Cozy Up Your Home with Vintage Beach Furniture and Decorating Ideas

A cozy interior isn’t just for winter, it can last all year long. Cozy beach style with a touch of vintage works as well in cool Florida winters as it does in its warm summers. It’s the perfect year-round style for tropical weather and a casual lifestyle.

What makes a room feel cozy? It’s more about a feeling than a style; a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to curl up with a good book or stretch out and relax. It can be colors, soft textures, and plush pillows. There is no single best way to do it, it depends on what makes you feel warm inside.

Below are vintage beach decorating ideas that will cozy-up your home all year long.

Cozy Beach House Color Palette

Beach house colors run the gamut from warm neutrals to bright, citrusy colors and everything in between. Here are some examples:

• Tropical shades and tangy yellows create a fun and vibrant mood
• Layering whites, warm shades of tan, and natural wood tones soothe the soul
• Various shades of ocean hues give spaces a nautical feel
• Sky blue, lime green, and hot pink liven things up
• Classical blue and white creates a casual look

Wicker and Rattan Furniture for Laid-Back Comfort

Wicker and rattan are everywhere right now, so even if you can’t find a vintage piece, there are plenty of newer ones to choose from. Wicker furniture is famous for being used outdoors, but these days, you are just as likely to find it indoors in living rooms, dining rooms, studies, and bedrooms.

For a casual, laid-back feel, use wicker chairs in your dining room. Made of natural materials, they bring warmth and comfort into the space.

Breakfast Bar or Bistro Table for Casual Conversations

A cozy breakfast bar or bistro table offers a friendly place to grab a bite and have a bit of conversation. For a relaxed beachy feel, chose one with a vintage vibe and add counter stools with woven seats to go with the casual style. This combination is perfect because of its simple details.

Plants Bring in Freshness

Indoor plants are a quick and easy way to make a room seem cozy and welcoming. There are a ton of choices in a number of sizes and varieties, most of which are very easy to care for. Make a mini jungle in your living room, and your space will transform in minutes. (Or just a few strategically placed plants if you don't want a jungle vibe.)

Green is also a color that goes with just about anything, especially neutral or wood tones.

Beachy Accessories to Set the Mood

Botanical prints or beach scenes, whatever speaks to you, will make the space your own. You may not want fish and anchors everywhere, but you can have fun using them on small accessories. If anchors and fish aren't your thing, try brass birds and candlesticks. Choose something that makes you happy and that you will love seeing every day.

Scents to Enhance Comfort

Some scents take you away to a favorite spot, while others bring about a peaceful mood.

Lavender is generally calming and can clear the mind; rosemary can soothe the soul. Bright cilantro, lime, and cucumber are barely-there scents that enhance a space. Adding scented candles or stick diffusers allows a fragrance to permeate a room and chase the cobwebs away.

Using these tips can create a cozy, beachy home that is inviting and warm. Try the ideas that appeal to you.

Take a step back when you are done and check the space. It’s easy to go for a cozy vibe and end up with a space that feels overdone rather than welcoming. Assess, remove, and rearrange until you feel comfortable and cozy!

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Is Working from Home a Pain? Tips on Setting Up an Ergonomic Home Office

Most of us don’t think about ergonomics (ergo-what?) until we start to feel the pain of a workspace set up on the fly or occasionally working from home. But if your work from home situation is long-term, you may start feeling unexpected aches and pains if your workspace isn’t set up right. That’s where ergonomics comes in.

The word sounds kind of fancy, but what it means is workspaces that fit the person who is using them. There is science behind it, but for our purposes, we need to know how to make our work from home spaces more comfortable, whether they are used every once in a while or on a regular basis. Choosing the right home office furniture can save you a world of pain and help you stay focused and productive.

Start with the Right Desk

Working at a real desk makes a big difference, as many who have worked at their dining room table can attest. You may not realize it right away, but working at the dining room table can cause posture problems that result in aching backs, necks, and even wrists.

Your desk should comfortably fit your feet, knees underneath it. You don’t want to bang your knees every time you pull your chair in or squeeze them together to fit them under it. Also, consider the height of your desk, when you are seated, your mouse and keyboard should be at elbow height.

The best way to tell if a desk is at the right height, sit at it, pull your feet under it, and hold your arms comfortably and naturally at your sides. Bend your elbow slightly in front of your body while they are still at your sides. This is the proper height for your work surface.

