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Saturday, January 6th, 2018
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Damasque Demi Console 638-85027
If you’re thinking of having a European vibe for your home this 2018, then you would never go wrong. This style has been around for so long that it has become a classic look that’s to-die-for.
European home plans are often one to two-story homes that are reminiscent of the Old World habitats. These structures are elegant and refined in every way. While they are still pretty visible today, they are seen to be most suitable for homes with larger lots.
European homes are known to be grand. Their exteriors come in two or more finishes ranging from materials such as brick, stucco, and stone. The rooflines differ but each one is able to deliver a look that would make you imagine of castles with rich ornaments.
Other noticeable outdoor features include copper roof, ornate keystones, bayed windows, and quoins that accent the corners.
If you’re looking to set up a Southern European home, then it encompasses Tuscan, Italian, and Mediterranean house styles. Know that these regions are often warm so they are designed with outdoor living also in mind.
It is common to find courtyards, large doors and windows, and stucco exteriors. You will also generally find arched windows and entryways. There are also those that come with low-pitched roofs in tiles.
Casual elegance is the name of the game. This is what you should envision when you are setting up a European home that’s influenced by the south. To have finer and more elegant features, you should make room for stairways and grand entrances, formal and spacious dining rooms, music rooms, and libraries complete with rows upon rows of books.
In a nutshell, here are the features that you must not miss –
Marge Carson Bedroom Cross Channel Nightstand CRC12
These trademarks define what Old World style is all about – it is comfortable, relaxed, yet it is also uniquely interesting what with its rich textures, colors, and varying materials.
European or Old World Décor
European design is a melting pot of different styles like French antiques, marble, earthy materials, limestone, and tiles. There are crucial elements to include such as sizeable furniture, wall texture, deep textures also on flooring and fabrics used.
You are bound to encounter the following styles as you set up your European home – Tuscan, French Country, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian villa, and French chateau.
You can get influences from just one area or fuse different elements from these different styles. Just go for whatever is most suitable. If this means combining a Tuscan breakfast nook with your Italian villa, then you’re good.
European Colors
More often than not, Old World styling requires rustic, worn, and a generally inviting atmosphere so find colors such as shades of red, golds, hunter greens, dark-stained woods, navy, forest green, ocher, cream, and burgundy. It is also fairly common to find distressed silver and gold finishes as well as glazed, painted or sanded surfaces to make the pieces look aged.
European Textures
European fabrics and textures include brocades, Aubusson rugs, tassels, fringe, beaded, trim, silks (the more radiant, the better), leather, stripes, cotton prints (the small ones are best), velvet (lots and lots of this), and tapestry patterns.
European Accents
When setting up a European home, be sure to include pottery, wrought-iron pieces, terra cotta, pieces of damask fabric, damask draperies, and distressed finishes. Richly-woven fabrics and rugs are most welcome in this kind of interior design. Cap the look by adding interesting knick-knacks.
Tags: European interior design, European interiors, European style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on European Style: Hip and In for 2018
Friday, January 5th, 2018
Whether you have a larger glass surface to clean such as the windows on the first photograph or smaller slats such as the one on the second photo, you need to make sure that you have the right tools to finish the job. Featured furniture pieces are the Poster King Bed from Fine Furniture Design’s Belvedere and the Charleston Panel Queen Bed from the American Cherry Collection.
After the holidays, you may have taken the time to sit down and just ponder over what happened. While sitting in your favorite chair and sipping a mug of hot chocolate, you suddenly realize that your windows are full of smears and streaks. Well, it is the time for some post-holiday cleanup.
Most homeowners tend to overlook window cleaning. Some clean their windows once in a blue moon. You may be one of those who take this work for granted but you should know that a simple cleanup in this area of your home could lead to many benefits.
First, you will let in more natural light as the glass on the windows become clearer. Sea spray, mortar, acid rain, oxidation, and other contaminants tend to destroy the surface of glass but regularly cleaning your windows should be able to prevent these from permeating the glass.
So brighten your home and add more Vitamin D to your system by simply cleaning the glass panes on your windows.
And just like many surfaces in your home, grime and dirt also tend to build up on your windows (whether the indoor or outdoor part). The dirt does not just make the window appear dull but it can also increase the number of allergens in the room.
