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Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
Plan your space around huge furniture pieces such as this stylish must-have, the Sam Moore Living Room Edgar Swivel Glider 1353.
The real estate and interior design worlds have an ever-growing requirement for space. This demand is ever-rising and is the price that goes with it. Space or extra square footage will always be an assets this is why as a homeowner or an interior designer, you should be comfortable with space planning.
So, what is space planning?
Accommodates All
Space planning, ideally, is giving you a home that offers all the comfort and functions that you need. For instance, in the living room, this should be a spot where there is an ample number of furnishings but not so much that there is no more room for other stuff.
Space planning helps prevent claustrophobia among many things. It also helps in giving purpose to a room. Of course, specific rooms offer specific functions. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, though, you can now make rooms multifunctional, too. An example is a kitchen that also accommodates a breakfast nook. Or the master bedroom that also has the dressing room adjacent to it.
Space planning does not just dwell on being stylish alone; you would also want your room to remain functional. Here are more tips in achieving the perfect home through space planning –
Obstruct Not the Pathways
Take a careful look around and be sure to leave the pathways unobstructed. Check where the doors are as well as the hallways. Find out the quickest ways to get to the different spaces or rooms in your home.
As soon as you are able to determine these, then you can organize your furniture in a way that the pathways remain clear.
Think also of the steps that you would regularly take in each space. For example, the kitchen has this so-called work triangle which should be kept unobstructed all of the time.
The kitchen work triangle is where the cook top, sink and refrigerator are situated. The cook top must contain all of your utensils while the sink must be the storage unit for your dishwashing supplies. Lastly, the refrigerator should store your food and beverages. The glasses must also be near your fridge for easier access.
Scale the Furniture
This is an obvious rule – don’t get bulky furniture for a small space. Proportion and scale are two very important things to consider when space planning. These two can help you make your home stay functional while also being aesthetically pleasing.
Furniture that’s too big could easily obstruct pathways while the small pieces such as a tiny coffee table might not be convenient to the seats that are assigned all around it.
Before you begin shopping for furniture, allow an interior designer to take a look at your space and to suggest the correct sizes of furniture that will go in. Scale is everything here.
Space planning will always involve floor mapping. As you complete the floor plan, you will now be able to assess the space and eventually pick the furniture that will go with the size of the rooms. This will also allow you to decide on where and how to place the furniture pieces.
Are There Existing Conditions to Consider?
Before you even finalize your space plan, have you determined any existing conditions that might hamper your plans? Where are the windows, doors and outlets? The relocation of an outlet is not a simple task and if you just plan around where it was originally installed, then you’d be saved from a lot of migraines.
Define the Public and Private Spots
Always consider the public and private rooms and then arrange your floor plan accordingly. It would be unwise to put the entertainment room right next to the master bedroom, wouldn’t it?
Remember that ideal space plans can bring a sense of harmony in your home so take the time to integrate all the design elements well.
Tags: designing space, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, space design, space planning
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Cruciality of Space Planning
Monday, November 26th, 2018
Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Marlborough Dining Table: Be sure to clean the surface of your dining table thoroughly especially when it is made of wood such as this one.
Thanksgiving is not so much a celebration with food but the gathering of people and being thankful for everyone’s blessings. But, yes, food will always be a part of this occasion. There’s the proverbial turkey and the garnishing and side dishes. So you’re done with the celebration, what’s next?
Have you noticed how there seems to be no shortage of blogs and information with regard to Thanksgiving preparations but there are only a few articles when it comes to the cleanup?
Yup, the cleanup. This is that inevitable activity that must happen the day after the celebration. Cleaning is not as chic as basting the turkey or cooking the side dishes, nevertheless, it is an important task.
What’s amazing about the world now is that there are now a lot of disposable items that you can use so you can cut your cleaning time in half (or even more). As soon as you dispose of these items, you can always go back to your normal daily routine.
