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Friday, April 7th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Austin Stationary Sofa: What’s a parlor without a traditional leather sofa?
Does your home have a parlor or is this just a room that you have read in old English novels? A parlor, often called a parlour in the UK is a special, wide room inside an equally large house. This is an area that was built specifically to entertain guests. It often includes a fireplace, several tables, seating units and a place where the guests could also eat while conversing.
In many modern homes, a parlor has been replaced by the living room.
Parlor History
A traditional parlor has been constructed since the Victorian Era. This began in the 19th century when women would retreat to a room after they are done with their meal. They then converse with fellow females in this room.
This is also referred to as the drawing room. It was the focal point of any Victorian home. It was used especially on Sundays and closed on other days. Funerals were also held in this area.
The style of the parlor back in the day were reflective of the family’s societal status. Their financial position is also stressed with how well decorated the parlor is. Wall-to-wall carpeting wasn’t common so a lot of the parlors used different styles of rugs.
The Modern Parlor
The living room is your modern-day parlor. This essentially replaced the parlors of the olden days. The living room contains most of the same elements in traditional parlors such as the areas for seating units, a fireplace (in some houses), paintings, tables, and other decorative items.
The term living room only came into existence during the 1900s when it was used to replace the traditional parlor.
Parlor is also a term that can be applied to different shops or even service-providing goods. There are ice cream parlors, pizza parlors, even tattoo parlors and beauty parlors. The term parlor has become synonymous with service.
A milking parlor is a place where cows are being routinely milked.
Parlor Walls and Colors
Since the parlor is originally a place where guests are welcomed, it helps that the decorative elements are homey. Neutral colors are most used to harmonize the rest of the parlor’s design elements. Add complementary colors in earth shades, olive green, or saffron yellow.
Traditional Southern homes made use of wallpapers so that they could experiment with different styles. If you like vibrant colors, though, you can tone them down by using neutral or white wainscoting.
Parlor Lighting
If you’re fortunate to have parlor windows then use them to beautify and not just brighten up the room. During the day, these windows should bring in the much-needed light. Colors and accessories should frame the outdoor sceneries.
Use heavy drapes complete with brass tiebacks and swags to show a little sophistication. During the night, supplement natural light with the most beautiful table lamps. Install ceiling fans to make even the hottest days and nights more bearable.
Uttermost Accessories Marine Table Clocks 06096 will look great atop the mantel of a traditional fireplace.
Parlor Fireplace
The social spot for many Southern homes is right by the fireplace. Here is where they socialized typically to warm themselves as they catch up on some gossip. Improve the ambience of your modern parlor (yes, your living room) by upping the visual appeal of your fireplace.
Electricity was not common yet during the Victorian era. It wasn’t till the 1870s that light bulbs became available so it is no surprise that the fireplace was an area where socializations were commonly held.
The fireplace in your modern home can still contribute to the amount of socializations that will be held in your home. This place can be customized by adding ceramic tiles, terracotta pots, and marble or brick facades. You can also decorate the mantel with framed family photographs, candelabra, or your personal collections.
Tags: designing the parlor, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, parlor, parlor design, parlour
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Living Room Design, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Making a Parlor Out of the Living Room
Friday, April 7th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melanie Motion Six Piece Home Theater Group
There are more and more families that are now adding rec rooms to their homes. These are also referred to as game rooms.
There are many benefits to having a rec room. This eliminates the need to spend money just to go to arcades or to watch the movies. This room will also increase the amount of family time that will be spent, if not increase the quality of this family bonding moment as well.
The rec room allows the family to spend more time all together. This is especially true when the family agrees to watch a movie together or if they particularly enjoy a certain game.
A rec room can also be the spot to entertain your friends and visiting relatives. This is the room where you can all enjoy exciting activities. This will increase the opportunities for you to entertain your loved ones.
So take a break and set up a time to relax together with your family. You know that relaxation can also increase your productivity. Children also tend to develop the needed skills when they are happy right inside their homes. The most basic skills such as addition and subtraction are easily taught using some games.
You can also teach your children to follow directions as you enjoy board games together. The rules will also foster sportsmanship among them. Self-esteem can also be developed inside this room.
If you want to make the most out of the rec room, then consider these tips –
Delineate Zones
Given that you will have different activities in that room, there is a need for you to define the various zones. There should be a zone for watching movies and listening to music. There must also be a separate area for board games.
If you have a large rec room, then you can consider hanging a curtain to define the spaces. This should divide the room to smaller sections.
You can also use bead dividers or simply use area rugs to define the areas.
Paint It Right
A safe way to stylize your rec room is to have it painted. Use a different color of paint for each of the fun part. You can cheer up the basement by using stimulating colors. This is an amazing way to transition from one activity corner to the next.
Try to vary the widths of stripes that you use to make the room appear more interesting. You can also use just two to three colors for the wall treatments. Adding more than three tends to create visual chaos so just stay within the boundaries.
A New Flooring
You can also use carpet squares for area definition. To begin, clear out the basement or any room where you will set up your rec room. Sweep the floor so that the carpet squares will be installed properly.
Snap a chalk line then peel off the protective tape. Apply this to the floor tiles. Cut the tiles according to your needs using a utility blade and a framing square. As all the tiles are on the floor, use a nail gun in installing the baseboard molding. These are the areas where the tiles meet the walls so be careful.
Install Rec Lighting
You can have a professional install light boxes complete with photo inserts. This can mimic the look of a skylight right inside the basement.
Before you remodel the basement, think if the rec room would be the final use for your basement. Maximize the basement by putting in shelves and other storage units. If you’ve had problems with mildew before, be sure to solve that now especially since you will be spending a lot more time in the rec room. See how you can have an air purification system set up.
Once the electrical system is also set up, it’s time to bring in the sources of recreation from board games, DVDs, DVD player, gaming system, sound system, etc.
Tags: designing the rec room, designing the recreation room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rec room, rec room design, recreation room
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Prepping and Designing the Perfect Basement Rec Room
Thursday, April 6th, 2017
This Viniterra Carved Mirror is the right addition to your home this spring. It will help reflect light and optically improve the space at the same time.
What do you love most about spring? Apart from saying goodbye to shoveling snow and thick clothing, don’t you just love the colorful buds and blossoms that can be found everywhere? This is the best time of the year to reinvent your home’s look. One of the best ways to do this is to brighten up your home and create mood enhancers everywhere.
Okay, so we all love the outdoors right now; it’s brimming with life and colors. It is a waste to just look at these and not take advantage of such beauty. So, let’s take off those think draperies and replace them with translucent curtains.
This is also the season to do some renovations as well as to open your windows to let in some fresh air and lots of sunlight. Look for bright colors that you can use as main décor or accent pieces. If you still like white, then it’s time to use it as a means to reflect a little more light.
White as Backdrop
What could be a more powerful frame for gorgeous furniture than a plain white wall? This is a wonderful wall that could serve as a backdrop to the most overpowering colors such as fuchsia or neon hues.
Imagine the most intense colors in the spectrum and use them this spring. If you’re a little cautious, then you can always rely on pastel.
Strategically Place Mirrors
Spring is the season to begin using mirrors to reflect more light. There’s no need to remain cooped inside your home. Winter is gone so you should use a mirror to a wall that’s adjacent to the window.
Let the sunshine in. If you’re a little low on natural light, then mirrors can help you solve this issue. Mirrors can easily mimic windows. Having a mirror or two will make it seem you have additional windows on your walls.
A mirror that is placed opposite a window or another room could reflect the views from that area. From a window, you get to see the scenic beauty outdoors. If it’s facing a room, then it would seem like you’re looking through an interior window.
Other reflective surfaces can also help bounce the light around a room. A shiny backsplash, for instance, will reflect light all around the kitchen.
No More Heavy Draperies
Since it is your goal to let in more sunlight, then you should take down anything that could impede it from streaming in. Use translucent shades that will be able to provide privacy while still allowing more light to come in.
The correct curtain color will even cast a lovely glow in the afternoon.
Lighter Ceilings
Painting the ceilings a bit lighter than the walls will give the space a much brighter appearance. Believe it or not, white walls look great but having an even lighter ceiling with glossy or semi-gloss finish is your best bet to bright room.
Use this concept especially when you have dark walls. The light-colored ceiling should be able to reflect the light that you need.
Clean Up
Another way to make a room appear brighter is to just clean it up. Clutter can make a room appear cramped, yes, even darker, so fix the light bulbs, clean your windows and let the lighting fixtures shine at their brightest.
Rise and Shine
How many times have you been told to rise and shine when you wake up? Now you can take this expression a bit more literally as you open those shutters and let in more sunlight. Control too much lighting in the bedroom by having sheer curtains installed or some blinds.
Tags: brightening up your home, making bright homes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting, Spring Season | Comments Off on Brighten Up Spaces This Spring 2017
Thursday, April 6th, 2017
The Cynthia Rowley furniture collection features the most amazing pieces that are suitable to the fresh, crisp look of spring.
Okay, we’re onto this Spring series for 2017. After the deep cleaning and prepping blogs, now it’s time to create a checklist that won’t let you forget your to-do list.
This spring checklist will help you make your home come to life. Pick some tasks that you can take on from planting to porch swings and interior parts.
An Enhanced Front Door
The front door is your home’s welcoming tool. This is the focal point outdoors as people take one look at it and get to judge what they might see inside. Seeing a red door, for instance, could give the impression that you are a friendly host.
Apart from red, you can also use any rich hue to paint the front door. You can also hang a handmade craft or spring wreath to spice up the door’s look.
Dress Up the Fence
Keep in mind that the curb appeal should begin at the curb. Instead of planting within the borders of the fence or your stone walls, plant spring bulbs and perennials outside, too. This extra foliage layer and color both offer a sense of depth. This makes your front yard appear larger.
If you have not installed a fence, then plant perennials between the sidewalk and the curb. This will give a similar effect.
Visible House Number
Take a quick tour across the street and view your house number from a distance. If you are having a hard time seeing your house number then it’s time to replace it. The font must be clear to read even from a distance.
Place the house number where it won’t be blocked by porch railing, trees, or any other visual impediment. The most ideal place is beneath the porch lamp or the landscape light. This is so the number can still be illuminated even during the evening.
Group Flowers on the Porch
These are the easiest to add to make your home more beautiful. Cluster about three pots of flowers on your front porch. Fill them with the most luscious spring flowers to emphasize the beauty of the season.
Tend the Garden
If you happen to be blessed with a house that has a lawn, then make the most out of this feature. Reseed, add sod, and put mulch on flower beds. This will retain the moisture of your soil as you give the flower beds a more finished look.
If you happen to have a deep front yard, then consider setting up a hangout zone. Place a bench in the most comfortable spot that you can find, preferably beside a fire pit. This will instantly become the gathering spot for your family members.
Even the simplest garden bench is a beautiful addition to any front or back yard.
Check the Roofing
Another crucial thing that you need to check this spring is the condition of your roof especially when you live in areas that are plagued by snow during winter. See if a professional can take a better look. If you find shingle edges or bits that are crumbling, then it’s time for the pros to step in.
Ask for an estimate from three professionals before you hire the best one. Check also their references and past projects so you can compare.
Clean the Windows
Clean up the siding by washing off the dirt, cobwebs and road salt. For deeper dirt, be sure to use power washer or your regular hose but with a washing attachment for windows. Remember to clean also the inside parts of the windows.
Clean till the windows sparkle.
Check the Driveway and Garage
These areas take up a lot of wear and tear. These can help with the curb appeal, though, so make sure that they do not take on serious problems. A coat of paint ever year will freshen up these parts; add some sconce lighting and flower boxes to complete the curb appeal.
Tags: checklist for spring cleaning, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring checklist, spring cleaning, spring cleaning checklist, spring cleanup
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Spring Season | Comments Off on The Spring Checklist for 2017
Wednesday, April 5th, 2017
Uttermost Accessories Moth Orchid Planter 60039
The weather may be fickle at this point in time but there is no denying that spring is definitely here. You can celebrate with the rest of the nation as flowers begin to bloom and the greeneries begin to display their beauty once more. Why waste these beautiful creations? Have some fresh flowers brought in and see how your home will suddenly come to life.
There are many flowers that can be bought all year-round, though, those in season are the prettiest. Here are the best picks this spring – daffodils, crocus, hyacinth, tulips, freesia, lilac, iris, allium, peony and the classic rose.
Flowers on Furnishings
Fill a big bucket with red and pink tulips and see how far these would go. You can use them throughout your home but most especially in the living and dining rooms. Tulips are casual yet they colorful and cheerful to look at.
Small posies right on your breakfast table is a wonderful way to start the day. If you’re short on vases, you can try the cream pitcher, a mason jar or the simple sugar bowl. You can create a dreamy tablescape using freshly cut flowers from the above choices then place them in a pitcher. Use greenery to heighten the color of your floral ensemble. You won’t go wrong is you combine white flowers with green apples or with a few twigs still with green leaves.
Even just a few blooms can set the stage to a beautiful room. You can then surround the flowers with linens and glassware in the same color scheme. Use lilacs and pair them with vintage bottles in pale amethyst shade. Add natural linen and some pink runners to complete the look.
If you intend to use allium, then you’re just like most decorators who favor this lovely flower. Allium can add drama with their lovely purple blooms. Use them on your kitchen counter especially when you have a wooden kitchen countertop. Place them inside a glass cylinder and you are ready to use the arrangement in a contemporary home.
You can also liven up any shelf display by adding some freshly-bought (or cut) flowers. Try placing flowers in vase and have them placed in open shelves. These can be placed in the kitchen or tucked among the books in your den.
Add some more cheer to your early morning routine by placing a small vase of flowers and some spring branches. Even just the latter will do. Spring branches can get quite expensive if you buy them from a flower shop but you can always find a flowering tree in a yard. Find some from your own or from a neighbor who would gladly share them with you.
As you come home from the market the next time that you visit the farmers’ market, you might want to use the fresh fruits and vegetables as display. Use them alongside the freshly cut flowers. Just be sure to use hardy fruits so that you can still eat them during the week.
You can also match the tone of the floral arrangements according to the look of your space. If your home leans towards the modern style, you can try a basic green bouquet inside a sculpted glass vase. A home that is filled with antique pieces and textile layers would have to be matched with flowers that are brought in from the garden.
The bathroom is the perfect place to display the most colorful flower ensemble. Display a simple posy and you will be amazed at how different and more charming your bathroom will look. Tuck a bud vase to the windowsill so that you will feel more cheerful each time that you look at it.
Lastly, if you don’t know where to begin, just resort to the ever-reliable classic look of the red rose and you’re sure to achieve an elegant look that’s hard to match.
Tags: decorating with flowers, decorative flowers, flower arrangement, flower arrangements, flowers are decorative elements, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Fresh Flowers as Spring 2017 Décor
Wednesday, April 5th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Sheridan Two Door Chest
Green is the most renowned color of nature. It is one of the most abundant colors that are related to life, freshness, even freedom.
Green is also a relaxing color to your eyes. It soothes, refreshes, it relaxes, it invigorates both physically and mentally. What’s great is that is offers a multitude of shades
Green is a trendy color year in and year out. The greater news here is that emerald green is a fashionable color this year. Cockatoo green is also huge this 2017 so take your pick.
Green Interiors
Talking about interior design, colors allow you to show your personality. They can also create the most interesting optical illusions. Colors can also influence the way you psychologically respond to furnishings. There is such a thing as color psychology which shows the reasons why certain colors evoke certain feelings. Also, it explains why certain colors work with certain pieces of furniture or in particular rooms.
Using green with the right kinds of shades can give your home a well-contoured look. It can also offer special effects such as being inspired to live in a natural atmosphere.
In the right amounts, green can be used in almost any room. The living room is one of the prominent rooms that makes good use of this luscious color. In such a room, the color green can be used on furniture, as an accent wall, as an area rug, on decorative pillows, lighting, framed paintings, the leaves on vases, and practically everything that you can think of.
Using a green sofa, for instance, means you are ready to make that sofa your focal point.
Using green in larger areas means having to use this beautiful color in the bedroom (which veers from the common blue or black), the bathroom (which is apt because that is a room that’s associated with water and freshening up), even study rooms.
Green in the bedroom has been known to lower people’s heart rate and blood pressure. You can also use green on curtains and the bedding as an alternative solution if having green walls is a little too much for you.
Using green in the dining room is not that common but it is an idea that’s worth exploring. The fresh color is known to increase appetite which is why it is quickly becoming a popular option in kitchen and dining room designs these days. Back in the day, it was always red for appetite, period. Now, it is believed that green has the same effects as red, yellow and orange.
If your budget, at the moment, would not allow you to paint an accent wall or to change the bathroom tiles to green, then you can always use green in the kitchen as accessories. Have green media plates, green bottles, green dishes, and even green spice dispensers.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Florian Green Glass Table Lamp 26199
What Green Can Make You Feel
Have you ever stopped to wonder how the color green actually makes you feel?
Green is often associated with nature, forests, trees and freshness but there’s a lot more to this color than flora and fauna.
Green is also known to represent health, good luck and tranquility in Chinese culture. Researchers have also discovered that green can improve one’s reading ability. Students who use green sheets over their reading materials tend to increase their reading speed as well as their comprehension.
Green is also the symbol of fertility. Back in the day, specifically in the 15th century, this color was used on wedding gowns to symbolize productiveness.
Green is also known to relieve stress as it helps hospital patients heal faster. To apply this in your home, you can have a green room where guests can unwind.
Tags: green, green color scheme, green design, green home, green interior design, green interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2017 Trends, Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Spring Green: Embracing Nature’s Color In Your Home
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017
To clean the Canadel Kitchen Island ISL4836-T4, open all its drawers and clean the insides. Use soft cloth or sponge to wipe the surface.
Let us face it – there are a lot of chores that simply slip out of our attention particularly when we’re already too busy. Who has time to regularly clean underneath the refrigerator and furnishings, right? Yet spring gives you a reason to catch up with the cleanup. As the weather is slowly warming up, it’s time to get into the cleanup mode and begin right where the most cleaning is required – your kitchen.
Before we give tips on cleaning the heart of your home, it pays that you take out a piece of paper and a pen then make a list of the things that you need to replenish inside your kitchen. You will need cleaning supplies for this spring cleaning project plus some baking or cooking items. Think of all the items that you will pick up from the grocery store – paper towels, dish soap, hand soap, olive oil, and other such stuff.
Pots and Pans
Okay, it’s time to get down on your knees and start the work. Begin on the most obvious – those grimy pots and pans. Scrub the cast iron pans with a soft sponge and some coarse salt. Just rinse away the salt afterward.
Clean stainless steel pots with the use of white vinegar. Use a soft cloth to apply the vinegar to the stained areas. Never soak them for too long as the stainless steel surfaces will be pitted.
Sink
One of the best ways to be more inspired in doing the dishes is to keep the sink clean at all times. If you’re one to pile up your dishes before you wash them all together, then it is possible that the sink is a tad dirtier.
Clean up by filling the sink with water. Pour some bleach to disinfect then scrub the insides of the sink with baking soda paste. You can create a paste by mixing a small amount of water on a liberal amount of baking soda. This mixture should get rid of tough stains. Finish and rinse by wiping or by using a shining spray.
Cupboards and Drawers
Spring is also the perfect time to empty out your drawers and cupboards. Sweep out those crumbs and dust. You can also wipe the stains using a wet cloth. If you’re feeling up to the task, place a new contact paper on the shelves.
As you clean out the drawers and cupboards, be sure to keep an eye out for anything that is broken such as a cracked glass or a broken dish. Throw these away or donate the dishware that you no longer feel like using.
Refrigerator and Freezer
Of course, if you have to clean the kitchen, then you must not forget to clean the appliance where you store food and drinks. You don’t just organize your pantry, you also take the time to do a thorough cleanup to these appliances.
Remove the shelves, wash them on the sink then scrub out the fridge’s insides by using a cloth or sponge dipped in soapy water.
Throw out the expired foods and beverage. Decluttering all over your home also means decluttering the inside of your refrigerator.
Check out also the freezer. There must be frozen stuff there that has remained frozen for a year. It’s time to take them out and throw them ASAP.
Knives
Cleaning up the kitchen includes sharpening the tools that you use to cook. Sharper knives allow you to work easier plus they are much safer than when they are dull.
The Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B263H30 is easy to clean because it is lightweight and is chiefly metal.
Deep Clean the Floors
Kitchen flooring is one of the grimiest floors to clean up so get ready for some action. You will need broom, warm water, a bucket, mild dish, mop, and some floor cleaning agents.
Begin by sweeping the floor and flushing out the dirt on corners and underneath appliances. Next, mop the rest of the floor with warm water. If you see any remaining dirt, be sure to use dish soap in warm water. Light bubbles should clean up even the most stubborn spots.
Tags: cleaning the kitchen, kitchen cleaning, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring cleaning in the kitchen
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Kitchen Design | Comments Off on Kitchen Spring Cleaning for 2017
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017
The Stanley Furniture Living Room Console Table 585-15-05 will look perfect in your newly-designed entryway.
The long, cold winter season is gone. Officially, we’re welcoming spring as we stop shoveling snow off the driveway, salting and begin gardening, redecorating and painting. Here are some ways that you can make your spring makeover a lot more fun as your whole family takes on these unique projects –
Wine Bottles Turned Into Gardens
Were you able to keep those wine bottles during Christmas and New Year celebrations? Now it’s time to put them to good use by cutting half of the bottle, lengthwise. You can then put some soil and plant some flowering plants into these cute bottles. These should look good as a decorative element for the coffee table, credenza or the dining table.
Paint the Shutters
Have some old shutters painted so that you can turn them into a message board. Any bright paint will do. Hang the message board on the wall or simply lean it against one of the walls.
Use Wall Decals
You can also create instant wallpaper by using removable wall decals. Even simple polka dots can be a lovely thing to look at on a plain wall. Create a wallpaper-like pattern throughout the walls. Try other patterns or colors. Use gold, metallic, black or gray. Have fun with more colorful hues such as pink or the very hot aqua, turquoise or emerald green.
Colorful Hooks on Entryways
What’s the first thing that you see when you walk into someone’s home? The entryway is the first part of the home that one gets to see so you should spend time beautifying this. Make this place more cheerful by adding fun hooks. They don’t just present added storage but are also colorful knobs or hooks that will surely catch visitors’ attention.
Flower Station
You can have a few shelves become flower stations. The other shelves can be used as a home for your books, collections and knickknacks. Set up your favorite ceramic or glass vases, floral buckets and pitches. Bring out also the mason jars that have not been used for a long time. These can be repurposed as a container for freshly cut flowers.
Dress Up the Stairs
Apart from the entryway, an oft forgotten spot in your home is the stairway. It would be a lovely thing if you would be able to surprise your visitors with a new paint color in that area or some interesting stencils.
Try painting your wooden stairs or the risers with a color that represents you. Use stencils in geometric or floral prints just to reiterate the theme for the season.
Beautify the mantel with these Uttermost Accessories Geometric Golden Bronze Totem Sculptures S_3 20141.
Beautify the Mantel
The use of basic terracotta pots on your mantel is also a good idea to provide color inside a room. Instead of having pitchers or pots gather dust in your cupboards, it is best to bring them out and have them filled with a cluster of ferns and some fresh flowers. These can be used to prop a book or two on your mantel.
When you are going to use old pots, though, make sure that you clean them up thoroughly so that they can add and not diminish the beauty of the living room.
The Yard Makeover
Take spring cleaning to a whole new level as the entire family sets up the bamboo fence around your home. You can also have some Tiki torches, paper lanterns and outdoor cushions to complete your new hangout area.
Set up a simple outdoor bar, add some booze bottles, glasses and some source of entertainment and you have a place that’s worthy of a sarong party. Play some surfing music and have the whole family take their much-deserved rest there.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring 2017, spring projects, spring projects for the family
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Spring Season | Comments Off on Spring 2017 Projects for the Whole Family
Monday, April 3rd, 2017
Rachael Ray Home by Legacy Classic Furniture Bedroom Door Chest 6020-2210: Clean through your closets by removing the clothes first and replacing them only after you have amply vacuumed and wiped each shelf.
Have you noticed how the sun has lovingly peeked in the last weeks? The coldness of winter has given way to the fresh blossoms of the season and it’s time for that ritual once again – spring cleaning. But would you go through it like it’s just another one of those cleaning projects in the past? It’s time to go beyond the usual vacuuming and mopping and for you to consider deep cleaning this spring.
Lamps and Other Lighting Fixtures
Table lamps, fans, lighting fixtures can all accumulate a great amount of dust over time. This can make the colors of these accessories duller, eventually, blocking the light.
Get those lighting fixtures gleaming once again. Use a soft microfiber duster or cloth.
Handles, Knobs and Doors
It can only take a few minutes for you to take a tour around the house and take a quick look at the often unnoticed door handles and knobs. Use a cleaning product of your choice to clean up these small door parts.
Give your front door its much-needed extra love by giving it some deep cleaning. Use warm, soapy water and a soft sponge to clean up.
To dry, use a soft cloth.
Scuffs and Dings
Take a look at the walls of your home. Do you see those prominent scuffs and dings? Use a damp, soft cloth and wipe it into a dish soap. Wipe off the scuff marks with a product like Magic Eraser. As for those dings, use some paint for touch up.
Window Frames
The baseboards are likelier to catch your attention than the tops of window frames, right? So, this spring, be different by taking a look at the higher spots. Take out the stepladder then carefully wipe away the dust that has long accumulated up there.
Don’t forget to include the upper moldings.
Bookshelves
Books and knickknacks that are stored in shelves tend to accumulate dirt, too. Do this task one shelf after the other. Remove the objects first, then carefully dust the shelves before you return any of the books or other items. This is also the perfect time to check out some books that you might want to donate or store in the attic.
Uttermost Floor Coverings Zagora 5 X 8 Jute Rug – Beige 71062-5: Clean up underneath by thoroughly vacuuming and sweeping.
Underneath Furnishings
Try moving the furniture aside, you are sure to find a good amount of dust there, too. Roll up the rugs as well as the rug pads then vacuum everything underneath. This sure is a lot of work but once you see what’s down there, you will surely be itching to do it right away.
Upholstered furniture also tends to gather a lot of dust. Look under those cushions and you will see a lot of dust and other dirt. Rotate your sofa cushions to prevent early wear and tear. Be sure to vacuum before putting back the cushions.
Small Appliances, Oven and Range Hood
Go ahead and clean up the microwave, blender, toaster, mixer and coffee maker. Cleaning these up don’t take too long. After dusting and wiping them, you would surely appreciate the gleam that they can contribute to the overall look of the kitchen.
A bigger task to look into is the oven. To clean this, you will need a paste of baking soda made by mixing some water with the powder. Apply and leave the paste overnight. You can wipe off the paste the following day.
Dust and grease accumulate on your range hood. Use a step stool to make sure that you’re doing an effective cleanup. Use warm, soapy water to remove the gunk.
Grout
Grout is that yucky, light-colored thing that you often see on bathroom tiles. You can clean this up with the use of oxygenated bleach. No less than Martha Stewart advised that you can also resort to grout sealing and a weekly regimen of gentle scrubbing using a grout brush and some pH cleaning products.
Tags: deep cleaning for spring, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring 2017 cleaning, spring cleaning
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Spring Season | Comments Off on Deep Cleaning for Spring 2017
Monday, April 3rd, 2017
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose King Panel Bed sits comfortably on the hardwood flooring in this spacious bedroom.
There are many reasons to love wood flooring, especially the hardwood type. Hardwood floors are better than having carpet as it is cleaner and it asks for less maintenance. Hardwood flooring is also known to up the value of a house because it enhances the overall look of the structure.
Wood floors are also deemed to be more inviting compared to any other kind of flooring material. It is also versatile because it can be paired with almost anything. This means that you won’t have to worry about hardwood flooring ever clashing with your chosen design. There is also a wide variety of colors and finishes that you can pick from.
So, given that hardwood floors are strong, durable, acoustically beneficial, and cost effective (in the long run), you need to think of ways that you can keep this flooring for as long as possible.
Cleaning Old Hardwood Flooring
Okay, so your floor might be half a century old so the sealing is no longer there. You can have this work professionally done and spend a fortune doing so or you can have it done with your loved ones. Turn this into a DIY project for everyone.
But what would you need to clean hardwood flooring?
Cleaning the unsealed flooring can be a bit more challenging. It is dry and it will easily soak up the moisture that you apply to it. This means that you have to use cleaning products sparingly. You will need the following –
Procedure
It’s pretty simple, isn’t it?
Now, remember that you can also apply wax onto the hardwood floor so that it will be protected for a few weeks. This is highly recommended if you’re not ready to seal the wood yet. Waxing can be time consuming in the long run but it’s worth your energy and time if the wood can’t be sealed yet.
If you’re planning on sealing the wooden flooring, be sure to wipe off the wax first. Avoid using commercial cleaning products prior to the application of the sealant. Use mineral spirits to clean up the floor. Use a clean cloth to remove excess fluids.
You can also add some more protection by using rugs on high traffic areas. Runners can also be used especially on stairs to prevent the buildup of dirt in the future.
When you’re ready to seal the flooring, be sure to vacuum first. Check for damaged spots and stains then fix or remove them. Do not forget to have the furniture taken outside and to secure ample ventilation for the people who would apply the sealant.
Sand the floor using only a medium-grit sandpaper. Clean and vacuum the saw dust.
Lay the initial coat using a wool mop or wool applicator. Dry the first seal layer before you apply the next coat.
Allow the floor to completely dry before you bring in the furniture and declare your wood floor cleanup to be complete.
Tags: hardwood floor, hardwood flooring maintenance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2017 Trends, Flooring Design, Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Spring Cleaning and Your Hardwood Floor
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