Modern Furniture - A Guide to Design and Remodeling Ideas

Import Genius

2009-05-15T14:48:00.001-07:00

ImportGenius.com is a website that provides data on imports and exports. At first glance, this type of site might not seem relevant to the furniture world, but think again. A quick trip to the back room at almost any furniture store (Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and just about anyone else you can think of) will show boxes with "Made in China" stickers all over them. If not China, then Mexico or some other third-world country. Made in the USA, while it exists, is pretty rare in most furniture stores. That's where ImportGenius comes into play. Using their data and search technology, you can instantly figure out where almost any piece of furniture in the world came from.

If you are a furniture store, this can be useful for finding factories to provide you with similar or identical furniture. If you are an individual furnishing an entire house, you might find that you are better off going directly to the factory.

Pulse Furniture Design

2008-12-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

Pulse Furniture Design is Canadian manufacturer of high quality modern furniture. The website is equipped with an interactive software package for designing and building your own furniture. Pulse furniture guarantees a 100% sweat shop free workforce and an eco-friendly policy towards all of the furniture. All of the employees are part-owners, and everything they make is manufactured in Winnipeg, Canada. They use local suppliers to avoid the green house emissions that come with transporting materials all over the world.

Palma Brava Furniture

2008-12-05T13:13:00.000-08:00

Palma Brava is a Toronto, Canada distributor of unique modern furniture built from natural materials such as rattan and wicker. The words Palma Brava mean 'Strong Palm.' In the same way that a great palm can withstand the power of hurricane winds, the Palma Brava furniture can stand the wear and terror of a family lifestyle.

Their furniture is build to last, and it shows.

Here is some furniture they offer:

For more info, contact them at:
91 Esna Park Dr. 8 Markham, ON L3R 2S2 Canada
Phone: 905.948.1900 Email: info@palmabrava.com

Modern Furniture

2008-12-03T17:18:00.001-08:00

Blame the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte for influencing the rise of modern furniture in the world. The story goes that when Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804, he ushered in the era of “empire style” furniture—ultra majestic, ostentatious, extravagant and self-aggrandizing.

“Empire style” furniture and its attendant excesses reflected Napoleon’s world-conquering personality. Spoils and artifacts from Egypt, Greece and Roman served as the bases for European craftsmen and artists to create a grandiloquent and aggressive French equivalent.

Furniture during Napoleon’s era was huge in every way. Stolid, loud and bombastic, “empire style” furniture was also heavy and carried a chauvinistic tone when compared to the décor of Louis XIV and Louis XV. Metal gilt replaced wood. Gold was the new standard.

Ormolu mounts were the single most distinguishing feature. Ormolu is a gold-colored alloy made of copper, zinc, tin, then topped with a gold and mercury mixture. These gilt-metal ornaments carried the influences of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian excess in the form of ram’s heads, cobras, obelisks, falcons, winged-lion supports, sphinxes, palm leaves, gods and cornucopias. Other characteristics of this type of furniture were the liberal use of classic Greco-Roman decals, mirror-back console tables and military motifs featuring the letter “N” for you-know-who.

Empire furniture fell out of favor once Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. These symbols of excess would soon be replaced by more sensible home furniture pieces. Modernism was changing European art, literature, architecture and music by the late 19th century up to the turn of the century.

Modern furniture was an about-face from the jarring ornament-oriented pieces of the early 19th century. It was a revolution in furniture design, emphasizing function and accessibility over form. Traditional design elements were stripped or rejected outright. Innovation was driving the movement, combing elements of Japanese art, Bauhaus, Symbolism, and Art Nouveau. The thinking was to break from past conventions and attempt to create something new, vibrant and colorful.

That philosophy translated to light, clear, geometric lines replacing dark, burdensome and cluttered woodcarvings. Steel, molded plywood and soon, plastic became the new materials of choice. Applying furniture design to these materials was quite a radical approach during those times when furniture basically meant wood.

The Marcel Breuer-designed Wassily Chair in the mid-1920s is an icon of modern furniture. It was the first tubular steel chair and inspired by the tube frame and handlebars of a bicycle. The materials used were revolutionary for its time: bent tubular steel, chrome plating, cowhide leather upholstery and canvas straps in black, green, blue and red. The Wassily Chair also benefited from the perfection in the manufacture of seamless steel tubes, which, prior to this new process, would collapse when bent. Since 1948, Knoll International is the U.S. licensee and producer of Wassily chairs.

Designer Eileen Gray’s Bibendum Chair was also created during the same time as the Wassily Chair. This lounging chair captured the non-conformist, modern aesthetic of the times with its two half-circle stacked tubes comprising its back and arm rests. Not surprisingly, Gray derived its name from the roly-poly Michelin Man’s stacked tire appearance.

The Barcelona chair and The Brno Chair, designed by German architect Ludwig Mies van de Rohe in 1930, crystallized the functional art aesthetic of the Bauhaus school. Architect Mies’ style strove for simplicity, minimal structural order and clarity. His “less is more” approach also emphasized modern industrial materials such as glass and steel.

The ancient Egyptian’s folding chairs and Roman footstools inspired the Barcelona chair. The smooth-looking stainless steel chair originally used ivory pigskin before being replaced by cow leather and chrome. Knoll holds the exclusive manufacturing rights and each chair is practically hand crafted.

The Brno cantilever (no back legs) chair is also a modern furniture symbol that has become a standard in conference rooms. The secret of its simplicity lies in the single C-shaped steel frame shaped past the seat’s front edge that continues back under the seat. This creates a cantilever structure that relies on the strength of the tubular steel for support.

After World War II, the husband and wife team of Charles and Ray Eames introduced a boldly innovative lounge chair composed of molded curved plywood. The Eames lounge chair wood was entered into a 1940 Museum of Modern Art competition on organic furniture design. Herman Miller became their partner in producing these practical, comfortable and affordable organic chairs. The chair was to be a backrest and seat that seamlessly merged into a single shell. However the practicality of bending plywood required the design to become two separate pieces joined by a plywood lumbar support. Shock mounts (rubber washers) were attached under the seat and backrest and screwed to the plywood lumbar support.

This breakthrough was followed by a series of successful organically shaped designs such as La Chaise in 1948, the soft compact in 1954, lounge chair and ottoman in 1956 and the aluminum group chairs in 1958.

In 1948 Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi combined wood and glass into a simply graceful, all-revealing table that captured the imagination of America. “Everything is sculpture,” he once said. His task was to give space shape and order, merging art with its present table.

The Noguchi table was the epitome of functional sculpture. It is form and function; sculpture and furniture. The table consisted of three pieces: two curved interlocking solid wood legs created a tripod to support a slab of ¾ inch transparent plate glass. The manufacturer Herman Miller authenticates each table with a medallion and Noguchi’s initials stamped on the underside of the table’s base.

These cultural icons were considered wildly radical during their time but still hold up very well today. They will never go out of style. They are distinct, unmistakable and have imparted their influence in succeeding generations of designers.

Today, there is no clear differentiation between modern furniture and contemporary furniture. Some argue that modern furniture is sleek, with clean lines and an industrial feel with plenty of glass, metal, plastic and wood. Visually, the furniture looks light. Contemporary is current furniture, with a homier feel. They emphasize shape, space and color. But how the furniture is set against the environment is also an important determining factor.

But semantics aside, one thing is certain: placing modern furniture inside the home will give it flair of sophistication. It grabs people’s attention, becomes a point of discussion and admiration, and is personally gratifying to the owner.

Modern furniture makes your room alive. But they also require careful selection. The primary considerations must still be comfort, price and suitability.

The composition of modern furniture may look uncomfortable at first glance. It may also not be compatible with the shape of the room or the color of the walls. Basic colors such as black, white and silver reflect the best modern feel. More daring colors like neon green, orange and yellow are acceptable as long as they match the walls and colors of the room.

A safe approach is to choose one signature piece such as a modern sofa set for the living room and add from there. The shape of the room and the furniture will show the design direction, and what other pieces are to be added. Chairs and tables can be grouped towards the sofa set, for example. Modern furniture can easily be matched. The 1999 Alfa sofa, designed by Emaf Progetti will fit easily with a Barcelona chair because it conveys clear, simple lines and chrome plated steel leg supports.

Eurstyle Modern Furniture & Design

2008-11-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

Eurstyle.com is an online retailer of modern furniture and other household items that define modern living. Created in 1999 by an architect from Switzerland named Daniele Gozzi, eurstyle combines over two decades of field experience and networking to create a wonderful resource for purchasing furniture that will elevate your lifestyle.

View some of their creations below:

Zongkers Custom Furniture

2008-11-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

Zongkers Custom Furniture and Cabinetry has been building specialized furniture since 1989. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Zongkers works with their customers to build pieces of furniture to their specifications. It all starts with an idea (yours or theirs, whichever you prefer).

Once they know what you want, they will create a computer generated image of the furniture. Only when you are happy with the look and design will they begin creating the furniture.

Here are a few of their many creations:

If this sounds like something up your alley, contact them at:
1717 South 3rd Street
Omaha, NE 68108
(402) 344.7784
info@zongkers.com

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

2008-10-29T11:09:00.001-07:00

Out with the old, in with the new! So goes the famous maxim on modernization, upgrading and change.

If walking into your bathroom makes you frown and gets you down, a remodeling job is in order. Whether for cosmetic changes or an extensive overhaul, remodeling will require investment of your time, money, and creativity. But once completed, there will be no greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment once you have updated a once drab bathroom with a modern, contemporary look.

