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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Guest post- Tips To Design A Living Room!


This post is brought to you by Adrian Barrett.

The living room is undoubtedly the most important and used room in a house. Whether you are watching TV, having a family dinner or a get-together, the living room is the preferred room to be in. An ideal living room should be spacious and yet should have an engaging design.


            Plan the overall layout

You need to consider how you want to use the room and what is important to be included in the room (keeping in mind its size). Allocate different areas of the room with respect to its shape and proportions. If the room is long and narrow, it can be divided into different sections, with one part being used for watching TV and the other to relax. An L-shaped room can consist of the dining area at its shorter side. At the same time, it is important to plan the layout of the room with respect to the furniture to be used.

      Make use of a focal point

It is always recommended to plan and design a living room around a focal point. It can consist of anything; TV, a fireplace or even a wallpaper or a painting. You can setup sofas or chairs around the focal point. It is important to ensure that the furniture around the focal point does not obstruct movement in the room. It is preferable to have the focal point somewhere in the center of the room.

      Plan the storage

Whether you have a large family or a small one, you will always have stuff to store like books, DVDs, equipments and crockery. It is important to plan accordingly and have furniture that will be used for storing these items. Use floor to ceiling cupboards with ample space to ensure all the items are stored, with no clutter outside. At the same time, ensure that these cupboards are placed or fitted along the walls and do not eat up space in the living room.

     Ensure the right lighting

You will need a mix of different lighting arrangements to match up with different purposes and areas of the living room. For background lighting, you can use discreet or recessed lamps or lights. For reading and writing purposes, it is advisable to use portable table lamps. Lights should be chosen and placed strategically such that the beam falls where required. At the same time, take care to avoid the formation of shadows or bright glares. The size, shape and wattage of the lamps will depend upon your personal taste and requirement.

Select the right window arrangements and coverings

There are a wide variety of designer windows to choose from in the Calgary market today. You can either opt for etched glass windows with unique designs or go for plain sliding windows with a translucent black film. Even though you may have a gorgeous view of the countryside or the sea from your window, it is always recommended to cover up the windows. Not only does it block the sunlight when not required or offer some privacy, but it can also enhance the looks of the windows. Some options that can be considered to cover up the windows are:

·         Shutters

·         Roman Blinds

·         Roller Shades

·         Draperies

It is important that the window sills you choose complement your living room furniture. If you have a lot of wooden furniture, it is always more fitting to use wooden sills for the windows. Also, the windows or blinds should never be blocked by furniture.

      Choose Proper Flooring

You can lay a carpet that suits your taste and fits well with respect to the theme of the room. It is warm and comfortable to walk on a carpet especially in winter, and offers a relaxed feel to the room. You can also go in for wooden or laminate flooring to match with the theme of the room and the furniture; it is also recommended if you have small kids in the house. Another option is to choose limestone or ceramic tiles. Not only do they look graceful, but they are also cooler to walk on during summers. As a precaution, select tiles that have been scrubbed a bit on the surface; this makes them less slippery to walk on.

These are some valuable tips that you can use to design or even redesign your living room. Your living room is the first room that someone enters when they are visiting your home. Thus, it is worth the effort to spend a fair amount of time on the planning and design.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Monday, July 22, 2013

A product review and a giveaway- Coton Colors Dinnerware!


I bet you already know that I have a love for all things chic and colorful! So when Coton Colors contacted me if I would love to do a product review for their products, of course I said yes!


Coton Colors is a manufacturer of colorful, handcrafted pottery, creative giftware and seasonal pieces inspired by the celebrations of life. With its unique, chic sophistication and fun personalized designs, Coton Colors products are some of the most coveted pieces for discerning hostesses and original gift seekers across the nation. 

Now let's take a look at some of my favorite Coton Colors products, shall we?















While browsing Coton Color's products, I came across a special feature named "Swap Tableware: Design Your Table" on their website. Before I knew it, I was happily mixing and swapping dinnerware on their website for the next hour or so.

Without a doubt, mixing dinnerware is one of the latest trend  in entertaining. Personally, I love this trend because you can express your personal style and creativity through setting your own table. And Coton Colors Swap Tabletop Dinnerware lets you play mix and match to create a tabletop that you like.

Below are some of my favorite tabletop combinations:






















When it comes to mixing and matching dinnerware, it is always a good idea to have a preview before deciding on what to purchase. You can create your own unique tabletop here.

For this review, I have received two Bargello Mix Dinner Plate ($29.95 each), two Bargello Mix Salad Plate ($19.95 each) two Bargello Mix Bowl ($17.95 each), two Cobble Ruffle Plate ($19.95 each), 3 Bargello Mix Mug ($17.95 each) and Punchy Green Dot Napkin (Set of 4) ($32.95).

Here is how I styled my table by using the fabulous products I received from Coton Colors.


To give my tabletop a layered look, I started by setting my table with a simple white cotton tablecloth and a green chevron table runner. Since the Bargello product line has a fun and playful pattern, I decided to add my own whimsical touch by adding a moss bunny and moss squirrel to the mix. To finish the look, I added a faux silk plant to complement my design.


A close up of my Bargello Mix Dinnerware.


A close up of the Bargello Mix Mug.


A full view of my table setting.


Changing things up by using my Cobble Ruffle Plate.


A close up of the Cobble Ruffle Plate.

What do you think of my table setting? Do you prefer the original set of Bargello dinnerware together or the one that I swap with the Cobble Ruffle Plate?

I can't tell you how much I love my Coton Colors products! The dinnerware are gorgeous and the colors are so vibrant. Made in ceramic, the dinnerware are food safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe. One of the things I noticed quickly when I held the dinnerware was how much thicker and more solid they felt compared to the average dinnerware. Since these are handcrafted products, none of the two same items are exactly alike but I like them for their charm.

*I received these products to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Can you tell that I am a fan of Coton Colors? Are you a fan as well? If you are, then great news because Coton Colors is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader!

This giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry, my international readers).

To enter:

 Must be a follower of Mix And Chic via Google Friend Connect.

Must sign up for Coton Colors "special offers" emails on the homepage of the website (located at the top of the page).

After you have done both, please leave a comment. (For example: I am now a follower of Mix And Chic via GFC and I just signed up for Coton Colors "special offers" email.) 

***Don't forget to include your email with your entry so I can contact you if you win.***


Additional entry:

'Like' Coton Colors on Facebook and leave a comment below. On their Facebook page, let them know that I sent you. (For example: I was sent by Mix And Chic.)

The last day for entries is July 31, 2013. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Good luck, everyone! 


Thursday, July 18, 2013

And the winner of the giveaway is ..........


Announcing the winner of the recent giveaway brought to you by Mujjo








I used random.org to draw a winner and here it is! The lucky winner to win an item of their choice from Mujjo (from their sleeve collection) is


the lovely Linda from Calling It Home.


Congratulations, Linda! I will contact you soon. A big thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. There will be more fun giveaways in the future, so don't forget to check back from time to time! Have a fabulous day, everyone!

Guest post: Five ways to decorate on a budget!


This post is brought to you by Amy Shawley.

The prospect of decorating your home can either cause huge problems or produce a feeling of complete satisfaction. It is possible to refurbish a house even if you are on limited financial means, you will just have to employ a little lateral thinking and imagination.


Master plan

If you stick to your budget and your master plan you would not go far wrong. There may be one room that needs total refurbishment so that you should allocate funds for that project. It might prove useful to take a look at every room in the house and see which one could do with a total makeover.

Many people convert their standard bathrooms to hydrovescence spas and after all the hard work on the rest of the house you will certainly appreciate the benefits of this fantastically relaxing room.

Thrift

The current economic problems faced by many High Street stores could prove to work to your advantage. Recently some famous DIY stores have announced forthcoming closures and this is the time to take advantage of cheap paint, tools and any other products that you will need for redecorating your house.

Soft fabrics

A very simple way to effect a change is to take a look at a room’s soft furnishings. If you have had curtains, why not try some simple blinds, many of which you can make yourself with a kit.

A sofa can prove to be highly expensive but some new cushions can really make all of the difference. It might be time to take some sewing lessons at a local college as this will really cut down on your expenditure and give you a feeling of pride.

Kitchens

A remarkably competitive way of smartening up a kitchen is to simply replace the doors on the existing units. If you are very handy, you can do this yourself. Or just look online or in a local paper to source any deals. Add a lick of paint to the walls and you will have created a totally new room.

Accessorize

It is quite amazing how the addition of some new accessories to any room can give it a new lease of life. Boot fairs are wonderful places for scavenging furniture that can be sanded down, painted and then added as your prized new possession in your dining room or sitting room. A little imagination can go a very long way.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Guest post- From Tiny To Trendy: How To Enhance A Small Space!


This post is brought to you by Nabeel Khan.

