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Friday, January 19th, 2018
Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase Hutch W1287-746
There is a huge difference between a family room and a living room. For many decades, people have been confused when asked to describe the difference between these two. Both spaces are places where people can socialize and gather. The open space layout that is now an in thing in design also made the issue even more complicated.
Formal living rooms the more casual version which is the family room, still both exist. The main differences between these two can be seen in their function, layout, and their placement.
Location
A living room is often situated in front of a home. This is often near the entryway and is often used to welcome guests and to entertain them during formal occasions.
The family room, on the other hand, is often located at the back of a house. It is near the kitchen and usually adjacent to the patio, deck or any outdoor space. This room is just reserved for the family and is often used daily. At times, close friends and relatives can be entertained there, too, although the gathering has to be casual.
Casual or Formal?
The furnishings in a family room and the living room are often the same in terms of function. Since these are both spaces where people gather or socialize, they both have seating units such as a group of chairs or a couch.
In a family room, though, the furnishings zero in on comfort and a more casual, laidback appearance. This is a spot where you are likelier to see recliners and plush, comfy sofas. In the living room, furnishings are often more stylish and, yes, a lot more formal. For instance, wingback chairs are quite popular in living rooms.
The living room is also a spot where family heirlooms are typically found (e.g. a grand piano; an old, valuable painting; wooden chest; etc.).
To Entertain or Not to Entertain
Family rooms, since they are casual, are the zones where the family gathers to play games or to watch their favorite TV shows. The family can also set up the DVD player and sound systems there. They can have this zone stocked with the classic and modern movies.
In the more formal living room, these essentials are not found. Here, you are likelier to find pieces of art and family portraits.
The Décor
A lot of modern homes now blur the differences between living rooms and the family room. It is appropriate to still define the difference between these spaces so that the proper tone and, eventually, the theme can be set.
The family room should have warm and inviting hues. It must also have plush and the most comfortable furniture pieces. It can also come with an entertainment system and lines of bookshelves.
The family can also be a space where immediate family members can relax and enjoy. Here, they can unwind and just be themselves without putting their best foot forward.
The living room must come with as different mood. This is a place for that elegant leather sectional. This is also the right spot to put that antique chaise. This is also a room where you can appropriately welcome your dinner party guests or even host your holiday get-togethers.
How to Arrange Family Room Furniture
The arrangement of the furniture all begins with the definition of a focal point. If the room comes with a fireplace then it automatically becomes the focal piece. However, having a TV set in there could cause a bit of confusion.
To avoid this confusing scenario, have the TV and the fireplace on different walls then have the other furniture pieces arranged toward the television.
Remember to place the biggest furniture opposite your focal point.
Next, be sure to create a conversation zone. Add a coffee table in front of your couch then set up some storage units for your board games and set up the shelves for some books.
Tags: family design, family room, family room design elements, family room style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on This is a Family Room (Be Confused No More)
Thursday, January 18th, 2018
The Hooker Furniture Dining Room Urban Elevation 44in Metal Dining Table is compact enough for a small condominium setting.
The high-rise residence industry is a booming industry. These small homes are sprouting almost everywhere as more and more real estate developers employ various strategies to make their projects stand out from the rest. More often than not, these residences are marketed to come with the most luxurious amenities.
If you’re thinking of investing in these tiny spaces then you might have made this decision based on these benefits –
Safety
Condo living is most appealing to people who do not want to be bothered by maintenance issues every now and then. Bigger homes require high maintenance but the smaller units are much easier to protect. All you need to install are a few CCTV cameras and fire alarm and you should be good. Condo unit owners now even have their own access cards so that unauthorized access to the unit is minimized or totally eradicated.
High Value
Investment in high-rise properties, especially the greener ones, is surely a sound decision. Inhabitants of these said units will save more because of the amount of energy that they are able to conserve. Also, expatriates seem to now prefer smaller apartments to bigger homes.
These smaller units are now much preferred, hence, they tend to command more in terms of market value.
