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Thursday, February 28th, 2019
Add the Hancock and Moore Living Room Window Chair for an even more appealing window setup.
The room’s ambiance can greatly improve with the window treatments that you use in your home. Adding light or downplaying it can also add to the formality or casual look of the space.
Sheer Curtains
You should primarily ask yourself whether you need light control or privacy. If you are dressing up a bedroom window then you might want to look for semi-sheer curtains. During daytime, this should provide you with enough shade from the heat of the sun while, at night, it can give you your needed privacy.
As early as 3100 BC up to 3rd BC, Egyptians used curtains made from animal hides. These were hung on doorways using hooks. Through the years, these curtains became spun textiles (made of linen or flax, then silk, wool and cotton).
During the Renaissance era, curtains brought color and life to the lives of everyday people. While the functions of curtains then was also to provide privacy, they did not look anywhere near the designs of curtains that we have today.
Roman Shades
If you have a view that’s not so attractive but you are in dire need of natural light, you could invest in roman shades that you could install to distract from the awful view. This, however, will allow ample light to still pass through.
But did you ever wonder why Roman shades aren’t just referred to as mere shades?
Its origins point all the way to the Roman times when households hung wet cloth over the windows to keep the dust, dirt, and debris from entering their homes. Nearby, the Roman Colosseum was then being constructed.
Pretty soon, they began decorating ornate clothes with lovely patterns to provide a stylish look to their bare windows. Even after the construction of the architectural wonder, the window treatment already stuck.
Solar Shades
These are referred to as the window sunglasses because of their opaque look. Using solar shades allow you to maintain the beauty of the outside view while offering ample light control.
The openness factors range from 3% to 14%. You can pick the higher percentage if you want to have more light to come in.
Wood Blinds
We go back again to the Egyptians who strung reeds to create blinds; the Chinese, on the other hand, picked bamboo. The Persians were the ones who introduced the blinds to the city of Venice, hence, from there, the Venetian blinds became renowned.
It was Edward Bevan who got the first patent for these blinds. Thomas Jefferson was also believed to have a spot for these window treatments. He loved them so much that he included them in this last will and testament.
It is not difficult to figure out why wood blinds continue to appeal to homeowners all over the globe. There are now aluminum blinds, vinyl blinds, motorized blinds, and solar shades. There are even mini blinds for the tiny windows that you have at home.
Woven Shades
There are also window treatments that are made of woven wood. The variety of materials include reeds, grasses, and bamboo. These are beautiful because they come with delicious textures.
These add a natural, casual feel to any space. You can easily add liners if you want to keep the privacy in a room. You can also customize the woven wood according to your preference.
Pleated Shades
This type of shades are made using one piece of fabric. Pleats are then added which easily stack and collapse as you slowly raise the shades. The slats provide your home with a semi-sheer and casual look which brings in ample light but in a filtered way that won’t hurt your eyes.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, types of window treatments, window treatment, window treatments
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Window Design | Comments Off on What’s Your Choice of Window Treatment?
Wednesday, February 27th, 2019
Fine Furniture Runway Collection: How many lighting fixtures do you think this dining room has?
Indoor and outdoor lighting design must be focused on energy efficiency. If you’re about to construct your dream home, then you should take ample time designing the lighting fixtures that you will install.
Designing the Indoor Lights
When you’re designing the indoor lighting and you want to optimize energy efficiency, you should consider adding more light. The quantity that you bring in also counts just as much as light quality.
Install LED or fluorescent lighting on the ceilings and walls. Take time design the light in key areas such as the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, the hallway and other high-traffic areas.
You can also use portable LEDs and CFLs that are going to be used for two hours each day. Be sure to find the Energy Star labeled lights. Invest also in occupancy sensors that would automatically turn your lights on or off.
Consider the light walls because these will minimize the need to use artificial lights. If you’re thinking of using recessed lights on your ceilings, use UL or Underwriters Lab approved fixtures only. These are airtight so they meet all ASTM (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) requirements.
Measure the ceiling height so you will know how to properly hang the lighting fixtures. There are lights that already come with adjustable rods or cables but there are also those that don’t so be sure to do your measurements.
The rule of thumb is, the bottom of your lighting fixtures must hang at about 12-20 inches below an eight-foot ceiling.
When you’re hanging a light over a kitchen island or a dining table, take note that the recommended distance is 28-34 inches from the lighting fixture’s bottom to the table surface. Note the size of your lighting fixture, though.
A smaller light may be hung lower while a bigger one can be placed higher.
When adding new pendant lights, consider if you can use cord swags. These can provide an industrial feel to the kitchen.
Light the stair risers so that no one would trip when he or she goes up or down the stairs.
Play with colors. A bright, colorful light in a neutral room will surely be interesting to see. Decorative lighting can also help in adding mood to the space.
Design for Outdoor Lighting
When you’re designing outdoor lights, you should consider aesthetics, utility and security.
For aesthetic lighting, make sure that the exteriors of your home are properly illuminated giving emphasis to areas such as a plot of garden or a beautiful landscape.
As for utility, be sure to put ample lighting on the driveway and the porch. These lights will help the people navigate around the house. Security-wise, the grounds must also be illuminated whether on the driveway or all around the house.
Energy efficient outdoor lighting needn’t be bright. Use fluorescent or LED lighting for energy efficiency. Think if you can have a few floodlights installed. Combine these with motion and photo sensors.
Check also that the outdoor lighting fixtures come with reflectors, covers or deflectors. Any of these will help reduce light pollution outdoors. Make good use of controls and timers so that decorative lighting can also be turned on and off.
Some of the lights that are commonly used to improve the outdoor setting are –
Lighting, as cliché as it may sound, can make or break the design of your home. Lighting can increase the ambiance as well as the mood of any space whether you’re illuminating outdoors or indoors. If you get it correctly, you get the assurance that your home will look at its best.
Tags: designing the lights, home lighting, lighting plan, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on What Is the Best Lighting Plan?
Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
Maitland-Smith Accessories Brass Pig with Dish is auspicious this year of the Earth Pig.
Did you know that the words feng shui actually mean wind and water, respectively? To the Chinese, this is all about the environment’s effects on the lives of human beings. They believe that energies exist in the environment, water, landscapes, mountains, etc. All these natural forces can significantly impact every person.
Since this is so, people should be in the best location to become recipients of the best energies that are meant to improve their health and wealth. On the other hand, people who find themselves in the midst of bad energy are believed to encounter bad luck.
Feng Shui, therefore, is the Placement Art since knowing its rules will help people create an environment that’s geared towards prosperity and health. This is an age-old technique has been among the Chinese people and they have used it to optimize the harmony in their homes and work spaces.
You, too, can create a harmonious and healthy environment if you apply this knowledge. You can use Feng Shui to –
A spot Feng Shui analysis involves a thorough inspection of the directions and dimensions of a space. The consultation will then be based on these readings as the birth data of the house’s occupants are taken into consideration.
The detailed study of the interiors, physical environment, and the occupants’ data all lead to the Feng Shui consult that will be discussed. A physical inspection of the house must be done to provide the needed information.
Check the Outdoors
A huge part of the Feng Shui consultation is to begin by studying the outside of a house. If you live too close to, say, a railroad, then there’d be an effect on the energies that will flow towards your house. Houses that have sloped backyards tend to have challenging Feng Shui so an expert is supposed to realign the energies.
The outdoors must have a garden no matter how small because it will surely invite good energies.
Entryway Feng Shui
Improving the front door Feng Shui is easy. Just don’t block the entry with old pots, recycling bins or shoes and you should be fine. Since you’re supposed to channel and welcome good energy, then make sure that there is no staircase that’s directly facing your front door. Make sure also that the front door is not directly aligned to your back door.
Remember that the front door serves as the mouth of qi (chi) so this must be given ample attention during Feng Shui consultation.
Living Room Feng Shui
The living room is a pretty busy area in any home this is why you should have nothing but good energy there. Check the baguas that you place in that room as well as the family room.
The bagua or pa kua is a Feng Shui tool that’s known to provide energy for homes, offices, and gardens. This is the energy map of any space which are connected to particular areas in your life.
Bagua means eight areas and these correspond to the eight areas of a person’s life namely –
Bedroom Feng Shui
This is the most important room of a house so be sure to use Feng Shui there.
This room must be free from gadgets such as computers, TV and exercise equipment. The air must also freely flow in this space so make sure that there is daylight during the morning.
Kitchen Feng Shui
This is the heart of your home so the energy here must be one of abundance and wealth.
Here are some don’ts for the kitchen –
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Feng Shui, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design, Living Room Design | Comments Off on Evaluate Your Home’s Feng Shui
Sunday, February 24th, 2019
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Nashua 4 Light Wooden Lantern Pendant 22050
Big or small, the front porch is often just a dream for a lot of homeowners. Perhaps you are one of those who – for the longest time – wanted to have a front porch where you would welcome your friends and neighbors over.
But, is the front porch meant to be used only during the summer months? What happens with the rest of the year when the sun’s not as bright and cheerful?
First, the Porch Maintenance
A porch that you can use all year round needs to be safe, to begin with. Prior to planning the décor that will be used in the porch, you need to thoroughly inspect the porch.
See if there are any broken boards. If you weren’t dutiful enough to maintain the porch in the previous months, then it could show some signs of damage by now. Make the necessary repairs which would cost around $1,350.
Another safety feature that you need to carefully inspect is the railing. This is a part of your porch that will prevent accidents and falls. The front porch that stands higher than 30” should have no less than a 36” railing.
Find out what the local codes require, though.
Remember that you can design the front porch so it does not become an eyesore. Instead, you can beautify it to even help improve your home’s curb appeal.
A wooden porch railing should also be up to code. Give this railing a fresh coat of paint. White’s a wonderful option if you want the porch to have a classic look.
You could also replace the wooden spindles with wrought iron or any metallic material. Doing so will give the porch a more contemporary look.
Enjoy the Evenings with Correct Porch Lighting
One other feature that will ensure the safety in your porch is the correct lighting fixture. You will clearly see the improvement once the lights are properly placed. You could begin by enhancing the overall look of the porch railing.
Use string bulbs to line the railings. This is an incredible look that will increase the rustic appeal of your home.
A trendy lantern would also be a nice addition as would wall sconces.
Pick the Porch Furniture
As soon as you know that your porch is in excellent condition, then you can begin shopping for furniture. You should also immediately include the decorative elements that would complement the theme.
Compared to decks, the front porch has chair requirements. So put a chair or a two with a small table if there’s still ample space. If you want to put a wooden rocking chair there for a more classic look, then go ahead. This is also an ultra-comfortable chair so you get two features with just one seating unit.
How about a porch swing? There are a lot of sizes to choose from. If this isn’t for you, then you can always invest in a bench.
Porch Décor
When you’ve decided which furniture pieces to buy, then it’s time to decorate. This is one of the more fun parts of porch design. Put cushions and pillows to add color to your porch. You can also use an outdoor area rug to add a little pattern and texture to the whole ensemble.
And since you’re about to decorate an outdoor zone, there must also be decorative plants. Use planters and large plant stands that will beautify the porch further. Add flowering plants for more pops of bright colors.
The Fall Porch
Use fall shades such as orange, reds and browns to replace the bold colors that were used during spring and summer. Get rid of the flowery patterns, too, and replace them with the bright pumpkins instead.
The Christmas Porch
A lot of homeowners never use the porch during winter. It could get too cold to enjoy any scenery so the first thing that you need to do is to cover the furniture. You can have them stored for the rest of the cold season.
You can replace the furniture with a Christmas tree that’s adorned with fairy lights and garlands. Use the planters for your winter greens and reds.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, porch design, porch design elements, porch maintenance, porch style
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Outdoors Style | Comments Off on The All-Year-Round Porch
Saturday, February 23rd, 2019
The neutral front door effectively frames the rest of the colorful design elements in this Esquire ensemble.
Curb appeal is in need of various elements for it to be achieved. The landscaping as well as the façade of your home truly counts. The front door is also one such crucial focal point that you need to seriously think about when you want to let your guests feel welcome.
The entryway is the very portal where your family and guests go through when they enter your home. This is so crucial, which is why you need to think about what design and décor should go there.
If your home’s front door is currently worn out, then you could consider repainting it – or you might as well turn it into a small remodeling project. You might not have considered this as a breakthrough project in the past but, now, this could actually help you freshen up your curb appeal.
The whole point to this project is to, first, pick the right color for your chosen theme and your personal preference. There are a lot of trendy colors and styles at the moment so see if you’ll be inspired by some of these colors.
Prior to picking out the front door color, you might want to plan first. You would not want to end up not liking the eventual look. If you’re painting the door, then you should plan about taking the door off the frame.
You should also find a paint and primer that will provide the most professional look. If you’re uncertain about the whole remodeling thing, then you can always hire a painting pro.
Know that the average cost of a small painting project, specifically the front door, is about $590. As soon as you have the cost and the colors in place, you also need to plan which colors would match the rest of the design elements in your home.
Think of the front door as the first impression which is indicative of your personal style. If you’re artistic and are not afraid to experiment, then you can go daring and bold.
If you like traditional things, then you can stick with the more vintage look for your front door. Pastel colors are also fun.
Now, the colors…
Bold Red
It is believed that red is the most welcoming color for a front door as it evokes passionate, energetic, determined, and powerful feelings. This is a classic choice especially when you have a gray or brick house. Red will also provide the warm color on a white home.
Red is perfect for a home with a farmhouse appeal.
Turquoise
Another hot color to choose is turquoise. This offers a retro look and works best with gray or white homes. This is that needful pop of bright color in a sea of neutrals.
You won’t have to worry about going overboard with this shade of greenish blue. This is also the name of an opaque mineral that’s a hydrated copper phosphate and aluminum. It is a rare mineral and is a highly sought gemstone.
The color represents femininity, calmness, energy, sophistication, wholeness, creativity (which is why it is often used in offices, too), joy, friendship, and loyalty.
Modern Black
If you’re aiming towards a sleek update, then black should be your go-to front door color. This hue absorbs all the light on a color spectrum and while it is seen as symbolic of evil in many films and artworks, black is also a sophisticated hue so you can effectively use it to make the curb appeal more contemporary or lavish.
Sunshiny Yellow
Oh, the color yellow! What could be sunnier?
If you want to get rid of all the negative feelings or energy in your home, then use a bright shade of yellow on your front door. Even when it’s cloudy outside, a yellow front door will automatically make anyone happy.
This is a bold color to infuse in a home that desperately needs a pop of color.
Tags: front door, front door colors, front door options, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on 3 Fashionable Front Door Colors and Their Meaning
Friday, February 22nd, 2019
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Marinot, 12Lt. Chandelier 21298
The dining room is a place of socialization. This is where family or friends gather to enjoy a good meal while conversing and being updated on each other’s lives. Compared to kitchens, the dining room is a place that’s meant for relaxation. This is why the décor in this area is also a lot different from the area where cooking is done.
One of the age-old ways to effectively decorate the dining room is to hang a chandelier. This is a lighting fixture that’s highly valued for its function and aesthetic appeal. This is a decorative element that can effectively enhance any space.
If you’re currently shopping for a piece that will beautify your dining room then read on for a few tips –
Know the Cost
Chandeliers will always be hot when it comes to what’s fashionable inside a home. So, if you’re updating the dining room, then know that you don’t have to spend a lot just to replace the current lighting fixture there.
If you’re changing the lighting fixture, then be sure to hire a licensed electrician. Never install an overhead light all on your own. Not only is it dangerous because it involves electrical know-how, you might also end up doing the task all over again because the wiring system might not have been placed properly.
The lighting fixture installation cost, on average, is around $418 USD. Majority of homeowners spend anywhere from $176 to $375.
Know the Different Styles
Linear. Dining rooms come in many different designs. You would want to match your lighting with the current design elements that are already in place. The simplest solution is to have a rectangular or a linear chandelier.
This kind of chandelier has a horizontal span that’s great to install over a long dining table. You can use this when your home is designed with a farmhouse look or a Mid-century modern style.
Lantern. If you want an even more traditional look for the dining room, then your chandelier style should be that of a lantern. This hangs beautifully on a vertical position, as does a traditional chandelier.
This often comes in a metal frame. You can choose from a wide array of sizes from tiny to the gargantuan. The lantern chandelier is also the best lighting fixture for a tiny dining room.
Modern. The modern style is probably the one style that stands out because it can come in interesting geometric shapes.
Find those that have metallic finishes. Chrome is one exciting finish that will give your modern home its unique look. If you’re inviting a lot of guests over, then this is the right kind of chandelier that will start conversations.
Rustic. If you’re opting for the cozy and homey feeling, then a rustic chandelier is the best choice for your dining room light. Cast iron and dark wood are common materials and are also worth investing in.
This decorative element looks great when hung over a wooden table. While most of the rustic chandeliers are linear, there are also globe varieties as well as vertical chandeliers.
Traditional. The traditional style is the safest yet still stylish choice for any unsure homeowner. Traditional chandeliers, therefore, make use of a few bulbs and some glass pieces.
Elegance is easily achieved through the traditional dining room chandelier. If you’re thinking of selling your home soon, then be sure to replace the dining room overhead lighting with this timeless choice.
Small. For people who have small dining rooms, then the lighting fixture of choice should be one that will not crowd out the rest of the design elements. Know the measurements of your dining room so that you will be able to buy the right chandelier size.
Linear chandeliers could be your best choice at this point.
Tags: chandelier types, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, types of chandeliers
Posted in Accents, Dining Room Design, Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on How to Take On Your First Dining Room Chandelier Installation Project
Thursday, February 21st, 2019
The Wesley Allen Bedroom Aspen Daybed can serve as a sofa during the day and a comfy bed at night.
Have you been wracking your brain on where to situate your dream guest room? If there is not enough room in your current living space, then it’s a great idea to consider using some of the areas that have served as your storage rooms for the longest time.
The basement, when used solely as a storage room, is hugely underutilized. In fact, this subterranean room is a wonderful area to put your guest room, nay, a guest suite.
Consider Safety
When you have finally decided to remodel the basement into a guest suite, then your first duty is to ensure the safety of the guests that would stay there. First on the list is to have the room on par with the local building codes.
There must be a fire escape or even an egress window in the suite that will be built in the basement. The window or fire escape will provide an accessible escape route for your guests should there be an emergency such as a fire.
Make It Cozy
It is best to think first of the amenities that you are now enjoying in your own bedroom. You would want every guest to feel at home by having all of the items that they need right inside the guest suite.
The nightstand must have all the necessities that should be placed there such as an alarm clock that comes complete with an alarm and a USB cell phone charger. This will save your guest time from scrambling for an outlet.
There must also be a bedside lamp, an FM radio, and some books. If you know who the guest will be before his or her arrival, then you can prepare the book genre that will be displayed on the bedside table.
Set Up a Storage Unit
The guest or guests will surely bring clothing and a number of suitcases. Bring in a closet if the space allows it. Be sure to have empty hangers as well as a rack for the luggage. Have these prepared and your guest will surely feel like he or she is staying in a hotel.
If you want to splurge and go all out on the bedding, then that’s a wonderful idea. This is definitely one of those things that will increase the sophisticated ambiance of your new guest suite.
Now, since this room used to be a basement, you have to remember that there is a flight of stairs going to and from that area. You might want to provide some snacks and bottled water for your guests so that they won’t have to leave their room in the middle of the night.
Put that wastebasket, too, to complete the comfy guest suite.
Decorate
This is going to be the bedroom of a guest for a night or more so you have to keep the decoration neutral. White linen is best because you can just bleach them with each wash.
Go for neutral bedding then bring in pops of color through fresh flowers or houseplants. The greenery will even improve the mood of your guest as well as the air quality in that room.
Be sure to decorate with plants that do no need a lot of sunlight such as the snake plant.
Put in Toiletries
Your hospitality must not stop in the area where the guests would sleep. Be sure to prepare the guest bathroom, too. Get some inspiration from the bathroom in your own home or, yet again, use a neutral theme.
Provide amenities like a body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and a body lotion. You should also treat the guests with some soft, luxurious towels.
Dressing up the new guest suite should not be difficult. Just focus on the guests’ comfort and make them feel at home and you would certainly be rated as the world’s best host.
Tags: basement remodel, guest suite, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Basement Design, Guest Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on From Basement to Suite in 5 Steps
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019
The Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Base Only 8114-18 has a super stylish metallic finish that’s ‘in’ this Year of the Earth Pig.
Have you ever come to a point in your interior designing efforts when you changed the lighting fixture and you ended up revitalizing the overall look of your home? If you have yet to try this, then why procrastinate?
The year 2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig and it is an awesome year to do a lot of auspicious things in your home. An easy lighting update could just be the update that your tired-looking home needs.
In the past few years, you have probably seen some common themes of statements and sustainability that are being embraced in many lighting choices. These trends are continuing through to 2019 and they will even be elevated to the most innovative designs.
The Green Design
At the very top of the lighting trends are the eco-friendly lighting designs. The huge cut down on the carbon footprint equates to savings for many homeowners. There are now many choices for energy-saving light bulbs. There are also various ways to upcycle the eco-friendly lighting designs.
There is no doubt that the climate change has greatly affected every part of the world whether in bush fires or flash floods. One of the easiest eco-friendly ways to begin green living is to choose your lighting properly.
And don’t just introduce green lighting but also bring a touch of greenery to stay on the eco-friendly vibe at all times.
The Natural Design
Apart from the green fixture options, also trending are the natural materials used in lighting such as bamboo, wood, and woven fixtures. These may be simple designs but they remain to be one of the leading staple lighting features for this year.
If you have yet to alter the lighting in your home, then this trend will fit you right into the Boho style.
The Industrial Design
If natural materials don’t make you swoon, then that’s alright. Industrial style is also quite hot this year. It was one of the leading trends from last year which is still hot, hot, hot this year.
Don’t be intimidated by the oft-metallic look that industrial style offers. This is actually a fun trend once you get how to use it for your new designs. For instance, what used to be barn lights that were solely used outdoors are now quite stylish when used inside the dining room.
Metallic Is Hip
Metallic finish is the go-to style for both the minimalist and modern homes. You can add this style for this year. This is especially useful for those who are considering selling their houses the following year.
You will never go wrong with the metallic lighting fixtures. Chrome can freshen up a room whereas gold and brass are your sophistication tones.
Accent Lighting Is Drama
Of course, not every room in your home needs a new ceiling light this year. You can still change the overall look of any space when you know how to pick from the most popular accent lights in the market.
The right accent light can effectively guide the eye towards the highlighted object or architectural part of a home. An accent light is indispensible to a home that wants to emphasize a focal point.
Away with Old Trends
The Year of the Earth Pig begs to have all old trends pushed aside. Built-in bulbs often present a problem – when the LED light fails, the whole fixture tends to become useless. This is far from eco-friendly so it is time to search for those that have replaceable eco bulbs.
Cost of Lighting
There are many ways to save on the installation of your trendy lighting fixture. Of course, you need to set aside a budget especially for this. The average cost, though, is $421 for a small fixture.
You can spend anywhere from this amount to almost $400.
Tags: lighting trends, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2019 Trends, Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on 5 Year of the Earth Pig Lighting Trends
Saturday, February 16th, 2019
The Bernhardt Interiors Accessories Pleated Wool
Apart from cotton and linen, wool is one of the go-to textiles in any home. It is dependable, a symbol of luxury, and it is beautiful. Wool is all of these plus more – it is also eco-friendly, bacteria-resistant, water-resistant, and it can even help in giving you quality sleep.
So what makes wool so cool?
It’s Ancient
But in a good way; wool weaving has been around for thousands of years. Did you know that the oldest woven piece of this textile was from Europe and had been well preserved in an ancient Danish bog. The estimated date is all the way from 1500 BCE.
It Has Many Sources
If you’ve always thought that wool is only harvested from sheep, then it’s time to put that wrong notion to rest. The now wider wool category already includes textiles manufactured from the fur of alpacas, camels, goats, llamas, and other furry animals.
Mohair and cashmere are harvested from goats. Angora is also another type of wool.
It’s Pretty
Wool is often woven into rich, thick fabrics. This is the kind of wool that we often picture when asked about this textile. But did you know that wool can also be woven to become extremely smooth and lightweight?
It’s Warm
Wool is known to hold heat effectively, after all, this is the very thing that animals grow to keep themselves warm. Fine hairs keep the air and trap it close where the body is. Even a thin wool sweater or jacket can already add a significant amount of heat to a human body.
It’s Resilient
Suit jackets become more durable when wool is used as a raw material. These clothing should be hung rather than folded, though, because their resiliency is also the same thing that makes them take a shape and keep it.
Wool jackets, when well taken care of, can even be passed down to the next generation.
It’s Water-Resistant
This is probably one not-oft-mentioned property of wool. The untreated wools come with the fatty lanolin which makes them waterproof. Even the finest wools can offer a good amount of protection, still. Be careful in allowing water to seep through, though, because wool fibers are also known to be highly absorbent.
Wool can soak as much as 20% of their own weight. There are now dish-drying mats made of wool because they don’t feel soggy even after moisture absorption.
It’s Bacteria-Resistant
Where there’s moisture, we know that the growth of fungi or bacteria could also begin. But since wool is highly water-resistant, it is not the best breeding ground for mites, bacteria, mildew and other critters and pests.
Use wool toppers for your mattress to keep bed bugs at bay.
It’s Fire-Resistant
Wool is more capable of resisting flames compared to many other fibers. It can catch fire and it could even char and totally burn out but it does this rather than spreading or melting.
Wool is an awesome material for carpeting. Take a very good look at the train and airplane carpets and you’ll see how they are often made of wool.
It’s Biodegradable
Wool comes from a renewable source (e.g. sheep and other furry farm animals). These animals tend to regrow their coats so more can be harvested in the future.
It’s A Great Insulator
There’s a reason why wool is used on baseballs and pianos. Do you see those covers on the tiny piano hammers? Those are wool covers that are also used in speakers and sound systems.
Baseballs, are also packed with a lot of wool so that they can absorb the impact of a hitting bat.
It Requires Low Maintenance
Since wool is not a common home for bacteria, it is resilient and does not need much cleaning. There is no need to wash it often. More often than not, all it requires is a gentle shake or airing out.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wool, wool benefits
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How Wool Is Beneficial
Friday, February 15th, 2019
Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Marlborough Dining Table Base 1020-810: The glass bowl of fruits “personalized” this dining room.
Many people wonder how they can alter their house to become a home. The former is just a physical structure, a dwelling place; it can be an apartment, a bungalow, a glass house, practically anything where a person or a family dwells.
The house’s form never truly matters because it’s the special relationships and people who are inside that truly count. These are the very people who can transform any space into a home.
Homeowners often forget that designing a home does not rest solely on the acquisition of furnishings. You could design your home in so many different ways where there’s a focal point, an artwork or two, and different textiles. Big or small, though, the shape and style of your house are not the only intriguing things in your space.
Here are some things that you can do to your space so that it starts spelling your name instead of an interior design magazine’s –
Rearrange
What could be simpler than rearranging your furniture? If you have bigger pieces, then you could even ask your family to help you reposition the furniture. You will be surprised at the difference that you will achieve.
Moving a table, couch, bed or a dresser is sometimes all that you need to freshen up your home.
Repaint
Go and visit the garage and see if you still have some old paint cans. See what colors you could come up with as you create different shades and tints. Add depth and drama to some rooms by painting them darker. Paint ‘em lighter and you’d widen and open up the space.
Dig
It’s time to dig up some old stuff that you might have stored. ‘Time to put them to good use; there might be an artwork that’s been sleeping in the attic or some throws that you haven’t used for the longest time.
Change
It’s time to change the linens, too. Take down the curtains and change the bedding, pillows, and sheets. Use colors that you really like and would like to see everyday. See also if you would like to go casual or sophisticated.
Display
You’re in luck if you’re already a collector. You might have locked your unique items in a cabinet somewhere. It’s time to bring them all out and decorate with them. Do you have a few pieces of pitchers, dishes, bowls, rolling pins or even muffin tins?
Bring them all out and display them proudly.
Do you also have ceramic vases? If not, then it’s time to invest in some.
Reflect
Mirrors have long been the go-to pieces not just to open up a space but also to enhance the illumination in a room. Oversized mirrors are best. Just have a floor mirror leaning on one wall and the room instantly opens up.
Add several more and you’d never go wrong.
Use
Do you have an unused fireplace? Then you have an architectural element that’s not put to good use.
The fireplace is a natural focal point so let it do its job. Paint the inside of this architectural beauty with a bold hue. You can use it as a house for your potted plant or a lovely bust.
You can also dress up the mantel by creating a vignette of coffee table books, artworks or other collectibles. You can also group candles to set up a warm ambiance.
Pull
This is also the perfect time to bring out the stored photographs. Have them framed then hung on the walls. Make the bedroom and living room walls more exciting. If you’re feeling up for it, you can also create a gallery right in the mudroom.
Nature
Lastly, another effective way to personalize a home is to bring in Mother Nature through potted plants, flowers in vases, pinecones or fruits. Strategically place them throughout your home for maximum effect.
Tags: customized home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, personalize
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Altering a House to a Home
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