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Thursday, September 14th, 2017
The Stanley Furniture Home Entertainment Copa Colonial Media Console 678-15-30 blends mid-century modern and European Colonial designs.
Have you noticed how most Mid-century modern homes fit beautifully into any neighborhood? Most of these are single-story beauties complete with their simple low-pitch roofs and neutral color schemes yet you know that even contemporary households would find a refuge in this dwelling place.
Mid-century modern homes are often houses that seem the types that are begging for fixing but end up being keepers anyway. These could be structures that have been in existence for 40 or even more years and so the traditional details have been kept.
Mid-century Modern Architecture
You are likely to see iconic architectural details such as textured exterior walls. It is fairly common to find horizontal stone accent walls right next to the welcoming front door. Of course, very few materials could defeat stone in offering the needed architectural detail for any home.
Other features include the double-wide front doors (often painted with bright, fun colors), water features by the side of the front door, terrazzo flooring (often white), retro tiles, accent wall made with wood paneling, vintage pendant lighting fixtures, and vintage wallpaper designs.
It is also common to see oversized windows in living rooms and the family rooms. High ceilings are also common which all offer a view of the beautiful outdoors.
The Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Ottoman 1780-08 has a mid-century modern frame.
Replicating the Mid-century Modern Look
You’re practically trying to recreate the mid-50’s look and onwards if you want to set up a Mid-century modern home. During this time, Desert Modernism came into existence and pretty soon, people started calling it by its popular name these days – mid-century modern.
The demand is still high in the interior design industry to recreate this simple yet fashionable retro look. Here are ways that you, too, can turn your home into a Mid-century modern beauty –
Dramatize the Roof Lines. There are numerous roof styles that can be used with any Mid-century modern home. First, there’s the butterfly. This can be made by having two gables dip right at the middle.
The second type is the gabled roof. Whether that’s long or narrow, your home will then have a side or front entrance. Slot windows are also a part of the two sloping roofs.
Another type is the flat roof on either the side or the front entrance. This area is also an elevated section right in the living room.
The single slope is also a flat roof but this section is right over the car port or the garage. It is located near the middle of the house where a taller, vertical wall rises with the roof which slopes downward to the exterior wall of the structure.
Lastly, you can choose the folded plate which is the V or W-shaped units that are attached to one another, thus, creating a zigzag profile.
Use concrete and steel. Mid-century modern homes often featured wood or natural stone interiors and exteriors. Concrete and steel offered the needed breaks for aesthetic purposes.
Exposed wood beams. Post or ceiling beams were quite popular during the 1950s. Most of the time, clerestory windows were also incorporated into homes to provide the best view of the mountainous areas.
Dramatic Outdoor Features. Mid-century modern homes also have the most dramatic outdoor living spaces. Some have a central interior atrium while others showcase the most beautiful outdoor patios. Swimming pools are also a wonderful addition.
Open space layout. It is also fairly common to find kitchens that open to the living room or the dining room. Some traditional Mid-century homes also have dens that open to the family room.
If you love homes that offer these characteristics then you’re likely to love Mid-century modern structures. Get in touch with us if you want us to set up lovely Mid-century modern interiors for you.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mid-century home features, mid-century interior design, mid-century interiors, mid-century style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Mid-century Modern Home: Traditionally Fresh
Wednesday, September 13th, 2017
We all live in an era where energy efficiency is the hottest trend. But have you ever stopped to think what an energy efficient home is?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an energy-efficient home design is one that has a high score on energy efficiency. This Score reflects the energy efficiency of a home based on the home’s structure and heating, cooling, and hot water systems (Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design)
The Natural Climate
It is important, nay, crucial to know the natural climate in your region. Consider the conditions of the winds, the skies, and the sun. Get your hands on a sun path diagram so you can find out which rooms the natural lighting will seep through. Take note also of obstructions such as telephone poles, trees, and nearby buildings.
