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Monday, July 4th, 2016
Lexington Living Room Rangoon Chair 4011-1092-956771
Baroque furniture was the latest in furniture fashion in the late 17th century. The likes of Francesco Borromini and Gianlorenzo Bernini were famous architects that made baroque more innovative. It was during the last quarter of that century showed a lot of changes in terms of design. Scroll patterns and caryatids were presented for the world’s perusal. These designs were unique because they made use of the female figure along with spiral and scroll-shaped legs. By the end of that century, baroque architecture showed curved fronts on chests and wardrobes.
French Baroque
One of the most luxurious furniture pieces of baroque was handcrafted for Louis XIV, King of France. These lovely pieces were created by no less than André Charles Boulle. He combined exotic forms embellished with inlays created with tortoise shell, metals, and ebony. These pieces had gilded columnar legs which supported chairs, tables and chests. These gilded carvings seemed like imported Roman fresco.
French baroque means the artist spent a great deal of time on the furniture piece’s workmanship.
English/American Baroque
During the reign of William and Mary, baroque design on furniture also reigned supreme. The pieces there were greatly gilded in order to show the wealth that ancient England had.
In America, master craftsmen used Tudor and Elizabethan basics inspired the designs of the Pilgrim style often made from oak. This style was simple yet exquisitely designed by famous designers. The baroque design jumpstarted the evolution of furniture from ornate carvings to minute-details on the same materials used.
Fine Furniture Design Accessories Mirror 1160-953
Ornamentally Baroque
Baroque style became ornamental by the 17th and 18th centuries. Though this is the case, it has been making a comeback into many modern homes as of late. The baroque of today is less fussy, though. It is so simple that minimalists can even use them.
The designers of today know that baroque style has the following elements – jewel tones ornate mirrors, gilded finishes, opulent moldings, curvy lines, and the most intricate architectural details. The elegance of marble is also often used by pairing it with contemporary elements.
Mixed Baroque
Baroque elements can be combined to create a balance among different time periods. For instance, you can fuse antique Louis XV lantern with ornate console table and curved ironwork.
A home office can also become more interesting if you use metallic wallpaper as a backdrop to an interesting art piece. Italian glass chandelier can also be used to balance a modern desk lamp and a modular credenza.
The Baroque Focal Point and Accents
Use an ornate island chandelier as the central element inside your kitchen. Light cabinetry and backsplash will make this same kitchen look more updated.
If you’re not keen into jumping on the baroque bandwagon, then you can just use baroque inspirations such as crown moldings and cornices. Add gilded touches onto your ceiling right on the areas that you designated as the sitting room. Plush upholstery and soft colors can tone down the intricate elements.
Rococo: Born From Baroque
You can actually play with baroque elements. A rustic bathroom fuses tramp art with baroque. Use a Rococo-form mirror framed in wood and bottle caps.
Rococo was born from the Baroque movement and is also referred to as Late Baroque.
Juxtaposition in Baroque
Light, neutral colors, dark and black woods can all be married to produce a new traditionalist theme. Don’t limit yourself to the usual church exterior mode where baroque’s distinctive elements show complex features. Ceilings are often decorated with images while plant motifs are used on walls.
Use baroque design as an inspiration to your shabby chic, bohemian, traditional and even modern settings.
Tags: baroque, Baroque design, baroque furniture, baroque furniture history, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Sunday, July 3rd, 2016
Cynthia Rowley 1120CR Kit Club Chair is green, lively and aesthetically awesome.
It is a known scientific fact that there are certain colors which evoke a happy feeling. Summary colors like light blues, sunny yellow, and citrus greens are known to bring a light-hearted vibe which bring to mind tropical living, exotic plants and lime drinks.
Understanding Green
Green is the color of harmony and balance. This color can also mean growth, rebirth, spring, or renewal. This is the color used when depleted energy needs to be revived. It is also the sanctuary to people who feel stressed with their modern living. Logic would tell that this is why there is so much green on earth – it’s as if God wanted his people to feel relaxed and feel positive.
Green is the marriage of blue and yellow so it also exudes the clarity offered by yellow and the calmness of blue.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Jazzy Shag Rug 5820RS05030708200: Step onto freshness!
Lime Green Elements
By adding lime green elements into your home, it is easier to feel the summer vibe all-year-round. Even when there are constant weather changes, you would soon feel that your home tends to have a lighter, airier feel compared when other hues were used primarily.
