Creating a GREAT Space on a Limited Budget!

For many of us, the idea of redecorating is simply not an option due to finances. To be realistic, not many of us have an extra ten thousand or more dollars lying around that can be used strictly for the purpose of design. After thinking about delimma, we decided to dedicate our next few blogs to tips on designing on a budget. With these tips, you will be tossing aside design catalogs and heading to the store to get started!

Paint…

It’s all about the paint, for $30-50 dollars a room can be entirely transformed. With a coat of paint, a room can be instantly transformed from stark and cold to a place that is warm and inviting! If you are creative, you can also venture into the world of textured paints! A few sponges or rags will add depth and texture to your walls that you will enjoy for years!

Get Creative!

You don’t have to have a degree in interior design to pull off a professional design look. Grab catalogs or head to your local library and check out design magazines. Make notes of various aspects that you like, even if you can’t afford a $5,000 chandelier, try to find a similar product that gives off the same feeling at Home Depot, Lowes or online.

Bring in the Art!

Art is a fantastic way to bring in a specific element into a room. Head down to your local arts and crafts store and scout out art that incorporates the colors and theme that you are striving for.

Head to the back of the Furniture Store!

If you are looking for new furniture, there is no need to get the brand spanking new couch. Most furniture stores will have a section that is dedicated to returns and slightly damaged furniture or merchandise that is reduced for sale. In the back you can find quite a bargain!

How do you know if you have bed bugs??

Most of us don’t even want to think about this possibility…. The very idea of having something crawling over us while we sleep is quite unpleasant. However, the good news is that if you have bed bugs, at Textile Armor, we can help you get rid of them!

Unfortunately, the only way to be positively certain that you have bed bugs is to actually see a bed bug or an egg, but by then it is too late. A physician will not be able to tell you if you have bed bugs or not by simply examining a bite on your skin. If you are experiencing getting “bit” then consider when and where the bites may possibly be occurring. An example would be if you wake up in the morning with small bug bites that you did not previously have the night before, then there is a good chance. But if you notice that these bits appear after taking your dog for a walk-then that is a different story. If you are suspicious that you may have bed bugs, a clue would be to look for their fecal matter. Yes, we know that it is disgusting, but it is a pretty good indicator. Bed bugs fecal matter can be red in color because of the digested blood, or it will be black after the blood has had a chance to dry out. Bed bugs fecal matter is not flaky and will smear if you attempt to wipe it with a wet cloth.

Another clue that you may have bed bugs are the common symptoms associated with it-aside from the bites. Bed bugs often causes symptoms that are very similar in nature to hay fever-you know, the runny nose, itchy eyes etc. If you think that you have bed bugs, we have a line of products that will help you get rid of these little bugs! Check out our line of mattress protection at http://www.textilearmor.com/mattress_protection.htm.

Resources: http://www.bedbugcentral.com/bedbugs101/topic.cfm/how-do-i-know-i-have-bed-bugs

Toddlers-Love Them, Gotta Potty Train Them!

There are few joys in life that rival the joy of finally believing that your young tot is potty trained. Unfortunately, you have to take the training wheels of the bike at some point!      –Roughly translated, this means that you have to let them sleep in their own bed without a diaper eventually! And for you the parent, this can also translate into nights of wet sheets, an unhappy child and a soiled mattress.

At Textile Armor, we understand some of the frustrations that come with potty training    -because we have done it ourselves! And while every parent has to eventually go through it, there are things that can be done to make it less painful. Having a mattress protector is one of them! It’s one thing to have to wash pajamas and sheets; it is a totally different thing to try to soak urine out of a mattress at 3:00 in the morning. If you are a parent attempting the challenge of potty training, then check out our site for mattress protection at http://www.textilearmor.com/mattress_protection.htm.

Also, if you are a frustrated parent, here are some tips to help you with the potty training!

• It’s all about the bribe! Use small treats, for example M&M’s to reward your child each time they use the potty!
• Target Practice! Make a game out of it for your little boy! Throw a few cheerios in the toilet and see if your son can hit them when he goes to the bathroom!
• Load on the verbal praise!
• Its okay to lie: One Mom told her child that the poop feeds the fish when he flushes, if he doesn’t poop in the toilet, the fish go hungry! You don’t want the fish to go hungry right??

For more tips on toilet training check out: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/potty-training/tips/potty-training-tips/?page=6

Animals and Furniture: The Good and the Bad

In the United States, having a pet just seems to complete the “American Dream” of a house, yard, kids and a dog (or cat). With over 63% of Americans owning an animal, little explanation needs to be given as to the reasons why. Many studies have shown that animals can not only reduce health, but also create a social support and other health benefits. However, as much as we love our pets-we all know that they can bring havoc on furniture. And that is why you need to protect your furniture.

