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Friday, November 16th, 2018
Crown Top of Curio China from a Hyde Park piece (Fine Furniture Design).
Whether people refer to it as a hutch or a China cabinet, this piece of furniture is not just a storage unit but also an effective styling element. It is often used in the kitchen as well as in the dining room. This one piece of furniture will readily store your most beautiful collectibles.
The china buffet or china cabinet is used as an elegant house for people’s chinaware collections. There are people, however, it is the storage surface for mugs, dried up flowers, and other knickknacks.
If you take the time to organize the china cabinet and restore it to its old beauty, then you can have a place to showcase your crystal and porcelain treasures. Wouldn’t you want that?
You could go vintage, edgy or modern, the choice is yours. What’s important is that you know how to style, tidy up and pack the cabinet so that what goes inside are the pieces that truly matter.
Space for Little Stuff
The right china cabinet can easily transform the style and look of a home. One that’s filled with decorative pieces, which match the dining area elements, will automatically increase the style of that space. Make sure that each piece matches the design of the room.
Display the Settings
So how would you make the china cabinet work in your home? Find a china cabinet that compliments that dishes that you have collected. You might have placed a solid set inside a locked cabinet for years but storing these pieces won’t do you any good. While they are kept intact, no one gets to see them and enjoy them.
So if you want to showcase your collection, then find a sturdy cabinet to display it in.
Conceal the Extras
Yes, sometimes, the china cabinet is used as a storage unit fro those antiques, mugs, and other small pieces that have been in your collection for so long. But with so many collectible pieces at times, it becomes better to just have a special hiding place for them.
Just organize them inside a china cabinet and they’re good to be kept for years to come.
The New Bar
And who says you have to have a bar constructed inside your home? Be more stylish with the china cabinet as the new bar area. This is a unique way to entertain the guests, family and friends especially during these holidays.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Two-Door Thin Display Cabinet – Ebony
China Cabinet Setup
Now let’s learn how to set up a china cabinet. First, clear the cabinet by removing everything in it. Dust the insides of the buffet then use glass cleaner to remove dust and other dirt from the glass fronts.
Be sure to dust off the drawers, too.
The second step is to organize the items that will be placed inside the cabinet. Give away the stuff that you no longer need then return those that you still want to showcase in your china cabinet.
Begin displaying at the top then work your way down. Group the wine glasses at the top. This layer can also be the spot where the vases are to be placed. Remember that the top layer is for the glassware.
Most china cabinets now have lighting at the topmost shelf so this is why you should place your crystal items up top. Next, add the plates on the second layer. Be sure to lean the plates on the back part of the cabinet or invest in some plate holders.
After organizing the plates, set up the saucers and teacups in front of the plates. Here’s a tip, use a coffee filter between the saucer and the cup so that there won’t be a rattling sound if a lead foot walks past the cabinet.
Lastly, display lovely bowls and jars at the bottom shelf. As for the drawers, have them filled with tablecloths, placemats, and linen napkins. The flatware can also be stored here.
Tags: china cabinet, decorating a china cabinet, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The China Cabinet Statement
Thursday, November 15th, 2018
The Arbor Bookcase from Fine Furniture Design’s Veranda Collection offers the right frame to your book collection.
Did you know that people who read books for at least half an hour each day get to live two more years longer than those who do not take the time to read? What’s even odder is that bookworms who read three or more hours every week are less likely to die than those who just read magazines or newspapers.
Now aren’t those amazing information? If you’re a bibliophile or even one who’s wishing to become one, then you probably realized how important a reading area is in order to experience the joys of reading.
In a world that’s filled with notifications and beeps and alarms, the home and work boundaries ever diminishing, and a day-to-day hectic schedule for you and the whole family, you understand that it gets more difficult to set up a quiet reading zone.
The designation of a perfect reading space is crucial. Successfully doing so will ascertain that you will have quiet reading moments – ones that you will surely enjoy.
Reading area designation also requires that you use interior space wisely, making sure that every nook and cranny is given a good use. That bay window, for instance, can be the perfect reading spot especially these holidays. Just imagine reading your favorite novel as you watch the snowflakes fall.
The Comfy Space
That reading list won’t matter if you won’t be able to enjoy it. So it is important that you do not just designate a space just because it is empty and has no previous use. There might be an empty space near the living room but this might not be the best spot to set up a reading nook solely because it is filled with activity.
