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Furniture Designers

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:11:35 +0000

Furniture designers make their own designs, which may be further manufactured into bulk production or in limited numbers or just a single piece. Furniture designers may need to work on many areas before the final process of furniture designing. They have to explore and create ideas and observe the outline of the item whether it will be safe, useful and at the same time beautiful. The costs to be incurred have to be taken into account. The material to be used should be easily available. All these factors need to be affordable for the customer. The CAD computer generated software will be a great help in visualizing the outline of the product created by furniture designers. They have to work in coordination with other professionals such as design engineers, production and marketing engineers. In case of self-employed furniture designers, they need to carry out various activities of manufacturing, administration and marketing of items.
Furniture designers have to do their BTEC HND (Higher National Diploma) or degree courses. The selection of courses needs to be such that you get both practical skills and creative design. Either a furniture degree or an applicable degree to such courses will be beneficial, for instance furniture technology, product design, 3-D design or a spatial design.
Carpentry/Cabinet Making is a program through which students can have a changeover from high school to the post-secondary education general carpenter or cabinetmaker apprenticeship.
Diploma of Arts (furniture design) is a career-oriented course for those, who want to take up their career into designing and production of contemporary furniture. After completing this course, the students can do other related course on furniture designing and or study product, object or industrial design.
There are various other courses such as Furniture Design and Realization by FDA foundation, B.Sc in Furniture Design and Manufacture, B.Sc in Furniture Production and Technology, B.Sc (Honors) in Design and Technology Education, certificate courses in subjects such as Furniture Craft and Design, and Furniture Manufacturing and Design.
Portfolio of the designs of furniture designers if taken along with for an interview will help the employer take a decision promptly. The portfolio will immediately reflect the creativity of the furniture designers thus proving their capabilities. The design industry at present is very competitive and thus previous working experience will be a plus point. Participating in exhibitions, shows and competitions will also help the furniture designers to display their work in front of the world.
In case of self-employment, furniture designers have to learn other skills such as carpentry and upholstery. If furniture designers need any help with the studio availability or resources, the local regional crafts officer of the arts board can be consulted.
Furniture designers can become design consultants or in-house designers for reputed organization or freelance furniture designers. Some furniture designers have also gone into design management. Some furniture designers have also started their career in teaching. Similarly, carpenters and cabinetmakers are employed by the carpentry contractors, maintenance department of plants and factories, construction companies or may be self-employed. They have other career scopes such as Furniture designers or finishers, Architectural Technician, Wooden Boat Builder, Renovator, Framer, Site Supervisor, Contractor or Building Inspector.

Sofa Cushion Replacement For Making Your Couch Feel Like New

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:05:37 +0000

Remember how fantastic your sofa felt when you sat on it for the first time? It was really nice to sit on and very comfortable. However, these days you’ve noticed that it just doesn’t feel like it used to. It’s now saggy and not as comfy. You feel like you are sitting ‘in’ it rather that ‘on’ it. So it’s time to scrap it and buy a new one? No! You can renovate your old sofa and make it feel like new again.

The problem is the sofa cushions are made from a polyurethane foam rubber and over time this foam starts to lose its rigidity and springiness. The more you use your sofa the more it will wear so follow these simple steps and you will have your old sofa feeling like new again in no time.

Measure your existing cushions carefully. Note down the thickness of the cushions together with the length and width. Make sure you measure the longest length if your cushions are not square. It’s best to temporary remove the foam from one the cushions whilst you are taking the measurements.

Decide which level of firmness you want your new foam to be. Do you want it more firm or less firm? Before you order the new foam you may want to opt for a large six foot length that could be cut into smaller pieces. This would work out more cost effective than ordering tailored sizes. When you are happy then place your order based on the measurements you have made.

When the foam arrives, cut it to the exact size of the measurements you took. Or alternatively, remove the foam from your old sofa and lay it on top of the new foam. This will act as a template while you trace around the old foam. Now carefully cut the foam to the new size. Make sure you cut the foam at a 90 degree angle so the cut is square.

Finally insert your new foam into the old cushion covers. You may find that you may have to compress the foam to get it into the covers and once inserted be sure all of the corners are snug and it is sitting square in the cushion cover.

