Author Archives: Admin

Dining Room Sets – The Family Meeting Place

Posted by Admin in Contemporary Furniture

Dining room sets are more than just a place to eat dinner for many families. They serve as desks for the kids to do there homework or and arts & crafts center as well as a place to hold family discussions. The dining room table is the scene of some of the most precious family memories from birthday cakes to Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. These days there seems to be endless options for selecting dining room furniture. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, color and material options. Around the 19th century dining room furniture took on a different look and feel to more comfortable and functional pieces. Prior to this dining room furniture was traditional were more for looking at than for comfort. Extremely ornate and complicated in design as well as not very comfortable.

Traditionally the dining room was a more formal setting reserved only for special meals while every day dining was relegated to a dinette in a eat in kitchen. The traces back to medieval times castles where the dining room was actually a Great Hall reserved for huge celebrations that included the entire population. No matter the setting over time it is easy to see the importance dining room sets have always played in creating memories.

How to choose your dining room set

Choosing dining room sets can be determined by many factors including budget, amount of required seating, size of room and the design style you wish for your dining area. If you have a smaller square room you will probably want to consider a square or round table. If the room is larger and more rectangle shape you may want to choose a rectangle shaped table to meet the flow of the room. Larger sized dining areas may look more finished with additional pieces such as a buffet hutch or china cabinet. If you are designing a formal dining room that will only be used for special occasions it would be fine to select higher maintenance fabrics and material because they will wear well over a long period of time. Every day dining room sets may work better by selecting lower maintenance materials that clean up easy.

When considering space allocation a couple common rules to consider are:

  • You should allow about 24″ of space for each table setting.
  • If placing other furniture pieces into your dining space you want to allow a minimum of 3′ between those pieces and your dining room table and chairs.
Here are some general rules for number of people that you can comfortably seat for different size tables.

Round Tables

36-48 inch round tables will comfortably seat 4 people.
60 inch round tables will comfortably seat 6 people.
72 inch round tables will comfortably seat 8 people.

Rectangular Tables

72 inch long will comfortably seat 6 people.
96 inch long will comfortably seat 8 people.
120 inch long will comfortably seat 10 people.

Materials for tables can range from wood to composite materials as well as granite tops and metal frame in all manner of shades and colors. Chairs can also range from wood to composite as well as metal frame. Keep in mind that cushioned fabric style dining chairs tend to lead to more lingering around the table and conversation which is well
suited for large family holiday gatherings. Once you decide on the design theme for your dining area it can be relatively easy to find a style, shade, color or material to fit that design style. You can pick a color scheme and then pick dining furniture to match or you can pick your furniture and build an entire theme room design around it.

There is no wrong way of building the look and feel of your dining room.
No matter you design style or budget, you will find that there are tons of dining room sets available to meet you needs. The great things about your dining room is that it does not matter how much or little you have to spend, some of the best memories you will create as a family will be right there around your dining room table. Now that you are armed with probably more information than you will ever Need about dining room furniture, it’s time to go out there and have fun picking out the new furniture so you can start
creating those memories.

Patinated Copper Sweeps New Kitchen and Bath Designs

Posted by Admin in Copper Tables

Step aside plain copper tiles and accents – the newest trend to sweep kitchen and bath design is the introduction of stunning, one-of-a-kind patinated copper pieces to the palette. That’s right – trendy homeowners can now stop fighting the fight against oxidation – that seemingly unavoidable process that takes your gleaming copper pots and pans from bronze beauties to dark brown or green duds. Instead, homeowners are embracing daring new copper creations that have been borne from a process known as applied patination – a special multi-step metalsmithing process practiced by skilled artisans.

Various chemicals are applied to the copper, as well as some heat processes, resulting in some of the most gorgeous colors you can see on copper. The effects of this patination process on metals can vary greatly, resulting in each piece being a one-on-a kind. Carefully applied to the artisan’s original design, patination naturally brings each piece to life. These skilled practitioners spend hours carefully guiding the oxidation process to result in swirls and curls, patterns and designs, all in rich hues that range from greens and blues to browns, reds, and gold.

Applied patination is also finding its way into trendy new furniture designs. Copper has always been a popular choice for table tops – whether it is traditionally smooth or hammered copper. But now, designers hoping to bring a little New England charm into a room are opting for patinated pieces. New bronze pieces with swirls of greens and blues are taking center stage. These works of art are takingly created over the course of many weeks to achieve just the right color tones, and once perfected, introduce character into any living space.Step aside plain copper tiles and accents – the newest trend to sweep kitchen and bath design is the introduction of stunning, one-of-a-kind patinated copper pieces to the palette. That’s right – trendy homeowners can now stop fighting the fight against oxidation – that seemingly unavoidable process that takes your gleaming copper pots and pans from bronze beauties to dark brown or green duds. Instead, homeowners are embracing daring new copper creations that have been borne from a process known as applied patination – a special multi-step metalsmithing process practiced by skilled artisans.

Various chemicals are applied to the copper, as well as some heat processes, resulting in some of the most gorgeous colors you can see on copper. The effects of this patination process on metals can vary greatly, resulting in each piece being a one-on-a kind. Carefully applied to the artisan’s original design, patination naturally brings each piece to life. These skilled practitioners spend hours carefully guiding the oxidation process to result in swirls and curls, patterns and designs, all in rich hues that range from greens and blues to browns, reds, and gold.

Applied patination is also finding its way into trendy new furniture designs. Copper has always been a popular choice for table tops – whether it is traditionally smooth or hammered copper. But now, designers hoping to bring a little New England charm into a room are opting for patinated pieces. New bronze pieces with swirls of greens and blues are taking center stage. These works of art are  takingly created over the course of many weeks to achieve just the right color tones, and once perfected, introduce character into any living space.

Southwest Mexican Rustic Home Decor Never Goes Out of Style

Posted by Admin in Mexican Home Decor

If you want a time-tested decor for your home, you can never go wrong with southwest Mexican rustic home decor. Southwest home decor makes any home feel warm and relaxing, whether you live in a desert area, the busy city suburbs or even in a tropical climate. It’s difficult to describe Mexican decor in just a few words. It’s neither fancy nor bland; neither elegant nor expensive. But it can make your home look and feel like a million!

Living Room with Southwestern Decor

For the living area, you’ll want to coordinate Mexican-style wall decor with the room colors and furnishings. Living rooms that are decorated “Mexican style” often have a rustic look and feel with dark-colored flooring and cream-colored walls. Hardwood flooring with Mexican rugs seem to go together perfectly. If your sofa and chairs have solid colors, accent them with a Mexican decor throw and pillows. Choose rustic wood end tables and decorate them with southwestern decor lamps and matching rustic sconce light covers at the entrances or to enhance your favorite wall painting. Add Talavera pottery to the corners of the room, tabletops, fireplace, or bookshelves. Choosing the right home decor for your home would be Talavera Ceramic Lamps .

Top Tips For Copper Hanging Lanterns

Posted by Admin in Copper Lighting

Copper hanging lanterns are used for a variety of reasons, the first and most obvious being for illumination purposes, but this is not the only reason. You might also like to be able to create a beautiful environment and set the atmosphere.

Hanging lanterns are often seen in hotels and restaurants as they are used as a focal point both indoors and outdoors. There are so many different styles and designs to choose from that there must be one to suit any area. The most suitable for you will depend largely on what area you intend to illuminate. For example, a bathroom or games room a smaller lantern would be most appropriate. 

In a patio or garden, you might want to use much larger lanterns to create more illumination. Used outside, lanterns provide you with a beautiful contrast between outside and inside, and can top off the perfect summers night. Copper hanging lanterns can be used to design a modern and contemporary or more traditional look depending on the pattern and style of lantern you choose.

As we mentioned, hanging lights are not just designed to light up an area but also enhance the atmosphere by creating different effects with the illumination. Copper hanging lanterns do not have to be difficult to install and are an easy and affordable way to add a little something special to the area you wish to illuminate. Don’t forget that hanging lanterns can be used inside or outside, making them the perfect addition to any special occasion. Choose the right Hammered Copper Switch Plates for your copper hanging lanterns.

The Magic of Light and Mirrors for Southwest and Mexican Rustic Decor

Posted by Admin in Tin & Mexican Mirrors

One of the most beautiful ways to enhance a southwest Mexican rustic decor is through the selection of complementary lighting and mirrors that use the punched tin technique. These accessories, carefully chosen and placed, can add a desirable glow and needed illumination to any room in the house. Using both lamps and mirrors of punched tin adds to the coherence of the decor.

For lighting, there are several punched tin options, from electric to candle-powered, for the various needs of the typical home, from candelabras for the dining room or hallways to accent pieces for the living room and bedrooms.

One of the most popular styles is the tin punched lantern, both for hanging and for setting on a table. You can choose from the well-known lantern shape, which can be hung or placed flat after inserting a candle, or the simple cylinder. Various patterns of punching can reflect our own particular theme, from suns to flowers to animals to abstract. Handmade and tooled by master craftsmen, tin star lights add a festive and memorable look whether used singly or in multiples.