So what are the tips that can make your day-after-Thanksgiving-cleanup more fun?
Forget Not the Lining
Baked-on turkey parts and dressing can give you a tough time so if you want to be spared from cleaning such, it is best that you line the pots and pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
If you can, you can also use disposable pans so that you can just throw them away once the cooking’s done. If you’re using a coil stove to cook, then be sure to protect the coils from the drips that come from the pots.
Containers on the Ready
Of course you’ll have a lot of leftovers. This is where reusable containers come in handy. Buy them in all sorts of sizes so that you can store the side items as well as the leftover turkey. Store them in the fridge and you can move on. Just be sure to mark each container so that you’ll know which food went in which container.
Disposables Only Please
Utensils and paper plates have gotten more stylish the past few years. They no longer look like the type that you would use on a picnic. Today, you can serve your Thanksgiving dinner with the most stylish yet disposable plates and utensils.
These premium disposables will make your cleanup a whole lot easier the following day.
Always Cover the Table
Whether you held a formal Thanksgiving dinner or a casual one, it always helps if you place a table cover. At the barest minimum, you should use placemats so that your table remains clean and protected from damage, stains, and spills.
Bring Out the Paper Towels and Cleaners
You may have been used to dishcloths in cleaning up but it would be a whole lot easier if you used paper towels this time. Just this one day, use the disposable paper towels along with the spray cleaners to wipe down countertop surfaces.
Rinse First
Now this is as simple as it could get. If you used your best china for this celebration, then you’re probably facing a heap of them in the sink now.
You can rinse your dishes first prior to putting them in the dishwasher. This way, the gunk is softened before the actual wash.
You may also want to check on some of the latest enzyme-based dishwashing detergents. These make washing the dishes a lot more bearable and easy.
And after washing, roll them back to the china cabinet with your stylish dish cart.
Take Out the Trash (Sorry, No Other Way)
There’s no easier way here. You will have to pick up that trash bag and put all the disposables, bones, and other trash there.
It’s just days after Thanksgiving. Be of good cheer!
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, post-Thanksgiving cleanup, Thanksgiving cleanup
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Day After: Making Thanksgiving Cleanup Fun
Friday, November 23rd, 2018
The Thomasville Bedroom Bedside Table 45511-731 fulfills the streamlined look that is a requirement on minimalism.
Many of the homes these days – even the smallest ones – offer luxuries that people from the past can only imagine. Nowadays, whatever the mind can conceive, architects, engineers, and interior designers can build. But when you come to think of it, the actual needs are quite simple. A roof over one’s head and walls roundabout, even flooring that’s not cold are basic necessities that are common for both chic and simple homes.
So, simplicity means building or creating things that are no more than what’s necessary. Simplicity also means having little to zero clutter. While science tells that people who tend to clutter are smarter, studies have also proven that women cannot live in a cluttered environment because their cortisol hormones tend to spike because of stress.
If you don’t like being stressed with a lot of mess in your home, perhaps, you might want to consider minimalism.
The Minimalist You
Your personal style, once you decide to become a minimalist is pared down and simple. You should know the things that you cannot live without and those are the only things that you should keep.
The pared down style means ditching anything that’s garish and superfluous. You would be amazed on how simplicity can actually look sleek and sophisticated. It may be monochromatic or not but it is always laidback.
So, let’s begin. Let’s start with your Day 1 as a minimalist.
Clear Your Home of Clutter
If you look around and you see piles of papers (which are mostly junk mail and bills anyway), keys, empty cups, and just about any object that you can think of, then it’s time to get a trash bag.
Segregate the stuff that you can give away and those that must already be thrown.
Cleaning the clutter is just the beginning. Now the next step is to look at your dining table. This is that one piece of furniture that tends to gather the clutter. Yes, it can be a clutter magnet.
Embracing the minimalist style means you have to clear the dining table at once. Ask which ones can be eliminated and which ones should already be stored. The non-essentials have got to go.
