The Versatility of Side Tables

As we consider the design and functionality of our homes, we often overlook the importance individual items of furniture can have in our spaces.   Sometimes it takes just one piece to transform a room and how we enjoy our interiors every day.  Side tables are small yet versatile pieces of furniture which effortlessly combine style and purpose, adding a touch of elegance and practicality to any space.  They seamlessly blend into various rooms, adapting to different functions and design schemes.

In the living room, side tables can accompany a sofa or armchair and are opportunities for decorative displays and table lamps, which provide subtle, warm lighting. Similarly, in the bedroom, they act as bedside companions, holding books, lamps, or alarm clocks. Side tables can also find their place in hallways, serving as convenient surfaces for keys and small essentials, or displaying flowers to create a welcoming entrance.  The adaptability of side tables allows them to fulfil our ever-changing needs in different areas of the home.

Crafted from various materials such as wood, metal, glass, or marble, side tables come in an array of designs, shapes, and finishes to suit every space.  From sculptural modern designs, to more traditional or vintage examples, they embody the creativity and craftsmanship of their designers and makers.  With unique details, interesting textures, and forms, side tables can elevate the visual appeal of any interior.

Side tables are particularly valuable for small spaces as their compact size make them ideal additions to rooms with limited square footage.  Well chosen side tables can provide surface area and functionality while maintaining an open and airy feel, creating the illusion of more space.  Every surface in the home provides opportunities to create vignettes that are personal and meaningful, but most of all, make us happy.  Simply adding a vintage vessel with florals or sculptural stems can instantly bring a room to life while creating height variation and scale for visual interest.  

Credit | Jake Arnold with photography by Michael Clifford

Credit | Neptune

Credit | Emma Milne Interiors with photography by Rachel Whiting

Credit | Design by Colin King with photography by Rich Stapleton

Credit | Rachel Baker with Photography by Joanna Maclennan

Credit | Mark and Sally Winstanley

Credit | Chris Everard Photography

Credit | Photography by Martin Morrell

Credit | Neptune

Credit | Jamb with photography by Mark Anthony Fox

Credit | Cassandra Ellis for House & Garden with photography by Martin Morrell

Credit | Patina Home with photography by Lisa Romerein

Embrace the endless possibilities that side tables offer as decorative accents and practical surfaces in every corner of your home.  Visit our store to explore our one-of-a-kind vintage side tables or view our furniture board on Pinterest.

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At Home with Gillian Stevens

As part of our journal stories we invite thoughtful and inspiring creatives to share their story of home.  From town, to countryside or coast, homes are a reflection of our lives, a source of comfort which connect us to special memories, stories and people. Although every story is different, home is at the heart of each one. 

Our first story brings us to a small town just outside of Vancouver, Canada where we are so pleased to visit clothing designer Gillian Stevens and share a home and business with integrity at its core. Combining thoughtfulness with classic designs and organic fabrics, Gillian’s beautiful collections carry meaningful stories and are made to last.  We love the simplicity of her pieces which strike a perfect balance between comfort and elegance.  

The use of neutral colours and natural materials within both her work and home are soft and timeless and elements that really resonate.  The value of enjoying and treasuring good quality products that have longevity is one which we wholeheartedly share.  Gillian’s passion for her family, home and work shine through all that she does and it is inspiring to see the world through her lens.

Gillian’s spaces are warm, calming and inviting and we do hope you enjoy her story of home.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a wife and mother of two boys (with our third child arriving September). I own a women’s clothing brand focusing on timeless pieces all responsibly made. Before my brand launched two years ago, I was a freelance lifestyle photographer. I am a naturally creative person, I have always been drawn to artistic expressions. I love the combination of motherhood and owning my own business. It’s truly my dream come true. 

2. Where do you call home and what is it like?

We live in a neighbourhood just outside of Vancouver, Canada. It’s a charming historic home from 1912, and we love being within walking distance from our children’s schools, my studio and some wonderful parks and local shops. 

3. What does home mean to you?

I have always enjoyed curating a space and making it feel like a reflection of my husband and I – and then our children too once they came along. I’m a bit of a homebody and recharge in my own space, so having somewhere that feels good to be in is essential. We tend to live more on the minimal side – I don’t like clutter and always strive to be 10 minutes away from tidy, so everything has a place that’s tucked away, and we don’t keep things we aren’t using. 

I love a peaceful home, filled with life and love. 

4. How would you describe your aesthetic and style?

Warm, minimal and classic. It’s a merge between my affinity towards Scandinavian minimalism and British classics. 

5. Which is your favourite room in your home and why? 

We recently updated the boys room and got them bunk beds. I have always wanted a children’s room with white painted wood floors, and it feels like the perfect children’s space now. 

I also spend a lot of time in our kitchen, prepping meals for family and friends. 

6. How do you choose what to bring in to your home?

I try to be thoughtful with everything that I bring into our home. I love pieces with a story and most of our furniture and decor is either vintage or made by an independent designer. It feels good to have pieces in our home that were made with intention and purpose. 

7. What inspires you?

My family and friends. Being around a dinner table with good food and conversation. Travelling to Europe. 

