Archive for May, 2010


Friday, May 28th, 2010

Protecting wood furniture from mold

CM-2400C-2Accompanying the hot summer months are mold, mildews and fungus that thrive in warm, moist environments. Regular cleaning of your Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® natural wood furniture from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee should be enough to prevent mildew that thrives on organic materials like paper, leather, and wood. Cooled, dehumidified and circulated indoor air is good for your health and that of your furniture. If, however, you find mold damage, follow these few steps:

  1. Remove mold immediately as it can cause sickness, respiratory problems and have an odor.
  2. Wring out a cloth soaked in a solution of three parts water and one part mild detergent.
  3. Wipe surface of the furniture with the solution to remove the mold.
  4. Wipe one small area at a time, followed by a cloth dipped in plain water.
  5. Dry all areas thoroughly.
  6. Clean greasy or filmy substances off your furniture with furniture cleaner, which is different than furniture polish. Wax buildup can harbor mold.
  7. Scrub stubborn spots with a brush dipped in a solution of five parts water and one part chlorine bleach. Test an inconspicuous area first to test colorfastness. Rinse the area thoroughly with plain water and then dry.
  8. Weather permitting, place the furniture outside in the sun to dry. Sunlight aids in oxidation and will be a huge factor in the fight against mold and mildew.

Following these steps will ensure that your beautiful natural wood furniture from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee will give you years of enjoyable use.

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

Tranquility right in your own home

tranquil roomEverybody needs peace and quite some time or another. Whether it’s after a long days work or you have a huge decision to make, tranquility can play a huge role in rejuvenating you. But where can you go to get peace? How about right in the comforts of your own home! With just a little help and some creativity, and your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, you can create a little room in your home where relaxation will always be waiting for you. Follow these steps to creating your own tranquil area.

1. Choose a room in your home where there will be few to no distractions from others. A lightly trafficked area is best like a bedroom or office area.  The main idea here is to create a personal and uncluttered place that inspires you to feel relaxed.

2. Focus on beauty when decorating. It doesn’t take a lot, but just a couple of objects. It can be a photo of a loved one, a candle, flower, or some type of memento that relaxes you. Something personal. Regardless of what the object is you choose, keep it simple when it comes to color. White and pure colors are usually the color of choice. A nice comfortable chair is also key. The idea is to be relaxed. Relaxing means putting your whole body in a comfortable state. What better reach that goal than a comfortable chair.

3. Stimulate your senses. Aroma and sounds enhance peaceful feeling in people. Some type of scented candle or table top waterfall for noise are usually the objects of choice,  but music can also play a huge role in achieving tranquility.

4. Take advantage of it. It is really pointless to set up an area and not use it. If you have a moment or you are by yourself, take advantage or the area you created. It’s not enough just to have the space available, it’s about taking the time out of your hectic workday and relaxing.

When trying to set up a tranquil room in your home, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to purchase the items you need to find peace in your home.

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Deciding on the design of your sofa

pleated skirtNow that you have picked out what style of sofa best suits your family needs, it is time to think about design features.

This glossary will help you deciding and define the features you want in a sofa. You’ll find sofas at your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee in every style and design at prices to meet every budget!

Feet: Yes, a sofa has feet! Exposed feet are typically wood or metal. If you room is formal or contemporary, then you should lean in the direction of wooden feet. Modern styled sofas usually come with feet made of metals or other mixed materials.

Skirt: If you decide that you don’t want your sofa’s feet to show, there are many skirted options. Casual and traditional styled sofas often have skirts that can be pleated, gathered or tailored with matching or contrasting fabric patterns.

Arms: Arms can be high, low, wide, narrow, curved, or straight. Choose an arm style that you’re your body and your room’s use – will you be snoozing here, lying down to watch a movie, or serving tea? The arm height also influences the height of your end tables.

Back: The sofa back can be tightly stuffed, tufted or pillowed. Pillows can be attached, semi-attached or detached in matching or contrasting upholstery patterns. Contemporary sofas typically have a clean,, tight back while fluffy pillowed backs adorn casual designs.

Seat Cushions: Sofas have one to three seat cushions in a variety of fill  techniques and materials that greatly affect comfort, quality, durability and price.

Toss Pillows: Toss pillows are sometimes optional and other times included with a sofa. You can easily change the look of your room with different pillows in bright fabrics with fun or fanciful trims. Toss pillows are like jewelry for your sofa!

Next week we will continue with the size, fabric, and comfort of sofas and how they will complete your rooms design.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Using bright colors to spice up your home

turquoise1Say goodbye to the days of pale sea blues and aqua’s. Sprint 2010 is here and with that comes a forecast of bright and vibrant colors!  Strong intense blues like peacock, teal, and royal are making their ways into homes across America.  However, the color of choice of this very bright season is turquoise.  Moods are known to be stimulated by bright colors and can be greatly affected by them. Blues are known for providing tranquility and freshness, giving any room a sense of well being. Bright blues will just emphasize those feelings making your room a place everyone will want to be.

We tend to lean to the safe side when purchasing larger ticket items, like a sofa or dining table, from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee. This means browns and beiges will most likely be the color of your furniture purchases. These neutral colors can be given some spirit by accenting them with bright colors. A turquoise throw pillow or lamp will add style and energy to the room.

Bright colored accent pieces can also be easy on your budget and be easily replaced in the changing seasons. You probably will not want bright turquoise colored throw pillows during Christmas time, so going bright on small accent pieces can give you the luxury of changing the style of your room easily and affordably.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

How to buy the right sofa for your home

How to buy a sofaYour living room is a place where some of your most precious memories will be made. Whether it’s Christmas morning, your child’s first step, or that once a year sporting event, your living room will be the focal point of many memories you will hold dear. The centerpiece of this very important room is the sofa. The sofa will be one of the most important pieces of furniture you own. This very important piece of furniture needs to fit the lifestyle of your family and be a place where you want to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

When deciding on what sofa to buy from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, you need to understand the different types of sofas so you can decide which one best suits your family.

Styles of Sofas

Standard: The standard sofa is typically the most common of the sofa family. It generally seats about three adults and is a stationary piece of furniture.

Sectional: For families who tend to host a lot of parties  or have a larger living room sectional sofas are usually the better choice. The larger sectionals usually come in a L or U shape and are perfect for having conversations.

Sleeper: If you are prone to having many overnight guests for holidays are other events, then a sleeper sofa is a must have. Sleeper sofas has a built in bed frame that pulls out from underneath the seat cushions.

Motion: Perfect for laying back and watching a ball game or movie with the family, motion sofas have built in recliners or rockers. This will give you a place to kick back and relax after long day.

Loveseat: The loveseat is much like its companion the sofa except for the fact that it is a bit smaller and can generally only seat about two adults. A loveseat is a perfect compliment to any sofa and can provide extra need seating space.

Next week we will continue with the different designs of sofas and how they will compliment your design style.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.