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Friday, December 9th, 2016
Featured desk is from the FFDM Biltmore Furniture Collection.
We all know the benefits of having a carpet installed in one’s home or office. First, appearance wise, carpeting creates the image that you want for your home or business. Second, with the right choice, it is also a symbol of opulence and style. Carpets are also great insulators apart from being a psychological source of warmth.
Carpet maintenance is a bit labor intensive, though. If you want to do the cleaning yourself, here are some tips so you won’t be left with a useless carpet on your floor –
Test for Colorfastness
Colorfast carpets are not supposed to fade, bleed or be altered when you clean them or wash them to remove stains. Whether the carpet is colorfast or not will greatly affect the kind of cleaning products that you will use.
Here’s how to pre-test the carpet –
Carpet Cleaning
Be sure to protect your carpet padding, furniture and subfloor when you’re out to clean the carpet. Ask someone to help you in removing furniture from rooms.
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Have a rental cleaner especially when it is highly recommended by the carpet company. It’s either this or just have it professionally cleaned. Should you pick the wet extraction method, be sure to dry the carpet for 24 hours so that mold and mildew won’t grow in the padding or the carpet itself. You have the power to stop moisture from destroying the flooring underneath.
Majority of the carpet cleaning systems use water extraction. These are also referred to as steam cleaners. These work by injecting a solution to the carpet pile then sipping the dirty solution to the machine.
Find a model that does not require a water hookup so that you won’t have to worry about dragging a hose all around the house anymore. Overwetting could easily damage the carpet backing as well as the underlayment leading to discoloration, shrinking and bad carpet odor.
The other extraction method is the dry extraction method. All you have to do is to spread the dry absorbent all over the carpet. You then vacuum it using a cleaning machine. These work better than most steam cleaners.
You can also opt for a rented carpet cleaner. This is a professional quality steam cleaner from a rental center. This is more powerful compared to the home type. Make sure to allocate some budget for the rental fee which will pay for the shampoo, spot removers, de-foamer, odor remover, etc.
When you decide to hire professionals, you get to choose between dry extraction or steam cleaning still. Professionals handle these cleaning techniques differently and you would soon wonder at the awesome job that they have done.
This FFDM Villa Cascina piece sits wonderfully on a carpeted bedroom.
Simple Maintenance Tips
You can also get into the habit of taking off your shoes when you enter any carpeted room. Shoes have dust and other nasty stuff so make sure to have a mat placed at your front door. Purchase slippers that will only be worn when inside the house.
Be sure to vacuum twice each week. Vacuuming is your best defense against early carpet retirement. Include lint-free rags that can be used to blot spills. Just don’t rub them on the carpet of the spill would seep deeper to the carpet fibers.
Remember these tips and you are sure to enjoy your carpet for a long, long time.
Tags: carpet, carpet care tips, carpet cleaning, carpet maintenance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, December 8th, 2016
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE NOTE-TO-SELF WRITING DESK
Offices are homes away from your real home. These are the places where market shares and business opportunities are fought for. These can only be achieved where productivity is high and where the business is on a roll.
But what happens if the office is moved to your home? How then can you make your home office as productive as your traditional office?
Splash Some Colors
Ideal home office spaces should mirror the kind of work that you do. Banking, legal services and other such work would be most productive inside a neutral office. Creative offices, on the other hand, like those used by graphic designers and photographers should have a more vibrant office. Whether you’re engaged in more serious desk work or are on the go at times, it pays to implement your preference in terms of home office design.
Branding Matters
Think of ways that you could incorporate the company’s branding to the office design; find out how you could most effectively use the business logo and name. Decide also if you’re willing to hang a sign outside of your home. The placement of the business logo as well as the paint color that you use are both trivial since these have psychological impacts on potential productivity and client calls.
Buy Sturdy Office Furniture
Don’t automatically think that an office-supply shop is the best place to purchase office furniture. Discount stores would surely not be able to provide your home office needs. So, where should you go and what type of furniture should you invest in?