Lower Ownership Costs
One of the leading reasons why condominium unit ownership has been attracting buyers is that you don’t need to own a piece of land. This is owning just a piece of property – a fairly-priced one at that – at a shorter period of time. The amenities and facilities that are also available in the building are what the condo owners get to enjoy.
Amazing Location
If you are a busy person who likes to save time and energy, then you would probably want to live near your office. You can now rest straightaway after a long day at work since you no longer need to commute to and from work. Walk just a few blocks and – voila – you’re home. You also don’t need to wake up too early just to compete in the morning rush.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Room Divider: Use this piece of furniture to define different zones in your condominium home.
Condo Design Elements
Now that you’ve decided to become a condo or townhouse owner, it is important that you learn the smart use of design elements. The right choice of colors can dramatically transform a boring unit into a lively one. You can replicate the color of the skies by painting the walls powder blue or you can simply use the color that enamors you. For this year, Pantone’s chosen color is Ultra Violet.
If you’re one who does not immediately embrace the pastel color scheme, there are many options such as warm wood tones and creamy furnishings. Add a wooden secretary and what you have is a traditionally awesome home.
Another amazing benefit of living in a condominium is the great view. Sometimes, there are even more than one stunning view. When you’re faced with this, you can redesign by adding crown molding right on the ceiling line. Instead of using white, though, paint this trim with a gold and tan fusion.
Next, a small home does not necessarily have to be boring. You can also glamorize by adding the correct kinds of accessories. Use glass surfaces and mirrors to reflect light throughout the space. This should make your home appear more spacious.
Add a punch by putting colorful throw pillows. Be sure to contrast their colors with the more grounded colors all throughout the space.
As to the kitchen, having white cabinets is the way to go since these will open up narrow spaces. Upper cabinet doors should have glass front doors to create the feeling of openness. Use glass knobs to complete the look.
Tags: condo design elements, condominium style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Condo Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Upscale Condo Living Made Fabulously Easy
Wednesday, January 17th, 2018
Tempur-Pedic Accessories TEMPUR Contour Side-to-Side Pillow is equal to a sound night’s sleep.
It is no rocket science that man needs a good night’s sleep if he ever wants to function well the following day. Understanding the importance of sleep means knowing how sleep is directly responsible for man’s vital functions. Drifting to sleep means you are ready to –
Heal damaged body cells
Boost the immune system
Revitalize your tired body
Recharge your heart and cardiovascular system.
Defining the Sleep Cycle
Understanding the sleep process means comprehending the cycles that happen during this time. There are two known recurring phases which are the REM or rapid eye movement and the NREM or non-rapid eye movement.
NREM occupies about 75-80% of your entire sleep. Majority of the health benefits of sleeping happen during your NREM sleep. This is when tissue growth as well as repairs occur. Here is also when hormones are restored and growth is maximized.
REM, on the other hand, happens at 20-25% of your sleep. In this kind of sleep, you tend to dream, thus, your mind processes and consolidates your memories, emotions, and de-stresses you. This is also a crucial part of learning as the brain regions are stimulated during this phase. You also develop new skills as you undergo REM sleep.
If both cycles are uninterrupted, then your body processes can be optimized. If snoring, waking up or difficulty of breathing happens, though, then you miss out on the health benefits. Also, you tend to feel drowsy, depressed, and irritable during the morning.
If sleep impediments continue to happen every night, then you are putting yourself under a tremendous amount of strain. Talk to your doctor and make some decisions regarding your pillow and mattress choices.
Tempur Contour Your Sleep
Tempur-Pedic is a leading brand in mattress innovation. It is a name that is equated to the innovative approach to meeting consumers’ sleeping needs. The Tempur foam was first introduced in 1992. It has evolved greatly from the NASA studies done in the ‘70s. This was initially introduced as a cushion used in their space programs.
Every Tempur mattress and pillow is made with a comfortable layer of varying foams. The viscoelastic polyurethane foam offers better airflow because of its open cells. You will also feel soft sinking and not a drowning kind of rest. Tempur pieces are famous for their individualized softness.
Advances in technology has provided a higher level of comfort and quality in Tempur products. The company is not just focused on bedding technology anymore. They have also expanded their supplies to stuffed animals.
Just like most foam mattresses, layering is the key to ultra-comfort and air circulation. Tempur pieces have better spaces between these layers. The cooling cover is called the SmartClimate which protects the inner part of the mattress while providing optimum air circulation.
The Contour Elite is a mattress that is 12.5 inches thick with four foam layers. Its first layer is made of 1.2 inches of high density layer. Beneath this are the two layers which come up to 8.9 inches of poly foam. The bottom layers are the support base and providers of added air circulation. They also control heat transfer so that you enjoy your night’s sleep instead of tossing to and fro due to extreme heat.
Despite the many competitors in the market, Tempur-Pedic remains the leading name when it comes to memory foam comfort. From 2016 to 2017, the company has released its new line of mattresses and pillows to meet the ever-growing demands of their many customers.
The firm surface is still there and it provides an improved amount of support to the natural spine curves. It has also been found to alleviate back pain.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Tempur, Tempur bedding, Tempur mattress, Tempur pillow, Tempur-Pedic
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Tempur Contour and Your Good Night’s Sleep
Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
Uttermost Accessories Driftwood Candleholders S/2 18775: Display your scented candles in these lovely, rustic pieces.
Every home has its own odors. This is a combination of the odors of the furniture, people that live there, perfume, after-shave cologne, and even the food that’s cooked there. Most of the time, these are just the aroma of food and other pleasant smells but there are also moments when a part of the house just smells bad.
The Funky Garbage Odor
If you don’t know how to properly dispose of your garbage then you’d probably have awful odors soon. Don’t put the onion peelings, potato skins, banana peelings, and leftover foods down the disposal. These could lead to a plumbing issue overtime since they begin to decay and they could smell pretty awful.
Keeping your disposal odor-free can be as easy as grinding some ice then sprinkling it at the disposal. Use running water after then continue to grind.
You can also put a stopper then add a three-inch deep warm water. Mix a handful of baking soda then turn the disposal on. Of course, pull the stopper before you do this. The sucking motion should pull the mixture into the disposal unit, cleaning everything in its path.
If your problem, however, are your garbage cans, then you can mix a cleaning solution using warm water and white vinegar. Let the solution sit in the can for a few minutes before you dump the contents of the can. For extra smelly garbage, use coffee grounds which are best for neutralizing smells.
Pet Odors
Cat or dog odors can be a tough task. If you want to get rid of any wet dog smell or cat odors, then you would need a bit more of patience since these scents can become embedded in fibers. Find a dry product which you can sprinkle throughout the affected areas. It should be able to absorb the odors. Vacuum it all up later after you let the dry cleaning product sit for a few minutes.
As for smelly dogs (of course you won’t be able to eradicate the odors indoors if your pet smells bad all the time), ask your vet for any cologne that won’t harm his fur.
Cigar Smoke Odors
Did you notice that cigarette smoke is so difficult to keep at bay? Even when you request your guests to smoke outside, it seems that the smoky odors still seep through into your home.
Here’s a fix – pour some white vinegar on a hand towel. Wring out the extra vinegar. Now, take the towel throughout your house then swing the towel in the air. This should eradicate the smell of smoke in that particular area without you breathing in harmful cleaning chemicals.
The Uttermost Accessories Nicia Bronze Candleholder can also be used as a potpourri holder.
Sweat Odors
We all know the odors that dirty clothes give off. These stink so bad especially the workout clothes. To ascertain that these smell would not come out of the wash area, use half a cup of washing soda on your laundry. This should directly take the odors off the garments.
Smelly Bathroom
No one would want to go into a stinky bathroom. Here’s a natural recipe that will freshen up this part of your home –
Three parts water
One part vodka (the cheap type)
10 to 20 drops of essential oil like citrus, eucalyptus or lavender.
Here are other DIY diffuser and candle recipes –
The Reed diffuser can be made with ¼ cup of carrier oil (or a third of distilled water)
Add 25 drops of essential oil
Add alcohol then stir. Add the mixture to the measuring cup or jar. Insert the reeds or sticks into this jar.
