Mixing and matching chairs

Mix and matching chairs is a great way to create a space with more personality. Your reasons for mixing and matching could be to save money (you can only afford one or two of a certain chair you love), availability (the chair is an antique and you only found 1), or visual interest (you think matching chairs are a snorefest). What ever your reasons, a few guidelines can keep your space looking chic.

Color Consistency: Paint your chairs the same color, or use the same fabric on the upholstery.  This will create a cohesive thread throughout your chair set.

via Houzz via SF Girl By Bay

Make your intentions clear:

Make it obvious you intended the mixed look.  Choosing chairs from different eras, like the traditional chairs with the ghost chairs, it a great way to mix with intent.

via Houzz

Two examples 

Finding the right combination can sometimes be tough if you can't see the big picture. A great way to start is to decide on a color palette, prints, and foundation pieces you love. For example if you are going to do a living room and office combined, you can use neutrals with an accent color (in this case, lavender), and use it in your living room as and accent and then your office chairs!
via The Lennox

Going with a different shape for the office chair but in the accent color- this swivel chair can make a statement without feeling like it doesn't fit in with the rest of the space.  Color is the connecting thread here.

via Pinterest

If you are going with a fun statement chairs, finding complimentary pieces might seem harder to pick out, but using the rest of this room's decor, an aqua desk chair might be the perfect mix match.

via Wisteria

via Houzz

You can look at Homebase's chair range for ideas to mix and match your own furniture!

Have you ever tried mixing and matching chairs?

This post is sponsored by homebase.co.uk, but all words and opinions are my own.

Ten Perfect Summer Drinks

 blueberry lemon fizz / lavender french 75 / watermelon mojito

clementine & red wine spritzers / mint cucumber & lime crush / blackberry meyer lemon gin tonics

 apple & elderflower fizz / iced chamomile sun tea / lemonade with orange blossom water /

and finally this vermontucky lemonade by the fabulous Deb Perelman from Smitten Kitchen


I'm definitely going to be trying some of these, so many delicious berries everywhere right now....
and with the weather so hot in London, these summery drinks are perfect - and a great way of getting your children to consume lots of fruit (not the alcoholic ones obviously!)

My new favourite food blog Spoon Fork Bacon has some great suggestions for drinks &
delicious fruit ice cubes....

Which one of the above would you choose?
(recipe links available under each image)

Firmoo & My Fabulous New Glasses

I first started wearing glasses about a year ago....

I needed them for reading so booked an eye test & ordered pretty much the first style of glasses that I saw in the shop.

A few weeks later when they arrived, I then realised that I didn't like them that much.

However, because I only really use them late at night for a little reading, I didn't give the issue much more thought - and consequently, haven't really bothered wearing my glasses!

I think that the problem is that I was way too hasty in choosing my glasses AND I chose them by myself, looking in a tiny mirror in the shop....I was overwhelmed quite honestly. 

And of course the optician told me they looked great ;)

Online Optical Store Firmoo approached me about doing a review and - as they have a great range of glasses/sunglasses - I very happily said yes.

My reading glasses arrived within 10 days and are PERFECT. 

I am completely happy with them & love the style.

Firmoo have a great range & also have a Virtual Try On System so that you can see yourself wearing different styles = genius.

The ordering system is straightforward & thorough, I followed the instructions exactly & my glasses fit me perfectly. 

Firmoo have a "first pair free" offer available (worldwide) & are also offering my readers who may wish to purchase more than one pair a discount of USD$25, please use the code BASKETBLOG4.

Give your furniture a makeover, easily and cheaply! And signed "Furniture Makeover" book giveaway!

I love DIY books - especially when they're filled with advice and projects that I would actually do AND will save me big bucks.  That's why I was so excited to receive "Furniture Makeovers" by Barb Blair.

Here's a description:

Furniture Makeovers: Simple Techniques for Transforming Furniture with Paint, Stains, Paper, Stencils, and More shows how to transform tired furniture into stunning showpieces. You'll never look at a hand-me-down dresser the same way again! The book offers 26 easy-to-follow techniques that can be applied to all different types of pieces, from bookshelves to desks: painting, applying gold leaf, wallpapering, distressing, dip dyeing, and more. In addition to the core techniques, author and Knack Studios founder Barb Blair shares 30 beautiful before-and-after makeovers from her studio and outlines how to achieve each look. With helpful step-by-step photographs, a visual glossary explaining all the tools and materials needed, and a lovely contemporary aesthetic, Furniture Makeovers is a treasure trove of ideas and instruction for the home decorator.

What I loved about this book is how accessible it was.  Blair never expects you to have access to a welder, industrial belt sander, or 50" table saw.  She shows you how to complete each project in an easy to understand fashion with materials anyone can get their hands on and use - with pretty pictures to boot!

Since I would never steer you wrong, I decided to try out a project on my own using only Furniture Makeovers as a teacher.  See my results below.

Since I was a newbie, I wanted to start on something relatively small and uncomplicated, so I chose this nightstand boyfriend has had since his bachelor days.  In fact, it has lived in a few bachelor pads over the years, so it was in need of a thorough cleaning to say the least!

My subject.  Nothing fancy, but solid wood construction.

After!

I wanted to create a finish similar to Blair's "Emmaline" piece, a gorgeous chest of drawers that she painted and then stained to create an authentic worn look.  I didn't want my project to come out looking too distressed or shabby,  just like a piece that's been around for a few decades.

Here's is the project that inspired me.

"Emmaline"  before - a lady with great bones!

"Emmaline"  after -now with the surface beauty to match!

Here's how I transformed our bachelor pad nightstand into a sophisticated looker..

I carefully reviewed Blair's instructions on painting a piece of furniture - from prep to completion...

Gathered my essential supplies.  All supplies are thoroughly covered in the beginning of the book, and then each project lists the supplies needed.

Did the necessary sanding and cleaning (I like to use old vinyl shower curtains as my drop cloths).

Then I started painting.  I'm in love with navy recently, so I went with a navy color.  When painting, remember that loading your brush or roller properly is imperative to getting a smooth, even finish.  Make sure you use a paint tray to get the paint evenly applied to your roller before putting it on your project!

Cut in smaller nooks and corners with a paint brush.  Blair shares her favorite brands and materials in the beginning of the book.

Now I reviewed the instructions on staining over a painted piece.

Next came the really fun part! After applying two coats of paint, allowing to dry, sanding, and cleaning again, I moved on to staining!  Working in small sections, I applied paint to the nightstand.  After about 2-3 minutes, I wiped it off (in the direction of the grain).  Start off with a light hand - you can always take off more if you want a lighter look.

The stain stays workable for a long time, so remove it thoughtfully, leaving more stain in areas where patina would naturally occur - in corners, edges, etc.

Voila!  I wanted my aged look to be subtle.  Keep in mind that stain takes a few days to be totally dry.  Mine was still sticky two days later.

The new nightstand.  Quite a transformation, wouldn't you say! (My mother grows the most beautiful zinnias, doesn't she?)

 Adding a new knob was also one of the most fun parts...it is the little details that count, after all!

Don't forget the insides of drawers or cabinets.  I treated mine the same way I did the exterior, but you can also line them with pretty paper.

Here are a few more projects from Furniture Makeovers that I loved:

Are you inspired yet to makeover some of your furniture?!?  If you must have Furniture Makeovers now, it is available at these locations - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or Chronicle Books

Or, you can enter to win a copy signed by Blair AND a Knack tote (Blair's studio).  To enter, just leave a comment below telling me if you have a piece of furniture you'd like to make over and what it is. The winner will be announced Friday, August 2nd.  Good luck!

PS - To comment on this post (scroll to the bottom of this post and right above "Labels" you will see a number followed by the word "comments." Click on the word "Comments." Or, you will see a link, "Post a Comment," which you click on to comment. If you receive posts in your email feel free to respond to the email noting that you'd like to be entered in the drawing. 

Check out all of the fabulous Furniture Makeovers by these bloggers

Monday, July 15 – A Beautiful Mess

Tuesday, July 16 – The City Sage and Cranny + Me

Wednesday, July 17 – Urban Comfort

Thursday, July 18 – Indie Craft Parade

Friday, July 19 – Simply Grove

Monday, July 22 – Poppytalk

Tuesday, July 23 – The Curated House and Ambrosia Creative

Wednesday, July 24 - The Bedlam of Beefy

Thursday, July 25 – Decorology

Friday, July 25r – Bloesem

Good luck!

I received "Furniture Makeovers" as a sample

Top Office Tables for Sale by Mayline

Mayline is one of the most reputable office furniture manufacturers in the industry today. Their extensive selection of desks, chairs, and professional office tables, are the most respected throughout the furniture community. Todays article highlights the top office table styles by Mayline for home and business use.

Conference Tables

Conference tables are a must for many workplaces. They provide a place for coworkers to meet to discuss and decide things unique to their business needs. Mayline recognizes the importance of quality conference tables in the workplace and have worked to offer their best products in some of the finest collections they offer such as Sorrento, Aberdeen, Stella, and Napoli. Each table is individually designed to meet different needs, yet each one is a work of art. Often available in several wood finishing options, all you'll need to add is some stylish conference chairs and a few presentation boards to make your conference room a masterpiece!

Event Tables

Many homes and offices have recognized the importance of keeping event tables around. Regular events help keep neighbors, friends, and even coworkers on friendly terms so that they can work together. The great event tables offered by Mayline are stylish and of high quality, making them perfect for holiday parties, get-togethers, office events, picnics, birthdays, and especially sports events. Mayline's event tables are available in both both circular and rectangular tabletop configurations in different sizes, and can easily be folded away for storage. They are a must for anyone who likes to keep things fresh and exciting by organizing events for everyone to enjoy!

Bistro Tables

Many people underestimate the usefulness bistro tables, but in fact, they are one of the most versatile  items on the market today. These little tables are a necessity in any cafe or coffee shop, but they are also great in break rooms, cafeterias, restaurants, in lounges, or as waiting room furniture. Their small size makes them wonderful additions for apartment dwellers, and the bistro tables by Mayline are so well built and fashionably designed they can fit in just about anywhere! They typically seat between two and four people and are offered with round, recatangular, square, or even peanut-shaped tabletops. All you'll need is a few tall stools or some chairs and your ready to chow down, surf the web, or crack open a good book wherever you feel like!

Reception Tables

Today, one can find reception tables and waiting rooms just about anywhere, from dentists' offices, to doctor's offices, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and businesses big and small. Fortunately, Mayline's wide selection of quality reception tables features products of all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs to match any decor! Products like the ones from the Mayline Sorrento collection are dashing and built to last, usually manufactured out of high end hardwood. They make gorgeous additions to any set of lounge furniture and would look fantastic in any home, office, fancy restaurant, or waiting room!

Training Tables

The addition of training furniture to workplaces is a trend that is sweeping the nation. The affordable and functional furniture is not just great for training new recruits, but its also brilliant for places like libraries, schools, recreational organizations, cafeterias, and much more. The training tables by Mayline meet all the standards required for training room furniture such as functionality, "nesting" capabilities (meaning they can fold against one another for easy storage), mobility or stationary options, and best of all, stylishness! The best news is that there are training room chairs that do all the same things! Mayline offers a wide selection of training tables from their collections, T mate, Encounter, Meeting Plus, Flip N Go, and Sync for your convenience so that you are sure to find something that will match your decor!

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