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Increase the Kitchen Entertainment Factor with Functional and Stylish Island Counters

Having a dinner party can be an exciting and entertaining event when you are the host. You get to serve scrumptious meals and have engaging conversations while laughing throughout the evening. Yet this situation can completely change when you are stuck in the kitchen for long hours with your back turned to the guests. Not only do you feel left out when you want to socialize with your guests, you can feel like a bad hostess because you can’t make sure your guests are happy when you are at the stove and sink finishing up the meal.

Yet even everyday meals can still leave you isolated in the kitchen when the rest of the family is busy moving about in the other room. You can’t keep an eye on the kids or strike up a conversation with the spouse unless they are in the room, as then you have to avoid bumping and tripping into your family while getting things from the fridge or the counter.

Kitchen Islands Are Functional and Stylish for Today’s Homeowners

Kitchen islands are becoming more pronounced in today’s homes. They are turning the kitchen, dining room and living room space into open floor plans without hampering the functionality of each room. These counters are being equipped with burners, ovens, sinks, and even small fireplaces to add a touch of style and decor to the kitchen. They can also add a dimensional depth to the space while allowing you to face outward from the kitchen, letting you socialize with your family and guests while you are cooking meals.

A Wide Range of Kitchen Island Designs

Kitchen islands aren’t restricted to just being a spot to make meals and wash vegetables. Tables can become attached to islands as this arrangement provides you with more prep space while giving the family or guests a place to sit. You can talk with the spouse or help the kids with their homework while keeping an eye on what is happening in the rest of the house.

Other kitchen islands can have several different levels to them to create a separate counter and bar area for entertaining guests. You can serve your friends drinks and appetizers as they can sit on bar stools at the counter area. They can also be your taste testers while you cook as you can laugh and have fun throughout the evening until the meal is finished.

Have Another Place to Entertain Family and Guests

You can turn your kitchen into the most entertaining room in the house with innovative kitchen island designs. Don’t feel isolated and alone in this space. With a kitchen island, you can be more social while cooking meals and entertaining the important people in your life.

Let Bar Stools Add A Unique Character To Your Art Studio

When you think about bar stools, you immediately consider placing them in kitchens by counters and islands, or at wet bars. Yet bar stools are very versatile as they are the perfect piece of furniture to place in art studios. If art is your passion and you need the right type of seating for work and for lounging, consider bar stools to be the perfect solution. There are many ways to use bar stools in your studio as here are a few ideas you may want to try.

Painting Stools

People create art in many different ways, so it stands to reason they need furniture that will help them create the perfect artwork. While some artists have to stand in front of the canvas to create their art, you might prefer a seated position when sitting in front of the easel. Regular chairs are simply too low, especially when you are working on large canvases. A bar stool can give you the perfect height to work on your creativity without causing strains to your back.

Work Benches

Do your part to make a better environment by repurposing old bar stools. Bar stools can be turned into work benches to hold paint and artist tools. All you need are two strong benches and a piece of wood nailed down onto the seat to create the perfect work bench. You are recycling the furniture for the perfect cause.

Creating Conversation Areas

There is much more to an art studio than simply looking at the artist’s greatest creations in silence. Instead, the art pieces are the best way to start an engaging conversation with viewers to see what the artwork means to them. You can create conversation areas near your best art pieces in your studio by strategically placing bar stools so people can sit and muse. You can instantly make an inviting atmosphere where people can laugh, debate and talk about the art world.

Artwork Displays

There is one little nook in your space that would be perfect for your pottery, statue or small painting. Yet you just don’t have the right table to place there at the angle you want so you can properly display the art. Consider a bar stool. With a bar stool that has a back, you can display artwork in a unique and creative way in any corner of the room. Instantly brighten up the space and have more places to display your items that will catch the attention of anyone who comes into your studio.

As Artwork Itself

As an artist, you know that there are many things besides clay, canvas and metal to create engaging pieces of art. When the mood strikes, and when you have an old bar stool that is showing signs of wear-and-tear, turn it into a work of art. Unleash your creative side and go crazy with the paint colors, sculpting tools or welding torch to make art pieces that are one of a kind.

Create More Space Even In Small Apartments

Tiny apartments can be a decorator’s nightmare. You want to have a comfortable environment where you can place all your possessions and necessitates out so you can enjoy them. Yet all your items take up so much space that you can barely move around.

