Every person has its dreams and future expectations, projects to fulfill, some of them are common to every human being, and some of them are not. But there would be a common expectation and why not name it dream that everyone has to share and this is having the house of our dreams. Raising and building a house from the ground might seem an easy to do action, thinking that it is enough to contract a building firm that makes for you everything that there is to it. But speaking of which, how many of us are able to accomplish this without a meaningful investment? Drawing a line to this, after building the house you still have to take into consideration and decide upon a multitude of aspects.
Your house will not be the house of your so much languished dreams if you have an empty one, or worst if you have designed its interior with old fashioned furniture, since it would spoil your hard work, not to mention investment in the outside looks of your house. It is not enough to invest in an according to today’s fashion exterior of your house if you are no longer willing to invest in your interior’s design and décor. Nowadays you are being offered the opportunity to decide the way your house will be furnished according to your good taste and likes by simply applying to a real estate agency that is in titled to propose and recommend you from a multitude of choices the furniture that would best fit your need. You need to look upon this aspect not only as a need to fill your empty spaces, but as an absolutely necessary aspect that you need to take care of in order to be able to call your home “Home Sweet Home”, the place where you can disconnect from your daily chores regarding the outside world and withdraw into your own world where you can relax and forbid any inconvenience or stressful matter to interfere in your space.
Your privacy must and shall be respected. This is the aspect that determines any real estate firm to work hard on giving you what you need, exactly how you need it. Speaking of which this is the fundamental factor that increases the flat pack furniture’s demands, that take into account all these aspects such as design, innovation, not to mention commodity, expression and so on. Whether if it is a readymade furniture or an assemble furniture, available in Brick and Mortar stores or in online stores, each of them has to offer catalogues for you to be able to find the furniture that fits your taste and needs. Flat pack is now the answer to your questions for a modern stylish home, that provides you the opportunity to conserve space, bring light into your home, and accommodate not only with your demands of interior design, but also with the use of it as well. You can combine pieces of furniture by matching them with the color of your walls, or mural decorations, and you can even make combinations with ceiling spotlights for an artistic effect and optical aspect.
Flat pack furniture industry is increasing and developing every year, and due to incoming competitors the majority of manufacturers have furniture for sale on the market presenting their products catalogues, even show-rooms, but none of them consider providing clients with an instruction manual regarding assembling. Due to this fact, the companies that make furniture deliver the furniture to your home together with a guidebook, but forget considering the problems that might be encountered while assembling the furniture by yourself, meaning that they don’t provide assistance in this matter.
Purchasing furniture to your home might be fun at the beginning just by thinking about the new models, about the variety of colors and shapes that would delight your view and perspective towards your home. The first aspect you must consider when you choose to purchase furniture is to think about furniture’s assembly and if you are able to properly manage this aspect. To put furniture together might seem as an easy to do task, but you may always encounter difficulties, while undertaking this process, whether if it begins with a bed, a table or any assemble office furniture.
All in all you need professional assistance. This is the point at which flat pack team interferes in the assembling process offering you professional help and expertise advice. If cases where clients’ request is on building furniture, specialized companies and teams are able to fulfill their requirements with extra care to their needs, and meticulous attention regarding what best fits into your homes. What flat pack has to offer to their clients is a multiple variety of designs, forms, colors, and shapes, custom made furniture whether if it is a traditional design or that according to today’s design and fashion. Either way these specialized teams are worthy of praise, since their clients’ demands and expectations constitute their main priority.
Otherwise said, do not forget the motto: “The client is our master”.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Organic Bedding is a Healthier Choice
Organic bedding is one of the best investments you can make for you and your family. Many of the sheets sold in stores today are a 50/50 blend – meaning they are 50% non-organic cotton and 50% polyester. Although the idea of the blend can be great for the house wife who doesn’t want to take the time or energy to iron bed sheets, it’s not that great when you consider that polyester is made from a petrochemical blend. Not exactly what you want to cozy up to at night.
Not all cotton sheets are made the same either. Farmers use large amounts of pesticides in most commercially grown cotton. Despite everything that has been done to protect individuals from these pesticides, the chemicals are still having an effect on the environment and our lives.
The solution is to look for organic bedding. These products are made from cotton that is completely chemical free. Due to the surge in popularity of organic products, organic cotton is now being grown all over the world. There are even some companies working to develop hybrid cotton that will be a color other than the traditional white. This will give people a larger variety with out adding chemicals for coloring.
Not only is organic bedding a good choice for the environment, but the pure cotton will feel better on the skin of your family. Cotton also breathes better than a 50/50 blends. This helps to prevent night sweats, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and other conditions.
The use of organic bedding may take a little more time out of your schedule, but the health and comfort benefits for you and your family will be more than worth the trouble. As more people begin to discover the benefits of organic, the products will become more readily available. For now, a quick search online will help you find the perfect organic bedding for your home.
Not all cotton sheets are made the same either. Farmers use large amounts of pesticides in most commercially grown cotton. Despite everything that has been done to protect individuals from these pesticides, the chemicals are still having an effect on the environment and our lives.
The solution is to look for organic bedding. These products are made from cotton that is completely chemical free. Due to the surge in popularity of organic products, organic cotton is now being grown all over the world. There are even some companies working to develop hybrid cotton that will be a color other than the traditional white. This will give people a larger variety with out adding chemicals for coloring.
Not only is organic bedding a good choice for the environment, but the pure cotton will feel better on the skin of your family. Cotton also breathes better than a 50/50 blends. This helps to prevent night sweats, jock itch, athlete’s foot, and other conditions.
The use of organic bedding may take a little more time out of your schedule, but the health and comfort benefits for you and your family will be more than worth the trouble. As more people begin to discover the benefits of organic, the products will become more readily available. For now, a quick search online will help you find the perfect organic bedding for your home.
Polywood is More than a Plastic Chair
When people think of plastic chairs, polywood furniture is not the first thing that comes to mind. Most picture the cheap plastic chairs that blow across the yard with the slightest breeze and fade to a dull, indescribable color the first year they are left in the elements.
Since 1990, the polywood industry has been working to change the vision of what plastic furniture looks like. This new polywood furniture is designed to look like traditional lumber with grains built in. It has the strength of wood and the durability of plastic. It also has ultraviolet inhibitors built in so that it holds its color and doesn’t have to be repainted.
The polywood is being used to make everything from footstools to Adirondack style chairs. The polywood furniture can be found in colors that are bright and vibrant or more subdued and wood toned. The choices seem only limited by the imagination of the buyer. Since you can also build your deck from the same product, then it is possible to truly match your furniture and deck completely.
This is not your ordinary plastic furniture. Because of the heavy duty construction and the durability, polywood furniture falls in the category of quality outdoor furniture. Be prepared to pay a little more than you might for even traditional wood furniture. Keep in mind that the polywood will not be plagued by the elements the way wood will be. It is likely that your polywood furniture could be around for many more years than any traditional wood products.
Polywood furniture is made from recycled plastics. Not only is it a great investment for your home, but it is also an investment in the future of the planet. Take some time to investigate this new “green” product. You will be surprised and delighted at what you find it has to offer you.
Since 1990, the polywood industry has been working to change the vision of what plastic furniture looks like. This new polywood furniture is designed to look like traditional lumber with grains built in. It has the strength of wood and the durability of plastic. It also has ultraviolet inhibitors built in so that it holds its color and doesn’t have to be repainted.
The polywood is being used to make everything from footstools to Adirondack style chairs. The polywood furniture can be found in colors that are bright and vibrant or more subdued and wood toned. The choices seem only limited by the imagination of the buyer. Since you can also build your deck from the same product, then it is possible to truly match your furniture and deck completely.
This is not your ordinary plastic furniture. Because of the heavy duty construction and the durability, polywood furniture falls in the category of quality outdoor furniture. Be prepared to pay a little more than you might for even traditional wood furniture. Keep in mind that the polywood will not be plagued by the elements the way wood will be. It is likely that your polywood furniture could be around for many more years than any traditional wood products.
Polywood furniture is made from recycled plastics. Not only is it a great investment for your home, but it is also an investment in the future of the planet. Take some time to investigate this new “green” product. You will be surprised and delighted at what you find it has to offer you.
Polywood is the Cedar of the Future
Polywood is a green dream. Not only does the product, which is made up of recycled plastics and formed to look like wood, help save the landfills, but it also protects the future of trees by offering an alternative for construction of furniture, fences, and decks.
This new plastic lumber is finding a warm reception in the hearts of many contractors. Since polywood first began being used commercial in 1990, it has been found that it does not fade, is not effected by the elements, and is often more durable than traditional lumber used in the same applications.
Another great benefit of using polywood for a building project, like the new back deck you’ve been thinking about, is that it is not susceptible to termites or other insects. The industry has recognized that plastic lumber is the perfect solution to outdoor construction and have designed the polywood to look more like traditional wood. It can also be cut like real lumber, making it easy for even a DIYer to use.
The plastic lumber has also gained popularity in the outdoor furniture industry. The polywood can be found in bright, playful colors for use on the beach or next to a pool. It also comes in more traditional wood tones for a classic look in the outdoor room next to the pond. The best thing about the new technology is that it does not have to be repainted.
The only downfall to the polywood to date is the expense. It does typically cost more than traditional products. The industry is working hard to offer a variety of products that will entice all aspects of the public to their discover polywood. The variety of colors and the variation of sizes being offered make finding the perfect piece for your project a snap.
When the cost is taken into consideration with all the benefits – the durability, the strength, the maintenance free aspect, and especially the impact on the environment – it is easy to see how the popularity of the polywood will only continue to grow.
This new plastic lumber is finding a warm reception in the hearts of many contractors. Since polywood first began being used commercial in 1990, it has been found that it does not fade, is not effected by the elements, and is often more durable than traditional lumber used in the same applications.
Another great benefit of using polywood for a building project, like the new back deck you’ve been thinking about, is that it is not susceptible to termites or other insects. The industry has recognized that plastic lumber is the perfect solution to outdoor construction and have designed the polywood to look more like traditional wood. It can also be cut like real lumber, making it easy for even a DIYer to use.
The plastic lumber has also gained popularity in the outdoor furniture industry. The polywood can be found in bright, playful colors for use on the beach or next to a pool. It also comes in more traditional wood tones for a classic look in the outdoor room next to the pond. The best thing about the new technology is that it does not have to be repainted.
The only downfall to the polywood to date is the expense. It does typically cost more than traditional products. The industry is working hard to offer a variety of products that will entice all aspects of the public to their discover polywood. The variety of colors and the variation of sizes being offered make finding the perfect piece for your project a snap.
When the cost is taken into consideration with all the benefits – the durability, the strength, the maintenance free aspect, and especially the impact on the environment – it is easy to see how the popularity of the polywood will only continue to grow.
Recipes For Relaxation And Getting A Good Night's Sleep
Along with a whole host of things that makes staying in bed the optimal decision every morning, the actual physical comfort of the bed is the most significant. Whether you are snuggled under a fluffy blanket or lounging around under a sheet, the way you relax will drastically increase your quality of sleep.
For most people, choosing the right bedding set and bed covers will be a very important decision. The most common elements of getting a good night's sleep are centered on a person's choice of comforter sets, sheets, and pillows. As a result, there are many options available to the consumer for the finding just the right blanket and sheet sets to meet their individual needs and preferences.
Many people have varying opinions about what may be the most comfortable option for sleep. In many cases, people develop their own private recipes as to what is required for them to get better sleep, through trial and error. Once they have decided on the best recipe for good sleep, people seldom waiver from their decisions.
Comforter Sets
Comforters are the most common kind of blanket available. They are nicely decorated and are thicker than most regular blankets. Many southern homemakers refer to a comforter as a bedspread, because they are generally placed over other bedding.
Depending on the personal preference of the person purchasing the comforter set, they can be either very thick and fluffy or thin and soft. Styles and colors can also be as diverse as the bed they are placed and the people who sleep in it.
The ultimate in comforter luxury is considered to be duck-down or goose-down comforters. Faux fur and silk comforters are also indulgent items in the bedding comforter set market. These luxurious choices provide the ultimate in sleeping comfort for the discerning shopper.
Large comforters and expensive down comforters can be difficult to wash; comforters can be easily damaged if its owner uses a standard washer and dryer unit to wash the comforter. It is essential for consumers to be aware of the best way to wash a comforter before they undertake such a task. It is far too easy to destroy the fibers that give the comforter its comforting quality.
Many owners of comforter sets choose to purchase duvet covers to protect their comforters and their bedding investments. Duvet covers are slipped over a comforter in much the same way a pillowcase goes over a pillow, providing it with protection from dirt, sweat and other contaminants.
In addition to making comforters easy to take care of and maintain, duvet covers also provide the option of easily changing the look of a comforter without replacing the actual comforter set. Many women enjoy changing the look of their bedding with the seasons, such as using a bright colors in summer or a flannel pattern in winter.
Quilts
A traditional approach to bedding covers is the quilt. As one of the oldest forms of blanket making, quilting combines patches of cloth into elegant designs with splashes of color.
Quilts come in many varied and unique patterns. Small pieces of cloth are sown together and formed into squares. The squares are combined until the blanket reaches the proper size. Once the quilt is to the desired size, a backing is put on it and the quilt is made. Multiple layers or a variety of stuffing can provide limitless heating and comfort.
Even in modern times, quilts are typically handmade and used to commemorate special occasions and family gatherings. Store bought quilts are beginning to increase in popularity with traditional decorators wanting to add a nostalgic touch that require less of a personal time investment.
Considered to be an important tradition in many areas, babies are traditionally given quilts as presents upon their birth. Despite the dictation from years of customs, many people are choosing to provide store-bought baby quilts instead of homemade ones, hoping they will be more durable than their hand-stitched counterparts.
Sheets and Blankets
For those who prefer minimal coverage in their sleep, blankets and sheets provide opportunities for comfort and coolness. Living in a traditionally warm climate would make only superficial bed coverage necessary.
Even those living in cooler climates, still prefer to layer their beds with sheets and thin blankets under their comforters or quilts. Limiting most direct human contact to these lighter layers makes caring for bedding covers simple, because changing and cleaning linens is very easy.
In Conclusion
Studies show that people spend an average of a third of their lives in their beds, and that is just sleeping. Many other activities occur in bed, from family morning story time to late night intimate moments, so beds should be comfortable.
Finding the right bedding to make your bed the perfect place to sleep, can be vital to your overall health and well being. Sleep deprivation has devastating effects on the body, as well as the mental health of a person. When one is experiencing fatigue in the morning or through the day, it should be clear that the individual may need to find a better recipe for a good night's sleep. Replacing a bed is not always an option, but with the right bedding covers, many consumers will find the perfect recipe that will give them the best sleep for their investment.
No Lions or Witches in This Wardrobe
When you think of a closet, you think of a small room inset in your house or dwelling, which is used to store your clothing, bedcovers or what have you.
Old houses mostly weren't built with such forte quarters, and people sited their clothing in wardrobes or armoires. Even nowadays there are sometimes dwellings or homes which do not have place for built-in closets, so it is needed to procure a wardrobe.
What would be the best wardrobe for your living locale?
Frankly, you can put any closet organization organism in your living locale, even if you don't have a exclusive roomto put it in! basically protected the rails or shelves to the parapet as you would have done in the closet.
But a wardrobe perfect with decorative doors to check off the notion of the matter inside is the most common way to go.
These wardrobes, or armoires, are mostly made of wood.
Depending on your cost stretch you can get them in metal, false, particle stay, pushed wood and reliable wood.
Explore the world of antiques Antique armoires are in claim, but they can run into considerable sums of money. If you're interested in acquiring an antique armoire (an antique is distinct as an article that is over 100 existence old), then make constant you go through a sound dealer.
When you think of antique furniture such as armoires, don't think just of the classics from England such as those intended by Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplepasty (the "big three" of British furniture makers). There's many an American antique armoire designer who deserves to be discovered. Do some seek into furniture narration in assorted countries and you'll be joyful you did.
But, if you're not in to antiques then there are quite of modern day armoires to join your wishes, vacant by a surfeit of companies. You can explore the web and find practically any design ever made.
If you like the look of metal, you can acquire very elaborate and exotic pasty metal armoires, imported from India.
There's nothing to beat mahogany or maple for classic style The classic style of wood will never go out of style, of course. hard wood armoires are luxurious, but they add such a look of style to your home, as well as assisting you to keep your clothes in style, that they can be well value the cost.
Any armoire you procure must fit into your home's decor.
You'll want to give a thought to the texture, and where you'll place it, as it won't be clearly motivated once you do so. Make constant you buy as greatly eminence as you can present, so that the armoire will last for a time.
Old houses mostly weren't built with such forte quarters, and people sited their clothing in wardrobes or armoires. Even nowadays there are sometimes dwellings or homes which do not have place for built-in closets, so it is needed to procure a wardrobe.
What would be the best wardrobe for your living locale?
Frankly, you can put any closet organization organism in your living locale, even if you don't have a exclusive roomto put it in! basically protected the rails or shelves to the parapet as you would have done in the closet.
But a wardrobe perfect with decorative doors to check off the notion of the matter inside is the most common way to go.
These wardrobes, or armoires, are mostly made of wood.
Depending on your cost stretch you can get them in metal, false, particle stay, pushed wood and reliable wood.
Explore the world of antiques Antique armoires are in claim, but they can run into considerable sums of money. If you're interested in acquiring an antique armoire (an antique is distinct as an article that is over 100 existence old), then make constant you go through a sound dealer.
When you think of antique furniture such as armoires, don't think just of the classics from England such as those intended by Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplepasty (the "big three" of British furniture makers). There's many an American antique armoire designer who deserves to be discovered. Do some seek into furniture narration in assorted countries and you'll be joyful you did.
But, if you're not in to antiques then there are quite of modern day armoires to join your wishes, vacant by a surfeit of companies. You can explore the web and find practically any design ever made.
If you like the look of metal, you can acquire very elaborate and exotic pasty metal armoires, imported from India.
There's nothing to beat mahogany or maple for classic style The classic style of wood will never go out of style, of course. hard wood armoires are luxurious, but they add such a look of style to your home, as well as assisting you to keep your clothes in style, that they can be well value the cost.
Any armoire you procure must fit into your home's decor.
You'll want to give a thought to the texture, and where you'll place it, as it won't be clearly motivated once you do so. Make constant you buy as greatly eminence as you can present, so that the armoire will last for a time.
French Furniture, The Empire Style France Archaeological Wonders of Egypt
French Furniture, The Empire Style
In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte had himself anointed and crowned Emperor of France. The furniture style known as Empire is a style of majestic grandeur that Napoleon felt fitting to honor his glory. He considered himself the greatest world ruler since Julius Caesar. The Empire style is the last of the great French styles that widely influenced furniture design throughout the world. During his rule, Napoleon conquered Italy and Egypt. He was overwhelmed by his conquest of these countries. He brought back to France archaeological wonders of Egypt, the long-forgotten ancient empire. He was proud of his conquest of Italy and Egypt and proudly considered himself as the first worthy successor to Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Furniture designed in this period was meant to imitate the designs of these great empires. Napoleon commissioned the greatest artist of Europe to create architecture and decoration that would equate the grandeur of Greece, the glory of Rome and the massiveness of Egypt.
The Empire style furniture is massive, in grand scale and very masculine. It has a severe, heavy, masculine look with no carving. The wood carving which is very common in the previous styles of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI is generally replaced with wood veneers polished to a high sheen. To equalize the bareness of wood veneer, metal gilts are used to adorn the furniture. A good clue to identifying the Empire style is the vulgar use of ormolu mounts. Ormolus are gilt-metal decorations usually in different decorative motifs. These are usually drawn from antique sources or patriotic inspiration. There are motifs derived from Egyptian archeology. Falcon, sphinxes, cobras, obelisks, winged lions are just some of these Egyptian inspired decorations. Napoleon's fascination with his conquest of Egypt and later on the excavation of ruins by the French Egyptologists created so much interest in everything related to Egypt.
There are also motifs derived from ancient Greek and Roman design. Vases, lamps, torches, heads of Greek gods, ram's head and cornucopias are among the many Greek and Roman inspired decorations incorporated into the Empire style of furniture. French Patriotism grew stronger during Napoleon's rule and it was evident in the many patriotically inspired decorations which included laurel wreaths, eagles, swords, lances, rifles, drum and bugles. The use of legs that are shaped like animals or sphinxes is very typical to the Empire style. The graceful cabriole legs of the previous styles have been replaced with the massive, more often overstated and vulgar use of legs that are shaped like animals.