Choose a Base Color
Minimalism – just like any other interior design – must also have a base color. But for your chosen style, color suggestions include subdued hues such as pastels, the shades of white, beige, tan, and cream.
This does not mean that you have to be boring or bland, though. You can have a white room but be creative in setting it up. Giving it a yellow undertone will make it more appealing and interesting. Blue undertones, on the other hand, will make white appear cooler and crisper.
A house with lots of natural light often looks warmer. If this is the case in your home, then better use a cooler white shade in order to balance the design. Homes that are lit artificially with fluorescent or LED tend to look warmer so use the cooler undertones.
Stop Impulse Buying
Since you’ve just cleared the clutter, you wouldn’t want to add to the clutter again, would you? Colleen Madsen, a realtor from Salt Lake county, suggests the so-called One-In-One-Out practice. This works by having one item taken out of your home the moment one piece also comes in. The sizes of the two items should be relative or even better, the item that will be taken out must be bigger.
Talk of Textures
Be careful in mixing textures. Mixing a lot of textures at once together with varied surfaces and materials of different colors will result in a migraine-inducing scenario. This you wouldn’t want.
If you used a white base, then look for layers of dove gray, beige or tan. What works best are the colors that you already see to be blending well in nature.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalism, minimalist design, minimalist style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on The Straightforwardness of Minimalism
Thursday, November 22nd, 2018
This Wesley Allen Dining Room Set has gone a long way from the early 1920s version of a breakfast nook furnishing.
Winter is fast approaching and so more and more people are prepping and setting indoor activities and hideaways. One of the most exciting ways to make indoors stay more fun is to have a breakfast nook.
Breakfast Nook in the ‘20s
The breakfast nooks were especially popular in the 1920s. Victorian homes were slowly falling out of style at that time because the bungalow homes took over and became the sudden craze.
The bungalow was one fine concept but some people found space to be problematic. Architects and builders slowly improvised when they created more intimate spaces in these smaller homes.
They then built benches to match the tables and pretty soon, housewives preferred the small table to clean up in the kitchen.
Dining Room vs. Breakfast Nook
The breakfast nook is known for its charming scale and how close it is to the kitchen. This is also a spot where families prefer to gather.
But what’s the huge difference between these two zones?
The dining room was specifically created as the area where the food for the family is supposed to be served and consumed. This is also often connected or adjacent to the kitchen.
A dining room has a table, chairs, and ample lighting so everyone can see what they are feasting on. History also records the dining room to be the gathering place for entertainment.
Modern dining rooms are often as big as bedrooms or a small living room. In medieval times, though, dining rooms were much larger and were typically known as Great Halls. One Great Hall can hold hundreds of guests at a time.
The breakfast nook, on the other hand, was also designed close to the kitchen. In fact, others took this closeness so seriously that they soon built the nook right inside the kitchen.
The breakfast nook is supposed to be a room that’s relaxing and comfortable. It is a space where the family can gather to enjoy their first meal for the day. This may also be used for non-formal lunches and dinners.
The typical breakfast nook has a smaller table than the dining table. It is also not designed to sit a lot of people.
Why a Breakfast Nook?
As its definition states, the breakfast nook should be a cozy area where the lightest meals can be served and enjoyed. More often than not, this zone has three walls although, nowadays, the modern designs have been planned to be more suitable for spaces that are contiguous (share the same border).
Don’t think that breakfast nooks are for breakfast alone. It can have other purposes, too. Back in the day, the kitchen is the heart of each home but now, the breakfast nook is giving it good competition.
What’s great about the breakfast nook is that it offers a non-formal setup. So it can be the setting for those casual cooking as well as dining activities. Here, in this setup, the cook is not separated from the rest of the family. And while everyone’s waiting for the food to be cooked, they can enjoy some snacks or a board game.
The breakfast nook has window on all its sides which show the outdoors. And with its smaller size, it is the best spot for those solitary activities that you have been planning (e.g. writing or reading).
The breakfast nook can also have benches that have storage. These can store kitchenware, kitchen appliances, board games, and craft supplies.
If you’re planning on setting up a breakfast nook soon, then you also have to plan on how to decorate it. This is a small zone to decorate so consider its use when you’re putting in the decorating details.
Tags: breakfast nook, designing the breakfast nook, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on An Inviting Breakfast Nook to Wake Up To
Wednesday, November 21st, 2018
If you can’t decide on a full on wall-to-wall carpet just yet, then you can always begin with this lusciousCapel Incorporated Floor Coverings The Player Rug 0023XS Oatmeal Saffron to jump-start your decorating needs.
Carpet has a long yet exciting history to offer with the earliest records coming all the way from Siberia. The excavated Pazyryk carpet came from a burial mound. This was dug up in 1947 and was declared to be 2.500 years old.
This carpet was intact because it was preserved in an ice block. The beautiful details on the fabric were kept. It came in impressive with 24 cross figures, 24 deer, and 28 men riding on horseback. Its colors have definitely faded but all the details are still pretty clear.
The Hermitage Museum now houses this wonderful carpet. This is in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
As if this were impressive enough, there are even some pieces that are known to be older than the Pazyryk piece. Some come from Iran, China, Afghanistan, and North America. The carpets that were also found there also had their own distinctive styles as well as significant stories to tell. In fact, the cultures of these places pretty much dictate the designs that are used on the carpets.
Fast forward to our time, carpets are now being mass-manufactured with the most crucial innovation being the one from Dalton, Georgia which is also known as the world’s bed sheet capital. Mechanized tufting revolutionized carpeting in the 1930s.
Why Wall-to-Wall?
There are many reasons to fall for wall-to-wall carpeting and this is not just being safe for babies who are just starting to walk.
First, wall-to-wall carpeting offers the best insulation. The carpet insulates as it holds warmth and keeps the cold out. During the colder climates, having a wall-to-wall carpet is a huge advantage. With the energy costs ever rising, it is a good idea to have carpeting in your home so you can save on energy bills.
If you love luxury then you should definitely have your home installed with a carpet. Just think of the most luxurious hotels and you cannot think of one that does not offer chic, lush carpeting.
A third reason why wall-to-wall carpet is great is noise reduction. There are even condominium bylaws that require wall-to-wall carpeting only. That’s a no-brainer considering that condo units are often installed with speakerphones, big screen television sets, sound systems, and computers. There are even those that have noisy gaming consoles.
All these equipment and electronic stuff make sounds and vibrations which carpeting could easily absorb. And if your carpet has a good amount of padding then you won’t have to worry about sound transmission at all.
Let’s not forget safety. Carpeting is also best for cushioning everyone’s footsteps. You also won’t have to worry too much about slippage and falls. This is especially useful if you have toddlers or some senior members of the family.
Another reason to choose carpeting is its durability. Quality carpets can last for many years especially when they are properly maintained and regularly cleaned. And speak of maintenance, all you have to do is to vacuum and to clean the carpet occasionally. With newer technologies being introduced, it is now easy to treat carpet stains.
Carpets are also versatile. There are so many colors, patterns, and styles to choose from. So whether you’re designing a contemporary or a traditional home, there is a carpet that would suit your style.
Softness is yet another carpet characteristic that makes it worth buying. Just face it – the hardwood floors could get noisy especially when there are kids constantly running about.
The cushioned surface that the carpeted flooring offers will surely make your life a whole lot easier.
If you’re still not sold about the idea of a wall-to-wall carpet, then just go for a huge enough area rug.
Tags: carpet, carpet design, designing with carpets, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wall-to-wall carpeting
Posted in Decorative Elements, Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Wall Design | Comments Off on Wall-to-Wall Carpeting: The Perfect Look for the Holidays
Tuesday, November 20th, 2018
The Marge Carson Living Room Giovanna Sofa GV43 is one holiday addition that will make a huge difference on your interior design.
