Furniture Blog

Using Vintage Hollywood as Contemporary Design

UKCF — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:41 +0000

It was a golden era for the silver screen and those who were part of it shall be forever remembered as demi gods within our culture. Stars such as Marlon Brando, John Wayne, Clark Gable shone in an era when scripts were filled with wonderful dialogue and even popular singers of that time, Elvis Pressley, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, were thrust onto the big screen with various levels of success. Vintage Hollywood it was and still is.

Here we highlight some classic images from that time and also products you can purchase that would add a touch of vintage Hollywood to any modern interior furnishings.

Audrey Hepburn Canvas Art, the Lady has it all…

Clark Gable Poster from Gone With the Wind.

John Wayne without the Horse and Hat, relaxing in 60’s stylish settings…

Hollywood Dining Plate, what some may have called crass now call class…

Elvis Shows Red can be used majestically in interior furnishings…

The Rat Pack canvas art - it’s hard to get cooler than this…

Unless of course your Al Pacino, then your cooler, even displayed in segments…

Ok, Ok, perhaps Al isn’t Vintage Holywood but he’s still worthy of an entry and adds such an explosive statement to any furnished room.

Online Room Planners

UKCF — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:10:42 +0000

I have had heaps of fun this morning playing with a number of online room planners. With just a few, simple, clicks of the mouse I had re-worked, re-furnished and re-imagined how my living room, bathroom and kitchen would should look like. As always, there is some bit of marketing going on in the background like when you want to drag a new designer coffee table into our digital creation it’ll tell how much it costs and where is best to purchase it from, clever.

Overall, I was quite impressed with online room planners that I tried. They all had ready-made galleries to start you off and even the functionality to upload your own floor layout. Finally, they allow you to take 3d camera shots and save your efforts for future deco days.

Bond Gets Maxalto Makeover

UKCF — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:03:59 +0000

The new James Bond film, “A Quantum of Solace”, has a makeover in stunning designer furniture with many of the Hotel scenes showing furniture from the Maxalto collection, produced by Italian designers, B&B Italia. The featured furniture was the Talamo Bed, which was handy for our man Bond, as we all know he likes to lay down in luxury, every now and again.

Other pieces featured from the Maxalto collection in the new Bond file were the coffee table, night tables, armchairs and dressers. The Hotel scenes provoke strong contemporary, visual statements and add to the character and flair we have associated with Bond films down through the years.

Below are a few scene shots featuring the contemporary furniture range, Maxalto, from the new Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace“, we hope you enjoy both the furniture and the film.

Funny and Scary Furniture

UKCF — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:48:09 +0000

Every home should have a talking point, a conversation starter, an interesting or quirky something that stands out, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. These, “conversation starters”, nine times out of ten have a modern contemporary furniture feel about them. But, what about the pieces of furniture that just don’t know where the line is, are so outrageous, that it makes you wonder just what the designer and the people who purchase these pieces were on at the time.

The Alien Table

If ever there was a piece of furniture that you wanted to purchase to scare the bejesus out of someone then it this one. No doubt those that have purchased this scary alien furniture piece do not have young children in and around the house. Most probably found in bars or clubs.

Mad Cow Sofa

Talk about ‘Foot in Mouth’. This two-headed, black and white, cow couch would really get the party in the moooood (sorry, couldn’t help myself). It reeks of fun and actually looks ready to walk about the room itself. Very witty.

Safe Bedside Table

An ideal solution for those concerned about intruders entering your home or looking for another way to get rid of family members come Christmas time who just don’t take the hint you want them to leave.

Bed on Springs

How about this for a concept idea, a bed resting on springs. Bound to raise a few eyebrows this one and an ideal bedroom joke.

Han Solo Frozen Carbonite Table

For all you Sci-Fi fans out there, this Han Solo encased in Carbonite Table. It certainly would spark some interesting conversations and also send out the message that the ‘Force’ is strong with you.

Ultimate Computer Chair

This is something that I really, really ~~need~~ want. The ultimate stylish computer chair. Scores 10/10 for toungue-in-cheek humour.

