Browsing Tag

Summer

4 Summer Accent Pieces to Freshen Up Your Home

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

Summer has arrived in North Texas, which means it’s officially time for swimming, gardening, picnics and lazy days spent at home with family. If you plan to spend more time at your humble abode over the next few months, you may be thinking about treating your home to a seasonal refresh.

One of the easiest way to transform a room is with some well-chosen accent furniture. From craftsmanship to materials and color, these four standout pieces from the Home Zone Furniture collection will bring new life and a dose of fun to your home this season.

For comfy color, choose the Bombay accent chair. This bold seat is sure to mix up a home ruled by neutral tones. Sturdy in structure yet nicely cushioned, this chair is a great addition to any living space. Set off the daring chevron stripe pattern by placing throw pillows in complementary colors and patterns around the room.

Liven up an empty corner using the blue Elliot chair. There are hundreds of ways you could use this lightweight, brightly colored accent chair in your home, because it’s simple and doesn’t take up much space. I love to use it as the base of a fabulous vignette at the end of a hallway or in a lonely corner. If the space you choose is already empty, start with the Elliot chair. Hang some small art pieces vertically overhead, stack a few coffee table books below or on top of the chair, add a few personal effects, and you’re done!

Make a statement with the Nina two table lamp set. Contemporary, sculptural and wonderfully metallic, the Nina lamp complements a variety of decor styles, from traditional to contemporary. Whether you place these on each bedside table or on either side of a dining room buffet, this silvery lamp is a chic standout in a formal or informal setting.

Show off your personal style with the Zanders sofa table. This long, thin table has a tubular metal frame and mosaic inlay, and it’s the answer to making empty hallways or entryways useful again. The Zanders is traditionally used to beautify the backside of a sofa placed in the middle of the room. That being said, you could also use it to fill a bare wall. Once you find the perfect spot for it, you can decorate it with planters, stacks of books, or picture frames — let your style take the lead.

Happy summer!

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

DIY summer: Crafts using recycled materials

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

As the dog days of summer drag on, you’re probably looking for things to do indoors to keep busy. Use this time wisely, combing through your home for unused or underutilized items that can be repurposed into something practical. Not only will this help eliminate clutter, but also you’ll end up with some new household items at very little cost.

Cereal Box Organizer

Get your kids geared up for the school year with this easy organizational tool incorporating cereal boxes. Cut the box with a utility knife at the height and angle of your choice. You can cut the box horizontally or at a 45-degree angle from the top corner of the box to the middle of the opposite side for a shape that resembles a file organizer or magazine holder. Wrap a piece of colored contact paper around the cut box to add some color and texture to a desk or shelf space. The contact paper can be secured to the box with double-sided tape, and the excess can be easily trimmed with a pair of scissors.

Teacup Candles

This craft adds a vintage vibe to any tablescape. Melt down old candles in a double boiler, keeping the temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove the old wicks with tongs. Cut a piece of wick that’s two inches longer then the height of the teacup you plan to use. Tie one end of the wick to a wick sustainer and the other around a skewer. Dip the wick and sustainer into the melted wax to coat them, then stick the sustainer to the bottom of the cup. Next, pour the melted wax into the cup, stopping a half-inch below the cup’s rim. Allow the wax to set for an hour, and you’ll have new candles in no time!

Gilded Vases

In my opinion, you can never have too many flower arrangements in your home. Kick up your vase game with this luxe DIY project using recycled glass jars. Using a foam brush, apply glue to the outside of the jar in irregular patches. When the adhesive has set, press on sheets of gold leaf. Finally, rub away excess pieces with a paper towel for jars with a unique patina that are perfect for inside or out.

Table Protector

There are all sorts of recycled coaster ideas out there, but this one is my favorite because it’s easy and chic. A table protector is a must-have, especially if you have a wooden dining table or side tables. Start by disassembling 40 clothespins and laying them flat side down. Next, drill a hole into each a half inch from the tapered end. Thread floral wire through the pins with the double-notched side of the pin facing right. Finally, pull the wire into a circle and twist the wire ends to secure the shape.

Book Box

I don’t know about you, but I find our TV remote control to be a complete eyesore. Disguise this unsightly (yet necessary) household item by hiding it in a book. You heard me! First you’ll need a book that’s two inches longer and a quarter inch deeper than the remote. Coat the inside cover of the book’s back cover and the facing page with glue using a foam brush. Close the book and press down for 10 seconds. Next, open the front cover and coat the entire stack of pages (all three exposed sides) with glue, carefully avoiding the top page. Let this dry for an hour, repeat the process, then weight it and let it dry overnight. The next day, open the front cover, center the remote on the first page, trace it with a pencil and add quarter inch all around. Cut the marked line with an X-Acto knife, removing a few pages at a time. Continue cutting until the remote fits inside comfortably. The final step is to cut a piece of ribbon that’s half the length of your book plus five inches. Hot glue one end to the bottom center of the hollowed out area. Once this dries, you’ll be able to easily remove the remote from the book with a gentle tug on the “bookmark.”

Who knew recycling could be so much fun?

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

Indoor, Outdoor, Around Town: Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

You know the drill: Kids wait all year for summer vacation, then once it’s finally here, boredom sets in.

This summer, keep your kids happy, occupied and out of trouble with cheap thrills at home. For those days when the neighborhood pool just isn’t going to happen or it’s raining cats and dogs, these activities will keep everyone under your watch at full attention.

INDOOR

Birdhouse: A painted birdhouse makes a beautiful and practical addition to your backyard. The structure can be purchased at a crafts store, then make it your own with a selection of weatherproof paints. Once your masterpiece is dry, put a handful of birdseed or cereal inside to attract some feathered friends.

Spy Training: If the weather outside is uncooperative but your kids are itching to be active, send them to spy training. In a hallway or small room, put up string in a zigzag pattern. You can tie the string to objects in the room or tape it down to walls with painter’s tape. Tell the kids to go from one end of the room to the other without touching the string.

Neo-Watercolors: Watercolor on paper is so last year. Fill a pan with a layer of baking soda. Then, as if you were dying Easter eggs, make a few different cups of dye using food coloring and vinegar. Using a dropper, have your kids sprinkle different colors into the pan of baking soda for a tie-dyed effect.

OUTDOOR

Balloon Ping Pong: Keep kids moving with this DIY activity. Hot glue a paper plate to the end of a thick popsicle stick or paint stirrer for a lightweight paddle. Then have the kids use the paddles to hit a balloon back and forth. Throw in multiple balloons for extra fun!

Crayon Art: This craft provides a nifty way to recycle broken crayon nubs and entertain your kiddos. Take a handful or two of worn-down crayons and spread them out over a canvas. Put the canvas outside in direct sunlight and let it sit. After about 35 minutes, you should have a beautiful, melted mess of abstract expressionism right at your fingertips!

DIY Slip and Slide: You’re going to want your camera for this one. Buy plastic sheeting at the hardware store and place it on a slight incline in your yard. Next, weigh it down at the corners so it doesn’t scoot all over the place. Turn the hose on and place it at the top of the incline, then let the kids slip and slide to their hearts’ content! For all the muddy feet and dripping wet swimsuits that ensue, make sure your mudroom is ready to handle the mess. Check out last week’s blog for a few tips on mudroom prep.

AROUND TOWN

Finding fun activities to do at home is a creative—and inexpensive—way to go. But don’t forget about all the discounted and often free summer activities available for kids in your area. Check out a local museum for an air-conditioned learning experience, a bookstore for kids’ storytime or a wildlife refuge for a healthy dose of animal appreciation.

Happy summer!

Bree

Seasonal, Summer

Steps to update your mudroom for summer

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

With school officially out, it’s time to make the mental and physical switch from spring to summer. Slide into some flip-flops, plan a backyard barbecue and treat your home to a seasonal spruce-up, starting with the mudroom. A well-oiled mudroom keeps your house clean, and ensures you’re prepared for all the activities summer has to offer.

Swap

Let me start by saying that even if you don’t have a designated mudroom, these tips apply to any space that serves as a catchall for home essentials. Mudrooms are usually found at the front or back of the house and don’t even have to be a “room” at all. Carve one out of an empty corner or a free closet, as space permits.

The first step to summerizing your mudroom is to swap out the items it contains. Currently the space is likely cluttered with things you won’t need for a few months (we’re looking at you, school backpack). Comb through your mudroom and pull these unnecessary items out and store them in a different area to make room for summer necessities. A few items might stay such as the dog’s bed, rain boots, hats and sunscreen, but for the most part, you’ll want to start fresh.

Restock

There are a number of summer essentials you’ll need to stock before the season’s in full swing. Beach towels are useable year after year, but refill your supply of sunscreen, bug spray and first-aid items to ensure you’re ready for anything the season throws your way.

If your kids are young and growing like weeds, you’ll most likely need to re-buy some items just for them. These include sunhats, sunglasses and water shoes. Other useful kid items I like to grab as I head out the door for long drives or restaurant dinners are crayons, coloring books and socks.

Organize

A mudroom feels like a disaster area when it isn’t well organized. During the seasonal update, take the time to reevaluate the organizational situation. Think through the daily functions of your mudroom. Is there a hook for everyone’s bag, a spot for some shoes, sufficient shelving and assigned spaces for all categories of essentials?

Built-in shelving is an asset to any mudroom, however you can stay just as organized with standing shelves or mounted shelves. Bins and baskets are also key to keeping your mudroom looking clean and organized. They help hide clutter and should allow everyone to find their items more easily. Go a step further and label the bins. Use clip-on labels or dry erase stickers so the bins can go from season to season.

Clean

Though a mudroom is designed to get dirty, remember that a clean mudroom helps keep the rest of your house clean.

Have a couple washable rugs on hand to catch any tracked-in mud. This will dramatically cut down on the amount of sweeping and mopping required through the rest of the house. If you don’t have a built-in sink in the mudroom, keep moist towelettes on hand to quickly wipe off dirty hands and feet (or paws, as the case may be). If your kiddos are going to be getting wet outdoors, having a few beach towels within reach is essential. Roll up the towels and put them in a place your kids can access quickly.

Decorate

The mudroom isn’t necessarily a room to “decorate,” but it should still fit the decorative theme evident throughout your house. My advice is to keep the mudroom simple, using color and texture for accents.

Throw in a pop of color using a rug, seating cushions, wall hooks or canvas bins. Even the pillows on a bench or your summer tote can be used for this purpose. As for texture, consider a summery, seagrass rug, woven bins or wood shelving with a distressed finish.

Feel free to add art or photos to the wall, as they don’t take up any surface space and add personality. But be wary of decorative items that don’t have a purpose and just take up room. The priority should be on maximizing space and functionality.

With a well-stocked, smartly organized mudroom, I promise you’ll be ready for summer in no time. Happy organizing, homemakers!

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