Testing The Waters

2 of 3 new high tech buildings at the Las Vegas World Market Center

This upcoming 2010 will be a great year of change in renewable products, sustainability, new colors, textures, shapes and forms. I absolutely love attending this show every single year! LV Market brought so many new ideas to life, most interestingly on display was seating upholstery and bedroom furniture. Lots of mid century Hollywood glamour is being brought back with metallics, nail heads, mirrored cases, and so much more. I met designers like Curt Christian who designed for large lifestyle furniture manufacturers like Crate and Barrel and others. One pleasant surprise is that the Arts & Crafts movement is slowly making a welcomed return in some designer lines in Bedroom furniture. This is just a sneak peak of what my findings were at this summer's 2009 Las Vegas Market. The largest Furniture Trade Show in the world. Ill keep you posted on new additions, most importantly many new 2010 collection items will be added to the MyAffordableFurniture.com web catalog available for purchase as soon as now. Keep your eyes peeled, new items are added every week.

Kathleen owner/singer/songwriter of Bedding Co.

Curt Christian, designer for Martin Furniture.

Chic aluminum finished metal furniture, TBA

Stylish Super Sized Chaise-Loungers!

Elegant and Chic nail head upholstery wing bed and matching glam case goods.

Referesh Your Dining Space for the Holidays

Its never too early to start looking for that new dining table to replace that old dingy one that you've had for 10 years as a hand-me-down from your parents. A dining table whether it is a casual or formal space invites people in to have warm and intimate moments and meals with those who are closest to you in the comfort of your own home.

Here are some tips to get the right dining room table for your home:

1. What size do I need?
To determine this you will need to measure the room out. If you have a formal area already spaced out then just measure each wall and take down the measurements in inches. a typical dining table is 42"W and 48"W. The length goes as follows:

4 chairs: 92"L

6 chairs: 74"L

8 chairs: 122"L

10 chairs: 122"L


2. What shape is best?
This really depends on the shape of your space, if you have a regular square room then a square or round table would work best, if you have a rectangular room then naturally a rectangle or an oval table would work. in casual spaces like your nook area off of your kitchen a corner dining unit will work.

3. What height?
Regular Ht:30"H - this is the standard height and works for any setting
Counter Ht:36"H - counter height is for those who want a casual setting, ideal for drinking, and everyday dining, not for formal occasions and the elderly.

4. Padded or wooden seat?
This is entirely comfort based, your upholstered seats are more comfortable, however is more difficult to keep clean opt for microfiber or leather upholstery material when choosing upholstery for your chairs, stains will not stay with these materials. Another good move is to get a can of scotch guard and treat the fabric, remember when you do this it is only a topical treatment which will wear off and needs to be reapplied annually. With wooden seats there will be signs of wear and tear more prevalent in use because the wood can get scratched with keys or other such items that are on your pants or pockets.


Now that we have reviewed some basics on how to choose the perfect dining table dont forget to check out our selection of quality dining sets for every occasion!

Decorating on the Cheap

Here are some tips to redecorate your home, without the big price tag... just a little imagination, and some elbow grease.

Use things that you already have around the house. Sometimes you can transform a room just by moving a piece of furniture, a picture, or some knickknacks. Try different things. We tend to get use to an item or piece of furniture in the same room and forget to try something new.

Try moving furniture. We often get into a rut where we thing the furniture will only fit where we have it. Sit in a room and think about every different way the furniture could be placed-when you find another feasible option, start rearranging. The only way way to find out if it will really work is to try it.

Painting is one of the cheapest ways to brighten a room. Different colors can even make the room seem bigger. Sometimes, you can even scour clearance racks at the home improvement stores to find a "mistake" color that someone else didn't accept. This could get you a gallon of paint for $5 if you like that color.

Window treatments can definitely brighten up a room and pull it all together. Mix patterns and materials depending on the style of your room. Try combining blinds with material that is wrapped and draped over the curtain rod for a simple, yet elegant window treatment. Look for discount fabric stores in your area...you might be able to find some remnant pieces that will match that you can get for much less.

There is no better touch to a home than pictures that have been in the family for centuries or pictures that you have taken recently. Capture special times and proudly display them. Pictures can be displayed on walls, or they can be placed on tables, desks, bookshelves...in any room, yes even the bathroom!

Search the web to find consignment stores or model home stores in your area- these kinds of stores are plentiful in southern California. Sometimes, items just need a good cleaning or touching up and they're as good as new. You might be able to get some great artwork or knick-knacks for 70-80% less than what you would pay in a retail store!

There are so many ways to inexpensively decorate your home. You can creatively bring beauty, color, and brightness to your living space. With just a little imagination and a little labor, you can end up with a home that is unique and has its own dynamic personality.

Conquering Clutter

Clutter is the enemy of an organized home. It doesn't matter how many tubs, bins, bucket, and organizational systems you buy, your home will never be organized until you learn to conquer clutter. Ask yourself 5 important questions to decide if what you're keeping is valuable, or just clutter.

1. When did I last use this item?
A good rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in the last year, chances are you're not going to in the next. Allow yourself to purge old items, interest, hobbies, and unfinished projects to allow room for the really important parts of your life.


2. Am I going to need this item on a specific date in the future?
If a friend just set her wedding date for a couple of months away, it might be wise to keep that calligraphy set to help her with invitations. But if you are keeping a household full of furniture stacked in the garage for when your 5-year-old daughter moves out on her own, it may be time to free up some space. If it doesn't have a definite date of use, the clutter isn't worth it.



3. Does this item have a legal or tax purpose?
Paper can be our worst clutter enemy, and we often use the excuse of the legal and tax purposes to explain our 30-year collection of receipts. Go through your papers and keep only items that are really needed. go to http://digits.hrblock.com/topicsofinterest/safeguarding/recordkeeping.php to find out how long you should be keeping your personal paperwork.

4. How hard would it be to replace this item again someday if I needed it?
If the items are priceless emotionally or historically, they may be the best items to toss. Consider how hard it would be to replace the item and get rid of things that are a dime a dozen.

5. In what way is this item making my life more purposeful or better?
If the items are not making you happier, healthier, or better, they are just taking up space and cluttering up your life. Removing these stacks and boxes of stuff will free up your home and your space.

Once you've decided what you can get rid of, don't delay the process! The longer your wait, the more likely you are to find a reason to hang onto some of these items. Shred old personal papers and recycle. Throw out broken or unusable materials. And finally, pack up your car with old clothes or other items that may have some value and drop them off at your local Goodwill.

Source: Kim Glen www.homedesignguide.com