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Furniture

Hillary Houston

2013-03-25 15:32:48

Q-I have a number of pieces of furniture that have come second-hand from yard sales and thrift stores. I bought the items because they had good bones and I really do like them. The problem is that my house is starting to look like a yard sale. Do you have any advice on how to spruce up my pieces and give them a more cohesive look?

A-I love thrift store, yard sale and flea market finds myself, so I understand your attraction to them. I also understand what you mean when you say your home is starting to look like a yard sale! A piece can be pretty and have a ton of potential, but it does not necessarily mean it will give your home the overall look that you want. The good news is that you can keep the pieces that you love and have that cohesive, planned design that you want. One option is to paint all of the pieces to match the décor of the rooms. Painted and refurbished items are all the rage right now and have gained in popularity due to the affordability as well as the eco-friendly aspect of giving a second life to an item that might have been tossed otherwise. I know painting your furniture sounds like a lot of work, and it might be. If you are not the do-it-yourself type or start the project and cannot seem to find time to actually finish it, consider having it painted for you. There are qualified services available where you can take your furniture and have it painted to your specifications, quickly and affordably. Not only would you have your furniture done right, you would be keeping the business local, which benefits the entire community. Good luck and happy painting!

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Furniture

Don Swank

2012-11-19 10:16:02

Q- I have been reading your recent articles on the vernacular associated with commercial furnishings. I don’t know why someone hasn’t done this before. Can you go a little further in your explanation?

A- Last month we talked about how office furnishings are often divided into three categories: office furniture, technology and office supplies. While office supplies are the smaller, often inexpensive, items that are used in, around, and on office furniture, the pieces of furniture are the major items that make up the furnishings of the office. We have discussed desks, credenzas, hutches, computer carts and stands and seating (chairs). This month we will begin to talk about the two main classifications of office furnishings being that of custom-made and ready-made, factory-made or pre-fabricated, plus the various types of wood, stains and fillers that are used for these items. Some companies choose custom-made wood furnishings. Contractors work with the business to build shelving, desks or other pieces that are tailored to the exact wants and needs of the customer. Typically, this option is more expensive than purchasing ready-made wood office furniture. For more limited budgets, pre-fabricated office furniture is a lower-priced option to custom-made varieties. Pre-fabricated, or ready-made, wood office pieces may be in fine hardwood. They may be sold assembled or unassembled. Less expensive, lighter in weight ready-made wood office furniture is often sold flat-packed, which is unassembled. Flat-packed office furniture is assembled by the purchaser. Often, these are simpler styles than those sold already assembled, such as wood legs with a glass top that form a modern desk. Pine wood office furniture is less expensive, but not as elegant looking, as pieces made from hardwoods such as oak and cherry. However, its rustic look can work well in more casual office spaces. Pine may also be finished in a dark stain to make it appear more like its hardwood counterpoints. To bring out the rustic, knotty qualities of pine wood desks, shelves and tables, however, a light stain or natural oil can be used. Pine furniture can dent and scratch quite easily, but this can also add to its rustic appearance. Oak office furniture is a popular choice, known for its quality and weight. This beautiful wood is heavy and majestic, lending an air of formality and gravity to any office setting. Choosing the best oak office furniture is a matter of taste and budget, as the mighty wood can be crafted to suit a variety of design styles. In order to choose the best oak office furniture, first consider the style of design desired. Oak lends itself to certain aesthetics, such as early American, mission, arts and crafts, and French renaissance design. Choosing a style that will suit the needs and atmosphere of the office can be a big step toward narrowing down choices for oak office furniture. It is important to consider the difference between solid oak furniture and oak veneers. A veneer is a coating of oak material placed over a body of another kind of material. Oak veneer is usually considerably less expensive than solid oak, and may be available in a wider range of color and finish. Solid oak furniture is made entirely of oak, is typically very heavy and quite durable. Both veneer and solid oak can be treated with clear or colored glaze to protect the finish and alter the tone of the wood. Cherry trees produce one of the most desirable woods used to make furniture. Cherry wood is a brown American hardwood that has a hint of pink or dark red to it. Cherry wood darkens with age and this quality is considered both desirable and beautiful. Light cherry wood furniture tends to look warmer, yet less formal than dark cherry. Cherry wood is known for being durable and attractive, which is why buying a cherry wood desk for your office can add a touch of class. Choosing one that will not only look good but also fit in the selected area, accommodate your needs, and match your current decor is crucial. Fortunately, there is a range of cherry wood desks available. If your office space is limited, a cherry wood computer desk that can be positioned comfortably into a corner might be best. This kind typically has a 90° angle that fits well in a corner instead of a flat back that fits against a wall. Some corner desks made of cherry wood have one simple surface on which to place a computer or papers, while others have several shelves stacked above the main surface for easy organization. You should also decide if you need drawers before you buy your cherry wood desk, though many desks allow room for growth with a matching cherry wood hutch that you can buy separately at a later date. I will be back with more next month.

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Furniture

Hillary Houston

2012-11-07 11:16:45

Q- I just read an article on "refurb fab" or furniture that gets a second life as something new and exciting. It is very popular right now. I love the idea, but am not crafty that way. How can I get that look without too much effort?

A- With people paying closer attention to their finances and to the environment, an exciting new trend has emerged-- "refurb fab"" or refurbished fabulous. This trend takes older pieces and reworks them into something new, and sometimes completely different than the original. The process can be as simple as painting a chair with unexpected colors and designs, or using old wood to make a dining table. The pieces can be ones you already own, yard sale items, or even free at the curb finds. All you need is a vision and some elbow grease. With the rise of sites like Pinterest where people are sharing their work, the trend has gone beyond the home refurbisher to a full on retail trend, with items that "mock" having been refurbished! Of course those mock items lack the history and defeat the green value, but do help you get to that look. For those who do not have the time to invest in that wonderfully creative trend, there are stores that specialize in doing the refurbishing and customers can browse the selections like a delicious trunk show. It is important to keep in mind though, that these are still one of a kind items, so if you see something you love you need to get it then. Some places can even personalize items, which makes a great Christmas gift.

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Furniture

Don Swank

2012-11-01 15:06:48

Q- I have been reading your recent articles on the vernacular associated with commercial furnishings. I don’t know why someone hasn’t done this before. Can you go a little further in your explanation? Why are they called office furnishings?

A- Let’s see if the following will assist. The items that are used to provide functionality in an office (office furnishings) are often divided into three categories: office furniture, technology and office supplies. While office supplies are the smaller, often inexpensive, items that are used in, around, and on office furniture, the pieces of furniture are the major items that make up the furnishings of the office. It goes without saying that offices vary in their needs. Nevertheless, there are some common pieces of office furniture that are customarily found. One is the office desk. For many people, their desk provides their main workspace, a place where they write, type, compute, read, answer the phone, and across which they may conduct interviews and hold meetings. Desks may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or glass, but in most cases, unless they are specifically called “computer desks,” they include a flat work surface — which may also hold a computer and/or monitor — and storage. The desks made specifically for computers may not offer storage. On desks that do have storage, there may be a drawer that has built in compartments, made for holding office supplies, while other drawers may have room for stationery and files. Wood office furniture is available in a wide range of materials and styles to suit many different tastes as well as budgets. Wood desks, tables and shelving units designed for home offices or commercial spaces are sold in modern as well as traditional looks. Dark, light and every wood finish color in between is available in hardwood or less expensive wood office furniture. Most wood office furniture falls into the category of either modern or traditional in style. Modern wood office pieces tend to have clean lines without detailed trim. Unlike traditional wood office desks that are rectangular in shape, modern versions may be round, oval or even an irregular free-form design. Both types of office furniture are sold in a variety of colors and materials. For example, cherry office furniture is available in light or dark finishes. A quality hardwood, cherry is known for its durability as well as beauty. Traditional wood office furniture may have finely detailed touches in a dark cherry finish, while modern pieces in a lighter tone of the same wood may feature very straight lines and a plain surface. Oak is another popular hardwood for offices, as it is strong and durable with a medium to light color that tends to work well with many decors. A hutch may be available with a desk. Hutches also provide storage, but they are likely to have space for books and CDs, with perhaps some letter size shelves on which projects can be stored. Some have a cabinet, as well. Desks have a few characteristic shapes. They are often rectangular, but may also be L-shaped, or U-shaped. Four alternatives to the desk are now common. Computer carts and computer stands — compact pieces of furniture that hold a computer and monitor — can serve in place of a desk when room is at a premium. These pieces of office furniture are designed for efficient use of space and are often on wheels so they can be relocated, if necessary. While the cabinets often include at least a bit of extra storage space, the stands often do not. The armoire has also been adapted from its use as a storage cabinet or pantry into a computer center. It combines the benefits of the computer cabinet with more space, and many armoires have the ability to hide all they hold behind their doors. This can be a boon for an office in the home. Lastly, some people find that a table works for them as a desk, as well as a meeting and staging area. This can also be an attractive choice for a home office, because the table may be able to be used for other purposes. A natural piece of office furniture to go with the desk is a chair. There are several different kinds of chairs that may be found in an office. Executive chairs are expensive desk chairs, often featuring leather upholstery, and generally having higher backs and more adjustments than other chairs. Managerial chairs are a step down from the executive chair, and here the focus is on ergonomic features. Specialized chairs with extra height to fit a drafting table are available for drafting, with or without arms, but with a foot rest. Office furniture for storage can take the shape of bookcases, cabinets including filing cabinets, and shelving. These are available in a variety of materials, including wood, resin, laminate, and metal, and in many sizes and styles. Meeting tables and coat racks are two other items of office furniture that can help complete the furnishing of an office. Guest chairs — comfortable armchairs without wheels for visitors from outside the office or for colleagues who have come in for a meeting are another frequently found item. Next month I will talk a little more about the various types of wood, stains, fillers and uses.

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Furniture

Valerie Ethridge

2012-10-02 14:34:18

Q- We are a Wichita business. We are considering adding 6 people to our workforce. In doing so, we would like to re-arrange furniture that we already have and buy some new to accommodate these new people. The problem comes with matching everything. So that we could communicate in an effective manner with someone who can help us, last month you provided us with a brief “primer” on vernacular for this industry, but can you also talk to us about ergonomics? What is it? How is it defined? How is it determined?

A- With some assistance from a few sources and my own personal experience, let me try and answer your questions. Ergonomics has become a buzz word over the past couple of decades, based on the increasing use of computers in the workplace. In a nutshell, it can be defined as the study of how people interact with their working environment. More specifically, an ergonomist (pronounced like economist) designs or modifies the work to fit the worker, not the other way around. The goal is to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury due to work. In other words, the employee is the first priority in analyzing a workstation or work environment. Officially, from the International Ergonomics Association Executive Council, “Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.” Ergonomics applies to everything from office seating, to factory floor layouts, to even the handle over your spatula! For the intents of this article we will focus on the office worker who uses a computer. In the workplace, here are some key points to consider when making a workstation fit the user: I will address each below. 1) Users should sit centered on their task or their computer monitor 2) Adjustable seating should be provided that allows the user to change seating positions for different tasks. 3) Torso to thigh angle should be 90 degrees or greater 4) The monitor should be approximately an arm’s length away from the front of the body. 5) The monitor should be at the same height allowing the user to work with the head in an upright, neutral posture 6) Keep elbow angle between 70 and 120 degrees. 7) Keep wrists straight while working on a keyboard 8) Provide task lighting at worksurface level. In regards to items 1 -3: The office task chair is the most important investment a company can make for their employee. There are hundreds of options for chairs, from $100 chairs from your local office supply chain store, to highly ergonomic chairs that can cost upwards of $600. A chair is one item where you really do get what you pay for. I recommend that my clients spend as much as their budget will allow on a good ergonomic chair with a lifetime warranty. The better the chair, the longer all the moving parts and pieces will last and you won’t find yourself needing to get a new chair every year or so! In an office chair, you want to look for these features: Pneumatic height adjustment (meaning the chair will go up and down), tilt tension (which means you can adjust the tension that allows you to lean back in the chair), back lock (you can lock the tilt in place), and a sliding seat pan. A sliding seat pan allows the chair seat to adjust to fit shorter and longer legs. It is important to have a space the size of your fist between the seat edge and the back of your knee. This will allow for better circulation in your legs. Another option to look for on a high quality task chair is lumbar support that can be adjusted by the user while they are in the chair. This can help prevent lower back pain, especially for people who sit 8 hours a day. Once you have your good chair, the next items to address are items 4 & 5. After your chair is adjusted and you are comfortably seated at your desk, look at where your monitor is. Is it close to your face or too far away? Stick your arm out straight, and your monitor should be at your fingertips. It should also be at eye level without having to look up or down. You can achieve this with finding something to prop your monitor up on or purchasing a Monitor arm. Monitor arms clamp to the back of your desk and you can adjust your monitor up and down and in and out. You can also swing your monitor around to show someone else what you are working on, without having to move. We have received some great feedback from our clients who have their monitor (or monitors) up on an arm and off of their desk. They have commented on how they have less back issues and eye strain. Some of them even use their monitor arms to stand during the day and can bring the monitor to standing height. Speaking of standing… one of the newest trends in office furniture is the height adjustable table. Many people now like to have a table that adjusts between sitting and standing so that they are not in the same position all day long. This is really good for your back and legs to change your positions throughout the day. Ok, now you are in a great chair and your monitor is set at eye level. What is next? Next is making sure your arms are 90 degrees to your keyboard. For most people this would not be their desktop, but slightly below. A good keyboard tray can solve this issue. The keyboard tray is installed under a worksurface and can be adjusted to fit the height of the user. It can also tilt in the negative to allow users with wrist issues to keep the circulation going. Keyboard trays can vary, and I highly recommend trying one before purchasing one. They are not for everyone! Lastly, let’s look at your task lighting. What do you have for light? A good task light can illuminate your work and help relieve eye strain. There are new LED task lights out now that do not cast shadows that can help illuminate your surface. Once you do all these items you should have a workspace that is much more user friendly! But even the best workstation and chair in the world cannot do everything. It is up to you to take breaks throughout the day and stretch and give your eyes a break. The more movement you can include in the workday, the more your body will thank you!

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Furniture

Don Swank

2012-08-29 14:58:59

Q- We are a Wichita business. We are considering adding 6 people to our workforce. In doing so, we would like to re-arrange furniture that we already have and buy some new to accommodate these new people. The problem comes with matching everything. So that we could communicate in an effective manner with someone who can help us, can you provide a brief “primer” on vernacular for this industry?

A- Of course, I would be happy to. One of the first things you will want to do, or have a professional do, for office furniture for either commercial or home offices is to “measure your space” and note where windows, doors, closets, columns, phone/data lines are located. For home offices, you will always want to measure your doorways (jam to jam) to make sure what will fit through your interior doorways. Typical desk height is 29-30” so the doorway has to be wider than the height of the desk. Knowing these things in advance will help you Next would be think of all the different pieces of furnishings that you will be looking at. The below list and a description of each may be of help. Credenza: A storage unit normally 20-24”deep, typically used behind a desk for an additional work surface or storage. Varieties include kneespace credenzas, computer credenzas, storage credenzas, lateral file credenzas, etc. Most credenzas are designed with a matching hutch, and are designed to be placed against a wall. Many credenzas have a back which is not finished or stained. Desk: Work surface typically with double-pedestals. There are many varieties and sizes of desks, table desks, executive desks, corner desks, peninsula desks, bullet tables, “P” tables, as well as “L”desks, “U” groups, etc.. Hutch: A separate vertical storage piece designed typically to sit on top of a credenza, desk or desk/return, providing additional display or storage space. Files/Storage Lateral File: Lateral files are typically only 18-24” deep, are 30”, 36, 42” wide, and can be 2-5 drawers high. Advantages of lateral files is their drawers do not extend out into the room as far as a vertical file. Lateral files can be made of wood, metal or laminate materials. Different grades of files exist for commercial use or occasional(light use). Pedestal: Storage components designed to fit underneath a desk or work-surface, available in a variety of different configurations. Vertical File: Vertical files are typically 25-28.5” deep, and are available in 2-5 drawers, in both letter and legal widths. . Different grades of files exist for commercial use or occasional(light use), some have ball bearing suspensions and others have nylon rollers. Available in wood, metal or laminate materials. Furniture Materials Veneer Furniture: Furniture made with thin sheets of wood glued to a substrate, that produces a high quality smooth surface. Veneer’s can be made of cherry, mahogany, walnut, oak, etc. and stained in various shades/colors. High Pressure Laminate Furniture: Furniture made by impregnating a Kraft paper with resins/crosslinkers, overlaid with a wood grain or solid color paper, and a outer protective sheet. The materials are cured under heat and pressure to create a scratch and abrasion resistant surface. KD Furniture: Knocked-down, also known as ready to assemble(RTA), furniture which comes unassembled to minimize shipping and warehousing space and expense. Requires assembly to be able to use the furniture. Seating Ergonomic Chairs: Chairs with extensive adjustability to allow maximum comfort and support, while reducing user’s fatigue. Executive Chair: A chair that has fixed arms which are designed for executive, conference room or general seating. Arms are typically mounted to the back and bottom of the seat-but are not adjustable. Executive chairs can be leather, fabric, mesh as well as traditional, transitional or contemporary in style. Side Chair: Chair designed for guest seating in a office, waiting or reception area that is not on casters. Task Chair: A chair that is designed to be adjustable, with arms that can be raised and lowered, as well as a number of other features depending on the chair design. Task chairs are designed for doing repetitive tasks such as computer work, etc. to enhance individual comfort and fit. Typically has a star base with 5 casters. Arms are attached to the seat and/or the back of the chair, but adjustable. Common Office Configurations Desk/credenza/hutch: Common executive office configuration is a desk with chair, and a credenza, hutch placed against the wall. "L" desk configuration: A "L" desk unit consists of a front desk section, with a connecting return piece attached to the left or right side of the desk. "U" Group: A desk and credenza unit connected on one side by a "bridge", forming a "U" shaped layout. Can be either a right or left handed "U" group. Workstations/Cubicles/Panel Systems: Modular systems furniture consisting of fabric covered panels connected together to create a work area with various heights, sizes, and configurations for different functions such as: reception, customer service, telemarketing, project team, call centers, and manager layouts. Next month we will talk about more about ergonomics and how this relates to the commercial furnishings industry.

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Furniture

Michael Montoya

2011-12-27 09:53:09

In the first two parts of this article, all the preliminary steps to get started on designing your new kitchen were discussed. Pretty dull stuff really, but very necessary to get the results that make the big differences when it is all done. The fun part begins now. Q: How do I turn all these dimensions and other information I’ve gathered into my dream kitchen?

A: The kitchen designer will work with you, and through your discussions of the features you want and details that you like, find your sense of style. Through pictures of kitchens in magazines you may have brought, or by showing you pictures they have, your style can be further defined and a design can begin to take shape. Based on the things you like and discuss, they should show your examples of other things that might interest you that you may not have known about. All the while, the designer will keep in mind the physical shape and size of your kitchen. Certain features you like may not be physically possible in the space you have, so the designer should offer other examples of what could work but still get some of the flavor of what you liked about those features. The two things that will ultimately determine what can be done is the size and shape of your space to work with and your budget. The lengths and widths of your space determine the way the flow of your kitchen can be arranged, but the height will play a lot into how your style can be incorporated. Here are details from two kitchens with cabinets of the same color and similar door styles (see photos A and B), but one has vaulted ceilings and the other is a little less than eight feet tall. The kitchen with vaulted ceilings allowed for staggered heights and depths on the cabinets to add interest where only staggered depths were used in the kitchen with a lower ceiling. Other details such as wall and counter top color, glass doors, and the handles and knobs used, further refined the two kitchens to the individual styles and tastes of the two customers. You might be interested to know that in the corner of the second photo, a large irregularly shaped floor to ceiling chase with pipes and an air conditioning duct are hidden by the cabinetry. Your kitchen designer should create a kitchen layout that incorporates your sense of style and includes as many of the special details and features that your space and budget allows. The placement of every item must be considered to make sure all the doors and drawers open without interference. How many times have you seen a kitchen where the refrigerator door can’t open far enough to pull the bins out? There is no reason that your kitchen should look like someone added boxes until they ran out of room (unless you like that look)! Even on a budget, interest can be added with a few thought out but inexpensive touches. The more I do cabinet design, the more I think of it as three dimensional sculpture that has to function. I hope my articles have been helpful for you if you are planning on getting new kitchen cabinets. Of course, kitchens are not the only rooms that a cabinet designer can work with you on....(see photos C and D).

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Furniture

Michael Montoya

2011-11-17 11:35:15

Q: How do I narrow down the choices of cabinets to determine what is best for me? What are the differences between them anyway? They’re just a bunch of boxes for crying out loud!

A: I will get back to answering your questions…but before I do…please note, in last month’s article, there was stock art of a bathroom added by the layout and design people of this publication, as there often is, to better enhance the reading experience. In this case; however, although it was a nice bathroom, it was not one from our company. I do not wish to take credit for someone else’s work or imply that it was our own. Additionally, there was some editing of the answer that unintentionally contained some minor technical inaccuracies. These were in reference to obtaining accurate room dimensions. To lay out a room for cabinets, a designer will need the room’s internal dimensions including drywall. The dimensions should include the lengths of all walls, and where there are doors and windows, the overall heights and widths of those including the trim around them. Where the doors and windows are positioned in the walls, (both vertically and horizontally for windows) is needed too. The dimensions with trim are very important to prevent interferences when laying out the cabinets. The height of each room and whether or not the ceiling is vaulted is very important too. If your project is new construction, the design will most likely be created from the floor plans. The dimensions of door and window openings on a floor plan are called “rough openings” and are typically shown as “R.O.” on the plans. Rough opening dimensions only show the size of the hole needed in the wall to install the door or window. The size of trim to be used around them is not indicated, but it will be needed by the cabinet designer. Now back to your questions…last month we talked about the gathering of cabinet brochures and information from different places. Many places will offer two or three brands so if you have visited several places, you will have a stack of brochures all saying great things about their cabinets. There are two major types of cabinets: frameless (sometimes referred to as European) or traditional framed cabinets. The doors on a frameless cabinet are hinged to the interior walls of the cabinet box, while traditional cabinets have solid wood face frames that the doors hinge to. The advantages of frameless cabinets are wider drawers and roll-out trays for a given overall cabinet width, and they are often less expensive than traditional cabinets. Many frameless cabinets have thermofoil (plastic skinned) doors and cabinet boxes, but the nicer thermofoil cabinets can be quite stunning and lend themselves to a modern high end look. Frameless cabinets are also available with wood doors and cabinet boxes for a look very similar to traditional cabinets. Traditional cabinets are much more common and can cover a wide range of budgets. The major manufacturers of traditional cabinets also offer choices of matching specialty pieces (hearths, moldings, valances, turned legs and other trim details) that are not available in thermofoils. Because of this, these types of matching specialty pieces may not be available from frameless cabinet manufacturers for their wood cabinets either. Cabinet boxes and drawer boxes are not created equal. The boxes may be constructed of “furniture board” or “engineered wood,” which is a dense particle board, or they may be constructed of plywood. Plywood is stronger than particle board of the same thickness. Plywood with more layers or plies is stronger and more stable than the same thickness with less plies. The cabinet boxes may use different thicknesses of material for sides, backs, tops and bottoms. The thicknesses used by different manufacturers varies greatly from 1/8” to 3/4” and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know which is stronger. Drawer boxes and roll-out trays that are dovetailed together at the corners can’t pull apart when they’re loaded like a nailed together box can. The quality of the drawer tracks used can vary greatly too. The better tracks will be full-extension with soft-close mechanisms to keep the drawers from slamming when they shut. Soft-close is a feature on many doors now too. This is especially good to have on glass-door cabinets. Q: The sign on the cabinet display at the big box store say they start at $130/foot, but the salesman said the 10 foot display actually costs $5,400. Why is this and how much are your cabinets per foot? A: This is a bit like asking how much a car costs per foot or what does a size seven engagement ring cost? It really depends on what type and how loaded the car or ring is. With cabinets it also depends on how loaded the cabinet is and how tall it is. A three foot wide 30” tall wall cabinet with two shelves inside will cost way less per foot than a 3 foot wide eight foot tall pantry with swing outs and door racks from the same manufacturer in the same door style and color. The cabinet pricing per foot was started by retailers and manufacturers as a way to compare costs of different door styles and manufacturers but it only applies to a specific cabinet layout (the 10’ x 10’ L-shaped one in the line drawing on the sign that lists the price/foot). The total cost of the cabinets to make that specific layout in the L-shaped drawing was divided out per foot. Even though there are no cabinets where there is a window, dishwasher, stove and refrigerator in the layout, those widths are included in the total length to show an even lower cost per foot. The cabinets priced in that layout have no upgrades at all and use the lowest price level of construction available from that manufacturer. The better a cabinet is made and the more features it has, the more it will cost per foot. Every cabinet in a typical kitchen will have a different price per foot unless there are duplicates. Different kitchen layouts using the exact same manufacturer, door style, wood and finish will have a different price per foot when averaged out. That’s the long answer. The short answer is to ask instead “How much will these cabinets cost in my kitchen with the features I want?” To answer that accurately, the cabinet person will need to design your kitchen using the cabinets and features you want. At this stage of looking, you will have probably found a place that has the cabinet line you like or maybe a place with a cabinet designer you like that can help you narrow your choices down further. Discuss with the designer at that place the measurement info you have, the appliances you will be using and the budget you have for cabinets. The budget part is very important to discuss up front because you want to make sure they offer products to work with your budget. You may need to set an appointment to proceed and your first visit could take one to three hours or more depending on the size of your project and how far you have narrowed down your choice of cabinets. More next month…

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Furniture

Michael Montoya

2011-10-24 14:23:40

Q: I need new kitchen cabinets (or bathroom, wet bar or office cabinets...) – how do I start the process?

A: There are several things you should consider in this process. I am assuming that you will be purchasing factory-made cabinets and not built-on-site cabinets. There are pros and cons for both methods, but I believe that factory-made cabinets are far more effective overall, and they are the most prevalent. I also assume that you will have a designer create your new cabinet layout. For new construction that has not been started, some of the considerations will be different than if this is to be a remodel project. In either case, the physical dimensions and shapes of the kitchen space and your budget will determine what is possible. A good cabinet designer takes all of your requirements and decides the best possible design solution. They should be able to show you examples from possible kitchens and ask your preference, details and features. Factors such as your height, if you are left or right handed, size of your family, how you like your cookware and spices arranged and what side of the sink you would like the dishwasher placed, etc. should all be considered in the design. This is your kitchen, it needs to accommodate you! The following are examples of information that a designer will use in order to achieve the best possible results. Accurate room dimensions: Besides the lengths of walls, the ceiling height(s) and widths and dimensions of windows, doors and trim are needed to create the design. If your project is new construction, the design will most likely be done using the floor plans. Many floor plans only show rough sizes for windows and doors. It is important to know what the dimensions of the trims will be in order to prevent interferences with cabinets, cabinet trim and countertops. Many floor plans do not indicate ceiling heights. Framing plans may not show a room’s internal dimensions, and the wall thicknesses may not include drywall. If this is the case, find out how thick the drywall will be (usually 1/2”) and provide the designer with a true scale plan (many copied plans loose scale accuracy). Most plans are to 1/4” scale, making it 1/16” on the plan is 3” in the real world. The designer needs to be accurate within a fraction of an inch. Designers need to have enough information to be able to create a physical room. It is highly recommended not to order cabinets until your home’s framing is done.With a remodel project, blueprints may not be available, but even if they are, dimensions need to be verified. A crude not-to-scale floor plan sketch with accurate dimensions works just fine. Also, include plumbing and appliance locations unless you are planning to re-do plumbing and wiring to improve your layout. If you are not comfortable measuring and making your own sketch, some designers and cabinet installers could measure for you, usually for a fee. Accuracy is everything. List of appliances and sink size(s): Appliances, like refrigerators, cook tops, ranges and wall ovens come in a variety of sizes. The design must accommodate appliances and any clearances needed for them to function properly. Many refrigerators will have issues if placed too close to a corner (the doors won’t open far enough to allow bins to pull out). Wall ovens and cook tops have different requirements than range ovens. Sinks come in a various sizes and also effect the size of the cabinet. They also come in different styles like farmhouse or apron front, which require a different style of cabinet than a drop-in or undercount sink. Let the designer know if you want a second prep sink area. Obstacles: The designer needs to know the dimensions of any beams or soffits along the ceiling, chimneys or pipe chases on walls or changes in floor levels. Also, make note of any ceiling fan locations and their blade diameter. Pictures and samples: Collect pictures of kitchens you like or features you would like in your kitchen. Cabinet brochures show lots of great pictures and ideas, collect brochures from different places and look at displays. When examining displays, look for differences in the quality of cabinets and details. If you are remodeling your kitchen, bring photos of your existing kitchen. If you are trying to color match an existing paint or wood species and stain, bring a sample of something in that color or a piece of the stained wood. When do you need the cabinets? On average it takes four weeks to receive your cabinets, but they could take as long as eight weeks or more depending on the manufacturer, specialty finishes, custom details or major holidays (many factories close for a week around Thanksgiving and Christmas). On new construction project, you will want to coordinate the timing of the delivery with the home’s build schedule. When starting the process for developing cabinets, gathering accurate dimensions of the room is the most vital step. Everything else follows. There are a wide range of options to cover styles, prices and features desired. Working with a good designer who is open to your needs and budget will also go a long way towards making this a fun experience rather than a stressful one. In Part Two of this series, we will answer questions that will arise once you look at different cabinets and gather brochures. Questions answered include: types of cabinets, woods and pricing and quality of cabinets.

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Furniture

Melody Fry

2006-04-01 13:20:00

I have water rings on my table.  How can I remove them?

Answer: For white rings, there are a variety of home remedies that often work: • A paste of olive oil and salt can be applied and then wiped off after two hours. • You can also cover the water mark with mayonnaise and then sprinkle with salt. Rub the mixture until the stain disappears and then buff until dry. • The spot can be rubbed with non-gel toothpaste and baking soda. Buff the spot with a clean, soft cloth and then shine the spot with the meat from a pecan. • After using any of these techniques, check to see if the spot needs re-waxing.Black spots from water damage indicate that the finish has been penetrated and mildew has started to develop.  This will require removing the finish and bleaching to remove the mildew.

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Furniture

Melody Fry

2006-03-01 08:45:00

Question: I polish my wood furniture and trim but it doesn’t seem to shine anymore.  The more I polish it the worse it gets.  What can I do to get the old shine back and get rid of the sticky texture?

Answer:There is probably nothing really wrong with the furniture or the polish; it just has a case of build up.  Repeated polishing can leave behind buildup that dulls the finish over time.  So, how can you find the shine again?Here are some suggestions for restoring that glow. First check the finish on the furniture to be sure that it isn’t cracking or peeling. Then:• Clean your furniture with a solution of warm water and a mild detergent.• Squeeze excess water from a soft cloth and rub down the piece.• Follow immediately with a dry soft cloth.• Wipe the piece completely dry before applying a fresh coat of furniture wax.• Apply the wax with a soft cotton cloth – baby diapers are perfect for this task.You’ll see a warm satin glow without the sticky texture.If, after this clean up project, you still feel your furniture needs more attention you should consult an expert in wood finishes before trying something harsher.  Different finishes respond to various chemical cleaners in different ways and the wrong combination can do serious damage to a finish. 

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Furniture

Melody Fry

2005-12-29 10:39:00

: We have some wobbly chairs.  Should I put metal corner braces and other metal hardware to make sure it is really strong?

ANSWER: Contrary to what many believe using metal connectors to hold two pieces of wood is not the best solution.  As the joints flex with use the wood will move and the metal won't.  This will result in the fasteners becoming loose.  Taking the time to remove the old glue and add some new will bring your treasured pieces back to life.Follow these steps to restore your chair's creaking joints:• Take the chair apart and have the old glue removed from the joints.• Mark the joints in some way so the chair can be properly reassembled. Try color-coding the joints with markers.• After the joints have been cleaned, reassemble the chair without glue to insure a good fit.• If everything fits, apply wood glue (e.g. yellow glue) to each joint and assemble the chair.• Set the chair on a flat surface and adjust the legs so the chair will not rock.• Keeping the chair level, use clamps to hold the joints together and let the chair set for three hours• Put pads - pieces of carpet work nicely - on the jaws of the clamp to avoid damaging the finish.  By following these handy steps, you can bring your chair back to full health with no harm to its beauty.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2005-08-01 09:54:00

:  Is it true that more expensive, exterior house paint is actually less expensive in the long run?

ANSWER: When most people think of investments, usually stocks, bonds or real estate come to mind. But, did you know that one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner is to choose a top quality exterior paint for your home? Even though the cost of paint continues to rise due to the rising cost of petrochemicals, painting your home with a top quality acrylic latex exterior coating can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in home maintenance costs. Top quality latex paints made with 100% acrylic binder will last twice as long as ordinary house paint, in some cases as much as 10 years or more. The average lifespan of ordinary exterior paint is generally only 3 - 4 years. A good quality acrylic latex paint will cost about $8 - $10 more per gallon. And since it takes only about 20 gallons to apply two coats of paint on an average sized home, the added cost of a top-quality product is just $160 to $200. More importantly, the majority of the cost of repainting (typically around 90%) goes to cover labor costs. Paint generally accounts for only about 10% of the overall cost. As a result, it's important to paint with a coating that lasts as long as possible. You can defer costly labor expenses and invest the money elsewhere. Exterior painting includes more than the house. A quality paint job on your home's exterior is a great first step in sprucing up your property, but don't stop there if you want a complete home makeover. The condition of your fencing, deck, railings and other outdoor surfaces can have a big effect on the appearance of your home. Fortunately, painting these is typically a lot easier and far less expensive than painting the whole exterior of the house. To determine the parts of your property that may need painting, it's necessary to make a brutally honest appraisal. Do a complete walk-around inspection of your home's exterior. A second set of eyes helps, so have your spouse or a friend walk with you. As you do your inspection, keep in mind that with modern paints and coatings, almost every surface can be painted to provide protection and a refreshed appearance, not just wood, but also stucco, vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, ferrous metals, and many more. Some other potential candidates for painting may include gutters and downspouts. You may also want to examine window frames and muntins, steps, entry doors and metal light fixtures. Note where repairs are needed, and have these done before painting is begun. Your inspection may also include latticework, wood or metal outdoor furniture, swing sets, picnic tables, lamp posts, mailboxes and almost anything else on your property that doesn't need pruning or cutting. Doing several similar projects at the same time usually makes the work go more quickly and may be more cost-effective, since larger cans of primer and paint cost comparatively less. And using the same paint or stain on multiple projects helps impart a more harmonious appearance to your home.One more point that I can't help but mention: Check the Weather Forecast! A paint job can be ruined if it is applied in conditions that are too hot, cold or windy. For an ideal finish, check the manufacturer's label for specific temperature guidelines. And, to help identify the top quality paint that's best for your home, ask for advice at your local paint or hardware store, or at a decorating center.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2005-06-01 10:48:00

: My container plants are already looking weathered and beaten by the wind and heat. Since we've had plenty of rain, am I doing something wrong?

ANSWER: I discussed briefly in the May issue, taking care of container plants. If your plants are showing signs of stress, maybe we need to discuss care further.  Nothing is more important than water with container gardening. But, don't be misled by rainfall; it will not be of much importance in supplying moisture to your container plants.In containers, plant roots are not able to search out water on their own. When watering your plants, make sure you are reaching the roots. Watering the surface is of little help. Apply water until it begins trickling out the bottom. This can be deceiving if the plant is excessively dry, because the water sometimes will run down the sides of the container into the drain holes, not penetrating the root ball. Wet the soil with small successive doses of water until you are sure the root ball is saturated. Watering plants from above with a hose or watering can is the simplest and most common method of watering. Allow water to soak in gradually, which minimizes compaction of the soil.Frequency of watering will vary according to weather, size of the plant, and type of container. Always water before plants show signs of wilting or stress. In Kansas summers, daily watering of container plants is usually required. Early morning and evening are the best times to water. Watering in hot summer sun can scorch foliage.During excessive hot weather, watering can become very time consuming if you have a number of containers. Plants can be grouped closely, with sprinklers arranged to supply water, although this generally leads to water waste because much of it falls into corners and between plants.You can revive a wilting plant by setting the pot in a tray of moist gravel. If the plant is so dry that the soil has pulled away from the sides of the container, it takes extra effort to rewet it. The best way to do this is to submerge the entire pot in water for a half hour or so. When bubbles stop rising to the top, the root ball is saturated. To determine whether your plant is root bound, turn the container upside down or on its side and gently remove the plant. Examine the roots. Unless your plant is large, heavy, and hard to handle, the best time to do this is after watering. To re-pot a root bound plant, prepare a container one size larger than the current one, and fill the new container with soil. Take the plant, still in its old container, and press the plant and container into the new soil and container. Then lift the old container (with plant) out of the new soil, and you will have molded a spot exactly the right size for your plant. Remove the plant from its old container and cut any circling roots from the root ball before planting. Water the plant immediately after re-potting.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2005-04-01 10:50:00

: Can landscaping really increase the value of my property? Does it have to be professionally done for the value to increase?

ANSWER:  If you think about it, your property has value in a couple ways. First, there is the financial value; the money you paid when you bought your home, and will earn from it when you sell. Secondly, and maybe more important, is the value of the utility of your property, that is, how useful and functional your property is to you! The land your house is on represents a significant portion of your overall property value and investment, as well as the majority of the square foot space you have available to you fo use. So it's wise to use it efficiently and effectively.Proper landscape planning and installation can ensure that you do get the most out of your outdoor living space, from the time you move in, until the time you decide to sell. This can mean a new landscape or landscape renovation to reflect you and your family's needs as well as further landscape projects to keep up with the changing needs of your family as time passes. Remember, your property is only worth what you put into it, so it pays in more ways than one to keep it up.Take a long look at your outdoor space. How do you and your family best enjoy the space that you have to work with? If you're simply a "deck dweller" and your landscaping is an accessory to your deck area, container planting may be in your best interest. Many of the beautiful spring blooming plants thrive in containers, either hanging or sitting on and/or around your deck. Although professional landscaping is one route to the success of your property beautification, there are many projects that are easily completed in a weekend. Here are a couple of terms to use in your design journey: Softscape comprises the animate, horticultural elements of landscape design, i.e., plants. Softscape elements are complemented by hardscape design elements, such as stone walls, tile and brick walkways. Hardscape, or "hardscaping" consists of the inanimate elements of landscaping, especially any masonry work or woodwork. For instance, stone walls, concrete or brick patios, tile paths, wooden decks and wooden arbors would all be considered part of the hardscape. The trick to successful landscape planning is discovering the right amount of each of these elements. For example, building curved walkways softens the landscape by counteracting rigid lines (a rectangular house, a straight driveway, etc.). If the walkway cuts through an area with great visual interest (for instance, a variety of garden and flower beds, shrubs, trees, statuary, water garden, rock garden, etc.), building a curved walkway makes more sense than a straight, no-nonsense walkway. You'll want to meander through such an area, slowing down to fully appreciate its treasures. But don't go crazy and build all your walkways curved, indiscriminately. It depends on the function of the walkway. Paving stones can be used in any application that you see other products (such as concrete, asphalt, and gravel) being used for. In fact, paving stones have several benefits over these other surfacing products: they are very durable, and can be lifted and replaced, should the need arise. With other products, you have to remove and start again, a significant cost! Paving stones come in a variety of colors, making it easy to match existing color around the house and yard, and they should last over 30 years, which is much longer than alternative pavements under normal residential use.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2005-04-01 10:50:00

: My husband and I are attempting to design landscaping for our very small yard and patio area. My husband's idea of landscaping is adding a maintenance free pink flamingo…can you give me some low maintenance gardening tips?

ANSWER:  The plastic pink flamingo is an American icon that will never go away! This recognized piece of lawn art began in 1957 and is still going strong today. Thousands of yards across the country still proudly display the pink flamingo…despite neighbor's (and wives) ill wishes, they seem to last forever. It takes a special kind of person to tuck a bright plastic pink flamingo into their landscape. Thank goodness, not many have what it takes. There will always be someone out there whose idea of beauty is a pink plastic bird standing among their red petunias…just hope that it's someone else's husband! For the second part of your question concerning limited space for your gardening desires, a patio, deck, balcony, or doorstep can provide enough space for a productive, attractive garden display. Many find container gardening to be a solution to space and time. Each gardener is unique and has his or her own particular circumstances. They may be:• a need for easy access due to disability • gardeners with problem soil • homeowners with little or no land • elderly with limited mobility • apartment/condominium dwellers • plant lovers who just can't get enough   of nature While space (or lack of it) is an obvious reason to try container gardening, that is not the only reason people choose this method. Often, convenience plays a big part. The mobility of container gardening makes it easy to rearrange your garden and to add new elements of interest and beauty. For busy two-worker families who don't have time to garden on a large scale, a number of well-placed pots on the deck often can do the trick. Also, smaller spaces result in smaller costs. Initial set-up costs may be a little more, but once the appropriate containers and materials are purchased, costs are minimal. You will be buying fewer plants and less fertilizer than for traditional gardening. Time-release fertilizer and automatic watering systems can reduce that time even more.What you'll need:ContainersContainers are available in many sizes, shapes, and materials. All containers, whether clay, wood, plastic, or ceramic should have an adequate number of holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Additional holes should be drilled or punched in containers that do not drain quickly after each watering. Setting the container on a solid surface, such as a cement or patio floor, reduces drainage. Raising the container one or two inches off the floor by setting it on blocks of wood will solve this problem. The container's size should be determined by the type of plant selected. Generally, most plants grown in the soil can be grown in containers as long as ample space is provided for them to develop roots. A fairly lightweight mix of potting soil is needed for container gardening. Soil straight from the garden is not recommended for use in a container because it is too heavy, unless your garden has sandy loam or sandy soil. Clay soil consists of extremely small (microscopic) particles. In a container, the bad qualities of clay are exaggerated. It holds too much moisture when wet, resulting in too little air for the roots. Also, it pulls away from the sides of the pot when dry. Potting soil mixture must be porous in order to support plants, because roots require both air and water. Packaged potting soil is relatively lightweight and may make a good container medium.Fertilize plants with the recommended rate of a water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks. An occasional application of fish emulsion or compost will add trace elements to the soil. Do not add more than the recommended rate of any fertilizer. Doing so may cause fertilizer burn and kill your plants. Unlike garden plants, container plants do not have the buffer of large volumes of soil and humus to protect them from over-fertilizing or over-liming.Pay particular attention to watering container plants. Because the volume of soil is relatively small, containers can dry out very quickly, especially if they are on a concrete patio in full sunlight. Daily or twice-daily watering may be necessary. Apply water until it runs out the drainage holes. Water clay pots and other porous containers more frequently, as they allow additional evaporation for the sides of the pots. Small pots also tend to dry out more quickly than larger ones. If the soil appears to be getting excessively dry (plants wilting every day is one sign), group the containers together so that the foliage creates a canopy to help shade the soil and keep it cool. Check containers at least once a day and twice on hot, dry, or windy days. Feel the soil to determine whether it is damp. Mulching and windbreaks can help reduce water requirements for containers. Consider installing an automatic trickle irrigation system if you plan to be away for extended periods.Plant container specimens at the same time you would plant them in a regular garden or flower bed. Fill a clean container to within 2 inch of the top with a slightly damp soil mixture. Peat moss in the mix will absorb water and blend much more readily if soaked with warm water before the mix is put into the container. Sow the seed or set transplants according to instructions on the seed package or plant tag. Put a label with the name, variety, and planting date in each container. After planting, gently soak the soil with water, being careful not to wash out or displace seeds. Thin out seedlings to obtain proper spacing when the plants have two or three leaves. If cages, stakes, or other supports are needed, provide them when the plants are very small to avoid later root damage.Use several varieties of flowers and foliages in combinations of color and texture. Design the container plantings for shade or sun, combining only those flowers that have similar cultural requirements. Plant too much rather than too little. Err on the side of extra plants for a lush, full effect. But to compensate for extra plants, fertilize and water properly. Apply a slow-release fertilizer for summer-long feeding, and water abundantly throughout the summer.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-10-01 15:07:00

: I wish I could afford to redecorate before my holiday guests arrive. Any tips on inexpensive updates for my home décor?

ANSWER: Decorative lighting is considered to be one of the best (and sometimes the most cost efficient) accessory you can buy; an accessory that lights up! Carefully chosen lighting is as important to a room as your best piece of furniture. The top trend in decorative lighting has little to do with style, shape or shade choices. Instead, it focuses on the mindset of the homeowner. Some style choices that you might consider are: Casual elegance which creates a warm, relaxed and cozy environment. Casual lighting is more upscale in design. Soft contemporary: Clean, modern and simple in style, architectural in design. Simplified traditional: Removes the excess; a traditional look, minus ornament. It may be solid brass, but stripped down and rich with an antique patina finish. There is also a move toward heavy iron, and rust finishes are popular as well as oil-rubbed bronze. For a totally different effect, picture wrought iron with crystal, or polished brass with amber or colored glass.  A simple alternative to redecorating for the holidays is to focus on your eating area since that is where most of the holiday action takes place. Look at your existing lighting. Do you have a chandelier? Once confined to dining rooms and entry halls, chandeliers are hanging around almost any room in the house; bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, hallways - anywhere one will fit. Eat-in kitchens are often multi-functional: they are the place where kids gather to do homework; families play games, and adults do paperwork. Since lighting needs can vary, depending upon how an eat-in kitchen is being used, you need flexibility in your lighting approach. Choose dimmable lighting, so you can have brightness when needed, and softer lighting to set the mood for enjoyable meals. Pendant lights or functional chandeliers are good choices to provide ambient down lighting for dinner and bright light when your table becomes a workspace. When using down lighting over the dining room table, be careful not to create unbecoming dark shadows on your guest's faces.  Placing additional light sources elsewhere in the room helps to balance the light.Dress up fixtures with accessories like candle sleeves, garland or cloth over the chain. Or, convert a ceiling outlet by taking down a tired ceiling fixture and install track lighting that can be directed at walls, artwork, or straight down. Dimmers are another inexpensive trick. They help set a special mood in the home by allowing you to manipulate the light. Install them at the wall for ceiling fixtures (and even buy them for table lamps).No matter what your budget, opt for timeless materials like bronze and glass over their plastic counterparts. Timeless designs in top materials will always look right and can become family heirlooms.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-10-01 11:05:00

: What's the story behind donating a vehicle to charity? Is it really tax deductible?

ANSWER: Most vehicles and vessels are eligible for donation including but not limited to cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RV's, pop-up campers, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs, golf carts, snowmobiles and jet skis. Usually, it is required that boats have a trailer so that it can towed easily, but sometimes an exception can be made. In Kansas, boats do not need titles, but a bill of sale or other paperwork proving ownership is helpful. The charity that you are donating to will be able to help you with required specifics. Trailers under 2,000GW do not require title and registration, but proof or ownership or a bill of sale is required.Most charities accept vehicles, running or not, for resale purposes. If not running, the vehicle must be 'tow able'. There must be a clear title to the vehicle; that is, it must be unencumbered by a lien. You should remove your license plates from the vehicle and return them to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, if required, and be sure to remove any personal possessions from your vehicle. Make sure that all four tires are inflated, and the vehicle should be intact with no major part missing.Vehicle/Vessel donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. However, individual tax situations vary so always check with a tax professional to determine what if any tax benefit you may receive from a tax deductible donation. The IRS allows the donor to assess the fair market value of a vehicle. A receipt is provided to verify that a donation was made, but the receipt will not indicate the value. To decide a value to place on your vehicle, refer to the Kelly Blue Book. It's a good idea to keep this information with your receipt. Don't forget to take into consideration the mileage and condition of your vehicle when assessing its fair market value. For additional information, the IRS provides a Donor's Guide to Car Donations, which sets forth the manner in which the IRS requires you to determine the value of your donated property.  For more information, check the Internet for IRS Publication 4303 - A Donor's Guide to Car DonationsIf you are thinking of donating a vehicle to one of the many deserving charities, give them a call to find out the specific details for that entity. Donations are greatly appreciated!

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-09-01 12:08:00

:  How do I prepare my landscape for winter?

ANSWER:  Fall is the season to prime your outdoor plants and lawn for winter. Nurseries are trying to lower their inventories, so the bargains are great, especially on trees and shrubs. When shopping for fall bargains, make sure the plants you are purchasing are healthy. Sometimes, trees in the nurseries at this time of year have been sitting there since early spring. Ask personnel when the tree was dug and brought to the nursery. Look closely for roots that are circling the trunk. This is not good. Ask if there is any sort of plant guarantee. After you choose a healthy plant, get it home and in the ground. If the plant is wrapped in burlap, be sure the burlap gets pulled down and cut off, at least half way down the root ball. Be careful not to plant the tree or bush too deep; the top of the root ball should be at the surface after tamping and settling the plant. Your new tree will require regular watering, but take care not to over-water. Count on a couple of gallons of water per day for the first month. If the leaves start to yellow, before you increase the watering, check the soil. The root ball may be drowning and you actually want to reduce the amount of water. It's important that trees and evergreens be thoroughly watered in the fall so the root system has the opportunity to absorb a lot of water. If plants go into winter in a dried state, it's going to be more stressful and they could end the winter with burns and damage.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-08-01 11:15:00

: Can I apply wallpaper over existing wall surfaces such as paneling, brick, or textured walls? Answer: Yes! Start with good preparation by removing all nails or other protruding objects. For textured surfaces, sand down any high points. For paneling, make sure that the paneling is secured to the wall by adding additional nails if needed. For slick surfaces and paneling, wash with TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) or an equivalent grease cutting cleanser. Before applying or "hanging" wallpaper, you will need to purchase a bridging material.Bridging is thick, blank wallpaper designed to smooth out irregular surfaces. Once hung, this will "bridge" the grooves in paneling or other unusual surfaces allowing for a perfect application of wallpaper. Bridging can even be painted.If you are hanging bridge over existing paneling, you may consider applying joint compound in the grooves of paneling as an additional precaution. Some wallpaper installers use a "joint compound, then primer" technique instead of bridging material.For ceramic or other tile, sand the surface with 200-400 grit sandpaper followed by rinsing with TSP. Apply a prep coat and then hang your bridging material. Examples of prep coats are Roman's R-35, Zinsser's Z-54, California Paint's Prep 'n Size, Golden Harvest's BITE, Muralo's Adhesium, Duron's Tack Prep, and Benjamin Moore's Wall-Grip. You can purchase bridging material at most home improvement stores.Some tips on wallpapering:If the wall surfaces are perfect, flat finish wallpaper is ideal. If the walls are less than perfect, then look for a paper with an embossed or expanded surface texture. For areas that have a lot of use, such as hallways, a very plain finish will show marks. A textured or patterned surface is a little more forgiving. Do you want the same wallpaper throughout the whole house or personalize some of the rooms with unique designs? Borders are an inexpensive way to add personality while maintaining continuity. How much natural or artificial light do you get in the room? Remember, light colors reflect light, dark colors absorb light, but don't be afraid of stronger colors, they can be very expressive and add "depth" to a room. Colors affect your mood, so think about the mood you want to create. Shades of green are restful, Reds are stimulating, Yellows are happy, and Blues are cooling. Think about your own color preferences; the colors you select for your clothes. Do you want your home to be calm and peaceful, or exciting and vibrant? Whatever the mood, it should be a reflection of you. Have fun with wallpaper!  If you really want to express yourself with wallpaper, here are a few ideas:Borders are available to coordinate your wallpaper. They can be used in many ways:• Run a border at ceiling height • Create a split wall with a border at chair    rail height, a darker paper below, and    lighter coordinating paper above. • Create a panel in the center of a wall with    a border edging mitered on the corners. • Borders can be used around architectural    features such as doors, and windows. • Use more than one border, they are    available wide, and narrow. • Run a border at the chair rail height, and    one at the ceiling level. Remember, the only style restrictions in wallpapering are determined by you. © Copyright 2001 by Your

QUESTION: Can I apply wallpaper over existing wall surfaces such as paneling, brick, or textured walls? Answer: Yes! Start with good preparation by removing all nails or other protruding objects. For textured surfaces, sand down any high points. For paneling, make sure that the paneling is secured to the wall by adding additional nails if needed. For slick surfaces and paneling, wash with TSP (TriSodium Phosphate) or an equivalent grease cutting cleanser. Before applying or "hanging" wallpaper, you will need to purchase a bridging material.Bridging is thick, blank wallpaper designed to smooth out irregular surfaces. Once hung, this will "bridge" the grooves in paneling or other unusual surfaces allowing for a perfect application of wallpaper. Bridging can even be painted.If you are hanging bridge over existing paneling, you may consider applying joint compound in the grooves of paneling as an additional precaution. Some wallpaper installers use a "joint compound, then primer" technique instead of bridging material.For ceramic or other tile, sand the surface with 200-400 grit sandpaper followed by rinsing with TSP. Apply a prep coat and then hang your bridging material. Examples of prep coats are Roman's R-35, Zinsser's Z-54, California Paint's Prep 'n Size, Golden Harvest's BITE, Muralo's Adhesium, Duron's Tack Prep, and Benjamin Moore's Wall-Grip. You can purchase bridging material at most home improvement stores.Some tips on wallpapering:If the wall surfaces are perfect, flat finish wallpaper is ideal. If the walls are less than perfect, then look for a paper with an embossed or expanded surface texture. For areas that have a lot of use, such as hallways, a very plain finish will show marks. A textured or patterned surface is a little more forgiving. Do you want the same wallpaper throughout the whole house or personalize some of the rooms with unique designs? Borders are an inexpensive way to add personality while maintaining continuity. How much natural or artificial light do you get in the room? Remember, light colors reflect light, dark colors absorb light, but don't be afraid of stronger colors, they can be very expressive and add "depth" to a room. Colors affect your mood, so think about the mood you want to create. Shades of green are restful, Reds are stimulating, Yellows are happy, and Blues are cooling. Think about your own color preferences; the colors you select for your clothes. Do you want your home to be calm and peaceful, or exciting and vibrant? Whatever the mood, it should be a reflection of you. Have fun with wallpaper!  If you really want to express yourself with wallpaper, here are a few ideas:Borders are available to coordinate your wallpaper. They can be used in many ways:• Run a border at ceiling height • Create a split wall with a border at chair    rail height, a darker paper below, and    lighter coordinating paper above. • Create a panel in the center of a wall with    a border edging mitered on the corners. • Borders can be used around architectural    features such as doors, and windows. • Use more than one border, they are    available wide, and narrow. • Run a border at the chair rail height, and    one at the ceiling level. Remember, the only style restrictions in wallpapering are determined by you.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-07-01 10:52:00

:     I'm hosting a bridal shower for a friend; the problem is that all who are attending are poor struggling students. Any suggestions for "very" inexpensive gifts that we could turn into a fun shower theme?

ANSWER:  Kitchen gadgets are both useful and inexpensive. There are hundreds of kitchen gadgets for using everyday or just every once in a while. Gadgets are the tools that make cooking fun! Host a gadget shower and create the games around the gifts. Compile a collection of gadgets (many can be purchased for $1 or less), make a game of guessing what each unique gadget is used for. The winner receives the gadget as a prize, and a duplicate gadget goes to the bride to be. For gift giving, pair a gadget with a simple hand written recipe on a note card. Supply all the dry ingredients needed to complete the recipe, along with instructions to utilize the gadget. Or, purchase a breadbasket or other useful container and fill with an assortment of handy gadgets such as:• Egg Slicer, Egg Separator, Egg Timer• Self-Stick Hooks• Nylon Baster• Rubber Jar and Cap Opener• Chrome Whisks in various sizes• Serving Tongs• Melon Baller• Corkscrew/Bottle Opener• Potato Peeler• Bag ClipsSome fun gift gadget pairings to consider:• Bakeware Buddy- a plastic knife suitable for cutting your baked goods right in the baking pan without scratching the pan. Great for brownies! Wrap with a nice non-stick finish baking pan, and a box of Brownie mix.• Chocolate Chipper- as you might expect, it is used to chip up a block of chocolate into little pieces. Length is about 9 inches, with aluminum prongs and a wooden handle. Pair with a non-stick cookie sheet and a cookie dropper.• Stainless Cookie Dropper- this gadget lets you drop cookie dough directly onto the cookie sheets without using your finger to scrape the ball of dough off. It may not be as much fun, and there are no fingers to lick, but it makes dropping chocolate chip cookies a whole lot easier.• Spring Loaded Pickle Pincher- a plastic device with a spring loaded set of fine wires that will jump out and grab those elusive pickles or olives! Not a kitchen necessity, but it's fun, and every party should have one of these!

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-06-01 10:55:00

: Are printer ink jets refillable?

ANSWER:  Yes... printer ink jet cartridges can definitely be refilled, and you can even refill them yourself. There are a few tips I can pass along to help guarantee your success. Ink jet refill cartridges can be purchased inexpensively to enable you to refill your existing cartridge. Always read the instructions completely and look over the illustrations before you begin your refill process. Refilling your cartridge does not have to be a messy process. Latex-free gloves are strongly suggested, and to refill your cartridge over newspaper or a sink. The main thing to remember in order to have a mess-free, successful refill is to inject the ink into the cartridge slowly! Remember, you are displacing air with ink and therefore forcing the air out of the way as you are injecting the ink. You want the air to escape the cartridge instead of forming air bubbles/air pockets inside the cartridge. Air bubbles and air pockets can cause uneven printing, streaks to appear in prints or not allow the ink to flow at all. As long as you exercise patience and read through your instructions completely as to not miss any steps, your ink refilling experience should not be a messy one. If you print often and go through at least 3-4 cartridges a year, then refilling can be very cost effective for you. (Not to mention helping the environment by keeping the discarded cartridges out of the landfills!) How much money you will save completely depends on how much you spend on your cartridges.  For example, say you spend roughly $35 on a new color cartridge. For less than half the amount of a new color cartridge, you can purchase a refill kit. Many refill kits offer multiple fills, but be aware that ink, like any liquid substance will eventually dry up, so don't stockpile your fillers. Also, a refilled cartridge will suffer wear and tear over time; the print head wears out, sponges dry up, etc., then you would have to buy another cartridge and refill that one when it got low - still a substantial overall savings. Understand that cyan is blue, magenta is pink or red, and yellow is yellow. Don't wait until your ink jet cartridge is completely empty, refill when the cartridge starts getting low or when skipping or fading occurs. The inks included in the refill kits are of equal quality to that already in your printer. All inks used meet or exceed the OEM (original equipment manufacture's) standards. So, if you or your kids prefer to print in color or you haven't let yourself print everything you would like to because the cartridges are so ridiculously expensive, then refilling is definitely something you should think seriously about doing!

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-05-01 08:19:00

:  How does one go about doing a good job of Spring cleaning?

ANSWER:  Is it really that time again? Let's admit it - spring cleaning is a chore. But with a little common sense, and a lot of willpower, it doesn't have to be a burden.Have a plan!You would never consider going into a meeting without an agenda. The same goes for spring-cleaning. Make a to-do list for each room - and stick to it. Make another list of the items in that room that you've collected but not quite sure why! We all have those pieces of projects lying around that we have every intention of getting to, or items that we have remodeled or replaced, but just never removed the old ones because we just might need them someday. Face it; if you haven't used those old doors, sinks, windows or toilets by now, chances are you won't. These are the items that you can add to your list of clutter to eliminate.Warm up! Spring-cleaning can reacquaint you with muscles you forgot you had. You'll be bending, lifting, and stretching all day. The good news is: housework consumes almost 200 calories per hour. And after a long winter, let's just say some of us aren't in the best shape. Start slow and let your body warm up, just as you would in an aerobics class. Scour your closets and garage! Gather up all those clothes you haven't worn in a year, collect outgrown toys and old (but working) appliances, bundle them up and donate them to charity. Unfortunately, in present economic times, many charitable organizations are unequipped to pick-up large items such as working appliances, useable building materials; doors, windows, sinks, toilets, light fixtures, etc. The only charity within the Wichita area that will pick-up these larger items is Habitat’s HomeMart, on behalf of Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Donations are sold at reduced prices through their retail outlet, and all purchases help to build homes for Wichita families. Also, many of these charities are helping our environment by recycling old cell phones, ink jet cartridges, and other items that traditionally end up in landfills. Even autos, motorcycles, RV's and boats can be donated. And, you are supplied with a blank receipt itemizing your donations. Your accountant or the person who prepares your taxes can evaluate the value of your donation for tax purposes. Prioritize. Your time is limited, and often so is your space. Decide what's most important to keep, and donate the other items to a charity that's looking out for someone who needs them.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-03-01 15:26:00

:  I want to create a landscape retaining wall. Any suggestions on working with landscape timbers versus stone or paving blocks?

ANSWER:  Retaining wall products made from wood can rot, warp, and become insect and rodent motels. Stone or paving blocks are made to be durable, flexible, timeless, and are available in many different colors to blend with your home's exterior.Here are a few tips when constructing a retaining wall with paving stones: Although it's not absolutely necessary, a 1" bed of sand in the bottom of your trench is extremely helpful. In order for your wall to be attractive and serve its' purpose it needs to be level. This first step will save you time when using your level on the bottom row. Stones need to be securely anchored in the ground. How deep it needs to be anchored is dependent on whether you are doing a short wall or a tall wall. A short wall is defined as any wall 3-courses or less and a tall wall as any wall 4-courses or more (7-courses is the maximum recommended wall height). For a short wall it's recommend burying the bottom layer 1/2 (or two inches). On a 3-course wall this will leave 10 inches showing out of the ground. For a tall wall it's recommend burying the entire bottom layer (or 4 inches). On the maximum wall height of 7-courses this will leave 24 inches showing out of the ground. By burying the first row, you have created a stable footing to support the rest of your wall and will keep movement to a minimum. For tall walls you might also mix dry cement in with your sand. After your wall is built, the cement/sand mixture will draw moisture from the ground and help secure your bottom row creating somewhat of a footer.Landscape fabric used behind the retaining wall serves as a filter to keep small soil particles from working their way through the wall when moisture is present. Any material used as a barrier behind your wall must allow moisture to come through so it can help prevent your wall from failing.Do not attempt to build a wall using an edging product that is not designed to be stacked.When used as a retaining wall it will fail.  Edging stone is designed as a single layer product for doing straight, curved, and serpentine type edging. Used in decorating, it can be stacked three layers above the ground (which would be approximately 11"). It is required that one additional layer be totally buried in the ground for support, which would make a total of four (4) layers.It is not recommended mortaring retaining wall products; these walls are designed to be mortarless. A good construction grade adhesive is recommended when you need to secure the top row to prevent kids from moving your wall pieces, and is highly advised. There are several concrete adhesives that work well and most adhesives can be applied with a caulk gun. When building your wall, you may need partial units. Stones can be easily cut to size with the proper tools. These tools can often be rented or purchased inexpensively. Start by measuring the size of the piece you will need to finish the row. For cuts that are 1/2 of a stone, you will notice that many of the stones you have purchased have a groove in the backside of the stone. This is a built-in stress point to help you split stones in half. You start your cut by scoring the wall piece around all four sides with a heavy-duty 3" masonry chisel and a hand sledgehammer then simply roll the stone onto its face with the back sticking up in the air. Then set the 3" masonry chisel into the groove and strike it with the sledgehammer. This function is best performed on a hard surface such as a sidewalk. After a couple of blows the stone should split in half. For cuts that are smaller or larger than a 1/2 stone, you will need to make your own stress point. After measuring your cut size, use the same measurement to mark your stone on the top, bottom, and back.Always use protective eyewear when splitting stones.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2004-02-01 09:19:00

: Is Laminate Flooring really as easy to install as the people selling it assure me? What tools are necessary for a do-it-yourselfer?

ANSWER: Hundreds of people a year install laminate flooring themselves and save at least half of the cost by doing so. Installation is simple since it generally requires no clamping, glue or expensive professional tools. You can purchase an installation kit, which includes spacers, tamping-block, and pull-bar. You will need a saw, either jigsaw, table saw, or circular saw, a measuring tape, an undercut saw to allow the laminate under the door frames, and a hammer. Most homeowners have reported that they can install from150 to 300 square feet per day. Before beginning installation, prepare the room by removing all furniture. Cut door moldings to allow flooring to fit underneath and trim bottoms of doors if required. Sweep or vacuum the floor to ensure cleanliness and that it is level. In kitchens, remove kick boards, and remove skirting trim in other rooms if required. Measure the width of room. If the last panel to be laid is less than 2" wide, reduce the width of the first row of panels for a nicer finished appearance. Remove panels from box and carefully examine them for damage to tongues and grooves. Begin installation by laying panels parallel to incoming light or, in narrow rooms along the length of the room. If installing over existing hard flooring, ensure all areas are sound. Do not lay over existing soft floor coverings. If installing over a sub floor, the surface must be dry, clean and level. New concrete floors should be allowed at least 8 weeks to dry before beginning installation.Follow the manufacturers directions throughout the installation process and upon completion of your new laminated floor, avoid walking on it for at least 24-hours.Regularly vacuum or sweep your floor for general cleaning. Wipe your floor occasionally with a damp cloth mop. Frequent cleaning with water is unnecessary. To remove heavier spots or stains, apply a cleaner especially formulated for varnished hardwood floors. Avoid applying soap-based detergents or wax-based products to your laminate floor as these may leave a dull finish on your floor.

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Furniture

Randy Hayes

2003-12-01 10:58:00

: We need to purchase a new television. My husband says that the "normal" televisions will be obsolete in a few years, and replaced by High Definition TV. Is this true? If we do purchase a High Definition TV, is there special equipment that we will need to purchase as well?

ANSWER: High Definition Television is the new standard in technology that will noticeably change the way we watch television. For starters, the HDTV 16/9 widths to height ratio is much wider than that of the standard television system's 4/3 ratio, giving the viewer a 1/3 wider screen closely resembling the wide screen image seen in a movie theater.    Not only is the picture wider with HDTV, it is much sharper and clearer than standard television. Composed of 1080 active lines, the HDTV picture contains 5 times more information than does the standard television picture, which uses 486 active lines. In addition, the color resolution for HDTV is more than twice that of the standard television system.    And finally, unlike the standard television system's 2-channel stereo sound, HDTV offers CD quality 5.1-channel surround sound (left, right, center, left rear, right rear, and low frequency effects).   If you purchase a standard television set, you will still receive all of your current channels. However, your standard TV set will not be able to receive high definition television signals. Even with a special HD digital set top box, your standard television will not produce true high definition sound and picture quality. For that, you will need a HDTV capable set.   With the exception of the few sets that offer integrated HDTV tuner/decoder, the purchase of a separate set-top-box is a necessity.  Many manufacturers do not offer decoders simply because it keeps the cost of the new sets down, and many cities in the country simply do not have high-definition broadcasts. For those without local HDTV broadcasts, many of today's set-top-boxes will offer a satellite decoder to ensure HDTV virtually anywhere in the country with use of a small dish. Some cable companies have started testing in several cities, but the service still requires that you lease a decoder box before you can receive HDTV.   An integrated HDTV is one that has a built-in HDTV tuner built in to the TV. The advantage is that you don't have to spend additional money for an external box to receive HDTV. However, the disadvantage is that if you subscribe to a cable or satellite service, their box may be required to receive their HD channel service. Also, if standards or technology do change, you are stuck with the tuner you have in the set.    An HD-upgradable, HD-ready, or HD-compatible TV has everything you need to watch HDTV once your HDTV signal is acquired, but you must add an additional set-top-box to receive HDTV signals. The advantage is that you have the flexibility to add the type of set-top-box that suits your needs, such as broadcast, satellite, or cable. The disadvantage is that you may have to pay, rent, or lease the set-top-box in addition to paying for the TV itself.   The smartest thing to do would be to buy a separate TV and set-top-box DTV tuner. This way, the most you'd have to do in the future is to switch to a new set-top-box, and not replace your entire DTV set. The biggest and fastest decline in prices will be in set-top- box decoders. These products are chip based electronic boxes. Therefore, as production volumes rise, the prices will drop. The price for decoders of equivalent performance dropped by roughly 25% per year through 2001. Current prices have leveled off. Over the next two to three years we should see further declines but at a slower pace.   As HDTV programming increases and manufacturers target a broader consumer audience, we will see smaller (under 36"), less expensive sets, with HD capability. But inch for inch, the price premium for HD on small sets may actually be higher than on large ones.

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Furniture

Grace Peterson

2003-12-01 10:58:00

: I love the look of "Mission" furniture.  How did this particular style come about?

ANSWER: Mission furniture is usually solid oak, peg construction, straight line style and dark finish. Gustav Stickley developed this style of furniture. Particularly prized are the pieces created by the Stickley Brothers in the early part of this century.    Gustav was the oldest of five Stickley brothers (Gustav, Leipold, Charles, Albert and John). The brother's work shows adaptations of Gustav's style. Gustav's pieces are highly prized. His factory was the Craftsman Workshop at Eastwood, N.Y. from the 1890s to 1915. Some of his marks were a very early red decal with joiners compass and "Als Ik Kan", paper labels and a branded mark.   Stickley's first entry into Mission (a term he despised) furniture production was with the Tobey Furniture Co. As the new style debuted at furniture trade shows Gustav Stickley realized that he wanted to run this as his own venture. The new style embracing simple lines and honest construction he first fell in love with in England, was far more than just a new design trend to him. It was a awakening of his rural background and entrepreneurial business spirit. This drive eventually thrust him to the forefront of the American Arts & Crafts Movement.    A November 1905 article in The Craftsman, "The Dining Room As a Center of Hospitality and Good Cheer," outlines the philosophy Gustav Stickley brought to life at Craftsman Farms. "A well-arranged dining room, more than almost any other room in the house, rejects any but the absolutely necessary furnishings....the shining array of silver, glass, and china on sideboard, shelves or plate-rack leaves nothing lacking in the way of appropriate ornamentation." Each of the details is critical to the room’s composition and to the interpretation of Craftsman Farms. Stickley’s philosophy as put forth in Craftsman Homes put the dining room next in line to the living room, as "the center of hospitality and good cheer, the place that should hold a special welcome for guests and home folk alike."

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Furniture

Grace Peterson

2003-11-01 14:21:00

:  I've been told that furniture made of oak is the most durable, proven by the fact that many antique pieces made from oak are still in use. When did oak furniture first gain its popularity?

ANSWER: Most of the early furniture from the 17th Century was made using oak because it was readily available in many parts of the country. Middle class growth gave rise to a demand for furniture that could not only be used for domestic purposes but also for displaying the wealth of the household. Many items were made to order and reflected the specific requirements of size and decoration. Often, the pieces were dated and initialed, sometimes commemorating a marriage or birth in the family. Branded initials are often found on furniture and different initials often reflect a change of ownership.    Oak was the primary wood used in Pilgrim construction in the Colonies in the early and mid 17th century, but it was almost not used at all from the late 17th century to the late 19th century in the U.S., although it was used extensively in England and Europe during this period. Oak was used not only as a primary wood but also as the secondary wood in England. The secondary wood dimensions were reduced and used for drawer sides and bottoms, which were thinner and reduced the weight of the piece. During the great non-oak period in America, the favorite primary woods were walnut, mahogany, cherry, and maple. Pine and poplar remain favorites in American secondary woods, since they are abundant and inexpensive.    Early oak furniture is still available today because of the durability of oak as a material and also because of the quality of the workmanship. A joiner had to work several years as an apprentice before he was able to join a guild of craftsmen. The guilds insisted on the highest standards of craftsmanship and materials, which has ensured the consistency in the quality of 17th Century oak furniture. The color and surface of furniture pieces existing from that period has been acquired through years of dusting and polishing build-up, which gives it softness.   In 1928 a new period of style emerged, known as "Renaissance Oak."  This was the first truly American period of furniture. It assured the heirloom quality, as well as the inherent beauty of Oak. There were many new oak designs available and an increasing demand for oak lines.

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Furniture

Grace Peterson

2003-10-01 11:56:00

QUESTION: I often hear others say to buy from the local area merchants instead of outside of the market.  What are the advantages and disadvantages to shopping locally vs. out-of-town?

ANSWER: The answer to this question depends a lot on who you are... a local merchant or a large out-of-town concern.  When you buy in your local area you normally will get service after the sale that you will not get when buying out of town.  In some industries, large out of town stores promise the "best price", "best service", and "best selection".  They may very well provide the same, but all too often one finds that after traveling hours and wading through inventory that is found at discount stores everywhere, that the price, service and selection is not what it is 'cracked' up to be.   Local specialty stores can often offer unique one-of-a-kind items other stores do not have or do not have available.  Local sales personnel will likely be more friendly, courteous and helpful, for the simple reason that they know they're going to see you again.  If you buy from an out-of-town large retailer, and have a problem with a wrong delivery, you may have to wait until they have a truck coming back to the area again. Additionally, it's no secret, keeping money circulating locally by buying locally helps the local economy, which most of us are interested in.   There are generally pluses and minuses for every decision.  When they're all tallied on this subject, it's pretty hard to make a case for whybuying out-of-market is better than buying in-market.

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Furniture

Melody Fry

1969-12-31 18:00:00

Some of the wood furniture in my home is separating at the joints.  What causes this?

ANSWER: While this can be caused by several things the most common cause is excessive dryness.  This can cause shrinkage and even brittleness and cracking in wood.Even though wood used in manufacturing furniture and trim is dried before being used, it still contains 10 to 12 percent moisture.  A very dry environment can draw the moisture level in wood down thereby causing shrinkage.  This can be accelerated by continuous or large changes in temperature.  Another aggravating factor can be air blowing across the furniture or direct sunlight on the piece.  All of these factors can be present in our homes, offices and business establishments and are most prevalent in the winter when we take dry, cold air; heat it up; then blow it through our houses.The best cure for this is prevention.  Controlling the environment with a fairly constant temperature and a controlled humidity in the 60 percet range will go a long way to preventing these problems.  Also try to place fine wood furniture away from the direct blast of heating vents and not directly in front of a window that receives direct sunlight.  Also, treating the wood with an oil (without silicones) meant for wood preservation helps keep the moisture in the wood.If your furniture has already been damaged you may be able to restore it to some degree by getting it into a better environment for a period of time to allow the wood to re-absorb some moisture.  Then, if it is just the joints that have been damaged it can be disassembled and re-glued.  If the actual wood has split then it may take more serious reconstruction or even be time to consider replacing it.  Just try to improve the environment for the repaired or replaced piece if at all possible.