roomplanners NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
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sneak peak! what the hottest rooms will be wearing in 2012!
the
furniture issue
your ultimate guide to
buying furniture
this month...
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3 SNEAK PEAK 2012
on the cover
Not sure which of our nine style types you are? Take our Environmental Personality Profile survey.
See some of the hottest home fashion trends from the recent High Point Furniture Market, categorized into our nine Environmental-Personality types:
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MODERN . . . . . . 4 ELEGANT . . . . . . 6 CHIC . . . . . . . . 8
Editor-in-Chief Loreen Epp
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Food writer Wendi Hiebert
VINTAGE . . . . . . 10
www.roomplanners.com
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GLOBAL . . . . . . . 16
Confused by too many furniture choices? Make sense of furniture quality and prices with our ultimate furniture buying guide.
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www.twitter.com/roomplanners
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BUYING FURNITURE
Find us online at: WEB SITE
RUSTIC . . . . . . . 14
ORGANIC . . . . . 20
Contributing writers Dominique Waters Gail Talbot
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TRADITIONAL . . . 12
CLASSIC . . . . . . 18
New for Spring 2012, this stunning chest by Habersham was inspired by the curves and lines of fjords, cliffs and beaches along the coastline of the North Sea. The best of 2012 home furnishings promise to be as beautiful as they are unique . More starting on p. 4.
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http://blog.roomplanners.com All written information herein is copyright Š2011 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Incorporated.
Wonder what the hottest new rooms will be wearing next year? Wonder no more.
sneak peak furniture
2012!
Our favorite products from the recent furniture market in North Carolina are so new they’re not even in stores yet! But they will be soon‌ and just in time to inspire some stylish spring makeovers!
www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
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Smaller homes, a growing love of white and the desire for simpler, daylight-infused rooms) makes modern design a smart choice for 2012. Look for more Scandinavian influences, natural textures and bright splashes of color.
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modern. Faux Bois Headboard Building Block Side Table Global Views Gruppo Tomasella
Niagra Counter Table Gus Design Group 4 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
www.roomplanners.com
James Lounge Gus Design Group
17323—354 Arteriors Home
Origami Lounge Chair Thayer Coggin
John Mascheroni American Leather www.roomplanners.com
Simon Swivel Chair C. R. Laine NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 5
2 Gabriella Armoire Universal Furniture
Gabriella Storage Mirror Universal Furniture
elegant.
6599 Arteriors Home
60-0315 Christopher Guy
Promenade Magnussen Home
Sophie Bedding Angelo Home
Lisa Luby Ryan Arteriors DR 2037
Glam’d up elegant styles for 2012 look suitably French! Look for the signature shapely lines and dressy textures, enhanced with soft whites and pinks, pierced, trellis-style patterns and plenty of silver!
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60—0324 Christopher Guy NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
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Gabriella, Smartstuff™ Universal Furniture www.roomplanners.com OCTOBER 2011 7
Libby Langdon for Braxton Culler
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7900—20S Henredon
chic.
Parisian Panache Chair Pearson Furniture
Modern Gathering Table Stanley Furniture
Like a black tie party, chic rooms are as much about color as style! Look for extreme dark--light, or black-white, color schemes to stay strong in 2012 (they’re still the easiest way to add urban style!), along with more tone-on -tone textures and more gray! But then again, chic style always did have a thing for gray...
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76-0182 Christopher Guy
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LeeLee Side Chair Hickory Chair Furniture
Jeanette Bed Magnussen Home
ABOVE. A mix of furniture styles are tied together with a soft color palette and nail-head trim. BELOW. A chestnut wood finish on the table and cabinet complement chairs in antique linen.
North Sea Chest, American Treasures Collection Habersham www.roomplanners.com OCTOBER 2011 7
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Look for a sophisticated cottage vibe in 2012 vintage styles, with heavily white-washed or worn finishes, hand-painted floral or printed document patterns, dressmaker skirts and one-of-a-kind accents.
vintage.
Club Chair Hotel Maison
Floral Fabric Accent Chest Hooker Furniture
Napoleon Upholstered Bench French Heritage
DR 2050,
Arteriors
Marine-life artwork. Karen Robertson Collection 10 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 www.roomplanners.com
Lisa Luby Ryan
Lisa Luby Ryan Arteriors DR 2041
ABOVE. A mix of furniture styles are tied together with a soft color palette and nail-head trim. BELOW. A chestnut wood finish on the table and cabinet complement chairs in antique linen.
Primrose Hill Hooker Furniture
Essential Console Hutch aspenhome Furniture Tribeca American Treasures Habersham www.roomplanners.co
m NO-
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Old-world and Tudor styles for 2012 haven’t lost their hearty, intellectual quality. Nor have they lost their appeal; nail-head trim and a weighty stretcher or two is as hot as ever. But look for traditional styles to simplify and diversity a little with menswear patterns, tailored lines and British Colonial influences.
The Sterling Wesley Hall
Artisan Dining Table Hickory Chair Company
traditional.
E2 Desk, aspenhome Furniture 12
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
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Commonwealth Bernhardt Furniture
Bunching Curios & Desk
Archipelago Stanley Furniture
Libby Langdon for Braxton Culler www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 13
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Finnean Occasional Table SitCom Furniture
Marlee Dining Room, SitCom Furniture
rustic.
46639 Arteriors Home
Artisan, Stanley Furniture.
Rustic may mean unpretentious or simple. But for 2012, it doesn’t have to mean rural! Look for an infusion of industrial chic; a retro, factory-inspired style that mixes aged metal with worn woods and old French-laundry textures.
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Caches Linden Desk Kincaid Furniture
Homecoming, Linville Bed Kincaid Furniture
Artisan Stanley Furniture
Kaitlyn Bedroom SitCom Furniture
Tuba Swivel Table Palacek
DR 6010
Lisa Luby Ryan Tuba Chair Palacek Arteriors
6011
Lisa Luby Ryan Arteriors Home
Industry Lamp Palacek
www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 15
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If an exotic vacation not in the budget next year, take heart. It’s never been easier to bring your favorite destination home. Look for unique, travelinspired furnishings in 2012, with hand-crafted textures, exotic materials and zesty global colors inspiring fascinating, eclectic rooms!
global.
Road to Canberra, Tommy Bahama Home Lexington Furniture Byron Bay Chair, Duntroon Hall Table
17340-469 Arteriors Home
Road to Canberra, Tommy Bahama Home Lexington Furniture.
Ellerston Sofa, Wickham Chair, Cape York Cocktail Table
Archipelago Stanley Furniture
7577 Teak Chair Lee Industries
Style 832 Kincaid Furniture
17340—469 Arteriors Home
Higgins Chair C. R. Laine
Martinique Console Table Hickory Chair Company
Brenden Taylor King www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 17
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Today’s trend to pare-back and simplify our rooms proves once again how lasting classic design is! For 2012, this timeless style is inspiring looks that won’t look dated any time soon! Look for the signature symmetry, x-shapes and saber legs.
classic.
Monaco Etagere Kincaid Furniture
Artisan Dining Table Hickory Chair Furniture
Gustav Metal Chair Bernhardt Interiors
Olympia Chaise DPS Studio USA
Mirage, Lexington Furniture. Lamour Buffet, Fontaine Mirror
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Montpelier Console Hickory Chair Furniture NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
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Mirage, Lexington Furniture. Audrey Sofa, Loren Cocktail Table, Garland Dresser
H1166-C Henredon
Daybed 2392 Pearson Company www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 19
Suede. Brian Gluckstein for Broyhill Furniture
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organic.
6600 Arteriors Home
Archipelago Stanley Furniture
We want to feel greener these days, and it helps being near worn woods, washed fabrics and woven grasses. Look for organic looks in 2012 that aren’t just for the granola belt! Complex neutral colors and high-touch natural materials look inspired by relaxed, zenlike spas and coastal resorts. 20
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Sidney Chest & Hutch A Studio
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The Wyatt Wesley Hall
Elements Poster Bed Bernhardt Furniture
Hampton, Brian Gluckstein for Broyhill Furniture
Elements Bookcase Desk Bernhardt Furniture
Hida Bedroom. Sitcom Furniture www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 21
how to buy
furniture
IQ
Confused by too TEST YOUR FURNITURE many furniture Hardwoods and softwoods are both popular choices? Not sure 1.choices for furniture. True OR False when, or why, to 2. Where furniture is made is one of the best pay more? indicators of its overall quality. True OR False Read on to clear up the confusion and make furniture buying easier! (See how much you already know by taking our quick Furniture IQ test!)
