'Home Decorations' Category

Leather furniture is available at surprisingly low prices today. however, skin and dye qualities can vary greatly. Aniline-dyed leather is superior to surface-dyed leather. The latter is sometimes called ‘painted’ leather because the dye only coats the surface while the former penetrates the skin and is visible on the back. [...] Read More

The arms and backs of washable slipcovers will probably pick up the most soil. If necessary try pre-treating these areas after removing the slipcover from the furniture but before washing. With a hand mixer, mix 1/4 cup liquid laundry detergent in one cup of water until it foams up to the consistency of whipped cream. [...] Read More

A professional services will be needed to remove bad spots and stains as well as deeply ingrained soil in most cases. Ask a friend for recommendations or consult the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under “Furniture Cleaning.” Typical methods offered will be steam-cleaning, dry-cleaning and dry foam-cleaning. Be aware that any cleaning procedure will destroy the original protective soil-resistant coating of your upholstery. [...] Read More

Blot out as much as possible before attempting to remove a liquid stain. Pre-test then treat the stain immediately. Follow up with a professional cleaning as soon as possible when necessary. Avoid stain removers on fabrics with soil-resistant finishes as they may create new stains. [...] Read More

Here are some fibers and their common characteristics. Cotton is a versatile fiber used for prints and wovens and is comfortable to use in all climates. It, as well as any untreated natural fiber is less stain-resistant than synthetic fibers. [...] Read More

Upholstered furniture can last for years with proper care. Mattresses will last longer too if maintained well. It is worth the time to develop habits that will keep your comfortable pieces looking and feeling good. The upholstered furniture in your house, from sofas and chairs to the mattresses on your beds are usually big-ticket household investments. [...] Read More

Besides overlaying a table with glass there are still other preventive measures for wood furniture. Cut felt or leather pads to fit under decorative accessories and lamps. Glue the pieces to the base. When dusting, polishing or just using a table, make it a habit to lift up the tabletop items without sliding them in order to prevent scratching the wood. [...] Read More

Chalky white stains can be minimized or eliminated. Apply toothpaste with a clean cloth and rub gently following the grain. Wipe with a clean damp cloth followed by a dry one. Rub the spot gently with mineral spirits and #0000 steel wool following the grain if the toothpaste does not work. [...] Read More

A lot of a wood’s beauty lies in its natural color and distinctive grain pattern. While the color of wood can be altered with stains to disguise it as another wood, the grain of the wood will always enable you to identify the truth. Many varieties of a wood type may exist but their grains will have similar characteristics. [...] Read More

The term “antique” is given to most items when they are at least 100 years old. The most valuable ones, ‘period antiques’ were made in the time the design originated either by the original or another cabinetmaker. Your valuable antique may be a family table and chairs you’ve inherited and want to preserve for future generations of the family to also enjoy. Custom-made furniture of any era, antique or not carried a high value. [...] Read More