January 22, 2009

Home Office Furniture on a Budget

Posted under Home Office | Comments (0)

The Newport Cove Collection

As you sit in your home office, working on that pesky project that your boss sent home with you, your mind may begin to wander.  Perhaps you will think about a rocky New England shore, walking along the beach and feeling the salty sea breeze ruffle your hair. You may hear the cry of seagulls, the waves crashing into the coastline, and the aroma of broiling lobster may even filter through. Um hmmm, you’ve been there before.

Unfortunately, we can’t offer you a fantastic New England vacation–complete with chowder. However, we can make your work environment worthy of a daydream with our Newport Cove home office collection. Its clean and simple white bead board elements give light and air to an office, as well as a hint of old Northeast charm.

The collection offers ample storage space, in its bookshelf, cabinet, and credenza (which can be complemented with a matching hutch). It also provides a sturdy, yet elegant writing desk. All of the pieces are antique white, with warm cherry accents and exquisite nickel details.

The collection makes your home office feel more like a home, and less like a cubicle. Its straightforward lines give it the ability to flow effortlessly with the décor in the rest of your house.

With The Roomplace’s Newport Cove collection, your home office will soon become your new favorite room, and make it an ideal place for the children to do homework and for you to finish up that report. Drop by any of our Chicago area Roomplace locations

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January 16, 2009

A Home Office that Works for You

Posted under Home Office | Comments (0)

Have all the space you need to work effectively and efficiently.

Have all the space you need to work effectively and efficiently.

Does your workspace create more stress than your job? For the work-at-home professional, a clean, organized and well-decorated home office space is essential to a productive work day.  Here are a few decorating ideas from The Room Place for creating a new home office, or transforming your existing one.

The ultimate goal of any home office should be to create an atmosphere that lends itself to productivity.  For most of us, this means clearing away clutter, finding storage space for necessary items, and selecting comfortable, well-designed office furniture.

So, where should you start?  The largest piece of furniture within your home office will likely be your computer desk, so it’s a good place to begin.  When selecting a desk, look for a piece that will comfortably hold your computer, printer, and still provide you with enough space to spread out a few files, books, or other paperwork as you work.

Since many of us often use our home office for personal business as well as work, look for a desk with separate storage spaces for work and home files.  Many home office furniture sets offer add-on options such as a hutch or additional filing cabinets.   Keep in mind that you may want the option to add pieces as your business grows or your needs change.

One often overlooked home office item is the desk chair.  Even if you’re on a tight budget, don’t skimp here!  Choosing the right chair for you can prevent hours of discomfort and back pain.  Look for desk chairs with back support and adjustable height settings.

Don’t forget to add those special, comforting touches to your home office space.  A warm shade of paint, a green plant, a floral arrangement, artwork, or pictures of friends and family can provide welcome relief from the daily grind of conducting business.

The office furniture shown above is available at The Room Place.  Visit www.theroomplace.com for more information!

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January 10, 2009

Create a Bedroom to Grow with Your Child

Posted under Bedrooms, Kid's Rooms, Uncategorized | Comments (0)

a-bedroom-to-grow-with-your-child3

Every mother wants her child to have a playful, age-appropriate, and well-organized bedroom. But, children grow so quickly that it’s often difficult to decide which furnishings to choose. Here are a few tips from The Roomplace for choosing a child’s bedroom furniture, and decorating a child’s bedroom.

Bed, Dresser and Nightstand: When selecting major pieces for your child’s bedroom, it’s important to consider your child’s present and future needs. After all, bedroom furniture is a major purchase, and should be designed to last for years.

For example, selecting a well-constructed, full-size bedroom furniture set which will bring years of enjoyment is often a better long-term value than choosing a toddler bed or other cartoon character-themed items which your child will likely outgrow within a few years. In addition, classic furniture styles with neutral wood finishes will accommodate many decorating themes, and your child’s changing preferences over the years.

When selecting a child’s bed, don’t forget about the possibility of hosting sleepovers with friends! A trundle bed, like the one shown above, provides a comfortable place for a friend to settle in, and can be neatly tucked out-of-sight when not in use.

Accessories: After selecting major furnishings, you’ll want to add the finishing touches to your child’s bedroom by bringing in fun accessories that express their unique personality. Accessories can be easily changed as your child grows and changes, so they provide a great way to bring in their favorite characters, animals, and television shows. Don’t forget a small lamp for reading bedtime stories, and a nightlight to scare away any fear of the dark.

Storage: When choosing furniture and accessories for your child’s bedroom, look for items with shelves and built-in storage compartments. Bins and baskets added to a simple bookcase make great places for storing and organizing blocks, toys, dolls, and books.

The children’s bedroom furniture shown above is available at The Roomplace. Stop by any of our showrooms, or visit our website at http://www.theroomplace.com.

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January 5, 2009

Big Ideas for Small Spaces

Posted under Bedrooms, Dining Rooms, small spaces | Comments (0)

Use Furniture to Make Your Dining Room Look Bigger

Use Furniture to Make Your Dining Room Look Bigger

One look at the New York Collection by Cindy Crawford Home, and you can see how it’s just perfect for small dining rooms. The glass-top table, available at The Room Place, eliminates the heavy look of a dark colored table top, and gives way to a well-lit and airy space. The sideboard has a slim profile that seems to hug the wall, leaving plenty of room for a walkway and dining comfort.

Do you get frustrated when it comes to decorating the smaller rooms in your home? It’s a common decorating problem, but there are many tricks you can use to open up the tiniest of spaces, and still manage to squeeze in all the necessary home furnishings.

Don’t overlook the amount of vertical space available in any small room. Armoires, china cabinets, and bookcases can work well in small spaces for the amount of storage and interest they provide. And, remember that china cabinets aren’t just for dishes. They can also be filled with conversation items such as heirlooms, books, and special collections to add elements of your unique personality to your space.

After you’ve chosen the furniture for your small space, it’s time to decide on a paint color. Most decorators recommend light colors for small spaces. However, a light color doesn’t have to mean going with sterile shades of white. Any shade of beige, lighter greens, and gray often work well in small spaces. In addition, some decorators recommend tricks for playing up ceiling height in small spaces, as the illusion of height creates a sense of more space. Suggestions include crown molding, and two-tone paint combinations with the darkest shade closest to the ceiling.

The New York Collection and other selections from the Cindy Crawford Home collection are available at The Room Place. Visit www.theroomplace.com for more information.

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