The Ingenious Design of the Raku Japanese Platform Bed

“A snowy morning--

    By myself,

    Chewing on dried salmon.

                               ~ Bashō Matsuo

The Japanese, the word Raku means “comfort, ease, or relief” in English, and another translation compares it to the word “pleasure”. What’s so amazing about the design of the Raku bed-frame is the easy yet exquisite locking mechanism that joins the rails and the feet together.     

 This design does not rely on nuts and bolts or unnatural materials. Its assembly relies on a simple, sophisticated, puzzle-like design that’s very sturdy. The assembly of the frame is better executed by two people, but if you have the time and the patience to line up all the parts with a 10% margin of error, you can save yourself some money and increase your self-satisfaction. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a bed-frame that won’t fall apart unless a nuclear bomb falls on your house.

SUPPORT YOURSELF THE NATURAL (AND COMFORTABLE) WAY

Pretend that you’re a mattress for 10 seconds . . . and forget about the fact that texting is radically changing the laws of grammar and punctuation. Anyway, mattresses need firm support and conventionally that comes in the form of a dangerous weapon called a box-spring. In response to this assault on Nature, more people these days are using natural wooden slats for bodily support. However, when it comes to installation, slats are a bit inconvenient, since they consist of a series of thin, narrow planks connected by clothe, which makes them annoyingly unwieldly. So, another natural, eco-friendly alternative is Tatami mats, which have a long and honorable history in Japan. Defined by a questionable and scary Google search, the word tatami is defined as a “three foot by six foot (91 cm by 183 cm) floor mat woven of rice straw, used traditionally in Japanese homes” and other homes around the world.

To complete this blog’s proposal of a triad marriage, we need to choose a mattress to sleep on, which may be the most important decision when it comes to one’s orthopedic health and one’s overall health. As a guide, we might consider the fact that the word orthopedic is defined as “relating to the branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities of bones or muscles”. As a response to this, we might consider a latex mattress, which is a great topic for another blog, but for now, just visit this link for a more in-depth exploration of latex as a substance for a mattress alternative

In the meantime, please contact us anytime by telephone on weekdays or email on weekends for more information about Tatami mats or other alternative, eco-friendly products. We also have periodic sales and discounts, so keep an eye out for those ongoing opportunities.

Source URL: https://www.haikudesigns.com/blog/raku-ingenuity.htm

Why Dining Room Tables are still the centerpiece in today's modern family home

MODERN FAMILIES GATHER IN THE DINING ROOM

 "  April's air stirs in

    Willow-leaves...a butterfly

    Floats and balances "

                           ~ Bashō Matsuo

It's 2017.  Your family likely spends a majority of their at home time looking at some kind of a digitized screen, absorbing what we consider too much eye-straining liquid crystal display light.  This all changes the moment you place a delicious home cooked meal down on the dining room table, call in your family, and create real moments together that aren't measured in social media likes.   

Let's face it, these days modern families congregate in two places- the living room to watch TV or gaze into their smartphones, and the Dining Room.  Family dinners have been a mainstay in our society for quite a long time now, and aren't going anywhere.  Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, built in 1772, was one of the first American homes created with the dining room in mind.  In the United States, this cultural fixture grew stronger in the post-WWII era as families sitting down to spend time with each other were regularly portrayed in popular TV shows such as Leave it to Beaver, The Brady Brunch, and just about every family sitcom aired since.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DINING ROOM TABLE FOR YOUR HOME

Not all dining room tables are alike.  Your home needs a table that provides enough space for your family to eat, play games, do school projects, and set cumbersome laptops on top of.  It must fit into the unique aesthetic of your home while providing a sense of community when your family sits down at it.  That is why we offer an extensive line of natural dining room tables so you can find the perfect match!

Plank Natural Dining Room Furniture

This contemporary styled natural solid ash wood table features loving and warm natural tones.  With a distinctive grain pattern and true wood colors in the table top, the Plank Dining Room Table provides a unique modern style to your dining room.  Featuring two 'X' crossed steel legs, the Live Edge is a sturdy and sleek addition to your home!

