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!

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE CLEANING BUT PROBABLY AREN’T

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Hey, nobody’s perfect. With only so many hours in a day…something’s gotta give. Even so, in the interest of a clean, healthy home, we’ve uncovered five things you should be cleaning, but, like most folks, probably aren’t.

The dirty truth. What’s likely long overdue for a good cleaning:

#1 Trash/Recycling Bins

Phew that stinks! If you’re holding your nose every time you lift the lid of your trash/recycling bin, it’s time to kick the stench to the curb. Breathe easy. The folks at Household Management 101 have a solution to make this unpleasant task easier.

Step 1: In a bucket mix ¾ cup chlorine bleach, 1 gallon warm water and 1 tablespoon powered laundry detergent.

Step 2: Pour cleaning solution into bin and let sit for 15 minutes. Using a long handled brush, scrub the inside of bin. Hose down. Tip bin to drain out water. Turn bin right-side up and let thoroughly air dry. Lastly, spray inside of the bin with disinfectant.

#2 Microwave Grills

No doubt, you’re wiping down the obvious: the inside and front panel of your microwave. But if you have a mounted appliance, you might well be skipping over two important elements. Clean queen blogger Anna Moseley points out what they are and how to clean them.

#3 TV Remote/Game Controllers

Pass the remote? More like pass the germs. Just think about how often (and how many of you) have control of the remote controls in your house, and it’s clear why you’d want to disinfect them, especially during cold and flu season. Chlorine antibacterial wipes will do the trick. Staying at a hotel? Never use the remote without cleaning it. In a pinch, put the remote in a Ziploc baggy to create a germ barrier.

#4 Shower Heads

Wash away germs and mineral deposit buildup by soaking your shower head in white vinegar. You don’t have to remove your shower head to do it (but you can if you prefer).All you need: white vinegar, a rubber band and a plastic bag.

Step 1: Slip rubber band over the top of shower head (you may need to loop it around a time or two for a snug fit. Fill plastic bag with vinegar and slip rubber bag around the top of bag.
Step 2: Wait an hour, then remove bag. Turn on shower to flush. Polish to a shine with a clean cloth.

#5 Top Surfaces

Think of all the stuff you don’t see that’s accumulating dust: the top surfaces of everything from the refrigerator and cabinets, to ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, picture frames and moulding. Not to add to your to-do list, but you might want to make wiping down these areas top priority on cleaning day.
Have a clever cleaning tip? Dish the dirt on our Facebook page.

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

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

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!

Ashley Furniture Clearance Sales: TIPS FOR TAMING THE CLUTTER IN A KID’S BEDROOM

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

It’s a Jungle in Here

At some point, every parent has likened their kid’s bedroom to either a pig sty or a zoo (or maybe even both). Why not just embrace the situation and let their room become a full on jungle? No, we’re not suggesting that you give up and let them live in a room of mess and destruction! Instead, transform their space into an animal kingdom and charge them with the task of being the room’s zookeeper.

Make Toys Part of the Decor

The age-old problem of where and how to store stuffed animals is easily solved by incorporating the creatures into the room’s decor. Low-hung shelves offer easy access and allow kids to put their furry friends on display.

Look Beyond Children’s Furniture

A mainstay in home decor, animal print accessories and furnishings abound. We think you and your little one will especially love our KeyTown upholstered storage bench. Two deep drawers provide tons of storage space for Legos, Barbie dolls, games, books and much more. The firm cushion provides a comfy seat for reading and the cheetah-print upholstery is purring with style. Easily add a more youthful touch by swapping out the traditional drawer knobs with whimsical hardware.

Incorporate Favorite Creatures Wherever You Can

Bookcases have a tendency to become one of the most cluttered areas of a kid’s room. If your child can’t reach the top shelves, it only makes sense that the lower half of the bookcase is going to become a mess. For this reason, you’re much better off with two shorter bookcases. You can also call on the critters to help your kiddo maintain tidy shelves. Our adorable whale wall shelf, for instance, will help keep their favorite stories stacked up straight.

To further emphasize the animal theme, why not add a few related books to their little library? Some of our favorites include:

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson (Ages 3-7)
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin (Ages 4-8)
• The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (Ages 5-8)
• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna (Ages 3-6)
• Go, Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman (Ages 3-7)

Do you have any books to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS: DECORATING WITH FLORALS

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 Here we are, in the delight of early May when the flowers are starting to beautifully bloom. What if you could make the stunning sights of spring last all year long? You can, simply by bringing the outdoors inside with floral furnishings and decor!