You need to find a spot that’s gonna motivate you to sit down and read, even enjoy a good book. It is important to minimize distractions especially when you have a large family.
Be sure to find a hideaway that’s distant from the hub of the family activities. It must also be free from clutter and only decorated with a chaise lounge (or any comfy chair) and some pillows.
Be sure to create a spot that’s also attractive and non-boring. You can draw inspirations for your design from your favorite books. ‘Like reading the Harry Potter series? Then let purple and black be your main colors.
Be Tidy
Once you’ve worked out the seating arrangement, then the next step is to find a table where you can put all your reading essentials. These aren’t just your favorite books, though. You might enjoy a cup of tea while reading or even a glass of wine so be sure to leave a surface where you can place that wine glass or mug.
Do you also wear reading glasses? Then you would want to have a spot to place it on while you’re resting your eyes.
A Shelf Nearby
Of course, you won’t just be reading a few books. Depending on your style of reading, you might read one book and start another even when you’re still not done with the first.
It’s convenient to have a bookshelf nearby so that you can place your book collections there. Again, may we remind you that book readers tend to live longer than their non-reading comrades so stock up on those books.
Mind the Temperature
Make sure to keep your books in a moderate and stable environment. The temperature must be about 70 degrees (or cooler) and a humidity of about 40-50%. Too much moisture or heat can encourage mold growth so be wary of the temperature.
Be sure to keep your books away from direct sunlight. And do clean them regularly by dusting.
Tags: book display, display tips for books, displaying books, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reading nook
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Of Reading Nooks, Books, and Knowledge
Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
Esquire Collection: The unique dark color of the bricks in this room provide the right backdrop for the light-colored furnishings.
Do you know what brick is made of? It contains clay minerals, shale, and kaolin. There are also small amounts of barium, manganese, barium carbonate, and other additives such as ammonium compounds, papermaking byproducts, wetting agents, deflocculents, flocculent, and sand.
The manufacturing process of bricks includes crushing and grinding of raw materials; then the selection, filtering, drying, firing, and cooling. The final process is the dehacking where they are stacked, then wrapped using steel bands.
Brick Room Decoration
A brick-walled room can be overwhelming to decorate at first. But as soon as you see the color, texture and overall beauty that the bricks can offer, you will realize what a wonderful design opportunity awaits you.
Often reddish or cream colored, the brick walls offer an astounding backdrop where you can layer textures and colors to help you create a one-of-a-kind space. Whether you’re aiming to create a classic or a contemporary home, a bathroom, living room, find the right accessories and artwork that will complement this natural material as well as your personal style.
Brick Living Room
A living room with full brick walls can be a lot of things. It can be chic or edgy urban with the reddish clash look or it can be country with the cream bricks, wood trim on the windows, dark wood flooring, and the wood rafter ceiling.
Use Louis XVI chairs to stylize the setting. A loveseat and a settee could complete the classic look. Match these with an ottoman, dark wood accents, and cream-hued wood side tables.
You can also create an urban setting using a black leather couch, rough wood crate-style end tables, wooden trunk, and light accessories. A salvaged door can also be highlighted. Pepper the room with just enough artwork to focus on the gritty style.
Brick Kitchen
Don’t immediately think that brick walls are cold. These, too, can help bring warmth into your kitchen as you highlight the deep red clay of the bricks. Add some potted herbs, natural light filtering through the windows, and some clean kitchen surfaces and you’ve got an awesome place for cooking.
Don’t hide those exposed fixtures and plumbing pipes. Whether you have the cream or red brick type, the worn wooden elements whether on the kitchen island surface or the flooring can all create the right ensemble for a brick zone.
Use open shelving to showcase your glassware, china, and enamel jars. Match these with shiny appliances to complete the space.
Brick Bathroom
Porcelain, wood, and brick all go perfectly together inside any bathroom. Begin with some wood-grained tiles and use white fixtures throughout. The color palette that would match these elements is dark blues and deep reds, even orange shades on the rugs, curtains, and towels.
Brick Bedroom
The cream-colored bricks are great in warming up homes with wood furnishings and light-colored bedding. You can then add textured layers with the deep brown throws or elements of deep violets and dark reds.
The red brick bedroom can be sleeker and more modern. This is the perfect space to support accent colors that are bold and daring like bright reds, lime green, and yellows.
Use a light-colored headboard for a more contemporary setting. Support these with side tables and color-coordinated throws and pillows.
