A tapestry exudes warmth, colour and adds an interesting design perspective in the home. Tapestries have been used in American homes for centuries and were the height of fashion in the 17th and 18th century. They suit any period home and remain a popular choice today.

Early Colonial Use

Tapestries were brought to America by European colonists who aspired to be as refined as the well heeled in their mother countries. America saw a number of fashions imported from Europe at this time to ensure the new immigrants kept up with changes in vogue. Tapestries were used as wall hangings or bed hangings and European made work was often listed among the most valued item in a householder’s inventory. At this time the best bed in the house was often decorated lavishly with tapestry art and found more often in a parlour than a bedroom.

Parlours and best rooms in the 18th and 19th century saw rich fabrics and tapestry used in the décor. Furniture covering was a more likely feature at this time than wall hangings. Indeed the industrialisation of the modern city resulted in concern that dust and smoke would destroy these lavish works of art.

Growing popularity with wealthy Americans

At the end of the 19th century America began to see unprecedented wealth from the various industrial developments that spread across the country. Families such as the Astors, Vanderbilts and others who perceived themselves as the aristocracy of America found new wealth from the industrial growth of America and built European styled palaces and homes in vogue with their newly found status. These grand homes gave rise to resurgence in popularity for tapestries. The focal point of George Washington Vanderbilt’s Biltmore were two massive tapestries of Vulcan and Venus. The imitation of the splendour and extravagance of European stately homes and palaces was a classical way in which the newly rich of America chose to display their wealth.
The Arts and Crafts Revival

Tapestry appeared in the less luxurious homes, as furniture decoration rather than lavish wall hangings. The Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris enabled modern design to be easily reproduced in a classical way. providing colour and texture to a decorative scheme. This trend was seen both in America and Europe, however was somewhat short lived.

A second revival of tapestry art occurred in the mid 20th century when large walls found themselves decorated once again with tapestry hangings. As people moved from one area to another the flexibility a tapestry gave enabled it to be rolled up and re-homed in the new house. It became an alternative to framed paintings in a changing world and made art more accessible to the growing population.

Poplar choices for any home

Tapestries have enabled their owners to be very creative with how they are displayed in a home, be it wall hanging, furniture cover or a unique touch to a corner. They remain a focal point in the modern home and are a versatile feature in interior design.

There are as many styles in the world of furniture and design as there are tastes to desire them. From the somber dark woods of the Jacobean period to the geometric characteristics of Art Deco, there is something for everyone, and often making a choice is the hardest part. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is certainly true in the furnishing world.

Let’s run through some of the more well-known styles, defining and categorizing them so that with a little understanding, we can better analyze our tastes and desires. From rustic to formal, simple to elaborate, furniture creates a mood and shows off personal taste to best effect.

17th Century Furniture – Furniture has come a long way from the heavy 17th century Jacobean influences. This mediaeval-style furniture was typically plain wood with rush seats, straight lines and characteristically dark wood. In later years Early American style evolved, with typical European influence brought by the immigrants to the New World of America. In contrast, Louis XIV was busy creating the splendours and opulence of Versailles, with ornate gold carvings, fine artwork and magnificent craftsmanship in every room.

The later William and Mary style brought trumpet turned legs, ball feet and padded upholstery to English parlours with a new look in oriental lacquer work.

18th Century Furniture – As Queen Anne ascended the English throne in 1702, furnishings became more refined, with graceful cabriole legs, rococo ornate trimmings and shell curves. Tapestry and chintz were popular and this became known as Queen Anne style.

Colonial style American furniture was more conservative than English furniture of the same period, featuring carved pillars and less ornamentation. Following Queen Anne, Georgian style appeared and was particularly identifiable in architecture. In furniture, carved cabriole legs were the fashion, along with S-shaped curves and motifs. In the latter half of the 18th century, Chippendale furniture was in vogue, especially after the publication of Chippendale’s book of designs. His furniture was graceful, delicate and cultured and was further developed by Adam and Hepplewhite who introduced tapered legs, veneers and inlay to great effect.

From 1780-1820 Sheraton style was the most reproduced style in America during the Federal period, with bow-fronted chests and cabinets. Chairs now had sloping arms and upholstered seats with central splat detail on the backs.

19th Century Furniture – Shaker furniture is still a popular style today. It is defined by the simple, utilitarian furniture approved of by the religious communities in America. It is typically plain and unadorned, as was the architecture and lifestyle of those early immigrants.

Back in England, the Victorian era heralded much heavier and darker furniture than before. It is easily recognizable by its Gothic influence, and heavy substantial proportions. It often had elaborate carving or ornamentation to offset the dark finish of the oak, mahogany and walnut woods.

20th Century Furniture, and Onwards – With the dawn of the 20th century, Art Nouveau was a refreshing change. Furniture made a tremendous departure from what had gone before. Chair backs were balloon-shaped or bentwood. Furniture had curving lines, scalloped fronts and intricate patterns. This morphed into the Art Deco period which featured abstract designs, ornamental motifs, rectilinear shapes and a certain geometric style. It took the world by storm at the Paris Exhibition of 1925 after the dreary days of World War I. The Art Deco style is clearly illustrated in the pastel-coloured architecture of South Beach, Miami and the furniture within.

In furniture the Mid-Century Modern style was progressing, particularly influenced by Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen and Gio Ponti, whose mass-produced designs in man-made materials revolutionised furniture in the mid 20th century western world.

From the 1960’s onwards furniture became Contemporary. Scandinavian ideas featured light natural wood, with simple lines, utilitarian design and very little ornamentation. This was later developed still more by such designers as Marc Newson into the Post Modern and Contemporary style which is popular today for modern homes.

This is the story so far, but progress does not stand still. With the advent of new materials, glass furniture and new innovations, styles continue to develop. No doubt by the end of the 21st century, several new terms will have been added to the dictionary of furniture design and style.

From contemporary modern furniture, all the way back to antique furniture – Crawleys Furniture has a wide range of items that can work with your home or office needs.

Some of you will say – well if so many countries are going downhill economically what about the Republic of Panama? Well this is a good point. Panama is actually not dependent on any one country to any appreciable extent. In Panama 15%-20% of the economy is dependent on banking. Panama has about 150 banks that are from many different countries around the world which due to Panama’s Neutral Status and Bank Privacy Laws has turned Panama into the Switzerland of Latin America. Panama is not in any tax treaties is one reason this goes on. Income tax evasion is still a civil offense in Panama. Panama is the Switzerland of Latin America but in reality the protections and privacy laws in banking and in general are better here than in Switzerland, check it out for yourself. What this means is that it is unlikely for Panamas banking system which is a vital part of their economy to ever get hurt since it is spread out into so much of the world.

In Panama there are still Bearer Share corporations which are owned by no one on record anywhere but by the person who has the papers for the corporation. Thus corporations can be transferred in a few seconds with no recording of anything. It is very common to have a bearer share corporation own real estate in Panama thus making the real estate ownership untraceable and most inconvenient for an entity that goes around confiscating assets which governments and lawyers are so fond of doing. This has given Panama a healthy business regarding corporation registration and formation which again is another aspect of the economy of Panama likely to not be threatened. Similar to this is the maritime ships registration business which also brings in a lot of money to Panama and again is most unlikely to be at risk.

Any sort of property can be owned by a bearer share corporation in Panama – a store, real estate, artwork, collectibles, jewelry. It is a way of owning and controlling things that are impossible to trace back to you thus protecting the asset from litigation etc.

To further assist people with privacy and protection Panama has foundations which no one really ever owns and one can have the bearer share corporation owned by a foundation. If you could ever penetrate the corporation far enough to see who owned it the circumstances would be most confusing so it is a commonly employed asset protection tactic used by people worldwide. Any sort of property can be owned by a bearer share corporation in Panama – a store, real estate, artwork, collectibles, jewelry. It is a way of owning and controlling things that are impossible to trace back to you thus protecting the asset from litigation etc. A bearer share corporation can not have a bank account without providing the bank with what is called the beneficiary owner of the account which sort of reduces the privacy value of this vehicle when it comes to banking. Could one have a bearer share company own the house they live in and pay rent to the corporation in cash getting receipts from the corporation, sure why not.

Panama does not import or export that much to the USA. Panama trades a lot with many other countries. I can not ever once remember seeing an advertisement of any sort in the USA for tourism to Panama. Panama has a nice and flourishing tourism industry but it is not all that America dependent. Lots of tourists come from Central and South America. Mostly American go to the Caribbean. Prices are good enough and the travel times are somewhat less. Panama tourism involves tourists from many different countries not being dependent on any one of them. Let’s not forget the Panama Canal which generates one billion dollars a year in revenue which is a lot for a country of only 3 million people. They are considering expanding the capacity of the canal to handle super ships but in any event this revenue is most unlikely to go away, thus it is another ingredient adding to the stability of Panama. Panama is just beginning to exploit ecotourism another fantastic source of revenue. After this medical tourism will be pursued as another source of bringing revenue into the country. Panama grows things and manufactures very inexpensively – two vital ingredients for stability and economic growth. If this is not enough Panama uses the dollar as currency so you can have all the stability of the dollar and since oil is priced in dollars demand for dollars will be high especially with rising oil prices so you avoid any currency conversion costs and have stability. My bottom line is that Panama may very well be more stable and economically secure than your home country plus offer you a better lifestyle! Think about it!

Now there is a migration of people who want to live here which is just starting a real estate boom which you can still get in on at close to the ground floor. Remember such booms in the USA and how easy it was to make money. Remember buying a house and selling it at a profit before the construction was finished. Here is your second chance because this is happening in Panama right now. What is my point- sell your house while you can still realize some gains and come enjoy the good life in Panama while real estate is still a steal and what the heck buy a couple of spec houses or lots if you have the money – opportunities like this don’t come around that often.

