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Saturday, September 10th, 2016
Featured photo taken from www.rachaelrayshow.com
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You have probably seen one of the Food Network shows that Rachael Ray hosted. She, too, is a celebrated author of cookbooks and a renowned TV talk show host. It is difficult not to be enthused by this energetic woman. Born under the Virgo sign, Rachael Ray came to the world on the 25th of August in 1968.
She’s a born New Yorker.
Rachael’s Life and Career
Rachael had various jobs – most in the food industry – before her classes (30 Minute Meals) were discovered by a local TV news station. She practically grew up in the restaurant industry as her family was in the food business for the longest time. She was working in a gourmet food store in New York when the station got wind of her classes. Since then, she already hosted different Food Network shows and authored different cookbooks. As if these weren’t enough, she went on to achieve her own talk show – Rachael Ray – and her very own magazine.
She already won a Daytime Emmy Award on her talk show.
The first book deal for Rachael came when more and more people were raving about her cooking segments on her show. Compared to other hosts, Ray’s style was lively and sometimes goofy. Her recipes were simple, most offered shortcuts which any mom – or anyone – could do in their own home.
Three other programs debuted as spurred by the 30 Minute Meals show. Pretty soon, she launched her lifestyle magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray. This was made available to the buying public in 2005. She soon had a self-titled show as coaxed by Oprah Winfrey. This happened in 2006 as did the award that she received for her 30 Minute Meals show. She then received her Emmy Award for an Outstanding Service Show. More critics and fans saw the value of her work which was why in 2008, Rachael Ray, the show, won the Daytime Emmy Award this time for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment. This ran till 2010.
Having achieved success through her programs, books and products, Rachael began giving to charity. She was the founder of Yum-O! which is a non-profit organization that educates young people as well as their families regarding good nutrition. Needy American children are also fed by her charitable institution.
Rachael is married to a lawyer, John Cusimano and they live in Lake Luzerne, NY. They also have a home in the Greenwich Village in Manhattan.
Rachael on Furniture This Fall
Okay, so we all know that Rachael is a star in so many aspects – from having her own show, cookbooks and magazine; so she has pretty much conquered what other people just dream of. Now, one can add the title furniture designer to her growing portfolio.
Rachael just exhibited the newest collection inside a cozy showroom in North Carolina. The home collection showed three parts – SoHo, Highline and Upstate. Every one of these offers inspired pieces based on different parts of New York.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that Rachael sketched some of the furniture pieces herself? The furnishings come in muted tones. You will also see a lot of silvery grays, with every collection coming with complete pieces. There are also multi-function kitchen islands, even a dog bed that coordinates beautifully to it! Being a dog lover, herself, she even has a line of dog food named Nutrish. Of course, Rachael Ray has offered a lot of lovely, functional pieces for pet lovers in the past but never in this matchy-matchy setup.
Legacy Classic Furniture produces the collection for her. This is Universal Furniture’s sister company, also responsible for the Paula Deen Home Collection.
‘Wanna live like Rachael Ray this fall? Then it’s time to check out her collection.
Tags: designing for fall, fall, fall style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Rachael Ray, Rachael Ray furniture, Rachael Ray furniture line, tips
Posted in Fall Season, Furniture, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, September 9th, 2016
The 1586-50001-BLK3 Lucky Clover Accent Table is both sleek and modern which makes it the best side table for a living room with open-space concept.
Many contemporary and modern homes now use the open floor plan. This is a style that both architects and clients make as a team. Because of the series of benefits and advantages, more and more homeowners are giving in to more breathing space.
Lots of Open Space
One of the major advantages of using an open floor plan in your home is that you get to have wide, wide space. Read some of the interior design magazines and you would often see a living room-kitchen fusion using the open space layout. This kind of layout is more inviting than having two separate rooms. Both rooms would feel more spacious since there are no evident walls to keep them apart.
Lots of Natural Light
As the walls are removed, you are practically removing barriers for light. Let the natural light flow in through the windows. More sunlight means having the whole room look and feel brighter.
This is another reason why open space layouts are a great choice for houses with fewer or smaller windows. This is also the best layout for rooms that have a darker décor.
Lots of Movement
Open floor plan also means that you can have more freedom of movement. You will appreciate this more if you begin to move your furniture around. Since there are no walls or tight spaces, you can move more freely, hence, renovation is a breeze.
