Art Van Furniture and Design Trends by Northern Michigan Review Inc.

Furniture & Design Trends

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VISIT US IN GAYLORD - LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED The Midwest’s #1 Furniture & Mattress Store Ask us how you can buy furniture today and pay for it later with NO INTEREST! 2090 M32 West, Gaylord – Next to Kohl’s | 989.448.2228 PN-559191-1

2 Art Van Gaylord has long family roots, immediate local success By Jeremy Speer

rt Van Gaylord has had a short and successful four year run in Gaylord, but the businesses’ roots as a family enterprise run much longer and deeper. Owner Bruce Dietz owned a popular furniture store in Alpena for 30 years and also owned some property in Gaylord. Art Van approached him about opening a franchise in Gaylord, and he accepted, excited to bring Art Van’s value and styles to Gaylord. Bruce’s son, Justin, spent six months at Art Van’s corporate office to learn the ins and outs of the well-known company and the two combined with Shelly Miller to launch the Gaylord store at 2090 M-32 West in May of 2014.

e ght pieces is on ri e th ll a h it w r home ill make. That’s w Furnishing you u o y s n io is c e portant d on of the most im d this publicati te a re c s a h rd lo y rs in why Art Van Ga for our neighbo n o ti a rm fo in l fu ies. to provide help ding communit n u o rr su e th d Gaylord an ds you re & Design Tren u it rn Fu f o n io aper, Inside this edit trends in wallp rn e d o m t u o b a We will find stories cting a couch. le se d n a ll, a w ry creating a galle rent “Furniture e iff d f o ts n e m ele f also discuss the fresh the look o re to g in k o lo are Lifestyles” if you your home. ign g Furniture & Des in d a re y jo n e u o ed We hope that y tiful locally own u a e b r u o it is v e Trends and com a reprint of our is e v o b a d e d clu lls Gaylord store. In air story that te ff A ily m Fa s e Tim . Gaylord Herald Michigan roots rn e h rt o N r u o more about helly Miller, Justin Dietz & S aylord Art Van 228 Co-Managers G rd | 989.448.2 PN-559512-1

2090 M32 We

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The rest, they say, is history, as Gaylord’s Art Van has grown to be one of the most successful stores in the company. “It’s been a good endeavor, said Miller, the store’s co-manager along with Justin Dietz. “A big part of it is the community. We are a locally owned business and we are thankful for those who want to shop local with us. There are many people who drive long distances because of the experience you get at the store.” Art Van Gaylord is the second smallest store in the Art Van company but it is among the best in sales per square foot, and Miller said the store’s sales have far exceeded Art Van’s expectations. Miller said she’s thankful for a great group of employees and that it is a prerequisite to know how to have fun in order to work at the franchise. “People want to walk into a store where people are having a good time and laughing,” she said. “Customer service is our No. 1 priority.” Miller added the company’s buying power allows Art Van to provide exceptional value to its customers. Art Van Gaylord also has become a great community partner, raising money for the new Alpine Regional Tennis Association courts, sponsoring open skates and a meeting room at the Otsego County Sportsplex and donating to a number of local fundraisers and charities, including the Otsego County Food Pantry.

FURNITURE Casual Lifestyle

Set the tone for relaxation with laidback furnishings that invite you to get comfortable. Casual Style features oversized seating with family-friendly fabrics and simple details that complement your active lifestyle. You’ll love your home sweet home. Casual style strikes an attractive balance between elegance and simplicity. Allow color and texture to work harmoniously by choosing a neutral palette that can be accented with different textiles. Bring the warmth of rich, deep, wood appointments to your home with smartly designed chests and cabinets that marry perfectly with clever accessories. Your home will feel cozy and refined all at once.

LIFESTYLES Farmhouse Lifestyle

Farmhouse style combines modern cabin appeal with French provincial elegance for the feel-good look of the times. Wood furnishings and vintageinspired fabrics inspire a sense of nostalgia, creating rooms where memories are made and family comes first. Comfort is central to a farmhouse inspired space. Use a creamy color palette, natural textiles, and cozy furniture to create a relaxing space to unwind in after a long day. The lived-in charm of farmhouse style can be achieved with gently distressed furniture, woven fabrics, and worn edges. Use natural light filtered through gauzy linen drapes to keep the rooms light and airy.

