By John
Given the choice between a night out—perhaps spent in a restaurant, at the movies, or even at a favorite bar—and a night in with a good book and a cup of Earl Grey, I’ll usually opt for the latter. Like anybody, I like to feel comfortable and at the end of a long day I want to be able to open the door to my apartment and know that the space I’m in, regardless of what’s outside, is somewhere in which I can feel completely comfortable. The Tatiana Walnut and Blue Upholstered Accent Chair is just one ingredient that makes such an environment possible. I could not be happier with this chair. I stumbled across it on the Lamps Plus website and it stood out among a handful of great choices. Its legs wear a warm finish in which you can really make out the rich grain of walnut wood, giving me just the right amount of rusticity I like in a personalized, homey space. What’s more, I happen to love certain colors with wood finishes, and the deep navy blue upholstery of this chair goes well with its walnut legs. On top of that, this chair also offers me a modern accent. Its open back and curving frame feel like an authentic contemporary design with just a slight touch of retro style. This makes this chair’s design very specific, and therefore all the more personal when I come home and see it among my other furniture. Its frame bulges outwards where the arms would normally be to form a kind of subtle embrace when I sit down, offering me optimum comfort while also giving me enough support so I won’t necessarily nod off if I decide to read (something I’ve been known to do). The other thing about this chair, perhaps one of my favorite of its features, is its size. I live in a studio apartment, so while I wish for the luxury of a super-plush couch or sofa, it’s not really an option for me. This chair basically gives me comfortable cushioning without taking up an entire quarter of my apartment. All in all, even though I don’t have that much space, I still feel like my place is truly my own. And this chair is definitely one of the reasons I can say that.
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By Joe
I’ve been known to invite a few friends over from time to time… And typically we’re gathering around my television, sitting on my couches, sharing food, and watching a favorite show, or a big football game. The streamlined design and functionality of the Techni Mobili TV Stand with Three Drawers in Walnut Finish is exactly what I need to entertain my guests without having to sacrifice the stylish and modern aesthetic that I’ve put together for my décor. The overall dimensions of the stand are compact, giving me some options as to where to place it, yet its top is spacious enough to fit my large HD TV, plus a few speakers, or even a soundbar. Additionally, the beautiful natural walnut finish is simple and elegant, and is going to work wonderfully in my neutral and open living space. What I find best about this TV stand are the three drawers: not only do they give me plenty of space to keep DVDs and games in easy reach, their placement creates shelving, perfect for storing my cable box, Blu-ray player and my sound receiver right by the television. They even hide the ugly cables and wires out of sight to keep the area looking neat and clean. With this media center, I'll be able to keep my living room open and looking great! by Jan
I come by my reverence for feathered friends genetically, you might say. My father has long been a caretaker of these spectacular creatures, hand-making houses and feeders for them and engineering ingenious strategies for protecting their stash from ever-present squirrels (which, by the way, he also spoils mercilessly). As a professional house-sitter (yes, that is a thing), I regularly encounter others who dedicate time and resources to making sure birds have a safe place; a temporary respite with seed, shelter— and access to water. Birds are especially vulnerable to excessive heat and depleted resources caused by climate change and drought. Compassionate homeowners have come to their rescue by placing bird baths in strategic locations. I’ve seen some handsome bird baths in my time. Stone, cement, earthen pottery...they blend nicely with coordinating outdoor décor. They look charming in a patio setting. But often they don’t offer what the feathered fellows need. Here’s one that does, and has caught my eye for a number of reasons, and not the least of which is its sheer beauty... The Cauldron Birdbath Fountain from Home Gallery Stores makes me salivate. I’m wowed by its raw, natural appeal—but beyond beauty, I’m impressed with an attention to specifics that promises to pamper winged guests with the appropriate water depth and an ever-important cascading fountain motion, which offers a visual cue to draw them in. The biggest surprise? Though it looks like an amalgam of exotic, expensive materials, it’s composed of economical, easy-maintenance, weather-friendly resin. If you’re as committed as my father, my clients— and even I am—to the avian set, you should take a good look at this jaw-dropping find. It’s ecologically sound, aesthetically decadent, and really a pretty decent deal. Plus, you’ll make some new best friends who are capable of self-entertaining. Win-win. By Joe
It’s easy for me to get lost in the seemingly endless world that is online shopping. I partake in this hobby of mine far too often, as I let it change from harmless to harmful to my wallet as soon as I stumble upon something that calls my name. I try my best to only get really worked up about things that seem worth the investment, both in terms of spending money and spending time waiting for my precious new item to arrive from my part-time best friend, the UPS man. There’s something about this Fontaine Gray High-Back Swivel Office Chair that not only caught my eye, but also had me picturing our long-term relationship together. As someone who works from home, I spend a lot of time sitting down in front of my computer, and without the right support from a high-back chair, I’m unable to concentrate on my work. Not only does this chair look comfortable, but it also seems like a seat I’d like to retire in after coming home from a busy day. The high back of the chair is an absolute must for me, and I also appreciate the slight curvature of the back, which will provide a completely different experience for me while I’m sitting. The seat adjustment and swivel features are also imperative. These features allow me to adjust the chair based on my needs in any given situation, making it an ideal place to spend several hours, like I’ll have to do while working. Not only does this chair have all the makings of a comfortable and supportive place for doing work at home, it’s also going to complement my contemporary décor. I keep my work area at home fairly simple and casual, allowing neutral colors and a minimal style to highlight each individual piece. The warm gray polyester fabric works well with the black base on this desk chair and it’s going to be the perfect addition for my specific space. It’s going to feel like I designed my room based around this chair, when in actuality, the chair is really just going to fit in wonderfully with what I already have. It’s the perfect addition. While I love online shopping because it allows me to have fun imagining how certain pieces of furniture will look in my home, imagining this sleek gray office chair in my home just makes sense. I don’t have to convince myself that having this chair will benefit me and my space, and it’s always a no-brainer for me to capitalize on anything that can improve my work experience. Remember, online shopping doesn’t always have to be like walking on a tight rope, because you really can find things that are exactly what you need. by Alexa Okay, I’ll admit it: I love coffee. It’s hard for me to start my day off on the right foot without my morning cup of joe. (Black. No cream. No sugar.) And with coffee being a staple in my morning routine so too are the mugs that transport my precious daily dose of liquid caffeine. I’m a bit of a sucker for a cute and kitschy coffee mug—one that embodies the perfect balance of style and character. I figure, why not inject a little fun and variety into your usual daily routine? I like to keep my living space clean and contemporary, which leaves room for a little bit of fun when it comes to my decorative additions. Dot and Bo has a particularly great selection of fun mugs. Their College Ruled Mug, decorated with binder paper–esque line patterning, would have proved an appropriately themed go-to cup during my many college all-nighters or early morning prep for a dreaded 8 a.m. class. An enthusiastic lover of the rustic aesthetic, I’m always down for a splinter-free taste of the great outdoors. I’ve fallen for this ceramic mug set with its cool wood grain-like texturing. This modern woodland-themed Antler Mug also delivers a subtle bout of character with its charming handle design. Chic and quirky, these designs are also conveniently dishwasher safe—a quality I tend to look out for. And while I enjoy indulging in this useful luxury, I’ll cave in and habitually hand wash a truly special vessel. This Peanuts Flying Ace Spinner Mug from Houzz is one such worthy piece. An avid fan of the iconic comic strip and its associated gang of characters, I couldn’t help but ogle over this themed mug. Decorated with a delightful comic-style landscape and a spinning aviator Snoopy, I know this cup will help start any day off on a happy note. by Jessie
Love isn’t always logical, and such is the case with my obsession with a certain chandelier… For a few weeks, it was this one. Super elegant. And super modern. And totally not a fit for any room in my California casual, new traditional home. Heck, my dining room set, which I adore, is practically vintage at this point. Despite knowing there was no way I’d ever have it, I kept “visiting” my chandelier on Houzz. I positively loved the crystal droplets and the way they reflect light. I loved the sleek, modern aesthetic. I loved the streamlined ceiling plate. Like I said, I loved everything about it. Then, a few weeks ago, I came across this beauty on the Lamps Plus website. And while my love of the “original” chandelier remains, this one might edge it out. Why? Because I can actually imagine this chandelier hanging above my dining table: The dark patina bronze and rustic, Western-inspired round metal frame bring a relaxed, less overtly modern sensibility to this particular chandelier. It’s a little bit less fancy and more accessible--exactly the look I’m going for in my relaxed and inviting interior décor. Another thing I discovered—I really like that these crystal droplets have an irregular shape, in contrast to the perfectly round crystal balls in the first chandelier. I like the added sense of movement and the more organic energy they create. This one’s on my wish list, to be sure. Meanwhile, my Google search goes on for the perfect chandelier, one that will meet my style and budget (we’ve all fallen in love with a piece WAY out of our price range, right?). Rather than settle for something that's almost right, it's worth the time and effort to find that piece you truly love. |
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