8. Who do you most admire for their sense of style, ethos and aesthetics?

I’ve always admired my grandma’s sense of style. She always looks impeccable and has such a strong vision for what she likes and doesn’t like. Her home and style truly reflects her personality and it hasn’t changed my entire life. It feels really effortless, even though I know she puts thought into it. 

Learn more about Gillian through her website or instagram gallery.

Photography: Gillian Stevens

Bathroom

The bathroom is a sanctuary within our home where we can slow down, ease tension and restore our equilibrium.  Taking time to create rituals and savour small moments helps to create a sense of structure as well as opportunities for self-care.

Regardless of size or layout, a bathroom should be a beautiful space that inspires and nurtures as well as being functional. Soft tones, muted colours and natural materials can help a bathroom feel calm and minimal whilst exuding warmth and comfort.

Create a serene and restorative bathroom with our: reclaimed bath board and accessories.

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A Simple Spring Table

Spring brings longer, warmer days as nature begins to unfold. After months of cold temperatures, it is a time to open windows, usher in the breeze, and sounds of Spring and embrace a new season at home.

Whether you are hosting leisurely brunches or intimate dinners, Spring is a wonderful time to create a beautiful table and share a special meal with family and friends. Creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere at home is just as important as the food being served. When it comes to gatherings, keeping everything simple and thoughtfully executed, from the menu to the table is key. We prefer to use a neutral palette as the grounding base when planning a table across the seasons. Colour, texture and pattern can then be layered in as desired or brought in through food and florals.

Creating a simple spring table:

• Lay the table with the season in mind, incorporating interesting textures and tones, mixing old and new pieces.

• Start with a simple runner or table cloth to dress the table or leave bare for a more natural look.

• Incorporate natural seasonal touches such as branches or blossom to bring the spring table scape to life.  Use a single centre piece or add multiple vessels along the table. 

• Create simple place settings, adding favourite tableware; ceramics, glassware, cutlery and napkins to add texture and tonal variation.

• Personalise each place setting with a small name tag, sprig of foliage or include simple eggs for Easter.

• Add candles, whether simple tealights or dinner candles to add ambience for a beautiful and welcoming table.

• Include music to engage the senses and create atmosphere.

Dressing a table makes any meal or gathering feel special and is a simple way to bring beauty in to our home and cultivate a sense of joy. Investing in quality, timeless pieces that will last is a good way to ensure things have longevity. 

For more Spring inspiration, visit our seasonal board on Pinterest.

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Creating a Meaningful Home

The importance of home and the value it plays in how we feel and function is widely acknowledged and has been brought into greater prominence by events of recent years. Home is one of our most personal expressions and should tell our story, nurture and enrich. Much time is spent considering how our home looks, but how it makes us feel, both emotionally and physically, is of much greater significance. Amongst the flurry of trends and incessant distractions of the modern world, it can be easy to lose sight of our own thoughts and ideas.  When our homes centre round values and needs, we can develop our own visual voice and create authentic spaces full of meaning and joy.

Creating a meaningful home

• Begin by thinking about what home means to you, focussing on your values and how you want it to feel.
• Consider how you want to live in your home, what you need from each space and how you can best facilitate this.
• Design for flexibility, planning spaces that can be changed as lives and preferences evolve and consider furniture that works across various rooms.
• Take time to look at what you already have and where necessary, edit, simplify and organise to create space and clarity.
• Develop your personal narrative and style through visual curation; gathering images, words and objects to create a vision board as the basis for planning.
• Look to different places for inspiration such as books, museums or the natural world, rather than relying solely on social channels and search engines. While inspirational images can ignite ideas, filter them through your own lens.
• Use favourite paintings, textiles or natural objects as a starting point to inform and build spaces through colour palettes, style or textures.
• Incorporate elements of nature to help bring your home to life and connect with the outside world.
• Appeal to the senses, considering how your home can engage each sense: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.
• Balance old with new, reusing and buying vintage where possible, prioritising quality, sustainable materials and classic pieces that will endure.
• Time and patience are key, plan and furnish your home slowly and mindfully letting each room evolve gradually.

With careful thought and simple changes, any home can become the foundation for a better and more meaningful life. When homes reflect our values, how we live and want our spaces to feel, and we live alongside beautiful things we can enjoy every day, it changes everything. If we create our homes with intention, they will have longevity and serve us, giving comfort, pleasure and sanctuary.

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Winter Flowers & Foliage

Winter flowers and foliage are a simple and natural highlight of the season that make our homes feel fresher and brighter in the darker winter months. Hyacinths, paperwhite narcissus and tall sculptural amaryllis are just a few examples of beautiful winter flowers which bring colour and fragrance into the home when most houseplants are slowing in growth. 

With delicate, snow white petals and a heavenly scent, paperwhite narcissi bring much beauty and joy to the home.  They are easy to source as cut flowers as well as being one of the simplest bulbs to grow inside. Paperwhites can be grown indoors from late autumn to early spring and their flowers and leaves are stored inside the bulb ready to emerge.

Growing Paperwhite Narcissi:

• Paperwhite bulbs – as many as you can fit in your container
• Compost
• Gravel / small stones
• Moss and twigs

1. Select a container such as a jar, tureen or bowl and fill half way with small stones or pebbles to act as drainage.
2. Add a layer of soil on top of the gravel and drop the bulbs in with the tips facing up. Cover with more soil and water.
3. Position in a cool, dark space for 7-10 days to stimulate the roots.  
4. Watch for growth and bring into the light when sprouting starts. Rotate to keep the stalks straight.
5. Cover the topsoil with moss and stake with some twiggy branches for structure and support as the stems grow.
6. Water every few days and to ensure the flowers bloom for as long as possible, keep cool and away from direct sunlight.
7. Consider staggering the planting time to give you a longer succession of blooms to enjoy throughout the winter.

Bunches of foliage or winter branches can also be a wonderful way to create a bouquet or arrangement. Branches can be foraged from your surroundings and arranged simply, adding a sculptural presence to a room whether left bare or embellished with simple decorations.

Eucalyptus is an amenable and wonderfully aromatic plant that can be enjoyed across the home.  Perfect as a stand alone display in a vase or combined with florals, eucalyptus can also be used in festive garlands or tied into wreaths. With countless varieties widely available, and the fact that it can last without water, the versatility of eucalyptus cannot be overstated.

Bringing nature indoors and filling corners of the home with plants and flowers of any variety is a wonderful way to add colour and life during winter time.  It not only contributes to the look of the room but also changes how it feels to spend time within it. Read our other winter journal posts; a natural festive decoration, a foliage wreath for Christmas and winter gatherings for more inspiration or discover our seasonal boards on Pinterest.

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A Natural Festive Decoration

Taking time away from the hustle and bustle of the season to gather foliage, berries and seed heads from the garden and hedgerows is a wonderful way to engage with the outside world and bring nature into your home. Decorating with natural materials does not necessarily require a great deal of effort and need not be expensive. It can also form part of family traditions to be enjoyed each year in the run up to Christmas.

A swag is a layered-up bundle of foliage and is a simpler alternative to a wreath. It can be displayed inside or outside to bring freshness to a door, mantel or wall during the festive season.  

Creating a festive swag decoration for your home:

• Mixed seasonal foliage such as pine, cedar and fir.
• Secateurs
• Ribbon, twine or wire for hanging
• Embellishments if desired

1. Gather together fresh foliage foraged from the garden or hedgerows alongside any acquired Christmas tree offcuts or herbs.  
2. Trim with secateurs and layer different lengths into a loose bundle, ideally arranging longer pieces on the bottom and shorter ones on top.
3. Secure with garden twine or florists wire and finish with a decorative ribbon.
4. Add decorative accents such as pinecones, baubles or bells, keeping the overall appearance simple and natural.
5. To hang the swag, create a hanger out of wire, twine or ribbon.
6. Hang on the front door to welcome guests or display inside to be enjoyed during the festive season.

Summer Alfresco

The summer season turns our thoughts to the outdoors, to alfresco dining and creating beautiful outside spaces for gatherings large or small. The term al fresco derives from the Italian language and loosely translates to ‘in fresh air.’ Dining alfresco can resemble anything from a simple picnic or barbeque to a beautifully refined tablescape. It can take place in any outdoor setting, from the garden to more elaborate locations further afield. However it unfolds, alfresco dining is an opportunity to gather together in nature, a time to turn the longer days into joyful nights by making memories around a table of food.

The main reason we enjoy having meals outside is that it’s truly lovely to feel a breeze on our faces, observe trees and plants around us and to make a meal feel just that little bit more special and out of the ordinary.  There is much to be said for a simple picnic, in gathering blankets and a trusty basket and heading outdoors for adventures with family and friends.

Beautiful tablescapes can be created using simple crockery, glassware and linens and by bringing in fresh flowers and candles to add ambience.  Using thoughtful pieces such as handmade or vintage tableware, full of texture and warmth, creates atmosphere and encourages us to savour our food and the company around the table, affording a sense of permission to linger for longer.

RECIPE | Elderflower Cordial

The soft white lacy blooms of elderflowers start emerging from countryside hedges in June.  Gathering fragrant blooms and bringing them in to the home is a wonderful summer ritual.  Small flowers and lemon chunks can also be added to ice-cubes, not only being aesthetically pleasing, but also keeping drinks cool.

Ingredients for 2 litres of cordial

• 25-30  fresh elderflower blossoms
• 3 medium to large lemons peeled
• 1kg white sugar
• 1.5 litres water 
• 2-3 large bottles or jars

1. Gently shake the flowers and cut the stems but avoid washing to retain natural flavours. 
2. Bring the water and sugar to the boil before adding the elderflowers, lemon slices and peel. 
3. Remove from the heat and cover the pan with a lid. 
4. Allow the liquid to infuse for at least twenty four hours in the fridge or cold, dark place, stirring once or twice. 
5. Strain the liquid through a sieve or muslin cloth, bring to the boil and decant in to bottles or jars. 
6. Store the elderflower cordial in the fridge and use within one month.