Furniture And You

Buying furniture is just like buying a piece of artwork. The first criteria is to buy something you will enjoy. And full enjoyment of your new furniture means considering your taste, your lifestyle and, of course, your budget.

YOUR TASTE . . .

Taste is entirely a matter of personal preference. You may delight in the traditional elegance of 18th century styles or be most comfortable with the sleek look of contemporary. It's strictly your choice. If you're not really sure about your design preferences, look through your favorite magazines to find rooms that appeal to you. Even better, browse through the furniture selections and displays at home furnishings stores where the staff can help you get ideas on what styles appeal to you most.

YOUR LIFESTYLE . . .

Choice of style depends on you, but your lifestyle should come into play when durability is a consideration. Consider what kind of wear and use your furniture will receive.

If you're an individual whose hobbies are music, bridge and formal entertaining, indulge yourself. Go for the white damask sofa you've always dreamed of. But if your sofa will be used for a lot of TV watching or lounging, you'll enjoy it much more (and longer) if you choose a sturdier model. When toddlers and teens are on the scene, durability becomes even more important.

Something you want to know about any piece of furniture you buy is "how long will it last." That factor is determined largely by who uses the furniture and how they use it. The type of care an item receives and the punishment it takes will determine the length of its life. Even the sturdiest, most durable furniture can wear out sooner than expected if it receives extra hard use.

YOUR BUDGET . . .

You don't have to deny yourself the pleasure of a painting you love because funds are limited. If the original work of art is not within your means, a print or poster of the original will bring you enjoyment. It's the same with a piece of furniture.

It's never a mistake to buy the best you can afford. Like an original work of art or a poster version of the same subject, the same piece of furniture comes in different versions at different prices. A small chairside table, for example, can cost from below $100 to well over $1000 and good values are to be found at all levels. Here are some of the factors that would effect cost in a chairside table:

Design: original antique, a reproduction copy or an adaptation?

Materials: real wood or a printed simulation?

Manufacturing process: handcrafted or mass produced?

Detailing: handcarved or plastic molded?

Shipping & storage: already assembled or ready to be assembled at home?

SUIT YOUR taste. MATCH YOUR lifestyle. FIT YOUR budget.

Your store salesperson can explain the features and construction that account for the price differences in the individual pieces of furniture that interest you.

YOUR ENJOYMENT . . .

You will enjoy your new furniture to the fullest when it pleases your taste, meets the specific needs of your home and fits your budget. Regardless of the style you choose or the amount you can afford to spend, furniture gives you an exceptional value.

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When you hear salespeople refer to "case goods," they're talking about chests, dressers, tables — living room and dining room pieces. "Case goods" is an industry term that refers to furniture that's generally constructed of wood. In actuality, today's case goods may be made totally or in part of metal, plastics or other man-made materials. Materials are, of course, a determining factor in the look of a piece and will affect durability and price.

FURNITURE WOODS

All woods used for making furniture fall into two categories — hardwoods and softwoods, but the designation doesn't really have anything to do with how hard or how soft the wood is. "Hardwood" identifies the trees that lose their leaves seasonally and "softwood" refers to those that keep their foliage all year.

Hardwoods that are frequently used in making furniture are ash, cherry, maple, oak, pecan, teak, rosewood, walnut, mahogany and poplar. In the softwood category are cedar, cypress, fir, pine and redwood.

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

Several different woods may be used in the same piece of furniture. For example, the term solid cherry or solid mahogany means that all exposed parts of the piece are made of solid wood. The frame or other parts not visible to the eye might be of another wood such as gum or poplar.

Generally, more expensive furniture usually is made of fine hardwoods such as maple, cherry or oak or of "selected" softwoods such as pine. Medium-priced furniture may have a combination of different woods on exposed surfaces.

