Urban Rustic: Tips & Ideas to Create this Exciting Look in Your Home

May 27, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

One of the hottest trends to recently emerge in home décor is urban rustic. It’s a look that’s built on contrast – traditional mixed with modern, rugged blended with elegant and texture against smoothness. While many of us may feel our homes don’t have the lofty look that we often associate with urban rustic, fear not! It’s very accessible – just a few touches will help your home radiate the comfort and casualness of this décor style. Here are a few easy ideas:

Aurora Collection

Aurora Collection

Keep It Natural. A huge element of urban rustic is bringing the outside into your home by creating a feeling of expansiveness. Natural wood beams on the ceiling and distressed wood floors… brick walls that look weather worn… large windows with little ornamentation… everything should feel open and relaxed.

Add Furniture Pieces. Keep your primary furniture pieces transitional or contemporary, adding smaller elements in urban rustic – tables and chairs, accent tables, lamps, a wall hanging. Remember, it’s all about contrast. A sleek modern sofa is perfect with a rough, distressed urban rustic cocktail table, for example. Or a live-edge dining table with more contemporary chairs can be stunning.

Largo Rustic Collectibles Collection

Largo Rustic Collectibles Collection

Let Texture Be the Star. Urban rustic is not about bright splashes of colour or even soft pastels; it’s decidedly neutral. Greys, beiges, black, browns and taupe are the palette; metals are typically without sheen. What stands out in this style is texture, lots and lots of it. Brick, distressed wood, nubby fabrics, sisal rugs – and once again, contrast is key. Within a piece of furniture, look for smooth metal legs paired with worn wood or an industrial base on a lamp with an elegant shade.

Largo Industrial Age Collection

Largo Industrial Age Collection

Include Vintage to Soften the Look. If you worry urban rustic may be too harsh for your space, keep in mind that true vintage items will add softness. Integrate a beautiful turn of the century armoire or a cushy wingback chair or an Impressionist style painting with soft colours. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing with urban rustic – a small touch of antique is welcome.

Choose Accessories Wisely. Accessories can make or break the urban rustic look, so give them lots of attention. The details do make the difference. For example, choose vintage table fans, sculpture made of stone or metal, plain white dishware and cushions and bed linens with minimal pattern. Simplicity reigns and larger statement items are on theme rather than small fussy pieces.

Largo Tripod Accent Table

Largo Tripod Accent Table

Did We Already Mention Contrast? Have the word contrast front and centre in your mind as you decorate in urban rustic. One of the best ways to juxtaposition hard and soft is with fabric. Remember, stay within neutrals. Now, imagine a perfect white duvet with abundant pillows against a large headboard made of distressed wood. Or consider panels of ivory lace curtain on a rod made of tubing reclaimed from a long-ago foundry. You get the idea!

Urban rustic is a fun and inviting style. And remember, it’s far easier to achieve than you may think.  Mix old and new, think industrial, keep it simple and you’re on your way.

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How to Make Your Living Space Summer Ready – Inside or Out

May 20, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

As the weather heats up, we spend more time on our patios enjoying nature – and the time spent inside we want to welcome the season into our homes. So how do we achieve that? How can our indoor living space and outdoor space become one cohesive area that’s inviting, colourful and comfortable – an oasis for summer living? Read on!

Janet Collection

Janet Collection available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Tips to Add Colour and Natural Influences Inside Your Home

  1. Plants. Beautiful flowers are an easy way to brighten any home, inside and out. A favourite trick to blend your garden and living areas is to use the same colour scheme. If you choose garden petunias in purple and white, display purple and white African violets in your living room. HINT: The same is true of upholstery/cushion patterns – match your palettes inside to outside!
  2. Ceilings. Often overlooked, the ceiling is a canvas waiting for colour. Paint it pastel blue or pink or even pale stripes of colour. Try wallpapering with a classic pattern. The effect is stunning.
  3. Metallics and Coloured Glass. Pick up a few glowing accessories in pewter, bronze, gold or brass and combine them eclectically. Coloured glass also reflects sunlight beautifully, creating instant summer appeal. Assemble a grouping of bright colours like purple, aqua, lime or orange – there are vases, bottles, dishes and more to choose from.
  4. Drapery. While everyone else is hanging their white lace and sheers, go for colour. Keep the fabric lightweight, but opt for a cheerful floral, stripe or polka dot.
  5. Furniture. You simply can’t go wrong with a single spectacular piece of bright furniture to brighten up a space. It can be as big as a sofa or as small as a pouf. A hall table, breakfast nook stools, ottoman, armoire or accent chair all make great ideas for colour-infused furniture. One bright piece is often enough, blended with your woods/neutrals.

Tips to Add Comfort and Hominess to Your Outdoor Living Space

Image credit: The Garden Glove | Outdoor Room Ideas

Image credit: The Garden Glove | Outdoor Room Ideas

  1. Throws. Comfy cushions on outdoor furniture are a given, but what about a throw? Not only will it chase away a chilly breeze, it adds colour and texture. Consider a nubby blanket with bright stripes.
  2. Neutrals. Sometimes nature provides all the colour your space needs and the best patio furniture and accessories are neutral, letting the glorious outdoors take centre stage. Black, white and weather worn greys are perfect. HINT: Choose neutral planters too – grey stone, black concrete or terra cotta – and let your flowers be the focal point.
  3. Wall Hangings. A great way to create a room-like space outside is to hang a picture, maybe even right on your house. It will need to be stone or treated metal to survive the elements, ideally it should be sheltered. HINT: A mirror or giant decorative clock will look incredible.
  4. Bar. Build an outdoor bar complete with funky barstools (how about metal painted bright blue?) It’s a great, cozy gathering place.
  5. Lights. If your patio is covered, add sturdy (to weather storms) lamps for a feeling of home comfort. If you’d rather something more natural, add lots and lots of candles. There are many battery-operated options available now or keep a box full of tea light candle holders at easy reach when night falls.

