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Archive for June, 2010

Cocktail ottomans and ottoman sofa beds are by far among the most versatile furnishings available. Many homeowners are so taken with them that they’re actually donating their existing, boring coffee tables to charity and replacing them with multipurpose ottomans. These leg resting, seat giving, item holding ottomans not only offer multifunctional features, but also style and beauty as well. To get the most of these fabulously functioning furnishings, homeowners are adding ever necessary ottoman trays. These trays offer a stable and sturdy resting place for drinks and snacks so that the ottoman below can completely replace the need for a coffee table.

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When it comes to ottoman trays, the easiest type to have is the built in style. What that means is that the top of the ottoman actually lifts off and flips over to reveal a tray on the other side. The top is then fitted into the opening to become a sturdy, strong table with edges that will catch any spills and keep the flooring below squeaky clean. Because of the convenience of the built ins, more and more ottomans are being created with this feature.

The downward curved ottoman tray is another great seller. It features a molded plastic, wood or metal (or combination of materials) which has curved sides that can either face upward or downward. When the sides are down, they “hug” the ottoman which keeps the try firmly in place. This style tends to run a little more higher in price than a standard style tray.
Photograph ottoman trays are quite popular because they allow homeowners to personalize their trays with photos or drawings or artwork. Some can hold multiple photos and others only one. The photos are protected by a clear glass or plastic covering, much like a photo frame.

The round ottoman tray is made from various materials from plastic to glass and everything in between. Their quite popular and look great on top of a round shaped ottoman but can be used on virtually any shape. Some round trays feature sides that aid in carrying the tray as well as to catch anything that might spill or slip off.

Ottoman trays come in countless designs and in many materials. They’re available in every budget range and in every style from ultra modern to traditional. Be sure that you have one for every ottoman in your home and remember that they also make terrifically useful and well received gifts as well.

Chairs are the most common form of furniture that can be found anywhere as long as there are people. A chair has four legs for it to support the person sitting on it and most are intended for one person. Classic or modern types of chairs will forever be useful as they in one’s home, establishment, or any place.

As far as history is concerned, Egyptian chairs are the most ancient chairs in the third dynasty of ancient Egypt. The legs are shaped like those of animals. The seats were corded in the wood and topped with a cushion. One of the most elegant chair designs is the Empire chair in the form of a Greek klismos. The seat was supported by sharply curved legs pointing to the feet.

The 14th and 15th centuries in Western Europe gave rise to the Renaissance chairs. These have two principal varieties. The light chair which can easily be moved and the heavy chair which is usually a throne-like seat that is used by the head of the household or somebody important like a high ranking person. During England in the 16th century, chairs began to depend mostly on upholstery for decoration which introduced this new feature of the chair.

In the 17th century large numbers of richly carved chairs were produced. In Italy, many pieces of furniture were the work of sculptors like the famous Andrea Brustolon which featured the carving Negro boys with heads as an arm and legs carved as tree trunks and branches. While in France, it paved the way to more luxurious padding and carved arms ending in scrolls or animal heads. These luxurious chairs were imported to England but had to be modified for English tastes.

Thus a finely carved front stretcher became fashionable. American furniture on the other hand adapted simplified versions of English styles from the late 17th century. Windsor chairs were particularly popular in the 18th century and were developed to a greater degree in America than in England. But England and France continued to dominate chair fashions throughout the 19th century but these styles were largely adaptations of those previous eras. Until now, these chairs have continuously developed and been modified to suit a person’s preferred design.

The great evolution of chairs has been helpful for creating new designs, styles and sizes. Materials have also been modified to build new types of chairs. A plastic chair can be an example of this. But the elegance of the chair will always remain.