Join us in giving a big CONGRATULATIONS to our January Appliance Winner, Paul Greco. We hope you enjoy your new Maytag Top Load Washer!

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner, Patricia Van Nostrand! Once a year, Ruby & Quiri selects one lucky winner to choose a destination anywhere in the continental US. We’re always thinking about more ways to give back to our customers, so like us on Facebook and stay tuned for our next big idea!

We hope you enjoy your trip, Patricia!

Like most people, laundry probably isn’t your favorite activity. That’s why we’ve rounded up a few DIY solutions to help make your laundry day easier and more enjoyable! Let us know if you use these recipes and how well they work in the comments!

DIY Scent Booster Recipe

This simple (and inexpensive!) recipe will keep your linens, towels, and clothes smelling divine even after a few weeks in the closet! Use your favorite essential oils to create a natural aroma that the whole family will enjoy!

Incorporate about 2 cups of epsom salts with 15 or so drops from two of your favorite essential oils (orange essential oil and lavender essential oil recommended), then store the mixture in a glass jar. Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of the laundry scent booster directly to your washing machine tub before you begin the cycle. Source: http://simplyshellie.com/homemade-laundry-scent-booster-recipe

Miracle Laundry Whitening Solution

If you’re stumped by whites that have turned into a frustrating shade of yellow, this is a promising recipe that can help restore them to their original glory! If you have a high efficiency washer that doesn’t allow for easy soaking, you can use a large pan on the stove.

Fill your washing machine with extremely hot water to the point where the article is just barely covered (you want to concentrate the cleaning power as much as possible). Add 1 cup of laundry detergent, 1 cup of powdered dish washer detergent, 1 cup bleach, and 1/2 cup borax. Soak for at least 2 hours or overnight. Then wash like normal. Source: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/09/miracle-laundry-whitening-solution.html

Hacks for Tough Stains

These common household items can help make tough stains disappear!

Rub chalk on grease stains to draw out the grease, then wash as usual. You can make a sugar paste with 2 TBS sugar and 1 TBS warm water, then rub on grass stains and let it sit for 30 minutes to break down the chlorophyl. Rubbing alcohol can also help remove grass stains. Black pepper can help keep your colors bright! Just add about a TBS to a load while you wash! White vinegar can be used instead of traditional fabric softeners to keep your clothes and towels soft and fluffy! Source: http://www.babysavers.com/top-laundry-hacks/

A kitchen is a lot like a closet. Items get pushed back and hidden under one another so that they often go unused and take up valuable storage space, and many times we will hold onto things that we think we may use sometime in the future but we haven’t actually needed in months or years. This stockpiling and disorganization not only makes it more difficult to find what you really need, it can make your entire cooking and dining experience more overwhelming than it should be. Here are three steps that will help you make your kitchen more practical and useful so you can actually enjoy cooking again!

Step 1: Purge

Are you holding onto old jars of jam that were gifts that no one really wants to eat? Do you suspect that those canned goods are dented? It’s ok to throw away food that your family does not want to eat, or you can donate items that are still in good condition and someone else may like more than you do. It’s good practice to take stock once in a while to make sure that you don’t have any expired items in your refrigerator or pantry, and any spices that are older than 3-4 years probably need replaced as well. But don’t stop there! Look through your cabinets and see if there are any appliances that don’t work any more or dinnerware that is chipped and unusable. You might be surprised by how much space you have once you get rid of things that you don’t need or can’t use any more!

Step 2: Organize

Make sure that the things you use most often in the kitchen are easily reachable. Pans and spatulas should be near the stove, and knives and cutting boards should be close to the sink so you can easily clean your produce before chopping. Appliances that aren’t used everyday can be placed in the top shelves of your cabinets, while plates and glasses should be lower so everyone can easily grab what they need. Sorting pantry shelves into backing goods, canned goods, and dried goods will help you find exactly what you’re looking for without digging through layers of miscellaneous boxes and cans. You’ll be amazed how much less time it takes to prepare a meal when you know exactly where everything is!

Step 3: Replenish

Make a list of uncommon goods that you always forget to add to the grocery list and appliances or dinnerware that you don’t have and would make your life easier. A well stocked kitchen with things like mustard, olive oil, baking powder, and balsamic vinegar will make meal planning easier so that you can spend time with the family cooking healthy meals. And when you have dinnerware to accommodate guests it will make you want to invite people over for dinner parties or cocktails before going out. You may not be able to buy all the appliances you need right away, but if you have a wish list it will be easier to set aside money and get what you need one thing at a time.

As much as we loved all the styles and designs of 2015, it’s time we look ahead and see what trends are in store for the New Year! Here are 7 trends making waves in the design world. Let us know which ones you like most!

1. Colored Stainless Steel Appliances
   Black is the new gray when it comes to stainless steel appliances in 2016. With all the amenities that you love, these new models are also more smudge-resistant than their traditional counterparts. The dark color is perfect for a modern or industrial style kitchen.
2. Mismatched Kitchen Cabinets
   Feel free to have fun picking out new cabinets! Choose two contrasting patterns to break up the monotony and make your kitchen feel more personal and beautiful!
3. Statement Bathroom Mirrors
   Don’t limit yourself to the bathroom aisles when you’re shopping for upgrades, look for statement mirrors with interesting shapes and frames. They’ll still perform the function you want while also adding style to your bathroom (without additional knick knacks that clutter the space)!
4. Fireplaces
   More and more we’re seeing homes that create a focal point around the fireplace (both big and small). If you already have one, make sure you clean out the flue and get it into working condition so you can capitalize on this new trend and surround it by cozy furniture that will make friends and family want sit around and chat for a while.
5. Bringing Outdoor Fabrics Indoors
   Fabric that is designed specifically for outdoor furniture has become so comfortable and so durable that many designers are suggesting it for use indoors! Especially useful for high-traffic areas or families with pets and small children, outdoor chairs and sofas can be the perfect solution for your home!
6. Sun Rooms
   The Sun Room is making a come back this year! As more families are making an effort to create living spaces that are tech free, a sun room or sunny part of your home converted into a separate gathering space can entice people away from the television.
7. Accent Walls in the Bedroom
   Choose a bold blue or green color to make an accent wall in your bedroom that will still help you feel like you’re in a personal resort. And if you really feel like going bold, a rustic wood wall or large farm-style accent piece is the way to go!

Changing just a few accessories and decorations to prepare for a new season can help you keep your home fresh and stylish while also motivating you to do less fun activities like dusting the top shelf of the cabinet or washing the windows. However, putting up decorations just to take them down three weeks later is a lot of work. That’s why we’ve round up three DIY projects that you can put up and enjoy for the entire winter season until it’s time to decorate for spring!

1. Pinecone Garland from The Sweetest Occasion

We love the way this garland looks above the fireplace or doorway! And you can always spray paint the pinecones to match your existing decor. Don’t forget to bake the pinecones first to rid them of any bugs!

2. Birch Wrapped Candle Holders from Liz Marie Blog

This simple project can dress up your dining table or fireplace mantle. This project is perfect if you have a birch tree nearby!

3. Metallic Fruit Centerpieces from 23Eleven Events

Even your coffee table can get a touch of winter glamour with these dollar store finds spray painted with metallic colors and brushed with glitter!

What ways do you decorate for winter? Tell us in the comments or connect with us on Facebook and share your ideas! 

Home design is one part functionality and one part art. You need comfortable seats, space to work, and a way to organize all the essential items you use in daily life. You also need a home that artfully reflects your passion and inspiration so that you have a space to call your own.

Before you begin selecting furniture and accessories, think about what you enjoy doing the most in each room. Are movie nights your specialty? Or do you need a quiet room to be productive and creative? Maybe you need a lot of seats for guests because you throw parties every chance you get and invite everyone in the neighborhood. Think about the things you love to do and make this your starting point. That way you can make your passions a priority.

After deciding how you are going to focus your room, you can begin thinking about the styles that you like best and how it will compliment or contrast your personality. Are you drawn to contemporary or traditional rooms? Rustic chic or urban? Minimalist or eclectic? Remember that your style may not fit neatly into one category or another, but narrowing down your options will be helpful when you start trying to decide on furniture and accessories.

Once you have developed a rough idea of what you want for your home, start window shopping. Don’t be afraid to walk into a store and ask questions about which pieces best suit your style and fit the purpose of each room. Find out what your upholstery or textile options are and keep that in mind for the final decision.

Finally, remember that you should love every piece of furniture or knick-knack that you buy for your house. Don’t make it your life’s mission to have everything match perfectly or fit into your original design plan. Buy the things that you like and trust that it will come together because it is all an expression of your personality. First and foremost, your home should make you happy.