Online Shopping Furniture Blog | Home Shopping Online 1 (866) 740-9830

Sleep Sound when Designing Your Sanctuary Bedroom

2011-05-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

Designing your bedroom? You must be excited, or perhaps you’re a little overwhelmed with all the options available to you. Nevertheless, here is a check-list to consider when designing your dream bedroom, no pun intended.

The first thing you want to do is decide what style, theme or atmosphere you and your partner are looking for. Two common bedroom themes are: the comfortable/cozy look and the modern functional design. Choose one that better suits you and your partner. If you choose the comfortable look, a fireplace and thick rug are nice additions. If you prefer a modern style feel, which is great for condo living, consider getting an urban-looking platform bed and don’t be afraid to add abstract art pieces. Whichever style you choose, try to use soft colors to enhance a restful mood.

It has been proven that the color of a room has a great impact on your mood, so much so that a red room will increase your blood pressure and make you more anxious. Soft blue and neutral colors are one of the most restful tones, but any soft color will do the trick.

Once you have an over all idea of what you want your bedroom to look like, the next step is getting a bedroom set that accommodates all of your needs. Know what pieces of future will pertain to you, whether you would like a bedroom desk, a bookcase, or multiple dressers.

The bed is the most important part because it should always be the focal point of any bedroom; therefore, it should be a good size in relation to the room. A good idea is to invest in two comfortors, not only to freshen up the look of your room but also to adjust by seasons. Enjoy your new bedroom sanctuary!

Why Choose a Platform Bed?

2011-03-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Platform beds are being more and more popular in recent years – especially in condos and loft spaces that complement its modern style.

The main reason people choose platform beds over traditional ones is to avoid needing a bedspring. Bedsprings can become inconvenient over time –they start to creak after a while, they can break and on top of that, for a new bed, it’s an added cost and an added hassle to get it into the bedroom. Plus, platform beds often have storage drawers underneath, giving you extra space for your items.

That’s why platform beds were invented: to remove the need for a bed spring.
Platform beds are designed so there’s a slight indent in them where the mattress goes. The whole bed is slightly higher than a normal bed, so it makes up for the height a bedspring would normally add. There are a variety of styles, finishes and brands offered, such as South Shore and Modus platform beds.

If you are looking to avoid the additional expense of a boxpring and have more storage space, a platform bed is a great option to consider.

-MA

Choosing a New Baby Crib

2011-02-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

Becoming a parent is an incredible experience. Awaiting the arrival of a new addition to your family is a joyous time in a parent’s life. It’s also a time that takes a lot of preparation. One of the most important elements of setting up a welcoming environment for your little one is finding the perfect crib. After all, a baby sleeps for more than half a full-24-hour day, during the first few weeks of life. Baby cribs are also used for at least two years of the first few years of a baby’s life. Getting a crib that safe and fits your infant’s every need is extremely important.

Keep in mind when selecting a crib is you want one that’s durable and one that has bars close enough together to restrain your tiny bundle of joy. It’s a good idea to measure the space reserved for your new crib because baby cribs do come in all shapes and sizes. As well, cribs come with different features one should consider such as, cribs that are foldable for those looking for a crib that’s easy to move to different areas of the home, cribs that have adjustable mattress heights and a 4 in 1 crib. The 4 in 1 cribs, such as the Da Vinci Cribs, are cribs that convert into 4 different models including a day crib all the way to a full size bed. What a deal! Buying the best crib for your child so you can watch soundly as your baby dreams sweet dreams is what it is all about.

-MP

How to Pick a Crib for Your Baby

2011-02-08T10:30:00.001-08:00

This is an exciting time for you! You have so many ideas for your baby's nursery that you don't know where to begin but you would like to incorporate as many of them as you can. As new parents, you want to do everything "right" and that includes designing the perfect first room for your newborn. Let's take it one step at a time. Not only is it the focal point of the room, you will want to pick a crib for your baby that will keep your child safe and sound.

Quality Construction: Since your baby will be sleeping in it for two to three years, it must be durable and strong. The crib you select should be well-made, sit level on the floor without wobbling or tipping and edges and corners should be smooth. Hardware such as locking mechanisms, etc. should be user-friendly and hidden from baby. For safety's sake, the distance between each slat must not be any wider than 2.38 inches. This will prevent your child from getting stuck in between.

Comfortable: You're not going to put your child into a bare crib; it's the mattress that makes it comfy for your baby. Crib mattresses fall into two major categories, foam and innerspring. Neither one is more or less beneficial than the other; it is simply a matter of personal preference. Studies have shown that if the parents sleep on an innerspring mattress, they will probably choose the same for their child; the same of course applies to those who prefer to sleep on a foam mattress. Trusted manufacturers of baby nursery furniture and accessories like Da Vinci, Dream On Me and LA Baby offer both foam and innerspring baby crib mattresses.

Affordable: There are so many different types of cribs available in a range of different prices. Select one that you can afford: many high-end cribs have economical versions that are just as charming and appealing. Definitely make a budget for each piece of baby furniture you will need.

- E. L.

Contemporary Beds for the Contemporary Bedroom

2011-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

With the appearance of thinking outside the box, contemporary beds are often on the cutting edge of design. Contemporary bedroom furniture is well-known for smooth lines, sleek profiles and the creative use of construction and decorative materials. Beautiful and practical, a contemporary bed breathes new life into the space and in turn, revitalizes you.

Contemporary Wood Beds

A contemporary style wood bed is ideal for those who want their bedroom to posses a clean, uncluttered look, but still include elements that lend the room a warm, comfortable and relaxed look. Contemporary beds with lighter finishes such as birch, pine or maple can make a bedroom appear lighter. But wood bed with a dark rich finish like the Modus Maui Wave Birchwood Panel Bed that incorporates texture will definitely create visual interest.

Contemporary Metal Beds

Contemporary metal beds possess a unique and timeless elegance that is conducive to a tranquil bedroom environment. Metal beds a generally strong and long lasting. Typically the frame of a metal bed will be made of iron. But it's what a designer can do with the metal that makes metal contemporary beds so interesting. When going for a trendy look, choose a contemporary bed like the Hillsdale Neopolitan Metal Bed with its individual bowed design and sleek nickel finish.

Platform Beds

An essential element of the contemporary bedroom is the platform bed. As far as contemporary beds go, there is just something inviting about its low-profile design that literally breathes new life into a room's décor. Platform beds with underbed or built-in storage drawers are ideal for a contemporary bedroom, especially one that doesn't have much storage space to begin with. Maybe because they are closer to the floor or they commonly don't have a footboard, the appeal of a platform bed is its casual air of relaxation.

- E.L.

Top 3 Reasons to Own a Futon

2011-02-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

I feel like almost everyone I know has owed a futon at some point in their life. They are just so convenient! In fact, here are my Top 3 reasons to own a futon:

1. It’s Much Easier to Move
Instead of taking apart a traditional bed, moving it to its new location and then reassembling it all over again, you can much more easily move a futon. Simply collapse the frame and carry it anywhere you want. The actual futon is much lighter and folds in half, making it easy to fit in any doorway.

2. It’s Inexpensive
Futons are much cheaper than beds and sofas, however, don’t mistake low cost with low quality. There are many, many high quality futon frames and mattresses you can buy. Futons are often less expensive than beds and sofas because there’s less material required to make the frame.

3. Versatile
Futons can fold out into a bed or it can easily fold into becoming a sofa or a futon chair. It can double both as living room furniture and bedroom furniture. This saves both space and money. Also, futon covers can be purchased separately, completely changing it’s style, which is convenient if you want to redecorate, but minimize your costs.

Have you ever owned a futon, what has your experience been?

-M

Full Bedroom Sets vs. Individual Pieces

2011-02-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

Why buy a bedroom set?
Full bedroom sets are already professionally chosen and designed to look great together. The style, the materials they’re made from, the various designs are all similar and complementary. Not to mention, they definitely save time and money if you are limited on resources but want a new look for your room.

The great thing is that with full bedroom sets, all the interior designing is done for you. All you need to do is decide where to put each piece. Buying a full bedroom set is usually cheaper than buying individual pieces as well. If anything is missing, then that’s when you’ll want to supplement your bedroom set with added furniture.

Why buy individual pieces?
If you do have a bit more money to spend and are confident in your eye for design, why not invest in individual pieces? By going this route you can make your space more reflective of your personal style, which is also very important. On the other had, if you are quite strapped for cash, you can buy pieces over time, saving up for each one.

What do you prefer: purchasing a full set or buying pieces individually?

-M

"Right" Reasons for a Queen Storage Bed

2011-02-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a queen platform bed, there are several reasons why it is the “right” choice for almost any bedroom décor, including the fact that you’ll never have to vacuum underneath the bed! The platform bed continues to gain in popularity simply because of its versatile design. Add functional storage and features like a bookcase headboard into the mix, and you have an ideal bed for any room, from the master bedroom to a second bedroom reserved for guests.

Probably the best reason for considering purchasing a queen platform bed is that it is economical. Because the design of a platform bed includes its own mattress support system, it does not need a box spring. And due to their simpler designs, queen platform beds tend to be less expensive than other types of standard beds such as a sleigh or poster bed.

At first glance, a queen platform bed might not appear like a multi-functional piece of furniture. But in small spaces like a studio apartment or a smaller-sized bedroom, a storage platform bed can actually eliminate the need for a dresser. And since, no matter where we live or the size of the room, we never seem to have enough storage, a platform bed adds maximum functionality to your living environment.
Use a queen platform bed to create the illusion of a bigger room. It often will make a room appear larger because of its low-profile design, which places the bed closer to the floor, revealing more of the wall, emphasizing the distance between the bed and the ceiling. Platform beds have smooth, clean lines that give them a distinctly modern appeal. Because a platform bed typically doesn’t have a footboard, this kind of bed can even open up the room, making it feel less cramped or cluttered.

-RL

The Features of Bar Stools

2011-01-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

Bar stools have many options in terms of style and design. Here are just a few to consider:

Arm Rest
Arm rests give a more majestic or old fashioned vibe to the chair. It can make it more comfortable for people to rest their arms. However, it can make it a little awkward to talk to people next to you.

Back Rest
Bar stools can have a low or high back rest, or no back at all. Having a backless bar stool can make it a bit uncomfortable for people with back and posture problems.

Swivel
Swiveling makes it easier for people to talk to whoever they want to talk to, though it’s slightly more expensive than stationary chairs.

Upholstery
Upholstered stools can really add a classy vibe to the atmosphere. They tend to be slightly more expensive, so it does come down to how much you’re willing to invest.

If you choose to get upholstered counter bar stools, then the question becomes whether you want a soft and plushy barstool so people can rest, or just a slightly cushioned bar stool so that your guests are more comfortable than if it were just a plain surfaced bar stool.

As you can tell, there are quite a few options to choose from. What are your preferred features?

-M

Things to Keep in Mind when Buying a Baby Crib

2011-01-31T10:25:00.000-08:00

Buying a baby crib is an important decision in raising your baby. Your baby’s going to be spending a lot of time in his or her crib. How much full sleep he will have, how much color is in his childhood, his safety, are all affected by the crib you choose. Here some things to consider before choosing a crib:

Price
Have a figure you’re willing to spend in mind. Note that price often reflects the quality of the design and manufacturing, however, there are still great baby cribs available in lower price ranges.

Style
There are many styles of baby cribs to choose from such as: convertible crib or not, finish, size, design, etc. Don’t forget that the style itself should match the bedding as well as the overall interior design of the nursery.

Safety
Safety is a huge concern when it comes to selecting a baby crib. First of all, check to see if the crib you’re planning on purchasing has the appropriate certification and that it meets national safety standards. As an added tip, check product recall sites when researching your crib purchase.

Return Policy
Knowing that you are purchasing a crib from a store with a decent return policy will allow you to freely make your decision to purchase without having to worry about making the wrong choice.

What else would you keep in mind when buying a baby crib?

-M

Contain Your Shelf: Bookcase Decorating Ideas

2011-01-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

You don't have to be an avid reader to own a bookcase. Bookcases are a stylish and decorative storage solution that can fit almost any room of your home. Because they come in a wide range of sizes, a low-profile bookcase in a hallway is a functional yet trendy way of managing clothing items like mitts, hats and scarves. Or how about a corner bookshelf in the kitchen as a handy place to store those cookbooks you use the most? Dust off your ideas about those dusty bookshelves in your local library; when decorating with bookcases, the possibilities are endless.

Decide on the Location

Decide on the location of your bookcase. Measure the area where the bookshelf will be going. Especially if it will be in a high-traffic area such as a hallway, living room or family room, check to make sure that the bookcase will not impede traffic floor, be in the way of opening/closing doors, etc.

Decide on the Purpose

Choosing a focus or purpose for your bookcase might also play a part in the style, size and type you end up buying. Bookcases equipped with baskets provide easy and effortless storage solutions for a front hallway or a living room. In a basement room or family room, bookcases with baskets or cubbies are ideal for storing crafting supplies, games or toys.

Bookcase Decorating Tips

Place baskets or organizer trays in one or two shelves of a bookcase in a guest bedroom.

Have a bookshelf you no longer use? Paint it a different color and repurpose it. Who can't use extra shelving in a laundry room, the garage or on an enclosed porch or sun room?

Bookcases make a great economical alternative to a china cabinet or a curio. Use one in a living room or dining room to display collectibles.

- E.L.

TV Armoires for the Bedroom

2011-01-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

For most of us, watching television is one of our favorite ways to unwind after a busy day. It is inconceivable to miss even five minutes of NCIS, The Good Wife or Bones. You like watching TV as much as anyone else. But when it comes to the bedroom, you would like to draw the line and leave the television behind in the living room or the family room (where it belongs). What if you're like a lot of us (me included!) who have a partner who likes to watch the late night movie in bed?

What do you do? Compromise with a TV armoire. While it will be on in the room when you want to read quietly or even drift off, an armoire will at least be out of sight when not in use. And maybe your partner will be inspired to use headphones...it could happen. If this decor design solution appeals to you, here are some tips for buying the perfect TV armoire for your bedroom.

TV Armoire Size and Height

TV armoires are designed to hold smaller-sized televisions, typically any type of television, from a CRT TV to a flat screen, 34" to 37" in size, but the actual size of the armoire can vary. Make sure that it will fit the space it's intended for.

You will want the television to be the perfect viewing height when sitting up in bed. The viewing height of the television will largely depend on the height of the armoire's TV area in relation to the height of the bed. Make sure that the shelf the TV will sit on is adjustable.

TV Armoire Doors

So that you will be able to comfortably view the TV screen while sitting in bed, select a TV armoire with 270 degree doors. These types of doors allow you to fold them against the sides of the armoire, out of the way. Another option is pocket doors, which typically slide into the body of the armoire cabinet.

TV Armoire Features

A television armoire will not only hide away the television when it’s not being used, it will also give you more storage options. Give some thought to what kinds of features your TV armoire should have in order for it to be the most useful to you.

Some manufacturers offer a TV/wardrobe armoire specifically designed with both uses in mind. These dual purpose TV/wardrobe armoires have features that allow them to be used as a wardrobe or a TV armoire and can easily be converted back and forth from one use to the other.

Common TV armoire features include wire management, adjustable shelves, pull-out trays for DVD/CD storage and cubbies and/drawers.

- E.L.

Classic Headboards for the Bedroom

2011-01-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

Classic headboards are headboards that have a timeless appeal and never (ever) go out of fashion. Style doesn't matter: they can be ultra modern; have a cottage country flair; or possess a stately and formal traditonal elegance. Opting for just a headboard in a smaller sized master bedroom, guest room or second bedroom is a functional way to make the space appear larger, but a classic headboard will give yourbedroom furniture a touch of style and breathe new life into your décor.

Upholstered Headboards

Upholstered headboards can be made from any number of fabrics. They can also be crafted of other materials such as leather, rattan, wicker and vinyl. An upholstered headboard typically adds visual interest to a bedroom's interior design. Especially if you enjoy reading or watching television in bed, it can also function as a backrest.

Metal Headboards

I don't have any proof, but I'm willing to bet that metal headboards have been making a comeback since Bob Dylan first sang "...lay across my big brass bed." Bob Dylan aside, metal headboards, depending upon their decorative detail, can have an Old World charm. There is something about a brass, gold or antiqued bronze metal headboard for a truly classic appearance. If your bedroom furniture is more modern or contemporary, select a metal headboard that is made of polished nickel, aluminum or chrome.

