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Monday, November 14th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Dining Room Archivist 54in Round Dining Table with 1-18in Leaf will effortlessly create a spark of interest.
If you’re thinking that every interior designer has his own rule book hidden somewhere, think again. There aren’t any hard and fast laws that apply to each and every home that they look into. Interior designers are creative people so they make use of their imagination, they explore possibilities and they dream. There are some fundamental principles that they often follow, of course, so it’s crucial to know them and then let creativity guide you henceforth –
Paint ‘Em Last
Thinking that picking the paint color even before you begin the project might not be such a great idea. Arriving to a home with a fresh coat of paint may seem like a wonderful thought but you may be missing out on all the beautiful tints, shades and tones of your favorite color out there. Each one looks different depending on the lighting and architectural conditions in your home.
What you need to do is to find the best hue that will complement your chosen artwork, upholstery, carpentry, and furnishings.
You can just pick the color after all these other elements have been bought for your home.
Let the Furniture Breathe
Fight the need to stuff the room. Gracious lifestyle means you must have ample space to maneuver throughout your home.
This spells savings if you are working on just the right amount of budget. There is no need to fill up your space with unnecessary furnishings. You can now invest your budget in fewer yet quality pieces. Your room will definitely look better than when it’s stuffed with the wrong pieces or a lot of pieces that block passages.
Your Rug and Furniture Must Harmonize
There are three ways that you can arrange your furnishings on a rug. The first choice is to remember that the rug must be able to accommodate all parts of the furniture (legs and all). This means, therefore, that the larger the rug, the better. Make sure to leave 12-18 inches of the floor surface on all the sides.
A second choice is to keep the legs of the furniture off the small area rug. Don’t pick the smallest rug that you can find, though, as this may render the piece to look insignificant.
This approach is most suitable when you want to layer a pattern over a bigger or textured rug.
The third choice is to put just the front feet of the seating pieces onto the rug. This technique should help you tie the arrangement in a more visually coherent way. You can use this concept if you want to have an open space layout for your home.
Always Have a Focal Point
Just like a stage production, there are leading and supporting roles for cast members. This concept is also applicable to interior design. Pick the star of your show then make this the focal point of your home. All other items should take the supporting role.
The focal point must be dramatic enough to hold the attention of anyone who sees it. This can be that mantel and painting paired to create the perfect headboard for your bed. This could be your fireplace or any architectural beauty that you would want to highlight.
FFDM’s Fusion Collection features this lovely, colorful piece to electrify any living room.
Use Artwork to Your Advantage
Another way to make your home more exciting is to invest in works of art. But to use them correctly, you also have to know how to optimize them. Museums and galleries hang paintings and other works of art just at the right angle and height. Every piece should be hung midline or center from the floor. Remember that the average eye level for humans is 57 inches. Always think of the human scale and not the architecture of your home as you place an important artwork.
Tags: design tips, interior design choices, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Box on Stand: Rustic doesn’t always have to be “all brown”. The distressed look, here shown, is an exceptional way to achieve the rustic look.
It is, indeed, a capricious process to create a rustic tone. If you’re able to achieve it, though, you will see that the payoffs are huge. There has to be a balance of materials and features whether you are setting up a home that’s a modest log cabin, a timber lodge or a farmhouse.
Basic Styles of Rustic Structures
Did you know that there are basic classes for every rustic structure? The terms such as cottage, cabin, farmhouse or lodge all refer to rustic beauty but do not mean the exact same thing. Let’s begin defining one after the other –
A cottage has many variations just like any other home style. Every style evokes a different image. For some, it is a small, romantic place while the beach cottages all belong on a different plane. One thing’s common with all these cottages, though, and that is airy interiors.
The cabin, on the other hand, has dark-stained logs for exteriors. There is also the fieldstone chimney which is a typical addition. Just like many homes in the past, a cabin is always built using materials that are found from nature. These are then utilized to make functional pieces. Just picture the rusted firewood as well as the breezeway roofs.
Houses that have been around a long time were usually modified through the years. Modifications were often done over a period of years through the addition of other structures on the asset. A connecting breezeway is quite common.
The farmhouse is a popular structure in many rural landscapes. This is the representative of all the hard work that happens in far-flung places. No matter how basic, such a structure promises comfort and safety – the two things that are common in many rustic structures.
