COOKOUT: SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF VEGETABLES DAY IN STYLE

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You hear it all the time, “Eat your vegetables.” With no hesitation, let’s take the advice. Fire up the grill and get ready to celebrate National Eat Your Vegetables Day on June 17. Grilling vegetables is a sure-fire way to tempt those who ordinarily don’t like vegetables to try them. The day is meant to remind everyone to include a healthy portion of vegetables in their diet, not only for the day but throughout the year. Celebrate veggies with a new grilling recipe (see below) and entertain your taste buds while relaxing outside.

Outdoor Splendor

Incidentally, have you set up your summer furniture yet? Or has your deck, porch or lanai been forgotten? Along with fresh veggies in your diet, it’s time to freshen up your outdoor decor so you can enjoy a barbecue.

Roll Out a Stylish Outdoor Rug 

Add a touch of pizzazz to your porch by laying out a rug that goes with your furniture. 

Spice Up Patio Furniture 

Place snazzy new outdoor pillows on chaises or lounge chairs to add pops of color.

Create Nightly Ambiance 

Bring out the lanterns and hang sconces on the wall to enjoy the porch. 

Now you have all the ingredients for enjoying fresh-grilled veggies in a beautiful setting.

Let the beautiful colors of your garden be the inspiration for assembling a rainbow medley of fresh vegetable kabobs.

Grilled Vegetable Kebobs (recipe from Six Sisters’ Stuff, May 2014)

Ingredients:

1 red pepper, chopped into large pieces

1 green pepper, chopped into large pieces

1 cup fresh mushrooms

1 large zucchini, thickly sliced

1 large summer squash, thickly sliced

1 cup cherry tomatoes

1 red onion, chopped into large pieces

1 cup Italian dressing or marinade of choice

Skewers

Directions:

Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Pour the dressing on them and mix until all vegetables are evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to several hours).

Remove veggies from marinade (save your marinade) and thread onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, let them soak in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Heat grill to medium high heat and place skewers on top of grill. Cook vegetables until the grill marks start to show (about 10 minutes), rotating vegetables occasionally. If desired, baste with additional marinade.

Makes 6-8 servings.

  

Did you know that fruits and vegetables owe their colors to healthful compounds called phytonutrients? The more colorful your veggies, the more nutrients you’re eating! This dish has a whole rainbow of colors, making it a smart choice for getting a wide variety of phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Nutritional information provided by Jessica Penner, RD at Smart Nutrition.

SO LONG, SOFA: 5 CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A SECTIONAL

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If you love sacking out in front of the TV, entertaining guests or bringing the whole family together, no wonder you’re considering upgrading to a sectional. Of course with so many factors—from cost and configuration options, to features and fabrics—you might well be hesitant to put a sectional in your shopping cart. 

Things to consider when shopping for a sectional:

#1 Get more for less. 

Though purchasing a sectional is by no means a small investment, consider how much money you might save by opting for a sectional rather than individual seating pieces (e.g., a sofa and recliner plus an accent chair). With a sectional, you can get it all in one, maybe even for a lot less.

#2 Maximize your space. 

Thanks to their clever designs and multitude of configurations, sectionals are great at utilizing space. Consider how well they fill unused corners of the room, given components including wedges and “cuddlers” that put seating at an angle for added form and function.

By opting for a sectional with a wedge and cuddler, you can enjoy style from every angle. 

#3 Think big, and small.

Don’t assume that you need a large room for a sectional. Sofa-chaise combos are ideal for tight spaces. And they look great flanked against a wall, which is essential in narrow rooms. Some sofa-chaise options even include pull-out mattresses, making them perfect for impromptu guest rooms.

A small but mighty sofa chaise with a pull-out mattress can provide the most bang for your buck yet take up the least amount of space.

#4 Find what fits. 

From minimalist 2-piece versions, to 6-piece options with power reclining, storage consoles and cup holders…sectionals offer endless considerations. Most importantly, before you buy: measure your space very carefully. Don’t forget the wall space requirements for reclining pieces and the room needed for an ottoman/coffee table. 

Recline by design. Some sectionals include recline seating both on the end units and within the interior for maximum comfort, with the option of power reclining.

#5 Suit your lifestyle.

Consider the sectional’s arm style, too. High, rolled arms, for example, create a cozy, “sheltering” look, while low-track arms are better for a sleeker, more open style. And what about the fabric? Is it kid friendly? Pet safe? Are you sure you want to go with a pale upholstery for light, bright sophistication or should you opt for a dark chocolate that’s more forgiving in a spill-prone household?

From cozy and sheltering, to clean and lean. Elements such as arm design and upholstery dramatically influence the “mood” of a sectional.

 

Rest assured, there’s a sectional custom made for you. Take your time, get it right and relax.

FURNITURE DELIVERY: FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS

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You've researched your options, shopped until you dropped and now it’s time to have your new furniture delivered! So what needs to be done ahead of your furniture delivery? Read on for five steps to success.

1. Measure, Measure, Measure

Hopefully you measured your space before ordering your furniture! However, you’ll need to take a few more measurements before the delivery truck arrives. Assess the width and ceiling height of all doorways and hallways your furniture will need to traverse. If applicable, also measure the width of stairways including handrails. If using an elevator to deliver furniture, make sure to measure it, too. Next, measure the width, depth and height of your new furniture pieces—these measurements should be less than the widths and heights of the doorways leading to the room where your furniture will reside. Be prepared to remove any doors if necessary, and it’s not a bad idea to also have a backup plan in place. For instance, if you have large French doors in the back of your home, it might make more sense to bring a sectional through that threshold as opposed to the front door.

2. Dispose of old furniture

Make sure your old furniture has been removed from the room. Otherwise, the delivery team won’t have anywhere to set up your new furniture and it might be left lingering in a hall. What fun is that? There are several organizations that will gladly take your donated furniture and some might even pick it up at no charge. A quick internet search will help you locate the organizations that serve your area

3.  Clear the Clutter

In addition to removing your old furniture, you should clear out all pass-through areas. This includes not only accent tables and storage pieces in the halls, but also artwork and pictures hung on the walls. If possible, you should also secure low-hanging light fixtures. You might be surprised how easily your decorative items can hinder a successful delivery.

4. Secure your pets

Your door will need to be left open as the furniture is brought in, so be sure to secure your pets in a different area of the home. This is crucial—not only because Fluffy or Fido could escape, but also because they could pose a tripping hazard for the delivery team. And while it’s common sense, the same applies for small children!

5. Protect floors/secure area rugs

Speaking of tripping hazards, you should remove or secure area rugs and door mats. And, while our team takes every precaution to protect your floors from dirty footprints, it can’t hurt to shield your floors with drop cloths or paperboard that has been secured with low-adhesive tape.

Do you have any additional tips for preparing your home for a furniture delivery? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear them!

CREATE GALLERY WALLS IN 3 FUN STEPS

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Tired of looking at empty walls? Are they begging for attention? Maybe it’s time to turn drab walls into spaces splashed with personalized style. It may seem perplexing at first, but with the right tools and a touch of creativity, you can assemble gallery walls quickly.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Level and tape measure
• Step stool
• Hammer and nails
• Power drill/hole punch
• Picture hangers (D-rings, sawtooth hooks or hanger wire)
• Lots of imagination 

STEP 1: GET IT ALL TOGETHER

Take time to reflect on your passions and interests. Then, pool your ideas to create a theme. Gather what you want to display. Whether it’s a group of photos you took or perhaps artwork, posters, children’s drawings and family photos—there are no limits on what you can use. For example, if you love New York City, find photos, posters, and artwork that are associated with the city. Expand your selection to include sculptures, artifacts, old calendars, movie posters or illustrations. Sculptures and artifacts add a dimensional aspect when displayed in shadow boxes. You can round out your collection with accessories from AshleyHomeStore.com for that instant curated look.

 STEP 2: DECIDE WHERE AND WHAT TO DISPLAY

The days of placing a single picture above a piece of furniture have passed. Now you can hang multiple pieces of art in unique patterns. Decide where you want your gallery wall and how you’re going to assemble it. When selecting your artwork, look for pieces that will balance with the tones of your room’s furniture and follow a common theme, style or image palette.

For a calming effect, use soft palettes with splashes of color to complement the furniture. In bedrooms, create a restful effect by limiting the gallery to two simple rows.

Purchase frames in a color or style that will keep everything unified. Black frames can be used to create a contemporary look. Reclaimed frames are perfect for an eclectic look.

If you want originality and flexibility, collect an assortment of boxes. Attach them together with double-sided tape and create a gallery made of boxes to be hung. Add wallpaper to the inside of the boxes and place 3-D treasures, photos and postcards in each box.  The best part—your unique collection can be updated with ease.

STEP 3: HANG AND ENJOY

• Plan where you will hang the frames by cutting the shapes of the frames out of a poster board or cardboard and use painter’s tape to adhere them to the wall. Move them around until you land on the perfect arrangement.
• Begin hanging—you can do this on impulse or follow a few typical rules of thumb:
  
  
  
  
  •  Start with the largest item first and make this your focal point. Balance and symmetry are key.
  • Work from the center out spacing each work approximately 1 ¼” apart, so each will stand on its own.
  • Use a level and pencil to mark the holes before you drill.
  • Hang at eye level.
  • Hang 12 inches above furniture.
• Another way to hang pictures that’s dramatic and draws attention is to stagger art along a staircase wall. Keep it near 59” in height and allow 10 inches from each stair. Add an extra punch by using a large piece of artwork at one end.
• When placing the artwork on shelves, layer your frames by placing them slightly overlapping each other for a casual vibe.

Once you have your gallery wall up, let the art take you back to places you’ve been or to the places of your dreams. You’ll find that your display will become quite a conversation piece to be enjoyed for years to come.

SPRING AWAKENING: FRESHEN THE BED IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY

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The birds are chirping. The buds blooming. And the air…so fresh and fragrant. Even if you’re not a morning person, spring awakenings have us waking up on the bright side. Time to bid adieu to winter’s heavier look and feel, and lighten up with a tip-top top-of-bed refresh.

Let your style blossom with the ultimate top-of-bed ensemble:

Sheet Dreams. It feels awfully good to tuck away the flannel sheets until next winter and unfold a fresh set that’s light and luxurious. In terms of quality, we hear it all the time. Go for the highest thread count you can afford. Yes, thread count matters, but it’s not the whole story. Take into account material, too. Among your options:Egyptian Cotton. No question, you can’t beat 100% Egyptian cotton sheets. Fabrics made of Egyptian cotton are not only softer, finer and last longer than any other cotton, but they also soften over time to the delight of those who spring for the best.

Sateen. With their high luster, sateen sheets appeal to those who love a touch of sheen. More often than not, sateen sheets are made of cotton (and sometimes rayon). Because of a “mercerizing process,” sateen sheets resist mildew, making them a good choice for folks with allergies. They also drape well and have a high-thread count.

Microfiber. Made from materials such as nylon, polyester, recycled plastics or wood pulp, microfiber sheets, which consist of very finely woven fibers, are exceptionally thin and smooth yet quite strong. Keep in mind that microfiber sheets retain body heat. If you prefer a cooler bed, cotton sheets might be a more comfortable choice.Tip-Top Style. Few things transform a bedroom quite like a crisp, new comforter, quilt, duvet cover or coverlet. And what better time than spring for an update? And it’s not all about florals. With a touch of texture, vibrant solids are far from boring and quite lively. Geometric patterns, trellis and lattice prints and ikat designs are beautifully on trend this spring.Pillow Talk. For a quick, easy and affordable spring top-of-bed makeover, a plethora of accent pillows speaks volumes. A blend of highly textural fabrics and brilliant pops of color might be all you need to bring a fun and flirty springtime feel to the bedroom.

