The most affordable option is this incredible faux leather bench - it's on caster wheels so it's easy to move.  This is a great piece to put at the foot of a bed - use it to put on your shoes, etc - and it pulls out to a twin sleeper!  What a great option for parents with a young child!  Sleeper bench, $425 + tax.

Next up is an update to the tired old futon - which is ONLY acceptable in a dorm room!  Many manufacturers make "Flip Flop" or "Click-Clack" sofas - firmer, more stylish versions of futons.  These are great in dens - they don't take up a ton of space, and when laid flat, are far more comfortable than a futon!  Many also feature storage in the bottom, so you can store the bedding for it below!  Shown: Faux leather flip flop sofa, $475 + tax.

Finally, the classic sleeper sofa has really diversified in recent years - now you can find sleeper chairs (twin sleepers), sleeper love seats (full sleepers) and sleeper sofas and sectionals!  Sleeper chairs make the perfect accent to a large master bedroom, and give a sleeping option again for parents with a younger child.  

For the ultimate in comfort, we suggest Klaussner Furniture's Air Dream line - they offer a "Sleep Number"-caliber mattress, with adjustable air ballasts over coils. They offer it on over 290 different frames, from chairs to sectionals, and since each piece is custom, it's available in +/- 400(!) different covers!  A sofa starts at about $1100, depending on frame and cover selected.  

With an 11" mattress, it rivals the comfort of a traditional innerspring mattress, yet with the option to adjust the firmness.  

No longer will the guests feel "stuck" on the sleeper sofa - it will be a treat!

For more space-saving ideas, feel free to ask!

Sharon Lord
Argent Décor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service 

LIVING AREA

DEN - the clients selected a custom sleeper sofa from Klaussner Furniture - it has a SUPER comfortable mattress that is comparable to a sleep-number bed - so if you get "stuck" on the pull-out sofa, it's not punishment!

BEDROOM 2 - We installed 2 Twin XL beds - they can be pushed together to create a King bed!  (wall art is on the wall not shown)

MASTER BEDROOM - The clients picked this bedding set - they wanted to have more calming colors/feel in the Master Retreat!

(wall art is on wall facing the window - not shown, but it's there!)
 

BATHS - Hall Bath (Left) and Master Bath (Right) 

The owners are from Calgary and were THRILLED they didn't have to drive all over town shopping for furniture & decor, *hope* everything they bought fit, and wait around weeks for the furniture to be delivered!  They'll be able to relax and ENJOY their time spent in their new Desert Ridge condo!

That's what we do - take the stress off Vacation Home Owners, and deliver turn-key Vacation Homes and Condos!

Sharon Lord
Argent Décor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service 

The clients drove in from Des Moines, and wanted to stay at their home Tuesday night, rather than rent a hotel (which makes sense - you just paid $140k for a home, it'd be nice to stay in it, eh...?).

After their walk-through, we were called and given the green light to start our install; after they signed docs, they went to lunch and stopped at the post office to set up mail delivery.  When they returned, this is what they found:

We had already set up the bedrooms and installed 14 honeycomb blinds throughout!  They were able to stay in their home that night in comfort (and privacy!) since we were able to do everything for them, while they were getting their affairs in order!

These clients ordered furniture, mattresses, and blinds from us, as her daughter is an interior designer and they'll have a month to dial in the decor, linens, etc - have a fun "Mother/Daughter" project!  

I'm glad Argent Décor was able to get them off to a great start!

I took some time today to visit Blandford Homes' new section in Mountain Bridge, their Master-Planned Community in NE Mesa.  Their official "Grand Opening" is tomorrow at 10am, but it's going to be NUTS by then - even today at 1PM, the parking lot (which holds approx 30 vehicles) was full!

Blandford is introducing 9 new, revolutionary floor plans - many feature optional "disappearing walls of glass" in the family room area.  This is ideal for our mild climate, as you can encorporate your patio as part of 

Floor plans range from 2080 square feet at $296,950 up to 5,245 square feet (single level to boot!) at $579,950 base price.  All plans have 3 to SIX(!) car garages, in both single level and two story layouts.  

Build time is 4-5 months, so if you'd like a BRAND NEW vacation home ready for next winter, now is the time to act!  They also have 'spec' homes of 2 different single-level homes that can be ready sooner.

                                                      The community boasts a fitness center, swim club with heated pool, tennis and basketball courts, extensive trails and 45% of the land is common area!  HOA dues are only $155/month in this new section, and include all the amenities plus street maintenance.  Photo 3 shows the "Owner's Clubhouse".

Mountain Bridge is approximately 10 miles from Mesa-Gateway Airport, making it an ideal location for Snow Birds who can fly direct on Alligant Air!  It's only about a half hour drive from Sky Harbor Airport, too!

If you choose to invest in a home in Mountain Bridge - or anywhere in the greater Phoenix area - and need assistance furnishing your new home, please contact us!  We offer turn-key Vacation Home Furnishing Packages as well as individualized furnishing services.

Sharon Lord
Argent Décor
sharon@ArgentDecor.com 

Our mattress supplier, IBC Bedding, has gone out of business, and I'm stuck sitting on 6 floor models of their "NEW", just released less than a year ago, mattresses.  They were branded under the label "Airsprung", which is a med-high-end line in England.  I obviously don't want them in our showroom, since I can't order any more of  them, and I need to make room for the new line we are going to carry.

Our showroom is open by appointment only, and most of the mattresses were never even sat on!  (The beds are all dressed anyways, to protect the mattresses.)

I'm going to blow out the ones we have AT OUR COST to move them - delivery available for a fee.  Queen sets start at $250 (MSRP $599, shown left) and up to $650 (MSRP $1499 - it's RIDICULOUSLY comfortable!!!).  All box springs are still wrapped and I have both regular and low-profile boxes available.

If you have a guest room with a sub-par mattress, or want a GREAT deal on a new Queen set for your Master (see the $650 one!) or are a Home Stager that would like to inventory some mattresses, please contact me!  I'll be happy to send over specs, photos and pricing on them all.

Sharon Lord
Argent Decor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service 

Last Market, we saw an occasional table set from Homelegance with THIS top to the tables!  (The coffee table is shown).  It's a dark wood frame with inset, staggered acacia wood blocks, and a center contrasting block, all under glass.  

It's been a VERY popular collection, so they have now put a dining table that matches into production!  

I love this top, as it is so unique yet can work in many different applications.  

 
This new bedroom set from Artisan Furniture proves that you can be "Rustic" or "Southwest" style furniture without being the expected natural pine finish!

Made of mangowood solids and birch veneers, the set boasts underbed storage (who DOESN'T want more storage...?!?!) and custom forged iron pulls.

 

Made of solid pine and birch veneers, this console table is FULL of character!  
It's a knockoff of a much, MUCH more expensive furniture line's piece.  Note that the "X" detail carries over to the sides of the piece, as well!  

It's something different than what you would normally see in a console table, yet still timeless and classic in design.

 

 

 

 

Klaussner Furniture showed this sofa in a light tan fabric at Market, and it was AMAZING!  Not as much my flavor in the gray fabric.  Button-tufted, classic shape and  sooooo comfortable!

Klaussner allows you to pick from 400+ swatches and custom-build your sofa - it takes about 6-8 weeks to produce.  This one runs from $730+ depending on fabric selected.

 

 

 

 In response to Serta's best-selling iComfort mattress, which combines the comfort of Memory Foam with a layer of cooling gel, nearly all mattress lines released a knockoff.  We checked at least half a dozen, and our favorite for specs AND cost is from Ashley Furniture!

The iAshley mattress comes in 8", 10", 12" and 14" heights.  

An 8" iAshley Queen Mattress runs about $1200, and should be available in a few weeks!

One of the only complaints with Memory Foam mattresses is that they tend to retain heat for "hot" sleepers.  Problem...?  SOLVED!

 

That's just a small sample of what we viewed at Market - all items are available for us to order, so if something caught your eye, please let me know!

As promised, here is my report on Furniture and Home Decor trends we saw at the Market - if you haven't seen these yet, you will!

