Design trends have a lot to do with what’s going on in the world. The form, function, and futuristic elements of mid-century modern design came out of an optimistic time when anything felt possible. Traditional design was inspired by the opulence of royalty in the 18th and 19th centuries.

So, although they may be fleeting, trends say a lot about the state of the world. And they can be a great entry point into a design project if you’re feeling lost.

After a long hiatus, we’re back with another designer’s pick of the month. We met up with Anne, a Design Consultant in Middleton who chose the Kendrick Swivel Chair from CR Laine.

A basement, unlike most other rooms in the home, doesn’t have a designated purpose. This means that the options are endless when it comes to designing and decorating.

But that doesn’t mean it comes without challenges. Basements, even when furnished, can come across as stark, cold, and unfinished. We met up with the team in our Middleton showroom to get their expert advice on how to design a functional, cozy basement.

There are a lot of factors when it comes to buying wood furniture; cost, color, and quality to name a few. But the most important question, arguably, is what kind of wood you’re getting.

There are, essentially, three types of "wood" used in furniture: Solid wood, particleboard or MDF, and plywood.

And within these categories, there are high quality and lower quality versions which will affect the long-term durability of the furniture and the price.

Much like our retail stores (and other non-essential businesses), furniture factories were forced to pause their production and either close-down for 2 to 3 months or switch focus to creating PPE for essential workers.

It’s not unusual to wonder why wood furniture is so costly. In fact, we got the question enough that we answered it in a blog! 

The fact is, high-quality, hand-made furniture is more expensive than poorly-made furniture made with MDF and veneers. But, even on the higher-end, there are variations in how much you’ll pay for a piece of hardwood furniture.

A bed, like a dining table or a living room sofa, is usually a long-term purchase. Which means you want to be sure exactly what you need before you buy.

We met up with Georgianna, our Store Manager in Cambridge, to discuss everything you should consider before making a decision.