In recent years there has been a huge shift in the living styles of urbanites. Thanks to major developments in architecture and technology, it is easier than ever to live in a significantly smaller space. Interestingly enough, this phenomenon is not driven by dwindling finances, but by the desire to live a minimalist lifestyle that allows for the freedom to move. There are some great options for individuals and families who are looking to purchase a small space while also creating a haven for comfort and functionality.

Newer houses are architecturally designed to minimize any extra space. Think about it: when you first walk into a house, you do not usually see an awkward corner whose only purpose is to collect dust or grow mold. There are a lot of tricks and tactics contractors and home designers use when building houses to make the most of space. One drawback to this kind of design is the heightened importance on paying attention to every design detail.

If you feel like you have moved into a space that is smaller than average, you are probably interested in finding out how to make the small space both comfortable and functional. Here are some small changes you can make that can have a huge impact on the structure of your new home.

Go Small:

Opting for smaller pieces of furniture is good way to create extra space. If you have a small space and want to avoid overstuffing it, you can choose smaller pieces of furniture. A lot of the time, you can swap out a sofa and love seat with a sofa and chair combination that looks great. You could also switch out a larger desk for a more compact working area with a built-in hutch or shelf above. Large desktops are not a necessity; especially in this digital age when going paperless is the norm.

Sliding vs. Swinging:

A big style trend that has been taking over many households is installing sliding doors or even retro-chic barn doors instead of traditional swinging doors. This is great because a) it can give your house a modern feel and b) allow you to create extra space where a traditional door would sway and swing.

Keep “Your-shelf” in Mind:

Shelves are a great way to create more surface space and if placed properly can even serve as substitutes for drawers, dressers, closets and even night stands. What is great about shelves is that you can place them wherever you like and make them as tall or short as you like. Some types of shelves that have been appearing in many households are folding shelves that are attached to window sills and suspended shelves that are practical and tasteful.

Think Vertical:

If you are in the market for a house, look for vaulted ceilings, windows that touch the ceiling and tall built-in book shelves. These are just some of the ways you can make a small space appear a lot larger and visually appealing to anyone who walks in. This will give the illusion of a larger home and keep your house from looking like it is stuffed with bulky pieces.

There are tons of different ways to optimize your space. It just takes a little creativity and a little thinking outside the box. If you have a small house and need to make it look comfortable and functional it might be time to upgrade the items within the house. The smallest changes can have the greatest impact. 

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Monday, July 8, 2013

A product review and a giveaway- Mujjo (Sleeve For Apple Device)


A few weeks ago, I have received a fabulous sleeve from Mujjo for a product review.


Mujjo is a Dutch designer label for mobile accessories, founded in 2011 by Robin and Tom. Mujjo started out making hand stitched winter gloves that work on touchscreens. In 2012, Mujjo began making sleeves for apple devices, featuring a unique combination of wool felt and high quality leather. Each item is beautifully crafted by hand with a minimalistic design.

For this product review, I picked this sleeve.



Front


A closer look.


Interior


Back

I love my Macbook Pro 13" sleeve for its minimal yet ultra stylish design. The combination of high quality leather and soft wool creates a wonderful contrast in color and texture. This product is beautifully hand-crafted (love the design details and stitch work). The storage compartment is an added bonus where you can easily store a magazine or documents, if needed.

Overall, this product is top-notch. Highly recommended!

*I received this product to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Check out other gorgeous products from Mujjo!








I am swooning over these cool products from Mujjo, what about you? 

If you have an Apple product at home and is looking for a chic case or sleeve, you will love this giveaway! Mujjo is giving away an item of your choice (except for gloves) to one lucky reader! Better yet, this giveaway is open to readers worldwide!


To enter:


1. Be a follower of Mix And Chic via Google Friend Connect and let me know your favorite item from Mujjo (with a link included). (one basic entry)

***Don't forget to include your email with your entry so I can contact you if you win.***

For additional entries (an extra entry for each of the following):

2. 'Like' Mujjo on Facebook and leave a separate comment.

3. 'Like' Mix And Chic on Facebook and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

4. 'Follow' Mujjo on Twitter and leave a separate comment.

5. 'Follow' Mix And Chic on Twitter and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

6. 'Follow' Mix And Chic on Pinterest and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

7. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook status (include a link back to this post and leave a separate comment.)

8. Tweet about this giveaway (include a link back to this post and leave a separate comment.)

The last day for entries is July 17, 2013. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, July 18, 2013. Good luck!