Urban Lifestyle

Mid Century Modern Lifestyle

Sophisticated and dapper, Mid-Century Style brings a retro vibe to your home, combining form with function. Sleek lines and crisp silhouettes create an ideal setting for everything from a swanky soiree to the Sunday crossword. This throwback style embraces low-profile furniture, tapered legs and sleek silhouettes. A Mid-Century color palette is flexible, so you can keep it simple with neutral colors or add pops of color with throw pillows, decorations or upholstery. Adding wallpaper in a bold color or pattern can create a dramatic backdrop to your room.

Modern Lifestyle

The clean designs and simple silhouettes of Modern Style bring a feeling of Zen to your home for the ultimate escape from the busy world. Calm and collected, the “less is more” attitude allows every item in the room to shine— especially you. Less is definitely more when it comes to Modern Style, with each piece making a statement. This forward-thinking style makes use of straight lines, open space, and industrial materials. Modern style features a neutral palette for an overall aesthetic that is cool and calming. Shades of black, white, beige, or grey create a solid foundation for the Modern look.

Urban Style celebrates everything you love about the city with furnishings that feature textured fabrics, reclaimed wood and industrial details. Your room has a sense of energy and adventure, offering an eclectic collection of your travels and experiences. Urban style infuses character and warmth into your home, creating an inviting space you’ll never want to leave. Elements like wood, stone and worn leather bring this design to life. Exposed architecture like ceiling beams, brick walls and weathered wood all add to this laidback look. Urban decor is a retreat from convention using soothing earth tones, nature-inspired textures, and organic details.

Traditional Lifestyle

The classic designs of Traditional Style are timeless for a reason—they’re an institution of grace and elegance. Your well dressed home features furnishings with soft curves and an attention to detail, helping you celebrate the finer things in life. Traditional spaces are chic and timeless where comfort and sophistication reign supreme. Dress your room in lighter shades of classic blues and creamy off-whites for a fresh take on a classic style. Today’s traditional designs are lighter, brighter, and more streamlined. Furniture retains the curved lines and rolled arms of Victorian-era pieces, but with streamlined constructions and lighter, more practical fabrics. PN-559513-1

4 FURNITURE & DESIGN TRENDS | BASIC PIECES

Couch Q&A

o you know what questions to ask when purchasing a sofa? A couch might be beautiful and fit into your overall aesthetic, but will it suit your needs?

Furniture purchases are expensive and should be viewed as making an investment — especially if you are hoping to hang onto the piece for several years. There are many aspects concerning the construction of a couch that will impact how it looks over time. This is what you need to know before handing over your credit card.

Are the cushions made of high-density foam?

Density is measured when the manufacturer compresses the air out of foam. This helps to create a stronger base. The higher the density, the stronger the base — which means you will

avoid sagging for much longer. You also want to hear that the cushions are made of solid foam, and not stuffed with foam pieces. This is what leads a couch to look lumpy.

How should a sofa be cleaned?

This is especially important if you are looking at an upholstered sofa. Will you be able to spot clean with soap and water? Or will it need to be dry cleaned? The answers to these questions will affect long-term cost and durability. Also check to see if the cushions are upholstered on all sides. Some manufacturers will face the backside of a cushion with a thinner muslin cloth.

This helps to save money, but it also means you can never flip your couch cushions.

Is the leather bonded?

If you are looking to purchase a leather sofa, you will need to ask this question. If leather is bonded, it means that only about 20 percent of the fabric is actually leather, and the rest is a mix of plastics. Brand new, a bonded leather couch will look no different than a true leather couch and will be much cheaper. The difference will be seen over time, as bonded leather is more likely to split and crack rather than become supple with age.

5 FURNITURE & DESIGN TRENDS | DECOR

Creating a Gallery Wall rranging a gallery wall is not only a pleasant way to display family photos and artwork but also creates a focal point and dramatic element to any room.

They also are one of those design elements that seem simple enough to complete — until you begin. Not sure where to start or what to hang? Take a deep breath and relax. These tried-and-tested tips will turn your design makeover into a super easy weekend project.

mer. There are two ways to go about this. Your first option is to lay out all your frames on the floor. You may not have the floor space to do this, however. The second option is to tape a paper version of your frames to your chosen wall. Pro tip: Use the placeholder photos inside the frames as LAY IT OUT outlines and use tape to secure them It is important to “discover” your as you arrange and rearrange. layout before you even pick up a hamExperiment with both symmetrical

and asymmetrical designs.