Apart from the sun path diagram, you can also obtain a wind rose which will show the rate of prevailing winds. The U.S. Department of Commerce has its own wind data collection. These are based on various airport locations so it might be easy for you to find one that is near your would-be home.
Knowing the predominant sky conditions will also help you set up your energy-efficient home. Throughout the year, does your area have clear, overcast or partly cloudy skies? Take advantage of natural light as much as you can. This will greatly reduce your electrical bill since you won’t be depending a lot on artificial lighting.
Just to give you an idea, overcast skies are three times brighter at the peak of the sky’s dome than the horizon. Predominantly overcast areas include the Pacific Northwest where you can maximize free natural lighting. With this in mind, you can now be aware of your window placement so that you also won’t have unwanted glare.
The building orientation which includes the shape of your home will also greatly influence cooling or heating requirements. The best energy-saving orientation is to have your home face the south when you’re from the Northern Hemisphere.
This setup will help you capture solar gain during the wintry months and block solar gain during summer.
Choose Energy-efficient Building Materials
Concrete or concrete foams. This can be sandwiched by two-layered insulation materials. This will then become a permanent part of the house whether through freestanding walls or building blocks.
Rigid foam. This can be used to insulate your home but can now be made from natural sources such as hemp, bamboo, and kelp. Rigid foam is also widely used in the creation of surfboards, turbine blades, and some furniture.
Rigid foam also offers heat and moisture resistance, better acoustics, and protection from pests and mold.
Straw bales. These weigh 50-90 pounds each. You would need 300 medium-sized bales to construct a 2,000 square foot house.
And the great news is? They can last for thousands of years.
Other materials such as recycled steel, foam insulators sandwiched between plywood, plastic composite lumber, and earth can also be used.
Invest in Energy-efficient Appliances
Reduce energy costs by installing Energy Star-rated appliances. You can potentially save up to 70% when you choose these.
An Energy Star is a government-backed symbol. It is there to measure energy efficiency, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and for consumers to save on their energy bills.
Figure 1.
Green Furniture
Just as you would choose your appliances or your building materials, make sure that your furniture materials are also made from natural, energy-efficient sources. An example is our Uttermost Living Room Avner Wooden Cube Table here at McCreery’s Home Furnishings (Figure 1).
Constructed almost entirely of sustainable, plantation-grown mango wood, this bunching table offers invaluable storage and style in an elegantly casual, waxed driftwood finish.
Tags: Energy Star, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainable design, sustainable living
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Erecting the Energy-efficient Home in a Constantly Cold Region
Tuesday, September 12th, 2017
The Cynthia Rowley Brando Ottoman is nestled in this chiefly white living area.
Whether you’re building from scratch or are renovating a standing structure, the creation of a home can either be a painstaking or joyful task. The main difference lies in whether or not you know what you’re going to go through. This is now the right moment to know what you really want, who you are, and who the people are that you’re going to live with.
The building up of a new home is more than just defining the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. And just like any endeavor, you need to do ample research and planning in order to do things correctly. Without a doubt, you can never do this project on your own. You will need the help of a few professionals to make this task a more enjoyable and enriching one.
Plan and Set Goals
This project is all about setting goals and keeping them. Here is when you will compute the approximate cost and when you need to make plans A and B, even a plan C.
Going back on the budget, you need to be honest about what you can afford. Remember about your other plans for the future so don’t splurge all of your money now only to be left with just a beautiful house and nothing more in the end.
Include the land cost, taxes, and local fees, as well as the engineering and architectural fees. Consider also how much you will spend for landscaping and interior design.
Create a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel) in developing your budget. This will serve as your guide so that you won’t change your mind each time you see something better.
Create Your Winning Team
Again, you won’t be able to do this project successfully on your own. Create a team of experienced professionals – an architect (who can also be the builder), engineer, and other team members. Find also a reputable electrician, landscape artist, and an interior designer.
