Category: Furniture

How To Choose Restaurant Furniture

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Establishing the perfect ambiance for your restaurant is a dream that many restaurateurs yearn for. You want to create a welcoming and magnificently decorated atmosphere similar to that found in a home where your clients can relax and unwind. However, the investor must be very careful while selecting restaurant furniture. Do not be satisfied with merely the appearance of the dcor, but also consider factors like durability. Investing in long-lasting and practical restaurant furniture and accessories that do not go beyond your budget is imperative. Before purchasing these pieces, it is important to go through inventory on hand of different pieces of furnishings so that you can select those that blend well with your decor and those that create a perfect atmosphere for dining.

There are numerous seating options designed to suit different restaurant types. Restaurants with a bar theme will go well with stools for seating, while more formal dining establishment will go with high-backed chairs. There are many different choices between the two as well, depending on the type of restaurant you have, bar versus family versus formal, and everything in between. The seating plan can be done in different styles such as modern design or traditional design. Decide on one theme and select the appropriate seating options that will enhance relaxation and not go beyond your budget.

Put some thought into the tables that you choose. Table bases and tops should offer a spacious surface, be of the correct height, while being aware of leg space and seating arrangement. Table maintenance will be imperative to prevent wear and tear. Tables come in many different sizes, shapes, materials, and finishes; so choose wisely in accordance with your budget and dcor requirements.

The main thing to consider when designing an appealing restaurant is to select eye-catching but durable furniture. There are different kinds of furnishing you can choose from, and with different varieties you can easily come up with a superb dining business. Prepare a reasonable budget and list all the items you require to begin your business and then everything else will fall into place.

Average Prices For The Floor Stripping And Waxing Services

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A lot of customers and service providers ask what are the average prices for floor stripping and waxing services. Nationally prices average between 30 to 60 cents per sq.ft.

But in order to estimate the price a lot of additional factors have to be considered:

1) Size of the job. Usually, the bigger the job, the smaller is the price per sq ft. If you need a cleaning company so strip/wax the floor in the large building, you can expect lower prices per sq. ft. However if you are looking to strip and wax relatively small area, the prices are usually higher. Also cleaning companies have minimum prices which are in the range of $ 150 – $ 200. So even if you need to have a floor cleaned only in one small restroom, you may be charged $ 150 – $ 200 for that. Make sure to find out what is the minimum charge before hiring commercial cleaning company.

2) Travel distance. It’s preferred to hire local companies if you want to save on stripping/waxing services. The companies that are further away may count the travel time and fuel expenses into the final price.

3) Preparation time. Preparation for the job takes a lot of time and when estimating the price cleaning companies consider how much time they need in order to prepare for the job. If the floor that needs to be cleaned is on the first floor it takes less time to bring the equipment there than bringing the equipment to the 10th or 15th floor. Also if the cleaners have to strip/wax the hallway that has carpet on the sides, they need to tape off the carpeted area to make sure that no solution ends up on the carpet. This requires additional time and brings the price of floor cleaning services up.

4) Stripping and waxing or scrubbing and recoating? You may receive a lower price from a cleaning contractor, but is he actually going to strip the floor or scrub it? There a big difference between these too. When stripping you take all the wax off from the floor to the bare floor and then you have to apply 4-5 coats of wax to it. When scrubbing, you remove only the top 1-2 coats of wax from the floor and apply 1-2 coats of floor finish to the floor. Stripping and waxing usually takes at least twice as much time as scrubbing and recoating, so when you receive a much lower price make sure to find out if this price is for stripping/waxing or just scrubbing and recoating.

5) Moving furniture. If the cleaning company has to move the furniture (tables, chairs, mats etc) before/after the job, the price is usually higher up to 20 %. So in order to save money, do all the moving inhouse.

6) Wax buildup. When there is a lot of old wax on the floor cleaners may have to strip it a few times, therefore additional products and labor have to be used.

7) Stripping and waxing baseboards. Do you want a cleaning company to strip and wax baseboards? If yes, you should know that it is a very time consuming job to do and it’s also reflected in the price which becomes higher.

8) Edge work. The more edges in the room, the more time the cleaning company has to spend using doodlebugs and scrapers in order to remove wax edges and corners and prices go up.

9) Number of finish coats. The more coats are put on the floor, the higher the price.

10) Type of floor. Is the floor new or old? It’s usually easy to strip the new floor therefore the prices are lower for stripping new floor. Older floor may have been neglected or may have a lot of wax buildup on it and stripping it will require additional time. The price for stripping older floor may be higher.

11) Staining of the floor. If there are a lot of stains on the floor like rust, pain or if there are a lot of deep scratches or gum additional time is needed to scrape them off with scrapers. Additional detail cleaning will bring the price up.

12) Fixtures to work around. If there are a lot of fixtures that are staying in the room (refrigerators, furniture, equipment) during stripping/waxing, cleaning company will have to spend additional time working around them or moving them and the price may be higher.

13) Type of products used during stripping/waxing. Some cleaning companies may charge you less for floor stripping/waxing services, but it may be only because they use cheap products. But cheap products have a lot of downsides, cheap floor finishes tend to become yellow and wear off much faster. Another company may charge you a little more, but they may be using better products that maintain the appearance of your floor and last longer. So for example, you can pay one company $ 500 for the job, but because of their cheap products you will have to re-wax in 4 months. Another company may charge you $ 550, but because of good products you may not have to re-wax for 6 month instead of 4. Using the second company will be more cost efficient for you in the long run. Always find out what floor finishes are used for the job. Hillyard and Johnson floor finishes are the best floor finishes on the market these days.

14) Location of janitor closet. During the stripping/waxing job cleaning companies need to travel from their working area to the janitor closet very often in order to get water, empty wet vacuum etc. Where is the janitor closet located? If it’s far from the working area cleaners will spend a lot of time just moving back and forth and the prices may be higher.

15) Number of electric outlets in the floor. If there are a lot of electric outlets in the floor cleaners will need to tape them so the stripping solution/water doesn’t get there. It requires additional time and brings the prices up.

16) One time cleaning or service contract. If you are using the cleaning company for just a one-time job, you may expect higher prices. However, if you have a maintenance contract (like buffing the floor once per month of scrubbing/recoating services once a quarter) with a cleaning company you can ask for a discount. Also you can expect a discount if you are using a company that already provides commercial cleaning services to your building (example – regular janitorial services 3/5 days per week).

Decorating Tips – Selecting Bedroom Furniture – Copy

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Extraordinary Styling Extraordinary styling brings all of the above together. When people ask what constitutes an exotic style we be inclined to think of foreign cultural influences. As mass communication and the internet have “shrunk” the world, pretty and stylistic changes from round the globe have had a deep affect on furniture designs. The West Indies look adds mahogany finishes, stone and rattan, the Sahara look brings canopies, palm leaves and sandstone, and the Caribbean style comprises grasses, vibrantly colored fabrics and coconut husks. African influences add bright blends of colors, exotic stone and marble finishes, and Egyptian motifs. Native American influences add traditional rug patterns in fabrics, turquoise accents, handmade pottery and precious stones. Of course the list is endless but it is easy to see how many of these stylistic effects could shape a bedroom selection. It also brings up a best point in that several more daring homeowners opt to decorate using mixtures of styles and woods. Where 20 years ago most decorating did not comprise manifold woods in one room, these days you may find three or four woods in the same color family, a bed made of iron, and case pieces from two diverse styles. Anything goes particularly in extraordinary styling.

Transitional Styling The transitional furniture category is wide and covers a type that fits neatly among customary and contemporary furniture, normally borrowing style and building elements from both categories. For this reason, you will find transitional styles that are more customary rest that are more modern. Once you have your style selected, the pieces for a bedroom are reasonably standard. King beds augment in popularity each year, but periodically a consumer will downsize from a king to a queen. New flanged houses have big closets and built-in storage which leaves more room for non-customary furniture in the bedroom. Most famous are loveseats, chaises and large chairs. An area rug to set off that part of the room is also a vital part of the collection.

Adding Warmth To Your Modern Dcor

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Modern dcor is often mistaken as being sterile and cold. The truth is, as with any style of dcor, warmth and style can be incorporated with use of color and choosing the right home accessories. While modern dcor relies upon clean lines and classic shapes, it can be warm and inviting when paired with soft accessories such as wall hangings, furnitures and floor coverings. Using color, texture and character pieces, even the most modern room can be warm and inviting.

To soften the sometimes cold look of a modern home design, begin by choosing pieces with natural wood. Wood offers warmth and comfort to any design. Adding soft cushions in restful, earthy colors to wood furniture pieces will create a comfortable, inviting area. Including home accessories that compliment the wood tones will help complete the design.

When it comes to adding warmth to modern designs, one of the most effective design elements is to allow the home to look lived in. Table dcor should be practical as well as decorative. Home accessories should reflect hobbies and interests. Even wall art dcor can incorporate travels and family photographs. Character and personality through little touches will help create a welcoming home.

Use of texture in home accessories will also add warmth to an otherwise modern and clean area. Fabric textures can bring interest and detail to pieces of furniture. Wall textures can have a warming effect on the whole room. Adding a touch of pattern or texture to any space will make it more homey and less stark and sterile. Even a neutral colored wall can be inviting when texture is added with wall art dcor.

Color is another important consideration when seeking to add warmth to an area. Modern design often relies on neutral walls and floors, and clean lines in furniture and decorations. By choosing a warm, earthy color to use as an accent in the home accessories throughout the room, the entire space will feel more welcoming and cheerful. Look for warm colors in deep, rich tones. Avoid primary colors or pastels, as these are not as restful or inviting. Incorporate these colors into furniture, wall hangings, small accessories and floor coverings.

