circle furniture idea exchange

We've Moved!

2010-10-09T10:26:00.002-04:00

What's the Buzz?

2010-09-20T10:38:00.004-04:00

Ok, you have all heard me talk about my never-ending “company” and how great it is to open your home to visitors; well, maybe I talk too much. I recently welcomed my adult daughter home, along with her significant other, as they just moved back east from California. We are overwhelmed with joy to have her back, after she had been away for several years. Hmmm, but when two adults leave an apartment they are bound to have some “baggage”, and not just the psychological kind. I’m talking STUFF. Here we are trying to reduce what we bring in to our house and pare down all the “stuff” we have accumulated over the years. It’s unbelievable how much a family can acquire.

Lucky me, we’re having new siding put on our house and so I get to take advantage of the big dumpster in our driveway. Everyday I fill it with lots of stuff. I guess I’m getting a little paranoid because I watched that new show on TV called “Hoarders” – man, those people can’t throw anything out. So I’m all about getting rid of anything not tied down! As we are cleaning out our basement it is amazing the things you find in boxes, that you put away so long ago, and you thought for sure you couldn’t live without it. Why on earth did we save so many grammar school papers of my kids? Why would I want all their spelling tests, math homework and history papers, etc? I decided to keep only the ones with perfect scores (ok, so I didn’t keep many). It was fun to read some notes that my daughter doodled on the side of her notebooks. “I have a crush on, can’t name him”. The best - she often wrote “my little brother is a pest”. I’m happy to report that they are very close now and terrific friends, so I’m going to toss those notes.

Once you get on a roll it can be very time consuming because you start looking at everything and then remembering what I used this for, or where we were when we flew those kites. Time has gone by so fast. All these memories come flooding back. But don’t get me wrong, I actually can toss things out in a blink of an eye. My husband, on the other hand, wants to look at everything and insists on keeping boxes and boxes of all those electronic cables, because he may need them one day. Of course I say sure honey and then, whoops, out go the cables. Yesterday I got told to back off from the clean-up, as I was going too fast and throwing too much out. Well, that’s one way of getting out of a chore!

That Time of Year Again

2010-09-13T16:00:00.012-04:00

Happy Fall! This is the time of year we're busy lacing up our sneaks and getting ourselves geared up for the 2010 Rodman Ride for Kids. Ok, full disclosure, I did not get on my bike at all once this summer! It was more of a summer of delicious vodka tonics and lobster rolls, if you know what I mean. But rest assured...I started this past weekend and I'll be ready. If you're interested in joining please email me at sarah@circlefurniture.com and I'll be happy to give you the details. To make a donation click here.

Oops...gotta go...time to get to the gym and hit a spinning class...that should help, right?

Get Rid of the Ole' Pull-Out Sofa!!!

2010-08-30T13:44:00.012-04:00

How many times have you visited your relatives and had to sleep on the ole' pull-out sofa? I'm willing to wager that we've all heard the phrase "Oh, it's too late to drive, just sleep on the pull-out sofa, it's fine". And yes, immediately we think...how do I get myself out of this predicament? Ever seen the Seinfeld episode when Elaine sleeps on the Seinfeld's pull-out sofa? Then you know what I'm talking about. You know that feeling. You wake up and feel as if you've aged fifty years and you can't seem to actually straighten your body up to it's normal height, so you walk around 6 or 7" inches shorter than you normally are. And the pain, oh, the pain! It's usually a sharp, twisty pain that shoots up your spine dramatically and then levels off to a dull, aching feeling that ruins your entire day, if not week.

So here's a solution...why not suggest to your friends, neighbors and family members to ditch the ole' pull-out sofa and try the Comfort Sleeper® from Circle Furniture? If you've not seen the Comfort Sleeper before, it's the most amazing sleeper you'll ever find. Really. No uncomfortable metal bars to complain about in the morning. Unlike most sleepers, there's lots of room to stretch out because it has a standard-sized mattress (5-8" longer than most sleepers). The Comfort Sleeper comes in King, Queen Plus, Queen, Full, Twin and Cot bed sizes to fit any room in your home and you can choose from more than 80 premium leathers and hundreds of fabrics in a variety of colors and textures. The best part is the 5" of plush, high-density foam that provides ergonomic body support throughout the entire mattress.

Ok, I've gushed enough about this rock-star of a sleeper. Come try one out at your favorite Circle Furniture and save during The Comfort Sleeper sale going on now. Better yet, all American Leather sofas, chairs and recliners are on sale during the month of September.

So even though it's hard to say goodbye to the old...think of how happy you'll be when your house guests wake up and don't have to take a tranquilizer to get through the day! Seinfeld's fans understand.

what's the buzz?

2010-08-23T10:17:00.002-04:00

I don’t know about you guys but I’ve noticed lately that we are stressing ourselves out way too much on some things that are just plain unnecessary. I recently spent time away with friends and family, whom I adore, but the obsession with food was totally ridiculous. I know we should all eat from the right food groups and granted I am the most, as my kids call me, “rubenesque” of the group, but do we have to stoop to “I can’t believe it’s not butter” spread? I mean REALLY. You aren’t fooling anyone. I CAN believe it’s not butter and please bring me the real butter while you’re at it! How else am I going to fill all those nooks and crannies?

Low fat cream cheese, UGH. Even worse are the low fat salad dressings; who are they kidding? All these companies playing to our guilt about eating, and in most cases it has worked because there are a lot of people in all sizes and shapes making the diet-food industry a ton of cash $$$. How many times do you see someone loading up at the fast food chains for the dollar menu but adding a diet coke?

Ok, so I suffer from bad eating habits. One of my favorite movie lines comes from the classic Woody Allen movie “Sleeper”. The character, Miles Monroe, who has been frozen cryogenically for 200 years, was a prior manager of a health food store. Upon waking up from his deep sleep the doctors are chatting:
“He requests something called wheat germ, organic honey and tiger’s milk.”
“Oh yes, those were the charmed substances that some years ago were felt to contain life-preserving properties.”
“You mean, there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or hot fudge?”
“Those were thought to be unhealthy. Precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.”
I SO wish it was true……..hot fudge at Kimball’s ice cream, you can die happy after that experience!

So I know the new crop of young parents want to be sure that only “organic” foods ever touch the lips of their babes; again way too stressful. I’m all about buying the best food you can afford and fresh and local as much as possible. I suffered the wrath of my sister recently when at a birthday party for her grandchild, I mixed the organic fruit with the Costco fruit, and she went a little crazy. Apparently all the 4-year-olds at that party only eat organic and now I have mixed the fruit bowl, and you would have thought I personally sprayed them with DDT. I get it, but I don’t think one time is going to give them brain damage. Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is LIGHTEN UP! Everything is not always perfect. Yes, some discipline when it comes to eating is great, but isn’t it so much fun to break those rules once in awhile?

As for me, I am now going to have a cold glass of milk and dip myself some Oreos. Cheers!

Just for Fun!

2010-08-20T11:14:00.007-04:00

Not that you have a lot of time on your hands, (who does?), but if you happen to find yourself up late some night finishing off the Ben & Jerry's in your pj's, step away from the Chunky Monkey and check out this colorful design site. Talk about inspiring!

Design Sponge - LOVE IT! The mini-trends section of Design Sponge is chock full of fun ideas and a great place to start your Christmas list! The city guide is AWESOME if you're new to Boston or even just looking for great places to hang out, shop or eat. Then, when you book your trip to Seattle, Santa Fe or Sydney you'll know just where to go to find the coolest of the cool.

But...my favorite section is the sneak peeks. The images might even wake you up from your ice cream-induced coma! So if you're looking to re-energize your home, condo, apartment, office or outdoor space, do yourself a favor and spend a little time on this dazzling site...I know you'll enjoy.

Happy Weekend everyone.

Go Team Flames!

2010-08-09T11:03:00.012-04:00

This weekend marked the 31st Pan Mass Challenge. The PMC, if you have been living under a rock for the past few years, is a 190 mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown that raises TONS of money for cancer research. This year Richard (pictured in the middle), his daughter Erica and his niece Amy, all joined "The Flames" team and set about their fund-raising mission. Not to mention the training. Grueling 70 mile bike rides all summer long. Oh, and those bike rides are usually at five in the morning. Because you see, these rides are not typical 1/2 hour rides, they take HOURS!

Then there is the fund-raising. Asking people for money. Fun, right? Not the easiest thing to do. Each rider is expected to raise $4200. We've all been there; walked or ran in a charity road race, had to raise $250. Had to ask our friends and families to pony up $20 here, $25 there. Nope. $4200 is what their goal was...each!

So, did they all make it? You betcha'! "Rich, Erica and Amy all had a great ride," says the Queen Bee herself, who was in Provincetown volunteering for the PMC. She said it was an amazing experience. I'm sure it was, and so much more.

This weekend the weather was beautiful. On both Saturday and Sunday I kept turning on NECN to see coverage of the PMC. They had story after story of individuals and families who have been affected directly by cancer. Yep, the water works were going all weekend long for me. I thought about my own friends who have battled cancer. But mostly I was inspired by what these riders commit themselves to. How their riding helps SO many people now and will in the future. So my hat goes off to all those who rode or volunteered this weekend. You all deserve a big hug. Oh, and a donation!

Walk This Way...

2010-08-03T13:06:00.005-04:00

After four years in the making, Cleantech Homes, LLC. is unveiling one of the most energy efficient, sustainable homes in the nation in Beverly, Massachusetts. This showcase home will be used as a prototype to educate the public in sustainable building techniques and design as well as an exhibition site for new products and materials used in the construction of high performance homes. Schools, universities and professionals in the home construction industry will be invited to tour the house.

We're so excited and proud to have furnished the home with eco-conscious furniture from vendors such as Copeland Furniture, C.R. Laine, American Leather and Gat Creek. “We are thrilled to provide furnishings from our wonderful vendors like Vermont-based Copeland Furniture, winners of the 2009 Sage Award for green manufacturing,” says Peggy Burns, Queen Bee of Circle Furniture. “In this day and age there are endless choices for consumers. Our hope is to show our customers that you don’t have to sacrifice style and comfort to buy eco-friendly. We feel strongly that sustainable furniture is not only good for the environment but good for your home and family as well.”

So join the Queen Bee on this fun and informative tour of an eco-friendly, sustainably-built home, furnished with everything your heart desires...and all found at Circle Furniture. Better keep up with the tour guide, she moves quickly!

2010-07-29T16:22:00.002-04:00

July Buzz

So late one Friday night, a few weeks ago, I found myself in the Park Street T station (for those confused, this is our public transportation system in Boston). I couldn’t believe how totally immersed I was in Red Sox Nation. Everywhere I looked there were people in all types of Red Sox "gear". I was amazed at the depth and breadth of what people will wear to support their team and designate themselves as a fan. I felt like I was from another country because there were very few of us on the train without the full regalia, and wondered what inspires people to wear logos, themes, teams, schools and in some cases, x-rated clothing.

A few years back I went to my first Patriots football game and when I arrived at my nephews house he couldn't believe I didn't have any gear on so he lent me a Teddy Bruschi shirt (don't think I ever returned it, sorry Nick!) “How could you go to a game without your team colors?” is what I heard. I guess I thought that people would realize that if I was sitting with a pack of decked-out fans screaming and hollering for the Patriots, they would assume I was a fan as well.

It is amazing the things people will adorn their bodies with to get a point across. One of my favorite t-shirts has an arrow on it pointing to the mid-section that says baby on a very pregnant woman - good thing, because I don't know about you but I have learned to never ask when the baby is due because sometimes these people are not pregnant, so I found this one especially helpful. Rock band t-shirts are big as well; you can connect with fellow fans and talk about that fabulous concert tour and reminisce about fun times. I definitely think the college and school logo shirts are a big profit center for the universities, and for the money they charge they should include at least one t-shirt with the tuition! The summer months are busy in the bookstores when the whole family is touring, doesn’t everyone get a t-shirt? Everyone wants a t-shirt from Harvard. If you visit some schools they even put on their t-shirts "The Harvard of the South" North, West etc. – what a money maker!

Once I let my son pick out a t-shirt while in Aspen years ago and it was a picture of a beaver and it said "Save a tree - wipe your ass with an owl" (got a note from school, Never Wear the Shirt to Class Again!). I thought it was funny and don’t we need to laugh at ourselves more and not always be so politically correct? In fact a whole industry of politically incorrect t-shirts is booming and can make for great reading and laughs when bored on a train. I saw last week on the news about a couple of people starting a t-shirt business with area codes, who knew that could be in demand? Oh the influence of 90210, or better yet, who wouldn't want 02138? Of course, I myself am guilty of buying t-shirts whenever I travel for my kids and realized when my son was moving out that I need to stop. He had SO many shirts that he never wore and I thought he would just love. Alas, he loves to shop at dollar a pound in Cambridge for his t-shirts and wear someone else's leftover gear.

Buzz. Go sox!

Rainy Day + Summer Sale = Great Day to Shop!

2010-07-29T09:00:00.008-04:00

Well, I told you Thursday was going to be rainy and a great day to shop, so the Queen Bee told us all to mark down many of our floor samples even more than before. Check this out.

The Patterson sectional with Comfort Sleeper was $5199, now $3599. The Maxine chair, which is a favorite of ours, was $1325 and now $899. The Chilton chair in this pretty yellow fabric was $1159 and now $699. Need a sofa table? The Manchester sofa table was $799, now $499. The Lawrence chair was $1089 and now only $679. The Horizon bed was $1169, now $899.

The Summer Sale is in full bloom. Visit your favorite Circle Furniture today and take advantage of all the savings, but don't forget your umbrella!

Swing and a Hit

2010-07-27T09:00:00.009-04:00

Doesn't everyone need a place to lay their drink? Of course. Circle Furniture gets it. Ekornes gets it. Yes, Ekornes is the manufacturer of the incredible "Stressless recliners" from Norway but they also are smart enough to know that a good side table is always appreciated. Now through September 6th they are giving away a Free Swing Table with every Stressless recliner purchase. The Swing Table swings out, swings in and is happy to hold your martini, lemonade, juicy novel or remote control. It's 12.5" round and attaches right to most Stressless recliners. You can also get the Swing Table in several different wood stains to match your recliner.

Wait. You don't have a Stressless recliner yet? Well, this is a great time to visit your favorite Circle Furniture to experience the comfort of Stressless...because you can SAVE BIG on the Consul and Ambassador models. Hope to see you soon. I heard Thursday is going to be very rainy...maybe a good day to shop!

What a Summer!

2010-07-20T11:48:00.013-04:00

I don't know about you but I am SO BUSY this summer. I feel like that chicken that's running around; you know, and unfortunately has no head. Everyone I know suffers from it...not enough time in the day. I live a pretty care free life. Love my job, family and friends. For some reason, I can't seem to fit all of my life in a 24 hour period. Know what I mean?

Keeping this in mind, all of us at Circle Furniture decided it was a good idea to extend our Summer Sale. We're marking more items on sale and putting them up on our website every week. We don't want anyone to miss out on this sale. At our five different showrooms you can find furniture for every room in your home. There's my favorite, the chair-n-a-half available at our Cambridge showroom that is perfect for cuddling! Looking for a beautiful new bed? Check out the Verdana bed in Danvers - gorgeous! Maybe you're more of a leather recliner kind a guy (or gal) - Acton has this super comfy model on their showroom floor as we speak (or as I type). Looking for a piece of Maine Cottage furniture? Stop by the Pembroke store and check out this lovely buffet that would brighten up any dining area. Here's a sleek coffee table that you can find at our Framingham showroom.

So relax, take your time, enjoy these hot summer days and when you get a breather, stop by your favorite Circle Furniture and enjoy our sale. We'll be there with open arms!

June BUZZZZZ California Style

2010-06-29T11:34:00.004-04:00

Recently I was on a vacation in California and since my husband and I hadn’t done the beautiful “coast drive” in years we decided to go for it and visit many places we were nostalgic for. Well, I know I’m getting older, so of course my memory is spotty, but I think I might have filled in those spotty areas with better memories. Anyway, I’ve decided that some memories are just better off as, just that, great memories and you’d be better off if you don’t try to re-live them because you might be disappointed!

It was hilarious. Here we are driving in Big Sur, one of my favorite places on the planet, and we happen to pull into an Inn which we stayed at a few times many years ago and loved. When we first pulled in I said maybe we shouldn't stay the night as we were trying to get to San Francisco, but my husband said let's just stay. Of course he knows me too well… I would have been bitchin for weeks afterwards that we had the opportunity but we were rushed as always and missed it. So we booked a room. We got a “cute” room that was very much like a bunkhouse or a camp (except unlike camping you pay a lot of money for this “rustic” experience). I am telling you the bathroom was so tiny (or maybe we were so much "smaller" 25 years ago)…it was a very tight squeeze. We took a nice, long walk in the woods behind us and waited for the magical experience from years past. Something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it. Well, the last time we were there was a very long time ago so I guess we were in a different mindset - the only thing we were taking to “alter our state” was cholesterol pills and an occasional martini. I noticed that there seem to be a lot of older "hippies" or people our age but still dressing in tie-dyes and sporting long hair. I asked my husband if it was my imagination or were there a lot more “young people” around this place in the old days and he filled me in that the young people who wanted a camping experience could go down the road to the campground for 25 bucks…remember we pay “big” for this experience.

I really got to thinking about a lot of things that seem so different now that I’m older. When I go home and visit places I played as a kid they seem so much smaller than I remember. The pond we skated on used to seem gigantic and I now I realize it’s the size of a puddle. In the woods we used to play in there was "the big hole", which is more of a little ditch. The town fair they held every year was "huge", it is in fact only a few rides, some lemonade and cotton candy if you’re lucky.

I guess what I’m saying is that some things are best left to our memories and in those certain cases where those memories start to fade, remember, you can always just re-work them to create even better ones. Why not give it a try?

BUZZ

Right Around the Corner

2010-06-11T12:21:00.016-04:00

If you count today, which I am, Father's Day is only ten days away. Yikes. What to get Dad. Hmm. Tie? No. Fishing pole he may never use? No. Another pair of plaid pj's? Don't think he needs another pair. Hasn't Dad done enough good deeds in his time to deserve more than the appropriate "Oh no, it's Father's Day and I have to get something for Dad"?

Come on. Think about all the soccer, field hockey, baseball, football, lacrosse, basketball and hockey games he showed up to. Or maybe it was a spelling bee, a swim meet, a tennis match, a music recital, a theater production. Letting you take the car on your first date. Letting you "borrow" money whenever you needed it. Dropping you off at college; picking you up from college; letting you move back in after college! Buying you your first "interview suit". Giving you advice about your first job, and second, and third! Being there when you needed him to be. Dad deserves more than a tie.

Ekornes is the way to go. The "stressless" recliners that we offer from Norway are the closest thing to heaven-on-earth in a chair. Perfect for the Dad who is in great shape to the Dad who suffers from a few aches and pains or more (who doesn't?). These recliners are so amazing they're even backed by the American Chiropractic Association (no pun intended).

So, think about it. Dad invested in you with his time, his patience and a whole lot of his hard-earned cash...why not invest in an Ekornes recliner for Dad this Father's Day? We guarantee he'll be psyched....and you'll be the hero!

Dare I Say, Too Much in May!

2010-05-25T15:49:00.006-04:00

Mother's Day came and went by all too quickly. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I had a lovely day, but it just seems like each year we all try to pack in more and more events in May. Is it just me or don’t you find that May is totally over-scheduled, over-loaded and extremely hectic? Here we are at the tail end of the month and I have already lost track of how many work events, birthday celebrations, recitals, graduations and bridal showers I’ve attended this month. Don’t even get me started on the TV season finales that all take place in May. I missed all my favorites!

I have a great idea. I want to launch a campaign and lobby to take some of our totally under-used months (January through April) and stick them with a few of these “May Happenings”.

Ok, we start with January. I don’t know if it’s all the resolutions that are so easy to break on January 2nd, but January can be a total let down after all the holiday hub-bub. I think we all need to kick it up a notch by the end of the month, otherwise we’ll go into complete hibernation. This could be a great month to have "online" events - so people wouldn't have to freeze their tukas's off by venturing out in the dead of winter. Think about it, we could save so much money on wardrobe alone if people would just start to be thoughtful and have their birthday celebrations in their own homes and broadcast live, on-line for us all to enjoy. I’d be happy to raise a glass to a dear friend from the comfort of my own home. No getting dressed up, no driving in bad weather, no boring small talk with the person they would have sat you next to at the dinner table. Win-win.

February. Well, yes we do have that hallmark holiday “Valentines Day” that’s slipped into the most miserable month weather-wise just to make us all feel equally miserable about our lack of relationships, or better yet, a perfect month to realize how un-perfect our “sweethearts” are! Let’s stick all of our recitals into February, and once again, let’s make them all virtual. It’ll be so easy to sit in our cozy pj’s, sipping hot chocolate while we pretend to listen to our friends 4th grade daughter play her clarinet recital via on-line! But, for those adventurous types we could create a “Martini Ground Hogs Day” celebration and, YES, let's make them "dirty martinis". Now that could get me out of the house!

March. If you’re feeling Irish, you have your St. Paddy’s day. Great night, but it’s only a night. Let’s throw all the bridal showers into March. Girls, you should be going away with your friends to Aruba for your shower anyway. Sun, friends, beach, margaritas. Come on, it should be mandatory.

April. Of course in New England we are coming out of our winter thaw so I think this is the perfect month for work events so they won't overlap with graduations in May. But let’s limit our work events to only ones where they have really good food, and really great drinks and offer some really easy parking!

May. Has to be reserved for MOMS and Grads. It’s the end of the school year and the college grads are finally giving their Moms what they really want by hopefully getting off the payroll! (Although I have been told by my adult children that living at home is now considered "cool".)

June-September. My favorite time here in New England, as we may be guaranteed at least a few weeks of beautiful weather. Of course there will always be some weddings filling the calendar. I have no problem with that. I love the Macarena.

October. So beautiful. The time of year we start getting our groove back from the relaxing summer, but before the craziness of holiday planning. Perfect time for those fundraising events. Happy to go.

November. Before you know it, it's Thanksgiving and right through to Christmas and New Years and my gosh, where did the year go?

Buzz.

What's All The Excitement About?

2010-05-17T14:22:00.012-04:00

Wow...there has been so much action at our Cambridge store in the past few weeks. No, we're not all sporting crew cuts and wearing the names of Celtics players written on the backs of our shirts. The action is all about "Buzz and Ruby". If you're not an avid bird watcher than you may not be aware that there is a family of Red-Tailed hawks that have built a nest right at the top of the building next door to Circle Furniture on Alewife Brook Parkway. People are lining up DAILY with their fancy cameras and telescopes to check out the scene. Buzz and Ruby, the happy couple, were named by a local bird enthusiast who has been blogging about them since he spotted them back in February. Well, love was in the air because now they have three little baby hawks that people are going ga-ga for! If you get a chance, hop over to Circle Furniture, get out of your car, look up and to your right, and you can't miss them!

Then...I must insist that you come over to our store and check out the ONLY Ekornes E300 sectional - brand new - that is being shown in Boston. So if you haven't heard about Ekornes® Stressless® recliners, sofas and sectionals please come check them out. Ekornes doesn't use the tagline "The Innovators of Comfort" just for show...these products are truly remarkable. And for the time being our Cambridge showroom is the only place you can feast your eyes on the new sectional with chaise lounge. Stressless fans have been waiting anxiously for this day. Come visit. We promise after you're wowed by all things Stressless we'll take you out into the parking lot and let you borrow our binoculars to check out Buzz, Ruby and the kids!

Bag Lady, Who Me?

2010-04-30T14:28:00.009-04:00

I was sitting in my co-worker Sarah's office the other day and we were discussing the upcoming "What's in a Bag" event she has been working on. You know, it’s a silent and live auction of gorgeous handbags next Thursday, at our Cambridge store, where all the proceeds go to the Mass Coalition for the Homeless. Anyway, it really got me thinking about bags. Do I have a bag obsession? Maybe. I think my friends do for sure! I have a few good friends who are so obsessed with color-coordinating their bags with their outfits. Little over the top, I think. Who is that awake in the morning? I’m lucky if I put two matching socks on!

You need to understand that buying a new bag is a pretty easy and stressfree sale for me – no trying on in front of a full length mirror! Oh, isn’t that the best! So I’ve been known to go over "budget" on a bag here or there (wow, I hate that word "budget"). Now I don’t consider myself a label-conscious person, I buy for the romance of it all. I actually have fallen in love with certain bags for some reason or another. Maybe it’s the color, maybe it’s the Italian leather, maybe it’s the smell, maybe it’s all the cool and handy pockets you can put everything you own in and you will finally be organized. Yeah, right! You can’t imagine what people walk around with in their bags. The bigger the bag is, the more I tend to throw everything in. Need a hair dryer? No problem, I have one right here in my bag. Looking for a bottle of fish oil? Sarah has a Costco-size bottle in her beautiful T.J. Max bag. Maria has a sippy cup and a plastic bag of Cheerios and Fig Newtons. Judy has 3 brushes, 2 combs and a lipstick from 1994. See what I mean about everything?

One of my all time favorite bags is a fantastic fabric valise with a patch of a martini glass where the olives are sliding down a stripper poll. Now, if you have read any of my previous buzzes you know how much I love to order martinis "dirty" (and of course exercising and watching the food channel) I just enjoy saying “dirty” out loud!

I went out the other night and found myself "bag watching". People sport some pretty incredible bags these days. Gym bags, diaper bags, tote bags, laptop bags, overnight bags, clutches - some very utilitarian, some very chic-chic. Messenger bags are very hip and they cross all genders, where man-purses really didn't make it big in the states, did they? Maybe the iPad will change all that! As mentioned before, some women carry their life in their bags and sizes can be enormous – definitely future back and shoulder problems. I noticed some bags are used as pet carriers, sporting those little critters with them everywhere. Please let’s not forget the recycle bag. Every store in America has their own recycle bag now (just be sure to wash it regularly!) Diaper bags are really cool now, I would have loved those back when I was shoving everything into my martini bag (what was I setting my kids up for?) Point is…everyone could use a new bag in their life…Let’s have fun next week and bid often (and high!) on your favorite bag.

