HAMPERS 'R' US

This post is long due. Should have posted two weeks back, events just kept taking over. Am glad i finally got the opportunity to today and it comes at the perfect time. 

I digress, back to blog topic of the day.

Hampers, gift packs, gift baskets, the term gets coined day in day out.

What are they? Where did they originate from?

 According to Wikipedia "A hamper is a primarily British term for a wicker basket, usually large, that is used for the transport of items, often food" while A gift basket, or fruit basket is typically a gift delivered to the recipient at their home or workplace. A variety of gift baskets exist: some contain fruit; while others might contain dry or canned foods such as tea, crackers and jam; or the basket might include a combination of fruit and dried good items. Gourmet gift baskets typically include exotic fruit, and often include quality cheese and wine, as well as other non-food items. (source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gift_basket) 

While growing up, i recall that my dad received loads of hampers from clients, friends, colleagues and the contents always got me excited. My sister was after chocolate bars , goodies. I was after keep sakes and unique items such as fancy diaries, pens and the likes. My mum? She was content with food items she usually used to recreate recipes.

The history of hampers

Hampers have a long and illustrious history, dating as far back as the time of William the Conqueror.

The concept of hampers originally started in France and the baskets full of treats were introduced to England back in the 11th century.

But it was not until the Victorian era that giving such gifts became a popular choice.

The massive development of the railways in the 1800s made it much easier to send perishable goods in hampers to friends and family around the country - and it became something of a tradition to send hampers at Christmas. Employers also used to present their staff with a basket of goodies at this time of year to ensure that they had a wonderful Christmas with plenty of festive food and drink to enjoy.

Nowadays, you don't just have to wait for December to send hampers - you can give them as gifts all year round.

And with a wider selection of items to include in your basket than ever before, you can find one that perfectly suits the recipient - or even choose the exact contents yourself. (Source: http://www.highlandfayre.co.uk/The-History-of-Hampers/)

You wondering what the fuss is about gift baskets?

Well, if you give someone a book, it's a gift. But imagine giving someone adding a compiled CD of the receiver's favourite songs, other books (maybe e-books or a kindle), beverages etc, you give a mood altering experience. The excitement on the person's face. OMG!!! It's priceless. That what sets a giving a gift apart from receiving a gift.

Back in the University, i had an obsession for getting the perfect gift for my then boyfriend. Ironic when i think about it now, how ladies hardly go the extra mile to get the special gift for that special person.

I would go window shopping for hours just to get a gift that was not only special but rare and unique in all aspects. I didn't mind spending my savings (after all it was probably  once or twice a year) either his birthday, valentine's day or our so called anniversary. lol. Things we do for love.

That routine soon developed into not only a habit but  passion and i gradually started scouting for presents for a couple of friends and my hamper business started on a  rather small scale.

That was ten years ago, though i continued to scout for gifts after graduation for people who knew i had that talent, i never considered it a business venture till a week to Valentine's day of 2011 when a friend asked i do something special for his girlfriend then (now his wife) and deliver it. 

My first gift basket 2011 (before)

After (not bad for a first try)

After that i got another call two days to Valentine that same week for another delivery this time with fresh flowers

Pardon the picture quality am still battling with photography and most times i take a quick picture with my phone before delivery.

After three more deliveries i felt it was best to learn more about the art of gift basket aka hamper making. I bought the book by Shirley Fraser " THE GIFT BASKET DESIGN BOOK" , need i say its like my gift basket bible and i decided to include gift baskets to services DRAB TO FAB provides.

Ramadan fruit basket

Before (ramadan fruit basket 2)

after 

A photographer friend of mine helped with this picture.
Spot the difference right. 

My sewing machine i inherited from my mum peeping from behind.

Gift don't always have to come in baskets or boxes. Like the picture above, it was an order for a duvet and cute throw pillows. I enjoyed sewing them. I simply topped it with an organza bow and a personalized note inside the duvet neatly rolled up.

I have had clients who don't open the baskets at the fear of ruining the beauty. I have others who have enjoyed every item in the basket. It turns out beautiful but its not always fun all the way.

I had a client once who wasn't happy with the contents of her basket, i almost gave up on hampers. Like they say you win some, you loose some. I must confess that event helped me get better at gift baskets.

An impromptu delivery. I enjoyed the rush.

Fast forward a few years and a cup full of fun and inspiration with loads of love of creating something creative and beautiful with your hands and what do you get? A gorgeous gift everyone will remember and treasure forever.

Baskets for all occasions Baby showers, Get-well soon, Birthdays, Valentine, Festive season, for him, for her to mention a few. Hampers are an excellent way to show your appreciation for someone's hard work, say thank you or celebrate any occasion.

One of the best things about hampers is that they are great for sharing, making them perfect for any celebration or gathering.

I am excited this year because i now have a blog and can reach a wider audience than ever before, with a lot of referrals too.

So are you looking to gift someone or an organization that unique gift?

Drab To Fab has just the hamper for you. With our range of hampers, there is something for everyone. We cater for individuals as well as Corporate organizations. What's more its pocket friendly. 

Our range of hampers include but are not limited to:

• 
  
• Needs and treat baskets 
• Fruit baskets 
• Gadget lovers basket 
• Gourmet baskets 
• Chocolate haven baskets 
• Personalized/Customized baskets

Which come in 4 categories

* Jadeite

* Alexandrite

* Peridot
* Diamond

10% discount on Bulk hampers. For bookings, further details or delivery details, please call 08037000709.

This was delivered today.

LIVING IT UP

Some days back @NaijaWife asked me 

So armed with guilt of neglecting my blog for so long, i felt it was high time i put up a post.

Today’s post is about one of my favourite spaces in the home.... The Living Room. I must admit i had a few challenges while trying to come up with this post. Thanks to twitter, i got encouragement from @Kitchnbutterfly ‏ . You should follow these two women on twitter and their blogs. Haaa-mazing i must say. 




















There is that common saying, first impression counts. I believe that applies to all aspects especially our homes. Since the living room is the first point of contact especially with guests, family and everyone else who visits our home. It essential we treat it right.

Palour, salon, front room, best room, lounge, and reception room.... the variety of names given to living rooms reflects the variety of approaches. The room could be divided into 2 distinct types namely a) formal b) informal.

There are many ways to achieve a stylish living area that can be used comfortably on a day-to day basis and also double as the settings for parties and gatherings.

The living room is actually a focus for leisure activities in the home, whether you like to spend time relaxing in the evenings, need a play space for your children. Careful planning is required to create a space that can adapt easily to a variety of functions.

Before making major decisions or purchases, consider these essential points.

 Activities:  What is the primary function of your living room? The living area is usually a focus for leisure activities in the home, whether you like to spend relaxing evenings in front of the television, need a play space for children or a room for entertaining. Whatever the activities comfortable seating must be a priority. Careful planning is required to create a space that can adapt easily to a variety of functions and ensure that different activities do not conflict.

Flow: Consider how you move around the room and plan the layout so that the main door, window, furniture, lights are easily accessible. A real living room, unlike photographs of interiors in glossy magazines and brochures is NEVER static, and changes as it responds to a family's changing needs. Flow patterns alter too as furniture, appliances are rearranged. Flexibility is key, know when a flow pattern isn’t working and change it.

Features: Every year designers hold fashion shows but with the ever changing trend, the stick to timeless outfits. Just like fashion, interior design is ever changing. Your living room too can benefit most if you spend time and money on fundamental pieces. Do you a large window, a mirror, an attractive wall TV unit or a collectible? Make it a focal point by arranging your furniture dramatically around it. Consider how well they can be seen from different parts of the room.

HOW CAN THE SPACE WORK FOR YOU?
Whatever the shape of your living room, ensure that its layout and design will adapt easily to your leisure activities. Ask yourself questions like:
·        Is the room spacious enough for different activities to take place at the same time?
·        Would modular sofas and chairs better suit changing needs by offering more flexible seating arrangements than a standard there piece suite?
·        Would one or two adjustable tables be adequate for your needs or do you require a range of different tables or units for books, trays, lamps and entertaining?
·        Do you prefer to sink into a soft capacious sofa or to sit well supported by firm upholstery?
·        Do you have pets? Will they be allowed to sit on the furniture? How do you intend to care for the seating cover?
·        Do you need to choose a floor covering that children can play on safely, that can also be cleaned easily and can be walked on barefoot in comfort?
·        Does your flooring have to cope with a lot of wear and tear?
·        Can you organize the living room to fully utilize natural daylight?
·        Do you prefer curtains or blinds?


ASSESS YOUR NEEDS
Certain features in a living room will make the space comfortable and attractive to those who use it. There are though no hard and fast rules, and a successful formular for one family might turn out to be a failure for the next because requirements and aspirations differ.
Still most living rooms share a common purpose and the following guidelines set out the basics for planning a room that functions well.

FURNITURE - The first essential is seating and like the room itself, the seating has to meet many needs – working, relaxing, and entertaining even dining. Living rooms once again are becoming places for living: for relaxing and even for more game nights (with EPL, La liga etc arrrrrgh) i must admit though, it’s a good way to experiment with recipes i find on-line for “him” and his friends. Lord knows i need that Blendertec badly.

The most important lesson for me however, is the masculine effect you can give your home. Rather than having modular seating which is not only heavy to move around, you can have two seater sofas, single arm chairs and a reclining chair just for him. As well as adding bold colors such as Navy blue through bean bags. Men like to be comfortable so think comfort.

Sectional seating. Image courtesy: Drab to Fab 

Remember a well designed sofa will be a pleasure to use but try to find out what is beneath the fabric to ensure the frame and filling meet your expectations. Run your hand over the sofa. At no point should you feel frame, springs or nails be detectable to avoid area of wear and tear.

Bean bags are great additions to living room seating.
They are comfortable and easy to toss around,
great for watching tv, playing games and cuddling.

 TABLES – should be on hand, possibly stacked away when not in use. Unless you have a small living area, try to include at least two types of occasional tables in the room to facilitate entertainment and relaxation. Choose tables of different heights to carry essential lighting and accessories. Examples coffee tables, chest, trolley, lamp tables, sofa tables, storage table, tray table, nest of tables.

Round storage coffee table ; courtesy google images.

I particularly like this storage table, because it doubles as a coffee table and reminds me of an ottoman.

Round lamp table; courtesy google images

Tray tables; great for holding glasses and cognac.
Image courtesy: google images

REMEMBER

·         Choose tables that can be maintained easily and can cope with expected amount of wear and tear. 

·         Avoid coffee tables with sharp corners to prevent accidents while walked into or against.

·         Glass tables are best made of tampered glass; they shatter into tiny pieces on impact

Nest tables are very convenient because they are stackable and an easy way to add a pop of colour to a space

 





















STORAGE: is inevitable, whether for books, DVDs or even glasses. I love ottomans with hidden space, they are quick solutions for storing toys, and magazines even pillows. Storage should be treated as a positive element not some afterthought. If you don’t want your TV permanently displayed or you are not allowed to nail or drill holes in your wall as the case may be for rented apartments invest (I hope to do a post on designing rented apartments in the nearest future) in an armoire. It also creates a focal point in absence of one.

It can take up space but its worth the initial investment

With an open shelve accessories can be arranged with care and consideration – rows of books provide flashes of colour and punctuations can be added in form of cut flowers in vases, clocks or collections of favourite objects.

An example of storage using an armoire.
Image courtesy: www.houzz.com

 


















A small room should consider dual-purpose furniture such as a sofa bed, foldable chairs.


Never hesitate to give away the old bulky piece of furniture, try converting that dinner table into a coffee table. Bottom line, clutter can make your living room look over crowded.


 For DIY fans having a small scale plan of your living room drawn out on a graph paper with all the doors, windows, shelves and permanent features marked on it is a great way to organize your room. To take the measurements, start from the door and work clockwise around the room. Take the overall measurements, adding on the skirting depths. Make sure that you keep the tape completely taut while you are measuring or have some one else hold the tape at the other end so that the dimensions are accurate. Work on one wall at a time, so you don't get overwhelmed. 

There are also tricks of the trade useful in sorting out some common living room problems. A large mirror placed at right angles to a window reflects light imitating the feeling of space and openness.If you are considering renovating your home soon, a single alteration that would make the most difference would be to lower the window sills. Don’t worry, it won’t affect anything structurally. (I see you heave a sigh of relief, lol).Another improvement which is quick and virtually cost free is to hang paintings, posters, at eye level. Rather than disperse your pictures around your wall, group them in a fanciful cluster. 

BUDGET
Lack of finance brings with it a discipline that is always helpful to good design. Trust me; I know that for a fact as long as priorities are right. Remember, good design isn’t necessarily expensive.

Hide a comfortable sofa in ugly fabric with a nice blanket or have it re-upholstered. Re-spray your old wood table to a bright colour to have it blend in with other colours in the room.Cant afford good paintings? Why not hang your family photos. If you cannot immediately afford to have the curtains of your choice why not try paper blinds until you can afford your desired curtains.

Watch out for seasonal sales, but watch out for “sale fever”. Try yard sales, i recently came across a yard sale the European union community holds in Abuja Nigeria just around January/February though its not constant.Small scale object – candles, flowers, lamps, cushions and curious of all sorts add life and personality to a room provided they don’t clutter. Live plants in terracotta pots add life in a real sense as many go on for years. 

Next post, hopefully i should blog about entertainment and collections as regards to Living rooms.

Stay fabulous and Live it Up!!!.