10 things to remember when walking into the store

10 things to remember when walking into the store:

1) You will be greeted by 2 or 3 or more salespeople, all competing for YOU! There's nothing that a salesperson loves to hear more than hearing that you just built a house and are needing to furnish the entire thing. I always refused to sell furniture to someone who wasn't needing their furniture until 8 weeks out or more. The reason is that they can't measure properly. The furniture may not still be in stock. Most stores will not hold your furniture for you because of warehouse space. Also, you need to have the furniture delivered and if you didn't close on time, or something was delayed, then it's tough to reschedule your delivery.

2) There is always a sale. Don't let them tell you that this is "only for today" and that it's the best deal of the century. A lot of furniture is purchased in close-outs and in huge lots. The "at cost" price is extremely low. They aren't loosing money by giving you a discount.

3) Do your homework before you go anywhere. The Internet has a plethora of information. Write down your questions and know what you are willing to spend. There usually is a no return policy once it's in your home, unless of course there is damage or manufacturer defect.

4) Salepeople have some give to them. Meaning, they can take up to 25% off some items. It all depends on how they like you as a customer whether or not they'll give it to you.

5) If you don't like their answer, go back another day and don't ask for them. Get a new salesperson and see what price they give. 9 times out of 10 you'll get a different price. Ask for free delivery. This is a huge selling point for most customers. People don't want to pay for delivery. Occasionally you can get it for free, if it's a deal breaker. When your furniture is delivered, regardless of how much you paid for it, make sure to thoroughly inspect it BEFORE the delivery people leave. If anything is not up to par, you have the right to refuse it and send it back. That's not to say that you can't do anything about it after the fact. It's much more difficult to prove if you notice it after the fact. You must remember to measure, measure and measure some more before you purchase ANY large piece of furniture. Does it have to go up stairs, a narrow hallway or is it going in your breakfast nook and you need a certain amount of space to pull the chairs out?

6) Know your style, what you like. Don't let anyone bully you into buying something you don't want. You will resent it everytime you look at the sea glass green leather sofa that was all the rave 6 months ago, now it's out of style. If you want solid wood, you will have a hard time finding it. Most furniture is veneer, which isn't a bad thing. Definitely know your leather. There are several types and levels of quality. People either hate leather or love it. Usually the men love it and the women hate it because it's cold. If you have children or pets, make sure you get the protection the store offers. Ask a ton of questions about what the protection plan covers. It might seem ridiculous to pay $79 furniture protection for 5 years on a sofa, but it's much cheaper than buying a new couch because your cat pee'd on the cushion and the smell will never come out. Unless you plan on just looking at the furniture and not using it, then don't get the protection. Otherwise something WILL happen to it, it's guaranteed! Most protection plans are set up to where they will fix something and if they can't fix it, they'll replace it. That's a great deal if you go 4 1/2 years and a candle sets your couch on fire, you get a brand new sofa. Scotchgard is not the latest and greatest out there folks. If you haven't heard, they were taken off the market for a couple of years because of cancer causing agents. Then they are so bold to come back and under the same name! Plus, Scotchgard needs to be reapplied after time. Which means that if you apply a second layer, you are embedding the dirt that has accumulated on your furniture. Make sure that the store will pretreat your sofa, recliner or any other material before you receive it in your home.

7) Realize that most furniture is made in China. Shocker, I know. Even reputable furniture companies that have been around for decades outsource their product to factories in China. If American made is important to you, do your homework before you leave your house. Most salespeople don't know a lot about the furniture they are selling because there are hundred's of manufacturers represented on the sales floor and they are constantly changing.

8) Just because it has Martha Stewart's name on it doesn't mean it's better than the other furniture, only more expensive. Think about it. You are buying the name, not the product. Manufacturers put famous names on their plain furniture because they know it will sell. Ever seen Vera Wang's name or Laura Ashley on a mattress? What difference does it make what the mattress looks like when it's going to be covered up. How much do you think those ladies know about mattresses???

9) No interest, no payments 'til 2012! Okay, but what happens after that? If you don't make the minimum payments each month there is a balloon at the end with an interest rate of 20% +. If you have excellent credit and want to build on that because you know that you will be able to make the payments, then by all means, go for that offer. ***This is very important! Don't make double payments one month and think it's okay to skip the next month because you paid more the previous month. You HAVE to make the minimum or else it will cost you. Also, they run your credit report. Know what shape your credit is in beforehand and realize that any time your credit is checked it affects your score. Also, there is a $20 or more fee for financing. Salespeople WILL NOT tell you this. You won't find out until you receive your first statement in about a month. If you think you might struggle making the monthly payment, then don't do it. Do you really want to pay $1,200 for a couch that was originally $799? By the time you pay it off, it'll be time to replace it. It you are a young couple starting out you might not have any established credit, that might be tough getting financing, but it's possible. If you want to buy cheaper furniture just to get you through the next 2 years, then that's great. When I was in my 20's I bought cheap furniture. Now that I am in my 30's I spend more money on quality furniture that will last me for a long time. Know your priorities.

10) Don't make a purchase the first time. Don't let it be an emotional purchase. Think about it and sleep on it for at least 2 days. If you still want to buy it after that, then go ahead. Now the deal might not be around 2 days later. Ask your salesperson how much is in stock. If there are plenty, then you should be safe. If it's gone, then it wasn't meant to be, there are plenty of other options.

