Great Tips and Ideas in Styling Modern Coffee Tables

Aside from the sofa, the other piece of furniture that is a focus of any living room is the coffee table which mostly ends up as a standard-in dining table or a reprieve for remote controls. Whether you own a coffee table that is a DIY project, a cheap thrift store find, or a statement piece that you have splurged on, it would be worth your while to style and decorate like you would any other area in your home. After all, it is mostly the centerpiece for many homes, especially in apartments and smaller houses.

Make styling a coffee table an easy task by adding these five items:

1. Natural elements to give color and bring the outdoors in
2. Candles to add ambience and even a fresh scent to the room
3. Books to entertain your visitors
4. Decorative accents to add interest and spark conversation
5. Tray to organize all these items

Now that you have some great ideas to style a coffee table, it is now time to take your pick from these modern coffee tables.

Ponte Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home

Here’s a great match for your outdoors: the Ponte Mosaic Outdoor Coffee Table by Alfresco Home. With wrought iron frames with powder coat paint finish, the table is weather proof and rust resistant. And to add some interest and color, it features hand-laid mosaic tiles that are derived from natural sources including travertine, slate and marble. This table also comes with welded chairs with no hardware to loosen overtime.

Olive Coffee Table by Casabianca

Made with white painted and tempered glass, the Olive Coffee Table by Casabianca will definitely be a standout in your modern living area. White lacquered with chromed legs, it comes with a unique sliding glass top which should be the perfect place to store magazines, remotes controls, albums, and other knickknacks. Now you should have less clutter on the tabletop for styling and decorations.

Modern Craftsman Coffee Table Oak Finish by Home Styles

Reminiscent of the American Craftsman Era with its simplicity and understated style, the Modern Craftsman Coffee Table Oak Finish by Home Styles effectively combines a distressed Oak finish with new age metal accents. This table is constructed with Poplar solids and Oak veneers. For your storage needs, it comes with two drawers that open from either side and an open storage shelf.

Clocks are Great Functional and Decorative Home Accent Furniture Pieces

Despite the modern age of smartphones and household appliances that already do a terrific job of keeping us in step with the  the time of day, clocks  still remain an albeit essential part of of everyday life and part of our design conscience.. This can be attributed to the new trends that are emerging today in the world of clocks. Such trends fuel the desires of style-savvy homeowners and business owners to continually update their timepieces to reflect the evolution and use of the classic clock.   

What might be the most frequently used  clocks today is the atomic clock. As its name suggests, this clock uses an atomic resonance frequency standard to tell the time. It is because of such feature that this is considered as the most accurate kind of clock. Aside from residential locations, atomic clocks are in demand in businesses that involve manufacturing and distribution, as well as in other industries where time is of the essence.

Large wall clocks also continue to be popular and serve as great centerpieces in living areas. They give you the freedom to decorate around the clock. Along with this is also the growing popularity of personalized clocks. It is easy to find online retailers today that offer clocks with customized faces, decorated according to your chosen design or even with your chosen picture.

Another emerging trend in the click industry is related to its usage. People are not buying clocks in order to just tell the time; they are also getting them as home accent furniture pieces. Clocks that function as lovely accents in homes are very popular these days. Markets today are selling clocks with attractive colors, gorgeous backgrounds, creative frames and fashionable shapes. And as manufacturers keep on rolling out innovations, it seems that the clock industry will not go quietly into the history books any time soon.  No pun intended.

Nevertheless, the days of standard and basic clocks are already behind us. The clocks that we see today can now do a wonderful  job of setting off a room and leaving a lasting impression .set their eyes on them.

Lotus Wall Clock in Black by Nuevo Living

With its simple color yet bold design, the Lotus Wall Clock in Black by Nuevo Living will likely go unnoticed in any room it is in. Made from polypropelene plastic with Taiwanese movement, this gorgeous wall clock is made in the same style as the iconic Sunflower Clock of George Nelson. You can also get this clock in white. .

Climbing Vine Clock by Uttermost

The Climbing Vine Clock by Uttermost is a great statement clock for your office, home office, or even in your living room. A masterpiece by designer Grace Feyock, this piece features a round clock that is intertwined by climbing vines and accented by a couple of birds. Made of hand forged metal, this clock is finished in burnished mocha brown along with heavily antiqued gold accents. This clock features Quartz movement.

Clocky Alarm Clock That Runs Away in Raspberry by Nanda Home

Here’s an alarm clock that will really get you off of bed in the morning. The sneaky and wheeled Clocky Alarm Clock That Runs Away in Raspberry by Nanda Home will run and hide when you do not wake up, beeping all the while. Made of plastic and battery-operated, its wheels can be removed if you want it to stay put.

Find the Best Outdoor Patio Umbrella for Your Home

With warm summer days now fast approaching, an important outdoor accessory that should do a good job of keeping you cool is a patio umbrella. Aside from giving you shading, the wide array of options that they come from today also makes them a pretty accent to any outdoor environment. The size and style of patio umbrella that you pick for your home will depend on your personal preference and area that requires shading, but there are some basic things that you need to keep in mind when you are shopping for one.

Size. Outdoor umbrellas are mostly measured by their diameter. But before this, you need to first determine the area where you will install the umbrella. A rule to keep in mind is that the patio umbrella has to be about five feet larger than the spot that needs shading. Umbrellas with a 6-feet diameter should be able to cover a table and two chairs while a 9-feet umbrella can give shade to a table and at least 4 chairs.

Frame. Patio umbrellas come with either a wooden or metal frame. The very main difference between these two materials is that wooden umbrellas do not rotate and mostly open through a pin and pulley, requiring more manual labor. Metal umbrellas, on the other hand, usually come with a rotatable crank that you use to open it. When it comes to its ribs, sometimes called as arms that hold up the umbrella; the more there are, the sturdier is umbrella is.

Fabric. Most of the outdoor umbrellas come with treatments that will protect it from UV and mildew, which are great picks. It would also be a good idea to get something that made from breathable fabrics, as well as waterproof ones that still allows water vapor to pass through. Umbrellas made from breathable fabric should do a good job of keeping you cool under it even on very hot summer days.

Check out some of the best outdoor patio umbrellas in the market place right now.

Teak Furniture Umbrella by All Things Cedar

With its 10-feet vented canopy and solid teak pole, the Teak Furniture Umbrella by All Things Cedar is designed to give a beautiful and practical protection against the heat of the sun. Its pole is made from premium teak so it will not bend or rot in adverse conditions. It has a solid brass pulley system and a washable canvas canopy.

Offset Umbrella by Jordan Manufacturing Company

Bring that much needed shade into your outdoor living space with the Offset Umbrella by Jordan Manufacturing Company. Ideal for any outdoor area, this umbrella features a crank and tilt system to allow easy expansion. It has a steel frame with polyester canvas. Install this by securing with paver blocks or bolting to your patio or deck.

Market Umbrella 9' x 8 Scallop W/Netting and Light by Lanza

The unique design of the Market Umbrella 9' x 8 Scallop W/Netting and Light by Lanza is perfect for any decks, gardens and patios. This aluminum umbrella comes with ample sun protection for the entire family. It has a sturdy two-aluminum pole construction, mesh gazebo, and center LED light. You should be able to easily raise and lower the umbrella to meet your needs.Find the Best Outdoor Patio Umbrella for Your Home

How to Clean Your Wooden Modern Dining Table

A wooden dining table is mostly the centerpiece of contemporary dining rooms. And being a common place of gathering, the table can take a bit of abuse, so it will need the occasional cleaning to keep it looking good and presentable. With some tips and a little effort, your wooden dining table can last for a long time.

Dust the table at least once in a week to prevent dust buildup. You can use a furniture polish to give it an attractive sheen. Twice a year, apply a wood conditioner with a clean cloth. Immediately clean up spills and use a clean damp cloth for remove those that leave a sticky residue.

Use a walnut with the same color as your table to fill in scratches. Simply rub it horizontally across the damage and apply iodine to darken it and match it with the original color of the table. For watermarks, apply mayonnaise and leave it overnight. In the morning, wipe any access and apply more as necessary.  It would be best for you to avoid the use of harsh abrasives and chemicals that may scratch the wood.

Below are some of great picks of modern dining table.

Tavolo Rectangular Dining Table with Red Oak Top and Metal Base in Antiqued Finish by Diamond Sofa

The sleek and minimalistic design of the Tavolo Rectangular Dining Table with Red Oak Top and Metal Base in Antiqued Finish by Diamond Sofa will give an organized and comfortable seating for up to sit people. The red oak melamine finish of this table gives a light and fresh dining experience for so many years to come with its moisture, stain and scratch resistant finish.

Sherwood Dining Table by EuroStyle

The Sherwood Dining Table by EuroStyle comes with a solid teak slat top with aluminum edge, along with an aluminum base and adjustable. This makes it the perfect dining table for indoor and outdoor activities. With its stylish and sturdy design, this table is made from natural teak which ensures long years of use.

