living room
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
In some ways explaining what bonded leather is can be the same as describing the difference between ground beef and a sirloin steak. The food is all steak, only one is ground up and one is a whole piece. 
Bonded leather is similar whereas you have bonded leather and a full grain leather hide. Bonded leather is leather scraps that are “left over” on the factory floor. These leather scraps are gathered and ground up, then pressed together with a bonding agent to form a “hide”. Thus the name “bonded leather”. Sometimes the process stops here and the bonded leather is 100% leather. Other times the pressed hide is covered in polyurethane that is colored and textured to match a premium hide. This bonded product has much better characteristics than vinyl.
The difference between bonded leather and genuine leather, in terms of quality and looks, can be hard to see. If it is done properly, the grains and textures of bonded leather should look very close to that of genuine leather. In some cases, the only different may be that the texture of the bonded leather may not be quite as pronounced as that of natural-grained genuine leather. The function, smell, and overall appearance can remain much the same, however.
The other major difference with bonded leather is in the cost. It is often available at a substantial discount over genuine leather. This is because the leather scraps, or leather fibers, would have no other value, or very little value, if not made into a bonded form. Therefore, it is still considered a good deal for the manufacturer to sell it at a reduced cost.
One of the most common applications for bonded leather is in the covers for books, especially Bibles. The leather for Bibles can be bonded and still very easily create the desired look and feel. While full disclosure often means the words “bonded leather” appear somewhere on the cover, it would otherwise be hard to tell the difference. It has become such a product of choice for Bibles that finding them in genuine leather is becoming more difficult.
Posted in Design Trends, Leather Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Uncategorized, Upholstery, eco-friendly, living room, loveseat, sofa | 3 Comments
Monday, April 11th, 2011
Well, it was that time again, where all of the furniture industry join together in High Point, North Carolina to view hot new furniture styles and colors! This year was no exception. In sofa fabrics we saw a lot of bright colors and bold reds. Leather is trending with button cushions. In bedroom furniture, the storage bed is still very popular, as is the marble top Louis Philippe. As for formal dining, that business is dropping because people are moving away from the formal dining room, but we did see some counter height formal dining which was eye catching. The mattress designs have not changed much but we are beginning to see a hint of color in what is normally an off-white world.
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.
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Leather Furniture, Mattresses, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Uncategorized, Upholstery, living room, sofa | No Comments
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
What a wonderful time of the year for furniture! Who doesn’t remember 
going down in the basement each year to bring up the many boxes of Christmas decorations for the tree, mantle and furniture? For most of us it is some of our earliest memories. The wonderful sights of the various holiday decorations along with the seasonal smells.
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!
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Leather Furniture, Mattresses, Recliner, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Upholstery, living room, loveseat, sleeper sofa, sofa | 2 Comments
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Whether it was a holiday spent at grandma’s house, or a family trip up north to the country, many of us have stayed at a country or cottage-styled home at one time in our very eventful lives. Country and cottage-styled homes are a staple of American design and can be a peaceful place to live or visit, and are a place where your problems seem to fade away.
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!
Tags: Bedroom, chairside tables, cottage, Cottage Design, Country Design, design, Dining Room, dining room table, fashion, furniture, living room, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, wood trimmed upholstery, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedroom Furniture, Cottage Design, Country Design, Decorating Tips, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Home Office, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, living room | 1 Comment
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
People need to relax. More importantly YOU need to relax. It is very important to your survival that you lower the amount of stress you put on yourself after a long hard day’s work and increase the time you spend relaxing.
One of the single best pieces of furniture to relax in is the almighty recliner. A recliner is a piece of furniture, such as a large armchair or sofa, that can be adjusted into a reclining position by lowering the back of the piece and raising the footrest. A reclining chair can adjust to different levels from a slight incline, to lying almost flat.
But what type of recliner is right for you?
Swivel Recliners
Swivel recliners are probably the most popular recliners today since they provide extreme comfort. The swivel base of the recliner allows it to turn in a 360-degree motion, allowing you to see all sides of the room without having to stand up. It reclines using a small lever, and has both a chair and an ottoman with a base that contains the swivel mechanism. Pull the lever, lean back, kick your feet up and give yourself the much needed relaxation to recharge your batteries for the next day’s activities.
Stressless Recliners
Stressless recliners are perfect for a family with a contemporary home who want to maintain the home’s sleek style while still having a piece of furniture they can relax in and enjoy the day. Stressless Recliners come in two separate pieces: the reclining chair and a matching footstool to elevate your feet. The chair typically reclines to about 45 degrees and can come in either a high or low back. These recliners come in a whole range of fabrics and colors, allowing you to find the perfect match for your stylish home.
Massage Recliners
What they lack in style, they gain in extreme comfort. Massage recliners are the perfect item for treatment of tired legs and backs. They come with a variety of massage types and many different reclining positions. Your legs are cared for too as they include mechanisms to massage your feet, calves, and upper leg. Typically, they are operated manually but sometimes offer pre-programmed massages for specific parts of your body.
Sofa Recliners
Not to be left out, many sofas are manufactured with reclining mechanisms of their own, giving your family or guests ultimate comfort in any occasion. Reclining sofas have backs that recline in at least two places and have a footrest which comes up as the back reclines. These can come in a variety of sizes and styles, giving them the ability to fit any kind of décor.
Whether it’s after a long day’s work or enjoying a good movie, visit your local Royal Heritage Furnishings Retailer and shop their immense selection of reclining furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and give yourself the ultimate in relaxation!
Tags: furniture, living room, massage recliner, Recliner, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, sofa recliner, swivel recliner
Posted in Home Office, Recliner, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, living room, sofa | No Comments
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
“Should I go with fabric?…..What color do I need?….. will this even fit?….what style do I need?…… do I have enough money?!!”………
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!
