A MODERN HOMEOWNER'S MUST HAVE: A SOFA BED

Modern homeowners are always looking for ways to keep their place stylish yet avoid clutter. The duality of the sofabed make it the perfect modern homeowners dream.  Whether your sofa bed is being used as your main sofa, in the den, spare room or basement it is a must have for any home! The multifunctionality of the sofabed is what makes it the perfect piece for your home; especially if your space is limited. Sofa beds also come in different styles, sizes and price range so with a little comparison shopping or a sofa bed specialized store you should be able to easily pick out the type of sofa that suits you and your lifestyle. 

3 BENEFITS OF OWNING A SOFABED

1. MULTIPLE UTILITY 

The sofa bed is the one single accessory that is user friendly, cost effective, durable and comfortable. What other piece is as practical and versatile as a sofa bed? One moment it’s your living room sofa, the next it’s a comfortable bed ready to be slept on. Sofa beds come in multiple different styles and are being designed with smaller spaces in mind.  They are becoming even more functional by providing built in storage units, or easy click clack or pull out draw features. Gone are the days when metal frames use to dominate the sofa bed world.

2. EASILY TRANSFORMS FOR GUESTS 
Picture this:  You're having a dinner party where alcohol is being served.  You didn't plan to have people spend the night but one of your guests drank too much and needs a place to cool off over night.  Without a sofa bed, you'd be worrying about the space or lack thereof that you'd have to house this guest. Now, think of how much more convenient it is to not have to worry about sleeping accommodations. Without a second thought you recline the backs of your sofa, pull out the draw, take off the arms, put a fitted sheet and a blanks on and voila......it’s a bed! Your guest can sleep in comfort and wake up the next day feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. A sofa bed doesn't have to be something you use all the time, simply knowing that your sofa is there when you need it gives you peace of mind and a quick backup when guest or family members are coming to spend the night.

3. NOT JUST A SOFA BED....
A sofa bed isn't just for sleeping anymore.  You can now use it for relaxing, a quick nap or sitting back to watch a movie. Since no two sofabeds are a like you can get one that tailors all these needs.  How amazing would be to have the option to use your pull out drawer as a bed function, but also have the option to extend it for use as an ottoman after a long day, or during movie night with friends, family, or a romantic night.  Since you didn't have to go out and buy a lounge chair, bench, or ottoman separately, the sofabed also has cost advantages. It also saved you space you would otherwise be taking up if you had gotten all those pieces separately.

LET US KNOW: "WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT HAVING A SOFABED?"

10 TIPS FOR HANGING WALL ART AND PICTURES LIKE A PRO

Buying art for your home is always a fun experience but can be an art project in itself.   It makes the room more exciting, adds your personality and is a great way to decorate if you aren't allowed to paint the walls.  There are many reasons why people buy art; some are art collectors and always see pieces that they just HAVE to have, others buy a few select pieces to add flair to their home, while some just want to have a whole wall dedicated to art work. Everybody loves art, but most don't take into consideration what’s next after they've bought it and taken it home. Or, if you’re like me you look at pictures on Google, or in home decorating magazines and envy the designer who just arranged a group of art work with such flare leaving you to think, “why couldn’t I think of that” Sadly, if your wall art is not hung correctly it will take away from the room leaving what you thought was beautiful looking a big mess! Whether you purchased high end piece, bought from Modern Sensibility, an arrangement of pictures from Walmart or your local art store, or a simple collection of friends and family we ALL need to know, and should know how to hang our art nicely and professionally

Top 10 Tips For Hanging Wall Art with Confidence and Style.  
Maybe we can even get ours to look like the magazines with some practice.   

1. Always make an outline or at least have a visual idea of how you’re going to arrange the pictures on the wall.  Your visual can be a brief outline of a straight line arrangement or pictures grouped together with different frame sizes. How you arrange the art is VERY important.  Lay it out on the floor before hanging it up if you have too. The picture you thought was nice in the store could become cringe-worthy simply by how you place it on the wall. (Especially if it’s in a busy area of the home.)

2. Remember to choose a focal point in the room where your arrangement can stand out and get the most attention.  If you can do this without taking away from anything else in the room (like your sofa), then that's a bonus. You can achieve this by making sure they are hung symmetrically.

3. Make sure you have hung the art properly and securely.  You do not want nails coming loose and running your walls, or worse the painting falling down and hurting a family member or friend – or yourself!  This is the most important tip I can give.

4. Place your art work in appropriate rooms PLEASE!  I’m sure we all know not to place pictures of food in the bathroom,  or a picture of nude female in your living room (hey, unless that’s what your into) but try to place pictures that are suitable for the use of the room. 

5. A good idea is to place large wall art above furniture; such as a large piece over the sofa, or the fireplace.  It is also a good idea to hang wall art on a bookshelf, or a hallway display with other accessories such as a vase or a set of candles.  

6. If you would like to emphasize the wall that has the art on it you can try subtle lighting, or utilize your natural lighting.  A good idea is to consider the colors of the art itself.  Lighter colors will always make the room appear larger and reflect light. 

7. Bigger is SOMETIMES better.   I wanted to say always but I shouldn’t generalize because this it might not work the same for everyone.  Having one large painting is good for creating a focal point in any room and will be the first thing a person sees when they walk into that room. This makes for a real standout statement. 

8. Horizontally hung painting give the appearance of width to a room, while vertically hung paintings add to the height. This is a great tip to know when deciding on what appearance you’d like to add to the room.  

9. Place your arrangement around a mirror or wall clock.  The mirror now becomes a part of the wall art design; adding style and individuality to the arrangement.

 
10. For a more modern look use a whole wall for your art.  However, you still have to keep in mind the rules, and place like items together.  Don’t start placing items together that have no relevance to each other at all. 

      

So now you’re armed with these ten guidelines, your love for art and an image in your head.

      …..…..Get Hanging!

            

      Don’t forget if you live in GTA or surrounding area Click Here to check out our website! We offer thirty different options to choose from starting at $69.00

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING A GIVEAWAY

Have you ever wondered how some people have all the luck in winning giveaways and sweepstakes, while the rest of us seem to try but never win a thing! We could call it luck, but hey why leave it up to luck when you can use strategy to increase your chances of winning. What better time than now to learn how to be an expert giveaway winner? Especially when Modern Sensibility is having a HUGE 'Living Room Giveaway"

5 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES TO WIN!

1. Read and understand all the rules of the giveaway.  You don't want to miss out on your chance to win because of a preventable mistake or something you overlooked.

2. Become social media savvy. A lot of contest/giveaways use twitter, facebook and blogging for additional entries into their contest. How easy is it to just blast the information out to your online networks, gaining the upper hand over those who may only have one of the three or none.

3. Try to get as many entries into the giveaway as you can.  If a contest list 4-6 additional entries into the contest try to do as many possible. While others many have done the basics you went the extra mile, hence increasing your chances to win.  Especially the easy ones such as signing up for a blog, or tweeting a message. More entries equal more ways to increase your chances of the randomizer picking your number. 

4. Get your friends involved in the contest. If there is a referral system (like ours) you gain entries easily just by spreading the word to your friends.  Invite as many as your closest friends to join the contest and help you become the winner.

5. Last but not least make sure all the information you provided is true, honest and ACCURATE. If you have wrong information you might be disqualified from the contest or worse if you didn't leave the correct information there will be no way for the giveaway host to get in contact with you. If this happens you lose your chance of being the winner, and another person will be picked. Also, check your email often; there is always a time frame on how long a winner has to claim their prize. If you don't check your email you lose your prize. 

  

NOW THAT YOUR AN EXPERT WHY NOT TRY YOUR LUCK IN OUR MODERN SENSIBILITY LIVING ROOM GIVEAWAY 2011

This could all be yours!

GOODLUCK :)

CONTEST: LIVING ROOM GIVEAWAY 2011

The Prize:

1 Painting ($129)

1 Newport ($299)

1 Coffee Table ($349)

1 TV Stand ($539)

1 Equinox ($599)

TOTAL VALUE: $2200

To Enter: (mandatory) 

“Like” us on Facebook and receive (+1 entry)

MUST Fill out Google Doc Form (below) to be entered into the giveaway ***very important step*** 

More Chances To Win (optional) :

Tell A Friend (unlimited entries)

-Refer your friends! For every referred friend who “like” us on Facebook, that’s one additional entry into the giveaway! (Enter their email address in your Google doc form and we’ll track the rest. You get the point once your friends have been confirmed!)

Tweet Tweet (+2 entries):

***NOTE: if your twitter is private we will not be able to see your tweet*** 

- Follow us and tweet to your followers the message below: 

“Enter @modsensibility "Living Room Makeover Giveaway" to win a     painting, coffee table, TV stand, lounge, and sofa combo set!”

Join Our Community (+3 entries):

-Subscribe to our blog using your Gmail account

http://modsensibility.blogspot.com/

Spread The Word (+4 entries):

 Write a review about your experience at Modern Sensibility on any review website, or on www.modernsensibility.com(provide the link your Google doc form)
 

 Blogging Power(+5 entries):

- Blog about us: Post our giveaway on your personal blog with a picture of the items and link to our Facebook page.  Or the banner code to the left of the page.

 Giveaway Guidelines:

- Open to Canadian residents only!

- Must be at least 18 years of age to enter.

- Applicants will receive periodic emails informing them of their total number of entries in the giveaway.

COLOUR 101: WHAT DOES YOUR SOFA COLOUR SAY ABOUT YOU?

Colour plays a huge factor on how we visually express ourselves. They also  represent how we feel from moment to moment and can change our moods depending on the colours we are around.  People who study colour have found that different colours are associated with certain characteristic unique to that specific colour. There is a science behind colour that can even be used as insight into our personalities. Have you ever wondered why you feel relaxed in a green room? Or why the fast and sporty Ferrari is associated with red (hint: it wasn't an accident) colour can even affect the mood in your home.

What does the colour you choose for your sofa say about your personality? After you've chosen the style you want, what colour were you drawn too? Are you an adaptable Beige? A powerful Black ? Or a fiery exciting Red? I decided to weigh in on colour meanings and what they say about you.

 

Black is a colour of tradition, it is timeless and will always be in style.  Although traditional it is also a bold and dominating colour that speaks for itself. Black comes with an air of power and sophistication. Those who gravitate towards black are said to be confident, and self-aware and enjoy the finer elegant things in life.

Note: Overuse of this colour can easily have the opposite effect of power however, and leave you feeling empty due to its lack of colour. 

 

Beige is a quiet, relaxing shade close in colour to white but said to be warmer due to its mixture of brown.  Beige is a neutral, ever changing colour that works well with any colour theme.  On it's own it is viewed as plain or 'boring' but it's a perfect complimentary colour,taking on the characteristics of any colour it is paired with.  The ever changing chameleon feature of this colour is perfect for people who crave change, and excitement.  If you're the type who likes to switch your accent pieces on a wim then beige is the colour for you because it will change as you change.

   

Grey also known as the "new beige" has gained popularity in the last year as the new "it" colour.  Grey like beige is a perfect neutral that blends well with any colour, the difference between them is grey is not trying to fit in; it stands well on its own.  Those who choose grey are known to be conservative, knowledge people who know their worth but don't feel the need to brag or boast about it. They'd rather be in the shadows than stand out.  There is more than meets the eye with "grey people" because it comes in multiple of shades (500 distinguishable shades to the human eye).

