Creative Elements Furniture Studio

How to Check Wood Furniture for Quality

2010-04-22T15:21:00.001-04:00

The kind of wood that is used has a lot of bearing on how long your furniture will last. It can be made of hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood. Generally speaking quality furniture is made out of hardwood coming from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, mahogany, teak, walnut, cherry and birch. The wood will be air-dried and then kiln dried to remove all the moisture. Coniferous trees such as pine, fir, redwood and cedar produce soft wood. It is possible to find good quality furniture in these woods also, but these woods are more prone to scratches and dents. Modern furniture is very rarely constructed of all wood. Plywood, or engineered wood is used extensively because it provides strength, and helps prevent splitting or warping. It can make for sturdy, long lasting and highly attractive furniture when used with high quality veneers.

The way a piece is constructed can contribute to its beauty; functionality and also how long it will last. The joinery and sturdiness of a piece will tell you a lot about its quality. Mortise and tenon, and dovetails are two of the oldest ways of putting together furniture, and also make for the strongest and best looking joints. Good joints can also have dowels or screws, but will never be stapled. Any glue used will not show outside the joint. Corner blocks add to the strength and stability of a piece. Back panels that face the wall are the generally attached with screws to help ensure the lateral stability. Backs and unexposed parts should be sanded smooth and well fitted. Drawers fit well and have glides to allow you to effortlessly move a drawer in and out of its station. They will also have stops to prevent a drawer from being pulled out or falling. Doors will close neatly be flush with the cabinet front, and good quality hardware will be used. Test for sturdiness, by trying to rock or jostle the piece. It should not squeak, twist or wobble. Check if it is level with the floor.

A quality finish involves sanding, staining, and finishing. Neglect at any of the stages can affect the overall quality of a piece. Sanding is the first step in the finishing process, and a good piece will be smooth so that when you run your hand over it there will be no rough patches. Inspect the finish from different angles to check for blotchiness or scratches. A good stain enhances the natural beauty of wood and adds color and character to the wood.

Outdoor Furniture

2010-04-06T16:18:00.000-04:00

If you’re looking for the perfect summer getaway why not take a trip to your patio? The latest offerings in outdoor furniture, sets as well as single chairs or tables, are all geared for relaxing or outdoor entertaining. You can easily turn your garden or patio into a stylish outdoor living retreat.
The main functions that people want an outdoor space or patio to perform: provide comfortable place for lounging and relaxation, and provide versatility to help with outdoor entertaining, and do all of that with style. Outdoor spaces can be as inviting and usable as the indoor. Turn your patio or backyard into a stylish extension of your home using the same principles of design that you use in your other living areas. The outdoor living area has the potential to become the most attractive part of your home.
When considering comfort in outdoor furniture, chairs that are deeply cushioned and comfortable lounge chairs are important. Plenty of outdoor selections offer cushioning and comfort along with refreshing spa colors. Look for deep seating and plush cushioning. You can even get recliners for your patios and porches, and they are just as comfortable and stylish as the indoor ones.
Versatility is especially important for home furnishings purchases, as people expect furniture to serve two or more functions. Many manufacturers have now built multi-function into their new outdoor furniture. Tables with drop leafs, storage benches, and chairs versatile enough to use outdoors or indoors are some of the choices available. Fire pits and indoor/outdoor lamps convert patios into warm, attractive areas that can be used for entertaining at night as well.

Basic Interior Design Principles

2010-03-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

When you know the basic interior design principles you can transform any space to look fabulous. In design, balance creates a feeling of equilibrium. It is all about equalizing or approximating the visual weight of objects. Balance is created not just through shape, but through color, pattern, and texture as well.
As in music, rhythm in design is all about creating patterns of repetition and contrast to create visual interest. You can achieve this by using the same color or shape at different intervals. Its purpose is to move your eye around the room. For instance, you can establish a rhythm by using a color in the pillows, picking it up in a painting, and echoing it again in a rug. These repetitions will help carry your eye around the room.
Harmony is created when all the elements act together to create a unified message. Just as rhythm can create excitement, harmony creates a sense of restfulness. For instance, you can create harmony by using just one color, even though your forms vary greatly in shape, size and texture.
A room where everything gets equal importance will seem either scattered or boring. You need an anchor. Architectural spaces often have points of interest such as a fireplace or a window with a beautiful view. You can choose to enhance the built in focal point by arranging furniture around it to emphasize it. In a room that lacks such a built in point of interest you can create one through groupings of furniture or using an unusual or large piece.
Proportion is the ratio between the size of one part to another, and scale is how the size of one object relates to another or to the space in which it is placed. For instance, a large overstuffed sectional in a small room will be out of scale.