The lilac room spray can last for a couple of weeks. You may want to do this scent yourself by mixing vodka, water, and lilac fragrance oil. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and spray throughout the bathroom or any smelly room in your home.
Tags: different home odors, getting rid of home odors, home odors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How to Get Rid of Awful Odors in Your Home
Monday, January 15th, 2018
Maitland-Smith Accessories Amber Finished Cast Brass Pug Dog On Multicolored Leather Books 1059-293
To the Chinese, the year 2018 is the year of the earth dog. This is the time to be fair, honest, and to build integrity of one’s character. The dog is an animal that has a strong sense of smell so it can sense the truth and easily expose corruption. The earth element, on the other hand, is believed to bring stability, healing, and health.
Feng Shui is a part of Chinese medicine wherein health is believed to be restored or maintained when in a peaceful and calm ambiance. Take the time this Year of the Earth Dog to turn your home into a haven. Here are some tips to refine your habitat and make it auspicious this year –
Stop Mess, Declutter
Before the mess even builds up, be sure to stop the mess. Learn the habit of tidying up as you go whether you’re in the kitchen, home office or the living room. Doesn’t it feel more peaceful and calm when you come home to a non-chaotic environment?
The Year of the Dog is an awesome time to learn cleaning habits. Just like a trained dog, you need to develop routines and schedule structures in order to maintain a clutter-free environment.
Especially in your home office, it would be unfavorable to just leave a mess during the weekend and let it stay there until the next week.
Uttermost Accessories Stowaway Dog Prints S/2 33678
Examine Your Front Door
The Chinese believe that luck can only enter a home if the front door is lucky to begin with. Be sure to clean up the entryway so that good luck will be welcomed this year. Take the time to sweep, wash, and vacuum your porch, front steps, the entry hall, even the lobby. Wherever you find an entrance, be sure that that area is clean.
These entryways must be well-lit and welcoming. Check the lighting fixtures, the doorbell (see whether it still works), and look for scuff marks that need a fresh coat of paint.
Soften the Energy in the Dining Room
The Year of the Earth Dog is a year of marriage and partnership improvements, too. After concentrating on these aspects, another thing that you need to look into is how to welcome a softer energy in the dining room.
Begin by standing in the entryway of the dining room. Take a more careful look at this room this time. To soften this space, you would need softer curves instead of pointy edges. So, this is a perfect set for oval-shaped tables, round mirrors, etc.
The dining room is the best spot to place your gold tones this year as well as earthen tones and other soft colors. Red is not such a good idea in this area this year. Remember that you need to soften the energy so make this area less stimulating.
Paint a Room
Energy can be transformed by merely adding a new coat of paint. Every home that has like-colored walls in different rooms would do well to alter a hue or two this year. Instead of using metal elements, use a different-colored paint of the same shade or a complementary color.
Even a change of backsplash in the kitchen would be a huge leap. Great colors for smaller rooms include light blue or a light green. Be sure to find the restful shades of these colors, though, or you’d be left with a bedroom or a bathroom that’s too energetic.
The heart of your home, in Chinese medicine, is the living room. This should be a lively and bright place so fill it with fire colors such as purple (you may consider Ultra Violet which is the Pantone 2018 Color of the Year), red, and shades of red.
The dining room is where the earth element is so fill it with terra cotta, gold tones, and other soft, yin colors this year.
The bedroom which holds the metal element can be painted cream, white or with soft pastels. As for the bathroom, use quitter and calmer colors such as light blue.
Lastly, don’t forget to bring in some lucky plants such as the Chinese evergreen, jade plant, and the peace plant.
Tags: Earth Dog, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Year of the Dog, Year of the Earth Dog
Posted in 2018 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Designing Your Home in 2018: Year of the Earth Dog
Friday, January 12th, 2018
Relax and sunbathe on the new deck as you lie on the American Leather Living Room Right Arm Seating Chaise.
