April Market, 2012

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

If I had to sum up the April High Point furniture market in one word, that word would be “color.”

It has been years since I have seen fabrics with the bold, vibrant colors that were on display in High Point upholstery showrooms.  Tangerine is “the” color but blue made a strong comeback as well.

The way color is used is a bit different from years past; you’ll see a patterned sofa here and there, but most sofas are solid –often neutral – colors.  Color is added with accent chairs and throw pillows.  Pillows are everywhere in every size, shape and color… and what better way to switch from a “winter” palette to a “spring and summer” color scheme than by changing out a few throw pillows for a whole new look?

We were excited to see the new looks at market, so we pulled out the order book and went to work.  In a few short weeks we’ll be unloading trucks and getting our store ready to show you the latest thing from market.  We think you’ll like these bright; cheerful new looks as much as we do.

We’ll keep you posted as the new things come in!  You’ll REALLY like living with us!

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, off Stratford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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How to keep your mattress clean!

Your new mattress will help create a restful sleep environment. Be sure to ask your retailer for advice about properly moving your new mattress and foundation into your home. Improper installation can damage your new sleep set.

1 – Turn and rotate a new mattress every few weeks to help smooth out contours. After a few months, turn and rotate your mattress twice a year to help equalize the wear and tear that normally occurs. Also remember to rotate your foundation as well.

To read more tips click HERE!

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, off Stratford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Red, White, Blue…and Green

By: Keith Joyce
VP Operations

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.

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, off Stratford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Leather…or “Pleather”?

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

We’ve all heard it all our lives…”You get what you pay for.”  While there are exceptions here and there – the terrific sale price that’s REALLY a terrific sale price – the old adage is usually true.  You DO get what you pay for…so if you don’t pay a fair price, you don’t get much.  Leather furniture is a prime example in today’s market.  The frame and spring construction of the piece play a large role in price, but for today we’ll stick to the covers.

Let’s face it…you can find “leather” sofas priced all over the ballpark from $599 to $10,000 or even more.  What IS the difference?  Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of products being sold as “leather.”  A top-quality leather sofa will be covered in top-grain steerhide, not cowhide.  Steers are raised for beef rather than dairy products, so the hides are from younger animals.  Like our own skins, leather from young animals is less likely to carry the scars inflicted by a long life.  The finer quality the hide, the more it costs.  Calfskin and lambskin are the most expensive – and most pristine – hides.  It takes more small hides to cover a sofa, hence a higher price.

Okay…so what is the $799 leather sofa you saw in the paper made of?  Cheap hides at best…”leather match” or “bonded leather” at worst.  Cheap hides include water buffalo, split leather (layers shaved from the part that’s left when the “top grain” is removed, scarred or otherwise sub-par skins.

What the heck is “pleather”?

When furniture industry insiders refer to a product as “pleather” it can mean any of the categories below.

“Leather match” or “leather plus” means that the piece is covered with “real leather” of some quality on the inside surfaces – the inside back, seat, and the tops of the arms.  The rest of the furniture is covered in vinyl material that closely approximates the color of the leather.  You’re sitting on leather, but the rest of the chair is vinyl.  If you’re pinching pennies, this can be an acceptable choice.

“Bi-cast” or “By-cast” leather is a split hide that has been dyed, sometimes pressure-embossed with a grain pattern and then coated with polyurethane.  It’s closer to sitting on vinyl than sitting on leather, but they’re inexpensive.

“Bonded” leather is often found on pieces in the lowest tier of prices.  We’re talking about the particle board of leather here, folks.  Bonded leather is made by grinding up leather scraps, dyeing them, mixing them with glue, and spreading them on a fabric backing material followed by spraying with a sealant.  It’s most commonly used to make book covers or inexpensive belts, purses, and the like.  Recently we’ve seen it on furniture.  It’s cheap, and technically it’s leather…but personally, I’d rather have a fabric sofa.  I think it would last longer than bonded leather.

At Bowen Town & Country Furniture we carry the finest leather furniture in the nation! Click HERE to search our leather furniture manufacturers. Come by and visit our beautiful showroom, located at 1910 Mooney Street in Winston-Salem, NC. At Bowen, You’ll Like Living With Us!

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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How To Tell If You Need A New Mattress

Source: BetterSleep.org

With most products, it’s fairly obvious when a replacement is needed. If it no longer works or has signs of wear and tear that impair its ability, you know its time for a new one. However, realizing that it is time for a new mattress and foundation isn’t always so obvious. Similar to your favorite old chair or worn pair of shoes, your mattress can still feel comfortable long after it has lost its ability to provide your body with the proper support and comfort it needs. Because sleep is so critical to our ability to function and feel our best, it is important to evaluate your sleep set on a regular basis.

• You wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains
• You had a better night’s sleep somewhere other than your own bed (such as a hotel)
• Your mattress shows visible signs of overuse (it sags, has lumps, the interior is exposed, etc.)
• Your mattress is 5 – 7 years old*

*How long a mattress will last depends on several factors, such as amount of use and original quality, but in general, a mattress set that has been in use 5-7 years is no longer providing you with the best comfort and support. Keep in mind that people’s bodies change over time, and the need for good comfort and support only increases with age. That’s why it’s a good idea to compare the mattress and foundation you are sleeping on now to newer models every few years.

The warranty on the new mattress and foundation you purchase is not an indicator of how long the product should be used before replacement. The warranty is there to protect the customer from product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support.
Moreover, different manufacturers offer different warranties, and you should check with the manufacturer of your mattress for product-specific information.

Old beds turn up in the oddest places – in the bottom of lakes, by the side of the road, in the classified ads of the newspaper. Clearly, people don’t know what to do with old mattresses!

It’s estimated that nearly 70% of old beds stay in circulation, handed down like heirlooms to children and other family members. This is especially harmful for children, whose active, developing bodies require the support of a good quality mattress. If the bed is no longer good enough for you, it’s not good enough for anybody else; throw it out.

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, NC where we carry mattresses by Sealy, Tempur-Pedic and Carolina Mattress Guild!

We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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