At Eller & Owens, we help our customers create living room spaces that reflect their own sense of style using our broad selection of furniture brands, designs, and colors.  Even the perfect living room furniture, however, needs proper lighting to enhance the look.  There are three types of lighting…ambient, accent and task…and using all these in a layered effect ensures the elimination of dark corners and distracting shadows.  Here is a quick guide to putting it all together.

Ambient light

This is the general, main source of light in the room.  During daylight hours natural light is usually the primary source.  At night you need to rely on a choice or combination of fixtures including:

• Track lights

• Recessed ceiling lights

• Pendant lights

• Chandeliers

• Ceiling fans with lights

The best system for you will depend on your needs and the configuration of the room.

Accent light

When you have architectural features, artwork or other objects you want to highlight accent light does the trick.  Choose from:

• Cabinet lighting

• LED’s

• Wall scones

Your most interesting features will pop with the right light.

Task light

As the name implies, these are the lights you need to get things done without straining your eyes.  Reading, working on a laptop or desktop computer, crafting…these are all tasks that need the right light.  Floor and table lamps are common solutions.  You have many style options here, so pick the ones that complement the overall look of the room.

Whatever your lifestyle…whatever your budget, the helpful associates at Ruby & Quiri can help you find the right living room, dining room or bedroom furniture for you.  Visit our showroom and find out why “Everything’s Just Easier at Ruby & Quiri”, with our low price guarantee, 30 day Be Happy Exchange policy, 7-day next day delivery and owner backed customer service.

Houseplants are very popular right now, and we think this is one trend that everyone should get behind! Not only are houseplants aesthetically pleasing, they can also make your home happier and healthier. The process of photosynthesis can help purify the air and regulate humidity in your home. Also, indoor plants can improve your mood and decrease stress! With benefits like this, we want to have houseplants in every room! So, here are some options to incorporate indoor plants seamlessly into the decor all throughout your house!

Living Room

For a living room, we suggest beautiful houseplants that are easy to care for. Snake plants are a great choice next to an accent chair, and English ivy looks great on a fireplace mantle or bookcase. These plants thrive in many different types of environments, but some sunlight and regular watering will give you the best results. 

Succulents and small cacti are also wonderful choices for a living room. A jade plant can be the perfect centerpiece for the coffee table or bar cart, but you will want to make sure that it gets plenty of sunlight and has soil with plenty of aeration. 

For a dramatic look, try a ficus tree or rubber tree! They can give height to bare corners or can be placed behind a sofa or loveseat. And if you want a plant that flowers, try the hoya plant. This plant will be okay if you forget to water it occasionally, and can still produce fragrant pink flowers. 

Home Office

For a classic look, a Boston fern is a perfect choice. Requiring only moderate light, these plants look great on a pedestal in a sunny corner or on the edge of a desk. Philodendron is another great option for the office because thrives with little maintenance and will look beautiful on a bookcase or shelf. If you’re an experienced gardener, you might try a potted flower such as an orchid. Although they require a bit more attention, the blooms will bring a lot of natural beauty to the office.

Bedroom

For a bedroom, we recommend low-light plants like the Japanese peace lily or Chinese evergreen. These plants prefer indirect sunlight and ordinary room temperatures. As an added benefit, these plants are also very good at removing toxins from the air and depositing them into the soil where they will be processed and turned into plant food. Because they can grow to be fairly big, we recommend keeping them in medium-to-large pots on the floor or on a sturdy plant-stand.

Air plants are also a great option if you are afraid that you might forget to water a plant tucked away in your bedroom. These special plants are extremely adept at drawing water from moisture in the air and will only need a spritz of water if your home has very low humidity. A terrarium with air plants would look great on your nightstand or dresser!

Dining Room and Kitchen

When it comes to houseplants in the kitchen, we recommend growing a small herb garden! With a potted basil or rosemary plant, you’ll always have something fresh to take any meal to the next level. Herbs like lavender also make beautiful centerpieces for a dining table or kitchen island!

Houseplants can make any room feel brighter and healthier, no matter what your style is. That’s why our designers recommend easy-to-grow indoor plants whether you prefer a clean, contemporary style or a cozy farmhouse look. For more help creating a new look for your home this season, stop by the store to talk to one of our talented associates! Their design expertise could be just what you need to get a fresh perspective on your style!

Spring is the perfect time to do a good deep cleaning in your house or to do an apartment cleaning marathon. In an addition to a deep clean, work these chores into your cleaning schedule this spring and be ready to face warmer days with a house that sparkles. Before you tackle your deep cleaning, make a cleaning list tailored to your home and needs. Spring is the perfect time to update the look in your home with new furniture.  Most manufacturers come out with new products early in the year so you can choose from the latest styles, colors, and fabrics. Spring is the perfect time to do a good deep cleaning in your house or to do an apartment cleaning marathon. In an addition to a deep clean, work these chores into your cleaning schedule this spring and be ready to face warmer days with a house that sparkles. Before you tackle your deep cleaning, make a cleaning list tailored to your home and needs.

Your home will look even better if you put your new furniture in rooms that are sparkling clean.  Dust and grime can accumulate during the winter and you need to be systematic in getting rid of it.  Go through your house room by room and do this basic cleaning:

• Declutter everything…donate any functional clothing/household items you no longer use

• Wash light fixtures and dust lampshades

• Wash walls and baseboards

• Wash doors and knobs

• Wash switchplates

• Clean all registers and vents

• Deep clean floors, carpets, curtains, and blinds

• Wash windows and screens

• Touch up paint

• Check smoke detectors

At Ruby & Quiri we have been helping the families in Johnstown, NY and the surrounding communities meet their needs for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, mattresses, and appliances since 1949.

Whatever your lifestyle…whatever your budget, the helpful associates at Ruby & Quiri can help you find the right living room, dining room or bedroom furniture for you.  Visit our showroom and find out why “Everything’s Just Easier at Ruby & Quiri”, with our low price guarantee, 30 day Be Happy Exchange policy, 7-day next day delivery and owner backed customer service.

More and more our customers in Johnstown are asking how they can make a sectional sofa work in their home, and we’re glad to see these pieces gaining more popularity! These versatile pieces of furniture are great for maximizing space in rooms of all shapes and sizes, plus they are very customizable and can fit in unique spaces. But, because there are so many styles and shapes available, the terminology can be confusing for first-time sectional buyers. We hope this post will help demystify the sectional!

Configuring a Sectional

The first thing to understand about a sectional sofa is that it is comprised of two or more individual parts that fasten together by metal brackets located on the side of the piece. This is a great thing for customers because it means that you can often ask for individual pieces to create a custom sectional to fit the size of your home. If the configuration you want isn’t in stock, just ask about special ordering to get exactly what you want!

Depending on the manufacturer and the style of the sectional, you might have different pieces available. For an L shape sectional, you will be able to choose from a three-seat cushion sofa part, a two-cushion loveseat part, and a single-cushion square connector part. Some styles may also offer a chaise piece, which is similar to a loveseat in size but features a single long cushion and no back on one side. But to properly configure these parts, you need to understand the difference between right-arm facing and left-arm facing pieces.

Right Facing vs. Left Facing

The designation right-arm facing and left-arm facing, abbreviated as RAF and LAF, simply refer to the side on which the arm is placed if you are looking directly at the sectional piece. So if you were looking at a sofa piece and there was an arm on the right-hand side and nothing on the left-hand side, that would be a RAF sofa piece. For a traditional L shaped sectional configuration, you will likely end up with one RAF and one LAF piece. But depending on which way the sectional will be facing in your room, you may want a longer RAF sofa part and a shorter LAF loveseat connected by an armless corner wedge part or vice versa. For help determining which is right for you, just ask an associate at R&Q! We’ll make sure that you order the right parts for your home!

Reclining Sectionals

Many larger sectionals have reclining options, whether it is powered electronically or not. And if you are looking for a top-of-the-line sectional, you should ask about ones with adjustable lumbar support and headrests. These sectionals are great for the living room or for a theater room because each person can adjust their seat to get the perfect level of comfort. Plus, some sectionals feature built-in consoles and cup holders to make the piece even more functional!

Fabric

For a lower price option with a great feel, try a microfiber or microsuede sectional sofa. These durable fabrics are soft to the touch and will give you big bang for your buck. But for the most style and durability, look for a top grain leather sectional. You can find leather sectionals in all colors, from browns to whites and grays. These options are pricier, but the leather is easy to maintain and should last you for many years to come!

Sectionals are great options for every home because they maximize the seating for any space. If you are interested in buying a sectional for your home, visit Ruby & Quiri to see what styles are available now or ask about ordering a custom piece. Plus our associates can help you finish the look with a coffee table or area rug that brings the entire room together!

This is a question most consumers have when they are furniture shopping, but rarely know how to answer.  Knowing the difference between solid wood furniture and other materials can help you select the quality and durability needed for your specific needs.

Solid wood furniture will be more durable, maintain its natural beauty longer and will cost more than veneer or laminate.  Here some characteristics of each furniture type:

Veneer

• Veneer is a thin layer of hardwood, usually less than 1/8”, that is bonded or glued to a cheaper composite material hidden underneath

• If you see flaking or peeling on the corners it is veneer

• Finishes will be smooth to the touch

• These finishes can peel and be easily damaged

Laminate

• Laminate is made with synthetic materials sometimes including wood chips

• Laminate finishes have a shiny appearance and are often found on low-end pieces of furniture because it is cheaper to produce than either veneer or wood

• Finishes will be smooth to the touch

• These finishes can peel and be easily damaged

Solid wood

• Solid wood is denser than composite material so will be heavier, the exception being light wood like pine

• You can feel the grain on solid wood

• If the furniture has carved details it is solid wood….veneer or laminate cannot be carved

At Ruby & Quiri we have been helping the families in Johnstown, NY and the surrounding communities meet their needs for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, mattresses, and appliances since 1949.

Whatever your lifestyle…whatever your budget, the helpful associates at Ruby & Quiri can help you find the right living room, dining room or bedroom furniture for you.  Visit our showroom and find out why “Everything’s Just Easier at Ruby & Quiri”, with our low price guarantee, 30 day Be Happy Exchange policy, 7-day next day delivery and owner backed customer service.

If you’ve ever had trouble falling asleep or you wake up in the morning feeling more tired than you were when you went to bed, insomnia may be the culprit. Defined simply as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, insomnia can lead to lethargy and mood swings during the day. And because every person is different, insomnia might be a problem for you whether you’re getting four hours of sleep every night or eight. It’s less about the amount of sleep you get and more about the quality of sleep. 

If you experience these symptoms on a regular basis, you may have insomnia.

1. It usually takes an hour or more to fall asleep at bedtime
2. You wake up frequently during the night
3. You cannot fall back asleep if you wake during the middle of the night
4. You wake up very early in the morning even though you feel tired
5. You rely on sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep
6. You have difficulty concentrating during the day

If these side effects feel familiar, we recommend that you contact your doctor to discuss chronic insomnia. Sometimes insomnia can indicate other medical concerns, and a doctor will be able to rule out sleep disorders like sleep apnea or a hormone imbalance. However, if a serious illness is ruled out, here are some habits you can implement today to start sleeping better:

1. Limit caffeine and alcohol

Many people don’t realize that caffeine remains in your system for up to twelve hours, which means that an afternoon cup of coffee can still be with you at bedtime. Try to drink caffeinated beverages in the morning so your body has time to process it before trying to go to bed. Furthermore, while alcohol can help a person fall asleep, the quality of the sleep will be far inferior. Alcohol disrupts a normal sleep cycle and prevents your body from getting the full benefits of a good night’s sleep, so it’s best if you don’t consume alcohol within three hours of going to bed.

2. Exercise

Regular exercise, even as little as ten minutes a day, has been shown to alleviate insomnia. A mixture of cardio and strength training will give you the best results, and adding yoga and meditation practices will help your body and mind recover. These exercises can also reduce anxiety, which could be a contributing factor toward insomnia.

3. Turn off the screens

We’re all guilty of turning to our phones or tablets when we can’t fall asleep, but these devices may actually be making our insomnia worse. The bright lights of a mobile device send signals to your brain that it is daytime, thereby making you stay awake even longer. So if you’re having trouble sleeping, try getting up for twenty minutes for a cup of tea or to read a book, then try going back to bed. This can help you separate waking activities from sleep.

4. Invest in the right mattress

Every person has a unique set of comfort needs. Some people sleep on their back or stomach rather than their side, and hip or joint mobility can keep others up late due to pain and discomfort. So instead of using an old mattress or one that isn’t right for you, invest in a sleep system that will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Whether you prefer memory foam, hybrid, or other specialty materials like latex, Ruby & Quiri has an option in your price range. 

Restful sleep leads to happier, more productive days. So don’t settle for poor sleep and resign yourself to a lifetime of insomnia. Try combining healthier habits with the right mattress and see what a difference a good night’s rest can make!

You don’t need to break the budget to get a coordinated, professional look in your living room, dining room or bedroom.  At Ruby & Quiri our professional staff helps our customers bring their dream look to life.  Here are some things to consider:

• The use of the space.  Casual family gathering, formal entertaining or every-day use all dictate the use of space and selection of furniture and fabrics.

• Will floor coverings stay the same or be changed?

• Select a palette of colors the ensure a well-coordinated but varied color spectrum.

• Select furniture styles and fabrics that reflect the core design philosophy.

• Consider the wall coverings, accent pieces, accessories, mirrors, lamps, etc. the will need to be added or continue to be used.

• Define your budget.  Good design can be obtained at many different levels of spending.

Whatever your needs and budget, the helpful associates at Ruby & Quiri can help you find the right living room, dining room or bedroom furniture to create the style you want.  Visit our showroom and find out why “Everything’s Just Easier at Ruby & Quiri”, with our low price guarantee, 30 day Be Happy Exchange policy, 7-day next day delivery and owner backed customer service.