The High Point Furniture Market kicked off this week and for those of you not familiar with this Market, furniture and accessory manufacturers have spent countless months prior to this twice-year, most anticipated North Carolina event, creating their craft.

Furniture designers have been behind closed doors designing, redesigning and perfecting their lines. This Furniture Market is showcasing trends for the ensuing 6 months and into our future. Furniture, accessories, fabrics and paint colors are displayed to inspire and, with great hopes, eventually become part of our lifestyles during this time.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful, sunny but brisk opening day, hoping to visit this Market, which spans the entire downtown of High Point, NC - - expecting to see the same thing that I have seen, year after year after year.

Not this year … After walking through just a few miles of the very long and colorful yellow brick road, I was inspired to write. I am bored with beige and apparently, the rest of the economy is as well. (Please refer to my previous article several weeks ago, “What color is cooler than beige?”)

Ladies and gentleman, get your paint brushes ready! I have always been a fan of color, color and more color.

While walking the expansive Market, I noticed that, nationally and internationally, we are moving toward colors that can be incorporated to make ‘our beige’ become alive. Whether you move an area rug from one space to another, re-hang your favorite paintings from one room to another or add slipcovers to your existing living room set to change the seasonal moods, we are looking for a color change!

The new fabric trends, while they include shades of white, sand and gray, are mixed with colorful stripes and corresponding animal prints, along a backdrop of bright colored and darker shaded backgrounds, intended to stage and enhance subdued colors that we have grown accustomed.

I spoke to shelter publications and the design trade visiting Market who said they were looking for manufacturers to design small sofas, apartment sofas, studio sofas and small scaled couches that will fit into small spaces.

Actually, it was empowering to show them that Simplicity Sofas was already doing this. Check out the fabric page where we have spent the same countless hours defining and redesigning offerings to you. The opening day of Market proved our due diligence was appreciated.

Simplicity Sofas is ahead of this curve, already offering large scale sofas to fit through any small space, small sofas, as well as 50+ fabric possibilities and slipcovers for any decor. Now you need to focus on your space and your lifestyle.

Simplicity Sofas is here to offer sound design advice and tips, space planning and color coordination for your project. 

I have been watching my Dad enjoy his retirement … who has recently taken up RVing and, I must say, he and his friends and the family are having the times of their life. Fuel prices as they are, these guys do not spend their well-earned retirement money on much else. Why sit at home when you can take your friends and family wherever you want to go in a convenient, safe and economical way; without the burden of airline hassles, hotel prices and rental car disappointments?

Get on the road again … 
and furnish your surroundings the way my Dad did with his RV! He got the most of his seating environment by installing quality Ready-To-Assemble furniture. I hope to show you how to be more comfortable, on your way to getting to your destination and I really want to know about your experiences once you’re there…

Did you know?
You can take an RV places I never would have imagined and with a little help from Simplicity Sofas, you can furnish it comfortably, too. Dad’s making the most of it and enjoying these places. If you are really into RVing, you have already researched the multitude of destination travel; or you are one who has been there, done that and wants to do it again!

 What a trip!!

We would like to hear about your RV experiences here, too!! Do you want to know more about retrofitting your RV for space planning, seating and a more comfortable lifestyle while traveling this way? Let us know. Simplicity Sofas has the answers to your RV or, even your boating needs. Yes, my Dad just did buy a “small cruising boat” and he is installing a small apartment sofa and love seat in the cabins. — You know, the two best days in a boat owner’s life?

Check back later on that one.

For now - Happy RVing and let us know your story! Do you have photos to share? Send them or a link to them so we can place them here!!

I am just happy that my Dad is RVing now and has used this product to create additional room for the RV small space. Send me pictures of your RV space and I can help you create a place that you can “retire and ride.”

Please don’t tell Dad I wrote an article about him and his adventures. I just wanted to share this with enthusiast like you.

Are you shopping for your new living room suite or looking for an apartment sofa to fit in just the right space? There are a few things to consider as you begin your search. Obviously, the first thing you think of is style.

Which style of furniture inspires you - traditional, contemporary, or a more versatile transitional look? If you’re not sure, take a look in your closet which reveals a lot about who you are by the clothes you wear. My closet is a mixture of designer deals that I found at department stores and shabby chic shirts and jackets from little boutiques or catalogs. If you can’t quite define your style, that’s OK too. As you are looking for your apartment sofa for your studio or living room, you will start to realize what inspires you.

One of the MOST important things to consider when looking for furniture is – Will it FIT on the elevator, up my stairs, around the corner and through the door? I can not tell you how many times I have heard stories of someone buying a sofa and having it delivered, only to realize that when they got it home, it simply would not fit. You won’t have that problem with Simplicity Sofas, as they are shipped in three boxes and assemble in 15 minutes with no tools required.

Consider quality and warranties. Is the frame made of solid hardwoods or particle board? Do the frames have a lifetime warranty?

Also consider design options. Can the pieces be slipcovered? How many coordinating fabrics are available from which to choose? Does the company offer pet-proof fabrics? Can they offer complimentary design advice?

We pride ourselves in offering advice on furniture construction, room planning and color coordination. Please leave us a comment or question you may have and we will be happy to answer it. Chances are, there are a lot of people wondering the same thing as you. We’re here to help! Check back often as we update this section with furniture tips and articles to help educate you about your furniture purchases and caring for your furniture.