Housing in Panama

Housing costs are not what they used to be. Housing prices are shooting up in recent years as more and more Expats discover the advantages of life in Panama. The peak in housing prices will be at the very end of 2007 or in 2008 (my guesstimate) then prices will stagnate for a while and probably fix there. A price decline would require a shortage of incoming Expats which is something I do not see happening any time in the near future. Most Expats are probably buying homes/apts for an average price of $160,000 taking into account many live in many different rural areas of Panama (see our real estate advertising section for details). As long as the Expat can sell their current home for more than the cost of their Panama home they will keep coming. Many Expats are getting $300,000+ for theircurrent homes trying to cash out before the bottom falls out due to rising unemployment, rising interest rates, rising bankruptcies, energy costs affecting commuters and home heating oil costs soaring too. Many Europeans are coming here to take advantage of the high Euro. Since Panama real estate is priced in dollars it is like getting a 20% discount for the Euro buyer. Now when the Euro falls they sell their real estate which in Panama is priced in US dollars thus when they convert back to Euros post sale, they will buy more Euros with their dollars which would rise in value if the Euro fell. Sort of a fail safe for the European speculators which there are plentiful of these days.

I would speculate that Panama City houses run about $1000 a square meter (a sq. meter is slightly over 10 square feet). So a 200 square meter apartment (approx 2100 sq. ft.) would be $200,000. Now this would be the starting price and you could surely negotiate this down somewhat. Prices in other outlying areas will vary so do check our real estate section for current prices and offering with pictures so you can see what you’d be getting.

Rentals in Panama city come in two flavors – furnished and unfurnished. Furnished units are hard to come by. Most furnished units will not have really nice furniture, got it? The furnished apartments will usually have furniture that shows wear and may not be so clean, even if you spend $1900 a month. So what we learned was this. Furniture in Panama is very nice and cheap, real cheap. Like a king size bed, no headboard with frame for $210. The mattresses are great, not cheap foam but hand built and firm. We bought a nice sofa, love seat, plush chair with an Italian fabric we picked out, custom built for us in five days, delivered $595. The furniture here is not upholstery over fiber fill but solid foam, it is hand built and really solid. You can easily nicely furnish a 2 bedroom apt for $2000-$3000 assuming there are appliances which it probably will have. A nice brand new with warranty washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator will run about $1600 – $1700 delivered and set up. To really put the dog on and go first class for a 2 bedroom figure $5000 for furniture (not including appliances) and we are talking really nice stuff – rosewood, plush sofas with big pillows, solid wood all the way. If you spent $8000 on a four bedroom house it would look like $35,000 of furniture stateside but would wear better and be more comfortable. Dishes, lamps and stuff like that are really cheap. Consider not bringing your furniture down. Sell it and buy new stuff here with the proceeds, you can really do it. Anyway if you rent unfurnished there will be many more places to look at in the city or in the outlaying areas. Unfurnished rents are cheaper and you can take the savings and invest in your own furniture.

If you spent $8000 on furnishing a four bedroom house it would look like $35,000 of furniture stateside but would wear better and be more comfortable.

Okay in Panama City you can get a nice two bedroom apt in a decent neighborhood where you will be happy for about $900. If you want to live in a high end neighborhood by the water it can get up to $1800 which would be top drawer. Three bedrooms would start at about $1000 for a nice apt unfurnished up to $2500 for top drawer in modern buildings on the water on a high floor with an unobstructed view. We saw nice furnished apartments with views, three bedrooms for $1100 a month. Most all of these building will have some view – city or water. There will usually be a balcony. There will usually be a swimming pool and a gym but do not expect much with the gym typically too under equipped to be of any value. There will be enclosed parking (2 spots usually) and very adequate security. Nice comfortable apartments that do have closets. In the outlaying areas rents are less and the amount of available rentals is also less with furnished rentals being especially hard to find. If the project of building the extra canal goes through it is expected to result in an apartment shortage due to extra workers being sent here by their companies which of course means you could buy an investment unit furnish it and rent it out for big bucks for many years while the new canal is being built, not kidding about this. As a Pensionado, if you buy or build a new house, you won’t pay property taxes for 20 years, nor will you pay taxes on foreign-earned income. Make sure you check out our real estate section to get up to date prices on rentals and purchases.

Most apartments and houses have maids quarters. They are usually the size of a large walk-in closet with a full toilet attached and not air conditioned. This is the way things are down here. A maid will run about $200-$250 a month, her benefits will be about $27 a month. The maid is on 6 days a week, off Sunday (is this why so many people eat out on Sundays). The maid will cook, clean, do laundry and even shop for groceries. She may or may not iron – this is a sore spot with maids????? Maids will also serve as babysitters but many have an additional nanny. You can also hire a driver for about same money if you let him live in. Some may elect to have a live in driver and have a day maid. Most dwellings only have accommodations for one servant to live in. A driver drives you to restaurants and then when ready to leave you call him on cell phone and he comes to pick you up in front, same for going to mall, movies, bank etc. He will also help with errands and around the house.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.panamaexpertos.com

http://www.panamaexpertos.com/info.php?page=content/real_estate_overview&pagenumber=2

http://www.panamaexpertos.com/info.php?page=content/real_estate_overview

Wall words

By Mark Taylor Signs and Graphics

Business description:

Positive quotes, phrases and sayings cut in vinyl to be stuck onto walls, mirrors and glass panels etc. For use in the work place, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, gyms, prisons, police cells, interior of houses, show homes and public buildings.