Arts & Crafts Round Dining Table Cottage Oak Finish by Home Styles

Giving you an economical solution for your dining settings is the Arts & Crafts Round Dining Table Cottage Oak Finish by Home Styles. Made of hardwood solids and veneers in a multi-step Cottage Oak finish, this table can be accessorized formally or informally for your desired atmosphere. It has a 16-inch lead that expands the table top, giving enough space for 2 additional chairs.

Essential Considerations for Buying Home Patio Furniture Cushions

In truth, patio furniture can actually lack real punch in many cases. And when you think you'll yawn at the site of your patio, thank heavens cushions are made to add a bit of character and spice to your furniture. 

Just like buying a patio furniture, you need to select materials that will last and withstand the changing weather and the elements that they are bound to be exposed to. Good thing for us, today’s materials have grown to be so much better and are made to be long-lasting and maintenance-free. Of course, you would want something that is not all about looks- although we know that aesthetics can make you swipe your credit card 90% of the time- it is still advised to go for durability too.

For one, you need to make sure that the cushions that you buy will fit your chairs and give you comfortable seating. If you have the budget, you can get custom made ones to not only ensure good posture and sitting comfort; but to give a more tailored look and feel to your seating. You need to consider that the foam and cushion covers are of equal importance.

The structure and material of the cushion will affect its resiliency and support for your body. Its outer material will make sure that its inside is adequately protected. Pick a material that is resistant to sun, stain, and water as an added assurance that it will last and look good longer.

Choosing a breathable fabric equates to faster drying time once the cushions get wet. Opt for material that is mold, mildew, and fade resistant, making your patio colors stay vibrant for a long time. If you intend to put cushions near your pool, choose a material that is resistant to chlorine.

There are so many choices for outdoor cushions in the market today with varying styles, materials, colors and designs. Ultimately, what you will pick and purchase will be all up to your needs and preferences as well as the outdoor theme that you are going for.

Our three best picks for home patio furniture cushions. 

Comfort Care Barstool Sunbrella Cushion Set by Infinita

For a quick comfort add-on to your outdoor seating, get the Comfort Care Barstool Sunbrella Cushion Set by Infinita. This can be used as a seat bottom or seat back cushion (you can even use two of them for the seat bottom and back). Installation is very easy -- simply fix its straps onto the barstool frame and you are good to go. This canvas cushion in available in 6 colors: True Blue, Jockey Red, Coal, Parrot, Cocoa, and Natural.

Desswerrum by Fatboy

The Desswerrum by Fatboy might look like your typical designer cushion but this is no ordinary pillow. This creative piece is actually a hot water bottle. Get warm with it like it’s your blanket while you enjoy watching the stars at night. Made from 100% cotton cover, this piece is available in an iconic red black pattern that will surely be a standout in your space, whether it is inside or out.

Surf Pillow by La Fete Design

When you are resting on your chaise lounge, the simple and modern Surf Pillow by La Fete Design will give you the added comfort and support that you need. Stain, fungi and mildew resistant, its interior is made from polymeric structural foam with layers of cushioning foam. Plus, add a personalized touch to this cushion as its cover can easily be removed and replaced.

Brighten Your Home’s Exterior with Outdoor Landscape Lighting

When it comes to landscaping, most people think of greenery and plants and flowers. However, exterior lights can add both aesthetic and functional benefits to your home. Outdoor landscape lighting can range from solar to wall-mounts to poolside  lights. Knowing the  advantages should help you pick the right type of lighting that will match your needs.

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of landscape lights is that they enhance the appearance of your home, especially at night. When properly positioned, they can accentuate architectural features , adding a sense of drama and boosting your curb appeal at during the evening hours. Landscape lighting also increases the functionality of your outdoor space. With the right selection of outdoor  lights, you can use your front and backyard even after the sun goes down and get adequate illumination for late-night dining and conversations.

Along with the above benefits are home security and personal safety. Surely, these should be more than enough reasons to get landscape lights.

Kenroy Home Hatteras Small Wall Lantern by Kenroy Home

Give your home a look right off the 1940s with the Kenroy Home Hatteras Small Wall Lantern by Kenroy Home. Made with gilded copper finish and clear seeded glass, this will be a sight to behold in your patio, perhaps on opposite sides of your door. A great way to celebrate an old yet celebrated design.

Outdoor Greatroom Company Solar Stake Light - Espresso Finish by Outdoor Greatroom Company

Line your pathway leading to your door with the Outdoor Greatroom Company Solar Stake Light - Espresso Finish by Outdoor Greatroom Company. This lovely stake light comes with a built-in photo cell sensor with manual on/off override switch -- no electrical or wiring needed. It comes in an espresso finish that should perfectly blend with your outdoor environment.

