Wood Species and Their Traits: What WOOD You Use?

When it comes to selecting the right wood for your piece of furniture, there is a lot to consider.
First, you should choose the wood species. The type of wood you select will affect the look, cost and durability of your furniture. Next, the stain color - dark, light, medium or natural (no stain). And lastly, the finish or protective coating. These 3 decisions will play a key role in finding the right piece of furniture to fit your lifestyle.

Let's start with the basics: hardwood vs. softwood.
Hardwood comes from deciduous (leaf shedding) trees that have broad leaves, usually bear nuts or fruit and go dormant in the winter. They are slower growing, denser and are typically harder and stronger than softwood trees. Examples of North American hardwoods include Maple, Oak, Cherry and Walnut. Imported hardwoods include: Mahogany, Rosewood and Zebrawood. Softwood comes from coniferous (cone bearing) trees that have needles and are evergreen. They grow at a faster rate, are less dense, less durable, split easier along the grain and are more combustible. Examples of Softwoods include Pine, Spruce, Fir and Cedar. The grain of hardwood trees is generally considered more attractive than softwoods and that, combined with the slower growth rate and superior durability, makes furniture constructed from hardwoods more expensive.

Ideally, if you live in North America, you should select a North American hardwood for a couple of reasons:
1. Stability: If it grows here, it is acclimatized. Variation in humidity levels throughout the year will cause your wood furniture to expand and contract.  When furniture is constructed from imported woods (especially from tropical areas such as Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) the effect can be much more dramatic. Humidity levels that vary greatly from where a tree "grew up" can cause cracking and undue stress on joints.  This is one reason that furniture made with exotic species such as African Zebrawood are usually veneer vs. solid wood.

2. Durability: Hardwood lumber is typically more dense and stronger than softwood species making it the preferred choice for heirloom furniture.

3. Environmental: Regionally sourced American hardwoods do not require burning fossil fuels to transport them across the ocean. They come from managed forests that practice sustainability to ensure a continuous supply of wood. Hardwood furniture can also be refinished for reuse and it's biodegradable.

At Creative Classics all of our wood furniture is handcrafted from North American Hardwoods.

Which hardwood is right for you? Consumers often confuse or associate a wood species with a stain color.  Many furniture stores add to the confusion by offering furniture made of lower quality woods or, more commonly, composite materials with labels of “Oak or Cherry finish”.  Wood species refers to the specific type of tree the wood comes from (i.e.: Oak, Maple, Cherry, etc.) NOT the color. Why does this matter? Different wood species have different types of grain, density and characteristics that influence the look and durability of the furniture. Also, the natural, unstained color of the wood will affect the appearance of any stain applied. High-quality furniture is never described by the color alone. Beware of furniture where the wood species is not specified separately from the stain color, this is frequently a sign that the furniture is not even made of wood! 

Popular Types of  North American Wood

SOFT MAPLE - Natural Color

Soft Maple (sometimes referred to as Brown Maple) is a straight-grained, fine textured wood. Despite its confusing name, it's actually a hardwood. Derived from red or silver maple trees, soft maple is not as durable as its hard maple cousin, but is more capable of accepting stain. Soft maple has roughly the same density as cherry, with colors usually ranging from light cream to pale brown with occasional dark streaks. Price: $

CHERRY - Natural Color

Cherry is a dense, even-grained wood, widely considered the finest of the fruitwoods. Prized for its beauty and color, it is considered an excellent choice for both formal and casual applications. Natural  coloration varies from a light cream to a dark reddish brown; however, cherry will darken with age, developing a deep, rich patina over the course of several years. Cherry wood contains mineral deposits which create the beautiful swirls of grain and occasional dark depressions and indentations. Cherry may also contain light steaks of sapwood. These are not defects, but are normal, desired and to be expected in natural cherry.  Price: $$

RED OAK - Natural Color

Red Oak is a very popular hardwood, chosen for its traditional, coarse-textured look, as well as its excellent durability and strength. It accepts stain consistently and wears well over time, making it a great choice for furniture with heavy, every day use. Red Oak is the most common species used in oak furniture and has a natural color from yellow to pale brown. Price: $

