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Thursday, June 2nd, 2016
The geometric beauty of this Cynthia Rowley 1118CR Delancey Club Chair is great for this modern setup.
Modern design comprises various materials and perceptions. This is why this design can be a bit difficult to characterize. In fundamental terms, modern design is a reflection of modern art movement inside homes. There are many focal characteristics and themes that can be classified as modern design. Modernism is the exact opposite of more opulent designs including Renaissance, Gothic, and Victorian.
Modern Design: A Rich History
Modern interior design is just a small section of a much larger modernist movement. Modernism is often attributed to the end of the 19th century where modern thinking was given birth.
Modernists were bent on deviating from the creative, intellectual and cultural norms that have been set during the period of Enlightenment. Movements against organized religion and old norms and mores were established and the fusion of politics and creativity was given emphasis. Everything else after this fell under the category of modernism with the sub-genres defined as futurism, cubism, Bauhaus, abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and minimalism.
Here are some of the common components of what could be categorized as a modern home –
1586-75200-GRY1 Dinner at Eight Dining Table w 2-18in leaves: Notice the absence of curvy lines and complex designs in this modern dining room.
Everything Is Minimal
Minimalism is a huge part of modern design. The fundamentals of minimalism embraces the less is more concept. The design in a modern home does not include complex moldings, columns, cabinet trim, or excessive color on textiles.
Minimalism is living – not in scarcity but – in simplicity. It may look simple but this kind of style takes a lot of careful planning. This is necessary so that comfort is still attained while the layout is efficiently streamlined.
The open floor layout can join different rooms in just one space. The counter in a kitchen, for instance, can provide a visual division between the areas for cooking and the areas where people can sit down and converse.
Clean Lines
Modernism, simply put, is the exact opposite of previous interior designs what use carvings, heavy textures, and wood tones.
Majority of the components of modern rooms – from the furniture to room shapes – include straight, clean lines with no intricate details. These differ from contemporary design which can have some curves and sweeping, sharper lines.
With these said, there are different designs that fall under this furnishing category like Art Deco, Mission Style, and Shaker.
Paired with furnishings are oversized tiles, sanded wood floors (with minimized grain), shelves, bookcases inset in walls, open floor layouts with very few walls, and the lack of doors, windows, moldings and trimming.
Metal: The Star Material
Stainless steel and chrome are huge parts of any modern home. Modernism does away with wrought iron and other such traditional metal details. Any clean, polished metal is most welcome in a modern home. It is common to see stainless steel and chrome in furniture specifically on table legs or exposed chair frames.
Chrome is also extensively used on railings, lamps, cabinet and door handles, and faucets. This metal, when polished, shines brightly and has a slight blue undertone which can make it appear quite cold. Using metal, therefore, is awesome for those who are moving away from the lived in lifestyle.
Zero Clutter
What’s tied with minimalism is the lack of clutter. Clutter can be defined in many different ways and among different people. Sometimes, lack of clutter could mean zero pottery, vases, knickknacks, collections, and any excessive accessories.
Books, keepsakes, electronics, and other necessary items should be stored out of sight.
Dramatic Colors
Many modern homes use shades of black or white while the bold colors are limited to the accents. The bolder colors are used sparingly and rarely used as an overall color. Bold colors could be included in abstract wall art, a large piece of furniture (e.g. a bright red sofa or an orange plastic table), throw pillows, an accent wall, or a throw rug.
Tags: 19th century, chrome, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, metal, metal design, metal furniture, modern, modern design, modern interior design, modern interior design tips, stainless steel, stainless steel furnishings, stainless steel furniture, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 1st, 2016
Size is an issue in loft living which is why this Cynthia Rowley 1586-10458B-WH3 Side-Stripe Accent Writing Desk would be perfect for your chosen lifestyle.
When you are out to design a loft in your home, it is essential to consider the history and character of the space. Back in the day, lofts were made solely for warehouses and factories. These days, loft is a space that is considered essential in some people who observe an urban way of life. More than being a traditional form of architecture, it is now a way of coping with modern lifestyles.
Loft living may sound contemporary but when you have the dilemma of having one spacious room and unique features such as support columns and exposed pipes, you would realize that designing a loft can be a tad more challenging.
Here are 8 awesome tips on how you can turn your cold, unfeeling loft into a welcoming, cozy space –
Define the Space
Begin by walking around your loft and finding the most suitable spot for your living, dining and sleeping areas. Make your decision based on where the bathroom and kitchen are located. See also how the windows are situated so that you can define the rooms according to their window requirements.
Take note that the living area must have a good view where the sofa is placed at a spot where you will have a great view of the city lights. The bedroom must also be placed at an area where the morning sun doesn’t hit.
Create a sketch of your floor plan the moment you make up your mind regarding the placement of rooms.
Create a Perceivable Division
Loft living requires that the kitchen, living, dining, bathroom spaces all share the same floor and could even be visually seen all at once at a given time.
Furniture can be used to visually divide the space. There are many other tricks to learn. Having a raised platform is another technique.
There are also room dividers and screens which can be used to divide space while giving your loft an accessorized look. Hanging fabric screens high up on the ceiling is also a makeshift divider that you can use.
Hooker Furniture Home Office South Park Bunching Bookcase is a loft essential because of its limited width yet spacious storage space.
Pick a Style
Most lofts are great settings for contemporary design. These come with smooth, sleek lines and surfaces which can be effectively combined with wood, stone, glass, steel, and other natural materials to render a modern look.
Bring in a few potted plants and vases of flowers to soften the modern look.
Warm Up the Floor
While concrete or hardwood floors may look fabulous, they aren’t that fantastic during the coldest months. So go ahead and warm up the flooring with colorful area rugs which can also serve as dividers for your different living areas.
Install Correct Lighting
Setting up the lighting can be a challenge especially when you have to do it in a loft. Hang pendant lights where vertical space will allow it while lamps and wall sconces would do for the entire space.
Dress Up the Windows
If you have large windows and have a good view of the city lights during the evening, this can become a nuisance in the morning when you would need relief from the bright sun and if you would like to spend some private moments.
Shop for fabric panels that will provide the essential coverage; other good choices include shutters and blinds. The latter can be opened wide should you decide to bask in the morning light and closed when you want to take a snooze during the day.
Stunning Wall Art
You can also beautify your loft by setting up one wall as an art gallery. Hang your lovely snapshots or artworks for everyone to enjoy.
Balance History and Modernity
Create a perfect blend of different timelines by fusing elegant furnishings, lighting and architectural features. While the beams and conduits are all exposed, find glory in them.
Everything in your loft should be balanced and pleasant.
Tags: art, artwork, loft, loft design, loft style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, space planning, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 31st, 2016
Cynthia Rowley 1586-80113-BLK1 Flirt End Table: The pastel pink walls offer this black table and floral throws a wonderful backdrop.
Have you seen people selecting color swatches before? This sight could go both ways – it could be a lovely sight if the homeowner is having fun choosing the colors or it could be a depressing one for those who do not know what they are looking for. If you don’t want to become the latter, then read through these tips and find out how you should correctly test paint colors –
Paint the Wall
The first step is to just directly paint the wall. This guideline is applicable both for interior and exterior walls. The best way to get a sense of how the color would turn out in your home is to brush a portion of your inner or outer wall with the color that you have chosen.
Some experts say that choosing a board just won’t saturate in the same manner so it is best to paint it directly then find out how the color would really affect the overall look. Boards do not offer the same texture as walls and this could really affect the look eventually.
