Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

You gotta enjoy this rustic look offered by Canadel. The warmth of the wood throughout the room perfectly framed the scenery right outside.
Rustic design is usually described as raw, bordering coarse, yet beautiful. It presents its beauty through its natural materials like stone, metals, and wood. Learn to use these materials to create a simple but charming habitat.
The philosophy behind this style is quite simple which is to set up an organic aesthetic that will flood your house with warmth and coziness.
Rustic Design in a Nutshell
The rustic color palettes often come from natural materials and sources including –
Organic Textures
Wood will always be a leading element in all rustic homes, with reclaimed wood as the ideal choice as this can offer a more natural and earthy look. The wider the floor planks, the more complementing this become to the wooden beams that serve as ceiling support.
Alder, pine, cherry and hickory are wonderful options that will show a rustic feel.
Now let’s not forget about metals. These can be incorporated into your home in many different ways. Copper pots and pans, for instance, that are hung in the kitchen will cast the needed textures in that room.
Handcrafted pieces also match this beautiful style. And don’t be confined to the usual colors of cream, browns and beiges. Rustic design can also include shades of red, green, and blue for as long as the hues balance all the other elements.
If you want to further capture the basic and distressed look in rustic homes, just leave the bigger surfaces such as floors walls, and the furnishings raw and devoid of paint.
Interesting Patterns
Since a lot of objects and surfaces are basic, you can add interest to your design by adding patterns. Buffalo checks, Ikat, patchwork, and calico are all traditional patterns used in rustic interiors. You can have these patterns on your pillowcases or area rugs. These will look even more interesting as they are surrounded by weathered elements.
Get your hands, too, on patchwork quilts or handmade stuff. Use different patterns with vibrant colors. Hang the quilts on a bare wall and you will soon realize that that wall could easily become the focal wall.
Rustic furniture pieces can also be made from reclaimed wood to reinforce the rustic appeal. And compared to traditional or contemporary pieces, rustic style does not have predictable patterns or even lines. At times, tree trunks can even be made as bed frames or dining tables. The coarseness of these materials adds to the raw yet stunning look of rustic design.
Cozy Textiles
Rustic homes often show the sturdiest fabrics which, yet again, evoke natural aesthetics. Various textiles are even placed side-by-side leading to a complex yet still stylish room.
Rustic style is supposed to appear effortless so when you use textiles, be sure to make it look cozy in the space where they are used. A faux animal rug isn’t just a rug but something that will draw the eyes towards the floor so be sure to choose wisely.
Some of the usual textile prints used are Navajo and African.
A Warm Fireplace
Just like camping isn’t considered complete without the campfire, so it is with a rustic home; minus an inviting fireplace, the home might not be perceived as rustic as the element is the chunky visual that will anchor the design itself.
White Walls
Yes, these are a great option, too. If you haven’t installed paneled walls, then your next best option are white walls. These will serve as a blank canvas for your other rustic elements.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic charm, rustic elements, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on 5 Hot Rustic Design Principles
Tuesday, March 6th, 2018

Featured piece is the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Crafted Counter Stool.
A lot of homeowners love the comfortable and worn-in look that rustic interiors offer. This is understandable as it is the epitome of the beauty amidst wear and tear. It is the effortless charm that comes with a lot of history.
Getting this effortless look is not always easy, though. There are ways to make it doable. Creating the rustic look may prove to be an arduous process but it is one that’s worth every hour that you spend setting up the look.
Whether you are setting up a farmhouse with a lovely porch or a simple log cabin, or you might even be thinking of a timber lodge, it will always be the details that will truly define whether your home is rustic or not.
But what are the four basic style of this interior design?
The Quintessential Cabin
The cabin comes with a dark-stained outer wall and a fieldstone chimney. These materials are found, traditionally, from surrounding lands and some even come from the surplus pieces that litter industrial spaces.
It is typical to find firewood door as well as a breezeway roof. You can recreate this look by using new materials yet setting up a traditional look. Notched logs were originally stacked to create beautiful log homes. You don’t have to shape and chink the wood gaps anymore.
