Even though many people enjoy natural rattan furniture, you will find that there are others that appreciate the benefits associated with synthetic rattan. Therefore, if you are planning to purchase furniture for a conservatory, or some other room in your home, it may be worth your while to consider buying Synthetic Rattan Furniture. As you weigh your options, you may well find that synthetic rattan will be more suitable for your needs than other materials.

Fade Resistance

Synthetic Rattan Furniture is made from a special type of plastic that is attached to an aluminium frame. Typically, the polymers used to make this furniture are fully resistant to sunlight. Even if you place them on a sunny porch, or in an unshaded conservatory, they will maintain their vibrant colours for years on end. As an added bonus, you will never have to move them around, or make use of other methods to try and hide signs of fading.

Tolerance to Humidity and Temperature Changes

For the most part, natural rattan will last for a reasonable amount of time when it is exposed to humidity and seasonal temperature changes. On the other hand, if you happen to live in an area that collects a lot of dust or dirt, it may be very hard to keep natural rattan clean. When you purchase synthetic rattan furniture, you can simply wipe it off with soap and water. In most cases, you will find that synthetic rattan is much easier to clean than any other type of wicker furniture.

Durable, Safe, and Lightweight

If you have ever sat in outdoor plastic chairs, then you know that they are extremely lightweight. For example, if you have a plastic loveseat or table, it may not weight more than seven or eight kilograms. Typically, synthetic rattan furniture will not weigh much more. On the other hand, the woven patterns and delightful shapes are far more appealing than conventional plastic furniture. Without a question, if you want the perfect combination of durable and attractive furniture, synthetic rattan will suit your needs.

When you first see synthetic wicker or rattan furniture, you may not realize that it is constructed using man made materials. In most cases, you will only realize the difference when you look carefully at each individual strand within the weavings. Aside from being perfectly even and straight, you will also find that it will never develop splinters. This is very important to consider if you do not want guests or family members to get injured by furniture that is starting to wear out.

Source by C Butcher

Looking for a refreshed custom look in your bedroom? Do you like a particularly lush sensuous fabric… or perhaps a masculine leather headboard to set a strong mood? The new class of innovative easy-to-install and affordable headboard slipcovers make bedroom design makeovers a snap-of-the-fingers easy.

More Home Entertainment Choices – Surround Sound Headboards. With 500+ cable channels pouring into multiple in-house hook-ups, and a dizzying range of land and now satellite radio choices plus millions of music CDs and DVD films, it’s no wonder that high fidelity and multimedia entertainment work their way into our bedrooms. Surround sound headboard designs simply extend the natural reach of film and music into our most private chambers.

* Sizing, Measurements And Speaker Wire Layouts. Analogous to a car’s dashboard and door sound system, the surround sound headboard speaker system features a number of custom sized cut-outs, matching the specific speaker model and size. Performance speaker wire “networks” the surround sound headboard “system”… with a trailer hook-up wire of around 20 feet length, which you can then connect to your bedroom multi-media system. What could be sweeter!

Slipcover Fabric Choices. No matter whether you have a standard size bed, queen size, king size or even a platform bed, you’ll draw on an artist’s palette of slipcover fabric colors… from light pastels to earth tones of green and brown to reds, lavender, black and every shade between.

* Gingham, Velour, Carpets. Textured fabric headboard design possibilities also include velour, Oriental carpet motifs, and many shades of leather slipcover finishes.

* Leather Slipcover. Leather king size headboard cover designs offer not only a highly textured and inviting décor choice, but also provide easy maintenance… a simple wipe clean to remove dust… and of course a leather slipcover long life expectancy.

* Upholstered Headboard Cover. A more finished, professional look… hard wearing akin to slipcover furniture fabric grades can be created with the many textured and variously hued upholstered headboard cover choices. Often, in order to achieve this “high end” designer look, you’ll need to hire a custom slipcover professional to take measurements or perhaps physically remove your headboard and then do the entire custom slipcover operation off site.

* Tufted Headboard. Another trim possibility includes combinations of padded headboard covers where a soft cushiony ½ inch padding foam can be installed, and then the outer surface finished in a wide range of fabric choices as a tufted headboard.

Range Of Headboard Slipcover Sizes To Match. Like Goldilocks arriving unexpectedly at the 3 Bears/ home… each bowl of porridge held some possibilities… getting the right one was just a matter of balance. The same rule applies to headboard slipcovers. Given the standard bed frame size, you can order a queen size headboard cover in virtually in fabric and trim combination… or if your bed is longer, order the king size bed headboard cover, noting the measurements for standard king vary to California king.

Making Your Own Full Size Headboard Cover. For people skilled in pattern-making and stitching, slipcover making in the convenience of your own home is a rewarding home project. Getting it right, or getting it wrong boils down to eye-for-detail concentration. Concern areas when slipcover making include the art of taking correct measurements… allowing for curved versus hard-line shapes… allowing for “pleats” in order to achieve a smooth even surface texture, especially at the corners or sides.



Bottom Line: Look into the new generation of designer headboard covers, and even the multi-media wave of surround sound headboard entertainment possibilities to add too your bedroom choice menu. Please go to the following links for up-to-date information.

Source by Robin J. Derry

When it’s sunny outside, people flock to their patios for lounging, barbecues and outdoor entertaining. An auto tilt umbrella or manual tilt umbrella will keep the party going by offering umbrage when the sun’s rays get too strong. Which type should you go with? Let’s stack them up head to head.

Appearance

Manual: Manual tilt umbrellas are tried and true, the classic model. They have the same benefits as the auto tilt umbrella, just with a little more work. The push button tilt has been around a long time, almost as long as the modern patio umbrella. It stems from the basic peg hole system, with some modifications. On these models, a button can be found near the top of the umbrella’s pole, inward curved and made of metal.

Auto: The automatic tilt umbrella has become a staple on decks and patios throughout the country. Though simple in idea, the mechanization of patio umbrellas has made outdoor entertaining more convenient. Typically, they comprise an aluminum pole which opens using a crank mechanism. It then locks at an appropriate height above the table or free-standing.

Function

Manual: When pushed, the button releases an inner lock in the umbrella pole that allows it to tilt. Unlike the auto tilt version, there often aren’t the preset two or three positions, so you’ll have to manually place it where you want.

Auto: The auto tilt umbrella goes a step further with an added feature. Once fully open, if you keep turning the crank, the umbrella will actually tilt at a series of angles. Because the tilt relies on tension in the pole rather than joint setting, it can be angled much further without the danger of tipping over.

Pros

Manual: Some people prefer the wider range of angle options offered by having to manually set the position, which is ideal for concentrated shade and perfectionists. Another benefit is that these umbrellas are cheaper than mechanical ones.

Auto: The auto tilt umbrella is perfect for tables, poolside, or wherever a little extra shade is desired. What’s nice about the automatic models is that they reduce strain on the back by not having to push open the whole umbrella, but just having to make the smaller cranking motion. Also, tilting umbrellas are nice because you can control where you want your shade. The sun will shift your shade significantly throughout the day, so rather than having to move your chair around every few hours, just move the umbrella. It’s perfect for smaller areas where space is an issue.

Cons

Manual: Manual tilt umbrellas have a few cons. For one, there is slight danger of pinching your finger in the button or tilt lever. Also, having to hold the button while tilting the umbrella yourself can be unwieldy and difficult for frail and smaller persons. However, most people do not have any trouble with this, so ultimately it comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Auto: The only bad thing about the auto tilt umbrella is that on occasion some mechanical models will break down after extended use or due to faulty production.

Source by Tonya Kerniva

The swivel armchair is a great invention that adds an element of comfort to our homes or workplaces. Would you believe that the designer of this wonderfully functional piece of furniture was ‘Thomas Jefferson’ the third president of the U.S.? He is actually known for creating various different devices that now make our lives a little easier.

After a long day at work you want a place to rest your bones and forget about the worries of your day, this is where the swivel armchair comes into the picture. There are a number of types of swivel armchairs, some designed for office use and others to fit in with your home’s unique decor. Whichever one you choose, there are several factors that you should bear in mind when making the decision. Most of the chairs are actually very reasonably priced and go for somewhere between $500 and $4500; obviously the higher end armchairs will have more comfort functions, but for those on a lower budget you can still find several cheaper models that offer a good deal of comfort.

When you are presented with so many options it can be quite difficult to decide on the right one, so to help you make this decision here are 3 of the newest swivel armchairs in various price ranges.

1. Retro style – The retro swivel armchair is actually inspired by the designs of the late 60’s and early 70’s when solid, simple loud colors and unique shapes were a popular aesthetic in furniture making. This chair is priced mid range at $550, which may not suit most people’s budget. This chair is a great addition for those who like all things retro, but the downside is that it has limited adjustability. The chair rests on a single swivel post and a circular stand, you can use a foot pedal to raise or lower the height of the seat and that’s about it.

2. Ikea Malung swivel chair. This is a very reasonably priced model, which has allowed the average person on a lower budget to have a good-looking swivel armchair in their homes. This chair is priced at just $169 each and can be bought from any Ikea warehouse in your city. Again the down side to this model is that you can only adjust the angle of the back support. The Malung swivel armchair is covered in a fake leather cover, which does provide good resistance from moisture, keeping your chair fresh.

3. Eames and Ottoman Lounge Chair. Now this swivel armchair is probably ranked up in the top 10 comfortable household swivel chairs of all time. Unfortunately it is not accessible for most people, as it’s priced at between $3000 and $5000. For this amount of money you get a chair made with a walnut finish and covered in quality leather. The chair offers a number of adjustments for your overall comfort; it actually looks similar to a first class seat on an airplane. You can adjust the head rest position, back support angle and height, armrest heights and raise or lower the whole chair. This model also comes with a matching footrest, just in case you want to sleep a little.

Source by Chris Richie

Did you know that zebra hides have other uses apart from only being used as rugs? If you didn’t now you do. If you are going for the whole nine yards of zebra rug decorating, you would do yourself a favor by learning all the other accompaniments that you can use to complement your rug.

Think of your room, do you think you can add other elements, including your rug of course, without cluttering up your space? If your answer to that question is yes, then you definitely want to know about the following things finished with zebra hide:

Chairs

Chairs come in different shapes, forms, sizes and upholstering. You have chairs great for camping; chairs for the dinning table; chairs for your office or chairs for your living room. But the one thing we are going to focus on is the finishing. Instead of ordinary fabric or leather, zebra skin is used.

Benches

Everything about these benches is the same as an ordinary one. The only difference comes in when zebra skin is used to finish the piece of furniture giving it the black and white stripes that give zebras their unique appearance.

Ottomans

Ah, the beautiful footstools that add their own value to a room. These too can also be finished with zebra pelt just as chairs and benches.

Pillows

Everyone knows how important pillows are to any living room. Zebra skin pillows do a good job at embellishing and putting the finishing touch to a zebra themed room and play the same role as ordinary pillows.

Sofas

Though I am yet to come across a couch with zebra skin, it does not mean they don’t exist or can’t be made. One thing is for sure though, quite a bit of zebra hide would be needed to completely cover just one couch and would turn out to be very expensive.

Complete Zebra theme

If money is not an issue and you think you can give your entire living room a complete overhaul, you can go ahead and buy as much zebra hide furniture as you can to truly say your zebra theme is totally complete.

Source by Zebulani Banda

Do you love the curve of a graceful turned leg? Is button upholstery your passion? Is your favorite color “toile”? Just kidding… it’s a pattern! You’ve come to the right place!

French Country is not just a decorating style, it’s a mindset. On the one hand, it’s a particular look, and always vintage with a hint of nostalgia. On the other hand, anything goes. You can mix materials and textures and just have fun with it.

Some hints: Try to stay with soft yellow, baby blues, and creams. Unless you’re working with a particular French country motif, such as roosters, sunflowers, or lavender. Use baskets, wire or woven, to get a rustic feel. Keep natural materials in mind while you’re decorating. Natural stone, wool, cotton, wood. And, back to toile. It really defines French country.

Let’s start with the most important room, the bedroom. What style bed do you want? You can go from a pared down wrought iron bed… painted a nice cream color. Or, take it all the way to an ornate Sofia bed with button upholstery. Do you prefer a sleigh bed, or maybe something with a canopy? Any of these will work, as long as you have an armoire. No decent French bedroom would be without an armoire. If it has a crackle paint finish, even better. Do your best to fit some toile into your private oasis.

In the dining room, keep it welcoming, old world, and rustic. Mismatched chairs are okay… just paint them the same color. Pair them with a wooden or metal table. Keep the window treatments light, but indulge yourself with a beautiful chandelier. You may want to use shutters for an old world feel.

Will your kitchen have a theme? Roosters and olives are popular for the kitchen. Bring in the baskets and jars to give your kitchen the country feel. A kitchen table should be painted wood. Bring the natural elements into play.

Now to the living room. You have a lot of options here as well. A chaise lounge will do well in the bedroom, but it’s right at home in the French country living room as well. You have a wide variety of chairs that will suit your room, and you’re free to mix and match. Take a look at the traditional French accent chair, the French provincial chair, the wingback style, and the medallion armchair, all keeping with the French country style. Or… just go for an oversized armchair. Here again, if you like button upholstery, buy it. Lots of people think it gives the furniture an elegant, finished look. Is there room for toile in the living room? Okay, let’s move on.

I like the lavender theme best in the bath, but some people like to incorporate it into the bedroom or kitchen. It’s just a matter of preference. Vive la difference!

The most important think about choosing furniture and decorating with it is to have fun. If you feel overwhelmed, get a second opinion. There are many furniture companies that specialize in French Country furniture. You shouldn’t have trouble finding an interior decorator to help you choose some pieces for your French country home.

Source by Cat Harvey

I give to you what was promised, but even better; I’ve created the list in the order of the lowest price to the higher price range!

Basswood- PRICING: is INEXPENSIVE. COLOR: The colors of this certain wood range from a creamy white to creamy brown, or creamy reddish with broad rays and at times with slightly darker streaks. GRAIN: This type of wood has a grain with very small pores and is straight and even making it a -> closed grained wood. Basswood is a common hardwood, that is used in combination with rare woods like walnut and mahogany.

Beech- PRICING: is INEXPENSIVE. COLOR: This wood has a variety of shades in the light brown color and a pale cream sometimes with a reddish hue. Beech wood is usually stained (takes stain well), often used to imitate other woods like mahogany, maple, or cherry. GRAIN: This wood has a grain that is straight with large rays and fine lines. Beech wood is a hardwood that is easily bent although not as attractive as some other woods. It is usually used alongside more expensive woods, primarily in unsuspecting places such as chairs, table legs, drawer bottoms, sides, and the backs of cabinets. Also known to be rot resistant and to repels insects.

Pine [ White Pine ]- PRICING: INEXPENSIVE. COLOR: Colors for pine varies from cream to a yellow-brown with clearly marked growth rings. GRAIN: -> a closed grained. Pine/ White Pine is a softwood that is consistently used for Colonial furniture, and in just about all types of furniture. It is a primary or go-to wood in unfinished furniture and is one of the basic woods of modern furniture.

Poplar [ Yellow Poplar ]- PRICING: is INEXPENSIVE. COLOR: is a brownish yellow with a distinctive green and sometimes gray tinge and stains well (if stained). GRAIN: This grain is uniform and straight with small pores that have no specific arrangement as well as distinct growth rings. Poplar [Yellow Poplar] is a moderately softwood that is used in making inexpensive furniture and in combination with more expensive woods. It is relatively light weighted wood and is easy to work with hand tools.

Gum [ Sweet Gum, Red Gum ]- PRICING: MODERATE TO LOW. COLOR: The heartwood had a pink-brown to reddish brown and sometimes has darker streaks that are sometimes gray with a grayish tinge. The sapwood is a creamy white and at times with pink tinges. If stained properly, it can be imitated to look like walnut, cherry, birch, and maple wood. GRAIN: This grain is usually irregular with a uniform texture. -> locked grained wood. Gum [Sweet Gum/Red Gum] is a hardwood that is often used in making veneers or alongside other rare wood types. Also used in the construction of moderately priced furniture.

Ash [ White Ash ]- PRICING: is MODERATE. COLOR: is a creamy white to gray with a light brown tinge to a dark reddish brown hue. GRAIN: This wood has a grain that is just about always consistently straight, with narrow rays and normal spacing. The wood almost mimics oak wood with its medium to coarse texture. Ash [White Ash] is a tough and sturdy hardwood, known primarily for its spectacular ability to bend when used in the workshop. It is often used for bentwoods and as well as bent parts that are required in some furniture that need maximum strength; Ash veneers are also created commonly.

Hickory [ Shagbark Hickory ]- PRICING: is MODERATE. COLOR: this wood has a brown to a reddish brown color. GRAIN: -> open-grained and indistinct, this wood is very hard and heavy in weight, as well as difficult to work with your hand tools. Hickory [Shagbark Hickory] is a hardwood known for its strength, toughness, and hardness. Is is normally used to build rockers, certain chairs, lawn furniture as well as veneers.

Lauan [ Red Lauan, White Lauan ]- PRICING: MODERATE, although the Red Lauan wood can cost more than the White Lauan type of wood. COLOR: ranges from a tan – beige, to brown, and dark red. GRAIN: This particular wood has a grain that almost mimics authentic, true mahogany with its quite pronounced ribbon – like grain pattern and coarse texture. -> open grained. Lauan [Red Lauan, White Lauan] is a hardwood that is often and usually used to look like to mahogany due to its striking similarities. It is because of this that the Lauan wood is usually sold and known as Philippine Mahogany. It is also used in the making of the lesser grade furniture.

Pecan- PRICING: MODERATE. COLOR: the color to Pecan wood usually varies from a pale brown to a reddish brown; at times accompanied with the occasional dark streaks. GRAIN: Although this wood is typically hard to work with using hand tools, the grain pertaining this particular wood is quite pronounced. Although the grain is often found straight, it can be found at times to be wavy. Pecan wood is a southern hardwood that is extremely strong and durable, reason being it being used very extensively in dining, office furniture, and on occasions pecan veneers are often made.

Sycamore- PRICING: MODERATE. COLOR: This particular wood has a varying range of color shades from a pink-ish hue to a somewhat reddish brown tone with prominent and closely spaced rays. GRAIN: distinct and fine, with an evened out texture although it is found to be relatively easy to work with using your hand tools. –> interlocked grained. Sycamore is found to be a hardwood that is constantly used in the making of inexpensive furniture as well as veneers. * It is to be said that Sycamore wood tends to be a go – to wood for many butchers, to be used as a cutting board / block; probably due to its resistance to splitting and splintering.

Birch [ Yellow Birch ]- PRICING: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Although found to be usually dull and boring in appearance to some, Birch is a light tan to yellowish brown hue ( that can be similar in color to the maple wood). GRAIN: Birch has a grain that is normally straight, but can be found in slightly wavy; it is known to be fairly easy to work with using your hand tools. –> closed grained. Birch [ Yellow Birch ] wood is commonly known as a hardwood that is extensively used in all aspects of any construction of furniture.

Butternut- PRICING: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Butternut wood can appear in hues of light brown to a tan with the occasional reddish or dark streaks. And the sapwood normally being a light yellowish to white tint. GRAIN: Butternut grain is typically said to be straight as well as being very prominent and leafy. Butternut wood is known as a hardwood with a coarse texture and visible open pores; which helps when filled well with stain and often mimics dark walnut wood. This wood is light in weight and is fairly simple to work with using your hand tools. * Butternut wood also comes with the additional nickname of ” White Walnut” wood reason being ridiculously alike to walnut wood.

Cedar [ Eastern Red Cedar ]- PRICING: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: can be found in hues of light red with light streaks or even a brown with violet tints. GRAIN: usually has a straight grain accompanied by some present knots with fine texture. –> closed grained. Cedar [ Eastern Red Cedar ] is a known softwood that is commonly used in the building of chests as well as closets. Cedar wood should NOT be bleached or stained; as for storage chets, the inside should be left unfinished and be given a clear finish treatment on the exterior surface. * It is said that Cedar wood is helpful against repelling insects.

Oak [ Red Oak and White Oak ]- PRICING: MODERATELY EXPENSIVE, but the White Oak wood is usually more expensive compared to the Red Oak. COLOR: Being that these are two separate woods, White Oak appears to have a grayish brown yet rich color tone, meanwhile the Red Oak is slightly similar to its sister White Oak albeit with a pronounced reddish brown tint. GRAIN: Red Oak is lighter in weight, and has more porous and –> open grained. White Oak is heavier in weight, with both having distinct and prominent streaks and rays. Oak [ Red and White Oak ] wood is found as an abundant hardwood. It is valued heavily for its strength and attractive grain. Used extensively in the construction of solid furniture, modern furniture, as well as veneers. Red Oak is best used in the building of indoor furniture while White Oak is much more resistant to rotting, it is best used in the building of outdoor furniture.

Cherry [ Black Cherry ]- PRICING: EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Cherry wood color tone usually varies from a pale and/or light brown to a dark reddish brown. GRAIN: This wood has an attractive and commonly has a definite mottle. –> closed grained. Cherry [ Black Cherry ] wood is one of the most valued woods of hardwoods. It is usually used in the construction of fine and exquisite furniture and cabinets. Cherry wood does NOT require any filler; if you’d like to make the color more prominent, using a light stain will help achieve accentuated color tone. Cherry wood is known to be difficult if you decide to use your hand tools to work with.

Maple [ Sugar Maple ]- PRICING: USUALLY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: This wood has a color tone ranging from a light brown with reddish tints, to an off cream with golden hues. GRAIN: Usually found having a straight grain but can be found slightly wavy, or curly patterns that mimic the curl patterns in birds-eye. Maple [ Sugar Maple ] is found to be a hardwood with strong and heavy attractive traits. It is commonly used in furniture construction as well as for butcher blocks. It is known to be relatively difficult to work with your hand tools.

Mahogany [ New World Mahogany, African Mahogany ]- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Mahogany typically has a varying range of color tones, from a medium brown hue to a deep reddish – brown and even to a dark red tone. GRAIN: Mahogany almost always has a beautiful grain that is found to be straight, even, and fine making it a very attractive grain. African Mahogany has a pronounced ribbon stripe patterns with a lack of ripple marks. –> interlocked grained. Mahogany [ New World and African Mahogany ] is a hardwood that has been found to be a traditional favorite wood in the making of some of the most fine furniture and is one of the most treasured furniture woods known to our planet. It is also used very often in the making of exquisite veneers.

Rosewood [ Brazilian and Eastern Indian Rosewood ]- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Usually varies from a dark brown tone to a dark purple or violet hue, accompanied with rich and prominent black marked streaks. GRAIN: Brazilian Rosewood grain is normally uniformed and straight but in some cases may appear to have interlocked, wavy, or spiral like grains. Meanwhile the Eastern Indian Rosewood grain is almost always narrowly interlocked in grain appearance. Rosewood [ Brazilian and Eastern Indian Rosewood ] is labeled as a hardwood and mimics Mahogany wood in its favorable and most valued furniture wood traits and characteristics as well as being used in the making of fine veneers. Rosewood is known to be difficult to work with when using your hand tools.

Satinwood [ East Indian Satinwood ]- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Satinwood color tones usually varying from a bright, golden yellow tone to a darker yellowish brown hue with a orange-ish tint. GRAIN: The Satinwood grain is almost always has an –> interlocked grain often accompanied by a rippled grained pattern and at times, makes a pleasantly distinct mottle pattern visible to the eye. Satinwood [ East Indian Satinwood ] is a hardwood that is almost always a highly prized wood, often used for fine hardwood veneers as well in the uses of decorative inlays and marquetry.

Teak- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Usually varies from a rich golden yellow hue to a darkening medium brown tone, at times with both dark and light streaks. GRAIN: The grain for Teak wood is usually straight but at times may appear to have a wavy or even an interlocked grain rather than the usual straight pattern. Teak Wood is a hardwood that has been traditionally consumed to create both solid pieces or furniture and veneers.

Walnut [ Black Walnut, European Walnut ]- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE. COLOR: Walnut wood is a chocolate brown like tone and sometimes joined with dark or purple and grayish hue streaks. GRAIN: Walnut wood grain is very striking and attractive, usually having a –> straight grain but has a chance to have a figured ( curly, spiral ) grain pattern similar to the European Walnut grain patterns. Walnut [ Black Walnut and European Walnut ] is a hardwood that has almost always been the choice of wood for fine furniture and is still in demand to this day! Often used for making veneers, furniture, cabinets, interior paneling, and small solid pieces.

Elm [ Rock Elm, American Elm ]- PRICING: VERY EXPENSIVE AND RARE! COLOR: Elm Wood tones range from light browns to a medium dark brown often with a reddish hue of red streaks. GRAIN: Both Rock and American Elm have a well defined and –> interlocked grained, which makes it very resistant to splitting. As well having an uneven texture. Elm [ Rock Elm and American Elm ] wood is classified as a hardwood. It contains excellent bending capabilities and is frequently used in the making of all types of furniture with a specialty in bentwoods. Due to the infamous Dutch Elm Disease destroying so many live, living trees it has made it a rare and expensive wood.

Redwood- PRICING: USUALLY VARIES REGIONALLY. COLOR: Can come in deep reddish brown along with well marked growth rings. GRAIN: is usually found straight grained but in some cases, the grain may appear wavy in “figured” pieces. Redwood is classified as a distinctive softwood and is primarily used in the building of outdoor furniture. It is known to be resistant to decay as well as repellent to insects and is rarely ever finished. It also proves to be generally hard to work with using your hand tools.

Source by Richard Gonzalez

Today’s business environment has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, it can be a tough task to make a sale. Just being aggressive doesn’t cut it any longer. Sales skills alone aren’t enough to compete when so many new products and services become everyday commodities. Consumers nowadays are being smart. You’ve got to distinctively separate your business from the competition and lead each of your prospects and customers to think, ‘I would have to be a complete idiot to do business with anyone else… regardless of the price.’ They are shopping for the best bargains and they all seem to want more than what they paid for. Every industry both online or offline needs a cutting-edge cost-effective powerful marketing tool that appeals to every kind of consumer.

Vacation and travel incentives are one of the most powerful methods of attracting business, retaining profitable clientele, increasing profits, enhancing product awareness, improving employee productivity. Businesses that have used vacation travel incentives in their marketing and promotions have seen at least 30% increase in their sales on both sides of the buy and sell cycle. Companies of all sizes and virtually any type of retail, wholesale, manufacturing, internet, service, distributor or direct sales business will benefit from incentive travel programs.

Why use incentives?

Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider using incentives:

·Knowledgeable and attentive employees account for 80% of the reasons consumers feel satisfied, according to a PNC Bank Corp. survey.

·Fewer than one in four American workers is working at full potential; half of all workers do no more than directly asked, and 75% of employees say they could be more effective in their jobs, according to the Public Agenda forum.

·70% of unhappy customers abandon vendors because of poor service, according to the Forum Corp.

·A 5% increase in customer retention can increase lifetime profits from a customer by 75%, according to the Loyalty Effect by Frederick Reichheld.

·’Reward and retention efforts can produce big dollar returns.’ That’s what the Incentive Federation found in a 2003 survey asking hundreds of businesses using incentive travel promotions ‘Does Incentive Travel Improve Sales Productivity and By How Much?’

What then can we conclude from these survey results?

The bottom line is loyal customers and productive employees are the foundation of a successful business. But to continuously retain and motivate people can be a difficult challenge. Vacation and travel incentives, a proven motivator, will achieve this purpose.

Do your incentives measure up?

Today’s business environment demands a new breed of incentive programs. Many companies have already discovered that standard incentives of just a few years ago just don’t cut it with the customers as well as the workers in our continuously changing economy. Your choice of incentives have to widely appeal to your clients’ and employees’ wants or desires in order to measure up and get results you are looking for.

Hundreds of promotional companies offer incentive programs that are designed to evoke an emotional response and motivate people to take a positive action. It’s obvious from industry surveys of companies using incentives that travel is the most widely appealing incentive where everyone wins. Your sales people will close more sales, your clients will enjoy an exciting vacation experience and your business will increase its profits.

Why use travel incentives?

-Travel is considered to be the most effective reward.

According to the result of an email survey conducted by CMI, 58% say travel is more effective than cash or merchandise. Survey respondents consider travel to be the most effective reward. (Incentive Travel Fact Book)

“Cash bonuses are necessary but travel is a higher perceived reward,” says Verizon’s Porterfield.

Additionally, in a recent survey of American workers, 85% said they were motivated by vacation travel incentives.

-Nothing beats travel for long-term results.

In a 2003 Incentive Survey of Buying Practices conducted by the Incentive Federation, survey respondents believe that travel and merchandise awards are remembered longer than cash payments. Specifically, 69% strongly agree with this statement. (Copyright IPC)

Porterfield added, “When people spend their money, it’s gone. But the recognition that comes from our travel incentives lives on.”

-Travel has a universal appeal and high-perceived value.

USA Today, on their recent survey, stated that “93% preferred travel over other incentives.” This is because vacation travel is something that some or most people would not be able to get for themselves.

-Travel is desirable.

Another question asked on the Wirthlin Worldwide Research 2003 survey was “Suppose your employer wanted to reward your work performance. What would you find most rewarding?”

88% – indicated a trip they plan and take with a companion to the destination of their choice

5% – indicated a trip planned for them and a companion of choice with their co-workers

5% – indicated a trip planned just for them and their co-workers

-Travel has a promotion value.

A more exciting and memorable program can be built with travel than you can with cash.

Do travel incentives work?

According to the 2003 Incentive Travel Facts survey, travel incentives increase sales by an average of 15%. In addition, half of the respondents reported that travel incentives meet 75% – 99% of their objectives. (Incentive Magazine)

Where can I use travel incentives for?

Sales Incentives – To increase sales

In a May 1998 Promo Magazine special report, it was noted that LifeUSA attracted new agents and sent sales soaring by abandoning its annual cash incentive program for a more inclusive campaign that gave out merchandise and travel. By the program’s conclusion, policy enrollments exceeded LifeUSA’s initial goal by 700%. There were 10,000 certificates issued and were more than twice what the company planned for. (Copyright IMA)

Employee Incentives – To motivate, retain and reward loyal and efficient employees

A small retail store in Maryland, Target Appliance, used travel incentives. “We introduced our first travel incentive for sales employees five years ago,” says President Daryl Gamerman, “and since then we’ve only lost staff due to retirement. I don’t ever have a problem with our sales people not working hard or volunteering for extra work, because they know it will help qualify them for a great trip.

Customer Loyalty Incentives – To build customer loyalty and trust

The Frequent Builders Program at Garco Building Systems offered travel awards to individuals. Since launching the program five years ago, Garco has experienced a 15 to 25% growth rate, compared to an industry standard of 2-3%. In 2000, the company grew a robust 37%. While it’s impossible to measure precisely the role that the Frequent Builders Program played, “there is no doubt in mind that it helps to build customer loyalty,” says Loomis.

Referral Incentives – To develop contacts or promote referrals.

‘Refer three new customers to our Tanning Salon and we will give you a free cruise to the Bahamas or Mexico.’ is one example of so many ways to use incentives to get those referrals every company needs.

Purchase Incentives – Increase cash flow and obtain money upfront.

‘Pre-pay a one year service agreement, you will get a free 7 days and 6 nights resort condo accommodation in the destination of your choice.’ is an example how incentives can be used to up sell.

Member Perks – Sell new accounts or member ships.

‘Join our golf club now and we will send you and a companion to Las Vegas with airfare and hotel for free!’

‘We will send you and a companion to a free vacation for 3 days/2 nights in over 30 destinations when you open a checking or savings account with us.’

Encourage responsiveness or trial of product or service.

‘Send back our questionnaire, we will send you and a companion to Orlando near Disney with free hotel and airfare!’

‘We will give you a free 3 day/2 night vacation to Orlando when you test drive our all new 2002 Honda Hybrid.’

Improve attendance

Create new markets

Foster teamwork

Build traffic

Set appointments

Business gifts

Consumer/User promotions

Cash vs. Travel Incentive?

Cash as a motivator is considered an unemotional award and widely over used. It seems that all human behavior stems from one of the brain’s two hemispheres: the left, which thinks in rational, linear terms; or the right, which operates in terms of images, emotions, and feelings. When companies offer money as a motivator, they are addressing performance issues from a rational, left-brain point of view. Tangible rewards, however, are often more motivating because they appeal to the right brain eliciting images. (Copyright IMA)

On a survey conducted by the Wirthlin Worldwide Research, a question “How did you spend your last cash reward?” was asked.

The following results were gathered:

29% – Bills

18% – Don’t remember

15% – Never received cash

11% – Gifts for family

11% – Household items

11% – Savings

Though its value is concrete and while it could be used to purchase a lifestyle award, most likely cash will be charged against a pile of bills or deposited into a leaky checking account where it soon ceases to exist. And with the demise of the cash award goes the memory of its origin leaving no trace of psychological branding.

Joe Devlin of Mitsubishi Fusco Truck of America Inc. quoted, “Cash goes straight into people’s pockets, and they need it to supplement their salary, but our trips give us the competitive edge. They’re a big part of how we motivate the salesperson at the dealership that has the opportunity to sell more than one product.” (Incentive Travel Fact Book)

In 1994, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company sponsored an incentive campaign to improve sales of tires. Two groups were formed; one was offered monetary rewards, and the other an equivalently priced selection of merchandise and travel – related rewards. The group receiving lifestyle and travel rewards outperformed the monetary rewards group by nearly 50%. This was the first documented evidence that cash, as a motivator, is not as effective as travel or merchandise. (Copyright IMA)

Using non-cash incentives such as travel will distinguish a company’s campaign from cash compensation packages. The programs do not become an expected part of an employee’s income. Surveys by Incentive Federation show that organizations use incentive travel because it creates lasting memories for the participants and generates positive buzz throughout the organization. Because they do not have an impact on compensation, it’s easier to use incentives as needed without creating the impression that people are getting pay cuts when no program is in gear. (Copyright IPC)

Join hundreds of other companies like:

Car Dealers

Banks

Manufacturers

Real Estate Brokers

Service Providers

Credit Card Companies

Public Speakers

Furniture Retailers

Mortgage Lenders

Sports Organization

Insurance Companies

Jewelry Stores

Non-profit organizations (fundraising, etc.)

And more…that have discovered the positive impact of incentive travel in their business.

Source by Lynne Gabriel

Since the referendum in June 2016, the UK’s relationship with the EU supply chain has been under serious scrutiny. Fears of the impact to businesses due to the import and export changes are prevalent across the British food manufacturing and processing industry. As further challenges are placed on food manufacturers, producers and processors from the UK Brexit strategies, companies are quickly looking for improvements to strengthen their position. Strategies that will positively impact their food production process.

Business Retention Strategies

Many business’s retention strategies target unnecessary expenditure, as well as short term investments. Investments that will offer long term financial benefits. Typically machinery and automation are at the forefront of business retention. However, since more than 90% of the costs associated with a building are related to the people in the workplace, for the majority, the initial focus for consideration is Labour Productivity.

Labour Productivity

Labour Productivity reviews the company employee organisation, the level of employee numbers, and the final output of production in relation to labour costs. Sometimes drastic changes are made to a company’s employee resources as a result of analysing the LP. Consequently, businesses opt for the redundancy route to eliminate a large proportion of labour costs.

It is becoming far too common to see announcements in relation to staff cuts across the food manufacturing and food processing industries. And for consumers, suppliers and processors alike, it has become somewhat a cause for concern. Even though the long term financial benefits of employee redundancy are fairly minimal, it seems as though rather than being a last resort, staff cuts are becoming a ‘go to’ resolve for initial cost saving and business retention. – we shudder to think!

Staff Cuts are NOT the Answer

Although staff cuts require minimal or no investment and provide a reliable, short term answer to cost saving; making redundancies does have its clauses. Quite often, the main cause for concern of redundancy; particularly in larger, well established manufacturing businesses, centres around negative publicity and the influence it leaves on a ‘brand’. It is proven that consumers build a level of trust and in some respects an individual relationship with their preferred and reputable brands. And when negative attention is brought upon these brands it is commonplace for this relationship to be intervened. And so the downward financial spiral begins.

Clearly it serves to benefit not only the consumers, suppliers and processors, but the manufacturer and company themselves, if all alternative cost saving opportunities are contemplated before taking any drastic redundancy action.

Unable to Afford Investment

We understand that investment in automation equipment and machinery; that can rapidly increase productivity in a food manufacturing environment doesn’t come cheap. And if it does, you need to take into consideration how much ‘value added maintenance time’ is likely to be required for servicing and repairs to ensure the smooth running of the equipment.

Overnight Changes are Possible

When investment in production equipment is not an option, it is time to look at Labour Productivity improvements. However without reducing staff numbers or making radical changes to employment contracts. Instead, turning heads to minimal investment and long term changes that can be made almost overnight. Changes that not only have the potential to increase labour productivity by almost 20%, but also guarantees to provide engineers and maintenance teams with additional ‘value added maintenance time’. Which in turn adds to the increased productivity percentage!

It is not unheard of for a company to overlook the physical environment around their employees. It’s also not unusual for them to underestimate the relationship between the quality of this environment and its employee productivity. Considerable evidence shows that a poor quality workplace environment, particularly in manufacturing industries, can majorly impact on staff performance. This is emulated by the correlation between the state of employees’ health and the level of sick related absences. There are ways in which companies can improve the state of health across their workforce without enforcing healthy routines, diet and of course, exercise.

Environmental Quality Impact

Improvements to the physical workplace environment have proven to better employees’ health and considerably boost labour productivity. Which indirectly reduces labour costs and allows for employee retention.

One of the main environmental impacts to employee health within a food manufacturing facility is the indoor air quality. When talking about ‘air quality’ most people only concentrate on outdoor air, with its concoction of smog, smoke, dust and other types of air pollution. What people fail to think about is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Indoor Air Quality Impact on Employees

Indoor Air Quality has a massive impact on employee health and productivity. To perform effectively in their roles, the air circulation, extraction and ventilation should be optimised to ensure the health and comfort of employees. The health repercussions from poor IAQ are extensive and links have been made to headaches, rashes, respiratory difficulties, asthma, heart and liver damage and even cancers.

A series of studies and experiments have been performed and evidence has shown significant improvements in employee performance by efficiently removing airborne pollutants through extraction. And providing fresh air supply and circulation offers a positive effect on comfort and health. However, in low or nontoxic environments like food factories, processing facilities, and administration offices, it is hard to recognise just how much airborne pollution could actually be in circulation.

Unlikely Pollutants and VOC Contamination

Poor IAQ is usually caused by contamination from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). VOC’s are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. This high pressure causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate into the air, causing contamination of the workplace environment. VOC’s can emanate from a number of unlikely applications; from computers and printers, manufacturing machinery, construction materials, furniture and furnishings, floor coverings and cleaning products.

All of these products and applications omit a range of VOC’s, including formaldehyde, toluene and other chemical solvents. To add to the contamination, heat produced by machinery and technical equipment accelerates the diffusion of emissions into the surrounding air. And since, on average as a nation, we spend 90% of our time indoors and more than a third of this in the workplace, the importance of workplace air quality becomes apparent.

Food Audit Compliance

Understanding where and how air moves around within a production facility doesn’t just improve employee productivity, but it also offers other important benefits. Ventilation mapping, air supply and extraction are central to food manufacturing compliance audits; ensuring hygiene and safety to legal requirements. Furthermore, clean air handling is essential for maintaining separation between high care and low care areas. When these are effectively managed they can reduce the amount of financial loss related to down-time from contamination.

Providing a good level of fresh air ventilation, contaminated air filtration and VOC extraction is essential to reducing indoor air pollutants and maintaining a good IAQ in the workplace.

Boosting Employee Productivity

Small changes to the air mapping and air handling within a manufacturing facility can be made to improve cognitive performance and productivity. Consequently, significantly boosting labour productivity as well as manufacturing output. As a result, increasing employee retention and reducing labour costs and unnecessary expenditure.

Initial outlays for a better IAQ can be as little as a few hundred pounds, depending on the physical size of a business and the air handling products and services that are required. However, once it is completed the business potential of 20% increased Labour Productivity, significantly reduced outgoing costs from inefficient air handling and limiting the possibility of a negative brand reputation, far outweighs the investment. But most of all, it even changes the strategy from business retention to business development!

Admittedly there is an abundance of other areas in which a food manufacturer could focus attention for development and enhancement. But, Indoor Air Quality could be the ‘breath of fresh air’ that a business needs to nurture the UK manufacturing industry through the effects of last year’s referendum result.

Source by Rebecca Savage