If you are thinking of investing in antique items, you would be surprised at the things that you first need to know before you go out and buy antique items. This is because, as with any other purchase, there are a number of things that you need to research so that you can avoid making a mistake in your purchases. Nowadays, this has become very true for antiques because of the proliferation of antique reproductions, which can make finding authentic antique items very confusing. One example that you should know with regard to antique items is the language that antique sellers and antique enthusiast use to describe items. This is because knowing the language they speak can greatly help you with your decisions.
Continue reading "Antique Furniture Buying Tips" »
Due to today's technology, enormous amounts of people are spending most of their working hours behind a desk in an uncomfortable office chair. Because of this desk bound lifestyle, more and more individuals are becoming overweight, out of shape, and developing other health problems.
Although a sedentary lifestyle causes health problems in itself, an uncomfortable office chair causes a completely new arena of problems. Hours upon hours in an uncomfortable chair brings about back problems, neck pains, and just overall body aches from bad posture.
Below are guidelines that can help you select the right office chair, therefore reducing body aches, stiffness, and pains.
Continue reading "Qualities of a Good Office Chair" »
I found this interesting article that is similar to yesterday's post about furniture imports and the fact that much more furniture is being imported from China. In the last few years, much of the furniture manufacturing has been moved over to China and Taiwan. Both countries have made huge strides over the last few years in product quality. Likely every furniture store, perhaps with the exception of a few specialty stores, has some furniture products made from these countries. Their manufacturing costs are much lower than in many traditional countries where furniture was manufactured. Lower manufacturing costs offer great price points for final consumers. No longer is "made in China" necessarily a negative reflection on product quality. It is just and indicator that the item may have a lower cost to the consumer.
The huge irony was not lost on Kevin Sauder.
As president and chief executive of Sauder Woodworking Co., the $700 million ready-to-assemble furniture giant in Archbold, Ohio, he made tough calls in recent years to move some production to Asia to cut costs and stay competitive.
Then, last July, who should show up on his corporate doorstep but Ikea officials, who had a similar problem. The Swedish retail giant had to cut costs - and planned to do so by moving cabinet frame and shelf production from Europe to America.
"Ikea designs in Sweden, runs the costs of shipping, resources, materials, and labor, and found that it was cheaper to make furniture in Archbold for distribution than to make it at its Poland plants and ship it to the U.S.," Sauder said.
Continue reading "Overseas competition rattles furniture business" »
Imports from China top $12 billion
HIGH POINT -- Sluggish retail conditions and a good deal of reshuffling in where importers are sourcing their product kept growth in imported furniture and furniture parts in the single digits last year.
U.S. imports grew 7% to nearly $22 billion in 2006, up from $20.6 billion in 2005.
The still-healthy gain compares with an 11% expansion in 2005, which came largely because of China's 18% surge. A year later, it was still China leading the way -- managing an improbable 14% growth despite a mature industry, duties placed on wood bedroom furniture and Chinese government concerns about its record-breaking trade surpluses.
Continue reading "U.S. furniture imports up 7% in 2006" »
If you are looking for modern kids furniture, True Modern may be worth a look. The founders used to produce furniture lines for Pottery Barn Kids and other major retailers of children's furniture prior to striking it out on their own. Kid's furniture continues to move to a more design oriented feel that can compliment the decor of your house.
Continue reading "Modern Furniture for Kids" »
