by admin on July 23, 2010
Upholstery Fiber Guide
Upholstery fibers not only determine how a fabric will look and feel, but also how it will wear, how care-intensive it will be, and the cleaning methods you’ll have to use.
In small, fabric is one of the most vital factors in how any upholstered furniture will look and wear. It is also a major deciding factor when you buy furniture. Here is a guide to different fibers so that you can find a excellent match for your needs.
Broadway Furniture Can Offer You Many Different Types Of Upholstery For Your Furniture
When making a fabric, manufacturers often blend fibers together, because blending fibers produces more fascinating textures and colors. Blending fibers can also make a fabric more supple, and better able to withstand every day wear and tear.
Considerations for Fabric Shopping:
- Appropriateness to lifestyle.
- Resistance to stains, soil, abrasion and sunlight.
- Care and maintenance.
- How long it can be expected to last.
Basic Fiber Categories:
- Natural fibers, which can be cellulose, or plant based fibers, and protein, or animal fibers.
- Synthetic, or man-made fibers.
Some natural fibers such as cotton and linen are derived from plants.
Cotton
Cotton is a well loved plant based fiber that is used extensively.
- There are different grades of cotton. Premium grades, which have long staple, can be nearly as expensive as silk and just as lustrous. Lesser grades, with a shorter fiber length, can be fuzzy and dull.
- Cotton takes finishes and dyes really well.
- Cotton is strong and versatile, but not very resistant to wrinkling and stretching.
- It soils easily and consequently needs fabric protection to deter stains. Cotton blended with other fibers is simpler to use than plain cotton.
Linen
Linen is another plant derived fiber, and shares many similarities with cotton.
- Linen is available in a variety of grades, with the finer grades looking smooth and nearly silk like.
- Like cotton, linen is not very resilient and wrinkles easily, and needs to be blended with other fibers.
- Linen ages well, as it doesn’t fade from light and is resistant to insects. But, it is prone to mold and mildew and will not tolerate very high humidity. Because of its high maintenance, it is more often used in drapery and wall coverings instead of upholstery.
- Linen can cleaned easily as it can be washed and ironed or dry cleaned.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
article source:http://furniture.about.com/od/buyingfurniture/a/FiberGuide_2.htm
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by admin on July 14, 2010
Upholstery Cleanability Code
Knowing the cleanability code for your fabric helps you take excellent care of your upholstered furniture. The simplest way to determine the right method for cleaning your upholstery fabric is to refer to its fabric cleanability code.
Cleaning with the incorrect products can hurt your gorgeous sofa. Fortunately, most furniture fabrics now carry cleanability codes adopted in 1969 to help you determine the best and safest way to clean a particular fabric. You will either find the code on the manufacturer’s mark, or you can question for it when you are selecting fabric for your sofa.
When you need to use a cleaning product, check for the cleanability code for your fabric. Here is what each letter stands for:
Code “W”
Code “W” is used on fabrics that should be cleaned with water based cleaning agents. Spot clean using foam from only water based cleaners, or non-solvent cleaning products. Apply foam with a soft brush in a circular motion, and vacuum when dry.
Code “S”
On fabrics with an “S” code, use a mild water-free cleaning solvent or dry cleaning product. Make sure the room is well ventilated and there are no open flames, such as from a candle or cigarette lighter .
Code “W-S”
Code “W-S” fabrics can be cleaned with either water or solvent based products. Use a mild solvent, an upholstery shampoo, or the foam from a mild detergent.
Code “X”
Clean this fabric by vacuuming or gently brushing only. NEVER use any cleaning agents at all. Any cleaning product whether water or solvent based may cause staining, shrinkage or distortion of the fabric surface pile.
General Guidelines
- Regularly clean your fabric by vacuuming or light brushing.
- Always check code before deciding which cleaning products to use.
- Test cleaning product in an inconspicuous area first to guard against color bleeding or fabric shrinkage.
- Follow all directions and advice.
- Call a professional when your upholstery needs overall cleaning.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
article source:http://furniture.about.com/od/furniturecareandrepair/a/Fabric_code.htm
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Right after sofas, coffee tables come to mind when you reckon of living room furniture. And while coffee tables are ubiquitous, there is bewildering variety to choose from. These factors can help in Selecting A Coffee Table:
Living Room or Family Room Coffee Table?
Living room and family room coffee tables are used differently, and family room coffee tables get more rough use. Keep that in mind when buying a
Broadway Furniture Can Help You To Find The Right Coffee Table For Your Home
coffee table.
- You may want a more formal coffee table in your living room depending on how you have decorated. You can get away with more fragile and delicate surfaces such as glass.
- A family room needs a more sturdy coffee table. You may also look for one that has storage options like drawers. The surface should be able to take abuse, like spilled snacks or feet on the table. Glass-tops are generally not suitable for family rooms, as crumbs from snacks can get caught in the frame. For glass-tops without frames, there is the danger of sharp corners, especially when you have small children.
- Delicate surfaces can also end up getting scratched if it is a heavy-use area.
Coffee Table as a Centerpiece?
The coffee table is often called the centerpiece of the room. But you will notice that the same term is often used for a sofa, a rug, or any other piece of furniture. Crowning glory, centerpiece, focal point, how many can you have in a room? Since there can be only one, you have to choose whether your coffee table gets the starring role.
If you do choose on the coffee table as a centerpiece, these attributes will make it stand out stand out:
- Style
- Size
- Material
- Surface end and color
What Kind of Material?
When you shop for a coffee table, you’ll become aware of how many choices you have when it comes to material. The most obvious material that comes to mind is wood, but you don’t have to restrict yourself to wood if you don’t want to.
- Take a look at your room and other furniture to determine what material would look best. Clear acrylic and glass can make a small room look more open. The glint of metal can accomplish the same purpose. Glass, acrylic, metal and stone also look excellent in a modern room.
- Darker wood, such as mahogany and walnut, marble and metal can look excellent in a traditional room.
- Leather or faux leather can work well in a variety of settings as they are simple to maintain.
- Consider durability and safety especially around children.
What Kind of Shape and Size?
- Coffee tables are available in different shapes. While the shape of the room can play a role in choosing a coffee table, pay attention to your seating configuration more than anything else.
- Rectangular or oval coffee table work well for smaller rooms.
- Squares or round coffee tables are excellent for large seating configurations, such as large sectionals or a large sofa and like seat.
- Round or oval tables are useful around children because of the absence of sharp corners.
- Consider scale as well as actual measurements when selecting a size. Select a coffee table that is no more than two-thirds your sofa’s total length. An vital thing to remember is to leave enough space around the coffee table for leg space. Leave at least a foot and a half between the table and the sofa.
- Your coffee table should be the same height as your the seat of your sofa, or lower.
Added Functionality?
The level of functionality your coffee table offers depends on how you want to use it. While most coffee tables have a flat surface supported on a base, there are plenty that offer additional features.
- Look for coffee tables with additional shelves, drawers or compartments if you need them to double up for storage.
- Trunks and ottomans can offer lots of storage.
- Some tables have surfaces that can be raised for working or eating.
- Casters and wheels are useful if you need to roll away the coffee table.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
Article By Abe Abbas
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by admin on June 23, 2010
What To Look For Before Buying a Sleeper Sofa
A sleeper sofa, or sofa bed is fantastic when you have guests sleeping over, but be sure you know what to look for before you buy one. You can turn any room into a guest room by providing a comfortable sofa bed.
Broadway Furniture Offers A Fantastic Selection Of Sleeper Sofas
A sleeper sofa is a fantastic piece of dual purpose furniture. As with any piece of furniture consider your needs, especially whether it will be primarily used as a bed or seating. There are many manufacturers offering them, with fantastic differences in quality and pricing. Generally speaking, higher priced sleepers are better.
Do You Have Space Restrictions?
Twin size sofa beds might be the perfect answer for you as these are less than 5 feet wide. The mattress for a twin size sleeper sofa is about 39 inches wide, and they are fantastic for sleeping one person.
Opened up, the length can be around 54 inches wide and 85 inches long. They are sometimes referred to as chair and a half beds or chair beds also. Don’t expect them to be any cheaper because of the size. People usually buy them because of space restrictions.
Do You Need More Room to Stretch?
A full size sleeper sofa is what you need if a twin size seems too restrictive. It can even sleep two. For sitting, its size is between a sofa and a like seat, so it is still an option for a smaller space. A full size sleeper is 72 inches wide, and approximately 90 inches long when fully opened.
