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Friday, June 29th, 2018
Orient Express Furniture Living Room Hilton Accent Table: Reclaimed materials with an ancient past combined with stones and metals create a collection unlike any other. Each piece exudes character and charm.
As opposed to the popular notion, cement and concrete are actually not the same. Cement is only a concrete component. If you would study it more closely, concrete has three components namely cement, water, and aggregate rock (e.g. sand, rock or gravel). Cement is usually in powder form and it acts as the binding element when it is mixed with the other two ingredients. Then referred to as the concrete mix, this will harden to that durable material which is used everywhere.
Concrete – A Building Block
Just imagine a world without concrete. This is no less than the basic building block for modern structures. Just think of all the major construction projects throughout the world, then take out concrete from the picture, and you can just imagine what a project it would have been.
The environment is an important matter and concrete is being produced from a few of the world’s abundant resources. The concrete industry does recycling during the manufacturing process. It has a good lifespan when compared to other materials.
The concrete’s thermal mass can play a huge role in terms of energy efficiency. Urban areas can be kept cooler with it. It can also help in maintaining and protecting the environmeReady-mixed
Mixed concrete can be used in many beautiful options. For starters, it can be made into a concrete driveway which adds to the value of any property. Most home buyers prefer driveways that are made with concrete rather than any other material.
Concrete driveways can also stand up to heavy foot traffic. It can last for as long as 30 years. It is also versatile because it can be stained, colored, stenciled or even stamped. Just imagine the plethora of decorative finishes that you can use with this material.
A concrete basement is also an economical way to set up this part of your home. It can be easily turned into another room for play, work or just about any use. You can remodel this into an additional bedroom, another storage room, a den, game room or an office.
Concrete is also durable so it won’t burn or even rot. This becomes the best shelter during hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes.
Now how about your home’s curb appeal? If the highways are built using concrete, then think also on how concrete’s durability can help improve your home. A concrete pavement can last for as long as 20 to 30 years without even any repairs. Compared to asphalt, this can only last for about 8-12 years.
Other uses for concrete are on streets, parking areas, silos, dams, bridges, swimming pools, and skyscrapers.
Concrete In Your Home
Over the years, there has been an obvious spike on the use of concrete in interior design. The industrial look is quite hot. Those who are lucky are even able to get an old warehouse and convert that place to a stylish home.
If concrete becomes the main component of your interior design, then be ready to embrace an industrial look. Use industrial materials together with concrete. Don’t conceal those steel trusses and plumbing systems. Show them to the world.
The industrial look can be further achieved by using concrete flooring and softening it with neutral-colored area rugs and furnishings. Some have even installed utilitarian concrete lighting fixtures, used concrete tables and stools, and concrete plant boxes.
Keep everything balanced when using concrete. It is a hard and cold material so it very easily becomes utilitarian. Try balancing this stark property with warm colors so that your place won’t look and feel like a huge factory.
Know also how to use contrasting textures. Use a lot of plump pillows and throws. Using colorful fabrics in a chiefly concrete environment is the best way to go.
Tags: concrete, concrete furnishings, concrete interior design, concrete interiors, designing with concrete, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on The Cosmo Concrete
Thursday, June 28th, 2018
Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Verdigris And Antique Brass African Wildlife Chandelier, Shell Bowl, Leather Shades
It’s summer and the sun is up and shining. Just as the weather outdoors has changed, so should your interior design. One of the key designs that are often ignored is the beautiful African theme. This style has got to take center stage – it’s high time.
The African continent is a huge one. It stretches from Morocco to Egypt up in the north and then down to Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa. Every country offers its unique style, however, the designs from these regions usually infuse earthy tones and some neutrals that go well with the nature-inspired hues.
African style is chiefly inspired by Mother Nature. It comes with colorful fabrics, charming wood carvings, and wild animal prints. There are various reasons that some people gravitate towards this style because who wouldn’t love an African Safari? Others just enjoy the historical and cultural perspectives of this continent.
Anyhow, whichever aspect inspires you the most, there are many ways that you can use the African theme in your own home. Use design techniques that come from this region to show just how enamored you are with something that looks and feels different. Plus don’t forget that African theme is in this summer season.
Look for colors that are both deep and rich and use additional natural components. These will effortlessly give your home a sense of comfort. Don’t just hang a stuffed animal head onto your walls because this style isn’t like that. Instead, make good use of earthy tones and the right patterns to complete your home’s new theme.