Decorate walls, panels, mirrors and glass panels with wonderful poems or positive quotes. As people read they think about the words and can have an amazing effect on how they view their surroundings, their workmates and people in close contact with them on a daily basis.

These words allow you to share with others inspiring, thought provoking humorous or reflective sentiments.

The product details

Self adhesive, pre-spaced letters for painted walls, wallpaper, windows, mirrors, furniture, metal and stencils.

Easy to apply and can be removed but not re-applied. They are non-toxic and very easy to apply.

Services

Quotes and sayings, wall words, create astrological designs, children’s animal designs, kitchen quotes, baby room, and initials for children, motivational and inspiring words, golf, garden, for business interiors.

The market place

Artists

They provide a specialist service in providing wall finishes or creating a landscape etc. Contact all of your local artists and offer this service along with their own.

Auto graphics

Particular professional drivers have a certain quote they like to repeat to the media. This can be reproduced and used on any vehicle panel or window. Also the drivers name, passenger names and so on. Gwent based van drivers have had their vehicles sign written by Mark Taylor Signs and Graphics and commissioned further work at their homes.

Baby Décor

The child’s name can be stencilled on the wall using a vinyl stencil. Maybe a particular poem or saying about the baby. Approach interior decorators and nursery furniture suppliers.

Tattoo shops, Muralists, customer waiting areas for any business.

I’m just trying to give you a little scope with this market, it truly is only limited with your imagination.

Why not create a panel with some words or a poem and then approach all of the above and the response will be very positive.

Offer to install some free samples in an interior showroom of a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or house furniture suppliers.

Make up some samples yourself and take to schools and colleges. Approach the PTA committee with the suggestion of having positive phrases and words in the hallways and classrooms. Even if it changes the thought process of 1 child in 100 it will be worth it. Get the children involved with this change within the educational environment.

Real life situation

My local painter and decorator needed some ideas to put some text on the ceiling of a police holding cell, so, that when the detainee lied down on his bed thinking about the error of his ways he also read a series of positive, thought provoking and inspiring phrases and words. This proved to be popular at this small local police station and was repeated in the other 12 cells, they then commissioned the further 88 police stations to be fitted with the ceiling words.

The following month I got a call to quote for a prison interior and the visitor centre to be fitted with the same idea. I also encouraged the inmates to provide their own favourite positive words, poems and even lyrics from songs they have heard that inspire them to change for the better and make there life inside a little easier to deal with.

The total quote for this work was £5,987.00. They agreed after several meetings to decide exactly what to put on the walls and ceilings. The total time taken from start to finish it took 12 days. This could have taken a shorter amount of time but I insisted a handful of inmates helped with the install in certain areas with the agreement and assistance of the governor and wardens.

I estimated that if I carried out the work alone I could have completed it within 7 days. The total cost for vinyl and application tape was £297.56. Work it out for yourself this is not a bad hourly rate. To top all of this I had a great review in my local newspaper and a thank you from the people involved. This part of the business is extremely satisfying and rewarding; it pushes you onto the next project and then inspires you to create more ideas for future goals and dreams. The really is nothing like it.

Words can have a dramatic and permanent effect on people from every walk of life. They read everything because we live in a society where the media must catch our attention to buy products to purchase things we sometimes don’t really need. If we create words to inspire and make us look at our lives and where we are going and what drives and motivates us then this really is a product that will have a massive demand.

Install on walls, panels, glass and mirrors to any interior or exterior. Shopping centres, shopping malls and lots of other projects this can be used.

Wholesale

Why not sell these wholesale to the interior decorator market, on a market stall to sell to the general public. Produce a leaflet or flyer offering your service to all householders.

New housing developments, approach the interior designer or decorator with the idea. They could sell more houses a lot faster if the message to the potential buyer as they walk into the dream show home “all this could be yours, everyday”.  In the bathroom “relax after your hard day”, “home is where your heart is” along with a few hundred other feel good phrases.

There is a franchise available to start in America where you pay $650 with a few samples, a colour swatch and a monthly newsletter along with conferences to attend. The only problem with this is that you have to pay a royalty fee and you hand back a percentage of whatever money you make.

Create your own sample board, price list and some simple photos of work you can carry out around your own home. A sample of quotes, poems and lyrics from songs or phrases. Also samples of typefaces to use that will give the correct impression in any environment.

