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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017
The lovely brick walls serve as the frame to the equally lovely pieces. Featured here is the Meritage Aerostat Cocktail Table.
Two of the most abundant raw materials on earth are shale and clay. These are the main ingredients in creating bricks. These materials are then fired up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit inside a kiln. Through chemical transformation and vitrification, these two minerals are then fused for good. The resulting product can then be used as a durable piece of construction material.
A lot of people mistake concrete brick for clay brick. The former uses a gray paste to bond the raw materials. Also, the pigment is added to make the material more interesting.
Clay brick is also stronger than cement brick this is why it remains to be the most sought-after type of brick in the industry.
Architecture Made with Clay Brick
Heated clay brick has long been used as a building material in the U.S. And since this is such a durable material, majority of the colonial brick structures that were made in the 1700s are still standing today.
It is amazing to note that architectural marvels such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The renowned Glass House, as well as the nearby brick houses, are now parts of Modern Art.
Pelli Clarke Pelli also used brick in designing the beautiful The Solaire.
Pavements made with brick were also quite popular during the colonial times. These clay pavers are now over two centuries old. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had about three million pavers made from 1910-1911. These are still in use today and since they are made of fired clay bricks, they did not fade or even require sealers throughout the years.
Awesome Bricks in Homes
Since bricks are durable materials, it is not surprising that they are preferred by many homeowners. Just think about this – almost every Union State has a street that has the word brick on it – from Brickyard to Brick Kiln, to simply Brick.
Brick is a sturdy cladding material that is used in many healthcare structures, schools, and government buildings. It is fairly common to find brick schools and brick apartment buildings nowadays. And here’s a trivia – more than eighty-percent of homeowners think of brick when they are about to build or reconstruct their homes.
So, are you aching to have a brick wall now? That’s not shocking news. Brick is gorgeous and its presence can instantly give your home a delightful appeal.
If you’re looking to have a modern or a country style home, your go-to material is no other than brick.
The first thing that you can do with it is to create stone walls with them. Instead of thinking that brick interior walls would look cold, think the other way around. Bricks can make the atmosphere of any room warmer and more welcoming.
Brick tiles are especially great to use in hallways, living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. If you’re thinking of adding a cellar, then this is also the material that will make this new addition to your home look more awesome.
Bricks are simply magical. It may be because they have been around for so long that people instantly think of reliability, solidity, and comfort when they see them.
Proper Care for Brick Walls
While bricks are lovely to look at, you have to prepare to take care of them. Be sure to conserve the beauty of the bricks’ surface and to keep damages at bay. To do this, clean each brick then leave a glossy, layered finish. You could also consider adding matte binders since these are effective in keeping dust away.
If you’ve used brick as a bathroom solution, make sure that you won’t face damaged grout later on. Reposition your brick walls where they won’t get any moisture. If there’s no way to do this now, then be sure to seal them at the very least.
Tags: brick, brick design, brick wall, designing a brick wall, designing with brick, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Sturdy Beauty of Clay Brick
Monday, October 30th, 2017
The Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Claydon Credenza is the right backdrop for the stunning, colorful work of art.
Now more than ever, art is within everyone’s reach. The Internet has made it possible to own the loveliest pieces with just a single mouse click. But once you have the pieces, do you really know what to do with them? Or are you – just like countless others – wondering where to place these beauties?
Gallery Wall
If you want to create a professional-looking gallery wall, be sure to know how to make a statement. This is your chance to put a message across. Mix photographs and paintings. Use black and white pieces together with colored ones.
Don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing this special wall. Be sure to plan the layouts. To do this, you can begin by putting the artworks on the floor and arranging them. Use painter’s tape to create an outline on your intended gallery wall. This blue tape will also help you visualize.
If you’re still uncertain, you can always begin with one or two anchor pieces. Place these at the center of the wall then slowly build from there. Keep in mind that every piece of art has to be seen at eye level.
Don’t forget about placement more so when you’re designing over a piece of furniture such as a sofa or a credenza that is going to be placed against the wall.
Establish a Color Scheme
In showcasing art, you will also need to consider the different kinds of shades that you will use. Will you be highlighting a pretty colorful display or will you show a simpler palette?
Specify your color palette from the outset.
Create a Story
An art gallery wall is also an opportunity to not only document what art you prefer but also a chance to tell a certain story of your experiences and travels. Include photographs of your recent or past trips or artworks that you collected as you traveled.
Frame Your Art
The gallery wall is not all about showing the world your art. It is also a wall that will show just how well you thought this project through. For instance, what sort of art or picture frames should go with your chosen art pieces?
Find unique frames that have the power to draw the eyes towards the art pieces. Look for something that has an Old World vibe if you have embraced the traditional look. If you’re a contemporary homeowner, then there are always frames that come with straight, non-busy lines.
It’s Not Always Aligned
It is wrong to think that gallery walls are supposed to be lined with framed art in straight lines. This may be the ideal setup for most people but for someone who wants to show that he or she is different, there are many other ways to display artwork.
For a less formal gallery, you can have the pieces hang at the left or right side of the center instead of the usual dead center. It also pays to mix up the pieces. You can have paintings mixed up with sketches or photographs with mosaics.
Let Yourself Go
At least your creative side, that is. Remember that creating a gallery wall is also art in itself. Since there is no single formula that points to a great display that will surely be appreciated, you can go ahead and experiment.
Just jump in and let go.
The Don’ts
If you have learned the do’s of hanging wall art, there are also some things that you need to veer away from –
Hanging art takes time but, don’t worry, you will soon enjoy the fruits of your hard work and enjoy a vision that everyone will also appreciate.
Tags: art, displaying art, displaying artwork, displaying works of art, hanging wall art, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on How to Display Artworks at Home
Saturday, October 28th, 2017
Santana Accent Table by Humphrey Bogart
Matching or symmetrical sets of furniture have the power to make a room look sharp. While this is so, there is no rule that says furniture pieces have to match every single time. Changing a few elements may contrast with what’s widely accepted but it will definitely add a delicious texture to the room, one that will showcase your personality and style.
A furniture piece that is most suitable to do this job is the accent table. This living room table can serve various functions. It can become your stylish side table that is home to your table lamps. Or it can simply hold remote controls and magazines.
There is a wide array of accent table sizes, styles, colors, and shapes to choose from. Find the right piece that will enhance your home.
Mix and Match by Material
If you want an accent table made of wood, then don’t hesitate to blend different sorts of wood and wood finishes. Teak, oak, ash, mango, and many other types of wood come in different hues, pattern, and style.
Combine these to set up a mix and match that’s organic. The woods’ different grains and tones add visual texture and character. Just be sure to pay attention to the undertones of the woods.
Blending works best if you stick to a single tone (warm or cool).
When mixing metals, never feel restricted to just a single type of hardware. Different metals can co-exist. They can even be mixed with wood. For instance, a wooden accent table could have bronze details. This is a wonderful combination of warm and cool hues.
Mix and Match by Shape
There are many shapes available for accent tables. Try teaming up a round accent table with a rectangular, elongated coffee table. You can also have a center table framed by a few similarly shaped yet smaller accent tables.
If space is a problem, then be sure to look for accent tables that come with lower shelves or drawers. These added storage spaces will hold remote controls, keys, books, and other items. The added shelves can also showcase magazines and some of your collections.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Gia Drum Table
Ways to Decorate Accent Tables
What is an accent table without the proper decorative stuff to beautify it with? This task can be a bit tricky but with a little creativity and patience, you can breeze through it.
Here’s one easy way to begin – add a basket (preferably rattan) to your accent table. This will hold your keys, TV remote, and even other decorative items.
Books can also easily become decorative items. Find the ones that you love to read regularly. Add a low stack in place of the rattan basket.
If these ideas don’t tickle your fancy, then you can always go for flower (faux or fresh). These products of Mother Nature are a lovely way to decorate your accent table. A vase of orchids, perhaps, can sit on your table for 2-3 days.
If you change the water daily, the flowers could even stay fresh longer. If you want to have a more dramatic setup, then place a tall vase with fresh flowers. Blooming branches are also a welcome sight.
Add a table lamp. If you have two accent tables that act as end tables in your living room, then set up a pair of decorative table lamps.
Make sure that you don’t place the accent table anywhere near a staircase because there is a tendency for the table lamps to be toppled over.
Check out the unique accent tables on this blog. Even a drum table can be turned into an awesome accent table in the living room.
Tags: accent table, decorating accent tables, decorating the accent table, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Accent Table: Beauty in Symmetry
Friday, October 27th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Home Office Arabella Mirrored Writing Desk
Industrial interior design is all about displaying the raw building materials, it’s about the non-concealment of pipes, wood beams, trusses, rough concrete, and metallic surfaces. It is also being proud of the unfinished look that is offered by this functional yet still stylish design.
What you achieve is a warehouse look of sorts though this can also be polished into a more sophisticated space.
If you have been perusing interior design magazines lately, you would be able to see that there are many designers who are now incorporating the industrial look to their other designs. Many stylish homes now have stainless steel features, vintage-looking furniture pieces, and metal lighting fixtures. If you want to get the look, too, here are some tips –
Expose ‘Em
A signature element of any industrial space is its ducts and pipes. Warehouse apartments are now the in thing to beat. They are everywhere and everyone seems to want to live in one. In fact, old factories and office spaces are being converted into residential living spaces.
Of course, the alteration can be challenging but the homeowners who eventually move into these spaces find great joy with their decision.
All white spaces are the perfect backdrop for exposed pipes. The brightness of those white walls and ceilings provide the needed contrast to the piping system.
Use Metals Everywhere
Apart from the ducts and pipes that remain exposed, another feature of industrial homes is the presence of metal paint on doors or metallic sheets on walls or vice versa. Industrial kitchens look amazing with their glimmering metallic surfaces from the stoves to the refrigerator, even down to the handles of cabinets.
The best way to approach designing with metal is to do it subtly. You could begin with the simple elements such as metal bowls or vases. You can even group these together to form a more dramatic statement.
Metal frames also bring in positive Feng Shui. Find frames that have the same finishes and not contrasting ones.
And Then There’s Wood
Industrial interiors also offer a wonderful vision of wood combined with metal. Earth tones or neutrals are common color schemes for industrial homes. The textural fusion of smooth, shiny metals plus the grainy and earthy look of wood is just an amazing thing to behold. This is the perfect juxtaposition of the raw plus the refined, respectively.
Many even choose glossy metals or chrome accents in their kitchens as well as lighting fixtures. If you began with chrome, then go for chrome throughout. Know how to mix metals and the number one rule is to find a dominant metal to use. While you can still mix cool with warm metal tones, having gold as the dominant hue, then let gold prevail.
Use the Open Concept
Industrial interior design takes the open space concept to a whole new level. The furnishings are the defining pieces for most spaces. Since the pieces are limited, the homeowner has to take time to think of even the tiniest details.
Those who are thinking of renovating to turn their home into an industrial space should create a mood board. Pin as many inspirations as you can on this board before actually embarking on this change.
Pick Industrial Colors
Are there really colors that do not agree with the industrial design?
Typically, the hues that are used are neutral, warm colors because they help bring out warmth into the already cold space. Remember that the ducts and pipes are cool elements so it pays to balance them by putting in lots and lots of brown, taupe, and certain shades of red.
Tags: industrial design, industrial design elements, industrial interior design, industrial interiors, industrial lighting, industrial look, industrial style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Lovin’ the Raw Appeal of Industrial Interiors
Thursday, October 26th, 2017
Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Sectional 7564-Sect
The purchase of a sofa is one of the first investments that a homeowner has to make. It is a permanent furniture piece that will sit in the living room for a long time so, yes, take your sweet, sweet time in shopping for the right one.
First, Research
Buying your first sofa or even your second or third is not an easy task. This is something that requires a lot of thinking and wise decision-making. This is, after all, the focal point in the family room. When used daily, it could even be subjected to the most rigorous family activities.
Your sofa is an investment piece. So scour the Internet, magazines, and books on interior design to know what kind you would bring home.
Define What You Want
Just like any other decision in life, you must first know what you want. In order to pick the type of sofa for the living room or just about any space in your home, consider its function, the room size, as well as its configurations.
The standard sofa range from about 6-8 feet long. Its average height is around 37 inches but the contemporary ones could be 4 inches shorter. If you have a taller and a bulkier couch then be sure to place it against the wall.
A recliner is a sofa that is generally suitable for family and media rooms. Judging by its name, of course, it offers an amazing reclining feature.
A chaise, on the other hand, is a sofa that allows you to prop your feet up. It looks stylish as it is a cross between a sectional and the recliner.
Lastly, the sectional is generally for bigger rooms or for smaller rooms that don’t seem to look right with scattered chairs.
Another thing that you need to check is the type of cushions that will go with the sofa. Will you take the loose-cushion back, the semi-attached back, or the tight back?
Nailheads and tufted back and arms are perfect for those who are looking to add some flair to their home.
As for the upholstery, you have a choice among microfiber (best for homes with kids and pets), acrylic (great for sunroom or patio use), leather (withstands wear and tear), and linen (for elegance and formality).
Choose also if you’re going to use slipcovers or not.
Check the Sofa Construction
Quality sofas are often heavy and solid. Check the kind of wood that was used to make this piece of furniture. Frames that are made of kiln-dried wood like birch, alder, oak or maple are all surely durable.
Check also the frame and its joints. Look for the double dowel types and also the glued then screwed on corner blocks. The best sofas have legs that are a continuous part of the frame (though there are sofas that have removable feet so they can be easily brought in through smaller doorways).
If you’re choosing leather or fabric, make sure that you have the durable type.
Measurements Matter
Before you sofa shop, measure the room size. Measure also the current furniture’s dimensions. You can only afford to get the overstuffed sofa piece if you have a sprawling space to place it in. If not, there are many other options to save some space while not totally giving up on style and comfort.
Furniture measurement generally asks for the width, length, depth, and height. You need these dimensions so that you can determine whether or not the sofa will fit in. Measure also the diagonal depth if you have to bring in a sofa to a tight entryway.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for sofa, sofa, sofa choices, sofa designs, sofa shopping, sofa styles
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Living Room Design | Comments Off on How to Choose Sofas That Impress
Wednesday, October 25th, 2017
If you’re already thinking that you need to sacrifice comfort in order to achieve a high sense of fashion, think again. Inviting furniture and plush carpeting aren’t the only elements that can turn your house into a warm, welcoming home.
Choose Welcoming Colors
Colors can link a lot of interior design elements. You can have an eclectic, traditional or a contemporary house but beauty of all these boils down to how intelligently you chose the color palette.
The leading color palettes at the moment include turquoise, yellow-green, and jade green. Of course, you can always use the color that makes your heart flutter or you can rely on the reliability of neutrals.
Neutral colors are not just welcoming, they are also the best backdrop for living rooms. Just imagine fusing delicious shades of brown with muted greens and reds. This mixture of colors is perfect for a calming yet still interesting atmosphere.
Mix and Match
Forget your styling inhibitions for now. Instead, mix and match colors, patterns, textures, and styles. Find out how contrast can help you create depth into your space. Just picture a living room in which everything is covered in the same material and color – none could be more visually boring, right?
Patterns, on the other hand, are your best friends when you want to mix and match. Combine prints that have a common hue or thread. This is so the room can still have cohesive appeal.
Adding texture, on the other hand, means you add visual weight to a room. Rough textures are weightier so they tend to look more comfortable than the sleek, smooth ones.
The refreshing punch of green is where the eyes are drawn to in this mainly neutral bedroom. Featured piece is the upcoming Hooker Furniture Bedroom Boheme Laurier Queen Panel Bed.
Invite Nature In
There are many simple ways that you can bring in the greeneries or Mother Nature to your home. You can always begin with shopping for water features such as an aquarium or a small fountain. Water fountains are relaxing to the senses plus they are wonderful accessories.
Add some freshly-cut flowers inside beautiful glass or ceramic vases. Just make sure to keep the greeneries fresh by changing the water daily.
Be An Artist
This is your domain so be proud of your artwork. Rather than have a house that’s full of white, blank walls, it would be better to have a bold statement piece right on one of these walls.
Your art piece – whether made by you or another artist – can reinforce the color scheme that you have chosen.
At times, adding a single artwork is the sole answer to your decorating problems, at times, it could mean creating a gallery of artworks to arrive at a common theme. If you choose to have just a single statement piece, then be sure to frame this with neutral elements.
Be able to coordinate the artworks on the nearby walls. Know which pictures go together by picking artworks that have similar color schemes. It would also be helpful to find paintings and other artworks that have a similar style or theme.
A black and white color fusion could also be the right palette to coordinate all artworks in a room.
Be Spontaneous
Spontaneity can create an immediate change in scenery. It also means being able to work with the materials that you have in hand. Or it could also mean buying the right sets of furniture after suffering through the pieces that don’t match.
While a great part of interior design is planning, this doesn’t mean that you let go of being spontaneous. Being the latter means picking the elements that matter from the thousands of parameters that are given to you.
Spontaneity means you can breathe life to your environment using your personality, emotions, and the materials that you’re given.
Tags: designing homes, home design, home design tips, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on From Vacant to Cozy – 5 Winning Techniques to Turn Your House Into a Home
Tuesday, October 24th, 2017
Featured in this clean, predominantly white living room, is the Deco Reflets Cocktail Table from Fine Furniture Design.
Dictionary.com defines living room as a room in a home, used, especially by a family, for leisure activities, entertaining guests, etc. Another term for it is a parlor.
The history of the term living room dates back to the late nineteenth century. Decorative literature, back then, pointed out how this room should be the reflection of the person who designed it. This was a direct opposition to the prevailing style during the Victorian era when formal rooms were set up to receive guests.
The advent of the living room signaled the end for the more formal gathering spaces at the time.
And the Living Room Was Born
Since there is a name given to each room in a house (e.g. bathroom, bedroom, and the kitchen), it just follows that there must also be a name given to the liveliest portion of the home.
But did you know that before the living room was referred to in this term that it was actually called the Death Room?
Yes, believe it or not, the front room of houses during the Second World War, became the room where bodies were kept prior to their funeral. Influenza was widespread back then so many homes experienced deaths of loved ones.
When the conditions improved after the war, though, the Ladies Home Journal made a suggestion that the name be changed to living room. Prior to this, it was a room commonly referred to as the parlor, it being a French term parle, meaning, to speak.
This new term soon became more popular than parlor. Pretty soon, the living room became the center of parties, gatherings, and other social events. Even less formal setups for family members were done here.
The Living Room in the U.S.
In larger U.S. and Canadian homes, the living room can be reserved for quieter and more formal events. There are separate rooms for family activities and these are often referred to as the family room, den or the recreation room.
Breathing Life Into the Living Room
Remember that the living room is supposed to be a representation of who you are as the owner of that home so decorating this place means you should know what styles and colors attract you the most.
Begin by taking note of your current furniture and accessories. Get rid of outdated, damaged, and furniture pieces that are too small or too big for your home.
If you are blessed to have heirloom pieces, then find out how you can emphasize these treasures. If they don’t fit your living room, then find a new spot where they can be transferred to.
Next, pick a color palette. The colors that you choose will set the tone for your living room. A blue room will have a relaxing effect while orange or bright yellow living rooms will surely be energizing.
Be sure to build the color palette around an art piece that you need to emphasize in your living room. Choosing a color scheme means knowing which colors are warm and welcoming and which ones are calm and soothing to the eyes.
Know your style. Know the design principles for each style, for instance, traditional interior design tends to be more predictable, orderly, and classic. You won’t find any outdated furnishings in such a style. Accessories and furniture also usually come in pairs.
If these are not appealing to you, then, perhaps, you could go for contemporary or the eclectic styles. There are many designs to choose from, check our blog for them.
After determining your style, you will now have more fun designing your living room. This is the time to purchase new furniture such as the sofa, rug, as well as the entertainment center. Remember that these biggest pieces must reinforce your decorating style.
Tags: colors for the living room, decorating the living room, designing the living room, history of the living room, living room color palette, living room color scheme, living room color schemes, living room colors, living room concepts, living room design elements, living room designs, living room history, living room style, living room styles, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Living Room Design | Comments Off on The Living Room: Turning This Space Box to a Breathing, Living Space
Friday, October 20th, 2017
This bedroom balances light and slightly darker colors. It also offers luxury to each partner. Notice the two frames, two drawers, two lamps, two bedside tables, and so on. Featured here is the Brookston King Upholstered Bed from Camden-Brookhaven.
How would you respond to the interior design needs of a young couple? Or if you’re the other half of this new union, what would you do to collaborate with your other half?
There are many things to consider when setting up the home of a young couple. First, both must consider the situation that they are now in (they are no longer single) and what their expectations are. Also, there is a need to set up a dwelling that is comfortable (not just beautiful or stylish) and also financially sustainable.
Designing for Two
Couples who are collaborating to design their homes must ensure that their wants and needs are both met. The guy cannot just keep giving in to the whims of his new wife, and vice versa. There are, after all, two people who will live inside that place.
What if the country girl married a city guy, what then? How would they jive in terms of interior design and decorating?
Though love is definitely in the air, designing your first home could become a tricky project to finish.
It is crucial to design according to your sense of style. Be clear on what you both want. Many people are adamant in what they like or even what they dislike and could end up standing their ground when asked to back down.
A couple must pay attention to what both are drawn to. Take a careful look at your wardrobe. The items there could give you a hint on the colors, textures, and patterns that you want. If you have common style preferences, then bank on those.
Respect Differences
Even siblings who grew up in the same household have different characteristics so it is an impossibility to require couples to be completely alike.
Each partner could have a different style. The best homes are those that are able to combine two styles and are able to harmonize them. Features can seamlessly create a cohesive look if the different furniture and accessories have an anchor or base color, texture or pattern.
Find these common elements even in the most random pieces. Do not be afraid to experiment with the looks that you create. Unconventional is okay for as long as the mixture of styles magically transform the spaces in your home.
To achieve these, you need a good eye and a collaborative nature.
Compromise or Not
Early on, even before you begin the design project, talk to your partner and talk about the things that you can compromise and those that you cannot. That grandfather clock that you inherited from your great-grandparents, is it welcome in your new home? Will this blend well with that quirky artwork that your spouse loves?
Compromise. If you can’t, talk gently about it. There’s nothing that love cannot conquer, right?
Function Counts
You need to focus on function. There will be two people sleeping in the bedroom so what sort of bed is comfortable for both? There are people who are okay to watch TV in the bedroom and there are those who cannot sleep with noise or light emanating from this appliance. Others even consider the bedroom to be a place for meditation.
Know which one you married.
Tell a Story
As a young couple, you are building a new life story, this one that you now share. You have to define who you are as a couple with the furnishings that you invest in. Don’t be afraid, again, to put in the pieces that define who you are.
Be unique. Experiment.
A personalized space will even help you get to know your spouse a little bit more.
Tags: couple homes, designing couple homes, home for couples, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stylizing couple homes
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Stylizing Young Couple Homes : How a Dynamic Duo Can Create an Explosive Interior Design
Thursday, October 19th, 2017
Antebellum Collection features this Rectangular Cocktail Table that’s as traditional as traditional could get.
Interior design, when viewed as a profession, has just been around for a little over a hundred years. Within these years, it began as an art of decorating. It then slowly embraced elements such as function and form. Since its beginnings, it has leaped to the specializations of today’s styles. In fact, from art, it became mathematical and scientific in some aspects as more and more people studied interior design.
Long before the term interior decorator was used in the U.S., many decorators did not even have any academic credentials. Those who designed and decorated homes had good taste, though. These people were instinctively talented and they had a good dose of common sense.
Elsie de Wolfe was the first one to be commissioned as an interior decorator. By 1913, she already published her interior design book called The House in Good Taste. The first design firm was established in 1923 by Dorothy Draper.
While all these took place practically a century ago, interior design is not new. It definitely started long, long before.
Interior Design Requirements
As mentioned, those who took on interior decorating projects initially were those who had a good taste in terms of form and style.
Interior design does not center on fabrics only or on fine furnishing. It also involves space, color, form, balance, harmony, and many other elements. These days, it even includes sustainability and efficiency.
Contemporary is spelled in this living room ensemble. Featured here is the Cynthia Rowley Varick 2-over-2 Sofa.
Contemporary is spelled in this living room ensemble. Featured here is the Cynthia Rowley Varick 2-over-2 Sofa.
Interior Design Evolution
The evolution of interior designing is quite an adventure to read. From the 20th century Victorian style consisting of heavy draperies, ornate pieces, and dark-colored features, the world is now welcome with streamlined pieces, the glimmer of polished metals, and even the open space concept.
But if you really want to learn the birth of interior design, then you have to read about Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, the Chinese, and many other ancient civilizations. The most beautiful gold ornaments have been unearthed in Egyptian tombs. The Greeks and the Romans were great at accessorizing.
Design trends are keeping up with the changes that are happening in the world – and no one can stop this. It is important for interior design to change in accordance to the era in which it sits. These days, the interior design solutions come in a plethora of styles, both traditional and contemporary.
So what drives these changes apart from the events that happen all around humankind?
The options for design are vast because people are now more well-informed. Many also choose to travel, hence, they have seen different cultures with their own eyes. There are also many decorating shows on cable TV, just as there are many interior design websites and magazines.
People these days are more appreciative of color, shapes, patterns, and textures. Tiled flooring has evolved to terrazzo and porcelain. Artwork is also more widely used now because, as the saying goes – a picture is worth a thousand words. These words welcome guests to many homes and they convey many feelings.
The demand for furnishings is also greater these days. Even pharmacies are now selling furniture as prescription items. Furniture shops have now raised the bar when it comes to function and aesthetics.
If you want to become a professional interior designer, then you have to know your options. According to the BLS or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an interior design program often takes 2-3 years to finish. This would give you an associate degree. Bachelor’s degrees are also available, inquire in schools such as – The Berkeley College, New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island, and The Art Institutes System of Schools in Oregon, North Carolina, and Florida.
Tags: evolution of interior design, history of interior design, interior design evolution, interior design history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on How Interior Design Evolved
Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
The round edges of the Mila Dining Table from the Brentwood Collection softens the angular pieces in this dining space.
Do you believe that a home can be impacted by the shapes which it houses? To prove the point in all this, have you ever entered a place where the main furnishings are all angular? How did you feel? Did you feel at home or were you aching to leave?
Having angular furnishings can be a lot different than having pieces that have blunt edges or are circular in shape.
But what’s a circular shape when used in interior design? Just like lines, round shapes also have meaning. You need to visually think to be able to use the correct shapes in a given space.
Shapes have many characteristics. It would be difficult to create a home without using any shape. So what kind of shapes are at your disposal? And how would round shapes enhance the concept that you would want to convey?
Defining Shape
The thing is, there are hardly any words to define shape yet shapes are able to define or convey many meanings. Shapes are also both organic and inorganic depending on how you use them. They can be big, small or something in between.
Shapes can also be defined by the colors that are associated with them. Combine a few lines and you can make shapes such as rectangle, square or triangle.
But the circle is a unique shape. It can connect spaces and it can symbolize different ideas. It can be the symbol of movement, depth or texture. Circular shapes also convey different emotions and emphasize certain aspects of your home.
Round shapes, when properly used, can also lead the eyes away or towards an object.
There are three types of shapes which are geometric, organic (natural), and abstract. The first one consists of squares, triangles, diamonds, and circles. These are your regular patterns. If you want to show efficiency and regularity in your interior design, then use these dependable shapes.
Organic shapes, on the other hand, are uneven and curvy and they tend to be comforting. These are the shapes seen on rocks, leaves, even ink blots. These are spontaneous shapes.
Abstract shapes come with a concrete form. These are the stylized versions of your organic shapes such as those computer icons. If you see an apple with a single bite mark, then you know what product you’re seeing.
Circles
The beauty of circle is that it has no beginning or end. It can represent eternity or it can be the symbol of the sun or the moon.
Circles are suggestive of familiar objects such as balls, wheels, and many fruits. The completeness of circles makes them comforting, sensual, and easy to love. They are the symbols of power and energy, though they can also represent harmony, infinity, and unity.
Seeing circular shapes in interior design will make the beholder think of free movement. With proper line enhancement and shading, you can emphasize the movement of circles. These are graceful shapes and they tend to be more feminine since they have curves.
Circles are less common in interior design which is why when they are used, people inevitably notice.
The use of circles in space is to soften anything that’s too masculine or angular. You can visually soften rooms in your home by adding circular shapes intentionally. You can add circular lighting. A pendant light can very easily be circular as are the shades or base of lamps.
Roundtables are also fairly common in many dining areas. A round center table can also be a different take to the living room setup. A round nightstand can also be more calming than having an angular bedside table.
Another decorative element that can be circular is the mirror. A round mirror is more welcoming to the eye than the usual rectangular ones. Just imagine those Christmas wreaths and you’d know why this is true.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, round, shape, shapes
Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Why Shapely Circles Can Beautify Your Home
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