Unique Ideas to Make This Thanksgiving Your Best Ever!

October 3, 2012 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Let me start by saying there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the tried and true Thanksgiving celebration. I love turkey the way my grandmother made it, mounds of mashed potatoes and those little glazed carrots.  But this year, why not start some new traditions? Maybe inject a little surprise into the festivities? Here are a few ideas:

Table Setting Suggestions

  • Scatter some real leaves in autumn colours on the table.
  • Make a fruit bowl for your table or sideboard by hollowing out a pumpkin and halving it. A beautiful way to display the bounty of the harvest!
  • Make the table glow with gold chargers. Take your old mismatched plates (bigger is best) and spray paint them gold.
  • No festive cloth napkins? Buy a yard or two of fabric, cut and hem, and presto, instant Thanksgiving napkins!
  • Provide a candle for everyone. Every person gets their own small candle at their place setting – a variety of holders and candles can be found at dollar and discount stores. (And you can still have centrepiece candles besides!)
  • Find quotes or poems about being thankful and print out a different one for each guest, scroll and tie with ribbon (add a seasonal leaf/twig to the ribbon). I like this one: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

Keeping the Kids Busy

Suggest the kids make Thanksgiving cards – or better yet – Thanksgiving hats for the guests to wear at dinner time. Could be very, very funny to see Uncle Ned in an orange cone hat!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies (instead of Pumpkin Pie)

Your kids will love to help with these and you can make them in advance. How good is that? This dessert is sure to deliver smiles.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Orange Glaze (recipe follows)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Orange Glaze over cookies.

Orange Glaze:

Combine 1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel in medium bowl until smooth.

Makes 20 cookies.

More Non-traditional Dinner Ideas

How about a light soup to kick off the feast?  Butternut squash makes a delicious soup.

In addition to turkey, serve something you rarely have.  Maybe a side dish of clams or lobster or venison!

Make salads that showcase seldom used vegetables.  Google salad recipes with eggplant, cauliflower and other delicious veggies as the main ingredient.

Post Feast Festivities

Yes, the sofa beckons. But instead, why not go for a group walk? Make your way to the neighbourhood park and sit on the swings, or play catch or football. Get some fresh air! 

Want to stay indoors?  How about a limbo contest? Or a board game from the past like Operation, Kerplunk or Ants in Pants?  You’ll be surprised at what’s in the closet…

Have fun!

Whatever you serve, whatever you do after the dinner, the theme is “gratitude”. Be thankful for your blessings, patient with your troubles and keep your heart open to joy. Happy Thanksgiving!

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Entertaining, Holidays

How to Create a Home Theatre

September 28, 2012 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Have you been to a movie lately? It’s expensive! For a family of four, even before the obligatory popcorn and treats, it’s close to $50! But it is a pleasure to watch a movie in comfort and with great sound and visuals…

These days, many of us have large, high resolution TVs, but we don’t have the ideal setting to really enjoy a movie, favourite TV show or the big game. So how about creating a home theatre right in your home? It can be done – even on a budget – and will provide years of fun and relaxation for you and your family.

Start with a Great TV and Then…

Here are a few things to consider:

Speak up. Speakers matter, so invest in quality. Surround sound is surprisingly easy to set up. The most popular format is 5.1. This means there are five small speakers: two on either side of the screen, one in the centre and the two rear corners, plus one larger sub-woofer mounted in the corner. Visit an electronics store. They love talking about these things and will have lots of advice. But don’t go overboard – it’s easy to overpower a small room.

Silence is golden. Your goal is to contain sound within the room and minimize outside noises. Acoustic tiles on your ceiling will absorb sound – and they are inexpensive. Try to find black for real theatre style. You’ll also need to cover the drywall on your walls. Most home improvement stores carry lightweight acoustic boards. A carpet installer can give you the theatre look by covering them with thin carpeting.

Draw the shades. Room darkening shades are a cost effective solution to block out light. Curtain over top will block even more light, but may be unnecessary if your theatre is in a basement.