Check out our site for more information about our event.

Buzz.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T10:39:00.014-04:00

Happy Earth Day everyone! I want to give a shout out to all our eco-conscious vendors and say thanks for all you're doing to create earth-friendly sustainable products for Circle to sell! Copeland, Cherry Pond, CR Laine, Lee Industries, Vermont Tubbs, Vermont Furniture, Gat Creek, American Leather, Company C, Brown Street, Ultrasuede® and many more are all fighting the good fight and we appreciate it. Thanks to all our customers as well who recognize the importance of sustainable furniture!

And...

In reading up about the 40th anniversary of Earth Day I can't help but be excited for the events going on in Boston. For those of us working today and tomorrow, here are some fun ideas for the weekend taken from our friends at boston.com.

1. Celebrate Earth Day at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, Saturday, April 24, 2010. Enjoy free admission to Garden in the Woods all day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a guided walking tour and learn the history of the Garden, the design of the various garden areas and habitats, and the conservation elements being addressed. Tour the unique New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants. Visit the Invasive Plant Jail to see what these plant scourges look like and how to rid your property of them. Special events take place between noon and 4 p.m., with tours given on the half hour. Families will enjoy searching the Garden for signs of spring with our Scavenger Hunt Sheet. Other family activities include face-painting, seed planting, and making a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Look for mystery creatures in the Garden.

2. Oh, Charles River. You've been our running partner during 5 a.m. marathon training jogs. You've posed for some of our favorite scenic photos of Boston. Now, we all have a chance to give back. Join more than 3,000 volunteers ready to pick up trash along the river and its tributaries from Cambridge to Newton. 9 a.m. to noon. Various locations along the Charles River. See website for a list of drop-in cleanup sites:

3. Are firefly numbers dwindling? The Museum of Science has teamed up with researchers from Tufts University and Fitchburg State College to track these winged nightlights. Chat with scientists, participate in activities, and learn how you can join the museum's Firefly Watch at this daylong event.

4. Or...if you really feel adventurous you can trek up to Burlington, Vermont and attend Earth Weeks Mudfest... "It's mud season in Vermont, and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is celebrating with "MudFest," a two-week festival where you can really get your hands dirty. Festivities will feature the mud fling (which is just what it sounds like), daily musical performances from a number of Vermont artists, as well as animal feedings and other demonstrations for the kids along the shore of Lake Champlain."

Anyway you slice it - it's Earth Day and we should all be celebrating one way or another! I get to welcome my newest nephew, Owen, into this world. I'm sure Owen will accompany his big brother to many Earth Day activities in the future. Happy Birthday Owen!

As I Was Saying...Sustainability Rocks!

2010-04-16T12:54:00.007-04:00

We're getting closer to that big Earth Day celebration next week so we decided to give props to the vendors and manufacturers who make the furniture we so proudly sell.

Today, it's all about "Soy". What? Soy. As in, soybeans. Let me explain. Many of our upholstery vendors, such as American Leather, carry something called BiOH polyols, a soy-based ingredient used in making flexible foam for their seat and back cushions. Why would anyone use soy in making cushions? Good question. You see traditional foam is made from petroleum-based products. BiOH products are made from soybean oil, thus cutting back on the amount of petroleum-based ingredients. As they say on BiOH's website, "Foam cushioning made with BiOH polyols is comparable to existing foam used by the home furnishings and automotive industries while leaving a smaller environmental footprint. Products that incorporate BiOH polyols offer a responsible choice for consumers and businesses that are increasingly interested in sustainability." (There's that word again!)

I know, the $64,000 question is - how does a sofa with BiOH polyols sit? Is it comfortable? When you have guests over will they fall into the sofa and not be able to get up? Drum roll please...I can tell you from experience - these cushions are AMAZING. We should know; we have so many chairs, sofas and sectionals on our 5 showroom floors that get A LOT of use. Cushions made with BiOH polyols will last a long, long time and are just as comfy as anything out there!

Although my word is good...you should come visit any Circle Furniture and test out the cushions made from soybean oil. Hey, come to think of it...what a great school project for your kids, they could write a report about eco-friendly trends! While your kids are doing research at our store you can take advantage of our Spring Upholstery Sale featuring Ultrasuede® - another amazing product you'll hear about next week!

Quick Tip:
alt 0174 - a shortcut to creating a register mark (Thanks to Helen for teaching me that one!)

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Gearing Up!

2010-04-13T15:26:00.011-04:00

With Earth Day soon approaching (April 22nd) we're in the mood to talk sustainability. I know, I know...you're used to hearing the word "green" but what does green really mean?

If you go to Google search, type in the word green, I'm happy to say the first thing that comes up is Green Day (such a good band) but if you type in "green products" a plethora of offerings show up. Green products for the home, the kids, the pets, the garden, the car. But what makes it green? Anyone can just slap a sticker on a product and call something green, but, what is it really?

We think, first and foremost, it's all about sustainability. At Circle there are different ways we strive for sustainability. First, we know if a product lasts that translates into less waste, which has less environmental impact than something you would use and throw out in a year. Second, our hardwood products from our vendors like Copeland Furniture in Vermont, are made from sustainably harvested forests. Meaning? The woods used come from forests which are not threatened and do not contain genetically modified trees. What else keeps our environment sustainable to live in? When creating these beautiful wood products our vendors are using water based finishes, reducing the amount of VOC emissions, along with burning less fuel and using more health-conscious packing materials.

So today we celebrate Copeland Furniture and our other wood vendors for their on-going efforts towards creating sustainable furniture. We're proud to be founding members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and for more information, check out their website to find out whose becoming more and more sustainable everyday.

Rain, Rain Go Away

2010-04-02T08:45:00.008-04:00

What a week! All the rain, flooding, traffic. We could use a nice, sunny, relaxing weekend, right? AND...it's actually supposed to be in the 70's/80's this weekend. Can you believe it? Yippee!

If you're looking for fun things to do around the city/suburbs, please come check out our latest art exhibit at our Framingham showroom. This month we're featuring the works of local artist Ellen Ezorsky. Here's a little bit about Ellen:

"Ellen Ezorsky has been printing and painting in several mediums for many years. Having received her MFA in Painting using oils at the San Francisco Art Institute, she turned to acrylics when small children and pets presented a logistical threat to slow-drying oils. These children informed Ms. Ezorsky's work as she moved freely between the worlds of abstraction and realism. Currently painting with oils where she resides in Cambridge, MA, Ms. Ezorsky continues to playfully bridge genres, while color reigns as her motivating passion."

Her pieces look fantastic mixed with Circle's beautiful vignettes...larger than life. So please stop by anytime you're heading out on Rte. 9. If you're not around this weekend stop by on April 17th, from 3-5pm, for an informal wine and cheese reception to celebrate Ellen's work.

Don't forget - Eric Roth's photographs are on display at the Cambridge showroom until the end of the month. If you're passing through Cambridge, please come visit!

Enjoy the weekend. I'm going to soak in every drop of sunshine that's possible (I know, I know, sunscreen is necessary!) Where have the days of sunbathing with baby oil, a tin-foil covered album and a Tab gone? Wow...Tab was gross, wasn't it?

Have fun!

What's the Buzz?

2010-03-26T10:35:00.002-04:00

Civility. Ok, can we all agree that there is way too much ranting and raving in our lives today? I don’t know about you but I have had it! There seems to be a lot of yelling going on and anger is seeping into our lives everyday from everywhere. This can’t be good for our well being. I mean, think about it, we make a huge effort to eat right [well some people], exercise [again, some people], and then we end up with our blood pressure going though the roof over something totally insignificant. Like, for instance, when I’m in the coffee shop and the person in front of me gets the wrong order; yikes, the rudeness that follows. It’s only coffee, take a pulse, chill out, rein it in. I know, I know. I myself, have been known to flip out when our lunch order arrives at my office and someone decided I wanted my sandwich with onions when I specifically said “no onions”. It can ruin your day, if you are slightly crazed.

Yes, we all are affected by rude behavior that has almost become acceptable on a daily basis, just going about our daily life - on the subway, in line at the market, picking up at the dry cleaners, waiting for your pizza. Don’t we just want everything to run smoothly? Can’t we all just get along?

Not that long ago, while visiting my daughter in San Francisco, I witnessed something truly amazing. I was on a city bus when a guy ran up to the front of the bus frantically shouting “I missed my stop!” From past experiences, I was thinking “tough luck buddy”. Wow! What a shock… the driver pulled over and HAPPILY explained to the guy how to backtrack. The bus rider thanked the driver so much. After all the pleasantries were exchanged they went on with their day. I was thrilled to see how nice they were to each other as I sat daydreaming about how great the day was going to be for the both of them, and me too!

Here’s a thought. What if we all made a pledge to be more pleasant to everyone we came in contact with everyday? What kind of difference would it make in our lives? I did try and practice this for a short while. I’m going to resurrect the idea starting today! I have been known to be a bit of a “hot-head” sometimes and have been guilty of ranting and raving myself. Of course, the people I work with would find this unbelievable but I think it may have happened a time or two. Today I am going to be Ms. Pleasant and I’ll see if there is any transformation in my world. I hope everyone will give it a shot as well. Why not start today? One thing that might help is to shut off all the noise on the radio and TV. It is so unpleasant, too much ranting and raving, don’t you think? As I always say, If you feel the need to chill out in front of the TV, please stick to the cartoons!

Peggy Burns
Queen Bee

Good Day to be Green!

2010-03-17T12:56:00.005-04:00

The word on the street is that we've been busy making our showrooms sparkle with the new spring collections. Color? For sure. Gorgeous new Ultrasuede®? Most definitely. Inspiring new fabrics? Yes indeed. Eco-friendly furniture? You mean, green? Absolutely!

Oh, and if you get a chance this weekend, stop by the Acton store where we're having a "pop-up" sale all weekend long. You'll find floor samples, discontinued styles and gently-used showroom pieces all at super prices!

Being an Irish gal, I cannot pass up the chance to "cut and copy" one of my favorite lines from the famous blessing..."May the sun shine warm upon your face...". Fitting on a sunny day like today. Happy St. Patty's Day!

You Know Spring is Close When...

2010-03-03T09:25:00.008-05:00

Spring is in the air, right? As I look out of my office window at the snow coming down in droves it's hard to imagine that spring is near. But, alas, there are signs to convince me to keep the faith.

Last week I got the opportunity to go to Las Vegas and take a sneak peak at the latest collections from Stressless by Ekornes. Never heard of Stressless? They only make the most comfortable recliner in the world. In fact, their tagline is "The Innovators of Comfort" and they live up to it for sure! Ok, enough, you get it. I love Stressless! Anyway...when you get to preview "Spring Collections" of furniture lines, that's a sign.

Another sign? When the good ole' Jazzfest comes to town! Circle Furniture is once again a sponsor of the Jazzfest 2010. All throughout March, April and May legends in jazz and blues play to sell-out crowds at the intimate but lively Regattabar in the Charles Hotel. We love the Charles! Ok, perfect scenario for a blast of a weekend? Dinner reservations at Rialto - yum! Catch a jazzfest show at the Regattabar later in the evening. Sip on a cordial after the show at the cool and low-key Noir bar. Stay over in the inspiring Charles Hotel right in the heart of Harvard Square, so no driving is necessary. Wake up and have the most delicious brunch at Henrietta's Table. Trust me, you cannot miss with a weekend like that!

One more sign spring is near? Circle is having their "Invest in Your Nest" promo starting today. Spring collections are on the showroom floors ready to inspire and delight you. Wait till you see the colorful new leathers from Ekornes, the gorgeous Catalina bedroom collection from Copeland and the fabulous Milford sectional dressed in spring fabrics. Shop around, find something that suits your fancy and get a $200 gift card for a future purchase when you spend $1000!

As for Vegas, there are two kinds of people in this world; those who love Vegas and those who don't. I love. The restaurants are amazing. The gambling is exciting (ok, until you start losing!) The shows are phenomenal. You can even take an airplane tour of the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam. Even go hiking at Lake Mead. Unfortunately, it is not always true that what happens in Vegas, stays there. With all the eating and drinking I did last week I'm quite sure I brought home a couple of extra pounds! Oh well. Another sign spring is fast approaching? Bathing suit season is right around the corner! Ugh.

What's the Buzz?

2010-02-22T14:15:00.000-05:00

The Dreaded Snow!

Code Red. It’s official – we’re under attack. Everyone knows the drill…run, hide, the snow is coming! Ok, call me crazy, but I believe we’re over-reacting just a little bit. Agree? There is a slight mention that snow may be coming, not totally confirmed, but the TV news stations are warning us that maybe, just maybe, we might get an inch, possibly several, could get nothing or we’ll have a complete white-out. Everyone panics.

Ok, so last week a lot of the country did experience some weather that was clearly unheard of in those parts, so I guess they had something to crow about. Technically, we could drop the alert levels, since DC was closed down for a week none of those bureaucrats could get into the office so our country might have been inflicted with less damage! Isn’t it funny how some people got so delighted because they equate snow as proof that there is no such thing as global warming, not knowing the difference between climate and weather? Not that funny.

I live in New England, where guess what? It snows! Usually fairly regularly, not breaking news. So back in ’78 we had this little blizzard that did bring us to a stand-still for a week or so (I was stuck in the Virgin Islands for an extra week - I know, what a bummer, I missed all the fun). Here it is, 30 years later and that blizzard still sparks panic and fear. People tell their children stories about being trapped, not having cable TV or video games. It was like the big one, WW2, on a scale of storms. I’m sure if you ask, you could find a lot more stories about how great it was having a week snowed in with your family and neighbors and how much fun it was. But because of the media we go into shear panic mode when there is even a mention of snowfall. We run to the grocery stores. We agonize about driving. We‘re not sure when we’ll ever get to Zumba class again!

The threat of the storm last week caused widespread panic. We got a call in the morning that a local concert was cancelled, restaurants actually closed, schools were closed, government offices closed (good thing) and snow emergencies were in place. This, all before one snowflake had appeared. Unbelievable.

I’ve decided the business to be in right now is selling “snow shelters”. I believe back in the 50’s they sold bomb shelters quite successfully, didn’t they? Think about it. How great would it be to have a shelter all set up and ready to go. No last minute runs to the market. Everything right there in your snow shelter just the way you want it. We could offer different packages; “Gourmet”, “30-minute meals”, “PG or R Rated Movies”, whatever the needs are, the important thing is that it’s there and ready for use. The “Exercise-Addicts” shelter would come equipped with free weights, yoga videos and cabinets stocked with Power Bars and Vitamin Water! The “Tech-Geeks” shelter would have a laptop connected to a huge generator, along with an X box, video games, iphone, ipod, blackberry, blueberry and snozberry!

We may offer a “Neighborhood Package” or “Friends and Family Package”, although this could get tricky when it comes to who you want in your shelter. We’d have to have a disclaimer on the side “this shelter could cause some family turmoil”. You might decide to keep your snow shelter a secret, so as not to get people lining up when “storm central” starts hitting the airwaves. I really think I’m on to something here and when I’m done buzzing I’ll be making calls to some venture capital guys to see if I can get some financing. I think I’ll talk to some furniture designers as well about a piece that can be used as a dining table, sofa and bed all in one, for my “custom shelters”.

Here’s my advice. Enjoy the snow. Spring is just around the corner…

P.S. One last thing networks need to know when they call emergency snow days - we don’t want to watch the weather on TV! Just give us Regis and Kelly. The View. Ellen. Rachel. Martha. In fact, give us anyone except a roaming reporter in a snow bank, just not that entertaining!

How Many is Too Many Valentine's?

2010-02-15T16:18:00.005-05:00

I know, it's a Hallmark holiday...that has the power of throwing people into a dark depression, or better yet, just a night on the couch with a pint of Haagen-dazs® watching a Lifetime movie about betrayal and revenge. Valentine's Day comes only once a year, but yet it seems to creep up on us slowly and methodically, not to mention, it lasts far longer than it needs to. What's interesting is that it's not just my single friends that are annoyed by all the love in the air, but my married friends complain too. "He didn't get me flowers!", "We had no reservations!", "She didn't book a babysitter!", "Why did he buy me chocolates when he knows I'm on a diet?".You know we've all gone through this. Sometimes we get in a rut where it seems like everyone else is walking on much, much greener grass!

This year I ended up going to the MFA with a very sweet boyfriend* and then hitting our favorite Mexican restaurant, Sol Azteca, in Boston/Brookline. {If you haven't been, please drop everything and head to Beacon Street, order an 1800 Margarita and the steak fajitas - I promise you, the best fajitas you've ever had!} Anywho...So I count myself very lucky to have someone to spend this Valentine's Day with...but that's not where my luck ended.

About 4pm yesterday, I stopped over my sisters house and it was, as they say, like a zoo. The noise alone was astonishing! The kids are on vacation, my brother and his family were visiting, my parents were spending the night. So many people. So much noise. So many little kids. The running. The screaming. The "almost smashing their little heads on the bannister" kind of day. So much chaos. So much love. So many hand-made Valentine's given out. So many heart-shaped cookies eaten. Lots of laughter. Lots of "Will you be mine?". I think, all told, I had, between friends and relatives, probably 20 Valentine's.

Love is everywhere...certainly not just in a bouquet of flowers or a delicious dinner. It is everywhere in our lives, you just have to stop, revel in the "chaos" and enjoy the ride. So I ask you, how many is too many Valentine's? I think it's infinite, don't you?

