How to Care For Accent Rugs

Adding an area rug can make all the difference in room. Rugs add color and texture, and they define a space. Use them to tie various colors together. The right rug can make it possible to use more colors in a room. Here's how to care for them...

Rotation
Rotate your rug often. This will do two things to extend the life of your rug:
1) Make the rug wear more evenly.
2) Reduce the effects of sun fading on any one spot of the rug.

Rug Pad
Rug pads extend the life of your rug because the pad absorbs much of the pressure and friction from normal wear and tear. They also will prevent slippage, and reduce the chances of a slip-and-fall accident. When applied properly, a rug pad is 2 - 3 inches short of the edge of the rug all around the perimeter.

Cleaning
Vacuum regularly, as the dust and other particles that settle into the rug are abrasive. When stepped upon, these abrasives, over time, tear at the fibers of the rug. When vacuuming, if you must use a beater brush, raise the setting to make its effect on the rug as light as possible.

Wool Rugs
Wool is a natural fiber that can be very long lasting when properly cared for. Shedding is natural in wool rugs. Colors are more prone to "bleeding" more than synthetic fibers.
1. Use a dry cotton towel or white paper towel to blot out any stain as much as possible. Blot always from the outer edges inward toward the center.
2. Scrape off any spills or debris with a dull edge.
3. Mix water and a tiny amount of dish soap.
4. Use a clean sponge to gently remove the stain, using the soapy water.
5. Blot the area dry with a towel.
6. Have your wool rugs professionally dry cleaned regularly. Some suggest annually.

Synthetic Fibers (Olefin, Nylon, Polypropylene)
1. Use a dry towel or white paper towel to blot out any stain. Blot from the outer edges inward toward the center.
2. Scrape off any spills or debris with a dull edge.

3. Mix water and a tiny amount of dish soap.
4. Use a clean sponge to gently remove the stain, using the soapy water.
5. Blot the area dry with a towel.
6. These cleaners are excellent at removing grease and stubborn stains:
    409 and Fantastic

Other Natural Fibers (Hemp, Jute, Sisal, Coir)
Knots on these rugs tend to tie loosely, and are prone to unraveling. Clean them with care.
1. Vacuum regularly, minimizing the impact of a beater brush.
2. Trim carefully any loose ends using sharp scissors.
3. Use a dry towel or white paper towel to blot out any stain. Blot from the outer edges inward toward the center.
4. Scrape off any spills or debris with a dull edge.
5. Use water alone, with no soap, to gently clean the stain.
6. Use a professional cleaning service that knows how to clean wool rugs, another natural fiber.

Shag Rugs
Today's rug makers have become very creative in designing rugs with a lot of texture. For cleaning, follow the instructions from above that apply to the fibers of the rug. When vacuuming, do not use a beater bar at all. Vacuum often.

Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
Cleaning any rug regularly will extend its useful life. These rugs are no exception.

1. Use a dry towel or white paper towel to blot out any stain. Blot from the outer edges inward toward the center.
2. Scrape off any spills or debris with a dull edge.

3. Mix water and a tiny amount of dish soap.
4. Use a clean sponge to gently remove the stain, using the soapy water.
5. Blot the area dry with a towel.


6. Rather than dry cleaning, use your garden hose to spray off the rug.

Closing Doors and Burning Bridges

Brendan Francis said:  
"Some persons are very decisive when it comes to avoiding decisions." 

There is a reason some of us struggle to make a big decision: making a choice between two or more options can feel like a loss. But all great achievements begin at the same place; with a decision. We are free to decide what we want to become. And every day we are free to let things get in our way - or to put those aside - to let nothing stop us from becoming the person we want to become, and which we know in our hearts is in our power to become.

To all starts with a decision.

Consider General Xiang Ye in the 3rd century BC. After taking his army across the Yangtze River into enemy territory he took away any possibility of retreat. By burning the bridge they had just crossed, and smashing their cooking pots, the General committed his soldiers to fight. They had the choice, then, to fight and win or be killed. A tough choice. 

"Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions."
Author Unknown

Here are a few tips on decision-making:

1) Take a Deep Breath

This clears the mind, and calms the nerves.

2) Make a List of Options

This organizes your choices, and unclutters your mind.

3) Consider Best - and Worst - Possible Outcomes

If a worst possible outcome is unacceptable, which means if it were to happen you could never forgive yourself, make a different choice.

