Gray; The iconic color that brings forth peace

By Forschler's Home Center

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. 

Keeping a Pet-Friendly Home

By Forschler's Home Center

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! 

Coping with Seasonal Allergies

By Forschler's Home Center

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! 

Selecting Furniture that Fits your Space

By Forschler's Home Center

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. 

Possibility for Summer Dishes

By Forschler's Home Center

During the summer, folks have a tendency to lean toward lighter meals in the evening. In fact, they like to toss something relatively simple together. Summertime offers a myriad of local fresh produce and the opportunity to fire up the grill. A quick and easy meal will help you save the fuss of lengthy preparation and leave plenty of time to have fun in the sun. Here are a few quick and savory possibilities for summer dishes:

Grilled Shrimp Souvlaki

Ingredients:

1lb of large shrimp, peeled & deveined

6 tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided)

2 tsp olive (divided)

3 tbsp fresh dill (divided)

1 tbsp fresh oregano

¾ cup Greek yogurt (divided)

2 minced garlic cloves (divided)

2 cucumbers

Black pepper

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

1 red onion

4 whole-wheat flatbreads

8 romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:

1)     Preheat grill pan

2)    Rinse the shrimp well and make sure they are well cleaned. Then stir together 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of olive oil, and 1tbsp of dill and oregano into a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss them in the mixture. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes.

3)    Mix ¼ cup of Greek yogurt with one minced clove of garlic, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp of dill in another bowl. Then, with a vegetable peeler, cut the cucumbers into lengthwise ribbons and discard the largely seeded area. Add the ribbons into the yogurt mixture and pepper to taste.

4)    Mix the remaining ½ cup of yogurt with 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of dill and the other half of the minced garlic into another bowl for raita sauce. Add pepper to taste.

5)   Combine cherry tomatoes and 1/3 inch rings of onions in remaining olive oil into a bowl. Grill the shrimp with tomatoes and onion in a lightly oiled cast iron skillet or grill pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until shrimps are bright red, tomatoes are soft and onions are golden and tender.

6)   Grill flatbread until slightly crisp. Then top flatbread evenly with cucumber salad, shrimp, onions, tomatoes and romaine. Add raita sauce if desired. 

 Now you can sit outdoors and soak in the beautiful warm sunset. Enjoy!

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For the perfect Staycation

By Forschler's Home Center

Is money tight and you’re wracking your brain for vacation ideas this summer? Then don’t fret! We’ll help you think outside the box with creative ways to vacation on a budget. According to BuzzFeed, there are affordable spots where many budget travelers like to vacation. Some of them include Croatia, Macedonia, Istanbul and Vietnam! It seems that the food and accommodations will not break the bank! Obviously some places are further away than others, therefore budgeting your plane ticket as the bulk of your expenses will be necessary.

For some of us this is only but a dream. After a reality check, you can start planning your vacation close to home. Take it as an opportunity to enjoy the good outdoors, and go up north for a long weekend or create your very own retreat right in your backyard. Here are some options you can do at home:

      1)      Create a campground

Who said camping in your backyard is no fun? Although you will not achieve a complete wilderness atmosphere, you may actually appreciate that you can run to the washroom at any given time or grab something you need inside your home. In fact, it will be especially convenient if you have small children!

First and foremost, begin by setting up your tents to accommodate the right number of people. Then, be sure to nestle the inside with comfortable bedding and pillows! Also, you can go the extra mile to create a realistic outdoorsy atmosphere by creating a campfire surrounded with benches – time for smores!

      2)      Your very own resort by the pool

For those of you with a pool, take advantage of being by the poolside to refresh yourself on hot days! Create a little haven either in the shade or below a gazebo. Use a collection of poufs to sit on, or some comfortable decorative pillows to maximize comfort on your outdoor furniture. That way you can have fun in the sun, or enjoy a refreshing drink in the shade. The choice is yours!

It’s a win-win. You save money, all while having fun. All in favor say “aye”!

Content provided by: @tailbase

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Father's Day Gift Idea

By Forschler's Home Center

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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Throw An Outdoor Party

By Forschler's Home Center

We are entering the perfect season to spend the most of our time outdoors! Going for walks, relaxing in parks, enjoying time with friends and family while picnicking or simply barbecuing in your backyard- so many tremendous outdoor activities to keep us busy this coming summer! Let’s focus on today’s theme- How to throw your outdoor party? What are the much needed things to consider when throwing out an outdoor party?  

Place, decorations, and food are definitely the main elements to have in mind.

First, spot the perfect place. Then, get the furniture right!

Feel like making your bash in a park? Bring out your throw or blanket with you. Any colors will do, but we suggest you match it with your color theme if you have one!

Feel like staying close to home? Throw a party in your backyard without worrying about moving and shifting your furniture too far. If you don’t have any outdoor furniture: bring your dinette out!  This is a great alternative from 3 pieces to 7 pieces; our Ashley Furniture dinettes can accommodate most of your guests when eating on a table.Benches are also a good option for gathering lots of people around your table.

Smart decorating with simplicity

If you are a foodie, we have no doubt that your table will be full of unthinkable dishes, so forget about using any decorations on your table. Plenty is no plague! What about lighting?  You can set up a lively atmosphere with candles!  Lemongrass candles are so efficient - it will repulse mosquitos and give a great lemony fresh scent! The Kadeem candle holder is one of our “coup de Coeur”. This stylish holder can help set the mood with your party theme as you can incorporate stones, sand, pebbles or topiary touches thanks to its removable tray.

        

Food, food always!

The best part of outdoor parties is that you don’t need to make a complicated menu to please your guests. A BBQ is more than enough to satisfy meat or vegan lovers! Give yourself some time for preparation the night before or a few hours prior to ensure that you marinate your elements, so that you can relax and spend time with your guests. BBQ has always been a great woman’s cooking “runaway” as man loves being in control of the grill!

Let’s make the month of June the most outdoorsy partying time ever!

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