Seasonal Swap Out

What’s more simple than propping a few floral throw pillows on a sofa or chair? Not much! We’re especially loving our painterly Home Accents pillows in blue and orange. They’re designed for indoor/outdoor use so you can even add them to a porch swing or patio furniture if you’re so inclined.

Dreaming of Spring

Bright and cheery bedding sure makes waking up on the right side of the bed easy! ThePaislette 4-Piece Quilt Set combines the perfect shades of lime and turquoise for a stylishly spring look. And the mix of paisley and florals is a foolproof way pull off the pattern mixing trend.

 ​

On a Field of Flowers

Want to feel like you’re sitting on a field of flowers all year long? Simply add a floral accent chair to the living room or master bedroom. Our Shoshana chair showcases geometric flowers in a to-die-for shade of aquamarine. The creamy background and gray details help tone down the bright flowers and make the look more livable even in the dead of winter. Of course, if you want your home to really scream spring, you can select a chair with a more intense color palette, like the stunning Daystar.

What are your favorite ways to incorporate floral decor into your home? Tell us in the comments below!

THE NEW SUPPER CLUB: REINVENTING THE LOST ART OF ENTERTAINING

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Turning wallflowers into social butterflies

Entertaining is not everyone’s bag. In fact, having to play “hostess extraordinaire” while coordinating cocktails, food and clean-up can be more than a bit overwhelming. Relax, these days you don’t have to do it all. Enter the hero of our story: Your Friendly Neighborhood Supper Club.                                                            

Potluck Dinner and Block Party had a baby, and they called it Supper Club

A culinary tableau inspired by the Wine Night theme

Supper clubs are the perfect marriage of a relaxed neighborhood get-together with the elegance of a sit-down dinner. The perk is that the guests bring all the food. Supper clubs set a fun “food” theme for every party; French Twist, Herb Superb, Summer’s Bounty. Sometimes the theme carries over to the attire. “Dressing up is half the fun,” says Patrice Heisner (pictured below in the light blue “toga”) who, with the help of several long-term members, has been leading her own supper club since the year 2000. “We’ve done ‘50s and ‘60s, semi-formal and even Ancient Roman parties. Not everyone dresses up, they don’t have to. Our goal is for everyone to be comfortable and have a good time.”

The Ancient Roman theme becomes a modern-day toga party

Getting started

Patrice and her husband along with five other couples started the City View Dinner Clubin their historic neighborhood in Monroe, NC sixteen years ago. Today it has grown to over 25 couples. It’s a great way to grow lasting friendships with the people in your neighborhood. Plus, who doesn’t love getting a chance to look inside the homes around us! Your neighbors may be just waiting for someone to get the ball rolling. Send a message to see if there’s interest. Patrice shared the vast knowledge gleaned from her own club to help you start one of your own—and keep it going.

There’s always room for more!

Socializing with neighbors is the best part of the party

Supper clubs are the chameleons of the entertaining world. They can be customized to suit a wide array of ages; some young, some older, a few singles and empty-nesters. Once you decide to start a club, the next step is to decide how many members to invite. There is no perfect number, and getting to know your neighbors in a social setting is well worth the effort it takes to entertain more people. If you have a group larger than 10-12, you may find it difficult to seat everyone. In that case, break off into smaller groups after the cocktail hour to keep the dinner arrangements manageable.

Five is the magic number

Iron Chef Party-goers ask, “Who says you can’t play with your food?”

An important aspect to setting up your event schedule is keeping track of potential conflicts. Patrice has learned from experience that the months to avoid are May, July, October, November and December. Keep an eye on school breaks, holidays and local events and schedule around those dates. Patrice advises not to plan more than five parties a year to keep everyone excited and motivated. Because most of all, this is supposed to be fun!

Keep it simple, sweetheart

When in Rome…setting the stage for Roman Night at the Supper Club

If you are doing a traditional supper club, the division of tasks is pretty straitforward: cocktails, appetizers, soup, salad, main course and dessert. You can move from house to house, or keep it simple by having everyone bring their part of the meal to one designated house. Some groups do cocktails at one house and everything else at a second house. Others save the cocktails for the after-party. No matter how you plan it, keep the group informed of the plans. Communicating early and often is the key to success.

Something for everyone

Menu planning is up to the discretion of the individuals providing the dish. Your job as group leader is to offer party themes that everyone can choose from. Menu and theme ideas are readily available on the internet. You can also search Pinterest for party ideas, recipes and decorating tips. Many online cooking magazines have forums to help build supper club communities either by region or interest. And be sure to include themes that range from simple to complex to give everyone a chance to participate. The opportunities for creative party ideas are endless.

Many thanks to Patrice Heisner and the fabulous members of the City View Dinner Club for sharing their themes and images from past parties.

Feel free to post images of your supper club on our Facebook page to inspire others. Or share your recipe for success in the comment section. And above all else, Keep Calm and Supper Club On!

DISTRESSED OUT: WHY DISTRESSED FURNISHINGS ARE SO IN

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Whether your ultimate style is shabby chic, beach bungalow, quaint cottage or urban loft, one thing’s for certain: distressed furnishings make it that much more…like home. For lovers of the distressed look, interior fashion is about more than dressing to impress. It’s about exuding a warm, welcoming vibe, where everyone is invited to sit down, kick back and take it down a notch.

Here’s to distressed furnishings’ beauty and versatility:

What a realm of possibilities. You can create a comfortable oasis with subtle hints of timeworn charm, or opt for a heavily distressed look for more rustic appeal.

We love the dramatic saw marks on the Fanzere bed. Treated to a lightly applied whitewashed finish, it looks so much like reclaimed lumber.

Distressed finishes can convey everything from a comfortably cool aesthetic to a chic, upscale attitude. Mix things up for the perfect mood in your home.In the design world, this mixed look is called “rustic refinement.” Mestler’s Parsons-style table with an antiqued finish is paired with posh, button-tufted upholstered chairs. The merger is elegant, without fuss and formality.

Those who grace their space with distressed furnishings understand: style and comfort go hand in hand and some things do get better with age. Weathered furnishings make homes rich in character.Loaded with textural interest and tonal variation, distressed furnishings allow you to combine light and dark pieces for one uniquely coordinated style. Case in point: the Wesling series.

Distressing extends far beyond furniture. From erased motif rugs to new lighting with tasteful “tarnishing,” there are floor-to-ceiling possibilities.Personalize your style with timeworn accents. Distressed materials—from wood, to ceramic and stone, to patina metal—look so at home together.

Ready to create your own distressed piece?

Blogger and DIY diva Sara D. (of sincerelysarad.com) doesn’t just tell you how it’s done. She shows you how to do it in this step-by-step tutorial video.

Are you a distressed furniture DIYer? Share your tips and pics on our Facebook page.

Ashley Furniture coupon: TIPS FOR TAMING THE CLUTTER IN A KID’S BEDROOM

Don't miss ussing 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

It’s a Jungle in Here

At some point, every parent has likened their kid’s bedroom to either a pig sty or a zoo (or maybe even both). Why not just embrace the situation and let their room become a full on jungle? No, we’re not suggesting that you give up and let them live in a room of mess and destruction! Instead, transform their space into an animal kingdom and charge them with the task of being the room’s zookeeper.

Make Toys Part of the Decor

The age-old problem of where and how to store stuffed animals is easily solved by incorporating the creatures into the room’s decor. Low-hung shelves offer easy access and allow kids to put their furry friends on display.

Look Beyond Children’s Furniture

A mainstay in home decor, animal print accessories and furnishings abound. We think you and your little one will especially love our KeyTown upholstered storage bench. Two deep drawers provide tons of storage space for Legos, Barbie dolls, games, books and much more. The firm cushion provides a comfy seat for reading and the cheetah-print upholstery is purring with style. Easily add a more youthful touch by swapping out the traditional drawer knobs with whimsical hardware.

Incorporate Favorite Creatures Wherever You Can

Bookcases have a tendency to become one of the most cluttered areas of a kid’s room. If your child can’t reach the top shelves, it only makes sense that the lower half of the bookcase is going to become a mess. For this reason, you’re much better off with two shorter bookcases. You can also call on the critters to help your kiddo maintain tidy shelves. Our adorable whale wall shelf, for instance, will help keep their favorite stories stacked up straight.

To further emphasize the animal theme, why not add a few related books to their little library? Some of our favorites include:

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson (Ages 3-7)
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin (Ages 4-8)
• The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (Ages 5-8)
• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna (Ages 3-6)
• Go, Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman (Ages 3-7)

Do you have any books to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.