3/21/2008

Protecting your child - Choosing quality baby furniture

by: gary

The first thing to fit to a new nursery is a smoke alarm, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these must have devises must be your first consideration. Socket covers to seal any unused electrical outlets are also a great idea when your baby begins to explore and move about. It’s also a sensible idea to locate nursery furniture in the way to preclude your baby from discovering outlets.

Your baby’s cot is the item of nursery furniture where he will spend the most time during her initial months. Cots are also one of the primary causes of baby injury and fatalities so it is essential to make sure your cot follows the recommended safety standards. The cot must be deep enough so your baby is unable to climb out. Check that the distance between the rails is not capable of allowing the baby to trap their head.Make sure that cots with drop down sides lock automatically and can’t be opened by the child. It’s important that used cots are checked out thoroughly for damage to fastenings and fixtures and that you purchase a brand new mattress for your baby. The mattress must have a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to prevent your baby from becoming trapped.

Head the ‘back to sleep’ campaign targetted to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your baby down on his back. If you have a nightlight in your nursery, locate it away from the cot so the bedding doesn’t create a fire and avoid locating the light near curtains, plastic, or other objects that may spark from the heat.

When designing your nursery layout make certain no furniture is placed adjacent windows, as your child grows they might try to climb up and have a peek out. Also steer clear of placing anything that can assist your child to stand on to look out of a window. Keep the windows in the nursery properly secured. When opening a window for airing ensure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Another item of baby furniture to blame for many child injuries is the changing table. Using a u - shaped changing mat can assist greatly in ensuring your baby can’t roll away and some changing tables even have securings to fix your child. Changing equipment must be kept well out of reach in a drawer of on a shelf. An accidental baby powder spill can have adverse effects to an infant.

Rather disturbingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child’s room are curtains and blinds. It’s vital that short curtains are used that small children can’t become entwined in and that the pull cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When installing blinds ensure the cords are tied up to keep them short and are never within a baby’s reach.

Select your toy storage carefully. Toyboxes must be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight fabric lids to prevent little fingers from becoming crushed. As your baby gets bigger, he might climb inside the toybox and a heavy lid could trap her so it’s important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. You should also try to select baby furniture with lids and drawers that are not as likely to pinch your youngster’s fingers. Cupboard and wardrobe doors are also a potential danger to your youngster and you must consider fitting child safe catches to prevent your child from hurting themselves

By following good information and following common sense, new parents can ensure they make the correct choices when choosing baby furniture and design the perfect room for their new baby.

About the Author
Gary is an expert on quality nursery furniture With years of experience helping clients about selecting nursery furniture he can give sound advice on a wide range of purchases from baby’s first cot to important factors when selecting http://www.monkeyshine.co.uk/parent-and-child-36/at-ho

3/20/2008

A Guide To Good Furniture Care

During my long career in the furniture business I've often been asked, "What is the proper way to care for my fabric?" After all, you've purchased your dream furniture piece but you're terrified to use it out of fear of damaging it. But you don't have to live in fear! After extensive research and testing I have found the following guidelines and suggestions to be helpful.

Upholstered Furniture
Because of the wide variety of fabrics and fiber combinations, there is no guarantee that these methods will be completely successful and I recommend that a professional upholstery cleaner be contacted in particular cases. However, these simple solutions will keep your new upholstery crisp and clean for years!

. Vacuum at least once a week to remove grit that can cause abrasion, and be sure to dust vacuum the top surfaces as often as possible. Professional cleaning is the best way to make a slightly soiled sofa look new again, but weekly vacuuming will make professional cleaning a less frequent event. (Never brush any fabric with a stiff fiber or metal brush, since they're destructive to the fibers. Instead, use your vacuum attachments like the upholstery brush or the attachment for dusting draperies and furniture. The latter brush has longer bristles and is less abrasive to your upholstery fabric. It may be your best option if your fabric deserves a softer brushing.)

. Reverse the cushions each week after vacuuming. Rearrange the furniture occasionally to ensure even wear of the cushions and other areas. Cushions and pillows filled with down or similar cushioning material should be hand-fluffed and reversed regularly to retain their original softness and resiliency.

. Protect fabrics from the sun. Fabrics should not be placed in direct sunlight because the ultraviolet light will cause the fibers to degenerate and colors to fade. Occasionally dyes can fade from impurities in the air as well, but protection from the sun is a good way to prevent premature loss of color.

. Keep pets off the furniture. Pet urine and pet body oil can be difficult to remove.

. Use proper care with structural weave fabrics (where the design is created by the weave) to protect against snags. These fabrics may be cleaned by sprinkling dry powder cleaner over the fabric, spreading it uniformly and letting it stand for the recommended period before vacuuming with gentle suction. (However, I do recommend professional cleaning with stains on a woven fabric.)

. Caution those wearing clothing with transferable dyes, such as blue jeans, that the dye could transfer onto light-colored furniture.

Fabric Cleaning Guide
Today's new fabric treatments improve the chances of your fabric's survival. Fabric protection products are usually applied by the retail store for an additional cost. Most of the various brands work the same way by causing spills and soil to sit on the surface of the fiber instead of migrating to the fiber's interior.

Today's fiber protection products are free of ozone damaging chemicals, and most are hypoallergenic and invisible to the eye. Some even provide additional UV protection from color fading caused by intense light. One of the greatest benefits of fabric protection products is that they come with specific written warranties that provide peace of mind.

Whether your new upholstery has been fabric protected or not, you should follow the same basic guidelines in cleaning liquid spills or surface soil that can't be brushed off (such as newspaper ink).

Fabric Cleaning Codes
Before attempting to clean a spill or spot on your furniture, you should identify the fabric and the correct cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer. This information is represented by a cleaning code (W, S, WS, or X) often found under a cushion, on the bottom of the furniture or on the manufacturer's tag. If you cannot find this information, contact your salesperson at the furniture store where the item was purchased.

W - Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner.

S - Spot clean only with water-free cleaning solvent. Do not overwet. DO NOT USE WATER.

WS - Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not overwet.

X - Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic brush. DO NOT USE WATER OR DRY CLEANING SOLVENTS. Do not use a foam or liquid cleaner of any type.

Never apply cleaning solutions to visible areas of your upholstery fabric without first testing on areas that are not visible. It is important to pretest for color loss and fabric compatibility.

Cleaning Instructions
As a general rule, when a spill occurs, it is important to clean the fabric immediately. The longer a spot remains, the harder it is to remove. It may even become permanent.

Blot, don't rub. If the spill is still "fresh", use a clean, dry and very absorbent 100% cotton cloth. Should you have to use paper towels to blot out spills, be sure the paper towel (or cloth) is white, as colors in the towel may, when applied to a wet surface, fade onto the upholstery. Color from one fabric can rub off onto another fabric, even when dry -- a process known in the industry as "crocking".

If blotting with a dry cloth doesn't quite finish the job and you have cleaning directions from the furniture manufacturer, follow those. If none are available, use the instructions provided here.

I hope this information has been insightful. Use these tools when necessary, but most importantly, enjoy your upholstered piece -- it was meant to be used!

About the Author : Holly Linington is a designer and the owner of Planet Sofa ( http://www.planetsofa.com). For over 15 years Planet Sofa has been providing customers with stylish, high quality furniture at affordable prices. They are committed to offering pieces that combine aesthetics and utility with ergonomics and comfort.

3/19/2008

Choosing and Caring for Outdoor Wood Furniture

Author: Thomas Easterday

Why should you use wood furniture outdoors? To some people this is not even a question! The right question would be, “Why wouldn’t you use wood furniture outdoors?” There is a wide variety of materials that are made to be used outdoors, including plastic, metal, wicker and other synthetic materials. With all of the other options for outdoor furniture, the reasons of why one should use wood should be carefully examined before you buy furniture for your outdoor oasis.

Wood is meant to be outdoors. Trees grow in the great outdoors, so it makes sense that furniture made from trees should be kept outdoors. It is no wonder that wood furniture, when treated and cared for properly, can last outdoors for years. The type of wood you pick of will determine just how well the wood weathers over time.

Although wood does weather over time, you can protect your outdoor wood furniture by carefully taking care of it every season. Paint and stain are good ways of protecting your wood furniture from the sun because they add an additional layer of defense to the wood. Water-repellant stains are also important to add to your outdoor furniture to protect it from water damage, which causes the wood to rot and crack. When using either paint or stain, you want to have a durable blend so that it dries fast and completely, and does not rub off on people sitting down on the furniture.

Another way to protect your wood and make it last for years to come is to buy special kinds of wood. Treated wood is one such option, as it is resistant to rotting from the elements. But one of the issues with treated wood is that it often comes green, and can more easily warp than regular wood.

Teak furniture is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Teak wood is an extremely dense hardwood is often praised for its durability. It also has natural oils that protect it from the elements, even when left untreated. Often grown in Indonesia, Teak is very resistant to attacks by termites and other insects because the high oil content makes it water repellent.

Chinese Oak is a dense hardwood with a very fine grain. It is a naturally light wood and sometimes has a pinkish tint. The tannic acid in Chinese Oak makes it ideal for use in outdoor furniture because it is naturally resistant to attacks by fungi and insects.

Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful color and finish. Often grown in Canada, Western Red Cedar is also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage when exposed to rain, sun, heat, or cold all year. When properly treated, Red Cedar furniture may last for decades in the harshest of environments.

A final way to protect your outdoor wood furniture and maintain it for the long haul is to simply put a roof over it. Whether it is an awning on your deck, a covered roof for your sunroom or your garage during the winter, a roof can go a long way to help you keep the sun, rain and wind off of your wood furniture and protect it for years to come.

Thomas Easterday is the Director of Marketing for The Cedar Station. The Cedar Station carries a complete line of Outdoor Furniture for your enjoyment. For more information about The Cedar Station please visit http://www.thecedarstation.com .

3/18/2008

Protecting your child - Choosing quality baby furniture

by: gary

The first thing to fit to a new nursery is a smoke alarm, for a few pounds (or free from your community fire prevention officer) these must have devises must be your first consideration. Socket covers to seal any unused electrical outlets are also a great idea when your baby begins to explore and move about. It’s also a sensible idea to locate nursery furniture in the way to preclude your baby from discovering outlets.

Your baby’s cot is the item of nursery furniture where he will spend the most time during her initial months. Cots are also one of the primary causes of baby injury and fatalities so it is essential to make sure your cot follows the recommended safety standards. The cot must be deep enough so your baby is unable to climb out. Check that the distance between the rails is not capable of allowing the baby to trap their head.Make sure that cots with drop down sides lock automatically and can’t be opened by the child. It’s important that used cots are checked out thoroughly for damage to fastenings and fixtures and that you purchase a brand new mattress for your baby. The mattress must have a gap of no more than 4cm around the outside of the cot to prevent your baby from becoming trapped.

Head the ‘back to sleep’ campaign targetted to reduce sudden infant death syndrome and always lay your baby down on his back. If you have a nightlight in your nursery, locate it away from the cot so the bedding doesn’t create a fire and avoid locating the light near curtains, plastic, or other objects that may spark from the heat.

When designing your nursery layout make certain no furniture is placed adjacent windows, as your child grows they might try to climb up and have a peek out. Also steer clear of placing anything that can assist your child to stand on to look out of a window. Keep the windows in the nursery properly secured. When opening a window for airing ensure it is firmly fixed and ideally never open more than 5cm.

