Did you know that the first slipcovers were custom-made? Tailors would visit people's homes to cut the right amount of material for a specific piece of furniture and bring the cut fabric back to their shops to sew.
The use of dowels is another joining technique found in high-quality wood furniture. Here holes are drilled in the opposing faces of the pieces being joined, and a dowel (wooden peg) is inserted into one hole, then fitted into the other to bring the two pieces together. Glue is typically used to keep the joint together.
The most famous example of an ancient Egyptian chair is the ornate throne that was buried in the tomb with Pharaoh Tutankhamen, popularly known as King Tut. Hieroglyphic evidence reveals that chairs were used in all levels of society and go back to the third millennium B.C.
If you are looking for a pliable deer hide on your new couch, you should consider purchasing a true buckskin leather couch. Deer hide is extremely soft and is water friendly.
Do you have a large, cavernous room to decorate in your home? To give it a homier feel, consider adding oversized or over-stuffed pieces to make the room appear cozier than it is.
The most useful beach furniture is often made from materials you don't see indoors very often. For example, a rust-resistant metal chair is impervious to the elements, while a waterproof cushion makes a perfect seat in a wet bathing suit.
Did you know that you’ll often get a better deal on a furniture set than a single piece? While you may only be coming in to look at a new coffee table, it may be worth considering the matching end tables as part of the package.
It’s always fun to take a new approach to vintage furniture. An old reclaimed piece can look great spray painted a new color. Or restore an old chair and add a brightly colored fabric to it.
Did you know that designers recommend always buying more than one set of the same slipcovers? Doing so will help your furniture always look its best, because, when one set is in the wash, the other can be used to cover the furniture!
Have you ever wondered how bamboo or rattan is able to formed into wicker furniture? The hard vines become soft and bendable when they are heated up. It’s much like a blacksmith will heat a piece of metal before shaping it with a hammer and anvil.
The history the chair is not as old as the chest, bench, or stool. In fact, the ordinary seat that is now common to most people did not really become common until the Renaissance.
"The most common type of large medieval dining table was of trestle construction, consisting of massive boards of oak or elm resting on a series of central supports to which they were affixed by pegs, which could be removed and the table dismantled," writes Encyclopedia Britannica.
For sofas and chairs that see a lot of traffic, a heavy cotton duck, canvas, or twill blend slipcover is going to be your best bet. You want the fabric to be firm and tough enough to be durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains.
Vintage furniture is too old to be considered "used," but not old enough to be labeled "antique." The term "vintage" should not refer to furniture or objects fewer than 30 years old or more than 100 years old.
When you visit a furniture store, make sure to sit on furniture you're considering. That is the best way to find out if it is comfortable. While it should definitely match your décor, you also want to be able to enjoy it for what it was made for.
“American coastal” is most likely the style that comes to mind when you think “beach house.” It’s light and breezy with a palette drawn from the sand, shells, sea, and sky.
Polyester damask tablecloths are easy to care for, yet so beautiful and elegant, you can use them with your fanciest table settings! These custom-fit tablecloths come in various patterns and shades and will beautifully show off your fine china and crystal. Best of all, this material is machine washable too!
Whether you are investing in a table for a formal dining room or a kitchen, you need to make sure it is large enough to fit everyone. It’s recommended that you allow 24 to 30 inches per person and at least 30 inches across the table for maximum seating comfort.
Indoor benches are attractive and very functional. Try a rustic bench in the mudroom or near the front door for family and guests to sit on while they take off muddy or snow-covered shoes, or a classy, graceful bench in the living room for extra seating.
A vintage bedroom set with a classic look is a great choice for a kids' room. As they grow, simply change the textiles, accessories, and wall color to suit their changing tastes, while giving them pieces that will become heirlooms.
If you collect antiques, you spend a lot of time finding the right unique pieces, so why display them on a generic piece of furniture? A well-made cabinet with glass doors or a high-quality shelf helps give them the mystique they deserve.
Make sure you consider the scale of your room when picking out your seating. For example, a large great room or living room might need sofas with larger, rolled arms, while a smaller room would need sofas with narrower arms.