Featured here is the Harbor Springs Port Panel King Bed. Its rustic beauty is solidified by the equally traditional and rustic furnishings, flooring, and grayish-blue walls.
Declutter
This is one of the most important things to do after building the structure. Furnishings can contribute to a cluttered space especially when you have a lot of them. Leave or invest only in furniture pieces that you need. Group the furniture pieces according to their use or the rooms where they’re supposed to go in. Pretty soon, you’ll have an idea on what pieces should be thrown.
If you’re renovating, find out which of your stuff you no longer need. Give them away or sell them. Fill trash bags with items that have remained unnoticed for six months or more.
If, however, this is your new home, then check that the contractor has gotten rid of the rubbles or debris.
From a House to a Home
There is a huge difference between a house and a home. The former is just the structure where you live in while the latter is where you get your mental as well as emotional support. This is where you look forward to rush to after a long, arduous day at work.
The creation of a refuge means setting up a zero-stress zone. To do this, take a deep breath and roll your sleeves because you’re about to go to work.
Use the rooms. This is a no-brainer, right? Yet too many people forget this. They fill up their houses with the most expensive, glamorous stuff, only to end up being photographed but not lived in.
Make it a point to fill the house with the laughter of your loved ones. Enjoy your home. When you do this, you are building memories as you dwell in your home for many, many years more.
Tags: designing your home, home design, home design tips, home renovation, home renovation tips, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, renovating your home
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The ABCs of Home Creation
Friday, September 8th, 2017
There is no need to add drama to this bedroom because the Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose King Panel Bed is THE drama itself.
Are you tired of resorting to paint when it comes to updating the look of your home? You’re right. There’s a lot more to interior design or remodeling than just having another fresh coat of paint. If you’ve been too bored inside your bedroom lately, then it’s high time to add a little drama to it.
Punch Things Up with Wall Treatments and Colorful Flooring
Okay, forget about the cans of paint for now. Instead, try thinking outside of the box. One extraordinary way to set up a dramatic bedroom is to have a rustic wood wall installed. Extend this beauty up to the ceiling to create a modern yet rustic room.
These boards can be barn boards that are nailed onto the drywall where the headboard is supposed to be. Just be sure to balance all the rustic elements with chic modernism so that the room won’t create tension.
This design will surely work if you provide ample lighting. Your bedroom must have a terrace-facing window or a bay window if you want to animate this space. Add some pendant and recessed lighting fixtures. These will help play up the wood treatment that you just set up.
To cap this look, have the wall behind the headboard painted light gray. This should make the wood treatment pop and be the accent wall that you dreamt of for your new, dramatic bedroom.
Another unique way to dramatize your bedroom is to have the flooring installed with hand-painted tiles. Ceramic tiles are best especially the ones that have geometric patterns on them. Have the tiles cover the entire bedroom flooring so that the entire space is unified.
Connect the rest of the design by basing the color palette on the colors that are seen on the hand-painted tiles. This look also works well if you have the kind of bedroom double door that opens inwards. Add furnishings that will enhance the space and not compete with the already exciting design.
You can also install huge mirrors that have brass or chrome frames. Add crystal lighting fixtures to add glamour to your bedroom.
Feature walls are not limited to painted ones or those that have decorative boards. You can also integrate a storage space where the usual decorative wall would be.
With this, you can have a wall treatment that will double as a storage unit. Find the right dresser drawers to place on either side of your bed.
Faux Fireplace
Where a bedroom fireplace is missing, you can always build one. This fake feature can be Moroccan-inspired so that you will have many dramatic nights to share with your loved one. At times, all it takes is just the right paint job to fake this feature. Just tape of the area then paint a contrasting color and voila, you’re done.
Of Tapestries, Rugs, and Mirrors
You can also cover a large part of your bedroom wall with a rug or an interesting fabric. The most dramatic tapestries can make a room look more sophisticated.
