Furniture Finder

Many remember the wallpapers of the 1960s and 1970s, when bright geometric patterns, pop-art designs and vinyl were all the rage. But by the mid-'80s, wallpaper slowly began to fall out of favor. Instead, homeowners stripped their walls, opting for a more minimalist look. According to the Wall Covering Association, the downward trend for wallpaper took a noticeable plunge in the mid-'90s when homeowners began painting their walls in neutral colors. Now, wall coverings have once again come into vogue. Helping this trend gain momentum is the high-end interior design community. Today's designers are realizing that well designed interiors should include a variety of wall treatments: painted walls, faux finished walls, and wall covering. Designers are re-acquainting themselves with the array of options available in wall coverings. The choices are almost endless and the impact almost limitless.

Like millions of Americans, you're bringing your office home. Now that you've mastered the hi-tech world of home computers, it's time to get that monitor off the kitchen table and those files out of the laundry basket. Luckily, you don't have to face the home office dilemma alone. Regardless of the size of your workspace, our member stores have a vast assortment of home office products that are both functional and beautiful. Working from home has its advantages, no dress code and no commute, but the first step is designing and organizing a home office that works for you. When it comes to creating a home office, commercial-looking pieces aren't your only option. There are plenty of fine furnishings that can provide comfortable workspaces too. If you're a part-timer who's short on space, consider a simple writing or secretary desk. Whether your style preference is clean and contemporary or more fanciful French, a writing desk can easily serve many functions. A delicately scaled piece can tuck neatly into a corner of a room or be placed diagonally in a corner for asymmetric drama.

Today's homes are built with practicality in mind. Kitchen and dining areas have become the hub of the home - a place to relax, grab a bite and enjoy time with family and friends. Your furniture dealer will show you a variety of dining styles, all of which can be tailored to your own lifestyle and budget.

Choosing a color palette can be one of the most intimidating aspects of creating your new interior. Many of us will eagerly wear royal purple or a lush apricot, but are reluctant to put it on our walls or use it in our furniture. But few other design elements can create the impact that color does. It is part of the foundation of the room and helps to set the tone for everything that goes into the room. Here are some tips to help you choose color with confidence. Make a Room Feel Bigger Colors that recede make a room feel larger. Light value colors and mid-toned cool colors recede. A color scheme of similar values will make a room seem larger, but don't forget the ceiling and floor. Make a Room Feel Intimate Bold, advancing colors such as red, gold, orange and brown make a room feel more intimate. Color and Light The light source in a room can dramatically alter color perception. Colors become more vibrant in sunlight. What looks like a soft yellow on the paint swatch card can become a blazing inferno on a wall that is lit by the morning sun.

Gone are the days when furniture buying meant you had to purchase "sets." Today's homes are all about reflecting our own personalities, and there's no rule that says everything in a room has to match! The dining room is an excellent space to show off some personality and style, from the furniture you choose to the table settings you use. Maybe you've found that when you shop for a dining room set, you find a dining table you like, but you don't like the chairs that go with it, or vice versa. Or, maybe you love the buffet or sideboard in the set, but not the table or chairs. Don't worry! You should love every piece of furniture you buy, so don't be afraid to mix and match the pieces you like to get the look you want.

Take a sample to the paint store. Bring a sample of the flooring or carpet as well as any fabrics that will be used in the room with you to the paint store. Don't pick your paint color standing in the store. After you've identified colors that work with your samples, take home the paint sample cards to make sure the color will work with the other furnishings in the room. Some paint manufacturers even have larger samples or whole books of paint samples available for you to take home and decide on a color. Paint a sample wall. Many paint retailers now offer sample sizes of their colors for you to try out on a patch of wall before you commit to painting the entire thing. Look at your sample at different times of day. Natural light can dramatically change how we perceive a color, so be sure the color works in the bright morning sun as well as the cool afternoon shade. Don't be scared of an intense color before you bring your furniture back in. A bare room in an intense color can be intimidating, but keep in mind that when you bring your furnishings into the room, the overall effect will be different. The tones in your furnishings will reflect on the painted wall and change or soften the effect.

