Tiny home

What a clever way of using the small space. The rustic wall works as a real eye catcher in the kitchen. Bunk beds for kids and the nook upstairs create space for some rest. The tall window brings in the nature in the bathroom. All you need is here- simply sweet!



All photos by Lincoln Barbour



Read More

Favorite Things Friday

Hey there! I thought I'd share a few fun and inspiring things that I'm loving right now.

Favorite Bedroom

 

via

Favorite Fall Table

Favorite Porch

via

Favorite Stools

via

Favorite Staircase


via

Favorite Quote


via

Favorite Display


via

Favorite Flower


via

Favorite Upcycle


via

Favorite Recipe


via

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Read More

A New Spin on an Old Tradition: Sofa Bunk Bed

Hello Gentle Readers,

Once again I aim to bring you something interesting and unique to pique your design fancy. Today I want to show off this clever convertible sofa. Now, usually when you think of a convertible sofa a standard 'drop the back and create a bed' style is what your likely picturing. Or maybe a traditional futon is what comes to mind.

Well, this Doc Sofa Bunk Bed by BonBon takes not only the concept of convertible sofas but also space saving solutions to a whole new level.

You haven't seen a bunk bed or convertible sofa like this, I can almost guarantee that. Whether you want to optimize your kids room with a sofa/bunk combo that is a total spin on the traditional futon bunk bed or you have a very small living space for more than one roommate (and sharing a bed would just be awkward) this doc bunk bed is perfect for you.

Also, it's just plain old cool. Check out their YouTube video below.

Hows that for something new you haven't seen today?

Happy Sleeping!

- Ginni

ps. Do you have any cool pieces of furniture you've seen lately? Hit us up in the comments!

Source: http://www.bonbon.co.uk/clei/doc.htm#

Read More

Fun and Easy Party Recipes for Office Events

After having our annual 'End of Summer' office party this past Friday, we wanted to take a break from our normal business office furniture and seating reviews to share some of our favorite recipes from the event. While some of these are staff originals, others are long time favorites we hope you will love enough to share with friends and family!

Recipe 1: Pasta Salad w/ Roast Beef

We made this light summer salad for the first time and it was a big hit. Introducing a recipe that nobody has had seems to spike immediate interest.

Ingredients:

Kosher salt
8 ounces orecchiette pasta
1 cup bocconcini (small mozzarella balls), halved
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, quartered
8 small sweet marinated peppers (such as Peppadew), quartered
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or basil
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper
4 cups baby arugula
6 ounces deli-sliced roast beef, cut into strips

Directions:

1.) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain but don't rinse.

2.) Meanwhile, combine the bocconcini, artichokes, marinated peppers and mint in a serving bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, and salt and pepper to taste and toss. Add the pasta and toss again.

3.) Just before serving, stir in the arugula and roast beef. Season the salad with pepper.

Recipe 2: 7 Layer Mexican Dip

A staple at all our office events! We make this dip and NEVER have leftovers. It's definitely one of my personal favorites. I often sneak a small amount off to my new executive desk to enjoy in private j/k!

Ingredients:

1 9 - ounce can bean dip
1/4 cup picante or taco sauce
1 8 - ounce container refrigerated guacamole
1 8 - ounce carton dairy sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar or taco cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced green onion (2)
2 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olives
2/3 cup chopped, seeded tomato (1 medium)
8 cups tortilla chips or crackers

Directions:

1.) Combine bean dip and picante sauce; spread into a rectangle about 9-by 5-inches on a serving platter making a layer about 1/4-inch thick. Next carefully layer avocado dip and sour cream. Top with cheese, green onion, and olives. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.

2.)Before serving, sprinkle with chopped tomato. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes 16 appetizer servings (1/4 cup dip and 1/2 cup chips).

Recipe 3: Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip

This is one we wanted to make really bad! While sitting around our modular office desks and discussing which recipes to share for this post, we had to add this awesome recipe!

Ingredients:

1 8 - ounce package cream cheese, softened
4 ounces Asiago or Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic
1 13 - 14 - ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup sliced green onions
Thinly sliced French bread, toasted or toasted pita wedges
Chopped roasted red sweet peppers (optional)
Parsley leaves (optional)

Directions:
  
1.) In a food processor bowl, combine cream cheese, Asiago cheese, and garlic. Cover and process until mixture is well combined. Add drained artichoke hearts, drained sweet red peppers, mushrooms, and green onions. Cover and process with on/off turns until finely chopped. 

