Spring is for Studying

Kids need a calming environment in which to focus on their school work. As the weather begins to warm, your teenage son or daughter may be thinking less about The Great Gatsby or the quadratic equation and more about the summer months of freedom ahead. Some of them, facing imminent graduation, may have been challenged more than they ever have been. It's easy for exhaustion to settle in as Houston's "winter" air fills with the smell of spring flowers and bird song. 

To keep your kids on task and motivated, we recommend paying a little more attention to their study environment. On the couch in front of the television is not the ideal place. Neither is the kitchen table as the rest of the family bustles about. We suggest adding some TLC to their desk space with a few easy steps. 

First, make sure they have everything they need to complete the projects for the week. Arm them with scissors, glue, tape, markers, rulers, calculators, protractors, beakers, paint brushes...whatever it takes! We love the idea of organizing things into neat, brightly decorated cups, like the one below. 

A bulletin board is a must for any high school student. It's a great way to remind them of  upcoming deadlines, quizzes, and exams, and forces them to be a little more proactive when it comes to their own schedules. A bulletin board doesn't have to be all business, it can be for fun photos, postcards, concert tickets, or anything else your son or daughter loves. 

There is nothing more irritating to a teacher than a lost homework assignment or paper. Help your high schooler keep up with all their paperwork by giving them a file organizer. They can separate topics or classes with the convenient tabs. It's also a great way to start keeping track of your son or daughter's progress as a writer, aspiring chemist, or engineer. 

Boys may have a harder time sitting still. We suggest coming up with a game plan with them. Emphasize that their work space must be functional, but allow a little wriggle room at the same time. We laugh every time we look at these rubber band holders below. Something like this would make a great addition to your son's desk as a slight distraction from too much seriousness. 

Music has stimulating effects on the mind. While your teen undoubtedly listens to their music on their iPhone or mobile device, we think the study space should be a place where no phones are allowed. They may be temped to text or browse Facebook when they should be focusing. Instead, get them a small radio just for their desk. This one has a convenient headphone option.

Our final tip for an inspired work space that will motivate your high school son or daughter is all about creativity. If revamping their study space feels more like an intervention than a joint effort, you definitely want to let them know that you want them to feel comfortable. Let them make the space their own with objects or photographs that inspire them. As an example, we chose the globe below that contains a small ocean scene. 

Will You Be My Valentine?

With Valentine's  Day right around the corner, those of us with a romantic inclination here at Bel Furniture put our heads together and came up with a few ways to make this year special for your sweetheart. It's far too easy to go to the store, buy a bouquet of roses, some chocolates, and a cheesy card. Instead, we urge you to make this day as unique as possible by doing something out of the ordinary. Surprise your loved on with a gift they would never expect.

Below, a hopeful Cupid has decorated his loved one's bookshelf for the day with strings of hand-made, paper hearts. To apply this yourself, try thinking about what your significant other values and holds in high regard. Maybe your boyfriend is crazy about fixing an old Trans Am - his dream car. Or, maybe your girlfriend has her own mini painting studio in her apartment. In either case, you can decorate a space that they love just for they day. At Bel Furniture, we think this is a great way to let them know you care just as much about their passions as they do.

Valentine's Day gifts are always tricky. If you're not careful, your gift will not be as memorable as it could be. We found a great gift idea that could be unforgettable. This Don Juan took a simple ring and fit a hand-written love note perfectly into its metal work. While we realize it may be difficult to find a ring exactly like this, it doesn't hurt to check out local shops that sell artisan jewelry, thrift stores, and antique stores. The same love note concept can be applied to many types of jewelry.

For our third Valentine's Day tip we just had to include breakfast in bed. It is hard to go wrong with that. We suggest taking it to the next level by making pancakes or French toast in the shape of little hearts. Apply the same sweet shape to your fruit toppings, like strawberries or bananas, and pair it with powdered sugar for the ultimate breakfast in bed your sweetie will appreciate.

This fourth tip is for the ultra romantic. We absolutely love the effect that these perfectly placed rose petals create as they start of softly and then surge into vibrancy as the object of affection reaches the door. We recommend this as a great thing to  help Dad with. The little ones can get involved and help their Mom feel special on Valentine's Day. We're all for trying different shades, too!

Our last tip is also one that is tried and true. Valentine's Day falls on a Thursday this week. We see this as an opportunity to draw a hot bath for you loved one and invite them to relax and soak after a long four days of work. Don't worry! You don't have to have a claw-foot tub to create a romantic effect. Just make sure you have some nicely scented candles, plenty of bubbles, and warm slippers waiting for your loved one when it's time to get out.

Celebrity Living Room Style

We know what Hollywood stars look like on the big screen, on the red carpet, in the tabloids, and on late night entertainment, but how do they look when they're just being themselves in private, kicking back on a comfy sofa? At Bel Furniture, we  suspect that a person's decoration choices say volumes about their personality, interests, and aesthetic taste. This blog features celebrity living room styles of Dennis Quaid, Diane Keaton, Sting, and more! We love seeing how the A-list lives.

Quintessential Country Quaid

Dennis Quaid has portrayed a range of interesting characters, including Jerry Lee Lewis in Great Balls of Fire! and a young astronaut in The Right Stuff. Originally from Houston, Dennis and his wife wanted a ranch-like feel for their living room. We love the exposed ceiling beams, roaring fire, and unique table with leather seats. The room looks sun-washed and rustic. We'd say he definitely succeeded with this Texas-inspired living room.

 

Suave and Sumptuous Sting

Singer, Sting, made famous by his front man position with "The Police," choice to decorate his London town home in a way that reflected art and objects that inspired his creativity. We love the effect of the classic framing above the fireplace and the bold, contemporary painting at its center. The bright interior of the glass coffee tables and the vases of fresh flowers give the guest interesting focal points. All in all, this looks like the perfect place for coffee before heading into the recording studio.

Cool and Coastal Keaton

Long-time Hollywood A-lister, Diane Keaton, calls California her home and chose to decorate her living room with rustic accessories and a simple color palette. The exposed roof beams and trusses are elegant and rich in color. The simple chandeliers are a little more modern, but give the eye something unique to look at against the plain, white walls. We also like the wooden furniture and large and colorful pots. When we look at this room, we're reminding of coastal Spain.

Exquisitely Elton

Sir Elton John's living rooms is an extension of the main building that juts out into the open air with a view of the entire city of Los Angeles. While the modern chaise looks like a wonderful place to nap in the sun, guests in Sir Elton's living room would also enjoy the retro sitting chairs and velvety long couch. If anyone knows how to do exquisite luxury, it's Elton.

Blue Still Life

The calming atmosphere of Ben Stiller's living room may come as a shock considering the eccentric and jokester roles the actor often plays. We admire the uniformity of style Stiller has achieved in this room. And, we love the small black and white photo gallery displayed on simple shelves near the open French doors. The two plants lend a dash of green to an otherwise blue still life.

Ring in the Butler

Bel Furniture's final celebrity living room belongs to leading man, Gerard Butler, who converted this old warehouse space in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood to a luxurious loft. The elegant chandelier, leather arm chairs, and greenery make this space a paradise. And, Gerard even has a view of the Empire State Building!

On a final note, we would like to ask you which of the celebrity rooms you would prefer to have in your own home? As always, feel free to leave a comment directly in the Comments section of this blog or on our Facebook Timeline.

Happy Monday!