Aaron’s last post reminded me of similar problems we encounter when customers try to get a mattress and foundation up a narrow flight of stairs.  King size mattresses do flex and they come with a split box instead of one.  This really helps a lot.  You can also get a split box in queen size — thus enabling the foundation to go upstairs.  WHEW!  Don’t worry that you’ll be stuck in twin beds!!! 

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Do you have a room that you just can’t easily fit sheetrock into? Maybe the room is upstairs and the stairs take a funny angle. Maybe it’s a weird ceiling. I don’t know. Well, actually I do know. I just had this problem. It was an upstairs room in which only 4′x4′ pieces of sheetrock could make it up the stairway. We could have got them in through an upstairs window, but that would’ve required carrying an 8′x4′ piece up a ladder (NOT easy) or using a boom lift (lumber yard said the cable lines were in the way). So it was down to the 4′x4′ sheets, right? Wrong. Better idea. Tongue and groove pine boards. Inexpensive and they look great. This small den area with 45 degree walls suddenly has more character then any room in the house. In the end, it will have taken about the same amount of time and if the wood is found on sale it can be very similarly priced.

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A friend of mine who works in ceramics gave a class on color.  I was thinking about the difficulties we have choosing what color to use and what colors go well together.  A little rule of thumb is to print out a color wheel from the internet.  Colors that go together are directly across from or on either side of the color you selected.  One site I went to was quite fun.  It is http://www.visibone.com/color/posterzoom.html.  And remember, if you paint and you don’t like it, it is really easy to change it - don’t be afraid to take risks.  I have and it is fun.  Some work and some don’t, but it’s only paint! 

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We are constantly hearing how using the new fluorescent light bulbs can save energy and I agree.  It is extremely important that we save energy whenever and wherever possible.  However, be aware that fluorescent bulbs can skew colors, especially tan or light beige.  These colors can take on a green hue when using fluorescent lighting.  We have seen it happen in the store - a lot!  Personally, I use reveal light bulbs to get the truest color in my rooms.  Another choice is to use the lighting that gives you a look AND FEEL of sunshine.  Go to www.sunbulbs.com and take a look.  These bulbs are also energy efficient and give you truer color in your home as well as a feel good atmosphere. 

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Oftentimes our customers ask, “What is the size of a queen size mattress vs. a king size mattress?” Here’s the scoop… Twin size is 3′3″ by 75″ long. Full size is 4′6″ by 75″ long. Queen size is 5′ by 80″ long and standard or Eastern king size is 6′6″ by 80″ long. California king, usually a special order, measures 6′ by 84″ long. I hope this helps when you are planning your bedrooms.

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I recently purchased a home and can relate to the Hennen’s customers who say how stressful furniture shopping can be.  YIKES!!!  I agree!  What style? What color?  What, What, What???  Here are some hints that I find very useful.  Only do one room at a time.  Sit in the room and think about how you use it and what feels good for you.  Use the Hennen’s layout plan on the homepage.  Listen to yourself because you know what feels right for you and for your family.  Have confidence and let the sales associates help you.  Believe in your decision, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

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Have you been complaining about your energy bill lately? Well, you could continue to complain forever or you could just complain for the next 8 years. If I had some extra cash lying around I’d choose the eight year route. At least then an end to the bickering is in sight. What am I talking about? Windmill Energy. For about $8500, you could purchase a Skystream 3.7, a windmill that sits upon your house and twirls away providing almost all of the energy a house could need. According to the geeks at The Simple Dollar, it would take about 8 years for the device to pay for itself. Not too bad if you consider the fact that your children will most likely never pay for themselves.

SkyStream

To find more ways to save money with gadgets visit this article on The Simple Dollar.

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The other day my daughter called me and told me that her cat got sick and threw up on her new carpeting.  Needless to say, she was (no pun intended) sick about it and asked me what she should use to clean it up.  After consulting with the experts in the flooring department of Hennen Furniture, I told her to use a product called Pet Stain and Odor Neutralizer made by Capture carpet and rug cleaner.  The stain came out and the room smelled great.  She and the cat both felt much better. 

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Here I am sitting at my desk with NO idea what I should write for my very first entry on this, the launch weekend for the newly designed Hennen Furniture website. What could I write about that would aptly fit my direction for future blogging? Well first I’ll tell you what my direction will be. I hope to hit home technology and home renovation for the most part. Yeah, I may branch out, this IS the first day. So what about my current house is something that people talk about and probably say, “Wow, you’re a dork and you’re lazy……..but that’s cool.” Well that item is something as simple as an infrared light switch. How many times have you been sitting on the sofa wishing you didn’t have to get up to turn off the light or even simply dim that light? For as little as $29.99 your regular old remote control can turn your lights on, off or dim them for you while you rest yourself underneath that blanket. You only need some basic electrical knowledge for the installation as you will have to replace the switch that you would like to operate. But after that, choose a button on your remote that you don’t use very often and program that button with the switch and you’re good to go. You’ll probably end up wanting one for every room with a tv. click here to learn more!

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We all have been there. We welcome a guest into our home and at some point they give us a compliment that goes something like this: “You have a lovely home.” Okay, maybe people don’t use the word lovely anymore. But they do say something to the affect of liking your space, appreciating your decorating sense, or wishing they had the wherewithall to fashion some sort of window treatment. These compliments always make me nervous and I end up downplaying the compliment. Most of the time, I resort to reciting my “future” decorating plans: “yeah, that’s okay, but I would like to . . . ” Why do I do that? My guest doesn’t see what I see; they think what I have done is fabulous. But we do look at our homes as a work in progress, don’t we. There is always a piece of furniture to replace, a room to paint, photos to frame or something to be dusted. I recently built a home and have been feeling the pressure to hurry up and decorate. Mainly because I constantly see what is not finished. A recent guest encouraged me to sit back and appreciate my home as it is and I think that is a great idea. It’s not perfect. Not every piece of artwork is hung. And I may move the bench in the hallway to my bedroom. Who knows. But during this decorating process, I will love my home because it’s mine

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