Design Tips for Small Spaces

April 29, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture
Spencer Collection

Spencer Collection

I’m all for a smaller house with smaller rooms. It’s cozy and less to maintain and clean! And I’m not alone. Statistics show that home owners today are buying smaller houses and condos, but decorating them exquisitely. It’s a quality over quantity decision that’s especially attractive to successful singles, young couples and empty nesters. But of course, small spaces often come with big challenges. But we’re up for it. Here are our suggestions to ensure that your small rooms create big impact:

Reach High. Think tall. Start curtains at the ceiling. Choose tall, slim furniture, like floor to ceiling bookcases. Choose accessories like tall candlesticks. Paint the ceiling brightest white. You want to draw eyes upward.

Show the Floor. Showing more of the floor visually opens the area. Choose leggy furniture, even sofas and chairs should be elevated rather than skirted.

Decor-Rest Sofa

Decor-Rest Sofa

Show the Space. A wall of mirrors doubles the apparent size of your space, or try a tall framed mirror that sits on the floor rather than hanging. Glass in general will create space. Glass topped coffee tables, glass front bookcases, glass accessories; Lucite and plastics work well too and are very durable.

Combine Functionality. Make your furniture do double duty. A trunk as a coffee table and also for storage; an ottoman as a foot stool and coffee table; a sofa that pulls out into a bed; a large desk that serves as a dining area; or a bed with storage drawers.

Carthage Collection

Carthage Collection

Seek Storage. A small space must be an uncluttered space for it to work. Everything should be out of sight at all times. Built-ins, whether closets or bookcases, are perfect, but you’ll also find lots of ready-made furniture to tuck into a corner. Don’t overlook places like stair landings, under stairs, hallways, etc.

Make Furniture Mobile. I read an article where fold-away chairs were mounted on a hall wall and taken down when needed. So clever and space saving. If you’re tight on space, especially for entertaining, choose furniture that you can easily bring forward and roll away – benches, chairs, etc.

Keep it Simple. Fussy pieces and trinkets are a no-no in small spaces. Keep your objets d’art few and larger in size.

Scale and Focal Pieces. No surprise that smaller furniture makes sense. There is a huge variety available designed specifically for condos, etc. Sofas, dresser, dining room sets and much more – with no skimping on style.

One Colour. Keep your main level all one soft, subtle colour to open it up. Neutrals work well.

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Bohemian Decor

April 23, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Bohemian is back, but today it’s glamorous and chic. BoHo has the spirit of a vagabond, the palette of an artist and the worldliness of a seasoned traveler. It’s joyous and lively; yet there’s plenty of substance. In fact, Bohemian decor embraces the green movement and the reuse/recycle philosophy. It makes a home for real plants and honours the work of craftsmen from around the world.

New Bohemian Collection

New Bohemian Collection

Do you want your home to be interesting, relaxed and totally unique? Then bring on eclectic Bohemian. Here are some suggestions to inspire you:

Elements. Rule #1 of the Bohemian style is no rules. Unconventionality reigns. Bohemian is an attitude that celebrates transition. You don’t need a lot of structure. Anchor your rooms in gorgeous textiles – tapestries, rugs, pillows, throws and carpet. Keep it uncluttered by using a neutral foundation on the walls; something warm and exotic. Most importantly, don’t shy away from colour.

Colours. Earthy colours like rust, orange, brown and gold abound. Vivid, saturated jewel colours fit beautifully too. Royal purple, cobalt blue and robust reds are trademark shades, often found in the abundance of accessories and fabrics. You may feel you are using colours and patterns that don’t go together, but don’t worry. If the effect is pleasing, go for it.

However… If you want the BoHo look, but need to tone it down for your modern sensibilities, seek a common colour to unify your fabrics. Or use warm beige white on your walls. Or add in objects and materials in one solid colour to keep the pattern from becoming overwhelming. But no crisp white; it simply doesn’t fit.

Be Natural. Materials like sisal, jute, bamboo and burlap work well in a Bohemian space. So do natural silks and soft cottons. Think lots of contrast and mix and match your heart out! Nothing should look new, but rather, gently lived in. And don’t be afraid to extend your Bohemian look to your patio. The opulent colours look spectacular outside too! Likewise, bring plants in. Colourful flowers and greenery are life affirming and suit BoHo thinking perfectly.

Furniture. Don’t fret about matching pieces! It’s more important that the furniture have character. Each piece should look acquired rather than bought. Victorian works well, but substantial and dramatic, not dainty and fussy. Antique also works – seek out the unexpected. If you buy new, choose one of kind items that are special to you. Blend old and new, using rugs and fabrics to unify. Throw a small rug on a dresser! Dark wood suits best, as do painted pieces.

Accessories. This is the soul of Bohemian! Beyond the myriad fabrics, display your collections, bric-a- brac and treasures. Ethic pieces and pieces from other cultures work well as do coloured glass, china, trinket boxes, gold mirrors, etc. The lampshades are luxurious and have fringes, as do your multi-coloured throws and cushions. The windows are covered in dupioni silk. A crystal chandelier hangs above it all. It’s wonderfully eclectic and charming.

