Royal Heritage Home Furnishings
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
Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Designing a nursery for your soon-to-be-newborn is a very special time for parents. You want the room to be perfectly safe; a beautiful living space for your new special treasure but free from any hazards. But how do you protect them from the hazards you can’t see? Here are some safe and healthy ways to create a living space for your little one.
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!
Tags: baby bedding, baby room, Bedding, Bedroom, design, eco-friendly, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, Nursery, Prevention, protecting baby, protection, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, safe bedroom, setting up, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Nursery, Prevention, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture, eco-friendly | 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
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
Your kids will always change their minds. Whether it’s within seconds, minutes, hours, or days, it’s inevitable that your child will at one point change their mind about their likes and interests. Seventeen years of these attitude changes can take its toll on any room, and can become very expensive. So how do you prepare for your child’s ever-changing tastes when designing their room?
Plan for the long term
Your focus when planning for longevity needs to be solely on the furniture pieces. This is where designing a room time-and-time again can become very costly. Kids are very hard on furniture. That’s a fact. Buying quality, well-built pieces is vital here. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank and buy the absolute best. But look at the manufacturer’s warranty and take it into consideration when deciding what to buy. Also, heavier woods are sturdier and will last longer, but can be more expensive. Woods like pine are not as high quality, but will save you money.
Stay with the traditional
With the amount of TV and movies your children are exposed too, it’s hard to say what characters or themes they will like from one day to the next. So when your child decides it’s time for a new style in their room, simply change the wall hangings or the painting scheme. This is something that can be inexpensive and easy to change. Kids outgrow themes on a daily basis, so if you purchase a new bed with every theme, plan for a lot of spending.
The sooner, the better
When designing for a nursery, stay away from gender specific colors like pink for a girl and blue for a boy. Thinking long term means using neutral shades for paints, and then adding bolder colors to the accent pieces. Accent pieces can be changed down the road and are fairly inexpensive.
Wall stickers are also a great way to decorate. They peel off very easily and are inexpensive as well.
Finally, multi-stage pieces will also help when planning for the longevity of the room. For instance, cribs that convert into toddler beds will last for years and serve a multi-purpose. As will a six-drawer dresser with a changer on top instead of just a changing table.
When designing your child’s room for longevity, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their enormous selection of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you know your child’s furniture will last a lifetime!
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, child bedroom, Children, children design, childrens bedroom, design, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Youth Bedroom Furniture | No Comments
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Everyone wants an immense bedroom that will never be deprived of space. We dream of owning a spacious bedroom so much that the thought of it becoming cluttered never enters our mind. But what happens if unlimited space is not at luxury that has been given to you? Having a little bedroom is not something you should fear anymore. These guidelines are suggestions for working with what you have to give your bedroom the gift of space!
- Maximize the sense of space by painting the room in a pale color. White, beige and cream are just a few examples.
- Use ceramic or wood flooring that runs in a diagonal pattern. Diagonal lines appear longer than lines running perpendicular or parallel.
- Get rid of the headboard and footboard. Headboards and footboards push the bed off the wall and take up space.
- Use a metal mattress frame and keep the bed close to the floor. Large frames give the sense of a large mass and appear bulky.
- Sleep sofas or a nice futon can be great for utilizing space. Couch during the day … bed at night.
- Don’t use too much furniture. Excess furniture can choke a room and its traffic pattern. A bed, nightstand and a dresser is all your room needs.
- Storage pieces that rise vertically, like a highboy, are better than pieces that jet out horizontally.
- Minimize the use of patterns in things such as rugs, curtains and wallpaper. Patterns such as polka dots, flowers, stripes and plaids can really fill up a room and take away the sense of space.
- Refrain from placing a large amount of pictures on the wall. Many designers state that one wall should be left bare to give the psyche a chance to relax.
Designing for a smaller bedroom can be very simple, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those ideal bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection that will give your bedroom never-ending space!
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, bedroom space, design, design bedroom, fashion, furniture, give bedroom space, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, setting up
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture | 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
Friday, June 18th, 2010
How many times has your morning been ruined by the painful feeling of banging one of your toes or shins against a dresser or another piece of furniture?
At one time or another it has happened to all of us, but the great thing is it doesn’t have to anymore! When working with limited space, finding a way to set up your bedroom can be very tricky. The following steps will help you not only add more comfort and style to your bedroom, but it will save you from mornings filled will toe throbbing pain:
- Sketch the layout of your bedroom on a piece of paper. Include measurements and placement of all radiators, doors, and windows.
- Get the measurements of all your furniture. You can either write it down or if you are creative enough, make cutouts of each furniture piece.
- Place the cutouts on the paper and move them around until you get the desired layout you want. Make sure the spacing between furniture pieces is big enough, giving you the peace of mind knowing that you won’t be bumping into anything when you wake up.
- Make sure your room is clutter free! Clearing out clutter from the corners of the room will give you better energy flow. Exposed electrical equipment emits electromagnetic waves, which can hinder a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, hide wires from electrical equipment in units with doors.
When designing the perfect layout for your bedroom, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those perfect bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can start your mornings off pain free!
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, furniture, master bedroom, Prevention, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Royal Heritage Memory Foam, Royal Heritage Pillow Top Mattress, setting up, youth bedroom
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Prevention, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture, sleeper sofa | 1 Comment
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
Your children’s room is very special to them. It is one of the few places in the home they call their own and many times it will be their personal place of peace. The kinds of furniture you furnish their room with will make or break their bedroom and can create a very un-enjoyable environment.
Selecting the correct pieces of furniture is absolutely necessary. The following steps will help in the process of assembling a perfect youth bedroom.
1. Find out what he or she wants in their room. They are the ones that are going to be spending all their time there. So make sure it is filled with things they would want.
2. Color schemes. This is vital when buying furniture. Lots of kids’ bedroom sets come in assorted color schemes so discuss with your child the color scheme he or she likes best.
3. Based on how much space you have to work with, the bed is the most essential piece of furniture you will buy. so Make sure it is as convenient as it is comfortable. Your choices will consist of day beds, bunk bed, lofts, day beds, and storage beds.
4. A night stand is next on the list. You child will need a place to put an alarm clock or their glasses once it is time for bed.
5. Your child most likely will have homework and thus needs a place to do it. Find a desk that he or she can easily fit into, preferably with a book shelf. Homework is not fun, so make sure their desk is comfortable. Find a matching, comfortable chair for the desk also.
6. Finally, for extra storage, a dresser, armoire, or trunk will work well and keep the room clutter free.
When designing a bedroom your children will love, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those perfect kid bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so your children will have a place they can call their own.
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, children bedroom, design, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, kids bedroom, mattress protector, Mattresses, pillow protector, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Royal Heritage Memory Foam, Royal Heritage Pillow Top Mattress, setting up
Posted in Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture | 1 Comment
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Having to spend the night in a room not familiar to you can be such a downer sometimes, especially when the sleeping conditions remind you of sleeping in the great outdoors. So why would you want to put your guest through that same experience?
Take into consideration the things that make you feel at ease when staying the night in an unfamiliar place. This is the most important factor to focus on when creating a perfect guest room. It will also give them a warm and comfy feeling knowing their comfort was thought of when you invited them to stay the night in your home.
- Keep it clutter free. Remove any furniture that might give the room a cluttered feel. Guests will feel more at home if they feel they have enough room to move around in.
- Don’t furnish the room by placing all your unwanted furniture in there. This too can make a room feel cluttered and seem very thoughtless to your guests.
- Give the bed all the comfort you would want if you were sleeping on it. Provide extra pillows and don’t skimp on the linens. A thick duvet isn’t a bad idea either.
- Provide a nightstand next to the bed. This could be a great place for a lamp for reading purposes. Placing a bowl of candy, magazines, or books there is also a great way to make them feel wanted.
- Hang a mirror on the wall so they have a place to freshen up.
- A clock radio, wastebasket, iron and ironing board, and Kleenex are also something that should be provided.
When providing your dearest friends with a home away from home guest room, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to find the perfect pieces of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection that will give your guest a home like experience.
Tags: Bedding, Bedroom, design, Entertaining, furniture, guest, Guest bedroom, guest room, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Royal Heritage Memory Foam, Royal Heritage Pillow Top Mattress, setting up
Posted in Accessories, Bedding, Bedroom Furniture, Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Mattresses, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, Royal Heritage Mattress, Youth Bedroom Furniture, sleeper sofa | 1 Comment
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Your dining room does not have to match!
The days of matchy-matchy dining rooms are finished! Today’s furniture buyers want to reflect their families’ personality by mixing and matching different pieces to create a unique dining experience. All the dining room furniture you buy from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee should be something you love that is a reflection of your home and personality.
When combining different styles of furniture for your dining room, the first thing you need to consider is the table, the centerpiece of any eating experience. Because of this, the rest of the design will play off of this focal point. Tables with darker finishes tend to be used for formal settings while lighter finishes and glass or stone tops lend a casual feel. If you plan on using the dining room for every meal, a glass top table is also easy to clean and maintain.
Next, consider the chairs. Even in a formal dining room setting the chairs don’t have to be identical. Wood, leather, upholstered, and even metal are just a few of the different styles of chairs from which you can choose. And when mixed and matched, these varying choices can add a style all of their own to any dining room. Mix and match back styles, use different styles for the side and arm chairs, apply coordinating fabrics to add some excitement to your seating. Side chairs can also be placed throughout the dining room for a unique look.
Finally, the serving pieces can be constructed from different materials than your table and chairs. Painted sideboards, china cabinets, and buffet tables will give them an eccentric one-of-a-kind look and add an interesting style to your dining room. Finish the table off with a centerpiece that matches the color or style of your curtains and there you have it–a dining room that is a reflection of you.
When giving your dining room a personality that matches your family, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those just right dining room pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and start enjoying your dining experiences today!
Tags: arm chairs, buffet, china cabinets, creating, creating dining room, design, Dining Room, dining room style, dining room table, fashion, fashion trend, furniture, hutch, mix and match, Royal Heritage, Royal Heritage Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings, serving pieces, setting up, side chairs, sideboards, style, table styles
Posted in Decorating Tips, Design Trends, Dining Room Furniture, Royal Heritage Home Furnishings | No Comments
