Decorating a Small Open-Concept Space? Get Inspiration Here!

March 3, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

The GTA Home & Reno Show on February 17th to 20th provided plenty of design ideas for your space. In case you missed it, we’re featuring one of the event’s most interesting exhibits right here. It’s the Micro-Natur model home by Bonneville Homes – an amazing 1008 sq. ft. single-level dwelling that features an open-concept space, 10 ft. ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and rooftop terrace. It’s minimalist, environmentally responsible, organic and quite stunning.

The Décor Plan

The open space home was decorated by designer Debbie Bertulli of Casa Castelli. She used a neutral palette of warm greys with navy accents, adding pops of chartreuse to enhance the natural appeal of the great room. We’re proud to say that Stoney Creek Furniture provided most of the furnishings. Clean lines, distressed woods and urban rustic styling set the tone, complementing rather than competing with outdoor surroundings. Metallic accents on the furnishings provided a modern industrial vibe, juxtaposed with elements like nail head detailing for a traditional touch. The sectional in a soft warm grey fabric, with top stitching and components, provided a fabulous focal point. Toss pillows in a variety of textures and colours enhanced the eclectic boho theme.

Open-Concept Spaces

GTA Home & Reno Show – Feature Home

How do you optimize the fun and functionality of your open-concept space? Here are our top 5 tips: 

  1. Use colour consistently. An open space should be painted primarily in one colour – it unifies the area and makes it flow visually. If you want to introduce other colours, make sure they harmonize with your base colour and with each other. Hues of the same shade work best. Neutrals are perfect for an open space, but brights or pastels can still be used as your foundation colour. Lots of white trim will keep it down to earth. Just remember, no abrupt colour changes or random shades.
  2. Define spaces within the space. An open space needs to be delineated into rooms to be intimate and inviting. Consider lighting (pendant lights define a space beautifully), partial walls, tall bookcases, breakfast nooks, rugs, etc. to break up the space. Furniture can also be used to define a space – for example, using a sectional or sofa table as a divider.
  3. Choose focal points for each area. Another way to break your space into sub-areas is to feature a focal point in each area to draw the eye and provide grounding. A window, dramatic piece of furniture or a fireplace can all be used as focal points.
  4. Manage clutter. A small space, especially an open area, needs to be orderly to be aesthetically pleasing and family friendly. Keep all clutter tucked away but in easy reach. Consider how it was handled in the model home – with furnishings like shelving units, accents chests, end table trunks and bench seating storage.
  5. Maintain traffic flow. Ensure that your open space has ample pathways within each space and from area to area. Not only is it vital for easy access, it accentuates the spaciousness that makes an open space design so special.

    open-concept spaces

    GTA Home & Reno Show – Feature Home

Do you have a small open space to decorate? Follow our tips, the inspiration of our featured model home and your own décor style. Enjoy!

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Retirement Living: Achieving Practicality with Style

February 24, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Do you have older parents who are moving into your home? Or perhaps you are looking to downsize to retirement living yourself? Either way, there are plenty of décor considerations and inspiration starts here…

Blue, grey and cream tones tie the room together.

Recently, a local retirement home came to the design team at Stoney Creek Furniture to create a multi-purpose studio room that was practical and functional – but still warm and welcoming. We were so pleased with the room, we thought we’d share some pictures as well as some lessons learned.

THE ROOM

Décor Choices. Our designers wanted to give this room a feminine touch, so they chose soft blue, grey and cream tones. The result is unified, warm and wonderfully easy to live in. The room has a rustic edge which is on trend, but the overall feeling is still charming, cozy and classic.

Retirement Living

The Weatherford dresser with neutral wash finish works well in a smaller space.

Furnishings. The Weatherford collection was the choice for the dresser and side tables – very solid yet very pretty, featuring a neutral washed corn silk finish. There is a slight antique and rustic look to the accessories to bring out the beautiful characteristic of the furniture. An adjustable bed from Serta (paired with an on-trend upholstered headboard) and an IMG lift chair focus on accessible living without sacrificing good looks. A pouf tucked off to the side makes an impromptu seat for kids!

The IMG lift chair ads a modern but practical touch.

TIPS & IDEAS

When you’re decorating a multi-purpose space, for retirement or for any age, these tips will help make it fresh and functional:

  • Small on size, big on style. With so many people adhering to the ‘less is more’ philosophy, there are lots of downsized apartment and condo furnishings available today including sofas, side chairs, tables, etc. It makes it easy to decorate a space to scale rather than overwhelming it with pieces that are too large.
  • Go tactile. Every space should be filled with items that both look good and feel good. Don’t overlook texture when decorating a smaller space. Consider a shag rug, a nubby throw, a leather sofa and distressed wood tables for example.
  • Fill it with love. A retirement room, even in a facility, should still be filled with cherished things. It will make both the resident and guests feel good to see memories, hobbies and collectibles displayed.
  • Add colour. Don’t feel the room has to be beige and grey to be practical! Celebrate jewel tones, try navy as a neutral, add exciting hints of aqua or coral, even go chic with a little black.
  • Display nature. Whether it’s a small bouquet of flowers, a tropical plant or a grouping of greenery, bringing natural elements into any room adds instant appeal and beauty.
  • Keep it cozy. A multi-purpose space often needs to be both a bedroom and living room, so make sure it’s always inviting. Add throws or cushions to the chairs, put down a rug, display wall hangings that are warm and cheerful. Antique and rustic elements (like we used in the featured display) are informal, yet still polished.

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Introducing Magnolia Home Furnishings: What’s Your Home’s Story?

February 16, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture
Magnolia Home

Magnolia Home now at Stoney Creek Furniture

When Joanna Gaines designed Magnolia Home, her goal wasn’t to simply create furniture – it was to create timeless pieces that help tell your home’s unique story. The furniture is an expression of the joy of home and family. “Home is the most important place,” says Gaines. “My passion is to help people create beautiful and meaningful spaces in their home.”

Magnolia Home

Magnolia Home now at Stoney Creek Furniture

Inspiration

Magnolia Home was designed exclusively by Joanna with each piece of the collection having family, aesthetic appeal and practicality in mind. Her characteristic style is evident throughout – vintage elements, country freshness and a touch of urban chic. The look is inspired, fun, friendly, simple, comfortable – not to mention affordable! Joanna wanted Magnolia Home to be a style families can live in, at a price families can afford.

“Sometimes you see a product line and you immediately say ‘yes!’. It’s a connection, a certainty that this is something that our customers will absolutely love. Magnolia Home is a perfect example. It’s unique, it’s not just another copy of a trend and it’s priced affordably. The quality and functionality are there but more than that, the ‘spirit’ is just right.” -Lori, Merchandise Manager, Stoney Creek Furniture

Magnolia Home

Magnolia Home now at Stoney Creek Furniture

Every Room

Magnolia Home has pieces for every room in your home: living room, dining room, bedroom, and office, even kitchen islands and bath storage units are available. While there is an overall vintage meets chic quality to the line, each piece fits into a specific genre: Boho, Farm, French Inspired, Industrial, Primitive or Traditional. The attention to detail shows the care and craftsmanship Joanna has put into each and every design.

Magnolia Home

Magnolia Home now at Stoney Creek Furniture

Magnolia Home Accessories

Speaking of detail, Magnolia Home also includes accessories and accents that really complete the look: from letter holders to metal buckets for display; from clocks to metal trays.

“There was a sign displayed in Magnolia Home’s showroom that said ‘Be silly, be honest, be kind’. That’s precisely the genuineness and warmth we want to bring to our customers. I just know that you will relate to Magnolia Home as we did!” -Lori, Merchandise Manager, Stoney Creek Furniture

We are honest-to-goodness excited about Magnolia Home! Come on in and get inspired. Stoney Creek Furniture is Ontario’s largest retailer of this exciting new line. Our Stoney Creek location has a more complete selection, but our Vaughan store also showcases select pieces.

Magnolia Home

Magnolia Home now at Stoney Creek Furniture

PS We are holding a contest to win a Magnolia Home queen canopy bed valued at over $1,500! To enter, you must visit one of our stores and fill out a ballot. While you’re here, I promise, you’ll fall in love with this gorgeous collection. See a sales associate in store for full contest details.

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All About Sectionals: How to choose the right one for your home.

February 10, 2017 by Stoney Creek Furniture

We’re in love with sectionals. They’re super cozy, flexible and available in many modular options and configurations. Sectionals also very on trend which means you can find just about any fabric, texture and colour you want. With looks from modern to traditional, there are options to suit your space, whether it’s an urban condo or a farmhouse living room.

Bradford Sectional

Bradford Sectional

Let’s start with décor style.

Whether you like contemporary, traditional, transitional, industrial, country chic or boho styling, there’s a sectional for you.  Arms, legs, backs and seats are available in every possible silhouette and shape, not to mention details like button tufting or nail heads if you choose.

Adele Sectional

Adele Sectional

Then look at form and function.

Sectionals are U or L-shaped overall, but it’s not as basic as it sounds. You can get an L that’s either left or right-oriented, with either side of the letter long or short or the same length. The sides of the U can be deep or shallow, with varying widths for the dip space in between. Many different widths, heights and depths of sectionals are available.

You also need to consider the function of each side. You can get a classic sofa shape for both sides, or a sofa plus a chaise, or even a sofa plus a settee with side panel. You can also get a full reclining function or just a gentle tip on the head rest. So many options to choose from.

Romy Sectional

Romy Sectional

Now the fun part: fabric choices and colours.

Pastels, brights, florals, neutrals, geometrics, plaids, suede – you name it –  it’s available. Go bold if you like – an eclectic mix in your home is très chic; or maybe stick to timeless classics. How can a soft brown leather sectional ever be anything but perfect?

Palliser Sectional

Palliser Sectional

Remember, a sectional is practical…and then some.

Now is a good time to mention that sections are super comfortable and versatile. You can use either or both sides as a bed (depending on the side lengths). Plus, a sectional is an ideal room definer or divider. It creates a half wall of sorts, delineating a room or conversation area. Finally, a sectional seats lots of people easily. Think you’re short on entertaining space? Add a sectional!

Lyric Sectional

Lyric Sectional

Don’t forget accessories!

Sectionals are large pieces of furniture that can dominate a room. While they make a great focal point, be sure to incorporate some substantial accessories, wall hangings and a proportionately-sized cocktail table for balance…and remember the accent pillows!

Visit one of our locations and let our expert consultants guide you through the latest styles, fabrics and modular options that will suit your space.

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