QUARTERSAWN OAK - Natural Color

Quarter Sawn White Oak: Quarter sawing is a different way of slicing a log that provides a unique aesthetic and superior performance to traditionally milled oak. Quartersawn boards have greater stability of form and size, as well as less warping and shrinkage.  Quartersawn White Oak shows a prominent ray fleck, striations that prompt some to refer to it as "Tiger Oak".  It has all the same properties as Red Oak but has more straight grain and varies in color from light tan to nearly white or bright grey. Price: $$

HARD MAPLE - Natural Color

Hard Maple or Rock Maple, comes from the sugar or black maple trees. It's a tough, moderately heavy wood with a fine and uniform texture. Hard maple finishes very smoothly and is extremely durable. Commonly seen with no stain (because it does not absorb stain well), it's natural color varies from nearly white to light tan, with an occasional reddish tinge. Price: $$

WALNUT - Natural Color

Walnut is a dense wood, ranging in color from light to deep chocolate brown. The black walnut tree produces one of the finest cabinet woods available. Slow-growing and highly desired, walnut is more expensive than many of the other woods. Walnut becomes lighter and develops a rich, golden hue with age, it may also contain occasional light sapwood streaks. Natural Walnut (no stain) should be protected from direct sunlight as the ultraviolet light can bleach the wood. Price: $$$

Why stain your wood furniture? Wood Stains are dyes or pigments suspended in a solvent that deepen the color of a wood. Most woods, with the exception of Cherry and Walnut, are very light in their natural color. Staining the wood provides a way to achieve a variety of wood tones and colors from light to dark. Stains are translucent and typically enhance and increase the prominence of the natural grain variations in the wood. Very dark stains may mask and unify the grain appearance.

The natural color of a wood and its grain characteristics will greatly affect how a stain appears on each wood species. For instance, Cherry wood is naturally red-orange in color so any stain over Cherry will have a rich underlying reddish hue that influences the stain appearance. Compare the same stain finish (Michael's) on the different wood species shown below. Notice how each species of wood has its own unique appearance even though the stain is identical.

Wood Finishes
The final touches to any piece of furniture is the finish. There are numerous options to protect your piece of furniture to keep it long lasting and beautiful!

Hand Rubbed- This is a traditional method of hand-rubbing an oil and wax finish comprised of many coats of natural linseed oils that condition the wood, provide moisture resistance and enhance the natural color and beauty of the wood. It does not seal the wood or provide protection. It will also need to be re-oiled regularly.

Polyurethane- Resin is what remains behind to form a film once the solvent has evaporated. The resin defines the nature of the coating. In general, polyurethane or urethane resins (the terms may be used interchangeably) provide finishes with good durability, including resistance to heat, abrasion, chemicals, stains, and solvents- however, they have a tendency to yellow over time.

Pre-Catalyzed Lacquer and Conversion Varnishes- Instead of curing by the evaporation of a solvent only, they also cure chemically. The catalyst is added ahead of time and the finish is very durable as a result of the chemical curing process.  This is the most durable of finishes.

Now that you have the basics of wood selection, hopefully making a decision will be a lot easier! And don't worry we are here to help! Come by the store and we can help you find the PERFECT wood (and color) for your piece of furniture!

Come on over,
Team CC

Sources: http://www.hardwoodinfo.com/articles/view/admirer/3/202

Mix It Up!

Last month, Creative Classics attended High Point Market in North Carolina- the largest furniture market in the world. As we searched for new, original designs from our American manufacturers, we kept spotting one new trend everywhere we went- CONTRAST!! Leather frames with fabric cushions and color blocking was seen on upholstered pieces like sofas and accent chairs while inlay and 2-toned woods dominated the hardwood showrooms from dining room tables to buffets. 

Our favorite examples of this extremely versatile, stand-out trend include a subtly chic pale yellow leather swivel with microfiber seat, a funky grey leather chair with fabric seat in complimentary stripes of gray, taupe and cream and a beautiful live edge solid walnut dining table with a thick piece of wormy maple running down the middle- quite the conversation piece for your dinner guests! Take a look at what inspired us...

FROM THE WOOD WORKERS

Clockwise from top left: Fuzed Table by Valley View Oak (shown in rustic walnut with wormy maple center); Custom Stool by Cabeen Originals (Natural Walnut with stained maple strip surrounded by natural cherry stripes running down the middle); Copper Top Table, part of the Craftsmen colletion from Treecrowns by Valley View Oak (Laeg table shown in a stained quarter sawn oak wood with copper patina surface); Custom stool by Cabeen Originals (made of repurposed cherry, walnut and maple wood pieces from former designs); a unique walnut and cherry ping pong table by unknown designer; Eastwood Nightstand by Gat Creek (stained cherry with natural cherry drawer)

FROM THE UPHOLSTERERS

Clockwise from top left: The Ewan Swivel Chair by C.R. Laine (a white band flowing down the middle creates contrast to give an elegant and unique vibe to an otherwise plain black piece); The L-3153-C1 Leather Chair by Precedent (The shades of the seat fabric work both as a contrast and compliment to the grey waxed leather of the chair); The Camden Chair by Norwalk (the black painted Maple wood painted arms and legs perfectly frame the blue and white pop of a pretty ikat pattern); Wing Back chair by C.R. Laine (cream and grey taupes as well as the wing back style give a fresh, new, modern vibe to a southwestern pattern; The Philippe Swivel by C.R. Laine gets a new twist with a tape of embroidered fabric in a neat geometric pattern

From subtle contrast to a wild statement, this trend can work in any room and will liven up your small space- guaranteed:) Come by the showroom and let our talented design associates show you how to make it work for you!!

For all information on these designs or to see what else if offered from our manufacturers, please visit our manufacturers page: http://www.creativeclassics.com/mali.html or just contact us directly at the store!

For the Love of Leather: The Whole Story

 

Leather is a natural material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals- most commonly cattle/cow hides. Leather can come from numerous types of animals- including: snakes, alligator, and shark- however, common practice is to be paired with the dairy/meat industry and use the by-products of the cattle already being used. Hides come from across the world and vary according to location due to temperature (the thickness), feed (size of cattle), and where they were raised (wood vs. barbed wire fences affect their hide imperfections).

Leather is cleanable, repairable, breathable and has different textures and grades. Each hide is unique to the animal, but can be treated to be identical for certain purposes.

Let's start at the beginning:

Diagram of Leather Grains

 

 

Types of Leathers:

Full Grain- Upper section of hide that contains the skin layer and all the imperfections. Only hair has been removed. It is considered the highest quality and instead of wearing out, it will develop a natural patina. It has the highest durability and can be bought as either aniline or semi-aniline. Nothing is done to correct it.

 

Full Grain shown on a bag..."bomber jacket" look

 

 

Top Grain- Top grain leather has often been buffed or sanded to remove scars. This pigmented leather is the top portion of the split hide. The original grain can be removed and the surface is sanded and refinished to produce a consistent grain pattern. In some cases, the surface is only lightly buffed and refinished.

Top Grain- high quality and only slightly corrected

Corrected Grain- Top grain leather that has been sanded and buffed to remove any imperfections due to bug bites, scars and brands. It will be embossed or printed and can be finished as semi-aniline or pigmented.

Corrected Grain- Rid of scars, markings and very "perfect" looking.

Split- Made from the bottom part of the hide. It will have an artificial layer applied to the surface and will be embossed. It is typically used in lower priced furniture. Splits are used to create suede.

Suede: Low quality but perfect for the right look!

Bonded Leather- This is a man-made material composed of leather fibers and latex binders. It can create a look similar to leather at a fraction of the cost but is less durable and not recommended on furniture.


Bonded Leather- lowest quality-seen on less expensive furniture
(think: discount furniture shops)

How is it made?

1: Pre-Tanning
Soaking - When the leather arrives at the tannery it may be soaked to extrude salts used in preserving leather. This is done in revolving drums which can hold up to 200 hides.

Liming - Hair and epidermis are removed and a solution of lime (calcium hydroxide) and sodium sulphide is applied to soften and enhance hide for softness and flexibility needed for upholstery leather.

Splitting - The hide is split into layers. The top, or grain, layer will produce a fine, smooth grain leather. The bottom is used for suede or split leather for other uses.

2. Tanning Process: This converts the skin/hide into a durable, long-lasting and versatile material.
The 2 most common processes are:

Vegetable Tanning: This is a more environmentally sound process because of the lack of chemicals.
It uses tannin and ingredients found in vegetable matter and tree bark. It can discolor and harden when wet. This is better for "natural" colors.

Chromium Tanning: This is the most common method and uses chromium sulfate and salts of chromium. This stabilizes the leather and making it more pliable and supple than vegetable tanned. It will not discolor or lose shape. This process allows for more "vibrant" colors.

3. Selecting: After tanning excess water is removed from hide. Hides are then graded according to the quantity and locations of natural features and flaws. Top, Full and Corrected Grain leathers demand the best quality hides. Heavily coated or embossed leather can utilize a lesser quality of hides.

4: Dressing: This involves different steps shown below:
Shaving - Hides are given a uniform thickness; Dyeing - Dyes are added to color leather. (See below)
Re-tanning - Additional tanning substances are sometimes added to modify the physical characteristics of the leather to suit its final use.
Setting - A process which mechanically removes creases and excess water.
Drying - The hides are stretched dried on large frames or vacuum dried.
Trimming- The rough and ragged edges are removed.

5: Finishing: This is the stage to give the required degree of gloss, ensure the leather is soft, malleable and moldable, to give a more protective surface which is easily cleaned.

6. Embossing: This adds pattern to the leather to hide the unwanted characteristics and create visual appeal. (Not always done.)

An example of embossing.

7. Protecting the hide: Topical applications to protect the surface.
 
Dying Differences

Aniline: This is a bi-product of the petroleum industry. Pigments are added to achieve the desired color. Then they are mixed with the hides to color them.
Full Aniline: Leather hides fully dyed using aniline dyes and then a layer of protection added to the top.
Semi- Aniline: Leather hides that are fully dyed first, then a color surface coat is applied.

What Should I Buy?

Hopefully after reading this article, you will feel more empowered on what to look for when buying leather. Key words: Full or Top Grain, (or Corrected IF that is the look you want!); Aniline Dyed; and/or Vegetable (if you are going GREEN). Steer clear of "Split- leather," and  "Bonded leather." And ASK questions! That's why we are here!

Thanks for stopping by!
-Team CC

Sources:
American Leather
Keleen Leathers

How to Choose The Right Upholstery Fabric For YOU

Decisions, decisions!

 

SO many fabrics, so many options- how to choose? There are 4 basic criteria when selecting the right upholstery fabric for your piece of furniture:

1. Location (This will drive all the other factors- is this in the basement where the kids get rowdy? or the front room where you only occasionally entertain guests?)

2. Durability (Do you have kids, pets and/or a messy husband?)

3. Aesthetic (What do you like? loose weaves, suede-look or perhaps a wrinkly linen?)

4. Hand (How does it feel- do you want it soft or prefer a crisp touch?)

These are the basic questions you ask yourself when selecting fabric. It will help guide you in the right direction of the fabric that will best suit you and your needs. The beauty of fabric is there are SO many options! The 2 categories are Natural (Cotton, Leather) and Synthetic (Polyester, Olefin). However, they are often blended to get the best of both. For instance wool is typically mixed with nylon to add toughness.

Below is a breakdown of different fabric types, typical locations and uses. This is a great guideline for upholstery and how it can best work for you.

Cotton/Cotton Blends: $-$$, durable, easy to clean

This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading and pilling, but is less resistant to soiling and wrinkling. For everyday use, it’s a good idea to apply a stain-resistant finish. Cotton blends are recommended over 100% cotton.


 

 

Leather: $$$$, very forgiving, easy to clean, gets better with age

This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap. It's timeless and just keeps looking better (IF you take care of it!).



Luxurious leather- So many varieties, next post will be all about leather!

Linen: $-$$, stays clean, absorbs moisture, not very durable

Although it may look perfect for your beach house....think again! It is prone to mold and mildew and will not tolerate very high humidity. Because of its high maintenance, it is more often used in drapery and wall coverings instead of upholstery. It's best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas because it soils and wrinkles easily.



Linen: Easy, breezy and beautiful!

Silk: $$$-$$$$, delicate, soft

This fabric is only suitable for formal areas. Must be professionally cleaned if soiled. Skip on upholstery and save it for window treatments, wall covering or pillows!

Don't sit on me! Please just look! love, Silk

Wool: $$-$$$, water repellent, durable, expensive, flame resistant

Wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. Generally, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean. Blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary. Wool is warm in the summer and cool in the winter.



Wool- Always a classic-- watch out for moths!

Acrylic: $$, resists wear, lightweight, good for outdoor use

Developed as imitation wool, acrylic resists wrinkling, soiling and fading. Low-quality acrylic may tend to pill excessively in high-wear situations. Better-quality acrylics are manufactured to resist pilling. (Sunbrella is a good example of acrylic durability.)



Acrylic: Example of Sunbrella fabric- great for outdoors!

Microfiber: $, durable, easy to clean, family-friendly

Microfiber fabric is lightweight, highly absorbent and does not stain or wrinkle easily. It's extremely durable but can have static and make you feel like you "stick" to it.



Microfiber: Most popular fabric for family sofas and sectionals.

Olefin: $$, durable, powerhouse of fabric!

Use olefin if your furniture is likely to receive heavy wear. The fibers have low moisture absorption, but they can wick moisture and dry quickly. Olefin is abrasion, stain, sunlight and chemical resistant.

Patterns, bright colors, all possible with Olefin!

Polyester: $-$$, Very durable, easy to clean

It is strong and durable with good resistance to abrasion. It stands up well to sunlight, mildew and insects. Traditional polyester can be subject to pilling and soil easily. However, microfiber has excellent resistance to soiling and wrinkling. Polyester blends beautifully with other fibers, such as cotton, and can have a silk like appearance. It is also used in outdoor fabrics. Stains can be easily cleaned with solvents or detergents.

Polyester comes disguised in many forms! Wovens, Prints, Tweeds, Microsuedes....

Rayon: $$-$$$, durable, wrinkles easily

Developed as an imitation silk, linen or cotton. Rayon is the oldest manufactured fiber. Rayon is made from wood pulp, which is passed through spinnerettes to form filaments. Recent advances have made high-quality rayon very practical for upholstery.

Rayon? Who ME? I can be anything you want!

Vinyl: $-$$, easy to care for, less expensive than leather

Popular because of its affordability. It CAN imitate leather in look and feel, but is not as durable and never looks real. It's affected by the surrounding temperature and can be uncomfortable in high heat or extreme cold. It tends to show crack and damage over time.



Vinyl: Can be fun and funky...don't imitate leather...never looks real.

 

So many things to think about!! Well let's add a few more....

Cost :

Fabrics are typically graded for cost. On the tag it will say Grade or Group. Every manufacturer is different. For instance, at our store American Leather starts at Grade 8, but Comfort Design starts at Group 100. The lower the number the cheaper the fabric cost, typically each grade bumps up the price anywhere from $30-70. This is important to keep in mind if you have a set budget and the sofa is $2000. If you know you don't want to pay a penny over $2200, don't look at the higher grades! It is very important to remember, the grade does NOT represent the quality or durability of the fabric. It is an indicator on how expensive it was to make the fabric. Some of our least expensive fabrics are the most durable!

See the fabric tag below:



The Cleaning Code is S  and the Fabric Grade is 11.
The blend is polyester and acrylic-- so super durable too!

Cleaning Code:
Also, on the fabric tag is a cleaning code, sometimes spelled out or just called "CC."
The options are:

"W"- Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam. Mix two tablespoons of ammonia or ammoniated detergent to a quart of water. Wipe the stain gently with a cloth dampened with the solution. Continue turning the cloth so you are always using a clean portion.

"S"- Use only mild, pure, water-free dry cleaning solvent. Wet a cloth with the spot cleaner and follow the same procedure as described above.
 
"WS"- Either of the above methods may be used.

"X"- Clean fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to remove soil. Do not use liquid cleaning agents of any type.


Now you are armed with lots of information on upholstery! You can confidently walk into a store and have an idea of what you want and why you want it. Lucky for you, we have lots of choices here at Creative Classics and all of our pieces have lots of fabrics to select from! We are open 10-6 M-Sat and 12-5 Sun. Come on by!

Happy Fabric Selecting!
-Team CC

Sources:

Onlinefabricstore.net- for pictures of fabrics

http://www.design-char.com/how-choose-right-upholstery-fabric

https://www.homeminders.com/Articles/HomemindersArticle/tabid/77/ArticleId/246/Default.aspx
 

Hey Furniture Shoppers - Don't be so Superficial!!

We all know style is essential when shopping for furniture. Modern, traditional, colorful, neutral- we each have an aesthetic that works for our lifestyle and our living space. But what lies beneath?? Style might be essential in creating a "look", but infallible construction is what makes it last. Quality furniture construction will outlive wear and tear from the children, the holiday parties, and multiple moves. Here at Creative Classics, we think this is something you should consider first, before you contemplate that oh-so-fabulous burnt orange leather or herringbone microfiber. Lucky for you, we have provided a crash-course in furniture construction via a fun factory tour by one of our associates...

Two weeks ago, Kelly, one of our Design Associates had a rare opportunity to visit and tour the factory of one of our upholstery manufacturers: Norwalk Furniture in Norwalk, Ohio. Norwalk is just one of a handful of upholstery manufacturers that we buy from who has mastered the ability to produce a well designed and on-trend product while still focusing, first and foremost, on creating a sound, well  constructed base. If you're curious to see what really separates Creative Classics (and solid, hardwood, made-in-America construction) from the rest, then see for yourself- come take a tour of the Norwalk factory with us...

1. A new sofa is named (the "Lola") and added to the Fall 2013 collection  2. Proving inspiration can strike anywhere: one designers ideas for a new ottoman sketched out on the back of a Continental Airlines cocktail napkin  3. Patterns are cut for new designs and are hung behind a recently built prototype..will it debut this spring?!  4. New designs are covered in muslin and hang out on the floor of the product development department  5. A product developer uses CAD to generate new designs  6. Components of a new chair frame are laid out on screen  7. Hello there "Kate" Ottoman! Covered in muslin and nailheads, Kate is ready for buyers to order in a wide selection of fabrics and leathers to sell on showroom floors across the country!

1. The strongest hardwood ply known to the industry is used to create all furniture frames (hardwood ply is comprised of thin strips of hardwood, like maple, glued together in cross-grained layers to form a thick, stronger sheet of wood- it is considered best to use when engineering frames as opposed to solid wood which would warp and crack during certain processes like steam-bending a curved back) 2. After specs are digitally entered by a factory technician, a machine cuts frame components out of hardwood ply sheets  3. Ottoman base and frames have been properly joined and sanded to perfection by hand and await to be hand stained and sealed  4. The base and frame structure for a Katie ottoman lay on a builders table  5. All solid wood parts like these furniture legs are hand made off- site by local Amish builders and are then hand stained per custom order at the factory  

1. A factory worker inserts polyurethane batting in between metal, cone-shaped wire which creates a strong, resilient suspension  2. Another worker close by uses heavy duty staples to attach fabric over a finished frame  3. Almost completed chair frames await seat cushions  4. Sinuous frames line the back frame of a sofa that awaits a soft cushion of poly and cotton before it's covered in fabric  5. Foam cushions are assembled and are ready to be hand stuffed into fabric casings  6. A cross view of a seat cushion core: a layer of polyurethane wraps around a dense core of foam flanked by a layer of softer foam. Norwalk offers five densities of foam cores from soft to extra firm.

1. Computer generated patterns are printed out and manually corrected before fabric is run through cutting machine  2. Fabric has been cut and labeled by customer lay in bins that line the massive hallways of the factory  3. Each sewer specializes on a single area like arms, backs and even zippers  4. Premium hides come from tanneries all over the world  5. A factory worker traces patterns onto a leather hide and cuts each piece out by hand

1. A factory worker hand tufts and pleats the back of a Chester sofa with precision  2. Repeat patterns, like these fun, funky birds are lined up perfectly seam to seam  3. Decorative pillows are made in every size, shape and color!  4. A special apps worker uses a high pressure gun to set nail heads in place on a sofa  5. Up-close shot of decorative nail heads adorn a chair covered in a funky orange pattern  



 

We hope you enjoyed the tour and learned a little something along the way! If you would like to see some of Norwalk's custom pieces and more quality, made-to-order furniture from our other vendors, come stop by the showroom and our knowledgeable design associates will show you around! In the meantime, take a peek at Norwalk furniture on-line: www.norwalkfurniture.com and of course Creative Classics at: www.creativeclassics.com

 

Team CC :)

The Ottoman: The Little Black Dress of Furniture

"An ottoman or upholstered stool is like the little black dress of furniture. It becomes what you make it. Some furniture is designed to fade into the background, but an ottoman in an interesting fabric or an unexpected color can wake up a room, even a more subdued fabric or silhouette can be personalized with intriguing trim or nail heads.” -Reyna Moore, Norwalk Furniture

You already have a nice couch...there's no room for new end tables and more pillows are out of the question (you have way too many!). Often an overlooked piece of furniture, an ottoman can add interest as well as function to a room.  Because it is typically a smaller piece, it's a safe way of adding a great pop of color or pattern to a room without committing to a large piece of furniture in trendy tomato red or citrus green. And, like the "little black dress," it can be adjusted to fit any occasion. Ottomans can double as seating and storage OR it just becomes a secret weapon when your house is overflowing with guests and the side table turns into a soft seat or even a bed! Ottomans can also be very convenient coffee tables...put your feet up to watch tv or have a nice metal tray to put drinks on (no worries about water rings and coasters!).

Check out some cool rooms using ottomans for storage, seating and fun!

Table OR Seat: Uno Storage Ottoman- Round by American Leather

 

 



A Sculptural Seat: The Maxwell Ottoman by American Leather



 

For clean lines AND storage, try the Linden Storage Ottoman by American Leather
Picture by mixandchic.com



 

A soft, tufted statement...check out the Columbus Ottoman by CR Laine



 



An Elegant Bench, Table and Storage: The Henley Bench Ottoman by Norwalk



 



And here's a few of our staff favs:

Seriously- It's a bed. The Shuffle Ottoman Sleeper by Comfort Design

 



Avery Ottoman by Norwalk

 

Tray Top Ottoman in leather (and 3 sizes!) by Precedent


 

Bench Ottoman by Precedent

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So, when you are looking to add a little something fun to your house, don't overlook the ottoman- it can be anything you want it to be!

-Team CC





What's Your Design Style?

Welcome to the Creative Classics Design blog! This is our perspective on styles, trends, design tips and how-to's. We hope you enjoy the journey with us and please comment on our entries! We love feedback! And of course stop by our store, Creative Classics, in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

 

So what's the best way to get started?? Get to know what YOU like and what YOUR style is. Do you like comfy cozy or prefer clean lines and crisp edges? Do you embrace color or prefer a neutral palette?  Below is a little cheat sheet on some basic design styles....and it's okay if you are more than one!

 

Quincy Sectional by American Leather

Contemporary:

 

White, Gray, Beige= 90%

Pop of color=10%

Clean Lines

Less is More

Bright Accent Colors (in moderation)

Oversized Art

Strong Linear Features- Horizontal and Vertical

Funky accents: Orchids, Sculptures, Statement Pieces 

 

think: Art Gallery, Vodka Martini - 1 Olive

 

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Garrison Chair and Chichester Sofa by CR Laine

 Traditional:

 

Prints, Prints, Prints (Floral, Plaid, Stripes)

Soft Lines, often plush

Colors are varied; range from warm beiges to rich jewel tones- full room color (no pops of accent)

Refined

Balance and Symmetry

Darker woods

Crown Moulding and Frames

Classic Accents: Oriental Rugs, Chandeliers, Tailored Drapery

 

think: Southern Living Magazine (and pretty much any room in it), Sweet Tea in Fine China

 

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Chester Sofa by Precedent
 

Transitional: 

 

 The love child of Contemporary and Traditional

Neutral Palette: Creams, Whites, Beiges, Grays, Soft hues

Mixture of Antique style pieces and simple lines

Equal parts warm and cool (brass nailheads on a white leather club chair)

Understated Patterns

Layers of Textures (chenille, leather, tweed)

Simply Framed Art work- organized

Updated Classics: Refined Wingback chairs, tufting but not overstuffed

 

think: Elle Décor, Trendy Hotel Rooms and Handspun Chocolate Milkshakes

 

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Interiors by Aspen Leaf Interiors
Try the Savoy Sofa by American Leather

 Rustic:

 

Leather, Nailheads, Animal Hides (faux is fine!)

Wood- lot's of wood

Comfy, Cozy, Overstuffed

Neutrals and Earth tones

Exposed Rafters and Stone Fireplaces

Woven Textiles, Geometrical Patterns

Heavy Furniture- Sturdy, Sometimes Masculine,

 

think: Colorado Lodge with Spiced Apple Cider

 

 

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Try the Luxe Sofa by American Leather



Ecclectic:

 

Funky

Personalized with Artifacts

Mixture of Styles, Fabrics and Themes

Playful and Whimsical

Comfortable and Relaxed

Sense of Familiarity

Bold Colors and Patterns

  

think: The Cool Girl's Apt in Every Movie; Moscow Mules in Tin Cups 

 

 

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All ideas above are based on personal thoughts, online research-- sources include: houzz.com; Wikipedia.com and our vast experience in the furniture industry!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

-Team CC