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It's no surprise that computers have affected all of our daily lives in the way we communicate, handle our finances, do homework, keep up with daily events, and much, much more. While most of us have adapted to the computer age, we haven't been as quick to adapt our furnishings to accommodate this new focal point in our homes. While most family members have a need or desire to use the computer, our computer stations are not very user-friendly for the entire family. The truth is that not every family has the space in their homes to dedicate an entire room as a home office, but almost everyone needs some kind of space that is a center for a home computer, bills, receipts, mail and other important paperwork. For some, that spot is in the kitchen; for others, it is the bedroom or the dining room. So how can you create a workstation that is designed to work just as well for Mom as for little Billy? The key is to get organized! No, that doesn't mean you have to change everything about the way you work or use your desk (the vast majority of us let things pile up and hope to have a day when we can sort out the mess). But it does mean having separate areas for each family member's belongings so everyone has equal use of the space. Here are a few ideas of how to make a family workstation work well.

Where was your last vacation? At the beach or in the mountains? If you chose mountains, this look is for you. No matter the weather or locale, we are drawn to trees. They provide shade, awe, our kids climb on them, birds live in their branches, and we eat their fruit and syrup. We decorate them for Christmas. If you chose a beach as your last vacation, chances are you took a sunburned breath beneath a palm tree. Infinite variety, different personality, yet there is nothing as lovely as a tree. For hundreds of years we have also used them for shelter, eventually utilizing wood for furniture in many forms: from the crude three legged milking stool to the exquisite fine furnishings of Versailles.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for your new sofa. Keep in mind that what is under all that beautiful new upholstery will make a difference in how comfortable and durable a sofa is in the long term. Take the time to "kick the tires" and understand what is underneath cushions before you make a decision. Frame A sturdy frame is essential for a comfortable, high-quality sofa. The best sofa frames are constructed from kiln-dried hardwood. Green wood can shrink, crack or warp as it dries. Kiln drying removes the moister before the craftsmen begin to shape the frame, ensuring that the sofa will maintain its shape and stability over the long term. Quality frame construction also includes glued, doweled and screwed joints. Reinforcing blocks should be attached inside the corners of the frame for extra support. Plywood and particle board constructed frames held together with staples will not stand up over time and should be avoided. If you must choose a sofa without a kiln dried frame, then opt for 11 - 13 layer plywood over 5 - 7 layer plywood for better support. Seating Support

Leather upholstery is now more affordable than ever. Now most people can afford leather whether it is in a high-style contemporary design or an elegant, Old World form. This guide will help you figure out what you want in your leather sofa. Underneath it all Let's face it, the main difference between leather upholstery and regular upholstery is that it is covered in leather, not fabric. Therefore, the foundations of a well-built frame and a sturdy seating support system still apply. See our Sofa Buying Guide for a complete checklist of what to look for underneath it all. Cushions Like the frame, when it comes to the cushions of leather upholstery, many of the options that are available in fabric upholstery apply. (See our Sofa Buying Guide for a complete checklist of what to look for in cushions.) The best-selling leather upholstery features high density foam cushions, but blendown and spring-down are also available and are becoming more prevalent in the market. Hides The advantages of leather upholstery are that it is strong, yet soft. It doesn't tear, burn or puncture easily. Leather upholstery breaths, therefore it doesn't get cold and moist in the winter or hot and sticky in the summer. When you shop for leather upholstery, expect to find a wide array of styles and colors. No matter the styling, the leather should be soft, supple and comfortable to sit on.

Leather furniture offers a luxurious look and feel versatile to many décor styles. Here are a few tips on how to clean and care for your leather furniture to help prolong it's good looks and make it last for years to come.

With the right questions - and answers - you can choose a new sofa or chair with confidence. What should you look for? Start by insisting on a kiln-dried, solid hardwood frame. You might never see the wood frame of your sofa or chair, but you should know what it is made of. Kiln-dried hardwoods like oak, alder, birch and maple are preferred because they hold pegs, screws and nails securely in place for a long time. Buying good upholstered furniture - and keeping it - helps the environment too. Landfills are overflowing with inexpensive sofas that are left on the curb after just a few years of use.

I hope you can help us find a suitable furniture arrangement for our awkward family room. Because the family room and kitchen are open to each other, there is very little wall space to work with. The room is has a major traffic path running through it, as we normally enter through the garage/back door and must pass through the family room to get to other areas of the house. Also, the patio doors in this room lead to our deck and pool area and it is used extensively during the summer months. We have lived in this house for many years and the room is due for a complete makeover, so there will be few restrictions with regard to furniture, built-ins, colour, flooring, etc. We spend most of our time in this room and it is used for watching television and some entertaining.

Its not as farfetched as you think. And you dont have to have a huge house and a million-dollar budget to be able to live in comfort and sophistication. All you need is a keen sense of style and the necessary know-how.. For a more comfortable and sophisticated dwelling, you must design your home so that it has the right element of cheerfulness and style. Yet again, you dont need to have a big budget for this one. All you need is the right theme and elegant yet affordable furniture and home accessories.. You can rely on the basics of interior designing for the know-how that you need. Through interior design, you can manipulate the general feel of your interiors and its perceived space. You can make a gloomy room feel cheerful and small rooms look bigger. What you need is knowledge of the basic techniques so that you know how to use the right furniture and home accessories for a maximized use of space..

Do you have fond memories of your father or grandfather spending quality time with his family from his favorite chair? Maybe it was even his favorite TV-watching, reading, coffee drinking, and napping spot in the entire house. For many of us, we picture recliners as a large, overstuffed thing that is heavy on comfort, but not exactly the most stylish item in the house. Well, not anymore. Today's recliners combine all the comfort you expect from Dad's Favorite Chair with the chic design elements that make Mom happy, too. Stylistically speaking, they're just as likely to take on the appearance of delicate wing chairs as they are sumptuous, overstuffed loungers. And, with all their amenities, recliners are perfect for watching Monday night football or settling in for a little "R&R." Many of today's recliners come with lots of options to complement your lifestyle, from hidden cup holders, massage functions, and storage spaces for remotes. Modern-day recliners all have one thing in common. Thanks to their unmatched comfort, they're some of the best seats in the house. Manufacturers make recliners with lumbar support that can be adjusted to various positions. Just like a good diet and plenty of exercise, furniture that supports your body will pay dividends tomorrow as well as today.

You only have one chance to make a first impression and your foyer is just the place to do it! The foyer is where you make that all important first impression, the impression that family and friends will remember every time their thoughts drift to you and your home. We all judge books by their covers, whether we admit it or not, and when we welcome folks into our homes, the foyer is the cover of the book that will be judged. So, let's give them a cover that serves us well. Beyond making a statement, the foyer is a transition room. It takes guests from the outdoors to the interior of your home. It's a place to take off boots and hang up coats, but it's also the area that sets the tone for the rest of your home. It introduces guests to your style and gives them a taste of what's to come. First of all, remember who will be arriving and departing from the foyer most often- you! Therefore, more than a great new color for the walls or a glamorous piece of furniture, you'll want a mirror in your foyer. Start the day off on the right foot, you never know who you might meet. You want to leave the house feeling confident that you look good. A number one must-have is a full-length mirror for that last once-over on your way out the door. The next element is choosing a fabulous shade of color for the walls; a shade that is warm and friendly. Best bets are in the yellow and orange family: perhaps, a fabulous shade of cantaloupe, squash or pineapple. Not only do members of the orange and yellow color family signify a jovial and friendly personality but they will ensure that we'll be welcomed home by walls with a cheery disposition.

Beds consist of four major components: headboard, footboard, rails, and slats. The headboard and footboard frame the bed at the head and the foot of the bed, rails run along each side of the bed, and slats span the interior space to support the mattress. Rails can be made of either wood or metal. When you go shopping, be sure that you are looking at the price of the entire bed, and not just an individual piece. A bed frame generally refers to a metal bed support system that can be used alone or attached to a headboard, or a headboard and footboard. Bed frames for queen or king size mattresses incorporate center legs for added support.

Beds consist of four major components: headboard, footboard, rails, and slats. The headboard and footboard frame the bed at the head and the foot of the bed, rails run along each side of the bed, and slats span the interior space to support the mattress. Rails can be made of either wood or metal. When you go shopping, be sure that you are looking at the price of the entire bed, and not just an individual piece. A bed frame generally refers to a metal bed support system that can be used alone or attached to a headboard, or a headboard and footboard. Bed frames for queen or king size mattresses incorporate center legs for added support.

Now, more and more people are turning their ordinary TV rooms into Home Theaters. This process used to involve a projector and a screen and was too expensive for most people to afford. Advances in technology have given people more choices for home theater setups. Some people find that a home theater is quieter and more convenient than a movie theater, and the picture and sound quality are great. If you're looking for a home theater system, you have a lot of decisions ahead of you. If you're thinking of turning your den into a fully functioning home theater, this article will help you get started. What Is Home Theater? Home Theater is difficult to define: it's really just a vague term for a particular approach to home entertainment. Generally speaking, a home theater system is a combination of electronic components designed to recreate the experience of watching a movie in a theater. When you watch a movie on a home theater system, you are more immersed in the experience than when you watch one on an ordinary television. Unique home theater seating can help bring the experience to life. To see how home theaters do this, let's take a look at the original model, the movie theater. When it comes to picture and sound, the theater can offer an amazing experience we just don't get at home. That's usually why people will pay to go to the movies, even though renting a movie is cheaper. There are a few main components that make watching TV and going to the movies very different.

Look to Fashion, Celebrities, and the Internet for Latest Color Trends While their parents may have been clueless about color and fashion trends when they were growing up, today's kids are much more sophisticated. Credit the internet, the proliferation of celebrity journalism and home improvement shows for creating a generation that knows what's hot, and how to use it. While offering a broad choice of styles and pricing, designers and manufacturers of kids apparel, accessories and furnishings are trying to capitalize on this demanding market. When it comes to color trends, the kids market isn't so different from the adult market. Kids are becoming very sophisticated, and they know exactly what they want. Some trends for youth furniture being in the nursery Style Trends - Parents are purchasing furniture that grows with their children. The best pieces sellers are the simple, clean designs possessing a level of sophistication in look that stretches the life of the furniture. Timeless designs last well past toddler years. Classic styles such as Shaker, Louis Philippe and Cottage that have been adapted for younger consumers.

When money is tight, we tend to spend more time at home, so we want it to be a stylish and fun place to be. But how can you give your home a fresh look without breaking the bank? If HGTV and decorating magazines have taught us anything, it's that we can make over a room without spending thousands of dollars! There are plenty of ways to improve the look of your home without a big investment. Whether you're looking for ways to put the finishing touches on your room or just wanting to refresh your space, here are a few tricks and some well-picked accessories for under $100 that can go a long way to making your home look like a million bucks.

The Arcari company was founded in the sixties in a small town situated in the province of Cremona. A great passion for craftsmanship wisely handed down from father to son, lead to the creation of a workshop for fitted furniture. Today it has become a specialized business in the production of natural wooden furniture where functionality and high quality materials are beautifully transformed into elegant and refined designs. Arcari is able to offer various solutions for all home interiors: Kitchens - classic practical design and modern technology; Bathrooms - for a warm homely atmosphere; Wall panels and bookcases; Bedrooms Arcari furniture has always excelled in high quality and sophisticated design.

Millwork drawings are a critical component in the furniture manufacturing process which can potentially impact operational efficiencies. Read this article to know how millwork drawing detailed with all manufacturing information is a one-stop solution for furniture manufacturers to achieve their manufacturing goals effectively.

You've got the house, apartment - now what? Some people love decorating their home, while others, well, dread it. While picking out furniture, lamps, artwork, rugs, and accessories - many people find it overwhelming and even stressful. Here are some of our ideas for putting those finishing touches to make your house a home, without the stress and without breaking the bank!

You've just brought home your new sofa, love seat, chair - here are some simple tips to help protect your investment and keep it looking fresh and new. Before you do anything, it's a good idea to read the label usually placed under the base cushion or visit the manufacturer's website for furniture care information.