One of the biggest obstacles to a satisfying interior design can be fear of color. While neutral and monochromatic pallets can be pleasing when done well, they can create a sea of sameness in which everything appears to be made of oatmeal. If you prefer the tranquility of a neutral pallet, consider adding interest and variation through different hues of similar values. The term hue refers to the color category: red, blue, yellow, etc. The term value refers to how light or dark a color is. This means that if the base color of your interior is beige, you might compliment it with a soft moss green, or a soothing pale sky blue. Try more that one complementary soft shade. The effect will still be soothing, but not bland.

When decorating a room, color affords almost limitless possibilities. Color invokes feelings and adds personality to your room. No other single element can alter the appearance of space and objects like color. In home furnishings, it can visually enlarge, reduce and even change the feel of a piece of furniture. Here are some easy tips to consider: The best color schemes are usually found in a single element: a sofa, rug, painting, virtually anything. Consider the intended use, room's size, desired mood and its lighting and exposure. Lighting and exposure affect the way color behaves. Most homes have incandescent lighting, which makes reds more vibrant and blues more neutral. Examine fabrics and paint chips under incandescent lighting as well as under natural daylight. When planning large purchases such as, carpeting, wallpaper, and large pieces of furniture, choose colors carefully since these items will not be frequently changed. Observe color relationships in photography, public places, private homes, printed fabrics and even clothing. Outdoor, natural settings can be great inspirations as well! If you aren't completely confident about a color scheme, stick to neutral, simple colors when it comes to large, expensive purchases.

Have you ever noticed when people are visiting your home that they tend to stay in or around the kitchen? Perhaps that's because that area is where many of us nurture and connect with our own families, and it's a good place to bond with guests as well. Casual dining spaces were thus created as part of the kitchen or closely connected with the kitchen, and they are designed to be used as a part of our daily lives (as opposed to formal dining rooms that most people save for special occasions). Not only is it probably the place you sit and eat with your family, but it also might function as your children's homework zone, a bill-paying center, newspaper/coffee break spot, crafts station, and place to catch up with friends. But just because your casual dining space is a great multi-tasker doesn't mean it has to suffer for style. There are lots of great furnishings that are functional and chic.

You only have one chance to make a first impression and your foyer is just the place to do it! The foyer is where you make that all important first impression, the impression that family and friends will remember every time their thoughts drift to you and your home. We all judge books by their covers, whether we admit it or not, and when we welcome folks into our homes, the foyer is the cover of the book that will be judged. So, let's give them a cover that serves us well. Beyond making a statement, the foyer is a transition room. It takes guests from the outdoors to the interior of your home. It's a place to take off boots and hang up coats, but it's also the area that sets the tone for the rest of your home. It introduces guests to your style and gives them a taste of what's to come. First of all, remember who will be arriving and departing from the foyer most often- you! Therefore, more than a great new color for the walls or a glamorous piece of furniture, you'll want a mirror in your foyer. Start the day off on the right foot, you never know who you might meet. You want to leave the house feeling confident that you look good. A number one must-have is a full-length mirror for that last once-over on your way out the door. The next element is choosing a fabulous shade of color for the walls; a shade that is warm and friendly. Best bets are in the yellow and orange family: perhaps, a fabulous shade of cantaloupe, squash or pineapple. Not only do members of the orange and yellow color family signify a jovial and friendly personality but they will ensure that we'll be welcomed home by walls with a cheery disposition.

It's no surprise that computers have affected all of our daily lives in the way we communicate, handle our finances, do homework, keep up with daily events, and much, much more. While most of us have adapted to the computer age, we haven't been as quick to adapt our furnishings to accommodate this new focal point in our homes. While most family members have a need or desire to use the computer, our computer stations are not very user-friendly for the entire family. The truth is that not every family has the space in their homes to dedicate an entire room as a home office, but almost everyone needs some kind of space that is a center for a home computer, bills, receipts, mail and other important paperwork. For some, that spot is in the kitchen; for others, it is the bedroom or the dining room. So how can you create a workstation that is designed to work just as well for Mom as for little Billy? The key is to get organized! No, that doesn't mean you have to change everything about the way you work or use your desk (the vast majority of us let things pile up and hope to have a day when we can sort out the mess). But it does mean having separate areas for each family member's belongings so everyone has equal use of the space. Here are a few ideas of how to make a family workstation work well.