Remember, it never hurts to ask. If you think you might be able to get something, ask in a manner that is pleasant and you'll be astonished at what you can walk away with. If you don't like the answer you get from your salesperson because you know that your neighbor got the same thing for much less, ask to speak to the manager. Don't let your salesperson go ask, because guess what - they won't. They will only tell you that they did.

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Have you ever stood back and looked at your living room or front room and wondered what piece of furniture was missing to make the room complete?

Have you ever stood back and looked at your living room or front room and wondered what piece of furniture was missing to make the room complete? If so the answer maybe easier than you thought; To add a touch of class, convenience and style to your home why not add a contemporary coffee table to a living room. These items are not too expensive but their elegance belies the price.

Whether you live in a house, apartment, loft or condo beautiful line in innovative chairs and innovative sofas will fill your living with a touch of elegance. If you have a room where space is at a minimum and you would like to help organize your clutter, you could possibly opt for a coffee table with space saving drawers and shelves, these are ideal for storing magazines, newspapers and other bits and pieces of household clutter. A contemporary brown coffee or side table, whether it be square or round, is a wonderful way to put your mark your on a room. When you match your coffee table up with a mirror in the room you can create two matching focal points at separate parts of the room, this is a wonderful look to achieve and will add nicely to your home.

If you have a bit more money to spend on a coffee table maybe you could look at getting one hand made by a master craftsman? The benefit of a specially commissioned piece of furniture is the uniqueness that you can achieve. You can choose the wood, anything from mahogany, teak or oak as well as creating any design that you would like the craftsman to carry out for you. This sort of table doesn't come cheap but you can guarantee to get a piece of contemporary furniture that will last many more years than a piece of furniture purchased "off the shelf". You can even add together different combinations of material to make you personalized contemporary coffee table, such as bamboo and stainless steel, two materials very rarely put together but when they are pieced together correctly the results can be strikingly good, as well as giving house guests something to stand and admire.

If you are going to have a custom piece of contemporary coffee table manufactured to your specification the least you would want is that people stopped by to admire it.

Sometimes a piece of home furniture as simple as a coffee table can make a bolder statement than a larger piece of furniture, people do not expect the smaller pieces of furniture in the home to have striking features that jump out at you, a bookshelf or a grandfather clock will always gain appreciation from people yet a coffee table is taken for granted. If you can get the design and choice of table right then you really will achieve that "wow" factor that so often we crave in out interior design.

If you have not got the money to spend on an expensive specially designed coffee table a good way to get a lovely table is to look at buy the table in a set of maybe three or four. If you find the table within the set that you really adore then there is nothing to say in the rule books that you have to keep the other tables, maybe you could even sell them on as individual pieces and recoup some of the money spent.

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Buffet Furniture

You may have recently decided to upgrade your outdated dining room with new buffet furniture, and you've heard that you will probably get the best deal if you shop online. The new trend in shopping for buffet tables has gone virtual, with many retailers taking their goods to sell online. As convenient as it is to shop online at home and save yourself time and money, it can also be a little scary. We all hear about identity theft and horror stories of friends or coworkers who ordered something online and never received their item or it was not as promised. So how can you protect yourself from the security threats and disreputable businesses on the Internet? Just use your common sense as you would out there at a traditional store and thoroughly research who you are doing business with online.


Check the Online Credibility. When you are looking at potential stores you might like to purchase buffet tables from, look at their privacy policies, terms, and security. Do these stores have secure sites to protect your private information once it's online? This means that they have a SSL, or security certificate which protects your credit card and personally identifying information. What is their privacy policy? Do they share your information with third parties? What are their terms and conditions? Look at their refund/exchange policy as well to give yourself peace of mind should you not be satisfied with your buffet furniture when you receive it. Keep in mind that reputable online merchants will have their customer satisfaction policies posted somewhere easy to find on their websites.


Shop Around at Least 3 Webstores. Shop, shop, shop around! Yes, we heard it from our parents and grandparents, and this advice is still a great idea no matter where you're browsing around. With so many online furniture stores, it may take a little research time on your part to find the best deal and the most reputable business. Take your time and browse around for the buffet styles you'd really like to see in your dining room or living room, and see which buffet furniture webstores carry those styles. The price should be fairly consistent from store to store, but if one is significantly higher than you know you can cross that one off your list. Beware if one lists their products for a substantially lower price, because if it looks too good to be true it probably is. That may be a shady retailer, and you don't want to do business there. After browsing around enough credible online stores, you will have an idea of the average prices for the buffet tables you like, so now keep your eyes peeled for the discounts or other deals. Don't forget that incentives like "free shipping" can save you a couple hundred dollars in delivery charges.


Don't be afraid of jumping on the "save money, buy online" bandwagon. Just make sure to do business with reputable online merchants who are looking out for your purchasing satisfaction and security. To protect yourself, check the online credentials of the Webstore you like, making sure that your private information is handled professionally and carefully, and that they have a satisfactory refund/exchange policy should you not be happy with your buffet furniture when it arrives. Secondly, shop around and do your research to find the best prices or deals on buffet tables with the online store which utilizes business practices with customer satisfaction as a top priority. If you do your research, you can save yourself hassle and money by shopping online.

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Designer bathroom furniture is available in different shapes, styles and finishes

Designer bathroom furniture is available in different shapes, styles and finishes. Furniture you are planning to buy for your bathroom should be high quality but not so expensive. Nowadays people are spending money on bathroom furniture and accessories not only for enhancing beauty of their bathroom but also to increase it`s functionality. Modern furniture gives uniqueness to your washroom.

