Gray; The iconic color that brings forth peace

By Mikes Furniture

Gray; The iconic color that brings forth peace

Gray you say? Why would you want your home décor to look as dull as a rock? On the contrary! Gray seems to be the number one choice in paint color. Many interior designers opt for this wall color because it is very neutral and brightens the home, because it reflects natural lighting. Therefore, the same can be said about home accessories. À La Carte offers a beautiful and varied collection of gray accessories for the home. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why gray should be here to stay:

1)      It’s Versatile. Gray can be combined with any color. In other words, it is versatile. You can match it with another color, whether it is a cool one or a warm one – that depends on the look you are aiming for! The À La Carte collection suggests pairing it with yellow.

2)      You won’t get tired of it. Gray is a color that you will be less likely to change because of its neutral tone and versatility. In fact, it is probably a color that will save you money in the long run!

3)      It is a peaceful color – Since gray is a peaceful color, it will not agitate anyone in your home. It will, however, set a peaceful atmosphere. Wouldn’t that be nice? Your very own Zen dojo.

4)      From dull to brilliant – Yes, some may deem gray as a dull color, but that’s not something a pattern can’t fix! Accessorize your home with patterned decorative pillows, bedding and poufs. Even abstract splatter artwork will create visual interest!

That being said, gray is an iconic color that does not need vibrancy to take its place. It is multifaceted, peaceful, and can be quite interesting if you decide to include it in different patterns and textures. 

Simple Tips for Pet-Proofing Your Home

By Mikes Furniture

Pet-Proofing Your Home:

A house is just not the same without a four-legged friend. Although pets are loyal companions, many people are reluctant to own one for a fear of ruining their home and furniture. Yes, there are a number of things that come with the package such as hair, drool, odors and scratches. However, pet-proofing your home is a great solution to maintaining your home, so you don’t have to compromise your desire to add a furry member to the family. Here are some easy tips you should swear by:

1)      Choose the right fabrics – Obviously, leather or “pleather” is an easy-to-clean solution. Just give it a quick wipe down! Another benefit for this type of material is that it is not one to attract fur. It can be quite durable; however your pet’s nails should still be trimmed to avoid scratching. Another resistant material is velvet. Unlike other fabrics, it’s not looped together, so claws will not get caught!

2)      Color coordinate your furniture with your pet - Although this may sound kind of funny to some, coordinating your furniture with your pet’s fur color makes for a great camouflage. A little tone on tone is pure genius!

3)      Groom your pet – Regular grooming will avoid tumbling fur balls – the vacuum is definitely your friend. Also, a little bathing can avoid a certain stench!

4)      Protect your furniture – Embrace two things; throws and rugs. A beautiful and durable throw blanket is a great protection for your sofa. If you choose a stylish one, not only will it enhance the room, but it will maintain your furry friend’s favorite seating area. As for your gorgeous hardwood floors, there are always rugs! Choose a rug that is preferable low pile, so that their claws won’t dig into the looped strands. Ideally, you should have a rug in the areas they choose for rest – living room, bedroom, office and staircase.

Although these restrictions may seem like a lot to some, if you’re an animal lover, you’ll find a way to make these restrictions work for you, and with style! 

Tips for fighting Seasonal Allergies!

By Mikes Furniture

Seasonal Allergies: Tips & Remedies!

It’s summertime and yet you keep on sneezing or sniffling at home? Even if you know that seasonal allergies are usually due to outdoor factors such as pollen, mold… and don’t last passed the spring, you wonder about the causes. Here’s an interesting fact - indoor allergies exist too! For one, you could be allergic to dust.

From your living room carpet, draperies and upholstered furniture to your bedroom; dust mites are everywhere in your home! Mattress, pillows, and bedding are their favorite hangouts. Even if no one can eliminate dust mites completely, one can put an end to their spreading. Here are some tips to keep you virtually dust mite-free!

Make sure you are using the right furniture!

Change your fur or high pile rug for a low pile that is washable, if you don’t wish to put it aside this summer. (Photo right –Ashley Rug)

Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame and get a mattress cover. If your mattress is old, 5 years + and you’ve considered buying a new one, then go with a foam mattress. Most of foam mattress materials are allergen-free; but still needs some maintenance! (Photo –Ashley Beds)

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Maintain good cleaning habits:

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust and always use a damp cloth to remove dust on your furniture. It’s better to run your air conditioner to keep allergens out and use an air purifier instead of opening the windows and doors. Also, you should clean your air filters often. When the humidity level in your house stays between 30% and 50%, dust mites won’t thrive!

Keep your bedding clean; wash your sheets every week in hot water to kill dust mites. Comforters, blankets orbedspreads should be washed once a month.(Photo –Ashley Bedding)

Some natural remedies…

Aromatherapy can definitely be an option to consider! Eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender or wintergreen oils can help you reduce dust mites! Apply one drop of eucalyptus oil when doing your laundry to kill your bedding dust mites.

Drinking herbal teas help -green or ginger tea with a teaspoon of raw honey provide great allergy relief if taken daily!

Clean your home with vinegar, lemon and/ or baking soda plus a few drops of natural oil! By making your own cleaning products, you can avoid indoor allergens and save on the cost! 

Furniture that Fits

By Mikes Furniture

Selecting furniture that fits your space:

Are you in the middle of home renovations or moving to a new place that requires additional furniture? Then you’ve fallen on the mother lode of great advice to help you select the right furniture for any space. Of course, this entails following certain steps in order to make a proper assessment.

1)      Stick to a realistic budget – First off, you should avoid overspending. That way, you won’t wind up with less furniture than you need to complete your space. Yes, it goes without saying that superior quality lasts, but if your budget doesn’t permit it, you may end up with an empty-looking room. So, set a budget and aim to find a balance between price & quality.

2)      Pick a theme – When selecting furniture, it would be wise to decipher whether you already have a theme in your home, especially if it is open concept. Whether your home has a casual, contemporary or modern style, sticking to an ongoing theme will help influence your purchasing decision.

3)      Select pieces that fit your space – Begin by taking measurements of the room you are planning to furnish. If you already have some pieces you intend to throw in the mix, measure them as well. Then, visualize the orientation of the furniture in your living room, dining room or bedroom. Try to play with different placement ideas by taking measurements. Once you’ve found the optimal placement, be sure to leave enough space between the pieces. This will give you an idea of the size range you need.

4)      What if you’re dealing with a small space? Small spaces are a little harder to furnish. That is because every piece of furniture counts. The Idea is to maximize functionality and minimize clutter in this type of scenario. That being said, it is suggested to avoid large & bulky furniture at all costs. For example, don’t buy a king size bed for a small bedroom, unless that is the only piece you intend to fit! Also, try to minimize the decor on your furniture so that your space doesn’t look cluttered.

If you can follow these simple steps, then you’re on your way to a smooth furniture transition.