This can be started as an entirely separate enterprise or start as a sister company to your sign business. You can work as much or as little as you want depending on the amount of money you want to earn. The goals and dreams of each individual are different, but, you still need to set some goals to achieve what you want from any business and from life.

Imagine the ongoing word of mouth repeat orders you will achieve with this business. When a customer gets their hallway or bathroom the “treatment” they will have another room completed the next week and so on. They will have friends and relatives visit and are overwhelmed with the idea, there are a few more orders. They will talk about it in their place of work, yet more orders. People move home, buy second homes and so on.

Why not create some decorative panels made from mdf, soft or hardwood varnished panels with beautiful cream or gold lettering. Use these to sell or as sample boards.

So, there it is your own add on business to work at full time or a part time business you can dip in to from time to time for extra cash. The hours you determine. Create your own schedule. Share a unique product with friends, family and co-workers. Have great fun while you work. It’s fun, creative and personalised with no limits to your earning potential.

Your customers are busy people and don’t want anybody in their house to make a mess and spend more time in their home than they need to. This is why this project is so fantastic, you give the customer the choice of installing themselves with a simple fitting instruction sheet and DVD or you can spend a few minutes installing.

Party plan

Organise a simple party with friends and relatives. Apply some samples to your mirrors and walls for great effect. Look at the DVD for inspiration.

Book the parties into a diary and offer discounts for orders made through the host or hostess.

Architects are a great source of constant work. They love to approach their clients with great features and ideas that help to sell their work.

Interior painters and decorators along with interior designers can push your business with their own.

This business is so simple to start and keep in control of, just have a good think about the hours you want to work and the type of work you want to take on. You may just want to work evenings and weekends and still work at your day job? Or, you may want to start this as a day project and only work for business clients? Whatever your choice, it’s easy to expand this business into other markets at any point. My suggestion is to start small and offer to local businesses, friends and relatives.

E-Party

Set up a website that accepts credit and debit card payments.

Simply create an invitation card, you can find hundreds of online templates to help you do this.

Send these to your friends and family.

When they order from you they get a 10% discount.

No need to organise refreshments, no cleaning up and no rearranging your home to accommodate lots of people.

You can also purchase mailing lists to target your market more precisely.

Include a catalogue with your website, it may contain the following:

Gift certificates

Car signs/decals

Various logos

Motivational quotes

Nursery

Playroom

Teen room

Bedroom

Bathroom

Scrapbooking

Humorous phrases

Laundry Wall sayings

Kitchen

Family

Spiritual

Personalised family names

Personalised children names

Use your own home as a show home for this idea. Take photos and add to a leaflet, catalogue or a website.

Add prices to your images to give clients a clear indication of the price range available. Even include a quantity discount or all orders over £50.00 give a 10% discount. Its totally up to you how you run this.

The market for this is huge and together with Mark Taylor Signs and Graphics instructional DVD’s and CD manuals any budding or experienced sign writer, sign maker, graphic designer, home based entrepreneur can take advantage of all this information and generate a remarkable income for very little cost.

Contact Mark Now At: marktaylor_1970@hotmail.co.uk

Or visit www.marktaylorsignsandgraphics.co.uk

Creating American Heirlooms one piece of masterly handcrafted living room and bedroom furniture at time is the goal of Furniture Traditions. If you are ready to start your future antique furniture collection, start at Furniture Traditions. As a family owned and operated bedroom furniture builder, the people who create the bedroom furniture that you are going to admire for the rest of your life take a different approach to the manufacturing of sleigh beds, dressers, chests, and armoires. Instead of putting their furniture on an assembly line that machines and multiple people work, each piece of furniture that leaves Furniture Traditions is hand made from the ground up. Bench made furniture is the only furniture that you can expect.

What exactly is bench made furniture? This means that from the first piece of wood to the finished product, only one master craftsman is responsible for the production of your new bedroom furniture. Each piece of furniture is completely constructed in America, using Northern Red Oak, which by the way, is the best Oak that money can buy. Each craftsman signs their signature on each and every piece of their completed furniture, signifying to you that 100 percent of their pride and skill were put into the manufacturing of your future bedroom furniture. This also goes to show you that when you purchase you American Heirloom furniture from Furniture Traditions you know that your furniture is also 100 percent American made.

When you purchase your bedroom furniture you may choose to buy it all in one fell swoop, or to purchase it one piece at a time. This makes no difference; the older bedroom furniture will naturally blend with the newer piece of bedroom furniture. This is because they only use Northern Red Oak, which has distinctive tight grains and rich colors. Quality constructed and esthetically appealing furniture that will last well beyond your lifetime is the only thing you should expect from Furniture Traditions. Furniture that is made the way it is at Furniture Traditions is furniture that you will be proud to invest in. This investment will serve you for a long time as well as the lucky persons who inherit your American Heirloom furniture from you later down the line.

By only manufacturing living room and bedroom furniture accessories the craftsmen at Furniture Traditions are able to hone their skills to such a degree that they become masterful in their craft.  By not having to produce a mass amount of different pieces the master craftsmen are able to produce perfectly made pieces of bedroom furniture. They become experts because it is all they make. Combining only quality materials with quality workmanship is the only way to end with a superb piece of furniture. Proud to be American manufactures of American Heirlooms, Furniture Traditions wants you to be able to enjoy their furniture for generations to come. Look for sleigh beds, 4-poster beds, nightstands and more at FurnitureTraditions.net.

A sleigh bed has long been regarded as a rather exotic piece of furniture and in some places, it is rather unheard of to have one in the bedroom. Perhaps it’s the cost and the perceived luxury value attached to it or maybe a person who is not familiar with interior design and furnishing will imagine that this piece of furniture belongs solely in the North Pole. Although this is a rather amusing thought, the fact is that a sleigh bed DOES look like Father Christmas’ most preferred vehicle. If you ran your fingers along its ornately carved structure, you will eventually reach the pinnacle of a sleigh bed’s design — its curvy top upon the headboard that is turned either inwards or outwards.

Although the sleigh bed bears historical evidence that it was inspired by the noble French people, it was in America that it became wildly popular in the early 19th century. Interestingly one can also see remnants of the ancient Roman designs on sleigh beds even in the modern world. Traditionally, sleigh beds were carved from deep mahogany wood but today, more contemporary versions are available in the US and other European countries where sleigh beds are no longer considered an opulent form of furniture due to highly competitive prices offered by manufacturers. This meant that more people can afford to enjoy the charm and novelty that come with a sleigh bed!

In the olden days, sleigh beds that bear equally high headboards and footboards are commonplace but now, modern versions have emerged with a slew of diversified designs. If you don’t want an old fashioned sleigh bed to adorn your bedroom, you can choose to purchase one with a lower footboard minus the elaborate curl on the headboard. Perusing a furniture store or catalog, one can find sleigh beds fashioned from cherry wood, light rattan, solid iron and even plush leather. Fully upholstered sleigh beds are also a desired addition to a bedroom but they may cost a little more than your average model.

If you are thinking of replacing your old bed with a sleigh bed, or even thinking of sprucing up a new home with one, find out your room’s measurement before putting down money to purchase a sleigh bed. A sleigh bed can be very bulky depending on the design and while a large room can easily accommodate a Queen or even a King-sized bed, you might have to choose a slightly more compact model minus the intricate outward curls for a smaller room. Remember, unlike conventional beds, a sleigh bed’s headboard will go lean completely flat against the wall so do think about this issue before you rush out to the furniture store with your credit card!

When we look for furniture, we always go for high end furniture which are best in quality and artistic in looks. Price is another factor that we keep in mind as everyone cannot buy very costly furniture. There are thousands of high end furniture sets, pieces and accessories available in the American market, but people need to make a informed choice. There are several furniture shops that claim to provide their customers good quality high end furniture, but there are very few who disseminate every bit of information like the raw material used, its distinctive feature etc. In the American market, there a lot many specialists like Henredon, Baker, Supreme, E.J. Victor, Kindel, Ralph Lauren, Southwood, Hancock & Moore, English Home company, Coach Leather, Council Craftsman, Milling Road etc., who provide world class high end furniture for bedroom, dining, bathroom, outer living space and office.

High end furniture is available in traditional, classic and contemporary styles with unique design and finish. It meets all of your home décor need and can soothe your spirit with pared down elegance. High end furniture are available as per customers’ taste and can also be customized. It will complement your home and office by creating high quality, functional and stylish environments. If you want to buy high end furniture, it will be better to choose handmade furniture from the major brands available in the U.S market. The handmade high end furniture is well known for its elegance and style and it serves as a prized possession for the customers. The craftsmanship involved in handmade high end furniture is unparallel, which could not be attained through machines.

The eclectic collection of high end furniture includes hand selected pieces from around the world, distinctive complementary furniture, genuine antiques, exclusive accessories and furniture inspired from original paintings and sculpture. Durability is another factor attached with High end furniture. Good quality high end furniture lasts for several generations and nurtures sophisticated and luxurious style. It fills the space of your house with style and urban sophistication and attraction of every onlooker. The stores having high end furniture in America deliver their products to their clients immediately after getting the order and guarantee arrival of the ordered furniture in new condition.

Do you want to know about new home interior trends for 2009? Quite possibly you’re getting your house ready for sale, relocating to a new office complex, building a custom property, or just requiring a scenery change. There are a lot of tastes, styles, and themes when it comes to interior design. There are some definite trends coming into being today where builders are letting their clients have so many more customizable options than in the past. Teaming efficiency in energy, and prudence tastefully, this year, open floor plans will most likely continue to be just as popular.

