Decorating Your Home in Farmhouse Style

With the popularity of the HGTV show Fixer Upper, decorating in farmhouse style has become a very popular trend these days. If you love natural, hardy materials and vintage-inspired accessories, this style of interior design could be right for you. Here are some tips for decorating your home in farmhouse style.

  • Matchy-matchy is a no-no: The key to creating a farmhouse look is to make it appear as though the room has evolved over time, even if you bought everything on the same day. All furniture items and accessories should incorporate different materials and be of varying styles. This creates the charm so characteristic of farmhouse style.
  • All the right materials in all the right places: While you can always bend the rules, especially with the eclectic farmhouse style, aim to incorporate wood floors, sliding barn doors, butcher block countertops, painted wood tables, vintage metal and wicker chairs, soft slip-covered sofas, and copper and brass fixtures in your farmhouse style home.
  • Texture, texture everywhere: The cozy, laidback feel of this interior design style is owed in part to the high level of texture. Wood plank or beadboard walls, exposed ceiling beams, open shelving, weathered wood finishes, and vintage textiles like wicker and burlap add graininess and depth to the room. This is exactly what you want when decorating in the farmhouse style.
  • Vintage accessories galore: Do you have some antique family

    heirlooms? Display them on floor-to-ceiling shelving to add instant farmhouse character and texture. Even if you don’t have heirlooms, you can shop for vintage accessories to incorporate into your home. Look for antique lamps and light fixtures, old barcarts to display books and tea towels, vintage apple-picking ladders you can convert into bookshelves, and a charming armoire to use as a pantry in your kitchen.

Decorating your home in farmhouse style is a process that may not be possible to complete in one day. Collecting a diverse mix of antique and antique-inspired décor takes time.

As your home design evolves into the farmhouse style, be sure to stop by Smith Village Home Furnishings to help you create the look you’re going for. Our Farmhouse Collection has gorgeous TV consoles and hutches for your living room, and many of our other furniture collections have assorted pieces for other rooms in your home. Check us out in person or online, or call us today at 717-200-2018 for more information about what we offer!

Creating an Outdoor Room

When the weather starts to warm up, do you crave outdoor living? If your backyard currently leaves much to be desired, follow these tips for creating an outdoor room just in time for spring.

  • Choose the right furniture. You want to be equally as comfortable outside as you are inside your home. To accomplish this, you must choose your patio furniture carefully. Look for a combination of comfort and durability with weather-treated wicker and wood, quick-draining cushions, mildew-resistant pillows, and upholstery that won’t fade in the sun.
  • Provide some shade. To make your outdoor room more comfortable, make sure you have a covered area to retreat towhen it’s hot or raining. You might build a Southern-style porch, install a retractable awning, erect a pergola or canopy, or set up a cantilevered umbrella. The chance to relax in the shade helps you make the most of your outdoor room.
  • Incorporate a heating option. When you want to extend thebackyard fun into early spring and late fall, you need a way to keep warm. Your options include setting up a gas patio heater or putting in an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Whichever you choose, this source of heat and light is sure to be the centerpiece of your outdoor room.
  • Remember lighting. A roaring outdoor fireplace might not provide enough light for backyard parties after dark. From tabletop lanterns to wall sconces to lights hanging from the trees, you can create whatever aesthetic you want with versatile outdoor lighting options.
  • Consider your flooring. The options range from concrete patios to wood decks to stone pavers. For covered porches, you can even lay down an all-weather rug for greater comfort underfoot. Remember, the material you choose changes the aesthetics and maintenance requirements of the space.
  • Address privacy concerns. Spending time outdoors doesn’t mean you must put up with your neighbor’s prying eyes. Create privacy with walls, fences, hedgerows, trees, vine-covered trellises, curtains, screens and more.
  • Decorate your outdoor room. Once you’ve added all the practical elements, it’s time to think about decorations. A fountain, pond or other water feature could add the tranquility required to use your outdoor room as a meditation space. Potted plants are also a must for softening hard edges, defining borders and adding life to your outdoor living space.

As you strive to create the perfect outdoor room this spring, be sure to visit Smith Village Home Furnishings for the patio furniture you’re looking for. We have outdoor dining tables, chairs, chaises, sectionals, heaters, fire pit tables, umbrellas and much more! Check us out in person or online, or call us today at 717-200-2018 for more information about what we offer.

2018 Home Design Trends

Does your home design feel a little bit blah? Are you looking for ways to freshen up your décor, and bring your interior design up to date? A new year is a great time to try out some new trends, and according to the experts, 2018 is bringing some exciting trends you’re definitely going to want to embrace.

  • Color palettes are growing deeper and richer. Jewel tones are a big deal this year, with deep purples, greens and blues creating plenty of drama. Don’t want to go too dark? Millennial Pink has been the go-to pastel for a while, and in 2018 it’s joined by
    Best Home Furnishings Karla chair.

    lavender and lilac, for a soothing atmosphere. How you choose to use color is up to you, because while high contrast and bold geometric patterns are popular looks this year, tone on tone is also huge. Just don’t choose to paint only one wall in a room; the top decorators say accent walls are passé in 2018. The new trend with similar impact? Statement ceilings.

  • Words on the walls are a trend of the past. There, we said it. For the past few years, quotable words have been everywhere: on walls, canvases, boards, throw pillows, and more. In 2018, it’s time to get a little less literal, and express ourselves more artistically. Instead of a favorite word art, choose actual art, perhaps from a local artist. If you’re not quite ready to give up signage altogether, look for vintage wall signs, or other meaningful vintage items, repurposed as artwork.

    Orchid in glass jar by K & K Interiors.
  • Bring nature indoors this year. Natural materials are big, whether it’s wood or natural fibers. The greenest trend, though, is indoor plants. Hanging plants, potted plants, herb gardens, micro-greens, and succulents: name a plant, and someone has probably incorporated it into their 2018 home design. Why? Plants are a beautiful and relatively inexpensive way to decorate, and they’re the ultimate green accessory, providing cleaner air as well as aesthetic appeal. Don’t feel you’re up to the task of keeping houseplants alive? Incorporating driftwood, cut flowers, and stones into your design will allow you to embrace the trend without taking on the responsibility.
  • 2018 designs have weight to them. Forget all-white kitchens, shabby chic, and open cabinets. This year, the cabinetry is weighty, the designs are colorful, and the chic look is Boho. Plush velvets, rich textures, wallpaper-inspired backsplashes, and colorful bowls and accessories make for bold but playful statements in interior décor.
  • Accent stool with white faux fur.

    Copper and brass are the go-to metals for 2018. Forget brushed nickel and stainless steel. Today’s look is warmer, whether it’s fixtures, faucets, or embellishments. Copper and brass are a great match for all those warm jewel tones and weighty designs.

When you’re ready to bring your home design into 2018, Smith Village Home Furnishings has bedroom, living room, and dining room furniture to suit your style and your budget.  A family-owned business for more than 80 years, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with top quality furnishings at the lowest possible prices. We even have a design center, where you can play around with furniture and fabric to find the looks that are perfect for you. Visit us online to view our current stock or call us at (717) 428-1921 for more information!

5 Swaps to Put Your Home in a Holiday Mood

The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to get in the holiday mood! A great place to start is your home, and even if you’re not ready to haul out the holly, decorate the tree, or light the menorah, there are some simple swaps you can make that will have your family feeling that holiday spirit. The best news? The changes we’re talking about require very little effort or expense.

  • Toss in some new throw pillows. No matter which holiday you celebrate, it’s easy to find pillows that match your traditions and fit your style. From whimsical to ornate, they’re everywhere this time of year, and can turn your furniture into a holiday display.

 

 

  • Make your bathroom a winter wonderland.                                          It’s simple as can be to switch out towels, bathmats, and even the shower curtain to go with your holiday theme. Want to go the extra mile? Switch your usual soap with a whimsical holiday-themed or elegant metallic  dispenser. If you keep a scent diffuser in your bathroom, you can easily change it to match the rest of the room.
  • Holiday up your kitchen. Just about every store you visit this time of year has their own spin on holiday dish towels, potholders, and more. If you’re able, it’s also a nice touch to hang up some kitchen linens that have been handed down through your family. You’ll feel nostalgic and cozy every time you see your grandmother’s fingertip towel, or your great-aunt’s potholders. On the table, a simple centerpiece can change the mood, turning it to all things holiday, even if it’s as simple as a potted poinsettia.
  • Make things merry with candles. Candles soothe and delight, whether they’re for a religious purpose or simply to create a warmer ambience. They don’t even have to be holiday themed! Simple tapers are an elegant and attractive addition to any centerpiece or holiday display.
  • Switch up your scents. Nothing triggers warm memories of the holidays like certain scents. Whether you use scented candles, oil diffusers, or even strategically placed cinnamon brooms, choose scents that take you back to happy childhood memories, and you’ll find you’re in a holiday mood.

Ready for a change in your décor that’s a little more substantial than linens and pillows? Smith Village Home Furnishings has bedroom, living room, and dining room furniture to suit your style and your budget.  A family-owned business for more than 80 years, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with top quality furnishings at the lowest possible prices. Visit us online to view our current stock or call us at (717) 428-1921 for more information!

Mixing Metallics for a Seasonal Update

What says “holiday season” more than a healthy dose of sparkle and shine? A little bit of blingy décor can make any home feel more festive, and make everyone feel more like celebrating. The best news? Metallic home décor is a hot trend right now, so if you choose wisely, you’ll be able to hang onto that shine even after the holidays are over. No matter what your style of décor, you can find metallics to mix with your existing pieces and brighten the look of your home.

Continue reading Mixing Metallics for a Seasonal Update

2017 Décor Trends to Liven Up Your Living Room

Classically Contemporary
Rustic traditional pieces and sleek modern edges have been favorites for the past several years. While these two styles seem as if they’d always be opposing forces, designers today are finding ways to artfully blend classic and contemporary tastes. Choosing antiques no longer requires you to design an entire space around one time period. Instead, use older furniture or artwork as the centerpiece of an otherwise modern living room. Continue reading 2017 Décor Trends to Liven Up Your Living Room

How To Choose A Mattress Based On Your Sleeping Style

Many people put off buying a new mattress because they know it can be an exhausting shopping experience, and they realize they will have to live with their decision for a while. With so many mattress brands, models, sizes, prices and features available, how are you supposed to know exactly what you want or need? The truth is that what works for one person may not be the best option for someone else. Read on for some helpful hints. Continue reading How To Choose A Mattress Based On Your Sleeping Style