Have Less
When you are out to decorate your home with an African theme, don’t think that you should stuff the rooms with African Safari photos, decorative masks, tables, and chairs. When it comes to your flooring, consider the installation of either sandstone or terracotta tiles.
You could also choose to have a plain concrete flooring. Make sure to stain it, though, because this is also quite popular in South Africa. These are preferred in the said region because they remain cool even when the outdoors are scorching hot. If you choose to go with this, be sure to use sisal mats.
As for your walls, use neutral shades like brown, beige or cream. Alternatively, you can also paint the walls with terracotta or rich clay shades. Textured paints are also welcome, the ones that have a sandy kind of texture when applied to a surface.
Uttermost Living Room Naeva Gold End Table 24422
Warm Colors
Because African style obviously comes from the African continent, the use of warm colors is the most typical approach. Use lots of yellow, orange, ocher, red, brown, and burgundy. Don’t look forward to using cool colors because there are none. The purpose of the warm colors is to depict the warmth of the sun and the dry savannah.
Natural Only
The items used for African home décor are often made from wood, straw, leaves, and clay. Consider using pieces that are made of a hundred-percent natural materials such as woven blinds and wooden frames.
Wood, no matter what form you use, is a crucial part of any African design, more so if you are going for the full-fledged African look. Artifacts and earthenware will also help express just how African your theme really is.
There are also a lot of tribes throughout Africa that use different arts and crafts. How about displaying something relevant about one of the continents by having a wet plaster fresco?
Lastly, you could go for the more obvious stuff such as a zebra print rug or clay pots. Even ethnic textiles are a wonderful addition to this kind of home.
Tags: African design, African interior design, African interiors, African theme, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on African Theme for a Warm, Welcoming Summer
Wednesday, June 27th, 2018
Thomasville Bedroom Panel Footboard (King) 85211-426
Timber, as defined in Collins dictionary, is wood that is used for building houses and making furniture. Ships showcase the largest timbers that are used as planks, boards or beams.
Harvesting Timber
Do you have an idea how timber is harvested and eventually processed? There are two ways to harvest timber. First, through the commercial clear cutting approach. Of the two approaches, this is the one that runs after economic gain. Here, the trees are cut down to a stump in heavily forested areas. Of course, this is not a sustainable kind of forestry.
In the silviculture approach, trees are grown specifically to be harvested. This is a sustainable approach compared to the previous one. A method used under this approach is shelterwood cutting. Here, the trees are just partially cut in a gradual manner. As the last trees are hewn down, the trees would have already grown again, so forth, and so on. This is a process that can last for as long as 20 years.
As the trees are cut down, the limbs or branches are removed and then moved from the forest to the sawmill. The routes used in doing this have to be carefully planned so that there would be minimal damage to the logs.
Processing Timber
As for the processing, this really depends on the eventual use of the timber. The debarked ones can be sent to the chipper where they will eventually become paper. The higher grade logs don’t go to the chipper but taken to the sawmill.
These can then be processed as plants, boards or beams. The main mill saw or what’s referred to as the head rig separates the logs to different sections. Sapwood and timber with fewer knots normally become boards or planks while heartwood is created to beams and heavy planks.
Once the head rig is done, every piece of wood is then edged and removed. A trimmer will be used to square off the edges. These are then sorted and stacked, eventually dried.
Uses and Benefits of Timber
Timber uses include fuel for homes, tools, homes, and furniture. It is versatile that it can also be used in log cabins, artificial limbs, decks, balconies, terraces, cladding, sculptures, carvings, flooring, fencing, paints, perfumes, varnish, scaffolding, shingles, windows, and even musical instruments.
Timber also comes with many benefits including –
When you have chosen timber to fulfill a certain job, then you should ascertain what species you are going to select. There are a lot of things to consider prior to your investment. First, how long would the timber species, you end up choosing, last? Here are other basic questions to ask –
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, timber, timber benefits, timber furniture, timber interiors, timber uses, wood
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Why Use Timber?
Tuesday, June 26th, 2018
The Tommy Bahama Home Living Room Hibiscus Round Accent Table 593-953 is made from bamboo, a sustainable material. Notice also the open, airy windows which let in natural light during the day, thus, eliminating the need to turn on lights during that time.
Your home is where sustainability should begin. From the furnishings to the finishes, choosing green products as well as practices can improve your home’s design. Deciding to live in a home with zero environmental impact is a good thing to do. Keep up with such good decisions and, now, let’s learn how to set up a sustainable interior design –
Minimalism Is Key
There are a few rules to learn if you’re a beginner minimalist. These can be summarized in seven easy steps –
First, learn to let go. This means looking for the dumpster and throwing all the things that you have not been using for six months or more.
Second, stop denying that you have a hoarding problem. No, you don’t have a space problem, you only have a stuff problem.
Third, if you have decided to live sustainably, then you should be willing to begin. Don’t wait for inspiration from someone else. Be able to motivate yourself to start.
Fourth, write down all the things that you want to finally get rid of including debt, stress at work, at many more. Once you write down these things, you’ll realize just how simple life really is.
Fifth, discard any duplicates. If you have boxes of magazines and DVDs, scour through them and keep only the ones that you are going to use in the next 30 days. For the rest of the boxes, have them thrown.
Sixth, declutter. Do this from the countertops to the kitchen islands, to your nightstand and even in that drawer in your bedroom. A clean, clear environment is as minimalist as you could ever get.
Seventh, have less of everything – less clothing, fewer shoes, fewer travel essentials, less eating out.
Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Loom Arm Chair
Use Only Eco-Friendly Materials
Gone were the days when eco-friendly materials were costly. Now, more and more manufacturers are able to meet the demands for green yet affordable products. If it’s possible, hire a sustainable interior designer so he or she could help you pick the right materials to use such as bamboo, rattan, etc.
Shop with Care
Be able to shop with confidence. Say no to plastic products and start saying yes to paper coffee cups or the usable ones, recycled toilet paper, biodegradable waste bags, organic clothing, solar power, green clothing, and furniture built with sustainable materials.
Learn to Save Energy
There are many different ways to save energy in your home ranging from the simplest to the most intense. You have to adjust your behaviors each day. Turn off appliances that are not in use (take baby steps first). You can also choose to do manual tasks such as drying your laundry the old-fashioned way or washing the dishes by hand.
Another energy-saving tip is to replace the light bulbs with LEDs or light-emitting diode bulbs. These may seem expensive at first but you will save about 25-80% electrical energy in the process. These bulbs also have a longer life=span compared to traditional light bulbs.
Apart from purchasing LED bulbs, you should also consider investing in energy-efficient appliances. These operate at 9-25% less energy compared to the traditional models. Look for the Energy Star label in all your appliances. This label guarantees that this appliance will consume less electricity.
Have a smart thermostat installed. This programmable thermostat can be automatically turned off to reduce cooling or heating during certain times of the day. The average thermostat can save you about $180 annually.
Have energy efficient windows installed. Did you know that your home loses about 10-25% of heat when you only have traditional windows? In order to prevent heat loss, replace the single panes with double-panes.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainability, sustainable home design, sustainable interior design, sustainable materials
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on What Is A Sustainable Interior Design?
Saturday, June 23rd, 2018
Talk of using mirrors as faux windows, this Goddard Mirror from Fine Furniture Design’s American Cherry Collection is sublime.
If you have to read about the history of townhouse living, then you’d have to go to Rome or even England and start your research there. Manhattan may be booming with apartments and townhouses but these structures weren’t born there.
The townhouse is that rental property that is either freestanding or attached to another townhouse. These habitats often have a terrace.
A rented townhouse comes with a monthly fee that is asked by the owner of the property in exchange for living the property. At times, the owners and the tenants live in the same habitat. Typically, only one family can be housed in such a unit, though.
Living in a townhouse comes with amenities such as pools, gyms, and spas. While apartments date all the way back to the times of the Ancient Romans, the townhouse came into existence in England when the aristocrats spent months living in different places at a time. While these elite people were living away from their homes, they had a townhouse to serve as their habitat.
The appeal to live in a townhouse is insatiable especially among urban dwellers. Just imagine having to pay heftily for every square inch of space in Manhattan so wanting to move into a more spacious dwelling unit is a dream come true. Plus, there is an increased sense of security since your neighbors are just within earshot.
The Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Uptown Dining Chair does tend to draw the eyes vertically, doesn’t it?
Making the Most of Townhouse Living
Living in a townhouse is all about making the most of the space that you are provided with. It is all about making the eyes believe that the area is actually more spacious than it actually is. In the wrong designer’s hands, a townhouse could very easily turn into a claustrophobic environment rather than a cozy one.
