Hello,
Are you thinking about an update to your family room? The room where all the kids end up with a game controller in their hand? This sofa can be altered according to how many people you need to accommodate.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

It is shown here with five individual pieces. Three seats all of which recline to the desire of the person sitting in it.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

The seats are divided by a slice of comfort to hold a beverage or two, the remotes, and game controllers.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

Theatre sectional upholstered in Polo Grey. Each of the seats recline and are
powered separately. That means everyone can position their chair according to preference.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

I love the variation of the shades of grey in this swatch. But this isn't the only color this sectional comes in 55 other color choices. Is that too many? Well they aren't all grey, several are in shades of brown, green, red, blue and even white. All the fabric swatches are created from easy to clean material and all have great durability.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

There are many different pieces available that allow me to construct the right size for your room. With all these configurations to choose from, I know this sectional will fit your needs.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

This sectional is 124 inches wide by 70 inches deep. The depth is measuring a recliner piece fully extended.

Connie Bradshaw http://bradshawshouse.com

You can't go wrong choosing this sectional for entertaining. During family time, with the kids home, or gathering together to watch a show. How fun this sectional will be. Hey, pass the popcorn.

Fun Things to do in December

Since I recently lost my job I can put my focus back on my family and this blog. Turns out I'm not the best salesperson the store manager and I thought I would be. Seems like whenever I work outside of the home I can't give adequate attention to my family which is so much more important to me than a job anyway. To redeem myself from the guilt I have, I plan to do the things listed below in December. All of the things listed may not seem like fun to you but they will give me great joy.  Print this out if you'd like and mark off as many as you want.

bradshawhouse.com

I'm working on a fun Home Furnishing Series that I think you'll enjoy. More details will come as the time draws near. Meanwhile lets have fun this month.

I need a Dining Room Table before Christmas

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on this blog so please forgive me. I will jump right back in today with dining room tables. I love the new one that Jen Migonis recently purchased. It makes a beautiful statement on it's own so I can't wait to see what the rest of her dining room looks like.
Here is a dining room set if you are in the market for a new table.

Liberty Furniture Trestle Table

This Trestle Table from Liberty Furniture is well constructed. All the pieces made by this company are from hard wood, then have a beautiful veneer overlay that has a lacquer coating making them easy to clean. To complete the design, the table's base has extra pieces which makes for a very sturdy table. I love the overall look and the fact that it can become smaller by the removable leaves in both ends. The overall dimensions are W40 x D102 x H30. Each leaf is 12" making the table 78" long when they're removed.

Liberty Furniture Trestle Table Server

This dining room set has additional pieces to complete your whole dining room. Like this Server that can be dressed up for each holiday or season. Dimensions on this piece are W55 x D22 x H36. I find that this depth of just 22" is perfect for most 12'-0" feet wide dining rooms. You will still have enough room to walk around the table, even with someone sitting in the chairs.

Liberty Furniture Trestle Table Book Case

Do you need more storage? You can add an extra Leaning Shelf unit that are W34 x D13 x H76 to hold your special dishes or even the everyday dinnerware. Keeping with the style of the trestle table these ladder shelves complete the look as they are placed one on each side of the server. I admire the design of these shelves because it was well thought out. Notice how as the shelves drop down in increments creating 5 extra places for display, the depth increases. Also I love that no matter how deep each shelf is they still rest against the back wall. That's reassuring knowing the ladder shelves will hold my dishes safely.

You still have enough time to have a new dining room set in your home before Christmas.
Contact me at; bradshawhouse@gmail.com

Notes

Polyester is more pliable not bonded

Brill Furniture
I had a nice chat with our Brill furniture representative, and here are some qualities you would like. They are made here in the USA, we get our shipments from Indiana. They have all hard wood frames. under each cushion they space 3 sinuis springs, unless it's a sofa with only two cushions then they are spread evenly. Seat cushions are solid foam with ratios of density and compression. The heavier the person is like 275+ you would need a higher density and better compression.

A quote remembered from Bill... Old mam Richards from Richards Bedding said "If you bought a mattress-depending on the quality-and all you did was sleep on it, it should last you a lifetime".

We like Palliser Furniture versus Natuzzi Italian made products. We can get great quality leather furniture from this Canadian based company and not pay the freight it cost to get the furniture from Italy to America. They use a webbing material woven for their support on the hard wood frames. This same material is also used in Michelin tires. We need inexpensive good quality leather sofas around $1200 - $1500 dollars.

