Doing Your Part - One S'more at a Time

Trying your hardest to be green? Well, here’s another eco-friendly thing to add to your energy-conscious list. The Fireside America Impulse Wall Mount Bio Fuel Fireplace is a bioethanol smokeless, ventless fireplace that adds an environmentally friendly hearth to any room. The easily mountable, high-tech, clean-burning fireplace uses continuously fed ethanol to burn for 12-15 hours. At a rate of 10 s’mores an hour, that’s roughly 120-150 delicious ooey-gooey s’mores.

It gets better – this fireplace not only cool, but it also serves a more practical purpose (yes, appearance and s’more making aren’t the only important things in life). With rising energy prices and harmful impacts on the environment, the Bio Fuel Fireplace offers a clean, safe and environmentally-friendly heating option for homes with no harmful gases, smoke, ashes or soot.

So stock up on the graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows, because there is a new fireplace in town and things are about to get hot.

Mirror, Mirror on the Window

Who says walls get to have all the fun? With new adhesive window film, windows now have the chance to get decorated too! Emma Jeffs Adhesive Window Film gives a modern, elegant look to any window that will convince everyone you’ve splurged on antique etched glass. The window coverings give complete privacy while still letting tons of light in, a perfect replacement for blinds or shades in any room.

British designed, Emma Jeffs uses her training in fashion textiles to create stunning designs that are so easy to use – and easy to remove. Choose from five different patterns, add water and adhere to a window – that’s all it takes to get this trendy new look! And with no leftover residue, you can easily remove the window films too. Patterns include clover, flowers & lace, pixels and others.

With the new window films you’ll be the talk of the town – or atleast have the coolest windows on the block.

Family Time Endangered? Problem Solved.

As families get busier and quality family time gets added to the “endangered species list,” this high-end kitchen table will help bring families closer together when it comes around to mealtime. The trendy, contemporary style adds flair to any kitchen or dining room while the classic shape hints at a “Knights of the Round Table” meeting to find the perfect blend of cool and class.

With its conical base featuring a carved raised ring at the floor, this durable table makes any meal exciting – even if it is just reheated leftovers of Grandma’s famous meatloaf. The steel tube supports throughout the base and top assure that diners won’t send a plate flying because of a rocky table. The sleek design is also accented by hand carved, dark walnut pieces constructed from red oak veneers and hardwoods.

The Diamond Sofa company was started by a husband and wife duo looking to break into the imported furniture market in 1992 and have since expanded their business exponentially. Look for other pieces from the Urban Collection to add to your home décor.

Cover Me Up

Nothing a little wallpaper can’t fix. Your place is need of a some T-L-C, we’ve got you covered. Make a visionary statement and decorate your plain white walls with Clacket Lane Gray Mibo Wallpaper. The paper is pre-trimmed and offers-up a stylish bird motif that brings some international flare to your home.

Imported from the UK, British designer Madeleine Rogers has created these bold and contemporary wallpapers to complement the existing range of Mibo lighting.

The prints are inspired by seaside resorts, fusing simplistic style paired with traditional and modern interiors. Papers in this collection are supplied single roll, are wipe-able and sold in 11 yard bulk.

Now you have no excuse, bring your room to life.

The Grill is a Touchdown

As the summer is coming to a close, football season has begun. It’s that time again to roll out your cooking tools and get ready to grill. A true man’s man knows that having perfect grill will make your home the place to watch the game for all of your football buddies.

Kick-off the season right with the Eagles 30” Gas Grill with Stainless Steel Burners by Fireside American. Even the name makes you sound like a Cowboy. This Twin Eagles gas grill features a stainless steel welded construction with a hood assist system to make passing the ball – oops, we mean opening easier.

One piece seamless welded front panel (no screws that cause rusting), two 25,000 BTU stainless steel 14-gauge burners – the crowd is going wild! Added Sear Zone containing 25,000 BTUs makes firing up a steak in between first down a no brainer.

Let’s face it – there is no flag on the play, this grill is a touchdown.

Let Me Upgrade You!

The holidays are just around the corner and many of you will be scrambling around town trying to get your home arranged for the much talked about, highly-anticipated arrival of (dun, dun, dun) the in-laws. Yes, it’s that time of year again, when your home becomes a crash pad - after all we are in a recession.

Let’s not forget about this, coupled with the spike in your caloric intake and the fact that the most activity you will receive is getting up to turn on and off the TV.