4) Make a Choice

There are few things more empowering than making a decision.

5) Confirm Decision with your Maker

If it's a big decision, consult with an All-Wise Parent. If it's not, He will likely want you to make your own choice.

6) Don't over-analyze. There is a risk of paralysis by analysis.

7) Close a door. Resist the natural tendency to try to keep options open. Don't be afraid of loss.

“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.” 
Walter Anderson

Here's an excellent article on the subject, from the Science Section of the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/science/26tier.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

4 Week Better Sleep Plan, by Dr. Oz

Deep, restful sleep is critical to your health and happiness.  I found some helpful counsel from Dr. Oz:

By Dr. Mehmet Oz

Once upon a time, you could sleep like a baby. Now you'd be lucky to get a full eight hours of peaceful, uninterrupted slumber.

Here's how to rest easy again. 

As a father of four, a surgeon, and a talk show host, I know all about sleepless nights. More than 25 years ago, when I was a surgical resident, I conditioned myself to get by on just two or three hours of sleep a night. I can recall walking down an empty hospital corridor after a long shift and seeing the sun rising silently over the city. I often had trouble drifting off when I got home—and continued to have insomnia even after my residency ended.

I wasn’t alone. Nearly half of all Americans have occasional insomnia, whether because of stress, hormonal changes, or poor bedtime habits; about 15 percent are plagued by chronic sleeplessness.

And that’s a problem. Waking up exhausted doesn’t just take a toll on your mood and your performance at work; inadequate sleep can lead to serious health ­problems—including obesity, cancer, and heart disease—and shortened life expectancy. While you’re sleeping, your body rejuvenates the connections between brain cells, renews its immune function, improves the response to insulin, and secretes growth hormone, which is ­essential for healthy skin and muscles. People who sleep fewer than six hours a night have a 50 percent higher risk of viral infections and an elevated risk of heart disease and stroke. A new study even suggests that a lack of sleep heightens your risk of Alzheimer’s.

That said, insomnia isn’t something to lose sleep over; plenty of simple strategies can help you get the rest you need. I’ve put together this four-week plan to ensure you sleep better and longer, starting tonight. 

WEEK 1

ASSESS YOUR BEDROOM

Dim the lights. insomnia feeds off the minor details of modern life, like the soft blue glow from a TV, a computer, a cell phone, a PDA, or even the digital clock on your nightstand. That blue light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone. Crack open a book rather than watching reruns just before bed, and cover up blue displays you can’t shut off. Place an orange lightbulb (available at Home ­Depot or other home improvement stores) in your bedside lamp; its glow lets you read or relax without actively inhibiting melatonin.

Go mattress shopping. As anyone who’s ever been up coughing, wheezing, or blowing his nose can attest, asthma and allergies can significantly affect the quality of your sleep. And one very common cause of both conditions could be living in your mattress. Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on human skin and are a major trigger for asthma and allergies. These bugs like to make their home in beds because of the steady supply of food; the older the mattress, the more likely that mites have taken up residence. If yours is more than five to seven years old, it may be time for an upgrade. (If your mattress is newer than that, consider buying a mite-resistant casing instead.)

Chill out. Keeping your body cool slows down all of the metabolic processes, including the mental whirring that prevents you from drifting off. The worse your insomnia, the colder your bedroom should be. Start at 68 degrees Fahrenheit and crank it down to 65 degrees (or even as low as 60 degrees) if you still can’t get any rest. 

WEEK 2

CREATE A BETTER BEDTIME ROUTINE

Don’t go to bed hungry. You may think you’re doing your waistline a ­favor by skipping dinner or not eating after 6 p.m. when your bedtime is midnight, but a growling, empty stomach makes it harder to fall asleep, and that can derail your diet. Researchers at the University of Chicago withheld sleep from study participants and found the lack of shut-eye altered appetite-regulating hormones. The subjects reported feeling hungrier, with strong cravings for calorie-dense, carb-rich foods, such as sweets, salty snacks like potato chips, and starchy foods like pasta.

Put a cap on your nightcap. Surveys show that up to 19 percent of people use alcohol to help nod off at night. But after the initial tranquilizing buzz wears off, alcohol often results in more fitful sleep. As your body withdraws from the drug, you may experience symptoms such as waking up in the middle of the night or the inability to reach a deep sleep. A better pre-bed beverage: chamomile tea, which research shows may have a calming effect. 

Slip on some socks. Feet often feel colder than the rest of the body because they have the poorest circulation. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology in 2000 suggests that wearing socks to bed keeps the blood vessels in your feet dilated, drawing blood away from your core and cooling you off, which initiates sleep. 

WEEK 3

INSOMNIA-PROOF YOUR LIFESTYLE

Don’t just lie there. If you suffer through hours counting sheep, you may soon come to associate your bed with the stress of insomnia. In fact, studies show that spending less time between the sheets—a technique known as sleep restriction—may promote more restful snoozing and, with time, help make your bed a welcome sight at the end of a long day. Calculate the number of hours you actually spend asleep, and then limit your time in bed to no more than that amount. Start with a routine that gets you up at the same time every morning—even if it's quite early, and even on the weekends. Once you're falling asleep more easily at night, you can slowly push your wake-up time forward. 

Time your workouts right. Combined with a regular bedtime routine, exercising four times a week may increase your overall sleep time by 1.25 hours each night, according to a recent study published in the journal Sleep Medicine. Why is working out so effective? Exercising significantly increases your core temperature; as your body returns to its baseline a few hours later, your temperature measurably drops, making it easier to drift off. The best time to work out: late afternoon or early evening (at least two hours before bedtime), so your body temperature begins falling just as you’re getting ready for bed.

Break your smartphone addiction. Constantly checking email or scanning your favorite websites stimulates the brain, preventing you from winding down at night. Some research suggests that simply exposing yourself to wireless signals may interfere with sleep. In a major joint study, researchers in Sweden and at Wayne State University in Michigan found that people subjected to a substantial amount of these signals right before bed reported headaches, more difficulty falling asleep, and less restful slumber. The solution: Keep your cell phone out of reach at night, and try to spend less time on it during the day. 

WEEK 4

TAKE CONTROL OF SLEEP-ROBBING HEALTH CONDITIONS

Put your shower massager to good use. A warm bath and a massage can help anyone nod off more easily, but they can be particularly helpful if leg cramps keep you awake. Evidence shows that heat and leg massage can improve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, a ­disorder that affects up to 10 percent of the population and is characterized by cramping and an unpleasant urge to move your legs, ­especially at night. If symptoms persist, ask your doctor whether you could benefit from taking magnesium, which has been shown to relieve leg cramps, or a prescription medication.

Lose weight. Those extra pounds, particularly around the neck, put you at greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the soft palate at the back of the throat collapses, causing your airway to become blocked during sleep. OSA increases the risk of heart disease and stroke; the hallmark symptom is loud snoring with intermittent pauses in breathing, as air tries to squeeze through the narrowed passageway. Research shows that losing just 10 percent of your body weight significantly improves symptoms of OSA—including snoring.

See your dentist. Snorers may also benefit from a mouth guard—a small plastic device worn during sleep to help prevent the soft palate from collapsing. Even if you don’t have OSA, controlling snoring is ­important; a recent study showed that snoring more than doubles your risk of developing metabolic syndrome, one of the major predictors of future cardiovascular disease. Interrupted sleep, often a result of loud snoring, increases this risk even further.

YOUR BODY ON INSOMNIA

Sleeplessness can have wide-reaching effects on the body. Here's what happens to...

Your brain A new study shows that sleep is necessary to rejuvenate the connections between brain cells; these connections become increasingly erratic the longer you're awake. According to researchers, the most easily disrupted connections were those essential for memory, executive functioning, and attention. 

Your muscles The body produces growth hormone during sleep, a function necessary for building and maintaining healthy muscle tissue. So over time, insomnia can zap strength. 

Your immune system Sleep deprivation lessens white blood cell activity, which ups the risk of getting sick. In turn, a healthy immune system promotes deep sleep, so long bouts of insomnia can create a vicious cycle. 

Your blood sugar Insomnia interferes with the body's ability to metabolize glucose, leading to early signs of diabetes. One study showed that regularly snoozing less than six hours a night makes you 4.5 times more likely to develop prediabetes. 

Your mood Sleepless nights don't just make you irritable; new research shows that people who suffer from chronic insomnia are five times more likely to become depressed and 20 times more likely to develop panic disorder.

IF YOU STILL CANNOT SLEEP...

Natural and over-the-counter sleep remedies can be surprisingly effective, but like prescription drugs, they carry risks, including dependency. Consult your doctor before taking any sleep medications.

Diphenhydramine (for example, Benadryl and Sominex) and doxylamine (for example, Unisom) are common OTC antihistamines that are also marketed as sleep aids. Scientists believe that these drugs cause sedation by blocking the brain’s histamine activity, which is normally involved in arousal and alertness.

Melatonin is a sleep-promoting hormone that’s naturally produced by the body at night. Available as a supplement, it can help you fall asleep if taken two to three hours before bedtime. Keep in mind that the commonly listed dosage (five milligrams) is more than what most people require; instead, start with one milligram and work up to 2.5 milligrams if necessary. 

Research suggests that valerian root may have a sedative-like effect, helping you drift off more quickly and prolonging total sleep time. Try preparing it in a tea and drinking a cup before bed.

Design Tip: Remember the Golden Ratio (aka Golden Mean)!

Patterns are mathematical, and they appear everywhere in nature.   While definitely an Art, architecture and Interior design uses a lot of Math and Science.  The Greeks called it "Phi" (pronounced "fee"), and they used it in designing the Parthenon, and the Egyptians in designing the pyramids.  It is a mathematical formula for creating proportion between objects.

Consider an 8' sofa, and a 5' coffee table.  Assuming a compatible style and color, the two work for the eye because they follow the "phi formula", which is:  1 to 1.61803399

A great shape for a table in that same ratio, would be as follows:

5 x 1.61803399 = 8.06

Here is the ratio for a smaller, 7' sofa:

7 / 1.61803399 = 4.33

This guideline will help you design a room in which everything seems to fit.  

Keep Smilin'!

Design Tip: 5 Types of Lines

Interior design is largely about visual perception.  That perception moves your eyes in certain ways, affecting your energy, productivity, and even your sense of well-being and peace.  

There are visible and invisible lines in your room.  Visible lines may be literally in your fabrics, or your paint pattern, wallpaper, or flooring.  More subtle are the lines that form between objects and features of the room.  Designers use 5 types of line:

1. Transitional lines include walls, floors, and ceilings
   Use these features to transition from one type of line to another.
2. Vertical lines create a sense of action and height.
   Line-patterned throw rugs provide an easy example.  A more subtle way to create line, is to place a tall, narrow accessory onto the top of a cocktail table, for example.  
3. Horizontal lines create a restful atmosphere, and widen a space.
   Consider wallpaper, or a patterned paint.
4. Diagonal lines create excitement and motion.
   Throw rugs, paint jobs, and the layout of pieces of furniture can create diagonal lines.  
5. Curved lines are feminine, graceful, and delicate.
   A few curves, such as the short exposed legs of a sofa, can create a country or rustic appearance.  But be careful with curves.  Ornate, curvy furniture often tends to be feminine (but not always); it may not be what a bachelor would want in his apartment.  

Keep Smilin'!

Clean Your Sofa!

I get a lot of questions about the "clean-ability" of a particular fabric.  It's a natural question, as the average sofa is used for over 2700 hours in its lifetime.  Most people buy new furniture infrequently, and they need it to look good for several years.  Two summary tips here:

• Vacuum and dust often.  Where a lot of dust collects, so do dust mites (believe me, the more you know about dust mites the more you don't like those guys!).  
• Spot-clean right away, when accidents happen.  

If your cushions have a zippered enclosure, you may be tempted to throw the cover in the washing machine. I tried this on an old sofa (so you don't have to).  The washing machine was very rough on the fabric.  In order to get the cushion back inside the fabric enclosure, I had to use scissors to cut away a lot of threads that had come loose.  It's OK to gently hand-wash your zippered-enclosure fabrics.  Just follow the cleaning codes for your fabric.  Using the wrong one may damage the fabric on your furniture.  

The 4 cleaning codes:

• W - This indicates a water-based cleaner.  Apply any mild water-based cleaner using a brush in circular motion.  Try an inconspicuous area first, before cleaning primary areas.
• S  - This indicates a solvent-based cleaner.  Do not use water.  Open windows for ventilation, as the vapors from these cleaners can be harmful if inhaled in large concentrations.
• W-S - Use either a water- or solvent based cleaner, following applicable directions above.
• X - Vacuum and dust off only.  Do not use any type of cleaner on these fabrics.  

