Showing posts with label Furniture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Furniture. Show all posts

Thursday, April 22, 2010

How to Check Wood Furniture for Quality

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.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Outdoor Furniture

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.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Basic Interior Design Principles

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.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Top 10 Furniture Trends of the Decade

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.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Spring Cleaning

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.

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Unrecliner

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.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Benefits of Custom Furniture

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.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

How to Clean Your Furniture

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.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

How to shop for furniture

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.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

How Designers Rip People Off

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!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

When Did Average Become Acceptable?

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."

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Buyers Beware!

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.