A good example is this desk with splayed legs and a drop-front drawer that puts the mouse and keyboard at the right height. The ergonomic palm rest keeps your wrists comfortable.

Choose a Comfortable Chair

This sounds obvious but isn’t as easy as it sounds. You may have to try out many desk chairs before you find the right one. This piece of home office furniture plays a key role in enduring your comfort when working at your desk for eight hours a day. A chair without the right support can cause backaches and neck aches that linger for days.

Look for a chair that supports your spine, but remember to sit up straight with your feet on the floor. You’ll know that your chair is the right height when your thighs are parallel to the floor, and your knees are at hip height or close to it. If you need a little extra support for your lower back, add a small pillow.

Set Up Your Computer

And lastly, once you have all your home office furniture set up in your space, set up your monitor, computer or laptop, and mouse correctly. Make sure your monitor is at or just below eye level so that you can hold your neck straight and avoid “tech neck” and the aches that come with it. Try to avoid having direct light shining on your monitor. Instead, keep it to the side for indirect lighting that is less harsh.

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What Is Florida Style Furniture and Décor?

When you live in a tropical climate, it makes sense that your home décor reflects that with Florida-style furniture and décor. No matter where you live, you can create the feeling of being at the beach by bringing some of that vibe into your abode. 

The biggest reason Florida style furniture remains popular is that it helps you create a warm, relaxing, and inviting space in your home. An area where you can enjoy time with family and friends as well as the rare instances when you have time to yourself. 

If you're looking to integrate a Sunshine State feeling into your home, learn what to look for with these tips.

 

The Colors of Florida Décor

Just as the sound of the waves can create a relaxing atmosphere, so can adding Florida colors to your décor. Soft tropical colors such as seafoam green, cream, sky blue, living coral, sandy brown, and gentle gray are often used in Florida décor. Deeper blues and bright citrus colors can be added to create impact. Against these colors, accents of coral patterns and decorative glass are especially striking.

Coastal Living Furniture Patterns

Over time, specific patterns have come to represent Florida style décor. One of the great things is there is a lot of variety to choose from, so you can fit almost anything you like into the style. Stripes, botanical, and trellis patterns can all be used.  

How to Decorate Each Room in Your Home, Florida-Style

So how does all this work in your home? Florida style furniture can be used to add charm and relaxation to every room. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

Florida Style Furniture and Décor for the Living Room

Whether you call it a living room or a family room, this is where you want to create the most relaxing vibe. In Florida design, the living room should be a great place to play games with the family, have casual conversations, read a good book, or take a quick nap during a lazy afternoon. 

Above, the Florida style living room with the Island Estate Boca Cocktail Table with Woven Accents from Tommy Bahama Home does just that. Not too fancy for a casual afternoon, but not too casual for entertaining, this room is Florida décor to a T. The light upholstery and fresh green color create a bright, airy, and open feel. The eclectic mix of furniture in this room is playful and fun.

Florida Style Furniture and Décor for the Dining Room

When considering Florida style for your dining room décor, simplicity is key. Rugs made of sisal or jute bring in a touch of nature and create the perfect foundation for the Ocean Breeze 5-Piece Dining Set from Tommy Bahama Home. The wooden furniture in the fresh shell white finish is the epitome of Florida furniture style. The metal table base and woven chandelier make a perfect juxtaposition of style and materials.

Florida Style Furniture and Décor for the Bedroom

The bedroom is your private space, so here you can show off everything you love about Florida style. Of course, you want to craft a soothing, calming atmosphere and pull the look of your entire home together by weaving calming tones throughout. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with color, as seen in this bedroom featuring the Bali Hai Bedroom Group from Tommy Bahama Home. 

This style of furniture gives you the best of both worlds — eclectic and exotic combined with luxurious style. Your master bedroom will feel like a relaxing spa or resort with this bed, upholstered in Bermuda Sands fabric and featuring intricately carved artichoke finials. The coral motif in blue paired with the paisley print on the bed brings in plenty of color. 

These are just some of the many ways you can design a casually chic home with Florida style furniture and décor. What touches would you add to create your own personal haven?

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Are Glass Top Dining Tables Back in Style?

Glass-topped dining room tables may seem like a retro look, but these days, everything old is new again, and they are definitely back in style.

Benefits of Glass Top Dining Room Tables

Glass-topped dining tables come in many styles, from traditional to modern. Whatever their design, they can give your dining room a classy and sophisticated look. Glass tables create an open yet formal feel in the space, inviting guests to stay awhile and turning family dinners into special occasions. Here are some benefits of glass-topped dining room tables.

Adds More Than a Touch of Elegance

A glass top table with a metal base can make your dining room look chic and elegant. For instance, the Gustav Round Glass Top Dining Table with Polished Metal Base from Bernhardt Interiors creates a sleek, modern feel that can easily shift from formal to casual. The round glass tabletop sitting above the bold polished steel pedestal base gives the space a glamorous feel.

Brings Light into the Space

The transparent quality of the glass distributes light throughout a room, giving the space a fresh and airy feel. But more than that, a glass top gives visual lightness to your dining room, making it look larger and wider. Your home will feel more spacious and modern. This makes glass-topped dining tables a great option for breakfast nooks or small dining rooms.

Highlights the Beauty of Wood Furniture

Wood and glass complement each other. Glass brings out the beauty of the wood while wood enhances the qualities of glass. This combination creates magnetism and attraction, making a harmonious whole when used together in a dining room table.

Glass Topped Tables with Pedestal Bases

The reimagined glass top dining table is gorgeous with a streamlined pedestal base, or double pedestal base, depending on the size of the table.

Single Pedestal Table Base

This type of base can be simple or complex but is always one central base that looks like a column upon which the glass top is balanced. The creativity and types of pedestal bases continue to grow, as seen in this stunning Ocean Club 54 Inch South Sea Round Glass Table from Tommy Bahama Home. The eye-popping, geometric, distressed base takes this table to the next level. Because the tabletop is round, you can dress it up for a formal dining space or dress it down for a casual dining nook.

Double Pedestal Table Base

The name says it all, this type of table has two pedestal bases supporting its weight. This type of table is larger and often used in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen where you may need extra durability but still want a full measure of style. Looking for a fresh way to update your space this year? Shop our dining room tables to find a glass-topped table that suits your space.

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4 Tips on Finding the Perfect Headboard

The focal point of any bedroom is the bed, and one of the first impressions is certainly made by the headboard.
Choosing the right headboard can make all the difference to the look and feel of your bedroom. There are many headboard options, made in many different materials, so knowing what to look for and what you want will help you find the one that suits your life and enhances your style.

These four tips can help you choose the right headboard for your space. 

1. Focus on Your Headboard Style

The right headboard will add an element of interest and fashion to your bedroom. The most important thing to remember is that your headboard should reflect who you are. Material and texture will make a difference.

A classic, elegant example is a tufted headboard such as the Michael Weiss Tufted Headboard Bed by Vanguard Furniture Bowers.

Embellishments such as lace, metallic, or, in this case, deep button tufting, add to the overall interest of your headboard. The deep button tufting on this headboard makes this bed a polished centerpiece in the space. The winged shape and chic edging keep the look timeless.

2. Headboards Come in a Variety of Materials

When you start shopping for a headboard, you’ll soon notice that they are available in a multitude of materials, from wood to metal to fabric.

Wooden headboards can be either traditional or contemporary, and come in many types of wood, such as mahogany, teak, pine, and walnut. Different stains and shapes create a wide variety of options.

Metal headboards can be simple and clean, or elaborate patterns that evoke a different era. Whether modern or traditional, these headboards may come in wrought iron, steel, or an alloy, and some feature coatings so you can customize the color to your heart's content.

Upholstered headboards come in an array of fabrics, from satin to leather. With upholstery, you can get creative with color and detailing, such as buttons, patterns, and trims. 

3. Headboard Size Matters

Of course, your headboard needs to fit the size of your bed, but you also need to take into consideration the size and proportions of your bedroom. Most headboards are offered in king or queen size, such as the Oxford Transitional Queen Sleigh Bed with USB Ports by Aspenhome.

If you have a smaller space, you may want to opt for a more compact headboard, and likewise may wish to forego a full-frame bed in favor of a headboard accompanied with a simple metal bed frame.

In a larger space, if you want to make a statement, oversized headboards are on-trend as we move into 2021. Some options extend your headboard to ceiling-height, while others can span the width of an entire wall, adding texture and dimension to your bed. 

4. Headboard Style and Color

Whether you buy your headboard first and design your space around it, or it is the finishing touch on your design, you need to keep the overall look you want to create at the forefront of your mind. If you’ve got a feminine design, you’ll want to enhance this theme with your headboard. A tufted headboard or embellished headboard will match your bedroom’s aesthetic. If your style is minimalist, go with something simpler with clean lines.

Similarly, you’ll want your headboard to support your color palette. You can go two ways with this:

1. Complement your palette: choose a neutral shade that goes with your palette to give your bedroom a light and airy feel. Calm, soothing colors work well in bedrooms, creating a relaxing atmosphere for sleep.
2. Contrast with your palette: choose a darker headboard that will stand out when used with a lighter palette, or vice versa.

The juxtaposition of the dark wood in the Island Fusion King-Sized Shanghai Bed Headboard from Tommy Bahama Home against the lighter wall behind creates a stunning look in this bedroom. The natural materials and neutral palette keep it calm and soothing, while the fretwork on the headboard creates depth. The Pan-Asian design brings harmony and balance to the otherwise contemporary space.

Keep these tips in mind when it's time to shop for your headboard. Choosing the right headboard doesn’t have to be a chore. Armed with knowledge, you’ll find the one that suits your space and style.

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Offsite Blog: Bring Winter Colors into Your Living Room Décor

As the nights get cooler and darkness falls sooner, thoughts of winter fill our heads. Even if you don’t live in an area with frosty weather, you can still bring a little winter warmth into your home.

As one of the most used rooms in the home, there’s no better place to show off your home’s winter décor than the living room. It’s comfy, cozy, warm, and welcoming, no matter where you live.

If you enjoy incorporating seasonal colors into your home and want new living room winter décor ideas, keep reading for some tips and inspiration.

Add Some Seasonal Delight to Your Living Room

It’s the little touches that make a difference, as you can see in this warm living room. Rich brown leather furniture and creamy white walls work well in any season. All the room needs are subtle touches.

Creating a centerpiece filled with red apples, dried flowers, and some greenery, will make the room feel extra special for the winter holidays and beyond. Another idea is to add some scented pinecones and up the ante with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. These touches create an atmosphere that easily moves in and out of the holiday season.

Add Winter Pillows and Throws

Comfort and warmth are a major part of winter feels. Liven up your space by adding crisp white or jewel-toned fabrics. 

In the kitchen and bathroom, you can update your dishtowels, hand towels, and even washcloths in ruby red, hunter green, or sapphire blue to make the holidays bright. In your living room and throughout gathering spaces, add pillows and throws in these colors to create a nice touch for the season. The bedrooms can also get this treatment, whether it be your windows or your bed.

Adorn Your Door for the Winter

Get your guests into the spirit of the season by hanging a festive floral arrangement or wreath on your front door. Look for rustic ones with twine, greenery, dried oranges, and cinnamon, or fancier ones with brightly-colored flowers. When it comes to door displays, the options are endless. 

Add Winter-White Flowers in a Pretty Vase

If you don’t want to go all out, that’s okay. Do it subtly by adding a pretty vase of winter-white blooms to the dining room table. It will freshen up the space and bring a little reminder of the season into your dining room. It’s easy to spice it up a little for special occasions, or just let the flowers speak for themselves.

Scent Your Home with Winter Flavors

Fill the air in your home with scents of the season. This can easily be achieved with candles in cinnamon, vanilla, and pine scents. 

If you're feeling DIY, you can make your own scent mix with a simmer pot on the stove. Just add your favorite fall spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Add some sliced oranges or cranberries, and even a dash of vanilla. Experiment until you get the scent you want. These scents will add a special touch to the wonderful winter colors that fill your home.

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Football is Back: Furnishing the Ultimate Man Cave

 Football is back, baby. Those who say it’s only a game don’t understand.

When it’s time for football, it’s time to get your man cave ready. Before you start, there are a few things to consider. Of course, a man cave is the place to watch sports and be the host with the most on big game days. But the ultimate man cave can be so much more.

When football season ends, you’ll still have your man cave. So, make sure you have everything you need to host poker games, hang out, watch TV, practice hobbies, and even enjoy movie night with the fam if you so choose.

Basically, anything you want. After all, it doesn’t take much to make you happy... just your own private retreat.

By moving all your activities to your man cave, you’ll have everything conveniently in one space. And your partner will no longer complain about you monopolizing the TV or tripping over the remnant of your last project scattered throughout the house.

Let’s explore what it takes to create the ultimate man cave.

Man Cave Essentials

What will you need? Man cave furniture, of course. This can run the gamut from a leather recliner to a full-on sectional or stadium seating. Plus, a media center, coffee table, club chairs, and more. You’ll also want to think about things like a bar or fridge, pool table, dartboard, or poker table so that you can host a friendly game or two. Dream big, the sky’s the limit when planning your ultimate man cave.

Seating for the Whole Stadium

If your primary purpose is watching sports or home movie nights, a leather sectional gives you all the seating you need. You’ll be able to stretch out and nap, read, or watch TV on your own. You’ll also want plenty of room to seat a crowd, so consider this when you choose your man cave furniture.

Since the man cave is your space to relax, getaway, and watch sports or movies, the seating needs to be comfortable. The chances are that you’ll take a nap on the couch, so a reclining couch or sectional recliner is a must because you don’t want to wake up with a stiff neck after a nap.

This reclining sofa is perfect for man caves:

• Natuzzi Editions Astuzia Five Piece Power Reclining Sectional Sofa

Not only does this couch come with 3 separate power recliners for your headrest, backrest, and legrest; it has built-in USB ports on each end so your devices can power through the game, too.

• VIG Furniture Red and Black Leather Sectional Sofa

More of a sports car style guy? This sofa looks like it's ready to race, and features adjustable headrests, fluffy back pillows, and a cupholder cushion along with 2 reclining footrests. It's even available in black and red.

Let’s Talk TVs and More

Of course, you’ll want the biggest TV you can fit in your man cave, and if you're going to make it an awesome home cinema, make sure the screen and sound system are up-to-date. If you are short on space, mount the TV on the wall and use a soundbar instead of surround sound. Make sure you have a strong internet connection for gaming and streaming.

Some great media centers for man caves:

• Tommy Bahama Home Ocean Club Intrepid Entertainment Console With Two Sliding Doors

Simple, yet classic, this console has a nostalgic feel and a handsome wood finish, with just enough storage for your equipment with a little extra room to display memorabilia. Pair this with bookshelves to expand your display space and make your TV the center of attention.

• Aspenhome Industrial 97" Console & Hutch With Metal Pull Hardware

If industrial is more your style, then this 2-piece entertainment wall unit will make a great showcase in your man cave. With a 70" wide and 42" high space to fit your flat-screen, plenty of shelving, and metal accents, this console is trophy-worthy.

Décor and Accents for Your Man Cave

For epic movie nights and gaming marathons, dark walls give more focus on the screen. Consider paints in dark khaki green, navy blue, or dark gray; they are all great choices.

You will also have to choose flooring. If you’ll be having lots of friends over, or even just relaxing on your own, an easy-to-clean floor is the best choice. Consider smooth vinyl or laminate tiles, or glass, stone, or polished porcelain for a more striking surface.

Also consider:

• Bar & Fridge — to keep cold beverages and snacks handy. A full bar is excellent, but if your space is limited, a fridge will do.
• Pool Table — for those times when you need entertainment other than the TV.
• Dartboard and/or Poker Table — useful for parties or get-togethers, a dartboard or poker table are fantastic additions to any man cave.
• Additional Seating – a sectional is less than ideal for hiding your poker hand. For areas not focused on TV watching, you'll need bar stools or a table and chairs to get the guys together.

Accents and finishing touches to consider:

• Custom Home Bars by Custom Artisan Cabinetry

Custom Artisan Cabinetry is 5-star rated and based in Boca Raton, with a 35-year history in excellent craftsmanship. Start with a free 30-minute consultation to begin choosing design, lighting, and finishes for your home bar.

• Pool Tables, Poker Tables, and other Game Room Equipment

Bost Billiards is a 5-star rated pool table supplier in South Florida, with a wide variety of man cave equipment to choose from, including new and used pool tables, poker tables, shuffleboard, and more.

• Natuzzi Editions Natuzzi Contemporary Barrel Swivel Chair

Go full-Vegas with these plush barrel chairs, available with casters or swivel bottom. So comfortable, it'll be hard to be on-tilt through those extra hands.

Smart Home Technology for Your Man Cave

The ultimate man cave is loaded with smart outlets and plugs so you can turn on or off anything you wish or adjust the temperature with an app on your smartphone. A cool bit of tech for any man cave!

Get beginner tips to set up your smart cave from PCMag: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-set-up-your-smart-home-a-beginners-guide

Add Your Personal Touches

Once you have the basics, it’s time to personalize your man cave. Add sports memorabilia of your favorite sports team, coin, or comic book collection, whatever makes the space your own. Neon sign? Why not, it’s your space. Now is the time to take your signed football and give it a place of honor. After all, if you are watching sports in your man cave, why not be surrounded?

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