Saturday, November 12th, 2016

FFDM American Cherry Collection
Here’s a challenge that many would-be homeowners typically face – a color scheme that would flow from one room to the next. This becomes harder to achieve once you’re told that repetition should not be overdone. The overall look of your home must still be dynamic but not to the point that it becomes confusing. The goal then is to achieve texture, value, hue, contrast and balance.
The Answer
To achieve a successful flow you need to learn the fundamental elements of design which are shape, color, scale, light, pattern, texture and balance. These components should be fused in way that’s still pleasant. It should feel like a flowing stream where the undercurrents are, well, underneath.
Vary the hues from one room to the next by changing the color intensity just within the contiguous color families. An example is greens and blues working together.
You can also create contrast on the walls by having the fabrics go against their color. Fabrics can also be related to walls through monochromatic varieties. When using a low-contrast palette, it is texture that will create visual interest.
When you want to create a beautiful scale, be sure to pick color accents that go against wall or floor colors. Don’t forget to feature artwork and other special items by making a focal point through the contrast of brightness or color.
Be sure to give every room its own distinct color personality so that you are ensured of a cohesive look and feel. If you’re the type who loves lots of colors, then it is still possible to achieve the flow by picking one color that will unify rooms. This unifying element could also be the woodwork on the doors, windows, molding, ceiling and baseboards. This connecting color does not have to be glaring.
You’re the Boss
Pick 3-5 colors (preferably your favorite ones) and plan how they would be presented in your home. What color would you assign as the background so that it will be shown more prominently? What colors will be carried from one room then to the other and in which areas will they appear?
Allow the current artworks, wall colors and furnishings inspire you.
Be Consistent
Just imagine that you’re taking a walk throughout your home and you’re leading your guests on a tour of sorts. What do you notice as you walk from room to room? Are the aesthetics and décor consistent throughout the rest of your home? Or are they too jarring that the guests tend to just look away?
If the tour made you realize that your house needs a little freshening up, then you might want to begin with the purchase of a rug. You can then find complementary paint colors, fabrics and accessories.
Begin with Carpets and Rugs
Go ahead and match two carpets for both the living and dining areas. This is most apt for an open space layout. Add variety later on then pick colors for your upholstery which you can use for both spaces. Gold and yellow are relative colors that are easy to use.
You can also use matching carpets by picking one color that is common for each. Red and gold look great together, in fact, they remind you of happy Christmas moments. Green and white are also a wonderful combination.
Area rugs that you use in your living and dining rooms can also be joined by a single color even when they have different designs and textures. A gray rug on the living room could have navy blue pinstripes while the dining room’s has an all blue rug paired with a gray mirror.
Tags: layout, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, space planning, tips
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Connelly Hall Console
Everything that people do comes with a reason. This reason is not something that’s appealing all the time, though. Each person has his or her own taste and preferences, design and styles, even their own life spheres.
A Rad Movement
The field of art had a movement called Eclecticism. This is still an unrecognized style on its own despite the movement’s success. For many this is still seen as a distinct movement. The term eclectic was first brought to the public’s attention by Joha Joachim Winckelmann. This was a term used by Carracci when painted and fused traditional and Renaissance pieces.
There’s a wonderful story behind this art movement. Eclectic style means the combination of elements or styles coming from different eras or periods. These then become a single project despite their varied origins.
Balance Is Key
Don’t think that eclecticism is all about putting in different styles and praying that they would work. On the contrary, there is a beautiful harmony that is happening in every eclectic piece. Let eclectic style into your home by adding different pieces of furniture coming from various unique places. Think also of all the elements that you could add to make the entire design look like a whole, willed piece.
Achieving Eclecticism
The eclectic style is very easy to love. While this is so, it is not easy to achieve. If you want your next design project to center on this style, then you need to outline and do’s and don’ts. Here are the DO’s –
Do remember the layout. When you are planning the space for an eclectic space, you might get caught up on what textures, colors or patterns you need to bring together that you forget about proper placement.
The layout is one of the fundamental things that you need to consider when setting up a room. The furniture layout is equally important. This is what would give you comfort and aesthetics. So before you begin purchasing the things that you will bring in, check out the furniture options. You might end up realizing that you don’t actually have ample space to welcome a sectional.
Consider utility as well. Remember always that the room is meant to be lived in, eventually, so let utility lead the decorations. Utility is a wonderful decorator. Allow it to make the decision for your fabrics and colors. Consider bookshelves, baskets, card tables and drink trays. These provide a lived-in look to any home.
As for the don’ts, let’s begin with don’t forget the focal point. As you arrange your layout, while you are combining different pieces from different eras, you must still remember to have a focused look. This means that some of the pieces will serve as accessories while one significant piece should serve as the focal point.
Be consistent. The nature of the style that you chose is varied so every room – while being different – must still complement the others. Have eclecticism throughout your home but create a flow that’s obviously there.
Always make sure as well that you’d pick one dominant color. This will serve as the unifying factor for the rest of the design elements. Color is also a great equalizer so you need it to create an overall look. While color is quite powerful, make sure that you do not compare hues. Don’t go sampling on all available paints for your wall. The trick is to make a decision then create a lineup of colors that are a shade or two lighter and darker than your chosen color. Don’t confuse yourself into lining up so many different colors that you end up feeling nauseated.
Tags: balance, eclectic, eclectic design, eclectic interior design, eclecticism, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, symmetry, unique interior design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2016

Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Siobhan 6 Light Crystal Chandelier 21289
Drinking wine, champagne or any alcoholic beverage is a custom that’s practiced during special occasions and celebrations. It is also customary to bring out crystal or wine glasses to raise a toast to whatever it is that is being celebrated. People toast for successful work projects, weddings, finishing college, and new beginnings. But, hey, are you able to distinguish crystal from ordinary glass? Because, you see, you should be toasting from the real deal.
A lot of people look at a crystal and glass and they would say that they are practically the same. There are subtle differences which are not easily discerned by many. The chemical composition of each is different as well as their thickness, cut, clarity, sound, refraction, and weight. Know each of these factors so that you can find genuine crystal which you will eventually hang as a lighting fixture in your kitchen.
Glass vs. Crystal
Prior to delving into the glass and crystal differences, you should first define each according to what the popular culture thinks about them. For instance, a lot of people do not know that crystal is a term used for lead glass.
Glasses are made of glass and they are often used as containers. This is also a term used for drinkware that may have handles or without. Glass, in essence, is a raw material that is made of soda-lime. This is what 90% of glasses are made of these days.
Soda-lime, on the other hand, is made from soda, lime and silica. This is also typical in the manufacture of tableware, windows, bulbs and figurines. This is inexpensive compared to borosilicate glass (Pyrex) or fused quartz.
Crystal is made of silica, soda or potash, and lead oxide plus other additives. Lead crystals are durable and beautiful at the same time. They are great as decorative pieces.
Lead crystal was shortened to crystal because of the Italian word cristallo referring to Murano imitations. Wine glasses are often made of lead crystal as well as many decorative elements in many homes.
Apart from chemical composition, there are other ways to point out crystal from glass. Based on thickness, fine crystal is a lot thinner than glass. It also tends to be more decorative because it has a lead content. The lead makes it easy for the sculptor to do his magic. Crystal is more fragile, though.
When it comes to clarity, glasses are cloudy when held up against any kind of light. Crystal is famous for its clarity and for its refractive quality.
Now here’s the real tester – sound. Crystal has a rich pinging sound when you clink it. Glasses produce a thud.
The Crystal Chandelier
Would you like your dining room or kitchen to stand out? A crystal chandelier will immediately pull the attention of the beholder right into the middle of the room. Imagine a crystal chandelier in the middle of your kitchen and surrounded by rich materials such as quartz countertops, brick backsplash and the best copper pots and pans – now that’s a sight to behold.
You can also fuse soft and hard by hanging a crystal chandelier in the middle of a mainly masculine setting. Add some accent cabinets to accompany the beauty of your lighting fixture. White cabinetry is quite a common choice for crystal chandelier owners.
The kitchen island can also be complemented with this lighting beauty.
Prep yourself in buying crystal chandelier. They are huge and grand but they do not have a one-size-fits-all option. Find a fixture that’s not too big or too minute for your kitchen. This room is often fitted with a chandelier often when it also doubles as a dining area so make a wise decision.
The secret here is to look at the bigger picture. Remember these simple numbers –
For a room that sits 4-6 people, the crystal chandelier width should be 20-24 inches; with 6-8 people, the width should be 25-29; and for 8-10 people, the width should be 30-36 inches.
