News, articles, trends and advice relating to custom hardwood furniture

Well the New Year is here and Stone Creek Furniture is in our 20th year of building custom hardwood furniture here in the valley of the sun. It all started with Mexican style territorial chairs and now it has evolved into the states largest “direct to the public” hardwood furniture manufacturer. Stone Creek builds custom home theater cabinetry, home office furniture, dining room, built-in, and bedroom furniture. We also excel in custom kitchen cabinets sold at a factory direct price. We build all of our Stone Creek Furniture at our Phoenix factory and have been doing so since day one.

My motto has been “the most fun wins” and that is so true here at Stone Creek. It’s fun to be able to do things most furniture stores can’t do. We can change the size, style and color of any of our furniture. Can other stores do that? Nope. We offer thirty-five finish colors and can even closely match any existing furniture you may have. It is so much fun to see the joy at customer’s homes when they get “furniture the way they wanted it.” It was their vision and we brought it to life. I visited a kitchen customer’s home today and she couldn’t stop talking about how we took each and every one of her suggestions and made them a reality. “I would call Rick, and he would plug it in his computer drawing and it was done” said our Sun Lakes customer. Could another kitchen remodeling contractor give her what she was asking for? Doubt it, their hands are tied since they buy (not build) their cabinets in standard sizes and out of state.

So before you decide on a piece of furniture or kitchen cabinets, come to Stone Creek Furniture and see what we can do for you. Remember you are buying factory direct so we’ll save you money versus retail.

Why do Phoenix residents choose granite countertops over other options?  There are a number of reasons.  One of the biggest reasons granite countertops are so popular with Phoenix homeowners is that they are a beautiful addition to any kitchen.  Depending on its composition, the color of granite can range from black to pink and many colors in between, which means people in Phoenix can choose a countertop that will match their kitchen décor perfectly no matter what their tastes.  And since granite countertops look as if they are pebbled with tiny rocks and crystals (and, in a manner of speaking, they are!) each one is unique, so you know your granite countertop will be unique, even among all the others in Phoenix.  When you look at the elegance of a sleek, polished granite countertop next to the dull, artificial look of laminate, you will realize that aesthetically there is no comparison.

Another reason granite countertops are so popular in Phoenix is that they are durable.  While laminates might begin to look old and worn over time—taking on knife marks, stains, or chipping around the edges—granite countertops are timeless.  Their polished surfaces do not stain, and it takes some serious effort to crack or otherwise damage them.  This brings up another reason why people in Phoenix use granite countertops in their kitchens:  they are easy to clean and maintain.  A disinfecting spray and a damp washcloth are enough to clean up even the stickiest messes.  Dark juices and wines will not leave stains.  And unless you decide to use a belt sander on the surface of your granite countertop, chances are you will never need to refinish it once it has been installed.  It is beautiful and functional; what more could a Phoenix homeowner ask for?

A Murphy bed is a staple in old movies and television shows, usually as part of a comic routine. And it’s easy to see why they were such comedy favorites: a Murphy bed, unlike a traditional bed with a box spring and bed frame, is hinged at the head end and folds up against a wall for storage. In movies, this usually happens at unexpected moments, trapping someone between the bed and the wall. While it may have been a real problem when Murphy beds were in their prime, modern Murphy beds don’t really spring back into vertical position and spontaneously trap their occupants upside down. Fortunately, they are usually equipped with a counterbalance mechanism that prevents unprovoked retraction. It’s certainly less funny, but much safer this way!

Murphy beds may not be as common as they once were, but they can still be found in homes with limited space. For example, people who live in small apartments and mobile homes can benefit from a Murphy bed; when the bed is in its upright position, it leaves a lot of usable space. Some Murphy beds are concealed by closet doors, while others merely fold into a sort of pocket in the wall. This latter type usually has some kind of solid panel on the bottom of the mattress that resembles the rest of the walls in the room. Sometimes that panel is equipped with modular cabinetry so the space can be used for additional storage, computer desks, entertainment units, or other purposes. The mattress is attached directly to the bed frame so everything stays in place when the bed is vertical. Rather than resting on a box spring, the mattress usually sits on a tightly stretched wire mesh. Because they would get in the way during storage, a Murphy bed does not have a headboard or footboard.

Granite countertops are a great investment for any Phoenix resident. Not only does the material add a great sense of expensiveness and attention to one of the most important rooms in your Phoenix home, it also is a great home investment. The natural or man made material (also called quartz) is very durable and will resist damage so that you will not have to replace it frequently as you would with other types of countertop material. Granite countertops maintain a timeless look, and the combination of functional life and aesthetic permanence makes it one of the best material options available to Phoenix residents.

Because granite is a very heavy stone material, it must be custom cut and installed into your kitchen space. There are many options in terms of color, thickness, pattern and finish that Phoenix homeowners can consider when looking at all of the granite options, but in general, the organic, sturdy look of the material will outlast all other countertop options. For this reason, granite is not only a nice aesthetic choice for Phoenix residents; it is also a great home investment. The longevity of building materials is important to consider because Phoenix residency is many times a second home for people, or a property investment. There is no need to have to repeatedly update the design of your home in an attempt to satisfy potential buyers, especially when classic options are available. You should not waste your time considering other options. It would be smarter to spend more energy keeping your landscape updated, or your backyard area fresh, than to repeatedly spend money on your kitchen area. If you can make your kitchen look great indefinitely by simply investing in one material, why bother looking at alternatives?

Anyone not like to waste time?  Anyone not like to waste money?  It’s been the internet over the past decade and a half that saved us these precious resources.  And now it’s the same when it comes to shopping for furniture online.

Step 1:  Visit www.stonecreekfurniture.com.

Step 2:  Browse our large selection of furniture.

Step 3:  Work with our Internet Sales Manager in real time on the phone or email your design requests.

Step 4:  Receive 3D CAD renderings of furniture the way you want it via email.

Step 5:  Order right over the phone.

It’s that easy! Of course we always like to see you at our showroom locations around the valley, but for those folks with a tight schedule we want to make sure you can visit our virtual showroom any time.  And don’t forget to ask about special internet only discounts when you shop online as well!

So what’s the deal with DirectBuy? Are you really buying direct? And what’s with charging consumers $4,900 for the privilege to buy direct? Stone Creek Furniture has been selling furniture direct to the public for over 19 years. And I mean, “direct.” Our customers pay the same prices that retailers would pay if they bought furniture wholesale from our factory. Then, they would mark it up and sell it in their stores. For years, over twenty five thousand valley residents have purchased Stone Creek Furniture and they keep coming back for more. Now that’s “direct!”

DirectBuy makes their customers pay a large membership fee and you have to sign on the spot or you can’t come back! Really? Talk about a hard sell. You mean you don’t even get an opportunity to go home and think about it?

Chris Fichera from Consumer Reports says, ” After the fee disclosure, we discovered that we had to sign up on the spot or never come back. We couldn’t bring DirectBuy’s “confidential” prices elsewhere to comparison-shop, the representatives said, because this would likely anger retailers who might then retaliate against the manufacturers by refusing to sell their merchandise.”

He adds ” Some DirectBuy members complained to us about poor customer service and long waits for merchandise. But since DirectBuy outlets are franchises, service varies by location.”

It all seems a little shady to me. Is it me, or is “Direct” Buy just another middleman? Actually, if they are a franchise operation, then they have TWO middlemen taking their cut. The only way to buy direct is by buying direct from the factory, period.

Stone Creek manufactures all of our furniture here in Phoenix. You could even come to our factory and see our production line. It’s fun to see the furniture being built. Stone Creek Furniture excels in hardwood home theater, home office, bedroom, dining room furniture and kitchen cabinets. Customers can come into anyone of our four valley locations and get free design services while choosing from an array of options like finish colors, trim and hardware. It truly is “furniture the way you want it” at factory direct prices. You can check out our furniture selection at www.stonecreekfurniture.com, and if you don’t see what you are looking for, we could probably build it for you.

Dean Moomey

If you want the experience of seeing your favorite action filled movie right in the comfort of your Phoenix home, then perhaps you should look at installing a home theater system. You probably think that home theater systems in Phoenix are expensive, but with the many varieties of home theaters in Phoenix you can find one that is right for you.

The space you want to use for your Phoenix home theater system is the most important place to start. You may not want to turn your formal Phoenix living room into your home theater and have posters and popcorn lying around. If you have a den or other convertible room, such as a gym, then let us show you how easy and inexpensive it can be to turn your living space into a professional home theater.

Our home theaters in Phoenix mimic commercial theater performance and give you the option for many upscale packages that include quality audio and visual presentation, as well as comfortable seating and movie theater lighting. Custom home theaters in Phoenix are becoming more popular and the prices are coming down on top of the line technological components. We can help you create the perfect Phoenix home theater for your Phoenix home.

We can tell you about all the options available to you for your Phoenix home theater system from a top of the line Bose system, to a smaller yet equally effective home theater system in a box, we will outline your options and offer you valuable information and tips that will turn any room into a personal home theater. We’ll show you everything you need to know to be knowledgeable in making a decision to add a home theater to your Phoenix home.

The kids are heading back to school and as much as you loved the carefree days of summer, I think we all relish a  time when we can get back to taking care of our homes, sprucing up,  and putting a fresh spin on low-cost decorating. Here are my top ideas for fall.

1.  Buy a new mat for the front door. Clean the door and sweep surrounding area.  Nothing says neglect as much as a dirty entrance. While you’re at it put a large pot of flowers by the front door.  It will welcome guests and give curb appeal at the same time.

2.  If you have fallen in love with a very expensive fabric find ways to use it in small ways.  Accent pillows, a table runner or placemats or better yet stretched over an artists canvas.  Just stretch, fold corners and staple in the back.  Instant art.   You don’t have to spend a fortune to make the room look and feel luxurious.

3.  Paint or wall paper the back of bookcases or dining room hutch. You’ll be amazed how it shows off dishes and favorite collectibles. If you wallpaper, just cut to size and use double faced tape to adhere.

4.  Give your home a good cleaning and wash the windows.  Enlist help from the kids and their friends for extra spending money and your home will sparkle. Crank up the music,provide snacks and  don’t look for perfection just a clean house. Everyone wins!

5.  Rearrange your furniture. It’s free. If you don’t like it, move it back. Sometimes taking a piece from another room is enough to make the room look fresh. Pull furniture out from the walls.  Make groupings for easy conversation. Angling a sofa slightly in front of a focal point can make fraffic easier to navigate.

6.  Use a small writing desk as a nightstand. It makes the room do double duty and looks great. It also affords more space for that glass of water and stack of books you’ve been meaning to read.

7.  Edit, edit, edit. If it is not beautiful, meaningful or useful get rid of it. How many stuffed animals do your kids really play with. How many cookie sheets do you need, and  those size 4 clothes you’ve been hanging onto…donate and feel cleansed.  I keep a shopping bag in my closet and when it’s full I drop it off at Goodwill.

8. Have the kids go through their bookcases and donate all books that are no longer age appropriate. It teaches good habits and helps the community. Do the same for board games, action figures and outgrown clothes.

9. Clean out the junk drawer.  Use a utensil divider to organize the loose items. Batteries, flashlight, tape measure, picture wire. Everything will be visable and much easier to find.

10. Clean out your pantry.  Check expiration dates. Now group like items together.  All baking staples should be together. Cake mixes, cupcake papers and flour together.  Likewise with cereal and breakfast bars. Healthy snacks can be put on lower shelves for kids to grab on the way out the door.

August is the time of year when many Phoenix residents begin to dream of the cooler months ahead. It’s no wonder people flock to Phoenix in the Fall and Winter months to enjoy our climate? It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that few, if any, places have a more enjoyable climate that time of year. If others travel great distances to enjoy our climate, shouldn’t you too? What could be nicer than spending a fresh Fall evening in the backyard with friends and family enjoying a BBQ dinner. Doesn’t food cooked on the grill just taste better?

Stone Creek is proud to offer a full line of custom outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands. Get the ball rolling today, call for a free consultation to find out if an outdoor kitchen or BBQ island is right for you. We also offer an award winning website to help you plan your backyard experience from the comfort of you own home.

Don’t let another year of cool evening temperatures pass you by…enjoy your backyard (we can’t let the tourist have all the fun!).

More information can be found at www.stonecreekfurniture.com/bbq