Arranging Your Living Room Furniture for Comfort, Aesthetics and Fun!

March 3, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

When you’re decorating a living room, furniture placement is a critical decision. Most living rooms are multi-purpose – for chatting, relaxing, playing games, entertaining and watching TV. You want to make sure that you make the room user-friendly for all your activities when you plan your layout. Here are a few points to consider:

Find Your Focal Point. Red alert – it doesn’t have to be the TV! Your TV can take a secondary role in your space; a fireplace, large window with a view or even a substantial armoire can take centre stage.

Modular Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Modular Sectional available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Place Your Seats. Once you have a focal point, place your furniture around it. Two classic choices are:

  • Face-to-face arrangements where the sofa and accent chairs face one another and the focal point is centered at one end. Another chair is often placed directly opposite the focal point.
  • Side arrangements where the sofa faces the focal point and accent chairs are on either side of the sofa with the focal point to their side.

With both of these options, a second sofa, loveseat or chaise can take the role of the side chairs.

Leave the Walls! There’s no reason to anchor seating against the walls, especially if the room is sizable. Bring it forward and angle it to create interest and encourage conversation. Feng shui (see below) says the sofa should be against a wall for a sense of stability. Perhaps…but that still leaves ample opportunity to bring other seating inward!

Leather recliner available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Leather recliner available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sufficient Space around the Coffee Table. My pet peeve is a living room layout that makes it impossible to come and go without hitting everyone’s knees, as though you’re at the movies! Be sure there’s at least 18 inches around the coffee table for every seat, but not too much space. You still need to reach your drinks and snacks!

Give Everyone a Surface. Every seat needs a place to rest a beverage, book or remote control. It can be the coffee table, side table, even an ottoman with a firm surface.

Ground Your Rugs. Rugs define a room and unify your furniture placement. A rug should tuck under the front legs of at least one chair. It actually makes the space look larger placed this way.

Available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Feng Shui Your Space! Following feng shui principles can help you create a space that provides a sense of well being and harmony. Here are a few basic living room ideas to kick start your interest!

  • Energy flow is essential. Ensure that all pathways to and within the room are open and easy to navigate.
  • Eliminate clutter. It creates negative energy and blocks chi.
  • Add a family photo. A happy photo of all family members is recommended.
  • Place something you love in view as you enter the room. You’ll walk in feeling positive.
  • Add a mirror. Place it so that it reflects something affirming – a beautiful outside view or piece of art within the room.
  • Plants provide purification. They can be especially effective when placed near corners to prevent stagnant energy build-up.
  • Round coffee tables. You don’t want to point a sharp angle at anyone in the room. Round tables suggest equality and help energy circulate.
  • Light dark corners. Softly illuminate dark corners with lamps or candles. Throughout the space, keep light gentle.
  • Include earth, water, fire, wood and metal elements. For example, plants for earth, a small fountain or fishbowl for water, candles for fire, furniture for wood and photo frames for metal.

 Here’s hoping that you enjoy arranging your living room furniture just right – and have many happy moments in your redesigned space!

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Design tips, Furniture, Organizing

Double Duty Dining Rooms: Ideas and Inspiration to Optimize Your Space

February 10, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

If you are fortunate enough to have a sizable dining room, you may find that you have unused space once the obligatory table, chairs and server/buffet are placed. Many older homes in particular have large formal dining rooms but smaller rooms elsewhere – so why not makeover your dining space into a multi-tasking, multi-functional haven? Read on for some suggestions.

Berkeley Dining Collection available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Berkeley Dining Collection available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Reading Nook. Set aside a dining room corner for quiet reading or journal writing. Choose a luxurious, ultra comfortable chair with lots of space to curl up – why not make it something that stands out in a rich green, blue or brown? Seek natural lighting if possible, as well as a table or floor lamp and a small accent table for books and beverages.

Mini-Library. If you have space, you can incorporate bookcases into your reading nook or simply add the bookcases without the chair. Bookcases add character to a dining room, especially if you have some leather bound books on display in your mix. Choose whatever size or style bookcases that work, even several in a row. Or opt for tall slim built-ins, perhaps even floor to ceiling.

DaValle bookcase available at Stoney Creek Furniture

DaValle bookcase available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Mini-Office. Who needs a whole room for an office? Choose a corner and a gorgeous desk in keeping with your dining room theme. The trick is keeping the area tidy – you don’t want your dining space overwhelmed by clutter. A great idea is to add a large armoire by the desk, tucking away your printer, scanner, supplies and work at the end of the day. Include one statement décor piece on your desk for aesthetics.

Provenance writing desk available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Provenance writing desk available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Mini-Garden. If you have lots of natural lighting in your dining room, create a small garden near the window. Add a beautiful display shelf and lots of plants. You can go for a theme like cacti or ivies, or a combination of foliage and flowering plants. I particularly like the idea of a small herb garden for fresh recipe ingredients.

Bar. This is a fun idea, especially if you like to have parties. A bar cart or server can house your glasses, liquor, wine bottles, napkins, openers, etc. If you have room, add a small, tall table and a couple of bar stools – an impromptu place to chat over cocktails.

Largo Bar Trolley available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Largo Bar Trolley available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Music Area. If space permits and your family is musical, the dining room is a great location for a piano or a guitar collection. It’s separate from the hubbub of the family/living room for practising, yet close enough should you want to entertain guests after dinner with a musical interlude.

Conversation Area. A couple of chairs or loveseats facing one other are really all you need, with a small table in between for drinks. I like the idea of choosing particularly lavish seating for this special area and a small, plush rug. Indulge a little!

Relaxation/Meditation Area. Picture an elegant chaise, perhaps a piece of artwork art above. It’s your spot to relax and daydream. Or, claim this corner for meditation. A small rug, pillows on the floor for sitting, perhaps a statue and floor candleholder are all you need to create your teeny Zen oasis.

