Wicker rocking chairs seem to be finding a resurgence of popularity. It had been a long time since I remember seeing a good old fashion rocker in somebody's home. But then suddenly, as my generation of women began to start their own families, I began to notice a trend: rockers were appearing everywhere! They started out only in nurseries with newborns, and then my friends really began to appreciate the comforts those chairs offered, and added more rockers to the rest of their homes.

With all the people looking for wicker rocking chairs these days, I thought it might be helpful to offer a review of some of the rocking chairs out on the market currently.

The wicker chair from Spice Islands Wicker, came in # 3 on our list. With Solid wicker construction, natural finish, and dimensions of 32.5 in. Width x 41.5 in. Deep x 37.5 in. Height. It features a South Sea style wicker design, accented with a tufted-back chair cushion and padded seat, with several fabric patterns to choose. Customers appreciated the craftsmanship of the rocker itself, but they were disappointed at how quickly the fabric cushions faded and deteriorated. Prices averaged about $ 520.00 USD.

The second most popular rocker I found was the Port Royal Rocking Chair, from NorthCape International. Featuring a wide-arm design, durable resin weave, supported by a commercial-grade aluminum frame. Customers found this chair to be attractive, easy to clear, weatherproof and very well constructed. With dimensions of 39 "x 37" x 36 ", customers were happy with the size and comfort of the chair, and thought that its average price of $ 289.00 was extremely reasonable and worth the cost.

And finally we have the Vineyard Outdoor White Wicker Rocking Chair, also from NorthCape International. This is a great indoor / outdoor rocking chair that is UV and weather-resistant. This rocker features the same aluminum frame and sturdy resin wicker as the Port Royal, and looks to be a standard part of NorthCape's construction model. Customers gave rave reviews for this chair's comfort, clean-ability and durability. Priced on average at $ 198.00 USD, it's the cheapest of the three chairs, yet also the smallest (26 x 28 x 35 in), and will probably get you the most bang for your buck.

There are obviously hundreds of styles of wicker chairs to choose from, but after a quick search online to compare products and prices, these three chairs stood out above the rest. They are found at decent prices, and are well liked by consumers.

Source by Kelly Bouchard

Hotels, restaurants and resorts always look to offer the best experience for their guests by following the latest trends. In the beginning of this year, you should consider modernizing your outdoors by building fashionable and inviting areas. So what are the hospitality outdoor furniture trends for 2017 that will make you look fresh to improve your business’s image?

Trend 1: Go green and/or blue

In the hospitality industry, colors have a psychological effect on people that can make their stay unforgettable… or not. So when planning your outdoor areas, be picky in choosing colors. According to the psychology of colors study, blue, green, yellow, red, and purple generate positive vibes. But which colors are trending in 2017? This year is the year of the blue and green derivatives like aqua, sea foam, drab green. These 2 main colors represent serenity and nature respectively. Therefore, having them part of your outdoor furniture sets, will improve the guests’ state of mind, and keep the garden or patio fresh.

Trend 2: Minimize maintenance efforts with aluminum

For outdoor spaces, one of the trends was and will probably always be to have maintenance-free furniture. Therefore, picking aluminum outdoor furniture will be the right choice to offer comfortable outdoor experience and have products that require minimum maintenance. In addition, aluminum is known to be a light material compared to what it offers in strength: it is weather and rust resistant, which means that your hospitality outdoor furniture sets will live longer.

Trend 3: Combine different materials & styles

Many hotels and restaurants stick with a single theme using only one outdoor furniture style, but 2017 suggests to mix and match designs and materials. For example, if you aren’t able to decide whether to have aluminum or rattan outdoor furniture, well just pick both. Also, for spacious areas, combine several outdoor furniture collections within the same space. However, for this tactic to be successful, the two collections must go well with each other. Customized garden and patio furniture can also be an option to ensure good harmony between the different sets.

Trend 4: Create unique ambiance with solar lighting

In 2017, get rid of wires and complicated installations with the use of outdoor solar lighting, which rely simply on solar energy to recharge their batteries. Outdoor solar lights save you the trouble of finding professionals who will create a mess to install wired lamps. In addition, placing outdoor solar lighting forms a unique ambiance in your outdoor space especially if you go creative by building innovative patterns.

Trend 5: Indoors and outdoors go together

Last but not least, outdoor furniture can be used on the inside just like on the outside. Therefore, removing the boundaries between outdoors and indoors to mix up the two spaces can be a great option, of course, if done in a smart way. Opening the indoors to the outdoors gives you additional space and creates total conformity.

In conclusion, applying these trends is a tricky task that requires professionals in order to optimize your outdoors. So contact a hospitality outdoor furniture supplier that will furnish your gardens and patios in the best way possible, according to your needs.

Source by Manuel S

Perfectly laundered bed linen is not a consideration for hotels, it is a public demand and a hygiene requirement. If there is one reason a guest will choose to immediately leave a hotel room (and probably never return) it is because of poorly laundered bed linen.

This article briefly looks at what is to be considered when buying bed linen for hotel use: what fabric lasts the longest and which washes most effectively.

Longevity

All bed linen has a life span. This is best described as to how many washes the linen can withstand whilst still retaining its quality. The easiest way to ensure that linen lasts longer is to choose Egyptian cotton. The purchasing will cost more, but this is offset by two factors: the longevity and the initial quality that the customer experiences. So why is Egyptian cotton better?

In cotton size does matter and it all has to do with the length of the cotton fibres. The conditions in Egypt produce the longest fibres (more than 1.5 inches) and this means they are stronger and finer, giving the feeling of softness.

Thread count is an important part of that feeling of comfort and luxury. Most popular cottons have a count of approximately 150, with good quality sheets starting at around 180. 200 is the point at which a thread count reaches into the luxury range.

Yet it is not just about the number of threads per square inch. Egyptian cotton fibres being longer allows for finer, thinner threads which means there are more to the inch. But it also has to do with the ‘ply’ of the threads – like the number of layers in toilet paper – twisted together and how these are woven tightly to form the fabric. Quality Egyptian cotton has two ply which means smoother, finer thread.

Longer threads mean there are less of them and so there are less ends to fray. They are also thinner and so they are more tightly packed which makes the sheets stronger. Finally this combination of thin, long threads makes for a more stable, tight weave which is unlikely to bobble and it can absorb more dye to give longer lasting colours.

Percale

‘Percale’ is also a term worth looking out for, because this refers to the type of weave used. Percale gives a fabric strength and this means it will last longer in multiple washes. Percale is generally only found in high thread-count fabrics.

Mercerization

This chemical treatment process for cotton was invented by a Lancashire man, John Mercer – hence ‘mercer’-ization. The modern development of this process has resulted in a treatment which allows for a softer and stronger fabric. Egyptian cotton that has been treated in this way is the most durable and it will be less likely to fade or lose its high-quality feel in repetitive washes.

Effective Washing

Egyptian cotton can absorb more water in the wash. In fact, Egyptian cotton often gets better as it is washed again and again, bringing greater softness to the tightly woven fine threads. Economising on bed linen can mean that with repeated laundering the savings are lost in a one-use-one-wash setting like a hotel.

The Laundering Process

If you have spent extra to reap the benefits of Egyptian cotton then it is important that the choice of laundering respects this quality. If the wrong detergent is used or in incorrect amounts, then even the best cotton linen will grey, particularly in certain hard water environments.

When considering the choice of laundering services it is important that the provider be able to answer which system they are using and why – ask for references from other hotel clients and check these references to ensure that they are genuine.

Source by Nate Rodnay

Now that the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful, people would want to enjoy the outdoors. For this, hospitality businesses have to build comfortable living spaces by setting up their gardens and terraces with outdoor furniture. However, to create a unique experience, hotels, restaurants and resorts need to avoid making these common mistakes when installing outdoor furniture.

Poorly matching furniture and decoration

When buying outdoor furniture for a hospitality business, many things must be taken into consideration. One of the most important points to keep in mind, is to follow the hospitality outdoor furniture trends. Years ago, we would have recommended to have all the furniture and its surrounding match. Today, it is more about perfectly joining different styles and materials together, while maintaining the luxury aspect of the business.

Exploiting a single color or too much colors

Either using one or several colors is a common mistake when furnishing the outdoor spaces. Therefore, diversifying the colors by using cushions in neutral colors (white, gray, beige ..) can create a living atmosphere without being dull.

On another hand, having too much colors can be exhausting for the visitors as they will be distracted by the multitude of colors. So the perfect solution would be to add different colors that match together and create a dynamic space.

