Tag: home living

Working From Home: Should You Refresh Your Home Office?

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A good home office considers everything from lighting to air quality to layout, but even the best of the best home offices should be reimagined from time to time. So what happens when you switch up your office layout? The results may surprise you. Here are a few quick tips for redesigning your home office space.

Rework Assessment 

Most people will reconfigure their desks or buy a new piece of furniture whenever they think it’s time. Take a second to notice your office every quarter or so, because it gives you the chance to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Is your back hurting more after you bought that new chair? Did you recently read an article about the benefits of a standing desk? Would you prefer glancing out a different window of your home?

Outdated Equipment

When redesigning your home office, throw your technology in the mix. Storage needs change as we get deeper into our work. We may need a new computer or tech that harmonizes with our smartphones versus existing outside of them. Has your spacial need changed? Perhaps you want to opt for a vertical monitor layout instead of a horizontal one.

Remember that equipment is just as important as furniture when working from home. It’s always a good idea to update software and hardware to ensure everything works as seamlessly as possible before you simply replace any electronic equipment.

Redesign the Atmosphere 

The home office is a place to get things done, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a cold or unwelcoming place. From light diffusers to scent diffusers, there are ways to create energy in the space that works for you (and your boss).

So if you’re dragging your heels in the morning, consider energizing essential oils like oranges or peppermint. Or add another more comfortable chair other than your office chair if you need space to brainstorm or review dry documents. 

There’s a lot to be said for keeping up with a home office. Even if it’s not always the most exciting room in the home, it can certainly be the one that helps you stay on top of everything that needs to get done. 

What Is Cottagecore Style?

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Cottagecore style has grown in popularity recently and is all over social media. The design style includes everything from home decor to fashion. Similar to shabby chic and farmhouse styles, cottagecore celebrates the comfort and charm of country life no matter where you live. If you’re interested in learning more about this fun and popular trend, here are the basic elements of cottagecore.

Comfy & Lived-In

For furniture, cottagecore is all about comfort mixed with a lived-in feel. Vintage or second-hand furniture is a popular choice, but only if it’s as comfy as it is attractive in the space. Elements you’ll find in cottagecore furniture include curved lines, soft upholstery and rich wood stains. Wood and metal surfaces that show their age with patina or imperfections from normal wear-and-tear are perfect for a cottagecore room.

Florals

In keeping with the theme of celebrating country life, floral patterns are key to the cottagecore aesthetic. This also includes using fresh or dried flowers as decor. Artwork depicting flowers, needlepoint throw pillows and delicate floral prints are essential. Mixing florals with the simple and comfortable furniture gives a cottagecore room a relaxed and natural vibe even with a mixture of colors and patterns.

Neutrals & Pastels

A key to creating the cottagecore aesthetic is the color palette. Mismatched furniture, prints and an emphasis on florals can combine to create chaos easily. However, the cottagecore style keeps neutral color palettes at the forefront to create a sense of harmony among the eclectic mixture. Opt for warm, neutral tones like beige, brown and woodsy green. Adding in pops of color, especially in pastels, will add vibrance and depth while keeping the foundation laid-back.

Vintage Decor

One of the basic philosophies behind the cottagecore style is the idea of collecting furnishings. This means that the more vintage decor, the better. Some of the best ways to add some vintage flair to a cottagecore room include chandeliers, fine china and decorative vases. Try hanging your favorite artwork in vintage frames with some patina to show off well-worn charm.

Is cottagecore style right for you? If you love the simplicity of the farmhouse style but want a little more detail and vintage flair, consider trying it in your space. Keep these major elements in mind and you’ll be able to make your very own version of cottagecore that works for you.

How to Grow Pentas Plants

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Pentas plants are a favorite among butterflies and other pollinators. Their clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers come in multiple colors and can grow anywhere as an annual. As well as supporting pollinators, pentas are completely pet-safe, making them an excellent choice for any pet owner’s garden. Here are some of the basic care tips for growing pentas in your garden:

Light Requirements

Bountiful and healthy pentas blooms depend on getting the perfect amount of sunlight. For the best flowers, plant pentas somewhere they’ll get at least three hours of direct sun. They can tolerate some shade during the morning or afternoon, but will get stretched out and leggy in between blooms without enough direct light.

Water Needs

Pentas require regular watering, making them a good fit for any garden with an irrigation system already built. Otherwise, keep the soil moist at all times so they don’t dry out completely. While your pentas plant can survive drier conditions, parched plants are very susceptible to pests like spider mites. You should also avoid watering over the top of the plant, as brown spots can develop on the leaves from mineral deposits.

Temperature & Humidity

Pentas are tropical plants and love warm temperatures with high humidity. If you live in a drier region, you may need to mist your plant regularly to maintain adequate moisture levels. Pentas will not tolerate the cold, but can overwinter in pots if you bring them indoors. Make sure to bring them indoors before the first frost or take healthy cuttings to propagate again in the spring.

Pruning

Pentas are shrubs and will maintain a shallow, bushy growth pattern as long as they get enough light. However, as the plants mature, they may begin to stretch out and get leggy. Pruning isn’t necessary if you’re only growing them as an annual for a single season, but if you want them to come back in the spring, trim down the stems low to the ground to encourage healthy new growth.

Dinner parties: How to set the table

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Close-up Photo of Formal Table Setting

If you’re planning to entertain guests for dinner, the question of table setting has likely already crossed your
mind. Proper table setting might seem superfluous, but there are practical benefits to including more than just a
dinner plate and salad plate.

If you’re interested in learning more about both casual and formal table setting for dinner, here are some guidelines
to consider:

Informal table setting – Casual dining

Dinner parties typically have a more formal vibe than breakfasts and lunches. Sometimes, however, you might wish to
set up a dinner table. Just be sure the set table is informal to maintain the casual atmosphere.

One way to accomplish this is to allow your guests to serve themselves. You can place the food at the front of the
table, or at the center for everyone to eat around. Don’t worry about detailed silverware placement for a casual
party – instead, make sure everybody has exactly what they need to enjoy the food.

Formal table setting – Multi-course dining 

The prospect of a formal dinner table setting might seem intimidating, especially for those without an expansive
collection of tableware or utensils. However, even with a small stash of necessities, you can create an elegant
ambiance.

If you plan a dinner with multiple courses, have a plate or utensil available for each one. For example, every place
setting should have a soup spoon, salad fork, dinner fork and dessert spoon. Have two glasses at every table
setting, one for water and the other for a festive beverage of choice.

Buffet layout ideas

If you’re hovering between formal and informal, you might find that a buffet style dinner party can be the best of
both worlds. Buffet tables allow your guests to serve themselves at their own leisure, while also giving you the
opportunity to show a formal, stylish flair.

The classic buffet layout typically consists of entrées and side dishes surrounding a decorative centerpiece. Drinks
should be at one end of the table, or in a completely dedicated space. Make sure to include all the trimmings for
formal table settings like bread and butter plates, soup spoons and sharp cutlery for meat.

Are you ready to plan your next dinner party? Keep these tips in mind when entertaining to strike the perfect balance
for your evening.