Power and Rocking Loveseat and Sofa -Thompkins by Flexsteel

Elaine shows some great features on the great Thompkins line from Flexsteel. See more at http://www.laineysfurniture.com

Holiday Stains: Getting out Wax

Candles are beautiful, but wax on your antique napkins is not. Consumer Reports shows you how to remove wax safely from any surface.

Four Tips to Keep Your Bedroom Furniture From Looking Bland

Often, people spend their time at home relaxing in shared spaces like the living room and kitchen. Many homeowners put an emphasis on keeping these areas stylish, upgrading components and furniture to make their homes feel elegant and give them a sense of relaxation and peace. Upgrading a private area like the master suite can easily make a well-lived-in home feel new again. When upgrading to new bedroom furniture, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Consider the Size

Bedroom furniture comes in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles and certain pieces simply won't work in certain rooms. Before going to the furniture store, take the measurements of your room. This will ensure that only furniture that fits is considered. As a general rule of thumb, avoid using large statement pieces in small spaces.

Get Creative with Lampshades

If a room needs nothing more than a few new accent pieces to enhance the existing decor's style, don't be afraid to mix and match colours and themes. Sometimes, a new lamp is all that's needed to completely transform the look and feel, and playing fast and loose with existing styles can make a design look even trendier than otherwise possible. There's no need to settle on plain colours; patterns and vibrant complementary colours can transform the space into a new, relaxing paradise.

Mix and Match Furniture Pieces

While a matching bedroom set can create a cohesive theme in a room, adding pieces from multiple styles or brands can create a unique appearance that expresses an individual's style. Don't be afraid to combine different finishes, colours, and styles to create a unique theme. For example, use light-coloured throw rugs to add brightness with a large, dark wood statement piece. Add soft classic accents to complement a sleek contemporary bed set.

Don't Neglect Storage Options

Clutter can make even the largest rooms feel small, but not all bedrooms feature adequate storage space or solutions. Consider adding bookshelves to add more vertical storage to the space. If storage is at an absolute premium, look for a bed set with built-in drawers or a headboard with shelves to create more storage space. Rather than storing everything on the top of a dresser, invest in a nightstand that provides adequate storage for an alarm clock, books, or any other necessities best kept close at hand.

Bedroom furniture should be both practical and stylish, and upgrading a few key items in a bedroom can dramatically change the look of the space. Don't settle on the same bland look; follow these tips and create a unique space that fosters both a sense of relaxation and comfort.

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Pretty All-Red Christmas Living Room

Embrace the monochromatic trend this holiday season with our all-red Christmas décor ideas.

When To Splurge on High-End Furniture

Decorating a home is one of the most exciting parts of moving into a new space. New furnishings can also revitalize an old space. Unfortunately, completely redoing a room can often cost a small fortune. It would obviously be ideal to walk into expensive home décor stores and pick out everything you want, but for many of us, that's simply not a reality. Fortunately, you can still create a stylish space without spending tons of money. You simply need to know when to splurge on high end furniture and when to opt for less expensive pieces. Read on for some tips on which pieces are worth spending a little more on.

Sofas

As the focal point and main seating area of your room, your sofa should come from a high-end furniture store. In your search for the perfect piece, look for high-quality materials like hardwood and hand-tied spring construction. Go for a classic style as opposed to something trendy, as you can reinvent your room multiple times with accessories and still keep the same sofa. Still not convinced that you should splurge? Keep in mind that a low-quality sofa could actually negatively affect your back health, and that a high-quality version lasts an average of 15 years longer than a lower-quality version.

Side Tables

You can probably save your money on side tables. You can buy them from virtually any store, as well as create DIY versions from various online tutorials and household materials. Side tables don't really see much wear and tear, so it's not incredibly important that they are high quality. Spending less money on these pieces of furniture also means that you can switch them out more frequently to change up the look of the room or to follow current interior design trends.

Flooring

This is another area you should splurge on. Whether you're interested in hardwood or stone floors, they will be the foundation of your home and need to be high quality to survive the wear and tear they'll experience on a daily basis. You probably won't be replacing them that frequently, so it makes sense to invest in something that looks nice and will continue to do so over time.

Area Rugs

Area rugs are great items to save money on. You're constantly walking on them, spilling stuff on them, and generally abusing them, so don't spend a ton of money on expensive versions. No matter how much time you spend cleaning them, they'll still probably have to be replaced fairly frequently. You can find cheap rugs at most department and home stores, and they can even be made out of old carpet remnants. Save your hard-earned dollars for longer lasting pieces.

As a rule of thumb, invest in high-end furniture when you know that it's a piece that you'll be able to use for many years to come and that will physically hold up well. Save on trendier, smaller pieces that can easily be switched out when they start falling apart. Your home is sure to look great with a little creative spending!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ace_Abbey/851844

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Holiday Stains: Getting out Red Wine | Consumer Reports

Don't let a guest's spill ruin your tablecloth. Consumer Reports' red wine stain recipe can help you remove a red wine stain.

How to Arrange Furniture Around the Fireplace

Interior designer, Shai DeLuca-Tamasi teaches us how to arrange our furniture around the fireplace. Plus, how a multi-functional coffee table can add significance to your fireplace.