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Monday, January 23rd, 2017
The natural stone tiles beautifully framed this beautiful ensemble from FFDM’s Belvedere Collection.
Any mountain-born materials like limestone, marble, slate, travertine, sandstone or granite is a variety of natural stone. Every single one of these has different properties to offer. If you are to choose from these materials, you need to understand the features of each. Once you recognize these, you will be able to decide which material is best for your home.
When shopping for natural stones, there are certain factors that you would need to ask your retailers about –
Rate of Absorption
This rating is in reference to the porous characteristic of the natural stone. The spongier it is, the more susceptible this material is to stains, damages and cracks especially in colder conditions.
There are four levels of absorption for natural stone tiles –
First is the non-vitreous level which is the highest absorption level. This tile is not a very good material to use in a damp environment.
The second level is the semi-vitreous stage where it is less absorbent. Of course, the more liquid these stone tiles are exposed to, you would have to exert more effort in their maintenance.
Vitreous is the standard level of absorption for natural stone flooring tiles. This material is often considered appropriate for majority of low to mid-traffic applications (whether indoors or outdoors).
The next level is impervious where materials are more resistant to liquid absorption, thus, they are a lot easier to maintain. These are usually used in commercial applications and areas where there’s higher foot traffic.
Definite Rate of Absorption
Generally, sandstone has the highest absorption rate. Slate, limestone, and travertine come with medium absorbency while granite is practically waterproof. Polished materials are also known to absorb less water when compared to cleft surfaces.
Grade
A few retailers are using a grading system in rating material quality. This could refer to the shape, size, as well as the thickness of the tile. Surface condition is also a factor that ups the grade of a material.
Most grading systems come with three quality levels. The first grade refers to the uniformity and high quality of the material. Grade 2 is the level where materials with slight defects like scratches, chips and irregular surfaces are categorized. Grade 3 tiles come with major flaws such as defects on surface, size, chipping and shape. Materials that are categorized under Grade 3 are best used as accent pieces or as a rustic decorative application.
Friction Coefficient
This gauges how slippery the materials are. A high coefficient means it can offer more traction. You must remember this number because it is crucial when you’re choosing tiles for a moist environment (e.g. bathroom or kitchen). Even high traffic commercial areas should have tiles with the highest coefficient of friction.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Rating
A few natural stone materials are more suitable to outdoor applications. Consider the factors above when picking a material for open air environment. Don’t use non-vitreous tiles as these will be subjected to acid rain, dirt and cracking.
Oxidation
Know that natural stones were formed underneath the earth for over millions of years, hence, it is common for them to contain incongruent elements. At times, even iron is present in such materials which can look bright red or amber on the surface of the stone.
Remember that the biggest problem in an outdoor environment is that iron traces tend to oxidize or rust. This could cause the tile to degenerate when not properly maintained.
As you shop for natural stone tiles for your home, be sure to do ample research so you would understand the above characteristics. Know which specific stone will be applicable to your dwelling, also, how much maintenance the material would require. Be able to ask your retailer about these factors.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stone tiles
Posted in Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Making Natural Stone Tile Shopping Easy – 6 Characteristics to Remember
Saturday, January 21st, 2017
This FFDM Brentwood Collection will look great on patios, decks and porches.
Do you ever wonder how much a porch or deck remodeling would cost? Deck and porch contractors are professionals that can help you assess this. Apart from consulting with them, you can also do your own deck research.
First, you must understand a few factors that will affect the project cost (whether to increase or decrease it). These factors include the budget, height of the structure, its shape, railing length, benches and steps, permits, removal of the old structure, built-in features, longevity, your personal preference, and the cost of materials.
Let’s discuss a few –
Budget
The budget will always have a direct effect on the remodeling cost, after all, if you don’t have ample budget, then you won’t be able to create your dream porch or deck. Having a smaller budget could also mean letting go of certain features such as rails, benches and rails.
Set the budget for the deck project before you even begin it. If you don’t do this, you could end up overspending, or worse, be left with an unfinished project.
Material Costs
The deck cost depends hugely on the kind of wood that you have chosen. There are plenty of options for wood if you want to make a beautiful and improved deck. The prices vary from $1 per square foot or as high as $41 for every square foot.
Keep in mind that wood isn’t the only choice that you can use. You can also use vinyl, plastic, concrete or aluminum. All these options offer different benefits and features.
Height
The higher your deck, the more materials you are going to use to complete it. So, yes, higher decks cost a lot more. Just think of it like a home. A three-story home is a lot costlier than a studio-type home within the same community.
Shape
The deck can be fashioned in any shape that you want. It can be a basic square, the unique S-shape or it can even be abstract. The more complex the shape, the costlier it is going to be. Unique designs, after all, take more time to plan and be built. Also, they could require extra permits that standard decks no longer need.
Railing Length
Remember that not all decks need rails. If you are building one that’s off the ground or are adding to the second story, then rails are a must-have.
Rails also add a certain beauty to single-story decks. You can just have shortened rails for such. Remember that the partial rail is cheaper than the full rail.
Benches and Steps
What is the main function for your porch or deck? You are likely to be building this deck so that your friends and your family could enjoy the outdoors throughout the year. Of course, you will need benches and other seating units installed. Benches could also increase the value of the house when it’s already time to sell.
Steps are also features that are not really needful. They are nice to have, though. Steps also do not add much to the deck’s overall cost so if you want some steps installed, go ahead and do so.
Old Deck Removal
If you already have an existing deck, then it would also cost more to have it removed and then to have a new one built. It will take manual labor to remove the previous one, so, you might need to shell out an extra thousand dollars to about $1,500 for the whole project.
Permits and Insurance
Building a new deck means you are likely going to apply for a permit. Decking contractors can do this for you. This extra service will also cost you more.
Any structural addition requires insurance so if this is your first deck, then you will need to have insurance. Remodeling could require an increased insurance premium.
Tags: deck, deck and porch, deck design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, porch, porch design
Posted in Outdoors Style | Comments Off on Deck and Porch Remodeling: Factors That Affect the Cost
Friday, January 20th, 2017
The Drexel Heritage 80169-72 comes with Crypton finish.
All pets require attention, time and a safe environment where they can live. The sad news is that some animals do not get this attention, or worse, they are just an afterthought for people who are building or remodeling homes. Think of your pets as important beings, too, so it is crucial that you attend to their particular needs. Don’t think of them as mere possessions or even disposable stuff.
There are many ways that you can turn your home into a pet-friendly zone. What you need is ample know-how and the desire to make the living space better for the pet and not just for you. Your pet, after all, is also a part of your family.
Best Flooring Choices
One of the first questions that would probably pop into your mind is what sort of flooring you could use that would be pet-friendly. Weigh aspects like comfort, style, and durability.
The best flooring choices include hard surface floors like painted concrete, bricks or terrazzo.
Bamboo is also an awesome choice as flooring for homes with pets. This kind of grass won’t wear and tear as it also effectively stands up to foot traffic. This spells fewer repairs for you during the year. It is also a renewable material and one that is stain resistant.
Stone is also a durable flooring material for homes of pet owners. It does not easily scratch and it is also able to hold up against accident. This is a hard material though it can be cold and uncomfortable to your pets, too. See what sort of workaround you can do to make the stone flooring a bit warmer for your pets.
Tiles – especially ceramic tiles – are the best flooring materials for pets. This is best for wear and tear as it does not easily scratch. The hard surface is toenail-proof which is an effective way to keep the look of the flooring. Tiles also provide a cooler place for your pets to take a nap during the summer months.
Luxury vinyl is a better material than regular vinyl. It is thicker and is a lot more comfortable for you and your pets to walk on.
Worst Flooring Options
Hardwood is at the very top of this list. A lot of homeowners prefer to install hardwood in their homes. If you have pets, though, this can easily get stains as well as scratches brought about by your pet’s long nails.
If you really have to use hardwood flooring, be extra careful in using it in the area where your pet feeds. Be sure to clean up the spills right away.
Laminate flooring is a slippery material to use. This is a hard surface for the house pets to walk on.
Carpet is also one of the worst kinds of flooring material that you can use if you have a pet. Carpet does not just absorb odor, it also soaks up stains and it traps pet hair.
Optimal Pet-Friendly Furniture
Furniture is a form of investment. Since this is so, you need to be selective as you pick the ones that you will use daily. Optimal furniture materials for pet-friendly homes include Crypton, ultrasuede and leather.
Crypton is a synthetic fiber that easily resists odors, stains, germs as well as muddy paws. Now isn’t this amazing?
Ultrasuede, on the other hand, has microfiber that is machine-washable. It is a material that’s smooth to the touch though it can easily resist discoloration and stains. This can also be machine-washed as well as dry-cleaned.
Leather is also a good choice because it is durable and easy to clean. If you are really concerned about scratches, then just opt for pleather.
Tags: home for you and your pet, home with pets, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pet-friendly home
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on A Home Loved by Your Pets: The Best and Worst Building Material Choices
Friday, January 20th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Home Office Vintage West Accent Desk
Your home office is a spot where you need to be productive. This does not mean that you have to compromise on looks, though. To achieve both, you have to know how to select the pieces that you will use to decorate the space. This is the perfect time to think outside of the box and begin being creative.
Hang Vision Boards
A probable reason why you could be struggling with your work is your lack of inspiration. As you already know, it is not easy to self-motivate especially when you are at home and alone in your office. The best solution to infuse energy into your private workspace is to hang a vision board.
This inspiration board doesn’t need to focus on just a single topic. You can hang more than one vision board to represent the different goals that you want to accomplish. This is also a wonderful way to visualize what you want in the future and be inspired to work harder.
Bright Floors Only
Incorporate bright floors so that your home office gets illuminated. Electrical lighting, of course, matters but it pays to light this room from the ground up. A basic way to have bright colors is to pick area rugs that come in lively patterns and colors. The space will not just appear more cheerful but will also feel warm and cozy.
The Picture Walls
Picture walls are an effective way to express your creativity, even your hobbies. You can also show your love for your family by hanging framed photos of your cherished travels.
Bring more life into your home office by highlighting these photographs.
Picture walls are DIY projects that you can enjoy to make with your family and friends.
The Hooker Wendover Collection is suitable for people who don’t want to veer away from the traditional look of an office.
Organize Creatively
Clutter should not be a part of any home especially the home office. Productivity is known to stem from a well-organized space. You will also find items more quickly as you delegate a storage unit for each of your stuff.
One stylish way to organize is to use wicker baskets in your home office. These are beautiful yet still practical solutions that you can consider.
Paint It
Paint is a good way to enhance the look of the home office. If you want to be unique, you can experiment with a striped accent wall.
Use Natural Lighting
Location is also an important aspect in any home office project. If you typically work inside a cubicle, you might have forgotten how it feels to have natural light. Yet this is one design element that you should not skimp on. Windows provide nothing but fresh air and they are also great for gazing out when you are on your break.
When you’re looking for a home where you’re going to set up your first home office or if you’re about to build an additional room to your home, never forget to consider window accessibility as well as natural light. This is vital for someone who works inside the house most of the time and ends up not getting much sunlight.
Set Up a Library
Do you like the idea of a comfortable and casual library? Your home office should have a space that’s away from all the work buzz. This must be a space that’s been set up as an escape area. Make sure that the layout remains simple so that you can rest your mind there as you curl up and read a book during your break.
Conclusion
You deserve an area that will cater to your more productive self. Allow these tips to guide you in perfecting the look for your home office.
Tags: home office, home office style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, productivity in a home office
Posted in Furniture, Home Office Design, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Home Office: Achieving Productivity and Beauty
Thursday, January 19th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Nico Cocktail Table
The living room is a place where people often gather to enjoy different sorts of activities so it makes sense that homeowners put in time and energy in creating and designing the perfect functional yet visually pleasing look. This room must also be able to show personality and comfort, even good enough to watch some episodes of your favorite TV series. At the center of every living room is a coffee table – a furniture piece that can become the star of the show.
Coffee Table Types
To learn how to decorate the coffee table means you have to know the different types first. There are various shapes and sizes to pick from. As a general rule, this table must not be more than one or two inches below or above the loveseat or couch’s height.
Point out the primary function of the coffee table. Will you use it to store magazines or crafts for your kids? Will it be used when entertaining people?
Different activities call for different storage, function and height requirements. A lot of styles also exist so it won’t be difficult to look for the one that will make your living room stand out.
As for the shape, the choices include rectangular, square, oval, round and abstract. Square is best for smaller spaces while the rectangular ones show the traditional shape for the coffee table. Oval and round ones are best for multiple seating arrangements while abstract pieces are great in bigger spaces. Abstract coffee tables also offer a unique style.
