Blog Archives - Dream House Furniture·Interior Design·Frederick, MD·American Leather·CR Laine

Why Resist!?

We walk you through the top four reasons you may be hesitant to buy new upholstery furniture and offer ways to ensure you get the best item for your space without the worry.

COST

The cost of new upholstery furniture can be a significant investment. As with many big purchases or projects, we believe there are areas to splurge and save. If your budget is restrictive, splurging on your main upholstery seating is the way to go. Our two American-made upholstery companies are made to last; they are not throw-away pieces. With frames guaranteed for life, cleanable fabric options, and excellent quality, choosing upholstery that lasts is a money-saver in the long run and is a more sustainable option.

DURABILITY

You may hesitate to purchase new upholstery furniture due to concerns about durability and wear. It is understandable to fear furniture will not hold up, especially with children, pets, or frequent entertaining. We sell upholstery frames that are solid and well-made, and to prove it, the frames have a warranty for life! Longevity is a huge proponent we assess when pairing fabrics on frames while considering your needs and comfort. We proudly sell upholstery we stand behind. We believe quality and craftsmanship are just as important as style.

STYLE

There are many different furniture styles, but popular retailers tend to carry a similar look (or whatever is trendy) that may not align with your style. At Dream House, we proudly showcase eclectic styles, with pieces ranging from contemporary to traditional, farmhouse to beachy, and more. Our upholstery and case good lines offer myriad styles, finishes, shapes, and configurations. Additional styles are available beyond what is on our floor -giving you the flexibility to choose what works for your home.

COMFORT

Comfort is a critical consideration when purchasing new upholstery furniture! You may hesitate to buy furniture if you are unsure about comfort and want to try out an item before committing. Having a storefront is a huge advantage. The number of times Dream House customers have shared their regrets about buying upholstery online – let’s just say we know! That’s why we encourage you to find a frame in-store to test out various seat firmnesses to maximize comfort. Even if a style is not on our floor, there is a good chance another piece has a similar feel, eliminating any hesitation about buying.

Blog, Featured

This New Room Reflects Trends That Will Stay Stylish

We have seen a lighter and softer design trend in the past year. Customers want to update their spaces by using lighter colors and textures instead of rich deep colors. Grey is still popular, but it has a much softer and warmer cast.

While designing this room, the client knew she would paint the walls a light, warm grey. Her stone fireplace had light grey and warmer shades. The floor was also more grey than red or yellow, and it became our color palette for the spaces. If the floor had been an orange or red tone, I would have pulled those colors into the scheme.

“Everything is my favorite. The light color palette that we chose is so timeless and feels really cozy against the darker flooring and stone in the fireplace. It feels and looks so comfortable and inviting. Also, the unique features on the actual pieces we picked – such as the tufted ottoman, spools on the chairs, and even the lines of the couch give it interest and character.” —Home Owner

Softer shades are echoed in the rugs -textured rugs, tone-on-tone rugs, natural rugs -all working together to tie in the colors and add interest to the lighter color scheme. This year, we have seen fewer traditional oriental rugs and more rugs with a softer look, whether it’s a beige or grey-ish shade or a combination of both. Current popular rugs have a traditional design but in very soft muted colors.

Furniture also tends to be lighter and features different textures and smaller designs. Textured or patterned pillows and art add interest and color to these soft-toned rooms.

I love these new trends in design and how my client’s home turned out. The space is soft and comfortable, and I feel it will be current and stylish for a long time.

~Wendy

Blog, Featured, Musings

How We Help You Avoid ‘Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda’

‘Putting the cart before the horse’ is a commonly used idiom referring to doing things in the incorrect order or getting ahead of yourself before you have thoroughly thought something through. Well, at Dream House, we like the phrase, ‘don’t put the drywall up before the Designer’. Never heard of that term? We coined it. The heart of this message is our tried and true advice – you should bring in an Interior Designer on a new-build project before you have the drywall installed because it’s much harder to make changes once the project is that far along.

What are the top ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ comments our clients make when they tell us about a project they did without design help?

Fixture Placement – not just lighting, but outlets, light switches, etc. There’s nothing worse than having a gorgeous new home and thinking, “Well how am I going to access that light switch if I want drapes? Why didn’t I think about lighting for my built-in? Why isn’t there an outlet where I need it to be?”

Small But Important Details – like the fireplace, accent walls, or other architectural details. With so many decisions to make, it is important to think each of them through. Bringing in a Design professional (who’s only focus is to make your interior perfect for you) will ensure that trained eyes comb through the details so you don’t have costly and time consuming change orders.

Finishes – with so many different choices, it’s hard to make sure all your selections point to the overall design direction. It’s easy to get lost along the way. Our Designers don’t get bogged down with personal styles, we simply focus on your look and how to best achieve it. From cabinets and countertops to light fixtures and doorknobs – leave no detail undesigned.

Furniture – last but not least! We are seeing more and more clients on new projects, planning and ordering their furniture in the early phases of design and build, so everything is move-in ready when the home is complete.

We specialize in thoughtful, long-lasting design that takes both style and function into account. From turnkey design to one room, we offer furniture, accessories, lighting, window coverings, rugs, and more. Email or call us to schedule a Design Consultation.

Blog, Featured, Musings

Our Top Recommended Design Trends for 2021

Colorful, Coordinated Kitchen Appliances

Samsung has designed a new line of innovative, functional, and infinitely customizable kitchen appliances called Bespoke. Imagine a kitchen with color coordinating microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Partnering with Benjamin Moore, their design will eventually bring over 4,000 color options to homeowners. To start, Samsung only offers its customizable refrigerator in the US. We will have to wait a bit longer for all of the appliance options.

Wallpaper is Booming

The popularity of wallpaper has been growing steadily, and it’s about to boom. Nothing can convey style and texture better than wallpaper. Bring color, pattern, and presence into your home through this incredibly versatile medium. Its benefits include durability and longevity. And it’s cost-effective in the long run.

Warmer Colors are Coming for Grey

Grey is still the most popular neutral, but earthy hues like rich, warm yellows, oranges, and browns are making their way into homes. Not only are these colors a great alternative, but they play off a neutral pallet beautifully. Our upholstery partners have beautifully incorporated these fantastic warm-toned textiles into their lines this season.

Hello, Home Office

Home offices are a reality so why not make them a focal point? The temporary transfer to home has become a more permanent position for many so embrace the creative. While an office space has certain non-negotiable criteria, leave traditional office decor in the building, and design a space that meets or even rivals the rest of your home.

Design trends tend to come and go (some more quickly than others). We are experts at understanding your look and professionally work to steer you toward a direction you will enjoy for years and years to come. Be it trendy or classic, eclectic, or monotone. Our goal as designers is to create spaces that reflect the narrative you want to tell while allowing flexibility to incorporate new trends or a growing household. Our philosophy is to create spaces that are loved by our clients and enhance their lives. It’s as simple as that.

Blog, Featured, Musings

Dream House is featured in this month’s Frederick Lifestyle!

Check out our design tips for dressing up your home for the holidays!

From Frederick Lifestyle: Dressing up your home for the holidays is a bit like dressing yourself for a holiday get together. Adding a sparkling necklace or shiny earrings can really brighten up your look. Similarly, bringing in a mirrored tray or mercury glass candle holders will enhance the festive mood. Mary Beutler of Dream House Furniture and Design in Frederick says, “Additionally when decorating your home for the holidays, keep in mind these key design principles.” READ MORE»

Blog, Featured

Top 5 Designer Recommended Things Your Home Needs in 2020

We can all admit that this year has not panned out to be what we hoped and dreamed the new year and decade would bring. Amid the curveballs thrown, we are adjusting – perhaps resituating to balance our mostly at home life, to make it enjoyable and meaningful. The more time spent at home, the more of an oasis and haven it becomes. So what are some Designer recommended pieces that should be a staple in your home as we continue to settle into this new phase?

1. Home Office

For many, working from home is no longer temporary, but has evolved into a more permanent situation. Your home office can and should feel like a place you look forward to going to every morning. A place where you are organized, energized, and even revitalized. We have several gorgeous desks, comfy chairs, and lots of wallpaper, lamps, and accessories to take your office to the next level.

2. Sleeper Sofa

As we look to travel without previous restraints, we are seeing people host family and friends for more extended periods of time. Give your family and friends the feeling of their own bed without having to give away a whole bedroom. Our Comfort Sleepers come in chairs, sofas, and sectionals so your “guestroom” can be anywhere.

3. Outdoor Furniture

Spending time outside has become essential now that we find our indoor activities limited. The second-best sofa to invest in, is the one outside. If you are looking for a dining set, sofas, chairs, poufs, or outdoor rugs, we’ve got it… It is so worth it to have nice seating outdoors. We love adding string lights, lanterns, and planters to create a welcoming paradise.

4. Reading Chair

Reading, napping, working, really this chair should allow you to do everything in it. We have so many great options – our top picks being the Comfort Air Chair by American Leather (imagine floating on a cloud) or the Comfort Recliner also by American Leather. Because sitting is such a personal experience, we show our favorite styles on the floor for you to test for yourself, don’t just take our word for it!

5. Plants

Green thumb or no, greenery of any kind is a definite mood booster. Find yourself a succulent, vine, or fig tree and pair it with the perfect pot or basket. Make a gorgeous arrangement to hang on your front porch or a wreath. We’ve got something for everyone, and if all else fails, go faux! Take your plants indoors or outside with our versatile collections.

Blog, Musings

Family and Pet-friendly Furniture

One comment we hear every day in the store is, “I can’t get a sofa, I have kids and pets.” We are happy to inform you that the world of upholstery has expanded and improved, and it’s really exciting!

Years ago, when we first started working in the furniture industry, the fabrics for durability were Olefin and Herculon. They were ugly, uncomfortable, and rough. If you wanted something that would wear, they were your only options. Yuk.

Happily, over the past few years, we have seen a big change in the fabrics offered. There is no reason to wait to buy upholstery when there are now so many options available. American Leather and CR Laine, the two upholstery companies we carry, offer a variety of family and pet-friendly fabrics. Names like Sunbrella (originally made for outdoor cushions), Crypton, Sustain, and Revolution have been added to the fabric selections for both companies. These fabrics are not only extremely durable and easy to clean, but they also feel soft and are comfortable! Even a pale color sofa could be an option.

The next time you’re ready to replace an old sofa, but feel you have to wait because of children and pets, come to Dream House and explore the new fabrics. By purchasing a quality sofa frame and a quality durable fabric, your sofa should last for a long time!

~Wendy

Blog, Musings

A Shelf Styling Guide

Bookshelves, new or old, pose the same design dilemma: how do you find a balance between practical, sentimental, and decorative items to make the perfect eye-appealing display? It is a daunting task, but we have a few tips to get your shelves in beautiful order.

The first step is to assess what you need on the shelves. They often have to hold many books, some decorative pieces, and a few functional items that don’t look great displayed (like coasters, remotes, etc.). Once you decide what has to be on the shelves (this is a great opportunity to declutter), your journey begins.

Some of our shelf staples:

Faux Plants

Faux Plant by Kalalou found at Dream House

Bookends

Bookends by Cyan found at Dream House

Coordinating picture frames

Picture Frame by Dekorayson found at Dream House

A decorative object

Urchins by Global Views found at Dream House

A box or basket

Styled by Mary

Begin by assembling your shelves with the necessities. Mix in our “staples” with what you already have. Books can be stacked upright, sideways, piled, or even placed backward. One tip for a book-heavy shelf is to break them up! By grouping books and changing their orientation, it helps a shelf look staged and adds decor value. Make sure to space out any plants or pictures. You don’t want a whole shelf to feel like it is devoted to a certain item. Skipping shelves and zig-zagging placement from one to the next helps them look organic.

Shelf by Studio A

We wish you well on your shelf-designing projects! If you have any questions or want some help, please stop by, email, message, or call us! We’d love to see your pictures, and we love to help accessorize, so come by and see what’s new!

Blog, Musings

2020 Trends

New year, new trends and we are loving some of what’s forecasted! We’ve already jumped on board with these favorites:

Here are more trends we know will be great:
Rooms Painted From Head to Toe
Rattan and Wicker Furniture
Bold Wallpapers for Powder Rooms

Looking for more “In” and “Out” predictions?
Read the list of 50 predictions for 2020 here»

Blog, Featured, Musings

Dream House Holiday Recipes

Find festive and pretty tableware at Dream House to show off all your favorite holiday treats this season. Not sure what to make? We share some of our favorite recipes below…

Cheesecake

—Miriam Rosenthal

This family recipe is always on our holiday table. Simple. Classic. Delicious.—Cassie

Ingredients

Filling
(3) 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
(4) eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
A squeeze of lemon juice or 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained, added at end of mixing.

Crust
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham crackers or vanilla wafers

Topping
1-pint sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Combine all filling ingredients and beat in an electric mixer for 10-12 minutes.
Use butter to grease cheesecake pan and melt the rest to combine with ground graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
Pour mixture into a cheesecake form and pack firmly with a small bowl to make a firm crust. Add filling.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
(Cheesecake is ready when the center does not jiggle, but take it out before it cracks.)
Cool for 10 minutes. Combine sour cream with with 1 tsp. vanilla and spoon on top.
Bake 6 minutes at 475 degrees. Refrigerate. (Preferably made the day before serving.)

Ginger Short Bread

l make these delicious treats for friends and family every year and they are a huge hit! —Wendy

Ingredients
1 cup butter softened
2/3 cups sugar
2 tsp ground crystallized ginger
2 cups Flour

Mix butter, ginger, and sugar until creamy
Add flour (The dough will be crumbly.)
Press into a 9 x 12 glass pan 1/2” thick
Take a knife and score into equal bite-size pieces.
Bake at 325 for 32-35 minutes until edges are golden brown
Cut along score marks as soon as it comes out of the oven wiping knife as you go.
Cool. (Can be stored in a plastic container up to 2 weeks.)

Bread Arugula Salad

This dish has become a big winner for my family around the holidays, and it easily transforms into a vegetarian-friendly option. —Mary

Ingredients

8 ounces slightly stale open-crumbed, chewy, peasant-style bread (not sourdough)
6 tablespoons to 8 tablespoons mild-tasting olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 pinch salt and freshly cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons pine nuts
2 to 3 garlic cloves, slivered
1/4 cup slivered scallions (about 4 scallions)
1 tablespoon dried cranberries
2 tablespoons lightly salted chicken stock or lightly salted water
3 handfuls of arugula, frisée, or red mustard greens, carefully washed and dried

Directions

Preheat the broiler.
Tear bread into irregular 2- to 3-inch chunks—you should get about 4 cups.
Toss with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, lightly coating them, and broil very briefly, just to lightly color the edges. If you’d like to toast the pine nuts (recommended) you can put them on your broiler tray as well, but watch them very carefully because they cook quickly!
Combine about 1/4 cup of the olive oil with the white wine vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
Toss about 1/4 cup of this tart vinaigrette with the torn toasted bread in a wide salad bowl; the bread will be unevenly dressed.
Taste one of the more saturated pieces. If it is bland, add a little salt and pepper and toss again.
Heat a spoonful of the olive oil in a small skillet, add the garlic and scallions, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until softened. Don’t let them color.
Scrape into the bread and fold to combine.
Add the dried cranberries along with the pine nuts, if they were not already mixed with the bread scraps from the broiling step. Dribble the chicken stock or lightly salted water over the salad and fold again.
Taste a few pieces of bread—a fairly saturated one and a dryish one. If it is bland, add salt, pepper, and/or a few drops of vinegar, then toss well.
Add the greens, a drizzle of vinaigrette, and fold well. Taste again.

Enjoy!