If you live in a region where good weather comes all-year-round, then you must enjoy it to the fullest. In order to do this, you to be able to go outside, to begin with. If you live in a home, though, that is lacking in lovely outdoor space, then that’s a reason for you to become a little more creative because outdoor living is simply in these days and adding a deck is a most-requested project among many designers.
There are now a lot of durable materials, accessories, and outdoor furniture to choose from as well as shade options. These are the reasons why more and more homeowners want to have their own deck.
An extension outdoor is also a way of extending your living space while enjoying outdoor beauty. This can be a great area for just hanging out with friends, lounging with family, reading a book or dining.
Differentiate Deck from Patio
The first thing that you need to consider is if you really need a patio, a deck or both.
A patio sits on flat ground is often made of pavers, concrete, flagstone or wood. It would be costly to set up a patio on a sloping surface since you will need retaining walls for the level surface.
A deck is a kind of platform that comes with decked tiles or boards. These are usually made of hardwood or a composite material.
The deck is the best kind of outdoor extension if your property comes with sloped yards. This is a place where you can finally have a flat surface where there used to be rolling hills. This is also a wonderful option for homes that sit above the ground.
You can go as high as you want with a deck. A platform deck is the best choice for homes that sit higher than 14 inches from the ground.
You can choose the patio or the deck on their own or you can build a deck that steps down to your patio.
Deck Uses
Typically, homeowners want a multipurpose deck. This is an area where the family can eat, hang out or cook. The sky’s the limit, actually, with regard to the activities that you can do in this space. Depending also on your budget, you can even consider installing an outdoor television, a fire pit, a fireplace, a small outdoor kitchen, a water feature, even a hot tub.
Figure out what you would do with the deck that is about to be set up. Doing so will let you realize what size and safety measures will be set. You also need to know what the level of foot traffic would be. If you will be hosting a lot of parties, then you need a more durable material for your flooring as well as your outdoor furniture.
The last thing that you would want is to build a deck that’s too small or actually too large for your actual needs. Think also on how you can still have privacy on the deck. You wouldn’t want the entire neighborhood spying on your latest party.
Cachet Collection’s Drum Table is perfect as an accent piece and also as a storage unit.
Accessibility
Another thing that you need to consider when building a deck is how you and your family will be able to access it. If you already have a door that leads directly outdoors then, congratulations, that’s the perfect spot to begin.
But if you’re setting up a deck in a place where there’s no door, then you will need to make a budget for the opening of a wall. If you are going to break down a load-bearing wall, then that’s going to be a bigger issue.
Material Choices
Flooring options for decks are composite boards and wood. Wood has always been the more dominant of the two. The former are engineered pieces compared to the natural beauty that wood offers.
Consider also the shade options for your retractable awnings, umbrellas, or screened-in porch. Lastly, don’t forget the lighting. Whatever theme you chose, just make sure that the lighting fixture that you get will complement the rest of the design elements.
Tags: deck, deck design, deck style, deck vs. patio, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, patio vs. deck
Posted in Accents, Outdoors Style | Comments Off on The Joys of Adding a Deck to Your Home
Thursday, January 11th, 2018
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose Landscape Mirror
If you seek a place where you can quietly unwind, then you would probably think about the privacy that a powder room/bathroom can offer. If you also want a place where you can primp, then this is also the right spot. With the right design elements, you can be able to create an atmosphere of style and serenity in this zone.
You can always begin beautifying your powder bathroom by filling it with polished and luxurious hardware. Make good use also of elegant and colorful tiles which are known to establish a Shangri-La-inspired look.
Remember that the powder room is the room where your guests freshen up. You can make a statement in this part of your home no matter how small it may be. Decide whether you would want to go understated, contemporary or traditional.
The powder room slash bathroom is also the perfect chance to show your bold side. You can afford to be excited about your design without affecting the rest of your home.
If you want to get this same look in your own powder bathroom, then you have to learn a few iconic elements of design –
Remember Patterns, Colors, and Prints that Enthuse
The best place to begin creating a bold and difficult-to-ignore powder bathroom are the walls. Painting those with a new color is an inexpensive and easy way to start. Try bright colors such as lime or go for the more saturated ones such as burgundy.
If you don’t want to commit to a completely new paint color, then you can transition with wallpapers. There is now a wide selection of patterns and prints to choose from. If you want to have an African-inspired powder room, then find a wallpaper that says so.
It’s All About the Play of Lights
That noticeable powder room must also be a well-lit zone. It must if especially if you want to show everyone your decorative pieces there. Put lights all around the bathroom mirror for a touch of Hollywood lifestyle.
You can also light the space up with an elegant crystal chandelier. Being bold does not necessarily equate to having an eccentric lighting fixture. It can also mean finding the right pieces that will play together with the rest of the design elements so that – all together – they are able to achieve a balanced room that makes a powerful statement.
Century Furniture Living Room Giselle Jewel Box Ottoman I39-610
Find Bling-blings
That bold powder bathroom is only bold if you also enhance it with ornate cabinet pulls or faucets. Find fixtures that strike you, those that really stand out. You can find a lot of bejeweled furniture pieces nowadays.
Cabinet pulls shaped like birds or fish are also available.
Startle with Artwork
Would you like to keep your guests in awe? Why let their amazement stop once they leave the living room? Make a statement with a bold artwork that will surely capture the attention of visitors.
Consider getting a nautical painting or any nature-themed piece. You can also display a replica of a famous artist’s painting.
The Vanity as a Focal Point
More often than not, the vanity is the focal point of a powder room, more so when you are emphasizing the bold move that you have made with your powder bathroom remodel.
Consider adding a high-end cabinet with dark, polished wood. A chrome wash basin would also be a nice addition.
Mirror, Mirror
Mirrors are known to add light, depth, and drama to any room. If you want your powder bathroom to be more amazing, then you have to know how to effectively use mirrors.
Adding a mirror can definitely alter the mood in your powder room especially, say, if it is reflecting a lovely crystal chandelier or a notable artwork.
Just be sure to hang the mirror where it matters the most.
Tags: bathroom style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, powder room, powder room design
Posted in Accents, Bathroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How Can I Create a Powder Bathroom Statement?
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018
The Uttermost Accessories Wool Poufs pop from the neutral wood flooring.
How do you feel when you are exposed to the sunshiny coasts and salty air of coastal towns? Coastal homes are lucky to feel the crispness of the fresh air and the brightness of the life-giving sun almost every day.
Coastal design is a decorative theme that is inspired by nautical accents and weathered furniture. It also infuses different shades of blue, pale finishes, and other maritime elements (e.g. anchors, compass, helms, and replica or preserved pieces of marine life).
Whether you have a home in the middle of Malibu or you live elsewhere but would want to have a home that looks beachy all-year-round, it is the same. You have to know which elements should be included and which ones should not even be seen in your habitat.
Marine Colors
The coastal palette is often inspired by beach colors such as the color of the ocean, the greenness of the sea foams, the grays of a driftwood, and the neutrality of the brown sand. You can also be bold and decorate with hints of crimson and then you will have achieved the preppy, tailored look.
Coral bursts are also very much welcome as they can add a pop of color to softer hues. In order to emphasize the freshness of your surroundings, you can add decorative elements with sails, cream curtains, and other marine-colored linens.
Marine Stripes
There are very few elements that are tried and tested in terms of giving you the perfect marina or coastal look. Thick stripes or even pinstripes can capture the beholder’s attention. They also give the impression that you have a wider space or a higher ceiling depending on which way the stripes go.
Get inspiration from beach chairs as well as the sailor outfits. Use wide stripes, cabana-style, to balance the rest of the decorative elements.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Black Iron Coral Motif Console Table, Green Stone Base, Brass Accents, Beveled Glass Top comes with the right coastal elements for your beach-inspired home.
Sea Corals
Using corals as a decorative element adds vibrance to any coastal home. Have you seen the colors of the coral reefs? There are so many hues to choose from. Add coastal décor and you will have staged a Bohemian look as well with reference to the oceans and Mother Nature in general.
What’s Coastal Life without Wicker?
Giving your home a weathered look (which is needful for this theme because of the constant spray of seawater brought about by strong sea breezes) is as easy as adding some wicker chairs. Comfortable and durable wicker chairs are a staple in indoor seating and patio pieces.
Glass Accessories
Choose the right glass accessories for your coastal-themed home. Your home will definitely sparkle like the glint of the sun on water if you are able to pick the right pieces.
Find the green or blue glass options which best capture the hues of the oceans.
Driftwood + Rope
Driftwoods present a ghostly silhouette for any space. What could be a more natural finish for your coastal space than this? Find driftwood décor such as lamps, frames, and other pieces.
As for rope accents, be sure to use those with natural fibers. Ropes lend an apt nautical touch to your theme especially when they are used as wall art, on baskets, and as decorative accessories.
Hardwood Floors and Furniture
Hardwood pieces are not only beautiful, they are also timeless. Wood pieces are elegant and warm while flooring made of hardwood provides the classic look that makes visitors cozy up to your place.
Pouf as Added Seating
Pouf is mobile, miniature versions of the ottoman. They are flexible to use and they can provide comfy seating.
Play around with the textures and styles of various poufs. Check out those with preppy colors like coral, crimson, and navy blue to make your work of decorating your home a lot easier.
Woven Baskets Galore
Choose the rope or wicker types if you want to add woven baskets as extra storage units.
Tags: beach interior design, beach interiors, marina decorative elements, marina design, marina style, marina-inspired home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Coastal Feel All-Year-Long
Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
You just gotta love the floral embellishments on this Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Home Office Fleur de Glee Writing Desk.
Decorative painting can easily turn any living space into a real beauty. When you have ample time to take on this project as a do-it-yourself task, then do so. It may not be easy but it can be fun and truly rewarding.
Decorative painting is both a representational as well as a non-representational painting on any architectural element. This can also be any article of applied art.
Primarily, decorative painting is crucial in many architectural projects. It is often used to embellish interior and exterior parts of many structures. It can either hide architectonics or it can accentuate a lovely part. Decorative paintings are often applied directly to the ceilings or walls.
Commonly used media are tempera, fresco, glue paints, and oil paints (in some cases). Silicate paints became popular in the late part of the 19th century.
Decorative Painting on Textiles
Another kind of decorative painting is textile embellishment. In folk arts, decorative painting is often seen as an independent local art branch. Decorative painters come up with their own artistic expressions, often, in their attempt to imitate others. These artists often develop amazing techniques and go through intensive labors.
Decorative painting is an art form that is diverse that it makes use of different techniques and media in order to decorate spaces or beautify even a non-functional surface.
Since the development of the most sophisticated and systematic methods of decorative painting, many have tried this kind of art. The freehand designs, as well as the patterns, now allow a higher amount of success even without formal or academic training.
Even those without drawing abilities are now enticed to become creative and crafts-loving people. Those who embrace contemporary art learn that there is a myriad of decorative painting options. There are also those that infuse the styles of the past into their contemporary work. These are the ones that present the pieces that can easily become a heritage to the next generations.
Tole Painting
Tole painting is the term commonly used in describing decorative painting that’s applied to surfaces made of tin. People from New England are most familiar with the term.
Contemporary decorative painting is seen in folk arts in Norway, Sweden, Russia, Germany, Mexico, and England. Stenciling, bronzing, faux finishing, country painting, gold leafing, graining, and theorem are all facets of the Early American type of decorative painting.
Tole painting can be learned by anyone who is willing to put a little time and effort in practicing some techniques. You don’t have to be a master of color schemes or drawing. There are actually a lot of designers all over the world who have come up with their own tole paintings in books and homes.
You can begin by adding basic designs on the level of a beginner.
Sponge Painting
The fun part of decorative painting is wanting to surround yourself with color and other decorative elements. Buy a painted chair, paint an old candelabrum, decorate your own tissue box, or simply treat a blank wall as your canvas and you’re already on the path to adding visual punch to your home.
Sponge painting is a quick way to provide a subtle texture as well as depth onto your walls. Don’t worry about messing up because it is easy to fix less-than-perfect spots.