You can start with most common bathroom furniture like sinks, cabinets, tub and basins. Always try to buy bathroom furniture from tried and tested sources. You can find a big variety of accessories on online stores. Many online stores offer handsome discounts on bulk orders. It is a good idea to opt for a wholesale store as they offer cheap and long lasting accessories.

Modern bathroom fixtures are made up of wood, porcelain, glass or even stone and concrete. By selecting right furniture you can completely change the look of your washroom. Washroom furniture provides lot of space for different items. Designer bathroom reflect lavishing lifestyle of family. Never compromise with the quality of the furniture.

Always go through the warranty of the product you are buying. Many companies offer life time warranty. Before buying anything you should decide the theme of your bathroom. It is a good idea to consult your friend and relatives before planning your bathroom. Every one wants to have a beautiful luxurious bathroom but it needs lot of commitment and hard work. Nowadays customized furniture is also available in the market which can be adjusted according to your needs.

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In the 1800's, William Morris was an influential English writer, a socialist reformer, an artist, a printer, and designer

In the 1800's, William Morris was an influential English writer, a socialist reformer, an artist, a printer, and designer. Morris hoped to revive tapestry weaving as a fine art, along with the hand printing of books, furniture-making and other crafts. In 1861, he founded Morris & Co., which was made up of decorators, architects, and artists. This group created the first reclining chair for Morris, and named it the Morris chair, an item that has remained popular to this day.

He was born in Walthamstow, Essex on March 24, 1834. After graduating from Exeter College in Oxford, Morris originally intended to take religious orders, but after readings criticisms by socialists Thomas Carlyle, Charles Kingsley and John Ruskin, he reconsidered joining the Church and instead devoted his life to art.

In the 1860's, Morris decided to focus on the decorative arts. His designing career began when he decorated the Red House in Bexleyheath, which was built for him by architect, Phillip Web. This successful venture led to the formation of the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (later renamed Morris & Co.), where they created furniture, carvings, fabric, tapestries, stained glass, and wallpaper. This company was best known for its stained glass which can be found in churches throughout Britain. The first Morris Chair was not designed by William Morris, but was created by Morris & Co. around 1866. It featured ebonized oak with cushioned armrests and spindles that looked more like strings of beads.

The design of a Morris Chair features a seat with a reclining back and high armrests, which give the chair an authentic look. Many modifications have been made to the original design since it's introduction until this day. While the first design looked to have more of a Victorian influence, it is best known as part of the Arts & Crafts style. This is due to the revisions made by Gustav Stickley who later updated and further popularized the design. Modern manufacturers made further modifications eventually leading up to modern recliners, like those sold by LazyBoy.

William Morris entered national politics in 1876. His first position was as a treasurer of the Eastern Question Association and then also held the same position under the National Liberal League and the Radical Union. After becoming disillusioned with the Liberals, Morris joined the Socialist Democratic Federation. However, after disagreeing with the leader, H.M. Hyndman, he formed the Socialist League and later the Hammersmith Socialist Society. He became a very active propagandist for the socialist cause, giving hundreds of lectures and speeches throughout the country. After the socialist movement died down, his organization was passed onto a group of anarchists and Morris formally withdrew in 1890.

Morris then went on to produce improved printing and book design when he founded the Kelmscott Press at Hammersmith, London in 1891. From the selection of paper and ink to his overall integration of type and decorations on a page, his traditional methods of printing and craftsmanship also ran in line with the Arts & Crafts movement. His Kelmscott House in Hammersmith was his last home. Morris died there on October 3, 1896.

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Many people love the look of antique furniture

Many people love the look of antique furniture, but find that their budgets can't always sustain the high cost of genuine antiques. When you are looking for specific pieces, such as buffet furniture or sideboards, it can be hard to locate a genuine antique that comes from a period you like at a price you can afford. Not only that, if you are searching for the perfect antique buffet to match your table, even finding antique furniture can be difficult, and they become more rare as time marches on. There is a more economical choice available, that will require less upkeep than a genuine antique piece: Replica buffets.


Maybe you inherited your antique dining table from your great grandparents, or you found the perfect one in an antique shop and brought it home years ago. It's a lovely conversation piece in your home, and you would like to find an antique buffet hutch or buffet table to really set it off. But finding just the right one in an antique store can take years, not to mention it can be very expensive. Or, you may never find one that really pulls your room together, so you go buffet-less. This does not have to be the case though!

The other option is to find a replica buffet hutch or even commission one to be custom made. You may be wondering, "Replica buffets are more affordable and easier to locate, but will it take away from my décor or look tacky?" When making a replica piece, today's buffet furniture makers use craftsmanship techniques from times of old, so they don't look like cheesy knock-offs. If you find a retailer who has the highest standards for replica furniture, your new "antique buffet" will match your table beautifully.

Antique replicas may not have the history of an actual antique piece of furniture, but because they are crafted in the same way, they can match your genuine antique pieces seamlessly. And there are perks to getting a newer buffet or sideboard, as opposed to the genuine article. A replica buffet will be in much better condition and will not require as much upkeep and repair as a true antique. So a recently created antique hutch or buffet table offers the benefit of that old world style, without the downsides of antique upkeep.

If you are one of the many who love the look of antiques, but your bank account can't always meet that genuine antique price, don't feel as though you have to settle for furniture that isn't your taste. When you want to complete your dining room with a great buffet hutch or buffet cabinet to complement your antique décor, you can find great replica buffets. These replica antique buffets have been crafted with the same techniques as genuine antique pieces, and they are not only a much more economical option, but they don't require nearly as much maintenance.

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Women like to give extra attention to their house furniture

Our lifestyle is always changing as we constantly try to be with the trend. We always look for fashionable clothes, bags, jewelry, etc., but do not care about our home furnishings. If we make a constant effort to stay updated with the fashion, our homes should not be ignored. Home furnishing also requires being stylish and well-designed. Women like to give extra attention to their house furniture. They always want that their homes should be equipped with latest furniture.

Home is the only place where you can relax, stay together and share your joy. Home is where we want to relax after the hectic schedules. Wherever we go, at the end of the day, we want to go back to our homes. This is why we love to keep our homes cozy, vibrant, beautiful and comfortable. The ways we decorate our home speak about our personal style and choice. So if you want to make your home impressive and good looking, you need to furnish it with attractive furniture set. An exclusive furniture set can enhance the beauty of your home. Get the perfect style and comfort by opting for the right furniture.

Have you ever wondered in which room of your house you spend your most of the time? You spend one third of your life in bed. So, a comfortable bedroom is what you always look forward to. These rooms are place where you can relax for the entire day. So they have to be comfortable and luxurious. A room full of colours and texture will appear more lively and colourful.

Whenever you enter into your bedroom, you are disheartened by seeing that old and outdated furniture. So you decide to change your furniture and make your room elegant and sophisticated. You decide to select distinct design furniture that really stands out from others. This can give a distinguished appearance and add some style to your bedroom. There are many options to choose from when it comes to selecting your bedroom furniture. This may include vanity tables, bed frames with drawers, nightstands, etc. You can even opt for wrought iron beds and dressing tables if you are bored of wooden furniture.

Bedroom furniture comes in varied sizes and designs. Select the furniture from a variety of options available in the market. Improve the overall appearance of the room by selecting the right furniture. This inner room furniture includes a cupboard, bed, dressing table, wardrobes and mirrors. You can also add a music player or a television set. Bedroom is your private room which is generally not seen by visitors. The furniture should be relaxing as you relax in that room after your daily routine. The most essential component of bedroom furniture is the bed. They come in various designs and colours. There are modern trends of beds available in different sizes. Wardrobe cases should be spacious and must be able to hold all your clothes. Dressing tables with trendy designs and large mirrors can allow you to dress up easily. They should be spacious enough to store all your make-up accessories.

Whatever you are looking forward to, you would find the best selection online. So you don't have to run from one shop to another. Do some online shopping and compare prices and get yourself the best furniture. If you are looking for a fashionable furniture, look for wood or metal material with simple and sophisticated designs.

You can also opt for a complete Bedroom Furniture Set which can match the bed set and its adjoining furniture. You can find varied ranges of bedroom furniture sets at various price ranges. You can complete the room with stylish curtains which match the overall interiors of the room. This can give your bedroom a complete different look. It can be a bit overwhelming to figure out what you need for your private room. Make your room a comfortable one by selecting the right bedroom furniture.

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Saving money on furniture is all about knowing the right places to buy

Furnishing your home is one of the most expensive processes you can go through, but it doesn't have to be. Buying furniture at a discount will allow you to save money and still have a great looking house. All it takes is a little know how and some willingness to be patient enough to find a good deal.

Saving money on furniture is all about knowing the right places to buy. There are several different types of stores that can give you access to great furniture at a great price. The first place to try is a wholesale furniture distributor. You should be able to find one in your local yellow pages if you live in at least a mid-sized metropolitan area. These types of stores will give you wholesale prices for furniture. You may be purchasing furniture that has minor flaws or imperfections that are unnoticeable but lower the cost. Or you may be getting a good deal on a piece of furniture that is on closeout.

The next place to look is in classified ads (whether in your local paper or online, such as on Craigslist.org). You can also find yard sales in your local area where you can purchase furniture. Many people hold moving sales or clear out their home of old furniture all at once. You may be able to pick up an entire room set for a fraction of the original cost. In this case the furniture will be used, and may need to be cleaned, but the savings on the price may well be worth it. You can always get the furniture cleaned professionally, and you'll still probably end up spending less than you would if you paid for new furniture.

Unfinished furniture is another great route to go if you want to save money. You can buy bookshelves, tables, cabinets, chests of drawers and desks from an unfinished furniture store. Then you are free to stain or paint the pieces in any way you want. If you stain your own dining room set, you'll end up paying a lot less than you would to buy them new.

Even if you go to a furniture store, there are still ways to save money. If you know exactly what you want, then you can watch the ads in the newspaper and watch for a sale. When you are willing to wait a few weeks, you can often get the pieces you need at a deep discount. You can also keep your eyes open for going-out-of-business sales. These retailers will make you great deals on furniture in order to liquidate their inventory.

At furniture stores, also look for discount or closeout pieces. Just like with wholesale distributors, these pieces may have minor cosmetic flaws that you need to fix, or you may not notice them at all.

Finally, you can often get a good discount if you apply for a furniture stores credit card. When you apply and are approved, you'll normally receive 15 to 25 percent off of the purchase price. Before you make this step, make sure you know what the interest rate will be and pay off your balance in a timely manner.