Then Add Greeneries
One of the most effective ways to emphasize natural brick elements is to surround it with the colors of Mother Nature. Infuse wood accents with the shelves, picture frames, side tables, and headboards.
And what better way is there to bring the beauty of nature in than to use potted plants and flowers in vases in?
Tags: brick, brick design, brick wall design, decorating brick walls, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Brick Room and What To Do With It
Tuesday, November 13th, 2018
Collectors Room Pieces: Set up a formal dining space this Thanksgiving.
When the word Thanksgiving is mentioned to you, what things run through your mind? You probably think of the pilgrims and Indians but the real story is less joyful than these. In fact, the history of Thanksgiving is laden with wars and slavery. The Pequot women and children were the ones who inspired Thanksgiving with their yearly Green Corn Festival.
Let’s not tackle how the Dutch and English mercenaries celebrated their Thanksgiving, neither the other frenzied celebrations because those events were tragic to say the least.
It was George Washington who finally decided that only one day every year should be set aside as Thanksgiving and, eventually, Abraham Lincoln decreed that this day become a legal holiday.
So what are the things that you are grateful for? The mere fact that you have a roof over your head and good food to eat are awesome reasons to celebrate and give thanks.
Most of the time, people forget how lucky they actually are with all the things that they take for granted such as a soft bed, a clean and spa-like bathroom, and a spacious home. All these are reasons to celebrate this coming Thanksgiving.
Let’s Eat
It’s Thanksgiving so it’s the perfect time to gather the family, celebrate, and eat. What’s Thanksgiving anyway without ample food on the table? This is the time to feast and to devour, ingest, gobble up, wolf down your food or even to pig out.
Polish off your plates when you serve these foods –
Traditional Turkey
But of course. What is Thanksgiving without family members carving a huge turkey? This bird is often prepared whole and filled with vegetables, fruits or some other stuffing.
Turkeys are usually seasoned with several herbs and spices and then roasted over open fire or inside an oven. Be sure to roast this till it’s deliciously tender but still juicy.
It takes skill to properly roast a turkey. There are many videos showing how to roast this bird so that it’s still juicy once it’s done.
The Thick Gravy
The turkey will have juices once it is being roasted. Don’t let this go to waste. Turn the turkey juices into a thick gravy sauce which you can use to flavor the mashed potatoes.
Stuff ‘Em Right
The stuffing is the filling or also referred to as the dressing. This goes inside the turkey before it is roasted. Traditionally, the stuffing is comprised of bread, herbs, and sausage.
The Creamy Mashed Potatoes
This is another traditional Thanksgiving food. To serve this, you must first boil and peel the potatoes. Once they’re cooked, have them mashed till they are soft and creamy. Add milk, butter, and a few spices according to your liking.
Varieties of Corn
If bread rolls are a staple during Thanksgiving meals, then so is corn.
Corn can be served as cornbread, creamed corn or corn on the cob.
Sweet Cranberry Sauce
The sour, sweet and tangy flavors of the cranberry sauce are what make this sauce the best sauce for the turkey. There are many shops that sell the cranberry sauce but you can also make your own if you have ample time.
Make this sauce by boiling cranberries, lemon zest, sugar, and water. Simmer over a small flame then you’re done.
Candied Yams
The yellow, sweet potatoes are known as yams. They have a soft texture and they can be used as a side dish or could even be served during the main course. These can be baked, mashed or be made as casserole.
Add some spices, butter, brown sugar, and top with marshmallows for the perfect baked candied yams.
Sweet as a Pumpkin Pie
The pumpkin spice is a reminder that Fall is happening indeed. There’s pumpkin spice cookies and coffee, even bagels and sausages. But it’s the pumpkin pie that’s to beat.
Tags: Getting ready for Thanksgiving, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, preparing for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving foods
Posted in Dining Room Design, Fall Season, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Thanksgiving 2018 – What’s for Dinner?
Monday, November 12th, 2018
The rich colors of fall are seen throughout this bedroom. Featured here are pieces Fine Furniture Design’s Regal Collection.
Each season comes with its spectrum of colors. The hues that you end up using in your home depend hugely on your personality. Fall probably has one of the most interesting palettes to offer with its deep browns, rustic reds, warm oranges, and deep greens.
As the weather becomes ever cooler and the outdoors show the most colorful delights, don’t you think it’s time to warm up your interiors with these interesting hues?
Huge Florals
What could be lovelier than this trend? And who says florals only have to appear during spring?