Should You Hire Painters…
If you have decided to delegate the painting project, see that you will be able to provide sample cans of your preferred colors. A lot of painting contractors prefer it that way. Paints that have been tinted (or mixed) means you will have to take the colors no matter what the result. Sample cans, on the contrary, cost only $3 to $8 so you can experiment with smaller cans at first rather than wasting gallons of tinted paint that you won’t use in the end.
FFDM Antebellum Collection: The burst of colors inside this room renders a lovely rustic yet homey appeal.
Two-Coat Painting
Two coats are the minimum amount of coverage that a wall typically needs. The first coat is often the primer while the second coat makes a huge difference in the way the paint color would register.
The primer is often used for richer or deeper paint colors. There is a small selection of such paint that can be made in connection with specific primers. Make sure that you also paint in large swaths (no less than 1 foot by 1 foot) so you would have a good sense of what the end-result would be.
Paint More Than One Wall
The paint colors that you are testing will register differently also depending on the amount of light that hits the walls. Paint a wall that does not get directly hit with sunlight and one that does. You will soon notice that darker rooms tend to make paint appear darker, too. In essence, the pink paint that you chose for your daughter’s bedroom may not necessarily work with the master bedroom or the bathroom.
Colorful landscaping may also affect the paint color on your walls. Light coming from the garden or front yard could stream through, giving your walls a much different color than you originally imagined. The green trees could cast a different glow in a room that is already painted orange.
Consider also what time of day you would be spending inside the rooms. You would, of course, want the colors to look great when you are inside the room.
Test with Light
This is the simplest way to test how a paint color would look in a room. Have the artificial lighting turned on once you test paint a wall. Make sure that your room’s lighting will complement the colors that you have chosen. Pick a bulb or lamp that will not just look good with the paint color but also be useful. For example, it would be pointless to have a lamp that makes the paint look amazing but won’t allow you to read inside that room.
This makes it necessary to have the lighting already in place when considering your paint colors. Different bulbs offer a different kind of glow at different times of the day and with different kinds of paint colors.
Tags: choosing paint, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, paint, paint color search, painting a home, painting advice, painting tips, testing paint
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, May 30th, 2016
Cynthia Rowley’s 1120CR Kit Club Chair will certainly pop out in a whitewashed or generally neutral setting.
As soon as you have decided the theme for your home, was able to pick the right colors, and have even set up a budget that you could afford, then this is the right moment to turn your attention to picking the furniture. Furniture shopping is essential whether you are going to attend college or are retiring with your loved one. As for the latter, it is probable that you already have a sizeable collection to boost. But should this be the case, are you willing to keep them or would you like an entirely new look for your home?
Assessment Phase
This is the first phase of furniture shopping where you need to take a careful look at the furniture that you have on hand. If you have a collection that is dated, then it’s time to let go. Do this only if the pieces don’t hold a sentimental value. But, hey, consider taking photographs of these furniture pieces instead of holding on to them or keeping them up in the attic or down the basement.
‘Still uncertain about keeping or letting go? Then consider hearing the expertise of an interior designer. Many are paid on an hourly basis so allow this expert to go through your possessions and find out which are really worth keeping and which ones you should say goodbye to.
The interior designer should be able to give you an unbiased opinion by looking through a professional perspective.
Planning Phase
As soon as you have accounted all your collections, the next step is to plan all the things that would go with your furniture.
Remember this – do not begin shopping for furniture till you have worked out the window treatments, rug, lighting, and accessories. While it is not crucial to pinpoint the exact pieces, you must – at the very least – have a sense of what would go inside the rooms.
If you can, do assemble a project or vision board with all the clippings that can help you identify the pieces that you would eventually look for. Don’t be caught in the same mistake that many other homeowners have done in the past wherein they bought furniture only to be stuck with that single piece when it came to decorating the room.
FFDM’s Campton Grove Collection: The colors used inside this room harmonize to achieve this lovely setup.
Pay Us a Visit
So now, how do you know what pieces you should invest in till you get a sense of what is available? This is the moment to do a little furniture hunting.
Visit our shop or our website and look through our furniture collections. Find out which the current styles are and whether they tickle your fancy. Peruse and compare, take your time. Should you need our help, we have experts that would readily and willingly assist you if you have any questions.
Do not be afraid to broaden your horizons. If you grew up in a traditional home, maybe it’s time to look for other themes – maybe contemporary or industrial? You just gotta have to see what is out there because there are so many items to choose from.
Buy Large or Small?
Some interior designers advocate that you should buy the huge pieces of furniture first; yet whether you buy these first or last, keep in mind that it is always best to keep your furnishings unfussy. Have the fabrics come at a neutral color if you have a colorful set of walls and throws. Do otherwise if your walls come in pastel or any other neutral hues.
Buy for Comfort
Comfort is of utmost importance. Don’t be a cheapskate when it comes to this aspect of interior design. This means that you must be willing to invest in a sofa that is most comfortable. Remember that upholstered furniture pieces are a huge investment so make sure that the materials used will last through your lifestyle and through the years.
Tags: furniture buying tips, furniture shopping, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for furniture, tips in choosing quality furniture
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Sunday, May 29th, 2016
FFDM’s Highlands Collection features these lovely hardwood set for your dining room. ‘Spills on wood? Be sure to wipe them off right away as water is wood’s leading enemy.
Modern party etiquette is a tricky thing to remember for both the guests and the host. There are many do’s and don’ts to keep in mind from the way you position the spoons, forks and knives; to the way the invites are sent out. Do you think you can survive a posh party?
Invitations and Responses
If you are inviting people over for some party, be sure that the invites are written courteously. Whether you are using paper or digital invitations, you must make sure that you are always courteous.
Specify the level of formality that will be practiced during the party. You also need to include the information on the place, time and duration of the said party. As much as you can, include a GPS-friendly address.
If you are a guest, you should know how to RSVP. Do this as soon as you can. Should your plans change in the future, you should let the host know why you won’t be able to attend. It is improper to just not show up when the host is actually expecting you.
Even when you have a casual invitation, make it a point to confirm your attendance or to decline it.
Never Arrive Early
While you are encouraged to arrive on time, it is not a good practice to arrive hours early. You can arrive 15 minutes early but no more than that. The hosts who feel frantic because of the preparations would surely appreciate it if you don’t arrive during the last minute cooking and cleaning up.
Bring Gifts
While you are encouraged to bring gifts or any token of your appreciation for being invited, make sure that your present won’t require more work from your host. The best party presents include scented candles, a nice-smelling soap, tea towels, and a bottle of wine.
Even better than bringing wine or any other kind of present, you can ask your host if he or she would need some extra hand.
Offer More Choices
As a host, you should give alternatives to alcohol. Remember that not everyone likes to drink alcohol so even if you are the best in bartending, you must offer non-alcoholic choices as there are people who prefer soda or juice.
What could better house your cutlery sets than the 1586-75907-GRY1 Soiree Sideboard?
Create Seat Assignments
It is not a big deal to create a seating assignment in smaller gatherings. Be sure to double your efforts when creating seating assignments for a larger gathering. Do not split up couples but do sit the quieter people next to the more talkative ones.
Never Use Your Phone
Casual parties may be more forgiving when it comes to using your phone. It is an unspoken rule, though, that you shouldn’t even peek at your cell phone during any kind of party. So whether you are attending a formal or informal gathering, make sure that you keep the ringer off.
And during dinner? Oh, don’t even think about it!
The Necessary Bowl
Remember that no one would want to wonder where they could put the shrimp tail or olive pit. This is an awkward thing to wonder about during formal (or even informal) gatherings. So spare your guests this awkward scenario.
Provide a bowl especially for this purpose.
Clean Up the Bathroom
Your bathroom is going to be one busy room during the party so make sure that it is well-stocked with toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels. Have some scented candles on the ready, too. And, oh, while you’re at it, have a new plunger placed in there, too.