Common architectural elements include big porches, pitched rooflines, and those simple yet pretty sidings.
Farmhouses are built minus lavishness or waste. They were historically constructed with the use of materials that are rough-hewn and hand sawn.
The lodge makes use of big timber trusses, oversized fireplaces, high ceilings and chimneys. Take note of the roofing, too, as it was always made of thick cedar or the slated shingles. Bring your imagination to Lake Tahoe and you’d know what a lodge is supposed to look like.
Having a lodge means maximizing the views. This only means that the windows must be massive. The exteriors as well as the outdoor fireplace use a blend of materials such as timber posts, vertical boards, board and batten.
Now that you have these basic descriptions for rustic homes, can you now confidently tell that your home is rustic in style? The key is to have that open floor plan, wood furniture and beautiful, exposed architectural elements.
The Modern Rustic Home
Do you ever wonder how different a rustic home is from one that is modern rustic? One of the most noticeable features of a modern rustic home is the raw wood as well as the stone features. Preserve the look that’s common in rustic style which is the exposed beams, stone fireplace, and the use of furnishings made of reclaimed or sustainable wood.
Rustic also means natural so be ready to embrace rugs, linens and upholstery that show a natural aspect. Find the simplest fabrics minus the nauseating prints and patterns. Think of linen pillows, sisal, jute, and hides for a more natural look.
Modern rustic homes also have a good view of the picturesque outdoors so make sure that big windows are present. The modern rustic home is also almost always full of light and is spacious.
Lastly, bring in the wooden furniture to cap the look.
Tags: farmhouse, farmhouse look, farmhouse style, lodge, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern farmhouse look, modern rustic, old farmhouse, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, tips
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
FFDM American Cherry Collection
Here’s a challenge that many would-be homeowners typically face – a color scheme that would flow from one room to the next. This becomes harder to achieve once you’re told that repetition should not be overdone. The overall look of your home must still be dynamic but not to the point that it becomes confusing. The goal then is to achieve texture, value, hue, contrast and balance.
The Answer
To achieve a successful flow you need to learn the fundamental elements of design which are shape, color, scale, light, pattern, texture and balance. These components should be fused in way that’s still pleasant. It should feel like a flowing stream where the undercurrents are, well, underneath.
Vary the hues from one room to the next by changing the color intensity just within the contiguous color families. An example is greens and blues working together.
You can also create contrast on the walls by having the fabrics go against their color. Fabrics can also be related to walls through monochromatic varieties. When using a low-contrast palette, it is texture that will create visual interest.
When you want to create a beautiful scale, be sure to pick color accents that go against wall or floor colors. Don’t forget to feature artwork and other special items by making a focal point through the contrast of brightness or color.
Be sure to give every room its own distinct color personality so that you are ensured of a cohesive look and feel. If you’re the type who loves lots of colors, then it is still possible to achieve the flow by picking one color that will unify rooms. This unifying element could also be the woodwork on the doors, windows, molding, ceiling and baseboards. This connecting color does not have to be glaring.
You’re the Boss
Pick 3-5 colors (preferably your favorite ones) and plan how they would be presented in your home. What color would you assign as the background so that it will be shown more prominently? What colors will be carried from one room then to the other and in which areas will they appear?
Allow the current artworks, wall colors and furnishings inspire you.
Be Consistent
Just imagine that you’re taking a walk throughout your home and you’re leading your guests on a tour of sorts. What do you notice as you walk from room to room? Are the aesthetics and décor consistent throughout the rest of your home? Or are they too jarring that the guests tend to just look away?
If the tour made you realize that your house needs a little freshening up, then you might want to begin with the purchase of a rug. You can then find complementary paint colors, fabrics and accessories.
Begin with Carpets and Rugs
Go ahead and match two carpets for both the living and dining areas. This is most apt for an open space layout. Add variety later on then pick colors for your upholstery which you can use for both spaces. Gold and yellow are relative colors that are easy to use.
You can also use matching carpets by picking one color that is common for each. Red and gold look great together, in fact, they remind you of happy Christmas moments. Green and white are also a wonderful combination.
Area rugs that you use in your living and dining rooms can also be joined by a single color even when they have different designs and textures. A gray rug on the living room could have navy blue pinstripes while the dining room’s has an all blue rug paired with a gray mirror.
