Be A Great Host This 2015 Oktoberfest

By Mike's Furniture

Oktoberfest is right around the corner and guest what? You don’t need to go to Germany or speak German to celebrate! Whether you are a beer drinker, a sauerkraut lover or a sausage eater, this fest is a great opportunity to gather with friends or simply to meet new people.

Originally held in Munich, Germany as it is a Bavarian festival, Oktoberfest has become one of the world’s largest folk festivals, where everybody is welcome to join and celebrate. But what if you plan to have yours at home? It’s not that complicated! Here are a few things you should do to host a great one.

To create the authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere, you do not need to set up a tent in your garden, decorate your place like a Bavarian traditional house or wear traditional outfits. All you need to have is beer!!! German ones are as good as any other.  Let the beer flow so you can fill up your guests’ beer stein!

Along with beer, serve sausages, pretzels, and sauerkraut…Oktoberfest is well known by food lovers, since they enjoy eating great traditional German food.

Ideally, put some traditional music to set the mood; make some space in your home, as some people love singing and dancing while drinking.

Now you are ready to host an Oktoberfest at home. Time to celebrate and bring German tradition to your home for hours or the day!

Content provided by: +Tailbase  

www.tailbase.com

7 GREAT REASONS TO USE AN AREA RUG

By Mike's Furniture

It’s amazing how much an area rug can transform a room. If you’re looking to roll out big style—for a modest outlay of cash—opting for an area rug is a good way to go. When shopping for the right area rug, choose one that’s roughly the same shape as the accompanying furniture. Cluster the furniture around it or on top of it, place a table, desk or bed at its center—and you’re good to go!

Why are area rugs so great? Because area rugs…


Tie together a room’s color scheme. An area rug works as well, if not better, than art or throw pillows to unify your color schemes.

Anchor furniture. Area rugs make a room look connected and cohesive. In living rooms and family rooms, use an area rug that’s big enough to fit under the front legs of your furniture. If it’s too small to do that, center the rug under your coffee table. 

Are inexpensive “artwork.” Bringing color and graphical elements into a room, area rugs help create a dynamic gathering place. Certain area rugs, such as handwoven style rugs, can also be hung on a large wall, at a fraction of the price of large-scale artwork. 

Add warm, comfort and safety. Especially if you have solid-surface floors, such as hardwood, concrete or tile, you can appreciate the cushy relief area rugs bring to your space.

Work everywhere. Be it in the living room, bedroom or dining room, area rugs feel right at home. As a rule of thumb; use an area rug under the largest piece, or group of furniture, in a room to anchor the space.

Absorb sound. Especially when accompanied by an ample rug pad, area rugs do a wonderful job of buffering noise.

Move with you. Wall-to-wall carpeting might be there to stay, but area rugs are all yours to take with you should you relocate.

While machine-made rugs are the most common today, there are plenty of handwoven options that can include everything from precious oriental rugs to affordable jute styles.

A bit about area rug materials:

Synthetic rugs are mostly made from petroleum products. They’re popular for their colorful designs, durability and low price.

Wool rugs offer a step up with their remarkably soft, plush feel. Most are hand-tufted, with loops of yarn punched into a cloth, backed with latex and then sheared to produce a cut-pile surface. It’s completely normal for wool area rugs to shed a little when they’re brand new.

Jute rugs are another natural fiber area rug. These are usually handwoven. Though associated with more relaxed/casual settings, they’re a designer favorite in many interiors today because they add texture, lie flat and are easy to maintain.

Tips for keeping your area rug as good as new:

• Purchase a rug pad to reduce movement on the floor and prevent rug wear.
• Vacuum regularly to reduce dirt accumulation.
• Blot spills immediately. Avoid saturation with water. 
• Rotate occasionally to reduce the effects of traffic and sunlight.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture 

www.tailbase.com

Tips To Help You Choose The Right Dining Table

By Mike's Furniture

The dining room is a great and memorable place in one’s home. No one can deny that the dining table is a meeting point, where friends and family come together over a bountiful meal to catch up, share stories and even jokes. So everyone needs a dining table in their house!

There are countless styles of dining tables; they come in many different shapes and sizes.  How do you choose the right one? Here are some tips to help you select the right one:

Space

You should choose a table that will fit your space and give you enough seating when hosting. Here are a few measurements guidelines to keep in mind before getting your table:

Allow 24″ between the table and the wall to let people easily sit down and get up from the table. Also, allocate 38″ if people are going to walk behind the table. 

When setting the table, outline 24″ for each place setting to let people sit comfortably without hitting elbows.

Size

Think about your crowd. You should consider with whom you will be using the table: small family or/and large guest groups. Although a small table saves some space, the larger it gets, the harder it becomes to reach for platters.  If you choose to go big on the table, then go small on the seating!

Most tables come with additional leaves that you add or take off as you wish. Therefore, you can even choose a small table and accommodate a larger group whenever you have guests coming.

When looking to take up less room in your dining space, a bench on one side of your table is also a great option, because you can place it under the table until the next time you entertain. 

Shape

Go Rectangular! Since most dining rooms are rectangular, there is no doubt that rectangular –shaped tables are the most common. It is also a great shape for big gatherings, as you can seat at least six people. 

The square table is useful in a small or medium room that enables you to sit 4 people. When it comes to special occasions with a bigger crowd, you can always place two tables together to make a rectangular one! 

Consider a round table for a small and cozy room. It is the best shape for a small group of 3-4 people or more.  Since it has no corners, you can usually fit more people around it, especially if it is a pedestal table which allows for more legroom.

An oval table is similar to a rectangular-shaped table in terms of seating arrangements. Yet, it takes less space visually because of the rounded corners. 

Remember the “3S” tips Space, Size and Shape when choosing your dining table!

Content provided by: +Tailbase  

www.tailbase.com

All You Should Know About Fall's Favorite Harvest Fruit!

by Mike's Furniture

Be it the shiny apple Mom routinely packed in your lunch box or fond memories of your great aunt’s famous apple pie, fall’s favorite fruit is a slice of nostalgia.

Simply delicious, apples offer a golden opportunity for culinary magic. Can you believe there are more than 7,500 apple varieties worldwide? Talk about mass appeal. With their cornucopia of color—from ruby red and mellow yellow to lime green—apples tempt with various tastes and textures, from crisp and tart, to subtle and sweet.

 Eye the Right Apple

Some apples are perfectly yummy right off the tree. Others hold up wonderfully in pies, crisps and baked goodies. A slice of advice from the experts:

Best for eating out of hand: Braeburn, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, McIntosh.

Best for apple pies, crisps, etc: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Newtown Pippin, Winesap

Tip: Pies and crisps, especially, call for sweet-tart, firmer apples that hold their shape and flavor in the oven. To mellow a tarter apple (e.g., Granny Smiths), try more than one apple variety in your pie.

Best for caramel apples: Tart Granny Smith apples have become the standard since they counter sweet caramel. Some folks find them a little too sour. Try the same apples recommended for pies for your caramel apples

Frown on Brown Apples 

Yes it’s true, brushing on lemon juice does keep sliced apples from browning, as do other citrus fruits such as lime, orange and pineapple. To avoid any hint of citrus taste, soak apple slices in apple juice until ready to serve. Another option: Mix two tablespoons honey and one cup water. Soak apple slices in mixture for 30 seconds.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture 

www.tailbase.com

Great Apple Recipes For This Fall

By Mike's Furniture

What a great season that is the fall! When the leaves turn into beautiful warm colors, it’s time for the last harvests and delicious fruits and veggies are ready to be picked. One of the most popular among them is the apple. It is highly unlikely that someone doesn’t like this crispy fruit! That’s why we propose 3 delicious apple recipes:

Old Fashioned Apple Pie:

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

Pie Dough

12 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

¾ cup of sugar (plus additional for pie top)

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon

½ teaspoon of nutmeg

Pinch ground cloves

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1 large egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Lightly flour the working surface.

Roll out pie dough into two 1/8-inch-thick circles (diameter should be slightly larger than that of an 11-inch plate).

Press one pastry circle into the pie plate. Place the other circle on waxed paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Put all pastry in the fridge until firm (about 30 minutes).

In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon zest and juice, spices, and flour.

Toss well. Spoon apples into pie pan. Dot with butter, and cover with remaining pastry circle.

Cut several steam vents (about 3 little holes) across top.

Seal by crimping edges as desired.

Brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with additional sugar.

Bake until crust is brown and juices are bubbling (about 1 hour).

Let cool on wire rack before serving.

Apple Chips:

INGREDIENTS

4 Apples

2 tablespoons of sugar

½ tablespoon of Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Slice apples into ⅙" approximately (use a mandolin for better result).

Place apple slices in a single layer on a sheet pan fitted with parchment paper.

Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake in the oven for 1½ hours.

Flip them over to make the other side crispy as well.

Bake for 1 more hour

Turn oven off and leave the apple slices inside for a few more hours or overnight

When they are ready, if you didn’t eat them all, place the slices in a zip top bag

Raisin bread and apple grilled-cheese:

INGREDIENTS

½ cup of cream cheese

2 teaspoons of honey

4 tablespoons (½ stick) of butter (room temperature)

8 slices cinnamon raisin bread

1 Granny Smith or other firm apple, cored and thinly sliced

2 Tablespoons of brown sugar

In a small bowl, whip the cheese and honey together until it’s well combined and fluffy.

Heat the panini-press to medium-high heat.

Spread butter on two slices of bread to flavor the outside of the sandwich.

Flip over both slices of bread and spread 1 tablespoon sweetened cheese on each.

Top one slice of bread with a layer of apples and close the sandwich with the other slice, buttered side up. Sprinkle some brown sugar on top.

Grill two sandwiches at a time, with the lid closed, until the fillings are warmed and the bread is toasted, with a sweet crust (about 3 to 5 minutes).

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com

Bring A Fall Touch To Your Home With Great Aromatherapy Ideas!

by Mike's Furniture

Ahh, Fall! Who doesn’t love the sound of crisp leaves underfoot and the taste of pumpkin spice everything (especially lattes!)? One of our favorite ways to celebrate the season is by filling our homes with scrumptious scents. There’s just something about a cozy house filled with family, friends and delicious smells that lets us know our favorite season is finally here.

The Nose Knows

Looking for ways to cozy up your home for fall? Try these easy aromatherapy ideas:

Bake goodies. Fill your home with the scent of freshly baked pumpkin pie for an instant autumnal aroma. It doesn’t have to be made from scratch—even frozen pies smell fantastic while they bake. Premade sugar cookie dough also produces a heavenly scent. Nothing says “home” like the smell of vanilla!

Light a candle. Don’t want to go to the trouble of baking? Pick up a pumpkin spice- or sugar cookie-scented candle. Other scents that conjure fall include cranberry, sugar and spice, cinnamon and pear. Try burning different scented candles to create your own signature smell.

Create a stovetop simmer. Combine one sliced orange, a couple of cinnamon sticks and a few dried cloves in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover all ingredients and simmer on the stove. Check on your concoction periodically and add more water as needed. Your whole home will smell heavenly!

 What are your favorite scents for fall? If you have any easy aromatherapy tips, share them in the comments below! We’d love to hear your ideas.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & +Ashley Furniture HomeStore 

www.tailbase.com

www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com

How To Use This Fall Colors in Your Home Decor!

by Mike's Furniture

This year, fall color scheme includes neutrals and bold tones. We must get inspiration from landscapes, forests and fields. Even colors name refer to the nature; Dried Herb, Desert Sage, Stormy weather, Oak Buff, Amethyst Orchid, etc. This unisex color palette is easy to integrate in every home since the tints please everyone! Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a beautiful autumnal home decor:

As the color palette contains a lot of dark tints, we have to be careful with which we decide to use. To make a perfect fall mood without darken the place, we must follow some easy but crucial rules.

1-   Walls and furniture

Dark colors have this tendency to make a room seems smaller than it really is. That’s why we should choose a light color for the walls and big furniture. It will help to balance the main decor.

2-      Accents

As the bigger part of the room is pale, we can add some coolness accent. Marsala, Stormy Weather and Reflecting Pond are adding a touch of luxury and finesse when they are perfectly mixed with pale shades.

3-      Don’t forget the cozy side!

An interior design can’t be autumnal if it doesn’t contain some cozy hint. Pillows and throws are the perfect match to add this delicate accent. Of course, faded colors inspire the warm comfort and security of a house full of joy and souvenirs.

Content provided by tailbase 

www.tailbase.com

PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE

by Mike's Furniture

The long, hot summer days are coming to an end. As wonderful as it’s been to gorge on juicy fruits and sweet, luscious berries, it’s time to savor the flavors of fall. Fresh fall harvests are in full swing and pumpkin is one of the most popular autumnal ingredients. Turn the seasonal bounty into a slice of heaven with this quick pumpkin bread recipe.

One-Pan Pumpkin Bread

(Recipe from BettyCrocker.com)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup canned pumpkin

3 eggs

2-1/3 cups Bisquick™ Original baking mix

1-1/4 cups sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup walnuts or pecans (or raisins, if you prefer)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F.

Generously grease bottom only of 9×5 loaf pan.

Stir all ingredients except nuts in pan with fork until moistened; beat vigorously for 1 minute. Stir in nuts.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes.

Run knife or metal spatula around sides of loaf to loosen; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Content provided by: +Tailbase  &  +Ashley Furniture HomeStore 

www.tailbase.com

www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com