White Cedar Furniture

Relax, Reminisce, Rejuvinate In White Cedar Furniture 
By Jason Gerth 
Introduction

White cedar is a great wood for indoor and outdoor furniture, because of its natural and environmentally sound characteristics. Found in the Northeast and most known for its uses on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, white cedar is highly durable and very sturdy. This wood species is also blessed with natural preservatives that make it one of the most decay/rot resistant and insect tolerant woods available. Whether you're looking for rustic furniture, a cozy garden furniture setting or a grouping of Adirondack chairs to enjoy with close friends and family, white cedar could be for you.

Eastern White Cedar

Eastern white cedar has been used in Canada and the United States for over 100 years. The white cedar tree grows only in the northeastern United States and in southeastern Canada and is ideally suited to both indoor and outdoor projects. The eastern white cedar is also called northern white cedar, arborvitae and swamp cedar. Because it is often harvested from second and third growth forests, using strict sustainable management practices, eastern white cedar is not only a viable alternative, but also a better selection for your next outdoor wood project. Extremely resistant to decay, eastern white cedar furniture is a beautiful wood that accepts stain treatments well, or you can allow it to naturally weather to a fine gray patina.

Cedar in General

Cedar is a dimensionally stable wood, especially when kiln-dried, meaning it lies flat and stays straight, resisting the natural tendency as with other wood species to crack, shrink or warp, providing a splinter resistant and extremely smooth finish. Cedar also takes a stain well (as we will discuss a bit later) and reveals a rich character when stained. Cedar is one of the top ten preferred species for the home woodworker, and ranks third behind oak and pine as the wood most commonly used for ready-to-finish furniture. Additionally, cedar is uncommonly smooth-surfaced when sanded, making it more comfortable for outdoor furniture than other woods. 

Finishing White Cedar Furniture

White cedar is used in landscaping, fencing, shingles, decks, log homes and for outdoor furniture, where its natural oils deter pests and mold. Adding an extra layer of protection (either stains, paints or polyurethanes) to cedar is smart insurance against possible premature wear. If you want protection and prefer not to see your outdoor furniture's grain, paints provide a layer of color that will keep the wood safely hidden from the elements. 

Staining will impregnate your wooden outdoor furniture with chemicals that inhibit water, UV light and insect damage and add a layer of color to the surface of the wood. Whereas paint completely covers the wood, stains can leave the wood grain visible. Although not necessary, you may also desire to put a polyurethane finish on the furniture after it has been stained. Polyurethane behaves similarly to paint as it covers the wood. Some prefer to add this extra layer, although doing so can make reapplying a fresh coat of stain in the future more difficult. 

When staining, if the outdoor furniture has been in use or outside for a period of time, it is best to lightly sand all surfaces before application using a Sand Sponge or sand paper. Try to stain the furniture when temperatures range from 50° to 85° F. Use a piece of similar wood or find an "out of the way" spot on the furniture to test the stain to ensure the wood is absorbing it to attain the desired color. Consider using a foam brush, staining the lower portions of the furniture first and working your way through the sides to the top. 

Conclusion

White cedar is lightweight, very durable and extremely sturdy. The wood is prized for its ability to weather without treatment (unlike other species) and its ability to take finishes well. Because of this, northern white cedar is excellent for indoor, outdoor, and ground contact applications. With all of these benefits, it is easy to see why northern white cedar is considered the aristocrat of woods. It is a superior wood in its resistance to the elements and is considered one of the longest-lasting woods used in the lumbering industry today.

Furniture Placement Secrets

Furniture Placement Secrets 
By BatSheva Vaknin
Furniture Placement Secrets By BatSheva Vaknin

The easiest and most inexpensive way to invigorate the design ofyour living room is to rearrange the furniture items you alreadyown. Furniture placement can be a daunting task, no matter howbig or small the room. If you are someone who always figuredfurniture placement would be better left to professionalinterior designers, fret no more. These tips will help youembrace the task of balancing your sofa with your coffee tableor armchair, and allow you to create peace and harmony amongstall your furniture. 

Location, location, location A room must be balanced.Specifically, the furniture in every room should be placed in away that is pleasing to the eye and easy to maneuver around. Ifall the heavy furniture pieces like sofas, armchairs,entertainment centers and bookshelves are loaded on one side ofthe room, a room can feel like a sinking ship. On the other hand, if you spread your furniture around the roomhaphazardly, a room can feel cluttered even when it isrelatively empty. Think about the size of your living room inrelation to the amount of furniture you have. 

You can anchor the room by situating a large entertainmentcenter against one wall, and then arrange all seatingcomfortably around that anchor. Or, anchor your sofa against awall, add a small side table or a coffee table in front forconvenience, and voilá! Your room is balanced. 

Sofa Secrets Using your sofa as an anchor, or as the focal pointfor your living room can be an effective furniture placementtool. However, modular sofas, or sofas with many components, canbe too heavy an anchor, tipping the balance of the room with itsbulkiness. A creative solution to this problem can be found inbreaking up the pieces of the sofa. 

Place the largest sofa piece against the longest wall of theroom, then the smaller sections on the opposite side. If youhave the smaller sections of the modular sofa face the long sofaat an angle, you will avoid that boring, boxy look that comeswith having all furniture pieces pressed with their backsstraight against a wall. 

A fresh alternative to placing your sofa against the longestwall is to bring the sofa out, away from the wall. If you preferthis look and feel for your sofa placement, allow at least twoand a half to three feet between the sofa and the wall forcomfortable walking space. Less space is needed between chairsand a sofa, but always keep in mind walking patterns. 

Go with the Flow Imagine how you and your guests will maneuverin your living room with all the furniture in its proper place.For example, if there are two doors, you may want to place sofasand chairs in a manner that will allow passersby to walk behindor around the seating arrangement instead of through it. 

If there is only one door to the room, don’t block the flow witha large coffee table right in the way of the sofa. Make sure youallow easy access directly to the sofa and chairs from the door,allowing for some space around the seating area as well. 

Larger living rooms can be designed so that they functioneffectively as two areas. For example, have one social,entertainment center seating arrangement in one section, and aquieter study arrangement in another. Tall side tables can beplaced behind a sofa with decorative vases and pictures on top,as long as there is still walking space behind the couch. 

When deciding on how to arrange your living room furniture,listen to your instincts. Wait to decorate the walls for a fewdays or even a week once you have decided on where you are goingto put each piece of furniture, to give yourself a chance to getused to the new placement. Live in the space for a bit, andassess how you feel. If something doesn’t feel right, you canalways move it, and use these tips to help you bring your livingroom back into balance. 

Please find the original article and more information about thissubject athttp://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=FurnPlaceSecrets

Childrens Furniture

Childrens Furniture 
By Matthew Anthony, Fri Dec 9th 

Children’s bedroom furniture and nursery furniturecan help turn a bland and boring bedroom into a fun and cozyretreat. Since there is a wide range of designs and materialsavailable, you can find the perfect children’sfurniture for your child’s bedroom, whether you prefer awhimsical decorating style or practical, sturdy pieces. 

If you are shopping for furniture for your infant’s nursery forthe first time, you may be surprised by the many types offurniture available. You can buy a few pieces to tuck into acorner of an older sibling’s bedroom or you can shop for entiresets so that you can create a comfortable, furnished nursery.

Cribs are usually the first piece of nursery furniture parentsshop for. These versatile baby beds come in traditional JennyLind designs or more modern styles. Some of them can beconverted to toddler beds for added value. Designer cribs areavailable in a wide range of designs. You can even find roundcribs instead of traditional rectangular cribs. However, don’tforget to take a look at bassinets, cots,cradles, and Moses baskets, as well. These smaller beds areperfect for newborn infants, since parents can easily move themfrom room to room. 

Changing tables, armoires, bureaus, rocking chairs, gliders, toyboxes, and accessories such as lamps, are also available. Whileyou are shopping, look for well made furniture pieces that cangrow with your child. For example, some changing tables willconvert to child size bureaus. 

For your older children, you can find several types of beds.Toddler beds, twin beds, and bunkbeds are all readily available. Day beds are a great way toadd seating and entertaining space to your child's room duringthe day. For additional flexibility, look for beds that comewith drawers underneath them for added storage. If your childhas frequent guests, you may want to look for beds that can beused with a trundle bed. 

Older children will also need other furniture for their rooms.Bureaus, bookshelves, and armoires help keep clothing andcollectibles organized and will make it easy for children tokeep their rooms tidy. Desks and desk chairs are importantadditions to the room for school aged children. Your youngerchildren may also need a desk so that they can do crafts intheir bedrooms. 

Finally, don't forget to ask your children how they feel aboutthe pieces you decide to buy. After all, your child will bespending quite a lot of time in their bedrooms.

About the author:Matthew Anthony writes for furniture sites such as childrens furnitureand gardenfurniture.

Bedroom Furniture

Bedroom Furniture 
By Matthew Anthony, Fri Dec 9th 
Buying bedroomfurniture can be an exciting time; unfortunately if you havenot shopped for bedroom furniture in awhile or this is yourfirst time to buy bedroom furniture on your own you may not bewell versed in the many different kinds of bedroom furnitureavailable. 

Confusion about bedroom furniture often arises in the differentsizes of beds and mattresses available. The twin or single bedis about the smallest type of bed on the market and whilemanufacturers differ in the sizes slightly, the standard twin orsingle size bed measures 39” x 74.” If you need a twin or singlebed that is slightly wider and longer you might consider thesize known as the super single; which measures 48” x 84.” Theold fashioned or full bed also known as the double bed ismeasured at 54” x 74”. This is the kind of bed that you commonlysee in standard hotel rooms. A queen size bed measures at 60” x70” although you can purchase what is known as the Californiaqueen bed, a size that comes in longer than the regular queenbed at 60” x 84.” The next size up in bedroom furniture is thekingsize bed measuring 76” x 80” while the California king sizebed measures 70” x 84.” 

When shopping for new bedroom furniture, you will also need tobe aware that there are very different types of furniture andbeds. For example, you can get a standard bed or you might thinkabout purchasing a water bed. Today, adjustable comfort levelbeds are also very popular and a wise choice if you have a sleeppartner who prefers a different firmness level than you. 

If you happen to be shopping for childrens bedroom furniture,today there are many different styles and designs on the marketthat will actually change to accommodate the growing needs ofyour child. These styles often start out as cribs that willconvert to toddler beds and beyond. The bed that your childsleeps in as a baby can now be the same bed that they sleep inwhen they go off to college. While these styles are moreexpensive, they are definitely a good investment when consideredover the duration. 

Regardless of the type and style of bedroom furniture that youultimately decide to purchase it’s a good idea to take your timewhen shopping. Making a hasty decision when purchasing bedroomfurniture often leads to regrets later, as well as many poornights of sleep. 

About the author:Matthew Anthony has contributed to many home furnishing sitessuch as bedroomfurniture.

Baby Nursery Furniture

Baby Nursery Furniture - A Booming Market! 
By Teresa Schahczinski, Fri Dec 9th 
Baby Nursery Furniture - A Booming Market! 

Baby nursery furniture and baby crib sets are a growingcategory, representing $1.1 billion at retail last year, andexpected to grow to $1.4 billion by 2009. Today's baby furniturevaries quite a bit in style, price and selection, and at over abillion dollars, there is room for a wide range of manufacturersin the nursery furniture field.

There are many top manufacturers in the nursery furniturecategory. The baby furniture category includes nursery furniturefor children from birth through 2 years, including painted babyfurniture, nursery crib furniture, bassinets, a baby table forchanging diapers, glider rockers, rocking chairs, dressers,chests, armoires and bookcases. Basically anything you wouldpurchase at a baby store while furniture shopping.Although most of the parents claimed that they mostly shopped atdiscount stores they admittedly would make more extravagantpurchases at a specialty baby store if there was something theyreally wanted. A Gen X mom talked about children strollers. Shepaid $300 for a stroller because she liked the features. So if aparent is willing to spend $300 on a stroller which is typicallya smaller ticket item in comparison to nursery furniture whatare they willing to spend on a nursery crib, an item that's useis far more than the use of a stroller. Things like blankets,strollers, a nursery crib mattress, a toddler bed andaccessories or items that would be bought for nursery gifts orbaby gifts, or furniture for children over the age of 2 are notincluded in the category being discussed as leading infantbedroom furniture manufacturers. This is primarily nurseryfurniture for babies 2 and under in the strictest sense of theword. 

According to Kids Today's exclusive Buying Trends Survey, 2.2%of U.S. households bought a nursery crib in 2004, and 2.7%bought other baby furniture. The median price point 

for anursery crib in 2004 was $150, with those consumers planning tobuy a nursery crib in 2005 saying they planned to spend a medianof $200. Even still, 18% of consumers who bought a nursery cribin 2004 paid $500 or more. 

What this tells me is that although 18% of parents purchasing anursery crib probably planned to purchase practically but whenpush came to shove they were willing to spend on average andextra $300 above and beyond what they initially planned tospend. Why is this? Is it because we are seduced by all thenew-fangled cribs such as the newer style of the round crib andthe BRAND-NEW Corner cribs (shaped to fit in a corner)? It iscommon knowledge that the median prices of these specialty cribscost much more than the traditional rectangle cribs. As far asinfant furniture goes round baby cribs are a fairly new concept.I do not even remember them being available when I had my firstchild. Since a separate room for a baby nursery is not always anoption some parents feel that the round baby cribs and cornercribs which is a new concept is the way to go, they are both bigspace savers. 

It could also be because parents are willing to purchase the topof the line 3-in-1 cribs in hopes that they will save money inthe long run? Or quite possibly is it because parents will spendjust about anything on their children, trying to provideeverything they were never given? 

Obviously a nursery crib is the most important purchase you willmake for your child...along with the rest of the nurseryfurniture. Nursery Furniture Manufacturers know this and caterour need to give our child "everything". That is why nurseryfurniture and nursery crib sets are such a booming market!

Home Furniture Safety Tips

Home Furniture Safety Tips To Help Protect Your Family From 
By Bridget Mwape, Fri Dec 9th 
Thousands of People are treated annually for injuries associatedwith furniture. The majority of these injuries and deaths are tochildren. Here are tips you may use to make your householdenvironment safer for yourself and your family.

1. Falls are a leading cause of injuries and deaths in the home.To lessen the likelihood of falls, eliminate clutter, be surerugs have slip-resistant pads, keep electrical cords out ofwalkways and clean up spills immediately.

2. Position or Place furniture in low-traffic areas such ascorners and sections of the room, out of the range of mobilityso that people do not accidentally run into furniture. 

3. Shelves should be strategically placed in bedroom and livingroom areas to limit reaching. They should be low enough to avoidusing a step stool but all items should be at eye level in orderto find them easily. 

4. Make sure furniture is stable and without sharp corners, ifpossible. This will minimize the chances of injury.

5. Make sure that furniture surfaces are smooth and free ofsplinters or rough edges. Nails, screws and other joiners shouldbe tight and unexposed. 

6. Be careful not to overload the shelves on bookcases. In somecases, it may be a good idea to secure the top portion of theunit to the wall to prevent it from tipping over, especially ifchildren are present in the home.

7. Use the correct size furniture to house your television.Because of their weight, especially the popular larger models,TVs can fall forward if they are not properly supported. 

8. Place TVs on lower furniture, as far back as possible. Useangle-braces or anchors to secure furniture to the wall.

9. Make sure that lids have safety latches that prevent the topfrom falling freely or slamming shut on fingers or a child'shead. Lids also should not lock automatically. If you have anolder chest without safety latches, it is recommended that youcontact the manufacturer for a replacement latch or remove thelid.

10. Arrange furniture so that outlets are available for lampsand appliances without the use of extension cords. If you mustuse an extension cord, place it on the floor against a wallwhere people cannot trip over it. Remove cords from underfurniture or carpeting and replace damaged or frayed cordsimmediately.

11. Remove rugs and runners that tend to slide. Applydouble-faced adhesive carpet tape or rubber matting to the backsof rugs and runners. Purchase rugs with slip-resistant backing.

12. Lamps or switches located close to each bed will enable youto get up at night and see where you're going. Rearrangefurniture closer to switches or move lamps closer to beds.Install night lights where possible.

13. Never allow children under 6 years-old on the upper bunk ofa Bunk bed. Bunk beds should have guardrails on each side of thetop bunk, with the side against the wall or opposite the ladderrunning the full length of the bed.

