

With the Royal wedding just around the corner and the 2012 Olympics fast approaching its time to feel ‘proud to be British’! Time to put the doom and gloom of the financial depression behind us and look towards a brighter future. 

With the union jack flag making its appearance on clothing and furnishings there is no better time to show your patriotism to ye old England. There is no need to go overboard with this fashionable décor, covering your whole home in the union jack flag is a big no no. The key is to keep it subtle with just one or two selective pieces that make a statement whilst complimenting the existing décor.

The union jack 3 drawer bedside is a really funky piece of furniture and kept to just one of two of these, looks awesome either side of the bed. For those wanting a more regal feel from their union jack piece, they do not come anymore majestic than the Union Jack Boudoir Carver with gold leaf frame and a funky twist in the black and silver silk upholstery. To combine style with function, the union jack storage coffee table is a funky alternative to a coffee table and has a really rustic worn feel to add character.

So time to get on board and show your support for an ever resilient united kingdom.  

Royal Wedding Furniture

The big wedding is just days away so we thought it would be a good idea to take a closer look at all the royal wedding furniture we are carrying and see if we can spot some royal trends in 2011. You can’t have a royal wedding without a throne. Nothing would make you feel more special than to sit on a magnificent throne on the biggest day of your life…

Take a look at these gold leaf chairs. Note the regal carvings which hint at a more eastern influence perhaps Indian or Persian. Imagine a wedding with such magnificent chairs for the evening function?

See the full gallery on Posterous

These chairs are on special offer over at the furniture market.co.uk

Are you an eco warier? Then don’t let this stop when it comes to your furniture.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

If the current climate is of grave concern to you and you strive to play your part in bringing about a change in the way we obtain our natural recourses then oak is an excellent eco choice. It’s natural, renewable and recyclable whilst requiring no chemical preservatives and if sourced from well managed woodlands has very little impact on our environment.

 

The beauty with oak furniture is the fact that it will last a lifetime and only gets better with age. Nic’s and cuts only enhance the rustic charm of oak furniture and it’s a wonderful thing to pass down cherished pieces to generation after generation.

 

In a day and age where we are all taking more of an interest in the sustainability of our planet it is definitely worth applying this to our home and not letting it stop with just recycling our waste but also apply this philosophy to our furniture. There is so much oak furniture on offer these days, you can be sure to find a style to suit your requirements and relish in the thought that you are playing your part in contributing to the improvement of today’s environment.

Knights of the Oak round table.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

A round dining table can on occasion take up more space than that of a square or rectangular style however they are incredible sociable and just as King Arthur intended; puts everyone on an even keel with no head or chief of the table. Everyone has the ability to see each other therefore encouraging conversation and interactions.

Although the selection of round oak tables are not as plentiful as square or rectangular styles the few on offer are both solid and substantial providing functionality and style in one. The Toulouse oak round dining table is a beautiful rustic looking table with solid squared off legs, however if space is an issue then they don’t come anymore practical than that of the French Regal Oak round extending dining table with stunning tapered legs for a more elegant style.

So if you’re after a more sociable experience from your dining table look at introducing a round dining table into your living space and encourage healthy debates and conversation around the dinner table, just as the knights intended.