DIY Furniture Trend

The furniture industry is being changed by one major factor: Pinterest! Browsing the site, you will likely encounter several DIY furniture photos. Just typing in the word "furniture" on the Pinterest lands you with a multitude of projects you'll probably dream of tackling.

It's believed that the popularity of DIY furniture projects came about, because of a down economy, and while traditional furniture stores don't seem to be extremely effected by this trend financially, they are effected by the products that are now in demand. A more rustic, "shabby-chic" look has stemmed from the modern day, DIY creatives.  Believe it or not, customers will pay a pretty penny for the DIY-look. Something that you may have only found in second-hand shops years ago, is now being featured in the front window of Haverty's.

Pallet furniture, for example, has thrifty enthusiasts hooked. It's quite shocking, what you can muster up from a couple of pallets found on the side of the road. In reality, they aren't usually found on the side of the road anymore. People are scooping them up quickly if they look like they've been thrown to the curb. Some businesses are even selling pallets that they once trashed.

In our next post, we will take a look at pallet projects.

Review of Design Sponge

Today, we visit one of the top three furniture blogs on the web: Design Sponge

What makes Design Sponge so special?  They boast extremely high traffic each month due to their content, ranging from design ideas to modern furniture trends.  Each section of the site is inspiring, but the best part is the "before and after" section of the blog.  Below, are a few examples of the incredible transformations you can find.

Camp Trailer Makeover

Table Redo

Craft Station Makeover

Design Sponge's creator has had wonderful and unexpected success.  She just celebrated her site's 10th year anniversary, and now has a entire team working by her side.  Pop on over for a visit to see why they are rated in the top three design/furniture blogs online!

1670 Furniture House GOB Sale

1670 Furniture House is going to be holding a huge going-out-of-business sale, and Planned Furniture Promotions will be hosting the sale for them.

Store owner, Madeleine Schlaefer, is retiring after 54 years in the business. The well-known store was started when Madeleine and her late husband, Gordon Schlaefer, entered the furniture business in 1960. They opened Gordon Schlaefer Furniture on Main Street in Port Washington, N.Y., then went on to open 1670 Furniture House with their daughter, Elizabeth, in an historical building in their new home of Southold. The family expanded the three-level store, which was built in 1670, while keeping the aesthetics and rich history of the original building intact.

Closing 1670 Furniture House “is a bittersweet event,” said Schlaefer, who runs the store with “great help” from her daughter Elizabeth. “But when it’s time, it’s time. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren and friends and am excited about having time to travel.”

 1670 Furniture House is located on the picturesque North Fork of Long Island, just minutes from numerous vineyards and the Long Island Sound. Over the years, 1670 Furniture House has become the North Fork area’s premier destination for stylish, high-quality furnishings at an exceptional value. The store offers customers a wide variety of furniture, lighting, and home accessories, including transitional and coastal styles.

“We’re well known for our fresh and dynamic new designs,” said Madeleine Schlaefer. “We also pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service with a personal touch.”

With Schlaefer’s retirement, 1670 Furniture House’s final sale offers customers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy brand furniture at going-out-of-business prices.

Madeleine added. “We look forward to seeing many old friends during our closeout event.”

Everything in the store will be sold before the closing. 1670 Furniture House features furniture, home accents and bedding products from well-known brands such as Harden Furniture, C.R. Laine, Comfort Design, Rowe, Furniture Classics, Riverside, American Drew, Braxton Culler, Hancock & Moore, Theodore Alexander, Sherrill, Howard Miller and Elite Leather.

The sale will start on August 28th, 2014 at 47155 County Road 48.

About Planned Furniture Promotions:  Planned Furniture Promotions, Inc. (PFP), and affiliate of Gene Rosenberg Associates, LLC, is a foremost furniture industry specialist in conducting high impact promotional sales.  Since 1962, PFP has specialized in creatively planning and successfully implementing thousands of sale promotions for national, regional, and local retailers of all sizes that are interested in quitting business, retiring, raising cash, and achieving other urgent goals.  PFP applies its unparalleled expertise and offers a broad range of services to help retailers maximize value including purchasing inventory using its substantial buying power, management, sales staffing, advertising, financing, and other critical areas.  To learn more about PFP, visit pfpromotions.com or their linkedin page.

HOM Golf Tournament 2014

HOM Furniture golf tournament raises $250,000 for charity.

HOM Furniture and its partnering sponsors raised an estimated $250,000, mainly for Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, a faith-based addiction recovery program, at the 25th anniversary HOM Open golf tournament held on August 21, 2014.  This year's event also helped to raise funds for the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Assn.  

The event drew an estimated 300 participants from around the country, including local media sponsors as well as bedding, case goods, upholstery and rug suppliers to the Coon Rapids-based Top 100 store.

Seventy-five teams played a six-hour round of golf at the Majestic Oaks Golf Course in Minneapolis.

“We are just so proud of what Teen Challenge has done with the funds we have raised over the years,” said Wayne Johansen, a HOM executive, who co-chairs the open along with his wife, Char. “It is always great to partner with someone who uses it in such a fiduciary manner and they do.”

Johansen said that Teen Challenge has been the event’s primary charity for more than 10 years.

For more information: http://www.hom-open.org/golfweb/

Source: Furniture Today

Natural Furniture Polish Options

Many commercial furniture polishes contain toxic chemicals. These chemicals can threaten the indoor air quality, as well as the environment. You can still have the healthy, scented and clean glow on your furniture without the chemicals by using homemade all-natural furniture polishes. Besides having a healthier home environment, using a homemade furniture polish is economical. In most cases, you may already have the ingredients needed for your natural furnish polish in your home.

Black Tea 
Tannic acid in black tea will remove residue from dull furniture polish while restoring a natural shine to the finish. Steep three or four black tea bags in a cup of boiling water until the water has cooled. Remove the tea bags and, using a cotton cloth, wipe down your furniture. No rinsing is needed.

Vinegar 
White vinegar is a natural all-purpose cleanser and can be added to most any mixture. A quarter cup of vinegar with a few drops oil is an effective all-natural furniture polish. Vinegar will pull the dirt out of the wood while the oil lubricates it. As an all-purpose cleanser, vinegar is a disinfectant and deodorizer.

Oils
Of all the oils, olive oil has one of the longest shelf lives and works extremely well to add shine and lubrication to your furniture. Another choice may be jojoba oil, or liquid wax, found in most health-food stores. Oils are important additions to your all-natural furniture polish as they help prevent cracks by adding the moisture needed to ensure your wood does not dry out.

Mayonnaise 
Believe it or not, mayonnaise is another great furniture polish. Because it is made of vinegar, eggs and oil, all the ingredients needed to put a beautiful shine to your furniture are already there. A little mayonnaise on your cloth is all you need. The eggs and oil will add a nice shine as the vinegar cleans the wood.

Lemons 
Lemons and lemon juice are called for in many homemade furniture polish recipes. They are a great addition to any green cleaning recipe as lemons have antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. Half a cup of pure lemon juice mixed with a cup of olive oil makes an excellent furniture polish, especially for your hardwood furniture or floors.

Lemon oil 
Lemon oil will lubricate your furniture so it does not dry out. However, when buying commercial brands of lemon oil, beware: not all products are all natural. Combine 10 drops of pure lemon oil with two tablespoons of lemon juice and two to three drops of olive oil or jojoba to create a wonderful furniture polish that will add luster and shine to your furniture.

Source

All American Furniture Expo 2014

The All American Furniture Expo is just around the corner!

It will be held at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

September 4th 9am-5pm
September 5th 9am-3pm

Contact Information

All American Furniture Expo
2340 Sue Ann Drive
Lancaster, PA 17602

Phone: 717-393-6466

Fax: 717-295-2625

Email: allamericanfurniture@comcast.net

Solid Wood and Upholstered Furniture Expo 
The 2014 All American Furniture Show will feature more than eighty different American furniture manufacturers, including a fine selection of Amish made hardwood furniture. This is a must attend event for anyone wishing to offer their customers quality solid wood and upholstered furniture made in the United States. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet and do business face-to-face exclusively with the furniture makers. It is also a Powerful Marketplace for manufacturers and craftsman to connect with motivated buyers who appreciate fine quality and want to meet the heightened demand for greater quality found in USA made furniture and accessories. Organized by Keystone Wholesale Markets, the All American Furniture Expo will provide buyers a unique opportunity for one-stop shopping spanning 45,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall in downtown Lancaster conveniently located from most metropolitan cities in the Northeast. Open to the Trade Only. Admission is free, but only to people affiliated with a retail business that resells furniture shown at our expo. Please no children or cameras!

2014 EXHIBITOR LIST

• AMERICAN BABY CLASSICS*
• AMES WOODWORKING
• B & S WOODCRAFTS
• BARKMAN FURNITURE LLC
• BEECHDALE FRAMES
• BREEZY ACRES
• BYERSTOWN WOODWORK
• BYLERS BENT OAK
• CEDAR RIDGE FURNITURE
• CORNERSTONE WOOD
• COUNTRY CUPOLA
• COUNTRYSIDE FRAMING
• COUNTRY VALUE WOODWORKS LLC
• CRAMCO DINETTES*
• DAVCO ADVERTISING
• DELIGHTED HOME*
• DUTCH DESIGN
• EBERSOL FURNITURE COMPANY
• EDWARDS INC*
• ELI'S WOODSHOP LLC
• ELM CREST FURNITURE
• FARMSTEAD ACRES WOOD
• FINISHWORKS
• FISHERS QUALITY PRODUCTS
• FIGHTING CREEK FURNITURE*
• FRIENDSHIP UPHOLSTERY CO.
• FOREST RIDGE WOODWORKING
• HALLAGAN FINE FURNITURE
• HERSHBERGER'S HARDWARE
• HONEY BROOK WOODCRAFTS
• JK PINE CRAFTS
• KEYSTONE COLLECTIONS
• KEYSTONE WOOD DESIGNS LLC
• LANCASTER COUNTY SHOWCASE

• LANCASTER COUNTYS WHOLESALE MALL
• LANCER FURNITURE
• LAPP'S WOODWORK
• MAPLE HILL WODWORKING*
• MASTERFIELD FURNITURE INC*
• MILLER CABINET SHOP*
• MORRIS HILL METAL CRAFT
• MT PLEASANT WOODWORKS
• NATUREPEDIC*
• NEW IMPRESSIONS WOODWORKING*
• NISLEY CABINET
• PACKSHIP USA
• PARAMOUNT SLEEP COMPANY*
• PEACEFUL SLEEPER
• PENNS CREEK FURNITURE
• PREMIER FURNISHINGS
• QUALITY FABRICATIONS LLC
• REDECOP FAMILY CHAIR CO.*
• REVIVE SLEEP INC.*
• ROCKY RIDGE FURNITRUE
• RUSTIC COUNTRY HEIRLOOMS
• SALT CREEK CHAIRS
• SCENIC VIEW FURNITURE
• SMUCKER WOODWORKING
• STIFFEL COMPANY3
• STONY ACRES FURNITURE
• STONY HILL WOODWORKS
• TROYER RIDGE FURNITURE*
• TRUEWOOD FURNITURE
• UNIQUE WOOD CREATIONS*
• VALLEY VIEW OAK LLC
• VAUGHAN-BASSETT FURNITURE CO
• WINDY VALLEY WOODWORKS
• Y & T WOODCRAFT
• ZIMMERMAN CHAIR SHOP

The Land of Nod Summary

Have you ever heard of The Land of Nod?

If not, you've definitely been missing out!  There are some incredibly innovative furniture stores out there, but this one is a can't be missed.  They specialize in children's furniture, and they definitely know how to keep it fun!

Visit: The Land of Nod.

Where else can you find chairs like these?

Then, there are these poufs!  This company is very creative, and on top of the market with these playful pieces.

This is just one example of a modern toddler bed that they sell.

They sell bookcases that even adults would love to add to their offices.  Below is one of the most interesting designs.  

Simple, yet unique, this dresser is dreamy.

They even sell craft desks, work space furniture solutions, and playroom furniture.

After you have browsed all of the neat furniture The Land of Nod sells, don't forget to take a peek at the tents, like the one below.

If you have the means, how can you resist spoiling the kids with all of these great pieces of furniture?  The Land of Nod is definitely a pioneer in the children's furniture world!

Best Furniture Shopping Websites

The Huffington Post shared 43 of the best sites to find furniture and home-goods on the web.  You have probably heard of several of these sites, such as Urban Outfitters, World Market, and Overstock.  If you have never looked into it, My Habit is owned by Amazon.com, and has wonderful flash sale deals. 

This list is pretty helpful if you are interested in adding a few pieces to your home or to completely redecorate!

1. Ballard Design: Although this line has a traditional feel, there's something for everyone. And you can choose between hundreds of fab fabrics for upholstered pieces.

2. Jonathan Adler: This cheeky potter has expanded to colorful furniture, lighting, accessories and even fashion -- and it's all available online.