Tags: layout, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, space planning, tips
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Connelly Hall Console
Everything that people do comes with a reason. This reason is not something that’s appealing all the time, though. Each person has his or her own taste and preferences, design and styles, even their own life spheres.
A Rad Movement
The field of art had a movement called Eclecticism. This is still an unrecognized style on its own despite the movement’s success. For many this is still seen as a distinct movement. The term eclectic was first brought to the public’s attention by Joha Joachim Winckelmann. This was a term used by Carracci when painted and fused traditional and Renaissance pieces.
There’s a wonderful story behind this art movement. Eclectic style means the combination of elements or styles coming from different eras or periods. These then become a single project despite their varied origins.
Balance Is Key
Don’t think that eclecticism is all about putting in different styles and praying that they would work. On the contrary, there is a beautiful harmony that is happening in every eclectic piece. Let eclectic style into your home by adding different pieces of furniture coming from various unique places. Think also of all the elements that you could add to make the entire design look like a whole, willed piece.
Achieving Eclecticism
The eclectic style is very easy to love. While this is so, it is not easy to achieve. If you want your next design project to center on this style, then you need to outline and do’s and don’ts. Here are the DO’s –
Do remember the layout. When you are planning the space for an eclectic space, you might get caught up on what textures, colors or patterns you need to bring together that you forget about proper placement.
The layout is one of the fundamental things that you need to consider when setting up a room. The furniture layout is equally important. This is what would give you comfort and aesthetics. So before you begin purchasing the things that you will bring in, check out the furniture options. You might end up realizing that you don’t actually have ample space to welcome a sectional.
Consider utility as well. Remember always that the room is meant to be lived in, eventually, so let utility lead the decorations. Utility is a wonderful decorator. Allow it to make the decision for your fabrics and colors. Consider bookshelves, baskets, card tables and drink trays. These provide a lived-in look to any home.
As for the don’ts, let’s begin with don’t forget the focal point. As you arrange your layout, while you are combining different pieces from different eras, you must still remember to have a focused look. This means that some of the pieces will serve as accessories while one significant piece should serve as the focal point.
Be consistent. The nature of the style that you chose is varied so every room – while being different – must still complement the others. Have eclecticism throughout your home but create a flow that’s obviously there.
Always make sure as well that you’d pick one dominant color. This will serve as the unifying factor for the rest of the design elements. Color is also a great equalizer so you need it to create an overall look. While color is quite powerful, make sure that you do not compare hues. Don’t go sampling on all available paints for your wall. The trick is to make a decision then create a lineup of colors that are a shade or two lighter and darker than your chosen color. Don’t confuse yourself into lining up so many different colors that you end up feeling nauseated.
Tags: balance, eclectic, eclectic design, eclectic interior design, eclecticism, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, symmetry, unique interior design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2016
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Siobhan 6 Light Crystal Chandelier 21289
Drinking wine, champagne or any alcoholic beverage is a custom that’s practiced during special occasions and celebrations. It is also customary to bring out crystal or wine glasses to raise a toast to whatever it is that is being celebrated. People toast for successful work projects, weddings, finishing college, and new beginnings. But, hey, are you able to distinguish crystal from ordinary glass? Because, you see, you should be toasting from the real deal.
A lot of people look at a crystal and glass and they would say that they are practically the same. There are subtle differences which are not easily discerned by many. The chemical composition of each is different as well as their thickness, cut, clarity, sound, refraction, and weight. Know each of these factors so that you can find genuine crystal which you will eventually hang as a lighting fixture in your kitchen.
Glass vs. Crystal
Prior to delving into the glass and crystal differences, you should first define each according to what the popular culture thinks about them. For instance, a lot of people do not know that crystal is a term used for lead glass.
Glasses are made of glass and they are often used as containers. This is also a term used for drinkware that may have handles or without. Glass, in essence, is a raw material that is made of soda-lime. This is what 90% of glasses are made of these days.
Soda-lime, on the other hand, is made from soda, lime and silica. This is also typical in the manufacture of tableware, windows, bulbs and figurines. This is inexpensive compared to borosilicate glass (Pyrex) or fused quartz.
Crystal is made of silica, soda or potash, and lead oxide plus other additives. Lead crystals are durable and beautiful at the same time. They are great as decorative pieces.
Lead crystal was shortened to crystal because of the Italian word cristallo referring to Murano imitations. Wine glasses are often made of lead crystal as well as many decorative elements in many homes.
Apart from chemical composition, there are other ways to point out crystal from glass. Based on thickness, fine crystal is a lot thinner than glass. It also tends to be more decorative because it has a lead content. The lead makes it easy for the sculptor to do his magic. Crystal is more fragile, though.
When it comes to clarity, glasses are cloudy when held up against any kind of light. Crystal is famous for its clarity and for its refractive quality.
Now here’s the real tester – sound. Crystal has a rich pinging sound when you clink it. Glasses produce a thud.
The Crystal Chandelier
Would you like your dining room or kitchen to stand out? A crystal chandelier will immediately pull the attention of the beholder right into the middle of the room. Imagine a crystal chandelier in the middle of your kitchen and surrounded by rich materials such as quartz countertops, brick backsplash and the best copper pots and pans – now that’s a sight to behold.
You can also fuse soft and hard by hanging a crystal chandelier in the middle of a mainly masculine setting. Add some accent cabinets to accompany the beauty of your lighting fixture. White cabinetry is quite a common choice for crystal chandelier owners.
The kitchen island can also be complemented with this lighting beauty.
Prep yourself in buying crystal chandelier. They are huge and grand but they do not have a one-size-fits-all option. Find a fixture that’s not too big or too minute for your kitchen. This room is often fitted with a chandelier often when it also doubles as a dining area so make a wise decision.
The secret here is to look at the bigger picture. Remember these simple numbers –
For a room that sits 4-6 people, the crystal chandelier width should be 20-24 inches; with 6-8 people, the width should be 25-29; and for 8-10 people, the width should be 30-36 inches.
Tags: chandelier, chandeliers, designing with chandeliers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, use of chandeliers
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Thursday, November 10th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Chairside Table is as unique and colorful as a side table could get.
When you approach interior design from a homeowner’s point of view, you probably just go about and pick the things that you think are attractive. Also, you tend to make your decisions based on any existing décor or pattern in your home. Color, however is such a powerful tool that you can use to evoke certain emotions. It can also create illusions of space or invoke a dramatic ambience.
Here are tips on how you can effectively use color psychology right in your home –
Bright Colors = Spaciousness
You can create an illusion of space if you use a lot of bright colors in your interior design. Use a lot of eggshells or yellows to make a space seemingly bigger. Don’t immediately go for white, though. Even when it is known to add space, it is not as effective as the tinted hues.
Bright Colors = Happy Educated Crowd
You can appeal to the tastes of the educated few if you learn how to fuse complex colors. For home interiors and exteriors, it has been observed that educated people find two-word colors to be more appealing. Simple colors, on the other hand, appeal to people with lower budgets and those that have lower education levels. When you’re out to pick complex colors, it is best to use names like eggshell white or lime green.
Red = Appetite
You can help build appetite in the dining room or the kitchen by using dashes of red or painting the walls with red paint. A lot of restaurants know this concept which is why they willingly paint their walls with solid red or red patterns.
Use red in the kitchen to up the appetite of people. You can have neutral walls made non-boring when you add red shutters or paint the cabinet doors with any shade of red.
Blended Interior + Exterior = Wow
When you use foyer blends by combining interior and exterior paint, you end up wowing your guests. The entryway or foyer becomes much more exciting if you use this technique.
Deep Tones = Warmth
You can warm up your home by using deep tones during the colder months. Use a lot of yellows, oranges, reds and browns. When you are about to paint your home during the winter because you’re staging it for future selling, remember this advice because it will make the house stand out.
Cool Colors = Fresh and Breezy
If deep tones keep homes warm during the winter, then the opposite, the cooler colors do otherwise. These colors are along the same hues used during fall, especially blue, so use them in abundance during the summer months. Have a white exterior plus a blue trim to achieve a Greek aura which is great if you want a cool-looking home during summer.
Familiar Colors = Fond Memories
If you decide to use familiar colors from your childhood or your not-so-distant past, then you will surely be reminded of wonderful memories. This becomes more special as you put these familiar colors in the kitchen, after all, what could be more pleasant than feeling like you’re back in Grandma’s kitchen?
