A week after posting our first animal sofa we have stumbled across another one of these strange sofas. This time it is a rather large grizzly bear that has been turned into a sofa. I'm not too sure if this is becoming a worldwide trend for sofa's, but, we will keep you updated if and when we find any more. [Via]

Here is a fantastic piece of design from Bulgarian designer Svilen Gamolov. The "Step Coffee Table" features two foot prints mounted on top of each other along with another foot print providing the top surface of the coffee table. This table would look great in any living room or even a café bar in a city centre. Although this design is only a concept at present, it deserves to be made available to purchase for its originality and innovative design. [Via]

This sofa/cat is probably one of the most bizarre designs we have seen for a long time. The kitty-couch is a giant sofa in the shape of a cat which is big enough to seat even the biggest of families with ample seating space. A very interesting design if not a little strange. [Via]

Today we were thinking about how technologically advanced could furniture become. We have already featured a home sauna which included a TV, DVD player and CD Player (the only thing that was missing was a built in Blackberry Torch), and now we have come across some amazing furniture designs that include: a 'Jetsons' (Cartoon series) style dining pod, a Japanese style set of fold-able rooms and a stack-able garden furniture set. These innovative designs are truly stunning and definitely point to a minimalist style of furniture in the future.



[Via]

A good quality dining table can last for generations and be used on a daily basis for a manic breakfast time before the school run and family feasts in the evenings. Picking the right one does require a little bit of careful research and planning. Read on for our top tips on what to consider when purchasing your next dining table.


Size

The size of the dining table is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new dining table. Larger dining rooms require a large table but a small dining room would be dwarfed by a large table. It is important to measure up your dining room and plan how much room you have to play with and to ensure at the planning stage you include all the other furniture in the room including, dining chairs, sideboards, cupboards etc. Remember that you will need room to allow your guests to get in and out of the chairs. If space is at a premium but you like to cater for large parties an extending dining table may be the way forward as this allows you to have a small table for everyday use and then a large table for special occasions.

Materials

Wooden dining tables are the material of choice amongst households in the UK. Solid oak and pine lead the way due to the strong build quality that gives these materials durability but also the variation in styles available from traditional pine to contemporary modern oak.

Seating

Meal times with the family are a great way to catch up and share family news, which is why it is important to have comfortable seating for all of your family/guests. Solid wooden seats look very traditional but could become uncomfortable if your Sunday roast lasts for over an hour. Padded seats or leather seats can bring a contemporary look into your home whilst also giving your guests superior comfort. Cushions could also be added to wooden seats to improve comfort and also introduce some colour into your dining room. Buying a dining set which includes tables and chairs can result in some big savings so look out for these offers as you could save yourself hundreds of pounds.

Shape

Dining tables come in three main shapes; rectangular, square and round/oblong. Rectangular tables allow for more variation in the seating plan as more seats can be added to accommodate more guests. Square tables are perfect for intimate dinners for up to four people and can create a relaxed dining experience as the shape can encourage conversation as well as saving space which is also applies to round dining tables.

For more info and styles, visit our wide range of dining tables.

Do you find that there just aren't enough hours in the day left to exercise? Well thanks to a bizarre innovation from an American company called Steelcase, they have come up with a workstation that includes a treadmill allowing you to walk and work at the same time. The workstation allows you to carry out your normal office duties whilst you walk or jog on the built in treadmill. Most definitely a solution to the problem but we're not sure how practical this really is and you probably wouldn't be able to drink a cup of tea or coffee whilst on the treadmill. Via.

A big well done to the PineSolutions team that competed in a Dragon Boat race this weekend held at Whitlingham Lakes, Norwich. Our team reached the semi-finals of the competition which was held to raise funds for the Antony Nolan Trust. Congratulations to all that took part to raise money for this worthwhile cause.


Read the official press release.

The world of mattresses is full of technical jargon and info that doesn't really tell you whether or not you are actually buying a soft or firm mattress. All we really want to know is whether or not a mattress will be comfy enough to spend a whole weekend in bed..... reading a good book. Read on for our breakdown of all the technical bits you will come across when buying a new mattress.

Spring Gauge

The gauge of the coils determines the firmness and support of the mattress. The spring gauge rating refers to how thick the spring is – the lower the number, the thicker the spring and the thicker the spring, the firmer the mattress. Technically referred to as 13.5 Gauge – Soft, 13.0 Gauge - Medium and 12.5 Gauge - Firm.

Pocket Springs

The springs are individually nested and sewn either side with calico whilst a flat steel isolating bar around the perimeter at the first spring keeps all the springs together. Fillings are placed on top and are tufted with several laces which is the most efficient and traditional way of keeping all the fillings together, which extends the lifespan of the product.

Gauge Rod

The gauge rod is around the perimeter of the mattress and provides extra strength and support.

Orthopaedic Mattress

Orthopaedic mattresses are designed to support the spine and back by holding your spine the correct alignment which helps to prevent the build-up of tension and pressure. These tend to be firmer than normal mattresses.

Memory Foam

This high density foam has been developed by NASA and reacts to temperature and your body. The foam has the ability to soften as it warms allowing your body to mould the perfect shape into the mattress. Pressure points are minimised and the spine is held in perfect alignment. Coolmax technology also allows you to stay cool in the hot summer months and remain warm on chilly winter nights. Memory foam also makes it impossible for dust mites to penetrate the mattress creating a cleaner and more hygienic mattress.

Depth

This refers to how deep the mattress is from the top side to the bottom side.

Selecting the right mattress is vital to having a good nights sleep. Check out these sleep related facts:

- Humans sleep on average around three hours less than other primates like chimps, rhesus monkeys, squirrel monkeys and baboons, all of whom sleep for 10 hours.
- A new baby typically results in 400-750 hours lost sleep for parents in the first year.
- As a group, 18 to 24 year-olds deprived of sleep suffer more from impaired performance than older adults.
- Experts say one of the most alluring sleep distractions is the 24-hour accessibility of the internet.

Visit the PineSolutions range of mattresses and buying guide.

The floating staircase creates an elegant and minimalist feel whilst looking very stylish. These modern staircases look great in urban apartments and are often used as the centrepiece in the downstairs living room. However, we have to admit, most of the staircases below aren't the most child-friendly designs we have ever seen. Via digsdigs.

Give your living room a new lease of life with our top 10 decorating and furnishing tips. Whether you have a small or large area available you can maximise space and function with our living room guide.

1. Mount your TV on the wall – Placing the TV on the wall will save you space on the floor and can create a focal point in your living room. This extra space can be used for an extra chair, bookcase etc.

2. Shapes are good – Vary your shapes. Introduce round pillows, oval mirrors and tear drop vases to contrast the dominating rectangular shapes you find in all living rooms (TV, windows, rugs, sofas, coffee tables etc).

3. Quality carpet – The living room is the hub of all activity in most family homes which can mean the carpet can wear very thin in a short period of time. A Berber carpet is one of the hardest wearing carpets on the market and will stand up to several years of children running around. Investing in high quality Tredaire carpet underlay to maintain that soft underfoot feel.

4. Accessorise - If your living room is a bit on the small side, introduce a showpiece item such as a quirky table lamp, this will detract attention away from the size of the room.

5. Mirrors - Adding a mirror can make a room feel bigger and more open. Position the mirror opposite your windows as this will reflect light around the room making it feel more spacious.

6. Disguise your sofa - If you can’t bring yourself to replacing your 20 year old sofa, give it a new lease of life by covering it with a brightly coloured throw. There are various colours and styles available allowing you to totally transform the look of your sofa which is considerably cheaper than purchasing a new one.

7. Rug - If your carpet has endured a tough life and has a couple of stains or worn patches then invest in a bright and bold rug that can cover up these up and compliment your existing colour scheme.

8. Colour scheme - Opt for light colours on the walls to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your family and guests. Don’t just go for that standard magnolia; try out some bright greens, blues and purples to add interest to your living room.

9. Space is key - Don’t clutter your living room with several large pieces meaning you can no longer see the floor. Leave some space for people to walk around and to reposition other pieces if you feel it is time for a change. Less can be more.

10. Lighting - Draw focus and attention to particular areas with spotlights. Light up a picture or family portrait or vary the lighting in different areas of the room.

Let us know what your top tips are for decorating and maintaining your living room.