Muted Colors

Muted colors:

Muted colors are those which lack vibrancy or saturation. They tend to lean toward the more subdued end of the spectrum, while still creating a chic look with their subtlety. It seems that the muted colors of 2017 are mellow, but with a little more pigment than the pastel-looking hues that were in last year. In fact, the colors are perhaps more dusky in nature which emits a rich and warm feel to a space. Let’s take a look at how some of these serene and soothing colors can still manage to warm up a room.

Warm neutrals:

People have a tendency of finding new ways to bring elements from the outside into their homes with a sense of style. There is something about combining earthy colors into a space that is not only reminiscent of nature, but that creates a calm and collected atmosphere. A perfect example of these colors is taupe and a muted earthy green. Especially taupe or similar hues would be a great choice for upholstery on beds, sofas, chairs and even rugs! It’s a color that will remain timeless, and therefore would be a great investment when it comes to furniture.

Dusky blues:

Among the other popular muted colors this year is dusky blue and in a variety of hues. It is slightly muted and quite sophisticated and reminiscent of the beach, but without falling into a kitschy category. Although this shade of blue is far from being bold, it would still be wise to use to accessorize your home. Opt for bedding,decorative pillows, throws, ottomans, etc. These pieces entail a much smaller investment.

Gray:

Not just on the runway, but in home décor, shades of gray are the getting the attention they deserve. Grays in particular create a refined look in the home. Despite being a neutral tone, it is quite rich. Just like earthy tones, gray is equally a good choice for furniture pieces that you intend to keep for years to come. However, it has more of a modern feel to it.

What do you think about muted colors in your home? Is it something you would consider?

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Jewel Colors

Jewel tones

This year has said its goodbyes to earthy beiges and welcomes pure drama with open arms. Beautiful deep jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst and some pastel colors have emerged to bring life and richness in your home. By layering the colors and textures, a once cold space will definitely transform into a warm one, with just a few design elements! Your jewel tones do not necessarily have to match. So long as they are of a similar visual weight, then they will be visually harmonious. Let’s take a look at how we can incorporate jewel tones into your home, besides on your walls or window coverings.

Accent chair:

The “Clarinda” accent chair is the perfect blend between a classic slipper chair and a traditional wingback chair. This beautiful modern design features tapered legs and clean lines, along with a subtle tufting for added flair. While the deep seat and winged back offer comfort, this accent chair’s gorgeous sapphire blue color will surely make a statement in your room.

Sofa:

Are you looking for a piece that can add a lot of drama in your space? Then why not consider a jewel-toned sofa? The rich vibrant color of the “Sagen-Teal” sofa will awaken a certain regal vibe in your living room. You will feel like royalty when you have a seat on the plush cushions and bold shape of this contemporary design.

 Throws:

Turn up the warmth in your space with a beautiful burgundy “Ashton” throw. The woven herringbone pattern, along with the thick fringe will add visual texture to a bed, sofa or chair! In fact, since the throw has so much personality, it would be best to pair it with shades of gray as a backdrop.

As you can see, vibrant colors are here to stay. Jewels tones are not only meant to be worn! Dress your home in the colors of royalty, so that you feel a certain distinction right within your own space.

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Nailhead Detail

Nailhead detail:

Nailhead detail is making its way into 2017 in a big way. The trend will go beyond the classic accent on upholstered pieces such as sofas and headboards. Now, it will make its way onto credenzas, storage chests and even on certain light fixtures. Some designers are venturing into creating patterns on pieces of furniture, rather than the typical outline. It’s definitely a great way to add some personality and style to your furniture! Let’s take a look at some of Ashley Furniture’s creations to enter the spotlight this year. Some of them are outside of the box!

The Classic Nailhead Sofa:

The nailhead trim sofa is and always will remain a classic. The accented details that surround the edge of the seating add certain sophistication to the upholstery. Your sofa will surely capture attention in your living room,as it boasts a beautiful polished silhouette. 

The Nailhead Mirror:

Nailheads have now made their way onto mirrors! There’s nothing scaled back about this piece! This particular look is a reflection of a modern and industrial design. The Ogier mirror by Signature Design features an accentuated gold nailhead trim, with a convex grid. The nailheads, along with the curvaceous form create an irreprehensible refinement. Hang it up in any room to experience how it will accent your wall.

The Nailhead Lamp:

The Sidony lamp is truly one of a kind! This table lamp features a metallic gray finish with a classic white hardback shade, a whimsical blend of simplicity and industrial traits. Create a soothing atmosphere in your space, by relaxing in the dim lighting this lamp will diffuse. Perfectly sized to fit on your nightstand or end table beside your sofa, this lamp will surely make a statement in your room!

The nailhead detail trend is going to impact furniture in various ways this year. Furniture designers are working overtime to think outside the box and of new ways to embellish your home. Are you ready to jump the bandwagon?

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Navy is the New Black

Navy is the new black:

In 2017, navy blue will be the preferred alternative to black. Whether your aim is to accent your room or to paint your walls, navy blue will add a modern twist, while lending a traditional feel to your home. That being said, it makes this color the perfect candidate to pair well with almost any color scheme and will add a certain sophistication to your room, without giving the eye an impression of being small. Let’s take a look at how navy blue can define your living room with the finesse you find in a picture perfect home décor magazine.

Your living room seating:

Put first things first. The fact is people get tired of flashy-colored sofas, loveseats and chairs. If you’re not looking to change your furniture for a while and want to avoid cringing when you see the color once the fad is over, then sticking to a neutral color is the way to go. Picture a beautiful navy upholstered sofa in your living room. Just like the perfect Italian tailored suit, it will fit your space like a glove. The LaVernia collection is representative of this look with their beautiful selection of upholsteries and patterns.

Decorative Pillows:

Now that you nipped the living room seating in the bud, your choice of color scheme makes it quite easy to mesh well with the decorative pillows you may want to select. Again, it comes down to whether you want to stick to a traditional feel, which is timeless or if you have a wild streak and absolutely need to throw in some color. Besides, decorative pillows are not exactly the largest investment in the room! For a traditional feel, stick to navy blue and lighter shades of blue. If you want to add some character, fun patterns will add some visual interest. If adding contrasting colors is a must, then yellow is quite the happy color!

Home Décor:

Finally, the room is never complete without its accessories. Add throws, candleholders, vases and picture frames either in the traditional tones or in the contrasting tones if you prefer.

Now that you have your information about how navy blue will bring sophistication to your home, you can decipher whether this is the look you would like to achieve. Navy blue is the new black – the little black dress you will have in your home for many years to come.

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Living Room Sets: Mix and Match

Living Room Sets: Mix & Match

The living room or family room is known to be the family’s favorite room to chat together and spend some quality time.  This room should combine a mix of warmth and comfort, in order to enable a family to be inclined to gather in this space. Style, comfort and quality all matter to pull off this setting.  In order to achieve this mood, one must select the appropriate pieces to blend together. Blending furniture pieces in a living room does not necessarily imply that they must be from the same collection. On the contrary, a good living room design is a mix of cohesive pieces that blend in color, style and texture. In fact, one might say that even some opposites work well together to create an eclectic mix.

Sofa:

The Azlyn sofa features a vintage casual style, and infuses a mixed media look in such an elegant manner. In this mixture, we have exposed feet in a wood finish, a nailhead trim and gorgeous tufted upholstery. The curvaceous rolled arms provide added character to the sofa. Despite the elegance of the piece, the warm earthy tones create an inviting atmosphere.

Chair(s):

The Kannerdy chair features elegant refinement and rugged good looks that blend beautifully with the selected sofa. The dramatic style of the turned feet and the Charles of London arms enhance the English style with this pairing. In addition, the muted neutral tones harmonize well together and create an opportunity to add little pops of color in the room. Lastly, depending on the dimensions of your room, for an optimal design, allow for two chairs facing the sofa.

Ottoman:

Finally, the Hindell Park ottoman features a vintage casual style with button tufting detail.  The soft upholstery brightens any room with its colorful and soothing pattern. You’ll enjoy the comfortable atmosphere set by this ottoman once you have your feet up!

Although these pieces are very different and unique in their own way, some key elements such as the similarities with the feet, the muted natural tones and elegant refinement make them mesh well together.

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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! 

Gift Idea For Father’s Day

By Mikes Furniture

Father’s Day is a day which fathers are honored and appreciated by their loved ones for their paternal bonds. Along with the celebration, it is customary to offer a gift. Are you out of ideas and need some inspiration for a great father’s day gift? Then throw those cliché gifts out the window! Rather than spending your money on dust collectors, why not spend it on something useful?

We all know many dads love to kickback on the sofa in front of the television in order to unwind after a long day. Most dads enjoy their “alone time” by watching their favorite sports and movies. Of course not all dads enjoy sports. Some fathers also enjoy gaming to detach from reality once in a while!