SPRING GARDENS: BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT

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Nothing signals the end of winter like flowers in bloom. What better way to welcome back spring than making florals part of our home decor inside and out? Scroll though the wonderful selection of light and lively looks in our Specialty Shop and get inspired to incorporate some spring zing with our easy, breezy, do-it-yourself terrarium guide.

Make your rooms bloom

It doesn’t take much to get started on that spring refresh. A pot. A vase. A series of jars on a windowsill. Anything goes when it comes to flowers. The Spring Shop is a great way to capture the lively look of the season at wonderfully reduced prices..

A single stem in a bud vase is spectacular alone or in multiples.

Why limit where your garden grows? Let your flowers wander over pillows, rugs and walls.

Illuminate your floral arrangements with candles artfully arranged in holders of all kinds.

Nature’s Calling: Starting a first-time terrarium

Once you’ve assembled your toolkit, the terrarium landscape comes together so easily, you won’t want to stop at just one.

1. Choose your plants (remember, succulents are a great choice for first-time gardeners).
2. Create your foundation (sand works well for succulents, one inch is enough).
3. Arrange your plants (using gloves, lower your plants into the perfect spot then twist to bury them in the sand)
4. Top with stones (choose small pebbles that fit easily between the plants).
5. Sprinkle sand to hide the pebbles.
6. Finishing touches (arrange moss or lichen over the sand and top with miniatures to create the proper landscape).

Care and maintenance—succulents love sunlight, so make sure they get plenty of it. Water sparingly every two weeks with a mister or water dropper. The amount of water needed is dependent on whether you use an open or closed-top container. The more open the vessel, the more often you’ll need to add water.

Size really does matter when it comes to terrariums, and the smaller the better. You are creating a tiny microcosm in a box. So find the tiniest, slowest-growing succulents you can and the rest is easy.

The key to creating this tiny “world” is to place miniature objects in the environment to give the illusion of a garden being viewed from a great distance.

A terrarium containing blooming succulents captures the spirit of spring to perfection. 

Feel free to share your ideas on creating the ultimate terrarium in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!

CREATE GALLERY WALLS IN 3 FUN STEPS

 Ashley Furniture Clearance Sales 70% OFF: Up to 50%  70% OFF Select  Items for Bedroom+ Bed room furniture Free Shipping Redeem this Ashley Furniture coupon and get Up to 50% OFF Select Home Decor + Free Shipping On Many Items

Tired of looking at empty walls? Are they begging for attention? Maybe it’s time to turn drab walls into spaces splashed with personalized style. It may seem perplexing at first, but with the right tools and a touch of creativity, you can assemble gallery walls quickly.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Level and tape measure
• Step stool
• Hammer and nails
• Power drill/hole punch
• Picture hangers (D-rings, sawtooth hooks or hanger wire)
• Lots of imagination 

STEP 1: GET IT ALL TOGETHER

Take time to reflect on your passions and interests. Then, pool your ideas to create a theme. Gather what you want to display. Whether it’s a group of photos you took or perhaps artwork, posters, children’s drawings and family photos—there are no limits on what you can use. For example, if you love New York City, find photos, posters, and artwork that are associated with the city. Expand your selection to include sculptures, artifacts, old calendars, movie posters or illustrations. Sculptures and artifacts add a dimensional aspect when displayed in shadow boxes. You can round out your collection with accessories from AshleyHomeStore.com for that instant curated look.

 STEP 2: DECIDE WHERE AND WHAT TO DISPLAY

The days of placing a single picture above a piece of furniture have passed. Now you can hang multiple pieces of art in unique patterns. Decide where you want your gallery wall and how you’re going to assemble it. When selecting your artwork, look for pieces that will balance with the tones of your room’s furniture and follow a common theme, style or image palette.

For a calming effect, use soft palettes with splashes of color to complement the furniture. In bedrooms, create a restful effect by limiting the gallery to two simple rows.

Purchase frames in a color or style that will keep everything unified. Black frames can be used to create a contemporary look. Reclaimed frames are perfect for an eclectic look.

If you want originality and flexibility, collect an assortment of boxes. Attach them together with double-sided tape and create a gallery made of boxes to be hung. Add wallpaper to the inside of the boxes and place 3-D treasures, photos and postcards in each box.  The best part—your unique collection can be updated with ease.

STEP 3: HANG AND ENJOY

• Plan where you will hang the frames by cutting the shapes of the frames out of a poster board or cardboard and use painter’s tape to adhere them to the wall. Move them around until you land on the perfect arrangement.
• Begin hanging—you can do this on impulse or follow a few typical rules of thumb:
  
  
  
  
  •  Start with the largest item first and make this your focal point. Balance and symmetry are key.
  • Work from the center out spacing each work approximately 1 ¼” apart, so each will stand on its own.
  • Use a level and pencil to mark the holes before you drill.
  • Hang at eye level.
  • Hang 12 inches above furniture.
• Another way to hang pictures that’s dramatic and draws attention is to stagger art along a staircase wall. Keep it near 59” in height and allow 10 inches from each stair. Add an extra punch by using a large piece of artwork at one end.
• When placing the artwork on shelves, layer your frames by placing them slightly overlapping each other for a casual vibe.

Once you have your gallery wall up, let the art take you back to places you’ve been or to the places of your dreams. You’ll find that your display will become quite a conversation piece to be enjoyed for years to come.

Ashley Furniture Clearance Sales: HOMEMADE FORTS MADE EASY

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Gather your blankets, sheets, tablecloths, cushions and pillows and get ready for fun. It’s building time! Constructing forts is for all ages and kids especially love all the excitement that comes with them, including lots of playtime, creativity and sleepovers. Here’s some helpful ideas on how to get the kids started on their project. Note: don’t forget the flashlights, glow necklaces, Nerf guns and plastic swords!

PREP TIME

Prepare a spot to build the fort by looking for open spaces next to large furniture pieces like tables, sofas and beds. Stay away from small tables, floor lamps or furniture that can tip. Be sure to put away any breakable items so kids can play freely.

BUILD TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

Think of all the different table sizes and be imaginative. Drape a king or queen size sheet over a kitchen or dining room table and use clothespins or tape to affix sheets and blankets. Counter height tables are ideal because they allow more space, especially for taller kids. Circular shaped tables turn into perfect turrets or lookout towers, while square tables can turn into secret chambers or gatehouses. Oval and rectangular tables with leaves can be used to create army posts. Expand the fort by turning chairs with their backs facing the table and cover them. You can also add covered card tables for more rooms.

Another idea for creating a fort is to move the venue to the kids’ room. Tuck sheets under the top bunk mattress and drape over the bed below. Cover the ends of the bed with towels or small blankets to complete the fort. If there’s no bunk bed, use chairs and something that’s tall for middle support like a barstool or tripod to support the sheet.

EXERCISE CREATIVITY

If you want a fort with greater height, form a floating ceiling by attaching 3M removable hooks to the ceiling. Attach string from the hooks to clothespins or chip clips and connect the blankets or sheets. Voila!With ceilings up, the rest is easy. Include poufs, stack pillows and cushions then use extra blankets to fill in the gaps. Hint: if there are open areas remaining, use those gaps for doors or windows.Create a main entrance with a stack of pillows or construct a tunnel entrance using a cardboard box. All you need to do is cut out a portion of the box’s bottom so kids can crawl through.

PLAY AND PRETEND

With construction complete, let the troops invade. They can fill the fort with necessities like toys, stick horses, stuffed animals, games, sleeping bags, flat screen TV with DVD player and snacks. Kids will love it because now they have their own space. They can use their imaginations to pretend, make changes, demo and rebuild. Fun will be had by all and this is what makes for lasting memories.

We welcome you to share additional ideas for fort building and any fun childhood memories below.