The Romantic Cottage
Just like any home style, there are also different variations of the cottage. The small ones are often viewed to be the most romantic. To recreate this look in your home, have some worn cedar shakes with siding made of white clapboard.
Be sure to incorporate a lot of natural light indoors. Your rooms must be bright and airy. Another classic characteristic of the cottage is its painted wood. This is seen almost everywhere from the ceilings, floors, the walls, even on the furnishings. It is also typical to see all-white interiors, especially in beach cottages.
The Rural Farmhouse
More than any of the styles featured as a rustic style, this is the type that is most deeply linked to lands. Its most common elements include huge porches, pitched rooflines, and basic siding. This is a home that is built without fuss or luxury because it was traditionally built using materials that are readily available such as fieldstones, rough-hewn beams, and wide planks for the flooring.
The Industrial Lodge
This style is massive compared to the others because it comes with big timber trusses, oversized fireplaces, high ceilings, and equally massive chimneys. More often than not, the roofing is made of slate shingle or thick cedar.
Having a lodge is all about having a good view so the windows need to be huge. The exteriors are built with different materials such as timber posts, vertical boards, board and batten, to name a few. The trim around the windows and doors are also significant because they are wide and noticeable.
Walking into a lodge almost always means walking into a living room with the fireplace situated in the middle. Thick pillars and timbers are also seen as the basic framework of the home.
The Homely Rustic Style in a Nutshell
Tags: cottage style, farmhouse, lodge, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic elements, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Rustically Impromptu
Friday, September 30th, 2016

FFDM Vintage Classics
Rustic interiors offer an eclectic look that zeroes in on nature. Furniture normally consists of stone, wood and reclaimed lumber, however, sisal, rattan, bamboo, paper, wool, glass and clay, even different kinds of metal can also be used to achieve the look. DIY projects, heirlooms, collections, folk arts and vintage-looking pieces will also fit in.
Metal-worked furniture pieces are also great options to use on a rustic concept this fall.
Wooden columns and beams, stone flooring and hardwood pieces are elements that you would want to add in your home. If these are not natural parts of your current home, then know that there are now faux columns and beams that can help you achieve the look.
Rustic Basics
Rustic interiors for this season will help you have a warm and welcoming vibe. Rustic is historic, rough-hewn and an Old World charm that appeals even to people who live on an era of manufactured pieces and technology.
Rustic is not tantamount to being not innovative, though. As your persist with your rustic style, you get to achieve a one-of-a-kind look that are either repurposed or set up in that way.
Weathered Woods Are Rustic
Say no to imitation lumber or machine-polished wooden pieces here. Rustic woods have to be rough around the edges and they’d have to be real lumber. Look for sturdy pieces like hickory, oak, or beech. Leave them to develop natural patina. You can also use matte paint to make them look more pastoral. Scuff and sand the edges, choose a stool or chair with bark-like backs and you’re on the right track.

This Hooker Furniture Dining Room Melange Rafferty II Side Chair offers the distressed look that is perfect for your rustic setting.
Distressed Pieces Are Rustic
Think of denim blue, forest green, blood red, and khaki – these are all hues that look appropriate during the pioneer days. This does not mean that you can simply shun a lighter palette. Remember that a traditional pattern such as plaid, calico or patchwork would work best.
Another way to convey rustic beauty is to make a handmade quilt. Just throw this over a sectional or a bed; you can also hang this on the wall. Needlepoint pillows and embroidered pieces also embody rustic textile tradition.
Always go for warm, heavy metals preferably those that have been worn out. Look for pieces with a hammered finish or even a hint of rust. Say yes to pewter, bronze, copper, or iron for your bedstead, kitchen racks, lighting fixtures, side tables, and outdoor pieces. Veer away from finishes such as stainless steel and chrome.
Go Modern Rustic
This may be like conflicting terms but as a theme, this has been creating a buzz. Homeowners now love the rustic charm and beauty that come with modern amenities.
It’s impossible not to love this style especially if you are a sucker for character. The key to creating a modern rustic environment, though, is when you can embrace an open space layout, modern pieces, and large, industrial structures.
Don’t forget bringing in nature indoors, though, since the most important feature of any modern rustic dwelling is stone and raw wood. This is easy if you already live in an old home. All you have to do then is to preserve the original architectural features, show off the stone walls, and expose the beams, or light the fireplace.
Modern rustic is also about making good use of the fifth wall which is the ceiling. Homes that come with A-frames are very popular. If you don’t have cathedral ceilings, don’t worry, you can still have the look of exposed beams. Ask professional architects to help you install faux beams.
Beyond the architectural details and furnishings, rustic modern homes should also carry over the theme to linens, upholstery and rugs. The simplest accessories can make a huge difference so be sure to shop for the right fall items.
Tags: designing with wood, distressed furniture, fall, fall color palette, fall color scheme, fall colors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic theme, wood, wood elements, wooden elements, wooden furniture
Posted in Color Schemes, Fall Season, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, September 30th, 2016

This Accessories Uttermost Tobia Burnt Terracotta Planter 20069 will sit beautifully on terracotta tile flooring.
If you have started kitchen renovation or remodeling, then you know how overwhelming it can be. There are kitchen fixtures to worry about, pros and cons to consider, flooring to install, and a color scheme to decide on. Today, you are going to consider one material that will make your decision-making a whole lot easier – terracotta.
The wonderful world of tiles shows a wide array of patterns, colors, finishes, styles and textures. The material that you pick for your floor tile often determines the aesthetics. Consider terracotta to fulfill not just the aesthetics part of the project but also the durability, budget and style issues.
Stone and wood flooring are popular choices but terracotta is another timeless classic that you could look into. You can even achieve the look of a Spanish Revival home by simply using these tiles.
Terracotta and Its Distinctive Features
Terracotta literally means baked earth. It is hard because it is fired, unglazed clay. What makes it standout is its reddish-brown hue which is why it is linked to styles such Southwest, rustic, Old World and Mediterranean.
Terracotta tiles have long been around. For hundreds of years, this material has provided a uniqueness that is difficult to equal. It is a homeowner favorite because it can be used in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Terracotta is made of natural materials that are quite durable. It comes in a variety of finishes from zero to high gloss. Terracotta also offers an earthy and warm feel which makes it suitable both indoors and outdoors. It is a material that’s resistant to bacteria and mold.
Terracotta is porous, it absorbs moisture quite quickly. This is also why it is susceptible to alcohol, citric acid, vinegar, and oils. Terracotta tiles must be sealed each year so that stains, cracking and discoloration can be prevented.
Installing terracotta tiles can be a bit more difficult compared to other flooring materials. It is highly recommended that professionals would do the job.

The Thomasville Dining Room Elba Round Dining Table 43622-740 is equally rustic which is why it would go well with terracotta flooring.
Terracotta Maintenance
Clean terracotta tiles with a mild dishwashing liquid, tepid water, and soft cloth. Use this for spills and stains. You can also use a damp mop, just make sure that you dry the spot immediately.
Grout is also prone to staining so you need to scrub it off as soon as possible.
Terracotta in the Bedroom
If kitchens and central courtyards have an endearing look because of terracotta tiles, then the bedroom can have the same charming look.
Terracotta tiles in the bedroom means having a relaxing and comfy sanctuary. There are reddish hues to look into and finishes to consider. Your bedroom style is never an issue with this material since it can work in just about any setting where you install it.
Terracotta in the Living Room
Finding the right terracotta tiles for your living room may not be easy – back in the day. In the last years, homeowners have been looking for a unique material to use inside their living rooms and terracotta just couldn’t be passed up.
Terracotta isn’t for everyone, though. This is just the material to use if you want to stray from the obvious styles. Use it to blend rustic and contemporary, timelessness and classic beauty.
Mediterranean and Versatile
Your home can make good use of terracotta tiles if you want the Mediterranean, farmhouse, eclectic or rustic look. Many homeowners who have used them in the past can vouch for this material’s durability, beauty and overall quality.