Citrus green hues are not always lime green in color. Those that have a tad more yellow can be used in moderate amounts when you want to grab a little attention and vibrancy.
Remember that colors that you see on your computer monitor often do not match what comes out in paint cans. So get some samples as well as test colors to use on your intended space. This is so you would know how they would actually look like when used on the walls.
Creating a focal point is easy when you have lime green on your side. Just use this as a statement wall and you’re done. This particular color will also fuse well with yellows and blues which are its adjacent colors on the color wheel.
Lime green can also be an effective color to use in the kitchen. It can add vitality and life to this space. It is also easy to pull off this bold color on your kitchen wall because this is an area which tends to be well-lit day or night. .
One rule to remember when using a vibrant color in your home is to use less. As the saying goes – less is more. If you’re not a huge fan of feature walls, then add just a few touches of lime green on the trim, on baseboards, or on accent pieces.
It is also wrong to default to lime green being a modern or contemporary color. It can also be used as an accent color in traditional rooms. Lime hues effectively break up warmer wood tones and could make a room more inviting.
A quick way to upgrade any unfinished concrete flooring is to have it painted. Lime green paint can be used to dress up a studio floor. This floor can mirror a beautiful landscaping outside which makes the indoor-outdoor transition easier.
Lime green walls should not be used in bedrooms, though. It’s a wrong hue there because you would want the place to be restful instead of one that invites activity. Bold colors tend to draw attention and quicken the blood so limit their use inside areas where you usually rest.
Lime green adds the right dash of color to an almost white bathroom. Rather than have a stark bathroom, add interest and flair by having lime green accents.
Another fun way to bring life into a space is to put a colorful piece of furniture there. So, would you consider investing in a lime green sofa or chair? Why not?
Tags: green, green color palette, green color scheme, green home, green interiors, lime green, lime green interior design, lime green interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Sunday, July 3rd, 2016
FFDM Collector’s Room: Daylight is the most effective source of light but you have to learn to put proper lighting when dusk sets in.
Homeowners often talk of the creation of layers of light but did you ever wonder what that even means? The use of multiple light sources can provide maximum effect on any space. Ambient lighting, for instance, can be fused with task lighting if you want to create a shadow-free work. Accent lighting, on the other hand, can add a dramatic depth while decorative lighting can show your personality. Mixing different fittings can create different themes or stage a much richer home environment.
Multiple Lighting to Break Rooms
Homeowners who embraced the open-plan concept can understand the difficulties of establishing boundaries. Furniture pieces can do this trick but lighting can also do offer the same effect. Light can divide larger rooms into zones such as what happens when you use high-output downlighting on work areas while infill downlighting can be used as ambient lighting. Dining areas can be softened by pendant lights as well as concealed cove lighting.
Different Lights, Different Tasks
When downlights take care of ambient lighting for the dining area, there is no longer a need for decorative lights to provide a high output. Keep in mind that not all lighting fixtures should provide like levels of light.
When it comes to downlighting, make sure that you plan their placement so that they can add to the richness of the surroundings. The wrong use of downlighting can lead to a shapeless and soulless room and, of course, you don’t want that.
You can alter the focus of attention by increasing or even lowering the different lighting fixtures placed in different areas. Remember to group lights into small circuits so you could be more flexible. You can always have separate circuits set at same levels but it is not easy to split 20 or more lights wired together to act as one light.
Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Verdigris Bronze Patina Monkey Lamp 1753-570
Accent Lighting in Bathrooms
Bathrooms can be a challenging project to take on when it comes to lighting. Ideal lighting in this room should have a controlled color temperature. This temperature is how warm or cool lighting should appear.
Bathrooms should have cool lighting, one that would make you feel alert in the morning. In the evening, it should have warmer glow so that sleep would easily come.
LED is often fixed when it comes to color temperature. It is still possible, though, to layer the light when using different circuits for different tasks.
The area where you usually apply make-up should be a well-lit one. Combine low-level accent lights with accurate lighting fixtures with the first to be used at night and the other during the day. They key here is to separate the circuits so you achieve flexibility.
Adding Intimacy
Accent lighting means you have to know which features matter to you. You can also use this type of lighting to make the eyes focus on a beautiful feature. So the next time you want to bring something to life, just focus an accent light on it.
LED has many choices for accent lighting. Find whether you would want a downlight, uplight, or linear fitting.
