Home Base Furniture

Make the most of summer with some great alfresco dining ideas

Entertain in the garden

Even the simplest table settings can look really special if you add a few personal touches

Check out our step by step guide to setting a gorgeous outdoor dining table.

Lay the perfect table

How to do it:

Step 1

Make place settings with a difference by placing a napkin or mat on the table and laying a different coloured one over it at right angles, to form a star shape.

Step 2

Give each place its own set of glasses, tea-light and an olive bowl, to make each guest feel special.

Step 3

Keep the table settings symmetrical with a central area for condiments and place any table decorations along the middle of the table.

Step 4

Potted plants make pretty decorations, try wrapping the pots in brown paper tied with string.

Get the look:

For similar furniture try Homebase; try Waltons & co. for similar table linen and Bhs for similar crockery and cutlery.

Make individual menus

Add a personal touch to every plate and let everyone know what’s for dinner.

How to do it:

Pop a single bread roll into a pretty paper bag, then write out a menu for each of your guests and clip them onto the bag.

Create a table centrepiece

Ready in minutes, this simple centre piece is really eye-catching.

How to do it:

Just place glass votives around the edge of a simple cake stand with a taller one in the middle. Fill each one with water and add a fresh floral sprig.

Outdoor Decorations

Give your garden a touch of glamour with these easy-to-make paper decorations.

How to do it:

Take a sheet of paper and fold it into a concertina, pinch in the middle, then open out into a circle. Secure the edges and staple a ribbon near the edge to hang.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Day

Living room is usually considered as the heart of every home. This is where family members get together; spend time together after a busy day. Most of their chats happen in the living room. Given this fact, it is important that the living room furniture design be patterned on the personality and style of the owner. Moreover, different pieces of furniture are the best elements to materialize these concepts.

How to do this, here’s how:

1. Coffee table

By definition, coffee tables are usually put in the center of a living room. Functional and attractive living room furniture design for coffee tables would entail a design with clean, simple lines in solid wood. This will cope best with natural wear and tear.

Try to avoid glass tables that need constant wiping – unless you enjoy cleaning! Rather than choosing an open-shelf coffee table, buy one with built-in drawers to store magazines and keep clutter out of sight. There is less to dust too.

2. Sofa

Quality sofas are those that have simple back cushions and plain scroll arms. These types of sofas will work best for families and are great pieces in the living room. This simple design will make the items fit for any theme and for any generation all through the years.

Functional sofas should let your feet be able to touch the ground when you are sitting normally. Hence, when choosing sofas, it is best that you check the seat height and see if it is correct. If it is too high, ask to try different seat cushions.

3. Accent chair

In getting accent chairs, make sure that the chair has a solid wooden construction and is well upholstered. After all, nobody would want to have lumpy cushions. Right?

Also, your accent chairs need not much your sofa, although it is important to upholster it in a complementary fabric or one that picks up other colors around the wall or curtains.

Accent chairs tend not to have a removable covers so choose a fabric that is easy to keep clean. For your rebellious streak, indulge in a classic chaise lounge.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Lee