How to Decorate a Smaller Home

Have you noticed the trend that single family homes are being built smaller than in the past? There are many reasons why this is so, but rather than focus on the "why" we want to answer the "how". As in , "how am I going to fit all my stuff in here?"

We've all heard the expression, less is more, which makes a good mantra when downsizing. Accept that you will need to let go of some items. Choose the most special and most functional items to keep. Offer items with sentimental value to others who may appreciate them.  Donate gently used items to charity. 

Once you have thinned out your items, it is time to figure out how to decorate the smaller home. Here are some tips:

• Leave open space and allow light to filter through. There is no need to fill every inch of space with furniture, pictures, or accent pieces. If the room is overfilled, it will feel smaller. Spread the items out and it gives the room a larger, more open feel.
• Choose simple window hangings. Large heavy draperies cut off light from entering the room and take up space.
• Look for streamlined furniture rather than oversized and bulky.
• Bright colors and bold patterns will do well in a room that is not overcrowded allowing your personality and style to come through.
• Reflective surfaces add the feeling of extra space as well. Mirrors, gold, silver, crystal are all good choices for accent pieces.

The expert designers at Marc Williams Furniture can help choose the best pieces, colors, and patterns to create a comfortable living space in a smaller sized home. Give us a call to set an appointment!

Which Colors Inspire You?

As warm weather turns cooler, we look forward to the bold colors of Autumn. People make pilgrimages to New England or take long drives in the country just to take in the magnificent view of color. The Fall season is a great time of year to be inspired by color and choose color themes for your home. 

Here are a few ways to find your color inspiration in your daily life:

• As we have already mentioned, just looking out your window or stepping out your door will soon provide you with a plethora of colors. Bring a collection of different colored leaves indoors and see which ones catch your eye most often.
• Take notice of the colors people around you are wearing and make a mental note of the ones you like.
• Color is everywhere. Rooms you enter, cars on the road, artwork, fabrics, foods. Take notice of it all. Soon you will see a pattern develop of the colors you gravitate towards most often. 
• Which colors do you move towards when you want to relax? When you need to be energized? When you need to focus and concentrate on tasks?

Noticing the colors around you and answering the above questions can help you choose colors for the functions of the different rooms in your home. The design experts at Marc Williams Furniture can help you create the perfect color oasis for your home!

Welcome Autumn Into Your Home!

As I am sitting here writing this blog, I feel a cool breeze flow through my open window and I am watching the leaves blow in the wind. The feeling of autumn envelopes me and has inspired me to share simple decorating tips to transition your home into the fall season.

It would be wonderful if we all had the time, patience, and resources to re-do the rooms in our homes with the change of each season. Short of changing the paint, flooring, and furniture, there are a number of simple ways to welcome autumn into your home. By adding some of these decorating touches, you will also be welcoming friends and family to enjoy autumn as well.

• Bring the colors of autumn to your front porch. A wreath in golden, earthy hues placed on the door brings your attention directly to it. With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, bales of hay and corn stalks can find a place on your porch or strategically placed in your front yard. Pumpkins, squash, and gourds in various colors and shapes add a nice touch as well. If you have furniture on your porch, consider placing cushions in autumn colors or throws on them.
• Use the natural fruits and vegetables of the season as a centerpiece for your table. Make a ring of gourds and place a bowl of different colored apples in the center. Place a coordinating tablecloth underneath. Consider introducing new dishes in autumn colors to complete the look on your table.
• Finally, the fireplace is back! The time has come to highlight the fireplace once again. Decorate with ribbons in earthy hues. The fireplace mantel is a great place for pictures of your family placed in wooden frames. Create pieces of art out of leaves, pinecones, and acorns to accompany the frames. 
• Break out the blankets. Have throws easily accessible by all informal seating areas. The throws can be heavier than the ones used in spring an summer just inviting you to kick off your shoes and snuggle in!
• Change curtains to slightly darker colors and heavier fabric to help create a feeling of warmth.
• Fill mason jars with candy corn for tasty treats. 
• Place pillar candles in warm colors around the rooms.
• Fill your home with the aroma of delicious comfort foods such as apple pie.

