Like it or not, the holiday season is here. Are you festooning your business for the holidays? In addition to trees, tinsel, holly, and all kinds of glitz and glitter, many people use velvet covers to make their chairs and tables more festive. And I can’t blame them. There’s nothing better for holiday decorations and fancy dinners. I’ve even seen some contemporary bar tables and stools with velvet accents. Velvet adds style to everything.

But improper care can take away velvet’s luxurious finish. Here are some tips for keeping your velvet covers and upholstery looking their best for the holidays – and all year round.

If something spills on velvet, it’s best to shake off as much of the excess moisture as you can. If it’s sitting on the surface, gently take an absorbent cloth and soak up as much as you can. Don’t blot or swipe at it, because the liquid will work its way into the fabric. After the liquid is soaked up, the fabric can be left to air dry, or you can use a blow dryer on low heat to help it along.

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A good bar stool is so important, as any pub owner or pub crawler will tell you. What’s in front of the bar is almost as important as what’s behind the bar. If bar stools are rough or too unyielding, they can make for a cramped and grouchy patron. (Also, why are most bar stools so tall? Speaking from the perspective of a short person, it can be difficult to get up on them – especially if you’ve already had a few drinks! But that’s a rant for another time.)

Wooden bar stools look very classy. Not to knock the ultra modern stools that are available, but wood is warm and inviting. It speaks of life and vitality, and does not look as sterile as stainless steel. For that reason, I went looking for attractive wooden bar stools on the Internet. And I found the OS Mana/B.

The Mana/B is part of a series that includes look-alike dining chairs, perfect for bistro cafe tables or buffets. They’re shorter than the bar stools, so they look a little more scalable to me, but the bar stools are very curvy and lovely in their own right.

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Did you know that lots of people spend Thanksgiving Eve in bars? I didn’t know that, but it does make a sort of sense. Thanksgiving Day is all about family, but Thanksgiving Eve is a great opportunity to spend time with friends that you don’t normally bring around your family for whatever reason. Bars are sometimes the only places open in rural areas on and around holidays. And let’s be honest – a good pint can be just what you need to fortify yourself for a day with your in-laws.

I’ve never celebrated Thanksgiving in a bar, but for the sake of those who do, bar owners should make the stools as comfortable as can be. The Hillsdale Venus Swivel Collection looks comfortable. The bar stool seats are overstuffed and upholstered in atmosphere suede. They are praised for their beauty as well as their comfort, so holiday guests and anyone else can get nice and comfortable before tossing back their drinks.

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I love looking at furniture. Even ugly furniture can be prettified with the right upholstery, or some creative lighting and a great backdrop. But every now and then, I come across a piece that makes me wonder, “How does one actually sit in that thing?”

That was my first reaction to the Hic stool by Bruno Houssin. I imagine one would sit in it very carefully. Perching delicately on top might be a safer option. Still, I like it. I have a soft place in my heart for anything that kids would enjoy, and this stool would certainly be right at home in a children’s restaurant, play area, or bedroom. They just look really neat, the mechanics of sitting on them not withstanding.

Besides being great for kids, the Hic stools could be used in trendy cafes or boutiques. They come in a vibrant red color that would look really lovely in a nail salon or fancy flower shop. Available in seven colors, you could mix them up in lots of red, white and blue for use as patriotic American reception chairs or UK bistro furniture.

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When you think of Old West saloons, what comes to mind? Besides scantily clad ladies in feather boas, that is. And besides all-night poker games that end with a violent shoot-out between friends. And besides the stalwart barkeep who tosses the troublemakers out through the swinging doors. (Can you tell I’ve watched too many Westerns?)

Okay, all of those things are exciting, but I also think of the furniture. In the midst of all the drunken brawling and sawdust floors were some very pretty chairs and bar stools. I like the combination of dark, ornate wood and red velvet cushions, personally. They remind me of those old saloons with the mirrored wall behind a bar that was polished to a high-gloss finish by a guy who offered fifty varieties of whisky and would put them on your tab.

Modern saloons, cigar bars, wine bars, and hooka lounges can also pull off the intricate woodwork and plush seat cushions effect. Really, those types of seats and stools look good anywhere you go that’s kind of dark and smoky and encourages you to relax.

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I took my kids to an arcade yesterday. In spite of my advanced age (from their perspective, anyway), I actually enjoy the flashing lights, electronic sounds, screams of triumph and defeat, and random jostling by excited children. It makes me feel young, and reminds me of my own fledgling video game addiction when I was their age. (I still play, just not as well as the youngsters.)

When I was tired and ready for a rest, I pulled up a vacant bar stool to sit on. Imagine my chagrin when I saw that, not only was one wheel missing, but the vinyl top was stiff, cracked, and had foam stuffing sticking out. Most of the other bar stools were in similar condition. Even though the arcade was nice, I was pretty appalled by the seating. Business owners, take note: offer sub-par seating, and you shall be judged and found wanting.

If your bar stools are looking a bit tired themselves, it’s time for an upgrade. I think backless swivel stools are great for casual settings. Just get ones that can take the beating they’ll surely get from rowdy kids and tired mothers. (more…)

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Sometimes simple things are the best. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of chairs, tables, and furniture available. Nobody wants to stay long at an establishment that feels too cluttered or ‘busy’ (in the visual sense). Unless they’re in a casino; I can’t think of any other place that can get away with having such atrocious carpets. Have you seen them?

But, I digress. Simplicity is a nice change of pace from the frantic paces of our lives. Does your bar need more simplicity? Your patrons might appreciate clean lines and a lack of gaudy design in their surroundings.

Enter the AP Baby/B-Bar. It’s a simple, straightforward wooden swivel bar stool that offers you just what you need when you visit the pub: a sturdy place to sit down. There are no frills, no elaborate ironwork or cut-outs; only a smooth, attractive wooden seat with a bright chrome frame and foot rest.

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Many outdoor bistros have plastic seating, which is fine. But if you own or design for a more upscale establishment, you might want to consider rattan, or a synthetic version thereof. For your money, it’s a great investment. It also looks much better than plastic, and gives the impression that you’re willing to invest in attractive furniture to keep your customers happy.

There’s something about rattan that feels like home. Think about it: When you’re sitting in a rattan chair, don’t you remember sitting on your grandma’s porch (or someone’s grandma’s porch)? Chances are good that customers will also feel at home in cushiony rattan chairs. We tend to spend longer amounts of time over a meal when we’re comfortable and relaxed. Think of rattan as an invitation for your customers to sit down and stay a while.

I’ve included pictures of a particular chair that I find attractive. It looks like something you’d find on a home patio, which is a huge part of its charm. The surface is actually a synthetic weave that is resistant to all weather types, which is important in outdoor bistro chairs. Plus, it comes in two shades: dark and light. I’m a sucker for dark colors, but I know that not everyone likes them, especially in the summer months. If you want, you could get a set of these chairs in each shade and switch them out according to the season. Just a thought.

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