COMPLIMENTS OF
3. Contemporary furniture tends to be lower-priced because it’s simpler to make. True OR False 4. A table with a mahogany finish is made with at least some mahogany, though it may be difficult to tell how much. True OR False 5. It’s not important to recognize the wood species used to make furniture. True OR False 6. How a drawer is made is more important than what it’s made of. True OR False 7. Solid wood is the best choice for furniture; the finest quality 18th century furniture was made with it. True OR False 8. Glossy or polished wood finishes are easiest to keep clean. True OR False 9. A ‘bonded leather’ chair or headboard is made with genuine leather. True OR False Answers and explanations on page 27. www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 23
Buying new furniture (or replacing the old) is an exciting way to update your home. But unlike a car, you can’t look under the hood or check mileage stats!
why pay more:
signs of quality
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check out these 10 ways to gauge how well your furniture was made and how long it will last.
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QUALITY MATERIALS A hearty wood species, strong metals, marble, top-grain leather or solid wood details are indicators of quality furniture. Care taken on the outside usually means care was taken on the inside.
MULTI-STEP FINISHING The depth of a wood’s finish, or stain, distinguishes it from promotional furniture. Multiple layers of stains, or a hand-applied stain, simulates rich antique furniture.
DOVETAIL JOINS Interlocking joins literally ‘lock’ drawer sides together at a 90 degree angle. Look for English or French dovetail joins, recalling two of the longest and finest furniture-making traditions.
FULL-EXTENSION DRAWER GLIDES Modeled after office filing-cabinet drawers, full-extension metal drawer glides pull all the way out, making it easier to see and to reach the back of the drawer. They tend to be very strong.
DUST-PROOFING This method of encasing drawers in a closed compartment ensures your clothing will stay clean and dust-free, even if a piece of clothing falls behind a drawer.
FINISHED DRAWER INTERIORS Whether cedar-lined, felt-lined or just finished to match the exterior of the case, well-finished drawer interiors ensure clothing won’t snag or fingers get slivers. They also look good when open!
METAL REINFORCEMENTS Superior door hinges that operate quietly, smoothly and with a wide radius are a sign of quality. So are back panels that are screwed into the case, rather than just nailed to it.
EASY-CARE FINISHES Strong topical treatments, such as MarGuard, help prevent the surfaces of heavily-used tables and desks from premature wear or scratches.
HIGH-FUNCTION FEATURES Furniture with built-in features, such as wire management, plug-ins, moisture-resistant tops and places to store awkward or easily-lost items, avoids makeshift or unattractive situations at home.
WARRANTY Manufacturers that back their work with a warranty longer than a year or two will be there when you need them. They’ve built a product that will hold up well... and they don’t expect you’ll call!
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COMPLIMENTS OF ASPENHOME FURNITURE
the tell-all:
drawer construction Our eyes may be the mirror to our soul, but our dresser drawers reflect the quality of our furniture. Examine a drawer’s blocks, joins, glides and stops; these four tell-tale signs reflect how well your furniture is made. The unsung heroes, corner blocks are tightly-fitted triangular wood pieces placed under the corners of the drawer to keep it square and strong. On extra-long drawers, look for extra wood reinforcements in the center to support extra corner blocks.
Drawer glides determine how quickly and how easily a drawer will open and close.
How the corners of a drawer are joined together indicates how sturdy that drawer will feel, and how long it will last.
blocks joins glides stops
The most efficient drawers operate on metal glides… and side glides, rather than center glides. (Side glides keep a wide drawer operating evenly on both sides). Full-extension glides let you access the back of the drawer.
Strong, interlocking joins, such as English dovetail joins, are considered the most durable.
This important safety feature ensures drawers won’t pull all the way out while being used or moved.
The best quality drawer stops are integrated into the glide rather than simply attached to the back of the drawer.
www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 25
Inspecting furniture from all angles will help you find the best value for your budget. Use this checklist to make sure your new furniture holds up over the years...
furniture
quality checklist
Is it sturdy? Stand directly in front of a drawer chest
and shake it a little; it shouldn’t rack (wobble) from side to side. Also see if the back panel is screwed in place, rather than nailed.
Do drawers and doors open and close smoothly? Check for even spacing between the drawers or doors and the cabinet, strong hinges, adequate corner blocks and quality joins, glides and stops on drawers.
buyer
Is your mirror image clear? Stand back 15 feet from
beware
the mirror above a dresser or server to make sure your reflection isn’t distorted.
They’re ranked the most confusing (and misleading) words when shopping for furniture, so we’re tackling them head on! An oak finish sounds a lot like oak furniture. But is it? No. A finish is a color, not a material. A cherry finish, for example, doesn’t necessarily get you cherry furniture!
all wood An all-wood dresser sounds a lot like solid wood. But is it? Maybe. This toobroad term could suggest anything from solid wood to wood-chip particleboard.
bonded leather A bonded leather headboard or chair may look and feel like leather. But is it? Yes… and no. Bonded leather is not 100% leather but it does contain some; anywhere from 15-20% is typical. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
natural feature of wood furniture, check that wood color stains match between drawer, door, front and side panels.
Does the store’s furniture sample look good?
finish
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Do panels match? While wood grain variations are a
Furniture gets a lot of wear and tear in a furniture store. If it’s holding up well there, it’s more likely to hold up well in your home.
Is it tip-resistant? Try pulling out all the drawers in a dresser or drawer chest at the same time. If it starts to tip toward you, you’ll need to secure the furniture to the wall in your home.
What does the warranty cover, and for how long? Beware of short warranties or no warranty at all. Look for comprehensive and lengthy coverage.
Who makes it? Find out who manufacturers your furniture, not just who sells it. You’ll be able to research the company’s reputation or values.
Are there instructions on how to maintain it?
Find out maintenance tips, care instructions, recommended cleaning products or warnings ahead of time; it’ll avoid premature wear.
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COMPLIMENTS OF ASPENHOME FURNITURE Identifying the way you live will help you chose the best furniture for your lifestyle. Use this checklist to make sure your new furniture fits into your home and lifestyle...
furniture IQ test:
answers How did you fare on our Furniture IQ test? Find explanations to the correct answers here!
furniture
suitability checklist
1. True. While hardwoods (such as oak
Are you already worried about the first scratch? Buy furniture with a pre-distressed finish; future wear will be less noticeable, and will even add to the vintage look!
Do you dislike seeing fingerprints on furniture? Avoid glossy or polished finishes; they’re easy to clean, but require frequent cleaning.
and cherry) are stronger than softwoods (such as pine and cedar), the choice of wood species is best based on style and lifestyle preferences.
2. False. Low quality and high quality furniture can be made anywhere.
3. False. While contemporary styles are cleaner and simpler, they actually require more precise construction...there are no carvings to hide imperfections!
4. False. A finish refers to a color or stain,
Do you avoid… or put off housecleaning as long as possible? Opt for patterned or textured fabrics on chairs, avoid extremely light or dark fabrics and opt out of furniture designs with deep crevices that will require frequent dusting, or worse, cleaning with a toothbrush!
Do you own a cat with front claws? Forego furniture with wicker insets or loose fabric weaves. It’ll be an instant scratching post.
Do you already know your furniture will suffer above-average wear and tear? Inquire about an extended warranty or special cleaning products.
not to the type of wood used. A mahogany finish will make furniture look like mahogany, but it may be applied over another wood species.
5. True. Wood species that aren’t native to Europe and America may be as beautiful, as hard-wearing or even more sustainable than the ones we’re familiar with.
6. True. Drawer construction is critical to the quality and durability of furniture, whatever wood species or metal is used.
7. False. Most fine furniture is, and was,
Does your furniture fit your room? A room with too-much or too-big furniture will look small and feel cramped. Furniture shouldn’t fill more than 60% of the floor area.
Do you use a flight of stairs, short hall or narrow doorway to get home? Compare their dimensions to the widest dimension of your new furniture. Or inquire if furniture can be taken apart, or its legs removed, before moving.
Do you know what to expect from the store’s delivery drivers? Check ahead if they will deliver furniture to the room where it belongs, set it up, remove packaging or take your old furniture away.
made with wood veneer rather than solid wood. It enables more design styles and compensates for wood’s tendency to warp.
8. False. Well, party true. Glossy or polished wood finishes are easy to clean, but can be difficult to keep clean. Fingerprints are less visible on grainy or matte or wood finishes.
9. True. Bonded leather contains leather, though it may not be much. Leather is cut from a cowhide, while bonded leather is mixed and mulched with other fabrics, rolled into a bolt and cut like fabric.
www.roomplanners.com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 27