Offi and Co. Hugo Pot by Offi and Co

Made with rotationally molded non-toxic and odorless plastic, the Offi and Co. Hugo Pot by Offi and Co combines your outdoor space’s need for plants and lights. This piece uses CFL or energy saving light. And with its waterdrain system, growing a green and lush plant should not be a problem.

Infinita LED Lighting Ball by Infinita

Have a pool? With its waterproof and unbreakable design, the Infinita LED Lighting Ball by Infinita is the perfect addition to it come nighttime. This rechargeable LED lamp can last up to 24 hours in a single charge. This is just perfect for your outdoor parties.

Great Decorative Ideas for an Elegant and Functional Modern Foyer

Console Tables for Style and Functionality

The first thing that you may want to consider is obtaining a console table and setting it up against a wall or attached to it. Console tables are  generally chic, long, and lean, and their thin elegant surfaces are simply the perfect place to display eye-catching decorative pieces. The great thing about having this type of accent table, though, is that not only can it add remarkable artistic quality and visual impact to your entryway, but can also serve different functional purposes as well. It is great for setting down mail, keys, handbags, and other small items as your guests walk through the door. For starters, a Mod Loft table would be an excellent choice with its clean, straightforward, and naturally refreshing look along with an accommodating surface for an affordable price point. Place it against the wall, in an area where it is easily visible and accessible to people once they enter your home.

Modern Framed Mirrors for Ambiance

Modern framed mirrors are trendy and lively with bright, bold colors that provide an exciting modern appeal. It brings in a unique style and alluring aura to your foyer, setting up the right ambiance for your guests. These elegant mirrors also provide guests the opportunity to examine their appearance as they come and leave. 

For an exquisitely charming finish to your hallway’s decor, a Cooper Classics Alexandra Rectangle Mirror should do the trick. It has a very lovely appeal and can match well with different aesthetic themes making it easier for you to set it up with other decorative pieces to achieve seamless artistic flow and harmony. You should place it just above the console table because these two perfectly complement each other both in style and functionality. Placing them together in one section provides more visual and artistic impact than they are separately  and people, specially women, will certainly require the convenience of the console table to settle their bags and other items when fixing their hair or doing their make up in front of the mirror.

Wall Art – Making a Statement of Style

Wall arts are very pleasant to the eyes and are important when you want your foyer to stand out and make a statement of style. Putting in elegant paintings like a Ren-Wil Butterflies II paired with a Ren-Wil Cherry Blossoms can change the whole appearance of your space, adding in a touch of art and sophistication for people to admire. You may want to utilize a wall art around the mirror to maximize beauty. Should the ceiling be too high, hang out some frameless work of art like a Screen Gems Sandstone or an Uttermost Golden Gazanias over the mirror and set two on both sides to create some form of harmony. For a modern and elegant look, choose a wall art with a bit more detail on the curves and lines.

There are many more great ideas in setting up a neat and functional modern foyer and you can utilize them as easily as the ones I have mentioned above. With a little time, effort, and creativity, you can even come up with some ideas of your own and use it to create a highly personalized style.. All in all, the most important thing is to have the burning desire to maximize the overall quality of your foyer not only for personal enjoyment but for the satisfaction of other people as well so you will have solid motivation in starting your own.

Ideal Contemporary Entertainment Centers for Flat-Screen TV Lovers

Admit it. You don’t just want an entertainment center—you want an entertainment center that’s worthy of your shiny new flatscreen. You want a setup that emphasizes every feature, with enough storage to hold your DVD collection, as well as other gadgets, such as the speakers for your epic surround sound system. Your media center has to be sturdy too, not to mention stylish; it should fit right in with the up-to-date look of your television set, and the modern look of the rest of your entertainment room. Fortunately, there are plenty of contemporary entertainment centers to choose from, and you can find just the right one for you here.

Home Styles Bedford Black 3 Piece Entertainment Center by Home Styles

Featuring three units in one nifty collection, the Home Styles Bedford Black 3 Piece Entertainment Center by Home Styles offers lots of quality in one go. It’s sleek and sophisticated, with plenty of room to place your flatscreen TV, and more besides.

Home Styles’ entertainment center provides two cabinets with an open center compartment, all three having their own adjustable shelves.  The center compartment can accommodate screens a maximum of 60” long. The set also includes left and right audio stands and a television stand. All the furniture units are made of wood and wood veneer, all of which come in a brushed satin chrome, adding even further to its contemporary feel. You’ll need some assembly to put the entertainment center together, though there’s a ready manual to give you a hand. 

Allan Copley Designs Pavilion Entertainment Cabinet with 2-Sliding Doors, 2-Drawers in an Espresso Finish by Allan Copley Designs

Slightly larger than the previous entertainment center, the Allan Copley Designs Pavilion Entertainment Cabinet with 2-Sliding Doors, 2-Drawers in an Espresso Finish by Allan Copley Designs is an undeniably modern media compartment, with a deep espresso finish on birch wood. The satin nickel accents lend a very elegant sense to the whole unit, though the entertainment center’s simplicity is one of its artistic strengths as well.

Functionality-wise, Allan Copley doesn’t disappoint. It can accommodate flatscreen TVs up to 66” long. The Pavilion Entertainment Cabinet also features two sliding doors and two drawers—pretty good for flexibility. The entertainment center doesn’t require any extra assembly too, so that’s a one up on convenience.

Casabianca Emma Entertainment Center by Casabianca

The Casabianca Emma Entertainment Center by Casabianca is a good example of combining both design and practicality in one artistically appealing unit. The entertainment center sports a mostly white finish, going against the usual dark shades of most media compartments. The top is made of white lacquer over an espresso base, and is constructed out of clear tempered glass. It’s clean, stylish, and immediately catches your eye.

The Casabianca Emma Entertainment Center is ideal if you wish to display your new gadgets as much as use them. Because it’s a stylishly made unit, it’s also excellent for showing off your own personal style as well, whether in the type of flatscreen you choose to display, or the number of collectibles that go on the entertainment center’s empty spaces.

Five Contemporary Bookshelves for the Avid Minimalist

There’s a reason that minimal furniture has made a relentless comeback in the last couple of years. No-frills furniture is simple, highly efficient, and plays right into modern home styling. It also exudes a sense of abstract art that’s all its own. Contemporary bookshelves with a dash of minimalism take it one step beyond the typical function of displaying books, CDs, or family mementos. Here are five modern bookcases that’ll appeal to the minimalist in all of us.

Office Star Corner Ladder Bookcase in Espresso by Office Star

The Office Star Corner Ladder Bookcase in Espresso by Office Star is a stylish alternative to the ordinary bookcase. The espresso finish contributes much to its strong sense of sophistication, and makes its unique design look all the more appealing. The bookcase provides five sturdy shelves for ample storage of books and/or collectibles. The shelf size tapers down on its way up, so it might be best to place heavier items on the bottom shelves, and lighter ones on the upper shelves; it’s an artistically sound design, and it’s practical too. 

Allan Copley Designs Samantha 4-Shelf Bookcase by Allan Copley Designs

An advantage of minimal bookshelves is that many of them have space-saving designs. The Allan Copley Designs Samantha 4-Shelf Bookcase by Allan Copley Designs is one of them. This bookcase features a deep espresso finish that’s quite modern, but its best quality is that the case is much taller than it is wide, affording you the chance to store as many books on it without having to compromise space.

Offi and Co. Mini Bent Ply Stand by Offi and Co

Offi and Co. adds the Offi and Co. Mini Bent Ply Stand by Offi and Co. into the mix. It’s not a large bookcase, but its compact size adds to its usefulness; the stand makes a great desktop storage unit. The Mini Bent Ply Stand spots a simple design whose main feature is its portability. The stand is also made of molded birch plywood, and can hold up to 25 CDs. If you prefer, you can use the stand to keep a couple of your favorite books or a few handy references close by.

Adesso Zurich Contemporary Modern Wooden Walnut Finish Magazine Rack - Set of 2 by Adesso

Roughly similar in size to the Offi and Co. Mini Bent Ply Stand, the Adesso Zurich Contemporary Modern Wooden Walnut Finish Magazine Rack – Set of 2 by Adesso was built for convenient portability. Its space-saving design also makes it a great shelf candidate for small-ish apartments, bedrooms, or places where there’s only limited room to work with. Standing at a modest height of twelve inches, the magazine rack works best with magazines and small books.

Nuevo Living Tiva Right Large Shelving Unit in White by Nuevo Living

If you’re talking minimalism, Nuevo Living nails it (literally and figuratively) with the Nuevo Living Tiva Right Large Shelving Unit in White by Nuevo Living. The Tiva Shelving Unit is ideal for books and collectibles, and goes right up on your wall. The white finish only adds to its understated elegance.