Another item of baby furniture to blame for many child injuries is the changing table. Using a u - shaped changing mat can assist greatly in ensuring your baby can’t roll away and some changing tables even have securings to fix your child. Changing equipment must be kept well out of reach in a drawer of on a shelf. An accidental baby powder spill can have adverse effects to an infant.

Rather disturbingly one of the most common reasons of injury in a child’s room are curtains and blinds. It’s vital that short curtains are used that small children can’t become entwined in and that the pull cords on Venetian blinds are kept short. When installing blinds ensure the cords are tied up to keep them short and are never within a baby’s reach.

Select your toy storage carefully. Toyboxes must be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight fabric lids to prevent little fingers from becoming crushed. As your baby gets bigger, he might climb inside the toybox and a heavy lid could trap her so it’s important they be fitted with safety hinges or lightweight lids. You should also try to select baby furniture with lids and drawers that are not as likely to pinch your youngster’s fingers. Cupboard and wardrobe doors are also a potential danger to your youngster and you must consider fitting child safe catches to prevent your child from hurting themselves

By following good information and following common sense, new parents can ensure they make the correct choices when choosing baby furniture and design the perfect room for their new baby.

3/17/2008

Things to consider when shopping for kids furniture.

By David Yuri

Nowadays, you can have a lot of fun with decorating your child’s room. Bold patterns, bright colors, fun themes – your kid will adore spending time in a bright and cheerful room. Selecting the furniture is probably the most important part of decorating your child’s room so you’ll have to completely coordinate it with the theme you’re going for. Luckily, with so many kids furniture offers, you’ll have plenty of styles to choose from. Whether you want bright and colorful or more traditional furniture, you’ll be surprised to see how many choices you have. Just remember that the design is only a part of what you’re looking for – quality is also very important. At kidsbargains.com you’ll find the best in baby furniture anywhere on the web.

Babies don’t get the chance to tell grown ups what they want so it’s up to the parents to create a cozy and fun environment. The baby furniture of today is all about making every dream come true – whether it’s a pirate ship crib or a princess dresser, nothing is impossible. As a parent, you’ll be dealing with the responsibility of deciding how your child’s room will look and how you want it to influence his/her personality. A themed bedroom is a lot of fun but you still get to decide how much is enough. Decorating moderately or going all the way – it’s all up to you. Just remember that your baby will grow up really fast and will start wanting a different theme. Consider carefully how much you’re willing to spend on kids furniture in the long run so you’ll be able to give your child a room they can relate to.

When buying baby furniture, adaptability is also a good thing to take into consideration. First of all you’ll have to decide whether or not you’re willing to completely change the furniture as your child grows up. If you can’t afford to spend a fortune on kids furniture you still have plenty of excellent solutions. Nowadays producers offer a wide array of convertible cribs that can be turned into toddler beds, day beds or even twin beds. Dressers are a pretty basic piece of furniture, so you may want to go with something your child will be able to use even growing out of the toddler stage. If you’re planning to add extra storage space to a room, a common solution is building a loft – it gives plenty of room for a play area or shelves. Clothes stands, bookcases, stools and tables are easily adaptable and movable so you’ll be able to create a new look for your kid’s room in no time.

Kids furniture is not all about looking great and offering a fun environment. The number one thing you always have to keep in mind when buying baby furniture is safety. The furniture has to be able to withstand all the children’s ‘assaults’ without putting them in jeopardy. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to choose sturdy kids furniture that can support all of your child’s playful ideas. Another thing to look out for is any small bits and pieces that could easily come off the furniture and that can be swallowed. Rounded corners and edges on low furniture are also a good idea when you’re looking to protect your toddler from any harm. If you’re buying a bed for a young child, it is highly recommended that you go for one that’s low and easy to climb onto.

A child’s room is the environment they feel the most safe and comfortable in. Decorating a baby’s surroundings is one of the most important tasks parents have. Baby furniture has to be cheerful and fun but it also has to provide an increased level of safety. Furthermore, adaptable furniture is not a bad idea if you’re not planning to redecorate completely as your baby grows up. Kidsbargains.com has incredible offers on high quality kids furniture and much more.

About the author:
With so many choices, it’s hard to choose the perfect baby furniture. We offer beautiful and very sturdy kids furniture at the best prices anywhere on the web.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

3/16/2008

Choosing and Caring for Teak Outdoor Furniture

Author: Thomas Easterday

When it comes to choosing a material to use for your outdoor furniture, you have many options to choose from: metal, plastic, cedar, oak, and of course teak. Teak is a great choice for outdoor furniture because it can withstand the weather and the wood becomes even more beautiful as it ages season after season.

Teak outdoor furniture is one of the highest quality types of outdoor furniture you can buy. It is strong and durable, as well as stylish and popular. The wood is a tropical hardwood, commonly found in such places as Indonesia and other tropical locales.

Teak grows in very dry and hilly forests. It is best known for being extremely durable no matter what type of weather you have in your neighborhood. Teak outdoor furniture can also fight off rotting, cracking, and warping because of its hardwood nature.

When you first get your teak outdoor furniture, you’ll notice its beautiful honey hue. But teak is actually known for is that gray, handsome weathered look that it gets after a couple seasons in the elements. The beautiful thing about the teak outdoor furniture and its gray color is that this does not in any way impact the strength of the hardwood. Teak is made for the ages, so it can be as durable and strong as any other wood for years to come.

Teak will, however, turn an ugly green or darker gray if you do not take care of it. So be sure to treat your teak outdoor furniture. It needs to be sanded every so often to get back its smooth, brown look. To maintain the gray color, apply the proper teak outdoor furniture treatment.

Another option with teak outdoor furniture is to stain it. This allows you to have whatever color of teak outdoor furniture you want. To do so, you’ll want to sand the teak to get down to the bare tan wood. Before you decide to stain your teak furniture though, keep in mind that the stain will be permanent. You will not get that gray weathered look next season and the color will not go back to that brand new tan color.

If you prefer to keep your teak furniture brown, you can apply teak oil about every three months. Although the oil will not provide added protection to the teak outdoor furniture, it will provide that new brownish color to the wood. As long as you sand and apply oil regularly your teak outdoor furniture will look new for years.

Thomas Easterday is the Director of Marketing for The Cedar Station. The Cedar Station carries a complete line of Teak Furniture for your enjoyment. For more information about The Cedar Station please visit http://www.thecedarstation .

8 Important Tips Buying Furniture Online

by: Timothy Rudon

The World Wide Web has changed the way people shop for furniture. Today furniture can be bought for the home or office from online stores, auction sites, as well as websites selling antiques and second hand furniture.

Furniture shopping online changes shopping and gives a wide range of choices as well as the best deals. Among the most popular online shops for furniture are: the Conran Store, Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, Highbrow Furniture, and Horchow. There are online websites that deal with antiques as well as designer furniture. Many retail furniture stores also have online sales channels.

1. Look through home shopping and design books and get a clear idea of the kind of furniture you want. Consider size, durability, design, as well as your personal choice and the interiors.

2. In case you are the hands on kind go to local malls and stores and view the models you are considering.

3. Visit more than three online stores that stock your models of furniture and check out the deals. Be sure to ask about return policy, shipping, transit damage insurance, and warranties.

4. Use online CAD tools to arrange the furniture you wish to purchase in the rooms and view the effect and color balance virtually. This will help you make a decision.

5. Look for online discount sales, discount coupons, special offers, and free shipping offers and so on before buying online. Very often you could get high end furniture at an affordable price.

6. Make sure the online furniture dealer is trustworthy and has been in business for considerable time. Avoid buying things like furniture from small fly by night operators.

7. When buying furniture online you need to ask whether what you see in the picture is what you are paying for. Many stores window dress the furniture and only ship the basics.

8. Be sure of what you are investing in and try and buy only reputed brands.

Buying furniture online is a convenience but only useful if you know how to protect your interests and not get fooled by advertisements and what seem like great offers. The World Wide Web is a great information highway with articles and tips written by architects, furniture designers, and interior decorators. There are websites that give tips on how to choose furniture and have a home that is stylish.

About The Author

Timothy Rudon is a writer for http://www.1844furniture.com , the premier website to find furniture, furniture store, office furniture, antique furniture, bedroom furniture, discount furniture, home office furniture, used furniture and many more.

3/14/2008

Wood Furniture: Buying Tips

by: WoodFurniture.NET
Wood furniture adds elegance and warmth to the household. But purchasing wood furniture can be a little bit tricky. There is a possibility that the buyer may end up with a low-quality piece of wood furniture that does not enhance the interior beauty of the house. Therefore, before buying any piece of furniture, one needs to read up information about buying wood furniture. Equipped with valuable knowledge about wood furniture, a person is able to buy smartly.

Here are some buying tips that will be useful.

Which is more durable, hardwood or softwood? The terms “hardwood” and “softwood” does not indicate the strength of the wood furniture. They only specify the type of tree. Hardwood trees are broad-leaved trees that typically thrive in tropical climates. But several types of hardwoods can also grow in temperate regions. To survive during cold seasons, they lose their foliage. Some of these hardwoods are mahogany, walnut, poplar, cherry, oak, and maple. Softwood trees, on the other hand, stay green. Softwoods are classified as conifers and some examples are pine, cedar, redwood, and cypress.

Furniture made of hardwood is expected to be durable because they grow slowly. But furniture made of softwood can be made more durable than hardwood if they undergo chemical treatment. Therefore, if a buyer decides to get wood furniture made of softwood, the crucial question to ask is to whether the furniture has been treated. If the wood maker gives an affirmative, then it is ok to buy the softwood furniture.

Durability of the wood furniture also depends on maintenance. Hardwood is low maintenance and less prone to attacks from bugs. But this does not mean that hardwood furniture is completely invincible. Regular checks on the wood furniture are recommended to make sure that it is not being eaten away by insects. Softwood furniture, on the other hand, is susceptible to bugs. Pines are the favorites of beetles. To maintain the durability of softwood furniture, it must be annually treated with wood preservatives.

What do prices indicate?

Harwood furniture is usually more expensive than softwood furniture. But a buyer might be looking at two pieces of furniture made up of the same type of wood but is wondering why there is a huge difference in the price. The difference of the price gives clues to how the furniture was constructed. The expensive wood furniture, generally referred to as “solid wood,” is constructed in such a way that all the exposed parts are made up of the same type of wood. For example, all the exposed surfaces of the “solid maple” wood furniture are made of maple. The parts that are hidden can be made of other wood, such as poplar.

The lower-priced maple wood furniture may have the majority of the exposed parts made of maple but some parts are made of other types of wood. Such types of wood furniture can be made to appear as if they are made of one type of wood because of the veneers and finishes that were applied to the surfaces.

How do I ensure that the wood furniture I’m buying will not fall apart?

The best way to ensure that the wood furniture is stable is to check its integrity. As a smart buyer, a person must be allowed to touch the furniture, open the doors, and slide out the drawers. The drawers and shelves should fit well and should slide smoothly. There should be no snags and squeaks because these indicate undue pressure which will weaken the wood furniture.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

3/13/2008

Can You Update Bedroom Furniture Decor While Keeping It Classic?

By Ben Weissman

Are you comfortable with your bedroom furniture? Do you feel that it can last you another ten years, but see that the colors are fading or that the surroundings are less than satisfactory for the 21st century? How can you update the furniture and bedroom decor in your home so that it brings you into the modern era without doing away with all of your classic objects? Here are a few places you can start to maintain your style and still make it appear more modern.

Start Small.

Don't ditch your furniture or knock out walls. Start with small changes. For example, you can update a room by simply adding a few accents, such as a throw rug to bring more color into a room full of earth tones. Pastels and earth tones are very classic colors, and adding splashes of bright reds, golds, greens, and blues can update the area without getting rid of the furniture style. To bring the room together, add matching throw pillows so that the splash of color carries over to the couch or bed (depending on the room).

Stop Thinking Big.

Classic style doesn't have to mean huge and imposing furniture, and it certainly doesn't have to include expensive antiques. Go to a modern furniture store and choose a design that mimics the old Victorian bed your grandmother had but is much smaller in size. Remember, the original designers of classical furniture were often working with much larger rooms than you'll find in a home now, and trying to stuff furniture this size into a single room will make it feel cramped or even be difficult to maneuver in. Also, faux antiques can look very real without costing a great deal of money.

Look for the Design.

Rather than looking for furniture that matches the original classic style that you like, shift your focus to what it is about that style that pleases you. For instance, do you like your classic couch and loveseat because of the size of the units, or is it the design on the material? Perhaps you like the material itself, or you like the intricate carving on the wood of the arms of the unit. Whatever it is that you particularly enjoy, you can most likely find that element implemented into a more modern design. You can do the same when it comes to window dressings, kitchen hardware, and restroom accessories.

Learn to Compromise.

You may not find exactly what you are looking for when you go shopping for new décor or furniture because you have the idea in your head that you must have a specific color and style. If you find something pleasant that is a shade off, this can still be a good addition. As an alternative, you could always recover the furniture or sand and refinish any wood. If you can't seem to find furniture you can easily locate other elements to update your room without giving up your clearly classic sense of style.

keywords: free articles article free content contents copyright-free free reprint ezine ezines e-zine e-zines newsletter newsletters optin opt-in subscribe Can You Update Bedroom Furniture Decor While Keeping It Classic?
Article Source: http://interpret.co.za

3/11/2008

Classic Furniture Versus Modern Furniture A Matter Of Taste

by June Williams

For every time you've walked into your home and thought to yourself that a particular room needs something new or different there is a simple way to finally take action and start taking steps toward making that change. Whether you want to furnish that part of the house with classic furniture or modern furniture with a few simple steps you can have the look you want.

Decide What The Room Needs and What You Want

Lets say for example you want to redo your master bedroom. The most common elements youre dealing with in the bedroom are the paint, the furniture and the general design of the room itself. So maybe its as simple as dropping in a classic Antique Oak Jewelry Armoire or getting a Vintage Cherry Wood and Metal Bed. How will these choices affect the rest of the room?

There is a big difference between redecorating the entire room and replacing a single piece of old furniture. There are lots of factors to consider when redecorating. Here are a few of the critical pointers to use as a guide:

1. Figure out the space you have and what you want to do
2. Figure out what the budget will be for this task
3. Consider how much labor will be involved
4. Decide if you want an entire collection or to go with a mix and match motif.

Style: Classic versus Modern
Classic furniture has an appeal thats easy to understand. For instance an antique curved end console table has an intrinsic appeal thats immediately attractive. But you wouldnt necessarily mix that with a glossy silver and
black media component storage tower As such modern furniture has its own style with a variety of choices to help you create your very own distinct design from contemporary to casual.

Color Me Creative: Choosing Fabrics and Color

Regardless of how great the piece of furniture or how dynamically attractive the collection the best designed furniture in the world wont feel right if the color scheme doesnt fit. The best way for creative cohesion in your room is to find a color that will accentuate the perfect mood. Depending on whether you choose classic or modern furniture the room can take on a different look or feel depending on which color you choose.

Just as important as the color is the type of fabric you choose for the furniture. Perhaps you have the room in your house that never gets used but always looks good. So in there youll want a fabric that is aesthetically appealing. In that situation its less about comfort and more about style. For instance if youre going to have a Euro Lounger in your show room will you go for a tried and true suede fabric or perhaps opt for something a little more durable like cotton if the lounger was destined for the family room think about these two questions

Is this a decorative piece or an everyday item?

Is this a temporary piece or a long term item?

Durable fabrics like leather and cotton as well as many synthetic fabrics will do to the trick for everyday use especially if you factor in active younger family members. The same rule applies for items you plan to keep around for years to come.

Make sense of it all
You certainly wouldnt put a hand-painted floral 3 panel room divider in a small room with a leather couch. Never feel rushed when redecorating. Take your time looking at both the modern and classic furniture, decide what kind of impact or effect it will have on that room in your home and make sure if this a family decision that there is a general consensus about what youre thinking of doing. Dont make it a chore, have fun with it.



By Autumn Gallery for the Home, specializing in home furnishings, home decor, and home accessories at discount prices.

Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com


Source of the article is http://www.articlecube.com/Article/Classic-Furniture-Versus-Modern-Furniture--A-Matter-Of-Taste/54885

3/10/2008

Enjoy The Tropical Style Of Bamboo Patio Furniture

Submitted by Scott
Patio furniture is a very popular item in both the United States and abroad, and many people look for unique and quality pieces that suit their own unique tastes and needs. Some want a set of furniture purely for their own enjoyment, preferring quiet nights at home curled up with a good book, yet some want furniture that is good for entertaining any number of guests for a backyard party. Everyone has their own particular taste, but for those who enjoy the tropical island fashion, bamboo patio furniture may be just the thing they are looking for.

Various Shapes, Styles and Colors of Bamboo Patio Furniture

There are many different types and styles of bamboo patio furniture on the market from which one can choose. One popular item that comes in a bamboo style is a bar stool. Bamboo bar stools are quite popular items, especially when coupled with an authentic tiki bar. These unique pieces are perfect for a pool side party or an outdoors event in which fruity drinks and snacks are to be served. The bamboo wood can come in a variety of colors, both light and dark stains, as well as other colors. Most people prefer to keep the bamboo its original light color so as to have the true feel of the islands wherever they are.