Buying new furniture may be pricier at first but if you choose well, these pieces will last a long time. It beats cheap, mass-produced pieces by so many miles. And don’t think that no one will notice the difference between the investment piece and the mass-produced piece.
Say Goodbye to Garbage
Businesses acquire piles upon piles of boxes, papers and other important documents. Take time to sort these out and decide which ones are still important to your business. Set aside a few minutes every day to clean up your home office space. You don’t have to dive into the piles for hours at a time. Instead, schedule a few minutes to go through the office debris. Pretty soon, you’ll see that you’ve already organized what used to be a cluttered area.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Vintage West Executive Desk Chair
Consider the Design
When you’re on a business trip, even when you’re on vacation, you often stay in hotels, right? These places showcase the best lighting and interior design. Most small businessmen ignore these necessities.
Design doesn’t have to be a new coat of paint or a plush rug. Sometimes, it is as easy as setting up the things that inspire you to be more productive. This could be a photograph or two or it could be a display of your personal collection.
Having a spare room isn’t tantamount to having a successful and productive home office. Your workspace can be placed right by the window where you can have a great view while you work. A little sunshine and the feel of summer breeze on your cheeks while you type away some words on your laptop could make a huge difference on your productivity.
Double Duty
Working on a traditional desk isn’t a surefire way of making you more productive. You could, therefore, use other furniture pieces in place of a desk, say, an armoire that doubles as a storage unit that stashes silverware, glassware and chinaware. It is also a lovely desk when you’re busy working.
The Fundamental Palette
‘Wanna be extremely productive? Then be ready to go bold and bright. Use the most invigorating colors. Be sure to add extra shelves so that files and office supplies are kept out of sight.
Tags: home office, home office design, home office furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, office space layout
Posted in Interior Design 101, Office Design | No Comments »
Thursday, December 8th, 2016
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE EN POINTE UPHOLSTERED ARM CHAIR
Vertical living and privacy characterize self-sufficient living in the city. Home buyers are often attracted to these characteristics but these could also be a turn off to some would-be homeowners. In essence, townhouse living requires that you take out your own garbage, maintain the boiler as well as the HVAC. What’s great about townhouse living, though, is that you don’t need the approval of the board in order to renovate your place. You also won’t worry about a neighbor living downstairs who’s complaining about your noise.
Hunting for the Right Townhouse
The very experience of buying or selling a townhouse is a lot different from purchasing an apartment. There are more spaces to cover with a townhouse than an apartment. There are also other items that you need to evaluate such as width. Of course, the wider the townhouse, the more value it has. In NY, for instance, the average width of a townhouse is at 18 to 20 feet. Anything that’s narrower than this is, therefore, more difficult to sell. Over 25 feet and what you have is already considered a trophy property.
Location Always Matters
Location parameters differ when you’re scouting for a townhouse. Understand the value of location. There are apartments with winning amenities but are located in an inferior block but this doesn’t seem to affect its value. Do this same scenario to a townhouse and the value of the property become a lot less.
Another factor that brings the price down for townhouses is the kind of tenants. The best buys are those that have rent-stabilized tenants. The value is greatly discounted because of the rent-stabilized tenants. On the other hand, if you are seeking to renovate the whole building, then rent-regulated tenants won’t make that possible.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Montgomery Loveseat: Townhouses are perfect homes for a loveseat.
Loving History
Townhouses have an honorable history to offer. European royalty used to dwell in such habitats. Today, they still make sense because townhouses are shelters for single families who can live comfortably in an urban setting. Empty nesters who are also looking to downsize will find that townhouses are a wonderful alternative to condo or apartment living.
Townhouses aren’t for everyone, though so it is crucial that you do your research before you sign up.
Townhouse Living – The Benefits
Townhouse Living – The Downside
Decorating the Awkward Spaces
Get the idea from the first Harry Potter movie – have a room constructed under the stairs. This could become a room where the coat rack will be placed or where the cleaning tools will be stored. That space above the radiator could be used as a place for your artwork, some practical hooks and flower vases.
The secret to small space decorating is to make use of every nook and cranny. Townhouse living could be a tad more difficult but it also has its perks that other homes can’t offer so you might as well embrace those.
Tags: designing a small space, living in a small space, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small space
Posted in Townhouse Living | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
The Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Delancey Club Chair will look perfect against a brick backdrop.
One of the most interesting features of a home – no matter how quirky it may seem – are brick walls. That bold brick red color is sure to elicit attention. Admirers are many and so are those who think that it’s too gritty. No matter, if you’re determined to make it work for your home, then here are some tips that you need to consider –
Preserve Brick’s Beauty
If your home has those beautiful, exposed brick walls, then it’s a natural stunner. You would want to keep those bricks stunning by sealing and protecting the surface. Doing these will reduce the risk of degradation over time.
Applying slight gloss finish will make the bricks look lustrous. This is great for hallways spaces, otherwise, use a matte sealant that will not alter the natural look of bricks. Sealing will also keep mites as well as dust off, thus, helping in the maintenance of brick beauty.
Brick Cleaning
Brick walls may appear like they’re made of stones but these should not keep you from cleaning them. It is also advisable to clean the brick walls prior to sealing. Mix vinegar with water then spray the solution to the dirty spots. Rub gently with towel – use bristle brush only when stubborn dirt needs to be removed.
To make sure also that the bricks won’t crumble as you clean them, be sure to gently begin at an inconspicuous area. Harsher cleaners should only be used only when absolutely necessary.
About Moisture and Grout
Bathrooms and kitchens are moist areas so if the brick walls are found here, be sure to seal them so that mold and other such problematic issues don’t happen. If a bad case of grout has already taken place, then regrout the bricks so that a more solid surface is achieved. Do this by having the existing grout routed to no less than ¾ inch depth prior to refilling with fresh mortar.
Do this just once then gently seal and maintain.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Cornell Brick Red Table Lamp 26903 proves that brick doesn’t always have to be on the wall.070
Finishing Options
Covering or softening bricks is easy with a fresh coat of white paint. White paint is a popular option for people who want to preserve the brick’s texture. Whitewashing the walls will also give them a cleaner and more contemporary look.
This look can brighten up space and would make it look less busy. You can achieve streamlining with the whitewashed brick concept.
The white bricks look can also be taken to your bedroom as it offers a dreamier appeal.
To whitewash, just mix some water with paint about 1 part water to three parts of paint would do. Loosely apply the mixed paint using a large brush. Let the primary application absorb and dry before putting another coat. Paint in uneven patches so that you achieve an aged finish. Don’t forget to tape off adjacent walls or baseboards as well as the floor with a drop cloth.
Another brick finish that you could consider is gray – the warm, soft type would do. This will give your room a more organic and earthy feel while still providing a clean look.
Bricks can also be stained. Just like wood, you can alter the color of the bricks without actually erasing its texture. You can also achieve the faux vintage appeal if you apply the stain using a small brush in just a few areas. This will give the illusion of some bricks being replaced over time.
A Word of Caution
Remember that painting bricks can be a tricky project. Paint may strip later but bricks are also highly absorbent, meaning, their porous cores make them quite difficult to perfectly paint. Skip the trendiest color choices if you’re uncertain on what look to give your brick walls.
Tags: brick, brick wall, brick wall design, designing a brick wall, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Wall Design | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE DELANCEY CLUB CHAIR
Creating a cohesive habitat is sometimes as simple as picking the right textiles and learning how to combine them with patterns, colors, and the overall design movement. This can be tricky if it’s your first time and you still have no idea which design elements to fuse.
Let’s look at some awesome textile schemes –
Experiment with Patterns, Pair the Colors
Don’t be afraid to mix up various patterns while you stick to similar colors or tones for your home. Dots, stripes, and other such lively patterns could actually be used together if you’ll have them in the same color palette.
Choose Appropriate Fabrics
Learn about association and the feel of the fabric so you can pick the most suitable one for a specific room or design theme. For instance, damask on suede is considered gothic and opulent so this is great for a home that has a Gothic or Victorian theme. Plain cotton, on the other hand, is simpler and is more suitable inside a country kitchen.
Let the Textile Shine
Well, not literally – this only means that you have to allow the textiles to take center stage. Bold colors can easily become the visual feature of any room. This can work well in any dull-looking space. To optimize the beauty of your colorful textiles, be sure to have them isolated in a single area.
You may also come to a point when you think you’ve found a lovely fabric only to be left with zero ideas on how to use it. If this is the case, just think of the textile design as a probable color scheme. You can use the colors on the fabric to design your interiors. In essence, you can make textiles as your inspirational design pieces.
Learn Scaling
Whether you are about to furnish a large or a small home, you can always depend on textile patterns to balance the elements in rooms. Remember that the bigger the scale patterns, the more that they will have a shrinking effect. The smaller ones, on the other hand, will have a visually enlarging effect on your space.
Be Able to Differentiate Fabric Types
Fabrics have characteristics, too. Knowing these will help you become more successful in designing the interiors of your home.
Let’s say you’re interested in using cotton fabrics; know that cotton is best used on furniture cover, draperies, table linens and pillow covers. Cotton is breathable which is why it is a common choice. Find the stain resistant variety for rooms such as the kitchen and the dining area.
Velvet is a luxurious fabric that offers a formal appearance. There are many colors to choose from if you’re thinking of using it on your upholstered sofa or chairs. Silk is also a luxurious textile but it is more fragile than velvet. It is best used on draperies and pillows. Don’t use this fabric in a room that’s often sun-drenched.
Nylon and polyester look just like natural fibers depending on how expertly they were woven. The sheer variety is great for draperies while the thicker ones can be used to resemble leather, snake skin, suede or straw.
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that is best known for its softness. It looks just like wool but it is resistant to sunlight and would not shrink. This is a great choice for upholstery, slipcovers, bedding and as decorative pillow cases.
‘Ever considered denim? Give it a shot – it is durable plus it offers a casual look that’s best for family rooms and children’s rooms. Activity areas will also look more interesting with this fabric more so if you fuse other colors in such as red or black.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, textiles, upholstery
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
FFDM Villa Cascina: Formal restaurants should have an equally formal yet charming dining set.
Why do people go to specific restaurants many times during a year? One reason could be the great food that is being served there. More often than not, though, people keep going back to these restaurants because of the ambience. So forget about the scrumptious meals, even the famous chef, this time, we’re focusing on the restaurant’s design.
Have you ever thought how restaurants actually attract customers? There are other factors as mentioned but knowing the rules in restaurant design could make or break the business.
The Food Remains the Star of the Show
If you noticed, the best restaurants in town have designs that are barely noticeable. There are, of course, striking features but the overall look composed of the lighting, layout, and other design elements all work to cultivate the mood that people keep going back to.
The main feature will always be the food so well-designed restaurants are not designed to distract the customers from the food, more so the conversations that would take place. Combine the warm vibes, excellent customer service and the wonderful meal and what you would be looking at is a restaurant that deserves a five-star rating.
Be Wary of Time Elements
Restaurant interiors are a concoction of various time elements. First, not every vintage-looking architectural detail will entice diners to come in. Consider the oldest restaurants in Paris – people don’t go there because of the stains on the marble countertops or the potholed flooring. People go to the oldest restaurants because of the historic feel inside it but this does not mean that you have to embrace its decadence.
It is also crucial to give the restaurant a contemporary vibe. The place may be hip and lively but with the absence of a neighborhood kind of appeal, it simply fails.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Curata Wine Server is perfect in any fine-dining setting.
Small Details Matter
Rather than focus your energies on doors, chairs and murals, learn how you can make the sightlines and pathways operational. Always design with practicality in mind. Simple rules such as the path to the kitchen never crossing the path to the toilets should be remembered. Be sure to keep the server stations concealed from the main dining area.
As soon as you’re done with the logistics, you can now go to the more fun part of designing the restaurant interiors – this is the phase when ideas for fabrics, materials and actual furniture are reviewed. These things will affect the overall concept so you have to carefully choose what you’re going to use. You may have a Japanese theme in mind but this should not stop you from bringing in customers who would visit the restaurant for a power lunch.
Be Less Loud
The white tablecloth should be a staple in any restaurant. People now frequent the most eccentric and industrial places which is a sign of customers seeking something that’s a little less bold or a little less loud.
Dare to Stand Out
In the U.S., there are almost a million restaurants craving for customers’ attention. Every single of these is trying to tell people that they are different from the rest – this isn’t always an easy task. Launching a brand new concept means you have to seriously review your branding and even worry about the silverware and glassware.
The brand is your business’ personality. Persons become known for what they do or because of their behavior but the brand is the definition and the totality of the restaurant business that you’re establishing. Know how to position your brand – you’re not just the better steakhouse, you’re supposed to the best steakhouse.
Restaurant concept development includes researching your competitors, knowing the food trends, financial modeling, and portfolio management. Invest in these just as you would invest in the right furniture, lighting and accessories.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, restaurant design, restaurant style
Posted in Hospitality Industry, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Bedroom Sunset Point King Fretwork Panel Bed is an awesome guest room bed.
As cliché as it may sound, Christmas is literally just around the corner and it’s that time of the year to clean up and prepare the different rooms and areas in your home. You have to know how to divide the tasks among the family members and to make it a fun project rather than a dull one.
Prepare the Guest Room
Christmas also means hosting parties. This means welcoming guests to your home so you also have to prepare the guest bedrooms. Even when you’re not expecting guests, it is best to always expect the unexpected during the holidays. It is common for relatives or friends to suddenly show up so they could celebrate the festive season with you. It may also become impossible to drive home every single guest who will go to your place so, at times, it becomes necessary for some people to spend the night with you. This, all the more, makes guest bedroom prepping a must.
It is also imperative to change the sheets to make sure that the beds smell fresh and clean. Use a gentle detergent in washing duvet covers and sheets. Wash them separately from your other pieces of clothing; this is to avoid having small items caught among the sheets.
Another step in preparing the guest room is to vacuum and polish. This becomes doubly important if the guest room is not used most times of the year. Rooms that are unoccupied for longer periods tend to gather dust so be sure to check them and clean up.
Put a potted houseplant in the room to increase the level of serenity inside that room.
Make space also for a wardrobe, a drawer or two, and a nightstand where the guest can place his keys, coins or some reading materials. Be sure to check the wardrobes as these become the home for mold when moisture somehow seeps in.
Learn to Prioritize
The perfect time to clean up is not hours before your guests arrive. Clean up the guest room drawers, linen closets, the dining room and the den days before the guests are expected to arrive. Remove any unnecessary items from coffee tables, countertops, ottomans, and other furniture. Should you run out of time, just bag the unwanted items and store them temporarily in the basement or in the attic.
The time to sort and arrange is when your guests say their farewells.
Consider Safety
An important part of preparing your home for your holiday guests is to invest in ample lighting. Exterior lighting should be working just as well as the interior lights. If you can, add motion-activated lights in bathrooms, hallways and bedrooms to ensure a zero accident holiday.
Prepare your home further by child proofing it. You might not have kids at home but your guests might bring theirs with them. Ask the parents to bring cabinet locks and baby gates if you’re not willing to invest in these items. Put all medicines and toxic cleaners inside cabinets. Be sure to hide lighters and matches.
Freshen also the smoke detector batteries. Run a fire drill when your guests arrive so that they know where to exit should fire ensue.
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE DINNER AT EIGHT DINING TABLE with 2-18IN LEAVES: The dining room should be uncluttered and tidy during your guests’ visit.
Prepare the Kitchen
The kitchen is going to be a busy room this season so increase the storage and place a pot rack where hot, cooked foods can be placed before being brought to the dining room. Move the coffeemaker to the family room in order to avoid guests crowding the kitchen.
Place extra chairs and stools for people who love to chat even while you’re cooking.
Other Upgrades
Apart from these preparations, you can also upgrade the foyer by repainting old doors. Polish metal door hardware and hinges. Erase the scratches on stairs, hardwood floors and wood railings. Have a welcome rug placed at your home entrance. Lastly, add a storage bench where the guests can place their shoes and boots.
Tags: Christmas interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, preparing for winter, winter decor, winter decoration
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Monday, December 5th, 2016
FFDM Brentwood Collection: Everything in this living space is easy, breezy and light.
Very few designs influence the furniture market for a long time. One of such designs is the Scandinavian design, thanks to the hardworking mass retailers, the stark, clean lines that we have come to love have become mainstream. Though this has become a popular interior design theme and a go-to style, do you really know how to define it? What features could be considered solely Scandinavian?
Scandinavian Basics
Let’s begin with the fundamentals – Scandinavian style first showed up in the 1950s. It was a part of Nordic design (a popular design attributed to Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Norway) and was a modern movement.
Nordic design prioritized affordability and function above all, hence, the leggy furniture pieces, the leaner upholstery, and the aesthetically sound pieces. These were all in response to the long winters and short days that were common in these nations. White is bright and practical for these wintry interiors which is why this hue became the primary color of Scandinavian design.
Scandinavian Design Today
These days, Scandinavian is a favorite among minimalism enthusiasts because of its lack of fuss. The interiors are particularly trendy throughout the year but more so during the New Year when people are out to create resolutions.
If you keenly observe, you would see the overlapping characteristics of Mid-Century and Scandinavian designs. The differences are in the color palette and the lighting. The former offers darker hues while the latter works with everything that’s bright and light. Scandinavian, after all, is all about maximizing light in the room.
Scandinavian can also be a lifestyle as much as it is a chic look. It entails discipline and loving everything that’s basic and simple such as benches with zero frills. Think also if the bench or ottoman could double as a storage unit. Clutter ruins Scandinavian design so it is best to keep the room clean at all times. Clean up and open windows to allow light and air to circulate – these are the things that make Scandinavian a must-have design.
Scandinavian design should not be intimidating, though. This style may or may not be adapted in its entirety. It can work well with farmhouse furniture pieces and industrial elements. Scandinavian furniture may appear simple but don’t be fooled – when chosen well – they can actually stand the test of time.
Having an appetite for modern things is also okay with Scandinavian style. It also has a place in a traditional setting. The thing about anything that’s Swedish is that you should learn to work with traditional or classic elements. If you know your history then you’re the perfect designer for this style.
FFDM Campton Grove Collection uses white and light blues.
A great place to begin your Scandinavian design is at the dining room. Slowly swap the heavy furniture to light ones then mix interesting, light colors and materials. Have fun – don’t forget that. This is the perfect place where you can have an extendable wood table paired with any simple chairs.
After this, you can move to the living room where you can add a hand-woven mat, some copper light fixtures, interesting candleholders, and some bold accents. Look for masculine elements that would keep your design from looking too feminine. The secret is to allow the light to bounce all around this room. Use a lot of pastels as the backdrop for your darker featured pieces.
Design blogs and magazines might make you think that it is an impossibly immaculate design what with its whitewashed walls, crystal pendant chandeliers and light-flooded rooms. These aren’t always the realistic look for Scandinavian. Just remember to meet both function and uncluttered and you should be fine.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Nordic design, Nordic interior design, Nordic interiors, Scandinavian design, Scandinavian interior design, Scandinavian interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, December 5th, 2016
FFDM Candence: Notice the blue on the upholstery, lighting fixture and accessories – they leap from the backdrop.
Blue is one of the colors that are frequently referred to as people’s favorite. It is the representation of the beautiful skies and the pristine waters of many beaches. It may be rarely seen in fruits and vegetables but this is no less than the perceived color of heaven and serenity, hence, it is no surprise that a lot of corporations use this hue on their logos.
Blue is a cool, slow, even wet compared to the vibrant intensity of red. Blue also has contradictory meanings more than any other hue. Here are examples –
Most tints and shades of blue represent loyalty, trust, understanding and tidiness. What’s ironic, though, is that blue is also the color of depression in our country. Expressions such as feeling blue or singing the blues are examples of such notion.
Blue Trivia
There are many interesting facts about the color blue. First, it is the world’s number 1 favorite color. Also, about 53-percent of flags all over the world have blue in it. This is also the most used color in corporate logs, blue blood means you are an aristocrat, blue is the fundamental color for baby boys and, lastly, dark blue suits are the standard in professional business attire.
Blue also has few connections with the sense of smell or taste which is why it is an effective appetite suppressant.
Blue is almost in everything which is why you will never go wrong when you decide to use this as your color motif.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Three Drawer Turquoise Chest
Blue in Interior Design
Now that you know how important blue is, it’s time to consider how you’re going to use it in your home –
The Infamous Blue Door
Apart from red, blue is also an interesting color to use on your front door. Blue is perfect for a home with brick exterior. This door will surely stand out even with the delicious vision that bricks offer.
An exterior with mixed colors could do well with a darker blue door (almost to the point of being gray). The blue will act as a neutral hue that will ground the entryway.
Tags: blue color scheme, blue design, blue interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Sunday, December 4th, 2016
Do you know that you spend about a third of your lifetime sleeping? That is approximately 229,961 significant hours so you have to reward yourself with a relaxing atmosphere. These hours could become grueling if you don’t have the right bed or the right accessories to go with it.
Bedroom Space Planning
When planning the bedroom layout, try to think of the primary function of this room. Some people use their rooms just to sleep while others have additional functions for it such as an exercise room, a reading area, and some even use a section of the room as a home office.
Know your priorities so you would also know what needs to be included in the room. As soon as that is settled, the next thing that you need to know is the orientation of the furniture pieces that will go in. To do this, try to visualize what you would like to see inside the bedroom. This visualization becomes more effective when you stand on the bedroom doorway. Be sure to place furniture in areas where they won’t impede on foot traffic and bedroom activities.
Bedroom Lighting Distribution
One common wrong notion about bedroom lighting is that you only need one daylight fixture right at the corner of the room. Instead of just a single lighting source, have several lighting fixtures distributed throughout the room.
Use a separate switch for each lighting group. Make sure there is ample lighting for the different functions of the bedroom. Use LED lights which could seem expensive at first but considering all the savings that you would get eventually, they are worth every dollar that you pay. Outdated fluorescent and incandescent lamps are nothing compared to LED lighting’s capacity to light the room. Plus there’s that notion that LED doesn’t need to be replaced every few years.
Bedroom Declutter
Another secret to having a restful bedroom is to declutter. Find storage units that will store all of your needful stuff. Those that you no longer use should be donated or given away to interested friends. It would also help to choose proper lighting because it will create a huge difference when it comes to the bedroom ambience.
Use warm tones to achieve a more comfortable environment. Do not use high contrasts or any bright colors because they are not suitable inside a room for relaxation.
Bedroom Finishes
Use materials that stimulate comfort and warmth. These have to be easy to maintain, though, or you’d be left cleaning all the time. Consider the health condition of the people who will use the bedroom. Never use woven fabrics or materials because these tend to accumulate dirt and dust. Use soft furnishings to deter noise.
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE BEWITCH MIRRORED OCTAGONAL NIGHTSTAND: No bedroom should go without a functional and beautiful nightstand.
Bedroom Wall and Floor Materials
Use solid wood, vinyl laminates, or engineered wood rather than vitrified ceramic tile. The former materials are better because they can retain warmth a lot longer.
Add some area rugs if you want to up the level of charm and warmth. Paint the walls with non-volatile organic compounds. Use various colors but be careful that it won’t turn up the activity in that area all because you chose flaming yellow instead of a relaxing blue.
Bedroom Storage Solutions
Bedside tables can double as organizers or desks. You can also convert the space under your bed as a place for small baskets where you can put socks, clothes or linens. Benches can also have storage space that can answer your storage needs.
Consider the Owner’s Personality
You also have to know what the owner considers to be comfortable. His or her personality as well as the personal habits of the owner will dictate the overall look of the bedroom so choose well.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, relaxing bedroom
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