Lots of Action
Open space plans also offer more room for entertainment. This is great for people who love to organize social gatherings. This is perfect for those moments when you invite guests over or if you simply want them to stay for dinner. You can have the dining room and the kitchen at adjacent areas so that you can still cook while the guests are having fun.
If you love hosting huge social gatherings, then this layout is, once again, to your advantage. You don’t just offer a larger space to your guests, you also provide an airier atmosphere as there are no walls and doors that could restrict everyone’s access to the dining room and the kitchen. This only means that you don’t have to seat everyone inside one space.
Do you have guests in wheelchairs? Then the open floor layout means they won’t have to worry about doors, stairs and walls which separate what are supposed to be the rooms. The handicapped won’t have to worry about opening doors, turning around or stopping as they can now move more easily.
Since open space layout also means the removal of walls, then you have less space where you could hang your artwork. Since this is so, you just have to assess which pieces need to be displayed and where you could hang them. On the other hand, with a bigger space, you should be able to hang bigger pieces.
More Safety
Since the kitchen is often open to the dining room or the living room, you get to see what is happening to your family even while you are busy cooking. This will make monitoring your kids much easier since you get to see them playing while you are working.
FFDM Brentwood Collection: The furniture pieces, accents, window treatments and flooring all come from the same hue family which makes this a room full of breathing space.
Less Mess
Open floor plan shows the entire home in one glance. This means that it is much easier to clean since you can pretty much see clutter once it’s obviously on the floor or on the walls. Just make sure that everything is clean and tidy, though, since dirt and clutter can also be easier to see.
With less square footage come techniques that should be used to make the area appear bigger. The open space plan is one such technique.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, open floor, open floor layout, open floor plan, open floor planning, open space, open space design, open space layout, open space theme, space planning
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, September 8th, 2016
FFDM Brentwood Collection features this dining room set that fits perfectly into these glass walls and stone flooring. The picturesque outdoors can be seen while enjoying one’s first cup of coffee in the morning or while dining with loved ones in the evening.
One of the biggest benefits of doing interior design by yourself is lowered cost. Most DIY designers might not have wholesale access as well as discounts from furniture and textile shops yet the money they save could be enormous. Materials that go with small budgets can also go a long way when the DIY enthusiast is able to find the sources himself.
If you really want to learn to become a DIY designer, then you have to know the following –
Now that you know these guidelines, it’s time to update to the latest trends or to set up a lasting style that you’d enjoy for a very long time.
Approximately 50% of Americans have not updated their home design in five years. About 9% have not updated in 10 years or so. The irony here is that about 20% of these homeowners admit to being satisfied with their home’s current décor. Still, this is a practically small number compared to the 120 million other homes.
Hooker Furniture Home Entertainment Sanctuary Two Piece Entertainment Group will fit naturally in a shabby chic setting.
Designing Shouldn’t be a Chore
DIY interior design can be done according to the homeowner’s schedule. The design plan can expand and be altered much quickly. For example, if a homeowner takes on a custom tile job, then he can reschedule the renovation till he learns from a tile installation class. Working with an interior designer means working with someone who has other clients. This may lead to limited interactions especially when you have someone who is quite popular.
A homeowner can basically source his own materials and pick colors as well as finishes on his own. Most DIY designers do not create their own textiles but they can roam around and look for fabrics in multiple stores.
Simple Designs That Work
Sometimes, you don’t have to tear down walls or paint an entire room just to say that you’re altering the design of your home. Make a unique photo display by updating your family photos. Use black and white photographs and some bright-colored tape.
Find some of your favorite photos then use editing software to turn them all to black and white. Print them on glossy paper to add visual on your walls. Place them horizontally or vertically according to your design plan. You don’t have to use the same size for all photos. Use different sizes then tape them onto the wall.
Another design that you can use is the monogrammed string art. You can use the modern graphic versions or the ones that bring a retro, 70s appeal.
You can also visit some décor shops and look for some floral china art. This can be used as a wall art. Just add a custom stencil such as a monogram then hang as a unique wall art.
Designing can get a bit overwhelming especially when you are scheduled to have drastic changes inside your home. Expect to feel stressed at times but don’t forget to have fun, too. Designing, after all, is both art and science so use your brain and your heart to come up with styles that would captivate.
Tags: diy interior design, DIY interior design projects, DIY projects, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, September 8th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Montage Mirror
The mirror is an interior designer’s best friend. There is a great reason behind this as a well-placed mirror can enhance the light inside a room, emphasize great views, and could even open up a small space. The key to using a mirror is to have it paired with another mirror. The location must also be impeccable so that you can maximize your décor.
Here are some ways that you can use mirrors as a decorative element –
The Decorative Window
There is never really any hard and fast rules when it comes to the use of mirrors in interior design. A mirror can bring depth and light inside any room. It can be a decorative window of sorts but one that you can move around as often as you like.
Mirrors offer various benefits as they can reflect an already beautiful scenery or color.
Mirroring Art
A huge and gorgeous mirror can easily become the focal point in a room. An extra large mirror, for instance, will be able to reflect the light in a whole balcony right below. It can also serve as a checkpoint for owners who are about to head out to their work.
The mirror is an artwork by itself but unlike the framed art, it is pretty much easy to set up.
Visual Expansion
Adding mirrors to any room can also offer visual expansion. The placement and location of the mirror are the key points in using this decorative item. You might want to ensure that no undesirable reflections are created so that you can maximize the mirror’s best qualities.
A mirror can brighten the room especially in spaces where much light is needed (e.g. the kitchen, dining room and living room).
Window-Mirror-Window Setup
You can also place a mirror between two windows. This will provide an optical illusion that you have three windows instead of just the two. Prop a full-length mirror against a wall and what you achieve is a relaxed atmosphere that is difficult to equal.
If you don’t have two windows lying close to each other, then you can have a slim mirror hung between two interesting artworks. This should emphasize the beauty of the art pieces. Just make sure that you arrange symmetrically, meaning, you place two equal-size frames and have the mirror sandwiched by them.
Maitland-Smith Accessories Brass Vanity Mirror 1254-376
Wood-Framed Mirror in a Kitchen
You can create a homey vibe inside the kitchen if you add a wood-framed mirror there. Whether small or large, you can hang or prop a mirror on the wall. Just make sure that the color of the frame goes with the overall design so it can effectively achieve warmth.
The Wall Mirror
Putting a huge mirror right behind a chest will suggest to the beholder that there is more space behind it. You can also fill up one wall with mirror so that you make the room appear more spacious.
The Sunburst Mirror
You may have seen a house or two with a beautiful sunburst mirror. You can bring in this same beauty inside your home. Have the sunburst mirror placed above the console table. This should immediately make the table a lot more interesting.
If you choose to have the sunburst mirror placed over the bed, then you’ve done correctly. That wall behind the headboard is often boring so you could spice things up a little by hanging that beautiful sunburst mirror soon.
Mirrors on Adjacent Walls
If it is statement that you really want, then you can line adjacent walls with mirrors. This should help bounce the light all around the room. This effect is especially useful inside the dining room since it can provide an impression of a much larger room.
Another word of caution – the big crowd illusion could get nauseous.
Tags: how to use mirrors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mirror, mirror in interior design, mirrored interiors, tips
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 7th, 2016
The Wesley Allen Bedroom Medina Iron Bed 1092 is the perfect anchor to this Scandinavian-themed bedroom.
Metal is undeniably hot these days but are you ready to incorporate it in your home? How you feel towards this design depends a lot on your preferred and current home design. Those who love modern design often feel at home with steel and other metals. Yet even those who have rustic or country homes can also make good use of this trend if they want to add a little intrigue or texture into their homes.
Using metal is often a tricky thing among female interior designers and decorators. This is because metal is something perceived to be mainly masculine. First, boys are often the ones who learn about metal when in school. Girls don’t get exposed to it or they have to work extra hard to get more knowledge about metals.
Metallic Choices
You won’t be reading about every possible metal that you can find on the planet but what you’ll know is a range of metals that is often used in interiors and buildings. You need to begin by understanding the application as well as the use for the metal.
A metal can be defined as an element that can form positive irons. It is characterized by its electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as its opacity. Metals are dense that light cannot easily pass through. They are also often hard. Metals can be mixed by melting eventually forming into alloys.
All metals that are being used in building structures today are able to conduct electricity and heat. They are also malleable which means you can bend and roll them according to the thickness or shape that you require.
Here’s a word of caution, though. Stainless steel bench tops are made with metal and they sit close to electricity. Make sure that it is earthed so that no one will be electrocuted.