Bamboo patio furniture is moderately priced but can be expensive, depending on the quality of wood that the manufacturer uses and the overall make of the furniture. A bamboo barstool may cost approximately $150.00, while a tiki bar may cost $1,500.00. Bamboo furniture offers a lively and different setting when one doesn't live in a warm climate. Many people like to have their own oasis where they can go and relax and "make believe" they are in the islands. Bamboo furniture is perfectly suited for such a desire and adds fun and excitement to any surrounding.

Many resorts, hotels, and spas use bamboo patio furniture for all their needs, from restaurant settings to poolside bars. They make a wonderful addition to these atmospheres, as well as on a cruise ship. Bamboo is a durable and lasting wood that can withstand the test of time for those who purchase it. No matter what lifestyle you lead, adding bamboo patio furniture can give you a relaxing taste of the tropics wherever you are!

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author
For more information on bamboo patio furniture visit http://www.OutdoorFurnitureBasics.com/ or http://OutdoorFurnitureBasics.blogspot.com/

3/09/2008

Real wood furniture

by Furnituremanufacturers.net
Real wood furniture comes under the most famous and demanded category of furniture till today. Its been in demand and had not turn outdated since hundreds of years and holds an history of its existence a way back when cave men got exhausted by living on floor and desperately looked for any other better alternative.

Woods that are molded into various shapes and fashioned into different styles comes under three categories:

Hardwoods
Softwoods
Composites

Even the term 'hardwood' or 'softwood' is highly contradictory. Hardwoods need not always is a hard or dense material. For instance, balsa wood stands amongst the lightest, least dense woods but still it's considered as a hardwood. If seen from a technical point of view, lumber is categorized as to how the tree reproduces. As per the nature rule, softwood trees remain evergreen round the year whereas the hardwoods create the beautiful autumn foliage that we all admire.

Hardwoods are regarded as the highest quality and the most expensive wood. Their natural colors ranges from the darkest woods to the lightest ones that can be even stained or painted to shell out more variety. Hardwood furniture is rigid so it is least expected to warp or bend and it is prized in all high quality homes. The woods generally coming in use for furniture production are cherry, walnut, oak, maple and mahogany.

Though softwoods are cheaper than hardwoods still they demand extra care. As they are not long lasting, it's is quite easy to scratch or dent softwood furniture. Moreover they don't stain as clearly and beautifully as the hardwood. Pine is an example of a softwood that comes in use for manufacturing furniture articles.

Composites falls under the category of cheapest and economical form of wood and is manufactured rather than grown.

1. Plywood: Multiple layers of thin wooden sheets are fixed together and is pressed. Plywood is durable and is resistible to swelling, shrinking and warping. There are some furniture articles made directly from plywood, but it is only used as a support when integrated into furniture.

2. Particle board: it is made from sawdust and small wood chips that is mixed with glue or resin and then shaped and pressed. When used in place of inexpensive furniture, it is usually laminated or covered with veneer. This becomes necessary as particle board has the tendency to split easily and the lamination prevents splitting.

3. Hardboard: it is made in the similar way as particle board is made but it is more stronger as it is given more pressure.

4. MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard: in this case, wood particles are joined together with resin and later compressed. It is harder and stronger than particle board or hardboard, and can also be cut like plywood though it is not as durable as plywood. The exposed edges of MDF are harsh and requires covering with molding or some other decorative material.

In technical terms, furniture manufactured out of these wood products is "real" wood furniture. Prices and quality vary from the hardwoods to the composites. The higher quality you desire for the more you are required to pay for it. The best part lies in the fact that if handled with proper care hardwood furniture would promise you a long lasting companionship. It is always suggestible to go for hardwood furniture, if affordable.


About The Author: www.furnituremanufacturers.net

3/06/2008

Ideas For Livingroom Furniture

By: Tatiya Tatiyasopon
Livingroom furniture is one of the most necessary, elegant and decorative articles of furniture found in any body's home. The reason behind this is due to the fact that whenever some one visits your house, they spend most of the time in the living room. Therefore, it is important for you to make sure that the livingroom furniture you choose for your home should make your guests comfortable and feel at home.

Well, despite the fact that there is a variety of choices that you can select from, some pieces of livingroom furniture are just indispensable for any house. The most important piece of livingroom furniture found in any dwelling is something which you and the guests will sit on. Some options for this include love seats, ottomans and sofas.

If you are on the look out for an exclusive alternative, you can also consider to choose a rocking chair or a day bed. There are a number of factors that decide the style of seating in your living room. Mostly, it depends on your interests, the style of your home and the theme of your room. If it is a country-style room, you can choose a rocking chair, while for a modern-style condo or an apartment, you can decide to select a day bed. You must not forget there the options available in the market are endless.

Some sort of a table like an end table or a coffee table is also a very important part of livingroom furniture. In addition to providing a space to place things, a table also adds to the appearance of a living room. If you want to keep your living room more organized and well thought out, one piece of livingroom furniture that you should definitely consider is television armoire or a television centre.

This is the area in which you can place your television, VCRs, CD players and other things. You can also find a book shelf in it, where can keep your books, CDs, cassettes and other article of your choice. If you are interested in keeping your television set in a modern place, you must surely purchase a television centre or a television armoire.

Other furniture items that enhance the décor of any living room include recliner, couch, entertainment centre or piano. In addition to accessories like decorative lighting, lamps and area rugs, art work and pictures in a living room also add to the decorative features of a living room. The choice of livingroom furniture depends upon the needs and preferences of the family. Homes with pets and children need to have functional and sturdy furniture which is easily maintainable. While wood and metal frames increases the durability of the furniture, many furniture pieces now-a-days are made of designer fabrics and leather.