It’s easy to revitalize your old sofa and make it feel like new again saving you a lot your hard earned cash to spend on something else.

Sofas for Pets!

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:55:27 +0000

I have a lot of clients that come in looking to buy a sofa or sectional in leather. About half the time the reason is that they have pets and want something cleanable. My clients are always asking what is the best material to cover sofas and sectionals in when you have pets.

Leather is not the best answer, unless you just plain flat out like leather. That is a good reason to buy leather. But for clean ability and long term care, micro fibers are better. And now there are a bunch of new vinyls that look just like leather and clean BETTER than leather, and don’t have the high cost (and cruelty) of leather.

The best part of micro fibers is that you can easily remove them from the sofa and throw them in the wash. That is assuming that you bought a couch where the seat and back cushions ARE NOT attached to the frame. I would never recommend having all the cushions attached on a sofa. Those types of sofas are not serviceable at all. How can you ever change out or add stufing to back pillows, or change the seat cushion if everything is sewn on the frame?

Micro fibers are designed to be washed again and again and not have any color change or shrinkage. Vinyls you can wipe down and keep clean. Plus they are about 1/3 of the price of leathers. They come in a huge palate of colors too. You can even put a nice vinyl on the frame, and use microfibers on the seat and back cushions for a nice two tone look.

Leathers can scratch, and if the pet pees on the couch, it can easily stain the leather, or worse get sucked into the leather itself and you will never get it out.

Ask your local retailer about their different microfibers and vinyls. Make sure the fabric tag has a “W” on fabric clean ability (for water safe or washable).

Sofas for Your Home

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:06:12 +0000

There are so many types from which to choose, and the many selections can be overwhelming. Before shopping, it’s best to have an idea of the types of sofas that your space and wallet will suit.If you’re looking for a sofa for a smaller den or a spare bedroom that will be used as a guest room, some ideas to consider are futon sofas that are reasonably priced and can save space. For larger dens and spare rooms, sofa beds are another idea, though depending on the money you plan to invest, some of the mattresses that come with sofa beds that are less expensive can be rather flimsy and uncomfortable, and you do need to be sure that the room is large enough to accommodate the open bed.For living rooms that are more formal and not used for every day leisure, leather sofas are a classic choice and can be a beautiful addition, blending with almost any décor. If you’re investing a good amount of money into a sofa that will last for many years, a leather sofa may be the best choice. A brown or black leather sofa can be easily assimilated to conform to any changes you make in the colour combinations or design of the room over the years, unlike fabric upholstered sofas that may have colours that may pre-define and limit your choices should you want to change carpet or wall colours.Whether you want to actually purchase a sofa from an online source or not, it’s still a great way to get ideas for what will be the best choice for you. There are dozens of sites with hundreds of sofas, some in shapes and designs you may never have even visualised before. You can save yourself a lot of time, effort, and petrol money by doing the preliminary shopping for your sofa on websites from the comfort of your home rather than traveling to individual furniture, department stores, and warehouses that will not all have such a wide selection. If and when you do locate a sofa online and you want to purchase it locally, you can call various stores to ask whether or not they stock it before heading out to buy.

Buying Quality Sofas: Tips and Guidelines

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:27:54 +0000

Before hitting the showroom, all shoppers must set their budget. Going shopping without a budget is a recipe for disaster. There is no point falling in love with a luxurious leather sofa when it is simply not affordable. Therefore, all budget guidelines should be determined in advance and sofas out of that range should not even be considered.There are some factors to consider when budgeting. Even low-end pieces can easily cost a few hundred pounds, with more upscale pieces even being worth thousands. However, sometimes going cheap is not the most cost-effect option. A sofa often sees excessive use, being sat on, bounced on, and spilled on. Because of this, it is important to invest in quality sofas in order to make sure they can endure daily wear.It is then wise to know the desired function of the sofa. Quaint leather sofas may be the perfect accent to a sophisticated den but would be far too small for a family friendly media room. Sofa beds may be the ideal addition to an office that moonlights as a guest bedroom, but could set entirely the wrong mood in a formal sitting room.Next, it is best to measure the space where the sofa will go and consider the size of the other pieces already in the room. While an overstuffed sectional sofa may look fantastic on the showroom floor, arranging it in a small living room may dwarf the space. It is imperative that it also fits into the desired space.Last, it is good to think about the style of the sofa. Leather sofas can have a masculine look, while other sofas may feature wood footings for a classic touch. Sofa beds can be cozy, while sprawling sectionals may have a modern flair. It is possible to find a sofa to match any design style, but it is vital to think about the feel of the room before purchasing a sofa that may not mesh with furniture already in place.

Picking a Sofa to Last

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:12:11 +0000

Leather sofas tend to last many years in a family without large dogs or small children who are rough and tumble. Leather is very easy to clean up if something is spilled on it and very few things can stain it. If the sofa is gently used, it will not tear. Large dogs with large claws tend to leave scratch marks or even tears on leather sofas and small children sometimes experiment with scissors or other sharp objects which will cut the sofa. A blanket or cover can be placed on it to protect it if you are willing to cover your new sofa. There are also leather repair kits that really work well to mend damaged sofas; as long as you get the exact colour matched, the blemish is not noticeable. Even the gentlest used leather furniture will eventually have cracks in it from usage, but they do last longer than other materials.

The sofa frame is an important item to consider. It should be constructed out of hard wood with no partical or pressed wood. The hard woods like oak are much stronger and more durable. Turn the sofa over when making a purchase and examine the wood frame and also the springs. Springs that are tied together in only one direction, usually along the length of the sofa, tend to sag after a few years of use. If the springs are tied along the length and width of the sofa, you will get almost double the years of usage before the seating becomes soft and low to the floor.

Sofa beds normally have the best made frames and spring construction. This is because of the extra weight that has to be supported. When buying a sofa bed, open it and see how easy it opens and closes. Some brands are much easier to lift and fold out. If the sofa bed will be used quite often, you may want to lie down on it and test the quality of the mattress. If the mattress is thicker and you can’t feel the support bars, then it is a quality sofa bed that your friends and family will enjoy sleeping on.

So don’t be shy; ask the salesman to help turn over the sofa you intend on purchasing so you can check for workmanship and quality. They certainly won’t mind if they know that they are selling a good product and stand behind their furniture.

Sofas – Things You Need to Know Before You Buy

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:17:08 +0000

The basic sizes of sofas include the typical large, medium, and small. Small sofas are interesting in that they can serve as a large chair for a single person as well as being fit for a couple to cuddle in. It is also good to keep in mind that the arms will make a big difference in how many people can comfortably fit on a sofa.Another thing to remember about the arms of a sofa is that they affect how big the furniture looks. Narrow arms make the entire sofa look smaller, while big overstuffed ones do the opposite. Therefore, it is possible to get a larger-than-normal sofa to look good in a smaller room by choosing a narrow-armed version. In a big room, a sofa with big arms will look more luxurious.When it’s not possible to find space for a big enough standard-style sofa, consider a corner sofa. These usually sit along two walls, with a section which allows it to turn the corner rather than being broken up into two sofas. These typically offer a lot of seating space, and are good for a grand appearance in a large room. Smaller rooms, however, may be able to accommodate a shorter corner sofa.To get double duty out of your furniture, a sofa bed is a good option. Sofa beds serve as beds when someone wants to sleep, but can be folded back up into the sofa configuration for other times.The matter of material is another consideration. Leather sofas are considered more luxurious, but offer fewer colour options. With most tanning techniques, a leather sofa will age with use, but resist the negative effects of wear and tear. To keep them at their best, they need to be kept away from heat sources, which can dry them out. Sunlight is also able to fade leather like just like it does fabric, so a leather sofa should be kept from direct sun. Leather has also become more affordable in recent years compared to what it used to cost. This is due to improvements in processing techniques.When thinking of sofa placement, consider whether the room will be best served by two sofas or one sofa with some chairs. Two sofas are good when it is not likely that furniture will need to be moved to serve all of the room’s functions. A sofa and chairs, on the other hand, allows for easier moving of furniture if the position needs to be routinely changed.Keeping these things in mind, you should be able to find the perfect sofa for your home.

Find Your Perfect Sofa

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:11:58 +0000

Appropriately, the first step to buying a sofa is determining and predicting what fits for you, as furniture features are highly different for individuals a families.Most families are faced with a hard problem when purchasing a new sofa, as they must find a single piece of furniture that can withstand all the members’ needs. Typically families with infant to adolescent aged children or pets should look to microfiber or durapella fabric sofas. With the constant wear and tear that kids and pets place on furniture, these fabrics are highly suggested, as they are extremely easy to clean and possess stain repellent attributes. Also, sofas with these fabrics come in a multitude of styles, from deep cushiony and cozy, to more firm and rigid, with features like carved wooden arms and trims, and available sleeper models, which usually house a queen size mattress. Additional suggested features would be cushions filled with polyfill and armed with zippers, to allow re-stuffing and easier cleaning ability.Single consumers buying a sofa for themselves, or a group of roommates, have a wider array of options, depending on their living conditions. If there is a pet, or you have a lot of traffic at your house, going with microfiber or durapella fabrics might offer the right appeal; however if there are no pets, and roughly mild traffic in your household, going with leather would be a more fashionable option. Be sure to look for leather that is dyed all the way through, to ensure breathability, keeping you from sticking to the sofa on hot summer days. Make sure of the quality of the leather before you purchase, to ensure you do not over spend on knock off products such as polyurethane sofas. Leather sofas come in an array of styles and fashions as well, from supersized models, to smaller two cushion models, to models that offer additional features such as engraved wood trim and arms.Remember, these are just general buying tips when looking to purchase a new sofa. The most important thing you as a consumer can possibly do is understand all the available features, to ensure purchasing a quality product that fits your needs.

Select The Right Sofa Beds For Ultimate Comfort

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:07:10 +0000

Are you clueless while shopping for sofas for your living room? Given the modern day lifestyle the versatile sofa beds are soon becoming popular with the masses. When it comes to the decoration of your flats, apartments or condos, sofa bed is an obvious choice for its greater degree of flexibility, comfortability and style.

Here are few you should keep in mind while you go out to shop for sofa beds.

Go for sofa shopping with a companion so that you can conduct a trial on the mattress. You can ask the salesperson to make up the bed with sheets and a light blanket while the sofa is closed. It will be of great help to you when you’re expecting overnight guests. Remember the tips and conduct a market survey, you can surely get hold of the best sofa bed to decorate your interior.

Step By Step How To Choose Furniture Shop

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:08:05 +0000

House decoration work could not be finished without having furniture installed. One of the most important steps is probably choosing furniture color and style that match to overall appearance of each room and entire of the house. However, some people may not focus on how to choose the right furniture shop to buy that furniture. Some may choose a shop from the nearest in the area, some may choose the shop that sells expensive furniture, or even some people choose to buy from on-line furniture shops. It is really depends on the person who may have a reason for choosing. However, if you have a bit more time to think about this, I strongly suggest that you should spend sometimes to consider which furniture shop very carefully. In fact, finding the right furniture shop is not a difficult job but require understanding and some factors to consider. The following detail will take you through the basic step of how to find and choose the right furniture shop.
Firstly, before you think about which kind of furniture that you will need, or even before you start to choose furniture shop you have to decide about the availability of budget. No matter if you are moving to a new house or you only want to replace old furniture by the new ones, it is very important to know how much money you will spend on the project. If you have a lot of money to buy all furniture at once, you may choose furniture that quite large and have all kind of furniture available for all function of the house. On the other hand if you have only small budget and you do not intend to buy everything at once, you may choose smaller shop to buy furniture bit by bit over period of time.
Most of people prefer to buy furniture from the exist shop where they can see the actual furniture that they going to buy rather than visit on-line furniture shop on the internet. This is because see the actual furniture, people can see whether that furniture size is really fit to the requirement as well as its color and design. However, even though you not intend to buy from on-line shop, it is still good to do some research around the internet before you go to the actual shop. You may find that searching furniture shop on the internet you may find a good shop that you never heard of in you area. You should make a list of those shops that you can find on the internet and then compare prices between those shops as well as promotional discount. Moreover, you can see the reputation of the shop as most of reliable shops always have website available to customers.
Good furniture shop always have some kind of catalog and brochure available to customers, if a shop does not have ones, please do not buy from them. You may visit their website to see the full list of furniture that they provide and before you place the order, either order online or directly to the shop, please make sure that they have the furniture you want to buy in stock so you can have the furniture immediately once you complete payment.