The following are the general characteristics of the Empire style of furniture:
1. It has heavy masculine look.
2. Wood veneers polished to high sheen are used instead of the ornate wood carving usually associated with the previous French furniture styles.
3. The excessive use of large, often badly cast ormolu mounts.
4. Wood back chairs with upholstered seats. These include the barrel armchair which is a very typical Empire style chair.
5. The use of designs inspired by classical Greece.
6. Mirror-back console table. This is usually used by the ladies to check their no-longer floor-length hemlines.
7. The use of motifs inspired by ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece.
8. The use of Patriotic and military motifs and the use of letter "N", Napoleon's name initial.
In conclusion, it is relatively easy to recognize the Empire style of furniture with its massive appearance and overbearing ormolu mounts which usually depicts Egyptian, Greek and Roman themes. This style is a step backward from the simple but elegant Louis XVI style.
Business Card Design - How to Stand out and Get Noticed
One of the most powerful, yet over looked weapons in your marketing arsenal is your business card. If designed properly this little 3 x 2.5 piece of paper will not only let people know how to contact you it will also tell them why they should contact you. In order to be effective and get you more business your Business card must stand out, and get noticed.
How a distinctive business card resulted in a $5,000 Sale
A friend of mine and his wife recently went furniture shopping. By the end of the day they had gone to 8 stores and had 8 Business cards. 7 of the Business Cards were your garden variety white cards with one or two color writing on them.
One card was a little different. The salesman, we will call him Bob, had decided to make his card stand out a little by putting his picture on it along with a couple of color pictures of his furniture. Bob’s business card made an immediate impression.
The next day they flipped through the all the business cards that they had received the previous day. They immediately remembered Bob from his business card. They went to Bob’s store and spent over $5,000! All because of a business card.
5 Tips to make your Business Card Stand out
1 - Use Full Color Printing
In the old days full color printing (4 color printing) was extremely expensive. You could pay over $200 /1000 for high quality full color cards. Prices have dropped and you can now get beautiful full color cards printed for about the same price as a plain two color card.
2 - Use a Tagline
A “tagline” is a one sentence benefit statement. Think of your Business card as a “Mini Billboard”. Pretend that you are writing a classified ad for a newspaper. You only have a small amount of space to describe your product or service in an intriguing way … what would you write to describe it? For example: A Realtor could say “Helping Build dreams one home at a time”
3 - Put a picture on it!
I highly recommend that you put a picture on your business card. Studies have shown that people are more likely to hold on to a Business card with a photo on it. It could be your picture, a picture of your product, or a combination of both. Picture cards get attention!
4 - Don't use Business Card “Templates”
There are websites you can go to online where you can choose from pre-made business card designs called templates. The problem with this is that the more people who use these templates the more you card starts to look like everybody else’s. You want to have a business card that stands out from everybody else’s, not one that gets lost in the crowd.
5 - Let a Professional Design It
Unless you are a professional graphic designer designing your own card is like performing root canal on yourself. Its going to take a lot of time and you may not be happy with the results. Leave the designing to the professionals and use you time doing what you do best … selling your product or service!
In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte had himself anointed and crowned Emperor of France. The furniture style known as Empire is a style of majestic grandeur that Napoleon felt fitting to honor his glory. He considered himself the greatest world ruler since Julius Caesar. The Empire style is the last of the great French styles that widely influenced furniture design throughout the world. During his rule, Napoleon conquered Italy and Egypt. He was overwhelmed by his conquest of these countries. He brought back to France archaeological wonders of Egypt, the long-forgotten ancient empire. He was proud of his conquest of Italy and Egypt and proudly considered himself as the first worthy successor to Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Furniture designed in this period was meant to imitate the designs of these great empires. Napoleon commissioned the greatest artist of Europe to create architecture and decoration that would equate the grandeur of Greece, the glory of Rome and the massiveness of Egypt.
The Empire style furniture is massive, in grand scale and very masculine. It has a severe, heavy, masculine look with no carving. The wood carving which is very common in the previous styles of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI is generally replaced with wood veneers polished to a high sheen. To equalize the bareness of wood veneer, metal gilts are used to adorn the furniture. A good clue to identifying the Empire style is the vulgar use of ormolu mounts. Ormolus are gilt-metal decorations usually in different decorative motifs. These are usually drawn from antique sources or patriotic inspiration. There are motifs derived from Egyptian archeology. Falcon, sphinxes, cobras, obelisks, winged lions are just some of these Egyptian inspired decorations. Napoleon's fascination with his conquest of Egypt and later on the excavation of ruins by the French Egyptologists created so much interest in everything related to Egypt.
There are also motifs derived from ancient Greek and Roman design. Vases, lamps, torches, heads of Greek gods, ram's head and cornucopias are among the many Greek and Roman inspired decorations incorporated into the Empire style of furniture. French Patriotism grew stronger during Napoleon's rule and it was evident in the many patriotically inspired decorations which included laurel wreaths, eagles, swords, lances, rifles, drum and bugles. The use of legs that are shaped like animals or sphinxes is very typical to the Empire style. The graceful cabriole legs of the previous styles have been replaced with the massive, more often overstated and vulgar use of legs that are shaped like animals.
The following are the general characteristics of the Empire style of furniture:
1. It has heavy masculine look.
2. Wood veneers polished to high sheen are used instead of the ornate wood carving usually associated with the previous French furniture styles.
3. The excessive use of large, often badly cast ormolu mounts.
4. Wood back chairs with upholstered seats. These include the barrel armchair which is a very typical Empire style chair.
5. The use of designs inspired by classical Greece.
6. Mirror-back console table. This is usually used by the ladies to check their no-longer floor-length hemlines.
7. The use of motifs inspired by ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece.
8. The use of Patriotic and military motifs and the use of letter "N", Napoleon's name initial.
In conclusion, it is relatively easy to recognize the Empire style of furniture with its massive appearance and overbearing ormolu mounts which usually depicts Egyptian, Greek and Roman themes. This style is a step backward from the simple but elegant Louis XVI style.
Business Card Design - How to Stand out and Get Noticed
One of the most powerful, yet over looked weapons in your marketing arsenal is your business card. If designed properly this little 3 x 2.5 piece of paper will not only let people know how to contact you it will also tell them why they should contact you. In order to be effective and get you more business your Business card must stand out, and get noticed.
How a distinctive business card resulted in a $5,000 Sale
A friend of mine and his wife recently went furniture shopping. By the end of the day they had gone to 8 stores and had 8 Business cards. 7 of the Business Cards were your garden variety white cards with one or two color writing on them.
One card was a little different. The salesman, we will call him Bob, had decided to make his card stand out a little by putting his picture on it along with a couple of color pictures of his furniture. Bob’s business card made an immediate impression.
The next day they flipped through the all the business cards that they had received the previous day. They immediately remembered Bob from his business card. They went to Bob’s store and spent over $5,000! All because of a business card.
5 Tips to make your Business Card Stand out
1 - Use Full Color Printing
In the old days full color printing (4 color printing) was extremely expensive. You could pay over $200 /1000 for high quality full color cards. Prices have dropped and you can now get beautiful full color cards printed for about the same price as a plain two color card.
2 - Use a Tagline
A “tagline” is a one sentence benefit statement. Think of your Business card as a “Mini Billboard”. Pretend that you are writing a classified ad for a newspaper. You only have a small amount of space to describe your product or service in an intriguing way … what would you write to describe it? For example: A Realtor could say “Helping Build dreams one home at a time”
3 - Put a picture on it!
I highly recommend that you put a picture on your business card. Studies have shown that people are more likely to hold on to a Business card with a photo on it. It could be your picture, a picture of your product, or a combination of both. Picture cards get attention!
4 - Don't use Business Card “Templates”
There are websites you can go to online where you can choose from pre-made business card designs called templates. The problem with this is that the more people who use these templates the more you card starts to look like everybody else’s. You want to have a business card that stands out from everybody else’s, not one that gets lost in the crowd.
5 - Let a Professional Design It
Unless you are a professional graphic designer designing your own card is like performing root canal on yourself. Its going to take a lot of time and you may not be happy with the results. Leave the designing to the professionals and use you time doing what you do best … selling your product or service!
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