Common materials for coffee tables include acrylic, wood, glass, metal and upholstery.
Decorate with Coffee Table Books
A lot of homeowners use the classic, oversized coffee table book as the go-to décor. These books also come in different sizes and shapes. They also offer different topics depending on your interests.
See if you can find a book or two that could beautify your coffee table. You can also choose to buy books with interesting or colorful covers. Interesting photographs could also entertain guests during those moments when they wait for you to come out of the kitchen.
Decorate with Candles and Coasters
Coffee tables are great places to display design elements. Have a candle or two atop this table if you want to improve the ambience.
The use of coasters does not have to be boring. There are classic and contemporary choices that would help you keep the design of your room. You can also buy coasters that come with storage so they become a part of your décor.
Decorate with Runners and Trays
Runners and trays create interesting visual space where you can display your collectibles. Find trays that will enhance the look of the table while becoming the home for your shell or book collection. A colorful table runner, on the other hand, can give the living room a more playful look.
Decorate with a Centerpiece
There isn’t a better way to display your stuff more proudly than at the heart of the room. The coffee table sits at a prime space so it is the perfect piece of furniture to hold smaller items that will give the room a visual appeal.
A centerpiece is vital in designing a coffee table. Use a few interesting objects as centerpieces. Consider the elements like table design, accessories, and room style. See how you can create a focal point. Keep in mind that centerpieces don’t necessarily have to be at the center of the room each and every time.
Decorate with Plants and Flowers
Another way to bring life to the coffee table and eventually to the living room is by bringing in plants and flowers. Remember to match these with the design of the room.
Succulents and hydrangeas are the trendy plants to include. There are plenty of other options, though. See which ones suit your living room the most.
Tags: coffee table, designing a coffee table, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Decorating the Coffee Table in 5 Different Ways
Thursday, January 19th, 2017
The Hooker Furniture Bedroom Archivist Three-drawer Telephone Table is a unique addition that you can have for your home. It answers both function and beauty so you can’t ask for anything more.
Many people, these days, have busy schedules. Homes still need to look great even though this is the case for most working individuals. It also doesn’t help that most people aren’t innate interior designers. So, what should you do when it’s time to make your home look great for 2017? It’s time for a few design shortcuts.
The great news is that there are design shortcuts that you can now resort to. Interior designers have come up with these effective yet short ways of beautifying a home. These tips can also help you save time and money.
The Capel Incorporated Accessories Songbird Basket 0103BS Gold Finch is a stylish way to store extra items.
The Cheat Sheet
Begin your quest by searching for choice pieces that would give your home a more expensive look. Even interior designers practice a little patience when they scour through furniture shops and specialty stores.
Learn how to decorate by planning first and looking through different pieces first. Put in a little extra hour and work to find the right pieces to bring into your home.
Next, understand that interior design is not entirely reliant on what you put in as décor. It also pays to learn how to properly display the items that you choose to use. Be able to arrange the furniture and keep them clean. Both ways, you will be able to make your home appear nicer without doing too much.
Furniture arrangement is all about rearranging, rotating and creating effective visual symmetry. Be able to work new furniture angles. Push the furniture against the wall and place the end tables right where they belong.
Add pops of color by throwing blankets over couches. This is an effortless way of decorating as what you just need to do is to drape them over furniture pieces and they immediately become a part of the overall interior design.
Another design shortcut that you can do is to layer lighting. Remember that you can never have a lot of lighting choices for rooms in your home. If anything, a lot of homeowners neglect lighting so they end up with a less appealing home.
Lighting has the power to set the mood for your overall design. Choose which lighting fixture you would use for particular areas. Recessed lighting and table lamps work best in bedrooms while task lights dominate most kitchens but these do not mean that you’re stuck with these. You can also use wall sconces on your kitchen walls depending on the mood that you want to evoke.
Easy lighting tricks also include rearranging your existing lamps and lighting candles in different areas. You can also highlight plants, architectural details or plants.
You can also use a monochromatic color palette. This unicolor palette is helpful in designing smaller spaces. Use beige, creams and other neutrals to brighten up the room or to make it look bigger. Use this design trick on the walls, window treatments and on floors.
Hanging mirrors is also a quick way of designing any home. Use it to effectively bounce light, make a room appear brighter, or just use it as a cute, decorative touch. Use at least one mirror for each room.
Placing the mirrors in the wrong spots could also be a bad move so be careful. Be sure to put mirrors on the walls that are perpendicular to the windows. Never hang them across these windows.
If you like to soften hardwood flooring, then it’s time to consider layering rugs. These come in different designs and colors so pick the ones that go with your chosen style. Be able to do your homework before you make your final purchase. Make sure that you have the right style, size and material.
Conclusion
Design shortcuts can save you time, energy, even money. These tips aren’t meant to rush your home’s interior design so allow sometime to rearrange, collect and upgrade over time.
Tags: design shortcuts, design techniques, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shortcut designs
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Design Shortcuts for People with Hectic Schedules
Wednesday, January 18th, 2017
FFDM Fusion: The pop of green is a refreshing sight in this bedroom photograph.
It is always crucial that you stay up-to-date when it comes to interior design trends. An effective way to do this is to find out which colors are in and which are no longer popular. This is the first month of the year and so it is also the perfect time to begin updating the colors of your home. This is now the right time to switch to the more popular hues.
What’s Greenery?
Pantone highlights the color for this year. This is a symbolic selection of colors based on culture as well as a collective expression of people’s attitudes and moods.
Pantone blended two shades in the past year which were serenity and rose quartz. This year, it has chosen a brighter color that’s in line with what’s hip.
Greenery means a more cheerful version of yellow green. Pantone describes it as the symbol of new beginnings. It is a refreshing shade to begin with so it is the right color to alter the look of your home.
Greenery also blends well with other colors like blue and pink. This can also serve as the accent to white or black color scheme.
Greenery Painting
Refresh your home with a new coat of paint. This can beautifully add a burst of color to any room. If you’re adventurous enough, you can use it on your accent wall.
Infuse this color with stripes since it also looks great with white. You can make this accent wall the next DIY project for your family.
Greenery Backsplash
If you want your bathrooms to look trendier this year, then use greenery as the color for your bathroom or kitchen backsplash. If you currently have a natural-looking bathroom, use glass greenery tiles for the backsplash.
The average cost for every finished square foot is about $9.13 to $17.89.
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Rivington 3 Over 3 Sofa: The colors that you find in this photograph blend beautifully, with yellow green being the central hue.
Greenery in the Bedroom
Using this color inside the bedroom is a non-traditional way to set up your sleeping space. This could possibly improve your mood inside this room based on the psychology of color.
A green bedroom is a room that shows passion and vitality. This is the shade that you would want to use if you want to have a life-affirming color to represent your goals for this year.
Let your bedroom become a versatile place this 2017. Consider changing the window treatments as well as the bedding to match this beautiful color. Use small accessories like candles and pillows. If you love this shade enough, consider painting the trim or walls with a more permanent coat.
If you’re not that brave to venture into a blast of this color just yet, then just subtly incorporate it on your accessories. In the kitchen, for instance, use greenery vases, chair cushions and decorative bowls.
Matching Greenery
The Pantone color for this year is all about the beauty of nature and how you can bring it inside your home. If you’re ready to work with this color, be sure to accompany it with other natural elements like wood.
Use bamboo, rattan or wicker to highlight this wonderful color.
With a bolder attitude, you can match greenery with bright pinks, hot blues or metallics. Don’t overdo it, though, or you could end up with a room that has a lot of clashing hues.
A Final Reminder
Your home should be a retreat so use the Pantone color of the year to create a place of tranquility. Use it in different areas of your home to evoke relaxation and a beautiful appeal at the same time.
Embrace this global culture that’s taking the world by storm. Let greenery become the new you.
Tags: color of the year, greenery, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Pantone color of the year
Posted in 2017 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Greenery Is In This 2017
Wednesday, January 18th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Home Office Vintage West Accent Desk
Knowing how to achieve the right balance between coziness, functionality and style can be hard to achieve when you are out to design your home. No matter how much you spend on decent furniture, you could end up with a blah-looking room if you don’t know how to properly use these pieces. Achieving the magazine-like look of a living room or a bedroom is not an easy task but this does not mean that you won’t be able to achieve it.
At times, the scenario can be solved with the use of just a few tricks that would only require a few minutes. See how you could benefit from the following tips –
The Front Door Must be Pretty
It is important to create a first impression for your home. And what’s the first thing that your guests see when they visit you? Don’t overlook your home’s front door since this will be the first indicator that there is more to see inside.
Place something to beautify your front door. It needn’t be lavish, it could be as simple as a seasonal wreath or a door décor. You could also update your front door with a simple house number sign.
Plants are also a great idea but make sure that you arrange for them to still get ample sunlight and water.
Use the rule of three when styling or decorating. Display a trio to visually balance your space. Bring a little variety with the sizes, materials and height where you hang your stuff.
Begin also by decorating a corner or table then use the same concept throughout your home. Make sure that you don’t overdo it, though.
Design with Books
Whoever thought that book stacking can become a technique in decorating your home? Veer away from the usual vertically stacking, though. Try experimenting by having slightly-tilted stacks for a change. Alternative stacking is also best executed when you alternate between horizontal and vertical piles on shelves. Horizontal stacking effectively breaks the pattern of vertical lines, plus they create visual interest.
Be sure to create a random rhythm so that what you have is something that’s easy on the eye.
FFDM Fusion Collection
Showcase Conversation Pieces
Take great caution in displaying your collections and other objects that are dear to you. To get people’s attention, make sure the conversation pieces are able to stand out from the backdrop. This means you should only display items that have the power to draw the eye.
Find memory-related pieces, even random pictures to beautify your place.
Other Decorative Items
Branches and greenery are also excellent ways to enhance spaces. They are also capable of giving dimension to smaller homes. Even a simple vase filled with flowers or branches can already beautifully decorate a counter or a coffee table.
Bathroom necessities such as candles, corral perfumes and bud vases can be used to decorate trays.
Colorful and decorative tea towels are also an effective way to inject a little personality to the kitchen. Leave them on the countertops or just drape them over the sink’s side.
An imperfect collection of throw pillows can be used to decorate settees and sofas. Don’t keep them in a perfect lineup as they tend to look staged. For a more lived-in appeal, have different sizes, textures and shapes of decorative pillows sit on your favorite seating pieces.
Declutter your kitchen and other rooms in your home by using a basket as a storage piece. Store your oven toaster, the Panini maker, even the rice cooker in decorative, rustic baskets with rope handles to boost.
Lastly, be able to add contrast to your décor by putting cool tones where warm colors reign supreme and vice versa. A bouquet of hot pink flowers could be the perfect contrast to a yellow room. Identify the colors that will make the guests say wow.
Tags: designing homes, designing my home, home design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling home, styling homes
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Straight Out of a Magazine – Tips on How to Stylize Your Home Like a Pro
Tuesday, January 17th, 2017
CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR HOOKER FURNITURE PARKER STRIPED LANDSCAPE MIRROR: Be careful in packing mirrors as these are some of the most fragile items during transportation.
Moving to a new place can mean a lot of things. It could signal a new beginning or it is also the means to an end when you finally give up renting a space to finally own your home. If you’re nearing moving day and you still have no idea how to pack your stuff, here are some useful tips –
Organize Early
Last minute packing is never the way to go. Chances are, you have a month or two prior to leaving your current place so you have to make sure that the moving day would run smoothly.
If you can, create a to-do list that would help you itemize everything. A weekly accomplishment would be a great way to do this.
Create a Strategy
Moving is not as simple as moving from point A to point B. You could ask the help of your friends or simply hire a moving company. Renting a single truck for that day means you have to schedule beforehand.
If you choose to have your family members help instead, see how you would go about with packing and moving large boxes and bags. Should this seem difficult even with more family members helping out, it is best to ask around for the prices of moving companies.
Keep in Touch with the Movers
The big, heavy stuff should be numbered and expertly packed. These need the proficiency of professional movers.
Be able to communicate with your moving company to lay out all the requirements as well as your expectations. Don’t book the first mover that you see on the yellow pages.
Know that the mover has to be informed even about the minor details. This is so they can give you a comprehensive estimate of the cost and time that they would ask.
It is also your duty to inform the movers about heavy items like a grand piano or a refrigerator. These things could restrict the movement of most movers so they might need to use special equipment.
Choose the Right Transportation
If you’re moving just a stones throw away from your current place, then you could use more than one trip and get away with it. If this isn’t the case, then you’ll just have to assess the right size of the truck that would transport your stuff.
Picking the right size of truck is crucial when it becomes improbable to make several trips. To determine the right kind of truck for your new place, here are some few sub-tips –
It’s Time to Purge
Moving is also the best opportunity to organize your stuff and even get rid of many unused items. If you have ample time to spare, then hold a yard sale. Invite your friends and relatives to scour through your stuff and find which ones they can get off your hands. If these still leave you with a lot of stuff, then by all means, donate your clothing to charity.
Create a Packing Kit
If you’re packing with one or more persons, then it is important that you stay organized. Establish a system such as having inventory sheets and assigning a person per room. Give each packer a black marker, some packing tape, newspapers, and boxes.
Reuse boxes or just grab a box or two each time that you go to the grocery store. Pretty soon, these smaller boxes would serve their purpose as you carry stuff without too much effort.
And here’s the last moving tip – be sure to label everything. This is necessary especially when you’re hiring a moving company.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, moving, moving day, moving to a new home, moving to a new house
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on The Hassle-Free Moving Day – 6 Useful Tips to Remember
Monday, January 16th, 2017
Tommy Bahama Home Bedroom Candaleria Poster Bed 6.6 King 552-174C
There is no doubt that a bedroom becomes dramatic the moment it showcases a four-poster bed. This kind of bed screams opulence and elegance at the highest levels. This can, however, also overwhelm any bedroom. So, if you’re considering a floor area for the four-poster, be sure that you still have ample space for the rest of the bedroom.
Average-sized rooms can make do with contemporary four-poster beds. Much smaller rooms will have to choose pencil posts, half testers or those pretty canopy beds. These are just as attractive but they rarely overwhelm a space.
There are many styles to pick from constructed from different kinds of wood. Here are the options –
Single
Small double
Standard double
Queen size
King size
Super king size
California king size and
Custom sizes.
Choosing a Romantic Bed
Every four-poster has a romantic aura to it. It seems to have the appearance of beds used in bygone eras. This was originally used to make the bedroom even more private or to keep insects (such as mosquitoes) away.
The traditional type of four-poster bed has four posts linked at the top by a roof or a tester. These also came with ornate designs, even a coat of arms that is carved on the headboard or the footboard of the bed.
Most of the earliest four-posters had thicker and heavier posts. They even had gemstones as decorations.
Traditional models are still easy to find but if you prefer the more contemporary look, these are available, too.
The Half Testers
Half tester beds come with posts that are lower on the foot end and have higher posts at the head part. The canopy is extended on the top half of the bed. These became popular back in the 19th century when indoor heating had already improved.
Half testers often have intricate designs and are great options when traditional four-posters look overpowering. They are also suitable inside smaller bedrooms.
The Pencil Post Beds
Pencil beds are quite similar to the traditional type with the only difference of the surrounding posts being rounded and thinner on the former. Modern pencil posts no longer have a frame atop the bed but the traditional types had a canopy that covered the sleepers for more warmth and privacy.
The Canopy Beds
These beds come with four long posts and, more often than not, a fabric hangs all across the sides. These also come in both traditional and contemporary designs. The former use heavy cloth to surround the bed with pleats and ruffles. They also have hand-carved with ornate designs and feature intricate designs on the headboards and footboards.
The contemporary types, on the other hand, come with wood or metal frames and showcase much simpler designs. These also come with lighter materials like cotton or silk to surround the bed. Contemporary types also do not have a footboard.
Four-poster Wood Options
Most four-posters are made of wood since they tend to look more elegant. Consider which wood type you would want for your bedroom –
Oak. This is a traditional option for four-posters. It is durable which means it will not warp or even shrink over time.
Dark oak is preferred by many although lighter-colored oaks are also available.
Birch. This is wood that is light-colored but it could be stained to resemble darker types of woods such as walnut or cherry.
This is difficult to carve which is why it is often used to make simpler designs on contemporary four-posters. It also would not swell or shrink because it is also sturdy.
Mahogany. This is a heavy kind of wood and it offers a beautiful, reddish brown color. The wood is easy to carve and also has an awesome grain pattern. It also won’t warp so it is meant to last for a long time.
Rosewood. This is one of the most expensive kinds of wood that you could buy for a four-poster. It is a deep red wood that is expensive because it is quite rare. Just like oak, it is easy to carve and it could also last for a very long time.
Tags: canopy bed, four-poster, four-poster bed, four-posters, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Four-Poster Bed: Adding Drama to Your Sleeping Station
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