Tips When Purchasing Used Wood Furniture

You have fallen in love with a piece of used furniture, but reluctant to purchase it.  How can you tell that its good quality and worth purchasing?  Over the years, I have learned to look for 3 things when considering such a purchase: 

 1)       Does the furniture appear to be well constructed and in good condition?  Well constructed furniture is physically heavy and sturdy to the touch.  Always take the time to determine a manufacturers’ name if possible.   Famous makers often have their names appear on the back or underside of the furniture or on the inside, side of a top drawer. 

2)       Are doors and drawers properly aligned?  Moving pieces should open and close properly and smoothly.  Wood furniture expands and constricts over time especially when kept in areas where there are temperature changes.  If drawers don’t pull out easily and seem to stick, they might need

3)       How is the overall finish of the piece?  Check for imperfections in the finish by wiping your hand across surfaces and feeling for rough patches.  Small scratches can be easily  removed but replacing wood detail and address  surface issues can be costly. 

Learn more great ideas for making the most of your home at www.ArtAndTex.com or shop our consignment studio at www.Backroom AtWestClay.com

Selecting Wall Colors to Showcase Your Room

When selecting wall colors, I have learned that over the years to start with one question – what do you want to showcase in the room? 

All great rooms have a focus – is it the craftsmanship of the woodwork, the scale and color of the walls, or the beauty of the furnishings?

              * Wall colors not only imparts your personal stamp, but can also visually alter your room.  In these budget conscious times, changing your wall color and applying wall texture remains one of the most affordable and practical ways to establish your personal style and make your house your home. 

              * Next, to showcase the craftsmanship woodwork, stress the architectural quality of a space by using contrasting colors on walls and moldings.  Nothing makes woodwork pop like a contrast to the wall color. Using paint with sheen will also provide dimension.

               * Focusing on the walls, decorative painting in niches, pillars and accent walls can showcase the best of your home. 

               * To spotlight furniture, use pale hues on walls to make dark wood furniture stand out and away from the walls.

Learn more great ideas for making the most of your home at www.ArtAndTex.com or shop our consignment studio anytime at www.BackroomAtWestClay.com.

4 Great Tips to Camouflage Your Home

Not all rooms are created equal.  If you have an odd shaped room or have walls that will never be smooth, there are some tricks of the trade that I have learned over the years to make the most of that space.

1)  Rooms can seem larger. Simple tricks such as selecting the same hue throughout a space will make awkward angles less obvious and spaces transition better. 

2)  Ceilings can seem taller and rooms bigger. Stripes can go either way.  On walls, horizontal stripes make a ceiling seem higher while vertical stripes or diamonds can make walls seem wider.

3)  Imperfect walls can disappear. Upholstery and plaster on walls can address worn surfaces.  Often, it is simpler and less expensive to simply apply a texture over cracked walls.

4)  Dress up the space. Chair rail and panels define a dining area or hallway area and gives it a level of sophistication all its own.  Stark white pillars near your front door, try a marble finish – I prefer beige tones – to define the space and create warmth.

Learn more great ideas for making the most of your home at www.ArtAndTex.com or shop our consignment studio anytime at www.BackroomAtWestClay.com.

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