How to Display Your Collections for Maximum Impact

October 31, 2013 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Collecting is probably the most popular hobby in the world. People collect everything – from antique thimbles to antique cars; from stamps to mailboxes; from crystal paperweights to beach rocks and everything in between. We love the thrill of finding an item to add to our collection and displaying it lovingly.clock collectionThat’s where creativity reigns! If you have a collection, are you showcasing it to its full advantage? So often, beautiful items are hidden in a closet or attic, wrapped in boxes. It’s time to take them out and let them bring character and individuality to your home. Let’s think about how we can bring your collections to life…

Unique places. Open your mind to new places for a collection. How about a kitchen windowsill? Mason jars of buttons would sparkle here. Consider a bathroom. Add a shelf for a candlestick display. What about the fireplace? If it’s unused, give it life with display of small antique wooden toys, for example.old wooden showcaseTiny items. Small items require clever groupings to give them “substance”. Anchor them on a mirrored tray or a serving dish – things like salt & pepper shakers or crystal figurines.

Create “imaginary” frames. A collection of just about anything can be displayed on a wall. The trick is to bring the grouping together to give it cohesion. Fake frames work beautifully. Build “pretend” moulding frames without a backing around items like antique cameras, for example.

Make it user friendly. How can you make it easy for friends to enjoy your treasures? Put a collection of photos or postcards in a beautiful dish on the coffee table.

Picture groupings. Design a wall of photographs by theme – all Christmas images, all humorous, etc. TIP: Use brown paper to map out photo placements before you hammer in nails.

Collage. Collectibles like stamps and coins can be beautifully displayed in a shadow box – show part of each item rather than the whole piece for an artistic effect.SalonBookcases are not just for books. Adjustable bookshelves are perfect for a collection of larger items of varying sizes. I once saw a bookcase filled with antique typewriters – a stunning statement.

Build a space. Those unused corners and nooks are a perfect place for a collection. Build custom shelves that are just the right size. Keep them neutral and simple; it should be all about your display. TIP: Don’t forget the lighting!

Howard Miller Curio

Curio cabinets. The tried and true display case is beautiful for delicate and valuable pieces. It’s the best way to protect and keep special pieces clean – and it can become the focal point of a room.

Put them to work! Sometimes the best way to bring life to a collection is to use it. Use antique boxes as planters; pitchers to hold cut flowers; dishes to hold keys or trinkets.

key collection

Beauty is where you find it. Everyday things can become a gorgeous display. What about a colourful collage of programs from musicals you’ve attended? Or mason jars filled with sand and labelled from your holidays?

Abundance. Forget what you’ve heard – sometimes plenty is perfect! Things like linens, plates and tea cups all look better when there are more and more in your display.

Mix it up. Varying the heights of the items in your collection adds visual interest. Dolls, ornaments and many more pieces look best when staggered. Add small pedestals if needed.

A beautifully displayed collection is a reflection of your unique style. Have fun expressing yourself!

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Dining Room Chairs with Style

October 18, 2013 by Stoney Creek Furniture

There was a time when many of us had a dining room with an imposing wood table, matching chairs and matching buffet. But today’s aesthetic is less rigid and more relaxed – all that dark “matchy” furniture is overwhelming and looks dated. So how can you create a dining room that is special, fresh and never boring? One great way is to focus on your chairs. Here are some suggestions to make sure your dining room chairs never take a back seat:Forecast

Sets Still Work. Matching sets can still be beautiful – today they are lighter, less contrived and use innovative materials. If you opt for a matching set, consider decorating your dining room more casually so that the effect is softened. Or choose a style that is less formal – a round table for example.

Go 4 and 2. Or 2 and 2. Instead of 4 or 6 chairs that are the same, choose a set of 4 complemented by a set of 2; perhaps in a different fabric or more substantial weight to place at either end of the table. The same is true for a set of 4. Try 2 the same across from each other in 2 sets.

Materials. There are so many choices! Wood of course, or a mix of wood and upholstery, but think beyond that. Try metal in a modern home, leather in a traditional home or even wicker in a shabby chic room.

Great Rooms The Miracle of Paint. Paint unifies unmatched chairs. Consider 6 different wood chairs – paint them all a rich blue and you have a set! Or if all your chairs are the same, try painting 4 the same and 2 others the same – say 4 in black and 2 in taupe. It can be a stunning effect! Of course, soft beige or gray is always a perfect choice; neutrals are timeless.

Bright and Beautiful. In an informal home, painting your chairs a vibrant colour can make them a focal point. Another great idea is to paint the legs of your table the same vivid shade, leaving the table top in plain wood.

New TraditionalUpholstery. Upholstered dining room seating is comfortable and adds colour and style to the room. If you have the option to reupholster existing chairs, consider something daring – toile or an animal print or a bold geometric. It can take a matching set from drab to fab!

Bench Seating. Bench seating works well in a laid-back dining area. Don’t think picnic benches – there are lots of luxury choices available! Benches can also work well in combination with chairs.

Salon Wing Back Chairs. For true traditional indulgence, choose wing back chairs for either end of your dining table. Talk about comfort!

All Different! It may sound crazy, and in truth, not every room can pull it off, but consider having every chair around your table quite different – in shape, colour and style. Keeping the rest of the room neutral is necessary for this to work. It also works best if all the chairs are the same height and size.

Great RoomsStyle Mix. For an eclectic look, choose a dining table that’s a different style than your chairs. For example, marry a rustic harvest table with black/metal modern chairs. Or match a black, sleek table with ornate French Provincial chairs.

Chair Decorating. To protect and update your upholstered chairs, consider slipcovers. For special occasions, decorate your chairs! Sashes and bows can look lovely wrapped around the seat. Or try a fabric “cummerbund” around a chair back. You can even string beads across the back or place a small wreath on the back of each chair.

Fit. When you are mixing and matching chairs and tables, ensure that the chairs fit properly under the table and that when seated, you’re at the correct height to dine comfortably. Also be sure that the seats of all the chairs are at the same height.

Comfort. No matter how fabulous your dining chairs look, the most important factor is comfort! Make sure there is plenty of support to sit for a long stretch of time.

Bon appétit!

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Help Stop Hunger in Hamilton

October 15, 2013 by Stoney Creek Furniture

Hamilton Food ShareWith the holidays just around the corner, most of us are anticipating sumptuous dinners with family and friends. It’s a time to indulge and to enjoy great food. But, unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate as we are. The sad reality is that for many people, in our own community, a lavish holiday dinner is impossible. In fact, basic groceries are often out of reach.

Here are some startling statistics:

  • 19,602 people access food banks every month in Hamilton, Ontario
  • 8,313 of these people are children (44%)
  • 42% are single parent families
  • 32% are single individuals, often who have lost jobs or have minimum wage employment

The shocking truth is that many people each month have to make a choice between paying the rent and feeding their family. With homelessness as the alternative, they turn to food banks to survive. Once an occasional supplement, emergency food aid has become a necessity every month for many Hamiltonians.

How can that happen in our affluent society?

Don’t be fooled. While most of us feel the pinch of high prices, those with a low income are extremely vulnerable. An increase in utility bills, a plant closure, a rent hike – these can be disastrous for a low income family. Think of this – Canada Mortgage and Housing recommends that no more than 30% of income should toward housing costs; yet for single parents on a low wage, rent will account for 49-77% of their income. The result? People need food banks just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. The alternative for many is homelessness.

Fortunately, there is help.

While it’s grim to think of hunger being right in our own backyards, among our neighbours and friends, there is a service to help. Hamilton Food Share was started in 1990 to ease hunger in Hamilton and in 20 years has helped thousands augment their food sources with emergency support.

How does Hamilton Food Share work?

Hamilton Food Share provides food supplies and short-term storage to food banks and hot meal programs. Additionally, the organization establishes community partnerships, donor relations and fundraising activities that support food recovery operation. What’s more, by leveraging relationships and building ties to food suppliers, Hamilton Food Share is able to provide $5 in food for every $1 donated!

How can YOU help?

 It’s easy! Here are two ways you can make a positive impact:

1. Make a donation at any time to Hamilton Food Share. Visit hamiltonfoodshare.org for details.

2. From October 15 – November 2, Stoney Creek Furniture is proud to hold a Silent Auction with all proceeds going to Hamilton Food Share. Come into the store, see the amazing items on auction and place your bid – beds, desks, tables, chairs, accents and more. For more information, click here.

silent auction itemsIt’s a wonderful feeling to help others – and such a nice reward if you win at the silent auction and acquire a gorgeous piece of furniture. Please drop in. There is a great selection to bid on and you may find something very special for your home.

This holiday season, let’s be grateful for our many blessings.

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Tips on How to Choose a Sofa Bed

October 8, 2013 by Stoney Creek Furniture

These days, with many of us choosing smaller homes, there’s isn’t always space for a designated guest room. But that doesn’t mean you can’t accommodate friends and family who want to stay overnight. To the rescue – the sofa bed! Forget that uncomfortable and unattractive armless pullout your grandmother had – today’s sofa beds are as beautiful as they are functional. And as always, what’s best about a sofa bed is the versatility. It can be a sofa by day, a bed by night. It can be used in your living room, family room, office or as an extra bed and seating area in a guest room. Here are some things to consider when choosing a sofa bed:

Palliser

SPACE. It may sound obvious, but make sure the sofa bed will fit in your room. Measure it folded as well as made into a bed; allow room for easy access when it’s opened.

SIZE. This depends on your space of course, but also on the type of guests you have most often. If you have couples staying over, opt for a 3 seater that opens to a queen. If your guests are mostly singles (a stay-over friend or a kid’s sleepover), a smaller footprint will work. There are sofa beds in various sizes from twin to queen.

USE. Will it be used more as a sofa or a bed? If the piece will be in your living or family room with use every day as a sofa, support is your main consideration. Look for a sofa bed with a slat base and an interior crafted with a high-quality steel frame structure. When you sit on the sofa bed, it should provide the same level of support and comfort as a standard sofa.

If you intend to tuck away the sofa bed in a spare room and use it only for guest visits, the mattress is your primary concern. The mattress should be about 5-6 inches thick. Generally, innerspring mattresses offer a longer life and more evenly distributed support and comfort than foam. (You don’t want that thick metal bar digging into your guests all night.). Test out the sofa bed mattress just as you would a traditional mattress. 

MATERIAL. There are so many options out there now, including durable material like leather or high end suede. There are also some great fabric choices available. Whatever you choose, I recommend that you make the investment in quality so your sofa bed will stand the test of time.

STYLES. Whatever your decor, there is a sofa bed to complement it. Modern, traditional, shabby chic – let the shopping begin! And while traditional sofa beds with the pullout mechanism are still the most popular, explore. There are sofa beds sectionals, bunk beds and more – it’s really quite amazing.

One of my favourites is the My Comfort Sofabed by Palliser. It looks great, stylish and chic, but the real beauty is the simplicity of converting it to a bed. Without even removing cushions, it literally unrolls into a bed! And it’s so easy to do, no heavy lifting or pulling. See for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf6Fo-EYMGo

LINENS. You can try to make regular sheets do the job, but there are special sheets designed just for sofa beds. For your special guests, indulge them with something luxurious. For added comfort you can also buy a plush sofa bed mattress pad. So snugly! When you dress up the bed for your guests, add lots of pillows. Even toss a fun fake fur throw on the corner of the bed. There’s no reason to compromise on style.

So bring on the guests, have fun and sleep well!  Sweet dreams!

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