Restyle your dining room to take on double duty – and get the most from your space!

No Comments / Posted in Design tips, Furniture, Organizing

This Season, Enjoy the Winter Blues!

January 28, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

I’m not sure why they call it the winter blues when you’re feeling down this time of year. No colour is more soothing than blue. In fact, blue has been proven to lower your heart rate and blood pressure and promote a sense of peacefulness. Perhaps it’s this calming effect that has put blue on the forefront of home décor this season. But beyond a boy’s bedroom, where and how do you add blue to your home?

Blue sofa, artwork and chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Navy blue sofa, artwork and Regatta Bombe chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Here are a few ideas:

Blue Any Room. Blue works in any room. Darker blues are more sophisticated – perhaps navy for a master bedroom. Bright blues are more fun – like royal blue in a family room. Be careful with cool blues as they can make a room feel cold, but they work beautifully in a bathroom when crisp and clean is your mission.

Adjust the Temperature. A sunny room facing south can be cooled down with light blue walls. The opposite is also true: a cool room can be warmed up with rich shades of blue. But beware of cool blue in a room facing north – brrr!

Paint on a Sky. The oft-forgotten ceiling is beautiful in pale, atmospheric blue. Paired with sparkling white cornices, it’s serene and special – and adds charm no matter what your wall colour.

Blue Furnishings. If you’re looking for an automatic focal point, this is it! Blue accent tables in rich turquoise or dark royal blue illuminate a foyer. Studded sofas provide comfort and wow factor in denim, indigo or teal. Or go subtle with a neutral beige sectional highlighted by cushions and a hassock with blue stripes and blue-infused patterns.

Sofa available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Sofa available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Change Your Room Size. Warmer, darker blues are recommended for social spaces as they bring the walls forward, making you feel open to conversation. Think dining or living rooms. Light blues recede walls, ideal for a hallway or area you wish to open up.

Use Blue WITH a Neutral. Blue pairs delightfully with neutrals. Is there anything more classic than navy blue and white? Blue is also a superstar with beiges and tans, through to rich shades of chocolate brown. Blue with grey is a little trickier; it can be cold unless you use warm blue shades.

Rita sofa available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Rita sofa available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Use Blue AS a Neutral. Blue is so versatile. It pairs well with almost any colour. Blue and green is a natural combination and promotes a feeling of harmony – mix up the shades for diversity. Blue is also spectacular with red, orange or yellow, opposing shades on the colour wheel. With red, it’s lively and fun, maybe for a kitchen , mixed with lots of white? With orange, it’s very striking. Go for softer blues. With yellow, blue is joyful – blend it with rich woods in a family room.

True Blue Accessories. Choose accessories that make it easy and affordable to embrace blue. Whether it’s gorgeous blue velvet or blue patterned cushions, blue lamp shades or bases, photos of a turquoise ocean, antique china in Blue Willow, or these whimsical blue birds – accessories abound in every shade of blue. Add and enjoy!

Blue artwork and accents available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Blue artwork and accents available at Stoney Creek Furniture

No Comments / Tags: , , , / Posted in Accessories, Decor, Design tips, Furniture, Trends

Chests of Drawers: Add Character and Storage to Your Home

January 21, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

With 2015 in full swing, we’re all looking for ways to update up our homes for the New Year – without redecorating an entire room! One of my favourite furniture items is the chest. Chests of drawers are so versatile and charming, and ideal in many rooms. They provide storage and offer endless decorating potential.

Melange Effervescent Chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Melange Effervescent Chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Welcome Anywhere. Chests of drawers are perfect in the hallway or foyer, setting the décor tone for the rest of your home and providing a drop spot for keys, etc. Bring one into the dining room and it’s a server, housing dishes or display items. Add one to a bedroom and you have a vanity (add a mirror over it) or an extra clothing dresser. In the living room, you can use a chest as a media stand.

Don’t overlook other fantastic places for a chest. Consider a stairway landing, a bathroom or even a kitchen. A chest would add so much warmth and character to a kitchen – and provide another area for storage and display.

What are My Options? Chests of drawers are available in an amazing variety of styles, sizes, colours and finishes. From industrial to country, from modern to eclectic – whatever you can imagine.

Have a look at this beautiful soft white piece with intricate carving. It would be stunning in a dining room, adorned with silver candlesticks.

Melange chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Melange chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

I love this distinctive studded chest and can picture it in a contemporary foyer. Talk about a show stopper at the front door.

Studded Chest coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

Studded Chest coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

For the more adventurous, consider this distressed chest in several muted colours, the ultimate eclectic statement.

Jadu Accent Chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Jadu Accent Chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Or how about this chest in rich, saturated turquoise. In a hallway or living room, it’s the focal point you’ve been looking for – unusual, timeless and yet still functional for tucking things away.

Nina Bombe Chest coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

Nina Bombe Chest available at Stoney Creek Furniture

What’s great about chests is that they stand alone – matching other furniture is not a big concern. The whole point is to be distinctive, so choose what you absolutely love.

How to Dress a Chest. Decorating a chest really depends on where you plan to put it, of course, but a few principles apply anywhere.

  • Balance. On a larger chest in particular, symmetry is pleasing; lamps at either end, for example.
  • Size. A couple of larger pieces generally look better than tiny items. Go for size variety and varying heights, but limit the little trinkets.
  • Go Green. You can’t go wrong with a fresh bouquet – or a classic green plant. A mirror behind the flowers doubles the effect.
  • Practicality. If your chest top will see lots of use, provide a vessel for items like keys or a pretty basket for mail or gloves.

2 Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Decor, Design tips, Furniture

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →