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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017
The lovely brick walls serve as the frame to the equally lovely pieces. Featured here is the Meritage Aerostat Cocktail Table.
Two of the most abundant raw materials on earth are shale and clay. These are the main ingredients in creating bricks. These materials are then fired up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit inside a kiln. Through chemical transformation and vitrification, these two minerals are then fused for good. The resulting product can then be used as a durable piece of construction material.
A lot of people mistake concrete brick for clay brick. The former uses a gray paste to bond the raw materials. Also, the pigment is added to make the material more interesting.
Clay brick is also stronger than cement brick this is why it remains to be the most sought-after type of brick in the industry.
Architecture Made with Clay Brick
Heated clay brick has long been used as a building material in the U.S. And since this is such a durable material, majority of the colonial brick structures that were made in the 1700s are still standing today.
It is amazing to note that architectural marvels such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The renowned Glass House, as well as the nearby brick houses, are now parts of Modern Art.
Pelli Clarke Pelli also used brick in designing the beautiful The Solaire.
Pavements made with brick were also quite popular during the colonial times. These clay pavers are now over two centuries old. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had about three million pavers made from 1910-1911. These are still in use today and since they are made of fired clay bricks, they did not fade or even require sealers throughout the years.
Awesome Bricks in Homes
Since bricks are durable materials, it is not surprising that they are preferred by many homeowners. Just think about this – almost every Union State has a street that has the word brick on it – from Brickyard to Brick Kiln, to simply Brick.
Brick is a sturdy cladding material that is used in many healthcare structures, schools, and government buildings. It is fairly common to find brick schools and brick apartment buildings nowadays. And here’s a trivia – more than eighty-percent of homeowners think of brick when they are about to build or reconstruct their homes.
So, are you aching to have a brick wall now? That’s not shocking news. Brick is gorgeous and its presence can instantly give your home a delightful appeal.
If you’re looking to have a modern or a country style home, your go-to material is no other than brick.
The first thing that you can do with it is to create stone walls with them. Instead of thinking that brick interior walls would look cold, think the other way around. Bricks can make the atmosphere of any room warmer and more welcoming.
Brick tiles are especially great to use in hallways, living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. If you’re thinking of adding a cellar, then this is also the material that will make this new addition to your home look more awesome.
Bricks are simply magical. It may be because they have been around for so long that people instantly think of reliability, solidity, and comfort when they see them.
Proper Care for Brick Walls
While bricks are lovely to look at, you have to prepare to take care of them. Be sure to conserve the beauty of the bricks’ surface and to keep damages at bay. To do this, clean each brick then leave a glossy, layered finish. You could also consider adding matte binders since these are effective in keeping dust away.
If you’ve used brick as a bathroom solution, make sure that you won’t face damaged grout later on. Reposition your brick walls where they won’t get any moisture. If there’s no way to do this now, then be sure to seal them at the very least.
Tags: brick, brick design, brick wall, designing a brick wall, designing with brick, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Sturdy Beauty of Clay Brick
Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
The Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Delancey Club Chair will look perfect against a brick backdrop.
One of the most interesting features of a home – no matter how quirky it may seem – are brick walls. That bold brick red color is sure to elicit attention. Admirers are many and so are those who think that it’s too gritty. No matter, if you’re determined to make it work for your home, then here are some tips that you need to consider –
Preserve Brick’s Beauty
If your home has those beautiful, exposed brick walls, then it’s a natural stunner. You would want to keep those bricks stunning by sealing and protecting the surface. Doing these will reduce the risk of degradation over time.
Applying slight gloss finish will make the bricks look lustrous. This is great for hallways spaces, otherwise, use a matte sealant that will not alter the natural look of bricks. Sealing will also keep mites as well as dust off, thus, helping in the maintenance of brick beauty.
Brick Cleaning
Brick walls may appear like they’re made of stones but these should not keep you from cleaning them. It is also advisable to clean the brick walls prior to sealing. Mix vinegar with water then spray the solution to the dirty spots. Rub gently with towel – use bristle brush only when stubborn dirt needs to be removed.
To make sure also that the bricks won’t crumble as you clean them, be sure to gently begin at an inconspicuous area. Harsher cleaners should only be used only when absolutely necessary.
About Moisture and Grout
Bathrooms and kitchens are moist areas so if the brick walls are found here, be sure to seal them so that mold and other such problematic issues don’t happen. If a bad case of grout has already taken place, then regrout the bricks so that a more solid surface is achieved. Do this by having the existing grout routed to no less than ¾ inch depth prior to refilling with fresh mortar.
Do this just once then gently seal and maintain.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Cornell Brick Red Table Lamp 26903 proves that brick doesn’t always have to be on the wall.070
Finishing Options
Covering or softening bricks is easy with a fresh coat of white paint. White paint is a popular option for people who want to preserve the brick’s texture. Whitewashing the walls will also give them a cleaner and more contemporary look.
This look can brighten up space and would make it look less busy. You can achieve streamlining with the whitewashed brick concept.
The white bricks look can also be taken to your bedroom as it offers a dreamier appeal.
To whitewash, just mix some water with paint about 1 part water to three parts of paint would do. Loosely apply the mixed paint using a large brush. Let the primary application absorb and dry before putting another coat. Paint in uneven patches so that you achieve an aged finish. Don’t forget to tape off adjacent walls or baseboards as well as the floor with a drop cloth.
Another brick finish that you could consider is gray – the warm, soft type would do. This will give your room a more organic and earthy feel while still providing a clean look.
Bricks can also be stained. Just like wood, you can alter the color of the bricks without actually erasing its texture. You can also achieve the faux vintage appeal if you apply the stain using a small brush in just a few areas. This will give the illusion of some bricks being replaced over time.
A Word of Caution
Remember that painting bricks can be a tricky project. Paint may strip later but bricks are also highly absorbent, meaning, their porous cores make them quite difficult to perfectly paint. Skip the trendiest color choices if you’re uncertain on what look to give your brick walls.
Tags: brick, brick wall, brick wall design, designing a brick wall, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Wall Design | No Comments »
Friday, April 1st, 2016
FFDM’s Sunset Canyon Collection has this hardwood cabinet that will make the perfect subject to the canvas that is the brickwork in your kitchen.
Brick. This can either be a boring or an exciting part of your home. Mostly, brick lends a warm, historic look, makes one wonder why many homeowners are afraid to use it especially in their kitchens. One reason could be because it could become a stack of greasy masonry behind a stove. Be afraid no more – you can even make brick veneer look so authentic that your relatives and friends would go gaga about it.
The most basic and easiest way to get real brick look is to purchase the right thickness of brick veneer. This has to be ¾ of an inch thick. Find the concrete-based products so that you won’t have to use sealants. If you still want to use sealant, then be sure to find silane-based sealants because they are breathable.
Sealant use could darken the color and could slow down the movement of moisture out for the brick veneer.
Texas homes use bricks in their homes because it can easily withstand the harshest climates. Reclaimed brick can be used to age the look of a kitchen. This automatically adds texture and warmth as the intricate brickwork bring special details into focus.
The secret to using brick, whether it is the real deal or the brick veneer type, is balance. This is especially true when you need to use it in the kitchen.
Bricks can pack in the most punch on the range wall and the floor. Don’t be limited to traditional or transitional looks, though. There is so much more to bricks that can define features inside your kitchen.
Brick Veneer Care
Do you know what you would do if spaghetti sauce suddenly splatters on your unsealed brick veneer? The cleaning part is easy but there are some guidelines to follow.
Use granulated soap with water then scrub using a stiff-bristled brush only. You can also use vinegar with water in 1:5 ratio.First, make sure that you do not use an acid-based cleaner. Throw all your wire brushes and say no to sandblasting and power washing from now on. All these items can erase the base color on the brick veneer.
Check the manufacturer’s installation as well as cleaning guides. These are information that is often posted on their websites or you can simply talk to their customer service departments.
If you want to add an authentic feel to your brick veneer, then you can hire a mason to apply grout. There are also transparent, no-sheen masonry sealers that you can consider when sealing stones and bricks.
Using brick for a kitchen backsplash is also a unique way to catch the attention of your visitors. This can be made of a thick, brick veneer. This can give your kitchen an industrial warehouse feel. You can have this sealed annually.
Remove the outlets from the brick veneer backsplash to improve the overall look. Move the outlets at a higher, horizontal position. Make sure that you still comply with the safety codes. To be sure, hire a professional electrician to do the installation for you.