Allergens can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems.
Another benefit of cleaning windows is to make your home more appealing. It is a huge turnoff to see what-would-have-been a lovely home had it come with clean windows. Make your home more attractive by cleaning the windows more regularly.
Window Cleanup Made Easy
Regular window cleaning can also give your window a lengthier life since contaminants such as oxidation and hard water can make glass weaker. Professional window cleaning thoroughly removes dirt from your windows and would even make them appear brand new.
If you are a huge DIY enthusiast, though, you can also take on this project. You can begin by simply vacuuming the window tracks and sills. This simple task should remove the dust, spider webs, and even some bugs. If the windows are installed with blinds, then be sure to clean those, too.
If you want to clean just like the pros, then buy a squeegee, dish soap, and boil some water. Work a little lather then have this soapy solution applied to the glass surfaces of your windows. You can then squeegee the soapy foam off.
Another simple way to clean window surfaces is to buy those cloths that are used to clean eyeglasses. Many pharmacies sell those and they have been found to be quite effective in wiping off spots on glass surfaces. All you need is a spritz or two of water, wipe it off with the eyeglass wiper, and then you’re good.
Now, how about those extremely high windows in your home? You can still reach those by having a telescoping microfiber duster. Spray some water onto this duster and this should be able to remove the light dust buildup that is usually found there.
For problematic streaks, be sure to clean and dry using a horizontal motion. On the inside, do this task vertically. If you still have a streak, then the horizontal streak will reveal that it is outdoors while a vertical one will mean that you have to deal with an indoor streak.
Have you ever been intrigued by how effective newspapers are in cleaning glass surfaces? While they do avoid smears and streaks, you have to be careful in cleaning glass windows near white walls or white trim.
Newspapers leave a grimy, oily film on glass surfaces (effective for keeping streaks at bay) but they can also add dark smudges to white or wood trims and walls.
Use a microfiber cloth for such areas instead.
Tags: cleaning the windows, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, post-holiday cleanup, window cleanup
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Post-holiday Cleanup: How to Have Streak-free Windows
Thursday, January 4th, 2018
Canadel Kitchen Island ISL4836-T8
If you have long dreamt of a kitchen remodel, then this year, this could be the right project for you. It’s 2018, and it’s time to know that not all kitchen remodels involve toppling down walls or rerouting your electrical frameworks. It also does not mean that you have to make do with mere wallpaper replacement.
Even if you don’t do these huge reconfiguring projects, know that there are so many things that you can do to improve the look of your kitchen this year.
The $100 Kitchen Remodel
This all begins by changing the wall color. Kitchens often have limited wall space which equates to you not spending a lot to repaint it with the color that you want. May we just remind you that Pantone’s Color of the Year if Ultra Violet which is a delicious shade of purple.
If you won’t even hire someone to do the painting job for you, then your only expense will be that gallon of paint and some essential painting supplies.
The $300 Kitchen Project
With $200 extra budget, you can now go alter the art print as well as shop for a new lighting fixture. You can now add these to your wall painting project. A swap for a lighting fixture that looks tired can make that much-needed change in your kitchen.
If you still have ample budget left, then replace the rest of your kitchen lights or pour it all on that fancier pendant light above your kitchen island.
Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B209HA
The $500 Kitchen Look
At this budget, you can afford to alter the paint, hang your choice of art, get some new lighting, and even add a shelf or two. It’s up to you to choose between closed or open shelves – each has its own set of fans.
Providing ample storage changes the way your dishes and other kitchen accessories would be displayed, hence, it improves the overall aesthetics of your kitchen.
The $700 Kitchen Appearance
After all the said changes, you can also consider adding more budget so you can have a new faucet. Kitchen faucet replacements cost less than replacing the entire sink. Get something metallic instead of plastic for your replacement faucets.
The Thousand Dollar Kitchen Style
If you have $1,000 to spend, you can seriously think of updating the look of your kitchen sink. This is the perfect way to cap your new paint, brand new lighting fixtures, art, and accessories. If the new sink looks different from the old one, then make room for adjustments on your counter and cabinetry.
