Grandma's House in the 70's and 80's

Gotta Love that Plastic Covered Sofa

I know I may be showing my age, but I remember visiting my grandma and experiencing things that I never did anywhere else. First off, there was always a dish of hard candy in the living room. The only problem was that you needed a crowbar to pull the pieces apart. I remember finding a small flat head screwdriver and feeling elated that I no longer had to risk tearing off a fingernail to get a treat. One of the other things I remember was there not being any air conditioning in the house. It really wasn't too far off from my actual experience at home since my mom and dad didn't do the air conditioning either. We did, however, have a swamp cooler that would do the trick assuming the humidity never passed the 60% mark, but I digress. The thing that baffled me the most was the sofa in the den that was covered by a plastic coating.  I just didn't understand why in the world you would prefer the feel of plastic to cloth. 

I was about 4 or 5 years old when I first was cognizant enough to remember this strange phenomenon. I remember my parents talking about how much they disliked the feel of the couch. I was lucky in my youth (heat didn't affect me like it does now...) and I realize that deep south humidity, no A/C and plastic covered furniture would mix for quite an unpleasant experience.  

The Greatest Generation's Furniture

As I got older, I learned more about both what my grandma had gone through and how difficult it is to find reasonably priced furniture for sale. This unique perspective allowed me to understand how difficult things actually got during the depression and through two world wars. Her family experienced things I hope mine will never come across. They had utilitarian wooden furniture and she and all five of her siblings shared one room.  She took care of everything and did her best to make sure it would last as long as possible. To her, sacrificing what she considered a small amount of comfort to ensure a longer life for a luxury in her home was worth it. Almost everything was a luxury to her, considering her childhood. It truly was an eye-opening discovery when I was old enough to understand the hardships that she endured. 

Discount Furniture for Sale in Lubbock, Texas

It truly is a blessing that I haven't had to go through everything that my Grandparents did. When I think about how there are places like House of Furniture in Lubbock, TX, I am grateful that there is a place that provides quality furniture for homes at prices that won't make you feel like fainting. If you live in or around Lubbock, it would be worth your while to stop by and take a look. With financing available* and a down-home friendly atmosphere, it's easy to find what you need. If you would like to browse their selection online, just click here!

*See Store for Details

How To Care For Wood Furniture

Tips on How to Care for Your Wood Furniture

Furniture, including wood pieces, are a part of our daily lives. Some of these pieces have an emotional or symbolic importance to us. No matter their importance, they deserve the best care we can give them. Wood furniture can become a treasured possession in your home, and with the proper care, your precious piece can last for generations. Quality wood furniture is a significant investment that needs to be maintained and understanding proper care and preventing damage are well within your hands.
You may be wondering what type of cleaner or polisher is right for your piece. You also might be torn between cleaning vs. dusting, and polishing vs. waxing wood furniture. Over time, furniture will accumulate dust, dirt, and even grease. It will also have a tendency of losing its sheen or polish which can cause it to absorb oils and water.
Damage and destruction of your piece can come in many forms. Here are some useful tips to keep your wooden furniture clean and last for years thanks to newstimes.

Tips on How to Care for that Special Piece

1. To clean the finish on your wood furniture just use warm water and mild dish soap. Cleaning furniture with water won't hurt it -- just be careful not to soak it. Use an old toothbrush for hard-to-get areas. Wipe the dirt off the surface with soft cloths or paper towels until they come up fairly clean. Then dry off any residual moisture with a soft cloth.

2. After a good cleaning, the best way to protect the finish is to use a good-quality soft paste wax. Apply a thin coat as directed on the label. Wait five minutes and buff lightly with a soft (shoe) brush or cloth. Wait for another 30 to 60 minutes and buff/brush again with a bit more vigor. You'll see a beautiful shine return to the finish that will last for many months.

3. Keep your furniture out of the sun. The temperature of the summer sun coming through a window can go above 140 degrees. It will cook fine finishes, fading and destroying them over time, and dry out and shrink the wood, which will cause cracks.

4. Don't place wood furniture near heating units or vents. Dry heat will cause the wood to dry and shrink, leaving cracks. Use a humidifier in the drier months to bring the moisture up to the 40 to 45 percent level.

5. For a quick-fix touch-up, use the appropriate color shoe polish on scratches and chips, especially to make them less visible on the feet of furniture. Carefully using a matching-color felt-tip marker first will hide it even better.

6. When polishing metal hardware, take it off the furniture first. Take your time and make a note to remember what piece goes back where. Use a quality metal polish to get it shining again. Once it's buffed, put it back on, being careful not to scratch the wood surfaces. I recommend that you don't try to do this all at one time. It can be a lot of work, so take a few days, doing a few pieces at a time, instead of getting tired and frustrated with trying to do too much.

There you have it; it is not as difficult as it may seem. Proper care using the right tools and cleaning products can keep any piece looking fabulous. Newstimes has a few more tips on how to shop for new or antique furniture, restore or refinishing a piece, and how to remove white hazy marks or spots, all very useful.

Furniture For Sale in Lubbock, TX

House of Furniture doesn't just sell wood items for your home. If you are in the Lubbock area and you would like to see our selection, we invite you to visit our storefront at 4602 Avenue Q. You can also visit our website to see everything we offer by clicking here. 

Bookcases are Making a Comeback!?

Do You Have a Bookcase in Your Home?

When I was much younger, I always loved going over to hang out with my best friend. This friend's dad was a preacher, and he had a room full of bookcases. Most of the books were of different critiques on religious views and in-depth studies into various parts of the Bible. There was one that was dedicated to holding a massive collection of Star Wars novels from the Expanded Universe. I was intrigued by this contrast, and I always looked at the spines arranged in alphabetical order. There was a sense of awe and wonderment in that room. To me, it felt like a tiny little library. I realize now it was his study room and, perhaps, his place to escape to a galaxy far, far away. 

That room and the idea of having a library always seemed so sophisticated to me. Today, more than 20 years later, I may not have realized my dream of having a small library, but I have several bookcases in my home full of all sorts of texts. From biographies and other non-fiction to historical and science fiction novels, I've tried my best to keep every book I've ever purchased. Perhaps, at some point, I may reach my goal of being able to line a room of my home with shelves and shelves of books.

The Supposed Death of Print

With the advent of the internet and hand-held electronic devices like Kindles and iPads, people have been saying that the days of print is dead. Still, bookstores are selling physical copies of books to people like me who just want to have that tangible rectangle of pages. To me, there is just something about having a real book in your hand that can't be replicated with technology. The feel of turning a page, the smell of the paper and the ability to set them up in a row on a shelf are all reason enough for me to forego the modern replacement. 

Don't get me wrong, I understand the benefits of eBooks. They don't take up space, they don't wear out or suffer any of the physical adversities that paperbacks have. Still, I (and seemingly many others) choose to do things the old-fashioned way.

Office Furniture for Sale in Lubbock, TX

If you are like me and you love books, then you may understand the need for quality when looking at bookcases for sale. There are very cheap (in both price and quality) options that you can find at the big bargain stores. You know the compressed wood items that come with vague and sometimes indecipherable instructions that I am talking about. While these items have their place, they don't hold up well to the test of time, and they can begin to sag and bow while trying to hold up your library of books. If you are looking for a bookcase for your office, House of Furniture in Lubbock has a great selection of home office furniture. The best news is that you can get high-quality furniture at genuinely discounted prices. If you would like to see the entire collection online, just click here!

Is your Dining Room Table Ready for the Curb?

Throw Out That Old Dining Room Table

Let’s be real here, how long have you had that dining room table? The dining room table is definitely showing its age. The table has scratches all over it and the chairs are wobbly and perhaps broken. The table shakes and is no longer sturdy. Also, the top may even look like a disaster from years of abuse from the kids. If this is the case, then you’ve probably had this dining room table for far too long. The dining room table is a very important piece of furniture since it's the focal point of the room. It’s also where you and your guests sit and talk or even play games together. Tablecloths can cover up most of the cosmetic problems when it comes to hosting dinner. However, no matter how nice the cloth, it can't cover up any structural issues.

The New Table

There’s no need for you to keep that embarrassing table for any longer than you have to. The truth is that you can get a nice new dining room table that will breathe new life into the room. You can even go tablecloth-less if you want! (Scandalous, I know!) Show off that new table and kick that old one to the curb. With your newfound sturdy and visually appealing dining room set, you can entertain without any worry of what the Joneses will say.

Furniture for Sale in Lubbock, Texas

If you are indeed embarrassed by your current dining room table and would like to upgrade to a much more attractive table, then look no further than The House of Furniture located in Lubbock, Texas. We have a plethora of dining room sets for you to browse. All the options are just a click away and there is something that is sure to catch your eye and fit the overall aesthetics of your home. Our friendly staff wants to make the furniture buying process as easy as it can be for you. Hometown service while providing quality and true discounts is how we will save you money.