The Garden Table

Summer has finally arrived in the UK, perhaps a little too much, and it’s hot hot hot! Which means of course it’s the perfect opportunity for some al fresco dining, and to enjoy those summer evenings. You’re may already have a table and chairs, and perhaps a seating area to relax in, but as with all rooms in the house it’s those little details and additions of accessories that make all the difference. Here are some lovely accessories and ideas that you could think about adding into your outdoor areas to create a charming and comfortable space.

Cotton Seat Cushion from H&M Home

Give your garden chairs a little bit of a spruce, style and comfort with a seat cushion. It’ll allow you and any guests to stay outside into the evening without getting uncomfortable as well as making more of a feature out of the furniture. These ones from H&M Home are fun and season appropriate and will help give the seats a little extra personality.

To create the perfect outdoor space, its about making it feel like a room in the house, and adding accessories is the best way to do that; you wouldn’t buy a sofa for you living room and leave it bare without a throw or cushions, so do the same for your outdoor area too! If you’re worried about weather damage, get yourself a little trunk or chest that can live near the back door to store your soft furnishings in. Give you seating area more substance with some playful cushions; this braided cushion from H&M Home has the perfect summer vibe for your backyard, and can be blended into different colour schemes.

Braided Cushion from H&M Home

Add some more botanical glamour to the seating area with this design from Designers Guild, its sophisticated and fun, and would work nicely with the H&M cushion above for a fresh contemporary look.

Palme Botanique Emerald Outdoor Cushion from Designers Guild

As well as being comfortable, being able to stay in your garden late into the evening also requires some good light sources. Creating the right atmosphere is an important part of any dinner party or special occasion, and lighting is a main factor. I love this outdoor chandelier found on Pinterest, it adds a romantic touch to an outdoor dining area, and it’s not your usual outdoor lighting, so gives your space some uniqueness.

Garden Chandelier from Sheer Luxe via Pinterest

For a different look, a few of these lanterns dotted amongst tree that hangs over a seating area, or along a pergola would look lovely. Make a statement look with them by hanging a few at different levels, or a sleek row of them.

Batur Hanging Lantern from Oka

If you want to add some eccentric style in your garden area, why not add a few of these flamboyant candlesticks from Angel & Boho. Their ornate design will give the space a little over the top charm, giving the area a fun and whimsical feel.

Petit Oiseaux Bird Candlestick from Angel & Boho

A seating area with a coffee table can be given a party makeover with a lighting addition like this one; a metal tray with tea lights floating in water will transform your day-to-day outdoor area into a dream land.

Candles Floating in Tray from Pinterest

Making sure you add the extra pieces to your outdoor area will make the space seem extra vibrant and full of style. Dining, coffee and side tables can be filled with extra home accessories to really put your own stamp on the space. Something like this mirrored tray from Angel & Boho is not only lovely and glamorous, but great for transporting drinks and nibbles, or sporting some candles when the sun goes down.

Gilt Mirror Tray from Angel & Boho

The idea might seem a little odd considering that your garden in probably surrounded with plants, flowers and wildlife, but having a vase at your table filled with a cutting of your favourite flower form your garden or just one you love, could be a really special touch; especially if it’s in a patio or decking area. A glass design to keep the space filled with light is a good option, this asymmetrical vase from H&M Home has a pretty look for an outdoor space.

Asymmetrical Vase from H&M Home

Of course you’ll need a beautiful set of dinnerware when dining outside, if you’re thinking about upgrading yours, this Naya set from Made is a lovely, contemporary design. The muted palette is perfect for showing off a meal of colourful foods.

Naya 12 Piece Dinner Set from Made

Finally, just as a little extra touch these candle holders from Garden Trading are just a really sweet addition to any outdoor table; especially with a little bit of sand placed in the bottom.

Wells Windlight from Garden Trading

It’s easy to not associate your garden as an extra room in your home, but when the weather is as good as it is now, it becomes the most important part of the home; so make sure that your space is comfy, stylish and suits your personality perfect so that you can enjoy as much time in your garden as possible.

