A Quick Summer Recipe

By Gallery Furniture

During the summer, folks have a tendency to lean toward lighter meals in the evening. In fact, they like to toss something relatively simple together. Summertime offers a myriad of local fresh produce and the opportunity to fire up the grill. A quick and easy meal will help you save the fuss of lengthy preparation and leave plenty of time to have fun in the sun. Here are a few quick and savory possibilities for summer dishes:

Grilled Shrimp Souvlaki

Ingredients:

1lb of large shrimp, peeled & deveined

6 tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided)

2 tsp olive (divided)

3 tbsp fresh dill (divided)

1 tbsp fresh oregano

¾ cup Greek yogurt (divided)

2 minced garlic cloves (divided)

2 cucumbers

Black pepper

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

1 red onion

4 whole-wheat flatbreads

8 romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:

1)     Preheat grill pan

2)    Rinse the shrimp well and make sure they are well cleaned. Then stir together 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of olive oil, and 1tbsp of dill and oregano into a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss them in the mixture. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes.

3)    Mix ¼ cup of Greek yogurt with one minced clove of garlic, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp of dill in another bowl. Then, with a vegetable peeler, cut the cucumbers into lengthwise ribbons and discard the largely seeded area. Add the ribbons into the yogurt mixture and pepper to taste.

4)    Mix the remaining ½ cup of yogurt with 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of dill and the other half of the minced garlic into another bowl for raita sauce. Add pepper to taste.

5)   Combine cherry tomatoes and 1/3 inch rings of onions in remaining olive oil into a bowl. Grill the shrimp with tomatoes and onion in a lightly oiled cast iron skillet or grill pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until shrimps are bright red, tomatoes are soft and onions are golden and tender.

6)   Grill flatbread until slightly crisp. Then top flatbread evenly with cucumber salad, shrimp, onions, tomatoes and romaine. Add raita sauce if desired. 

 Now you can sit outdoors and soak in the beautiful warm sunset. Enjoy!

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Vacation Ideas

By Gallery Furniture

Is money tight and you’re wracking your brain for vacation ideas this summer? Then don’t fret! We’ll help you think outside the box with creative ways to vacation on a budget. According to BuzzFeed, there are affordable spots where many budget travelers like to vacation. Some of them include Croatia, Macedonia, Istanbul and Vietnam! It seems that the food and accommodations will not break the bank! Obviously some places are further away than others, therefore budgeting your plane ticket as the bulk of your expenses will be necessary.

For some of us this is only but a dream. After a reality check, you can start planning your vacation close to home. Take it as an opportunity to enjoy the good outdoors, and go up north for a long weekend or create your very own retreat right in your backyard. Here are some options you can do at home:

      1)      Create a campground

Who said camping in your backyard is no fun? Although you will not achieve a complete wilderness atmosphere, you may actually appreciate that you can run to the washroom at any given time or grab something you need inside your home. In fact, it will be especially convenient if you have small children!

First and foremost, begin by setting up your tents to accommodate the right number of people. Then, be sure to nestle the inside with comfortable bedding and pillows! Also, you can go the extra mile to create a realistic outdoorsy atmosphere by creating a campfire surrounded with benches – time for smores!

      2)      Your very own resort by the pool

For those of you with a pool, take advantage of being by the poolside to refresh yourself on hot days! Create a little haven either in the shade or below a gazebo. Use a collection of poufs to sit on, or some comfortable decorative pillows to maximize comfort on your outdoor furniture. That way you can have fun in the sun, or enjoy a refreshing drink in the shade. The choice is yours!

It’s a win-win. You save money, all while having fun. All in favor say “aye”!

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Father's Day Gift Idea

By Gallery Furniture

Father’s Day is a day which fathers are honored and appreciated by their loved ones for their paternal bonds. Along with the celebration, it is customary to offer a gift. Are you out of ideas and need some inspiration for a great father’s day gift? Then throw those cliché gifts out the window! Rather than spending your money on dust collectors, why not spend it on something useful?

We all know many dads love to kickback on the sofa in front of the television in order to unwind after a long day. Most dads enjoy their “alone time” by watching their favorite sports and movies. Of course not all dads enjoy sports. Some fathers also enjoy gaming to detach from reality once in a while!

That being said, why not invest in a tv console that will enhance your father’s cinematic or gaming experience? There’s an idea! That way he can store all of his favorite movies, games and gaming console all in one place. Not only will he appreciate having all of his stuff neatly organized in one place, but surely mum will too! In fact, there are a variety of styles that Ashley furniture offers, in order to accommodate your home décor. Now there’s a gift that’s worth twice the deal!

See his eyes light up when you present him with an awesome gift that he will appreciate. Don’t forget a hug and a kiss! Happy Father’s Day!

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Throw Your Outdoor Party With Style!

By Gallery Furniture

We are entering the perfect season to spend the most of our time outdoors! Going for walks, relaxing in parks, enjoying time with friends and family while picnicking or simply barbecuing in your backyard- so many tremendous outdoor activities to keep us busy this coming summer! Let’s focus on today’s theme- How to throw your outdoor party? What are the much needed things to consider when throwing out an outdoor party?  

Place, decorations, and food are definitely the main elements to have in mind.

First, spot the perfect place. Then, get the furniture right!

Feel like making your bash in a park? Bring out your throw or blanket with you. Any colors will do, but we suggest you match it with your color theme if you have one!

Feel like staying close to home? Throw a party in your backyard without worrying about moving and shifting your furniture too far. If you don’t have any outdoor furniture: bring your dinette out!  This is a great alternative from 3 pieces to 7 pieces; our Ashley Furniture dinettes can accommodate most of your guests when eating on a table.Benches are also a good option for gathering lots of people around your table.

