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What is Reclaimed Wood Furniture?

January 30, 2013

Reclaimed furniture is a term used to describe items and furnishings that have been constructed using wood and other materials that have been salvaged, reused or appropriated from other less than conventional sources. Unlike furnishings that have been built using purpose-cut wood and lumber, reclaimed items often feature a far more unique and distinctive appearance. If you are in search of a way to add a little eclectic beach style to an outdoor space or even to your indoor decor, reclaimed wood furnishings can offer you a way to do so with unforgettable style.

The ways that salvaged and even found wood can be crafted into furnishing that are comfortable, durable and sturdy enough for either indoor or outdoor use could come as something of a surprise to those who have had little exposure to this style. Using such unique and raw construction materials means that each piece is crafted to be truly one of a kind. Chairs, benches and even other items like swings and stools can all be created using unfinished or salvaged materials creating a signature piece that will more effectively reflect its original natural environment. The raw look and feel of such items will bring a bit of authentic beach style to any space or existing decor.

When making the best choice in outdoor furnishings, the key feature to look for is furnishings that will be rugged enough to stand up to the elements and weather conditions they will be exposed to without having to sacrifice either comfort or style. By making use of reclaimed wood as a construction material, such pieces can enjoy superior durability and may be created more simply, doing away with the need for more intricate detail work or extravagantly finished materials. Simple, rustic and timeless pieces will provide you with the best way to enhance and enjoy any outdoor environment.

By bringing the style and casual comfort that you would normally associate with the beach indoors, you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable and unique way to decorate your home or office. The beauty that can be captured and showcased by using reclaimed construction materials will allow you to design a space that will be both unique and comfortable. A little rustic charm can be the perfect way to accent your existing design theme, or you may even be able to use reclaimed wood furnishings and other pieces as the centerpiece of your efforts.

Tips for Buying Second Hand Furniture

January 2, 2013

While second hand furniture stores are a great source of gently used furniture, their prices can sometimes be expensive. Some of the most attractive and reasonably priced furniture can be found at tag sales, yard sales, auctions and even at online web sites.

Here are some tips to consider when buying second hand furniture, regardless of where you make your purchase:

  • Sometimes you might find a piece you love, but you aren’t a fan of the color. Repainting or staining the item(s) can usually be done easily and inexpensively, giving you a custom piece at a bargain price.

  • Know the measurements of the areas where you are planning to place the furniture that you purchase. Conversely, make sure that you measure all dimensions of any items that you may be interested in — I like to tape out the piece in the actual space because while a piece of furniture may technically fit, once you can visualize it, you might realize the piece isn’t right.
  • Before you purchase a piece of second hand furniture, it is adviseable to make sure that all working parts are in order. Also make sure that the furniture is suitably comfortable for your needs.
  • A very important and precautionary practice that is recommended when you are buying second hand furniture is to carefully inspect all items for the presence of insects and insect eggs. Because the history of second hand furniture is often unknown and is frequently stored outdoors or has been thrown out by its previous owners, a close examination should always be performed.
  • If you are shopping for a beach house or cottage that is situated close to the ocean, the air around the property can contain a large amount of salt which can cause corrosive damage to metal and wood items. Always consider the use of the furniture and ensure you are buying pieces in the materials best suited for those future purposes.
  • This is probably my favorite piece of advise — when you are interested in purchasing specific pieces of second hand furniture and the listed price seems high, don’t hesitate to bargain with the person selling the items. Paying in cash or looking to buy more than one piece can always be advantageous, so don’t be afraid to tout these bennies!

    • Beach Style Decorating On A Budget

    December 23, 2012

    Many people love the beach and want to incorporate it into home decor. Part of beach style is incorporating that beach-y feel in everything, including your home. It is possible to achieve the beach style indoors without spending a fortune.

    Color

    Most beach decor begins with white walls. The color white is airy and fresh. A crisp white color will lighten the room. If you are totally against using white on the walls, any light pastel will work. A pale blue can give the effect of the sky or the water. Neutral colors can also be used. Tan or beige will hint to the sand and will blend well with wood furniture. A simple coat of paint is an inexpensive way to begin a beach style decor.

    Accessories

    Instead of spending a fortune on decor, a few well chosen and placed accessories will make the room come together. After a visit to the beach, collect shells, sand, beach glass, and other trinkets. The best accessories are free and come from nature. Objects from nature can add a unique touch to the space. If shells are not available, a beach theme can be achieved with other natural accessories like rope tied around a lamp.

    Furniture

    Wood furniture is very popular for a beach theme. To transform existing wood pieces into modern beach style, use stain, paint and sandpaper to give a distressed look and an authentic feel to furniture pieces in the room.

    Without wood furniture, you can utilize slipcovers over old chairs or couches. This will give an updated beach appeal to the space in an inexpensive manner. Choosing materials like muslin will work well. It is not necessary to be an expert seamstress. Many stores carry ready fitted covers that will let you repurpose existing pieces you love but might not fit the beach style.

    It is simple to incorporate a beach theme into any room. The beach evokes fresh and laid back feelings. Without breaking the budget, it is simple to add small touches to any room and make it a shore paradise.

    Beach Style At A Glance

    December 13, 2012


    What exactly is Beach Style? Well it is that warm weather, laid back outfit you put on to go outside to socialize with friends. The actual style is quite individual, but the clothes should conform to the freedom of the sandy beaches; jeans and a t-shirts are generally no-no’s. Beach Style is loose, casual clothing that can quickly transition from iced tea outside at a cafe to a swim or lounge on the beach — it is this effortless transition from life to beach that makes the iconic look of Beach Style.

    Beach Style is always fun and casual and of course, comfortable. For some, Beach Style is simply a bathing suit with sunglasses and sunscreen the only accessories required. For others, Beach Style is a flowing, bright sun dress with coordinating flip flops and jewelry in a rainbow of beach shades like pink, teal and yellow, or a breezy white linen shirt with brightly colored shorts.

    Regardless of what one wears, Beach Style not only represents clothes, but it also represents a way of life — a way of life that is often as fun and casual as what you wear.

    Tips for Buying Furniture Online

    December 9, 2012

    Most people think that it’s nearly impossible to pick out furniture for online, however, that is far from the truth. There are lots of shoppers who love the convenience of online shopping, even when buying large items like furniture. Being able to choose from a large variety of vendors and products, purchasing the perfect piece(s) of furniture is literally only a few clicks away.

    If this is your first home or you’ve never before shopped online for products such as furniture, there are some important tips to keep in mind:

    • Locate a reputable furniture store online. It is going to be very important that you select a company that has great credibility online. Checking other customer reviews is a great way to determine if you’ve found a good website to shop on or not. Do a simple search for “[furniture store name] reviews” and see what others have to say.
    • Check with more than one online vendor for furniture that you’re interested in. Even if you feel that you may have found the right site, as well as the right price, you want to make sure that you’ve seen a few options before committing to making a purchase.
    • Complete your measurements and write down color preferences before you make your final decision and place your order. You want to make sure that you have the right dimensions so that the furniture will properly fit into the home. And if there is any question about the fabric colors, request a swatch. Most vendors will provide one or two swatches for free, after which there might be a minimal charge for additional swatches, but the charges are generally credited towards any future purchase.
    • Before confirming your online order, you want to double check everything that you’ve entered including the furniture type, color, size, and style to make sure that you’re getting the furniture you want. You don’t want to end up ordering the wrong pieces as this could cost time and money.
    • Check the vendor’s shipping and return policies. Some online furniture vendors provide a “white glove” option which means the delivery men will bring the furniture into your home, put it exactly where you want it and perform any set-up or assembly that might be required. Other delivery options might involve simply getting the piece to your front door. As for returns, most custom pieces will not be returnable, but other inventory pieces may be. It’s not unheard of to not like a piece in real life, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with the vendor’s return policy and know whether there are any costs associated with a return, such as shipping or restocking.

    Shopping for your furniture online can have loads of benefits if you do it properly. Online shopping often provides better prices and a more varied selection than what can be offered in traditional stores.