Comfy carpet. Think plushy carpet – for acoustics and for comfort. Just don’t spill the pop!!

Colour commentary. Start with your black ceiling and continue with dark walls, maybe a deep maroon or navy. The carpet can be lighter to open up the space and keep the room from becoming too claustrophobic.

Dim all the lights. Dimmable is preferable. You want light before and after your show, but not during.  Dimmable lighting solves the problem. Have the light shine on the walls and floor, not the ceiling. Make life easy and wire your dimmer to a remote control. No stumbling in the dark!

Add personality! Add some movie posters to the walls or decorate in an old Hollywood theme; make it your special room!

Get comfy. Nothing matters more than the right seating. Go all out on comfort – it’s surprisingly affordable. Stoney Creek Furniture has some great options for home theatre seating. If you have a bigger room, consider adding a second group of recliners on a higher level behind the first grouping. There is a great variety of features to choose from – fabric/leather, foot rest options, illuminated cup holders, manual/power recline and much more. Come and see what’s available! You’ll be inspired to get started on creating your home theatre!

Adding a home theatre is a great investment and will enhance the value of your home. But what’s more important is the quality time you’ll spend there with family and friends. Pass the popcorn please!

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Decor, Furniture

Getting Cozy for Fall … Indoors and Outdoors Too!

September 21, 2012 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Saying good bye to summer isn’t easy, but as the weather turns chilly, there’s something warm and wonderful about getting curled up in the Fall. At the end of the day, isn’t it comforting to come home to a cozy house and a warm bowl of soup? Below you’ll find some of our favourite ideas for make your home a snuggly retreat for the cooler months – and some suggestions to make the outside more inviting too!

Ideas to Get You Started

  • Bring on the blankets. Nothing says cozy like a blanket or throw. But what’s great is that they look as good as they feel. Put them on your sofa, a side chair, the end of a bed. Drop into a fabric store and buy some nice ends of warm material; there’s a huge choice. Add a hem, maybe some tassels or edging, and you have a custom throw!
  • Family pillows. Looking for a fun family project? Make custom cushions for everybody. You can quickly stitch up your own cases, or buy plain cushion holders. Then add some imagination! Cut out your initial in felt or any fabric and add it – sew on some rhinestones or patches – whatever! The cushions will look great in your family room and add a cozy touch.
  • Tea anyone? Tea brings instant comfort and warmth and it’s a natural for the cooler season ahead.  But it can be a decorator element too. Purchase a tea chest and showcase it with your favourites or display a teacup or teapot collection – or start one! It’s a charming addition to a kitchen.
  • Stay warm on the patio. Yes, it’s a bit of an investment, but I purchased a patio heater a couple of years ago and it’s been wonderful! On a sunny but cool Sunday morning, turn it on and head outside to enjoy your coffee. Or invite some friends over for an evening bbq under the fall stars.
  • Planting time. Many people don’t realize that fall is the best time to add a tree or shrub to the garden. When the spring comes, it will already be settled and ready to grow. But don’t wait too late in the season!
  • Paint a pot. If you’re artistic, paint some autumn images on the mum flower pots in your garden.  I love to work with terra cotta pots. Quickly paint on some fall leaves – or use a stencil.
  • Open the door to a new colour. Your front door is the first welcome to your home. Fall is a perfect time to change the door colour. Be a bit daring! Try a deep red or a rich olive green. Be sure to do it on a warmish day so that the paint dries perfectly. The best part is that you have a gorgeous new look for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
  • Win with bins. Yes, you will soon need gloves, mitts and scarves! Put them in a cool container at the front door and they are easy to find and no mess! Explore some cool bin options like an antique box or find a small unpainted trunk and personalize it.
  • Change your towels. An affordable way to “winterize” your bath or powder room is new towels. Go darker for the season – maybe an earthy brown or maroon.
  • Light up your life. Undoubtedly it’s an extravagance, but a chandelier, big or small, adds luxury to your home. Your foyer or maybe even your bedroom is an excellent location – or perhaps the powder room to welcome guests in style. As the nights get longer, you’ll be switching it on earlier – and enjoying every minute!
  • Indulge yourself. Everybody likes candles, especially in the darker months, but it’s also bath time! Treat yourself. Buy a beautiful basket and add some lovely products – bubble bath, creams. Display it and USE it!  I love bath oils. They keep skin super soft and moisturized.

You just may fall in love with fall if you make your home a cozy haven! Whatever you choose to do, remember, nothing works better than snuggling on the sofa with your sweetie, your kids and your pets! Talk to you again soon…

No Comments / Tags: , / Posted in Decor

Adding Touches of Style and Grace to Your Home

September 14, 2012 by Stoney Creek Furniture

We all want a beautiful home – one that is pleasing to the eye as well as to the soul. You want comfort, ease and a look that is uniquely yours. And while a decorator can certainly make your home a stunning show place, only you can make it a statement of your personality!

Below are a few suggestions to help make your home warmer and well….happier! They will help you add some charm without spending a lot or picking up a power tool! Have a look and see what inspires you:

Fresh cut flowers don’t have to cost a fortune. I love carnations. If you buy a lot, all in the same colour, and put them in a large vase, they fill up a foyer or a living room with great style. They make a beautiful statement – and they last for a couple of weeks.

Many designers say every room needs a touch of yellow. Try it. Maybe it’s in the curtain or a wall hanging or maybe it’s the entire wall colour – but I guarantee – a touch of yellow sunshine makes you feel warmer and cozier in any room of your home.

Add a theme throughout your home. Pick something small and add it to every room. Make it your signature. I have an angel in every room – and even a stone angel on my lawn. Some are obvious and some are discreet; but they all say “this is my home”. Be creative with shape, size and texture – don’t go overboard – think subtle. Maybe for you it’s Buddha statues or owls or dragonflies – whatever speaks to you. Just be creative!

The write stuff. A friend of mine stencilled a word on the wall of each room of her house – some larger in size, some smaller. It’s a great way to personalize. Maybe your bathroom says “unwind”, your bedroom says “dream”, your family room says “relax”… whatever matters to you! Again, be creative with placement, size and colour.

The white stuff. All white dishes look amazing. You can mix styles and mix new and antique, but keep everything white. Then add napkins or linens in a gorgeous, rich colour and it will be so stylish!

Look up. Ceilings matter too! We spend so much time picking out wall paint, but what about ceilings? Very pale pink or pale blue looks amazing, especially against white crown moulding. If you have lots of patience, embossed wall paper looks great on a ceiling too. Paint it pewter for a really cool look. Maybe choose a small room like a powder room for this look.

Whimsy. The most charming homes have a sense of humour. Don’t go crazy, but don’t be afraid to have some fun. Add faux fur pillows to your leather sofa; buy a Winnie-the-Pooh cookie jar for your kitchen; frame a funny photo of the whole family in Halloween costumes. What makes a home unique is what makes it memorable.

Greenery scenery. Many people forgot about house plants after the 1970s. But why? Plants add life and oxygen and beauty – and macramé hangers are long gone! Is there anything more gorgeous than a healthy Boston fern residing in a bathroom?

Paint a bridge. Many people struggle with choosing paint colours throughout their home. A great way to bridge from one area to another is simply use a shade lighter or darker. So, for example, a bedroom may be darker gray and the adjacent hallway a dove gray. Most paint cards offer light/dark shade variations.

Store it in style. Think outside the box, especially when you’re choosing boxes! I keep magazines in an antique butter box – practical and cute. Antique stores offer lots of unique choices – like old fashioned moustache cups to hold toothbrushes for example. Go explore!

Hopefully these ideas will trigger your imagination! Just remember, have fun and be creative! Talk to you again soon!

2 Comments / Tags: , / Posted in Decor, Furniture

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →