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Helpful Information

Wood Furniture Buying Guide
Unlike metal or plastic, shopping for modern wood furniture requires some level of material expertise. Wood has been used in furniture construction for thousands of years, and understanding wood’s unique qualities and the techniques developed for shaping it will help you to distinguish quality craftsmanship from cheap imitations.

Solid Versus Veneer
The word veneer has taken on a somewhat derogatory meaning in our time, considered synonymous with words like fake or superficial. This negative reputation is undeserved. The longevity of early wood veneers was limited by the low quality adhesives of that era, but contemporary wood veneers are often superior to solid wood construction.

The reason for this is that modern wood veneers are built in layers that will resist cracking and warping much better than solid wood. Modern adhesives are also stronger, and veneers permit the use of beautiful woods that are better suited to finishing than construction.

Contemporary Wood Furniture Terms

Solid wood
Solid wood is kiln-dried wood that is cut and shaped to provide the basic structure of modern wood furniture. Wood furniture is not made from a single block of wood, but rather multiple solid wood pieces joined together. To test solid wood furniture quality, lift up a single corner and watch how the piece responds. If it keeps a rigid shape, it’s been joined properly.

Veneer
The veneer is the wood you see on the surface of about 80 percent of modern wood furniture pieces. Beautifully grained woods too expensive for solid wood construction are sometimes used as veneers for contemporary wood furniture.

Finish
The finish is the treatment a wood furniture piece receives to acquire its final visual appearance. Modern wood furniture finishing techniques include sanding, staining, distressing, painting, lacquering, and highlighting (rubbing a wood furniture piece with steel wool to bring out the grain pattern).

Buying Genuine Leather vs. Bi-Cast vs. Leatherette
Leather has been a popular modern furniture material since the flowering of modern furniture design in the 1920s. As with wine, wood, or similar natural products, consumers shopping for leather furniture will be rewarded for taking the time to educate themselves about leather’s idiosyncrasies. But with Leather as with many other materials there are options with new and advanced hybrids and imitations

Genuine Leather
One of the most confusing terms you’ll discover when shopping for modern leather furniture is ‘top grain.’ A natural connection might go as follows: top grain = Top Gun = the best. But the term is decorative, sort of like when used car salesmen refer to their products as ‘pre-owned.’

Top grain leather is also known as corrected grain leather. This is a mid-grade leather that has had the hair and associated skin removed. Top grain leather is given a false or corrected grain to cover this treatment.

If you want the best contemporary leather furniture possible for your living room, you want full grain leather. Full grain leather retains the original grain surface and the animal’s natural markings, offering greater durability and comfort.

Another leather term you’ll hear is ‘aniline.’ Aniline grades correspond to the use of finishing dyes or pigments. The very best hides are pure aniline, followed by full aniline, and then semi aniline, also known as aniline plus. Semi aniline hides are a step up from top grain leather.

Bi-Cast
Quality Bi-cast leather gives you the characteristics of natural leather, plus the added benefit of a protective polyurethane coating. Bi-Cast can often give you the flexibility of a true leather substitute with a fraction of the price of real leather. Most leather is split into 2. The top layer is what they call Top Grain Leather. The bottom portion or lower epidermis of the hide is called a Split Leather. Bi-cast Leather is a Split Leather using this lower portion or split. It is then covered with heavy coats of polyurethane. The advantage is that it is very serviceable. Most scratches will fade in & out with normal use and are only superficial and do not hurt the material. Keep in mind that ALL Leather Split & Top Grain is roughly 4 times stronger than any fabric. Bi-cast is the most popular leather for areas of seating that suffer the most wear and tear.

Vinyl (Leatherette)
Most Vinyl (Leatherette) Fabric, is fire retardant treated,(FR) and is an excellent material to use to cover Upholstery, furniture, chairs etc. One very big plus is ease in cleaning, it is a wipeable surface that does not require expensive cleaners which leathers and other upholstered fabric often need. If you are looking at an item that will get heavy wear and tear from hands and feet, this may be the material you are looking for. Good quality Leatherette imitation is not leather but it will have the texture and feel and a cost that won’t break the bank.
If all those terms leave you confused, here’s a simple visual rule: Inferior leather will look stiff and heavily coated. High quality modern leather and its substitutes will appear soft and natural.

Bar Stool Buying Guide
Bar stools are available in many styles, shapes, materials, sizes, finishes, fabrics and prices. There are many questions to ask when buying a bar stool. Below are questions along with some helpful tips in order to make your buying experience simpler and more productive. Enjoy browsing our large selection of bar stools.

What size bar stool do I need?
The standard rule in the industry is to allow 10-13 inches between the bar stool seat and the table. Make sure to leave extra room for barstools with arms so they fit under the table.

Measure your table, counter or bar before you begin to shop.

An extra tall stool is commonly 33-35 inches from the floor to the seat (seat height). Pair this extra tall stool with a 44-47 inch table height. A bar stool is commonly 29-31 inches from the floor to the seat (seat height). Pair this bar stool with a 41-43 inch table height. A counter stool is commonly 24-26 inches from the floor to the seat (seat height). Pair this counter stool with a 35-37 inch table height. A chair is commonly 17-19 inches from the floor to the seat (seat height). Pair this chair with a 29-31 inch table height.

How many bar stools do I need?
A standard rule in the industry is to allow 26-30 inches between the centers of each stool seat.

Where will I use my bar stools?
The answer to this question will determine the material, finish and upholstery of your barstool. We have a huge selection of bar stools that range from ultra contemporary to traditional. There is also a selection of bar stools and tables for you to use outdoors.

Do I need matching dining chairs or a coordinating table?
Only you can answer this question! We can help by providing you with a large selection of matching dining chairs and coordinating tables.

Will I have food and beverage around my barstools?
If the answer is yes you may want to go with a barstool with no fabric or a very durable fabric such as leather, vinyl or micro fiber.

What options do I want?
At ModernLifeStyle.ca we have many stools that have many different features and functions.

Choose from:
Swivel or stationary
Back or Backless
Arms or Armless
Solid or Upholstered Seats

Five Great Buys For First Time Shoppers
1.) Bed
Whether you’re moving into a three-story house or a studio apartment, shopping for a quality bed should be the first order of business. Contemporary design favors beds with low frames and clean, unornamented headboards. A headboard with slats will also help your bed blend in better with the lines and angles common to modern decorating styles.

2.) Sofa
Next is a modern looking sofa. The laws of contemporary design dictate that natural materials provide the best visual texture.

3.) Lighting
To help you see your bed and sofa at night, you’ll need to shop for lighting fixtures. If you’re decorating in a contemporary style, look for sculptured lamps or lighting fixtures with recessed bulbs. The key word here is ambience.

4.) Dining Table
Dining tables can also be incorporated into a modern furniture design. Wood dining tables should be sleek and trim, or go shopping for a quality wood and glass table to give your meals an extra contemporary touch. Extendable tables offer versatility for any occasion.

5.) Dining Chairs
The style of your dining chairs should obviously match the style of your dining table. With solid wood tables try chairs that provide a contrast to the table. With wood & glass, or metal tables, try to use chairs that are neutral with the table.

Fundamentals of Furniture Buying
When shopping for furniture pieces, be they traditional, modern, or antique, the fundamentals of furniture buying remain the same. A harmonious and striking decor does not occur without forethought. Formulating a furniture buying plan before you begin shopping will help you acquire the quality pieces you need at a price you can afford.

The Essentials
Each room in a modern design scheme requires specific furniture pieces. Concentrate your energy on deciding the style and color of these shopping essentials. They will be the foundation for all that follows.

If you’re working on a limited furniture shopping budget, think quality rather than quantity. Once you’ve anchored a room with a few high quality contemporary furniture pieces, you can then decorate by accretion, an accessory here, a small appliance there… as finances allow. This will yield an organic and cohesive room design.

Planning Your Design
Not everyone is adept at planning a home furniture design scheme. For furniture shopping novices and those who are decoratively challenged, a few hours with an interior designer can illuminate the world of modern furniture and contemporary design. Please contact us anytime and we can offer you design services with one of our accredited interior designers.

A quality design professional can acquire a sense of your personal aesthetic and help you clarify your taste in furniture style, color, and scale. An initial design consultation can give shape to your furniture shopping plan, saving you time and money and steering you away from common furniture shopping mistakes.

Think Eclectic Once you’ve consulted a professional or have formed your own modern furniture shopping plan, take the time to find the exact pieces you want. A well thought out collection of contemporary furniture pieces will display a very distinctive appeal. Don’t compromise on a well laid plan just because it’s taking a while to find what you want.

Not all redecorating decisions must be revolutionary. Just as a single line of paint can shift the center of an abstract painting, small decorating decisions can alter the appearance of an entire room, casting it in a new and bolder light.

Incorporating modern furniture into a preexisting home design can be very challenging. But it’s not impossible. Shift your living room into a contemporary style through a combination of quality furniture, new accessories, and updated accents.

Look for latent colors in a room that can be brought to the forefront. Sometimes only a single wall needs to be painted for additional color or texture. Revitalize the scale and space of a room by bringing in new artwork and accessories. Large, abstract, and geometric designs will provide a contemporary quality that would merge well with one or two new modern furniture pieces.

The Shape of Things to Come
Contemporary design is about space and shape. Some rooms can be revitalized by reducing clutter and adding new shapes via modern furniture. Look for existing lines or shapes in a room and then go shopping for furniture pieces to provide complements and counterpoints.

