How to Make Your Home Office More Inspirational

August 21, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Working from home certainly has its perks, but it can be challenging with distractions abound. And while there’s lots of information about how to make your home office more functional, there’s very little about how to make it more conducive to concentration and focus. So how can you make your office more inspirational and keep your work and ideas on track?

Juliana Desk

Juliana Desk

Go Neutral. Bright colours may be stimulating, but they are also distracting. Resist the urge to paint your walls in colours that are too intense. Consider a neutral palette of greys, beiges and taupes and choose bright colours for accents like a rug or pillows.

Lighten Up. Start by maximizing natural lighting. Keep window coverings minimal and let the sunshine in. It will enhance your mood and your concentration. Overhead lighting is essential, but be sure you have adequate lighting directly pointed on your desk as well. Don’t limit yourself to a traditional desk lamp. Your lamp choice is a great way to express your creativity!

Showcase Your Achievements. If you’ve won awards or accolades, display them proudly. Sometimes the best motivator is a reminder of a previous success. Likewise, favourite pictures or mementos should also be displayed. However, the key is to keep it simple. Clutter, especially directly on your desk, will impair rather than encourage focus. Also, change the placement of your favourite things in your space regularly. You’ll see them through fresh eyes.

Desks that Delight. A home office desk has to be functional of course, with plenty of room for your work, but it should also be a quality, gorgeous piece of furniture. Whether you like antique white, a distressed finish or a traditional double pedestal, there are many options available.

Cottonwood Desk

Cottonwood Desk

Store the Noise. If you print or scan often, the drone of machinery can be very distracting. If your office has a closet, set up your equipment inside. Simply convert a clothes closet to hold your printer as well as shelves for your files, supplies, etc. Out of sight, out of mind.

Thinking Chair. If your work requires thinking time or imagination, it’s especially important to step away from your desk and your computer periodically. Sit in a beautiful chair, contemplate and reflect.

Mini Fridge, Maxi Convenience. Consider a mini fridge for your office. Why not? Staying hydrated is important – and as you know, if you get up often and go to the kitchen, something will surely grab your attention en route.

 

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Discover New Bohemian Decor

August 14, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Free-spirited. Adventurous. Informal. Unconventional. I love all the words associated with New Bohemian decor. It speaks to decorating your home your way, without restricting rules. It’s self-expression at its finest – and so liberating! But if you’re like me, you’ve always associated Bohemian decor with beaded doorways, plant overload and dated macramé accessories. For skeptics like us, enter New Bohemian! It’s a wonderful midway point between the unconstrained artistry of Bohemian and the structure of more classic décor styles. It’s perfect for those of us who enjoy an eclectic mosaic, but still want the solidity and timelessness of traditional.

New Bohemian Collection

New Bohemian Collection

The Elements of New Bohemian. New Bohemian is still about showcasing your authentic self. It’s unpretentious, a touch whimsical and always open-minded. Forget the clichés – random styles, mismatched pieces with no commonality, trinket overload and bold colours everywhere. New Bohemian is rich and exciting, yes, but never overdone.

Life Experiences. New Bohemian welcomes elements from around the world. Showcase items from your travels – collectibles, accessories, wall hangings and the like. If you love it, display it. Remember that New Bohemian is a touch more refined, so choose higher end items and pieces with substance.

Mixed Materials. Wood, metal and glass all belong in the New Bohemian style. You’ll see surprising combinations like knotty pine with finished hardwoods. And while Bohemian has always welcomed eclectic blends, New Bohemian seeks to find harmony, grounding styles with finish, leg shape and proportion. It’s a little more put together.

New Bohemian Collection

New Bohemian Collection

Textures. One of the hallmarks of New Bohemian is a celebration of texture. You’ll find shag rugs, nubby silks, distressed leathers, rugged tabletops, intricately carved furniture legs – and so much more. It’s a style of plenty, never excessive, but rich, warm and a treat for the senses.

Colours. Traditional Bohemian can be overwhelming with its bright colour palette. New Bohemian still embraces colour, but more as an accent rather than the main theme. Blues, turquoises, golds and greens are paired against neutrals, for a more subdued effect.

Home, Office and Play. New Bohemian style focuses on making the home multi-functional. Oftentimes, new boho homes will include an office, studio, playroom, art gallery – whatever reflects your passions! Rooms may not be formally defined; it’s not uncommon to see spaces used for multiple purposes.

New Bohemian Collection

New Bohemian Collection

The New Bohemian Collection. Are you ready to embrace New Bohemian in your home? This showcased collection, aptly titled New Bohemian, captures the spirit of the style beautifully. It offers a unique mix of elements, shapes and textures. It has a rustic overtone, traditional silhouettes and exquisite detailing, mixed with metals and even Bluestone. What’s especially wonderful is that it leaves plenty of room for self-expression. Layer it with your treasures, augment the neutral palette with splashes of colour and include your finds from Europe or a local antique fair!

New Bohemian style is as individual as you are. With options for living room, dining room, bedroom and more, the New Bohemian collection is a perfect foundation for you to create your one-of-a-kind home.

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Counting Down Our Top 10 Home Accent Trends

August 6, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

I often say that you can totally transform a home with just accessories. One or two additions can really reinvent a space without spending a fortune. If you’re like me and you want to freshen up your home every season and to stay on trend – new accents are the answer! I’ve compiled my Top 10 accent trends that I’m seeing EVERYWHERE this summer. They are in no particular order – I love them all! Which ones inspires you?