During the 1800s to early 1900s, houses were special. Large family homes were divided up inside to create distinct zones and areas. For example, the bedrooms of the family were located upstairs, while practical servant’s quarters were found near the kitchen on the lower level floors. On the first floor there was usually a powder room and on the second floor there was usually a private bathroom connected to the parents’ master bedroom. So parents could have some relief and privacy, the children were located down a hallway in a quarter of the home that was separate. There might have been a carriage house for guests or in-laws. This home interior trend is popular again for 2009, with two or three bedroom suites and extra bathrooms being more popular. Wanting a quiet place in the home, purchasers are requesting the children’s bedrooms on one side of the house, and the in-laws or parents on the other side. These suites are normally in an isolated part of the house with 300 to 400 square feet with a full bath and maybe a sitting room.

Family spaces should continue to be popular through 2009, according to home interior experts. Today having the family room and kitchen to the back of the house, referred to as rear living, is becoming the norm, so that mom can cook and watch the kids playing in the family room or she can keep an eye on the kitchen but still entertain guests in the living room. A lot of modern designs have less walls in common rooms with an “open concept” feel. Half walls that join dining rooms, dens, and kitchens are popular. Moreover, the European idea of backyard living rooms has finally arrived in America, bringing with it such amenities as full outdoor kitchens, brick ovens for pizza and bread, fire pits, chandeliers, even artwork and comfortable furniture all beneath a covered overhang.

Home interior designers usually look to create a sense of timelessness. Blue and greens are popular in rooms like bedrooms because they offer a calming feeling. Many times designers employ bright hues in their kitchen interior designs, such as startling splashes of yellow, red, and orange, as they are often centers that are very busy. There is a lot of versatility with living rooms from white and modern to elegant and dark. Bathrooms are designed to feel like a spa with light coming through crystal blocks, rich browns with accents in pastels, and peaceful hues on the floor tiles. A custom design will pull all of the rooms together for a unified feeling.

ody loves that Eureka moment when they happen upon a special getaway – a “find” that they hadn’t totally expected. With all the hype you read in travel brochures and all the creative writing that finds its way to the internet, it’s satisfying when you come across someplace that is actually as good as – or better than – advertised.
Such is the case with these two accommodations in California Wine Country.

Paso Robles

Perched on a hill near Highway 101, La Bellasera Hotel and Suites might look from the freeway like it’s just a nice, modern hotel at an easy exit point – a place on the way to someplace else. But get a little closer and you realize somebody has spent a lot of money creating a true luxury hotel. Using a blend of Mediterranean and Italian architecture, this hotel truly stands out.

It’s one of those hotels that almost overwhelms the senses as you enter the lobby with its rich marble floors and Roman columns supporting a pseudo balcony with ornate iron railings against a backdrop of ultra high ceilings. The feeling is classic, yet contemporary with special attention given to spot lighting and the hotel’s stylish but comfortable couches. Along one side of the room, wrought iron doors open to the elaborate wine Wine Cellar while nearby is the entrance to the hotel’s locally acclaimed Enoteca Restaurant & Bar which, in just a short time, has become known as the place for a gourmet dining experience in the immediate area.

Our two-room suite expanded on the theme of local luxury by including in one room a three-person Jacuzzi tub that had been built into a foundation of bricks and set in a corner where colorful wall paintings added the illusion that our tub was looking out on a Mediterranean coastal village. Again, Roman pillars were used to complete the illusion. Across the room was a cabinet-style wet bar and glass-doored refrigerator and, on the wall, a full-sized high-definition plasma television. There was also a smaller flat-screen television in the bedroom, as well as two king beds, a desk and a desk-top computer.

We could go on and on about things like the signature bedding, high thread count linens, the luxury bath products, the availability of spa services either in-room or in their special treatment room – but we think you get the idea. The quiet town of Paso Robles now has a luxury option for even the most pampered of guests.

For more information on La Bellasera Hotel and Suites, please phone 866-STAY-NOW.

Napa Valley

A visit to Napa is not just a chance to see where wine is made, or to explore the upscale shops and stores that now have found their way into the tiniest of Napa Valley communities. Rather, a trip to the valley is an almost spiritual journey that presents you at once with the beauty of 63,000 acres of vineyards and the industry that has brought a European elegance to the Valley lifestyle.

With 75,000 residents, the town of Napa has become a small city in its own right and a name synonymous with California wineries. If you want to be based in Napa during your stay, there are many options for an unforgettable experience. The most recent we sampled – and a place we would consider a “find” because of its incredible restaurant – is the Westin Verasa Napa. The resort hugs the banks of the Napa River, and is within three blocks of the plentiful shopping, arts activities, music, wine bars and other attractions located in downtown Napa. The location is also prime because of the river walk that runs along the Napa River shores and, in this case, right by our first floor suite.

As the name Westin implies, the Westin Versa Napa is all about a high-quality experience. Our suite was like a small condo unit with a complete kitchen – with all the latest colorful stylings, by the way – as well as an open room with contemporary dining and living room furniture, and a bedroom with a king-size bed. Plasma wall-mounted TV’s were in both the “great room” and the bedroom. The bathroom with its generous use of marble was small but elegant.
While the river beckoned just outside our suite – and we really enjoyed lounging on the private deck, staring at the calm waters and watching runners and walkers as they used the trail – the highlight of our stay had to be the dinner we had at La Toque, the renowned French restaurant right on property. It’s been named one of the best restaurants in America and has won numerous culinary awards, and we were certainly curious to see what all the fuss was about.

