Tuesday, May 9th, 2017

The Cynthia Rowley Collections show a wide array of exciting and unique options. Featured here is the Balthazar King Upholstered Bed.
Do you sometimes feel that you need a little help when it comes to beautifying your home? From time to time, of course, there’s a need to update the look of your home or you would end up getting bored with the look that you started with. With a life and lifestyle that are ever-changing, it’s about time that you learn a few techniques to create something unexpected in your home.
Don’t Be Bound by Rules
Most interior designers would tell you that rules are just there as guidelines. They are sometimes even meant to be broken. What’s more important is for your home style to reflect who you truly are. It should be able to show to the world whether you have a traditional or a hip, contemporary personality. What really matters is that you learn to balance all the elements that you bring forth so your habitat won’t look too cluttered or boring.
Your Home IS You
Every designer has a distinctive style and technique in transforming homes. Even if this is the case, they are unanimous in saying that the home should represent who the owner is, his passions, his interests, everything that he holds dear. An example is when a bookworm finally decides to own a home. You are bound to find a library somewhere in that home.
Look Up, Make Changes
Always consider what the ceiling would look like. This could be the most neglected part of every home since not a lot of people bother to look up when updating the looks of their home. Paint the ceiling in a color that is closest to your heart.
A gold ceiling, for instance, show how fabulous your personality really is. Apart from this, this kind of ceiling will effectively reflect the natural light that would come in from any of your oversized windows. Since gold is a warm color, it can also add depth to your home.
A Dash of Color Here and There
A lot of people are hesitant in applying bright-colored paint to their walls. If you’re this type, then consider adding colors in your accessories. Have a pinch of color on your vases, blankets, pillows, paintings and area rugs. Perhaps, a colorful lamp could illuminate many nights.
Color, after all, can greatly affect your mood so pick a color that energizes or relaxes according to the needs in every room.

What could be a more exciting update in your living room than having the Cynthia Rowley Wallis Swivel Chair in there?
Unexpected Wallpaper
Isn’t it amazing to walk into someone’s habitat and you end up finding unique, unexpected and exciting things there? A good way to surprise your visitors is to have a bright-colored wallpaper used on the ceiling. This is especially interesting if you have a neutral hallway to begin with.
A patterned wallpaper can also make your closet more thrilling. The eyes are drawn immediately to these unexpected design elements so expect a lot of questions and endless conversations.
Have Fun
Creating a lovely look for your home should not take the fun out of this project. Interior design should never be serious all the time.
Try things that are new, change those that bore you, begin small then go bigger. The rooms in your home should never be bland. They should be fun, colorful and awesome. Make sure also that the furniture pieces that you invest in will define your personality.
Don’t Forget Comfort
While you do have to consider the aesthetics and the overall style of your home, you must not compromise on comfort. No matter what your personal style is, whether you are sophisticated or whimsical, you must always find ways to make every aspect of your home comfortable, else, it fails to be home.
Tags: interior design techniques, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, unique interior design
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Monday, May 8th, 2017