TREND #1: Reclaimed Wood Furniture

We have seen reclaimed wood furniture for a few Markets now - only it's being mainstreamed and cleaned up!  

Common lines such as Coaster Furniture and Ashley Furniture have now released their versions - the wood is not reclaimed - or solid wood - but they are replicating the grains, wear, and hardwear - casters on legs, lots of metal work, etc.  This makes it more accessible for the masses, both in price, and in look - some buyers wanted the pieces to be not quite so rustic!

TREND #2:  Industrial-feel Furniture

This was REALLY popular!  Almost every line was showing pieces with metal detailings, rivets, and casters!

 TREND 3:  Printed Scripts

We have been seeing printed scripts on accent pillows and other small pieces, but this Market, we saw it on FULL pieces!  Sofas, chairs, buffets, you name it!  

The same can be said for numbering - we viewed a lot of chests and other case goods with numbered drawers, kind of tying in the printed scripts with the Industrial trend.  

TREND 4:  The Popular Colors This Season Are....

Peacock and Purple.

Not very manly, I know, but we saw it EVERYWHERE - bolder tones of lilac and peacock blue, which I've already seen in stores here.  

This photo also shows some of the Script Print mentioned above!

 


Furniture Market is always an adventure for us - we get to see the more, uh, "flamboyant" pieces than we normally use in our installs.  For our Vacation Home Furnishing Packages, we focus on timeless, classic pieces in 5 different styles.  Of course, we can always customize, but the majority of our clients aren't interested in the trends, they want something that will stand the test of time!

Stay tuned for a blog on my PERSONAL favorite new releases, coming soon...!

"Market" happens twice a year, and takes place at the World Market Center near Downtown Las Vegas - it's 3 buildings, 16-18 floors each, and 5.2 MILLION square feet of showrooms!  This is where retailers come to view the new releases and place orders for their stores.  Comfortable walking shoes are a *MUST*!

On our "To Do" list is to find a replacement Mattress company - our existing one folded - UGH.  Mattresses are my least favorite thing to look at!

Furniture Market requires credentials to enter - it's not open to the general public, sorry!

Once we are back, I'll post a blog or two on the new trends we see in furniture and home decor - can't wait....!  

(BTW - if you are a thief, we have a house sitter at our home holding down fort.  One of Nathan's former students that plays college football.  I suggest you find someone else to burgle!)

Sharon Lord
Argent Decor
AZ Vacation Home Furnishing Service 

We ducked out of work early last Friday and snuck in 18 at Continental Golf Course in Scottsdale.  It's just a few miles south of us, and even in the winter, has VERY affordable tee times!

On hole 3, I noticed the ever-present Canadian Geese (even more so than normal, since we are hosting those that fly south for the winter!) were in quite a stir over on hole 2.  I scanned the area, and then realized why - a coyote was hearding them up!  The photos to the left are from hole 4/5 - all were taken with my camera phone, so my apologies to Russel Ray and Eric Cooper (photography geniuses!) for the poor quality!

For those that don't know, Continental is less than a mile from Old Town (downtown) Scottsdale - you can see Indian School Road, Hayden Road, condos, etc in the background of some of the photos.  Coyotes have become more common in the Indian Bend Wash, which cuts through the course.  There is obviously no shortage of geese to eat here!

In the end, the coyote didn't catch any geese - however, in an 

example of true Darwinism, an elderly lady came out of the Sunscape Villas condos to feed the coyote with a bowl of dog food.  She was neither spry enough nor large enough to fend him off if he had attacked, so hopefully, he stays well-fed!

The last photo shows my tee shot (the bright yellow ball) on hole 13, a 188-long hole.  I made my first par-3 birdie with it - woo woo!!  (I play for fun - I'm not very skilled!).

I'd like to point out that it was sunny and 75 when we golfed - which is essentially the forecast for this entire week!  Why doesn't everyone have a home - orvacation home - here...?!?!

As I mentioned last week, we have been BURIED with work!

One of the many projects that had us so busy was furnishing 2 condos in The Quarter at Westgate - you could throw a rock and hit Glendale Arena, Cardinals Stadium, or the Westgate City Centerdining/entertainment complex.

New investor clients of ours are scooping up condos in this community - it is gated, newer construction, full gym/clubhouse/lounge, pools, hot tubs - all the bells and whistles.  Obviously, the location can't be beat, with so many sporting events in walking distance!  

The condos are all 3 stories, and when their contractor ran late with some improvements, we had essentially 3 days to fully furnish them!  This includes all cookware/kitchenwares, cleaning supplies, patio furniture, electronics; all linens washed/dried/steamed, etc.  Not an easy task!  My moving guys hate me, as sleeper sofas went to the 2nd floor in both units - heh!

The cleaning crew has been through, so within this blog are some photos I took of the condos.  

The clients have informed me they have already leased BOTH units - for Spring Training to MLB players!  I'm sure with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl coming up Jan. 2, they'll likely lease them out then, too!

By leasing both units out for Spring Training, the clients have already re-couped the furniture package cost for 1 of the units - plus a little extra!

If you are looking to purchase a Vacation Home or Vacation Condo in the greater Phoenix area, please contact us to assist you in furnishing it!  We offer turn-key furnishing packages that are affordable and convenient for our clients!

Just in time for the holidays!!!
TAKE 30% OFF any in-stock Bedroom or Dining Room Furniture in our old

 "Honey" finish!

For example, here is pricing on our Dining Tables and Chairs:

36" x 72" $599.99 NOW $419.99
39" x 78" $729.99 NOW $510.99
40" x 84" $739.99 to 849.99 NOW $517.99 to $594.99
44" x 96" $859.99 to $939.99 NOW $601.99 to $657.99

3 different chair styles available, from $129.99 NOW $90.99

Ask about solid rosewood, hand-made buffets and consoles to match, too!

FREE DELIVERY in Maricopa or Pinal Counties for sales of $1,000+.

Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx accepted.

See more photos and details on http://www.AZTuscanFurniture.com

Shown by appointment at our showroom/warehouse near Sky Harbor Airport - http://www.ArgentDecor.com

We have MOST Bedroom pieces remaining in the old finish - please ask!!! Great savings on solid wood furniture!

602-774-2294 or info@AZTuscanFurniture.com.

Great News for Canadians!

Finally, great news, the latest version of the Retirement Visa for Canadians we have been lobbying for since the fourth edition of The Border Guide in the mid-1990s, has returned.  Over 15 years, Bob Keats personally had countless meetings with US Senators and other political figures, immigration attorneys and Chambers of Commerce.  Many readers of The Border Guide have written letters to their local politicians and Chambers of Commerce to try to get this Visa.  The Retirement Visa will allow Canadians age 50+ to spend as much as 240 days annually in the US Sunbelt without worrying about immigration issues, plus they will be able to save a great deal of income tax to boot.  Incredibly, we are getting some action in the US Congress and we believe since it is bipartisan, being pushed by some senior Senators, and with our having a Republican House, it has a very good chance of passing this time around. 

The bill, S. 1746, also proposes a homeownership visa that would allow Canadians of any age to live in the US year-round and save a bundle in income taxes too.  To qualify, a Canadian would need to spend at least $500,000 in acquiring a US home and other US residential property. 

Bob Keats believes this will be a superior job creating bill than the current Jobs Bill being pushed by President Obama, at a cost to the American taxpayers of over $500 billion. This visa bill will cost virtually nothing, yet it will be an incredible jobs creator while simultaneously helping Canadians reduce their taxes and enjoy a lower cost-of-living lifestyle in a warm climate, without snow!  Although Canadians will not be able to work on the retirement or homeownership visas, these visas provide a bridge to a work visa with proper immigration planning. 

We are very optimistic and excited about the Retirement Visa as it has been such a long time coming.  We will keep you informed as the bill works its way through the US political process to become law.  We do expect it to become law within the first quarter of 2012, unless a major obstacle is thrown at it and it is delayed until after the 2012 US elections in November.

------------------------------------------------
When you are ready to have your Vacation Home furnished, be sure to touch base with us!  Our turn-key furnishing service allows you to relax and enjoy your second home!