Relax and enjoy the beauty of the season, whether you’re inside or outside. 

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Dining Room Chairs with Style

May 13, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Our last blog post discussed adding accent chairs throughout your home. Now, how about your dining room chairs? How can you create a dining room that is special, fresh and never boring? One great way is to focus on your chairs. Here are some suggestions to make sure your dining room chairs never take a back seat:

Sets Still Work. Matching sets can still be beautiful – today they are lighter, less contrived and use innovative materials. If you opt for a matching set, consider decorating your dining room more casually so that the effect is softened. Or choose a style that is less formal.

Weatherford Dining Collection

Weatherford Dining Collection

Go 4 and 2. Or 2 and 2. Instead of 4 or 6 chairs that are the same, choose a set of 4 complemented by a set of 2; perhaps in a different fabric or more substantial weight to place at either end of the table. The same is true for a set of 4. Try 2 the same across from each other in 2 sets.

Materials. There are so many choices. Wood of course, or a mix of wood and upholstery, but think beyond that. Try metal, marble, leather, and more.

Tribeca Collection

Tribeca Collection

Paint. Unify unmatched chairs with paint. Consider 6 different wood chairs – paint them all a rich blue and you have a set. Or if all your chairs are the same, try painting 4 the same and 2 others the same. Bright and Beautiful. In an informal home, chairs in a vibrant colour can make them a focal point.

Upholstery. Upholstered dining room seating is comfortable and adds colour and style to the room. If you have the option to reupholster existing chairs, consider something daring – toile, an animal print, a bold geometric or floral print. It can take a matching set from drab to fab.

Caracole Classic Collection available at our Stoney Creek location

Caracole Classic Collection available at our Stoney Creek location

Bench Seating. Bench seating works well in a laid-back dining area. Don’t think picnic benches – there are lots of luxury choices available! Benches can also work well in combination with chairs.

Stockton Collection

Stockton Collection

Wing Back Chairs. For true traditional indulgence, choose wing back chairs for either end of your dining table. Talk about comfort!

Barrington Farm Collection

Barrington Farm Collection

All Different! It may sound crazy, and in truth, not every room can pull it off, but consider having every chair around your table quite different – in shape, colour and style. Keeping the rest of the room neutral is necessary for this to work. It also works best if all the chairs are the same height and size.

Style Mix. For an eclectic look, choose a dining table that’s a different style than your chairs. For example, marry a rustic harvest table with black/metal modern chairs. Or match a black, sleek table with ornate French Provincial chairs.

Fit. When you are mixing and matching chairs and tables, ensure that the chairs fit properly under the table and that when seated, you’re at the correct height to dine comfortably. Also be sure that the seats of all the chairs are at the same height.

Comfort. No matter how fabulous your dining chairs look, the most important factor is comfort! Make sure there is plenty of support to sit for a long stretch of time.

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Tips to Add Accent Chairs to Your Home Décor

May 6, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Long gone are the days when you must buy a sofa set with matching chair. Of course, this is still a great option, but there are so many other choices too. Accent chairs, settees, chaises and loveseats bring interest to your room – as a third seat with your set or in place of the matching chair. By adding contours, colour and character, they make your room more appealing – in fact you can change the entire mood of the space. Here are some pointers:

Colour & Pattern. If your sofa is patterned, plain may be best for your accent chairs – and vice versa. The colours should work together; think of complements or opposites on the colour wheel. Sometimes rugs, curtains or throw cushions can inspire a colour scheme. You also need to assess the room’s style.

Craftmaster Collection

Craftmaster Collection

Leather and Fabric.  A leather sofa with fabric accent chairs has wonderful textural variety. Leather is strong in character, so choose statement accent chairs that can compete. Or try the opposite! Leather chairs can complement an upholstered sofa beautifully.

Classic Home Collection

Classic Home Collection

Side-by-Side. A fabulous way to showcase smaller accent chairs is side-by-side, where they offer the flexibility of individual seating, but visually work as a unit. This works best when placed away from a wall; consider opposite your sofa to create a conversation area.

Neutral Colour, Bold Look. If you’re worried that dramatic accent chairs are too over the top for your conservative taste, try a bold piece in a neutral colour or with gorgeous wood trim.

Morgan Collection

Morgan Collection

Showpiece. Forget all the rules we’ve discussed here – if you fall in love with a spectacular chair, settee or chaise, find a place that to make it your focal point. Everything else can work around it.

Epicenters Collection

Epicenters Collection

Dining Room. The living room isn’t the only place for accent chairs. Add some elegance to your dining room by using gorgeous, luxurious accents chairs at either end of the table, keeping the chairs that are part of the suite for the sides. Choose something that fits under the table properly, works with the finish/shape of the existing chairs – and pumps up the excitement level several notches.

Bedroom and More. The bedroom is another perfect location for accent chairs. Or how about the hallway or study? They are also great places to make a statement with accent chairs.

 

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