At times, a bare table top lacks the luster that can make it fit into a room. Normally you would see a vase, a figurine or even some picture frames bearing the family members or the portrait. But if you don’t have anything around, check out the Italian way of decorating that boring table top. You can even see what Italian design behemoth Matteo Alesi has to suggest for your home!

His love for galvanised steel screws and flat-pack garden furniture aside, Matteo, 30, had to pass three tests before he was allowed to work for the family firm. The brand has been around for nearly 90 years, and is still very much a family business, but the company has applied strict rules to the employment of anyone bearing its name.

Matteo is the only one of his 15-strong generation who works for the family firm. He gained his Master’s degree (rule one), learnt a second language (rule two) and worked for another company for two years (rule three) before he was embraced by his elders.

(Source) The Independent

Empty Table Tops? Ask Matteo Alesi

The Hanging Chair is a part of the Suspended Pod Furniture Collection featured on Trend Hunter. We love this chair not only for the uber cool factor but also for its sheer innovativeness. Who ever said garden furniture is boring needs to get one of these babies.

The Hanging Chair

Summer time is near and for sure, a lot of people will be holding parties and gatherings outdoors. While it does seem that a clean yard and some food and refreshments will be in demand, there are certain hazards that summer festivities bring and sadly it includes the choice of furniture that will be used.

Faraway Furniture has shared the following tips to ensure you have a safe summer. They may seem harmless but it would never hurt to consider them.

Faraway Furniture offers the following free tips for safe summer outdoor entertaining:

1. Food – It’s important that certain foods be kept chilled or taken inside before too long. Certain types of foods carry the risk of causing food poisoning if they’re left out too long in the summer heat. These can include foods like potato and pasta salads, cheeses and other dairy products, and meat (try to only cook up meat that will be eaten soon after, and bring any leftover raw meats inside (or put it on ice) to be cooked later.

2. Furniture – If using patio or garden furniture, such as for a family party in the back yard, inspect it carefully before the party (especially if this is the first time it will be used for the season). To avoid injuries, make sure wood isn’t splintering and furniture is sturdy. It’s also a good idea to ensure there aren’t any sorts of nests or infestations on or around the furniture and eating area.

3. Insects – A little bug bite might not be a big deal for everyone, but there are exceptions. Those allergic to bees, for instance, can have severe reactions to bee stings. Other bugs have been known to carry diseases. If nothing else, insects can be an annoyance during outdoor entertaining. Instead of using toxic chemicals or candles (a potential danger in their own right, especially if the party involves children) consider using herbs and other plants, or normal household materials, to repel insects. For example, fresh basil is known to repel mosquitoes and flies (making it ideal to be placed on a picnic table). Lavender can help to repel ticks and moths. While plants are more likely to attract bees than repel them, you can keep them away from your food with dryer sheets placed on the table or near it (bees don’t like the scent).

4. Fire Hazards – Outdoor entertaining can pose a fire risk, with grills to bonfires being common attractions. Always make sure grills are clean and supervised, and that no open fires are ever left unattended. Don’t throw things into bonfires, and make sure there are no overhanging plants that might be too close to the flames. And of course, keep children at a safe distance at all times.

(Source) PR Web

The Hazards of Summer Include Outdoor Furniture