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Friday, October 19th, 2018
Flexsteel Living Room Leather Reclining Sofa Without Chaise Footrests 1127-62: This leather piece is that one masculine piece that every man needs.
It is no rocket science that men and women are wired differently, hence, they have different approaches in design and just about any aspect of life. This isn’t an unfair generalization because many others, in the past, have proven this to be fact.
It is a journey to get through the different stages of married life. If you want to attaint the happily ever after, then you’ll have to learn to meet halfway. Differences can have their compromises and here are some that you might want to apply –
Define Your Home
What is a home according to each spouse? You would be surprise to find out that your spouse may have a very different definition of what a home should be.
Of course, you need to agree on where you will both live and what house you will both agree on. Most couples already have furnishings before they get married and so these are extra pieces that might or might not help in designing your new home.
Be sure to view the house, make the necessary measurements, and account for every piece of furniture that you will use and those that you will have to put on storage or give away.
Define Your Couple Style
Just like your marriage, this is also something that you need to agree on. After identifying the house style, the next thing that you have to compromise on is the interior design.
You will see that it will be much easier to determine the décor and furniture later if you’ve already defined this one early on.
If you want to play safe, then you can always resort to the traditional look. Leather is a common material that respects both genders. It can be suitable for couples that want to have a classic look for their homes
A Common Ground
It also matters that you decide together on all aspects. Where there are disagreements in terms of design or style, then what each spouse can do is to learn to compromise. There is always a middle ground for everything, yes, even interior design.
Don’t forget also that you will be living in this home with your partner. This isn’t a home for a solo person anymore. Determine the style by including the preferences of each spouse.
Pick the Right Colors
When choosing the color palette, be sure that the hues are appropriate for the style that you picked. A modern home, for instance, should not have any jarring colors just as a traditional home must not be linear and block color-themed.
In using colors, be sure to marry the wall and floor hues. Don’t be afraid to use contrasting colors. And if you have a light-colored surroundings, then be sure to pick dark furnishings.
You can also always begin with a consistent palette. Two to three colors are easier to manage than having 10 different hues all at the same time. Grays, blues, greens, and yellows, and just about any neutral hue is acceptable in a gender-neutral home.
Set aside some dark colors for the man cave and some lighter colors for the feminine rooms. Charcoal or navy blue also exude masculinity while grays and blues are colder tones that can help you balance the warmth of brass, woods, and even leathers.
Learn to Prioritize
You’re practically starting with a clean slate. So you need to prioritize the things that truly matter and these are the things that you can bring with you to your new home. All the rest are just clutter.
And, yes, do prioritize the bed. You’re newly married so you have to have the best bed in the world – you both deserve it.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Rhapsody King Tufted Bed: Every good marriage needs a good bed.
Tags: couple home, couple's home, designing couple homes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Single No More: Design Fusion for Couples
Thursday, October 18th, 2018
Small spaces are all about making the most of every square footage. The Fine Furniture Design Home Office Cambrion Occasional Bookcase 36 Shelving Unit is vertically fit to optimize a small space.
Have you noticed just how condominium units are becoming ever smaller? Nowadays, the home has to be functional and beautiful at the same time and no one can afford to have a spot that’s unused. All the square footage in those four walls simply have to be put to good use.
Thank goodness, these condos also come with high ceilings so the loft that results from this extra space can have its practical and aesthetic uses. So, if you have a loft and you’re wondering what to do with it, here are some ideas that might help –
A Continuous Corridor
Another way to look at lofts is to build a mezzanine that winds throughout the living area, thus, creating a seamless corridor for your tiny space. This expansion beyond the usual walkway can fit in a corner where you and your friends can play cards or where you can compete in a game of darts.
A Study Room
What about if the loft is slim, tall and it comes in twos? A dual loft space will effectively become a functional bedroom. This much bigger loft that sits on top of your condo’s open kitchen can become the study room that you have long ago wished for.
The smaller platform, on the other hand, can be delegated as a walk-in closet.
More Sleeping Spots
Having a loft means you can think in terms of bunk beds but on a much larger scale. The extended ceiling can be separated into two self-sustaining bedrooms. Each zone can have its own bed, a study desk or even a small wardrobe.
A TV Corner
And who says you always have to fight just to be able to watch your favorite TV show? With that extra space, you can now create your own private corner where you can set up your own TV set.
This TV corner can also be the perfect snooze spot if you no longer have the energy to walk all the way to your bedroom. Just add a couple of bean bags or floor pillows and you’ve already created a tiny bedroom that’s cozy, elevated, and the perfect spot to binge-watch.
Storage Space
Tiny spaces need all the extra space that they can get. Stack some shelves and what you get are more storage units for your home. These much-needed storage racks or shelves don’t have to be ugly, though. How about unleashing the artist in you by choosing the most stylish racks and shelves? Remember that you also have to consider the visual punch and not just the functionality of the furnishings that you add there.
Small but aptly illuminated- this is what your condo should be. Here is a stylish way to light your loft, the Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Caperana Black Buffet Lamps come in sets of two.
A Master Bedroom
You can even add extra value to your home as you convert the loft space into your master bedroom. The loft may be that unfinished attic or it can be that extra vertical space in your tiny home, it really doesn’t matter. What you need to initially do is to consult with the local government regarding the building codes for residences.
Obtain the necessary permits before you even begin measuring the space and planning on what to put there.
For unfinished lofts, always consult with an engineer or an architect so that you’re ascertained that the rafters will be able to support the drywall for the walls and ceilings. Any HVAC or electrical system will also be an additional consideration.
Ensure also that the floor joists are able to support the weight of the remodeled zone. Check, yet again, with a licensed structural engineer or an architect. A room that’s lacking natural light would do well to have a skylight or even a solar tube.
Use the slanted ceiling or low areas as storage spaces. You can place small drawers and shelves there. These alcoves are also perfect as cozy reading nooks.
Tags: loft, loft design, loft design elements, loft design ideas, loft essentials, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on 6 Must-know Loft Ideas
Wednesday, October 17th, 2018
Posters are a great way to beautify an empty wall. They are inexpensive and they even come in different genres, sizes, colors, and styles. You can buy a frame from furniture shops and craft stores or you can also order online.
A poster is easy to hang on your own but there are a few basic things to consider and keep in mind before you are able to do so.
Matting a poster depends on several aspects. First, what do you prefer? You have to decide, early on, whether you want a mat or not. There are also posters that come in odd sizes and shapes so it could get difficult to find the right frames for them.
Consider these things prior to buying posters but if you already own one, then what’s left to do is to find the best options in the market. In most cases, there are generic-sized mats that will fit the poster that you have. There are also craft stores that can custom cut the mat or frame for you.
Matting does tend to cost more especially when you don’t have a generic mat that will go with your poster size. If you want to play it safe in terms of design, then it is best to buy a standard sized poster.
Don’t buy the dirt-cheap mats if you want to preserve your poster for a long time. Often, the best posters, mats and frames that cost more are those that will last you a long time.
When picking a poster for your bare wall, it is best to keep it simple, unless you’re decorating an eclectic space then go ahead and be bold. The simplest posters are always the easiest to hang or install, although, you have to consider the interior design prior to buying a poster. A minimalist setup would do well to have an equally minimalist poster. A classic home can make use of a traditional black and white poster such as this Humphrey Bogart 16×20 poster.
Humphrey Bogart poster 16×20
Poster Framing Guidelines
Let’s say you’ve already bought a mat and frame, so what now? Putting the poster in is the easiest part. The difficult steps are making sure that everything else that you’ve already bought will fit.
Step one is to take the back off of the frame. Place your poster into the frame then smoothen out any wrinkles that form. For a mat, you also have to place the poster evenly onto the surface. Tape the corners then replace the back of the frame.
Hanging the Poster
There are many methods of hanging a poster on a wall and there are also many aspects that will affect your decision on what method to use. First, the size and weight of the poster matters. But, of course, if the poster is light and small, then you can easily hang it using a hook, stick-ons or a nail.
You would want to be extra careful with heavier posters. A monkey hook will do the trick since all you have to do is to thrust it into the wall, lock it in place, and then hang the poster. This should be able to carry as much as 50 pounds – aint it awesome?
Say no to taping posters on the wall. If you have a plaster wall, what you need is a hook that’s especially designed for such a material. You might need to use more than one of these hooks so that the poster’s weight will be supported.
There are posters that come with hangers so all you’ll need to do is to find the hook that matches the said hanger.
Follow these simple instructions and you’ll surely hang your chosen poster with ease.
Tags: hanging poster, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, poster, poster installation
Posted in Accents, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Hanging Posters in a Jiff
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018
Fine Furniture Design Living Room Le Vestiaire Shoe Cabinet 1680-990S
Unlike an entryway that’s seen by family members and guests, a mudroom is often a space that’s designed with a secondary entrance. A lot of the older homes do not have this small room but it is one space that more and more homeowners view to be a hardworking space.
A mudroom can help keep a house organized and clean. It is also a spot that’s set up for efficiency. So, are you aching to know what its purpose is?
Consider the mudroom as a transitory space between the indoor and the outdoors. Its main function is to hold – in an organized fashion – the wet clothes, footwear, and sports gears.
Mudrooms have been around for many decades now although they just became more popular as American homes grew ever larger. With the rooms becoming ever bigger, there was a need to create more than an entryway. Now, there’s a need for storage areas for the above-mentioned stuff.
Mudroom Benefits
Yes, there are a lot of benefits in setting up a mudroom. First, it is an amazing way to boost your home’s aesthetics. And it doesn’t just make your home appear fashionable, it also comes with a lot of functions.
Yes, the mudroom is a dedicated storage zone. And you know very well by now that keeping one’s sanity in terms of a clean home means having ample storage. A home can never have too much of storage units.
A mudroom is also there for convenience. Just imagine, you won’t have to open closets anymore since there are multiple hooks already in place and there are also some open shelves where you can place millineries, scarves, and even shoes. This is especially handy when there are kids who are too lazy to open closets just to hang a coat.
Mudroom equals neatness, too. Just think of all the stuff that you no longer have to take into the living room with you anymore. Your home will surely look a lot neater with a mudroom already set up. Say goodbye to picking stuff up from behind the couch.
Now don’t think that mudrooms are just for bigger homes. Even smaller homes will surely benefit from them. Since these rooms are built especially for storage, then it is the perfect organizational zone even for a tiny home.
A bench or thisHooker Furniture Bedroom Beaumont Dressing Chest. The latter offers more with its spacious storage.
Mudroom Storage Ideas
First, it is always best to have a couple (or more) of shelves in that spot. These are the perfect alternative to closets. Of course, you can always go for the traditional look by installing a huge closet that will provide a room for the utilities, sports equipment, out-of-season clothing, cleaning supplies, and other miscellaneous items.
Go for the ultimate mudroom by setting up lockers. Just imagine having a locker for every family member – it’s sublime. Remember to put low storage for the shoes.
Hooks and racks are also great spots to put your umbrellas, hats, coats, scarves, and just about everything that you can hang. Actually, homeowners who do not have a dedicated mudroom yet often begin small by installing rows of hooks and racks. These help in maximizing the wall space.
Another furniture that you need to have in the mudroom is a bench. This is the first thing that you will sit in when you come from work or school. This is that spot where you actually take off your shoes so it has to have a welcoming feel.
If you want to go all out on your mudroom, then why not set up laundry machines and a sink there? These are useful for cleaning up, washing off, and organizing the rest of your stuff.
Just remember to install proper plumbing and you’re good to go.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mudroom, mudroom design, mudroom design elements, mudroom essentials, mudroom furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on What’s a Mudroom?
Monday, October 15th, 2018
Whether that alcove in your home is that living room nook or that kitchen corner, that tricky area can actually help maximize any living space. You might not have given this tiny space much thought when you moved in but now that you see this unused area everyday, it’s just right to begin planning how to utilize it.
An alcove is often associated with period homes. These are often that space created when a chimney breast juts out of the center of a room. More often than not, these spaces are merely used as storage space – and there is nothing wrong with that. However, there is much more that you can do with an alcove.
This isn’t just the alcove that you might find in a home, neither is storage the only way to make sense of this extra area. Those awkward corners and that area under the stairs (yup, brings to mind Mr. Harry Potter) are all spaces that might have existed because of extensions or renovations.
Rather than ignore these spaces, though, it’s high time to get over the tricky part of the design process and to start the repurposing project.
Here are just some of the exciting ways to make smarter use of an alcove –
A Sleeping Nook
Alcoves can be hard to furnish especially when it creates a deep recess. If you prefer a more contemporary look, you can always go for a bed complete with overhead shelves. These shelves will house the extra bedding especially for that spot.
Use a wall sconce to illuminate this special zone.
Display ‘Em Books
One of the best go-to solutions when making sense of a living room alcove is to create a mini library in that nook. Just set up a small cabinet, shelves or a set of drawers and you already have a special spot where you can enjoy the latest novels.
Why Not a Dresser?
You can also measure up the spot for a nice dresser. The sky’s the limit in terms of choosing a dresser that you can use in that bedroom alcove. If you can even fit nicely into this alcove, then just set up a divider and it could easily become your dressing area.
Homework Zone
If you happen to have the fusion of a fireplace and a bay window, then you won’t be having any more difficulties in creating a special nook. This can be your work area and you won’t even have to worry about getting ample light because you’ll get all the natural light that you need.
Just take these Humphrey Bogart reading nook pieces. The red desk is all you’ll need to make this small space a noticeable part of the living room. Pair it with a neutral chair and you’ve created the perfect nook ensemble.
This traditional chair and accent table from Fine Furniture Design’s Humphrey Bogart collection will surely beautify that living room alcove.
Your Special Pastime Zone
You can still go for the traditional look by setting up a dedicated space especially for your hobby. That could become your knitting or sewing corner. It can also be the nook where you’ll place your vinyl record collection. Just add a lovely turntable, a plush chair, and a console table or desk and it’s the perfect spot to listen to your fave songs.
The Art Alcove
Another awesome way to make good use of that spot is to put a statement artwork there. You can even create your own gallery where you can hang multiple family pictures. Or you can just be bold and hang one piece that will surely be the focal point of the room.
So who says that alcoves are merely for storage? Now, you can create the look that you want with the functions that you need. All these smart designs should finally make sense of that long unused alcove.
The Uttermost Accessories Adoria Silver Wall Shelves 04113 come in sets of three. Just imagine how these will look in your living room or bedroom alcove.
Tags: alcove, alcove design, designing the alcove, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, utilizing the alcove
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on 6 Ways to Make Sense of An Alcove
Saturday, October 13th, 2018
Flexsteel Living Room Round Coffee Table W1455-034 comes with a subtle ombre hue.
Ombre is less laidback than tie-dye. This graduated color technique has recently swept the world of baking, fashion, even home design. But there is a whole lot more to this trendy element that makes designers want to find ways to use it around the home.
The Ombre History
The term ombre came from the French word ombrer, meaning, to shade. The Italian equivalent of the word is umbra or ombrare which means shadow or to shade. The Merriam and Webster dictionary defines this term as the colors that “shade into each other”.
Martha Stewart once shared that ombre is actually an offshoot of a European weaving process. This was evident in pre-Civil war adornments as well as their furniture, quilts, textiles, trims, and ribbons during that time. The Victorian era, in particular, celebrated this color and, in recent history, specifically in the ‘70s, disco wear was flooded with this amazing color.
Recently, ombre has re-emerged in hairstyles, the catwalk, and majority of home décor elements. Still, the ancient art form is clearly visible but with a fresh twist.
Interior Design Uses
In textile history, weaving and fabrics use ombre as a means or technique to gradually add color starting from light then going darker. This is considered an art form because it is flexible that there is no right or wrong way to display it.
Uttermost Accessories Frosted Landscape Modern Art 35325
Refined Tie-Dye
Ombre is often mistaken as a variety of tie-dye. Anyone who uses it is seen as Bohemian, effortless or casual.
Ombre, when used in interior design, is not just limited to fabrics. With its recent popularity, it has also translated to other media like tiles, paint, and every possible design element throughout the home. The rooms where ombre is used in range from the living room to the bathroom, the dining areas, and even the bedroom.
The choices for ombre are almost limitless. It can be elegant and sophisticated while also simply beautiful. It depends how you would like to use ombre in your home. If you wish it to be something dramatic and bold, then use it on the draperies.
You can also ombre paint the furniture, or set up a bedding with ombre colors. You can also choose to have an ombre lamp, pillows, rugs, and pillowcases. Even the smallest accessories can have a touch of ombre.
The Ombre Playroom
Ombre is an exciting color that you can use inside your little one’s playroom. Let’s go traditional on this one, use blue for your little boy and graduation of pink in your little princess’ room.
You can hire a professional house painter to do this project for you. He can have the free reign and experiment on the tints of pink or blue or you can go ahead and experiment with other hues.
The Graduated Tiles
You can also have fun with ombre in the bathroom. Use four or even more tile hues from the same color family to make stripes. A sharp delineation of the varying hues is a modern take on ombre. Still, the graduated effect will always be there.
Many interior designers are now looking into even more ways of using ombre. It can easily take the shape of an interesting ink spill or it can make the ceiling an exciting surface when ombre blends two colors in blue and pink.
And if you’re feeling up to it, you can even ombre dye your own stuff. You can go as bold as you want or you can go simple. An ombre bedding can also be made using the dip-dye technique. You can also dip-dye baskets and even small accessories.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, ombre, ombre interior design, ombre uses
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Cool Ombre Effect
Friday, October 12th, 2018
Hooker Furniture Living Room Amani Round Cocktail Table: The design elements in this room look perfect because of the equally perfect flooring.
An uneven floor is oftentimes difficult to notice. Sometimes, what led homeowners to discover that they have uneven flooring are when they place a ball on the floor and then it rolls away on the sloped surface.
The sloping problem happens when the house’s foundation sunk or has settled unevenly. This is not a common problem but it is one that will surely cause you a lot of headaches if it were not corrected right away.
You don’t have to bear with this problem forever. In fact, you need to ask yourself these questions and fast –
Once you notice that your floor is already sloping, it is best to get your home inspected. Have the foundation, basement, slabs, and even the crawling spaces inspected for signs of failure.
Here are some of the telltale signs that your home has foundation issues –
Sloping Causes
Settlement can sometimes occur unevenly. This will lead to sloping where the building goes through a downward movement. The original position of the structure has sunk below that level. The soil can move, shift or be compacted because of many issues such as
Weak soil. This is when the soil beneath and all around the house should be capable of bearing the weight of the entire structure, and yet, it gives in to the weightiness.
Loose soil. This is the soil that was poorly compacted when the house was still being built. It can also be that it gave in to the structural load above it. As this happens, the signs are often sloping or cracked flooring.
Soil consolidation. At times, the weight of the structure compresses the new soil so that the weaker soil, often clay, sinks ever deeper.
Moisture changes on the soil. It can also happen that the soil beneath the foundation is exposed to moisture. The foundation then causes soil shrinkage and a lack of foundational support.
The Solutions
An uneven or sloping floor is the most obvious sign that your foundation has a serious issue. Your next step should be to get in touch with a foundation repair specialist. This expert will help you check and thoroughly inspect the foundation. He will also recommend the right solutions as he quotes the budget that you’ll eventually allocate.
There are no DIY projects for sloping floor surfaces. Sometimes, the specialist would recommend steel push piers installation. These can be installed below the foundation so that added support is given. The floor also evens out so it becomes strengthened and straightened in the process.
The other option is to use hydraulic piers. These are installed then lifted using a hydraulic equipment. Either one of these piers will surely add strength and support to your home. In the process, they also restore if not add value to your property.
You can also go for the temporary solutions while waiting for the expertise of a flooring specialist. You can begin combating the uneven flooring issues by initially adding feet to your furniture. Also referred to as furniture levelers, these can be bought in any hardware store or even online. These dual-threaded brass screws are inserted into the foot of the furniture. One component goes to each foot. A pilot hole can also be power drilled to accommodate these. Felt pads can also be attached to the bottom so that there won’t be any scratching.
Tags: floor care, floor maintenance, flooring, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, uneven flooring, uneven flooring solutions
Posted in Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Uneven Flooring No More
Thursday, October 11th, 2018
The Hooker Furniture Dining Room Skyline Server comes with a granite countertop.
Granite, as every homeowner would admit, can be a big deal when it comes to cleanups. Actually, if you take a closer look at it, it was just misinterpreted as a high maintenance material. But cleaning it can be a breeze if you know the correct steps and cleaning methods to employ.
Granite Countertop Cleanup
The right knowledge is key to proper cleanup. Don’t listen to all the confusing pieces of advice that you’ve been hearing about granite countertops. Some are, of course, spot on, but there are also those that are merely mythical.
Majority of the incorrect pieces of advice are because of generalizations. Some lack proper understanding, while others simply misinterpreting what should have been correct methods.
It is easy to be confused or even be frustrated. But don’t worry about countertop damage for now. What you need to do is to learn the ways that, from now on, you can care for your granite kitchen countertops or furniture with ease.
Granite Is Stone
Don’t experiment with the methods so you avoid the potential hassles, pitfalls, and headaches. Keep in mind that the granite flooring, counters or furniture are all made of stone. You are practically dealing with stone, the same kind that the Egyptian pyramids of old as well as the Roman Colosseum are made of.
Granite is a potential material that can last and even outlive you by hundreds if not thousands of years. This is evident in all the pyramids that have been previously erected. These are resilient and have even aged beautifully.
While these are so, stone is still just stone and it can also be damaged. The key to granite care now is to keep damages at bay, although, granite repair is also now possible. There is no special talent needed to clean this stone material. You can do this.
To Seal Granite, Or Not
Generally, every natural stone must be sealed. But before you do this, take note that there are some exceptions. There are some granite pieces that no longer require sealing.
There is still so much confusion when it comes to granite sealing. First, how does one know if the granite on hand needs to be sealed? How should this be sealed? What granite sealer is right for the slab that you have? How frequently should granite be resealed?
The Do’s and Don’t’s
There are bad habits that you might do which could result in limestone, marble, travertine, quartz, soapstone, or even granite damage.
Do blot the spills right away especially for acidic substances like fruit juices, wine, coffee, tomato sauce, and many types of sodas. These might not cause etching as they would do with marble but they could stain the granite surface.
You also need to clean the surface with a soft cloth or a sponge. Use granite or natural stone cleaner. Hot water can also be used for quick cleanups. Do not repeatedly use dish soap because it could make the granite surface duller. While dish soap can be used sporadically, it might strip the countertop of its lovely shine if you keep using it so it is best to use another cleaner.
Use coasters under all of your bottles, glasses, and those cold soda cans. While granite won’t etch, it is good practice to use coasters to prevent mishaps.
Hot pans and pots should have trivets underneath them. Doing so will keep the granite from having thermal shock. Cracking may be rare but it is best to keep this possibility at bay.
If the damage does happen, don’t fret. Granite damages can now be repaired although, of course, it is best to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Tags: granite, granite care, granite maintenance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Easy Granite Care Made Possible
Wednesday, October 10th, 2018
Uttermost Accessories Abella Ceramic Flowers, Set of three, 04100.
Fall is a season that gives people a chance to take it slow and to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. As the nights lengthen and the days grow ever shorter, we tend to desire to create a balance between our indoor and outdoor lives. If you’re feeling that a particular aspect is eating your life, then this is the time to do some Feng Shui.
Here are some suggestions that can help you transition smoothly to the colder seasons –
Increase the Flower Power
What could be an even more awesome power or energy during fall than to harness the beauty of marigolds, chrysanthemums, and the equally colorful nasturtiums? These are the kinds of colors that will make you feel better when you’re feeling stressed or burdened by something.
Just imagine the golds, oranges, reds, and greens that beautifully mix to give you’re the soothing effects that you would need after a long day at work or at school.
Harness the Flow
Have you ever thought of adding a water element to your home? Having a fountain will give you that welcoming sight when you come home from a hectic day at the office. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear the sound of flowing water after spending hours in a traffic jam? This sound can also appease your nerves especially when you want to sleep more soundly at night.
Lights: Lower the Notch Please
It’s time to change those bright light bulbs and have them replaced with low-watt ones. Summer was a time to be active and to frolic in the sun but those days are long over. Now that fall is here, it’s time to slow things down a bit and to soften your home’s lighting as well.
With dimmed lights, you can better enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon or listen to soft music prior to going to bed.
Feng Shui Your Social Life
Yes, you read that one correctly. If you want to transition peacefully to fall and eventually to the colder months of winter, it is best that you do not only declutter physically but also socially.
A good way to begin is to remove all the things that deplete your energy. If you have to update your address book as well as your online friends, then do so. You don’t have to tolerate intolerable people.
Move, Move, Move
If you’re still feeling energized from summer’s activities, then you can harness the power of Feng Shui to help you adjust. Just reposition 27 elements in your place. The Chinese believe that nine is the number representing longevity and when you multiply that thrice, then you get the number representing growth.
The number 27 is an auspicious number that will bring about many positive changes in your life.
Be Inspired
If you’re one of those people who have a hard time disconnecting from the business and hustle and bustle of modern life, then you have to learn to lift your thoughts to a much higher level.
You can do this visually by putting a lovely vase right where you normally rest your eyes when you are in your bedroom or you can also hang a wall painting that evokes peace and harmony onto your entryway.
If these don’t work for you, then set up a special spot where you can meditate when the time permits. A yoga room should be far from the busiest parts of your home such as the dining room, kitchen, and the living room. Ideally, it should be neighbors with your bedroom.
Lastly, you can also create boundaries such as shielding the home office desk with a group of potted plants or hang a curtain between the home office and the bedroom so that there’s a distinction between these zones.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2018 Trends | Comments Off on Fall 2018 Feng Shui
Tuesday, October 9th, 2018
Uttermost Accessories Preserved Boxwood Garden Urn 60113
Spring is a wonderful season to tend the garden but fall is equally beneficial for starting to take care of plants. Shrubs, turf grass, cool-season veggies, spring-blooming bulb, trees, and perennials can also be planted during fall.
There are actually some benefits if you do decide to plant during fall. Autumn offers a cooler temperature so it becomes easy for the gardener as well as the plants. During this time, the soil is also warm but just enough so the plants can grow up until the season when the ground finally freezes.
Fall also offers better days for planting when compared to spring. Yes, believe it or not, plants don’t seem to grow on spring until the soil becomes warmer so gardeners frantically plant during spring than on fall.
Fall also comes with rain showers. Diseases and pests also tend to fade away during this season. There is also less need to use fertilizer since these problems do not occur during the colder seasons.
Be sure to take note of the window for planting during fall. It should end at about six weeks prior to when the hard frost sets in, normally, in September or the month of October.
Just so we’re clear, let’s put here the reasons why you should schedule your gardening activities mostly on fall –
The Cool Weather
Just imagine the cool mornings – can you picture yourself gardening under this cool and easy weather? The coolness then becomes warmer during the afternoons and then the nights are capped with an equally cool weather.
Notice also the rushing bees and butterflies that are all out to gather nectar and pollen. You don’t just garden without sweating profusely, you also get to enjoy Mother Nature’s scenic presentations.
Less Maintenance
What do you notice if you begin gardening during summer? You end up spending more time to water your plants, right? Looking after your flowering babies and your vegetable patches becomes more tedious as the heat also increases.
With fall planting, you can water the potted plants just a few hours prior to digging then you just put them in the ground (such as in the case of perennials). As for trees and shrubs, you water the soil in the newly dug up hole then put in the root ball.
You Get a Bird’s Eye View
Of course, you need to understand that the garden will insulate itself come winter so plant enough to help the garden stay alive. The trees and shrubberies that you planted during fall will help in protecting your garden from drying up. You will also get a better view of the gaps between each of the plants.
Fall is the time to plant in the bald spots while all the leaves and mosquitoes are on leave. This is the season when you have a better view of the ground. If you live in the higher regions, then be sure to dig during August through September. For the coastal areas as well as the Southern regions, you have until December to do your gardening tasks.
The Smaller the Better
You can save energy and money by investing in smaller plants. Buy plugs and three-inch pots. You can also invest in trees plated in gallon containers. Getting plants like these will not only make your fall planting easier but you will also keep the plant from having transplant shock. Buy a bigger specie and you’d know what we mean.
What to Plant
Every spring-blooming bulb needs a dormancy period in order to fully bloom. Know that plants tend to bulb during fall so that they can spring forth in…well…spring. If you don’t want to worry about critters eating up your plants, then include any of the following –
Tags: fall gardening, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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