Not having a focus point

Usually, all the furniture in the living room are focused on one point … the television. Following the same logic, the garden furniture should also have a focal point. It can be the beach, the pool, the plants, or any other decoration. Not having a focus point shows imbalance in the outdoor area which puts visitors unease.

Using poor lighting:

Just like the indoor spaces, gardens and patios need to be lighting up at night. Either to clearing up paths or for decoration, solar lighting can be a unique addition to improve the guests' experience. One of the main advantages of outdoor solar lights is that they can be placed anywhere to create the ambience needed.

Forgetting the decoration

Furnishing the garden or patio, can't just depend on the outdoor living and dining furniture alone, or else, it will make the space boring. In order to avoid boredom, wall or trees decorations, statues, and plantations are assets for any area.

Creating a unique and comfortable space in a hospitality business starts with a proper planning. This doesn't only involve the type of outdoor furniture to get or what are the different areas to build. It also includes materials, colors, products choice, decorations and others. Therefore, the best way to plan ahead is to contact professionals like interior designers and hospitality outdoor furniture suppliers.

Source by Manuel S

The rack card is every hotel’s best friend. One simple and inexpensive 4″ x 9″ rack card can tell your hotel’s great story in both pictures and words. Even better, because it is so economical, a rack card can be distributed to many prospective guests without breaking the bank. Finally, rack cards fit into a standard number 10 envelope for easy mailing and, because they’re printed on thick, glossy paper, that stands up nice and straight in a display rack.

The rack card concept is great, but how can you make your card stand out from the competition? Here are a few design ideas.

If you are a branded (flag) hotel, your national brand has very strict design guidelines. Their templates for rack cards include headings, type style and size and picture placement. It is very important to adhere to these templates for these reasons.

o Your brand has spent millions of dollars to develop a corporate identity. This is how the public recognizes your hotel brand. By taking the things that are special about your hotel property and placing them in a nationally recognized format, you increase your acceptance and readership.

o Rack cards and other materials that are not designed to brand identity design specifications can cost you points in a quality control inspection.

o Using templates for rack cards decreases your costs, because no new design is necessary.

Independent hotels are not restricted by brand specifications and templates for rack cards are not required, but your hotel rack cards are not the place to let your design person run wild.

Notice the branded rack cards. The front side emphasizes two things — the hotel name and location, and pictures showcasing the property. The front cover of every rack card design is designed to make a simple sale. It’s job is to create a great first impression and motivate people to read the copy on the back!

Let’s look at some ways to make that sale. Branded or independent, the name of the hotel property needs to be in a prominent place on the rack card. The city and state is slightly smaller, but close by and easy to read. Save the street address for the back. The type style should be an easy to read serif font with your hotel name and location in bold.

Now that the readers have matched your hotel to an area that is part of their travel plans, the real sale begins. Here is where good pictures will make or break your hotel rack card. Pictures create a visual image of your hotel in the reader’s mind. Your job is to design a hotel rack card that creates a positive and welcoming image. A great way to do this is to put people in your hotel rack card pictures. One of my favorites is a picture of a guest checking in to a hotel. The smiling front desk representative makes this a perfect welcome picture. Now, what pictures should be used for your rack card? Simply, the ones that show your hotel in the best possible way and will attract the type of guest that best matches your hotel property demographics. If you want to sell your swimming pool, use a picture of a happy family enjoying the pool rather than a sterile picture of an empty pool. How about a smiling waitress serving a meal in the restaurant?

“Heads in beds” is the hotel mantra. Show your hotel guest room, but design your hotel rack card to include one or more of these scenarios.

A business person working on a lap top computer (sell your Internet connect). How about a happy couple or family enjoying the hotel room. Other options are a person savoring a cup of coffee and the complimentary paper or include a unique piece of furniture like a business class desk or armoire. If the hotel exterior is important, try to include a guest getting out of a car, with luggage, ready to check in. Select pictures that best emphasize the hotel’s positives and strengths. To see some examples of pictures that sell, visit our photo enhancement section.

OK, nice idea, you say, but where do I get these great hotel photos? The best way is to have a professional photographer who has experience in taking hotel pictures. The value photographers bring is their ability to correctly light their subject. It’s not easy. I’ve worked with good photographers who can take an hour or so to correctly light a shot. If a photographer doesn’t have proper lighting equipment, find someone else. A good professional photographer is not free, but well worth the expense.

If a professional is too costly for your rack card budget, you can do it for free. Consider taking the pictures yourself or find an associate with some photographic expertise. The new digital cameras take great pictures and today’s software programs can enhance lighting and sharpness and even take the yellow lines out of your parking lot. If you do this, make sure your rack card printer will enhance your photos, for free, to make sure they look great on your rack card. If they won’t enhance or crop the pictures you submit, find someone else. This is not the place to save money on your hotel rack card project.

Now that you have your photos, what is the best way to present them on your rack card? Crop the photographs. It is critical to emphasize the most important element in the picture.

Too many rack card photographs have lots of sky, parking lot, rugs and walls. Cropping eliminates those peripheral items and focuses attention on the main element that will sell your hotel property. Good design is critical to every successful hotel rack card

Use software to enhance the picture quality. Today’s programs can correct poor lighting, correct colors and even make a few changes to the actual picture. In just a few minutes, a photo can be changed from unacceptable to wow! If you can’t do this yourself, and most hoteliers can’t, make sure to find a printer that has expertise in this area and won’t charge you an arm or a leg to do the work. This should be a free service.

One last tip. If you are using a digital camera, be sure to set your file size as high as possible. Photographs consist of dots. The more dots, the larger the file. A picture that looks great on your computer monitor may not be very sharp on a rack card because printed pictures need over three times as many dots than computer monitors. All your pictures should have a file size of at least two megabytes. One last thought. Make sure to turn off the date and time stamp on your camera before taking any pictures for your rack card.

Now that your pictures are selling your hotel property, let’s turn the rack card over and talk about copy. The back of a rack card is not the place for creative writing. The reader simply wants to read about what your hotel offers. Keep it simple, but write with the guest in mind. Ask yourself two questions. What does the potential guest want to know about your hotel? Write down the answers. Then ask, what’s in it for your potential guest to stay at your hotel? The answers to these two questions become your initial copy.

Organize your copy into categories with those that best feature your hotel at or near the top. Categories can be: Location, Accommodations, Special Amenities, Banquets & Meetings, Recreational Facilities, Business Class Services, Shopping, Colleges & Universities, Area Businesses & Attractions, Special Plans.

Write your copy in short, benefit filled phrases with bullets separating the phrases. Space is always tight so perfect sentence structure is helpful, but not required. Once you have written your copy, edit it once and then set it aside. The next day, read it again and make your final edits. It’s amazing how much a good night’s sleep improves copy. Again, if writing copy is not your cup of tea, find a printer who can. Don’t be afraid to edit and change the copy once you actually see it. We change copy for our clients an average of five times per project. Finally, those rack card changes should be free.

A few final notes. Include easy to read and good directions that a stranger could easily follow. Add any logos that would enhance your credibility or prestige. Make sure to have complete address information, including a reservation number (toll free, if possible) at the bottom. Include your web site address. Every hotel should have a web site, even it is a simple one or two page basic site.

If you have followed these steps, you are ready to print a rack card that sells. Best of luck with your next rack card project.

Copy write 2007: The Jamison Group, Inc. article: How to Design Rack Cards that Sell Your Hotel.

Source by James E. O’Brien

Give your kitchen the makeover it needs by adding leather to your decor! Beautifully covered leather kitchen bar stools can provide your kitchen with an air of sophistication that most kitchens do not have. These stools will transform your kitchen from dull to vibrant and the kind of kitchen you have always dreamed of.

Leather bar stools for your kitchen encompass a wide variety of styles ranging from traditional to modern to country. It is inevitable that you find a set of stools that you will simply love. These types of stools will take your entertaining style to a new level. Leather easily creates a look of classy sophistication and style which is just the kind of touch your kitchen needs.

Have your leather kitchen bar stools swivel for fun and comfort. Even better still, have them backless for a clean,simple and elegant look. You can opt to have your whole kitchen bar stool made up of leather, or you can simply choose to have the seat of your stool made of leather, leaving you with several options for the rest of you stool. You can combine your leather bar stool with metal or wood. Either way, leather lends sophistication to the whole look of your kitchen.

Whatever you decide, you cannot go wrong with a well chosen set of leather kitchen bar stools. These types of stools are endlessly sophisticated and beautiful. Whether you choose to have your stool backless for space saving style, or bold and colorful to compliment a leather seat, these leather options are just the thing your kitchen needs for an uplifting makeover. Entertain with sophistication and style while your guests are seated on top of kitchen bar stools made up of leather and enjoy the elegance these chairs provide.

Source by Marshall Davis