Top 10 Coffee Tables

Top 10 Coffee Tables 

Hi and welcome back to The Retro Edit... Now that almost half of our renovations have taken place, from here onwards begins the search for furniture. All of our previous furniture just does not seem to fit in to the modern style we are looking to achieve; or simply appears lifeless with a decade of well-loved scars. 

When it comes to searching for furniture, it always proves to be a testing experience. I almost always have a prototypical product in my head and knowing myself very well, nothing else will suffice! But the trouble with that is finding that prototypical product in your local department/furniture store. I always typically browse John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenham's, hoping to find something that is even profusely similar to the image in my mind. I always allow the freedom of accepting something which shares some attributes of that prototypical product. If the department stores prove to be unsuccessful, I will diligently search the Internet with every possible plausible keyword combination to produce the most relevant matched search results. That in itself requires a a great amount of time especially when time lapses without a trace. Oh the wonders that the Internet works! 

In this particular instance, I am looking for a round small/medium sized table and could potentially opt for two smaller tables instead of a larger dominating piece. 
Of course, my ideal coffee table must be adorned with brass detailing, after all I am a "brass gal", with a combination of modern attributes. The coffee table plays a pivotal part in a space and in my eyes, is the showstopper. The coffee table must be a standout piece which brings together all other interior features and applies an optimal finish to the room.

With that in mind, I have done a great amount of searching online and have managed to find several coffee tables that might be what I am looking for. The precise problem here is that I still have not made up my mind yet. Maybe you all can help! I would like to throw out a disclaimer beforehand that this post contains large amounts of marble. I tend to look for pieces which are peculiar and unique in shape, with architectural features such as iron bases and geometrical shapes. 

1. Swoon Editions Globe Coffee Table £329.00




2. Swoon Editions Toby Coffee Table £349.00



3. Swoon Editions Praia Coffee Table £329.00



4. Maisons Du Monde Gatsby Coffee Table £643.00



5. Made Aula Coffee Table £249.00 


6. House of Fraser Christiane Lemieux Mosaic Coffee Table £375.00



7. Graham and Green Amina Coffee Table £595.00



8. West Elm Marquetry Marble Table £499.00


9. Wayfair Eternity Swivel Coffee Table by Hokku Designs £103.99


10. House of Fraser Christiane Lemieux Cleo Hexagon Coffee Table £349.00 


I hope my elaborate search for some of the top coffee tables has been somewhat useful to you all. Please do let me know which one is your favourite, it will be very helpful towards coming to my conclusive decision. You can leave a comment below or send me an email at theretroedit@gmail.com. Thank you for tuning in. I am currently working on a blogpost based on how to plan a renovation as part of my renovation series. Be sure to keep an eye out for that. Happy renovating! 

Yours sincerely,
The Retro Edit...

Identifying Your Interior Style

What Is Your Interior Style?

Welcome back to The Retro Edit... 
I will be starting a series of posts discussing how to tackle a renovation project step by step. Today I will begin by identifying different interior styles. Before starting any renovations, I would strongly encourage you all to sit down and really pin down what types of interiors you enjoy and that really is a case of what tickles your fancy. For example, you might not like floral wallpaper or might really despise the all-embracing magnolia. But if  there is a partner involved, that make it a little bit more difficult aha in which case a middle-ground is always an option. Ask yourself, "What am I trying to achieve with my space?" What do I want the end-product to look like? Lets take a look at a few different interior styles.  You might be a modernist, a classicist, a eclecticist, a minimalist, a maximalist or an industrialist, but maybe you are not yet aware of it. Let's take a look at a few common interior styles.

Mid Century Modern

The mid century modern theme pays homage to  a transition of change, mid 20th century and is interchangeable with the term "retro". More specifically, from the 1940's onwards up until the1970's, post-war called for a need for modern living. Mid century modern interiors very much focus on the incorporation of functionality and flow within the space. This is most commonly achieved by playing with the variation between the indoor and outdoor, bringing the outdoors inside and the indoors out. Close attention is paid to furniture with legs, natural materials such as wood, muted colour schemes and a high level of simplicity. 

Michelle Jennings Wiebe Via Pinterest

Rose and Grey Via Pinterest

Contemporary 

There is a much controversy when it comes to contemporary design. Contemporary design can occasionally be mistaken for modern. However, there is a fine line between the modern and contemporary; they are both very different concepts and hold their own positions. Whilst modern interiors take inspiration from the 1900's, contemporary design is very much "the here and now". Contemporary design incorporates current trends and materials. It is constantly changing with time and trends whereas mid century modern remains in it's mid century period. Now that we've established the difference between contemporary and mid century modern, lets take a look at some contemporary interiors. Here the designer combines a spherical light fitting, gold accents and geometric art to create a modern and concurrent space.

Home Design Ideas Via Pinterest

Sight Unseen Via Pinterest

Vintage
Vintage interiors usually consist of a collation of vintage finds whether that might be antiques from around the world, inherited pieces or charity shop finds. Vintage finds hold historical value and design specific to it's period of origination. Vintage furniture tends to be of outstanding build quality, that which modern day furniture cannot always imitate. Some owners may wish to give life to vintage pieces by upcycling and adding bold colours. Others appreciate the perfection imperfections of a shabby old frame or a tainted chest of drawers. Each piece has a unique charm to work together to create an exclusive and authentic space.

Home Deco Via Pinterest

Daily Mail Via Pinterest

Eclectic

Eclectic interiors form a marriage of a few different interior styles ranging from old and new. Maybe we just don't want to fit in to any particular style but just quite like abit of this and abit of that. However, that is not a case of bunging together a few bits and bobs hoping everything would work. There is still much consideration about how pieces will work together even if they are from completely contrasting eras. This is usually done using colour, details and an ulterior design purpose. Here, as you will see, the antique walnut cabinet works well with the burnt orange which is similarly replicated in the art placed above. Overall, the colours work together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. 

Michelle Jennings Wiebe Via Pinterest

The Guardian Via Pinterest

Scandinavian

Light colour hues and natural materials are just what Scandinavian decor celebrates. Light wood panelling, grey and blue colour tones work exceptionally well in a Scandi space. Accessories are kept to a minimal with clean stream lines. Scandi winters are much to experience and therefore a fireplace is usually a focal point in the room. There is still much stress to extend the indoors in to the outdoors and creating a connection between the two. Here, you can see the flooring and walls in this space are kept light, giving the room added light and illusion of space. The kitchen units are simple and clean without handles. The wooden and brick textures give the space a natural feel.

Nyde Via Pinterest

Planete-deco.fr Via Pinterest

Industrial
Industrial interior makes use of beautiful, natural materials which may or may not have been intended for other uses. This means showcasing rustic finishes, exposed piping and galvanised metal. Industrial decor is a great eco-friendly way to reinvent furniture using pipes and other indigenous materials. It appreciates fine detailing of objects and materials which we would otherwise attempt to hide by plastering a wall or painting pipes. Here is a perfect example of industrial interior design, bringing together pipes to form a stunning book shelf. It really creates an outstanding effect, adding an artistic, rustic charm that is beautiful in it's own right.

Thefancy.com Via Pinterest

servicecentral.com.au Via Pinterest

Minimalist 
Minimalist interiors are exactly what they say they are-minimal. Alright, there is a little bit more to it. Special consideration is taken to create clean lines, streamlined furniture and for this instance, streamlined kitchen cabinets as shown below. Light hues of white, stone and beige make the space feel airy and big. Accessories are kept to a minimal and tucked away in to genius, hidden storage to avoid the eye from alluding away from the beauty of the space. Minimalist spaces pay heed to the form of the space and by the use of clean lines help define the layout and shape of the room.

Home Designing Via Pinterest

Homedecorideas.eu Via Pinterest

I'm sure you all must be wondering which category I fall in to when it comes to interior styles. I guess I would pertain to the eclectic division of the interior design community. I pay attention to fine detailing, appreciate the juxtaposition of textures and am an avid lover of prints. I enjoy a little bit of baroque, a little bit of parisian luxe, a little bit of nordic minimalism, retro and contemporary elements. The main attraction for me is colour and how I use colour in my space. I usually start off with a blank canvas, a colour which will be my base colour, for example white. I then add little pops of colour using bold contrasting colours and prints to add interest to the room. If the walls are bare, I would add abstract art that combine different colours. 

castironbath.co.uk Via Pinterest

Instagram.com Via Pinterest

I suppose everyone tends to rear towards a specific finish of popular choice when it comes to metals. You may be an avid chrome lover or more concurrent with recent trends, a copper fanatic. I think we need to begin by establishing that I am most definitely a brass gal and have always been one. But not just any brass finish, a beautiful aged finish, not too gold or too bright. The whole aged brass brings an element of "shabby chic" and once again the texture complements other features of the space. 

Let's just forget about style for a moment. Space is not just about furniture bunged together or a lick of paint. Space can be nostalgic and that plays a huge part for each individual. You might want to recreate one of your most favourite memories or feel like you've walked in to a hotel on holiday, the one you went to last summer. You might want to hang up a picture frame that once belonged to your grandmother or put up a piece of artwork which reminds you of the French riviera. These little nostalgic pieces we incorporate in to our home creates a unique feeling for each individual. It's almost as if you're being swept in to a time or a place where you were once happy. Ultimately, we all want a happy home, somewhere where we are reminded of our favourite things, where we can practice our every day activities and where we can unwind and relax.

Kikis-list.blogspot.com Via Pinterest

Window-box-company.co.uk Via Pinterest

Growing up, I would be driven past rows and rows of white Victorian terraced houses through Chelsea and Kensington. I would look up in awe as they were everything that would symbolise London, a city of beautiful heritage and architecture. It was unfortunate that I would not be close to home anymore and whilst we were miles apart from my childhood city, London, I wanted to be close to home all the time. I wanted to create the ultimate London home, taking inspiration from the streets of London and it's appreciation for the black door. And that just about sums up my style and what I want to achieve with my renovation. Yes I might experience a few downfalls along the way, might change my mind here and there, who knows. But I have a clear destination in mind and that is where I will be heading. What is your interior style? What do you hold close to your heart? It could be a piece of furniture, a painting or a special memory? I would love to know, comment below. Thank you for tuning in, until next time, keep smiling.

Yours sincerely, 
The Retro Edit...

Accessories For Your Home

5 Home Accessories You Need- In Stores NOW!

Hello all, welcome back to The Retro Edit. Whilst I spend hours browsing looking for unique home accessories, I thought, hey why not share with you guys. Keep reading to see the products I'm loving at the moment, all of which are IN STORE NOW! Happy Reading!

1.Cushions 

I don't know about you, but for me the more cushions, the better. I find myself adding a new cushion to my collection time and time again. Sometimes I'm just looking for a particular cushion to fit in to my theme and as soon I see something that fits the image in my mind, I have to snap it up. I like to look for different textures, contrasting colours and the occasional print to really make my living room pop. TK Maxx/Home Sense is where I mostly shop for cushions. They always have unique pieces for low prices and are usually feather filled for an affordable price which means extra comfort. Another affordable mid- range store to shop for cushions is Next Home. Next Home have a large cushion range usually with on-trend prints and textures. Prices range from £10-£20 and do offer feather fillings around the £18 mark. Here are some cushions I've had my eye on-In Store Now. 

TK Maxx
TK Maxx Marble Mania Cushion £12.99

TK Maxx Rusty Brown with Foiled Geometric Accents £19.99

TK Maxx Olive/Gold Green Satin Geometric Cushion £16.99

Next Dark Teal Crushed Velvet Cushion £18

2. Bottle Vases

Bottle vases are my favourite types of vases. They don't quite look like a vase and neither serve the purpose of a bottle. I usually look for a tinted glass bottle vase, or something of a peculiar shape or pattern. At the moment, Habitat have stocked a large range of bottle vases in all different shapes and sizes. Habitat showcase quite a retro, quirky range of homeware and I can't say I haven't got my eye on their sofas and ceramics. However, a cheaper alternative for bottle vases is Ikea. Recently I've seen some stunning marble swirled vases along with some black graphic printed ones. Here are a couple that I've got my eye on.