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A Child’s Bedroom: How to Create a Space that Grows with Your Family

April 15, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Decorating a child’s bedroom can be an exercise in compromise – what they want versus what you think is practical. Below are some of our best tips for creating a child’s room that pleases you both. They get the things they simply must have and you get a room that looks stylish for years.

Tiffany Collection

Tiffany Collection

Define a play area that evolves into a study area. When they’re tiny, set aside a special play corner in their room – perhaps with a kid-sized table and chairs. Later, as they grow up, their corner can morph into a study area with desk, chair and bookcase. It’s a special space away from where they sleep to call their own.

Choose classic, quality lamps and light fixtures. No reason to go cutesy. Invest in lamps – on nightstands and desks – that will integrate into any style and provide years of wear. The same is true for ceiling fixtures. Why not a chandelier or a gorgeous pendant?

Stay away from themes. While the latest cartoon characters may be all your child talks about, refrain from a themed room. It dates so quickly and can add up in cost! If you child pleads, go for a few fun accessories that are easily changed.

Academy Collection

Academy Collection

Choose rugs over carpeting. Spills happen. Hardwood flooring with scattered rugs makes more sense. Plus, the rugs are movable – great for defining areas and still comfy for floor seating. (And you can choose fun rugs that can be replaced often at an affordable price.)

Select classic furnishings. You’d be surprised at how long classic pieces will last if you choose quality craftsmanship. Oftentimes you can take a child through university on a timeless bedroom ensemble.

Danielle Collection

Danielle Collection

Explore colour in unexpected places. Colour is an easy way to inject fun – and it’s easily changed. How about bright blue on the inside of bookcases? What about painting an old accent table in purple? Maybe pink polka dots on the ceiling?

Confine whimsy to accessories. Pillows, stuffed toys, a wall hanging, even a wall of wallpaper – there are affordable ways to let your child express their style. Most important? Provide corkboards, chalk boards and shelving for creativity and displays.

There is no such thing as too much storage space. Ever. Provide multiple places for storage – baskets, drawers or bins. Coordinate them to look pleasing, but go cheap and cheerful. If your child is a little older, consider an ottoman or bench with storage. Or perhaps a bed with built in storage.

Include a grown up chair. For now it’s yours – a wingback chair or even a fabulous chaise to sit on and read stories together. Later it becomes your child’s special seat for reading on their own.

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Our Top 10 Easy Ways to Update Your Home for Spring

April 8, 2016 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Your spring cleaning is well underway, but somehow, your home needs something more to feel ready for the new season. Here are some very easy and effective ways to welcome spring and update your home. Try one or try them all!

Spencer bedroom collection and wide variety of unique accents available at our stores.

The Spencer bedroom collection and wide variety of unique accents available at both our Stoney Creek and Vaughan locations.

  1. Update your fabrics and linens. Draperies, bed linens, throw cushions – look at everything you have with a discriminating eye. Spring fabrics should be lighter and fresher. Consider textured fabrics with embossing for interest or perhaps a bold floral.
  2. Refresh your wall art. Maybe all you need is some creativity –how about displaying a collection of simple white plates or ceiling rosettes painted in coral? Perhaps a large round mirror would look spectacular in your foyer.
  3. Add greenery and flowers. Buy some foliage for your home. There are lots of house plants that are easy to care for and look wonderfully lush and tropical. Indulge in cut spring flowers like tulips or daffodils. Create a simple display with fruit – green apples or lemons for example.
  4. Splurge on a new piece of statement furniture. One piece of furniture can change everything. Now’s the time to buy an accent chair in a pastel or jewel tone – or a hall chest in rich blue or metallic – or a gorgeous mid century modern dining room server.
  5. Change up your tableware. This season there is an abundance of accents to complement your basic white dishes. Look for serving bowls with unique prints, metallic accents and in bright pinks, greens and blues.
  6. Consider citrus. We often think of pastels for the warmer seasons, but this year, try citrusy hues like tangerine, grapefruit ruby red and lime green. So fresh whether on a wall or in accessories or accent pieces.
  7. De-clutter. This one is free and often very effective. Edit all the obvious places like closets and cupboards, but also areas you may overlook like kitchen counter tops, bookcase shelves, nightstands and dressers. Less is more.
  8. Integrate a new colour throughout your home. Choose a colour you love (perhaps violet or aqua) and add a touch of it in each room in simple ways – candles, vases, towels – just a little is all you need. Not only will it renew each room, it will unify your entire space.
  9. Display new accessories. Whether you like on trend natural elements, Buddhas and large clocks or timeless classics like crystal candlesticks, update your home this spring with new accents.
  10. Paint! It doesn’t have to be a whole room. An accent wall or an old piece of furniture in a new hue makes a big difference. How about painting your doors a rich ivory instead of white or your trim dark grey?

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