Be able to decorate in such a way that light and colors are optimized. Make correct use of weight and scale as these can either make or break your design.
You could try a few things when you have grown tired of the traditional setups. So, instead of the usual blinds for the window treatments, you could use flowing drapes as they tend to make the eyes imagine height, thus, giving you vertical space. The floor-to-ceiling types are the best options to accomplish this visual goal.
Regardless of size, the living room in a townhouse must be the area of relaxation and entertainment. When you are designing for a dual purpose, you have to learn to use elements that could open up space. For instance, the age-old trick of using mirrors to reflect light can be used in the living area. Strategically placed mirrors can visually widen the space.
You can put the mirror behind a light source like a pendant lamp or even a lit candelabrum. This should give your townhouse the illusion of having another window.
You can also use the vertical space to hang small to medium-sized artworks. This technique is also used to make rooms visually larger. The trick here is that the eyes are led to roam the space horizontally.
When using colors, it would be best to shy away from dark hues. Small homes would do well to use neutral color palettes because these are known to push back the walls, visually of course. Softer hues also tend to lighten and brighten up a room since they can reflect light. Softer colors also add instant sophistication as well as a homier feel.
Lastly, pick only the furniture that has a lightweight appearance. It would be wrong to add chunky pieces of furniture as these will constrict your space. Use end tables and coffee tables that come in pale hues. Your best friends are glass and light-colored wood furnishings.
Tags: designing a townhouse, history of townhouses, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, townhouse design, townhouse history, townhouse living
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Tiny Homes, Townhouse Living | Comments Off on Why Townhouse Living Is Beautiful
Friday, June 22nd, 2018
Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Antique Nickel Finished Aluminum Desk Lamp, Violet Hammer Inlaid Shell Shade 1751-680
The color violet or purple is a very deep color in terms of color psychology. It is often linked to the spirituality and imagination. It stimulates higher ideals and spurs deeper imaginations. Those who want to introspect would do well to be bathed in this color as it stimulates deeper thoughts.
If you want to differentiate purple from violet, it is as easy as seeing one on the color spectrum and the other as merely a mixture of blue and red. Violet offers the highest vibration on the visible spectrum.
Violet may not be as intense as its cousin (purple) but it is closely and even interchangeably used with this hue. Both also have the energy needed to strengthen red hues and intensify blues.
This royal color is also linked to the world of fantasy so it is used when you need to escape the realities or practicalities of everyday life. Daydreamers are in love with this color.
Violet and purple both promote a balance of the emotions and the mind. They are known to contribute to mental stability and peace of mind. Violet is a good color to use when practicing meditation. But how would you use violet in designing your home?
Violet Interiors
Since violet is the color creativity and royalty, it is so easy to add an exotic flair to your home when you use this hue.
Use violet to add drama to your home. Surprisingly, you can also use this to create a wave of calm in the same room. Violet can also be lavender or solid plum. It can also be used as the chief color or the interesting accent.
If you want to create a stunning entryway, then use violet. You can then have the walls painted in light lavender grayish softness. A formal living room, on the other hand, can be set up with violet pastels fused with modern art.
Creating a statement means you’re ready to use a more jolting violet. This can be neon purple which you could use together with stripes of gray. This should easily give the room an edgy kind of look. Pair the mid-tone sort of purple with mustard for a livelier, hipper vibe.
Those who want a more sophisticated or lush room should use the UltraViolet Pantone Color of the Year. Pair this with white trim to complete the elite surroundings. You can also combine this color with greens and blues in softer shades to create more serene surroundings.
The UltraViolet Bedroom
Why not? UltraViolet is a delicious color that would be correct to use inside a young girl’s bedroom. Sure it’s not the usual pink but it offers the same amount of girly with a dash of maturity. If you used a mainly neutral color scheme, then UltraViolet can serve as the accent color that would add depth to your design.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Stars Rug 6066RS Violet
UltraViolet Exteriors
Again, why not? UltraViolet is such an interesting color. Use this with a dash of black and you would think back to the bygone Victorian era. Imagine having UltraViolet shutters, window boxes, or doors. These will instantly become cute and your home would surely never be considered as mundane.
