Furniture Tutor™

CIRCLE CRAFT CHRISTMAS MARKET

Posted on November 22, 2015 by FurnitureTutor

CIRCLE CRAFT CHRISTMAS MARKET This is always one of my favourite craft shows to attend because, despite the commercial representation, the goods for sale have been crafted by the actual artisan in the booth. It is very rewarding to be able to talk to the artist and better understand the inspiration behind their work or how much effort went into making the product.

Admission is $14.00 and you can get an unlimited re-entry pass as you leave the show. They have a draw for a $1,000 shopping spree and if I won – I would dash back to buy this pink recycled cashmere blanket.

For convenience, they have a parcel check to hold your coats or heavy items while you shop and there are water dispensers throughout the show floor, and believe me – you need them! I would recommend that you take an orderly approach to these aisles or you will miss out on some enthralling trinket or stunning piece that intrigue your senses. Whenever possible, hover near the edge of a booth to listen to the artist while they talk about their craft or watch someone else try on an unusual hat, or a funky necklace. This show fires my imagination and captures my attention every year! Although I am hard pressed to pick just a few items to showcase, here are some standouts and be certain to look through the pictures for more of the wonderful creations.

The most unique booth that we saw was U.S.E.D. bags Recycled-Seat-belt-shoulder-bag-medium-angle-view-Julie made from recycled seat belts ! Exceptionally CREATIVE and Usable!

Our favorite vendor was Stephanie Blackford who makes wearable felted art.
One of her gorgeous button coats came home with us.

Most Impressive pottery is Gordon Hutchens who brings a lifetime of experience to the kiln in creating his Crystalline Glazed Porcelain .

Our last stroll is always through the Gourmet Alley because we know we are buying food for sure: Shortbread Cookies, Christmas Pudding, Artisan Balsamic Vinegar, Gourmet Sauces, Candies and Chocolates – Samples Galore!

CC Pink haired earring girl Special Mention is deserved for Budding Artists who are exhibiting for the first time and don’t be fooled, the quality of their crafts is quite elevated.

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VANCOUVER HOME & DESIGN SHOW

Posted on November 15, 2015 by FurnitureTutor

Oct 22 – 25, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West

It All Comes Together – all things Design, Entertaining and Home Improvement

A Must See! So many great things to share that I hardly know where to begin, but undoubtedly the Hidden Gem of the show was a chance to have a free one-on-one personalized consultation with Ask a Designer!

Since this opportunity has now passed, you can also contact Scott and I for your own personalized consultation in your own home.

This Design Show is all about home improvement and all genres of professional renovations were well represented; synthetic lawn for your yard, just in time to replace the grass ravaged by the chafer grubs; hot tubs large enough to qualify as a marine vessel! All manner of Home Improvement resources: cabinets, floors, security, gutters, lighting, sun rooms, and some very clever space saving wall beds.

It was also chock-a-block full of practical life-style products that you actually want to buy – and we did! Food, face creams, kitchen gadgets, gutter cleaners, art work and endless more products that you could bring home with you. For those handmade, high-end goods straight from the artist themselves, was the Portobello West mini-market.

Somehow we did manage to resist buying a spectacular steel sculpture of a Heron by Heather Wall, but only with the steeliest of self control.

I would definitely attend this event next year and encourage you to go as well. Have a look through their website at this year’s list of exhibitors and put together a game plan of the rooms you would like to redo so that you can research the professionals before you go. If you find that this process becomes overwhelming, perhaps you would like to have Scott and I come over for a consultation to help you focus in on the most important steps.

Please see the services that we can offer you and we’ll look forward to hearing from you!

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IDS Design Show Sept 2015

Posted on November 1, 2015November 1, 2015 by FurnitureTutor

DESIGN CHANGES EVERY THING

I had the pleasure of strolling through the spacious aisles at the IDS Design Show on Sept 25, 2015 and already I can’t wait for next year’s show! INSPIRATION is the word that best describes your reason for wanting to attend this event! Although the product designs are aimed a little higher up the Design chain than just a DIY-er, one can imagine incorporating and adapting many of the ideas to your own project and budget. The West Coast style is abundantly exhibited here, with the use of organic materials; live-edge furniture, weathered grays and brilliant greens juxtaposed beside reclaimed crystal chandeliers and up-cycled gilded rococo picture frames. We are truly fortunate to have such a collection of innovative designers that are creating Livable and Lovable furnishings and “what-nots” for your home! Approachable. Textural. Yet sophisticated.

There were many visually intriguing products that, with the right budget, one would love to have inside your own home, but I will mention just the top three and include photos of the rest.

My favourite display, bar none, was the oneTree Dining Room table and chairs by Live Edge Design. Besides the funky inlay of river rocks under glass on the Silver Maple table, much thought had gone into the design of the chairs to ensure that they did not obscure the table with a too-high back and yet were superbly comfortable in the curved seat bottom.

My next love affair was a SpaceCrafted wool/silk rug by Jan-Kath inspired by far off galaxies seen through the Hubble Telescope. It was absolutely stunning and far too precious to use as a rug underfoot!

The funky factor definitely goes to Ollitecture Wall Boards by The Eco Floor Store, made from up-cycled cut offs of Rayne Longboards at his North Vancouver factory. It has more than a green story by re-purposing the scraps because he also involved at-risk youth to fabricate the panels as part of their carpentry training.

The show is open on Thursday night for the Opening Party to both the Trade and the Public.

Friday is open to the Trade only.

Saturday and Sunday are open to all.

General admission is $15.00 per day and extra for events, etc. Here is the link for Dates, Hours & Tickets.

This show was a Visually Expressive Feast and I’m already hungry for the next one!

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The purpose of this blog

Posted on October 21, 2015November 3, 2021 by FurnitureTutor

TO HELP YOU BUY THE RIGHT FURNITURE

We often forget that as we go through our lives there are so many things we purchase that cost a lot of money. Buying a house is a huge capital investment. Buying a car is another large outlay of our hard-earned money. Of course when we have children there are all the costs that accumulate with clothes, activities, braces, etc but so often we don’t realize how much we actually spend on furniture in our lifetime.

As an example, let’s take the average three bedroom, two bathroom house. If each bedroom is, say $3,000 per room for the kids; the master bedroom we’ll pretend is another $5,000; a dining room table, six chairs and a hutch and buffet could be $5,000. A kitchen table and four chairs at $1,000; in the family room – a sofa, loveseat, and chair at $4,000 and let’s not forget the living room at another $4,000 to $10,000 for sofa, loveseat and chairs plus some end tables and a coffee table – and you see how quickly this investment starts to climb. Before you know it you have spent $25,000 in home furnishings and most of time, far more.

So, if you’re going spend a heap of money on your home furnishings over your lifetime why not make quality choices of furniture that looks great, lasts for a long time, and most importantly, fits you, your family and friends properly. When making your selection, it’s not that hard to make sure your feet are placed flat on the floor when trying out a dining room chair. “Chairs too high! Tables too low! Sofas too deep!” I go to friends’ homes on a regular basis and am surprised at how often they own furniture that does not fit them.

The real secret is “buying the correct size the first time around”. That plain and simple! Know what the furniture is going to be used for; then seek out the size that will fulfill those requirements. YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

A great example of this is when you go to your buddy’s house to watch a football game. He has a beautiful soft plush looking sofa with drink holders and recliners and you just can’t wait to plunge into the seat and start watching TV; however 10 minutes into the game you notice that the back height of the sofa is so low that when you lean your head back there is no support. You are now looking at the ceiling. This may be OK for an hour or so but over the duration of your visit this will slowly drive you crazy. My point is, if my buddy had been completely aware of what he really needed to create long-term comfort then he wouldn’t have made that mistake.

More often than not people buy furniture for the way it looks and not for the way it performs. What do they really need it for? What is its ultimate purpose in the home or office? This blog is to aid and assist the consumer in making great furniture choices so that you can buy the right furniture for your family’s needs.