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Monday, November 21st, 2016
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Skyline Nightstand
If the bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, then why does it have to come last when it comes to your design considerations? You would be surprised that just a few tweaks could actually make this room more relaxing.
It is crucial to know what elements you need to bring in so that you increase the restful aura in the bedroom. Apart from the bed which is going to be your focal point, you have to know what will make this anchor a more memorable sight to behold.
The Bedside Table: The Necessary Sidekick
First, the bedside table – you must begin with the right height that would serve as a buddy for your bed. This height should be at the same level or height as the top of your mattress. This should offer an even visual line across your bed. This will make it easier to reach for that page-turner at night.
The bottom of the lampshade should be at your shoulder height when you’re lying down so that it will be able to illuminate the book that you’re reading.
There are some people who prefer their bedside tables to be a tad higher. Find a table that’s higher than the mattress when you’re in bed. You can either have the usual table lamps on the nightstands or have some hanging lamps illuminate from above. Just make sure that they don’t create shadows as you do your reading.
Should the traditional bedside table be too large for your bedroom, then you can make use of pedestals or plant stands to fill in that awkward nook.
Keep ‘Em Out of Sight
If you are having trouble finding stuff in the bedroom then why don’t you utilize that nook right next to the bed? Apart from the bedside table, you can also have some open shelves as storage units in that room.
Find a slim shelf if you don’t have the luxury of space and a bigger one if you have ample square footage to boost.
Let It Bloom
Whether you are planning to use a bunch of flowers or just a single-stemmed rose in a slim glass vase, it really doesn’t matter. What truly matters is that you have added a lovely organic touch to this room for rest not to mention an interesting burst of color in a usually dim space.
If flowers aren’t artistic enough for you, then use a pot of succulent or a small work of art.
Play with Shapes, Patterns, Colors and Sizes
You have to be able to create a unique yet balanced display of accessories such as vases, perfume bottles and some trinkets. These come in different shapes and sizes so you have to group them according to their color or shape.
Work in groupings of three if you want to play safe. A stack of books is the perfect group of objects to use if a little height is needed.
It also pays to overlaps some of the items. Don’t think that a lamp partially covering an interesting painting would ruin the view. Sometimes, these seemingly imperfect placements are what would give character to your design.
As to color, make sure that you create a cohesive look using your preferred hues. Find a base color, though, that would serve as the anchor for the rest of the design. The bedding and furniture must coordinate with the rest of the décor.
The Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Tabletop Torchiere 1758-271 is a charming way to accentuate your nightstand.
Personalize It
Include items on your design that have special meaning to you and your family. This can be a framed photograph, a travel memento, or a piece of interesting art. Add some lighted candles and scents to make the room define you.
Tags: bedside lamp, bedside table, decorating accent tables, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nightstand, patterns, tips, uses of nightstand
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, November 17th, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Bamboo Dresser 1050-144
More and more people are becoming environmentally-conscious these days. The green design for homes has become a standard of sorts and it is no surprise that it is now gaining popularity. Having a green home means owning a place that is environment friendly and has ergonomic designs. This is a design that appeals to those who want to conserve what’s left of the planet. This is also the chosen ambience for people who want to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sustainability Is Piping Hot
Just like other fields of design, interior design will forever be tied to the ever-changing styles. What’s in or out with regard to interior design is almost always what’s in or out in the world of fashion. Should you design goal be about renovation, redecoration or architectural detailing, every interior designer must know what the hottest or classic trends are.
Know that in the design industry, these days, the fastest-growing section is interior design sustainability. You can now practice rain water collection if you want to your home’s water needs or you can buy furniture made with sustainable materials like bamboo.
Highlight Green
The ASID or American Society of Interior Designers strongly believes that green design must be included in every interior designer’s approach these days. The reduction of environmental impact does not just lengthen Mother Earth’s day but could also make your home a healthier place to live in.
Use Energy-Wise Stuff
One basic way to go green on your interior design is to efficiently use every bit of space that is available in your home. Use harmful construction materials to a bare minimum. Live in micro-houses or apodments. These are solutions that are less than 300 square feet and already come with amenities such as a refrigerator and a microwave.
Every interior designer must also work in maximizing doors and windows so that more light could come in. With ample natural lighting comes energy savings. Use wood flooring, furniture and other home products that come from renewable sources. Have water-saving toilets set up.
If you want to be surer about the source of your materials, then talk to the suppliers.
Say Yes to Waste Reduction
Decorative stuff and furniture can be easily repurposed these days. If you are truly environmentally-conscious, you can refurbish or a better option is to decide on a style that you would want for the rest of your life then invest in furniture pieces that would last as heirloom pieces.
Use fabrics, tiles and carpets that were made from recycled materials.
Plan Lighting Efficiency
Another part of your plan is to be clever about the incorporation of light in your home. Use skylights and windows more effectively. Maximize daylight by using these parts of your home and minimizing artificial lighting.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
You may or may not believe this but the color that you use to paint the interior or exterior parts of your home can spell a huge difference in light and heat absorption. The hottest summer months require cooler and lighter colors such as greens and blues. These hues can reduce room temperature by as much as 6-10 degrees.
Maitland-Smith Accessories Bamboo Cast Brass Bar Cart 3020-042
Use New Window Treatments
Do not forget to consider the drapes, curtains and blinds. These can also help in the reduction of energy costs. You might think that window treatments are mere decorative items but they are, in fact, choices that can make a huge difference.
Drapes, for instance, are effective in keeping out drafts in winter seasons while shutters and blinds keep the warmth outdoors.
Landscape Your Way to Green Living
Lastly, you can plant trees right where the sun rises. This will reduce the amount of heat that goes through your windows during the day. Eventually, you will observe how your energy costs are greatly reduced.
You see, green living is tantamount to living a life of substantial savings.
Tags: energy efficient living, energy-efficiency, energy-efficient home, green, green design, green home, green interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, sustainability, sustainable design, sustainable home, sustainable home design, sustainable interior design, sustainable lifestyle, tips
Posted in 2016 Trends, 2017 Trends, Green Living, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016
Bradington-Young Sectionals 224 Landry Sectional is red, bold and an obvious statement piece.
The world of neutral and bright-colored palettes can be a wonderful place to be in. You won’t have to worry about adjustment or playing with ugly combinations. It is safe so just about anyone can use them. Make sure that you don’t go overboard when you are out to create a bold statement for your home, though.
Bold does not necessarily mean the saturation of colors or, by default, the accent wall. Bold could also mean the overall appeal of the theme that you have chosen or created. If you would like your home to represent how bold you are, then here are some delicious tips that you shouldn’t miss –
Bold Means to Accentuate
If you want to go beautifully bold in your home, then use colors effectively. Decide which color will accentuate the space best. Having more natural light means you can control the amount of darkness or brightness using curtains, blinds or draperies. Add more dramatic colors to amp up the drama in the room without creating an overpowering space.
For a room that does not have ample lighting, choose bright colors or the more saturated colors. These should naturally reflect the light and would make any bold color appear more inviting rather than daunting.
Bold Means to Decorate
Do you own any bold piece of accessory or artwork? Then this is the perfect time to bring them out. Of course, you wouldn’t want your furnishings to clash so use a neutral palette of white hues and blacks as the backdrop. This should be a gorgeous and bold canvas that anyone with an artistic mind can work on.
You can then pick two colors all throughout your space for a more unified look then showcase your sculptures, wall art, or even a bold area rug as a statement piece. Don’t worry about getting wrong because it’s all about balance. If something appears to be off, then something might really be off. Be sure to balance the bold piece with neutral room finishes, furnishings, etc.
Bold Could Also Mean Subdued
There are interiors that are viewed as both bold yet subdued. These two seemingly clashing descriptions can actually work together – but you should know how. For instance, the Shangri-La guilded table by Cynthia Rowley can play the bold role while the rest of the surroundings remain neutral. Yet, the place looks both bold and calm, it’s all according to your perspective.
Bold Means Making a Statement
Your home is that one place on Earth where you should be the one to dictate everything that’s displayed. Since this is so, you are free to make a statement. Go ahead and hang that flashy chandelier all because you want to! Just learn to play with the rest of the space so that the room won’t appear garish.
If you’re starting to feel that the room has come to a point where there’s too much activity, then remove a bold color or two. It might also be as easy as taking down window treatments that are blocking natural lighting.
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Shangri-La Gilded Dining Table Base: What could be bolder than gold?
Bold Means Colors
Bold would always mean colors. Hues are the best way to add unique touches to a home. Colors have a profound effect on health, feelings and moods. Since this is so, go ahead and decorate for a happier atmosphere. Splashes of color, when strategically placed, will create the best modern interior for a homeowner and bold interiors are all about making that bold statement.
Practice restraint in using bold colors, though. Use hints, here and there, or add a whole new bold wall then pattern the furnishings and textiles to the color that you chose.
Lastly, use the 80:20 rule when decorating. This means 80% of the room must be neutral and the 20% should be bold-colored. Go beyond this and you’re already overdoing it.
Tags: bold colors, bold design, bold hues, bold interiors, bold statement, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, November 14th, 2016
This lovely wooden piece comes from FFDM’s Highlands Collection.’Talk of focal points!
Here’s a great reason to begin decorating for your home now – the end result of your project will enhance the mood in your home. With the right decisions come better sleep inside the bedroom, less stress in the living room and much joy in the kitchen and dining room.
Here are some ways to turn your home into a haven –
Establish an Effective Focal Point
One of the first things that you would notice when you enter anyone’s home is a furniture or architectural part of the home anchoring the rest of the design elements. This is the focal point.
It is your duty to create a focal point for your home. This should be something that is noticeable once you enter your home. It could be a large porcelain vase, an abstract painting, or a memorable souvenir from your travels.
Say No to Debris
What are you still doing staring at that pile of old newspapers on the floor? Pick ‘em up.
Piles of stuff on the hallway or the entryway must go. They all spell chaos and mess inside your home and that’s bad for productivity.
Have a place that is designated for every item. Place the most chic containers right by the door then find bins for incoming and outgoing stuff.
Create Ample Room
Anxiety builds where there’s too much stress or chaos. Reduce the clutter in your home by making space. Cut on all the non-essentials. Let go of unnecessary furnishings, magazines, files, picture frames, etc.
A magical way to create space is to paint one of your chairs or tables and let it blend or disappear into the wall. Painting the walls with a light color will also make the room look a lot more spacious.
Highlight, Don’t Flood with Light
It would be difficult for you and your family to relax during the night if there is a bright overhead lamp right in your living room. This is much like attending a concert wherein you are amped all the time. If you don’t want to be revved up all the time, then use spot lighting just for the areas that need brightness. For all the others, install dimmers that you can activate according to your mood.
Find and install full-spectrum bulbs for a more soothing and natural ambience.
Simplify the Color Scheme
Practice restraint when using colors and patterns. Mixing patterns means you must know how to keep the color schemes within bounds. If you are the type that likes a lot of colors, then be sure to keep patterns to a bare minimum or you’d risk making your home look like the venue for the next Iron Man triathlon.
A relaxing room should be one that’s devoid of too many patterns and colors. Find the most soothing hues then put in just the right amount of furnishings and accessories so that your place becomes more meaningful.
Love Mother Nature
In fact, you should love her so much that you are willing to bring her into your own home. Bringing the outdoors in means having pots of houseplants, some mirrors to reflect the natural light, and the biggest windows to accommodate the beautiful rays of the sun; the view should also include an interesting landscape and awesome trees right outside your home.
The Hooker Furniture Bedroom Vintage West California King Wood Panel Bed is the perfect focal point to your bedroom.
Turn Off Your Electronics
Put the TV set and the computers in areas where you are not supposed to relax. These are your home office and the entertainment area. Do not let these electronic appliances interfere with a good night’s sleep by putting them inside the bedroom or the living room. In their place, use throw pillows, lamp shades and the most calming colors that you could find.
Tags: adding colors to a home, creating a focal point, declutter, decluttering, determining the focal point, finding the focal point, focal point, houseplant, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nature, nature in interior design, nature-inspired design, nature-inspired home, outdoor view, tips
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Box on Stand: Rustic doesn’t always have to be “all brown”. The distressed look, here shown, is an exceptional way to achieve the rustic look.
It is, indeed, a capricious process to create a rustic tone. If you’re able to achieve it, though, you will see that the payoffs are huge. There has to be a balance of materials and features whether you are setting up a home that’s a modest log cabin, a timber lodge or a farmhouse.
Basic Styles of Rustic Structures
Did you know that there are basic classes for every rustic structure? The terms such as cottage, cabin, farmhouse or lodge all refer to rustic beauty but do not mean the exact same thing. Let’s begin defining one after the other –
A cottage has many variations just like any other home style. Every style evokes a different image. For some, it is a small, romantic place while the beach cottages all belong on a different plane. One thing’s common with all these cottages, though, and that is airy interiors.
The cabin, on the other hand, has dark-stained logs for exteriors. There is also the fieldstone chimney which is a typical addition. Just like many homes in the past, a cabin is always built using materials that are found from nature. These are then utilized to make functional pieces. Just picture the rusted firewood as well as the breezeway roofs.
Houses that have been around a long time were usually modified through the years. Modifications were often done over a period of years through the addition of other structures on the asset. A connecting breezeway is quite common.
The farmhouse is a popular structure in many rural landscapes. This is the representative of all the hard work that happens in far-flung places. No matter how basic, such a structure promises comfort and safety – the two things that are common in many rustic structures.
Common architectural elements include big porches, pitched rooflines, and those simple yet pretty sidings.
Farmhouses are built minus lavishness or waste. They were historically constructed with the use of materials that are rough-hewn and hand sawn.
The lodge makes use of big timber trusses, oversized fireplaces, high ceilings and chimneys. Take note of the roofing, too, as it was always made of thick cedar or the slated shingles. Bring your imagination to Lake Tahoe and you’d know what a lodge is supposed to look like.
Having a lodge means maximizing the views. This only means that the windows must be massive. The exteriors as well as the outdoor fireplace use a blend of materials such as timber posts, vertical boards, board and batten.
Now that you have these basic descriptions for rustic homes, can you now confidently tell that your home is rustic in style? The key is to have that open floor plan, wood furniture and beautiful, exposed architectural elements.
The Modern Rustic Home
Do you ever wonder how different a rustic home is from one that is modern rustic? One of the most noticeable features of a modern rustic home is the raw wood as well as the stone features. Preserve the look that’s common in rustic style which is the exposed beams, stone fireplace, and the use of furnishings made of reclaimed or sustainable wood.
Rustic also means natural so be ready to embrace rugs, linens and upholstery that show a natural aspect. Find the simplest fabrics minus the nauseating prints and patterns. Think of linen pillows, sisal, jute, and hides for a more natural look.
Modern rustic homes also have a good view of the picturesque outdoors so make sure that big windows are present. The modern rustic home is also almost always full of light and is spacious.
Lastly, bring in the wooden furniture to cap the look.
Tags: farmhouse, farmhouse look, farmhouse style, lodge, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern farmhouse look, modern rustic, old farmhouse, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, tips
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
FFDM American Cherry Collection
Here’s a challenge that many would-be homeowners typically face – a color scheme that would flow from one room to the next. This becomes harder to achieve once you’re told that repetition should not be overdone. The overall look of your home must still be dynamic but not to the point that it becomes confusing. The goal then is to achieve texture, value, hue, contrast and balance.
The Answer
To achieve a successful flow you need to learn the fundamental elements of design which are shape, color, scale, light, pattern, texture and balance. These components should be fused in way that’s still pleasant. It should feel like a flowing stream where the undercurrents are, well, underneath.
Vary the hues from one room to the next by changing the color intensity just within the contiguous color families. An example is greens and blues working together.
You can also create contrast on the walls by having the fabrics go against their color. Fabrics can also be related to walls through monochromatic varieties. When using a low-contrast palette, it is texture that will create visual interest.
When you want to create a beautiful scale, be sure to pick color accents that go against wall or floor colors. Don’t forget to feature artwork and other special items by making a focal point through the contrast of brightness or color.
Be sure to give every room its own distinct color personality so that you are ensured of a cohesive look and feel. If you’re the type who loves lots of colors, then it is still possible to achieve the flow by picking one color that will unify rooms. This unifying element could also be the woodwork on the doors, windows, molding, ceiling and baseboards. This connecting color does not have to be glaring.
You’re the Boss
Pick 3-5 colors (preferably your favorite ones) and plan how they would be presented in your home. What color would you assign as the background so that it will be shown more prominently? What colors will be carried from one room then to the other and in which areas will they appear?
Allow the current artworks, wall colors and furnishings inspire you.
Be Consistent
Just imagine that you’re taking a walk throughout your home and you’re leading your guests on a tour of sorts. What do you notice as you walk from room to room? Are the aesthetics and décor consistent throughout the rest of your home? Or are they too jarring that the guests tend to just look away?
If the tour made you realize that your house needs a little freshening up, then you might want to begin with the purchase of a rug. You can then find complementary paint colors, fabrics and accessories.
Begin with Carpets and Rugs
Go ahead and match two carpets for both the living and dining areas. This is most apt for an open space layout. Add variety later on then pick colors for your upholstery which you can use for both spaces. Gold and yellow are relative colors that are easy to use.
You can also use matching carpets by picking one color that is common for each. Red and gold look great together, in fact, they remind you of happy Christmas moments. Green and white are also a wonderful combination.
Area rugs that you use in your living and dining rooms can also be joined by a single color even when they have different designs and textures. A gray rug on the living room could have navy blue pinstripes while the dining room’s has an all blue rug paired with a gray mirror.
Tags: layout, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, space planning, tips
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Thursday, November 10th, 2016
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Chairside Table is as unique and colorful as a side table could get.
When you approach interior design from a homeowner’s point of view, you probably just go about and pick the things that you think are attractive. Also, you tend to make your decisions based on any existing décor or pattern in your home. Color, however is such a powerful tool that you can use to evoke certain emotions. It can also create illusions of space or invoke a dramatic ambience.
Here are tips on how you can effectively use color psychology right in your home –
Bright Colors = Spaciousness
You can create an illusion of space if you use a lot of bright colors in your interior design. Use a lot of eggshells or yellows to make a space seemingly bigger. Don’t immediately go for white, though. Even when it is known to add space, it is not as effective as the tinted hues.
Bright Colors = Happy Educated Crowd
You can appeal to the tastes of the educated few if you learn how to fuse complex colors. For home interiors and exteriors, it has been observed that educated people find two-word colors to be more appealing. Simple colors, on the other hand, appeal to people with lower budgets and those that have lower education levels. When you’re out to pick complex colors, it is best to use names like eggshell white or lime green.
Red = Appetite
You can help build appetite in the dining room or the kitchen by using dashes of red or painting the walls with red paint. A lot of restaurants know this concept which is why they willingly paint their walls with solid red or red patterns.
Use red in the kitchen to up the appetite of people. You can have neutral walls made non-boring when you add red shutters or paint the cabinet doors with any shade of red.
Blended Interior + Exterior = Wow
When you use foyer blends by combining interior and exterior paint, you end up wowing your guests. The entryway or foyer becomes much more exciting if you use this technique.
Deep Tones = Warmth
You can warm up your home by using deep tones during the colder months. Use a lot of yellows, oranges, reds and browns. When you are about to paint your home during the winter because you’re staging it for future selling, remember this advice because it will make the house stand out.
Cool Colors = Fresh and Breezy
If deep tones keep homes warm during the winter, then the opposite, the cooler colors do otherwise. These colors are along the same hues used during fall, especially blue, so use them in abundance during the summer months. Have a white exterior plus a blue trim to achieve a Greek aura which is great if you want a cool-looking home during summer.
Familiar Colors = Fond Memories
If you decide to use familiar colors from your childhood or your not-so-distant past, then you will surely be reminded of wonderful memories. This becomes more special as you put these familiar colors in the kitchen, after all, what could be more pleasant than feeling like you’re back in Grandma’s kitchen?
Reds and yellows are perfect for that playful yet posh look for the kitchen. Don’t use red, though, if you have a high blood pressure. More so, stay away from dark shades of red so that irritability won’t ensue in the house.
Extend the familiar colors into other rooms such as the bathroom. If you love wearing a particular color, then use that same color in your bathroom. Having your fave color on the background will help you look more yearningly at the mirror inside the bathroom. Basically, you will tend to love yourself.
Tags: adding colors to a home, color 101, color basics, color options, color palette, colors, cool colors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, warm colors, warm hues
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Thursday, November 10th, 2016
Lexington Living Room Merideth Etagere 351-C
There are plenty of things that you can do to make your home stand out from the rest. You can clean up, declutter, and add unique furnishings. All these are obvious things that you need to do but have you thought of other techniques to shatter stereotyping for your home?
Check out these cool ways to make your home the newest enviable structure on your block –
A High-Gloss Door
If you want the dining room to become extra glamorous, then be ready to create changes. Many people think of candlelit dinners when an evening space is designed as posh. Have a custom high-gloss plum dining door installed. Don’t be boring, be bold.
Fuse Clashing Hues
There are many vivid colors to choose from. Combine the most exciting colors with unique patterns and what you achieve is a customized, bold statement for your home. Use fabric on walls, silk shade to lamps, even a leather door. Have your floor custom-painted. The sky’s the limit when it comes to using colors that seemingly compete.
Artsy Bed
Do not be afraid to use a huge bed inside a small bedroom. Just make sure that the piece you purchase is an open and airy one. This is so you won’t feel claustrophobic. Memorize the rule of thumb which is to have the top at no less than six inches from the ceiling.
To add impact, be sure to use dark wallpaper. If you want to highlight the new bed, though, then it would be best to use white walls.
A Grand Chair
Dramatize a chair by placing it in a way that it is the first thing that you will see once you enter the room. Provide an equally grand pair for it such as an interesting urn or a large vase. Pairing great looking pieces will also help the guests make sense of your design agenda. Use a chair in the same color palette as your current furniture so that it will be look at home.
The Peculiar Statue
Find a statue that’s less ceremonial than a bust and wittier than the common horse head. Have this statute show a bit of human anatomy and or any eye-catching feature. Make sure to place this piece in the most conspicuous spot such as the entryway or a living room side table.
If you’re conscious about this effort, then have a smaller version work as a bookend in one of your shelves.
A Unique Table Lamp
A task lamp isn’t just for task lighting. Make it a point to use a modern task light right on the side table by the corner. An arched lamp up above will surely be the sleek piece to a gold backdrop. Switch it on and you’d see how it will cast a romantic glow.
The Graphic Rug
What could be more non-stereotypical than a bold-patterned rug? Make this the surprise focal point in a room where the common central pieces are the furniture. If not, the rug can also be a great design element unifier so allow it to do its job.
Don’t worry about pattern overload, allow a solid coffee table to solve this issue for you.
Universal Furniture Accessories Media Easel 026970 is a unique way to display your TV set.
The Modern Chandelier
The high-gloss door isn’t the end to something that’s shimmering. Adding the contemporary vibe of a chandelier will also make the dining room a must-see place. This is the kind of lighting that works best with dark frames and dark furnishings.
The glass element on the dining table echoes the bulbs and glimmering crystals of the chandelier up above.
It’s time to break away from what’s common. Use a thing or two from this list to make your home exceptional.
Tags: area rug, chandelier, decorating with area rugs, displaying an area rug, installing chandeliers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, unique interior design
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016
Century Furniture Living Room One Seat Cushion 42555C: The attic can be the perfect additional sitting room in your home.
If you are searching for space for a master suite or a new bedroom, don’t bother looking elsewhere. What you need to do is to just look up. What you need to determine is whether your attic is a feasible candidate for redesigning. Remember that the attic is an existing square footage in your house and that means a lot of things.
Attic renovation is a smart way to make a difference in your home. Before you do so, make sure that the renovation project will be a safe and efficient one.
Know the Codes and Safety
Code enforcement varies but the codes state, at the very least, that 50% of finished attics should be 7 feet high. Its width should be 7 feet by 70 square feet. Be sure to ask an engineer to conduct a house inspection more specifically the framing and foundation that will carry the load.
Install a Ceiling Fan
Use this appliance to control the temperature in the room. Install it if you have headroom. This will make the warmer months more bearable as the fan will bring cool breeze into the room. Just flip the reverse switch during winter and warmer air will stay indoors.
Beef Up the Floors
Attic renovation will bring about attic activity. The thicker the floor joists, the quieter things will be. Insulation will not just help in climate control but also in keeping noise to a bare minimum.
Plan According to Room Placement
If you plan on installing a new bathroom right where the attic now is, make sure that a bathroom or a kitchen is below this room. This is so there’s already an existing plumbing. This should reduce additional plumbing installation and would also limit damages on the wall. Tie new pipes with the old ones. Run the water supply to the renovated attic all the way down to the basement. This is also to make sure that sewer gases won’t vent into the wrong pipes.
Install Ample Storage
Have enough cabinets, perimeter drawers, and cubbies installed. Even those awkward nooks and crannies, and those niches along the pipe chases and chimneys are opportunities to install shelves.
How to Build the Attic
Figure out how you will be able to get up and down the finished attic. Remember that enlarging a stairway or having a new one added will affect any space below. A straight stairway will eat up about 10-14 feet of space.
Take a peek inside the attic before you begin the project. Be sure to measure for headroom. If an A-shape rafter is able to spread out beneath the attic’s roof then this room is a potential candidate for remodeling.
