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Friday, May 6th, 2016
FFDM’s Protege collection offers this interesting, multi-colored seating piece.
Having the will to tackle a multi-colored theme project in your home requires a lot of vision. When you are set to do this, begin by looking at walls, ceilings and floors as empty canvasses that need to be filled with exciting colors. A multi-color palette may not be an easy theme to project but you will certainly find joy once you accomplish it.
A multi-color scheme looks best when there is one dominant color that will anchor the rest together. With this in mind, you need to come up with a color palette that you really love to begin with. After choosing the color that tickles your senses, you can then determine the colors that will contrast or complement your chosen anchor color. As soon as you have decided on these, find out which other colors you will add to the existing pool.
Hiring a Professional Colorist
It is advisable that you find a professional colorist if this is your first time to delve into the multi-color scheme. The judgment of such professionals are highly esteemed so all you’ll need to do is to meet up with some of them, decide whose portfolio impresses you the most, then sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with the winning fellow. Cut through the usual chitchats. Tell the colorist what you want from the onset. Remember that you are still the boss and that the colorist should know how to fuse your ideas with his color expertise.
From L-R: Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Rainbows; Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Rainbows.
What to Discuss
Before you set that meeting with the colorist, you can begin your color search by cutting some color cards. These samples can be set up against the walls so you’ll have an idea on how they will look. Place one color card after the other and see how they will interact. See how each color looks under natural and artificial lighting.
You can also use a color visualizer. This is often available in paint shops or in paint manufacturers’ websites. This is a special software that will help you experiment with colors without making your walls look like toddler’s playroom.
The development of a multi-color palette can also begin with the purchase of paint samples. There are also swatches that you can use right onto your walls. Using these may take a bit more effort but seeing the results will help you make a more intelligent decision.
Whichever technique you use to create the color plan for your home, always make sure that the dominant color you chose will still be the star of the show. This should be used in no less than 40% of the interior design elements. The secondary color can have 25%, with the rest taking in the rest of the percentage.
Rainbows and Stripes? Why Not?
It is easy to be bold when one uses colors. Varying shades bring about different patterns which, in turn, evoke different emotions.
If you want to go a step further and employ stripes with colors, then you’re in for a real adventure. This combination creates the most exciting visual delights.
Versatility is key to achieving balance even when presented with a lot of activity – imagine using colors and stripes. Adding drama to the room could be the use of bold yet contrasting colors it could be the installation of wide-striped wallpapers as backdrop for multi-colored furniture.
If you want something subtler, then settle for monochromatic stripes instead. These are less distracting.
The way the stripes are presented can also create different illusions. Vertical stripes create height while horizontal ones can make a small room seem wider.
Stripes can also harmonize any busy space. These are simple, parallel lines that can interact with any kind of graphics. Add stripes to some colorful florals and the latter become immediately grounded.
Take time to try different combinations for stripes and your multi-color palette. It’s an awesome way to enliven your home.
Tags: adding colors to a home, bright colors, bright hues, bright paint colors, brightening up rooms, brightening up your home, color consultant, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, multi-colored interiors, multi-colored palette, rainbow interior design, rainbow interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, May 6th, 2016
The soft, clean lines of the Century Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Panel Side Wings 849-170W make this piece the perfect set for your minimalist dwelling.
Simplifying one’s life is not an easy task. Not a lot of people would delve into it and would go out of their way to change other people into their simpler way of living. In the process of learning minimalism, though, you will learn that the little changes you make in terms of habits, attitudes, even your environment, can have a huge impact in you as an individual.
Every Little Bit of Happiness
Minimalism can begin with these simple steps –
BLOG 8. Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 is a home office piece that you cannot do without.
Minimalist Furniture
What makes a minimalist setting stand out despite its absence of frills and bulky stuff is its simple elegance. The creation of a minimalist space is not difficult. All that it requires is knowledge in balancing certain interior design ingredients.
A Good Command of Harmony
A space that does not have too many items in it requires stricter design rules. You have to be more careful of elements such as proportion, balance and harmony. The furniture that you choose should be in proportion with the rest of the room’s contents. This means that no single thing in a room should be too big or too small.
Quality First
Minimalism speaks of quality before quantity so invest in high quality furniture, lighting and accessories. Look for unique finds and take time to shop around. Plan every piece that you will include in your home. It could be as little as the frame of an artwork or the richness of the fabrics.
Calming Palette
There are, of course, minimal spaces that showed color but, as a whole, if you would review the concept of minimalism, it should be simple and down-to-earth. As much as you can, stick to neutrals and calming hues. Any color that depicts the beauty of nature is highly recommended.
The Winners Only Bar and Game Room Black Cushioned Barstool DDT245024E eats up just a portion of your dining or kitchen space.
Tags: furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalism, minimalist elements, minimalist interior design, minimalist interiors, minimalist lifestyle, minimalist living, minimalist style, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, May 5th, 2016
(Top) Hooker Furniture Living Room Gray Motion Six Piece Home Theater Group SS620-HT-097; (Bottom) Hooker Furniture Living Room Gray Motion Three Piece Motion Entertainment Sofa SS620-E3-097
There are some decisions that homeowners must face which are quite difficult. For instance, choosing from bold or neutral paint can be a real pain for some. Picking the right pieces of furniture can be an even bigger pain. When picking the seating units, have you ever considered investing in a gray sofa?
The sofa buying process can get a lot easier when you go with gray. You may wince at the idea at first but read through first –
Gray Is Unbiased
As you already know, gray is the mixture of black and white. It could have little to zero undertone, hence, it is as neutral as it could get. This means that you can anchor this color into absolutely any color scheme or interior design theme that you could imagine.
Gray can make any color pop. Take the case of a room which is mainly blue. There may just be a few accessories that show actual color but it is gray that would make the blue more interesting.
Mix gray with jet black and what you achieve is vividness; fuse it with stark white and what you’d get fresh and clean. You can always play with pillows as accents without worrying that they would clash with the rest of the design elements. Keep in mind that trends come and go but gray is an ever reliable color that can fit into any new palette sublimely.
Gray Sofa Is Cool
Think of pale blues, exciting purples and acid greens – and just about any color in between. These are cool colors that would appear way cooler if gray is used as a backdrop. Those who like the contemporary look would surely love gray especially when it is used as a color for the sofa set.
Gray Sofa Is Hot
Okay, gray isn’t just cool it is also so hot that it can be the perfect pair for bold colors such as orange, red, pink and yellow. People who gravitate towards more cheerful and bold colors should embrace gray especially when used with a hint of brown.
A brown sofa with a touch of brown will be subtly warm; it will subdue the wild side of any bold color.
Gray Is Soft
Just like white and beige, gray can be dressed to suit a cottage-inspired or shabby chic dwelling. Use lots of gray on twill pillows, linen, blankets, etc. Gray is warmly sensible which makes it the perfect color to use when uncertain about something.
Gray Is Edgy
Gray being soft does not mean that it is boring. When used properly, it can also offer a sleeker, more kempt look. This is the perfect hue to complement glamorous accessories and graphic patterns used. Gray can also work well with crisp black lines, gold and silver tones.
Gray Unifies
If you chose to invest in a gray sofa, then you have chosen well. It is a color that ties colors perfectly. It does not just work well with another color but it can also harmonize other established hues that you decided to use.
Rich depths of gray can tone down contrasting colors of orange, green and blue inside a room. The solid gray sofa will humble the bold-patterned rug and would make vivid-colored accents more unified.
What’s beautiful about gray is that it is naturally sophisticated especially when used in moody shades. This means that even the simplest sofa – even a loveseat – when upholstered in gray will look like a high-end furniture piece.
It’s Time to Feature Gray
In a more subdued palette, gray is the perfect feature piece. This is a flexible color that can make a bold statement, too. Gray can take the wheel, or it can take the backseat – it is practically everything.
Tags: couch, gray, gray color palette, gray interior design, gray interiors, gray living room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sofa, sofa choices, sofa colors, sofa styles, sofa upholstery
Posted in Color Schemes, Furniture, Living Room Design | No Comments »
Thursday, May 5th, 2016
Maitland-Smith Bathroom Monkeys Soap Dish 1253-470 is the perfect complement to a rustic flooring.
One of the most overlooked bathroom remodeling steps is probably the flooring installation. Most people are used to the idea of standing on tiles while taking a bath that they didn’t think there were any other options available. If you were presented with a smorgasbord of choices, would you give wood a chance?
Sure, wood and water aren’t the best of friends especially when you are thinking of setting up a wooden floor shower. But this is one of the most elegant upgrades that you can make to your bathroom. Wooden slats offer a ski-lodge kind of vibe in your home. It could also evoke a sunny, deck-like feeling right inside your bathroom.
Using wood is a great material for the bathroom shower area remodeling project. It can effectively warm up the space. It also brings to mind Japanese baths that are so calming. Water trickles through the wooden slats to a shower pan. The wood floor will hide any unsightly drains, paving the way for the perfect minimalist setup.
If you intend to use dark, stained woods, then be ready to bring about a bold statement. Even modern spaces can use a little daring move through a usually restful place. If this move is too daring for you, then you can always rely on the usual rustic appeal offered by a lightly-stained wooden platform. This raised platform gives a modern home its much-needed contrast as it looks and feels rural.
You can also pair wood with tiles and wooden accents. Slatted flooring will fit right into any design scheme.
The Challenges
There will always be challenges in using wood inside a usually wet place. It could get slippery especially when there is constant water in the shower area. This is why it is best to resort to tropical woods such as ipe or teak. These are naturally water-resistant which is perfect for the shower room you envisioned. After installation, you can bring in some indoor plants to complete the Zen-like refuge that is your new bathroom.
Maitland-Smith Bathroom Sitting Dog Tissue Holder 1254-233 will make rustic bathroom flooring more exquisite.
Say Goodbye to Tiles
It’s time to break free from the notion that tiles are for bathrooms and bathroom should have tiles. While tiles can have the loveliest patterns and designs, it doesn’t necessarily follow that you should use them in your bathroom, too.
Begin prepping your bathroom by addressing any moisture problems. While certain kinds of wood are proven to be able to resist water, it is still best to fortify against water issues. You can install a fan to hasten the evaporation of water. You can also add a second barrier between the shower’s steam and what’s at the back of the ceiling. Seal the wooden surfaces using boiled linseed oil or urethane.
If you want to paint the wooden flooring, then be sure to prime your base coat with oil. Ascertain that backs and end grains are also coated so that the wood is thoroughly sealed.
Wooden Choices
Bare wood will eventually stain so coat it with urethane to keep the wood grain. Use different-colored wooden cabinets for added storage inside the bathroom.
Decks and docks do use woods and these are areas that are shifting from dry to wet. This just shows that proper care is what would make your wooden bathroom floor last.
One other option is the pallet floor made from cedar, pine or Douglas fir. These are all great materials for the standard shower. If an entire floor is a little too much to handle, then you can always begin with the much simpler wooden bathroom mat.
To use a wooden mat, begin by sealing and cleaning using household detergent. This will make the mat less slippery.
The use of wood inside the bathroom creates a mixture of materials that deliver depth and warmth – the very things that tiles won’t be able to effortlessly offer.
Tags: bathroom flooring, bathroom interiors, bathroom safety, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, wood, wood flooring, wooden materials
Posted in Bathroom Design, Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Hickory White Bedroom Seymour Mirror 243-42
Mirrored walls can make or break the overall look of a room in your home – do you agree? Having mirrors replaced is one of the top to-do tasks that most homeowners have especially when they are redesigning their entire home, however, under the wrong pair of hands, this can go the wrong way. Mirrored walls could either add visual interest or they could make the room appear pretentious.
Learn to Break Up
Mirrored walls don’t have to go from ceiling down to the floor. If you think that interrupting the flow of mirrors is impossible, well, you’ve been misinformed.
Break up the mirrors using other materials so that you are able to stage a more dramatic scene. A mirrored wall can replicate the design of a beautiful loft window. This can be a DIY project. Just invest in a good set of mirrors which you can prop against a beautifully-painted wall.
For a bolder statement, paint one wall black then hang a mirror on that wall. Depending on your theme, hang wooden, metal-framed and other wonderfully-designed mirrors. You can also alternate mirror panels with wood panels. Mirroring an entire wall then encasing it in wood over the top will give the room a flush appearance.
Illusion of Space
A few people, more so those who live in earthquake-prone areas, are keen on keeping their mirrored items. Hanging items, for them, is a dangerous thing to do. Hanging a mirror behind their bed is a big no-no because of safety issues.
A safer alternative is to install a ceiling to floor mirror opposite the bed instead. This is a technique that will provide your bedroom with an illusion of space. You can also use this technique to the rest of your home.
A black-painted bedroom would also benefit from having a large mirror installed. The light reflected from any light source would be distributed in the room, hence, the darkness is lifted.
Fireplace Mirror
The fireplace is already a focal point by itself. If you surround a fireplace with mirror, then its light will be reflected to the rest of the space.
Mirror-Lined Powder Room
Most powder rooms come with limited space. Since this is so, you could line one wall behind the sink with mirror. This mirror will also serve as a functional backsplash, providing the perfect look for either a traditional or a modern powder room.
Hooker Furniture Accents Melange Encircle Floor Mirror
Make It Big
A floor length mirror would best serve its purpose when placed behind furniture in compact spaces. This has to have the same width as the furniture so that the piece would look purposeful, even prominent. Console tables are such pieces since these are often placed in the entry way without much thought.
With a large mirror behind a console table, it would look functional while looking elegant. For safety, install the mirror using brackets, to the wall. Never rest the mirror on the floor without having safety brackets placed first.
This same concept can be used when placing a mirror behind any light source. Whether you have a pendant light or a wall sconce, a mirror will surely maximize the distance that the light will be able to reach.
A full-length mirror can be an effective design element rather than a standalone decor. A mirror wall is most effective if you use multiple yet similar small mirrors that comprise one huge mirror wall. It can be disorienting to have an entire wall of newly-installed mirror.
Frames can help as would trim.
Stylize with Mirror
Your mirror can create the most wonderful salon style, pattern or gallery type arrangement. Putting a mirror into such grouping will make the room appear airier. This is also true for a mirror installed on a wallpapered or boldly –painted wall.
Tags: how to use mirrors, McCreery's Furnishings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mirror, mirror in interior design, mirrored interiors, tips
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Maitland-Smith Accessories Set of Three Decorative Stone Inlaid Books 1000-603 is the best decorative element for any home library.
Book lovers all over the world would agree that having a home library is one of the best things that could happen in their lives. Just imagine having hundreds of books that are kept for different reasons – sentimentality, collection, books being given as gifts, lovely covers, and a smart way to make the shelves look chic.
If you are an avid fan of collecting books and any relaxing nook where you could read, then you have to find a way to set up the perfect spot for reading literature.
A home library is often considered an extra room in any home. Most homeowners do not even delegate a spot for this extra room. But things have changed. More and more homes, these days, are being set up with libraries. Thanks to the popularity of home offices, people are now considering the idea of having their own library.
Here are things that you need to consider when setting up your home library –
The Location
The home library’s location depends on many factors. Your home’s layout as well as the amount of available space will dictate the location that you will set aside for the library. You wouldn’t want to situate the library in an area where there’s constant foot traffic.
The library could be a dedicated room or it can be just a nook in your bedroom or the living room.
Your Book Collections
You also need to consider the number of books that you will house. For most, a home library should be able to house all the books that they own. Others just want to create a place for their most treasured books.
Know your storage needs then decide what sort of bookshelves you will be buying. If you need a space for everything then be ready to set up a floor to ceiling sort of bookshelf. For smaller collections, consider open shelving. The latter offers a more modern appeal.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Etagere 500-50-934: What home library could do without a sturdy shelf?
Pick the Color
Traditional libraries are filled with lots of browns and burgundy. Most home libraries, nowadays, have a minimalist and a brighter setting. There is no single color that works for everyone. At the end of the day, the decision will be left to you. Pick the colors that represent you. Don’t let the latest trends dictate what you need to put in your home library (unless you would like to embrace the latest styles, of course).
Create Lighting and Furniture Plan
Every library requires a seating spot. Based on the available space, find out how many sofa, chairs, desks and lamps you will need. If the library is for your whole family, then you will need storage for every possible reading genre. This means bringing in more desks, seating units and lighting fixtures.
Lighting is another element that is crucial in a library. Open the curtains or drapes during the day so that natural light will flow in. In the evening, use side lamps, head lighting and accent lighting that are properly positioned. Consider having dimmers installed so that you can tone down the light when you want to use the room to snuggle up and have a mug of hot choco with your loved ones.
You can also highlight artwork using accent lighting.
Safety
Always consider safety when setting up huge bookshelves or cabinets. These storage units will hold a lot of weight so make sure that they are properly anchored. Determine the correct point loads and weight. If you’re unable to do this, then hire a professional. This expert should be able to help you hang and secure shelving units without you worrying of mishaps.
Tags: book collection, book display, book haven, book organization, bookshelf, designing a home library, display tips for books, home library, home library decor, home library design, how to display books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing books, room for books
Posted in Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016
Uttermost Accessories Garvin Twist Sconce With Candle 19476
Interior design lists lighting as one of the crucial elements yet it is one of the most overlooked phases in design. An effective lighting plan should improve the overall look of the room, furnishings, even the colors.
There are three kinds of lighting that can work together in order to achieve balance. These are the task, accent and ambient lighting. A wall sconce, depending on where it was installed, can fit into any of these three categories.
If you snubbed wall sconces in the past, well, it’s time to reconsider. Minus any wiring task, there are pluggable sconces that can up your fashion statement.
Cords Can be Fashionable
Who said wall sconce cords are plain nuisance? Most wall sconces now come with cords that are meant to be displayed. There are also built-in channels that can improve the wall sconce’s decorative appeal. Many lighting suppliers now offer channels which you can add to wall sconces to cover any unsightly cord. The cord can then be concealed behind paneling or furniture.
Be bold as you choose the wall sconce cord that you will display. This can be made of sparkling metal or any bright-colored channel. You always have the option to spray paint the cord, too, so that it would easily match the color of your walls.
Free Up Your Desk
Get rid of that old table lamp which just eats up desk space. While it is an effective task light, having it feels like you are still working inside the office and not at home. If you have decided to set up a home office, then be sure to tone down the lights. You are, after all, alone in your office environment so you can now adjust the task lighting.
Use the same ol’ plug for your sconce but, this time, instead of a bulky table lamp, what you have is a modern look that didn’t just diminish the amount of clutter on your desk but also gave your home office a more fashionable appeal.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cristal De Lisbon 2-Lt Wall Sconce 22401
Closet Conversion
Another way that a wall sconce could come in handy is when you convert a closet into a disappearing home office. Every square inch counts and so a wall sconce is a great way to optimize available work space; the wall sconce will also make the closet feel less of a closet.
Wall Balance
What wall wouldn’t look lovelier if you place a pair of wall sconces on it? Plug-in wall sconces can effectively frame a lovely art piece. This pair of ambient light can bring attention to your piece of art which is something that you would want the beholders to do.
Be Gone Awkward Areas
There are areas in your home that are a bit more difficult to light. Such is the case with your reading nook, corners and window bench. A pair of wall sconces will effectively add another layer of light (apart from the natural light brought in by the windows). These nooks can be beautifully framed and the result is a jewel-like spot.
When setting up for a reading corner, use a downward-facing lighting fixture. A swing-arm sconce will also be a great spotlight.
Save Bedside Reading Space
If you have a cottage interior design, you can choose a bronze or black plug-in sconce for your bedside light. This is a great way to provide guests with individual reading light while still adding to the cottage appeal. The space is also saved for the nightstand where they can place their eyeglasses and books as they doze off.
Wall sconces can be awesome architectural highlighters. Cap your living room, bedroom, dining room, even bathroom looks as you place pairs of sconces on your walls.
Tags: accent light, accent lighting, ambient lighting, designing the lights, general lighting, home lighting, interior lighting, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wall sconce, wall sconce design, wall sconce installation
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Salisbury Home Entertainment Base 1020-693
A home without TV is not complete – do you agree? American homes, according to a Nielsen Company report, totals 96.7% when it comes to television ownership. Most homes even have more than one TV set which is why it is important to know where you would situate this important part of interior design.
TV Placement Challenges
There are design challenges for TV owners. Most home designers think of room orientation and where the probable focal points would be. Of course, they also consider fireplaces and exterior views. Another critical factor that should also be given thought is the right height in which the TV should be installed.
You probably already know the consequences of watching TV from a location that’s too high. Hello neck problems. If you place it too low, well, what’s the point of stooping, right?
There are a lot of issues when it comes to TV viewing. If you thought that TV placement is an easy task, think again because your TV viewing experience depends on your decisions.
There is a concrete rule, though, when it comes to the ideal TV center and height. You now need to determine this premier viewing location so that you won’t spend days moving your TV around.
First, you need to consider the height (more like the average height) of the people in your home. The general rule is that the viewer should see the television at eye level. You also need to factor in the size of your TV.
Measure the TV and do the math from there. The optimum center for TV viewers who are seated on a sofa is approximately 42 inches from the floor.
History dictates that the best viewing distance from the TV is 2.5 times the screen’s diagonal length. There are, of course, different opinions when it comes to this rule. There are some who even suggest a TV set that is bigger in relation to a room’s total space. Newer TVs need about 1.5 times the diagonal length for optimum viewing distance – at least this is what most experts recommend.
For a more concrete example, let’s say you have invested in a 60” television. This is about 32 inches high making the center of the screen at 16” from the floor. Sofa seating heights are generally 18” from the floor and what’s considered as the eye level for a seated adult is 24” above the seat.
Hooker Furniture Home Entertainment 60-inch Entertainment Console is a lot simpler to install than wall units.
TV Spots
There are regular spots where your TV should be placed. For some, the area above the fireplace is a wonderful spot. Many experts disagree when it comes to this suggested location, though, because it hinders optimum viewing experience. Going back on the correct height, this becomes a tad higher than what is considered ideal.
If you really want the TV to be placed over the fireplace, then just make sure that it is placed as low as possible. There are different heights for different situations, so what works for one family – even the rest of the population – may not be necessarily true to your home.
Your TV can also be placed high above the bar which is great for those who are standing and playing pool. They can now enjoy a beer or two while casually chatting and viewing the TV.
The entertainment section of your home often serves as the home of your TV. Any spot where family members and friends gather is a great place to install a TV. All you need to invest in is a decent-looking home entertainment set and you’re good.
If the wall entertainment unit is too big for you, then you can always find modular units that could suit your TV-viewing needs.
Tags: correct TV placement, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, television, television in interior design, TV, TV room, TV room design, TV stands
Posted in Accents, Interior Design Elements, Living Room Design | No Comments »
Monday, May 2nd, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Console Table’s lively green can make any room leap to life.
Many designers like working with the color green because it is a versatile hue. You can go neutral with it, you can go soft, or you can be bold. Green is an in color these days as more and more interior designers are using it as the dominant hue on their theme, some use it to complement another color used.
The hottest green shades are now used with other vibrant colors such as yellow and blue. Green brings in a fresh vibe and you have the power to increase or decrease the dose of this color depending on your mood or the theme that you have chosen.
Green Means Life
Green is quite a lovely hue which is why it is used to symbolize growth, renewal, and life. Depiction of natural environment is easy where there is a color of green somewhere.
Green is also the color of spring, that season when everything is coming to life. It also represents a phase when every little thing shows its natural process of growth.
Seeing green means there is some form of life somewhere, right? It also spells serenity, balance and harmony which is why it is a great color to use when you want to rejuvenate.
In chromatic or color therapy, green is always used to soothe the mind and soul. It can loosen one’s senses from mental or physical exhaustion. This is an excellent remedy for nervousness and anxiety.
If you want to bring this natural state of calm and harmony to your home, then you have to learn how to effectively use this wonderful color in your interior design.
The Living Room Uttermost Gilbertine Clock Table 24349 makes green appear rustic.
Lovin’ Green
Spring green is the fusion of green and yellow. Just stick with light to medium shades for a dash of color that does not overwhelm. Be careful in using green as the eyes have a tendency to veer towards this color. You wouldn’t want to use it in a spot or design element that you do not actually want to highlight. For instance, putting a lot of green in a living room with a great picturesque view outside would be pointless. You are, in essence, defeating the purpose of the window where the view is supposed to be sublime.
Green is an amazing backdrop wherein you could add punches of more vibrant greens. Blue, yellow and green are analogous colors which means they are neighbors on the color wheel. This means that these three colors are always in harmony with each other. Combining these three colors is a great way to bring in some color without clashing or going overboard.
Are you a fan of painted ceilings? Pick spring green for your bedroom as this gives the room a cheerful glow especially during the morning. The walls can be kept white so that the ceiling color (painted spring green) would pop. Add small accents of the same color but of a different shade throughout the room. Green could go cooler with blues and grays while it could become warmer if you add wood tones.
If you want to use green on the stairway, hallways and other areas with constant foot traffic, then do so. These areas are often painted with boring white or neutral colors. Let these areas leap to life as you use spring green on the walls and framed photos.
‘Color shy? Don’t be. Green is a clever way to infuse a vibrant color without hurting anyone’s eyes. Your biggest cue is the lushness of your landscaping outside. Greeneries are eternally there to visually please.
There are so many ways to use green in your home. You could install green wall tiles, use green on your throw pillows and other accent pieces, or you could simply paint the walls green. Always think beyond paint, though, when using this color as it has so much to offer in terms of beauty and harmony.
Tags: green, green color palette, green color scheme, green interior design, green interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Saturday, April 30th, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Riesling Double Dresser 320-142
Wood carvings are a natural part of many traditional homes. There are different kinds of wood carving, though. This can be anything from relief, chip, letter, to carving in the round.
Carving can only be done with the use of tools such as chisel, knives, mallets and gouges. Carving the round can be accomplished with the use of files and rasps.
Gouges come in different shapes and width. Short and long handles are also available.
Woodcarving History
If you love the look of carved wood in your home, then you should be prepared to learn about its rich history. This craft has been around for the longest time. For as long as man existed, wood has always been there in one form or another so there is no way of dating when woodcarving actually began. If you believe in the Bible, then it is probable that Adam could be the first woodcarver.
The Bible mentioned woodcarving in the Exodus, Chapter 35. The Dark Ages showed the ups and down of this work of art. European woodcarvers were mostly monks as this art was confined to the monasteries back in the day.
Wood is not one of those materials that can withstand elements for many years. This is why woodcarvings must be protected if you want them to endure. Unlike the stone carvings that can stay the same for thousands of years, woodcarving cannot withstand harsh conditions. Between insects and weather elements, woodcarvings should be protected in order for them to last.
Egypt is a rare country that offers favorable conditions for woodcarvings. In there, wood is able to survive for many years even minus the usual care.
Egyptian climate preserved 11 wooden panels under sands for approximately 4,000 years. It was only in 1860 when these were unearthed once more. Called relief carvings, these woodcarvings were found in Pharaon Hesy-Ra’s tomb.
The oldest churches in England feature decorative carvings to this day.
If you want your woodcarvings to last through time, you need to learn to take care of them. Woods come in different types so you need to know their individual characteristics so you would know how to keep them from being damaged.
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Softwoods vs. Hardwoods
The most common softwoods used in woodcarving are – basswood, cottonwood, and butternut. As for the hardwoods, the raw materials most often used are – walnut, mahogany, teak, rosewood and maple.
Basswood comes with little grain patterns that often appear bland which is why they are painted over. This is related to the European lime but the best basswood for carving comes from the northern states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Cottonwood’s bark is popular among those who carve wooden spirits. It has a tendency to split, though, but it is pretty when unpainted.
Butternut is quite difficult to find but it has a beautiful grain and color.
Walnut is a hardwood that is difficult to carve with the use of hand tools. The sharpest tools and a mallet are often used to produce the most beautiful carvings.
Mahogany, on the other hand, is reddish, lightweight and has a straight grain. This can be easily worked with power or hand tools though it has a tendency to split.
Woodcarvers who are just starting should seek out other raw materials first. He can only progress to harder pieces of wood once he experiences success in his first few carvings. Not all carvers show progress right away. Some slink away because of the lack of progress in their work. The wood that they are using could be too hard or too soft that they split.
Since woodcarving is difficult, you should have more appreciation for the master artisans that offer their skills in creating the furnishings that you have in your home.
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