Use the brick veneer from the inside corner through to the inside corner and then from the countertop then down the bottom of the ceiling or cabinet. A convincing authentic brick look only comes in where you conceal any part that tells the material is veneer. This can be achieved through ending the brick layout with the inside corner – all of the time.
If your dining area is adjacent to the kitchen, then you can effectively use bricks to tie both rooms. Embrace the industrial look while accentuating any steel or brick patterns. You might feel nervous to use brick at first but you will soon see how it can provide a look that no other material can offer.
Tags: brick, brick in the kitchen, brick interior design, brick interiors, brick veneer, brick wall, brick wall design, designing with brick, exposed bricks, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 19th, 2016
The clean lines of the American Leather Living Room Bookcase MEN-BKC-ES should fit right into your organic interiors.
Would you like to have the ability to bring nature right into your home? This is a quest that homeowners, over the centuries, have longed to achieve. Humans, after all, love organic interiors and the organic appeal of earth’s elements because he is one with them.
Organic modern dwellings are usually soothing and have a down-to-earth feel. The natural elements such as clean lines, rustic stuff, vegetation and lots of natural light – all add a certain level of warmth to any home with modern architecture.
Bringing organically inspired elements in your home can be achieved with these guidelines –
Choose Elements That Bring Peace
This does not mean doing the feng shui each time that you move your furniture about or buying only the feng shui approved pieces. Pick materials that showcase your personal flair. Some homeowners may like the look of natural rocks as wall art while others like the sophistication offered by dark mahogany furniture or flooring. Be sure to find natural elements that show your style while connecting you to your home.
Use Bricks as a Focal Point or Backdrop
Brick making is a process that involves natural elements such as water, clay, mud and fire. These eventually produce one of the sturdiest building materials.
The appeal of brick transcends time. Its rustic uniformity makes old homes and now modern dwellings a place to marvel at.
Stanley Furniture Dining Room Farmer’s Market Table 018-61-32 at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
Never Go Without Wood
Wood is the soul of organic design. The imperfections of wood such as grains and knots are the very things that make it stand out. Wooden furniture now comes in various species and finishes. You can use this material from your ceiling beams down to your dining table, chairs, even the flooring.
Look for furniture with country and rustic appeal if you want to achieve a traditional look in your home. For those who are looking to have a contemporary setting, look for wood furniture with non-complex, free from ornamentation lines.
The Farmer’s Market Table on the left comes with a simple scalloped pattern. This can serve as a heritage piece, one that evokes a country feel. Its French style finish, bun foot legs, and Dutch white cedar all contribute to a lovely feature for this wooden piece.
Bring in Nature in Every Room
Bringing in natural finishes in your dwelling place is no longer a new concept yet it has become a game changer of sorts to many homeowners. You can look into buying organic bedding for your bedroom. These are those sheets that come with rustic leaves or birds as designs.
A Zen fountain can make a home office feel more calming and soothing.
Design your home according to the concepts that make you feel more excited, charged, even calmed and find out how nature would play its role in your home.
When it comes to floral inspiration, make sure that you bring in the real thing. It can be frustrating to see fake greenery covered in dust inside any of your rooms. Allow nature to find its way to your interiors by bringing in potted plants, flowers, cacti, and succulents in their natural state.
Another room where you need to feel relaxed or rejuvenated is the bathroom. A water heater can make your body feel soothed. It can even transport your mind to a much needed level of serenity. This is something that you can look forward to after a long day of work.
Add wood walls in your bathroom to attain the look of a dry heat sauna. Fixtures must have minimal lines and your source of light is preferably from the sun’s rays flowing right into this room. At night, find a light source that still creates the ideal, one-of-a-kind experience in bathing.
Living in organic interiors is not just relaxing, it can also make you feel a sense of fulfillment as you help Mother Earth in the process.
Tags: brick, brick wall, focal point, homey, homey ambiance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, natural, natural elements, nature, nature in interior design, nature-inspired home, nature's colors, organic home design, organic interior design, organic interiors, organic living, tips, wood, wood elements, wood pieces, Zen, Zen design, Zen habitat, Zen interiors, Zen living, Zen style
Posted in 2016 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »
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