Remodeling begins with the end already in mind. This definitely means going beyond the positioning of basic fixtures like a sink, toilet and bathtub. Will the bathroom have some new function such as sauna or steam applications? Will the remodel be to increase the home’s value or just to change the layout for your pleasure? What are the fixtures that will be replaced, refurbished or left untouched? A general concept or layout must already be threshed out before consulting a contractor or interior designer. That will make the communication process much easier and the exchange of opinions much for feasible when discussing time frames, budget, materials, and costing.

Budget is the next major consideration. It plays a big part in determining if a partial or complete bathroom remodel project will be feasible. No small detail must be overlooked. Cost estimates for plumbing, electrical work, wiring, pipes, PVC for drainage, flooring materials, and paint must be included into the budget. Nothing can derail a project faster than unanticipated costs spiraling out of control. An allowance must also be set aside for unforeseen scenarios such as replacing something that was not originally planned. Partial remodeling will probably focus on fixtures such as cabinets, sinks, mirrors and faucets. A complete or total remodeling job covers demolishing the existing bathroom to create more space. Extensive structural work will normally require replacing all existing bathroom fixtures.

Any remodeling project is about optimum space management. It is about assessing the present layout and deciding how to improve it. Whether using simple sketches or sophisticated 3-D design software that can create a visual “walk through” of the remodeled bathroom, the arrangement of the bath fixtures in the space must meet your style and preference.

Once the initial ideas are laid down, discussions can move to the finer details, namely the entire breadth of bathroom fixtures: steam showers, bathtubs, toilets, tiles, cabinets, mirrors, sinks, lightning, bathroom vanities, faucets, drains and accessories.

It is at this point that much time and research be invested into studying the various models, options and styles in the market today. Selecting what bathtub and sink combination, for example, is easier said than done if one is aware of the choices in the hardware or specialty shops today. The dedicated homeowner will even micromanage to the choice of towel rack, soap dish and bathroom rug if it so requires. There are literally hundreds of options out there, so time and patience is definitely warranted at this phase.

Installation is the point of no return. Bathtubs and toilets are built to last and sometimes a partial remodeling works around these two fixtures. If a complete refurbishment is needed then the entire bathroom landscape will be altered.

The bathtub is the single biggest fixture so it is the centerpiece and is a logical starting point. Modern freestanding bathtubs of either Asian or European design are acrylic tubs with steel support beams and anti-clog drain sets. Claw foot bathtubs, corner tubs, whirlpool bathtubs, 2 person bathtubs – there is one for suited for every preference.

Bathroom vanities are favorites for a partial remodel. Wall-mounted or pedestal vanities are just a sample of the huge selection in the market today. Color, texture, material, single or double-sink vanities must be carefully coordinated so that it will blend seamlessly with the finished look of the bathroom. Ecologically friendly toilets are now in vogue because they use less water per flush.

Steam Showers, which are a conventional steam room combined with a shower and often massage jets, are growing in popularity in modern bathroom designs. In addition to relaxation, they offer proven skin care benefits.

Of course, new ceramic or porcelain tiles must already be cemented before a vanity or toilet is installed to know much tile cutting is required. Tile is placed around a tub and under a toilet and a sink. If a bathtub and shower system is involved, they should both be installed first, and the tile follows. Floor tiles should be the last. Installing bathroom floor tiles is another sub-project in itself—selection, cutting, grouting and laying of tiles.

Bright bathrooms are more accommodating. Energy-saving light fixtures and an exhaust fan can help keep the bathroom cool and airy, especially with hot water causing vapor and condensation.

The success of a bathroom remodel will ultimately depend on the involvement of the homeowner and the experience of the contractor and other professionals. It is not unusual for homeowners to take part in some of the process such as tear down fixtures or laying the tiles. Calling in professional help only as needed will certainly reduce costs and make the finished product more a reflection of their style and personality.

Office Furniture

2008-09-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

The changing face of the private office

The hidden desires of many an office worker would probably revolve around:

“I need a sense of privacy that I can control and be able to concentrate, but I want to stay connected with my team.”

“I would love to have an office that reflects who I am, and space that feels like my own.”

Or more bluntly: “I’d love to have a beautiful office.”

Who wouldn’t, right?

If you’ve been into some progressive offices in lately, one thing stands out: space—plenty of it.

Office space affects behavior and productivity. Organizational behavior is important in any company, whether a small home office or a multinational conglomerate. It weighs on an employee’s decision whether to stay or leave the company. Worker privacy is a given, but it must be also be balanced with a surrounding that fosters creativity, interaction, collaboration and high performance teamwork.

Rethinking company workspace
Whatever the company size or philosophy, productivity increases in an environment conducive to living, working, learning, and socializing. Just as the term “worker” has evolved into “knowledge worker,” office furniture and design now encompass terms such as “fluid or mobile workspace,” “collaborative work areas,” “office systems” and “systems furniture.”

Even the traditional image of a private office that is cloistered and isolated from the rest of the workplace is changing. Wireless technology has provided a quantum leap in the new office workflow. It has torn down the physical barriers and actually redefined “where” and “what” constitutes an office. Never have workers been more empowered and mobile than now. The come to work with their laptops, log in, work, log out and leave, and log in from somewhere else.

This quiet revolution may be attributed to a new breed of workforce comfortable with multi-tasking and working in a wireless environment. Generation Y (a.k.a. Echo Boomers, Generation Next), strictly speaking, have no urgent need for constricting cubicles as long as surroundings are homey, fun, and relaxing.

They are also not so concerned about office hierarchy and positions as they are about mobility and connectivity. Properly managed wide spaces emit vibrant synergism that creates a sense of autonomy and nurture creativity.

Designers, furniture manufacturers and workers alike have embraced this emergent mobile order. For businesses, realizing that workers can be as productive inside the office as well as outside reduces their need for real estate. That means lower costs.

The challenge now is how office furniture layout can promote effective collaboration and communication in the workplace.

Collaborative private space
The Chicago-based Business Ledger noted recently that, “The trend is that businesses are going away from providing private offices (real estate), and replacing them with collaborative work spaces. Known in the industry as “Touchdown Stations” or “Hoteling Stations,” these communal work spaces lower real estate costs while providing offices with high-energy, high-creativity spaces for collaboration. Office furniture is now designed to facilitate office-wide communication. Separation panels are shorter to allow workers to see and interact with each other. Workspaces no longer are isolated 3-wall oases.”

Herman Miller, Knoll, Maxon Furniture, and Steelcase are industry leaders that create and provide ideal workplace furnishings. They also adhere to the “systems furniture” paradigm and conform to environmentally sustainable construction standards such as the Green Building Rating System.

Knoll’s award-winning AutoStrada series is the most comprehensive office system every designed by the company. Its four models are light and open, conveying a sense of orderly free space and calibrated private nooks: spine-based, storage-anchored, wall-based, and collaborative.

Spine-based frames create tightly organized desks and storage. Cover options include veneer, slatwall, marketboard, tackable fabric, cable tray and shelf covers. Tapered-edge surfaces connect along the spines and can link with screens and either clear or powder glass panels.

Anchor cabinets, tapered-edge work surfaces and laminated panels characterize storage-based systems furniture. They are variations of casegoods furniture. Bridges that connect median storage and anchor cabinets make a neat, monolithic exterior while providing comfortable shared workspace.

Wall-based furniture combines freestanding desks, chairs, and overhead storage to create private office space without sacrificing walled collaborative areas. Applied wall frames support display shelves, overhead storage, coat hooks and picture hooks.

The AS-4 office systems furniture captures the collaborative essence of table-and-desk based work area. Its innovative open table design fosters group creativity and interaction. Its clean, symmetrical lines accentuate a big, uncluttered worktable. Crinion Open Tables are supported by cantilever and parallel beams between the legs. The beams also provide a corridor to house technology support and power distribution cables. The tables are meticulously constructed using FSC-certified composite wood together with anodized aluminum and plastic laminate.

Screens can be mounted between work surfaces or at the edges for seated-height privacy. Center, side and end screens come in tackable fabric, acrylic and slatwall. Crinion Open Tables supports flat-panel monitors and provide continuous wire drop into a cable basket for related technology.

The Doue system from Steelcase is a versatile freestanding desk system whose modular components are designed to accommodate the intense use of IT equipment from today’s knowledge worker. The simple structure, wide work surfaces and accommodations for cable management make workstation configuration quite easy.

The Doue system is flexible, space saving and cost efficient. Its use wood and organic finish offset the steel and plastic of desktops and laptops. Screens are height adjustable to define space and control visual and acoustic privacy. This is perfect for personal concentration while maintaining a sense of community and team spirit.

For Maxon, it is all about customization. Maxon uses panels and partitions to expand the confines of the standard cubicle into sophisticated workstations. Segmented parallel panels are glass or glass tile and can be accented with lamination or fabric. Maxon’s panels are easy to install and reconfigure. Interlocking 2” aluminum frames are lightweight, space saving and solid. Top caps, steel raceways and its solid hardboard internal core are rigid and durable. Its multiple segmented panels are both tackable and non-tackable with options for electrical raceways. Accessory rail, keyboard tray and solid steel file cabinets give further options.

A totally paperless office is still years away because the need for storage is still present. Matching overhead cabinets, shelves, freestanding lateral files, stationary pedestals and bookcases merge seamlessly into the workstation design to appear as unobtrusive as possible.

Steelcase adheres to a similar credo: a versatile panel system attuned to the diversities of the workplace. Their answer: forward workspace architecture embodied by the Forward Elements (FE) panel-based furniture system. FE believes a highly flexible workspace can still share a unified structure and design. FE caters to the individual worker whose need for controlled privacy is paramount and collaborators who thrive in a team environment. The primary elements to configure the spaces are the bridge, post and beam.

Large individual panel frames shape the layout of the workspace. The slim design and refined trim give it an assured and confident appeal. Slatwalls, ports and scallops for plug and play technology keep surface area free from unsightly cables and wires. Frosted desktop screens provide privacy from co-workers beside you.

Herman Miller has one of the most diverse and contemporary office systems available. The Douglas Ball-designed Vivo Interiors is an example. Its core design rests on the frame-and-tile system. The refined steel frames handle cable and power management while the clean, textured tiles augment functionality.

Lines are time and clean as all components align and interlock perfectly. Progressive furniture glides and sliding door storage blends with traditional veneer to produce a refined and practical design. Workstations’ low walls make shared office spaces inviting and accessible. Upmount screens and profile stacking windows reassure personal privacy while maintaining an open view.

Vivo Interiors were designed under strict cradle-to-cradle protocols. Stains are water based while powder coating eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Its frames are 100% recyclable and wood are sourced from sustainable forests.

“Functional beauty” best describes the Herman Miller My Studio Environments. The basis of the design is the idea that a person must be reoriented to a 6’ x 8’ workstation with desk, credenza and storage.

Designer Douglas Ball’s recalled its genesis: “I worked out in my mind a plan as to how you would reorient a person in that space. How would you have a principle work surface, a credenza behind, and something alongside that would give a person more storage and more counter space? The corners would be rounded. There’s a circle and the person would sit in the center of it. You would just swing the chair around and everything was right there, within reach.”

My Studio Environments wraps itself around the worker and makes that worker the focus. My Studio Environments is a wall-based system of inverted landscape where the walls get progressively lower from the outside, to the sidewalls, and finally to the spine.

The introduction of high aisle-side walls is contrary to the traditional paneled environment of high centers with overhead storage attached. “We’d like to have the center low so you can see across to the other side. You can see the worker across from you, but the height of that is critical. We wanted to be able to block eye vision from a seated position, but if you left your head, you can make eye contact. You can have collaboration and you don’t have you move,” Mr. Ball explained.

Thus, 68 to 81-inch high walls provide privacy without totally sacrificing openness. The 46-inch side street (or aisle-side) walls offer visual connectivity. Inside, curved outer corner and open inner corners and an About Face orientation allow workers more space to face any direction. Walls, frames and closet panels are available in monochromatic, neutral and warm tones.

Another trend incorporated into the design is zone planning. The application of zone logic keeps workers focused and minimizes peripheral distractions. The My Studio Environments has four zones each to create, display, organize files and materials, and to filter interruptions. These can now be the zones of conversation, concentration and contemplation. This zone-concept has really taken people-centric furniture to a new level.

As usual Herman Miller has applied the strictest environmental standards to this cutting edge office design. Aside from being 69% recyclable, My Studio Environments is the first furniture system to receive the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) cradle to-cradle Silver certification. And along with Vivo Interiors, it is also GREENGUARD certified as a low-emitting product that conforms to current indoor-air-quality standards.

An ecological-friendly office system that pampers the workforce will undoubtedly have a positive contributing force on morale, productivity and health. Pamper is the operative word. Cappuccino and juice bars, recreational lounges with flat screen TVs and gaming consoles, and giant pillows are some of the add-ons to keep employees content and motivated. Fitness rooms, billiards tables and even a dart board can keep employee collaboration going way beyond their office hours.

Space management is the new furniture. Keep people happy where they work and the whole company will reap the benefits of its employees’ collective collaboration.

Rubin's Contemporary Furniture

2008-09-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Rubin's Furniture, with locations in Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago, has been selling furniture for 98 years. Founded in Madison, Wisconson, by a Russian immigrant, they are now run by the grandfather of the founder, Judith Rubin. They sell a variety of bedroom, dining room, and living room furniture, as well as home lighting and office equipment. Additionally, they offer a variety of accessories and gifts including karlson clocks, BDI mirrors, and Orrefors.

You can contact them at the following locations:

MADISON - RUBIN'S DOWNTOWN:
Sean Sennott [608] 255-8998
MADISON - R-LIFESTYLE:
Robin Bone [608] 274-5575
MADISON - CLEARANCE CENTER:
Bill Rubin or Barry Roberts [608] 222-0069
MILWAUKEE - RUBIN'S 3RD WARD:
Jim Julka [414] 278-8100

Patio Furniture

2008-09-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

Pampering your patio

Outdoor entertaining is a great opportunity to show guests your garden, backyard or patio area. These are extensions of the living and dining room areas of your home. To get a change of scenery, enjoy the sunshine or simply catch a rare breeze are great incentives to decorate the outdoors area.

A novel approach must be taken when furnishing the patio, lawn or backyard. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, pool party, or intimate family gathering, patio furniture merits equal attention to detail. It is not the same as decorating, let’s say, the living room or dining room. Try transporting the inside furniture to the outside and you will get the idea. It is the subtle intermingling of the natural outdoor tones, light, landscape and other visual cues that create the perfect patio setting.

There is a different design aesthetic when arranging furniture outside of the home. The most obvious are the open space and the natural elements such as greenery, wood, stone and sunlight. Weather is one of the most important considerations in selecting the type of patio furniture. Durable and weather-resistant materials have helped overcome the reluctance to invest in stylish outdoor furniture.

So many choices
Patio décor is neither too flashy nor serious. It must be urbane, elegant and inviting. It should also enrich the natural surroundings of the house.

There are many choices for contemporary patio and outdoor furniture across the country. Specialty retailers such as Spacify and The Ultimate Patio showcase complete and lavishly designed patio furniture sets for discriminating customers.

Visualizing the purpose of the patio will dictate its furnishing style. Placement of the pieces is also important. For example, if the patio area is always exposed to the sun, a retractable awning or garden swing with roof is necessary.

If it is to be a place to hang out and have some drinks with friends, maybe an outdoor patio bar with stools must be considered. Slate tiles are good material for a smooth and strong bar countertop. Ewins carries a 5-piece bar set and uses wood that is either reclaimed or FSC certified.

Dark Selunsar is an eco friendly dark and heavy wood similar to teak. It is imported from Singapore. It is a popular tropical wood used in everything from bridges, exposed home beams and outdoor furniture because of its density and natural resistance to decay and infestation.

Chaise lounges and wicker swivel rockers are perennial patio favorites to just relax and enjoy the outdoor views. They are spacious enough for stretching with an elevated backrest to while away the time.

Patio tables, chairs and sets
There are many shapes, styles and sizes for patio tables: oval, square, round and pub height tables. Glass oval tables, folding round tables or rectangle tables made of teak, resin, or stainless steel are timeless choices. The Tiburon Rectangular Dining set from The Ultimate Patio has a stainless steel and Javanese Teak tabletop as its centerpiece. Stainless steel and teak chairs with armrests are covered with durable Batyline fabric.

Patio furniture sets whose pieces have been meticulously selected and arranged make it easier for the first time buyer. It also saves time and effort since there is no need to individually inspect each item. Home Garden and Patio and Patio Life offer complete sets from the major manufacturers. You can browse by style such as contemporary, Mediterranean, rustic, traditional tropical and Victoria. Their extensive collections have all the material in the market: aspen, cast aluminum, cast iron, wrought iron, rattan, mahogany, wicker, teak/steal, rubberwood and plastic. They carry the following manufacturers: WhiteCraft, South Sea Rattan, Royal Teak, Emu, Cast Craft and Cayuga Designs.

Patio chairs are just as varied as the tables. You will find a host of styles and designs that include arm chair, lounger, ottoman, love seat, rocking chair, dining chair, sofa, glider, swing and bench.

For a casual family vibe, lounge chairs, Adirondack chairs and ottomans should complement the centerpiece dining set. Oversized Adirondack chairs, with their armrests and ergonomically contoured high backrests are wide enough to fit most body sizes into a comfortable reclined position.

These chairs are an authentic American design, named after the Adirondack Mountains vacation homes in New York in the early 20th century. While vacationing near Lake Champlain, a named Thomas Lee took a single board nailed a backrest to it. He dubbed it the Westport chair, and an American classic was born. Adirondack furniture became famed for their rustic durability, comfortable size and affordable prices. They now come in variants that include rocking chairs, and loveseats. Many designs have a rolled back (rather than a straight back and bottom) that tapers at the base to snug and support the body Wide armrests are ample to hold a refreshing drink or bottle. Adirondack chair are made from teak, cedar, pressure-treated pinewood, mahogany or heavy-duty resins.

Lights and accents
Little touches to complement the main furniture pieces give personality to your outdoors scene. Chair cushions, pillows and seat pads provide the color accents to wood chairs, benches and tables. Polyester or Olefin covering will keep spot cleaning to a minimum. Play up on the accents such as planter boxes, benches, and maybe an umbrella. Sturdy patio chair materials are rust-treated metal, teak, redwood, recycled polymer and plastic.

A rattan side table, wrought iron coffee table or wicker cubes expands the dining set and can be a place where extra guests can lounge for pre-dinner drinks and aperitifs. Bistro tables or folding café tables offer a subdued intimacy absolutely perfect for couples or newlyweds.

Coffee tables are present in practically every American home. They provide a cozy, comforting ambience A coffee table setup can include loveseats, armchairs and an end table for light meals or snacks.

Deep seating furniture is another outdoor option for easy relaxation on the porch or patio. Thick, plush and colorful cushions nestle comfortably on durable teak wood frames. Weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric is both water repellent and retains its colors despite exposure to the sun.

Sunbrella fabric is also used for patio umbrellas. Its colors do not fade despite repeated exposure to wind, sun and rain. 7.5 to 11 foot umbrellas are big enough to cover a square or round dining table. Two-tier umbrellas give a dressed up, symmetrical look when placed between two lounge chairs. Cast iron, plastic, steel and tubular aluminum are some of the main components of patio umbrellas.