This Lexington Living Room Rangoon Chair 4011-1092-956771 offers the charming beauty of both gold and bronze.
Metal and Contemporary
If you want a look that is sleek, stark and minimalist, then metals are at your disposal. The best metallic finishes for contemporary design are stainless steel, nickel and chrome. As for metallic touches, you can have them on accessories, furniture, fixtures, mirrors and room dividers.
An example of a great contemporary piece is any mirrored or metallic furniture. A set of chrome tables is a great addition to what could be a more mature room. Embracing contemporary design does not have to mean bleak or cold, though. Brass and gold metals can offer warmth while still maintaining a contemporary look.
You would need to conform to the traditional design rules, though, if you want to bring the contemporary look into the bathroom. You can have a woven wire shower curtain so that you will add texture and glimmer to an often dull bathroom.
Metallic Country
Using the country design together with metals means you will have an eclectic, classic and a cozy home. Country interiors should have copper, gold or chrome. Pots, fixtures and pans would also look great as they look like vintage metals.
An example of country and metal used in perfect harmony is having gold trim with a royal blue appliance. This is the epitome of a French kitchen.
Eclectic Metal
Eclectic is always perceived to be fun yet quirky. Metal is at home in this kind of design so go ahead and experiment. Just as long as the choices you make coincide with your personal choices, then they will surely look right inside your home.
The best metallic touches for this style are large mirrors, walls and large pieces of furniture.
Have a chrome lamp brought inside the bedroom or a mesh chair become the focal point inside the living room. Your goal is to make funky look like art.
Tags: eclectic, eclecticism, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, metal design, metal furniture, metal theme, metallic, metallic decor, metallic interior design, metallic interiors, metallic theme, metallics, metals in interior design
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2016
FFDM’s Sunset Collection: This side table can be brought out to the patio to hold potted plants and flower vases.
If you have a lovely furniture right on your porch and you bring it out there during spring or the summer, it could easily become your favorite piece. This is especially true if it is comfortable and sturdy. Even your little ones and pets could easily fall in love with it. A probable downside to this is weathering. This could happen when the furniture is exposed to constant rainstorms or the harshest rays of the sun.
Weathering could result in peeling and cracking, even warping in some furniture. You would soon realize that the piece of furniture was not meant to be taken outdoors.
Outdoor Furniture Challenges
There are many obstacles for your wooden furniture outdoors. First, since wood is biodegradable, it can rot or break. This won’t happen unless you have your teak, cedar or redwood treated to become rot resistant. Still, don’t expect the piece to last forever.
Standard furniture is often made with finishes and interior glue. These are meant to be used in climate-controlled structures. When these are placed outdoors and are exposed to the harsh temperatures and intense moisture levels, the glued joints could turn loose. The finish could also degrade.
Your wooden furniture can stand against such damages if waterproof glue is used.
As for the construction, look for the pieces that are sturdy. Find the ones with thick joints and pieces which decreases the wooden amount exposed to the harsh elements. Indoor furniture is often delicate as it is built with fine joints as well as glued veneers. These are invitations to warping, moisture as well as disintegration when left to the elements.
What’s a patio without the Canadel Living Room Upholstered Seat Bench BEN41104Q?
The Yard Sale Default
While it may be tempting to get the old tables and chairs and put them up for sale, you might want to hold your horses first. Rather than sell them right away, you can still seal and refinish the furniture. You would have to do this quickly, though, since deterioration is taking its hold each day.
Protection from the Elements
Furniture that is intended for indoor use generally doesn’t last long outdoors. If you want to use an indoor type of furniture that you could also use outside of your home, you should be prepared to have the piece pressure-treated as well as undergo chemical applications that could make it resist rotting.
Technically, interior furniture can be used outdoors but you have to know what to do to protect them. Leave no piece unfinished and make sure that you also choose the right kind of finish. Multiple coats of the correct finish could protect the furniture from harmful ultraviolet rays, even moisture. This is because paint can block UV rays better than the clear finish. Another great bet is for you to apply a coat of exterior primer. Top it with oil or latex-based paint for the exterior.
Achieve a natural wood look by applying various exterior spar varnish coats. This kind of coat can product a built-up type of finish which protects more effectively than oil. Find the ones that have UV blockers.
Prior to painting, be sure to sand down the surface down to the bare wood. You can also use chemical strippers to achieve the same effect. Seal every bit of crack, joints, the legs and bottoms. Seal everything that you could lay your eyes on.
Just to ascertain that your furniture will be more protected, be sure to recoat regularly. The best finishes can still wear and tear when exposed to Mother Nature. Recoating should be done in about a year or two.
As much as you can, protect the furniture from rain and the sun. Place some form of shade and raise the furniture off the ground so it won’t be exposed to puddles.
The best outdoors wooden materials include acacia, cedar, cypress, shorea, redwood and teak.
Tags: indoor-outdoor furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, outdoor furniture, outdoor view, outdoors furniture care, tips
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Outdoors Style | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Home Office Ball Claw Desk 434-10-158 has a delicious wooden color that will surely invite attention.
There’s plenty of wood on the planet. It is warm, cozy, it is strong and durable, it can even last for hundreds if not thousands of years. Wood has many uses including the building of bridges, manufacturing paper, or heating homes. This is one of the most versatile materials in the world with thousands of practical uses. But what do you think makes wood great?
What Is Wood?
Wood is grown in trees. If you could take a part of the tree and peel off the bark, you would immediately realize that there are two kinds of woods. The first, closest to the edge, is a light, moist layer referred to as sapwood. This is filled with tubes referred to as the xylem.
Deeper and darker into the tree is what’s known as the heartwood. This, in essence, is already dead because the xylem tubes were blocked with gums or resins.
At the sapwood’s outer edge is a thin layer known as the cambium. This is where the tree grows outward to form those annual rings which can tell you how old the tree is. If you take the time to cut the trunk vertically, you would get into the grain. There are also occasional ovals that interrupt the grains. These are the knots. Knots are unique and attractive parts of the wood but they tend to weaken the structure.
Is It Hardwood or Softwood?
There are two distinct kinds of wood – hardwoods and softwoods. While the names may convey hardness or softness, these don’t always refer to the sturdiness or suppleness of the wood. Hardwoods are woods that come from deciduous trees (those that have broad leaves). Examples of hardwood are birch, beech, ash, maple, teak, oak, mahogany and walnut.
Softwoods, on the other hand, come from coniferous trees (those that have cones and needles). Examples are cypress, cedar, pine, fir, redwood and spruce.
Generally, though, hardwoods are harder when compared to softwoods. One of the most famous exceptions is the Balsa wood which is classified as a hardwood but is actually soft.
Hardwoods come with beautiful grains which is why they are often used in manufacturing fine furniture. Decorative woodwork also looks great when done with hardwood. Softwoods are most suitable for construction work (e.g. poles and planks) because they are tall and straight.
Wood’s Chemical Composition
If you can take a look at some freshly cut wood right under a microscope, you will see that it – just like any other plant – is composed of many cells. These cells are made up of three substances namely cellulose, hemi cellulose and lignin.
There are literally hundreds of wood species so it is difficult to make a general adjective that would describe the word wood. See, oak is different from balsa in so many ways. Physically, wood is stiff and strong but if you compare it to steel, it is, of course, flexible and light. Still compared to plastic, metal and ceramic, woods have a unique isotropic inner structure.
Wood Is Durable
One of the greatest things about wood is that it can last for a very long time. This is why wooden structures made thousands of years ago are still being unearthed by archeologists. This means that wood can easily outlast the person who invested in it.
Wood can rot when forces of nature get a hold of it. Organisms like insects and fungi can also nibble at the cellulose and lignin. If you want your wood furniture to last, make sure that you know how to care for it. Ask your furniture retailer about cleaning solutions that could help you maintain your furniture’s beauty.
Tags: benefits of using wood, hardwood, hardwood design, hardwood pieces, hardwood species, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, types of hardwood, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture, wood furniture benefits, wooden, wooden elements, wooden materials
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Monday, September 5th, 2016
1030_Highlands_Dining_Table
No homeowner buys furniture with the wish from the onset that this piece would someday fall apart or wobble after just a year or two. Of course, you also don’t want to have a chair that could turn into your embarrassment by having a guest crash to the floor once it is used. The determination of quality furniture can be tricky yet it would eventually pay to learn how to speak furniture. This all begins with learning the basic furniture categories.
Wood Veneer on Solid Wood
This kind of furniture has become renowned as of late because of the growing scarcity of hardwood. These come with veneers consisting of thin layers of decorative wood. If you are looking for high quality, hardwood furniture, then this isn’t the way to go. The veneer is actually prettier and more expensive wood placed atop a less expensive piece. This is an economical technique used by manufacturers to make furniture pieces that are affordable.
