- Follow us:
Monday, February 20th, 2017
The Winslow Cocktail Table from the Cachet Collection of FFDM spells contemporary to a T.
Have you ever been confused about modern and contemporary furniture? Or are they the same to you? Let us clarify – once and for all – what these two interior designs and furniture styles really are. And to answer your confusion (if you ever were), they are not the same.
Modern design always refers to a period of time specifically in the 1920s till the 1950s. This is already a defined style while contemporary design is ever-changing. Contemporary means the style at the moment.
Modern vs. Contemporary Architecture
Architecture under this theme is anything that is currently being created. It is dynamic and without identity. It can be shabby chic at one point then it becomes Gothic at another. It is for this reason why this style is never tied to just one look.
Modern architecture, on the other hand, is a static style that has broken from the pre-Industrial Revolution designs. This is inevitably connected to the machine age and is generally categorized as anything that comes from the 20th century.
Modern architecture uses glass windows where the walls used to be. Corner windows can be glass. White stucco and whitewash are also big in modern style homes.
‘See any distinct right angles as well as flat roofs? They are there for a reason as these are inherent elements in modern design.
Contemporary architecture is often identified with solid walls as opposed to the whitewashed walls of the modern settings. Contemporary architecture – at the moment – has a boxy feel.
Cynthia Rowly for Hooker Furniture Gigi Settee is modern with its raised features and the wool rug paired to complete the look.
Modern vs. Contemporary Interiors
Modern, simply put, is anything that is Mid-century modern. You can recognize this look any day because of its clean and uncluttered interiors. Here, you are free to use leather, wood such as teak, and linen.
Plastic and molded plywood are also quite popular in modern settings. It is also common to see polished metal.
Modern furnishings are also raised from the floor. This means you should say no to sofa skirts and other ornate styles. Be simple, unadorned and unembellished and you can achieve the modern look more quickly than you think.
Furniture in modern homes are often raised from the floor. It also has an open space layout allowing for air to freely come and go. The walls are often white which add to the spacious look and feel.
Modern interiors also often have bare flooring and the only lines of demarcation are area rugs. These are made of wool and have a neutral color. The only hints of color are used in moderation.
Contemporary interior design means living and occurring. This refers to what is popular which means it can borrow a look from a certain era or it can be something fresh and new. An example is that art and furniture from the modern era are widely being used in many contemporary settings these days. Also, traditional moldings as well as millwork can also be incorporated in certain cases.
Contemporary style, at the moment, uses a lot of big windows. They also come in the oddest shapes which balance the open space layout that is common in such settings. The finishes use neutrals like stone, cedar or fir.
Finishing details come with ornate or clean lines – the choice is actually yours to make. Sustainability and comfort are also quite big in contemporary dwellings at the moment. Today, this may be referred to as West Coast contemporary but a decade or two from now, contemporary will be something else that’s entirely different.
A huge part of the confusion comes with the elements that are Mid-century modern which are being incorporated into contemporary homes.
Lastly, put emphasis on comfort if you want to have a contemporary setting. Be stylishly comfortable while adding aesthetic functionality still. Add throw pillows, artistic accessories, soft rugs and floor coverings to complete the look.
Tags: contemporary theme, contemporary vs. modern, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern theme, modern vs. contemporary
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Modern vs. Contemporary Furniture – Or Are They the Same?
Friday, February 17th, 2017
Winners Only Home Office 66 Inches Zahara Flat Top Desk GZ266F: Who says flowers can’t be presented as wallpaper?
Every 14th of February, in the U.S. and across the globe, flowers, chocolate and gifts are given to lovely ladies. All these are done in the name of Saint Valentine.
The Legend That Is St. Valentine
The history of this special day is tinged with both Roman and Christian traditions. But in order to truly understand how this day became such a hit among lovers, we have to know who St. Valentine really was.