So if you are going to embark on the ultimate family “vegg-fest” at least make sure you have room on your couch to enjoy yourself. Consider the two piece Pillowtop sectional by Diamond Sofa Valentino.

We know what you are thinking, sectionals are comfortable but they bring you back to your college days. Made with bonded leather, a black finish, a hardwood frame and a lifetime warranty you should probably reconsider, because this couch beats any beer-pong memory you might have and is way stylish. An upgrade? I would say so.

So this year get excited to host the family – more than just your cooking will be getting the “ooohs” and “aaaahs” when the in-laws arrive.

If These Walls Could Talk – What Does your Design Say About You?

If you’ve ever said “that’s so you,” then you know what we mean. Association and style can speak volumes about someone’s personality.

You high-fashion friend can’t get enough of Gucci’s 2010 resort collection; your down-town-earth co-worker can’t get enough of Urban Outfitters’ vintage one-of-a-kinds; all the while your cousins, sisters, brothers, niece is a mix of Audrey Hepburn meets Gwen Stefani…we don’t really know what to call her…confused?


So, if furniture could be compared to clothes what do the confines of your walls say about you?
The Neat Freak

Characteristics to look for when entering into a neat freaks home include lots of organizational storage because they have rid themselves of the “stuff factor.” There is very little overcrowding but you will find one to two things in their home that might make you think they are hiding a wild and crazy person inside. The perfect gift for your “neat freak:”

• Modern Storage Bins



• Stackable Wooden Perf Boxes on Wheels



• Wild & Crazy Throw Pillows
  
  
  
  

The Fashionista/o

They are easy to spot because their living spaces are loud and live. Look for wow-factor pieces that catch your attention. “These types” are not scared of color, patterns or mixing the different design genres a la Audrey Hepburn meets Gwen Stefani. Keep your stylish friend stylish with:

• Modern Chandra Wool Rugs



• Artecnica Come Rain or Come Shine Multi-colored Chandelier



• Uttermost Melaney Black Finish Accent Mirror

Married with Kids

No matter how well-put-together this house is you just can’t hide the family factor. Look for family functional pieces and don’t be surprised if you see sectionals that offer easy to clean fabrics or come in dark colors that hide the stains. Kid’s accessories; another thing you can’t hide them. Don’t be surprised if you see items like this:

• Baltic Wood Rocking Horse



• Boon Animal Bean Bag Trio



• K Studio Family Series Pillow
  
  

Single & Fabulous

If you think there house is a “show house” or staged for a visitor then you guessed it…single & fabulous. Their common areas show little to no use – all the action is taking place in one place, the bedroom (don’t have such a dirty mind). Their sleeping quarters speak volumes about their true personality. Bedroom fun:

• Diamond Sofa California King Red Leather Tufted Bed
  


• Zuo Modern Petal Lounge Chair



• Wood Versaudio Vers 2x iPod Player

YES, It Was A Closet

Question: “Wait, That Was A Closet?”

Answer: “Yes, That Was A Closet.”

Inspired by Real Simple magazine's September 2009 issue, Home Furniture and Patio searches their online inventory catalogue to recreate three different closet spaces.

#1 CLOSET TO OFFICE

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Use Vertical Space with the Legare Wheat Finished Bookcase (59’x18)
· Add Charm with grey, dark brown and pale blue Mibo Wallpaper Pease Pottage. The wallpaper adds pop to a small space and is just the right “busy.”
· Contain Clutter with the molded design magazine cradle by Offi and Co.

#2 CLOSET TO BAR

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Create the Illusion of a Large Space by adding mirrors like the Kenneth Wingard Atrium Mirror. The sender textured mirror has a beveled glass center is free o ship.
· Add Subdued Lighting with the Uttermost Angelita Lamp. The burnished edges, dark brown details and antiqued silver leafing create the perfect lounge lighting.
· Serve It Straight Up in the Innermost Half Pint Glasses. These stylish, double-walled borosilicate glasses hold up to eight ounces.

#3 CLOSET TO INVITING LIBRARY

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Use Double Duty Furniture like the Mod Loft Columbia book shelf. The shelving unit is available in whitened oak or walnut finish and has free shipping. This piece doubles as an artistic installation.
· Maximizing The Area is key, don’t be afraid to stack the books high with the help of Magis NuovaStep Ladder. A space savor; this ladder folds completely flat.
· Incorporate Personal Touches with these nickel plated Uttermost Helping Hand Bookends.

The Cure for the Bachelor Pad Blues

You feel like you are stuck in that bad episode from “Sex and the City” where Carrie spends the night in the Mecca of bachelor pads. You love your Louboutin’s, but they don’t like sleepovers in your boyfriend’s shoe closet. You just don’t get it -- he looks the part, but he just doesn’t add up in the bedroom…furniture wise that is!

“Most bachelors - of course not all - are about functionality and practicality, not about color, texture and things that you might think are design fabulous,” says Samantha Knapp, Interior Designer, TigerLily’s Greenwich. “Pick items that complement not alienate his taste.”

Here are a few ways design suggestion to help your boy-toy improve his bedroom furniture without totally alienating his masculinity.
The Over-sized Plasma

Seventy-one inches…nothing you can’t handle. When picking an entertainment set for that mammoth screen look for something simple. The Diamond Sofa 71 Inch Low Profile Plasma Cabinet from the Arctic Collection, which ships for free, brings a distinctive contemporary flair to its environment. With its sculpted three dimensional fronts, Black High Gloss Lacquer Finish, ample storage behind the Two Door design and polished stainless steel base, this piece will certainly inspire a new atmosphere in its environment. he added glass door feature makes for a great hiding spot for DVDs, CDs and Wii accessories!

He’s a California King
Yes, big or small, most guys are into large beds. Bedding, box springs, bed frames and night tables; all of which are add-ons that are probably not top on the “must get” list for your bachelor. So…when picking, choose something that is a one-stop-shop. Home Furniture and Patio’s Diamond Sofa Low Profile California King Bed is complete with a headboard, footboard, platform rails, floating night stands with drawers and does not require a box spring. I know it is almost too good to be true.

Sit Pretty With Color

A chair can double as the perfect place to throw dirty laundry and fulfills the requirement for being both practical and functional. Plus, it’s a perfect middle ground when trying to add some bedroom pizazz.












“Seating in the bedroom is a must,” says Knapp. “Bachelor pad or not, people sitting on your bed is a no-no.”

Seating options like Quinze and Milan Jellyfish House Chair, Fatboyusa Fat Boy - Island and Quinze and Milan Primary Pouf 01 Stool can accent the room and comes in pop colors like lime-green orange, red sky-blue, raspberry, purple, yellow and orange.

If you can check all of the above suggested improvement, you’ve made some major progress. If he’s really feeling his enhanced living quarters and still on-board to keep up with the progress, slowly work in rugs, bedding and lighting.

When The Outdoors Comes In

Blossoming Ms. Spring and fire-hot Mrs. Summer have finally packed their bags and left town. Although they both shall return to the Four Seasons hotel, the reunion is only annual. While you did catch some snapshots for the photo album, make their memory last in other ways….
Gather all of their keep sakes and see what you can make of them – after all you are just borrowing until they return.

Keep Sake Item #1

I was thrilled to see that Ms. Spring left behind her black and white Tortuga Outdoor Essence cushions. You know - the onyx accent pillows she wore to the neighborhood block party. Don’t store it in the closet consider wearing these modern pillows somewhere indoors – after all the indoor/outdoor fabric makes it dual purpose. Besides, Trina Turk (link) – your only fashionista competition – just wore her new modern pillows out and it was “all the rave.”

Keep Sake #2
Mrs. Summer forgot her favorite Green Alfresco Home Monaco Urn. We can’t argue that her pansy accessories didn’t provide pop accent to her already fabulous look, but let’s face it, there is always room for improvement. Next time we see her we will be sure and ask…“have you considered something a bit more fall/winter like a Chinese Evergreen to accessorize the urn?” In the meantime (while we wait to run into her), we’ll test it out first hand and see how it goes.

Keep Sake #3
Alfresco Home Monterey Coffee Table - a must have? I would say so. Not only did Ms. Spring rave about her garden and patio furniture, but Mrs. Summer almost sent her husband back to pick up their outdoor set. All weather wicker furniture, powder-coated aluminum frame and a tempered glass topper, I guess I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave this behind. Light weight yes, but I can’t even begin to tell you how rich looking the wicker patio furniture set looks as a whole.

Simply put, it’s a year round staple and everyone should have at least one.