Consistency Is Key
The use of multiple light sources can better unify any space than having a blanket of downlights with the light source coming from just one direction. Now remember that even the subtlest variation in light can be accentuated so take the time to test the different fittings. See if you can compare them side by side.
Achieve Maximum Effect
Use several kinds of lighting and make them work together to your advantage. Downlighting can provide the light when you’re at work while the decorative lights soften the ambience. Add glamour and personality by having ambient lights set up.
Tags: how to layer lights, improving home lighting, interior lighting, layered lighting, layering, layering lights, lighting fixture, lighting layers, lighting plan, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Saturday, July 2nd, 2016
FFDM’s Palm Island Collection will pair right off with just about any countertop material.
One of the most common questions asked to a bathroom and kitchen designer is this – what other materials, apart from granite, can you suggest for my kitchen counters? While it is true that granite is widely used in most kitchen and bath projects, there are moments when granite simply won’t work.
Granite is a beautiful counter material but it usually steals the spotlight from the rest of the design elements. The mirror finish of granite makes it difficult to subdue this material. There are moments when it works but there are also times when it just won’t support the look that a homeowner has chosen.
The good news is, there are a lot of options in the market for alternatives on granite. Here are some surfaces that would work on your kitchen or bath. Mind you, these are non-granite but absolutely stunning –
Marble
This easily tops the list of materials that can be used to replace granite on kitchen countertops. This is a softer stone when compared to granite. It can be stained and it can also have scratches over time. This is not the material that you would use, though, if you don’t want the look of wearing and aging.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a material that is non-porous, soft and classified as natural stone. It may be soft but it is a pretty resilient material for countertops. It is a dark stone (almost black) plus it comes with a honed surface. Those who love to cook would find soapstone to be a wonderful heat insulator.
Wood
Wood is an excellent alternative to granite because it is both functional and interesting. This material requires periodic oiling, though. This oiling maintenance is needed so that the wood won’t dry out.
Wood also works beautifully in bathrooms.
Quartz Composites
If you love granite so much but would want to avoid the downsides that it offers, then quartz is the way to go. This is made from quart aggregate. It can replicate the beauty of any natural stone.
These are a newer category in the world of countertops. Composites are stone aggregates as well as polymers that were compressed under extreme pressures. The result is a material that is strong and non-porous. Its strength and durability is comparable to natural stones though it is a manufactured product.
Quartz composites come with consistent patterns and colors.
Concrete
Concrete counters are also great because they are one-of-a-kind, durable and long-lasting. Adding stone or any different colored glass to concrete will result an integrated design that is difficult to match.
This is an example of a kitchen island with wood and steel top. (Canadel Kitchen Island ISL4836-T4)
Glass
This is another counter material that may not be as durable as granite but it is just as stylish. Glass can be painted and stacked to provide a strength that is difficult to match. It is one of those unexpected materials that you could use which never fails to get a good response.
There is another type of glass material that you can resort to especially if you’re living a green lifestyle.
Recycled glass sparkles and shines the same way that newly-manufactured ones do. This is often a terrazzo piece, meaning, it has been combined with other materials such as marble chips with concrete. In the case of recycled chip glass chips which are mixed with concrete, well, the resulting products are many eye-catching surfaces.
Steel
Ease of cleaning, sleek style, and durability – these are all the features that make steel a wonderful material for countertops. It also offers a clean, crisp look to any kitchen, thus, those who want to stage a modern space would find it useful.
Steel is also durable enough to literally last for thousands of years. It is also a recyclable material so that’s added great news.
Tags: countertop choices, countertop options, granite alternatives, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, non-granite choices, non-granite countertops
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Saturday, July 2nd, 2016
1586-75200B-BRN Long Board Rectangle Dining Table with 2-20in leaves: Cynthia Rowley’s furniture collection is perfect for open space layouts and modern settings.
Do you happen to live in a house that has a series of compact rooms? Has it crossed your mind to topple down some walls in order to open up your space? If you answered yes to both questions, then you are more than ready to embrace the open space concept. But what if a concern is a wall that is structural?
The great news is that it can still be removed and you can still open up the space as you want it. What you need to do is to replace the load bearing. You would need the expertise of a local architect because that is a project that you shouldn’t take on alone. He will also be the one to ascertain that everything is done in accordance with the building code.