Lighting is an important element in any home, but modern designs rely upon lamps and directed lighting to focus direction and create space. Use warm light sources such as natural light bulbs. Choose lampshades that create a warm light, instead of a cold, antiseptic and hard light. Mix and match a variety of light sources throughout the room, especially around those home accessories that you would like to accent.

Modern design is clean and appealing when properly balanced with warmth and comfort. No matter how modern your home design, you can create an inviting, cheerful home with the proper home accessories and dcor. Modern doesnt need to feel cold and hard. By incorporating pieces that reflect your interest and personality, choosing colors that are restful and cozy, and using natural wood pieces, your home will feel warm and friendly.

Tropical Color Schemes

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If youve decided to use a tropical theme in one or more rooms of your home, your next decision is what color scheme to use. This will depend on the use of the room and the theme youve chosen. For example, will it be a tropical garden paradise, a tropical beach paradise or a safari theme and will the room be one of the high activity areas or a bedroom? The Tropical Bright colors will work well in family rooms, kitchens, playrooms, etc. and the Ocean/Aquatic or Tropical Soft color schemes work well in bedrooms and meditation spaces.

Often a good starting place is by choosing a tropical art print that you just love. It could become the focal point in the room. Another option is to use a printed fabric in a pillow or bedspread to choose the colors. Pick 3 colors ~ a light, medium, and dark color ~ to use as your color scheme. Designate one color as the core or dominant color and use the others as accent colors. Using just 3 main colors will
prevent the room from becoming chaotic with too many colors competing for attention.

Some possibilities for tropical color schemes are:

OCEAN COLORS: soft or dark blues, pastel or vibrant yellows, bright or soft greens, light coral pink (brings Palm Beach and Bermuda to mind), fiery red for energy and drama, turquoise, aqua and all shades of blue, green and blue-green. The darker colors create a more formal look.

AQUATIC COLORS: blues, light aqua, sea green, and other medium greens. These colors are cool and soothing and would be suitable for a bedroom. Use monochromatic colors to create the most peaceful and restful environment.

TROPICAL BRIGHTS: orange, yellow, turquoise, and lavender ~ Or orange, yellow, fuschia, lime and pink. These more vibrant colors create an energetic environment and would not be suitable for a bedroom.

TROPICAL SOFT COLORS: Soften all the Tropical bright colors listed above by using the pastels or tints. Peach, pale yellow, pale lime green, pale pinks, pale lavender, light turquoise. These colors are much quieter than the brights.

SAFARI COLORS: black, brown, tan, gold, rust, cream, green, deep reds and oranges, colors of the earth. These colors are suitable for most any room of the home.

OTHERS: Tangerine orange, lemon, lime and coconut brown; Chocolate brown, tangerine orange, banana yellow

NEUTRAL colors work well with all these color schemes. The neutrals are all shades of white, off-white, beige, tan and cream. Whites will brighten a room and beiges will soften the room. Remember the color of the woodwork also becomes an accent color in the total scheme.

Maybe you are still feeling hesitant about painting the room because youre afraid you will make the wrong choice and wont like it when its done. Well, take heart. Paint is inexpensive and can easily be changed. Plus, there are ways to try out colors before you buy. Here are some ideas for testing colors in the room, which can give you more confidence in your choices:

Purchase small amounts of each color and paint a large square on the wall. Many paint stores now offer sample sizes for this purpose. If yours does not, then purchase the smallest size you can. Once youve painted the patch on the wall, you can live with the color(s) and observe how different light affects them, how they relate to each other and your furniture, and how you feel in the room with these colors.

Another way to do a sample is to paint on poster size pieces of foam core board, lightweight wood or a 24 x 36 pre-stretched artist canvas. These pieces can then be moved around the room, allowing you to try them out in many different combinations and lighting situations.

Some other tips from the color experts:

DARK COLORS make objects or walls seem smaller.
LIGHT COLORS have the opposite affect by making things seem larger.
The WARM COLORS ~ red, red/orange, orange, yellow/orange, yellow and yellow/green ~ make objects appear closer and larger.
The COOL COLORS ~ red/violet, violet, blue, blue/violet, blue, blue/green and green ~ make objects appear farther away and smaller.

Some designers suggest that a general rule to help coordinate a room using the 3 color method ~ a light, medium and dark ~ is to use the light color for the walls, the medium for the heavy furniture and the dark color for the accessories. The darker colors give weight to the room.

Whatever you choose for your color scheme, it should be a reflection of you. All the information given here is only information, not hard fast rules. Give yourself permission to play and explore color. If you like it, thats all that matters.

Larraine is the owner of a tropical home dcor website and writes articles relevant to home decorating, travel and the tropics.