MokuzaitableMOKUZAI LIVE EDGE DINING ROOM TABLE

Dedicate to a father of the American craft movement, Japanese/American artist George Nakashima, who won countless medals for his works throughout the 20th century.  The Mokuzai Dining Room Table is a natural dining room table styled after his works.  Hand made from sustainability harvested, solid Acacia wood, this table makes it feel like you're having a picnic outside at every meal.

Teburu Farmhouse Table

Built from solid wood planks made from Pine, the Teburu Farmhouse Table is designed off of the traditional box, or rectangular design is often seen in old furniture found in the American frontier.   To create that rustic traditional look the table top is only lightly sanded so its natural colors, depth variances, and mill marks remain so it may keep its natural style.

Source URL: https://www.haikudesigns.com/blog/dining-room-tables-centerpiece.htm

PLAYING WITH COLOR IN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

"  In the twilight rain
    these brilliant-hued hibiscus -
    A lovely sunset "

                           ~ Bashō

Modern design in 2017 is anything but tepid. Everywhere you look, designers are using lush, vivid jewel tones for everything from accent pillows to accent walls. A logical extension of the current emphasis on natural materials in home décor, jewel tones add a pop of color that brings to mind the glory of a sunset or the subtle glint of a precious gem. And the perfect counterpart to dramatic colors is the elegant, understated note of minimalist furniture.   

When wielded with restraint, the season's new “it” colors – deep emerald tones, rich ruby reds, passionate purples, and sumptuous golds – create the perfect backdrop for modern décor. It's quick and easy to change the color of an accent wall or buy new pillows or throws, and high-quality furniture with clean, timeless lines will always blend seamlessly with a new color scheme. Investing in gorgeous, heirloom pieces is always a good strategy. Change the colors your home every season, or whenever the urge strikes, without having to replace your main focal pieces. 

Since 1963, the design bible for fashion designers, graphic artists, and interior designers has been the Pantone color matching system – an enormous book of color swatches. The books change constantly, adding colors as they cycle into vogue and removing colors from the spotlight when they begin to appear dated or overused. If you're looking for fun new colors to try, their online resource (pantone.com) is a great place to start! Pantone describes their fashion color choices for Spring 2017 as a “mixture of vitality, relaxation, and the great outdoors.” 

THE OBVIOUS PLACE TO PLAY AROUND WITH LUXURIANT COLOR IS THE LIVING ROOM.

One group of furniture that would lend itself perfectly to your Spring project is our Elan Sleek Excess Sleeper Sofa. This masterpiece of understated elegance commands enough visual weight in the room to offset any color choice you want to try. It is available in four absolutely gorge colors, any of which would be fun to play off as a neutral against a jewel tone background: Begum Dark Brown (a fun, slightly nubby texture), Mixed Dance Natural, Classic Grey, Vintage Velvet Blue and Vintage Velvet Mauve. We also offer alternative versions of this very desirable sleeper sofa: the Elan Deluxe Excess and the Elan Deluxe Quilted.

Another great place to experiment with color is the dining room. Even if you prefer the simplicity of relaxing neutrals in your main living spaces and bedroom, the dining area is a place to entertain friends and family and bold, bright colors do a great job of sparking conversation and energizing a room. 

ELOQUENT DESIGN WITHOUT SACRIFICING COMFORT. 

One example of a dining set that would work perfectly in this context is our Curzon Dining Room Collection. A masterpiece of sculptured design, the under edges of this gorgeous table are sculpted into unique angles and carved with a solid wood design in two chic colors: Cathedral Ebony and Teak. Cathedral Ebony creates a darker, dramatic flair that would complement perfectly a lighter, more vivid wall color. The natural Teak is a lighter, softer shade of wood that brings to mind the timeless appeal of mid-century pieces and would complement any color, especially deeper, richer tones. This amazing table spans 84 inches in length, providing comfortable seating for eight. The support stand is a work of art in its own right: a cleverly crafted, chrome wire frame sculpture that is as sturdy as it is lovely.