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Antique Furniture

Period History:

Louis XV was the grandson of King Louis XIV and ruled France between 1715 and 1774. He is most commonly known for being one of France's most unpopular kings. During his reign, he managed to upset almost every social group in his country, yet surprisingly, in its own exclusive way, that segregation from his people has led to the Louis XV period antique furniture being some of the most sought after French furniture in the world.

Due to the unbalance of his country, the remaining Louis XV furniture is seen as a great treasure that heralds from a time of grave public unrest in France and symbolises the determination of its people as a whole but, in particular, in its furniture designers to continue to inspire, create and deliver a legacy of beautiful, intricate and detailed furniture which remains to this day a coveted style of design.

For all the things that went wrong with Louis XV's reign as King of France, one thing that is undeniable is the detailed quality of the furniture that rose from this dark time in France's history to reer a head of something quite the opposite, both elegant and flowing, in a time of bleak misery.

What Makes Louis XV Furniture Louis XV Furniture?

There are a number of tell-tale design characteristics that articulate this style of design. It is quite common to hear or see pieces of furniture incorrectly described as Louis XV, when in actual fact, they are Louis XIV. What separates the two is actually quite distinctive, and I'll list them below.

Louis XV Furniture is:

* Designed more curvaciously

* Free flowing forms and shapes

* Not made with straight lines, straight cuts or anything that looks angular

* Intricately carved and seemingly infinitely detailed

* Hand painted

* Shells tend to form the focul points of each design

* Symbolic of romance, sensuality and love

* Light and gracefull

Louis XV Furniture is not:

* Reliant on presence to state its claim, such as Gothic Furniture

* Made with straight cuts

* Big, bulky or angular

* Strong and masculine

* Machine painted

* Machine cut

You will find that Louis XIV furniture is quite the opposite in style to Louis XV, and where I've listed the points above that are not associated with Louis XV, you will tend to find these same characteristics present in Louis XIV furniture, for example, it will be more angular and less graceful, more inline with a masculine strength of style than a graceful, romantic wisp as seen in Louis XV furniture. It is a very common mistake, most probably due to the similarities in name, but it is vital when identifying your antique furniture to get the periods correct as unsurprisingly, it can cause chaos for the buyer at auction!

The next problem I tend to see quite often in my field is misselling replicas as originals.

Identifying Real Louis XV Antique Furniture

Yes, as sad as it is, there will always be those amongst us who feel the need to misrepresent antiques for personal gain by selling copies or replicas. When buying antiques, especially online, make sure to use a respected reseller, such as LJR Windwake & Sons, or a seller who specialises in your desired style, in this case, a Louis XV Antique Furniture Specialist. It is vitally important to be utterly scrupulous when buying antiques online at auction sites or dealers, but fortunately, I have some good tips on how to make sure that the piece of furniture you're buying is the real deal.

1. Ask for Details on How the Cupboard was Made

Make sure you ask the seller to explain to you how the piece was made, making sure to get him to decribe to you the joints in the wood. If they are visible, and keep in mind that the joinery of an 'antique' would not be machine cut but would in actual fact be hand cut, ask him to describe them to you. Chances are that hand cut joints will be rougher and perhaps not as exact as machine cut joints, which should be a good indication of originality and the antique you are buying is actually an 'antique' and not something that was knocked off a production line in ShenZhen, China, 2006.

The best way to find a cut is to remove a draw and have a close look at where the front and back of the drawer are fastened to the sides of the drawer. If a joint was made by hand, it would be dovetailed and have only a few dovetail joints, and they wouldn't be precisely even. If the dovetails are close together and precisely cut, it will have been machine-cut. Handmade dovetails almost always indicate a piece made before 1860.

2. Look for Imperfections such as Nicks and Cuts

Another great way to help identify the validity of an antique or hand-made piece of furniture would be to look closely for nicks and cuts on the back, sides and bottom of the draw. Nicks and cuts usually indicate a hand operated tool was used to plane, shave or cut the wood. Straight cuts, the kind you'd get from a straight saw, are also good signs whereas cuts that look circular in appearance mean that the cut was made with a circular saw, again not in use until after 1860.

3. Exact Symmetry? No way!

This is probably the easiest tell tale sign of machine made furniture compared to hand made. If something looks exactly symmetrical, chances are its been cut by machines, so make sure you request lots of pictures of the piece of furniture you're buying.

4. Ask for a Detailed Description of the Finish

The style of finish is also a great way of identifying the age of a piece of Louis XV. Certain finishes were in use in different periods which is an excellent way to identify the age of your antique furniture. For Louis XV, it should all be hand painted. Hand painting is often identifiable by slight imperfections in brush strokes or edges, although some of the finest Louis XV won't show any signs of human error, because the quality was so high, it is always advisable to ask for pictures of all paintwork, especially so for imperfections as these can actually ADD to the value of your furniture.

5. Make Sure the Seller Explains the type of Wood used in Manufacture

This is often a simple method of gauging an age because generally, as a rule of thumb, anything before 1700 was made from oak, 1700 onwards (our Louis XV era), mahogany and walnut were the choice woods. if its pine, it normally indicates an American furniture piece and is normally indicative of slightly cheaper works. The really valuable, old antique Louis XV treasures will be made from mahogany or walnut.

Conclusion

Always be careful when buying antique furniture but if you are thinking of buying, make sure you arm yourself with as much research as possible prior to attending auction houses. It is also very advisable to go to an auction with a particular object in mind. Visit the open days, make your notes, go home and research what you've seen and then attend the auctions with renewed knowledge about your purchase and always, always try to get as much information out of the seller as possible, whether buying online or at an auction house.

