4 Sofa Arrangements That Define Space

March 23, 2012

Sofa arrangement speaks volumes about a spaceSofa arrangement can speak volumes about a space, redefining areas redistributing the allocation of activity in your home.  Here’s four ways you can use your sofa to arrange your space:

Define a conversational area

Place two sofas, or a sofa and two chairs, facing each other.  Make sure every person could easily speak to each other person from any sitting position.  Now remove the TV or any distracting influence from the space, and, bam, you’ve got a great area for storytelling, discussion and relaxed conversation.

Define a reading or leisure area

Place a sofa or two chairs next to the bookshelf or piano, and there’s really no question about why it’s there.

Focus on the view

Do you have a great view from one of your windows?  Put the sofa in front of it, so you and your guests can relax and admire.

Create symmetry

Divide the space in your home with two identical sofas directly facing each other, separated by a coffee table or small decoration.  You’ll be amazed how such a simple arrangement divides your space with such accuracy.

Do you have any other ideas for sofa arrangements?  If so, please let us know and tell us how you think it would complement a space.

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The Joy of Italian Leather Furniture

March 22, 2012

Italian leather is hand-crafted for timeless quality and durability.Italian leather is the top choice for nearly all artisans who craft luxury leather products.  Italian leather furniture, purses, wallets, and coats  are top of the line products that look great and last for ages.

But what makes Italian leather so great?  Well, simply put, everything!  Italian leather tanning is a process entirely dependent on quality and sophistication.

Italian leather is full-grain leather, meaning that there is little to no sanding or alteration performed on the rawhide material the leather is made from.  Manufacturers only use the very best rawhide.  The strict quality control process excludes any material with imperfections that might lower the quality of the leather during the manufacturing process.

Manufacturers who produce Italian leather typically use natural vegetable and plant extract. The process takes longer, but the qualitative advantages are tremendous.  Italian leather is extremely robust and withstands the wear and tear of everyday use with ease.  It’s easy to clean and maintain, plus Italian leather products are hallmarks of style and sophistication in both fashion and furniture design.

Italian leather lasts longer and just plain looks better.  What more could we want?

Experience the joy of Italian Leather Furniture with Contempo Sofa.

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Couch Surfing: A New Way to Travel

March 21, 2012

Couch Surfing is connecting travelers across the globe.Couch surfing, or the practice of sleeping on a stranger’s couch in lieu of purchasing hotel or hostel lodgings while travelling, might sound like a dangerous idea to some, but the growing SF-based network couchsurfing.org thrives on the notion that people everywhere are just happy to make a new friend.

Counting millions of members in over 230 countries around the world, Couch Surfing has grown into a global community dedicated to fostering intercultural exchange, understanding, and friendship.

“Couch Surfing has opened up a whole new way of life for me,” says Cody Kirkhart of IL.  “It allowed me to make unforgettable connections with people around the world that would never have happened otherwise.”

The system, at its core, is pretty simple.  People from all around the world register on the site, allowing travelers to connect with locals in order to find a place to stay overnight.  Different hosts screen their guests differently (some like older travelers,  require travelers to bring their own sheets, or limit stays to three nights), and detailed member profiles allow travelers to connect with hosts that might better suit their age and interests.

But the organization is about far more than free lodging.  On their website, Couch Surfing claims they are dedicated to creating “Inspiring Experiences,” or “fun, exciting, and accessible experiences that stimulate people to learn and grow.” And as one Surfer notes on Huffington Post, Couch Surfing is “a community of like-mind people…open-minded and young at heart, who love to travel and meet travelers and share experiences.”

The organization has earned praise from several major media outlets including The New York Times, TIME, NPR and The Guardian, as well as independent bloggers and publications.  The organization takes safety very seriously, offering tips, member reviews and frequent safety updates to keep users informed and aware.

What do you think about Couch Surfing?  Is it a source for intercultural exchange and communication or just a community for the Super Hippie 2.0 crowd?

Photo Credit: Idea Go

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Adding Accessories to Your Sofa

March 20, 2012

Use pillows to color your sofa!While we know our sofas look great on their own, some of our favorite interior design options include sofa accessories.  Accessorizing a sofa is a pretty simple endeavor.  While you’ve got a ton of options, the two primary choices are pretty easy to understand and implement: pillows and blankets.

One of the easiest ways to bring a dash of life to your sofa is to drape a blanket over the top.  Since most leather and microfiber sofas are monochromatic, adding a colored blanket or textile can give the sofa some extra personality and throw a touch of variety into your living room.

If you want to get even more creative, try throwing on a few pillows.  Experiment and feel free to get a little out there with your choices.  Try different colors, different sizes, and different patterns to really get the look you like.

And, of course, there are plenty of ways to play with your sofa’s accessories simply depending upon where you place it.  Placing it by the windowsill allows you to incorporate the effects of natural sunlight and add plants, sculptures and other decorations.  Or place a small coffee table or nightstand next to it to achieve a similar effect.

Accessorizing your sofa is easy, but don’t go overboard.  At the end of the day, sofas are for sitting.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Vuono

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Microfiber vs. Leather: Which is Right For Your Sofa?

March 19, 2012

Contempo Sofa products are upholstered in either leather or microfiber. How will you know which is right for you?At Contempo Sofa, we upholster our sofas with two materials: leather or microfiber.  While both look great, the two materials each come with their own unique set of pros and cons.

For example, if you or anyone in your family struggles with allergies, a microfiber sofa wouldn’t be the best idea.  Microfiber sofas are made up of millions of tiny fibers, which act as a great settling point for dust, pollen and other allergens.  Leather on the other hand is strictly made from dried animal hide and does not capture nearly as many allergens as microfiber.

On that note though, do bear in mind the big difference in materials.  Microfiber is a synthetic material whereas almost all fine leather comes from animal skins.  If you or any of your loved ones are vegan or animal rights conscious, a leather sofa might become a bitter issue in the home.  Keep everyone happy and get a synthetic microfiber sofa if that’s the case.

Speaking of animals, keep your pets in mind, too, when making this choice.  If your furry friends like jumping all over the furniture, consider what their paws might do in terms or rips, tears and soil.  Microfiber will tear far more easily than leather and is more likely to trap animal hair.  And if you’re worried about extra wear and tear from kids, bear in mind that leather is typically more durable than microfiber, and darker tones are less likely to show soil and wear.

If you live in a warm climate though, remember that a leather sofa and sweat is not a good match.

Finally, microfiber sofas are generally less costly than leather sofas.  However, before that becomes your deciding factor, bear in mind this statement from a commenter on an Apartment Therapy poll regarding the microfiber’s stylistic legacy:

“In a few years, Microfiber upholstery is going to say “Late 2000′s” as badly as pastel abstract print sofas say “80′s” and Denim and Khaki sofas say “1990′s”

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What’s in a Frame?

March 16, 2012

The frame is an important part of the sofa design process.What’s in a frame?

We’re glad you asked.  The sofa frame is a very important part of the sofa design process, since it gives the entire piece its shape and acts as a basic skeleton, helping to keep all the cushy stuff in place.

The best frames are typically built from kiln-dried hardwood.  The kiln drying process sucks all moisture from the wood to ensure that it remains strong and sturdy for years to come.  Frames made of green wood, knotted wood or any softwood are susceptible to shrinkage or cracking.

Typically plywood and particleboard frames aren’t very highly regarded, especially if they’ve only been stapled together.  High-quality frames feature glued, doweled and screwed joints with corners strengthened by reinforcing blocks.

According to Apartment Therapy, some furniture makers and engineers do feel that high quality, multi-layered plywood can provide a decent frame in terms of structure and durability.  If you have to go with a plywood frame for some reason, make sure it has at least 11-13 layers of plywood for added support.

All Contempo Sofa products feature hardwood frames that are glued, double-doweled, and corner blocked for extra strength and durability.  Our products last for years because we like to give every sofa the love and care it deserves with a high-quality frame.

Photo via Apartment Therapy

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Cleaning a Microfiber Sofa

March 15, 2012

Microfiber sofas are remarkably stain-resistant, but they do require a little cleaning every now and again to stay freshMicrofiber sofas are made from microsuede fabric, a dense man-made polyester fabric that can be knit from both natural products and synthetics.  It’s remarkably durable, stain-resistant and able to withstand daily stress with ease.  However, this doesn’t mean that a microfiber sofa doesn’t need a little love and care every now and then.

You should try to regularly vacuum your sofa with a soft brush attachment to keep things like dust, dirt and crumbs from building up.  Microfiber is stain-resistant, so small spills won’t seep into the fabric.  However you should still soak those up with a paper towel ASAP.  Brushing the fabric with a fine-toothed comb every now and again can also help untangle some of the tiny microfibers, leaving your sofa softer and more comfortable.

If your microfiber sofa needs some serious cleaning, step back and look for your sofa’s instructions regarding proper cleaning methods.  Most microfiber sofas feature a small tag with one of the following symbols:

“W” – Use water

“S” – Use a solvent cleaner

“S-W” – Use Solvent or Water

“X” – Vacuum only

Follow these instructions very carefully.  Using water on a sofa that requires a special solvent could leave water rings and stain your sofa.  Before cleaning, always remember to test your cleaning solution on an unobtrusive part of your sofa to make sure it will not leave any stains or marks.

Be careful when using Febreze on or near your sofa.  If you must, be sure to only leave a light mist, since any more could pool up and cause water marks.

Do you know of any ways to clean a microfiber sofa that we missed?  What about tips that might help a sofa stay cleaner or more durable?

Pictured Above: Bryce Microfiber Sectional

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How Stress Helps Us Achieve

March 14, 2012

Stress can help you hunker down and achieveOn the Contempo Sofa blog, we tend to give stress a bad rap and why not?  We’ve all seen the negative effects it can pose on a person’s physical and mental health.  However according to a recent article in Woman’s Day, Judith Orloff, MD explains that a little bit of short-term stress can be just the right thing to push us towards success.

“Stress triggers the hormone cortisol,” explains Orloff, “which helps energize us, revving up our systems to handle the day.  It also motivates us to do better on the things we care about and problem-solve.”

So while stressing out regularly isn’t good for you, a brief rush before a big project or while working out the latest home problem can ultimately help you hunker down and achieve the best possible outcome.

Balance is still important though.  Remember that after your brief stress rush, it’s still important to take a few moments to relax.  Might we recommend a Contempo Sofa to help?

Photo Credit: Andy Newsom

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Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite

March 13, 2012

Bed bugAs winter leaves, it’s time to get serious about one serious issue that always pops up with the rising temperatures: bed bugs.

They’re a disgusting pest and it’s important to make sure that they don’t sneak into your home.  Here’s a few ways to keep them out:

Check any foreign bed you sleep in before lying down.  Bed bugs pop up most frequently in places with a high volume of people coming and going, like hotels or dormitories.  Whenever you check in, pull back the sheets from the mattress and look for blood spots or any other evidence of them on the bed, sheets, mattress, headboard, or other furniture where people might sit.

When you get home be sure to inspect your luggage and personal items before unpacking.  If any of them have hitched a ride with you, wash all the laundry you brought with you.  Undress on a hard surface floor instead of the carpet so you can quickly wipe them up off the floor to capture any that do fall of your clothes.

If you’ve got a minor infestation, wash your sheets and vacuum the carpets.  If it’s getting out of hand, hire a pest control service.

Take care to be on the watch for these creepy crawlies.  They like to stay warm so keep an eye on laptops, TVS and any other places that might produce heat.  The faster you find them, the less chance they have of spreading.

Good luck.

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Cleaning Leather Furniture with Peanut Butter

March 12, 2012

Peanut butter can give you leather a clean, healthy sheenOkay, bear with me here.  About a month ago, the Contempo Sofa blog ran a story about cleaning solutions for leather upholstery.  However, we missed one of the most crucial items: peanut butter.

Yeah, you read that right.  Peanut butter can be used to clean leather.   Just use a small amount and apply it with a cotton cloth.    Rub and buff in a circular motion.  And there you go!  You’ve got a nice new sheen on your leather couch.

Just keep your pets away from the sofa for a bit though (dogs love the taste of peanut butter).

Photo Credit: Piccolo Namek

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