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!

February Inspiration

As the month of January nears its conclusion, Bel Furniture looks forward to February, the continued cool weather, and the celebration of St. Valentine's Day. With spring approaching, we found a number of interior design inspirations that channel the ideas of newness, rejuvenation, romance, and natural beauty.


The Motion of the Ocean

It's moving to relax on the beach and stare out across the ocean, imagining the thousands of miles between lands and people. To add energy to your home this coming February, we suggest incorporating the hues of the oceans and seas. Small accent pieces, like this delicate side tables, would look great alongside one of Bel Furniture's rich, leather sofas. While not many people have a blue rug at their disposal, we think both sofa and ocean table would look great on dark tile or deep brown, wooden floorboards.

Extraordinary Lighting

Unique light fixtures can enliven your living space. The example we found below is modeled on the scrawny branches of a willow tree. Instead of flower buds, small light bulbs have been incorporated instead. At Bel Furniture, we think this is an interesting pairing of natural beauty and creative innovation. Light botany would be an excellent addition to a child's bedroom. Add a green duvet cover and woodland creature wall stencils and you have a small forest realm for your little one to play in.

Spring Forward, Spring Flowers

While we know that spring is not quite here yet, we don't see anything wrong with preparing for it. We stumbled across this gorgeous "floating flowers" duvet cover and had to share. We realize it's not a Monet. It would, however, make a lovely addition to a daughter's bedroom. The vibrant flowers pop against crisp white sheets, and a bed frame that is also white. Bel Furniture has a number of bedroom set options that would work perfectly.

Where your Heart on your Sleeve

We cannot talk about February without bringing up St. Valentine's Day. After all, it's where the expression, "wearing your heart on your sleeve," stems from. How can we apply this to interior design and accessories?

Below, we've found one beautiful example. Scour a few antique stores (or the storage shed) for old sheet music. Simply cut the music into paper hearts and arranged them along the length of sturdy string or piece of twine. It's a small gesture, but it could speak volumes on Valentine's Day. If you sweetheart isn't a music aficionado, perhaps you could create a similar design based on their hobby or interests. If you have any ideas, please share them with us in the Comments section!

Outdoor Dining

The weather is perfect for outdoor dining. It's not too cold and not yet 100+ degrees in Texas. We suggest taking full advantage of the upcoming February coolness by hosting an outdoor dinner party. It's amazing how far a dozen white candles will go. The centerpiece bowls in this photo are also decorated with floating candles and flower heads. What would your outdoor feast entail? Let us know by leaving your suggestions below in the Comments section.

Romantic Music

Valentine's Day was still on our minds when we found this beautiful photograph of a violin. We'll leave you with this image and urge you to think about music that brings you joy. Make February the month when you rekindle your love of music. Music, especially classical, has positive impacts on the brain and development. It's never too late to introduce your little ones to Mahler, Bach, or Beethoven. As always, we would love to  hear your thoughts of our blog on our Facebook Timeline. Come on, February!

Spotlight: The Mollai Collection

When it comes to home furnishings and accessories, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of style and innovation. It's our goal to provide our valued customers with living room, dining room, and bedroom sets that complement their personalities, existing home décor, and design aspirations. For this reason, Bel Furniture takes pride in creating its own special furniture collections. One of our exclusive lines, the Mollai Collection, was designed by the owners themselves. Below, we've featured four of our favorite sets we think you'll love.

1. Fine Vintage & Victorian

This first set will lend a regal air to any room. With its 100% leather upholstery, richly carved back frames and feet, and reversible, designer accent pillows, it communicates an elegance that is hard to find in most large furniture providers. We just love all the trim details with marble accents that make this living room set one-of-a-kind: http://ow.ly/gZSuZ

2. Fine Dining & Entertainment

For the ultimate experience in fine dining, the Mollai Collection features this eight piece set that includes a double pedestal extension, perfect for visiting family and dinner guests. Each intricate wood detail glistens in a well-lit dining room. And, the upholstered chairs match perfectly in a brownish, patterned fabric:  http://ow.ly/gZT1A

3. Sleek & Relaxing Sleep

In addition to dining and living room sets, the Mollai Collection also boasts a few bedroom sets that are modern and subtle in their elegance. This first one, with brushed nickel hardware and a warm, antique white finish, stands out in any bedroom space with curved details and an attractive headboard:  http://ow.ly/gZTur

4. Dreaming Big

The last bedroom set we will feature is a great option for a growing daughter. Bel Furniture offers many bedroom sets that kids will love for years. Say goodbye to buying a new bedroom set every couple years. This three piece queen bed comes in a cute cherry finish and has a 100% leather headboard. The foot-board is set with individual brass nail heads to give it a sophisticated look that your daughter's friends will envy: http://ow.ly/gZUc7

Free Lady Gaga Tickets Only from Bel and 104.1 KRBE

If anyone knows how to throw a ball, it's Lady Gaga. The first three shows of her "Born this Way Ball" tour were sold out, a story that isn't any different in our lovely city of Houston, where Pop Music's new Queen is set to perform on January 31, 2013 at the Toyota Center downtown. Based on the recent Internet buzz, we're sure this show is going to be even more spectacular than the "Monster Ball" tour.

After a successful partnership with 104.1 KRBE over the 2012 holiday season, we decided to pair up with them again and offer our customers a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the Queen of Pop at her Toyota Center performance in two weeks. KRBE listeners also  have a chance to win while enjoying tunes and news during their commute to and from work. Or, Houstonians can enter to win online to improve their odds.: http://ow.ly/gNECl.

Bel Furniture has made it very easy for their fans and customers to take part in this "Enter to Win" by providing a promotional link right on their Facebook page. For a chance to see Gaga appear onstage riding a mechanical horse with an Alien-style backdrop and all her Little Monsters in fine dancing form, all you have to do is Like Bel and enter to win the pair of tickets through the promotional tab on our Facebook page here:   http://ow.ly/gNFr6.

The only way to win a pair of tickets to see Lady Gaga in concert is to Like Bel Furniture on Facebook while you enter your information into our promotional tab, accessible right above the Timeline.

The Big Three (Movies) You Must See on the Big Screen

Each generation has a film they all remember seeing on the big screen. Whether it was Elizabeth Taylor lavishly costumed and doe-eyed in "Cleopatra," Dustin Hoffman serenely floating in his swimming pool in "The Graduate," or Tom Hanks running back and forth across the country in "Forrest Gump," we all fondly remember those cinematic moments that captured our hearts and imaginations, while we nervously or emotionally munched on buttery popcorn in a dark movie theater.

In honor of our current TV package promotion, the film aficionados at Bel Furniture have compiled a short list of movies that absolutely must be seen on the big screen. While the HD and 3D HDTVs we are giving away are not the size of traditional movie theater screens, they are definitely big enough to give you an at-home movie theater experience you can enjoy with the whole family. Learn about our special items or room packages that come with a free HDTV here.

The Big Three you Must See:

The first big screen must see film on our list is "Jurassic Park," by Stephen Spielberg. A small TV just wouldn't do the impressive 13,000 pound animatronic T. rex justice as he snarls and snaps his way after Dr. Grant and the other paleontologist enthusiasts (some not by choice).

The second box office smash on our list is "Independence Day,"starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. It's our opinion that this film lived up to its massive 90s hype by delivering breathtaking shots of the alien mother ships, strategically positioned above key cities all over planet earth. And, who could forget Will Smith's close encounter with the pilot of the alien fighter craft he shoots down over the desert?

Our third and final film for this installment is one that is a little more contemporary: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Each film was a visual feast even more dazzling than the one before. Peter Jackson brought each stone, each castle, each mystic city, and each character from the books, to life. Watching this film on the big screen is almost like dreaming.

When you have a free HDTV from Bel Furniture, you're not just limited to our movie picks. In fact, we would love to hear your top movies that you consider to be big screen must sees. Leave a comment below or let us know what you think on our Facebook  page.