Just make sure that you buy your terracotta tiles from a reputable seller. Be ready for annual care, too, in terms of yearly sealing. This is pretty small to ask for something so beautiful. These tiles are also less taxing on everyone’s feet because of its porous nature.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mediterranean interior design, Mediterranean interiors, Mediterranean style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic elements, rustic look, rustic style, terracotta, terracotta design, terracotta floor, terracotta flooring, terracotta material, terracotta tiles
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, September 22nd, 2016

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sunset Point Display Cabinet deliciously spells country cottage.
Cottage living is seen as a simplistic and natural style. Here, it is easy to feature architectural beauties or showcase imperfections in your home that could actually turn out to be unique elements.
Typically small and challenged in terms of storage, country cottages often come with armoires and cupboards. Look for these furniture pieces if you want to stow away more stuff. It’s time to tuck linens inside the wooden trunk and the dishes placed inside a pie safe. Go ahead and hide the modern-day electronic appliances behind weathered cabinets.
The comfort that country cottage brings with it comes with age. The patina in wood speaks of generations past or simply of a properly weathered look. Find coverlets, canvas slipcovers, and other stuff in bolder greens, creamy whites, or buttery yellow.
Country Living Begins with White
Gray, oyster shell and taupe are the right hues for cottage living. When these are fused, they tend to make a space look fresh, vibrant and beautifully natural. Think of wood beams exposed high up in those vaulted ceilings. These could expand a master bedroom or any spacious retreat.
Use white paint across ceilings and walls. This is the standard look that you could default to if you don’t know how to achieve country cottage just yet.
Don’t stop with the furnishings, though. Carry that paintbrush and swipe it all across your wooden flooring. You can also achieve a nautical-inspired bedroom for kids. These floors will beautifully contrast with pine boards on your walls and the ceiling.
Sanding, Weathering and Distressing Highlighted
The key elements to the country cottage design are distressed, weathered or sanded furnishings. So go ahead and seek out these styles here –
That stunning piece of furniture can also be just right in front of you. At times, you can sand your existing furniture, rough up their edges a bit, and voila, you have a stylish country cottage piece in your hands. The sanding block can make pieces look old – way older – than they really are.

Stanley Furniture Dining Room Arm Chair 007-21-70
Opposites Attract
This concept is applicable in interior design, too. You must always strive to achieve balance by fusing opposite pieces. This means finding joy in marrying glossy with the muted pieces or the contemporary with the distressed ones.
Cozy Means Cottage, Cottage Means Cozy
Just as soon as you walk in a country cottage home, you should feel at home straightaway. Natural elements and neutral color palette have the power to rejuvenate the senses. A space can immediately look livable and comfortable if you use them.
Throw a slipcover onto your sofa then add a good amount of throw pillows for upped comfort. Materials that you should definitely look into are burlap, linen, and wool.
Fresh Blooms Aplenty
You will never find a country cottage home that does not feature some fresh flowers. These are natural design elements that can soften the starkness of some architectural features. You can also add some potted plants to make your home more natural.
Make Country Cottage YOU
Pull in all of your preferred elements to come up with a space that is solely yours. A country cottage style dining room, for instance, can be a daily or an occasional eating spot according to your preference. For the former, you can set up a casual table, a bench or two, some slipcovered chairs, and your everyday dishware. For the latter, you can add formal lighting in the form of chandeliers.
It’s Not Quaint
When people think of country cottage, they immediately think of worn out homes with old fixtures and furnishings. This is not always the case. While there are rural and simple cottages, it might surprise you that there are also state-of-the-art homes featuring country cottage décor.
Tags: country, country chic, country cottage, country cottage design, country cottage style, country style, country style interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic look, rustic style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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
Posted in Color Schemes, Fall Season, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Wicker is often viewed as a material but, in essence, it is a term that is often used to describe a category of man-made or natural materials that are woven. This can be rattan, cane, willow, rush, reed, resins, grasses, splints and vinyl.
Wicker can also be the term used to describe the weaving process itself. Wickerwork is known as an ancient technique that is applied using natural materials. These materials are often made wet so that they can be subjected to the weaving procedure.
Apart from natural materials like rattan, wicker can also be created using synthetic materials like resin or vinyl.
Wicker Furniture Benefits
You might be deliberating on what makes wicker furniture the best solution for your home. First, choosing wicker furnishings means owning a lightweight design element; while you can move it around easily, it is sturdy enough to accommodate people of different shapes and sizes.
Wicker is also durable especially the pieces that are made from rattan. Reed and bamboo furniture pieces are strong, too. Wicker with metal frames is even sturdier and is comparable with those made synthetically like resin.
Wicker is also famous for being flexible. It can come in various colors such as black, brown, tan, white, even olive green. Homeowners have the leeway to add colorful cushions to make the wicker chairs more stylish.
Different Wicker Options
The first kind that you might want to look into is cane. This is made from rattan’s peeled bark. The strips of bark or the skin are cut into uniform strips. What is achieved is an end product that can be used as a sturdy material for the backs and seats of chairs. Cane can also be used for the legs of tables and chairs.
Another type of wicker is rattan. This is a common material that is used in manufacturing stylish wicker pieces. Rattan comes from the climbing palm named Calamus. This grows at about 36 inches each day which makes it a fast-growing furniture resource. Apart from the skin eventually processed as cane, rattan is then cut to different sizes of reeds. These can be used for wickerwork because of its durability, strength and resilience.
The third type is called reed. This is actually the pithy interior of a rattan. It can be processed to different sizes and shapes like wedge, flat or round.
Another type is what’s known as willow. This is a natural U.S. and Europe material that is commonly used in weaving. It can be harvested from willow shrubs and trees. They are blonde and have small knots right where the offshoots have been removed during processing.
Add to this list the ever-famous bamboo. This comes from the grass family which features an outer bark that may be less weather resistant so you just have to use it inside your home. Bamboo is the best material for homeowners who want the classic look of wicker without having to spend too much.
Traditional wicker coming from natural materials is the best pieces to use as indoor furniture. They are your best choice for living room, bedroom, and dining room pieces. They can also be used outside your home but just make sure that you fortify them against moisture and the glaring heat of the sun.
Synthetic wicker has recently emerged because of the growing demand for sturdy yet inexpensive wicker furniture. Vinyl and resin are made from plastic yet they can also be cut into different sizes and shapes just like the natural materials. There is no better wicker furniture for the outdoors than this last kind of wicker material.
So, have you made your choice?
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rattan, rattan furniture, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, tips, wicker, wicker furniture, wicker furniture pieces, wicker pieces
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, May 20th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Chatelet Rectangle Leg Dining Table with Two 18-in Leaves. Doesn’t this wooden ensemble bring to mind the medieval era?
The world of interior design is not as stylish without the beauty of wood furniture. Both contemporary and traditional homes can use this unique material to their advantage. Wood can be locally sourced, it can be recycled or it can be harvested from a sustainable environment. Wooden buildings are also a great way to seamlessly fuse your interiors with the beauty of nature.
Since the dawn of time, man has been living close or even on trees. Many wooden homes have been built over thousands of years. Wood offers organic warmth, softness, and classic beauty. This is no less than the best construction material today and in the years to come.
Be Mother Earth’s Best Friend
Stylizing your home with wood furniture, walls or flooring makes it a haven of nature (more so when the materials were harvested from a sustainable society). Build a home for your loved ones that harnesses and highlights the beauty of wood. This can be the perfect home to grow old in or become a nest. Either way, you are utilizing the incomparable beauty of wood which no material will be able to equal.
Wood Properties
Wood is a construction or building material that comes with many useful properties. It is strong and is a natural thermal insulator. It is an effective storage for heat. It is also able to control humidity under the right setting.
You can be innovative with wood. You can even cover or create everything with it. So go ahead and use wood on your roof, walls, the flooring and just about everywhere else.
Lumber is often used in joists, columns and beams. The house is surely going to be much more durable if you use wood in these parts. If you used conventional wood, then there is also the added protection of it being fire-retardant.
Controlled Temperature
Because of wood’s property to insulate, your home will have a comfortable temperature. The thick walls, floor and roof will keep you and your loved ones warm especially during the coldest seasons. In essence, you won’t be feeling too cold or too hot so you’ll surely live in a home where the temperature’s just right.
An Awesome Aesthetic Appeal
The lumber market is a huge one and there is a great reason behind that. Wood is a classic material whether you use it to build your home or on furniture. Lumber looks great whether you bought it directly from the mill or if you pay the best home furnishing shops a visit. Our site, www.mccreerys.com features the loveliest wood pieces which you can proudly display in your home.
The Acoustics Are Phenomenal
The simple reason why most homeowners choose wood as a staple material in their home is that it is one of the best building materials on the planet. Its acoustics are great plus you get to contribute to the lengthening of Mother Earth’s days.
Cabinetmaking would not have been as phenomenal were it not for wood. Wood is a major furniture material and this shouldn’t come as a surprise since it offers so much more than a beautiful look.
Wood Is Holistic
In a world where holistic living is now an ongoing trend, there is no recourse but to join in. Your home could have an ambitious space or it could be homey but if you use wood in either, what you achieve is an aesthetic beauty coupled with durability.
Try living in a wooden home and bring in the rustic beauty of wood furniture sets. Your home could also come with wood insulation and wood finishes. Use treated wood so it is fortified against pests and the onslaught of the harshest elements.
Isn’t wood divine?
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, wood, wood accents, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture, wood furniture pieces, wood pieces, wooden elements, wooden materials
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, May 12th, 2016

Flexsteel Living Room Round Cocktail Table 6629-034 features solid wood, wicker and glass – all elements that work perfectly inside a Mexican-inspired home.
A famous part of many Spanish homes is the so-called comedor or dining room. Mexican homes are no different. Their dining spaces are adorned with many Spanish-inspired elements such as colorful paintings, religious relics, and pottery.
The ceilings of many Spanish dining rooms are also used as canvas for beautiful paintings. Choose from the many possible themes for the ceiling painting. In the absence of a colorful painting, have a luxurious chandelier hung.
Mexican interior design is a relative of the Spanish design. If you want to have this kind of theme in your home, then you can also use ethnic fabrics and drape them on the colorful dining chairs. These same fabrics can also be used on Mexican shelves as they can add a different level of interest and characteristic to the informal space.
Borrowed Architectural ElementsMexican homes often come with arches, thick walls and high ceilings. More often than not, hand-painted pottery lies across the table and shelves (talk of the Spanish people’s love for flair).
Mexican interior design has similar elements with Spanish architecture. Try looking from top to bottom and you would immediately notice the wooden support beams (also known as the vigas), the latticework or the latillas and the carved corbels which support the beams on the ceiling. These corbels also serve as decorative elements.
Now look at the floor where you’re standing at – Spanish flooring is often made with the most colorful Talavera tiles. These will surely draw the eyes towards the center of any room. The Spaniards have also introduced to the Mexicans the unique Saltillo tiles which are terracotta tiles that are best used in areas with warm climates.
‘Care to visit the Mexican-inspired bathroom? Then you would probably find a claw foot tub in a nook.

Universal Furniture Dining Room Upholstered Back Arm Chair 016639-RTA is the haciendero’s preferred seating style.
Mexican Accessories
When you’re out to frame the beautiful features of a Mexican home, be sure to have a lot of vibrant colors on your palette. You can use recessed lighting to provide a more magical touch to intimate rooms in your home. This style can be used in the bedroom or dining areas that are not used for frequent social gatherings.
Place a weathered chair in a corner then drape it with a huipil which is a traditional garment from Mexico. You would certainly love the embroideries on your huipil. These have special cultural meanings among Mexicans.
A bedside table can be covered with the African kente cloth then topped with a small yet antique wooden saint. In the absence of the latter, you can also resort to silver objects coming from India as they also offer a distinct, rustic appeal.
Look through your family’s heirloom furniture. You might already own some weathered chests which you can use at the foot of the beds. If not, www.mccreerys.com offers a wide array of these lovely wooden chests. They have a rustic appeal that is hard to equal. Add to their beauty by investing in iron candelabra.
Add red silk shades for a more elegant look.
Dress Up the Entry Hall
Know as the zaguan, the entry hall can feature hand-painted things on the ceiling. The more antique-looking the door is, the more useful it would be in your Mexican-inspired home. Complete the look with a Mexican tile rug. Add wall sconces for a more culturally-inspired space.
If you want to go authentic on your Spanish design, you could also use a bench right by the entry hall. This is quite common in Spanish haciendas where the hired help lie in wait.
Blend traditional elements with some of the new ones that depict your personality. Be vibrant, be colorful, have flair.
Dare to be you.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Mexican, Mexican interior design, Mexican interiors, Mexican style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic decor, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, Spanish interior design, Spanish interiors, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 27th, 2016
Cottage style is one of those designs that fuse refined and rustic; perfection and imperfection; treasures and simple finds; aged and modern furniture. It is a welcoming aesthetic that is both cozy and unpretentious.
More than anything, cottage style is a state of mind rather than a design approach. Cottages are often humble homes but they are full of heart.
Cottage style is casual and comfy, it can also be personal. This is perfect for people from all walks of life. The fabrics used in this interior design theme can be unforgiving. The furnishings are so inviting that what you would want to do is to flop down and just relax.
There is much freedom for personal expression in this kind of style.
Love the Patina
Back in the day, cottage style was pretty much like shabby chic. The term seems stale now but the elements that make cottage style timeless are these – flowing fabrics, light colors, mismatched furniture, faded prints, peeling paint, rumpled fabrics, and the overall vintage beauty.
There is a very thin line between beat up furniture and the distressed ones. Be careful that you don’t cross that fine line. Be sure to balance the weathered pieces with the new ones. The color schemes need to be simple and soft. The furniture must be gracefully aged in a place that is updated. The window treatments and trim are streamlined but the pieces inside your home look elegantly old.
Everything Is Fresh
Cottage colors are clean and soft. If you are to think of a fabric to compare to it, then it is a cotton sheet – nothing can be fresher than that. There should be no shocking or bright colors inside a cottage style home.
Consider mixing ivory and white with cream. You can layer in the pale blues, pinks, washed-out colors, and the light greens. Don’t make the mistake of combining a lot of pastels, though. Use just one or two shades to achieve a cottage look.
If You Have To…
If you really can’t resist using bold colors, then use ‘em, but limit it to smaller furnishings and accessories. Use tone on tone such as the case with the turquoise pillow among some pale blue throws. Put in a chartreuse rug, paint the ceiling with light yellow, and you’re going towards the right direction.
Defining Femininity
Fabrics have a great power to define cottage style. Use delicate florals, gingham, stripes, and eyelet. The use of linen and burlap, even cotton, is also acceptable. Use vintage-looking fabrics from the dishcloth to the hankies.
As for the quilts, pillows and chair seats, be sure to use sack-like fabrics. The curtains should be sheer so that the room stays breezy.
Do not overdo florals, though. You can mix and match this element but putting too many would render the place too saccharine sweet. Say no to lace also as the place could end up looking like a bridal shop when it is supposed to evoke a cottage feel.
The one thing that shouts cottage is beadboard. It is that grooved paneling which is the constant favorite among designers. This can add warmth and character to any cottage style home as it can make a boring cabinet, wall or ceiling more interesting.
Use the Power of Paint
The paintbrush can liven up any battered wrought-iron bed or table. You can use white paint to brighten dark wood or simply to unify various furniture pieces.
Don’t carry the mismatching too far as it can appear cheap. Painting is fuss-free and affordable.
Old Flooring
The classic cottage cannot be achieved with vinyl or wall-to-wall carpeting. Use rustic materials instead whether the wood you would use is pickled, painted, stained, stenciled or natural. Don’t use elaborate rugs, instead, look for braided cotton.
Tags: cottage design, cottage interior design, cottage interiors, cottage style, McCreery's Furnishings, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interiors, wood, wood elements, wooden, wooden elements, wooden furniture
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy