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Creating A Kitchen With Good Feng Shui
Rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and astronomy, Feng Shui is the practice of harmonising people with their surroundings. The study of the invisible forces that hold the universe together, it explores how we can use them to achieve balance and root humanity in the world. Historically it was used in deciding the location, design and layout of important buildings, from temples and tombs through to the home and domestic sphere. After a dip in popularity, it’s made a dramatic comeback in recent years and is now practiced worldwide in interior design.When applied to the home, it aims to create a pleasant, balanced and attractive space that has the best energy to support the purpose of the room and the activities undertaken there. The kitchen, with its role as the hub of the home, plays a significant part in your health and wellbeing, and therefore it pays to ensure it’s a warm, soul-nourishing place that feeds and nurtures life.We outline some simple steps to optimise the Feng Shui in your kitchen… Clear The Clutter When creating good Feng Shui in your home, start with a blank canvas. Don’t be tempted to begin with something that is already broken and try to disguise it; there is only so much that the right colours or nice lighting can do if the room is a mess. A happy chef makes for a happy meal and a happy family, so for a harmonious dinnertime, food preparation should be done in a clean, tidy and well organised kitchen.Clutter saps energy, so be brutal and get rid of anything that you don’t need or use regularly. Don’t overcrowd the kitchen worktop with appliances and accessories. Instead, utilise compact storage to keep clutter off the surfaces and out of sight. This will make for a more pleasant and calming space, creating a positive mentality and peace of mind.It’s also vital there is a clear, easy route through your home. Aim to create a spacious kitchen rather than one that is cramped or overcrowded, with room for people to move about with ease.If you’ll struggle to fit a dining table and chairs in, opt for kitchen stools along the worktop or around a breakfast bar instead. Simple yet stylish, the Mars Brushed Steel Stool is a great backless design for tucking under the counter and out of the way when not in use. Light & Airy Never underestimate the power breathing clean, unpolluted air. Fill your kitchen with fresh air by opening the windows daily, or invest in a good air con system if you live inner city or by a busy road. Or why not go the extra mile by introducing plants such as a bamboo palm, rubber plant or peace lily - another clever way of purifying the air in your home.Not only will fresh, clean air help you avoid headaches and keep sluggishness at bay, but it will leave you feeling clear headed and ready to face the day. Plus, it encourages optimum concentration and productivity, great whether you’re cooking dinner, completing homework or washing the dishes. Good Feng Shui is also achieved by prioritising soft, natural lighting. From large bay windows to roof skylights overhead, the more the merrier to keep the energy sapping shadows away. Not only will it help you wake up in the morning, but exposure to light encourages a positive mood.But don’t worry if you’re renting your property or simply don’t have the budget to install more windows. Introduce other light sources around your kitchen, from under cabinet spotlights to a large floor lamp in the corner of the room. Balance is key, so position them at different levels for a harmonious aesthetic.Mirrors are another great trick for creating good Feng Shui, enhancing visual space by reflecting light around the room. What’s more, they also bring a revitalising energy that can calm a stressful environment. Oracle Brushed Steel Stool Grey The Five Elements Much of the philosophy of Feng Shui stems from the Five Elements, a system of interpreting the universe made up of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Different colours stem from each of these and influence the mood of a room, therefore you should choose the element that will be the focus of your kitchen depending on the type of energy you wish to create.The wood element can be found in natural greens and browns, and will create a room full of growth, vitality, healing and restoration. Pair rustic wooden kitchen cabinets and soft green wall tiles, alongside our solid wooden kitchen stools. Grid Bar Stool Fire, on the other hand, is channelled through reds, oranges, yellows, purples and pinks. Bold and beautiful, it’s ideal if you’re looking to create a highly energised kitchen full of much joy, passion and excitement.For a kitchen that provides sustenance and stability, the earth element is full of much nourishment. It’s rooted in neutral, earthy tones of beige, cream, light yellow and pale brown, making our cream dining and kitchen chairs an ideal choice.Greys, whites and silvers make up the metal element, producing a calming kitchen with precision and efficiency. Our popular range of brushed steel kitchen stools, such as the stunning Stardust Brushed Steel Stool Smoked, deliver that cool, crisp vibe.Last but not least, for peaceful, refreshing kitchen with freedom and abundance, the water element is made up of blues, blacks and greys. Bring It To Life And finally, don’t forget that the kitchen is more than just four walls and various cooking appliances. So often people focus on the looks, when actually it’s how the room makes you feel that should take priority.You want a life-giving kitchen that nurtures the soul and leaves you feeling healthy, energised and at your best. This can be achieved in part through simple nutritious additions like displaying vibrant bowlfuls of fruit, fresh colourful flowers and beautifully scented herbs. Think about what you will smell and taste, as well as what you will see. Shop All Kitchen Stools
Creating Symmetry & Balance in the Kitchen
Dating back centuries, symmetrical rooms have a neat, ordered and aesthetically pleasing look to them. As it’s easier for our brains to recognise such designs, we don’t have to work as hard to process them, and hence they often make for much more calming, peaceful spaces – just the sort of feel you want to create in your home. Conversely, asymmetrical spaces can appear awkward, disorganised and messy, consequently having a negative influence on our mood. If you’re lucky enough to already have a symmetrically shaped kitchen, then your job is easy. If it’s asymmetrical, however, then a little more thought will need to go into the design process. But there’s no need to fret! With the right advice, it’s easy to trick the eye into thinking a room is more symmetrical than it really is. This post will talk you through how to create a balanced and harmonious kitchen that you look forward to spending time in. Find Your Anchor First things first, choose a pivot point to focus your attention and anchor the room. This should be the first thing that catches your eye when you walk in, such as a central item of furniture – often the room’s main function. In the kitchen it could be a dining table in the centre of the room, a large range cooker, or the sink, often located under a sizeable window. Every other element in the room should then stem from this piece and work around it. Why not make a statement with a kitchen island situated in the middle of the room, with kitchen stools neatly arranged alongside it. Malmo Bar Stool Mirror Mirror Next you should aim to create a mirror image on either side of your focal piece. As well as considering furniture, don’t forget to think about other décor pieces such as curtains, artwork and appliances too. Try positioning your table with an equal number of dining chairs along either side, with artwork on the wall above it the same width as the table. Another example that would restore a sense of balance and order to a kitchen could be to symmetrically arrange cooking implements, accessories or food containers along open shelving. Along the kitchen counter you may wish to opt for fixed height kitchen stools instead of gas lift designs with variable height and 360 swivel functionality. Their immovable frames mean they can’t be left at different heights and angles, and hence lend a much neater look. Pay Attention To Lines Picture your kitchen as a grid made up of vertical and horizontal lines, then use them to your advantage to influence the overall look of the room. Symmetrical vertical lines, found on items like floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets, long curtains or dining chair designs like the Mustang Chair Antique Slate, will heighten a room and create an enhanced sense of space. Colour & Texture You may not think it, but both colour and texture are key in creating a symmetrical room. The trick is not to go crazy and pull in too many shades or materials, with random pops of colour here and there. Instead aim for unity and consistency, choosing a few matching shades and complementary textures that all tie together. For example, pair brushed steel kitchen appliances with brushed steel dining chairs, or oak cabinets with an oak dining table. With everything in harmony, it will create a much more visually pleasing kitchen with a relaxing sense of oneness. Lulu Bar Stool Space & Scale A common mistake people make when trying to create a symmetrical interior is to use décor pieces of a uniform size, thinking everything needs to be of the same scale. But did you know this can have the opposite effect, lending a boring a predictable look? Whilst too many small items can come across busy and chaotic, too many larger décor pieces will appear overbearing and domineering. Instead, we recommend opting for both big and small-scale decor pieces to create a more balanced appearance. In fact, larger pieces of furniture are ideal for drawing attention away from awkward asymmetrical spaces. Why not place our Gigi Chair in an uneven corner or alcove kitchen space. It’s generous size and sumptuous style will hide a multitude of sins. When laying out your furniture, think in terms of visual weight. Don’t just focus on the size of individual items, but consider the spaces in between them too. In order to achieve a harmonious look in your kitchen, the negative spaces in the room must also be symmetrical. Break The Rules One final thing: don’t go overboard with the symmetry. Remember, there must be some asymmetry for a symmetrical room to succeed. Once you’ve carefully created a well-ordered space, break it slightly. This is great news for the kitchen, which typically houses an assortment of cooking appliances and accessories. You’ll find lending a small asymmetrical element to the room will end up emphasising the symmetry of your kitchen as a whole. Making for much more visually interesting spaces, your small acts of rebellion will ultimately lend depth, character and a more homely vibe. Stitch Bar Stool Orange So what are you waiting for? Try it out for yourself…
Theory of Combining Colours in the Kitchen
Used by interior designers and amateurs alike, colour combining is a popular method that uses the colour wheel to find harmonious combinations that will enhance any interior space. Split into three different types - monochromatic, analogous and complementary - we show you how to find the ideal one for you and your kitchen. Colour Theory It’s undeniable that colour sets the mood of a room. Just as there are cheerful and upbeat colours, there are also more muted shades that exude a calm and relaxing vibe. Whilst some shades will warm a room up, others will cool it down. Some will make a room appear larger, whilst others do the opposite in creating a darker and more enclosed space.It stands to reason then that some colours will work better than others in the kitchen. Due to the nature of the room, a social hub in the centre of the home, it pays to use not just colours you can live with, but those that will boost your mood and start your day off right. Monochromatic Simple yet stylish, a monochromatic palette uses one unifying colour in various tints and shades. The use of only one key hue means opposing colours won’t compete for attention, typically creating a less distracting and more balanced aesthetic. Nevertheless, the hue you choose is ultimately what will dictate the feel of the room, and as there is a rainbow of choice out there, each delivers its own look.For example, zesty orange used in the kitchen will produce a dynamic, energising space with an upbeat and tropical vibe - our collection of orange kitchen stools proving ideal. Conversely, blue will cool things down, lending a relaxing, soothing and oceanic ambience.Alternatively, the kitchen pictured below uses a cream palette to create a clean, crisp, yet welcoming space. Smart and sophisticated, similar shades are utilised on the cabinets, flooring, and walls, with our divine Rochelle Brushed Steel Stool Cream providing the unifying hue that holds it all together. Rochelle Brushed Steel Stool Analogous If you’re wary about being too daring with your colour scheme, but find the monochromatic approach a little boring, then an analogous palette provides the perfect halfway house. Utilising shades found directly next to each other on the colour wheel, this method creates attractive spaces that are undeniably pleasing to the eye.Popular colour combinations include warm and cool palettes. The first draws on yellows, oranges, reds and pinks to lend a bold, bright and exotic vibe. The latter can utilise blues, purples, whites and greys to create a kitchen with a more subdued and peaceful tone. For example you could pair yellow bar stools with warm tones of orange and brown, as seen in the image below – it all depends on the look you prefer for your home. Stitch Bar Stool The most successful colour combinations are often found in nature and can be drawn upon to give your kitchen a real natural beauty. Earthy tones such as greens, browns, greys, and creams will create an organic and grounded space with that back-to-nature feel.If you like this rustic look then choose wooden kitchen cabinets and matching furniture, such as our popular wooden kitchen stools, which are great for adding texture and depth. Plus, extra green can be added through floral centrepieces, bowls of fresh fruit or some vibrant green dining chairs. Drift Oak & Grey Bar Stool Complementary Arguably the most striking of the three types, complementary draws on contrasting colours found opposite each other on the colour wheel for an engaging and dynamic look. Whilst some designers tend to stick to two key shades, others prefer triads or multiples for eye-catching appeal.A sophisticated purple and grey combination is ideal for a modern kitchen space with a luxurious and elegant flair. Conversely, a trendy turquoise and coral palette boasts a more playful and zesty radiance that is sure to catch the eye. Lime green and pastel pink can lend a fresh springtime feel and soft feminine aesthetic, whilst deep red and emerald green is another striking combo with subtle hints of Christmas. Drift Oak & Green Stool By far one of the most popular colour combinations we see when it comes to our kitchen stools is a walnut finished frame with cream upholstered seats. As seen on our much-loved Alicia, the deep richness of the wood strikes a divine contrast against the soft shade of the cream upholstery. Also well-liked is the combination of a neutral black or white base tone, used on walls, cabinets and flooring, with pops of vibrantly coloured furniture and bright appliances scattered around the room for attention grabbing effect. Pictured below, our Drift Oak Stool is perfect for enhancing any breakfast bar or kitchen space with its crimson charm. Drift Oak & Red Bar Stool As you can see, there is no right or wrong way to use colour in the kitchen – it all comes down to the look you want to create. So whether you intend to go bold or prefer a more subtle approach, the colour wheel will help you produce a harmonious and welcoming space that is sure to impress your guests. Shop All Kitchen Stools
6 Steps to a Retro Kitchen
Never have retro kitchens been so on trend. From classic range ovens to vintage Tolix stools, stylish Smeg fridges to psychedelic blinds, retro décor has been embraced by designer showrooms, high street outlets and commercial eateries alike. Want to give your kitchen a retro makeover? Just follow our six simple steps: 1) Add a splash of colour Padded Crescent Bar Stool Red Retro style is bold and bright, with primary and pastel colours taking centre stage. Shades of red, orange, green and purple are fabulously chic, but they’re not for the faint hearted. If you’re not quite brave enough for bold block coloured walls, a set of beautifully bright stools to contrast against a neutral breakfast bar will do just as well. Round or crescent shaped stools like our Padded Crescent are ideal for adding that nostalgic vibe. Available in a spectrum of funky colours, they’re also incredibly comfy due to their encompassing shape. 2) Pair mirrored chrome with faux leather Nothing is more retro than the 1950s American diner. Full of character, it’s ideal for kitchens with elevated seating lined up along a breakfast bar or island. For that authentic all-American feel, choose kitchen stools that pair mirrored chrome frames with faux leather upholstery. Whilst sleek chrome exudes that high gloss appearance reminiscent of the metalwork on classic Cadillac cars, faux leather seat pads ensure comfort as well as allowing for a myriad of vibrant colours. Combine red, black, white and teal for a timeless aesthetic, or experiment with a playful pastel colour palette. Bestselling Retro Bar Stools Java Bar Stool Grey Java Diner Stool Black Java Bar Stool White For examples of furniture with this iconic style, check out our popular Java and Skyline bar stools. 3) Swap conventional kitchen furniture for a booth For that authentic diner style aesthetic, why not consider a booth instead of a standard table and four chairs? Simply fit a faux leather upholstered bench against one of the walls of your kitchen, add a classic Formica table and a scattering of retro-inspired chairs, such as the Mustang, and voila – you’ll feel like you’re on the set of Happy Days every time you sit down to breakfast. This is a particularly good option if you’re short on space. The booth can be fitted around the corners and grooves of your kitchen, and you can make it as big or small as you like. Plus, you can even add some hidden storage space within. 4) Accessorise a rented kitchen with retro-inspired art If you’re renting your home, you probably won’t be able to make any major alterations to the interior design. If it's only temporary it's likely you won’t want to invest too much in it either. Hanging a few colourful pieces of art is a simple solution, making a quick and easy way to personalise a neutral space. However art doesn’t necessarily refer to paintings or fancy oil-based canvases. Think outside the box and decorate your walls with a vintage tin sign, a framed movie poster from the 50s or 60s, a neon diner-style sign, or even just a feature clock in a bold colour. These little touches will add a shot of personality into a plain or neutral kitchen, and the best thing is you can take it all with you when you move. 5) Update your kitchenware with retro packaging Retro packaging is a great way to update your kitchen look without making substantial changes. Store utensils in mason jars or cream coloured tins, and add little quirky touches with items such as a diner-style straw dispenser, mini gumball machine or jukebox. Display similarly coloured ceramics and jars on open shelving for an eye-catching look, and scour charity shops, car boot sales and vintage fairs to find old cake tins with just the right amount of rust on them. After all, there’s nothing more retro than a bit of wear and tear. 6) Go the whole hog with some retro flooring The black and white checked kitchen floor first came into style in the 1960s, and it’s rarely been out of fashion since. Marvellously monochromatic, black and white work with every colour scheme and the chequered pattern can be replicated in tile or lino, to suit any budget. Similarly, a deep pile rug will never date and looks great underneath a kitchen or dining room table, bringing that swinging 60s vibe to your home. Stars And Stripes Retro Pinterest Board Need a few more ideas? Why not browse our Stars & Stripes Pinterest board for further interior inspiration.