That being said, why not invest in a tv console that will enhance your father’s cinematic or gaming experience? There’s an idea! That way he can store all of his favorite movies, games and gaming console all in one place. Not only will he appreciate having all of his stuff neatly organized in one place, but surely mum will too! In fact, there are a variety of styles that Ashley furniture offers, in order to accommodate your home décor. Now there’s a gift that’s worth twice the deal!

See his eyes light up when you present him with an awesome gift that he will appreciate. Don’t forget a hug and a kiss! Happy Father’s Day!

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The Frontier To Confident Mood

By Mikes Furniture

Do you need Vitamin SEA? Bring the ocean breeze into your home, by implementing some navy home accents. Confidently anchor a nautical theme, as it will introduce a chic coastal look and have your home in beach mode all year round! It won’t matter the season. Let’s take a look at how you can create this ambiance:

Your Coastal Bedroom:

Get the dreamy beachy bedroom you’ve always wanted! The coastal look features an injection of blues, especially navy, into a white bedroom. In fact, navy blue and white make a statement - one of confidence. In order to achieve this look, consider a navy bedding set with two-toned decorative pillows. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns for more visual interest and for a bolder look. Also, you can include accessories such as a white lamp, vase & picture frame to break up all of the blue.

Life aboard your Living Room!

All aboard the soothing living room retreat! Transform your living room in a charming Cape Cod-style cottage that will keep the beach close to home. Ideally, your furniture should already be picked out. You can completely change the look of the room with the help of accessories! The easiest and most neutral sofa colors for this look are white or beige. Both colors blend beautifully with navy blue. To balance the design, make sure to add a mixture of contrasting colors – navy and white. In other words, add contrasting pillows,throws, frames and a rug. In terms of pattern, stripes are your typical choice. It’s classic and you mostly likely won’t get tired of it versus a print.

 So matey include navy blue into your home if you dare! This color and décor choice exudes confidence and just might give you the daily dose of confidence that you need. 

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Tips for Eco-friendly Cleaning

By Mikes Furniture

Today is the largest environmental event in the world - Earth day! In fact, it is the perfect day to get involved in activities that can help make the planet cleaner, healthier and more sustainable. Even if one starts being eco-friendly at home by buying organic products, using energy-star appliances and recycling, it is a different story with furniture. In order to remain with today’s green spirit and lending our planet a helping hand, here are some tips on how to be eco-friendly while cleaning your furniture and upholstery.

First, you need to check your furniture cleaning code as it gives instructions and precautions on how to clean and care for it! If you bought or are planning to buy Ashley Furniture, you will find a cleaning code on your upholstery and furniture. Following these cleaning codes will help you make your furniture look newer and to maintain them longer. Here are the guidelines:

CLEANING CODE	MEANING	WASH: Cleaning products, water…	DRY
DC	Dry Cleaning only	û	ü
HW	Washing by hand	ü	û
S	Clean only with dry cleaning solvent. Do not saturate. Do not use water.	û	ü
W	Water only. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean.	ü	û
SW, WS	Spot clean. Do not saturate with liquid.	ü	ü
X	Vacuuming or light brushing only	û	û
E, N	Use the Millennium Leather Care Kit	û	û

Once, the cleaning tag is found, read and understood; it’s time to get equipped! In order to be efficient, you will need 3 things:

1-      a vacuum cleaner

2-      accessories like small brushes,  cloth/towels, buckets

3-      cleaning products and water

How to proceed?

1.       Vacuum your furniture till it is dust free. If you vacuum your furniture frequently you will maintain it clean and well kept.

2.       Spot clean with cleaning products and water on the stains you wish to remove if the code is a “W, SW, WS “. You can also use a brush to take off the stains as well. This accessory works well while using powder on a stain.  Use cleaning products from manufacturers or you can make your own! If you need to clean pillows, check whether they have removable covers, as it will be easier to wash them separately.

  

3.       Dry your furniture by applying a cloth on it, if you washed it with water and foam. Vacuum it again to remove any dry powder residue. Then, you can start using your furniture again!

Home-made/Natural products tips:

Make your own cleaning product depending on your needs:

-mix lemon with some olive oil or jojoba oil will clean leather sofas, chairs and fabric upholstery. It will also remove undesirable odors

- mix water and vinegar to help you get rid of food stains and/or pet little disaster!

Make your own dry cleaning powder with baking soda and corn starch to remove grease stains on leather and vinyl. After sprinkling the solution on the stains, let it sit for 4 hours. Finally wipe it with a clean cloth.

Everybody can contribute to the environment and make the planet a cleaner and healthier place. Happy Earth Day!

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