Thursday, April 21st, 2016
Antique finds and vintage pieces – the distressed, imperfect and cracked finishes, add the sparkling crystal chandeliers, old yet fresh-smelling linens, lots of white – yes, these describe the shabby chic style perfectly. This interior design theme is not for everyone, though. Shabby chic is luxurious yet still comfortable. This thrives in the spirit of seemingly old stuff yet new and clean.
This Style Ain’t Shabby
Don’t ever let the word shabby fool you into embracing the principles of this wonderful theme. It may seem unstructured to look at, at first, but the lack of formal rules is what makes this style timeless. It brings in an effortless sophistication into any home.
Don’t think of flea markets, though, or cheap retail shops or you would be disappointed with what you would find.
Say yes to handicrafts, vintage textiles , and white, distressed furniture. There is no need to search high and low for the best whitewashed furniture pieces, we have everything that you would need to set up your shabby chic home.
Get the look with these simple guidelines –
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral design, neutral palette, rustic, rustic charm, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, shabby chic, shabby chic design, shabby chic interior design, shabby chic interiors, shabby chic style, vintage, vintage design, vintage furniture, vintage interior design, vintage interiors, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white furnishings, white interior design, white interiors, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wooden, wooden elements, wooden furniture
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
One of the most noticeable comebacks happening in interior design these days is the return of strong patterns and prints. Large scale designs are being paired with oversized florals as well as the trendiest colors.
Let’s begin with poppy which is a bold floral design that is printed digitally to a linen or poly-linen base. This is a great choice for cushions and upholstery. It is also a fashionable material for drapery.
Natural fibers continue to be featured on many furniture showrooms – and for a good reason. The trend proves that organic looks will remain and that eco-friendly lifestyles are here to stay.
Falling In Love with Florals
And so it happened – you have fallen in love with the beauty of floral upholstery and fabrics and now you are wondering how you can bring it home. Floral prints can be too loud, others may say, but this is only if you are not careful.
So what should you do?
If you are thinking of how to match floral upholstery with other interior design elements, then you are not alone. There are many before you whose spirits have been dampened by the wrong use of florals. And now they are still rattled by the very idea of combining it with furniture, lighting, etc.
Now, the first step is to look for graphic prints. You must start somewhere so begin with the simple prints. A single, large-scale graphic print rug can go a long way in terms of making good use of florals in your home. If large-scale prints are still bold for you, then settle for medium and small-scale prints that have been fused to make a room pop.
A floral print armchair, for instance, will balance graphic curtains and an equally graphic rug. In this case, you can afford to use neutrals in solid hues for the rest of the room.
Next, if you happened to fall in love with a bold floral sofa, then don’t rack your brains trying to find out what would go with it. Pair it with white and call it a day! White or any neutral color (cream, wood or beige would also do) for your walls and accessories would balance that big, bold floral sofa. This is the widest space that the sofa could breathe in so provide just that.
Third, find out what colors are included in your floral piece. Pull a color from the group of colors used then create a scheme from there. Just make sure that you get the exact shade used on the florals. Ask for a swatch of the floral print as you shop for other pieces inside your home.
The background hue can be used as a wall color and one of the vibrant colors can be used as solid upholstery or curtain color. Choose also an accent color from the floral hues. Use this on your pillows and accessories.
Grounding the bold look offered by florals is easy with leather. The ever reliable leather is there to provide the necessary weight in a room. Add the floral print and you’ve created a seemingly unbalanced look yet one that is beautifully grounded.
Repeating the motif for the rest of the rooms would not hurt.
Lastly, you can also go wild and pair florals with animal print, the latter being the staple piece as it can work with anything. Try animal print on a small rug or on your living room ottoman. This, when paired with florals, will be an eclectic yet glamorous ensemble. This pairing will surely alter the look and feel of any room in your home.
So go ahead, fall in love with floral upholstery. It can be bold or subdued, it’s really up to you.
Tags: bold, bold design, bold interior design, bold statement, chair, floral, floral design, floral interior design, floral upholstery, flower upholstery, McCreery's Furnishings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, patterns, seat
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
The four-poster bed is known as no less than the king of beds. The reference to royalty came about because of the fairy tales told about princes and princesses, kings and queens who slept in this kind of bed. Apart from this, it was also originally created for use among nobles in the 13th century.
The four-poster bed’s materials and shapes evolved over time. Everything began from the ornate carvings of oak and the most luxurious tapestries. Pretty soon, shimmery silks were used as well as embroidery and velvets.
The Four-Poster Bed Today
These days, the four-poster bed is still highly sought by a lot of people. If you are looking into owning one, you have to make sure that you know how to dress one. Draperies spell tradition while swags are equal to contemporary styles.
Four-poster beds have already evolved from the old canopy beds. These were called tester beds which were manufactured mainly for functional reasons. Curtains used to hang from the ceiling yet they eventually became frames that supported an overhead canopy.
The canopy kept the critters from thatched ceilings from falling directly to the bed.
Bed canopies used to be made of solely of wood, often of heavy, carved oak. These were used with drapery panels. Later on, fabric took over and the wood canopy disappeared. The former was preferred because of its lighter look.
On a few beds, the outer canopy remained while others completely removed the said feature. The four supports remained because of the psychological comfort they offered. This is still one of the reasons why four-poster beds are still popular.
For a more traditional approach in dressing up your four-poster bed, you can pair the upholstered headboard with some draperies behind it. Partial panels can also be installed on both sides of the headboard. Fabric canopy is set inside a shaped wooden frame with fringed valance on all three sides.
Another thing to remember with the four-poster bed is the amount of yard and type of fabric that you are going to dress it up with. Choose from sheer, solid-colored linen, woven, or printed fabric.
Simplicity is also a great way to dress up your four-poster bed. Use gauzy fabric and tie it to the bed frame through the little grommet holes.
A valance can also be used at the ceiling together with headboard drapery. This will result in partial canopy. The turned bed posts fit right up to the valance at the head of your bed.
Loose swags like a piece of fabric that is draped over the bed frame are probably the easiest way of dressing up any four-poster bed. This is a casual approach that makes use of sheer, gauzy cotton, or any other reversible fabric.
Instead of just swag, a bed can also have a pair of draped swags. These can create the much-needed balance in the bedroom.
Creating the Lit a la Polonaise (French name for Polish bed) means you need to create an overhead crown. This is a romantic look that displays the most beautiful frills. Attach the fabric right at the crown using ties. A pocket also can also allow the fabric to become swirling swaths right around the supports.
You may also take advantage of the rail supports. Adding drapery panels is one of the most popular choices in dressing up four-poster beds. A flexible way to alter the bed’s look is to tie the panels right to the support posts. They can also be opened up to make a headboard. Use fabric with ample weight for all drapery panels. Use metal grommets with sewn heading as well as a medium-weight fabric.
Tags: bed, four-poster, four-poster bed, history, McCreery's Furnishings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, romantic bedroom, romantic setup
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

Universal Furniture Home Entertainment Entertainment Wall 475966HE is the perfect reason to take down those old wallpapers.
There would always come a time in a homeowner’s life when the wallpapers need to go. This could be because they are moving to a new home or just because the paisley or striped designs no longer create an interesting background. It could also be because a child has outgrown the cartoon-themed wallpaper in his bedroom. Whatever your reasons for taking the wallpapers down, it really doesn’t matter – what matters is that you do it correctly.
Yup, It’s Going to be Messy
There is no way to sugarcoat the difficulty of this job. Wallpaper removal is far from easy. It is messy, tedious and even time-consuming. There are no products out there that can make the whole project easier more so when you have no idea where to begin. So, yes, it is not going to be a fun job.
Taking down the wallpaper needs more time that you can imagine. It is not a task that you can finish in an hour or two. If you can, allot the entire weekend for this project. Use day one to take on the messier parts of the job then the next day to prepare the walls for the new paint or a different set of wallpapers.
Protect the Floor and Trim
This is step one of the process – tape plastic onto the baseboard. Be sure to create a watertight seal before covering with more plastic. Top the plastics with towels so that the dripping water will be absorbed later on.
Wallpaper removal is equal to sticky and wet so be sure to protect the floor, woodworks and furniture. Remove outlet covers, vents, switch plates and such. Mask the openings using tape and plastic.
Tear and Pull
Now it’s time to tear and pull down the wallpapers. Begin at a corner of the ceiling as this is the area where wallpapers tend to be loose. Lift the edges using a putty knife. Pull off the wallpaper using an even pressure. You can do this step without using water (just yet).
The backing will then be left and this is the part that you will soak with soap and water. The longer the wallpaper stayed on your walls, the more difficult it gets to take ‘em down. You may have to apply water several times for the backing to absorb more moisture. If it becomes difficult to remove the facing, then use a scoring tool.
Use Hot Water with Caution
Using a floor mop or a sponge, apply water to the backing. Use the hottest water temperature that your hands can tolerate. Allow the water to absorb into the backing by letting the application stand for 15 minutes.
It may be difficult to do this without destroying the wall surface especially when you are working with drywall. Never expose such surfaces for more than 15 minutes.
Plaster walls can take a higher level of hotness. Do the wallpaper removal in small sections.
Remove Every Paste Speck
Spray some gel stripper onto any remaining paste. There is no need to apply a lot so don’t worry about spending too much. Rinse with water till it is smooth. Using a putty knife, scrape off the glue then wash the walls using sponge and water. You can finish your work as soon as the walls become squeaky clean.
Should water and soap fail to give you that clean look, you may also consider using chemical strippers. These are wetting agents that keep the water from totally evaporating when you are removing the paste. These are enzymes that can break down the paste’s molecular structure.
Should these materials still fail, you may also consider using electric steamers. These are for stubborn cases.
Tags: how to remove wallpaper, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, removing wallpaper, wall color, wallpaper, wallpaper design, wallpaper removal
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Wall Design | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

Flexsteel Bedroom Queen Panel Bed With Storage W1909-90QS is perfectly balanced by the red and white floral arrangement and other exciting accessories.
The combination of red and black may not be a mixture that you have given much thought in the past. You might just change your mind once you see the winning reasons why these colors can take your home at the center of everyone’s attention.
Turn Up the Volume
Upping the wow factor of your home could be as easy as choosing the red and black palette. This color scheme offers just one vibrant hue but it does not automatically mean that the other color can’t offer drama on its own.
Red or black, each of these colors can make a bold statement on its own. They can actually be used under any circumstance. So, when you are designing your living room towards a bolder look, be sure to consider this marriage of colors.
Who’s the Boss?
Okay, so you have finally made up your mind and are now bent on using red and black, now what? These are both bold hues so one of them has to give.
Choose which one – red or black would be the dominant color. To choose which, take a careful look at the curtains and walls of the living room. See also the floor as well as the natural light inside the room. Is your living room used generally for simple family get-togethers or more of an out-of-office venue for your colleagues?
Whichever you end up choosing as the more dominant hue, make sure that you harmonize every aspect of your design. Consider salsa red in your living room if you spend more time there and if you perceive it to be a cheerful room with lots of foot traffic.
A more subdued and relaxing living room can make use of deep rose as the central color.
Balancing the red and black palette means using complementing colors on the more dominant color. The complementary colors should be used on your accents. For instance, if you used red as the dominant hue, then you may use the quieter gray on other design elements.
Put In Some Finishes
Metals and woods in the living room can also contribute to your red and black color scheme. The use of lacquered-black wooden furniture pieces adds intensity to any living room.
Do you like the shabby chic look? Then use pale gray on your furniture while accessorizing with the more exciting red and black mixture. Remember, the color of the furniture should balance the rest of the colors and elements that you decided to use. A heavily black room, for instance, can be beautifully balanced by paler shades of red.

Living Room Uttermost Taggart Red Console Table 24379 does not need to beg for attention with its unique look and color fusion.
Just a Hint
Most of the time, when designers suggest red and black, homeowners have a tendency to wince. What they don’t realize is that this fusion need not be vibrant all the time. Don’t give up on these colors if you are the more traditional type. A hint of red – here and there – can sometimes do the trick. This is just as striking as a whole room filled with vibrant red. A simple red pillow propped against a plush, black sofa can be a simple combination that could also serve as the focal point in your living room.
The clever use of red and black can add the needed drama. The fusion can be used on the walls, floor and major pieces of furniture. If you prefer a less committed take on the red and black palette, then just use the hues on most of your accessories.
Let’s accept it –red is an eye-catching color. A red accent wall is the perfect backdrop for your beautiful black cabinet. These give the eyes a pleasant place to look at while taking the time to absorb the rest of the design elements.
Tags: black, bold, bold color palette, bold design, bold hues, bold interior design, bold statement, guidelines, McCreery's Furnishings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing colors, mixing style, red, tips
Posted in Color Schemes, Living Room Design | No Comments »
Monday, April 18th, 2016

Lexington Living Room Sandhurst Leather Chair LL7534-11BB is the right subject to the frames created by the stencils on the walls. It also comes with stenciled giraffe hair-on-hide.
Have you ever dreamt of doing an interior design project for your home but ended up commissioning your friends or a professional to finish the task for you? ‘Ever wonder if you can actually finish a task that you can actually call your own? Now you actually can – there is a simple project that can be done by one person in just a few hours. Wall stenciling is a fun, hip and easy way to decorate the walls of your home.
It’s Also a Paint Job
Majority of acrylic and latex paints are great for wall stencil jobs. A nice opaque paint should be good but you have to prepare yourself in cleaning the stencil more often. Opaque paint tends to build up so if you are new to stenciling, you might as well resort to regular latex paints. Craft acrylic paints also work well on stencils.
Paints that won’t work with a stencil project are oil-based paints and spray paints. The latter is a lot more difficult to control though some have already used it with great success. Again, if this is the first time that you are using stencils, then opt for the time-tested paints.
A flat sheen base is the best surface for stencil projects. Glossy surfaces do not absorb the stencil paint as effectively as basecoat does. Plus, you can be assured that basecoat offers a quicker paint drying process.
Other than a basecoat, you can also have a craft acrylic or flat latex paint. It dries more quickly and has less tendencies of seepage.
You may ask for a spray adhesive from any of the craft stores. This can greatly reduce bleeding on your stenciling. Mist the back of the stencil in an airy area then let dry for just a minute. Never drench the stencil with this adhesive as it could transfer onto the wall.
Re-apply every few prints as it could lose its tack.
Using any kind of glitter is also not recommended for your wall stencil project. The usual results are smudging and bleeding and you wouldn’t want those.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Waller Oak Rug 9221RS05000800550 is traditionally-woven with stenciled leaf designs. This carpet shows how stenciling can be carried over to other interior design elements.
The What Ifs of Texture
There are some really rough textures out there that offer peaks and valleys depending on your desired wall outcome. Should you have existing walls that are textured, then stenciling might not be a project that you can look into at the moment. There are, however, some light to medium textures that can still accommodate stenciling. Some use textured plaster as background then stencils are used on top. Use leaf or branch stencils rather than the usual straight lines in order to work well with the existing texture.
Working with textures means you use but a little paint on the brush. The paper towel is your new best friend as it can be used as a means of loading off excess paint. Use dabbing or rubbing motion when stenciling.
Do not force the paint to the stencil edges. Use a dense foam roller if you have to make sure of a relatively dry application.
Materials and Tools
These are some of the common tools that you will need –
Investing in quality stencil brush should be one of your priorities. You may have the best color and texture of paint but if you end up with a shedding brush, then all your energies would be futile. You may practice on a huge piece of board at first till you master the technique that you are going to use.
Stenciling can be a great part of your interior design project. Just make sure to balance it out with neutral furniture pieces that will make your design task a huge success.
Tags: dressing up blank walls, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stenciling, stencils on walls, wall design, wall stencil, wall stencils
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Wall Design | No Comments »
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy