- Follow us:
Friday, May 5th, 2017
When you are looking into expanding your library, you might be thinking of adding more bookshelves straightaway. There is no harm in doing this as this is the traditional way to do it. Library expansions could spell the beginning of your book collection – which is an awesome hobby.
Be sure to have a purpose when starting a book collection. If you love the classics then you gotta have Dickens’ works, books that were instrumental in the advancement of civilization, and books that satiate your occupation or interest.
The key here is to buy the books that you love. The books should speak to you. If these books define who you are, then your guests will know right away who you are.
The Bizarre Coffee Table
Books stacks can accumulate quickly so you might as well put them to good use. Hardbound books can be used as the legs for your glass tabletop. These stacks will surely invite onlookers as they lounge in your living room.
Thomasville Bedroom Keenan Bed (Queen) 1776 18Q
The Intellectual Headboard
What could be more interesting inside the bedroom than to create a headboard filled with vintage books? Open those classic books right in the middle and have them fastened above your bed. Make the Thomasville Bedroom Keenan Bed more interesting with classic books for a headboard!
Hang ‘Em
Right above your traditional bookrack, it would be nice to hang and display your books. Give each book a peg (which doubles as a bookmark) and clip them onto a wood attached to the wall. The more colorful the books are, the more exciting this hanging rack gets.
EnLIGHTened Reading
Isn’t it a lovely thing to be able to read your favorite novel before you go to bed? Or you might fancy curling up in your reading chair right by your reading nook.
No matter, it pays to have good lighting when you are reading, right? Then why not take your reading to a whole new level by stacking books and putting the head of a reading lamp at the top? The books act as the base for your lamp which will make your reading moments a lot more motivating don’t you think?
A Book Wall
You can also repurpose one wall of your living room by turning it into a glass wall with lined bookcases. Imagine the oohs and the aahs that you will get from your neighbors as they see your collection of books now turned into an accent wall.
From the inside, all you see is the traditional bookcases lined up one after the other. Outside, you will see an exciting wall filled with lots and lots of books.
Maitland-Smith Accessories Cast Brass Impala Bookends 1254-351
Book Staircases
A good book should always be within reach so why not maximize that area under the stairs? Each step can be installed with a plank where you can place your books. Be sure to include a theme whether it is by color, pattern or topic.
A unique pair of bookends will also make this book staircase a lot more remarkable.
Place these lovely Uttermost Accessories Kelda Black Ceramic Vases S/2 18730 atop your book end tables.
Book End Tables
Side or end tables are made to balance the look in a room. This is especially true when this pair of furniture piece sandwiches a major furniture such as a bed or a sofa.
End tables can also function as a place to set your beverages when you are entertaining guests in the living room or to hold stacks of books.
Rather than be confined to these kinds of end tables, why not create a stack of books and let these become the end tables? Top the look by placing marvelous ceramic vases on your unique end tables.
Tags: book collection, bookends, displaying book collections, displaying books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Ingenious Decorative Ideas for Your Book Collections
Friday, May 5th, 2017
Go intricate with the Uttermost Accessories Pajaro Ceramic Vases S_2 19843.
There are many homes all over the world that place a huge value over ceramic pieces. These decorative items are used to beautify many homes. There are also ceramic dishes and building materials as well as flooring tiles.
Ceramic has a lot of advantages over other materials. First, ceramics are easy to maintain and is compatible with just about any lifestyle. Ceramics are also relatively inexpensive. Depending on their application, these are a lot less expensive than hardwood flooring.
When used as dishware, though, ceramics are considered as top dollar design, meaning, you won’t have to worry about quality issues for a very long time because you invested on quality material.
Ceramics also tend to hold color quite well compared to stone or cement. Paint will also adhere well with ceramics more than any other decorative material. This means that you can enjoy your painted ceramic vases for a very long time. It is because of this that many decorative art pieces such as vases, figurines, decorative pots and lamps, are made of ceramic.
Ceramic may be highly fragile yet it can handle extreme heat or cold. This is why ceramic dishware and casseroles are highly-valued.
Ceramics are also highly useful in areas that have high moisture. So say yes to ceramic in the bathroom, outdoors and the kitchen. Ceramic flower pots hold the most amount of moisture for the soil, thus, indoor plants will thrive more when planted inside a ceramic pot.
Ceramic Vase Benefits
Ceramics are non-metallic and inorganic materials. There are many types but let’s talk of clay-based pieces here. These are used in creating mugs, flatware and vases.
Glazed ceramic vases has the same chemical stability as that of a glass vase. Glazing is, in essence, a thin glass coating over your ceramic decorative piece).
Ceramic vases are lighter than glass. It is a wonderful thermal insulator because of its porosity. It is also a wonderful choice for applications that require good insulation, longevity, and resistance to extreme temperature changes.
Or go simple with the Uttermost Accessories Pio Industrial Ceramic Vases S_2 20144
Decorating Your Ceramic Vase
Tags: ceramic pieces, ceramic vase, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on High Styling with Ceramic Vases
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
This console from FFDM’s Cachet collection is an intricate yet exciting piece that will welcome guests on your entryway.
The console table is a piece that’s commonly found on the entryway. And since it is on the first part of your home where visitors pass through, this is that area where first impressions are made. This means that you have to be extra careful when choosing your console table.
The best console tables are those that successfully mix function and style. These aren’t just tables that you throw your car and home keys onto. A mirror could even be set up above a lovely console table and this can give an interesting reflection of a stylish lamp or some of your prized family photos.
The console table could also be an instrument in achieving a welcoming oasis for everyone. Just adding a glass bowl complete with fruits or floating candles atop this furniture piece can already turn the entryway into a homey area.
Regardless of your eventual choice, spend ample time in choosing the console table.
Other Areas to Place the Console Table
Apart from the entryway, you can also set up the console table in your home office. Just pick a space where you can plug in a lamp, your laptop and other gadgets and you’re good to go. Choose a console table with ample tabletop space so that you can place your laptop, notepads and other office stuff there.
Place a chair in front of the console – preferably one that has a slim design – and you have just developed a nook where you can work peacefully.
The console table is not just an entryway or home office piece. This can also be used as a TV stand. Console tables that are narrow eat up less space than the traditional media center or TV stand. Just pick a narrow yet sturdy console table, one that can accommodate a DVD player, cable box, stereo and your TV, and you’ve got yourself a unique TV stand.
You can also turn consoles into a bedroom vanity. Just hang a mirror above your bedroom console, tuck a pretty stool underneath, and voila – you have your instant bedroom vanity. Of course, do not forget to place this at an area where there’s a light source such as a table lamp.
The bedroom vanity can also be a piece where you can stash your jewelry and make-up pieces.
Another use for the console table with an open shelving is to have it as a makeshift home bar. This can beautifully showcase colorful glassware and bottles which can be accessed when you’re entertaining.
Create a startup bar where mixers and spirits can be organized. A bonus point is that the open shelving offers easy maintenance. The freshest ingredients can be placed on the tabletop when you are entertaining your guests.
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Skinny Console Table is as simple as it could get yet it is still a stimulating piece for any entryway or living room.
Decorating the Console Table
Okay, now that you know that the console table is not just a place for your keys, let’s go and decorate this important furniture piece.
The first idea is to place an interesting work of art above the console table. If you have a plain-looking console, then be sure to place a colorful painting or photograph. You can also make a stark statement by placing a framed black and white photograph of a fascinating subject. Be sure to place a lampshade or two on the side of the console.
Trophies and other achievement pieces can also become awesome console table pieces. These could also serve as conversation starters during those parties and other activities that you are going to hold in your home.
Are you a huge lover of books? Then you might as well flaunt your collection on your console. Be sure to use awesome bookends which would highlight your stimulating collection. You can also look for hardbound books with colorful spines. These can be arranged to complement your home’s design.
Tags: console, console table, decorating console tables, how to decorate consoles, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Console Table: Creating Impressions That Last
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
FFDM Viniterra Cocktail Table shows off this lovely centerpiece of thick, glass bowl with floating lotus flowers.
During formal gatherings and other important occasions, haven’t you noticed how the tables come with the most beautiful centerpieces? These can include flowers, food, candles and other decorations. Of course, the table centerpieces are based on the tastes of the person who has set the formal occasion. These can also be based on the latest fashion and accessories.
If you’re wracking your brain for ideas on how to dress up your formal table for an upcoming event, then here are some popular centerpieces that you could consider –
The Roman Centerpiece
Romans often added foliage to their tables. Other centerpieces that were popular during the Roman times were ceramic vases and rock crystal dishes. Branches and decorative leaves were also commonly used.
Centerpiece of the Middle Ages
The wealthiest people of the Middle Ages had tables that were brimming with food so there was practically no room for any centerpiece – in essence, the foods were the centerpieces. During Christmastime, however, the special food centerpieces were marzipan or pastries that were shaped like animals, decorative objects, or people.
The 18th and 19th Century Centerpieces
Service à la russe (servants giving out dishes to their hostess) were quite common during this time. They cleared more room on dining tables for decorative items. They set up mirrors that reflected the most interesting porcelain figures. Aristocrats simply loved this setup.
Vertical centerpieces were the in thing throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. These vertical table décor were made using pyramids or tiered food. These were popularly known as epergnes or molded jellies and pudding.
Flowers were added on tables in the early 19th century. By the late part of this century, foliage and flowers were fused reflecting the event theme. White flowers, for instance, were used during a winter celebration.
Candelabra were also added.
The 20th Century Centerpieces
Decorative objects slowly replaced foliage and flowers on tables during the turn of this century. These objects were, again, tied to the event theme. For example, the hostess could drape a green table runner on her dining table during Saint Patrick’s Day.
Later in this century, food, once again, became the star of formal dining tables. It was during the ‘60s and ‘70s that the flower-loving generations gave reverence to flowers and made them centerpieces once more.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Applewhite 60in Round Dining Table: Flowers will never go out of style when it comes to centerpiece materials.
Pretty Centerpieces of Today
You must first consider the size of your coffee table, center table, or dining table. The size will dictate how much decorative pieces you can fill the table with. A wide dining table, for instance, will look awkward with a single, miniature flower arrangement.
Think also about blank space. When you are designing your centerpiece, keep in mind that a lot of plain table showing could look boring and unfinished. Make room for a large statement piece when you have a wide or round dining table.
For narrower tables, use mini centerpieces or mini vignettes.
Another aspect that you can consider is the height of your centerpiece. This is what would make the table much more interesting. Tall glass vases are interesting pieces especially when you use equally interesting flowers.
Make sure also that the table centerpiece is pretty to look at from any angle of the table. The secret here is to consider symmetry and simplicity. Never forget to add table runners since these can also add to the visual interest of your formal table.
Wedding Centerpieces
What could be easier than to set up floating candles and flowers as your centerpiece? This is a minimalist approach but it is still a gorgeous setup that won’t fail to tantalize.
Another interesting wedding centerpiece is the wrapped vase. Cut huge green leaves such as ferns or hostas. Tie these to your vase using jute string.
Tags: centerpiece, creating table centerpiece, making table centerpiece, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, table centerpiece, table centerpieces
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Table Centerpieces – Why No Formal Table Should Go Without ‘Em
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017
The Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Ottoman 009C-08 comes with the durable Sunbrella fabric. This statement piece will surely turn heads.ces,
Indeed, a new sofa or chair is a kind of investment. And since it is an investment of sorts, you do not want to second-guess with the material and how it will eventually stand the rigors of day-to-day living. Pick the wrong material and you would be left with permanent stains and snags. Pick the wrong pattern or color and your interior design theme could suffer.
When shopping for upholstery fabric, do not forget to consider your practical needs. Think of your lifestyle and how the piece will be used. These should help you in picking the right material for your seating unit.
Kids and Your Furry Buddies
Wouldn’t it be tragic if you had the loveliest looking sofa and yet you cannot even allow you small kids to sit in it? The great news these days is that there are now plenty of options for upholstery materials. You don’t even have to choose between durability and aesthetics.
Microfiber is awesome for cleaning spilt liquids. It could fade, though, depending on what color you chose. Consider also if the feel of microfiber is something that you would want for years. For an even more durable fabric, choose the basket weave type as it rarely snags.
For people who have kids, pets and for those who love red wine, you can go for faux suede or the weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric.
The Sunbrella fabric is made with UV-stabilized pigments to deliver the most vibrant hues that will not fade. This means that your sofa or upholstered chair remains beautiful throughout the years. It is also very easy to clean.
Sunbrella fabrics also have a wide selection of sophisticated designs and rich textures. This fabric is so durable that it offers a five-year limited warranty.
Pick from our Sunbrella options.
Hancock and Moore Living Room Bradley Sofa 5378
Chic and Luxurious
For people who aren’t worried about kids and pets ruining the upholstery, then you are free to flaunt your chosen luxurious fabric. You can say yes to Tibetan wool, even Belgian linen. Linen is durable but just make sure that you pick the darker colors so that you won’t have to worry too much about stains.
Look Beyond Now
A huge mistake that a lot of people make is that they do not even stop to consider that leather and fabric could age over time. Review the label then ask questions when you visit the showroom. Find out about the fabric material and its maintenance requirements.
Having the answers to these questions, you can then prepare for the maintenance that the sofa or chair requires. Think also, will you still love leather beyond five years? Leather, after all, develops a patina brought about by day-to-day exposure. Are you ready to vacuum regularly and to close the drapes religiously when you go out?
If you’re not ready to go take on these responsibilities, then you can just choose a small piece for now – such as a statement chair. This piece has to have bold patterns and an interesting shade so that eyes will automatically go towards it.
Style vs. Durability
The importance of style and durability when it comes to fabrics is that they can make or break your sofa choice.
Be sure to choose a fabric that complements your home’s design as well as the furniture that you already have. Your choice must be in harmony with the rest of the design elements – you wouldn’t want to be caught with a contemporary piece in your traditional home.
As to durability, know that woven patterns are best as they tend to hold longer with their higher thread counts. Be sure also to choose a fabric based on who will use the seating unit more often.
Tags: fabric, fabric choices, fabric options, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, seating fabrics, upholstery
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Upholstery Fabric – Make the Right Investment
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017
FFDM Summer Home: Panel Queen Bed sits beautifully in this ‘green’ bedroom.
Green is one of those hues that strike the eyes in a way that there isn’t a need to adjust. This is a restful color, since it is balanced, it is right in the middle of the color spectrum. Not a lot of people know this yet those who realize this aspect of green appreciate this well-adjusted color.
Back in 2013, a shade of green became the color of the year. Emerald green was quite huge back then, it was successful in succeeding the slot that Tangerine Tango filled the previous year. Because of the vigor that that tinge of orange offered for an entire year, the world wanted to have a sense of serenity the year after. The restoration of harmony and balance was gallantly offered by emerald green.
Healing You with Green
The chief psychological properties that green offers are harmony, balance and peace. This hue can restore and rejuvenate. It can easily give the feeling of a connection with Mother Nature. The right shade of green can also offer a greater sense of luxury and elegance.
The Resonance of Green
Before you decide on using green all over your place, try to ask yourself this important question – does this hue really resonate with you? Using it all because the rest of the interior design industry is going gaga over it at the moment is not the way to go.
Make sure that you pick green because you love this color and you can actually live with it. Begin by surrounding yourself with green at a shade that truly resonates to you.
You can also use classic green combinations such as complementary colors. Red, pink tones, orange and purple are wonderful hues to pair green with. Be sure to veer away from colors that would make green a jarring hue (e.g. yellow and blue).
This does not necessarily mean that you can no longer use blue with green. This all depends on the tone of blue and green that you end up using. Be ready to experiment if you are adamant in using both these colors.
Teaming up green with red also means you are ready to make the green a lot greener and red a lot redder.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cayucos Pistachio Green Lamp 29204-1
The Green Habitat
Using color is all about having a purpose. Define the mood as well as the atmosphere that you would want to create. Decide whether green is perfect for your home. Decide on the proportion, combination, and placement for the colors that you pick.
Keep in mind that every tone has its own psychological property that can be altered depending on the hue that you team it up with. Be careful, though, as there are also negative results when clashing colors are paired.
Now you may be wondering which rooms would marry beautifully with green. Just decide which room needs more refinement, luxury or elegance and that’s the room that could use a bit of green. The foyer, the formal dining area, a reading nook – these are all rooms that should feel more secure, safe and serene with the use of green.
Green could also be an interesting accent wall. The easiest way, after all, to infuse color in a home is through paint. The safest, of course, is to just paint one wall. This is a dramatic choice that will clearly show how much you love green.
Bedding could also use green as an accent color. Say no to lime green in this room, though, as they tend to create a lot of energy.
Green furniture will also pop from a neutral background. Have this piece become the mother green as other pieces become the accessories that will complement.
Tags: green, green color palette, green interior design, green interiors, green palette, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2017 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Green: The Energizing Interior Design
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
FFDM Boulevard: This round dining table is perfect for homes with young, active babies.
A baby who’s on the move is a little bundle of joy that’s at a higher risk of getting in trouble. Gone are the days when your baby will just spend almost the entire day sleeping. Now, with more freedom, there is also a greater need to be more aware of the dangers that potentially lurk in every corner of your home.
Babyproofing a home is important in keeping the baby safe. You must take a few rounds in all the rooms and check out areas that are in need of childproofing – the leading ones are the nursery, kitchen, bathroom, even the living room (where the fireplace is often situated).
Burn and Scald Prevention
The fireplace is a pit that could potentially burn an exploring baby. Have this part of your living room fixed with a fireguard. If you have radiators, then you will need to be extra vigilant compared to a home that’s built with fireplaces.
As much as you can, make sure that your baby won’t be taken into the kitchen. If she needs to be there because there’s no one to look after her while you’re cooking, then just make sure that she won’t go near the cooker.
Have her secured in a playpen or the highchair.
Fall Prevention
Safety gates are the best tools to deter falls at the stairs. Have these installed across the doorways that lead to unmanned rooms. Check if the safety gate that you’re buying is in compliance with the BS EN 1930: 2000.
Check that the balusters on your stairs are not too widely-gapped. Stairs must also be free of clutter a hundred-percent each time. Low surfaces such as floor should be free from small objects. Regularly vacuum the living room so that such small items will not accumulate.
Baby toys must also be kept inside a box. Broken toys must be discarded right away especially the ones that have small parts. Better yet, check out the toys that are appropriate for your baby’s age. These are the ones that usually have larger parts.
Strangulation Prevention
If you have to take her with you to the garden, just make sure that you won’t take your eyes away from her. Ribbons, string, polythene bags and plastics should be locked. Even plastic hoses should also be kept away from your child’s reach.
Poisoning Prevention
Be sure to store all medicines, garden products, toiletries and alcohol in a cabinet that’s not easily accessible by younger children.
Outdoors, be sure to remove all the plants and flowers that might be potentially poisonous in your garden, too. Even the harmless-looking berries could cause poisoning.
Bump and Cut Prevention
Furniture should be fitted with corner protectors or – better yet – invest in pieces with round edges. Keep your cutlery, knives, scissors, and pens out of your baby’s reach. Have all drawers and cupboards fitted with locks.
If you’re not about to invest in a new furniture ensemble, then just make sure that you babyproof your existing furniture. There are now babyproofing products that are meant to cover table and chair edges. Called corner guards, check out the different options online. There are also some that come in sticker forms while others are plastic items that can keep the baby from hitting her head.
In the bathroom, there is also a toilet-lid lock that can now be purchased. Electrocution can also be prevented if you purchase outlet covers.
Childproofing the Bedroom
If you’re thinking that your baby is safe in the nursery or the bedroom at all times, think again. Those fluffy comforters are really not a good thing to place inside a baby’s room. This thick bedding can cause suffocation. To prevent SIDS death, be sure to place your baby, on her back, on a tight, firm mattress.
Tags: babyproofing, guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Babyproofing Your Home with Baby-friendly Furniture and Stuff
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
The iComfort® by Serta Accessories Contour Pillow is ergonomically contoured to support both your head and neck.
If you’re having a hard time sleeping at night, it could be because you suspect that you have an insomnia or you simply feel uncomfortable. Most of the time, the problem is as simple as not having ample pillows. A lot of people take these for granted but even if this is the case, they remain to make a huge difference between a restful sleep from one that makes you toss and turn.
Pillows: The Necessary Amount
If you want to achieve healthy sleep, then you need to know that there should be enough pillows for you to remove that angle between your head and shoulder. This varies with every individual and it might take a few experimentations before you even get it right. After all, the level of comfort for one person may not necessarily be the same with the next one.
There are people who are comfortable sleeping even with just one pillow. For you, that might not be the case. Others sleep with large, fluffy pillows; others want the firmer types.
Statistically speaking, here are the numbers of pillows that are widely used –
A Single Pillow + One or More
Sleeping with just one pillow is a straightforward approach to sleeping. All you need to do is place it under your head, close your eyes, and that’s it.
If you are going to use more than one pillow, just make sure that your neck won’t stay at an angle that is uncomfortable for you. Remember also that using more than one pillow is not a guarantee that you will be sleeping comfortably.
Sleeping with a pair of pillows means you have more pieces to arrange when you sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning. Speaking of having two pillows, never make the mistake of stacking both under your head. This will raise your neck at an odd angle which will cause a stiff neck. If you want a fluffier head pillow, then just use a larger, single pillow.
If you’re a side sleeper, be sure to flank a pillow with your legs. This will provide extra support. If you sleep on your stomach, then be sure to place a pillow right below your hips instead of your head. This is not a healthy sleeping position, though, as it is known to induce a lot of body aches.
Spine Health and Your Pillow
The support of ample pillows is crucial for spinal disorders. The right kind of pillow support can make the problematic spine rest more comfortably. Know that restorative sleep is your body’s chance at healing.
There are different kinds of pillow fillings that also offer different levels of support. An orthopedic, roll-shaped type that is filled with polypropylene capsules is best for spinal alignment. The worst kind of pillow for people with spinal issues is the feather-filled type (100-percent goose down).
The spine is so sensitive and it is always connected to the neck, so, the curving or angle where your neck rests at can make a huge difference on your spine’s alignment. The human neck is slightly curved forward. This is crucial so that the weight of the head is supported and so we can stay upright.
Having a pillow that’s too high could bend the neck abnormally. This could also place the air pipe at a narrow angle, thus, obstructing your breathing. Having a low pillow height, on the other hand, could lead to strained neck muscles.
So go ahead and experiment on the correct height of your pillows.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, picking pillows, pillow, what pillows to choose
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Sleep Well: How Many Pillows Should You Have In Bed?
Monday, May 1st, 2017
This Hooker Furniture Home Office Live Edge Etagere is an open shelf that will visually connect the living room to another area in your home.
Every homeowner looks at his or her own home as a place to relax. This is where you eat, spend time with your family, and sleep so you can be invigorated for the next days. But there are also moments when your home could feel like you’re riding the train home. It could look and feel chaotic all because the design or architectural elements don’t seem to agree. This is why visually linking all the rooms in your home is such an important thing to do.
Link with Paint
Effective use of color can harmonize different rooms, not just the adjoining ones. Just picture this – the kitchen sitting beside the dining room painted with a clashing hue. This disunity, believe it or not, could lead to heightened negative moods.
Creating a flow through colors, on the other hand, is the best way to create harmony in your habitat. Sure, this takes time and a tad of research but your efforts will definitely be well rewarded.
First, know about your choices. Find out what kind of effect you would want to achieve with the colors that you choose. Look for ideas on this site or in interior design magazines.
If you’re playing safe or if this is your first time to experiment with paint, then try monochromatic colors. Choose one color then just ask for the different shades of this same color. Neutrals in the gray or brown family are a great start.
Analogous colors can still retain the monochrome while creating more gradation. These colors sit right next to each other on the color wheel so they are safe to use together.
The last option is the use of complementary colors, meaning, you use a warm shade with a cool hue (e.g. a marine palette of blues used against deep shades of orange. This should create an impact that’s difficult to match.
You should also learn to smoothly transition from one color to the next. This means picking a dominant color for your favorite room then going lighter or darker depending on the moods that you need to evoke in each room.
FFDM Brentwood: This Piper Sideboard on the entryway is the rustic color link to the plants by the doorstep.
Link with Dividers
This may be a bit confusing but try to picture a bookcase set between your entryway and the living room. This is especially awesome in an open-plan home. A different floor height for the living room creates the necessary separation while not totally closing off the entryway.
Thick columns can also serve as a divider and connector for the living room and the kitchen. To effectively fuse both rooms, still, just use a half wall between the huge columns. Top this with a lovely granite slab and you can already hold casual breakfasts for everyone or it can simply be the work zone that you’ve been needing.
Windows can also be set up inside your home. A multi-pane window, for instance, can be used to divide the hallway from the living room. Though it may visually appear to divide the room, it also aims to link as both areas are clearly visible. The rooms also feel airier and lighter.
Changes on the floor level could also indicate the change in the room where you’re at but a unified flooring material or color could still unify two separate rooms. An example is when you install a hardwood flooring for both the entryway and the living room. The lowered floor on the living room gives the room a roomier feel.
Lastly, consider having area rugs brought in. These simple floor elements could delineate the living room from the kitchen and the bedroom or the dining room. Having a base color for all area rugs should still be able to unify the different rooms.
Tags: fusing rooms in your home, harmonizing, harmony, linking rooms, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Interior Design 101: Visual Links Throughout Your Home
Monday, May 1st, 2017
FFDM’s RayLen Wine Cabinet satisfies both vertical and horizontal bottle storage.
Alright, so you have bottles of wines that you’re not planning on drinking straightaway. What are you planning to do with them? Before you begin setting up a wine cellar of your own, it is crucial to know that not all fine wines can be stored for aging. Majority of wines in the market should be consumed within just a few years that they were made. If you want to collect wines that you would want to mature, then you should consider investing in a professional-grade storage equipment.
For someone who wants just a simple wine cave, here are the fundamentals –
Cool It Should Be
Heat and wine are never best friends. Wine temperatures that go beyond 70⁰F will inevitably age a wine more quickly and the results are usually far from desirable. This pretty much like cooking wine instead of aging it.
The ideal temperature in any wine cellar is anywhere between 45⁰F and 65⁰. Of course, this is never an exact science especially since the location of your chosen wine cellar will also add to the eventual flavors and aromas of your wines.
If you really can’t help having a slightly higher temperature in your wine cellar, then just be sure to consume the wines stored there within a few years that they were made.
Too Cool Ain’t the Way to Go
While keeping wines cool is a prerequisite, it wouldn’t also be good for them to stay in cold temperatures for too long. You can place wine bottles inside a refrigerator just for a month or two. The lack of moisture inside this appliance could dry up the corks allowing the air to seep through. This will result in damaged wine.
No to Natural Light
It’s time to turn the lights off. Sunlight and other forms of strong lighting are not welcome inside wine cellars. They pose a threat to the wines’ aging. This is also the reason why most wines have colored bottles. The UV rays of the sun can potentially degrade the wine.
It is best to use incandescent bulbs than fluorescent lamps.
A Little Humidity Please
The ideal humidity for wine storage is at 70%. Since dry air can dry out the corks and eventually spoil the wine, it is best to have just a little moisture. Keeping a pan of water in your wine cellar should improve the wines’ condition. Make sure also that you consume the wine within 10 years or you will need to worry about professional storage.
Stanley Furniture Living Room Crosley Sideboard 436-11-06
Horizontal Storage
Bottles are stored on their sides so that the liquid touches the cork at all times. This, theoretically, keeps the corks wet. This storage technique is especially useful where there are no glass, screw caps or plastic corks to stop your wine bottles.
The Basement for a Cellar?
If you don’t have a not-too-damp room such as a basement, then you can always improvise. The simplest racks should be fine to begin with. Don’t even think about storing wine bottles inside the kitchen, the boiler or laundry rooms. These are usually areas that sustain hot temperatures so wander off of there.
Any vacant storage area can actually be repurposed as a wine cellar. This is a location that’s far away from the sun and one that has at least one cooling unit. There are now standalone units called wine coolers that can also be added to your newly set up wine cellar.
If you want to get the best out of this new room in your home, then you just have to install a through-wall cooling unit. Such units can also control the humidity inside the wine cellar.
Tags: how to store wine, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, storing wine, wine cellar, wine storage
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on The Wine Cellar Startup Basics
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
