The Sealy® project began by defining the market opportunities for all innerspring beds.  In-depth interviews with consumers and sleep experts provided inspiration and direction for a revolutionary bed design and, more importantly, shaped our thinking about the mattress purchase and ownership experience. Consumers wanted a brand that acknowledged the bed as more than a piece of furniture to sleep on, and spoke to the emotional aspects of rest.

Well, those Sealy® visions have come to life, and they are available now!  It all begins with the right support and Sealy® has developed a patented “Titanium Steel Innerspring” coil unit that retains 98% of it shape for the life of your mattress.  For the first time ever, Sealy® Posturepedic® now incorporates a lumbar support in the center third portion of the mattress called “CoreSupport™”.  CoreSupport™ is comprised of tightening the stitching in the middle of the quilt, adding the use of the power-packed memory foam for cushioning your lumbar and Titanium Steel Innerspring coils for support.  In addition to supporting your lumbar region Sealy® has developed a strong side support called “SitRight™”.  This edge support allows you to sleep all the way to the edge of the bed without rolling off, and keeps the edges from breaking down over the years.

Another feature that has been welcomed is the new handles!  Sealy’s® incorporation of “LiftRight™” handles finally make turning a mattress end to end a pleasure.  Some of the better models have handles that almost go all the way around the mattress!  If you have a mattress that slides off the box spring during the night, Sealy has invented the “StayTight™” non-skid box spring, so once your mattress is in place it will never slide again and your sheets will be held tight to the mattress.

It’s no coincidence that the new 2011 Sealy Posturepedic is the most anticipated product introduction in bedding history!  With all of these exciting new features, you are able to sleep better with the confidence that your back is supported and you investment will last for years to come!

Along those lines, a retail salesperson will be able to virtually carry every item in the store under their arm.  All sofa fabrics will be current (no more reelections…).  No more walking back to a catalog room and fumbling for the right catalog (probably missing anyway…).  Also, a salesperson will be able search their iPad for a category and item, then check with supplier on availability.

So, thanks Apple for changing the way furniture is sold!

Large retail buyers were looking for exclusives and all buyers were looking for great values, which is tough to find right now as manufactures are forced to push through price increases during the coming months.  Market attendance seems to be at an all time low due to retailers either not being able to afford to travel, or buyers are staying home to mind the store.

Sealy recently enlisted the design expertise of IDEO (pronounced “eye-dee-oh”), who is an award-winning global design firm that takes a human-centered approach to helping organizations in the public and private sectors innovate and grow.

The Sealy project began by defining the market opportunities for all innerspring beds. In-depth interviews with consumers and sleep experts provided inspiration and direction for a revolutionary bed design and, more importantly, shaped our thinking about the mattress purchase and ownership experience. Consumers wanted a brand that acknowledged the bed as more than a piece of furniture to sleep on, and spoke to the emotional aspects of rest.

As much as we would love to divulge the exciting new Sealy/Royal Heritage mattress design by IDEO – we were sworn to secrecy by Sealy.  So, stay tuned, as the world of mattresses will change on March 1st forever!

Furniture has always played a large roll in Christmas decorating.  Where else but the living room end table would Mom put her favorite decoration of two elves helping Santa that she’s had since she was a child?  And doesn’t the nativity scene look perfect on a server or sofa table?  What end table doesn’t have a ceramic Christmas tree?  And a coffee table just doesn’t look right without a beautiful arrangement of poinsettas.

Remember the old radio and TV consoles of the 50’s and 60’s?  Those were always decorated for Christmas with candles and pine garland, or a couple of reindeer.

The dining room table is always a focal point for Christmas decorations.  Most tables are decorated with a holiday runner and a beautiful centerpiece.  Sofas, love seats and chairs are also the perfect place for holiday decorations.   A festive Christmas pillow or beautiful holiday throw are a wonderful touch.

Isn’t it better to dream about visions of sugar plums while waiting for Santa Clause in our comfy bed covered in holiday sheets and comforter?  Children would easily go off to bed when their beds are decorated with Christmas trees and holly!

But what exactly is meant when refereeing to a country or cottage-styled home?

Continuing with our design style theme, we will explore the different types of country and cottage designs, and how these styles are represented in homes across the U.S.

If you have ever visited  a home on the Great Lakes, then you probably know what a Classic Costal design is. Designed to look like a beach house, homes that are designed with a Costal look will embrace a relaxed approach and display nautical themes.

However, there are different variations to a Costal theme. Gulf Coast styles bring together Art Deco and vibrant colors, with wicker and rattan, sending you back in time to the ‘50s. Done correctly, Gulf Coast styled homes can be a very cool place to live or visit. Pacific Coast designed homes tend to be influenced heavily by Asian influence, and will be decorated in deep finishes with very comfortable fabrics.  Similar to the Classic Costal look, Atlantic Seaboard designed homes have louvers and shutters with a color palette similar to that of lighthouses.

Emphasized by natural woods with deep finishes, Americana style homes are very simple when it comes to ornamentation but tend to have a very patriotic feel. Fabrics are muted colors and are adorned with starts and stripes. This style of home can be a perfect place to spend a Fourth of July or other patriotic holiday.

On the other hand, a Cottage-styled home typically has lots of wicker or iron pieces of furniture and gets its style from the natural surroundings that encompasses it. Cotton and linen fabrics found in the home will have a floral or checkered pattern giving the home an almost country like feel.

Finally, Rustic and Lodge styled homes are designed with a rugged approach but still offer the advantage of relaxation. Earth tones are predominant here, while exposed wood in very light finishes are adorned with Native American artwork, wood carvings and natured inspired accessories. Fabrics that line the beds and couches will usually have a hand-woven feel.

Whether its Rustic, Classic Coastal, or Country styled homes, visit your local Royal Heritage Furnishings Retailer and shop their immense selection of cottage styled furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and give your home the vacation style feel you have been looking for!

We’ve  all been there before. Planning on buying a new piece of furniture can be a very stressful time, especially when there are so many factors to take into consideration. Take your time and don’t make a hurried decision, this will save you from detesting your furniture for years to come. In order to help you find the right piece of furniture, we have assembled a list of factors you need to take into consideration before you go shopping. Each recommendation will help you find that perfect item you will treasure for years.

• Measurements: You want to bring your furniture in your house, right?. Many people find the perfect piece, buy it, get it home and oops it doesn’t fit through the door. Keep in mind that some sofas are simply too big to bring into your home. In order to get the piece into the room, it has to first fit through the door. Measure all your furniture pieces already in the home. This will give you a solid base of measurements to look for in a piece of furniture.  This will save you the stress on the way home about whether it will fit through the door.

• Space is key: How much space do you have to work with? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. It’s simple…regardless of what you want, if you don’t have the space, then don’t even consider it!  The shape and size of your room will help you determine what to look for. For instance, if you’re looking for a living room sectional and don’t have a lot of room to work with, consider a loveseat over a sofa.

• Budget: It’s simple. Don’t buy what you can’t afford. Always plan around your budget. You shouldn’t burden yourself with the added stress that accompanies paying off home décor you can’t afford. Quality furniture costs more, but will last longer. Cheap furniture, while easy on the budget, doesn’t last long and you may find yourself buying furniture again in several years. Determine how long you want your home décor to last and shop for items that fit that time range, and most importantly your budget.

• What’s your lifestyle: What is your life like? Is it just you or are you a part of a large family? Will the piece you buy often have smaller children on it? Your lifestyle determines what type of piece you should buy. If you entertain guests regularly, consider a sturdy, comfortable couch. Buy pieces of furniture that will flow with your lifestyle and won’t leave you pulling your hair out every time you have guests over.

When following these steps for purchasing a piece of furniture, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their enormous selection of high quality furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and leave in peace, knowing you got that perfect piece!

Many times people classify contemporary as a distinct style that doesn’t encompass other design styles. Commonly, and un-knowingly, they think furniture considered contemporary is something they are most likely to find in an upscale art gallery in New York city. What they fail to realize is that the word contemporary simply means “of the present time,” and this can encompass a broad range of designs.

“Artsy” furniture, the most common label for contemporary furniture, is likely to be found in urban locations and lofts. This furniture often has flare and is extremely simple. Furniture pieces in this category are not always adorned with straight lines, but typically showcase curved lines to give them a unique look and shape. Leather and microfibers are usually the upholstery of choice in this case.

If you are looking to stay within the contemporary style but want more of a straight lined look, then look for pieces that are of Danish or Scandinavian design. Contemporary Scandinavian designers often use straight lines in their designs and leave their pieces unadorned and crafted of walnut and teak. Sometimes their pieces will have gentle curves, but these will not be at a premium.

Finally, minimalist styled furniture takes the contemporary look to the extreme and is known for its use of straight lines. The Minimalist approach was inspired by Bauhaus design and puts emphasis on free space, functionality, and economical design. You won’t find a lot of furniture in a minimalistic room. Instead, you will find one of two pieces accompanied by a lot of space.

Whether its straight lined or curvy lines, minimalistic or urban, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their massive selection of contemporary furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and give your home the modern style you are looking for!

If a piece has an European feel, it most likely means the wood will have a curvilinear design and commonlywill be constructed our of dark woods. Sofas and chairs will have an arched back giving them a more formal look and feel.
Tropical looks combined with British styles are what makes up the British Colonial and West Indies fashion. These pieces are most likely built with wicker, rattan, and other lighter woods but completed in deep dark finishes. The lines and edges of these items will be much cleaner and simpler when compared to the curvy lines of the European brand of style.

When looking to give your room a traditional look that will last for centuries, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their enormous selection of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so your home can have the class and style it deserves!

Keep it clean and simple

Today’s current fad is a contemporary style. The modern-and-chic look is one of simplicity, where only a few items are used to bring life to the room. Use colors sparingly in this instance, and stay away from over-using pastels. Go with a calm color for the walls.  This will allow for wall murals or cozy rugs to stand out more, adding style to the room.

Avoid hazards you can see

Keeping the room safe doesn’t just mean ensuring the edges of furniture pieces are rounded and protectors are in the plugs. You have to protect your little one from things that cannot be seen. This means staying away from synthetic materials that give off formaldehyde gas. Items like press board and plastics are the culprits in this case. Instead, choose furniture made out of natural wood that is not finished. It’s pretty much guaranteed that during your baby’s gumming stage, s/he will come in contact with the crib or other pieces of furniture. Be sure to stay away from painted or stained materials for their safety as well.

Natural Baby Bedding

Toxins can also be found in bedding. Your baby’s skin will be in contact with nursery bedding for many hours each day. A baby’s skin is very sensitive in the early years, so it’s important to keep their skin safe from substances that cause irritation. Choose natural fabrics like cotton instead of synthetics. This also goes for crib bumpers, pillow inserts, covers and changing pads.

Safe walls for little hands

On the theme of non-toxic products, it’s important that the walls of the room are safe from any artificial materials. If you’re choosing wallpaper for the room, look to have it professionally installed with non-toxic wallpaper paste. If you choose to paint, zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) is your best bet here and can be customized to match almost any color you need.

When designing a safe and hazard free nursery for your new arrival, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their massive selection of children furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you know your baby’s nursery is a safe place to be!