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Archive for April, 2016

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Woodcarving and Your Furniture

Saturday, April 30th, 2016

 

Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Riesling Double Dresser 320-142

Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Riesling Double Dresser 320-142

Wood carvings are a natural part of many traditional homes. There are different kinds of wood carving, though. This can be anything from relief, chip, letter, to carving in the round.

Carving can only be done with the use of tools such as chisel, knives, mallets and gouges. Carving the round can be accomplished with the use of files and rasps.

Gouges come in different shapes and width. Short and long handles are also available.

Woodcarving History

If you love the look of carved wood in your home, then you should be prepared to learn about its rich history. This craft has been around for the longest time. For as long as man existed, wood has always been there in one form or another so there is no way of dating when woodcarving actually began. If you believe in the Bible, then it is probable that Adam could be the first woodcarver.

The Bible mentioned woodcarving in the Exodus, Chapter 35. The Dark Ages showed the ups and down of this work of art. European woodcarvers were mostly monks as this art was confined to the monasteries back in the day.

Wood is not one of those materials that can withstand elements for many years. This is why woodcarvings must be protected if you want them to endure. Unlike the stone carvings that can stay the same for thousands of years, woodcarving cannot withstand harsh conditions. Between insects and weather elements, woodcarvings should be protected in order for them to last.

Egypt is a rare country that offers favorable conditions for woodcarvings. In there, wood is able to survive for many years even minus the usual care.

Egyptian climate preserved 11 wooden panels under sands for approximately 4,000 years. It was only in 1860 when these were unearthed once more. Called relief carvings, these woodcarvings were found in Pharaon Hesy-Ra’s tomb.

The oldest churches in England feature decorative carvings to this day.

If you want your woodcarvings to last through time, you need to learn to take care of them. Woods come in different types so you need to know their individual characteristics so you would know how to keep them from being damaged.

FFDM Vintage Classics Collection

FFDM Vintage Classics Collection

Softwoods vs. Hardwoods

The most common softwoods used in woodcarving are – basswood, cottonwood, and butternut. As for the hardwoods, the raw materials most often used are – walnut, mahogany, teak, rosewood and maple.

Basswood comes with little grain patterns that often appear bland which is why they are painted over. This is related to the European lime but the best basswood for carving comes from the northern states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Cottonwood’s bark is popular among those who carve wooden spirits. It has a tendency to split, though, but it is pretty when unpainted.

Butternut is quite difficult to find but it has a beautiful grain and color.

Walnut is a hardwood that is difficult to carve with the use of hand tools. The sharpest tools and a mallet are often used to produce the most beautiful carvings.

Mahogany, on the other hand, is reddish, lightweight and has a straight grain. This can be easily worked with power or hand tools though it has a tendency to split.

Woodcarvers who are just starting should seek out other raw materials first. He can only progress to harder pieces of wood once he experiences success in his first few carvings. Not all carvers show progress right away. Some slink away because of the lack of progress in their work. The wood that they are using could be too hard or too soft that they split.

Since woodcarving is difficult, you should have more appreciation for the master artisans that offer their skills in creating the furnishings that you have in your home.

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Entry Way Styles: Making a More Welcoming Threshold

Saturday, April 30th, 2016

 

FFDM Vintage Classics features this wooden piece complete with mirror and other interesting accessories to welcome your guests.

FFDM Vintage Classics features this wooden piece complete with mirror and other interesting accessories to welcome your guests.

Do you believe that you’ve only got one chance to make a good lasting impression? This means you have to make the entry way as welcoming as possible to all of your guests. The entry way reflects who you are as a person. This should be a place where comfort and happiness fuse as people walk through the first door of your home.

Here are ways to set the tone for the rest of your place –

Layer the Light

A beautiful lantern can make a huge difference in a relatively small place. The entry way can also be the perfect place for a table lamp or a beautiful wall sconce. There are various lighting options for different moods.

Iron sconces can add a unique sense of style in a place where an added glow is much welcome.

A fabulous pendant lighting fixture can also make a huge difference. Actually, it can make or break the look offered by beautiful doors and carvings. This is not a usual fix that homeowners do to their entry ways, however, this is a spot that you need to spend more time and money on.

Vintage lighting will give the area a distinctive appeal. If you have an old home with equally old wiring, make sure that you commission a competent electrician to update the wiring systems for you. After the rewiring project, you can already spruce up the place with a new paint job or by adding interesting accessories and furnishings.

Highlight the Art

In many apartments, entry ways are quite small but this does not automatically mean that you can no longer make a statement. Your home’s entry way can still be chic if you hang the correct kind of artworks.

Install a statement mirror or a geometric rug to warmly welcome guests. Let them feel that they are welcome in your home and that they are about to see a stylish dwelling.

Your statement piece can be one unique piece that is an heirloom. Or it can be a piece of furniture that is newly-bought yet has the features of a would-be heirloom.

Hooker Furniture Accents Fretwork Mirror spells rustic especially when paired with the wooden Asian sculpture.

Hooker Furniture Accents Fretwork Mirror spells rustic especially when paired with the wooden Asian sculpture.

Correct Scaling

That grand foyer with a small table is a rather saddening state to be in. A beautiful, spacious entry way must have a fabulously large console table, a huge mirror, and a bench. Sconces should be present not just to welcome guests but more to highlight the beautiful architectural structures and beautiful furniture pieces.

Accents such as bins of flowers, an umbrella stand, and throw pillows will add a dash of personality to a usually regular-looking entry way.

Style Extension

The entry way must show your visitors what they would see inside your home. If you used rustic textures in your entry way, then these must also be seen in other rooms.

Set the tone at the entry way.

A Rug Is a Must

Sometimes, the entry way dimensions can be a tad trickier for rug placement. The floor is a wonderful place to put color, pattern and softness. Since the entry way has high foot traffic, find a rug that can sustain this kind of traffic.

Be Bold, Dazzle ‘Em

Primary colors can offer an awesome entry way to any home. Nautical style can be started with a basket of oars right by the entry way. Geometric rug in bright colors spells playful and unique.

Architecture needs to be respected. You can still show your personality through wall covering. Wallpapering is a classical take on beautifying the walls yet it comes with a modern twist. You might also have an art collection that can be highlighted by the right wallpaper.

 

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Serenity in an Open Floor Plan

Friday, April 29th, 2016

 

 

FFDM’S Summer Home Collection is featured in this corner of a home. Foamed furniture such as the chair here is effective in controlling the overflow of sound.

FFDM’S Summer Home Collection is featured in this corner of a home. Foamed furniture such as the chair here is effective in controlling the overflow of sound.

The open floor plan concept in offices came into existence in the 1960s. Since then, hundreds and thousands of companies all over the world, embraced this concept. Some believe this concept is a source of stress, noise and nuisance. If you look at this floor layout, though, you would immediately begin to see the benefits that it offers.

The open floor plan fosters collaboration among employees. This used to be imposed among workers which made it one of the most used layouts in the world today.

In France, alone, individual cubicles exist as a minority. About 34% of employees still work in partitioned workstations according to a 2015 study.

The early 20th century showed that the open offices flourished. Frank Lloyd and the likes of him perceived the partitioned office as a facist, totalitarian trend. Because of this perception, more flexible plans allowed employees to be free from the confines of small work areas.

Right after World War II, the development of the tertiary sectors was accompanied by a new perception on the workplace. The idea of an open workspace originated in the 50s in Germany. Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle came up with the idea of an office landscape where partitions are no longer a necessity.

The work areas were decorated with green plants fostering open communication among the workers. By 1964, Herman Miller, an American company, came up with Action Office Series 1. These were modular offices that were created with panels and various workspace heights. These easily adapted to the workers’ various activities. It was observed that their interactions became more regular and their movements, more fluid.

It was in 1968, though, that Robert Probst came up with the cubicle which is an office space with partitions that can be removed.

The Ultimate Family Design

The open floor plan can be the best kind of family or entertainment space but if you bring in the kids and pets to the picture, you would end up with discord.

This is why there is a need to understand your tolerance level if you are choosing to employ the open space layout in your home. You might have started with how you will use the space on hand but you might have forgotten about the possible noise that could come from family members, pets and appliances. This is especially true if the room features audiovisual components.

Always think of sound as something that is liquid. Water will always look for a place to flow to so it can seep through spaces and cracks.

This is also true with sound. You need to plan for an escape route for any kind of noise.

Consider also the shape of the room. Surfaces made of stone, metal or concrete tend to bounce sound at a louder level.

If you want a modern, clean, no-curtain room, then see if you can install rugs that would deaden the sound. Know how to control the noise by lowering the ceiling, having the columns in a room wrapped in wood, or replicating this kind of ceiling along the rooms.

Should noise become an issue, then it is best to break up the rooms by creating doorways in between the living areas. There is no other way to contain the sound without disturbing the flow.

Interior designers know that fabrics can be used to muffle sound. Empty rooms are noisy but once you bring in the furnishings, draperies, especially the carpets, you would soon notice that the room has become a lot quieter.

Use same color on your walls and draperies. Add texture as well as interest without totally closing off the other rooms. Make good use of soft surfaces like upholstered pillows and chairs to manage the sound.

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The Charming Patio: Turning the Drab to Fab

Friday, April 29th, 2016

 

Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Flowered Drum Table

Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Flowered Drum Table

Your outdoor space, without a doubt, is a valuable spot in your home. If you have been thinking for the longest time that it needs a makeover, then it’s high time to go ahead and push through with the patio makeover project. Big or small, it’s time to turn that space into something more alluring –

Choose the Right Table Shape

Look for the right kind of outdoor table. This has to go well with the chair set. Consider an oval-shaped or circular table rather than the usual rectilinear table.

Rounded tables are a lot easier to navigate and are better known to accommodate guests in a jiff. Of course, no one wants to sit in corners when having dinner.

Optimize the Garden Walls

A lot of gardens focus on the ground surface though walls and fences can also be spots for design improvements. Give a renewed purpose to some of your old belongings. For instance, old mailboxes can be reused into planters. This is a great use of space if you have a limited amount of area in your small patio.

Take a look at the top of the garden wall, too. This can feature a unique layer of wood planters. This is a great design project to take on especially when you have a view that you need to block or if you would want added privacy from your prying neighbors.

Take note, though, that you will need carpentry skills to come up with the best looking planters.

The Sound of Nature

It is great if you find out that your patio is blessed with the natural sounds of buzzing bees or some chirping birds. If it does not offer any of these sounds, then you might want to incorporate the sound of falling water.

Have a small fountain installed in the middle of your patio. Landscape projects can also add water features such as ponds and beautiful fountains.

A wind chime would be the perfect addition to your patio if you do not have ample space to accommodate a fountain or a small pond.

Have Some Privacy

The patio, though a part of the outdoors, need not be a public place. Add draperies for sun protection, drama, softness, and above all, some privacy. Drapery panels are most effective in softening the sun’s rays during the morning. They can also provide a level of coziness and privacy. Shift the shades according to your privacy needs.

Sheers are only semi-private and they can soften pergola hard lines. They cannot offer protection from the rain and the sun though they can effectively keep the bugs out. Sheers can also add a different kind of drama as well as romance in your patio.

Sunbrella is an outdoor fabric that you can use for areas that are often exposed to elements – such as your patio. Find panels that come with weighted bottoms so you won’t be running after them during a breezy day. Anchor them to any overhead structure such as the underside of a patio overhang.

String up some lights for a wonderful transformation. The cost could be anywhere from $10 to $175 for every string depending, of course, on the quality of lights.

‘Turning Japanese? String some paper lanterns to complete the look of your new patio. It’s time to personalize this part of your outdoor space. Be creative, unleash your artistic side. Find ways to express your ideas beyond mere potted plants, flowers in vases or shrubbery. If you can, use bottle trees, which are popular garden elements in the south.

You have just made a charming patio – are you ready to invite guests over?

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

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Creating Your Own Paris

Thursday, April 28th, 2016

 

Hooker Furniture Home Office Archivist Writing Desk

Hooker Furniture Home Office Archivist Writing Desk

Paris is a place that has been made synonymous with elegance and romance. Parisian style is effortless in the incorporation of both traditional and modern aesthetic elements. This is the right style to use when you want to have an air of sophistication in your home.

Use a light color palette as the base for your design while taking the freedom to add vibrant colors in works of art and polished topiaries. Refined elements can be effectively mixed with grandeur. Use velvet pillows as haute statements.

French Furniture History

French monarchy during the 17th and 18th centuries has been partial to the florid surpluses as well as feminine lines. This brought about a revolutionary change in furniture design which we all know of today.

French royalty insisted on having only the highest quality in interior design aspects. They hired the most skilled European craftsmen.

French furniture history can be divided into three time periods. The Sun King, King Louis XIV was first, then the reign of King Louis XV followed, and the reign of King Louis XVI (executed through the guillotine) all featured the most beautiful French furniture.

It is easy to spot French furniture. just look for the cabriole or curvy chair legs. Look also for serpentine lines, swirling scrolls, embellishments, and the most intricate designs.

Boullework surfaces are also common. These are made of brass inlaid to tortoiseshell or ebony. Bronze is also treated to represent gold and pastel silk upholstery with a lot of florals is also common.

The Empire Style

This was a propaganda that Napoleon brought about. He insisted on a tyrannical centralization of the artistic productions back in his day. He declared that furniture production (and other art media) was to be controlled by Paris and then overseen by Fontaine and Percier (both renowned architects). Jacques-Louis David was also commissioned to oversee the projects.

Noble people were then impoverished or were all in exile. The elites who have risen owe their fame and fortune to the partial master who imitated works of art without embarrassment. The resulting style was a huge success and, eventually, there was uniformity in all of France.

The Empire style is dominated by the Greco-Roman models. Their features may be a bit stiff and imposing because of their sharp corners and flat surfaces.

This furniture style lacks moldings thus, offering beauty and grandeur.

George Jacob was king of the Empire style in furniture. Boat beds, decorated only on one side, became widespread. The minister desk and the psyche mirrors also became famous. Characteristic of the Empire table are the numerous versions of gueridon type which were often used as dining tables.

Mahogany seating is quite common with backs that are often upholstered. It was rare to find small pieces which were used for more specific purposes. Console tables appear more solemn and rigid with their rectangular and marble tops.

Orient Express Furniture Living Room Humphrey Ottoman - Bisque French Linen 6460

Orient Express Furniture Living Room Humphrey Ottoman – Bisque French Linen 6460

BLOG 6. Orient Express Furniture Living Room Humphrey Ottoman - Bisque French Linen 6460Materials and Methods

Mahogany was a popular choice in Parisian furniture making. Because of the blockade that took place, this wood became unavailable, and in its place rose the beech, burled elm, walnut, ash yew root, boxwood, maple and olivewood.

Ornamentation

Ornaments are often marked with precise symmetry. Common motifs include the bee, eagle, the initials I and N, and the stars. The imperial laurel crown as well as figures bearing swans, palm branches, rose wreaths, lions, grape vines, etc. were also used. Those who embraced an Egyptian motif used squares, circles, ovals, octagons and squares.

It’s time to bring the magic of Paris right into your home. Mix chic pieces with neutral ones. Use soft yet glamorous colors. Add iconic designs with the contemporary ones in order to capture the combination of traditional and contemporary.

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Transitional Design: A Look That’s Just Right

Thursday, April 28th, 2016

 

Hooker Furniture Home Office. Latitude Modular Group

Hooker Furniture Home Office. Latitude Modular Group

What is transitional design? This is known as a design that is just right. It is not too formal, yet not too casual. It is also comfortable even while offering clean profiles. Transitional design also spells understated colors and the modern look. The result is a streamlined yet gracious space that’s right about in the middle.

Transitional design works because it is a look that’s familiar. If you try to browse home design magazines, you would be surprised that more than half of the featured homes there are transitional.

Transitional design is much like a world that lies between two dimensions. You have the leeway to find something fresh yet not straying from the proverbial.

Transitional also means being able to balance the traditional with the modern. The beauty of it is that you can mix a dash of other styles so long as they do not stray from the tailored setup.

If you love everything that is natural, then you will love the look that transitional design offers.

Defining Tone-on-Tone

Transitional design isn’t for color junkies, though. The palette that rules is – warm neutrals. So it’s time to use a lot of taupe, cream, khaki, tan, and gray. You can have a hint of espresso or chocolate here and there.

In essence, the brown palette reigns supreme. Keep patterns to a bare minimum. Say no to the punchy look of florals and Pucci prints.

If you think that you can’t live without bright colors, then be strategic in using transitional palette. Use bright turquoise, for instance, with coral in an interesting piece of artwork.

Use a pair of lamps or some throw pillows to add a bit of color inside a transitional home.

Hooker Furniture Living Room One-Door One-Drawer Antique Mirror Chest is a transitional chest with gold/silver metallic paint.

Hooker Furniture Living Room One-Door One-Drawer Antique Mirror Chest is a transitional chest with gold/silver metallic paint.

Monochrome Is In

The living area can be monochromatic though not boring. The furniture that you choose should be able to carry the space. There must be some patterns on the curtains and the coffee table’s grain can break the monotony of neutrals.

Wide windows also provide a bright source of light. If you want shading, then use light shades on the rug, walls and upholstery.

Neutral flooring plays a huge role in transitional rooms. Don’t think too much about the materials that you would use but more of the colors. Go with natural woods, tiles, stone, and carpeting. Transitional palette is a subtle palette. You can combine various floor surfaces, though.

A muted stone tile can be used in bathrooms. Carrying it up the walls can give it a more noticeable presence.

Basic Silhouettes

Furnishings for transitional homes offer crisp looks. They should be pretty straightforward. You will never be able to see a hint of baroque in any of the design elements. Rigid lines and the gentlest curves create energy.

Older furniture styles don’t have to be completely snubbed, though. You can use the more updated versions like a modern chair. Use large scales to make the place more inviting and comfortable. You would want the guests to feel relaxed.

Add Textures

You cannot rely on colors to create the needed punch in a transitional home. Texture can rise to the challenge. Fabrics that you use are coarse, made of natural fibers, shiny or matte finishes. You can also combine these elements for layering.

Think of burlap, leather, sisal, rattan, chenille, and others. Any materials that are tactile would be suitable for a transitional home.

Add some beaded board right up the ceiling and place a rattan chair right by a wooden desk to complete the look. Limit your accessories while still creating some impact. This is especially useful in a style that says no to frills.

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Cottage Style: Living In An Unpretentious Home

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

 

Winners Only Dining Room Cottage Buffet And Hutch (Set Only) DC560BHHB.

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

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.

 

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Concealing Desks: Creating the Unconventional Home Office

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

 

Hooker Furniture Home Office Cherry Knee-Hole Desk-Bow Front

Hooker Furniture Home Office Cherry Knee-Hole Desk-Bow Front

Have you ever tried organizing your office desk? It may seem like a simple task but it could actually take an hour or two for a lot of people. As soon as the task is done, maintaining its kempt look could be difficult. So, you might ask yourself – do I really need a huge desk or will a small one do?

Cables and other computer accessories always pose organization concerns. They can provide a nightmare for those who do not know how to keep them out of sight. Other concerns include mounds of paper, office supplies, printer, and other home office stuff.

These become doubly problematic once space becomes an issue. Not all homes can have ample space for a dedicated home office. If you have not been given the luxury of having a whole room in your home for your home office, then don’t fret. There are many other options.

Choices include a corner in your laundry room, a big closet, and many other places where you have never thought you could actually squeeze in a desk before.

Here are some spots where you could locate your new workstation –

The Hooker Furniture Home Office Melange 60-inch Bondurant Desk can serve as your work table and storage space for other stuff.

The Hooker Furniture Home Office Melange 60-inch Bondurant Desk can serve as your work table and storage space for other stuff.

The Bedroom

Having large closets in the bedroom leaves you without any need for an additional dresser. Use this extra area as a place for a small desk instead. The bedroom is a quiet, soothing space so this means that you can work in total silence if you want to.

The Basement

Another quiet place where you can put your desk and chair is the basement. An unfinished basement is not just the perfect spot for a game room. It can also be used as your new workstation. Just picture this – you can take a relaxing game of foosball or ping pong after a long day of work.

Isn’t that sublime?

The Kitchen

The kitchen is no less than the hub of your home so this can be a great space for you to place your office desk. Now you might think that it is not conducive to a productive day but some people work better when there’s a lot of activity going on about them.

If you are not the type that can work when your family is buzzing about, then you need to find a quieter place.

The Laundry Room

You can always find a nook inside the laundry room to accommodate a desk and a small chair. This space can be dedicated to homework or bill paying. If you run the laundry at two loads each week, then this room is quiet most days of the week.

You can always slink off to this room during the evenings when it is a lot quieter.

The Nursery

Your little one – preferably an infant – could share the room with you. This space is usually quiet especially when you little one is asleep. If you don’t require a lot of paper storage then you can even use the desk drawers as extra space for your baby’s clothes or toys.

The playroom is the perfect spot to place your desk. This is more applicable if you pay your bills during the time that your kids are asleep. This spot can be used by your kids, too, if they need to finish some homework during the day.

The Living Room

Never overlook the living room. You can have a desk installed in one of the pocket spaces inside that room. The shelves can be decorated with supplies that you use in your home office.

The Entry Way

This is one spot that isn’t busy all the time. Rather than placing a regular console table in the foyer, see if you can have a desk and chair set up there. This will give you a place to put your keys and letters, too.

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Italian Style: Leisure, Self-Indulgence and Fun

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

 

FFDM’s Summer Collection features these lovely wicker seats complete with white cushion.

FFDM’s Summer Collection features these lovely wicker seats complete with white cushion.

Italians are people who are known for their flamboyance. They are also one of the most stylish folks in the entire world. The Italian way of life is a dream for a lot of people. It means driving posh cars, wearing stylish clothing, and speaking the fancy accent. And what is Italian lifestyle without the tomato-based cuisine? If you want to bring in this way of life into your interior design, then you’re one of the few who has impeccable taste.

Italian Spells Beauty

Back in the 1950s, a group of businessmen and daring designers invested in design. Their group’s mission was to make objects that are not just functional but also beautiful. Of course, beauty takes different forms but the Italians thought that jewels can be hidden in most Italian designs.

A simple corkscrew, for instance, can serve as a decorative element inside an Italian kitchen. Even when it is made of plastic and metal, this thing can be the perfect companion to a baroque chandelier made of  blown glass.

The Heart of Your Home

This saying means more among Italians as the kitchen is the place where they gather and socialize. Italian life happens inside the kitchen where people also cook, talk and basically just relax in the company of friends and relatives. The kitchen is also the place to be when you are feeling ill and would want to sip a warm bowl of chicken broth. This is also the place where you could sip coffee every morning as everyone else is busy prepping for their early meal.

Since most socialization happen inside the kitchen or an adjacent dining area, then you have to carefully choose the dining table and chairs.

Put more emphasis in finding the correct set of chairs. In Italy, people do not focus too much in buying expensive chairs. What they just want to accomplish is that – at the end of  the day – the entire family sits together around the table while enjoying a marvelous meal.

A simple wicker chair that was handcrafted by master artisans would surely look great inside an Italian-inspired home.

Universal Furniture Dining Room China 409680C-C is perfect in housing your china collection.

Universal Furniture Dining Room China 409680C-C is perfect in housing your china collection.

Highlighting the Coffee Break

Having a shot of espresso is also an Italian way of life. Since this is so, make sure that you invest in a decent coffeemaker so you can enjoy a cup of this arousing drink in the morning. Your morning coffee-drinking ritual becomes more stylish as you place an espresso maker in the dining or kitchen area.

The coffee machine had its first prototype in the year 1933 though it became renowned after the Second World War.

