Creative Uses Of Furniture

 When a client comes to us explaining they are on a budget, we don't automatically think cheaper or ready made furniture, we think of how we can use existing pieces into a more practical way without compromising on design. Budget doesn't always mean restricting yourself in design, in fact we believe we can make more of an impact by making each piece tell a story. The old armoire that was handed down to you that worked okay as a wardrobe in your first home but not longer serves you, how about considering building around it, removing the doors and using it as a library or a cocktail bar, how about storing crockery or linen and making a feature of it! The same apply's to a beautiful chest of draws or sideboard that no longer has a purpose, why not add a bevelled marble top and create a bar or guest bathroom vanity!

When I finally get to build my next kitchen I have decided I want the island bench to be a piece of furniture, of course there could be the issue with height, but by either using a furniture maker to build raise the leg or adding castor wheels - this will automatically gain height, add a marble or stone top for practicality and voila you have a beautiful talking piece in your kitchen that creates a warm cosy feeling to your home, try then to style it with timber chopping boards, potted herbs and flowers, the shelves beneath make the perfect place to store crockery and large platters and boards.

By using some of your own pieces or vintage shopping at local markets and antique stores, you can find that unique piece that can serve a purpose, creates a talking point & is fun to create!

Image sources: Pinterest

Colours We Are Trending

 At Verandah House we are in the middle of a huge showroom makeover, so what perfect timing to share our favourite colours we are using in our showroom and client projects. We have listed our top favourite colours and how we love using them today.

1. Duck Egg Blue - we are loving this colour painted on cabinetry in full gloss or low sheen depending on the look we are trying to achieve. We are loving using lots of hand-block printed fabric's in soft blues and linens; they have a unique, timeless, organic feeling and add a relaxed stylish look to our sofas and furniture pieces. We are using blues in silk wallpaper especially in bedrooms and dressing rooms to add texture and glamour.

2. Grey - Grey is the perfect neutral to layer colour and interest, we especially love using it on joinery - whether it be grey stained timbers or painted finishes, this colour works back perfectly with marble, silver or brass fixtures.

3. White - When we think white we often lean towards nougat, wintery whites rather than the stark whites used so often, its a calmer, more gentle look and instantly gives you the feeling of comfort within a home. Millwork detail to walls and joinery makes white less boring and a whole lot more interesting, we are loving some of our new lighting fixtures coming to VH especially the chandelier we have posted here today.

4. Navy Blues - For as long as I can remember blue has always been our signature colour, regardless of whether we choose a denim, powder or indigo to a rich deep navy, this timeless colour has so much appeal regardless of whether a home is modern or classic. We love all walls in a room painted a deep navy, on joinery and of course in soft furnishings, never has the colour not been in fashion, its timeless, appealing and never dates.

5. Chocolate - Yes, chocolate and its good enough to eat! At VH we call it the new black, is softer, just as dramatic as black but works back with so many colours, currently in our showroom we are mixing chocolate and aqua blue, we are seeing it painted on joinery and we are loving using chocolate seagrass wallpaper with lots of white trim and millwork for a more dramatic contrast. When the fashion industry gets hold of this colour you can be guaranteed to start seeing it in our homes too!

6. Hunter Green - We are absolutely obsessed with Hunter Green, what a perfect colour for a den, library or study, work it back with plaids and warm timber tones, we are loving it back with wall art for a striking look to a room.

Image Credits: image 3&18 Ashley Wittaker, Ralph Lauren Home, Pinterest, Verandah House