Amphora Home Furniture :: Park Ridge, IL

        It's been a few months since Amphora last sent out its Holiday issue when at that time, we were all in the middle of the hectic, stressful rush to get everything done. Now we are in that gray period of the calendar where we are still not quite out of winter's frigid hold but not yet into the time when the earth renews itself with the warmth of Spring and certainly no holidays lie ahead as diversions to keep our minds off the intrepid weather and daunting economy. So, as a reminder that now more then ever we should live simply as well as simply live, I give you this eloquent quote from Henry David Thoreau:
       "Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."
        We hope this issue of Amphora's newsletter will help you do just that. Simply living extends beyond buying furniture. To us we believe that simple is always the best, especially in these times. Getting back to basics with down to earth sensible, affordable advice to take in all seasons to live with passion, laughter, integrity, purpose and above all hope in every aspect of our lives.
        This month we are focusing on some simply great tips starting with our Interior Gardener segment that shows how a home made succulent garden can be planted in a an inexpensive container to give any room a breath of fresh air while "greening up" your home at the same time. Bring plants into your environment for an added design element. Then in the Practical Gourmet, Chef Eileen Considine-Boggins emphasizes simplicity and creativity with her economic menu suggestions with winter's cozy comfort foods the whole family can get involved in. Looking for some quick and affordable ideas for a new look in your home? My design tips will give you some ways to make some simple changes using color, lighting and accent pieces without breaking the bank while still refreshing your home with a new look. Don't forget to read about some great travel destinations that are not only unique but easy on the wallet that the whole family will enjoy as well as an update on our much anticipated move to The Shops of Uptown.
        Just remember, we are all in this together, and Amphora is always your resource to help you live well without having to sacrifice quality and service. So take Thoreau's advice and live in each season...truly live because in these unsure times we have a responsibility to the earth, each other and especially to ourselves to breath the air, drink the drink and taste the fruit...to live simply and to simply live.
        Live Well,
Amphora

        Debi

Top
Print this section

What's New
In the Store
    This Stanley set has 6 arm chairs, 52" planked pedestal table (no leaf), server with wine & silverware storage. Complete set is priced at $3,399 and includes delivery. Pieces can be purchased separately.
    Need a little bigger table? We have a Stanley 52" round 4 legged table with 1 20" leaf also available for this set at $799 or sold with package.
    For the latest scoop on what's on our shelves and in our showrooms, visit the What's In the Store section of our website. Check the date and time of our posts to make sure you're not reading yesterday's news!

The Move to The Shops of Uptown Update

Diane and I are so excited to be getting closer to our move. We have been planning and designing the space so that you will be able to shop for rugs, artwork, sofas, dining, kid's furniture, bedroom, lighting and accessories all in our new 4500 square foot space located at 2 North Northwest Hwy.

The trucks are starting to roll in packed with everything from upholstery to occasional pieces and still at wholesale or below pricing....and speaking of prices, we want to make sure you are reassured that Amphora's prices will NOT go up with this new store. We are searching and buying smart for you to have the best quality, best selection and best prices. So, relax knowing that Amphora is dedicated to making it affordable with every purchase you make because that is what Amphora is all about.

We are also looking forward to partnering with Rainbow Hospice at the end of May for a huge fund raising gala that will kick off the new store. All ticket proceeds will go to Rainbow and you will get a chance to shop before the general public.

Top
Print this section



Hurray! It's March! We've got most of the winter season behind us, the days are getting longer, and believe it or not the first day of spring is on March 20th which is just around the corner. Even though we have had a few warmer pre-spring days, we still will not be enjoying our gardens outside for a few more weeks, but until then, we can always find ways to bring the garden in! One way to capture the feeling of bringing the outdoors inside is to design a small interior garden with succulent plants. The Echeveria succulents are my favorites offering all the components of good design, a variety of colors, shapes and textures. They originate in dry, semi-desert regions and have thick, wax covered leaves which enables these plants to hold water for an extended period of time and that makes them very low maintenance. They can be found in garden centers and home improvement stores that carry indoor plants. You can easily create a natural work of art with one single succulent or a combination of succulent plants in a container to accent the design style of your home. So while we are all waiting to reconnect with nature, enjoy a garden inside and think spring any way you can! What you will need • Decorative Container (with drain hole). Or add rocks to the bottom of a container without a drain hole. This will prevent the roots from sitting in water and rotting. • Cactus & Succulent Potting Mix • Echeveria Succulent Plants Care Instructions • Let soil completely dry between watering. • Direct Sunlight (Southern and Western exposures are best). • Fertilize sparingly every 4-6 weeks (April through September). • Allow plants to remain dormant for a rest period with little or no water December through February.

