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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 »
Thursday, May 26th, 2016
The Living Room Uttermost Parris Pillow Soft Ottoman 23203 combined checks and stripes in an straightforward way.
When you hear the word preppy, what comes to your mind? Preppy design may pertain to social gatherings, ethics, country clubs, the genteel approach, even family traditions. Some people think of snobbery when describing the preppy style but it is not this at all. This is more of a confident style that is optimistic and has a look of its own.
Preppy style works because it is classic and comfortable. These two words are definitions that you do not contend with when it comes to interior design. Meticulous eyes and hands cooperate to produce anything that’s remotely preppy. It evokes a refined taste and a level of aspiration that is uncommon. Now who wouldn’t want such a kind of dwelling?
Say Yes to Layered Patterns
Being preppy means you have to be collected all of the time. This means that even the design elements that you use have to be well thought of in order to produce an aesthetic appeal that is hard to equal.
Plaid will forever be preppy as are stripes, gingham checks, herringbone and hound’s-tooth. Pay close attention to palette and scale when mixing these patterns. A lot of large-scale patterns will only drown each other. A bunch of the small-scale ones will only render the mixture scattered.
Don’t think of color coordination as this is no concern for preppies. While you don’t need to match colors all the time, you must remember to stay within the same hue family.
Traditional Is In
Since preppy is always classic, it would be safe to use hues that are strong and traditional. The perfect and oft-used color scheme is pink and green. Lately, the combination of red and navy has also taken the interior design world by surprise. As have the fusions of mellow gold, pine green and leathery browns.
There is no need to go overboard and flood the room with your chosen preppy colors. You can balance the usual pink and green combo with a douse of white.
Flexsteel Living Room Power High-Leg Recliner 5936-503M
Preppy Furniture Pieces
When it comes to preppy furnishings, it is safest to go with time-honored bits and pieces. Always include club chairs, Oriental rugs, leather sofas, and the like when choosing furniture for your peppy home. The most beautiful hardwood pieces are the perfect pieces to use.
If old school pieces don’t beckon to you, then find newer pieces that still retain the preppy look.
When it comes to beds and bath linens, monograms keep popping up. They are also evident in many throw pillows and barware. It’s up to you to make these monograms discreet (or not so discreet). You can give monograms a fresh look by adding fun colors. Monogramming objects like chair backs would also be interesting.
Nautical Touches
Boating and preppy life will always go hand-in-hand. You will never be questioned if you use nautical maps, prints and stripes to liven up your room. Don’t overdo it, though, as you could end up with a garish-looking space.
Always remember that preppy is never vulgar so keep it within the allotted boundaries.
Keep the accents graphic yet simple. For instance, you can display framed maritime flags in a grid. This will offer a visual punch that will be further highlighted if you use rope knots, oars and a model sailboat.
Say no to fussiness, though. You should limit your trims to just a single space. Use a dainty lamp, for instance, to balance the sleek accents that you used. Make sure everything is within the same color family so that you will achieve a streamlined look.
Blue and White China
Fill your dining room with ginger jars, pitchers and plates in blue and white. These are the mainstays of preppy style. These look timeless which is why they can easily blend with any kind of palette or furnishing.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, nautical, nautical design, nautical style, Preppy, preppy design, preppy interior design, preppy interiors, Preppy style, traditional, traditional interior design, traditional interiors, traditional style, traditional theme
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
Tommy Bahama Home Bedroom Marquesa 6.0 California King Bed 536-175C
Picture this – a pair of Buddha greets you when you come home from work. Known as the welcoming Buddha, statues such as these are being collected all over the world. Build around these decorative elements by mixing and matching different Asian vibes throughout the rest of your urban home.
We may live in the West but it is common to find both Chinese and Japanese decor in many homes. As opposed to overstuffed rooms, Asian interiors showcase clean lines and a simplified look. Asian interior design has been around for many centuries but the increased use of this style in many Western homes may be attributed to western people travelling to the east. This global influence in design brings about a different level of visual impression upon the beholder.
Asian Interior Design Is All About Balance
Traditional Asian interiors focus on the philosophy of balance. Elements of nature are effectively balanced with deep, rich tones, all working in harmony to give you that positive flow and a feeling of calm.
While there are many Asian nations which have their own distinct design elements, there are general features that can be categorized as Asian. The shiny beauty of black and red lacquer is obviously Asian. This is achieved through layering of paints till a glossy finish is seen.
Bamboo furniture is also quite popular whether it is the real wood or another type that is carved to look like the real stuff. The Chinese are also known for their love for silk and flowers so go ahead and use floral patterns such as cherry blossoms in your decorative elements.
Add more decorative accessories like hand-painted silk screen or a lacquered jewelry box.
You wouldn’t want to go wrong with the Asian interior design. Without the needed balance, it can look forced and would not highlight an ethnic look.
Begin your Asian design by investing in a few pieces of furniture, garden accents, wall decor, and other accessories. Owning two or three items can already elevate the Eastern vibe inside your home. Remember that you need to be restrained as you design your home with Asian elements. Asian decor is easily recognizable so there is no need to overdo it. Your goal is not to set up an Asian museum right inside your home but a place where the Asian elements are woven carefully to the rest of the existing decor.
Alter the overall ambiance by hanging a simple Chinese scroll on the wall. Add some bold red pillows on your sofa, set up an Oriental rug, and connect the rest of the patterns and texture to your concocted design.
If you have a modern minimalist home, then you can resort to the Japanese interior design instead of the usual Chinese look.
Artistica Living Room Bento Round Woven Cocktail 528-240 can increase the tribal feel in any room.
Asian Interior Design Means Zen
There are many words to describe the Japanese version of an Asian interior. The words peaceful, calm and serene all come to mind. Common characteristics in Japanese interior design include –
Asymmetry. Asymmetry and balance can never be separated. Achieve this element in your home by installing a vessel sink, pendant light and mirrors. Add an interesting flower arrangement to complete the look.
Nature-inspired. Expect to find flower arrangements, art scrolls made with wicker, falling water, and decorative pebbles. Blond wood planks are also quite common.
Clean Lines. Modern Asian bath features streamlining, block cabinets, and a generally uncluttered appearance. The circle is also a common motif as it represents the flag of Japan. Enso, meaning circle in Japanese is associated with enlightenment and Zen.
Since clean lines are encouraged, minimum furnishings is required. It’s right for a single light to illuminate the bathroom, for instance. Simplicity is key to setting up Asian interior design using the Japanese theme.
What is Asian interior design without a little art? This photo features the Accessories Uttermost Asian Flowers Framed Art Set2 41513
Tags: Asian interior design, Asian interiors, Chinese interior design, ethnic interior design, ethnic interiors, ethnic style, Japanese interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, traditional, traditional interior design, traditional interiors, traditional style, traditional theme, Zen, Zen design, Zen habitat, Zen interiors, Zen style, Zen-inspired home
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Monday, February 1st, 2016
This lovely Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Gianna Chest 638-50066 fuses the Old World and the New in a seamless manner.
The Tudor monarchs, according to history, were able to bring comparative peace and prosperity throughout England, Ireland and Wales. The wealth of many landowners was invested in buildings. Theirs was a moment of cultural bursts and classical architecture revival for Italian style. The Tudor style is a class of its own.
Europeans had a moment when gothic was at the center of their style. The perpendicular style has broken away from all this. The Tudors were the ones who developed fan vaulting (evident in the Gloucester Cathedral cloisters).
Now let’s go to a dating feature known as the Tudor Rose. This is a red rose badge with a white rose badge within. This signified the union of Henry VII to Edward IV’s daughter. This is now a decorative piece that is used to signify posh and sophistication to the highest levels.
Renaissance features can also be seen inside Tudor dwellings. These features are confined to the wealthy and the elite members of society then. Henry enthusiastically built Italianate motifs.
Then came Elizabethan homes where old homes were torn down only to be built anew. Most homeowners were then yearning for improvement as that was the great period of building. If you have ever seen those narrow yet all townhouses complete with borough walls, then these are the homes of artisans and merchants who built their homes slowly through the years.
Homes of the wealthiest members of the society are often built with huge windows and decorative chimneys. Glass was then used in Elizabethan homes with glittering glazing designs. The most elaborate fireplaces are set up and ceilings were slowly decorated with strapwork.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Gianna Chest 638-50066 comes with a feminine pair of cabriole legs but with a masculine Old World design.
Tudor Is Symmetry
Symmetrical plans will always be favored in Tudor settings. Otherwise, Renaissance in classical details appears so then you can find fireplace, doors, and columns. Round-headed arches and niches together with all the other features of Tudor style were revived during the Victorian period.
Tudor may be an old fashioned style but it can become a part of modern living, too. The styles come originally from the UK during the 15th to the 16th centuries and are now a huge part of tourist attractions.
Genuine Tudor design can now be recreated but your place doesn’t have to look like a tourist spot, though. Only a few are lucky to live inside a genuine Tudor dwelling so for the rest of the world, repros are the answers.
Mock Tudor generally refers to black and white semi timbering on the facade of buildings. Interior design, however, is much more distinct. If you are careful enough in making your design decisions, then you can even recreate the Medieval era of trade, arts, crafts and intellectual awakening right inside your home.
There is no architectural detail that is more recognizable under the Tudor style than the iconic half timber structures. The exterior of homes can be laden with stucco, wood or stone. Imitate this same style by exposing the very structure of your home.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Rhapsody Urn Pedestal Nightstand 5070-90015 comes with classic designs and a rustic finish.
Gable roofs are also common which give the homes their gingerbread appeal. Modern-day Tudor replicates the genuine Tudor Dynasty through architecture and interior design revivals. If you haven’t yet, you should install tall, narrow windows with small panes. Modern day cladding is acceptable such as flagstone, brick and stucco.
As for the outdoor landscaping, be sure to have manicured hedges, brick walkways, fencing and pool houses. These amenities should set you apart from the neighbors but in a nice way.
The Old World style can also be brought inside the kitchen through wrought iron and wood combinations in furniture pieces. Custom islands and wrought-iron lighting fixtures are also a huge part of Tudor interiors.
Are you ready to take on Tudor design, a unique style right inside your home?
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