Monthly Archives: June 2010

Glamping Getaways for Summer

Leave a reply

Camping in Style

Roughing it is a thing of the past when you and the kids check into a new breed of wilderness camps from Bermuda to Hawaii. Pitching a tent? Someone’s already done it for you. And instead of having to squeeze into a one-man cocoon that is always either too hot or not warm enough, at these camps you’ll sleep easy on canopy beds outfitted with lavish down pillows. After a hike, horseback ride or swim, you and your brood get to spread out in comfortable sitting areas and private decks, book a spa appointment or have someone fix you a cocktail. Never mind the flashlight. Your elegant tent is furnished with luxurious touches (area rugs, rustic wall art, throw pillows) and bedside lamps—the better to read at night with. So trade in that bug juice for a fresh made lemonade and get back to nature, in style.

BERMUDA: 9 BEACHES
WHAT TO EXPECT All 84 soft sailcloth-sided tents sit on stilts and feature queen beds, a futon sofa, ensuite bathrooms with showers, table and chairs and French doors that open to spectacular verandas from which to watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean.
WHAT TO DO Take a kiteboarding lesson, visit all nine beaches on a sea kayak or explore the island’s Old Railway Trail by bike.
WHO IT’S FOR There are Wi-Fi spots and an internet station for those who “unplugged” means checking email once a day (okay three times) only. The resort loans iPod shuffles free of charge. Ceiling fan not enough to keep you cool? No worries, each cabana is outfitted with air conditioning.
BOOK IT Six “Paradise Pier Cabanas” branch off on the pier over the deepest water at the resort and feature plexiglass floor panels so you can watch the Technicolor fish swim below.
DON’T MISS A Barefoot Gourmet Meal. You pick the time (Sunset? Sunrise? Happy hour?) and place (a secluded beach, a romantic cove) and the chef will organize a gourmet picnic complete with beach blankets, a cooler and wine bucket and tiki torches.
PACK RIGHT Caribbean Joe Malibu 28″ Hardside Spinner Luggage in Magenta is the bag for this tropical paradise.
LOCATION Spread over 18 private waterfront acres on the western-most tip of Bermuda.  www.9beaches.com

COLORADO: DUNTON HOT SPRINGS
WHAT TO EXPECT An elegantly recreated 19th-century mining community complete with antique hand-hewn log cabins and a luxurious Tee Pee nestled in the Rocky Mountains. A river surrounds the property while the snow-capped mountains loom in the distance.
WHAT TO DO There’s more hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and fly-fishing than you’ll ever be able to fit in one weekend.
WHO IT’S FOR For the couple who seeks a Wild West adventure with luxe standards.
BOOK IT Sure, the log cabins are stunning but how often do you get to sleep in a Tee Pee decorated with a king-size pillow-top bed and Egyptian cotton sheets, bearskin rug and period furniture?
DON’T MISS A soak in one of four hot springs, a drink in the all-wood saloon bar and a peaceful read in the book-lined lounge.
PACK RIGHT Cowboys and cowgirls in training will love the Siamod Cozzani Leather 21″ Pullman Upright Suitcase
LOCATION The “Ghost Town” is located one hour from Telluride, Colorado. www.duntonhotsprings.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA: CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS RESORT & SPA
WHAT TO EXPECT Along the Bedwell River’s edge and beneath a rainforest canopy are 23 deluxe white canvas prospector-style tents built on raised wooden platforms and connected by cedar boardwalks. Adirondack-style beds dressed with plush down duvets, antique dressers and lavish area rugs complete the look. A remote-controlled propane wood-stove keeps things cozy when the temperature drops. At Bedwell River Outpost, sumptuous meals are served in separate tents under heirloom oil lamps and candlelight.
WHAT TO DO Lush fern gardens, alpine valleys, volcanic beachscapes and thousands of pristine acres perfect for hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing and whale watching.
WHO IT’S FOR Eco-conscious travelers who relish bird watching and naturalist hikes as much as Aveda body products and evening turndown service.
BOOK IT Suite Tents are located across a timber bridge and perched on a hillside overlooking the estuary. Furnished with a convertible chesterfield and a large lounge area with a small games table, they’re perfect for families with kids.
DON’T MISS An early morning walk around the campground to spot black bears feasting on berries in spring or early summer.
PACK RIGHT  Piel Leather 24 Inch Duffel Bag features three front gusseted compartments, two inside pockets, and two side pockets for maximum space for clothing and accessories.
LOCATION Sound Biosphere Reserve, just 60 minutes by floatplane from Vancouver, Canada. www.wildretreat.com

CALIFORNIA: EL CAPITAN CANYON
WHAT TO EXPECT 26 roomy (12-by-14-foot) safari-style tents built on raised wooden decks and outfitted with hand-woven willow queen beds, bedside lanterns and private fire pits right outside zip-down flap doors. A car-free policy in the canyon means you won’t hear the SUV door slamming in the middle of the night.
WHAT TO DO Borrow a complimentary cruiser bike and explore on your own or take a horseback riding lesson.
WHO IT’S FOR Rushing to a campsite to find a shady spot, then clearing the ground for rocks to pitch a tent is not your idea of fun. At El Capitan everything’s set up for you so you can get right down to the business at hand: a surf lesson, kayaking, yoga class or doing nothing at all.
BOOK IT If you think a safari tent is still roughing it, then opt for one of 100 cedar cabins with all the creature comforts—electricity, kitchenette, Jacuzzi—you have come to expect of a romantic getaway.
DON’T MISS After a long day of hiking or wine touring, book an 85-minute stone massage right in your tent followed by a gourmet barbecue kit from the campground’s Canyon Market and Deli.
PACK RIGHT Travelers Club Sport Duffel 29 Inch Wheeled Duffel with Telescopic Handle has plenty of space for you to pack everything you need when planning an adventure. It features a spacious main compartment, two large front pockets and a convenient in-line blade wheel system.
LOCATION Nestled in the Los Padres National Forest, just 20 miles north of Santa Barbara, California. El Capitan State Beach is a five-minute walk from the camp.  www.elcapitancanyon.com

HAWAII: MOLOKAI RANCH
WHAT TO EXPECT Once a Hawaiian fishing village, the Beach Village at Molokai sits within 65,000 acres of unspoiled pastureland. The 40 two-bedroom solar-powered canvas tentalows—outfitted with private open-air bathrooms and plenty of hanging out areas including a deck and covered picnic table—are perched on platform decks and clustered around a double-crescent white-sand beach.
WHAT TO DO Mountain biking, archery, cultural hikes, snorkeling, kayaking and hammock surfing.
WHO IT’S FOR Laid back families seeking a secluded haven complete with crystal waters, protected coves, nightly campfires and Hawaiian Aloha.
BOOK IT Ask the Beach Village Host to arrange a mule ride down the 1,500-foot cliffs to famous Kalaupapa.
DON’T MISS A Paniolo (Hawaiian for cowboy) round-up in an authentic rodeo arena.
PACK RIGHT Olympia Napoleon 3 Piece Luggage Set includes a carry-on and two rolling cases, perfect for mom, dad and the kid. An interior side hanging zipper pocket, removable shoe pocket & double side dual buckle tie-belt will accommodate all your travel essentials.
LOCATION Kaupoa Beach, the site of an ancient fishing village in Molokai, Hawaii.  www.molokairanch.com

French Country Nursery for a Baby Boy

2 Replies

While French country is a very popular style for a girl nursery, it can work just as well in a boy nursery, creating a baby’s first bedroom that has a relaxed, casual feel full of enchanting country charm. With its roots in more formal traditional styles like Louis XVI or Rococo, French country evolved and adapted to reflect life as it is lived in rural France away from cities and towns. By featuring traditional “boy” nursery colors, baby furniture or accent pieces with hand-painted detailing and French country motifs such as roosters or harvest scenes, you can create a nursery with a rustic appeal that is warm and inviting, yet sophisticated too.

Another great thing about a French country baby boy nursery design is its eclectic nature. French country is all about mixing the old with the new. Eclectic décor styles like French country are well-suited to the budget conscious because you don’t have to make everything match; the new antique reproduction crib can be happily paired with a flea market find dresser or armoire.

Typical wall palette colors for a French country nursery recreate the warm tints and shades of the earth and sky found in a rural setting. While floral patterns for wallpaper borders, window treatments and themed crib bedding are popular in French country décor so are other motifs more in keeping with a boy nursery, such roosters, farmyard animals, particularly the cow, and harvest fruits and vegetables. To make the nursery a truly welcoming place for your baby boy, in addition to the crib, the other must-have pieces of baby furniture you will need are the changing table, a dresser and a rocking chair or glider.

Accessorizing a French country boy nursery should have the look and feel of a cozy nook in a comfortable country farmhouse. Sepia photographs of pastoral views in wrought iron frames would add an air of authenticity, as would crisp crib bedding in white or “washed” colors, embroidered accent cushions, or a distressed bookcase or a stenciled toy chest.

High & Low: Desk

1 Reply

Inspired by our design-savvy but budget-conscious customers, we introduce a new column called, you guessed it, High & Low.

Every week we present a beautiful piece of furniture that has become an icon in design and is, more often than not, too expensive for most of us. But don’t fret: we also feature a similar looking and equally well-crafted piece from the Cymax store that is attractively priced.

The History
“The Desk has a slightly elevated back area that’s made to hold your task lamp and accessories. Integrated cord management keeps wires at bay and allows you to stash the unsightly tangle into an accessible area that is built into the body of the Desk. Also built into the Desk is a cork-lined drawer with three removable trays for pens and pencils. The Media Cabinet offers both concealed and open storage, and has adjustable walnut shelves. The contrasting materials used to create Airia showcase the collection’s quality millwork and sculptural lines.”

How Do They Compare?
$$$ The benefit of this design is that it clearly delineates where the work area begins, and in doing so, prevents these items from creeping into the center of the desktop.

$ The Techni Mobili features a solid wooden desk and cabinet combination built on heavy duty casters for easy transport if the need arises. The rotating desk base also provides a versatile solution for every office setup you can imagine, like a mobile CPU caddy for PC use. Compact and mobile, this desk is sure to be the highlight of your home office.

SPEAK UP Love it? Hate it? Let us know what you think about these chairs and whether you would buy one.

Steal This Look: babymoon getaway ideas

Leave a reply

Babymoon, The Last Hurrah…

Sippy cups, bibs and sleepless nights are right around the corner. The second trimester is probably the last time expecting parents will have to take a trip together. A babymoon can be a great opportunity for parents-to-be to focus on their relationship, reconnect as a couple before entering into parenthood and simply relax. Squeeze in as much couple time as you can before junior makes his grand entrance. Here’s just one hotel that offers a babymoon promotion…

WHERE The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos
WHY A celebrated rendition of the Arch in Cabo San Lucas and nestled into the cliffs overlooking the intensely blue Sea of Cortéz, this strikingly imagined resort offers both architectural majesty and a supremely relaxing vacation. The Westin offers couples one last romantic hurrah before the big arrival.
WHAT YOU GET An inviting welcome amenity including sparkling cider and chocolate covered strawberries, an energizing breakfast in bed everyday, one in-room movie per night and a $15 minibar credit per night.
{ westin.com }

STEAL THIS LOOK
Though redecorating your house is probably the last thing on your mind, you will probably pick up some decorating ideas while you stay at any of these stylish hotels. Make a mental note of what you like for when you’re ready to recreate the look in your own home.

The Westin

The Lounge Comfortable yet subdued in palette, the hotel’s lobby is decorated with oversized armchairs to create a swanky ambiance.
The Danity chair by Klaussner Furniture shows how it’s suppose to be done by being sophisticated yet stylish. High fashion mixed with comfort, the Danity collection fills any room with a look that makes your guest want to relax in style. The bench seat and multi pillow backs are filled with down blend and offer the plushness anyone would desire.

The Lobby The heart of the hotel is its airy and comfortable lobby, where guests relax as if they were in their own living room thanks to plush sofas and ottomans.
The Cartagena modular outdoor set from Zuo is the perfect solution for your patio or terrace. The weave is a UV treated synthetic with a reinforced interior aluminum tube frame. This curvaceous collection has looks and comfort.

The Bedroom Marble floors grace a large parlor with a comfortable seating area facing a wall of glass overlooking the ocean that opens to an enormous balcony with private lounge chairs. The sleek master bedroom is furnished with a king bed and a variety of handmade ceramics and other original artwork.
The Stanley Hudson Street Panel Bed is constructed of maple solids with walnut veneers. Stately in appearance and suggesting refined urban living, the bed imbues a sophisticated charm upon any bedroom. Finial-adorned round bed posts brace a solid hardwood headboard and footboard that feature slat detailing, while an intricately carved oval wood grill across the width of the headboard is the bed’s most distinguishing feature and one that provides strong visual appeal.

Babymoon 101
WHEN TO GO During the second trimester you’ll be feeling less queasy, less lethargic and less huge. Plus, chances are your libido will also be cooperating.
WHERE TO GO Far away and exotic might not be the best idea. Being on a plane for more than four hours can be tough on the best of situations and particularly so on a preggo body. Plus this is not the time to deal with vaccines.
DESTINATION It should go without saying that the whole point of this trip it to relax. So do without an urban getaway where the focus is on cultural offerings (read, lots of walking and getting in and out of taxis). If your second semester happens to be during the winter months, a beach getaway could be a great treat. In fall, a New England B&B ain’t bad.
WHAT’S UP DOC Before booking your ticket, tell your doctor of your plans. Mention where you’re going (i.e. if your trip is on a Caribbean island, do you know what types of fish you should avoid?), what you’ll be doing (is snorkeling OK?), how long your flight is (what in-flight exercises are recommended?).

SPEAK UP Are you planning a last getaway before baby arrives? Or have you been on a babymoon? What what the destination? We’d love to hear about your babymoon experience or planning.

High & Low: Chaise Lounge Chair

Leave a reply

Sitting Pretty

Inspired by our design-savvy but budget-conscious customers, we introduce a new column called, you guessed it, High & Low.

Every week we present a beautiful piece of furniture that has become an icon in design and is, more often than not, too expensive for most of us. But don’t fret: we also feature a similar looking and equally well-crafted piece from the Cymax store that is attractively priced.

Best Lounge Chairs

The History
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s MR Chaise Lounge was designed in 1927 as part of his contribution to the Weissenhof exhibit in Stuttgart, Germany. Inspired by the lines of tubular iron rockers designed in Europe during the mid-19th century, Mies incorporated a new material and a new technology in the use of the cantilever principle to create an intuitively accessible and ergonomic seat.

How Do They Compare?
$$$ The MR Chaise Lounge is perfectly balanced, featuring the material innovation and lack of ornamentation that epitomize the International Style.
$ The Rhumba chaise is sleek and sexy with a shape that curves to you as you lay. Made with a shiny leatherette seat and chrome steel legs, it comes in black or white upholstery and includes a head pillow.

SPEAK UP Love it? Hate it? Let us know what you think about these chairs and whether you would buy one.

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Leave a reply

Men are hard to shop for, or so goes the cliché. But our Father’s Day Gift Guide has something for every dad in your life.

Forget spending hours in the kitchen preparing the perfect meal when what dad really wants is much simpler—a toiletry bag for those business trips, a wine rack for hosting tasting parties or perhaps a panini grill for awesome brunches with the family! With that in mind we’ve put together a list of well-priced gift ideas just for dad.

FOR THE DAD WHO TRAVELS
Whether dad travels for business or pleasure, there’s something here for him.

Royce Leather Automobile Organizer

Top grain Nappa cowhide leather organizer holds insurance card and registration, a pen, tire gauge and flashlight. Features a zip first-aid compartment and pockets for dad’s maps and your auto handbook.
Royce Leather Toiletry Bag and Zippered Bottom Compartment
A luxurious reinterpretation of the classic toiletry bag that sports a top grain Nappa leather exterior, waterproof lining and zippered bottom compartment for dad’s shaving cream and other toiletries. Includes a removable net pouch and three travel size bottles.
This slick attache holds computers with screens up to 17 inches. Features interior fan file and organizer, accessory pouch, combination locks and removable shoulder strap.
FOR THE DAD WHO LIKES TO PLAY
Something for the dad who just wants to have fun, whether he hangs out at home with the guys or with the kids.
Harvard Games Harvard Mid Fielder Soccer Game Table
This traditional-looking classic plays as well as it looks. Made of massive (15 tall) heavy-duty wood laminate aprons, it features a PVC  wood laminate soccer field playbed for outstanding full scale action. Large robot-style players with 3 goal defenders provide extra challenges and allow for faster action. It also includes wood bead abacus-style scorers and 4 soccer-style balls.
Trademark 9-Ball Dart Cabinet includes Darts and Board
Including darts and board, this solid wood cabinet comes with everything you need to start playing. Perfect for a night of fun at home with friends and family.
Timex Ironman Triathlon Sleek Fitness Tracker
This all day activity tracker can provide fitness information: steps, distance, pace and calories burned. It features 50-lap memory recall chronograph with display of distance, pace and speed shown. The training log stores workouts by date, with best lap, average lap, distance and pace per lap and total segment time.
FOR THE DAD WHO LIKES TO ENTERTAIN
Whether dad likes to listen to music loud, host a wine tasting party or have the kids over for pizza night, he will love any of these thoughtful gifts.

ATLANTIC 76535209 Quad Speaker Stand
Featuring a modern steel design with plastic parts and black wood accents, it comes with an ultra-adjustable base, speaker platform, height and speaker bracket.
DeLonghi Retro Panini Grill
This retro styled grill beautifully accents any kitchen decor.It features an adjustable thermostat for grilling and toasting and a temperature range window that lets you easily view the precise temperature for perfect customized grilling and toasting. Made of die-cast aluminum plates with embedded heating elements, it distributes the heat more evenly for the most consistent grilling results.
Winsome Kingston Modular and Stackable 16 Bottle Wine Cubby in Espresso
Made of solid beechwood and finished in a beautiful espresso veneer, this stackable cubby wine rack holds up to 16 bottles. Perfect for that next wine tasting party.
Presto Pizza Oven
Pizza just the way you like it! Separately controlled top and bottom heating elements let you make toppings as bubbly and crusts as crispy as you like. This pizza oven features a rotating tray that continually turns the pizza to assure even baking, top and bottom. Doesn’t heat up you kitchen and can save as much as 60% in energy compared to conventional ovens. Pizzas go from the freezer to perfect in minutes. While ordinary ovens are heating, you’re eating. No preheating is needed.

Convenient Gardening Tools

1 Reply

The snow shovel has been put away, the garden furniture has been uncovered and it’s time to get the backyard or garden ready to host summertime BBQs, gatherings with family and friends or just the ideal place to relax. Here, we highlight Sun Joe’s essential outdoor tools, which are perfect for everyone from the garden enthusiast to the average “Joe.”

WIN IT We’re giving away Sun Joe’s shear/shrubber and electric lawn mower featured here. Think your dad deserves to win? Tell us why on our Facebook page to enter the contest and he could take home these and other amazing prizes! Hurry, contest closes June 20th.

The 2-in-1 Precision Tool

The Hedger Joe HJ602C Li-ion cordless grass shear/shrubber is 2 tools in 1 featuring an interchangeable blade system that allows you to easily convert from a grass shear to a shrubber. It is a great tool for touch up jobs around tight spaces.
Why We Like It: The 3.6 volt rechargeable battery gives you the freedom of cordless operation with no hassle of cords. Both the 3.31-inch shear blade and the 5-inch shrubber blade are made from durable steel, including ears for easy handling when changing blades.
Convenience & Safety: Weighing just around 2 pounds, this tool is lightweight with an ergonomic design to give you better control while trimming. It also comes with a safety switch preventing accidental start.

The Lawnmower

Responding to the need for an easy-to-use machine that takes care of the smaller yards, Sun Joe developed the Mow Joe MJ401E, a smaller electric lawn mower that delivers the power of a gas machine with the convenience of an electric unit.
Why We Like It: Its durable steel blade cuts 14″ wide with precision on each pass. In addition to its hard-working mowing capacity, the Mow Joe features a three position manual height adjustment.
Convenience & Safety: The Mow Joe is equipped with a hard top rear bag, which detaches easily for convenient disposal. No gas, oil, or tune-ups are necessary.

The Hedger

The Hedger Joe HJ600C is ideal for trimming hedges, shrubs and bushes with the convenience of cordless operation with no hassle of cords or gas.
Why We Like It: It uses a 20 volt li-ion battery for efficient, reliable performance with just 1-hour quick charge. The 20-inch dual action and low vibration steel blade allows you to cut branches up to 9/16” (14 mm) in diameter.
Convenience & Safety: The Hedger Joe comes with a dual handed safety switch that prevents accidental starting and features a 3-sided ergonomic balanced carry handle that ensures a comfortable grip.

All Sun Joe tools are ETL inspected and approved and come with a full two year warranty from the manufacturer.

Profile: Sun Joe
The Sun Joe Company develops and manufactures innovative high-quality outdoor products at a lower price to help consumers “Get Equipped” to tackle the great outdoors.  Sun Joe’s innovation is driven by a robust research and development pipeline that looks at both creative design and technological advances to provide consumers with smart home solutions. Originally founded to bring homeowners smart winter solutions, the company now distributes a wide range of easy-to-operate, reliable and powerful outdoor power equipment to handle snow removal and yard care – from snow throwers and lawn mowers to trimmers and cultivators – under its “Snow Joe” and “Sun Joe” brand names.

Somerton Furniture Collection

Leave a reply
Standout Pieces for Your Home
Creating a masterpiece of a room is easy with the Somerton Collection, which fuses trendy styles with timeless designs, quality craftsmanship with comfort and sophistication. Whether you are decorating a house from scratch or simply adding key pieces to transform the look of a room, you need only select furnishings that feature unique finishes and fine details.

WIN IT We’re giving away the Somerton Cirque TV Entertainment Console featured here (a $699 value). Think your dad deserves to win it? Tell us why on our Facebook page to enter the contest and he could take home this and other amazing prizes! Hurry, contest closes June 20th.

THE DINING ROOM

Somerton Furniture Serenity Collection With its rich brown finish and sturdy construction, the Serenity dining table exhibits a dignified contemporary silhouette that would be perfect in a townhouse or loft.
Standout Features: Thick triangle shaped legs and dark glass center stand the test of time and add to the simple artistry of this table.
Party Of… The Serenity can host up to six members of your family or friends.

Somerton Furniture Manhattan Collection A round table is great for open-concept living/dining rooms. Sleek modern metropolitan design ideal for the fashion forward household defines this collection. Artistic curves, circles, ovals, and inlays make each piece a stately comment on your impeccable style.
Standout Features: Unique modern geometric pedestal legs and gorgeous veneer inlays. The circular cut out speaks of a contemporary, artful eye.
Party Of… The Manhattan dining table can seat up to six people.

THE LIVING ROOM

Somerton Furniture Cirque Collection Gorgeous contemporary style and iconic design inbue this collection. Curving lines matched with straight cuts give pieces in the collection an individual flair while the dark rich stain gives a stately presence to your rooms. Elegant and functional, the Entertainment Console features  a beautiful Merlot finish offset with updated brushed silver hardware.
Standout Features: Two wooden door compartments are perfect for your DVDs or your music collection. The center glass door houses your various components, ready to play your favorite movie in style.

Somerton Furniture Melbourne Collection Old world charm speaks softly throughout this collection. Smoothly turned legs and curved moldings add a subtle sensual effect to every piece. Solid rubber wood construction lends itself to daily use while Pecan veneers lend their warmth to every room.
The Entertainment Chest Blending traditional luxury with casual grace, this chest  features warm veneers and antique ornate hand pulls that lend a fine artistry to this piece.
Standout Features: Two open shelves supply room for easily accessible AV equipment while six drawers give ample storage for either electronics or clothing.

THE BEDROOM

Somerton Furniture Signature Collection This collection includes a full assortment of complementary hardwood bedroom pieces, all in a rich dark finish. The sensual curves work alongside the simple antique metal pulls to give the collection a passionate style that is at once down-to-earth and functional.
The Sleigh Bed This elegant wood bed bridges the gap between contemporary and transitional—a ‘transtemporary’ style, if you will. The sturdy hardwood solids are covered with cherry veneers and a rich dark finish with subtle highlights.
Standout Features: The Signature’s curved headboard with bicast leather upholstery add a final touch of style and drama, making this a coveted bed for any fashion-conscious yet practical decorator.
Pair It With: The Transitional 2 drawer night stand.

Somerton Furniture Excursions Coastal Collection Bring old world charm with a taste of adventure to your home. A delicious warm honey brown finish brings out the natural beauty of the fine selected primavera veneers.
The Poster Bed This elegant hardwood poster bed anchors the bedroom and creates a custom appearance. The option of a grand poster bed is an imaginative alternative.
Standout Features: Elements of crushed bamboo, fluting, and antiqued hardware maintain the integrity of the design while providing critical embellishments. A bed as lovely as this one deserves the dressed-up finish that primavera veneers take on when applied in a multi-step finish. All these elements combine to result in a perfect fusion of style and function for any bedroom.
Pair It With: The Excursion Coastal 7 drawer chest and a Excursions Coastal mirror.

Brand Profile: Somerton
Somerton Home Furnishings shows excellent commitment both to its employees and its consumers, with a focus on quality and value. Somerton designs its furniture mainly with transitional styles, making it able to mesh with a wide variety of home decors both traditional and contemporary. Whether you’re furnishing your bedroom, dining room, or living room, Somerton Home Furnishings has the perfect set at the right price.

High & Low: Office Chairs

Leave a reply

Inspired by our design-savvy but budget-conscious customers, we’re launching a new column called, you guessed it, High & Low.

Every week we will present a beautiful piece of furniture that has become an icon in design and is, more often than not, too expensive for most of us. But don’t fret: we will also feature a similar looking and equally well-crafted piece from the Cymax store that is attractively priced.

Best Office Chair

The History
Aluminum Group chairs were originally developed in 1958 as a special project by Ray Eames for a private residence being designed by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard. With a grand sense of adventure, Charles and Ray Eames turned their curiosity and boundless enthusiasm into creations that established them as a truly great husband-and-wife design team. Their unique synergy led to a whole new look in furniture. Lean and modern. Playful and functional. Sleek, sophisticated, and beautifully simple.

How Do They Compare?
$$$ Management Chair It features a low back with arms and an aluminum frame with suspended upholstery. It has a 5-star base, tilt-swivel mechanism and seat-height adjustment.
$ Nico Low Back Chair Both stylish and comfortable, the Nico is adjustable from 18-21 inches and features a chromed steel frame with black leatherette seat and back. It has a tilt swivel and gas lift and locks in multiple positions.

SPEAK UP We always welcome comments about our posts and look forward to hearing your thoughts on this new column. Like it? Hate it? Drop us a line to let us know.

Sick & Tired

Leave a reply

How To: Treating Kids’ Ailments with Natural Remedies

Ahh, summer, a time when kids (and adults) get bitten by bugs at the picnic, get car sick on the family vacation, get tummy aches when trying new foods and other not so pleasant surprises. But don’t reach for that over-the-counter medication just yet. Natural remedies for your kids are all around you–all you have to do is know where to look.

Plus, check out some suggestions of products for the kitchen, bathroom and more.

The Kitchen Pantry
Best PantryAILMENT Bug bite
SOLUTION Baking Soda
WHAT TO DO To alleviate the itching, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste. Smear it on the bug bites and let it dry.
WHY IT WORKS The alkaline baking soda helps counteract the acidic swelling.

AILMENT Sore Throat
SOLUTION Honey and lemon
WHAT TO DO Mix together a tablespoon of each, microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm (not hot) and have your child swallow the mixture one teaspoon at a time.
WHY IT WORKS Lemon dries up congestion and honey provides a soothing coating.

KettleAILMENT Colic
SOLUTION Chamomile tea
WHAT TO DO Steep tea for five minutes, let it cool to room temperature and then put one to two ounces in a bottle.
WHY IT WORKS Chamomile relaxes intestinal muscles.

Need more storage space in the kitchen? Check out these affordable pantries.

The Bedroom Dresser
AILMENT Neck or tummy pain
SOLUTION A sock
WHAT TO DO Fill a sock with uncooked rice and tie it closed with a string. Heat in the microwave for one minute or until warm and place wherever there is pain.
Update your bedroom with a new dresser.

The Bathroom
AILMENT Swimmer’s Ear
SOLUTION A blowdryer
WHAT TO DO Mild cases of swimmer’s ear occur when inflammation of the outer ear traps liquid and possibly bacteria. To treat it, try evaporating the trapped water by aiming the blow dryer at your child’s ear from a foot away. Make sure the setting is on warm, not hot.
Check out our selection of hair blowers.

Best Stainless Steel FridgeThe Refrigerator
AILMENT Car sickness
SOLUTION Ginger
WHAT TO DO For children ages two and older, add a teaspoon of shredded fresh ginger to four ounces of boiling water and let it steep for 4-5 minutes. To make it taste better, add honey. Give to your child half an hour before getting in the car.
Give your kitchen a facelift with a new fridge.

Summer PurseYour Purse
AILMENT Indigestion
SOLUTION Stick of gum
WHAT TO DO For children four or older who complain of a full stomach, offer a sugar-free stick of gum to chew on.
WHY IT WORKS The extra saliva your child produces will neutralize the excess stomach acid that is causing the problem.
Update your wardrobe with a new handbag for summer.

SPEAK UP What natural remedies do you rely on?