Matching five-element furniture to the seasons
A traditional Chinese guide to the five elements in furniture: which materials count as wood, earth, metal, water and fire, and what people born in different seasons are advised to…
Journal
The advantages of leather living-room furniture
What separates a good high-end furniture maker from the rest, and why genuine leather living-room furniture is worth the higher price.
Why you might avoid white furniture
White furniture looks fresh but has five weak points: yellowing, hard-to-clean surfaces, finish emissions, board quality and hardware. How to check each one before you buy.
What makes modern minimalist furniture
Where modern minimalist furniture came from, how it differs from baroque, rococo and neoclassical styles, and what to keep in mind when furnishing a living room.
Care methods for four furniture types
Good furniture can last for decades with the right care. Practical cleaning and maintenance for leather, fabric, wood and metal pieces.
Summer sun protection for furniture
Sun and air conditioning both take a toll on furniture in summer. How to protect sofas, coffee tables and solid wood from fading, yellowing and cracking.
The five elements and colour in furniture
In traditional Chinese thinking each color belongs to one of the five elements. Here is how that maps to sofa colors, and how to work out which colors suit you.
What to check when buying furniture online
Six things to check the day your furniture is delivered: package count, finish, joints, frame, size and hardware, so problems are caught before the driver leaves.
How to tell real leather from fake
Five quick checks for real leather on a sofa or chair: touch, grain, smell, a burn test on a hidden fiber, and how the surface takes up water.
Protecting furniture from damp
Humid weather causes mold, swelling and warping. Here is how to protect wood, engineered-board, leather and metal furniture before the damp season sets in.