Leather upholstery is very hard wearing if the hide is good quality and is properly looked after. Many a well built antique wing back chair have already lasted several hundred years. For this reason it is important that when you shop for your item that you make certain it is well constructed and solid. It may represent the purchase a family heirloom! The chairs reviewed on this page are from reputable manufacturers and are backed by Amazons money back guarantee so you can rest assured that they are durable, quality items.

Part Leather Wingback Chairs

The first chair we offer is from Selamat Designs and is a Rattan Leather Seat Wing Back Chair. With a wraparound style reminiscent of a tub chair you know this piece of furniture will be warm and comfortable.

The manufacturer states that it measures 35.5 x 31 x 42.5 inches. Seat height is approximately 20” with an arm height of 31”. No assembly is required for this item. Shop with confidence from Amazon – see website for furniture shipping details.

Please note that this chair is not 100% leather upholstered, only the seat is.

Selamat Designs have won several awards for the design of their furniture including The Pinnacle Award, The ARTS Award and The ADEX Award for Design Excellence. Know that wingback chairs of such excellence of features will be appreciated both as gifts, or by guests in your living room.

Our second furniture item is again part leather and is an Angel Wing Back Leather Seat Chair. Once again the design is beautiful to behold and shows off the stylish excellence of this company.

Seat height is 18” and arm height is 27”. Measurement across the rear of the seat at the base of the back is 27” which allows plenty of room for cushions or other comforters. This chair makes excellent use of hardwood accents to demonstrate its quality of construction and design.

Recycled Leather Wing Chair

Our third and final chair is a full leather chair made from recycled leather. This means that it is friendly to the budget and still looks great to the eye. This product is available in two colors: burgundy and dark brown – to complement many decor combinations of living or dining room – with the necessary rugs, lighting and accent items or course.

The chair requires minimal assembly (legs require attachment), but this is a simple task to accomplish.

This leather wing chair is sized at 45″H x 31″W x 33″D according to the manufacturer’s information. Shipping is handled through Amazon, so you can shop with confidence. Great as gifts or for your own living or dining areas.

Leather Wing Back Chair Selection - Folding Chairs and Table

The Perfect Day

A wedding is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime event.  You want everything to go exactly as planned, or at least as close to this as is humanly possible.  There are some people you want to sit in specific places for various reasons and perhaps others you need to keep apart.  If the seating plan is to stand a chance of being adhered to you need to make it as easy to follow as possible.

Wedding Table Number Holders

A good way of achieving this is to make table number cards for each table.  Having table numbers means that most people will look at your plan, know what table they are on and head for it, even if the venue has made a forced change to the exact layout of the room (It does happen).  Ideally you want these numbers to be clearly and easily visible by anyone with reasonable vision and perhaps want them to be raised above the level of any table decorations or condiments that are expected to be present.  At the same time it is a good idea to make them a neutral color scheme in case there are any last minute changes in the arrangements.

Choosing the Best Table Number Holders for the Event

While stainless steel or chrome would normally perhaps be considered a cold material, at a wedding it will act like a mirror and reflect the prevailing color scheme perfectly.  For this reason I would recommend these types of placeholders unreservedly.  Gold finishes may sound like a good idea, but often look tacky when seen on the table.  Paperweight type number holders (butterfly’s and similar) are really stable,  but at a wedding where you are likely to see a lot of flowers and other table decorations that will obscure low level numbers these placeholders are to be avoided.  A better solution is a tall table number holder of perhaps 12” or so in height.  The extra height allows them to be raised above floral displays and so perform their function adequately without serious danger of continually toppling over.

The only remaining thing to do is make sure that the numbers are clearly and easily visible.  This is usually a task that is handled by the printer covering the rest of the wedding, but there are a range of numbers to fit table number holders available from Amazon that are of high quality.

I hope that this article has helped in a small way to make your day a happy one.

Table Number Holders - Folding Chairs and Table

Many restaurants want you to be comfortable, but not too comfortable. After all, if you stay too long then the number of covers served in an evening is reduced and potentially so are the proprietors profits. The cozy wraparound effect of low backed, bucket leather chairs that the restaurant employed had really helped add to the experience. It made us feel happy and relaxed. Yes, we over-stayed, but that meant more drinks and so I guess the choice to make customers feel comfortable does have some upsides.

Are Bucket Dining Chairs for Us?

Of course, in your own home the case is different. You want your guests to feel comfortable and “at home” when you entertain them. Over-staying is not an issue. If you are anything like us then most of your entertaining takes place around a large kitchen diner. Usually these spaces have a large table and high backed chairs of some sort. After visiting that restaurant I started thinking that bucket dining room chairs make a refreshing change from the usual, possibly boring, choice of high backed dining chairs.

If we were to change them though, where should we go?

Ebay is a Great Source of Ideas

First, I went looking for ideas on eBay. Unfortunately, the choice of bucket chairs for sale were a bit uninspiring. Cheap bucket chairs creak, I know from experience…

However, quality furniture stores charge top dollar for durable furniture, so I persevered with Ebay. A good set of bucket chairs and table from a furniture retailer can easily cost over $2,000 (six chairs).

Plastic bucket chairs also feel too cheap and nasty, as well as failing to deliver anything close to the level of comfort I am looking for. Fast food chain use plastic for a reason, they want you to move on as quickly as possible. Plastic also make you sweat. Ditto metal bucket chairs…yeeuch!

Choosing the Right Bucket Chairs and Table Combination

Our kitchen table is quite high, but I find it comfortable as I am tall. Any short or small bucket chairs were discounted from the start. The table is only about four inches taller than average, but small tub chairs would give it a feeling of being at school again, age five!

Fabric coverings, especially modern micro-fibres are excellent, being both durable and easy to clean. My problem with them is that the photos of the chairs made the padding under the upholstery look thin, uncomfortable and uninviting. Comfort being a priority, I elected to pass on these too, unless there was a local listing that I could inspect in person.

So what style to choose?

Bucket style chairs come in a reasonably wide variety of colours, but many of these ranges are only available as fabric bucket chairs, plastic, or other man made coverings. It quickly became obvious that if I wanted comfort and a natural material then the range was likely to be limited colour wise.

Inspired Choice? Leather Bucket Dining Chairs!

These offered everything I was looking for. Ease of cleaning, check. Durable, reasonable colour choices and a natural material, check.

We eventually chose white bucket dining chairs, in leather made to a modern style. They go reasonably well with the rest of the kitchen as the decor is mainly white or light wood, but I would have preferred something to bring a bit of colour to the setting. Still, we got these bucket chairs cheap, so I cannot complain. A little over three hundred dollars for six, including fuel to go see them and delivery is a very good price.

Overall, I am happy with our new bucket chairs and table combination, but who knows when the urge to change them and buy something new will overcome us?

Choosing the Right Bucket Chairs and Table Combination - Folding Chairs and Table

What if you only need a single bed for one person and there is a bedroom in which they could share?  How about a single folding bed chair?  The folding bed chairs on this page are a selection of well designed and built bedroom furniture that will allow you to host extra guests with minimal fuss.  We hope you like them

Foam Folding Bed Chair Selection

To allow a chair frame to fold it is difficult to make a sprung frame as the various sections would be too distorted to work easily.  Unless a lot of money is spent on the product the resulting solution can often be extremely uncomfortable.  Designing a foam folding bed chair to get around is much less of a challenge.  Foam padding will keeps its shape well over time and if cared for will have a long and useful life.  Foam mattresses are also quite resistant to damage from spills or other accidents.  It is of course worth checking that the foam is a fire retardant variety, but this is a usual standard in furniture sold in the Western world today.

One distinct advantage that a folding chair bed offers over a folding sofa bed or similar large product is that of versatility.  If you purchase two of these chairs then they can easily be placed next to each other to make a double bed too.  Of course they will need to be the same model for this to be effective, but the two chairs can then be stored in separate rooms.  This is something that cannot be said of any folding sofa solution.