Everyone’s prepping for snow and for the upcoming holiday gatherings. These social activities make up your December calendar. Sure, it’s going to be a really busy holiday season but with just the perfect amount of preparation, you could walk away a winner.
Here’s your December checklist –
The Hose Disconnect
If you live in a snow-filled region during winter, then know that hoses tend to freeze up. This is also the time to shut off the outdoor water supply. Disconnect all your hoses and make sure to drain the water. Store them, rolled up, till spring.
Sweep the Trees
Yes, you read it right. Heavy snow tends to build up on the tree limbs. This can lead to breaking. Be sure to brush or sweep off each of the tree limbs that have been heavily burdened with snow. Find a broom that can extend all the way to the limbs. Should there be a case of a tree limb still falling, then make sure to have it removed as soon as possible.
Prep the Gifts
It’s time to stock up on boxes, wrapping paper, gift tabs, ribbons, and tape. Be sure to store these in an area or storage unit that’s easily accessible. Set up a work surface so you can have all of your supplies ready the moment you already find it appealing to wrap all your bought gifts.
Now don’t wait till the last minute to do your shopping and wrapping.
Bring the Winter Stuff Out
Winter requires boots, coats, scarves, and mittens. Be sure that there’s room enough in your closet to for these winter must-haves. If not, then set up some coat hooks by the hall or have a boot tray in the mudroom.
Put Up the Holiday Decoration
It’s time to bring out the Christmas lights, Christmas balls, and every decorative element for the holidays. Test the strands and have the ones that are no longer working replaced right away.
Hang the wreaths and exterior lights that are rated for exterior use. Have them plugged in an outdoor outlet.
How about trying boxwood inside containers and bedecked with twinkling lights? Shop for a Christmas tree as well as some evergreen wreaths for your front porch.
Simple Holidays
Sometimes, simplicity is key. If you’re feeling overwhelmed because of the upcoming schedules, then just simplify everything. Take some timeout because the world won’t stop just because you haven’t wrapped your niece’s gift just yet.
Focus on some activities that you enjoy doing. Give yourself some time to say no to events that tend to stress you out.
If there’s a major event that you will be hosting soon, then do all that you can to prepare much, much more in advance. This should prevent those last minutes stresses.
Welcome your guests warmly with theCapel Incorporated Floor Coverings Botanical Rug 0609CS Poinsettia.
Prep for Winter Storm
Check your cleanup tools and equipment such as the snow shovel, window scrapers, and gloves. Be sure to place them in an accessible area along with your other winter weather supplies.
Now if you’re thinking that it doesn’t snow where you live, then it won’t hurt to prep. Make sure to keep the pantry still stocked with bottled water, food, flashlights and candles. These are, just in case, a power outage would happen.
And if you’re feeling a draft, then it’s time to apply some weather stripping in that area. This will help warm up your house and would even help you save thousands on your energy bill.
Arrange the Guest Room
Of course, you’ll be having guests over so be ready to welcome them with a clean guest room. Freshen up the sheets and dust off all the surfaces. Replace the bulbs that need to be replaced.
Tags: December preparation, holiday list, holiday preparations, holiday to-do list, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Winter Season | Comments Off on Let’s Have Your December Checklist Now
Monday, November 19th, 2018
Slate, up-close.
Slate is known as a metamorphic rock with the finest grain and metamorphic rocks are formed when there is a change in the form of rocks. The process is known as metamorphism.
Slate eventually forms as the layers repetitively form or when the metamorphic rocks foliate. Here, the low-grade mudstone or shale undergoes metamorphosis. The formed material is then widely used in many flooring and roofing projects.
Slate is famous for being a good electrical insulator and in being fireproof. This is why it’s widely used on roofing as it can protect your home from frost damage. It has a water absorption level of just 0.4%. Other uses include blackboards, tabletops, billiard tables, and even commemorative tablets.
