#dining table chairs sydney

[furnituremaster02]

Stylish Seating: Exploring The Types Of Dining Table Chairs In Sydney

When it comes to furnishing your dining space, the chairs you choose play a crucial role in both functionality and style. With a plethora of options available, selecting the right dining table chairs can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your dining area while providing comfortable seating for your family and guests. In Sydney, a diverse range of dining table chair styles awaits, catering to various tastes and preferences. Let's delve into the types of dining table chairs you can find in Sydney and what sets them apart.

1. Classic Wooden Chairs:

Wooden dining table chairs are timeless classics that never go out of style. Crafted from sturdy and durable materials such as oak, walnut, or pine, these chairs exude warmth and elegance. In Sydney, you can find a variety of wooden chair styles, from traditional ladder-back designs to sleek and modern interpretations. Wooden chairs complement a wide range of dining table styles, from rustic farmhouse to contemporary chic.

2. Upholstered Dining Chairs:

For added comfort and sophistication, upholstered dining chairs are an excellent choice. These chairs feature padded seats and backs upholstered in fabric, leather, or faux leather, providing a luxurious seating experience. In Sydney, you'll find a diverse selection of upholstered dining chairs in different colors, patterns, and textures to suit your decor style. From plush velvet to sleek leather, upholstered chairs add a touch of refinement to any dining space.

3. Metal Dining Chairs:

Metal dining chairs offer a sleek and modern aesthetic, perfect for contemporary dining rooms or industrial-inspired spaces. These chairs are typically made from durable materials such as steel or aluminum and come in a variety of finishes, including matte black, brushed nickel, or antique bronse. In Sydney, you can find metal dining chairs with minimalist designs or intricate detailing, allowing you to express your personal style while adding a touch of urban sophistication to your dining area.

4. Rattan or Wicker Chairs:

For a relaxed and casual vibe, consider rattan or wicker dining chairs. These chairs are crafted from natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, or cane, giving them a light and airy appearance. Rattan chairs are perfect for coastal or bohemian-inspired interiors and add a touch of natural texture to your dining space. In Sydney, you'll find a variety of rattan and wicker chair styles, including woven backs, curved silhouettes, and sculptural designs.

5. Scandinavian-Inspired Chairs:

Scandinavian design is known for its simplicity, functionality, and timeless appeal, and dining chairs inspired by this aesthetic are popular in Sydney. These chairs typically feature clean lines, minimalist silhouettes, and natural materials such as wood and leather. Scandinavian-inspired chairs are versatile and can complement a variety of dining table styles, from mid-century modern to contemporary.

Conclusion

In Sydney, the options for dining table chairs are as diverse as the city itself. Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of wooden chairs, the comfort of upholstered seating, the modern edge of metal chairs, the relaxed vibe of rattan or wicker, or the minimalist charm of Scandinavian-inspired designs, you'll find the perfect chairs to suit your style and preferences. With a wide range of options available, you can create a dining space that reflects your personality and enhances your dining experience.

[love-quinn]

— GOOGLE REVIEWS

summary — carmen's never been good with his words, so when he finds you crying in the walk-in, he gets some help to convince you that you're capable of doing your job.

warnings — swearing, general customer-service nightmare stuff. reader is younger than carmen but i pictured/wrote her as being mid-late twenties (25-28 ish) and i think carmy is early 30s so there's an age gap but they're both fully adults, also boss/employee relationship so power imbalance but also nothing happens between them

pairing — carmen berzatto x fem!waitress reader, not established relationship

pronouns — she/her

word count — 1.9k

note — first carmen fic so obligatory warning that he might be OOC, i rlly work on dialogue and shit but i am finding my footing. waitress!reader is kinda special to me i might write some more about them cause they're both so silly if that's something people would be interested in? anyway i hope you enjoy :3

“Stupid… fucking useless- fuck!”

The rush is familiar. The lunch rush, the dinner rush, the fifteen different orders jumbling in your head as you struggle to write it all down in time. Holding nine full glasses of nine different drinks in one hand and struggling to push open the door to run the food out into the dining room. Having to go to Richie and tell him that someone’s card declined so you didn’t have to be the one to tell them. Going into the walk-in and just opening your mouth in a silent scream just to go back out there and finish your shift. 

The rush of cold air on the back of your neck is familiar too. You don’t know what Carmen’s yelling about in the kitchen. You’d just stepped in there to grab food and had caught the tail end of his rant and you’d left with your tray and a million possibilities running through your head.

You’d written something down wrong and now a dish needed to be remade. 

You’d left one of the fridges open and spoiled days worth of food.

You’d given someone something they were allergic to and now you were being sued.

You move through the restaurant on autopilot, avoiding people and chairs and one of Richie’s spitballs sent from behind the counter. You’re so sure that the next time you went back in that kitchen Carmy would be pulling you aside and telling you that you’re fired. 

You deliver the food to the table with a smile and stand back upright to check in with them about that being everything. One of the women sits up a little straighter, giving you an apologetic look. “Sorry, I ordered a side of the lemon herb dressing?”

You look down at her dressing-less plate. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll be right back with that one, so sorry.”

She waves you off. “You take as long as you need to, honey.”

You practically speed back to the kitchen. Oh, god. You hoped you’d at least get that poor woman her dressing before Carmy fired you. You can’t believe that you managed to screw this up. You’d been lucky to get this job. Carmen had brought you on right when he’d opened up the restaurant and the rest of The Bear had all been super welcoming.

You got on best with Sydney, the two of you were similar in age and she was one of the kindest people you knew. You and Richie also had a nice relationship, you thought he hated you when you first got hired and then he walked out into the alley to have a cigarette, found you crying and punched a guy in the face for you. 

You needed this job. You’d graduated a few years ago and were still struggling to break through in your field, and this job paid the bills and didn’t make you cry every single day. Some days, sure, but not every day. 

You knew you weren’t the best waitress ever, you screwed up and made customers yell at you pretty frequently. You were lucky that Richie liked you enough to stand up for your honor even when you were probably wrong. But you tried your absolute best, you came into work every day and genuinely wanted to help. You respected all of the chefs so much, they all worked so hard, and you wanted to make their lives as easy as possible. 

You go over to Richie and murmur something to him about the dressing, and he takes it to the kitchen. First whatever you’d done to upset Carmy, now this. If he didn’t think you knew how to do your job before, he definitely will now. You glanced over your section. All your tables were eating or had ordered, you’d normally be checking with Sugar when the next reservation was due and triple-checking the table was clean and everything was prepared. 

If you were going to get a walk-in minute in, now would be the best time. Maybe you could do it before Carmy fired you. 

You brush past Tina, not even hearing her concerned call for you. The walk-in was empty and everyone in the kitchen understood. When someone goes into the walk-in with tears in their eyes you leave them alone for as long as you can. 

You can’t believe that you were stupid enough to screw this up. 

The door slams open and you wipe your eyes, expecting it to be Tina needing to actually do her job or Marcus wanting to check on you. It’s Carmen.

“What happened?” He hadn’t been expecting to see you so upset. He’d heard the door slam and wanted to leave it alone, but then Richie had raised his eyebrows, stopping mid-sentence.

“God, I can’t wait to hear about whatever asshole yelled at her this time,” he’d shaken his head, trying to go back to what he’d been talking to Carmy about before. One of the shelves had been knocked and two containers of flour had been completely emptied out onto the floor. They had lids on, lids with clamps on them that were meant to stop that from happening but lo and behold Fak was now mopping up something that was beginning to resemble bread dough with how much water he was trying to use. . 

“Who?” Carmy’s eyes had still been glued to the walk-in. Richie had said your name and Carmen had practically excused himself in the same breath. This time? Did you get yelled at by customers a lot?

You wipe your face, shaking your head. “Sorry, Carm. I guess I just needed a second, I’ll get back out there.”

You take a step forward and he, without meaning to, moves to block the door. You feel your heart rate climb. This was it, he was going to scream at you in the walk-in. “You’re crying.”

You can feel the tears welling up in your eyes. You didn’t want this to happen, you didn’t want to be crying in front of your boss. Especially not Carmen. He’s a lot, you know that. You’re not in the kitchen a whole lot, but when you are he’s usually not super happy. He’s a yeller, half of Chicago knows that. But he’s always kind to you, he gave you a job when you were fresh out of college in an unrelated field with no experience because he could tell how much you needed one. You often felt out of place slightly, through no fault of the other staff. They spent all shift in the kitchen together and you spent your entire shift out there in the dining room. You know they’re not having sleepovers and braiding each others’ hair in there, but your work mostly took place in a different room.

But Carmen always makes sure you get Family, that you get your break even if it’s scheduled while it’s busy and that Richie isn’t skimming your tips (he’d never, but Carmen’s caught him with his hands in the jar so often that he isn’t sure anymore). 

It really doesn’t help that he looks like that.

You’re shaking, and he worries for a second that it’s because you’re standing in the freezer, but there are tears welling in your eyes and he doesn’t want to drag you out to his office when you’re so visibly upset. “I’m sorry,” you’re shaking your head. “Please don’t fire me.”

Carmen frowns. “Why would I fire you?”

The words seem to tumblr from your mouth without your permission. “I know I’m not the best waitress, I’m sure you get lots of complaints about me and I forgot that woman’s dressing and I know nothing about kitchens but I’m trying, Carm. I promise, and I’ll do better.” You’re talking so fast that he can barely keep up. He’s still caught up on the first part. 

“Wait, wait,” he holds a hand up to stop you. “Who told you you’re not a good waitress?”

You sniff, tears fully rolling down your cheeks. Carmen knows he’s rough. He’s prone to explosions. Carmen is a hurricane, he wreaks havoc on whatever environment he’s in. He sucks in everyone else’s bullshit, swirls it around and then spits it back out, leaving whatever is left in worse condition than he found it. 

You were calm. You calmed everyone. If an asshole yelled at Carmen, or Sydney or Ebra, Richie wouldn’t even dream of going out there and yelling at the customer. Marcus made you a cake on your birthday and Sydney tries all of her newest recipes on you. 

The eye of the hurricane. 

You’re prattling at this point. “-And that time that I made that guy wait fifteen minutes for a straw, and-”

“Honey,” he doesn’t mean to, that slips out without him meaning. “You’re a great waitress, who gives a shit that guy had to wait for his fucking straw? Who cares, you’re…” he can’t think of a way to talk to you. Great feels too impersonal, wonderful feels too intimate. It’s what you are, though. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re… everyone loves you. We’re lucky to- I’m sure you could get a job at any other restaurant if you wanted. You’re not a bad waitress.”

That’s apparently the wrong thing for him to say. It only makes you cry harder. “Please don’t fire me,” you look pathetic. Crying to your boss while he fires you in the middle of the freezer. 

Carmen doesn’t let that slide for a second longer than he has to. “Why the fuck would I fire you?”

You don’t need to answer. Because I’m a bad waitress. It hangs in the air like the frosty vapor that flies from his mouth every time he takes a breath. 

“I swear to fuck, you’re a big part of the reason people come in here,” he’s not lying. He knows his name carries weight, he knows people hear “Carmen Berzatto’s restaurant” and that brings them in the door a lot of the time. He pulls out his phone, reception is shit but he’s able to google the name of the restaurant. 

He doesn’t have to scroll far down the Google reviews before he finds it. “Food was great, waitress was lovely, made us feel so welcome.” He finds another one. “Waitstaff was on top of it. Two people at surrounding tables smashed glasses and from what I saw one waitress cleaned them both up and still managed to get our appetizers out on time.” 

He goes to find another one but stops, looking back up at you. “You’re not firing me?” You take a step back, dropping your entire body so you’re sitting cross-legged on the floor. He watches you, gauging your reaction, before mirroring you. Your knees are almost touching his. 

“I’d have to be a fucking moron.”

The silence is deafening. 

“Hey,” Carmen can’t bite back the shocked laugh. “That’s… alright. Fine.”

Hearing you laugh makes relief bubbled up inside of him. 

“I should go back out there,” you nod towards the door.

Carmy shakes his head, knee nudging against yours. “Richie’s got it, Marcus can walk desserts, Syd’s on top of everything. No one’s gonna hold it against you if you stay here for a bit.”

He stands, hand brushing your shoulder as he moves towards the door. “Have you eaten today?”

You shake your head and he nods. “I’m gonna make you some pasta, okay? Richie can take over for a bit, you take your time in here I’ll be right outside, honey.” He shuts the door and your shoulder burns where he touched it. 

[drewsbuzzcut]

I really really wanna see a chaotic thanksgiving at the barzal’s. Like it’s baby Sloan’s first thanksgiving and she is the star of the show so AJ and Nolan pull some shenanigans to get the attention. I love love love the series and I hope you never end it!!!

Thanksgiving Shenanigans

mat barzal x model!fem!reader

a visceral in doses fic

warnings: alcohol consumption, a curse word or two, and I think that’s all (ALSO THIS ISNT EDITED SORRY)

As you’re adding the finishing touches to your outfit, you hear a soft banging and hushed whispers as small footsteps bound up the stairs. Thinking it’s either Nadia or Liana, you dismiss it.

“Look at Miss Sloane, isn’t she beautiful? Just like her mommy,” Mat comes up behind you, Sloane in one arm as his other wraps around you, right under your boobs.

You lean into his chest, turning your head to see Sloane’s beautiful face. She’s dressed in a maroon and cream plaid dress, paired with dark tights and a white, furry vest.

“Oh my goodness! She is so very beautiful. The most gorgeous princess I’ve ever seen,” you coo, gliding your thumb over her cheek.

She coos back, her face scrunching up in delight and you instantly melt. She looks so much like Mat and you love it.

“Mommy!” When you and Mat turn at the sound of Nolan’s voice, both of your eyes widen in shock.

Nolan is standing at the entrance of your walk-in closet, barely holding AJ in his arms with one of the decorations from the dining table clutched in his hands. He has a shy smile on his face while AJ looks anything but pleased with his brother carrying him.

“Oh shit,” Mat blurts out without thinking about all the little ears around him.

“Don’t say that,” you say, moving away from him to pull Angel out of Nolan’s arms.

You bend down so you’re eye level with your oldest.

“Nols, you cannot carry AJ. He’s too heavy for you,” you softly reprimanded.

He looks at you with a pout and part of you feels guilty, but you know you have to right his wrongs. He hands you the fake foliage from your table setup, almost as an apology. You accept it, but you also let him know that she shouldn’t take things from your table because he can get seriously hurt. You don’t even know how he got up to the table without falling off the chair, or doing something else to hurt himself.

“But it’s pretty like you. We wanted to give you a surprise,” he explains, his R’s sounding like W’s.

“And that’s very nice of you and your brother, but I don’t need you guys to get hurt, so please don’t do that anymore. I love you,” you kiss his cheek.

“Love you,” he whispers, his head down as he walks away.

-

“Y/n, she’s so gorgeous,” Sydney says as she holds Sloane, sitting next to you on the couch.

Some of Mat’s teammates and their families, as well as his parents and sister, are here to have a little thanksgiving celebration. It’s an early one being that they have a roadie the next day. Everyone has just finished eating, and are now relaxing in various spots in your house.

“Thank you! She’s my precious girl. I was so excited for today because I just knew her outfit was going to look so adorable on her,” you exclaim, cheeks starting to hurt from all the smiling.

Right behind the couch, there’s a plotting Nolan, sitting with his little brother right next to him.

“Angel, we’re gonna go ‘RAHHH’ to, Lo,” he whispers to AJ. Lo is what Nolan calls Sloane.

Angel, who doesn’t have a clue about what his big brother is saying, just giggles but it’s enough for Nolan.

You don’t hear what your oldest is saying, just the soft murmurs and Angel’s giggle.

“What’s going on, handsome. What are you and your brother doing?” You are totally unaware of what Nolan is about to do as you look behind the couch.

“Nothing, mommy. Love you,” he says with his cute smile, blowing you a kiss afterwards.

He waits for you to turn around before he drags AJ by his hands, getting him to crawl with him on the floor. They both jump up in front of Sloane and roar like dinosaurs. Well, Angel just copies Nolan’s actions. Sloane jumps in fear, her eyes growing teary and her lips wobbling.

You’re surprised because Nolan is usually really nice and relatively quiet, so you have no idea why he did what he did.

Sloane’s piercing cries startle Mat, so he quickly makes his way over. You’re already attempting to console her in your arms, but her cries don’t seem like they’re going to stop anytime soon.

“What happened?” Mat asks, sitting next to you and rubbing his baby’s back.

“Nolan just scared her and well we all know that AJ loves to copy his big brother,” you inform him.

Mat calls out for Nolan and AJ follows him as well.

“Why did you scare your sister?”

Nolan just stays quiet.

“That was very mean of you, and you know better. You better not do that again,” Mat says, holding onto Nolan in a hug while caressing Angel’s hair.

You sit there, watching them and wondering why Nolan chose today of all days to act mischievous. Although you're continuing to discipline him, you can’t deny that his little expressions of determination are cute. He gets this little furrow in between his eyebrows and his little tongue pokes out from between his lips. He’s exactly like Mat.

The next time you get up to refill your drink, you see a blur of two shirtless boys rush into the living room with Nolan’s mini sticks in hand. Nolan is shouting as AJ tries to be just as loud. You take a few gulps as you watch them in amusement. You don’t think you’ve ever seen Nolan so hyper. You don’t even know when Nolan took off his shirt; you literally just took him to use the restroom. You’re also assuming he took off Angel’s.

When the group of hockey players come back inside- including your husband -they join your sons and start playing together. Nolan starts going crazy, though. He crawls through one of your husband’s teammates legs and then starts climbing up Mat, initiating a fake wrestling match that slightly annoys you. When AJ starts trying to reenact his brother’s moves, you put a stop to their activities.

“Hey, Barzal!” You shout and both Mat and Nolan look at you.

“This isn’t the ice and it sure as heck isn’t the ring, so stop the roughhousing. I don’t need you guys to wake up Sloane,” you chastised.

Nolan wiggles his way back down, running off again with his hands raised in the air. As expected, AJ follows in his footsteps.

You smile, finishing the rest of your wine. You’re going to need it with how lively your sons are- especially because you’re in heels.

“They’re so cute,” Mat whispers in your ear when he pulls you into a hug.

“They’re so hyper today. What did you feed them this morning?” You playfully ask, smacking at his ass to get him to squirm.