Present-day furniture has stream-lined features and appearances that vary in colour tones and textures. Bold geometric designs in vibrant colours are the hallmark of modern day livingroom furniture. Your living room should match your tastes and life style. For example, if you get pleasure in the comfort and warmth of a fireplace, then you have the option to re-arrange the furniture around your fire place in order to make it the focal point.

Whatever the livingroom furniture you choose, it is always advisable to set budget and plan wisely, otherwise, you may go over-board your expenses.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

Livingroom furniture is one of the most necessary, elegant and decorative articles of furniture found in any body's home. The reason behind this is due to the fact that whenever some one visits your house, they spend most of the time in the living room. Therefore, it is important for you to make sure that the livingroom furniture you choose for your home should make your guests comfortable and feel at home.

About the Author:
Tatiya Tatiyasopon
Author's Websites: living room furnitures office furnitures

3/05/2008

Kitchen Furniture Design: Basic Element To Consider

By Catty
All of us (who has a house with kitchen) realize that there are some of rooms that are very important. One could think about bedroom, living room mean while another think about bath room. In fact, in my perspective, one of the most important section of the house is a kitchen. Apart from considering to buy good quality kitchen appliances, there are some factors to consider about too. It is about selecting good kitchen furniture.

It seems that there are two important element of kitchen furniture that have to be taken into account, one is the quality of the material and the other one is the design. In this article we will talk about kitchen furniture design, which is one of these factors that you have to carefully consider. Following criteria is what you should think and do some research before you decide to spend money with. This is because kitchen furniture is generally expensive and you will have no second chance if you bought the wrong design.

1. Consider the type of the kitchen

This is very important factor that should be the first priority. Because if you choose the furniture design that could not match to the type of your kitchen, there will be difficult to manage, maintenance and clean. For example, if you have small kitchen for just cook for light meals, it is obvious that you do not need any kind of heavy kitchen furniture. You have to consider that whether you will put dining table in the kitchen room. If you have large space you can have a small set of dining table but if the kitchen is too small, you should look for some other place as a dining room.

2. Maintenance and clean

One of the most important factor that usually be ignored is how easy to maintenance and clean kitchen furniture. You may have seen a lot of kitchen furniture that available in classic design and may be you are thinking of having them to put in your kitchen. Or may be you are considering about to buy kitchen furniture in modern design. In order to ensure that you will get kitchen furniture design which easy to clean and maintenance, you should select the furniture that do not heavy and movable. You can also have furniture that equipped with rolling wheel to make you easier to move. This is because when you cook, a lot of stain and fat will fall to the ground and if these stain are spread into the area that can not be easily accessible such as under the table, it will be very difficult for you to clean.

3. The design that match to other style of furniture or match to the kitchen appliances.

This factor may not be the most important one as it is only about external appearance. However, if there is a chance and availability of budget, you may find that having kitchen furniture design to match with all of those furniture of the house and kitchen appliances provides very elegant look. This could also provide more welcome environment for your visitor so you can be sure that they will love to come again.

About The Author:
http://www.furneturedesign.com

3/04/2008

Buying Baby Furniture Tips And Tricks

Submitted By: Sally Jean Myers
There is little doubt that a large portion of Young Parent's budget will be spent on Baby Furniture for the Baby Nursery. However, there are many ways to save money by purchasing your Baby Nursery Furniture and other Baby Items used, or new at discounted prices.

In most cases Baby Items of all types and descriptions can be purchased for pennies on the dollar if you know where to look. Babies cost a fortune and it is wise to think used especially for the items that your baby will out grow fast.

Yes, Baby Nursery Furniture can be very expensive when bought new, however I will be giving you ideas and tips on where to shop that will help you save a bundle, and still outfit your Baby Nursery in style.

Before I get into telling you where find great bargains on Baby Nursery Furniture and other Baby Items, I want to caution you about a few things first. If you are looking at used Baby Nursery Furniture you need to check for scratches, dents, peeling paint, missing parts, and always keep your baby's safety in mind. Older Baby Furniture may have lead paint so you need to check it out closely.

Wholesale Outlets:

If you want to buy new Baby Nursery Furniture you may want to check out the local Wholesale Outlets and see what inventory they have in stock. Sometimes they will offer Name Brand overruns or discontinued models at very good prices as compared to normal Baby Furniture retail stores.

Consignment Stores:

I have found several great buys at the local consignment store including Changing Tables, as well as Baby Playpens. You just never know what you will find in this type of store. Many times I have bought nice hardly used Name Brand Baby Items at stores like these, and saved a bundle.

Used Furniture Stores:

Used furniture stores are much like the consignment stores, but at times you may find Baby Furniture items that you may not find at other stores. I just thought it worth mentioning so you would know to check it out.

Yard Sales and Flea markets:

I have found quite a few good buys at both the Yard Sales and Flea Markets. The biggest inconvenience is you MUST get up early in the morning if you want to find the real bargains. There are so many people that shop this way, and you will simply have to beat the crowd if you want the best deals.

Newspaper Classified Ads:

If you get the newspaper early you can catch quite a few bargains on Baby Furniture, but again you need to be fast and call the sellers and ask questions about the item you are shopping for.

Online Classified Ads:

I like the online classifieds because it is easy to find Baby Furniture for sale close by. The online classified ads are usually organized by State and City, so it is easy to find items close to where you live. It is also easy to email sellers and ask questions about the item.

Online Auctions:

I will tell you now, this is my all time favorite place to buy Baby Furniture because the selection is great and for the most part the selection is almost endless. I can buy new and used Baby Furniture as well as other Baby Items all at the same place online. The largest of these Auctions is Ebay. You will need to read the information given by each Ebay Seller carefully so you don't miss any important details. Ebay Sellers are usually very honest and will let you know if there are any problems, missing pieces, scratches, or dents and such. If you have any questions about an item you will want to email the seller before bidding.

With this information you should be able to find many great deals on Baby Furniture as well as other Baby items for your Baby Nursery.

About the Author:

This Article was written by Sally Jean Myers, Mother of Six Children, Work at Home Mom, and the Owner of Baby Store Bargains Online. If you would like more information on Shopping for Baby Furniture Online as well as other Informative Baby related Articles please visit the Author's Website www.BabyStoreBargains.info
Article Tags: baby, furniture, items


Read more articles by: Sally Jean Myers
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=213964&ca=Womens+Interest
Article published on January 05, 2008 at iSnare.com

3/03/2008

A Look at the Different Styles Of Leather Seat Covers

By Muna wa Wanjiru
There are many different uses that you will find the different leather seat covers being used for. These uses will include being used for the interiors of cars, on various furniture and sometimes as replacement seat covers. As you look at these different products you will notice there are different looks and styles to these leather seat covers.

You should select these tools based on your needs. The first item that you need to understand is that since there are many different leather tools that you can buy you should identify the ones that you need. As time and your proficiency grows you can then add more tools to the ones that you have.

As there are different types of materials that can be used in the process of creating a leather seat, you should look at the various types that can be found. Depending on the type of leather seat covers that you are looking at you can find these in stores that sell these seats.

For the leather seat covers that can be used for cars and other types of vehicles you should look in automobile stores. From these stores you will find there are various brands and types of seat covers that you can use. The nice part about looking at these seat covers for your car is that you can find a wide range of types.

The styles for these leather seat covers will match the rest of the car’s interiors. While there are some car seats that will look like leather there are others that have the property of inviting you to sit down and enjoy the ride. These leather seat covers may be made of sheepskin and cowhide. The sheepskin with all of the fluffy covering will be facing you.

Meanwhile the interior of the seat covers will be facing towards the cowhide. This leather covering is placed on these seat to provide an added barrier against any wears and tears which can occur.

As a result of this when you are looking to buy any car leather seat covers you do need to remember the size of the seats. If you are not sure about the sizing of your new leather seat covers then you might want to take the car to one of these car upholster places. As these individuals are trained in this work they will be able to show you the different car seats and replacement seat covers that you can choose.

The use of leather seat covers as you will see can be both functional and yet luxuriously comfortable. When you are looking for seat covers for any furniture that you have at home be it for your car or for your home you should look at the various types of leather seat covers top provide the touch of class that you are looking for.

About the author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Leather for Years. For More Information on Leather Seat Covers, Visit His Site at LEATHER SEAT COVERS


Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

3/02/2008

A Selection of Sofas

By Quy Le
Historically built for esteemed guests to sit apart from government councils, sofas in the eighteenth century were simply a raised section of the floor, padded with pillows and mats. Originally existing solely for the elite, couches became more common in middle and lower class houses after the nineteenth-century Industrial Revolution. Here and now in the twenty-first century, sofas are the hub of home activity. Families spend hours together in living rooms, which makes purchasing the right sofa an important task. When choosing a sofa, comfort is key, but just as important is fashion, style and quality.

The word "sofa" covers a broad range of furniture pieces from regular two or three seat couches to loveseats, recliners, sectionals, and sleeper sofas. Each brings its own features and unique functions to a living room.

Regular sofas, or couches, are always upholstered and can seat several people. Available in an array of materials, most sofas have room for at least three people to sit comfortably, though smaller sofas only have two cushioned spots. However, the sheer size of a sofa sets it apart from a loveseat.

The loveseat – or love seat – was originally designed in the eighteenth century to accommodate a woman with a large dress, but as time progressed and for obvious reasons, the smallness of these two-seater couches led them to be called loveseats. Able to seat two, loveseats are a great choice for a small space, or as an additional sofa for a living room set. These conversation couches can be intimate, but their small size does not take away from their comfort.

Sectionals have it all. Mixing different sizes of couches together, sectionals allow you to personalize your living room for ultimate luxury. Sofa sectionals can accommodate anywhere from two to six people comfortably. Some sofa sectionals are designed as home theatre units; these particular sectionals have features such as arm rests between each seat and drink holders. Many sofa sectionals have reclining chairs built into the structure, allowing one person to recline back while another has a choice to sit upright. The configuration possibilities of sectionals are endless, and the comfort of a sectional is everlasting. Sectionals are perfect for big families, or families that entertain often.

Another feature of sectionals and some sofas is a chaise section. The chaise allows you to stretch out your legs while on the couch, without having to use a foot stool or ottoman. A chaise lounge can be long enough to feel like a bed, and just as comfortable as one too.

Another trend in living room design is to add a recliner to the mix of furniture. Recliners offer comfort, quality and durability. Recliners are designed with leading innovation and creativity in mind. Different types of recliners keep coming out and the designs keep getting better. There are modern recliners, traditional recliners, massage recliners, and even recliners with built in stereo systems that are compatible with mp3 players and other electronic devices, making your video game, music, or movie that much more fun.

Finally, sleeper sofas are dual-purpose items that also continue to develop in design. Sleeper sofas are a very economical way of combining the casual comfort of a living room couch with the soothing security of a bedroom mattress. They are also the answer to the eternal lack-of-space problem, as they are able to function as two items in a small space. Perfect for overnight guests too, sleeper sofas are now being designed so that comfort does not have to be sacrificed for style. They look good, feel good, and are a great investment for any home.

All of these types of sofas come in a variety of materials, from leather to suede to micro-fiber to cloth and more. Keep in mind the durability of materials, especially if you have pets or small children. Also to keep in mind are the colors you choose for your sofa. These colors should fit in with the color scheme of your walls, floors and other furniture in the room. Luckily there are plenty of options to choose from, and hopefully now, you have a better idea of what you are looking for.


About the author:
Aimee Taylor is a marketing associate for http://www.everysofa.com a premier online furniture distribution company.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com