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Friday, March 25th, 2016
FFDM Sunset Canyon Collection: The colorful oranges provide a necessary deviation from the warmth of the wood and the neutral tabletop.
Using the Zen theme in your home means you have to understand the principles behind it. You can begin with shibumi which is an ideal. Its definition is not clear in Japanese but it can be used for experiences and objects that exemplify both everything and nothingness. Based on this, a Zen theme spells elegance and simplicity. It is an understatement and it is also excellent.
Shibumi, as spoken by James Michener in his novel Iberia, can be understood in the context of writing, art, or of any true work of art.
Shibumi has seven principles – austerity, simplicity, naturalness, subtlety, asymmetry, breaking from routine, and tranquility.
Austerity: Koko
This focuses on omission, exclusion or restraint. This means that you should not add any interior design aspect that was not necessary to begin with.
Simplicity: Kanso
This emphasizes the beauty and downplays utility or anything that is fanciful. The effects are neatness, freshness and cleanliness. The lesson here is that you should eliminate anything that does not have any use; instead, you should make room for ideas that work.
Naturalness: Shizen
This means you can use interior design concepts that are one with nature yet divergent from it. The essence of shizen can be captured in furniture that aims to recreate the sunset, light filtering through the beautiful trees, or the shadows of various passing clouds.
Use naturally occurring patterns in nature, as well as rhythms into your interior design.
Subtlety: Yugen
This principle explains that anything that’s finite is an enemy of nature. This implies the loss or stagnation of life. People’s curiosity is piqued when they see an interesting object just once. The world hypes everything from products to services yet when silence counters the usual hype, the former almost always wins.
Asymmetry: Fukinsei
The natural world is symmetrical but this symmetry can also be achieved in imperfect renderings. The viewer then tends to supply the absent symmetry then participates in the art of creation. This means that interior design does not have to depend on you all of the time. You can also seek the help of friends or relatives to co-create with you. You must be open for ideas that can produce necessary innovations.
FFDM Harbor Spring Collection: Flower arrangements in vases give character and a sense of serenity in a traditional dining room.
Breaking from Routine: Datsuzoku
This principle implies rest from convention. Patterns that worked in the past that have been used by different designers can – and should – take a rest, too. This interruptive break can work well in your interior design if you give it a chance.
Tranquility: Seijaku
Lastly, there’s stillness or tranquility. Those who practice Zen living know that the state of calmness or quietude is the very state where energy is created. This is the meditation phase which can up one’s self-awareness and focus.
The lesson here is that you should do something than left doing nothing.
Your home should be the first place in the whole wide world where you feel most calm and peaceful. There is nothing better than a Zen-inspired home to promote these positive feelings of serenity. If you still have no idea how this looks like, just picture the Zen Gardens in Japanese websites, magazines or photos.
Going Zen does not automatically mean that you have to resort to traditional style, though. Zen could also be contemporary with the right elements. For instance, Zen is epitomized in a room where floor cushions are scattered all around a low table. This can serve as an Oriental dining area, a unique place to enjoy meals with your family. The dark contrast of a table against a warm cream setting should be enough to evoke feelings of balance and stillness.
Tags: asymmetry, balance, designing with nature, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nature, nature in interior design, nature-inspired design, nature-inspired home, Zen design, Zen home, Zen interior, Zen interiors, Zen living, Zen style, Zen-inspired home
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room North Hampton Bonnet Top Display Cabinet. Organization is key to a beautiful and functional kitchen.
Are you a recent graduate who wants to move into your own apartment soon? Or are you a newlywed settling in your first home? Whatever your current situation, you will need some recipes and the right kind of kitchen equipment to start this new phase in your life.
Take a long look at your parents’ kitchen and see if you can do some window shopping in houseware shops. This should help you make a list of essentials that are needed for prepping, baking, or cooking the most flavorful dishes.
You might be tempted to buy new products straight away but you don’t have to break the bank just to obtain quality in your kitchen stuff. You can search for different pieces that offer durability, value and beauty.
Cooking and Baking Tools
You can splurge on your set of knives. Yeah, go ahead, it’s okay. It is essential to have a sharp chef’s knife inside your kitchen. This is one of the major tools that you need to always have. Stainless steel, high-carbon knives won’t stain or rust so they are your best option.
The knife that you buy should feel comfortable in your hand as you slice and dice. Invest also in paring knives, and a serrated knife. The types whose metal blades extend to the back of the handles offer the perfect balance.
Other cooking tools include the cutting board (plastic, glass or wood should work); vegetable peeler (the stainless steel type); can opener (the non-slip type); a salad spinner; cheese grater preferably with soft rubber handles; grater; steamer; etc.
Must-have appliances include a steamer, oven, toaster oven or a microwave oven.
Universal Furniture Dining Room Chelsea Kitchen Table 311751 is what every kitchen needs.
Kitchen furniture
Update your dining/kitchen furniture by investing in McCreery’s Home Furnishings. There is a wide array of chairs, dining tables, bar stools, dining benches, buffets, and kitchen islands to choose from. Gather your family around the table for a scrumptious dinner with your new kitchen furniture. Entertain your guests in style with your new dining room set.
The dining room is no less than the place where you enjoy your meals with friends and family. In order to create the perfect space, it is crucial to invest in the right kind of furniture. Our shops have individual pieces as well as coordinating choices for both casual and formal dining functions.
Dining tables range from rectangular, oval and round styles. Dining chairs can be traditional wood with fabric, leather, or wicker. There are also dining room collections to choose from.
How about the benches? These work in either formal or informal dining. These are often used as extra seating to a dining table. Benches can match the dining chairs or they can be oddly different yet still look cohesive.
Buffets can store extra stemware, dinnerware, and table linens. The sideboards can also be used to display vases, lamps, and other decorative accessories.
Apart from the dining tables, chairs and benches, you can also invest in a kitchen island. These are great for prepping meals. It can also serve as extra countertop for your kitchen. Kitchen carts can also provide extra counter space inside the kitchen. These are smaller than the kitchen island yet they can still provide ample space for storage.
Bar stools are often used for casual seating for guests or family members. There are short and tall stools that you can pair with the kitchen islands.
All kitchen furniture shouldn’t be merely stylish but also durable. Being the foodie that you are, and having invested in these kitchen essentials, all you need now is that first casserole dish to prove that you’re ready to please palates.
Tags: foodie kitchen, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen essentials, kitchen of a foodie, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, organizing the kitchen, planning the kitchen, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
The RayLen Vineyards Collection offers this dining set that will look great in a roofed backyard space.
Living in the city can be fun but if there’s one thing that you don’t get to enjoy there, it’s the spacious backyards. Compact homes offer awkward or narrow spaces as extensions of a home. If you have such an outdoor space, what would you do? Would it mean confining yourself to limited space all of the time? Or would you like to learn how to maximize your backyard?
Break It Into Zones
You can begin by creating various functions. Arrange furniture pieces strategically to visually create different rooms such as cooking, dining, lounging, and entertainment areas. All four zones can be placed inside one small home.
Light Up to Break Up
It’s time to implement a lighting design that can function in many ways. A multi-faceted lighting scheme will do you lots of good. The living room can have brighter lights while the bedroom can have the subdued types of lighting. Arm pendants or chandeliers hang best inside dining rooms. Know how to create lighting that will break up one whole space into various sections.
The Indoor Space Extension
Find the indoor space which you think is the smallest then have that extended to your available space in your backyard. If the kitchen is too small, for instance, then you can have a portion of the backyard installed with kitchen equipment and furniture. Outdoor technology should be able to help you with whatever you want to do outside.
You can also complement the interiors by using the same colors that you used there to a room that was set up in your backyard. You can stylize by picking textures and colors that harmonize. Do more than buy a couple of chairs and that cute dining table. Lounge seats and other accessories should make the room more exciting and seemingly more spacious.
Learn to Manipulate
If the problem in your home is square footage, then learn to utilize scale, angles, and surface materials. You wouldn’t want to force a 12-seater dining table into a particularly small backyard dining space. Consider, instead, extendable tables or a storage unit with lots of drawers of shelves.
If you have many functional areas, then learn to use a single material that will unify them. Small spaces need to be cohesive, for instance, the parents’ entertainment area could have the same carpet color as the kids’ play zone.
FFDM’s Summer Home Collection has this lovely pair to make your reading corner much more exciting.
Get Rid of Clutter
The more elements that you put into your backyard space, the tighter it would eventually feel. Instead, incorporate non-curvy lines, clean seating, and a limited number of potted plants or bushes. Say no to bulky furniture since the small space will surely be overwhelmed by them.
The cleaner look works better in a backyard that you want to maximize. Instead of using 15 pots as decor, just use five then have them strategically placed throughout the limited space. Pick about two or three planters, 2-3 colors, and just about anything that would complement each other so that the space won’t look overwhelming or chaotic.
Have the Space Enclosed
This might seem ineffective for someone whose aim is to make a small space appear larger. Enclosing a small space, though, you make it more intimate and cozy, aspects that are hard to achieve when you have a large space to work with. An enclosure will also make you feel that you have an outdoor room rather than just a place to store clutter.
Having plants can help you create an intimate yet seemingly roomy space. Redbud trees and trumpet vines usually work if you want to maximize your backyard. So go ahead and use greeneries to your advantage.
Tags: arranging furniture, backyard design, backyard style, decorating with houseplants, decorating with plants, designing the backyard, furniture arrangement, furniture placement, indoor-outdoor furniture, maximizing the backyard, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, outdoor dining, outdoor dining area, outdoor furniture, plant decor
Posted in Outdoors Style, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Thursday, March 24th, 2016
Accessories Uttermost Amadahy Metal Wall Art 13931
Picking an artwork for your home is an exciting adventure but many people seem to be daunted by it. To be successful in bringing home a piece of art that you want, you have to first know what you really want. You also have to consider how it will fit into the current interior design and whether your art space wouldn’t look odd.
Know What Is Available
Shop around before you pick and bring home any artwork. Apart from museums and galleries, check out also the local exhibitions, non-profit galleries and public spaces displaying art. Libraries and the internet also supply a huge variety of fine art.
An advantage in using the Internet, though, is that you can specify the kind of art that you are most interested in. This can range from impressionism, abstract, cubism, photography, sculpture, etc.
Art That You Prefer
Accessories Uttermost Bronze Figures Art Set2 35236 displays the beauty of the human form.
There are many other places where you can search for art. There’s Asian art and self-representing artists, even ripoffs but, of course, it would be wrong and tasteless to go for the latter. Check out contemporary art as well, not just the traditional art pieces. Read about the artist’s background and dare to ask once you meet up. Perhaps you’re dealing with the seller so make sure that this person knows what he is talking about. If he cannot tell a Van Gogh from a Picasso then your conversation would be pointless.
What you like or don’t like will eventually become apparent once you get to visit different galleries. Take your time, breathe, and enjoy.
Consider Your Home Space
It is also crucial to consider the size of the art that you will bring home with you. Even if you like a piece that much, if you don’t have ample space to accommodate it in your home, then your investment would be a total waste. Also, if you insist on using huge artwork for a small room, then the two aspects won’t be in proportion.
Bolder art also asks for a bigger room so make sure that you measure how much space is still available in your home. You might end up with a pricey painting just sitting on a corner if you don’t do your measurements well.
Accessories Uttermost Bronze Figures Art Set2 35236 displays the beauty of the human form.
Consider the Color of Your Home
Another aspect that you need to consider is your home’s current color or theme. It would be wrong to bring home colorful art when the rest of your home has bold, bright colors already. It is wrong to look for a precise match for your art. Pick one or two of the same hues so that you convey that the painting does belong to your home and not bought just ‘cause.
See how you can harmonize the art pieces that you are going to buy with the paintings and other artworks that you already bought in the past. Contemporary arts should go with contemporary pieces.
Should the present colors clash with your painting preference, then just place the art on an easel or a pedestal; this is an effective way to tame it and not allow it to clash with the rest of the present environment.
Hang Art Properly
The basic rule when hanging anything on walls is that they should be at eye level once hung. Sculptures may sit on a table, a pedestal or sit on the floor. This rule can serve as your guideline, though, so feel free to experiment with the different pieces that you have considered. It is up to you if you would want to hang a special painting on the ceiling of your bedroom so you can gaze upon it while you relax.
After hanging the paintings on your art space, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Sit down and enjoy these works of beauty.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Asian Two-Door.One-Drawer Hall Chest: Sometimes a beautiful furniture can also be a work of art.
Tags: art, art elements, art in interior design, artwork, artwork on walls, displaying art, displaying artwork, how to display art in your home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Guesthouse Woven Twin Headboard 1220-434 is the right bed for your little princess.
If there is one good thing about siblings sharing a bedroom is that they get to bond, even compromise. Siblings tend to have misunderstandings but if you plan the shared bedroom carefully, then you can reduce the number of squabbles between them. Here are some tips on how you can make the sibling-shared bedroom a bit calmer –
The Kids Become the Architects
It is a must to include your kids in designing the room. This will avoid future complaints, too, so you had better involve them in the whole design process.
Don’t think that young children do not have an eye for wall art. Have them pick out the furniture, wallpaper or paint, and the accessories. Don’t automatically go to the cartoon character or sports linens that are on display.
Allow your kids to display their individual personalities. Assign a section for each kid to decorate. Each one can have a particular wall to cover with his designs or a part of the floor to scatter cushions. Just make sure that the designs complement each other or you would have a room that spells C-H-A-O-S. It is best to give them a smorgasbord of themes to choose from, preferably those that already complement each other so you won’t have to worry about tantrums later.
Assign a Personal Area
Give each kid an area of his or her own. Make sure that you provide ample private space for each kid even if you have just a small room to work with. This can be accomplished with an area rug, individual desks, or compartments. Separate toy boxes tend to work, too.
FFDM’s Ancestry Collection may look traditional but it offers timeless beauty and more storage for your little ones’ stuff.
Set the Rules
Every kid needs rules to follow; without them, they will just do what they want without any regard for the consequences. Arguments also result from parents who do not know how to set rules. While rules are important inside the sibling-shared bedroom, it is best that you keep them to a bare minimum. A perfect example is teaching them that they are not supposed to take any toy or property of the other sibling without asking for permission.
Teach also that they need to have private moments at times. Knocking before entering is also a good rule to set.
Even Young Children Can Share
Again, do not underestimate the sharing capacity of the younger ones. Don’t be tempted to keep the youngest child with you in the master bedroom. Older children’s routine can still be established since they can adapt to the youngest child’s nightly bawls.
Teach the young one to put his toys in his own toy box and not to take toys from his elder brother’s or sister’s box. High shelves yet sturdy shelves will also do the trick so that the older ones get to keep their stuff undamaged.
An Open Floor Space
Consider bunk beds when you have kids that are older than six. This kind of bed should provide ample floor space where more furniture or storage units can be installed.
‘Planning to extend or move in the future? Then find a bed that can be separated into two single beds when they no longer look cute sharing a bunk bed.
The Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Platform Headboard, Twin 3.3 1051-534 is perfect for your little boy.
A Place for Everything
A kid is naturally messy; expecting otherwise would be futile. Since they are messy creatures, toys and other stuff can be found lying everywhere; condition your kids’ minds to tidy up after playing. This can be better implemented if there is storage for everything.
Creativity Is Welcome
Kids are naturally creative. You can share their excitement for their soon-to-be-shared bedroom by going out with them to shop for the furniture that they will need, design the room according to their taste, and to show your support every step of their creation process. The sibling-shared bedroom project can be fun to make, just give it a chance.
Tags: bed, bedroom for siblings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sibling shared bedroom
Posted in Bedroom Design, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
Fine Furniture Design’s Antebellum Collection offers luxurious and sophisticated pieces such as this dining set.
A home’s primary purpose is to provide a place of comfort that also functions. Fine living is tantamount to having a luxurious home that goes beyond the fundamental amenities. It displays a lavish setting, with enough living space, high-beam ceilings, gourmet kitchen, and expensive architectural features. However you would set up your luxury home, it is all just about planning the design correctly and putting in all the elements that represent your personal taste.
Fine living offers intricate home details, amenities, elegance, and both formal and informal spaces. Emphasis is placed on precision and timeless quality. The modern buyer can also ask for the home to be tailor-fitted to her.
Designers can customize the home plans so that they meet your specs. Each unique plan is rich in detail, sophisticated and offers superior amenities. This kind of home can be serene, dignified or palatial – the choice is yours. The homeowners should take into account three things, though –
Building a home – especially a luxurious one – is an exciting venture. This all begins with a design specifically made for fine living. You may feel uncertain, at first, when you begin looking for a theme that would work in your home. Your goal should be to start this process with enough planning.
What To Do When Buying Luxury Homes
A lot of luxury homes are unlisted so that the seller’s privacy is kept intact. Get in touch with realtors or go to various online sources.
Look beyond the photos when considering a home. There are luxurious homes that are not photogenic but they offer the best amenities and features that some photogenic homes provide. Search the property, also the vicinity, in person. This is so you know what goes on in the community and what you should expect. Have an attorney represent you especially when you are buying a condo.
Find a local expert who is familiar with the area where you’re planning to buy a house. Set up an appointment with one such expert and set aside some time to shop around with her.
Be sure to document everything since this is crucial in a high-end market that scrutinizes more. The title insurance must also be in place so that problems that are often forgotten are covered.
Lastly, haggle.
FFDM’s Vintage Classics
Interior Design for Fine Living
As soon as you’ve bought your new home, the next thing that you have to consider is its interior design. Bring in some fresh flowers to decorate your consoles, coffee table, dining room table, bedside tables, and vanities. Vases of colorful flowers will surely brighten up a boring room. Flowers will also make the place look more luxurious.
You can also decorate with fruit. Display large bowls of oranges, lemons or apples. These can add a cheerful elegance to your home. Do not just limit your design capabilities to fruits, though. Be sure to display accent pieces that will bring out the beauty of the current backdrop. Carefully choose your furniture as fine living requires only the most elegant pieces.
Another element that you have to carefully consider is the lighting. This offers function and beauty. A couple of lamps can become the focal points in a room. Chandeliers have always been the star of many dining rooms and ballrooms.
Next, pay attention to the architectural moulding. This is an important architectural element that is unique to homes for fine living. Lastly, choose paint and colors wisely. A neutral background should be made exciting with bright-colored furniture and accent pieces while a colorful backdrop should house pastel pieces.
Tags: designing luxury homes, elements of luxury homes, fine living, furniture, luxurious interior, luxurious interiors, luxurious living, luxury home, luxury homes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, posh interior design, posh living
Posted in Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
FFDM’s Summer Home Collection provides a beautiful set for that perfect cabana. Don’t forget to display a bowl or tray of fresh fruits and some flowers to complete the look.
The pool house is a second house right inside your property. This could house a second kitchen, guest room, spare bedroom for a family member, or a game room. A pool house may just be adjacent to a major structure (your home) but it needs a building permit and a whole range of requirements. This is often a place that is also referred to as cabana though, technically, this is not the proper term to use.
Cabana is a three-sided structure that is roofed and is used to provide privacy right at the pool side. This can be considered a tent or it can be big enough to be built with a permit.
Whether you would want the cabana to be a full-blown pool house or a changing room, perhaps a storage room, the thing that you need to accomplish is the overall landscape. Cabanas are big so they cannot be hidden behind plants or bushes. This can be a part of your property that can improve its market value.
Position It Correctly the First Time
The cabana is big – more often than not – focal point in your backyard. Create a structure that is visually pleasing, one that would harmonize with the rest of your home’s current architecture. You have the leeway to repeat the colors, materials and finishes used on the facade. Your goal is to make the cabana appear like it was created together with the home when it was first constructed. The visual link should be powerful enough so make sure that you install the necessary elements such as outdoor lighting and accents.
Place the cabana right inside the property lines. Create a balance between the cabana and the pool as opposed to the cabana and the property line.
Preserve any plant life or tree in your backyard. Position the cabana so that even the trees of your neighbors will serve as a perfect backdrop for it.
Indoors and Outdoors: A Fusion
Every cabana is a unique place to its owners. The indoor and outdoor spaces could be anything from a fireplace, bar, or a covered patio. It is quite common to find covered patio during hot or rainy seasons. The barbecue place can also be located in a cabana. The more open space it looks, the more that it will become a visual add-on.
Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Vera Dining Chair – Havana Leather 6833.HAV-PA206 is perfect for a relaxing cabana.
Design Smorgasbord
Cabana can be symmetrical where both sides show equal parts of the beautiful landscape design. Pairing the plants is also a good way of creating symmetry in your design.
A curvilinear layout is a design that makes use of three or more elements. Say no to even pairings here as oddity is the key.
The cabana can also be screened allowing for outdoor living minus the mosquitoes. It can also be a place for entertainment. For those who want extra storage, then this will serve as a room for gardening supplies and equipment. Just make sure that you make the entryway large enough so that you can easily bring in (and out) the supplies that you need.
Consider also what you would want as your cabana view. The outdoors offer versatility and style that you can play with especially when you have a creative mind. Say no to a boring backyard. Now, the cabana can provide practical uses but it can also be a stylish focal point.
Do you want an outdoor dining area? This isn’t just another picnic table by the poolside. You can get creative by adding the right dining set. For a more put-together look, use luxury linens and drapes.
Lastly, the cabana can be the ultimate relaxation spot. Just set up a simple bedding, even a hammock, and tranquility is yours for the taking!
Tags: cabana, cabana design, indoor-outdoor furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, outdoor activities, outdoor furniture, outdoor living, outdoor view, stylize a cabana
Posted in Outdoors Style, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
Hooker Furniture’s Skyline Collection: Don’t miss on cleaning the mattress and its cover during spring.
This is the season to clean your pruners and take the gardening gloves out of the storage cabinet. Spring is once again here, bringing with it longer days, the freshest flowers and green leaves and, of course, garden chores. Your spring itinerary waits –
It’s Gardening Time
This is that time when the early bulbs come out and wildflowers show up in the Pacific Southwest and Northwest. It is best to plant vegetables and herbs in Texas, not forgetting the companion plants as you do so. Try something that you have not done before – plant something exotic – and keep a garden of the local wildlife. Get more herbs and veggies into the ground such as collards, chard, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatillos, tomatoes, and endive. Plant more of rosemary, sage, mint, lemongrass, chives, thyme, santolina, sorrel and artemesia.
Century Furniture Living Room Adira Sectional 11-Sectional: Include the throws and cushions during spring cleaning.
In the Northwest, be sure to prune the apple trees so that they will be able to produce more fruit. March is the last month that you can prune the fruit trees so better get to it.
When you are from California, March is the month to plant bougainvilleas in pots. You should be able to enjoy an amazing display of this flower plant by midsummer. Look for the compact varieties like Singapore Pink, Purple Queen or the Temple Fire. When you plant, though, make sure that you do not break the root ball since plants don’t want that.
Citrus plants are best planted in the Southwest regions. March is also the time of the year when you can add a lovely citrus tree in your garden. Pruning this tree is also best done during this month.
Those from the Rocky Mountains should plant more tomatoes, parsley, carrots, onions, marigolds, and nasturtiums.
Century Furniture Living Room Adira Sectional 11-Sectional: Include the throws and cushions during spring cleaning.
Sprucing Up the Indoors
Is there also a way that you can prepare your home for the spring season? Cleaning is not just limited to your garden. March is also the month to best clean windows, carpets, mattresses, and upholstery.
Begin with the rugs and carpets. High traffic zones should be prioritized as these have the tendency to bug you more when the time comes. Clean up the play spaces, entryways, and other high traffic zones. Vacuum these areas for no less than 30 seconds. Do the top of the area rugs first then go to the underside to clean them up, too.
Apply some degreaser on stains then use a hair dryer on the wet spots. Open the windows once you’re done vacuuming.
The windows are your next priority. Dust builds up here so take that whisk broom, a hose, window cleaner, and a bucket.
Close the screens and windows before you begin cleaning. Brush away the debris on the screens and the tracks. Hose down the windows from about five feet away. The hose’s power should be able to easily reach your second floor windows without the use of a ladder.
You can either hose down or use a bucket of soapy water to do this window cleaning project.
Next, there’s the curtain. As you have hosed down the windows and are waiting for them to dry, you should also get to the curtains. Use a steamer to clean it up. Once you’ve cleaned per section, open the windows to dry the curtains.
This task should take no more than 10 minutes for every panel.
Lastly, there’s your mattress. All you’ll need is a carton of baking soda, a sieve, stain remover, and some dryer sheets complete with essential oils.
The mattress cover can be laundered in a regular manner. As for the mattress, just pour baking soda to the sieve. Dust all parts of the mattress with soda. You will soon notice dirt and moisture clinging to the powder. This should eliminate any bad odors.
Remake the bed and make sure to vacuum the soda once you change the sheets the next time. Tuck the dryer sheets with essential oils under your mattress cover so you’ll smell the fresh scent as you sleep.
Ain’t spring cleaning great? This may just be an annual task but it’s one that you shouldn’t miss if you want to have a clean, fresh-smelling home once more.
Tags: gardening, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, plant art, spring, spring interior design, spring interiors, spring season
Posted in Interior Design 101, Outdoors Style, Spring Season | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Preston Ridge Sofa Table
Most homeowners find it easy to become complacent when at home. They can just let the days drift by without making the necessary home improvements. If done correctly, home improvement can literally allow you to reach your home’s potential. It can also up the value of the property. It’s now 2016; it’s up to you to decide which home improvement projects you’ll take on this year.
Garden Maintenance
The world’s climate is ever-changing so be sure to choose plants that are drought-tolerant. Gardening is an important part of adding curb appeal. Smart planting offers a natural aesthetic that is beautiful and difficult to surpass.
Why make do with mere bare fences when you can build trellis or a green wall. This kind of fence even allows nature to flourish. A plain brick wall would do well to have something like this. It will then look more interesting and robust. Choose the right species to plant there.
The great news is that plants can also insulate your home’s walls, providing them with the best thermal comfort.
Build Eaves
Are you aware of these parts of your roof? Environmental principles can be easily utilized in your home by saying no to air conditioning during the summer and building eaves instead. These are designed to let in the winter sun while blocking the blistering heat of the summer sun. These can make your home a lot more comfortable all months of the year. They can also reduce your electric bills.
Plan your eaves this year – it’s about time.
Utilize Roof Space
Have you considered working home instead of traveling to and from work? Then embrace the blessings of having a home office by utilizing your home’s unused attic space. This often dark room can actually be transformed to a brightly-lit, functional workspace. Improving that part of your home will not just add value to your property by the creation of usable space but also reduce commute time.
Roof space can also become a guest room project or a teen space. Adding skylight windows and timber flooring, painting the walls white, and putting furniture and accessories will surely make this room an awesome place to spend time in.
The Backyard Sanctuary
You can also turn unused space in your garden to a getaway. This should be the perfect spot if you are in need of a little quiet time.
Use articulated timber, light and plant life to create a peaceful feeling within that new part of your home. Your objective is to set up destinations right within your backyard. These should be inviting enough so that people will look forward to spend more time there.
Get Rid of Excess Stuff
If you clutter that has been eating a huge part of your home, then it’s time to throw ‘em away. Those that you can still use should be placed in storage. Any stuff that you haven’t used for more than a year should be considered junk. You can sell them online or donate them.
Let go of accessories that no longer work with the theme that you currently have.
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Have you ever thought of setting up a roof garden? This can be a unique space in your home that can reduce the urban feel of your dwelling. This can be a simple grassed area lined with low-lying plants. Take advantage of any unutilized space and turn it into something that supports vegetation.
Any small plot of land outside of your home would also do.
Lastly, choose among the rooms in your home and find out which will be your 2016 home improvement project. Then be sure to finish this project and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Tags: 2016 interiors, 2016 trends, home renovation, home renovation projects, home renovation tips, interior renovations, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2016 Trends, Interior Design 101, Remodeling | No Comments »
Monday, March 21st, 2016
Hooker Furniture Home Office Danforth Low Bookcase 388-10-420 houses colorful books and other interesting pieces.
Have you ever felt your mood needing a little lift as you walk into a cramped space? This could be because the ceiling also needs some lifting. If you are working in an awkward position up in the attic or down the basement, then you know how cramped it can be in those places. Those spaces can have very low ceiling which is why a lot of homeowners are thinking of raising the roof – at least visually.
There are ways to make a low ceiling look higher without having to topple any existing structure. Here are ways –
Bright White
One of the easiest steps to visually lift any low ceiling is to use a bright white paint. Add illumination to this already bright setup and you’ve got a room that will look more expansive.
Using the lights alone will not be enough to hoist your home’s ceiling. Actually, if the sole light in the room is beamed downward, then it could leave the floor and the furniture well-lit but your ceiling will have shadows.
It is better to add floor or table lamps that can cast a light upwards. This will create a more even lighting with zero dark corners.
Position Effectively
One other key in making a room look and feel taller is a make a floor plan that optimizes the room’s height. For instance, those low basement spaces often have areas for normal ceiling height which is often used for circulation space, with the lower areas used for chairs. This is a great way for you to stand tall while moving inside the room yet still feel cozy while snuggled in a sofa.
A sofa that is placed right under the ceiling drop and at a diagonal angle can maximize the area’s full height. Also, seating that is pressed against the wall under a very low area will render the tallest part open for circulation. This setup will also add glowing light to keep the eyes away from the ceiling.
It would be more difficult to notice the drop if you fill the walls with exciting features. So go ahead and make the walls look busy.
Hooker Furniture Accents Floor Mirror with Hidden Jewelry Storage creates a sense of height as it fills up the ceiling-to-floor space.
Use Cove Lights
A glowing cove light will wash artworks and the walls with bright illumination. Tucking any light source where they are not visually obvious (say behind furniture or a bulkhead) will create an ethereal glow. This will trick one’s vision into believing that sunlight is coming in from a window. This will fight any feelings of claustrophobia.
Be Bold, Use Low
Display bold furniture so you can distract the eye from the broken up or low ceiling. Bulky blue sofa will definitely catch the attention of any visitor especially when it sits in the middle of a stark white room.
Add colorful accents where you are using a neutral theme and vice versa if it is the accessories that are neutral. Adding the furniture’s weight is an effective way to draw the eyes away from the ceiling.
This is also the case when you use low furniture. Be hip but not begging for attention as you also keep the ceiling way above your head. A sofa with extra pillows is great for when you watch a movie or when teens bring in some friends. Add a plush rug and the space will look unrestrained.
Expose Architecture
The last common strategy in removing the look of a dropped ceiling is to allow the pipes and beams to remain exposed. These common construction parts should be painted on with a flat white paint. Use an eclectic theme to make this design work.
This visual uplift for a low ceiling should create the illusion that the space does not end abruptly. Refuse to give in, infuse fun and personality, instead, to your visual uplift project.
Tags: ceiling, ceiling light, design for low ceiling, low ceiling design, low ceiling solution, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, solutions for low ceiling
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
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