Wood Headboards

Classic wood headboards, particularly when they have rich, warm finishes, give any décor a vibrant and luxurious feel. Because it is made of wood, wood headboards are generally strong and extremely durable. Especially when they include curvy profiles, curving lines and carved decorative details, wood headboards, they can be stately and formal in appearance. For a variation an a classic wood headboard theme, select one that includes metalwork for a relaxing Old World atmosphere.

- E.L.

Home Theater Furniture for your Media Room

2011-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

No doubt you have spent a small fortune on your television, sound system and all the other important pieces of equipment you need in the process of setting up your home theater. When choosing the right furniture pieces for your media room, resist the temptation to skimp now. You will want home theater seating that is ultra comfortable to last through a showing of any or all of The Lord of the Rings movies. You will also need media storage that looks as good as it is functional.

No Reflective Surfaces

When buying media room furniture, try to avoid anything shiny or has a reflective surface. This includes things you might not immediately think of us being shiny such as a leather sofa, home theater chairs or even wood tables. Avoid media storage pieces made of metal and select finishes that are matte or antiqued instead of ones with a high polish.

Big Comfy Chairs

Consider what kind of home theater seating you would like. Recliners especially designed for a home theater or a media room include "movie watching" features that aren't usually a part of standard recliners such as cup holders, hidden storage or collapsible trays. When purchasing group home theater seating, give some thought to whether you would like a 2-seat, 3-seat or 4-seat configuration. Depending on the size of your media, you may want two rows instead of one. Keep in mind that any chair levers or recliner mechanisms should work smoothly and silently.

But you don't have to stick to classic home theater seating. A sectional sofa that provides maximum viewing may be an ideal way to furnish your media room. No matter what you choose, above all, home theater seating should be comfortable.

Other Media Room Furniure Considerations

If you are not using a projection system of some kind, what will you be doing with the television? A TV wall mount is an option. When mounting the television to the wall is not an option, select an entertainment center that will be large enough to accommodate your TV as well as a DVD player and any other piece of audio or video equipment you will require.

Media storage should fit your lifestyle and personal preferences. If you like everything tidied away, then any media storage you select should include hidden storage solution options.

- E.L.

Planning a Media Room

2011-01-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over and while the weather is still chilly or downright cold, this might be a good time to plan a media room or a home theater. With its cold temperatures and blustery weather, January is a month that inspires creative ways to nest, keep warm and hibernate in style. If a home theater or media room sounds appealing to you but you're not sure where to begin, here are a few ideas.

Location: The ideal place for a home theater is its own room. But if you don't have the space for a dedicated media room don't despair. You can easily incorporate one into a family room, living room or a basement room.

Purpose: You might think this is a no brainer, but before you get too far along in your medio room planning, decide what the main purpose of the media room will be. If you're only using the room to watch television and movies, then a home theater interior design plan will be more useful to you. However, if you want a comfy place to listen to Coltrane or your kids want their own spot for gaming, then you will need to accommodate these activities in your media room plan.
Focal Point: The television, of course will be the focal point of your media room, home theater or media area. Measure the width of the TV's viewing screen. Home theater furniture such as recliners, the sofa, etc. should be positioned double width of the TV's viewing screen. For example, if the screen is 47 inches wide then any home theater seating should be at least seven feet away from the television for an optimum viewing experience.

Lighting: You will want to be able to see the name of the title on the DVD but have the option of dimming the lights when the movie is about to begin. Adjustable overhead lighting such as track lighting or canned lights are ideal for a home theater or a media room.

- E.L.

How to Choose an Accent Mirror

2011-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Like accent tables, accent chests and accent chairs, accent mirrors add that little extra something to the rooms of your home. Because everyone uses them regardless of which room they are in, an accent mirror is also an easy way to increase the room's functionality. But as with other pieces of accent furniture, in order for accent mirrors to have the desired effect and create maximum impact, it helps if you know what to look for.

Size

When choosing an accent mirror for a specific room or area such as a second floor hallway or a foyer, location will play a big role in the shape and size that you select. Naturally, you will want it to fit the intended space so that it looks "right;" not too big or too small, so scale is important.

Shape

While we might not give it a second thought, the shape of an accent mirror definitely makes a statement, defining the room it is in and lending an air of sophistication that would otherwise be missing. A rectangular decorative mirror draws attention to the height of the wall and by default, the ceiling. Round accent mirrors tend to make the mirror itself the center of attention. Whereas oval decorative mirrors put the focus on the frame and the spaces between the other elements in the rooomthat surround the mirror.

Style

Traditional style accent mirrors have an impressive look and feel that is typically formal or stately. A traditional decorative mirror is often very ornate, with metal scrollwork or wood carvings.

A contemporary style decorative mirror has a clean, streamlined appearance that is both inviting and stylish. A smart contemporary accent mirror may have a round or elegant oval shape with a textured frame.

Transitional accent mirrors merge the best of traditional and contemporary décor elements together. Corners are rounded; lines flow; and traditional decorative accents are softened and not as elaborate.

- E.L.

Easy Ways to Fit Exercise into your Daily Routine, part 2

2011-01-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

While many women know that an exercise program would help them feel healthier, have more energy or even lose weight, sometimes it's difficult to change previouse non-exercising habits into fitness conscious ones. In part 1, we explored two ways to sneak exercise into our busy schedules. If one of your New Year resolutions is to exercise regularly, here are some more ideas for ways you can (almost) effortlessly incorporate some type of exercise into your busy routine with minimum effort but big payoffs.

Multi-Task Your TV Time

If you don’t want to miss the morning news or your favorite television show, put your time in front of the TV to good use. Multi-task your TV time with an exercise bike or the Phoenix Health & Fitness Power Rower. Working out in front of the TV isn’t like “really” exercising. Keeping your mind engaged while keeping fit prevents you from focusing on aspects of your workout that might discourage you such as thinking about how long you’ve been exercising, how tired you’re feeling and how you should be catching up on paperwork. Many types of exercise bikes and models of rowing machines can be folded away when not in use, which is a bonus for maintaining a room’s uncluttered and cozy atmosphere.

If exercise equipment, no matter how user-friendly, doesn’t appeal to you, even exercising in the commercials will pay off in the long run if you get yourself into the habit on a regular basis. Doing leg lifts, crunches and mild stretches while the ads are on will get you moving and loosen muscles.

Step It Up

Stepping units are conveniently portable and easy to use. They can be used virtually anywhere in your home, so you can watch baby, keep an eye on the kids or tune into your favorite soap while getting a little exercise. A stepping machine like the Phoenix Health & Fitness Denise Austin Mini Stepper Plus also has the added benefit resistance handles for working upper body muscles at the same time as giving your legs a workout.

How about just doing housework or working in the garden? Health professionals advocate 10,000 steps a day to keep you active and promote general well-being. The Timex Ironman Pedometer not only keeps track of how many steps you’ve taken, it also tracks how many calories have been burned.

It doesn’t have to be high-tech or complicated. By making the most of what “spare” time you have, fitness is at your fingertips. It just requires a little creativity, consistency and motivation. And the best part is it doesn’t have to take a lot out of your day.

- E.L.

Easy Ways to Fit Exercise into your Daily Routine, part 1

2011-01-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Many women know that they would greatly benefit from a regular exercise routine, particularly those of us who want to feel healthier, lose a little weight or get back into shape after having a baby. For a lot of us, finding the time in our hectic schedules to exercise is a constant struggle. And for busy new moms or moms with more than one child, it can be even more of a battle. But it doesn't have to be, with a few simple tricks and low-tech pieces of fitness equipment. Without even realizing you’re “exercising,” you can sneak fitness into your everyday routine before the love handles sneak up on you. This two-part series will give you some ideas as to how to begin.

Exercise at Your Computer

You can exercise at your computer while searching online for parenting tips or working from home. Replacing your office chair with an exercise ball is an excellent way for getting some exercise without really trying. Unlike sitting in a chair, an exercise ball is relatively unstable and requires balance in order for you to remain seated upright. Attempting to maintain your balance forces your spine into proper alignment.

Since you are constantly shifting position, you’re burning more calories than you would in an office chair, even one with wheels, which essentially does the work of moving for you. Sitting on an exercise ball for a full work day can actually burn up to 350 calories. Even if you don’t burn that many calories or are not seated at the computer desk continuously for eight hours, it will still contribute to your overall fitness.

An exercise ball has other benefits as well. Not only will it improve your balance, but while you’re maintaining your balance on a regular basis, you are strengthening your abdominal muscles (abs in fitness-speak). Using an exercise ball instead of a regular desk chair promotes good circulation, allowing blood to flow freely to all parts of your body. And of course, the best part is the cost: an exercise ball is much (much) cheaper than a regular office chair, especially an ergonomic one.

If an exercise ball seems too bouncy for you, consider the Power Systems Ball Chair. It provides all of the advantages of a standard exercise ball, but it has a rolling base, giving you the mobility of an office chair with all the benefits of the fitness ball. Whichever one you choose, an exercise ball is just plain fun and can help you get your work done while keeping you fit and energized.

Run When You Walk

Taking baby for walks is important to the child’s development, not only in terms of fresh air but also introducing them to the world around them and stimulating their little minds. Since you will need a stroller anyway, select the Kolcraft Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller. Baby gets to sit safely in comfort while you jog down the street and around the block, getting into shape.

If jogging full out for any period of time seems a little intimidating, plan to alternate between jogging and walking. By choosing to walk and jog for specific intervals, for example two minutes of walking then switching to two minutes of jogging, you not only ease yourself into an exercise routine, you are also making it interesting. If it’s too hard, not fun or just plain boring, you won’t stick with it.

Come back Thursday when I'll be sharing more ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine in "Ways to Fit Exercise into your Daily Routine, part 2."

- E. L.

Rethinking the Coat Rack

2010-12-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

I had a green coat rack in the hallway of my apartment back east that had been hand-crafted by my grandfather. I guess over the years as the wood dried out and joints loosened, it started to lean, becoming unstable, especially if I wasn't paying attention to where I was placing clothes on hooks and everything ended up on the same side. When I finally made the decision to send it off in style to coat rack heaven, I didn't realize what a gap it would leave in my hallway.

Yes, I became a little sentimental when I disposed of it, but I had no intention of replacing it. I suppose I wrote off coat racks as "old fashioned" because every one I personally encountered was in a home of my friends' parents, grandparents and aunts and was typically traditional in style. I (foolishly) thought my hall closet would be more than adequate, but after a few months of never being able to find my purse; draping my coat and scarf on the backs of chairs and hanging miscellaneous articles of clothing on doorknobs, I started to think that maybe I should reconsider.

A coat rack is a versatile piece of hall furniture that can be dressed up or left casual. A coat rack or hall tree that makes a statement can create visual interest. Especially if it's the first thing a visitor sees when entering your home, it can make the space welcoming and inviting. Coat racks made of brass, wrought iron, rattan or polished wood will add flair and sophistication to you hallway or foyer. It doesn't have to stay in the hallway either. A coat rack is a good choice for anywhere you need a little organization for outerwear, clothes and accesories like a bedroom, mudroom or back entryway.

Think they're just a stand with hooks and a bit of style? Coat racks can include features such as a revolving section to make access to clothes easier, an umbrella compartment or a set of lower hooks for children. If you don't have room for a freestanding coat rack, wall mounted versions are also alvailable.

It's not handmade but I did eventually get a wood one in a transitional style with brass hooks. It greets me as soon as I walk through the door. No more searching for a hanger in the closet; backs of chairs are no longer a tempting resting place.

- E.L.

No Pretzel Luggage

2010-12-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Never mind last minute packing; how about last minute luggage? During my previous trip to my home town this past Christmas, the luggage that greeted me at the carousel bore little resemblance to the luggage I started my journey with. Suitcase No. 1 sported a jagged split down one of its fronts while Suitcase No. 2's zipper gaped open where the handle had come away from the leather. I can't even in clear conscience blame air travel in general and baggage handlers in particular. I am a procrastinator and in all truthfulness, my luggage has needed to be replaced for awhile.

Now just under a year later, I am still victim of my own procrastination. I went to fetch my suitcases only to be reminded that I don't have any. But there's a silver lining; how to put this nicely? My old luggage was...well old. My suitcases were semi-soft sided and had wheels. But they didn't have retractable handles and while they could be wheeled through a busy holiday-time airport, I had to twist myself pretzel-like to do so. This apparent disaster presented the perfect opportunity to upgrade to upright luggage that looked like it belonged in the twenty-first century.

While it is fun in a desperate sort of way to sit on your suitcase in order to get it to close, expandable luggage is much more stylish and convenient to use. My new upright luggage set includes two suitcases of different sizes, a beauty case and a shoulder bag/carry-on with an adjustable strap. The retractable handles work like a dream and the wheels are so quiet I almost forget that my suitcases have wheels. In addition to having the confidence that my possessions are safely locked away and fully protected, the bonus to owning a new luggage set is knowing I don't have to roll it alongside of me twisted like a pretzel.

- E.L.

Air Travel Survival Trips

2010-12-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

It's not just your luggage that you have to worry about. These days, air travel can be really stressful, what with long lines, crowds of people, flight delays and security checks. Here are some simple but effective ways of dealing with holiday travel that will allow you to survive gracefully and arrive at your destination (almost) stress-free.

Know the Rules

Before you even leave the house, the number one way to reduce holiday travel headaches is to plan ahead. Because rules and restrictions vary from one airline to another, check with your travel agent or the airline for a list of dos and don'ts including the size of carry-on bags, the number of pieces of luggage, the weight capacity of each suitcase, etc.

Ensure that nothing in your checked in luggage is carrying prohibited liquids such as lighter fluid or realistic-looking toy guns.

Be Flight Ready

Check in online 24 hours prior to your flight.

Print out your boarding pass before going to the airport.

Check online for any flight or weather delays about two to four hours before leaving for the airport. If you have a mobile phone, you can sign up for flight updates so you'll be notified of any last-minute changes or delays.

Be Prepared for Security Checks

Make sure that your carry-on luggage does not include anything that is going to get confiscated or ring alarm bells when going through security checks. And ladies, don't be like me and forget that your purse also has to go through security.

Use exterior pockets of your carry-on to keep your passport, boarding pass, ID, etc. handy.

If you can't shop for gifts and mail them ahead of time, plan on packing them into any suitcase you will be checking in. Should you need to take them with you in your carry-on, don't wrap them.

- E.L.

I Need a New Bathroom Medicine Cabinet

2010-12-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

It doesn't look nearly as bad or as rusted as the white metal one in the first apartment that my girlfriend and I rented after graduating from university. But I don't want to ring in the New Year with the medicine cabinet that is in my current bathroom. The outside still gets a passing grade, but inside is a different story: the shelves are starting to warp; one shelf had to be removed because a bracket went missing and the bottom left-hand corner of the cabinet sports an unidentified stain that I just cannot get out.

A new medicine cabinet is also a good way to give your bathroom a quick and inexpensive makeover. Bathroom mirror cabinets, like a medicine cabinet with a mirror specifically chosen to match or complement the bathroom vanity, add functionality and style to the most used room in your home.

I don't want just another pretty face in the bathroom! In order for a medicine cabinet to be both chic and useful, I will need to think about the features I would like it to have. I like to keep some medicinal lotions that come in tallish tubes or bottles, so a cabinet that has adjustable shelves would be important to me. And because I'd feel obligated to clean them all the time, the shelves should be made of wood rather than glass. I would also like to be able to DIY; I'll be selecting a the type of cabinet that can be easily hung on the wall instead of a recessed style of medicine cabinet. I don't have young children using the bathroom, but if you do, perhaps the medicine cabinet you choose for your bathroom should have a lock.

Now that I have a good idea of what I want in a bathroom medicine cabinet, I'm ready to go shopping for one.

- E.L.

Making your Dining Room Holiday-Ready

2010-12-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

The dining room is one of the rooms of your home that will be seeing a lot of action during Christmas and New Year's. A little planning ahead will help make your dining room holiday-ready; a welcoming place to entertain family and friends.

Buffet or Sideboard

If you have a buffet or a sideboard, make sure it is stocked with what you need to set your table for those special meals you will be hosting. Check to see that all of the pieces of the dinner service you will be using are present and accounted for. Ditto for the cutlery drawer and stemware you will require.

Place a festive pillar candle or a hurricane lamp ringed with pine boughs or a wreath of holly on the buffet.

The same checklist will apply to the china cabinet in your dining room.

Dining Table

The spotlight will be on your dining table. After all it is the focal point and main purpose of the room so you will want it to look its best. Clean and condition, especially if it is a wood one, your dining table as per the manufacturer's instructions.

If the only place in your home for a gift wrapping station is the dining table, make sure that everything has been cleared away in time to get the dining room ready for guests.

Choose a centerpiece for the table that is in the low-to-mid height range. You don't want decorations in the center of the dining table that will block the view.

More Holiday-Ready Dining Room Tips

When you're expecting guests with young children, have a couple of extra telephone books or thick pillows or cushions on hand just in case the booser seat was forgotten at home.

Ensure any linens you will using such as a tablecloth and napkins have been freshly ironed. Keep some paper ones on hand as extras for both the adults and the kids.

Inspect your chairs to see if they are good to go. Spot clean as required. If you're going to need more chairs on the day of your festive occasion, know in advance from which rooms you will be getting them from.

- E.L.

Stuff for (Kids) Stockings

2010-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such an exciting time for children. While everyone (kids and adults alike), of course, enjoys their main presents, sometimes those little gifts and toys that are tucked away in a child’s stocking can inspire hours of enjoyment and just as many fond memories.

Whether you’re trying to find ways to keep then entertained when traveling or out of mischief on a rainy day, how about an old favorite with a new twist? The Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stamp Pad will provide hours of creative experimentation.

Relax…they’re not going to paint the dining room wall with the Melissa & Doug Jumbo Paint Brushes Set. Intended for younger kids, the brightly colored handles are easy to grip and easy to clean. (But just in case they do get inspired to add their own mark to your walls, make sure their paints are non-toxic, washable ones).

For the infants and toddlers on your Christmas list, introduce them to the challenging fun of a puzzle with the Infantino Colors and Shapes Puzzle. Especially when they are first starting out, puzzles are a great way to develop hand-eye coordination; it also helps young ones to recognize shapes and colors in the process of deciding where each piece fits.

Kitchen sets and activity sets like the Edushape Kiddy Connects Set allow toddlers (for 2-year olds and up) to use their imaginations. The modular and colorful snap-ball blocks lets them build anything they can think of.

- E.L.

Stuff for (Adult) Stockings

2010-12-09T09:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes finding those perfect stocking stuffers is more difficult than shopping for the "hardest" person on your Christmas list. In case Santa needs a little nudge, here are some stocking stuffer ideas for him (and for you).

Designed as a portable toolbox that will fit in the palm of your hand, the KELVIN 23 Multi-Tool gathers the most common tools you might need for around the house together in one convenient place. It's easy for anyone to use, handy person or not so DIY oriented.

Everyone on your Christmas list can use a travel alarm clock, whether they are regularly on the road or leave town only for holidays. When the power goes out, it's good to have a backup plan like the retro sleek Howard Miller Clam Shell Alarm Clock.

The Remington Travel Shaver is one of those must have handy gadgets for those on the go, whether they're on a plane or at the gym.

Give her the option of taking her jewelry with her wherever she needs to go with a stylish travel style jewelry box.

You know someone whose home office doesn't have air conditioning? Working at the computer in the family room gets a little stuffy? How about a portable, personal fan?

For the outdoor enthusiatic, whether they just go for hikes on the weekends or camp every chance they get, I bet they'll really appreciate the Chass Outdoor Pro Multi Use Travel Tool.

- E.L.

Turn Your Basement into a Party Space or Bar

2010-11-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Wouldn’t it be fun to turn your basement, provided that you have one, into a entertainment space for all ages? There are many benefits to this:

• If you love entertaining this can be just another facet of your offering has a wonderful host
• Budget friendly, if you are on a limited budget instead of going to meet your friends, have them come over, instead
• You save yourself the cab fare by NOT leaving your house to enjoy beverage with friends
• It just looks good. Having a nice bar set up just adds to the comfort and welcoming atmosphere of your home

Is your interest peaked? Believe it or not, creating a bar in your home is not that complicated, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are some essentials to get you started:

• Bar counter and sink – you will have to contact a plumber build a sink with working faucets around your bar (or a bar around your sink)
• Bar stools (both counter bar stools and swivel bar stools) – enough to cover the entire row of the bar
• Bar utensils – shakers, strainers, small knives, etc.
• Glasses – glasses that cover all times of drinks will be needed: high balls, old fashions, shot glasses, steins, mugs, martini glasses, wine (red and white) glasses and champagne flutes are a good start.
• Fun décor – depending on the look your going for – I personally would collect turn-of-the-century to mid-century memorabilia (garage sales, vintage shops and second-hand stores are full of them). If you have a favourite sports team then feel free to decorate with the associated paraphernalia. Be creative.
• Wine rack
• Small appliances – such as a blender and bar fridge
• Drinks – and last but not least are drinks and spirits to stock your bar. Perhaps if you throw a housewarming (barwarming?) party guests may be generous and bring a contribution to stock your supply!
• A wall-mounted TV – especially if you plan on inviting your friends over for sports games

There you have it – having a home bar can save time, money and of course it’s an excuse to invite friends and family over for some fun, quality time. Good luck!

-M

Save Time and Money with a Bedroom Set

2010-11-22T09:29:00.000-08:00

Whenever I used to think of bedroom furniture sets, I thought of the outdated, matchy-matchy faux-wood sets with which my great-aunt used to furnish her house. I found them all a bit ugly and uninspiring growing up. However, nowadays, it seems that bedroom sets are back in style thanks to the quality and huge range in style available. Not only that, there are sets that fit EVERY budget and every taste. Plus, it takes the guesswork out of setting a theme or style for your room for those of you who are design-challenged (I admit, I am, but I’m making a conscious effort to learn).

When I say that there’s a bedroom set out there for EVERY one, I mean it. Let’s take a look at some popular styles:

Bunk Bed Sets – the name gives it away; this is a set for children and teens. Bunk bed sets will come with the beds as well as matching furniture. Believe it or not, the styles are very kid- and teen-friendly. From modern aluminum finishes for the teenager, to whimsical white lacquer finishes for younger children. Plus, bunk bed sets sometimes comes with a matching desk – so the kids have no excuse for incomplete homework!

5 Piece Bedroom Set –the more typical bedroom set that comes with five pieces of furniture: bed panel/frame/headboard, 2 nightstands, 1 dresser, 1 mirror. Styles and finishes are practically limitless.

Platform Bedroom Set – instead of a traditional bed frame, platform bedroom sets come with platform bed frame.

Kids’ Bedroom Set – smaller furniture that comes in styles and finishes that children love.

If you do not have the resources to hire an interior decorator to design the bedrooms in your house, I highly recommend purchasing a good quality bedroom set instead!

Bunk Beds – A Great Option for Urban Families

2010-11-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

In the past few years, there have been big discussions on gentrification, urbanization and the fact that more and more families simply do not want to leave the big city (whether it be Toronto, New York City, Chicago, Paris, etc.) for a place in the suburbs that’s large enough to accommodate their growing families. There are many reasons for this: desire for a shorter commute to work, access to more major cultural events and attractions, independent shops, restaurants and diversity among residents. One of the major pitfalls of living in the big city, unless you have a very high income is living in a smaller living space.

Many middle class families cannot afford the sky high costs of housing in the city but refuse to let that be a deterrent to their dream of staying downtown. Instead, many families decided to make the best of their situation by staying put in their 2 bedroom condos and raising their families there. Often, this means that children will have to share a room, making the twin bunk bed the ideal bed for the children’s room. While the twin over twin bunk bed is one option, the twin over full bunk bed is another for children who have a greater age difference. Bunk bed frames can come in wood finishes but for families living in downtown condos with a modern décor, there are also metal finishes available.

Bunk beds come in a variety of styles and finishes, making it the ideal, piece of furniture for families who want to maximize their living space.

I need a Bedroom Vanity Set!

2010-11-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

I’m in the market for a bedroom vanity set. Currently, my make up, hair brushes, combs, accessories and skin care products are located all over my house: in my bathroom, in the hallway by the door (when I’m rushing out) and all over the desk in my room. Actually, all of my beauty products and accessories are slowly taking over the entire surface of my desk. In fact, I think my army of hair accessories, lotions and potions exercised a coup d’état and kicked my poor laptop out. Laptop is in exile on the coffee table in said living room!

As you can see, I need a vanity. Well, I don’t actually need one but it WILL make my life a lot easier and more organized. I also anticipate some additional indirect benefits of having bedroom vanity, such as saving time in the morning because I’m not looking for things and hopefully, I’ll end up looking more put together because I will now have a place to sit down and properly style my hair, etc.

So what kind of vanity shall I choose? A more romantic, traditional one such as this:

Or a sleek, modern one like this:

What kind would you choose?

-M

Weather Resistant Patio Furniture

2010-11-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, October 26th here in Toronto we had what weather forecasters called a “weather bomb.” It suddenly got all dark and gloomy outside, then extremely window, then came the downpour.

I thought about my mom’s new patio furniture set – she had just bought a set (at a deep discount, since we’re evidently heading into rainy and then snowy season), which she did not have room to store in the garage. I am glad she decided to go with the kind of outdoor furniture known to be weather resistant. Rain, snow, sleet, hail – her patio furniture set can manage it all and stay looking like new.

Therefore, I present to you, my top choices in material for weather-resistant patio furniture.

Resin Patio Furniture – this is the popular kind of furniture you see on all sorts of patio, at restaurants and at homes. It looks like tightly-woven wicker and is easy to wipe clean. The resin material can withstand any sort of weather. When it comes to resin patio furniture, I personally prefer it in dark charcoal grey or chocolate brown, with bright colored cushions (also weather-resistant!).

Aluminum Patio Furniture - made with weather-resistant, rust-proof aluminum and provides a nice modern touch to your outdoor decor.

Teak Furniture – although teak furniture is a bit pricey, it is well worth the money if you desire wooden furniture. Teak is naturally resistant to extreme furniture and can even last generations, if you buy quality.

Whether it’s resin, aluminum or teak, choose the outdoor patio furniture that suits your style and budget.

Back-To-School: Student Housing 5 Must-Haves

2010-10-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

It's mid October, students have gone back to school and are all settled in for the year. Nevertheless here's a guide for student housing must haves,because I'm sure there are things we never think to buy until we've already moved in.

1.Futon bed – Now that you’re living off campus, you’ll actually need to buy you’re own bed. Because you’re on a student budget and probably live in cramped quarters, a multifunctional bed is preferred. Hence the enduring popularity of the futons for college/university students all over the world. Turn it into a single bed, double bed or sofa – essentially you are purchasing 3 different pieces of furniture for the price of one.

2.Trendy laundry hamper – Yes, you will be lugging your clothes down the hall, several flights of stairs or even across campus to do your laundry (that is, when mom and dad aren’t doing your laundry for you during your visits home). So why not do your laundry while looking as cool as possible? This not only includes wearing your Alma Matter’s matching hooding and sweatpants for that “I’m not trying, but I match anyways” look and some sort of uniquely designed, avant-garde laundry hamper. Sure, a plain old cloth sack will do, but why not really show off your personal style with a unique hamper.

3.A cool twin sized sheet-set and down duvet - Chances are, you sleeping quarters are going to be tiny – and at worst – shared! Set yourself apart with a sheet and duvet set with a design that reflects your individual personality and style.These will certainly jazz up your futon mattress and disguise the fact that it’s a futon.

4.Beanbag chair – beanbag chairs are fun, playful and inviting. Not only that but they are extremely portable – great for impromptu parties that suddenly require more seating in a particular.
5.Dry erase board/calendar – You can find dry erase boards that even have a designated calendar section at your local discount superstore or campus bookstore. Hang it up in your room and use it consistently – you’ll be thankful for the exam and essay deadline reminders constantly in your line of vision.

The Practicality of an Exercise Bike

2010-10-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am what you would call a “gym rat”. I love going to the gym and taking the cardio classes where I’m motivated to keep moving and push myself by my instructor and the entire class. My roommate Becca does not enjoy the gym at all – a point she’s made quite clear to me, every time I invite her to come with me using a guest past. In fact, ever since we moved in together last July, she hasn’t stopped talking about getting either a recumbent exercise bike or an upright exercise bike to put in the corner of our spacious living room (near the TV, of course). Yesterday, I finally got to the bottom of why she prefers working out at home with the exercise bike to the gym:

1. Exercise bike workouts are lower impact.
Becca has a stress fracture in her shin from running, so she can no longer do that as a form of exercise. Also, she cannot swim, so that is out of the question as well.

2. She’s in control of her workout schedule.
It’s true, I’m often dashing to a muscle conditioning or dance class – forced to arrange my personal schedule around these gym classes. Becca, on the other hand, prefers to have more control over when she can and can’t work out due to the irregular hours of her job as a photographer.

3. There are no gyms within walking distance of our apartment.
Becca refuses to walk more than 5 minutes to get to a gym and since there are none near us, she’d rather have workout equipment set up at our place.

There you have it – the main reasons why Becca wants an exercise bike so badly. I have to admit, she does make some good points. I suppose the next step would be to browse online to fine a bike that we actually both agree on!

-M

Making your bedroom beautiful with a platform bed and an upholstered headboard.

2010-10-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe that my new apartment is almost fully furnished. The dining room looks fantastic and now it’s time to turn my attention to the mattress on the floor in my room surrounded by piles of clothing. Looking around at my possessions strewn around the room I realized that I would need more bedroom furniture then I had anticipated.

First thing I needed was to get the mattress of the floor. I turned to my trusty online sources for research. Once again the choice was overwhelming. Did I want to buy a simple frame and an elaborate headboard or did I want to go completely over the top with a big four poster bed, or did I want something elegant and understated like a platform bed.

I took a step back from the research and realized that my primary concern should be preparing the room to be in furnishing shape. I made my bed and folded my clothes.
Next step was to tackle the floors, now that there was nothing on them; I took my broom and dustpan and swept every inch of the room. In retrospect it probably would have been a good idea to do this BEFORE I moved all of my possessions in. I also realized I hadn’t thought to paint the walls a different color then the boring white already applied. Now faced with even more things to decide on I panicked slightly. Could I really live with the white walls? Would my friends be kind enough to help out with another round of painting? I flipped through my book of paint swatches halfheartedly, and then I came across this absolutely stunning and serene blue. With renewed enthusiasm for painting, I dug out my paint trays and brushes and went on a quick mission to the paint store.

A few days later my room was painted; now back to the search for a bed. I decided that the best option for me would be to purchase a queen size platform bed which would fit my mattress like a glove. Not only that but I wouldn’t be sleeping on the floor. I chose one in deep mahogany that is feminine yet noticeable when first walking into the room. To compliment the pretty blue walls and super comfortable bed, I decided that I wanted an upholstered headboard to lean up against. I found one in a blue almost the same shade as my walls in silk.

I cannot wait to sleep in my newly decorated (and spotless clean) room.

-RL

My journeys in finding the perfect dining room chair

2010-10-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

When I left off I was talking about my adventures into dining room decorations. I had found the perfect dining table. My walls were painted the prettiest green anyone could imagine. Pieces were falling into place for my very first grown up apartment.

I stepped back to admire my stunning living space and realized there was something missing. How could I forget something as important as dining chairs? Where were my guests going to sit when they came over for delicious dinner parties?

I once again turned to my trusty sources. The internet gave me two well loved chairs that needed a bit of love to revive them to their former glory. The hunt was still on to complete my set of fabulous
dining room chairs. I hunted and hunted. Frustrated I put the search on hold for a pair to compliment the ones sitting in my apartment.

Instead I focused on how I was going to refurnish these stately chairs. Many different things came to mind. I could paint them, stain them. Cover them completely in fabric, endless possibilities. One thing was for certain, the well worn dated pattern on the seats were the first thing that would need to go.
In the end I decided the best and easiest thing to do would be to paint the chairs a solid color and cover the seats with a cute fabric. I really didn’t want to have a green overload, also, thinking long term for future places of residence. I had to choose my paint and fabric carefully.

I ended up painting the chairs this gorgeous deep brown, almost as rich as a dark chocolate bar. The seats got carefully removed, the old fabric hastily discarded. I also bought new cushioning for the inside of the seat, and settled on this thick upholstery fabric with an intricate leaf pattern. I get weepy thinking about how stunning these chairs turned out.