Buying veneer means you have to be extra careful. Feel the edges of the piece then make sure that they are tightly fused onto the subtrate. This is no indication of less quality but that you should just pay more attention to craftsmanship when buying veneer.
Solid Wood
This is a furniture piece that has zero wood fiber or particle board. This is the board milled coming from the tree. Nothing can be more natural than this.
Solid wood could be hard (e.g. walnut) or soft (e.g. fir or pine). More often than not, wood can be refinished and has a long lifespan. It is also possible if you want to keep it as an heirloom. Find wider boards that are matched in color and grain so that you achieve a consistent appearance.
Solid Wood Products
Watch out for this phrase when you are out shopping for the best furniture materials. This could become a trap that could lead you astray if you’re not careful enough. Solid wood product is indicative of particle board or MDF but never solid wood.
Solid Hardwood
This is the most durable wood furniture option. Since it is hardwood, you can be guaranteed that the furniture piece will last for hundreds of years especially when you take good care of it. Maple, cherry and oak are great examples of hardwood. Just run your hand through the surface, it should feel smooth to the touch.
Laminate
This can look like real wood or it could also come in different colors. This is a sturdy surface material that is commonly applied over a fiberboard or particle board. Wood grain laminate is a photo of wood grain applied to the base material before sealing.
Just like when you’re buying veneer, make sure that you check the smoothness of the laminate. It should also be well-attached to the base, if not, this could result in chipping or early wearing and tearing.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Rhapsody King Tufted Bed
Wood Veneer on Medium-Density Fiberboard or Particle Board
This is less durable than sturdy wood because it is comprised of outer veneer or particle board as covering. This is often engineered so it is stable. It offers the look of wood but just don’t expect too much of it. What this is is just mid-range furniture so you may have it for a few years.
Upholstered Pieces
This is the term used on any kind of furniture with fabric or leather covers. It also has webbing, springs, and/or padding. Find quality pieces that are kiln-dried, hardwood furniture frames. These should be stapled or nailed. Check the joints and make sure that they are tight and well-fit.
Generally, take a very good look as you take a step back. The fabric patterns should be carefully matched. Always look for a consistent finish with zero imperfections.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, types of wood furniture, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture categories, wood furniture types, wooden, wooden furniture
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Monday, September 5th, 2016
FFDM Vintage Classics is a collection of quality wood furniture for people with impeccable taste.
If you’re out to purchase furniture today, it pays if you know what quality furniture really is. Don’t just drive around not knowing what pieces should go with your chosen theme and what materials should comprise the pieces that you take home. It is also important that you get your money’s worth whether this is a replacement or you’re out to buy your first sets of furniture.
Characteristics of Quality Furniture
The most basic approach in seeing the difference between quality and low quality pieces is to take a closer look at both old and new furniture. Take note that even furniture that was considered junk back in the 20th century had dovetailed joints inside drawers. All were made of solid wood back then.
Lesser pieces were often veneered on top of solid wood. Don’t think of veneer as an indication of poor quality, though. This is just a wood crafting technique used for many centuries which actually allows furniture craftsmen to beautifully design patterns as well as inlays which cannot be done in any other way.
Finer furniture pieces were often custom-built by the best cabinet makers and master joiners. These were fashioned out of kiln-dried, hardwood boards. The surviving pieces today are a testament to the master artisans’ quality of work.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Manhattan – Transitional Barstool features the unique fusion of quality leather and wood.
Wood Quality
Going back on getting the most out of your money, there are certain things that you need to look for. When it comes to construction, you have to search doweling, mortise and tenon, dovetails, mitering, tongue in groove, and the glued and screwed frames.
As for the materials, ask for the kiln-dried types as these are the ones in which moisture have been removed. Kiln-drying can take months depending on the kind of wood being dried.
Look also for the wood’s matching grain and color. The frames should be constructed using stable woods such as poplar, oak, solid cherry, or maple.
Going down to the wood furniture’s performance and overall looks, make sure that it feels solid to the touch. Don’t be afraid to rock or jostle the pieces that are presented to you. You must not hear any creaking sound.
As for the parts that are unexposed, make sure that they have been well-fitted and smooth. Only the best pieces in the world are able to perfect these characteristics.
If you happen to be buying drawers, then be sure to check that the drawers are sliding smoothly. The doors of cabinets should be closing neatly.
The quality of furniture that you choose depends on how much you are also willing to spend. Other factors are how you are going to use the piece and whether you would like to keep the piece your entire life.
It makes sense, in the long run, that you buy pricier furniture rather than to keep recycling it when it begins to fall apart. Go for trendy or traditional, it really doesn’t matter. What truly matters is that you can use the piece for a very long time.
A good piece that can promise you all these things are hardwood pieces which are often used in quality furniture. To make sure that these pieces come from sustainable and environment-friendly areas, make sure that you do your research before you buy. Ask about construction methods, overall performance and materials, even business practices.
Always remember that the most important part of furnishing your home is that you get to find pieces that you love and enjoy for the longest time possible.
Don’t resort to thrift shops and antique stores if you are looking for quality furniture. Check our lineup of quality hardwood pieces instead and you would soon wonder at how exquisite each piece is.
Tags: benefits of using wood, benefits of wood furniture, caring for wood furniture, designing with wood, fine furniture, fine furniture making, good furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, quality furniture, tips in choosing quality furniture, wood furniture
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Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Chest is beautifully earthy.
Earth has its beautiful, signature colors to offer depending on what season the place is on. Fall, for instance, offers browns, golds, oranges, and reds, even yellows. Just find out which one of these colors define your personality and which one can lend a cue to your next interior design project in your home.
Fall’s color palette is always nature-inspired. Just take a look at the turning leaves or the rust-colored skies. These hues bring in warmth even when the weather is actually bringing about a chill to the autumn air.
Bold and Exciting
Many people view earth colors as calming. What they fail to realize is that bold colors are also seen in berries, leaves and wood accents. Nature puts on a great display on the trees, in the sky, and the ground with broad strokes of bright and muted colors.
Fall is also about plums, burgundy, umber orange, and rust. So go ahead and change your bland interiors to an exciting inspiration each time that you enter your home. Alter an accent wall with your favorite fall color. Look for paint shops that have fall-focused palettes and experiment with them during this season.
Simple and Traditional
The classics are difficult to replace. Inspirational colors include sage green, browns, golden yellows, fiery reds, and creamy beiges. Fall is a season that is telling you to slow down since you just came from a season of bright colors.
Traditional upholstered furniture pieces work even during fall. You can also use seasonal arrangements of the most beautiful orange, red or yellow flowers. Use an area rug that can help you pull the space all together.
Simple may be subtle but it is definitely not boring.
BLK1 Bloom Round Dining Table with 1-20in leaf offers a jet black earthiness that’s difficult to ignore.
More Nature Display
Whoever said that nature just has to happen outdoors? The playful colors outside may be truly inspiring which is why most fall designs can be comprised of sea grass, exposed timber, slate and boulders. Other than these usual smorgasbord of hues, why not take a bland wall this time and liven it up with corks, natural rocks or something green, say, green wallpaper.
If the colors are too neutral for you, then just add an eye-popping furniture piece. This should bring visual interest in an instant. Red or orange coffee table can provide just the right amount of excitement.
All-Year-Round Colors
What’s great about fall is that it offers natural, earthy colors that would never go out of style. Spas come in blues and greens as well as browns because these are calming hues. These allude to the skies, earth, water and the sun. They, all together, bring harmony and peace to most people whether talking about physical, mental or subconscious aspects.
Pick from gray tones or from the brightest colors that you could find on the autumnal display. What’s great about the fall palette, too, is that it works well with any style. So, whether you love modern, eclectic, rustic, modern or traditional; fall never disappoints.
If you’re still not ready to alter your entire room during the season, then just bring in some dried pine cones, potpourri, lemons and oranges. Put a vase of your favorite fall flowers and you’re done.
The Fall Furniture Line
Fear no color during this season. Use bright strokes if needs be for your furniture pieces. The simple wooden cabinets can become the focal points if you are willing to invest in sunny yellow ones. The shinier the finish, the more that it would pop out, hence, adding the needed character to the room; just make sure that they don’t look like they are candy-coated, though.
Experiment within bounds – this is your mission for this season.
Tags: bold, bold color palette, bold colors, bold statement, designing for fall, fall, fall design, fall interior design, fall interior design elements, fall style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements
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