Adult Folding Chair Beds

This item although illustrated in blue is available in other colors such as brown and black.  See the listing page for other items by the same manufacturer.

This folding bed is 6″ Thick x 32″ Wide x 70″ Long when extended and 23″ high to the back rest and 12″ high to the seat when used as a chair.  The foam is very stiff when first purchased but does break in over time and usage.

This chair could also be used as a camping bed in a reasonably dry environment such as an RV or motorhome.

Children’s Folding Bed Chair

This kids folding bed comes in no less than eight fabric colors or patterns and two widths.  If you choose to buy this product from Amazon please make sure you select the correct product as there are many options available.

The chair is a diminutive 64″ long fully extended, but should be fine for young children.  There is no chemical odor from the foam and the covering is poly-cotton so it is allergy friendly.

Folding Chair Bed - Folding Chairs and Table

Types of Anti Fatigue Floor Mat

The majority of these types of mat are made of rubber or closed cell foam and are produced in fixed sizes. As you would expect of an industrial product, initially, color ranges were limited. However, in recent years, as this type of flooring has become more popular, carpet covered varieties and other brightly colored and interlocking anti fatigue floor mats have become available.

These recent developments have allowed for a product that can be safe and hygienic as well as one that can blend in with existing decor without being obtrusive and additionally accommodate any chosen standing or desk area – of large or small imprint. Adding comfort and safety for a low price!

Industrial anti fatigue floor mats are currently the largest section of this market overall. Many types of tool operator position tend to be semi-fixed in location and so a small area of matting can provide maximum benefits in a cost efficient manner.

Similarly, in many bar area, kitchen and cooking jobs movement occurs in a limited space. This limited floor area makes for an ideal situation to install kitchen anti fatigue mats.

Benefits of Anti Fatigue Floor Mats

The main benefit of this type of flooring is in the reduction of employee strain and fatigue as well as increased comfort and support. By allowing easier movement they contribute to increased blood flow to the lower legs and also help reduce back problems – especially if the office or work environment requires an employees to stand for a long period. Some have asserted that decreases in insurance premiums and employee absenteeism have occurred after the fitting of these types of safety mat, but the evidence for this appears to be anecdotal.

Safety floor matting of this type can significantly reduce other types of accidents as well as reducing the risk of slipping and falls. Installation of kitchen anti-fatigue floor mats can significantly reduce the number of items broken in a cooking area by cushioning their fall – especially if the mat is thick or uses a gelpro, cumuluspro or similar surface. The flooring allows a dropped item to bounce, rather than break. The reduction in breakages saves money directly, but also reduces down time spent on clean up of glass and other debris.

In Conclusion

Anti fatigue flooring can definitely improve employee health and safety and may contribute a positive return on investment over a longer period too. If your work environment carries significant risk of slipping or breakage it can be a fantastic investment both from a safety and financial point of view. Pick a thick mat for the best support and comfort, but a thin mat for ease of movement if standing behind an office desk or similar, especially if castor seating is occasionally used.

Background Safety Material: osha.gov

Anti Fatigue Floor Mats - Folding Chairs and Table

Sickness and Morale

Any buyer can see the price of the bottom line for purchase of a set of chairs, but the hidden costs might be even more significant and much less obvious.  Have you ever considered the costs to your business from employees taking time off due to back pain?  Ever considered that being uncomfortable or in pain at work lowers productivity and morale?  Morale is hard to measure, but the overall motivational levels of staff are extremely important in a sales environment for example.  In telesales employees are encouraged to “smile at the customer as though they are present” because the tone of voice often conveys a great deal.  If the employee on the phone is uncomfortable due to a so called “bargain office chair” this is likely to make them sound stilted and perhaps this may cost a sale.

Legal Obligations

While it is hard to measure the exact effects of poor posture on back pain and possibly even harder to establish a causal link between a cheap office chair and a given episode it is worth pointing out that workplace legislation is in place in many countries that places an obligation on the employers to provide a healthy and safe work environment.  Is it really worth saving a few dollars a chair and then being the health and safety legislation legal test case for your local area?  Of course it isn’t.

The chair in the image (from Amazon.com) costs about 10% more than a budget office chair, but is fully adjustable for comfort. Compare the prices and decide for yourself if you and your employees are worth the extra.

Price of Purchase Vs Long Term Costs

Treating employees with respect and providing for their health and comfort at work should be the goal of every decent employer.  This isn’t just wishful thinking.  It is often the case that the gains in productivity and reduction in employee absence from work due to sickness actually pay the difference in costs between discount office furniture and the quality equivalent.  Even if this were not the case, providing a healthy and safe work environment is increasingly becoming a legal obligation.  A wise man once said that there is no such thing as a good legal case, meaning that often any legal case is a large and unnecessary drain on you, your business and any profits you might make.

Isn’t it better for everyone to buy reasonable quality, ergonomically sound, office chairs in the first place?

Reference Material: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/

Cheap Office Chairs – The Hidden Costs - Folding Chairs and Table

Pocket billiards, or pool as it more commonly known, is a sport that enjoys worldwide popularity. However, pool lacks a recognised world governing body and for this reason there are actually no widely accepted regulation pool table sizes. It is possible though to give a list of general factors to consider when making a purchase in order to stand the best possible chance of acceptance of a particular table as being “regulation size.”

National Pool Table Standards

As already pointed out there are no commonly accepted worldwide standard sizes for a pool table, but there is one common factor that is accepted.  That is the ration of the length of the table compared to its width.  Therefore any “regulation size table” is one where the length is twice the width. The tolerance in these measurements is generally accepted to be 1/8^th on an inch on the playing surface itself. The unfortunate side effect of this is that a kids pool table that measures 48” x 24” can therefore be considered “regulation”, providing that it is uniform in the length and width of its playing area.

In America pool tables tend to be 8 foot or 9 foot in length, with a common ratio of 2:1.  Thus the playing area for an 8 foot table is 96” x 48” within a tolerance of 1/8^th of an inch.

In England pool tables tend to be smaller and a 7 foot table is generally considered to be “regulation” for pool tournaments in pub leagues and similar. There is however one difference between an American pool table and its British cousin.  The pockets on a British pool table are much smaller and rounded.  This makes them much less forgiving for shots that run along the cushions or power shots into side pockets. The good news is that the pool balls used on British tables are also slightly smaller.  American style pool balls are 2 ¼” (58mm) and British style pool balls are usually 2 3/16ths (56mm). Pool balls smaller than this are intended for use on smaller scaled down pool tables used for children.

Local Pool Governing Bodies and Leagues

If you desire a table that will definitely comply with local regulations then you should contact your local tournament organisers and ask them for a list of regulation pool table sizes. This is the best way in which confusion can be avoided and you can avoid making a costly mistake by purchasing a pool table in a none standard size.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Pool Table Sizes - Folding Chairs and Table

Estimated Price Ranges for Various Chair Styles

More Expensive –> Discount Prices

• Leather Tub Chairs.  By far the most expensive type of chair and best avoided if you are looking for a cheap chair. Designer prices for chairs like these can easily reach four figure and beyond. Prices start at $300 and up.
• Leather Faced Tub Chairs. A leather faced tub chair is surprisingly much cheaper than a full leather alternative. Prices range from $200-300.
• Cloth and Fabric Tub Chairs. This is a very wide category and prices range accordingly.  However some guidelines can be issued; microfiber and other specialty fabric tub chairs will tend to be the most expensive with cotton or linen tub chairs being toward the bottom of the range.
• Microfiber Tub Chairs. Microfiber is a great compromise for those looking for a discount tub chair. Microfiber is comparatively cheap, is highly stain resistant and wears well.  It is not the absolute cheapest of the range however and expect prices to be in the range of $250-350.
• Chenille Tub Chairs. Chenille is a very popular fabric as its soft feel complements the comfortable nature of a tub chair perfectly. Prices range from $200-300 but beware that some types of chenille wear very easily, especially at the front of the seat and the bottom of the back rest.  Ask the vendor for information about fabric types.
• Faux Suede Tub Chairs. Can be very inexpensive and look good when purchased.  Again wear can be an issue, but if the chair is not expected to receive heavy use then these can be a real bargain.  Prices range from $150-250.
• Faux Leather Tub Chairs. Another bargain item, but beware lack of breathability in the seat material and possible early cracking in the surface.  Look to see how long the guarantee is and buy accordingly.
• Plastic Tub Chairs. I have to admit a bias here.  Tub chairs are designed to be comfortable and a hard plastic chair is not my idea of comfort. Still, this type of chair is inexpensive and so you can expect to pay $100-200 for one.

Note:  If you are looking for cheap tub chairs then it is best to avoid designer tub chairs as a designer name will normally multiply these estimated prices by a factor of 3-5x.

Contacting Manufacturers Direct

Purchase of a chair from a factory outlet, or other source direct from the manufacturer, will often present an opportunity for significant saving over what is available from local shops and even some online outlets. The reason that this is the case is that furniture has what the trade calls a high label price, but the volume of sales can be low. Shops incur significant expenses in rent of floor space and so on to maintain a warehouse. These factors mean that shop prices are often much higher than the price of the item direct from a manufacturer. The down side to buying direct is that often many factory outlets do not have the same level of customer service, either at purchase time or later if anything goes wrong.

Final Note

Folding chairs and table do not agree that furniture should ever be purchased solely on price.  The dealer that offers  “tub chairs cheap” will not tell you that buying discount today can often cost more in the long run.  Better to buy a quality second hand item than buy a discount chair new.

For example, tub chair leather upholstery on budget items is often low grade and this means it will require extensive treatment to look acceptable. Unfortunately these chemical treatments often cause it to age rapidly. Buying cheaply on day of purchase often ends up costing more in the long run. The wise purchase decision is always based on build quality and therefore this article is presented for informational purposes only.

Cheap Tub Chairs - Folding Chairs and Table

When setting out to clean grout on tile floors there are some items that will be required and some that may make the job easier if the floor is especially dirty.

Required Cleaning Items

• Broom, brush, mop or vacuum
• Spray Bottle
• Vinegar (white is best, but any is OK)
• Baking Soda
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Scrubbing Brush and an old Toothbrush for small areas

Heavy Duty Cleaning (Optional Items)

• Bleach
• Proprietary Grout Cleaners
• Steam Cleaning Machine

Preparation and Cleaning if Grout has Light Staining

1.       Clean the floor of any obvious loose debris and clutter. Flooring in high traffic areas will require closer attention. Once the floor is clear of all obvious obstructions, brush or vacuum the floor to removed any small items such as dust or grit.

2.       Once the floor is clear of loose dust and dirt, mop the floor with a household floor cleaner and allow to dry.

3.       Assess the dry floor for the extent of the staining and any damage to the grout. If the grout is extensively stained or damaged then it may be more straightforward to re-grout the floor.

4.       Assuming that the staining is manageable and the grout is reasonably intact mix a 1:1 solution of warm water and vinegar in the spray bottle.

5.       Dust the grout with a light covering of baking powder, then apply the water and vinegar solution from the bottle.  This will cause the baking powder to fizz.

6.       When the bubbling has stopped, scrub the grout with a scrubbing brush or tooth brush, depending on the size of the area to be cleaned.

7.       Once the grout has been cleaned mop the floor to removed any residue and reassess. If the grout is still stained then other methods can be used.

Cleaning Heavily Stained Grout on Floor Tiles

If after trying the first method you find that the grout is still stained then applying hydrogen peroxide instead of vinegar can be an effective solution. The technique remains the same overall, but hydrogen peroxide is a more effective cleaner than vinegar.

Similarly, baking soda can be mixed with a little water and applied as a paste directly to the grout. If scrubbed well and used alongside the hydrogen peroxide solution this can be a very effective and cheap cleaning method.

Using Bleach to Clean Floor Grout

Some individuals will tell you to use chlorine bleach instead of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.  This can be unwise and we don’t recommend it.  Be very careful if you do choose to do this as when bleach is mixed with an acid, such as vinegar, chlorine gas is released.  This gas forms hydrochloric acid when it mixes with water in the lungs and eyes and serious harm can result.  If you do choose to use bleach then always wear gloves and eye protection and follow manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.

Bleach should not be applied to colored grout as it can cause discoloration.

Proprietary Cleaning Solutions

If none of the above methods work then perhaps a proprietary grout cleaning product could help, but if using one make sure you take all recommended safety precautions and wear prescribed safety equipment.  Many industrial grout cleaners are acid based and can cause harm to stone or other natural surfaces on your tiles.  Always read the instructions!

Steam Cleaning Floor Grout

If your floor is heavily stained and the above methods have not worked then you might want to try steam cleaning.  Steam cleaners do not have to be purchased outright.  They can be rented for reasonable rates from a local tool hire store. If you are uncomfortable using a steam cleaner then specialist cleaning companies can be hired to clean the floor for you.

If All Else Fails

If none of these solutions have effectively cleaned the grout on your tiled floor then there is still an answer.  The best solution may be to regrout your tiled floor.  This sounds like a drastic step, but grouting a tiled floor is reasonably straightforward if approached with patience and a little knowledge. This subject will be the topic of a later article.

How to Clean Grout on Tile Floors - Folding Chairs and Table

Cork is a natural product that comes from the Cork Oak (Quercus Suber). Cork is an environmentally friendly, 100% sustainable product as the tree is not cut down in order to harvest the product.  Indeed in South West Europe where the majority of harvesting occurs it has helped to preserve the habitat of the Iberian Lynx. Cork floor tiles are manufactured from trees which are 10-15 years in age. The cork is only extracted every few years. This means that supply is steady, but limited in quantity. High quality cork is often used by the wine making industry and lesser grades are used in flooring products.

Pros of Cork Flooring

Good insulation properties, both for sound and temperature. Its insulation capabilities also make it warm to walk on if you are barefoot, which makes it ideal for bathrooms. Sound insulation be extremely useful if you live in an apartment and want to reduce the noise that neighbours experience as people or pets walk across the floor.

Cork is highly water repellent due to a substance in the cell structure called suberin. This makes cork flooring ideal for wet environments such as bathrooms. Suberin also inhibits mildew and fungal growth in areas that have constant high humidity.

Cork floors have an excellent feel under foot as they “give” in a natural fashion unlike hardwood or concrete floors. This means that sometimes cork is used as an underlay for another type of floor in order to give that floor more bounce or “lift.”

Cork as a natural product is also hypoallergenic, but manufacturer’s instructions should be followed to ensure that this remains the case.

Cons of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is more expensive than other common types of flooring such as linoleum or carpet.

Cork floors are easily damaged by sharp objects or sustained heavy pressure.  For instance the heels of ladies shoes can gouge holes in the floors surface. Similarly the placement of heavy objects in the same place over a period of time may result in depressions forming and becoming permanent even after the object has been removed.

As it is a natural material cork tiles are only available in a limited number of patterns and colors. Also the base color is not stable in sunlight and is prone to bleaching in strong light, although for some this adds to the charm as the floor ages.

In order to retain its water repellent properties cork must be resealed every few years. This can be a time and labour intensive job. Heavy traffic or build up of dirt can cause the floor to degrade rapidly if it is not properly maintained.

This concludes this article on cork flooring pros and cons. We hope that it has served to inform you about some of the factors to consider before you go out to buy a cork floor.

Cork Flooring Pros and Cons - Folding Chairs and Table