Sunday, August 14, 2016

Bachelor Chests Add an Antique Flair to the Bedroom

Whether you prefer mid-century modern, shabby chic, eclectic, traditional, industrial, or just about any other style – with perhaps the exception of minimalism – adding a piece of antique furniture will give any space an extra dash of style. For instance, when styled right bachelor chests can add a little antique flair to your bedroom.

You might be wondering what a bachelor chest is, and isn’t it the same thing as a nightstand or night table. Bachelor chests are defined as relatively low, small, and shallow chests with three or four drawers. Dating from the late 17th century, early models also included a hinged top that could fold out and make the chest a small writing desk. Although the term has come to mean any small chest, and they are often used as nightstands, the bachelor’s chest was originally a multi-use piece of furniture with just the right dimensions and functionality for a gentleman living in tiny bachelor quarters.

Bernhardt salon silver nightstand

Traditional Lines with Modern Style

You can find many pieces that will help you add some vintage or antique flair to your bedroom, but the bachelor chest’s size and functionality make it an ideal accent piece. It won’t overwhelm your overarching style and with so many to choose from, you are sure to find one that goes well with your existing design. The eclectic accents and traditional shape of the Salon Drawer Nightstand from Bernhardt make this chest the perfect addition to your bedroom décor. The traditional lines set off by the chic silver leaf finish give you a pleasing combination of traditional and modern. Minimal accessories such as a framed picture and metal reading lamp let the piece shine.
Hooker Furniture bachelors chest True Vintage

Completely Traditional and Functional

If you really want something more traditional, look for a chest that has dovetail drawers, a white-washed finish, and classic motifs. The aptly named True Vintage Bachelors Chest by Hooker gives you the best of both worlds with vintage appeal and modern convenience. Antique silver drawer pulls, a clip for your phone cord, and three plug outlets make it both functional and stylish. Vintage accessories such as white porcelain vases and silver trinket boxes really bring the style home.

Tommy Bahama bachelors chest tuckers point

Light and Tropical Blend

If you favor a casual, tropical style, you can still add a little antique flair to your bedroom. With its woven raffia drawer fronts and crisp white frame, the Tuckers Point Bachelors Chest by Tommy Bahama gives you a taste of the lush landscape and pastel homes found in Bermuda. Drawing on elements from Moroccan, British, and European design, this chest will easily blend in with your current décor. Brightly colored accessories and natural materials help create a harmonious design.

Stylish Storage

Traditional dressers and armoires are often considered essential for the bedroom, but bachelors chests can be a welcome twist on a familiar theme. If you already have a complete bedroom set, you can increase your bedroom’s style potential by mixing it up with a chest that draws on industrial influences, mixes metal and wood, includes vintage touches, or metallic finishes. It’s up to you, just keep in mind the wood stains and colors that are already prominent in your room to avoid clashing. You want your style to stand out – in a good way.

If you are looking for bachelors chests to add antique flair to your bedroom, visit the Baer’s Furniture showroom near you. You’re sure to find a piece that will add a little extra style and storage to your bedroom.

Congratulations to the new Baer's Furniture CEO Jerry Baer.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Tips for Choosing Patio Furniture

Choosing the right patio furniture will bring functionality and comfort to your outdoor space. A spacious table and comfortable chairs transforms your basic patio into a lush dining destination. Add a wicker sofa and rocking chair to a cozy porch and it will quickly become a second family room.

Check out the tips below for choosing the perfect patio furniture for your space. Careful planning will reward you with an enticing outdoor living space for years to come.

tommy-bahama-island-estate-fire-pit


Make a List

Determine how you will use your outdoor space and how you want it to function. Will you use it as a dining room when the weather is nice enough? Will you host dinner parties and birthday parties in this space? Or are you looking for a peaceful reading or journaling spot?

Write down everything you would like to do the outdoor space and let that guide you in determining the type of furniture you will need. For example, if the main use for your patio will be hosting casual evening cocktails, you probably won’t need a dining table. In this case, choose plenty of comfortable seating and a fire pit, such as the Island Estate Lanai Outdoor Gas Fire Pit from Tommy Bahama.

Take a Seat

When choosing chairs, be sure to sit in them before you buy them. Comfy outdoor furniture, just like the furniture in your living room, will be used often, unlike uninviting patio furniture, which may look good, but be lacking in comfort.

Go for Easy Care

An outdoor room shouldn’t add to your housework load, but give you a space to relax, so look for low-maintenance and durable outdoor furniture. Most metal, cedar, teak, and wicker furniture can take whatever nature throws at them. Furniture made of these materials will look good for years.

Color

You are not limited to the natural tone of the wood or the white, black or beige of wicker when purchasing outdoor furniture when purchasing furniture made of these materials. Color finishes are everywhere in the world of outdoor furniture. To stay in style longer, use bold splashes of color on the cushions and accent pieces so that your look won’t become quickly dated.
Baers-tommy-bahama-outdoor-furniture

Invest in Quality

The saying “you get what you pay for” is just as true for patio furniture as it is for anything else. Poor quality plastic resin chairs or side tables look good on the shelf and may stay looking good for a year or two, but sooner or later the sun will take its toll and they will become dull and brittle. The same is true for some wicker and wood pieces. Choose durable materials such as high quality wicker and rattan or the all-weather synthetic wicker used in the Island Estate Lanai Outdoor Wicker Lounger by Tommy Bahama. Shop carefully and check product reviews before making a purchase.

Look Underfoot

Ground your outdoor furniture by placing it on a weather proof rug. Advances in textiles have made many quick-drying outdoor rugs available. Soft, plush, and rich in texture, an outdoor rug will bring indoor comfort to your outdoor space.

Choose for Dual-Purpose Pieces

Make your furniture work harder. An ottoman can double as additional seating for your backyard bash and a simple bench can create seating for intimate conversations or used as additional seating at the dining table.

If you are creating an outdoor room for year-round entertaining, check out the entire Island Estate Lanai collection by Tommy Bahama at a Baer’s Furniture showroom near you. Find out more about the Women of Excellence meeting at Baer's Furniture in Melbourne, FL.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Checklist of Must-Have Home Accessories That Complete Your Look




Imagine this scenario: you’ve decorated a room that, once completed, seems to be missing something. You can’t put your finger on what it needs, but the room seems dull and impersonal despite your best attempts to make it a warm and inviting showcase for your personal style. Use this checklist as you finalize your room’s décor so that your space will have the polished, finished look you are trying to achieve. 

Texture

Done right an all-beige or all-white palette can feel fresh and new, however, it often seems lifeless and sterile. Bringing in texture with baskets, throw, pillows, and rugs adds interest and polish to a room’s design. If you have great pillows on your sofa, but you still think it looks uninviting, try adding a throw. The sleek lines of the Fontana Sofa by Lexington are complemented by the black and white geometric print on the throw pillows. The textured area rug adds another layer of interest and the smaller, botanical inspired print on the wing chair complete the look.
You can use the same technique in the bedroom by casually layering a throw at the end of the bed to tie the look together. Woven baskets that contain firewood, toys, books, or extra pillows can also add texture to a room while doing double duty as additional storage.

Books

Whether you add coffee tables books in the living room, fill the kitchen shelves with cookbooks, or store children’s books in the family room, using books as a design element will add a personal touch to your space. And not to worry if you don’t have built-in bookcases, there are plenty of unique and fanciful ways to display and store books. This doesn’t mean you need to be an avid reader or display a library full of books. Just consider them as beautiful objects to display that can help highlight items you want to showcase.


Something Black

Try adding something black to your room if it feels like it’s missing something. You can add piece of accent furniture, a chalkboard-painted sign, or a set of black picture frames. Adding black seems to bring cohesion and ground the space. The Carrera Topaz Hexagonal Accent Table is the perfect home accessory to bringing black into your living room. It adds modern appeal and interest to any room.

Personality

Your home should reflect you and your family’s personality, to highlight your family’s interests, hobbies, and travels by displaying accessories that tell those stories. Home accessories that tell your story make great conversation starters and add life to your room. Photographs are one way to do this, collections and souvenirs are another.

Something Living

Houseplants can liven up any space. For a low maintenance option, try some hardy, easy-to-grow succulents. Small trees can add life and height to a room. Fresh cut flowers are another option, and may last up to two weeks if properly cared for. A small flower arrangement on the coffee table or kitchen counter, or a houseplant near a sunny window makes a space feel like home.

For tips on how to make your house feel like home, make an appointment with a design professional today and take advantage of Baer’s Furniture’s free design service. Visit Baer’s Furniture on Houzz and browse through more the 38 projects for inspiration.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Make Your Home Office Professional and Practical So You Can Be Productive

Working from home can be exciting, it gives you an opportunity to design an office that is both comfortable and efficient. However, if your home office is too casual, or not separated effectively from your home environment, you may not be able to achieve peak productivity. While comfort is important, if your office is too relaxed, it can impede your ability to get stuff done.



The space where you set up your home office doesn’t have to be large, but ideally, it should be away from the other areas of your home. Consider converting a guest room that is only used once in a while or another seldom used area. Determine how the space can be converted into your office.

Office Furniture

The desk of your choice will need to support your laptop or desktop computer and other work-related items. This will probably be the place where you will spend most of your time. Explore the many desk options available, such as the Longboat Key Bal Harbour Desk by Sligh, that will help you keep your work organized. An organized desk is essential for keeping pending work in order, preventing the piles of paperwork scattered about, and maintaining productivity.

Privacy

It is impossible to work with constant distractions and interruptions. When setting up your home office, make sure you have the degree of privacy you need. Headphones can help isolate certain sounds, but you don’t want to have to wear headphones all day long. Portable screens can section off your work area from activities taking place nearby. Another option is bookcases that double as divider walls can help give you privacy and additional storage.

Concepts of Home Office Design

To make the space your own, make sure it reflects your personality and that you enjoy working in it. To do this, add a favorite photo or object that inspires you or calms you when you have a break in your work. These are the small touches that will make the space yours and yours alone.


If you are setting up a home office fit for productivity, visit a Baer’s Furniture showroom near you to find stylish and comfortable desks that will help keep you organized. Read about Baer’s Furniture in Furniture Today.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Everything You Need to Know about Hanging a Mirror

How many pieces of furniture have as many uses as a mirror? They can make small rooms seem larger, dark rooms seem lighter, and let you check your appearance as you head out the door. But before any of that happens, you have to get the mirror on the wall. Here's some expert advice on the best way to hang a mirror so that you can get it on the wall quickly and easily.

mirror-Baers-Crestaire-Stanley-Furniture

Before You Hang Your Mirror

It's important to know that not all mirrors are designed to be hung, some are leaners, such as the Crestaire Mid-Century Modern Silver Leaf Finish Palm Canyon Floor Mirror from Stanley Furniture. They are design to do just what the name implies, lean against a wall. They are generally large, full length mirrors and are perfect for bedrooms and living rooms. It should be noted on the back of the mirror, so be careful, because if you do decide the hang it and it breaks, the manufacturers warranty probably won't cover it. A cable wire across the back and a single nail or hook is insufficient when you want to safely hang a mirror. Instead, use the "D" hooks that can be found on the back side of the mirror. Each "D" hook needs its own hook on the wall. A general rule of thumb is to hang the mirror high on the wall tilting downward so that it will reflect more of the room.

How to Hang a Mirror

If you are hanging your mirror above the mantel, place it approximately 4 or 5 inches higher than the top of the mantel. You can go higher if your mirror's frame is especially thick to avoid having a dark shadow thrown over your decor. Bathrooms often have frameless mirrors mounted right on the wall above the sink. To enhance your bathroom decor, you can have a frame installed around the mirror – a much less expensive option than removing the mirror and starting over. If you are hanging your mirror on a surface such as glass, tile, or concrete be sure to use special drill bits and appropriate hardware for those surfaces. If you wish to hang a mirror on a door, a full-length mirror is a good choice. Position it so that it takes up as much space on the door as possible. Check to see if you have a solid core door or a hollow-core door. If your door is solid core, mirror clips can be used to hang the mirror, if it is hollow core, then you must use hollow-core anchors or molly bolts to secure the mirror.

mirror-baers-salon-sunburst-Bernhardt

Where to Hang a Mirror

There are many places to hang a mirror, but keep in mind that your mirror will reflect light, so if your living room has Southern exposure, and you want to take advantage of the afternoon light, you should place your mirror opposite the window. If you are hanging or leaning your mirror in the bedroom, where you may want more morning light, hang in next to a window. Mirrors can add drama to any room, but in the dining room they have maximum impact. The Salon Sunburst Oval Mirror by Bernhardt Furniture brings light into any space in your home. You can use a mirror to reflect light from a stunning chandelier, but be mindful of reflecting too much light into the room. Try using an antique mirror to diffuse the light and create a gentler mood. Another great place to hang a mirror is in the entry hall. It can be a beautiful accent to the space and also make it look brighter and larger.

Tips and Tricks

To highlight the space, a vertical mirror is the best option for a tall room, and a horizontally oriented mirror is best for a long room. Be wary of hanging a mirror on anything that moves a lot. And be careful if you want to hang a mirror above the bed, you should have a professional tackle that for you in order to ensure that the job is done safely.

For more tips and tricks on how to hang the perfect mirror, contact Baer's Furniture to find out about the FREE design service or check out our Pinterest Board.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Design an Elegant and Comfortable Dining Room

The dining room often feels like the most special room in the house. While many of us don’t use it every day, the dining room is where we gather to celebrate festive occasions and entertain close friends. But there’s no sense in creating a space in your home that rarely gets used. This special room deserves equally special treatment when it comes to design. Designing a space that feels special enough for a celebration and also functional enough for everyday life is not always an easy task.

wooden dining table set from Baer's Furniture

When planning your ideal space, it is essential to balance two important elements: comfort and elegance. Below are essential elements for creating a room that you can not only both entertain in and live with, but that you and your family will enjoy for years.

Anchor the Space with an Area Rug

The dining room table is the automatic focal point of this space. However, often the table can appear as if it is floating around in the space, so add an area rug for texture and color. Ideally, the rug should be 24 inches wider than the table on each side so that the chairs can slide out easily but not go over the edge.

In addition to anchoring your dining room the rug will help imbue a sense of comfort and warmth, particularly if you have wood floors. The extra softness make guests feel more comfortable. The rug can also protect your flooring from accidental spills.

Choose a Neutral Dinner Table

As mentioned above, the table is the automatic focal point of the room, and therefore probably the most important piece of furniture in the room. You may be tempted to choose a table that makes a statement, but before you do so, consider choosing a more neutral style so that it remains timeless as trends come and go. Choosing natural materials such as wood, glass or stone, let you change up the décor of the rest of the room whenever you wish.

The Beverly Glen Dining Table by Bernhardt does both. The table makes a statement with its bold fluting, figured walnut veneers top, and terrazzo brown finish. Its transitional style gives you a table that will stand the test of time and never appear outdated.

Dining Room Seating

The many styles, colors, and finishes make selecting a dining room chair a challenge. You want to seat your guests in comfort and keep the harmony of your room. It can be hard to match your chairs to your table unless you find a set that has all the pieces you need. The Beverly Glen arm chair presents a look of restrained extravagance with its tapered legs and scrolled back. The chairs classic shape and soft movement bring form and function into your dining room.

Mood Lighting

Lighting sets the stage for all your gatherings in the dining room, so make sure you’ve got enough and the right kind. Use track lighting to spread light throughout the space and recessed lights brighten the corners. Or use matching light fixtures or sconces placed evenly over the length of the table. Dimmer switches can help set the mood whether you are hosting an elegant dinner or just grabbing a snack.

It’s quite a task to create a dining room that is special enough for formal occasions and still functional enough to be used every day. But with the proper care and planning, this can be done. By carefully considering each purpose of the room, you’ll find you’ve got a dining room with the perfect mix of elegance and comfort.

If you’re looking for a comfortable yet elegant dining room, visit a nearby Baer’s Furniture showroom to see more of the Beverly Glen collection from Bernhardt.

Monday, June 6, 2016

How to Decorate an All (or Mostly) White Master Bedroom

Using white in interior design is a trend that doesn’t seem to be fading. If you like the crisp, clean feel of an all or mostly white room, here are some tips to bring this natural, beautiful into your bedroom with ease. The Miramont Collection from Bernhardt is an excellent example of how white can work in a master bedroom.

Spaces with a plethora of natural light are the best for using white effectively. When light streams through the windows and is diffused by sheer curtains, the room is flooded with visual softness that creates a comfy-cozy atmosphere.

If you ask an interior designer or an architect which color they think is the most beautiful in terms of light, and they’ll both probably answer white. And although white does present some challenges in proper cleaning, durability, and practicality, when used correctly, it can be breathtakingly bright and beautiful, and can make a room feel much taller or larger than it actually is.

All white bedroom from Baer's Furniture

Don’t Be Afraid of the White

Many homeowner shy away from white due to its propensity for showing every stain, blemish, spill, nick or smudge. If you want to use white practically and effectively, you must take into consideration how and where it is applied. It’s best to stick to lower-traffic areas, particularly if soft goods such as rugs and other textiles are the main element in your design. Master bedroom suites, guest rooms, sunrooms, libraries, or home offices are all great places to use all or mostly white designs.

If you love white rooms and want to use it in your great room, living rooms, entries or hallways or dining rooms—high-traffic, high-spill areas—you can do so by choosing easy to clean leather furniture. It may seem counterintuitive, but leather chairs and sofas are good choices for easy cleaning, spills wipe right off, and the wear and tear that comes with age adds character. If you find a white upholstered sofa that you love, be sure to invest in a protection plan that will protect it from spills.

A great example of an all-white designer space that is livable is the master bedroom featured above. With the Miramont Queen Bed from Bernhardt as the focal point, the room is layered with several shades of white that play with the abundant natural light in the space. Beginning with the mix of textures on the bed itself and moving to the use of white-on-white walls, carpet, and flooring, the room includes an equal measures of practical and pretty.

White rooms can feel stark, cold, impersonal, and even one-dimensional. To avoid this effect, layer various shades of white in numerous ways and use an assortment of materials and textures. In addition, combine different finishes such as eggshell paint or walls and ceilings, reflective or high-gloss on furniture, satin on flooring, as well as smooth finishes on accents or accessories.

100 Shades of White

Simply choosing the proper white seems simple, right? However, white comes in more than 100 different shades. Ultra-white induces a modern, purist effect, and is best for minimalist spaces. Beige-whites and yellow-whites work well for traditional rooms and purple-whites are feminine and can create a more formal feeling in the space. Also, blue-white is a popular choice for a calm, cool, and glamorous look.

Baer's Furniture is proud to offer complimentary interior design services. Check out our latest projects on the Baer's Furniture Houzz profile!