The change of seasons offers the opportunity to re-invent your home, even if just a little bit. Cooler weather means spending more time indoors. Create a warm, welcoming environment that you and your friends and family will look forward to spending time in.  Need ideas? Call Marc Williams Furniture and speak with one of our profession interior designers!

Choosing Artwork for Your Home

Choosing artwork for your home can be a fun and exciting task.  After all, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to art so this can be your chance to really show your personality! While the rules are flexible, here are some guidelines to bear in mind:

• The art in your home is an expression of you.  Choose styles and themes that you love and commit and to them. Take time to find pieces that you treasure.
• Consider your budget and plan accordingly. Perhaps begin with one or two expensive pieces and add on as your budget allows. 
• Consider the room you where the artwork will be placed. The living room may be a good choice for a bright and bold piece which calls for conversation while the bedroom calls for calming and soothing pieces to help guide you towards slumber.
• Think about the size of the room and the statement you wish the artwork to make. Will the painting be the main focal point? If so, a large piece prominently displayed will work well. If not,  take a look at what the main focal point is and choose a piece that compliments it well. 

Most importantly, have fun! Find pieces that create feelings of comfort, excitement, and happiness in YOU. Although you want your guests to enjoy the artwork, it is there for you to enjoy on a daily basis. Have questions?  Call Marc Williams Furniture and speak with one of our designers!

Interior Design Tips for Painting Your Home

One way to create an entirely new feel in a room is by simply painting it. The same color for all four walls and a white ceiling is one to go, but Marc Williams Furniture has some tips and techniques to help make your room unique!

• Tired of white ceilings? Try painting it lavender! The color will give the perception of the sky when you come in from outside. If you have dark walls, a white ceiling will make it appear lower. Instead, try painting the ceiling the color as well.
• Do you have white floors? If so, try painting the underside of your furniture red. The light from the floor will reflect the color creating a reddish cast.
• One time you might want a white ceiling is if you have a long, narrow hallway.  In this case, try painting the walls a dak color, including the baseboards and molding, then paint the floor and ceiling white. Light will be reflected from the floor and ceiling so the hallway will not be so dark.
• If you aim to make your ceiling look higher, try painting it the same color as the walls, but in a glossier sheen.
• The Behr Paint "Eight Foor Rule": If your room is less than eight feet high, paint the ceiling a shade or two lighter than your wall color.  If your room is higher than eight feet, paint the ceiling two shades darker than the wall color.

Marc Williams Furniture can help you discover countless interior design tips to use in your home.  Call us to help design your one of a kind home!

Share Your Vision with an Ideabook!

You want to create a room and you have a vision in mind, but how do you convey that vision to the architect, interior designer, etc.? One way is to create an "ideabook" on houzz.com. Marc Williams Interiors is proud to be listed as a professional on houzz.com and we would like to share the benefits of creating an ideabook.

• Why create an ideabook?  Instead of tearing pages out of magazines, pictures can be uploaded to your customizable ideabook. This is an easy and effective way to share your thoughts with the designers as well as friends and family. 
• Once a picture is selected, the ideabook provides space where you can write why you like the picture.
• You can post a picture to the message boards and receive feedback or answers to your questions.
• Create multiple ideabooks.  
• Embed your ideabook to your personal site or blog.
• Upload your own pictures to your design book.
• Email your ideabook to family and friends.

The ideabook is just one tool to help your vision come to life.  Be sure to share your ideabook with Marc Williams Furniture!

Furnish for Comfort

Once every two years family and friends fill up the family room to watch the Olympic Games. For over 2 weeks, family members spend more time together in one room than usual.  Take advantage of the common interest and decorate your family room to encourage more frequent gatherings.


Plenty of comfortable seating is the key to bringing family together to watch t.v. When placing sofa and chairs, plan for optimal views of the t.v. screen.  Sit on each section of the sofa and on each chair to determine if the angle allows for comfortable t.v. viewing.

Arrange coffee tables and side tables so that they can provide plenty of room to place snacks and drinks. Place large pillows or ottomans around the tables to offer extra seating.


Choose seating with comfortable cushions and add throw pillows for extra comfort.  As everyone has different temperatures they are comfortable at, keep the temperature on the cooler side, but have throw blankets within easy reach so family and friends can add a layer of warmth if needed. 


Create an environment that invites people to feel relaxed and comfortable and you just might find they come back more often for some quality family time!


Marc Williams Furniture wishes the Olympic athletes best wishes in the 2012 games!

And the Color of the Year Is....

Pantone LLC is known as the world-renowned authority on color and each year they determine which color will be the Color of the Year.

Tangerine Tango has been chosen as the color of 2012. It can be seen everywhere from makeup, clothing, and accessories to furniture. "Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

So how should you introduce such a vibrant color into your home?  Here are some of Pantone's suggestions:

• Use patterned home accessories such as pillows, bedspreads, and tabletop accessories.
• Incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances or personal electronics for an extra pop of color.
• Paint an accent wall in Tangerine Tango.

Tangerine Tango can make an especially bright splash of summer colors in a beach home in the Hamptons or on Fire Island. Call Marc Williams Furniture for help bringing Tangerine Tango into your home design. 

Create the Feeling of More Space in a Small Bathroom

There is one room in our homes which serves a multitude of functions yet is often the smallest of the rooms.  Yes, we are talking about the bathroom.  Often, the room is shared by two or more people and is expected to accommodate everyone's needs and hold everyone's supplies.  While adding actual space may be unrealistic, there are ways to create the feeling of additional space.

• Cool soft colors create the illusion of space.

• Pedestal or wall mounted sinks will add the feeling of open space in comparison to a vanity cabinet which takes up a large amount of bathroom real estate.

• Utilize strategically placed shelves to make up for the loss of the vanity.

• Corner cabinets or shelving can provide storage space while using less space than a typical vanity cabinet.

• Lights!  Lights!  Lights!  Recessed lighting or wall sconces will brighten the room to give a more airy feel.  

• Limit the furniture and wall hangings to only those pieces needed for function or comfort.

If you are looking for ways to create more space in your home, Marc Williams Furniture design experts can help! 

Houseplants!

Flowers and plants can make a yard beautiful and inviting to relax in.  But you don't have to leave them to the outdoors!  Houseplants can brighten up the inside of your home as well.

There are many different ways to introduce plant life into your home.  Marc Williams Furniture offers these suggestions:

• Container Gardens - This is a great way to add a touch of your personality to the plants.  Choose baskets, planters, ceramic containers in shapes, sizes, and colors to match both the room and your taste.

•  Herb Garden - Beauty and function can be served well with an herb garden in your kitchen. Place on a window sill that faces east, west, or south for best results.

• Bathroom Garden - This room is often overlooked when it comes to plant life, but what a beautiful addition it can make!  Choose plants that do well in humid environments.

• Vertical Garden - Want help breaking up bare walls or directing a rooms traffic flow?  Use tall and spreading plants.  Trailing plants can be situated on high surfaces to catch the eye and make the room feel taller.

Whichever indoor garden you choose, be sure to read the labels on the plants to ensure you choose the best location for it to thrive.

High Point Market Funrniture Show Introduces New Trends!

Marc Williams Furniture had the pleasure of attending the spring High Point Market biannual furniture show in North Carolina. We were inspired by new industry trends and are excited to share our ideas with our customers!

The old chesterfield sofa has been revived and displayed in neutrals to reflect today's trends.

Now this is under bed storage!

Yet another innovative bed ...

Luxurious comfort!

Beautiful example of the trend in tufting.

Come visit our showroom.  We would love to discuss our fabulous finds and share our inspirations!

Decorating With Allergies in Mind

Itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and sneezing are abundant this time of year.  People who suffer from allergies tend to hide indoors during the springtime in an effort to find some relief.  So the question becomes, how should you decorate to help reduce allergy symptoms?

Marc Williams Furniture has done the research for you!  We have scoured through articles written by allergy specialists, doctors from the Mayo Clinic, and more.  Here's what they say:

• No knick knacks!  Ok, maybe a few, but limit them to a few favorites.  Knick knacks are wonderful dust collectors and they catch allergens such as dander and pollen too.

•  Leather is the way to go.  Upholstered furniture will trap allergens.  If you have severe allergens, you may want to completely avoid upholstery, but for mild to moderate allergies frequent vacuuming should be sufficient.

