By Tiffany Carboni, Houzz
Photo (above) BAAN Design, original photo on Houzz

Have you ever sipped cocktails with friends in a bar lounge and thought, "This would be a sweet setup in my own kitchen"? Your pipe dream can be a reality (minus the crowds of rowdy strangers) with the help of these inspiring looks.

BAAN Design, original photo on Houzz

Gather 'round the fireplace. This modern-meets-retro space has the ultimate people-gathering tools: a fireplace and loads of comfortable seating.

The predominantly white space, designed by Baan Design, features shots of vivid color with midcentury modern–inspired armless sofas, dining chairs and a thick-pile gray rug that place guests near the 1960s fireplace.

ACR Villa Skovly, original photo on Houzz

Rock on. The rock wall of this basement kitchen in Oslo, Norway, has a lair-like tone. While the kitchen's work side is all white, the lounging side has an inviting dark gray sectional and a rug that begs bare feet to nestle into it.

Mango Design Co, original photo on Houzz

Choose a cohesive color palette. Charcoal painted kitchen cabinets create a furniture-like effect that complements the neutral pieces in this 6- by 15-foot space. The entire room is painted in Benjamin Moore's Cloud White. The media credenza and dining table, both from Design House, share the same blonde wood that helps to highlight the room's surrounding blue accents, while the Calligaris L'eau chairs don't try to compete with any of it.

Richard Taylor Architects, original photo on Houzz 

Blur the lines between kitchen and living area. This French country kitchen has a warm, library-like atmosphere that disguises its utilitarian purpose. The designer seamlessly carried over the kitchen's dark green details and elegant lighting fixtures to the hearth's lounging side — or maybe it's vice versa. It's hard to tell where one space ends and the next begins.

Isler Homes, original photo on Houzz

Add a twist to the banquette. This custom banquette was made to look more like a sofa. Low cabinets flank both sides for convenient table space. The lamp casts a warm glow onto the rich flooring, which is finished with a blend of Duraseal's Antique Brown and Coffee Brown. It's enough to make you wonder how the kitchen made its way into this ubercomfy space.

Warning: Do not add a TV to a setup like this, as you might find yourself asleep in the kitchen after hours.

Karen Ellentuck ASID, original photo on Houzz

Glam up the banquette with tufted details. Turn an everyday banquette bench into one that deserves VIP status. This bench, covered in high-quality vinyl from Architex's Authentec collection, is further enhanced with a tufted back. The elegance of the dark fabric, custom table and sleek chairs is punctuated by the walls, painted in Benjamin Moore's Gloucester Sage.

If you're inspired by this look, also check out vinyl selections from Designtex and Brentano Fabrics. 

Earlier this year, Human Touch was able to help Jim Tavare to recover after a devastating car accident by offering him a Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner. The actor, who played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had been in a head-on collision that left him in an Intensive Care Unit, suffering with a broken neck, a punctured lung, 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones and multiple breaks in his right leg. You can read more about his accident, and how Human Touch got involved, by clicking here.

We recently checked in with Jim and his wife, Laura, who updated us on his progress. His physiotherapy has been going well, and he currently works with his therapist 4 times per week. After months of being immobile, he is now walking again and feeling much happier to be able to get around. Although he still suffers from residual pain, Laura shared that the PC-610 has been a huge help on his road to recovery. Here is a video message that Jim created, sharing more about how the PC-610 has impacted him over the past few months.

So, the impact Human Touch has on my life, and the lives of all I know who own their products is uncanny.  I am assuming Human Touch is NOT tracking my physical health (as far as I know).  I recently purchased a Human Touch PC 8500 chair, and did so without knowledge of a circulation issue with one of my legs.  You know…varicose veins, but in my case they were severe and only on one side. Quite unusual.  I immediately went to my primary care physician, who stated that this was the worst case he had seen.  He recommended surgery, but in the mean time to get compression stockings to compensate for gravity.  He said: “You know, one good trick is to make sure to put the compression stockings on while in bed before gravity has had a chance to negatively impact the effect of the compression stockings.  He also recommended sitting with my leg raised. 

It hit me:  Not only does the PC8500 solve the problem of keeping my leg raised: It is one of the main features of the chair, but now I have a way to apply compression stockings which significantly improve their effectiveness.

For compression socks to be truly effective, it is best to put them on when in a position which puts your legs above your heart.  Ideally putting your feet in the air for 10 minutes or so prior to putting on compression socks helps by ensuring blood is not pooled in your feet prior to applying the compression socks.

Before starting my day, I grab a pair of compression stockings, get in the chair putting it in the position with my legs almost straight up, and sit for a few minutes while the blood drains from my legs.  It works so well that you can actually see the varicose veins disappear.  After this short period, I simply put on the compression stockings and start my day!  Watching TV or working in this position means putting off the need for surgery just a bit longer, and provides peace of mind, that I’m not further stressing my body for no reason.

Thank you Human Touch for such brilliant designs!  It is as though the designers at Human Touch are themselves human, and therefore seem to know precisely what “us humans” actually need.

David Marcarian, MA

By Laura Gaskill, Houzz
Photo (Above): Sarah Greenman, original photo on Houzz

Thinking back to my childhood home, I remember the smells most vividly: the jasmine growing by the mailbox; the honeysuckle vines climbing the back fence; the clean, simple scent of baby bubble bath; even the subtle background scent of polished wood floors. Scent tends to be more closely tied to memories than any of the other senses, making it the perfect vehicle for tapping into your most cherished memories. Of course, it’s not all about the past. Delicious smells can make your home and garden a wonderland of sensory pleasures — so you can savor the moment today and create new memories to treasure tomorrow.

Bath time. The hot water of a bath or shower is a great aid in diffusing scent. Take advantage of that fact and choose a special bath product or essential oil that makes you breathe a sigh of relief. Whether you crave the simple, clean scent of Ivory soap or a rich, woodsy essential oil, honor your heart’s desires.

Related: Replace Your Shower Curtain to Freshen Up Your Bathroom 

Breakfast. Do you remember waking up to the smell of pancakes, bacon and freshly squeezed juice? Why not treat yourself to a repeat of your childhood favorite breakfast this weekend — soft-boiled eggs and toast soldiers, anyone?

Amy Renea, original photo on Houzz

Vanilla beans. There is something magical about the vanilla bean. Let the warm, comforting scent of vanilla fill your house by baking a batch of sugar cookies, or place a few drops of vanilla in a bowl of warm water to let the scent diffuse. 

Fragrant flowers. Let Proust have his madeleines — I’ll take flowers by my front door. Jasmine, honeysuckle and other fragrant flowers can prompt powerful emotional memories. If there is a special flower you remember growing near your childhood home, or in another place that was special to you, see if you can plant that same flower at your current home.

Jeni Lee, original photo on Houzz

A row of lavender. A lavender-lined walkway is a wonderful thing. Just imagine coming home each day and brushing your fingers across the leaves, the scent releasing into the air as you go by. 

Related: Bring Lavender Indoors Too For a Beautiful Spring Feel

Tomato vines in the sun. I remember summers in my grandfather’s garden when the tomatoes were ripe on the vine. I would go lie underneath them, the scent of the tomato vines curling around me as the light filtered through the leaves. Tomatoes themselves are not nearly as fragrant — my young son has already noticed this, and loves to sniff the tomato vines in our backyard.

Sarah Greenman, original photo on Houzz

Scents on the evening breeze. As with those rows of lavender along the front walk or that jasmine by the front door, consider where you place other fragrant plants to get as much pleasure from them as possible. Surround your porch with beach roses, plant lilacs under your bedroom window and hang a window box of herbs beside the kitchen sink.

Coffee or tea. Which one does it for you? For me, it’s both! There is nothing like the smell of freshly ground coffee brewing first thing in the morning … but bending over a mug of deliciously fragrant tea can be equally wonderful. If you’ve been having the same beverage every day for years, experiment with something new.

Dreamy Whites, original photo on Houzz

Cut flowers. Treat yourself to cut flowers — whether from your own garden or the farmer’s market — regularly. Smell before you buy and choose the ones you love most. Or place a single fragrant bloom in a glass on the bedside table to encourage sweet dreams.

Perfume. Smelling the perfume or cologne that someone you loved always wore can instantly call up a vivid memory. If you want a blast from the past, track down the scent you wore in high school.

Avocado Sweets Design Studio, original photo on Houzz

Baking bread and bubbling soup. What cooking smells do you most love — baking bread, warm cookies, a bubbling pot of soup or chili? Whatever kitchen creation you most want to smell in your home, put that on the menu for the coming week. Even better, make a few batches so you can stash one in the freezer for quick comfort on another day.

Fire and smoke. The smell of a campfire has to be one of the most primal scent memories around. Channel your inner child — or caveperson — and gather around the fire pit for dinner.

Freshly cut grass. Mowing the lawn may not always top the list of favorite things to do, but the pleasure of smelling freshly cut grass is undeniable. And for those with fond memories of a farm childhood, why not bring back the scent of the hay barn by tossing a bale or two in the backyard to use as summer seating? Covered with old quilts, hay bales make comfy bench seats.

Photo Credit: Thomas Hafeneth

Massage is one of the fastest-growing complementary therapies around the world. Like any other treatment, diabetic massage has several potential benefits and side effects for people with this diagnosis. Some studies show that it has a positive impact on blood glucose levels and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In fact, one group study found that when parents gave a full-body nightly massage to their diabetic children, the children’s glucose levels dropped from an average of 158 to 117 mg / dL within one month.

Diabetes massage relaxes the muscles and calms the mind, thus reducing the physical and mental ailments associated with diabetic symptoms.

What Are Common Complications of Diabetes?

According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 1 out of 3 diabetics over the age of 50 will suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD occurs when the blood vessels in the legs are narrowed and blocked by fatty deposits, and the blood flow to the feet is decreased. This can result in an alarming number of consequences, ranging from foot ulcers to amputation. Therefore, it is critical for people with diabetes to ensure that the blood flow to their legs is regulated.

Can Diabetics Use Massage Chairs with Foot Massagers?

Massage products—from recliners with foot-and-calf massagers, to targeted foot-and-calf relief solutions—can serve as an incredibly useful tool for patients with diabetes seeking to increase blood flow in their legs and swollen feet. The Figure-Eight^® Technology in many Human Touch^® products delivers an advanced technique that emulates those used by a professional masseuse, and this technique increases the blood flow between the legs and torso.

Benefits of Foot Massage for Diabetics

Massage has been shown to drop glucose levels, which can help to prevent hyperglycemia in diabetics. According to Healthline.com, hyperglycemia can cause eye damage, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage (neuropathy), skin and gum infections, joint problems and even can result in a diabetic coma. Helping to relax your body will assist in lowering your glucose levels, which can prevent these types of hyperglycemic ailments.

Another benefit of diabetes massage is the increase in flexibility as the muscles are loosened. High blood sugar can result in the thickening of connective tissue, and massage will increase the mobility and elasticity of that tissue. As the muscles, tendons and ligaments are relaxed, patients will find an increase in motion and flexibility in the joints, therefore improving their quality of life. Thus, a foot massager for diabetics is a great way to increase flexibility and mobility in their feet. Diabetics also often have restricted blood flow in their feet, which massage can help increase.

Important Precautions of Massage for People with Diabetes

All of these benefits of massage should be noted by anyone suffering from diabetes. However, if you are diabetic, you need to consider a few important factors when seeking the therapy.

As with any type of physical therapy, you need to consult your physician before beginning massage therapy. It’s a great option for anyone seeking stress and pain relief, but people with diabetes need to be aware of fluctuations in their blood sugar levels at all times. Diabetics especially need to monitor their glucose levels after such therapy. They may not need as much insulin as they normally do after a massage.

It is also important for diabetics to avoid massage in an area where they inject insulin. Pressure in this area may influence the way that their body absorbs the shot and therefore alter their intake. This is one of the things professional athletes suffering from diabetes especially need to be mindful of.

Are Foot Massagers Good for Diabetics with Neuropathy?

As a final recommendation, diabetics should be cautious when assessing the pressure levels and heat options from any massage service, whether from a masseuse, a chair or with a foot massager. Those who want to try foot massage for diabetic neuropathy need to consult with a healthcare professional and also do their own research to determine if the massage technique or heating levels are ideal for a person of their body type and sensitivity levels.

Potts to enrich the Human Touch Wellness Council with expertise from an extensive Olympic and Ironman triathlete career 

Human Touch recently connected with Hiram Eugene, a former NFL free safety for the Oakland Raiders. He was signed in 2006, and played for six seasons before a dislocated hip forced him to retire early from his NFL career.

Though he was able to have surgery on his hip, his pain continued to resonate from that - as well as many other - injuries resulting from playing professional football. After an intensive regimen of both physical therapy and pain management medication, he finally found a more manageable form of relief in the Human Touch Ascent Series Novo massage chair. He has been kind enough to invite us along for his journey to recovery. Here, you can read Hiram’s first-hand account of how he’s using his Novo to feel his best: 

My NFL career started in 2006 as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders, where I played Free Safety during my tenure. My career lasted until 2012 with a career - ending injury, due to a left hip dislocation.

As most players in the NFL I have had numerous injuries. I suffered from hamstring pulls, both ankle sprains, a torn Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) on the left knee, left calf muscle pull, a torn Pectoral muscle on right arm, a hyperextended left elbow, jammed right hip, stingers (which resulted in me having the thoracic outlet syndrome), an L5 and S1 disassociation in my lower back, and lastly what ended my career which is a dislocated left hip.

Enduring these numerous injuries, I am mostly affected by tightness/stiffness/soreness in my lower back, joint tightness/soreness in left hip, and stiffness/tingling/inflammation/numbness in my neck.

My attraction to the Novo massage chair was that it really does have the touch of human hands giving you a firm massage, and it also has a recliner mode that helps you relax while you receive that massage.

I have been able to use my Novo massage chair 3-5 times a week, depending on my daily schedule. I usually try to get into the chair in the early afternoon, and if possible at night before bed. One particularly helpful way I’ve begun to use the chair is after a hot tub bath, since it helps me to find a more peaceful sleep. I mostly sit down, and put the auto-massage program to the cloud touch/manual knead with percussion and heat, and I love the foot and calf massage.

I have been seeing a doctor for pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and anti-inflammatory medicines. I was also attending physical therapy two times the week and seeing a massage therapist and acupuncturist once a week. However, using my Novo regularly has decreased my pain levels and given me a little better mobility. With better mobility I don't have to take my medications as often, and the combined heat with low back massage generates blood flow which allows me to get a little more done throughout the day.

Hopefully this progress continues, so that I can cut even further back on my pain medication and decrease my need for physical therapy. I will continue to use my Novo massage chair regularly, and update you on my progress! 

When we recently discovered that one of the chiropractors in our network was running a fundraiser for their friend’s newborn daughter, we knew we wanted to help. Dr. Cameron Call’s original plan was to raffle off tickets to win his own Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner, with a goal to raise money for 5 month-old June Rogers, a friend’s daughter who was born with multiple congenital heart defects and required multiple surgeries. June and her twin sister were born back in December, and she has already had one open-heart surgery at just 2 weeks old.

Dr. Call and his team at The Specific Chiropractic Center in Arizona opened up this raffle to their local area, but we wanted to take it a few steps further to get him to this goal much faster. Dr. Call has agreed to open the raffle up to the entire contingent United States, and we’ve offered to share his story as well as to help them out with a Perfect Chair PC-610 so that he would not need to lose the recliner that his patients have so greatly benefited from in his office.

Please take a moment to read about this incredible fundraiser, and feel free to submit your own entry for a chance to win a FREE PC-610 for as little as $20.

Here is Dr. Cameron Call’s original post:

If you've met me you know I LOVE building community and creating a support system that fosters health, happiness, and success. I hope you all will take the time to read this (LONG POST ALERT) and support this cause with me.

One of my friends in Ahwatukee (Arizona) is in need of some help, love, and support. Back in December she gave birth to two beautiful twin girls. (Twin parents UNITE!) Long before that though, they knew one of the babies was going to have some challenges to overcome - some BIG challenges.

June was born with multiple congenital heart defects, the main one being Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS). Babies with this anatomy usually need a series of 3 surgeries called the Norwood, Glenn, and the Fontan. She had her first open heart surgery at 2 weeks old and lived at the hospital for 41 days after she was born. Her second open heart surgery is scheduled for the end of April. Her heart will never be "fixed" and a transplant may end up being in her future too.

I want to bring the community together and raise some money to help June and her parents during this difficult time - both financially, and emotionally.

My business, The Specific Chiropractic Center - Ahwatukee, will be raffling off a $3300 zero-gravity chair........ for $20/ticket. These chairs, designed in the USA by Human Touch, are called The Perfect Chair for a reason! They were designed to be the perfect chair for someone with chronic neck pain, back pain, and circulation problems. Many of you have been by the office and sat in these chairs. You know how exciting this is.

These chairs retail for over $3,000, but you might be able to get one for only $20! Help us raise money for little June Rogers' upcoming heart surgery. To purchase tickets, contact me at The Specific Chiropractic Center. Tickets can be purchased in our office, or via PayPal. Call 602-753-7782, or email me at cameron@thespecific.com, with how many tickets you'd like. The winner will be announced once we've reached our goal of 170 tickets sold.

For more info on the PC-610, click here.