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Chandelier Fairy Tales

Every time I go to the V&A Museum in London I always spend a little time gazing up at the extravagant chandelier in their grand entrance. The ‘Rotunda’ Chandelier made and designed by Dale Chihuly in 2001 is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship and artistry, you can observe it in a hundred different ways and still not see all the intricate detailing the piece has to offer.

‘Rotunda Chandelier’ at the V&A Museum

Though it’s probably a safe enough to bet that most of us couldn’t really accommodate such an elaborate and outlandish decorative piece in our own homes, there’s something to be said for investing in a showstopper of a light, and in particular a chandelier. Often, when the mind thinks of a chandelier we think of the beautiful, classic chandelier that grace to entrance halls of stately homes and mansions, but in today’s world of interior design there are so many contemporary and alternative versions of the classic design that it’ll make your mind race with possibilities. I’ve found a few of my favourite contemporary chandeliers that are truly irresistible.

‘Mud Beaded Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern

These beaded chandeliers have kept the classic chandelier shape but swapped out crystals for beads, a real contemporary take on a classic. The draping and styling of the beads creates a beautiful, elegant design, combining extravagance and humility which is perfect for those who are big on style but want to refrain from being overzealous. Instead of the usual twinkling of crystal, the finish on this design is somewhat muted, giving the piece a day-to-day accessibility that more traditional designs lack. Its style makes it the ideal component if you want to add a little glamour to an understated interior scheme.

‘Silicate Chandelier’ from Baker

This stunning piece from Baker reminds me of a multitude of things, from a feathery waterfall to a vintage 1920s ballroom. The soft layering of the glazed pieces of glass mixed with the gold chains that they dangle from is a modern approach, creating beauty out of structural elements and producing a playful nature between hard and soft textures that gives the overall design a gorgeous flair.

‘Neo Baroque Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern

This Neo Baroque chandelier packs quite a punch. Definitely not for the faint hearted, it’s fusion between the antique world and the futuristic makes for the ultimate statement piece. Its structure has a ghostly element to it, which works perfectly with the neo-gothic design. Despite the sense of grandeur that accompanies the design, the chandelier could be worked into smaller spaces. The translucency of the design means that your room won’t be bombarded by the piece, and will actually sit rather elegantly and subtly.

To take things down a notch or two, if big and bold isn’t your thing, there are plenty of understated, chandelier inspired designs out there that go easy on the drama but still maintain the overall sense of splendour and grace.

‘Aster Chandelier’ from Copper & Silk

This contemporary design gives a comparatively minimalist alternative to the other chandeliers. Its circular design has an assertiveness to it without being over dominant, enabling you to happily have a few situated in a room without it looking excessive. The curved glass and the whole look of the piece has a hint of a retro feel, but there is a contemporariness to the design that brings these vintage motifs into the 21^st Century.

‘Contardi Kubric Chandelier’ from Interior Supply

For a completely contemporary remake of the traditional chandelier, something like this piece from Interior Supply is a marvel. The reflectiveness of the spherical shades is a modern take on the flickering light the crystal from traditional designs would produce. The design is slick, contemporary and stylish, the perfect companion for an architecturally innovative home.

If all the talk of crystal chandeliers has made you nostalgic, a little tradition can always be thrown into the mix. This design, again from Interior Supply, mixes together the best of both worlds, the traditional with the modern. A fresh oval structure, made from satin nickel with the inclusion of crystal beading allows for all the traditional glamour without the domineering nature of a traditional design.

‘Cattelan Italia Cristal’ from Interior Supply

Finally, for the ultimate investment piece that follows the same breath-taking nature that the traditional grand chandeliers would have had, a head-to-toe chainmail covered piece that is full of style and grace. There’s a certain allure that comes with using a single material, here the chainmail replaces crystal but still remembers the same grandeur and elegance of its ancestors, only with a modern twist. The effect created by the texture of the chainmail is truly marvellous and completely conquers the purpose of a chandelier.

‘Chainmail Chandelier’ from Ochre

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A Guide to Table and Floor Lamps

Lighting is a seriously important component when it comes to creating the atmosphere and managing the ambience of a room or home. From simple changes such as altering the brightness of your bulbs, to updating your lampshades, or completely redoing a room’s setup, the relationship between your home and its lighting needs is a never-ending journey.

