When I was in grade school I read a book called “The Velvet Room” where a girl who loved to read would sneak into an abandoned mansion near her own shack home, which came with her father’s job during the Depression. She finds a magical velvet room in the house, filled with books.

I always pictured her (or myself) curled up on the velvet-covered window seat on the plush velvet sofa, reading one book after another. Velvet does make me think of a bygone era; one more elegant and gentle than today, but velvet is also a very modern fabric. Dealers of the best furniture Chicago offers offer many choices in velvet. The colors and combinations can fit into any décor.

Today I am looking for a couch that will accommodate my entire family, guests, a black feline and, of course, some snuggle time with a good book. Chicago leather couch retailers also are offering great selections of velvet sofas. The color choices and rich texture make them irresistible to professional designers as well as those of us who reply on our personal style and the assistance of the in-store designer.

Velvet is now showing up in the most upscale rooms and works well with traditional, retro or even ultra-modern styles. When I peruse the best furniture Chicago showrooms, I notice that velvet has become much more prevalent recently.

Although I haven’t re-created the velvet room in my own home, a piece or two of velvet gives me that magical, carefree feeling of childhood. I always take note of the velvet accents when shopping Chicago leather couch showrooms. There might just be a velvet couch out there that needs the company of a good book.

Are you ready to dispel the winter blahs with a new look for one of the rooms in your home, or even a total home makeover? When visiting your Chicago Illinois furniture retailer keep these tips in mind to help you do it affordably and enjoyably.

Set a realistic budget. Most of us are strapped for cash these days and researching some price points and paring down to what will really make a difference in your room’s new look can save you much frustration.

Make a list of what you need and a few things you want. Prioritize your list and save room in the budget for at least one fun item. When considering these items, write down how they will be used and measure your space to be sure the items will fit the way you envision them. Your Chicago furniture dealer will be happy to help you design your space.

Know how, and how much, your furniture will be used. Frequency and type of use should dictate fabrics and finishes. If you have young children and pets you must consider safe, durable finishes and perhaps stain-proof, smudge-proof items as well. This consideration should extend to the frames, fillings and supports in a piece of furniture. Chicago Illinois furniture buyers want to be savvy in selecting the perfect pieces. A sturdier piece may have a higher price tag, but it also may last two or three times as long, saving you money in the long run.

Look for sales. Plan your shopping in advance and wait for sales if possible. Comparison shopping is also a must and sometimes retailers will match a competitor’s price, which might help you buy locally. Check out department stores as well as furniture stores and specialty stores. Chicago furniture dealers have great bargains and may have big sales as new spring pieces are arriving.

Know your seller. Ask friends or co-workers  where they have shopped and what experiences they had. You are more likely to have a good experience when you are referred by someone you know. Retailers also like to hear that you have been referred to their store. Also check out credit terms, payment options and find out about delivery times and charges, and warranty and return policies.

Read the label. The label must clearly state where the furniture was made, what exposed woods are used, and other materials information. If the label states Chicago leather couch, the couch would have to be locally made and the exposed materials all of leather.

When the perfect flooring, furniture and accent pieces fall just short of the perfect room you envisioned, it might be time to add an area rug for the finishing touch. The top furniture retailers Chicago buyer visit will be quick to recommend this as a way to achieve a more spacious feel or add a bit of warmth to the room.

By strategically placing a rug, the dynamics of the space can change and a new perception of the room can be created. This can give the illusion of more space or pull together a sitting or conversation area that didn’t quite meld before. To compliment the best furniture Chicago has to offer, buyers should consider area rugs as a way to pull a room together.

Adding an area rug between rooms, such as between double doors or an open archway, will pull the rooms together and make them seem like one large space. This effect adds warmth and works well to unify two common spaces. Furniture retailers in Chicago usually offer design services to their customers.

Some questions to answer before choosing the perfect rug are: What size is needed to make the space feel larger rather than dwarf the furnishings? Can I mix a contemporary rug with traditional décor or an antique rug with my modern look? How can I use an area rug to brighten my room? How do I coordinate the rug with my décor? The short answers are: Give it the critical eye. Yes and yes. Choose a color you love that doesn’t clash. Choose a color you love that doesn’t clash. Taking color samples and fabric swatches with your when you shop for a rug and even taking photos and measurements of your room to share with in-house designers will allow them to help you choose the perfect area rug. Carriers of the best furniture Chicago buyers can find have experienced designers who will help you answer these questions more thoroughly.

An area rug can also soften the line of a room, especially if it has a rounded shape or fringed edges. This extends the warmth of the room toward doorways and corners. When shopping Chicago leather couch retailers you might consider that an area rug would carry out the warmth of a mahogany-toned overstuffed couch or relive the severe lines of a contemporary chrome and black leather couch.

They say that having a pet can reduce your stress measurably. But that’s only if you don’t have to worry about that cute, furry creature will do to your furniture.  If you saw “Marley and Me” then you know exactly what I mean. I know from my own experience that pets, and little boys, are the enemy of a sofa with pale fabric or a silk-covered wing chair. I’m thrilled that I found a place that makes the best furniture Chicago has to offer, and if I need my furniture tailored to be pet-proof, they can accommodate. Continue Reading

A small living space has one obvious advantage and one obvious disadvantage. The benefit being there’s less space to clean/furnish while the disadvantage is exactly how it sounds- its small. So how do you furnish this small living space while still having sufficient walking room and avoiding a claustrophobic feel?

To fill this area most efficiently, many interior designers and home decorators would suggest opting for a 3-piece sectional sofa. Although many tend to think they’re the bigger of the bunch, there are smaller versions available. Most sectional sofas are comprised of a regular sofa or love seat and one or two chairs combined.

In searching for the perfect  sectional for that small space of yours, it is recommended to take price and desired  seating occupancy  into consideration.  Now, its up to you whether you prefer a leather, suede, microsuede, or regular cloth set, but that will pretty much determine how much you’re going to shell out. Choosing top-of-the-line materials and upholstery could cost you a pretty penny, but then again, you’re actually buying less pieces with a sectional, so you’re most likely saving money had you gone with a typical 3, 4 or 5-piece sofa set. Also, if you’re willing to do some research, there’s a pretty good guarantee, you’ll find a piece that fits right with your budget.

In terms of desired seating occupancy, its pretty understood you’re not going to be able to fit Extreme Makeover’s volunteer team in your living room, but choosing a sectional sofa could definitely appease available seating issues, comfortably fitting 6 to 7 persons.  Adding a sectional to your space also gives you more room to work with. Just enough couch, with just enough extra space.

Visit Walter E. Smithe, your premier Chicago furniture dealer for all of your furniture needs. No matter the size of your living space, Walter E. Smithe will have plenty of options to suit your situation. If you decide to go with a leather sectional, Smithe will have the Chicago leather couch to complete your home. Dress up your home in Walter E. Smithe, the best furniture Chicago has to offer.