Tags: chandelier, chandeliers, designing with chandeliers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, use of chandeliers
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Latico Chest
Did you know that colors behave in three ways? They can be passive, active or neutral. The term neutral actually means unbiased or impartial. It is because of this that the use of neutral colors is quite common in many homes.
Neutrals Pair with Any Hue
To begin with, neutrals like black, white, cream, brown, gray or any earthy tone can work with any color. Neutrals are versatile when it comes to decoration and interior design. This means that even through the years, as trends and preferences change, your color scheme remains in style.
Neutrals are hues that also provide the best background to any other color. It provides solid foundation for any décor whatever your style is.
Don’t overuse neutrals to the point that they become boring. Imagine seeing walls upon walls of cream or beige. That’s absolutely aesthetically stagnating.
Neutrals Add Visual and Tactile Textures
When you plan any neutral room, consider texture. This is a term that refers to an object’s appearance or surface characteristics. Texture isn’t all about seeing but touching, too. Tactile texture is the actual surface feeling whether it is smooth, rough, hard or soft.
Create a room that is multisensory. The design and décor mustn’t just look great but also begging to be touched. Imagine having a plush carpet right in the middle of the living room. Wouldn’t you want to remove your shoes and just lie down?
Neutrals in the Entryway
The entryway is where most first impressions take place. This is the right spot to show your being savvy in choosing a design. Don’t jar your guests with bright colors, though, only to make an impression. It’s better to select some patterns that may be neutral but still add visual interest to this part of your home. Think of runners, wallpaper, rugs, and art.
It would also be nice to place an unexpected furniture piece on the entryway. Imagine having a wing-backed chair right by the rack where the shoes are kept.
If you’re looking for the best neutral color to use, you can have inspiration from the floor tiles. Use the neutral colors of your tiles then bring that same shade to the entryway. This should give the space a more cohesive look.
Neutrals in the Living Room
If you’re still interested in having pops of colors elsewhere, then use them on the window treatments or the throw pillows. Enliven the living room by adding mirrors. These will reflect the neutrals while adding depth to the palette whether it is based on whites, browns, creams, or grays.
If you are decorating a living room that’s mainly neutral, then use slight variations of the same color. This should warm up the space and make it more aesthetically pleasant. Think of the neutral palette’s role on your window treatments, walls, floors, furniture and lighting fixtures.
It would also be nice to feature a beautiful architectural part of your home by using neutrals. Use neutral décor or color to highlight. Remember that a lighter shade on an architectural feature like a fireplace will highlight its very presence.
To add drama to a neutral living room, be sure to use a large chandelier. This isn’t just a beautiful addition to the décor but it’s a lighting fixture that will give a sense of purpose to an otherwise dull open space.
Neutrals in the Kitchen
Neutral kitchens are quickly gaining popularity each year. Guide the eyes of your guests by having the shapes repeated throughout the room. Find a cabinet that has the same color as some of the appliances. Don’t be afraid to mix media inside the kitchen. It’s an effective way to make the neutrals feel alive somehow.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral colors, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral interior design, neutral interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016

Century Furniture Living Room One Seat Cushion 42555C: The attic can be the perfect additional sitting room in your home.
If you are searching for space for a master suite or a new bedroom, don’t bother looking elsewhere. What you need to do is to just look up. What you need to determine is whether your attic is a feasible candidate for redesigning. Remember that the attic is an existing square footage in your house and that means a lot of things.
Attic renovation is a smart way to make a difference in your home. Before you do so, make sure that the renovation project will be a safe and efficient one.
Know the Codes and Safety
Code enforcement varies but the codes state, at the very least, that 50% of finished attics should be 7 feet high. Its width should be 7 feet by 70 square feet. Be sure to ask an engineer to conduct a house inspection more specifically the framing and foundation that will carry the load.
Install a Ceiling Fan
Use this appliance to control the temperature in the room. Install it if you have headroom. This will make the warmer months more bearable as the fan will bring cool breeze into the room. Just flip the reverse switch during winter and warmer air will stay indoors.
Beef Up the Floors
Attic renovation will bring about attic activity. The thicker the floor joists, the quieter things will be. Insulation will not just help in climate control but also in keeping noise to a bare minimum.
Plan According to Room Placement
If you plan on installing a new bathroom right where the attic now is, make sure that a bathroom or a kitchen is below this room. This is so there’s already an existing plumbing. This should reduce additional plumbing installation and would also limit damages on the wall. Tie new pipes with the old ones. Run the water supply to the renovated attic all the way down to the basement. This is also to make sure that sewer gases won’t vent into the wrong pipes.
Install Ample Storage
Have enough cabinets, perimeter drawers, and cubbies installed. Even those awkward nooks and crannies, and those niches along the pipe chases and chimneys are opportunities to install shelves.
How to Build the Attic
Figure out how you will be able to get up and down the finished attic. Remember that enlarging a stairway or having a new one added will affect any space below. A straight stairway will eat up about 10-14 feet of space.
Take a peek inside the attic before you begin the project. Be sure to measure for headroom. If an A-shape rafter is able to spread out beneath the attic’s roof then this room is a potential candidate for remodeling.

Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Cornelia King Bed Complete is the focal point to your newly-renovated attic-to-bedroom.
Attic to Bedroom
An attic renovated into a bedroom will make good use of a space that was once devoted to old books and other unused items. Reclaim that space under the roof and convert it into an additional bedroom or a guest room.
Attic conversion costs approximately $65,000 and it would help retain 61-percent of its value should you decide to put the house up for sale. While this is quite pricey, a lot of homeowners still undertake this conversion project. They also don’t show any regrets once they take on the project. Most are even happy or satisfied with the remodeling plans that they take on.
Just be mindful of building codes, access, electrical system, support structures, HVAC and plumbing systems when changing the attic to a bedroom. Hire a licensed electrician, plumber, and an HVAC specialist to help you with this upcoming endeavor.
As soon as the attic is turned into a beautiful bedroom, make sure that it has ample lighting. Use recessed LED lighting fixtures. Do not generate any unwanted heat by making sure that the lights are tucked completely into the ceiling.
After the lighting fixtures are installed, bring in the furnishings and accessories and you’re done.
Tags: attic, attic remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling the attic, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 8th, 2016

FFDM Ancestry Collection
Have you ever wondered what makes Old World design unique? This exceptional design has its roots in the French countryside as well as 18th century England. Old World also represents Spanish, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Italian Villa, and French Chateau. It is a design that is known for its inviting interiors and warmth. Here are other characteristics that make Old World design one-of-a-kind –
Warmth
Old World is also tantamount to having bronze accents, posh drapes, crystal chandelier, candelabra, ivory shades, wall sconces, and detailed millwork. Its color schemes come in neutral tones with rich, warm woods. Coffered ceilings and dark wood tones are common in offices.
Symmetry
Another important element of Old World design is symmetry. The furnishings must be balanced in order to create a room that induces conversation. Common accents include lots of throws, plump pillows and beautiful silk flowers.
Colors
Pick colors that are warm, rich and deep in tone. Get inspiration from nature and your immediate surroundings. Whether you’d get your creativeness from the green grass or deep golds and oranges of the fall season, it’s really up to you.
Other colors that are also often used in Old World design are cream, burgundy, woods with dark stain, navy, forest green, ocher, or sanded, aged surfaces.
Materials
Natural materials are a huge thing in Old World design. You may use stone, natural woods and metal works. Use heavy wooden cabinets, wrought-iron pieces and stone floors. Curtain rods are also welcome. Be sure to include materials with rich colors such as iron, copper and wrought-iron. Limestone and granite are also wonderful options.
Fabrics and Textures
If you want to depict Old World design in your home, make sure that you invest in the following –
Accents
The best accents for Old World design are terra cotta, wrought-iron, pottery, damask draperies and distressed finishes. Make sure to fill your home with accent pieces which represent who you are.
Architectural Detail
If you are about to gut a room that you would want to remodel, then it would be wise to build from the ground up. Include as many Old World architectural details as possible. You have to learn to love arched doors and windows, exposed wooden beams, and heavy furniture.

Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose King Panel Bed
Furniture
Old World furniture is free from built-in designs. This means that every piece under this design is freestanding. A kitchen island, for instance, may just be a simple butcher block or it may be a wooden piece with a marble or granite top.
Find slightly rustic or heavy furniture pieces. The chairs and couches must come with wooden frames as well as traditional cushions. The fabric and textures must be rich enough so that your guests will immediately know that it’s Old World.
Still on Old World kitchen, make sure that the cabinetry is free from complex designs. Use arches and hearth styles but say no to other ornate pieces. The cabinets in Old World kitchens often come with unique hinges as well as oversized doors. Corner edges and molding are often rounded on the edge. Large kitchen islands are the best pieces for to stain or paint. This is a good way to distinguish them from the kitchen cabinets.
Other Elements
Other ways to use Old World design is to make the room feel and look like travelers’ haven. Add woven shades, wicker furniture, bamboo pieces, and storage trunks.
It’s time to commit to this design. There is no use in being half-hearted about it. It is a wonderful style that you can be proud of since it shows the most interesting colors and textures. If these define who are you are, then Old World design it must be for your home.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Old World design, Old World interior design, Old World style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, tips, traditional, traditional interiors, traditional style, traditional theme
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, November 7th, 2016

Black is the color of midnight and so this CYNTHIA ROWLEY for HOOKER FURNITURE twin peak six-drawer chest on chest is perfect for Halloween.
Halloween is right around the corner – it’s that time for little ghouls and goblins to roam the streets and spook everyone. They can ask for candies, too. Get ready to hear scary stories and watch horror movies with your friends. Expect to see Jack o’ Lanterns, too. This year, you can also make a scary addition in your neighborhood by putting a creepy clown on your porch.
These are all modern takes on All Hallow’s Eve, a pre-Christian festival tracing all the way back to 2,000 years. The Celts held this at around November 1 and called it Samhain (pronounced sah-win), meaning, summer’s end.
The exact nature of this festival isn’t fully comprehended but one thing is certain – it is an annual gathering right at the end of the harvest. This is also that moment when resources are gathered to prep for the winter months. This is also a festival celebrated to commune with the dead.
Halloween reminds everyone about the concept of uncertainty and death. People are unafraid to dress up as the dead and they even set up fake grave markers on their front lawns. These are activities that are only tolerated during this holiday.
There might not be a direct connection between Samhain and present-day Halloween but what matters is that this has become a celebration of sorts.
So, it’s time to forget about fear or death and focus on how you can decorate your home into a haunted house just for this season.
Glittering Pumpkins
Who says pumpkins always have to be plain orange? Add a bit of drama and character to your good ol’ pumpkin by applying a metallic finish. Imagine having brass, silver or golden pumpkins. After making them shine, you can then sit them on your porch or right down the runner.
Black Cats
These will always be a part of Halloween décor. It’s time to welcome trick-or-treaters with a litter of black cats on your lawn. These can be carved out of pumpkins – solicit the help of older children for this fun project.
Shadows
You can create a shadowy area by using adhesive vinyl sheets in black. Use your garage door to recreate a shadowy Halloween section. You could have a group of vampires huddling or a creepy graveyard. What’s nice about this is that it can be easily removed after Halloween.
Ghosts Galore
You can also create some floating ghosts using chicken wire, cheese cloth and some liquid fabric starch. Make your ghost glow by putting a battery-operated fluorescent light in your formed figures. Elicit oohs and ahs with these spooky, glowing forms.
Candy Corn Décor
Halloween is all about trick-or-treats and candies. So go ahead and create a colorful candy corn décor that you could hang by the porch. Go a step further by creating a piñata that everyone could enjoy. Read about candy corn piñata-making here – http://www.brit.co/candy-corn-pinata/

The Accessories Uttermost Kadam Ceramic Vases S.2 19825 come in the beautiful, rustic colors of the fall season.
The Pumpkin Wreath
Now who says wreaths are just for Christmas? Instead of the joyful colors during this holiday season, you can create a pumpkin wreath instead. Find the smallest pumpkins or putka pods. Place this mini wreath on your front door and you’re ready to welcome the kid trick-or-treaters.
Stenciled Horror
Decorate your home’s Halloween interior by stenciling some pumpkin, spider webs, witches and goblins right on your walls. Search for stencil templates or buy ready-made wall stencils for your home.
Headless Horseman
Would you like to have the scariest door greeter this Halloween? Set up a smaller-than-life-size figure of a headless horseman right by your doorstep. There are links to step-by-step instructions online. Find the one that’s easiest for you or you can just have a headless mannequin all dressed up for a scarier door greeter.
Black Poison Bottles
Forget about cookie jars and horror terrariums. Old wine bottles shouldn’t be tossed, keep ‘em so that you can paint them matte black this season. Paste a handwritten label on each then display them on your wine rack.
Tags: fall, fall color palette, fall color scheme, fall decor, fall design, fall interiors, fall preparation, fall style, Halloween decor, Halloween decoration tips, Halloween design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling for fall, tips
Posted in Fall Season, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy