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Wednesday, January 30th, 2019
The sleek Spirales Arm Dining Chair from Fine Furniture Design’s Deco Collection, in Cafe Noir, with an upholstered seat and back; has circular patterned fretwork on the outside back.
A lot of things run in the minds of people when they are shopping for a home that they tend to concentrate on things such as the style of the home rather than find a structure that’s practical. Windows should be a priority as they can let in the warming natural light of the sun.
If you’re shopping for a home, perhaps, you just might consider having a glass house. This kind of structure comes with minimalist concrete walls since the frames are made of glass.
With glass, what you have is a more illuminated space; and not in a fake kind of illumination but the natural looking one. You might think of glass houses to be sophisticated but there are more benefits to owning one than to be intimidated by it.
Don’t forget that you also get a 360-degree view of the surroundings when you live in a glass house. You can also enjoy the sunrise and sunset each day since your house will be blending seamlessly with Mother Nature.
Cheaper Heating Costs
Apart from the aesthetic appeal of the glass house, you will also have the added advantage of having a home that’s naturally warmed up. Just think of all those wintry months where you will have reduced heating costs because sunlight will stream into your home.
Glass panels from the floor to the ceiling let in the sunlight so you will have less need of artificial lighting.
A Work of Art
A glass house is not just beautiful on the outside but is often perceived to be a work of pure art. Glass is elegant to look at and a lot of modernist architects work with this material because they believe that it is an element that’s alluring without trying really hard.
An Eco-Friendly Material
Glass may seem fragile but it is actually a highly resistant material. When properly treated, glass can be used in buildings. It is also highly malleable so it can be shaped to many different forms. It is this malleability that makes it the perfect material to come in different tones.
Glass can also be treated to become scratch-resistant, thus, it is a safe material to use in homes. Compared to plastic, glass is eco-friendly since it will not produce toxic fumes when it is produced. Glass wastes are also recyclable so you won’t have to worry about polluting the planet.
Glass is also easy to maintain and clean; no need to use expensive chemical cleaners to have it cleaned.
Reduces Stress
Apart from thermal insulation, a glass house is also great in reducing noise especially in congested areas. You might have had trouble sleeping because of the disturbing noise outside but an acoustic glass can be used to solve this issue.
Plus, don’t forget that it is more relaxing to watch outside when the rains come. This is beneficial for everyone’s mental health. The body also regulates the so-called circadian rhythms. These body clock function is responsive to light. Light serves as the signal for the body to wake up but only natural light is able to do this.
Artificial lighting tend to disrupt the said rhythms so if you want to synchronize your body to the natural light, then all you have to do is have your windows wide open or to consider having glass walls for a change.
Strength and Durability
Glass is strong and not just flexible as previously mentioned. It only breaks when its threshold has already been met. But if you want to increase the threshold of glass, then apply methods such as heat strengthening, heat tempering or chemical strengthening.
Tags: glass, glass home, glass house, glass in interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on ‘Ready for a Glass House?
Monday, April 17th, 2017
FFDM Palm Island: Makira Glass Top Dining Table. The base of this dining table has lovely designs that will not be enjoyed as much if another material is used as tabletop.
There are moments in interior design history when glass was the star of the show. Do you remember those glass doors and shelves on bookcases? These might look tacky these days with simplicity being emphasized. If you want to use glass to decorate your home, then find out how you can make it look chic and more sophisticated.
The Entryway Glass Table
The simple glass table that comes with a clean frame and zero details is just the perfect piece for an entryway. Since this area is often crowded with many stuff such as shoe and coat racks, having glass for a table will visually open up the space.
The Glass Dining Table
If you want to focus everyone’s attention towards the dining table, then have a glass tabletop with a unique base. This allows you to admire the lovely base as it will also open up the breakfast nook or dining area.
The Glass + White Hued Table
Just imagine how spacious and airy a room would look with glass combined with anything white. Even a small room would look spacious when glass walls are set up. Just picture the dining room separated from the patio outside. Now imagine having white accents indoors.
Glass + Texture
You can also create interesting textures when the glass counter has a unique design. The edges don’t have to be perfectly straight or linear. The counter will have more character this way.
Glass has two interesting properties – its transparency and reflective surface. The latter could cause glare if the material is not installed properly.
Inspiration for the glass textures draw inspiration from nature such as a bee’s nest, raindrops, trees, the choices are actually limitless.
Laminated Glass
This is glass that’s made with two or even more layers of glass. There are two ways to produce laminated glass – the poly vinyl butyral or PVB is made through extreme pressure and heat. Sometimes, other polymers are used such as polyurethane (PU) or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA).
Special applications require the use of cast in place (CIP). This is made by pouring resin to the space between two glass sheets.
Glass as Faux Materials
How would you react if you saw an elevator that looked like it was made of wood, then you ran your fingers on its surface only to find out that it’s actually made of another material?
Glass is a pretty material because it is elegant and clean. This material can also be chemically-strengthened to toughen it up. Called durable glass, interior walls and, yes, even elevators, can be damage and scratch-resistant. Though glass is lightweight, it offers a durable option for elevators and other structural needs.
Glass can also be laminated into panels or it can even be printed. With the right style, it can also be integrated into modular systems. Should the panel sustain damage, then all you have to do is to replace the said panel – it’s cheap, it’s quick and it’s easy to do.
Glass can also make interior design more exciting with other ideas such as glass stairs. Glass staircases can increase the sophisticated look of a home. The glass treads, stringer (or diagonal support) and glass railing all offer a spacious look. You are also guaranteed that there won’t be any natural light blockage.
Glass floors are often used in conjunction with glass staircases. Be sure to install ample lighting underneath this kind of stairs. Glass walkways are enclosed areas with unblocked views. Imagine linking two parts of your home using this walkway. Very few could be more dramatic than that.
Glass bathrooms are often seen as a threat to privacy. Yet the right solution could dispel this wrong perception. Privacy can still be maintained in this kind of bathroom if you install the type that changes its opacity.
Tags: designing with glass, glass, glass design, glass home, glass in interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Glamorous Glass
Saturday, October 1st, 2016
Wesley Allen Dining Room Set 314 comes with glass top that blends well with the beauty of the metal frames.
Glass is a unique design material. It can be fragile, it can also be tough. Seriously speaking, it could get so tough that it can even be bulletproof. It can be infused in the design of a home, in various ways whether superficially or architecturally.
There are also different glass types that can be used for various effects and purposes. The fragile state of glass is no longer an issue because it can be easily toughened especially for furniture and floor materials.
Glass Architecture
There are various concept houses in Milan that are made entirely with glass. Take a look from the floor all the way to the ceiling and this concept home has nowhere to hide.
Glass means you are willing to see the outside world. It also means that you’re ready to live in a transparent place where there are no barriers between you, your home’s interiors, and the outside world. Once you get through the privacy issue, then you’d be ready to embrace glass architecture.
Glass architecture means you want to bring the outside in. It is opting for sky lights or the floor-to-ceiling walls and windows. You might also want to look into textured glass brick which can be used as a material in building the walls of your glass home. It looks like a partition but it is still glass so there’s transparency. If you’re tired of looking outside and people looking in, you can always have it obscured.
Glass Décor
Glass is used in many decorative elements inside many homes. Back in the day, glass was just utilitarian but with the advent of glazing and other manufacturing techniques, it is also now decorative.
Whether you want to use glass to allow more sunlight to come in or you would want to have a koi aquarium as a center table, then glass is your best material. The best optical illusions are also made available by glass.
Glass can be used to brighten, obscure, or enhance views. It can illuminate surfaces and reflect light.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Vitalia, 6 Lt Chandelier 21227 is a unique lighting fixture that will surely draw attention.
Glass Furniture
The list could go on and on and on for glass tables, chairs, mirrors, etc. There are simply too many designs to choose from ranging from glass tabletops to office desks, to the most sophisticated metal and glass chairs, and high-end mirrors.
You can also pair glass with just about any material that you can think of – glass, metal, leather, wood, etc. Style-wise, it can be traditional, industrial, minimalist, or ornate.
Has it ever crossed your mind to install a glass kitchen countertop? How about glass walls in the master bathroom? Modern interiors have already utilized the beauty of glass in so many unique ways. They make use of modern and sleek details such as a glass divider between the bathroom and an adjacent bedroom. Glass can also surprisingly block light while allowing just enough to pass through – this is perfect for people who want privacy but would not want a dark home.
Glass Exteriors
You can also use glass as a material for the exterior part of your home. Back in the day, glass was just a small portion of the wall where light could pass through. It was installed as a part of a window or door. These days, though, glass is available for exterior sheathing. This is especially useful in commercial structures and buildings.
If you would want to be constantly connected to the exteriors, then use a lot of glass – the expansive ones – as well as glass furniture to transform the outdoors.
Be Limitless with Glass
There are very few limitations with glass. Cold and heat variations are notable features that you need to think of before using this material. The solution to this dilemma is to use a thicker pane when you live in colder regions and the opposite when it’s usually hot in your area.
Glass can be ornate, glass can be simple. Glass can be anything and everything depending on your preference.
Tags: designing with glass, glass, glass home, glass house, glass in interior design, glass interior design, glass interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling with glass
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Friday, July 1st, 2016
Maitland-Smith Accessories Rock Crystal Bowl On Glass Base 2147-362
Modern interior design would surely be nothing without the contribution of glass. Glass is not just beautifully used as a material for furniture. It has also been widely used in making walls, ceilings, stairways, and just about any part of a home more interesting.
Glass is everywhere in today’s world of design. Through it, most people are able to enjoy the outdoors while still shielding the home from extreme weather conditions. Glass can also effectively brighten up a room while offering a different level of elegance.
Glass also enhances vintage photographs, flower arrangements, especially home décor.
The Benefits of Glass
Glass has multi-purposes. It is attractive, strong and easy to clean. It can also be bought in different colors, shapes and styles. Even with all these benefits, you might be wondering how you can effectively use glass in your home. Because of its versatility and beauty, you can pair this material with just about any design element. Whether you are building a house from scratch or are remodeling an existing one, glass is the right material that will liven up your living space.
Glass is the best material to use for bathrooms, especially the small ones. Shower curtains make bathrooms appear smaller while a glass partition will keep the bathroom open and well-lit.
Glass can also be used on tables and countertops. This is a cost-effective material compared to marble or granite.
Maintain privacy with glass walls (yes you still can) by opening up your home’s design. Just swap the usual opaque walls with glass and what you would achieve is a more connected kitchen and dining area, for instance.
Glass walls also allow one room to borrow light from another. This increases the amount of light that circulates in the home while cutting down on your energy bills. So go ahead, link the rooms using glass walls. Connect adjacent spaces without losing the novelty of each space.
Open the full height of glass windows if you want to feel a strong connection to the outdoors. This is a glorious feeling when the weather is great. During winter, you can simply make your home cozier by closing the blinds or drawing the curtains.
Modernize the staircase by adding a glass railing. Choose from sandblasted glass, different finishes, and colors.
Tips and Caution
Glass is a wonderful addition, no doubt, but you have to learn how to properly handle it. What you need to focus on when using glass is its reflective properties. The amount of light that you would want to stream into your home could make or break your home’s design so pay attention to your glass walls, doors and windows.
Glass does brighten a home but it could also cause unnecessary glare. To avoid harsh glares, place glass at an angle where it won’t be reflecting a tremendous amount of light.
The occupants in your home will also greatly determine the kind and amount of glass that you would use in your home. Do you have young kids at home? How about pets? The use of glass fixtures should be limited in such a home.
Glass manufacturers are now able to withstand scratches and blows up to a certain degree. Understand, though, that only bulletproof glass will ascertain an unbroken window. So when you have installed glass in your home, you can surely expect a broken window pane or so.
FFDM’s Palm Island Collection features a glass tabletop.
Glass + White
If it is your desire to make your home more open, or appear bigger, then pair glass fixtures with anything white. Better yet, come up with white color scheme. White is a crisp hue that can blend pretty well with any glass feature, thus, creating airier, more expansive space.
Tags: designing with glass, glass, glass design, glass in interior design, glass interior design, glass interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling with glass, white
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016
Dress up your stairway traditionally with the Accessories Uttermost Greenway Hand Painted Art 31315
Have you ever wondered how else you can make your stairway walls more interesting? Often you see picture frames or mirrors placed there, but what could be done that would make this place more exciting?
The stairs are a vital part of any home renovation project. This is a subject that almost always comes up during remodeling projects for multiple-floor homes. Whether you just have ample budget to rebuild the stairs or to finish them, this is that part of your home that needs your utmost attention.
Refinishing Should Do It
A cost effective way to update your staircase is for you to have it refinished. You can easily transform the look of your stairs by simply painting the vertical parts of the stairs (the risers). Have it painted in the same color as the trim. Have the treads or the horizontal parts of your stairs refinished.
Remember to update the railing by having the balusters painted and the handrails refinished. Choose whether you would want a traditional or contemporary runner to complete the look.
Invest
You might think that a stairs renovation project should be cheap but this is one thing that you need to invest in. New or old, you can update the look of your stairway but it would be a lot lovelier if you are willing to spend time and money on this project. Creating instant drama, after all, requires more from the homeowner.
Consider the Materials
You can also choose to clad your stairs with treads and new risers. This is also a wonderful chance for you to change the look or theme from traditional to contemporary that is if you want to.
Bring in new materials for your balusters. Add steel or iron to the current railing and you get to complete the look with just a few tweaks.
Make Use of Glass
You can also change the look of your stairs by adding glass railings as well as guards. There are some things that you need to think about when considering glass for your stairs. First, glass will definitely show fingerprints so this is not the best choice of material for neat freaks. Glass railings and guards require constant cleaning. If everything else is okay with you, then have it installed and make sure that a handrail is also placed for safety.
Horizontal Is Modern
The popular look is the modern theme offered by horizontal railings. There is just one thing that you have to keep in mind when putting this kind of railing to your home – this can be easily climbed by small kids so choose a different kind of railing if you still have small ones in your home. Instead, you can have the safer horizontal option. The hazardous horizontal railing can be replaced by a railing that goes way up to the ceiling. This means that no one will be able to climb over it.
A horizontal railing also creates a wonderful backdrop to the adjoining room.
Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Homecoming Rug 0048VS Chestnut Brown
Customize
Don’t let your creativity be hampered. Think of clever ways to achieve a staircase that will awe. Consider having open risers, the floating staircase that requires a steel structure for support. Just make sure that there is limited space between the treads, small enough so kids won’t slip between them.
Custom wood or steel railings can also add visual interest in any kind of home.
Added Storage
Never forget the opportunity presented underneath every staircase – that space there can be used as storage room. Yet again, bring out your creativity by having that part designed and put into good use.
Lastly, what’s important is for you to just have fun. Whether you’re dressing up a winding staircase or an illuminated one, just go ahead and get out of your comfort zone.
Tags: customization, decorating the stairway, design customization, designing the stairway, glass, glass in interior design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, stairway, stairway design, storage, storage techniques, tips
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Special Rooms In Your Home | No Comments »
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