Though our first instinct may be to jump straight to ceiling or wall lights, there is much to be said for the use of floor and table lamps as your main source of lighting, especially since it won’t require having to get building or electrical work done. Not only can using table and floor lamps create a softer, romantic, more inviting setting than opting for just using a ceiling light, but they are also a fantastic way to introduce different styles into your interiors. This week at Angel + Blume we’re going to take you through some amazing designs and ideas from the world of floor and table lighting.

Whether you want to create a statement or just give a helping hand to the room’s mood, floor lamps are a great way to go. Floor lamps can be for both functional and decorative use. A floor lamp with an amazing design, whatever your style be it simplistic or avant garde, positioned slightly away from the rest of the furniture in the room will make it become the room’s focal point, the object your eyes will initially land on. Therefore choosing the right style and design for your home and yourself is imperative.

Grossman Cobra Floor Lamp from Gubi

This wonderfully contemporary design from Gubi, which comes in five colour variations, is minimalist style at its finest, its design is modern blended with retro influences, ideal for those who love modern style and enjoy having a fun dose of originality in their interiors.

Pedrera PD2 Floor Lamp from Gubi

Another contemporary example from Gubi is this futuristic style floor lamp, its bold design makes it a feature point of the room. It would look great following a monochrome scheme or creating the perfect contrast against a juxtaposition of colourful walls and furniture.

Lamps are superb for creating warm and inviting spaces, opting for floor or table lamps in a sitting room means crafting the optimal space for relaxing or entertaining guests and easily changing from day to night time with just a few flicks of a switch.

Trafalgar Floor Lamp from Pooky

The antique brassy tones from the base mixed together with the yellowy hues from the lampshade gives this floor lamp a sunny warming power, made for those cold, wintery nights were doing anything but curling up on the sofa seems near impossible.

Pooky, as you can see from above and below make some lovely lamps both floor and table. Their designs are absolutely adorable and are the ideal addition if you want to give your home a little face-lift, and at very reasonable prices too!

Wisteria Table Lamp from Pooky

Palmyra Table Lamp from Pooky

For subtle, sweet style that is as far from ostentatious as you can get Pooky is the place to go. Each of their designs are individual yet will be complementary with the rest of your design scheme. A few lovely lamps from Pooky dotted around a living room or study would help create a warm and charming atmosphere to immerse yourself into.

If you work from home, or have a desk or office that is in need of a little finishing touch or an boost of colour, picking out a bright and beautiful desk lamp is a sure fire way to add style and originality to your room without going overboard on the distractions when you need to focus. Something to suit your style will be the pick me up you need when work has you stressed.

Dalù from Artemide

Artemide has reinvented a design from the sixties by Vico Magistretti, the Dalù lamp has the most glorious sixties shape with modern colours. The transparent red and orange are simply stunning and will make the best desk companions.

If classic, elegant style is music to your ears, your one-stop shop for your lighting needs should be Original BTC. Their designs are sophisticated, and exude style without being over the top. A simple, organised desk needs its lamp equal and Original BTC is the place to find it. Two designs that stand out from the crowd for their appealing nature are the London Table Lamp and the Walter Table Lamp, both ooze with style and grace.

London Table Lamp from Original BTC

Walter Table Lamp from Original BTC

Recently Heathfield and Zoffany paired up to create a stunning lighting collection, chiefly table lamps. The designs they’ve created together are completely brilliant and would work wonders in a dozen different interior styles. Their twenty-eight piece collection is created using free blown glass, therefore each individual lamp you buy is unique in its own right, giving you a personal touch to your interiors.

 

From left to right: Colmea (silver), Gaia (velvet blue), Novella (antique bronze), Fiametta (smoke blue) from Heathfield and Zoffany

The interesting nature of the bases means that the table lamps make a statement without being overzealous. The designs would look beautiful on a sideboard or end table. They’re great pieces for adding a little pizazz to a traditional or classic setting, and their elegance means they’re in for the style long haul and won’t become dated any time soon.

Finding the right lighting setup for your home can be a fun but timely task, but once you’ve found the perfect arrangement you’ll be living in pure lighting harmony, making you never want to leave your home again.

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