Cushion Options; What’s Right for You?

Most people never give cushion construction a second thought when buying upholstered furniture.  We see a sofa or chair we like, we sit on it, and if it’s comfortable we buy it.  The question of cushion construction is rarely asked, and unfortunately most furniture salespeople don’t address it unless asked.  Let’s take a look at cushions so you can make an informed buying decision.

Cushion construction varies with the price of the sofa or chair.  The least expensive ones will have a block of polyurethane foam zipped inside the cushion cover.  As a rule, they won’t hold their shape very long and the welt cord of the cushion cover will “crawl” out of position.  “Crawling” is caused by the backing material of the upholstery fabric gripping the bare foam; every time you sit down, the cushion cover gets pulled toward the back of the sofa.  Over time, the fabric stretches a bit ( it ALL does) and the cushion cover begins to move toward the back of the sofa.  The result is that the welt cord ends up out of place and your sofa looks terrible.  The foam tends to hold its shape, but the cushion covers won’t.

Better sofas and chairs will normally have a poly-dacron or “PD” cushion.  PD cushions have a foam core wrapped with polyester fibers.  The best PD cushions are stitched inside a tightly-woven muslin casing before being inserted into the cushion cover.  This makes it almost impossible for the cushion cover to move; the fabric backing can’t grip the smooth surface of the muslin casing.  Some manufacturers offer cushions in standard or extra-firm versions.

Some PD cushions may have springs inside them.  A pre-formed set of springs ( sometimes called a “Marshall unit”) is inside the foam core.  This is a more expensive cushion that provides a lot of comfort.  Over time, the springs will lose some of their resiliency and the cushion will show contours where it has formed itself to you.

“Springdown” cushions are the next step up in price.  Springdown cushions have a spring unit inside a foam core and a polyester fibre wrap, but an outer layer of down and waterfowl feathers makes up the outer layer.  These cushions are stitched into a “downproof” muslin cover before being inserted into the cushion cover.  The downproof cover is very tightly woven to prevent the down from coming through the cushion cover, but expect to see a bit of down or a feather now and then.  You can’t stop them completely with fabric.  These cushions are extremely comfortable, but down and feathers don’t have the resiliency of synthetic fibers.  You’ll need to fluff them up regularly, and you’ll need to be prepared for the “comfort wrinkles” and contours that will be unavoidable with these cushions.

Lastly, we come to the champagne of upholstery cushions… “blended down” or “blenddown.”  Blendown cushions are made up of polyester fiber, waterfowl feathers, and down.  They are incredibly soft, luxurious, and rather expensive.  They will compress with every use and need to be fluffed up with each and every use.  Since we’re talking about champagne, we need to mention the finest… the Dom Perignon of cushions – pure down.  This is the height of luxury.  Incredible softness and comfort… and the cushion will be almost completely flat every time you get off it.  Be prepared to fluff… and fluff… and fluff some more.

To sum it up… the cheapest cushions are bad.  The “medium” cushions are best for most people… they hold their shape fairly well and don’t require much upkeep.  The premium cushions offer a luxurious feel, but require more work on your part.  If you want your cushions to look new longer with no maintenance, the better quality “mediums” are the cushions for you.

Visit us today at Bowen Town & Country Furniture and browse our beautiful showroom. We are located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratford Road near Hanes Mall. We’ll make you feel at home while you shop and you’ll like living with us.

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The Best Seats in the House

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

Most of us have one room in our homes where we gather with family and friends… and in that room are one or two really “choice” seats.  Maybe these are a little more comfortable or have a little better view of the TV than the other seats – and there might just be a race to see who gets those seats.  It really doesn’t have to be that way… Bowen Town & Country Furniture can help you bring an end to the battle for the best seats.

Everyone likes to stretch out on the sofa, but who gets the privilege?  With a handsome sectional sofa, you can make sure that Mom AND Dad have plenty of room to stretch out and relax.  We have the industry’s finest brands – Vanguard, CR Laine, Huntington House, Rowe, Hancock & Moore and Bradington-Young (pardon us for name-dropping) with hundreds of luxurious and durable fabrics and leathers to choose from.  Best of all, you can design your own sectional!  We’ll help you pick just the right pieces for your room – add a chaise or sleep sofa, even POWER recliner sections.  Shape your sectional with wedge unit for a gentle curved corner or select a 90-degree module for a classic L-shape.  We can literally wrap the walls of your room with seating if you wish!

Come and let us help you make sure that everyone gets a comfortable, supportive, relaxing seat… everyone can truly have the best seat in the house!

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

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

Kincaid has a well-deserved reputation as a manufacturer of fine American-made solid wood bedroom and dining room furniture and as an importer of carefully selected international products.

Unknown to some, they’re hard at work building another fine reputation – as a maker of fine hand-tailored American-made upholstered furniture.  Kincaid upholstery is designed to suit your needs; careful craftsmanship and quality materials equal lasting comfort for your home.

Kincaid offers over 50 sofa styles and 600 fabrics; chairs, ottomans, benches and loveseats are available as well. There is a dazzling selection of finishes, trims and even cushioning materials so you can make your sofa uniquely your own! Don’t see quite the style you are looking for?  Kincaid’s Custom Select program allows you to design your own sofa!

Bowen Town & Country is proud to offer the complete line of Kincaid custom upholstery.  Come by today and let our experts help you pick the perfect piece for your home!

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

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Rowe Sofas: Capture your mood, your imagination and your eye!

Some of the best moments in life are spent on the sofa.

Relaxing, reflecting, and yes, dozing. You can sit on any sofa. The perfect one cradles you.

From contemporary or traditional, full size or you-size, curl ups or formal, Rowe can create for you a reflection of you.

A personal harbor that doesn’t just capture your eye but also captures how you want this sofa to be a part of your life.

The uses for the perfect sofa are virtually limitless.

The choices for creating the perfect one should be as well.
Few furniture manufacturers have a past as rich as Rowe. Starting as the dream of two men in Virginia 60 years ago to our status today as one of the world’s most respected custom upholstery manufacturers, Rowe has not just been a part of history, we have earned experience from it. For over 60 years past and for many years to come, Rowe has earned the trust and captured the imagination, mood and eye of millions of customers the world over.

Visit us at Bowen Town & Country Furniture where we are proud to carry Rowe! We’re located at 1910 Mooney Street, right off Stratdford Road…near Hanes Mall.

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Believe It Or Not…

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

I ran by the office supply store on my lunch hour today.  I didn’t really need anything, but I have loved office supplies since I was a kid.  There’s something about new pens, pencils, paper and notebooks that has always attracted me… the smell of new cedar pencils, maybe some subconscious thought of blank paper equating to a fresh start… I’m not sure.  A psychologist could probably have a field day with me.

What struck me most on today’s visit was the rack inside the front door with lists of supplies required by each of our local schools.  Hey, it’s still summer, isn’t it?  I started down one of the aisles and there stood a cute, little girl and her dad with a cart full of school supplies.  Maybe she’s just eager to start or they don’t want to get caught in the crowds during our “tax-free” weekend… but one thing’s for sure –summer is almost over!

If you’re a student, that’s probably not good news.  If you’re a parent, it might be great news… all a matter of perspective.  Either way, it won’t be long… the days are already noticeably shorter.  August, while hot, usually brings a day or two that are little “tastes of fall.”  Cool weather isn’t far behind (I won’t miss the heat!)… And we’ll be spending more time indoors.

Yes, it’ll be time to abandon the deck or patio and head for the den… maybe we’ll find ourselves watching it snow like last winter.  At any rate, if we’re going to be inside, we certainly ought to be comfortable.  Bowen Town & Country Furniture has a wonderful selection of fine home furnishings that will make that change to indoor living a pleasure.  We’d love to help you find just the right sofa or chair for those evenings by the fire that are closer than we think!

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

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Have It Your Way…

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

When I first started my career in the furniture business- “back in the day,” as my daughter puts it – we sold what were called “pit groups.”  They consisted of modular sofa sections arranged to form three sides of a square.  The center was filled by an enormous ottoman, so you ended up with a “pit” that you almost had to crawl into- comfortable when you got in there, but a little awkward for normal seating.  The less adventurous could opt for an L-configuration, but that was the limit of your choices.
 
Fortunately, the pit group has evolved over the last thirty years into the sectionals we have today.  You can literally “have it your way” and configure a sectional in innumerable ways – from basic L’s to a gigantic circle and anything in between.  Options include reclining seats, sleep sofas and loveseats – some with air mattresses- and an almost unlimited selection of fabrics and leathers.  Bowen Town & Country Furniture is your sectional headquarters in Winston-Salem.  We proudly feature sectional sofas from Vanguard, CR Laine, Rowe, Bradington-Young, Broyhill, Hancock & Moore and other fine manufacturers.  Our highly experienced sales team will be happy to help you design YOUR sectional sofa today!  We’re open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and 9-5 on Saturday.

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Keep the Change

By: Keith Joyce
VP of Operations

I walked into the house last night and took a long look at my sofa. It’s still an excellent piece of furniture… comfortable, handsome and in great condition. Unfortunately, I’m tired of the look… and it’s way too good to get rid of, so I suppose I’ll be looking at it for another year or two. Had I made a different choice when I ordered it, I could have a new sofa every season at a very reasonable price.

No… I’m not kidding. If I had selected a slipcover sofa from Rowe, I could have extra slipcovers and change the look whenever I want. I’d have a brightly colored, cheerful slipcover for spring and summer… maybe another in warm, earthy tones for fall and winter. Either way, I could have a fresh look simply by changing the covers. If one slipcover has been soiled, use the “time off” to have it cleaned !

Bowen Town & Country Furniture is proud to offer you access to our exclusive Studio Rowe! We have hundreds of fabrics and frame combinations to show you – you can even see your new sofa on a big-screen TV BEFORE you order it using our PreVue system. Stop by today and we’ll show you how to keep the change!

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