2.) Transfer mixture to an 8-inch quiche dish or 9-inch pie plate, spreading evenly. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes or until heated through. Or, micro cook, uncovered, on 70 percent power (medium-high) for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through, stirring the dip and turning the dish halfway through cooking time. Serve warm with thinly sliced French bread or pita wedges. Garnish with additional red pepper and parsley, if you like. Makes about 3-3/4 cups (12 servings).

Recipe 4: Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

We found this one online the day before the party and made it in the break room! It just looked too good to pass up. In fact, we used this recipe to the companies advantage. In order to increase our staffs product knowledge, we placed our platter of bacon stuffed mushrooms on our new line of ergonomic desks to get people talking about them. Before we knew it, the subliminal trick had worked. Unfortunately the mushrooms did not survive!

Ingredients:





6 slices Nueske's Smoked Bacon or other bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 
10 large fresh mushrooms (about 12 oz.) 
1 3 - ounce package cream cheese, softened 
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar or smoked Gouda cheese (1 oz.) 
1/2-1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)

Directions:

1.) Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside. In a 12-inch skillet, cook bacon until almost crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from skillet; discard fat. Drain bacon on paper towels. Set aside.
 
2.) Clean mushrooms. Remove stems from mushrooms; discard. Set tops aside. 

3.) In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring until well mixed. Stir in reserved bacon and, if you like, garlic. Spoon cheese mixture into mushroom tops.

4.) Place stuffed mushroom tops in the prepared baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Let stand for 5 minutes. Makes 10 appetizers.

Overall the party was a huge success and we are looking very much forward to providing you will discount office furniture solutions and informative furniture blog posts throughout the remainder of 2012. As always, our goal is to inform our readers of all the latest office chairs, desks, tables on the market and empower your business to make the right buying decision to meet your individual needs.... and in today's case, eat good while doing it!

Read More

Winecap Mushroom Harvesting

After a disappointment in amount of the last fruiting, a month or so ago. The Winecap Mushrooms came back in quantity! I shifted around some of their wood chip bedding which seems to have rejuvenated them.

Wine caps taste better then a Portabello in my opinion. The heads can get huge but the mid size- think sand dollar- have the heaviest flavor. Large ones are GREAT for making sandwiches. As for the stems, they are rather chewy. DON"T discard them.  Dry the stems either in the oven at the lowest setting, in mine thats at 170 degrees F with the door propped open overnight, by laying them out on a cookie cooling rack. My dehydrator broke and I have yet to get that far on the list of must haves. A new Food processor is the next purchase. THEN a dehydrator.

Once the stems are dried, you can either grind them before storing OR leave them for grinding later before use. They are superb for using in your soup stocks, dried seasoning mix or in the meatloaf's/ hamburgers. I'm sure you will come up with plenty more ideas on how to use the stems for added flavoring..

I love their flavor as well as how easy they are to grow. Truly, their maintenance is about involving as watering a flower bed during growth. 

I HIGHLY suggest, once again, get yours through *Field &Forest Mushrooms*. I bought mine through them and have experienced no problems. they are a great resource and you get great product. 

I'll have a new video series coming next Spring where we delve & adventure into things such as backyard mushroom growing as well as some road trip escapes.

I gathered a big basket full tonight which I shared 1/3 with Mr.& Mrs. J . Plenty more to harvest this week.

Once I dry my mushrooms in the oven, I use a Seal a meal Vac system to store them. That way no chance of moisture will get in to spoil them.

I'm still roasting peppers & tomatoes while delving into the canning of the sauce/ spread. The goal is to have at least 20 pints made for the Pantry. At least 5 jars for the gift baskets. Gotta run! I can smell the "charred" pepper skins already.

Wishing you all...

The Sweetest of Dreams,

~Tammie

Read More

Roasted Red Peppers & tomato spread canning recipe

Pepper season is almost to the end and I have yet to get out & pick peppers. BUT when we have our peppers in Barn market, we discard ones that are not in their fresh prime. I feel awful when this happens and do have a helpful solution, {a parent of Panda's friend is raising pigs again next year & I'm hoping to combine resources with him- more on that later}. For now, I put aside the ones that we discard, in need of immediate use to Can some of Red pepper & tomato spread. I still have Hungarian Paste tomatoes growing in my garden as well as the Basil, making this the perfect recipe to avoid waste { I just out the bad spots anyway}..

This is a sweet & mild recipe with an array of uses. Pizza sauce, Pasta sauce, a thick spread for a bruschetta you add Mozzarella to the top & roast in the Oven. Use it in your meatloafs, as a topper for burgers even as a substitute for Ketchup. Use it as a dip & serve it with Pita chips and a side of Goat cheese.

 I did research online to see what others use this for & have also seen where some use a predominant red pepper w/ less tomato version for use with wild caught Salmon. The list could go on & on.

This will be a MUST for inclusion in our "Straight from the Farm" holiday baskets this year. The sauce as well as the Thick spread version.

 This wonderful photo of the Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato spread is via Creating Nirvana , where she too has shared the recipe from the Ball canning book.

We also grow Medium hot Hungarian peppers that go from yellow- the stage used for pickling- to a  red which is great for roasting. if you substitute 1/3 of the red sweets for red medium hots,  you can make this spread have a bite but not overkill the flavor. I found this recipe long ago in the Blue Ball canning book. I add whole heads of garlic vs. their few cloves. The recipe is in a small enough amount to make 5 half pints (8 ounce jars). Make a batch & taste test. Put your own twist into it as I have done with the Medium hots and extra pound of tomatoes to make the pizza/pasta sauce version.

 6 lb red bell peppers
1 lb Italian plum tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1 small white onion
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
5 half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

1. Roast the red bell peppers and a half an onion (skin side up) under a hot broiler. Roast the peppers until the skins start to blister and turn black. Rotate the peppers to roast all sides of the pepper. By this time your onion will also be well roasted.

2. Remove the hot peppers from the oven and place in a paper bag. Seal the bag and let the peppers cool for about 15 minutes. This resting stage will allow the skin to easily peel away from the pepper. Also note that the burnt blisters will not be transferred to your peppers leaving you with bright red pepper pulp. After the peppers have cooled enough to handle them, peel away the skins and remove the seeds from the peppers.

3. Peel away the outer skin on the onion and finely chop the onion. Measure ¼ cup of roasted onion. 

**Do not add more onion because this will increase the pH of the spread thereby making the spread not safe for boiling water canning. **

4. In a food processor or blender, puree all the ingredients.

5. Add the ingredients to a sauce pot and bring to boil over medium heat. Stir the spread frequently to prevent the spread from burning on the bottom of the pot.

6. Reduce the temperature to a simmer. Simmer until the spread thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently.

7. Ladle the hot spread into hot sterile jars leaving ¼” headspace.

8. Place the lids on the top of the jars and adjust the two piece caps.

9. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner.

 Create a fresh twist on those can goods gift giving this year.

Some encouragement? Make those jars sparkle even more with the extra effort of label Glam.

This is the form we will be using this year. I discovered this style while searching for ideas on a twist for my Honey we are harvesting. The Cotton Ribbon behind the circle label on jar front as well as the lid. Just that little extra something that makes your jar gems shine.

 Now get yourself out there to the U Pick farms* { http://pickyourown.org/ } to get some on YOUR Pantry shelf.

Now back to roasting all those tomatoes & peppers covering my kitchen counter...

Sweetest Dreams,

~Tammie

Read More

Isn’t It Odd?

Bob and Sara became our neighbors when ten years ago, they purchased a little salt box style house at the end of our street. Over the years, they added a room to the upstairs and converted it to a master bedroom.  Both were golfers and their front yard looked like some of the finest fairways I’ve played.  They enjoyed a weed-less lawn that Bob religiously mowed and edged.

In the front yard was a Japanese maple, the kind that grows like an upside-down umbrella.  Bob even hired a Japanese gardener to trim the little red maple. Bob and Sara were from Phoenix and after awhile, came to miss the Arizona heat and their family still living there.  Up went the For Sale sign and after a considerable amount of time, in a buyers real estate market, the house was sold. Bob and Sara said goodbye and soon the new neighbors moved in.

One day while walking the dog past Bob and Sara’s old house, I noticed the little red maple that had been watered by lawn sprinklers was gone. Soon all the grass was stripped away by sweaty, shirtless men and a drip irrigation system was installed.  Next, a load of slate was delivered and soon more sweaty men built paths paved with slate between new mounds of fertile dirt.  I asked the new neighbors about their plans and they said they had always wanted a flower garden and that’s what they were building. The flowers are in now and they may bear flowers and aromas for nine months out of twelve.

Isn’t it odd! One man’s tree is another man’s thorn.

Read More

Office Cubicles vs. Modular Workstations

With advances in technology and office furniture manufacturing, the ergonomic attributes, cost, and value of panel system furniture has never been greater. In today's post we will compare the features and benefits of traditional office cubicles to the modern modular workstations of today.

First and foremost we will compare the cost of these two unique furniture styles. While at surface level these two seem relatively similar in terms of cost, several factors come into play that may point you towards finding value in one style versus the other. For example, buying used office cubicles is an excellent way to save money. Since cubicle furniture has been around forever, there are ample sources online and in your town that provide used panel furniture solutions. This is an excellent way to save money! The only downfalls of purchasing used is that the life span of your furniture will be shorter and the style will typically be dated. That's not to say their aren't some fantastic deals out there! In this economy several businesses have been forced to close their doors and for that reason finding used furniture deals has never been easier. In terms of modular workstations, the upfront cost will be greater. However, you will be buying industry leading furniture with the latest ergonomic features and benefits. New multi user workstations will provide your business with the highest level of working efficiency possible. The decision between these two styles is typically made after setting a budget, meeting with a furniture specialists, and determining what you need out of your furniture. For the sake of today's post we will give a slight edge in cost to office cubicles.

If you haven't heard the term ergonomics at your place of business, then you must have been taking a ton of sick days! That being said ergonomic is quite possibly the most important factor in determining the needs of your workplace. In our current furniture match up, both styles offer value in this arena. Office cubicles can be outfitted with ergonomic monitor arms, and several cool ergonomic add-on type products to keep you functioning properly. However, with the advances in modern manufacturing and the importance of employee health, modular workstations are typically the more ergo friendly choice. Some of the latest styles feature built-in ergonomic technology and workstations allow users to reconfigure spaces to meet their individual needs. Quite frankly if you haven't had the chance to see new modular office furniture collections like Zira casegoods, Mayline e5 furniture, and several others, do yourself a favor and visit a showroom. You will be thoroughly impressed. That being said the ergonomic gold medal goes to modular workstations leaving our battle of these two great furniture styles all tied up!

Now that we have covered cost, and ergonomics, we come to round 3. Our topic... Value! Obtaining value from office furniture can be accomplished by following simple cost vs. reward principles. Knowing your industry and what you need to be effective to succeed is essential. Testing both of these furniture solutions before purchasing and requesting feedback from your coworkers is priceless. You will find that adding every bell and whistle possible to your furniture configuration is unwise and quite frankly, unnecessary! It's said that value is in the eye of the beholder. This principle holds true with office furniture too, and seeing as value is a perception this round must be a tie. Ask this question before purchasing ANY type of office furniture. What will my business gain from this acquisition? If the perceived value is high than you are a winner. If you've answered professionalism, ergonomic efficiency, sustainability, and cost effectiveness, than you are a champion.

In our final round we will cover style! As previously stated, if you have a chance visit a showroom or furniture expo like NeoCon. You will be shocked at the advancements in modern furniture manufacturing and craftsmanship. If you are looking for modern style and unique layout capabilities both of these furniture styles have something to offer. Office cubicles are typically designed with privacy in mind. High walls dictate the look and style of this popular furniture choice. Cubicle furniture typically takes the "as many as we can fit" approach and can look a bit overcrowded if not designed properly. Contemporary modular workstations on the other hand are the complete opposite. They offer an open and distinguished look. This form of furniture promotes the size of your workspace. In the simplest terms, modular workstations make your space look much larger and have a much better "wow" factor. Based on your individual needs this round can go either way. However, all benefits considered modular workstations get the win!

Read More

Purple

Until I was 12, my favorite color was purple. Any birthday gift that involved lavender, mauve or lilac was a hit. Then we moved to England and for four years I wore a school uniform of grey skirt, grey blouse, purple tie and purple wool jacket. I haven't touched the color since then. But recently I happened upon a photo of a home library with deep purple walls and, all of a sudden, I saw the possibilities. Sadly, I cannot retrace my steps to find that photo (damn Pinterest and my addiction to it!)  But these beauties help to make me rethink purple altogether. Looks like I'm going to have to find a new color to hate.

Images: The Style Files. House of Bliss. Interiorly. Finding Shibusa. Homecreat. Better Homes & Gardens.

Read More

Scandi patchwork cushion collection by Nina's Apartment, vintage furniture and Interior design, Aberdeenshire

I love Scandinavian fabrics. The simplicity of the geometrical patterns and the strong colours have been used for decades but are still so timeless and work well in most interiors - contemporary or traditional. Marimekko is an obvious name in the 'Scandi' fabric design world, but I have recently discovered Lotta Jansdotter, who makes the most stunning prints and whose fabrics I have incorporated in many of my cushions. One day I might try and design my own Scandi-style fabrics, but for now I source beautiful material already available.

Here are some cushions I have made recently using various Scandinavian fabrics.

(PS: If you like this style, I do take commissions and can make a set for your own home, based on the colour scheme of your interior. Just contact me for a free consultation!)

Read More

Bernhardt In Homes & Gardens

Kim Cook writing in Homes & Gardens focuses on the fall season and inspirations for interior designers. In the section Parisian Panache, she says, "Tufted furniture and mirrored, lacquered furnishings evoke the élan of a turn-of-the-century French apartment, or maybe old Hollywood glamour.

She states that "Bernhardt (Interiors) has the low-profile Lotus coffee table, Balboa media console and Gustav dining table, all in lustrous polished steel.

Here are photos of those items:

Lotus Coffee Table, in polished stainless steel - W 67-1/2 | D 31-1/2 | H 16 in.

Balboa Media Center, Metal frame in Polished Stainless Steel finish - W 78-5/8 | D 17-5/8 | H 19-7/8 in.

Gustav dining table with glass top and polished stainless steel metal base - Diam 54 | H 29-5/8 in.
with matching polished stainless chairs and upholstered slip seat with welt - W 22-1/2 | D 23-1/4 | H 35-3/4 in.

Read More

Furniture Designer to Watch, Taskeshi Miyakawa

Here at Wholesale Furniture Brokers the majority of our staff stare at furniture every single day and most of us are limited to looking at the furniture we sell. While WFB does have its fair share of interesting furniture our staff likes to occasionally look outside our current furniture bubble and see what else is out there.

Today I came across a Brooklyn based designer Takeshi Miyakawa. The thing that caught my eye about Miyakawa during my design research was the most recent press surrounding him. Back in May, 2012 he was aressted in New York for "planting false bombs". 

He was installing a series of light sculptures that were inspired by the 'I {heart} NY' plastic bags when a passerby mistook the installation as actual bombs instead of art. In late July, Miyakawa was given 10 days community service. 


However, the more interesting thing about Miyakawa is his work. While he has a lot of interesting furniture designs to choose from, my favorite is the Fractal 23.

Described as "a playful modular drawer system which can be opened from four sides. each compartment requires a consideration of 'what to store'." This unique storage solution will not only help you store, it'll will make you think. Measuring 28" x 28" x 28" the Fractal 23 takes storage solutions to a whole new level.

Another incredible piece of furniture designed by Miyakawa is the Zero Shift table.

Made of MDF and measuring 30"X x 61"L x 16"H this coffee table is an oval in two parts that when you slide the two pieces you inheriently change the configuration and size. Truly simplistic design at it's best.

Last but not least I have to highlight another one of Miyakawa's artistic installations. The "rite of spring".

The piece is made of 25 open boxes of varying sizes. Described as "two tree like forms are cantilevered off of two adjacent walls, meeting but never touching at the center. it is both a structural investigation, as well as sculptural evocation of life and growth."

While the rite of spring may not be meant as furniture I could see it being converted into a modern bookshelf. I can even picture the high ceiling New York loft it would be perfect for.

I will definitely be looking out for more of Miyakawa's work. 

Source

So tell us gentle readers. What do you find inspiring?

Read More

Happy Weekend - A Lovely Living Room In Spain

Happy weekend lovelies!

I've been super busy with the Tiny Tidy Challenge, so I must apologise for my lack of posting over here.

Hopefully I'll be more organised next week!

Image from Elmueble

I love the lightness of this living and dining room. It belongs to a gorgeous home in Spain.... I really do think the light has a special quality over there. I'm determined to get over there and check it out one day!

I hope the weather is good for you wherever you are this weekend. We're finally going to get a nice day here, although I think it's back to dreary weather next week. Already nearly a month of Spring gone and I feel like I'm still in Winter.

The blossom on the trees is starting to come out though, so that's good!

Linda. xox

Read More

New From Bernhardt Interiors

Ardmore Leather Bench

N8400

W 71 | D 28-1/2 | H 15 in.

Henley

Dining Table (84")

• Tempered glass top with eased edges and corners
• Railroad tie design top in Gray Pearl finish
• Polished Stainless Steel finish base

 

Read More