Monday, August 28, 2017

Selecting Fall Colors



How ahead of a time can you be? While you are enjoying this atypical summer; lying on your deckchair and planning all sort of things – nice little dishes, outdoors activities and not thinking about all the work you left behind…Let’s jump ahead into the next season to glimpse at the colors in vogue and give you some ideas to help you find the perfect trendy decoration for your house this coming fall!

What we like the most about the fall season is certainly the wide palette full of vibrant and warm colors, where leaves change from green to yellow, red, brown or orange! Just as designers get inspiration from the colorful scenery that fall season offers, so should we in our home.
Here is a sneak peak of the upcoming 2017 Fall palette:




According to Pantone’s fashion trends, the 2017 top fall colors offer a nice combination of strength, confidence and complexity! From the sky to the ground, these meaningful colors embody strong feelings and concepts that can be used to show your personality. Ashley Furniture and home accents have a nice touch of this color palette in its collections; so if you would like your home décor to be “a la mode”, then you have found the perfect brand! Let’s have a look at how these selected colors can find the right place in your home.

If you are keen about the sky and sea, here’s our selection: Blue hues – Riverside and Airy Blue which are the dominating colors in the 2017 fall trends. Blue represents consistency and confidence while gray gives a feeling of stability. 



Our suggestion: Add any vivid colors from this fall palette to make your room brighter and look astonishing with blue hues! Along with anchoring earth tones, exuberant vibrant colors will bring a certain dynamism and warmth in your home.




Are you tempted by a complete 2017 fall palette makeover? AshleyFurniture offers the perfect sets for your bedroom and dining room!


The pinkish purple and the spicy yellow suggest exotic notes that everyone needs in house! 


Now that you have a glimpse of the fall colors, it’s time to take action!


Content provided by: @tailbase

Monday, August 21, 2017

Furnishing Your Apartment on a Budget


Furnishing your apartment on a budget:
Furnishing an apartment can be difficult due to several constraints. Apart from size, budget and lease constraints (if it is a rental) are at the top of the list. Nonetheless, there are always ways to work around such restrictions. Let’s examine how you can wiggle your way around them.

1)      First and foremost, using multifunctional furniture will be extremely beneficial in the sense that you will make the most of a small space. That way, a single piece of furniture can serve several functions, and loosen the leash on the tight budget. An ottoman is the perfect example – it can serve as a storage piece, while it can also be used as extra seating for guests or replace acoffeetable! Here are some other neat ideas to help you save space and to pick pieces that can fulfill many purposes:

·         Sleepersofa: it can serve to seat your visitors, and as a guest bed in case a friend or family member spends the night
·         Diningtable: while its first obvious use is for dining, it can also be a useful workstation if every square foot counts.



2)      Another useful tip is to furnish your apartment with smaller scaled furniture. Despite being smaller than other furniture, purchasing smaller furniture will still look just as stylish and perform the same functions! Besides, furnishing a small apartment with large furniture will make it seem even smaller. Believe it or not, many manufacturers come out with pieces in several sizes, in order to accommodate different markets. For instances, you can find smaller living room and dining roomfurniture scaled to fit smaller spaces.     


3)      Finally, shape matters too. Narrow and rectangular shapes are preferable and tend to be quite useful in a small apartment. A narrow sofa and coffee table will give the impression that your living room is more airy and not so cluttered. The same goes for the dining area.


It is clear that multipurpose, smaller scaled furniture and shape are all important factors which contribute to maximizing a small space. Now you can go ahead and furnish your apartment with strategy!

Content provided by: @tailbase

Monday, August 14, 2017

Mattresses - Making the Most of Your Sleep


Mattresses – making the most of your sleep:

The difference between a foam mattress and a spring mattress might make all the difference if you’re having trouble sleeping. Did you know that the average person spends approximately 30% of their life sleeping? This means that the importance of a supportive mattress is imperative to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why? How you sleep will directly affect how you feel and go about your daily activities. Therefore, it would be wise to say that you need to make the most of your sleep! Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a memory foam mattress vs. a spring mattress;


Facts about spring mattresses:
·         It seems that one of the main reasons that springs are still being used in mattresses is because it is very inexpensive!  
·         Spring mattresses only give the illusion that they are supportive and comfortable, but they not provide sufficient pressure point relief.
·         Proper support with a spring mattress is not possible because one’s body does not push evenly on the coils.
·         A spring mattress loses about 16% of its firmness within the first year, but they can last about 10+ years.



