Category Archives: Interior Tips

Make Your Bedroom Look Good with Rustic Dresser

A good dresser can not only help you with storage in the bedroom but you can also use it as a design accent. Picking the right dresser for your bedroom is not difficult. But you need to consider your requirements as well as the room’s dimensions for selecting the perfect item.

There are a number of styles you can choose when it comes to a dresser for your bedroom. But there is something about rustic dressers that complements any bedroom style and design with remarkable ease.

Consider these tips to make your bedroom look good with a rustic dresser.

A Storage Solution

A small dresser with wide drawers can offer better storage than a tall dresser with narrow drawers. So, consider this aspect when looking for a new dresser. If space in your bedroom is limited, it can be difficult to find a dresser than can fit well and also offer proper storage.

Tall dressers may be able to fit into tight spaces but they don’t offer much in terms of storage and they are also difficult to use as decorating accents. If this is the case with you, you can work with a custom furniture designer to create the right rustic dresser for you. You can then customize its design as you wish.

The right size of the drawer is the first step in making your bedroom accentuate with its placement.

Design tips:

You can use the top of a medium-sized dresser to store beautiful knick-knacks or even other utility items (more storage!).

You can place an antique mirror on the wall just over your rustic dresser. A carved wooden box or even a jewelry stand with crystal strings can complete the look. Antique metal plates, wood accents, and a vintage lamp are other ideas to use on short, wide, or even medium-sized dressers.

You can use the space to place items of different heights to create design layers.

A Tale of Two Dressers

There is no rule that says you can’t use two dressers in a room. If you have a large bedroom, two dressers on different sides can do wonders to balance the entire space. You can use one in lieu of a nightstand and the second one by a corner near the tall mirror. You can also use two dressers of different sizes to create a balanced yet layered look in the room.

You can even use both in one corner right next to each other with a tiny space in the middle.

Design tips:

Rustic furniture complements other natural materials really well. Use the space between the dressers to place a tall plant in a metal or marble planter. You can use top of one dresser to create a space for photos and another for additional storage.

If you are using the dresser as a nightstand then a lamp, picture frames, and space for your night-time essentials can keep the top of the dresser neat but also well-utilized.

The Thing about Cozy Corners

Rustic dressers are perfect to create cozy corners in the bedroom. If space is a constraint in your bedroom, use a dresser to create an overall cozy space instead of just one isolated corner. Rustic furniture is ideal to add a sense of warmth to any room. You can create sung but beautiful spaces with the right dresser placement.

Design tips:

For small bedrooms, you can use a dresser, a bed, and a chair to develop your own comfortable space. Use the dresser in front or by the side of the bed. If there is extra space on either side of your bed then you can use this space to add an extra dresser. For small bedrooms, dressers can offer much relief in terms of your storage needs. The rustic design will add extra layers of warmth. Use a chair or a planter in rest of the space just for some extra oomph.

For larger spaces, dedicate an entire side to create a comfy corner. You can use the dresser to place a lamp and book. Throw in a comfortable chair and a rug and your own personal nook is ready.

Zinc Shelf – What You Must Know Before Buying Them

Shelves and countertops made form metal have been in rave for quite some time. Of the different materials available, zinc is a popular choice for residential as well as commercial needs. They offer many benefits, but before you invest in them, here are a couple of things to know, so that you can decide if they’re really suited for your needs.

Zinc shelves have a changing appearance

The shelf that you install in your kitchen or prep room does not look the same always. The metal reacts with the different substances that it comes in contact with, lending a different appearance every time. Also, the location in which it is placed has a role to play in the appearance of the zinc shelf. One that is installed in an outdoor kitchen near an ocean will look way different from a shelf that is installed in a climate-controlled, heavily used restaurant bar.  In a typical residential kitchen, spots appear within the first few weeks of use. Eventually, these spots overlap to form a mottled charcoal look. Furthermore, this changes from one kitchen to another depending on the frequency of cleaning, minerals in the water, and type of use. In a commercial restaurant or bar, which is prone to heavier use and more frequent cleaning, the zinc shelves look like they’ve been in there for ages, even when used for a week or two. These shelves, when used in an outdoor area like near an ocean, react with the salty air to develop a white, oxidized coating on their surface. The coating gets wiped away easily with heavy use and frequent cleaning in hospitality settings. When used in drier air, such as in a rocky outdoor mountain bar, the zinc surface ages with class and natural beauty. Whatever the location be, zinc shelves feature a dynamic finish that is ever changing.

The metal can incorporate varied finishes

The surface of the metal can be finished in different ways to suit different aesthetics. Popular among these are the Non-Directional Matte finish, Dark Patina, and Aged Mottled Patina. The Non-Directional Matte finish is the most popular kind as it allows the metal to adapt to its environment quickly, and react once in use. Many zinc shelves can also be designed with patinas and colors as per user requirements. The finish thus developed in an additional step that mimics what happens naturally. However, even after patination or coloring, the metal continues to react to its environment to present a unique look every time.

Zinc shelves are safe to use

Zinc is a naturally occurring element, which is critical to human health. It can be found in many foods and multivitamins, and is generally safe and non-toxic, unless consumed in high doses. Zinc is generally a good choice of long-lasting surface material in home or hospitality projects. When used in shelves, the may be prone to scratches or marring, which usually remains unnoticeable. Though Zinc is safe for use, it is ideal to choose a different surface material for food preparation or food storage needs. This keeps the shelf in good condition for longer, and is better in daily use.

A little care goes a long way

Zinc is a reactive metal by nature, and anything from finger prints to acidic liquids, or even cleaning agents can leave spots in its surface. A fully clean zinc shelf can show spots and form a patina, which changes with time. Polishing helps remove such spots, but they re-appear with time and use. So, it is best recommended to let the shelf develop a natural patina based on its use, and opt for cleaning techniques that are suited to your household or business. A soft cloth and mild soap are recommended for daily cleaning. Scrubs or abrasive sponges may be used occasionally. It is best to avoid using cleaners that contain ammonia, bleach or citric acid. Spray cleaners and commercial soaps may darken the zinc surface, so they need to be tested before use. Unsightly spots can be removed with metal polishes, but it is not recommended to maintain a polished surface when using zinc shelves, as this can be tricky to do on a daily basis.

Great Reasons to Buy House of Seagull Lighting

Seagull Lighting is a brand that has carved a niche for itself in the lighting fixtures industry. Seagull lighting chandeliers, pendants, wall and bath lights, recessed lighting, and many other products are a favorite among homeowners, interior decorators, and so on. Take a look at why buying light fixtures from this brand is a great idea.

Lighting that Combines Function with Decoration

Seagull Lighting leads with their ability to produce a record number of decorative and functional lighting products that influence the marketplace. These fixtures are renowned for their high quality and trusted by professionals from around the world such as homebuilders, architects, electricians, consumers, and so on.

LED And Energy Star Rated Products

Over 2000 products offered by Seagull Lighting are energy star rated. An almost equal number of lighting fixtures and associated products carry LED bulbs as their light source. This feature of Seagull illumination products is a boon to consumers who are wary of the environmental impact of their choices. Such certified products dissipate lesser energy and heat, contributing a more energy-efficient world, and one that is eco-friendly. In addition to these, many product carry California Title 24 certification, are ADA compliant, and have damp and wet ratings as needed for its functioning. The decorative LED fixtures mimic the performance attributes of traditional incandescent lamps, but at a non-premium cost that is way more affordable than those of LEDs in the past.

Myriads of Styles and Finishes

The interior design and décor theme has a huge bearing on the aesthetics of a home. Light fixtures that are incorporated for illumination purposes need to blend in with the theme that the home or any of its rooms carry. For this reason, Seagull Lighting offers light fixtures across four different styles, namely Traditional, Transitional, Modern, and Contemporary. Each style is characterized by distinctive features, which make them appropriate for homes designed around similar themes. Traditional features classic and timeless designs. Contemporary features new-age, minimalist aesthetics. Transitional picks up from Traditional and gives it a refined twist to fit into homes with crossover or blended themes. Modern reflect urbane sensibilities that are sophisticated yet elegant. Giving life to each of these styles is the finishes on the lighting fixtures. In a choice of Brass, Bronze, Silver, Solid Colors, and White, and Others, the fixtures by Seagull Lighting blend in seamlessly with the design and décor elements in different homes.

Diverse Indoor and Outdoor Lighting

The brand offers an extensive and impeccable range of home lighting products that fit into any indoor or outdoor space seamlessly. The offering is spread across different kinds of light fixtures such as Seagull pendant lights, chandeliers, wall and bath scones, vanity lights, recessed lights, mount lights, landscape lights, post lights, wall lanterns, and so on. In a myriad of sizes, these lights cater to general, task, and accent lighting needs in every nook and corner of the house.  From single bulb fixtures to those with sixteen or even eighteen bulbs, Seagull lighting fixtures have them. These products are also designed into collections, which draw inspiration from different objects, places etc. and translate them into design features that reflect through all light fixtures that are part of a certain collection. This makes it possible for you to decorate and illuminate your abode with uniformity and fluidity.

Other Product Offerings

In addition to regular light fixtures for indoor and outdoor spaces, Seagull also offers ceiling fans with inbuilt lamping, as well as recessed lights, address and signage lights, spotlights, and under cabinet lighting. This makes the product offering by the brand truly versatile. In addition to these, Seagull also bring sits consumers control units, LED tapes, components etc., which come of use when installing light fixtures or replacing them.

Seagull Lighting consolidates its position in the industry as a leader with almost 100 years of service. The strong relationships that they have built amongst channel partners, builders, contractors and homeowners have helped them earn a reputation of being among the very best.

Five Reasons Why People Like Troy Lighting

# 1 – An array of lighting products under one roof

The illumination needs in an abode are many. This may be general or ambient lighting that brightens up spaces, task lighting which caters to activities that need focused illumination, or accent lighting that enhances the appearance of the space. Your lighting may be limited to a particular category or combine some or all of them. In such cases, it makes sense to shop under one roof for the multiple products that you need full. Exactly why Troy Lighting makes sense. Their range of lighting solutions includes products for use in interior as well as exterior areas of the house. From ostentatious Troy Lighting chandeliers to simple pendant lights, wall sconces that cast a warm glow, vanity lights, post mounts, bath sconces etc., the brand offers them all.

# 2 – Different styles for different themes

Modern day homes are built around many different themes. To cater to such needs, Troy Lighting has developed lighting fixtures around different styles. The Classic style remains in vogue no matter what trends come and go. The aesthetic of this style never loses its appeal, and remains timeless, featuring details such as candelabras, faceted crystals, and so on. The Vintage style draws inspiration from the past and imbues it with a new edge. Light fixtures of this kind display form and style, and material of days gone by, while providing idyllic look and function suitable in modern times. The industrial style harps on turn of the century warehouses and components used in the industrial era, to illustrate a sense of simplicity. In this style, bare bulbs, clean lines, and pure metals like steel or iron marry well with modern improvements. The modern style is innovative and exciting. It is characterized by fluid design, simplistic styling and geometric flair, along with a touch of artistic aesthetics, which stimulates the senses while standing on its own. In addition to these, Troy Lighting offers chandeliers, wall mounts, flush mounts etc. in Rustic, Natural Inspiration, and Urban Loft styles.

# 3 – High quality products

Yet another feature that sets Troy Lighting apart is their product quality. The brand utilizes only the best raw materials picked through extensive, thoughtful sourcing. They attractive and robust materials such as iron and steel, glass and textiles, and so on, are selected by discerning specialists from a group of experienced suppliers. They also consistently look out for new and unexplored resources to bring the exceptional to the table. The rich catalogue of interior and exterior lighting products by Troy Lighting showcase these diverse set of high-end materials, while adding to permutations and combinations in customization.

# 4 – Hand worked artistry

Troy Lighting is a brand that explores the capabilities of human craftsmanship with a strong emphasis on hand worked artistry. The master craftsmen and smiths bend, forge, and weld raw materials into impeccable light fixtures, displaying a profound knowledge of the materials they work with, and an unwavering attention to detail and uniqueness. Combined with precision, distinct know-how, and creative ideas, these craftsmen give Troy Lighting fixtures their exclusivity, with individual products exemplifying the capabilities of the human hand.

# 5 – Lighting products that boast of an unmatched legacy

Troy Lighting is a brand that has been in the industry for over 50 years. Their products have transcended time and redefined workmanship to create strikingly eclectic and sophisticated casual lighting fixtures marked by their unique human sensibility, design, and functionality. The team at the California-based headquarters comprises of not just industry leader but also industry disruptors who dismiss trends and mechanistic perfection of fully automated manufacturing to give humanistic lighting the place it truly deserves. The products by Troy Lighting are their testimony to a reinstated focus on the consumer, and of products that draw connections and elicit emotions.

Things You Need to Know about Franz Hermle Clocks

Franz Hermle is a name that any clock aficionado will recognize easily. There is always a fascination attached to companies that began in interesting time periods and evolved to become leaders in their business category. Franz Hermle has been known to make quality clocks that have stood the test of time for close to a century now.

Here are some things to know about Franz Hermle clocks.

  • Franz Hermle founded the company in the year 1922 just as Germany was recovering from the devastation of the WWI. He had a vision to manufacture quality clocks that would be known for quality mechanisms and craftsmanship. Till date Hermle clocks are known for their innovations in design and superb mechanical works. Whether you buy Hermle clock online or receive it as a gift, you can rest assured that you have a quality item in your possession.
  • When the company started, it was based in southern Germany (in the black forest area). The company expanded to North America in 1977 with a manufacturing unit in the USA. In 2002, the Amherst-based manufacturing plant had been developed so much that the company was able to expand its reach into direct retailing. At present, you can buy any type of Hermle clock online easily. There are many authorized dealerships of Hermle clocks that not only sell the items but also offer excellent customer service.
  • The company has been growing since its inception. There has not been any year of stagnancy. The company has moved forward with its ideals and vision into a new century but has stuck to its values of quality and innovation. The company has expanded its product range to include accessories such as dials and pendulums.
  • Franz Hermle takes technology seriously. The company ensures that they invest in the right technology in terms of manufacturing capabilities and also for excellence in customer service. At the heart of this love for technology is not only growth of the company but also a genuine effort to maximize employee efficiency and minimize their stress. The right technology and tools also enables them to keep the customers happy.
  • Franz Hermle clocks are known for precision in mechanical movements that is yet unmatched in the industry. It is also the largest manufacturer in the world for quartz and mechanical movements as well as automated parts.
  • Hermle clocks are available in a variety of styles and designs. You can buy floor clocks in different sizes and designs from the brand. Then there is a great selection of wall, tabletop, and mantel clocks. You can find traditional clocks as well as contemporary designs to suit modern homes.
  • Currently, there are 500 (and counting) technicians and designers working with the company to produce millions of clocks every year. These craftsmen work tirelessly to create designs that are groundbreaking in terms of aesthetics and mechanical details. The company constantly strives to produce designs that break the traditional mold of clocks. When you can think of only bulky Hermle grandfather clocks, the company brings to market slimmer floor clocks ideal for urban homes.
  • For the clock body, mainly wood and brass are used. For mechanical movements, brass is the preferred material at Franz Hermle. Turning parts for Hermle clocks are made with any quality raw material available locally.
  • Each lot size is fairly contained to keep some aura of exclusivity. The company also manufactures special edition clocks from time to time.
  • Going by its propensity for advancement, innovation, and values; the company leadership began to think of environment-friendly ways to product the clocks. The company has been thinking of various ways to minimize industrial waste and reduce its use of natural resources. One of the measures has been to update its design software for more efficiency. It allows them to produce clocks with minimal amount of wood wastage. The leadership also took steps to recycle sawdust through a company that can use it to make wood pellets. Wood pellets are used in furnaces and wood stoves as an alternate fuel source.

Interesting, isn’t it? It is now easy to bring home a masterpiece as you can buy Hermle clocks online through authorized dealerships.