Category Archives: Uncategorized

Guest Bedroom Storage Opportunities

While guest bedrooms can be convenient for guests, chances are they are not the most used room in your home. In the current situation, some may be using their guest rooms as offices, virtual school for their children, or an in-home gym. To fully utilize your guest room, make sure no space goes unused with these storage ideas.

  • While your guests need some of the closet space and dresser drawers, you could also use some of that space for additional storage. Storing additional blankets in the bottom dresser drawers and hanging off-season or infrequently used clothing items in the closet are common ways to free up space.
  • Beds with built-in drawers provide an additional storage opportunity, but you can also use plastic containers with wheels for easy access to seasonal items, like clothes that are out of season.
  • If the guest nightstand has drawers, it can be a great place to store a smaller household items not currently in use or season like candles and picture albums.
  • Furthermore, don’t hesitate to put in a desk, especially an aesthetically pleasing desk like a writing desk, to maximize space during these unprecedented times. Guests are rare and this is your home, so make sure the home is used as you need. Your guests won’t mind!

Children’s E-Learning Station

Many people have abruptly begun working from home, and now with the start of school, children are as well with school being at least partially virtual for many.  While working from home has its pros and cons for both children and parents, it is important to stay focused and productive in a dedicated workspace, even if you don’t have an entire room. The right environment is key to your success. Below are some helpful hints on building a work station for your children:

  • For children, it is important that it be both comfortable and free of distractions.
  • If space is limited, your children’s designated workspace can be a smaller desk in your living room or guest room.
  • The best part about working from home and virtual school is the comfort and convenience, so make sure you add those cozy touches like a blanket, personal fan, pillow, and anything your child might need during the day.
  • If necessary, their workstation can be in their bedroom or in the office with you. Ensuring it feels like school during school hours is just as critical for them as it is for you.

Time for a New Mattress?

How many years has it been since you had a GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP? Change that immediately with a TEMPUR-PEDIC MATTRESS.

Why should you replace that old mattress?

–A mattress typically lasts only 7-10 years, based on care

–You no longer enjoy a restful night’s sleep

–Noisy springs- when you hear springs it’s a sign to replace the mattress

–Sagging= poor support

–It has accumulated dust mites and allergens

 

What should we replace it with? Advantages of Tempur-Pedic mattress:

–State of the art, designed for space travel by NASA to absorb G-forces of space travel

–Made in the United States of America in Lexington, KY

–It reduces motion transfer from your partner so you have a restful night

–Tempur-Pedic mattress have temperature management capabilities to help you sleep approximately 8 degrees cooler

–The various layers of foam work to reduce allergies for sleepers giving you a perfect night

 

Since the Tempur-Pedic mattress has 3 layers of composition, it offers incredible and unparalleled support compared to any other mattress. This provides tremendous benefits for your spine and allows for even weight distribution reducing “pressure points” while you sleep.

Visit us today and choose your own mattress!

New Furniture & Best Materials

It’s not too late to purchase the backyard furniture you want for all the summer cookouts and fall enjoyment.

If you meet one of the following conditions, it is time to purchase new furniture:

-Check all furniture and see if it is broken or beyond repair. (You don’t need a chair collapsing on a friend

-The patio or deck has changed considerably since the furniture was purchased

-If the furniture is stained or threadbare, purchase new and enjoy it

-Sit in all chairs, the weather could have made it uncomfortable to sit in

-Your tastes have changed over the years, time to purchase new

 

What should you do with the old furniture?

-If it is no longer safe haul it to the landfill

-For useable furniture it consider donating it to a local charity,  homeless shelter or a relative

-Based on its condition, you could sell it

 

Consider the materials when making your new selection:

Durability: What is the most durable? It is a bit heavy but the longest lasting  has been in use a long time and lasts several decades—Wrought Iron!  It is truly an investment that continues to give for long periods of time.  A disadvantage, which can be an advantage, is it also has the heaviest frame.  This, however, contributes to the life of the furniture which can easily last 25 years+.

If you prefer to use wood and not wrought iron then you must go with TEAK, it is by far the best choice.  Teak is naturally water resistant because of the oil it contains and is resistant to warping, cracking or becoming brittle.  These qualities make teak an outstanding choice for your purchase of new outdoor furniture because it will resist  any type of harsh weather. It is harvested from slow growing,  solid Indonesian teak trees and is very durable and since it is naturally water resistant it has been used in ship builders for years on their decks. An additional advantage to teak is a simple coat of its own oil will make it shine and appear like new.

Aluminum is by far the most popular patio furniture material.  With a powder coating, which offers added protection again the outdoor elements, it will last far better than most other materials and resist oxidation. When covered with a Sunrella fabric it will be a beautiful addition to your porch or deck.

 

Outdoor Furniture Care

The summer season has officially started, so make sure you take care of your outdoor furniture to keep it nice all summer long.

  • First, if you have new furniture, make sure you read the manufacturer’s care instructions. You do not want to use a cleaner or product that could be harmful the the furniture.
  • Throughout the summer, clean your furniture lightly with a manufacturer approved cleaning solution, but generally soap and water work. By including your outdoor furniture in your cleaning routine, you ensure it is ready to use and stays nice. Wood furniture can also need conditioning, but this is specific to the type of wood.
  • Covering your furniture while it is not in use protects it from the elements. If you have outdoor pillows, bring those inside or put them in an outdoor storage bin.
  • If you have a cordless vacuum, you can vacuum your outdoor rug, but if you don’t, a broom should work fine.
  • As always, make sure to clean up spills promptly. Though outdoor furniture is more durable, it should still be cared for and cleaned swiftly to combat stains.

Enjoy your summer, and if your patio is not the vision you have in mind yet, stop by! One of our associates can help you design your dream patio.

Wood Furniture Care

Taking care of your wood pieces ensures they stand the test of time. Your wood dining room table, side tables and coffee tables are classically beautiful additions to your home. Since they can come at a cost, it is important to take care of them and by utilizing these tips, you and your family can enjoy and use them for years to come.

  1. Use placemats, tablecloths, and coasters. There are so many different colors, styles, and textures for placemats, chargers, table cloths, and coasters. Not only will they preserve your furniture, but they will also add a personal touch to your space.
  2. Use a cleaner made for wood. Wood-specific cleaners generally not only clean your wood, but also help condition them. Don’t forget to also use a microfiber towel to ensure your wood is not scratch and is extra nourished.
  3. Use felt pads. Metal and rough textures can damage the table, which is why felt pads are a necessary step to your decorating process. Don’t forget to also add them to candles since the wax can be damaging to some wood. Be careful of what you are placing directly on wood and make sure it does not stain, scratch or contain moisture.
  4. Dust frequently. Dusting helps eliminate particles from your surfaces that could scratch.

Home Projects to Create the Perfect Space

Now is the perfect time to complete those projects, create a place you can call your own or build a retreat to eliminate the stress we all are feeling!

We have been asked to stay home as much as possible, which can be stressful. It doesn’t matter who you are; we all need space to reconnect and unwind. A cozy reading nook, a game room or section of the garage for special projects and crafts can be a perfect escape. What better way to spend the extra time we have than creating that special space we can call our own and create memories that will last for years to come. Here are a few thoughts to help you get started:

  • Construct a fire pit area to not only fix s’mores but create lasting memories with those you love.
  • Convert that basement to a man cave or game room the entire family can enjoy.
  • Design a barbecue to cook for family and friends soon.
  • Fashion part of your garage for a work area the entire family can utilize.
  • Build an outdoor space with comfy chairs you can have your coffee and watch the sun come up or have a glass of wine and watch the sun go down.
  • Convert that extra bedroom to a study or suite to help shelter your parents.

    Every home has unfinished projects and staying at home looking at them can only create more stress. Now you have the time to get them done and escape the stress of what is happening in the world around you. Give us a call today and let us help you complete your projects or create that special space where memories are made.

Design the Yard of Your Dreams

Your backyard should be more than a grassy place for children and dogs to play. Make your outdoors be an extension of your home and a place you’ll want to spend most of your time in these beautiful spring days.

Start with deciding what your space should be used for. Do you want to dine al fresco? Do you want to entertain friends and family year-round with a firepit and umbrella? Are you more envisioning a space for lounging and enjoying company in a casual setting?

Next, how many people will you typically have? Start with the number of people in your family and then consider how many you would like to have. You could be creative and have a dining room table that fits your family, but a conversation set close by where you could seat more people as well.

With these answers in mind, contact us to help you design your dream backyard.

Furniture Care for Homes with Pets

Owning a dog or cat is a complete joy, but it can come at the cost of your furniture.  This can be due to chewing, the smells, or staining. These steps will help to preserve your furniture.

Select pet-friendly fabrics. If you are going to allow your pets on the furniture, leather or a microfiber are easier to clean.

Wash and brush your pet frequently. If their fur is clean and brushed frequently to decrease the potential of shedding, then the furniture will not need to be cleaned as frequently.

Routinely clean upholstery. This a great way to keep pet odors at bay and will also take care of the everyday dirt and grime those beloved pets tend to bring inside after a walk or a backyard play session! More frequent general cleaning of the area where your pet spends most of his time.

Choose odor-neutralizing products. When selecting cleaning products, check the label—many are specially-formulated to neutralize odors. This will help eliminate any residual pet odors.

2020 Design Trends: A Refreshing Change

Bold is back – For years it has been a sleek, no-frills, minimalistic era. If you look at the new catalogs that have come out this year, you may have been shocked at the bold patterns in furniture, accessories, wallpaper, lamp shades, and more. So if you are tired of the clean fresh lines, then this is your year to have fun and go wild.

Add a little Texture – 2020 seems to be the year for texture to make a welcomed comeback. Texture can be obtained through fabrics, rugs, and many other materials. Texture can give a room a desired sophisticated distinguished look.

Natural Materials make a statement – Natural materials such as stone, copper, brass, concrete, granite, and marble are being used more and more. You may see marble topped tables, brass lighting, copper walls, and raw edges on tables and accent pieces. Bringing the outside into your home gives us all a warm feeling.

Velvet captured attention – Velvet, once considered old-fashion, was recently introduced and has become a 2020 predicted smash hit. Velvet is a trendy luxurious fabric seen on sofas, accent chairs, pillows, curtains, and more. Add a touch of velvet to your décor this year.

Furniture Options at their best – This year everyone can find a design style they love. If you appreciate the mix of modern and classic expect to see a resurgence of traditional lines and detail on furniture and accessories. You should see Eco-friendly furniture that is both eye-catching and environmentally friendly. Designers have been inspired by furniture of the past like Art Deco, European silhouettes, and even the curved lines of the 80’s. This is the year to find what truly inspires you and the variety could not be better.

The right piece of furniture can transform any room. If you need some motivation, then you need to look at what 2020 has to offer to make your dreams come true!