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Teak Furniture

Imagine yourself now having spent hundreds of dollars every summer for new patio furniture that wears out before summer is even over. What would you do if you were told that there is some available that you can purchase and never have to buy garden furniture ever again? Sound too good to be true? Well it isn't, because teak furniture is the perfect and affordable choice when looking for ways to decorate your outdoor spaces. Don't feel bad because you have spent a lot of money on porch sets in the past that have worn out in months, it's happened to us all. Now you can feel wonderful knowing that you don't ever have to purchase useless furniture again because you have discovered teak furniture, which will save you money in the long run.

Let's just say the teak furniture you are interested in is outdoor rocking chairs. Everyone loves a good rocking chair, especially on those cool summer evenings. But what you want as a part of your teak furniture collection is a rocking chair you can claim as your own. Also another option may be the Adirondack chairs as your furniture choice because of its classic appeal. These pieces sports your usual Adirondack design of a slightly curved back and wide arms to rest your arms on after a hard day.

Most other kinds of deck furniture have an inherit weakness of not being able to withstand the rages of Mother Nature, but it does not have to be an issue when buying teak furniture. Your teak furniture can withstand the different types of weather it may encounter, but you can further protect your furniture with covers if you don't want it to be exposed to the weather. Durability is also another concern when it comes to porch furniture, but not so with your teak. Don't be concerned that excessive use is going to be an issue because it won't be since teak is made to last your lifetime and beyond. Just imagine being able to pass your furniture on to your children or even your grandchildren.

Perhaps your outdoor design calls for a nice garden bench, a piece that will definitely spice up the yard. Garden benches have always been a popular choice of teak furniture with multiple designs to fit your taste. So depending on your taste, you may want a wooden bench that is curved or maybe you would like to enjoy the evening breeze on your glider garden bench. Just remember to pick a style that represents you because if you make the choice to pass on your teak furniture to younger generations.

So whether you choose a rocking chair, a garden bench, or a coffee table as your furniture of choice, you should feel satisfied that your purchase will last you a lifetime. The durability and the reliability are unprecedented and the beauty of it will always go unchanged. What more can you ask for when purchasing outdoor furniture? Teak furniture represents true quality, which makes it hard to fathom that you will never have to replace your patio furniture ever again. Chances are you will love your furniture so much that you will want to add pieces in the future and if you choose to pass down your teak furniture as heirlooms, there will be a little something for everyone to enjoy just as you have. Now that is most certainly a worthwhile investment.

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Seating is an important element of the furniture of a high school science laboratory

Buying furniture for a high school science laboratory involves watchful consideration of the sort of experiments which will be carried on there. In addition, the requirements of the students must be regarded who will be using the laboratory. There are no particular needs concerning the height of tables and chairs for high school students however, but heed should be paid to make sure that the furniture you buy makes the most wanted purpose and maximum functionality of the laboratory. For instance, a science laboratory that is designed to endorse learning through teamwork needs science tables to facilitate multiple students. In the same way, personal tables are ideal for science laboratories that are made for sustaining independent learning.

Seating

Seating is an important element of the furniture of a high school science laboratory. It comprises of chairs and stools that are well-suited with the tables. Even though most of the students prefer to stand during experiments, majority of the science laboratories consist of an instructional part for the period of sitting while the teacher is giving a lesson. Other furnishing elements in a science lab involve precise requirements of the school, for example storage units and shelving.

Science Tables

Science tables are available in an array of diverse styles and dimensions. These tables offer a wide surface area that is perfect for conducting experiments (although the dimensions of the tabletop may disagree). Standard size of a science table is typically 24"x48" to 24"x60". This size may vary significantly, however. Usually big tables are perfect for multiple use. On the other hand, small tables are functional for separate laboratories.

Another important consideration is to evaluate the material used in the science tables. Ideal surface in science table should be both chemical as well as fire-retardant. It helps defending the students and furniture against potential accidents.

Storage space, a sink, wheels and overhead storage are other important aspects of a science table.

Important Considerations for Middle School Science Laboratory Furniture

The fundamental requirements of a middle school science laboratory are same as those for a high school. It is essential however to cautiously regard the average height of the students while buying science laboratory furniture for a middle school. Typically middle school students feel comfortable in utilizing furniture that is designed for adults. However if the middle school science laboratory is intended to be used by grade six student, it is recommended to purchase small-scale furniture accordingly. Laboratory table accessories such as stools and chairs should be hard-wearing, durable and storage areas must be easy-to-use for middle school students.

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Classroom Furniture

Ideas for School Bulletin Board

School bulletin boards have a deep impact on the process of learning in a given school. That is why; teachers try to find ideas for bulletin boards that inspire the students to help them take more interest in their studies. There are numerous options for decorating bulletin boards of a school or a class depending upon the subjects being taught or the topics under discussion. One such option involves making bulletin boards that are visually attractive as well as educational in nature.

Bulletin boards that are decorative in appearance may speak about the particular season or a festivity in progress. Such type of boards offer students a chance of developing their non-academic interests. Other the other hand, matters relating to their education can also be used to put on bulletin board that help provide extra information to students.

Along with this, they may also be intended towards academic themes. Such bulletin boards may highlight historical events and geographical locations of the world. This also facilitates the teachers and adds details to their lessons in an organized manner.

Maintaining Dry Erase Whiteboards

Dry erase whiteboards are an important part of a classroom. These whiteboards can be utilized for a range of purposes. You may solve sample equations, present information and inscribe assignments for students to note down by using dry erase whiteboards. Conversely, these useful ideas could be messed up if the board is not maintained the right way.

Its maintenance requires using proper markers and erasing the ink properly according to the user manual. The ink should be erased on regular basis using a standard eraser or the special ink remover or it might leave stains on the board.

Necessary Classroom Accessories

A few classroom furniture accessories include maps, globes, carts, audio visual tools, charts, other decorative items and learning equipment. The use of classroom accessories depends upon the requirements of a classroom. For instance, maps and globes are prerequisite for history and geography classrooms while audio visual equipment is necessary for a large classroom where students need help of this equipment for their studies.

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Preschool furniture

Preschool furniture is considered to be very important in providing basic training to children before proper education. As a part of training, these small children need to be taught ways to behave and sit in a class. Here, preschool furniture plays a very important part in familiarizing children with school environment and training them for what is to come in the future.

Most essential parts of preschool furniture include tables, preschool chairs, miniatures, mats, toys etc.

Preschool Chairs

While buying preschool chairs, it is crucial to ensure comfort as well as storage space, size as well as strength, and economy along with the quality of product. In addition, chairs for preschool must be sized suitably according to the age of children and the height of desks and tables.

Along with this, the placement of these chairs and the arrangement of the classroom are also very important. Preschool chairs are most important components of a classroom and once they are well positioned; the entire nursery follows the learning rhythm!

Buying Discount Preschool Furniture

Preschool furniture at huge discounted rates is available at big furniture stores during their sale season. Along with this, online search for discount furniture may also help you in this regard. But before you buy anything, it is most essential that you make sure that the retailer is well reputed and provides you with money back guarantee or some kind of warrantee for the furniture. This helps you avoid being scammed.

The ideal time for finding discount furniture is just about between the months of January and July that is, the end of the academic year when the retailers tend to accommodate space for the newer stock; therefore they sell their remaining stock away at amazingly low rates.

Contacting schools that are renovating their classrooms and putting up their old furniture for sale is another great idea. In most cases, used preschool furniture is available at surprisingly low rates that can be picked up and utilized to your best advantage.

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The dining table is the most important and valuable piece of furniture in your home

The dining table is the most important and valuable piece of furniture in your home. There is no better way to illustrate this than with a beautiful new dining set. Which dining room furniture you choose is one of the most important purchases you will make. Here are some tips on how to select the ideal set for you that best suits your family.

Eye-appeal should be the first thing you look for. Perhaps you have a certain finish in mind? If you like the look of darker stained wood dining tables, try a deep espresso, mahogany or cherry finish. All are rich and luxurious and have a modern feel to them. If you prefer a lighter, more traditional appearance, a bright oak finish will give your dining room a comfortable, homey feel. Be smart when choosing; a good, quality table will last you for decades.

The next aspect to be aware of in choosing a dining set is construction or materials. A sturdy solid wood table is easy to find but suppose you have other materials or fabrics in mind. A glass top table is sleek and reminiscent of a street-side bistro. Leather or micro-suede chairs are super stylish and comfortable and put you at the top of the trendy list. Old world pedestal-foot detailing is sure to garner attention from guests. Victorian wrought iron will bring an aristocratic gothic-influenced style into your seemingly mundane dining room or kitchen.

Finally, the shape of your new table needs to be chosen. Do you have a large family? A rectangular shape with an add-in leaf can offer you enough seating to host next year's holidays. If quieter, more intimate settings are more your style, why not go for a round table that make quiet conversations a breeze. For a contemporary twist, a square table suggests the look of a chic new restaurant in the comfort of your newly decorated home.

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Interior Design

Getting the inside of your home looking good can be a challenge and does require a certain amount of skill and knowledge in order to pull it off. Using the right colors and combinations for the curtains, draperies, even your bed sheets and duvet colors can make a big difference in the general appearance of a room.

If you have a small living space then consider getting something like a sofa bed as it will save you a lot of space. Plants can also make a big difference in the appearance and feel of a room. There are many great benefits to using plants such as getting cleaner and fresher air as well as reduced humidity levels.

The plants that you choose should match and highlight the general colors in your home. Sometimes keeping a space design simple is often the best way to go. Try to remove as much clutter as possible and use simple color combinations like black and white. Installing some rope lighting under the bed can also be great to add a night light source.

Using candles effectively can also be great to add a nice decorating style to any room. Create a grouping with the candles on a side table or you can use floating candles on a bowl also. Adding relevant artwork and paintings can also greatly enhance the appearance of your home. Make sure the artwork does match with the theme you are going for in each room.

Keeping a room bright is often a great design choice and also keep in mind that it helps to elevate your mood when you are in a bright space versus a dull and dark area. Decorating your fireplace effectively can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of a room since the fireplace is often considered one of the main focal points. Try not to block your fireplace and leave the space around it clear and free from too much furniture.

Hanging a nice piece of artwork above the mantle can be a great accent and can make a nice difference in making the fireplace look better. Also try to avoid adding too many things on or around the fireplace as this will make it look cluttered and unattractive. Wallpaper is often difficult to replace and can get damaged easily thus repainting is often a better choice if you are looking to change the color of your walls or do a little touch up.
Source:
http://ezinearticles.com

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Furniture plays a vital role in making a house look beautiful and comfortable

Home and Garden decor is a great way to make your home and garden attractive, charming and a relaxing place to stay. Before you enter your home, you see the garden. By creating a pleasantly inviting atmosphere in your garden, you can create a cheerful introduction to your home. Furniture plays a vital role in making a house look beautiful and comfortable. Good decorum of furniture makes a house look attractive. The kind of painting determines easily what kind of furniture will be appropriate for the house.