 

Red is a stimulating, bold, exciting colour. It is also the colour of passion, love, sex and desire.  It is a colour called to action, and demands attention in any space or room it is used in. Although it can be paired with different colours such as green(Christmas), yellows,and purples red does not like to share the spotlight and looks best paired with neutrals such as grey. Those who gravitate towards this colour are known to be attention seekers and love the thrill of a new adventure. They are confident people who enjoy feeling and looking beautiful.  This is a great colour choice if you're looking to add some excitement to a room because of its stimulating nature.

 

Brown is the most chosen sofa colour for home decor because of its practicality. Why brown is such a fan favourite is because it is a colour we are so used to seeing in nature, making us feel closer to the world around us.  It offers stability and matches well with any color theme.  This is a great sofa choice for those who like to entertain because it creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere in the home.  This will help when inviting guest over because they will automatically feel closer to you; friendships will deepen because you will be seen as a warm, approachable person.

   

Blue has the undeniable ability to make everything around seem cool, laid back and peaceful. It is a widely popular colour chosen not just in home decor, but in general as well.  Having a blue sofa in your home shows that you are an easily liked, friendly, trustworthy and loyal person; all the qualities of a great friend. They are also known to be traditional, non-risky people who like to stick to the status quo. 

This colour is a perfect choice for married couples because blue is not a gender specific colour so there will be no fuss when deciding on a colour choice. 

Here's a fun colour personality quiz(we all took it here at the store it is VERY accurate!) : colour quiz

WHAT DOES YOUR SOFA COLOUR SAY ABOUT YOU? 

TELL US ON TWITTER @MODSENSIBILITY

*colour research was done using Sensational Colour

HOW TO ENJOY A SIZZLING SUMMER

June 21st marked the first day of Summer 2011 this means it's time to start prepping your home for summer. Time to start enjoying those hot summer days, cool summer nights, 9pm sunset, days laying out on the beach,and BBQs with the family. Having a few things in place as summer hits will help you feel more relaxed and ready to enjoy the next 94 days of summer!

1. BUH-BYE WINTER, HELLO BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE!

After a long dragged on winter, and a cold rainy spring aren't you happy to say hello to the hot sun of summer? Sometimes I get so caught up in summer that I forget that there is even a season called Winter (almost).  To put yourself in the utmost summer-like mode update your accessories to light and brighter colours. Trade in your winter/spring items like blankets and winter clothes, thick curtains for fresh cut flowers, and a portable fan. Going shopping for a new summer wardrobe that will keep you in style is also a great way to get ready for the heat all summer long.

2. GO ON A SUMMER DIET

Before you go out shopping or even start looking at furniture take measurements of your entire living space (ie. Living room, bedroom, plus every corner and crevice). Know exactly what space you have, where you plan on putting your basic furniture pieces, areas that you can maximize or that are unchangeable. If it helps create a visual by drawing out, or requesting a floor plan (if you're condo offers this)

3.  GET YOUR FRIENDS TOGETHER 

After your fridge is summer ready it's time to invite your friends and family over. Summer is the best time for this, not only can you guys enjoy the outdoors together, you can show off your hosting and cooking skills as well. Make it fun by throwing a BBQ and telling all your friends to come. Play a little music, some games with laughter and you're already off to a good start to throwing am amazing summer party.  Plus, it also gives you a chance to practice all your summer favourites and get the opinions of your friends on your new summer menu items. Another fun thing about summer is the amusement and waterparks; this is another great way to spend a hot day with friends or family.

4. KEEP THE BUGS AWAY

One thing I HATE about summer is the attack of the mosquitoes. This year has been extremely horrible too; you cannot even walk outside without a bug bite. Those little buggers will put a damper on any beautiful summer night when they’re swarming around you, and eating you alive. To prevent this get the tools to keep them away! Pick up some bug spray, lanterns for your backyard, install window/door screens. Don’t let the uncomfortable bug situation stop you from enjoying your summer.

5. KEEP COOL ALL SUMMER LONG

Summer could easily change its name to HOT. When it gets up to 30degres with no breeze in sight you have to find ways to keep yourself cool. First things first if you have the luxury of air conditioning turn it on, or get one installed. If you’re not able to install air conditioning unit for whatever reason a good alternative is a fan, a couple of them around the house will keep the place cool.  In the summer taking cold showers a couple of times a day always works for keeping you cool, I swear by this tip. There is nothing more refreshing than a cold shower on a hot sweaty day. The most important rule of these is drinking plenty of water, with heat at all times high it is easy to become dehydrated. Keep a bottle of water close to you at all times so it’s their when you need it.

5 TIPS FOR SMALL SPACE CONDO LIVING

"Our living space just doesn't meet our space requirements" Is the usual dilemma most condo owners face after they've signed on the dotted line for the first time and are taking the steps into furnishing their new humble abode. Your condo is beautiful but cramped, this is when the pleasure of owning a new room become replaced by the headaches of furnishing it. Will you be able to maximize on space, decorate the way you want too and turn this house into the home you envisioned? Can you do all of this within your space limitations and tight budget? This may seem like a daunting task but with the right steps and preparation decorating your condo should be a breeze. 

TOP 5 TIPS TO CHOOSING FURNITURE FOR YOUR CONDO

1. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH:

Before you go out shopping or even start looking at furniture take measurements of your entire living space (ie. Living room, bedroom, plus every corner and crevice). Know exactly what space you have, where you plan on putting your basic furniture pieces, areas that you can maximize on or that are unchangeable. If it helps create a visual by drawing out, or requesting a floor plan (if you're condo offers this). Be prepared before you start shopping to minimize the stress.

2.  CHOOSE YOUR STORE CAREFULLY

Don't waste time going to the big box stores, do some research and visit locations that target condo owners. Stores such as Modern Sensibility offer smaller sized furniture that will fit with the space restrictions of a smaller condo. There are many stores that specialize in providing peace of mind to a new condo owner, find them! so you know that when you go you won't have to worry about falling in love with a piece that won't even fit through your front door. At condo targeted stores measurements are smaller. The length of a standard three seat sectional is 7.5 to 8ft long (96in) at a condo targeted store you will find smaller pieces starting at 5ft(60in) for the the real space deprived to an average 6ft to 7ft (72 to 86in).

The MAYA - Love seat with storage and fold down sofa bed.

3.  GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Look for pieces that offers you the best in style and function. Pick a piece that looks stylish (and fits your taste whether it is modern or traditional) but also offers some other type of functionality such as a bed or lounge transformation; storage is also a great option. A sofa bed that doubles as your daily sofa, but is also easily transformed to a bed when you have guests is always a bonus. If you're looking for a TV stand choose one that has hideaway drawers and ample storage space to be able to store more things than your TV and a couple of videos.

4. GO FOR THE LIGHTER HUES

Light colours give the illusion of a larger space, while darker colours make the room feel more closed in. Also, adding mirrors will help brighten up the space and give the feeling of a larger room because they reflect the light onto the surfaces and open up the space. 

5. SAY NO TO THE BULK

Stay FAR away from bulkier sofa pieces, or traditional three piece sets. They take up unnecessary space and will look awkward in your smaller living room. This will only make your home feel and look cramped. Choosing a sofa with no arms is also a modern alternative that will also give the illusion of more space.

Purchasing furniture for your new condo doesn't have to be a hassle or a headache. Don't let the planning of how you're going to work with your smaller space take away from the experience of shopping for your new condo. Whether you’re a new young couple purchasing your first home, or an older couple downsizing from a larger home; all it takes is some strategic space planning, and choosing quality and functional pieces on a budget that works for you. Take all these things into consideration and you’ll have your home decorated with ease in no time. If you’re having trouble starting, start with tip 2 and come on down to Modern Sensibility where we guarantee as the “condo specialist” that we will have a piece that will meet the requirements and needs of your home.

Follow us on Twitter for deals and updates @modsensibility

TELL US YOUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING CONDO SIZED FURNITURE?