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.

Today sees the launch of the brand new PineSolutions website. The new site has a new clean look with easy to use navigation bars as well as an easy to use shop by wood type, range and room function. Take a look at the new website and let us know what you think of the new design. Email us here.

Apologies for the lack of posts over the past week. We are working on some 'exciting new stuff' (more details to follow!) which we are looking forward to revealing soon.

Keep an eye on the PineSolutions website and here on the blog over the next few days to find out more.

Despite sounding like an all action super hero, Table Man, is actually an outdoor table and chairs set, but a lot cooler. The table acts as the body with benches making up the arms and legs and a neat little stool with a smiley face completes the set. Every pub should have a table man design in there garden!

Via Furniture Fashion.

Our hot summer clearance is underway with up to 50% off many ranges including our popular Oakleigh, Calgary Oak and English Heritage ranges. Visit the PineSolutions website and check out this amazing sale.

*Offer valid only while stocks last.

We have recently added the new Kristina white painted furniture range to the PineSolutions.co.uk website. Featuring a wide selection of bedroom, dining room, kitchen and living room furniture, this distressed white painted furniture is proving to be very popular.

Nothing evokes a simple, relaxed elegance like beautifully designed white painted furniture, and because of its easygoing charm, it's possible to create a number of distinct looks by placing this style of furniture in any setting, from an ornate country getaway to an contemporary urban space. The nostalgic feel of the range has been inspired by the French countryside and features distressed looks and rustic tones.

Bedroom

The perfect way to create a fresh vintage look in your bedroom is to combine the Kristina white bedroom furniture with floral patterned accessories. The crisp white lines of the furniture allow an effortless contrast with floral designs that creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon. Try floral curtains and duvet sets to complete the look.

Kitchen

Painted furniture is hard wearing, and because the paint protects the wood, you won't need to worry about sunlight bleaching the grain, so you can place white painted furniture anywhere in a room, or even in a conservatory. This gives you great freedom to rearrange if you want to try out a different style.

Living room

White painted furniture has a timeless appeal. It allows you to keep the furniture for many years allowing you to change the look of the room by redecorating instead of having to buy new furniture. White furniture allows you to switch between modern and classic styling so try floral designs or bright bold colours to bring that new look into your home.

Visit the new Kristina range and explore the beauty of white painted furniture.