Where Slate Comes From
There are two ways to quarry slate. First, from a slate quarry and the other one is a slate mine tunnel. This industry is focused on extraction as well as processing for flooring and roofing.
There are many cities all over the world that has slate mines including Wales, Cornwall, and many cities in Spain. Other places include New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.
Slate was initially quarried in North America in 1734. This was along the borders of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The very first commercialized slate quarry was later opened in Peach Bottom Township, PA two years after. At the moment, slate quarries are actively operating in various regions in NY, VT, and PA.
Bring the beauty of slate in with theUttermost Accessories Slate Cube Boxes S:2 18777
Slate Roofing Now
If after the cold winter and wet spring you realize that it’s time to update your roofing, then you might want to look into durable materials for your would-be project. Picking a durable material like slate would mean the success of your roofing project.
Slate is a high-end material that may ask for you to spend more but this is one expense that you definitely won’t regret. Slate can last long this is why it is a preferred roofing material by many homeowners. Any material that stands the rigors of time and different weathers should be on your priority list.
Slate costs anywhere from $15 to $30 for every square inch installed. These amounts cost about five times more than your usual roofing materials. But the slate roof can last for 150 years or even more. Now you see why it costs more.
Slate also comes in various natural colors, sizes, and thickness. It can also be customized according to the pattern that you require. You can even mix different earthy hues of slate.
Here’s something interesting about slate – its color depends hugely where it was quarried. The hues could be anywhere from green to dark gray to purple.
Slate is known to withstand the worst weather conditions. This is why it is preferred by a lot of homes all across the United States especially those that experience a variety of climates.
Slate is also fireproof. The wood decking that is usually installed underneath the slate roofing may not be fireproof but fire is often transferred from one roof to the next so the slate roof is definitely one of the last to go.
Temperature fluctuations do not affect slate so mold and fungus will never be a problem with this kind of roofing material. Just be careful with the maintenance because slate is known for shedding a tile or two from time to time.
Visually inspect your slate roof after a heavy snow. If you see any broken, cracked, missing or loose pieces, then be sure to have those replaced straightaway.
‘Still worried about the cost? Its cost may be one of its biggest disadvantages but the only way it would be wrong to have it in your home is when an amateur installs it. If you want to be ascertained of the 150 years of durability, then have it installed by experts.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, roofing choices, slate, slate roofing
Posted in Architectural Elements, Home Maintenance | Comments Off on Fireproofing the Roof with Slate
Friday, November 16th, 2018
Crown Top of Curio China from a Hyde Park piece (Fine Furniture Design).
Whether people refer to it as a hutch or a China cabinet, this piece of furniture is not just a storage unit but also an effective styling element. It is often used in the kitchen as well as in the dining room. This one piece of furniture will readily store your most beautiful collectibles.
The china buffet or china cabinet is used as an elegant house for people’s chinaware collections. There are people, however, it is the storage surface for mugs, dried up flowers, and other knickknacks.
If you take the time to organize the china cabinet and restore it to its old beauty, then you can have a place to showcase your crystal and porcelain treasures. Wouldn’t you want that?
You could go vintage, edgy or modern, the choice is yours. What’s important is that you know how to style, tidy up and pack the cabinet so that what goes inside are the pieces that truly matter.
Space for Little Stuff
The right china cabinet can easily transform the style and look of a home. One that’s filled with decorative pieces, which match the dining area elements, will automatically increase the style of that space. Make sure that each piece matches the design of the room.
Display the Settings
So how would you make the china cabinet work in your home? Find a china cabinet that compliments that dishes that you have collected. You might have placed a solid set inside a locked cabinet for years but storing these pieces won’t do you any good. While they are kept intact, no one gets to see them and enjoy them.
So if you want to showcase your collection, then find a sturdy cabinet to display it in.