Because trees don't grow in the shapes and sizes required for making furniture, pieces of wood are bonded together in different ways to achieve the necessary sizes and shapes. Four types of bonding are often used:

1. Wide boards are often cut into long narrower planks and bonded back together. In solid wood furniture, strips are carefully glued together to form the tops, sides and door panels. The interior may be of another wood.
2. Shaping is achieved by gluing blocks of wood together. These blocks can be machined for a deep carved pattern or turned and shaped into a leg, pedestal or post.
3. Combination wood panels are made by mixing wood particles, chips or flakes with resins and binding agents. These sheets are formed under extreme heat and tremendous pressure making them exceptionally strong, stable and resistant to warping. Called chipboard, particleboard, fiberboard or engineered wood, this material is frequently used on the backs of cabinets and doors or as cores for tops and panels.
4. Ply construction is achieved by adding layers, placed at cross grain, to a solid wood or particleboard core. Adhesives are placed on each layer and this "sandwich" is permanently bonded under high pressure. Modern glues and manufacturing techniques have made ply construction very strong and resistant to warping.
   
   

VENEERING . . .
an ancient art

Much of the most expensive furniture produced today owes its exceptional beauty to veneers. Veneering is centuries old. The Egyptians used it and Sir Thomas Chippendale was a masterful practitioner of the art. His designs from the 1700’s attest to the beauty and lasting quality of fine veneers. In Chippendale's time, veneering was so costly that few could afford it. But that isn't the case today.

Veneer construction is the application of thin layers of highly decorative woods on top of solid cores, plywood, particle board or medium-density fiberboard. Veneering allows great flexibility, making it possible to match grain patterns or use inlays to create designs that nature can't produce in the solid wood. Today, wood furniture in all price ranges is made of veneer construction which allows maximum use of beautiful, distinctive grain patterns and rare woods at affordable prices.

ENGRAVING AND PRINTING . . .
a new technique

Modern technology has produced a less expensive method of achieving the look of wood veneers. Manufacturers can simulate a natural wood grain by printing or engraving a pattern on surfaces such as medium-density fiberboard. This beautiful furniture is easier to produce and available at a lower price than genuine wood veneers. It's attractive and durable but usually doesn't provide the same benefits as the real thing. However, printing and engraving offers you exceptional looks on a limited budget.

FINISHES . . .
the final touch of beauty

An appropriate finish adds the final touch of beauty to wood furniture. A finish which provides uniform color and adds a degree of protection generally requires the application of several coats of oil, wax, lacquer or paint to the surface.

Clear finishes allow the markings and grain variations of naturally beautiful woods to show through. Tinted or opaque finishes change the color of the wood and can make two different woods appear to be the same.

Finishes can vary the look of a piece, making it appear smooth and sophisticated or rough hewn and rustic.

Distressing is a technique for aging new furniture and heightening its rustic appeal. The wood is beaten or battered before the finish is applied. Distressed finishes tend to hide finger marks and scratches and can be an excellent choice for rooms where there is a lot of activity.

Painted finishes are another popular way of adding the final touch of beauty. Painted pieces can be more expensive than those with natural finishes because paint tends to point up flaws so extra care must be taken at the factory to make sure that imperfections are removed from the wood.

Imported furniture and some contemporary designs may have other finishes. Your salesperson can explain the variations and fill you in on how to extend the life of your new wood furniture by pampering it with proper care.

CHECKLIST FOR BUYING
WOOD FURNITURE

1. Doors and drawers fit well
2. Drawers have glides and stops
3. Drawers glide easily when pulled
4. Drawers have dust panels
5. Drawer corners are joined securely
6. Insides of drawers are smooth and snag free
7. Long shelves have center supports
8. Doors swing open easily without squeaking or rubbing
9. Long doors are attached with sturdy hinges
10. Hardware is secure and strong
11. No rough edges on hardware
12. Interior lights operate easily
13. Entertainment units have hole for electrical cord
14. Heavy balanced feeling when table is rocked
15. Table leaves fit properly
16. Table leaves match grain and finish of table
17. Finish feels smooth to the touch (except distressed)
18. Distressed finish has randomly spaced dark marks
    
    

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Beauty and comfort are the criteria for selecting a sofa, loveseat or chair. Fabric plays a starring role in the beauty of upholstered furniture, but it's the undercover story that makes the comfort difference. In most upholstered furniture, you'll find three basic parts beneath the eye-catching cover. They are the frame, the supporting foundation, and the cushioning or padding.

POISED FOR COMFORT

The frame and supporting foundation are critical to comfort because they are underpinnings for the other components.

