• “Don’t paint a small room a dark color.”
  A deep, rich color in a small room can be a great way to enhance and embrace a feeling of coziness.
• “Don’t mix your woods.”
  According to the old school of thought, every wood tone in a room should match with the same finish. A more casual and eclectic approach is to mix things up, even with two finishes, like black and antique oak, on the same piece.
• “Don’t leave your windows bare.”
  It’s okay to have naked windows, just so long as you don’t stand naked in front of them. You can keep an open airy feeling in your room and highlight the view by keeping your window dressings to a minimum, or by forgetting them altogether.
• “Match your nightstands.”
  Nightstands are not socks, and they don’t necessarily have to match each other. You can personalize your bedroom to match the personalities of you and your partner by using different nightstands on each side of the bed.
• “Don’t put a big piece of furniture in a small room.”
  Putting a large cabinet in a small room can create the illusion that it is a built-in part of the architecture.

It started when we donated our venerable Monroe St. building to the Cherry Street Mission to be used as a furniture bank for those in need. Well, the Cherry Street Mission is all moved in and set up; trouble is that they could really use a lot more donated furniture in there. It turns out that there's a lot of folks in need and Banner Mattress & Furniture Co. has decided to kick the donation process in the pants. So here's the deal: You can stop by any Banner Mattress showroom to pick out your new furniture or mattress. If you have some old furniture that you're replacing, the Cherry Street Mission will pick it up and take it to the Furniture Bank where it will be passed on to people who would otherwise have no furniture. Even if you don't decide to buy new furniture during this sale, we hope that you'll consider giving the Cherry Street Mission a call to donate your old or unused furniture. Theres few things you can do that are this simple yet have so big an impact for those in need.

Please visit the Cherry Street Mission donation page for full details

Sales positions available multiple part-time and full time sales positions available with Banner Mattress and Furniture co.
Retail sales background preferred but not necessary. Please email resume to: bstrand@bannermattress.com,

or mail resume to:

c/o B. Strand
Banner Mattress & Furniture Co.
3250 Bishop St.
Toledo Ohio 43606

 

by Toni Farrell-Higgins, Rooms ReNew Stylist at Discovery Furniture in Topeka, KS

There's no mystery to caring for leather furniture. If leather furniture is well cared for it can last for 15-20 years instead of the 4-5 years many other furniture coverings average. That's a great incentive for both purchasing and learning how to care for this beautiful furniture, isn't it?

To know how to care for leather depends upon how the leather was prepared. The qualities of leather vary depending upon production methods. Leather is often classified as corrected and uncorrected. If the original animal hide contained imperfections then it may have been corrected by sanding or buffing. This leather is often dyed or pigmented, then embossed to produce a uniform grain. A urethane finish is then applied to protect it.  While these leathers aren't considered premium, they are the most stain resistant and therefore are more family friendly.

Uncorrected leather is in good enough condition that it is not buffed or sanded. Because hide is a natural product, each piece of leather will have its own unique patina. A single hide may in fact have color variations or minor markings which add to its unique character.

Leather products are actually quite simple to care for. First, leather should not be placed in direct sunlight. Like wood, leather can fade and could possibly stiffen from heat exposure. Secondly, because of leather's tendency to absorb other dyes, avoid placing printed materials on leather as the ink can transfer and leave a stain. Third, simple care will keep your leather looking wonderful. Use a clean white cloth to dust every week or two to prevent buildup of regular household soil. If any soil does accumulate, use a damp, soft white cloth to wipe the leather surface clean. But before you apply any moisture to the leather, be sure to place a few drops of water in an inconspicuous spot to make sure the leather doesn't absorb it. If the leather does absorb water use only dry cloths. The final step in caring for your leather furniture is to clean every 5-6 months with a mild leather cleaner. After cleaning apply a protective leather cream to keep it soft and supple.

To insure your leather furniture's long life, consider purchasing a protection plan. Protection 1st, an excellent furniture care program, picks up where the manufacturer's warranty stops. Often manufacturers' warranties cover construction defects, but Protection 1st covers accidental stains and damage caused by food, pets, cosmetics or ink. Puncture damage, tears or burns can also be repaired under this plan. Some exclusions may apply, but a protection plan will help ensure the value of your new beautiful leather furniture for years to come.

It took us 80 years to learn how to do it this well! We've always been good at what we do, but after 80 years of providing the furniture styles you love at the best price anywhere, we're experienced enough to know that we can't stop working to improve our company and our service to you.

Buying Guide: Recliners

Remember Martin Crane (Frasier’s dad) and his favorite chair? That eyesore is what many people think of when they hear the word “recliner?. Contrary to that image, motion furniture today is available in many fashionable styles that can be included in almost any setting. Hidden release mechanisms, tucked-away foot rests, and wall-away construction provide great function without compromising style.

The options in reclining furniture are virtually endless. In addition to the motions of recline rock, swivel, and glide, some manufacturers include features such as built-in massagers, heating pads, cup holders, storage cubbies, phones, laptop computer sockets, and even coolers.  Power mechanisms, long the norm in Europe, are becoming more common in the US market.
New designs in motion furniture have been created for home theater settings.  In addition to reclining sofas, loveseats and sectional sofas, one of the latest trends is found in a modular approach that allows you to join together individual reclining units at the arms. These arrangements can align flush to one another, or they can form an arch for optimal screen viewing.

Regardless of the options you choose there are some things you should keep in mind while shopping.  Scale varies, so measure the spot you plan to place the recliner to be sure it fits and to be sure there will be enough room to operate it. Test out the mechanism. It should be easy to operate and sturdy. The sturdier the mechanism, the longer the recliner should last. The mechanism should also be securely attached to the frame. The footrest should be well padded for comfort. Think about the motions you want the chair to have; if it will be placed near the center of a large room, consider a swivel chair so that it can be used in multiple conversation areas. Many recliners hide features and controls under the arms, so be sure to have the sales associate demonstrate the recliner’s features for you.