The Eclectic UltraViolet Dining Room
Recreate the look of Midcentury when you use chartreuse chairs together with UltraViolet walls. The striking backdrop serves as the perfect frame to the colorful chairs that you invest in and the rich, wood dining table at the very center of all the action.
UltraViolet and White
This hue looks stunning with pristine white because, together, they can create a calming effect. The walls in violet and the ceramic bathroom essentials all create the perfect look for a spa-like ambience.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Pantone Ultra Violet, purple interior design, purple interiors, UltraViolet, UltraViolet in interior design, violet
Posted in 2018 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Your UltraViolet 2018 Home
Thursday, June 21st, 2018
The Marge Carson Living Room Seville Cocktail Table shows how effective it is to merge a metal framework with wood and glass surfaces.
The Spanish interiors are observed to have many features that are similar to the Mediterranean homes. These share architectural looks as well as craftsmanship. For centuries, Spanish homes are also sometimes interchanged with Tuscan homes, French Country homes, and even the Moroccan style. But what makes Spanish style stand out?
Spanish Design Basics
Without a doubt, Spanish interior design is greatly influenced by the Mediterranean region. It is typical to find coastline palettes of green, blues, browns and whites. You will also generally find terracotta shades of red and oranges and these are apparently because of the use of terracotta tiling on the roofs as well as on the flooring.
It is typical to find ceramic and stone elements alongside wrought-iron pieces, pottery, candelabra, and carved wood panels. Copper and other metal accents are also an important part of this cultural design.
Now take a look at the wall finishes on Spanish interiors. These are heavily-textured complete with plaster or stucco to create visual interest. The neutral glazes are easy on the eyes because they are often used with textured walls.
Do you like hanging woven tapestries especially on wrought-iron grilles? Then you have a taste for Spanish style. Just keep your accessories to a bare minimum such as interesting displays of pots, urns, planters and vases. These are enough to make the rooms more interesting.
Uttermost Accessories Frederico Rustic Vases
The Colonial Style
The Southwestern states show a fusion, ironically, of Native American and Spanish colonial cultures. This is referred to only as the Spanish Colonial style. To others, this could be what’s referred to as the Mission style because of the infusion of mission churches on the design.
Other common elements of the Spanish Colonial design are corner fireplaces, wall benches, cabinets, and earthy floors. You could easily use ceramic, stone or rock flooring and accessorize with metal accents, pottery, stained glass as well as wall hangings. Are you tempted to display an image of a saint in the living room?
You’re welcome to do so.
The Revival Style
This Spanish design is called the Spanish Revival style because, in the 1920s, tourism to the southern part of Spain demanded for their architecture to be set up in California. Here, the Spanish Revival homes were set up and they became hybrid structures complete with adobe bricks, terracotta roofing, shutters, wood ceiling beams, and entry doors with carvings.
You will also notice the liberal use of railings, wrought-iron gates, banisters and lots of window grilles.
The Spanish Revival interiors housed many wood furniture. The typical species used were pine and oak. You will also marvel at the details on the carvings, inlays, and even the paint finishes. It was common to find furniture completed with nailhead trim and leather.
Modern Spanish
You could always go traditional Spanish and choose the elements that were already listed or you could go with a touch of modernism. A lot of Spanish style structures come with stucco walls, especially in the kitchen. This texture can be recreated by faux finishes in apricot, off-white, bold or burnt sienna.
Remember to use a natural, dark wood finish on the trims, wood works and molding. The contrast would be the rich-colored walls, giving your home a warm, welcoming feel.
As for the stairs and banisters, say goodbye to solid wooden banisters. Use wrought-iron whenever you can as this contrasts well with tiles and woodworks. Add some terracotta risers to otherwise bare stairs.
As for the ceiling, keep up with the exposed wood beam trend. As for the accents, add hand-glazed tiles all around the fireplace and on the kitchen backsplash. Go for heavy, hand-carved furniture pieces and steel lamps.
Don’t forget to show your personality with the colors that you experiment with.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors, Spanish style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Satiating the Hispanophile in You: How to Make Spanish Interior Design Work
Wednesday, June 20th, 2018
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Dining Room Swanson Upholstered Metal Side Chair could also work well in a reading nook setup.
Do you love books more than you love talking with people? Do you have boxes upon boxes of books left even when you think you’ve already purged your collection? Then you’re a certified bibliophile. The word bibliophile means a lover of books (biblio meaning book and phile, a lover).