Top 10 Furniture Trends of the Decade

2010-02-25T14:53:00.001-05:00

1. Furniture going green. Green furniture has always been available, but now it seems to be going mainstream.

2. Furniture with a smaller profile. Since our living spaces are shrinking, this decade has seen furniture with a smaller profile.

3. Multifunctional Furniture. When space is at a premium, you need furniture that can perform multiple tasks.

4. Technology Driven Furniture Design. The use of modern technology has determined furniture design as well. It is most apparent in the design of entertainment centers.

5. Popularity of Vintage Furniture. Vintage furniture has really come into it’s own. Vintage furniture is green on many counts.

6. Globally Inspired Furniture. The globe seems to be shrinking, and other cultures no longer seem as distant. The idea of bringing the world to our homes is catching on.

7. The Growing Importance Outdoor Furniture. Casual furniture or outdoor furniture has made leaps and bounds in the last decade or more.

8. Custom-made Furniture. Customization of furniture seems to be a trend that continues to develop and evolve.

9. Specialty Sleep Surfaces. An interest in specialty sleep surfaces began with waterbeds and has grown and developed over the years.

10. Leather Furniture. Leather furniture has a newfound popularity because now it comes in different shapes and colors.

Designing your Media Room

2010-02-13T14:51:00.002-05:00

Home theater is all the rage now, especially with fuel costs and inflation in general keeping people at home more. Although this sort of luxury had previously been popular among those with more disposable income, families of more modest means now find that with a few changes they can make an existing room into a home theater without shattering their budget.

A home theater, after all, is an area that is optimized for movie viewing, with comfortable seating and good-quality equipment arranged according to a simple formula that allows every viewer to see and hear the feature fully without strain. Ideally your home theater will include a wide-screen TV and surround sound, but if you don’t have those big-ticket items yet you can start with what you have and then upgrade, as you’re ready to. If you feel your room is too small to accommodate a home theater set-up, you may be surprised. Consider the extra flexibility that a corner media unit will afford you as it helps to maximize the available space.

Situate the television against the wall where it works best according to this simple formula: your seating should begin at a distance that is twice the horizontal width of the TV screen. The back row of seating should not be farther back than five times the screen’s horizontal width. Leather is the ultimate upholstery choice for home theater seating, but microfiber also works well and can handle the spills that are bound to happen sooner or later.

If square footage allows, you can also set aside a corner of your newly transformed media room with a comfortable chair for listening to music. A pleasant but not too busy piece of art on the wall or a small sculpture on a table will contribute to the relaxing atmosphere, allowing for fuller enjoyment of the songs.

Spring Cleaning

2010-01-21T15:10:00.002-05:00

When the weather starts to get warmer, people long for a clean, fresh house to match the fresh outdoors! Don't get caught off guard. Be prepared for the warm weather by starting your Spring Cleaning early! Follow these steps to get a jump-start on spring, and shake off that winter dirt!

Plan your attack. Don't plan on doing it all in one day. Make a list of tasks for each room. Talk to your family about your plans and get them involved, too. Assign each person an area and a day, so they know in advance. Clean the woodwork and corners, clean the windows inside and out, and clean drapes. Dust lamps, accessories, electronics and pictures frames. Start tackling your laundry. Enlist family members to help out folding and putting away!

Store away all of the winter clothes. Donate any clothes that are in good condition and won't fit next year. Store all of the winter boots and jackets, too. Make sure everything is clean and dry before storing. Sort through your cabinets and drawers, get rid of or donate anything you haven't used in the last year. Wipe out the bottom of each drawer and cabinet. Clean out your office. Go through your inbox, sift through your papers and get rid of the clutter. Prep your outdoors for the warm weather. Check your patio furniture and clean if needed. Check your lawn mower, start to clean up your flowerbed, and clean out the garage.

Every time you finish something on your list, take pride in crossing it out. Spring-cleaning doesn't have to be the dreaded chore it sounds like when it's broken down into manageable pieces. Set achievable goals and you'll be done in no time. Now for the most important part, remember to reward yourself after each milestone…grab some hot chocolate and go for a walk with your sweetie, take a long hot bath in your freshly cleaned tub, or put up your feet and watch a movie.

How to Hang a Picture

2009-12-13T12:32:00.000-05:00

You’ve found the right art, you’ve found the right spot and now it’s time to display your beautiful piece for all to see. First, check your hanging surface. If your work of art is a large heavy piece that is going on drywall, you may want to use two picture hooks to make sure it gets plenty of support. Drywall, the most common surface, it is also the softest and inserting a picture hook is fairly uncomplicated. However, because drywall is the softest, it is recommended that you use an electronic ‘stud finder’ to locate a vertical beam of wood in the wall and hang your picture there, using a screw instead of a nail.
For bigger pictures hung on drywall, a fastener may be required. Besides using two picture hooks, a more reliable way to provide support is to install a toggle bolt. A toggle bolt has ‘wings’ that slide through a hole drilled into the wall and expands after it has been pushed through. It grips the wall from the inside as it is tightened.

Although plaster tends to hold fasteners better than drywall, when it comes to plaster, forget about the nail and hammer. You’ll want to drill a hole and use a wall anchor in this case. A wall anchor is a sleeve inserted into a drilled hole that will expand as a screw is driven into it. This will give a little extra grip in supporting the frame and makes sure the screw doesn’t slip back out. Brick or masonry will be the same as plaster- except this time; a little bit of epoxy might be inserted into the drilled hole. When you insert the screw or hook this time, be sure it is large enough to support the weight you need. Once it goes in and the epoxy dries, it’s not going to easily come back out.

Now that you have decided on the location your art should hang, it’s time to take a look at the wire that will be supporting the weight of the frame. The heavier the frame the, thicker the gauge of wire needed. This wire should then be attached to screw eyes, which are driven into the wood of the frame about 2/3 up from the bottom. The wire should extend up into the middle of the space between the top of the frame and the screw eyes. If you can see the wire over the top of the frame, you’ve gone too high. This is where it can be really handy to have a second person’s help. While the other person holds the frame up to the wall, you can stand back and decide which height is best to display your picture and then mark the wall lightly with a pencil at the top center of the frame. Flipping the frame over, push the wire on the back of the picture up towards the top of the frame and measure the distance from the peak of the wire to the top of the frame. Then take the same measurement and mark an X below your marker line on the wall. Now hang your picture and, with the help of a level, adjust it to your taste. If the picture seems too high or too low, adjust the wire on the back of the picture to achieve the desired result. Now your favorite art piece or your family picture is ready and on display for all to admire!

The Unrecliner

2009-11-23T12:59:00.001-05:00

When choosing a recliner, you no longer have to choose from a limited number of styles. Today, you can find a recliner in any style to go with your existing décor. You can also find recliners that are useful for medical conditions such as limited mobility or back problems. Recliner can rock, recline, swivel, massage, and lift, or simply look fabulous while also providing the most comfortable seat in the whole house. When it comes to recliners one size does not fit all, but you can easily find one that fits your individual needs.

A rocker recliner does exactly what the name says. It rocks and reclines. Wall hugger recliners take up less space, and are a good choice when you have a smaller room. Most recliners are available as both wall huggers and rocker recliners. A lift chair is usually recommended by physicians for people having limited capacity to use their legs. It is especially useful for someone with weak knees. Lift Chairs come in different shapes and sizes, so it is easy to find one to fit every body type. Massage recliners sometimes come with a heating function as well. They can massage your back and some also massage the backs of your legs. They can help lift you or recline.

In addition to these, there are recliners that don’t even look like recliners. They are available in styles such as wingback chairs. At Creative Elements, we carry Best recliners that are available in all of these styles for a reasonable price. They have an impressive array of fabrics to choose from in addition to leather, suede and microfiber with a wide range of colors and textures. Considering all this it is no wonder that recliners continue to be so popular.

Benefits of Custom Furniture

2009-10-30T15:50:00.000-04:00

Custom furniture is the perfect way to bring creativity and unique design into your home. It can be a tough search to find exactly what you are looking for in a furniture store. Even with more on the market than ever before, it does not make it any easier to find a piece of furniture with the exact design, measurements and materials that you desire. Choosing to commission a piece of custom furniture brings many benefits. You are able to specify the precise size and details of your item. For example, a unit to fit into the corner of a study might require very accurate measurements in order to fit. You might require a dining table have a certain height and length, in a particular wood. Not only is custom furniture allowing you to get exactly what you want, it is also unique. Handcrafted custom furniture is made to the customer's exact requirements and therefore never duplicated again. Even if it was, the nature of handcrafted items is to each be slightly different, be it in the knots in the wood or the finish. There is no better way to 'wow' your friends and family than include custom furniture in your home.

At Creative Elements we have many options for custom furniture including Custom Shoppe, Conrad Grebel, and many custom choices for upholstery pieces. Custom Shoppe is fine furniture crafted in America to your specifications. They can create anything from office furniture to entertainment pieces. Conrad Grebel has custom dining tables and beds. You can work with one of our designers to create the perfect piece for your space. We can blend practicality and style into your final piece of custom furniture. Get designing and enjoy seeing your vision come to life before your eyes.

Home for the Holidays

2009-10-19T11:43:00.001-04:00

The holidays are quickly approaching. The earlier you prepare your home for the holidays the more you are likely to enjoy the spirit of the season. There are so many things to do that it can be overwhelming. Where should you start? It is your home and you can do as much or as little as you wish to. The key is to be organized. Here are some ideas to get you started, wash windows, clean window coverings, wash bed linens, clean closets, clean refrigerator and stove, polish silver, clean carpet, have fireplace professionally cleaned. Write a list and try to stick to it. Be realistic, there is so much you can do!
Make sure you have enough items for your guests. If you plan on having guests stay with you for longer than a day you will need plenty of bed linens, hand and bath towels, dinnerware, etc. I recommend having some extra pillows and blankets as well. Do not forget to count how many chairs and tables you will need to accommodate all your guests!
Jazz up your Entrance, Dining Room and Living Room. These are the areas that your guests will see first. These rooms need to be warm, inviting and beautiful! Paint the walls; it’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do! It will enhance moldings, baseboards and bring life to furniture. Select some warm colors such as pumpkin, deep reds, burgundy. Dress your banisters and mantels with garlands; add pinecones, beads, pomegranates, ribbons of all colors. Place some accent pillows on sofa and a few on the floor. Pillows are so inviting. Select silk ones in deep red and gold. Put scented candles everywhere. It is the least expensive way to give a festive touch to a home. Buy different sizes and colors. Place in groups of 3 or 5. Fill the house with seasonal plants and flowers like Cyclamens, Poinsettias, Amaryllis and Holly to name a few. Put in your entrance, on coffee or end tables, on consoles and mix different colors. Get baskets in different shapes and sizes, fill them with natural, gold or silver pinecones or shiny ornaments and even with chocolates and candies. Set the table, invest in a beautiful centerpiece, it will enhance the beauty of your table. Buy your Christmas tree, if you celebrate Christmas. Select a tree for its nice shape and size. The size should be proportionate to the room. Whether it is a real one or an artificial one your tree will be the focal point. Sort out the ornaments you want to hang by color, shape and size. Remember that less is more. Trees that have too many ornaments on them will look overdone.
Now that you are ready, you can invite a few your friends for a preview of what is to come! This is the test. See how they react to your spotless and beautifully decorated home. Have a fire burning in the fireplace and some warm, spicy cider ready for them. Let the aroma fill the house. It will be the final touch.

Fall Colors

2009-10-04T12:36:00.000-04:00

Fall is one of the best seasons to be inspired by when it comes to interior design. There are so many wonderful hues and colors that come from autumn and so many things to take inspiration from. There are several fun and popular hues and tones that are good to choose for your design. Colors for fall 2009 are a palette that include hard colors, earth tones, and more including deep woodsy green, ice blue combined with a darker blue, brick red, pumpkin orange and chocolate. This range of colors is specifically used in wall accents and in painting a complete room. Using the colors from the fall interior design trends are a great way to change up the look of the environment.

Something to think about is the fact that many of the Fall colors that you see are on the darker side. This means that if you decide to choose the main paint color of a room as a Fall color, you'll want to consider the amount of light it will take away from the room if it is a darker tone. There are plenty of wonderful lighter colors, like gold, that you find in the fall that can inspire you to use lighter colors for the majority of a space. Rather than having four walls in a room painted in all the same rich red that you find on the changing Autumn leaves, consider making an accent wall. This way you can still get your wonderful red color on the walls but you can choose a lighter color for the rest of the walls and still allow the room to be nice and bright. Keeping the tones in mind will help you have a nice finished space.

There are some ways that you can incorporate Fall colors in a room that won't require you to permanently change your walls. This is to add curtains to the windows, lampshades to your lamps and/or pillows to the furniture that you have. Rather than getting a dark green sofa to have in your living room get some nice pillows with greens and gold, or whatever Fall colors you want to include in your design, to put on the sofa that you already have. Some nice curtains with Fall colors will dress up even the whitest of walls and a simple new lampshade with your Fall color of choice can make all difference in the room that you have. Changing the simplest of things and adding the smallest of details can really make the big picture very nice.

How to Clean Your Furniture

2009-09-20T11:29:00.001-04:00

It is important that you know how to clean and care for your upholstered furniture so that it can look its best for a very long time. The maintenance is much easier when you choose the right fabric in the beginning. Make sure the fabric is appropriate for your lifestyle and for the upholstered furniture piece. Synthetic fibers would be a good choice for heavily used pieces. It is also a good idea to use fabric protection. A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory. It is usually treated with soil and water repellents and some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors can be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home. This helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away. However, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Always clean up any spills or stains in a timely manner, and follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper care methods.
You can extend your upholstered furniture’s life by periodically turning over the loose cushions if you can. This easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear. Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage. Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers. While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector. Always test in a hidden area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry.
Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesn’t sit in the sun for extended periods of time. Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isn’t always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors. It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years. Experts recommend having this done on a regular basis and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original beauty.

How to shop for furniture

2009-07-25T15:38:00.001-04:00

Shopping for new furniture can be exhausting. You could go store to store trying to find the perfect pieces for your space and still find nothing you like. So how do you find exactly what you are looking for? Here are a few practical ideas to help you enjoy shopping and find the right pieces of furniture to fit your home and lifestyle.
First, you need to decide what you really need. Measure the space and figure out if what you want is actually possible. You may want a sofa, but the space will only hold a loveseat or a pair of chairs. Make sure you write the measurements down so you can take them with you when you shop. The next thing you need to do is to set a budget. If you start looking without a price in mind, it will be very discouraging when you find a piece you cannot afford.
The next step is to do some research. Find the websites to furniture manufacturers and see what they have to offer. You will be able to see what styles they have and you can eliminate the companies that do not have what you are looking for. Learn everything you can without leaving your home. If you find a piece you like, it will usually have the dimensions, fabric, and finish choices. Locate a store in your area that carries that line of furniture.
Now it is time to see the product in person. If the store you visit does not have the exact piece you wanted, you can still evaluate the quality of the line, pick out fabrics and finishes, and get an idea if it is something you would want. Fine furniture stores will create room settings so you can get a feel of what it will look like in a room. Just remember that furniture showrooms are very spacious with tall ceilings and no sidewalls. Keep the scale of your own room in mind. Get decorating ideas from the professionals. Many fine furniture stores will offer design services. Have someone come out to your home and they can help you find the perfect piece for your room as well as arranging accessories you may already have to create a new space. Be sure to talk to the sales people. They can help you with your decision and may have something in mind that they could order for you.
A furniture store will not have every piece that a company makes on the floor but they can order it. Look at the fabric options available for that company and take a few home with you to see them in the room. Some furniture stores will allow you to even take small furniture pieces and accessories home on approval. You can try it without putting any money down and if you do not like it, just bring it right back without the hassle. Buying furniture is a big expense, so you should end up with exactly what you want. By following these guidelines, shopping for furniture will be much easier and you will be happy with the results.

Going Green

2009-06-30T15:08:00.001-04:00

Green design is becoming a popular trend in the design world. Many companies are offering products that they claim to be green, however, there are so many aspects of green design that need to be taken into consideration. It is very complicated figuring out how green something actually is, but there are a few important questions you need to ask. Take the example of a paper cup and a Styrofoam cup. Which one is more sustainable? The obvious answer would be the paper cup. It is made from natural products and it can be recycled. When actually tested, the Styrofoam cup was more sustainable. You have to look at the entire lifetime of the cup. The products and process used to manufacture products use energy, non- renewable resources and renewable resources, and create emissions. Other things such as shipping, cost, and the disposal of the product are all considered.
With the launch of the EcoRowe initiative, we can provide a truly green product. Rowe has made a commitment to eco- friendly manufacturing processes and sustainable product development. They provide over 200 natural fiber fabrics, wood from replenished, domestic forests for the frames, and eco- friendly cushion cores. Rowe is also located in the USA, which will cut down on shipping costs and emissions. Green design is becoming very important and I hope this was helpful. We are not trying to scare you away from it, just make sure you ask a few more questions when considering a green product. Here is a great link that will provide you with more information about the green products Rowe offers.

http://www.rowefurniture.com/eco_rowe/default.htm

How Designers Rip People Off

2009-04-15T11:45:00.004-04:00

Wow! That's harsh, isn't it? What do you mean designers rip people off?

There are more bad interior designers out there than good ones. "Bad Designers" are more concerned with how much profit they make on your project, instead of focusing on your goals and needs. The "Good Designers" that work we work with on a daily basis have a genuine interest in helping people first. Making a good living comes from the helping people part.

Here are few ways you can know that your interior designer is working on your behalf:

Is your billing up front and detailed?
You should know exactly what your paying for when it comes to their services and the items you buy. Generic billing quotes and vague figures are not good enough.

Ask for a list of referrals and previous clients that you can contact.
A good designer will be excited to have you contact previous clients. At least 3 past clients would be preferred.

Does your designer exhibit integrity?
Does your designer do what he or she says they are going to do? Integrity is a lost value in our society, but the good ones still maintain it as one of the golden rules.

We hope this post is helpful to you in some way. Remember, your home is your castle, and the people who help furnish and design it should be just as invested in the outcome as you. Good luck!

When Did Average Become Acceptable?

2009-04-07T09:03:00.005-04:00

When you furniture shop, why does every store look the same? Do ever notice the same overstuffed sofa in every store you walk into? Even as an Alpha Male, I notice it. We are losing our sense of uniqueness and individuality. The internet and media tells us what we should buy, how we should dress, and what our home should look like.

My belief is--just because they're talking, doesn't mean we have to listen. Your home and style should be all your own. When you come home at the end of the day, you should feel a sense of pride in what YOU created. It shouldn't have to be average, and it shouldn't be because somebody told you so.

Don't be afraid to create a feel and environment that truly represents you, and your family. It's great to get ideas, but make sure it's what you enjoy, not what someone else deems as "right for you."

Finding A Dining Table That Will Last

2009-03-04T08:27:00.005-05:00

With all the options available to us in different styles and types of dining furniture, it's hard to sort through what's quality and will last, and what will not. Many companies make products that look nice, but when it comes down to the construction and durability, it's merely lipstick on a pig.

Here are several key things you should look for when purchasing a dining room table, whether it's for everyday use or for entertaining:

Is It Solid Wood?
I am not saying all veneers are bad, what is important is the wood species (oak, maple, cherry, hickory, etc) and where the wood was harvested. Oak and Maple tend to me the most common woods used for dining because of their density and hardness.

Quality Joinery
Screws and glue just don't cut it anymore. If you want a dining table and chairs to last, it needs to have fundamentally good construction. Here are examples of what to look for:

Mortise and Tenon - a connection point where two pieces connect, locking the pieces together and creating the strongest joint possible.

Interlocking Corner Joints - offer a solid framework for the leg to attach to the table

Durable Finish
Catalyzed varnish is the most durable finish available, allowing you to simply take a damp cloth with water to clean up spills. It also resists UV rays which helps your table look new for a longer period of time.

These are just a few things to look for when looking at dining furniture. It's an excellent starting point for finding a table and chairs that will be durable and hold up the wear and tear of your family.

Buyers Beware!

2009-02-11T15:47:00.003-05:00

I just got back from the Las Vegas furniture market, fresh with new ideas and knowledge about how we can better serve you and improve the studio.

There is only one major disappointment from my trip: some manufacturers are worrying more about making money, and less about making great stuff for you to buy and to improve your home. I am not saying profit and making money are a bad thing, what I believe is that we make money by offering great furniture and great values--not by cutting corners and utilizing fancy marketing tactics.

Our goal is to serve as an advocate for our clients. This means finding the best possible products for the best value. We attend three furniture markets a year to make this happen. We love looking for uniqueness, because this is what separates your home from everyone else, and we also appreciate quality, because furniture should be stylish, well made and something you can enjoy for a long time.

Are you afraid of making a mistake?

2009-02-03T10:48:00.002-05:00

We meet guests and clients on a daily basis that are afraid of making a mistake when it comes to buying furniture or anything else for their home. It is a big decision and you want every dollar you spend to be as effective as possible.

We have a couple solutions available that can make decorating your home more fun and less stressful.

#1 TRY ON APPROVAL PROGRAM
We allow guests to take small furniture pieces, lamps and accessories home to try it before they buy. The best way to visualize furniture is to actually see it in your home during the daylight and also evening hours when there is absence of natural light. If you like a piece that you try, simply send us a check or call with your credit card.

#2 INTERIOR DESIGN ADVICE
We have a wonderful staff that can help assess your home and situation, coming up with the best design plan possible. We offer room layouts, work with your color palette and find ways to create the perfect room.

#3 "I'M NOT SURE MY FURNITURE WILL FIT"
We can come out and assess the situation, making sure a piece of furniture will fit into your home. If you have tight doorways, narrow hallways or furniture going up or down stairs, we can help make sure your furniture will fit before you order.

These are just a couple simple solutions that can help make decorating and furnishing your home a fun experience. Buying furniture shouldn't have to be a stressful experience and we are here to help.

Just added...Clayton Marcus + New Lamps!

2009-01-18T13:27:00.002-05:00

We are excited to have some great new introductions to start 2009. Clayton Marcus, which is a great line of upholstered furniture is our biggest intro. Clayton Marcus offers traditional and upscale upholstery that is all made in the USA. The look lends itself to traditional and eclectic styles. It adds a great new element to the studio because of the increased fabric options and expansive custom options available (tassles, ability to collage different fabrics, bullion fringe, etc.)

We have also received a lot of new lamps! Most of the lamps are ceramic and colorful with a nice mix of contemporary and traditional. We always offer "Try On Approval" in case there is a lamp or any other item in the studio that you would like to try before you buy. It makes a huge difference, seeing an item in your room and how it ties in with your decor.

Size Does Matter!

2009-01-03T12:38:00.003-05:00

One common problem our clients have when looking for furniture is....finding furniture that fits. Furniture manufacturers have not always been the best listeners and have produced a lot of oversized, over-fluffed stuff. Even with today's larger great rooms and open floor plans, we are finding clients that want to have flexibility and options in their room. Smaller-scaled pieces are the answer to this furniture design dilemma.

If you are looking for a sofa, there are several great options in the 80" and under category. This can include traditional, contemporary and even casual styles. The best feature of many of the 80" and under sofas is that you don't have to sacrifice any seating space. In most cases, the seating space is comparable to 90-95" sofas.

Sectionals are another great option because it gives you control over the amount of seating, contour of the piece and also the overall size.

If you are having trouble finding something that fits, don't give up! Here is a great link to the Mini-Mod section of the Rowe website which has some great small-scaled options.

http://www.rowefurniture.com/collections/minimod/default.htm

Chris

Welcome Home

2008-09-15T18:25:00.003-04:00

What an amazing week! It is an incredible experience to see the entire Home Makeover process capped off by the arrival home of the Frisch family. Despite being sleep deprived from the night before, we trudged back on Sunday to see the end result--a family that was completely blown away with emotion and thanksgiving.

It has been an amazing experience. The interior of the home is spectacular (sorry we can't talk about it yet). The amount of personalization, effort and time that went into the design is amazing. Amy, Ann and Jowill, design producers for the show, deserve a ton of credit for the amount of time and work they put into the whole makeover process. It was a great pleasure to work with them and to have included us.

There are so many things we want to share and talk about, and frankly, this blog could not contain it all. We hope as you come into the studio we can share tidbits with you (what we are allowed to share), giving you a greater appreciation of what happened in our community. We look forward to the next several weeks when all of us will get to see it together on national television.

A Gift

2008-09-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

As the building process draws closer to completion it has been incredible to see the combination of good will and volunteerism on the part of the entire Northwest Ohio community to work together to build a home and bring joy to others. Over three thousand skilled workers and volunteers have given the gift of donating countless hours to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project. From the vantage point of a spectator it looks like total chaos, but seeing the progress of the house each day gives you a clue that it is very organized and no detail is overlooked.

Everything for the entire build has been donated as a gift to ensure the Frisch family a wonderful home for years to come. Nearly three hundred businesses and institutions have made it a priority to see that this deserving family returns to a home that just a few short weeks ago they could not have imagined in their wildest dreams. Not only has every stick, stone and piece of furniture been donated, but the community has rallied around several charity events that will benefit the family, the local community and deserving families in Haiti.

Isn't it great to know that we, in our corner of Ohio, are not only interested in improving our own lives, but the lives of our neighbors as well? That is a true gift.

Progress

2008-09-12T10:30:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe the progress that has been made already! It is truly amazing to see how much of an accomplishment was made overnight. Wednesday night I went to see the house and returned again on Thursday morning. Last night the roof line was starting to take shape and in 14 hours or so all of the shingles were on, the siding was on three sides of the house, a few windows were installed and the drywallers were waiting their turn to work. The stone for the front of the exterior was delivered, skilled tradesmen were mixing up stucco and spectators were in awe.

While I was there, I spoke to Aaron Frisch's mother, who has been there around the clock to witness this wonderful dream house being built for her son and his family. It was great talking with her and seeing how excited and appreciative she is for this opportunity. It's such a great feeling knowing that you are involved in a project that will change a deserving family's life. The community involvement is spectacular. It is amazing to see all the different skills and talents of the individuals volunteering and also the number of people that have stepped up to the challenge of coming together and making a difference is unbelievable.

The excitement is "building" around the store as we prepare for the big day on Saturday of moving in the furniture. It doesn't seem real that we are going to be a big part of making this house a home by adding the personal touches and comfortable furnishings. Everyone is anticipating the completion of the home as we play our part in the Extreme Makeover project.

Wednesday Night!!

2008-09-11T11:04:00.004-04:00

Wednesday night was full of excitement and wonder! It is hard to believe that just hours ago they were working on the basement and now the structure of the home is complete! Seeing the blueprints we saw weeks ago come alive was amazing, it now has more meaning and emotion. It was also fun to hear individuals in the crowd guess and talk about what the rooms would be…some were close and others were really off!! Of course we would never tell!!!

Besides the structure coming to life it was also kids night. So the VIP area was filled with children having as much fun as the adults. The children were able to “build” projects just like mommy and daddy were doing.

When the sun went down the work continued. The large spotlights light the home like a Friday night football game, and the second shift workers carried on like nothing had changed. Paul DiMeo was around the whole evening to make sure everything was going as planned. Even though, we were not able to help that night, being around everyone and seeing the process makes Saturday (when we start Interiors) even more exciting!!

Extreme Demolition

2008-09-09T19:56:00.009-04:00

What a great morning! Thousands of people supported Toledo Fire and Rescue as they tore down the Frisch Family home this afternoon. For the true diehards, like our faithful employee, Lois Hancock, her daughters Nicole and Heather, and friend Jessica, you could have showed up at 6:30 a.m. to take part in the Braveheart ceremonial walk up to the home. The walk was led by members of the Toledo FD and Buckeye Real Estate Group, along with hundreds of local volunteers and supporters.

Yes, Ty Pennington was there. He must have Red Bull running through his veins 24/7. Yes, he is just as crazy in person as what you see on TV. It's great!!! Ty led the charge as firemen ripped the front of the house apart limb by limb. Fireman also attacked the house from above, cutting through the ceiling with big circular saws. In the matter of 2 hours the entire home was leveled to the ground.

What really made today special was taking my son, Cole, along for the day to see the whole thing. What really excites me is how at the age of 8 years old he gets it. Not Ty Pennington running around entertaining and big machinery ripping the last bits of the house to shreds (it was cool, though). He gets the fact that this whole thing is about reaching out to others. About improving the quality of life for people who really need the help. It reinforces to me how important it is to be involved in our community helping others, no matter how big or small the project is.

Meet The Frisch Family

2008-09-08T08:52:00.003-04:00

Click on "Meet The Frisch Family" to see pictures, courtesy of ToledoBlade.com, of the Extreme Makeover Design team and the big announcement.

Opportunity Knocks!

2008-09-07T11:26:00.002-04:00

A little over two weeks ago, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition chose Creative Elements to provide furniture for a Toledo area family. What an amazing opportunity! We get to improve the quality of life for a local family and showcase Creative Elements at the same time.

Over the next several days we will become immersed in the demolition and construction process. In 106 short hours this family will have a new home and new lease on life. We want to keep you updated throughout the entire process here on our blog.

We have been extremely impressed by the entire staff at Extreme Makeover. The concern for providing exactly what the family needs is top priority and the stories of what has been done for previous families is incredible.

Keep checking in with us to see what’s new and exciting with the process. Even though volunteer positions have been filled for the project, there are still opportunities to help the family through donations. If you want to give towards the family, please visit http://www.buildwithbuckeye.com to let them know how you would like to help.