Midnight Swim!

by Mike's Furniture

When summer is around the corner, hot weather is not far behind! And who says hot weather, says… pool time! There is nothing like swimming in fresh water when the sun honors us with its presence, but there is another moment when it’s nice to swim quietly; at midnight!

When the kids are asleep and the neighborhood is quiet, go to the backyard and take time for yourself or as a couple. A good way to create a silent and soft ambiance is to put some candles all around the pool to accompany the moonlight.

White wood and rattan cords are good materials for a soothing mood. You can also add some lanterns on the patio to light the way to the pool.

For more security, to avoid all the little fires around the backyard, you can use tea lights that are battery operated instead of real fire.

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How To Make A Small Room Seems Bigger

by Mike's Furniture

If you want to make a room seems bigger, here are 4 simple tips for you:

1- Optimization, optimization and… optimization!

Using multifunctional furniture gives you the possibility to keep magazines, decorative pillows, seasonal accent decor and other things that belong in the living room.

2- Use mirrors!

The secret is that mirrors reflect light and make the room seem bigger because every corner is visible. The most effective way to make this magic trick work is to use mirrors that run from the floor to the ceiling!

3- Let the light in!

A dark room always seems smaller than it really is, no matter the size! That’s why it’s even more important to have as much light as we can in a small room. To do so, don’t hide any windows with big furniture or curtains that prevent the light from getting in.

4- Think tiny and vertical!

Large furniture often takes too much place in a room and constrains us to have less furniture. A good way to fill a small room with more than one or two furniture pieces is to use tiny and vertical ones! 

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Decorating Tips To Make Your Home Your Dream Home

by Mike's Furniture

QUICK FIXES MAKE THE DREAM HOME

Close your eyes and set aside all worries for a minute or two. What could make your home your dream home? Sometimes all it takes is changing or adding one element.

YOUR DREAM IS WITHIN REACH

Did you envision a luxurious home theater? Entertainment centers can turn any wall into a main focal point. Take what you pictured and apply your style. For example, if your dream was of a modern home, find a contemporary styled entertainment center. If you pictured a cozy cabin or beach house setting, explore rustic or vintage style. If you envisioned a relaxed, yet elegant home, look for traditional or classic styles. Some entertainment centers include remote-controlled electric fireplaces―ideal if you love the ambiance of a fire without all the work. Beautiful lighted display cabinets or bookcases can be added―perfect for showing off your favorite keepsakes!

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

If a new entertainment center is not in the cards, tap your dreams and find other focal points. For example, it could be that your home has a fireplace mantle or a picture window that just needs to be dressed up. Place furniture and decorative accessories around these areas to anchor the room. If the room has no main focal point, here’s your chance for creativity. Find a conversation piece like a huge work of art, giant aquarium, hanging fireplace, skylight, bookcase or perhaps a beautiful curio cabinet and make one of these the focal point of your home. Another option is to paint one of the walls your favorite color. Then embellish it with paintings or decorative wall art of places you dream of going or favorite places you’ve been.

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San Francisco Urban Style

by Mike's Furniture

One thing is true about the City by the Bay, living in this town means dealing with blankets of fog, salty air and traffic, traffic, traffic. Wouldn’t it be nice to create a rustic retreat from the sights and sounds of the City? Try adding a warmer layer to your abode by introducing rustic furniture pieces that reflect the San Franciscan vibe. 

For example: gate leg table (Golden Gate Bridge), a sparkly pendant (city lights), muted hues (sea mist) or wood with a milky glaze (weathered boards). Distressed elements in rustic furniture add an eclectic look in the bedroom—an instantly-curated feel with an out-to-sea aesthetic.

Here are some ideas for a San Francisco inspired decor:

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Sleep Better With Our Tips

by Mike's Furniture

Wonder why you can’t sleep? The problem may be rooted in factors you may have never thought of. Get better sleep from our 10 sleep tips.

1. GET BETTER SLEEP BY INVESTING IN YOUR COMFORT

Is your room comfortable? Whether that means splurging on egyptian cotton sheets, purchasing blackout curtains or picking the perfect mattress – investing in your comfort is a must for getting better sleep.

2. SLEEP ON A GOOD MATTRESS

Sleeping on a good mattress can make all the difference in getting better sleep. When you sleep on an uncomfortable bed, you are more likely to  shift your weight during sleep. This may create pressure on your shoulders, back and hips, preventing you from receiving restorative sleep.

Learn more about Ashley Furniture HomeStore’s mattress selection, to find the best mattress that suits your sleeping needs.

3. TURN OFF ELECTRONICS

Quiet the room. Turn off the TV and give that laptop a break! Research suggests that media use before bedtime interferes with getting better sleep.

4. MANAGE STRESS

Get organized, set priorities and delegate tasks. List what’s on your mind before trying to sleep and set it aside for the next day.

5. CONTROL ALLERGIES

Use mattress and pillow covers to keep allergens, such as pet dander and dust mites at bay. Get a vacuum or air purifier with a HEPA filter and replace the air filter in your furnace monthly.

6. WATCH WHAT YOU EAT & DRINK

Enjoy a healthy snack an hour before bed. Avoid sleeping on a full stomach. Limit how much you drink so you won’t have to use the restroom. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

7. CREATE A BEDTIME RITUAL

Get in bed and wake up at the same time each day. Before sleep, take a warm bath or shower, read a book or listen to soothing music. Once you figure out a routine, stick to it – even on weekends!

8. EXERCISE

Do physical activities early in the day to enhance your ability to fall asleep fast and get better sleep. Don’t exercise close to bedtime because you may get too energized.

9. DAYLIGHT MATTERS

Use bright lights or sunlight during the day to manage your circadian rhythms (or body clock). Enjoy sunlight in the morning and avoid bright light in the evening.

10. SET THE SCENE

Keep the room cool between 65°F and 75°F and use room darkening shades. Spritz your pillow with a mix of lavender, chamomile or ylang-ylang oil drops and water.

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Follow Your Arrow!

by Mike's Furniture

We have all seen that “arrow” pattern called chevron. It is a pleasing pattern that most people like in some way or another, especially for clothes and furniture! There are many ways to integrate them to our home decor and none are wrong. All we need is a little bit of creativity and that’s it! Here are a few ideas to help your creative juices flow!

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Shabby Chic Style

by Mike's Furniture

Shabby Chic Style In The Dining Room

Shabby chic style never seems to get old. What’s especially great about this design aesthetic: you can take the vintage look to its frilliest, most feminine extreme. Or, you can opt for a more edited approach with chic touches here and there for a timeless, tasteful sense of faded elegance in the dining room, and beyond.

Dabble in whites, creams, pastels

To set the mood, you’ll want to delve into the classic shabby chic palette: whites, creams, soft sands, dusty grays and, of course, muted pastels. From your dining room wall color and window curtains, to the finishes of your furniture and upholstery, the possibilities for a color scheme are endless.

Set a comfortable table

No matter if you’ve got a rustic farmhouse table or a traditional mahogany piece passed down from your grandmother, you don’t have to throw out the old for a new shabby chic look. Instead, find some fabulous chair slip covers, either in a fanciful floral or crisp white with ruffling for a flirty touch. Frills and spills work out when the slip cover is machine washable. Open to a new dining room table? One with a white-washed finish and distressed details is shabby chic all the way.

Turn on the mood lighting

The romantic chandelier? It’s a shabby chic staple. What’s great is that you can stay with that traditional crystal chandelier currently hanging in your dining room—or you can swing a more current look. We love the use of rustic wood in lieu of crystals. A fresh twist on tradition.

Accentuate romance, timeworn charm

Shabby chic accents are all about distressed finishes, timeworn charm and bygone beauty. You can DIY distressed looks. You can scour flea markets and garage sales. Better yet, spare yourself the trouble with brand-new buys made to look old.

A few of our favorite accents that can add flavor and charm to your shabby chic dining room:

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Add Green Color To Your House

by Mike's Furniture

During the summer, there are a few colors that we like to have in our home. Vivid colors happen to be part of them and some are more popular than others; aqua marine, yellow, tangerine and… green! Green is a peaceful tint and it helps to relax oneself. That’s why we must have a shade from this palette somewhere in our house. Here are some good ideas on how to add green to your home decor:

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4 Activities To Do On Independence Day

by Mike's Furniture

Celebrate with friends!

Pack a lunch, your joy and bring a couple of friends to a place where you all feel free and love for the sake of the peace that it gives you inside.

Make a patriotic picnic with your family!

Prepare sandwiches, veggies, chips, dips and all the things you like. Add a touch of America to it; make little American flags on toothpicks for the cupcakes, give your sandwiches American President names to distinguish them, buy some American flag napkins, etc. Ask your children to give a hand, they will love it! Then find a green place to eat and have fun together.

Decorate your home originally with the American flag!

If you receive guests for this special day and want to add a touch of America in your home, there are a couple of things you can do to be in tune with the theme of the day: Paint Mason jars with the American colors and then use them to add flowers or candles to the table center; fix your utensils and napkins together with blue, white and red ribbons; make American flag place mats, etc.

Go to an Independence Day parade!

In most cities and/or states, there will be a big parade to celebrate the dedicated day of America. Go see your city’s website to know which activities or special events will be close to home and choose the one that seems the most interesting to you. Don’t miss the fireworks!

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