Newport Furnishings
Buy Smart. Live Well
Trendy Leather Sofa
Published April 27, 2011 | 
Offering style with serious staying power, this trendy leather sofa by Poltrona Frau has a timeless look to transition from one trend to the next without missing a beat. The new John-John sofa designed by Jean-Marie Massaud features contemporary, clean lines clad in soft folded leather, supple and luxurious to the touch.
The large, down-filled backrest and armrest cushions offer the ultimate in sink-in, kick-back comfort. The slim steel feet against the plush sofa create a cool “floating” effect. This versatile sofa complements almost any style, from modern to classic, and makes a modern statement. Check out this trendy sofa by visiting Poltrona Frau.
Furniture Art
Published March 25, 2011 | DIY Bed
Published March 25, 2011 | Nice project found on the Freshome blog.
The bed was designed around one thought: reuse. The client wanted a reclaimed distress look so we went to our local reuse dealer and found a batch of wood. 100 year old pine from a building in downtown Buffalo, NY. The material is 3″ x 8″ and I thought there would be great design play using the thick material and incorporating a delicate basket weave pattern in the headboard.“
7 Steps to Spring Decorating Success
Published March 24, 2011 | Great spring tips from the Duroque blog.
Spring is probably the most awaited season. This bright and warm season brings new life and energy. It is also considered to be a season of bright and invigorating colors. Spring never comes alone, but with a desire to rejuvenate your home and refresh your life.
Here are a simple update tips that will bring spring into your home and will make it look anew.
1. Flower up your home – Spring means flowers. By placing a few vases all over your home you will liven it up immediately. Avoid fake flowers, since it is the smell of fresh, live flowers that brings spring to your life and home.
2. Bring new colors – Winter is the most colorless season, so to breathe new life into your décor by spreading colors all over your home. Repaint your room walls with some fresh and bright color. Orange, radiant gold, fuchsia, and green-based yellows are the colors that will surely add visual interest to your rooms.
3. Get floral print pillows – Bring the scent of spring to your home with floral print pillows that will add to the warmth and friendly atmosphere in your home. If you cannot afford buying new pillows, just look for pillow covers.
4. Lighten up – No more heavy and dark curtains. Just open up your windows and let the spring freshness come in. You may use day-time artificial illumination to add to the natural lightning in your home.
5. Clean out your fireplace – Just like flowers mean spring, the fireplace means winter. So now it is the perfect time to sweep away the gray ashes of winter.
6. Add a touch of the tropics – Look for bamboo accents, such as bamboo candles or bamboo picture frames.
7. Look for a professional – You may bring spring freshness to your home by these simple and easy home decorating tips, but if you want to turn your home into a spring heaven, you need an interior decorator who will offer fresh interior design solutions and designer furniture that will enhance your living environment!
Original Looking Table
Published March 23, 2011 | Take a look from the Freshome blog.
John Houshmand, a company “dedicated to the eternity of trees”, have created an intriguing looking low table. Made from maple and glass, the furniture piece has a original organic look.
Its asymmetry is truly charming and the the glass leg adds elegance. Here are a few words from the producers: “The wood has been maintain to uphold particular aspects and characteristics found within it. We have learned from experience that impossibility of guaranteeing the homogeneity of wood from one piece to the next. Much of the beauty that is found in one piece of wood is what facilitates the creation of each individual design. All wood has the potential to change with use and though time.” We believe that it is exactly this lack of homogeneity that ensures the attractiveness and magic of this design
Tree Houses are Cool
Published March 23, 2011 | Check this out the Yanko Design blog.
At Home in the Air
OMG OMG OMG I love these treehouses!
Or Treehotel, rather. Located in Harads, Sweden, this unique collection of hotel rooms is sure to bring you back to your childhood days of club-housing and hide-and-go-seek. Nestled high in the woods, there is a room for every personality: the Cabin, Blue Cone, Bird’s Nest, and most intriguing of all, the Mirrorcube (if you can find it).
Check out Welcome Beyond for unique vacation ideas.
21 Ways Newport Furnishings is Different
Published March 2, 2011 | We are not your mothers furniture store. We purposefully break the paradigms of the old school home furnishings store. Here are some ways we try to stand out.
1. We offer FREE Interior Design services.
a. Get a 1 hour consultation and scaled room plan for your new project.
b. No obligation to purchase anything.
2. We offer FREE loaner furniture.
a. Purchasing customers can borrow furnishings to bridge the gap between order & delivery. Throw away your egg crates and cinder blocks and have a comfortable seat!
3. We have an unconditional guarantee.
a. This is unheard of in the custom order furniture business.
b. We guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with your purchase or we take it back.
4. Lana knows what she is talking about.
a. From upholstery to leather to wood, we know our products.
b. This is far from the truth for the industry in general. Many salespeople know very little about the actual products. The only training they get is sales training; how to close the sale!
5. We carry unique suppliers so you can get something that isn’t available all over town.
a. You have unique tastes and want your home to reflect your personality. You cannot accomplish that with “me too” furnishings.
6. We carry primarily North American suppliers.
a. Most of our upholstery, leather and solid wood comes from the US or Canada. These are long established suppliers who focus on quality and old-fashioned manufacturing techniques.
7. We have Otis to make your visit more enjoyable.
a. Otis is cool.
b. Otis is cute.
8. You can bring your pets with you.
a. Otis likes friends.
9. Your children are welcome to run around and play while you browse.
a. We love kids.
b. We have kids.
10. We offer FREE gourmet coffee and tea.
a. Fresh brewed by the cup because why drink it otherwise?
11. You get exactly what you want.
a. Our niche is custom order coupled with interior Design expertise. If you can imagine it or have seen it in a photo, we can re-create it.
12. Our value is unsurpassed; quality at an affordable price.
a. Our warehouse showroom purposefully keeps operating expenses down so we can bring quality furnishings to you at a reasonable price.
b. The intangibles we provide are priceless (see this list).
13. No commission sales staff to accost you.
a. You don’t like a pushy salesperson trying to close the sale today. We don’t either. We see our business as a consultative, multi-step process that ensures one thing; you are completely satisfied with the entire interaction culminating in a purchase of exactly what you want and done when you are ready.
14. We work around your schedule.
a. We offer both open showroom hours and personal appointments that accommodate your busy schedule. Time is a valuable commodity and we will not waste yours.
15. We don’t have Sales.
a. Our prices were good last week; are good now and will be good next month. While we do periodically clear floor inventory, we do not play the sales game.
16. We ask a lot of questions.
a. We want to know a lot about you, your home, your family, your plans and what you envision for the project. It is the only way that we can serve you to our fullest ability.
17. We send personal, hand written thank you cards.
a. We want every customer to feel special and know we really appreciate your business. We want a customer for life.
18. We follow up after the sale.
a. Complete satisfaction is our goal. You have to ask to know.
19. We want to get better.
a. We know we are not getting everything right all the time. But that is our goal.
20. We reward great customers.
a. Our best customers may get complimentary delivery or personal gifts or whatever strikes us at the time. We really do appreciate your business.
21. We care what you think about us.
a. Please tell us, even if isn’t complimentary. We will do better next time.
Would You Buy a $6500 Leather Sofa?
Published March 2, 2011 | Consumers are always wondering whether they are getting a good deal. It doesn’t matter what you are purchasing or what income bracket you live in. We all want to know if the item we are interested in is priced right. We may not ask directly but the question is being played over and over in our head.
A customer came into the store last week looking for living room furniture as well as dining room and bedroom furniture. The living room was at the top of the list. As questions were asked to determine the style she was looking for, a spec sheet was produced for a nice leather sofa.
We knew the supplier of this sofa but it wasn’t one we carried. However, our business is all about getting the styles and looks people are after. We have a few suppliers who can produce the same style with similar quality attributes.
Then came the shock. This sofa was available from a well known furniture store in Santa Fe for $6499 but they would give it to her for 30% off or about $4550. So I ask you, is this a good deal? Well 30% off sounds pretty darn good but your still talking close to $4900 with tax! Our suppliers ranged from about $2800 (imported) to $3100 for US made in North Carolina. This is our normal price today, tomorrow or next month. The price stays the same until our costs go up from the supplier and/or freight companies. That’s how we do it.
Dining Room Options
Published February 22, 2011 | For many homes that have a formal and casual dining room, the flexibility of entertaining and dining in two separate spaces is a wonderful option.
For those home owners who have one dining space and have to juggle between how to make the casual space look formal enough for a dinner party, or the formal space suitable for everyday dining, there are several challenges. Luckily, there are creative tips to help you transform your dining room between the two without any worries!
Know Your Fabrics before Buying Upholstered Furniture
Published February 16, 2011 | A wide variety of upholstery fabrics are available today in a variety of shades and textures. But before you choose the fabric for your upholstery, take some time to think about your lifestyle so you can choose the best option for you. You may love the nubby texture of chenille,
but if you have a cat with claws, you might want to reconsider. A household with children, pets, or adults who like to eat their dinner on the sofa should look for a low-maintenance performance fabric.
Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, silk and rayon (classified as a manufactured fiber but made from cellulose) are comfortable as upholstery, but often require more maintenance than synthetic fibers. Many natural fibers can be damaged by exposure to sunlight or mildew in humid climates. Blends of natural and synthetic fibers are a great way to get a soft feel, but improve the hardiness of your sofa.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, olefin and nylon are strong, stain resistant options. However, olefin and nylon are susceptible to sun damage. If you choose fabrics made of these fibers you should use window coverings or low-e window coatings to prevent fading. These fibers are also apt to pill when they receive a lot of heavy use. If your natural / synthetic blend upholstery fabric contains more than 50% of these synthetic fibers, then expect it to pill. Microfiber fabrics (made of polyester or nylon) are a popular option for upholstery. They are soft to the touch and tightly woven, thus they are durable and stain resistant. Microfiber fabrics are available in a wide variety of colors.
Pile fabrics, such as chenille, velvet and boucle, are popular for their ability to mask dirt and resist wear in high traffic areas. Cotton velvet does have problems with crushing and can show track marks. Denim and twill are great options for a casual feel that stands up to daily use.
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