Industrial Décor: Adding a Little (or a Lot!) to Your Home

January 13, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

So you don’t own a loft in an old factory or a chic condo with exposed brick – can you still embrace Industrial décor? You bet! Industrial is a trend that seems here to stay, and why not? Industrial décor supports recycling and repurposing, perfectly in line with today’s environmental awareness. It also injects edginess and style into your home…

Belaire Collection at Stoney Creek Furniture

Belaire Collection at Stoney Creek Furniture

What are the hallmarks of Industrial? Think metal, architectural salvage, distressed wood, cast iron…the theme is factories, foundries and workshops. Clear glass is a vital component too, especially in basic, beautiful pendant lighting or lamps. The workings often show in Industrial accessories and furnishings for added authenticity – wheels, pins, cogs and bolts. Industrial is rugged yet graceful in its simplicity and functionality.

How can Industrial be integrated? If you have an open space and high ceilings, go all out – Industrial is designed for such areas – but if your home is more conventional, don’t dismay. One of the hottest looks right now is unabashed contrast. Industrial pieces can sit next to pretty furniture, styles can mix and match, eclectic is very on trend. Just be sure to add a few Industrial elements throughout your space to unify it.

How can Industrial be added to various rooms?

Kitchen. This is my favourite room for the Industrial look. Stainless steel (and if your budget permits, professional-grade) appliances set the tone, partnered with sleek cupboards. An ideal addition is a new or vintage Industrial workbench as a centre island or breakfast bar. Add some stools in wood and metal.

Abbey Collection available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Abbey Collection available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Living Room. A coffee table, end tables or even a bar cart in the Industrial style convey the look in your living room, while still keeping the vibe comfy. Glass or wood topped tables with iron or galvanized steel legs are perfect. Choose a variety of accent chairs from different styles, including Industrial. Ground the diversity by working with a single colour or pattern.

Largo Bar Trolley available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Largo Bar Trolley available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Dining Room. Select a stunning Industrial table with a distressed wood top and metal legs. Pair it with more elegant chairs, perhaps in leather. Or even choose chairs with a decidedly feminine structure, curved legs and floral upholstery.

Entranceway. The foyer is a perfect place to make an Industrial statement. Choose a bench or table; make it a truly outstanding piece. Add a big bouquet of flowers on the table top for beautiful contrast.

What about colour? Grey is the dominant colour choice for the Industrial look. Grey walls will blend with your Industrial pieces, but don’t be afraid to add a splash of dramatic colour – chartreuse, orange or lemon yellow. To keep things warm, be sure your space includes wood, in furnishings and/or flooring.

What about flooring? As mentioned, wood is perfect – especially reclaimed hardwood. Tiles or even poured concrete also suit the mood, in shades of grey and other neutrals.

What about Industrial accessories? This is the easiest way to create and carry the Industrial theme throughout your home without dominating it. Accessories like curtain rods, door knobs, cupboard hardware, wall clocks and picture frames are inexpensive and fun! Be sure to add lots of clear glass too.

Stoney Creek Furniture showroom

Stoney Creek Furniture showroom

Is 2015 the year you add the Industrial theme to your home? I hope these ideas have inspired you.

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

Making Your Home More Serene: Tips to Create a Tranquil Oasis

January 5, 2015 by Stoney Creek Furniture

There’s plenty of evidence supporting how stressful our lives are these days – and how much damage it does to our physical and mental health. While it’s difficult to eliminate stress on the job, at home you can create an oasis to escape and rejuvenate from the pressures of everyday life. Here are my Top 10 suggestions to make your home more serene:serene home
1. Minimize the clutter. Disorganization is frustrating. If less stress is your goal, start by de-cluttering your home. A place for everything and everything in its place should be your mantra. Store items out of sight but always within easy reach. Whether it’s on your floors, walls, dressers, counter tops or coffee table, minimize. Choose quality over quantity. Fewer knickknacks, special art only – be discriminating. It’s surprisingly liberating to live with less – and the look is stunning.

2. Choose earth colours. Bright colours stimulate while soft colours soothe. Decorate your home in neutrals, greys, beiges, dusty pastels and placid blues and greens. Go for harmony instead of contrast.

3. Create a reading nook. Reading steadies and nourishes the mind. Make it a priority! Allocate a space with a big comfy armchair and footstool, lots of natural lighting and a good lamp. Curl up and unwind.

4. Keep electronics out of site. We aren’t going to give up our TVs and computers, but why not attempt to give them less importance in our homes? Choose a secretary-styled desk and fold up the top to keep your laptop out of sight. Store your bedroom TV in a beautiful armoire.

5. Go soft on lighting. Glaring overhead lights can be irritating. For a softer approach, choose lamps for most rooms – and go with gentle, yellower bulbs versus harsh daylight bulbs. Of course, natural light is best. Keep windows exposed during the day and let the sunshine in.

6. Incorporate natural fabrics. Linen, cotton, wool and silk are naturally beautiful and comfortable. The look and feeling are perfect in a serene home. Whether in your linens, upholstery, draperies or rugs, choose natural. The aesthetic is just right.

Palisade Bedroom available at Stoney Creek Furniture

Palisade Bedroom available at Stoney Creek Furniture

7. Invest in transitional furniture with clean lines. Fussy doesn’t work in a serene home. Furniture should be simpler and less ornate with clean, beautiful lines. That doesn’t necessarily mean ultra modern – comfort and coziness are your top priorities. Choose timeless, quality classics.

8. Make a space to meditate. Not just for yoga enthusiasts! Create a quiet space with no distractions – a big comfy cushion on the floor and a candle in your bedroom may be all you need. Steal 5 minutes a day to go inward and unwind.

9. Add fire and water. Natural elements promote calmness. A natural fireplace is cozy and wonderfully restful. Likewise, water is incredibly restorative. The gentle flow of a fountain, in your home or garden, promotes a feeling of well-being.

10. Appeal to the senses. Add soothing scents to your home with oils or incense. Lavender is known for its calming effect; many people also enjoy the warm, soft smell of sandalwood. Green plants are another great addition. Not only are they visually beautiful, but they add oxygen to your space. No green thumb? Try low-maintenance cacti or succulents like aloe.

The new year is a great time to make positive life changes. Why not start with making your home a calming retreat at the end of the day … Be happy in 2015!

No Comments / Tags: , / Posted in Design tips

Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year for 2015: Guilford Green

December 26, 2014 by Stoney Creek Furniture

I must confess. I have a weakness for any shade of green, so I am especially happy with Benjamin Moore’s choice for 2015 Colour of the Year: Guilford Green (HC-116). There are many adjectives for this stunning colour – serene, silvery or sophisticated – but what is most outstanding about Guilford Green is its flexibility. This versatile green pairs perfectly with neutral to bold shades, so it’s easy to add it to your existing décor or to use it as the foundation for an exciting new colour scheme.

Guilford Green

Guilford Green – Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore.

Four Palettes: One Gorgeous Green

Benjamin Moore has suggested four colour schemes starring Guilford Green. Which is your favourite?

The Natural Look: GREENS. Monochromatic is so right with Guildford Green. Layer on shades of green for a subtle, natural look – from hunter green to pea green to silvery sage. Add some elements in citrus, taupes, creams and warm greys to accentuate the look. Hint: Works with almost any furniture finishes, but is perfect with rustic, bleached and distressed styling.

The Traditional Look: PLUMS. Contrast is always is exciting. Look for berries, cognacs, red/browns and purple for maximum drama – they are opposite to Guilford Green on the colour wheel. The green softens the opulent burgundies, creating a classy ambience. Hint: Dark woods, curved lines and traditional furniture are your best choices.

The Romantic Look: BLUSHES. Unabashedly feminine, this look is dreamy and elegant. Shades of pink, from palest pastel to salmon to soft candy work with sands, taupes and lightest grey for a chic pairing with Guilford Green. Hint: Charming with brushed metallic furniture, beige upholstery and cream/tan finishes.

The California Look: BLUES. Azure, indigo, light navy, even royal blue – all look beautiful against Guilford Green. Ideal for an open, airy space and modern décor, simplicity is paramount. Don’t add too much pattern, less is so much more. Hint: Pair with contemporary furniture – light woods and acrylics, for example.

More Ideas for Guilford Green. Look beyond wall paint for other ways to bring this colour to your space:

  • Trim. Guilford Green acts like a neutral, making it a spectacular choice for trim – baseboards, door facings, cornices – wherever you might use white.
  • Furniture. Resurrect an old chest, chair, bookcase or dresser by painting it Guilford Green. You may create a new focal piece!
  • Wallpaper. How about wallpaper that features Guilford Green? It would make a charming accent wall in a dining or family room.
  • Linens or Curtains. Again, the subtlety of Guilford Green gives it a neutral feeling with an extra punch. Consider if for bed linens, surrounding by beiges and gentle whites. A chiffon/sheer drape in Guilford Green would also be a stylish touch.
  • Hassock or Bench. An investment piece in Guilford Green may not be practical, but how about a hall bench or hassock? Buy your own fabric – you’d be surprised how easy it easy to re-upholster a smaller piece.

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

Introducing the Sunset Point Collection

December 19, 2014 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Sunset Point – what images does that name conjure up for you? I picture a lake, a warm summer evening, the sun setting on the horizon while relaxing at a charming cottage… Well, we can’t bring the summer, lake or cottage to you, but we can create that feeling in your home with beautiful furniture by Hooker Furniture. Hooker is the designer and manufacturer of the spectacularly gorgeous Sunset Point Collection. It’s decidedly casual and definitely stylish.

Sunset Point Collection coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

Sunset Point Collection coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

What I love best about Sunset Point is that nothing looks contrived or fussy. The pieces are elegant but carefree. They have a vintage feeling, as though they’ve been loved and enjoyed for decades. You know how some homes have an aura of utter simplicity and effortless chic? That’s the impression created by Sunset Point.

Three Finishes. Sunset Point pieces are available in three soft, organic cathedral white oak veneers, finished with a splash of colour. Hatteras White is an aged, relaxed washed white. St. John’s Blue brings the lake inside with a glow of palest aqua. Sea Oat is warm and informal, a light tan that’s comfortable mixing with other woods and painted finishes. More than just beautiful, Sunset Point utilizes an intensive 16-step finish process, including hand rubbing, for a smooth, rich finish that’s remarkably durable.

Bedroom, Dining Room, Living Room, Office. Sunset Point brings style throughout your home. The Collection includes lovingly crafted insets and detailing. It also offers quality behind the beauty. For example, all drawers have English or French dovetail construction, with full extension wood-on-wood or metal glide drawer systems for smooth operation.

Sunset Point Collection coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

Sunset Point Collection coming soon to Stoney Creek Furniture

Blend it. An entire home or cottage would be dreamy in Sunset Point, but perhaps one room is all you’re updating now. To make it match the rest of your home, lighten up on the accessories, upholstery and wall colours in adjacent rooms. Another lovely choice is to make a Sunset Point piece a focal point in a room and let it stand alone. This magnificent display chest with curved showcase is my pick. In a foyer, living room or just about anywhere, it’s the star of the show.

What works with this look? Sunset Point is best presented simply. Its soft and airy feeling suits a room that is equally light. How about an all-neutral palette with greys or creamy whites? Or perhaps bring the beauty of St. John’s Blue to your walls – or your ceiling? Soft golds and yellows will also work. The trick is to be gentle with colour – upholstery should look slightly worn or washed, curtains breezy and flowing, rugs in neutral jute or muted patterns. (White shutters are an excellent window option.)

Accessories. Again, less is more. Natural elements look perfect – like green plants, cut flowers, bowls of green apples and pears, even driftwood – bring the outside in. Objets d’art should also be light and carefree – beautiful pastel vases, white wicker and watercolour paintings. Mirrors, crystal and metallic also blend with Sunset Point, but choose laidback pieces to keep the mood informal and untailored.

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Decor, Furniture

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →