Ever wondered what accent furniture is? It sounds a bit trivial, but it's not. Accent pieces are furniture items added a room for aesthetic more than practical reasons. Here's an example: That dramatic looking chair in the corner of your living room provides seating (even if no one actually sits in it), but its style or color is really intended to integrate other design elements in the room.
Shaker wood furniture is a uniquely American style. It is characterized by simple, straightforward designs focused on function and utility. Shaker pieces are unembellished, featuring straight tapered legs, wooden knobs, and natural or painted finishes.
It’s your decision. With custom slipcovers, you create the look you want. Love the slightly rumpled look of shabby chic? Opt for slipcovers made with a looser fit. Love crisp lines? Opt for ones that are tailored to fit like a glove.
Have you considered a platform bed for your master bedroom? These have a raised, flat, hard, horizontal survey meant to support only a mattress. With either slats or a solid surface to support the mattress, they eliminate the need for a box spring.
What is a settee? Great question. It describes a compact seating piece with arms and a back, designed for two or three people. In the 17th century, most settees were made of wood, but by the early 18th century, many featured horsehair padding and upholstered fabric.
With long-lasting, durable leather furniture, it’s smart to choose a color with timeless appeal. Nothing is more classic than cordovan leather, which takes its name from the city of Cordoba, Spain, where processed hides were traditionally dyed this deep, rich, brown-red shade.
Cotton blend is one type of material used for table linens. Cotton blend linens can be blended with polyester and usually don’t require ironing.
Did you know that ottomans are incredibly simple to cover? If your ottoman is looking a little worn from years of use as a footrest, nothing can be simpler than slipping a cover over the top to hide the damage completely from view.
One of the benefits of investing in contemporary style furnishings is that they are usually crafted with neutral colors and design elements. This means that the pieces can later be updated quickly and easily as tastes and styles change.
When quality matters to you, many experts recommend buying vintage pieces over comparably priced new furnishings. Why? Older furniture often uses better materials and reflects better craftsmanship than mass produced furnishings sold new. Buying "vintage" is one way to get the biggest bang for your furniture dollar.
In general, linen and cotton both make exceptionally high quality tablecloths and other linens. Both are made from natural vegetable fibers, making them strong and absorbent with a luxurious feel and appearance.
There are countless varieties of leather that are available for furniture. Many of these leathers are achieved through special effects, such as the injection of oil or wax to create a color-burst when stretched during the upholstering process. This type is referred to as “pull-up” leather.
Not sure how to best clean your sofa's fabric? Look at the fabric tag. An S on the tag will indicate that the fabric should be cleaned with a solvent cleaner; a W stands for water-based cleaning; and an S-W means that both can be used.
In many cases, chewed or dented wood furniture can be repaired and restored to its former condition. Since chewing damage creates an uneven surface, an important part of the repair involves smoothing out the surface first.
When it comes to leather, the term “grain” refers to how the leather is cut from the original cowhide rather than its grade. Cowhide is basically thick and usually separated into two or three layers, with the top or outermost layer called top-grain leather.
While color is often the go to method of sprucing up a tired looking room, it’s not the only way to give it an appearance boost. In some cases, playing with furniture textures can help. Since wicker has a unique texture, it’s an obvious choice for some.
Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture that started falling apart almost as soon as you got it home? Since some synthetic materials aren’t made to be durable, buying furniture made of real wood often means buying quality furniture.
For best results, clean and polish your wood furniture on a regular basis. It prevents dust that can attract moisture, from settling and causing damage.
The art deco style of contemporary furniture strives for an informal look while using luxurious materials. For example, art deco style construction could include exotic leathers, ivory, lacquers, mother-of-pearl, and gold and silver leaf.
Traditional styles create the perfect backdrop for a large formal home. The style consists mainly of dark woods, elaborate wood carvings, and jewel tones. This style is best for customers seeking style and sophistication without being too outrageous.
There are plenty of reasons to buy new- rather than used- furniture: the options you will have, the length of time that you will have to enjoy it, and the ability to choose exactly what works best for you are among them.
Did you realize it's much easier to redesign a space once you identify its focal points, or those spaces that draw the eye? A focal point can be a fireplace, window, bookshelf or wall art collection.
One way leather furniture is rated is by its “serviceability”. Leather ranges from easy care with high resistance, to those that require regular maintenance. For example, maximum resistance leather is impervious to spills and stains, very easily cleaned, and is best for heavy-duty or commercial requirements.
Don’t make the mistake of buying too many or too few stools for your bar. As a rule of thumb, there should be around 28-30 inches between the stools (measured from center to center). Measure the width of your bar ahead of time so you know how many will fit.
Leather that’s been poorly dyed or improperly processed may not hold its color. When you rub it, the color readily comes off and leaves discolorations on your hands or clothes. The coloring matter that rubs off is known as “crock.”
Table history: Early tables, appearing in the West during the 7th century B.C., were believed to be constructed of glass, metal, wood, or stone.
The couch has been enjoyed for thousands of years. There is evidence that everyday Romans and Greeks owned some version of the couch, which was considered a common household item. The earliest sectionals appeared during the Victorian era and were often made of wood and upholstery.
Have you been hesitant to purchase slipcovers because they always seem to look like lifeless sheets hanging off your furniture? Remember, there are custom options available that can look just as good as the underlying furniture.
If you are moving into a condominium, contemporary furniture is well-suited for the architectural attributes of these dwellings. Since the concept of a condo is a post-modern development, your furniture needs to reflect these contemporary design trends.
"Drop leaf style dining room tables are ideal for small spaces because one or two leaves, or sections, of the table can be dropped or folded down to save space," writes the website wiseGEEK.
Did you know that generally speaking, there is actually no such material as “wicker”? Rather the work “wicker” refers to the creation process, the literal act of weaving together chair seats and furniture, as well as the final product.
Furniture shopping is full of choices. The cost is never small, so you want the best you can get. But today, choosing that quality is not always simple. A professional can help you do that and still get the best price.
The term "rustic furniture" can mean one of two things: furniture that is handcrafted out of authentic materials, or furniture that looks handmade.
Things you should consider while choosing the right slipcover for you is what piece of furniture are you covering and whether you want a print or solid-colored fabric. You could use printed fabric for your sofa as the focal point or use print on a smaller piece of furniture as an accent, like on a chair or an ottoman.
Remember that every slipcover you buy will have its own set of care instructions. It's not always a good idea to risk putting your slipcovers in a hot dryer unless the care instructions say to.
If you're planning on keeping your furniture for awhile, then leather furniture is your best choice. As leather ages, it molds to fit your forms, but doesn't stretch out of shape. Over time, it merely becomes softer instead of cracking or getting rougher.
In colonial America, chairs were rarely signed by their makers. Thanks to extensive research and detailed family records, modern historians have been able to determine the names of the woodworkers who crafted many of the earliest chairs made in America.
Styles of décor change over the years. We may love primitive one year, and then crave a beachy look in another year or two. When you know your tastes change, it may be wise to choose basic furniture that is classic in style and can be dressed up or down to suit the moment. A vintage furniture shop can help.
Burl wood doesn't come from a particular type of tree. It's a feature that can occur on many different tree varieties. A burl develops when a tree undergoes some type of stress and produces a special growth or knot. This growth sometimes looks like a large nob along the tree's trunk. When processed and used in furniture, burls can exhibit unique and interesting graining.
Wood furniture framing and finishing comes in two types, hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods, such as cherry, maple, and oak, with their tightly packed grain, are the more durable material. Softwoods like pine and cedar can dent easily and do not tolerate the wear and tear of hardwoods.
You'll want to furnish your outdoor spaces at your beach house to match how you plan to use the space. Think you'll be reading solo a majority of the time? A weather-resistant comfy chair or chaise lounge provides a perfect spot. If you'll be entertaining often, consider sectional sofas or groups of cushioned chairs designed for outdoor use.
Do you ever look around your home and feel like it’s boring? Vintage furniture is a great way to add a splash of interest and quirk to any space. It’s a trendy way to liven up just about any living space.
“When you're a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you're not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it. You'll know it's there, so you're going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back.” - Steve Jobs
Have you always wished that you had a comfortable place to kick back and enjoy a book or just relax on a Sunday afternoon? Whether you choose a leather recliner or an overstuffed leather chair and ottoman, you’ll be well on your way to relaxation.
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.
Western Red Cedar is a type of wood used fairly often in rustic furniture. This wood has a wonderfully red color and it's often used for Adirondack chairs and other garden and patio furniture.
While most like to have all their furniture in a room match, sometimes, it is ok to step outside convention, and purchase an item simply because you like it, regardless of how well it may or may not match. Throwing caution to the wind can sometimes lead to great adventures.
Contemporary furnishings sometimes use high contrast and reflective materials to create drama and interest. This can be seen in the use of metal with glass as well as with the juxtaposition of complementary colors.
Matching the dining table with your chairs can give your dining room a cohesive look, but it’s not the only option. You can also have matching chairs that are their own style, or even chairs that have similar styles, but with different fabric covers.
Slipcovers are a great opportunity to experiment with stripes or other fun patterns. Keep the rest of your décor simple with a big-scale pattern when choosing a bold pattern.
Slipcovers aren't just for sofas and loveseats anymore. Today's slipcovers can be used to cover just about any piece of furniture in your home, including dining chairs, ottomans, recliners, futons, armchairs, and wing back chairs.
Don’t be afraid to go big on your dining room chairs, especially if your dining room is large. Standard seats on armless chairs are around 18-20 inches wide, but chairs with 24-inch seats are even more comfortable for most people.
The finish of a leather is often determined by the leather's final use and the quality of the leather. Full-grain leather, for example, is finished in a way that allows the grain to show through. Top-grain leather, often used for furniture, is finished in a way to resist staining.
Slipcovers aren't just for sofas and loveseats anymore. Today's slipcovers can be used to cover just about any piece of furniture in your home, including dining chairs, ottomans, recliners, futons, armchairs, and wing back chairs.
If you’ve always decorated your home in a particular classic style, you may find that you aren’t sure how to put together a contemporary space. Rest assured that we’re always happy to walk you the options that can help you come home to a beautiful room each day.
For a wonderful spring color combination that's always a classic, go with a mix of blue and white hues. This color combo is both romantic and moody yet crisp and elegant, and lends freshness to any decor.
Don’t be afraid to go big on your dining room chairs, especially if your dining room is large. Standard seats on armless chairs are around 18-20 inches wide, but chairs with 24-inch seats are even more comfortable for most people.
The finish of a leather is often determined by the leather's final use and the quality of the leather. Full-grain leather, for example, is finished in a way that allows the grain to show through. Top-grain leather, often used for furniture, is finished in a way to resist staining.