"Hot New Looks for Old Fireplaces." That's the title of a new blog post at Emery & Associates interior Design Blog written by our friend Kathia Emery. Kathia is showing some wonderful before and after photos of fireplaces that have been upgraded.
We encourage you to take a look and perhaps you too, are just tired of looking at the old fireplace and are interested in a redo.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sofa, Couch Or Something Else?
What do you call that upholstered item you sit in with your spouse and dog before the TV? Designers call it a sofa, however I hear couch from the uninformed and I quickly correct them. “It’s sofa, not couch!” They are so embarrassed. They always say sorry.
When I was growing up we had a red davenport or davano for short. My mom would say, “Would you kids get your feet off the davano?” She had worked for hours sewing a slip cover for the sofa out of muslin. It would fade and every once in a while she’d toss it into the washer with red-Rit dye. It would come out looking brand new, as if the sun had never touched it.
Sofas need maintenance from time to time. One of those skills which homeowners learn by necessity is plumping cushions. Here are a few tips to help you keep your sofa cushions as bouncy as new.
1 - Keep pets off the sofa. Sure I know I should, but I like his head in my lap. Pets leave marks on your sofa cushions just like you do.
2 - Turn your cushions regularly. – Flip them or exchange the right side with the left side.
3 - Give your cushions an energetic beating. –Take the daily stress out on your cushions by giving them some good whacks. Maybe this is even a good time to have an old-fashioned pillow fight with your significant other.
4 - Invest in a high quality sofa. – The higher the quality of sofa the longer the stuffing in the cushions will be able to hold its shape.
5 - One more thing. Consider having your fabric treated at the time of purchase to protect it from nasty spills that can ruin your investment.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
When I was growing up we had a red davenport or davano for short. My mom would say, “Would you kids get your feet off the davano?” She had worked for hours sewing a slip cover for the sofa out of muslin. It would fade and every once in a while she’d toss it into the washer with red-Rit dye. It would come out looking brand new, as if the sun had never touched it.
Wikipedia says Davenport is the name of a series of sofas manufactured by the now-defunct A. H. Davenport Company. Due to the popularity of the furniture at the time, the name "Davenport" has become a genericized trademark. It is often used as a synonym for "sofa", especially in the Midwestern United States and in northern New York state.My parents came from the Midwest. Maybe they brought the word west to Portland.
Sofas need maintenance from time to time. One of those skills which homeowners learn by necessity is plumping cushions. Here are a few tips to help you keep your sofa cushions as bouncy as new.
1 - Keep pets off the sofa. Sure I know I should, but I like his head in my lap. Pets leave marks on your sofa cushions just like you do.
2 - Turn your cushions regularly. – Flip them or exchange the right side with the left side.
3 - Give your cushions an energetic beating. –Take the daily stress out on your cushions by giving them some good whacks. Maybe this is even a good time to have an old-fashioned pillow fight with your significant other.
4 - Invest in a high quality sofa. – The higher the quality of sofa the longer the stuffing in the cushions will be able to hold its shape.
5 - One more thing. Consider having your fabric treated at the time of purchase to protect it from nasty spills that can ruin your investment.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Sunday, February 20, 2011
New Products
Interior Design Magazine has some new designs from some of our vendors:
Phillips Collection - Starburst
Starburst cocktail table in redwood, eucalyptus, acacia, and rare makha by the Phillips Collection.
Rowe Furniture - Fluid Sofa
Planning to tackle the hospitality market, this residential upholstery specialist asked an Interior Design Hall of Fame member to quarterback the effort by developing a selection of furniture and fabric. Then, proving that what's at home in the suite can be sweet for the home, CEO Stefanie Lucas brought Karim Rashid for Rowe Furniture to her core constituency at High Point, too. Solid hardwood frames create sculptural silhouettes for the six designs, which include the Fluid sofa and Infinity sectional. Pair them with any of 15 exclusive wovens. They're primarily kinetic patterns in a polyester-cotton blend.
Palecek - Leather Patchwork
Leather Patchwork stool in antiqued bronze and recycled leather by Palecek.
Global Views - Airline
Airline bench in stainless steel and Citron leather by Global Views.
Frederick Cooper - Orbifold
Orbifold table lamp in brass and crushed silk by Frederick Cooper.
Phillips Collection - Starburst
Starburst cocktail table in redwood, eucalyptus, acacia, and rare makha by the Phillips Collection.
Rowe Furniture - Fluid Sofa
Planning to tackle the hospitality market, this residential upholstery specialist asked an Interior Design Hall of Fame member to quarterback the effort by developing a selection of furniture and fabric. Then, proving that what's at home in the suite can be sweet for the home, CEO Stefanie Lucas brought Karim Rashid for Rowe Furniture to her core constituency at High Point, too. Solid hardwood frames create sculptural silhouettes for the six designs, which include the Fluid sofa and Infinity sectional. Pair them with any of 15 exclusive wovens. They're primarily kinetic patterns in a polyester-cotton blend.
Palecek - Leather Patchwork
Leather Patchwork stool in antiqued bronze and recycled leather by Palecek.
Global Views - Airline
Airline bench in stainless steel and Citron leather by Global Views.
Frederick Cooper - Orbifold
Orbifold table lamp in brass and crushed silk by Frederick Cooper.
Robb & Stucky, Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy On Friday.
Robb & Stucky, No. 33 on Furniture/Today's Top 100 with 2009 estimated sales of $201 million, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday.
Dan Lubner, president of Robb & Stucky's Hospitality Design Division, said "We are endeavoring to locate a buyer that will maintain the company's brand standards, associates team and strong focus on customer needs and service, with minimal impact on operations and stakeholders."
High-end retailer Robb & Stucky carried such brands as Woodard, Lexington and Stanley and many more. They have locations in Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Texas. Real Estate in most of those states have been hit hard.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
In April, Henry Link Trading Co. From Lexington
Lexington Home Brands will undertake what it says is the biggest product introduction in its 77-year history at the April High Point Market with a new brand called Henry Link Trading Co.
The brand will include 180-plus SKUs of bedroom, dining room, accent furniture and upholstery, all within the range of existing Lexington price points.
While the forms of the Henry Link items will be traditional in nature, they'll offer eclectic designs the company says will create excitement in the marketplace and will attract a wide audience, including designers.
The collection also aims to reflect the way consumers are buying furniture today, which is more as individual pieces versus entire suites, said Phil Haney, Lexington president and CEO.
In development for 18 months, the collection also aims to capture the excitement of global travel. The Henry Link Trading Co. logo, a giraffe walking through tall grass, sets the stage for this theme.
The pieces, to be sourced in the Philippines, expand on the global theme with a mix of materials that includes bamboo, rattan, embossed leather, hair over hide, penshell and marble. Finishes also tend to reflect the exotic, with colors such as gloss piano black, rubbed mahogany and gold and silver leaf.
"Over the last several years, sophisticated consumers have become increasingly more eclectic in their tastes, placing greater value on items that feature innovative design and exotic materials," Haney said in a statement. "They are often furnishing their homes with a few pieces at a time rather than all at once, looking for standout pieces that make a personal statement rather than matched suites.
"There is an aspirational element to the trend as well. Henry Link Trading Co. is designed to address the needs of that consumer. While many of them find that time constraints limit their ability to travel the world, they still aspire to invest in signature pieces that showcase the taste and savvy of someone who does."
The brand will include 180-plus SKUs of bedroom, dining room, accent furniture and upholstery, all within the range of existing Lexington price points.
While the forms of the Henry Link items will be traditional in nature, they'll offer eclectic designs the company says will create excitement in the marketplace and will attract a wide audience, including designers.
The collection also aims to reflect the way consumers are buying furniture today, which is more as individual pieces versus entire suites, said Phil Haney, Lexington president and CEO.
In development for 18 months, the collection also aims to capture the excitement of global travel. The Henry Link Trading Co. logo, a giraffe walking through tall grass, sets the stage for this theme.
The pieces, to be sourced in the Philippines, expand on the global theme with a mix of materials that includes bamboo, rattan, embossed leather, hair over hide, penshell and marble. Finishes also tend to reflect the exotic, with colors such as gloss piano black, rubbed mahogany and gold and silver leaf.
"Over the last several years, sophisticated consumers have become increasingly more eclectic in their tastes, placing greater value on items that feature innovative design and exotic materials," Haney said in a statement. "They are often furnishing their homes with a few pieces at a time rather than all at once, looking for standout pieces that make a personal statement rather than matched suites.
"There is an aspirational element to the trend as well. Henry Link Trading Co. is designed to address the needs of that consumer. While many of them find that time constraints limit their ability to travel the world, they still aspire to invest in signature pieces that showcase the taste and savvy of someone who does."
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Anfibio sofa bed???
Ever heard of an Anfibio sofa bed? I haven't until now. It was designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, Italy, in 1970. Only 31,000 of the sofa beds were produced.
A sofa that, when unfolded, becomes a generous double bed. The outer arm and back have a steel structure (within a wrap of polyurethane and dacron) that gives rigidity to the form. The seat unrolls by releasing the side straps, and the back is then folded forward onto the floor to make a low-padded sleeping platform. Commonly upholstered in tan leather, it measures 180cm x 100cm when unfolded.The sofa won the Compasso d’Oro at the Milan Triennale in 1972.
If you search the web for "Anfibio sofa bed" you'll find some for sale. One I found at StyleStore costs just over £3,000 in fabric or an extra £1,200 for leather. That's over $4,500 in USDs for fabric!
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
ZGF Wins With John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes At U of O
The University of Oregon John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes was the Education winner in the Interiors Awards 2011:
Replacing an inadequate facility, the 40,000-sq.-ft. building explores the limits of transparency and connectivity while providing a place for the university’s 520 student athletes to meet, study, interact, and form a community. “It’s a place to create a culture,” explains Gene Sandoval, design partner at ZGF. “They can be around their peers and their mentors in a building that celebrates success.”Bev & Mike
Based on his theory that learning best occurs in a garden, Sandoval and the ZGF team strove to bring the verdant splendor of Oregon’s Willamette Valley into the building. Utilizing a double-wall façade, the glass structure rests on a table of water surrounded by birch trees. A prismatic vertical stainless-steel screen within the façade provides shading, thermal comfort, heat harvesting, and privacy.
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Memory Foam - The Secret Origins
Where did memory foam used in mattresses come from?
Memory foam was actually invented by NASA for the early Astronauts. Their ordeal from extreme accelerations was NASA’s concern. The pillows used are made of the same type of material, but the mattresses are actually only half memory foam due to the high cost of this material. The other half of the sandwich is regular foam.The two sheets are laminated together to form one solid mattress.
The idea is that you sleep on the top memory foam layer and place the regular foam side on the bed frame. It is thick enough so that you don’t notice or feel this difference while lying down.
Friends of ours recently switched from a waterbed to memory foam.The waterbed required too much maintenance and was expensive to heat and maintain. They were willing to pay a higher price for the extra comfort when compared to springs.
Memory foam was actually invented by NASA for the early Astronauts. Their ordeal from extreme accelerations was NASA’s concern. The pillows used are made of the same type of material, but the mattresses are actually only half memory foam due to the high cost of this material. The other half of the sandwich is regular foam.The two sheets are laminated together to form one solid mattress.
The idea is that you sleep on the top memory foam layer and place the regular foam side on the bed frame. It is thick enough so that you don’t notice or feel this difference while lying down.
Friends of ours recently switched from a waterbed to memory foam.The waterbed required too much maintenance and was expensive to heat and maintain. They were willing to pay a higher price for the extra comfort when compared to springs.
What's New In Las Vegas Market?
Our friend Carrie Farmer is showing this YouTube video on her blog, Carrie's Corner:
If you look closely, you'll see what's new from Lexington, Palacek, Global Views and much more.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
If you look closely, you'll see what's new from Lexington, Palacek, Global Views and much more.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Heretic Sofa
You think I've milked the sofa topic enough? Well, hardly, because from Autumn I found the perfect sofa for the Adams Family:
The Heretic, a dark sofa made from a re-purposed coffin.
Hat tip to Curated.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
The Heretic, a dark sofa made from a re-purposed coffin.
Hat tip to Curated.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Suzuki Shows Off Motorized Sofa
If you are looking for motorized furniture, come take a look at Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
"Just Right" Sofa
Did you hear about the man who awoke and found a stranger sleeping on his sofa?
Deputies woke up the man, later identified as Kevin Mace, 41, only to discover that he was intoxicated. Mace lives several trailers away and deputies believe he stumbled into the wrong residence and found a sofa that was "just right" for slumber.This reminds me of the story of the Dad who comes home from work and wanders into the wrong house because all the houses look the same. Kevin Mace maybe couldn't tell that he was on the wrong sofa because too many sofas look alike.
If you want a new sofa and want to be able to choose between a contemporary, traditional or transitional sofa in fabric or leather in all sizes, you should be coming to Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery. We have Duralee, Sherrill, Precedent, Rowe, and now Lexington and we are sure we can help you find something that will fit your budget.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Houzz!
Houzz is a wonderful site that many of you have already discovered. According to the website, Houzz "...a community of home design enthusiasts from around the world. It's the online version of cutting pages out of magazines and stuffing them in a folder - but much easier to search, save, and share."
Over 10,000 design professionals have uploaded over 70,000 photos of their work. Beside acting as a scrapbook for homeowners, they can find design professionals in their areas. Inaddition, 150,000+ ideabooks have been created by Houzz members, and new ones are added every minute.
Today I wandered through the story by Janell Beals of isabella & max sharing with us 11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them.
BTW, if you're a professional who hasn't joined Houzz, what are you waiting for?
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook
Over 10,000 design professionals have uploaded over 70,000 photos of their work. Beside acting as a scrapbook for homeowners, they can find design professionals in their areas. Inaddition, 150,000+ ideabooks have been created by Houzz members, and new ones are added every minute.
Today I wandered through the story by Janell Beals of isabella & max sharing with us 11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them.
BTW, if you're a professional who hasn't joined Houzz, what are you waiting for?
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook