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Thursday, December 8th, 2016
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE EN POINTE UPHOLSTERED ARM CHAIR
Vertical living and privacy characterize self-sufficient living in the city. Home buyers are often attracted to these characteristics but these could also be a turn off to some would-be homeowners. In essence, townhouse living requires that you take out your own garbage, maintain the boiler as well as the HVAC. What’s great about townhouse living, though, is that you don’t need the approval of the board in order to renovate your place. You also won’t worry about a neighbor living downstairs who’s complaining about your noise.
Hunting for the Right Townhouse
The very experience of buying or selling a townhouse is a lot different from purchasing an apartment. There are more spaces to cover with a townhouse than an apartment. There are also other items that you need to evaluate such as width. Of course, the wider the townhouse, the more value it has. In NY, for instance, the average width of a townhouse is at 18 to 20 feet. Anything that’s narrower than this is, therefore, more difficult to sell. Over 25 feet and what you have is already considered a trophy property.
Location Always Matters
Location parameters differ when you’re scouting for a townhouse. Understand the value of location. There are apartments with winning amenities but are located in an inferior block but this doesn’t seem to affect its value. Do this same scenario to a townhouse and the value of the property become a lot less.
Another factor that brings the price down for townhouses is the kind of tenants. The best buys are those that have rent-stabilized tenants. The value is greatly discounted because of the rent-stabilized tenants. On the other hand, if you are seeking to renovate the whole building, then rent-regulated tenants won’t make that possible.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Montgomery Loveseat: Townhouses are perfect homes for a loveseat.
Loving History
Townhouses have an honorable history to offer. European royalty used to dwell in such habitats. Today, they still make sense because townhouses are shelters for single families who can live comfortably in an urban setting. Empty nesters who are also looking to downsize will find that townhouses are a wonderful alternative to condo or apartment living.
Townhouses aren’t for everyone, though so it is crucial that you do your research before you sign up.
Townhouse Living – The Benefits
Townhouse Living – The Downside
Decorating the Awkward Spaces
Get the idea from the first Harry Potter movie – have a room constructed under the stairs. This could become a room where the coat rack will be placed or where the cleaning tools will be stored. That space above the radiator could be used as a place for your artwork, some practical hooks and flower vases.
The secret to small space decorating is to make use of every nook and cranny. Townhouse living could be a tad more difficult but it also has its perks that other homes can’t offer so you might as well embrace those.
Tags: designing a small space, living in a small space, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small space
Posted in Townhouse Living | No Comments »
Thursday, July 28th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Windward Dart Honey Loveseat can cozily sit two.
A small living room can be described in so many ways – teensy, compact, minute, etc. If you have done everything but have already hit a roadblock in terms of making the living room more livable, then you have to know the secret.
But is this really a secret? More than a secret, small living rooms need a smart solution. Here are some of the wisest solutions ever that designers have come up with –
Get Started
Just like any design project which you are going to take on, it would help to look at the task with a fresh set of eyes. Go out, take a walk, breathe deep, then come back refreshed. If you can, you can also bring a design-savvy colleague with you so she can help you determine what to do with the space. Most of the time, hearing ideas can bring out the creativity in anyone.
That Long, Narrow Hall
If you have a long, narrow hall to deal with, think of an art gallery. White walls are the classic choice although a fresh coat of rich color or grass cloth can also work well. Go basic and sleek with black and white stuff.
Create a unique gallery with an eclectic appeal using your most colorful, large artwork. You can also hang a series of photo frames with the left side of the wall intentionally left empty. Top your design scheme by adding proper lighting. Use overhead track lighting or wall-mounted lighting in illuminating artwork.
For a smaller yet still long hall, it is wise to make good use of every nook and cranny. Now how is this achieved? You can use floating shelves and cabinets. These floating pieces keep the floor free from clutter.
Measure with care, pick the cabinets that are also narrow so that you will have enough room to walk around in. Make sure to keep the floor area clean and clutter-free as these don’t have a room in any tight space.
The Eat-In Kitchen
This kind of kitchen with a lot of openings and doors will make the room less functional. A door that opens inwards will occupy space as do the cabinet openings.
A solution to this dilemma is to use round-edge tables instead of the square or rectangular types. Curved edges fit better in awkward spaces more than hard-edged furniture pieces. Pull the table near a wall even if it is just a small section. Placing the table dead-center will leave an unnatural look.
Multiple Windows and Doors
The living room has many elements – the door, fireplace, windows, radiator, walls ,etc. All these prevent you from placing furniture near the living room walls. If you are faced with this dilemma, then try to pull the arrangement to the center of the living room. A matching pair of sofas could serve as the anchor to this whole design. It will also counteract the confusion that exits and entries bring about.
Add a cozy rug to set up a conversation area.
Make wise use of vertical space with this 1586-75906-BLK1 Twin Peak Display Cabinet
Limited Wall Space
There are also living rooms with limited wall space. If you can swap the living room with the dining room (provided that the latter is more spacious), then do so. Various doors and windows don’t matter that much inside a dining room, in fact, they can even add to the drama and romance that dinners could bring.
A Studio-Type Apartment
Small-scale furniture pieces are your best friends when you have limited living room space. Again, furnishings with rounded edges work better than those with sharp edges.
Install also ample storage units so that your life would become a lot easier.
Tags: decorating a small space, designing a small space, living in a small space, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small space interior design, small space living, small space organization, small space solutions, small spaces, tips
Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Interior Design 101, Tiny Homes | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 5th, 2016
Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2053-40 is the best seating unit for smaller spaces.
One of the in things to do these days, the hottest bandwagon so to speak, is to live in an energy-efficient home. Founders of companies, couples, women, even college kids are now purchasing building plans for their new green homes. Some of these homes can be as small as 120 square feet (or even less).
There are challenges in living in a small space – this is certain. But there can also be benefits should you know what to do with the tiny space that you have.
Advantages of Small Home Living
The U.S. Census reported in 2010 that the average size of homes is about 2,400 square feet. Despite this large home dominance, many homeowners still recognize the advantages of living in a small place.
One of these advantages is energy efficiency. With a smaller place to cool or heat, this spells lower carbon footprint.
Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.
Another advantage is not having to clean a large space. Fewer rooms means less maintenance or cleaning time. This can be a perk to your family since it would mean more time spent outdoors, doing all the stuff that the family loves.
A smaller home also means you have a cozier and more intimate space. These are the very things that bigger homes lack.
Smaller homes are also less expensive and less pricey to live in. You get smaller utility bills with your smaller place – that is also guaranteed. Small homes can spend as little as $180 in energy as compared to hundreds and thousands that large home dwellers need to pay for.
Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.
Freedom in a Small Space
So how can you achieve freedom in a much smaller space?
Begin developing your cute green home at the main room. This can be a living room and an office space in one. You can install a tiny fireplace, two comfortable chairs, a desk, and some hidden storage.
You can then go to the sleeping space which can be just a tiny nook right upstairs. Your cute home must have good insulation to keep you and your family warm during the wintry months and cool during the summer season.
The front door can open to two rooms at the same time. This can be the dining area and your kitchen space. Install a sink, portable electric range, small refrigerator, and a prep surface for your kitchen/dining area. The dishes and other kitchen tools can be stored in smaller cabinets or shelves.
Accept also the fact that you will have a smaller bathroom. Install a small yet full bath containing the toilet, sink, shower and tub within 10 square feet. Water can be gathered from neighboring spigot. You could cook up something more elaborate but you will have to deal with local building codes if you do so.
Smaller homes are not just energy efficient, they are also sturdier. This means that you won’t have to worry as much when a quake suddenly ensues. This is because shorter distances spell a more expedient escape. Remember that the smaller the surface area, the smaller chances that the house would topple because of an earthquake.
Smaller homes have also been proven to be safer from fires.
The secret to achieving freedom in the midst of coziness is to use every inch efficiently. You may feel uneasy during the first few months. You could even spend time figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Everything is also depending upon your perspective, the beauty of your home being the topmost priority. Whatever makes sense for you and your family’s needs is what should be built, invested upon or installed.
This tiny yet liveable green home is yours to own – be sure you’re ready to embrace simple living.
Tags: designing a small apartment, designing a small space, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, green living, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainable design, sustainable home, sustainable home design, sustainable interior design, sustainable lifestyle, sustainable materials
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Tiny Homes | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
Accessorize limited space with this lovely Maitland-Smith Accessories Box Of Young Penshelll 1100-437.
Condo living has become quite popular in the past decade. This isn’t surprising because living in a condominium is an efficient way to maintain a city lifestyle while having accessibility to different metropolitan areas. Condo allows families or individuals to live conveniently. In a condo, you are always near schools, workplaces, malls, and everything that you require for your daily needs. With these benefits come limited space, though. These are the only issues that a condo renter needs to deal with.
Thou Shalt Not Fear Condo Living
Even the smallest condominium spaces can bring out your creative side. This is also an opportunity to come up with an energy efficient home, one that will cut down your usual expenses. Your place, no matter how small, can be a relaxing haven after a whole day of stressful work. It becomes a peaceful place only if you know what elements to bring in.
Now keep in mind that the small space of a condo should not limit your artistic style. If you are fond of travelling, then you can display framed photos of the places that you already visited. You can also showcase maps, cultural emblems, tickets and all of your travel finds.
Frame these travel elements with rare earth hues like gray, brown or black. Find wallpaper that looks similar to a map. It will then be easy to find stones that you can place on your work desk. Throws and pillows with country design will also look great in a travel-inspired condo.
Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2031-40 is perfect for those cuddly evenings with your loved one.
Another timeless design that you can use in your condominium is chic elegance. You will definitely stand out from among other condo dwellers once you bring in some sophistication to your cozy dwelling.
Chic elegance need not be expensive. All you need is a sharp eye for class and detail. Center your attention on neutral colors such as gray, beige or dark brown. Find lighting fixtures that can illuminate interesting decor or artwork.
Chic elegance also means choosing furniture that is polished. ‘Want glass furniture? Go ahead and invest in such.
Condo living can also take you back to the past. Retro and vintage also are timeless designs and concepts that are being embraced all over the world today. These styles can be seen in fashion also in interior designs of restaurants and other establishments. Retro style offers a distinctive feeling though you also get excited over disco embellishments in red and orange.
Display your collections of old catalogs, typography, unique cookware, and old books. Say no to bulky room furniture as they tend to occupy a lot of space. You may invest in an earth-colored couch and a wooden dining table complete with tea set.
Condo Living in Plains and Prints
The fashion map can point to two different directions – plains and prints. Visitors will surely love fresh zebra prints, polka dots or the classic fusion of black and white.
Plains and prints are the easiest pairing that you can grab. Just remember one thing, though – do not overdo this combination or you’d have a messy and loud condo space.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Room Divider 5328-10445. Dividers can create a division of sorts inside a small condo unit.
Nature and Condo Living
Natural scenes such as mountains and trees are great views inside a condo space – even when they just come from a framed photograph. You are one of the lucky individuals if you are given a nice view of the city skyline. To balance the modernity offered by this view, you can bring in some potted plants. You can also have a lavish view of the morning sunlight if you draw the curtains to the side. This is also an effective way to save on electricity.
Summer loving colors like red, yellow, orange or blue can effectively illuminate your condo space.
One Shade of Condo Living
Simplicity will always be beautiful. If you are not a huge fan of lively colors, then you can go ahead and go monochrome. White may be stark but finding the right shade will make a home appear more expansive.
Black, gray, dark brown and other dark colors should be used minimally since shadowy colors tend to make a small space appear much smaller.
Tags: condo, condo living, condominium living, designing a small space, living in a condominium, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small space, small space living, small space organization, small space solutions, tips
Posted in Condo Living, Tiny Homes | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016
Apartment living doesn’t have to be a drab. The Hancock and Moore Living Room Member Apartment Size Sofa 4106 will make your cozy place an elegant one.
There are a lot of benefits to living in an apartment. If you are still undecided on whether to choose an apartment or that spacious, single family home, consider this list –
Amazing Benefits of Living in an Apartment
First, just think of the amenities such as tennis court, pet sitting services, gyms, and swimming pools – these are all available when you live in an apartment complex.
Apartment living also means flexibility. If you are not in for the long run, then this short-term sort of arrangement is just the thing for you and your family. Regular houses require at least a year for leasing; apartments have options ranging from three to nine months.
Homeowners can be in constant worry of house repairs. If you live in an apartment, this is one less thing that you would worry about. Minor repairs will be your landlord’s concern from now on.
You might think that having limited storage is more of a disadvantage than a benefit, but think again. Over the years, how much stuff have you accumulated that are not really needful? Living in a place with limited storage will make you more conscientious regarding the acquisition of new items. You will also learn to value the furniture and decor that you have used for a long time.
Living in a cozy setting will also make heating or cooling a lot easier. Say hello to lower utility bills! You will also say hello more often to your family members since there are only a few places where you can bump into each other. Also, get ready to meet new neighbors.
There are also some apartments that already include the utilities as part of the rent. This means you will have pooled bills. Add to these benefits the increased security in your home and you would surely consider living in a smaller complex.
FFDM’s Boulevard Collection features this streamlined bench, a great piece to add to your new apartment.
Interior Design for Small Spaces
Begin your apartment interior design by choosing your color palette. Make sure that you stick with a solid array of hues that balance and complement the rest of the decor and furnishings. Color cohesiveness is your goal and since you have a smaller space to work on, make sure that you do not cram all the colors that you want in one room. Spread the different shades of blue, for instance, in different rooms.
Make use of lighter colors such as shades of white, pastels, or just about any pale shade. If you really have to use a darker shade of paint, then just use it on your accent wall.
Next, find furniture items that are suitable to apartment living. Bookshelves can double as dividers and can even create an illusion of having two rooms when you actually just have one. Speaking of optical illusion, you can also create more space if you install mirrors all over your place. A large mirror that is installed horizontally on one wall will make a huge difference.
Another way to divide the place and also to have some privacy is to use a screen panel. This is an effective way to close off the bedroom area. This is not just a functional addition to your home – it is also aesthetically pleasing.
Taller shelves are also ideal for this kind of dwelling. They take up just a portion of the floor and make good use of the apartment’s height. Going vertically is the way to go now that you have chosen to live in a smaller place.
Apartment living is not a bed of roses, of course. You will have to learn how to deal with that neighbor who will do her laundry at 2:00 A.M. or those party animals who live next door. Depending on your circumstance, apartment living can still be ideal for you and your family as long as you make a home out of it.
Tags: decorating a small home, designing a small space, furnishing small apartments, furniture for small apartments, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small space design, small space organization, small space solutions, storage, storage advice, storage planning
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Tiny Homes | No Comments »
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