Not every family has the space in their homes to dedicate an entire room as a home office, but almost everyone needs some kind of space that is a center for a home computer, bills, receipts, mail and other important paperwork. Sometimes that space is in the a spare bedroom, the dining room, or even the kitchen. Regardless of where your "home office" space is, keeping it organized is often a challenge because most of us let those things pile up, waiting for that magical moment when we "have time" to clean it up. It'd be great if we all had color-coded folders neatly aligned and hidden in drawers. But the reality is that most of us just want something that is convenient. Here are a few suggestions to keeping your office space - big or small - organized and easy to maintain.

Decorating small spaces in your home can be a complicated task if you're not quite sure where to begin. But there's good news: It doesn't have to be difficult at all. In any home, especially a small one, every inch of free space counts. Small shelves, tiny niches, and other unique spaces can help accent a home in a tasteful, uncluttered way. By using the small spaces wisely and leaving the larger areas open, the living space will feel larger. You may think because a room is smaller, having large furniture pieces are out of the question. Not true! Oversized furniture will not make your rooms appear smaller, but instead give them a warm inviting feeling. Of course the layout and size of a room will determine how many pieces can comfortably go into it. After all, you may be looking for drama and comfort, but you still need to be able to maneuver around. This also applies to accessories; it's better to have a few large dramatic pieces as opposed to a lot of small items, which tend to turn into clutter and dust collectors. The exception to this would be with collections. But again, you want to have places to showcase them like glass front hutches, cabinets, bookcases or shelves.

"Don't paint a small room a dark color." A deep, rich color in a small room can be a great way to enhance and embrace a feeling of coziness. "Don't mix your woods." According to the old school of thought, every wood tone in a room should match with the same finish. A more casual and eclectic approach is to mix things up, even with two finishes, like black and antique oak, on the same piece. "Don't leave your windows bare." It's okay to have naked windows, just so long as you don't stand naked in front of them. You can keep an open airy feeling in your room and highlight the view by keeping your window dressings to a minimum, or by forgetting them altogether. "Match your nightstands." Nightstands are not socks, and they don't necessarily have to match each other. You can personalize your bedroom to match the personalities of you and your partner by using different nightstands on each side of the bed. "Don't put a big piece of furniture in a small room." Putting a large cabinet in a small room can create the illusion that it is a built-in part of the architecture.

You can have only one metallic tone in a room. A look at the faucet display at your local home improvement center will demonstrate that silver and gold tones can be mixed. You can even combine different brushed nickel with shiny gold. You can't mix floral fabrics and plaids. Many fabric companies now offer coordinates of florals and plaids in the same color pallet and designed to be used together. You should pick one style and stick with it. Today's interior styles reflect an eclectic mix of influences. Not only can you switch up your style from room to room, but within a room as well. Whether you prefer a casual or a more formal approach to furnishing your home, the contrast of different styles enlivens the space. Furnishings should be placed symmetrically. Just as your furnishings don't have to match, the left side of the room doesn't have to match the right. An asymmetrical arrangement can create interest and emphasize a focal point. An asymmetrical arrangement lends a room a more casual air. Books belong on bookshelves. Books are a great way to add color and interest to a room. The idea of a coffee table book deserves some updating. Stacks of books can be used to elevate a lamp or a plant in a table top arrangement. If you are feeling adventurous, you can stack several oversized books to the side of a chair to serve as an end table. When you use a bookcase, not every book has to be standing on end; try laying some flat and place decorative accessories on top.

