Tempur-Pedic Mattresses™ Reduce Lower Back Pain

In a series of blog posts we will explore and discover all the many features and benefits of owning a Tempur-Pedic from Bowen Town & Country Furniture. Please check back often as we provide you with important information that will help you get a better night’s sleep, decrease stress levels and improve your quality of life.

Many consumers and healthcare professionals realize that a mattress is an important part in back pain relief and remedying sleep disorders. Only recently have there been studies to indicate what kind of mattresses make a difference in back pain relief. Studies have shown that indeed the right mattress can give back pain relief and improves sleep for lower back pain sufferers.

Mattress Firmness – Very Firm Is Not Always Good

Many consumers and medical professionals believe that a firm mattress gives back pain relief, lower back pain in particular. It is commonly preferred compared to a medium firmness or soft mattress although there has been no research to support the idea that they help neck pain, back pain and lower back pain. In an article in The Lancet in 2003, by Francisco M Kovacs, et.al., on lower back pain, researchers found that a mattress of medium firmness improves pain and disability among patients with chronic non-specific lower back pain. A summary of the study is below or you can click here for the complete article

Tempur-Pedic Mattresses™ Reduce Lower Back Pain

A soon to be published study by the researchers at Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, comparing Tempur-Pedic Mattresses with an inner spring, found that mattress type does affect sleep architecture and that sleeping on the Tempur-Pedic improves sleep and gives back pain relief for those suffering back pain. Click here to see an early poster presentation of partial results.

For your Tempur-Pedic Mattress in Winston-Salem, look no further than Bowen Town & Country Furniture. We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratford Road…near Hanes Mall. Call us at 336.765.1360 or visit us today!

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Bowen’s Summer Sale!

Sale in progress! Open Friday 9-5pm! Saturday 9-6pm!

Special Savings for a Stressless Summer!

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations
kjoyce@bowenfurniture.com

Straight from the icy fjords of Norway, Ekornes is sending summer savings to YOU!  

 You have to experience the comfort and support of Stressless chairs by Ekornes in person.  Words and pictures are simply not adequate to explain the smooth motion of the adjustable reclining mechanism, the fine European leathers that beg to be touched…the gentle support of the ONLY chair endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.

From now until September 7, 2009 you can enjoy true savings on the Stressless Consul AND Stressless Ambassador chairs with ottoman in your choice of three specially selected leathers.  You’ll save $200 off the manufacturer’s minimum price on the Ambassador and $300 on the Consul… and we’ll include a $150 Ekornes Swing Table at no additional charge on ANY Stressless chair and ottoman.The ingenious swing table attaches to the arm of your chair and provides the perfect “parking place” for a cool beverage or your favorite snack. 

Come in today and let us show you the true meaning of comfort!

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Choose the right furniture for your bedroom

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

Have you ever realized that we spend about one third part of our lives in our bedrooms? It is the first place we see as soon as we wake up in the morning. In fact, we carry out all our day-to-day activities in our bedrooms, whether it be reading books, listening to music or simply relaxing on our cozy comfy beds.

Since we do most of the things in our bedroom, then why not make our bedroom a cozy and warm place by selecting the right bedroom furniture. Choosing furniture for your bedroom requires careful planning and many factors need to be considered like bedroom interiors, expenditure, personal taste etc.

Bedroom Furniture Buying Tips

• Never compromise on quality, even if you have to pay an extra price for it.
• Go in for a durable piece of furniture and not for the one that is just attractive, but not long lasting.
• Give due importance to fine craftsmanship, as it will also ensure the durability and save your repair expenses.
• While shopping for bedroom furniture, place a higher importance on comfort than anything else.
• Pay attention to what all you do in your bedroom. Are your activities in your bedroom just limited to sleeping or you do perform other activities like reading books while in bed? If that is the case, then you must buy such bedroom furniture that can accommodate a moderate size lamp that can provide you with adequate light to read during the nighttime.

Browse our furniture by manufacturer!

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Red, White, Blue…..and Green

By: Keith Joyce
VP Operations – Bowen Town & Country Furniture
kjoyce@bowenfurniture.com

You’d have to be a complete recluse to be unaware of the environmental movement that has taken hold around the world.  Recycled, renewable, green…these are today’s watchwords.  We all have a responsibility to use our natural resources wisely and preserve them for generations to come.

American furniture companies are very conscious of the need for sound environmental practices in manufacturing.  Many have programs in place to replant the trees that are harvested for lumber and all follow strict laws enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.   In fact, according to a recent study by Duke University, complying with U.S. environmental regulations can amount to more than 25% of a factory’s operating costs. To support “going green” come to Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem for the best selection of environmentally friendly furniture.

