Pastel Furniture

Most people think of the color scheme when they hear about Pastel Furniture, but Pastel is furniture line that has been around for years and has notched out a nice, unique look specializing in the metal and wrought iron category.  Recently they have expanded in a new direction with an ultra contemporary look. It takes a forward look at design while borrowing a throw-back-type of style with items like "brewers chairs", which haven't been seen on showrooms in decades.

Furniture Styles

Mango Hardy Dining Furniture

It seems furniture demand has evolved in recent years, as it always does and always will. Here in Columbus, Ohio furniture has moved more contemporary in the last decade and the country look isn’t as strong. There are still people who like the arrow-back chairs with a turned pedestal, but they are so much the minority that most stores have moved on to a more modern look. Yet, we find that there is a hybrid demand. Sets like the Hardy Dining Collection Mango, where you see contemporary style combined with Shaker looks. It’s more transitional and functional than going completely modern or completely country. The straight lines have taken the place of the bow-back colonial chair, yet this furniture still fits for most homes in our region.

Bassett Furniture Columbus Ohio

Bassett Custom Dining

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. One thing I like about being in a city in the mid-west is the fact that there is a lot of diversity in furnishing designs. I've recently fallen in love with Bassett Furniture. For one, it is made in America. Yeah, let's see you find "Made in the USA" on a table or chairs from any other manufacture. Another thing I like about the Bassett Custom Dining program is that they ship in 30 days. So, the consumer gets a high-quality product, customized in about a month. That's pretty amazing. Their table and chair sets range from about $1,000 - $2,000, depending on the size of table and how many chairs you want. So, if you are looking for something country, transitional or even contemporary for your kitchen or dining room, you may want to check out Bassett.

Top 5 Tips to Take Care of Your Kitchen Table | Phil In Furniture

Top 5 Tips to Take Care of Your Kitchen Table | Phil In Furniture

So I’m guessing that you don’t have the time to read through all of my posts.  I’ll do you a favor and give you a quick synopsis on how to care for your kitchen table.

1. Cleaning: It’s typically best to use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth.  If  you need to step it up a notch try adding a mild soap to the damp cloth.
2. Leaf Storage: Do not store the leaf on end.  Lay it flat under a bed, this will avoid warping.
3. Chairs: Put glides on the chair legs.  If your floor surface is hard you should use felt glides, if your set is on carpet go with the vinyl glides. I prefer the ones that peel and stick.
4. Chairs 2.0: Don’t lean back in them. Leaning back in your chair regularly will reduce it’s life by about 80%.
5. Avoid Damage: When you put a coffee mug, pizza box or hot dish on the table, check to the heat. If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot for the table.

There are more things to consider, but these are the highlights.  If you have any questions, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Chromcraft Quick-Zip-Shipping

Chromcraft dinettes zip ship

Well well it looks like the folks over at Chromcraft have heard the demands of the consumers looking for their “chairs on rollers” without wanting to wait up to 16 weeks. Imagine a slew of customers in the streets of Cairo demanding a change in the regime of long waits for their tilt-swivel dinettes, and the military decides to make the angry crowd happy by giving them a zip-ship Chromcraft kitchen set. Ok so it’s not that extreme, but Chromcraft Furniture now has several sets in stock, ready to ship if you are willing to go with the fabric shown. They have several sets in this quick-ship/zip-ship program, and all indicators point to them expanding this line. We’ll start to see just how quick a “zip” actually is before long.

