If you live in a country that has four seasons and you would like to change your decor when the next season arrives, here are a few tips to help. Cold winter nights can be long, and half the battle is won when you’re feeling cozy with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. When winter arrives, take some fluffy throws to place on your furniture for snuggling. In addition to the throws, such things as a mink blanket, some acrylic blankets, futoncovers, or a fleece blanket or other luxurious throws are very appealing for wintertime.
When spring arrives, take the down-filled duvet covers from your bed and substitute a light cotton matalasse cover or simple cotton blanket. For the spring and summer seasons, the floral arrangements and holiday colors of winter slipcovers can be changed for light and colorful ones. Put away your dark pottery and dark brass containers, and bring out crystal vases and clear-cut glass. In the summer, a cool look is a feeling too, and with a little bit of attention to detail, you can transform the look of your home to fit the seasons.
If you have dark-patterned, decorative pillows and slipcovers, cover them now with fresh floral prints that are friends of the warmer weather. Change out your pillows even with a second set of decorative covers. If you have long, flowing draperies, make them so they are reversible to allow you to turn them from neutral to lively as the seasons change. Put out garden magazines and flower books on the coffee table in spring and summer. This will help to bring the outside in and add color to your interior. Reserve your light colors for spring and summer and as the seasons change, get out some long-lost pieces and make them the center of attention for a while. Like spring housecleaning, the change of decor can’t come all at once, but rather throughout several days or weeks. You’ll be amazed at the difference!
A few points of order when discussing what type of frame will best suit your futon mattress. You will need to consider the size of your mattress and how you will utilize your bed frame. Will it be for mattress support only or will you want storage, media items, shelves, etc.? The material for your bed frame is also an important choice. If you decide on wood, you will have to know what finish you will prefer.
Most futons are used as convertibles – ie. sofa-sleepers. They provide simple functions. Larger king or queen sized mattresses will have more room for storage and shelving options. The double (full) is the most common size and has options as well, but mostly limited to some storage for magazines and such. Because of their function, you do not expect or want them to be too bulky of a frame. They will only take up more space and clog your entertainment area.
This leads to the next point. What will you use your futon for? If your futon mattress is strictly for sleeping purposes – and you will be sleeping with a partner – then get a queen or king. This will save you many sleepless and restless nights. Larger mattresses will obviously need larger frames – and these are best suited for the more functional amenities magazine racks, shelving, storage. Cabinets and slide out features can also be accommodated in these larger sizes. Search online for the types of options you would like and going custom will help you get exactly what you want.
Most discussions about the frames are for just the side parts. However, that Zen-like feeling of a flat frame also can be very functional. You can opt for a headboard that allows for shelving and storage. It has a simple elegance to it that can hide clutter as well, enhancing that tranquil look. Also, storage beneath your mattress can be designed to allow more space in a closet. These clean lines help to create that authentic Japanese look and feel.
Most futon mattress frames are made of wood or metal. If you are going with a custom built frame, you may have more style choices but materials will likely remain the same. Since wood is the most popular option for custom builders, it is easier to find someone to do quality work. Nice bed frames will be stained, but can also be painted if you choose. You can also match something in your home by taking a sample piece to your local home improvement store and they can help you with that. You may find that certain styles or periods of frame lend themselves to a particular stain color. For example, deeper, richer stains provide a lot in the way of elegance. Lighter colored stains provide more airiness and a more modern appeal.
Metal framed futons are usually bent tubular in shape and often painted black. They lack much of the appeal and character of a wooden bed frame but they do have function. This type of frame is best suited for a students or fresh from home young adults that don’t mind a little more function over fashion in their lives. While metal frames can be bold or elegant, typically they are what you might expect when thinking of a dorm room set up.
Remember, when you plan on using this frame to support a futon mattress destined for more permanent sleeping arrangements, consider any elements that may be toxic. Stains, paints, solvents, etc. used in the finishing process will be harmful to breathe for prolonged sleep. If you decide to have a custom built bed frame, keep this in mind and let it air out in a protected and ventilated area for some time. You don’t want those fumes in your home or body.
Well, as you can see, your futon mattress bed frame can be either simply designed or elaborate in nature. You can have it custom built to meet your tastes and needs. The most important thing to know is that this is another piece of furniture that you will see and use every day. You do not want to see any flaws in it each time you go into your bedroom sanctuary each night. Again, remember that function and form are interrelated. I hope that you find your perfect futon bed frame that you can enjoy for years to come.
When the futon industry was born back in the 1980’s, the frames were well thought out and well constructed. Whether it was softwoods or hardwoods, the frames featured good fundamental designs made from solid wood. These futon frames would incorporate new working mechanisms and ideas in operation that made futons appealing not only in their design but in the quality of materials and construction that went into them. The futon industry was doing well and growing with these frames heading into the 1990’s but then the black metal futon frame came onto the scene.
At first it was widely regarded as a great addition to the futon family of products. Finally, a futon that could be offered at a much a lower price point. Black metal frames were being imported from China, Malaysia and Taiwan. Many of the early black metal frames were packaged with an import mattress made up of ground up textile materials and a colored covering with tufts. These packages were often anywhere in price from $199 – $249 and started out in specialty futon shops as a great way to introduce customers on a budget into a lower priced futon option. It was soon discovered though that these frames were not such a bargain that they appeared to be.
The first problem with black metal frames is the round metal bars that make up the seat and back sections of these frames. Where as wood futon frames are using flat slats, black metal frames have hollow round bars. Thinner mattresses would slide through the gaps between the round bars. On wood futons this was never a problem. The other issue with the hollow bars is that if enough weight was placed on a spot they would begin to bend. The issue became so bad that a 90 day warranty was put in place by most manufacturers of these frames.
Another issue the black metal frames suffered from were bending stretcher bars or rails. Again the hollow nature of these strecther rails presented issues with breakage and bending. Early designs involved a steel tooth design that would fit into pocket welds on the arms. These would snap off over use. The alternative design was to run a bolt through the arms and into the rails. While better it still did not address the issue of bending stretcher rails.
Bent hinges also added another issue that would happen from use over time. While not as common as the other problems this issue still led to the failure of many black metal frames. The hinges were attached to the arms of the futon frames with two bolts and two nuts. While this design was ok the hinges themselves would fail when too much weight was applied to one side or the other. These would also bend out rendering them useless in the operation of the futon.
Most specialty futon retailers pay little to no attention to black metal futon frames. Retailers I’ve spoken to have said that the black metal futon frame is the number one service headache when it came to futons with over 95% of service issues being the failure of a black metal frame component. Replacing these parts were made more difficult by the fact the manufacturers were located overseas and obtaining the parts past the 90 day warranty period often involved the retailer having to purchase the replacement parts and charging the customer.
If you’re shopping for a futon, here are some things to think about if you see a black metal futon frame in a mass merchant or big box store. Consider the fact that most solid wood futon frames carry a warranty anywhere from a year to a lifetime warranty. Black metal futon frames have a 90 day warranty. It says something about how much the manufacturer stands behind the product. Black metal frames are made overseas. Expect to wait for a part if something breaks or if you’re past that 90 day warranty, expect to pay for all replacement parts and associated costs to get your frame up and running again. Consider too that parts may also no longer be available should something break. Metal bars allow mattresses to slide into and through the gaps between each bar. This puts lumps in your mattress and can make the futon quite uncomfortable when compared to flat wooden slats on wood frames.
Futons do make a sensible investment as they provide all of the features and benefits of a sofa sleeper but at a fraction of the cost in many cases. If you find the right frame that is well built from quality materials and a good mattress your futon experience is sure to be a positive one. Avoid metal futon frames that are made more to hit a particular price point then they are to be a piece of furniture that can offer longevity as a dependable sofa and sleeper for your home. The right futon can provide you and your family with years of quality use. The wrong futon frame will simply become disposable furniture.
A seemingly white curtain covered the entire business stage when the economic recession came into the fore two years ago. With the looming economic crisis, there were a lot of companies that have gone out of business but there were a few who were able to withstand one of the biggest economic turmoil of the century.
Now, running companies during the recession is a very cumbersome task. Most of the companies that were able to survive now had to cut their corners then to rationalize all of their expense. Moreover, many strategies have been done to cut back on the cost out in desperation. In this trying time, it is important that companies employ sound business practices in order to be able to make their business survive.
Although coming up with a good business practice during this time is very ideal, it still remains a fact that not all business was able to do it. Even big businesses have no other choice but to lay off some of its employees or retain them but decrease their paychecks instead. This strategy has saved a lot of companies but the thing is that the unemployment rate then decreased. This is sad but this is the true picture during the first year. However, laying off their employees should be the last thing that they need to consider. In fact, there are other things that they can do to be able to still survive the recession without having to reduce the number of their employees
Other companies, in order to save, get rid of their operational wastes. Operational wastes are wastes that are produced during work. These can be paper wastes or wasted time from the employees. To remedy this, most companies reorganize their workplace as well as their people. In this case, most companies employ different approaches when it comes to organizing their workplaces.
On the other hand, some companies save on their electricity costs in order to be able to save money. Although turning off the air conditioning unit is something that most people cannot withstand, it is still nonetheless one of the ways to cut back on most companies’ costs. The thing here is that the employees can survive 30 minutes to one hour electricity during lunch breaks.
Companies that were able to think of these ways to cut back their operational costs were able to survive. In fact, these days, practicality is one of the things that can make your company survive amidst the turmoil.
Slipcovers are designed to easily fit over existing upholstery so as to give existing furniture a new look and also protect the original upholstery. It is possible to give a new lease of life to old but good furniture by putting on slip covers. Slipcovers are a relatively inexpensive and affordable alternative to change the look of a room or house.
A well made slipcover for a sofa can be purchased for as little as $200 which is quite cheap as compared to refurnishing rates. Most dealers offer deals on certain number of purchases that brings down cost of item per piece.
Slipcovers could be available at low rates in off season or during seasonal discounts. Many big stores have their seasonal or annual discount sale before stock renewal. It is advisable to wait for these sales in case a person is planning to buy in large quantities. Favorable bargains in assorted lots could be available during such sales.
Some people want to dispose off their furnishings while moving out of a locality instead of carrying them along. It is possible to get used slip covers in reasonably good condition from such garage sales at throw away prices. Some store owners also dispose their wares during clearance sales if they move out of that locality and may offer their wares at subsidized rates. In such cases a customer can pick up good first hand slipcovers at very reasonable rates.
Another possibility for getting real cheap slip covers is buying required material or fabric and stitch slip covers at home. Factory outlets may also offer fabric at cheaper rates than the retailer.
Enterprising people have also been found to create their own slipcovers using old but good curtain cloth, bed sheets and other such materials. They manage to save on the cost of the fabric as well as the stitching charges.
It is also possible to browse through the internet to look for good bargains that may offer cheap slip covers.
www.LogCabinRustics.com proudly presents this log furniture video, which covers all the steps of assembling the Northern Exposure Log Futon. Visit www.LogCabinRustics.com, or call 866-923-6932, to buy this quality piece of log furniture today. The manufacturer of this log futon offers a lifetime warranty on workmanship for all of their log furniture
In the 1980’s, they were called hide-a-beds, and though still sometimes referred to in that way, they also have many other names, including pull-out sofa, or what about futons, sometimes they are referred to as a sleeper sofa or the more elaborate convertible sofa bed. All of these names make sense, but which should you use?
Many models have a bed hidden under the cushions that are “pulled out” to make the bed. Futon is a Japanese word for a bed similar to what we call a futon in the US, though it has been Americanized (such as being lifted up off of the floor). Sleeper sofa and sofa bed, basically the same thing but with the two words reversed, both meaning that this piece of furniture functions as both a sofa and a bed.
But what about convertible sofa beds? This term also makes a lot of sense but not one I had ever heard of until recently. To analyze where this term came from, I first considered the meaning of the word “convertible”. In my standard computer included dictionary, it says that convertible is an adjective that means: to be able to be changed in form, function or character. We see this term often in reference to cars. If you are to say that you own a convertible, nobody asks, “a convertible what? sofa?” Everybody knows you are referring to a car. People automatically envision something sporty, a sunny day with sunglasses, and your hair blowing in the wind as you speed down the highway or cruise the boulevard.
But convertible sofa beds really does say it all. They are sofas that convert into beds. It more than qualifies according to the definition because it changes in all three ways: form, from an upright piece of furniture to more of a flat piece of furniture; function, for sitting on to lying down and sleeping; character (meaning the distinctive nature of the thing), the nature of a couch is to sit and socialize on with others, the character of a bed is for sleeping.
So why are there so many words for one, functional item? I really do not know, but can make some educated guesses. First, different manufacturers, in trying to distinguish themselves from others, come up with different names for the same basic items. My guess is, if their term can become common enough, they become the next Kleenex (the company name that has become a common term used for a tissue). But I have not seen that happen in the convertible sofa beds industry. But who knows? The hide-a-bed has come a long ways in the last 30 years. They are more comfortable, not always as heavy, look a lot nicer, and have used some innovative design different from decades ago.
When we were first married, we thought we wanted a hide-a bed for guests, but they were so uncomfortable that we could never settle on one. In more recent years, we have gotten a high quality futon (one with a proper, thick mattress, not a big chain store special), and it has been a real life saver since we still do not have a guest room in out house. It has worked great, but lately I have been eyeballing some of the newer click-clack designs, they look like really chic and comfy convertible sofa beds! But what should you call it? I guess it doesn’t matter, as long as it is a term commonly recognized in your area!
Poster prints are great for decorating your walls. Whether your poster is displaying a picture of a popular musician or sports star, a poster print can bring life and excitement to any room. Custom poster printing offers us additional creativity by allowing us to print unique posters. We are free to express ourselves through photography, graphic design, collage design, photo editing and typography. Here are five wonderful ideas for custom poster prints that will add excitement and life to your interior.
1. Collage posters are a great way to display a large number of pictures in a single location without crowding your wall space. By combining many photos on a single poster, you create a visual focal point of design. When viewed from a distance, a collage poster adds color and depth to a wall, but upon closer inspection a collage poster is able to tell many stories in the form of lively and animated images.
2. Group photo poster prints are great for businesses and organizations. It is a common practice to enlarge group photos such as company photos, team photos and church group photos. Poster prints are great for group photos because they offer an affordable solution to printing photos in very large sizes. Many group photos include a large number of people and a small sized print would make it difficult to see people’s faces. However, a professional poster printer will be able to create poster prints that are as large as 60 inches tall and 100 inches wide while maintaining great image quality.
3. Artistic photography poster prints have the ability to add depth and color to any room. For example, landscape photography prints create a window effect for smaller rooms by adding a visual outlet. Black and white photography prints can create an atmosphere of artistic contemplation with simple lines and contrasting detail. There are many types of artistic photography that make fantastic poster prints for decorating your home or office.
4. Typography poster prints are great for adding an element of design while displaying a message. These types of posters are often used for the walls of businesses. For example, a typography poster print might inform restaurant goers about the history of a particular restaurant. Displaying this information on a typography poster print allows the information to be available for patrons while adding an artistic element to the overall theme of the restaurant’s interior.
5. Portrait poster prints such as baby portraits, family portraits or wedding portraits add a personal touch to your interior design. Parents can proudly display portraits of their children and married couples can share the memory of their wedding day. The best interior designs combine balance, color and individual personality. Portrait poster prints can contribute to all three of these important aspects.
There are a countless number of ways in which to use a poster print in your next interior design project. Custom poster printing allows for creativity and originality. Consider trying one of these five ideas the next time you decorate.
admin