• Say no to carpets! Again, mild allergy sufferers may be fine with carpeting as long they vacuum frequently and change the vacuum bag after each use.

• Hardwood floors have nowhere for allergens to hide and are easy to clean which makes them a great choice for allergy sufferers.  Smooth stone such as highly polished marble or granite is another good choice. Porcelain and ceramic tile are also good, but be sure the grout between the tiles is kept in good repair to avoid trapping moisture and allergens.

• Window treatments hold allergens as well so consider fabric, ruffles, and styles here as well.  Again, proper and frequent cleaning can help.

All of us at Marc Williams Furniture hope these tips help you have a comfortable and happy spring!

Tips for Displaying Items on a Shelf

Spring is a beautiful time of year most of us look forward to.  We enjoy the longer days and the warmer weather and some of us even enjoy the spring cleaning.  The fun part for us here at Marc Williams Furniture is the re-organizing and re-decorating after the cleaning is complete. Spring is a great time to change the items you display in your home. Here are some tips on how to display items on a shelf or in a cabinet.

Start with a clean slate. Remove all the items currently on the shelf or in the cabinet as it is easier to envision the new display when the space is empty. Decide if you will replace all of the items or just a chosen few. There is no need to display everything you have at one time.  Choose the items that have the most meaning to you.  If you have many, consider rotating the items a few times per year.

 The color of the back wall of the shelf or cabinet is an important factor in deciding what to display.  If the wall is dark, you will want to display light colors and if the wall is light, you will want to display dark colors. You may want to paint the back wall or use wallpaper or a mirror to help your items be more visible.

If you have a collection that you would like to display, group the items together. Be sure to leave some empty space so that each piece can be fully appreciated.

Consider the room the display will be in.  A traditional room typically calls for a symmetrical design whereas an asymmetrical design can look nice in a contemporary room.  Try to bring the colors of the room into the display as well.


Displaying treasures on a shelf or in a cabinet allows you to bring your personality into the room and helps make the house a home.

Regular Cleaning Care For Your Furniture

Some people love it; some people dread it. Spring Cleaning. The words evoke feelings of cleansing and fresh starts as well as hard labor.  Yet, most of us have formed some type of spring cleaning routine we submit to annually.

 For some, spring cleaning means removing clutter and organizing their home.  For others, spring cleaning means cleaning out flower beds, cleaning gutters, and preparing the lawn for the hot summer months.  Less often, spring cleaning means caring for furniture.

Most likely, you took great care and time choosing the pieces of furniture for your home. To some extent, they are an extension of your personality and are instrumental in completing the feel of your home.  The financial investment you made in the furniture is worth it because it plays an important role in your daily life and you expect the pieces to last for a very long time.  Ironically, most people do not take proper care of their furniture.  If you want your car to function well for many years, you provide regular care and maintenance for it.  The same holds true for your furniture, especially since it is usually expected to last longer than your car.

Spring cleaning time offers a built in reminder to provide some general maintenance care to your furniture. Care instructions typically come with the furniture and should be followed for the best results, but Marc Williams Furniture would like to offer some general care guidelines for you to follow.

Solid wood furniture should be cleaned with a soft lint free cotton cloth dampened with water or furniture polish following the pattern of the grain. This will help remove the build up of grease, lint and dust that can get ground into or soften the finish. Use a quality furniture polish on the cleaned surface.

It is important to know what type of leather furniture you have in order to properly care for it. Aniline and Aniline Plus leather should be cleaned with a soft cloth and vacuumed with a soft brush extension. Rub the leather down with a cleaning solutions to preserve the quality of the leather.   Nubuck leather is more likely to stain and fade.  Using a Nubuck cleaner will help the leather resist natural body oils, liquid spills, perspiration and maintain the velvet/suede texture.  Remove spills immediately and dust regularly.

Most furniture companies will provide standardized cleaning codes and instructions which list the preferred spot cleaning method for upholstery.  They are as follows:

S: Clean the fabric sparingly with a dry cleaning solvent that's water free.  Test for color fastness, use sparingly.

W: Clean fabric with a water based solution, such as a mild detergent and water or foam upholstery cleaner.  Avoid overwetting.