  1. Outstanding Accent Tables. Gone are the days of basic side and hallway tables. The choices now are simply spectacular. Look for bright turquoise, gold inlay, scrolled bases, beautiful patterns, unique touches and a myriad of finishes. Forget matching sets, these pieces deserve centre stage.

    Anatonia Collection

    Anatonia Collection

  2. Furniture in Unexpected Colours. More and more we’re seeing pops of colour on sofas, headboards and accent chairs – even leathers are being created in blue, purple, red and other stunning shades.

    Klara Leather Accent Chair

    Klara Leather Accent Chair

  3. Metal Finishes. Gold, silver, nickel, bronze and copper are ubiquitous this season. Look for them on bric a brac but also legs, trim and incorporated into furniture finishes for a touch of glamour.

    Accent Chest

    Accent Chest

  4. Rustic and Distressed Pieces. Choose a desk, bar cart or hall table in a distressed or rustic finish. One piece is all you need for the wow factor. When placed in a room with traditional or modern furniture, the contrast adds interest and aesthetic appeal.

    Juliana Desk

    Juliana Desk

  5. Statement Timepieces. Huge wall clocks are very timely right now, but for elegance and a show stopping conversation piece, consider one of the new tripod floor clocks. Gorgeous!

    Tripod Floor Clock

    Tripod Floor Clock

  6. Poufs. These cute and comfy mini chairs are showing up in family rooms, bedrooms and even bathrooms – anywhere you may need an extra seat. They add whimsy and colour to any room, and with their current popularity, can be sourced in a wonderful array of colours and fabrics.

    Union Jack Pouf

    Union Jack Pouf

  7. Tufting. We recently did an entire blog on tufting – it’s that popular! Not just for sofas, tufted accent pieces like benches or ottomans make a wonderful, classic addition to your home.

    Brennan Ottoman

    Brennan Ottoman

  8. Bar Stools. Whether at a breakfast island or bar, pull up a unique stool. Industrial and sleek urban pieces are popular, even in the most traditional settings. Look for both the bright colour and metal trends.

    Abbey Table & Bar Stools

    Abbey Table & Bar Stools

  9. Mirrors. Squares, rectangles and circles are still staples, but in keeping with eclectic trends, check out unusual mirror shapes, even retro sunburst styling from the 1960s. And don’t forget, mirrors aren’t just for over a table or dresser. Consider over your bed, in a stairwell or as part of a mirror collection/gallery in your living room.

    Salon Collection Mirror

    Salon Collection Mirror

  10. Endless Cushions. More than just for comfort, cushions can accentuate your décor colours and resurrect a tired or neutral sofa. The selection now is amazing – patterns, bright colours, fur covered, leather, suede, fringed and featuring words/messages. Bring home plenty and mix them up regularly!

    Windsor Collection

    Windsor Collection

Details really do make the difference. Give your space a facelift with beautiful accents and accessories. It’s easy, affordable and with just a little effort, you’ll see a dramatic change.

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Why a Sectional may be your best sofa choice

July 31, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

When my spouse suggested that we buy a sectional, my first thought was ‘we don’t have enough space’. That’s a common misconception. The reality is that with the variety of sectionals available today, there’s one to suit every home – and surprise – they take up way less room than you thought. Sectionals are extremely popular right now – let’s find out why.

Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Selection. As mentioned, there have never been more options in sectionals. Every style, colour, pattern, silhouette and upholstery choice imaginable is available. From contemporary to traditional; from leather to herringbone; from soft neutrals to brights; from camelback to tuxedo style. Really, when you start shopping, you’ll be impressed by the selection. What’s more, with a sectional you have the choice of a U or L-shape (either side), with chaise or without and even recliner options.

Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Divide a Room. One of the great advantages of a sectional is how it defines a space. If you have an open floor plan, one side of a sectional is the perfect way to make a wall, giving your living area definition without feeling closed in.

Free Up Space. When you choose a sectional, you create extra seating, often eliminating the need for some of your side/accent chairs.

Palliser sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Palliser sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

But it’s Big. Yes, sectionals are large pieces of furniture, but there are scaled down versions for condo living, as well as options with a very small ‘L’. What’s ironic is that oftentimes, putting a large piece of furniture in a smaller space makes a wonderful impact – rather than fussy or dainty, go big and bold.

Display Area. Another advantage of a sectional is that it creates a perfect setting for a wall gallery. The size and dominance of the sectional is balanced by strong art behind it, either large pieces or a cohesive gallery of images.

Sectional Sofa with Chaise available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sectional Sofa with Chaise available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sectional Tips and Pointers

Colour. Choosing the right colour helps integrate your sectional into your space. A neutral toned sectional is less dominant, more subtle. If your space is smaller, or if the sectional is going against walls, this may be a good choice. Bright or patterned sectionals make a dynamic statement and may look better in large rooms where they are centered in the space as the focal point.

Pillows. Lots and lots of pillows are a requirement with sectionals! Not only do they make it cozier, but they break up the expansiveness of the piece into more defined, intimate seats.

Area Rugs. An area rug can also help ground the size of a sectional. Use the rug to define the room’s space and place the sectional in the corner. Instant room.

Coffee Table. Be sure to choose a sizable coffee table with easy access for all the people sitting on your sectional. Squares and circles work best – go for something with the same sense of proportion as your sectional so that everything harmonizes.

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