Celebrate Life

The Italian way of life is also about celebrations. See if you can still find the white-and-gold plate that is reminiscent of the 1930s festive living. It was an elegant piece that distinguishes the festive days from the everyday meals. This plate is no longer being produced but see if you can hunt some in flea markets or if you can have them customized.

Get some stylish dishware but be sure to stay within the boundaries of relaxed chic.

Italian Means Family-Centeredness

You know how the saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child, right?  Well in an Italian home, all it takes is just one large, closely-knit family. These people also believe that the family is the very pillar that anchors the beauty of their designs. The design – whether it be architectural or fashion in nature – tells a story about families.

The Italians are also known for their warm smile. This is something that they share with every family member and people in their community. The Italian smile should also reflect in the furniture and accessories placed inside a home. Fascination is a huge part of Italian interior design. So go ahead and place a mixture of the familiar and strange inside your home. Experiment while staying grounded. Put in surprise elements such as placing a fishing rod in the middle of the kitchen!

The possibilities are endless.

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The Kitchen and Your Social Life

Monday, April 25th, 2016

 

 Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Rectangular Dining Table 1051-818 spells cozy and comfortable.

Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Rectangular Dining Table 1051-818 spells cozy and comfortable.

The kitchen is known as the heart of your home and don’t you agree that it is referred to as such because it is more than just a place where you could cook and eat? The key ingredients to a welcoming kitchen are your family, friends and your guests. This is an area of socialization, a place where relationships flourish and remain intact.

So what can you do to make the kitchen a grand social spot?

It’s All About Coziness

Generally, people do not like hanging out inside desolate rooms. This means that your kitchen has to be comfortable so that people will be drawn to it.

The kitchen that comes with a small (or large) dining area has to have a generous amount of seating. Each chair must have comfy cushions. A beautiful dining table accessorized with a big bowl of fresh fruits will give the place a lived-in feel and a more inviting vibe.

You might also want to consider including a casual seating section. You would soon notice that people would take more time to spend with you as they sit in that comfy chair in your kitchen. A sofa, cushioned bench or chair would effortlessly create a welcoming ambience. Placing the sofa perpendicular to the kitchen island would give the cooking area and chill out zone a more defined division.

Fusing the Dining Area and the Kitchen

If your kitchen was naturally built with a dining area, then it would require you less effort to make that area feel like a hub. This can become your entertainment hub as opposed to the usual spot which is the living room.

You would be surprised at the number of people that you can actually accommodate even in a small space.

Set Up a Breakfast Bar

If you don’t want to dedicate a dining table inside the kitchen, then that’s okay; you can still set up a spot where guests, friends and family members can sit down and have a chat while you are busy prepping the meal.

Having a breakfast bar right at the end of the kitchen peninsula or island is the right solution. This provides a comfy place for people to relax, tuck their knees in, and just be themselves.

The Winners Only Dining Room 48 Inch Bench DJ1455 will sit 2-3 people, making it the perfect addition to the kitchen’s social hub.

The Winners Only Dining Room 48 Inch Bench DJ1455 will sit 2-3 people, making it the perfect addition to the kitchen’s social hub.

Kitchen with a View

What if you are one of the few who are blessed with a picturesque view right outside the kitchen window? What do you think you could do with that?

When you are planning a kitchen remodel, then think how you can include that view. Make the kitchen more inviting by facing the dining nook towards the window. If the kitchen has glazed windows or doors looking out the terrace or garden, then make sure that everyone faces the beautiful scenery outside.

Lighten It All Up

If the kitchen is opening directly to the outdoors, the kitchen will immediately become the center of your home. Bi-fold doors can open to the terrace which makes the division between the outdoors and indoors a tad more blurry.

Natural lighting is great but come dusk or the evening, of course, no one wants to be found inside a dingy or dark room. Make the kitchen as bright as possible. You would want people to be uplifted when they enter that part of your home so better fill the kitchen up with light.

Having the place painted with a pale or white shade is also an easy way to make the kitchen appear brighter. Shutters can be used to cover just the lower part of the kitchen windows, allowing sunlight to naturally flow in during the day.

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