The cleanup shouldn’t just happen inside the bathroom, though. Prepare to wipe off spills on the table runner or on the table cloth itself. If you’re the guest and you’ve spilt something that won’t come off anymore, then be prepared to replace or pay for the damage.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Celeste Display Cabinet will give your guests something awesome to look at.
Tags: dining guidelines, dining rules, etiquette for parties, hosting a party, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, party etiquette, party hosting, tips
Posted in Dining Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Saturday, May 28th, 2016
1586-90016A-GLD1 Bewitch Mirrored Octagonal Nightstand
As you moved into your new home, isn’t it your first desire to create your personal stamp on the new space? But if you are buying a pre-loved home, then the finishes, paint colors and fixtures have all been chosen according to the previous owner’s preference.
Here are some guidelines that you can follow to personalize your home –
A Painted Front Door
One good way to make your home look and feel like you is to paint it. This has far less obligation than when you have to repaint your entire home.
When you’re out to choose the paint color, consider if you would also like to update the hardware such as the locks. Of course, if you are buying a house with existing locks, it is always a great idea to change them.
Personalize with Photos
It’s time to get some of your favorite pictures up on your walls. This is a great and effective way to feel at home right away. So never put off this project. Hang those beautiful family pictures or those travel photos that you have long kept.
Swap for a New Kitchen Faucet
One of the most used things inside a home is the faucet. See if you could swap the old kitchen faucet for a newer, sleeker one. This may seem like a menial task but it is something that can have a huge impact on the overall look of your kitchen (or bathroom).
Just make sure that you coordinate with every existing hardware; or you would be left with an unbalanced room design.
Paint the Walls
It can be a daunting task to pick colors that you will use for the entire house. Don’t go through this difficult phase, save yourself some trouble and just paint a wall or two.
Painting the walls will make you be able to determine the theme or palette that you will use for your entire home.
Accessories Uttermost Greenway Hand Painted Art 31315: Artworks are a great way to personalize any space.
Bring In Mother Nature
One of the best and most effortless ways to personalize your home is to bring in fresh flowers or potted plants. A room will definitely look a lot friendlier with a touch of nature in a vase or a pot.
Wallpaper ‘Em
If you are in for a bigger project, then you can buy a set of wallpapers. This is also a time-tested way of altering the look inside your home. Put your personal stamp by wallpapering. Use bold patterns if you dare to do so. Neutrals and simpler patterns are for the simpler people.
Clean Up
Use great-smelling products to make your home more appealing. Have a familiar scent, one that you would soon associate with your home.
It also pays to keep clutter from becoming a huge mound. Buy cabinets and drawers where you can store stuff that you don’t use at the moment.
Make it a point to designate a place for your keys and other small items. Have a row of hooks lined up for the special purpose of holding your keys.
Stairs and Window Treatments
The stairs needn’t be boring parts of your home. Paint it white then add shades to the treads. Install a runner if you have a carpeted staircase. Place a runner that is in the color that you most love. A fluffy carpet is great especially for areas with less foot traffic.
You can also upgrade the window treatments. You can go for tailored textured bamboo, Roman blinds, or the basic roller shades. Create a layered look using curtains. Find a window treatment that describes you best. Choose the same fabric for your curtains or draperies so you’ll have a more consistent look on the outside.
Tags: customization, customized home, customizing interior design, decluttering, decluttering tips, design customization, home paint, home painting, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nature, nature in interior design, nature-inspired design, nature-inspired home, paint, personalized design, personalized style, personalizing your home, tips, wall paint, wall painting
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Saturday, May 28th, 2016
1586-90266-GLD1 Antoinette King Gilded Upholstered Bed
Who wouldn’t want a restful slumber, right? Just imagine a clutter-free bedroom complete with lavender scent and airy sheets – and you’ve just imagined a heavenly bedroom. There are other things that you need to remember so take out your pen and paper and prepare to write these down –
Find a Nightstand Complete with Storage
A small cabinet or a set of drawers right below the nightstand can keep the bedroom clutter-free. It won’t just store knickknacks, it will also keep them out of your sight. Use this same nightstand to keep a journal, pens, books, a lip balm, reading glasses, and other vital stuff.