An easy and inexpensive way to remove a wall is the installation of an engineered wood beam. This has to be positioned right below the current floor joists. The contractor can build a temporary wall on every side of the bearing wall. He can then remove the bearing wall, have the wood beam installed, then have the temp walls removed.
The architect may also tell you to use steel instead of wood beam because of the length of the wall that is about to be removed. This will cost more but there are situations when it is the only viable solution.
You would also surely love picking out the colors, finishes, fabrics and other stuff when you’re remodeling. Space planning results in a more efficient place. Find images of open floor spaces and find out how you can use the same concept in your home.
Know Your Space Needs
You need to make a list of the spaces and their functions within the large spaces. Assign square footage for every area. Consider also the size of your furniture as well as the number of dwellers in a room. An example is the space between the dining room table and the kitchen counter should be no less than four feet. This is so people can freely walk between them.
Consider Space Relationships
After determining the size for every space, find out the need for each room to be near each other. Define why they need to be adjacent.
People will be moving from one space to the next so make sure that you place the rooms that make sense to be right next to each other. Obvious adjacencies include the kitchen and the dining areas as well as the living area and the entertainment area.
Adjacencies also make sense when you consider plumbing or sewage lines. Doing so will minimize the costs that come with doubled pipes or damaged lines.
Know Your Organizing Preferences
Knowing where the bathroom and kitchen would be as well as working with the constraints of the building structure should lead to the next question – how will the smaller zones fit into the open space? The four options include linear, grid, axial and central.
Linear organization is called such because of the series of spaces that were arranged to create a straight line. This is a flexible type of organization since you can easily adjust the shapes and sizes of the zones for as long as they are still related to the line.
Axial, on the other hand, uses two or more major points to define the arrangements such as the bathroom and the kitchen having two separate linear paths.
Think of Furniture Grouping
Always think of the furniture that you own when grouping room functionalities. The bedroom should have the nightstand, dresser, and of course, the bed. The living room should still have a distinct coffee table, end table, chairs, and a sofa.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, open space, open space design, open space layout, open space theme, space planning, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, July 1st, 2016
Maitland-Smith Accessories Rock Crystal Bowl On Glass Base 2147-362
Modern interior design would surely be nothing without the contribution of glass. Glass is not just beautifully used as a material for furniture. It has also been widely used in making walls, ceilings, stairways, and just about any part of a home more interesting.
Glass is everywhere in today’s world of design. Through it, most people are able to enjoy the outdoors while still shielding the home from extreme weather conditions. Glass can also effectively brighten up a room while offering a different level of elegance.
Glass also enhances vintage photographs, flower arrangements, especially home décor.
The Benefits of Glass
Glass has multi-purposes. It is attractive, strong and easy to clean. It can also be bought in different colors, shapes and styles. Even with all these benefits, you might be wondering how you can effectively use glass in your home. Because of its versatility and beauty, you can pair this material with just about any design element. Whether you are building a house from scratch or are remodeling an existing one, glass is the right material that will liven up your living space.
Glass is the best material to use for bathrooms, especially the small ones. Shower curtains make bathrooms appear smaller while a glass partition will keep the bathroom open and well-lit.
Glass can also be used on tables and countertops. This is a cost-effective material compared to marble or granite.
Maintain privacy with glass walls (yes you still can) by opening up your home’s design. Just swap the usual opaque walls with glass and what you would achieve is a more connected kitchen and dining area, for instance.
Glass walls also allow one room to borrow light from another. This increases the amount of light that circulates in the home while cutting down on your energy bills. So go ahead, link the rooms using glass walls. Connect adjacent spaces without losing the novelty of each space.
Open the full height of glass windows if you want to feel a strong connection to the outdoors. This is a glorious feeling when the weather is great. During winter, you can simply make your home cozier by closing the blinds or drawing the curtains.
Modernize the staircase by adding a glass railing. Choose from sandblasted glass, different finishes, and colors.
Tips and Caution
Glass is a wonderful addition, no doubt, but you have to learn how to properly handle it. What you need to focus on when using glass is its reflective properties. The amount of light that you would want to stream into your home could make or break your home’s design so pay attention to your glass walls, doors and windows.
Glass does brighten a home but it could also cause unnecessary glare. To avoid harsh glares, place glass at an angle where it won’t be reflecting a tremendous amount of light.
The occupants in your home will also greatly determine the kind and amount of glass that you would use in your home. Do you have young kids at home? How about pets? The use of glass fixtures should be limited in such a home.
