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Friday, March 3rd, 2017
See the beauty of brown on brown on this setting: Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sattler Display Cabinet against a neutral background.
Does brown make you feel warm or secure? It is true that colors evoke certain psychological reactions and they can even strongly influence the way people behave. Brown is a hue that looks earthy and solid but with the wrong usage, it could look boring or dull.
Light browns like beige are usually used as a neutral backdrop in interior design and in fashion. It is a natural color that can be used to evoke a sense of reliability and strength. It can also be seen as a symbol of resilience, safety and dependability.
The downside of brown is that it can also create feelings of sadness, loneliness or melancholy. When used in large quantities, brown also could look too conventional or empty.
So, how should you effectively use brown in your home?
Brown Is Not Ordinary
You have to come to a point when you admit that brown is not an everyday kind of fashion. The bathroom can have a darker shade of brown with a tinge of orange to depict a relaxed and cozy ambience. This might not seem to contribute much as you try to imagine it now but during winter, picture yourself entering a powder blue bathroom?
Now you get the purpose of brown and orange, right?
Brown Means Comfy
Brown is the color of a hot mug of cocoa or a burnt bricks. This is the color that has the power to create nostalgic feelings. Use this color in a bedroom where you would want such emotions to arise. This can also be used throughout your home especially when you want to create a cozy ambience.
Brown Fusions
Take note that brown is a hue that is best enhanced by a contrast of white. A wainscot in a bathroom can have the winning combination of chocolate brown and white. Minus the white walls, this bathroom will feel dark – just dark, not dramatic.
Nature has provided an amazing display of inspiration during fall. It is best to capture those hues and experience fall all year round. Use yellows, oranges and deeper greens with warm tones of brown. This can be repeated throughout your home.
The best and most practical choice is to invest in a wooden furniture or a brown, leather sofa. Create some energy in your space by putting in some interesting artwork, decorative accents and throws. These accessories must come in shades of amber, rust and mustard.
When brown marries blue, you would realize what the term complement really means. The cool tone of blue balances the sturdy look of brown. Use blue also if you want to add a modern flair in a mainly brown, traditional setting.
When you use brown with pastel colors such as pink and blue, you get a dose of sophistication. Here, pastels won’t appear too youthful, instead, it will add to the drama of brown fabrics and wooden furniture.
The triad of blue, green and brown is an energetic combination. The cooler colors (blue and green) tend to balance the strength of brown.
Rejuvenate your home with this wonderful color trio. Pick patterned accent chairs, colorful pillows and window panels.
For warm-colored palettes, fuse a lot of taupes, tans, mid-browns and any accent color. Yellow artworks and bright-colored accent pillows will surely do wonders in a background of neutrals.
Have you ever thought that brown could go with purple? Well, it can. Just think of those dark stains on your wooden cabinets then pair them with beautiful plum walls. This union would provide a depth that reaches a different level of drama in your home.
Lastly, what could be best paired with brown than other calculated layers of this same color? Wood furniture will look great under ambient lighting, framed art, traditional rug and brown textiles.
Tags: brown, brown color palette, brown interiors, browns, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Brown: Meaning and Pairings
Friday, March 3rd, 2017
The American Leather Living Room Grant-Sectional shows the traditional button tufting.
Imagine that you’re in a time machine and you’re on your way to the 1960s. You are likely to see your parents’ leather couch complete with tufting. Till today, tufted couches are still viewed as a classy piece of furniture. This is the ultimate piece of Mid-century modern furniture.
Tufted sofa comes in four different styles –
Biscuit Button
The name pretty much says it all – biscuit button tufts form square-shaped folds which look like biscuits. To make these folds, it is important for the artisan to be consistent in achieving the linear look.
Tufting is easy to create when a couch has removable cushions.
Diamond Button
Diamond button tufting is the most common leather couch tufting. This is similar to biscuit tufting; the main difference are the buttons that are placed on intervals in order to create a diamond effect. Leather couches look great with this kind of tufting.
Single Button
This kind of tufting was seen mostly during the ‘60s. Most sofas back then had a single tufted line that exudes classiness on so many levels. This simple patterns needs less buttons and even less manual labor compared to the previous styles.
The key to making this tufting look amazing despite its simplicity is to have proportional spacing on top and below the tufted line. The tufting line must also be situated right in the middle of the sofa cushions.
Buttonless
Compared to the last three styles which require buttons, this style – as its name suggests – does not need any actual buttons. This is a wonderful style for people who are not a huge fan of buttons.
In place of the buttons, the buttonless tufted couch comes with embroidery thread. This is then bundled to create a button-like feature.
And who says tufting can only be done on leather? This Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Wallis 2 Cushion sofa proves how fabric also stands supreme with tufting.
Tufting Benefits
The wonderful thing about tufting is that they can be removed should you get tired of the tufted look. Cut the threads the moment that you want a different look. You are then free to customize the look, though this is the best look for a leather couch.
Leather sofas are comfortable no matter where you place them – whether you use them inside the living room or in the bedroom. A strong reason why people buy leather couches is because they last through so many years. Also, they come in many types and models.
Leather sofas are also not prone to warping. The best kind of leather – the natural ones – can even breathe. In winter, you can keep yourself warm while you would feel cooler during the summer months.
Tufted leather couches are also made by the best artisans. This may be a long process but it is worth the wait. It can take as long as 2 ½ hours for a single chair to be tufted. A sofa takes approximately four hours.
There isn’t a single machine on the planet that can mimic the look that’s done by the best artisans. Plus, upholsterers show the patience and skills that no machine could match. Imagine having to attach one button at a time then tied together with a one-way slipknot. This prevents the knot from pulling out or being loosened.
Buttons, believe it or not, are actually a recent addition to the tufting technique. Wads of silk or wool were used in the 1800s to anchor each of the folds.
Once you realize how much painstaking labor is offered by each furniture maker, you will have a deeper appreciation for careful measurements and the beauty of human touch. So once you invest in a leather couch, be sure to vacuum it with care, protect it from the elements and have it displayed in the best possible area where it will be appreciated.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sofa tufting, tuft, tufted leather, tufted leather couch, tufted sofa, tufting, tufting types
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Tufting: Get Retrofied
Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
The enigmatic look and feel of Safari style is perfectly depicted in this Lexington Living Room ensemble. You gotta love the bench!
When designing, it is so easy to be consumed by lines, colors, shapes, patterns and textures. There are activities that bring about inspiration such as riding in a car and staring out of the windows. In there, with the right inspiration, you tend to notice the skyline, structural shapes, even simple things such as the reflection of the sun. So, if you’re lacking the inspiration at the moment, why not try exceptional elements for a change?
Back in the day, men and women used the skins of animals for protection and warmth. Are you going back to this primitive past when you decide to use animal prints in your home?
Animal Print: A Look Back in Time
Throughout history, monarchs and nobles have already used animal prints on their rugs and carpets. This was a status symbol just as much as animals were mounted as trophies.
Animal print has an enigmatic look that offers the look of aristocracy, power as well as success. This is the ancient sign of power and wealth – keep that in mind. Just picture the tribal chieftains with their wooden thrones – what do you see draped over those seats of power?
You’re correct to say – animal prints.
In the ‘40s, there was a noticeable advent of the animal print in the world of fashion. Women’s movements were emerging then and so was the look that spelled supremacy. Cheetah print was huge back then.
A decade later, in the ‘50s, Christian Dior became fascinated with the leopard print. So the cheetah print faded into the background and leopard print went right smack onto the center stage. No woman was considered fashionable without a single leopard print in her wardrobe.
In the ‘60s, a totally new revolution came up with the hippies taking over the world of fashion. Back then, exotic animal fur patterns became the big thing. Women’s apparel showed the most rebellious colors. The ongoing concept was to become an easy rider.
The perilous side of animal print was shown in the ‘70s. The punk movement brought back the leopard prints in accessories. Another in thing was the use of torn cheetah print pair of stockings. It was definitely fashionable to listen to rebellious music.
Still in the ‘70s, nightgowns were also infused with interesting animal prints, so were the undies, jumpsuits, and bell bottoms. Zebra prints were seen on platform shoes.
The ‘80s still showed the dominance of animal prints though we would rather forget the fashion statements during that time.
Now let’s see how you can use animal prints in your home –
Stripes Galore
The zebra stripes rug is the ultimate addition to a mainly neutral home. The lines of the zebra print inevitably draw the eyes toward the fusion of colors. Place a lovely desk and a carefully chosen piece of art to complete the look for your living room or home office.
Print Pairing
If you can’t decide whether to have zebra, cheetah or leopard print, well, you’re not alone. Try to pair different prints but within the same color palette. This is so the place will still have a cohesive look.
Find a tiger rug, some cowhide ottomans then have zebra pillows for your living room. Mix a tinge of orange, brown and tan to add some interesting contrast.
The Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Floor Lamp 1851-515 has a lovely leopard shade paired with the sturdiness of bronze.
Relaxed Rustic
If you’re anxious that animal prints won’t match your current style, then have no fear. Even rustic bedrooms would look refreshed with dashes of animal prints on a few accessories. A cowhide rug also pairs well with yellow and gold accents. Place a metallic figurine on a nightstand to finish the look.
Tags: animal print, animal prints, cheetah print, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tiger print, zebra print
Posted in Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Animal Print: Designing and Paying Attention to Surroundings
Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
Place this Hooker Furniture Bedroom Skyline Bench in the middle of the walk-in closet to complete the look.
There was a point in time – believe it or not – when humans did not store their clothing inside closets. The walk-in closet, no matter how glamorous, was not always in existence; in fact, it just took form in the recent years.
Wardrobe History
As textiles and clothing technology evolved, worn clothing became a lot easier to manufacture, hence, there was an increase in cabinets’ decorative qualities. More and more people saw the need to own sets of clothing and these, of course, needed storage solutions.
Different cultures showed different progression in terms of clothing storage. Ancient Egyptians, for instance, stored their clothing inside woven baskets that were made out of reeds. Makes you think of Moses and where he was placed into as a baby, right? The wealthy used alabaster chests instead of these not-so-durable baskets.
The wealthy Greeks, on the other hand, kept their clothes inside wooden chests. The Romans also used the same material for their chests but they took the design further by inventing the walk-in closet of sorts with their armorium.
This basic wooden box used to be carried everywhere to transport the Romans’ weapons and armors. This box evolved to become an expensive, ornate chest that the wealthy wanted to keep.
The Birth of Walk-in Closets
During the 1870s, hanging rods were eventually installed inside wardrobes. Ancient hangers soon followed and it was around 1880 when, in Dakota, an apartment building finally showed some reach-in closets. These were specifically designed for clothes.
It is not that easy to prove the exact point when walk-in closets came into its full existence. European monarchs had so many clothes that can fit into entire rooms so it was just a matter of time before someone realized that the solution is a storage room and not mere closet.
In the U.S., specifically in Park Avenue showed a new level of cabinetry where electrical outlets, locked doors and shelves come aplenty.
Going back to the ‘50s, the closets became more popular with a lot of lower to middle class homes requiring these as a standard part of their homes. A few authorities suggested that the suburban moves brought about the onset of big closets.
In the ‘80s, the revolutionary walk-in closet became more popular with the closet industry soaring ever higher. Most walk-in closets have been born in pop culture, with one being featured on Mariah Carey’s appearance in the show Cribs.
Choose Your Style
Be sure to continue your style from your bedroom or the bathroom to your walk-in closet. Pick complementary colors for your paint, accessories and art pieces. Be sure to achieve a smooth flowing style throughout the rooms.
Should you have a contemporary bedroom, then be sure to keep the finishes of your walk-in closet in the same hue but with a different shade or tone.
What’s a walk-in closet without this Biltmore mirror?
And Then There Was Light
What is a walk-in closet without proper lighting? Task lighting is the best kind of lighting for this room though this does not mean that you should not consider decorative lights, too. You can choose to hang pendants or install sconces along with track lighting to illuminate this new room. Place baseboard lights so you can display your boots and other shoes on the floor.
Storage within a Storage
You can get creative by having decorative hooks installed in your walk-in closet. Place additional storage boxes or woven baskets to hold accessories such as scarves or belts. Handbags and shoes can be used as decorative elements on their own. Hat boxes as well as fabric shoeboxes are also practical ways to store items.
So, are you ready to set up your own walk-in closet?
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, walk-in closet, walk-in closets
Posted in Accents, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on The Walk-in Closet for the Fabulous You
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017
The Jessica Charles Bedroom Lexi Vanity Chair 358
Have you ever wondered what vanities are used for these days? Between hair and skin care accessories, jewelry and makeup, there are many other stuff that you need in a jiff. But when you have a cluttered dresser or vanity, it can get frustrating to find the right paraphernalia. If you want your time to get ready to be cut down in half, then you need to learn to organize your makeup vanity.
Day Spa
You can outfit a makeup vanity into a simple yet luxurious bathroom or bedroom piece. You can have a white cabinet complete with silver fixtures and marble accents. To make this piece all yours, have it reveal a part for makeup, brushes and other accessories. Also, have the mirror cleaned so that you get to see your glamorous reflection without smudges.
Lavish Style
You can also infuse an oval desk as well as a framed mirror to a corner of the master bathroom. This can serve as your separate makeup area. Have the silk curtains sewn with beads and have a pair of decorative lamps brought in. Just make sure to check on the electrical wiring so that no one gets electrocuted.
You will surely love preparing in this area in the next mornings.
Timeless
Many makeup areas have been built inside bathrooms. These are often just lowered continuations of the countertop. A lot of designers, on the other hand, still set up the classic, elegant look by creating the makeup vanity right into the cabinetry.
This separate dressing or makeup area can easily become the most amazing part of your master bath. Just install an antique-like mirror, a chair with ornate design, plus some perfume bottles and accessories and you’re good.
Feminine and Contemporary
You can also have a sit-down makeup counter that’s nestled between two vanities. This spot can have its own mirror, a pullout drawer and additional storage for more makeup and accessories. Use two wall sconces for a more dramatic effect.
Now that you’ve achieved the feminine part, it’s time to work on the contemporary features. Create a subway-tiled backsplash right on the back wall then have some bronze fixtures brought in. These should contrast well with surrounding white fixtures.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Vitalia 3 Light Bronze Vanity Strip 22860
Practical and Purposeful
Many kitchen and bath designers encourage their clients to install lowered vanity such as a makeup area in unused spaces in the bathroom. There is something really lovely and luxurious in having a dressing table in the bathroom. Its extra low counter is suitable for seating choices while still appearing to be cohesive with the rest of the fixtures.
Have a power outlet installed to your makeup vanity so that you can use your hair dryer, even charge your smart phones while dolling up.
Parisian Getaway
You can also take a Parisian tour right inside your bathroom or bedroom. Feature four walls with Parisian cabinetry. You can have this European haven installed in your home when you have two sinks sandwich a makeup vanity. Have an upholstered bench facing it but tucked away when it is not in use.
Complete the posh surrounding by installing a flat screen TV on the wall. Have a two-way mirror fitted so you don’t get to miss a thing.
Farmhouse Appeal
Who says vanities have to be posh all the time? If you want to play the country farm girl role to a T, then you can also set up a cottage retreat. This simple yet still romantic dressing room should come with pastel palette and floral wallpaper.
No matter what time it is, this area can be filled with light coming from a sky roof. Add some candelabra sconces and jewelry storage to hold all your pearls and diamond collections.
Tags: decorating a vanity, makeup vanity, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, vanity table, vanity tables
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Makeup Vanity – Invest or Set Up?
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Wallis 2 Cushion Sofa: Here’s that blue couch example with whitewashed walls perfectly framing it.
A lot of people love a good burst of color. Colors are powerful in creating emotions and setting up the right ambience. Yet the idea of being left to pick a paint for the accent wall – let alone the entire house – could be a little too much for some.
Whether you are going to paint an urban space, suburban or a country habitat, the methods are quite the same. When picking colors using paint chips, be sure to choose your favorite. Choose a darker and a lighter shade as well.
Colors can look brighter on walls but not so much when still on a tiny chip. You could get overwhelmed by what your eventual choice would be so be careful in making your decision.
Colors You Wear
If you live in an urban area, it would be wrong to have a wardrobe that does not have white, black and other neutrals. So take a careful look in your closet and find out what colors dominate. If you have loads of denims, then a blue palette would be great in your urbanized home.
If you’re a diverse dresser, then create a palette that equally diverse. Have a color for each occasion or season, even for each mood.
Have a Color Backbone
Just like any sturdy framework, your color palette must also have a backbone. The colors that you choose will support the rest of the design elements. For instance, you can have cream walls framing your pink couch. Or you can have orange accents in a mainly black ambience.
Keep in mind that you can always repaint. You can play with colors and repaint as often as you like. You can have a lovely accent wall one time or have all four walls painted in one hue.
This year, lime green, emerald green, and turquoise are piping hot.
Strategize
When picking a color palette, it pays that you also employ some strategy. Get inspired by stuff that you see in the city. If you live in a rural area, be sure to check out the meadows and landscapes. Let the skies inspire you. Find a photo or a work of art that will help narrow down your color options.
Take a careful look at the paintings that are now hanging on your walls – you will soon notice that there is a particular hue that you have been naturally drawn to.
Cool, light and pale colors regress to make a room appear larger. Deeper and darker colors expand so they tend to make rooms appear smaller. A lot of spaces ask for rich, dark colors so find out what your room requires.
Even huge swatches of paint cannot compare to an actual paint test. Before committing, be sure that you paint on the actual work or you end up doing a lot of guesswork.
Lighting conditions will also affect the color’s eventual appearance. Test the color in shadowy areas as well as under direct light. Observe also how the paint looks like during the day and also at night. Switch to artificial light if natural light does not complement the color of paint that you are going to pick.
FFDM’s Viniterra Collection shows this King Mantle Bed perfectly nestled in equally neutral walls. You won’t see colors clashing in this lovely bedroom photograph.
Visualize
Another essential step to picking the right color of paint is to plan the color that you want for the rest of your home. Never ever choose a wall color after picking your furnishings. So, if you have fallen in love with a navy blue sofa, there’s no longer any point in painting the room red, is there?
Don’t be anxious that you would be left with zero options because of the many factors that you need to consider. Remember that you have almost every color of the spectrum at your disposal.
Tags: choosing paint, home painting, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, paint, painting a home, painting project, painting task, picking paint
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Paint-Picking, Experimenting, and Liking It
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017
The American Leather Living Room Aiden Chair ADN-CHR-ST has the right fabric, color and framework to fit inside a lovely pool cabana.
A cabana is any tent-like, small structure that has been designed to provide shade. This is often used by the beach or alongside a beautiful pool. Apart from providing shade, these can also double as dressing rooms. There are cabanas that are used as a mini kitchen for people who are enjoying the pool. Cabanas can be temporary or a permanent structure.
When you live in an area that has a lovely tropical climate, the cabana is sure to be at home. Build yours with those thatched roofing though if you’re planning to have one near the pool, then have framed aluminum, wood or steel. If you want plastic, then you can also go ahead and do so.
Cabana Sizes
There are many sizes for a cabanas. The small cabana can be as little as four by four feet or about 1.2 meters by 1.2 meters. This resembles a tiny bathroom.
A big cabana, on the other hand, can be as huge as a hospital suite which is about 10 x 10 feet. This is around 3.05 meters by 3.05 meters. There are also options that are 12” x 12” or 3.7 by 3.7 meters.
Cabana Amenities
In terms of amenities, cabanas have a lot to offer; some just come as basic structures that just keep the sun’s rays from burning your skin but there are also those that have curtains to offer a bit more of privacy. Still some include air vents, even electrical wiring so that you can have ceiling fans installed or even have a TV included.
Most cabanas come with exterior-grade fabrics. This cloth’s main purpose is to keep the sun’s rays out and also to provide some form of protection from rain. Don’t think that the flimsy curtain keep you dry during a storm, though. If you want to be protected even in such weathers, then find the pool cabanas that have more elaborate designs. These come with walls made of harder materials such as wood.
Inside the pool cabana, you can also unleash your creativity. Go ahead and have it furnished to your liking. Have some chairs inside complete with a cozy table to hold some drinks. Larger cabanas could even be installed with a bathroom and some running water.
Cabana Paint
If you choose to create a cabana by the pool and have it made of wood, then you can stylize it further by having it painted. Change the color according to the season; experiment; mix and match.
The Ornate Cabana
There are many methods of designing your pool cabana. Customize it according to your taste. Get carved wooden posts to create a distinctive cabana. You can also have iron or steel molding with ornate designs. Ask the help of a professional installer for a sturdier structure.
Cabana Lighting
A basic decorative touch for the pool cabana is the addition of lighting. Use fairy lights and have them coiled around those customized posts. You can also have a small pendant light set up if you have a working electrical system already in place.
‘Feeling more fabulous? Why not go all the way with a chandelier?
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Flowered Drum Table is an outdoor charm that can make a wonderful accessory to your pool cabana.
Fortifying Your Pool Cabana
If you want to make sure that your cabana is able to stand up to winds and the torrential rains, then be sure to set metal posts. Determine the right size for the four posts. Begin by digging 14” x 2’ deep holes. Pour concrete to the bottom of every hole then set a 6×6 redwood post.
Attach the post then pour dry concrete all around it. Use a level to check the posts also to make sure that they are perfectly lined up.
Tags: cabana, cabana design, decorating a cabana, designing a cabana, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pool cabana, stylize a cabana
Posted in Outdoors Style | Comments Off on The Pool Cabana – A Getaway Within a Getaway
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017
Uttermost Living Room Driftwood Glass Top Cocktail Table 25519
Teak is a renowned wood that is used by a lot of artisan furniture makers and bought by a lot of homeowners worldwide. This has led to deforestation of teak which is why its harvest is now being controlled in many areas. So, why is teak such a desirable material?
Teak Is Strong
Teak is a kind of hardwood. This means it is durable, sturdy and could easily withstand extreme cold and heat. This is also an excellent wood for use in manufacturing outdoor furniture. This can even be used as a material for an heirloom piece should you decide to have teak furniture indoors.
Teak is quite durable which is why it is unlikely that it would have rot or be eaten by termites.
Be able to choose the right type of teak for your furniture. The best quality should have ample quantities of rubber and oil. Such pieces can take on rigidity tests in your home and even outdoors.
Teak Is Beautiful
What makes teak charming is the color of its grain. This is one of the most attractive materials for homeowners and furniture makers. When used outdoors, teak will achieve a silvery-gray color while those that are used indoors can be oiled to retain their golden color.
Since it is super strong, it is a viable material to use for most artisans. Compared to most softwoods, it also offers a lot of options in terms of look.
Teak Is Adaptable
Teak is naturally resistant to termites and the natural elements. This makes it an adaptable wood, one that can easily resist moisture. Since it is too strong, teak does not splinter easily. This is also the reason why shipbuilders trust this material – this has been so for centuries.
For home applications, you can have a sturdy teakwood dining room table, bedroom cabinets, and the best patio furniture.
Uttermost Accessories Teak Horse Sculpture 17083
What’s Real Teak?
It is crucial to know some facts that will help you check if you are purchasing real teak furniture. Of course, it pays to buy only from reputable dealers. Check out our best teakwood pieces – here.
Teak is a hardwood that will not succumb to warping and splitting. So don’t fall for those must-have pieces that are actually priced moderately because you will end up buying non-teak.
Do your research and don’t be duped into buying teak like wood or family of teak. Real teak has dense and an extremely grained wood. It also has natural oil content which preserves the wood for many decades.
Another telltale sign that you are buying the real deal is the price. Teak patio or indoor furniture is never cheap. This is because furniture valuation is based on durability and with teak, you are in furniture heaven. There are very few materials that are as durable as this premium hardwood.
Teak Has a Rich History
The first record that showed teak being mentioned was in the 4th century. Since then, the world has fallen in love with this durable and charming material. The Middle Ages have seen a lot of teak especially in shipbuilding.
Teak is also loved by shipbuilders because it can resist rust, even corrosion. Countless ancient benches have also been constructed out of this sturdy material. These days, there are a lot of chairs and benches in England that are made of century-old teak.
Teak Today
Today, teakwood is still used in shipbuilding and in the manufacture of patio and garden furniture. This is almost indestructible because of its hardness and high oil content. Most construction projects these days also favor this material.
Teak comes from Southeast Asia and it takes almost four decades for each tree to come to maturity. So the next time you run your hands through the smooth surface of teak furniture, cherish that wonderful feeling for a moment and know that this piece will live a long, long, long time.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, teak, teak furniture, teak furniture pieces, teakwood
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Everything Teak
Monday, February 27th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Jackson Glider/Recliner could effortlessly sit in a corner and still beckon one to curl up and relax.
A home that’s inviting – one that beckons and lingers in the minds of guests – is one that’s enjoyable and cozy. Regardless of the current season, each home can benefit from having a dash of coziness added. Here are some solutions –
The Entryway Set the Impression
As cliché as it may seem, first impressions, indeed, are lasting. Winter has been tough but a quick clean on your front steps plus a welcome mat will do a lot of wonders. How about installing a hello sign on your front door?
These are fundamental ways to create an inviting vibe. If you want to up the level of comfort still, then add a pot of big, green leafy plant by the side of the front door. Your guests will simply love the pop of green as they are being welcomed to your home.
Make Space
Adding furnishings seems to be the primary concern of many homeowners. What they lack to plan for are the spaces between such arrangements. While it matters that you put lovely furniture pieces, it matters too that there is ample space where you could move around them.
This is especially true for smaller homes. There should be comfy seating spaces which are also fre from obstacles. Never cramp oversized furniture too closely to one another or put too many pillows on the floor for your guests.
Also, for parents, try to designate a spot for those toys. If possible, create a cozy corral for them.
Yes to Soft Textiles
What could spell comfort more than plush textiles? Use plush rugs and carpets then be sure to layer them like a pro.
Invest in deep furniture and soft benches and ottomans.
Experiment with Hues
Color is a design element connector. For instance, you can use magenta for a cozier living room but this doesn’t have to be on large furniture. This shade of red can be used on cotton pillows and on some accessories.
Hyde Park Poster Queen Bed is FFDM’s contribution to comfort inside bedrooms.
Use Design Tricks
Always think of the guest’s probable first impression. Consider the space layout and pay attention even to the least design details. You can paint the far wall right across the front door with a bold accent hue. Have fun with lighting and art or just about anything that can catch people’s attention.
These, when done properly, will surely catch people’s attention, creating a feeling that they would want to linger awhile and even explore your home.
Personalize
Another simple way to make your home cozy yet still functional is to personalize the space. Invest only in pieces that come from reputable dealers then personalize them if you must. Put photographs of your family on that new credenza and let everyone see how sparkling your personality is with art pieces on walls.
Aroma in the Air
A cozy home should not have any bad smells. If you’re not sure what your space smells like at the moment then take a breather, walk through a park, then go back home. The first smell that would hit your nose is the one that lingers throughout the day. If it’s not pleasant, then get rid of that malodor.
Get some fragrant potted plants to get rid of the smell. If these don’t work, then purchase some air fresheners. If you’re not a huge fan of things bought, then you can also prepare some scents in your own kitchen.
Begin by simmering water in a saucepan then add slices of citrus fruits and some herbs such as mint or lavender. This diffuse pleasant aroma through your home.
Of course, never forget garbage disposal; no amount of cleanup and freshening up could create wonders if you don’t declutter.
Tags: cozy ambience, cozy home, cozy interiors, creating a homey ambience, homey, homey ambience, homey interiors, hominess, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Homey Yet Functional – Learn the 7 Tricks to a Cozier Habitat
Monday, February 27th, 2017
FFDM’s Avery Queen Metal Canopy Bed spells cozy to a T.
Looking at your home as a mere place to lie down at night isn’t a good thing. Ideally, this should be a getaway, a space where you can let go of your worries and worldly cares. If you would like to spend more time in your home, then you have to exert extra effort in making it look and feel inviting. But what does cozy even mean?
We all need our homes to be the place of refuge. This is supposed to be a space where you can balance yourself and your psyches.
You don’t have to spend too much in creating your cozy living space. Coziness, after all, means arranging all the elements that can make a space appear inviting. Don’t worry about not having a degree in interior design since you can still cozify your home minus that degree.
Begin by Layering
One of the quickest ways to create a warm and inviting space is to layer your furnishings. Use tons of pillows and blankets in the bedrooms.
Layer a couch or bed with comforter and some soft cotton blankets. These are your best defense against the cold. Adding pillows in different sizes and shapes will also accommodate various activities such as napping and reading.
Use Warm Colors
Barbara Jacobs, a professional consultant on hues says room color is usually underestimated. The effects of hues on one’s psyche is both significant and subtle. If you want a quieter environment, then make sure that there are no extremely bright colors around.
Use warmer shades such as yellows, oranges and neutral browns. These are the coziest shades that you can find.
Install Soft Rugs
There are couches that are lovely to sit upon and those that are truly comfortable to sit upon. This means that you have to strike a balance between beauty, functionality and comfort; else, you end up having a couch for display or something that’s too ugly to look at no matter how comfy.
Mix and Experiment
Buy from a reputable furniture shop and look at their wide array of options. For the best offers on sofas, check out our collection here.
Get the pieces that spell I-N-V-I-T-I-N-G. When you consider harmonizing pieces together, think less of matching the pieces but more on which goes with which. Mixing even the most dissimilar pieces brings visual texture which is what makes any space look cozier.
Hickory White Living Room Left Corner Sofa ELCS-SBT is comfy because of the throws and plush upholstery.
It’s All About Lighting
One of the most significant factors in making a room look comfortable is correct lighting. Lighting makes a huge difference especially in creating a warmer ambience.
Use various light sources, the brighter ones should be used for areas where large gatherings often take place. The lamps and recessed lighting should be placed in areas where more intimate activities take place.
Use cool light bulbs instead of the warm ones. This takes a minimal amount of work but it gives instant cozification.
Display YOU
You need to fill your rooms with things that describe you. Don’t listen to your sister or what your best friend tells you is trendy. Decide what you would want to put in your own space. Also, be sure to put a budget together especially for your renovation project.
Seek the help of a professional designer if needed. It can get confusing, even overwhelming to plan and execute your cozification project.
Consider also the color palette that best describes you. Fabrics will perfectly blend your chosen hue palette so be careful in choosing those.
Always surround yourself with design elements that you truly love. Remember that you don’t have to change yourself just so you can catch up with trends. If you have a substantial collection of books, travel photos or jars, go and display them.
Your home is supposed to be the place where you truly belong so fill it up with the things that pronounces the best of you.
Tags: comfy home, coziness, cozy, cozy home, cozy interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on What Constitutes Cozy?
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