Smart decorating with simplicity

If you are a foodie, we have no doubt that your table will be full of unthinkable dishes, so forget about using any decorations on your table. Plenty is no plague! What about lighting?  You can set up a lively atmosphere with candles!  Lemongrass candles are so efficient - it will repulse mosquitos and give a great lemony fresh scent! The Kadeem candle holder is one of our “coup de Coeur”. This stylish holder can help set the mood with your party theme as you can incorporate stones, sand, pebbles or topiary touches thanks to its removable tray.

        

Food, food always!

The best part of outdoor parties is that you don’t need to make a complicated menu to please your guests. A BBQ is more than enough to satisfy meat or vegan lovers! Give yourself some time for preparation the night before or a few hours prior to ensure that you marinate your elements, so that you can relax and spend time with your guests. BBQ has always been a great woman’s cooking “runaway” as man loves being in control of the grill!

Let’s make the month of June the most outdoorsy partying time ever!

Content provided by: @tailbase

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Abstract Wall Art

By Gallery Furniture

According to Aristotle, “the aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance”. As we know, art is deemed subjective; therefore one can choose to accept a piece as art or to reject it. That being said, it seems that in 2016, the most on-trend art to hang on your walls is within the abstract category. Clearly to some, this form of art is not art at all. In fact, it uses color, shapes, and lines to a certain degree of independence from things portrayed in the world. Nonetheless, the beautiful shapes and colors still make for a pretty accent to hang in your home! Basically, abstract art is having a moment this year – with a few specifications that is. The most popular themes are the following:

Blue shades: Art in blue hues seems to be in high demand, and rightfully so, because of its peaceful & serene nature. Try picking an abstract piece with different shades, in order to maximize the soothing feeling and your possibilities to match with the elements in your home.

Patterns: Another popular theme is patterns. Repetitive patterns are also a form of abstract art, and this year these little bursts of pattern are making their way in! If your walls are plain, then patterns will definitely draw the eye. Despite being simplistic artwork, it is definitely a show-stopper!

Statement art: Statement art? I thought abstract art was already making a statement?! A statement piece is one that measure over 5 feet. So when it comes to making a statement, this piece of art will take its fair share of room. 

Let your imagination wander as you stare at the abstract pieces hung in your home. It is the perfect home accent! Each piece is unique and will leave you wondering what the artist was thinking about when he/she came up with the design. 

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Memorial Day Weekend

By Gallery Furniture

Watching city parades, visiting military cemeteries and memorials, commemorating the fallen with the US flag … there are so many ways to pay tribute and honor to the soldiers who fought in the war. How about you make some slight changes to your Memorial weekend routine and spend it differently for once?

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to remember our US soldiers, but also to spend time with family and friends. As Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer and all outdoor events:

- many people go away for a short vacation or visit family and friends,

- others plan outdoor sport events

- visit a national museum of American history

All these outdoor activities can be so inspirational and influence your home style too!  The cottage style is the latest trend. Here are a few creative ideas on how to change your home and adopt the cottage style at least for this coming season:

Start by picking the right pastel colors- green, yellow, pink, cream or white! Now, you can play with your available home square footage. In doing so, you will make your home more inviting and optimize your home living space, while creating comfort at the same time!

Then get the right materials- wood, stone and all natural materials that will bring texture and emphasize your home coziness!

  

From the dining room to the bedroom ….it looks easy to set the perfect cottage tone and enjoy all the unique lived-in comfort a home can offer.

If the weather permits, then you should definitely set foot outside. Picnicking can be great during this season: all you need is a throw and to decide where to place it - in a park or in your backyard. You could also take your dinette furniture outside on your patio for a unique friends and family gathering!

Ensure that you make the most of your long weekend! Happy Memorial Day!

                                                   Content provided by: @tailbase

                                                           www.tailbase.com

Quiz: Find The Perfect Home Style For You?

By Gallery Furniture

QUESTIONS: 

1. Which adjectives best describe you?

¡ Spontaneous, uncomplicated, relaxed

rFundamentalist, subtle, structured

o Distinguished, outworn, prestigious

2. Which mood best describes your home?

o Calm and collected

¡ Tranquil and escaping

rCreative and dynamic

3. Which loveseat would you prefer for your home? 

4. How would you describe your favorite style?

rSmart and sophisticated

o Vintage and rococo

¡ Casual and sporty

5. What is the color scheme you're most attracted to?

rDark brown, taupe and creamy

¡ Soft blue, green or pink and white 

o Burgundy, navy, forest green and rust   

 6. When decorating your home, do you consider interior trends?

rYes, I notice the latest trends and try to add them into my interior design

¡ I know the basic dos and don’ts but trends don’t always influence my home style

o Not at all, I am passionate about history

7. How would you spend your next vacation?

8. If you have to choose a set of accessories for your home, which one would you pick?

rPicture frame and a rug  

¡ Candle holders and a pouf

o Vase and a decorative bowl 

RESULTS

You have lots of  r

Your taste for trendy modern arts, abstract and urban style make you fall into the Contemporary home Style. Your house looks sophisticated with a nice combination of contemporary furniture!

You have lots of  ¡

Your passion for simple things, laid-back attitude and relaxed life make you fall into the Casual home Style! Your house is comfy and calm with casual furniture!

You have lots of  o

Your eagerness for majestic, vintage and rich ancient artwork makes you fall into the Old World home Style! Your house has a victorious and prestigious look, with a nice combination of old world furniture!

                                                    Content provided by: @tailbase

                                                           www.tailbase.com