Bibliophiles aren’t just hoarders, they are mainly readers who value books so much that the very sight and smell of these make them feel satisfied. These are people who are fascinated with these reading materials and end up collecting and displaying them.
So, if you think that people are judging you with the books that you read and that you actually spend more time organizing your books than any other activity, then it’s time to set up your own reading corner. This nook should represent you and the genre that you love to read.
Pick the Perfect Spot
It all begins with the location. This isn’t as easy as picking the spot for your living room. This isn’t a random room that you need to set up. Keep in mind the configuration for your desired reading nook. it’s up to you to choose from the unused corners, a cozy spot in the attic, that window nook or even that unused space under the stairs.
Whichever spot you end up choosing, remember that you need to be comfortable there.
Reading Nook in a Small Spot
While everyone dreams of curling up while reading a book during the coldest months, there are moments when it seems even the very act of curling up requires a lot of space. So what should you do when you have just a tiny spot to work with?
First, that spot beneath that dormer window would become comfy if you place a cute table alongside a comfy chair. Just add a cup of tea during reading time and you’re in reading heaven.
For two people who have to share a narrow reading nook, just make sure to open the windows so that natural daylight could flood in, making the spot appear more spacious. Add a bench or two or just set up a sectional for the two bibliophiles to share.
And where horizontal space is lacking, you could always look up. Store your book collections vertically by using a tall bookshelf. Add a chaise lounge to complete the perfect reading spot.
Hancock and Moore Living Room Bishop Reading Chair And Ottoman: Wanna put your feet up while reading?
Choose the Comfy Chair
Once you’re done choosing the right spot for your reading nook, it’s time to find some comfortable seating. Just as the location, you also have different options for this. You could go for the rocking chair but it all the rocking makes you woozy, then go for a pile of floor pillows, a pouf, an armchair or even a hanging bed.
Of course, you have to consider the theme that you have chosen for your entire home. The reading nook that you’re about to set up must coincide with this theme.
Set Up Storage
As soon as you’re done shopping for the reading chair, it’s time to find the right furniture pieces that would become your favorite books’ display case or home. consider also all the other possible stuff that you could store in there such as a table lamp, a blanket (great for those snowed in reading moments), a headphone or two, small speakers for some ambient music while reading, a phone dock, and some comfy pillows.
The best option will always be an open shelf but you are still free to choose the style of your storage units. You could even have an ottoman with a secret storage. The design possibilities are boundless.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reading corner, reading nook, reading spot, setting up the reading corner
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on The Bibliophile’s Nook Made Comfy
Tuesday, June 19th, 2018
Hooker Furniture Finish: A deep, dark clear finish on walnut, cherry, mappa burl and ebony veneers is highlighted by champagne-colored tipping on carvings and top edges along with chiseling that gives character to the marquetry patterns for a time-worn character.
Before you begin shopping for your next furniture piece, you need to know a few things about the finish’s appearance, what method was used in creating it, and how durable it is. Finishing is one of the biggest fears of woodworkers. While they can be confident in joinery or even intricate designs, they could very easily take a step back when it comes to applying finishes. Knowing the best finish for a certain woodwork is a crucial obstacle to overcome.
There are many categories of finishing products. These are either based on the working qualities or varying degrees of protection that are applied. Just imagine how many you could choose from – oils, vanishes, shellacs, water-based finishes, and lacquers.
Of course, the different finishes offer different levels of durability, protection, aesthetics, and ease of repair and application. No furniture maker would be able to tell you that a particular finish is better than the rest as there are many factors to consider when applying a specific finish. Be ready to accept some trade-offs when picking the right finish for your furniture.
Wood Finish Types
There are only two major types of wood finish and these are how well each cures or dries. The evaporative finishes include shellac, lacquer, and the water-based finishes. These become hard films as they evaporate. Water isn’t a solvent, though, it is just considered a carrier for the emulsion used on the finishing. This type tends to be less durable because they tend to re-dissolve in their thinning solvent.
Reactive finishes, on the other hand, do have evaporating solvents, too, but they react with the chemical mixed with them or with the air once they’re applied. A kind of chemical change occurs right before application and also when they cure. After this, no re-dissolving happens except in the case of the pure oils where the reactive finish holds better to chemicals and heat.
Anthracite black with light dusty-wax hang up , still from Hooker Furniture.
