ATG Stores Blog

Thousands of people find cool stuff they love every month on our stores.  Some of these may be innocuous, some may start conversations, and some may be so perfect that the new owner wants to talk about their discovery to everyone.  We started the Refer-A-Friend program to help spread the word, and help you get your ultimate discovery for a little less.

Here’s how it works:

Go to the Refer-A-Friend page and add your email and a subject line.  Then add the emails of people you think might discover something really cool on our sites that they’ll love.  For each person that makes a purchase, you get a $5 credit that can be applied to ANY future purchase.  If you refer 5 people, you’ll get an instant $25 bonus credit on top of your $5 credit.  This means 5 of your friends find cool stuff they love, and you get $50 off anything you want!

To help get you started we’re going to make it even more fun.  Whoever gets the most friends signed up in the next week of this posting will automatically get this free Area Rug!

It’s a polypropylene rug that measures 5′3″ x 7′10″ (aka HUGE!).  So what are you waiting for?  Head over to the Refer-A-Friend page and get started!  It helps your friends find cool stuff and gets you awesome discounts!

Wondering about a catch?  There isn’t one.  However, please know that we respect your privacy and your friend’s privacy.  Adding your email and your friends email does not sign you or them up for any marketing material.  For more information, check out our privacy policy.

The first successful test of Thomas Edison’s carbon filament occurred on October 22, 1879, lasting for 13.5 hours. Thus, 130 years ago the light bulb was born!  While that’s only a tiny speck in earth’s history, it’s hard to imagine how our lives would be without electric light.  Edison’s invention changed life as we know it with a single flip of a switch…

The invention of the light bulb changed our lives forever, and it’s not nearly done evolving.  New technology such as spiral Compact Fluorescent bulbs and LED technology are quickly taking favor in today’s homes, so enjoy your 130^th birthday, Incandescent Light Bulb, because I’m sorry to say your days in this form are numbered. 

This component cabinet allows for easy access but hides all the ugly wires that come with the fun toys.

There are a lot of things we love.  We love what our vendors offer (which is why we’re here in the first place), we love pretty pictures, and we love a good message.  So why not include all of those into one thing?  Videos!  We’re beginning a phased rollout of lots of videos, and here is the first group featuring some manufacturers.  If you want, you can see lots more here and here.  Have a great weekend!

I love finding new things for existing pieces.  It saves money and makes me feel like I accomplished something.  Kind of like this guy did with a couple construction barriers, although he got arrested for destroying property.  Bummer…

So here are a couple ideas that you may be able to do yourself.  I haven’t tried all of these, but definitely want to.  If you do, let me know how it works out. 

Turn Planters into Coolers: With a clear plastic bag and some ice, you can make a planter water-proof and throw in the drinks to make an instant cooler.  This one even has built-in LED lights to glow cool colors.

Grow Your Own Furniture: The ultimate outdoor piece to any lawn.  Learn how to do it here.

Turn Your Lights into a Canvas:  Lights made from ceramic materials are often paintable.  Draw anything you want, and truly make it your own.

Make Greeting Cards from Paint Strips: Colorful, Unique, and CHEAP!  Check out the how-to’s over at DIYLife.com

Use Tin Cans as a Vase: Or display/organize anything else you may need.  Here is a great tutorial

Now these guys get creative with LED lighting!