Author: dwellings-admin

Lately we have been on several in home consultations where the client has asked us for ideas on an “extra” space. These spaces aren’t necessarily main living areas, but rather places for occasional conversation, a place to read, or enjoy a morning cup of coffee.

People are in search of something different than just a “sofa” plopped into the room. Often times they have at least 1 if not more, “sofa” rooms as we call them. And don’t necessarily need another one.  These spaces tend to lend themselves to a grouping of four chairs around a table or ottoman.

In this home, the space was originally a large dining table that the couple hardly ever used. They loved the backyard view that the windows offered, but were never able to enjoy it fully. As people who love to entertain, we were able to suggest comfortable counter stools for island seating and 4 swivel chairs for the “dining area.”  This allowed them multiple spaces for interaction. They now spend their mornings in this space enjoying coffee and conversation together, as well as taking in their beautiful backyard.

When they entertain, there is a natural draw for 2 couples to join in conversation and still be a part of what is happening in the kitchen, while others can sit on the upholstered counter stools. This furniture arrangement has completely transformed the space into something usable for the homeowner. They love it.

This application of using 4 club chairs is perfect for extra seating areas. This could be at the end of a large great room, hearth room in a kitchen, sunroom, or an unused formal living room. Often times it brings new life to a space that has been “unused.”

Because chairs come in so many shapes, fabrics, leathers, and styles, you have the ability to be creative when choosing the pieces. Most often, we have the 4 chairs match each other, but they don’t necessarily have to. You could also use 2 pairs of chairs, or 4 different ones. The design is up to you!

Depending on the desired function of the space, we use both cocktail tables or large ottomans in the center of the grouping. Ottomans are more casual and promote putting your feet up, which is perfect if it will be a reading area. A cocktail table is a better option if the space will be used for entertaining or eating/drinking. The hard center surface is ideal in this application.

Not every “sitting” room is required to have a sofa in it. As you are thinking of how you will use the space, be open to options and ideas. Using 4 chairs will create instant interest in your room. People will definitely notice them and ask about the room, and you will most likely find yourself spending time there.

Tables are a necessary part of our lives…a place to eat, a place to set something on, a place for a lamp, etc. They come in a ton of different colors, sizes, and shapes. We use them in our homes and decor every day, probably without even thinking about it….

BUT…today, many great rooms are incorporating ottomans of various sizes into their decor. They add SO much to a room! The options are endless…size, color, fabric vs leather, pattern, wood finish, shelf option, and quantity. With all of these options how do you choose the correct one for your space?

First, we look at the layout of the room. Is this a room where there is a sofa and loveseat that create a place for a “rectangle?” Does a circular shape provide for better traffic flow around the furniture pieces? Rather than one large piece, would a pair of ottomans work better?

Next, we look at other needs within the room. Would additional storage be a benefit to this space? Would a wooden shelf on the bottom be a place to store books and magazines out of the way?

And finally…the fun part! What will this piece look like in the room? Often times these ottomans become a focal point of a space. They are made to draw attention to themselves with a fun pattern, colorful leather, or unique shape.

So, why choose an ottoman instead of a conventional cocktail table?

Practicality! They provide extra seating within a room. Even the larger ones can be moved off to the side of a room and be used this way. Add an oversized tray to the top to create a hard surface if needed.

Comfort! Let’s be honest, who likes to put their feet up on a hard wooden table? Most people sit on their sofa and relax…why not do it more comfortably?

Fashion! They provide an opportunity to add a “fun” piece to any room. Use them to add a “pop” of color or unexpected texture to a space.

Have you replaced your cocktail table with a fun ottoman? Share it with us!
We would love to see what you have done!

With our combined 25 years of experience in the furniture and interior design industry, we see the need to pass along our knowledge in helping people beautify and LOVE their homes.

Last summer, we met with a customer who wanted a complete “update” of her first floor. She was tired of the “Burgundy and Forest Green”  color scheme that had been so popular 25 years ago and was ready for a refresh. She used our $150 in-home design consultation service and we put together a bunch of fun new ideas….

Everytime we meet with a new client or customer, we are excited for them. They can be on the hunt for a new chair for their bedroom, a new paint color for their great room, or a complete overhaul of their lower level. Every one of them is important to us. They are all opportunities to have them “love” their space again.

As sisters who “grew up” in the furniture industry we have seen the many changes that have taken place. Our father’s store started by just selling mattresses and recliners. It was a one-man operation that grew to a multi-store business with 50+ employees. We lived through all of it.

In high school, our parents would take us along to bi-annual trade shows to expose us to the workings of them. We now go to them with complete confidence. We worked within the business doing clerical work, sales, and eventually managing and buying.

When our parents no longer wanted the daily operations of a retail store, we took all of our knowledge and jumped at the opportunity to open our own store, Dwellings. Armed with a lifetime of knowledge of the workings of the furniture industry, and degrees in Interior Design & Entrepreneurship, we have now been in business for ourselves for 7+ years.

Throughout all of our years, we have talked to many people, visited many homes, and designed many rooms. All done with one common goal….to make the customer love their space. Often times, a second set of “eyes” looking at a design dilemma can generate a whole new perspective and many ideas un-thought of.

We want to help people. We want them to feel confident in their homes when they invite friends and family over. They should be proud of the home that they live in, no matter what their budget is. That is our goal.

People’s homes should be a reflection of themselves. Not everyone is satisfied with the same “catalog or big box store” look. There are SO many options when it comes to selecting a piece of furniture. Style, size, and fabric are all choices you have when purchasing a new piece for your home. We love to say that we “never order the same piece twice” when it comes to our floor samples. There’s just too much to choose from!

We offer our customers a well made product at a reasonable price. So often we hear

“wow, I thought you would be so much more expensive!” When in reality, our products are often similar in price to big-box store items, with much better quality.

Our above mentioned client went on to purchase the items we had chosen for her dining room. She took some of our recommended paint colors, and committed to making the changes in her home. We were confident in all of the items we had selected for her, though she only purchased a few, as they made a complete and cohesive design for her first floor redo. She had them delivered and installed in time for Thanksgiving last year.

Recently she called us again to revisit her home, using our $150 design consult.  I talked to her briefly on the phone and she admittedly said she had been hesitant to go with all of our ideas right away. She didn’t know us and hadn’t seen our work in her home…..now she was ready to complete the project.

“You get it!” she said. “You totally get it.” Based on the things she had purchased for her dining room, she was confident in our ability to not only complete that room with finishing touches, but to also look at many other rooms throughout her home. We are now in the process of making selections for her lower level, master bedroom, guest room, and great room.

Whenever we visit a client’s home, we are overwhelmed by the ideas we have for the space. Often times as sisters, we leave with the exact same idea or furniture piece in mind. We work amazingly well together and are proud of the business we have not only created for ourselves, but the one that is being carried on as well.

Many of our vendors and factory representatives have been with us since our parents found them years ago.  These long term relationships are so valuable to us. We can count on these manufacturers to produce a quality product that we are confident in. We want our customers to be happy with the pieces they purchase from us for many years.

Our goals for our new blog are many. We hope to educate people on all aspects of furniture and design. We hope to inspire people to beautify and LOVE their homes. We also hope to reveal the “inside scoop” on what it takes to be own and operate a furniture store present day.

As we embark on the construction of our new showroom and all the hopes and dreams we have, we are ultimately just excited to be able to offer our community a new and refreshing way of looking at home furnishings and design. There is so much out there to be shared!

We are here to help you! What ideas would you like to see us cover on our weekly blog? Are you struggling with a design questions? Send it to us! Interested in our in-home design consult? Schedule with us today!

We look forward to educating, inspiring, and entertaining you,

Julie & Jenny
The “dwellin” sisters