Find the blousy florals and put them on your bedding, cushions, and even as murals. You can then keep the rest of the design elements basic so that the flowers become the star of the show.
Hip Neutrals
If you can’t do florals this fall, then that’s fine. You can always create the modern look with neutrals. Be sure to emphasize your natural-looking furniture pieces. Be sure to focus on wood grains, stripped timbers, and natural patinas.
Team these up with neutral blocks and soft gray pieces for a more calming effect.
Gold Is In
Gold this fall? Why not?
Gold never goes out of style and it will always be in no matter what the season. You can use this as the statement piece or you can accessorize with this color.
This luxurious color gets its inspiration from the fallen leaves. From the pile of oranges and reds, you can also find gold, curled up pieces that can serve as an inspiration for your design creativeness this fall.
How about a gold carpet? The design possibilities are endless with this amazing color.
Black Is Back
The huge fans of the monochrome palette will surely love this color. This is all about the use of black accessories such as beaded pendants, a shelving unit with hints of this deep color and consoles in block color.
Combine black with textured pieces and its usual partner – white – to achieve a delicious design balance.
Bolder Than Ever
Many who design their homes during fall tend to imagine that they will use only the warm colors of leaves, wood accents and berries. But there is so much more that this season can offer in terms of giving life to your home through colors.
Have a beautiful burst of colors in your home this season. Add wild pink, plums, burgundy, and umber orange to your designs. And how about altering the accent wall with your chosen bold color?
Find the bold shades in different-shaped furniture pieces. Go for blocks to emphasize the boldness of the hues and use stripes and geometrical pieces.
Nostalgic Scandi Look
Of course, what would work would always be the classics. Get your design inspirations from the fall colors of sage green, neutral browns, beiges, and golden yellows.
These are not the same as the bright and invigorating hues of summer, though. Fall is the season that tells everyone to enjoy Mother Nature’s show. Whether you like the traditional upholstered pieces or versatile furnishings, you will always find a good use for subtle throws, interesting area rugs, and flower arrangements.
Don’t think that subtle is boring, though. The Scandinavian design could also become your inspiration for your interior design this season. After all, winter isn’t far away and the Scandi colors are perfect even for the upcoming winter.
Recreate a nostalgic look but with a Nordic edge by updating your home with deep blue aqua and yellow color palette. These will surely make the furnishings pop as they are mixed and matched in the different rooms in your home.
Tags: fall color palette, fall color scheme, fall colors, fall design, fall interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2018 Trends, Color Schemes, Fall Season, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Delicious Colors of Fall
Friday, November 9th, 2018
Uttermost Accessories Moth Orchid Planter 60039
Would you like to have your own indoor garden? Not everyone has this in his or her home so having one would make your habitat a unique one. A well-kept garden inside your home is a wonderful sight to behold plus the plants have the power to improve the air quality and mood of every family member.
Here are some practical tips that can help you set up your dream indoor garden –
Prepare the Seeds
Being seed savvy means perusing several seed catalogs from different companies. Compare what seeds they offer. See also the different seeds per region. Find the ones that are most suitable to your area.
The second step is to make a list of the plants that you would like to grow in your indoor garden. Know that there are potential losses especially when you’re new to the whole aspect of gardening.
Germination happens over time so take it easy. Do not plan a lot of seeds at once because too much can overcrowd your garden. Just plant a few plants as extra but remember not to overcrowd.
Now here’s something to note when you’re going to plant tomatoes – don’t start planting them too soon. Annual flowers – at least most of them – must be sown indoors approximately six weeks prior to the frost.
There might be a need to soak, scratch or even chill the seeds prior to planting. Check the packet and follow the instructions to the letter. Be sure to use clean containers only. Many seed catalogs already offer peat pots, seedling flats, and growing bins.
In the absence of these containers, you can always rely on the good ol’ egg carton compartments. Just don’t forget to poke some holes at the bottom of the carton so excess water can easily drain.
While it’s early, label the seedling containers now. After all, what could be more frustrating than not knowing what you actually planted in your garden?
Use Planters
There are different kinds of planters. Hanging planters whether the metallic or macramé versions are wonderful ways to hang your plants. You can hang them so that they can get direct sunlight and also to free up floor space.
There are also sub-irrigated planters. These are for plant owners who constantly forget to water their plants. This feature has an internal reservoir for water. There are even those that come with water level indicators. What’s great about this is that your plants can drink water anytime that they’re already dehydrated.
Plant stands are ultra stylish and they can stand cozily in a nook or cranny in your home. With the correct lighting, they can be a featured design element.
If you plan on setting up a terrarium, then set up a glass one that can be artfully designed with cacti, air plants or succulents. Window boxes are for smaller plants like herbs and select air plants and succulents.
Consider Plant Lighting
If you want to maximize chlorophyll absorption, then use blue and red lights. A LED grow light bulb is a great way to hasten flower and plant growth.
You can also have an adjustable LED lamp for healthier blooms and leaves. This is best for those plants that do not have ready access to natural light.
Pick the Right Soil
It is best to study the different soils that go with particular plants. Professional grade soils with the right pH balance and mineral content are usually the best options.
There are also expert gardeners who say that Perlite soil is also good because of its volcanic mineral ball contents.
Lastly, when all the seeds, planters and soils are bought, then consider what tools you will also need. You could have a watering globe, an oil spray for spider mites and bugs, watering cans, pruning shears, spade, snips, and shovel.
Tags: indoor garden, indoor gardening, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Making Indoor Gardening Possible
Thursday, November 8th, 2018
Your massage room will be more relaxing with the Uttermost Accessories Chandra Silver Candleholder 18831.
The holidays are here and it’s time to retract to your cozy homes and enjoy the indoors a bit more. One of the finest ways to enjoy indoors is to have massage therapy right in your own home.
Massage therapy has been proven to offer a lot of health benefits. It does not just give positive effects but it can also relax and soothe the senses. But the massage is just as good as the massage room. It is crucial to have a room that was especially set up for therapy.
Of course, the massage room must be peaceful and noiseless (if possible). It must also be designed and decorated according its purpose.
Choose the Relaxing Hues
It all begins with the right color. Your massage room must be painted with warm colors in order to enhance the relaxing effects. Do not use bold and bright colors, especially the jarring ones, because these will excite rather than relax the senses.
Lighter shades are the best options.
Mood Lighting
After considering the paint colors, it’s time to think about the kind of lighting that you can use in the massage room. Use brighter and more colorful lights that match the shades of your walls.
Lights and lamps should be shaded so that the brightness is aptly controlled. This is so you can dim the lights as needed. There are also colored spa LED lights in the market these days. Find which color will create your ultimate massage room.
Lighting isn’t the only element that should be controlled. Even the temperature inside the room must be balance. It should not be too warm or too cold. It must be the temperature that is conducive to relaxation.
Add Plants
Another good option when it comes to natural calming in your massage room is to bring in plants and flowers. Their size shouldn’t be too huge, though, because they could easily overwhelm the senses.
You can also add potpourri which are dried spices and petals in a small sack or bowl. These are the simplest and most natural ways to add relaxing scents in the room.
Massage Room Furniture
The furniture pieces that will be brought in to the massage room must have the correct size. It must fit well so that the room won’t appear crowded. Find furniture that can give you enough storage and space for massage supplies.
Every massage room must have comfy chairs and a massage table. These are important for those varied massage therapies that will be performed there. Arrange these pieces so that they will not clutter the room. Have the tables set up so that the massage oils and lotions are easily accessible when they are already needed.
Don’t forget to add pillows and towels as well as the essentials such as oils, cleansers, antiseptic wipes, lotions, tissue paper, and utensils.
Leave ample space for people to walk around in. And do display your diplomas and certificates relating to massage therapy in one corner of the room.
Scents All Around
The massage room will be more relaxing with the correct scents inside. Scented candles are most appealing. Don’t light too many, though, as they can also overpower the senses.
Be aware also of people who may be allergic to scented oils and candles. Don’t light these scents and candles while massaging people who are allergic to these.
Soothing Music, Too
The massage room does not need to have huge speakers or the biggest sound systems. You can just set up a simple music player. Soothing jazz often does the trick.
The sound proofing inside this room must be so no noise would be able to get in. Remember that noise can easily hamper the relaxation process.
Tags: massage room, massage therapy room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on The Master’s Massage Room
Wednesday, November 7th, 2018
Maitland-Smith Dining Room Wellington Cottage Side Chair 8112-40
The holidays are here and everyone seems to be busy prepping and shopping and moving about. If you’re redecorating your home this season, perhaps, you could consider the cottage style that is one of the looks that could best embody the joyful spirit.
When one thinks of cottage interior design, weathered paint comes to mind, as do stained wood, vintage-looking hardware and fittings, woodwork, and just about every bit that would add to the house’s nostalgic charm.
Almost every home needs a dash of coziness and an inviting interior is best embodied by the lived-in and carefree look that cottage style offers.
The cottage style, more than a method of designing, is actually a state of mind. It is a style that does not mind some imperfections, offers valuable treasures along with the new pieces, and it carefully blends different sets of furniture.
The cottage is a humble kind of home that will never be pretentious. It offers a lot of heart and it is one that you would be proud to show to everyone.
Cottage design is personal, comfy and casual. It is a parade of forgiving fabrics and furnishings that invite you to lie down and relax.
Cottage Style Has a Gentle Patina
One of the reasons why cottage style is perfect for the holidays is its gentle patina. It is almost the same as shabby chic because it has the same airy fabrics, light hues, and even the mismatched pieces of furniture. Faded prints are even welcome as are peeling paint from off the furniture and walls.
Now, be careful in showing a distressed abode because there is a very fine line between distressed and the beat up look. You can avoid the latter by balancing weathered pieces with soft-colored schemes. The furniture should be aged but it should still be more striking than the walls and window treatments.
Cottage Style Has Light Palettes
Cottage style is clean and soft. Think of cotton sheets fresh from being dried under the sun. There are no shocking lights, bright colors or even jewel tones in a cottage. Think of mixing creams and whites instead. You can also layer in pale blues, pinks, greens, and even the washed-out colors.
Do not overuse pastel, though. Use just one or two shades. But if you cannot resist the beckoning of bold colors, then just limit the boldness to smaller accessories.
Wrought-iron beds and battered tables can be freshened up with a can of light paint and a paintbrush. Or you can just peruse our cottage pieces.
Cottage Style and the Beadboard
Cottage style is not cottage style without the beadboard. This is that classic grooved paneling that’s easy to install. It is a piece that adds warmth and character to a bland wall. This piece easily pops up because of its rich texture.
Cottage Style Equals Femininity
There is something gentle about the cottage interior design. Just look at the fabrics used and you can sense femininity in the florals, the eyelet, even the stripes, and the gingham. You will also likely see textured pieces like linen, cotton, and burlap.
Use curtains that are sheer, simple and breezy.
Be sure to use just a bit of florals because overdoing it will ruin the cottage touch. Mix and match, don’t be afraid to do so but be careful because you might create an overly sweet place.
Cottage Style and Slipcovers
Cottage style is synonymous with slipcovers and vice versa. The covers offer low-maintenance and even hide the not-so-pleasant parts of the couch. Have your cottage home look laidback but, at the same time, crisper.
Tags: cottage interior design, cottage style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Why Cottage Style Is Perfect for the Holidays
Tuesday, November 6th, 2018
Simple Victorian: Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Rocker 6995-14
Many homeowners today automatically conclude that Victorian interior design is way out of their reach. In reality, you don’t need much to set up a Victorian dwelling by using the simple principles of design. Add a dash of creativity and you should do well.
Looking Back
The Industrial Revolution paved the way for Victorian interior design. The machineries made ornate pieces easy-to-own for middle class families. And with the middle class becoming more affluent, they were motivated to prove their social standing. They did this by improving their homes’ architectural features through the installation of wall sconces, the creation of ceiling panels, and adding tapestries.
Owning many decorative stuff was a sign of good taste for a lot of Victorian households. Fewer furnishings, to them, proved that the dwellers belonged to the lower class.
Victorian Mood Lighting
Entryways and dining rooms are two of the most important rooms in a Victorian home. The lighting for these rooms comes from candles and wall sconces. There are also decorative lamps that prominently illuminate the rest of the house.
Victorian Wall Coverings
What’s typical for Victorian homes is a rich, dark palette. More than the beauty of the rich hues, this characteristic of every Victorian home was done because of the pollution that rampantly stained the light-colored walls at the time.
Deep crimson and bottle green are the go-to colors for this time period. If you can set up a floral wallpaper, then you’re still on the right track. The wallpaper colors of that era were green, blue, red or tan with layers of florals. Later, during the Gothic era, leaf patterns and earth tones became the in thing for wallpapers and tapestries.
Nature scenes were also common as well as faux finishing. If you want to mimic the look, be sure to find the best deals online. You can also add gold paint your wall treatments so that they will have a gilded feel.
Victorian Window Treatments
The curtains for this era were heavy and rich-colored. Most of them were also pleated and were hung over curtain rods with gilding. To make them look more opulent, these curtains were wool or silk-lined.
Victorian Flooring
If you want your flooring to look authentic for this time period, then choose from matting, parquet, drugget, tiles, carpeting, or floor cloth. Don’t forget that the color of the flooring must harmonize with the rest of the design elements so choose well.
Victorian Furniture
The ushering in of the Industrial Revolution back then opened an interesting era of furniture making. Because of the availability of machineries, furniture pieces were massively produced. The prices then dropped and the styles were greatly varied.
The Victorian era was one that enjoyed a lot of embellishments but none of the garish type but more of the elegant beading, lace, and embroidery.
Curved edges were a famous style during the early and the middle Victorian era. During the late part of this period, these pieces were replaced with overstuffed pieces that were greatly inspired by Eastern furniture.
A Fusion of Styles
Since you’re embracing a style of eclecticism of old, you should be ready to use diverse cultural foundations that evolved during that long time. The middle period was the moment of Romanticism while the Arts and Crafts flourished towards the end of the period. If you want the early look of this era, then go for the Gothic Revival look that was darker and richer and more textured.
Mostly, the Victorian period is one that’s associated with wealth and lavishness. Carefully consider the items that would give your home the biggest impact. And see to it that the accent pieces frame the major pieces that you end up choosing.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Victorian, Victorian interior design, Victorian interiors, Victorian style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Featured: Victorian Interiors
Monday, November 5th, 2018
Fine Furniture Design’s Collectors Room pieces: Thanksgiving is all about formal dining and having fun with the family.
Thanksgiving is now right around the corner. If you have not planned yet, don’t worry, you still have ample time to do your preparations. And when you’re about to host a Thanksgiving dinner party, then you should seriously double-time.
Here are some smart ways that you can prep for this special occasion –
Inspect the Kitchen Tools and Equipment
Apart from planning the menu, it is also as important that you check on your kitchen tools and cookware. After all, you will need all these to cook the dinner. The basics are that roasting pan, meat thermometer, some pie dishes, and even the cutlery.
If you’re in charge of cooking, then you should also consider having your knives professionally sharpened. If you’re too busy to have it taken to the experts, then at the very least, you should have honing steel or a sharpening stone. It often takes days to have a knife sharpened so you should schedule this activity in advance.
Keep in mind that a dull knife is likely a dangerous knife so you wouldn’t want to get cooking with such a set of knives.
Make the Foods and Sauces Now
A frozen turkey remains that for a long time so you should consider when to thaw it. A huge, completely frozen bird will need sometime to thaw. Remember that for each four pounds of frozen turkey, you will need a day of thawing.
Thanksgiving time is gravy time. Since you’ll need a lot, why not tackle the duty of prepping this essential now? Worry not about the drippings because you can always add these to the gravy on the last minute for a more authentic flavor.
The cranberry sauce is also an important part of every Thanksgiving dinner. Although this is the case, there are times when you might forget it during grocery shopping.
Make sure that you do have this sauce during this special day. This contains sugar so it can be made and then kept and frozen in the fridge till the day.
Another Thanksgiving essential is the mashed potato. While the potato may not take freezing well, with mashed potatoes, it’s a totally different story. For as long as they are mashed and covered with lots of cream and butter, then this can be stored until the big day.
Another thing that you can make now are the dinner rolls. These can be baked now and then frozen until they are ready to be enjoyed on your Thanksgiving meal. You can also make and freeze the pie crust whether you’re going to use it for a pumpkin, apple or pecan filling.
Schedule Ahead
Even when you’re done prepping for the food and beverages that will be enjoyed during the Thanksgiving meal, it would be more helpful if you know how your day will exactly play out. You need to sort out your schedule in advance especially when it comes to cooking and baking.
You need to be certain about your schedule during this day. If you have travel plans for this date, then make sure that you have the right tickets for your train or airplane. Have these bought in advance so that you won’t have to pay for an astronomical amount.
Go over the tickets, connecting flights, your schedules, even the driving directions just to make sure that your trip is going to go smoothly. If you are going to check in a hotel, then book now. The earlier you book, the lower the rates.
And when you’re not heading out, you would need to make sure that your home is well prepped to accept guests during this wonderful occasion.
Tags: Getting ready for Thanksgiving, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, preparing for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving prep, Thanksgiving preparation
Posted in Dining Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Thanksgiving Prep – 3 Essential Steps to Remember
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