We have carried furniture from a company named Winners Only for over 20 years.

We do not purchase for our showroom or carry floral patterned sofas.

Klaussner Furniture can be special ordered from us for $100 dollars and up (depending on the material grade chosen) than the ticket price we have on the floor. Klaussner responds quickly to problems. They have hard wood frames. Klaussner has a bigger special order selection than some other companies we carry. They sell more furniture nation wide.

Best Furniture is packaged well. This prevents any damage to the furniture during transportation from their small company in Indiana to us.

Broyhill Furniture has improved their customer service.

Written by Connie Bradshaw

Broyhill sofas and sectionals

Broyhill Sofa's
*Audrey-Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
Ava
*Cambridge-have in dark gray and medium brown. Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
*Cassandra-Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
*Emily
Greenwich
Harrison
Helena
*Heuer-Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
Jenna
Jevin-have in dark grey. Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
*Landon-Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
*Laramie-Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman plus a matching recliner are also available.
Larissa-have in medium brown. Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
*Maddie-Loveseat, Apartment Sofa 74 inches long, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
Miller
Monica
Parker
*Perspectives-have in medium greige. Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
Serenity
Sterlyn
Tanners Choice -your choice of leather
*Travis-medium brown with upholstery nails. Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.
Tribeca
Uptown
Westport
*Whitfield-Loveseat, Chair & 1/2 and Ottoman are also available.
Windsor
*Zachary-have a dark brown, light gray corduroy fabric. Loveseat, Queen Sleeper, Chair and Ottoman are also available.

Broyhill Sofa Sectionals
Emily
*Ethan-four seats and one wedge in dark gray.
Kayley
Laramie
Raphael
Tribeca
*Veronica-four seats and one wedge, have in tan. Chaise is also available.

Broyhill Furniture with their innerspring coil seat cushions give you extra bounce.

Don't miss a post, sign up now for my Home Furnishing Series

Written by Connie Bradshaw

Flexsteel Furniture

Flexsteel Furniture is one of my favorite brands

Hello, Connie here, with home furnishings. If you have been in need of replacing furniture or purchasing furniture for your first time, then you will benefit from reading this! There are tons of different brands of furniture out there, but they're not all the same. The brands I have experience with are Best, Brill, Broyhill, Flexsteel, Klausner, Lane, & Palliser. I have access to other brands and occasionally we host a few on the showroom floor that I work at. Let’s start off with one of my favorites, the Flexsteel Brand Company.

Flexsteel Logo on a sofa surface

Their upholstery or leather selections plus the different styles help you mix and match in your home or office whether you lean more to the traditional or a modern look. They’ve developed and patented over 75 years ago the Blue Steel Spring which provides support in the frames of their sofas, loveseats, chairs, recliners and much, much more. When you sit down on a Flexsteel piece of furniture you are guaranteed durability.

Bands of Blue Steel

The cushions consisting of a dense foam also confirm that any piece of furniture bought with their name on it will withstand years of use. You will appreciate the rigors of testing they’ve put their products through. Some furniture like an occasional or accent chair is placed in a room to fill an empty spot rather than being enjoyed or consistently used. A Flexsteel chair will provide comfortable seating no matter where it lands. But I doubt it will stay in a corner long because of the comfortable seating it offers.

Batting wrapping the foam 

Foam density

Flexsteel comes by their name because they actually have bands of 0.08 inch blue steel running every few inches across the entire furniture base. Growing families all need this support and for my family since we range in weight from 110 pounds to almost 280 pounds, and heights of 5’0 to 6’6. Most furniture can not meet this combination of height and weight and display the recommended weight capacity in the detail/descriptions area.

Widths Placement 

We have one room we all tend to gather daily; our living room. The living room to our family is the center of the house, meaning there is always someone occupying and enjoying the comfortable atmosphere. Flexsteel furniture choices are great with lazy days as well as days where you have many guests over. Because of the various weight support it offers and longevity, any event or number or guests you have over will have comfortable seating.

Secure Stitching

During holidays or special occasions when you host overnight guest the phrase, “I’ll take the couch” is not the bad alternative, but instead an enjoyable option. Many companies now offer sleeper sofas with improved mattresses and better placement of the  chunky metal bars or noisy springs.  The Flexsteel sleeper sofa comes with a Splendid Comfort mattress or choice of two other mattress options like the Memory Flex or the Majestic Air Coil mattress.

The Flexsteel company has proven itself with over 100 years producing quality furniture. It has expanded throughout time to include recreational vehicles that needed sofas to convert into a bed, seating areas that turn into a table. They manufacture bucket seats for GM automobiles industry, and produce recliners with an adjustable lumbar support. From the original four men in 1893, who at that time worked together in a Minnesota ​furniture company, bought it to begin what we now know as the Flexsteel Company. Improving and embracing the technology demands over the years, they have increased to 5 factories spread across America.

Before your next piece of furniture you purchase, consider the use, frequency, and formality of the room. These factors will help you determine what to furnish your home or business with. Other brands may work for you, ​but I need a furniture that will last. And if you’re looking for a brand that does, this may be the fit for you.

Don't miss a post, sign up now for my Home Furnishing Series

Written by Connie Bradshaw

How to use Glass Cabinet Doors in your kitchen

How to use glass in your cabinet doors has varied according to the purpose needed by the homeowner. Some use glass in practical ways to show the location of daily dishware. Sometimes glass is used to display special dishes that are used only occasionally. Then again some glass insets are used to conceal the contents therein. Whatever your needs are you'll notice that glass panels can fit into modern style or more traditional kitchen designs.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/33499902/Ada-Transitional-Kitchen-transitional-kitchen-grand-rapids

Many clients ask kitchen designers to give them a combination of glass doors along with solid cabinet doors. I notice them to typically be placed within a traditional style home.

http://pbkitchen.design/portfolio/kitchens/first-place-2014-nkba-design-contest/

Most glass doors I see are clear allowing the viewer to peek inside at the contents. This small section has a rippled glass design to give an obscure view where actual labels can not be seen.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=OldFashioned+Kitchen+Interior+Design&view=detailv2&&id=888913569B45D9032C5DB3910AE2AB03F5673282
&selectedIndex=25&ccid=zGS94RTc&simid=608035067893121786&thid=OIP.Mcc64bde114dc955592f1e4c7f358028co0&ajaxhist=0

Although this kitchen appears as a farmhouse style, and is on a smaller scale you can clearly find the dish you need.

http://www.starlitekitchens.com/transitional/

I love this kitchen as the designer defines the difference between dining room and kitchen with the use of color on the cabinetry. It makes this section set apart from the rest of the cabinets declare it's purpose as a hutch. However both areas have cabinetry with glass inserts and notice too the small glassed panel sections that are lit up in the kitchen.

http://www.lifestylekitchenstudio.com/#!portfolio/c18z4

I really love the idea of having the glass insets above your regular cabinets to display larger dishes like a platter or special occasion dishware. These cabinets look wonderful when they have a light source to make your kitchen and collectibles glow in the evening. 

Wesley Hall Sofa

I was browsing in Klingman's Furniture, a local furniture store a few days ago and found this brand they carry to be of phenomenal quality. This one is Made by Wesley Hall Furniture in Hickory, North Carolina. I bet you would see a display from them at High Point Market.

Price dominates my decisions. However this would be worth it to receive such quality.

This brand is Wesley Hall

http://wesleyhall.com/search

Bi-Annual Textile Arts Market

Bi-Annual Textile Arts Market

Yarn for sale

We did not arrive early enough to get in on the wonderful sales going on at this Bi-Annual show. We did observe many items styles and designs crafted from people from all around.

We did not arrive early enough to get in on the wonderful sales going on at this Bi-Annual show. We did observe many items styles and designs crafted from people from all around. I met a few from Battle Creek and loved the feel of a rug woven out of baby blankets. Oh it was the softest item in the whole display of wares.

Yarn close up

I also met Becky who owns her yarn supply store named Threadbender Inc. What I enjoyed the most while visiting for my first time ever was the variety of work created.

Pink purse for sale

Not only did I see ladies weaving on actual looms and I was allowed to watch while demonstrations and explanations were given. One gal even offered for me to try a few rows.

Towels for sale

Woven purses for sale

Scarves for sale

Totally intimidated by the thought of touching her exquisite work so I refrained. I usually push up my sleeves and get right in there, but she didn't know that asking me a question like that would have led to me taking over the entire project.

Black & white woven bag

Cool also was watching another woman using a spinning wheel making actual yarn. She fed the wheel from a handful of sheep hair puff, and off the wheel came a strand of yarn that she used in her next project. Craft designers who knit, crochet, or wove understood the process of dying their own material. I like the idea that they made it from beginning to end. I'm waiting for this to come back around this spring because this time I'll be ready.

Contemporary Design 'a certain style'

When I thought about defining the differences between "What is Contemporary?" verses "What is Modern?" I could not give a clear answer. Maybe the term contemporary and modern are loosely used however they are one in the same? Which wouldn't make sense because why have two different words if they are truly not two different styles. So I began searching with my preconceived ideas trying to define the differences for myself. Is contemporary a style, a certain style with defined products or manufacturers? Is it about color only bright colors need to apply? Is it the combination of products made in bright colors? Then furniture came to mind and I questioned myself with 'what about the clean look, smooth surfaces with neat corners?' Maybe its the raw material used like glass, plastic, metal.

What I discovered is it was not all bright colors, although this picture from the J Design Group has bright red walls paired with white and separated using gray trim. None of the furnishings used in this interior are bright colors. The sofa is white, as is the coffee table, and the area rug, although a noticeable design is drizzled in black. What is unusual about the space besides the artistic wall, is several pieces have neat, clean corners.  Unique too are the glass door and that flowering sculpture in the corner.

A wonderful example of contemporary design is shown from the Belsize Architects. They do many projects however this particular one created to allow in natural light in the relatively small area accomplishes much. The square footage of the place I deem as an apartment or loft lets one enter and immediately feel the expanse of the room. Instead of feeling confined into a long rectangular main floor where width is challenged, they capitalized from the feelings of enclosure using height. Opening up the main level by use of steel beams gives a clear vision above. Two bedrooms sit up top with a slight curvature designed into the wall material. Glass panels are used for division and safety around the stairwell. This main floor entry offers a kitchen to your left a sitting room to the right. You may choose to go up into the bedrooms or down into the lower level.

Using slats for an exterior construction product has become increasingly popular in architecture.
This example using wooden slats here are fixed in place but allow natural light in without disturbing the existing brick.
Does the use of materials (concrete, glass, fabric, metal, wood, or plastic) make it contemporary? I'd say 'No', because all these products are used in other styles of homes.

When furniture came to mind and I questioned myself with 'what about the clean look, smooth surfaces with neat corners?' And 'Yes' furniture can be designed in a contemporary manner. They do have a clean smooth look about them. Notice this lounge above (Park Square Mews) with the hyde design material on a sleek metal base. Below the interior shows a red upholstered chair unusual in shape with a chunky bottom and thinner back.

Glass ceiling skylights/Glass floor                                                        Bent wood furniture sculpture

I found more examples from the London Belsize Architects who are labeled the 'Best in Contemporary' designers, as they featured this single family home. They are not afraid to branch out of the typical like this wooden structure creating a useful entertainment center with plenty of storage. The design depicts a Piet Mondrian painting, more about him in another post. Here they combined both wooden doors concealing storage in the shapes for the totally functional entertainment center. So a functional entertainment center/storage area plus material used creatively allows this unique interior be called a contemporary design. Belsize architects also needed to allow light into the lower level of this project. The lower level is mentioned to have a great view of the garden and waterfall wall. However very little natural light would come in. To solve that problem they used a film coated glass for the ceiling as skylights yet in the upper level this is an actual glass floor to walk on. So clever.

Is contemporary a style, a certain style with defined products or manufacturers? A certain style 'YES' but not because of certain materials.
To answer all my questions of what makes for a contemporary design. I would sum it up by saying; Contemporary design is the unusual placement and/or use of objects that are not common to the products use or area in which it's used. Hope that helped you I know I have a much clearer understanding now.

Relieving STRESS

Are you involved in the coloring craze? I feel this idea of coloring to relieve stress is so enjoyed by all ages. I know it helps me get in touch with a creative side of myself that has been squelched for awhile. I can pick up a crayon or as in these two examples below display coloring using Berol Prisma-Colored Pencils. I really love Berol Prisma-colored pencils I'd purchased when in college as a prescribed tool from one of my classes. I have enjoyed coloring with them over the years, but as time has passed, some of those pencils have broke, been lost, or eaten by the dog. So I added a small set into my cart along with a few books just to use purposely for coloring these books.

I always keep color books and crayons around for the purpose of entertaining kiddos when friends come for a visit. I join right in with the coloring at the table. I could loose myself in this simple creative activity and forget all about the stress of the day. I think I'm a kid at heart especially when we have to entertain anyone who hasn't outgrown coloring. 

During our Christmas shopping I made sure to add a few Adult coloring books to my cart for my teenagers, who have stressful classes. On snow days when the snow is piling up outside and the hot chocolate is inside it is also fun to sit with the books and handful of pencils. I bought my books from Michael's, but I have spotted them in a few other locations too. Just last week while I was in JoAnne Fabric's I ran across some of the same books.

My teens started these two pages, and I just wanted to show you that not only do little ones enjoy coloring but so will kids of all ages.
Connie

Color match for this Andover Rug

I did not have to look too hard to pull these items into my scheme.  I've been collecting some of these
things for plus 10 years.
Connie

An area rug made by Andover Mills

I was checking out some home decor which led me to this rug. I really like rugs and rug designs. This particular one was found on wayfair and it "wowed" my socks off.

Soon as I saw the colors in the area rug made by Andover Mills, I knew it matched my home palate. The pattern isn't screaming 'look at me' which I feel there is a cause for that to happen just not in my home. These colors are subtle and blend easily with my color palate choices.

Are they a perfect match? Well, no but it doesn't have to be, because your eyes blend it for you. Stop back in to see how I take this to next next step.

Connie

I worked a little

I worked a little bit over the weekend. Although I'm still recovering I admit it was great. This job was a respite for physically/mentally challenged people. It was Friday night through Sunday morning and I was the freelance (hoping to be hired permanently) person to prepare four meals, clean up, and be a blessing to the campers and workers. It was hard I won't lie, my nervousness was apparent on Saturday afternoon. Check them out. Connie

Indian Trails Camp

http://indiantrailscamp.org/

• December 27th, 2015 – January 2nd, 2016*: “Holiday Camp”
  Prepare for a fun-filled week of camp, including a New Year’s Eve dance, music and games!

Check them out. 

Connie Bradshaw

A little bit of reading in November

I've have a busy day in front of me, so I thought I'd just pop in with a little Hello. I enjoy getting caught up in a good mystery and I never guess who done it. I enjoy reading these books "Love Inspired Suspense" with the trials of these fictional characters and just a little hand holding sprinkled in.

Books I've read

These books usually have the main characters struggling with their spiritual belief's where they may have suffered a tragic experience that challenges them in their faith.

I'm currently reading another Love Inspired Suspence book. I'll let you know if it follows the same genre.

Connie Bradshaw
http://bradshawshouse.blogspot.com

I discovered some little quatrafoil shapes

While taking senior pictures I discovered some little quatrafoil shapes.

Rockford Iron Foot Bridge

Isn't it so cool when you aren't even looking for something and all of a sudden there it is. That is what happened to me while taking pictures of my kids on this footbridge. I really love metal I have mentioned that before in a few of my post. But to be looking up at this beautifully old constructed bridge only to discover the Quatrafoil shape I have been on the look out for in current design here in Michigan, was truly a blessing.

Rockford Iron Foot Bridge

I thought I'd just take a few overhead shots where the structure connected vertically and horizontally with all the added support which includes the lovely curved angle iron and all those little zigzag ladder pieces bolted on.

Rockford Iron Foot Bridge

 I was trying to just get a close shot of some of the rust that has developed making it multi-colors of oranges and the many shades of brown. So I was playing around with my camera to see if I couldn't capture these colors. Even though the sun was shining it was coming through many tree branches that surround this spot, which created shadows on spots I wanted to be clearer. I thought I might try to paint this sometime in the future but I don't know how realistic it would be. I love abstract paintings that depict a blending of color instead of a detailed replica of the picture. So this may become a very abstract painting just because I do not want the accuracy.

Rockford Iron Foot Bridge

I don't know maybe I'll have two make a couple of paintings or maybe I'll just have pictures printed. I'm not sure yet, but one thing I can tell you is that I was so surprised, SO SURPRISED that I grabbed my sons arm and said "that's my quatrafoil". I was surprised it was just over my head. All I needed to do was look up.

Connie Bradshaw
http//:bradshawshouse.blogspot.com
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