14. It's a good idea to check periodically to make sure allscrews, bolts, brackets and other joiners on your furniture aretight and secure.

15. To prevent tempting your children to climb on furniture, donot place enticing objects on tops of tables, dressers orbookcases.

16. You should not place furniture near windows where childrencan climb or fall out.

When shopping for home furniture, choose quality furniture thatis not only comfortable and beautiful, but safe as well. 

About the author:Bridget Mwape writes for the Designer Furniture website at http://www.designer-furniture.org.uk/ and also contributesarticles and product reviews at http://www.fine-furniture.org.uk/ regularly.

A Guide To Good Furniture Care

A Guide To Good Furniture Care 
By Holly Linington, Fri Dec 9th 
During my long career in the furniture business I’ve often beenasked, “What is the proper way to care for my fabric?” Afterall, you’ve purchased your dream furniture piece but you’reterrified to use it out of fear of damaging it. But you don’thave to live in fear! After extensive research and testing Ihave found the following guidelines and suggestions to behelpful.

Upholstered Furniture Because of the wide variety offabrics and fiber combinations, there is no guarantee that thesemethods will be completely successful and I recommend that aprofessional upholstery cleaner be contacted in particularcases. However, these simple solutions will keep your newupholstery crisp and clean for years!

•Vacuum at least once a week to remove grit that can causeabrasion, and be sure to dust vacuum the top surfaces as oftenas possible. Professional cleaning is the best way to make aslightly soiled sofa look new again, but weekly vacuuming willmake professional cleaning a less frequent event. (Never brushany fabric with a stiff fiber or metal brush, since they’redestructive to the fibers. Instead, use your vacuum attachmentslike the upholstery brush or the attachment for dustingdraperies and furniture. The latter brush has longer bristlesand is less abrasive to your upholstery fabric. It may be yourbest option if your fabric deserves a softer brushing.)

•Reverse the cushions each week after vacuuming. Rearrange thefurniture occasionally to ensure even wear of the cushions andother areas. Cushions and pillows filled with down or similarcushioning material should be hand-fluffed and reversedregularly to retain their original softness and resiliency.

•Protect fabrics from the sun. Fabrics should not be placed indirect sunlight because the ultraviolet light will cause thefibers to degenerate and colors to fade. Occasionally dyes canfade from impurities in the air as well, but protection from thesun is a good way to prevent premature loss of color. 

•Keep pets off the furniture. Pet urine and pet body oil can bedifficult to remove.

•Use proper care with structural weave fabrics (where the designis created by the weave) to protect against snags. These fabricsmay be cleaned by sprinkling dry powder cleaner over the fabric,spreading it uniformly and letting it stand for the recommendedperiod before vacuuming with gentle suction. (However, I dorecommend professional cleaning with stains on a woven fabric.)

•Caution those wearing clothing with transferable dyes, such asblue jeans, that the dye could transfer onto light-coloredfurniture.

Fabric Cleaning Guide Today’s new fabric treatmentsimprove the chances of your fabric’s survival. Fabric protectionproducts are usually applied by the retail store for anadditional cost. Most of the various brands work the same way bycausing spills and soil to sit on the surface of the fiberinstead of migrating to the fiber’s interior.

Today’s fiber protection products are free of ozone damagingchemicals, and most are hypoallergenic and invisible to the eye.Some even provide additional UV protection from color fadingcaused by intense light. One of the greatest benefits of fabricprotection products is that they come with specific writtenwarranties that provide peace of mind.

Whether your new upholstery has been fabric protected or not,you should follow the same basic guidelines in cleaning liquidspills or surface soil that can’t be brushed off (such asnewspaper ink).

Fabric Cleaning Codes Before attempting to clean a spillor spot on your furniture, you should identify the fabric andthe correct cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer.This information is represented by a cleaning code (W, S, WS, orX) often found under a cushion, on the bottom of the furnitureor on the manufacturer’s tag. If you cannot find thisinformation, contact your salesperson at the furniture storewhere the item was purchased.

W – Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholsterycleaner.

S – Spot clean only with water-free cleaning solvent. Do notoverwet. DO NOT USE WATER.

WS – Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a milddetergent, or a mild dry cleaning solvent. Do not overwet.

X – Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with anon-metallic brush. DO NOT USE WATER OR DRY CLEANING SOLVENTS.Do not use a foam or liquid cleaner of any type.

Never apply cleaning solutions to visible areas of yourupholstery fabric without first testing on areas that are notvisible. It is important to pretest for color loss and fabriccompatibility.

Cleaning Instructions As a general rule, when a spilloccurs, it is important to clean the fabric immediately. Thelonger a spot remains, the harder it is to remove. It may evenbecome permanent. 

Blot, don’t rub. If the spill is still “fresh”, use a clean, dryand very absorbent 100% cotton cloth. Should you have to usepaper towels to blot out spills, be sure the paper towel (orcloth) is white, as colors in the towel may, when applied to awet surface, fade onto the upholstery. Color from one fabric canrub off onto another fabric, even when dry -- a process known inthe industry as “crocking”.

If blotting with a dry cloth doesn’t quite finish the job andyou have cleaning directions from the furniture manufacturer,follow those. If none are available, use the instructionsprovided here. 

I hope this information has been insightful. Use these toolswhen necessary, but most importantly, enjoy your upholsteredpiece -- it was meant to be used!

GA-002

About the author:Holly Linington is a designer and the owner of Planet Sofa. For over 15years Planet Sofa has been providing customers with stylish,high quality furniture at affordable prices. They are committedto offering pieces that combine aesthetics and utility withergonomics and comfort, and their products are available on theweb.

Outdoor Furniture Fit For Royalty

Outdoor Furniture Fit For Royalty 
By Kathy Moran 
It has often been said that a person’s home is her or his castle. Whoever first made the remark may have intended some deep, metaphorical meaning – or, may actually have lived in a castle. Either way, the saying has endured. With a 21st century spin, it could refer to the countless modern conveniences that allow us to live like royalty. From the rooftops, to the basements, our homes are equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, appliances that practically run themselves, and furniture that cradles us in comfort – and sometimes even massages us. Now, our kingdoms have expanded to the point where they can no longer be contained within the walls of our houses; and that’s why outdoor furniture has become a castle’s crowning glory. Although adding on to a home has always been a popular way to acquire more space, the preferred method these days is to add an outside room that will still be a part of the home. Whether it’s enclosing the existing porch or patio, building a new one, or adding a gazebo or cabana to the yard, people are moving outdoors – or, perhaps, moving the outdoors inside. However, these new areas are not to be confused with the porches and patios of old. You can’t just throw a few folding chairs onto them. No-o!

The New American Porch, as it has recently been named (like, just this second), must be treated as a bona fide living space, and accorded the same respect as the home’s interior rooms. Just as with the furnishings in your living room, your outdoor furniture must be functional, comfortable, and compatible with the décor. This is so important, that many people are enlisting the services of exterior designers and landscapers to properly decorate them. Nevertheless, it needn’t be that complicated, because, at CedarStore.com, there’s an expert exterior decorator available to everyone, 24 hours a day. Now you can simply click your way to a beautifully furnished porch, patio, or gazebo, with styles, colors, and materials that you may never have imagined. At CedarStore.com, you’ll discover a new generation of outdoor furniture that’s quite different from what you remember from childhood. It’s not Grandma’s rickety old rocking chair (with the rockers broken off, so it had to be placed against a wall to keep it from tipping over, but poor little Cousin Jimmy didn’t know that, ha, ha!), the screeching glider, or the aluminum chair that was collapsible – eventually. It’s not just chairs and swings, either.

Today’s choices include spectacular dining sets, bar and bistro tables, stools, and chairs, garden benches, chaise lounges, patio chairs, picnic tables, terrace tables, gliders, porch swings, Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs, and more. Besides the traditional favorites, made from beautiful woods, such as cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak, CedarStore.com also has a huge selection of outdoor furniture made from polywood, vinyl, aluminum, and thermoplastic-coated steel, that’s virtually indestructible. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, they’ll gladly customize any piece of outdoor furniture to your specifications.

Visit CedarStore.com today, and let the experts help you to design a majestic outdoor domain. Their professional consultants can be reached at 888-293-2339, or contact@cedarstore.com.