Verona Dining Collection by Intercon Furniture

Verona Dining Collection by Intercon

Here’s your dilemma. You’ve been looking for a kitchen or dining set. You want something that is sophisticated, but will also stand up to the test of time (and the kids). Let me introduce you to the Verona Dining Collection by Intercon Furniture.
This collection perfectly marries quality construction with elegant design and function. The Verona group includes regular dining height and counter height sets that are suitable for both the kitchen and dining room. All sets can seat up to 8 comfortably, which is a plus during the holidays or for those with large families.
One of the most striking features about the Verona Collection is the finish. Intercon selected an Italian Rustic color and applied it to the American Cherry and Red Birch wood of this collection. The result is a finish with a unique color and dry brush technique that you won’t find on the neighbor’s table. In addition, several pieces have tan brown Italian Granite inlays that contrast beautifully with the red in the finish and add to the rich look of this collection.
Concerned about durability? Tables in the Verona Collection are framed in solid red birch with inlaid American Cherry veneers on top. This durable wood, along with optional granite inlays on some models, provides a lasting surface. Chairs, leaves and case pieces are 100% solid birch. Solid wood chairs will endure the daily abuse of meals, game nights, homework conferences and work-from-home sessions.
Another great feature about the Verona collection is the functionality. The folding leaf table (available in both regular and counter heights) starts as a 46” square to fit well in smaller spaces, and expands to a 65” round to comfortably seat up to 8. Also included with this exceptional table is a built-in 20” Italian Granite Lazy Susan, great for playing games or passing the salt. In the dining collection, a self-storing butterfly leaf offers the option of extending the table out to 92”, but doesn’t compromise closet or under-bed storage space with a bulky leaf.
Just a warning, this set is heavy! Even without granite inlays, the tables of this collection are hefty and may be difficult to move once assembled. Lead times with this company are anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the time of year. The Verona Collection’s high quality does translate to a slighter steeper price tag, but the collection’s value is undeniable.
Guest Author- Janae

Canadel Furniture vs Bermex... FIGHT!

Canadel vs Bermex

Canadel Furniture and Bermex Dining are two competing dining furniture lines.  They are both made in Canada and they both have nice products.  If you are in the market and can’t decide which of these manufactures fit your needs best, maybe I can help.
Quality of Finish: Both companies have a Catalyzed finish. Bermex features a catalyzed varnish where Canadel has a catalyzed lacquer.  Most experts will tell you that a varnish is better, but it is usually thinner than the lacquer. Bermex +1

Quality of Table Construction: Both companies use a high-quality birch.  However, Canadel uses anti-warp boards on the underside of the table top. Canadel +1
Quality of Chair Construction: This one is a wash in my opinion.  You can expect the chair to last a lifetime (if not abused) from either manufacture.  EVEN
Fabric Options: Canadel-over 300   Bermex-186 Canadel +.5

Wood Finish Options: Candel-120   Bermex-114 EVEN
Shipping Time: This varies quite a bit.  Depending on the time of year you may wait 3 weeks or over 2 months.  Canada has a mandatory shut down for the factories every summer, and the timing depends on where your custom set is in the production cycle. EVEN
Style Options: Both factories have several options on table shape, table size, chairs, buffets and hutches.  I side with Canadel on this one because of their Udesign software that lets you create your combination and it displays it to you on their website. Canadel +1
Price: Both companies are pricey, but well worth the value.  This furniture, if cared for, will last for generations.  Canadel in general is a little less expensive, but they also have a Champlain collection that is higher than Bermex.  Canadel +.5
So, according to my formula here Canadel wins by 2. So, why do I have a Bermex table, chairs and buffet in my dining room at home? Because they had the look that I wanted.  You can look for opinions of everyone you know and it won’t matter.  Go with the set and manufacture that you like best and you’ll be happy with it, after all you’re the one that get to eat there.

Canadel Furniture

One of the finest lines in kitchen and dining furniture is Canadel Furniture
.  While it costs more than the average set, the quality is hard to beat.  Why are they one of the best?

1. Catalyzed Lacquer Finish-  The finish is literally baked on the furniture.  This helps prevent chips and dents, but mainly will help you avoid water rings or water marks left by a wet glass and staining.
2. Solid Birch or Oak- The wood used by Canadel is top quality Birch which gives a beautiful and rich look or if you prefer the deep grain the Oak option is very nice.(Correction: Canadel now solely offers Birch as a wood species option.) Plus birch is considered a “hard wood” which adds to the longevity.
3. Custom Choices- Canadel has over 70 finishes and over 55 fabrics to chose from.  Chose your table size and shape, then you can actually chose the leg or pedestal style for the table and the leg style for most chairs.  Then you can chose the edge(profile) of your table. Distressed or matte finish.  All that then you can even get Coran or Zodiaq.
4. Solid Construction-  Table: Solid wood including sliding tracks, blocked corners, undersides of tables are completely sealed with ultraviolet seal coat and reinforced with anti-warp boards to prevent warping due to humidity.  Chairs: Blocked to prevent twisting and cracking, chair joints are glued and nailed(or screwed), legs are individually adjusted to eliminate rocking, backs of chairs are steam-bent to prevent cracks and are nailed and glued for strength and durability.

Yeah, they’re top-notch.  So, where do you purchase such a fine piece of furniture? (Made entirely in North America)  Several high-end retailers sell Canadel, but Kitchen Tables and More Furniture in Columbus, Ohio guarantees the lowest price in Central Ohio… just sayin'.

Ashley Furniture: 4 Things You Should Know

Ashley Furniture North Shore Dining

Ashley Furniture is the most recognized name in dining furniture right now. From Price is Right to the commercials seen for your local Ashley Homestore, it seems hard to miss the orange Ashley Logo. They have a recipe that few manufacturers have replicated in the furniture industry that have helped create a trusted brand. Here are a few things that you should know:
1. Shop Around for the Best Price. One thing that most shoppers don’t understand is that you cannot buy Ashley Furinture “factory direct.” All Ashley Furniture has a middleman with a markup. You actually have a decent chance of saving money at a retailer who carries Ashley Furniture along with other manufacturers.
2. Ashley Furniture is priced well. You get a lot of look for what you’re paying and the quality is decent.
3. It is imported. Like most furniture these days, Ashley Furniture is made in Asia. Don’t let that scare you away too much. The only things you’ll find made in the USA is very pricey.
4. Ashley knows how to flow goods. They have their own freight lines so they can ship to the retailer in a decent amount of time. They also typically have a large amount of their inventory stocked which helps speed up the shipping process.
Ashley Furniture is altogether a great company. They are not the highest quality out there, but they sure know how to make your home look nice on a reasonable budget. You can shop for them at your local store to see how it looks in person, but don’t be afraid to order online from a reputable retailer. A retailer who has a brick and mortar store and an e-store will likely have the ability to cut the price and ship it right to your front door.

Tilt-swivel sets with casters are getting harder to find. The days of walking in to your furniture store and seeing caster dinette sets lined up are gone. There are a few specialty retailers who still carry this niche product. Many of the factories who made the tilt-swivel dinettes have closed up shop. You can, however, still buy Chromcraft Dinettes dinettes on casters.
Chromcraft has a downside though; they take a long time to ship the product. Many special orders take 16 weeks or more. If you can’t wait that long, you may need to look for the tilt-swivel set in stock or look for a different brand. There are other manufactures who make caster kitchen sets like Tobias Designs and Douglas Casual Living. Douglas is a bit of a confusing subject. There was a Douglas who sold tilt-swivel sets for many years, then went out of business a few years back. A new company now uses the Douglas name, but has a different product in the same category.
All this to say, you will have a hard time finding a caster set that tilts and swivels, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Shop around, make calls, and be patient if it’s a special order.

Kitchen Tables and More by Dinette Gallery at Easton

Kitchen Tables and More Furniture Columbus Ohio

There are big changes happening at the Dinette Gallery. After extensive research including a man-on-the-street video, the Dinette Gallery realized that the word “Dinette” is a strange old term. Therefore, the 32 year old company is changing their name to “Kitchen Tables and More.”
Part of this change includes a new 10′ x 30′ sign on the freeway in Columbus, Ohio. This big undertaking has given Kitchen Tables and More the opportunity to clearly communicate what they sell to the 200,000+ cars that drive on I270 daily. The new sign uses LED technology and should significantly lower the electricity usage and maintenance costs over the years. The previous sign for “Dinette Gallery” used neon lighting. The cost of maintaining that type of sign was part of their motivation to change, but the main reason for the change is to eliminate the confusion of what a “Dinette Gallery” is.

Amisco Furniture

Amisco Furniture Stools

Amisco Furniture is a Canadian company, specializes in contemporary barstools, counterstools and kitchen tables. Their modern and contemporary styles are not only for the edgy designs, they also have styles that are more transitional.

While most furniture manufactures only give a 1-year warranty, Amisco comes with a free 10-year warranty on all welding.  This is a nice feature since the welded joints are the one place that is most likely to cause problems over time on metal furniture.

The other benefit that you get with Amisco is the custom options.  You can choose from several finishes of metal and you can choose from several nice fabric options.
It does take a few weeks to get this brand of furniture once ordered.  It can vary from 3-9 weeks depending on the time of year.

Canadel Furniture: What you need to know when custom ordering

If you’re looking to custom order high-end kitchen or dining room furniture such as Canadel Furniture there are some very important things you should know. Check out this video to get the skinny.

Kitchen Pub Sets

Many people are turning to tall kitchen tables called "pub sets" like the
Amisco dining table "Kyle" which adds the feel of being at a restaurant and makes your guests feel at ease when they want to just plop down for a while. The standard table height has been used since the average height of an American was much shorter than we are now.

What You Need to Know When Custom Ordering

If you're looking to custom order high-end kitchen tables or custom dining room sets, there are some very important things you should know. Check out this video to get the skinny.

Floor Protection, Chair Longevity

So let's take a look at how to make your chairs last longer and at the same time protect your floor. Watch this video on how to do that.

How To: Self-Storing Leaf Tables

,

There are some kitchen tables with selfstoring butterfly leaves in a very convenient way. Watch this video to see how it is done.

Canadel, Canadel, Canadel

Canadel Furniture Kitchen Dining Set

One of the finest lines in kitchen and dining furniture is Canadel Dining Furniture
.  While it costs more than the average set, the quality is hard to beat.  Why are they one of the best?

1. Catalyzed Lacquer Finish-  The finish is literally baked on the furniture.  This helps prevent chips and dents, but mainly will help you avoid water rings or water marks left by a wet glass and staining.
2. Solid Birch or Oak- The wood used by Canadel is top quality Birch which gives a beautiful and rich look or if you prefer the deep grain the Oak option is very nice. Plus birch is considered a "hard wood" which adds to the longevity.
3. Custom Choices- Canadel has over 70 finishes and over 55 fabrics to chose from.  Chose your table size and shape, then you can actually chose the leg or pedestal style for the table and the leg style for most chairs.  Then you can chose the edge(profile) of your table. Distressed or matte finish.  All that then you can even get Coran or Zodiaq.
4. Solid Construction-  Table: Solid wood including sliding tracks, blocked corners, undersides of tables are completely sealed with ultraviolet seal coat and reinforced with anti-warp boards to prevent warping due to humidity.  Chairs: Blocked to prevent twisting and cracking, chair joints are glued and nailed(or screwed), legs are individually adjusted to eliminate rocking, backs of chairs are steam-bent to prevent cracks and are nailed and glued for strength and durability. 

Yeah, they're top-notch.  So, where do you purchase such a fine piece of furniture? (Made entirely in North America)  Several high-end retailers sell Canadel, but Kitchen Tables and More in Columbus, Ohio guarantees the lowest price in Central Ohio... just sayin :)

Storing Your Table's Leaf

Here is a video describing storing the leaf of your kitchen tables or dining room tables as discussed in my previous post Storing Your Leaf.

Changes

Major changes are coming to this blog about dinettes and kitchen tables. All of you who want more of my pretty face, well, you'll get more of it soon:) I hope to begin vlogging by the end of the week about furniture tips and featured furniture items. Now I'm off to get a camera.