Conceal the Extras
Yes, sometimes, the china cabinet is used as a storage unit fro those antiques, mugs, and other small pieces that have been in your collection for so long. But with so many collectible pieces at times, it becomes better to just have a special hiding place for them.
Just organize them inside a china cabinet and they’re good to be kept for years to come.
The New Bar
And who says you have to have a bar constructed inside your home? Be more stylish with the china cabinet as the new bar area. This is a unique way to entertain the guests, family and friends especially during these holidays.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Two-Door Thin Display Cabinet – Ebony
China Cabinet Setup
Now let’s learn how to set up a china cabinet. First, clear the cabinet by removing everything in it. Dust the insides of the buffet then use glass cleaner to remove dust and other dirt from the glass fronts.
Be sure to dust off the drawers, too.
The second step is to organize the items that will be placed inside the cabinet. Give away the stuff that you no longer need then return those that you still want to showcase in your china cabinet.
Begin displaying at the top then work your way down. Group the wine glasses at the top. This layer can also be the spot where the vases are to be placed. Remember that the top layer is for the glassware.
Most china cabinets now have lighting at the topmost shelf so this is why you should place your crystal items up top. Next, add the plates on the second layer. Be sure to lean the plates on the back part of the cabinet or invest in some plate holders.
After organizing the plates, set up the saucers and teacups in front of the plates. Here’s a tip, use a coffee filter between the saucer and the cup so that there won’t be a rattling sound if a lead foot walks past the cabinet.
Lastly, display lovely bowls and jars at the bottom shelf. As for the drawers, have them filled with tablecloths, placemats, and linen napkins. The flatware can also be stored here.
Tags: china cabinet, decorating a china cabinet, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The China Cabinet Statement
Thursday, November 15th, 2018
The Arbor Bookcase from Fine Furniture Design’s Veranda Collection offers the right frame to your book collection.
Did you know that people who read books for at least half an hour each day get to live two more years longer than those who do not take the time to read? What’s even odder is that bookworms who read three or more hours every week are less likely to die than those who just read magazines or newspapers.
Now aren’t those amazing information? If you’re a bibliophile or even one who’s wishing to become one, then you probably realized how important a reading area is in order to experience the joys of reading.
In a world that’s filled with notifications and beeps and alarms, the home and work boundaries ever diminishing, and a day-to-day hectic schedule for you and the whole family, you understand that it gets more difficult to set up a quiet reading zone.
The designation of a perfect reading space is crucial. Successfully doing so will ascertain that you will have quiet reading moments – ones that you will surely enjoy.
Reading area designation also requires that you use interior space wisely, making sure that every nook and cranny is given a good use. That bay window, for instance, can be the perfect reading spot especially these holidays. Just imagine reading your favorite novel as you watch the snowflakes fall.
The Comfy Space
That reading list won’t matter if you won’t be able to enjoy it. So it is important that you do not just designate a space just because it is empty and has no previous use. There might be an empty space near the living room but this might not be the best spot to set up a reading nook solely because it is filled with activity.
You need to find a spot that’s gonna motivate you to sit down and read, even enjoy a good book. It is important to minimize distractions especially when you have a large family.
Be sure to find a hideaway that’s distant from the hub of the family activities. It must also be free from clutter and only decorated with a chaise lounge (or any comfy chair) and some pillows.
Be sure to create a spot that’s also attractive and non-boring. You can draw inspirations for your design from your favorite books. ‘Like reading the Harry Potter series? Then let purple and black be your main colors.
Be Tidy
Once you’ve worked out the seating arrangement, then the next step is to find a table where you can put all your reading essentials. These aren’t just your favorite books, though. You might enjoy a cup of tea while reading or even a glass of wine so be sure to leave a surface where you can place that wine glass or mug.
Do you also wear reading glasses? Then you would want to have a spot to place it on while you’re resting your eyes.
A Shelf Nearby
Of course, you won’t just be reading a few books. Depending on your style of reading, you might read one book and start another even when you’re still not done with the first.
It’s convenient to have a bookshelf nearby so that you can place your book collections there. Again, may we remind you that book readers tend to live longer than their non-reading comrades so stock up on those books.
Mind the Temperature
Make sure to keep your books in a moderate and stable environment. The temperature must be about 70 degrees (or cooler) and a humidity of about 40-50%. Too much moisture or heat can encourage mold growth so be wary of the temperature.
Be sure to keep your books away from direct sunlight. And do clean them regularly by dusting.
Tags: book display, display tips for books, displaying books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reading nook
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Of Reading Nooks, Books, and Knowledge
Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
Esquire Collection: The unique dark color of the bricks in this room provide the right backdrop for the light-colored furnishings.
Do you know what brick is made of? It contains clay minerals, shale, and kaolin. There are also small amounts of barium, manganese, barium carbonate, and other additives such as ammonium compounds, papermaking byproducts, wetting agents, deflocculents, flocculent, and sand.
The manufacturing process of bricks includes crushing and grinding of raw materials; then the selection, filtering, drying, firing, and cooling. The final process is the dehacking where they are stacked, then wrapped using steel bands.
Brick Room Decoration
A brick-walled room can be overwhelming to decorate at first. But as soon as you see the color, texture and overall beauty that the bricks can offer, you will realize what a wonderful design opportunity awaits you.
Often reddish or cream colored, the brick walls offer an astounding backdrop where you can layer textures and colors to help you create a one-of-a-kind space. Whether you’re aiming to create a classic or a contemporary home, a bathroom, living room, find the right accessories and artwork that will complement this natural material as well as your personal style.
Brick Living Room
A living room with full brick walls can be a lot of things. It can be chic or edgy urban with the reddish clash look or it can be country with the cream bricks, wood trim on the windows, dark wood flooring, and the wood rafter ceiling.
Use Louis XVI chairs to stylize the setting. A loveseat and a settee could complete the classic look. Match these with an ottoman, dark wood accents, and cream-hued wood side tables.
You can also create an urban setting using a black leather couch, rough wood crate-style end tables, wooden trunk, and light accessories. A salvaged door can also be highlighted. Pepper the room with just enough artwork to focus on the gritty style.
Brick Kitchen
Don’t immediately think that brick walls are cold. These, too, can help bring warmth into your kitchen as you highlight the deep red clay of the bricks. Add some potted herbs, natural light filtering through the windows, and some clean kitchen surfaces and you’ve got an awesome place for cooking.
Don’t hide those exposed fixtures and plumbing pipes. Whether you have the cream or red brick type, the worn wooden elements whether on the kitchen island surface or the flooring can all create the right ensemble for a brick zone.
Use open shelving to showcase your glassware, china, and enamel jars. Match these with shiny appliances to complete the space.
Brick Bathroom
Porcelain, wood, and brick all go perfectly together inside any bathroom. Begin with some wood-grained tiles and use white fixtures throughout. The color palette that would match these elements is dark blues and deep reds, even orange shades on the rugs, curtains, and towels.
Brick Bedroom
The cream-colored bricks are great in warming up homes with wood furnishings and light-colored bedding. You can then add textured layers with the deep brown throws or elements of deep violets and dark reds.
The red brick bedroom can be sleeker and more modern. This is the perfect space to support accent colors that are bold and daring like bright reds, lime green, and yellows.
Use a light-colored headboard for a more contemporary setting. Support these with side tables and color-coordinated throws and pillows.
Then Add Greeneries
One of the most effective ways to emphasize natural brick elements is to surround it with the colors of Mother Nature. Infuse wood accents with the shelves, picture frames, side tables, and headboards.
And what better way is there to bring the beauty of nature in than to use potted plants and flowers in vases in?
Tags: brick, brick design, brick wall design, decorating brick walls, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Brick Room and What To Do With It
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