Top Print this section


Happy March! Perhaps with all the cold weather and snow, many of you have spent more time in the kitchen preparing meals, experimenting with recipes and inviting friends over for dinner. Inevitably, a New Years resolution may be to eat healthier and cook more at home. Some of your kids may be interested in spending time in the kitchen and the various shows on the food network have been the inspiration to gain participation in the kitchen from the entire family! To involve the family in the kitchen, take a survey, determine favorite dishes from the family member and enlist their assistance when preparing the meal. A crock pot is a great way to interest kids in cooking. They can measure out ingredients (great for math skills too!) and see results in several hours. It will be a lot more fun and a learning experience for all!
Roasting Vegetables and/or Potatoes Great side dish for chicken, pork, beef. Serves 3-4. • 1 lb total of potatoes (red work the best) and/or mixed vegetables such as sweet potatoes, beets, red onions, carrots, winter squash, turnips Scrub all the vegetables, (ok to leave the peel on the potatoes), cut in 1/4 inch slices, and place in a single layer baking sheet, lined with foil or parchment paper. In a small boil combine 2 Tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons a mixture of fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and coat them evenly. Bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes, test doneness by piercing with fork. They may need more time. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste and serve.	Weeknight meals multiple • When cooking chicken breast for dinner, double the amount of chicken breast you would normally prepare. • Chop up the left over chicken breast and the following night, add to pasta or make a risotto using different ingredients. Add canned artichokes from the cupboard, roasted red peppers in a jar, or any other vegetables that you may have in the fridge (green onions, carrots, zucchini) or freezer, frozen peas or corn. • Purchase the 3-5 lb butterball frozen turkey breast from the grocery store. Bake according to directions, and use for Turkey tetrazzini one night, and homemade turkey, rice and vegetable soup the next night. • Cook a large pork loin roast for dinner, and use the leftovers for barbeque pork sandwiches.
Miscellaneous Quick Tips • Freeze grapes, suck on them like hard candy. • Replace sour cream with yogurt. • For more flavorful rice, use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. • If you overcook brownies or cookies and they are hard, ground them in a food processor; store them in the freezer and use as topping for ice cream. • If you must buy cookies, buy ones you don't like!
Top Print this section

Spring Trends

The trends for Spring 2009 are both playful and romantic. This year the colors are vibrant sunny yellows, bright pinks and tangerine with accents of creamy whites that add a crisp and clean contrast to your décor. These whites can also be seen as your dominate color and look spectacular and elegant when used in a grouping of white vases filled with white blooms and simple greenery.

Also, a dramatic look that's popular this season, is black and white. Use this classic duo in floral patterns or geometric s alone in framed artwork, pillows or accessory pieces then bring a punch of color with those same bright and sunny citrus yellows, melon and pinks to freshen up any room. New floral motifs are also popping up everywhere so have fun, decorate with what you love and most of all make it your own!

Louise Smith, color and design manager for Dulux, points out, "This is the year to go wild and express yourself. Since fewer people will be moving, the onus is on personalization and reinvention."

Another big design trend this year is wrought iron, trellis and lattice patterns which are replacing the damask patterns that have been so popular the last couple of years. These designs can evoke the feeling of an elegant English garden or a modern ocean front Palm Beach condo. This trend is being added to rooms not only with patterns in wallpaper or fabrics but also with accessory and furniture pieces such as a airy garden lamp or a glass topped wrought iron coffee table, plant stand or bakers rack.

Pull off the heavy drapes of winter and hang silk, white cotton or any light weight fabric that will allow the sun to stream in which will awaken everything. Light, bright and crisp colors and sun drenched rooms that bring the outdoors in are what's in style for Spring. Change out sofa pillows with ones that bring your punch of color into the room, paint an accent wall in a deeper contrasting or complimentary color, replace older and heavy lamps for a new and updated look with iron or glass or pull your dark colored area rugs and replace them with a fresh taupe banded sisal.

All of the tips I have talked about can be done effectivly and inexpensively. Small changes with lamps, rugs, color, paint and accessories can reap big transformations in refreshing and rejuveniging your home...a new look for the new season, just don't forget to have fun!

Furniture care tip

Water Rings on Hardwood Furniture?

To remove them, make a paste of non-gel toothpaste and baking soda. Rub it into the white stains until warm. It takes a bit of time for the marks to go away. When they are gone, wax the wood, if okay for the surface.

Picture Hanging Tip

Ever have a great piece of artwork you want to buy and have passed it up because of the way the hangers are placed on the back? They are on each side of the piece instead of in the middle and you just don't want to fool with the measuring and leveling that it would take to hang this? Well, Amphora has a great tip to hang those types of pieces in 3 easy steps.

1.) Take a piece of painters tape and run it from the middle of one side of the hanger to the middle of the other hanger and cut.
2.) Now take that piece of tape and place it exactly where you want the picture to hang on the wall. The painters tape will do two things...first it will allow you to see just where you are going to place your picture and the second, it will act as a level.
3.) Place your nails at each of the ends of the tape at the top. Once you have your nails in the wall, pull off the tape and your picture will hang perfectly...each time!

Top
Print this section

     • New York
        Enjoy life on a working farm with the whole family.
        Double rooms are $89.00 a night
        Handsome Brook Farm New York
        handsomebrookfarm.com

     • San Francisco
        Good Hotel $89 Eco friendly
        Recycled wood, everything. Call the concierge to
        find ways to volunteer during that day with your
        family. Teach your kids the benefit of helping
        others while enjoying a family vacation.
        www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/good

     • Washington State
        Stay in a unique and Eco friendly tree-house.
        What fun the kids will have with this adventure
        the whole family can enjoy!
        Tree House Point, $149.00 Double rooms
        6922 Preston Fall City Rd SE
        Issaquah WA 98027, Tel: (425) 441-8087
        treehousepoint.com

For more travel information and other cost saving tips, visit perfectvacation.blogspot.com

Top
Print this section