3. What is French provincial furniture?

French Provincial - The look of French provincial furniture is timeless. With a unique look all its own and influenced by the French kingdom of the 1700¡¯s, this style brings drama, elegance and inherent beauty into your home.
Ornate carvings, rich finishes and abundant curves make up the gentle framing of French provincial bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms. Extravagant fabrics in decorative floral patterns adorn sofas, loveseats, chairs and settees.
French Provincial style reflects a time of regal beauty, beauty that lives on today in the furniture that lives in your home.

4. What is leather furniture?

Leather Furniture - There is nothing like the look and feel of leather. Classic, comfortable, soft to the touch, Leather furniture represents a level of sophistication in your home. With the ability to adapt to any style, furnishing your home in leather provides a smooth color scheme, and dramatic visual texture.
From Contemporary to Traditional, Leather furnishings create a calming, warm and inviting space for all you bring into your home.

5. What is mission furniture?

Mission Furniture - The appeal of Mission Style furniture has lasted years thanks to the classic and sharp design of its furniture and accent pieces. Furnish your home with features like deep colored oak frames, straight lined designs and fabrics in warm colors to create an atmosphere of elegant comfort. Accent those features with textured accessories such as stained glass lamps, and decorative pottery.
Let the inspirations of Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright give distinction to your home with the beauty of classic Mission Style furniture.

6.What is rustic furniture?

Rustic Furniture - You need not reside in an actual log cabin to enjoy the authentic styling of Rustic furniture design. A rustic collection will feature a heavy emphasis on wood grains and natural markings ¨C all of which add unique character to your pieces. Generously sized frames coupled with a distinctive old west /log cabin feel create a home as warm, inviting and rustic as the furniture you put into it. Whether it is a Mexican style bar in your Northwestern home, or a beautiful pine wood dining table for your metro area apartment, Rustic style furnishings bring all the charm of the great outdoors, right into your home.

7. What is traditional furniture?

Traditional Furniture - If you¡¯re looking for an elegant way to decorate or furnish your home, why not give your living room, dining room or bedroom a taste of the French Country, British Colonial
or 19th Century Neo Classic styles that have been adorning homes for generations? Choosing a traditional theme for your home features delicate curves and smooth, rich finishes that bring drama to any space. Floral patterns in delicate colors adorn living room sets with rolled arms and elegant carvings on wood trims. A Traditional home ensures you that your home will resonate a warm, inviting, time honored feel.

8. What is transitional furniture?

Transitional Furniture - The allure of timeless, traditional design is coupled with the cool, classic appeal of the contemporary to create Transitionally styled home furniture and accents. Creating a clean and peaceful atmosphere Transitional styles blend neutral color tones. Dark brown, olive, taupe and vanilla colored fabrics on gently curved sofa¡¯s loveseats and chairs create a calming space while adding depth to your room.
Distinct clear lines are what stand out when it comes to transitional bedrooms and dining rooms. You can create virtually any look for your home ¨C Transitional case goods can feature rich dark wood finishes or clean, light wood tones. Your tastes encompass a wide range of styles. Transitional styling emphasizes those tastes while making your home beautiful.

9. What is wicker furniture?

Wicker Furniture - Bringing natural elements such as Wicker, rattan and bamboo into your home creates a serene and comfortable retreat your whole family can enjoy. The perfect addition for your sunroom or patio ¨C wicker furniture has become a favorite in the home as well as out on the deck. The texture of the materials used in living room frames, bedroom and dining room construction brings to your home a sense of visual drama and a calming tropical sense of style your family, friends and most of all you will enjoy for years.

