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Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Latico Chest
Did you know that colors behave in three ways? They can be passive, active or neutral. The term neutral actually means unbiased or impartial. It is because of this that the use of neutral colors is quite common in many homes.
Neutrals Pair with Any Hue
To begin with, neutrals like black, white, cream, brown, gray or any earthy tone can work with any color. Neutrals are versatile when it comes to decoration and interior design. This means that even through the years, as trends and preferences change, your color scheme remains in style.
Neutrals are hues that also provide the best background to any other color. It provides solid foundation for any décor whatever your style is.
Don’t overuse neutrals to the point that they become boring. Imagine seeing walls upon walls of cream or beige. That’s absolutely aesthetically stagnating.
Neutrals Add Visual and Tactile Textures
When you plan any neutral room, consider texture. This is a term that refers to an object’s appearance or surface characteristics. Texture isn’t all about seeing but touching, too. Tactile texture is the actual surface feeling whether it is smooth, rough, hard or soft.
Create a room that is multisensory. The design and décor mustn’t just look great but also begging to be touched. Imagine having a plush carpet right in the middle of the living room. Wouldn’t you want to remove your shoes and just lie down?
Neutrals in the Entryway
The entryway is where most first impressions take place. This is the right spot to show your being savvy in choosing a design. Don’t jar your guests with bright colors, though, only to make an impression. It’s better to select some patterns that may be neutral but still add visual interest to this part of your home. Think of runners, wallpaper, rugs, and art.
It would also be nice to place an unexpected furniture piece on the entryway. Imagine having a wing-backed chair right by the rack where the shoes are kept.
If you’re looking for the best neutral color to use, you can have inspiration from the floor tiles. Use the neutral colors of your tiles then bring that same shade to the entryway. This should give the space a more cohesive look.
Neutrals in the Living Room
If you’re still interested in having pops of colors elsewhere, then use them on the window treatments or the throw pillows. Enliven the living room by adding mirrors. These will reflect the neutrals while adding depth to the palette whether it is based on whites, browns, creams, or grays.
If you are decorating a living room that’s mainly neutral, then use slight variations of the same color. This should warm up the space and make it more aesthetically pleasant. Think of the neutral palette’s role on your window treatments, walls, floors, furniture and lighting fixtures.
It would also be nice to feature a beautiful architectural part of your home by using neutrals. Use neutral décor or color to highlight. Remember that a lighter shade on an architectural feature like a fireplace will highlight its very presence.
To add drama to a neutral living room, be sure to use a large chandelier. This isn’t just a beautiful addition to the décor but it’s a lighting fixture that will give a sense of purpose to an otherwise dull open space.
Neutrals in the Kitchen
Neutral kitchens are quickly gaining popularity each year. Guide the eyes of your guests by having the shapes repeated throughout the room. Find a cabinet that has the same color as some of the appliances. Don’t be afraid to mix media inside the kitchen. It’s an effective way to make the neutrals feel alive somehow.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral colors, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral interior design, neutral interiors
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
1586-80116-MULTI Aura Round Accent Table with Shell Top 1118CR Delancey Club Chair
Scandinavian design is maximized styling with the least amount of fuss, the two guiding principles being function and fundamentalism. This design has been shaped by the sensible minds in Old Nordic Europe resulting in airiness, light, serenity, even a stark oneness with Mother Nature.
Scandinavian trend is a concoction of Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish design principles. All of these use natural elements which favor the neutral color palette. Remember to keep lines more basic.
Winning the World Over with the Scandinavian Look
Scandinavian home design invaded the world right after the 1947 Triennale di Milano edition. This is a renowned design exhibit in Milan. Here, glassware, accessories and furniture pieces coming from Nordic regions are shown. Later, the world caught on as they saw the beauty that this stark white design can offer.
The design show soon travelled to the U.S. and in Canada. The years 1954 through 1957 were the most fascinating years for this design as more and more ideas were added.
It is interesting that Scandinavian trends have evolved from the usual European look of favored ornate and opulent décor brought to the world by royalty and aristocracy. The Nordic people embraced a more practical look though plush pieces also appear now and then.
Scandinavian Light
Lighting is key in the Nordic regions with only seven daylight hours during the winter season. The look and feel of your lighting fixture will say a lot about whether or not you have achieved the Scandinavian design.
Scandinavian interiors have different kinds of lighting for mood building and correct illumination. This usually hangs between the industrial and modern looks. The styles could be anything from pendant to wall sconces.
Candlelight is also a must as it can automatically add a beautiful glow to any space. Votives are a beautiful deviation though you can be traditional by using candelabra.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Mimosa – Cottage Fabric Barstool
Scandinavian Form and Function
Scandinavian furniture is all about the use of clean lines. Find chairs, tables and sofas that have a Mid-Century modern look. These are the ones that have rounded, smooth edges and neutral hues.
This design also focuses on function and innovative look.
Scandinavian Flooring
Don’t ever use wall-to-wall carpeting as this never happens in Scandinavian interiors. Flooring is traditionally hardwood, used in its natural color or, often, painted white. Since it is white, it automatically contributes to the expansion of the space and allowing more light inside.
Scandinavian Living Elements
It is also crucial to bring in living elements of beauty and color in this design. Fresh flowers are an absolute necessity. This is apparent with all those sidewalk florists in Copenhagen who sell tulips in every possible color.
Succulents are also a welcoming vision in any Scandinavian home.
Scandinavian Means Neutral
If there is one color palette that is most associated with Scandinavian design, then it would have to be neutrals. So go ahead and use a lot of whites, grays, browns and blacks. These can be interwoven throughout your home if you want to create a calming and clean look.
Designers have introduced pop colors throughout the years so sea greens and light pinks are also now acceptable.
Regular Scandinavian homes have white walls that allow art and furniture to mesmerize.
Scandinavian Means Zero Clutter and Limitations
One of the best features of Scandinavian interiors is cleanliness. Storage is a must and is often implemented through shelves and cabinets. Décor is always intentional where less is more. Always remember visually relaxing as your mantra.
Inviting light in is a major concept in Scandinavian interior design. Windows from these European regions have windows that are often stripped bare. Should the homeowners consider using window treatments, then the materials should be sheer or linen.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral colors, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral palette, Nordic design, Nordic interiors, Scandinavian, Scandinavian design, Scandinavian interior design, Scandinavian interiors, Scandinavian style, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white interior design, white interiors
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Monday, July 18th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Bedroom Rhapsody King Tufted Bed is nested in a neutral background. Its wooden frame pops from this sea of neutrals.
Muted tones are the go-to colors when you want to be safe with your interior design; yet, at times, you would think what you have created is a masterpiece of muted tones only to end up with a bright, colorful mess.
Neutral tones only become effective in interiors if you know which elements to work with. You need to be subtle, to begin with, and creative enough to make the muted tones more interesting. Know the basics such as which paint color goes with which furniture and what rugs to use on certain areas. After you figure out the major elements, it is also your duty to come up with the pieces that will populate your home such as potted plants, books, artwork, and other things that would bring a personal touch to your place.
Always Within Bounds
The walls are your biggest challenge when it comes to choosing the right color. There is a wide array of shades that come from the same color family so it is wise to choose from within these. Whether you go from ligher to darker or the other way around, picking colors that come from the same color family will give your home a unified look.
Espoused Colors
A basic palette for any room is the tone-on-tone neutrals plus two accent hues. An example is having blue trim paired with an orange-red area rug.
Layer with Love
Homeowners always default to the creation of a purposeful interior. Layering is great for your interiors so long as you use colors in moderation. Again, just to be on the safe side, neutrals can make your life a whole lot easier.
A natural woven area rug will surely work well with in pulling together the rest of the décor. This is a piece that automatically adds texture and softness. In addition to this, pick artworks when you are out to coordinate or complement colors. Art pieces should be in proportion with the room. A few large artworks render a better visual effect than a group of smaller ones. This is – if – you are aiming for the classic look.
1586-50011-SLV2 Alchemist Bar Cabinet
Balance In All Things
As you work with neutrals in your contemporary kitchen, keep glossy cabinets and pieces with sharp edges grounded by having organic elements brought in. Wooden finishes have the power to amplify the beauty of streamlined looks; so bring softness inside the kitchen by having wooden countertop.
Infuse Lively Colors
Don’t think that life in colors is limited only to the bright hues. You can still use neutral colors but still achieve the beauty of a lively interior. Neutrals provide the usual serenity and cleanliness but there is also no denying that they can enhance the mood in any room.
Raspberry-colored pillows, for instance, that have the same prints as your neutral wallpaper would surely jive.
Don’t Forget the Frivolity
Most of the time, you are so engrossed on how the room would eventually look that you end up missing out on special elements that should be used. Lighten the mood with exciting accessories such as animal print pillows with neutral colors blending well with the rest of the design elements.
If you prefer neutral design with a little edge, then go ahead and combine gray or white walls with some industrical accent pieces. There are many industrial-themed pieces in the market now that will provide a convincing aged look for your home.
Being frivolous is simple if you add some natural elements such as potted plants into your home. Successful neutral design is all about popping the right elements against a muted background. Achieve this and you’re already an expert in your own right.
Tags: adding colors to a home, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral interior design, neutral interiors, neutrals, tips
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Thursday, April 21st, 2016
Whitewashed piece is from FFDM’s Campton Grove Collection
Antique finds and vintage pieces – the distressed, imperfect and cracked finishes, add the sparkling crystal chandeliers, old yet fresh-smelling linens, lots of white – yes, these describe the shabby chic style perfectly. This interior design theme is not for everyone, though. Shabby chic is luxurious yet still comfortable. This thrives in the spirit of seemingly old stuff yet new and clean.
This Style Ain’t Shabby
Don’t ever let the word shabby fool you into embracing the principles of this wonderful theme. It may seem unstructured to look at, at first, but the lack of formal rules is what makes this style timeless. It brings in an effortless sophistication into any home.
Don’t think of flea markets, though, or cheap retail shops or you would be disappointed with what you would find.
Say yes to handicrafts, vintage textiles , and white, distressed furniture. There is no need to search high and low for the best whitewashed furniture pieces, we have everything that you would need to set up your shabby chic home.
Get the look with these simple guidelines –
Universal Furniture Bedroom Storage Bed King 987260SB
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral design, neutral palette, rustic, rustic charm, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, shabby chic, shabby chic design, shabby chic interior design, shabby chic interiors, shabby chic style, vintage, vintage design, vintage furniture, vintage interior design, vintage interiors, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white furnishings, white interior design, white interiors, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wooden, wooden elements, wooden furniture
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Thursday, January 28th, 2016
American Leather Living Room Meyer-Sectional is clean, crisp and streamlined; perfect for a minimalist setting.
Minimalism is a way of life that is slowly being embraced by a lot of people all over the world these days. Today, society prides in the accumulation of wealth and possessions but there are a handful of people who believe that real joy can be found with fewer of this stuff.
Less Is More
Here are some of the benefits that come with minimalism –
A minimalist home is architecturally linear and organic. The dominant material used in building the minimalist structure is the rock. Wooden materials are also typically found but they come in fewer presentations.
An interior that is minimalist also features minimal furniture pieces. You will find only the usable pieces that are also suitable to the theme in a room.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Peninsula Desk 5600-70424 was named after a Belgian missionary who was later granted the sainthood. Saint Armand is now the patron saint of wine makers, merchants, and beer brewers. This desk has an organic appeal with a russet-colored finish and a simple rustic knob.
Minimalism also means clean surfaces with very minimal to zero engravings or ornamentation. It is easy to clean because there are no complex textures and layers, the lines are simpler and clutter-free.
Should you ever consider using the minimalist design in your home, then consider what accents you will be bringing in. Remember that minimalist settings should be simple and clean not boring. Minimalist accents, therefore, should also be used in order to neutralize the looming monotony that comes with simplicity.
An example is a home painted in gray which can be made more exciting (but on a subtle level) by hanging paintings and other kinds of artwork. Special lighting may also be used to highlight the artwork. You will have reached a different level of elegance once you are able to carry this out.
Minimalism also means prioritizing quality over quantity. The less stuff you own, the better for you. Minimalist homes may have less stuff but every one of these is in use and is guaranteed to reach their full potential.
The tendency of homeowners to choose the minimalist interior design is not only because they want to follow trends or that they are bored with the architecture of their homes. Minimalist interiors are often the representation of a person’s want to change his lifestyle.
Those who become minimalists choose to become highly mobile and practical. They are also more efficient yet their homes are not aesthetically ho-hum.
Minimalism is a philosophy that encompasses many aspects of a person’s life. In terms of home design, it should be a clean, open space that embraces simple architecture, streamlined furniture and simple materials.
In A Nutshell
Hooker Furniture Home Office Saint Armand Wall Storage Cabinet is made of light wood with three adjustable glass shelves framed in wood. It also comes with locking file drawers which are perfect for the clutter-free environment in a minimalist setting.
To reiterate how a minimalist home should look like, always remember that you should be straightforward when it comes to the functions and form, even the general layout of your home. Uncomplicated and predictable spaces are your abode.
As to the cladding and wall finishes, your choices should be those that show a continuous line while still providing a pleasant visual appeal. A boring facade will be livened up by cedar slats and a blue-colored door.
Open and light-filled spaces especially in the living area and kitchen are a must. Light, in abundance, creates ambiance of openness.
Use light colors on your walls and be sure to remove any kind of clutter. Embrace a neutral colored palette as much as you can. If you have to use color, do not splash them liberally.
As to the furniture, be sure to use only those that have functions. Find zero frill cabinetry, uncomplicated trim details, and simple stairs. Use materials strategically so that you can achieve simplicity in texture, visual interest, even personality.
Achieve these things and your home will surely be the epitome of minimalism.
Tags: clutter-free home, decluttering, linear, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalism, minimalist interior design, minimalist interiors, minimalist living, neutral, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral interiors, organic, organic home design, organic home interiors, organic interiors, organic living, storage, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »
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