Catholics recognize three saints in the name of Valentine or Valentinus. All three were martyred though there’s one legend where Valentine was the priest who served in Rome during the third century. Emperor Claudius II, unfortunately, sent single men off as soldiers because he believed that they are better at battle than those who have wives.
With this, Valentine started performing secret marriages for lovers. Not loving the defiance, Claudius had him put to death. There is another version wherein Valentine helped Christians in escaping from Roman prisons.
Flowers Galore
Since love is in the air, it’s time for you to give your home a little playful romantic ambience. You can express your affection through the decorative elements. The most popular, of course, are flowers and bouquets made with the most beautiful and colorful blossoms.
Pink ranunculus is an amazing Valentine’s Day gift and display. Every bloom varies in shade so even if you use just this one flower, you still achieve layering and depth because of the slightly different shades.
Pink blossoms can also be attached to branches using a hot glue. This can become an arrangement that you can use even after Valentine’s Day. Imagine all the months that it becomes a decorative piece in your living room – it’s just amazing.
Your options for floral arrangements can be displayed by the bedside, at the dining table, at the fireplace mantel, on the entryway credenza, the sofa, or the bed itself.
Lovin’ the Mantel
Surprise your loved one by dressing up the mantel. Use red pillar candles as well as candies inside decorative jars to decorate the mantel. Increase love in the air by adding a heart garland.
Bright colors can effectively make the mantel pop. Give love on V-day by painting chipboard letters. Spell L-O-V-E and paint it with red. If red is too cliché, use yellow with blue, pink and orange.
Another way to decorate the mantel is to frame a chalkboard with a love message. Have a flower arrangement right beside this plus add the bottles of wine, sweets and candles to complete the ensemble.
V-Day Wine
Give your loved one a date during this day and make sure you share a bottle of wine to celebrate your love. Wine is classy and is a great social tool.
Accessories Uttermost Cut Flower Bouquet Art 36108: A bouquet of flowers as a piece of art? Why not?
Say It with Red Furnishings
What a grander way to surprise your loved one than to invest in a red desk or a red chair? How about a red wall clock? The possibilities are endless.
Valentine’s Day is also shopping day for most people. And since furniture purchases are mostly planned especially during people’s favorite holidays, this is a great day to scout for the best deals.
Be creative. Buy a lovely red piece and see her eyes light up as you present the gift to her during this special day.
Sweeties
When bright cheery flowers are not the sight that would make your V-day special, then you’re one of the few who want something unique during this special day. You can also show a sweet gesture and give something literally sweet to your loved one.
Spell out your Valentine’s Day memo in cupcake frosting. You could choose to bake red velvet cupcakes, lavender pudding cakes, and other sweet desserts.
Here’s a link to the sweetest and most scrumptious Valentine’s Day cupcakes.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day decor, Valentine's Day decoration, Valentine's Day design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on 5 V-Day Decorating Tips
Friday, February 17th, 2017
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Domitia Brown Glass Table Lamp 26153
A lot of rooms need a fusion of lighting in order to set the proper mood and to provide illumination. Minus proper lighting, even a completely designed space will appear bland.
Lamps often have a functional and decorative role. Shape, size and style also need to be taken into account prior to buying this decorative element.
Decorating your home could boil down to finding the right statement pieces. A lamp that comes with a lovely shade, for instance, could be the last addition to make a bedroom feel cozier.
Lighting Fundamentals
Well-lit rooms come with a combination of two or more of the following – ambient or general lighting, accent lighting, task lighting and natural lighting.
General lighting offers a comfortable and safe level of light. Examples of this kind of light are pendants, sconces and chandeliers. Task lighting, on the other hand, supplies the kind of light that is intense and directed to architectural, art, or design details. Task lighting examples include work lights and desk lamps.
Accent lighting highlights the interesting features of your home. This could be in the form or recessed lighting, track lighting as well as wall sconces.
Lastly, natural lighting is one that’s provided by the sun, a firelight or candles. The amount of natural light changes as the time progresses each day. Other factors include the current season, weather and the location of the room.