Does this fit my family's lifestyle (pets included)? Rethink a chenille sofa if you have a cat with claws. Exuberant, snack-eating football fans don't mix well with dupioni silk. How long do I want to live with this? If you like to stay on top of the latest fashion trends, you may want a change before an item is worn out. Consider how long you want to keep something before you make a sizable investment and plan to update your interior periodically. Will it fit through the door? This often overlooked issue leads to a lot of frustration and many returns. How will I take care of it? Accidents happen sometimes. Who could predict that your infant son would choose to teeth on the cushion of your leather sofa and chew a hole in it? Buying a protection plan, like Protection 1st, will give you peace of mind and the resources to fix problems when they occur. Have I done my research and am I getting the best value? Keep in mind that value doesn't mean cheap. Value means that you are getting the best quality relative to the amount you are paying. To get a good value you need to examine the sturdiness and expected lifespan of an item in addition to its appearance.

To adequately fill a room with light, ambient and task lighting are needed. Ambient light comes from a single source, like natural light, whereas task lighting is used to light a specific area such as a desk, workbench, reading chair or kitchen surface. Adding a little light to your respective living areas seems like a simple task, provided that you consider some of the factors affecting which lamp fixture you should buy. How to Choose the Right Lamp Many people choose a lamp without first taking measurements and considering both the style and the purpose of the lamp. Size, brightness, and look are very important when purchasing any type of home lighting, but lamp fixtures are especially particular because they serve the dual purpose of providing light and decorating the room. Before you go hunting for a new lamp, be prepared with a few helpful hints. The size of the lamp is possibly the most important matter to determine. This is somewhat dependant on how the lamp will be used.

Why is shopping for a sofa so intimidating? Sometimes customers are more comfortable dropping $30,000 on a car than to pick out a $1,000 sofa (and the latter will probably last longer). Perhaps the biggest hesitation comes from a fear of making a mistake - whether it's about how much to spend, the color, the fabric, the size or shape. Consider these factors before buying to help eliminate some of the buying concerns and make your new sofa truly enhance your living space. Know your budget. Sofas can run anywhere from $299 to $10,000, so the first thing you need to do is set a realistic budget. Sure, they may look all the same to you, but there's a huge quality difference in that range. Consider stretching a little beyond what you think you can afford - in a few years, you don't want a budget compromise to have become the shabbiest piece in your room because it couldn't stand up to your lifestyle.

Do you have fond memories of your father or grandfather spending quality time with his family from his favorite chair? Maybe it was even his favorite TV-watching, reading, coffee drinking, and napping spot in the entire house. For many of us, we picture recliners as a large, overstuffed thing that is heavy on comfort, but not exactly the most stylish item in the house. Well, not anymore. Today's recliners combine all the comfort you expect from Dad's Favorite Chair with the chic design elements that make Mom happy, too. Stylistically speaking, they're just as likely to take on the appearance of delicate wing chairs as they are sumptuous, overstuffed loungers. And, with all their amenities, recliners are perfect for watching Monday night football or settling in for a little "R&R." Many of today's recliners come with lots of options to complement your lifestyle, from hidden cup holders, massage functions, and storage spaces for remotes. Modern-day recliners all have one thing in common. Thanks to their unmatched comfort, they're some of the best seats in the house. Manufacturers make recliners with lumbar support that can be adjusted to various positions. Just like a good diet and plenty of exercise, furniture that supports your body will pay dividends tomorrow as well as today.

This is the place where everyone ends up! Move over kitchen, the family room has become a favorite communal place in the house. Or is it the living room, or the great room? Whatever you call it, it's a multifunctional room that provides space to lounge on a plush sofa in front of the TV, find solace with a good book, watch children play with toys and entertain good conversation. There is debate over the distinction between a family room and a living room. In homes with both rooms, the living room is usually the more formal room, often reserved for guests, special occasions, and the display of items such as antiques or artwork. In homes with only one, the terms are generally synonymous, though it is not uncommon for someone who grew up calling such a room by only one term to have no idea of the distinction between the two. The "great room" may not be so great anymore. The great room was a big fad beginning in the 1980s, but has recently declined in popularity. The great room of today is not as prevalent, but is still an important part of American home design.