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Cornelia King Bed Complete is the focal point to your newly-renovated attic-to-bedroom.
Attic to Bedroom
An attic renovated into a bedroom will make good use of a space that was once devoted to old books and other unused items. Reclaim that space under the roof and convert it into an additional bedroom or a guest room.
Attic conversion costs approximately $65,000 and it would help retain 61-percent of its value should you decide to put the house up for sale. While this is quite pricey, a lot of homeowners still undertake this conversion project. They also don’t show any regrets once they take on the project. Most are even happy or satisfied with the remodeling plans that they take on.
Just be mindful of building codes, access, electrical system, support structures, HVAC and plumbing systems when changing the attic to a bedroom. Hire a licensed electrician, plumber, and an HVAC specialist to help you with this upcoming endeavor.
As soon as the attic is turned into a beautiful bedroom, make sure that it has ample lighting. Use recessed LED lighting fixtures. Do not generate any unwanted heat by making sure that the lights are tucked completely into the ceiling.
After the lighting fixtures are installed, bring in the furnishings and accessories and you’re done.
Tags: attic, attic remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling the attic, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 8th, 2016
FFDM Ancestry Collection
Have you ever wondered what makes Old World design unique? This exceptional design has its roots in the French countryside as well as 18th century England. Old World also represents Spanish, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Italian Villa, and French Chateau. It is a design that is known for its inviting interiors and warmth. Here are other characteristics that make Old World design one-of-a-kind –
Warmth
Old World is also tantamount to having bronze accents, posh drapes, crystal chandelier, candelabra, ivory shades, wall sconces, and detailed millwork. Its color schemes come in neutral tones with rich, warm woods. Coffered ceilings and dark wood tones are common in offices.
Symmetry
Another important element of Old World design is symmetry. The furnishings must be balanced in order to create a room that induces conversation. Common accents include lots of throws, plump pillows and beautiful silk flowers.
Colors
Pick colors that are warm, rich and deep in tone. Get inspiration from nature and your immediate surroundings. Whether you’d get your creativeness from the green grass or deep golds and oranges of the fall season, it’s really up to you.
Other colors that are also often used in Old World design are cream, burgundy, woods with dark stain, navy, forest green, ocher, or sanded, aged surfaces.
Materials
Natural materials are a huge thing in Old World design. You may use stone, natural woods and metal works. Use heavy wooden cabinets, wrought-iron pieces and stone floors. Curtain rods are also welcome. Be sure to include materials with rich colors such as iron, copper and wrought-iron. Limestone and granite are also wonderful options.
Fabrics and Textures
If you want to depict Old World design in your home, make sure that you invest in the following –
Accents
The best accents for Old World design are terra cotta, wrought-iron, pottery, damask draperies and distressed finishes. Make sure to fill your home with accent pieces which represent who you are.
Architectural Detail
If you are about to gut a room that you would want to remodel, then it would be wise to build from the ground up. Include as many Old World architectural details as possible. You have to learn to love arched doors and windows, exposed wooden beams, and heavy furniture.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Auberose King Panel Bed
Furniture
Old World furniture is free from built-in designs. This means that every piece under this design is freestanding. A kitchen island, for instance, may just be a simple butcher block or it may be a wooden piece with a marble or granite top.
Find slightly rustic or heavy furniture pieces. The chairs and couches must come with wooden frames as well as traditional cushions. The fabric and textures must be rich enough so that your guests will immediately know that it’s Old World.
Still on Old World kitchen, make sure that the cabinetry is free from complex designs. Use arches and hearth styles but say no to other ornate pieces. The cabinets in Old World kitchens often come with unique hinges as well as oversized doors. Corner edges and molding are often rounded on the edge. Large kitchen islands are the best pieces for to stain or paint. This is a good way to distinguish them from the kitchen cabinets.
Other Elements
Other ways to use Old World design is to make the room feel and look like travelers’ haven. Add woven shades, wicker furniture, bamboo pieces, and storage trunks.
It’s time to commit to this design. There is no use in being half-hearted about it. It is a wonderful style that you can be proud of since it shows the most interesting colors and textures. If these define who are you are, then Old World design it must be for your home.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Old World design, Old World interior design, Old World style, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, tips, traditional, traditional interiors, traditional style, traditional theme
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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