Less Stress and More Comfort: Tips to Make Your Space Feel Zen

July 14, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Let’s face it – life can be very stressful. Thank goodness we can make our homes into a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. At the end of the day, open the door to your own little getaway, go inside and sigh. You’re HOME! Here are some of our favourite Zen ideas to inspire you!

Lifestyle Furnishings

Why not? Consider adjustable furnishings that help you unwind and make the most of your leisure time.

Adjustable Lifestyle Foundation. If you love watching TV, reading, knitting or using your laptop in bed, an adjustable foundation is a great idea. Maximize your comfort by adjusting your head and feet with the simple touch of a button. They’re super comfy and supportive for sleeping too!

Lifestyle foundations offer maximum comfort.

An adjustable lifestyle foundation offers maximum comfort.

Adjustable/Power Recliners and Gliders. These attractive, versatile chairs are supremely comfortable, whether you need extra support for physical reasons or you’re simply looking for an accent chair that takes downtime seriously!

Zero Gravity Recliner

Recline all the way back in this Zero Gravity Recliner.

Relaxing Scents

Essential oils and candles with natural scents help whisk away stress and encourage you to unwind. Everyone loves the calming scent of lavender, but rose, bergamot and chamomile are also soothing.

Natural and Soft Light

Choose natural lighting when possible or opt for soft, gentle light that is easy on the eyes and spirit. Too bright lighting can be irritating; choose multiple sources of soft light rather than a single glaring fixture.

Natural Accessories

Plants are an easy way to make a space more Zen (and reduce toxins!). But don’t choose something fussy that creates stress – go low maintenance with cacti, succulents, a peace lily or philodendron. HINT: Nature-inspired prints and patterns on fabrics can also be calming – and are very on trend!

Cozy two-piece sofa chaise

Relax with a soft, neutral palette.

Soft Palette

There’s a reason spas aren’t painted orange or red! If you want your home to be a retreat, choose neutrals and hues like soft blue, a wash of pink or sea foam green.

De-clutter

Nothing creates more stress than mess! Store clutter out of sight and look for attractive storage options like benches, armoires or hall chests.

Snuggle Up

Add extra luxury to your bed, sofa or side chair with cozy, soft throws and pillows. Whatever the season, a little covering is always a welcome addition.

Create a zen bedroom with lots of pillows, throws and blankets.

Create a zen bedroom with lots of pillows and throws.

Take your relaxation seriously and make your home a stress-free oasis of comfort!

No Comments / Tags: , , , , , / Posted in Design tips, Tips

Eclectic Design: Mixing Styles and Periods

July 7, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Today, eclectic design is the trend in home décor and the style of choice for many. Mixing styles and periods is oh so fresh and modern. However, it wasn’t always that way. Eclectic décor was once a necessity for college dorm rooms and starter homes where budgets didn’t allow for matched furnishings. There are still some guidelines to follow to get eclectic just right, and we’ll show you how.

Eclectic Design

Eclectic Design: Clean-lined sectional mixed with rustic tables and modern chair.

Let’s Start with a Definition.

Eclectic is simply the blending of multiple décor styles – rustic with urban, traditional with contemporary, country with chic – you get the idea. Eclectic is sensory rich, sophisticated and synergistic. It’s mixing old with new, shiny with muted, bold with soft. There’s a certain anything goes about it, yet when you look closer, eclectic is never random.

Go Easy on Colours.

Repetition of colours unifies eclectic décor. Stick to a limited palette and use it throughout your space. Neutrals work well too, bringing together multiple elements with the subtlety of neutral colours to anchor them. For example, a traditional sofa paired with metal, modern chairs works when the look is grounded in a simple colour scheme. With neutral hues, you can also be more adventurous with textures and patterns, enhancing your eclectic style even further.

Eclectic Design

Repetition of colours unifies eclectic décor.

Connect with Patterns & Shapes.

Speaking of patterns, another unifying trick is to repeat patterns and shapes in your eclectic room – stripes, curves and geometrics, for example. Curved legs on a table can be echoed in artwork; throw cushions can match a circle pattern in wallpaper and so on.

Choose Furnishings with the Same Wood/Paint Finish.

One of the easiest ways to create cohesion in an eclectic room is to choose one wood finish and use it throughout. This enables you to mix styles and lines as long as they are connected through finish. For example, don’t mix glossy dark woods with distressed woods; rather keep all your pieces in one finish or the other. If you have older pieces of furniture, upcycle them with a little DIY refinishing or painting and showcase them proudly with your new pieces in the same finish.

Eclectic Design

Mix styles and lines as long as they are connected through finish.

Keep Your Foundation Furniture Simple.

Some say 80% of your space should be one style, leaving 20% to add your eclectic style. Keep this in mind when choosing your core pieces. Go for clean lines, classic style and no heavy ornamentation. You may find that a timeless matched bedroom or dining room suite actually provides an excellent foundation, allowing you to experiment with a range of eclectic accent pieces.

Eclectic is exciting and gives you the freedom to create a truly one-of-a-kind space. Follow our simple guidelines and have fun!

No Comments / Posted in Decor, Design tips, Tips, Trends

Try a Soothing Summer Palette for Your Home!

June 30, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Gaze out your window. Could anything be more beautiful than Mother Nature on a summer’s day? It truly is the time of year to bring the splendour of nature inside with a summer palette. If you’re like me, it’s the simple serenity of nature’s blues and greens that are most inspirational. Let’s look at how you can capture the cool hues of summer in your home – and create your own tranquil haven.

Gorgeous Greens

Magnolia Home Bloom Chair

Magnolia Home Bloom Chair

With Pantone choosing Greenery as its 2017 Colour of the Year, green is already top of mind. From emerald to olive and all greens in between, green is SO on trend. What’s more, green is the colour of growth, fresh starts and success – positive vibes to create in your space! Look to the green of grass, leaves on a tree, a ripe kiwi, parsley in your garden, even a frog soaking up the sun – what summer green inspires you?

Plants. Green plants in your home are popular again. We’re setting up terrariums, displaying cacti, hanging ivies and lining our kitchen window sills with herbs. Plants don’t just look great – they improve air quality and create a blissful Zen feeling.

Green walls. There’s a green for every décor style, from traditional (hunter green) to contemporary (chartreuse); choose the mood you want. Green is perfect for any room and pairs well with pinks, yellows, all neutrals and yes, blue.

Green furnishings & accents. Accents pieces in green add so much character. Consider a green velvet arm chair, a green ottoman or green patterned dining room chairs. Of course, if you want to add just a touch of green, opt for throw cushions, green glassware or perhaps green lampshades!

Beautiful Blues

Decor-Rest Sofa

Decor-Rest Sofa

Blue is the most popular colour in the world. It’s calming, soothing and represents trust, wisdom and truth. The sky, the sea, a robin’s egg, a blue jay, blue blooms – blue is everywhere in nature. Isn’t it time you brought some indoors? Whether vibrant aqua, rich cobalt or pastel shades, blue is always in style.

Classic blue. If you’re a traditionalist, consider blue and white striped upholstery, navy blue for just about anything and pale blue walls paired with dark woods.

Unexpected blue. Pale blue on a ceiling is almost ethereal – it’s so soft and uplifting. How about navy blue kitchen cupboards? Maybe rich, saturated blue walls for your living room? Think outside blue boundaries!

Blue furnishings. Blue is ideal for accent pieces like chests and side chairs, but consider blue for larger pieces like a sofa or headboard. Many shades of blue act like a neutral, opening the doors to exciting decorating possibilities!

Blue and green are serene, soothing and stunning. Get inspired by summer’s palette and bring it inside. You’ll enjoy it all year long!

No Comments / Tags: , , , , / Posted in colour, Decor, Design tips, Summer, Tips

Celebrating Canada’s 150th: Contests, Décor Ideas and Red & White Inspiration!

June 23, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

With Canada’s 150th birthday just around the corner, we’re all feeling especially proud of our beautiful country. How are you celebrating this milestone event? A party? Fireworks with your neighbours? Or maybe a themed dinner with your family? Whatever your plans, there’s no better time to show your patriotism!

Here are some of our ideas to show your Canadian spirit: 

Festive Canadian Planter

Festive Canadian Planter

Planters. This year, garden centres are offering a profusion of plants in red & white. Bring home a few planters and hangers and dress them up with Canadian flags, ribbons and perhaps some woodsy touches.

Accessories. Distressed wood Canadian flags, shabby chic Canadian pillows, trendy crocheted throws and cushions, even Canadian-inspired bed sheets – there are lots of ways to add some maple leaf warmth and whimsy. And there’s no reason to remove it after Canada Day. Canada’s 150th has inspired many décor mavens to create a Canadian-themed family room, kitchen or foyer to enjoy all year long. HINT: On-trend animal and nature motifs have a rugged sensibility that blend beautifully with red and white maple leaf décor.

Festive Canadian displays at our Stoney Creek location.

Red & White. Has the abundance of maple leaf flags made your crave red & white décor? Here are some tips to enjoy the bright, joyful mix of red and white in your home:

  • A traditional red & white quilt on a farmhouse-styled bed
  • Red breakfast stools
  • Red & white table linens – gingham or plaid
  • Red door – your front or rear door
  • Retro red & white floor tiles
  • Rich red walls (Keep everything else neutral!)
  • Traditional red & white wallpaper in stripes or toile
  • A piece or two of gorgeous red furniture

Join Our Celebrations!

We are celebrating by giving away this Red Leather Recliner to one lucky winner!

Get into the spirit with our salute to Canada. Highlights include:

  • Get $150 off select Canadian made furnishings
  • Enter to win a red Palliser (Canadian made) power recliner valued at over $1700 (enter in-store at our Vaughan or Stoney Creek locations)
  • Get the little ones involved with a colouring contest – they could win a $50 Toys”R”Us Gift Card (in the cafe at our Stoney Creek location)

The best country in the world is turning 150! Enjoy all the festivities and make some special memories. Hope to see you in-store. O Canada!

No Comments / Tags: , , , / Posted in Canadian, Decor, Events, Holidays, Summer

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