Don’t start looking for new rental opportunities when it is not in your budget all because you are desperate to find a larger space. You can create more room in your tiny apartment with these smart solutions.

Multifunctional Furniture is Your Friend

Really, multifunctional furniture is a must-have if you live in small apartments. Sofas that can be converted into beds, and kitchen tables that can do double duty as work desks or can be expanded when you have guests over for meals, are the perfect solutions to increase space because it cuts down on the number of furniture pieces you have to buy. Think about what types of furniture would work for the floor plan you have and come up with some creative ideas that will work out for your lifestyle.

Use the Walls for Decorating Ideas

Many people refrain from doing anything with the walls because they don’t want to cause any damage that will come out of their security deposit later when they decide to move. Yet it costs less than $10 for a wall repair kit and 5 minutes of your time to repair small nail holes. So place hanging bookshelves and floating mantles on the wall to increase space.  Then move books, knickknacks and vases from bookcases and tables over to the hanging shelves and mantels. When you remove bulky bookcases and tables, you can instantly increase space in your apartment.

Don’t forget the versatility of doors to provide places to store your items. You can hang door organizers in cabinets and against interior doors to hold shoes, toiletries, cooking utensils, food products and other items.

Work Out a Better Floor Plan

Sometimes, the best way to have a bigger apartment is to rethink the current floor plan. You may find that certain areas in the room are more appropriate to place furniture to increase space and allow a flow to the room that doesn’t hamper movement. Then consider the items you need to have in your daily lifestyle and things that you only use occasionally and seasonally. You may find that it is better to pack things up and rent a storage space to hold the extra items that you own.

Enjoy Your Tiny, Spacious Apartment

There is no reason why you can’t have a tiny apartment that fits perfectly into your lifestyle. All you have to consider are the items that are necessary to have in your life, things that can be placed into storage, and using your space smartly to increase the amount of room.  Many solutions won’t cost much out of pocket or cause you to have to get rid of the possessions that you own. Instead you can have everything you need and the space you deserve.

When you think about animal elements as home decor, do you imagine walking into a home that looks like a jungle as a wild tiger (or your pet cat named tiger) hides among the broad leaves of a fake fern as it is about to pounce on your suspecting toes? Perhaps you imagine walking into a hunting cabin with animal heads and antlers scattered across the furniture?

Animal elements have been popular for decades. Yet they don’t have to take center stage and be the main theme in the room. If you want to explore your quirky, groovy side, or just add a splash of unique style to the room, here are several ideas provided by California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes to add animal themes to your home whether you have a modern, industrial, contemporary or other architectural style.

Animal print pillows are usually the first baby step a person takes when they want to tap into their wild side. Leopard spots and zebra stripes can be found on a range of pillow sizes that can be placed on sofas, love seats and beds. Animal prints also are ideal for people of all ages, as children love the unique design in their rooms. When a person no longer desires to have the animal print theme in their home, they can use pillow covers and shams to change the print design on the pillow.

Animal Hide Chairs and Ottomans

The interesting thing about animal hide chairs is that you don’t have to incorporate the design throughout the room. Usually you would select one or two chairs to make it a nice conversational piece that may be in contrast to the rest of the decor in the room. Upholstered chairs can come in a wide range of themes, even looking like cow hide or sheepskin. You can have the chairs in the living room, a work chair in your home office, or even in your dining room when the family sits down to eat meals.

Don’t forget that animal elements can go beyond the color and print of the chair to instead focus on texture. Leather chairs with snakeskin and crocodile skin add a dimensional depth and style. If you do decide to purchase this exotic leather for chairs, make sure to read about how to properly maintain it.

Animal Print Rugs

Just like pillows, rugs are another easy way to add animal elements to a wide range of home styles without overpowering other decor themes. The rugs are usually placed underneath coffee tables in living rooms. Yet you don’t have to keep them confined to only that living space. You can place them in bedrooms between your bed and a long dresser, in the kid’s room with large sitting pillows so they can sit on the floor and read or play, or even along the hallway as a floor runner rug.

Get adventurous and consider adding animal elements to your home. You can bring the outdoors into your home in a unique fashion. Then show off your new decor style as your friends will love the look of the room.

Convertible Furniture: Items That Grow With Your Family to Last for Generations

Life constantly changes, as we expect our homes to be able to match these changes to provide the best environment. People may get married or move in with their significant others. Families may get larger as children grow older. While looking for furniture at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, you want pieces that are not only perfect for your present lifestyle, but are perfect for what lies in store in the near future. Here are several ideas for furniture pieces that can change and grow with your family so you can save money no matter what life event comes your way.

Expandable Dining Tables

Small dining and kitchen tables are perfect for newlyweds living in small spaces, yet instantly feel too small when there is the pitter-patter of small feet as children grow older. Expandable tables with leaves that can be added are perfect additions to the home. They instantly add more seating spaces when desired for your growing children. When they become teens and go off to college, you can remove the leaves to make the table smaller and add more space to the room.

Convertible Cribs

New babies to the home can be a trying time for parents with tight budgets. You are constantly buying new clothes and items as the child grows older. Cribs have become the answer as the perfect furniture that grows with your child. When your baby moves to the toddler stage, the crib can be converted into a toddler bed. Then the same toddler bed can be used as a headboard for big kids.

Second-Use Changing Tables

In addition to cribs, changing tables are getting a makeover to become multifunctional pieces of furniture that can be used throughout the home. Some changing tables can be changed into hanging bookcases, while other tables can be converted into floor bookcases and even desks for tweens.

Multifunctional Beds

Beds that can transform into sofas and love seats have been around for decades. The sofa instantly transforms into an extra bed for kids or seating when your teens have their friends over. A multifunctional bed is also ideal for when your aging parents decide to move in, as you can transform a sitting room into an extra bedroom. They can sleep on the twin bed at night and convert it into seating during the day while watching television.

Yet sofas aren’t the only other piece of furniture that beds can transform into for your home. There are several manufacturers who have created beds that can transform into work desks. This set up is perfect for teenagers during those long exam study sessions.

With the wide selection of furniture pieces out on the market, you can create the perfect indoor atmosphere that works with your growing family. Get an idea about your present furniture needs, and how your furniture would need to accommodate you in the future, to pick out the right pieces for your home.

It’s past time to get new bar stools for your home. You find the perfect stools that fit into the decor theme of your dining room or kitchen at California Stools, Bars and Dinette Sets. Yet what do you do with the old bar stools? If you can’t gift them to a friend and your college-bound child doesn’t want the bar stools to clutter up his small dorm room, you can repurpose your former counter stool into other items that you can use in the inside and outside of your home. Here are several great ideas you may want to try to recycle the old bar stools and give them other functions.

Nightstands and End Tables

Just a dash of chalk paint or spray paint and you can transform the bar stools into instant nightstands and end tables. If you desire a wider table piece on top, you can attach another piece of wood, either square or round, to the top of the barstool seat. Keep in mind that the larger the table surface, the top-heavier the nightstand or table will become even with wide legs as bumping a large table surface could make the stool topple over.

Sofa Tables and Work Desks

Similar to the night stand idea, you can also make the table longer by adding another barstool to create a work desk or sofa table. You can cover the bar stool with fabric to match your space and create a softer feel. Use the tables as a new study area for the kids, an extra table in the craft room, or just a decorative table in the corner of the room to hold books and vases.

Outdoor Drink Cooler

It’s amazing how far a little ingenuity can take you. If you remove the bar seat and attach a metal bucket on top, you can create an instant drink cooler for your outdoor space. Fill it with ice and set wine coolers (or non-alcoholic drinks) inside as everyone can have a drink without impatiently waiting beside the wet bar.

Indoor/Outdoor Plant Stand

One of our favorite DIY barstool projects is a standing planter. All you’ll need is an old stool and dirt. Place the planter along the corners of your deck or inside your home by the window where the plants can get plenty of sunshine. You can also place herbs into the bucket to use in your cooking.

Garden Bird Houses

Bring more birds to your flower and vegetable garden who will eat up the pesky bugs that nibble on your plants by creating a garden bird house out of your old bar stools. Simply attach a large birdhouse to the top of the stool and place it in a corner of your garden. Make sure to securely mount the legs by either driving the metal ends into the ground or even cementing wooden bar legs in place.