The $1,500 Kitchen Fashion
Now, you can go ahead and have your kitchen painted, installed with new lighting, invest in new shelves, add a sink, and even change the details on your cabinets such as new pulls and knobs. Don’t just repaint the doors of old cabinets. Perhaps, this year is the perfect time to finally replace them.
The $5,000 Kitchen Makeover
Along with furniture, lighting, and other fixture updates, you can now make greater impact in your kitchen. There are many options for kitchen counter materials. Consider having a butcher block with marble. Take the time to hunt around for the great-looking counter that will totally alter the look of your kitchen this year.
The $10,000 Kitchen Extravaganza
With all the wonderful additions already mentioned, what more can you do to make your kitchen remodel the most appealing project for you this year?
With more room in your budget, you can now go ahead and add new appliances and furniture sets. Avoid installation costs by selecting appliances that would fit the same spaces where your old ones used to sit.
Tags: kitchen design, kitchen makeover, kitchen remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Kitchen Design | Comments Off on Budget-based Kitchen Remodels
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Charoite Deep Purple Buffet Lamp 29346: Thick, deep purple, seeded glass accented with polished nickel plated details and a crystal finial. The tapered round hardback shade is a charcoal linen fabric with natural slubbing and purple double trim.
It’s time to let go of millennial pink. Everyone, say hello to this year’s featured color – purple.
The Pantone Color Institute has now unveiled its choice for 2018’s Color of the Year. It picked an awesome hue that, without a doubt, conveys originality as well as ingenuity. Purple is a complex and distinctive hue that can easily fascinate because of its enigmatic presence.
Pantone Ultra Violet
What could be a more intriguing color for this year? This will also become an inevitable color that will be extensively used on the catwalk. Expect mixed reviews, of course, as purple is an intense hue, one that’s not used too often in interior design as well as decorating.
Greenery, last year’s Pantone color of the year was also a bold choice but it was quite easy to use in many homes because green is associated with Mother Nature. Green is a favorable color, more often than not, so it was regarded as a neutral addition, one that architects and interior designers readily embraced.
But what to do now with purple? Should you be limited to purple accents?
Let us understand that this annual announcement on Pantone’s favored color for the year is not an automatic call to redecorate your home. Not a lot of homeowners are willing to do this so find out how you can incorporate this year’s in color without strapping your home of its current look.
Begin by finding furnishings as well as decorative accessories that come in purple. For people who love this color but are hesitant to use it in their home are now at liberty to find pieces that they can use.
Pantone Ultra Violet offers a lot of potential for your home. If you use it properly, you would even be surprised at the great look that you can achieve.
Ultra Violet is a deeply-saturated color. It is lush and it can create impact even with just small applications. You can add a punch of purple in the living room through your purple throws. You can still have the rest of the room in a light and bright setup.
You can also have a chill vibe in the living room as you work with splashes of purple in a contemporary setting. A purple living room is as relaxing as it could get after a stressful day at the office.
Purple can also be added to the bathroom for increased elegance. Believe it or not, this is a soothing color, one that can calm your nerves more specifically, which is why it is great to use in the bathroom.
You can have a standalone bathtub in purple. This will surely become the effortless focal point inside that room. If you’re feeling up to make a statement this year, then have your bathroom walls bathed in purple tiles. You will surely be chic this year with your choice. Just make sure that you truly want this color since you’ll be living with it for years to come.
Since purple is recognized as a calming color, naturally, it is an obvious choice for the bedroom. Use a more intense color for the headboard wall while the rest of the walls come at a lighter shade of the same color.
Uttermost Accessories Iris Beauties Floral Prints S/6 33636: A delightful collection of purple irises. Prints are under glass and surrounded by frames featuring a dark walnut finish accented by an inner lip with a champagne silver finish.
Now onto the dining room – if blue is believed to suppress the appetite, then can be safe with purple. It is a fusion of blue (appetite suppressant) and red (appetite stimulant) so it can balance the way you enjoy your food with your family.
All in all, Pantone Ultra Violet is a unique hue for any room in your home. Just make sure to use it in a room where ample light can get in during the morning so that the color won’t look gloomy.
It’s time to let go of millennial pink. Everyone, say hello to this year’s featured color – purple.
The Pantone Color Institute has now unveiled its choice for 2018’s Color of the Year. It picked an awesome hue that, without a doubt, conveys originality as well as ingenuity. Purple is a complex and distinctive hue that can easily fascinate because of its enigmatic presence.
Pantone Ultra Violet
What could be a more intriguing color for this year? This will also become an inevitable color that will be extensively used on the catwalk. Expect mixed reviews, of course, as purple is an intense hue, one that’s not used too often in interior design as well as decorating.
Greenery, last year’s Pantone color of the year was also a bold choice but it was quite easy to use in many homes because green is associated with Mother Nature. Green is a favorable color, more often than not, so it was regarded as a neutral addition, one that architects and interior designers readily embraced.
But what to do now with purple? Should you be limited to purple accents?
Let us understand that this annual announcement on Pantone’s favored color for the year is not an automatic call to redecorate your home. Not a lot of homeowners are willing to do this so find out how you can incorporate this year’s in color without strapping your home of its current look.
Begin by finding furnishings as well as decorative accessories that come in purple. For people who love this color but are hesitant to use it in their home are now at liberty to find pieces that they can use.
Pantone Ultra Violet offers a lot of potential for your home. If you use it properly, you would even be surprised at the great look that you can achieve.
Ultra Violet is a deeply-saturated color. It is lush and it can create impact even with just small applications. You can add a punch of purple in the living room through your purple throws. You can still have the rest of the room in a light and bright setup.
You can also have a chill vibe in the living room as you work with splashes of purple in a contemporary setting. A purple living room is as relaxing as it could get after a stressful day at the office.
Purple can also be added inside the bathroom for increased elegance. Believe it or not, this is a soothing color, one that can calm your nerves more specifically, which is why it is great to use inside the bathroom.
You can have a standalone bathtub in purple. This will surely become the effortless focal point inside that room. If you’re feeling up to make a statement this year, then have your bathroom walls bathed in purple tiles. You will surely be chic this year with your choice. Just make sure that you truly want this color since you’ll be living with it for years to come.
Since purple is recognized as a calming color, naturally, it is an obvious choice for the bedroom. Use a more intense color for the headboard wall while the rest of the walls come at a lighter shade of the same color.
Now onto the dining room – if blue is believed to suppress the appetite, then can be safe with purple. It is a fusion of blue (appetite suppressant) and red (appetite stimulant) so it can balance the way you enjoy your food with your family.
All in all, Pantone Ultra Violet is a unique hue for any room in your home. Just make sure to use it in a room where ample light can get in during the morning so that the color won’t look gloomy.
Tags: 2018 Color of the Year, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Pantone color of the year, Pantone Ultra Violet
Posted in 2018 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Celebrating Purple: Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018
Wouldn’t it be nice to have this peaceful, clutter-free nook after the holidays? Featured here is the Console Estrelas from Fine Furniture Design’s Deco Collection.
A Happy New Year to everyone! Just like millions of others, you are now ready to catch up with work deadlines and the hustle and bustle of city life once more. But before you even go back do take a careful look around. There are lots of post-holiday clutter to take care of.
Get Organized
It’s time to bring out or buy additional organizing containers from your home depot. Your holiday stuff doesn’t need to become clutter. Those wrapping papers and holiday décor need to be kept out of sight in the next 11 months.
Getting organized means knowing where to get your stuff when you already need them.
You can begin in the kitchen. This is the most-used room apart from the dining area during the holiday season so it’s about right that you begin your cleanup there. Get rid of food wastes and make some room in your refrigerator.
This is also the time to deodorize your pots and pans. Use some salt with lemon then wipe clean with paper towels. Brighten those crystal glasses before you have them stored for yet another year.
After the kitchen and dining room cleanup, it’s time to head to the living room. Get rid of that pile of holiday cards. Take pictures of each (if you are feeling sentimental) then throw the cards away. Get rid of ornaments, any non-working lights, garlands, wreaths, etc. Organize these inside garbage bags and have them thrown away.
