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Friday, March 31st, 2017
Adding greens inside this bedroom provided the visual pop. Featured is the Harrison Upholstered Queen Bed from the Portfolio Collection of FFDM.
The winter season was bleak in some regions this year. It is, therefore, with great pleasure that these regions, along with many other places greet spring with such great pleasure. If you’re done with spring cleaning, you might want to consider some makeover ideas that will change the look of your home for this season –
Spring Color Makeover
It’s time to say goodbye to the deeper hues of winter and to begin embracing the lighter and more fun palette of spring. Take down those heavy window coverings and replace them with blinds or sheer curtains.
This is also the perfect moment to consider painting the walls with the hottest colors for the year – choose from pale aqua, crisp white, emerald green or invest in pastels for the season.
Let Spring Air In
After you’ve spent months being shut indoors, it’s time to turn the heater off and to bring some fresh air inside. You are sure to feel the difference of the stale air and the one that will be flowing through your home soon.
To add to the freshness of the indoor air, you can plant a few fresh herbs in pots. You can then display these small pots right by the kitchen window where you can catch a whiff of the herbs when you’re cooking.
If the kitchen window sills aren’t wide enough, consider installing rail with S hooks that can eventually hold small pots.
Clean the Windows
Another way to let more freshness in is to let in more light. Clean the windows (inside and out). Begin by spraying multi-purpose cleaner to the frames, hardware and the sill. Wipe the areas clean using microfiber cloth.
If there are existing decals, be sure to use mayonnaise to remove them, then use a regular credit or debit card to scrape them off.
As for the inside part of the window, be sure to spray with glass cleaner from top to bottom. If you want a homemade cleaner, then mix equal parts of vinegar with water.
Be sure to clean your windows during cloudy days so that you won’t create glass streaks.
A fusion of natural and ambient lighting made this room more chic. Featured is the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Auberose 52in Round Pedestal Table.
Clean Up Kitchen Counters
Cooking becomes a lot easier when you free up ample counter space for you to work on. It might have escaped your attention but stuff might have accumulated on the counter over the winter months. Now that it’s spring, it’s time to store the bags of coffee, the uneaten bananas, even the small appliances that have not been used for the longest time.
Wipe down and clear off the kitchen counters. Place only the items there that you use regularly.
Roll Away the Rugs
If you used a lot of area rugs during winter, then it’s time to roll them up and consider having bare floors during spring. Treat your toes to a cooler flooring this spring by removing your thick socks and storing away those woolen carpets for now.
Bring Nature In
Spring blossoms are a wonderful addition to your home. Get a cylindrical glass vase and display those colorful branches. Using really tall branches allows you to have the decorative element sit on the floor.
For another natural look, you can also snip some greenery and have them brought indoors. Spot some green foliage, snip it, put it in a mason jar, add tree leaves, then display your fresh arrangement in your hallway, living room or the dining room.
More on blossoms, you can also put in a pot, the most colorful bulbs of the season – daffodils, tulips and other blooming bulbs are great decorative elements to add this spring. Add some fountain to these colorful flowers and you have the most enviable space in your neighborhood this season.
Tags: decorating for spring, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, preparing for spring, spring cleaning, spring decorating, spring interiors
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Spring Season | Comments Off on Heralding Spring 2017
Friday, March 31st, 2017
This is not the first time that the Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Flowered Drum Table is featured here. It epitomizes the subtle beauty of florals as it blends well with the rest of the natural elements in this patio.
When choosing color, it pays to see a little personality and to know what’s hot for the current season. It’s spring and what’s hot are muted color schemes. These colors have a wonderful, calming effect upon the senses. They communicated relevance and modernism without even trying.
So, now that you’re thinking of the most impactful palette for your home, here are some ideas that might help you decide –
Think of the Backdrop
Unless you are trying to appear vulgar – which no one would want, of course – then be sure to use floral patterns for this season. It is the safest way to go. Floral patterns work best on a lighter background. While darker backgrounds don’t always go well with floral designs, they do work, too, just as long as the colors used blend together, also with the other elements of design in the home.
Sparse Florals
Florals can be an overpowering print. When overdone, it tends to resemble a backwoods yard sale more than an elegant piece. Pick just one element for your floral design like an area rug, a piece of furniture, wall art or a bunch of throws.
Mixing and matching the floral pieces can overwhelm your space so steer clear of such plans. Instead, use small doses of floral prints on sofas or chairs. Toning the florals down can even add to the elegance of your furnishings.
No to Wallpaper
Some interior designers may disagree by stating that wallpapers are okay in moderation, the fact remains that using floral designs on wallpapers – at least the overpowering ones – can easily create chaos in your design.
If the floral wallpaper is a little too much, consider replacing it with floral wall decals in a corner. This will provide a more organized and smart look.
How About Asian Florals?
Abstract and modern florals such as lotus and cherry blossoms are commonly found in contemporary habitats. Do not overplay this theme, though. Just maintain the fresh, uncomplicated look that Asian florals provide by keeping them to a bare minimum.
Play Safe with the Classics
If you have no plans of redecorating every few months, then it is best to stay with the classic themes. Find prints that do not generally go out of fashion. Look for the understated, basic florals. Keep in mind that animal prints can also go well with florals just as long as you don’t overplay them.
Traditional florals also look best as classic upholstery. These are one of the decorator’s favorite looks. Have a floral sofa pillow paired with accent chairs. These pairings will help create a cohesive look.
Floral Flooring – Why Not?
Whoever said that florals can only be used on walls and on furnishings? Artful floral designs on the floor can play up the white walls and neutral ceiling. This would be a unique way to top your design as the lively colors group right where you step and not where you often look at.
If the floral paintings on the floor are a little too much, then you can always have an area rug set up instead. This floral area rug can add colors and pattern, say, in the heart of your home or inside the often boring bedroom.
Floral patterns don’t end on furniture and wallpapers. The Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Coco’s Flower Rug 1927RS Peacock Brown proves just this.
The Patio Fashion
Make your patio more exciting as you punch up the design there. Don’t be afraid to use pigmented prints in your patio. You may think that that area is already filled with colors but this shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a floral pattern there.
Try pairing floral accents with plain furniture. These accents should create visual interest in an already interesting place. Let this flower explosion beautifully present your character which is flamboyant and exciting.
Tags: designing with florals, floral, floral design, floral designs, florals, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Spring Season | Comments Off on Muted Colors and Florals for Spring
Thursday, March 30th, 2017
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Raellen Console is at home in this minimalist setting.
Anyone who tried to define color with a precise term is on the quest to a difficult task. Color is an inexact term though it consists of three components – saturation, value and hue. Just imagine the earth floating in space. The equator is the hue, the vertical axis represents the value while the horizontal axis is the saturation. The rest of the earth’s volume is what you visualize as colors.
You have probably heard of tints and shades and have wondered what they are – or if they are even synonymous. First, they are not. Shades are any color mixed with black. This means that the value has been lowered which makes the color appear muted.
Adding white, on the other hand, is what’s referred to as tinting. This increases the value which makes the color appear brighter. Not all colors can be shaded or tinted. Yellow, for instance, is one such color. When you darken yellow, what you get is a brownish color.
Muted colors are those that have lower saturation, lower value or colors mixed with their adjacent colors. Combination of any of these three will also produce muted colors.
With your earth analogy, muted colors are seen to be closer to the vertical axis or the ones with lower saturation. The boundaries are the pure colors in a spectrum. Look also for the Munsell Color System on the web as this includes muted colors, too.
Contemporary Design and Muted Hues
It is no surprise that contemporary designers offer flat, minimalist styles. Even digital products make use of the streamlined look as is evident in Microsoft, Apple and Twitter.
The minimalist approach and flat design are always married. The latter eliminates depth by straying from shading and gradient techniques. These favor 3D over one-dimensional geometrical shapes.
Minimalism also lets go of unnecessary features and contents. It favors sleek, clean and the monochromatic approach. It rejects ornaments and excessive design. Instead, it favors clarity and straightforwardness.
Traditional designs and any style that shows opulence often veers away from muted colors. To achieve this color, you have to find the intersection of the flat design with that of the minimalist features. For a clearer definition of muted colors, here are examples of Pantone colors that can be classified as such –
There are more Pantone colors to choose from if you want to use muted colors in your home.
The Uttermost Accessories Whispering Wind Framed Art, S/2 41410 makes use of a flat, one-dimensional approach to painting; nevertheless, it still represents the breathtaking beauty of nature.
Clues from Artworks
If you still want to define muted colors, perhaps, you could take the time to look at the Renaissance art pieces. Look at Raphael’s The Small Cowper Madonna. The folds of her dress shows the depth and texture that are created with the right blending of colors.
This is not muted.
In contrast, you can look at the technique used by Leonardo da Vinci in his famous Mona Lisa. Here, the flat design is emphasized as the artist did not rely upon shading and gradient techniques. The Mona Lisa is an evolution of color representation, one that you can use in your home.
Muted colors are, once again, becoming quite popular. You don’t just see them in web designs but their influence can also be felt in fashion, advertising, even music.
Print advertising revels in muted colors as minimalism is the latest hype. Muted colors also represent modernism, progress, and contemporary style. They can even represent efficiency.
You need to be conscious about the colors that you use in your habitat. Muted colors are in and they are fashionable because they allow you to focus only on what’s necessary.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, muted color, muted colors, muted hue, muted hues
Posted in 2017 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on What Are Muted Colors?
Thursday, March 30th, 2017
The slim look of the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Vicenza Drop Leaf Console Table 978-50-001 becomes more exciting with flowers, fruits and other decorative accents.
More often than not, hallways are perceived as dark and long parts of many houses. Builders and homeowners, alike, sometimes consider this space to be an unused or underused space. Some agree that they could do without these dark, elongated hallways.
Instead of wasting this space, though, think of the hallway as another opportunity to decorate your home. Even a windowless hallway can be brightened up with some of these ideas –
And Then There Was Light
Explore every opportunity to add natural light. The hallway often does not have exterior walls yet the alcove type that has a cutout leading to an adjacent, well-lit room, will provide that needed brightness.
You can install skylights. Before you do so, though, make sure that you consult a structural engineer. The modifications need to be bound by some rules especially for load-bearing walls.
If natural light is not possible, then have some wall sconces or track lighting installed. Some recessed lights can also double as wall art.
Another way to bring in more light into the hallway is to use mirrors. Rather than the usual art, why not strategically place a mirror on the walls instead. This can help amplify the space by bouncing off the light. Be sure to position the mirror to a space where it can reflect both natural and artificial light.
When used tactically, the mirror can even highlight a beautiful piece of art.
Yet another way to brighten the hallway is to solve the darkness issues. Introduce more light by adding small panes on the front door. Even side panels can make a huge difference. Use frosted or opal glass to address privacy issues.
Having light above is a powerful way of transforming the look of your hallway. Roof lights or skylights are three time more effective than the usual windows. Find out whether your roofing allows skylight installation. When combined with the right light-reflecting décor, you can make even the darkest hallways flooded with bright light.
Still on lighting, why not borrow light from a nearby room? Have an internal window but one that is less structural. If you can’t use doors with translucent glass at the moment, then borrow light from the adjacent rooms.
Again, frosted or opal glass should solve the privacy issues.
Flooring
A hallway is a high traffic area in your home because it acts as a daily pathway. It helps, therefore, to use durable and easy to maintain flooring materials. Begin by complementing the luxurious color schemes with dark wooden floors. A polished, deep glow can add glamour in a traditional hallway without trying too hard.
Terracotta tiles also work by adding a touch of Mediterranean charm. What could be more inviting than this cozy, neutral look?
If you want to get out of the boxed look that hallways feature, then use black and white checkered flooring. This is the perfect, French-inspired hallway that can accommodate a chaise lounge.
Go an extra mile with regard to your flooring when you decide to paint and distress the floorboards. This is best for those airy hallways as you can place a pair of planters to balance the wooden furniture.
Welcome your guests to the hallway with the Jessica Charles Living Room Charlesworth Left Arm Facing Chaise 321-LAF
Go Nordic
Scandinavians have mastered the art of maximizing light. Why not use their concept of design by painting everything in white from the ceiling to the walls and floors.
Your hallway deserves a little Nordic styling. Use copper globe lights to showcase the hottest metal this year. Going Nordic also means knowing how to make blue pop from the background. You can have the rest of the backdrop sanded and painted white but let the color blue take center stage in order to avoid the lulling dullness of neutrals.
Tags: designing the hallway, hallway, hallway decor, hallway design, hallway design tips, hallway style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Giving Life to the Hallway
Wednesday, March 29th, 2017
The non-fussy look that I.M. David Dining Room Casual Dining Set 4127-6256 offers is best for your preferred laidback setting.
Have you ever wondered what interior design theme is most apt for family relaxation? You can begin with what’s traditional and cozy. Draw inspiration from the early-American and English furniture styles as well as the cottage, laidback country, and farmhouse styles. Low maintenance and weathered furniture pieces are inviting, easy to maintain, and are visually built for daily living. Think of fuzziness, comfort and warmth, these are the things that make a home more casual.
Casual Features
If you wish to create an environment that is quiet yet not too serious, then you might want to consider a modern casual vibe. Combine clean line furnishings with rustic elements and muted colors so that the furniture becomes the star of the show.
Use plush upholstery that comes with slipcovers. Find the ones with square or roll arms, ball feet and those with skirts.
You can also pick sturdy tables with trestles, turned legs, and pedestal bases. These also go well with any furnishing in warm wood tones and distressed finishes. See how you can fuse natural fabrics such as wool and cotton into this ensemble.
Find solid textiles in simple stripes. And since it is spring, you might want to combine floral patterns (large or small) with muted colors.
Natural Fibers + Muted Hues
Spring is here again so the most famous palette is neutral. Go for grays, oatmeal, white, off-white and pastels. You could still spice these up by infusing different textures. Use cotton and linen fabrics on your upholstery.
Add layers of texture by keeping the look from being too one-dimensional, dull or flat.
Choose area rugs in materials such as jute and sisal. These are natural pieces that have rough textures that beautifully balance the smooth, upholstered linens of your furnishings.
Upholstery + Modern Elements
You can also go for straight-armed furniture and straight skirts. These elements will keep your space from looking too formal or traditional. A single cushion seated on a sofa could be dressed up with interesting patterns. To keep your place from looking too cold, then have some stripes incorporated into the design. Let these stripes come on your slipcovers which will give the place a hip vibe.
Classic + Wood Pieces
A traditional touch is the major element in making a place look homey. If you don’t want to resort to changing your furniture every season, then be ready to infuse a different element each time. For instance, you can make use of natural wood pieces to offset the formality of a traditional style.
Natural is the keyword there so find wood elements that will not overwhelm the senses. Again, consider this season so make sure that you use light-colored woods only. Darker stains don’t just look inappropriate this season but could also cover up the grains which you need for that natural look.
Lighting + Mirrors = Drama
If you want to add a touch of drama into your home this spring, then be ready to elevate your home’s look with added lighting. Even the darkest lines of a ceiling can be offset by the best looking lighting fixture.
You can also up the shine by adding touches of mirror elsewhere. Use nickel or chrome to make your place appear more glamorous. These will also keep the place from looking too traditional. Think of chrome bases on some tables and most of your chairs.
A mirrored accent piece is also a great idea.
Sculptured + Metal
You can also use acrylic cocktail tables that would natural fit inside modern rooms. As these are translucent, they will never compete for attention.
Use metal frames on armchairs. These will contrast the slipcover on sofas which is a beautiful marriage of the organic with modern elements.
Tags: casual design, casual interior design, casual style, laidback interior design, laidback interiors, laidback style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Go Casual
Wednesday, March 29th, 2017
FFDM Belvedere Collection: The PED Dining Table together with its chairs all sit comfortably inside this plush area rug.
Have you ever wondered if there are rules with regard to area rug placement? This can prove to be a difficult decision to make especially with regard to the approximate size that must be placed in certain rooms. What is size if considered proper? What colors and patterns are okay and what is bordering gaudy?
A popular rule is that the area rug should be big enough to slide under those sofa front legs. Any chair that is arranged for a seating ensemble should follow this basic rule. There are also those who believe that all the furniture legs must sit on the area rug.
If these conflicting rules confuse you, then don’t be bound by them. Use your artistic eye in determining the size of the area rug. What you need is a visual effect that will up the desirability of the rooms in your home.
Rule #1: Front Legs On, Hind Legs Off
Okay, let’s just agree that this is the basic rule of them all. To make a room more gorgeous, let the front legs sit on the area rug while the other two legs should be off. This is an approach that works in any given situation. The area rug must be a tool that connects different furniture pieces. It must be proportionally sized so that it creates a sense of balance.
Rule #2: A Few Legs On
Before you go to the next approach which is to place all the legs of a chair onto the area rug, why not place just the front legs of the sofa while the rest of the other chairs’ legs sit on the floor and off of the area rug.
This is more effective when the color of the rug contrasts the color of the flooring.
Rule #3: All Legs On
This third rule will allow all the design elements to come together. Those legs that are firmly planted on the area rug unify the rest of the design.
Rule #4: All Legs Off
If you are bringing in just a small area rug, then it would be impossible to have the legs sit comfortably on it. In this case, it is best to have none of the legs sit on the rug. This will create a different look for your home, one that creates a pop of pattern.
Rule #5: 18 Inches All Around
This next rule has become the standard for many years. This states that you must leave approximately 18 inches all around the area rug. This means that 18 inches of bare flooring must be seen round the edges. This is the traditional proportion and may not work if you are trying to embrace the open space concept.
It is best to use this rule inside a small room.
Rule #7: 12-18 Inches Round the Bed
When it comes to installing the area rug in a bedroom, make sure that the bed remains as the star of the show. Leave 12 to 18 inches all around the king or queen sized bed. The larger the room, the bigger the extension around the bed.
Basically, you need to show that there is an area rug under the bed. The bed must not cover all of this flooring piece.
The Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Homecoming Rug 0048CS Evergreen is perfect for those single chair to an area rug combination.
Rule #8: 24 Inches Around the Table
It would be easier to pull out chair if there is no less than 24 inches of area rug that is extended from the table’s edge. This allows the chairs’ legs to be on the rug at all times.
Rule #9: Cover Walking Areas
The area rug must cover the vastness of the walking area in an entry or hallway. This is for both safety and comfort reasons. This kind of area rug placement is especially applicable in high traffic areas.
Tags: area rug, area rug installation, decorating with area rugs, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Area Rug Guidelines: The 9 Must-Know Tips
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Fleur de Glee Three-Door Accent Chest is “the” piece to own this spring.
Hopefully, at this point in time, you’ve already finished your annual spring cleaning ritual. Now let’s take your spring habit up a notch through spring decorating. Now’s the perfect moment to say goodbye to your winter decorating elements and to bring in those colorful and crafty décor.
If you have no idea what to decorate then allow this guide to offer unique ideas for this season –
Colorful Palette
At times, all it takes to alter the look in your home is a gallon of paint. Pick a springtime color such as lilac that will truly lift the spirits in your home. Paint one wall and make it stand out as the accent wall throughout the season.
For a more substantial makeover, begin with two accents for one room. Choose from window treatments, lighting fixtures, chairs, or area rugs. Match the color of your paint with these new duds and add three other decorative elements. All together, these should make your room look brand new.
Tabletop Terrarium
Who says you have to go to the garden each time to feel the freshness of greeneries? You can carve out your own sunny nook in your living room by having a tabletop filled with greens. Create this by having a tray filled with little plants. Place the table near a window so that the plants will be able to bask in the sunlight.
Vary the texture of the plants that you display in your glass terrarium.
Flower Power
Another easy way to decorate your living room this spring is to create a symmetrical flower grouping. This can be framed floral artworks that can be used to fill up a blank wall. Imagine all the conversations that you will have because of this new gallery.
Customize your floral art by using the real thing together with potted botanicals. If you’re allergic to pollen, then have paintings or furniture with floral patterns become the prominent decorative piece.
A pair of floral panels will also help make a room beautiful while it aids in filtering the light. Sheers don’t come just in plain white so check out your other pale-colored options. Keep the colors light so that you won’t end up overpowering the rest of the design.
You can also paint the base of table lamps with a fresh green color so that they pair well with the greeneries that you brought in. if you’re up to it, why not have your dining chairs reupholstered to a beautiful spring color.
Wallpaper It
You can also inject interesting patterns this spring by installing floral wallpaper. To make your transition a lot easier, have the peel-and-stick type of wallpaper. This will also make the removal (after the season) so much easier.
Spring Gallery
If you have an existing art gallery on your walls, then the best way to freshen them up this spring is to paint the frames of these artworks with springtime shades such as sunny yellow, pink or cerulean. For a more floral flair, add pretty silk flowers to the wall art.
Uttermost Accessories Impact Fleurs Floral Art 35311
Beyond Pastel
Okay, let’s accept the fact that you may feel tired of pastels being the main color palette during spring. If you’re feeling more adventurous, then find buckets more of hues to experiment on.
First, there’s emerald green which is also a huge hit this 2017. This shade of green makes you think of fresh grass and leaves. It is a bold hue that can stand on its own or it can also be an accent color.
Bold green is a lovely way to make nature your main color palette. Make a statement or punctuate the subtle colors that you previously used. Add some throws in this color and see your design pop this spring.
Other colors to consider this spring include yellows, turquoise, orange, and different shades of brown.
Tags: decorating for spring, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring decorating
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Spring Season | Comments Off on Exciting Spring Decorating This 2017
Tuesday, March 28th, 2017
The Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Bedroom Fleur de Glee Bench is a perfect addition to your bedroom this spring.
For those of you who have a hard time getting rid of stuff, it might be time to do a little thinking. It is, after all, spring once again, so this is the perfect time to get involved in the so-called spring cleaning rituals.
Spring cleaning isn’t all about tidying up by storing sweaters under your bed or boxing up your donation piles. This means a lot more than these activities. First, you have to take the time to really sort through your stuff and to make sure that all unused items are stored away or donated. Make sure that the dust is cleared and the windows are washed, the countertops are sparkling once again, and the refrigerator contents are fresh.
Spring cleaning means having an effective strategy. You must formulate a plan that will keep the stress to a bare minimum and set up a cleaning system that actually works.
Declutter and Label
This is the first thing that you need to physically work on. Find out what needs to be swept, dusted or taken to the dry cleaners. Label the stuff that you will store, throw, and keep. After you have marked each bag or box, you can then give away, rehang, or store the stuff that you labeled.
Create a Cleaning Kit
Buy the right cleaning supplies. The basic things that you need are the following –
Store the most used supplies in a single container such as a basket or a shower caddy. This is so you can carry them around as you clean your home.
Invest in a vacuum cleaner. It pays to spend more on this piece of cleaning equipment because it can help you a lot. Find one that has 200 (or more) air watts. This will provide ample suction so it can provide a deeper clean.
Uttermost Accessories Abella Ceramic Flowers, S/3 04100
One Room to the Next
Trying to do everything at once isn’t the way to go. You would end up feeling stressed and when this happens, you might not be able to finish your task.
It is best to tackle one room at a time. You could begin in the bedroom where there is less clutter then go on to the living room the following day, then to the kitchen.
Every Nook and Cranny
Even when you sweep and vacuum regularly, you will find out that there are tricky spots to clean around the house. These are those spaces that you either tend to overlook or simply postpone cleaning. For those crevices that need some cleaning, use an old toothbrush and dip it in some vinegar. This can be used to clean behind the toilet and on the window tracks.
As soon as you have vacuumed the floor, use the nozzle to reach under the couch cushions; and make sure that you just don’t dust around furniture and accessories. Remove extra items so that you can clean the surface as well as the areas underneath.
Remember those antibacterial wipes or solution? Now use that to wipe the TV remote control so that bacteria won’t spread through that oft-used item in your home.
Clean Up the Fridge
Yes, a huge part of spring cleaning is to diligently throw away expired food and drinks from the fridge. There are also piles of condiments there – do check inside those bins – and be sure to toss out other stuff that have already expired.
Check also the freezer leftovers. Bring every bottle and canister out, then be sure to wipe their lids and bottoms before you store them once again.
Organize by putting the condiments on the door as this is the least cold area. The bottom drawers must hold the fruits and veggies while the middle shelf (the coldest part of the refrigerator) should be the place for perishable goods.
Bring Life to Your Home
Lastly, now that you’re done with your spring cleaning, buy fresh flowers or new potted plants and display them prominently in your home.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, spring 2017, spring 2017 cleaning, spring cleaning
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Spring Season | Comments Off on Spring 2017 Cleaning
Monday, March 27th, 2017
Well-built structures serve as sturdy and beautiful frames to these charming dining room pieces. Featured here is the Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sanctuary Round Dining Table.
The construction of a new home or remodeling an existing one can be a pretty complex and expensive process. In an ideal world, everything goes the way you planned it and when the dust is cleared, you happily settle into your lovely home. Unfortunately – and more often than not – this is not the case. The building and remodeling process can take months to accomplish. Also, you find out that months later, the shower isn’t working anymore and roof shows a leak. So what do you do then?
Good Thing There’s Warranty
So what is a warranty? This may seem like a small piece of paper but it is one of the first things that you should ask your contractor. Warranty protects both you and the builder; you, from shoddy projects and the builders from being liable for their work for a lifetime.
Warranties are often included within a contract. There isn’t a standard length of time on which warranties are set. It is negotiable so this means that you and the contractor must come to an agreement regarding the timeframe in which the warranty is still in effect.
Warranties also describe the probable problems as well as the remedies for which the contractor is responsible for. The mechanism on how to address disputes is also discussed. Again, this is the ideal case.
Before you say yes to warranty, you must understand some basic rules that govern this protection. In the U.S., there is the so-called implied warranty that does not have to be spelled out in your contract. This includes good workmanship as well as habitability. These simply imply that the house must be habitable and safe by the time the homeowners move in.
Statutes of limitation state how long the homeowner can invoke legal claims (e.g. breach of contract). Statutes of repose, on the other hand, are applicable to construction projects and set the specific time on which the contractors are reliable for their projects.
Lastly, the right to repair law states that the homeowner must first give the contractor a chance to repair the problem before suing him.
There isn’t a single standard for the entire industry when it comes to warranties. A lot of residential contractors adopted the one year warranty for their projects. This is beneficial to the builder because it limits their risk. The homeowner, on the other hand, might end up trading away the implied warranty in the process.
Since this is so, be sure to review your contract and see if the one year warranty is ample for you. You could actually go beyond warranties. A lot of good builders – may you find one – continue to be accommodating even beyond a year. Repairs and fixes can be made even after the one year warranty has already expired.
Don’t worry, though, as warranty issues are quite rare. Builders have to do quality projects so that they protect themselves and the owners as well.
Remember that as the homeowner, you can actually request for a longer warranty period. You could state that you’re amenable to one year warranty except for latent defects. After all, these kinds of defects are those that take years to discover (e.g. foundation issues).
One other option is to ask your contractor about their insurance. Most of them have products that offer extended warranty. There are even some that offer as long as 10 years; these are, of course, already backed by insurance companies. Such insurance is often paid for by the contractor but the cost is passed on to the customer.
You can also ask the help of an attorney so that you ascertain that you’re not giving up any rights. You also need to screen your contractor carefully so that the home construction or renovation project goes smoothly.
Tags: construction warranty, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling warranties, remodeling warranty, warranties, warranty
Posted in Design Contractor, Interior Design 101, The Interior Designer | Comments Off on Of Warranties, the Home Contractor and You
Monday, March 27th, 2017
The sleek Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Fleur de Glee Writing Desk is all you need for that hallway to become your new workspace.
If you’re thinking that you need an extra room in your home so you can set up a home office, think again. Work-friendly spaces can appear from an unused corner, just a few inches off a wall, or even other areas that you thought to be unusable in the past. Explore the possibilities, wonders await you.
Home Office with a View
Nothing should hamper you from having a home office with ample sunlight. Neither should this natural light keep you from your decorating style.
Set up a desk and chair right in front of a window then fill that empty corner with a bookshelf. Make sure the furniture harmonizes with the rest of the current pieces. Be sure that your new corner home office seamlessly blends with the entire ensemble.
Dual Purpose Home Office
Don’t think that working at an ordinary desk will make you more productive – the traditional look of a desk won’t have any effect on your productivity. So, why not repurpose an armoire as a home office desk as it still serves its purpose as a storage cabinet for your china, silverware, stemware, etc.
Home Office Palette Blues
Remember the key pieces to every home office (chair, desk and shelves). Choosing the right pieces can help you transform a quiet, unused space into something more productive. If the space still permits, keep the zones distinctly different by setting up a work area a few feet away from your bed.
The trick here is to make sure that the decorative elements such as the furniture, its finish, as well as the color palette all play well as a team.
The Bold Home Office
Why fear? Go bold and bright on the primary palette that you will use for your workspace. If you want a space for your child right beside yours, then find a color scheme that blends with your fun work corner. Add lots of shelves and functional storage units to work both your styles.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Wall End Unit L_R: Even the tightest spot can accommodate this wooden corner piece.
The Confidential Home Office
Have you already considered a corner? Then be able to dress it up. Even formal living room setups can offer a workable home office. Just place a small desk, chair and some accessories (e.g. storage bins and task lamp) and you can already call that spot your tiny workspace. This will become your perfect spot for writing a letter or reading the day’s itinerary.
The Floral Home Office
There simply isn’t any sense in wasting a usable corner. So, yes, even the hallway can become a spot for your workspace. A not-so-narrow hallway can easily accommodate a slim desk, a stool and small storage bins. To complete the look, install some printed floral wallpaper.
The Split Home Office
Who says the kitchen can’t have an adjacent home office? You can have your kitchen on one side and your home office on the other. Think of a large china cabinet as a possible divider. Just make sure that you keep the color palette congruent. Consistency in your chosen colors sets the harmony in your design.
If You’re Simply Tired of Your Current Home Office
Or you may already have a home office or corner but are growing tired of its look. If this is the case, try these simple tips –
Tags: home workspace, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, working at home, workspace at home
Posted in Home Office Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on You’re the Boss: Designing the Ultimate Home Office
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