Glass manufacturers are now able to withstand scratches and blows up to a certain degree. Understand, though, that only bulletproof glass will ascertain an unbroken window. So when you have installed glass in your home, you can surely expect a broken window pane or so.
FFDM’s Palm Island Collection features a glass tabletop.
Glass + White
If it is your desire to make your home more open, or appear bigger, then pair glass fixtures with anything white. Better yet, come up with white color scheme. White is a crisp hue that can blend pretty well with any glass feature, thus, creating airier, more expansive space.
Tags: designing with glass, glass, glass design, glass in interior design, glass interior design, glass interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling with glass, white
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, June 30th, 2016
Canadel Bar and Game Room 24in Fixed Barstool STO2250DF-24 will harmonize well with any color of glass tile backdrop.
Backsplashes are known to infuse personality to kitchens. Those who want to remodel their kitchens or bathrooms often think of many different materials but few take the glass tile home. Most resort to ceramic tiles, stone, even metal, but only a few appreciate the jaw-dropping beauty of the glass tiles.
Here are several reasons why the glass tile should become one of the popular options –
Customized Look
Glass tiles come in an endless array of colors, transparencies, and bold designs. You can truly customize the look of your kitchen or bathroom with the use of this beautiful material. Choose the size and color of the tile then create a pattern that you can use for installation.
‘Wanna go classic? Then find subway tiles. If you want to be more modern, then look for the mosaic glass tiles. Glass tile borders or insets can also complement stone or ceramic backsplash. You can further heighten your creativity by painting the wall beside the glass tiles with the same shade. Your options are actually limitless so this is the perfect material to use if you want to express your individuality.
Space Expansion
Glass is known for its reflective properties. It can sparkle while bouncing off the light around the room. This reflection can visually expand your space. A kitchen that is small or too dark would do well to use glass tiles that would reflect light coming from a good lighting source. Unlike the usual ceramic tiles, glass can add depth as well as interest to the kitchen walls.
Maitland-Smith Kitchen Wall Mounted Towel Holder With Cast Brass Twig And Bird Motif 1254-316: Wood also marries well with glass so this piece would surely look magnificent in your bathroom.
Glass Is Green
Glass tiles will never grow mold and mildew which is why they are great for family members with allergies. They are also stain-resistant even easy to maintain and clean. What you need to do to keep them clean is to just wipe using wet cloth – and you’re done. If you want a more thorough cleanup, then use a mild detergent. A more eco-friendly option is to use recycled glass which come in green color.
Their stylishness is also a huge plus.
There are also some cons to the use of glass tiles. Weigh your options by knowing both benefits and downsides.
Glass Tiles Can be Costly
Glass tile is more expensive than stone or ceramic tiles. The price depends greatly on the kind of glass used. It can vary from $7 to about $30 for each square foot. If you have set a limited budget, then consider adding just an accent border to your stone or ceramic backsplash.
Tricky Installation
Though glass is durable once installed, it can be a bit delicate when still in its raw form. The glass tile backsplash is not your perfect material for DIY weekend projects.
Cutting and grouting, alone, require precision when it comes to glass tiling. Should you try to attempt the project on your own, you could end up with more breakage than successful installation. You can always turn to a pro for help but with their expertise comes a fee.
Difficult to Repair
Glass may be easy to maintain and clean but they easily show smudges and fingerprints. Since this is so, homeowner’s tendency is to clean up more often. This could lead to scratches or cracks when gritty materials were used to clean the glass surface.
It is often impossible to fix a cracked glass tile so be careful in cleaning it up.
Glass tiles are an exciting journey towards a more dramatic and beautiful home. If you’re thinking of trying this material, then find out how much would be required for your space, what style or color would go with your theme, and which professional installer you would be hiring.
It’s time to add sparkle to your life so have glass tiles installed soon.
Tags: glass tile, glass tiling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tile, tile design, tile flooring, tilework
Posted in Accents, Bathroom Design, Interior Design 101, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
Thursday, June 30th, 2016
Universal Furniture Dining Room Uph Back Side Chair 016638-RTA elegantly fuses walnut, leather and fabric.
Do you agree that the furnishings you choose have a lot more impact compared to the accessories, textiles, window treatments and other interior design elements? Your furniture literally make or break the look that you have set up for your home. This is why one of the biggest decisions that you will be making is to find the right kind of furniture for your home.