A swirling, circular abstract painting and a round contemporary storage ottoman is one potential combination. Add new lines to a room with wall shelves or a contemporary styled bookcase.

Even minimal changes can be dramatized further with an accompanying shift in lighting. Trade in your halogen bulbs and floor lamps for track lighting, spotlights, or modern sculptured lighting fixtures. Use your lighting design to bring attention to a quality accent piece or set a different mood.

Of course if it’s within your budget, a complete redesign is the surest way to revitalize a room. But don’t let money be the sole factor. In modern design, innovation is more important than inundation.

Product Care

Do not use detergents or chemical cleaners on your furniture, this may damage the finish.

Do not pour polish directly onto the furniture.

Do not write on thin paper over the surface of the furniture without a protective pad.

Do not drag objects over the furniture’s surface, please lift them carefully.

Avoid silicone which may damage the finish of furniture.

Avoid certain chemicals and materials which may react with wood finishes.

Polishing and waxing need not be done frequently. For daily cleaning, just rub a soft cloth gently over the surface.

To remove a stain effectively, make sure you understand the nature of the stain first.

Upholstery
Direct sunlight can damage the fabric/leather’s original brightness and lustre. It makes the material brittle and weak as well.

To dust your upholstery, carefully vacuum the surface using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.

Leather Care

Leather Care and Maintenance

Once it’s in your living room, contemporary leather furniture will require care and maintenance if you wish to protect your investment. If your living room features a large window that permits a lot of sun, we recommend placing your modern leather furniture pieces out of the sun’s path to minimize discoloration and fading.

Basic care of your contemporary leather pieces should consist of a quarterly application of leather conditioner and protectant as well as regular dusting and vacuuming.

As for leather maintenance, treat spills by blotting with a clean cloth. If a spill has set, apply a minimal amount of club soda and mild soap and rub it gently in one direction only. Permit leather to dry naturally. For persistent stains, use a quality leather cleaner.

Cleaning microfiber furniture
Cleaning microfiber furniture (sofa, couch, sectional, chair, cushion, etc).
Microfiber furniture is on the roll. Most people praise their durability, fading and stain resistance and easy-care characteristics. Nevertheless it does not make the microfiber fabric immune to spotting and sooner or later one might have to deal with some undesirable smears, flecks or blots. As in any battle two things must then be considered: the field and the enemy! As for the field, pieces of microfiber furniture are not all the same and some are easier to be taken care of than others. As for the enemies, stains can be regrouped in bigger varieties, some of them being normally cleanable (fatty substances, wine, tea, etc.), others being most probably non-cleanable (bleach, acid, iodine, etc.).

First things first, before taking any action, it is necessary to read the care instructions. Microfiber furniture is labeled differently according to the way it can be cleaned. Four codes are commonly used:

"W" refers to fabrics on which a water-based solution can be used. A mixed water and mild detergent solution can be locally applied for spot-cleaning.
"S" refers to fabrics on which only solvent cleaner can be used. Different kind of solvent can be used, provided they are water free.
“S/W” refers to fabrics on which both water-based or solvent cleaner can be used.
"X" refers to fabrics that can only be vacuum cleaned. In order to prevent stain appearance, the fabric should be regularly brushed or vacuumed. Any other spot cleaning products could shatter the fabric and cause shrinking or spotting.

In any case, if some liquid is spilled accidentally on the fabric, it should be immediately dabbed with some absorbent paper towels -and not rubbed with. Microfiber can repel small water based liquid spills that will bead upon its surface, but if not removed quickly enough the liquid could soak in and ultimately leave a water ring mark when dry. The oleophilic characteristic of polyester, which composes most microfiber furniture, makes the fabric very keen to absorb any fatty substances.

Cleaning water-tolerant microfiber furniture ("W" and “S/W” type)
After having sponged or vacuumed the spot to limit the damages, the stain should be treated with a water-based solution. Different kinds of detergent can be used, such as a gentle soap, mild washing or dish detergent, upholstery shampoo or carpet cleaner. It is advisable to test the solution in an inconspicuous place and see how the fabric reacts, before treating the stain. Even if the fabric can tolerate water, it is better not to saturate it and act cautiously and sparingly. The solution should dissolve the fat stains, binding to fat molecules before evaporating. However soapy water taking much more time to evaporate the solution is to dry the wet surface with a hair dryer on cool setting or with the vacuum cleaner fit out with the soft brush. For some stains, a steam cleaner can also be rather efficient. Once dry the fabric might feel a little stiff. In that case, the fibers softness and flexibility should be restored while rubbing them with a soft brush such as a nail- or a toothbrush.

Cleaning non-water-based solvent-tolerant microfiber furniture ("S" and “S/W” type)
After having sponged or vacuumed the spot to limit the damages, the stain should be treated with a solvent. Many products can be used: rubbing alcohol or clear alcohol like vodka or gin, ammonia, lighter fluid, dry-cleaning solvents, oxygenated cleaning solutions (as long as it does not contain bleach) specific microfiber cleaning products¦ Baby wipes have also been reported to be efficient. In any case, before treating the stain, the product should be tested in an inconspicuous place to see how the fabric reacts. The soiled area should be sprinkled with the product and gently brushed to get it seeped through the fibers before it evaporates. Once dry the fabric might feel a little stiff. In that case, the fibers softness and flexibility should be restored while rubbing them with a soft brush such as a nail- or a toothbrush.

Cleaning some specific stains
If the fabric is too soiled, and if the furniture has removable covers, it is far much easier to launder them in delicate cycle and with a gentle detergent. It is also an efficient way to get rid of watermarks. Watermarks can also be treated with rubbing alcohol but might require a few attempts. Alcohol works efficiently on ink stains as well. Removing wax is done in the same way than with most other fabrics: by quickly running a hot iron on a paper bag, an absorbent paper towel or a terry cloth previously placed over the wax spot to absorb it. As for chewing gum, the easiest way to get rid of it is to firm it up with some ice and then peel it off the fabric. Another efficient solution is to apply peanut butter on it, rub a bit and then wipe the whole thing… and clean the new stain (but it should be easier). Some smears on faux suede microfiber imitation sofa can be eliminated with a Nubuck block. Lingering odors can be removed with a mix of baking soda and water applied on the spot for a bit then vacuumed. Alternatively white vinegar or specific commercial products can also be very efficient.

Stain Removal Guide
Heat Marks- Rub gently along the grain using a dry steel wool soap pad or a cloth dampened with camphorated oil or mineral spirits, or rub gently along the grain with extra-fine (0000) steel wool. Wipe clean and wax or polish.

Paint Marks- If fresh, remove latex paint with water and oil-based paint with mineral spirits. If dry, soak spot in boiled linseed oil, wait until paint softens and lift carefully with a putty knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil.

Residue- can be removed by rubbing along the grain with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Sticking Paper- Dampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil, wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine (0000) steel wool. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Wax or Gum- Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it, then use your fingernail or plastic credit card to remove it. Rub the area with extra-fine (0000) steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry and wax or polish.

Cigarette Burns (light)- Rub with scratch-concealing polish, or with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the grain until the burn mark disappears.

What is Micro-Fiber?

What is microfiber?

New fabrics are changing the look and feel of fine upholstery.

Start by pulling out one of your hairs. Just one. Look it over. You’re now holding a filament so thin it’s hard to hang on to. You can barely see it, held up to the light. (It’ll show up best against your favorite coat on a day you’re dressed to the nines.)

Now picture a fiber one hundred times finer than that hair and you’ve got the essence of micro-fibers. These skinny filaments pack together so tightly that they offer resistance to moisture and wind, but the minute pockets of air between them assure breathability, moisture wicking and lightness. It’s the tight packing of these tiny threads that gives the fabric its most admired characteristics: wrinkle-resistant soft draping and flow, body and strength.

Early microfiber fabrics, such as Ultrasuedeâ„¢, embedded short fibers into urethane. Though soft on the surface, and resistant to the elements, the fabric was inflexible and did not drape easily. Longer fibers in continuous lengths have conquered those concerns, and microfibers have become a staple of high-end clothing manufacture. Draping suedes such as Tencelâ„¢ are used in elegant jackets and skirts, and microfiber silks make durable blouses and dresses.

Now these ingenious fibers are being adapted for upholstery and decorating fabrics, bringing to home design these same hardy and elegant characteristics. Fine European and American furniture makers are adding durable, beautiful microfiber fabrics to their standard lines.

Microfiber fabrics test for durability as well as the heavy brocades and thick weaves long used in fine upholstery, and have the same resistance to wear and rubbing as much less beautiful and tactilely pleasing polyester fabrics. According to Kelly Wallace, owner of Fabrics and Findings, these fabrics can survive up to 250,000 mechanical “double rub” tests, meant to mimic the wear caused by sitting down and rising up.

Belying their heartiness, the fabrics are gorgeous. They hold rich color beautifully. Texture? They’re incredibly adaptable, ranging from sleek and silken to lush and sueded. In all their forms, these fabrics are washable and stain resistant, breathe beautifully so they don’t stick to the skin or feel heavy, and flow gracefully around the corners and curves of furniture. As the fabrics excel in manufacturing applications, they are slowly coming to fabric and home decorating stores. It’s hard to imagine a friendlier, more useful fabric – just the thing for the comforts of home.

“Microfibers will eventually revolutionize the entire fabric industry. It’s amazing how they strengthen and enhance traditional fabrics. In the same way that one or two percent Lycra makes a fabric stretch and flex, a small addition of microfibers gives it durability and washability without altering the original characteristics.