WS:  Depending on stain, use a water based solution, dry-cleaning solvent or upholstery shampoo.

X:  Fabric should be professionally cleaned only.  Vacuum or brush lightly to remove any accumulation of dust, dirt and debris.  Do not use cleaning solvents or water based products on fabric.

Take care of your furniture and it will provide you with many years of comfort and enjoyment.

Understanding the Language of Molding

Moulding and trim can add a beautiful finishing touch to any room. From costly and ornate to inexpensive and simple, nowadays the choices are vast.  Marc Williams Furniture would like to help you as you consider all of the options before you.  Here is a brief guide to the terminology you will encounter.

Baseboard:  The baseboards of a home are from 3 to 12 inches high where the wall meets the floor.  These are effective in hiding flooring with uneven edges and will help protect the walls from scuffs.

Wainscoting:  Wainscoting will be 36 to 54 inches high. Paneling is applied to the lower portion of the wall for decoration and to protect the wall from scuffs.  Often, wainscoting is topped with a chair rail.

Chair Rail:  Typically this will be a wooden moulding placed at the height of a chair back used to protect the wall from scuffs from furniture.

Cornice or Crown Moulding: Cornice is placed where the wall meets the ceiling.


Door and Window Casing:  Trim around a door or window is called casing.

Moulding and trim come in various materials such as hardwood, pine, fir, or polyurethane foam.  They can be prefinished and ready to install or may require staining or painting.  Some may be a simple so it yourself installation while others require the expertise of a professional.

Whichever you choose,  moulding or trim can be a beautiful way to complete the look of your room.

Color Ceiling or White Ceiling?

Choosing a color scheme for a room is an important decision.  Homeowners spend a great amount of time looking at color samples for their walls and fabric samples for their furniture, but often overlook their ceiling.  Many assume that the best color choice for their ceiling is always white. This is not always the case, so we here at Marc Williams Furniture would like to explain the benefits of white ceilings and scenarios when you may like to try adding a bit of color up above.

In a previous blog, we discussed how color affects mood. White will reflect colors and help a room feel larger and brighter. White is used to represent purity, elegance and sophistication. White ceilings can help create spatial continuity as well as add to a clean look. Or perhaps, a white ceiling can soften a bold color on the walls.

A step in the direction towards color on the ceiling is to mix 25% - 50% of the wall color in with white paint for the ceiling.  But why should you consider painting the ceiling it's very own color?  To add some fun or contrast to the room.

A white ceiling in a room painted in very light hues, may have an unfinished look.  Add a color to the ceiling and it adds contrast to make finished look.  The color choice of the ceiling may be an accent color in the flooring or upholstery and work to tie the room together.  Ceilings can also be painted a pattern to add some whimsy and variation. Some people love color and want color to touch as much of a room as possible.  Ceilings, the "fifth" wall, can certainly be a part of that! 

So next time you are laying down on the couch or relaxing in bed, look up and imagine the colors you would like to see.

Tips for an Inviting Bedroom

Valentine's Day is just one day of the year, but the entire month of February often conjures thoughts of love and romance. We here at Marc Williams Furniture would like to take this opportunity to share some tips on creating an inviting bedroom.

The bedroom is a very personal space and one of the most important spaces within a home.  The bedroom has an effect on your mood upon waking and upon falling asleep.  The room should convey your personality along with warmth, comfort, and intimacy to help elicit good feelings.

There is a saying, "a cluttered room is a cluttered mind."  The bedroom should be an area free of clutter so that you may truly relax. Try to limit the objects brought into the room to just the necessities.  Have decorative storage space to keep your items organized.  For example, keep a basket by your bed to store some books or magazines. 

Choose lighting which will provide a soft glow rather than harsh overhead lights.  Use table lamps or floor lamps.  Using a dimmer will allow a soft glow when wanted and brighter light when needed.  Of course, candles are always romantic and inviting.  Be creative when choosing the holders and go easy on the scented candles.

Candles are inviting not only because of the soft glow they produce, but if desired, can add a beautiful scent as well.  Fresh cut flowers also bring beauty and a natural fragrance into the room.  Be careful not to overwhelm the senses by combining too many scents.

Plush and fluffy bedding can coax you to snuggle in.  Layer two comforters to create an extra plush space and help the bed look lived in and luxurious.  A number of soft pillows can complete the feel of comfort as long they do not take too much space.


Your bedroom should reflect your idea of comfort and intimacy.  We hope these tips help you create a space you want to escape to when life becomes too hectic or stressful.   

Ideas To Add Style To Your Super Bowl Party

The NY Giants are heading to the Super Bowl on February 5th and New Yorker's will be heading to Super Bowl parties all over the state.  Most of these parties will provide folding chairs for extra seating, paper plates to eat from, and decorations bought at Party City.  While these parties can feel laid back and casual, if you are looking to host a party with a bit more style and flair, Marc Williams Furniture has some suggestions.

Extra seating is often a challenge when entertaining.  You want all of your guests to be comfortable, nit just those lucky enough to land a spot on the sofa.  Instead of placing folding chairs around your living room, why not place square poofs in viewing distance of the t.v.  The poofs can be used as seating, ottomans, or place a tray on top and it becomes a table.  X-Benches are another versatile seating option. They can be used as seating or tables as well.  Woven floor chairs are another comfortable option for seating and can be stacked to raise your guest higher off the floor.  Cover with a blanket to add warmth if you'd like. These may all be used around your home after the party and brought out the next time you need extra seating.  If you still need more seating and are looking for chairs that can be stored away after the party, try directors chairs instead of regular folding chairs. 

Style can also be added to your decorations.  Think vintage.  Collect vintage football memorabilia to place around your living room.  Gather photos of famous Super Bowl game scenes, blow them up to poster size and put up in your entryway and living room.  The living room is not the only room your guests will be in.  Choose small items from your vintage memorabilia to place in the bathroom, kitchen, and entryway.

Hopefully these ideas can help spark even more unique ideas and help make your Super Bowl party the one that will be remembered!

How Does Color Affect Mood?

Choosing a color scheme when decorating the interior of your home is an important decision. Color helps to set the mood of the room so understanding the psychology of color is helpful in decorating.  Marc Williams Furniture would like to offer some understanding of color and as well as guidelines to follow in your decorating.

Color elicits strong moods, feelings, and emotions in people.  A persons relationship with color can be very personal and affected by life experiences.  However, there are some generalizations which can be made.  Bear in mind that these generalizations may differ among cultures.

Let's begin with the color black.  Unlike other colors which reflect light, black will absorb light which may make a room feel overbearing.  In western culture, black is often used to represent evil powers such as villains or death.  Black is also used to represent power and authority as in the top executive who drives a black Mercedes. Sophistication can be stated by hosting a black tie affair.  The color black is often used to highlight architectural details or furniture.  Black will stand out against light or neutral colors.

On to the opposite of black; the color white.  White will reflect colors and help a room feel larger and brighter. White is used to represent purity, elegance and sophistication.  Be careful however, because bright white on it's own can be too stark.  A solution is to layer different tones of white in order to soften the appearance.

The color blue is a popular color.  Blue makes people feel a sense of calmness and serenity and has been shown to lower pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Blue is also a "cool" color. Blue may be used to make a person feel cooler in a hot, sunny room or conversely feel colder in an already cool room.   Office space is often decorated in a blue color scheme as people tend to be more productive in a blue environment.

Red is a powerful color which evokes strong emotions.  Red is associated with the feeling of love, warmth, and comfort as well as danger, excitement, and intensity.  A vibrant, bright red may be overwhelming whereas a muted, earthy shade may be comforting.  Well designed, red can create a passionate, loving environment.

Think of nature and you will undoubtedly think of the color green.  People find green calming and reassuring. Research has even found the color green can help relieve stress and help heal as well as improve reading ability. A good tip for decorating with green is to combine more than one shade or combine with other complimentary colors.

Another color of nature  is brown.  Brown evokes feelings of strength, reliability, stability as well as makes us feel reassured and safe. Brown can add warmth and depth to a room.

Use this information to help you choose the color palette for the room you are decorating.  Think of the activities which will take place in the room and the feeling you want to elicit.  Understanding the connection between color and mood will help you create the atmosphere you desire.