Habitat Marble Bottle Vase £35.00

Ikea Hand Made Bottle Vase £25

Ikea Swirl Effect Trio Bottle Vases £15

3. Tableware

I believe everything is an art, so I try to resonate that in my tableware through tea cups, mugs and serveware. I enjoy the aesthetic of peculiar shapes and abstract prints on my coffee table. Sometimes it's nice to have a mix and match of items rather than matching sets, making each piece stand out uniquely. Whilst my interiors tend to be quite neutral, I use accessories to add interest to the room. Here are a few finds that I've had my eye on for a while:

Oliver Bonas Carrara Tea Cups £46



Whittard Hand Painted Tall Mug SALE £1.80

Next Palm Print Table Cloth £20-£25

The  iconic palm print has since been exploding on social media, with its common association with the much longed for Beverley Hills. I'm not one to give in to Instagram trends but this one from Next offered a much more deeper colour tone. As my kitchen is quite neutral and can look almost lifeless sometimes, the palm print tablecloth is a great way of adding a bit of something all in while protecting my glass table from scratches and smears. The best thing is that you aren't making any permanent changes, you can always swap a table cloth for another or take it off. 

Just Slate Hammered Copper Coasters OFFER £19

These copper coasters are everything. I have a few minimal accents of copper in my kitchen and these complement them very well. As I mentioned earlier, my kitchen is somewhat neutral and copper coasters will really pop on my dining table. I admit they are a little pricey, but if you look out for offers you can grab them at a discounted price. Also sold in:

Amara
Trouva
John Lewis



Just Slate Gold Trim Horn Coasters £30


4. Blankets & Throws

There's nothing like a good quality blanket/throw. When it's winter, or even on a chilly Summer evening, I like to cuddle up in front of the TV with a blanket. But not only do they keep you warm, they look great draped over the bed or over the arm of a sofa. They make the room look cosy and warm and really complement existing cushions and textures.

John Lewis Faux Fur Throw £90

This fur throw is a gorgeous tobacco brown with lighter and darker brown streaks running through it making it imitate real fur. We don't want to be killing any animals in the process so there are faux fur throws which look just as real. Of course this John Lewis one is slightly on the pricier side but this does resonate in the quality and luxury of the product. However, there are definitely alot of cheaper alternatives on the market. 

TK Maxx Green Patterned Throw £19.99

TK Maxx also sell great blankets and throws for mind-blowing prices. I would definitely recommend checking your local TK Maxx store every now and again. This deep green patterned throw adds dimension to a room due to its geometric nature and helps brighten up the room. There is actually a very similar one in Navy in John Lewis for £50 so I would say this is a STEAL for £19,99. 

Orla Kiely 60'S Stem Blanket £135

Or you could opt for an iconic Orla Kiely print to liven up your living room. Orla Kiely House specialises in 60/70's inspired home accessories with it's renowned stem print. It can be found in John Lewis and sometimes discounted at TK Maxx if you keep an eye out.

5. Candle Holders

I love lighting candles and in fact holders that hold the candles. Candle holders can usually be an architectural piece and can double as an ornament whilst still serving the purpose of holding your candles. There are many low-high end candle holders available on the market. Here are a few of my favourites.

Black and Blum Gold Loop Candelabra £35

Ikea Blomster Candle Holder- Set of Three £15

Habitat Nickel Tea Light Holder £40

That is all for this week, but I'm sure I will have profusely browsed the Internet for new finds. Look out for my upcoming posts on cushion dressing and new renovation updates. Hope you all have a brilliant week and I hope this post has given you all some pointers on how to accessorise your home. 

Yours sincerely,

The Retro Edit...