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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.
Maitland-Smith Living Room Carved Occasional Table 3030-953 will also look great on the entry hall.
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
Winners Only Dining Room Cottage Buffet And Hutch (Set Only) DC560BHHB.
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.
FFDM Brentwood Collection
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 »
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
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2016
FFDM’s Brentwood Collection offers this sturdy, hardwood table that can sit perfectly inside a rustic kitchen with a space for dining area.
Are you an individual who loves simple things? Would you want this simplistic you to be brought even to your remodelled kitchen? The simplicity of rustic kitchens is the right texture that you should look into. You would probably imagine the look as having rough logs and hand-woven carpets or having wooden planks for floors. It is a style that is unpretentious and organic, one that is naturally warm. It is no wonder that it has become quite popular in the interior design industry these days.
Rustic interiors, especially in the kitchen, works beautifully because it offers a traditional feeling that it difficult to ignore. Rustic kitchens evoke those times when food preparation was simple and families dined happily. In a world where everything is fast-paced and brutal, rustic interiors provide that bold yet simple concept that is now rarely seen.
You will surely love rustic kitchens of you are the type who loves old things. Real wood fascinates you and old shirts feel so much more comfortable for you.
Rustic Kitchen: Starting Your Design Project
Applying rustic design to your kitchen could begin with exposed beams. This is an effective way to architecturally begin your kitchen project. Use the kitchen beams to frame the ceilings and to define those beautiful doorways.
You can also line the walls with rough-hewn beams. ‘Want a cabin charm in your kitchen? Then simply add logs on the walls.
Beautify your rustic kitchen with these Accessories Uttermost Hewson Plant Stands Set2 24313. A little green won’t hurt to instill the kitchen’s natural concept.
Rustic Kitchen Furnishings
A lot of mass-produced pieces weaken the look of a rustic kitchen. So when choosing furnishings, be sure to find those with strong, rough profiles like baskets, bread trough, and trays. To tighten your rustic kitchen’s traditional look, find clean cabinetry and shelving to balance the rest of the space while providing ample storage for your pots and pans.
Achieve the weathered look throughout the kitchen by saying no to shiny stuff and newness. You would like the kitchen surfaces to look aged, distressed, or tarnished in the case of metallic stuff. If you want to add a bit of shimmer, then use copper pots and pans as display items. These will not disrupt the beauty of the striking wood in your kitchen.
Rustic Kitchen Colors and Textures
Now that you know how to effectively use copper and wooden furnishings, it’s time to look into other hues that will beautifully coalesce with the rest of the design. A rustic palette can also use jewel tones as well as subtle pastels.
Stone and soil colors, lime green and magenta are lovely colors that you can add to layer the look of your rustic kitchen. Be one with nature once you decide to have a rustic kitchen. Don’t think that you are limited to brown shades only. There is so much more that you can do to establish the traditional look in the heart of your home.
Lace and silk have no place inside a rustic kitchen. Now when it comes to fabrics, you have to carefully choose those that are durable rather than those that are delicate. Use a lot of wool, linen, cotton or burlap. Ikat prints will also blend well inside a rustic kitchen as would any barn-inspired fabrics.
The Accessories Uttermost Bouchard Crates Set2 19782 can hold fresh produce.
Rustic Kitchen Requirements
You are now dealing with natural overtones so you might feel that, at times, your kitchen is just an extension of the lively outdoors. Screens can blur the usual boundaries between the kitchen interiors and the scenic outdoors.
The rustic kitchen door is generally made from timber or it can simply have a sliding cloth. Kitchen accessories can be displayed on open shelves while benches made from wood idly sit nearby.
Timber ceiling is a must, in fact, it is the perfect choice for your rustic kitchen. Use rustic stools to cement the traditional look of your rustic kitchen.
Tags: designing with wood, distressed furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic interiors, wood elements, wooden elements
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
Century Furniture Bedroom Turkish Peak Uph Headboard – King 88-006K
Morocco has always been a place of luxury and romance. Located in Northern Africa, this is a country that is culturally diverse because its coastline lies on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Moroccan interior design reflects this very diversity and rich history. It showcases arched doorways, beautiful ornate carvings and the brightest, flowing fabrics, it has easily become one of the most renowned styles throughout the world.
Moorish architecture can be seen all over the world but it is especially rich in the Arab regions in North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. The features of this kind of architecture include domes, arches, deco tiles, and courtyards.
Exotic Moroccan Interior Design
Moroccan interior design is both exotic and luxurious. Adding Moroccan architectural details and furniture to the rooms in your home will create a fabulous appeal. Add some Moroccan decor and you have achieved a style that is like none other.
Find jewel-tone fabrics that can hang loosely over the walls or on your plush sofa. Highlight the beauty and colors of these fabrics by using lamps and sconces. Check out our beautiful array of fabrics here at McCreery’s Home Furnishings.
Create interesting shadows with the help of wall sconces. Highlight also those handcrafted pieces of glass that you already own.
What’s unique about Moroccan interior design is that it includes decorative patterns and ethnic motifs, all coming from different cultures.
Fine Furniture Design Living Room Beautiful Friendship Moroccan Console 1426-942
Moroccan architectural details include wooden arches and carved doorways. Look for Islamic designs, bright wall tiles, and colorful wall decor. These are the most recognizable elements of the Moroccan style.
Shop for mosaic tiles complete with hand-painted ornaments. These are the best adornment for your floor, walls and kitchen backsplash, even the countertops.
As to the wooden furniture for your bedroom, look for carved headboards. Tables should be intricate and large floor cushions should be used. Decorate with metal lamps, vases, wooden furniture and elaborately-designed tableware.
Add some serving trays, framed mirrors, and some chic decor.
When it comes to kitchen and bathroom fixtures, be sure to look for brass and copper stuff. Bring the most luxurious materials in. Stunning craftsmanship is the best for Moroccan living spaces. Both modern and antique decor can add a mysterious touch to your Moroccan interiors.
Speaking of luxury, you should have touches of gold or yellow with silver ornaments. Complete the look with purple shades, embroidered pillows, Moroccan textiles, geometric carpets, and canopies. All these can create a feeling of peace and harmony in your home.
Moroccan interior design is also about highlighting the beauty of courtyards.
No courtyard in your home? Then there’s no problem. This should not stop you from using Moroccan elements outdoors, though. Adorn the outdoor space with water features, some fragrant flowers, some pottery, hanging lanterns and a low bench.
Combining Moroccan Interior Design with Other Styles
There are some homes that already come with rich Moroccan details. If you happen to have such a home, then you can add some other simple designs to balance the intricacy of Moroccan style. Scandinavian interior design, in its simplicity, can be used together with this complex style.
Find the horseshoe arches characterized by the huge, round arch atop a straight and narrow doorway. These Moorish arches – also known as keyhole arches – can stand on their own; in fact, they can be a wonderful focal point in your home.
Add details through less permanent paint finishes. Begin by taping off your chosen design on a wall, canvas or bookshelf then pain over with your choice of color.
You can also go rustic by adding a traditional rug, colorful bedding, saddles and blankets. Focus on geometric designs and colorful palettes.
Tags: African, African design, African theme, designing with wood, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Moroccan, Moroccan interior design, Moroccan interiors, Moroccan style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic elements, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, wood, wooden elements, wooden materials
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, January 25th, 2016
This FFDM Protege chair will be a lovely ‘mismatch’ to another neutral-colored seating piece.
If your heart jumps each time you see a condominium unit or a townhouse, then know that you have to prepare to live in a place that is cozy. Foregoing the idea of an open space plan is not an easy decision to make but should you sign up for this kind of home, then it’s time to look for the right design that is most suitable for it. ‘Ever considered the shabby chic style?
Okay, so you have saved every bit of hard-earned money and have sacrificed on shopping and travel – what now?
Old vs. New
Carefully plan what theme you will use before you move in to your new condominium or townhouse unit. One of the most utilized, these days, when it comes to limited space is the shabby chic concept.
Rachel Ashwell popularized this stylish interior design concept to focus on comfort, highlight the beauty of seemingly time-worn furniture and objects, and for the homeowner to appreciate practical living.
This concept can even guide you in mixing traditional and new pieces. Choose from our catalogue and find the right furniture, accessories and lighting fixtures.
If you are thinking of buying second-hand furniture, think again. It is much better to have new furniture given a distressed appeal than to take the risk of buying the damaged ones. Bargain shops sell at the lowest prices but you are never guaranteed of the quality of the stuff that you are buying. So, it is much better to invest in a few quality pieces than to have different sets of furniture only to end up spending more money on repairs.
Coming from the Ancestry Collection of FFDM, this light-colored drawer is sure to be a big hit inside any shabby chic setting.
Let’s Decorate
The shabby chic style is basically minimalist and is almost synonymous with white. You may paint the walls of your home with flat white, pearl, cream, or any shade of white. Apart from having white(ish) walls, take note that you also need to have a few white furniture and accent pieces. These will add a distinct as well as intimate feel to your home. White furnishings are also easy to clean using your regular household bleach.
Now, which room would you like to design first?
First, there’s the living room. Carry the modern facade from the outside to this part of your home. Your condominium or townhouse unit will surely have a rustic yet cozy appeal once you start bringing in the lovely furniture and accent pieces.
The living room must have a clean yet non-antiseptic feel. It should be minimalist but with a few accent pieces to boost such as a lovely chest, a coffee table, console table, or some shelves.
In the dining room, be sure to showcase a table that was aged to sit perfectly in this important space. Have a Victorian couch rest against the white wall. Wicker chairs would look lovely when placed with white curtains as backdrop.
Now to the kitchen: have the furniture and appliances in neutral colors. This is so they won’t clash with the condo or townhouse’s overall appeal.
If you are one of those who prefer to have a home office, then use a white desk as much as you can. Now couple the lovely white desk with a unique accent chair and some neutral shelves.
Should you still have space for one guest room, then make sure that this room is just as cozy as the rest of your home. Use the same shade on the walls and on the furniture that will be placed there. Since the bed is pretty much the focal point, then take time to choose the ones that you will invest in for the master bedroom as well as this room.
Lastly, with your shabby chic bathroom, ascertain that you do not miss out on an ornate mirror that will bring character to this room. Find one that has a wooden frame that matches the stylish theme that you have chosen.
Tags: classic, classic design, classic home, classic interiors, classic style, feminine, feminine design, feminine interior design, feminine interiors, feminine style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalist, minimalist design, old, old vs. new, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, shabby chic, shabby chic design, shabby chic interior design, shabby chic interiors, timeless, timeless design, timeless interior design, timeless interiors, tips, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white furnishings, wood, wood elements, wood furniture pieces, wooden elements, wooden furniture
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »
Monday, January 11th, 2016
Wine bottles in this photo are from FFDM’s RayLen Vineyards Collection.
Choosing to highlight the rooms in your home with a vineyard or wine theme can add a casual ambience that is often linked to country French or Tuscan style. Wine accents permeate your place with a glamorous yet tranquil atmosphere. Pick hues that are commonly found in nature to harmonize with your wine accents. Use sage green, burgundy, and deep blue for a calming effect. Sunshine yellow and red, on the other hand, can make a room come to life. If you want to add a hacienda feel or mission touch, then use rustic textures.
This lovely wine rack is also from FFDM’s RayLen Vineyards Collection
Guidelines for the Innovative Vineyard Theme
First, what is a wine theme without bottles of wine, right? Keep those wine bottles in a wine rack made of wrought-iron. If you can find those with grapevine and grape bunch embellishments then do so. Display this kind of rack inside your Napa Valley design kitchen.
You can also set up a wine bar with different kinds of wines placed on a glass-topped, wrought-iron table. If you don’t want to take the risk on metal, then go safe with the traditional beauty of wooden racks. To add a country feel, wind some grapevines among the wine bottles.
As guests arrive, place fresh grapes with cheese board showcasing a number of cheeses, crackers, crusty bread, and fruits. Place a terracotta ice bucket complete with a vineyard logo and wine glasses and you’d be the talk of the town!
Now don’t think that the wine theme is just great for your kitchen. You can bring this same rustic look to your bedroom by grouping grapevine wreaths on the place where the headboard should have been. Embellish these with sunflowers to achieve the sunniest Tuscan atmosphere. Here, you should opt for faux grapes complete with dried herbs or some yellow starflowers.
Put this same treatment above the couch in your living room. You can pick one oversized wreath or settle with a group of smaller ones.
Of course, just like any design, one of the fundamental guidelines in achieving cohesion or balance is the use of a focal point.
Make a focal point inside the dining room or kitchen by using a wine puller collection showcased on a bead board backsplash. Put this on the side of the kitchen island or right above the counter.
You can reach a higher level for this look by filling up a pottery bowl (preferably brick red or muted yellow) with different fruits. Use purple and green grapes with all the other fruits, of course. Place this fruit bowl in the middle of your vintage farm dining table. None can be more perfect as a rustic centerpiece.
The bathroom can also be given an eclectic flair as you place vineyard-themed towels, bathrobes and a shower curtain. If you cannot have these theme towels made, then you can just combine white towels with towels in red or purple shades. Highlight the walls with wallpaper in the same hue or print.
Winners Only Dining Room 52 Inch Franklin Server DFD470B at McCreerys Home Furnishings
Designing a Wine Cellar
You may not be a wine connoisseur but if you enjoy a glass of wine after dinner, then it won’t hurt to use this unique them when you remodel your home. Here are some ideas before you set out to build or remodel –
Never think that the wine cellar is merely a storage area. This is an important room just as much as the dining or living room. Obviously, wine bottles need to be kept in a quiet, undisturbed, cool and private place. While this is so, you should not decorate the space as if no one is ever going to see it.
Add a wooden wine rack or cabinet, even a wrought-iron bar in the corner. These furniture pieces are not just there to beautify; they can also serve as storage units in your cellar or wine room. Add a framed artwork on the wall to complete the artistic vibe in your wine-themed home.
Tags: color harmony, country, country cottage, country style, country style interiors, eclectic, eclectic design, eclectic interiors, eclecticism, French design, French design elements, French furnishing, French furniture, French interior design, French interiors, French Romantic, harmony, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Napa Valley design, rustic, rustic charm, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, Tuscan design, Tuscan interiors, Tuscan style, vineyard theme, wine bar, wine cellar, wine cellar design, wine theme
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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