Norwood Furniture

Living It Up In Island Style

I've been noticing more people requesting the "coastal/island style," especially for their bedrooms.  This style is no longer for the coastal regions of the US.  It has universal appeal and works in a multitude of homes.  There are fantastic options available at several price points right now--too many to show in one blog!  BUT, I've mentioned a few bedroom options below for your viewing pleasure.  :)

Stanley Furniture has introduced the new "Coastal Living" collection, which has 14 fabulous finishes in Sea Glass, Americana, and Pastel tones.   I love the soothing tones of the sea grass.  Doesn't it just make you feel relaxed and care free?   To view the entire collection, visit www.StanleyFurniture.com. 

Lexington has blended the island style with oversized accents to give a modern flair to their island collections.  Long Cove, available in shell white and midnight (espresso with cherry undertones), combines traditional detailing with larger proportions. 

 

 

The newest Tommy Bahama collection from Lexington, called "Kingstown," continues this generous scale in their Malabar Panel Bed.  Tommy Bahama is the epitome of living in island style.  The unique finish of Kingstown is a multi-layer application.  Mustard and brick red painted underlayers peek through the deep chocolate glaze.  The picture above doesn't do it justice--you've got to come by to see this bed in person!  There are also some adorable accent pieces in gorgeous animal hides including a fantastic zebra bench.  To view the entire collection, go to www.lexington.com. 

Vaughan-Bassett has taken their island style collection a bit more transitional with the "Passages" collection.  This company is more well-known for its traditional country style, but they've branched out in a few of their newer collections.  "Passages" is understaded with simpler lines, but fantastic style.  There's also a shutter bed in this collection.  To view the entire line, go to the website www.vaughan-bassett.com. 

I would love to help you create a restful haven that reflects the relaxed island style.  It's fitting for any region in any home.  If you'd like my assistance, please contact me at the store at 480-892-0174 or by e-mail at ShastaI@norwoodfurniture.com.  Stay cool this summer!

Shasta

Tapestry, an alternative visual art form

One of the best parts of my job is assisting clients in accessorizing their homes. With the average house today having over 40 walls as well as an entrance and foyer in need of decorative art finding a quantity of diverse interesting and beautiful pieces can sometimes be a challenge. One of the decorative art forms often overlooked when focusing on paintings and photographs is the unique textile art of Tapestry.

Tapestry is a great fit with the higher ceilings and open foyers found in todays architecture.  

Over a fireplace, along a stairwell, behind a sofa or in a bedroom are other suitable areas to hang your tapestry.

Tapestries are also found in today's large kitchens but be careful to place your woven art away from heat and steam and in an area where it will not absorb food odors.

 Normal sunlight and humidity are fine for these hanging beauties but direct sunlight is not recommended.

Adequate ventillation is required if hung in a bathroom.

Your tapestry will provide excellent sound absorption and noise reduction, a benefit that is much sought after in the Arizona homes that boast hard surface flooring in an open area.

Additionally, it will provide not just interior beauty but a sense of history.

The tapestry is an ancient art form that threads through diverse cultures. Both the Incas and the Egyptians buried their dead in tapestries.

Throughout history we can find exqusite tapestries. The medieval, renaissance and arts and crafts periods provided masterful works that are often copied today.

During medieval times tapestries were used in castle furnishings to provide protection from the damp and cold weather. They would cover austere walls of big castles, be hung around beds to provide privacy and cover openings in doorways. These tapestries were produced on large looms and required many workers as well as high capital investments. They became symbols of wealth and power often travelling with royalty from castle to castle. In times of battle tapestries were sought after as a status symbol going to the victor as the spoils of war.

Today few tapestries are handwoven and modern yarns allow us to enjoy masterful copies of works of art at affordable prices. Nonetheless, much work is still required to produce a quality tapestry.  The selected design and its colouring has to be transposed onto the cartoon with one square representing each single stitch. A series of up to 36,000 Jacquard perforated cards are prepared for each tapestry: these determine the movement of each warp yarn intertwining with the weft yarns. Fortunately some use can be made of computers to reduce the time involved but much skill and experience is still required. The weavers match the yarn colours from a selection of about 1,000 shades. The loom is threaded with about 12,000 horizontal warp threads which are placed in the correct order on the loom and passed through the eye of each of the corresponding 12,000 vertical loom heddles. Smaller tapestries utilize cotton (with rayon) for its fine detailing while larger ones introduce wool for greater fullness and richness. Once an acceptable trial result has been achieved the weaving can commence, supervised by a fully apprenticed weaver. www.tapestry-art.com

  Today a  common size tapestry of good quality may contain as much as 23 miles of yarn. Fine works may consist of as much as 64,000,000 interlacings and 100 colors. Look for high definition rather than the more pixilated image when choosing your tapestry.

In the 15th century it would take a skilled father and son team to weave one square foot of tapestry.

Lucky for us, modern contemporary tapestry artists can produce a multitude of styles to suit any design theme using high speed modern computerized jacquard weaving machines.

Decorative rods in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colors are available to hang your tapestries. Look for finials at the end of these rods to compliment the style of the image in your work.

Tassels are also available in a large assortment of shapes and colors and may be hung from the rod ends along the left and right sides of the wall hanging for a more dramatic effect.

Have some fun, come in and see me and we can find a tapestry to match the theme of the room you wish to hang it in.

Cathe Weeks

cathew@norwoodfurniture.com

Creating the "Simpler Life" with a dining table

Can the simpler life really be found at the dining table?  Can a piece of furniture such as a kitchen table really help us create the family traditions and the kind of lasting memories we desire?  I believe it can. 

When you think about it, the dining and  kitchen table is a place we all have memories around.  From the everyday breakfast with your brothers and sisters eating cereal and somebody spilling the milk to special occasions such as Thanksgiving or Christmas with lots of family and friends gathered together for a meal, we all have memories that include coming together around a table.

I believe we can greatly effect the feel of our homes by selecting the right furnishings and accessories.  The table you choose for your home can add to the feel you want to create.  If you desire a "simpler" more relaxed life and want to create a warm and inviting feeling in your home I suggest our new collection called "Champlain" from one of the best dining manufactures Canadel.

This collection is inspired by a French explorer named Samuel De Champlain who over 400 years ago founded the first permanent French settlement in North America in what is now Quebec City.

This collection is marked by the colonial charm and rustic simplicity of the early 17th century.  It is hand assembled and hand finished from North American birch creatingng durability and timeless heirloom quality.  The design trademarks are straight forward, unadorned lines and the simple beauty of the wood and natural colored finishes add rustic charm to your kitchen or dining room. 

There are 8 unique finishes that have warm inviting colors with incredible hand antiquing that really makes the pieces look like heirlooms that have seen generations of children eating breakfast before school and families gathered together for Thanksgiving dinner.  The warmth and depth of character of these finishes will create a feeling of casual comfort in a dining room, kitchen or breakfast nook.

                

One of the greatest features of these pieces is they all have a protective catalyzed finish.  This finish will make them easy to maintain with just soapy water and a damp cloth and with the distressed nature of the antique finish this a great table for everyday use.  You and your family won't have to be so delicate with the table and worried you will mark the table because it's already distressed!  This will create a more relaxed atmosphere when using the table.

There are 7 different table sizes, one extending to 132" for seating up to 12, 6 bar stools styles and 7 chair styles to chose from. Also, many of the tables are available in the popular 36" counter height

If you desire a beautifully rich table that will add a causal, relaxed and warm feel to your home stop in and see "Champlain".  You can get a little closer to the "Simpler" life by creating happy family memories and traditions that begin around a wonderful table.

  

 

 

 

  

 

Wishing us all a "Simpler Life"

Robin Muralt  

Norwood Furniture

The Artisano Collection: Artistry in Hand Treated Leathers

If you want to experience true luxury with leather, the Artisano Collection from Leathertrend is for you. Artisano is a collection of hand stained and colored leathers, available in two unique finishes; Highlights and Antique.

 

Highlights:  Created by leather craftsmen, Highlights enhances and enrichens the appearance of fine leather furniture. By hand rubbing certain areas of the furniture piece, the look of "well used" yet "well cared for" furniture is brought to life. A work of art! 

Antique:  The same specialized skills applied in Highlights are used to "antique" each piece of this fine furniture. The hand rubbing techniques predominately emphasize "aging" to arms, seats and backs. This same technique is applied to the exposed wood and nailhead trim on each piece. The finished appearance is that of a true antique! 

 

The Artisano Collection is an example of Old World Craftsmanship resulting in furniture that is truly timeless and will be the feature and focal point of your room for years to come. These pieces are created from premium leather and, like all quality leather, it will improve with age. Over time the furniture pieces develop a beautiful color, a richness in character and a deep patina. Luxurious cushion comfort and quality in construction are evident with feather/fiber blended seating, 8 way hand tied construction and premium hardwood frames. This is furniture that will be in your family for decades.