FFDM Del Mar Collection: Bradbury Queen Bed features straightforward yet delicious lines which are perfect for your transitional home.
You might have heard the definition of transitional interior design to be that balance between traditional and contemporary styles. The truth is, this isn’t always the case. You can also fuse a few pieces from other styles that you love. This is pretty much like serving Twinkies on chinaware.
You are sure to love transitional interior design if you prefer layering of accessories and elegance in every corner. To you, these are far from boring.
Layer Tones
Achieving the transitional look does not mean having your room washed up in color. What you need is to strategically give neutrals the chance to rule. Love khaki, cream, tan, taupe, even gray. Espresso brown and chocolate are also considered fundamentals.
Begin the neutral palette on your flooring. The flooring is a huge background player especially in transitional homes. Go for natural stone, woods, neutral carpeting and tiles. And remember, always practice restraint.
A muted stone tiling inside the bathroom can become more exciting if you mix in parti-colored patterns.
If you have to use patterns, make sure that they are understated. You can repeat turquoise throughout the room since this is a must-have hue for the year. Shading must be subtle especially on your rugs, walls and the upholstery.
If you have a home that has wide windows, then be sure to let in a lot of natural light. Bring in those balloon valances, ornate finials and flowing draperies. These must just add ample visual weight but not in a way that would be visually obtrusive. Use window treatments that are elegant but simple such as bamboo blinds, basic panels and Roman shades.
Unassuming Silhouettes and Accents
Transitional furnishings come with clean profiles and a design that is pretty straightforward. This is definitely not baroque since it offers only the gentlest curves and simple yet energetic lines.
Gather accessories but do so wisely. You will not need a lot just to achieve impact. Artwork must have simple frames and subjects. Your lighting must also have clean and strong lines.
One of the key rooms that you need to be worried about is the transitional kitchen. Blend traditional surfaces like stone and wood with stainless steel pieces. You should not use ornate pieces or painted tiles in this room.
Hints of Texture
You cannot rely on bright hues to liven up a transitional home. Textures can help you do this so go ahead and use textured, woven fabrics, matte and shiny finishes, also natural fibers. Layer these exciting textures and finishes to achieve a room that excites.
Think also of burlap, leather, rattan, sisal, etc. Never go overboard, though, or you would end up losing the elegance which you are also trying to achieve for this style.

Still from the Del Mar Collection: Coronado Bed Bench
Zen Is the Word
Most important of all, you need to achieve a serene, highly restful area. Be sure to set up your furnishings in a non-brash kind of way yet it shouldn’t also be too quiet. Remember crisp lines, interesting textures, and ample patterns as well as fundamental lighting fixtures.
More on Updated Classic
The transitional style is also referred to as updated classic design. Based on the term transition, this is moving from one place to the next. In reference to interior design, though, it means meshing traditional and contemporary.
Transitional style is a hot trend these days. You can also say goodbye to the difficult design rules because this is an easy style to pull off. In a nutshell, here are your transitional design tips –
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, transitional, transitional design, transitional interiors, transitional style, transitional theme
Posted in 2017 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Making Transitional Your New Style
Friday, May 5th, 2017

Go intricate with the Uttermost Accessories Pajaro Ceramic Vases S_2 19843.
There are many homes all over the world that place a huge value over ceramic pieces. These decorative items are used to beautify many homes. There are also ceramic dishes and building materials as well as flooring tiles.
Ceramic has a lot of advantages over other materials. First, ceramics are easy to maintain and is compatible with just about any lifestyle. Ceramics are also relatively inexpensive. Depending on their application, these are a lot less expensive than hardwood flooring.
When used as dishware, though, ceramics are considered as top dollar design, meaning, you won’t have to worry about quality issues for a very long time because you invested on quality material.
Ceramics also tend to hold color quite well compared to stone or cement. Paint will also adhere well with ceramics more than any other decorative material. This means that you can enjoy your painted ceramic vases for a very long time. It is because of this that many decorative art pieces such as vases, figurines, decorative pots and lamps, are made of ceramic.
Ceramic may be highly fragile yet it can handle extreme heat or cold. This is why ceramic dishware and casseroles are highly-valued.
Ceramics are also highly useful in areas that have high moisture. So say yes to ceramic in the bathroom, outdoors and the kitchen. Ceramic flower pots hold the most amount of moisture for the soil, thus, indoor plants will thrive more when planted inside a ceramic pot.
Ceramic Vase Benefits
Ceramics are non-metallic and inorganic materials. There are many types but let’s talk of clay-based pieces here. These are used in creating mugs, flatware and vases.
Glazed ceramic vases has the same chemical stability as that of a glass vase. Glazing is, in essence, a thin glass coating over your ceramic decorative piece).
Ceramic vases are lighter than glass. It is a wonderful thermal insulator because of its porosity. It is also a wonderful choice for applications that require good insulation, longevity, and resistance to extreme temperature changes.

Or go simple with the Uttermost Accessories Pio Industrial Ceramic Vases S_2 20144
Decorating Your Ceramic Vase
Tags: ceramic pieces, ceramic vase, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017

FFDM Viniterra Cocktail Table shows off this lovely centerpiece of thick, glass bowl with floating lotus flowers.
During formal gatherings and other important occasions, haven’t you noticed how the tables come with the most beautiful centerpieces? These can include flowers, food, candles and other decorations. Of course, the table centerpieces are based on the tastes of the person who has set the formal occasion. These can also be based on the latest fashion and accessories.
If you’re wracking your brain for ideas on how to dress up your formal table for an upcoming event, then here are some popular centerpieces that you could consider –
The Roman Centerpiece
Romans often added foliage to their tables. Other centerpieces that were popular during the Roman times were ceramic vases and rock crystal dishes. Branches and decorative leaves were also commonly used.
Centerpiece of the Middle Ages
The wealthiest people of the Middle Ages had tables that were brimming with food so there was practically no room for any centerpiece – in essence, the foods were the centerpieces. During Christmastime, however, the special food centerpieces were marzipan or pastries that were shaped like animals, decorative objects, or people.
The 18th and 19th Century Centerpieces
Service à la russe (servants giving out dishes to their hostess) were quite common during this time. They cleared more room on dining tables for decorative items. They set up mirrors that reflected the most interesting porcelain figures. Aristocrats simply loved this setup.
Vertical centerpieces were the in thing throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. These vertical table décor were made using pyramids or tiered food. These were popularly known as epergnes or molded jellies and pudding.
Flowers were added on tables in the early 19th century. By the late part of this century, foliage and flowers were fused reflecting the event theme. White flowers, for instance, were used during a winter celebration.
Candelabra were also added.
The 20th Century Centerpieces
Decorative objects slowly replaced foliage and flowers on tables during the turn of this century. These objects were, again, tied to the event theme. For example, the hostess could drape a green table runner on her dining table during Saint Patrick’s Day.
Later in this century, food, once again, became the star of formal dining tables. It was during the ‘60s and ‘70s that the flower-loving generations gave reverence to flowers and made them centerpieces once more.

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Applewhite 60in Round Dining Table: Flowers will never go out of style when it comes to centerpiece materials.
Pretty Centerpieces of Today
You must first consider the size of your coffee table, center table, or dining table. The size will dictate how much decorative pieces you can fill the table with. A wide dining table, for instance, will look awkward with a single, miniature flower arrangement.
Think also about blank space. When you are designing your centerpiece, keep in mind that a lot of plain table showing could look boring and unfinished. Make room for a large statement piece when you have a wide or round dining table.
For narrower tables, use mini centerpieces or mini vignettes.
Another aspect that you can consider is the height of your centerpiece. This is what would make the table much more interesting. Tall glass vases are interesting pieces especially when you use equally interesting flowers.
Make sure also that the table centerpiece is pretty to look at from any angle of the table. The secret here is to consider symmetry and simplicity. Never forget to add table runners since these can also add to the visual interest of your formal table.
Wedding Centerpieces
What could be easier than to set up floating candles and flowers as your centerpiece? This is a minimalist approach but it is still a gorgeous setup that won’t fail to tantalize.
Another interesting wedding centerpiece is the wrapped vase. Cut huge green leaves such as ferns or hostas. Tie these to your vase using jute string.
Tags: centerpiece, creating table centerpiece, making table centerpiece, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, table centerpiece, table centerpieces
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

FFDM Summer Home: Panel Queen Bed sits beautifully in this ‘green’ bedroom.
Green is one of those hues that strike the eyes in a way that there isn’t a need to adjust. This is a restful color, since it is balanced, it is right in the middle of the color spectrum. Not a lot of people know this yet those who realize this aspect of green appreciate this well-adjusted color.
Back in 2013, a shade of green became the color of the year. Emerald green was quite huge back then, it was successful in succeeding the slot that Tangerine Tango filled the previous year. Because of the vigor that that tinge of orange offered for an entire year, the world wanted to have a sense of serenity the year after. The restoration of harmony and balance was gallantly offered by emerald green.
Healing You with Green
The chief psychological properties that green offers are harmony, balance and peace. This hue can restore and rejuvenate. It can easily give the feeling of a connection with Mother Nature. The right shade of green can also offer a greater sense of luxury and elegance.
The Resonance of Green
Before you decide on using green all over your place, try to ask yourself this important question – does this hue really resonate with you? Using it all because the rest of the interior design industry is going gaga over it at the moment is not the way to go.
Make sure that you pick green because you love this color and you can actually live with it. Begin by surrounding yourself with green at a shade that truly resonates to you.
You can also use classic green combinations such as complementary colors. Red, pink tones, orange and purple are wonderful hues to pair green with. Be sure to veer away from colors that would make green a jarring hue (e.g. yellow and blue).
This does not necessarily mean that you can no longer use blue with green. This all depends on the tone of blue and green that you end up using. Be ready to experiment if you are adamant in using both these colors.
Teaming up green with red also means you are ready to make the green a lot greener and red a lot redder.

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cayucos Pistachio Green Lamp 29204-1
The Green Habitat
Using color is all about having a purpose. Define the mood as well as the atmosphere that you would want to create. Decide whether green is perfect for your home. Decide on the proportion, combination, and placement for the colors that you pick.
Keep in mind that every tone has its own psychological property that can be altered depending on the hue that you team it up with. Be careful, though, as there are also negative results when clashing colors are paired.
Now you may be wondering which rooms would marry beautifully with green. Just decide which room needs more refinement, luxury or elegance and that’s the room that could use a bit of green. The foyer, the formal dining area, a reading nook – these are all rooms that should feel more secure, safe and serene with the use of green.
Green could also be an interesting accent wall. The easiest way, after all, to infuse color in a home is through paint. The safest, of course, is to just paint one wall. This is a dramatic choice that will clearly show how much you love green.
Bedding could also use green as an accent color. Say no to lime green in this room, though, as they tend to create a lot of energy.
Green furniture will also pop from a neutral background. Have this piece become the mother green as other pieces become the accessories that will complement.
Tags: green, green color palette, green interior design, green interiors, green palette, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2017 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Green: The Energizing Interior Design
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

FFDM Boulevard: This round dining table is perfect for homes with young, active babies.
A baby who’s on the move is a little bundle of joy that’s at a higher risk of getting in trouble. Gone are the days when your baby will just spend almost the entire day sleeping. Now, with more freedom, there is also a greater need to be more aware of the dangers that potentially lurk in every corner of your home.
Babyproofing a home is important in keeping the baby safe. You must take a few rounds in all the rooms and check out areas that are in need of childproofing – the leading ones are the nursery, kitchen, bathroom, even the living room (where the fireplace is often situated).
Burn and Scald Prevention
The fireplace is a pit that could potentially burn an exploring baby. Have this part of your living room fixed with a fireguard. If you have radiators, then you will need to be extra vigilant compared to a home that’s built with fireplaces.
As much as you can, make sure that your baby won’t be taken into the kitchen. If she needs to be there because there’s no one to look after her while you’re cooking, then just make sure that she won’t go near the cooker.
Have her secured in a playpen or the highchair.
Fall Prevention
Safety gates are the best tools to deter falls at the stairs. Have these installed across the doorways that lead to unmanned rooms. Check if the safety gate that you’re buying is in compliance with the BS EN 1930: 2000.
Check that the balusters on your stairs are not too widely-gapped. Stairs must also be free of clutter a hundred-percent each time. Low surfaces such as floor should be free from small objects. Regularly vacuum the living room so that such small items will not accumulate.
Baby toys must also be kept inside a box. Broken toys must be discarded right away especially the ones that have small parts. Better yet, check out the toys that are appropriate for your baby’s age. These are the ones that usually have larger parts.
Strangulation Prevention
If you have to take her with you to the garden, just make sure that you won’t take your eyes away from her. Ribbons, string, polythene bags and plastics should be locked. Even plastic hoses should also be kept away from your child’s reach.
Poisoning Prevention
Be sure to store all medicines, garden products, toiletries and alcohol in a cabinet that’s not easily accessible by younger children.
Outdoors, be sure to remove all the plants and flowers that might be potentially poisonous in your garden, too. Even the harmless-looking berries could cause poisoning.
Bump and Cut Prevention
Furniture should be fitted with corner protectors or – better yet – invest in pieces with round edges. Keep your cutlery, knives, scissors, and pens out of your baby’s reach. Have all drawers and cupboards fitted with locks.
If you’re not about to invest in a new furniture ensemble, then just make sure that you babyproof your existing furniture. There are now babyproofing products that are meant to cover table and chair edges. Called corner guards, check out the different options online. There are also some that come in sticker forms while others are plastic items that can keep the baby from hitting her head.
In the bathroom, there is also a toilet-lid lock that can now be purchased. Electrocution can also be prevented if you purchase outlet covers.
Childproofing the Bedroom
If you’re thinking that your baby is safe in the nursery or the bedroom at all times, think again. Those fluffy comforters are really not a good thing to place inside a baby’s room. This thick bedding can cause suffocation. To prevent SIDS death, be sure to place your baby, on her back, on a tight, firm mattress.
Tags: babyproofing, guest room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

