Monday, March 31, 2008

Love Goes Green for Earth Day

The furniture industry is buying into "going green". Love Furniture & Design recognizes the need to explore and invest in environmentally friendly products for the home. According to Keith Koening of City Furniture, Florida, "Being environmentally responsible is going to be increasingly important, and we want to be able to take a leadership position, not play catch-up when the consumer demand hits." 

Green is a huge movement around the world and consumers are trying to find ways to conserve, re-use and recycle just about everything, without sacrificing any style, comfort or  other quality customers expect. We aren't jumping on some bandwagon, just wanting to offer the consumer some real choices in today's furniture market. Therefore, we are becoming educated on ways we can be more eco-friendly. 

Love Furniture & Design has just introduced an area in the Showroom with reclaimed wood furniture. This is furniture that still has "life", quality and can be re-claimed for a purpose in your home with a designer touch. The reclaimed "one of a kind" furniture will be on display and priced to sell nearby the a la carte gift shop. 

Being proactively "green" Harden and Norwalk Furniture are two of the companies that are ready to meet the needs of the consumer today. They have introduced soy foam cushions, sustainable wood and more natural textiles to their upholstery. 

Love Furniture & Design is honoring Earth Day 2008 by helping consumers understand the value of selecting eco-friendly fabrics during our "Fibers of the Earth" Event April 22- May 1, 2008. The event showcases the store's extensive collection of environmentally conscious textiles- ranging from cotton, linen, and rayon blends made using only naturally derived plant materials or by-products. 

Earth Day is honored around the world in an effort to promote preservation of the environment and its natural resources. This year, Earth Day falls on Tuesday, April 22. The Fibers of the Earth Event kicks off the same day, and offers customers a special incentive during the week for purchasing any of the store's fashionable styles by Norwalk Furniture; when any Fiber of the Earth is applied to Norwalk brand seating or accent upholstery, the customer receives a 20% discount on the purchase price. 

Norwalk's "green" commitment goes well beyond its "Fibers of the Earth" selection. The manufacturer's journey includes using 10% soy based foam, a sustainable and renewable resource, in the construction of its many collections. Norwalk made the switch to soy in 2007, and also uses water-based glue for cushion components and recycled wire and steel in its state of the art seating system. 

Join Love Furniture & Design during the month of April as we begin our "green journey" toward a better future. "Heaven* and Earth Day begins with us and it begins now!

Saturday, March 01, 2008

10 Ways to Refresh Your Living Room

When it comes to decorating many of us are guilty of finding something that works and stopping there. However, rooms are not static things. They are living spaces that need to be updated from time to time. And what better time to do that than spring? 

This spring when you get out your supplies and clean the whole house, think about redecorating. You'd be surprised what a little rearranging can do for a space. Here are some helpful ideas to get started. 

  1. Rearrange the furniture. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is lining furniture against the wall. This is a decorating disaster. Instead, try angling your sofa or putting it in the middle of the room. 
  2. Paint. There is nothing that livens up a new room like fresh paint. Paint one wall to make it a focal point for an art gallery, or paint the whole room. 
  3. Add plants. Greenery is a good way to bring the outdoors in as well as add some texture and life to your space. 
  4. Lay an area rug. Area rugs are not just for hard floors. You can layer an area rug on top of your carpet to add color to your space. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table to define the space and create interest. 
  5. Change pictures. Try swapping out your artwork for something new or reframing your artwork in a more decorative frame. Group pictures with similar themes and colors together to create a more gallery feel. 
  6. Group collectibles. Collections are nice as long as they don't get out of control. Try grouping objects in threes or fives. Think about shape and scale when arranging items. 
  7. Add decorative pillows. If you have some already, think about swapping them out for newer ones. Don't be afraid of bright colors, such as, red or orange, or pillows that have texture or pattern such as argyle. 
  8. Replace lamps. If you still have the same lamps that you had when you got married 25 years ago, it's time to replace. There are so many different options now. Think about the kind of space you are creating. Pick out lamps that match your style. 
  9. Add a throw, afghan or slipcover. Couches can be easily updated by adding a simple slipcover. Check out your local home store for a style that suits you. Another thing you can do is layer a throw or afghan that complements your style and adds color and warmth. 
  10. Eliminate clutter. Clutter is the enemy. It must be eliminated. Unique storage solutions can help, such as window seats, or ottomans with hidden storage.