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Monday, March 13th, 2017
This Hooker Furniture Living Room Mason End Table features a lighter finish compared to the other pieces surrounding it.
These days, it would seem that the interior design theme for many homes is anything goes. Different furniture styles can now co-exist in one room, giving the space a fresh and unique look. Mixing and matching is also still definitely in but you have to make sure that you give mixing a lot of thought and introspection.
Similar But Not Exact
You might be tempted to match wood furniture but don’t do an exact finish sort of match. A light room can have green accents and a textured wallpaper right on the side where the headboard is. Adding a darker wood furniture near the bed can also help ground the room.
Keep It Simple
The furniture in the room could have different finishes and patterns and the textiles could have different shades but as long as they are set in a pretty straightforward manner, then what you achieve is beauty.
Use Motif
Do not be afraid to use motif even when you have a small space to decorate. A common design that is used in smaller spaces is the repetition of patterns. If you chose a mainly yellow palette, you can use blue in small dashes.
Fuse Design Elements
When you use several finishes and colors like birches, white and dark wood, remember to link each hue with a common design element. Having too many standalone elements will not give uniqueness in a room, what they do is give the room a cluttered look.
Fusing different design elements does not mean that you ignore the beauty of variance. You can also assemble a mixture of different furniture just as long as they have an anchor color. An array of blue and yellow, for instance, will create a beautiful variety without demanding for attention.
Become a Minimalist
Use raw elements in giving a room a more natural and simple feel. Any room can be tied together by using a light wood finish, for instance in a group of armoire, table and bookshelf. To add a simple pop, use a red chair to complete the look.
Use White
Welcome a limitless conglomeration using the color white. With this simple hue comes myriad opportunities to add layers and textures.
Add Shapes and Patterns
Mixing and matching furniture also means using the same color everywhere but in different tones or shades. But more than just repeating the colors throughout the different rooms, you can also add visual variety by putting interesting shapes and patterns.
Mix Traditional with Modern Pieces
The perfect matching of traditional with modern pieces is a difficult technique to master but one that’s possible to try. There are foolproof pairings, though, that you can begin to use in your home –
Tags: fusion of design themes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, modern and traditional, traditional and modern
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Mixing and Matching Furniture: Achieving a Look That’s Fresh and Chic
Friday, August 19th, 2016
This Hickory White Dining Room Bunching China 650-43 is more decorative as it houses precious collectibles.
China cabinets were initially made by American and European craftsmen. These cabinets are still important creations to this day. These became quite popular that they soon spread roundabout the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re one of those who think that china cabinets came from China, it’s time to seriously reconsider reading this history –
The styles of the china cabinet can be categorized as a new antique. There were first fashioned in England right around the time of William and Mary. This was at the end of the 17th century till the beginning of the 18th century.
The royalties mentioned brought this concept to the Netherlands so they could display the china ware that they so valued. These were dining pieces that were quite popular during that era. Master artisans began their art in Britain and, eventually, shops all over Europe and America opened.
China Cabinet in America
Pretty soon, the china cabinet appeared in New York and in Philadelphia though furniture making was not solely done in those two cities. Historians recorded that Virginia also had a flourishing cabinet industry that even rivaled the Northern cities.
The styles then ranged from Queen Anne, Chippendale to Vernacular. The renowned china cabinets still exist these days. Europeans influenced the U.S. with their own styles, and soon, British, German and French immigrants also brought in their own ideas. Adding more creative European ideas led to a wave of china cabinet styles.
China Cabinet: Today
These days, manufacturers have turned to top brands that are known and respected throughout the world. Majority of these brands have their history rooted in Virginia which was the hub of early furniture craftsmanship. The founding of Stanley Furniture further spurred the growth of china cabinet making.
Learning About China Cabinet
Whether it is referred to as a hutch or china cabinet, the function of this piece of art is the same – it is a stylish organizer for the kitchen or dining areas. With this huge yet lovely piece comes a chance for you to store your chinaware and other collectibles.
Maybe you love edgy or modern or you could be a huge fan of vintage, whatever you wish to prefer, it is crucial that you know how to style, pack and tidy up inside this lovely cabinet. ‘Wanna know what else you can use the china cabinet for?
Marriage Exhibited
Most people just want to show off their chinaware inside the china cabinet. Very few would venture off to other purposes. How about putting all your wedding memorabilia inside this lovely cabinet? You can have them stored for mere safekeeping or to have them displayed for everyone to cherish.
Match and Match Yet Again
At times, the best china cabinet can be used to transform the general look of the room. You can stuff it with lovely décor that matches the rest of the room that the cabinet is in. Doing this will create a sense of liveliness that is difficult to achieve.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sanctuary Dining Cabinet Hutch.
And All Other Extras
At times, there is extra stuff that needs a home while they are not being used. The china cabinet can hide these pieces away till the time that they are going to be used again. You could also create a crafting corner or a unique bar.
Not a lot of people think of the china cabinet as a miniature closet. This can also become a delicate wardrobe for you or a loved one. This is also a fantastic way to store household linens.
‘Tired of having bookshelves used for books? Then rearrange your book collection into its new home – your china cabinet.
Using the china cabinet on all of these occasions is surely a classy way to finish the job of beautifying your home.
Tags: china cabinet, china cabinet history, decorating a china cabinet, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture
Posted in Dining Room Design, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
Thursday, April 28th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Home Office. Latitude Modular Group
What is transitional design? This is known as a design that is just right. It is not too formal, yet not too casual. It is also comfortable even while offering clean profiles. Transitional design also spells understated colors and the modern look. The result is a streamlined yet gracious space that’s right about in the middle.
Transitional design works because it is a look that’s familiar. If you try to browse home design magazines, you would be surprised that more than half of the featured homes there are transitional.
Transitional design is much like a world that lies between two dimensions. You have the leeway to find something fresh yet not straying from the proverbial.
Transitional also means being able to balance the traditional with the modern. The beauty of it is that you can mix a dash of other styles so long as they do not stray from the tailored setup.
If you love everything that is natural, then you will love the look that transitional design offers.
Defining Tone-on-Tone
Transitional design isn’t for color junkies, though. The palette that rules is – warm neutrals. So it’s time to use a lot of taupe, cream, khaki, tan, and gray. You can have a hint of espresso or chocolate here and there.
In essence, the brown palette reigns supreme. Keep patterns to a bare minimum. Say no to the punchy look of florals and Pucci prints.
If you think that you can’t live without bright colors, then be strategic in using transitional palette. Use bright turquoise, for instance, with coral in an interesting piece of artwork.
Use a pair of lamps or some throw pillows to add a bit of color inside a transitional home.
Hooker Furniture Living Room One-Door One-Drawer Antique Mirror Chest is a transitional chest with gold/silver metallic paint.
Monochrome Is In
The living area can be monochromatic though not boring. The furniture that you choose should be able to carry the space. There must be some patterns on the curtains and the coffee table’s grain can break the monotony of neutrals.
Wide windows also provide a bright source of light. If you want shading, then use light shades on the rug, walls and upholstery.
Neutral flooring plays a huge role in transitional rooms. Don’t think too much about the materials that you would use but more of the colors. Go with natural woods, tiles, stone, and carpeting. Transitional palette is a subtle palette. You can combine various floor surfaces, though.
A muted stone tile can be used in bathrooms. Carrying it up the walls can give it a more noticeable presence.
Basic Silhouettes
Furnishings for transitional homes offer crisp looks. They should be pretty straightforward. You will never be able to see a hint of baroque in any of the design elements. Rigid lines and the gentlest curves create energy.
Older furniture styles don’t have to be completely snubbed, though. You can use the more updated versions like a modern chair. Use large scales to make the place more inviting and comfortable. You would want the guests to feel relaxed.
Add Textures
You cannot rely on colors to create the needed punch in a transitional home. Texture can rise to the challenge. Fabrics that you use are coarse, made of natural fibers, shiny or matte finishes. You can also combine these elements for layering.
Think of burlap, leather, sisal, rattan, chenille, and others. Any materials that are tactile would be suitable for a transitional home.
Add some beaded board right up the ceiling and place a rattan chair right by a wooden desk to complete the look. Limit your accessories while still creating some impact. This is especially useful in a style that says no to frills.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, mixing designs, mixing style, monochromatic color palette, monochromatic color scheme, monochrome, monochrome color palette, monochrome design, monochrome interiors, monochrome palette, texture in interior design, textures, transitional design, transitional interior design, transitional style, transitional theme
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
Living Room Uttermost Citographie Gray Linen Armchair 23168. This chair is made of hardwood and made perfect by craftsman detail right on the gray linen tailoring. See how the brass nails streamline the fabric trim giving the needed contrast to the solid oak bare frame.
Craftsman dwellings were inspired by architect brothers Henry Mather Greene and Charles Sumner Greene. These ingenious minds worked together during the 20th century in Pasadena, California. The Greenes were quite inspired by the English arts and crafts movement and Oriental architecture. In their own promoting handmade stuff rather than those created inside factories and were machine-made.
If you want to have a first-hand look at the beauty of craftsman design and architecture, you could visit Southern California where a few bungalows from 1905 till the 1920s still stand. You will surely love this style if you like things that may be old but have got a timeless appeal.
Characteristics to look for include gabled roofs, front porch, tapered columns, partly paned doors, multi-pane windows, and a lot of earthy colors.
Craftsman houses are typically painted in any nature-inspired color. You will see a lot of browns and greens. The low-profile homes often blend with their natural surroundings. The muted palette comprising of just one or two contrasting colors are used to highlight the breathtaking architectural features.
Regardless of the style that you choose for your home, keep in mind that painting an architectural feature with a contrasting color is an effective way to highlight such feature.
Another characteristic that is unique to a craftsman home is the stone detailing. See the mixture of different materials with the siding typically made of wooden clapboard. There are some that feature shingled siding as this was a pretty common style, too, back in the day. The foundations and porch piers are generally made of stone with some concrete block, bricks or stucco used at times.
Craftsman style also comes with roof eaves, exposed beams and rafter tails. All these reflect the influence made by the Arts and Crafts movement, thus, visible handiwork was featured and were considered in style.
Living Room Uttermost Ardusin Hobby Cupboard 25589 is made from select hardwoods. It is hand-finished in worn black. The mahogany dovetail bins are solid wood and are great for your any storage needs.
Democratic Mixing
Get a craftsman style book and mix materials that you can get your hands on. Think of cladding a little addition of brick or stone even when your home already has existing clapboard siding. The addition of exposed rafter tails or beams should not mean that you are supposed to reconstruct your home or even replace your roof. Such details are commonly decorative in nature and can be easily added below a home that already has deep roof eaves.
There is something inviting and warm about a craftsman home. It celebrates the fusion of building materials, lovely structures, and most especially, the 20th century architectural features.
So, how to begin?
Start with a view of some of the craftsman homes still in existence. Take note of the window detailing, those exposed rafters, the facade, stained glasses as decorative accents, and the overall warm glow of the place.
Consider also the kind of lighting used which mirror the exteriors. Find sconce and pendant lighting that will cast a warm, golden glow throughout a room. While this is the general rule when it comes to craftsman homes (warm lighting plus earthy colors), this does not mean that you can’t put your own personality into it. You can opt for the bright home approach where you balance the bright hues with the wooden accents which are the staple materials of a craftsman home.
Other colors that you can add to your palette are white and blue. Gray can also give your craftsman home a contemporary appeal. Include white wooden accent pieces, modern pendant lighting fixtures, and some contemporary art. The result is a comfortable and trimmed yet modern and posh at the same time.
Isn’t it fun to make historical homes appear modern inside? This can be your take on retro meets the contemporary look.Craftsman design is sure to captivate both young and old spectators.
Tags: 20th century, 20th century chairs, arts and crafts, contrast, contrast in design, contrast in interior design, craftsman, exposed finish, hardwood, hardwood furniture, hardwood pieces, interior design contrasts, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, pendant, pendant lighting, retro, Retro design, Retro style, tips, wall sconce, wooden elements
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Monday, January 25th, 2016
mix
This sofa from the Fine Upholstery Collection of FFDM is oozing with eclecticism.
Imagine finding a streamlined L-shaped couch and a lovely shag carpet in the middle of your living room. These can provide the modern side to an eclectic home while any wooden piece will lend the eclectic vibe. The eclectic design is a spectrum of many different styles. It is the gathering of different elements coming from various sources then used together in perfect harmony. This style, however, is not an easy one to replicate more so to create. You need to learn to mix and match certain interior design and decorative elements coming from different themes.
Yeah, this is not as easy as it seems since taking different elements from your favorite styles and throwing them all together is not the way to go. So whether you will design a bungalow or a much wider space, make sure that you have an eye for balance and harmony. Now going back to that L-shaped couch and the wooden center table, such pairing will become acceptable if the background features neutral or any light-colored wall or floor-to-ceiling curtains.
Though you may like different elements separately, these may not look great when brought together. If you want to avoid creating design mess, then you have to be careful about your choices. Moderation is key to creating the contrasts that you need. Variety and contrasts, after all, are what comprise eclectic interior design.
What Strikes Your Fancy?
Think of eclectic as the union of the luxurious and simple; neutral and bright; even the East and the West. The leeway that you enjoy is what makes this whole design scheme tricky. Keep in mind that the borderline between chaos and acceptable contrast is very thin. The leeway that you enjoy is what makes this whole design scheme tricky.
Do you think you have the skill to mismatch something systematically? This is the very core of eclecticism. Find enough elements that will become the foundation. This common ground will be responsible for harmonizing everything else.
Any room, for instance, can showcase wooden furniture pieces that can give your home a rustic and earthy feel. Yet they could also turn out to be overpowering or monotonously boring if you do not use them carefully. Find decor pieces that will soften the overall look of your home (bright throw pillows or colorful area rugs for instance).
Don’t bother about matching chairs. Use a narrow palette and a dash of both shimmer and silhouette. Find artwork, accents, rugs, and lighting elements that play well with your background. Use light against the dark, flat and glossy, traditional and modern. Always look for prospects of creating analogous unions.
This inspiring dining set from the FFDM American Cherry Collection is a powerful anchor to the ornate carpet.
Another great rule of eclecticism is to edit as you go. It will be impossible to cram all your ideas in one room. As you go along, you will observe that finding the right balance becomes easier. Establish optical marriages of furniture and artwork, shapes and finishes, even focal point and accent pieces.
The fundamental pieces should serve as the anchor to your whole theme. Architectural elements can be repeated throughout, say, a gold-colored chair propped against a distressed white desk in your home office, all against pearly white painted walls, trim and door posts.
Before bringing any piece to a room, consider its relationship to the rest of the design elements. Will it overwhelm or become a dull addition? If this is so, then it is certain that your furniture piece should go someplace else.
Accessories Uttermost Iced Trees Abstract Art 31304 is a frameless masterpiece that spells eclectic throughout. This artwork will surely leap to life in any room.
Scale, composition and proportion are always important when it comes to interior design, however, they become crucial the moment they are used in a home with incongruent design elements. Pay attention to the mixture of artwork and accessories as there should be nothing unintentional in your space.
Lastly, eclectic design is also about texture layering. Create depth by bringing in on Oriental carpet onto a wooden flooring and trim. Upholstery pieces look great when paired with sleek desks. Different textures can create visual sensations that will surely excite the senses.
Tags: contrast, eclectic, eclectic design, eclectic interior design, eclectic interiors, eclectic Safari theme, eclecticism, guidelines, interior design contrasts, match, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, mixing designs, mixing interior designs, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | Comments Off on Eclectic Design: Your Home, Your Style
Tuesday, January 12th, 2016
5682-10 Sloan Chair without Nails and 5682-08 Sloan Ottoman without Nails in Fabric 917-60. This chair shows that Bohemian is all about vibrant colors.
Bohemian interior design involves the infusion of hippies, travelers, even gypsies. These are the very people who are out to have fun. They also live the most colorful lives as is evident in their style and their homes.
The bohemian interiors are lived spaces. There is nothing drab about this style as it is colorful, full of ornaments, exclusive, and electrifying. Bohemian accessories should be able to showcase a special appearance. The decor is not just amazing to look at in bedrooms and living rooms but also in other areas of your home like your kitchen, even the bathroom.
The Mingling of Creativity and Art
The bohemian style is exclusive because it displays the effects of art and creativity. It can lift a boring facade without you putting too much energy. Just hunt for the right furniture pieces (and colors) that are most suitable for this design.
Step number one is to pick the right color scheme for your home. Whatever hue you settle with, make sure that it has the capacity to deliver a harmonious effect on the walls, floor, accessories and the furniture.
This Hooker Furniture Home Office Accent Desk is what you need for your Bohemian home work space.
There are a few more daring interior designers who choose bold and dark colors for the bohemian look. There are actually a lot of options on your color palette. Combine different colors till you reach a blend that you like. Some of the more interesting hues include rust, brick red, sunny yellow, deep brown, plum, violet, gold, burnt orange, magenta, emerald and camel.
There are also a few color schemes that you should avoid for this design. Colors such as pastel, neon and those shimmering shades (‘cept gold) should be avoided like the plague.
Now for the furniture, you can choose to combine different kinds of furniture to make a room more exciting. A leather sofa would be perfect for your bohemian living room. As for the seating area, be sure to deliver a non-cluttered impression.
This very bohemian rug is the Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS02000300450.
The decorative appeal of this interior style lies heavily on the accessories that you will be bringing in. Choose unique accessories such as artwork coming from Africa, India, and the Middle East. Enhancing the flavor of your bohemian style is as easy as adding an eclectic taste. It wouldn’t be wrong to display accessories that have been inspired by Boho arts including tea seats, musical instrument, easels of vintage artists, some hookah pipes, too.
When it comes to bohemian colors, the most used are warm earthy colors as are metallic hues. So think of gold, terracotta, brown and other hues belonging to this family. Look for jewel tones such as fiery orange, purple, or electric blue. Always think warm when looking for the right bohemian color. White should never be a part of this design.
Bohemian is for people who want their homes to look vibrant, filled with culture and the most appealing pieces. It flees in the presence of modernism but it embraces what’s carefree, unusual and relaxed. Fuse lots of patterns and experiment with the loudest colors. Layer those throws on your sofa, use colorful area rugs, and hang never-before-seen tapestries.
Bohemian means you learn to mix and match. Find natural materials such as sisal, burlap then fuse them with chenille and silk. These materials should look slightly worn. Pillows, lampshades and curtains could have fringe.
Tags: African, art, bohemian, Bohemian art, bohemian interiors, bohemian style, guidelines, harmony, hippie, Indian, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, mixing colors, mixing designs, mixing style, Moroccan, Moroccan interior design, Moroccan interiors, Moroccan style, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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