There are many important features that call for a homeowner’s attention. And since furniture is especially important, you have to determine how durable it is, what makes it visually appealing, and what material it is actually made from.
When searching for long-lasting and beautiful furniture, there are but a few materials that you can trust. One of such materials is the walnut.
Most traditional furniture pieces are built using walnut. It is an excellent choice because it is a durable hardwood which can retain a beautiful finish for many, many years. This has also been part of many iconic designs in furniture history. There is no question as to why it is one of the most favored materials that are used in manufacturing furniture.
For many generations, walnut has been used by interior designers and master artisans. The only question left to ask now is this – which walnut furniture is right for you?
Walnut Is Hardwood
Walnut is a tree that loses its leaves during autumn and winter. The two most common walnut types used are black and English walnut. The cut wood has a grain that is often straight though it can become wavy the closer you get to the roots.
Walnut color can dramatically alter from light to dark brown. The middle part of the tree is able to produce dark wood while the outer layer produces the lighter colored wood.
Universal Furniture Home Entertainment Entertainment Console 016966
Choose Walnut
Walnut is durable and hard so it carves well. It can also hold its shape for many years. This is one of the best choices for ornate furniture requiring intricate woodworks. The headboard or mantelpiece would look great if carved in walnut.
Walnut furniture can easily become heirloom pieces. All that you need to do is to care for them properly.
Know What to Look For
Walnut comes with straight grain that will be beautifully accentuated by a coat of urethane. Be careful with stains, though, as they can make the beautiful grain less noticeable.
The finish that you choose is all a matter of taste. Wood furniture that comes with burly or wavy grains can be easily covered with walnut veneer if you want to make the appearance improve. Walnut furniture can also be covered with walnut veneer.
Solid walnut furniture naturally costs more. Decide whether appearance is more important for you than material or construction.
Restore or Discard?
Looking for ways to restore any walnut furniture that you might already have is wonderful idea. This is good way to revitalize the furniture piece. Restoration frightens a lot of people but it shouldn’t since the process is quite simple.
The easiest way to restore or fortify the look of walnut furniture is to merely reapply the wood’s existing finish.
Clean finishes are shellacs, lacquers and varnishes. Apply just a small amount of denatured alcohol to a small section of the finish and you should be able to determine what finish was used. Shellac is absorbed by denatured alcohol while varnish and lacquer tend to stay.
Natural wood finish comes with oils or waxes. They are rougher to your touch and do not have a glossy look. Natural finishes can be reapplied to restore the beauty of walnut. If the surface is damaged, though, the furniture piece might already require resurfacing.
If all else fails, it is best to invest in new walnut furniture.
Tags: hardwood, hardwood design, hardwood pieces, hardwood species, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, types of hardwood, walnut, walnut hardwood, walnut hardwood type, walnut wood, wood
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Daisy 8 Light Industrial Pendant 21284 looks traditional, perfect for those who are hesitant to cross from vintage to modern.
Lighting in residential spaces consumes about 8-15% of the household budget. There are factors to consider when gauging lighting technology. One is lighting design, another is the user behavior, also the efficiency of the light that will be used. The last factor (efficiency) will greatly affect the household’s energy savings.
In the year 2012, the average energy use in homes showed varied results. This is because the climate can also be a huge factor on how lighting is used in each home. For household use, energy is essential for water heating, cooling or heating, and the use of appliances.
Lighting homes should have the objective of providing comfort and a safe environment. The lighting used must also be visually appealing. Nowadays, with green living and all being propagated, it is also important to know that your light is as energy efficient as it claims.
Lighting Design
Thinking of proper lighting design fuses different day and electric lighting strategies. You need to optimize certain aspects so that light will be properly distributed inside your home. You also need to consider the whole house’s energy impact in order to minimize the overall energy use, if needs be.
Lighting design also takes advantage of glazing technologies as well as shading strategies. These can be used to moderate the spectrum and intensity of the lighting that is used as well as the daylight that is allowed to stream inside a home.
Lighting can also be set up so that heat gain is minimized during cooling season while heat loss is reduced during heating season.
Lighting design also chooses the right window aperture size, shading and glazing for every orientation.
Daylighting Explained
Daylighting science makes use of daylight to negate the use of electric light. Daylight sources include sunlight, a directional beam, skylight, or a diffuse light that is about a tenth of the sunlight’s illumination. Daylight is wonderful as it constantly alters its colors, direction, even its intensity.
