News
- 8th April 2019
The History of Parker Knoll
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When it comes to high quality, British made furniture, one of the first brands that always springs to mind is Parker Knoll. Since the start of the business, more than 147 years ago, the company has innovated some of the best furniture technologies and produced some of the most iconic designs in the industry. So how did the Parker Knoll legacy begin?
Royal Beginnings
In 1869, a 24-year-old Shoreditch-born cabinet maker named Frederick Parker set up business creating high-quality British furniture. His work was of such a high standard that it wasn’t long before the Royal family took note of his designs and summoned him to Buckingham Palace to measure King Edward VII for a chair. The King was extremely pleased with his initial prototype and ordered one to be made. Thus, began a long-standing relationship between Parker Knoll and the Victorian gentry which would be the basis on which would last well into the next century.
Demand Increases
The business continued to do well in the early 1900s at which time the business was moved to even bigger premises in High Wycombe. The company received an order from the RMS Aquitania to furnish the Palladian Lounge, which it gladly fulfilled. In 1929, Frederick Parker’s sons took over the running of the business and soon combined forces with an ex-fighter pilot named Willi Knoll. After spending plenty of time sitting in uncomfortable aircraft seats, Knoll had spent some time innovating comfortable furniture and so the resulting partnership between the Parker company and Knoll in the early 1930s led to the introduction of luxury spring furniture.
Strength to Strength
The new Parker Knoll brand was the first to advertise nationally and received great success. They were commissioned to furnish the new BBC headquarters in 1932 and used their factories to assist with the construction of aircraft during World War 2. By the 1950’s, however, a new era of design had descended, and Parker Knoll led the charge with their innovative design and luxury comfort. They were the first to introduce a recliner chair and have continued to impress at design fairs every year since.
Watch Full Timeline:Want to find out more about Parker Knoll furniture? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements. Or shop online now.
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- 26th February 2019
5 of Our Best Sideboards
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Seriously underrated and often overlooked pieces of furniture, sideboards are not only a practical way to add storage, but they are perfect for finishing off a room. Whether you are looking for a sideboard for your bedroom, dining room, hallway or lounge, we have a beautiful range of pieces to match any kind of style.
Reclaimed
If you are looking for chunky, rustic furniture to fit in with an urban, industrial, or farmhouse look, the sideboards from the Baker Nickel collection could be perfect for you. Constructed using reclaimed materials with a natural finish, these eco-friendly sideboards will bring warmth and character to any room in the home.Country
Add a touch of French country glamour to your living space with a sideboard from the Baker Cotleigh range. Reclaimed timbers are enhanced by a gently distressed elegant two-tone finish to create a fresh and contemporary look with bags of character and charm. There is also the option to add a dresser top to create a statement piece worthy of any country kitchen!Mid-century modern
The mid-century modern look is still going strong in interior design, which is why we love this stunning sideboard from the Porto range. Its brushed stainless-steel legs and walnut veneers combine to create a chic and contemporary finish on a classic design. One of our personal favourites.Contemporary
For a contemporary finish, the sideboards from the Kingstown Alpha collection are a great way to bring modern styling into your home. The on-trend contemporary designs combine with the flexible functionality demanded by modern living to create practical and super stylish pieces. Available in a Light Grey and a Dust grey finish.Traditional
For a solid, traditional piece of furniture that will last for generations, the Portbury 3 Door Sideboard could be perfect for you. The Portbury is part of an extremely well priced and extensive collection of living, dining & bedroom furniture. All items are available in a choice of finishes. For the dining & living ranges, there is a choice of oak all over with antique handles, or oak/stone painted finish with silver handles. Alternative handles are available as an optional extra. The majority of items are supplied fully assembled. The oak all over items are constructed using a combination of oak solids & veneers. For the painted finish, the tops are constructed using oak solids & veneers, with the painted parts being constructed using pine and manmade board.
Want to find out more? Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.
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- 14th February 2019
Top Tips for Mixing Patterns in the Home
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When it comes to interior design, people often think that one of the trickiest styles to master is the art of mixing patterns. However, it is actually a lot simpler than it looks. Not only does it add colour, interest and depth to a space, but it actually makes the process of finding accessories for your home a lot easier. Just remember to stick to a few rules.
1. Start with one design
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Image: Alstons Stockholm
Whether it’s a statement rug or a cushion you just fell in love with, your pattern journey always starts with one design that you can’t live without. If you have previously been into neutrals and monochromes, breaking out into patterns can feel daunting at first but once you start it is very difficult to stop!
2. Use different scales
Image:Parker Knoll Boston 2 Seater Sofa
A good way to start building your patterns is to use different scales throughout the room. Use large scaled patterns on curtains and larger pieces of furniture, and smaller patterns on accent pieces and accessories. Switching up the scales adds interest and prevents the patterns from looking too ‘matchy’.
3. Build on a colour scheme
Image: Living Homes Beach House
If you already have a colour scheme in mind, build on it by using similar colours in other patterns. For example, making sure that all of your patterns have a shade of blue in it will help to unify them. If you would prefer the multicoloured approach, choose contrasting colours that clash next to each other.
4. Stick to a consistent hue
Image: Ashwood Hamilton Corner
If you are decorating your room in pastels or a specific hue, it’s a good idea to use patterns and tones in similar hues rather than adding in bold jewels tones. Conversely, bold rooms look great with other bold colours layered against them.
5. Work with odd numbers of patterns
A good rule of thumb is to work with odd numbers of patterns. Start with three, work up to five and if you are feeling super brave try out seven, or even nine!
Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.
Don't forget you can stay up to date with all our latest news and promotions by signing up to our Mailing List and following us on Facebook.
- 25th January 2019
Design Ideas for the Bedroom
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Image: Baker Bahama Reclaimed & Recycled Collection
It is said that we spend a third of our lives in bed, so when it comes to interiors, your bedroom is the most important room in the house. Whether you prefer an oasis of restful calm or a luxurious boutique boudoir, there are a few things to consider before making a start on creating the bedroom of your dreams.
Style
The most important thing to think about when designing your bedroom is the style you are hoping to achieve. Spend some time looking through pictures for inspiration and create a mood board of your favourite styles as this will give you an indication of the sort of colours and accessories you like. You may find that you thought you liked country styles, but your mood board might show a collection of more contemporary pictures. Look for things that the pictures have in common, such as bold prints, dark walls, colourful accessories or minimalist furniture.
Lighting
Carefully positioned lighting can transform a room. The key is in layering it. Work with floor lamps, overhead lights and bedside table lamps to create a multi-level effect so that it is easy to change the ambience in the room simply by turning a light on or off. Decide whether a chandelier style overhead light would work best, or spotlights and consider installing a dimmer switch. Add in easy to reach lamps next to the bed so that you don’t have to get out of bed to turn them on.
Colour SchemeColour schemes can be the most daunting part of decorating, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. For small or dark rooms, work within a neutral palette to give the illusion of light and space. If you love the bold, bright look but aren’t sure about committing to painting the walls with strong hues, choose an accent wall to display your chosen colour or use it in the accessories to make your room pop.
FurnitureWhether you’re working with a big room or a tiny space, the furniture you choose for it will make a big difference to how the room feels. Ottoman beds are perfect for adding in storage to smaller spaces, while mirrored wardrobes are a great way to bounce light around the room while saving on wall space at the same time. Don’t forget the quintessential bedside table for your books!
Browse our wide range of beautiful bedroom furniture, we have something to suit all styles and budgets.
Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.
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- 21st January 2019
A Guide to Finding the Perfect Dining Table
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Image: Baker Nickel
From hosting dinner parties to the everyday family meal, there is something magical about the perfect dining room furniture. The setting of memories, a dining table is the most essential component of any family home. Whether you need a casual café style table or a formal hardwood affair, there is something for every style and budget at Living Homes. So, how do you go about choosing the perfect dining table for your needs?
The first thing to consider when buying a dining table is the use it will get. For example:
- Casual use:
For everyday family dinners, a casual use table is the way to go. For this type of table, you will need something hardwearing and comfortable that is easy to clean and sit around. Extending tables can work well for families as they can be increased in size when there are special occasions.
- Formal use:
Formal dining tables work super well in larger homes that tend to host a lot of dining evenings. Large, more ornate tables with an elegant finish and sumptuous chairs are perfect for this type of setting.
- Kitchen use:
If you are looking for a table to slot into the kitchen for breakfast meals and everyday use, a smaller, more robust table is a good choice.
The next step is to think about the size. A good place to start when deciding on the size of the table is to measure the space it will fit into. Work out how much space each chair or bench will need when pushed back from the table and then figure out how many chairs can fit into that space. If you have plenty of space, start by working out how many people will be using the table.
Lastly, consider the style. There are several different options to choose from.
- Contemporary:
Modern spaces will suit the sleek lines and angles of glass and chrome. Industrial styles are very popular at the moment and often feature a mixture of aged wood and metal.
- Traditional:
Warm woods, chunky legs and minimal details will look perfect in a traditional or period space.
- Country
Distressed finishes and rustic legs are ideal for country and shabby-chic style rooms.
Browse our wide range of beautiful dining tables, we have something to suit all styles and budgets.
Head on down to our showrooms in Street and Weston-Super-Mare or give us a call on 01458 445555 (Street showrooms) or 01934 626326 (Weston showroom) to speak to our highly experienced, knowledgeable staff who are ready to help you with all your interior décor needs and requirements.
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