* Very sweet boyfriend, a.k.a. very talented photographer...note image above!

Last Night...

2010-02-08T14:29:00.006-05:00

I admit it. I didn't watch a second of the Superbowl. Don't get me wrong; I had every intention of watching the game. In fact, all throughout Sunday I was day-dreaming of the chips and dip, the guacamole, the chili, the cold beer, and oh, yes, the game. I have relatives in New Orleans...you know, the kind of relatives you really adore? So, of course, I was rooting for those Saints. I was looking forward to a crazy night of eating, drinking and screaming my head off to support the Saints!

About 5pm I got a text reminding me I was invited, and expected, at a friends house for a dinner party. Whoops! There goes the game. Immediately I sadly said goodbye to those visions of warm chili and beer. Well, I thought, maybe my dinner hosts will have the game on in the background. Of course they will, right? Wrong. My friends are from the Netherlands and not that into our football and had no interest in the game what...so...ever.

Not a problem. As soon as I entered their hallway I could smell the home cooking. As I opened the door to the apartment I was greeted with huge bear hugs and kisses and a nice glass of red wine. Some other friends had just gotten back from a month-long road trip throughout the States, so there was much to talk about. We all stayed in the kitchen for at least an hour just catching up on our lives. My Dutch friends had just discovered fluff over the weekend, but did not know that you could mix fluff with peanut butter so I had to set them straight. I created a fluffernutter and cut into 8 tiny triangles...Voila ...appetizers. They were hooked!

As we ate dinner and had some laughs looking at their photo albums I was reminded that this really is what it's all about. We always say at Circle Furniture that our furniture is "made for real life" or that it's all about entertaining in a comfortable atmosphere. We want people to love our furniture, to live in our furniture, but mostly to make memories while sitting at their dining room table or relaxing on one of our sectionals. You house truly becomes a home when you add comfort, warmth, friendship and family.

So although I did not get to watch the Saints momentous victory, I had an awesome night. The food, wine and conversation was just what the doctor ordered on a cold, wintry Boston night. For a girl who does not like to cook (besides the occasional fluffernutter), having someone make you dinner is like feeding a stray cat...you'll have a friend for life! I'm just saying, I'm always open to invitations!

Congrats New Orleans, you deserve it big time!

Shout It From The Rooftops!

2010-01-29T14:51:00.007-05:00

Many of you are acquainted with the Queen Bee, right? So tomorrow is the big day for the Queen Bee's niece Amy. She and her beau Mike, are tying the knot in Jamaica and we couldn't be happier for them!

If anyone knows Amy, you know that she can light up a room as soon as she's even in the vicinity of that room! Amy is famous for her huge smile and big heart. Mike is a doll as well so everyone is super excited for the big event.

Of course, they left us here in Boston, a.k.a. Antarctica, to fly South to Jamaica for the big event...I guess we can forgive them for that. I mean, they couldn't really send the entire staff of Circle Furniture out of the country this weekend, what with it being the last weekend of the January sale, right?

So we'll be here, holding down the fort, while Jamaica warms the happy couple. Congrats to Amy and Mike - we can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures. And, for those of you who really know the Queen Bee, you know they'll be wild stories and crazy pictures!

And if you haven't listened to Bob Marley in awhile, do yourself a favor and throw some on in your car or on your IPod. It's amazing how a little Reggae can warm even the coldest of spirits! "Don't worry, bout' a thing...cuz every little thing, gonna be alright."

Buzzzzzzzzz

2010-01-21T13:57:00.001-05:00

Haven't seen the latest Buzz from the Queen Bee? Check it out.

January Buzz

Well, it’s that time of the year, once again, when we all make or break our “New Year’s Resolutions”. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that most of us could not wait to kick ‘’09” out the door (and give it a good, swift kick in the behind at the same time!) I wonder if there is any significant meaning that it all came down at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. Hmm. Anyway, let’s not go down that path with those nuts who read meaning into apocalyptic proportions; let’s just stick to the facts about New Year’s.

Ok, number one resolution, I’m sure it’s to LOSE WEIGHT. I could be wrong, but judging by the onslaught of Jenny Craig commercials and the spike in gym memberships, I doubt I am. I know this has been my resolution for the past, oh I don’t know, dozen years. I have been SO successful at it that I have actually gained many pounds to prove it! Most people go on a diet, lose some weight and of course gain it all back…with a little extra. So this year I’ve decided to ditch that resolution so at least I would remain at my usual weight and not risk gaining anymore! Genius, I know.

People often say they are going to spend more time with family or connect more with friends, and they probably truly believe it for about a week or two. Then a call comes in from one of your close friends who moved far away and she tells you she will be in town for one night on her way through on a business trip and she wants to meet for dinner. You are so excited and then the bombshell drops; “it’s Tuesday night”, a school night, a work night, you may have to put yourself out and drive 30 minutes into Boston. Ugh. Connecting with friends and family? Not as easy as we think.

Quit smoking or drinking. Yes, this is a common one. I quit smoking over 30 years ago and that was for a boy I was in love with, so no brainer there. The drinking? I don’t want to test the weight loss theory on this one, if you know what I mean!

Exercising more. Well, a girl can dream, right? I actually convinced my wonderful husband to get me a real piece of gym equipment for my Christmas gift and under supreme pressure he did it. This isn’t one of those many different pieces that I have purchased from TV commercials over the years and ended up making for a nice clothing valet in our bedroom or the abs busters that was hidden in many of our closets. This is the real deal, like the machines that are located at my gym that I still pay dues for but never go to! Donna, who works in our Acton showroom, hooked me up with her son Matt at the Gym Source in Newton (that’s right, he just got a plug!), and voila, a few days after Christmas my machine arrived. I am so proud to say, there are no clothes hanging from it! I have a small TV on the wall and “everyday” I go downstairs and do my time while watching the cooking channel. Last week I was so psyched about Tyler’s ultimate chicken legs and pasta dish, I went an extra 10 minutes on that elliptical just to finish the recipe. I was drooling while thinking about making it for dinner that night and thinking what friend or family member I could invite over to connect with again.

Does anyone see how ridiculous this all is? I am running to my elliptical so I can get all whipped up about some delicious dish that I can make as soon as I finish the exercise. Not to worry, like I’ve said in previous buzzes, I love to “watch” the cooking channel but have not quite gotten to the execution part of it. I have to run because I am going to meet me girlfriends, “the dolls”, as I affectionately refer to them. We will probably have a few cocktails. Oh, one noteworthy thing I’m trying this year is to switch from my beloved chardonnay to Vodka. I think it has less calories and I just love saying “Bartender, vodka martini please and make it Dirty…

Peggy Burns
Queen Bee

Party On!

2010-01-13T13:36:00.008-05:00

This past Saturday the folks at Circle Furniture brushed off their dancing shoes and partied down! Yes, we were celebrating our annual holiday bash as we do every year, but this one was particularly special. Why? It was so much fun to say goodbye to 2009. Don't get me wrong, really good things happened this past year. Here's a few.

We started 2009 by opening a brand new GORGEOUS store in Pembroke - What's that, you've not been? Why not take a trip South this weekend? Bundle up for a delightful walk through World's End in Hingham - one of the most romantic places to go for a winter stroll! After your inspiring walk hit the Pembroke store for our huge January Sale, then finish off your day with a fabulous dinner at Orta (right next to the store)!

In May we hosted "The Art Of Decorative Placement" at the Danvers showroom. It was a wonderful night where local North Shore artists displayed their works paired with Circle's transitional and contemporary lines of furniture. We celebrated the arts in full force that night!

September brought us the vivacious and talented Libby Langdon who gave a presentation to a packed house of "libby-heads". We laughed, drank chardonnay, and took notes as Libby spoke about the challenges of decorating for small spaces. We learned a lot that night!

There was a sea of Pink at our "Pink Party" in Framingham this past October where we hooted and hollered to raise money for The Ellie Fund. Again...a grand time had by all.

Personally we celebrated as well. Michelle had an adorable baby boy named Boston (yes, he's named Boston, for real)! Moise, one of our most-excellent warehouse team members, also had a little-cutie-baby-boy named Moise Jr. Heather is in love. Margo got engaged. Sonja's husband returned from Iraq. Ann's daughter got married. Max finished another film coming to a theater near you! Rich rode his first Pan Mass. Harold led the Circle Furniture team in The Rodman Ride for Kids. Donna, Richard, Pat and Troy were named "Circle Positive Deviants" for 2009. Jonathan won "Employee of the Year". A lot of good things happened for sure!

Our drink of choice graduated from classic chardonnay to down and dirty vodka martinis. The economy; did it bring us down? Maybe we stumbled here and there, but we came out stronger in the end. We've learned a lot and we're looking forward to smooth sailing in 2010.

Thanks for reading and being a part of our community!

Stop By Today!

2010-01-08T14:35:00.005-05:00

We're excited to continue our quest to showcase local artists living and working in the communities around where we work and play. This month stop by the Cambridge Circle Furniture showroom to see the beautiful and inspiring artwork of local artist Diane Novetsky.

"Diane Novetsky is an abstract painter of lyrical landscapes that combine a sensuous, textural surface with striking luminosity and depth. Her work evolves intuitively from dreams, half-forgotten memories, and fleeting glimpses of everyday life.

Dianes paintings are built up in layers–like the strata of the earth–using a variety of acrylic based mediums, which echo the gritty qualities of natural sand and stone. Some of her work employs the motif of an intimate landscape to explore the ephemeral nature of life. The beauty of shifting light, the passage of time and the elusiveness of memory come into play in her recent series of highly textural paintings.

The landscape motif is also a meditation on our quest for the spiritual. “My hope is that the viewer can follow me in my creative/spiritual journey, observing and finding beauty in some of the signs and landmarks I have left along the way.”

Diane is a founding member of the Brickbottom Artists Building in Somerville, MA, one of the oldest living and working artists communities in the country. She works out of the Vernon Street Studios, also in Somerville. Diane is a regular participant in the yearly Brickbottom and Somerville Open Studios events. Her work is included in many corporate and private collections throughout the region."

Now I know what I'm going to do this snowy weekend; break out my watercolors and see what transpires. A little cocoa, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies (ok, store bought I have to admit) and I'm good to go. What are you going to do this weekend?

Time for Us to Say Thanks!

2009-12-23T10:50:00.007-05:00

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!

2009-12-11T10:10:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-12-07T10:21:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-12-03T08:28:00.006-05:00

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?

2009-11-25T11:28:00.008-05:00

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

2009-11-20T08:58:00.005-05:00

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!

2009-11-17T15:33:00.008-05:00

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!

2009-11-13T12:22:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-11-09T14:46:00.003-05:00

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!

2009-11-04T12:18:00.004-05:00

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

2009-11-03T13:49:00.003-05:00

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

2009-11-02T09:42:00.005-05:00

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!

2009-10-29T09:59:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-10-26T14:13:00.004-04:00

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

2009-10-22T14:05:00.004-04:00

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...

2009-10-18T06:28:00.004-04:00

...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

2009-10-15T11:25:00.004-04:00

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

2009-10-13T12:27:00.004-04:00

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

2009-10-08T14:54:00.008-04:00

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!

2009-10-02T12:15:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-10-01T14:38:00.007-04:00

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

2009-09-28T15:45:00.006-04:00

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

2009-09-25T14:39:00.006-04:00

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

2009-09-18T15:51:00.008-04:00

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!

2009-09-15T15:01:00.013-04:00

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

2009-09-02T14:06:00.024-04:00

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?

2009-08-30T17:17:00.009-04:00

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!

2009-08-29T16:24:00.006-04:00

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

2009-08-28T15:19:00.004-04:00

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!

2009-08-28T10:30:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-25T12:01:00.011-04:00

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

2009-08-20T14:43:00.006-04:00

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

2009-08-17T13:46:00.008-04:00

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

2009-08-13T13:53:00.010-04:00

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!

2009-08-10T09:08:00.004-04:00

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.

2009-08-06T12:04:00.009-04:00

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

2009-07-31T09:54:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-07-29T08:22:00.010-04:00

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

2009-07-28T19:32:00.004-04:00

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

2009-07-27T10:50:00.004-04:00

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

2009-07-24T08:51:00.005-04:00

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

2009-07-15T20:07:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-10T19:34:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-06-30T20:11:00.004-04:00

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

2009-06-30T20:10:00.002-04:00

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

The May Buzz is hot off the press

2009-05-12T19:31:00.002-04:00

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

Support Local Business = Supporting your Local Economy

2009-05-07T14:15:00.003-04:00

There is a lot of talk around supporting local businesses and without the facts, we understand why, however this new project is a great way of backing up this idea with the FACTS. Why should you support locally owned and operated businesses? Because it effects you and your living space more that you think! It goes far beyond the local craftsman and sustainable forest products we sell at Circle Furniture; but the money comes back around to help your local economy through keeping locals employed, paying taxes to local and state governments which perform for you!

"68: For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home."

Check out The 3/50 Project and help out your neighbors and community the next time you make a purchase.

Lost and then Found at Circle Furniture

2009-04-20T16:52:00.008-04:00

I am not entirely sure why, but it seems as if everyone in the Cambridge Store is a total dog lover.

A little while ago, on a busy Saturday afternoon, we discovered an unleashed beagle in our parking lot. our store is right on Fresh Pond Parkway, a busy street, and we were all concerned. We went out and convinced the dog to come inside. We brought her into our break room and then proceeded to call animal control. She had dog tags so we were hoping they would be able to contact her owners.

Apparently right after we called, the dog’s owner called the dog officer and reported her dog missing. She was told her dog was here and she called us right away. She had been walking around Fresh Pond with her dog when, the dog apparently took off after another dog.

After about a half hour the owner showed up at the store and a very happy beagle jumped into her arms. We were all so happy and relieved that “Molly” was going home.

We get a lot of walkers that come into our store and often they have their dogs with them. I can’t recall one time when a dog misbehaved and they always cheer up the staff. At Circle Furniture in Cambridge, we encourage all drop ins, whether they have two or four legs.

Submitted by Erna Wiley, Sr. Design Consultant, Circle Furniture, Cambridge

The April Buzz is Out!

2009-04-15T19:49:00.006-04:00

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

Grand Opening of Pembroke

2009-04-01T12:17:00.013-04:00

On March 29th 2009 we had our grand opening Jazz brunch celebration at our new Penbroke location, featuring other local business, raffle prizes, food and drink, with some live jazz music to wash it all down. Resident in house videographer and master producer, Max Tubman, captured the moment.

**PPS Doesn't the Queen Bee's hair look fabulous?!? What's the buzz?

Free!

2009-03-27T13:18:00.007-04:00

And durable? and good for the environment? Am I going crazy?!?! Once again, I would like to boast about our FLOR product. These eco friendly carpet "tiles" are not only good looking, but incredibly durable. One of our Senior Design consultants, Christine Cellucci (check out her very own blog, The Creative Jig) just installed some in her kitchen and gives us the dish. Convinced? Good, because right now we are offering FREE shipping on these products!

Also, don't forget about the JAZZY GRAND OPENING OF PEMBROKE tomorrow!

Big Happenings in Alewife

2009-03-17T22:11:00.005-04:00

Here come some more developments to make you love our Cambridge location even more!

Our Alewife store is located right near the Fresh Pond rotary, a perfect stop over on Route 2 to or from the city. We share our little corner of the universe with some great stores with a loyal Boston following, Cheddar's, D&D and Newbury Comics. Now, with some new developments, we are making some additions to our plaza including a Trader Joe's (a personal favorite) and a more of your favorite shops and conveniences. Check out more about these developments on boston.com. We asked what Cambridge store manager Heather Ryan how this was effecting our daily grind, and she says "Circle Furniture has been thriving is this location for over a decade now. We are excited to see that some new life will be coming to our plaza when the building is finished. There should be ample parking for everyone to come enjoy the great shops. Most importantly there are some awesome new food choices including Trader Joe’s and Chipotle. It's all about the food for us here at Circle!"
Happy eating and shopping!

Live Jazz in Pembroke Sunday March 29th

2009-03-10T14:27:00.009-04:00

Please
join us at our newest
location for a Jazz Brunch, March 29th 11-2.
Treat yourself to the smooth sounds of the Patrick Mottaz
Trio, tasty brunch treats from local restaurants and loads
of great raffles prizes.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Pembroke Field of Dreams.

RSVP by March 25th to sarah@circlefurniture.com

Space is limited.

Inspiration: Swapping Ideas Across Borders

2009-03-05T15:01:00.012-05:00

I got to chatting with fresh, young, hip Circle up and coming team member Jessica Tubman about her travels in South America. Jessica is currently enrolled in business school and was able to take advantage of a unique opportunity to travel to Brazil on a school project. She reports on what she saw and liked, the food the culture, and a great encounter with Circle Furniture's own product, Charleston Forge Chairs! Different cultures can offer up many sources of inspiration for the design world and beyond.

Jess: "As part of a global entrepreneurship project at MIT Sloan, I traveled with a team to Campinas Brazil, a city outside of Sao Paulo. We consulted for an IT outsourcing company, Daitan Labs, working for 3 months from MIT in Cambridge and then for 3 weeks on location in Brazil at the company's HQ. While in Brazil our analysis included interviews with company executives and local Brazilian Venture Capitalists. In addition to just work, we ate a lot of really good Brazilian bbq (steak!) and toured both Sao Paulo and Rio."