The iComfort® by Serta Accessories Contour Pillow is ergonomically contoured to support both your head and neck.
If you’re having a hard time sleeping at night, it could be because you suspect that you have an insomnia or you simply feel uncomfortable. Most of the time, the problem is as simple as not having ample pillows. A lot of people take these for granted but even if this is the case, they remain to make a huge difference between a restful sleep from one that makes you toss and turn.
Pillows: The Necessary Amount
If you want to achieve healthy sleep, then you need to know that there should be enough pillows for you to remove that angle between your head and shoulder. This varies with every individual and it might take a few experimentations before you even get it right. After all, the level of comfort for one person may not necessarily be the same with the next one.
There are people who are comfortable sleeping even with just one pillow. For you, that might not be the case. Others sleep with large, fluffy pillows; others want the firmer types.
Statistically speaking, here are the numbers of pillows that are widely used –
A Single Pillow + One or More
Sleeping with just one pillow is a straightforward approach to sleeping. All you need to do is place it under your head, close your eyes, and that’s it.
If you are going to use more than one pillow, just make sure that your neck won’t stay at an angle that is uncomfortable for you. Remember also that using more than one pillow is not a guarantee that you will be sleeping comfortably.
Sleeping with a pair of pillows means you have more pieces to arrange when you sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning. Speaking of having two pillows, never make the mistake of stacking both under your head. This will raise your neck at an odd angle which will cause a stiff neck. If you want a fluffier head pillow, then just use a larger, single pillow.
If you’re a side sleeper, be sure to flank a pillow with your legs. This will provide extra support. If you sleep on your stomach, then be sure to place a pillow right below your hips instead of your head. This is not a healthy sleeping position, though, as it is known to induce a lot of body aches.
Spine Health and Your Pillow
The support of ample pillows is crucial for spinal disorders. The right kind of pillow support can make the problematic spine rest more comfortably. Know that restorative sleep is your body’s chance at healing.
There are different kinds of pillow fillings that also offer different levels of support. An orthopedic, roll-shaped type that is filled with polypropylene capsules is best for spinal alignment. The worst kind of pillow for people with spinal issues is the feather-filled type (100-percent goose down).
The spine is so sensitive and it is always connected to the neck, so, the curving or angle where your neck rests at can make a huge difference on your spine’s alignment. The human neck is slightly curved forward. This is crucial so that the weight of the head is supported and so we can stay upright.
Having a pillow that’s too high could bend the neck abnormally. This could also place the air pipe at a narrow angle, thus, obstructing your breathing. Having a low pillow height, on the other hand, could lead to strained neck muscles.
So go ahead and experiment on the correct height of your pillows.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, picking pillows, pillow, what pillows to choose
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Sleep Well: How Many Pillows Should You Have In Bed?
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