Reds and yellows are perfect for that playful yet posh look for the kitchen. Don’t use red, though, if you have a high blood pressure. More so, stay away from dark shades of red so that irritability won’t ensue in the house.
Extend the familiar colors into other rooms such as the bathroom. If you love wearing a particular color, then use that same color in your bathroom. Having your fave color on the background will help you look more yearningly at the mirror inside the bathroom. Basically, you will tend to love yourself.
Tags: adding colors to a home, color 101, color basics, color options, color palette, colors, cool colors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, warm colors, warm hues
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, November 10th, 2016
Lexington Living Room Merideth Etagere 351-C
There are plenty of things that you can do to make your home stand out from the rest. You can clean up, declutter, and add unique furnishings. All these are obvious things that you need to do but have you thought of other techniques to shatter stereotyping for your home?
Check out these cool ways to make your home the newest enviable structure on your block –
A High-Gloss Door
If you want the dining room to become extra glamorous, then be ready to create changes. Many people think of candlelit dinners when an evening space is designed as posh. Have a custom high-gloss plum dining door installed. Don’t be boring, be bold.
Fuse Clashing Hues
There are many vivid colors to choose from. Combine the most exciting colors with unique patterns and what you achieve is a customized, bold statement for your home. Use fabric on walls, silk shade to lamps, even a leather door. Have your floor custom-painted. The sky’s the limit when it comes to using colors that seemingly compete.
Artsy Bed
Do not be afraid to use a huge bed inside a small bedroom. Just make sure that the piece you purchase is an open and airy one. This is so you won’t feel claustrophobic. Memorize the rule of thumb which is to have the top at no less than six inches from the ceiling.
To add impact, be sure to use dark wallpaper. If you want to highlight the new bed, though, then it would be best to use white walls.
A Grand Chair
Dramatize a chair by placing it in a way that it is the first thing that you will see once you enter the room. Provide an equally grand pair for it such as an interesting urn or a large vase. Pairing great looking pieces will also help the guests make sense of your design agenda. Use a chair in the same color palette as your current furniture so that it will be look at home.
The Peculiar Statue
Find a statue that’s less ceremonial than a bust and wittier than the common horse head. Have this statute show a bit of human anatomy and or any eye-catching feature. Make sure to place this piece in the most conspicuous spot such as the entryway or a living room side table.
If you’re conscious about this effort, then have a smaller version work as a bookend in one of your shelves.
A Unique Table Lamp
A task lamp isn’t just for task lighting. Make it a point to use a modern task light right on the side table by the corner. An arched lamp up above will surely be the sleek piece to a gold backdrop. Switch it on and you’d see how it will cast a romantic glow.
The Graphic Rug
What could be more non-stereotypical than a bold-patterned rug? Make this the surprise focal point in a room where the common central pieces are the furniture. If not, the rug can also be a great design element unifier so allow it to do its job.
Don’t worry about pattern overload, allow a solid coffee table to solve this issue for you.
Universal Furniture Accessories Media Easel 026970 is a unique way to display your TV set.
The Modern Chandelier
The high-gloss door isn’t the end to something that’s shimmering. Adding the contemporary vibe of a chandelier will also make the dining room a must-see place. This is the kind of lighting that works best with dark frames and dark furnishings.
The glass element on the dining table echoes the bulbs and glimmering crystals of the chandelier up above.
It’s time to break away from what’s common. Use a thing or two from this list to make your home exceptional.
Tags: area rug, chandelier, decorating with area rugs, displaying an area rug, installing chandeliers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, unique interior design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Latico Chest
Did you know that colors behave in three ways? They can be passive, active or neutral. The term neutral actually means unbiased or impartial. It is because of this that the use of neutral colors is quite common in many homes.
Neutrals Pair with Any Hue
To begin with, neutrals like black, white, cream, brown, gray or any earthy tone can work with any color. Neutrals are versatile when it comes to decoration and interior design. This means that even through the years, as trends and preferences change, your color scheme remains in style.
Neutrals are hues that also provide the best background to any other color. It provides solid foundation for any décor whatever your style is.
Don’t overuse neutrals to the point that they become boring. Imagine seeing walls upon walls of cream or beige. That’s absolutely aesthetically stagnating.