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Contemporary Platform Beds – A Great Choice of Furniture for the Bedroom

LOW PROFILE STYLE

"Platforms awakenZen within our homes and hearts,peaceful energy."

Are you in the market for a sleek new contemporary bed for your house or apartment? Then it’s time you looked at platform beds instead of traditional bed frames. Platform beds have become extremely popular because not only are they beautiful, they are also very practical. Read on to see the many advantages of platform beds so you can decide if it is right for you. 

FRESH AND MODERN STYLE: 

Most platform beds follow the clean and modern aesthetic that does extremely well with the contemporary design. These types of beds usually don’t need bed skirts, so it’s easy to achieve a streamlined look that is never fussy. Switching to a modern or contemporary platform bed can give your room an instant update, making it look more contemporary and upbeat.

BIG SAVINGS: 

Box springs and other such foundations aren’t required by platform beds. This type of bed frame has either a flat platform or slat platform to support the mattress. This design saves a lot of money. You might even sleep better without uncomfortable springs pinching your back.

MAXIMUM SUPPORT & SUSTAINABILITY:

Because the mattress rests directly on the platform, the sleeping surface becomes firmer—which can be great for those who prefer denser support. In addition to this, the flat platform and low height also causes this type of bed to be more stable than other types of frames—making it perfect for those who tend to toss and turn in their sleep as well as for heavier people who require a sturdy bed. And since platform beds are designed to be low to the ground, they are suitable for shorter users. The design is likewise appropriate for memory foam mattresses.

HEALTHIER SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT:

Platform bed use a series of solid wood slats upon which the mattress rests. This not only offers ample and strong support for the mattress, it also allows air to percolate and circulate up through the bed frame and mattress. This constant exchange of air through the Sleeping Environment cuts down on dust mites, molds and other allergens.  What this means to you, is less stress on the body and immune system and better, healthier good nights rest. 

EXTRA STORAGE:

Some platform beds are built in with storage drawers under the platform or on one (or both) long sides of the bed. Such designs are great for people who live in city apartments where space is a premium and where every inch of storage space is useful. You can use this storage feature to keep toys (if the platform bed is in the children’s bedroom) or to keep out-of-season clothing and even extra bedding.

WIDE RANGE OF DESIGNS: 

You will find an extensive selection of platform beds online—including modern, Japanese, and European styles.  From economical tatami beds to luxurious European-made versions in lush leathers and fabrics, you will surely find a bed that fits your budget and preferences. 

Source URL: https://www.haikudesigns.com/blog/contemporary-platform-beds.htm

A Guide to Find the Perfect Contemporary Sofa Bed for Your Home

Too often, people sacrifice comfort and style for the sake of convenience when it comes to sofa beds. Older models and designs of sleeper sofas are notorious for being uncomfortable, awkward, and unattractive as either a bed or a sofa. This, however, doesn't have to be the case with your two-in-one furniture. Contemporary sofa beds are now designed with comfort, style, elegance, as well as practicality in mind, making sure that your home stays stylish, fashionable, and functional. When in the market for a sofa that doubles as sleeping furniture, look for important things like durability, ease of use, luxury, and style so you won't have to sacrifice and compromise anything.

If you are convinced that a sofa bed is the best furniture addition to your space, here are some things you should remember as you weigh your options:

• Size and positioning are two important things you should consider when shopping for a sofa bed. Ideally, you want something that perfectly fits your space in terms of proportions and styling. Go too large and it will dwarf your room, but go too small, and you won't get as much use as you would like the piece. Allow at least 2 meters of space for your sleeper to be pulled out so you can still use the room comfortably even when your sofa bed is laid out.

• Consider additional features that might be useful for the space. Some sofa beds include additional storage units, which can be either beneficial or completely impractical for a particular room. Go for one if you need the additional storage, but forgo the fluff if it will only add bulk and crowd your room. If space is a premium, think twice about seemingly impractical features.

• Finally, set your budget to a comfortable amount so you won't have to overspend and still get a good value purchase.