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Wednesday, July 13th, 2016
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Twin Peak King Sleigh Bed 1586-90566-BLK1
The dilemma out there in the world is that women are difficult to understand because it seems no one seems to know what they want. But have you ever wondered what men want? Given ample time, man also wants to understand himself. They often state this need by saying – I need space. This respect for the man’s maleness should be the driving factor in the creation of the perfect man cave.
Talk of Man Space
When talking about man spaces, this isn’t the usual garage filled with cars. A man cave is a lot more than this, after all, man cave is just one letter away from being a man cage so you had better do it right.
According to men, man space should be a place where he could ponder about life. It should be a room or a pad that shows his personality and individuality.
Not every man cave is created equal especially when you have to work with limited square footage. You have to consider where to place the entertainment center with your surround sound and its accompanying 72-inch plasma TV.
All these concerns should not stop you from breaking ground, though. You just have to define what you want.
Draw the Specs
A major home improvement project such as this one requires a lot of planning. You must also have a keen eye for details.
Begin by taking a precise measurement of every wall in the room that you intend to make into a man cave. Sketch the rough layout on graphing paper so that you will visualize your ideas and be able to erase mistakes before the major physical activities.
Men with smaller spaces have to reach into their creative minds. Just be sure to take into account the huge obstacles such as the pipe that is running from ceiling down to the floor. The obstacle might also be that immovable furnace built deep into the wall.
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Twin Peak King Sleigh Bed 1586-90566-BLK1
Set Out With the Right Tools
Every guy should have the standard hammer, wrench, screwdriver and cordless drill but if you are to cut through a drywall, then you will need more than these. Get an oscillating multi-tool which will be able to make you reach those hard-to-reach spaces.
For cutting, use a circular saw.
Have the TV Properly Installed
Most guys fall in love with the HD flatscreen. Their motto is – the bigger, the better.
You need to correctly set up this huge piece of appliance. Decide whether you want a swivel, flat-mount, or an articulating arm. The TV can also be built into the wall, again, your choice.
The Comfy Couch
The man has to relax his backside and where he does this has to be a functional furniture piece. Leather couches are a great choice. They are also easy to maintain. If you are concerned about the effects of weather on the couch, then have cloth upholstery. This will be more resilient to everyday usage.
If you don’t own a couch yet, then take time in choosing this one piece. Keep comfort and style in mind.
If you believe in Feng Shui, then that’s fine, just don’t go overboard.
Stock-Up on Drinks
It’s time to set up your own bar. Find a counter with smooth marble or granite countertop. After having this installed, go ahead and buy bottles of liquor (everything that you want), mixing tools, and a rack that would house them.
Add the Final Touches
This project won’t end without you deciding on the perfect bed. This should have a manly color and style. Are you a huge NY Giants fan? Then fill the room up with their memorabilia. Remember that you don’t have to be a DIY expert just to make your room stand out. The coolest accents aren’t always expensive, you just have to keep an open mind and an open eye.
Tags: man cave, man's bedroom, man's crib, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips
Posted in Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 13th, 2016
The rounded edges of this American Cherry piece from FFDM should keep your kids safe from accidental bumps.
Kids may be the loveliest creatures and they are sure to warm the heart effortlessly but they also bring a lot of mess with them. If you’re a parent, then you know how messy the dining room and the bathroom could get. No matter, you still need to make your home a safe and organized place for these little angels. Here are ways to fortify your home for your little ones (also so you could keep your sanity!) –
Install Fixed-Cushions on Sofas
Kids simply love pulling cushions from the sofa. If you want your place to look orderly even when there are some kids jumping up and about, then be ready to invest in sofas that come with fixed cushions. Sure the kids would feel sad about not being able to build a fort with the cushions but…yeah. There are other toys that could make them happy, right?
Say Yes to Vinyl Flooring
If you are remodeling your home at the moment or if you have growing kids to take care of, then you might want to make sure that you don’t get the floor scraped; furniture pieces are going to be dragged across the floor so it is best to cover it for now with vinyl flooring.
Vinyl flooring is almost impossible to damage. It can last through your kids’ major growing years.
Semi-Gloss Paint for Optimal Erasure
Setting up a chalkboard for the kids may be a wonderful idea but this shouldn’t automatically mean that you create with chalkboard paint. You can use the more beautiful semi-gloss paint when you’re out to paint the kids’ areas.
Choose any color that you prefer, no matter, semi-gloss washes up with ease. Go ahead and use semi-gloss on all of the walls where your kids often play.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Carpet Grip Rug 8330RS
Carpet and Area Rug Tiles for Kids
Carpeting and kids often don’t go together but if you must have a carpet, then consider having tiles instead of the usual broadloom. Should you have spills on the carpet tiles, then it would be easier to clean a tile or two than having to uninstall the entire broadloom.
The same concept is applicable to area rugs. Generally, they should not be used especially under the dining table but if you love having area rugs, then use tiles instead of the broad type.
Rounded Furniture Means Safety
Even when you have a home that has lots of space, your kids are bound to bump into something. Prevent accidents such as this by buying furniture with rounded edges. Remember, sharp corners mean constantly worrying about your kids’ safety so better have none of those in your home.
Lots of Storage
One can never have enough storage when it comes to children yet kids’ toys and stuff should be stored safely. Be sure to have ample drawers for the different toys, crafts, clothes, shoes, and other kiddie stuff.
Kids’ storage should change often so be sure to choose containers that can adapt as the seasons or the kids’ interests change. Stock up on open bins and medium-sized baskets. These have to be easy to clean.
Place the open cubbies, freestanding cabinets, and shelves for shoes in areas that are easily accessible by your kids. Be sure to place stackable matching boxes in a single unit. Label the containers for each kid to create a drop-off zone.
The Kiddie Counters
Kids will always want to test their boundaries so there would be moments when they would take over your space. Since this is an ongoing thing, it is best that you also create their space – preferably close to yours.
Kids love being close to their parents for a huge amount of time so give them a play counter where they could prepare the food with you. Use material that is durable such as quartz for the countertop.
Tags: childproofing guidelines, home for kids, kid-friendly home, kid-safe home, kids' playroom, kids' room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
FFDM’s Protege Collection: This geometric carpet pairs well with the hardwood flooring that it’s on.
One of the most difficult things to decide on when you become a homeowner is what kind of flooring you would have installed in your home. If you’re one of those who are clueless on where to begin, there are tips that can help you, not just in choosing your flooring material but also the carpeting that would go well with it –
Mix and Match
When deciding around flooring, it’s alright to mix up quite a bit. There is no need to stick to just a single texture. Smart mixes of various floorings can be an effective move.
High traffic areas such as the kitchen, hallways, and family rooms need hard products like laminates. Luxury areas have a different requirement. Bedrooms, lounge rooms and other such areas need carpeting.
Find floors that will complement each other. This is the key to making a functional and lovely living space. Find a tone that is suitable for your home and your preference. There are certain rules to follow, though, such as using warmer tones when your home has high ceilings.
Remember that warmer hues do not automatically mean darker tones. Balance the hard floor and carpet mixture by using the right pairings of hues. The tone and color of every floor should come from like color families. Never go into visual jarring.
Wooden floors and carpeting are never an either/or choice. A comfortable home needs a mixture of both. The floor should be able to withstand high traffic while showcasing your personality.
The designers of today prefer to use wood and carpet for utmost visual impact. None can offer a more striking look. Wood floor is an effective element that can tie different rooms together. It is beautiful, easy to clean, durable and elegant. It is also visually warm so it is easy to make your home feel more comfortable when you install it.
Get the most out of hardwood floors by knowing when to use light and dark colored wood. Lighter colors should be able to open up cramped spaces. Darker woods can create an intimate space out of an expansive area.
Be sure to pair hardwood flooring with unique area rugs or carpet.
FFDM’s Summer Home Collection: The lovely beige carpet pairs with the darker hue of the wood flooring in this bedroom.
Some Hardwood Floor No-No’s
Say Yes to Carpets
Carpets have a lot of benefits to offer. First, they are able to mute noise and are even able to keep your feet warm. Choose the right color and material so that you won’t have to clean and deodorize all the time.
Carpets are great to use inside bedrooms and living spaces. These are areas where warmth and comfort are most needed, hence, you can use ample carpeting there.
If you want to anchor furniture groupings, then use area rug and carpet duos. Be sure to highlight analogous textures and neutral hues.
Carpets are unwelcome in rooms where food is often prepared. They shouldn’t also be matched with other carpets in separate rooms so that there is a clear division of space and functionality.
How About Area Rugs?
Area rugs are more versatile than carpeting and hardwood flooring. These pair beautifully with tiles, carpet or wood, and just about any material that you could think of; they can also define spaces while enhancing the décor all around.
Area rugs can also protect the floor from wear, tear and dirt. Make sure that you choose the right size of rugs. Majority of rooms, including the bedroom, dining room and living room need no less than 8×10 foot rug. Breakfast nooks can make do with a 5×7.
Tags: area rug, carpet, carpet choices, carpet design, carpeting, decorating with area rugs, displaying an area rug, hardwood flooring, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, wood flooring
Posted in Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Monday, July 11th, 2016
Contrast the starkness of white and this 1586-10458-GRY1 Note-To-Self Writing Desk 1586-75410D-GLD6 Swanson Upholstered Metal Side Chair with gold accents, the wooden desk and a vase of colorful roses.
The world that we now live in is a fast-paced one; because of this, it’s crucial that people slow down, take the time to relax, and unwind. People who are constantly on the go as they attend to their jobs, do grocery shopping and go about with mundane things are the very people that need a place of refuge. The great news is that they don’t have to travel far in order to get their much-needed rest. If all would only know how to set it up, their home could actually be a place of relaxation.
Boosting the Mood in Your Home
Upping the positivity in your home is as easy as choosing the right paint colors. There are just three primary colors to begin with but there are literally millions of mixtures to choose from. Yet if you know which color to look for, it would be easy to find the right texture that should go with it.
The creation of a sanctuary in your home begins with the obvious places – the bedroom and the bathroom. You begin and end your day in these rooms so, before you set out to have them painted in relaxing colors, make sure that you take away the clutter first.
After decluttering, you’re now free to choose from the soothing hues of bedroom palettes. Think of sea-glass green or celestial blue. Any of the two could work as the main color of your walls. If you want something different, mix in a pleasing hue and watch your experiment unfold.
White linens are classic and clean yet colorful pillows would make the bedroom much more interesting. Remember to keep the room clutter-free so that stress relief would be a breeze.
It might come as a challenge to come up with a painting project when it comes to the bathroom that has one tiny window or has none at all. Should this be the case in your home, be sure to look for colors that will lighten the mood up. Choose two to three shades of your favorite hues then use the darkest shade sparingly. The darkest colors should always go at the bottom part of the room then as you work your way up, be sure to have a lighter color. Doing so should open up the room, making it appear expansive and seemingly filled with light.
Take out the stress of choosing paint colors for the bathroom by taking hues from your tiles. You can use the same shade on your cabinet door. Navy blue paired with a lot of white will look highly dashing.
Calm Also Means Homey
If the cool color palettes discussed above don’t seem appealing to you, then it’s time to look into the warmer palette. This set of colors possesses the earthiness and sincerity that you need to achieve a relaxed vibe.
Make the headboard as the focal point in your bedroom by covering it with a textured material or an interesting color.
Make sure to contrast warm hues with a soothing color such as light gray. Use the light color on the three walls accompanying the accent wall or headboard.
Take relaxation to the max with the Hooker Furniture Living Room Milestone Wheat Recliner
Standard Calm Colors
Soothing colors needn’t be limited to wispy hues. Just be extra careful in using bolder hues, though. Use those that are on the cooler side of your color wheel. This means sticking to the ever reliable shades of greens, purples and blues. Pink is also another color that can help bring peace and calm in a room. Feng Shui practitioners use this hue to soothe the energy inside a room.
Of course, you can always hype the palette by adding a small accent of any warm hue such as a dash of yellow green accessory, art or accent area.
Tags: comfy home, creating calm rooms, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, relaxation room, relaxing home, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Saturday, July 9th, 2016
Everything about the 1586-90866A-GLD5 Balthazar King Upholstered Bed and the elements inside this room spells individuality.
Have you ever decorated your dorm room on your own? Then you would know that the design would make or break your reputation, right? What would you do for a lesson on designing a dorm room that will be the envy of your classmates and friends?
Okay, let’s begin with the smart solutions for your dorm storage. A storage unit will make your life a lot easier. You might be confused why you’re starting your dorm room remodeling project with a storage solution. Remember that no matter how lovely the colors or accessories, clutter would make everything look ugly. So go ahead, keep away all the stuff that you don’t use often before you begin your project, plus, most dormitories allow only the bare necessities so you have to learn how to keep clutter away.
Designing your dorm room does not have to depend entirely on function, too. There are many ways to liven up this area. Here are some things that will make your dorm room stand out –
Cool Rug
That cheerful rug will instantly add color to a typically functional dorm room. Highlight that dull tile flooring or a shabby carpet with an eye-catching rug. The print should be modern or contemporary, preferably with florals and geometric shapes. The color should be neutral so that you can use it for four or more years.
Cool Fan
There is no way to have full control of the air conditioning in your dorm room. You can rely on micro-sized fans, though, to keep you cool during those hot nights.
Smart Storage Solution
Now on to that storage solution again; stow your winter clothes, beauty products and office supplies to the storage box that will fit your dorm room (or even under your bed). Corral your stuff then collapse them flat with a vacuum.
There are also furniture pieces that could double as a storage unit. For instance, an ottoman could also be a storage unit for books and documents, even photo albums.
Another organizer that you should look into is the jewelry organizer. This is a great piece to own if you don’t want your accessories to go missing. A jewelry stand will be able to hold earrings, necklaces, headbands and bracelets. This jewelry organizer could also be a part of your dresser or desk, all able to fit your tiny space .
Still on storage units, did you know that your laundry tote does not have to be dull? Find one that you can easily stash underneath the bed or one that you could sport around with (preferably one that has as colorful strap).
Another way to become more at home with your dorm room is to install over-the-door hooks. This means you have to learn to take advantage of every inch in your dorm space. Every hook can hold up to five pounds so use it to hang hats, scarves, belts and bags.
Have you also heard of those adjustable closet rods? This is especially useful if you share the dorm room with a roommate or two. Hang dresses and pants without worrying about your bunkmate.
A Colorful Desk Chair
You can bring in the neon colors into your dorm room. Have a neon green swivel chair or any other bold-colored chair into your corner. Count on this furniture piece to survive your entire college career, even your frequent all-nighters. Choose from a wide array of colors in the market.
‘Find a chair in your favorite color? Go ahead and buy it!
Gorgeous Lighting
It’s time to fight off the common fluorescent lighting. Use a string of colored bulbs, even paper lanterns in different colors. These lights give off a lovely, soft glow which is quite relaxing. Try fairy lights in the shape of stars, flowers or birds.
Tags: college dorm room design, designing a college room, dorm decorating, kitchen design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Dorm Design, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Saturday, July 9th, 2016
Daylight is also a huge factor in creating positive flow in homes. This 1586-80117A-BRN1 Horizon Line Square Accent Table is small enough to put beside a lovely sofa.
A well-designed space, according to someone, is much like wearing a good pair of shoes – you won’t even feel that you’re wearing them. A bad pair, on the other hand, will make you notice every with every step. Interior design and chi work pretty much in the same manner.
If you still haven’t given the circulation of space that much thought, then this is the time to reconsider. You have probably bumped onto the edge of a kitchen island or have stubbed your foot on your hardwood bed, so it’s high time to do something about it. These situations are easy to solve. Here are ways that you can improve the flow around the furniture pieces that you own –
Space Around the Dining Room
Ample circulation space is necessary so that only positive energy will flow throughout your home. The dining room is an oft used room so it is best to begin there. Allow no less than 36 inches between the walls and the dining chairs. Have about 48 inches between the dining table and the entrance so that people can freely enter and exit.
If the space in your dining room does not allow a huge table to be placed there, then have an extendable table placed there. This is an awesome choice if you squeeze in only every now and then.
The Accessories Uttermost Maurizio Stone Plant Stand 24624 holds this potted green plant. Plants can also up the level of positive chi in your home.
Space in the Bedroom
It is important to leave enough room for you to walk around the bed. Keep in mind that you will eventually get in or out of bed in the dark so be sure to have no less than 30 inches of space all around the bed.
Move other furniture pieces that could cause obstruction especially those that are leading to the hallway or the bathroom.
Space in the Living Room
Use a round coffee table only. This is an effective way to fit your stuff inside a tight living room. Remember that a round shape occupies less space than a square or rectangular one so find only those with round edges.
Avoid furniture that comes with sharp corners. You can also scale down the furniture or have smaller solutions bought (e.g. a stool instead of a large ottoman).
The Spacious Bathroom
A good way to add space to your tight bathroom is to have a pocket door instead of a swing door. The pocket door allows you to move freely because there is no need to navigate around the door as you walk in or out of the bathroom.
Space in Your Kitchen
There are many things that you need to consider when thinking about kitchen flow. Make sure there is plenty of clearance from the kitchen island to the counter. The distance should be no less than 42 inches.
Space in the Home Office
Many homeowners do not want to dedicate a separate room for their home office. If this is also the case with you, then you might want to use a nook as your work station. Even when you have limited space, it is crucial that you leave ample room behind the desk so you can push the chair out when you’re done. Working with anything less than this would make you feel crowded or cramped.
The All Positive Flow
You might have read through everything and realized that you were just taught to leave enough distance between furniture pieces and your home’s structures. Yet chi is a lot more than having zero clutter in your home. This also means you should not confront barriers each day.
Check the flow of energy in your home. Be mindful of this flow when you are redecorating or remodeling. Consider this also when repositioning the furniture pieces in your dwelling.
Tags: chi, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, positive chi, qi, tips
Posted in Feng Shui, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, July 8th, 2016
FFDM Summer Home Collection epitomizes the beauty of nature.
Who cares if it’s another season and you’d want to feel the warmth of summer in your home? Just picture the beauty of this sunny season, from curtains billowing in the gentle wind, shell décor, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and such, and you would be begging to get into the summer vibe straightaway.
If you’re ready to jump into the summer routine, here are ways to get crafty and creative –
Outdoor Curtains Are In
What could be more summery than white curtains hung outdoors? Add these ASAP to your lovely porch, they are the perfect provisions for privacy and a little shade.
Pearly Shells and Flowers
Begin your decorating project by filling up, partway, a huge glass vase with sand. You can then add shells that you found on the beach to complete this summer decorative piece. If you have kids, have them help out in filling up the vase with their own shell picks.
If shells don’t tickle your fancy then you can always add wild flowers into the glass jar instead. Snip some flowers from your own garden and have them fill a jelly jar. This is the natural alternative to buying those bottled potpourri in shops.
Fun and Calm
What was that again? Yup, you can actually have both fun and calm on the same deck. Place colorful cushions, your guitar on its stand, and your collection of pottery out on your deck. This is the perfect setup for a series of relaxed afternoons in that area.
‘Want to hold parties instead? That’s possible, too. Invite your friends and have a fun party right by the deck.
The lively color of summer is depicted in this 7070-002CR Rivington 3 over 3 Sofa
The All-Summer Bar
Set up a lovely tray complete with some glasses and lime – these are the starter pieces for your summer bar. Add a few summer drinks that you love and – voila – you have an instant bar right in your home.
‘Want to set up the bar outdoors? Then do so. A cabana would be the perfect alternative to a corner bar in your home. Hang a colorful swinging chair to complete the theme.
Speak of outdoor changing area, if you happen to have a pool in your backyard, then it would also be handy to have a changing booth right outside. Be sure to stylize this booth in your home, too.
Summer Spells Remodeling
Remove all sorts of clutter in your home, especially from the kitchen cabinets. Have the unused pieces donated or handed down. You will be amazed at the amount of breathing space that you’d be able to create with some cleanups.
As soon as you’re done cleaning, you can then bring in a visual masterpiece such as well-chosen driftwood. This cool chunk of wood can be placed as a decorative piece on the coffee table or in your bookshelf.
Summer Colors Only
It’s only logical to use lively colors when setting up a summer-themed home. Use blue as it is the perfect representation of the color of water. This offers a calming and cooling effect that is very gentle to the eyes.
Orange tones also work because it is as energetic as the rays of the summer sun. Use it with yellow or red to bring a zing to your home.
Whoever thought soft gray could also work on a summer theme? Its neutrality will add that classic touch to the bright yellows that you bring in. This gives any home a concrete-like vibe so it is a convenient and cool foundation to your summer elements.
Pink is a standalone color that will create an impact that’s difficult to forget. Use champagne pink or hot pink to complement the summer hues all over your home.
The Beach Theme
You can never go wrong with white and blue stripes when it comes to summer design so go ahead and freshen up your bed with these crisp stripes. This fusion of colors provides the needful beach house elegance so shop around for the coolest bedding and accessories.
Bring in a surfboard, roll up some beach towels by your front entrance, have everything as bright and sunny as your disposition and, yes, no one can beat your lovely summer theme.
Tags: beach colors, beach design, beach interior design, beach interiors, beach-inspired interior design, bright colors, bright hues, brightening up rooms, brightening up your home, decorating for summer, designing for summer, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling for summer, summer design, summer interior design, summer theme, summer vibe
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Summer Season | No Comments »
Friday, July 8th, 2016
This Cynthia Rowley piece features the beautiful fusion of florals and the dramatic depth of black.
A lot of designers and homeowners love using floral patterns though they can be a little tricky to handle. Not using florals appropriately will create a wrong tone inside a room. The room can then appear to be too feminine or overdone. If you are looking into expanding your design scheme, then you might want to look into floral patterns.
Ways of Using Florals in Your Home
Prior to making any major decision, consider what kinds of materials and accessories you will infuse with your floral patterns. The most common are –
Liking Florals
Begin your floral pattern project by deciding that you really like florals. Add florals to your interiors only if you are comfortable with them. Keep in mind that not all floral patterns come in bright, huge representations of lovely flowers. They can also be understated more so if the details are smaller.
Remember that floral patterns can be bold, large, or colorful.
Layer the Florals
You have to achieve the correct balance in your home so make sure to layer the florals and blankets with solid patterns and colors in the same family of hues. This adds texture and variety in a room and can keep the florals from appearing too girly.
Florals Can be Masculine, Too
You have a handful of choices if you want to have florals that are not ultra-feminine. Begin by choosing patterns that are more abstract rather than too flowery. Pick those that have bigger leaves than those with bigger blooms.
Next, you can also pick patterns in gender-neutral colors like green, browns and yellows.
Accessories Uttermost Dorrin Geometric Floral Art 04028: Who says florals always have to be cute and pink?
Floral Patterns that You Love
More than liking the floral pattern that you’d settle for, it is even better to find the ones that you would fall in love with. See if the pattern you choose would go well with your pillow, blanket, even the artwork that you would hang on your wall.
If you are designing a room around the floral pattern, then be sure to keep the focus on the central theme. Take note of the colors in your floral patterns and build upon them. Know which one would serve as the central color and which ones are to be considered as complementary colors. All the other elements in the room should come in solid and neutral hues so that the central pattern would stand out. See if you can find accessories that will match the ambience and style conveyed by your floral pattern.
Visit the local fabric or craft store if you don’t know how to begin your floral pattern project. You can also browse for different fabric patterns on the Internet so you would get a sense of the style and color that you are searching for.
Falling in love with a certain pattern will help you decide on other elements as well such as accessories and curtains.
Traditional or Contemporary?
It would be difficult to talk about floral patterns without including flowers themselves. This pattern has a personality of its own whether that’s intimidating or feminine. It can also be classic, vintage, muted or delicate.
An intricate rose bouquet print can bring about fairytale-like feelings. Tiny rosebuds right by the bedside lamp or on a quilt spells an enchanting message – girls only.
On the other hand, oversized, energetic and bold floral patterns are graphic treatments that offer adventure. Go ahead and experiment on a pattern that you love. Know that this will dominate the room as would any other modern floral pattern used. Such a pattern is ideally used with neutral furnishings and clean lines. They can also add a splash of cheer and warmth while keeping the modern vibe.
Tags: designing with florals, floral, floral design, floral interiors, floral style, florals, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, July 7th, 2016
1586-75160-BL2 When in Rome Accent Bar Cartbar
Every homeowner should look into setting up a home bar. This is something that you should look into especially when you have guests come over now and then. This becomes a necessity if you love cocktails and spirits especially when you know how to mix the most exotic drinks. Learn these essential tips that will help you set up a beginner’s home bar in no time –
Arranging the Beginner’s Home Bar
So, let’s help you arrange that home bar. Begin by learning the essentials such as the spirits, bar tools, cocktail books, mixers, glassware and garnishes. Before long, you would realize that this project isn’t that daunting after all.
Okay, so do you own a bar cart? If not, then it’s time that you had one. The bar cart is one of the hottest furnishings that you should have in your home bar. If your space allows a huge home bar, then the bar cart should have its own dedicated area. These should be placed in a corner where the guests will be able to lay their eyes on your beautiful, new possession.
Organize the bar cart so it doesn’t look cluttered.
You can also transform any sideboard, console table or a credenza into a simple bar. Just top it with a tray, some bar tools, and other essentials and you’ve just created a small section of your home as a home bar. Go ahead and corral your decanters, bottles, glasses and bitters all on that tray. Store the bar tools in a drawer or in any storage unit.
If your home comes with a built-in dry bar (these are the ones that weren’t installed with a sink), then prepare to have shelves set up instead. Think of mixology and how messy it would be minus the sink so have it situated nearby. Store the less used spirits and glassware inside a cabinet. The go-to bottles should be more accessible.
A wet bar in your home signals you sharpening your mixology skills. Apart from the bar essentials which you will need, make sure that a bar towel is handy. A small trash bin is also necessary in case you’re using fresh ingredients or washing glasses.
Add the Bitters
Bitters are high-proof alcoholic beverages. These are infused with roots, herbs and spices. They are used in dashes and are botanical additives. It’s a no-no these days to hold just a single bottle of bitters behind your bar. You can have anything nowadays from coffee bitters to rhubarb bitters. These can be bought at any local liquor store.
Try experimenting with different flavors. Stock your bar with classic tastes and unique flavors which you can concoct to equally unique cocktails.
Learn about each bottle that you buy.
Invest in Cocktail Books
You were advised to level up on your mixology skills and the simplest way to do this is to buy a cocktail book. Behind all those great bars in the country are books that have explained the spirits, mixers and cocktail foundations to learners.
Buy the Spirits
Make sure that you buy only the run, gin, vodka or whatnot that you love to drink. Don’t buy just because the bottle looks lovely or because a friend likes it. There is no point in buying whiskey if you’re not a whiskey drinker.
Remember that using the right techniques which you learned from the books and the best spirits will yield the best beverages.
When it comes to brands, pick only the premium ones. Base your decision on the past cocktails that you liked. If you’re a vodka drinker, then make sure that you would buy premium vodka only.
Lastly, quality should come before the price so make your choices best on flavor. Stock up on tools like the jigger, bar spoon, muddler, citrus peeler and handheld citrus press and you’re more than ready to set up your beginner’s home bar.
FFDM’s RayLen Vineyards Collection
Tags: bar cart, decorating a bar cart, designing a home bar, home bar, home bar design, home bar essentials, home bar necessities, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stocking home bars
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016
Accessories Uttermost Galvin Iron Photo Collage S3 04041 has iron construct. It can hold 12 pieces of 5x 7 photographs.06
Do you remember your first thoughts when you took your first step into your new home? It is but natural that you would want to put a personal stamp in this new space, more so if this is your dream home. If this house was pre-loved, then the walls, finishes and fixtures were probably chosen by the previous owner. So where should you begin when you want to personalize your new home?
Personalize by Painting the Door
Painting the front door is non-committal task compared to painting the exterior right away. While you’re picking a new paint color, see also if you would like to update the structure as well. This might not change the outer appearance but it could up other factors such as safety in the case of changed locks.
Changing the faucets and showerheads will also help. Most of these have probably seen better days so it is best to swap them for sleeker ones.
Personalize by Painting a Wall or Two
Beginning by painting the entire house can be a daunting decision to make. So, if you’re still uncertain, just paint a wall or two. Again, this is not a commitment. Painting a single wall will bring you with a beautiful accent wall. Paint this accent wall with your favorite color so the house would feel more like you.
Personalize by Hanging Photos
Get some of your favorite photos and hang them on the wall. This is the easiest way that you could make a new house feel like home. If you aren’t sure about drilling holes into the walls just yet, then use some removable strips instead of nails.
Personalize by Bringing Nature In
Do you love nature? Then go ahead and bring in a bouquet of fresh flowers. Whether this came from your own backyard or the grocery, it has the power to instantly alter the room and make it look friendlier. Have the same flower species arranged in different bud vases then have them displayed throughout the house.
If you’re allergic to pollen, then you could also bring in some potted green plant. It would have the same effect as the flowers in vases.
Personalize with Wallpaper
Begin this wallpaper project with the powder room. A statement wallpaper will be able to put a stamp on the bath or the powder room. These are spaces that have less foot traffic so they are the perfect experiment space for bolder patterns and colors.
A word of caution: Make sure that you use wallpaper that can withstand humidity inside the bathroom.
FFDM American Cherry: Use this side table to display your metal or glass collections.
Personalize with a Rug
Even when you think bare floor is the best choice, have at least a single space decorated with a lovely rug. This should make the house feel a little more comfortable and lived-in. if you’re not a huge fan of cleaning up rugs, then put them away from heavy foot traffic areas.
Personalize by Decluttering
Use the power of scent to personalize your home. There are many great-smelling products which you can clean your home with. This scent should be a familiar scent to you so that the place would feel more like home.
Personalize with Lighting
You can swap the boring and outdated lighting fixture for a more stylish and updated one. Find places that could use some overhead fixtures then have a professional electrician install them. Don’t live with inconveniences, you have to fix ‘em. Remember that the expense you might shell out now will pay dividends in the years that you won’t have to worry about lighting repairs.
Now that you’ve moved into your new home, try these simple remodeling projects and you’d soon feel that the place is a lot more familiar.
Tags: customization, customizing home style, customizing interior design, design customization, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, personalized design, personalizing your home, tips
Posted in Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
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