Neutrals Add Visual and Tactile Textures
When you plan any neutral room, consider texture. This is a term that refers to an object’s appearance or surface characteristics. Texture isn’t all about seeing but touching, too. Tactile texture is the actual surface feeling whether it is smooth, rough, hard or soft.
Create a room that is multisensory. The design and décor mustn’t just look great but also begging to be touched. Imagine having a plush carpet right in the middle of the living room. Wouldn’t you want to remove your shoes and just lie down?
Neutrals in the Entryway
The entryway is where most first impressions take place. This is the right spot to show your being savvy in choosing a design. Don’t jar your guests with bright colors, though, only to make an impression. It’s better to select some patterns that may be neutral but still add visual interest to this part of your home. Think of runners, wallpaper, rugs, and art.
It would also be nice to place an unexpected furniture piece on the entryway. Imagine having a wing-backed chair right by the rack where the shoes are kept.
If you’re looking for the best neutral color to use, you can have inspiration from the floor tiles. Use the neutral colors of your tiles then bring that same shade to the entryway. This should give the space a more cohesive look.
Neutrals in the Living Room
If you’re still interested in having pops of colors elsewhere, then use them on the window treatments or the throw pillows. Enliven the living room by adding mirrors. These will reflect the neutrals while adding depth to the palette whether it is based on whites, browns, creams, or grays.
If you are decorating a living room that’s mainly neutral, then use slight variations of the same color. This should warm up the space and make it more aesthetically pleasant. Think of the neutral palette’s role on your window treatments, walls, floors, furniture and lighting fixtures.
It would also be nice to feature a beautiful architectural part of your home by using neutrals. Use neutral décor or color to highlight. Remember that a lighter shade on an architectural feature like a fireplace will highlight its very presence.
To add drama to a neutral living room, be sure to use a large chandelier. This isn’t just a beautiful addition to the décor but it’s a lighting fixture that will give a sense of purpose to an otherwise dull open space.
Neutrals in the Kitchen
Neutral kitchens are quickly gaining popularity each year. Guide the eyes of your guests by having the shapes repeated throughout the room. Find a cabinet that has the same color as some of the appliances. Don’t be afraid to mix media inside the kitchen. It’s an effective way to make the neutrals feel alive somehow.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral colors, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral interior design, neutral interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
Century Furniture Living Room One Seat Cushion 42555C: The attic can be the perfect additional sitting room in your home.
If you are searching for space for a master suite or a new bedroom, don’t bother looking elsewhere. What you need to do is to just look up. What you need to determine is whether your attic is a feasible candidate for redesigning. Remember that the attic is an existing square footage in your house and that means a lot of things.
Attic renovation is a smart way to make a difference in your home. Before you do so, make sure that the renovation project will be a safe and efficient one.
Know the Codes and Safety
Code enforcement varies but the codes state, at the very least, that 50% of finished attics should be 7 feet high. Its width should be 7 feet by 70 square feet. Be sure to ask an engineer to conduct a house inspection more specifically the framing and foundation that will carry the load.
Install a Ceiling Fan
Use this appliance to control the temperature in the room. Install it if you have headroom. This will make the warmer months more bearable as the fan will bring cool breeze into the room. Just flip the reverse switch during winter and warmer air will stay indoors.
Beef Up the Floors
Attic renovation will bring about attic activity. The thicker the floor joists, the quieter things will be. Insulation will not just help in climate control but also in keeping noise to a bare minimum.
Plan According to Room Placement
If you plan on installing a new bathroom right where the attic now is, make sure that a bathroom or a kitchen is below this room. This is so there’s already an existing plumbing. This should reduce additional plumbing installation and would also limit damages on the wall. Tie new pipes with the old ones. Run the water supply to the renovated attic all the way down to the basement. This is also to make sure that sewer gases won’t vent into the wrong pipes.
Install Ample Storage
Have enough cabinets, perimeter drawers, and cubbies installed. Even those awkward nooks and crannies, and those niches along the pipe chases and chimneys are opportunities to install shelves.
How to Build the Attic
Figure out how you will be able to get up and down the finished attic. Remember that enlarging a stairway or having a new one added will affect any space below. A straight stairway will eat up about 10-14 feet of space.
Take a peek inside the attic before you begin the project. Be sure to measure for headroom. If an A-shape rafter is able to spread out beneath the attic’s roof then this room is a potential candidate for remodeling.
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Cornelia King Bed Complete is the focal point to your newly-renovated attic-to-bedroom.
Attic to Bedroom
An attic renovated into a bedroom will make good use of a space that was once devoted to old books and other unused items. Reclaim that space under the roof and convert it into an additional bedroom or a guest room.
Attic conversion costs approximately $65,000 and it would help retain 61-percent of its value should you decide to put the house up for sale. While this is quite pricey, a lot of homeowners still undertake this conversion project. They also don’t show any regrets once they take on the project. Most are even happy or satisfied with the remodeling plans that they take on.
Just be mindful of building codes, access, electrical system, support structures, HVAC and plumbing systems when changing the attic to a bedroom. Hire a licensed electrician, plumber, and an HVAC specialist to help you with this upcoming endeavor.
As soon as the attic is turned into a beautiful bedroom, make sure that it has ample lighting. Use recessed LED lighting fixtures. Do not generate any unwanted heat by making sure that the lights are tucked completely into the ceiling.
After the lighting fixtures are installed, bring in the furnishings and accessories and you’re done.
Tags: attic, attic remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling the attic, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 8th, 2016
FFDM Ancestry Collection
Have you ever wondered what makes Old World design unique? This exceptional design has its roots in the French countryside as well as 18th century England. Old World also represents Spanish, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Italian Villa, and French Chateau. It is a design that is known for its inviting interiors and warmth. Here are other characteristics that make Old World design one-of-a-kind –
Warmth
Old World is also tantamount to having bronze accents, posh drapes, crystal chandelier, candelabra, ivory shades, wall sconces, and detailed millwork. Its color schemes come in neutral tones with rich, warm woods. Coffered ceilings and dark wood tones are common in offices.
Symmetry
Another important element of Old World design is symmetry. The furnishings must be balanced in order to create a room that induces conversation. Common accents include lots of throws, plump pillows and beautiful silk flowers.
Colors
Pick colors that are warm, rich and deep in tone. Get inspiration from nature and your immediate surroundings. Whether you’d get your creativeness from the green grass or deep golds and oranges of the fall season, it’s really up to you.
Other colors that are also often used in Old World design are cream, burgundy, woods with dark stain, navy, forest green, ocher, or sanded, aged surfaces.
Materials
Natural materials are a huge thing in Old World design. You may use stone, natural woods and metal works. Use heavy wooden cabinets, wrought-iron pieces and stone floors. Curtain rods are also welcome. Be sure to include materials with rich colors such as iron, copper and wrought-iron. Limestone and granite are also wonderful options.
Fabrics and Textures
If you want to depict Old World design in your home, make sure that you invest in the following –
Accents
The best accents for Old World design are terra cotta, wrought-iron, pottery, damask draperies and distressed finishes. Make sure to fill your home with accent pieces which represent who you are.
Architectural Detail
If you are about to gut a room that you would want to remodel, then it would be wise to build from the ground up. Include as many Old World architectural details as possible. You have to learn to love arched doors and windows, exposed wooden beams, and heavy furniture.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose King Panel Bed
Furniture
Old World furniture is free from built-in designs. This means that every piece under this design is freestanding. A kitchen island, for instance, may just be a simple butcher block or it may be a wooden piece with a marble or granite top.
Find slightly rustic or heavy furniture pieces. The chairs and couches must come with wooden frames as well as traditional cushions. The fabric and textures must be rich enough so that your guests will immediately know that it’s Old World.
Still on Old World kitchen, make sure that the cabinetry is free from complex designs. Use arches and hearth styles but say no to other ornate pieces. The cabinets in Old World kitchens often come with unique hinges as well as oversized doors. Corner edges and molding are often rounded on the edge. Large kitchen islands are the best pieces for to stain or paint. This is a good way to distinguish them from the kitchen cabinets.
Other Elements
Other ways to use Old World design is to make the room feel and look like travelers’ haven. Add woven shades, wicker furniture, bamboo pieces, and storage trunks.
It’s time to commit to this design. There is no use in being half-hearted about it. It is a wonderful style that you can be proud of since it shows the most interesting colors and textures. If these define who are you are, then Old World design it must be for your home.
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