DON’T SHY AWAY FROM COLOR

Try a colorful frame or bold matting. You want the eye to be drawn throughout your display, so pick a few colors to stick with and balance them on all sides of your display. As you work with color, remember that whitespace is your friend. You want to place neutral matting in a bold frame to make the color pop,

and not hang frames too closely together.

HANG MORE THAN PHOTOS

Think outside the box. Not everything you hang needs to be in a frame. Consider more architectural pieces of artwork, such as arrows or large wooden lettering — perhaps the monogram letter of your family name. Spend a lot of time on the lake? A painted wooden oar mounted on the wall will not only add dimension to the framed art and photos but will serve as its own form of scrapbooking family history.

6 FURNITURE & DESIGN TRENDS | DECADES

Mid-Century Modern Makeover T

he best of the past is making an impression on modern design.

Mid-century style thrived on clean lines, mixing different materials and jaunty colors. If you are looking to refresh the look of your home, consider layering in mid-century features with contemporary details to create a truly unique and inviting space.

NATURAL LIGHT

Mid-century design prioritizes architecture and layouts that enhance natu-

ral lighting. If you are game for a larger remodel, look into fitting larger windows and skylights into your main living areas. If your home is older, you could be eligible for a tax break if you replace windows that are green certified. Not looking to take on a project so big? Changing your drapery for linens in lighter colors, raising your curtain rods, and giving existing windows a good scrub will make a dramatic difference in a room’s lighting.

KEEP IT WARM

Many people think of modern as

being “cold,” but in its mid-century conception, it was anything but. This period utilized different types of wood for depth and warmth and paid close attention to the shape of furniture. When you pair these pieces with a comfy modern sofa and soft drapery, your space will be ultra-inviting.

BUILT-INS

If your home doesn’t have any builtins, consider adding them to your space. Mid-century architecture often designed spaces so many useful features were built in to a room, which is

very useful when you’re after more cohesive storage solutions.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Adopting a mid-century design successfully is all about making it your own. You don’t need to arrange a complete replica. It is important to add your own flair to a design for it to feel authentic rather than staged. Insert color to create focal points and added warmth. Don’t automatically dismiss Grandma’s shaker china hutch; see how you can incorporate it into your design or repurpose it for better use.

7 FURNITURE & DESIGN TRENDS | ON THE WALLS

Not Your Grandmother’s Wallpaper W

allpaper is making one of the most noticeable comebacks in design trends this decade — but it has left the small, feminine patterns of the 80s in the past. Instead, wallpaper is introducing itself to the scene in bold florals, geometric designs and playful patterns.

If you’re considering introducing wallpaper into your space, there is no need to overcommit. With modern wallpaper, less is definitely more.

need to hide.

STAIRCASE ART

If you are feeling adventurous, consider covering a staircase with your ACCENT WALL favorite print. It will need to be sealed Forget about covering an entire since it will receive foot traffic, but room in wall-to-wall paper. For an the experience of stepping on it rathinstant upgrade, choose one wall to er than moving past it will change wallpaper, and then paint the remain- how you perceive a pattern. ing three walls a complimentary and FAUX HEADBOARD less dramatic color. Wallpaper can be an inexpensive This modern take makes wallpaper the focal point — not something you way to frame a bed over purchasing a

pricey headboard. You can frame your wall with molding in the size and shape you prefer, and lay you wallpaper of choice directly inside.

FIREPLACE WRAP

This is a great design solution for homes with fireplace inserts, which tend to look plain all by themselves. Fireplaces are usually a focal point in the room where they reside. This eye-catching design element will bring attention back to your

room’s star.

BOOKCASE BACKING

Lining the backing of a bookcase will add interest to a more utilitarian piece in your home, as well as highlight the items sitting in it. And bookcases are only the beginning. This trick also works to brighten kitchen cabinets, closets and other covered spaces. These are spaces to go bold with color or pattern, as a majority of the wall behind will be covered by items sitting on shelves.

Casual Lifestyle

Mid Century Modern Lifestyle

Modern Lifestyle

Farmhouse Lifestyle

Urban Lifestyle

Traditional Lifestyle

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