loveseat


Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

“Bonded Leather”, A Good Thing!

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.   sofaBonded 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.

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Furniture’s Roll in Holiday Decorating

What a wonderful time of the year for furniture!  Who doesn’t remember decorating the housegoing 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?  christmas_bows_dining_chairWhat 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.   christmas comforterA 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!

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

The questions that matter when shopping for furniture

questions“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!

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Contemporary vs. Contemporary

S7350Are 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!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Features of durable living room furniture

durable living room furnitureThink you can’t have beautiful furniture just because you have beautiful—but boisterous—children? Think again! Kids can coexist with a beautiful home!

The type of cover you choose for your furniture is very important. Many fabrics come with anti-stain features or treatments to protect against spills and stains.  Microfiber repels moisture remarkably and comes in a dazzling array of colors and suede like finishes. Genuine leather can also be an excellent choice because of its durability and strength. Many leather finishes have a naturally distressed look that won’t show wear and tear over a period of time.  A sofa with a washable slipcover sofa also protects your investment during the messy years.

Clean ability should be high on your list of considerations, right up there with durability.  Sooner or later, your kids are going to jump on your furniture—it’s practically guaranteed! Quality construction using strong frames and high-density cushions can stand up to typical roughhousing. Rearrange your furniture periodically to make sure all pieces are sharing the love—and the rassling!

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to see how beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection meets your family’s needs.

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Setting up a tranquil room

tranquil roomAt the end of a long day or when life stresses you out, you need a place for peace and quiet. With some creativity and a little help from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, you can create a room in your home where relaxation will always be waiting for you. Follow these steps to creating your own tranquil area:

  1. Choose a room in your home with the least amount of distractions. A lightly trafficked area is best, like a bedroom or home office.
  2. Bring something personal to the space, like a photo of a loved one, a candle, flower, or a favorite memento.
  3. Keep the color scheme simple. An all-white room or a monochrome scheme is soothing.
  4. A comfortable chair is key. Make sure you can put your head back, your feet up and your arms are positioned comfortably. Drape a blanket over the back for a spontaneous nap.
  5. Stimulate your senses with sounds and smells. Light scented candles and place a table top waterfall nearby. Soothing music plays an important role in achieving tranquility.

Create a personal and uncluttered place that inspires rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee for the items you need to find peace in your home.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

How to buy that perfect sofa

how to buy a sofaSome of your most precious moments will occur in your living room. Whether it’s or that once a year sporting event, Christmas morning, or your child’s first step, your living room will be the crucial point of many memories you will hold dear. The centerpiece of this very important room is the sofa. Your sofa will be one of the most significant pieces of furniture you own. The sofa needs to fit the everyday life of your family and be a place where you want to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

When deciding on what sofa to buy from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, you need to understand the different types of sofas so you can decide which one best suits your family.

Styles of Sofas

Standard: The standard sofa is typically the most common of the sofa family. It generally seats about three adults and is a stationary piece of furniture.

Motion: Perfect for laying back and watching a ball game or movie with the family, motion sofas have built in recliners or rockers. This will give you a place to kick back and relax after long day.

Sectional: For families who tend to host a lot of parties or have a larger living room sectional sofas are usually the better choice. The larger sectionals usually come in a L or U shape and are perfect for having conversations.

Loveseat: The loveseat is much like its companion the sofa except for the fact that it is a bit smaller and can generally only seat about two adults. A loveseat is a perfect complement to any sofa and can provide extra need seating space.

Sleeper: If you are prone to having many overnight guests for holidays are other events, then a sleeper sofa is a must have. Sleeper sofas have a built in bed frame that pulls out from underneath the seat cushions.

Next week we will continue with the different designs of sofas and how they will compliment your design style.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.