5 Things To Look While Buying Furniture

While buying furniture you need to look for the best pieces that can suit your needs. Each and every furniture has its value and you will have to consider whether it is a good fit or not. Things you need to look after are the size of the furniture, the materials used, the colours, features, and the price. 

Now you must be thinking, where you should you go? You can find several custom furniture stores in the UK that sell quality furniture at an affordable price range. They all have the best craftsmen working all day long to meet your expectations. And you will be amazed to see their designs.

However, below are the most important factors which you need to keep in mind while buying furniture of your need.

Look For Appropriate Sizes

Size is one of the most important aspects that you need to keep in mind before buying any furniture. Know the space of your room first and then select furniture accordingly. If you buy large furniture by mistake, then it will disturb the ease of movement in the room. 

Go For Style That Suits Your Needs!

Yes, you heard it right. If you are an old-school type then you can buy traditional furniture. But, if you opt for furniture having bright colors and cool look then you can go for modern furniture. Choose the furniture according to your needs.

Theme Also Matters!

Pick the furniture that goes well with the overall theme of the house. Take into consideration the colour and the texture of the home walls and select the furniture accordingly. If your furniture does not match with your wall texture it will look odd and your whole home decoration will be messed up.

Consider The Comfort As Well

Comfort is the ultimate thing. After all, you are buying furniture to get comfort. Whether it is a sofa or bed, you must not only go for the design and the colour, you must look for comfort as well. So, get the furniture that will provide you with extra comfort.

Price Is The Next Big Thing

Do not forget the price tag. Choose the furniture that is affordable. Consider the price alongside colour, size and comfort otherwise everything will be messed up. And you may end up buying some cheap furniture compromising the quality.

Now let's wrap up. If you want to decorate your home with the furniture, then follow the five important points. Prepare a list of furniture at first that you want to buy and then prepare a budget accordingly. You will never run out of a budget.

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Signs That Indicate Authenticity Of Ercol Furniture

As many of us know, Ercol is one of the most popular brands of British vintage furniture. It has been in existence for over a century now, standing the tests of time with its top notch pieces that have excellent design and are made of high quality materials. Still now, many people try getting their hands on pre-owned Ercol pieces just so that they can furnish their homes with these symbols of high end workmanship. However, the market is filled with fakes and replicas that are sold at sky high rates in the name of the famous vintage furniture brand. 

Fortunately, one can stay away from such scams by being aware of certain signs typical of Ercol furniture. Let’s see what those signs are:

Signature Characteristics

It is a highly prudent move to familiarise oneself with the signature features of Ercol when shopping for its secondhand versions. PIeces belonging to the era of the brand’s inception are usually made of figured oak and have intricate carvings. On the other hand, the chairs produced around the 1960s have rear spindles and legs sloping outwards. In addition to that, any Ercol furniture has a highly solid and sturdy feel to it. Moreover, it would always be made of either elm, pine, beech, walnut, oak or ash.

Ageing Signs

Just like any other furniture, Ercol pieces age over time and the signs indicating it generally include slight changes in tone, colour fading, slight wear & tear in places and so on. In general, most Ercol furniture items have light or dark finishes that may get altered to a similar beautiful tone with passage of time. Such things are not at all major issues, and can be resolved with the help of any reputed firm offering the service of Ercol restoration.

Markings

There are certain markings unique to Ercol and they can definitely help in differentiating a fake one from an original piece. These markings are generally in the form of stamps, labels and badges. If one wishes to study about these markings in detail, they will have to do a bit of research over the Internet.

Drawers & Doors

Ercol furniture always have adjustable screws on their drawers and doors that can be used to align them properly so that they do not get stuck. This is because temperature fluctuations can expand or shrink the wood during summer and winter respectively.

Thus, these are the signs that can help to identify an authentic piece of Ercol.

How Are Antique Furniture Pieces Restored?

