The Care And Feeding Of Wooden Furniture

Nothing takes the place of having beautiful furniture around us in our homes and offices. Our environments matter, and having beautiful furniture around us adds to those environments. Caring for furniture properly is important and keeps it looking its best and lasting longer. 

Taking care of your furniture is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3.

To Care For And Feed Your Wooden Furniture:

1- Give your furniture the rub. Dust can damage furniture and leave tiny scratches that allow deterioration to begin. To prevent premature wear and tear, dust your furniture at least once per week. Use a clean, soft, cloth to remove dust. Using a clean cloth prevents spreading the dust around rather than removing it. Wipe the cloth in the same direction as the grain of the wood.

2- We all benefit from taking a bath and occasionally, your furniture can benefit from a good cleaning too. Harsh detergents and cleaners, and water, are too corrosive for your wood furniture. Instead, use a gentle cleaner that is created especially for wood. Give your furniture a cleaning on a regular basis.

3- Restore luster with a good furniture polish. This feeds and nourishes the wood which can otherwise dry out and possibly crack. At least twice per month feed and nourish your wooden furniture with a polish that is made especially for wood. A polish that doesn't leave a residue is perfect. Apply the polish with a soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. For those wooden furniture pieces that are oiled, use a good product that contains lemon oil. Using a product that includes lemon oil in its ingredient list will also increase the UV protection of the wood.

4- When possible use table linens, and place mats. Avoid using vinyl or plastic on your wooden table and rotate your accessories often. Should scratches occur, hide the blemishes with touch-up markers, and filler sticks. A good water ring and mark remover will be helpful in treating water rings. Avoid placing wax candles directly on your furniture or glass items that may perspire. This will help to avoid creating furniture rings.

If your don't already have regular care for your wooden furniture on your to do list, add it now. Then follow through on giving your furniture the loving care that it deserves.

Spring Decorating Tips

1. Spring is here! Nothing elevates a mood more than a new candle with a summer scent, a fresh pair of pillows on a tired sofa and boxing up a dark, heavy, winter quilt and replacing it with a light weight throw blanket.

2. Your home is a reflection of you! Select your furnishings and accessories to tell your personal story through their colors and style.

3. Cool colors like blue, purple and green are considered tranquil colors. Use them in bedrooms, bathrooms and family rooms designed for relaxation.

4. Warm colors like red, orange and yellow are stimulation colors. Use them in spaces for activity and conversation, like dining rooms.

5. Blend and layer multiple shades and textures of the same color for a monochromatic look.

6. If you desire a visually energetic room, follow the color wheel and use contrasting or complementary colors in your design.

7. If you desire a serene room, follow the color wheel and use harmonious colors or those close together on the color wheel.

8. Consider your lifestyle when choosing fabrics. Remember to combine patterns, colors and textures to give a room interest.

9. Be eclectic in your style as you select furnishings. Styles can be compatible but a little different.

10. The MOST IMPORTANT work you will do will be within the walls of your own home. Make it a beautiful and enjoyable place to be!

Heather Osmond
Osmond Designs

Bedroom Furniture at Osmond Designs

Isn't this bed fabulous? We have all types of beautiful bedroom furniture at Osmond Designs on our showroom floor and for special order.

Visit us at one of our Osmond Designs store locations.

 Come by and see us!

Osmond Designs is Excited to be part of the Utah Valley HOME and garden Expo sponsored by Utah County Association of Realtors this weekend! 

 

The Expo is March 23-24th at the UCCU Center at UVU in Orem from 11 am to 8 pm. Look for us at Booths M11-M12. We look forward to seeing you there.

The New Global Design

Recently, Global Design has taken a contemporary turn. Today's Global Design blends a minimal modern look, with rich textures and accents. Although the traditional look of Global Design is alive and well, a new mix has entered the design scene adding more options and choices to Global Decor furniture and offerings.

Modern Global Design

Global Design by definition is a design created from a variety of furniture and accessories spanning cultures from across the world. Often this type of design is created by collecting items such as furniture and accessories gathered during world travel. Those who love to visit many countries and travel locations enjoy blending the items they have collected into a tasteful and well loved Global décor. Others enjoy the look of world travel in their home or office environment and adopt this design style by purchasing collectibles from around the globe. Whichever way global elements are obtained, the unique combination of collected world wide items creates a personal look and a style that is all one's own.

Children's Room designed in Global decor

The colors and styles used in global design can vary greatly depending on which country of origin the items are from. Blending colors and styles from multiple countries of origin creates a colorful mix. Color palettes range from neutral with pops of color, to bright intense color combinations. The Global Design of the children's room pictured above uses pinks and blues in an unexpected Global Decor look. It's sweet, kid friendly, and exotic all at the same time. A variety of furniture and accessories creates the look. 

Neutrals combined with pops of color create a soothing and interesting mix of Global Decor in this room. From the carved chest to the unique shape of the vase, global elements add touches that are exotic to the decor of this room and lend an air of world travel. Even the florals and palms add global contrast. The beauty of Global Design is the unexpected, exotic, flare it lends to a room. Those who may not be ready to design an entire room around Global decor may like adding a small item of furniture, or a few accessories that are of a global nature to a room as interesting accents.


by Debra Breitenstein

Great Room Decor

What creates great room decor? Some would say the type of furniture in the room is what makes or breaks the decor of a room, others would say, the color or style of the room is what creates the best room decor. Still other voices would insist that decor isn't a focus to the way they furnish a room, but a side note to their life given little thought. When it's all said and done, from my perspective, all decor is an expression. An expression of thoughts, art, color, design, personality, taste, and much more. Each person is unique, and being a unique individual is the basis for unique decor, decor that is all ones own.

 It is self expression that customizes and personalizes room decor. Even if a person doesn't give much thought to the room decor they are creating, they are creating an environment and decor in that room none the less.  Room decor is an expression of life and lifestyle. An expression that we live our lives in each day.

 Furniture, color, design, style, personality and more create an environment. It is that environment that has an impact on each person. Studies on how a color influences behavior and feelings have been done again and again; what a person sees and experiences has an impact in their lives. For this reason it makes sense to fill our room decor with things we love, things that bring positive thoughts, and feelings into our lives each day.

Sleek design, weathered design, soft, contrasting, rough, old, new, all types of finishes and textures are the perfect texture to the one who loves them. There is no one way to use them, combine, or envision them. That is the beauty of room decor. That is the beauty of design. It can be as unique as each individual is.


by Debra Breitenstein

Employee Spotlight - Chanelle Anderson

Osmond Designs Design Consultant Chanelle Anderson

Design Consultant Chanelle Anderson loves creating decor arrangements and working with the discount designer furniture at Osmond Designs. Chanelle has been on our Osmond Designs team for almost a year. Chanelle started work at Osmond Designs as an intern from LDS Business College in the Interior Design Program and graduates from the program in April. 

A typical day for Chanelle includes creating decorative furniture arrangements on the showroom floor and assisting in creating decorative vignettes for the Osmond Designs Orem Designer Furniture Outlet, attending to customers, and working with other employees. Customers bring in pictures of their space and Chanelle will assist them with design ideas. Many customers come in and ask specifically for Chanelle. They love her creative ideas and the suggestions that she provides. 

A recent favorite Chanelle likes is the Industrial style and Restoration Hardware look. Her favorite design style is always changing and she loves anything and everything to do with design.
 

Recent Room Decor, Industrial Restorative Hardware look designed by Chanelle Anderson

The more Chanelle works with design, the more new ideas come to Chanelle. Interior Design is Chanelle's favorite hobby. Chanelle did a project for the University of Utah Organic Chemistry Study Center. Her idea was the winning design idea. The study center was in need of a design make over. Chanelle spent a great deal of time with the students interviewing them on how the study space would function.

 

Utah University Organic Chemistry Study Center BEFORE

With a limited budget, Chanelle worked with the team to bring her winning idea to life! Combining the ideas of scientists and designers is not an easy task, but Chanelle and her team members pulled it off with flying colors. 

,

Utah University Organic Chemistry Study Center AFTER

Red was a given because the Organic Chemistry Study Center is part of the University of Utah after all. Now that Chanelle's idea has been implemented, the study center is a much more appealing place. We appreciate Chanelle and all that she does here at Osmond Designs. When you come into the store be sure to say hello to Chanelle and to our other Design Consultants. We are happy to help you find the perfect decor for your room and the perfect discount designer furniture to create amazing decor for your home.


by Debra Breitenstein

Designing With Pillows

Osmond Designs Garden Theme Pillows

Pillows like many accessories can make a big impact on a room. By adding color, personality, accent, and focal points to a room, pillows fill in decorating gaps and add that extra something that pulls a room together.With the huge variety of pillows on the market today, it's possible to get any look that's desired.

Let's start with an unaccented sofa from Osmond Designs. 

Osmond Designs Prelude Sofa in Champagne  # 41162

This Champagne colored sofa from Osmond Designs is neutral and the perfect backdrop for adding pillow accents to a room. A wide variety of colors, designs, patterns, and looks can be used on any neutral sofa to create a fabulous look.

With today's eclectic looks, all types of styles are used to create personalized decor in a room. Mix up decorating styles, design, and accents to create your own personal look. Gone are the days of matchy, matchy, decorating where one style is used on all decorating elements of a room.