The possibilities on what you can do with bar stools are endless. If you aren’t the type to take on a diy bar stool makeover, you can simply try to sell or give the stools away at yard sales and garage sales. Then the old bar stools can find a new home that isn’t at the local landfill.

When it comes to relaxation in the great outdoors, you want to have the perfect furniture in your outdoor living space whether you are lounging by the pool or reading a book under the pergola. California Stools, Bars and Dinettes offers a wide range of kitchen, dining room and bar sets that can be placed into outdoor living spaces. Before picking out a range of furniture for lounging, dining and entertainment, you need to understand the durable materials that are commonly used for furniture and the maintenance that is required to make the pieces last no matter the weather outside.

Types of Outdoor Furniture Materials

There are four categories of materials crafted into outdoor furniture: wood, metal, plastic and wicker. Each material has its benefits and disadvantages when it comes to longevity and maintenance, yet most of this furniture can be maintained simply by washing the dirt and grime off with soap and water. Decide on the best materials based on your personal preferences and your budget.

Metal Furniture

Out of all the materials available, metal furniture is the most durable. There are two types available: powder-coated aluminum and wrought iron. Both types are sturdy although they are pricier than other materials. Typical maintenance for metal furniture requires sealing the metal to prevent rust. One of the disadvantages to wrought iron furniture is that it can easily absorb the heat from sunlight, making them extremely hot to the touch. Some metal furniture may also be paired with glass, such as tables, or upholstered cushions on chairs so take this into consideration when performing maintenance care.

Wicker Furniture

Wicker is often preferred over other types of outdoor furniture because it has more of a garden look, making it blend into backyard gardens. Bamboo, cane, and rattan are common materials used to make wicker furniture as often wicker will be paired with upholstered cushions for increased comfort. Many wicker pieces may be made from synthetic materials to increase their weather resistance. When selecting wicker, you want to protect the cushion seat to prevent mold and mildew that can cause it to rot out. So keep wicker protected from wet weather or select weather-resistant fabrics.

Wood

Wood furniture can be beautiful and long-lasting as some pieces can stay outside for over 50 years. Furniture may be made out of a range of softwoods, such as cedar, or hardwoods like teak. Sealing and treating wood with special oils can help protect the surface from weather and maintain its original appearance. One of the major advantages of wood furniture is that it doesn’t absorb heat quickly, making it cooler to the touch versus metal furniture.

Plastic Furniture

Plastic is often a go-to material for outdoor furniture because it is the least expensive and requires very low maintenance care. Plastic furniture is also lightweight, allowing a homeowner to move it about their outdoor living space and stack it when not in use. Plastic usually is the least durable material to buy and will need to be replaced more often than the other types of materials that have been mentioned.

With spring arriving, people will be looking for outdoor furniture to spruce up their backyards. Consider the materials used to create your favorite pieces of furniture and select one that fits perfectly into your lifestyle.

When you purchased your family dining room table, you probably thought about how well it would seat your family, how sturdy it was, and whether or not it would fit in its designated space. What you may not have thought about is how valuable this piece of furniture is to helping you as a parent.

Research suggests that families that dine together tend to be happier and healthier. Unfortunately, many families are not taking the time to gather together around the dining room table and eat. In fact, a poll conducted by Gallup suggests there has been a significant decline – a decrease of almost 9% – in regular family meals. Considering how important family dinners are to a child and teen’s development, it is important to try to incorporate it into their daily lives.

Wondering just how helpful a family dinner can be to your family’s emotional and physical well-being? Here is a look at some of the benefits that have been linked to regular family dinners.

The Development of Essential Social Skills

Children aren’t just eating when they gather for family meals. They are learning valuable, essential social skills that will help them through life.

A recent article from the Daily Times discussed how children who regularly at family meals at home had better social skills than those who didn’t engage in traditional family dinners. Some of the skills learned at the dinner table include proper manners, ability to easily converse with people of all ages and backgrounds, and proper oral communication.

Healthy Eating Habits are Learned at the Dinner Table

One of the most shocking statistics regarding family dinners is their impact on children’s eating habits. Research conducted by the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests that individuals who regularly ate a family dinner had better eating habits. These children and adults tended to eat healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables, were able to control their portions, and were less likely to develop disordered eating.

Create a Functional Space for Family Dinners

Considering how important family dinners are to your children’s social, emotional, and physical growth, you should designate a space in the dining room or kitchen that is used for family dinners or family gatherings. California Stools, Bars and Dinettes has a wonderful selection of dining room tables, chairs, and sets that are perfect for families looking to create a warm, welcoming place for family dinners.

Browse the selection of tables, chairs, and stools and create a space for family dinners. You will be surprised at just how well your children and teens succeed in life thanks to having family dinners.

This year instead of heading to a fancy restaurant for Valentine’s Day, why not show your significant other your romantic side and have an intimate meal at home. A home cooked meal is not only cheaper than a fancy restaurant, but it is a great way to earn brownie points with your significant other as it takes a lot of time and effort.

If you are planning on hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner for two at home, mood is everything. Don’t just toss the dinner down on your regular dining room table and start to eat. Make sure you create a romantic, intimate setting. It is a great touch for Valentine’s Day.

If you are unsure how to transform a traditional dining room table into a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two, here are some suggestions on how to make that transformation.

Use Solid Colored Linens

Most people don’t use table cloths or linens because they easily get dirty and can be a hassle to clean. On this romantic holiday, pull out those table cloths and linens and use them. They will help transform your regular, practical dining room table into a romantic table for two.

When using table cloths or linens, make sure you use solid colors. While prints and patterns can be used, it might not have the desired effect you want it to have on the room. Solid colors add an elegant touch to the dining room and that is exactly the look you wish to achieve.

Add Candles to the Table

Candles are a must have tabletop accessory for romantic dinners. It just would not be the same without them placed in the center.

Most people choose to use long, elegant wax candles, but any candles will work. If you are concerned about eating around an open flame, there are battery-operated flameless candles that flicker and glow just like real candles.

Another thing to consider when using candles is to make sure the candles of scent-free. A heavily scented candle can ruin a dinner, as the scent is too overpowering.

Pull Out the Good China and Silverware

It is hard to create a romantic setting if you are eating off of paper plates or using tarnished silver forks. Take the time to pull out the good china and silverware set and use them for dinner. It will make you feel like you are eating at a fancy restaurant, when in reality you are dining right in the comfort of your own home.

Even though the stuff you put on the table and the silverware you use is important, the most important element of a romantic dinner is the table that is being used. Find a wonderful table for your Valentine’s Day dinner for two by shopping at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes.

It’s time to get new bar stools for your kitchen island or peninsula. If you use stools a lot, then you know how difficult it can be to find the prefect seats.  Not to worry. Here are a few tricks to finding the most comfortable and stylish bar stools for your kitchen.

Consider Your Space

It can be easy to fall in love with a certain style only to find out too late that it doesn’t fit your space.  Remember, if your kitchen is small, you want to go for a sleeker stool, while larger kitchens can handle bulkier seating options.  Here are a few things to consider when out shopping:

• To swivel or not:  in a tight kitchen you may want bar stools that swivel to make getting in and out easier. A swiveling stool also makes it easier to talk with others around the room.
• The Backing: backs are more comfortable if you plan to use your stools a lot for eating and working at the counter. However, they do take up more space and can look out of place if squeezed into a cramped area.
• The number of stools needed:  bar stools generally take up more space than standard kitchen chairs found around a table. Be sure to leave about 28 inches from the middle of one stool to the middle of the next.
• Round or square:  round stools use less space than square ones.  Larger areas can easily handle square stools with backs; smaller spaces usually look best with round stools.

Consider Who’s Using the Stools

Who will be using your bar stools the most?  Children will likely need adjustable height stools with foot rests for comfort.  Shorter adults too may feel more comfortable with a footrest to eliminate dangly-leg syndrome.

Find Stools That Fit

Choosing a stylish stool that looks good in your kitchen won’t mean a thing if it is uncomfortable. One of the biggest things buyers overlook is the height of the stools they purchase.  Be sure to pick a stool that is about 11 inches shorter than your countertop or home bar.  This will allow those sitting there to be able to comfortably work on a laptop and eat without bending over or stretching to reach the counter.

Consider Your Style

Replacing old bar stools can be a lot of fun.  With hundreds of styles to choose from, you can use the opportunity to create a whole new look in your kitchen.  Think about your home style when shopping and pick stools that complement the rest of your décor.