Buy the biggest mirror that you can find then lean it against the wall. This will surely create a major statement inside your bedroom. This mirror will reflect a huge amount of natural light during the day and ambient lighting at night.
Now Let’s Paint
Okay, now get those paint cans that you set aside when you first read this because it’s time to add some graphic patterns onto the walls. This accent wall will surely pack a punch without eating up much of your time.
To make this project simpler, just paint black and white stripes and your bedroom is sure to become more dramatic and glamorous.
Tags: dramatic style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on The Dramatic Bedroom: 4 Awesome Tips to Revitalize Your Bedroom
Thursday, September 7th, 2017
Make the Fine Furniture Design Summer Home China Hutch the home for your dinnerware.
The summer season is one of the most popular times when families spend time outdoors and hold barbecues and get-togethers. Since this is so, if you want to dine al fresco, then you’d want to remember a few concepts –
Remember the Silverware
There is one basic rule in every place setting. Whether you are going to use placemats, you must always have each table setting centered to every seat. There must be about 24-30 inches between each place setting. This is about 18 inches of space between the guests to avoid elbow rubbing.
As for the silverware, the forks must always be set on the left side of the seat. The knife must have its blade pointing inward with the spoon on its right side. Here’s a little something that would end the confusion on table setting, left and fork both have four letters while five, knife, and spoon all have five letters. So there, you should be able to remember it more easily now.
It also pays to remember this other simple rule – work from the outside in. This is another way of saying that you go inward as the meal progresses.
Also the Glassware
Regardless of the beverage that you’re serving, whether you’re serving juice, wine, or water, the glassware must always be placed above the knife at the top right portion of the place setting.
Be sure to have an extra set of glassware right where the drink station is situated to make room for guests asking for an extra glass or breakage.
Always make it a point to have the glasses set before the guests arrive. This will tell the guests that the bar’s opened and that beverage will be free-flowing.
Plate and Bowl Arrangement
Now that you’ve got your silverware and glassware set up, it’s time to consider what to do with your stacks of bowls and plates. This gets a tad trickier since the arrangement will depend hugely on what you will be serving.
This time, remember that you will be working from the top down. Since summer isn’t exactly a soup weather, then you could begin with an appetizer. Either way, you’d need a bowl so place it at the top and center of your plate and bowl setting.
You can also go ahead and unleash your creative side as you use flowers or some seasonal fruits to decorate the table. Summer is the perfect season for bright yellow lemons or to display the aromatic beauty of lavender.
Right under the bowl, should be the salad plate. If there’s no salad on your menu, then this layer can be eliminated. If the meals are served buffet style, then it’s an informal setting so just place a bottom plate as the main course plate.
Top with a Lovely Napkin
What makes fine dining fine? It’s not just the silverware or glassware. It’s not even the flower vases and stacks of fruits. At times, the proper placement of a well-folded napkin is all it takes to finish the table setting with a bang.
The table napkin can be something as simple as a folded cloth underneath the bottom plate, left side. If you want to include a napkin ring, then you can place it on the left side of the fork or just place it on top of the topmost plate. Don’t put it in a bowl, though.
One Cardinal Rule
No plastic, please! Whether you’re inviting guests to a formal or informal dinner, you must never serve plastic spoons, forks, knives, or plates. Say no to paper cups if you want to make the dining experience an elevated one.
At the end of your party, make sure that you store the glassware, silverware, and ceramics into an enclosed china cabinet so that you can use them again to entertain more guests.
Tags: decorating the table, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, table setting, table settings
Posted in Dining Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Table Setting 101 for Summer
Wednesday, September 6th, 2017
This Summer Home End Table pairs well with this upholstered chair for that cozy reading nook.
Summer living is not as simple as lounging about doing nothing all day. Yet there is something quite relaxing about staying in the porch as you sip your morning coffee or when you unwind after a long day at work. It’s about time to make your porch a place that people would want to spend time in.
Neutral Is the Way to Do It
Go for natural wood, blue, and sandy beige in creating a classic beach house combo. Teak furniture can also fade into a sandy gray hue when it weathers. It can also look great with indigo cushions and some freshly-cut flowers in vases.
Furnish It
Look for treasures that would function outdoors. The greatest patio furniture pieces should satisfy both function and comfort. Have a spacious table set up, one that is easy to use, and paired with comfy chairs.
These will all look great on a brick patio that sits beautifully on your new patio dining area.
Never overlook the outdoor-living chances on porches, patios, balconies, and your pocket gardens.
Make a list on what pieces you would include in your porch. You can do this by making up your mind on how to use that area. Would you want to dine al fresco? Or would you like to have a cozy reading nook?
It also matters that you choose the seats that you’ll have on your porch. Always go for the easy care types. These are mostly teak, metal, cedar, and other all-weather wicker seats.
It also pays to color-coordinate. Just as much as you make sure that the interior design of your home should be harmonized in all aspects, so should you ascertain that your porch offers a stylish balance.
Beautify with Flowers
The next time that you cut some flowers, consider putting them in glass vases. Vases of flowers, even the smallest posies are a totally unexpected addition of beauty and charm on your porch. Appreciate the blooms as you sit there and enjoy your morning coffee.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Nashua 4 Light Wooden Lantern Pendant 22050
Add a Porch Swing
What do you have in mind when you see a porch swing? Apart from having a relaxing seat, it can also be therapeutic. Scientific studies have proven that sensory experiences are improved as you do something as simple as swinging.
Freshen Up
One weekend, make it a point to redecorate your porch. Create a few DIY projects for that part of your home. Why not create a plant stand or give your porch a new paint coat? If you’re feeling up to it, then put some colorful pillows or paint the wooden planks with the Pantone color of the year – Greenery.
You can also have a surfboard displayed just by using a few, well-placed hooks. Place some sandals near the door or have them stored inside a white basket.
Cool It Down
If the heat of the sun keeps you from enjoying a lovely summer afternoon, then it’s time to install an outdoor ceiling fan. You can also have a few outdoor drapes hung.
Did you know that the air coming from the revolving fan can also keep mosquitoes from bugging you?
A Cozy Nook
Instead of having the usual huge bench, be different by setting up a small nook. Fill up the porch with just a pair of chairs and a small round or square table. Just bring out your cup of coffee in the morning, a paperback novel, and you’re good.
You can also wind down during the evenings as you sit with your loved one opposite his seat. Imagine doing this as the sun dips with a lovely orange tinge into the horizon.
Tags: decorating the porch, dining al fresco, dining at the porch, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, porch decor, porch design, porch dining, porch reading nook
Posted in Outdoors Style | Comments Off on The Perks of That Summer Porch: 7 Tips in Decorating Outdoors
Tuesday, September 5th, 2017
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Flowing Fern Green Table Lamp 26285
Pantone, the color-management company, announced on the advent of 2017 that the Color of the Year was Greenery. This is a refreshing shade, one that revitalizes the homeowner’s senses without difficulty. It is a color that symbolizes beginnings.
Pantone Greenery can also be a striking shade. If you don’t look carefully, you might mistake it for lime green. It can strike a punch especially when you compare it to the colors of the year in 2016 – Serenity and Rose Quartz.
Pantone Green and Mother Nature
This year’s chief color practically begs everyone to notice the beauty of nature once more. People can reconnect with Mother Nature and should even begin to look at nobler purposes in life.
Pantone Greenery should also be relevant in the sense that the world is now slowly embracing green living.
Green living, also known as sustainable living, is a lifestyle wherein the people who sign up to do it bring balance to Earth’s natural habitats, resources, and biodiversity. Sustainable living points out that humans are very much a part of their surroundings, thus, they are affected by the Earth’s movements and environments.
More and more people are enamored by the practices that have little to zero impact on the environment. These people agree to the reduction of consumption and waste and they carry over these practices to their living arrangements.
A nature-centered lifestyle also means finding sustainable means to redo or redesign your space. This means using low to non-VOC paint and green flooring. You see, your home is where you socialize, cook, relax, and where you raise your kids. Of course, you would want it to be inviting and nurturing.
Remaking your space means changing the colors as well. You can begin by using Pantone Greenery. This is a culturally-significant hue that you can use in small doses throughout your home. If you choose a larger palette for this hue, then Pantone Greenery is also perfect.
Green, after all, is the fusion of yellow and blue; yellow which is the color of the sun and blue which is the color of the skies and the waters of the Earth. You could never go wrong with green as it is the visual anchor that represents rainforests, jungles, grasses, and trees.
Decorating your bathroom and kitchen with Pantone Greenery is a wonderful way to make these rooms come to life. Imagine having the walls of your bathroom splashed with this refreshing color. If this is too bold for you, then you can just have the bathtub and the sink come in this color. If these, too, don’t work, then you can have just a few accent pieces brought in.
Psychology in Greenery
Apart from beginnings and freshness, green is the color of safety, harmony, and fertility. It can affect you and your family mentally and physically. It is youthful and relaxing so it can easily alleviate depression, anxiety, and nervousness.
Green has the same amazing coolness that blue offers. It is directly related to energy and nature which is why it is chiefly used to advertise or promote medical products.
Pantone Greenery on Greeneries
The greenery effect can be carried a notch higher as you bring in potted plants or greens in vases. This is an effortless way to bring joy into your home without visually overwhelming anyone.
Plants can be placed on table tops or shelves, even on bedside tables. It is an effective way to break the boring color palette that is usually seen in homes. A stark white home can also look less unadorned if you bring in those potted greeneries.
Tags: greenery, Greenery for 2017, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Pantone color of the year, Pantone Greenery
Posted in 2017 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Greenery for 2017: Making Sense of Pantone’s Color of the Year
Monday, September 4th, 2017
Uttermost Accessories Raya Burnt Orange Containers, Set/2 19525
Not a lot of people are lucky to have a Spanish Colonial home so when you happen to live in one, then you should make the most of it. If you don’t then don’t fret, too, because you can do so many things to make your home look like a Spanish haven in no time.
The Arches and Curves
These architectural features make a huge difference. Curved steps can beautifully lead to a beautiful archway which, in turn, leads to the welcoming front door.
A series of arches known as arcades are also quite a popular addition to bigger Spanish and Mexican homes.
White Exteriors
What’s a Spanish home without the white stucco exteriors? It is easy to mix this type of Spanish paint – just fuse some sand or lime with water and cement. What you’d achieve is an aged look that’s just amazing for that Old World look that you’re trying to achieve.
Terracotta Roofing
Most Spanish homes also come with those authentic red clay roofs giving the homes a more rustic, earthy look. The roof lines are also often multi-level making them more interesting and asymmetrical. Add a turret and you’re on the right path.
How about some painted, tower-like chimneys? These may seem like a small detail but with small windows and specially-treated moldings, these chimneys will complete the look of your Spanish home.
Paint ‘Em Tiles
Have you seen those Mexican telenovelas on TV? Then you probably already noticed the painted staircases. The curved staircases reveal the most beautiful tiles that have been hand painted. You could adopt this design element, too, if you want to have a more authentic Spanish-looking home.
Talavera tiles can also give your bathroom a more authentic Mexican look. Cobalt blue tiles will easily complement hand-painted sinks.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Spanish Galleon Finished Occasional Table, White Ash Burl Veneer 3030-953
Balcony
Balconies are designed so that you can have some moment, outdoors, to enjoy some fresh air. This is also the perfect spot to see some amazing sceneries.
Graceful Iron and Wooden Work
Who could resist an ornamental wrought-iron working on windows? They also look great on stair railings. Spanish Revival lanterns are also great additions to walls as they serve two purposes – decorative and illuminative.
Wooden gates and doors are also amazing features in many Spanish homes.
Patios and Courtyards
We all know the Mediterranean climate to be mild and great for outdoor living, hence, most Spanish homes have patios and courtyards. Again, these are mainly there for people to enjoy the outdoors. Some patios also have fireplaces which allow the homeowners and their visitors to linger outside during the night.
Pottery and Textiles
Spanish country living also means having hand painted pottery and the most colorful paintings. How about having a painting of a Spanish matador right across the dining table? This denotes activity and passion which is perfect for those steak dinners and parties that you hold for your friends.
Vibrant Colors Everywhere
Having green, pink, and yellow walls are acceptable inside a Spanish home. Colors are not limited to the walls, though. You can also play up the rooms in your home by mirroring these colors on the carpeting, throw pillows, candelabra, headboards, and chests.
If you’re feeling a little more magnanimous then go for a Spanish-Style Colonial dining room. Look upwards and find ways to make the ceiling into a colorful art canvas. If your ceiling has exposed beams, then they, too, can be used as another decorative element.
Or how about having a golden yellow entry hall? Again, some hand-painted accessories, furnishings, and paintings will make this area a lot livelier. Think cultural colors such as sabino wood, deep reds, and burnt orange.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Spanish design elements, Spanish home, Spanish homes, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Spanish Elements: Creating a Much Sought-After Home
Saturday, September 2nd, 2017
White can either be the backdrop or it can be the star of the show. Here, it is obviously the focal point – you just gotta love the Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Lady in White Console.
How do you feel when you enter an all-white place? Do you instantly feel comfortable or do you have a foreboding feeling? White is not a color that many homeowners would use in their homes. In fact, a lot of people are nervous about using the absence of color right in their very home.
Yet white can be a refreshing color to use. It is that one color that evokes cleanliness, purity, and even holiness. It can also exude sophistication when properly used. Before you make the proverbial change, just make sure that you are okay with this color and that you can live with it for a while.
A Blank Slate
Consider white as a blank canvas. Just think of it as a way of having a fresh start. Let your creativity run free. Begin by searching for that killer view which you can highlight (e.g. a beautiful landscape, the blue ocean or a majestic mountain).
White is a wonderful canvas which can easily serve as a backdrop to that gorgeous vista. Don’t engulf the entire room in color. Use white and find out which elements speak to you in your habitat.
Another way that you can use white as a canvas is to have it frame a lovely artwork. Showcase your style as well as your personality through the work of art, whether that’s a sculptural piece or a painting.
Traditional or Modern White
The versatility of white is truly amazing. Just imagine the wide range from which you can choose a shade – from cream to egg white. Whether you want to set up a traditional or a modern kitchen matters not.
Use marble countertops for your traditional kitchen then white lacquer should be used in your modern kitchen.
A lot of homeowners are now braving the beauties of having a white kitchen. Sure, it needs a little more maintenance but it feels and looks cleaner and more classic. In fact, a lot of appliances and furniture work well with this hue.
White + Metal
Have you given white plus a metallic color combination a second thought? This is a trend that’s hot at the moment. In fact, other neutrals such as browns, blacks, and grays are also being paired with different metals.
White and stainless steel also work well, again, in the kitchen. See how you can have some brass fixtures paired with your white furnishings. Metal can beautifully reflect the crisp beauty of white. Don’t be afraid to tread this design path.
Work That White Upholstery
Who says white upholstery won’t work in a home? Again, it will be a tad more difficult to clean but it’s oh so worth it. Just think about which room you will have a white furniture in. Preferably, these are areas with low traffic – the bedroom, home office, or a home library.
If you really, really have to use white upholstery in your living room, then be sure to have faux leather on the sofa. Faux suede and white denim seat covers are also the ideal elements to use in homes with children and pets.
White Layering
Should you feel that your room is lacking personality, consider how you can layer different shades of white. Use textures, patterns, and different materials in similar white shades. This styling technique works well best in bedrooms.
Upholstered headboards and textiles, bedding, and window treatments work well in different shades of white tone-on-tone variation.
White Bathroom
It is best to highlight your white bathroom structures. What could defeat a white bathtub, white sink basin, and white tile flooring? These can be better appreciated if you have teal, red, or aqua mosaic tiles to frame these white beauties.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, white, white furnishings, white interior design, white interiors
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Friday, September 1st, 2017
Fine Furniture Design Living Room Beautiful Friendship Moroccan Console Table 1431-942
Considering to have a home that is elegant yet at the same time exotic could lead to a crossroad. You don’t have to choose one aspect over the other. Just consider the enigmatic elements of Moroccan interior design and you’d know that you can have the best of both worlds.
Moroccan interior design is characterized, basically, by vibrant colors, wood, and mosaic elements. It is highly dramatic, luxurious, and exciting. These are the very reasons why many homes and cultures now embrace this amazingly unique style.
Morocco is a nation that sits between Africa and Europe. It also blends in the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters, hence, it is widely influenced by various cultures. It is literally the fusion of the northern and southern regions, even the east and the west.
It is the blazing sun in the African regions that bring the Moroccans to the great outdoors. In there, they enjoy the oases and landscapes. These display the most vibrant hues, exciting furnishings, and awesome accessories.
It is also common to see potted plants, lovely lighting, and the best indoor oasis.
Imagine These
Moroccan culture boasts of the beauty of Tangier and the coastlines of Casablanca. Imagine the snake charmers lined up on the streets. Add also the spices as the people visit the Marrakesh bazaars. You can find a lot of inspiration from these places. Whether you are in search of an exotic flair or something that would totally change the look of your home, you have imagined the right Moroccan elements.
The Seven Moroccan Design Elements
Dramatic Colors. The focal point in every Moroccan home is no less than one or two bright colors. Draw inspiration from the Moroccan landscape. Find shades of green and blue which are the basic colors of the oceans. Silver and gold, both shimmering metallic colors are highly acceptable in a Moroccan home. Can you now imagine an African sunset?
Yes? Then use golds and yellows as accents or main colors.
Patterned Furniture. Moroccan interiors always show busy patterns whether you’d see these on tables or sofas, or set low on the flooring.
Moroccan furniture pieces can also have the most elaborate display of Mother of Pearl, ornate wood carvings, and rich-colored upholstery. It is also common to see mosaics and terracotta tiles.
Luxurious Fabrics. Moroccan fabrics come in rich colors. You will also find intricate designs and textures on them. Since these are already richly-designed, be sure to add simpler or block-colored cushions and throws.
Lush fabrics can be draped on furniture and window frames.
Exotic Lighting. No Moroccan design should go without exotic pendants and lamps in colored glass, carved wood or cut metal. Add candles for a more dramatic touch.
Those zebra or leopard print lamp shades? They’re perfect for your Moroccan setting.
Hardwood Flooring. Most Moroccan interiors have hardwood flooring that is covered with rugs and often stacked with floor cushions. These create the most correct base for any Moroccan home.
Mirror, Mirror. Another way to enhance the look of your Moroccan home is to have mirrors installed. The lights will be beautifully reflected by many yet subtle lights.
Be sure to find mirrors that come with a decorative wrought-iron frame, carved wood, or jewel embellishments.
Colorful Plants. If you can’t bring in colorful plants, then be sure to have your greens potted in colorful pots, at the very least. Papyrus or banana trees can also create an oasis-like ambiance in your home.
If these plants and flowers aren’t enough to add scents to your Moroccan habitat, then have incense, candles and diffusers added. Cinnamon, saffron, nutmeg, and other such spices can also add to the unique, spicy scent in your living area.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Moroccan, Moroccan interior design, Moroccan interiors, Moroccan style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Majestic Abode: Moroccan Interior Design Made Easy
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