3. C. Wonder: One of our favorite resources for affordable, preppy pieces with a dose of color.

4. One Kings Lane: The king of of decor flash sale sights, this one specializes in amazing vintage finds, too.

5. Fab: One of the newer flash sale sites, this one focuses on more up-and-coming brands.

6. Anthropologie: This fashion retailer also has quirky kitchen gadgets, bedding, accessories and furniture -- but prices can be steep.

7. My Habit: Owned by Amazon.com, this flash sale site has great deals.

8. Gilt Home: Get deals from hot designers and items that were curated from some of the best.

9. 1st Dibs: A designer's secret source for vintage and antiques for the home.

10. MoMa Store: A no-brainer for interesting and artful gifts crafted by notable designers.

11. H&M Home: Finally, this inexpensive fashion retailer is selling their awesome home pieces online in the U.S.

12. DwellStudio: Furniture, rugs and more with a chic midcentury vibe and cool prints.

13. Horchow: Neiman Marcus' decor site, we love browsing through designer furnishings and wait for their friends and family sale to pounce.

14. Poppin: The go-to source for bright colored desk accessories and organizational gear for a stylish office.

15. JCPenney: Yes, this department store's been around forever, but their newly launched housewares by Martha Stewart, Jonathan Adler, Terrance Conran and more are pretty amazing.

16. Circa Lighting: This Southern based company has curated the most beautiful pendants, sconces, chandeliers and more.

17. Pier1: For inexpensive pillows and candles tabletop and more with a worldly vibe, we always head here.

18. Target: Some of our favorite home designers, like Nate Berkus and Rachel Ashwell, have affordable and on-trend collections at this big box store.

19. Zara Home: Another fast fashion shop that sells housewares online, head here for trendy bedding, tableware and accessories.

20. Pieces: This Atlanta boutique with unique finds is accessible to everyone, thanks to this easy to shop site.

21. Room & Board: Known for the well-made sofas and seating, this store has everything you need for a modern home.

22. Urban Outfitters: You'd be surprised at the cool furniture, bedding and more you'll find at this hipster haunt. And it's surprisingly affordable!

23. John Derian: Well know for his decoupaged dishes, this NYC haunt's online shop has one-of-a-kind items from a group of interesting artists and designers.

24. Z Gallerie: Head to this online shop for posh and glamorous looking decor.

25. Joss & Main: This flash sale site often hooks up with current celebs and style mavens to curate housewares.

26. Design Public: Into modern design? This site's for you.

27. Wayfair: Looking to shop for everything, all at once? Try here for the largest assortment of brands and products.

28. Canvas: With a natural palette and rustic aesthetic, this site has it all, from bedding to furniture to great gifts.

29. Design Within Reach: This shop sells reproductions of classic midcentury designs plus other modern items, although anything here will be a bit of a splurge.

30. Crate And Barrel: For classic furnishings with modern lines, you really can't go wrong with anything from C&B.

31. West Elm: Always on trend, this shop under the Williams-Sonoma brand has an earthy, vintage look. Look out for great sales.

32. Overstock: A go-to source for everything under the sun, we'll check here first for great basics like bedding and lighting.

33. World Market: A huge selection of furniture and accessories with incredibly low price points.

34. CB2: Crate and Barrel's hip little sister, this store has everything you'll need for a modern home or apartment, and prices are very fair.

35. HauteLook: This flash sale website has a surprising selection of small accent furniture and accessories for low prices.

36. Thrive Furniture: Handcrafted midcentury furniture. It's pricey, but the value is evident.

37. Home Decorators Collection: Shockingly affordable pieces perfect for an apartment-dweller or starter home.

38. 2 Modern: Wide range of stylish designs with a clean-lined aesthetic.

39. Schoolhouse Electric Lighting: Great source for affordable pendants and more in a ton of colors with a funky retro look.

40. All Modern: Exactly what it sounds like, this site is perfect for those who want a home that rivals Don Draper's.

41. Blu Dot: Pricey, but well worth the cost for high-end modern designs.

42. Serena & Lily: With a sweet aesthetic and adorable kids' stuff, this is the place to find pretty lighting, bedding and more.

43. Apt 2B: This L.A. based site has a startup-y feel, but the curators definitely have an eye for style.

Golf Charity Event Through PFP and Bob's Discount Furniture

There are some furniture businesses out there that go above and beyond to help the community.  Planned Furniture Promotions and Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation held their 27th charity golf outing and dinner on July 15th of this year.  They raised a whopping $441,000 for local charities.  The money benefits area charities helping children in need, including:

-Camp Rising Sun
-Cardinal Cushing Centers,
-Connecticut Children's Medical Center
-Family & Children's Aid
-Prudence Crandall Center
-The Jimmy Fund
-Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters

photo source

This year, 240 people took part in the opening round of golf at the Tunxis Plantation Country Club in Farmington, Connecticut.  An evening gala that included dinner, awards, and silent and live auctions at the nearby Farmington Club, was attended by 420 people. 

Bob Kaufman, co-founder of Manchester, Connecticut-based Bob's, said in a release, "This event is about the children in the communities we serve, and it's a labor of love.  We think it's wonderful that for 27 straight years our employees, vendors, and executive team have enthusiastically supported our commitment to these invaluable nonprofit organizations that help so many children in need."

Gene Rosenberg, PFP co-founder, said, "Over the years, I have been to many of the facilities that support Bob's Kids.  Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces and the joy that it brings them makes this all worthwhile. 

photo source

This wonderful charity golf outing was started by industry liquidator and sales promotion company Planned Furniture Promotions.  Bob's became an event partner when Kaufman and PFP co-founder, Gene Rosenberg, opened Bob's in 1991.

In addition, Bob's Charitable Foundation donates more than $1.5 million a year in furniture, gift certificates, and money annually to projects that support children in need. 

photo source

About Planned Furniture Promotions:  Planned Furniture Promotions, Inc. (PFP), and affiliate of Gene Rosenberg Associates, LLC, is a foremost furniture industry specialist in conducting high impact promotional sales.  Since 1962, PFP has specialized in creatively planning and successfully implementing thousands of sale promotions for national, regional, and local retailers of all sizes that are interested in quitting business, retiring, raising cash, and achieving other urgent goals.  PFP applies its unparalleled expertise and offers a broad range of services to help retailers maximize value including purchasing inventory using its substantial buying power, management, sales staffing, advertising, financing, and other critical areas.  To learn more about PFP, visit pfpromotions.com. 

Top 25 Furniture Stores

It's no surprise that stores like IKEA, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, and Bob's Discount Furniture made the list, but you will find a mix of modern and traditional in this list.  One interesting thing this list proves is that while modern style might reign, traditionalism is still the choice of most Americans.  What's more, layaway plans and whole-room sets must really work. Stores like Ashley, La-Z-Boy, Rooms to Go, and Bob's Discount Furniture dominated the top 25.

The top 100 best furniture stores were listed on Furniture Today in 2011.  Here are the top 25 of that year.

1. Ashley Furniture Home Stores (National) — HQ in Arcadia, Wisconsin
2. IKEA (National) — HQ in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
3. Rooms to Go (South) — HQ in Seffner, Florida
4. Berkshire Hathaway Furniture Division (National — includes Jordan's Furniture, Nebraska Furniture Mart, and other brands) — HQ in Omaha, Nebraska
5. Williams-Sonoma (National — includes Pottery Barn, West Elm, and other brands) — HQ in San Francisco, California
6. American Signature (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Columbus, Ohio
7. Raymour & Flanigan (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Liverpool, New York
8. Pier 1 Imports (National) — HQ in Fort Worth, Texas
9. La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries (National) — HQ in Monroe, Michigan
10. Sleepy's (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Hicksville, New York
11. Crate & Barrel (National) — HQ in Northbrook, Illinois
12. Haverty's (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Atlanta, Georgia
13. Ethan Allen (National) — HQ in Danbury, Connecticut
14. Bob's Discount Furniture (Northeast) — HQ in Manchester, Connecticut
15. Mattress Firm (National) — HQ in Houston, Texas
16. Art Van (Midwest) — HQ in Warren, Michigan
17. Select Comfort (National) — HQ in Minneapolis, Minnesota
18. Badcock Home Furniture & More (South) — HQ in Mulberry, Florida
19. Slumberland (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Little Canada, Minnesota
20. RoomStore (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Richmond, Virginia
21. Mathis Brothers (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
22. Cost Plus World Market (Multi-Regional) — HQ in Oakland, California
23. Bassett Home Furnishings (National) — HQ in Bassett, Virginia
24. The Sleep Train (West) — HQ in Citrus Heights, California
25. American Furniture Warehouse (West) — HQ in Englewood, Colorado

Source: Apartment Therapy