Interior Trends : Mixing modern and rustic styles
Your home is your personal haven, a space to relax and enjoy, with furniture that feels comfortable and inviting such as sumptuous sofas and hearty tables to gather around. While trends may have moved on from the shabby chic, full rustic look of a few years ago, weathered reclaimed woods, faded tones and textured accessories still have a big part to play in creating a calmer, more minimalist feel that is popular today.
Beautifully textured furniture will always be around because it is texture that gives a room depth and interest and promotes a feeling of comfort. The reclaimed, aged woods that are such a major part of the Kayu range are a great example, with both the time-worn character of our vintage and antique furniture and the salvaged timbers used in our newly crafted pieces offering a tactile, warm and weathered style that adds a cosy, lived in feel to a stripped back interior. The elm coffee table shown below is a Chinese antique, with the beautiful character of the old wood shining through. This is a great example of an old piece that has been restored and repurposed for more practical use today, with the legs of what was once a higher level table shortened.
A large, distressed dining table in thick, recycled elm or teak, like the one below, tells a story that you don't see in a more perfect, polished surface. Placed in a spacious kitchen, it creates a rustic-modern motif that can be dressed down for a simple, comfortable look or dressed up for glamourous dining. Add a bold and striking light fitting above to create a real focal point and to highlight the warm wood textures.
The natural, matt finishes of our tables give you the flexibility to pair with upholstered chairs, contrasting woods and metals or even plastic. Mix with different materials like shiny chrome or aluminium for a striking contrast, or even use antique chairs for an eclectic look that you'll love. Our vintage and antique Chinese 'yoke-back' chairs are a great way to bring a distinctive, eclectic look to a dining room, as in the example below.
Adding reclaimed wood shelves are another great way to achieve a subtle, rustic feel without dominating a space. They provide an interesting architectural detail and work equally well against either a pale or dark coloured wall.
Mix accent furniture with modern accessories such as those made from woven rattan or a simple jute rug to create a warm and inviting living area that you and your family feel relaxed in. Again, the contrasting textures and natural materials will add interest and depth to your space. As an example, simple pendant lighting made from woven natural grasses like our Noko wicker shades (left) have made a big come-back with the idea of bringing the outside in. They look fabulous with a variety of colour pallets and work beautifully with natural wood finishes.
Adding a rustic element to an interior is a timeless choice that will make a room look both beautiful and inviting at the same time, and is still one of the most popular styles for a living room. Mixed together, a more modern look with rustic touches can create a perfect partnership. The natural and soothing characteristics of rustic design blend with the clean lines and luxurious finishes of modern interiors to create one of the most intriguing and popular of recent home styles. Place an antique, weathered console table against a block coloured wall and dress with treasured photos, ceramic vases, flowers and other accessories to perfectly blend old and new in a mix of textures.
If too much natural wood isn't to your taste then you can also bring in alternative materials such as stone and marble. Stone tiles or slate-style walls can be introduced to a scheme to create a rustic overall look that is rich in tone and texture. Soften the look with sumptuous cushions and fabrics, or by using indoor plants.