“Stop,” he warns you but you continue.

“Your ass is so smack-able, though,” you giggle until he starts tickling you. Now you’re the one squirming.

“Get used to it, it’s only going to get crazier as they get older,” he says, wrapping his arms completely around you.

“I can’t wait,” you say and you mean it.

“As long as we’re a team, we’ll be just fine,” he kisses your lips and you’re reminded that everything is perfect.

It’s not even an hour later that you hear Nolan’s and AJ’s loud giggles and soft hushes. When you go to find them, you see them in the kitchen and they’re both covered in cranberry sauce. They freeze when they notice you staring at them, their little eyes widen in shock. As you’re about to speak Nolan runs off with Angel following right behind him. You throw your head back, silently laughing at their antics. Not wanting a mess all over your floors and furniture, you chase after them. However, they’re good at crawling and moving through small spaces, so you end up losing them.

“Barzy, your two little spawns ran away from me and they’re covered in cranberry sauce,” you say a little out of breath and clinging to Mat.

Mat stifles a laugh but joins you in your search. After your husband almost slips in the kitchen, thanks to the mess left on the floor, Nadia meets you in the foyer with both of the messy boys in her arms.

“I think these little Mats belong to you,” she laughs.

“You’re so right, they are little Mats. This is the most crazy I’ve seen them,” you say, accepting AJ while Mat grabs Nolan.

“Hey! I was a good kid,” your husband defends himself.

You and Nadia bust out in laughter.

“Shit!” Nolan says, a hesitant smile on his face, waiting to see everyone’s reaction.

“It!” Angel copies to his best ability.

Everyone’s eyes widen and you can tell they want to laugh but know they shouldn’t.

“Yeah, definitely Mat’s sons,” Nadia confirms and you agree.

Later that night after your babies are bathed and tucked in, you sit beside Nolan and card through his hair. He’s very calm now, a completely different kid compared to how crazy he was earlier.

“Nols, you were really… active today. What was going on?” You ask softly, kissing his forehead so he knows you’re not upset with him.

“Missed you,” he mutters, eyes turning sad.

“What do you mean, buddy? I’ve been here all day.”

“You were with Lo! And you held her the entire day,” he explains and suddenly it all makes sense. He was trying to get your attention, and now you feel bad because clearly you aren’t meeting his needs.

“I’m sorry, little man. It’s your sister’s first thanksgiving and it’s so special to me, so I got really excited to dress her up. I love you, Nolan. You’re my first baby and no matter what I will always love you. All you have to do is ask for me to hold you, or cuddle you and I will. Do you want kisses?” You soothe him, bringing his body into your arms.

He nods his head and you give him kisses all over his face until he’s laughing. His precious giggles make your chaotic thanksgiving worth it, and even though your boys were being rascals today, you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Those are memories that you will look back and laugh at.

a/n: This was very hard for me to write and idk if you can tell, but I hope y’all enjoy! Thanks to whoever requested this cute idea<333

[kiss-theggoat]

Could we have a part 3 to familiar??? I’m obsessed!!!

A/N: Thank you sm 🥹 I’m going to do a part 4 so stay tuned! I would upload it all together, but this week’s been very busy so I’m just writing when I can! Thanks for the patience :)

Familiar Pt.3

Billy Loomis x F!Reader (Also adding a little bit of Stu x Reader)

Word Count: 1.2k

Summary: You decided to go through with the plan, for Billy. You guess they were wrong when they said three's a crowd.

TW: Violence and Gore, Toxic Relationship

You sat still in your car, taking a deep breath Stu’s house loomed over you like a Rottweiler, foaming at the maw with an insatiable appetite for flesh. Thoughts of what you were about to do had you wanting to leave, hell, flee the country if you had to. Everything inside of you was screaming at you to call the cops, tell them what Billy had planned, but you couldn’t.

When you thought of him, your Billy, your chest was on fire. You wanted to be with him, no matter what it took. With this new found passion in your belly, you got out of your car, the knife sheathed in your boot pressing against your delicate skin, a dangerous reminder that you were going to become a killer.

You opened the door, greeting everyone with a smile that screamed normality. You saw Stu lounging on the couch with Tatum. Your friend Tatum. Your heart ached as you walked over. Next to them sat Randy and a few other guys from school. You sat in the chair away from them, sighing.

“Aye, look who’s here!” Stu yelled, holding out a hand to you. You laughed and high fived him. “What drinks do you have?” You asked, desperately needing to relax a little. He grinned, holding up his beer bottle.

“Beers in the fridge and Vodka on the dining room table. Pick your poison.” He winked.

You stood, walking to the table. You grabbed a red solo cup and one of the many bottles, pouring yourself a hefty shot and quickly sucking it down, cringing at the burn for a second. When you turned around, you saw Sydney walk in with a small smile, then following her, Dewey, and for some reason, Gale Weathers. Wonderful, a cop is here now.

You took a deep breath and walked back to the couch, sitting down with a sigh. You watched the movie they had on, Evil Dead you thought, and waited, occasionally talking with Stu or Randy about the film. The door opened again, you looked over and saw your beautiful Billy. You smiled at him, but didn’t get up, you didn’t want to be suspicious. Sydney met him on the stairs, and you watched as they had a conversation, then walked upstairs. Billy caught your glance as he walked, winking at you. You didn’t know what this meant, obviously he was walking towards a bedroom with his girlfriend, and now he seemed like he was mocking you for it.

Anger began to settle in your belly, hot and heavy. Stu stared at you before smiling, “You alright?” He asked, holding his beer out to you. “Here, you look like you need this more than me.”

Tatum looked at you, eyes focused with concern. Stu rubbed her shoulder and placed a kiss against the side of her face. “Why don’t you go grab more beers for the party?”

“What am I, the beer wench?” Tatum asked, shoving Stu away from her with a scoff.

Stu whined. “Baby I’m so comfy right now, plus I’m the host. Can't be disappearing in the middle of my own party, can I?” Stu kissed her jaw again, but made eye contact with you. “Why don’t you go with her?”

You tensed up for a second. A chance to get Tatum alone was exactly what Billy told you to wait for. “Yeah…okay.” You said softly, standing up to head to the garage with Tatum. She was ranting about something, talking about Stu. How he’d been distant lately, not paying as much attention when they talked. You guess you were doing the exact same thing, eyes glazed over and unfocused as you blindly followed her.

The knob to the garage door was cold and threatening as you slid the lock secretly, shutting it closed behind you. She continued speaking as she opened the fridge, but it was all a blur to you. You bent down and unsheathed your knife, staying in the blind spot of the fridge door, weapon raised and ready, adrenaline coursing through every vessel. The fridge door swung shut, and Tatum walked directly into your knife.

Her eyes bulged with fear as she dropped the beer, glass shattering and foam spraying at your feet. The handle was flush against her stomach, blood gushing out of the wound onto your hand, mixing with the alcohol on the floor. She sputtered blood, pale hands weakly gripping yours as she fell to her knees. The knife slipped from her gut with a squelch, and you stood there, shocked that you actually went through with it. Too shocked to move out of the way, blood soaking into the soles of your shoes, surely giving you away. Everyone would know it was you, no matter what Billy said.

“Oh my god! You killed her!”

Your blood went from electric and boiling to frozen in a split second. You whipped around, blood flying from your hands to see Stu standing there, a pained expression on his face. “My Tatum!” He cried, walking towards you, hands splayed out and pleading.

“Stu…I-I….” You stuttered. You wanted to tell him what happened. That his best friend was in on it, but you couldn’t get the words out of your stupid mouth. He was going to tell someone, get Dewey, and call more police. You were fucked.

You raised the knife and ran towards Stu, but with the height difference, he easily grabbed your wrist and twisted it sideways, disarming you and making your shoulder ache. His face switched in an instant, going from sad and crying to a sly smirk. “You’re fast. I shoulda known that a little lady like you would be nimble.” He winked, hand still squeezing your bloody one.

You’d never been more scared and confused. He was involved? Or he was just also sick in the head, separate from Billy. Either way, you were scared. He snickered, letting go of you, and you grabbed your wrist quickly to soothe its angry red skin. “I don’t understand.” You said quietly.

“Billy told me everything. He told me when he was going to kill you. And then when he pussied out because you sucked his dick. And then, when you agreed to kill Tatum.” He narrated, walking slowly around the garage and counting the events of the last few weeks on his fingertips. Him and Billy were in this together, and they’d dragged you in with them.

Walking towards the garage door, he opened a small chest caked in dust to grab out that familiar mask that you’d learned very, very well. “This is an extra. Billy had me get you one.” He said, holding the mask and cloak out towards you.

You grabbed it, relishing the way the smooth fabric felt against your hands. Stu rummaged through that same chest, unearthing an identical getup.

“Get dressed. We have work to do.”

[tvgremlin]

Sydcarmy family fluff future fic pls!!! I beg!!! I love your work btw 😭

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that <3! Family Fluff was the first genre of fic I ever read back in the fanfic.net days and is still an all-time favorite of mine so I LOVED this request! The fic is under the cut <3

Baby Bear

From her place in the highchair, their daughter screams for her parents. Cecilia Berzatto, with her unruly curls and wide brown eyes, demands attention. 

Her father is the one to give it to her. Carmy scoops her up, placing her on his hip as they move around The Bear’s kitchen. 

“You got her?” Sydney calls from the office. Across from her Sugar rolls her eyes, returning to the expense reports. 

“Yeah! We’re good!” He yells back, bouncing Cecilia on his hip. The girl squeals, grabbing at the straps of her father’s apron. 

“Isn’t it a little excessive to bring her in for prep?” Sugar asks, laughing at the look that crosses Syd’s face.

“She likes being here,” She tells her, “And we like having her.”

“Fair enough.” Sugar is still smiling. She had known since she heard the news of Cecilia’s impending arrival that it would be like this. Syd and Carmy side by side in the kitchen, their child slotting in effortlessly between them. 

Cecilia even has her own set of blues. A mini apron and white onesie that Syd dressed her in for Halloween that year. A photo of her and Carmy wearing the outfits as they grin at the camera sits on the expo station. 

“What is that?” Cecilia asks from her place in her father’s arms. Her chubby hands point to a dish he had been workshopping, Duck with a blood orange jus. 

“That is duck with an orange sauce,” He tells her. His hand is on her head smoothing out her mess of curls. They are the only piece of him he hopes she inherits. 

“Yucky.” She sticks her tongue out as she says it, making him laugh. She smiles, it is all her mother’s.

“Yeah, Bear. It’s yucky.”

He presses a kiss to his daughter’s head as she giggles. She finds her nickname endlessly amusing. 

In the dining room, Richie can hear his niece laughing. He has yet to greet her, not wanting to take her from her father’s arms. 

He knows better than anyone how precious those moments are. Who is he to rob his cousin of that time?

“Can I have a snack?” Cecilia asks, beginning to squirm.

Carmy glances up at the clock, realizing it’s nearly time for her dinner and The Bear’s family meal. 

“Yeah, in fact, it’s dinner time.” She smiles, “Do you want to go get Mommy and Aunt Sugar and tell them it’s time to eat?”

She nods, her little head bobbing up and down furiously. He places her on the ground, watching as she takes off running through the kitchen. 

“Mommy, Auntie Sugar!” She yells as she comes barreling toward her mother. Sydney manages to catch her, placing her daughter in her lap.

“What is it, Bear?” she asks. Carmy appears in the doorway ahead of them, his eyes fixed on his girls. The two most important things in his life. They are all that matters. 

“It’s dinner time,” she tells her, a chubby hand clutching her mother’s braids. She is all Carmy here, serious and loving.

“Is it?” Sydney looks up at Carmy, who nods, grinning at her, “Then we should let everyone know.”

“I know it’s dinner, Bear!” Sugar tells her niece, “What are we having?”

Cecilia looks at her mother, confused. Sydney leans down, whispering an answer in her daughter’s ear.

“Spaghetti!” She confidently parrots to her aunt, “With Uncle Mikey’s sauce.”

“Wonderful,” Sugar says, willing her voice not to break. 

Sydney takes her daughter from the office and into the kitchen, calling out to the staff that it’s time for family. 

The staff files into the dining room, taking their seats as Cecilia greets each of them with a wave and a kiss. 

They place Cecilia’s high chair at the head of the table, her parents on either side of her. She is the star of the show, holding court over the crew. Richie makes her laugh, Tina calls her beautiful, Sugar showers her with praise, and Marcus sneaks her extra helpings of dessert. 

She is their light at the end of the tunnel, the sweetness for which they all pin their hope. She is all things good and worthy, and she is loved beyond belief.

[mothinabottle]

MOTH HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Jordan, Sydney y yo te deseamos un feliz cumpleaños 🎂🎉

Te mando mis buenos deseos y muchos abrazos 🫂 tqm <3

HAKU. HAKU! I almost squealed in the middle of the bussss. omgomgomg

Simpeo, simpeo fuerte. estoy que muero ayuda aaaaaaa.

DIBUJOS DE HAKU PARA MI 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 ESTE REGALO ES INCREIBLEEEE

Este copypasta de aqui describe mis sentimientos perfectamente:

no lube, no protection, all night, all day, from the kitchen floor to the toilet seat, from the dining table to the bedroom, from the bathroom sink to the shower, from the front porch to the balcony, vertically, horizontally, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, while i gasp for air, scream and see the light, missionary, cowgirl, reverse cow girl, doggy, backwards, forwards, sideways, upside down, on the floor, in the bed, on the couch, on a chair, being carried against the wall, outside, in a train, on a plane, in the car, on a motorcycle, the bed of a truck, on a trampoline, in a bounce house, in the pool, bent over, in the basement, against the window, have the most toe curling, back arching, leg shaking, dick throbbing, fist clenching, ear ringing, mouth drooling, ass clenching, nose sniffling, eye watering, eye rolling, hip thrusting, earthquaking, sheet gripping, knuckles cracking, jaw dropping, hair pulling. teeth jitterbug, mind boggling, soul snatching, overstimulating, vile, sloppy, moan inducing, heart wrenching, spine tingling, back breaking, atrocious, gushy, creamy, beastly, lip bitting, gravity defying, nail biting, sweaty, feet kicking, mind blowing, body shivering, orgasmic, bone breaking, world ending, black hole creating, universe destroying, devious, scrumptious, amazing, delightful, delectable, unbelievable, body numbing, bark worthy, can't walk, head nodding, soul evaporating, volcano erupting, sweat rolling, voice cracking, trembling, sheets soaked, hair drenched, flabbergasting, lip locking, skin peeling, eyelash removing, eye widening, pussy popping, nail scratching, back cuts, spectacular, brain cell desolving, hair ripping, show stopping, magnificent, unique, extraordinary, splendid, phenomenal, mouth foaming, heavenly, awakening, devils tangos, he could put a nuclear bomb inside me and I'd still ride.

-Respectfully drooling,

Moth

[fluentmoviequoter]

— “shush, i don’t want to hear it. you deserve all of this and more, so don’t you dare try and convince yourself or me otherwise.”

This is mandatory for Victor bc obviously he doesn't think he deserves a celebration but he DOSE and his family will make sure he knows it.

HE DOES! He deserves the world!! I had every intention of making this a (platonic) reader insert, but it didn't happen lol. This ended up being a blurb rather than a longer fic, but I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: FLUFF

Word Count: 0.8k words

Sydney isn't sure where Victor is. But she woke up and saw he was gone, so she decided to seize her opportunity.

Sydney runs back to her room, pulling a small bag of supplies out from under her bed. Once the supplies are laid out on the small dining table, Sydney begins preparing. Victor's birthday is this week, and he needs a party. After everything he's done for Sydney, throwing a small celebration is the least she can do.

Dol staggers tiredly into the living room, collapsing by Sydney's feet as he falls asleep again. Sydney pats his head as she steps over him, carrying a small box of cake mix into the kitchen. Once the batter is mixed and put in the oven, Sydney begins walking around the room, locating the perfect spots for the decorations she's been hiding for months.

Sydney drags a chair to the opening of the hallway, climbing onto it to hang a banner that says 'Happy Birthday' in red and black letters. Dol barks as Sydney tilts slightly, and Mitch runs down the hall at the sound.

"What are you doing?" he asks, rubbing his eyes as he looks up at Sydney, blocking the doorway.

"Decorating," she grunts, placing the last thumbtack in the banner.

"For what?"

"Victor's birthday."

"He said he didn't want us to do anything," Mitch points out as Sydney climbs off the chair. "Finding out when his birthday is seemed like enough hassle."

Mitch carries the chair to the table on his way to the kitchen. He sees the oven is on and turns the interior light on before looking up at Sydney.

"You made him a cake." Mitch sighs, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "What do you want me to do?"

Sydney jumps up and down in place. "Can you help me hang some of the other decorations? You're tall enough."

"Tell me what goes where."

While Mitch puts the decorations exactly where Sydney wants them, she removes the finished cake from the oven and works on the cake decorations while it cools. Mitch is kind enough to not ask where she got everything, focusing on her directions for streamer placement.

"Where is Vic, anyway?" she asks, setting a fondant replica of Dol to the side.

Mitch shrugs. "Looking for something, I guess. New markers, a book? Who knows?"

"Is he going to be mad about all of this?"

"He might act mad," Mitch answers. "But I don't think he'll actually mind. He doesn't think he deserves much."

"Then let's show him how wrong he is."

✯✯✯✯✯

Sydney has just put the last decoration on the cake when a key is inserted into the lock on the front door.

"Mitch!" she calls, smiling at him when he returns with Dol on his heels.

Victor opens the door and steps inside, stopping when he sees the large birthday banner and matching streamers.

"Happy Birthday!" Sydney cheers.

"What is all of this this?" he asks, closing the door and setting his disposable bookstore bag down.

"It's a birthday celebration for you," Sydney answers. "I made the cake and Mitch helped me decorate. I know it's a few days early, but you weren't here, so I though we'd surprise you."

"I told you not to do anything," Victor argues. "I don't-"

"Shush," Sydney demands, "I don't want to hear it. You deserve all of this and more, so don't you dare try and convince yourself or me otherwise."

Victor nods, looking at the cake. "Thank you. It's, uh, it's been a long time since I actually celebrated."

"Now I wish I'd made a bigger cake," Sydney mumbles.

"The cake is perfect, Sydney. Everything is perfect. Thank you both," Victor says quietly. "Just don't do it again."

Sydney laughs, intent on celebrating Victor any chance she gets because he deserves it. Not only because he saved her life and promised to keep her safe but because he's been through so much and had so many people tell him he's worthless. Victor Vale is home to Sydney, the safest place in the world, and she needs to do this for him because of who he is, not what he's done.

"I wasn't sure about the colors, and they don't sell black on black birthday decorations," Sydney says. "I thought red and black would work."

"It looks great." Victor looks at the cake and narrows his eyes as he asks, "Is that us?"

"It is! You, me, Mitch, and of course, Dol. They're - we're - edible, but it seems a little weird to eat them," Sydney rambles.

"I really don't deserve all this, Sydney," Victor tries again.

"Don't argue with her, man," Mitch interjects. "You don't want to know how many times those streamers had to be moved."

"If you'd listened the first time," Sydney grumbles, causing Victor to smile while she isn't looking.

"Thank you for all of this. Maybe birthdays aren't so bad," Victor says.

Dol barks as Mitch cuts a piece of cake, and though there aren't presents or a fancy birthday dinner, it's the best birthday celebration Victor has ever had. Maybe, Sydney thinks, by next year, he'll be more willing to tell her his favorite cake flavor.

[crossfitandcarbs]

🌟 2024 Goals 🌟

🌟 Gym 🌟

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch an empty barbell for multiple reps

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch 20kg for multiple reps

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch 25kg for multiple reps

🤸‍♀️ Comfortably perform ten unbroken toes to bar

🌟 Physique 🌟

🧍‍♀️Body weight anywhere in the 73kg range and below then maintain

🧍‍♀️Lose 4cm or more from stomach/hips then maintain

🌟 Finances 🌟

💰 Personal savings account back up to $X,XXX or more

🌟 Travel 🌟

✈️ Mini-holiday to Sydney, approximately mid-year

🍡 Plan Japan holiday for 2025 - Cities, accommodation, travel dates, things to do (create spreadsheet like we did for Europe)

🌟 Home 🌟

🏡 Purchase 6 velvet dining chairs

🏡 Purchase outdoor table

💡 Change lights in kitchen, lounge and dining room

🌟 Personal 🌟

✍️ Maintain my bullet journal for the year

🚶‍♀️Finish The Lord of the Rings Conqueror walking challenge set

[totallyuseless-ugh]

It’s not hard to understand Dungeons (and Dragons)

Darnell never understood the hype around roleplaying games, even less so the tabletop kind. Growing up, nobody he knew around school played anything like it. Him and Pico briefly dabbled in Magic the Gathering at most. But other than that, neither Darnell, nor his friends had anything to do with these games. Most of his time was invested in studying for school, especially chemistry, and starting in high school, he also got into freestyle rapping.

He never knew there were any dice other than the classic six-sided ones, which resistance a copper Dragonborn had, or how often a level five cleric could cast cure wounds, let alone what any of this meant.

That was, until CJ came into his life.

When the two first got to know each other properly by name, they had agreed to meet up the very same day after work. Darnell was still a little hungover, but it wasn’t as bad anymore by the end of his shift as it was in the early morning.

CJ was nice enough to pick him up and drive to his apartment where they spent the whole day. Both shared their hobbies, and they talked for hours despite having vastly different interests. What did however get Darnell confused was the mention of Dungeons and Dragons coming from CJ. He just gave them a confused look and they immediately began a huge ramble about the game, though it didn’t help him understand anything even in the slightest.

“How about this,” CJ eventually gave up explaining the game system. “I got a session scheduled soon with my friends. You could tag along, watch us play and see for yourself if it’s your kinda thing.”

It took them another minute to first explain what exactly a session meant in the context of the game, but Darnell eventually agreed. He would witness his first session of DnD.

The coming weekend, Darnell came along with CJ to the apartment of one of their band mates. Sunghee’s dining table was set up to have a lot of room, which was mostly occupied with bowls of various snacks for the time being. Sydney was already sitting at the table, chatting with Sunghee. She took the chair at the end of the table, half hidden behind a wide cardboard screen with a laptop, several books and a lot more things Darnell, or anyone else could not see from their perspective.

CJ themself sat down and took a collection of things out from their bag. A notepad full with scribbled words and messy sketches, a collection of weirdly organised paper full of tables with numbers, which Darnell later learned was a character sheet, and the probably most interesting item of them all, a dice bag.

Shortly after Rika also joined the table began the game. Sunghee told her friends what scenarios they found themselves in, then they’d tell her what their characters did, and occasionally, they’d have to roll a die to determine if they’d succeeded.

It certainly looked interesting, but just from watching, Darnell couldn’t really figure out a lot. At least Sunghee was kind enough to show pictures of the creatures she talked about so he’d have somewhat of an idea what situation the group was in at that moment.

Listening in on the session sure was fun, so Darnell joined in whenever he had time since then. He only watched though, never feeling the need for playing himself. However, he did eventually create a character of his own.

Around the holidays, CJ’s sister Marie was planning a oneshot and wanted as many players for it as possible. After a bit of convincing, Darnell gave in and met up with CJ to make his first ever character. He decided on a Half-Orc Ranger, simply because it sounded like fun. Since Darnell didn’t fully grasp the game rules yet, they went over the basics together.

While CJ explained what rolling for a skill meant though dropped Darnell the 20-sided die by accident. It took them both almost half an hour to find it again. He apologised for the chaos over and over, mostly because he noticed CJ’s twitching eye whenever he held the die in his hand since, despite how often they said it was alright.

When the oneshot came around, he was given a dice set of his own. CJ said it was an early Christmas present, as a welcoming gift to the game. Though Darnell figured it was more so that he would never have to touch their dice ever again.

But despite the introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, Darnell never got as much into it as his partner did. He certainly understood the basics when CJ spoke about the sessions they were a player in, but he lost track as soon as they began a campaign of their own.

Any mention of world building, lore and game rules became like a static noise to Darnell whenever they’d go on a tangent about their latest plans. He’d try his best to listen, but CJ could tell that he didn’t understand a single word. And yet, Darnell insisted on them telling him about it, simply because he liked to see them talk about the things they enjoyed. Something about it made him happy himself.

The campaign progressed, occasionally taking place at the shared apartment as well. But only when Darnell didn’t have a late shift so the group wouldn’t accidentally wake him up once he went to bed. He’d often sit down with CJ to watch and see what it was like behind the Dungeon Master screen.

The amount of notes and information they had to keep track of was insane. But Darnell wasn’t really sure if that was normal, or just his partner being obsessed with details and organisation.

It still bothered him though that he didn’t understand as much of the material. He didn’t just want to sit around and nod along to whatever campaign plans CJ would talk about. So one day, Darnell decided it was time to change that.

After another session was over, Darnell helped cleaning the table with Sunghee while CJ, Sydney and Rika were putting away all the snacks and preparing a proper dinner in the kitchen before everybody would head home.

“Hey, Sunghee?” He asked hesitantly, keeping his voice low so that CJ wouldn’t accidentally hear him. “Can you help me with something?”

“Sure thing, what is it?” She walked over, at first thinking he needed help with what they were doing.

“Can you.. teach me to understand DnD?”

Sunghee looked at him for a moment. Before she could say anything though, Darnell continued, feeling the need to explain his request. “I just want to understand what CJ is talking about all the time, that’s it.”

She began to grin at his words. “You don’t need my help for that,” she told him with a quiet giggle. “They got all of the books. You can just read those.”

Right, the books. CJ always had a stack of big, colourful books on the table when they were having a session. They’d occasionally use it to check the rules for something their players were planning or see the stats of certain creatures.

Since that day, Darnell spent nearly all his free time reading. Whenever he was home alone and had nothing planned, he’d always sneak one of the rule books from CJ’s shelf and read it thoroughly. When going out, he’d often listen to a podcast of other campaigns. All the time he didn’t spend with CJ, Darnell was diving into the lore and workings of the game system.

He didn’t tell them anything about it. For one, because Darnell was afraid of saying something wrong, but mostly because he wanted to keep it a surprise. So when he began to understand what CJ was telling him, he was pretending to be clueless as before.

Even a while after he had finished reading all the books, Darnell didn’t say anything. He never mentioned anything to Sunghee, didn’t jump in with his knowledge when CJ had to check the spell list in their Player’s Handbook, kept quiet in every session about anything that wasn’t basic player knowledge.

Darnell was waiting for the right moment, the perfect opportunity. And it took a while to present itself.

*

The couple had a day off together. But instead of getting to enjoy it in any romantic way, they had to tend to their usual adult responsibilities. At least they could go grocery shopping together, that made the task just a bit less mundane.

Back home, they were putting away the groceries as CJ began to talk about their latest campaign ideas. “I was thinking of swapping out the silver dragon from the original book story with a white dragon. I just think it would fit more into the setting of the icy mountain peak, y’know?”

“And they’re supposed to get information from that dragon, right?”

“Exactly. I feel like an ancient white dragon is more likely to have knowledge about an artefact called the “never-ending snowflake” than a silver dragon.”

“That wouldn’t work with the lore, though.” Darnell said it in his most casual voice as he put the milk cartons in the fridge. CJ just stared at him in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what?”

“First off, white dragons have their lairs in cold mountain *caves*. But more importantly, they’re too dumb and animalistic to speak with your players. Especially since they can’t speak common.”

Keeping their surprised expression, CJ stood in the kitchen unmoving. They needed a second to process what their boyfriend had just dropped on them before they’d get their phone to check this information.

“Fuck, you’re right.. wait wait- why do you know all of that?”

Darnell just shrugged, “Read the books, did some research.” He closed the fridge door and before he knew it, CJ had him pinned against the counter, kissing him all over. He surely got the surprise as wanted, but this reaction was certainly unexpected, not unpleasant though.

It certainly paid out that he enjoyed doing deep dives into any interesting type of topic.

[love-quinn]

—PEACE OF MIND

summary — when carmen finds out that you're putting yourself in danger to come in to your waitressing job at the bear, he admittedly gets pissed. he's not super proud of his reaction, but the two of you manage to work something out to ease his worries.

warnings — swearing, mentions of customers being assholes, the implication that if reader isn't being fed at the restaurant she doesn't eat due to money reasons, very brief mentions/implications of the possibility of reader being attacked at night

pairing — carmen berzatto x fem!waitress reader, not established relationship

pronouns — she/her, reader is HEAVILY implied to be female, also there's technically no pronouns in this one but i consider this to be the same waitress reader as my last one which does have pronouns

word count — 1.9k

note — this can 10000% be read as a standalone but i do have another carmy x waitress fic here that i think takes place kinda in the same universe if you wanna check that one out?? i hope u enjoy <333

If you were somebody who wasn’t a fan of the cold, then Chicago wasn’t the city for you. It’s one of your least favourite parts of living in Illinois, having to wear four layers to bed if you don't want to freeze in your sleep. Your apartment doesn’t have proper heating because proper heating is for rich people, apparently. You barely make enough to afford rent as it is. 

You’re doing fine. You make rent and utilities, you eat lunch and dinner at the restaurant most days. You’re not swimming in gold coins by no means, but you’re fine. That’s the reason you show up early to every single shift, if you’re being honest, you’re guaranteed at least a sandwich. 

The fact that it makes you look like a dedicated employee doesn’t hurt either.

Even when you have to trek from the train platform after getting off the L. You’re not the first person punching in the code to the service entrance that afternoon, but the kitchen is free of yelling. Sydney’s at the end of the line, it’s her shift for Family, and she flashes you a smile as you shove your duffel into your locker.

It’s not raining outside but the air is so cold and damp outside, and you dab your face with a towel. The kitchen is so much warmer than outside that for a moment it’s uncomfortable. Sydney watches you out of the corner of her eye as she sautes a collection of vegetables. “Are you alright? Is it wet out there?”

You shake your head, grabbing your apron and using the mirror you hung up on the back of your door to fix your appearance. “Just cold, sorry. I’ll be fine. You get in okay?”

Sydney nods, holding out a spoon for you, hand cupped to prevent anything from landing on the floor. You don’t question it, opening your mouth and accepting the sauce while trying to minimise the contact between your mouth and the spoon as much as possible. “Fuck, that’s good. Is there sesame oil in there?”

You didn’t know a whole lot about food if you were honest, there’s a reason that you’re not a member of the kitchen staff. But Sydney’s been teaching you slowly but surely how to recognise different flavours, which ones go best together, which ones don’t.

Her eyes light up. “Yes! You like it?”

You shut your locker, moving to stand right behind her. Your chin lands on her shoulder, watching the way she rotates her medley of ingredients. You and Sydney have started becoming actual friends rather than just work friends, the two of you went out to dinner last Sunday, miraculously neither of you had to work. “Love it, need any help?”

“No, you’re all good. Go find Richie, I’m sure he needs help with whatever shit he’s doing.”

You leave her alone with a squeeze on the elbow, heading out into the dining room to find Richie. Richie isn’t out there but you do find Carmen pulling the chairs off the tables. You don’t bother talking, you and Carmen both appreciate the quiet in a workplace as loud as the restaurant. The second you put the first chair down Carmen is flinching. “You’re early,” he says, trying not to show his irritation.

He’d left the kitchen to feel productive while being alone, but he doesn’t want to yell at you. You deal with that enough. Yelling in the kitchen is natural, it’s fucking loud in there. If he doesn’t yell, he doesn’t get heard. People aren’t moving fast enough, people aren’t using proper technique, they’re running out of ingredients, things are being moved. If Carmen didn’t yell in the kitchen it would probably burn down somehow.

You deal with all that and you have to keep a smile on your face. You get yelled at for mistakes that other people make, and you never yell back. You take it all and yeah, sometimes you need to step out into the kitchen with tears in your eyes, but you cop it all and you go back out there.

You don’t need Carmy yelling at you as well.

You shrug casually, smoothing the tablecloth. “I am a slave to the public transit system.” It’s less embarrassing than admitting you’re trying to save money by eating at work whenever you can. 

Carmen stops at that. He doesn’t know why that’s surprising to him. He’s always here before you and he’s always here after you leave. He assumed he’d never seen your car in the parking lot because of that, but apparently, it’s because you don’t have one. “You took the train here?”

It’s early afternoon and people are turning their headlights on already. The closest train station is a fair walk away and it’s freezing out there. 

You nod, not taking much notice of the change in tone. “Yeah, I usually do.”

Carmen’s abandoned the table he’s dressing to turn around and look at you. It’s almost completely dark outside, it’s the middle of winter. “You walk to work?”

You look up at him. “Yeah, Carm.” You’re really hoping he’ll drop it, but he doesn’t seem to pick up on the way you avoid looking at him. 

“That’s so fucking dumb,” he doesn’t mean to snap, but the mood in the room is frozen now. “It’s like two degrees out there, why the fuck would you do that?” You regret coming out to help him. Usually, this stuff is already done by the time you show up to work, early as usual. 

You put down the last chair at the table you’re working on and brush off your apron. “It’s not like I have any other choice, Carmen,” you’re trying to keep your voice even. The dining room is empty, it’s still, and it feels much more awkward than having the conversation anywhere else would’ve felt. “I don’t really have many other options.” 

You look around the dining room and decide that leaving Carmen to finish setup isn’t an awful fate. 

“Yes, you do!” He doesn’t drop it. His fists are clenched at his side to stop him from flinging his arms up in frustration. “You have so many other options! Why did you pick the fucking stupid one?” You can handle being yelled at. It’s a part of the job. It happens to you every single day without fail. You can handle it.

That doesn’t mean that you have to take it from Carmen, though.

“Stop it,” you don’t raise your voice at him, but you’re not quiet either.

“I just don’t fucking get it,” he huffs. Once he’s started he can’t make himself stop. 

You sigh, loudly. “Yeah, I’m not asking you to, Carmen. Okay, but don’t treat me like garbage because I can’t afford a car.”

That’s the final straw in the conversation with him, and you turn to go back into the kitchen. Maybe Richie will be playing Angry Birds on his phone in the office and he’ll let you watch. Carmen’s frown deepens. “What the fuck are you talking about? Who gives a shit that you can’t afford a car?” He dodges the table he was working on and rushes to follow you. He’s a lot less graceful than you always are with it and that’s without the tray of drinks. “Do you see that shit out there?” He stands in front of you now, pointing a heavy, tattooed arm out at the front window. “It’s fucking Chicago. You can’t be walking here in twenty fucking degrees, honey! Do you not get that? Look at you! If someone pulls a knife on you out there what the fuck are you gonna do?”

You’re frozen in front of him now. He’s throwing so much at you that you don’t know what to say. 

He’s going back to setting up now, but as he turns he blows out a breath. “Get that through your fucking head, yeah?”

That’s the part that frustrates you the most. He does this all the time, he presents you with ten different problems and no solutions. You don’t need Carmen to tell you how to live your life when you’re struggling as it is. “How else do you want me to get to work? It’s either that or you find a new fucking waitress, okay? So can we let it go? What the fuck do you want me to do about it, Carmen? ”

Carmen doesn’t want to let it go. You take the train in the fucking pouring rain and walk every night only to be yelled at by a bunch of assholes over steak. 

“I want you to not walk through Chicago in the middle of the night!” He’s exasperated. “Yesterday you left after eleven, do you know how fucking dangerous that is? Fucking… Fuck?” It comes out as a question. “Why the fuck have you been leaving me here at night to go walk home alone? What the fuck do you think I’m here for?”

You’re getting upset by the yelling, and now that he’s said everything he needs to say he can see that he’s making you visibly panicked. “I don’t know what you want from me!” You let out finally, words exhaling from your chest with force. “Just tell me what you want or stop fucking yelling at me!”

He says your name quietly, letting out a frustrated huff. “Fucking- Okay. Okay.” He runs a hand through his hair and has to bend at the waist, leaning on the table you just fixed up, head buried in his arms. He takes a quick three second breather, trying to force down the ugly bubble of anger that’s rising familiarly to the surface, ready to spill out of his mouth. “If we are at the restaurant together and it’s the middle of the night, and I have a car…” he pauses, trying to give you time to follow along after previously overwhelming you. “... and you don’t.” You blink over at him. “Why the fuck would you not ask me to drive you home?”

“Because you’re my boss?” The answer comes easily, and it almost startles him how quickly you respond. “What? Why are you asking me this?”

Carmen knows, deep down, that he wouldn’t offer the same courtesy to Marcus or Fak or god forbid Richie. Sydney or Tina? If they asked, sure. But he would never stand in front of them in the dining room to yell at them for not asking. He likes to think it’s because he knows you’re different. You don’t yell back, you don’t antagonise him, you don’t push like they do. You handle it, and you’re gentle and you’re soft and for some fucking reason the idea of anything happening to you makes him feel like he has just been mugged in the street. 

“Just,” he waves a hand in front of his face. He can hear Sydney calling out, probably something important knowing her. “Please, honey, promise me that you’ll let me at least drive you to the fucking train station? Okay? For my own peace of mind. How far away from the station do you live?”

You tell him and he’s immediately groaning. “No, alright. I’m driving you home.” He sounds frustrated, not mad at you, but less than pleased. You don’t take it to heart. “Now please, go back inside the kitchen and fucking eat something, you’re giving me an irregular heartbeat.”

[furnituremaster02]

Space-Saving Outdoor Furniture Ideas For Sydney Apartments

Introduction

Living in a Sydney apartment often means embracing a smaller outdoor space, such as a balcony or terrace. However, just because your outdoor area is compact doesn't mean it can’t be stylish and functional. The right furniture can transform your small balcony into an inviting oasis for relaxation and entertainment. This article explores space-saving outdoor furniture ideas tailored for Sydney apartments, ensuring you can make the most of your outdoor living area.

Understanding the Space

Assessing Your Balcony Size

Before selecting outdoor patio furniture in Sydney, take the time to measure your balcony or terrace. Understanding your available space will help you choose appropriately sized pieces that don’t overcrowd the area. Consider factors such as:

Floor Space: Evaluate the total area available for seating and dining.

Height: Take note of any overhead restrictions, such as railings or awnings, which can affect the type of furniture you choose.

Sunlight Exposure: Consider the amount of sunlight your balcony receives throughout the day, as this can influence your choice of materials and colours.

Defining Your Style

Think about how you want to use your balcony. Is it primarily for relaxing, dining, or entertaining? Defining your style and purpose will guide your furniture selection and help create a cohesive look.

Space-Saving Furniture Ideas

1. Folding Chairs and Tables

Folding furniture is ideal for small balconies, as it can be easily stored away when not in use. Consider investing in:

Folding Bistro Sets: Perfect for dining, these sets typically include a small table and two chairs. They can be set up for meals or drinks and then folded away to free up space.

Folding Lounge Chairs: For relaxation, folding lounge chairs offer a comfortable seating option that can be stowed when not in use.

2. Stackable Furniture

Stackable outdoor furniture provides a versatile solution for small spaces. Look for:

Stackable Chairs: These can be easily stacked and stored, allowing you to create more floor space when needed.

Stackable Stools: Use them as extra seating or side tables, and easily tuck them away when not in use.

3. Benches with Storage

Benches are great for seating and can double as storage solutions. Opt for:

Storage Benches: These benches offer a place to sit while providing storage for cushions, gardening supplies, or outdoor games, keeping your balcony tidy and organised.

4. Vertical Gardens and Wall Planters

Utilise vertical space by incorporating wall planters or vertical gardens. These options allow you to bring greenery into your small balcony without sacrificing floor space. Consider:

Hanging Planters: Use hooks to hang planters or baskets from railings or walls, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.

Wall-mounted Shelves: Install shelves to display plants or decorative items, adding personality to your balcony without taking up valuable space.

5. Multi-functional Furniture

Look for furniture that serves multiple purposes. Some examples include:

Ottomans with Storage: These can be used as footrests, extra seating, or coffee tables while providing hidden storage for blankets or other items.

Convertible Furniture: Consider pieces that can be adjusted to serve different functions, such as a coffee table that can be raised to dining height.

Choosing Materials

Weather-resistant Materials

When selecting outdoor furniture, consider weather-resistant materials that can withstand Sydney's variable climate. Look for:

Aluminium: Lightweight and resistant to rust, making it an ideal choice for outdoor use.

Teak or Eucalyptus: These hardwoods are durable and can withstand outdoor elements while adding a touch of elegance.

Synthetic Rattan: This material mimics the look of traditional rattan but is more resistant to moisture and UV rays, making it suitable for outdoor settings.

Comfort Considerations

Don’t overlook comfort, even in small spaces. Opt for cushions with weather-resistant fabric and supportive seating to ensure that your balcony is a comfortable retreat.

Creating an Inviting Atmosphere

Lighting Options

Enhance your small balcony with appropriate lighting. Consider:

String Lights: Easy to install, string lights add a warm and inviting glow to your outdoor space, perfect for evening relaxation.

Lanterns: Use battery-operated lanterns for a chic touch and flexibility in lighting placement.

Accessories and Decor

Add personality to your balcony with accessories such as:

Outdoor Rugs: These can define your seating area and add comfort underfoot while enhancing the style of your space.

Cushions and Throws: Colourful cushions can make your furniture more inviting and provide additional comfort.

Conclusion

Transforming a small balcony into a stylish outdoor retreat is entirely possible with the right furniture choices and accessories. By selecting space-saving options such as folding and stackable furniture, incorporating multi-functional pieces, and using weather-resistant materials, you can create a functional and inviting outdoor space that reflects your personal style. Embrace your small balcony and enjoy the beauty of outdoor living in Sydney!

[eventhiresydney]

Elevate Your Event with Professional Event Hire Services in Sydney

Planning an event in Sydney? Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private gathering, making it memorable starts with the right setup. With high-quality event hire services, your venue can be transformed into the perfect setting, tailored to your event’s unique needs and vision.

Event Hire Sydney offers comprehensive solutions, from furniture to lighting and sound systems, ensuring that every detail contributes to an unforgettable experience. One of the main advantages of working with a professional hire company is access to a wide range of equipment, allowing you to create a cohesive and stylish atmosphere. For instance, you can choose from elegant chairs, tables, and lighting hire Sydney to set the right ambiance.

Why Opt for Event Hire Services?

Professional event hire can save you both time and hassle. Instead of coordinating rentals from multiple vendors, a single provider handles it all, making sure everything arrives and is set up according to plan. This convenience extends to marquee hire in Sydney, where you can opt for stylish outdoor setups that provide shade and shelter, ideal for any weather.

Beyond furniture and lighting, Event Hire Sydney offers speaker hire to ensure high-quality sound for speeches and music. The right audio equipment elevates the experience, making sure every announcement is heard and music is clear throughout the venue.

Customizable Options for Every Event

The versatility of event hire services means you can customize each component to match your theme and style. From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, event hire services offer flexibility with tailored options like chair hire in Sydney that align with various seating arrangements. You can choose different styles and layouts, from formal dining to casual lounge areas, all with high-quality furniture options.

Consider incorporating specialized lighting effects, such as fairy lights or chandeliers, to add an extra layer of sophistication. By partnering with Event Hire Sydney, you can ensure your vision is brought to life with professional equipment and support.

Convenient and Professional Services

One of the standout benefits of choosing Event Hire Sydney is the ease and convenience they offer. Their team provides setup, installation, and teardown, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your event. For those who need assistance with event planning, their experts offer guidance to help choose the right combination of items for an ideal setup.

To explore the full range of event hire services in Sydney, including lighting hire Sydney and other essentials, visit their website.

[decorworks]

Less is More: Australian-Inspired Minimalism at Graphite Square

BoxNine7 has presented their new show apartment at Graphite Square, created in collaboration with CBRE and Australian developer, Third.i Group. This 1,144 sq. ft property on the Albert Embankment in Vauxhall, Lambeth, represents Third.i Group’s inaugural mixed-use development in London, introducing a fresh, international perspective to the city’s dynamic property market. BoxNine7, a member of AGC – the UK’s first B Corp certified interior design collective – was appointed in May 2024 and designed an interior that embodies the ‘less is more’ philosophy. Their approach masterfully merges old and new elements to create an elegant space, accentuated by large, timeless statement pieces with a contemporary flair. Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook BoxNine7 has incorporated bespoke built-in pieces to maximise space, complemented by Australian-inspired artwork and a unique antique piece that adds a touch of aspiration to the design. The layout and architecture draw influences from Sydney’s North Shore and the Amangiri resort in Utah, evident in the curved structures, natural materials, and open spaces. The furniture design takes inspiration from Parisian interiors, seamlessly blending traditional architraves with modern curves and soft upholstery to create a calm and sophisticated environment.

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook The entrance hall has been painted in a deep green to create a moody, boutique ambiance. The corridor curves, leading to a spacious living area that opens to the London skyline. Featuring a mix of old and new, including a large three-seat sofa by a British manufacturer, the living room beautifully merges tradition and modernity. The dining space showcases bespoke banquet seating designed to maximise space, inspired by Amangiri’s unique pool design, whislt upcycled dining chairs have been skilfully reupholstered, giving them a new lease of life.

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook Highlights in the master bedroom include a large wall-mounted headboard made in the UK, a calm neutral colour palette, and quirky, antique Art Deco bedside tables. The subtle design complements the view of iconic London landmarks. The second bedroom introduces a touch of colour with dusty sage green lime wash walls and a burnt orange upholstered bed.

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook Each room showcases artwork with unique stories and accessories sourced from local markets, and sustainability is a priority. The apartment is painted with Bauwerk limewash paint, known for its eco-friendly, non-toxic composition and beautiful matte finish. Bauwerk’s paints are made from natural ingredients, promoting healthier living spaces and environmental responsibility.

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook “BoxNine7’s design for Graphite Square uniquely uses raw materials and embraces simplicity, setting it apart with its minimalist yet elegant approach,” said Alice Grimes, Director at BoxNine7. “Our collaboration with Third.i Group has allowed us to create a space that not only reflects contemporary Australian design but also integrates local craftsmanship and sustainable practices.”

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook BoxNine7’s new show apartment at Graphite Square combines Australian influences with British craftsmanship, creating a space that is timeless and modern. This residence is a unique addition to London and sets a new standard for urban living.

Graphite Square by BoxNine7 | Photography by Chris Snook Like this:Like Loading... Read the full article

[ausfurniture]

RETRO HALL TABLE

Quality Tassie oak RETRO HALL TABLE made in Australia Just like the rest of our range this piece can be made any size and in any timber or finish. Ask staff for details on any changes you would like to make. DISPLAYED FINISH TWO PACK POL YURE THANE Choices of stains and free color match,Custom sizes and other timber.Combination of solid timber and timber veneer. Soft close doors,Heavy duty Double extension metal runners for drawer,Life time exchangeable warrantee for runners and hinges.,$100 extra per drawer for Blum soft close runners. Custom Made by order only. 4-8 weeks to make. Please contact for interstate delivery. Australian Made hardwood furniture handcrafted in Sydney. My product is individually handcrafted from a blend of high quality sustainable local. We are making  RETRO HALL TABLE, Tassie oak tv unit, chairs, dining sets, bed frames, bedside tables, tallboys, dressing tables, bedroom suites, entertainment units, buffets, sideboards, kitchen dressers, coffee tables, lamp tables, hall tables, consoles, study desks, home offices, wardrobes, and kitchens, etc. The timber has been carefully sourced from sustainable and managed forests making each piece unique in its own character. We are proudly using sustainable Australian forest products such as Tasmanian oak, Tasmanian Blackwood, spotted gum, Blackbutt and imported timbers like American white oak, Tassie oak, European beech, American walnut and recycled hardwood. All our timbers are kiln dried to ensure a minimal movement,ultimately resulting in a fresh, modern approach to Hardwood timber furniture. We do custom made to satisfy any special usage,All our products have 10 years structural warranty.  Our products are made by our expert tradesmen who have more than 50 years combined experience supervised by me, the third generation of cabinet maker in the family. All the furniture is prepared by 320 grit sanding which meaning 6 or 7 times of sanding by different grits of sand paper. We have choices of finishes. Such as lacquer, Osmo oil, non toxic water based lacquer and polyurethane. These products give you a smooth, superb and carefree finish. All my ranges use traditional and modern construction techniques to create this aesthetically innovative design. All doors are using soft close hinges to ensure a very top quality. All drawers are using double extension ball bearing metal runners. Aboutus   Ourfriends   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   Pinterest   Bedroom Suites   Neo Home Office   Tv Unit   Kitchen cabinet  Quality timber   Coatings   Abbey timber Read the full article

[ladderslibrary]

Types of Bespoke Joinery: Enhancing Your Sydney Home with Custom Craftsmanship

In Sydney, bespoke joinery stands out as a hallmark of craftsmanship, offering homeowners unparalleled opportunities to customise their living spaces with unique, tailored solutions. Whether you're renovating your entire home or looking to add bespoke furniture pieces, Sydney's bespoke joinery specialists provide a range of options to suit every style and functional requirement.

Custom Built-in Wardrobes

One of the most popular applications of bespoke joinery in Sydney homes is custom built-in wardrobes. Unlike standard freestanding wardrobes, custom-built solutions are designed to maximise storage space while seamlessly integrating with the room's aesthetics. Sydney joinery specialists can create wardrobes that fit perfectly into alcoves, utilise awkward spaces, and incorporate features like pull-out racks, shoe shelves, and integrated lighting for enhanced functionality.

Bespoke Kitchen Cabinetry

Sydney homeowners often turn to bespoke joinery for their kitchen cabinetry to achieve a tailored look that complements their culinary style. From sleek, modern designs with handle-less cabinets to timeless shaker-style units with intricate detailing, bespoke kitchen joinery allows for personalised storage solutions, ergonomic layouts, and premium finishes that elevate the heart of your home.

Custom Shelving and Storage Solutions

Whether it's a study nook in your Woollahra terrace or a dedicated home office in your Paddington apartment, bespoke shelving and storage solutions are essential for maximising space and organisation. Sydney joinery specialists can design and install custom shelving units, bookcases, and storage cabinets that not only enhance functionality but also add architectural interest to your interiors.

Unique Furniture Pieces

Beyond functional storage solutions, bespoke joinery in Sydney extends to creating unique furniture pieces that become focal points in your home. From statement dining tables and entertainment units to bespoke bed frames and lounge chairs, custom furniture allows you to express your personal style while enjoying the quality craftsmanship and durability that bespoke joinery offers.

Architectural Joinery Features

For heritage homes in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs or contemporary residences in the Northern Beaches, architectural joinery features play a crucial role in defining the character and charm of a property. Sydney joinery specialists can craft bespoke staircases, intricate balustrades, decorative mouldings, and custom doors and windows that enhance the architectural integrity of your home while reflecting your individual taste and style.

Collaborating with Sydney's Bespoke Joinery Specialists

Choosing the right bespoke joinery specialist in Sydney is essential to realising your design vision. Look for craftsmen with a reputation for excellence in craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a portfolio that showcases diverse projects across different architectural styles. By collaborating closely with experienced professionals, you can ensure that every bespoke joinery piece is meticulously crafted to enhance your living space with unparalleled quality and aesthetic appeal.

Elevate Your Sydney Home with Bespoke Joinery

In conclusion, bespoke joinery in Sydney offers homeowners a unique opportunity to elevate their living spaces with customised solutions that blend functionality, craftsmanship, and style. Whether you're looking to maximise storage, enhance architectural features, or create bespoke furniture pieces, Sydney's bespoke joinery specialists provide endless possibilities to transform your home into a personalised sanctuary of elegance and practicality.

[haveaseatau]

Top 5 Design Tips for Cozy Corner Booth Seating in Your Restaurant

Designing restaurant booth seating to incorporate cosy corner seating enhances customer experience. Here are the top 5 design tips to ensure your stylish corner booth seating is both inviting and functional

1. Choose the Right Upholstery

Specifying the right type of material for constructing your corner booth seating is important. It helps in creating comfort and aesthetics. Choose superior materials that will not deteriorate fast. Choose materials that are easy to wash and will not wear out quickly. Vinyl and leather enamour the users because they are flashy and easily washable. If you desire that more home-like feel for your reception area the use of plush fabrics such as velvet or high-grade polyester would serve you well. Choose a padding that is comfortable to lie on which can also mean it has to be thick but cannot be very thick as this may cause it to wear out very quickly.

2. Optimise Space and Layout

Space utilisation and the chair’s comfort should be optimum to allow the students to focus on their studies. Booths at the corner are interesting, especially when the area of the restaurant is somewhat wasted. However, ensure that booths are well placed to fit in the corner striking a balance between adequate seat space for the guests and not crowding the area. In planning and arranging the facility, the areas between tables and between aisles and tables should be kept to a minimum so that both the customers and the staff are able to move easily. So that even a very small restaurant would look cozy: the layout is of great importance.

3. Incorporate Soft Lighting

A source of light specifically works to set the mood for any type of dining culture. For corner booth seating, the light should be low or warm. This can be done with actual wall fixtures like sconces, pendants, or even light strips put in a concealed manner but can be seen beneath the seats. The objective is to warm up the area and give it a pleasant atmosphere where people will be comfortable dining. Minimise direct lighting as it creates a sense of uninvitiveness and coldness to whatever place it is applied to. This allows one to control the level of brightness of the lights depending on the time of the day and the activities of the day.

4. Add Personal Touches and Decor

Personal touches can transform a standard corner booth into a unique and memorable space. Consider adding decorative cushions or throws that complement your restaurant’s color scheme. Wall art or mirrors above the booth can enhance the sense of space and add visual interest. Plants and greenery can bring a touch of nature indoors, creating a calming environment. Personal touches make the space feel thoughtfully designed and can enhance the overall dining experience.

5. Ensure Accessibility and Comfort

Accessibility is crucial in making your restaurant welcoming to all patrons. Ensure your corner booth seating is easy to access and comfortable for diners of all ages and abilities. The seat height should be comfortable for sitting and standing, and there should be enough legroom for everyone. Consider adding armrests for additional support. Pay attention to the table height and ensure it’s appropriate for eating and socialising.

Final Words

By incorporating these design tips, you can create cosy, stylish corner booth seating that enhances the dining experience in your restaurant. High-quality upholstery, optimised space, soft lighting, personal touches, and accessibility are key elements to focus on. Not only will this make your restaurant more appealing, but it will also encourage repeat visits from satisfied customers.

Also Read: Tips From Your Favorite Sydney Hospitality Pros: Creating a Cosy Atmosphere in Your Pub or Club Through Furniture