If you’re thinking of wax as a means of finishing the furniture surface, think again. Most woodworkers only look at this as a furniture polisher. They use these often over shellacs or lacquer finishes.
True oils such as linseed and Tung oils are drying oils. These are referred to as true oils just to set them apart from the non-drying or semi-drying kinds like soybean oil. True oils are altered from liquid to solid in a process called polymerization.
Linseed oil has yet many forms. In its unrefined form, it is the raw linseed oil which is not used often because it takes too long to dry. When boiled, this oil becomes thicker and dries up more quickly, hence, more viable for furniture use.
Tung oil comes naturally from Asian nut trees although these are being cultivated all over the globe now. This comes in its pure, unrefined form and also in the polymerized, heat-treated type. Just like in the case of the linseed oil, the heat treatment makes the oil more durable.
Varnishes are either long-oil or short-oil. The former contain high percentages of oil including spar, marine or exterior varnishes. The long-oil type is more elastic. Short-oil or medium varnishes are also known as baking enamels or heat-set varnish. These are used in industrial applications because they require extreme temperatures to dry.
The varnish and oil blends are mostly oils mixed with just a little varnish. They are easily applied because they are oils and they are protective of the furniture surface because they are varnishes, too. Shellacs, on the other hand, may be thought of as a liquid finish but in its pure form, it is actually resin coming from a bug feeding on trees. These bugs come mostly from Thailand and India.
Lacquers are considered as the go-to all-around finish by many furniture makers. They dry quickly and they provide a different kind of richness to the wood.
Tags: finishes, finishes 101, furniture finish, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for finishes
Posted in Decorative Elements, Furniture, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Furniture Finishes 101
Friday, June 15th, 2018
Hancock and Moore Living Room Member Apartment Size Sofa 1903
The design of an apartment studio can pose many challenges. But every single one of these can be overcome with the right mindset and also a set of rules. You will be advised to not function take over aesthetics so many homeowners are in a dilemma when they have to design a small space.
A Controlled Color Palette
So you might ask what the color palette has to do with the overall layout. There is no need to overthink this. This simply means that you don’t need to complicate your design. Small apartments should be given the simplest designs as much as possible. Also, you don’t need to make the layout cramped with too many stuff or you’d end up making it look choppy or cluttered.
Just focus on one up to three colors only. Have them infused throughout the apartment rather than just a single section. Doing so will help you connect the entire apartment space together. This will also make it easy for the eyes to comprehend what’s going on.
Now more than ever, you should follow the 60-30-10 rule. Since you’re working with just a limited square footage, have your dominant shade at 60%. This has to be a neutral color so that you can use it throughout the room without having to worry.
Next, use 30% of your chosen secondary color. The rest should be the accent hue which comprises just 10% of the palette.
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Yes, Divide
Some apartment owners just end up having a room that’s one continuous space. But even a studio type apartment needs to be divided. Don’t use a lot or you’d end up with a confusing layout or space would simply look choppy. If you’re lacking, on the other hand, there might also be a confusion on where one room ends and the next one begins.
The classic room divider is the bed. This will separate the bedroom from all the other living spaces. You can also use open shelves so that the areas won’t be too visually separated.
You can also experiment with the placement of the sofa and the entertainment center.
Having divisions will also define every functional area. Don’t end up making your apartment look too utilitarian. There is so much more you can do even with a small space. Every space must still have a distinct function and this must be indicated on your layout.
Let Visual Height Help
When you have limited square footage, it’s time to look up and use whatever visual height you are provided with. Purposefully draw the eyes upward so that your home becomes more interesting.
You can effectively do this by adding a vertically-designed shelf or bookcase. You can also use tall room dividers and a sizable painting. You can also hang vertical mirrors on just the right spots. You can also have your storage units installed vertically so that you’ll have more space to store your other stuff.
Layer It
A beautifully-designed apartment sometimes lies on how properly the design elements were layered. Many interior designers take on their project in this manner. They know the value of layers and so they apply it in most of their designs.
You can use a bold rug to add color, depth, and visual division to your space. A patterned rug in a sea of neutrals should do the trick.
You can also layer with furniture. Don’t automatically go for the sets. You can shop for complementary pieces and then use the right accessories to finish the look.
You can also achieve layering by using complementary shapes and styles as well as finding upholstery in an array of hues instead of the usual single color.
Tags: designing an apartment, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Studio Apartment That’s Functional and Pretty
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