With this in mind, make sure that you design your home in such a way that it would only require electric lighting at night.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Toledo Industrial Lamp 29332-1 offers a metallic look that veers towards modernism.
Industrial Lighting Put to Good Use
Lighting upgrades can significantly cut your energy costs. You can have your existing fixtures retrofitted so that ample light will be provided without upping your costs and diminishing your comfort.
LED lights are a necessity. They are efficient, durable, long-lasting, and they offer a lot of design options. These are environment friendly lights which you can operate with zero emission.
Upgrade your home lighting now to LED industrial lights in order to increase your energy savings. Whether you require high ceiling lights, fluorescents, or LED pendants, it’s high time to change to what’s modern and cost effective.
Remember also that industrial elements are quite huge in interior design nowadays so you would surely be the talk of the town as you embrace the trend. Industrial materials are not, of course, for the faint of heart but it is surely a move that you will never regret.
This is where industrial lighting best comes in. It will create a bold statement yet subdued enough to those who aren’t ready to go all in.
Industrial Lighting Applications
Industrial style pendants are best placed over the kitchen island. First, they are functional and now they also have the added feature of being visually pleasing. Use industrial lighting to stage a specific theme inside any room. You can go rustic with this light if you use the same style on the lighting fixtures and the railings of the stairs.
Try to think beyond mere metal when designing your industrial lighting. You can also use glass for your pendants.
Tags: daylight, general lighting, home lighting, industrial lighting, interior lighting, layered lighting, lighting fixture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016
Dress up your stairway traditionally with the Accessories Uttermost Greenway Hand Painted Art 31315
Have you ever wondered how else you can make your stairway walls more interesting? Often you see picture frames or mirrors placed there, but what could be done that would make this place more exciting?
The stairs are a vital part of any home renovation project. This is a subject that almost always comes up during remodeling projects for multiple-floor homes. Whether you just have ample budget to rebuild the stairs or to finish them, this is that part of your home that needs your utmost attention.
Refinishing Should Do It
A cost effective way to update your staircase is for you to have it refinished. You can easily transform the look of your stairs by simply painting the vertical parts of the stairs (the risers). Have it painted in the same color as the trim. Have the treads or the horizontal parts of your stairs refinished.
Remember to update the railing by having the balusters painted and the handrails refinished. Choose whether you would want a traditional or contemporary runner to complete the look.
Invest
You might think that a stairs renovation project should be cheap but this is one thing that you need to invest in. New or old, you can update the look of your stairway but it would be a lot lovelier if you are willing to spend time and money on this project. Creating instant drama, after all, requires more from the homeowner.
Consider the Materials
You can also choose to clad your stairs with treads and new risers. This is also a wonderful chance for you to change the look or theme from traditional to contemporary that is if you want to.
Bring in new materials for your balusters. Add steel or iron to the current railing and you get to complete the look with just a few tweaks.
Make Use of Glass
You can also change the look of your stairs by adding glass railings as well as guards. There are some things that you need to think about when considering glass for your stairs. First, glass will definitely show fingerprints so this is not the best choice of material for neat freaks. Glass railings and guards require constant cleaning. If everything else is okay with you, then have it installed and make sure that a handrail is also placed for safety.
Horizontal Is Modern
The popular look is the modern theme offered by horizontal railings. There is just one thing that you have to keep in mind when putting this kind of railing to your home – this can be easily climbed by small kids so choose a different kind of railing if you still have small ones in your home. Instead, you can have the safer horizontal option. The hazardous horizontal railing can be replaced by a railing that goes way up to the ceiling. This means that no one will be able to climb over it.
A horizontal railing also creates a wonderful backdrop to the adjoining room.
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Customize
Don’t let your creativity be hampered. Think of clever ways to achieve a staircase that will awe. Consider having open risers, the floating staircase that requires a steel structure for support. Just make sure that there is limited space between the treads, small enough so kids won’t slip between them.
Custom wood or steel railings can also add visual interest in any kind of home.
Added Storage
Never forget the opportunity presented underneath every staircase – that space there can be used as storage room. Yet again, bring out your creativity by having that part designed and put into good use.
Lastly, what’s important is for you to just have fun. Whether you’re dressing up a winding staircase or an illuminated one, just go ahead and get out of your comfort zone.
Tags: customization, decorating the stairway, design customization, designing the stairway, glass, glass in interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stairway, stairway design, storage, storage techniques, tips
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