The fabric protection line at Textile Armor will put of a first layer of defense between your furniture and your animals. It doesn’t matter if you have dogs or cats, both can soil and destroy furniture and make it look old, dirty and worn far before it’s time. At Textile Armor we have two lines of defense for your fabric. The U.S 2000 Fabric Protection and the U.S QD Fabric Protection are products that can be used on both natural and synthetic fabrics. They are both invisible to the eye and will not alter the texture or appearance of the fabric or furniture in anyway. Both of these products are non-toxic and non-allergenic which makes this an incredibly safe product for both your animals and your children. Both of these products only need to be applied once-as opposed to other products on the market today that require several applications. In addition, the Fabric Protection line at Textile Armor will not only prevent your furniture from stains, but it will also strengthen the fabric making it less resistant to ripping and tearing.

If you are tired of having your furniture look old and worn, give us a call. Our experts will be able to assist you in determining what product will best suit your needs and can arrange for immediate application. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.textilearmor.com/fabric_protection.htm

Resources:

http://stress.about.com/od/lowstresslifestyle/a/petsandstress.htm

http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/homerealestate/feature.jsp?story=rainingcatsanddogs

Our Mission at Textile Armor

At Textile Armor our goal is to provide our clients and designers with the best and most cost effective solution to maintaining the beauty of their furniture. Because of this, we knew that it would be invaluable to partner with a company that not only had a reputation that was unsurpassed, but also a company that had demonstrated that they were able to effectively navigate the ups and downs of the industry. We found all these qualities and many more in Ultra Shield. Today, Ultra Shield is the fourth largest Textile Protection company by sales volume in the United States. Since then they have continued to manufacture and produce a product that is second to none.

Our goal is to help preserve the beauty of your furniture and textiles. We know that a lot of time individuals run out of energy when they come to the end of a design project. We are here to help encourage you to finish out the project so that you can add years to the life of your textiles.

At Textile Armor we have a complete line of fabric, leather, wood and mattress protection. Not only do we believe in our products, but we stand behind them with our guarantee. If you are an interior designer, we also offer a Designer Referral Program. This works in such a way that if you simply refer a client to Textile Armor, we will deliver and apply the product and give you a percentage of the total job as a thank you for the referral. If you have any questions about Textile Armor or any of our product line, please do not hesitate to give us a call!

If It’s Not Broke, Don’t Fix It!!!

Through the years the mentality has changed about the worth and value of a piece of furniture or appliance. A generation ago, the concept was that you bought it once, and if it broke, it would be repaired. While the current generation is not entirely adhering to this concept, the idea of reducing waste and saving money is important to most people. With the economy being what it is, few people can afford to redecorate or buy new furniture. Because of this it is important to care for existing furniture so that it will look its best until time and finances allow for a new design. Nothing makes a couch look older and rattier than multiple stains, tears and thin spots in the fabric.

In the past, Textile Armor only offered its fabric protection line to clients who had just purchased their furniture. But now we have extended our products to be available to anyone who has a piece of furniture that they would like to preserve. Our fabric protection line will repel stains and reduce the look and feel of everyday wear and tear. Our fabric protection line creates an invisible barrier between your fabric and anything that would like to destroy it. These products are essential to anyone who does a lot of entertaining, has children or pets.

Many people are hesitant to invest in furniture that is not new, however the product line at Textile Armor is incredibly competitive when compared to other products. If you would like more information about how to protect your furniture, please do not hesitate to give us a call!

Are you a designer??

For all you designers, you know the feeling of satisfaction when you finally finish a beautiful room and the client signs off on the project. However, most of us know that the room will never look as beautiful as it did the day that it is completed. Obviously rooms are meant to be enjoyed AND lived in, however depending on the type of furniture used-it may not be able to stand up to the demands of the client’s and their household.

At Textile Armor, our goal is to provide a quality product that will allow people to enjoy their furniture for years to come. Because of this, Textile Armor has developed a unique program specifically for designers. This program allows interior designers to offer an additional service to their clients in the form of “preserving and protecting” their furniture. Through the years, we have partnered with dozens of designers who have then had an opportunity to resell our product line to their clients. This program and partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial.

Partnering with designers not only allows us to expand our base of product, but it also allows designers to offer a unique service to their clients. Essentially, this is a hassle free process for the designer. If the designer recommends Textile Armor to their client, we will deliver the product and in turn as a thank you for the referral give you a percentage of the total job. It is not necessary to stock any product and you do not have to do anything other than refer clients to Textile Armor. If you are a designer and would like to expand the services that you offer clients to include wood, fabric and leather protection, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!