Saturday, 3 May 2008

Furniture Style: Be uncompromising...

by Kathy Scott

Shopping for furniture can be as daunting as shopping for the right car and nearly as expensive. The shopping process often entails lying on dozens of beds, reclining on hundreds of overstuffed chairs and upholstered sofas, pulling out numerous dresser drawers or sitting on an abundance of decorative wood dining chairs. Choosing the right furniture piece or room suit is a quest, but the adventure should be as exciting for you as the day your new piece of furniture is delivered.

Whether your style is Traditional, Contemporary, Shaker, French Country or Cottage, each room of your home has a distinct and dynamic personality. Your “style� should come from your interests and tastes; put a little of yourself into designing each room of your home. More and more furniture retailers are offering interior design consulting. Take advantage of an opportunity to hear directly from an expert.

Some shoppers like to follow furniture trends, pulling from the latest manufacturer collections. For those who like to emulate and adapt new styles, furniture manufacturers rarely disappoint even the savviest shoppers. If you fall into this category, the trends are awash with color and not just from the primary color palette; BHG.com claims that persimmon (1970s' burnt orange) is back and showing up in several collections.

Not surprisingly, woods are popular especially in the form of chests and tables. Many manufacturers are using different wood products and enhancing their designs with veneers and inlays. And, the silent, yet useful ottoman that was once used simply as a foot rest has been transformed over the years and now houses hidden storage, fold-out beds and even pop-up coffee tables. Upholstered toile is also showing up, and it is no longer just for the French Country collector. Some new toile designs are using more modern graphic designs. Others are incorporating an Asian pattern that can be used for various design purposes.

Once you've decided on your style, the process of furniture buying comes down to a few key components. Believe it or not, there are hundreds, probably thousands of books devoted to the subject of furniture buying. It shouldn't be so difficult, but there are a few things you should consider before beginning your mission, namely budget, room size and furniture usability.

There is well-made furniture in nearly every price range. Once you determine your budget, measure the size of the room where your new furniture will rest, especially the dining room. China cabinets, buffets, tables and chairs take up more room than you might expect. Tall bookcases can also be challenging so measure the length, width and height of a room before making your purchase.

When you find a piece of furniture you like, try it out. Sit around that dining room or breakfast table. Wiggle the arms, look under the table for signs of good craftsmanship. Bounce up and down on that comfortable sofa, feel the fabric and ask the salesperson about its construction. What kind of wood was used to make the frame of the sofa? Is the fabric stain resistant? Finally, ask about the manufacturer's warranty. Most offer anywhere from one to five years of coverage for any breaks or cracks.

Don't overlook accessories when shopping at furniture stores. Decorative items placed strategically around a room can easily offer the finishing touch.

Modern Living Room Furniture

Living room furniture can be purchased direct from the factory through a variety of companies. Many options are offered for various types of home furnishings including selections of wood, color, fabric and metal. Many styles are also available including French, traditional, country and modern living room furniture. High end furnishings as well as moderately priced pieces can be found among an array of wholesale and discount companies that are able to sell at lower prices because they make profits through volume sales.

The one place in the house that usually reflects an owners taste, style of living and interest is the living room. Some people use the living space more like a 'parlor' for company rather than a multipurpose room as do some homeowners. A 'parlor' in these situations may be in addition to a family living space, recreation room or other space that is used for everyday use by families. "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as far as me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Many families with smaller children or those who want a place that can handle the rough and tumble wear of kids and pets opt for at least one place in the house that is sure to stay clean and orderly in case some company arrives unannounced. Whether for a parlor or for an all purpose gathering place, living room furniture is always needed to enhance the space and provide comfort. Many gathering spaces include couches, loveseats, recliners, coffee tables, entertainment centers, pianos, and other useful or decorative pieces. Usually this space features the best pictures and art work in the house as well as lamps, decorative lighting and area rugs.

Some rooms are combination rooms that feature a space for a dining table, chairs, hutch and accessories. There are many arrangements that can be applied to this traditional space in just about everybody's home. When choosing furnishings for this living space, many people choose functionality combined with comfort over formal, stiff pieces. Modern living room furniture offers functional designs that fit well with today's contemporary lifestyle. Many modern pieces come in leather or designer fabrics with wood or metal frames. Contemporary or modern furniture has a streamlined appearance and lends toward muted color tones with textures.

Lines and shapes accent much of the modern living room furniture of today and those who appreciate less decoration and more artsy design will enjoy the look of contemporary pieces. There are other types of furnishings that commonly appeal to consumers and claim a large group of sales every year. Country decor is particularly appealing to buyers who love the warm, inviting style of old Americana that country designs provide. Common woods used for this style are oak and other hardwoods with pine thrown in for the more primitive look.

Colors that have traditionally been associated with this style are colonial blue, red, yellow and gray. Many homes can be found decorated with red, white and blue and serve to remind visitors of the American Revolutionary days. Areas of the country show trends of home furnishings among its inhabitants such as New England's bent toward Americana, California's interest in modern living room furniture and the Southwestern flavor of Native American charm. The US is definitely the melting pot and her diversity is reflected right down to the living room furniture that sits in many peoples homes.

Probably more money is spent on this room than in any other place in the house since it tends to be larger, provide various spaces, can offer many uses and provides a place for entertaining. Sets of furnishings are manufactured that are appropriate for this space and that have been designed to accommodate the lifestyle that is required by many homeowners. A coffee table, two end tables, a large couch, and love seat can make up a set for living room furniture. Some people wish to add a couple of matching chairs or recliners, a desk, and perhaps a couple of plant stands for decorative purposes.

An entertainment center is a big cost item that many consumers purchase for their homes and is a focal point for this special space. These can be purchased for a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars for specialty woods, carved decorations and stained glass inlays. For those who find cost an insignificant matter, entertainment centers can be purchased to house huge, home theatre systems that rival any production. There are domestic manufacturers as well as international manufacturers of living room furniture from which many online stores purchase their in-house merchandise. Its not hard to find just about anything a person needs including modern living room furniture through many online stores. Competitive pricing and professional service is offered for consumers who wish to save money and shop at home.

For more information: http://www.christianet.com/furniture