It didn’t take long to figure it out. We were seated at a table that felt private, yet had a good view of the restaurant’s “show kitchen” where cooks and waiters were scurrying about doing all the things you see in those cooking shows that are so popular these days. The maitre d’ explained how this restaurant is a little different – you can choose two, three or four courses and they’ll give you portions to match. So if you choose two, you get big portions; choose four and each one is smaller.

The menu is subdivided into four sections and many diners choose one from each – but it’s not mandatory. You can choose all meat dishes if that’s what you want. The choices were amazing and included such items as Seared Artisan Foie Gras with Bacon-Wrapped Medjool Dates and Toasted Brioche (the best foie gras we’ve ever had) or West Texas “Nilgai” Antelope with Leek and Black Trumpet Potato Terrine and Roasted Root Vegetable Red Wine Reduction, or Florida Frog Legs with Sweet Garlic Puree, Sauce Verte and Tomato Confit.

Because this is California Wine Country, there is something else to think about – what wine you will drink with these delectable entrées. This is where the experience totally transcended any we’ve had before – if you want something extra special, ask for wine pairings for each of your courses.
With wine pairings they don’t just bring you a different wine for each course – you also get an education. The sommelier at La Toque is quite knowledgeable about wines from all regions, not just Napa. With each pouring you get a detailed explanation of where the wine came from and why it is being paired with the entrée you have chosen.

For more information on the Westin Verasa Napa, phone (707) 257-1800.

Many people would be asking right now, how could blanket chests be a versatile type of furniture? Don’t they just belong at the end of your bed for blanket and quilt storage? Great question. If we look back to Early America, blanket chests usually held a prominent place in the home. Many hope chests were given a place of honor in the front room with the family bible placed upon the top and family treasures placed inside. This actually worked out well since many styles of Early American hope chests were fairly tall.

Many homes now show off blanket chests in their living rooms and dens as coffee tables and end tables. Others place these stylish chests in their front entryways to be used as sideboards to give it the ‘welcome home’ look. Tall blanket chests have been used in the form of buffets in the dining room. A big favorite is to use these wood chests as extra cozy seating area in front of large windows. Of course, some people still insist on placing these extremely versatile chests at the end of their beds which does give them the storage and seating they desire in their bedrooms.

Americans are buying blanket chests now not only to enhance their decors but to also add a new tradition for their families. Many people had steered away from family ties and tradition in the last couple of decades. Family traditions had ceased to be important to some or just too time consuming for other families. Now people are trying to recapture what they have been missing. Family traditions are very important since they help to hold families together. Part of this transition has included obtaining heirlooms that can be passed down to future generations. Every grandparent would love to give a cherished item to each grandchild.

Blanket chests, also known as hope chests and dowry chests, have long held sentimental value for families.These wood chests were usually given to young girls to fill with household items necessary for their future home when they married.This made a lot of sense since sewing and crocheting items by hand was very time consuming. Many of these hope chests had the name of the person who received the chest and date of presentation. This shows that families emphasized the giving of hope chests a very important event in a young girl’s life.

Some lucky families have centuries old hope chests since the wood craftsmen knew how to construct long lasting furniture. Mortise and tenon or dovetail were normally the joinery styles of choice for these beautiful hardwood chests. Both joinery styles not only have wonderful design elements, but have proven to be much stronger methods for long lasting furniture than other construction types. Used in conjunction with glue, the joints of these joinery styles have been shown to be stronger than the wood used in the construction of these wonderful wooden chests. These joinery styles are much preferred over the use of nails and screws in the box construction of blanket chests since these hardware items have a tendency to eventually loosen and fall out. Sometimes heavy damage is caused in the process.

Blanket chests come in all furniture styles, but the ones that create a nice ambiance are those that replicate the antique blanket chests. German immigrants that moved to Pennsylvania, made hope chests that were handcrafted during the 18th and 19th Centuries which have beautiful styling and joinery. These blanket chests have been the favorite among collectors. Some chests had subtle outer design elements carved on the front sides which were usually floral designs. Other wood chests had elaborate,colorful designs which included flowers, people on horseback, hex designs meant to keep away bad spirits, hearts and stars.

The New England coastal area also boasted highly sought after blanket chests which replicated many of the styles of furniture made in Europe. The Queen Anne style, which was started in England, was probably the most favored. It was given a more stylish look in America. All along the New England coast, every major city had its own particular mode of Queen Anne furniture. Each city had its own foot style and preferred leg and design construction. Most furniture experts would agree that the Queen Anne Style was at its absolute best when made by American wood craftsmen.

With so many designs and heights of blanket chests to choose from, it is no wonder that Americans are really beginning to see that versatile blanket chests can be given great placement in nearly every room of their home to add warmth and to add depth to every decor style.