Nightstand Stuff
You also need to know what things you should keep on (and in) your nightstand. Here are some of the bedtime stuff that you need to keep close –
Comfort Is Number One
More often than not, people fuss too much about the overall look of their bedroom. What they forget in the process is that they should be more concerned about comfort.
So what makes sleep more restful?
When picking your bedding, make sure that it is soft to the touch. Imagine thick, cotton sheets plus cashmere throws – they’re a sublime combination. Always look for sheets that have breathable fibers.
Synthetics won’t allow the skin to breathe. This does not mean that the higher thread count automatically means having higher quality. Let your fingers do their job – so go ahead and feel the bed sheets. If you have time, read reviews about these sheets. These will give you an idea about the kind of sheet that you are going to invest in.
Linen is a great fabric to use during the summer. It will also last for a very long time if you take good care of it. Crisp sheets are best embodied by cotton percale. This is a classic kind of fabric that is smooth to the touch and will also perform well even in warm weather. Cotton sateen is also smooth and soft to the touch though it is not the best warm weather sheet to use.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Transcend King Platform Bed: See how this bedroom is free from clutter?
Acquire Some Bedtime Rituals
Here are some rituals that work for many people. Doing these before going to bed will surely give you the reward that you want – a restful sleep –
To Carpet or Not?
Having plush carpet underfoot can make a room more relaxing. This is especially wonderful to feel when you wake up and get out of bed in the morning. Quality carpeting can muffle sounds that can deter a restful mood.
No TV
Rethink whether you would bring in the television inside the bedroom. Blue light is constantly emitted by TV and it can make sleep a lot more difficult to achieve. Keep devices out of the bedroom. Instead of watching TV, commit to reading a good book (the traditional paperback not an eBook) before going to bed.
A Clutter-Free Room
Make good use of bins, baskets and wall hooks. Keep your jewelry, laundry, spare linens, and accessories stacked or stored out of sight. French market baskets are a great stash item for knickknacks.
If you can, make the bedroom a no-shoe zone.
Tags: comfy home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, relaxing bedroom, restful bedroom, tips
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Friday, May 27th, 2016
1120CR Kit Club Chair by Cynthia Rowley
If you want some time away from the minimalist perspective being offered by modern living, then you will find refuge in maximalism. This is the grand antidote to clean lines and the simplicity of neutral color palettes and streamlined furnishings. Maximalist dwelling places are daring and dramatic yet still welcoming. Your eyes will never be bored as there is a visual feast in every room.
One Rule: There Is No Rule
Maximalism is all about conveying your personality through your home. It can be fun, romantic, rustic, even dramatic. Say goodbye to design rules as they are not that important in this kind of style. In fact, the only rule that you need to remember is to say throw any rules outside of the window.
Maximalism means playing with design elements in your own terms. Play with colors, patterns, scale and textures. Do not be contented with little embellishments, go to the hilt and decorate to the brim.
You can always evolve as there will always be room for improvement inside a maximalist home.
Leave Very Little Space
The maximalist is always a busy person. Her home comes in visual layers that build up in phases or stages. You could begin with some anchor pieces in neutral hues. Begin with chairs, sofa, a table, dresser, and blinds. These are the anchors upon which all the other interior design pieces will hold on to.
Keep in mind that a maximalist must be sociable, too. This means that you should have lots and lots of seats. Surround these seats with elements of blue, green, red and gold. These will look great when used all together on wallpaper.
FFDM’s Antebellum Collection features bulky furniture pieces that will fit right into a maximalist home.