 

With its timeless apppearance, premium craftsmanship and ability to mix beautifully with any style, the Artisano Collection is a must see for anyone considering leather. Please stop by to see me, I would love to show you this sophisticated and stylish leather collection.

 

Jodi Watters

Norwood Furniture

Does your furniture fit your lifestyle?

I'd like to start this post with a confession, I am a dog owner.  Not that there's anything shameful about that, but I am one of the dog owners that will freely admit how much it affects my lifestyle choices.  This includes home decorating decisions.  It's not too hard these days to find something that can survive our 9-year old Golden Retreiver, Sadie, who has mellowed and slowed down in recent years, but the newest addition to our household, a 9-month old Belgian sheepdog mix (we think) from the Humane Society named Mario is another story entirely.  If it's not dog-proof, epecially Mario-proof, it's most likely not coming to live in our home.  Mario brings much joy to our lives, but he also brings muddy paws, twigs, leaves, dirt, rocks, and a cheerfully wagging tail .

I have described my personal style as "comfortable/casual" for a long time, but I don't normally tell the "why" behind the style.  Part of it is about the dogs, but it's not just that.  When my husband and I entertain, it's always casual and easy, and most of the guests probably have dogs too.  Our vacations are also casual, usually to a beach.  We are just not formal people.  I love more formal styles, but they just wouldn't work for me.  I have a very practical streak in my nature that keeps me from even attempting to make my home more formal.  It would be impossible for me to keep up, so I don''t make myself crazy trying.  Especially when there are so many great choices available that fit into my comfortable/casual lifestyle.

What made me decide to make this my topic for this post is a new slipcovered sofa from Rowe Furniture that recently debuted in our store.  I have learned from past experience that slipcovers are a great way to go for my lifestyle.  And I love the option of two different sizes of  sofas in this style.  There is a big, 97" long, three cushion sofa shown on the left, or a two cushion version that's only 82" in length shown below. 

Each comes with four down blend throw pillows that you can contrast from the fabric on the sofa.  The square arm gives it a clean, uncluttered look and I have personnally found that it's a great place to rest a book or a plate for a snack.  The height of the arm is just right for a breif nap.  The standard cushion is cozy and soft, but if down blend is your preference, you can have that with the Feather Soft cushion package option. 

There are so many styles to choose from.  Big sofas, smaller sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, even sectionals are available.  And I almost forgot, even dining chairs.  The lines can be clean, but casual, or relaxed traditional.

The fabric selections vary from comfortable cottons, environmentally friendly hemp or bamboo (look for the green dot on the fabric sample), easy care microfibers, or soft and cozy chenilles.  Colors can be light and neutral, bright and fun, or deep and dramatic.  You can get looks from modern to cottage to traditional.

 

If you would like to see some of these sofas and fabrics and see first hand how comfortable they are stop by Norwood Furniture in downtown Gilbert, Az.

Debbie Stuck,

 

Norwood Furniture

 

Fantastic dining furniture to beautify your home

We just got a fabulous new dining set on the floor at Norwood Furniture and it is gorgeous!  Plus, it's extremely well-priced.  The collection is called Hill Country from Universal Furniture.  Universal is known for making an excellent product at a great price and they have done a fine job again with this group. Currently, we have the round dining table and upholstered side chairs on the floor.  There's also a rectangular dining table and wood chairs with upholstered seats and carved backs (shown at right).

The picture on the far right is the catalog page from Universal.  As we discovered by seeing the pieces in the showroom, the fabrics and finishes are much more warmer and interesting in person.  The seat is made of an ulta suede that looks similar to leather, but is one of the easiest materials to clean.  The back is a luxurious woven textile fabric with warm shades of gold, browns, and copper tones.  Both the seat and back are outlined with antique brass nailheads. 

The beautifully carved details on the chars are completed in a warm honey finish with a chocoate glaze that gives it depth and sophistication. The seats are generously padded, so they are comfortable for you to sit in through long dinners or while entertaining.  Universal has definintely considered functionality and style with this collection! 

 

A new introduction to this collection is the 58" round dining table seen below.  The table has a plank top in the center with a perimeter ring around the edge.  An ornate metal scrollwork design serves as the base.  The curved lines of the base perfectly accompany the curves of the chair legs and stretchers as well as the arched chair backs.  I've included a detail shot of the exquisite base below. 

These pieces would look great in so many homes, whether you like Old World, Tuscan, Traditional, or Southwestern.  If you'd like more information about this fantastic collection or would like to see it in person, stop on by to see me at Norwood Furniture.  I can also be reached via e-mail at ShastaI@norwoodfurniture.com.

Shasta Ireland

Norwood Furniture

Let's stay in tonight...

More and more people are foregoing their funds earmarked for vacations and frivilous purchases to put them toward something more concrete and long lasting.  They are investing in their homes in order to create a place to relax and unwind after a tough day at work.  Instead of meeting friends at a restaurant, people are choosing to entertain in their homes.  More homes are equipped with home theaters and game rooms than ever before.  And why not?  If you have to choose between spending a couple thousand dollars on flights, hotels, meals, and activities OR buying that fantastic new game table, it seems like a no-brainer when you consider the long term usage and benefits.  I've included some ideas to help you create the home you desire.

Home Theater Seating

Norwood Furniture carries three manufacturers that produce Home Theater groups: Barcalounger, Berkline, and Klaussner.  If you'd like to see their options online, their websites are:

www.barcalounger.com

www.berkline.com

www.klaussner.com 

You can also visit the store to see fabrics in person and get more info about the products.

Home Theater seating works great in family rooms in place of a sectional, too.  They come in a lot of different styles and fabrics or leathers.  Cupholders are optional on most and some even have storage areas for books, magazines, and movies.  If you don't like the look of a sectional, you can always put a few recliners in your room.  These companies have some great recliners available, some of which don't even look look like a recliner.

Game Tables

More people are using game tables in place of formal dining tables these days.  Like the living room, the formal dining room often gets very little use.  If a game table is put in the room, it becomes a more casual and fun space that your family can use more often.  Plus, the game table can function as additional eating space if needed. Norwood Furniture carries several manufacturers of game tables.  I've included a few examples from Hooker Furniture (www.hookerfurniture.com).  The first shows a counter height table and stools, which is currently a popular trend in dining tables.  The higher table feels a little more relaxed and welcoming.

The second table is a traditional poker table with castered chairs.  The unique thing about this table is that the top can be reversed to a finished wood side so it will look like a 54" dining table.   Have your friends over for a few rounds of poker on Saturday night and enjoy dinner with the family on Sunday at the same table! 

Pub Tables

Pub tables have become a popular "accessory" in larger family rooms and living rooms.  They offer a casual place to  share a drink, play cards, or just visit.  Often used near freestanding home bars, they can offer additional stool seating along with a counter bar.  They are a great serving area for finger foods when entertaining as well.  For the amount of floor space they use, they are quite functional!

 

Entertainment Centers

Entertainment centers really complete the look of your home theater or family room.  They provide support for your television and provide a decorative look around them.  They are also quite functional as storage pieces for electronics, videos, music, and speakers.  For more info about entertainment centers, I encourage you to check out my previous blog on them.  http://norwoodfurniture.typepad.com/blog/2008/08/home-entertainm.html

If you need help picking just the right pieces to create a fun and welcoming home that you'll be proud to use for entertaining your friends, I'd love to help!  I'm available at the store Wednesday to Sunday.  Give me a call at 480-892-0174 or e-mail at ShastaI@norwoodfurniture.com.  Have a fantastic Spring!

Shasta Ireland  

Norwood Furniture

What a Difference a Day Makes!

What a difference a day makes (Befores & Afters)...............................................

Sometimes, we look at our lives only in the here and now.  Sometimes we're having rough days and we wonder, is there light at the end of the tunnel?  But sometimes, we also can be too tunnel-visioned.  That's the time to consider what's going on now but more importantly, think about how to shape the future. 

When you think of shaping the future, things become clearer and the brightness from that light at the end of the tunnel gives us a hope and happiness for the future that radiates our spirits and beings.  The here (Before), greatly influences the now (After).

In design, you can look at a room in it's current state, making note of the colors (or lack there of) in a space, the fabrics in the room, the accessories, the surfaces such as the floor, and the windows. Then, your Norwood Designer can lead you to the light at the end of the tunnel by transforming your room!  THE AFTER.................

These are just a few examples of how window treatments can transform and complete a room; and, as I stated in my last blog, WINDOW TREATMENTS CAN BE THE JEWELRY IN THE ROOM! 

   Before (left) & After (below) Custom-finished Crown Hardware with Silk/Print Panels and jeweled trim cascading the windows, with coordinating custom tiebacks.  

  

    Before (left) & After (below) Custom Box-Pleated  Drapery Panels with a bold black-button detail.  (All furniture selections are also from Norwood Furniture).   

      

The last Photo is a custom home in Superstitution Mountains that I had the privilege to design the entire home of window treatments.  We also provided semi-custom bedding from Eastern Accents to the client.  Fabrics from the bedding provided the inspiration for the window treatments. Take a Look!!!

  Before..........................& After

 

What a Difference a Day Makes.........

 

 

If you would like to discuss your window treatment needs, give me a call @ 480-892-0174 and ask for Karen.

I'd love to help!

Should We Buy Furniture Now or What?

This is a question that is going through the minds of many people.  The answer is actually simpler than you would think.

 

Obviously, if your job has any indication of being in jeopardy, this is not the right time for you to be making any major expenditure.

 

 So, let's talk to the other portion of the population who has been putting off making decisions about either re-decorating their exisiting home or are about to move into a new home and do not know what to do.

 

This portion should be aware that this is the right time to be making decisions.  Stores like Norwood Furniture, with it’s excellent pricing, and design consultants will work with you and for you to design your complete room and then help you to purchase as much or as little as you would like. Our design consultants will work with you to keep track of what is happening with the merchandise that you are interested in for your future purchases.  Having a road map to your completed room is the key!

 

So the answer is a resounding YES!!  Now is the right time.  

 

Let's discuss the many possibilities that you can be faced with in trying to make home furnishing decisions.  Am I making the right style decision?  Am I choosing the right fabric?  Should I be looking at a sofa, loveseat and chair or would a sectional  be a better choice?  What should I put onto my walls?  What lamps would be right for my tables?

The most important first thing to do is gather up the necessary vital information that is going to be needed to make a well informed decision.  Your next question is probably what information do I need and what am I going to do with it?  Look at magazines.  Cut out the pictures that represent looks that you love (as well as looks that you do not love).  The more furniture and accessories that you are considering, the more information gathering you should do.     Then come to Norwood Furniture and ask to speak to one of our many design consultants.  As the name implies, their job is to find out what your design problem is and to help you to find a solution to the problem that you will love.   The same way that a good doctor will examine you, ask a lot of questions and only then offer a prescription to help you feel better, a good design consultant will ask a lot of questions. That’s where you having measurements, tile and carpet samples, and fabric samples from existing items currently in your home will come in handy.  If you would like, a design consultant can make an appointment to come out to your home.    Make a call to Norwood, speak to a design consultants.  We would love to help take all the pain and stress out of your room re-do, or even multi-room project.    "Home should be the nicest place you ever go" is our slogan and we want your home to be just that.  In times of stress we, at Norwood Furniture, feel that this slogan is even more important.  Let us make your life better.   As the picture at the right expresses, you'll feel like all the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulders.   We will show you what the finished room will look like and then help you to make decisions about what steps to take first.                   Larry Fisher, "Larry's Corner"   Norwood Furniture

Spring Cleaning

Spring is here! The weather is wonderful and we can open our windows again, shake out the rugs and forge into that ever so exhausting and rewarding...Spring cleaning!

This year, as you are removing the storm shutters and squeegeeing the windows, take a moment to really look at the interior of your home. This is an ideal time to take care of spaces that you have been turning a blind eye to.

Do you remember when you purchased that lovely new sofa? You loved it on delivery but realized that those 1980 style polished brass table lamps would have to be replaced also. Or perhaps worse, you are using your child's Pluto or still living with that Marilyn Monroe leg lamp that your husband owned in his bachelorhood. These pieces stand out like a sore thumb to friends and neighbors and you don't even see them any more. Once upon a time, you had promised yourself that you would replace them....just as soon as you had a free weekend. Hah!

                       

Spring is a great time to complete the entire room and give yourself that beautiful home that you have always wanted. It just takes a few steps and the first begins with opening your eyes and taking inventory.

Does the art on your walls reflect color, image and shape that you love? Does it speak to you? Do you feel good looking at it? Or is it something that you threw on the walls a few years ago as a space filler?

Do your accessories have purpose, or are they perhaps gifts that never really fit the room, sentimental pieces that belong someplace else, magazines that you are waiting to recycle? Spring is the time to open your discerning eye and edit that room. Accessories want to have a reason to be in your room. Their color and scale should fit the space.

Below see a few rooms in need of a little Spring Spruce up.

              

Now I realize that I have had a little fun with some of these examples and my have exaggerated a little but the message is real. We all can become immune to our surroundings if we allow it. The best part of interior design is learning to open your eyes.

If you would like some help with your spring cleaning (No! I don't clean floors and windows) please come and see me at Norwood. We have some great accessories and ideas for Spring.

Cathe Weeks   

Norwood Furniture