Outdoor solar patio lights now come pre-assembled with no wiring needed. LED garden accents with hanging hook, ground stake and stand, and frosted glass lens give soft dramatic lighting to a dinner. It can also be unhooked from the ground stand and placed on the table as a lantern. Kettle lanterns, floor lamps, hanging lights, lampposts and table lamps are all classic outdoor lighting designs.

A note on the materials
Modern outdoor furniture incorporates several types of wood, fibers, water-resistant fabrics and steel. These materials provide an urbane charm and earthy aroma to the outdoors.

Wicker, for example, is technically a method of weaving different materials to make them pliable and strong. Twigs, cane, willow, rattan or bamboo are woven tightly over a metal frame to reinforce its protection against rain and sun.

The Egyptians used reeds to craft wicker baskets and boxes in 3,000 B.C. At the height of the Victorian Era wicker was a common indoor and outdoor furniture material. It drew its popularity from its lightweight, natural simplicity, grainy texture and extreme pliability that allowed it to be shaped into all kinds of designs from cribs to carriages. It was truly one of the earliest ideal outdoor furniture materials that became popular.

Rattan is a slender vine-like palm tree indigenous in Asia. Its skin is peeled before woven into furniture. Rattan’s splinter-resistant quality makes it the main component of wicker. Bamboo grass is hollow, lightweight and possesses superb tensile strength. It is interwoven to provide reinforcement to the other materials.

Cedar and teak are both resistant to weathering, decay and rotting. Eastern White Cedar and Western Red are famed for their natural beauty, strength and resistance to insects. Cedar furniture can survive years exposure to winter temperatures. Cedar requires minimal or no treatment. Repeated exposure to the weather will lighten its color to a silver or gray tone. This just adds to its rustic, old-world sophistication.

Teak is a tropical hardwood that contains natural oil that makes it dense and resistant to water. This natural oil is a wood preservative. This high oil and rubber content also makes it immune to rotting. The British used teak to construct ships. When wooden ships were replaced by steel, carpenters salved the timber to construct the first teak furniture.

Teak is also blessed with a natural golden finish that takes a long time before it fades. These qualities make it suitable for park benches, ottomans, tables and porch swings.

In terms of metal, wrought iron offers both elegance and strength. Unlike other metals, it has a high resistance to corrosion rust, especially when powder-coated. Wrought iron’s appeal to artists is its malleability. Once heated at the proper temperature it becomes soft and can be shaped into exquisite bar stools, dining chairs, plant stands, chaise lounges and loveseats.

Dorm Furniture

2008-09-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Give Form to the Dorm

Mention the word “dormitory” and visions of institutionalized living, drab quarters and uninspired furnishings come to mind. For students, it can either evoke a cringe-inducing shudder or apathetic shrug.

As summer winds down and gives way to the fall college semester, dorm life will again become a reality for millions of students across America. Last year, American families spent roughly $5.4 billion on dorm and apartment furnishings. That was on top of the $7 billion on clothing and accessories, and nearly $13 billion on electronics. This trend of spending on dorm furniture, accessories and clothes reflects the need for individual expression during young adulthood.

Let’s face it. The dorm is where the student will spend most of his or her campus life. It is a hangout, retreat area, library, comfort zone, party place, and gaming area all rolled into one. Aside from the financial considerations, campus living brings other pressures, especially for incoming freshmen. A new environment, new faces, and the physical separation from family and hometown friends can make the adjustment process quite disconcerting.

The need for planning
A way to ease the transition is to bring a reminder of your home into your new digs.

Parents and close family members are closely involved helping the student move in and get settled. It is advisable to invest time and effort in this phase of the process. That begins with an ocular inspection of the premises. An on-site inspection will give valuable insights and a mental configuration of the entire area. Ideas such as, “Ah, a fold out bed would do nicely here” or “A stackable folding bookcase in this corner” would come to mind.

Home improvement stores, specialty boutiques, and furniture shops all work together to provide the best dorm furnishings for students living on campus. IKEA has even dedicated a website on dorm living and furnishing. Correct planning will minimize frivolous purchases and keep the focus on the essentials.

Three rules dictate how a dorm room should be furnished: 1) Space, 2) Comfort, and 3) Multi-functionality.

Every space should serve a specific purpose whether it is for study, leisure, relaxation and socializing. This means daybeds that can double as couches or coffee tables with extra drawers to store laptop and accessories, books, clothes and shoes.

Dorms normally come with a bed, desk and dresser. These will probably be standard-issue and no different from other residents. The trick is to build from what is provided and add little touches to make it more comfortable. Furniture must be light but durable. Everything has to get through the doorway, so furniture pieces must be capable of being assembled and taken apart.

Dorm essentials
Regardless of the layout and size of the room, the following may be considered “essentials:” sofa, study table, desk chair, floor or desk lamp, refrigerator, storage containers, bookshelf and laundry hamper.

The Container Store has their own “Dorm Room Basic Six” which they categorized as: 1) Closet, 2) Walls & Doors, 3) Desk, 4) Laundry, 5) Bath, and 6) Storage. Their mantra is organization and storage—everything in its proper place. Everything from wall racks, drawer organizers, shower totes and desk organizers can be found here.

First is the bed. It is of paramount importance the bed or mattress is absolutely comfortable. Is the school-issued bed is not to your liking, it should be replaced with either memory or egg crate foam mattresses. Egg crate mattresses are versatile, require little maintenance and can act as toppers to thicker mattresses. A1Mattress offers affordable memory foam mattress toppers by Sleep Aid. Sleep Aid technology uses heat reduction channels to keep air circulating under the mattresses to ensure a cool and comfortable night’s rest.

Futon beds, inspired from Japanese mattresses are ideal dorm furniture. They convert either to a sofa or stylish lounge. This is great when family and friends visit. They are also easily available at department stores like JCPenney and Sears. JC Penney’s Convertible Futon Lounge has adjustable arms and reclines only on one side to allow your head to stay propped up; a necessity for those long hours for reading.

Room and office

Swivel chairs will give mobility and probably be a lot more comfortable than the standard issue chairs. Adjustable height will also make it more ergonomically fit to any table so that you will be comfortable writing or tapping away on your laptop. With a chair to scoot from table to door to bed, the dorm room can easily double as a makeshift office.

The dorm room can be the incubator for the next great business idea. For those with an entrepreneurial bent, success stories of millionaires who began their ventures from the confines of their dorm rooms are legendary. Michael Dell, of the computer company that bears his name, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg are two of the most famous poster faces. College life is spontaneous, creative, vibrant and energetic. Making your surroundings as comfortable contributes much to intellectual and creative fermentation.

The case for food
Dorm life and the hectic study schedule will give you frequent cases of the munchies. A mini refrigerator with a freezer compartment and a door shelf will keep your room stocked with your choice of food and beverages to sustain you through those long nights of study. Coffee maker, cutlery, plates, bowls, and glasses are must-have for those late-night snacks. And of course, the number one appliance for lazy cooks – the can opener – must always be present.

A “kitchen area” rather than a kitchen a common feature in college dorms. Actual in-house cooking may be prohibited due to fire codes. If microwave toasters, coffee brewers and indoor grills are allowed, consider that a boon. Electric skillets, hot pots or hot plates are also the next best thing to ensure food is kept warm.

Food means storage. If the mini ref is already full, you may want to buy storage boxes or milk crates to keep the non-perishables in once place. Canned goods, pasta, sauces, mixes, crackers, chips, popcorn, instant oatmeal and ramen noodles are student favorites.

Lighting and privacy
Dorm rooms are to be shared with other students. That will certainly bring up privacy issues. The solutions are panels, screens or dividers. A simple four-panel divider can partition you from your other roommates who need more privacy. Folding screens also diffuse excess light. Creatively positioned in a corner, it can instantly transform it into a changing room for a quick change of the bathroom is occupied. Clothes and towels can be draped on top of the panels. The great thing about panels and dividers is that they easily fold and can be tucked away when they are not longer needed.

Lighting is also a consideration in the dormitory. Unless you call and inquire the specific lighting set up, most dormitories will have a single fluorescent light source from the ceiling. This means bringing your own additional sources of light. There are endless styles and sizes for desk lamps and floor lamps, depending on your preferred study area. Fluorescent gooseneck desk lamps can be swiveled to focus the light on a specific reading area. That keeps your dorm mates unbothered by extra luminescence in the room. Remember to avoid halogen lamps. Colleges and universities have banned them as potential fire hazards.

Go vertical
When it comes to saving space, vertical is the way to go. If the room has high ceilings, the space from floor to ceiling is open for shelves to stacking drawers to wall-mounted cabinets. A full-length mirror will not only appeal to your vanity but also create the illusion of a much larger space.

There will be no such thing as excess baggage with the proper storage containers in your room. Emphasis should be on tall, not too wide. IKEA’s Tolga organizer is composed of a steel frame with an anti-corrosive coating. Solid pine shelves and white polyester covering make it light and easy to move around the room.

Slim, minimalist vertical bookshelves save a lot of space and look clutter-free. Although almost anything can be found online, nothing still beats the tactile experience of reaching for a book, lying back and flipping over its crisp pages.

Boxes or slim towers with drawers will use every available space for anything from clothes, shoes, toiletries, laundry, books and other miscellaneous items. Fiberboard storage boxes reinforced with metal corners and rivets are durable, spacious and damage resistant. Heavy clothing such as thick shirts, sweaters and other winter clothing can fit. Underbed storage boxes are also the best solutions to keep out of season clothes, or bulky and seldom-used accessories.

Finally, to keep smelly clothes isolated, collapsible laundry hampers with zip open tops are perfect for the mobile student. Normally composed of mesh and spiral wire, collapsible hampers can easily be carried around and transferred.

These are just broad ideas about the science and art of furnishing a dorm room. There is still an endless list of items that can be included to suit individual tastes: over door hooks and racks, rolling carts, drawer baskets and mesh trays, wall-mounted racks, stacking shelves, towel racks and personal care organizers.

Sometimes the physical limitations of the room will dictate what furnishings are needed. If the flooring is cold and uncomfortable, a thick, warm rug or carpet is the answer. Of course dark color tones will mask any accidental stains. Select one that is easy to clean and does not collect too much dust.

Creativity in mixing and matching items will make selecting dorm furniture a fun process. Just be aware of the space limitations and the personalities of your roommates and dorm life will be a fun part of the college or university experience.

Modern space saving furniture

2008-09-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

With a softening housing market, some baby boomers have been downsizing to more modest accommodations. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on furniture. The trick is to use space saving furniture that that is both comfortable and stylish.

Systems or sectional furniture are space efficient, simply designed and absolutely functional. Basically these are furniture pieces that can fit together with other pieces to save space yet look presentable. This type of furniture normally builds up vertically to save on horizontal space. Hideaway options and multi-purpose functions are standard features.

Starting in the bathroom, your local Ikea furniture store carries the Ekholmen Mirror cabinet, which deceptively looks like four mirror sections but doubles as a four-panel cabinet to tuck away little items such as lotions, liquid soaps, colognes, mouth wash and shaving cream.

Ikea’s Fusion Table and Chair dining set is also a great way to save space. The four dining chairs are pushed in to hug the table’s four corners. When dinnertime comes, just pull out the four chairs and it becomes a regular dining table set up.

Moving to the bedroom, the wall beds maximize floor space when the bed is recessed or folded up. Several companies such as The Bedding Factory now offer customized designs based on wood, color and configuration.

Wall Bed Systems, Inc. even has a series of wall beds made composed mainly of bamboo! Their Island series uses this grass’ (yes, bamboo trees are a misnomer) unique flexibility and durability to give a tropical twist to the traditional wall bed configuration. Bamboo as an alternative helps augment the world’s hardwood supply. It can grow at an average of 4 feet a day, and is thus a renewable and environmentally safe resource.

Fidalgo's Unique Furnishings

2008-08-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Fidalgo's unique furnishings features unique decor, art, rugs, silk trees, and holiday decor. If you are looking for creative furniture ideas in the Seattle area, be sure to stop by:

6535 5th Place South #C
Seattle, WA. 98108
206-264-2446

Carriage House Furniture

2008-08-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, Carriage House furniture, owned by Rachel and Pat Dortch, were furniture retailers. 15 years later, chalk full of lessons, Rachel and Pat started building furniture themselves. All of their furniture is manufactured in Belmont, North Carolina, by experienced craftspeople.

Contact them here:

Carriage House
 1500 River Dr
 Belmont, NC 28012
 704-829-9204 phone
 704-829-9205 fax
 info@carriagehousefurniture.com

View some pictures of their gorgeous chairs, sofas, and ottomans here:

Modern furniture

2008-05-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

People are more aware of the environment today than ever before. They want to know what materials are used in the furniture they buy - and where the materials come from.

What is the newest trend for contemporary modern furniture stores? The vast majority of them are green. No, they’re not jealous of what the other has in its store – they’re all eco‑friendly. These eco-minded stores carry products that are designed with the environment in mind. Their furnishings are made with reclaimed, recycled, renewable, whole body organic, and non-toxic materials. Bathroom showers, kitchen cabinets, living room floors: all can be made from sustianable or recycled materials

Most of these stores are located in California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington State. Sure, eco‑friendly modern contemporary furniture stores are scattered throughout the United States – Michele Fitzpatrick’s Chicago showroom Verde[1] is known for its refurbished mid‑century modern pieces, and Brooklyn-based Vivavi[2] was named “one of the 50 most intriguing green businesses helping to drive the green revolution” by Inc. Magazine[3] – but, for the most part, these green stores are on the left side of the Missouri River.

Mid Century Modern Furniture - Tables from recycled wood

Eco-Friendly
Modern furniture designers of the past replaced decorative excesses like ruffles, tassels, and body carvings with form and function. While simple designs with practical advantages drove the modern furniture of yesteryear, simplicity and practicality have an added meaning for many of today’s modern furniture companies: furniture that simply makes practical use of the earth’s resources.

Treasured Chests - Antique Trunk Restoration, Yours or Ours

Eco-friendly modern dining room furniture stores are all about sustainability – referring to products that are made in an environmentally responsible way – and most are members of the Forest Stewardship Council.[4] The FSC is an international nonprofit organization that protects the world’s forests. Furniture stores who use FSC‑certified wood are assured that they are buying wood:

That supports the ecological functions and the integrity of the forest

That was obtained while respecting the rights and culture of aboriginal peoples

That abides by the many other principles established by FSC[5]

FSC‑certified sustainable wood is the only wood that is accepted under the U.S. Green Building Council’s stringent LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.

When buying furniture, “sustainable” can have many connotations. It can mean that the materials were organically grown or are from recycled or reclaimed stock. When it comes to wood products, it can mean that the wood was either harvested from a managed forest, rather than a rain forest, for example, or that it is a renewable material, like bamboo. Many eco-friendly products are available for furniture making. Other aspects green companies are considering are the types of dyes and paints that are used, the amount of energy that is expended in making the product, and the source of that energy.

Bathroom Vanity and Vessel Sinks made from recycled glass

Bamboo
Bamboo is a marvelous grass – it is not a tree – for making furniture and other home products. It is stronger than oak, and it will not shrink or swell (as hardwoods do). Bamboo can be transformed into ply boards with properties that measure up to conventional wood. Bamboo’s delicate grain gives wood products a distinctive, elegant appearance.

Bamboo Bathtub

Bamboo is grown without the use of pesticides and can grow two or more feet per day, reaching maturity (60 feet or more) in about 4 years, compared to the 25 to 70 years it takes for commercial trees to reach full growth. What’s more is that bamboo doesn’t have to be replanted. Unlike hardwood trees which are gone forever once they’re cut, bamboo’s renewable root system sends out shoots after each harvest.

For more information on bamboo and bamboo technology, see green furniture company EcoDesignz.com.[6]

Organic Cotton
Cotton that is grown in certified pesticide-free and herbicide-free soil is classified as organic cotton. The benefits of organic cotton are many:

Healthier fabrics

Preservation of water quality

Toxin prevention

Fact: Traditional cotton-growing methods produce the second-most pesticide-laden crop in the world. Many of the chemicals used on traditionally farmed cotton crops are known carcinogens.

Hemp
Hemp is an ancient textile with a lot of versatility. Hemp fiber is the most durable and eco-sensible crop on the planet. It can be spun into threads for making rope, twine, and cords, and it can be woven into clothing, fabrics, and linens. An example of hemp furniture:

Hemp Furniture - Bed and Sheets

Hemp is grown without chemical pesticides or toxic fertilizers, and it produces more fiber yield per acre than any other crop. One acre of hemp can produce as much usable fiber as 4 acres of trees or two acres of cotton (and it is stronger than cotton). Many green furniture companies are using this fabric for many of their furniture fabrics.

Faux Leather
When it comes to animals, eco-friendly companies are just as friendly to animals as they are to the natural environment. Leather products are completely avoided and microfiber and faux leather substitutes (though pleather is not entirely free of controversy) are used instead.

Leather products are symptomatic of pollution and animal cruelty. U. S. factory farms are the biggest pollutant of American waterways, and animals are subjected to all types of cruelty (confinement, branding, tail docking, horn removal, hormone and antibiotic injections, repeated breeding).

Fact: To process ONE TON of leather, 15,000 gallons of water are needed. Also, the process produces more than ONE TON of solid waste.

Plywood
Plywood is an extremely efficient material. When using plywood, it takes just a half a tree to make the same number of desks that 4 ½ trees would make if using solid wood. Plywood yields 8-10 times more usable wood from a log versus solid lumber. Plywood furniture lasts longer than solid wood furniture.

Unlike solid wood furniture making, the process involved in making plywood is highly efficient. The log peeling process resembles that of a roll of paper towels coming off a roll. The waste is extremely minimal. For more details on plywood making, see Legare Furniture.com[7].

History of Modern Furniture – and Vinyl
From the beginning of its inception, modern office furniture was all about form and function. Circle, squares, and rectangles were tossed aside to make room for newer shapes: kidneys, ellipses, oblongs, flares, and S’s. Furniture was laid out in a way where it could serve more than one purpose. Darker colors were replaced by monochromes like gray and black. And bright colors were added for contrast: tangerine, turquoise, chartreuse, and ruby red. And to top it off, these new modular-sized pieces of furniture were made of new materials: clear acrylic, blonde plywood, or shiny chrome.

But where did all this come from? A combination of influences impacted the modernist design. A few of these influences were technology and the creative surge taking place amongst the artists and designers in the Art Nouveayu movement.

Modern furniture became popular shortly after World War II. American technology had advanced quickly during the war, particularly on the use of plastics. Vinyl-coated wire replaced rubber-insulated wire and was widely used aboard U.S. military ships. Plastics also became a large part of the aircraft production effort. When the war was over, vinyl manufacturers were going full throttle and quickly found new markets for their wartime inventions, one of which was the American home.

Bathroom showers: Modern bathroom furniture includes Steam shower enclosures with features since as inline water heaters to prevent you from wasting water while you wait for it to heat up. Dual flush toilets save water with every flush. According to Wasauna, a family of 4 can save up to 10,000 gallons of water per year.

Vinyl
Vinyl is a controversial material. Just because vinyl furnishings leave forests intact, vinyl is not necessarily an eco-friendly product. However, some rave that because vinyl is cost-effective and reusable (for example, some companies turn worn-out floor coverings into products like outdoor parking bumpers and industrial flooring), among many other benefits, that vinyl is a desirable product.[8] Proponents also point out that vinyl products last decades longer than anything else, but that is one of the problems – it never goes away and neither do the toxins.

Modern Excercise Equipment: Vibration Machines

Whole Body Vibration Platform

Environmental organizations like Mindfully.org caution against the use of plastics. Although vinyl is maintenance free – never needs painting, weatherproofing, or winter storage – and is lighter in weight than other alternatives, it does have a downside. Plastic is never truly recycled, and it is toxic and unhealthy for all living things. Plastics are made from polymers (which are made from various chemicals that are bound together through tremendous amounts of heat and pressure) and additives. The additives are toxic and don’t fully integrate into the plastic but instead reside between the molecules of plastic.

Paul Goettlich, in his website Mindfully.org, speaks out about the health and socioeconomic effects of technology and plastics, among other things. Goettlich is concerned about the lack of research being done on chemicals, such as those used in vinyl. “By purposefully avoiding meaningful studies, including those done at persistent extremely low levels of detection, the industry keeps us all in the dark. We are indeed living in the dark ages of science. The regulations and regulatory agencies are even worse.”[9] For a wide range of articles about plastics, go to Goettlich’s website.[10]

Where’s this green path going?
So where’s this green path headed. Hopefully through the rest of the country. With obvious footprints in the west and northwest, it’s only a matter of time before those footprints make a wellworn path east. Bedroom furniture and Danish modern furniture are helping lead the way.

The green furniture trend is growing. People are more conscious about the environment today. They want to know what materials are used in their furniture – and where those materials come from. And as the demand grows, green materials become more widely available. Materials that are available today weren’t available 10 years ago. While higher prices may have kept some furniture shoppers away in the past, that is all changing. Green furniture is more affordable – and attractive – than it ever was.

For a list of eco-friendly furniture companies, see Eco Mall.com[11] and fscus.org[12] - and keep surfing the web, as new ones arrive all the time.

Keep an eye out for future articles on this site about modern living room furniture, green bathroom remodeling, steam showers, and walk-in bathtubs.

Modern Bedroom Furniture

2008-05-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

Modern Bedroom Furniture

If you stop and consider that most of us spend about 8 hours a day/night in our bedrooms then you will understand how important it is to have a bedroom set that is not just functional but also pleasing to look at.
Today, modern bedroom furniture offers us a wide variety of styles to choose from and we often can find ourselves wondering just what look we’re trying to create in our bedrooms. Since the bedroom is supposed to be a place where we rest and relax and prepare our bodies for another hard day, the furniture we choose for our bedrooms must be comfortable as well.

Beds/Styles
Air Beds

You may find yourself wondering why anyone would buy an air bed versus a standard mattress. In fact, they can be easily adjusted to conform to the firmness you desire, they’re lighter weight, they’re typically of high quality (as many are designed for outdoor use) and they are very comfortable as they conform to your body and typically reduce the pressure point pain that many suffer in the morning.
A good air mattress may also come with a foam topper (though other toppers are available) and they’re often a great solution to have on hand in the event that a sudden guest arrives or if you’re living in a really small apartment. Most air beds come in the same standard sizes as a regular mattress and some even offer individual ‘zone’s’ that can be adjusted for two people. Air mattresses never have to be turned; they’re lightweight and easy to move as well!

Bunk beds are one of the most user friendly pieces of furniture for those who have a little bit of room that they need to fit more than one person in! From sleeping two or sleeping three, bunk beds fit into a room that is limited on floor space and are especially great for children. Bunk beds do have to be used safely and this is important whether you’re using the beds for adults and children. Make sure that ladders are sturdy and that they’re safe and meet or exceed weight requirements.

Cabin Beds

Cabin beds are also known as ‘captains beds’ or ‘log cabin’ beds and are best described as a bed that supplies often much needed storage areas underneath the foundation/mattress. Cabin beds got their name because they were designed originally to be used in the captain’s quarters on board ships where space was often limited and storage areas were needed for personal items. Today, captain beds are increasing in popularity for both children and adults bedrooms as a means of providing extra storage space especially in homes with smaller rooms.
Canopy Beds/Poster Beds

Canopy beds are typically metal but may also be made of wood and they have a cloth canopy overhead. Canopy beds may come in a variety of sizes and styles and the canopy may also be purchased separately. Canopy beds are created from a standard bed frame with posts that form the canopy and you can even build your own if you are the do it yourself type. Today canopy beds are typically considered to be luxury items in years past they were designed for durability and practicality to help keep bugs out of the beds and also to provide privacy in rooms where many people might be sleeping. Canopy beds are almost all king or queen sized though they can be purchased as twins or full sized as well.
Futon Beds
Originally a Japanese mainstay, futons have become more and more popular in our culture. Western style futons have little in common with their Japanese counterparts which were originally designed to help with limited space. Futons offer an added benefit as many of them double up as seating space after being used for sleeping space thanks to their forgiving mattress (which is typically more like a pad than a mattress). These space saving pieces of modern furniture may be used as a couch during the day and a bed in the evening. Most futons tend to be not particularly comfortable due to the thin material that is often used to fill them however, since they’ve gained in popularity they are more commonly filled with foam or even with the more expensive memory foam. When shopping for a futon make sure you know exactly what you are buying since often the frames come without any type of padding or covers and may have to be purchased separately.

Loft Beds

You may think that given the name that a loft bed is built to be used in a loft. This would be an incorrect assumption. Loft beds are constructed from wood or from metal and are clearly defined as a raised sleeping surface with empty space underneath. They are especially good for rooms that may have a small footprint but have high ceilings and are built so that the space below can be used for storage and some even have storage features built into them. The loft bed is similar to a bunk bed without the lower sleeping surface. Loft beds have far less support underneath them than a bunk bed does and therefore safety becomes critical. Children should be over the age of six before they have a loft bed and one must guarantee that weight specifications are appropriate for anyone sleeping in a loft bed. Commonly these beds are available in twin, queen or full size and are often used in college dorm rooms to utilize the space below them as work space.
Murphy Beds (wall beds)

Built to allow those with small areas to hide their bed away when they were entertaining in limited spaces, the Murphy bed is increasingly popular in city apartments where space is an issue. Two styles of Murphy Beds are available, the style where the whole bed folds down from a wall or the closet style where the doors open and the bed folds out from inside. While today’s Murphy Bed is not much like its original design, today these beds offer high quality design and a rich choice of finishes that allow you to incorporate them into your decor without anyone ever knowing there is a bed contained in the unit.

While these beds are able to be built from kits or plans, you should exercise all safety precautions when constructing one. Some places even offer Murphy Beds for your pet!

Platform Beds
This very minimalist design is often combined with a futon or memory foam mattress. Lighter weight than their counterparts, platform beds consist of no box spring and often are without head boards or foot boards and sometimes are raised to provide some under-bed storage. Platform beds are generally used when the traditional Zen or Japanese theme is desired.
Sleep Number Beds

The ‘newest’ bed on the market this bed is designed with air pockets instead of traditional mattresses with an adjustable setting from very soft to very firm depending on the users requirements. Some sleep number beds also have individual controls for two people who are sharing a bed. Many high quality hotels and resorts are using this type of bed as an additional ‘perk’ for their guests.
Sleigh Beds

Very popular in the United States, these beds originated in Europe. These beds consist of a large headboard with a smaller footboard that are curved and generally roll slightly outwards. These beds often have wooden bars or slats along the side and are almost always wood. The prominent headboards and footboards usually mean they’re best suited for a very large room as they do dominate the entire room due to their size.

Sofa Beds

Still the choice of those who may need to make a spare bed available to a guest with no or short notice, the sofa bed is typically larger than a settee (which seats two), although some designs now come in ‘chair sized’. Designs vary on sofa beds from those that simply slide or those where the backs fold down. Some sofa beds are extremely heavy and often are complicated to operate. Having enough internal space to hold bedding, store pillows and hold the mattress/spring combination often make these beds heavy and unwieldy. The sofa bed today however can even be purchased as a completely inflatable unit! Sofa beds come in a variety of prices, styles and comfort levels. If you know you’re going to need additional space for a guest it is strongly recommended that you go the extra mile and buy the higher quality sofa bed as it will last longer than some of the less expensive models. On the other hand if you’re only going to use this bed very rarely, a less expensive model may be equally appropriate.
Trundle Beds

Another space saver, the trundle bed basically slides under a larger bed and simply slides out for use when you have an overnight guest. Trundle beds are often used in combination with a day bed but it’s important to understand that not all trundle beds will fit under just any bed. Carefully measure fit before purchasing or even better, purchase the set of the bed with attached trundle. Some pop up while others slide out (the underside is hollow). These beds typically do not have boxed spring’s, they simply are platforms with mattresses on top of them. The trundle is typically outfitted with wheels to make it easier to use.
Water Beds

