SET UP A HOMEWORK STATION

by Mike's Furniture

With school in and the kids hitting the books, you’ll be asking, “Do you have homework?” If they do, you’ll need a game plan for after school studying. Here are some tips on how to get started on a homework station that fulfills your kids’ needs.

Pick the right spot

Choose a location in the home for work and study. It needs to be a quiet escape. Ideally, it could be their room, but a den, basement office, attic office or even a secluded kitchen nook all can serve the purpose handily. Ask your kids what their ideas of a perfect homework station are and incorporate as many of them as possible. This will help get their buy-in so they’ll use it more often. Include favorite colors and posters, as well as educational items like maps, globes, books, art supplies, computers, printers, chalkboards/dry erase boards and calendars.

Get it together for comfort

Clean up the clutter. Remove toys and items they’ve outgrown. Paint the study area their favorite color. Up comfort levels by putting down an area rug. Get cushiony chairs with ergonomic features. An afghan rack with throws is another great idea, so they can keep warm during long winter nights. Lighting is very important, too. Use floor lamps, pendant lights and desk lamps to illuminate the area. These help prevent eyestrain and headaches.

Furnish it

Set the scene with a desk. The bigger the better―kids need lots of room to work. Add bookshelves, file cabinets and storage bins for keeping all supplies organized and within reach. Decorate the walls. Include a wall clock, decorative canvas prints and a corkboard for pinning A+ work, photos and more. You can accent the work surface with a desk clock, photo frame and a favorite souvenir.

What’s next?

Once the homework station is ready, turn your focus to the next project―an area where you can keep organized. Get a desk and a comfortable chair. Wrap around desks are ideal because they give you more room to work. Don't forget to get a file cabinet. It's the perfect spot for keeping important papers and supplies you'll need to access throughout the school year.

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Back To School Organizing Tips & Ideas

by Mike's Furniture

Back-to-school is for many of us synonym of supplies, lunch, home works, mess and lunch again! When this time of the year is coming, we start to stress, to be tense and we are trying to be organized (which is not that easy sometimes!). Here are some organizing tips to help everyone being more relaxed at the back-to-school:

Make a space for children’s backpacks

In the lobby or anywhere else, take time to make an exclusive space to put the backpacks when child come back from school. It could be a storage bench, a wall shelf with hooks, a big basket or a large storage box.

Create a study area

To facilitate the productivity and reduce the homework time a study area is a must. Ideally, it should be a quiet place without any source of distraction like TV, video games, tablets, cell phone or any toy. The room could be filled with bookcases, a bench and/or chair, a work desk and maybe comfortable furniture where to read and study like a small sofa or a recliner.

Prepare in advance

To save time and avoid stress in the morning, preparing in advance is a good thing! The day before or even during the week-end, we can prepare lunches, sport clothes and organize backpacks for the upcoming week.

Choose outfits the night before

If we are still lacking time in the morning, choosing the outfits the night before could make the difference!

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HOMEMADE CLEANING PRODUCTS

by Mike's Furniture

Your sink cabinets are jammed with virtually every foam, spray and spritz cleaner on the market. And yet, you’re not satisfied with the results.

Time to get back to basics.

Wonderfully multipurpose, natural cleaning agents (e.g., baking soda) cost pennies on the dollar compared to brand-name products—and they work just as well (if not better).

There are endless possibilities for a green clean. Here are our five favorites:

Dispose of Odors.

Garbage disposal smelling like, well, garbage? Pour a half cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar down the drain. Boil a kettle of water and pour boiling water down as well. Then add two cups of ice and one cup of rock salt to the drain. Run through the disposal. Lastly, cut a lime or lemon in half, and run both halves one by one through the disposal.

Unclog Drains Naturally.

While they might get the job done, products like Drano are terrible for the environment and dangerous in contact with your skin. A natural alternative: Pour ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup white vinegar down the drain. Let sit for at least 25 minutes. Pour in 2 quarts boiled water. The fizz you hear is the baking soda and vinegar working magic. If the water is still sitting in the sink, plunge it down to reveal your clean-as-a-whistle drain.

Nip Those Fleas.

Got pets? Then you know too well the dog days of summer can mean one thing: pesky fleas. Sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax powder on your rugs/carpets and other areas where fleas may fest, such as a cat climber. Use a stiff brush to work the Borax into the rug/carpet. Let the Borax sit at least six hours (overnight is even better). Vacuum thoroughly. (A ½ cup of Borax powder will give your laundry detergent a power boost, too.)

Make That Stainless Steel Sink Sparkle.

Pour undiluted white vinegar—a gentle but powerful disinfectant—into a spray bottle. Rinse sink with water. Sprinkle baking soda over wet surface. Scrub with a soft-to-medium brush. Spray vinegar over remaining residue. That fizzing sound is cleaning in action. Rinse sink thoroughly. For even more shine, buff with a bit of olive oil, using a soft, dry cotton cloth.

Polish to Perfection.

Spare your finished wood furnishings that furniture spray buildup with this smart solution: Using a funnel, pour 2 tbsp. olive oil, ¼ cup distilled white vinegar and ¼ tsp. lemon oil (or fresh lemon juice) into a spray bottle. Shake well then spritz onto microfiber cloth and rub in evenly in the direction of the grain. Remove excess polish with a clean, dry cloth and behold the beauty of your like-new furniture.

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Home Decor For Fall

by Mike's Furniture

As the cold gusts of wind hit and temperatures drop, we know a new season has begun. Not to worry! Chase away the cold with a cozy decor that warms the soul.

Go Bold

Nothing says fall like bold colors. From emerald green and tangerine to canary yellow and deep berry; pick hues that depict the perfect autumn-inspired color-palette. Despite being bold, these colors are also suggestive of comfort and hearth, which will wrap your home in a soothing blanket of warmth.  There really is no need to purchase new furniture to keep up with current trends. You can simply introduce fall colors in small doses with accent such as decorative pillows, throws, rugs, ottoman and accent chairs. This is an easy and cost-effective solution.

Add Texture

Although color has a significant impact on fall trends, texture is also all the rage this season. Don’t be afraid to mix different textures, as it will be easy on the eyes and exciting to touch. Try pairing opposite textures such as a smooth and supple leather sofa with tweed pillows. Also, combine a fluffy down comforter with a tightly woven area rug. The idea is to create contrast both visually and to touch.

Introduce Glamour

A glamorous aesthetic is not about oozing with fancy. Forget about floor-to-ceiling rhinestones, mirrors and metallic! In fact, if you are aiming for a chic look this fall, understated elegance is your friend. How can you achieve this look without going over the top you might ask? Think button-tufted headboards, breakfront dressers and metallic picture frames. You can also attain an upscale look with the use of modern furnishings – their clean lines make them intrinsically elegant.

Break Out Your Fall Decor!

Last but not least, pulling out your fall decor is an irrefutable way to keep your home cozy and spark that holiday mood.  Keep it simple; include harvest colors and foliage. You can either buy or make your crafts with the use of pumpkins, candles, vases, leaves, fall vignettes, acorns, straw, baskets etc. Be creative and have fun with it!

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HOW TO MAKE A VINTAGE COUNTRY DINING ROOM

by Mike's Furniture

There is nothing as homey as the look of a tablecloth on the table and the smell of something coming out of the oven. You can create that warm sense of nostalgia by introducing a few well-placed items around your home. And with a little help, that happy sunshiny feeling will greet you every time you walk in the door. 

Here's what to use so you can dine in vintage country style:

• Whitewashed or distressed furniture

• Vintage items with a new found purpose

• Old-fashioned doors; reused or reinvented as wall art, tabletops or room dividers

• Bushel baskets (or wire baskets) filled with magazines, mittens, mail or anything that needs a home

• Mason jars as glassware, silverware holders or candle jars

• Red and white checked gingham tablecloths, napkins or dishtowels

• White curtains at the window and white china on the table

• Rugs on the floor, any kind will do: painted cloth, rag, braided or jute (to name a few)

• And flowers everywhere: in vases, pitchers, bottles or jars

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Ideas For A Vintage Casual Home

by Mike's Furniture

Inspired by the old and comfortable looks of the past, this style is perfect for a soothing mood.

The vintage casual look is cozy, elegant, creative and casual chic. From coastal to cottage or country house, the secret is in the accents you add. You can also mix the looks together to personalize it even more. All you need to keep in mind is natural materials and colors if you want to respect the soul of this style. Here are some inspiring ideas:

Accessories

Bedroom

Living Room

Dining Room

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Add Country Accessories For A Casual Home

by Mike's Furniture

Country Style Bedroom:

Whether your style is casual or refined, adding a Country style to your bedroom will create a warm and inviting space. Finally! You can retire to a bedroom that says cozy! One might ask how can I achieve this look? Get inspired with these Country bedroom essentials:

First and foremost, nothing says country like beautiful wood textures. There is something about natural elements that implies a soothing environment.  From reclaimed wood to smooth finishes, your choice of bedroom furniture should reflect your personality – edgy and slightly daring or toned down and timeless. A Country style bedroom set also typically includes dark metal hardware. As for the bedroom accents, since the furniture is quite neutral, have fun with adding a little pop of color to your pieces.

Country Living Room:

Homeowners, fashion a stay-awhile living room with a melting pot of country style designs! Perhaps the most sought after trends in a living room lean toward the French Country and Rustic styles. The ever so beautiful slipcovered sofa is both elegant and cozy. As for the country-looking sofa with a rustic edge, aim for an upholstered sofa with a nailhead trim.

Country Living Decor:

Tap into your inner Country girl or boy to decorate your home with stylish and practical accessories. Just think, if you were handed a fully furnished country house, which staple decorative pieces would you include to make it a home? To help you get inspired, here is a nugget of information. It seems that Country Living is regarded as the “simple life”. Perhaps most, if not all items in this type of home are not mass produced. Items are handmade, passed down as heirlooms and used for practical purposes. How do we mesh this information with modern day style? Here are some thrifty and functional ideas:

Use mason jars and tuck flowers in them to create a casual style or use them for organizational purposes.

Other country-infused ideas include the use of open shelves and neutral-toned basket to organize your pieces. The key is to avoid clutter.

As mentioned previously, heirlooms seem to play a significant role. Use country collectibles to tie in the idea of items being passed down.

Benches & Hall Trees:

Another must-have is the use of benches or halls trees. They are typically seen in an entrance, a hallway or in a mudroom. A bench is useful for putting or removing shoes and for additional storage below. As for the hall tree, this piece is a hallmark for mudrooms. It is useful to hang coats, for storage or for seating when putting/removing shoes. Although it can also be placed in an entrance, if space permits it, the hall tree will add charm wherever it is featured.

Country Style Color Palette:

When it comes to the Country style color palette, the range of colors includes neutral tones of brown and beige. However, it is not unusual to see other toned down colors such as white, blue or green.  Often, these colors are used for accent pieces and show signs of distressing to give them a vintage look. How quaint!

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MIX PATTERNS IN THE DINING ROOM

by Mike's Furniture

Mix It Up

We’ve all seen children who have dressed themselves in a jumble of colors and patterns. Cute as it is on a kid, the look doesn’t work for adults—and it certainly doesn’t work in home decor. But that’s not to say you can’t embrace the trend of mixing patterns in your home.

More than any other room, the dining room provides endless possibilities for pattern mixing. Just think of all the opportunities when selecting table linens, let alone the upholstery on your dining room chairs, the area rug and even the drapes. 

Not sure where to start? We have eight easy ways to mix and match patterns—without looking like a toddler decorated the room. To create a cohesive look, be sure to choose:

8 Tips to Mix Patterns in the Dining Room

1- Like colors. A Swiss dot tablecloth and striped placemats pair beautifully when they’re in the same color family.

2- Patterns of different scales. If your area rug has an oversize paisley pattern, steer clear of drapes with thick stripes. Instead, pair a more delicate pattern with a large-scale print.

3- A solid, too. Even in the same shades, some patterns can seem overwhelming together. But throw a solid color into the mix and the look magically comes together.

4- A pattern that can be treated like a solid. If you’re too timid to combine bold patterns, select a small-scale print that looks like a solid from a distance.

5- The same pattern in different colors. Crazy about chevron? Mad for plaid? Pick pieces with your favorite pattern, but in complementary colors.

6- Similar themes. Go wild and combine cheetah print with zebra stripes, or sail into style with nautical stripes paired with an anchor print.

7- Entirely different patterns. Who says chevron and houndstooth can’t go together? Sometimes creating tension with two totally different patterns creates a beautifully bold look.

8- What you love, rules be darned! It’s your home. Make it a reflection of you and fill it with pieces that make you happy.

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