However my work was far from over, I still had to find two more chairs. One weekend I decided to take a drive as far out of the city as I could, in this small town I found the missing pieces in my dream dining room. These two chairs were almost identical to the ones I had already found and fixed up. Overwhelmed and overjoyed I carefully packed them into my car. I stopped to get a piece of pie from the stand on the side of the road and turned around to head back into the city. As I write this I look into my dining room and can’t believe that this dining room set is mine. I have lots more to do in my place, and I cannot wait to share more of my adventures into the adult world.

-RL

Preparing Your Room for the Upcoming Professional Sports Season

2010-10-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

I’ve mentioned that I recently moved, and my roommate and I are in the process of furnishing the place. Right now we are focusing on the Living/Entertainment room because we are eager to have guests over.

With Fall upon us, I’m starting to see plenty of tweets about the upcoming NHL pre-season show up in my stream. One thing I look forward to this winter is just hanging out with my friends on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday night, relaxing with snacks and watching the game. This got me thinking about some essential pieces of furniture needed in your entertaining space, to make sports game watching as comfortable and as fun as possible. Here are my top 5 essential pieces that every sports media room should have:

1. Recliner – Recliners the staple of the entertainment room. They are comfortable and adjust to your desired sitting level, so you can literally just put your feet up, lean back and enjoy the game. Consider a recliner that contains a cup holder for your beverage. There also exists the sofa recliner, so that more than one person can have the recliner experience in one chair.

2. Ottoman – Those that aren’t sitting in a recliner chair can still put their feet up on an ottoman. Storage ottomans will allow you to quickly stash away clutter before guests arrive.

3. Flat Screen HDTV – Any kind of TV will do, but new High Definition technology allows you to almost feel like your at the game.

4. Surround sound – Enhances the total viewing experience – it’s like the crowd is right in your living room!

5. Mini fridge – Avoid missing those crucial, game-changing plays when you have to go to the kitchen to refill drinks by having the fridge right in the room with you!

If you have these items in your rec, media, family or living room – be warned, during play-offs, you might never get your guests to leave!

-M

A recent Graduate’s adventures into dining room furnishing

2010-09-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

When I finished school the thought of moving back home and into my parent’s basement was not very enticing. Instead I scrolled the internet for the perfect pad to compliment my newly graduated status. The endless search resulted in a great place right in the heart of the city and I couldn’t have been any happier.

I took possession of the place half way through the month. The place was sparsely furnished with the previous tenants broken cast offs and panic set in. How was I going to afford to be able to furnish my place? How could the previous tenants have left all of this stuff behind? I pulled myself together, used some elbow grease and cleaned the place until everything sparkled.

Then I once again turned to the internet, I found myself a nice chair some couches and a table or two. Slowly the place was transforming into my home. I painted the walls a soft green, figuring, hey it’s a colour that is neutral enough so that if I did move out of my amazing new home I would be less likely to have to paint the walls back to white if I ever moved out.

Now that I had the living room organized, it was time to turn my attention to the dining room. I had a very specific vision for my dining table sets I wanted something solid, elegant and understated. That would compliment the nick knacks I had spread around my apartment, but wouldn’t overshadow everything else. I scrounged vintage stores, big furniture stores, and the trusty internet for my dining table. I eventually found the perfect table. Elated I spent even more time trying to find the perfect position for my brand new piece of furniture. Once in place I realized I hadn’t bought any chairs, but that’s a story for another day.

-RL

Traditional Fireplace Out of Service? No problem!

2010-09-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

My best friend and I moved into a new place together a couple of months ago. It’s a beautiful space: an old Victorian home divided into 2 apartments on separate floors. We occupy the 2^nd floor and attic, with my room being in the attic. Roommate and I put a lot of elbow grease into making our place home: painting, thrifting for the perfect furniture and knickknacks. One great thing about these rambling old houses is that they are almost guaranteed to have a fireplace, finished with gorgeous original features. Lo and behold, ours does have a fireplace - in the den! Bonus! Not so much of a bonus: the fireplace doesn’t work and let’s be honest, while our landlords are great, I highly doubt they’re ready to spend the money in order to bring the fireplace up to working code. As we transition from summer to fall, I can already feel the chill in the air and can’t help but think to myself how nice it would be to have a working fire place this winter.

So why not save everyone time, and money and get an electric fireplace for the living room? They are budget-friendly, attractive and you can move them around. Problem solved! Plus, in the off-chance that my landlord DID agree to update the tradition fireplace, the months of renovation means that I’ll miss the winter benefits of having one anyways. An electric or gel fueled fireplace is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for both style and convenience during these upcoming cold months.

-M

New Nursery Trends – Simple, Sophisticated and Modern

2010-09-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that more and more urban, professional and hip parents are having their children reflect their own personal taste and style? I wouldn’t go so far as to say that babies and children are becoming the latest accessories, but you have to admit that these days, we’re seeing little ones sporting less cutesy prints in favour of more sophisticated designs.

One needs only to look at the high-end wardrobe selections of Suri and Shiloh to think what stylish parents Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt must be, respectively.

Of course this trend of trickling sophisticated and modern design for adults down to children is also noticeable in recent baby nursery décor trends.

While pale blues, pinks, greens and yellows are still the most popular colour choices for nurseries amoungst parents and interior designers alike, gone are the busy wallpaper patterns, ruffles, frills, and mountains of stuffed animals. Baby crib toys are few, but high quality, intended to become keepsakes that will last throughout the baby’s adulthood. Plus, the demand for the convertible crib is growing, as are motifs and patterns with simple, clean lines.

Due to these new trends in nursery décor, the baby’s transition from infant to toddler to child becomes easier – with this new trend of sleek simplicity, and increasing popularity of convertible cribs, there is less need for drastic design changes to the nursery as the baby grows.

Who says that parents can’t be trendy and practical at the same time?

-M

Apartment Style Design

2009-08-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Apartment Style Design

If you’ve been looking to furnish your apartment space with style, yet function, don’t worry about your limitations. Look at it this way – less space to decorate means less time or money spent on the project!

Of course, creating a floor plan for an apartment or condo can be a challenge. How do you create a living space that flows well without cramping or overcrowding? Check out these key pieces from Online Furniture Stores that are stylish and suitable for small spaces:

When it comes to seating, an armless option like the Distinction Leather Kingsport Armless Chair will take up less space in a living area.

You can select something like the Modloft Park Low-Profile Coffee Table – because it’s so low to the ground, it’s less visible, therefore not taking up a lot of room in your sitting area.

Now what about bedroom furniture?

The best option for a bedroom is a low-profile platform bed set, like the South Shore Furniture Sereno Low Profile Queen Platform Bed 3 Piece Bedroom Set. Buying in sets is always an ideal money-saving option because everything matches and you don’t need to go

out and buy separate pieces. A cool option to bring more light into a room and more storage at the same time is the nexxt by Linea Cameron Floating Wall Mirror.

The slimly-designed mirror reflects light in a room, giving the illusion of more space, and has a clever storage cabinet behind it.

If you don’t have a lot of floor space, you should find pieces that take up space vertically.

The Athena/Apollo Corner Computer Desk Tower can be used in a corner, and features vertical shelving space for your printer, fax machine, books, or home décor. There’s also the BDI Icon LCD Plasma Glass TV Stand – it can also fit in the corner, and stacks upwards, instead of width-wise.

Bringing light into your apartment will give it a fresher, lighter appearance. Why not mix storage space, vertical construction, and lighting into one with the Adesso Wright Tall Floor Lamp? It fits well into any corner, gives off a warm glow, and has three shelves to offer more storage opportunities.

How else can you open up an apartment and make it seem less crammed? Get rid of any dark wall colours! Light, neutral paint colours on the wall make a room seem airy and bright, as opposed to dark shades that cozy up a room and can leave it looking smaller.

Living Room Design Ideas

2009-08-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Design like the pros! These living room design tips are from all the top design styles and trends for extremely small to large living room design.

Flexibility and versatility are equally vital components for designing small spaces and large spaces. Insufficient planning can lead to purchasing all your furniture in the wrong scale for your room size. Either way, your living room will feel crammed and chaotic.

These tips will become your “must have” template for creating a living room design that speaks to your aesthetic and functional needs.

Moreover, function, function and more function should be your personal motto when designing any size space because your existing space will never expand anymore than it is right now.

Thus, it really doesn’t matter precisely how small or large your present floor plan is. Plan it wisely, select and arrange your furniture with care so you can flaunt it with pride.

Apartment Interior Design

For a large living room, a colorful convertible orange sofa, will add a little individuality to your space. A metal and glass coffee table with a marble veined base and sculptural abstract design motif balances out with the sleek TV stand that has ample storage drawers and shelves.

Art Deco Interior Design

For a very small living room on a budget, it’s okay to have one large piece in the room. A long white sofa with a slight curved back gently reflects art deco. It will accommodate enough seating for guests without having too many pieces to overwhelm the space.

A modern glass and metal coffee table is a great choice for putting cups or magazines on without looking like it’s taking up space.

A glass television stand, again provides function and storage that can be interestingly displayed without appearing to take up space. The glass furniture vanishes into the background creating the illusion of more space than there is. As a final touch, put your art deco stamp in your living room design with artwork and accents.

Asian Interior Design

If you have a larger living room to decorate in an Asian scheme, an adjustable backed, tufted, high end futon is a great place to start.

They come in an assortment of colors or you can play up the black and white theme. A low to the ground coffee table with a little textural detail is keeping with the Asian story. Combining a darker wood TV Stands with Asian motifs anchors the room and allows for stylish storage.

Leather Luggage by Cymax Stores

2009-07-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

Buying Guide: Leather Luggage

Looking for luggage that both durable and luxurious? Think leather!

Leather luggage gives off a lavish, rich look while remaining resilient at the same time. There are many different grades of leather available, so read through the following types to learn more about them and which one you’d prefer for your luggage:

Full-Grain

Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather you can come across. Why? It has been split directly from the hide with no sort of alterations. If you like the appearance of real leather, with its markings and texture, opt for full-grain leather pieces.

US Luggage Leather Rolling Computer Cases USLD5291

Top-Grain

Top-grain leather is the next step down from full-grain. With top-grain, a layer of leather has been shaved off the top, removing any sort of damage. The “true grain” has thus been removed, and an imitation grain is added instead. This is ideal if you don’t prefer the natural cracks and grooves in raw leather’s look.

Winn International Top Grain Cowhide Leather Slim Brief With Built-In Laptop Sleeve

Bonded

With bonded leather, small pieces of leather have been mixed with a bonding agent, making a new type of leather that’s inexpensive, yet durable. Look for pieces made with bonded leather if you want the look of leather, but a cheaper price.

Royce Leather Padfolio in Bonded Leather

Suede

Suede is a finish that is applied to leather’s surface. It makes the surface have a “brushed” texture, and is soft and supple. An entire luggage piece constructed of suede is not the best idea, because suede can be moisture damaged, but pieces featuring suede trim adds an expensive look.

Traveler's Choice Newcastle 3 Piece Designer-Inspired Travel Collection

Genuine

Made from the lower level of the hide, and then finished in a material that resembles top-grain leather, genuine leather is basically the less expensive version of top-grain leather. Perfect if you love the look of top-grain but it’s over your budget.

Royce Leather Garment Cover

For more leather luggage pieces, search the Leather section of Luggage Set Select!

Futons on a Budget

2009-07-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

Cheap Futons (but Stylish!)

One of the most popular items on the market right now is the newly improved futon. It used to be considered a clunky, poor-quality guest sleeping space, but now that technology has evolved, practical futons have been introduced to the modern world.

Unfortunately, a lot of these updated futons cost an arm and a leg, so where can you find an excellent quality futon for under $350.00? I’ve pulled up a few different examples from Morefutons.com:

Elite Product Skyline Full Black Metal Futon Frame
$147.95
One of the most practical futon choices – in quality and price! The frame has been treated with a scratch proof powder coat finish, and has been designed to remain durable, even after years of folding.

Hillsdale Geneva Black Full Metal Futon
$175.00
This futon is basically a step above the previous futon – they both feature the same durability stats, but the Hillsdale model has a more graceful contemporary style.

Elite Digit-Flex Sofa Futon - Safari
$175.99
This unique futon has six different folding options, so you can make it go from a sofa, to a lounge chair, to a bed, and more. Ideal for dorm rooms!

Serta Futons Madrid Futon Frame
$209.00
The sleek look of Serta’s futon arms gives this futon a stylish look. Choose between natural wood finish or espresso brown for your futon frame. It’s been designed to be lightweight, yet sturdy at the same time.

August Lotz Monticello Hardwood Futon Frame in English Oak Finish
$314.00
At the top of the budget is the August Lotz futon frame made of solid oak. It has a classic appearance that shows off the grain of the wood. A special feature is their use of dovetail construction – it evenly distributes body weight, reducing the chance of the frame wearing out.

Perfect for back to school, stylish futons at affordable prices!

Platform Beds

2009-07-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Spotlight: Black Platform Beds

Nothing can make your bedroom look as sleek and sophisticated as a black-finished platform bed. Since black is such a bold shade, it makes a statement in your bedroom.

Plus, black is a neutral tone, so it’s guaranteed to match any colour scheme you may have going on. Take a look at the following examples of chic black platform beds:

The Prepac Sonoma Black King Platform Storage Bed is ideal for anyone who is desperate for more storage space. It features six pull-out drawers to store extra clothes, shoes, or anything that needs putting away. Plus, it has a minimal (yet stylish) appeal – it’ll match with almost any design style.

The Fashion Bed Group Kyoto Modern Platform Bed in Black Finish clearly channels the Japanese “less is more” mantra. It features a distinctive Japanese screen styled headboard, and is very low to the ground – another Japanese influence.

Homelegance’s Lennox Black Leather Platform Bed is a perfect blend of modern and contemporary style. It even boasts a bit of vintage charm with its tufted leather head and footboard. Black leather is definitely one of the most luxurios material choices for a bed, so why not treat yourself and update your bedroom with one?

Have you been wanting to update your bedroom but don’t have the budget for a new bed? Why not paint your current one jet black platform bed? It will instantly give your bedroom a new look – and a new focal point!

Bedroom Furniture

2009-07-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Choosing Your Bedroom Furniture

One of the most important rooms in your home is your bedroom. You spend half your time in there sleeping, and it contains items that make up who you are – clothes, books, technology…the list goes on and on. Since it’s such a special room, the furniture you choose for your bedroom should not only be of the highest quality – it should represent your personal taste and style.

How do you choose the right bedroom furniture, though? Here are a few tips to help you out:

- Make sure you know the measurements of your bedroom. If you see a piece you like, it might be too big or too small for your space. Also check your door’s measurements – your bedroom furniture might not be able to make it through the frame!

- If you have space in your bedroom for more than a bed and dresser, consider other pieces you might like to add to your room. You might want to keep your desk in there for a relaxing home office space, or even put an exercise machine in there.

- If you’ve always wanted a TV in your bedroom, but have no floor space for a TV stand, there are wall-mounted plasma sets available to help you save some walking area.

- Décor goes a long way. Rugs, drapes, lights, and wall art are a great way to show off your personality and dress up your room to make it look less standard.

I hope these tips help you get the right Bedroom Furniture for your home.

Cymax Stores

2009-06-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

Get ready for summer at Cymax Stores Online Furniture Store.

Cymax Stores

How To Pick A Baby Crib

2009-06-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know how to pick the safest baby crib for your newborn? I knew I wanted a butterfly theme and not much else.

With all the fashionable, trendy styles and designs, it’s easy to get caught up in decorating your baby’s room, but there are safety standards that every new parent should know.

Make sure your crib meets current safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). This agency ensures even the cheapest baby crib will be tested for safety. Further safety standards are established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The baby cribs that satisfy the (ASTM) baby standards are then certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacture’s Association (JPMS). Any baby crib that passes (JPMS) certification will be cleared stamped.

Thousands of babies are hospitalized each year because of crib related injuries and most of those injuries were due to second hand baby cribs. If you want to be 100% sure of safety, you might want to skip the pre-owned crib your own parents had.

After the crucial governmental safety standards, check for additional, visible construction safety standards. Vertical bars or slates cannot be further than 2 3/8″ apart to prevent your baby from squeezing in that space and getting stuck. A soda can makes a perfect testing instrument. It’s 2 3/8″ in diameter, so if it fits between the bars, the baby crib is dangerous.

Avoid stylish cutouts in the headboard or footboard that are wider than 2 3/8″ to prevent your baby from getting trapped. Corner posts should not be higher than 1/16″ because they are a strangulation hazard. The posts can also catch your baby’s clothing, although posts supporting a canopy are fine.

Pick a snug fitting mattress for your baby crib. Gaps between the edge of the mattress and crib wall can be hazardous. Any new standard size baby crib should take a standard size baby crib mattress of 61 5/8″ by 27 ¼”.

If you are Eco conscious, choose a baby crib made of solid, sustainable wood, treated with non-toxic paint, finishes, or stains. Pick a natural mattress made without petrochemicals. A 100% certified organic mattress and mattress pad protector are also excellent safe and healthy choices. Remember to air out the mattress a couple of months (for off-gassing) before placing it in your baby crib. Natural baby crib sheets are also available now.

Your baby will spend at least 11-12 hours each night in the crib and that’s not including naps! Do everything you can to make it comfortable and safe. Then, you can design your baby crib in any style you like!

Bunk Beds Help Growing Families

2009-04-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

When raising a family in these difficult economic times, having enough money for everyday necessities is tough. The thought of having to spend money definitely makes you nervous. But it can’t be helped; your children are growing out of their beds and need new bedroom furniture. It’s either buy new beds or the kids will have to sleep on the couch or the floor!

Since they are growing, they constantly need more space. And it also doesn’t help living in an apartment in the city when you don’t have the luxury of the extra space. That’s why purchasing bunk beds for your children makes economic sense. Bunk beds are a stylish, money saving way to decorate a bedroom, especially when it’s being shared by two children. Bunk beds also make the most of a room’s available floor space. For almost the price of one bed, you get two bunk beds. And if you purchase the type of bunk bed that can be easily separated into two twin beds, should your children get rooms of their own sometime in the future, it makes your initial bunk bed investment even more sound, as well as functional and practical.

A child’s room is a special place and like no other room in your home. Beds for children are safe and comfortable places to sleep and dream and a well-designed, well-crafted bunk bed will grow with your child. You don’t just want to save money; you want the best quality bunk beds for your children that you can afford.

At MoreBunkBeds.com, they understand the needs and concerns of a growing family. If you’re looking for a new, space-saving bunk bed, they can save you time and money by providing a one-stop shopping experience. But here’s the catch. They know that once you buy the bunk beds, you will also need to purchase mattresses for them! So what’s great about shopping with MoreBunkBeds.com? When you purchase any twin-over-twin bunk bed set by selected brands like Tradewins or Young America, you will receive TWO FREE mattresses. With several choices to pick from, you can customize your new Tradewins bunk bed to have the features most useful to you and your children, like a trundle bed or under-bed storage drawers. I’d waste no time taking advantage of this limited time offer. When you buy a Tradewins twin-over-twin bunk bed set, you will receive not one but two free mattresses!

So even if you’re not a parent with children who need new bunk beds, perhaps you’re a friend or an aunt or an uncle or a grandparent who knows of a family who would enjoy saving money and getting free mattresses when they buy bunk beds for their children. In these tough economic times, almost everyone is looking to save an extra dollar. If you’re part of an average American family who needs to buy “less important” things like bedroom furniture, go to MoreBunkBeds.com. They know just what to offer when buying bunk beds for your children. I know I already found my attractive, sturdy and comfortable bunk bed with two free mattresses…how about you?

Bedroom Sanctuaries by Curt Christian at Cymax Stores

2009-04-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

Shabby chic could not even begin to describe our bedroom furniture! Once a pristine white but now forest green, the dresser came from my parents’ house. It followed me to college; then to my first “adult” apartment; and finally to the townhouse we moved to after we were married. The nightstands were rejects picked up somewhere by my husband, and the chest of drawers moved with him from his last bachelor apartment because he refused to pack the contents. The bed had been my grandmother’s and even though it was old enough to be a collectible, the headboard was in rough shape.

The fact that nothing matched really got on my nerves. For the one room in a home that was supposed to be a sanctuary, our bedroom was sorely lacking. I was determined to fix the problem. But the shabby un-chic appearance of our bedroom furniture didn’t seem to bother my husband as much as it did me. After several failed attempts to drag him shopping for new bedroom furniture, I took matters into my own hands.

My husband was right about one thing though: going store to store looking for what we wanted was time consuming and inconvenient. Searching online for bedroom furniture sites, I discovered Bedroom Furniture N More. Browsing their website, I came across an excellent selection of everything I needed, from wood beds to dressers to nightstands, to transform our shabby room into a beautiful and relaxing place to rest, unwind and prepare for the next day.

The Curt Christian Design s by Martin really got my attention, with their rich finishes and unique decorative accents. Available only through Cymax Stores at BedroomFurnitureNMore.com, the collections by Curt Christian were gorgeous and simply stunning! The fact that Curt Christian furniture is eco-friendly was also a huge plus for me.

As much as I loved my grandmother, the traditional-styled furniture just had to go! I wanted something in between; not too formal but not too contemporary either. Because I always wanted a sleigh bed, I chose the Parker Beacon five-piece bedroom set. When I first looked at the picture, I wondered why they would pair a white mirror with furniture that had a rich dark finish. But after looking closer, I realized that the mirror was made of brushed silver steel to match the custom hardware on the dresser drawers. This was exactly what I was looking for – a classic look with contemporary touches for a sophisticated, yet comfortable appearance.

Thanks to Curt Christian, now my bedroom…I mean our bedroom really is a restful sanctuary that is both warm and inviting.

The Dining Library of Congress

2009-03-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

One of my friends has a bookcase in her dining room. When she moved into the townhouse with her husband and two children, she had nowhere else to put it. It was stuffed full of books in no particular order; all jumbled together were nonfiction, fiction, magazines and miscellaneous items that were stuck on the shelves for want of a better home. It bothered her because the bookcase had a dark cherry finish while the dining table and chairs were a two-tone, country style dining set in white and light wood colors. The mismatched vibe she got whenever she sat at the table made her feel uncomfortable.

The casual dining table was actually a hand-me-down from her in-laws, and even though she ultimately wanted a dining room taken from the pages of Better Homes and Gardens, she was reluctant to replace the table until her children were old enough to do crafty things in their own rooms. In truth, she was quite proud of the historical record her dining tabletop documented, as her son and daughter grew past the finger painting, eating glue and dried-in-the-hair paper mache glob stages. But then something happened that changed the fate of her mismatched dining room forever.

Her mother was moving 400 miles away and wanted to know if she would like the formal dining room table that she had grown up with. Because her dining room was narrow and somewhat awkwardly shaped, she went to her mother’s place to measure the table and found that yes, it would indeed fit in their house.

Once the dining table and matching chairs had been arranged in their new home, my friend was very pleased with the result. It had a rich cherry finish that softly glowed in the light filtering through the window. The upholstered side dining chairs were covered in a neutral fabric that was relatively new, since her mother had had them redone recently. But there was still the matter of the pesky bookcase to deal with. It inspired her to wander into each room to search for a new place to put it. No such luck.

Resigned to having to live with the large bookcase in her (almost perfect) dining room, one day, after searching through cupboards and other stuff for a particular recipe in preparation for a special celebration with friends, she had a brilliant idea. Both made of darker woods, it occurred to her that the bookcase really complemented the dining table. Instead of fighting a losing battle, why not make it a focal point? She removed everything from the bookshelves and replaced them with her cookbooks – every single one she owned. The top two shelves of the center section were reserved for her collection of novelty milk jugs and creamers. Turning a liability into an asset, she had created a handy reference library that would save her a lot of time and frustration.

101 Ways for a Family to Have Fun

2009-03-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

The Christmas I was thirteen and my sister seven and a half, our family received 101 games from Santa. Long before RTA (ready-to-assemble) furniture became popular, the games board, resembling a large octagonal tabletop, had four accompanying legs that, once attached to its underside, magically converted it into a games table. It came with game pieces for 101 different table games, and it seemed like it was just the ticket for elevating family night to a whole new level.

The first time we pulled up our dining chairs up to the game table, it was more like a comedy of errors than a fun family get-together. In no time at all, the tabletop was covered beneath a mound of game pieces pulled from out of the box all at once in an attempt to find the instruction booklet. Once the instructions were located, it was then a simple matter of choosing one of 101 games that everyone would enjoy participating in. By the time we had finally agreed upon a game listed in the booklet that none of us had heard of before, I was longing for a comfortably familiar game of Monopoly.

The next time we gathered around the games table to play, we picked one randomly by flipping open the booklet and having my sister point (with her eyes closed) to one on the page. It was fun and a little raucous; I don’t remember now the name of the game, but it involved throwing large plastic red, black, blue and white rings onto wood pegs. After a few months worth of family nights, we had tried about 40 of the 101 possible games. But no matter which ones we chose, one thing became acutely clear to me; I wasn’t particularly good at any of them. My sister, on the other hand won regularly.

After repeated trouncing by my sister, family 101 games nights didn’t seem as much fun. To survive family game night, I developed a game plan of my own. I would sidle my dining chair up to the table and play a few games before taking a break, supposedly for a glass of water, but when I returned, it was only to watch the action from behind my father’s shoulder. But my mother was too smart; when she caught on to what I was up to, I was “invited” to pick a new game from the many to choose from.

The goal was to play all of the 101 games and then keep playing our favorites. Even though we never made if through the entire list, (and in spite of not winning as often as I liked), the games table did give family fun night a whole new outlook, leaving my sister and I with some fond memories after all these years. Still, it’s probably not too late for a rematch.

Secret in the Garden

2009-03-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

But she was inside the wonderful garden, and she could come through the door under the ivy any time, and she felt as if she had found a world all her own.

from The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett

It’s spring…well almost, and even though it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, it’s time to think about planting gardens or, in my case, prepping the planter boxes on my balcony and browsing online at Greenhouse Select for handy stuff that will help plants grow.

I never know what children’s titles I have on hand in my own personal library because I’m constantly giving them away to nieces, nephews and the children of friends for birthdays as they grow into the books on my shelves. I have given away five copies of Tuck Everlasting, three of Playing Beattie Bow, three of King of the Wind and seven of Charlotte’s Web. But my favorite children’s novel of all time has to be The Secret Garden and I’ve given so many copies of it away, I have lost count. Preparing to write about greenhouses and tying it somehow to this wonderful book, I checked my bookshelves first, to save myself a trip to the library or bookstore. So imagine my surprise when I found I actually still owned my own copy of this much-loved novel.

I planned to just flip through the book for some ideas. But the beautiful words drew me into the seamlessly unfolding story of an orphaned girl journeying from her parents’ home in India to her uncle’s house on the Yorkshire moors. It is a typical coming of age novel with a bit of a twist and since Mary, the main character in the story, learns how to garden, some self-empowerment thrown in for good measure. Add a mysterious, walled garden that is locked and no one has entered for ten years, and you’ve got yourself one timeless tale that sets the imagination on fire.

Upon reading it for the first time all those years ago, that is exactly what this children’s novel did for me – it set my imagination on fire. It didn’t matter that our city backyard in no way compared to the acreage attached to an English country mansion, but that wasn’t a problem for me. My father had turned the abandoned garage on our property into a gardening shed and there was a corner of it that was “walled” in by the trees and shrubs growing in that part of the yard. When first I was called and then searched for, my mother or father would discover that I had virtually vanished. I hadn’t really; I had simply stumbled upon a secret world of my own and found it amusing to stay hidden while they looked for me.

I “borrowed” seeds I found in the shed and planted them in my secret little bit of earth. Unlike Mary, however, in her walled-in garden, nothing grew in the plant bed I had stealthily attempted to create in my hide-away. Of course, now I know the reason that nothing grew was probably due to the fact that the area was too shaded or the seeds that I had stolen were simply old. The story might have turned out differently if I had the Solexx Lit'l Propagator Twin Walled Greenhouse to putter around in.

If you’re looking for a parent/child activity that both you and your daughter or son can enjoy together, consider creating your own “secret” garden. Perhaps it’s not just flowers your child will plant.

Dining Chairs are Handy for Short People

2009-03-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

I’m short and I never feel shorter than when I am in my kitchen preparing a meal or putting away dishes. Especially when I’m cooking for company because I need pots and other items I don’t use regularly, I seem to be constantly reaching for things that are out of reach. I do own a step stool, but it’s conveniently tucked away in the walk-in hall closet. My favorite weapon of choice in the Battle of the Less Tall is the dining chair that is closest to the kitchen.

The chair is a wood ladder back with an upholstered seat in some mystery fabric I’d be hard pressed to identify. The dining chair, along with its two other companions, was a hand-me-down from my grandmother. While they are serviceable (and have given me my money’s worth), they don’t match my dining table and I am working on replacing them. In the meantime, however, they, well at least the one closest to the kitchen, is a practical stand-in for the step stool I’m too busy to fetch.

Not just relegated for use in the kitchen, I also utilize the side dining chair to get into my silverware chest, which sits on top of my china cabinet in the dining room. I keep searching for a more convenient place to put it, but there doesn’t seem to be any other spot for it. To access the cutlery I use when I’m expecting guests, I need my trusty dining chair.

My kitchen cabinets don’t go all the way up to the ceiling; while providing a handy storage space for my cookbooks and other sundries, it does need to be cleaned from time to time. The step stool is too short. Even when standing on it, I still am unable to comfortably sit on the counter in order to stand up on it to wipe down the top of the cabinets. My multipurpose brown dining chair is a must-have accomplice in my cleaning adventure.

I’m sure I’m not the only short person on the planet that hijacks a dining chair as a stand-in for a step stool. But if you are looking for new dining chairs to be used in the more conventional manner, you’ll find a wide selection to choose from at More Dining Chairs.

A Blank Page, Writers and Writing Desks

2009-03-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

In the old days, rewriting a freelance article or short story meant scribbles in the margin, dele marks and circled portions of sentences with arrows directing them to their new home in another place on the page. If I had to leave the manuscript in mid-edit, it sometimes became a puzzle as to what I meant by my notes and where I wanted things to go. But now, I use a computer for writing and I have to admit that I like the fact that a word processing program allows me to split sentences in two and shift them around. And paragraphs, too: with a click of the mouse, I can rearrange the order. But whenever I browse Writing Desk Select, I become nostalgic for the old days, when a fresh blank piece of paper was a written invitation to grab a pen.

The great American writer, Ernest Hemingway, used a Royal typewriter, perched on some kind of flat surface. A Google image search reveals several pictures of Hemingway, at various times in his life, sitting in front of a writing desk that resembles a table that might be found in a kitchen more than any kind of desk, computer, writing or otherwise.

When he lived in Key West, Florida, he wrote in the carriage house, which became his writing studio. It is said that it is here Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his best stories and novels, including A Farewell to Arms and The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. Unlike his house in Cuba, the one at 907 Whitehead St., Key West doesn’t contain any of the author’s original furnishings. But one thing is clear from the pictures taken of Hemingway while writing, he seemed to prefer a writing desk that allowed him the choice to sit at the typewriter or work on a manuscript longhand.

His desk in the study of Finca Vigia, which means Lookout Farm, Hemingway's house near Havana, Cuba has a glass top and is deliciously roomy. In one of the pictures I discovered on the internet, he is pictured sitting at the desk, holding one of his many cats, looking down at a page in the typewriter, while the entire desktop is covered with papers, books and rolled newspapers. I am envious; this is what a writer’s desk should be and look like, organized chaos with cat included. Just looking at this picture of Hemingway seated here, I’m convinced it was no fluke that this is where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bells Toll. The desk inspired him!

What’s in a Name: Is it called a Buffet or Sideboard or Both?

2009-03-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Buffets and sideboards make serving meals and entertaining seemingly effortless and more enjoyable. If you’ve arrived at More Dining Tables determined to purchase one for your dining room, you may be a little confused. Which is which or are they the same thing? Because they basically serve the same purpose, today, many furniture retailers use the terms interchangeably. But sideboards and buffets do have their own separate stories to tell.

Emerging in the form we know them today, sideboards first appeared in the eighteenth century, and were used in a dining room or a hall for holding food and wine before it was to be served. They really gained popularity all over Europe in the nineteenth century as more and more households became prosperous enough to have a room in their homes dedicated specifically to formal dining. They were invariably made of mahogany and were often richly detailed with expensive veneers and costly overlays. Sideboards produced in the European colonies of North America became simpler in appearance and were made of woods indigenous to the region, like oak, pine and walnut.

Typically, a sideboard resembles a table, stands roughly waist high and has a center drawer especially designed for either linens or silverware and an open or enclosed storage area Today, sideboards are available in numerous styles and designs, but essentially are still used for serving food, displaying collectibles and storing meal-related items like serving platters, placemats and cutlery. In today’s busy home, a sideboard, like the contemporary Hillsdale Bayberry Glenmary Cherry Sideboard, can conveniently store everything in one place needed to set a table, saving time while increasing the functionality of your dining room.

From the French, “buffet” refers to a small sideboard for storing dishes. They can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where they bore more of a resemblance to modern sideboards. Originally, a buffet was a stack of shelves, the number of which being an indication of the owner’s wealth and status in the community. Over the centuries, they evolved into elaborately detailed pieces of furniture. In the sixteenth century, it emerged as a serving or side table, often with two or three tiers. In the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the buffet became more elaborate, characterized by tiered shelves above a serving counter and cupboards with doors below the serving area.

Contemporary buffets come in a variety of styles and configurations, but generally have a serving counter with a row of drawers, with two doors on either side and a storage area in the middle. Like the Home Styles Furniture Three-Drawer Large Buffet, a buffet can also include utility drawers, wine storage and a display shelf. Buffets can also feature stemware racks or a hutch with shelves, dividers and plate grooves.

Due to their versatility and adaptability, buffets and sideboards remain a popular way to make dining and entertaining stylish and enjoyable. They essentially serve the same purpose; that of storing meal-related items such as china, utensils and table linens. And just to confuse the issue a little more, when shopping for one online at More Dining Tables, keep in mind that both sideboards and buffets are also known as servers.

How to Choose the Bathroom Vanity that’s Right for You

2009-03-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

Updating your bathroom can be as simple as replacing your current sink with a new bathroom vanity. But once you’ve decided to redecorate, what’s next? How do you decide which one to purchase? While browsing online at More Vanities, here are some things to consider that might help you choose the ideal bathroom vanity for your home.

Since they are available in a wide variety of styles, when selecting a bathroom vanity, this is the first thing to decide. Because the vanity is typically the focal point of the bathroom, the style you select will add ambience to the bathroom’s décor. Traditional style is recognizable by its intricate decorative detail and antiqued hardware. Contemporary bathroom vanities are characterized by simple lines, shapes and forms.

In some ways, the material selected can also determine the style. Like the DreamLine Glass Bathroom Vanity, modern and contemporary vanities are made of glass or a combination of glass and brushed or polished metal. Many types of wood vanities, such as the Cole & Co Charlotte Sink Bathroom Vanity are distinctly traditional.

There are several different types of vanities, from pedestal to double basin. Another thing to consider when shopping online for a bathroom vanity is the features you would like it to have. A pedestal sink, for example, typically does not include any storage options, whereas a standard vanity combines a sink with a cabinet that may include drawers, enclosed shelving or open shelves. A single basin vanity maybe what you currently have, but if you have the room, you might want to upgrade to a double sink bathroom vanity.

Establish who will be using the vanity on a regular basis; this will be a determining factor in what kind of sink and counter you select. You may gravitate toward the vanity with a marble sink, but if you have children, a porcelain one might be more practical for the whole family. The same applies to vanity countertops. Granite countertops are beautiful to look at, but if used in a family setting, they can be high maintenance.

A vanity, especially one with a number of storage options, can increase the functionality of the most used room in your home. Whatever type of bathroom vanity you select, it should be practical, durable and resistant to water, moisture and humidity.

Dining with Hillsdale

2009-03-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

With spring on the way, many manufacturers introduce new product lines at this time of year. Hillsdale is no exception. Their winter product lineup includes six exciting new dining sets that offer a little something for everyone. At Hillsdale Furniture Source, you will find a dining furniture that will breathe fresh life into your kitchen or dining room.

The Casa Blanca collection combines classic farmhouse profiles with transitional design elements for a truly warm and inviting appearance. It features a traditional ladder back chair and an oval table. The collection also includes a sideboard. The beautiful two-tone cherry/black finish gives these pieces a modern look and feel.

The Hermosa Heights collection by Hillsdale is definitely contemporary in style. The counter height gathering table is undeniably a space-saving work of art. Its design incorporates some innovative features such as display shelving, special compartments for wine bottles and an oak finish tabletop with a built-in lazy susan. Displaying an elegant transitional look, the Patterson collection also offers a counter height dining furniture with an adaptable style that fits a range of décors.

Transitional in style, Verona dining sets are available with a number of different seating options that allows you to choose the look that best expresses your personal taste. Parsons chairs with a square table? Slat chairs and a bench with a rectangle table? You decide.

If you’re looking for something that mixes it up a little, consider either the Hillsdale Monaco Dining Set or the Pacifico Dining Set. By pairing different materials together, such as wood, leather and marble in the case of the Monaco series, both collections are visually stunning in their own unique ways.

You will find plenty of reasons, not just for the kitchen or dining room, to give all the rooms of your home a fresh look for spring with innovative designs from Hillsdale Furniture.

Step On It

2009-02-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

I have a tree growing in the middle of my living room. Somehow, the tree on the area rug in my living room ended up being perfectly centered in the middle of the space. Walk into the room and there it is: the base of the tall, gnarly tree starts at edge of the rug facing the door and branches out, reaching toward the balcony windows. The colors are muted but rich; deep brown tree trunk, burgundy apples and teal leaves on a soft tan background.

When I first moved into the apartment, I entertained the vague hope that I could somehow resurrect the oriental carpet I had inherited from my grandmother. But no such luck: I resigned myself to buying a new one when the backing began to seriously disintegrate. I chose the tree rug because it seemed hopeful, representing growth and change.

If you’re facing a similar predicament, Klaussner Furniture Store can help. Featuring Klaussner Home Furnishings, from bedroom sets to dining tables to living room furniture, you will also find a fine selection of area rugs.

The right area rug, like the Klaussner Furniture The Simple Life Rug, with its soothing earth tone hues, can instantly set the mood and bring harmony to a room’s décor. For something a little more traditional, the Klaussner Furniture Rug has an oriental rug feel. To make maintaining the area carpet easier, Klaussner rugs do not have fringes.

An area rug, no matter if it’s a solid color or has a tree theme, creates a mood and adds character, while making the room warm and inviting.

Growing Popularity of Futons

2009-02-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

In the past five years, futons have become more popular largely due to a combination of factors including smaller living spaces, improved designs and the growing trend of furnishing our homes with multifunctional pieces. This once much maligned piece of furniture has fast become a respected member of the furniture community. If a sofa that can be transformed into a bed (or a place to sleep can be changed into a sofa) piques your curiosity, you can browse a great selection of futons at More Futons.

Futons are lighter and more stylish than traditional hide-a-bed type couches. Like the Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Orlando Convertible Sofa, convertible futons typically come as a complete unit with both frame and mattress. If you are in the habit of having people visit you on a regular basis, you can also put them in more than one room, for example a den and the living room, increasing the available sleeping spaces in your home, with or without the assistance of a guest room.

Manufacturers have responded to the futon’s growing popularity by offering consumers not only improved designs but futons in a range of décor styles, as well. The Strata Furniture Carriage Plantation has a transitional style that is easily adaptable to more formal or traditional décors. But if the vibe in your home is more modern, Innovation USA manufactures some pretty stylish contemporary futons while being super functional at the same time.

In the years since its first tentative North American appearance, technology has greatly improved both the mattress and frame construction of the futon. Part of the bad press coverage futons previously experienced was due to the foam mattress becoming lumpy or hard. But today, several brand name manufacturers of traditional mattresses, like Simmons are producing plush, versatile futons mattresses that make owning a futon very comfortable. Wood futons, like the Elite Products Florenzia Futon Frame include user-friendly hardware that makes converting the futon to a bed almost effortless.

With a growing emphasis on making the most out of our living spaces, it’s no wonder that futons have gained in popularity in recent years.

Kathy Ireland Says Thank You Baby

2009-02-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

Last year Thank You Baby teamed up with Kathy Ireland Home to design and manufacture top-of-the-line bedding sets and coordinated accessories for infants and toddlers, with stunning results. The collections are fun, playful and bold, and a couple, like Chocolate Mint and Simply Sorbet, are simply good enough to eat. If you are shopping for your own baby (or for someone else’s), see these delightful products for yourself at Cymax Baby.

From burp clothes to lamp shades and everything in between, Thank You Baby offers a complete line of fine bedding and accessories for any and all tastes and styles. Using beautiful hues of greens and blues, Mr. Pete is as funny and mischievous as he appears. This collection includes a crib set with the basics to help you make crib ready for baby, a diaper stacker and accent pillows. You can also decorate the walls of the nursery with the Kathy Ireland by Thank You Baby Mr. Pete 3 Piece Canvas Art set, which definitively demonstrates Mr. Pete’s sense of humor.

Send your baby on safari with the brightly colored The Adventurer collection. Displaying a funky jungle animal theme, this series also includes different kinds of accent pillows, drapes and crib bedding. Or if dinosaurs are more appealing, consider Dino Dreams, also by Thank You Baby. The Kathy Ireland by Thank You Baby Dino Dreams Mobile is a truly unique creation, featuring four distinctly colorful dinosaurs.

In the Forever Blossoms collection, light and dark pinks with a hint of apple green will create a beautiful garden for your little one in which to sleep and play. Kathy Ireland by Thank You Baby Forever Blossoms Medium Quilt is minky soft, reversible and trimmed in a satin material for that perfect, finishing touch.

Most of the collections, like the Sweetie Carnival Bloom collection, use a select number of different kinds of fabric including stripes and patterns. With a punchy combination of flowers and stripes, the Sweetie Carnival Bloom Valence really pops. Another really great thing about the Thank You Baby collections is that they can grow with your child. Several of the infant collections are also available for youth.

There’s a lot more for you to discover! Explore other bold and beautiful collections by Kathy Ireland Home and Thank You Baby at Cymax Baby.

How to Keep Your Sanity without Really Trying

2009-02-23T16:42:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I attended the fifth birthday party of a friend’s child. When I arrived, he and his wife were a little frazzled, dealing with kids and the stuff they had left lying around: they were having difficulty walking anywhere without crushing toys or stubbing toes. What my friends really needed were some handy kid-friendly storage solutions from Children’s Furniture Select.

It reminded me of a long distance telephone call I had received from my friend Barbara, when her daughter had turned two. The first words I heard after picking up the phone were, “I have a living room floor again!” Her daughter had been given a toy box for her birthday but Barbara felt it was her own personal gift from the gods. Up until then, she didn’t know how she had managed without one.

Inspired by the toy box, which stayed in the living room, Barbara found ways to organize her daughter’s room so that hopefully (this was the theory) kid-related clutter would remain in her child’s room. Clear storage bins, like the KidKraft See-Thru Bin allowed her daughter to see what was stored where. Casters were a must-have feature, so that it could be wheeled into the living room when needed and back out of sight into her daughter’s bedroom after playtime was over.

Barbara has passed her passion for reading onto her children, especially her daughter. Although they hadn’t totally buried her living room floor like the toys had done, books were another source of clutter that needed containing. Resembling the Young America by Stanley Madison Bookcase, she wanted bookcases in her daughter’s room that could be added to when needed.

But her flash of genius became evident when she put two clothes trees, one for each of her children, in the hallway by the door. They still don’t actually hang up their things when they enter the house, but now Barbara doesn’t have to walk as far to the cupboard to put their coats away when they come home.

Once Upon a Time

2009-02-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there was a country called the United Reiterates of Fairy Tales where the characters of fairytales from many worlds and cultures resided in peace and harmony. At the heart of this thriving country’s economy was Cymax Stores, a group of niche markets, where all of the characters did their online shopping, because, no matter what they needed, they could find it on one of the company’s many websites.

The Queen, with the Princess tagging along for something to do, would often be seen at the Public Library, where there was free internet access. Logging onto More Mattresses, she ordered 20 full size box springs and 20 mattresses with a few clicks of the mouse and had them delivered right to her castle. (The pea she took from a big bowl sitting on the kitchen counter in front of the fire when Cook wasn’t looking.)

The family of Three Bears furnished the master bedroom, the guest room and their child’s bedroom at Bedroom Furniture N More, purchasing bedroom sets rather than buying each piece separately, since it was more economical (and Papa Bear really liked that part). Mama Bear appreciated the fact that she could set up a repeat order with Cymax Stores for the KidKraft Avalon Chair in Honey. This meant that every time Goldilocks sat on Baby Bear’s chair, she didn’t have to keep ordering new ones; it was just sent automatically to their quaint little cottage.

Of course, Stepmother bought the now famous mirror from Mirror Source. She actually purchased it long before she married Snow White’s father. It took several days of browsing before she found the Murray Feiss Villa Medici Mirror. But it was worth it; it was so perfect. She had to pay extra for the voice-over that told her she was the fairest one of all. When the mirror changed its mind and named Snow White as the fairest, Stepmother wanted her money back (for the voice-over only; the mirror she wanted to keep).

Like the fair citizens of the United Reiterates of Fairy Tales, you too can find pretty much anything you need for your home, from bedroom furniture (including mirrors) to dining chairs, at Cymax Stores. And everyone lived happily ever after. THE END

Wine Storage with Style

2009-02-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

Throughout the history of civilization, wine has been an integral part of all aspects of life, from religious ceremonies to social gatherings. Today, as more and more people discover the joy of tasting and collecting wines from all over the world, they are turning to More Wine Racks for their wine storage needs.

Wine furniture not only adds distinction and visual interest to a room, it also allows you to showcase your collection. Especially if you’re in the habit of entertaining regularly or having people casually drop in, a wine rack can actually enhance the time you spend with family and friends. With a top shelf for glasses, a cork screw and other items that you need to make guests feel welcome, the Winsome Kingston 16-Bottle Wine Cubby is an attractive way to organize a small number of wine bottles.

If you want to add the functionality of a wine rack, but don’t have the space for a freestanding piece of wine furniture, consider the Concept Housewares Wall Mounted Deluxe Glass and Bottle Wine Rack. It utilizes wall rather than floor space, is esthetically pleasing and includes a convenient stemware rack.

On the other hand, if space isn’t an issue, the Howard Miller Vintner Wine and Spirits Console is an elegant wine cabinet with plenty of features that will help you entertain in style. It is decidedly contemporary, its linear lines emphasized by rich, dark finish paired with sleek brushed nickel hardware.

At MoreWineRacks.com, there is a wide selection of both wood and metal wine racks, wine cabinets and other types of wine furniture to choose from. It doesn’t matter if you indulge occasionally or if you are a serious collector, wine furniture selected with both your décor style and lifestyle in mind will greatly enhance your living space, while giving you the perfect place to display your delectable collection.

Chance Favors the Well-Prepared

2009-02-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

You may think that the middle of winter is not the best time for thinking about greenhouses. Over at GreenHouseSelect.com there are plenty of reasons why now is actually the best time to get a head-start on this growing season. As they say: chance favors the well-prepared.

Why wait until the growing season is perfect to start your home garden or nursery. You can start the growing season early this year with a SpringHouse from FlowerHouse. These specially made houses are not made for harsh winters, but instead provide a suitable environment for early spring and summer growing. It’s easy to set up, lightweight, and very durable.

If you’re looking for something with more durability for growing all year round even in snowy regions, you will want to go with something like this: This Solexx greenhouse is a full-featured greenhouse built to let you grow when you want. It features a super-strong composite frame, optional thick panels for heavy winters, and twin-walled paneling for insulation and optimal light diffusion.

The FlowerHouse Easy Pop-Up Planthouse is a great alternative if you are just a beginner, or are only interested in protecting a few plants throughout the year. This small, lightweight planthouse pop-up for easy set-up and is very durable, featuring waterproof Gro-Tec™ material.

The best part of planting and growing throughout the whole year is showing off. We have just the thing for that. Designed after the English conservatories, the H Potter Wardian Case is a great way to showcase your hard work.

As you can see, GreenHouseSelect.com has many reasons to think about greenhouses in winter. Why wait? Get started today!

Sit, Don’t Kneel

2009-02-17T15:35:00.001-08:00

Okay, I’ll admit it; my place isn’t exactly kid friendly. But it does have a television, a sofa, chairs, other handy pieces of furniture like a coffee table and board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. So, imagine my surprise when two of my nieces and one nephew (all siblings) came to visit me with their mother (my sister), lugging game chairs with them. Shaking her head when she saw my face, my sister explained the situation to me.

The last two times they had come to visit, her children had had to kneel on the floor (it’s carpeted) when they played their favorite video game while the adults made coffee and chatted in the kitchen. She finally cajoled them into coming by suggesting that they load up the car with their personal game chairs. Cajoled? Weren’t they coming to see their favorite aunt? As my nephew, with his sisters following close behind, made his way into my living room, my sister smiled at my naiveté. Like the X Rocker V-Rocker SE Wireless Game Chair what he sat down on my living room floor resembled something out of a 757 jet cockpit.

When I voiced this opinion out loud, my sister assured that that was nothing. Her son really wanted the Repose E-1000 Entertainment Chair which had a built-in stereo system designed to, when watching movies or playing games, let you experience sound rather than just hear it. It’s also fully contoured, making it really comfortable when gaming for long periods of time. I asked her if she was kidding; my sister assured me that she was not.

My two nieces had managed to find room beside their brother for their own gaming chairs. When my younger niece went into the kitchen for a glass of juice, I promptly sat down in hers. Resembling the X Rocker Video Bag it was really comfortable and reminded me of my youth and the first time I ever sat in a bean bag chair at a party. For a few minutes, I watched my nephew intently blow things up. Then my niece returned and of course my sister had to help me up.

Next visit, I plan remove all of the living room furniture and move in three state-of-the-art Playseats Evolution Game Chairs. That should catch their attention (and make them notice their favorite aunt).

Bedroom Furniture as a Canvas

2009-02-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Do you wake up in the morning from nightmares about your children drawing all over the walls, the floor and the furniture? Why don’t you beat them to the punch? At More Accent Furniture, you will find a collection of bedroom furniture by Powell designed specifically so that your children can draw on it.

LittleMissMatched is a delightful two-part collection that is bright, imaginative and just plain fun. And yes, you read the above correctly – they can draw a picture, scribble a note to themselves or write a poem on the side of a dresser! The pieces in the LittleMissMatched SKETCHoRAMA series are finished on all sides and surfaces with a gloss white Dry-erase material so that your children can be as create as they want to be without you panicking. It can be easily cleaned as many times as it needs to be.

As the name indicates, the LittleMissMatched SKETCHoRAMA collection also includes a number of colored, patterned and clear panels, which allows your child to personalize their space and change it as often as they want. Perfect for you too, because, like the Powell LittleMissMatched™ SketchoRama Youth Bookcase Bedroom Complete Set so clearly demonstrates, it incorporates some handy storage options including under-bed storage and a bookcase headboard with a built-in clothes hamper on one side and a cupboard on the other.

The second part of this entertaining collection is the Powell LittleMissMatched™ SwitchaRoo series. You can’t write on the Powell LittleMissMatched™ SwitchaRoo Youth 9-Drawer Triple Dresser but you or your child can arrange the interchangeable drawer panels as they so desire. They are flippable; all polka dots one day; a mix-and-match of solids and stripes the next.

The LittleMissMatched™ SwitchaRoo series has comparable pieces to the LittleMissMatched SKETCHoRAMA collection, including a desk, desk chair, dressers and nightstand. It also has a couple of really cool pieces that are not a part of the SKETCHoRAMA series, like the Powell LittleMissMatched™ SwitchaRoo Youth Round Rotating Twin Size Headboard.

The LittleMissMatched collection will stretch their imaginations and inspire young girls to do great things. And if they just happen to draw something that looks like a Picasso, remember to take a picture of it first before you wipe it off.

The Secret Life of Nesting Tables

2009-02-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

The nesting tables were shipped to me from my hometown, along with some other items I claimed, after my father sold the house my sister and I grew up in. I wanted these particular items because each one I had chosen reminded me in some way of my mother and represented to me the comfortable home she created and recreated throughout the years.

I also chose the nested tables because, after working at Cymax Stores combined with living in an apartment, the value of multipurpose or multifunctional furniture pieces has become clearly evident to me. The three tables, of varying heights, sit one underneath the other and can be used as a single unit or separated and used as accent tables or end tables. The handy thing about these tables is that, when entertaining, they can be moved around the room to accommodate those not sitting next to a surface upon which they can put a drink or a plate.

The wood nesting tables resided for a good portion of their lives in the living room of my childhood home. Even though they had been moved about the room from one place to another over the years, I don’t ever remember a time when I didn’t pass by them on my way to somewhere else. I have walked passed them so many times, even if they weren’t in my possession, I could describe them to you by heart. They have bowed fronts with routed edges, fluted legs, arrow feet and a fluted, three-sided stretcher. How then could I not notice that the feet of the two smaller tables never touched the ground?

Perfect size for a telephone table, ever since they arrived at my apartment, they stand against the wall next to the big armchair. The top nesting table holds the phone, a funny pen holder and a small basket of assorted note pads collected over the years from stocking stuffers and promotional handouts. But one evening I came home from work late, and because a favorite TV show of mine was about to start, I broke my own rule and ate dinner in front of the television. I grabbed one of the nested tables, placed it in front of the couch, put a placemat on it and sat down to dinner. After I had eaten, I cleared everything away. That’s when the trouble started.

When I tried to put the table back, it had me totally stumped. Like the Powell Brown Cherry Two Piece Nested Accent Tables, I thought it would simply slide in underneath the two other tables. But it didn’t. Something seemed to stop it from slipping back into place. Sometime later, I finally figured it out. Working on the theory that something was blocking the way, I removed the middle nesting table and turned it upside only to find grooves on the inside edges. The nesting tables should be slotted not slid into place. Hence the reason for the legs of the two smaller tables floating above, rather than resting on, the floor.

I experienced a weird sensation. I sat on the floor, just staring; these tables had been so much a fabric of my life, they were now revealing something new to me, after all these years? The more I stared, the more I appreciated the simple elegance of the design of these nest tables. All three tables can be lifted up and moved as one without any slewing around or unnecessary juggling. Ingenious! I returned to the couch and what was left of my show.

But all the time, I wondered what other secrets my mother’s nesting tables were keeping from me.

Shadow Seen

2009-02-12T12:46:00.001-08:00

Another year and another string of failed publicity efforts for Val Marie Vern, as malcontent a prairie dog as you’ll find in the Saskatchewan flatlands just north of the Montana border. “Discrimination I tell you,” he lamented to his wife who disinterestedly nodded without taking her eyes of the tube. “If I were a groundhog we’d be swimming in renown by now.” “I can see my shadow as well as any other rodent,” he thought to himself, “and yet Puxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie get all the glory.”

He sulked over to his den and brought his laptop out of hibernation. Destination? ChandelierSelect.com. He wasn’t ready to pack in his campaign for a Western Canadian version of the legendary events that occur every February 2^nd in Puxsutawney, Pennsylvania and Wiarton, Ontario, but another long year lay ahead before his promotional efforts began anew.

When you live in a burrow, it matters little whether it’s day or night. There’s no opening the blinds or parting the curtains to add some natural light to the place. It’s dark, always dark, and the decrepit white orb that hung precariously from his dining room ceiling was bringing him down. When every meal of every day consists of the same fare – leaves, grass roots, seeds mixed with grasshoppers and other insects – the whole experience loses its appeal somewhat over time. Vern came to decide his dining area was in need of a pick me up to mitigate the monotony of it all.

Vern knew to defer to the missus’ decor sensibilities, and beckoned Violet over to the den. It was nearly impossible to pry her away from Oprah at this time of the day, or any other talk show for that matter. Credit where it was due, Violet was quickly drawn to a number of attractive and competitively-priced ceiling fixtures.

Many of the AF Lighting Chandeliers glowed with old world grandeur and charm, perfect for reflecting them as the gentile Prairie Dogs they considered themselves to be. After all, it certainly couldn’t be considered a hallmark of common folk to serve beetle sautéed in wheat grass and garnished with elderberries. The AF Lighting Morning Dew One Light Chandelier struck her as especially appealing with its depth of design and unbeatable price.

As participatory as he was, Vern couldn’t stop fuming; What makes groundhogs so special? We’re both rodents and the average Joe couldn’t tell us apart if he tried! Is my shadow inferior somehow? What the heck does a Prairie Dog have to do to get some recognition and respect around here? Maybe I should hire a publicist this year ...

“Vern! Are you listening?!”

He was jerked back into the here and now by Violet’s anxious bark. She was asking his opinion on a number of Murray Feiss Chandeliers that blended classic design themes with a more modern take, suitable for impressing their uppity neighbors the Gatherlords. You think Prairie Dogs don’t need to keep up with Jones’ as well? The Murray Feiss Gatsy 4-Light Chandelier really caught his eye.

The selection of ELK Lighting chandeliers was so large that perusing it took the remainder of the afternoon. Night fell, and Vern yet again began to dwell on the coming morning in much the same way he had for the past week. He’d seen his shadow each and every daybreak as well, just the same as Phil and Willie had. Difference was, a Prairie Dog’s shadow just doesn’t carry the same weight. “It’s just not fair” Vern grumbled as Violet turned out their bedside lamp. She sighed tiresomely as she rolled over.

“Give it up, honey”.

When a House Becomes a Home

2009-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

A house is just a building until it’s transformed by a child’s laughter, a shout of joy in response to good news or a sigh of relief when a loved one walks through the door after being caught in a storm. But the furnishings we choose for our homes are also part of this transformation, enhancing our quality of life by creating a sanctuary that we can share with one another, both family and friends. Distinction Leather designs leather living room furniture with this transformation from a house into a home in mind.

The ideal starting point for any living room is of course the sofa. Well-designed, with softly rounded lines, the Distinction Leather Skirted Sofa has a casual, contemporary style that is warm and inviting. The plush cushion back is the perfect backdrop for curling up with a book or kicking back to watch a favorite TV program.

For those of you more traditional at heart, Distinction Leather has sofas for you, too. Sophisticated yet comfortable, the Distinction Leather Tufted Chesterfield Short Sofa includes classic decorative accents such as brass stud detailing and hardwood bun feet. Most of the manufacturer’s leather sofas are part of collections like the Distinction Leather Chelshire 4 Piece Leather Living Room Set.

If somewhere in the middle is more your style, the transitional Distinction Leather Brooke Chair will be the ideal choice for setting the tone of your décor. It has classic club-style rolled leather arms and an oversized wing cushion back. Like the other members of the Distinction Leather family, this club chair comes in a wide selection of leather color and wood finish choices.

No matter what the style, from contemporary to traditional, Distinction Leather, a family business, starts with quality materials and designs with today’s lifestyle in mind. The company’s product lines include leather sectionals and recliners. There’s a little something for unexpected guests, too, to make them feel at home. The Distinction Leather Regis Sleeper Sofa has clean, comfortable lines that are only enhanced by its genuine leather upholstery.

When decorating your living space, browse the fine selection of furnishings by Distinction Leather at Every Sofa to find those perfect furniture pieces that will make your home a welcoming place to be.

Be Right With You

2009-02-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

From doctor’s offices to car rental centers, the words “please have a seat” typically follow guests being greeted at the reception desk. Whether the wait is two minutes or 20, it is genuinely in your best interest to see to it that your clients, customers or associates are well accommodated during this time. With an assortment of Safco office products from Cymax Stores you can easily and affordably furnish your waiting area in a manner that reflects the professionalism of the office and one that will make guests comfortable during the wait.

Sturdy, simple stylish and featuring a generously cushioned seat and back, Safco Cava Sled Base Guest Chairs are an ideal starting point for this aim. The Cava also boasts durable and stain-resistant fabric upholstery in a selection of color finishes. The more modern office may be better complemented by the sleek and contour molded Safco Apprentice II Guest Chair with its distinctive cantilever base.

The Safco Workspace Urbane Guest Arm Chair will mesh seamlessly with a modern contemporary decor with its hardwood framing, rounded back and distinctive integrated slope arms. Those with a more diversified clientele base may wish to ensure comfortable seating for individuals of varying sizes with a number of Safco Uber Big and Tall Guest Chairs with the same quality upholstered and cushioned seat but weight rated to 500 lbs.

Providing guests with reading material is a tested and true accommodation measure for any office. Rather than have magazines and / or newspapers strewn across the occasional table, offer them to guests with the attractive style and presentation of a Safco 5 or 10-Pocket Black Leather Look Magazine Rack that can be easily wall mounted. For those inclined to a little more flair, consider a pair of Safco 3-Pocket Wave Magazine Racks for a little pizzazz in your waiting area.

The right waiting area is part of creating an understanding of customer / client care in your workplace. Comfortable seating and a means of engaging themselves while biding their time are necessities for these valued individuals, and making them feel genuinely welcome is a gesture you cannot go wrong with no matter what business you’re in.

Do keep in mind the fact that you need a waiting area is indicative of the extent to which your business is thriving. Accordingly, you are well-advised to embrace its design and furnishing in imagining every individual is entering your office for the first time, and adhering to the all-too-true belief that you never have a second chance to make a first impression.

Should You Go Backless?

2009-02-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

Nothing else quite shows your personal taste like leather barstools Regardless of the décor style, leather barstools bring a sophisticated look and feel to any kitchen island, breakfast bar, family room or den. The trick to attaining the appearance and functionality that best suits your lifestyle is to determine the purpose of the barstool and the overall form or profile you want your barstools to have.

When selecting barstools or counter stools, many people associate comfort with backrests. But others are loyal supporters of the backless barstool. Both backless stools and bar stools with backs have their own unique advantages. At Leather Barstool Select, you will find a number of both types of stylish leather bar or counter stools to choose from.

Since there is more barstool to look at, leather stools with backs can appear more impressive. Typically, the backrest of a barstool is where many of the stool’s defining decorative details can be found. Especially in the case of leather barstools where the seat back is made of wood, metal or a combination of both, the contrast between the leather upholstery and the backrest can be striking, adding texture to your décor while creating visual interest. The Hillsdale Lilly 30 Inch Wood Bar Stool is an excellent example of how leather and wood combine with stunning effect.

Aside from added comfort, another advantage of choosing leather barstools with a back is they are safer if children will be using them on a regular basis, since the backrest can help to prevent them from tipping backwards. Leather upholstery for a bar stool or counter stool might be the last type of material you would choose when buying stools for a family with children. However, you might want to reconsider. Leather is extremely resilient. A high quality leather barstool is durable and fairly easy to maintain, and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost much more than its faux leather counterpart.

At first glance, there might appear to be fewer reasons for opting for a backless leather barstool. But there are several advantages to consider, particularly when purchasing leather stools for rooms or counters where space is an issue. Backless leather barstools tend to take up less floor space than ones with backs. They are also lighter and easier to move around if and when you need additional seating in any of the other rooms of your home. Sitting down on a backless leather bar stool or counter stool is simpler.

The main advantage of backless stools, however, is esthetics. Because the profile of the barstool is unimpeded by the backrest, a backless leather barstool like the Hillsdale Backless Montello 30 Inch Swivel Leather Bar Stool is an excellent choice for high traffic areas, since the stools can be pushed underneath the counter or gathering table without hiding or obstructing their esthetic qualities.

Take a look at our great selection of leather barstools at Leather Barstool Select and you’re sure to find the ones that will perfectly fit your taste and style.

Easy to Shop For

2009-02-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

Most of us have, at some point or another, been told by a family member or significant other whether or not we are easy to shop for. This assessment is typically given around Christmas or one’s birthday, and if finding a gift for you doesn’t require much thought or effort you will be given this distinction.

Young children are the only demographic group as a whole that can have the “easy to shop for” tag attached to the lot of them. This is even more true when you consider the array of children’s products at www.childrensfurnitureselect.com. Don’t be too quick to assume that simply means toy after toy for the little ones. Although toys are a big part of the ease in finding enthusiastically-received kids’ gifts, playfully themed children’s fixtures are an equally safe bet much of the time.

As you might imagine, I’m a big proponent of planting the bookworm seed at as young an age as possible. Your little guy might beam upon receiving a Levels of Discovery Firefighter Revolving Bookcase with its fire-hydrant theme, and if so you may want to consider adding any one or all of the Levels of Discovery Firefighter Collection.

Enjoy these years, as before you know it you’ll be in a record store grossly mispronouncing the name of some obscure indie band. They don’t remain easy to shop for for very long.

Reveling in all that is dainty is very much a rite in the life of all young girls. While it’s not as simple as being drawn to anything pink or frilly, it does make it somewhat easier for parents and extended family or friends to choose a suitable gift for the little princess. To that end, do consider any of the Levels of Discovery Always a Princess Collection of suitably charming bedroom fixtures for your little lady before her tastes to switch to all manner of paraphernalia related to painfully androgynous-looking boy bands.

Don’t let your token adherence to conventional wisdom deceive you as to whether members of your family are easy to shop for. That you buy a tie for your father’s b-day every year doesn’t mean he’s just that, and the same goes for buying oven mitts for your mom the every 3-4 years it takes for the last pair to perish. I freely admit to being one for which the lack of intuition and creativity when it comes to occasion shopping makes easy-giftees out of some who perhaps shouldn’t be.

For example, if your little girl has amassed quite the doll collection over the years, why not veer wide left and surprise her with a Levels of Discovery Best of Buds Mirrored Storage Seat in her bedroom. She can admire herself in the full-length mirror and the storage seat means she can keep Barbie and Ken as immaculately proportioned and blemish free as the good lord intended them.

That young children are indeed so easy to shop for is a blessing that certainly does not last. While it’s here, be sure to enjoy it and make it equally easy on your hectic schedule with the convenience of shopping online at Cymax Stores.

Online Shopping Safety

2009-02-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

The internet has changed our lives in so many profound ways. One of the ways it has, has been with shopping. Whether you are looking for clothes, electronics, cars, household goods, or whatever it is that tickles your fancy, you can find an online retailer that sells it. And don't think for a second that online shopping is just a fad. According to statistics released by StatsCan in November 2008, online shopping propensity has actually increased to $12.8 B in 2007, up 62% from two years earlier.

More and more people are opting to shop from home. The benefits are pretty clear: more convenient, less time consuming, less stressful as there are no line-ups or parking issues, no travel costs are involved, etc. But even with those benefits, some still prefer to go out to their favorite mall or shop. And there are several reasons for that. Some like going out because it can be considered an activity, some like it because of the touch and feel aspect involved in traditional shopping.

But for some, a simple distrust for online shopping is still holding them back. Many people still feel unsafe about using their credit cards online. Some people think they won't be getting what they paid for or for anything at all. Yes, as the number of credible and reliable online stores increases, so too are the scammers looking to make a quick buck. But how can you prevent internet thievery? Perhaps one of the best ways to do this would be to familiarize yourself with some of the qualities of a good online store.

Most credible online stores can usually be identified and separated from the shady ones usually from pure aesthetics. However, you can't simply rely on what looks good, because many more internet thieves nowadays are getting better at web and graphic designs. So what else can you look for?

One of the first things you should look for is for contact information. Make sure there is a dedicated customer service line you can contact so as to ensure you aren't working with a faceless company. Another thing to look out for is a standard return policy. Most credible online retailers will give you the opportunity to return your item for a full refund as long as certain requirements are made (depending on the retailer, of course). If a store you are planning on buying from doesn’t have a standard return policy, then it's best to stay away.

Other important information to look out for includes the terms and conditions. This information describes what you are agreeing to, and what the retailer is offering you. The terms and conditions may also include other types of information such as privacy policies, shipping info, and security assurances.

On the note of security, not all retailers will have the exact services, but it definitely makes things clearer of who's legit versus those who aren't, if they are partnered with McAfee Secure or Thawte. Both these companies ensure the security of online retailers across the World Wide Web. Also search for credibility from third party sources as well such as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) or Internet Retailer (if they are included in Internet Retailer's Top 500 List, you can almost guarantee the site is perfectly safe and legit).

Finally, look for other payment options other than using your credit cards. Companies like Google (Google Checkout), Paypal, and BillMeLater only agree to work with retailers who are 100% trustworthy and meet all statutory requirements. For added assurance that you are working with a safe online store, try searching the site for customer testimonials as well (past customers who have left positive feedback about their experiences with the retailer).

A good example of an online retailer who meets all of the above is Cymax Stores. Cymax was founded in 2004, selling TV stands and other home theater furniture. They have since increased their product breadth to include bedroom, living room, dining room, and office furniture, as well as other small household products. Since its inception over 4 years ago, Cymax has seen growth in the online retail business of over 100% year after year. The navigation of their 100+ niche market sites is very user-friendly, and as noted, they cover all of the grounds covered above.

So next time you want to go shopping, but it's too cold to go outside, or you don’t want to spend money of gasoline, try your hand at shopping online. Online shopping is growing in popularity at break-neck speed and can be quite convenient most of the times. And with this information on hand, you'll be able to know how to differentiate the contenders from the pretenders, and make a successful, safe and secure online purchase.

Where In the World Are They Going To Sleep?

2009-02-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I live on the West coast. So, when family members or friends phone out of the blue to announce they’re coming to visit, I consider it an acceptable penance for living in an apartment with an ocean view complete with mountains outlined in the distance. Of course I’ll be glad to see them, but the minute I put down the phone, that nagging little question pops into my head: “Where is everyone going to sleep?” Fortunately, More Bedroom Furniture can offer some convenient answers to that pesky question.

If you’re like me and already own furniture, none of which is dual purpose, preparing for guests can be problematic. One neat solution is the Linon Verona Folding Bed. Unlike some fold-away cots, it’s not just the frame; it comes as one unit with a thick mattress included.

When in the market for a new couch, consider purchasing a futon. Over the years, the futon has slowly shed its image as the bed of choice for money-strapped students in dorms all over the world. Today, it has become a trendy must-have piece of furniture, especially for apartment and condo dwellers in the market for multifunctional furnishings that save space. The LifeStyle Solutions Aruba Casual Convertible Upholstered Sofa easily converts from a sofa to a recliner and/or a bed, perfect for guests (expected or unexpected).

They tend to be heavier than a futon, but sofa beds or convertible sleeper sofas offer similar options when you are looking to increase the number of sleeping spaces in your home. Unlike the futon however, the bed is built into the sofa. The mattress pulls out when needed as a bed and can be folded back into the body of couch when it’s no longer needed. Tastefully designed, the Van Gogh Designs Courtney Sofa Bed is a perfect example of just how savvy sofa beds can be.

The daybed is a viable solution when prepping your home for visitors. Essentially a bed, a standard daybed resembles a couch and has a back and two arms. However, it does not convert into a couch, but rather can be used as one. A daybed with an attached drawer-style trundle unit, the Hillsdale Brookland Leather Daybed with Pull-out Trundle provides two sleeping options for the price of one.

Freestanding trundle units are another great way to make room for guests. They are available in a number of types, depending on the manufacturer. The pop-up trundle can be conveniently collapsed and stored underneath a bed when not in use. Another under bed option is the South Shore Furniture Prairie Trundle Bed, which can be slid out from under any sized bed as needed.

Just because you don’t have a second bedroom for guests, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make them comfortable when they come for a visit. With so many options to choose from, adding a futon, daybed or convertible sleeper sofa from More Bedroom Furniture is the perfect way to welcome them.

Love Fixtures

2009-02-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

The token bounty of chocolates and flowers suffices during the early years of a relationship, but for those of you who tied the knot many years there may be a need to up the ante a bit. There’s no room of your home, save the living room perhaps, that reflects the permanence of your settling down like the bedroom. The rickety futon and upturned box-as-a-nightstand days of your bachelor youth are a long distant memory, though it’s almost certain you wouldn’t wish to revisit them even if you could.

This year, give some thought to showing her your continued devotion with something less delectable or perishable. It’s also quite likely you’ve showered her with a bevy of jewelry over the years, so maybe this year adding a jewelry armoire from www.jewelryarmoireselect.com to your private space will be an equally tasteful and practical choice this Valentine’s Day. Vertically-oriented, they are in line with space concerns and yet still offer a wealth of storage options for a woman’s accessories.

The armoire itself grew out of a wish to have stored garments concealed in a time before closets or any other in-wall cabinet design. The jewelry armoire likely came to be proposed after the opulence of the Elizabethan era led women to have more trinkets and baubles than could reasonably be retained in their expansive vanities.

Whatever the reason, it’s interesting to note that the jewelry armoire is one bedroom fixture that has not evolved to take on more contemporary or modern themes. At least not to a noteworthy extent. Nearly to a one they feature classic carved legs and molded and/or scalloped details like those of the Powell Jewelry Armoire in Heirloom Cherry, one that retains the charms of French colonial life for the bedrooms of today.

The Powell Natural Cherry Jewelry Armoire has something of a vintage cosmopolitan vibe to it, but truthfully that’s about as updated a jewelry armoire as you’ll find. This stoic resiliency to change may play a part in their appeal, as some women feel that making such a classically sophisticated console part of their morning routine adds a certain whimsical charm to it.

The Powell Jewelry Armoire in Merlot is representative of the style most popular today. It offers more quiet trademarks of old-world sophistication with a toned-down transitional nature and a dark merlot finish to make it stylistically suitable for most bedrooms. Both the Heirloom Cherry and Merlot feature side-door cabinets with necklace hooks and a flip-top lid compartment with vanity mirror and 4 ring rolls.

A year passes in no time at all, think back to how you felt on New Year’s Day if you’ve lost track of that already. Valentine’s days come and go, and no one is suggesting you can’t return to the obligatory chocolate/roses/jewelry fare some time in the future. This year, however, throw her a curveball with a gift that will have the appeal of posterity and one she can revel in as she goes through her pre-day or evening routine.

Baby's Day Out

2009-01-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

With all the excitement of welcoming a new family member, there is also a lot of planning involved when preparing a nursery and buying baby furniture. After jotting down a few of the main items such as the crib, high chair and stroller, it also occurs to you that the crib will need a mattress and bedding, not to mention clothes, toys and a whole bunch of other stuff. Suddenly your to-do list can get a little overwhelming! The key to buying baby furniture and everything else you need is a budget. Baby Crib Station and Cymax Baby can help you stick to it.

It might seem that there are so many different kinds of cribs to choose from that you might never make up your mind. Especially if you opt for not knowing your baby’s gender, a unisex crib is an excellent alternative, like the DaVinci Alpha 3-in-1 Crib. It is a smart choice because not only is it a unisex crib with all of the necessary features of a standard crib, it converts from a standard crib to a toddler daybed as your child grows from baby to toddler. If room size is an issue, the L.A. Baby Folding Port-a-Crib Crib has a convenient, space-saving design that folds easily for storage or portability. For more space-saving solutions, select a convertible crib with optional under drawer storage like the Young America by Stanley Madison Built to Grow Convertible Crib.

Now your child has someplace to sleep, when they get a little older they will need a comfy place to sit and eat. The Kolcraft Contours Perfect Fit High Chair is height-adjustable, locking casters, removable tray and can be cleaned easily and folded up if it needs to be stored away. Worried about how to take baby along for family outings? The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is the perfect solution. It’s collapsible and comes with its own carrying bag.

When you venture outside to explore the world with baby in tow, you will need a stroller. The Go-Go Babyz Urban Advantage 2007 Stroller has a unique three-wheel design that makes it ideal for maneuvering around tight corners and down narrow store aisles. It has a well-cushioned seat, a brake-activated kickstand for added stability and can be easily collapsed with one hand. On the other hand, if you want a stroller with a more traditional look, the Inglesina Classica Pram is the perfect choice.

With the right choices for you, your baby and your lifestyle, being a new parent is sure to go a little smoother. Shopping online in the comfort of your own home at Baby Crib Station and Cymax Baby will make planning your nursery and purchasing a crib, high chair, stroller and anything else you need almost effortless.

Green Thumbs Nearly Soiled

2009-01-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

With spring not so far off, those of you who wish to grow your own vegetables and fruits this year may wish to make a visit to www.greenhouseselect.com. You’ll be pleased to learn that you don’t need to make a permanent commitment of a large portion of your yard to add a greenhouse to your horticultural arsenal. Truth be told, you don’t necessarily need a yard at all.

A friend of mine takes pride in the tomatoes and squashes he grows himself each year. In the early years, his father let him use what little space remained in his large and weather-worn greenhouse in a very rural part of the western south island. More than a few panes on the old structure were covered with cellophane sheeting secured with duct tape. (Red Greene would have been proud – duct tape was similarly instrumental in securing the corner posts of the rickety trough tables)

Eventually he became more ambitious and wished to expand his yield, but the expanse of his pops’ botanical ventures meant there wasn’t enough available space in the greenhouse. He resolved that with a little more diligence and care the crops could be grown out doors. It seemed to go fairly well the first year, with the only problem being the local deer and rabbit community found the vegetables as appealing as we did.

The year following, his solution to the annoyance almost fooled me in a bad way.

I tagged along for the day with the promise that if I helped him with some tending, he’d help me lug my scuba gear down into the Jordan River valley. I wanted to pan for gold in the bottom of a deep and dark eddy pool I’d scouted. (Unsuccessfully, but I did make the rather macabre discovery of an almost fully-intact dog skeleton down there)

My hands became so muddy that I had difficulty tying the twist ties to the retainer sticks. I reached down to rinse my fingers in one of the cans of “water” that were set about the base of the grow area when my friend stopped my progress with an anxious bark...

Apparently the odor of human urine repels wildlife from crops.

Nowadays we’re both city slickers, but he still caters to his green thumb on his condo balcony. His Jewett-Cameron Early Start Corner Greenhouse Unit goes to show how reaping the rewards of greenhouse technology is not exclusive for those with a large backyard and the freedom to have a permanent structure.

Those who have a patio attached to a ground floor unit would be able to intensify the sun’s generative power without taking up too much space with a Jewett-Cameron 4’ x 8’ Weatherguard Greenhouse. Folks who have the small square backyards that typically accompany a townhouse or similar small single-family dwelling could put any of the larger Jewett-Cameron 6’ x 8’, 8’ x 8’ or 6’ x 12’ Weatherguard Greenhouses to use and likely still have place for a swing set or bird bath.

These greenhouses are easily assembled within two hours, and can be disassembled just as easily for the winter months if you’re so inclined. They’re designed to stand up to most of what Mother Nature can dish out, and you won’t need to resort to disturbing means of wildlife repulsion to yield a full harvest.

Where Minds Meet

2009-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

In the past year, we here at Cymax Stores have been undergoing renovations due to our increasing need for office space as we continue to grow. Gathering around the conference table for a meeting for the first time since the boardroom reopened its doors, we all admired the new conference table and office chairs. It turns out, while the chairs are indeed new, the conference table was not; where it once had been two-toned it now had been stained a rich black. I couldn’t believe the difference it made. It literally had breathed new life into the boardroom.

I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. After all, the conference table is not only a place to hold a meeting; it is the focal point of the room. It’s the first thing people notice when walking in and sitting down. The image the conference table projects could further your company’s image and play a positive role in advancing your business’ success. It might be tempting to think that buying a large flashy conference table with matching trendy, yet comfortable office chairs will do the trick. However, if you want to make a good first impression on prospective clients or employees, the boardroom or conference room should look professional yet inviting.

The distinctive character and ambience of your boardroom will largely be determined by the shape of conference table. The most common shapes for conference tables are rectangular, boat-shaped and racetrack. For a classic look that will never go out of style, choose a rectangular conference table. On the other hand, the boat-shaped conference table has a sleek, contemporary vibe. If your meeting room or boardroom is smaller-sized, round, square or octagonal conference tables are good alternative choices. Regardless of the shape of the conference table, you don’t want one that is too large or too small for the space. The conference table should proportionately fill the center of the room and look balanced.

The base of the conference table also contributes to its overall look and feel, while giving it strength and stability. When selecting the type of base for your conference table, the following criteria should be met: it complements the effect you want to achieve, it is strong and durable and it is stable. Popular types of bases for conference tables are the curved plinth base, the H-shaped base and the slab base. Many kinds of conference tables also have traditional legs that lend the table a relaxed, modern appeal.

The style you choose for your conference table makes a bold statement about your business. Traditional conference tables are characterized by medium to dark finishes and architectural detailing such as decorative molding and carved legs. Contemporary style conference tables are known for its use of sleek lines and geometric shapes and can have eye-catching two-tone finishes.

First impressions are important. The type of conference table you choose for your boardroom will help your company project a positive and confident image that is so important in today’s market. You will find everything you need to create the ideal boardroom, from conference tables to office chairs, at More Conference Tables.