Ask Rob... oft heard questions over 35 years of furniture sales.

What is the big deal about "8 way hand tied" construction for sofas and chairs?
To do this justice would take too long here. In a nut shell, better quality manufacturers use hand-tied coil spring construction for comfort. If the lower price spring construction, and there are several, afforded the same comfort they would use it! In addition, manufacturers using a coil spring base also tend to use other industry standards in frame, cushion construction and fabric pattern match.

The "good guys" use hardwood frames, corner blocking and a minimum 2.4 density foam cushions, and five-way drop (fabric pattern) match among other quality features. Anything you buy without those standards comes with some trade offs; comfort, longevity, etc. One additional note on cushioning.  Please keep in mind that cushions do one thing and one thing only over the life of a piece:  they become less resilient (softer).  The yummy, squishy sofa that feels so nice today will sit like pancakes in a few years.  That is why the higher density cushions are important.  Many of the national stores make up for the spring construction by large, soft cushions that feel great in the store, but simply cannot last with much support.

My mother says "save your money and always buy the best;  it pays off in the long run." We need things now and cannot afford "the best", whatever that is!
While I appreciate your mother's attempt to put some extra bucks into the home furnishings industry, I don't necessarily agree. Think about other consumer goods. Do you always purchase "the best" car, or school clothes or TV? No, you match how it fits your needs with cost. I call that VALUE. The problem I see is that most people do it backwards. They buy some high end designer sofa for a room that is seldom used (not using rooms is another issue!), then get some low end piece for the family room where comfort and durability should be paramount! The rationale I hear: "We don't want to  spend much because that is where the kids are", or something like that.

Think about your vehicles. Do you buy some clunker of a van because "that's where the kids are"? Of course not. You want to be safe and comfortable when you travel. Get it?

My tables have a cloudy or smoky look. I have used different furniture polishes, but nothing seems to help.
Your "solution" may be your problem. Most popular furniture polish products are NOT recommended by the better manufacturers. They often contain waxes or other ingredients that cloud the beautiful finish you paid so much for. The ONLY polish recommended by most manufactures is Guardsman. Period.

Now, to remedy your problem: First try some Guardsman VERY lightly. It will help remove the build up if not too serious. But an old trick that often helps is a mixture of water, lemon juice and Ivory liquid soap (no lanolin). This mixture and a soft cloth and some elbow motion will usually cut the wax build up.

Go lightly on the lemon juice at first. If the mixture is not working, add a little to create more acidity. Remember: It is good to experiment on a less visible area. Also, don't forget to thoroughly dry the piece to avoid water spots.

Incidentally, using this same mix for minor scratches will often help.  Simply substitute the cloth with "0000" steel wool.  Rub LIGHTLY!  If needed, a matching touch-up pen will finish the job.

My mother said to always buy solid wood furniture. That is where the quality is. But the bedroom suite we like is veneer. What's up?
I bet your mother disapproved of your hubby when you first brought him home, too. Now look who is right! (don't answer that). In another nut shell, solid wood construction is NOT an indicator of quality. There are high end solid wood manufacturers, such as Harden, and low end solid wood folks, who will remain nameless here. Likewise, veneer construction is used by companies like Henredon, Century and Drexel Heritage. Quality? You bet!

Each type of construction has its good points and bad. Solid wood, if not built correctly, can split and warp.  This is especially true with imports; they just can't get the kiln drying correct in the high humidity. That doesn't happen with veneers. Veneers also give the beautiful
patterns we see on certain pieces; but I also love the look of properly finished solid wood. Veneers are more difficult to repair if damaged. And so on.

The real issue on construction is what goes on INSIDE the piece; blocking, drawer construction, etc. That is where the stability and long life occur. If your sales person cannot explain construction to you and why this one costs more than that one ("pretty" doesn't count in this discussion, nor does "monthly payments" or "free financing"), go to another dealer who has properly trained staff. Better yet, call me. I'll answer your questions and take your order!

Why is so much furniture made overseas?  Is it any good?
In a word: price of labor.  Second word: maybe, maybe not.  Much wood furniture, and now much leather and upholstery as well, is coming from Asia, much to the loss of those folks who worked in U.S. factories building this stuff.  This issue is WAY too complicated to explain here, but suffice to say that some of the import goods are well made, some are not.

Again, learn what to look for beyond the hype. I will tell you this; most large store sales folks don't have a clue about their product. They are trained to sell financing, add-ons, and so forth.  Also, they tend to rely on  brand names rather than actual construction features.  OK, it is complex and most of them simply have not been on the job that long.

I recently heard a story of a shopper who was told, "All our furniture comes from Wisconsin" This was in a company-name national chain store which IMPORTS 100% of their product! Maybe the salesperson meant, "It shipped here from our warehouse in Wisconsin."  But the shopper's question was, "Where is this stuff from?" Nuff said.

How often should I have my sofa cleaned? My mother says every two years.
Daughters of the world, unite! Throw off those maternal shackles! You have nothing to loose except out of date advice!

Ok, just had to vent. How often? Is NEVER often enough? OK, maybe ONCE in the life of the piece. Why? Professionals use rough stuff like hot water and detergents. The fibers in your furniture (drapes also, by the way) do not like those bad boys. Yes, the piece looks nice because the stains and soil are gone, but so is the integrity of the fabric fibers. Spot clean as necessary with a suds-less/soap-less fabric cleaner; save the one time professional visit until you are just about finished with your sofa. Two years tops, after the cleaning, with normal daily use. If your furniture is getting that dirty, think about retraining your pet/children/husband.

The best tool for adding life to your sofa fabric is your vacuum. Yes, I said vacuum. See, the real enemy of fabric wear is not your husband's friend's butt, but the microscopic dust and junk that grinds against the fibers when that butt is in place. With regular (every two weeks or so) vacuuming, even the so-called low wear cotton prints will give you years of life. So go ahead; buy that lovely cotton print for your new sofa or chair. Just keep the vacuum attachments handy!

What is the difference between King size and California King size beds?
California King size is 4" longer and 4" narrower than King size. People on the West Coast are shaped differently, I guess.

Can I touch up the finish on my furniture?
Touch up crayons and markers are available for purchase at local home improvement stores and come in a variety of colors. My faves: Minwax and Heritage (if you can find it).

More questions? - send me an email. Happy furniture shopping - and enjoy your home!
Rob Beachler