Post-holiday decluttering must also include editing your closet. Eliminate the clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories that you no longer use. Have them donated to other people who could still use them. Picture the image that you would want to project this year and if the items in your closet no longer represent who you are, then it’s time to throw those away.
Sort your off-season clothes and have them stored out-of-sight. Also, once and for all, if you’ve been holding on to a junk drawer or two, then this is the year to finally get rid of it.
Every Available Hand Should Help
Gather your family and have them work composed with you. If you enjoyed the holidays all together then you should also be together during this decluttering project.
Hold a family meeting to discuss the cleanup that is going to happen. Even small kids can help by storing or putting away their toys. Every little thing must have a place where it is supposed to go once it is not in use.
Use a family calendar to remind everyone where they should be and what they are supposed to do on a particular day.
Recycle
Save the bubble wraps and padded mailers inside Ziploc bags. These can be used throughout the year. Find out which gifts you want and keep them while making a new home for those that you don’t want. The giver, of course, doesn’t have to know.
Going back to those holiday cards, those are also recyclable. Some of the wrapping paper are non-recyclable, though, because of their dyes, plastics, and glitter. With this in mind, consider what you would wrap your gifts with next year. It is best to use newspaper or tissue so you can recycle afterward.
Taking down the Christmas tree is also another task that you need to take on. It is best to cut it up then put the pieces in your bin during the recycling day. Be sure to remove any plastic item on your tree before you dispose of it.
If you live in an apartment, be sure to check with your property manager regarding recycling instructions.
Tags: decluttering after the holidays, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, post-holiday cleanup, post-holiday decluttering
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Post-holiday Cleanup – Are You Ready For It?
Friday, December 29th, 2017
The Lexington Home Office Windsor Open Bookcase is vertically competent to make your tiny house appear more spacious.
Small spaces are just what they are – they’re small. But with the right creative mind and artistic set of hands, you can make even the smallest space seem larger. Do you want to know how it’s done?
Use Drop-leaf Tables
Visually elongating your small home and making it appear brighter can all begin with the correct furniture choices. There are now many furniture pieces that come with multiple functions. Such pieces include the drop-leaf table.
A drop-leaf table can offer eating space for one or two persons. They can also be expanded to accommodate additional people. When this table is not in use, there are certain models that can be completely tucked away or behind any door or you can just simply lean it against a wall.
If the drop-leaf is not your type of table, then you can also choose from the narrow dining table or the expandable dining table. Either way, you are going to use a multi-function furniture piece.
Find Sofa with Storage
Here we go again with the multi-functional furniture piece. A sofa or couch that offers storage is a double winner, especially when used in a small space. Smart storage is what this is all about. Don’t go for those DIY options if you’re looking for a sturdy option. Instead, find a sofa with a sturdy frame.
A shelf with cubbies and strong frames is the most ideal shelf stay by the side of this dual-purpose sofa.
Invest in a Fold-up Bed
This kind of bed is one that can give you a king-size bed while still giving you ample space when you’re not asleep. You also do not need to lose ceiling height or light as you would with a loft bed. Find a bed that comes with trimming so that it looks more finished.
More See-through Materials
If you have to invest in a new table, then have it come with a ghost setup. For what better way is there to visually open up space than to have no visible furniture there? Your transparent table can also be a multi-purpose furniture piece. This can be a desk, a console table, a dinner table, or that bedside table that disappears into the room.
Narrow is the way to do it with smaller spaces: Flexsteel Living Room Sofa Table
Use More Horizontal Lines
Find ways that you can repeat horizontal lines on your flooring, the ceiling boards, or the siding. These lines will visually make your room feel longer, thus, seemingly more spacious. This is also the best time to say no to owning a rug. Area rugs can visually limit the space on a floor so refrain from having them in your small home.
Go Up, Look Up
If your storage still isn’t enough, you can go on and continue your storage all the way up to the walls. You can have open shelving installed on the walls or have vertically expansive cabinets to go with the rest of your furniture.
And Then There Was Light
When you choose glass French doors, you have literally opened up your home to more light. This is an effective way of opening up your home.
Allowing as much light as possible without having the walls cut into by adding windows is helpful when you are remodeling a small space. Find out how you can have these French doors in your home soon so that you will see more of Mother Nature outside.
Lighting is not all about natural light or installing the right kind of lighting fixtures. Sometimes, it is also about choosing the right color of paint. Lighter walls also visually open up any space. This is also the best setup for accessories with bold colors.
You can also paint the walls with the same color as your furniture. This way, your space will appear bigger. You can then accentuate your space with colorful textiles, plants, and accessories.
Tags: designing a small home, furniture for small home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small home, small home furniture options, small house design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Achieve a Spacious-looking Home Now
Thursday, December 28th, 2017
The Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Couler Polished Nickel 4 Light Chandelier will look amazing hanging on a vaulted bathroom ceiling.
The renovation of your bathroom space to give it a more elegant look could be as easy as just this one update – installing a chandelier.
A chandelier is an amazing option for your bathroom renovation project more so when you want to make a statement. Elevating the look of your bathroom means that you now have to shop among the many available shapes, styles, sizes, and finishes of chandeliers.
But what do you need to consider in order to successfully install the best bathroom chandelier?
The Bathroom Size
The chandelier is a lighting fixture that takes up space – sometimes, a lot of it. Compared to recessed lighting, it can visually fill up a section of your bathroom. It is because of this that the classiest bathrooms leave no less than a hundred square feet. Increase this to 150 square feet and you’ve done an even better job.
You wouldn’t want to squeeze in a lovely chandelier in a cramped space – it’s simply not a good idea. If you want to take a chandelier inside a smaller bathroom, then find a smaller fixture rather than the larger, more sparkly ones.
The Bathroom Ceiling
You would also need to consider the overhead space where the chandelier will be hung. Building codes ask for ample space so that the tub isn’t kissing the lighting fixture. So, before you come to a final design, you might want to confirm the height of your ceiling and if it enough to welcome the addition of a chandelier.
The National Electrical Code’s standard for any fan, vent or lighting fixture is at least 8 feet above the bathtub or 3 feet out from the tub. If you’re uncertain about the rules, ask a licensed electrician.
If you have a bathroom with vaulted or high ceilings, then you’re blessed. This is the most natural setting for a bathroom chandelier. Even so, you must also still measure the height and slope of these ceilings. Consider how the lighting fixture will interact with the rest of the design elements inside the bathroom.
A wide chandelier, for example, must hang farther down the ceiling off a slope. To do this, you will need a longer rod or chain.
The Bathroom Layout
Many designers’ favorite location for a bathroom chandelier is right over a tub. This is especially when you want the bathtub to become the focal point in the bathroom. The chandelier will then play the role of the perfect element that would emphasize the said bathroom feature.
If the height of the bathroom ceiling would not allow you to install a chandelier right above the bathtub, then you can install the lighting fixture just a few feet in front of the same tub. Just make sure that when you enter the room, that everything is still centered. This will give the illusion that the chandelier is still hanging right above the bathtub.
If this setup still doesn’t work, then the safest way to go is to hang the chandelier right in the middle of the bathroom. You can even center it between the sinks if you have a his and hers sink setup.
If the tub and shower come at separate corners, then the best way to hang your chandelier is in the middle of the room so that the design would still look balanced.
The Materials
Chandeliers with light-colored materials can make bathroom ceilings look airier and more open. Brass is quite a popular finish these days so you might want to use this type of chandelier if you want to have a classic and elegant bathroom. Polished nickel is also quite popular.
You can also mix other materials such as glass or crystals.
Tags: bathroom chandeliers, chandelier, chandelier options, chandeliers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Bathroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on Are Chandeliers Okay to Place in the Bathroom?
Wednesday, December 27th, 2017
For a minimalist reading corner, here’s a set from Fine Furniture Design’s Textures Collection.
Can you think of a few things that are relaxing enough to do on a Sunday morning? Bookworms would automatically say – reading a good book. If this is you, then why not create a cozy nook that’s is made just for this sole purpose? This reading nook can also be your way of transforming one awkward corner, a loft space, or an empty zone by the window sill.
Whether you intend to set it up for an adult bibliophile or for kids, this cozy corner must be well-lit and must have a restful tone to it. If you’re thinking that it could be difficult to set up such a corner, well, think again. Adding this small corner in your home can be easy when you have these essentials –
A Quiet Spot
First things first, of course, you need to find the best reading spot. Don’t just choose randomly or point at an empty corner. It is crucial that you pick the correct space by knowing the configurations that you would need for your reading spot.
This can be that unused space in your attic (it’s quiet there) or it can be that window nook in your bedroom. It could also be that special spot underneath your staircase.
Once you’ve chosen the spot, make sure that you personalize this space to make it comfier and inviting.
A Comfy Chair
Now that winter is definitely here, it is not surprising that more and more people crave to stay at home and just curl up in bed. Satisfy this craving by having a cozy nook where you can finally read that novel that you’ve been dying to start.
The perfect reading chair differs with each bibliophile. Consider also the other people who might also use your reading nook. This must also be a comfy chair that you can snug in.
You could pick a simple armchair or a rocking chair. Some like to plump up just a few floor pillows while others go for a hanging bed. Still, others can make do with a pouf.
Whatever happens, don’t complicate the task of choosing a chair or two. Your concern for decorative items won’t count here because all you would need are the bare essentials. If you really have to decorate, then choose a few framed paintings or photos to hang on the wall behind your reading chair.
Good Lighting
No matter which corner you end up picking, you will need good lighting for your new reading nook. Lighting will always play a major role in the definition of a space’s ambiance. Since this is so, you need to pick the right kind of lighting for this spot.
Modern lighting fixtures come in a variety of options. Just make sure that functionality, function, and form are all beautifully combine in your chosen fixture.
Floor lamps are the most convenient way to install a lovely light in your new reading nook. They are also mobile so you can move them around should you choose to pick a different spot in a few months.
Simplicity is also the key to having an aesthetically pretty and functional lighting. Be minimalist so that you get to save space. Sconce lighting or pendant lights can also be used especially when you want to have a cozier ambiance.
Never clutter with unnecessary decorative items. If you want to have natural lighting during the day, then make sure that you also arrange a nook that sits right by the window. Right by those sliding glass doors or window is perfect.
Small Table and Shelf
All it takes is a cozy coffee table or an ottoman that serves as a footrest or a table.
Add a shelf by the corner and you’re done.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, reader's nook, reading area, reading chair, reading corner, reading corner design, reading nook, reading spot, reading zone
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on How to Set Up the Perfect Bibliophile’s Nook
Tuesday, December 26th, 2017
The choice of window treatment for this bedroom is sheer and flowy. You just got to love this King Mansion bed from Fine Furniture Design’s Antebellum Collection.
Window treatments often come last in a homeowner’s design project. Yet they have functions that no other furnishing will be able to replace. Drapes also have a way of tying together a room as their prints and patterns draw the eyes whether to emphasize vertically or horizontally.
But do you know how to begin dressing up your windows?
Now, don’t think of styles or themes for a moment. Remember their function and you will be able to limit your options. If you want drapes, for instance, that provide darkness or privacy, then you will be in need of lined curtains.
If you want to have a little light filtering into the room then you simply need curtains that are decorative and unlined.
Lining comes at a cost but it also comes with greater advantages. This can shield the fabric from being damaged by the sun. Its purpose is to make your curtains last a long time.
The lining is also there to add heft so that you are protected from drafts while having the curtain flow more luxuriously.
There are also curtains with interlining. These are those layers of flannel-like fabrics that are sewn in between the front part of the curtain and the lining itself.
Choosing the Color and Fabric
First, think about the mood that you would want to evoke in the room. If you want a more formal space, then you would need materials like velvet or silk. Both can be dry cleaned.
If you want the washable options because they are more practical, then you can always go for the silky rayon blends as well as the cotton sateen.
For a more casual atmosphere, there are billowy linens and the crushed velvet. Cotton blends and cotton can work with any kind of décor. These can bring a neat look. Wool and wool blends do the same, too.
You now would need to decide if you want the window treatments to blend with the rest of your decorative element or if you would want them to become the center of attention.
If you want to blend, then find curtains that come with the same tone as the walls but just a few shades darker. You can also pick a non-dominant hue which comes from other elements in the room such as an area rug.
Now here’s a simple rule to remember when it comes to patterns and prints – if you have patterned furniture pieces or bedding, then you must go for solid-colored curtains. If, on the other hand, you have solid furniture, then you can choose curtains with interesting patterns such as paisley.
Choosing the Length
The best way to go is to have floor-length curtains. Of course, if a radiator is on the way, you have to consider that, too. There are ready to use panels that come in 63 to 144-inch lengths. Be sure to measure from the floor up to the point where you will hang the rod.
Your curtains can always be hemmed when needed. Remember that short curtains look off or nerdy. For a more classic look, go for curtains that hit the sill or floor.
Panels that reach the floor by 1-3 inches are stylish also. They are more relaxed, though, compared to the traditional floor-length curtains. If your floors are uneven and you’re worried about the accuracy of your measurements, then this style can be more forgiving.
Choosing the Width
The key is to have panels that look filled or ample. The drapes must also be drapey. The combined width should be about 2 to 2.5 times the window’s width. The only exception is when you’re hanging curtains that are there to frame the windows and you have no intentions of shutting them.
If you’re installing pleated panels then consider that they come with built-in fullness so their width should be sufficient to fill the entire span that you intend to cover.
Tags: curtain, curtain design, curtain styles, curtains, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, window treatment, window treatments
Posted in Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Window Design | Comments Off on What Are Drapes For?
Monday, December 25th, 2017
This Christmas season is your chance to personalize your space and make it feel more like a home.
Designing buildings and decorating the interiors of homes aren’t just jobs. They are the very foundations of a structure that can become someone’s home. Yet it’s not the sturdy arch or the lovely furniture pieces that make up a home. So what are the features that can transform a house into your own home?
Personalize It
Taking the so-called personalized approach to designing your home requires fun. The most challenging phases are not those steps on how to make the house beautiful but how to make it appear and feel like you.
If you want a home that reflects who you are and not just what’s hot in the interior design industry, then define what you really want.
Ask yourself some questions such as what inspires you, what relaxes you, and what you value most in your life. You also need to define what activities will be held inside the rooms of your home. If you’re a bibliophile, then it won’t be surprising to find rows of books inside your living room.
Flaunt Your Hobby
If you have a hobby or some collections, then don’t be afraid to flaunt them. Even if you think that your hobby does not reflect the usual kind of décor, just display them. Incorporating your Star Wars collectibles on open shelves is a way to welcome your guests with a bang.
Make a Vision
As soon as you know what things inspire you, create a vision board. This is a good way to explore the design or themes that you would like to experiment with. Creating this board will give you a tangible thing to look at while you’re still planning everything in your head.
If setting up a corkboard is too much for you, then just make a digital collection of your online clippings. As soon as you have a vision, you will that it becomes so much easier to follow-through on your creative collage.
Don’t feel pressured to transform your house into a home overnight. Just start slow. Begin with a single piece then add other items.
Positive Vibes Only
Bring in anything that adds a jolt of positive energy to your home. These are things that make you feel awesome when they’re around or when you see them. This is now the time to create your positivity ecosystem.
Bring in some potted plants so that lively energy will flow into your home. Flowers and foliage do not just make you feel great, they also bring with them lovely colors and textures. So, even the blandest spaces will instantly come to life when you have some greeneries to boost.
Nature is everyone’s happy pill so even if you capture just a bit of nature in your home, you are sure to boost the energy in that area.
Natural décor isn’t just limited to potted plants and flowers in vases. You can also add crystals for their beauty, texture, and unique colors. Plus it is believed that they can make people feel great. Every crystal is known to bring a different kind of energy.
Decorate with Meaning
While you are encouraged to personalize your house so it slowly becomes a home, this doesn’t mean that you just throw in stuff at random. You might have bought that pottery somewhere in Asia but if it does not look suitable inside your contemporary home, then don’t force it. It’s that or you’d have to alter your current theme. Else, that piece of pottery would become an eyesore instead of a focal point.
Choose furniture pieces also that represent your taste and who you are as a person. Even accessories such as area rugs, lighting fixtures, and window treatments need to signify your totality.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, personalized design, personalized interior design, personalized style, personalizing your home, personalizing your space
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Is Your House a Home?
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