CCD Blog

Holiday Slipcovers - Decorate More Than Your Tree This Season

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:26:32 -0800

I have to admit this is my favorite time of year. There's nothing better than the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Parades, parties and getting together with family. One thing I always look forward to is putting up the holiday decorations. It's even more special now that I have kids.

September through the end of the year is the busiest time at Carrington Court. Everyone's ordering new furniture in time for the inevitable get-togethers that happen in November and December. It is essentially a part of the holiday decorating process. Let's face it--these holidays are focused around eating, so your dining room will be the one place that receives the most attention from family and friends. We put a lot of thought into ways that we could make your dining experience more festive and we came up with a line of holiday specific slipcovers.

Noel Holiday Slipcover

Nicholas Holiday Slipcover

Slipcovers turn out to be a very good fit (no pun intended) for this time of year. First of all, they allow you to give your dining room a more festive look without being stuck with it year round. You put them on in November and take them off in January. Slipcovers also offer protection to the chairs underneath. Cranberries and gravy tend to be less ominous when in the worst case scenario you end up replacing a slipcover rather than an entire chair. Finally, slipcovers are an option for those who purchased chairs in the past that are still perfectly good but would like to change up the look.

This Christmas we are offering two very similar styles with one major difference. Both slipcovers have a simple, pleated skirt and are offered in a festive red fabric with gold accents. The only difference: the Noel Slipcover features a screen printed wreath on the back and the Nicholas Slipcover does not.

These slipcovers are available for most side chairs in our line. We are excited about offering something especially for the holidays. In the future we are considering adding more seasonal pieces throughout the year, so keep an eye on this space for more announcements. As always, if you have any questions about purchasing slipcovers, feel free to call us (828.396.1049) or send email to info@carringtoncourtdirect.com.

Happy Holidays!

Some Modern Additions

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:13:58 -0800

One thing we are working on is to offer more selection in our line. Although we have some contemporary designs, we've tended to lean toward more traditional styles. This is not to say that you could not get a modern feel from a traditional chair. Just by selecting the right fabric a chair could look either traditional or contemporary. For example, a dining chair with a toile on it would look very different than one with bold colors and geometric shapes.

Several customers have suggested styles they would like to see and these week introduced two new chairs with a nod to the modern. The first is the Modesto Dining Chair. It is really a departure from our past products. The flared, concave back sets this one apart from the rest of our line.

The other new chair (Fresno Dining Chair) has many of the great features of contemporary designs. It is very symmetrical with a short back and crisp lines. The linear layout is broken by a single large button on the in-back. I really love the look of this chair. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm reminded of a freshly pressed pair of pants with its nice, straight creases.

Of course, we will be introducing even more news styles in the future. As always we want to here from you with any suggestions.

Slipcovers - Change the Look of Your Dining Room Without Spending a Lot of Money

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:59:35 -0800

The holidays are coming up and I know many of you would like to redecorate before having friends and family over. Of course this is easier said than done, especially during a recession. Even if you have the money you may be reluctant to part with it.

We think we have a solution that will allow you to dramatically alter the look of your dining and parsons chairs without costing you a fortune. What am I talking about? Slipcovers. We have added five new slipcover styles to our line and there are more to come.

At the very least, a slipcover allows you to change the look of a chair by permitting you to change the fabric without going to the expense of buying an entirely new chair. Slipcovers can also dramatically change the look of a chair. For example you might go from unskirted to skirted. You may want to have one color on your chairs for fall and winter and then take the slipcover off for spring and summer. A slipcover offers a lot of flexibility and since they are relatively affordable, you can get multiple sets to change the look as often as you like.

Slipcovers may not be for everyone. Although they are tailored to the chairs we offer, you won't get the crisp look of an upholstered chair. However, I have to admit they can really come in handy. My family uses slipcovers in our breakfast room. With two cats and two children they are more of a shield than anything else. If we get food or cat hair on them, we can just take them off for a cleaning. And when company comes, we take off the slipcovers and have pristine chairs to display for those special occasions.

Designer Magan Toth Discusses Inspiration for Greenwich Parsons Chair

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:10:36 -0800

We frequently work with designers and many go the extra step to get exactly what they envision for their clients. Designer Magan Toth had a picture in her mind of the perfect chairs for a client's breakfast nook in Boones Mill, Virginia. Since Magan was the inspiration for the Greenwich Parsons Wing Chair, we wanted to find out what exactly led her to this design and give credit where credit is due.

I first contacted Carrington Court about the possibility of collaborating on a dining chair that I had been envisioning for a client in Boones Mill, Virginia. I was specifically seeking a set of chairs for a kitchen breakfast nook that were both refined and lightly formal, yet modern and bold. Parsons chairs proved to be too narrow and ordinary for the space, and a classic wing chair was too traditional and boxy. So, after discussing the specific requirements I had for the chair, Carrington custom built what is now their 'Greenwich Parsons Wing Chair.'

What I adore about this chair is that it is a modern combination of a classic wing chair and a parsons chair. The shallow wings on a widened parsons chair make for an inviting, substantial, and more proportional seat. This shape, in addition to a shortened skirt, is made with just the right combination of classic and modern lines. I completed this chair design with an oversized floral patterned fabric and contrast piping to create a bold statement in the room and to enhance the backdrop of the chair's oversized back.

The result was a wonderful chair that I was fortunate enough to see added to Carrington's permanent collection. I appreciate the exquisite quality of construction, pattern matching, and overall care that Carrington extended to this collaboration. This has surely been a valuable experience and opportunity, and I would like to thank Brad and Tricia Haas for making my client the first to have this chair in their home.

We frequently do modifications to our styles, but it is rare for one to actually make it into our line. Once we saw Magan's completed design we were in love. I can't tell you how many employees commented on how great this chair turned out. Of course we wanted to share it with the world and The Greenwich Parsons Wing Chair was born.

It takes a lot of hard work, experience and training to get where Ms. Toth is today. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Interior Design. She has over 10 years of professional experiences in both residential and commercial projects. Prior to owning her own firm, she worked for several award-winning architecture firms in the mid-east including Glave & Holmes Associates in Richmond, Virginia, and Bizios Architect in Durham, North Carolina.

Magan has taken her experience to a new level and founded the interior design firm, Nested Interiors, in Durham, NC. Her design interests and interior environments reference an eclectic range of designs trends, history, and collectibles. Aside from the standard array of professional interior design services, she says that Nested Interiors focuses on creating custom interior environments that are personal, livable, and accessible.

If you'd like learn more about Magan and Nested Interiors check out the following links:

http://www.nestedinteriors.com
http://nestedinteriors.blogspot.com

5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Upholstered Furniture

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:05 -0800

I was visiting our production manager's home the other day where I found him restoring an antique chair. It wasn't a big job--nothing that couldn't be take care of with some wood stain and fabric. This got me to thinking about just how long a piece of modern furniture will last.

A well constructed piece of upholstered furniture will last decades. If you think about all the materials that go into the construction of a chair or sofa there is not a lot that will degrade quickly. Wood frames, steel springs and foam cushions will last longer than most people. Relatively speaking, the fabric is the only part that has potential to wear out quickly. No mater how heavy the material, upholstery fabric is subjected to a lot. I'm not talking about stains and spills, but the constant friction generated when a person sits. Being a woven material, it is bound to eventually fray and break down.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Fabric fashions come and go just like clothing. So if you take steps to care for your upholstery, you'll be able to make it last until you tire of it and are ready to have it replaced or reupholstered. Here are five ways to prolong the life of your furniture:

Vacuuming - Most people vacuum their floors, but rarely do their upholstery. It's a good idea to vacuum your fabric covered furniture once per week. This removes surface dust and dirt before it becomes embedded in the fibers. It also decreases wear from the "sandpaper effect" which occurs from friction between the body, dust and the fabric.
Turning Cushions - If your sofa, love seat or chair has loose cushions, flip them on a regular basis. This will allow the fabric to wear evenly and keep the piece looking newer for a longer period of time.
Avoid the Sun - The UV rays of the sun are just as damaging to fabrics and finishes as they are to skin. Keep upholstery out of direct sunlight when possible. If you can't keep it out of the sun be sure to use blinds, shades, curtains or have the windows treated to block UV radiation.
Use All of Your Furniture - I'm sure that in almost every room there is one piece of furniture that gets used the most. You have a living room that may be filled with many different types of furniture and the only piece that ever gets any use is the sofa. Make a habit of sitting in the less frequently used furnishings. The same goes for the dining room. If you always sit in the same couple of chairs rotate the chairs around occasionally. You can still keep the same spot--just use a different chair.
Consider Fabric Protection - Fabric protection can be a life saver, but don't rely upon it solely. It will help block absorption and ease the removal of stains, but it's not an invincible plastic cover. You may especially want consider fabric protection on light colored natural fabrics, but it is probably unnecessary for dark fabrics made from synthetic materials. Ultrasuedes and microfibers are particularly stain resistant and may not need any additional protection.

Following these guidelines will help you get the most from your upholstery. As I said before, fabric will eventually wear out. It is inevitable fact of nature, but how much life you get from it is up to you.

One last thing I'd like to mention--before you clean any stains or dirt from fabric be sure to look up the cleaning code. Every fabric on our site has a cleaning code and it explains the best treatment to use. Some fabrics can be cleaned with soap and water, others need solvent based cleaners while a few can only be professional cleaned. If you use the wrong cleaner serious damage could occur such as fading. As always, if you ever have any questions about cleaning upholstery from Carrington Court feel free to call one of our design consultants (828.396.1049) and they'll be more than happy to assist you.

The Myth of Free Shipping

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:18:57 -0800

What is it about the "idea" of free shipping that is so attractive. I, myself have been lured by this phrase many times. But how can this be? UPS, FedEx and the USPS don't work for free. Does it really matter? At least we're saving some money.

A retailer throwing in the cost of shipping as an incentive for buying their product is believable enough. For instance, on Amazon.com if you spend over $25 you often are eligible for free standard shipping. Since a lot of the items that Amazon sells is books, CDs and DVDs one could see how eating a dollar or two is possible--especially since Amazon is such a huge seller. It's not like they are paying the same shipping rates as the average Joe on the streets. They get deep discounts and they play the averages to know that in the end, they won't lose money.

Where you should be suspicious about free shipping is on large or heavy items. Things like refrigerators, tires, auto parts, big screen TVs and furniture are extremely expensive to ship. It doesn't matter how large the company selling these items is. They are not going to be able to negotiate the price down enough with the carrier to give away free shipping. The cost is going to have to be made up somewhere.

So, how do retailers offer free shipping on these larger items. There are several ways, but here are the most common methods:

They hide the actually cost of shipping in the price of the item. This is an especially effective tactic on expensive items. For example, let's say that a big screen TV is priced at $3000. The retailer may pay something like $2500 for it. If the big box retailer is a big shipper, they may be able to negotiate a shipping rate of $150. So they offer "free" shipping to spur interest. In the end the retailer is still making $350 and has probably charged a higher retail price to cover those charges.
Another particularly effective method is the use of "standard" shipping. Let's take the example of the big screen TV again. The retailer may offer this TV for $2700 with a cost of $2550. Once again the actual cost of shipping is $150. Of course if they offer free shipping, they won't make any money. So how can they do it? They offer free "standard" shipping. The customer is told that the order may take 2 to 4 weeks for delivery, but if they wish to receive it within the next few days they can use an expedited shipping method and the cost will be $200. Of course many customers will be anxious to get that new TV so will go ahead and pay the extra shipping charge. The retailer actually makes an extra $50 on the transaction and this helps defray the costs of the customers that accept the free method. It's just a matter of averages.

This same principles apply to low cost shipping. The lesson here is that shipping is always charged and you may not see it. Once again, you may think, "big deal, at least I'm saving money one way or another." The problem with this mindset is that the true cost of the product is hidden. Let me give one more example to illustrate my point, this time from an industry that I'm more than familiar with: furniture.

Furniture Co. offers a wing chair for $450 with free shipping. The chair price is a steal in itself, but free shipping takes the cake. Now lets say that shipping the chair costs $200, which is not an unreasonable amount. That would put the cost at $250. Now think about this for a second. A wing chair for $250. Is this a rational price? Think about the cost of manufacturing. In that price is the fabric, frame, springs, cushions, finishing, upholstery, sewing and all the other parts and labor in addition to the profit to be made. Can you really make a quality chair for this price? One other thing to consider is that if this is sold retail (not direct from the manufacturer) there is a 30% - 50% markup.

I'm a strong advocate to showing customers the true price. That is one reason why Carrington Court breaks out the shipping price. We want you to understand that we are not hiding anything. Along those same lines we don't treat shipping as a profit center. Our goal is to break even on shipping. There are times that we lose a couple of dollars on shipping, but we never overcharge. We're in the furniture business not the freight business.

There's a lot more to be said about shipping. I know some may think this is a boring subject, but when you're purchasing furniture, it is a subject that is important to be informed on. I also don't want you to think that everyone offering free shipping is trying to rip you off. There are good deals to be had, but it is in your best interest to reflect on all the costs of your purchase. In the coming weeks I'll be posting an article detailing all the ins-and-outs of furniture delivery, the costs involved and different shipping methods available. Let me know if you have any questions.

Rise to the Occasion With Our New Bar Stool Collection

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:09:00 -0800

A frequent request from customers has always been for bar stools. After all, people frequently want all upholstery in a room coordinated. We've come up with a variety of offerings which should please just about everyone.

In putting together this group we've tried to cover all the bases. We're offering both counter and bar height chairs. So, you get either a 24" or 30" seat height. In addition you can choose from over 200 fabrics or leathers. Finished legs or upholstered--the choice is yours.

Of course these bar stools still must meet the stringent requirements of everything we sell.

Quality...Quality...Quality
Affordability.
Customization.
Speedy Production & Delivery.

While many of the styles are similar, the details are what make each stool unique. Styles include camel, crescent and rolled backs. Some chairs have full seats, while others have borders. Nailhead trim is available and this option is gorgeous on the leather stool. Another refinement is the brass footrest which provides both protection and a touch of class.

We hope you like what you see. We're always open to suggestions and would love to hear your feedback. You can comment on this post or email us directly (info@carringtoncourtdirect.com) with your ideas and questions. As always, check back often. There is much more to come.

Designed By You - The Burlington Parsons Chair

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:42:55 -0800

During a typical year, we get hundreds of customer requests to make tweaks or changes to our chair styles. Occasionally one of these modifications ends up being a new style. That's how the Burlington Parsons Chair came to be.

This chair is actually a variation of the Button Back Parsons Chair, which has been in our line for many years. Though the new chair may be inspired by one already in our line, there are some great new features. The back has a seam running its length. That seam is held together by a vertical line of five buttons. Compare this with the tabs and buttons on the Button Back Chair. Another unique feature is that the back, seat border and corner pleats are in a contrasting fabric. While you can order the chair in a single fabric; the contrast option gives you a lot of choice in putting together a chair that will go great with your decor.

The Burlington Parsons Chair is a great example of the flexibility you have. While it's not always possible to create a custom design, we'll always consider it. There also may be some extra expense since there is a lot of extra work in creating a custom design.

So, what is the best way to communicate your ideas with us? The easiest method is to fax or email a diagram of what you want. It doesn't have to be a professional rendering--just something to give us an idea what goes where.

We look forward to seeing your ideas. Keep a lookout for more new customer inspired designs in the future. I'll be posting them here frequently.

We're Not Just For Dining Rooms Anymore

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:32:34 -0800

Carrington Court has always offered other types of furniture besides parsons and dining chairs, but they were our sole focus on our website. Over the last few months we have greatly expanded our offerings and you can now order wing chairs, easy chairs and arm chairs. This is just the beginning and going forward we will be regularly introducing new designs.

I'm sure many of you are wondering what took us so long. The reason was simple: we could not provide the same service and value that we do for our dining and parsons chairs. Whenever we entertain the prospect of offering a new product it has to meet these requirements:

Can we make it both high in quality and affordable?
Will the cost of shipping be reasonable?
Can it be delivered in a reasonable amount of time?

Quality and affordability are usually not an issue, but with oversize items shipping costs and delivery times have always been a problem. We don't want you to pay an arm and a leg to get your furniture or to wait months on end to have it delivered. Earlier this year we finally worked out a good shipping solution--one that meets our requirements.

In the last month or so we started offering wing chairs on the site and today we started an entirely new category called "Living Room Chairs." I know...I know. It's not a very originally name, but it encompasses a variety of furniture styles that are usually (but not exclusively) found in the living room.

So without further ado here are our to latest additions:

Eliot Arm Chair

Chandler Easy Chair

These are both great designs, but I've got to say that the Chandler Chair is just absolutely gorgeous. This is just the beginning and there is more to come, but if there is a particular style that you would like us to offer; we want to hear from you.

Even More Choice -- 3 New Fabric Collections

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:43:00 -0800

Our fabric buyers not only try to keep up with the latest trends, but also have the unenviable job of ensuring we offer a little something for everyone. It's not an easy task to determine what other people are going to like, especially since tastes are relative. Occasionally, I'll hear something like "This is not something that I'd pick out for myself, but we've had several customers requesting something like this."

Luckily, I can honestly say that I like all the new fabric collections we're adding to our line. First up we have Cheryl. The design is pretty unique, but the colors are classic. We've had great success with toiles in similar colors and hope that these two continue the tradition.
Cheryl Coral
Cheryl Porcelain Our next fabric is called Polly Spice. This look goes way back and is what many would describe as "Country French." It's a simple design in a light mustard color with red roosters.
Polly Spice Finally, we have the three fabrics in the Celia family. I'm really a fan of these because they are a traditional floral print with a twist: they have a slightly washed look (especially the Primrose and Wedgewood). When I say washed, I do not mean worn out. The background colors on the fabric are muted just enough to make the floral designs really pop.
Celia Balsam
Celia Primrose
Celia Wedgewood

Introducing the Regency Dining Chair

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:51:00 -0800

As I mentioned before, we're going to be releasing new products at a rapid pace throughout 2009. Our latest addition is a design that makes me extremely proud. Our philosophy at Carrington Court is one of offering quality at an affordable price. Quality is more than just the materials that make up a chair--it is also the craftsmanship of the men and women that build each one. Over the last couple of years we have sort of become specialists in nail-head trim. Using brass tacks in the construction of a chair is not only time consuming, but it is also a skill that takes a professional to get it just right. Luckily, we have just the right people to do this job. Hammering in several hundred nails in a straight line is one thing--tacking on the teardrop pattern in the Regency Dining Chair is an entirely different ball game. It takes time, patience and experience. I think the end result speaks for itself. It really does reflect our philosophy and I believe that there is a lot of value in a chair with this combination of price and craftsmanship. The Regency Dining Chair is one of my favorite styles and I think it will draw a lot of praise in your dining room.

Modern Minimalism - The Albany Dining Chair

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:18:00 -0800

Many of the dining and parsons chairs we sell can be either contemporary or traditional depending on the fabric you select. However, I think with the exception of the Curved Back Dining Chair, most of our styles are viewed in a more traditional light. One of our overriding goals is to give you choice so that you get furniture that is exactly what you want. We don't want you to have to settle. With that in mind we've added the Albany Dining Chair to our line. It features an entirely new curved, tapered leg and a full seat. This combination creates a very clean, minimalist design which is perfect for those looking for a modern dining room chair. Throughout the remainder of the year we plan to offer many more new designs. In the first six months in 2009 we've added more new styles and categories than we did in the entire previous year. We'll be posting everything new on this blog and if there is something in particular you want us to make, we want to hear from you.

The Nantucket Parsons Chair

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:39:00 -0800

As I mentioned previously in my post Perfect Blues for a Beach House, we had a customer that sent in some fabric for chairs to place in a beach house. We liked the colors so much that we decided to find something similar to offer our customers. It was a shame that we didn't get some pictures before her chairs shipped out, because not only did she have great taste in fabric, but also put together a chair design that was stunning. After we added the fabrics to our line, we decide to go all the way and add a new chair to match. The Nantucket Parsons Chair is a combination of several styles that we've offered for a while. It has a scrolled back and a banded, kick-pleat skirt. You have the choice of using a contrasting fabric for the border which runs around the seat and the back. While this chair was envisioned for a beach home--you can select from hundreds of fabrics that will allow you to add it to almost any environment. [More]

Parsons Chairs Featured In Southern Living

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0800

My wife was browsing through the July issue of Southern Living and a group of parsons chairs in one of the articles caught her eye. They looked almost identical to the chairs we make at Carrington Court. Now, there are a lot of manufacturers that make parsons chairs, but there are always subtle differences from company to company. So we looked in the back in the sources section and to our surprise--they are our chairs.

This has happened in the past in other magazines, but it is always a nice surprise to have something you made featured. The designer Jill Boothby did an awesome job and she has a beautiful house. She also has a lot of great tips. It's good to know that the chairs are going to be used day-to-day and not just for a one time photo shoot. Check out the article (31 Style Secrets from a Design Pro) starting on page 51. When the July issue shows up on the Southern Living website, I'll post a link.

Perfect Blues for a Beach House

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:33:00 -0800

We've added a couple of new blue fabrics today with decorating a beach house in mind. Recently a customer sent in her own fabric in similar colors so that we could make some chairs for a beach house. We were really impressed with the way they turned out. It's too bad we didn't take any pictures to share.

The new fabrics are called Tanya Harbour Blue and Tanya Bimimi Blue. They're both 100% cotton and have a nice tight weave that gives them some texture. Although many people consider pastels the perfect color for beach decor, we think these darker solids will work well, especially since they have a washed look.

Tanya Harbour Blue

Tanya Bimimi Blue