Let’s eat! Four great tips for your dining room

Image courtesy of BernhardtWhen the day comes to create your perfect home, will you have the information you need to create that special space?  At Furnitureland South our Design Consultants can help with that process and make it the most enjoyable experience. We have all the resources you need to design one room or an entire building.

The following information can help in preparing your dining space and make some decisions easier for you:

ffdm butterfly leaf1.  Dining room table width

  • 36” wide rectangular table is perfect for conversations
  • 48” Round table seats four to five
  • 60” Round seats six to seven

9266 Goddess Chandelier from Currey & Co.

2.  Dining room chandelier
The bottom of a dining room chandelier should hang 36” above the table.

3.  How large should the light fixture be? 
Here’s a neat trick!  Add the length and width of the room in feet, and this amount will be the number of inches that the diameter of the fixture should be. For example, a 15’ x 20’ room would need a 35” wide chandelier.

4.  Paint Coverage
One gallon of paint will cover approximate 400 square feet.

Good design requires paying attention to the details!  Happy designing!

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A HOUSE or a HOME?

AU44_room_r2croppedWhen you enter your home, do you feel as though you are walking into your own space or someone else’s?

Does your house feel warm and cozy or cold and uncomfortable?

Does your house express who YOU are and YOUR lifestyle?

Houses shouldn’t be just “houses.” Houses should be “homes.”  A home is a place where you should be able to relax, work, play, entertain and simply be yourself.

When you consider decorating your home or investing in new furniture, think about how YOU live, YOUR needs, YOUR style and YOUR lifestyle. 

ART Buffet

So many people make the mistake of purchasing unwanted items for the home just to impress someone else (keeping up with the Joneses) or just to fill an empty space. Instead, ask yourself these questions:  Where do you spend most of your time when you’re at home? Which room is the “go to” room when you have company? Where does your family like to hang out the most?

Many times home furnishings choices need to be based on the function and feel of the individual room.

Image courtesy of Aico

art desk

For instance, it is important to make selections that are designed for comfort and relaxation in the bedroom and den, efficiency and organization in your work space(s), safety and durability in the in the kids’ rooms, and inviting, fun and function in your entertainment spaces, such as the game room and kitchen.

hooker home entertainmentImage courtesy of Lexington Home Brands
Each room is an opportunity to express yourself and at the same time create an atmosphere specifically for you and/or your family.  You can always have that one “special room” for when the Joneses visit!

{Roll over photos for image sources.}

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Saturday Morning with Bob Timberlake …

Thanks to everyone who joined us Saturday morning for a special visit with Mr. Bob Timberlake in Furnitureland South’s  new Bob Timberlake Home for Century gallery. Bob shared stories of family and tradition, and offered special insight into his new collection based on the places, textures and memories of his storied life in the rural South.

IMG_9916_small

"No matter where you make your nest, it's how you feather it that makes the difference." ~ Bob Timberlake

"There is nothing that compares with furniture lavished with generations of love." ~ Bob Timberlake

From design to craftsmanship, all ninety plus pieces in the initial launch with Century showcase the casual elegance for which Bob Timberlake is known. It is a collection that continues to surprise in its range and scope.

IMG_0117_small

Cherished today for their beauty and quality, these pieces should be passed down through generations of families and become the heirlooms of tomorrow.

"I love handmade things - decoys, quilts, log cabins and furniture - especially with uncommon or unique features." ~ Bob Timberlake

Did you miss the big event? Bob may be gone, but his inspired line remains! Check out the Bob Timberlake Home for Century gallery on the second floor of the Showroom building.

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Splurge vs. Steal

I am really passionate about finding great deals (and who isn’t, especially with today’s economy)!  It is so much fun to hunt for treasures at bargain prices and with the money saved, to afford the more pricey items you absolutely love!  I am so very lucky to be surrounded by 1.25 million square feet of the world’s best showrooms filled with beautiful furnishing and accessories, all at different price points!   From sofas, beds and entire dining rooms to accessories and rugs, there are always fabulous finds at different price points!

And I love to share these “Splurge and Steal” ideas with my clients!

One of my personal all-time favorite pieces of furniture is a beautifully tailored “grande” sofa with its highly swept arms, gorgeous cording and button detail on the back, an impeccably pleated skirt and a luxurious array of throw pillows.

And at Furnitureland South, you can find several versions of this sofa to fit your budget! Today, I am featuring the “Allure” sofa by Henredon and two more budget-friendly pals by Bentley Churchill and Huntington House, all three made in North Carolina.

The Splurge:

Picture Courtesy of Henredon

Picture Courtesy of Henredon

The name Henredon is synonymous with quality and style! With impeccable tailoring and countless choices of gorgeous fabrics, it is aimed to please even the most discriminating of tastes! In these days of mass production, a Henredon piece will truly be unique and will be enjoyed for years to come!

The Steal:

Picture Courtesy of Bentley Churchill

Picture Courtesy of Bentley Churchill

With an accent on quality and a commitment to the finest in design, Bentley Churchill’s products elegantly furnish the most sophisticated homes. Excellent construction and numerous customization options, all at a great value, make this company a favorite among discriminating clients!

Picture Courtesy of Huntington House
Picture Courtesy of Huntington House

With construction featuring maple frames and 8-way-hand-tied springs, Huntington House offers a lifetime warranty, including the cushions! Choose from fashionable fabrics that include authentic linens from Ireland, Belgium velvets, embroidered silks from India, luxurious chenille from Turkey, or beautifully designed tapestries from all over the US. Huntington House furniture has always been a wonderful balance between style and comfort.

Contact me to ask about your various options and discount pricing on each of these beautiful items! Please keep in mind, any of these can veer into “Splurge” or “Steal”  - it is all based on your choices of fabric grades, trims and other options!

Olga Smith

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Meet Bob Timberlake February 4th!

Are you an admirer of the art and design of Bob Timberlake? If you have a fondness for high style and creature comforts, and draw inspiration from heritage, family and tradition, you should take a look at the new Bob Timberlake Home for Century collection.

AND … Bob will personally introduce his new collection on Saturday, February 4th at Furnitureland South. Click here for details.

{Bob Timberlake}

{Bob Timberlake}

The artist will not only share the inspiration and stories behind his designs, but will also give away autographed catalogs, and chat with friends and fans in the casual setting of his new gallery. As much storyteller as artist, Bob creates pieces that speak of the people and places in his life.

{The Rutlege Bed}

{The Rutlege Bed}

The furniture in this collection ranges from European antiques to early Americana. Shown in the Heritage finish, these pieces are a rich, warm brown with hand-distressing that gives the feeling of age.

{Carriage House Buffet}

{Carriage House Buffet}

Beautiful upholstered pieces showcase a range of fabrics from hunt club and high country to quiet gardens and neutral, coastal palettes – the focus squarely on places that speak of relaxation and comfort.

{Upholstery featuring Ann Claiborne's Settee}
{Upholstery featuring Ann Claiborne’s Settee}

Want to see more?

Join Bob Timberlake in the Century Gallery on the 2nd floor of the Showroom from 10am-12pm on Saturday, February 4th and he’ll show you in person! Come be inspired by a life well lived.

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Back to Basics ~ Black and White

It’s no surprise to me that I’m a big fan of black and white interiors {about 95% of my business attire is black and white}. While I enjoy the beauty color adds to an interior, black and white spaces evoke elegance and class. They create rich, upscale interiors that last for decades {b&w color schemes never go out of style}.

Check out these black and white beauties.

{courtesy of Vanguard Furniture}

{courtesy of Vanguard Furniture}

{courtesy of Vanguard Furniture}

{courtesy of Vanguard Furniture}

{courtesy of Ralph Lauren}

{courtesy of Ralph Lauren}

{courtesy of Ralph Lauren}

{courtesy of Ralph Lauren}

{courtesy of Eastern Accents}

{courtesy of Eastern Accents}

{courtesy of Lexington Home Brands}

{courtesy of Lexington Home Brands}

My favorite aspect of b&w interiors is that you can add a pop of color at any time to enliven the space.
{courtesy of Century Furniture}

{courtesy of Century Furniture}

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The Tribal Vibe Beats on…

{via Century Furniture}

{via Century Furniture}

Decor drawing from native cultures will continue to expand in 2012 and beyond, inspiring furnishings with a historical perspective.

{via Vanguard Furniture}

{via Vanguard Furniture}

This nomadic trend draws heavily from North & South America, with details from Middle Eastern cultures, and island tribes sprinkled in for an even more eclectic statement.

{via Century Furniture}

{via Century Furniture}

Geometric patterns, stripes with a hand drawn feel, kilims, and animal-skin patterns will dominate fabrics.

{via Maitland-Smith}

{via Maitland-Smith}

Unique material collaboration will exhibit a hand-hewn element in wood and metal offerings.

{via Century Furniture}

{via Century Furniture}

These materials will include woven & dyed grasses, hammered iron, bark veneers, and cast iron.

{via Bentley Churchill}

{via Bentley Churchill}

Relaxed but exotic, Tribal Vibe will continue to expand on the furnishings horizon.

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The Finishing Touch

Perhaps you have a good looking room to start with, but if you’re like me I always think “What can I do to make it better?”

I recently had a client with excellent taste whose rooms had great bones, but needed a few items to “finish” them.  The pieces that she selected really helped pull her look together, complete her cohesive concept, and bring out her personality. Just by looking at her home, you can tell that she is a fun, stylish, cultured, sophisticated woman.

We ordered some classy Swaim leather barstools for her sleek granite counter. The black finish on the legs ties into the dark granite, while the curved design of the back adds interest without being a distraction from the calm surroundings.

Swaim Stools

In the hallway, we placed a sensuous Stone International bench that echoes the curved lines in the artwork above.

Stone Bench

I love how the Platt chest and John Richard horse accessory really complement the dynamic wall treatment to  create a stunning vignette.

Platt Chest John Richard Horse

This John Richard wall art anchored  the existing bench below and invites you to come take a seat.

John Richard Wall Piece[5]

The ambient lighting of this Fine Art Lamp creates a warm glow in the office and changes the overall feel of the space.

Fine Art Lamp_5_

Fine Art Lamp in Office_5_

These chic Jeffco chairs combined with a Platt end table create a cozy conversation area by the fireplace.

Jeffco Chairs, Platt End table[5]

It’s a new year, so what new items have  you thought about adding  to your home? Contact me -I will be happy to assist you.

jaimeberg@furniturelandsouth.com

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Super Bowl Shuffle

It’s almost Super Bowl time! Some of you have probably never heard of the Super Bowl Shuffle, but for the guys reading this post, it should bring back the days of the Chicago Bears: Jim McMahon and William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

How many of you are hosting a party for the big day? This may be the time to “shuffle” your furniture. If you’ve been considering making a change to your living room, the Super Bowl is as good a time as any! The “Man Cave” trend is on the rise but if you haven’t jumped on it yet, there’s still time for you to make some changes to your existing furniture.

Furnitureland South’s Outlet Center has all the newest, coolest designs from the latest Furniture Market, so why not upgrade your home before your guests arrive? One of the greatest things about our Outlet Center is instant gratification. You can take the product home with you the very same day! Or if you’re looking for more of a custom route, you can always design your furniture around your specific tastes and have it just in time for March Madness parties!

Here are some ideas to help with your Super Bowl preparations:

The “Pit”  from Huntington House

Huntington House Fabric/Leather Pit

7100 Pit Group

Check out these theater seats from Palliser!

Palliser 40826

Palliser sized

Need a good cocktail table? This one from Lorts has a couple of removable trays, making it easy to add chips and dip!

Lorts 9755

Lorts Room

So with the Super Bowl fast approaching, are you ready for the big game? Do you have enough seating for all your friends, or do you always pass on hosting the big game because you think your furniture is “Lame?”

Now is the time to get to shuffling!

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Trends in Outdoor Living

{via Gloster}

{via Gloster}

New trends in outdoor living are taking the indoors outside. A great example of this is Gloster’s outdoor collection, Cloud.

{via Gloster}

{via Gloster}

Cloud, created by London based designer Mark Gabbertas, offers a wide number of individual units that, when integrated together, create endless design possibilities.

{via Gloster}

{via Gloster}

It’s time to start thinking about your outdoor living space for spring. Let us help you create the ultimate outdoor living space just in time for spring!

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