If you have recently given your antique or vintage furniture to a professional for restoration, you might be wondering how the expert would accomplish the task. If curiosity has got the better of you already, here are a few things explaining how experienced furniture makers perform it:

• In order to keep the original finish intact, most furniture makers apply a wax on antique furniture. Doing so eliminates old dirt as well as makes the piece look attractive. It also removes smudges and streaks, in addition to making the dull appearance of the furniture go away.
• Your antique furniture may also be in need of cleanup prior to application of wax. In that case, its surface would be cleaned using a good quality polish revive. There are many polish reviving solutions out there that produce excellent results.
• It can also be possible that your furniture item has some minor woodworm damage. The professional would first use a woodworm killing solution for destroying the insects within the wood, and then begin the restoration work. The holes caused by woodworm would be filled up using some form of wax.
• In case there are any paint marks on the piece, the professional will probably use methylated spirit for removing it. After applying the solution on the marks, he or she would scrape them off with a piece of softwood.
• Grease or oil can also accumulate over time on antique furniture, it is nothing unusual. To eliminate the buildup entirely, the professional will initially strip the old finish off with a polish stripper or paint. He or she would then neutralise it with white spirit.
• For removing dents, the most common method used by professional furniture restorers involves swelling the dent by applying heat with an iron. A large cloth is kept underneath the iron for preventing accidental damage to the wood. Once the dent disappears, the surface is sanded and re-polished.
• Ink stains on any antique furniture piece are usually removed using some mildly acidic solution. In case of tough stains, an expert may even utilise very weak hydrogen peroxide solution. After that, a good wood stain is applied for darkening the area and matching its colour to that of the surrounding.

Be it a Stag or Ercol restoration or any other now you know a number of the important steps involved in restoring antique furniture. If you wish to research the topic further, look for relevant articles over the Internet.

Custom Made Furniture v/s Ready Made Furniture

There are many advantages of using custom made furniture to decorate the interior of your home, especially if you've small and limited spaces. It allows you to incorporate your desired ideas and creativity and have a furniture that matches your tastes and preferences. Some benefits of this kind of furniture have been discussed below:

1. Fitting the space: Nowadays, most people live in studio apartments. A studio apartment has a few rooms with limited space availability. As a result, it becomes difficult to place and fit all the important furniture inside these small rooms. Having custom made furniture can help in utilising the whole space because they are built as per special designs. For example, if you want a sofa with some storage space in it, it can be achieved by opting for a bespoke piece. Otherwise it will be difficult for you to find the exact ready made furniture of the type and design according to your choice. 

2. Choice of material: There are different types of materials available in the market to make furniture. While having a bespoke furniture prepared, you can choose the constituent material for it as per your choices. For example, if your wish to have a cabinet made with English oak then without wasting your time on finding the appropriate piece in the market, simply order the desired product at any reputed firm dealing with custom made furniture in Berkshire.

3. Unique style: Purchasing ready made furniture requires a lot of time and energy. You need to travel a lot from one store to another in order to find the exact piece of your choice. On the other hand, choosing a bespoke furniture will not only allow you to save your time and energy, but also provide you with the exact furniture piece that will match your personal style and preference. You can even add your preferred shapes, textures and colours accordingly. You will be  able to own a unique piece that no one else would have.

Thus, if you want to decorate your home in style, and also wish to be unique and different from others, then going with personalised furniture is a must for you. A custom piece not only possess an attractive look, but will also help you to increase the aesthetic appeal of your home too. 

Furniture For Master Bedroom

Bedroom is a very important room in a house. So make sure you have furniture that are right for this room. Given below is a list of essential furniture items that a bedroom must have.

Bed 

This the obviously the main thing on the list because a bedroom without a bed is just like a mobile store without any mobile. Just make sure to go for a bed, which is comfortable. It should make you feel relaxed when you lie down on it. It must be cosy and inviting as well. There are many kinds of bed you can opt for like low bed, high bed, queen size bed or king size bed. All you need to remember is the style and the space of the room available before choosing. 

Side table

 If you plan to shop from a company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture and home accessories, you can get bedroom furniture sets with side tables included in the package. Side tables are a must. Having them beside your bed means you can keep your mobile phone, a lamp or a story book/magazine that you read before you go off to sleep. A minimalistic side table is good for people who are very much organised. However, if you are the one who have cluttered your bedroom, then something like Mahagony bedside chests of drawers  is appropriate to keep all those things.



Wardrobe 

Walk-in wardrobe is the dream of every girl. If you have it, you are lucky. If you don't you have to manage with a tinier wardrobe. Go for ones that match your beds – at least the material needs to be matching if it is not the design. Built-in wardrobes are also a good option. They are undoubtedly better than standalone cupboards. Customised wardrobes are also something great if you have a budget and want to make the best use of the space.

Dresser 

Dresser is an integral part of a bedroom and when coupled with a mirror it becomes the vanity of the man or woman. This piece of furniture allows for storage and has drawers to store jewellery, cosmetics and all other personal items. Custom made dressers are very popular in Reading, Berkshire, UK and there is a lot of demand for this furniture.






Loveseat 

Go for this one only when there is enough space left in the bedroom after arranging all the above mentioned furniture items in their respective places. It must not clutter any room but augment its appearance.

Top Furniture Trends of 2016

As each year passes and makes way for a new one, so do the existing furniture trends. This year, designers are expecting to see some serious change in the ways people used for furnishing their homes last year. Let’s have a look at the top furniture trends of 2016:

Multifunctional & Versatile

Everyone has started to break away from the traditional rules of home decor and is looking for ways to create multifunctional living rooms. Thus, homeowners are going for furniture pieces that can be used for more than one purpose. These pieces are being manufactured in designs that can work well with any interior decor style.

Smooth Fabrics

This trend is expected to stay hot all the year round and calls for usage of smooth and sleek fabrics for upholstery of readymade as well as custom made furniture. There a wide range of options for everyone to choose from, such as linen, wool, cotton, leather, synthetic fibres, etc. and that too in beautiful bright hues or neutral colours.

Space Saving

Nowadays, most people hunt for furnishing items that can save space without compromising the aesthetic appeal of a space. And this thing has turned into a trend as well in 2016. People are going for options featuring straight lines and geometric shapes, which can leave sufficient amount of floor space for moving around conveniently.

Vintage Style Inspired & Exotic Designs

The love of homeowners for vintage has never went out of fashion, but increased even more with passage of time. This love has started to inspire many a furniture maker for creating modern and unique Art Deco and Art Nouveau styled furniture items. Exotic design ideas are also being incorporated, some of which have been inspired by interior decor styles of other continents like Asia and Europe.

Lightweight

Lightweight furniture have become very common in residential spaces throughout UK. These pieces are being manufactured using wood, glass, metal and other materials. Their design is such that they can be moved easily moved from one place to another with minimal effort.

Apart from the above mentioned primary trends, certain subsidiary fads have also crept in, such as mingling of traditional and novel contemporary styles, modernistic approach and transformation from heavy to visually light colours. Besides that, modern furniture manufacturers are even using contemporary materials, innovative frames and bright fabrics for revolutionising the existing home decor ideas and helping homeowners to achieve original and spectacular rooms.

How Is The Webbing of Ercol Furniture Replaced?

The origin of Ercol furniture dates back to the early years of the 1940s, when the government Board of Trade asked Lucian Ercolani to produce a 100 thousand units of affordable Windsor chairs. In order to make the chairs commercially successful, Lucian made combined usage of elm and the steam-bending technique for completing the order. What happened after that is history. In modern times, Ercol is regarded as a classic British furniture brand , and the firm now supplies its furniture pieces all over the world.

In UK, there are many furniture making firms providing effective ercol restoration services. They use a wide variety of methods for completing the repair tasks, out of which replacing old webbing is an important one. Want to know how this job is carried out? Given below is a step-by-step explanation of the procedure:

• At first, the old webbing is removed from the frame, which is followed by extraction of the wooden dowels. After that, one end of the new webbing is fed through one back slot from top to bottom. Once that has been done, the end is folded over for forming a loop of about 125mm.
• Next, the webbing is fixed together using a plate and staple. The legs of the staple pins are flattened with a vice or hammer. The dowel and the loop are pulled into place and the webbing is then extended to the other back slot for marking the position where it crosses the head of the slot (On daybeds and settees, the webbing is stretched to gauge near the expected end of the loop).
• After marking a second point 25mm away from the previous one towards the back, the webbing is folded at that point and stapled about 25mm away from the fold’s end (in case of chairs, the second mark is made at a distance of 15mm from the initial point).
• A string is threaded through the slot and the loop, after which the loop is pulled through the frame. A dowel is inserted in the loop from beneath the frame.
• The string is then withdrawn and tied on all subsequent webs. The webs of the sideways are interwoven for additional support and strength. Once the entire replacement job is complete, the webbing springs back into its place when pulled and released slightly.

Although some furniture makers implement a few minor changes in the overall process, the basic technique remains the same.

How to Choose an Ideal Daybed?

The primary reason for the growing popularity of daybeds is their functionality. They can be used as couches as well as bed, and may also house an additional trundle bed or storage drawer. Sometimes, they may be used even as mere space fillers when people hunt for ideas to fill up a spare room.

Since daybeds can come in different styles, materials, configuration and price, it may be helpful to have some knowledge about the various aspects and features when buying a daybed. 

Uses

Daybeds are commonly kept in home offices or spare rooms, and used for accommodating guests. They are used as chaise loungers or sofas most of the time and are  used for sleeping. Sometimes they may even be placed in a kid’s room. The trundle underneath can provide for a comfortable sleepover.

Material

Daybeds are generally manufactured in wood or metal, sometimes in combination of both. They may also be found in wicker and leather. No matter what material is chosen, the selection has to be something that fulfils personal needs. Metal options usually exhibit a traditional look and are ideal to be used primarily for sleeping, while the wooden variants are more contemporary and can be used mainly for lounging and sitting.

Style

Choosing a style which complements the remaining decor of the room is also important. Some of the popular style options include Mission, Victorian and sleigh. However, one may also find a low profile variant with very sleek and simple lines. Traditional ones with intricate carvings and an elaborate style are available too.

Colour

There are a wide range of colour options to choose from when buying a daybed. Painted, dark or light wood are among the popular choices, whereas some of the common preferences in metal include such colours as silver, brass, chrome, etc.

Mattress

A typical daybed in Northern Beaches is usually made in twin size and as such, requires twin sized mattresses. The daybed is supported either on a link spring or wood slat and the type as well as upholstery of the mattress dictates the level of comfort a daybed would be able to provide.

Bedding

While using standard twin sized sheets and double pillows can pretty much do the trick, extra attention must be given to cover. Adding more pillows can make the place more congenial for sitting, lounging and sleeping. Tailored or fitted covers are excellent choices if sitting would be the primary purpose, and sliding and shifting are not among preferences.

Choosing Upholstery Fabric For Office Furniture

Choosing an appropriate upholstery fabric for the furniture at your office may manifest as a frustrating work. However, it is essential to select a material which is right for your office setting because it would play a significant part in determining the durability of the furniture items.

If you want to choose right upholstery fabric, here are some of the aspects which you will need to consider:

Location of the Furniture 

Durability of the upholstery fabric will greatly depend upon where the furniture is placed in the workplace. If the furniture is to be located in a low traffic area, you should pick up sensitive fabrics such as silk or linen. However, furniture in high traffic areas would require something that can withstand frequent use. Engineered and combination fabrics last longer even with regular use than the natural ones. If the furniture is to be placed somewhere that receives a lot of sunlight, you will need to select a fabric that will not fade much. 

Fabric Colour

Colour of the upholstery fabric should be in harmony with the mood you want to convey through your furniture. Vibrant colours will impart cheerfulness to any office setting, while warm shades can offer a sense of relaxation.

Pattern of the Material

You must recognise the fact that patterned fabrics can easily conceal stains than plain fabrics. But when choosing a patterned fabric, make sure that the patterns work well with the décor of your office. Woven patterns hold up pretty well than the printed ones. Size of the furniture will also matter in this case. Certain patterns look good on smaller chairs, but may not be very appealing on couches or love seats.

Fabric Grade

When choosing the fabrics for your office furniture upholstery in Sydney, you should be able to select between distinct grades. Grade simply denotes the manufacturing cost, and not necessarily durability. This depends on the fibre type, construction procedure and thread count. Some manufacturers rate their fabrics alphabetically, while others use a system of number rating. Check with your manufacturer if you are not sure about the grade of the material you are choosing.

There are some other upholstery options which may consider, if you want the material to last longer. Vinyl can be an ideal cost-effective choice, and also exhibits texture and looks similar to that of leather. Leather upholstery is congenial and classy. Mesh furniture are great in office settings and allow more ventilation than other materials.

Different Kinds of Kitchen Cupboards

Cupboards are essential furniture items that provide additional storage space, generally for food and cookware. They are found below or above countertops, or even as separate entities. These cabinets come in a wide range of design and styles. At the time of planning the organisation of a kitchen, it is important to take measurements of the place meant for installing the cupboard so that the most appropriate type can be purchased. Considering the hardware that will be placed in the kitchen cabinet is also essential.

Here are a few of the popular kitchen cupboard types:

Oven Cupboard

This one is typically placed adjacent to the oven and also has an additional storage for cookware items. Sometime, people having smaller kitchens may place it below or above the oven. Initially, they were used for holding pans and pots. But in the recent times, manufacturers of bespoke furniture in Berkshire are making larger oven cabinets for easily accommodating the entire sets of cookware items.

Sink Cupboard

A sink cupboard is conventionally installed under the sink in a kitchen and must be large enough for accommodating and hiding all the big and bulky plumbing work. Because its interior remains damp with the moisture from the pipes, food items are generally not stored inside it. Only the items necessary for cleaning the sink, floors and countertops are kept in this type of cabinet.

Island Cupboard

Normally used in large kitchens with open floors, this one provides a separate space having ample storage for cookware items such as pans, pots and other cooking utensils. It also offers a place for cooking. In some houses, it even serves the purpose of a breakfast bar or an entertaining area for friends and family. Many island cabinets have in-built drawers at their bottom or even a special storage space for wine. People who want to get custom and furniture made to order in Berkshire should make sure that there is at least 3 feet of space between the kitchen walls and the island while taking measurements prior to placing the order.

Pantry Cupboard

This is quite a favourite of most people as it enables one to keep food as well as different items of cookware like cutting boards, mixing bowls and strainers. It is usually made using wood or glass and has plenty of shelves. Durability and sturdiness are two key features of pantry cabinets.

What Kind of Upholstery Suits You The Best?

Deciding upon the kind of upholstery that harmonises well with your requirements as well as your home decor can be quite a daunting task. For instance, if you have children, then some fancy and luxurious upholstery is probably not going to be your pick. survive at your home. So, selecting the right upholstery according to your requisites is crucial. Here are some of the popular choices of upholstery in Sydney :

Wool - Wool upholstered items being quite expensive, most people tend to strike out this choice from their list. They can get easily stained and are tough to clean. Moreover, they cannot bear exposure to bleaching chemicals. However, wool is resilient, highly durable, does not suffer discolouration easily and is fire-resistant by nature.

Leather - Leather upholstered furniture sport an elegant and expensive look, and can also withstand wear, tear and stains. But leather requires extensive maintenance, which encompasses special cleaning techniques to prevent colour fading.

Cotton - Cotton upholstery are available in different varieties and patterns for suiting nearly everyone’s taste. They are generally moth-resistant and quite easy to maintain.

Polyester - It is a synthetic alternative for upholstery which resists discolouration and is also produced in a wide range of colours. However, polyester can easily get stained by oils, such as those from salad dressing and hand lotion. The fabric is also prone to wrinkles, shrinkage and crumpling.

Rayon - Rayon is an excellent inexpensive alternative to natural fabrics like wool, leather and cotton. Rayon upholstered items are mildew and fading resistant. They are also available in an array of colours.

Olefin - This fabric is fairly new when compared to other upholstery materials but is more commonly used in furniture and carpets. Though olefin can get damaged easily by friction, it is resistant to moisture, heat, insects, bleach and stains. But because of its inability to absorb dye properly, olefin is available in limited colours and designs.

At the time of purchasing, do not hesitate to inspect the longevity of the item. While inspection, check whether you can feel the framework of the furniture item through its upholstery. If you are buying a couch, then examine the cushions provided with them carefully.