How Can You Tell Great Furniture From So-So Furniture?

Some things to know when you want to buy good furniture that will stand the test of time.  Look for:

~  Good scratch-resistant woods that you can run your fingernail over without leaving a mark

~  Wood that has no "knots."  Knots are a weak point in the wood and may crack.

~  Good joint construction.  Dove tail joints or mortise and tenon joints are best.  If nails or staples are all that's holding a joint together, you can't expect it to last long.

~  Make sure drawers have good slides and stops to avoid safety issues, like the drawers falling all the way out.  And drawers should all have a dust panel between them.  It stops things from falling from one drawer down to another, but also adds extra strength to the piece

~  All table and dresser legs should be touching the floor to avoid wobbling.

~  Foam cushions should all be wrapped with cotton or down, and the foam should have a density of 1.8 pounds or higher.

~  Springs should be well-constructed; either hand-tied coil springs or other springs that are evenly spaced to offer good even support

These are some of things that mark the difference between great furniture and so-so furniture that will just get you through a year or two with your active family. The kind of high-end furniture Distinctive Interiors will find for your home, will never disappoint  -- we don't want to sell you anything we don't trust ourselves!

Is It Really Leather? Knowing the Difference Matters When You Buy Furniture

Knowing leather isn't always easy. But, to be sure that you aren't getting taken advantage of when purchasing your next furniture group, you should know the difference. Make sure you either buy top grain or full grain leather, not bonded. While bonded leather is the popular (and least expensive), it is not the most durable - it may last five to ten years, whereas natural leather lasts a lifetime.

Save money by knowing the different types of leather.  For more information on types of leather, visit http://www.ehow.com/facts_5173371_types-leather-used-furniture.html

Let the Decorating Begin!

We're half way through 2012 already.  Can you believe it?  Next thing you know, we'll be decorating our homes for the fall ..... Thanksgiving ...... and soon after that, Christmas.  If you're like me, you love to decorate in anticipation of holiday entertaining and celebrating with family, friends and neighbors.  But before we start decking the halls, this might be a good time to look around and see what's in need of a little freshening up.  If you start now, you'll have plenty of time to freshen up paint, replace tired-looking furniture pieces and maybe add a few new accessories to create a whole new look for your home.

Here's a tip to save you time and money ..... before you start painting walls or buying furniture, make sure that everything is going to look great together.  Have a plan.  Go pick up some paint chips in your favorite tones from your local paint or building center.  Decide what furniture pieces and accessories you want to keep, and which you want to replace.  Choose the paint colors that you like best with those items.  Also take the paint chips with you when you meet with your decorator and head to pick out new furniture.  If you can find pieces that go well with the same paint colors as your "keepers" at home, it will save you having to repaint later when you find that some things clash with your walls.   If you fall in love with that new couch, and it matches your favorite paint choice, but it doesn't quite go with the your wall art, then you may find that re-purposing the art in another room may be the best way to go.  Then treat yourself to some new art or create a do-it-yourself art project that will show off your talents, and create a great conversation piece the next time guests drop by!