Today's best American decor is a mix of styles, colors, textures, and expressions. Create a fresh look of your own using this decorating principle.

To begin adding pillows to your sofa, start with a basic foundation. Choose the colors that are desired to accent to the room. Here we start with a few basic pillows in the colors we have chosen.

Osmond Designs Prelude Sofa in Champagne  # 41162 with Dusty Ruffled Pillow, and Burlap Pillows # 8234

This color palette is comprised of very muted colors. They are soft, and very neutral in and of themselves. Although one can see a difference with these pillows added to our sofa, there isn't much personality to this combination so far.

Let's see if we can ramp up the look of this pillow combination.

Burlap Pillows # 8234,  Document Pillows # 46648, Dusty Ruffled Pillow

 By adding two more pillows in a Document print, this pillow combination now looks polished and finished. Now it has some personality.

Close up Dusty Ruffled Pillow and Document Pillows # 44936

This is a close up of the textures this pillow design creates. The ruffled pillow, document design pillows, and fresh burlap pillows add interest and a mix of pleasing textures to this look.

Another pillow design on our same Osmond Designs Prelude sofa in Champagne # 41162

By adding a few more pillows in a contrast color, and changing things up a bit, the look pops! The black ruffled pillows add that extra zing to this pillow design and the document pillow is showcased.

 Burlap Pillows # 8234,  Printed Pillows # 42136, Pillow # 41924 reversed.

Fun printed pillows and a melon colored pillow, change the look. Here the melon accent pillow is placed behind the printed pillows to add just a bit of color and a bit of the unexpected.

Green Pillows # 8231, and Printed Pillows # 41924

Green sherbert pillows combined with hot peach, melon, light aqua, and green print pillows on a white background, create a colorful more minimal look.

Green Pillows # 8231, and Printed Pillows # 41924 reversed.

Citrus pillows add eye catching appeal to this pillow design. By simple flipping the printed pillows over a new look is created. Try adding an accent pillow in the center that has a novelty print, shape, or whimsical feel to personalize this look and blend it with surrounding decor.

Green Pillows # 8231, and Document Pillows # 46648

Fresh green pillows and document pillows with brown and green print give a fresh feel to this pillow design.

Green Pillows # 8231 and Document Pillows # 46648 close up.

The choices for pillow design are virtually endless. Come play with pillow combinations at one of our Osmond Design store locations. Our showroom designers are happy to help with pillow design ideas that will create the perfect look for your home or office.



by Debra Breitenstein 

Osmond Designs Stores!!

Osmond Designs has fabulous furniture on our show room floor and special order items!!! 

Check Both Lehi and Orem locations for fabulous bargains.

One of a kind items are available only while supplies last.

The Rich Elegant Look of Osmond Designs

Osmond Designs, Metal Picture Frame, Clock, Lamp, Silk Plants, and Decorative Metal Screen

Have you ever wondered how to create the rich elegant look in your home that you see in our Osmond Designs showroom? The lush, rich, look of our Osmond Designs showroom may look expensive, however the pricing of our furniture is low. Discount designer furniture at Osmond Designs is offered at close to wholesale or below wholesale pricing. This creates the opportunity to decorate your home with attractive designer furniture at great savings. One decorating technique that adds interest and a rich, lush, effect to a home is to use accessories well. Well chosen accessories make all the difference in turning a room that seems plain and bland, into a well decorated room that is lush, elegant, rich, and filled with personality. Our designers are happy to consult with you in our showroom about choosing the right accessories for your home or office. We also offer on-site Designer services that are available on a per hour basis. Call the store and speak with a Designer to schedule your appointment.



by Debra Breitenstein 

Special Valentine's Day SALE!!!

 

♥ Special Valentine's Day SALE!!! ♥

NEW Markdowns throughout the store! 

We're sharing the love with our customers especially for Valentine's Day! 

HURRY in for great discounts!  

This is a ONE Day SALE!!! ♥ ♥ ♥  Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Osmond Designs  

2012 Parade of Homes Saint George

Osmond Designs 2012 Parade of Homes Saint George                      Home #12 - Reclaimed Modern

Come see us at our Saint George 2012 Parade of Homes by builder Ron Jensen and Sons Construction! 

The 2012 Saint George Parade of Homes is open for viewing daily 10:00 am.–7:00 pm. Feb 17-26.

Osmond Designs 2012 Parade of Homes Saint George Home #12 - Reclaimed Modern



by Debra Breitenstein 

Utah Valley Parade of Homes 2012

Osmond designs is proud to be the brand new TITLE Sponsor for the 2012 Utah Valley parade of homes.

We are so excited and honored to be involved with the heart of the building industry in Utah Valley.

Utah’s most unique custom homes, remodeling projects, single-family homes, town-homes and condominiums will open their doors for this self-guided tour on June 8-23, 2012 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm daily, closed Sundays and Mondays. 

Join the thousands and tour homes of all different designs, styles and price ranges. 

For more information view Osmond Designs.com:  

http://www.osmonddesigns.com/parade-of-homes-2012 

Accessorizing a Room

A room isn't complete without well thought out accessories that add personality, color, texture, and visual appeal to a room. This show room at Osmond Designs combines wall art, lamps, pillows, throws, decorative ceramics, and other accessories to complete the room.

Fine Designer Furniture at a discount in our Osmond Designs Orem Outlet Store

A mix of interesting objects showcased on these shelves expresses the tastes and creativity of our talented showroom designer Chelsea Kasch.

Using each shelf to create a mini display is a fun way to decorate shelves and to express personal tastes.

This collection of accessories layered in a metal basket add depth and contrast to the light color of the furniture behind it. The clock echos the color, texture, and patina of the framed keys, while the glass hurricane domes filled with natural elements add just the right amount of light to this display. The nubby texture of the throw creates the perfect foil for the key laid across its edge.

*All furniture and accessories pictured are available at Osmond Designs Orem Outlet Store while supplies last.
This room was designed by Interior Designer Noelle Hansen.

Visit us at our website: http://www.osmonddesigns.com



by Debra Breitenstein 

What is Your Personal Style?

Beautiful Furniture Display Osmond Designs Orem Outlet Store

Depending on how long a person has been decorating and what their experience has been, they may or may not know what their own personal style is.

Personal style is comprised of many aspects such as, personality, lifestyle, hobbies, family size, and other similar factors. All of these and more go into creating a decorating style that is all your own.

Whatever your personal style may be, here are some tips to adding that extra something to the mix:

• Choose some personal items to display. - 

Choosing some personal items to display creates a look that is all your own, and it feels good to have treasured items seen on a regular basis. 

• Add a pop of color. -

Adding accent color to a room adds to the personal look and feel of your decor. An accent color is used sparingly; just a bit here and there to liven up the room and to express a feeling. The bolder the accent color, the more attention it will draw. Accent colors may be bright or soft depending on your personal tastes. 

• Bring the outside in. -

Adding an element of nature to your decor brings a fresh, natural, feeling into the room. This may be done by adding a living plant, silk plant, or perhaps some dried natural elements such as twigs, dried flowers, or the like. Nature feels good to people. Adding a natural element brings in a layer of decorating that speaks to people on a deeper level. Even the most modern room can benefit from a small accent of natural element.

• Vary height. -

Although there are times to keep display items at the same height such as in a collection of 3 vases each holding a single flower lined up in a row, for the most part, it's important to vary the height of items displayed. The Japanese use the father, mother, child, concept to create this variation of design. Using these 3 variations of height creates balance and interest. There are many combinations of varying heights that work well together. Experiment with this, change the heights of items to be displayed; when something feels off, try to vary the height and see if that works better.

• Create a Mix. -

Even if you prefer a definite decorating style, adding an unexpected mix to the decor will create interest and sophistication to any room. Blending by color, metal or wood types are ways to add one of these unexpected details. Keep the unexpected furniture item or accessory  the same color as one of the above elements to blend it to the mix.

Today's design is one of personal style. Have fun creating a style that is all your own.

What ideas, questions, or comments do you have about personal decorating style?

We invite you to come into Osmond Designs to enjoy the various displays in our stores. It's a great way to get ideas and to find those perfect furniture pieces, or decorating accessories for your home or office. 



by Debra Breitenstein 

Thank you! Our Anniversary Sale was a Great Success!!!

Saturday we enjoyed fun, food, and great company celebrating our Anniversary Sale at the Orem Osmond Designs Outlet Store .

Our special guest, Sportz Dogs offered Gourmet Hot Dogs and they were Yummy!

Our Orem Outlet Store was packed all day long! It was fun to see so many of you there! Rooms full of furniture were selling like hotcakes!

One of our popular top sellers was the Mariko Chair pictured above in Vapor fabric. We carry the Mariko Chair on a regular basis. Come in and choose the right fabric for your Mariko Chair, we have a wide variety of beautiful fabrics to choose from.

The Paris Trunks shown on the left side of the photo are also a customer favorite.



by Debra Breitenstein 

Utah Valley's Coolest Entrepreneurs

This article ran in Utah Valley’s BusinessQ winter of 2011 naming Heather Osmond one of Utah Valley’s 10 coolest entrepreneurs. Osmond Designs has two furniture stores now open, one in Lehi, Utah and the other in Orem, Utah, both are offering FREE specialized interior design classes & tips. Follow Osmond Designs on Facebook to keep up to date on all the upcoming events.