Environmental regulations are one reason that some manufacturers have moved their production lines to China.  The Chinese government has very few restrictions on pollution from factories.  Methods of production there often include the use of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde.  Unfortunately, the lack of regulation leads to reduced costs of production.  To that you can add another factor; according to Duke University’s study in 2006, American furniture workers averaged earning $14.24 per hour.  Their Chinese counterparts earned 69 CENTS per hour and often worked in conditions so dangerous as to be illegal in the U.S.

It comes down to this…if “green” is important to you and your family, you don’t want to buy Chinese furniture.  You’ll pay a little more for all-American products, but remember that part of that slightly higher price is going toward environmental measures that benefit the American worker and consumer for generations to come.

At Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, NC we are proud to carry American made furniture manufacturers who place great emphasis on the “green” aspects of their production and the environment.

Browse our furniture by manufacturer!

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Bowen Hosts Chamber of Commerce

Winston-Salem’s Chamber of Commerce met at Bowen Town & Country Furniture on Friday morning for its regular Business Before Hours gathering.  The meeting, designed to help the city’s business leaders get to know each other and explore new opportunities, drew over 125 people.  A wide range of industries was represented including banking, insurance, retail and real estate. Many of the city’s most prominent businesspeople were in attendance, among them Chamber president Gayle Anderson and well-known real estate developer Thad Lewallen.  Mr. Lewallen’s latest venture, One Park Vista – a luxurious condominium building – is the crown jewel of downtown redevelopment.
 
 While there are lingering concerns about current economic conditions, the mood of the attendees was decidedly hopeful and upbeat with several reporting positive trends in their respective businesses.  The consensus among those attending was that the recovery of our local economy would come much sooner than later.

Bowen Town & Country Furniture is proud to be a member of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Northwest NC.

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Cool Values For Hot Days

The last couple of days have been miserably hot, haven’t they?  I always wonder how roofers and paving crews stand the heat… baking under the sun with shingles and asphalt can’t be any fun.  Most of us don’t have to work in those conditions, but thank God there are those who are willing to do it – and make our lives better as a result.
 
To help beat the heat, Kincaid Furniture has decided to give us some really cool lower prices that we can pass along to you.  From RIGHT NOW until July 13, Kincaid is having a factory sale on their entire lineup of bedroom furniture!  One of the fine old names in North Carolina furniture, Kincaid produces most of their SOLID WOOD FURNITURE just up the road in Hudson, NC. 
 
From formal to casual, Kincaid has a bedroom collection for you.  Bowen Town & Country Furniture is proud to count Kincaid as one of our many suppliers of fine home furnishings. Whether you need a piece or two to fill in with your current furniture or an entire new suite, we’ll be glad to help you find the perfect piece from Kincaid.  Come see us today!

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Cool Off In Comfort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday’s temperature topped 90 degrees, so I think we can safely say that summer is here despite the calendar’s claim that there are still 3 weeks of spring left.  Nothing like a blazing hot sun and air thick with humidity to make us look for air conditioning… or at the very least a shady spot.  We looked forward to warm weather last winter, but this is a bit much.
 
After outdoor activities in hot weather, I always look forward to a shower and a little “down time” in my recliner.  It’s hard to beat stretching out in a comfortable chair and relaxing in a nice cool room… even harder to beat taking a quick nap while you cool off.  My wife swears my chair has an “ether dispenser” that is triggered by the recliner handle.  Once in a while I have to remind her that I got the chair BEFORE I got her… never goes over well… go figure.
 
At any rate, I’d highly recommend my method of beating the heat to one and all!  And if – God forbid – you don’t have a comfortable chair to relax in, we can cure that in an instant!  Bowen Town & Country Furniture has a terrific selection of great chairs –reclining and stationary – from such notable manufacturers as Hancock & Moore, Bradington-Young, Ekornes, Berkline and more.  All are available in a wide selection of fabrics and leathers – we’ll help you find the perfect chair for “chillin’ out” at your house!

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FREEZE! DON’T MOVE!

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations
kjoyce@bowenfurniture.com

Sounds like a line from a cop show on TV, doesn’t it?  Most of us will never hear those words except on TV, in a movie, or just kidding around.  BUT… when it comes to moving the furniture in your home, it can be really good advice.
 
We all end up moving our furniture around at some point.  We move it to clean behind it… we move it to get a different look in the room… or we move it to “move house.”  Before you start to shift those big, heavy pieces – or let someone else move them – there are several things you need to keep in mind.
 
Always use proper lifting techniques; furniture is often very heavy and you can easily injure yourself – or the furniture. Examine the piece carefully before you attempt to move it.  Some tall chests, secretaries and the like are made in two pieces; they may be secured together, with light hardware made to keep the top from moving around during use– it won’t hold the piece together for you to move it.  Move the pieces separately – it was built that way to make it easier to move.

NEVER slide a piece of furniture without making sure there is something on the bottom of the legs to protect the floor.  Lifting a piece onto an old quilt or blanket and carefully pulling it can protect floors and make the piece much easier to move. If feasible, use the “furniture sliders” available at home centers.  Used according to the directions, they work amazingly well. If you are moving a piece with drawers, it may be easier if you remove all the drawers and replace them after the move.  If you do this, you may want to note which drawer goes where in the case.  Some pieces have individually fitted drawers that will only fit one space properly.

Some mattresses have “handles” sewn into the sides.  NEVER use them to carry the mattress, period.  They’re there to help you turn the mattress, not carry it.  You’ll rip the sides out of the mattress cover.  One more thought – bending an innerspring mattress more than a small amount can ruin it, so be very careful moving one to a different room.

Disassemble beds before moving them.  If you try to slide a bed, there is a great possibility that you will damage it.  Most people will try to slide the head over a few inches and then slide the foot over even with it.  All too often this will cause the bedrails, headboard, or footboard to split – sometimes beyond repair.  It takes a few minutes to tear a bed down, but it’s certainly worth the effort.

When possible, remove the cushions from sofas and chairs before moving them.  They’ll be much, much lighter and easier to handle. One more thing – while you’re in the process of moving your furniture, why not give the wood pieces a thorough cleaning and polishing with Guardsman furniture care products?  You’ll get great results with minimal effort.
 
Good furniture – especially wood pieces – will last a long, long time with proper care and handling.  You’ve made a significant investment in furnishings to beautify your home and make it a warm, inviting place to live.  Take the time – and make the effort – to care for it properly and you will enjoy it for years to come.

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Risk vs. Reward

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations
BowenFurniture.com
kjoyce@bowenfurniture.com

I had the opportunity a few days ago to read a very interesting article about consumers’ feelings when purchasing various items.  It was an eye-opener to me; I had never looked at making a purchase from this viewpoint.  I think you’ll find it interesting as well.
 
According to research, we (perhaps subconsciously) assign a risk-reward value to everything we buy.  Examples of low-risk, low-reward purchases would be groceries and gasoline.  They’re necessities of life, but we don’t get a great deal of pleasure out of buying them.  Woo-hoo!  A tank of gas! Two pounds of ground beef!  Whoopee!   Wrong.  We need them, but it just isn’t much fun to shop for them. 
 
Low-risk, high-reward purchases might be clothing or jewelry.  Most of us enjoy buying new clothes and jewelry; we see what we’re getting and it’s going to make us look good.  If we decide it doesn’t, we can usually return it for a refund or exchange.
 
A good example of a high-risk high-reward purchase would be a new car.  You can do all the research you want before you buy it, but there IS risk involved.  A lot of risk.  Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of risk… because you can get a “lemon” in ANY brand of car.  The rewards, however, can be high… comfort, prestige, that great new car smell… no scratches or dents… the envy of your friends and neighbors… and hopefully fewer repairs and problems than the old clunker you traded in.
 
What about high-risk low-reward purchases?  You replace your heating system in hopes of more comfort and efficiency but find that you’re no warmer and the heat bill is just as high as before.  Even if you are a little warmer and the heat bill is a little lower, you don’t get a lot of fun or pride of ownership out of that purchase.  You spent several grand and didn’t do much more than maintain the status quo.  Big deal…  How much fun is a new roof?  Repaving your driveway?  There is risk of poor workmanship or materials – and a lot of money – involved in all these purchases, but not much of a reward. 
 
In the furniture business, the best example of high-risk low-reward purchases is a new mattress.  You’re spending several hundred dollars or more… no one is ever going to see it… you can’t park it in front of the house… how much fun is that?  Well, we’re thinking about this one THE WRONG WAY, folks.  Nothing you purchase other than prescription medication is going to have a greater effect on the way you feel than the proper set of bedding.  That new car in the driveway won’t make your aching back feel better… it won’t make you sleep better, either. 

If you come to Bowen Town & Country Furniture and select a new Tempur-Pedic Swedish Sleep System, the risk vanishes as well.  Sleep on your new Tempur-Pedic for up to 90 days and if you don’t like it, Tempur-Pedic will TAKE IT BACK and refund your money (minus a reasonable shipping charge)!  Tempur-Pedic makes buying a new mattress a low-risk, high-reward proposition.  Come in today and let us give you a demonstration – and if you do it before May 31, 2009 you’ll have a chance to win a new Ford Mustang or one of many other prizes from Tempur-Pedic.

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