Tags: Bedroom, budget, choices, decisions, design, Dining Room, dining room table, furniture, lifestyle, living room, measurements, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, setting up, shopping, space
Posted in Accessories, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Entertainment Centers, Environment, Home Office, Leather Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture, living room, loveseat, sleeper sofa, sofa | No Comments
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Are you in style? Does your home have a look that would be considered cool by today’s standards? If so, then your home probably has a contemporary or modern look to it. But what does “contemporary” really mean?
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!
Tags: artsy, Bedroom, chic, Contemporary, design, Dining Room, dining room table, Entertaining, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, Leather Furniture, living room, modern, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, sofas, urban, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Contemporary, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Entertainment Centers, Environment, Home Office, Leather Furniture, Nursery, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, living room, loveseat, sofa | 1 Comment
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
With styles changing what seems like daily, it’s hard to keep up with current furniture lingo thrown at you when you are shopping for furniture. Whether it’s contemporary, traditional, cottage, modern, or chic, these terms can encompass a broad range of styles that might leave you scratching your head. In the next few weeks I will review the most commonly used terms to discuss styles, and what exactly the definition of each is. This week we will look at traditional styles, and what it truly means to be a traditional looking piece of furniture.
Time honored, Colonial, European…these are just a few of the words you might hear when shopping for a traditionally styled piece of furniture. The main characteristic all these terms have in common is they have a century old look. These pieces will be reminiscent of furniture you might find in a royal mansion in Spain, or a President in Colonial times.
American styled pieces will have a look that was represented in the Colonial times. Painted finishes coupled with spindles – and finial – are very typical in this instance. However, they will be adapted to fit modern day uses.
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!
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, colonial, design, Dining Room, dining room table, european, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, living room, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, traditional, wood trimmed upholstery, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, Entertainment Centers, Environment, Home Office, Leather Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Upholstery, Youth Bedroom Furniture, living room, sleeper sofa, sofa | No Comments
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Everyone loves the environment and in some way wants to protect it. In today’s society, we are constantly made aware of mother earth’s deteriorating condition. Taking care of the environment is essential for all industries and products. For those of you looking to create an environmentally friendly home , here’s a list of home-beautifying trends and products in accordance with the ongoing ‘green’ movement.
Wabi-Sabi
Reclaimed wood is one of the most popular trends in green design. The reshaping of recycled wood falls under the Japanese art form, Wabi-Sabi, an art devoted to finding beauty in imperfection. This new spin on an old design philosophy presents both contemporary and traditional items that are sure to brighten any space.
Paint it “Green”
The green movement no longer only applies to the construction of furniture. Now, the green movement extends from your floor to the ceiling, literally. New chemical-free paints – which contain no volatile organic compounds – make spicing up your interior an eco-friendly exercise. Today, chemical-free interior paint has expanded from only a few shades to the entire spectrum of the rainbow and beyond. You can paint your rooms and feel good about your effort to reduce the damage inflicted on mother nature.
LED is a Y-E-S
While compact fluorescent lighting is a better choice for the environment than the old incandescent bulb, it gives off a drab, bluish glow. Fluorescent bulbs used to be the only environmentally sound choice, but now a brighter option is in the making. New LED bulbs, made in the same shape and size as incandescent bulbs, will soon hit the market. They give off a brighter, more natural light than incandescent lights while offering much more durability than the older models.
When giving your room an eco-friendly boost, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those eco-friendly furniture pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can enjoy the environment all the time.
Tags: design, eco-friendly, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, light bulbs, living room, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, Environment, Home Office, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Youth Bedroom Furniture, eco-friendly, living room | No Comments
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Often times we focus too heavily on what we SHOULD do with the scheme of our interior. Instead, we NEED to pay more attention to what should NOT be done when decorating. These are the most common mistakes and the ways to avoid them before they destroy your decor.
Avoiding Color
Don’t be afraid to experiment when painting your walls even though many believe the myth that bold colors negatively affect your home’s resale value. Use colors that thoroughly express your tastes and personality instead of slapping on a coat of beige to “make the room look bigger.”
If you are reluctant to paint your rooms in bright colors, just try the accent effect where you only make one or two of the walls stand out while keeping the others more conservative.
Weak Windows
Window treatments are an easy, cost-efficient way to really put a good touch on a room, but many times, the curtain frame is hung too low or the curtains do not fit the window. This either makes the ceiling look low or the curtains appear cheap.
Six inches to one foot above the window molding is the best range to hang your curtains. This allows more light into the room and it makes ceilings look taller. Also, curtains should hang from the curtain rod to the floor.
Floating Rugs
A rug should either be large enough to provide a surface for all of the furniture to rest on or the right size for the furniture to perfectly frame it. Rugs that are too small for a room end up creating an island that really breaks up the design and the scheme of the furniture.
Accessory Overload
Accessories should be nothing more than small additions. They are not meant to control their settings. Crowding your tables with frames, candles, and vases is overkill.
Display your accessories so that your favorite pieces receive the most attention from visitors. You can even keep these items in a rotation so that you can always add something new to the room.
Poor-Fitting Furniture
There should be three feet, if not more, separating larger pieces like sofas from the rest of the furniture so that people can easily pass through the room. On top of that, try not to fill big spaces with little pieces since it really disturbs the flow of your décor.
When protecting yourself against design follies, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their vast selection of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can have the ultimate decor for your home!
Tags: accessory overload, avoiding color, Bedroom, design, design follies, Dining Room, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, living room, poor fitting furniture, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, rugs, weak windows
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, End Tables, Home Office, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture, living room | No Comments