Top 10 TV Shows Where The Furniture’s A Star

UKCF — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:22:32 +0000

Over the years we have watched some great TV shows on the one-eyed monster, and some we have taken close to our heart. With millions tuning in each week to watch their favourite TV Show, it is no wonder that the furniture used within those shows became top talking points and even sought after items. Here, we highlight some great TV shows where the furniture became conversation makers. It is also interesting to highlight the way British and American producers used furniture to add an extra dimension to the TV characters they produced.

10 : The Royle Family

A British TV comedy, where each week, the TV family sat in their living room, watching TV and talking about the latest events in their lives. And That’s It! The only sub-plot, was when the family moved to the Kitchen for their dinner. But we were hooked. Transfixed. Couch Potato TV for Couch Potatoes.

9 : The Simpsons

Much like The Royle Family, The Simpsons centered their domestic lives around the couch in front of the television or the kitchen sink. But that is where the similarities end. However, those opening screen shots, each episode of the family rushing home to watch the start of their favourite TV show has now become synnonymous with the shows success.

8 : Eastenders

British soap drama based in London’s East End. To be fair I understand the show tries to highlight the gritty truth of real life but the furniture used in some of the characters houses is so bad that itself has become gossip news amongst the tabloids. If there were ever a TV makeover show made for soaps then Eastenders should be the first in line. Without a doubt, the worst show ever for furniture to be screened on. Product placements, forget it!

7 : Coronation Street

Britains longest running soap. And just sneaks above Eastenders for its use of furniture. Coronation Street now has sponsorship from a large UK furniture retailer. Some characters have seen their on-screen living quarters upgraded to highlight modern living but again there are some sets where the furniture is so out of date it looks modern again.

6 : Frasier

Seattle’s favourite Radio psychologist had an extremely good taste when it came to furniture. That was until his Dad moved in and that chair was placed right in front of the TV. The Lounge Chair was meant to represent the contrasting styles between the two characters. Frasier and his stylish attire and his Dad, Martin, who preferred comfort – no matter how it looked.

5 : Everybody Loves Raymond

The sets on this show are just as humorous as the characters and the story lines. From the over-sized hanging fork and spoon in Raymond’s mothers kitchen to the plastic covered suite in the living room. My own mother did this as well so I can relate greatly to these women who cling onto some distant memory of being house proud but are fighting a losing battle against a house full of the male gender.

4 : Friends

From Chandler and Joey’s La-Z-Boy chairs to Monica’ obsessively clean and neat apartment. This show has been a product placement dream. With worldwide TV audiences and it attracting young and old viewers alike. The furniture went down a hit as well, from big coffee cups to mirrored picture frames hanging on your door. If there was ever a TV show that put contemporary furniture design on the map it was this one.

3 : Sex and The City

The girls know how to dress, they also know how to decorate a room as well. Pillow vases, coffee tables, Herman Miller chairs etc… if there was one show which you watched to know what was in just now in home furnishings then you would watch this one.

2 : Footballers Wives

Britain’s answer to ‘Sex and The City’ I guess, except the emphasis was more about lavish than stylish. Modern furniture had never looked so good set against some of the beautiful cast members who appeared in this series.

1 : Big Brother

No matter what you say about this program, this is prime time TV for furniture. Bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and even garden furniture get a chance to shine to the nation over 3 months. If your a designer or manufacturer this show has to be the Holy Grail. For the rest of us, if you get bored watching the housemates you can just start watching the furniture instead.

Modern Massage Chairs

UKCF — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:01:45 +0000

Let’s face it, some of the treatments out there to help cure back pain can bring a tear to your eye just thinking about them. No matter how many times someone tells me that laying on a rack and being stretched apart, medieval style, is good for me. I for one ain’t buying into it. No, I prefer the treatment is to be less painful than the original pain itself. Hence, why I get so much more excited by these modern massage chairs.

Not only do they look the part in any room, never mind a bachelors pad, they also “does what is says on the tin”. Using innovative styling and engineering, these modern massage chairs are just what the doctored ordered. Heck, even if you don’t have back pain, they are still fashionable, welcoming additions and are always going to be centre-piece talking points within your home.

Modern Massage Chairs - Have a look for yourself :

Pure Peace Massage Chair

Sanctuary Massage Chair

Tranquility Massage Chair

Ultimate Bliss Massage Chair

Contemporary Bathroom Designs

UKCF — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:19:33 +0000

It is normally termed as the ’smallest room in the house’ and when it comes to decoration, the bathroom is 9 times out of 10 overlooked. But times are changing. Now, people want their bathroom to have character, influence and style. Contemporary bathroom suites are becoming sought after items as people look for fresh and invigorating design ideas. Marble has never looked so good. If your looking for contemporary furniture ideas then get in touch with us at the UK Contemporary Furniture and we’ll point you in the right direction of having furniture with flair.

Here are just a few ideas that can brighten any bathroom with contemporary design…

Images original source : http://www.channel4.com/4homes/design-style/design-byspace/bathroom/

Modern Furniture Design

UKCF — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:25:22 +0000

Simplistic, elegant and organic are three words that I would form in any sentence to help describe what modern furniture design is to a person. Of course, when it comes to writing about modern furniture, words never quite do it justice. There is only one way to truly connect with these design pieces and that is through visual participation. Modern furniture design is forever evolving and can create powerful emotions between a piece and a person. It is this connection, that is the hardest thing to explain in written words.

Much like the way artists move people with their canvas creations, thus modern furniture design also moves. It can be from humorous, novelty chairs to sleek and elegant dining tables. Materials also play a part in the creation of modern furniture design. Recycled plastics, traditional wood, chrome and fabrics bring these creative masterpieces to life.

Our featured modern furniture design products today are the characteristic novelty chairs. UK Contemporary Furniture love these quirky, yet functional, novelty chairs, designed to blend with any personality.

Boxing Glove Sofa : is a definite must for those ultimate bachelors with a sports fetish, or just a large desire to ward off women!

Bibita Novelty Chair : the Bibita actually resembles a pub cubicle because of its high semi-circle upholstered backrest and matching flat seat.

Novelty Rocking Chair : has taken the classic rocking chair and updated it for the modern home.

Spot-On Novelty Chair : a giant hand cupped into a chair with the thumb and forefinger joined at the tips. Sometimes you just need to have a sense of humour about sitting!

Office Tables That Cost More Than The Office

UKCF — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:19:56 +0000

We all know that contemporary furniture is like a functional work-of-art that fits with design trends of the time. How much would you pay for, say, a contemporary office table? 500, 1K, 5k, 10k or even 15k. Anything above that would be crazy, right? Wrong! What if I were to tell you that there was a company who makes modern day office tables and sells them for 6 figures. That’s right, 6 figures, for an office table, that’s not even an Edwardian piece, never mind Victorian. But the thing is, the most powerful people in the World sit at these tables.

They are from a designer called Parnian, and are all hand crafted and sell for around the $150,000 to $200,000. Here’s a selection of their contemporary office tables.

The Bar Stool A Great Looking Weapon

UKCF — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:42:45 +0000

The smoke filled bars of the old westerns that Hollywood used to churn out every other week would always have a bar room bust-up. The weapon of choice in many of these staged fights would be the trusty bar stool. Now, I’m not 100% sure just how accurate the historic timelines of the bar stool is in terms of Westerns, but when it comes to spinning a good story, Hollywood never let the facts get in the way. Thankfully, Hollywood, has moved on from those cowboy, tobacco-chewing days and rightfully, so has Bar Stools.

Such, is the popularity, of the bar stool, that it has taken pride and place within our own living quarters. Kitchen bar stools are quite the rage. With many unique contemporary designs adding the perfect finishing touches to a modern kitchen interior.

You can have leopard bar stools with cheetah prints on the upholstery to help match your mood. Bedazzle your guests with a sleak ’s’ shaped stool made from chrome. The range of designs to be found in the modern bar stool is quite impressive given the basic function that the stool was designed to serve.

The days of the rigid, backless, wooden bar stool are long gone and have been replaced with contemporary designs that allow you to place these stunning bar stools anywhere within a home, office, restaurant or even a bar. They can be used for sitting purposes or just decorative pieces. They can even be surface screwed to the floor, so the old Hollywood image of a barstool as a weapon can forever be laid to rest.