- Follow us:
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
FFDM Boulevard: This round dining table is perfect for homes with young, active babies.
A baby who’s on the move is a little bundle of joy that’s at a higher risk of getting in trouble. Gone are the days when your baby will just spend almost the entire day sleeping. Now, with more freedom, there is also a greater need to be more aware of the dangers that potentially lurk in every corner of your home.
Babyproofing a home is important in keeping the baby safe. You must take a few rounds in all the rooms and check out areas that are in need of childproofing – the leading ones are the nursery, kitchen, bathroom, even the living room (where the fireplace is often situated).
Burn and Scald Prevention
The fireplace is a pit that could potentially burn an exploring baby. Have this part of your living room fixed with a fireguard. If you have radiators, then you will need to be extra vigilant compared to a home that’s built with fireplaces.
As much as you can, make sure that your baby won’t be taken into the kitchen. If she needs to be there because there’s no one to look after her while you’re cooking, then just make sure that she won’t go near the cooker.
Have her secured in a playpen or the highchair.
Fall Prevention
Safety gates are the best tools to deter falls at the stairs. Have these installed across the doorways that lead to unmanned rooms. Check if the safety gate that you’re buying is in compliance with the BS EN 1930: 2000.
Check that the balusters on your stairs are not too widely-gapped. Stairs must also be free of clutter a hundred-percent each time. Low surfaces such as floor should be free from small objects. Regularly vacuum the living room so that such small items will not accumulate.
Baby toys must also be kept inside a box. Broken toys must be discarded right away especially the ones that have small parts. Better yet, check out the toys that are appropriate for your baby’s age. These are the ones that usually have larger parts.
Strangulation Prevention
If you have to take her with you to the garden, just make sure that you won’t take your eyes away from her. Ribbons, string, polythene bags and plastics should be locked. Even plastic hoses should also be kept away from your child’s reach.
Poisoning Prevention
Be sure to store all medicines, garden products, toiletries and alcohol in a cabinet that’s not easily accessible by younger children.
Outdoors, be sure to remove all the plants and flowers that might be potentially poisonous in your garden, too. Even the harmless-looking berries could cause poisoning.
Bump and Cut Prevention
Furniture should be fitted with corner protectors or – better yet – invest in pieces with round edges. Keep your cutlery, knives, scissors, and pens out of your baby’s reach. Have all drawers and cupboards fitted with locks.
If you’re not about to invest in a new furniture ensemble, then just make sure that you babyproof your existing furniture. There are now babyproofing products that are meant to cover table and chair edges. Called corner guards, check out the different options online. There are also some that come in sticker forms while others are plastic items that can keep the baby from hitting her head.
In the bathroom, there is also a toilet-lid lock that can now be purchased. Electrocution can also be prevented if you purchase outlet covers.
Childproofing the Bedroom
If you’re thinking that your baby is safe in the nursery or the bedroom at all times, think again. Those fluffy comforters are really not a good thing to place inside a baby’s room. This thick bedding can cause suffocation. To prevent SIDS death, be sure to place your baby, on her back, on a tight, firm mattress.
Tags: babyproofing, guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Babyproofing Your Home with Baby-friendly Furniture and Stuff
Thursday, March 9th, 2017
Uttermost Accessories Bright Foliage Canvas Art 32214: Place a lovely piece of art in the guest room to make the space a lot homier.
Inviting family or friends over is a wonderful way to spend time with them. What better way is there to relax and have fun with them than right in your own home? Allowing other people to share your life through sleepovers, though, also demand a lot of planning time. After all, your visitors should have the time of their lives when you welcome them to your lovely home.
Who’s Who
First, you need to know who among your family or friends are coming over to visit. This should give you an idea on how to personalize their temporary space for them. Ask also if your guests are bringing children and pets with them.
If parents are bringing their teenage son, then you would want to prepare for that, too. A gaming console would be a nice addition to the entertainment center that you set up in the guest room.
Set Expectations
You need to let your guests know that they have some rules to follow. After all, this is your home so they need to respect some do’s and don’ts. Be sure to spell out which rules matter the most so that your guests will know how to behave accordingly.
More than anything, though, you need to make your guests feel warmly welcomed. This does not just mean accepting some of their habits but also learning to compromise. While your guests need to respect your space, you must also be ready to do a little rule bending from time to time.
Be sure to go with the flow, as the saying goes, so that harmony is maintained at all times.
If you like eating breakfast as early as 7:00 in the morning, then don’t force your guests to do the same thing. There are people who just take their brunch and they’re good to go.
Specify the Duration
Welcoming guests over does not mean that you are welcoming permanent house mates. Let them know how long you are expecting them to stay. No one wants guests who overstay so welcome them but be firm about the time that they should depart.
While you may like playing the role of a host, it pays that you don’t fully throw open your home to all of your friends and for as long as they would like. If a friend stayed for a week in the past, then you might want to suggest something shorter this time.
Define Your Guests’ Needs
You need to be a considerate host so be able to define whether your guests would need to work while they’re staying with you or if they are bringing their kids or pets with them. Provide ample entertainment
Offer a House Tour
It is also your role as a host to show your guests around. Be sure to explain where the bathrooms are (in case the guest room does not have a bathroom of its own), where the dining room is, the living room, basically the layout of your home.
This is so they would know where to go to during mealtimes and where to take their supply of shampoo and soap.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Skyline Bar Cabinet: Who wouldn’t want his own bar inside the guest room?
Prep Your Family
If you still have small children in your home, then be sure to prepare them also. Tell them that it is important that they play the role of a good host to a T. Encourage each one of the kids to share their toys and some of their space to any kids that might also be brought along with the guests.
See if the bigger kids can also help tour the guests around.
Preserve Your Privacy
Try to avoid the scenario where you have to share your bedroom with some guests. It is always best to still be able to retreat to your private space as the day ends.
Tags: guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Relax, There Are House Guests
Monday, October 31st, 2016
FFDM’s Fusion Collection
Many homeowners take bedroom design to be a serious matter but when it comes to dressing up the guest room, it’s a totally different perspective. All other room projects are tended to but the guest room ends up forgotten or even unused. For some, it easily becomes the home for their not-oft-used bedroom design to be a serious matter but when it comes to dressing up the guest room, it’s a totally different perspective. All other room projects are tended to but the guest room ends up forgotten or even unused. For some, it easily becomes the home for their not-oft-used exercise machines.
Setting Up the Guest Bedroom – Open Your Doors to Friends and Family
It’s high time that you lift the spirits in your home if things have been going rather boring. This is the moment to create the perfect retreat for people that you welcome to your home. Your goal is to make them comfortable, pampered or spoiled even, so that they’d feel at home while they are away from their own households.
So, what to do?
First, of course, pick a theme with a neutral palette or a traditional taste. It is imperative to find soothing tones that would make your guests feel at home. Put some throw pillows, some artwork, blankets and curtains that would help harmonize all the design elements in the room.
Use just the best elements for the guest room. Don’t be tempted to dump all the stuff that you don’t want to use in your bedroom to this room. You may just be welcoming guests but they also deserve to be treated in the best manner.
From FFDM’s Portfolio Collection
Be sure to bring in a cozy mattress, a good number of pillows, sheets and bedspreads. Place extra blankets inside the cabinet. Have an extra fan on the ready especially when the guest room does not have a ceiling fan. Try to envision a luxury hotel but at a smaller scale. This is the perfect description wherein your guests would definitely love to stay.
It is also imperative to find the right furniture pieces for this special room in your home. Find a decorative bed, some noteworthy nightstands, a reading lamp or two, and a cabinet. The last furniture mentioned is essential because this will serve as your guests’ clothing storage. This could also be a closet or a chest of drawers.
It would also be nice to include a reading nook. This is an inviting space for your guests where they could read some bestsellers. If there isn’t enough space for a reading chair and a side table, then just set up a body pillow at the foot of the bed. This will become a makeshift couch for your guests. If this is still not possible, then just be sure to place more pillows right on the bed.
If you have ample space to spare, then be sure to add a vanity mirror so that your guests can freshen up before they go out and socialize with the rest of the family.
Guest Room No-No’s
One of the most important things to not do in a guest room is to use it as a storage room. Your guest room should be a room for guests – nothing more. Imagine sleeping in a guest room filled with the owner’s belongings plus some underutilized exercise machines! Remembering this simple concept will make your guests feel more welcome in your home.
Don’t forget to furnish the guest room with toiletries. Always remember to place some towels, a night light, a wastebasket, rolls of tissue, even an alarm clock. You can go further by providing magazines (apart from the books in that reading corner), a vase of fresh flowers, and some potpourri. Some candies and bottled water would also be nice.
Tags: guest amenities, guest room, guest room furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips
Posted in Guest Room Design, Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Bedroom True Vintage King Upholstered Panel Bed. What good is a guest room without a restful bed, right?
There are expected and unexpected guests in any home, every now and then. Whether you would have the former or the latter, wouldn’t it be great if you are always prepared to welcome them in? Whether they intend to stay just for the night or over the weekend, these guests need to feel well-cared for. They may be away from their homes but don’t you agree that they also deserve a nice place where they could rest and have a little privacy?
So what should you put in the guest room? And another question is – should there be a designated room for the guests or should a partitioned area do?
Creating a Happy Place
It is crucial to make your guests feel welcome not just so they won’t rant about their inhospitable experience but more because you would want them to feel at home even when they are away from their own home. And what better way is there to create a happy place for them than to set up a room – or even a section – of your home that feels just like home?
The Pillow Haven
Oh, what would anyone give for a bed full of fluffy pillows? Say your guest room is small, then compensate for the absence of a reading nook by adding a lot of pillows. These can be used as makeshift couch in the morning, one where a guest could curl while reading an engaging novel.
Don’t forget to place extra pillows on the bed as some people prefer to prop up and do their readings before snoozing.
The Guest Tray
Placing a tray inside the room signifies that the items placed there are intended for guest use. These items are often not regular parts of the room. Have the tray placed right next to the bed so that the guest can place her jewelry there. The tray can also hold the toiletries in the guest bathroom and yet another tray can be used to put any other stuff that your guest might want to park for quite a bit.
Cynthia Rowley 1586-90016A-GLD1 Bewitch Mirrored Octagonal Nightstand holds books that your guest can peruse right before going to sleep.
The Universal Charger
While, yes, it may be your guest’s responsibility to bring her tablet or smart phone charger with her, there are moments when forgetfulness happens. So just to make the guest’s stay a lot more comfortable and stress-free, you might as well have a universal charger brought into the guest room. Find one that can be used for cell phones, laptops, eReaders, etc.
Yes, a Steamer, Too
Who wouldn’t want to have crisp, clean clothes to wear? There is a reason why the hospitality industry includes an iron or a steamer inside every hotel room so that guests get to iron their creased clothing. You might have experienced it, too, when you have to iron your clothes prior to a business meeting. Weren’t you thankful that a flat iron was available because your dress was wrinkled in transit?
A steamer would do, so you don’t have to worry about having an ironing board brought in.
Books for Late-night Reads
The guests also need to wind down and a good way to help them do this is to have a stack of magazines, novels or self-help books on the nightstand. You wouldn’t want to have an entire bookcase brought in, though, as this could ruin the restful feel that you are also trying to achieve inside the room. Remember that you are setting up a guest room and not the home library so, yup, take it easy in having books brought in.
An Extra Blanket Please
One of the most neglected extras in guest rooms is the extra blanket. Apart from the towels, toiletries, and other necessities, never forget to leave an extra blanket for your guest. Take time to invest in a softer brand, your guests will surely appreciate you for it.
Tags: guest room, guest room decorating, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pillow
Posted in Guest Room Design, Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2016
FFDM’s Sunset Canyon Collection features this bedroom with a beautiful fusion of wood, gold and silver. The vase greens played well with the prints on the pillows and the armchair.
Inviting guests or having surprise visitors in your home is special thing – yet it can be a tragic one, too, if you don’t play the role of the perfect host or hostess. Adding those thoughtful touches and the minute details can help make the guest(s) feel more comfortable. The next time you open your door to a friend or relative, it’s time to go the extra mile and make his stay a pleasant one.
If you love having guests over, then it’s time to consider where you would let them spend the evening should they decide to linger a little longer than dinnertime.
As you start planning the guest room, always begin by thinking of the things that would make you feel comfortable if you were staying in someone else’s home. Don’t think too much about the provision of a five-star hotel of sorts as the guest may feel too comfortable that he might not leave!
This getaway oasis should be relaxing enough and organized. There should also be ample storage for the contents of your guests’ bags.
Invest in the Best Bed and Bedroom Accessories
Giving your guest the most saggy bed or mattress just isn’t the way to go. You should set a budget for a bed with quality mattress. This should be comfortable with the best linens, pillows, extra blankets, comforter and throws if necessary.
Make sure that you have an extra set of bath linens and bedding for your guests. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they will not commit blunders. Accidents can happen to anyone so save your guests’ face by giving them an extra sheet to replace a stained one.
FFDM Hyde Park Collection: This multi-drawer piece would surely be appreciated by your guests as they won’t have to worry about where to place their stuff.
You must also set a place where the guests can place a luggage. There should be a luggage rack, bench or a small table where their suitcases can be placed. Of course, no guest would like to stoop over just to pull out a clean shirt. Even having a single chair inside the guest room is a lot better than having nothing but the bed in the middle of the room.
Now when it comes to chairs, know that guests would love to have somewhere to sit other than on the bed. Place one armchair or a loveseat to accommodate their seating needs. If not, you can also place a simple bench at the foot of the bed.
Allocate a dresser – not for your collections or last season clothing but – for your guests’ stuff.
A guest room that shares the space with the home office should have a clear division. You can use a big cabinet as a division piece. A chest of drawers would be perfect, too. Clear out 1-2 drawers for smaller items.
Add some over-the-door hooks to accommodate clothes that will be hung. Add a supply of hangers (around 6-8 pieces would do).
You must also consider what sort of lighting you should use inside the bedroom. Now this isn’t like the living room where bright lighting can be welcome, if not a necessity. It would be nice for the guest to have a light control right over by the bedside. This is so he or she won’t have to stumble around at night just to having the light turned on.
Provide a beautiful bedside lamp as well as a little night light. Vanity that comes with lighted mirror is also a luxurious addition to any guest room. It would also be a nice addition to have a lighted clock right by the bedside. This can also be an alarm clock so your guest would be able to get up on schedule.
Lastly, choose the right window coverings for the guest room. The tree outside of the guests’ window won’t hide everything, you simply have to provide curtains for them to have some privacy.
Tags: guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Sunday, February 21st, 2016
Wesley Allen Bedroom Rochester Complete Bed CB1245 is a comfy enough for your new guest room.
When you first bought a property, you probably felt that every section of your new home is interesting. As time passes, though, spaces like the garage or the shed become useless or start to look uninteresting. These rooms eventually become space eaters, they are simply rooms that have no purpose anymore. So would you consider a garage makeover?
New Garage Uses
If the garage in your home is no longer used as a parking space for your car, then you should consider repurposing into something else. For instance, this room can be used as a new storage unit where smaller shelves can be placed.
Since it is a new storage area, you can already put your old bike there, some old tools, and other old stuff. Furniture pieces that are out of season can be stored there till that moment when you can bring them out again to display them.
The garage can also be repurposed as an indoor garden. Just imagine picking flowers or vegetables in your old garage! This is most useful for plant species that thrive in the dark.
Give your garage a new tidy appearance by painting it in your chosen color and you will turn this room from drab to fab. Since your garage is linked to your home, a small sidewalk and a driveway will give it an awkward feel so you might want to install some heavy curtains that will cover the not-so-pleasant view outside. Just make sure that you install ample lighting so that the area will still be illuminated throughout the day.
Installing panes on your garage door will bring in the light from outdoors. You might want to do this if you have a wonderful scenic view of the garden or your front yard. A coat of yellow paint on the walls will give the new room a more cheerful appearance.
I.M. David Bar and Game Room Blackjack Bar 6100
Little things that you add to your repurposed garage matter; you can make dramatic changes by adding a distinctive color on the door. Wall sconces will also light up and beautify the room. Add an overhead trellis in order to define your new space.
You can also install a new garage door plus some minimalist windows if you want to see the contemporary world outside. Have some oversized lights installed so that you can still enjoy the new room during the night.
Tie together the rest of the design elements to create a continuous style. Two windows will make a huge difference in terms of symmetry.
A breathtaking garage transformation is having a dark room changed to a welcoming guest room, games room, or a mini theatre. Just make sure that you buy the necessary furniture to meet the room requirements. A mini theatre should have ample comfy chairs, a huge TV, DVD player, a projector maybe, and a corner for the DVDs. A guest room must have a plush sofa and a comfortable bed. It must also provide other things that the guest would need such as toiletries and towels.
From FFDM’s Ancestry Collection
Other Uses for the Repurposed Shed
The shed can also be repurposed just like your garage. This can be used as a guest house for your friends and relatives. This could be their place for retreat , not much different from a tree house. You can also make it look and feel like a tree house especially if you do not have one in your home.
Just place a bed, a few armchairs, a spacious cabinet, and a table inside the revamped shed and that should be enough. Do not forget to use an area rug to beautify this new spot in your property.
If you live in a farm, though, the shed can be used in a different manner. This can now serve as a chicken house. You won’t have to change much, just get additional wood and some nails and you can create partitions for all the chickens that need to be housed there.
Tags: garage makeover, garage redesign, garage remodel, garage remodeling, guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, redesigning the garage, remodeling the garage
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
