Home entertainment furniture can be used in multiple rooms

For all their variety, casegoods such as dining sets and bedroom furniture tend to end up in dedicated rooms. Not so with home entertainment furniture, which can grace living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, home offices—even the occasional unfinished basement. Buyers who know where to look can find entertainment furniture for any room and every occasion.

	E50 tall entertainment console provides numerous storage solutions with its three drawers and six compartments. Part of Eagle Industries’ Metropolitan Collection, the unit is made from poplar face frames and birch plywood with veneers, and it is available with three painted and three stained finish options (Antique Black is shown). The Metropolitan Collection offers frosted glass for a contemporary kick.
	Kathy Ireland Home by Martin’s Hudson Street TV consoles offer hardwood solid construction with a black matte finish accented by satin nickel colored hardware. The 60-inch-wide stand is shown, which includes one adjustable component shelf behind each seeded glass door and a center compartment. It is also available in 40- and 50-inch-wide units.
	Ezzo entertainment wall unit from CF Oakton has a number of convenient features, including heavy-duty casters for easy mobility, sliding back panels for wire access, adjustable shelves and a built-in power strip. The piece is made from kiln-dried hardwoods and quarter-sawn cherry veneers with a red walnut stain and multi-step lacquer and sealer finishing.
	Part of Buhler’s International Series Collection, 486 Series Markham is perfect for the consumer who wants a lot of storage capacity in as small of a footprint as possible. The piece features solid oak construction and 10 oak and maple finishes, including the Western Oak finish shown here. The company will be showing many home entertainment consoles with electric fireplaces at fall markets, too.
	Fairmont Designs’ Concorde Suites Collection bedroom home entertainment dresser is made from Asian hardwood solids and Anegre veneers with a warm cognac finish, and it has flared, brushed steel legs. The collection was inspired by furnishings found in high-end international hotels and resorts.
	Part of the Carrington Hall Collection, Kincaid Furniture’s Double Vision media mirror and bureau features a very innovative mirror. The two-way mirror holds a flat screen TV, and becomes transparent when the TV is on. The bureau’s top drawer folds down to accommodate a DVD player. The piece also includes a jewelry tray.
	While mounted TVs have traditionally been spare in their aesthetic, Legends Furniture is experimenting with a large, wood frame that ships as a 58-inch-wide framed mirror. The mirror itself can be removed and placed elsewhere in the home, while a 37-inch to 42-inch flat-panel TV can be put in its place. The piece is constructed from ash solids and veneers, and it wears an oak finish.
	Sligh's modular Smart TV console offers the ultimate in versatility for consumers. Customers can “build” a unit from nine interchangeable components: three cabinet styles, two stackable open deck units, three tops and a pair of side panels. The collection includes burnished and distressed cherry veneers, a Candlewood finish, and aged, soft brass hardware. A minimalist configuration—single unit with double open deck and drawers—is shown.

Sexy Home Entertainment Furniture Collection

Home Entertainment Furniture Collection
	1. Sunny Designs: The company will introduce dining, occasional and home entertainment this summer, including the open-design console, bridge and piers shown here. The multistep finish pairs reddish and black tones. WMC B866.
	2. Vendor Development Group: In addition to easy-to-assemble home entertainment solutions, such as Grand Aspirations wall units and consoles, the company is introducing a new quick-ship program named QUICKTIME. The details: in-stock orders from either California or Indiana warehouses ship in 24 to 48 hours, or mix containers from Malaysia or China warehouses arrive in two to four weeks. WMC B1220.
	3. aspenhome: Generous curves, American black walnut veneers and faux leather-wrapped chrome hardware make Adagio pop-up console a distinct home entertainment solution. See the entire Adagio line, which includes home office, home entertainment and occasional tables during the summer show. iPod docking station and a motorized lift are performance pluses. WMC B801.
	4. Legends: Cambridge entertainment wall delivers easy-to-access cord management, surround-sound compatibility, three-way touch lighting and a functional wine cabinet. An up-close appraisal reveals butterfly cherry veneers, burl inlays and beaded accents. WMC A606

Contemporary sectionals have lower, deeper seating

Modern sectionals offer consumers lower, deeper seating and innovative functions, such as adjustable pillow backs, fabric ottomans and sleep options. The result? An open, airy footprint that brings maximum efficiency to contemporary interiors.

Palliser's Jake sectional in Havanna-Bruin leather demonstrates comfort on a grand scale, with its low, deep profile and feather-fiber topper. Interchangeable ottoman tables and a finished back allow Jake to fashionably float in an open living space. It’s part of the company’s Great Rooms® Collection.

Part of the Avantgarde Collection, TOM Furniture’s contemporary Flip sectional features an aluminum frame, allowing for easy conversion to one king-size or two twin-size beds. Flip's cushions can be reclined at various comfort levels; the seating is filled with memory foam.

Playground from Eilersen is a patented back-block, multifunctional sofa that serves as both a sofa and a bed. The cone-formed, mobile back blocks have nonslip material on the bottom, allowing them to be used in a variety of ways. The upholstered seat is filled with flexible foam; optional down throw pillows are available.

Koinor's Connect in Panda fabric features back- and armrests that can be adjusted in seven and six positions, respectively. Connect also can increase its seating surface with the addition of an optional electric motor.

Modern Contemporary Decorating Ideas

All to often confused with modern, contemporary decorating merely shares similarities, while keeping it’s distance. Literally, contemporary means coexisting; certainly an inviting way of thinking about styling your surroundings.

How is Contemporary Decoration Identified?

Perhaps because of an emphasis on clean lines and order, contemporary decorating will always draw comparison to modern and minimalist approaches to explain differences.

We won’t change that here either.

Contemporary features softer lines and an emphasis on comfortable texture to set it’s distinctive mood. Color, while not elaborately used is warming, even rich in the mid range, and never stark in the neutrals. More inviting than modern while remaining clean. Clean not sterile.

Modern Contemporary Decorating With Color and the Proper use of color

Rid your mind of any idea this color palette can be boring. An infusion of vibrant color can come from an accent wall of a different color, vivid accessories such as cushions, contemporary area rugs, and pillows, bold works of art. Let a prime piece of contemporary furniture, a sofa perhaps, be considered art and go uncharacteristically bold.

Let simplicity be your driving force in working a living room Contemporary plan

You will be looking to create a good relationship between the environment your home provides and it’s user.

Here the word stark might come to mind again. It is a common fear but avoidable if you focus on putting visual order into your life. Order can be comforting and comfort is tranquility. Move forward with that thought in mind.

Surfaces and Putting Contemporary Texture to the Test

A modern lifestyle needs modern surfaces that are both functional and practical. On floors that means smooth.Choose Berber over cut pile where there are carpets. Flush fitting, durable finish hardwoods over v-grooved, waxed strip floors. You’ll need to avoid intricate detail on all surfaces, including moldings, furnishings and accessories. Not only do these interrupt objective softer lines but, maintenance and cleaning is more difficult.

Wood surfaces such as tables, shelving units and flooring can be dark toned or light but should remain consistent throughout a room. The choice of wood types and grain are open to your preference. But, don’t break from the consistency and continuity of your design concept mixing wood tones.

To add some depth to vertical lines where needed, a wall can be covered in a fine textured linen modern home wall paper. Don’t use anything with an elaborate pattern. Once again, remember you want to avoid intricate details.

Added texture can come from choices of upholstery fabrics and window treatment. Offset sleekness and smooth lines with linen, wool or raw silk. Focus on texture and color over elaborate patterns which might confuse the overall contemporary look.

The law of order

It is worthy of emphasis to stress the need to keep clutter minimal. In a busy household this isn’t always an easily attainable goal. But clutter can be kept out of sight so as not to confound all the order your decorating work will accomplish.

The use of multi-door, flush mount cabinets along the length of a wall can be incorporated easily into the furnishing decor theme. Let this generous amount of space with multiple divisions serve as a handy depository for your secret stash of papers and games, magazines and knick knacks, table linens and props, and everything else inappropriate to the view.

Distinguishing materials

Bright metals are a material of important application and prevalence in Contemporary decorating. Chrome, nickel and stainless steel is incorporated into the design of many furniture pieces, decorative accessories, lamps, and stand alone art. Versatility of the material cannot be denied but, the beauty in these metals is beheld in the addition of sleekness to the decorating purpose.

Lighting fixtures and use of light in contemporary design is an element of extreme importance. Think of it in that way –an element– when you put light to use and your project will finish in the right direction.

Illuminate and draw attention to key features. Beam streams of pure clean halogen light over focal points such as the central coffee table of a seating group. Flood softer light tight to and along walls.

Look for well designed track lighting to bring power to ceiling areas where power is unavailable. Opt for pot lighting where you can and directional spot fixtures where needed for reasons of utility. Floor lamps are preferred over table lamps. Include these bright metal “sculptures” as a part of your metallic accent and accessory program and accomplish usable lighting with the same stroke.

You should be able to fill a room with light when needed or as you wish, be able to work the lighting for affect in much the same way a stage production crew might do in theater.

A final thought

Absolutely nothing in the decor package and design should be overpowering or try to make a solo statement. Make your personal statement through the appearance of the project in it’s totality.

[Via : Home Decorating Reviews]

Wealthy furniture consumers still want traditional furniture style

When the economic going gets tough, the wealthy remain relatively unaffected, say home furnishings retailers and interior designers who cater to affluent clients. The style of choice for these consumers: traditional with European influences.

Here are some examples of furniture with a luxurious style for various rooms in a home.

Anywhere: Romantic and graceful, Marguerite French lounge chair from Marge Carson has a distinctive Louis XV silhouette. An intricate, handcarved floral design adorns the exposed wood grame, which is treated to a deep, distressed Old World Sumatra finish and accented with aged Medici metal leafing and antique brass nailhead trim. Marguerite is shown covered in Tigon Brass velvet and Ole Cappucino silk.

Master Bedroom: Luberon bed from French Heritage exudes French Country elegance, with its tall, inward-curving headboard; gently sloping, carved footboard; and rich, distressed wax finish. Part of the company's Maison Provence Luberon Collection, the bed measures 64 inches wide by 65 inches tall by 86 inches long.

Living room: Part of C.R. Laine Furniture's Jessica McClintock Home Collection, JM4150 sofa has a curved, rounded back and lots of McClintock’s signature dressmaker details, including plump, down-filled pillows with tassels and fringe, and gimp tape on the hem of the box-pleat skirt. The piece is shown covered in a soft chenille jacquard called Paulina Raisin with Raisin gimp.

Home Office: Habersham’s sturdy Governor’s desk offers consumers a masculine look and functionality. An ornate, intricately detailed border around the base softens the desk’s hard lines and blunt edges, while hidden storage space keeps personal items safely out of sight. The piece is shown here in the company’s Empire Studio finish.

Anywhere: Belle Meade Signature’s Richelieu demi-lune takes a unique approach to the apothecary chest. The generously scaled piece has faux drawer fronts on doors that open to reveal ample storage space and adjustable shelves. The drawer fronts are made with ovankol veneer treated to a matte, transparent Madeira finish. A starburst inlay top adds further interest to the piece.

Living room/media room: Architectural carvings; seeded, historic glass pier doors; and a medium clear finish with an antique glaze give Hooker Furniture’s three-piece Castellane home theater a rich Country French feel. Combined, the center console and hutch stand 101 inches tall and accommodate up to a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Used alone, the console accommodates up to a 60-inch, flat-screen TV.

Bedroom/Living Room: Barclay Butera looked to the large-scale, classic chairs found in Paris in the early 1900s when designing Marseilles chaise, part of the Barvlay Butera Home Regency Collection. A rounded back, petite curved arm, turned legs and casters give Marseilles a decidedly feminine look. It measures 31 incehs wide by 64 inches deep by 35 inches tall, and is shown in a fabric called Chenonceau Jewel.

Dining Room: For those who like to entertain, Continental dining table offers ample space at 72 inches wide, for stately gatherings. Two fancy-face, 20-inch leaves expand the table to 112 inches wide, perfect for holiday gatherings. Inspired by a Smithsonian Castle Collection library table acquired in the late 1800s, the piece has a smooth top surface that shows off handcrafts, hand-finished, fancy-face primavera veneers and a border made from quartered walnut with black in-lines alongside white ash burl. Statesman arm chair – with its double curved arm, carved backsplat and upholstered slip seat – is the perfect seating companion. Both pieces are part of Chesapeake, a new furniture series in the Smithsonian Collection by Bernhart.

An 18^th Century English table, Elizabeth from Design Solutions Inc. features delicate, turned legs; a scalloped, beaded apron; classic molding; and a frame shelf. The table shown here measures 50 inches wide by 21 incehs deep by 34.5 inches tall, perfect for accommodating a sink. Custom sizes are available.

Living room furniture design trends: Tables with copper tops

Tables with hammered copper tops meld this year's top design trends of metallic materials and artisan craftsman-like quality.

Gold and silver metallic finishes—matte or shiny—have been in the spotlight for the past few seasons, due, in part, to the increased popularity of contemporary furniture. Chunky, tapered or U-shaped silver legs stylishly support sleek, leather sofas and trendy accent chairs, while shiny gold accent tables add a touch of elegance to living room furniture.

Now, as economic conditions prompt people to spend more time at home, family-friendly furnishings that look gently used and exude warmth are catching consumers' eye. Living room furniture such as tables with hammered copper tops, for instance, bring visual interest and textural appeal. Hooker Furniture's Copper Key dining group pairs lightly hammered copper tabletops with hardwood solids treated to a black finish.

Copper Instincts’ Patricia rectangular dining table features a hand-forged, solid iron base with an antiqued copper finish that complements the hand-hammered, recycled copper top. Also available in occasional tables for living room furniture and round dining tables, Patricia is sold in custom sizes.


Ideal living room furniture for spaces with Lodge or Southwestern furnishings, Copper Creek rectangular cocktail table from Broyhill Furniture has a hammered and veined solid copper top with an aged patina that sits on twisted metal legs. It measures 48 inches wide by 28 inches deep by 19 inches high.