A popular piece of bedroom furniture these beds are available in sizes ranging from super singles to kings. The idea is that the water filled mattress (which acts similar to memory foam) reduces pressure on your body as you sleep. These vinyl mattresses often don’t collect dust or dust mites and may be very helpful to people who suffer allergies. There are a number of accessories for water beds including puncture repair kits, conditioner to prevent the build up of bacteria inside the mattress and heaters. Waterbeds require a very solid frame to support their weight and floor construction must be looked into. Contrary to what some believe, water beds are unlikely to make you feel seasick since they are designed to avoid any type of wave motion even if filled to only seventy five percent of their capacity and while a water bed certainly may be punctured, this isn’t done easily. It is however prudent to keep a repair kit on hand. Waterbeds come in a variety of sizes and even shapes and can provide a very good nights rest.
Beds/Mattresses

Today we have a variety of not just sizes of beds but a variety of frames, styles and colors to choose from. A good quality bed lasts on average eight to ten years (at least the mattress). Most states prohibit the resale of used mattresses due to the health hazards such as dust mites and others. There are safety requirements that must be adhered to when mattresses are constructed and you should inquire about those standards in your area.
Beds come in a variety of sizes and it’s typically recommended that you purchase the largest bed you can afford and that will fit into your bedroom. Sizes are generally standardized if you purchase US mattresses but if you’re purchasing a mattress from the UK you may find that the sizes vary considerably. Some manufacturers often ‘slice’ off a bit of length from a mattress to save costs of production while others may add additional padding making the mattress not only more comfortable but also a little larger.
You’d be wise to measure any mattress before buying sheets for them but here are the ‘standard’ sizes of mattresses:
Type US Size (Length/Width) UK Size (Length/Width)
Twin / Single 75” X 39” 75”X36”
Twin Extra Long 80” X 39”
Full / Double 75” X 54” 75”X54”
Queen 80” X 60”
King 80” X 76” 78”X60”
California King 84” X 72” *Super King* 78”X72”
Typically a twin bed is used for a child’s room or for a guest room. Most adults find that a full (or double) bed is not large enough for both of them to sleep comfortably. The queen sized bed is often the choice of couples although in some cases it may not be large enough to accommodate them comfortably. King Sized beds are a great option for most adults and California Kings which tend to be slightly narrower than a King Sized bed they’re longer and therefore often the choice for taller people.
Mattresses are very expensive. Since mattresses are generally expected to last ten years as a rule however, the cost effectiveness cannot be denied! If you simply can’t afford to purchase a brand new high end mattress immediately you can opt to put a high quality mattress ‘topper’ (or pad) on your bed to get a little extra comfort for a little longer! This certainly won’t work if your mattress is completely gone but if you still have some fair amount of wear left in an already aging mattress this can be a good stop gap between replacing a mattress and saving a few dollars.
Buying Pillows

You’re probably wondering where pillows came from in a discussion about bedroom furniture. Your mattress could be the most comfortable, high quality mattress available but the wrong pillow can ruin what would otherwise be a great night’s sleep! Many of us run to our local discount store and grab a couple of pillows on sale and assume that a pillow is a pillow. Like everything else, pillows come in a variety of sizes and firmness. You’ll know when you need to replace your pillow when you fold it in half and it doesn’t spring back (or springs back very slowly). You could generally consider replacing your pillow at least every couple of years, but if you’ve purchased a low quality pillow you may find you need to replace it a lot sooner.
Pillows come generally as firm or soft and may be filled with a variety of items including natural and synthetic ones. Pillows may be filled with husks and seeds which provide firm support but mold to the sleepers shape (and are less prone to mites), cotton which is perfect for those who suffer allergies, feathers which are less expensive than their down counterparts. Natural fillings tend to last a little longer and are generally higher in quality than synthetic filled pillows. Synthetic fillings include those that are meant to duplicate their higher priced natural filling counterparts. Synthetic fillings tend to be less costly, more suitable for allergy sufferers, are easier to maintain (as they are often washable) and can be incredibly durable if you buy a high quality. Memory foam synthetic pillow filling is gaining in popularity as it can offer not only support but a great deal of comfort.
Dressers

With space always at a premium you may opt to select dressers that will actually fit in a closet or in a relatively small space. Often storage chests are options that are perfect for those who simply do not have the room for a full sized dresser and the cost is substantially less than a full sized dresser. Another reason that these pieces can be so versatile is that they can service dual purposes – not only for storing clothing or other items but also used as night tables or even end tables to place a clock or a lamp on to put near your bed. In addition, these chests are often much smaller than a full sized dresser, lightweight for easier moving and they are generally very sturdy and will last a long time!
One of the bonuses offered with storage chests that that they are often made of transparent or translucent drawers which make them even more useful since you no longer need to try to remember what you put in each drawer – therefore in the long run they can save you a lot of time. These are great alternatives for children, first time renters and even more useful for college students since they are portable and easy to move. Storage chests come in a variety of sizes and are made from a variety of materials from sturdy poly-plastics to heavier wooden units.
If you’re more interested in a dresser because you have the space you can often match a dresser (or set of them) to your bed and night tables. Dressers should be well constructed and the drawers should fit into it properly. Whether you opt for a ‘low boy’ or a ‘high boy’ you will want to estimate how much storage space you’re anticipating gaining from the dresser before you purchase it.

Low boy dressers are defined by the fact that they are typically waist high (or slightly higher) and may contain as few as four drawers and as many as twelve (though six and eight are more common). These units allow for a lot of storage if the drawers are deep enough and often the drawers are longer than they are wide allowing for more separation of various types of clothing. Low boys are typically available in colors and finishes that will match both your bed frame and night tables.

The high boy dresser is the one that is most commonly seen in smaller rooms as they have a smaller footprint and take up less floor space but will provide the same (and in some cases more) amount of storage as a low boy with more dressers. These dressers are typically chest high and often contain an odd number of drawers, ranging from 3 to 9 (though 5 or 7 are most common). These complimentary pieces are perfect if you’re decorating a room that has two windows close together, often the tall boy will fit nicely between them.

An armoire is a very versatile piece of furniture that offers many of the same benefits of a closet while adding the storage space of a dresser. These are perfect pieces for those homes who may have limited closet space and not a lot of extra floor space to accommodate multiple dressers. Armoires can be very plain, blending in with a room or they may be very decorative pieces that are elaborate in design (but often do not have as much storage space as their plainer counterparts.

Armoires are suitable for any bedroom and they may occasionally be found in a common living area and used for basic storage. Most bedroom sets have an optional armoire that will complement the overall look of the complete set and many manufacturers offer armoires specially designed for children’s rooms as well.

Nightstands almost always round out the modern bedroom and offer a variety of styles from very plain tables to night tables with drawers. Depending on your storage needs you may want to consider the tables with drawers. While most night stands will have only one drawer, many manufacturers offer them with upwards of 3 drawers and that can be an extra source of storage when rounding out your bedroom.
Bedding and Linens

Selecting new sheets and comforters or bedspreads can add entirely new life to your bedroom. Because of the variety of sheets that are available you are strongly encouraged to measure your mattress before you go shopping for them! Don’t forget when you are out searching for bed linens that you are going to be sleeping on these sheets and they’ll be touching your skins for hours on end. You’ll want a fabric that helps keep moisture away from your skin, dries quickly and feels good. Sheets are available in a variety of fabrics including polyester blends (which tend to wrinkle less, be warm and unfortunately tend to pill), linen, cotton or even a blend of linen and cotton. The best sheets get softer and more comfortable as you wash them! There is nothing quite like Egyptian cotton sheets which can feel very soft and silky after multiple washings. Check labels carefully for fabric content, too often, labels are misleading. You want to make sure that when you wash these bed sheets they do not pill. When you buy sheets that have a high thread count, avoid using harsh detergents, use fabric softener if you have hard water and wash them in the gentle cycle (unless you’re a heavy sweater then they may need a heaver washing). Avoid drying sheets at a high temperature and if at all possible, remove them from the dry while they are just a little bit damp which will help you avoid wrinkles and allow them to dry themselves (better yet, hang them outside). All bedding should be washed once a week. Bed sheets come in a variety of colors and you can select from solids or prints and refresh the look of your room by simply changing them!

Another popular fabric for bed sheets is silk. Silk sheets and pillow cases offer not only a luxurious feel but silk is also hypoallergenic meaning that they can be perfect for those who suffer severe allergies. Silk also holds heat very effectively and therefore you can use a lighter weight blanket even on the coldest of nights. The biggest downside to real silk bed linens is that they are very costly but if you can afford them they are more than worth the price. Silk is readily available in a variety of solid colors (prints are less common and typically more expensive).

Blankets come in a wide variety of fabrics including cotton blends, fleece and wool or you can select an electric blanket. Cotton and cotton blend blankets are not only comfortable but typically they are comfortable and durable. Fleece blankets are easy to care for, they don’t pill up like some blend blankets and are very popular for use with babies and children because they are very soft, warm and extremely durable. Wool blankets are a perfect solution to cold climates since they offer superior warmth. Electric blankets are perfect for colder climates as well since temperature can be adjusted to suit individual needs and many offer dual controls, are light weight and some are even available as wireless blankets. All blankets are available in a variety of solid and prints designed to suit any decor!
Comforters can be the highlight of any bedroom. Available in beautiful colors and prints and many are even reversible giving you two totally different looks. You can make a huge difference in the way your room looks by simply adding a new comforter and matching pillow shams. A variety of fabrics from rich silks and durable cottons to the newer micro-fiber comforters which are gaining in popularity due to their incredible softness and durability make a comforter a great addition to any modern bedroom.

Whether a comforter matches your sheets, your carpeting or your curtains they also are designed to provide additional comfort and warmth on cold nights and come in a variety of fillings from natural down to polyester blend fillings. Be sure to read care instructions carefully when purchasing your comforter as you can easily ruin a beautiful comforter by not cleaning it properly.
Remodeling or designing the perfect modern bedroom takes careful planning but should also be a fun and rewarding experience. Experiment by designing your perfect bedroom online and shopping online for complimentary bedroom furniture to suit your needs.

Modern Office Furniture

2008-04-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

What is the impression of your employees, business associates and customers when they walk into your office? More and more companies are downsizing and failing to see how the addition of modern office furniture can upgrade their appearance to those who are visiting!

Today with more and more people working from home, offices are becoming dinosaurs and unfortunately all too often the furniture in them is reflective of the ‘old school’ mentality of doing business. It’s time to consider your office furniture seriously and see if it properly reflects your business style, is appealing to customers and business associates as well.

What is the difference between ‘modern’ and ‘old fashioned’ furniture?

Today the primary difference in furniture is that ‘smaller is better’. More compact work spaces, corner desks, enough space to hold critical technology all makes for a modern work area. Your office staff needs to have sufficient workspace to work, however the old large solid oak desks that our fathers and grandfathers loved are no longer practical, they appear ‘old’ and we can update to more modern furniture very easily as costs have come down considerably for furniture, especially since fewer large offices exist.

Spending Wisely

The first thing to be aware of when you are considering modernizing your office is your budget. Since your ‘front office’ is the first place that your employees will see (creating their mindset for the day) and your customer see (creating their mindset for your meeting) you’ll want your front office entrance to be as modern as possible. In today’s growing technology markets, our customers don’t necessarily look for that ‘old school’ look that has been popular for so long. Massive desks today are more a sign of waste than they are a sign of ‘established successes’.

For those who work in a large office setting, normally the reception area will have the most impressive of desks and the other offices (or cubes) will have more utilitarian desks (though the old putty colored metal desks are seldom seen today). Inside sales persons desks may also be a little more elaborate than those in telephone sales person’s offices as well, as they will meet with customers more frequently in their offices.

There is no need for spending exorbitant amounts of money for a smart looking desk. Today, there are hundreds of options for modern looking furniture that is sensible, smart looking and offers all of the features that you need.

Modern looks in furniture

Sleek lines in desks, ergonomically designed chairs and sleek bookcases are the style of the day! You no longer have to have the ugly green and putty colored filing cabinets in the corner to show people the success of your office! Let’s face it, in today’s competitive market place, your workplace and communication systems distinguish you from your competitors!

Since the desk is the focal point of your office, it sets the style for the entire office! This desk should reflect the style of the work that is being done! If you’re making a lot of telephone calls and simply typing on a computer all day long then you probably would prefer a smaller desk, but if you’re really working on your desk day in and day out then a larger desk is probably in order! Your desk should be elegant, comfortable and functional all in one! You want to establish a ‘friendly’ workplace that is comfortable and functional and your desk is going to be the centerpiece of your office workspace. For those who are ecologically minded you have thousands of newer options that are made from sustainable forests and the benefits are tremendous (a) natural wood has a natural aroma and (b) you won’t get toxic compounds in the air you’re breathing!

Do you need filing space at your desk? Selecting a desk that offers filing options today is so easy, many have both letter and legal sized capabilities! Since space is always a challenge, you can do more ‘space planning’ by selecting corner desks, corner curios which will hold your computers, printers and paper. Your office furniture should maximize the ‘open’ space in your office setting – this gives the impression of a much larger area of work! An open work area makes your employees more comfortable with their work, your clients more comfortable when meeting with you and provides and overall ‘friendlier’ feel when you have someone walk through the door!

Maximizing Space

Maximizing open space in your office is sometimes the key to making it appear that it’s larger than it is. Coordinated pieces of furniture as shown here can give the impression of much more space than is really there. This type of a set up with desk, credenza, storage cabinets above the credenza and a matching filing cabinet offer all types of possibilities when you’re setting up your office to maximize the open space. This type of a set up reflects clean lines, a streamlined approach to storage and allows you to rearrange the furniture in a way that is best suited to the space that is available to you. The contrasting of the brown/black allows for endless possibilities for brightening up the work area with art work, carpet and window treatments.

Making the most of limited space and having easy access to filing, storage and other areas for spreading work out can be a major challenge. For those who prefer slightly smaller desk, this type of a set up allows you to have the smaller desk (maximizing your open space) and still allows for additional storage components to be within easy reach of the desk user. This can allow for easy access to necessary files when working on a telephone and still allows a suitable meeting location for meeting with clients.

Home Office Desks

With more and more people working from their homes today, there is an entirely new market that has been created by people who now want an office in their home. Desks for a home environment are typically much different than those that might be found in a local office building. For instance veneers might be used more commonly in a home setting, generally corner desks that include filing space and storage space play a role in selecting a home office desk are the best option for at home workers as they take up less space and provide the user with more working space.

Our home office desks tend to be less ‘formal’ in terms of looking like furniture as they’re often kept in a separate room and are not necessarily a centerpiece of a room that is used all of the time. This results in a different ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of home office furniture versus the type of desk that might be suitable for a professional office environment.

For those who are space aware and don’t want their office furniture to be an eyesore in their home, coordinating furniture like this cab be used very effectively. The open working area, hidden storage space and filing space is very convenient when working in a smaller area and allows the user to access everything easily from a comfortable chair.

Credenza Desks

Credenza desks are basically secondary desks that allow for additional work pieces. Often they have hutches attached to them for storage purposes and allow users to keep their ‘main’ work space cleared. Credenza styles are often used in executive offices where there is a requirement for several meetings a day allowing the user to keep their main desk cleared of clutter to allow for meeting with clients or business associates throughout the day.

Armoire Desks

Generally these types of desk have a writing table within a large cabinet that allows the doors to be closed to keep out dirt and grime as well as providing a cleaner appearance than a desk (as you can hide the cluttered work area!) – many times you’ll find these types of desks in homes or in smaller offices. Work surfaces are generally adjustable to provide ergonomically correct work surfaces. Some armoire desks are direct descendants of the antique roll-top desks since they provide the same way to hide and store current work.

Ergonomic Chairs

Today we’re becoming more and more aware of the damage we are doing to our backs when we spend our entire day sitting in our chair. This is the one part of any office you want to splurge on if necessary. Nothing will help more with back pain and discomfort than a comfortable chair that fits the user. Chairs are not always one size fits all; different users need a different chair in most cases. It was once generally accepted that a chair was a chair, but today, those who are very tall need chairs to accommodate their frames and those who are short need chairs that don’t put additional pressure on the backs of their knees while they’re working.

Whether you’re interested in a leather executive chair, a simple task chair or an ergonomically designed chair, your choices are extremely varied. Today’s office chairs come in a variety of models, colors and fabrics and are best selected with the user in mind as well as the amount of wear and tear they are going to take. If you are going to be in your chair only an hour or two a day, you may not need to take the same things into consideration that someone who is going to be in their chair for eight to ten hours (or more a day).

Ergonomically designed chairs are made for those who spend many hours a day seated at their desks. With specially designed backs, seats and arm rests these chairs are meant for long term sitting to minimize back pain, leg pain and even swelling in the feet. Some people prefer chairs without arms while others prefer chairs with arms.

When selecting an office chair for ergonomics you should look at some specific types of features on them. First off the seat height should be easily adjustable and should have at least a five inch range, you want the person using the chair to be able to easily put their feet flat on the floor and still allow their arms to be at an even height with the desktop. Seats need to be wide enough and deep enough to allow users to be seated comfortably. Most chairs are generally between seventeen and twenty inches wide. In a best case there will be two to four inches from the back of the knees to the chair allowing the user to sit comfortably without pressure on the back of the knees.

Ergonomic chairs should allow for lower back support to avoid strain on the lower spine. Look for chairs with a good lumbar adjustment (height and depth) which will allow the chair to be shared with multiple users if necessary. Backrests should be between 12 and 19 inches wide and allow for natural support of the curve of the spine with proper support of the lumbar region of the back. Backrests that are adjustable forward and backward are preferable; making sure that there is a secure lock to prevent it from going too far back. Because the amount of time sitting in an office chair is so varied, it’s best to pick out a well cushioned seat that has breathable fabric versus a hard surface. For those who prefer armrests they should always be adjustable to the user and swivel chairs allow for easy reach and less strain to reach different areas of the desk.

Kneeling Chairs

While you’re not actually kneeling in these chairs they are designed to shift your body weight forward and supported by your shins. This particular type of chair is designed to reduce strain on the lower back as well as encourage good posture because your hips are slightly forward and your weight is distributed more evenly between your pelvis and your knees reducing stress and tension not only in your back but also in your leg muscles. If considering this type of chair be sure to purchase one that allows for some lumbar support and have adjustments for height and angle.

Summary

When searching for your office furniture, it’s important to know up front what look you’re striving for. There are many pieces of modern office furniture that will help you set up your office and establish exactly the look you are searching for.

Modern Office Furniture

2008-03-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Perception is reality. That is the first real of business, and a sometimes unfortunate but ultimately true fact of life. Modern office furniture can add an aura of professionalism, give clients the sense that you have a certain "edge", and even increase working productivity if the furniture is ergonomically friendly.

If your furniture is eco-friendly office furniture, your customers, clients, and employees will believe that you care, and study after studies have shown businesses that are perceived to care have more efficient employees and make more profit per sale. It is a proven fact that the perception of caring is good for business.

So how do you identify the kind of modern office furniture that is good for business? For starters, most modern furniture tends to be an improvement on old furniture. Have you ever walked into an old government building with stale furniture and yellow walls? You get an incredibly sense of depression and lack of productivity. If they threw in some cheap new furniture and painted the walls white, there is a good chance that everyone would end up working harder. The Tipping Point addresses similar issues.