Usually decoration of your home consists of Bedroom furniture, Bookcases, Cabinets, sofas, tables, soft furnishings, trunks and many more. There are different decorating styles that can be used some of which are listed as- antique, casual, contemporary, country, hand carved custom made and much more styles that can be used to make your home the best.
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Beds, bunk beds, bedspreads and other Bedroom furniture make any home comfortable and relaxing. Whether its bunk beds for the little kids, bedspreads or trundle beds, it is best to choose beds that fit in with the style and décor of the rest of your house. However, comfort in beds is still the most important ingredient when selecting a bed.

Bedroom furniture is an integral part of any house. In this room you can really be yourself and be most comfortable. If your bedroom is place in your house where you feel most comfort then why not make our bedroom a cozy and warm place by selecting the right bedroom furniture.
Source:
http:ezinearticles.com

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The office work place can be made up of many different areas

The office work place can be made up of many different areas. Many of the offices today are made up of a reception area, individual offices, and larger common areas that house several employees, conference and meeting rooms, and a cafeteria or break room.

Starting in the reception area, this area can be just a receptionist desk to greet visitors, or it can include chairs and occasional tables for the comfort of visitors that have to wait before a meeting or appointment. There are many different types of furniture available for this area depending on your desired design. You can choose anything from contemporary to give an office an upbeat and airy feel to traditional wood furniture that gives your office that dignified classic look. If you shop around you should find a design style that fits your taste as well as your budget.

Next are the individual offices. A desk is the center piece to an office. There are many different options in office desk today. There are standard desk, but these have options to be "L" shaped and "U" shaped desk to allow more office equipment to be kept readily available, as well as provide additional work space. Lateral files, credenzas, and chairs are other pieces of furniture commonly found in a private office. Most manufacturers and retailers will offer great pricing on complete office suites to give your office a coordinated look. There are many chair options for the executive office. There are chairs in leather and fabric with a range of styles including high back and mid back.

When it comes to large common areas, also in some places known as bull pins, there are modular work stations. These stations have come a long way from the old dreary cubical. Today you can get modern looking modular work stations with wood and glass inserts to keep a defined look in the office, as well as boost employee moral by working in a nice area. Most of the modular work stations, also known as a cubical, come already wired for computers and electricity. Computer task chairs, or office chairs are commonly used in these modular work station areas. Most chairs today are ergonomically designed and come in leather, vinyl, and fabric options.

A conference room or meeting room in the office place today can be everything from a small table with a few chairs to an elaborate large wood conference table with leather chairs. Some conference rooms will also include a credenza and file cabinets as well.

The break room or cafeteria furniture options vary greatly depending if they are to be used by one or two people at a time up to hundreds. There are a wide range of cafeteria tables as well as table and chair options. Most have laminate tops which offer a range of color options to fit any decor. When it comes to chairs for this area you can go from basic folding chairs to stacking chairs that have plastic or fabric padded seats and backs.

If you are looking for one desk at home, or need to outfit an entire office, you have literally hundreds of options in styles and colors. There is never a need to settle in the market today. There are as many colors, styles and price ranges as there are people who need them. With the time spend in the work place today be sure to get what you love, so you love where you are!

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Furniture Design

People love to think about what's hot and what's not, both in fashion, car style, and don't forget home design and furniture trends that define the essence of your home. Fashion is about style and preference of product that makes you feel a certain way. And car trends go from getting a sports car to a SUV, and also the hottest color is no longer silver anymore, it is Pearl white for luxury cars. Now let's get into the topics on the 2008 fashion, style, and color of furniture and design trends that will make you a design professional.

Strong mix and match colors. Of course you can mix colors like red and green or else your home would look like a home from a Dr. Seuss story. But popular colors you see at stores like Bloomingdales are using it, such as Black and White and Silver. Contrasting colors add depth to your decor and you should choose colors from matching palettes, such as contrasting earth tones, or baby colors, etc.

"X" Marks the spot. I remember the XO dining tables and coffee tables back in 2000 and as fashion trends come back and rotate by decades, the X seems to be marking the spot in 2008. You will begin to see it in many featured furnishings from retailers and manufacturers, but before a lot of metal was used and now wood seems to be the material of choice for the X.

Exotic Style. Don't you like going to eat Thai food or Moroccan food? Or at least curious about trying it out? Well, furniture is getting to be the same in home design too. Trends are moving toward furnishing homes with the more tropical, exotic, and simple styles of tribes and countries with a different taste of culture and heritage. You can find items in this category like dark weaved wicker or rattan, or items made of bamboo, or Oriental carvings and accents. If you don't want to make a long term investment in matching up this piece, you can go for some pillows that you can swap out when you get tired of them.

"Super-size" it. Many designers preach proportion and balance in their design. But as trends move toward things like "odd number of shelving" for wall decor, same goes for the size of your furniture, such as an oversized sectional or coffee-table ottoman. But be sure leave enough room in your floor plan or else your home will just look small, but with the super size factor in a focused piece of furniture it will help you center your design as you make your furniture choices.

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