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Posts Tagged ‘nautical’

The Marina Home: Nautical This Spring, Why Not?

Wednesday, April 26th, 2017

Hancock and Moore Living Room Marina Chair 4312

A marina is a dock or area where boats, yachts and sea supplies are commonly found. Unlike the port, though, it will not be able to accommodate large-scale seafaring vessels. The marina is a smaller basin that only holds a number of yachts.

What’s great about living by the sea is that you get to do a lot of recreational activities. Not all people are blessed with homes by the seashore so you can just recreate the refreshing look by adding the right elements.

So, your goal is to set up a place that looks great to sunbathe in and practically enjoy life.

Marina and Nautical Fashion

The nautical look is extremely hot during summer seasons. And with spring having unfolded, you have but a limited moment to prepare for a change in atmosphere.

Nautical fashion is a classic style especially in clothing. The design gets its inspiration from the sea and everything else around it. So, yes, in the fashion industry, denims, boat prints, anchors and tea dresses are a huge hit.

But how can you translate all these into interior design?

Maitland-Smith Accessories Cast Brass Frog Rowing Boat 1254-359

Salivating for the Marina Theme

With the warmer season approaching soon, a lot of homeowners are thinking how they can update the look of their habitat. Think of balmy breeze, sands, sun and boats.

Keep in mind that the shoreline is a pretty simple place. All you have to bear in mind are the deep blues and the colors of stones, sunny yellow, orange hues, even bright pinks.

White and navy stripes are a classic pattern for the marina look. You can use this pattern on the slip covers, walls, throw pillows, curtains, and area rugs. Pick just one of these, though, so you do not end up creating chaos.

For a bolder take on this style, use two contrasting colors like bright red or yellow.

If there is another thing that’s screaming marina, it would have to be seashells. These are a wonderful addition to the marina theme. Pick different kinds of shells then arrange them in a glass bowl or a vase. This is an organic piece that you can also dye or paint. If you don’t want them to look juvenile, then stick with the sun-bleached shells out there.

Ornate anchors, boats and sea life paintings can also be added. These will give your home an instant character. Again, be sure to use these in moderation. Pick just one or two pieces to work on. You can also set up additional storage. Consider having distressed chests or wicker baskets.

The metals don’t have to end with the boats and anchors. You can also mix brass with wood and any element that’s deep blue-colored. Frame these with a sea of white to complete the look.

Unexpected textures are also a great way to experiment with this theme. Use grass cloth right next to a white door. Add some black and white geometric flooring for a more vintage look. For more on vintage look, you can also add rope-framed mirrors. These can be hung in practically any room in your home.

If you want to take marine life a tad further, then you can use boat lights and have them recessed for a more marina appeal. If you have a pool, then have some underwater light installed.

Now, if you’re growing tired of the red, blue and white hues, then you can also go with sea foam green, or try the hottest colors of 2017 such as turquoise or emerald green.

Lastly, go easy with the nautical throw pillows. These are meant to be mixed with non-nautical patterns such as tribal, batik, plaid, ikat or geometric.

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Nautical Furniture Care: It’s a Shore Thing

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016

Accessories Uttermost Das Boot Nautical Art 41539

Accessories Uttermost Das Boot Nautical Art 41539

Some people focus on ocean threats more than what this place can contribute to their health. Whether they may be thinking of algal blooms, floods or pollution, these people only see the harmful things that come out of the regal blue oceans. Yet the notion of living near a beach can make one feel and literally be healthy.

Once you have decided to embrace the nautical theme, there are many maintenance tips that you need to keep in mind. Here are some of the fundamental ones –

Learn How to Clean Wood Furniture

Quality wood furniture can actually last a lifetime for as long as you know how to take care of it. Wood is susceptible to abrasions, scratches and harsh weather especially when they are not properly cared for.

Ask for cleaning instructions once you purchase furniture. Apart from the cleaning instructions, you should also avoid heat damage and rings by not using coasters. Be sure to use decorative placemats as well as a tablecloth if you want to protect wood tables.

There are many other factors that can wreak havoc on wood such as heat, sunlight and rain. Never place wood furniture in front of any uncovered window, fireplace or vent. Dust, too, can eventually destroy furniture, too. Airborne particles can become a filmy layer that will scratch the wood eventually. Dusting more frequently will keep the buildup from becoming thicker. Use soft cloth such as cloth diaper, cotton T-shirt or any microfiber cloth to avoid wiping damage.

There are times, though, when dusting is no longer enough to clean wood furniture. Don’t ever use all-purpose solutions or cleaner as these can damage the finish.

A spot that has been heavily soiled can be cleaned with a cloth dipped in mild dish detergent. Wring out the solution then gently wipe the soiled area. Rinse with a damp cloth then wipe with soft dry cloth.

Damages that are too extensive need to be treated with touch up sticks or polishes. Overly dry wood can also be re-oiled. Begin by using cleaning soap, then the appropriate cleaner, and then prep the surface using steel wool.

Always work with the grain. Apply the furniture oil liberally then let it soak in the wood for no less than 15 minutes. If you want to apply protective coating, then be sure to set the furniture for about 24 hours before moving forward.

Depending on the furniture finish, the piece may have a protective wax coating. This is a piece that you need re-waxed as it ages. The re-waxing is a guarantee that the surface will be continually protected.

Remove Tough Stains

Despite your efforts, there are inevitable events that could lead to the staining of your wood furniture. Whatever stain you need to deal with, just be sure to clean it up quickly. Remember that the longer the stain stays, the more difficult it will be to remove.

Living Room Uttermost Braddock Small Bench 23228

Living Room Uttermost Braddock Small Bench 23228

Keep the Wood Smelling Awesome

There are wood furniture pieces that could develop an unpleasant odor later on. This is especially true when they have been stored. When this happens, just sprinkle some baking soda onto the wooden surface to remove the unpleasant odor. You can also place a pan of charcoal in the drawers so that the odor would stop emanating. You can also leave the piece in any shaded area during a dry day. This should remove any malodorous stench after a few hours of exposure.

Care for Weathering

Over time, your furniture will have attained a silvery-gray patina. This is when you can tell that this piece is starting to weather. It takes nine months for this process to become more serious. The more rain and sunlight the furniture is exposed to, the less time you have to save your furniture. Just find the appropriate cleaner and you should be fine.

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Being Preppy: A Culture and a Lifestyle

Thursday, May 26th, 2016

The Living Room Uttermost Parris Pillow Soft Ottoman 23203 combined checks and stripes in an straightforward way.

The Living Room Uttermost Parris Pillow Soft Ottoman 23203 combined checks and stripes in an straightforward way.

When you hear the word preppy, what comes to your mind? Preppy design may pertain to social gatherings, ethics, country clubs, the genteel approach, even family traditions. Some people think of snobbery when describing the preppy style but it is not this at all. This is more of a confident style that is optimistic and has a look of its own.

Preppy style works because it is classic and comfortable. These two words are definitions that you do not contend with when it comes to interior design. Meticulous eyes and hands cooperate to produce anything that’s remotely preppy. It evokes a refined taste and a level of aspiration that is uncommon. Now who wouldn’t want such a kind of dwelling?

Say Yes to Layered Patterns

Being preppy means you have to be collected all of the time. This means that even the design elements that you use have to be well thought of in order to produce an aesthetic appeal that is hard to equal.

Plaid will forever be preppy as are stripes, gingham checks, herringbone and hound’s-tooth. Pay close attention to palette and scale when mixing these patterns. A lot of large-scale patterns will only drown each other. A bunch of the small-scale ones will only render the mixture scattered.

Don’t think of color coordination as this is no concern for preppies. While you don’t need to match colors all the time, you must remember to stay within the same hue family.

Traditional Is In

Since preppy is always classic, it would be safe to use hues that are strong and traditional. The perfect and oft-used color scheme is pink and green. Lately, the combination of red and navy has also taken the interior design world by surprise. As have the fusions of mellow gold, pine green and leathery browns.

There is no need to go overboard and flood the room with your chosen preppy colors. You can balance the usual pink and green combo with a douse of white.

Flexsteel Living Room Power High-Leg Recliner 5936-503M

Flexsteel Living Room Power High-Leg Recliner 5936-503M

Preppy Furniture Pieces

When it comes to preppy furnishings, it is safest to go with time-honored bits and pieces. Always include club chairs, Oriental rugs, leather sofas, and the like when choosing furniture for your peppy home. The most beautiful hardwood pieces are the perfect pieces to use.

If old school pieces don’t beckon to you, then find newer pieces that still retain the preppy look.

When it comes to beds and bath linens, monograms keep popping up. They are also evident in many throw pillows and barware. It’s up to you to make these monograms discreet (or not so discreet). You can give monograms a fresh look by adding fun colors. Monogramming objects like chair backs would also be interesting.

Nautical Touches

Boating and preppy life will always go hand-in-hand. You will never be questioned if you use nautical maps, prints and stripes to liven up your room. Don’t overdo it, though, as you could end up with a garish-looking space.

Always remember that preppy is never vulgar so keep it within the allotted boundaries.

Keep the accents graphic yet simple. For instance, you can display framed maritime flags in a grid. This will offer a visual punch that will be further highlighted if you use rope knots, oars and a model sailboat.

Say no to fussiness, though. You should limit your trims to just a single space. Use a dainty lamp, for instance, to balance the sleek accents that you used. Make sure everything is within the same color family so that you will achieve a streamlined look.

Blue and White China

Fill your dining room with ginger jars, pitchers and plates in blue and white. These are the mainstays of preppy style. These look timeless which is why they can easily blend with any kind of palette or furnishing.

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