A TIP ABOUT STAIN-GUARDING:

Fabrics today do not include stain protection out of the factory.  But each one - whatever the cleaning code - can be stain-guarded, making them far less absorbent.  Choose your stain-guard product carefully, using one that that is non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, and that is completely color-safe.  RC Willey provides such a product, available in a spray bottle, as well as with our professional application.  

By contrast, a product that is commonly available at grocery stores includes a warning on their website; they urge consumers to test for "color-fastness" in an inconspicuous place - before treating the entire sofa.  No warning necessary with RC Willey products.  

Keep Smilin'!

Ink On My Sofa!

Three solvents for removing ink from upholstery (or anything, for that matter):
1. Hairspray
A hundred years ago I was a grocery store clerk. Before scanners were installed we used ink to price stamp virtually everything in the store. My most vivid memories were tomato sauce; the tiny cans that at the time were priced $.28 one week, $.29 the next week, and then back to $.28 a can. Each price change required that we pull out each can, line them up on the floor or rolling table, spray with hairspray, and wipe off with a paper towel. Hairspray worked great. Not as great, though as scanners!

2. Windex

I am quite often asked how well a particular fabric cleans-up.  It's a great question for anyone that wants to keep their furniture looking like new, when it no longer is.  It was in that context that a customer told me recently of a first-hand experience with ink and upholstery:

An ink pen had leaked on the arm of her sofa, leaving a round-ish blob 2-3" around.  She thought she'd have to replace the sofa, but a friend told her to try Windex (a product of SC Johnson Co.).  She tried it, and every trace of ink was removed.

3. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Haven't tried this. Needs to be verified.

Keep Smilin'!

Tips for Leather Care

Years ago, I bought a leather sectional that didn't acclimate well to my house.  It dried out, and lost color, and didn't last nearly as long as it should have.  Let's prevent that from happening to your leather.

Quick Tips:

·         Minimize direct sunlight

·         Keep away from sources of heat, including heating vents.

·         Keep leather moist, using a high-quality leather conditioner.

·         Vacuum or dust frequently.

·         Clean spills quickly and lightly, and then use leather cleaner.

Leather is a terrific upholstery fabric.  This is a thumbnail sketch about the leathers, and how to take care of 

them.  There are various grades of leather, and each manufacturer tends to use their own grading system.  

Overall, where a leather comes from, how much it's corrected, how it's dyed and protected dictate the grade

and quality of the leather.  

Southern hemisphere leathers tend to be thin-skinned and require a lot of correction.  Cattle are penned in

with barbed wire, which produces scars that must be buffed out and filled in.  

North American leathers tend to be healthier, and some require moderate correction.  Those from colder

climates tend to be thicker skinned.  Free ranging cattle tend to be less scarred, and their leathers require

less correction.  Northern Europe and Scandinavian cattle tend to be the healthiest and to produce the

highest grades of hides.  

In the process of tanning and preparing a hide, lower grades are allocated for belts and other leather 

products - even for automobile upholstery, where they receive an extreme amount of treatment so they can

weather the temperature extremes of a confined vehicle.  

Better grades are prepared for furniture use, and the highest grades are prepared for more expensive, 

higher-quality pieces.  Higher grade leathers may be described as:

·         Full Aniline

·         Wax Pull-Up

·         Non-Corrected

·         Lightly Corrected

·         Full Grain

Terms like "Top Grain" do not connote quality; it is merely the top- or outer- cut of the leather.  

"Split Grain" is an inner cut that is less tough than a top grain leather.  At RC Willey, all leather seating

is Top Grain.  To reduce cost, some pieces are made with a Split Grain on the sides and back.  To reduce

cost even more, some pieces use a vinyl match on the sides and back.  It is entirely possible to get a very 

luxurious feel on a nice leather seat that has a vinyl match.  At RC Willey, we sometimes call these pieces, 

"Leather match" - that is, top grain leather seating, and vinyl match on sides and back.  

At RC Willey, we carry a range of quality, some pieces providing for the most discriminating of tastes,

while other pieces make the luxury of leather more affordable.  We carry pieces that match all the 

"luxury" descriptions bulleted above.  Nearly all of our leathers are Semi-Aniline, and most are corrected 

leathers.  Note that a higher quality leather is not necessarily the longest-lasting or most durable.  It is more about "hand" or feel.  Semi Aniline leathers are a sensible grade, very practical, and usually the most durable for home use.  

