Furniture - Before You Buy

August 20th, 2008

Furniture - Before You Buy
An index of Before You Buy Articles for the Furniture guide site.

Furniture - FullReviews

August 19th, 2008

Furniture - FullReviews
An index of FullReviews for the Furniture guide site.

10 Stunning Stools

August 17th, 2008

10 Stunning Stools
Stools are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can buy. Terrific as side tables, they can also be clustered in a group in place of a coffee table, or used for seating when company calls. Here are 10 terrific examples.

EU countries add to illegal logging trade
llegal logging contributes heavily to the destruction of biodiversity and the impoverishment of millions of people that depend on forests for food and income<br />© WWF-Canon / André Bärtschi” border=”0″ align=”left” hspace=”4″ vspace=”2″ /></a>Deforestation, a major contributor to climate change, is still rampant globally and European Union countries are guilty of compounding the problem according to a new WWF report.</p>
<p> Almost one-fifth of wood imported into the European Union in 2006 came from illegal or suspected illegal sources, with Russia, Indonesia and China being the main sources according to the report - Illegal Wood for the European Market. </p>
<p> In 2006, the European Union imported approximately 30 million cubic metres of wood and related products from illegal origins, equivalent to the total amount of wood harvested in Poland in the same year. </p>
<p> In all, 23 per cent of wood-based products imported from eastern Europe originated from illegal or suspect sources, with 40 per cent from South East Asia, 30 per cent from Latin America and 35-55 per cent from Africa. </p>
<p> Major importers are Finland, UK, Germany and Italy and WWF is calling for strong European legislation to prevent illegal wood entering the EU markets.</p>
<p> “Illegal logging destroys the protective function of forests, increasing risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and leads to deforestation, one of the main causes for climate change,” said Anke Schulmeister, WWF Forest Policy Officer. </p>
<p> “Illegal logging also pushes wood prices down resulting in major economic losses for states, industries and local communities. Strong measures are needed at EU level to protect the world’s remaining forests and our own future.”</p>
<p> The study highlights the ineffectiveness of the existing EU licensing scheme, Forest and Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). Even if all agreements currently being negotiated by the EU with partner countries under FLEGT were concluded about 90 per cent of the illegal wood would still enter the EU markets. </p>
<p> Furthermore, no such negotiations are planned with countries like Russia and China and many products manufactured from illegal wood such as furniture or paper are not covered by FLEGT regulation.</p>
<p> WWF is urging the introduction of EU legislation to guarantee that only legal wood is traded in the European market. Traders should prove the origin and legality of wood and penalties should be introduced for any violation.</p>
<p> The European Commission is expected to propose legislation on this issue in the coming months.</p>
<p><a rel=Slipcovers for Furniture
Slipcovers for furniture are available in many styles, fabrics, colors, and patterns. Read how you can use slipcovers on your furniture for a fresh look.

A/V Showroom Pairs Electronics with Design

August 16th, 2008

A/V Showroom Pairs Electronics with Design
Several high-end furniture stores help DSI Entertainment Systems fill-out their high-tech A/V showroom.

Tips for Small Spaces
The American Furniture Manufacturers Association offers suggestions for furnishing a small home or apartment.

Top Scratching Posts
Scratching posts are as essential to cats as shoes are to us. For stretching exercise, stress relief, and just plain fun, to say nothing of saving the furniture, your cat should have several scratching pads and scratching posts.

DanaThomastable

August 15th, 2008

DanaThomastable
A roundup of some of the intriguing new furniture pieces introduced at the October 2006 High Point International Home Furnishings Market. Most of these items will be in stores in early 2007.

Refinishing Furniture: Tips…
Get some quick tips on staining furniture and save money by refinishing wood furnishings yourself.

Moving Furniture
Moving furniture requires some preparation and packing, including protecting it from damage.

10 Stunning Stools

August 14th, 2008

10 Stunning Stools
Stools are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can buy. Terrific as side tables, they can also be clustered in a group in place of a coffee table, or used for seating when company calls. Here are 10 terrific examples.

Home Depot&#039;s 10 Crescent Lane
Better known for hammers and drywall, The Home Depot has launched an upscale furniture catalog filled with tantalizing products for home and patio.

Moving Furniture
Moving furniture requires some preparation and packing, including protecting it from damage.

Furniture retailer IKEA becomes an MVNO

August 13th, 2008

Furniture retailer IKEA becomes an MVNO
British consumers will soon be able to get mobile phone service through an unusual source–home furnishings retailer IKEA. The Swedish furniture firm will offer prepaid mobile service for around $20 per month to members of its loyalty program. In addition, about 9,500 IKEA staffers will be issued phones with about $10 in prepaid minutes. The MVNO will use T-Mobile's wireless network for its service. Strand Consulting says that the IKEA MVNO is being run by Danish MVNO pioneers Teddy Sogaard Pedersen of the MVNO CBB and Martin Petersen of the MVNO Telmore. Strand says CBB and Telmore were competitive MVNOs in the Danish market and in just a few years acquired about 20 percent of the mobile market with their Web-based discount concepts. Strand warns competitors to be careful not to underestimate the IKEA MVNO, which the consulting firm believes has larger ambitions than just providing mobile service as part of its loyalty program. In fact, Strand expects IKEA's FamilyMobile MVNO to become competitive and offer advanced services including 3G, Web SMS and more. For more: - see this news report Related articles: ROK drops bid to acquire MVNO Xero Mobile Report says WiMAX MVNO model Xerowork…(read more)

Free Furniture Templates
Arrange furniture without the heavy lifting: Just print these free furniture templates, cut out the pieces, and arrange them on graph paper for pain-free decorating.

Top Scratching Posts

August 12th, 2008

Top Scratching Posts
Scratching posts are as essential to cats as shoes are to us. For stretching exercise, stress relief, and just plain fun, to say nothing of saving the furniture, your cat should have several scratching pads and scratching posts.

Cottage Style Decorating

August 11th, 2008

Cottage Style Decorating
Cottage Style decorating has no distinct elements, but rather combines fabrics, colors, furniture styles, and accessories from wherever you can find them. Learn more about this comfortable style that can be used in many different settings.

Tuscan Style
Homes decorated in the Tuscan style are inspired by the elements of nature. Crumbling stone walls, intricate wrought iron accessories, sun-washed hillsides, rustic farmhouses, marble flooring and furniture are just some of the wonderful elements of this decorating style.

Colorful Patio Furniture

August 10th, 2008

Colorful Patio Furniture
Hot citrus colors are invading the patio, giving safe, serene decks a welcome shot of adrenaline. Take a look at some of the tangy new products punching up the Great Outdoors.

French Polish
Back as far as the Victorian era, French Polishing has been a effective, although time-consuming method for finishing woodworking projects. While it is seldom used today, few finishes offer such a remarkably beautiful shine. Learn how to create a french polish finish, and put it to the test on your next furniture set of woodworking plans.