Traditionally the best frames have been made of kiln-dried hardwood which resists warping. Today, quality frames may also be made of steel, plastic, laminated boards or a combination of materials.

Support can be provided by webbing, sling straps, slats or springs of various types. The design, size and amount of support or softness desired by the designer will determine which type the designer uses.

Springs can be single coil, double cone coil or zigzag (sinuous S-type) and can be connected with twine, wire ties or clips.

Eight-way hand-tied coil springing has been considered a mark of quality for decades. In this method each coil spring is placed in the seat by hand and a skilled craftsman ties the coil into place with twine and interlocks it with other coils using an intricate set of knots. Each coil is set so it responds to body weight with the proper degree of resiliency. Eight-way, hand-tied remains the standard of excellence for those who can afford the very best.

Coil springs add depth and comfort but require adequate space. There are many comfortable, sleek, slim styles using the S-type spring. It's another example of how modern technology makes it possible to have good looking, comfortable, serviceable upholstered furniture at affordable prices.

FROM BOTTOM TO TOP

Cushioning forms the next layer in the comfort story. Cushioning materials include cotton or polyester, polyurethane foam and, of course, down. Foam and polyester fiberfill wrap are much-used padding materials. These man-made materials are durable, resilient, mothproof and mildew and fungus resistant.

There are various grades of foam which lend themselves to various style applications. HC (High Comfort) foam and HR (High Resiliency) foam are excellent choices. Foam can be used as a solid unit, wrapped with a softer polyester material or chopped and blown into new shapes for arms and backs that would otherwise be difficult to pad.

THE COVER STORY

Express your taste in the colors, patterns and textures you choose for your upholstery fabrics. The choice is virtually unlimited. But lifestyle and budget should come into play.

Basically, there are two types of fabrics, naturals and synthetics. Nature's own are cotton, linen, silk and wool. Among synthetics are acetate, acrylic, nylon, rayon and polypropylene. Often fabrics are a blend of natural and synthetics fibers combined to provide the best qualities of each, unmatched beauty and lasting durability.

Generally, fabrics with tighter weaves and durable fibers such as polypropylene or nylon, stand up better to the hard use of an active household. More glamorous fabrics such as satins, damasks and brocades are dramatic and exciting but should be reserved for seating where serviceability isn't a primary concern.

Nature has given us leather, one of today's most popular upholstery materials. It now comes in a rainbow of colors and a range of styles from timeless traditional to avant garde contemporary. New methods of tanning and manufacturing also have brought leather into an affordable range for many pocketbooks.

THE ULTIMATE TEST

Be seated. That's the only way to tell if the sofa or chair you're considering is the one for you. Be sure the height and angle of the back and depth of the seat are suited to your size. If others are to use the seating often, they
should try it too. This is especially important when selecting a recliner or "easy" chair. It must be a perfect fit for the person who uses it most.

That's another way of saying that the feel of comfort is an individual matter. As you shop, sit and bounce and test the degree of softness and resiliency. Choose the feel that pleases you and matches your needs. Most important, if the seat isn't comfortable, don't buy it.

CHECKLIST FOR BUYING
UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE

1. Seats are comfortable
2. Backs are free of bumps and hard spots
3. Frame is sturdy, doesn't creak or wobble
4. Frame sits squarely on the floor
5. Frame and corners are well padded
6. Corners are braced and glued
7. Seams and welts are straight
8. Patterns and stripes match at seams
9. Patterns are centered
10. Cushions fit snugly
11. Cushions are resilient
12. Buttons are sewn on securely
13. Heavy-duty pieces are covered in tightly woven, durable fabric
14. Mechanisms on recliners and sleep sofas work smoothly
15. Any moving parts clear fabric to prevent tearing
16. Metal parts are smooth with no sharp edges
17. Dual purpose seating is well balanced in each position
    

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HOW TO BUY A MATTRESS SET

Shopping for a new mattress set can be one of the most challenging furniture purchases for consumers to make. It is difficult to determine the quality of mattress sets because you can’t get a peek at the innards. Worse yet, while a Ford Taurus is a Ford Taurus nationwide, the names of essentially identical mattresses--called "comparables" by the industry--often differ from store to store.

At Wilcox Furniture, we believe that it is important to purchase from a reputable dealer that offers a wide selection of mattress sets from well-known manufacturers. According to a recent Consumer Reports Buying Guide, Sealy, Serta, and Simmons account for nearly three of every four mattresses sold, even though there are more than 35 other brands. Wilcox Furniture displays a wide selection of Sealy, Serta, and Simmons. We offer a variety of different combinations of firmness, size, and price to meet the needs of each different customer.

When you shop for a mattress set, you should expect to find knowledgeable salespeople who can answer your questions and help you understand the different choices that are available. At Wilcox Furniture, our salespeople undergo constant training to keep up with changes in the industry so that they can help you make an informed decision that is best for you.

Most people spend about one third of their life asleep, so it makes sense to invest some time in shopping for a new mattress set. Wilcox Furniture can help take the mystery out of mattress buying by helping you with questions like, "What do you look for when deciding what mattress to purchase?" and "How do you compare different brands and product lines?" The following tips for purchasing a mattress set will help you get the best value for your money and make shopping easier:

How can I tell if I need a new mattress?

If your mattress is more than 10 years old, if it has formed annoying peaks, valleys, or lumps, or if you wake up stiff or sore, it's probably time for a new one. Trust your body. Waking up with little aches and pains (that last all day) is usually a good indication that your body isn't getting the proper rest and support it needs throughout the night. Other signs that it might be time to replace your mattress set: A valley runs down the center of the mattress; Sagging across the middle third of the mattress or along the edges; or Mattress makes creaking noises. When you buy a mattress, buy a box spring, too; they perform as a unit. Putting a new mattress on an old box spring could void your warranty.

Do some research.

Dedicate the time to do your homework and get fully involved in the purchase decision. Keep in mind that the bedding you're about to buy will last you many years and that you'll spend more time on it than any other piece of furniture in your home.

Take your partner with you!

You'll want a bed that's equally comfortable for the both of you.

How do I find the most comfortable mattress?

Go out and test as many as you can. Compare the different "comfort feels" and support within your price range and find one that is the most comfortable to you. There is no right or wrong feel. The innersprings should distribute weight evenly and gently support your spine to keep it in the same shape as that of a person with good standing posture. Quilting options afford different types of comfort: a more open weave offers a more plush feel while a tighter weave offers a firmer feel. The amount and type of the middle layers of padding can also contribute to how the mattress "feels".

Try it out.

Lie on a variety of mattresses with different firmness levels and stay there – don't be shy about rolling around into different sleeping positions. You can't judge a bed by sitting on the edge alone. You have to lie down, preferably in the position you go to sleep in. Don't do what many people do – just sit on the edge or lie on your back in the middle of the bed for a few seconds. Our salespeople expect you to try the bed out in your normal sleeping position, and to bring your partner if you have one, to see if you'll have enough space. Make sure the mattress supports you both, without rolling toward the center of the mattress. Wear casual, comfortable clothes (ladies, wear pants) and wear shoes that you can easily slip off. Allow enough time on the mattress to settle in (if you can, spend about 10 minutes) and see what happens to the comfort of the mattress after the initial feeling is gone.

What should the mattress feel like?

Choose the mattress for the comfort feel. A mattress doesn't have to be firm or hard to offer correct support. A quality mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same body position as good standing posture. When selecting a mattress, keep in mind that your body should be able to relax, with your spine supported in it's natural curve. Otherwise, your muscles work all night and you can wake up feeling stiff and sore. Mattresses don’t have to be hard as a board to be good for you, though some people may prefer a firmer feel. Today, mattresses are built with luxurious new cushioning materials and surface treatments, creating a plusher feel. While these mattresses may feel more plush, the core provides the needed support for your body. When trying the different beds, see if you like the feel of a particular brand or line more than others.

Technical Stuff- Understanding what's inside.

Mattress- The mattress is the main contributor to comfort, and is made up of several key components.

