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Lovin’ the Unexpected: Unique Interior Design Spells You

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017

The Cynthia Rowley Collections show a wide array of exciting and unique options. Featured here is the Balthazar King Upholstered Bed.

Do you sometimes feel that you need a little help when it comes to beautifying your home? From time to time, of course, there’s a need to update the look of your home or you would end up getting bored with the look that you started with. With a life and lifestyle that are ever-changing, it’s about time that you learn a few techniques to create something unexpected in your home.

Don’t Be Bound by Rules

Most interior designers would tell you that rules are just there as guidelines. They are sometimes even meant to be broken. What’s more important is for your home style to reflect who you truly are. It should be able to show to the world whether you have a traditional or a hip, contemporary personality. What really matters is that you learn to balance all the elements that you bring forth so your habitat won’t look too cluttered or boring.

Your Home IS You

Every designer has a distinctive style and technique in transforming homes. Even if this is the case, they are unanimous in saying that the home should represent who the owner is, his passions, his interests, everything that he holds dear. An example is when a bookworm finally decides to own a home. You are bound to find a library somewhere in that home.

Look Up, Make Changes

Always consider what the ceiling would look like. This could be the most neglected part of every home since not a lot of people bother to look up when updating the looks of their home. Paint the ceiling in a color that is closest to your heart.

A gold ceiling, for instance, show how fabulous your personality really is. Apart from this, this kind of ceiling will effectively reflect the natural light that would come in from any of your oversized windows. Since gold is a warm color, it can also add depth to your home.

A Dash of Color Here and There

A lot of people are hesitant in applying bright-colored paint to their walls. If you’re this type, then consider adding colors in your accessories. Have a pinch of color on your vases, blankets, pillows, paintings and area rugs. Perhaps, a colorful lamp could illuminate many nights.

Color, after all, can greatly affect your mood so pick a color that energizes or relaxes according to the needs in every room.

What could be a more exciting update in your living room than having the Cynthia Rowley Wallis Swivel Chair in there?

Unexpected Wallpaper

Isn’t it amazing to walk into someone’s habitat and you end up finding unique, unexpected and exciting things there? A good way to surprise your visitors is to have a bright-colored wallpaper used on the ceiling. This is especially interesting if you have a neutral hallway to begin with.

A patterned wallpaper can also make your closet more thrilling. The eyes are drawn immediately to these unexpected design elements so expect a lot of questions and endless conversations.

Have Fun

Creating a lovely look for your home should not take the fun out of this project. Interior design should never be serious all the time.

Try things that are new, change those that bore you, begin small then go bigger. The rooms in your home should never be bland. They should be fun, colorful and awesome. Make sure also that the furniture pieces that you invest in will define your personality.

Don’t Forget Comfort

While you do have to consider the aesthetics and the overall style of your home, you must not compromise on comfort. No matter what your personal style is, whether you are sophisticated or whimsical, you must always find ways to make every aspect of your home comfortable, else, it fails to be home.

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Making Transitional Your New Style

Monday, May 8th, 2017

FFDM Del Mar Collection: Bradbury Queen Bed features straightforward yet delicious lines which are perfect for your transitional home. 

You might have heard the definition of transitional interior design to be that balance between traditional and contemporary styles. The truth is, this isn’t always the case. You can also fuse a few pieces from other styles that you love. This is pretty much like serving Twinkies on chinaware.

You are sure to love transitional interior design if you prefer layering of accessories and elegance in every corner. To you, these are far from boring.

Layer Tones

Achieving the transitional look does not mean having your room washed up in color. What you need is to strategically give neutrals the chance to rule. Love khaki, cream, tan, taupe, even gray. Espresso brown and chocolate are also considered fundamentals.

Begin the neutral palette on your flooring. The flooring is a huge background player especially in transitional homes. Go for natural stone, woods, neutral carpeting and tiles. And remember, always practice restraint.

A muted stone tiling inside the bathroom can become more exciting if you mix in parti-colored patterns.

If you have to use patterns, make sure that they are understated. You can repeat turquoise throughout the room since this is a must-have hue for the year. Shading must be subtle especially on your rugs, walls and the upholstery.

If you have a home that has wide windows, then be sure to let in a lot of natural light. Bring in those balloon valances, ornate finials and flowing draperies. These must just add ample visual weight but not in a way that would be visually obtrusive. Use window treatments that are elegant but simple such as bamboo blinds, basic panels and Roman shades.

Unassuming Silhouettes and Accents

Transitional furnishings come with clean profiles and a design that is pretty straightforward. This is definitely not baroque since it offers only the gentlest curves and simple yet energetic lines.

Gather accessories but do so wisely. You will not need a lot just to achieve impact. Artwork must have simple frames and subjects. Your lighting must also have clean and strong lines.

One of the key rooms that you need to be worried about is the transitional kitchen. Blend traditional surfaces like stone and wood with stainless steel pieces. You should not use ornate pieces or painted tiles in this room.

Hints of Texture

You cannot rely on bright hues to liven up a transitional home. Textures can help you do this so go ahead and use textured, woven fabrics, matte and shiny finishes, also natural fibers. Layer these exciting textures and finishes to achieve a room that excites.

Think also of burlap, leather, rattan, sisal, etc. Never go overboard, though, or you would end up losing the elegance which you are also trying to achieve for this style.

Still from the Del Mar Collection: Coronado Bed Bench

Zen Is the Word

Most important of all, you need to achieve a serene, highly restful area. Be sure to set up your furnishings in a non-brash kind of way yet it shouldn’t also be too quiet. Remember crisp lines, interesting textures, and ample patterns as well as fundamental lighting fixtures.

More on Updated Classic

The transitional style is also referred to as updated classic design. Based on the term transition, this is moving from one place to the next. In reference to interior design, though, it means meshing traditional and contemporary.

Transitional style is a hot trend these days. You can also say goodbye to the difficult design rules because this is an easy style to pull off. In a nutshell, here are your transitional design tips –

  • Always stay neutral
  • Use textural elements
  • Hold back on accessorizing
  • Pick artwork that has the most impact.

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Ingenious Decorative Ideas for Your Book Collections

Friday, May 5th, 2017

When you are looking into expanding your library, you might be thinking of adding more bookshelves straightaway. There is no harm in doing this as this is the traditional way to do it. Library expansions could spell the beginning of your book collection – which is an awesome hobby.

Be sure to have a purpose when starting a book collection. If you love the classics then you gotta have Dickens’ works, books that were instrumental in the advancement of civilization, and books that satiate your occupation or interest.

The key here is to buy the books that you love. The books should speak to you. If these books define who you are, then your guests will know right away who you are.

The Bizarre Coffee Table

Books stacks can accumulate quickly so you might as well put them to good use. Hardbound books can be used as the legs for your glass tabletop. These stacks will surely invite onlookers as they lounge in your living room.

Thomasville Bedroom Keenan Bed (Queen) 1776 18Q

The Intellectual Headboard

What could be more interesting inside the bedroom than to create a headboard filled with vintage books? Open those classic books right in the middle and have them fastened above your bed. Make the Thomasville Bedroom Keenan Bed more interesting with classic books for a headboard!

Hang ‘Em

Right above your traditional bookrack, it would be nice to hang and display your books. Give each book a peg (which doubles as a bookmark) and clip them onto a wood attached to the wall. The more colorful the books are, the more exciting this hanging rack gets.

EnLIGHTened Reading

Isn’t it a lovely thing to be able to read your favorite novel before you go to bed? Or you might fancy curling up in your reading chair right by your reading nook.

No matter, it pays to have good lighting when you are reading, right? Then why not take your reading to a whole new level by stacking books and putting the head of a reading lamp at the top? The books act as the base for your lamp which will make your reading moments a lot more motivating don’t you think?

A Book Wall

You can also repurpose one wall of your living room by turning it into a glass wall with lined bookcases. Imagine the oohs and the aahs that you will get from your neighbors as they see your collection of books now turned into an accent wall.

From the inside, all you see is the traditional bookcases lined up one after the other. Outside, you will see an exciting wall filled with lots and lots of books.

Maitland-Smith Accessories Cast Brass Impala Bookends 1254-351

Book Staircases

A good book should always be within reach so why not maximize that area under the stairs? Each step can be installed with a plank where you can place your books. Be sure to include a theme whether it is by color, pattern or topic.

A unique pair of bookends will also make this book staircase a lot more remarkable.

Place these lovely Uttermost Accessories Kelda Black Ceramic Vases S/2 18730 atop your book end tables.

Book End Tables

Side or end tables are made to balance the look in a room. This is especially true when this pair of furniture piece sandwiches a major furniture such as a bed or a sofa.