Experiment with Colors
The maximalist is never bound by anything so go ahead and experiment on the different hues that you can use inside your home. You’re not bound by the pastels required of a preppy home or the black and red fusion of Gothic design.
Don’t be afraid to use dark or bold shades. Walls painted with dark colors and furniture pieces in equally hot hues will spell drama at every level. Again, there is no need to be bound by tone, harmony or contrast.
Find out what sort of mood board you can work with. Blend different colors and discover what results excite you the most.
A Lot of Mixing
Bohemian and eclectic are two of the closest words that you can use to describe maximalism. You don’t have to stick to one era or style. Mix to the max! There, that’s your rule.
Do the patterns clash? Who cares? Patterns everywhere will make a maximalist home crazier.
What about textures? The secret is to build the layers. Bring in wool, sheepskin, velvet and silk. Of course, you mustn’t forget the walls. Wall texture can be added if you hang a rug or embossed wallpaper.
Maxed Lighting
Maximalism can also be reflected in the type of lighting that you use. Go for clusters of light instead of the usual, single pendant lighting.
Lighting can add a different level of visual interest in a home so play and tweak the lights that you will use. Bring in the floor lamps, colorful chandeliers, and table lamps. Look for pop pieces that are the exact opposite of classic beauty and elegance.
Up to the Ceiling
A maximalist won’t stop designing her home the moment the rooms are filled with furnishings and colors. Look up and you would find out that there is still so much to do.
Get wallpaper to cover your ceiling or find the paint that suits your taste. Patterned wallpaper, for instance, will look great with light walls but they are also sure to stand out with dark paint.
Make your choice now, maximalist.
Tags: bohemian, bohemian interiors, Boho, Boho charm, eclectic, eclectic design, eclectic interior design, eclectic interiors, eclecticism, maximalism, maximalist, maximalist home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »
Friday, May 27th, 2016
Cynthia Rowley: 1586-90116-SLV2 Lets Sleep In Nightstand
Of course you do know what you love and don’t love, don’t you? This is important to establish when you are out to create the design for your home. Before you begin looking for the formal names of the interior design themes, you have to know that you don’t have to be bound by just one theme.
So what do you need to do to find out your sure style?
Your Preferences
As soon as you have researched ample information, you need to find out what your long-term preferences are. Do you look forward to visiting your parents during the holidays because you like the feel of wood under your feet? Perhaps it is the musky scent of wood that also brings you home each time.
What about when you were a kid? What did you prefer back then? Are your preferences still the same?
What materials colors and stuff do you really love?
Evoke a Mood
Consider also the kind of mood that you would want to stage in your home. Say you would want to evoke a romantic mood inside the bedroom, then you can work backward from there. Imagine what kind of furnishings, textures, colors, and accessories you would bring in, in order to recreate your chosen mood.
What you just need to answer is this – what kind of feeling would I want to feel the moment I enter this room? Find three words that would describe the feelings inside that room and – that’s it.
Take Pictures of Sentimental Objects
Whether you are just toying with the idea of changing your room’s decor or are creating something from scratch, you need to know what objects you put your heart into. Go around your home and snap photos of the objects that are sentimental to you. As you look at the pile of photos that you took, you soon will realize that they all have something in common.
What word would you use to illustrate the objects that you took photos of?
If there is nothing in your home that inspires you to even take a snapshot, then go out. Do some window shopping if you have to, visit an old friend’s home, or eat in a new restaurant. Bring your camera with you so you will always be ready to take some photos once you feel inspired.
When Price Is Not a Concern
Next, you can also make a list of the things that you would want to buy should price not be an issue. This exercise will help you realize what you can actually do when you think outside of the box. Even when you end up not being able to buy any of the things that you listed, at least you get a clearer picture in your mind of what you would want to acquire for your home.
Once again, you also need to describe the items that you placed in your dream list. Do they come from one designer? Do they share a common hue?
Cynthia Rowley: 7070-002CR Rivington 3 over 3 Sofa 1586-80112-WH3 Flip Square Cocktail Table with Reversible Top
Move About
Another source of inspiration is the great outdoors. Do you love gardening? Look at your own garden and find inspiration there. In the absence of a personal garden, you can just take a stroll around the neighborhood and seek out those enviable front yards instead.
Open Your Cabinet
Another way to determine your preferred interior design theme is to look inside your wardrobe. What colors, textures and patterns do you naturally gravitate to? What style do you love to wear?
Modern? Or is it gothic?
Name your top three favorite fashion designers and you should know what style you may embrace.
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Thursday, May 26th, 2016
Artistica Dining Room Axiom Wood Back Side Chair 560-021
While baroque may have a certain characteristic that is entirely its own, it has different versions to offer from Europe to Latin America. While they have a slightly different look for every country, there is a reason why only a single term is used to describe them. All come from a common aesthetic beginning.
Baroque, in Spain, originally referred to an oddly-shaped pearl. In Italy, this term is used to describe a sophistic argument with little dialectic worth. It soon became known in every European language and most used it to define anything unusual, extravagant, irregular, even absurd.
A Little Baroque History
During the second half of the 19th century, Heinrich Wolfflin together with his followers brought a whole new meaning to the term baroque. This Swiss critic used the term to define more specific features such as movements (e.g. a curving on the wall or a water feature showing different water patterns).
Baroque could also be used to represent infinity. So this could be used to define the whole horizon or a trick of mirrors which can alter optical perspectives.
In Renaissance architecture, baroque is the right term to use when describing churches and palaces. These could be royal palaces, cathedrals, parish churches, monastic buildings, country mansions, etc.
The Baroque Building
A structure can be given form in various ways. It can be a piece of sculpture in the middle of a building. It can also be a mere box which is given definition by regular-shaped walls. As a skeletal framework, it is what architects see as a mass that needs to be worked on.
Churches during the Baroque period were always built with vaulted ceilings, hence, the term cathedral ceilings.
Manipulation of Light
The light that focuses a certain point in a physical structure may vary but the effect that it renders will always be the same. So imagine using the same kind of lighting on a brick wall and a smooth, granite one. Baroque architects used this fact to give emphasis to texture and proportion. The difference now lies on the level of appreciation that the spectator shows for each rendition.
Accessories Uttermost Beatriz Baroque Mirror 07673
A Touch of French
The greatest look that the French were able to contribute when it comes to the baroque style could not be found in architecture. You will appreciate French baroque if you take a careful look at beautiful landscape gardening. Baroque gardens have always been Italian in nature with small parks, flower beds and plants. It wasn’t until Andre Le Notre, a landscape architect that a new perspective for garden landscape was born. The French garden often stood at the center of the palace with gravel-filled carriage areas, gates, and the drive all around it. The French-inspired baroque style was the inspiration for The Netherlands and Belgium architecture.
Urban Baroque
Grand staircases are reminiscent of the aristocratic buildings during the 17th century. Having these in your home would be a good way to let people know that you mean to use the baroque style.
Baroque, more often than not, is a kind of art illusion. There are scenery paintings and other false perspectives, sculptures abound, ornaments everywhere.
For a more modern baroque style, try to use a lot of white. The elegance of marble is most welcome, as are opulent moldings, curvaceous lines, jewel tones, and gilded finishes.
You can also mix eras to create a result that is surprisingly baroque. An example is installing metallic wallpaper, and mixing it with a painting of a raven on the wall, a glass chandelier, and a modular credenza.
To cap the baroque design, make sure that you create a focal point that is sure to catch everyone’s attention. A well-placed chandelier or a wooden sculpture will do the trick.
Tags: baroque, Baroque design, baroque furniture history, baroque style, French design, French design elements, French furnishings, French furniture, French interior design, French interiors, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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