10. How to arrange living room furniture?

• Measure the dimensions of the room with a tape. Draw the outline to scale on graph paper.
• Mark anything that would affect your arrangement: outlets for electricity, telephone and cable;
  light switches; windows; doors that open into the room; space between windows; and sill height.
• Make scale paper cutouts of your living room furniture and shift them on the room drawing as
  needed until a likely arrangement emerges.
• Select a focal point for your room and subtly orient other furnishings and some lighting toward it.
  If there's a fireplace, it will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be
  bookcases or built-in shelving to house lovely collectibles, or a sofa with a striking painting on the
  wall above it.
• Arrange the furniture in such a way that pieces viewed as a unit don't show dramatic variance in
  height and mass as the eye sweeps the room. When a high-backed chair is next to a low table,
  boost the visual height of the table by hanging a piece of art above it.
• Set up cozy conversation areas so that when you entertain, people can be seated and chat rather
  than having to stand. Examples would include two chairs separated by a low table, or two love
  seats facing each other.
• Pull furniture away from the walls for more flexibility in creating conversation areas. For example,
  use a sofa to divide space in a room.
• Position the sofa so it's at a nonperpendicular angle to any walls to create drama. Perhaps put an
  area rug and coffee table parallel to the sofa.
• Allow a minimum of 18 inches (24 is better) for traffic lanes through the room. Lanes will
  probably meander if you have two or three conversation areas in the room.
• Freshen the room occasionally by shifting the furniture and accessories for a new look. Switch
  tabletop bric-a-brac around, add fresh flowers, change potpourri, move pictures.

11. How to Arrange Bedroom Furniture

• Acknowledge that every room needs a focal point and that the focal point in a bedroom is nearly
  always the bed. Give it center stage.
• With a tape measure, measure the room. Draw the bedroom to scale on graph paper. A scale of
  1/4 inch equals 1 foot is a common choice.
• Be sure to measure short wall spaces - the distance between windows, the distance between the
  edge of a radiator to the corner and such - and include the measurement in the drawing. That
  way, you'll know whether your triple dresser (or other big, heavy furnishing) can squeeze into the
  space.
• Mark all of the room's fixed features on the scale drawing. These include heating ducts; windows
  (and the height of the sill from the floor); the drapery (or shutter) stack-up to the left and right
  sides of windows; radiators; outlets (especially ones for a central vacuum and cable television);
  phone jacks; light switches; doors (mark the swing width and direction); wall sconces; fireplaces;
  built-ins (bookcases, desks, dressing tables); and ceiling fan.
• Measure your furnishings and make cutouts of their footprints according to your scale.
• Arrange and rearrange the furniture cutouts on the room drawing to your heart's content. Allow at
  least 18 inches for traffic lanes, and set aside space for a bedside table (or pair of tables for a
  shared bed) as a perch for lighting, a glass of water, medication, eyeglasses, lotion, books or the
  remote control.
• Place the bed so it doesn't impede the entry, closet or bathroom doors.
• Decide on your final scheme and move the furnishings.
• Tweak here and there as needed.
• Position lamps and other accessories, including pictures on the walls. Note that most pictures
  should be visually anchored with a piece of furniture underneath.

12. How to arrange dining room furniture?

• Make a scale drawing of your dining room including markings for all impediments to furniture
  arrangement (radiator, light switches, outlets, door-swing spaces, low chandelier and so forth)
  and make same-scale paper cutouts for the furnishings. Play with the layout according to the
  steps that follow.
• Center the table under a chandelier (if you have a chandelier). This is pretty much an ironclad
  rule, but you can angle the table diagonally in the room for a surprising, pleasing bit of drama.
• Move the chandelier if the builder has placed it dead center in the room. Often a centered
  chandelier will force you to squeeze a sideboard or china cabinet next to the table, leaving a
  skimpy traffic pattern, so by moving the chandelier, you have more flexibility in furniture
  arrangement.
• Allow a minimum of 18 inches for the traffic lane around the table when people are seated.
• Shake things up with the placement of the chairs. The typical dining room table has four or six
  side chairs pushed up to it and two armchairs at the ends, but you can break the mold by moving
  the armchairs elsewhere, perhaps flanking a window or sideboard.
• Place a drop leaf table - perhaps under a windowsill or against a wall - in the room to be used for
  extra guests for big dinner parties (or as the only table if the dining space is small).
• Rearrange small furniture, such as plant stands or lamp tables, and rotate pictures and other
  accessories in and out to freshen the room.

13. How to arrange the family room?

• Draw the outlines of the family room to scale (1/4 inch equals 1 foot) on graph paper. On the
  room layout, mark anything that would affect your arrangement: outlets for electricity, telephone
  and cable; light switches; windows; doors that open into the room; space between windows; sill
  height and so forth.
• Make paper cutouts of the furniture to your scale and shift them as needed until a likely
  arrangement emerges.
• Select a focal point and subtly orient other furnishings and some lighting toward it. If there's a
  fireplace, it will nearly always be the focal point; other focal points might be bookcases or built-in
  shelving that house lovely collectibles.
• Arrange the furniture in such a way that pieces viewed as a unit don't show dramatic shifts in
  height and mass as the eye sweeps the room. When a high-back chair is next to a low table,
  boost the visual height of the table by hanging a piece of art above it or place a lamp on it.
• Set up seating in conversation areas so that people don't have to stand to chat easily. Examples
  include two chairs separated by a low table or two love seats facing each other.
• Pull furniture away from the walls. A sofa can make a great boundary that backs up to and
  separates the living area from the breakfast room or eat-in kitchen.
• Angle the sofa so it's diagonal to any walls. To heighten the drama, run an area rug and coffee
  table parallel to the sofa.
• Allow a minimum of 18 inches (24 is better) for traffic lanes through the room.
• Place the television so that a busy traffic lane doesn't run in front of it.
• Try to arrange the room so that all of the electronic equipment will remain accessible even when
  you entertain.
• Freshen the room periodically by shifting the furniture and accessories. Switch tabletop bric-a-brac
  around from time to time, add fresh flowers, change out potpourri, move pictures and so forth.

14. How about French doors??

Using French doors in exterior applications is very common, but using them inside your home is very pretty and practical. One of the main advantages of French doors is that with them you divide space but still retain the openness from one room to another. Using French doors inside a closet and backing them with pretty sheer curtains is a nice way to dress up a country style bedroom. It is important not to use interior doors for exterior applications because they have a tendency to delaminate when exposed to exterior elements. Be careful while planning and be conscious while purchasing them. Door knobs and locking mechanisms are usually not included with the door and must be purchased separately.

15. How about folding doors?

Folding doors present another popular design alternative. They don¡¯t take much space and come in a variety of paneled and louvered styles. They also have the same advantage as pocket or sliding doors since they don¡¯t require a lot of space. They have been used for years inside on closets and in laundry areas. They could easily enclose a home office, guest alcove or other interiors.

16. How to arrange my coffee table?

Enabling your coffee table to be the center of your gatherings is a wise idea, as it unites the furniture in a room together.

17. Which style of coffee table is right for both indoor and outdoor d¨¦cor?

Metal elements like wrought iron coffee tables are beautifully designed, and just right for both indoor and outdoor d¨¦cor.

18. Which style of coffee table is durable, long lasting and rich to look at?

Wood coffee tables are always a favorite in many households, as they are durable, long lasting and rich to look at. Oak coffee tables, pine coffee tables and rose wood coffee tables are among the most popular.

19. Which style of coffee table is suitable for beach home, outdoor style or a lounging area?

Rattan and wicker coffee tables are the perfect casual pieces to suit any beach home, outdoor style or a lounging area.

20. How can I reduce the heavy European influence of my mission style coffee tables?

Brining in more light sources, like coffee table lamps, floor lamps and more.

21. How to choose sofas for highly stylized living areas?

Contemporary sofas like mission style sofas, rattan sofas, cameleon sofas, and Alan White sofas are ideal for highly stylized living areas. Best used for feature areas in your home, modern sofas and loveseats will add a touch of urban living to your home.

22. How to choose sofas for families and social event rooms?

More practical furniture like sectional sofas are ideal for families and social event rooms.

23. How to choose sofas if I have a small apartment or many overnight guests?

Often sectional sofas come with added features and perks, like sofa beds, sleeper sofa beds, and sofa tables. This is an ideal investment if you have a small apartment or many overnight guests.

24. How to update and upgrade old, worn out sofas?

Custom made sofa slipcovers will allow you to change the color, mood and style of any room without having to purchase new furniture.

25. What kind of material the sofa found in might I choose if the sofa sits next to a direct
¡¡¡¡sunlight window?

Orlon sofas are the ideal choice. Orlon has long lasting light resistance. Luckily, this manmade material has a softer touch than most.

26. How to decorate with wicker furniture?

Decorating with wicker furniture is usually quite easy, as their natural and casual appearance sits well with a wide variety of personal house d¨¦cors. You can use wicker furniture in almost any room in the house, including kitchen, sun room, reading room, living room and den. Or you can use wicker furniture outdoors on your patio, deck or right in the grass itself. Mix and match up your wicker sets with virtually any type of styles. From upholstered fabrics to refined hardwood, you can achieve a classy, sophisticated or relaxed look with wicker furniture. Wicker furniture sets will adjust to suit your lifestyle, and it¡¯s always fun to rearrange and play with accessory items in order to bring out just the right look.

27. How to choose quality wicker furniture?

Always look for wicker that has a rattan or hardwood frame, as this will keep the furniture set dense and heavy. Lightweight wicker will only deteriorate after a season out in the elements, so you need to choose a weave that is weather resistant. It¡¯s a good idea to purchase wicker furniture that has a mix of manmade and natural materials. Pure rattan bark is beautiful to look at, but won¡¯t stand a chance in the outdoors. Another way to make your wicker furniture sets last longer is to opt for a set that has a molded resin or is coated with plastic.

28. How to choose an outdoor patio set that compliments the old world style of my home interior?

Check out wrought iron patio sets. These handcrafted iron designs make beautiful contrasts to gardens beds, walls and verandas.

29. How to choose an outdoor patio set for homes that are inspired by Victorian or
¡¡¡¡English country home d¨¦cor?

Wicker patio furniture is a great choice.

30. How to choose an economical and durable patio set?

Both plastic patio furniture and aluminum patio furniture are more economical and durable choice for your outdoor furniture sets.

31. How to choose patio set for a classic garden style?

Find a classic garden style with wood patio furniture and teak patio furniture.

32. What kind of velvet cover may I choose for a large family for use in high traffic areas?

The nylon velvet might be appropriate

33. What kind of velvet cover may I choose for humid climates where mildew is a problem?

The olefin velvet would be an excellent choice.

34. How to increase the life of upholstered cushions?

The life of upholstered cushions can be increased through periodic turning. The weekly reversal of loose cushions will allow even distribution of wear over long periods of time.

35. What special cautions for placing furniture?

• Try to maintain at least two feet between your furniture and heating sources. Prolonged exposure
  to heat vents or radiators will cause your leather to dry out.
• Do not place your furniture by windows, under skylights or any place where your furniture is in the
  sunlight. All Nubuck leathers will fade when exposed to direct sunlight.

36. How to keep the leather dust-free?

Keep the leather dust-free with weekly vacuuming. Use Leather Master Nubuck Cleaning Cloth to pick up surface soiling and return the leather to its original look and feel.. Simply wrap the cloth around a soft dry sponge and rub the leather in several directions to lift soiling and renew the Nubuck effect. This will also reverse flat and shiny areas that appear from use

37. How to improve the leathers resistance to staining and soiling?

Treat the surface with Leather Master Nubuck Protector. It is most important that you treat the high use areas like seats, backs, and arms.

38. How to get rid of a waxy build up?

To clean it, try using mineral spirits or naphtha as your cleaning agent.

39. How to hide light scratches in the finish?

One of the best way is using a padding lacquer. You will need a soft cloth. Fold the corners until you can make a tight ball out of the center. Apply the padding lacquer to the pad and tap it into the palm of your hand. (Gloves come in handy here). This will spread it through the pad. Lightly pad in the direction of the grain like it is an airplane coming in for a landing then taking off again. Don't over pad or come to a stopped landing. Let it dry for a couple minutes and reapply if needed until the scratch is melted back in. Usually one swipe is all it takes. This will leave a high gloss finish if you keep padding, so you may have to pad the whole surface to make it all look the same.

40. How to remove the white rings and spots on my furniture?

• The first step in removing a fresh white spot or ring is simply to do nothing except remove the
  source of the moisture and any remaining on the woods surface. Then wait. A hair dryer will speed
  up the process, but set it on low and use discretion.
• If it is an old ring and has not responded to the above, we recommend Howard's Restore-A-Finish
  to remove it. It is a great combination of solvents and cleaners that is safe for your finish.
  You can also try vinegar on a rag. Alcohol can also remove the ring - but only try this if you are
  sure IT IS NOT A SHELLAC FINISH! If you don't know for sure what it is, just use neutral.

41. What do it yourself don¡¯ts may I pay attention to?

If you are trying to repair furniture yourself, do not use any nails, screws, air nail guns, duct tape, twine, metal brackets, coat hangers or other creative fasteners. Do not use any glue other than yellow or white Carpenters Glue or Hide Glue.

42. What special caution for doing my own finish word?

High humidity in the air will keep finish from drying or will make it "blush" (turn white and dull). If you are having a professional do your finish work, please allow several extra days for your piece to dry completely before using it.

43.Someone say furniture is ¡°solid wood¡±, does it mean it is good?

No! Particle board and MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) are still "wood" but they aren't what you think. They are very hard to repair and much heavier than "real" wood. They will NOT last if under heavy use. Always ask, "Solid what wood?" Furniture marked Solid Oak or Cherry or Ash is a better bet.

44.Can I put potpourri on any finished piece?

No! Potpourri (just about any kind) will eat the finish off of furniture even if it's still in a plastic bag! Don't ever put it directly on any finished piece, even if in a cloth or plastic bag.

45. I see some indication of screws or nails in chairs, can I buy them?

If you see any indication of screws or nails, it means that the manufacturer did not trust the joints to stay together on their own. It might also mean that significant modifications have been made to the chair in the past that may cause future problems. A professional restoration/repair shop should NEVER add screws or nails where none were present before.

46. What special caution for removing color?

Stripping furniture does not necessarily remove the color from the wood. It may not be possible to lighten the piece to the desired color if it is stained dark. As a general rule, you can always go darker, but you can't always lighten it later. Just to be safe, before staining a light wood, make sure that you are comfortable with it being dark forever. if your furniture has been stained with an aniline dye, you can use some Stain-away to bleach it out. Make sure you do it out doors with a respirator.

47. Can I choose table cloths or place mats made of plastic or vinyl?

No! The Plasticizer will leach out and permanently soften the finish.

48. My bed squeaks often, what can I do?

If you have metal bed frames and they squeak, simply apply some oil to the rivets to quiet them down. If your bed is made of wood and it squeaks, it most likely is getting loose and needs to be re-glued. .

49. How to stick my drawers?

Try rubbing some clear paste wax on both the drawer and the wood it rides upon. It is sometimes shocking what a difference it can make. If it doesn't help, most likely the drawer will need some repair or is worn down.

50. How to removing dark stains from wood?

To remove darks rings, stains or gray oxidation, you will need to use some oxalic acid crystals. To use them, you have to mix them with warm water until you reach a saturated solution meaning it won't dissolve anymore. Only mix the amount you need. You will need to apply it with a synthetic brush giving the entire surface a good wet coat (not just the stain) . The wood will need to be bare and lightly sanded prior to this step. Make sure you apply it to the whole surface and not just the spot. Leave the acid on until it dries or until the stain has vanished. Follow that with a couple washes of water to removed the residue. The grain will be raised after it dries, so you will need to sand it smooth before finishing. Make sure you use a particle mask when sanding because what crystals are left over will make you sneeze if you inhale them. Do it outdoors if possible.

51. How to removing a musty odor from the inside of my furniture?

To begin the process of removing a musty odor from the inside of your furniture, you will need to have a spray bottle of denatured alcohol or other anti microbial spray. Open the cabinet and take out all of the drawers and spray the entire inside of the piece. This will kill any mold spores that may be lurking. Let it dry opened up in a sunny place for a good week. If this hasn't done the job, you will need to go to the next step of sealing the raw wood with any type of finish which will seal in the odor. You could also purchase a small electric ozone generator to eat up the odor causing molecules. A new approach might be using one of the new products for removing odors from fabrics like Fabreeze. Although I would still suggest killing the mold spores first. I have had a customer who had success with putting an open can of ground coffee inside to absorb the odor.

52.How to clean upholstery?

Dusting upholstery can be accomplished by a vacuum cleaner. Place a soft screen on the surface to prevent any snagging or abrasion from the vacuum tip, and using a brush attachment, carefully vacuum the surface.

53. How to determine what type of paint is on my furniture?

Brush some stripper on an inconspicuous spot and see what happens. If it is oil based, the paint will wrinkle and bubble. If it just softens up into a slimy goo, it is latex or acrylic. Oil based paint is the easiest to remove.

54. How to choose a mattress for a dry bed?

For a dry bed, choose a mattress with comfort layers made of latex and insulating pat made of coconut fiber. Stay away from wool because wool can grow mold when damp that could trigger asthma problems.

55. What special caution for putting a glass tops on my wooden table?

Glass tops can protect your wooden tables, but don't let moisture get trapped between glass and wood. Create an airspace by elevating the glass top on clear butyl rubber bumpers available at most glass shops and let your wooden table tops breathe.

56. It is difficult for wood screws, how can I do?

Wood screws go in a lot easier when you scrape the threads across some candle or bees wax or a bar of soap first.

57. How to remove candle wax from a table top?

Scrape it off with an ordinary credit. Once you get as much off as you can, you can then remove the remaining wax with a soft cloth dipped in lemon oil.

58. How to remove oil from a wood surface?

To clean it, try using mineral spirits or naphtha as your cleaning agent.

59. How to determine what type of finish I am dealing with?

Put some acetone or fingernail polish remover on a finger and rub it in an inconspicuous spot to see if the finish starts to soften. If it does, you are dealing with nitrocellulose lacquer which is predominantly used in the furniture industry. If it doesn't soften, try some denatured alcohol the same way. If it softens with alcohol, you have a shellac finish. If neither one seems to soften the finish, you are either dealing with varnish, polyurethane, catalyzed lacquer, conversion varnish or polyester which are all non-reactive finishes that can't be re-dissolved by their original solvent

60. How to choose the type of frames when I buy upholstered sofas, love seats and chairs?

There are two types of frames, the cheaper plywood frame and the better hardwood frame. The cheaper frame is more prone to loosing a spring if someone sits down to hard or you have kids that like to jump. If that happens, fixing it could cost you. The hardwood frame won't do you any good unless it is put together with dowel joints.

61. What about upholstered recliners?

Stay away from upholstered recliners that have the foot rest that pops out. Even worse is the sofa with the recliner built into it.

62. How to choose the fabrics when I buy upholstered sofas, love seats and chairs?

As for the fabrics, the cottons won't last near as long as the synthetics. A good heavy tapestry will wear like iron.

63. How about buying antiques?

Your best defense when buying antiques as an investment is simply to be well informed. Read books from the library, ask questions of dealers, know what you are shopping for and what it should be worth. If you are buying the piece because you like it and not as an investment, the only criteria is how much you like it and how much you can afford.

64. What kind of glue should I use when I re-glue joints on furniture made prior to 1955?

Use Franklin brand liquid hide glue. It has very good tack and strength plus has a longer working time which comes in handy for re-gluing chairs.

65. What kind of glue should I use when I re-glue joints on furniture made after 1955?

Furniture made after 1955 to present day is constructed with PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate). It is the pale yellow glue for woodworking or carpentry. If your project requires a long open time, this is not the glue of choice. You are better off with the hide glue.

66. What is super glue?

Just Cyanoacrylate. It works better for fixing hairline cracks. You might want to shop at a model airplane store to find it.

67. What can I do when I glue my fingers together?

Use fingernail polish remover.

68. How to tell quality leather?

You can check the quality of the leather by using a magnifying glass to examine it. Many hills and cliffs are an indicator of embossing. Many small holes are an indicator of high grade leather. Synthetic leathers, although can be strikingly similar to the real deal, have fabric backing, but most of these unfortunately do not share real leather's tensile strength.

69. How to remove cat hair from upholstered furniture?

Roll cat hair off furniture and rugs by first spraying them with a mixture of fabric softener and water, and then just brush it off with your hands!

70. How to maximize every square inch of my office?

You will need to furnish your office vertically to maximize every square inch of your office.

71. What is wheat-board?

Wheat-board is manufactured from straw that is normally discarded when wheat is harvested. Instead, the waste is compacted into a sturdy fiberboard that is more economical than standard wood particle board.

72. What is VOGs?

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are gases emitted by furniture glues, some of the foams used in making cushions, and some types of carpeting. These gases contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause headaches and other personal discomfort. Check with furniture manufacturers before you buy to select items that emit low or no VOCs.

73. What special caution for installing new furniture?

Open the windows. When new furniture is installed, air out the room to reduce the indoor air quality impact.

74. Could I discard used desks, filing cabinets and other office furnishings directly?

Donate, don't trash. Contact community groups, churches, shelters and even schools before you discard used desks, filing cabinets and other office furnishings.

75. How to remove dark or black rings on finished furniture?

No real options except strip, sand, bleach if necessary, then refinish.

76. What about used furniture?

No longer just for student apartments, vintage furniture is now chic. Thank trends such as cottage and eclectic decorating, as well as rising interest in comfortable weekend homes. Shop for versatility and timeless design, and each piece will hold up for years.

77. Where might I buy used furniture?

Visit secondhand, charity and consignment shops, flea markets, yard sales and estate sales.

78. How to buy used furniture at flea markets, yard sales and estate sales?

The best selection is on the first day, the best deals are on the last half day--sellers don't want to haul furniture home or store it over the winter. Drive a vehicle roomy enough to get your furniture home from the flea market or yard sale.

79. What kind of style the materials of patio furniture convey?

Wrought iron seems Victorian, but other metals lend a 1950s retro mood. Wicker is romantic, wood feels warmly rustic and resin plastic speaks of a no-nonsense practicality.

80. How to disguise a bad tabletop?

Disguise a bad tabletop by having a mirror cut to cover the entire table, edge to edge. Or you can hide a bad tabletop with a layer of ceramic tile. Use molding or sanded, varnished wood strips at the edges of the tile to fill to the perimeter of the table.

81. How to reupholster a dining-table chair that has a pop-out seat?

Remove the old fabric and then cover with new fabric, using a staple gun to fasten it on the seat bottom. Make it taut but don't stretch it.

82. How to cover up soiled or worn upholstery fabric on a dining chair?

Purchase or sew a new chair pad that ties onto the back of the chair. A chair pad with a ruffle on the front and sides usually hides the old upholstery completely.

83. How to camouflage the blemished upholstery on a sofa or easy chair?

Use a quilt (even an inexpensive moving-company quilt). Tuck it down deeply behind the back of the cushions.

84. How to cover up the soiled arms of an upholstered chair or sofa?

Drape a pretty table runner over each arm.

85. How to hide nicked edges on wood furnishings such as tabletop edges and shelving?

Apply decorative brass-nailhead trim.

86. How to upgrade file cabinets, bookcases or Parsons tables?

Cover them with textured wallpaper (the type that mimics plaster friezes or pressed-tin ceilings). Then paint and glaze the piece - aged metallic finishes look spectacular on furniture.

87. How to upgrade a badly damaged lamp table or nightstand?

Wrap it with fabric. The fabric can be fitted, almost like a slipcover, in a box shape for a rectangular table or draped over a round table; have glass cut for the top so that a non-washable fabric won't be easily soiled.

88. How to deal with small nicks and scratches on stained wooden pieces?

Touch up small nicks and scratches on stained wooden pieces with special crayons (sold at paint and hardware stores) - or even an eyebrow pencil or shoe polish.

89. What special caution for upgrading used furniture?

Altering the finish on any piece of furniture that might be a fine antique could reduce its value tremendously. Have a qualified person examine and appraise the piece for you first.

90. How to make outdoor furniture last for many years?

Bring it indoors during freezing weather (or covering with a tarp) and using wood preservatives if required.

91.What special caution for painting wod furniture?

You should let primer set for several days or more. The longer the better. When you paint over a well set primer, the paint will stay where you put it.

92. How to prevent corrosion and add shine at aluminum furniture?

To help prevent corrosion and add shine, you can wipe on a very light coat of car wax with a cloth rag.

93. How to keep my furniture looking new?

Mix 2 parts vegetable oil or olive oil (alternatively, mineral oil when polish unfinished wood ) and
1 part lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. Dip a clean, dry, lint-free cloth into the mixture and rub into the wood. Always rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get into tight places or to get at scrollwork or other intricate design work. Rub with a new, clean cloth until wood shines.