Facts about foam mattresses:
·         With a foam mattress, pressure points are reduced, which in turn reduces tossing and turning – the leading cause of poor sleep. However, if you’re going to opt for a spring mattress, the firmer it is, the better.
·         Memory foam mattresses do not need to be flipped unlike spring mattresses. There is no maintenance required.
·         Allergies are significantly reduced with memory foam mattresses, as dust mites can only live on the surface and not on the inside of a solid block of foam.
·         Memory foam mattresses are temperature sensitive – this means the foam takes time to adjust to your body. The colder the room, the longer the mattress will take to adjust or recover its shape.




Now that you have the facts, you can decide which mattress suits your needs, if your budget permits you to make the choice.  

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Preparing your workstation for Back to School



Prepping Your Workstation For Back To School:

Back to school in the fall is infamous for its ridiculous commercials. It’s the time of year that every child dreads – summer is over and a new school year is about to begin. Although this is an event that most of us loathe, it is one that cannot be avoided! That being said, a little preparation might ease your way in the process. So how exactly can you prepare yourself? You can begin by creating an area that will ensure productivity, which will in turn also produce success. Let’s take a look at the nitty-gritty, so you can begin your preparation!

Pick a space
First and foremost, you need to pick the appropriate space. This area should be one that does not have any nearby entertainment or distractions, as they will definitely decrease productivity. If you have the option, it would be preferable to select a room that would be transformed into an office/workstation. That way, the same room can be used for doing homework, paperwork and even arts & crafts! No more mess in your dining room!





Setting up your workstation
Ideally, you need a large table or office desk to maximize your working surface. Luckily, they come in a variety of shapes, so that you are not limited in the orientation. In addition, your officechair is also available in a variety of options such as leather, fabric and wood. That way, you don’t need to compromise comfort, durability and style! Next, some other helpful pieces that will maintain the room neat and organized include bookcases and filing cabinets. No more scattered papers and books!





Yes, color matters!
Color is often a direct reflection of our personality. In a home, studies have shown that certain colors produce a similar reaction in most individuals. However, depending on the tone, there can be a slight variation. Room colors are categorized in three basic ways: active, passive and neutral. That being said, for an office, it is probably not best to go too passive or too active. The optimal choice would be to select neutral wall colors (grey, white, brown) with colored home accents.

   Red
Very intense; will pump adrenaline like no other. It will stir up excitement.
   Yellow
Evokes happiness, but can cause frustration in large amounts (whole room)
   Blue
A soothing and calming color. Great for relaxation.
   Green
Most restful for the eye. Promotes warmth and comfort.
   Purple
Rich, dramatic and sophisticated. Lighter tones promote restfulness.
   Orange
Energetic and enthusiastic.


Now you have all the tools to plan ahead, you can ensure the success of your child, as well as your professional success.

Content provided by: @tailbase

Monday, July 31, 2017

How to Vacation on a Budget


Is money tight and you’re wracking your brain for vacation ideas this summer? Then don’t fret! We’ll help you think outside the box with creative ways to vacation on a budget. According to BuzzFeed, there are affordable spots where many budget travelers like to vacation. Some of them include Croatia, Macedonia, Istanbul and Vietnam! It seems that the food and accommodations will not break the bank! Obviously some places are further away than others, therefore budgeting your plane ticket as the bulk of your expenses will be necessary.





For some of us this is only but a dream. After a reality check, you can start planning your vacation close to home. Take it as an opportunity to enjoy the good outdoors, and go up north for a long weekend or create your very own retreat right in your backyard. Here are some options you can do at home:

      1)      Create a campground
Who said camping in your backyard is no fun? Although you will not achieve a complete wilderness atmosphere, you may actually appreciate that you can run to the washroom at any given time or grab something you need inside your home. In fact, it will be especially convenient if you have small children!

First and foremost, begin by setting up your tents to accommodate the right number of people. Then, be sure to nestle the inside with comfortable bedding and pillows! Also, you can go the extra mile to create a realistic outdoorsy atmosphere by creating a campfire surrounded with benches – time for smores!





      2)      Your very own resort by the pool
For those of you with a pool, take advantage of being by the poolside to refresh yourself on hot days! Create a little haven either in the shade or below a gazebo. Use a collection of poufs to sit on, or some comfortable decorative pillows to maximize comfort on your outdoor furniture. That way you can have fun in the sun, or enjoy a refreshing drink in the shade. The choice is yours!






It’s a win-win. You save money, all while having fun. All in favor say “aye”!



Content provided by: @tailbase

Monday, July 24, 2017

Furniture That Fits Your Space


Selecting furniture that fits your space:

Are you in the middle of home renovations or moving to a new place that requires additional furniture? Then you’ve fallen on the mother lode of great advice to help you select the right furniture for any space. Of course, this entails following certain steps in order to make a proper assessment.

1)      Stick to a realistic budget – First off, you should avoid overspending. That way, you won’t wind up with less furniture than you need to complete your space. Yes, it goes without saying that superior quality lasts, but if your budget doesn’t permit it, you may end up with an empty-looking room. So, set a budget and aim to find a balance between price & quality.




    2)     Pick a theme – When selecting furniture, it would be wise to decipher whether you already have a theme in your home, especially if it is open concept. Whether your home has a casual, contemporary or modern style, sticking to an ongoing theme will help influence your purchasing decision.





    3)    Select pieces that fit your space – Begin by taking measurements of the room you are planning to furnish. If you already have some pieces you intend to throw in the mix, measure them as well. Then, visualize the orientation of the furniture in your living room, dining room or bedroom. Try to play with different placement ideas by taking measurements. Once you’ve found the optimal placement, be sure to leave enough space between the pieces. This will give you an idea of the size range you need.



    4)    What if you’re dealing with a small space? Small spaces are a little harder to furnish. That is because every piece of furniture counts. The Idea is to maximize functionality and minimize clutter in this type of scenario. That being said, it is suggested to avoid large & bulky furniture at all costs. For example, don’t buy a king size bed for a small bedroom, unless that is the only piece you intend to fit! Also, try to minimize the decor on your furniture so that your space doesn’t look cluttered.



If you can follow these simple steps, then you’re on your way to a smooth furniture transition. 


Content provided by: @tailbase

Monday, July 17, 2017

Gray; The color that brings forth the peace


Gray; The iconic color that brings forth peace

Gray you say? Why would you want your home décor to look as dull as a rock? On the contrary! Gray seems to be the number one choice in paint color. Many interior designers opt for this wall color because it is very neutral and brightens the home, because it reflects natural lighting. Therefore, the same can be said about home accessories. À La Carte offers a beautiful and varied collection of gray accessories for the home. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why gray should be here to stay:

     1)    It’s Versatile. Gray can be combined with any color. In other words, it is versatile. You can match it with another color, whether it is a cool one or a warm one – that depends on the look you are aiming for! The À La Carte collection suggests pairing it with yellow.


     2)    You won’t get tired of it. Gray is a color that you will be less likely to change because of its neutral tone and versatility. In fact, it is probably a color that will save you money in the long run!


    3)   It is a peaceful color – Since gray is a peaceful color, it will not agitate anyone in your home. It will, however, set a peaceful atmosphere. Wouldn’t that be nice? Your very own Zen dojo.

  
4)    From dull to brilliant – Yes, some may deem gray as a dull color, but that’s not something a pattern can’t fix! Accessorize your home with patterned decorative pillows, bedding and poufs. Even abstract splatter artwork will create visual interest!



That being said, gray is an iconic color that does not need vibrancy to take its place. It is multifaceted, peaceful, and can be quite interesting if you decide to include it in different patterns and textures.

Content provided by: @tailbase