If you are currently just using ambient lighting, then your home is missing out on tremendous opportunities to create vitality. Add accent or task lights in order to change your ordinary rooms to distinctive ones.
Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Decorative Elephant Lamp 1743-204
Table Lamps vs. Floor Lamps
A table lamp is often made with a room already in mind. You are still free to mix and match, though. Have your taste dominate your decision. You can use a lamp to emphasize a standout art piece or you can just choose to complement the room’s design.
Table lamps come in a variety of colors, materials and sizes.
Another factor to consider is the table lamp’s function. Will it be used for completing activities, reading or as a mere nightlight? Perhaps you are just searching for the right bedside lamp for a little nighttime reading before you fall asleep. ‘Looking for a decorative piece?
Table lamps are all these things and so much more. This kind of lamp is free standing so you can choose from heavy materials such as cast iron, wood, natural stone or ceramic.
Check the lampshade itself. This completes the aesthetic appeal of your lamp as well as how much light will be emitted by the lamp.
Floor lamps are different from table lamps because of their length. These are generally displayed in entryways and those tight corners. These can also be used in the living and dining rooms.
Just like table lamps, they also have a specific function to fulfill. They are meant to illuminate more space and also to complement the room’s décor.
Floor lamps may also be used as decorative lights. They can effortlessly change the mood in a room so find a lamp that’s well-made and sturdy. This must also be one that won’t easily topple with just a slight nudge.
A lot of floor lamps come with a separate shade and base. Be sure to check that both parts complement one another. They must also complement the design of the room while providing the required illumination.
A third option is the kid’s lamp. This is the lamp that provides the night light for kids. Yes, they can make those monsters under the bed disappear. Just don’t forget to pick bulbs that will complement the kid’s room’s color palette.
For nurseries, have a dim wall sconce or a table lamp so that diaper changing or rocking the child to sleep becomes a lot more comfortable.
Tags: bedside lamp, floor lamp, floor lamps, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, table lamp, table lamps
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on Decorative Lamps: Stylish Illumination
Thursday, February 16th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Gilded Accent Table
Many homeowners like to use gold in decorating their homes. There are those who are not able to understand the great power that this hue can offer in terms of style so they end up judging and concluding that it’s too pretentious. There may quite a number of people who are afraid to use gold for this reason but this should not stop you from using gold in your interior design.
Gold Is Timeless
One of the reasons that you should give gold a chance is that it’s timeless. It is adventurous, priceless and rich. It also symbolizes power and wealth. This color has always been a privilege of royalty and celebrities.
If too much gold scares you, then you have to learn to compromise. You can us small gold accents that can still have a lasting impact in your home. This shimmering color can have a huge impact on any decorative item from large-scale furnishing, bed linen to wallpaper.
Gold Is An Instant Standout
Another reason to love gold is that you won’t require an additional piece to make a statement. This means that you don’t have to spend a lot of time achieving a glamorous effect. Just like any design element, make sure that you purchase a gold element that works with the budget that you set. For example, a genuine mirror gilded with gold will be more pleasing than any replica.
Gold Is Shiny
Since gold offers a shiny, sunny color, it can make rooms feel uplifting and warm. So use a gold-highlighted seat or gold cutlery to create a space that’s homey yet classic at the same time.
Don’t think that this look is limited to interiors, though. You can also have gold pots for your lovely garden. What about an inflatable gold dolphin for your infinity pool? Wherever you decide to put gold, you can be ascertained of a glamorous look.
Gold Can Be Minimalist
There are also stylish gold accessories in the market. These are perfect for minimalism enthusiasts. What are these stuff that you can enjoy? A hanging pendant is one such simple yet gold-trimmed item.
Do you want to have a gold DIY deluxe effect? Just spray a pot with gold paint, use gold wallpaper to highlight a plain vase or have gold studs to your upholstered furnishings. Headboards with gold studs look absolutely stunning.