When Space is Not an Issue
If space is not an issue then you are in luck as a queen size sleeper sofa is the most widely available kind. A queen size sleeper sofa can comfortably seat as many people as a sofa, and can provide a comfortable bed for two people. It will measure approximately 84 inches wide and 90 inches long when opened up.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
Article By Abe Abbas
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by admin on June 10, 2010
Furniture Buying Mistakes – Buying a Sofa
Before you buy a sofa, take some time to read about some sofa buying basics. The sofa you buy should be chosen based on such factors as how you are going to use it and what sofa style would be best for your room.
Since a excellent quality sofa can last you for years, it is vital to learn about quality and to determine a budget for your sofa.
Broadway Furniture Has a Fantastic Selection Of Furniture In Portland Oregon
Sofa Usage
Determining usage before you buy will help you select all the other features of your sofa.
- How will you use your sofa? Will it primarily be used for everyday activities such as relaxing, reading, or watching TV, or will it be used only occasionally in a formal setting?
- Who will be using it? Pay attention to any special considerations if you want your sofa to be a excellent fit. Use deep seating for a very tall person. For someone with terrible knees, shallow seating and a tight back make it simpler to get up.
Sofa Shape
Once you’ve determined how it’s going to be used, pick a shape that best serves that purpose.
- A sofa that will be used for relaxation can be deep and cushy with loose pillows. A Lawson sofa, with arms lower than the back, is a versatile choice for both formal and informal settings. A rolled arm sofa is a also a excellent choice.
- A camelback sofa has a curvilinear shape, shallow seating, and a tight back. It is better in a formal and traditional setting.
- Sectionals come in many configurations and profiles, and are excellent in cozy, conversational settings. For added comfort you can have reclining sectionals as well.
Sofa Size
The size of your room is a excellent guide for the size of your sofa.
- Make sure its size doesn’t overpower the room or impede the flow of traffic. Measure the entire room, especially the wall against which you will place it, before you go shopping.
- A tight back sofa works well in a tiny space because of its low profile.
- A sectional might be perfect for a larger area.
Sofa Fabric
To keep your sofa looking its best, it is vital to select the right fabric.
- Use high maintenance fabrics, such as silk, only in areas that are used infrequently.
- Microfibers are fantastic in heavy usage areas, look attractive, and are simple to clean.
- Textured fabrics show less wear and tear than smooth ones.
- Leather is a excellent option if you are looking for longevity. There is now a large selection of colors and textures, so you are no longer confined to tans and blacks.
Sofa Color and Patterns
To select a sofa color, or fabric pattern, always take into consideration any preexisting colors or patterns in the room.
- Neutrals work best in most rooms, especially small ones, but you can dress up your sofa by using more vibrant colors and patterns in the pillows, or adding throws.
- A patterned fabric works well in heavy usage areas as it can hide minor stains.
- Go with a strong color if you want to make a bold statement, but if you do so, consider buying a sofa with simpler lines.
Sofa Quality
The real quality of a sofa comes from how it is place together on the inside.
- A excellent quality sofa is heavier because of its sturdy frame which is constructed of kiln-dried hardwood that is free from knots.
- The legs will be part of the frame and not screwed on.
- The cushion should retain its shape when you sit down, and not curve up. A combination of down and dense foam will let the seat maintain its shape for a long time.
- You shouldn’t be able to feel the frame through the padding.
- When you check the back, make sure it doesn’t feel hollow, as that is a sign of inferior construction.
Indoor/Outdoor Sofas
Buying indoor/outdoor sofas, is also an option.
- Outdoor fabrics have improved to the point where they are just as luxurious as indoor fabrics.
- They offer ease in cleaning and sturdiness, so you might want to consider them for high-traffic areas.
- If you are going for a relaxed, resort-style look you may be able to find plenty of choices.
Sofa Budget
You can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $2500 for a basic sofa. If you’re on a tight budget, visit clearance centers or question for floor models. Sometimes, you can find excellent values at special sale events.
Make sure to buy the best quality you can afford, as you’ll live with your buy for a long time. A sofa can last you anywhere from ten to fifteen years.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
source:http://furniture.about.com/od/buyingfurniture/tp/ch2809best.htm
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