End tables can also function as a place to set your beverages when you are entertaining guests in the living room or to hold stacks of books.

Rather than be confined to these kinds of end tables, why not create a stack of books and let these become the end tables? Top the look by placing marvelous ceramic vases on your unique end tables.

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High Styling with Ceramic Vases

Friday, May 5th, 2017

Go intricate with the Uttermost Accessories Pajaro Ceramic Vases S_2 19843.

There are many homes all over the world that place a huge value over ceramic pieces. These decorative items are used to beautify many homes. There are also ceramic dishes and building materials as well as flooring tiles.

Ceramic has a lot of advantages over other materials. First, ceramics are easy to maintain and is compatible with just about any lifestyle. Ceramics are also relatively inexpensive. Depending on their application, these are a lot less expensive than hardwood flooring.

When used as dishware, though, ceramics are considered as top dollar design, meaning, you won’t have to worry about quality issues for a very long time because you invested on quality material.

Ceramics also tend to hold color quite well compared to stone or cement. Paint will also adhere well with ceramics more than any other decorative material. This means that you can enjoy your painted ceramic vases for a very long time. It is because of this that many decorative art pieces such as vases, figurines, decorative pots and lamps, are made of ceramic.

Ceramic may be highly fragile yet it can handle extreme heat or cold. This is why ceramic dishware and casseroles are highly-valued.

Ceramics are also highly useful in areas that have high moisture. So say yes to ceramic in the bathroom, outdoors and the kitchen. Ceramic flower pots hold the most amount of moisture for the soil, thus, indoor plants will thrive more when planted inside a ceramic pot.

Ceramic Vase Benefits

Ceramics are non-metallic and inorganic materials. There are many types but let’s talk of clay-based pieces here. These are used in creating mugs, flatware and vases.

Glazed ceramic vases has the same chemical stability as that of a glass vase. Glazing is, in essence, a thin glass coating over your ceramic decorative piece).

Ceramic vases are lighter than glass. It is a wonderful thermal insulator because of its porosity. It is also a wonderful choice for applications that require good insulation, longevity, and resistance to extreme temperature changes.

Or go simple with the Uttermost Accessories Pio Industrial Ceramic Vases S_2 20144

Decorating Your Ceramic Vase

  • If you’re into minimalism, then why not go for ceramic vases painted white? Nothing can be simpler than these.
  • You can also look for ceramic vases with graphic yet graceful lines. These curves create a more interesting visual treat compared to simpler designs.
  • The more unique the design, the better. Find ceramic vases with out-of-this-world designs. These will easily become conversation starters.
  • A cluster of grapes will also make a ceramic vase more interesting. If fruits don’t interest you, then have flowers placed in them instead.
  • Have you seen Japanese ceramic vases anywhere? They can be simple with straightforward designs or you can get those with intricate paintings of cherry blossoms, koi fish, etc.
  • You can also make the ceramic vase as your DIY project. Just get a plain, white ceramic vase and paint to your heart’s content. You could do abstract art or be a Pablo Picasso with your cubism art. You can also boast about your newest project to your friends and relatives when they drop by and pay you a visit.
  • Smaller ceramic vases can be filled with flower buds. These are unique centerpieces for your dining table or that table on your breakfast nook.
  • A ceramic vase can also be the home for a fascinating shell collection. Instead of storing your prized shells where they could break, why not display them by gluing them onto a ceramic vase? Use powder blue paint to highlight this attention-grabbing piece.
  • Lastly, if you want the traditional ceramic vase with flower, then go for it. What matters is that you place this pair onto a table or area where it would grab the most attention or where it can offer the most impact in terms of design.

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Console Table: Creating Impressions That Last

Thursday, May 4th, 2017

This console from FFDM’s Cachet collection is an intricate yet exciting piece that will welcome guests on your entryway.

The console table is a piece that’s commonly found on the entryway. And since it is on the first part of your home where visitors pass through, this is that area where first impressions are made. This means that you have to be extra careful when choosing your console table.

The best console tables are those that successfully mix function and style. These aren’t just tables that you throw your car and home keys onto. A mirror could even be set up above a lovely console table and this can give an interesting reflection of a stylish lamp or some of your prized family photos.

The console table could also be an instrument in achieving a welcoming oasis for everyone. Just adding a glass bowl complete with fruits or floating candles atop this furniture piece can already turn the entryway into a homey area.

Regardless of your eventual choice, spend ample time in choosing the console table.

Other Areas to Place the Console Table

Apart from the entryway, you can also set up the console table in your home office. Just pick a space where you can plug in a lamp, your laptop and other gadgets and you’re good to go. Choose a console table with ample tabletop space so that you can place your laptop, notepads and other office stuff there.

Place a chair in front of the console – preferably one that has a slim design – and you have just developed a nook where you can work peacefully.

The console table is not just an entryway or home office piece. This can also be used as a TV stand. Console tables that are narrow eat up less space than the traditional media center or TV stand. Just pick a narrow yet sturdy console table, one that can accommodate a DVD player, cable box, stereo and your TV, and you’ve got yourself a unique TV stand.

You can also turn consoles into a bedroom vanity. Just hang a mirror above your bedroom console, tuck a pretty stool underneath, and voila – you have your instant bedroom vanity. Of course, do not forget to place this at an area where there’s a light source such as a table lamp.

The bedroom vanity can also be a piece where you can stash your jewelry and make-up pieces.

Another use for the console table with an open shelving is to have it as a makeshift home bar. This can beautifully showcase colorful glassware and bottles which can be accessed when you’re entertaining.

Create a startup bar where mixers and spirits can be organized. A bonus point is that the open shelving offers easy maintenance. The freshest ingredients can be placed on the tabletop when you are entertaining your guests.

The Hooker Furniture Living Room Skinny Console Table is as simple as it could get yet it is still a stimulating piece for any entryway or living room.

Decorating the Console Table

Okay, now that you know that the console table is not just a place for your keys, let’s go and decorate this important furniture piece.

The first idea is to place an interesting work of art above the console table. If you have a plain-looking console, then be sure to place a colorful painting or photograph. You can also make a stark statement by placing a framed black and white photograph of a fascinating subject. Be sure to place a lampshade or two on the side of the console.

Trophies and other achievement pieces can also become awesome console table pieces. These could also serve as conversation starters during those parties and other activities that you are going to hold in your home.

Are you a huge lover of books? Then you might as well flaunt your collection on your console. Be sure to use awesome bookends which would highlight your stimulating collection. You can also look for hardbound books with colorful spines. These can be arranged to complement your home’s design.

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Table Centerpieces – Why No Formal Table Should Go Without ‘Em

Thursday, May 4th, 2017

FFDM Viniterra Cocktail Table shows off this lovely centerpiece of thick, glass bowl with floating lotus flowers.

During formal gatherings and other important occasions, haven’t you noticed how the tables come with the most beautiful centerpieces? These can include flowers, food, candles and other decorations. Of course, the table centerpieces are based on the tastes of the person who has set the formal occasion. These can also be based on the latest fashion and accessories.

If you’re wracking your brain for ideas on how to dress up your formal table for an upcoming event, then here are some popular centerpieces that you could consider –

The Roman Centerpiece

Romans often added foliage to their tables. Other centerpieces that were popular during the Roman times were ceramic vases and rock crystal dishes. Branches and decorative leaves were also commonly used.

Centerpiece of the Middle Ages

The wealthiest people of the Middle Ages had tables that were brimming with food so there was practically no room for any centerpiece – in essence, the foods were the centerpieces. During Christmastime, however, the special food centerpieces were marzipan or pastries that were shaped like animals, decorative objects, or people.

The 18th and 19th Century Centerpieces

Service à la russe (servants giving out dishes to their hostess) were quite common during this time. They cleared more room on dining tables for decorative items. They set up mirrors that reflected the most interesting porcelain figures. Aristocrats simply loved this setup.

Vertical centerpieces were the in thing throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. These vertical table décor were made using pyramids or tiered food. These were popularly known as epergnes or molded jellies and pudding.

Flowers were added on tables in the early 19th century. By the late part of this century, foliage and flowers were fused reflecting the event theme. White flowers, for instance, were used during a winter celebration.

Candelabra were also added.

The 20th Century Centerpieces

Decorative objects slowly replaced foliage and flowers on tables during the turn of this century. These objects were, again, tied to the event theme. For example, the hostess could drape a green table runner on her dining table during Saint Patrick’s Day.

Later in this century, food, once again, became the star of formal dining tables. It was during the ‘60s and ‘70s that the flower-loving generations gave reverence to flowers and made them centerpieces once more.

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Applewhite 60in Round Dining Table: Flowers will never go out of style when it comes to centerpiece materials.

Pretty Centerpieces of Today

You must first consider the size of your coffee table, center table, or dining table. The size will dictate how much decorative pieces you can fill the table with. A wide dining table, for instance, will look awkward with a single, miniature flower arrangement.

Think also about blank space. When you are designing your centerpiece, keep in mind that a lot of plain table showing could look boring and unfinished. Make room for a large statement piece when you have a wide or round dining table.

For narrower tables, use mini centerpieces or mini vignettes.

Another aspect that you can consider is the height of your centerpiece. This is what would make the table much more interesting. Tall glass vases are interesting pieces especially when you use equally interesting flowers.

Make sure also that the table centerpiece is pretty to look at from any angle of the table. The secret here is to consider symmetry and simplicity. Never forget to add table runners since these can also add to the visual interest of your formal table.

Wedding Centerpieces

What could be easier than to set up floating candles and flowers as your centerpiece? This is a minimalist approach but it is still a gorgeous setup that won’t fail to tantalize.

Another interesting wedding centerpiece is the wrapped vase. Cut huge green leaves such as ferns or hostas. Tie these to your vase using jute string.

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Upholstery Fabric – Make the Right Investment

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

The Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Ottoman 009C-08 comes with the durable Sunbrella fabric. This statement piece will surely turn heads.ces,

Indeed, a new sofa or chair is a kind of investment. And since it is an investment of sorts, you do not want to second-guess with the material and how it will eventually stand the rigors of day-to-day living. Pick the wrong material and you would be left with permanent stains and snags. Pick the wrong pattern or color and your interior design theme could suffer.

When shopping for upholstery fabric, do not forget to consider your practical needs. Think of your lifestyle and how the piece will be used. These should help you in picking the right material for your seating unit.

Kids and Your Furry Buddies

Wouldn’t it be tragic if you had the loveliest looking sofa and yet you cannot even allow you small kids to sit in it? The great news these days is that there are now plenty of options for upholstery materials. You don’t even have to choose between durability and aesthetics.

Microfiber is awesome for cleaning spilt liquids. It could fade, though, depending on what color you chose. Consider also if the feel of microfiber is something that you would want for years. For an even more durable fabric, choose the basket weave type as it rarely snags.

For people who have kids, pets and for those who love red wine, you can go for faux suede or the weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric.

The Sunbrella fabric is made with UV-stabilized pigments to deliver the most vibrant hues that will not fade. This means that your sofa or upholstered chair remains beautiful throughout the years. It is also very easy to clean.

Sunbrella fabrics also have a wide selection of sophisticated designs and rich textures. This fabric is so durable that it offers a five-year limited warranty.

Pick from our Sunbrella options.

Hancock and Moore Living Room Bradley Sofa 5378

Chic and Luxurious

For people who aren’t worried about kids and pets ruining the upholstery, then you are free to flaunt your chosen luxurious fabric. You can say yes to Tibetan wool, even Belgian linen. Linen is durable but just make sure that you pick the darker colors so that you won’t have to worry too much about stains.

Look Beyond Now

A huge mistake that a lot of people make is that they do not even stop to consider that leather and fabric could age over time. Review the label then ask questions when you visit the showroom. Find out about the fabric material and its maintenance requirements.

Having the answers to these questions, you can then prepare for the maintenance that the sofa or chair requires. Think also, will you still love leather beyond five years? Leather, after all, develops a patina brought about by day-to-day exposure. Are you ready to vacuum regularly and to close the drapes religiously when you go out?

If you’re not ready to go take on these responsibilities, then you can just choose a small piece for now – such as a statement chair. This piece has to have bold patterns and an interesting shade so that eyes will automatically go towards it.

Style vs. Durability

The importance of style and durability when it comes to fabrics is that they can make or break your sofa choice.

Be sure to choose a fabric that complements your home’s design as well as the furniture that you already have. Your choice must be in harmony with the rest of the design elements – you wouldn’t want to be caught with a contemporary piece in your traditional home.

As to durability, know that woven patterns are best as they tend to hold longer with their higher thread counts. Be sure also to choose a fabric based on who will use the seating unit more often.

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Green: The Energizing Interior Design

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

FFDM Summer Home: Panel Queen Bed sits beautifully in this ‘green’ bedroom.

Green is one of those hues that strike the eyes in a way that there isn’t a need to adjust. This is a restful color, since it is balanced, it is right in the middle of the color spectrum. Not a lot of people know this yet those who realize this aspect of green appreciate this well-adjusted color.

Back in 2013, a shade of green became the color of the year. Emerald green was quite huge back then, it was successful in succeeding the slot that Tangerine Tango filled the previous year. Because of the vigor that that tinge of orange offered for an entire year, the world wanted to have a sense of serenity the year after. The restoration of harmony and balance was gallantly offered by emerald green.

Healing You with Green

The chief psychological properties that green offers are harmony, balance and peace. This hue can restore and rejuvenate. It can easily give the feeling of a connection with Mother Nature. The right shade of green can also offer a greater sense of luxury and elegance.

The Resonance of Green

Before you decide on using green all over your place, try to ask yourself this important question – does this hue really resonate with you? Using it all because the rest of the interior design industry is going gaga over it at the moment is not the way to go.

Make sure that you pick green because you love this color and you can actually live with it. Begin by surrounding yourself with green at a shade that truly resonates to you.

You can also use classic green combinations such as complementary colors. Red, pink tones, orange and purple are wonderful hues to pair green with. Be sure to veer away from colors that would make green a jarring hue (e.g. yellow and blue).

This does not necessarily mean that you can no longer use blue with green. This all depends on the tone of blue and green that you end up using. Be ready to experiment if you are adamant in using both these colors.

Teaming up green with red also means you are ready to make the green a lot greener and red a lot redder.

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cayucos Pistachio Green Lamp 29204-1

The Green Habitat

Using color is all about having a purpose. Define the mood as well as the atmosphere that you would want to create. Decide whether green is perfect for your home. Decide on the proportion, combination, and placement for the colors that you pick.

Keep in mind that every tone has its own psychological property that can be altered depending on the hue that you team it up with. Be careful, though, as there are also negative results when clashing colors are paired.

Now you may be wondering which rooms would marry beautifully with green. Just decide which room needs more refinement, luxury or elegance and that’s the room that could use a bit of green. The foyer, the formal dining area, a reading nook – these are all rooms that should feel more secure, safe and serene with the use of green.

Green could also be an interesting accent wall. The easiest way, after all, to infuse color in a home is through paint. The safest, of course, is to just paint one wall. This is a dramatic choice that will clearly show how much you love green.

Bedding could also use green as an accent color. Say no to lime green in this room, though, as they tend to create a lot of energy.

Green furniture will also pop from a neutral background. Have this piece become the mother green as other pieces become the accessories that will complement.

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Babyproofing Your Home with Baby-friendly Furniture and Stuff

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

FFDM Boulevard: This round dining table is perfect for homes with young, active babies.

A baby who’s on the move is a little bundle of joy that’s at a higher risk of getting in trouble. Gone are the days when your baby will just spend almost the entire day sleeping. Now, with more freedom, there is also a greater need to be more aware of the dangers that potentially lurk in every corner of your home.

Babyproofing a home is important in keeping the baby safe. You must take a few rounds in all the rooms and check out areas that are in need of childproofing – the leading ones are the nursery, kitchen, bathroom, even the living room (where the fireplace is often situated).

Burn and Scald Prevention

The fireplace is a pit that could potentially burn an exploring baby. Have this part of your living room fixed with a fireguard. If you have radiators, then you will need to be extra vigilant compared to a home that’s built with fireplaces.

As much as you can, make sure that your baby won’t be taken into the kitchen. If she needs to be there because there’s no one to look after her while you’re cooking, then just make sure that she won’t go near the cooker.

Have her secured in a playpen or the highchair.

Fall Prevention

Safety gates are the best tools to deter falls at the stairs. Have these installed across the doorways that lead to unmanned rooms. Check if the safety gate that you’re buying is in compliance with the BS EN 1930: 2000.

Check that the balusters on your stairs are not too widely-gapped. Stairs must also be free of clutter a hundred-percent each time. Low surfaces such as floor should be free from small objects. Regularly vacuum the living room so that such small items will not accumulate.

Baby toys must also be kept inside a box. Broken toys must be discarded right away especially the ones that have small parts. Better yet, check out the toys that are appropriate for your baby’s age. These are the ones that usually have larger parts.

Strangulation Prevention

If you have to take her with you to the garden, just make sure that you won’t take your eyes away from her. Ribbons, string, polythene bags and plastics should be locked. Even plastic hoses should also be kept away from your child’s reach.

Poisoning Prevention

Be sure to store all medicines, garden products, toiletries and alcohol in a cabinet that’s not easily accessible by younger children.

Outdoors, be sure to remove all the plants and flowers that might be potentially poisonous in your garden, too. Even the harmless-looking berries could cause poisoning.

Bump and Cut Prevention

Furniture should be fitted with corner protectors or – better yet – invest in pieces with round edges. Keep your cutlery, knives, scissors, and pens out of your baby’s reach. Have all drawers and cupboards fitted with locks.

If you’re not about to invest in a new furniture ensemble, then just make sure that you babyproof your existing furniture. There are now babyproofing products that are meant to cover table and chair edges. Called corner guards, check out the different options online. There are also some that come in sticker forms while others are plastic items that can keep the baby from hitting her head.

In the bathroom, there is also a toilet-lid lock that can now be purchased. Electrocution can also be prevented if you purchase outlet covers.

Childproofing the Bedroom

If you’re thinking that your baby is safe in the nursery or the bedroom at all times, think again. Those fluffy comforters are really not a good thing to place inside a baby’s room. This thick bedding can cause suffocation. To prevent SIDS death, be sure to place your baby, on her back, on a tight, firm mattress.

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Sleep Well: How Many Pillows Should You Have In Bed?

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017

The iComfort® by Serta Accessories Contour Pillow is ergonomically contoured to support both your head and neck.

If you’re having a hard time sleeping at night, it could be because you suspect that you have an insomnia or you simply feel uncomfortable. Most of the time, the problem is as simple as not having ample pillows. A lot of people take these for granted but even if this is the case, they remain to make a huge difference between a restful sleep from one that makes you toss and turn.

Pillows: The Necessary Amount

If you want to achieve healthy sleep, then you need to know that there should be enough pillows for you to remove that angle between your head and shoulder. This varies with every individual and it might take a few experimentations before you even get it right. After all, the level of comfort for one person may not necessarily be the same with the next one.

There are people who are comfortable sleeping even with just one pillow. For you, that might not be the case. Others sleep with large, fluffy pillows; others want the firmer types.

Statistically speaking, here are the numbers of pillows that are widely used –

  • A single pillow for your head
  • A pair of pillows where one goes to the head and the other is hugged
  • A pair where one is for the head while the other is for the feet
  • Three pillows; one for your head, another for your feet and one to support your calves.

A Single Pillow + One or More

Sleeping with just one pillow is a straightforward approach to sleeping. All you need to do is place it under your head, close your eyes, and that’s it.

If you are going to use more than one pillow, just make sure that your neck won’t stay at an angle that is uncomfortable for you. Remember also that using more than one pillow is not a guarantee that you will be sleeping comfortably.

Sleeping with a pair of pillows means you have more pieces to arrange when you sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning. Speaking of having two pillows, never make the mistake of stacking both under your head. This will raise your neck at an odd angle which will cause a stiff neck. If you want a fluffier head pillow, then just use a larger, single pillow.

If you’re a side sleeper, be sure to flank a pillow with your legs. This will provide extra support. If you sleep on your stomach, then be sure to place a pillow right below your hips instead of your head. This is not a healthy sleeping position, though, as it is known to induce a lot of body aches.

Spine Health and Your Pillow

The support of ample pillows is crucial for spinal disorders. The right kind of pillow support can make the problematic spine rest more comfortably. Know that restorative sleep is your body’s chance at healing.

There are different kinds of pillow fillings that also offer different levels of support. An orthopedic, roll-shaped type that is filled with polypropylene capsules is best for spinal alignment. The worst kind of pillow for people with spinal issues is the feather-filled type (100-percent goose down).

The spine is so sensitive and it is always connected to the neck, so, the curving or angle where your neck rests at can make a huge difference on your spine’s alignment. The human neck is slightly curved forward. This is crucial so that the weight of the head is supported and so we can stay upright.

Having a pillow that’s too high could bend the neck abnormally. This could also place the air pipe at a narrow angle, thus, obstructing your breathing. Having a low pillow height, on the other hand, could lead to strained neck muscles.

So go ahead and experiment on the correct height of your pillows.

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