CARING FOR YOUR LEATHER

On a daily basis, leather is the easiest to maintain; merely vacuum or dust it off.  However, leather does require periodic care, especially in our dry mountain climate.  It's critical that it acclimates well to your home, so the first year or two I recommend more frequent cleaning and conditioning.  Use the leather care kit provided by RC Willey; it's excellent for our climate.  

Years One and Two:  I recommend 4 to 6 treatments/ year

From then on, I recommend 2 to 3 treatments per year. 

More treatments may be necessary, depending on how heavily it is used, and how much direct sun it gets.  Consider also whether a heat vent is blowing on it directly every day.  These are factors to minimize, where possible, and to be aware of in planning your leather care.  

SPILLS

The conditioner helps leathers resist stains.  If you spill on your leather, wipe it up lightly (don't wait), and soak it up from the outer edges of the spill toward the center.  This will keep the spill from spreading.  After lightly soaking up the spill, perhaps with a paper towel, use your leather cleaner to finish the job.  Then reapply the conditioner, and let it soak in for a few hours before sitting on that spot.  

Do all this, and you will enjoy your leather for many years.  When traditional fabrics might be wearing out, your leather will be wearing in - taking on that wrinkly lived-in patina that makes leather that much more beautiful.

Keep Smilin'!

About Sleep & Mattresses

Sleep is when our bodies and minds rest, rebuild, and rejuvenate. The need is for deep, restful sleep; for most of us, 7-8 hours each day. 

The goal is spinal alignment and pressure relief for shoulders & hips.  To achieve this, the straw ticking of yester-year has been replaced by various densities and qualities of:

*  Traditional Poly Foam

*  Bio-Friendly (Soy Oils) Foam

*  Latex (natural rubber) Foam

*  Memory Foam

I can almost hear you smartphone lovers: When I say that mattresses are about technology, you roll your

eyes. The speed of a mattress does not double every 18 months, and mattress technology is not high tech! But it is technology that builds the machines, and it's science that improves the qualities of various densities, qualities, and firmness of foam.

Whatever the top of mattress is made of, the bottom of the mattress features one of 3 general types:

*  Tethered Springs

*  Pocketed Springs

*  High-Density Foam

Each type has its advantages.  Pocketed springs operate independently of one another, so for side-sleepers they're great for providing pressure relief for shoulders and hips.  Pocketed coils tend to flex to match body shape.  They also minimize motion transfer.  This means that when someone moves a sleep partner usually does not feel it enough to awaken. 

"Tethered" springs are bound together, and thereby coils flex and move with adjacent coils.  This means that most pressure relief for a side-sleeper's shoulder or hip must come from the foams on top of the springs.  Motion transfer is also greater - particularly on lower-end mattresses. 

High-Density Foam is used by Tempurpedic and its imitators.  In the mattress industry, this type of mattress is known as, "Specialty Sleep".  The specialty sleep category, by the way, is growing in double-digits, while traditional spring-based mattresses suffered a modest decline in year-over-year sales from 2010 to 2011. 

Note that springs are less expensive to produce than are foams, so mattresses that are made of foam, top-to-bottom tend to be premium priced.  At RC Willey I have a great selection in all three types.  Together we can figure out what is just right for you.

Keep Smilin'!

Plan Your Room

Consider the purpose of the room you are furnishing.  What do you want to feel when you're in the room?  More energy?  More relaxed?  Do you like a lot of texture in a room, or do excess "knick knacks" create for you a sense of clutter?  How many will use the room regularly?  How many family members and guests need to be seated?

It's always a good idea to take measurements before furniture shopping.  Write down feet and inches between permanent features, such as fireplaces, doors, windows, cabinets, and hallways.  That will help you select pieces of furniture that look, feel - and fit - right.  The smaller the spaces the more important the measurements.  

For a space constrained...

• Family/Living/Great Room consider low-profile sofas and chairs.  But don't trade looks for comfort, if you will spend hours in that room watching a game or a movie.  You might prefer, in that case, a higher backed option - something that you can fully rest on, with your neck, head, and eyes in the best position for viewing. 
• Bedroom, consider lower profile headboards, & under-bed drawers.  Large items, such as an armoire, or large chest of drawers can make a small room feel smaller.  Instead, use a lower-profile dresser.  That will lower the 'center of gravity' of the bulk in the room.  Mirrors enlarge spaces.  
• Dining, consider a standard height dining table.  Get a table of the appropriate size for every day use, and no more.  If you entertain, get a table that is expandable with one or more leaves, and put those leaves away after guests leave.  You will enjoy how this enlarges your room.  Plan for everyday use and for expansion for guests.  Many tables contract/expand with leaves.

In larger spaces...

• Family/Living/Great Rooms there is nothing at all wrong with lower profile pieces, if that is your preference.  
• Bedroom spaces can be filled with some beautifully designed pieces.  Beauty is a matter of taste, remember.  Beauty is ornate and carved, for some.  For others beauty is simple, clean lines.  For some, it is color; for others beauty accents the grains inherent in various types of wood.
• Dining, you might consider a counter-height dining table.  These are increasingly popular where 24" barstools can be used and shared between a dining table and a kitchen island bar.  Some pedestal tables of this height offer space for a splash of color under the center of the table.  Some offer storage space in these pedestals.  

To recline or not to recline...

Preference is entirely individual: As a general rule, if a sitting room is used primarily for entertaining guests who might visit for 30 minutes or less, stationery furniture is preferred.  If you like the comfort of putting your feet up, and reclining back, and this sitting room doubles as your movie- and game-watching room, certainly don't let others' preferences sway you from getting the reclining furniture you want.  

You can get reclining and stationery furniture in chairs, loveseats, sofas, and sectionals.  Some sectionals are modular; that is each section is one seat or piece.  These offer terrific flexibility.  If you want power reclining - a terrific option - plan for a power outlet nearby.  

Bring your measurements, and let's plan your room together.  I will help you zero in on what you will love for years to come.

Keep Smilin'!

The Customer Experience Creates Ripple Effects

Your experience as my customer is my focus.  I am building a business here at RC Willey, and for good or bad, what you experience with me creates ripple effects.  Good ripple effects bring you back to me next time; a lesser-experience might drive you to another RC Willey Rep, or even away from RC Willey.  Those are the potential ripple effects of my service.  I want them always to be positive. 

Ten years ago, I helped start a successful technology company that measures the customer experience for business clients.  I helped hundreds of business owners use our technology to gather customer stories and to continually measure their customer experience.  I taught how critical it is to consider every business decision for how it will impact the customer experience.  I experimented with several types of survey questions, and studied the results using a variety of metrics.  My experience concurred with the findings of a book titled, The Ultimate Question, by Fred Reichheld.  The ultimate question is: "How likely are you to recommend me?"  Through several studies, the answer to that question has been found to have a strong correlation with business results.

Here at RC Willey, each customer experience I deliver is an opportunity to build a good long-term business, and customer loyalty is how I measure my success.  Thanks to each of my customers for giving me the chance!

Keep Smilin'!

Sleep Better - Live Better!

50 to 70 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders (National Institutes of Health).  The resultant drowsiness causes 100,000 traffic accidents (National Highway Traffic and Safety Adminstration), and takes 1,500 lives each year.  People who suffer from sleep apnea are also at greater risk for diabetes, hypertension, depression, stroke, and heart disease.  Chronic sleep problems increase the risk of each. 

What is apnea?  It is a common sleep disorder that is an interruption to breathing.  Apnea is usually caused by a collapse or obstruction in the airway, and can occur from once to as many as 100 times per hour.  Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, and often goes undetected for years. 

Sleep apnea can be treated with a machine that creates continuous positive air pressure.  Pressurized and often humidified air is fed to the nose and/or mouth through a mask that is worn while sleeping.  This helps keep airways open, reducing the number of apneas per hour. 

As an alternative to a CPAP machine and mask, a mattress installed on an adjustable (electric power) foundation can elevate the sleeper's head enough to prevent collapses and blockages in the airway.  Even without sleep apnea, power foundations offer many benefits.  But the direct benefits to a sleeper with apnea are great.  A growing number of mattress types and models are being modified so they can flex with a power foundation. 

Keep Smilin'!

PS.  Here's a healthy sleep pattern, according to the latest research:

How to Select a Mattress

Why Selecting the Right Mattress is Important

Ideally, 7 to 8 hours is invested each day in sleeping. The "sleeping third" of your life has a powerful influence on the quality of the other two thirds.  While sleeping, your body and your mind go through different stages of sleep.  Interruptions to your sleep may prevent you from getting into that 'stage four' or 'stage five' level in which your mind is rejuvenated.  

          It's hard to get out of bed in the morning.

          You don't feel fully rested.

          You may experience a foggy headache.

          You may get drowsy when you sit throughout the day.

          Your personal and work productivity may suffer.

          You experience memory lapses.

Side-Sleepers:  Pressure on your shoulder and/or hip may…

 …cut off blood flow, creating soreness and numbness.

  …prevent proper spinal alignment, straining muscles and tendons

Back- or Belly-Sleepers:  

Inner-spring mattresses usually include a concentration of springs in the center third of the mattress, where most of the body weight is.  Insufficient support may allow the middle of your mattress to sag, which allows your spine to sag as well.  Improper alignment strains muscles and tendons; particularly damaging when the position is prolonged for hours.

Sleeping on a great mattress (great for you) can help you rest more deeply, and awaken more rested.  

PS.  Did you know that sleeping on your left side can help reduce heartburn, and even acid reflux?

Keep Smilin'!

Furnishing Your Master Bedroom?

If you are planning to buy furniture in the next two years for your master bedroom, perhaps you'd be interested in the priorities of others who will be doing the same.

Thanks to Furniture Today, who published a study on the topic.

Another interesting finding? Mixing and matching different pieces of furniture together is a trend that is growing.  Keep Smilin'!

Fail Your Way to Success

We have all fallen down; just make sure you get back up. These are excellent inspiration from many who've done just that. Thanks to a blog by Dave Cook, VP Store Operations, RC Willey (http://www.rcwilley.com/hr/blog/ShowBlog.soa?id=4):

Michael Jordan: Most people wouldn't believe that a man often lauded as the best basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Luckily, Jordan didn't let this setback stop him from playing the game and he has stated, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Babe Ruth: You probably know Babe Ruth because of his home run record (714 during his career), but along with all those home runs came a pretty hefty amount of strikeouts as well (1,330 in all). In fact, for decades he held the record for strikeouts. When asked about this he simply said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."

The Beatles: Few people can deny the lasting power of this super group, still popular with listeners around the world today. Yet when they were just starting out, a recording company told them no. The were told "we don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out," two things the rest of the world couldn't have disagreed with more.

Elvis Presley: As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Elvis has become a household name even years after his death. But back in 1954, Elvis was still a nobody, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

J. K. Rowling: Rowling may be rolling in a lot of Harry Potter dough today, but before she published the series of novels she was nearly penniless, severely depressed, divorced, trying to raise a child on her own while attending school and writing a novel. Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.

Steven Spielberg: While today Spielberg's name is synonymous with big budget, he was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA.

Lucille Ball: During her career, Ball had thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins, also earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors. Before starring in I Love Lucy, Ball was widely regarded as a failed actress and a B movie star. Even her drama instructors didn't feel she could make it, telling her to try another profession. She, of course, proved them all wrong.

Jerry Seinfeld: Just about everybody knows who Seinfeld is, but the first time the young comedian walked on stage at a comedy club, he looked out at the audience, froze and was eventually jeered and booed off of the stage. Seinfeld knew he could do it, so he went back the next night, completed his set to laughter and applause, and the rest is history.

Oprah Winfrey: Most people know Oprah as one of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest and most successful women in the world. Oprah faced a hard road to get to that position, however, enduring a rough and often abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for tv."

Abraham Lincoln: While today he is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of our nation, Lincoln's life wasn't so easy. In his youth he went to war a captain and returned a private (if you're not familiar with military ranks, just know that private is as low as it goes.) Lincoln didn't stop failing there, however. He started numerous failed business and was defeated in numerous runs he made for public office.

Soichiro Honda: The billion-dollar business that is Honda began with a series of failures and fortunate turns of luck. Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation for a job after interviewing for a job as an engineer, leaving him jobless for quite some time. He started making scooters of his own at home, and spurred on by his neighbors, finally started his own business.

Henry Ford: While Ford is today known for his innovative assembly line and American-made cars, he wasn't an instant success. In fact, his early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company

And of course:

Bill Child: A farmboy from Syracuse, Utah, who was asked to watch his father-in-law's business while his father-in- law went to the hospital for tests. As misfortune would have it, his father-in-law - RC Willey - never returned. Bill inherited a business that was heavily in debt. He sought help from a bank, and was told it would be best that he close the store. Bill didn't listen. (Aren't we glad he didn't?) Today RC Willey is the largest home furnishings store west of the Mississippi.