REUPHOLSTERY

By Daryl Plaza


Patio furniture has advanced from the old classic plastic lawn chairs and tables that most of us used to have when we grew up. Patio furniture styles have advanced with new technology for outdoor furniture. For the new demand in patio furniture has patio furniture manufacturers now increasing the development of new materials for your deck patio furniture with new styles and prices that is in reach of anybody's budget. While the climate and your personal taste in patio furniture should be taken into consideration you also have to decide on how the outdoor furniture will be used. Will it be used for swimming pools, conversation or dining? This is the basic starting point for your outdoor patio furniture design. By choosing practical comfortable patio furniture for your backyard will give your family and friends a great outdoor patio experience. You could go from a bistro patio table for a small quaint dinner for two or having a extension and patio table that have folding chairs for ease of storage and will give you flexibility with a large gathering of people. Whether you're cooking indoors or having al outdoor barbecue on your patio it would be refreshing if you were to dine a fresco. When it seems to be a little cooler out finding a sunny spot is a great way to enjoy outdoor patio furniture. When it gets hot under the direct sunlight you may want some shade and covering which you could use a patio umbrella or a rectangular patio awning depending on the outdoor furniture style that you like. By researching and finding the perfect deck patio furniture for your surroundings you'll want to spend more time out on your deck, porch and even in your garden area for years to come

Creative Deck patio furniture for the right style

The fast and busy lifestyles seem to surround everyone in this day and age by having a place to relax and escape to belong to everyone by having patio furniture on your deck, porch and will give you your outdoor relaxing oasis. For some people having lush foliage and a comfortable patio chair with maybe some soft music playing is the highlight while others may choose some swing patio furniture or incorporate a patio rocker into the design. By having casual outdoor furniture, water fountains and outdoor ceiling fans will all help you to relax and lower your blood pressure. Patio deck furniture pricing may be one of your concerns but the most important consideration would be the comfort and quality that you are looking for in patio furniture. If you plan on spending a lot of time on your outdoor furniture you'll want some great leisure furniture that will fit within your outdoor decor and looks great. By spending a little extra time researching your deck furniture plan will pay off in the future whether you're looking for a wood teak patio furniture or a wrought iron patio furniture your outdoor room will have you feeling relaxed and comfortable. So research a good patio furniture plan for your decor that best suits your needs.

Planning for your outdoor furniture

Having the best patio furniture that blends well with your life style will give you many benefits and reasons to choose the right outdoor furniture. By having the deck patio furniture that you desire will encourage you to use your outdoor room more often. Staying inside is on nobody's mind when the weather is beautiful so by having some outdoor patio furniture on your patio, porch and garden oasis will create your personal relaxation space. Traditional patio furniture may include an patio umbrella, patio table and four chairs with maybe some patio furniture cushions. Patio swings and outdoor chase lounges can be added to finish off your creative outdoor deck plan. The final reason for you to have patio furniture that is on your deck or porch is the durability of today's outdoor furniture it is a great investment and will give you years of outdoor memories.


Daryl Plaza is a regular contributor to Creativeoutdoorfurniture.com a website that has outdoor furniture reviews and resources to help you research your patio furniture plans.
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By Wai Khean Wong

Choosing patio furniture can be a little overwhelming because there are several material types and hundreds or possibly thousands of styles made from those materials. The type of materials that you choose should depend on your personal preference but also on the climate where you live, whether your patio is covered or uncovered, your budget and several other factors.

By keeping in mind your priorities and carefully thinking things through, selecting the right patio furniture be straightforward and easy. When you are choosing new furniture the first thing that you need to do is pick a type of material. The most common materials are wood, wicker and rattan, metal, and plastic.

Wood

Wooden patio furniture is very popular and lasting. In general, wooden patio furniture can stand up to the elements like very hot sun or summer storms pretty well. However, if you decide to use wooden patio furniture you should treat it with a water resistant coating to protect it from drying out in the sun or becoming damaged from being out in the rain. It is a good choice if you do a lot of entertaining because it's very strong and rigid, thus can accommodate people of all different sizes. It's also simple to change the look of wooden patio furniture with just a new coat of paint in the color of your choice. Good quality wooden patio furniture can be expensive but if you carry out regular maintenance of painting or protective coating on the wood every few years, the furniture will inevitably last for a long time.

Wicker and Rattan

If you like to change the decor of your patio frequently and don't want to have to buy new furniture every time then wicker & rattan patio furniture would be a good and decent choice for you. Wicker and rattan is the second most popular type of furniture that is made from natural materials. Both wicker and rattan furniture is durable, light weight and to a certain extent - flexible, making it great for patio furniture that needs to be brought indoors or moved frequently. Wicker is actually not a material by itself. Wicker is the end result of weaving rattan with other materials, usually bamboo slats, to make furniture.

Rattan (originated from a Malay word - Rotan) is technically a tree, although it grows like a vine along the ground. They are usually found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The rattan vines are cut and peeled, then steamed to make them pliable, and then they are used as rattan weaving materials. Rattan furniture can be made of stripes of Rattan that are woven together when the wood is wet. It can also be strips of Bamboo or other materials woven around straight rattan slats. Rattan easily accepts paints and stains like many other kinds of wood, so it is available in many colors and it can be worked into many styles.

Both rattan and wicker furniture is a less expensive alternative to hardwood, if you want to have furniture that is made from natural sources. These types of patio furniture don't require a lot of maintenance and can be used in or outdoors all year long. It's also possible to change the outlook of Wicker or Rattan furniture by giving the furniture a new coat of color. So, if you're inclined to change the decor of your patio frequently without buying new patio furniture every time, then wicker or rattan furniture would be the best choice for you.

Metal

Metal patio furniture is often a more economical choice compared to hard wood type especially for people who want the stability of wood but wouldn't want to spend too much. Metal furniture is also great for people that want furniture that has low maintenance costs because most metal furniture doesn't require the kind of maintenance that wooden furniture does. There are three main types of metal patio furniture that you can purchase. They are wrought iron, aluminum and tubular metal.

Wrought iron is probably one of the most expensive types in the range. Wrought iron furniture is incredibly popular because it's stylish and adds a very classic feel to a patio but it's also popular because of its durability. Wrought iron furniture is heavy and requires little upkeep. For instance, just a simple new coat of paint every year or so will keep wrought iron furniture looking beautiful for years. Furthermore, wrought iron patio furniture is sturdy so that it can be comfortable and safe for people of all sizes. It is also heavy which is good in that it won't be blown away in strong winds but not to a point that it is too difficult to move.

Aluminum is often used commercially because it's so easy to maintain, light-weight and tough. Hotels, public pools, restaurants, resorts, and other types of businesses that deal with the public often use aluminum patio furniture for their outdoor patios. Aluminum is a very much lighter metal than wrought iron so if you will frequently need to move your furniture, aluminum may be a better choice. Most if not all outdoor bars and bistros will quite definitely choose aluminum furniture because of its weight & maintenance cost. Aluminum furniture can be a bit pricey for some people but the cost is negligible over time as aluminum patio furniture will last for a long time.

Tubular metal patio furniture is the least expensive type and easily found at discount stores. It has some of the durability that other types of metal patio furniture have although it is not as strong as aluminum or wrought iron. Tubular metal doesn't require a lot of maintenance and can lasts for a long time. It can though become bent and damaged and can never quite be bent back into its original shape. It is also light enough to easily be blown away in strong winds.

Plastic or PVC Patio Furniture

Plastic or PVC patio furniture is the cheapest option and can be easily found at discount/bargain stores. Stackable Plastic or PVC patio furniture can be found at any discount store, sometimes even at the grocery store. They are easy to maintain because all you need to do for cleaning is simply to wipe the dirt off. It stands up well to any natural elements except strong winds and usually will only last for one season.

They are not very sturdy and can break easily. There is a high possibility it becomes a safety issue if you have little children using it frequently because it tends to tip over or break. They also tends to crack and splinter very easily, which is dangerous even to adults. If you are looking for some cheap, quick patio furniture then plastic is the best choice but don't expect them to last.


If you are seriously looking to transform your patio into a comfortable, inviting spot where you and your family and friends will love to spend time, you may read on our useful and easily applicable patio ideas and outdoor patio decorating.
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By Melissa O'Connell


So you've just bought your dream house and after a lot of hard work and organization, you've gotten everything out of the boxes and moved your furniture into the new rooms. It's a great feeling to see everything in a fresh setting. Possessions take on new meaning and look slightly different in a new house. The lighting is different, the views are different, the way the rooms flow into one another is different. Furniture that faded in your previous home now shines.

When Tracy moved into her new home last spring this was the stage she loved best. "I've always been interested in interior design," says the 34 year old librarian. "So having a house full of empty rooms to decorate from scratch was a real thrill for me." Pulling the rooms together in her new two bedroom home was also challenging. "I work full time so decorating is more of a hobby than anything else. Plus, after we bought the house there wasn't much left in the budget for new furniture. I really had to get creative with what I had."

One of the things Tracy had to get creative with was an antique chair handed down to her from her grandmother in Iowa. "It's a really great chair,"she says, "the lines are perfect, but no matter where I put it in the house it looked ratty and wrong." She tried throwing blankets over it, angling it in corners, moving it from room to room. "It just wouldn't work," she says "I was almost ready to banish it to the basement when I got the idea to reupholster it to fit the room I wanted it in."

"I got a book on upholstery to see if it was something I could do. I was worried because I really can't sew. I'm all thumbs." What Tracy learned though was that with a staple gun and a bit of time she could get rid of the ugly without getting rid of the chair. "It took me all weekend, but it was worth it," she says beaming. "I get so many complements on it and the room now."
The chair did have one cushion that demanded sewing skills though. Tracy just took the cushion in to a local tailor with the fabric she'd chosen. "The tailor made me a perfect cushion with a zipper at the back, new padding and piped edges. I didn't even need to sew a stitch!" When all was said and done, she paid only a fraction of the cost it would have taken to either replace the antique chair or have a professional upholsterer do the job. "I can understand why they charge so much," says Tracy. "It's not necessarily difficult or expensive, but it's time consuming. You really have to love working with your hands."

The project was a great experience for her and something she plans to do more often. "I'm so glad to have this new skill," she says. "It's become a hobby for me." Tracy's next project will be the chairs in her dining room set.

If you're ready for a new hobby too, below are some of Tracy's re-upholstery tips. Best of luck!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

-A staple gun, hammer, pliers and scissors
- 4 to 7 yards of fabric you love as much as the ugly chair
- Strip nails or stud strips (from fabric store or hardware store) and upholstery tacks
- Cardboard strips or tacking strip

If you want to do a really thorough job, the first and most important step in the process will involve carefully taking the old upholstery off the chair. Using the claw part of a hammer, pliers and or a screwdriver, remove the pieces that can come off first, first. As you're doing this, take note of how they were attached to the frame and the order in which you removed each piece. That way, you can simply reverse the order when you're putting the new ones on. If you are not one to take notes, take photos instead. You can also use the original upholstery as a pattern for the new material.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE::
- Staple cardboard strips or tacking strip to rough edges to get a smooth under surface or fold fabric over them and nail down to get clean edges
- Use stud strips or upholstery tacks to fasten the outside edges of finishing pieces and get an easy decorative trim at the same time
- When choosing your fabric avoid lines, stripes or patterns that have to be matched. Choose medium weight fabric. Fabric that's too heavy will be difficult to work with and fabric that's too light will tear.

Dining room chairs and chairs with more frame than material on them are relatively easy. For dining room chairs, just remove the seat from the chair with a screwdriver, cover it with the fabric of your choice, neatly staple it down on the underside, and then screw the newly covered seat back down. This also works really well for vintage kitchen chairs with vinyl seats.

For extra help as you embark on your project, get support from your local library or bookstore. There are plenty of great books on the market that will take you through the process step by step. Of course if you just want to get started, just get started! Use your intuition as you tuck, staple and hammer down, you have nothing to lose but an ugly chair.



Melissa O'Connell is a licensed Scottsdale real estate broker and Scottsdale resident with 15 years experience in Arizona Real Estate Call her at 877.451.0748 or visit Unique Scottsdale Homes at http://www.uniquescottsdalehomes.com
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Don't forget us though when you need your investment re-upholstered.

Give us a call for a free quote!

By Jonathan R Richards

If you are planning to redesign your patio deck in the near future, you are probably also trying to locate something that is new and different in the way of patio deck furniture. On the other hand, maybe you are just searching for something that will be comfortable and long lasting. However, instead of cutting down another one of our valuable hardwood trees just to manufacture a few lounge chairs, why not do a little investigating into the newer aluminum vinyl strapping kind of furniture? No, I am not talking about the old time folding chairs that use to collapse if you sat on them a little too hard. The quality of most aluminum furniture sets has improved a lot since those days.

Most of them have heavy weight frames that have been blasted with sand in order to prepare them to fully accept the powder coating that will give them a tougher and more durable finish than any ordinary liquid variety of paint would be able to do. The sandblasting technique creates tiny pores that actually allow the powder paint to almost become part of the aluminum frame. The usual problems that occur when painting with any kind of "wet" material, like running, dripping and streaking, are never a problem when it is being done with the new powder paint.

Aluminum strapping patio deck furniture is available in a multitude of color combinations. They are either double wrapped in vinyl straps, feature some type of basket weaving technique or have a "sling" covering. These lounge chairs offer maximum comfort; sometimes being offered with head and arm rests. The frames are welded for safety reasons. Other items that are also available include bar stools, tables and individual chairs. All of them will make the redesigning of your patio deck much easier. You will end up with an outdoor dining area that is perfect for gathering the entire family together for a summertime feast.

However, if these items are going to be used around swimming pools, some care is required. The constant extreme heat of the solar rays can cause suntan lotions and body oils to eventually stain and discolor the strapping. Therefore, in order to prevent this, it is always advisable to spread a large towel over the webbing before reclining on it. Outdoor furniture should be cleaned every month or so with a very mild dish detergent. It is recommended that a thin film of a good quality car wax be applied to the aluminum frames. By all means, do not let anyone throw any of your aluminum furniture into the pool water. The chlorine can be very damaging to the aluminum and the webbing.

Jonathan is the owner of MLS buy Owner, a Flat Fee MLS company that specializes in placing For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties on the Realtors® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a low one time flat fee. Please visit Flat Fee MLS to learn more about their services and the Flat Fee MLS packages they offer.


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