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The mid-century modern style is a design style popular in the mid-20th century. The style went out of vogue but soon became popular among interior design enthusiasts. Cara Greenberg’s “Mid-century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s” made the term mainstream in 1983. Check out some characteristics of this period in interior design history.

Geometric Shapes

Mid-century modern (MCM) designs are noted for their ideal geometric shapes. However, many of the classic pieces from the era are notable by their forms, such as the famous Eero Saarinen bar stool. In addition, MCM furniture has clean lines that highlight the simplicity of the design. Once you are familiar with the works of the period, it will be easy to spot them in any setting.

Simplicity is the Focus

The MCM style focuses on simplicity over ornate frills and extravagant decorations. The settings are linear, with abundant space to move around. From the furniture to the accessories, the MCM style is very minimalist. You will notice the dominance of large furniture or sculptures – statement pieces. Every other item is kept at a minimum.

Functionality over Fashion

One of the defining features of MCM style is its emphasis on functionality over fashion. Furniture and decor are chosen first for their purpose, then for their form, resulting in pieces made with long-lasting materials and thoughtful design. That’s why furniture for mid-century interiors remains so relevant today, with many original designs still in use decades later. For those looking to bring this timeless appeal into modern spaces, explore curated selections from brands that offer quality craftsmanship and classic design, blending the charm of the past with the needs of the present.

Image Via: 1825 Interiors

Experimental Materials and Textures

Mid-century modern designers experimented a lot with materials and colours. While wood was the primary material of the period, other materials were used frequently. The type of wood also differs from standard oak trees. Many used teak and rosewood, while others were created with metal, glass and vinyl. The textures also varied. You may find it difficult to differentiate between wood and wood veneer until you check carefully.

Neutral Colours with Contrast

Neutral colours were the order of the day during the MCM era. In the early days of the era, rooms feature minimalist colours like black, white and grey. Over time, warmer and brighter tones were adopted. Colourful accent pieces were also popular during the period. So it is normal to see a roomful of neutral colours interrupted by a bright orange chair.

Bridge Indoors and Outdoors

Another essential characteristic of the mid-century modern period was bridging the interior and exterior spaces. Plants were used to decorate indoor spaces to bring the outside inside. Many of the favoured materials also give off the look of seeing something fresh from the outside. The interior was regularly linked to the outside to make people feel connected to their environment. Big flat-panelled windows were used to make the space more welcoming.

Conclusion

Since the 1930s, the mid-century modern style has been trending among interior decor enthusiasts. The period was very different in its styles, which are still distinct today. However, you can add a few modern style touches to prevent your home from looking outdated.

Ubud is a jungle oasis smacked right in the middle of the famous Indonesian island of Bali. As the spiritual hub of Bali, it is home to yoga studios, fascinating temples, luxury wellness resorts, bustling markets, and cosy cafes. If you’re planning to travel to Bali soon, you should spend a few days in Ubud. 

To help you plan your trip, here are some of the best things to do in Ubud.

Image via Unsplash

Explore the Temples and Rice Terraces

 

Your visit to Ubud will not be complete without exploring its magnificent temples and breathtaking rice terraces. Some of Bali’s best temples are in Ubud, with the Monkey Forest being the most popular among them. If you can, hire a motorbike. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get around Ubud and visit its many attractions, including the temples and rice terraces. 

The Monkey Forest Temple is a series of three temples dating back from the 14th Century and is located in a nature reserve converted into a temple complex. It’s home to hundreds of monkeys running around and playing in the complex. These cute primates are considered spiritual animals believed to be guarding the temples. Take care of your belongings when getting around the temples since the monkeys are notorious for snatching items from visitors.

Another popular attraction you should not miss in Ubud is the magical Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Featuring countless layers of lush rice fields, exploring the rice terraces is such a wonderful experience. Come early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds.

Street Food at Night

 

If you’re a foodie looking for a cultural experience in Bali, Ubud is the best place to be. The area comes alive at night, with many street food stalls selling all sorts of Balinese delicacies. You will find these stalls in the night markets of Ubud, which start at 5 PM and remains open until 9 PM.

Night markets are open-air markets set up by locals after nightfall. During the day, the area is a mere open space used as a town square or parking lot and only comes alive at night when street food vendors start setting up their stalls. The Sayan Market is one of Ubud’s most popular night markets, which lies at the intersection of Tebongkang and Sayan streets. Another market where you can indulge in delicious street foods is the Gianyar Night Market, which is about 10 km away from Ubud.

If there’s only one food you need to try in Bali, make it the babi guling or suckling pig. It’s a famous delicacy on the island, which consists of slow-roasted pork served with sausages, pork rinds, beans, veggies, and a generous serving of rice. You should also try the Bebek Betutu, a roast duck dish, and Nasi Campur, a platter of white rice served with numerous varieties of dishes like salads, tofu, sambal, long beans, and topped with peanuts and sauces.

Cruise Around the Nearby Islands

 

If you want to get out of Ubud and visit the nearby islands of Bali, you should try cruising. In fact, cruising is a popular activity in Bali, taking you to islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Nusa Ceningan. Many tour operators offer cruise packages in Bali, which may also include fun activities like snorkelling and sightseeing. 

During your cruise, you’ll visit pristine bays, where you can swim or snorkel at Indonesia’s most pristine coral reefs. Your boat will be cruising along the spectacular mangrove area of the Ceningan Channel, past towering limestone cliffs, and into idyllic and secluded beaches.

The highlight of most Bali cruises is snorkelling, where you could swim with dolphins, turtles, whales, and manta rays. Sometimes, they will come closer to your boat. Most of the cruises in Bali take only one day. It will depart in the morning and returns before 6 PM.

Scuba Diving

 

Scuba diving is another fun activity to try in Ubud. For this activity, you will explore Bali’s thriving and vibrant underwater world and discover the extensive coral reefs home to a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. Many dive centres in Bali offer open-water diving courses that are PADI-certified. You will also enjoy incredible encounters with manta rays, turtles, sharks, and more.

Tulamben and Amed, which lie on the east coast of Bali, are some of the best places to dive on the island, where you’ll come across mesmerising shipwrecks that have become homes to tropical fish and other fascinating marine life. Bali’s north coast is also a spectacular place to dive. It’s where you’ll find the expansive reef gardens of Pemuteran.

If you are a non-diver but want to explore underwater, you can try the submarine safari in Nusa Lembongan or Candidasa. You can also try the more exciting sea walks, where you will wear specially made helmets connected to oxygen as you walk underwater.

Meditation

 

As the spiritual hub of Bali, one of the best things to do in Ubud is to relax and meditate. Yoga and wellness centres are abundant in Bali, more particularly in Ubud. So, if you’re seeking calm and respite while on holiday to Bali, you should head to Ubud.

One of Ubud’s most popular meditation retreats is the Blooming Lotus, which uses silent meditation to find the answers to some of life’s deepest questions and reveal better states of well-being, clarity, and inner peace. The inner transformation that occurs after allowing yourself to let go and relax in the natural state is incomparable. The meditation retreat aims to transform your life for the better.

The Yoga Barn is a famous yoga studio in Ubud, offering wellness, holistic healing, and meditation retreats. It’s located in the heart of Ubud and has seven yoga studios, offering more than a hundred yoga classes. They also offer Ayurvedic treatments, sound baths, Tibetan bowls, and dance sessions. For a personalised yoga experience, head to Samadi Bali, a yoga centre offering different yoga classes focused on renewal and healing.

Only a few cities in the world can rival Athens in historical significance. It’s a land full of historical landmarks and has played a pivotal role in developing Western civilisation. Indeed, Athens is a marvellous city to explore, giving you plenty of things to enjoy. If you’re travelling to Greece soon and want to spend some time in Athens, here are some of the best things to do in this incredible ancient city.

Image via Unsplash

Explore the Acropolis

 

Your visit to Greece will not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis, the most significant symbol of Ancient Greece. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, and the Acropolis has been rising in the city for more than 2,500 years. As one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels, the Acropolis is one of those sights you should not miss in Athens.

As the symbol of democracy, the Parthenon is the most famous ancient ruin in the Acropolis. It dominates the hill of the Acropolis, dating back to the 5th Century BC. Aside from the Parthenon, you will find many other archaeological wonders in the Acropolis, such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre and the Temple of Athena Nike, built in honour of the goddess Athena and the Nike Goddess. 

The other temples worth exploring in the Acropolis are the Erechtheion Temple, Propylea Temple of Nike, the sanctuary of Asclepius, and the Dionysus Theatre. Make sure you also visit the Acropolis Museum, which houses ancient relics and artefacts, including those discovered on the hill. Head to the top-floor glass atrium, where you’ll find the Parthenon frieze.

Walk through Plaka

 

The historic neighbourhood of Plaka lies in the centre of Athens and is full of great attractions to explore, including those with significant historical value. Strolling in its beautiful, cobbled stone streets is something you should not miss in Athens.

Also called the “Neighbourhood of the Gods,” Plaka lies at the north-eastern slope of the Acropolis and stretches towards Syntagma Square. The pedestrian-friendly street is home to a plethora of souvenir stalls, tavernas, and cafes. You will also come across many historical sites, including ancient houses and churches dating back to the 11th Century. Shopping is a fun activity in Plaka. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to buy some souvenirs. Check out the shops selling hand-painted icons, antiques, wood carvings, and other crafts made by the local artists of Athens.

Hit the Beach 

 

If you’re visiting Athens in summer, you should visit one of its beaches, where you can enjoy sunbathing or swimming. The Greek capital is home to beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, with most of them easily accessible from the city centre.

Vravrona Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Athens and is only 7 miles from the airport. With some of Athens budget friendly hotels nearby, this makes it a convenient place to stay. It’s worth visiting if you have several hours to kill before taking your next flight. The beach is also near the sanctuary of goddess Artemis, so you might as well check this archaeological site when going to this beach. 

If you want to experience ultimate luxury on your beach holiday in Athens, check out Astir Beach, which lies in the suburb of Vouliagmeni. Offering a range of superb services, including free Wi-Fi and comfortable sun loungers, Astir Beach is an ideal spot for a relaxing beach holiday in Athens. However, all these luxurious amenities come with a price. You will have to pay 80 euros per pair of sun loungers, and it’s twice the price if it’s a weekend.

If you have worked out some appetite after a day of exploring Plaka, grab a seat at one of the tavernas along Kydatheneon and Adrianou streets. These are the main pedestrian roads and where you’ll find some of the best eateries in Athens, serving authentic Greek food.

Climb Mount Lycabettus

 

At 277 metres tall, Lycabettus Hill is Athen’s highest point and where you can enjoy the city’s most panoramic views. Getting to the top requires walking via a circular path, which is a test of endurance, but the breathtaking views will make your efforts well worth it.

If you don’t want to take the rigorous climb, you can opt for the funicular, which will take you to the top in less than five minutes and run every 30 minutes. But since the funicular operates inside a tunnel, you can’t enjoy the magnificent views as you climb to the top of the hill. The best time to climb Lycabettus Hill is during sunset when Athens looks even more magnificent as the temples in the Acropolis are illuminated.

Once you get to the top of Lycabettus Hill, you will find the beautiful white church of Agios Georgios. There’s a viewing platform in front of the church, where you can marvel at Athens’ sprawling views, stretching out into the vast Aegean Sea. You will also find an upscale restaurant called Orizontes restaurant, which has spectacular views, especially at night. Since it’s a popular restaurant, a reservation is required when dining at this restaurant.

Hit the Night Life of Psiri

 

If you want to experience the vibrant nightlife of Athens, head to the neighbourhood of Psiri. It’s one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods but has a less touristy feel than the more popular Plaka. But when night time comes, the neighbourhood is transformed into a bustling district with bars, clubs, and restaurants coming to life.

Designated as the nightlife district of Athens, Psiri is the go-to area for wild parties. Some bars and nightclubs have the music turned up very loud. There is a wide range of bars and restaurants in the area, from the Ouzo bars serving mezes with alcoholic drinks to the traditional tavernas.

If you find the neighbourhood very noisy, you can look for quieter spots further along the street. There are also excellent restaurants in Psiri that serve traditional Greek specialities and some international dishes. There’s also an area in the neighbourhood lined with stalls selling local arts and crafts, souvenir items, and many other things.

 

The right gaming experience makes life a lot more fun-filled. Arcade games offer the perfect gaming experience for many people across various age groups. Adults love these games as it brings back fond memories of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Teenagers and kids as well do not feel left out as arcade games are very entertaining and challenging. This is why it is not unusual to see some of them frequent game parlors, shopping malls, amusement arcades, and other places where these games can be played.

But how about bringing the fun to your basement or any other part of your home? Fortunately, this is possible as arcade cabinets for such purposes are sold. However, the right one has to guarantee optimal gaming experience and value for money spent purchasing it. To this end, this article will discuss how to purchase the right arcade cabinet for home use.

Picking the Right Arcade Cabinet for Home Gaming

For the record, these games can be played across various platforms. However, some people insist on playing them on a traditional arcade cabinet and this is quite understandable. It is about the amazing feel of playing this way, among other reasons.

As a result, it is of utmost importance that something that delivers to expectation is purchased. To this end, here are some tips for picking the right one for an optimal home gaming experience:

Work with Your Budget

There is a wide margin between the cheapest and most expensive arcade cabinets. For example, the least expensive option found on a very reputable platform was a few hundred short of a thousand dollars. Conversely, the most expensive option on the same platform went for close to 9000 dollars.

Of course, it is only logical that the more expensive option has more to offer. For this reason, it is highly suggested that you commit a reasonable amount to getting this gaming equipment.

However, you do not have to break the bank to do this. Just have a reasonable amount set as your budget and get something that fits right into your budget.

Game Selection

This is conveniently one of the most important considerations (if not the most important one). There are various games and you are not likely to have a cabinet that allows you to play every one of them. This is especially because of the huge differences between some of these games.

As a result, you need to come to terms with the games that you want. Then, this information should influence your choice. By the way, some of the arcade games that you may be considering could include:

• Fighting – Such as Street Fighter II, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat
• Racing – Daytona USA, OutRun, Cruis’n USA, and Initial D
• Classic Arcade – Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, and Pac-Man
• Puzzle – Puzzle Bobble, Puyo Puyo, Tetris, and Columns
• Music & Rhythm – Guitar Hero, Beatmania, Dance Dance Revolution, and Pump It Up
• Sports – Virtua Tennis, NBA Jam, Foosball, and NFL Blitz
• Beat ‘em Up – Area 51, Time Crisis, and Metal Slug
• Redemption – Claw Machines, Skee-Ball, and Coin Pushers

These are just a few as we can go on mentioning others. For more information on arcade games, you can visit: https://en.wikipedia.org.

Get the Right Size

Some arcade cabinets can be quite massive. This is why you need to consider available space when making your choice. You do not want to get something that would not fit into the room that it is supposed to be stationed in.

Durability

Getting something durable is a necessity. Your purchase cannot be considered worth it if you end up with something that will get damaged too soon. Checking out the materials used to make the arcade cabinet is important for this reason.

Control Panel

The games are usually played using a control mechanism. For example, this could be a trackball or a joystick, depending on the kind that you get and the games offered. You should get something with a befitting control panel. It should also have the right amount of control buttons.

Multi-Player Possibility

It is strongly advised that you opt for gaming equipment that enables a multiplayer experience. This makes it easier for people to bond and increasingly have a great time playing together.

For example, racing games such as Initial D do not have to be against the system. It could be two or more players competing.

Warranty

The right purchase must offer a reasonable warranty. This is to be certain that the seller has your best interest at heart. You can read this article for more on the need to get something that has a warranty.

Conclusion

Arcade games offer optimal gaming experiences for a high level of competition and entertainment. This is particularly true when they are played via an arcade cabinet. Fortunately, you can have one for yourself and enjoy the numerous benefits.

However, you need to get the right one. Tips on how to do this have been shared here and should influence your decision when you choose to get one.

Mountain vacations in the French Alps give you an adrenaline rush like no other, with so many sports to enjoy, especially during winter. However, solo trips up the mountain in a foreign land may not be a great idea. You may benefit from choosing an experienced tour guide to take you through the best routes and breathtaking sceneries in the mountains. 

How to Choose the Right Tour Guide?

Many travel agencies offer touring services. Below are some tips to help you choose a reliable tour guide: 

Find Out Their Specialization 

Some travel companies like https://www.feepourvous.com/en/ offer all-around services to tourists. However, it would help if you asked which specific activities their guides provide. In the French Alps, the most popular fun activities are snowboarding, skiing, and mountain climbing. The things they offer have to match your plans for your vacation. Apart from fun activities, you also need to consider additional services such as accommodation, transportation, and concierge services. Your best bet would be to go for a tour company that offers all-inclusive services. 

Ask for Credentials

Touring the mountains isn’t as easy as you think. A guide should have professional certifications that prove their qualification for the services they intend to provide. Companies that offer tour guiding services in the French Alps usually need a French Mountain Guide Association (UIAGM/IFMGA) certification. As you look through the certificates, you should also ask for client testimonials. Don’t just rely on what they are showing you; look for unbiased reviews online. 

Do They Communicate Efficiently?

It goes without saying that communication is vital. First, you must find out if the person guiding you speaks English. Things will get awkward in the mountains if you don’t speak the same language, especially during an emergency. Speaking English isn’t the only consideration for effective communication. Your tour guide also needs to have good interpersonal skills. 

Conclusion 

A vacation to the French Alps will allow you to create lifelong memories. However, high-risk sports on the mountain can be dangerous. By relying on a tour guide, you will be protecting yourself and your loved ones.