Time for Us to Say Thanks!

Tis' the season for me to get mushy - I can't help it. Trust me, I'm usually the girl that hears a Christmas song on the radio on November 15th and thinks "Oh, please! Not yet...Bah humbug". Then I see the Christmas toy commercials, or the car commercials and think "When is someone going to give me a Mercedes with a big red bow on it"? Again, bah humbug. But then... something starts creeping in right after Thanksgiving. We have our family Thanksgiving gathering, you know...eat too much, drink too much. My brothers get the kids outside to play soccer while my sister and I drink wine in peace and quiet. We laugh watching my nephew and brother perform their annual "dance-off". My mom let's go of having the house have to look perfect. We joke at the dinner table about past holiday diasters. The kids get in their feety pajamas and give us goodnight hugs. And there it is. The holiday spirit has arrived.

Since we can't always be near our families during the year, the holidays really just are a wonderful excuse to see each other, listen to each other and enjoy each other. These days are not just about giving gifts but showing the people we love that we really do appreciate them, no matter how different they are from us.

At Circle we are fortunate to be involved with another type of family, The Rodman Ride for Kids. The Rodman Ride for Kids is an umbrella matching gift charity raising funds for at-risk children in Massachusetts. Their mission is to have every child in our communities live as we would want our own kids to live. As our Charity Promotion winds down today we just want to say thank you to all our customers who donated to The Rodman Ride for Kids. We feel strongly that the annual Ride is crucial to the health and well-being of so many children in Massachusetts. So, thanks! We want YOU to know that we appreciate you!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Oh, and about that Mercedes, my favorite color is Metallic Navy, just in case you were wondering.

Holiday Marketplace - Join Us!

Haven't even started your holiday shopping? Me neither. No worries. Tomorrow at all Circle Furniture stores we are having our first ever Holiday Marketplace. We thought it would be fun and festive to invite a few local artists to each store to sell their crafts for the holidays.

In Cambridge you'll find our friend Jodi, of jodi's jems, selling her gorgeous hand-made belts. Perfect gift for your sister, mom or best friend! Also in Cambridge will be Helen Ray selling hand-made soaps and bath products; Amanda Clifford selling jewelry and prints, Marcia Cohen selling notecards, aprons, hats and scarves, and Carla Klaussen selling her jewelry.

In Pembroke, Sally Dean Mellow is selling her artwork. There's a cool twist. Sally has a blog where she showcases her "365" flowers. She paints a flower every day and then tells a little story about the painting. You have to check her blog out! So the cool twist? She's painting her flower at the Pembroke Circle Furniture tomorrow. Stop by and you'll also find Chelsea Brega selling her jewelry, and Marty GirlZ selling handbags and decorative pillows.

Drive North to visit our Danvers store and you'll find Kristi Birchenough selling great jewelry, scarves and purses; Teresa Capela selling doll clothes and Eileen Russ selling fun pocketbooks.

Stop by the Acton store to check out the Fashion Bus selling clothing and jewelry; Tracy Cassidy selling belts and jewelry; Jane and Ted selling cool housewares made from press wine bottles; Cathy Cahill selling custom wooden figures and cards, and our own Erin selling her hand-made, beautiful Merino wool arm warmers and hats. Tis' the season!

In Framingham we have Juanda Siddiqui selling African and Indian crafts; Teeru Bihani selling jewelry, Diane Robinson selling hand-crafted housewares, and our own Besty selling her hand-made nightlights...which I've seen and they are awesome.

So please visit any or all of the Circle Furniture's tomorrow from 12pm - 4pm to get some shopping done and celebrate the season. We'll have snacks and refreshments and a store full of beautiful furniture too!

Managers We Love!

Meet Cindy, the manager of our Acton Circle Furniture...

"As a true lover of everything that works within the home, I found my true passion during my high school years directed towards the all-inclusive “Home Environment”. Somehow the concept of putting colors and textures together with different woods and metals in varying sizes was all I could think about. After completing my degree in Interior Design thirty-something years later, I am still as addicted as I was in my teen years, and the urge gets stronger each year with every new fascinating accessory and style available today.

What I like about Circle Furniture is that we are a "Fashion Forward" furniture company…in other words, we are always right on top of all the trends available today with color, design and style.

I love being a manager for Circle Furniture and helping everyone get the Very Best look for their home!!!

My other passion is working to raise money for the Jeannie Geiger Woman’s Crisis Center , Anna Jaques Community Hospital in Newburyport, Ma. and the Firehouse Center for the Arts.

I love to go to concerts, watch the Patriots, attend a Red Sox game and, of course, shop for bling!!!"

Hip Hip Hooray!

We want to congratulate our friends at Copeland Furniture on winning this years Sage award. Ok, so you may not have heard of the Sage award, not a problem. Here's how it's described by the experts. "The Sage Award was created to seek out and recognize innovators with a commitment to sustainable practices, social equity, and profitable growth in the home furnishings and bedding industries."

So who are we talking about? A company we've been buying gorgeous, hardwood furniture from for years. A company we trust and respect. Here's the nomination lowdown - check it out.

"Copeland Furniture has been committed to sustainable manufacturing practices long before eco-friendly became a trend in the residential furniture industry. The company holds a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certificate and currently manufactures eight product groups that qualify for FSC on-product labeling. They are a founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, and one of only eight companies worldwide that qualify for the Council’s silver exemplary status.

Their environmental initiatives touch every aspect of operations. Sustainably-grown raw materials come from within 100 to 500 miles of the plant. Ninety percent of the electricity used to power their manufacturing equipment comes from sources that are low emission. They are converting their heating plant from oil-fired hot water to wood-fired and using their own waste scrap as fuel. They are taking steps to reduce the use of non-recyclable materials in product packaging and are working with finish suppliers to formulate finishes that use water as the primary solvent. They’ve stopped printing their catalog and now post it entirely on the Internet. Despite all of their accomplishments, Copeland views sustainability as an ongoing process of improvement, rather than as a finite goal."

Thanks Copeland for what you do! We're proud to be founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council right along with Copeland and continue on our path to sustainable practices. As we say...the environment, our local economy, it matters to us. It's our world and we have to take care of it! Don't you agree?

What's the Buzz?

From the Queen Bee herself...as Peggy prepares for the "Sustainabilty Summit" that she will sit on a panel for next week, she has also prepared a more, as she says, "sappy" What's the Buzz for November. Well, I say bring it on...with the holidays here, what better time is there to bring out the sappiness. Enjoy!

"I can’t believe it; we’ve come to that time of the year when the days will disappear faster than we ever thought possible. I don’t know how it happens but every year as soon as Thanksgiving approaches it seems like we all begin a complete stampede to the finish line...aka...the end of the holiday season. Why do we need to fit so much living into such a short period of time? Holiday parties, shopping trips, charity events, pageants, concerts; don’t forget your obligatory visit to Aunt Bessie! It all happens in such a short period of time. Think about it. Wouldn’t it be grand to have some of these events to look forward to in February or March when really nothing is happening and we all go into hibernation?

In our house, Thanksgiving is our most favorite holiday and we all wouldn’t mind if it went on for a few weeks. Our family is one of different persuasions so it was the only holiday that we had to share or rotate every year. There is a lot to be said for mixing it up. This year is difficult as we have just suffered the loss of my mother-in-law, so her seat will be empty but she will be with us. We will revel in "Bubbie" stories that will make us cry, but more than ever they will give us so much laughter and joy. It is a time when we reflect on what we are thankful for and what we hope for everyone. We all love to share, not to mention, complain about this relative, sister or friend, and how we don’t look forward to sharing a day with them because of "what happened" years ago, but really, if it weren’t for them who would we complain about? We’d have to be uber-pleasant and who wants that? It’s funny how families or friends can hold these grudges and most of the time no one can even remember why it started... This year I am encouraging everyone to start with a clean slate, LET IT GO, whatever it is and see what happens. I myself cannot even remember who I am supposed to be mad at! See, it works.

I come from a big family, 10 siblings, so I really don’t need to add to my family, but over the years I have accumulated some “sisters”. In fact, my newest “sister” I was lucky enough to find on a trip to Australia, where Eileen and I bonded as new sisters. Families are different for everyone and we all have the ability to make it ours, we can pick them. I know the saying goes you can pick your friends and your nose but not your family (well, something like that!). I think you can make your friends your family. This Thanksgiving we will share with our closest family friends and my "niece and nephew" Jordan and Julia, and it will be the best family celebration. I am so lucky to have all my brothers and sisters and I appreciate them so much; I don’t mind adding a few more. If you all have room at your table, please add another placemat or two, you won’t regret it.

P.S. We are so thankful for Mike Milligan, who will marry my incredible niece Amy this January. Now that the Milligan’s have joined this big family, what a great time to be living! Goes double, as her amazing sister Kelly married the fabulous Chuck Davis this spring. So yes, Patty and Brian…there may be grandchildren just yet, set another place at the table.

Office Manager Extraordinaire

If you've ever been to one of Circle Furniture's charity shin-digs, you probably have met Judy. She's not only our favorite office manager but also the official greeter at each party. Here's some facts about Jude (as we call her).

"Born...3 Rivers, Ma

Hobbies...Loves to read and visit museums

Volunteers...with a project in Uganda that educates women and assists families to be self-sufficient

Loves...kids

Colors...green and blue

Favorite song...Moon River

Favorite singer...Johnny Mathis

Favorite tv show - Grey's Anatomy

Loves working with Circle Furniture because...Circle is honest and has a lot of integrity in their dealings with customers

Anniversary...14 years with Circle in Feb 2010

My idol...Eleanor Roosevelt"

Thanks Jude - We love you!

"Oh, My Aching Back" No More!

Meet Luanne...and let us introduce you to the beauty and comfort of Ekornes® Stressless products.

Wow!!! I am so excited to be working with the great folks at Circle Furniture selling Ekornes® Stressless chairs and sofas. You might recognize me from Backcare Basics in Needham, where I had been selling Ekornes since 2005. I'm delighted to report that Backcare Basics is “alive and well” and focusing on all the great back care and pain relief products that we have always carried…except Ekornes®. We have so many wonderful products to comfort and soothe your back you have to come check us out!

I am taking my experience with all of my Backcare Basics customers, along with my Ekornes expertise over to Circle Furniture to help you choose exactly the right Stressless recliner to meet your specific needs.

Let’s face it, no two people are alike. We each have our own individual idea of what is comfortable. Add to that a few aches and pains, a little sciatica or a slipped disc and finding a great comfortable chair becomes a daunting task, not a simple pleasure. Like Goldilocks, we may find a chair too big, too firm, too deep or too tall. How does one decide which chair to choose? After all, this is usually an investment or perhaps even something you’ve dreamed of owning for awhile. You don’t want to get it wrong. Right? Well, you don’t have to. The folks at Circle Furniture have been trained to help you choose the right Stressless chair for you. They know exactly how to help you decide which size and model is best for you AND which one will look great in your home. Comfort and Style. What a great combination! So come in to Circle Furniture and choose your Stressless recliner today.

Designers We Love!

Time to meet another designer we love....Meet Lauren.

Born -Beverly, MA in the sign of Aries

Signature color – Red

My mom first knew I wanted to be a designer when - at age 2, I turned my Fisher-Price play house on end and...viola, it became a high-rise penthouse!

If I were a piece of furniture I would be a credenza; beautiful and functional (with a terrific sounding name!)

"Interior Design" to me is - the balance of form and function. You can not be all beauty and no brain!

Favorite Quote - “Life is a journey, not a destination” - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Favorite Destination- Ruins of the Lost Mayan Civilization at Chichen Itza, and Tulum, Mexico.

Favorite Journey – Still Getting There!!!

You may find me at – the symphony, the beach or bicycling back roads.

You will never catch me at – a musical, on a golf course or running the Boston Marathon.

I would love to – Sky dive

I would never – Bungee Jump

I love to listen to the Blues but am rarely in a blue mood myself.


So that's Lauren, another talented designer at Circle...but no musicals? Am I the only one left that still loves a good musical? I mean, A Chorus Line, Godspell, Chicago? I still get goose bumps when I here "All That Jazz", don't you?

Designers We Love!

In keeping with our introductions we'd like you to meet Stephanie, former design consultant and now part of Circle Furniture's outstanding merchandising team. Here's her story...

"When I was asked to be part of the “Meet the Designer” section of the blog I was very excited but not really sure what to say - then it came to me while primping the Cambridge showroom. It has always been a dream of mine to be a Designer/Artist, and after many years (well, maybe not TOO many years) I am just that. Here at Circle Furniture I help with the merchandising and I love everyday of it. Not only am I a designer for Circle, I am also an artist and love to oil paint in my free time (that is whenever I can find some free time). Oil painting is my true passion; it's really led me to where I am today. Through painting I've learned how to incorporate color and texture to create spaces and vignettes that are not only beautiful but also pleasing to the eye. To create this at your home … my advice is “do not be afraid of color.” It may seem intimidating to use color but please take a leap of faith, and trust me! I know it will make all the difference in your home. Also for all you Facebook users … check out colorTHEORY's fan page and look at their “Inspirational Room of the Day” - great ideas for small and large spaces alike."

Thanks Steph and yes, that colorTheory fanpage is fun to check out. Love the chair with mirrored sides from today - way cool!

You're Invited - As Always!

Need some artistic inspiration? Come to our Acton showroom this Saturday - we're hosting an autumn reception for local artists from 3 to 6pm. The artwork is ready to be viewed and the store looks refreshed and alive.

Donna McKenna, a designer for Circle, has gathered some wonderful artists in the area to create our own little gallery right in the store. We know there are MANY of you out there that want step outside the box and not just settle for "manufactured art". There is something meaningful and personal to putting up real art that you'll hang on the walls in your home. As Donna says "We're trying to create rooms that are all about self expression. Buying art from a local artist is consistent with that and is in keeping with the ideals we hold dear at Circle Furniture." That Donna, you gotta' love her. She is so talented and inspiring herself! Hey, if for nothing else, you should come meet all the talented designers in Acton. Erin, Sean (you met him recently on this blog), Donna and Cindy have all been working hard on preparing for this art exhibit and reception and will be your hosts for this fun shindig.

So stop by this Saturday between 3 and 6pm. Perfect time of the day; the kids are done with their soccer games, you've already paid the bills and done the week's grocery shopping and you're ready for some "me" time. Why not enjoy a cup of hot mulled cider while feasting your eyes on some inspiring artwork. Hey, you might even find the perfect piece to finish off a room and all the original artwork is currently on sale and will be through November.

Hope to see you there!

How to Build Green

So...remember Kim? We introduced you to her last week. You're probably wondering how Kim, Joe and family are building that green house? Check out below.

"The following is a list of some of the things that we did in building our home.

Building practices and materials
o Concrete – use of 30% fly ash for reduced carbon emissions and reduced costs.
o FSC certified lumber with documented Chain of Custody
o Onsite recycling program and program for waste diversion and documentation
o Windows – High Impact (to 120 MPH) ENERGY STAR rated Low-E and U-factor ratings
o Smart framing and best practices including detailed framing documents and lumber orders.
o Waste management program diverting 88% of our construction debris from the wastestream.
• Energy
o Spray foam insulation for creation of a sealed home envelope
o Composite shingle roofing for an SRI of 32
o Renewable geothermal heating and cooling equipment and domestic hot water system
o Wiring for 2.6 kWh PV system; future expandability
o Lighting Control system to include ENERGY STAR dimmable lights maxed out at 85%
o Energy management and monitoring system
o ENERGY STAR appliances with managed load shedding on the dual refrigerators (kitchen 48” built-in and pantry locations 36” French door) and ultra efficient water conserving dishwashers (one full dishwasher, two dishdrawers) and washing machine.
• Air (IAQ)
o ENERGY STAR with Indoor Air Package
o Zero combustion
o Moisture control
o Outdoor air ventilation to include continuous air exchange and ventilation with dual environmental recovery ventilation units
o Six HVAC zones with remote monitoring and sensing climate control
o Central Vacuum System
• Water Efficiency
o Water conservation products including high efficiency fixtures and fittings including faucets, showers and toilets from Kohler
o 5000 gallon rainwater harvesting cisterns for recapture of more than 85% of roof runoff
o No exterior municipal water for irrigation
o Rain sensors
o Ultra high efficiency washing machine and dishwashers
• Sustainable landscaping
o Landscaping design with special blend (through URI) of sustainable, native, drought-tolerant turf, drought tolerant plantings, native sea grasses, erosion control.
o 100% permeable exterior landscaping
• Interior Environmentally Preferable Products
o Reclaimed hardwood floors from a 200 year old barn
o Zero VOC paints, finishes, adhesives
o Low VOC Green Label Plus certified carpet and BioH carpet pad
o Recycled glass and construction debris tiles
o Sinks and tubs made from recycled cast iron
o FSC certified lumber for trim, doors, etc.
o Recycled countertops from Paperstone
o NE made cabinets from FSC maple, zero Urea Formaldehyde, zero VOC milk paint finish
o Natural linens and fibers
o Natural and locally made furniture and fabrics
o Local craftsman
o Local production (within 500 miles) as much as possible

Our CO is expected for the beginning of November and our application and testing date is scheduled for November 20th. We expect to know what our certification level is by the end of the year.

For more information or to see any of our photos along the way, visit www.greenlifesmartlife.com and click on gallery. We have just started with our finished materials and our furnishings, most of which we are sourcing through Circle Furniture, so check back in for our selections and interior design tips and photos."

Whew...I'm overwhelmed with just reading the list! Don't I feel like a goof, just feeling proud that I recycle, switched out my light bulbs and use those recyclable bags at the grocery store (when I remember to get them out of the trunk!) Who knew being green was SO involved? But it is, and we applaud Kim and Joe's efforts in taking on such a cool project!

A Few Pink Shots

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported our 4th annual Pink Party at Circle in Framingham! We had a blast and raised some cha-ching for The Ellie Fund. Special thanks to Mix 104.1 for volunteering their time to play all the hits and keep our gang groovin'. Thanks also to Panera, for providing awesome desserts; The Melting Pot, for chocolate covered strawberries; Fab from Philip Ciampa Salons, who worked magic on our guests; and the following who donated some amazing raffle prizes: jodi's jems, Carolina Portillo, The Boston Globe, J.Todd Galleries, The Charles Hotel, Maria Nahkle, The Pear Tree, Transitions Solutions, Backcare Basics, Maine Cottage, Sky Restaurant, Lisa James Salon, Selections Boutique, Zia Spa, Tseh-Hwan Yong and thanks to all the wonderful Circle Furniture crew who worked so hard to pull off another great event.

Here's to next year!

Ok folks, it's party time. Tonight is the night to come out and party with us. Join us at the Framingham Circle Furniture for a wild night! Champagne, chocolate, raffle prizes of jewelry, candles, spa items...what more could a gal want? Well, for one thing to wipe out breast cancer! In the meantime, organizations like The Ellie Fund, who help people who are dealing with breast cancer, are SUPER important for the good work they do, so all proceeds from our Pink Party go directly to The Ellie Fund.

See you tonight. Oh, and by the way, men are totally invited! In my opinion, any real man can pull off a good, pink tie and wear with confidence. Don't you agree?

Build It Green!

Last year at the d2e (that's the down to earth convention in Beantown) we met Kim and started talking to her about her BIG project. She was in the midst of building a "green" home. Since Circle Furniture sells eco-friendly upholstery and green furniture we were so interested in what went into building a green home (and furnishing it as well!). So we want you to meet Kim and hear her story. It's pretty cool!

Our family is building a green house. What started as a quest to build our dream home on the RI coast became a mission in educating and helping homeowners realize what living sustainably and conserving our planet’s resources really means.

We bought the one-acre property located along Narragansett in August of 2005, after two years of attempting to remediate a serious mold problem and a foundation that doubled as a pool, we made the decision to knock down and build from scratch. At the time, I didn’t know we were going to build a green house, but after getting involved with a work project I learned about LEED®-H (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification through the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the families. I knew this was what we had to do.

For the record, I am not an environmentalist. I am a mom of two and a wife of one. I am the principal of a small PR technology firm. But when my daughter was born I found myself making the small changes that made her life healthier. Organic bedding, food, milk. No pesticides on our grass, natural products in our home. Honestly, they were small changes, easy to make and really focused on our health. Like many mom’s I am obsessed with everything the news says about our kids. From obesity to contaminated playgrounds, from carcinogens in schools to flame retardants on bedding, I consume information about how to keep my family healthy. And I use technology to keep us connected, safe and secure. That is how I became obsessed with building a LEED home and showing the world that a house could be a modern marriage of today’s technology and green living through our project, aptly named Green Life Smart Life.

Today’s homes are a hub of activity and our home is no exception. Centralizing busy schedules, family activities, working remotely and sharing information is critical to keeping the home running smoothly. The smart home technology that is showcased in our home will offer techniques for keeping the family connected, sharing digital entertainment with friends and family, managing home systems like water and energy, and making the entire system seamless, safe and secure. Technology has been a cornerstone to understanding the methodologies, products and tools a homeowner needs to build a green home and ultimately technology is what is conserving our resources, managing our energy consumption, monitoring our air quality and running all of our home’s systems.

Stay tuned to see all the cool things Kim is doing to build that "green" home and check out Kim's blog as well.

Designers We Love

Next we want you to meet Alicia, another fabulous designer at Circle Furniture.

Sign - virgo, libra on the cusp
Favorite furniture decade - 50's/60's modern, kitsch
Collects - anything with a cherry on it
Favorite family tradition - eating birthday cake for breakfast the next day
Favorite quote - "In life, as in art, the beautiful moves in curves", Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
Favorite furniture advice - pillows in 3's, 2 the same and 1 an odd size
Loves - texture!
Dislikes - The matchy-matchy look. Ugh.

Thanks Alicia! I too enjoy a good birthday cake the day after, when you can dig in first thing in the morning...you get that super-duper sugar rush, especially paired with a good cup of coffee!

Imagine a Place...

...Where you can find leather in every color of the rainbow...Where you can find lamps that look tasty enough to take a bite out of. Where the pillows come in 750 billion fabrics and you can sit in sofas spun from gold; well, no, scratch that - that would just be silly.

Moving on. In this magic land you are fed all day long from bacon and eggs to grilled salmon and tenderloin (and that's just for breakfast!) Every time you turn a corner someone is serving you a drink. Martini, chardonnay or good ole' tequila, what's your pleasure?

Ahhhh, furniture market. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! Every year a few of us travel to North Carolina to find the best furniture that is out there. We check out the latest styles and fabrics hoping to bring home something new and special to Circle Furniture.

Seriously, it's amazing how much work it is. Up and down hallways. In and out of showrooms. Trying to find furniture that will knock the socks off our customers. We've already visited some of our favorite vendors and, good news, we've been wowed! We visited our friends at BDi and they are introducing some great new contemporary entertainment furniture and sleek office designs that we know you're going to love! At Saloom, our friends who build dining room furniture right here in Massachusetts, we were introduced to their modern collection called Gardner Contemporary. Wait until you see it - SO HOT! Last, but not least, American Leather has the most amazing leathers you've ever seen and they will be arriving to our stores any day.

After seeking out the furniture of all of our dreams (and eating and drinking WAY too much!) we feel like we're ready to come home. We've gotten some great ideas and are SO excited to start implementing them to our showrooms. We'll be home soon...hope you didn't miss us too much.

Green Film Fest

This Just In:

The Green Guild Green Film Festival is scheduled for next week and Circle Furniture is giving away a pair of tickets to the event to the first 5 people who respond to this post. Just email info@circlefurniture.com and we'll let you know if you won.

"A sneak-peak at the much-anticipated film The Muddy River Chronicles leads a series of short films on the environment at the historic Coolidge Corner Theater on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 7:00PM to 9:30PM. Each film will be followed by a panel discussion including many of those featured in the films, during which the audience in the Theater will have the opportunity to join the debate."

So if you are into green building, eco-friendly furniture or sustainable living check it out!

Queen Bee Strikes Again

While our own Queen Bee has flown off to Australia in search of all things "outback", her drones (ok, me) have received the good word that she has been asked to sit on yet another panel for sustainability. "The American Home Furnishings Alliance will hold its second annual Sustainability Summit which provides marketing intelligence for companies developing eco-friendly home furnishings. The AHFA is assembling a panel of retailers for "Bridging the Gap: Communicating Green at Retail." Among the participants will be Andy Thornton (our great friend!) of LaDifferénce in Richmond, Va., and Peggy Burns of Circle Furniture in Boston."

Ok, so we are pretty proud to offer eco-friendly furniture and fabrics but how does this translate to the consumer? In SO MANY WAYS!!! Not only can you feel good about buying furniture that was made locally and sustainably but you won't have to pay more for it. Many of our upholstery vendors offer eco-packages on their sofas and chairs and there's no upcharge for it. And where do most of our hardwood products come from? You guessed it - New England. That means they don't have to be shipped across the country, which saves on fuel and pollution. Plus, our vendors, like Copeland Furniture, use sustainably harvested wood from the American Northern Forest. All good things.

As we've said before, "we carefully research every new manufacturer before we put the Circle stamp on it. The environment, our local economy, it matters to us. It's our world and we have to take care of it"...So, if you're looking to be as green as you can be...check out one of our Circle locations today!

Designers We Love

At Circle Furniture we have some amazing designers. We want you to meet them. Let's start with Sean.

Sean Thomas Christoun
Bday - 9/6/19whatever
Sign - Virgo
Interesting Fact - Ambidextrous
Lives - Gloucester
Born - The Triple L (Lowell)
Favorite Food - Olives
Favorite Quote - “I love to collect things. There is nothing I like better than shopping for knick-knacks” - Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous

Sean's In and Out List

IN...thrift stores...OUT...malls
IN...acquiring...OUT...hoarding
IN...collecting coins...OUT...collecting stocks
IN...yankee pot roast...OUT...yankee's winning
IN...dim lighting...OUT...dim wits
IN...mustard...OUT...mayo
IN...diet coke...OUT...diet pepsi

Thanks Sean for introducing yourself. By the way...you are absolutely fabulous! But, sorry, diet pepsi is so much better than diet coke.

What A Week!

The leaves are changing and the mornings are so cold already. And doesn't it seem like it's already way too dark in the morning? How many times can a girl trick herself into thinking she will get up at 5:30 am and get to the gym? But the alarm goes off and I crawl back under the covers and think, "Wow, I'm not going anywhere, who am I kidding?" Brrrrrr. It's fall. And what a fall it's shaping up to be.

We've had such a busy week here at Circle Furniture. We've been going crazy; moving our showrooms around to make them look beautiful for our upcoming Fall Upholstery Sale. And let's not forget our Ekornes Home Theater Sale that brings so many people though the door everyday. Our big American Leather sale is still going on throughout the weekend; as well as our Comfort Sleeper Sale. Plus, we have some classy new styles to show off; some contemporary furniture and some eco-friendly furniture. See what I mean? Busy!

The stores have never looked better, thanks to our talented merchandising team. One of the things I have always loved about Circle, even before I worked here, was that Circle is not a cookie-cutter store. We may have 5 showrooms, but we don't have the constraints of "corporate" telling us how to decorate our showrooms - where to place the beige sofa and the brown rug. No, we can do whatever we want. And with all the colorful furniture and style we offer - we can create vignettes that don't just work in the showroom but they can make your rooms at home explode with happiness and joy. Imagine walking into your home everyday and just saying "Ah, my oasis...I love where I live!"

This fall, before the holidays take over, come in and let us work with you on creating that dream oasis. We love to create. We know our options are almost limitless. There's nothing we enjoy more than "getting into" an exciting new project with a client - that's you. It makes us happy. It also keeps us out of trouble...and, trust me, we know how to get into trouble!

Check Out Libby!

I haven't forgotten about all of you who missed out on Libby! Notice anyone twittering live? You bet. That's our own, Sean D, who is never without his phone!

How Time Flies

I can't believe it's already that time of year again. No, I'm not talking about the holidays or the dreaded "Black Friday" shopping mayhem that occurs every November. I'm talking pink. As in party. As in the Circle Furniture 4th Annual Pink Party. This is one of our all-time favorite events of the year at Circle and we are so excited this year to be hosting the "Girls Night Out" charity event at our beautiful Framingham showroom. All the proceeds from this fundraiser go to The Ellie Fund, a non-profit organization we partner with that improves the health and welfare of women and families undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts.

So here's just a little teaser. Dessert, champagne, lots of exciting raffle prizes from local fabulous businesses. October 29th. Just put it on your calendar. Don't worry, when we get all the details confirmed I'll fill you in.

What a Night

Ok, so I'm not starved for fun things to do on a random Thursday night. I mean, there is so much to do in this awesome city of ours. Am I right? Yep. Boston is like better than ever. So many fabulous restaurants, tons of great music, hundreds of local art venues.

So last night was Thursday. Where was I? At the Libby Langdon talk and book-signing at Circle Furniture. Ok, I was part of team that organized the event. But I would have been there in a heartbeat even if I had nothing to do with the furniture industry. Libby was as charming as ever. Her slide show and presentation was thoughtfully put together, chock-full of tips on how to really love your living space.

As I was driving home last night I was thinking about her tip that white walls don't actually increase your square footage, so get over your fear of painting bold colors on your walls! And the tip about setting a timer for 30 minutes and picking one area of your home to organize...like a bed-side table or a medicine cabinet. The buzzer goes off, you can walk away. That way, you don't think of de-cluttering as such a punishment anymore because anyone can do anything for a half-an-hour, right???

So I want to personally thank Libby for her inspiring words and her ability to really translate "designer lingo" into plain speak for those of us who don't want to be "talked into" buying something we're only buying because someone says it's the latest and greatest.

So what's a girl to do this weekend in Beantown? Tomorrow I'll be cheering on team Circle Furniture at the Rodman Ride for Kids. Sunday I'll be hitting the JP Open Studios. I'm always amazed and inspired at what local artists are up to.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, enjoy the beautiful fall weather we're supposed to have tomorrow. Have fun at your kids soccer game, enjoy watching football on Sunday, remember those you love need to hear it from time to time and stop and get yourself a tiny, little pumpkin. Those always make me smile.

More Than a Bike Ride

That's what is on the Rodman Ride for Kids homepage - "More than just another bike ride". We know it's true. So what is it you ask? "The Rodman Ride is an umbrella matching gift charity raising funds for youth-focused social service agencies in Massachusetts". That's how they describe it. But I describe it as a blast of a ride! Tis' the season, once again, for us to pull out the spandex shorts and the brightly colored Circle Furniture bike shirts and get on those bikes. Team Circle is happy to be riding again this year on Saturday, September 26th.

So ride with us if you'd like, sponsor the ride if you fancy, or just come cheer us on if you're inspired. Hopefully it will be a gorgeous fall day we can all feel good about! We'd love to see you there.

Small Space? No Problem!

Picture it. You have a small room. You’ve been dreaming of turning it into your “perfect” home office. It has functioned as a closet for years. You know, clothes strewn over the recumbent bike. Crates you've had since college, stacked in the corner, filled with embarrassing pictures of yourself from the 80's, and old, sappy love letters from previous, ridiculous relationships. Yikes! It's time to grow up. Get organized. Experience the freedom of de-clutterizing! But wait...Where do you start? No worries, Libby can help! Join us on Thursday, September 24th, 6:30pm, at Circle Furniture's Cambridge Showroom for a fun night with Libby Langdon. Libby, star of HGTV’s, Small Space, Big Style, will be revealing her secrets to designing small spaces and she’ll be signing books too. We’ll have wine and cheese and the event is free to everyone. Bring your design questions for sure and don’t miss out on all the action. RSVP to sarah@circlefurniture.com.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Well, isn't this the best time of year? You wake up and the sun is shining. Birds are singing. At night there's no need for the air conditioners on full speed ahead while you sleep. Windows are wide open. Hmmm. Fall. We love it.

Ok, so the kids are going back to school. There's that initial shock of homework instead of flashlight tag. Vacations are mostly over, so the traffic, for those of us who commute, is back to "just horrible". College students are flooding the streets moving into their new digs. Everyone is busy, busy, busy.

We know how you feel. We also are CRAZY busy here at Circle. So much great stuff is going on that we want to shout it from the rooftops!

First off, remember that Comfort Sleeper that I was oooing and ahhhing about weeks ago? Maybe not. But I was. It's the Comfort Sleeper from American Leather and it totally rocks. No metal bars, 5" of premium foam; you know, the kind of mattress you can actually get a good nights sleep on. For the first time ever, Circle Furniture is offering special discounts on all Comfort Sleepers, not to mention on all American Leather furniture.

Big news also has hit the Circle world. We got Libby Langdon, star of HGTV's Small Space, Big Style to come to Circle Furniture. Yes, Libby will be in the house! She has this fabulous new book, you know, the one that changed my life, and she is coming to our Cambridge showroom to speak to those of us with small space challenges. There's a joke in there somewhere but I'm not touching it. Anyway, she'll also be doing a book-signing and in true Circle style we'll have the wine and cheese flowing.

Last but not least, this weekend is the last weekend to save on the Consul and Ambassador Stressless recliners from Ekornes. Super deals are available on these outrageously comfortable recliners until September 7th. If you haven't experienced a ride in a Stressless chair, you're missing out. The only recliner, only I say, to be endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. Pretty cool, huh?

So if you have any questions about any of the happenings going on, please don't hesitate to call us, visit us, email us, facebook us, tweat us, you can even snail-mail us. We'd love to hear from you.

And to all of those who labor...have a terrific weekend!

Would These Kids Lie?

Look at these faces. Cute, right? Happy? You bet! Just another day at a fun and exciting Circle Furniture Warehouse Sale.

So thanks to everyone who made the trek out to Acton. Special thanks goes to everyone from Landry & Arcari and Designer Bath. They were all such good sports, selling their fabulous products out of the tent in hurricane-like conditions. Not a complaint amongst them.

Big thanks go out to our amazing team at Circle. Every time I asked for someone to help me move a sofa, bookcase, dining table or bed, all I ever got as a response was "you betcha" or a "no problem". So nice to work with people who really get it. Get what? That we're all in this together. We all make up the team. Not to mention that it's nice to like the people you work with! Not to mention these guys make me laugh harder than almost anyone could!

So now, it's bbq time. Heineken in hand. Sun is shining. Another great day in Circle world. So have a great night. Enjoy the last days of summer. I know I will.

Oh, and thanks to Chloe, Anna and Leo who were such good shoppers today...and really appreciated our popcorn!

One Heck of a Day!

Wow! That was fun, but man are we tired. The Warehouse Sale was a smash success! So many people braved the elements and joined us for what turned out to be a really great day of meeting new customers and catching up with our loyal customers that made the trek out to Acton.

Our friends from Landry & Arcari brought such a beautiful selection of oriental rugs and our buddies at Designer Bath showed up with incredible deals on kitchen and bath fixtures.

Since we've all been running around all day, it's now time for us to crack open some beers and put our feet up. But not for long, we're doing this all again tomorrow! What does that mean for you? Amazing home furnishings at deeply discounted prices. What does that mean for me? One beer, maybe a burger, and then straight home, pajamas on, to bed early. Tomorrow is going to be big. So don't miss out on the biggest Circle Furniture Warehouse Sale ever!

RAIN or SHINE

Don't worry! We're not afraid of a little rain. Are you? Come on, we're New Englanders! So maybe you'll need to wear the raincoat instead of just having it in the backseat...but if you make the trip you are in for a treat. The tent is filling up and the deals are fantastic. Don't forget, there's a special treat for those who make the trek to the sale at Circle Furniture Warehouse, 19 Craig Road in Acton.

See you there! We'll be the ones wearing the matching tee-shirts!

Sleep In? I Don't Think So!

Mom always said the early bird catches the worm. I hated when she used to say that, but you know what? She was right.

Circle Furniture sales are always a big doing, but this weekend will be a GINORMOUS doing. So set the alarm. Get up early. Brew the coffee. Grab your raincoat. Hop in the car. Set the GPS for 19 Craig Road Acton. When you arrive, we're going to be really busy so don't be offended if we can't chat. We can always catch up later in the day, by the grill, enjoying a burger.

When you arrive you'll be wowed by the great savings you'll find from Circle, Landry & Arcari and Designer Bath. As i write this I'm looking outside, watching everyone set-up for the sale. Wait till you see the rugs out in that tent...Beautiful. And the fixtures from Designer Bath are pretty awesome too.

As a special treat you can also meet the Queen Bee who writes her infamous "what's the buzz" column. And, not that that's not enough, but we'll have a clown. Oh, and the warm popcorn, and the burgers and hotdogs. Gotta run. So much to do.....

No Invitation Required

Come on, everyone's invited! We're not all wearing the same shirt for the heck of it. We're celebrating an occasion. This weekend marks the first-ever marriage of three of New Englands' favorite retailers - Circle Furniture, Landry & Arcari and Designer Bath. All hold Best of Boston titles. All are coming together this Saturday and Sunday for a Warehouse Sale that will blow all other Warehouse Sales out of the water.

So join us, shop a little, have a burger, shop a little more, have a hotdog. You can find something for every room in your home, whether it's furniture, rugs, or bath fixtures you need, there will be something for everyone all at tremendous savings.

Click here for directions. Click here for sale hours. Click here for fun.

See you Saturday. Or Sunday. Not Monday...you'll be too late!

This is Gonna Be Big

Wow....we've done it now. A few weeks ago someone had the brilliant idea (wish I could say it was me, but it wasn't) to join forces with a couple of our friends in the home furnishings biz. And what a treat we have in store for you. So what's the big ta-da? On August 29th & 30th we're partnering with Landry & Arcari and Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply to host a GIGANTIC Warehouse Sale. In fact, the biggest Warehouse Sale we have ever had...and trust me, we've had big ones! Where, you ask? Right here at our Circle Furniture main Warehouse and Outlet in Acton.

I mean, have you ever seen the rugs that Landry & Arcari sell? They are out-of-this world gorgeous. If you've never visited their showroom in downtown Boston, or in Salem, trust me, it's worth the trip. You'll be ooohhhing and aaahhhing your way through hundreds and hundreds of beautiful area rugs.

What about Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply? They have the most top-notch, luxurious kitchen and bath fixtures you've ever stumbled upon. If you're looking for inspiration just go to their gallery page on their website and you'll be wowed.

So here we are, approaching Labor Day, all of us feeling like Summer just arrived, and we decide we have to do this. I know we're all way-busy, with finishing up vacations, getting the kids ready for school, but come on...how could we not do this? What better way for our favorite customers to create the home of their dreams, all in one weekend. Plus...the best news of all...you'll save TONS of money.

Sure we'll have lots of Ekornes closeouts, leather, upholstery, dining, bedroom and office furniture on sale. But, now, you can find the most glorious rug for that room you've been trying to finish...or the perfect fixture for your kitchen. All in one weekend, all in one place and all at tremendous savings.

So come join us at 19 Craig Road, on August 29th & 30th for a fun time for your entire family. If nothing else, we'll offer you a hamburger or a hotdog. Or maybe you'd rather have the hot, fresh, delicious popcorn that I always eat WAY too much of. We can't wait - hope to see you there!

The Real Design Star

A couple of years ago I worked on a Design Home in Cohasset. Circle Furniture was designing the master bedroom, living room and dining room, using furniture designed by Candice Olson. The project was labor intensive, but boy did we have fun. Why, you ask?

Candice. We are lucky enough to sell a line of furniture designed by Candice Olson. If you're a fan of HGTV I'm not telling you anything you don't already know - Candice rocks! She has a show on HGTV called Divine Design. Her furniture lines are inspiring and eclectic; a perfect fit for Circle. She also happens to be a really nice, down-to-earth person. And tall. And super funny. The best part of the story is...drum roll please... she actually came to the opening of the Design Home. It was a sweltering hot summer afternoon and that Candice didn't complain once about the fact that there was no air-conditioning in the home. She signed autographs for, no lie, three hours straight...no break. No complaints. We love her furniture and we love her. Her fans do too. We had people lining up to get her autograph with gifts they had made for her. A beaded ring, a cool fabric belt, a shiny blue necklace. Must be nice to be a really popular designer, huh?

So if you haven't seen her show, check it out. Now she's a judge on the fun HGTV show Design Star. If you're interested in seeing her furniture lines, guess what? You can see them here at Circle Furniture. That's right, and you don't even have to bring us a beaded ring, a cool fabric belt OR a shiny blue necklace. Unless, of course, you want to!

Return to the Classics

Last night I went to see Cat Power at the Pavilion on the waterfront in Boston. Don't you love going to shows there in the summer? Turns out Juliette Lewis, the actress, was the opening act. This could be another blog in it's own right, she is a trip to watch and that girl can sing. Anywho, The headliner was The Pretenders. Here's where I admit I never really got into The Pretenders when I was growing up. Thought Chrissie Hynde was super cool, but never appreciated the tunes. Last night was definitely an eye-opener.

Cat Power was great, voice unbelievable and her band was spot-on. After she was over we waited for The Pretenders to come on - mildly excited. Then she appreared, Chrissie Hynde. In her standard outfit from what, 25 years ago, of tight pants, tank top and a vest looking as cool as ever. She started rockin' right away and her band was outrageous. Chrissie Hynde is classic. Her voice sounded amazing and the show just took off. It was such a good time. And what made the show so good? Chock it up to experience.

As I was driving to work this am I thought about how crazy it is that WBCN, after over 40 years on air, is no longer WBCN. I grew up with WBCN. I loved WBCN. I even had a friend call me from Seattle to commiserate over the end of an era. Classic. They were classic. They had experience. They knew how to play rock-n-roll.

I think in this time of instant gratification, instant messaging and instant anything-you-want, we all need to step back and appreciate the classics. I think of Circle Furniture as a classic. Family-owned for over 55 years. What does that mean? It means the owners have this business running through their veins. It means they have experience and knowledge about selling quality furniture. They have made mistakes and learned from them. They may not play quitar and wear tight pants anymore but the fact is they can still rock a great showroom and wow an audience with their second-to-none products and service.

So here's a standing O for Circle, Chrissie, WBCN and all the other classics out there that are still chuggin' along - doin' their thing and doing it well!

Don't Miss This Summer's Sequel!

Last April I was introduced to a rare find. I was lucky enough to find myself in the BDi showroom sipping champagne and eating chocolate covered strawberries while celebrating BDi's 25th anniversary. Never heard of BDi? They are one of Circle Furniture's favorite vendors to work with. BDi creates home entertainment furniture with innovative and smart design. Simple as that.
So there I was, at the BDi showroom looking at their new designs when I turned a corner and saw their new home office introduction called the Sequel. The Sequel really stopped me in my tracks. I put the champagne glass down. The look of the Sequel reminded me of something but I couldn't put my finger on it. Well, maybe I should have a seat at the desk and take it for a spin. Yes, that's the ticket. As a sat down, I thought - Darren Stephens mixed with Judy Jetson. Yes. That's it. It's retro and modern. It could be on the set of Bewitched or the Jetsons. Except one thing...the innovation is top-notch.
Yes, Yes..."Sequel can be configured for any home or small office application. Features include a unique wire management system that keeps all wires out of sight yet within easy reach, and an innovative system drawer that combines a charging station for portable electronics...finished with a fingerprint-resistant glass work surface and the finest hardware."
Wait, what? Fingerprint-resistant? Yep. It's true. I saw for myself. You can only imagine my delight when a couple of weeks ago the Sequel showed up at our stores. Everyone is delighted in fact. It's so inspiring to see some new design, especially in the home office arena. So many people, myself included, are spending more hours working at home so why not create the most organized, smart and fun-to-look-at office space. No cubicle allowed! Stop by Circle today to check out the Sequel. Not to be missed.

Small Space? No Problem.

I love my apartment. Honestly, since the first day I laid eyes on it. I live in an awesome part of Boston, close to amazing restaurants - shout out to Zon's, Ten Tables and my new fav down the road, Sophia's Grotto. Mmmmm. Anyway...although I love my place, it has, what I used to call a downfall...It's really, really small. Like so tiny, I even have a "baby" stove, as my nephew calls it. When I first moved in this presented a problem...where to put all my furniture I've collected over the years? I've tried all different layouts, never really feeling like I had found the golden ticket....or golden floor plan, as it were.

This past April I had a revelation. I was sitting at a breakfast in High Point, North Carolina, after I long night of partying with other furniture industry friends. Yes, we do work hard when we go to High Point to look at new furniture designs, but we like our parties too! That's a blog for another day...Oh, the stories!

Anyway, the breakfast began, just coffee for me, when the speaker was introduced.
Libby Langdon. "Expert commentator and leading designer on HGTV's Small Space, Big Style". My ears perked up. What? She started talking about me. Well, not me, but my life...I live in a small space. Oh, the things she said. She was speaking from her latest book "Small Space Solutions....Secrets for Making Any Room Look Elegant and Feel Spacious on Any Budget". She gave tips, like use bold colors, lighting is everything, remove clutter, use mirrors, don't be afraid of your large-scale furniture. She showed pictures that really brought home her point. I felt revived, as did everyone in the audience. Inspired in fact.

When I arrived home, book in hand, I began my renovation. What happened? I got organized, clutter out, color in. Mirrors. Paint. The works. I even got a beautiful new sectional from, where else, Circle Furniture. I never thought I could fit a sectional but it really works! My place looks amazing. The best part is I didn't have to get rid of any of my furniture and my place looks more spacious then ever. Thanks Libby...I owe you one.

Smooth Sailing

So as we sail into August I'm sitting here reflecting on the past week..yikes, it really has been a crazy week for us at Circle. Crazy good that is!

What makes a week crazy you ask? Well, we've had the FLOR promo going strong, the Stressless promo driving those Ekornes fans into our stores, the Summer Sale winding down it's last week (lots of great bargains still available!), the honor of Best of Boston (thank you Boston Magazine), the dreaded tax increase on the way and last but not least, Richard, our fearless co-owner of Circle Furniture is about to embark on his first Pan-Mass ride. See what I mean - busy week!

Oh, and I forgot one more bit of business. Today's the day I have to pick the winner of our Inner Circle $250 giftcard giveaway. The Inner Circle is our email list that we send out our monthly newsletter to. You see, we would rather send an email out to those of you who want to be kept in the loop, instead of sending postcards, which obviously cost more money to mail and aren't as green - wasting all that paper...the nerve! Anyway, I can always keep you guys informed by this blog, our Queen Bee's "what's the buzz", our twitter or facebook page....but the fact is - is anyone reading this?

Ok, so here's a challenge. Whoever calls me first, not kidding, I'll give away 2 tickets to the Regattabar. Never been? It's a jazz club in the Charles Hotel. We love it there....awesome music, amazing dark-n-stormies, and great views of Harvard Square. So come on, call me....978-263-4509 x 231. That's right, I just gave out my work number...go for it. Now I'll know whether or not anyone is reading this silly blog! Happy Weekend Everyone!

A Little Bit Country? More Rock & Roll!

Well, this girl is TIRED today! A late night hanging out at the Best Of Boston party at the super cool power station venue on Harrison Ave. Yummy drinks, tasty appetizers on a stick, funky people...definitely a recipe for a good time.

BUT THIS YEAR.....a little twist to our night. So there we were, the Circle gang, sipping pomegranate margaritas (well, chugging because of the heat!) when our beloved Queen Bee, Peggy, picks up the latest issue of Boston Magazine and sees our name on page 111. WE WON! Yes, Best of Boston "Furniture, One-Stop". Awesome. Then I read the column and I was puzzled. It seems that the writer thinks our showroom is country-cute. Really? Cuz' I'm not seeing it. If you've walked into the Cambridge showroom recently you'd see a wide range of transitional furniture. We showcase products from American Leather, BDI, Ekornes and Jesper to name a few. None of which are country-cute. We also are very proud to display hardwood furniture from New England...not thinking we'd categorize it as country, though. We try very hard to focus on just plain good design and having oodles of options for our customers.

So, this got me thinking. How would you describe Circle? We often hear from customers that they think "color" when they here our name. We agree....we love color. I'd like to think we offer something for everyone...so here's your challenge. If you've been into a Circle Furniture...let us know what you think. If not, then come on in and let us find you what you're looking for...traditional, transitional or, yes, I'm going to say it.....contemporary.

By the way, we capped off our night at one of my favorite spots, Rocca. Glass of vino in hand, sitting with my co-workers, who have truly become good friends, knowing full well we all love what we do and we're super proud to be recognized as a Best of Boston retailer. Thanks Boston Magazine! Only bummer of the night? I was so tired I forgot to order the fried cauliflower at Rocca...which should win all sorts of awards!

Best of Boston 2009

We are now officially kind of a big deal! If you happen to pick up Boston Magazine's Best of 2009 Issue and flip through the furniture section, you will find Circle Furniture's name!! If you ask the Queen Bee it's about time, either way you go we are honored to be the Boston area's favorite store. Now, the magazine folk seem to think we have a country looking showroom . . . thoughts?

Fear No More with FLOR

So I've never been much on carpets, rugs, wall-to-wall, shags. I was a hardwood floor kind of girl. It's pretty obvious to me where this bias came from. Growing up my mom had to have a wall-to-wall, bright white, shag rug. Really. Yes, it was the most comfortable feeling under the toes but wow...was it a challenge to keep clean! Ok, so we didn't have any pets but we had six people living under one roof and that creates a lot of footprints. My brothers played soccer, lacrosse, football...my sister was constantly drinking cranberry juice and seltzer while watching General Hospital after school. I was always barefoot outside and tracking mud into the five different rooms this rug prevailed upon. It was like everywhere I went there was rug. No escaping.

"Take your shoes off inside this house!" was heard every hour coming from my mom. Poor thing. Trying to keep that stupid rug clean for her cocktail parties, volunteer meetings and holiday gatherings. We got to know the professional rug cleaners by name. Not kidding. In fact, my mom used to give the guys presents for their kids at Christmas. Bless her heart. So yes, keeping a rug clean and looking pristine has always seemed like a nightmare to me.

And then came FLOR. Alas. FLOR. It's like the miracle of the rug world. You can create your own look with these 20" square modular rug tiles, in many different styles and colors and be rest assured that you can clean it without hiring a professional cleaner. These tile are so easy to install and clean it's unbelievable. If you spill something on the rug you can actually take the tile up and wash it in the sink with soap and water, then re-install just by using another non-toxic adhesive to connect back to the other tiles. It's really that easy.

Since FLOR, my place is so much more warm and cozy. I didn't have to spend a fortune; I don't have to take my shoes off and I always get compliments on the rug I created. Ah...thank you FLOR.

Let Your Guests Decide

Ok, so I just read somewhere that we are only something like 126 days away from Black Friday. I thought, are you kidding me? Holidays. Who can think of the holidays at this point? While those of us in the Greater Boston area are still waiting (and longing) for the first signs of summer, shopkeepers and retailers all over the country are gearing up for the holiday season. Making plans. Getting their ducks in a row.

So this got me thinking...Not only are you and I going to have visits from old friends and relatives during the coming holidays...but what about all the other days of the year? All the friends that are in town for a job interview and need a place to crash. Or your sister-in-law who is bringing your nephew to Boston to check out colleges. Where do you put them? On the fold out couch in the basement? Please. We've all experienced the back-breaking bar on that old pull-out.

Here's where Circle Furniture thrives. We offer the Comfort Sleeper from American Leather. What? You haven't heard of the Comfort Sleeper? This sleeper is the only sleeper with real mattresses and comes in all sizes. It's a greener option as it is made with soy based foam from our friends at BiOH - www.experienceBiOH.com (you can even see a video from their site showing the Comfort Sleeper in action). The Comfort Sleeper comes in leather, fabric, Ultrasuede or microfiber, so there is something for everyone. You can even get a Queen size sleeper as small as 69" to fit in a small space. Pretty cool, huh?

So let your friends and family decide. But be careful, they may be so comfortable that they stay a little longer than you expected!

July BUZZZZZZZZZ

Get the goods from the queen bee in our What's the Buzz column

Also, a key point to note, tomorrow is the Queen Bee's birthday!

Lucy in the Sky

You may have known her as that good looking dog on the couch, but we knew her as Lucy. We lost our beloved Lucy on July 3, 2009. She was truly loved and she will be sadly missed. She was the best dog ever (right up there with Garp b.1979-d.1995) and she loved us right back. Whether it was a swim in White Pond or just walking in the woods, there was always a bounce in her step and a wag in her tail. She was amazing in that she loved to fetch soccer balls and chew rocks; she went through a lot of them. People could not believe how this little dog, she once was small before she got rubenesque, could grab onto a soccer ball and catch it mid air and she could do this for hours at a time. Max would sit in his room doing his homework and he would throw a tennis ball out the window and Lucy would go 2 flights of stairs and run outside through her door and retrieve the ball run back up and max would throw it again, on and on. But then Lucy couldn’t do the stairs any longer, and she was always brave through the pain and never let it slow down her enthusiastic greeting as you came in the door.
Thank you for all the love and good times.

Look out for Lucy's final appearance in our ad this Sunday, mention the ad in store and get a free hug.

Made for Real Life!

Congrats to Alicia and Tim! Not only are they getting married this fall in beautiful Quechee, VT but they just bought a house in Falmouth, MA. The both work for NOAA doing fisheries research and statistics and Alicia has been a long time customer and friend. A new house means lots of space for leather sofas from American Leather and beautiful TV stands from Cherry Pond and BDI. Upstairs an, appropriate, Vermont Tubbs bed. Congrats! And we hope that your wedding registry on circlefurniture.com yields that Saloom Table you have been eying. Cheers to you, we are proud to have been a part of it.

It's Still June

Get the goods from the queen bee in our What's the Buzz column