• The ticking is the outermost fabric layer of the mattress. On most mattresses, quilting attaches layers of padding (usually polyurethane foam) to the ticking.
• Middle padding lies below the quilted layer and may include foam, convoluted foam, and cotton.
• Insulation padding lies directly on the springs and prevents your feeling them.
• Innerspring coils are the springs that provide the support to the mattress. Coil design can affect the way a bed feels. The wire in springs comes in a range of thicknesses, or gauges.
• Extra support may be added to certain areas on some mattresses. For example, some mattresses beef up the edge so you have a solid place to sit.
• The handles let you reposition the mattress on the box spring. They are not meant to be used to carry the mattress with.
  

Foundation or Boxspring – The base unit is the foundation, commonly called a box spring. It typically is a wooden frame containing heavy-gauge springs. The foundation provides durability and acts like a shock absorber. It's important that you buy a matching mattress and foundation. Foundations are built to work with specific mattress constructions to maximize the benefits of that particular mattress.

Comparison Shopping Of Different Brands.

Comparing different brands and different stores can be very difficult. Part of the difficulty is due to the use of "comparables" by most manufacturers (essentially the same mattress is carried by different retailers, but disguised by changing the name and ticking). Listed below are some pointers that can help you "comparison shop".

Do you prefer a firm or soft bed? Only you can determine what is the right "comfort" for you by trying the bed. Don’t pay attention to the various mattress names and classifications such as: premium, super premium, luxury, pillow soft, plush, etc.

What mattress colors and "feels" are attractive to you?

• What price range are you looking at? A good night's sleep is an important investment for most people, so buy the best mattress you can afford. Many stores will show prices that have been greatly reduced from their original "fictional retail price". The most important price is the total actual price that you are paying… not "how much you are supposedly saving".
• Once you've settled on the firmness and size you're most comfortable with, compare quality details and price from brand to brand and store to store. It is important to ask questions and obtain literature about the beds that you are considering so that you can compare them to other brands.
• As hard as you may work at making the "right selection" for you, it is important to purchase from a store that allows you to exchange the bed (or to return it and get your money back) if your new mattress set doesn’t work out. It normally takes at least 2 weeks to make the adjustment to a new sleep set, so be sure that you have a "30 day money back guarantee".
• Mattress sets can require more service after the sale than many other furniture products. It is important to buy from a reputable store that can handle any repairs that may arise over the lifetime of your sleep set.
  
  

Other Important Considerations

• Shop for the best value, not the lowest price. Look for the best you can afford. Remember, this is an investment that will last for years longer than some of your appliances and linens, maybe even your carpeting and drapes. Be a smart shopper!
• When you buy a mattress, buy a box spring, too; they perform as a unit. Matching mattresses and foundations are engineered to work together. Mismatching sets, putting a new mattress on an old foundation or adding a board between the mattress and foundation can impede comfort and reduce the useful life of the mattress. Putting a new mattress on an old box spring could void your warranty.
• Be sure to use a bed frame with center support for queen/king-size beds to prevent bowing in the middle of the bed and to prevent the warranty from being invalidated (in general, most mattress manufacturers require this).
• Make sure the new mattress will fit into your home. Many king-size mattresses have inner hinges that temporarily bend around tight corners. The foundation for king-size mattresses typically comes in two parts.
  
  

Buying Advice: More Help on Mattress Shopping

Mattress Shopping For Beginners: 10 Questions You Should Ask. A good list of the "basics" you should know before starting to shop- from the Sealy Mattress Company.

Good information on how to approach "shopping for a new mattress set" from the Simmons Mattress Company.

Basic Overview from Serta. Includes information on "signs that it might be time to replace your current mattress set" from Serta Mattress Company.

Sleep Tips: Help From The Experts on How To Get A Better Nights Sleep – The Better Sleep Guide- solutions to help improve the quality of your sleep. From The Better Sleep Council.

Discover interesting sleep advice, quiz yourself to see how much you really know about sleep, take a survey and compare your results to others on the Internet, and increase the level of your bed-u-cation. From The Better Sleep Council.

Excellent collection of information provided by Simmons Mattress Company.

Serta Basics. Includes a section on "Getting Sleep Smart- Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep" and a "Sleepiness Quiz" from Serta Mattress Company.

Basic suggestions from Sealy Mattress Company.