Gold Means Bling-bling
You can also blitz your home by adding gold bling. Be extra careful or you’d end up overpowering the room. What you need to achieve is a strong influence for your contemporary home. Use gold highlights or…
Bathing the Room with Gold
Enveloping an entire room with gold is a much bigger commitment. With the right artistic flair, this could also keep the home from becoming too indulgent. All you want to achieve when swathing the room in gold is to draw the eyes of your guests. This color will also entice them to linger and look around your home.
A golden wall also reflects the room’s natural light. Let the sunlight go through the windows then see the walls reflect the beautiful light. These walls will also serve as the warming point where other sparse elements pale in comparison.
Gold Is Free of Distraction
Using gold as a focal point means you’re ready to be noticed. Have a gold wall behind your headboard and see how it becomes the instant star. Whether you will use gold as a focal wall treatment, artwork or furniture.
Gold Is a Balancing Feature
Gold doesn’t have to be limited to being dramatic or being the star of the show. It can also be the balancing feature. Imagine framing greeneries and artwork with a touch of gold. It’s a dreamy fusion, isn’t it?
Tags: gold accent, gold color scheme, gold palette, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Reasons to Love Gold For Your Home
Thursday, February 16th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Hamptons 3 Over 3 Sofa
An interior designer has a huge faith in the creation of a home that fits the needs of their clients. A house is just the structure that stands and a home is something that means a lot deeper. A home is much more personal; the design briefs may change but the basics will always remain the same.
Characteristics of a Home
A home is supposed to be comfortable, friendly and homely. You could have children and pets so you might worry too much about spills and stains – don’t. A house is a place that can be tidy and clean all the time. Don’t be too bothered as a home is a place that looks and feels lived-in.
Define Your Style
Be intuitive with your design process. Get a feeling about what you need and have it executed through a style that spells your preferences. Take the time to explore, that’s fine. The best designs go without refinements or restatements in order to get the project done.
Take a Break
Get out of your interior design mindset, step out and achieve a calm mind. It pays to relax and be calm. Pretty soon, you will feel inspiration flowing through you once more.
At times, resting doesn’t necessarily mean going to the beach. It could sometimes be as simple as taking a luxurious sleep. There is nothing quite like a restful night on a holiday or a weekend. Catnaps are underrated, too.
Find Motivation
Find out who your biggest influencers are. This could be your family, work or nature. Your workspace should also reflect what motivates you – or it is the place where you also obtain motivation. Set up an inspiring space where you can translate your design ideas into drawings or blueprints.
Refine Your Work
Remember that the most amazing designs are refined. So be able to refine your chosen color. It’s not as easy as picking a color that you love and then having it painted onto the walls.
You have to consider whether the color you choose will make your home appear cozy or cold. Just like the different experiences that you have when you listen to different kinds of music, colors have the same effect, too. So be able to choose the colors that will inspire you (where you need inspiration) and will make you feel calm (when you’re in the bedroom).
Learn Interior Design Basics
Turning your house into a home means understanding a few fundamental principles. First, there’s layering. Textures can be layered just as you can layer fabrics. Think of soft draperies, rugs and furnishings.
Second, you must learn to contrast. There is a difference between small and large scale; textured and smooth; classic and contemporary. You must also learn to play with light and dark so that you can come up with beautiful contrasts in your home. Do not forget about pattern, texture and color for your opportunity to contrast your interiors.
Another principle is complement. This means you have to tie elements together. Add layers of the same treatment by having the smaller ones used in different locations.
Learn also about impact. This when you learn to create a dramatic statement such as a focal point in a room. This could be dressing up the fireplace or making artwork pop.
Lastly, don’t forget to exude your personality through your design. This is that sense of you that is represented throughout all the design elements. This could be as simple as layering objects and photographs from your various travels.
So what makes a house a home? It’s a lot of things. A house is just shelter but a home consists of your and your family, the noise that you create (or its lack thereof), and the rituals that you do there. Add the design elements that spell you and you’re no less than the best interior designer there is.
Tags: home design tips, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Turning a House Into Your Home
Wednesday, February 15th, 2017
The Stanley Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Storage Bed Queen 518-13-43 offers drawers for extra clothing, socks and other accessories.
Some people have admitted to hoarding; some keep denying their obsession. Hoarding is characterized by someone having a hard time parting with possessions. Such a behavior can have a harmful effect on the physical, emotional, financial and social life of the sufferer.
Well, we’re not here to discuss about a psychological disorder, this is not the site for that. You also won’t read about symptoms leading to hoarding. Let’s just discuss how you can keep your home clean and clear from stuff that you don’t really need.
The basic guidelines include the following –
Under Two Years
The guideline to not becoming a hoarder is to let go of things that don’t have any sentimental value to you. Or, if you have not used the item for more than two years, then you know that it’s really time to let it go.
At times, these items could not mean anything at all. It might be as ordinary as empty butter containers in your cupboard. These may have been intended, originally, to become storage containers but they just ended up taking space. If this is the case, then it’s time to throw them away. Allow other people to recycle them and turn them into something more useful.
Minimalist Clothing
What about those clothes that you have kept for a long time?
Clean up your wardrobe by, first, removing all your clothes from the closet. Do you see any empty hangers? Set them aside then start sorting your stuff into three boxes – keep, donate or trash. Take a careful look at your keep box. Take a second time to sort through it again. You will observe that there is more clothing there that can be classified under the donate box.
Take out the box that’s labeled trash.
Keep Photographs and Sentiments
Of course, there are a lot of items that were given to you by your loved ones. This does not mean that you should flood your home with items that you no longer use. If these items are sentimental to you, then have them displayed. If the collection has been hidden all the while inside the cupboard, then it was time for it to go a long time ago.
Don’t fear the feeling of letting go. This is letting go of your kids’ clothes when they’re already adults. The secret to having a clutter-free home is to admit that you need to let go of some stuff. You can take photographs of these sentimental items instead and have them kept in an organized container.
Recognize Commonly Hoarded Items
It is also important to recognize the items that are commonly hoarded. These are papers (especially old newspapers), clothing, plastic bags, car parts, tools, bolts, nuts, screws, electronic equipment, and building materials.
Old furniture should also be discarded and replaced with sturdier ones.
As soon as you identify your hoarded stuff, then it’s time to declutter. Find them one by one then label every single one of them. Create homes for these items and ensure that they are always returned to their rightful places.
Horizontal surfaces must be kept clean at all times. Remember that flat surfaces can easily gather dust. Keep your paper files to a bare minimum. In your kitchen, be sure to label pantry items in order to save time in finding ingredients.
FFDM American Cherry’s Warwick Corner Cabinet Deck is great for those tight, often unused corners.
Decluttering Takes Time
Admit to yourself that you have to begin slowly. Don’t go through all your stuff in one day then have a mound of them dumped the following day. Doing so could lead to negative feelings such as anxiety and regret. Instead, go through one small space or collection at a time.
Keep yourself from saying, “I’ll put this aside for now”. Get things done and do them now. Don’t trick yourself. In place of this, you can try framing only the best item or two from your collection. You can then consign, recycle or donate the rest of the pieces.
Tags: decluttering, decluttering tips, home decluttering, home organization, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on No Space for Hoarding – 4 Decluttering Tips to Commit to Memory
Wednesday, February 15th, 2017
The Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Computer Credenza can be used as a craft storage unit. It is simple yet stylish – descriptive of what you and your skills are.
Have you ever experienced creating something really unique, perhaps a treasure box, cake or a dress made from scratch? Isn’t it a feeling of complete bliss? Being creative can begin from childhood when you can mold clay, finger paint and build castles with Lego blocks. This can continue till adulthood when you have ample time to remain creative or it may not. With a nine to five job to attend to, sometimes, getting creative requires a lot more energy.
Being in touch with your creative self is crucial in having a healthy spiritual and emotional health. In fact, feelings can be expressed through art therapy. This involves a sense of creation and play; woodwork, drawing, baking, gardening or whatever you like doing.
Creativity is a wonderful method of beating stress and also in getting in touch with your inner self. So if you want a little helping hand in reviving your creative skills, then here are some tips –
Know Your Skills
If you have to revive your artistic aptitude, then you have to define what this skill or talent is. As soon as you are able to identify your skill, you can learn some more and be able to develop it. Skills can be classified in the following aspects –
Communication
Self-management
Thinking skills
Resilience
Positive attitude
Thinking skills
These are employability skills but there are also artistic skills such as the creation of painting, sculpture, clothing, drawings, etc.
Be Willing to Experiment
If you have a skill, then be willing to experiment. Try different ways and techniques. Without experimentation, your skill would become stagnant and you would have zero thrill.
The Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Square Storage Ottoman 7408-092S can double as a storage unit in your craft room.
It’s Time to Organize
Organizing your craft room is an extremely personal activity. It can be overwhelming at times especially when you’re trying to figure out where to store your craft stash. This becomes doubly difficult when you are a hoarder or a DIY fanatic.
If you sew, you can store fabrics in plastic containers with lid. You can then stack these storage containers from the floor all the way to the ceiling.
How you organize your craft materials is also dependent on how much space you have to spare. If you have available closet space, they drape fabric over the coat hangers. When you have a blank wall, then organize the fabrics inside plastic bins according to color or type. Again, stack these up.
If you have a good number of shelving units, then consider installing doors or tacking some fabrics like curtain. This should protect your art materials from dust.
In the absence of ample storage space, then recreate your staircase into a fabric-lined area.
Whether you choose baskets, plastic tubs, or cabinets and shelves, just remember to keep your yarn or thread stash organized according to color. This will make it easier for your eyes to recognize the supplies with just one glance. This will also help you prepare much more quickly for upcoming activities.
The less time you spend hunting for materials, the more time you will have to be inspired.
Fill baskets, jars, and boxes with ample supplies that you need. Don’t forget those pushpins, paper punch, scissors and other necessary materials.
In organizing paper, make sure that you place them in magazine holders instead of the usual stacks. Organize them according to color or type. The buttons can be stored in 5-inch glass jars.
Don’t get entangled in a roomful of yarn and fabrics. Instead, find an unused room or nook and turn this into your first craft room. If this isn’t possible at the moment, use a kitchen table and turn it into a unique crafts table.
Tags: craft room design, craft room organization, designing the craft room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Craft Room Organization Fundamentals
Tuesday, February 14th, 2017
FFDM American Cherry’s Marlborough Dining Table leaped to life with the porcelain vase filled with flowers was placed atop it.
One of the trendiest things in the world of interior design is getting closer to Mother Nature. This is all about being able to bring the outdoors in. it is also about how to blur the lines of the living spaces and perfecting the room layouts based on the temperature in your zone and your fondness for living outdoors.
There may be decorative pieces that celebrate the beauty of botanicals and there, too, are the real ones given to us by nature. Choose which of these two (you can also fuse them) you would bring in to your home.
Adding colors, focus, and organic structure to your home with the use of potted plants and flowers in vases could do wonders to your physical and mental health.
Achieving the Natural Look
To successfully create the look, it won’t require you to turn your house to a greenhouse. Instead, you can have some well-placed, green plants contribute to the natural look and feel in all the rooms whether you embraced a traditional or contemporary style.
The trick is to make the place look healthy and lush, complete with lovely shades of green and a plethora of textures. Begin by understanding the role of plants in successfully adapting to outdoor living. If you’re not that great in tending plants, then consult any green-thumbed expert.
From macramé hanging pots, to terrariums, vertical indoor garden and artificial plants – it is a lot easier to look for a green solution nowadays. A terrarium is an easy and fun way to welcome nature in. Just convert a funky-looking glass and create a garden inside using your favorite greens.
Large indoor plants have the power to create a dramatic statement while cool macramé hangers are a unique addition to any ordinary-looking space.
If you intend to use natural indoor plants, then be sure to plan how the sunlight and water could be administered to them. Artificial plants are also a wonderful alternative especially now that they are becoming more and more lifelike.
Basic Flower Arrangement
Fuse the tri-shades of African violets in a lovely urn then cover the arrangement using sheet moss. This will create a cozy feel to the ensemble while also holding the moisture in.
Be sure to have this arrangement drink in some light each morning. Don’t make it soak under the bright afternoon sun, though. When you water, lift the moss then soak the soil. Be sure to keep the moisture in the soil at all times but don’t get the leaves wet.
Uttermost Accessories Moth Orchid Planter Botanicals 60039
Paint with Succulents
Unleash your artistic skill by staging a still life using some succulents. Just like those lovely sculptures by master artisans, mini succulents and cacti can also be an amazing assemblage. Mix the shy, round, pointy and matte plants. Unify them with neutral pots then add a shade or two of purple and green leaves. Consider creating this ensemble – rat tail cacti, Echeveria varieties, jade and mistletoe cactus.
Use direct light and be sure to let the soil thoroughly dry between waterings.
Place a Tall Tree on Wheels
A tall fiddle-leaf fig with its large and leathery leaves can totally transform any dull corner. Create an oversized plant mobile that will help you wheel out the tree when you vacuum the corner. This will also come in handy when it’s time for the tree to drink in some morning sunlight.
Get a piece of precut bluestone then set right on a wheeled caddie. Buy a dark pot for your tree so that the eyes of your guests will immediately go to the greens.
Provide just a moderate amount of light and be sure to keep the tree away from the afternoon sun. The top inch of soil must dry out completely after watering.
Tags: decorating with plants, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, plant art, plant decor
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Plants: Nature’s Finest Decoration
Tuesday, February 14th, 2017
You could choose to stick with traditional design with this Hooker Furniture Living Room Austin Stationary Sofa.
Interior design is not all about the creation of a home that’s trendy. This can also be all about the preservation of the lovely past and paying homage to the character of an old home. If you happen to have a house that has seen decades, then you know how its quirky charm can make you fall in love in a jiff. See how these tips will make touching-up your old home a lore more fun –
Use Paint to Hide Imperfections
Most of the time, the primary features that people fall in love with are the pretty trimming, molding, fireplace and the door details especially when they were built on a different era. And because of the number of decades that this house has gone through, it is perfectly normal to see imperfections here and there.
A simple coat of paint is your primary step towards the preservation of these lovely details. You can also highlight them by choosing the right paint color and texture.
Typically, the walls and ceiling share just one color with a slightly glossier color for the trim. With your favorite palette applied, you can then add a bolder shade on the doors to turn them into the standouts that they were meant to be.
Highlight Striking Architecture
If the trim work is still in great shape, then just paint it using a neutral contrasting hue. Do this so you can show it off. The neutral shade (e.g. a blue-green gray) will surely help in making this lovely feature be the star of the show.
Use the same color of paint on the ceiling so that you tie the look and make it work for the entire design.
Emphasize Stain Glass
If your house has those grand stained windows, then be sure to counteract the grandness with basic white walls.
Conceal Unsightly Windows with Draperies
Your old home could come with odd-looking windows in the most unusual spots. An entire wall of drapery is the best way to subtly make the room appear cleaner. This also won’t make you think of completely toppling down walls all because of a pair of dull-looking windows.
Any room will look and feel more polished with the right set of draperies.
This FFDM Antebellum pieces is one of the pieces that will ‘somehow modernize’ your classic home. It carefully blends (not clashes) with the rest of the ambience.
Place Shelving Units
Open étagères (shelves) are stylish ways of adding storage as well as display space for your books, collectibles and baskets of odd stuff. They offer a gallery-like look that people will surely appreciate when they visit you in your home. Just imagine the number of conversation pieces that you can place in those shelves.
Fuse Old and Contemporary Periods
Be able to mix traditional and contemporary styles. Include stuff that feel look like they can fit in the period that your home comes in. See if you can also find some modern pieces with a vintage feel. It helps to also fill your home with the essentials of modern-day living such as computers, TV and a lovely sofa or sectional.
Generally, simple and clean contemporary furnishings are a great tool in bring about a modern-day feel to a classic home. These designs won’t clash for as long as you find the right kind of textures, lines and soft colors to fuse.
Create Unique Layouts
Old homes were built on odd lots and they could come with unusual layouts for the rooms. These can be those long, narrow spaces that make interior design a bit more difficult.
You can break rectangles into various square zones for improved functionality. Use area rugs to give meaning to these new zones and to visually open the rest of the space.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, old home, old home remodeling, old homes, remodeling old homes
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Old Home, New Charm
Monday, February 13th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Eastridge 54 inch Round Pedestal Dining Table w -20in Leaf
Home remodeling is not a walk in the park. You are bound to have headaches with schedules un-followed and material quality being sub-standard. Creating a home that’s fabulous takes a lot of effort, planning, and time. Here are some designer tips that you can mimic so you can add a little pizazz to your home –
Yes to Bigger Furniture
Contrary to common notion, having large furniture inside a small room is actually a step up in terms of remodeling. Huge pieces can actually make a room appear a tad bigger (e.g. a spacious bed with a lovely headboard in an average-sized room).
Just remember to scale your furniture so that you’re still able to leave ample space wherein you can move around with ease.
Yes to Wallpaper
Don’t automatically think of wallpaper as boring. These days, there are lots of designs, patterns and textures to choose from. Imagine feature walls right behind your headboard or inside the cozy dining room.
You can also wallpaper up the walls on your stairways and above the fireplace. Take interest in this exciting material and you will soon realize the overabundance of designs at your disposal.
Yes to the Floating Floor
Altering the flooring of a home is a major makeover. Use floating floors installed over tiles so that you won’t have to deal with noise. You could use a jack hammer to uninstall the old tiles.
Yes to Correct Lighting
Consider the lighting in your home. This has the power to change the feeling, colors and the overall ambience so choose well. Find out what task, general or accent lighting you need to use in different areas.
Yes to Storage Units
Always store materials in dry and cool places. Keep your tools inside a container while make sure that your valuables are also stored inside sturdy cabinets.
No to Mess
This doesn’t mean that you will turn into a minimalist overnight. Decluttering simply means you learn to let go of stuff that you no longer use. This also means being creative enough that you free up some space where there used to be a lot of unused stuff.
Less to zero clutter means you are able to simplify your life and eventually your surroundings. You must also make an effort to create a coherent design that will aid you in de-stressing.
No to Inaccurate Measurement
Another thing that you need to say no to is erroneous measurement. Even ¼ of an inch can make a huge difference. Dimensions that are off, non-symmetrical or unequal won’t give you the design impact that you want. In essence, measurements can make or break the look of your home.
If you’re not too confident in measuring architecture and how to place decorative elements, then ask for help. Friends or family members can help you take more accurate measurements.
No to Skipping Prep Work
You just have to do this the right way. Avoiding prep work is tantamount to embracing design failure. Take your time in doing it right from the onset. This may be a tedious process but it can save you a lot of time, money and effort later.
No to Gutting Every Little Thing
It is better to rely on a well-set plan than to begin renovating by clearing out everything. With correct planning, you should be able to work around certain areas. This can, again, save you a lot of time and effort.
No to the Wrong Tools
This is another problem that you wouldn’t want to encounter. Using the wrong tool could end up with a wrecked project, a damage on the tool itself, or worse, an accident. Again, you wouldn’t want this to happen.
Tags: home redesign, home redmodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, redesigning a home, redesigning homes, remodel, remodeling, remodeling a home
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Home Remodeling Triumphs and Mistakes
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