You will need the following –
Semi-gloss or high-sheen paint
Clear latex glaze
Paper plates
Two natural sponges
Two paint buckets
Stir stick
Cardboard
Sponge roller or Trim brush
Newspaper
Procedure
Base coat a dry wall using your paint roller. Let dry before applying the second coat. Allow to dry then use painter’s tape to mask the areas around windows, doors, the floor, and the ceiling.
Mix one part of high-gloss paint with four parts of clear latex glaze. Fill the second bucket with water (about half full). The second bucket will be used for sponge rinsing. As for the paint mixture, use the paper plate as your palette.
Dampen the sponge, wring thoroughly, and then dip into the paint mixture. Blot onto the newspaper then apply the sponging technique to your walls.
Tags: decorative painting, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Decorative Painting: Taking Blank Walls to New, Stylish Heights
Monday, January 8th, 2018
What details do you see on the Hooker Furniture Living Room Chester Stationary Sofa?
When you’ve been seriously thinking about updating your sofa, you might want to look at other factors apart from the fabric. The details like banding, tufting, and nailheads can present a dressed up sofa or one that’s just casual.
Learn which ones can make your sofa appear more traditional, modern, or simply spectacular.
The Sofa Seam
One element that makes a sofa unique is the seam. Seam styles vary greatly from one sofa to the next. If you have no idea what a seam looks like, then find the edges right where the fabric is sewn. This may be a small part of the sofa and its impact may even be subtle but this is one of those things that can make your sofa look casual or formal.
The Sofa Flat Stitches
There are various stitch types but there are only some that produce a flat-looking seam. Top stitches are quite common and as are the blind seam and the French seam. The overall look that these types of stitches provide is a modern one. Compared to welts, they are less fancy because they are meant to tone down sofas.
The Sofa Welt
That part of your sofa that appears like a thin cord and runs along its seams are your welts. These are also commonly found on seat cushion and throw pillow edges. Welts add a tailored look to your sofa, hence, they make your sofa appear more traditional.
Make this part of your seat pop by making it a different color from the fabric. Graphic touches work well with pieces that come in distinct shapes.
The Sofa Skirt Banding
If your sofa has a skirt, then you can have a band added. This is a different kind of fabric that’s sewn at the bottom. It is about 1-9 inches wide and it used to break up the upholstery’s monotony. When you’re going to use it, though, be sure to limit it to just one seating unit and not the entire furniture fleet as these bands can also overwhelm.
The Non-skirt Banding Type
Banding can also be used on sofas that do not have a skirt. This is done when half an inch of fabric is added at the bottom then keep the piece in place by adding nailheads.
This is a wonderful decorative style in more traditional settings. If you want an ultra-modern setup, then this is not your go-to design.
The Sofa Flange
This is a fabric right on the cushion which extends beyond the sofa seam. You are bound to see a border that resembles a flat fabric. This is also used on sofa cushions, throws, and slipcovered seating units.
A sofa flange is supposed to give the seat a more formal appearance.
The Sofa Diamond Tufting
If you’ve seen depressions on the most stylish sofas in the past, then you have probably seen tufting. This is created by pulling a button and threading it through the fabric. Tufting that creates a diamond pattern is known as the diamond tuft – quite an apt name don’t you think?
Diamond tufting offers a formal or a more traditional look. The buttons’ fabrics can also be altered. Use faux pearls if you want to up the level of poshness in your living room.
There are many other kinds of tufting. Find out if the waffle tuft, which is created through the sewing of fabric together, is the style for you. This kind is not too fancy so it’s alright to use in masculine or Mid-century style homes.
The Sofa Nailhead Trim
Nailhead trim is most apt for rustic, modern or formal surroundings, meaning, it is highly adaptable. While it is seen as a more traditional decorative element, you still can use it with a mixture of traditional and modern.
Nailheads are commonly seen on sofa borders either at one part of the seating unit or throughout the entire piece.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sofa, sofa characteristics, sofa decorative elements, sofa design elements, sofa designs, sofa parts, sofa qualities
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Let’s Go Sofa Shopping
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