Still Jazzed about the Regatta Bar

2009-03-02T14:46:00.007-05:00

For the second year in a row the Circle Team helped bring the party to opening night at the Regatta Bar Jazz fest. Richie Havens played a killer show and, if I must say so myself, the furnishings of this bar are Top Notch!

The Regatta Bar is located in the Charles Hotel in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge. In addition to their yearly Jazz Fest they have live music about five nights a week! Get cozy in those couches with a nice cocktail and great music. Check out their website for a whole list of upcoming shows and events.

The Before . . .

2009-01-29T14:54:00.004-05:00

Lots of hard work went in to make sure our new Pembroke Location opened on time (this past saturday, come in and check it out!) I am not sure the Queen Bee and her team have slept yet, lots to do!

And the AFTER . . .

Its gorgeous!!

The new store is a proud project of ours, remodeling the building, we let in more light and, of course, added some color! This store will provide more space that our smaller Hanover location. Hanover will remain open for the time being as a clearance center, so if you are looking for a bargain there are deals to be had! Stay tuned for news on more events in Pembroke or one of our other locations.

Holiday Party at Chez 42

2009-01-11T23:17:00.003-05:00

The Circle Fam got together to celebrate another New Year. We are still here and thriving despite the structure of the current economy putting pressures on small family businesses. What keeps us moving is our team, we are like family and support each other through it all!!

Ray of Light through the Economic Clouds

2009-01-07T22:13:00.004-05:00

I am not sure if NPR has made any new radio programs recently or if, due to lack of funds, they are looping a series of repeats on the sad state of affairs that is the US economy. Either way, that, in combination with the shorter days and the holiday rush, left me feeling a little run down and bewildered. Well, Circle Shoppers and fellow proud Bostonians, time to buck up and turn those feelings around. Here is a small glimmer of hope published by Boston Magazine, a little upside of the down if you will. Circle is still here and thriving, helping to perpetuate a stronger localized economy. Hold your heads up high Boston, and keep on shopping, change is on the way.
PS. Just in case you needed a little more encouragement to shop, this month in stores we have our New Year's gift to you of $100 off every 1000 you spend. Whoo hoo!

Do you mind if I gush a little more?

2008-11-19T16:41:00.008-05:00

We are so proud of, well not so young, Max. The youngest Tubman of his generation has graduated from the University of Vermont against some insurmountable odds encountered this year. On top of that, he released his first independent documentary with its premiere screening taking place this past week up in Burlington, VT. Grads, parents and some other Furniture gurus all packed the house to support this budding young star. Also, no trip to any part of the country is complete without a furniture delivery. Peg and Rich delivered a beautiful American Leather sofa to a customer in Burlington. I often wonder, are all business owners this hands on? I mean, granted I am not an outsider, but that seems pretty cool to have the brains, brawn and beauty(!) behind the biz make personal house calls. Anyway, I stray from the topic, congrats Max, we are so proud, sorry for the gush, but look at that face, can you blame me?

Pretty In Pink

2008-10-20T22:49:00.004-04:00

Another October rolls around and its time for another great in store event at Circle Furniture's Cambridge location. The fifth annual Pink Party was the biggest turnout yet and we raised over five thousand dollars. Many thanks to those who rallied the extra leg to help put it together, Sarah, Ralph, Moise, Renee, Jonathan, Stephanie, Peg, Rich, Harold, Terri, Troy, Judy, Heather, Cindy and Martha.

All proceeds go to the Ellie Fund, raising money for families to help support a loved one fighting breast cancer. Its a great cause and a fun night, and who doesn't love the color pink!

We also met some new FABULOUS friends who share out love for the earth and this "new" trend everyone is calling green. Paula Keif and Leanne Schiller have started an online directory, Go Green Web Directory, to help guide Boston consumers to green businesses. Our own Michelle Madden got involved.

Rodman Ride 2008 - Not going to let a little rain slow us down!

2008-10-14T17:38:00.006-04:00

Congrats to the Circle Team for another year of riding for at risk youth at the Rodman Ride for kids. This year, the 17th annual, was RECORD BREAKING, raising over 5.5 million dollars. Harold, Rich, Peg, Sarah and Kate Springfield teamed up with a couple of other furniture gurus to bike 25, 50 and 100 miles rides! Congrats to all who participated and for those who missed out, there is always next year.

Warming the Oven . . .

2008-09-25T14:21:00.007-04:00

I know, we have not even hit Halloween yet, how can you start talking about Thanksgiving? The answer to that is easy, its my favorite holiday and its never too early to start planning the perfect meal. Its not just about the food, but the setting is important too! Having guests at your house this year? Its time to start thinking about a dining room table fit for you, your ever growing family and mother earth.

Wood Top Care and Cleaning Information:
No matter how tough these tables are, they are made from wood, and any table made from wood can be scratched or burned or dented. When in use, we recommend using trivets, placemats, and tablecloths to protect the top from plates, hot pans, dishes, etc. Darker finishes will show scratches more readily. This is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Clean the table by using a slightly damp sponge or cloth - use a mild dish soap or detergent if desired - then dry with a soft towel or cloth. Try to wipe up spills quickly so cleaning is easy. Never use abrasive cleaners or sponges. Never let candle wax drip on the table - it will discolor the finish.

Be aware that humidity and climate will affect your wood furniture. Wood exchanges moisture with the air, expanding and contracting as humidity levels fluctuate. This movement can sometimes cause periodic gapping at the rule joints {the areas where leafs are inserted into the table top}. Such temporary gapping is a natural characteristic of solid wood and is not considered a manufacturing defect. Placing your table near heating vents, fireplaces, or wood stoves can damage your furniture because of the extreme changes in temperature and moisture.

Wood does have a tendency to darken and age over time - this will be especially noticeable on lighter finishes. Avoid direct sunlight - ultraviolet rays will change the color of the wood over time. And if your table is in a sunny area, never leave an object on your table for an extended period of time - you could very well find that the area underneath the object is a different color than the rest of the table! We also recommend periodically putting your leaves into the table allowing them to age naturally to match the color of the rest of the table.

Want to wow your inlaws with a brand new hardwood table made in New England from sustainable forests? Get those orders in today! Cut offs for in time deliver are just 10 days away!

Celebrating Sixty!

2008-09-25T13:11:00.017-04:00

So today marks a momentous occasion, Harold turns 60! Firstly, let me say a big happy birthday to one of the brothers behind this little family gig we call Circle Furniture. The Queen Bee supplied the steak tips and chicken, and Moise and Ralph manned the grill while managing the warehouse, these are men of many talents. This day in history, September 25th, also marks the writing of the Bill of Rights, groundbreaking on our very own Fenway Park, Chubby Checkers' "Twist" topped the charts (I believe Harold was old enough to partake in this one . . .) and Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as our first female supreme court justice. Harold himself has been making his own little dent in history as an active member of numerous community projects and organizations, see him next in the Rodman Ride for Kids on Oct 4th!
While on the topic of longevity, let us give a little shout of of gratitude to Heather Ryan, the manager of the Cambridge Store, who is celebrating 10 years with Circle this month! Its the many many folks who stay on this team for the long haul that truly make Circle a family!

Hey where have you been?

2008-07-28T00:24:00.006-04:00

Celebrating!! What a summer of celebration it has been! Congrats to two Tubman's kicking the big C word to the curb so that the family can get back to focusing on the important things, sailing and furniture. A big applause this weekend to Sean D, as he took his first steps to becoming a key organizer for the Ally Regatta in Boston. Despite weather threats, the race went well and the fund raising for the Ally Foundation was a great success. Team Tubman let the Queen Bee aboard Charisma and finished the race with out personal property damage or bodily harm, A.K.A success!

Other things we are proud of this summer: Cindy Hale! Another "c" survivor pedaling her way to the finish of the pan mass challenge. Congrats to her and her husband, all that energy keeps the creativity flowing for OTC.

Whats in store at Circle? TAX FREE WEEKEND, we are gearing up to sell it all with out taking any extra for you know who.

Inspiration

2008-06-06T22:48:00.004-04:00

So I moved to a new neighborhood recently and I am very lucky to have not yet taken a digger because I can not look where I am going. There is such much to see and observe walking through this thriving neighborhood. Everything is new, the murals, the people, the coffee shops and everything has a new STYLE. In the fashion world things seem to be constantly changing, but really I think they recycle the classics again and again with new twists. In decorating there are no rules and you rule your individual loves and passions. One example that hits close to home is the ocean. As Bostonians we are so lucky to have the great blue wonder at our doorstep. The big dig (I know should I even go there?!?!) has really changed the way we see our waterfront. It inspired us for this little seaside escape.

So what inspires you? Grab some photos, thoughts and scrapbooks and let our deign consultants help bring your ideas to life.

Well you talk Green, but how do I do Green?

2008-04-14T17:31:00.010-04:00

The interest in Green Design has peeked from the current buzz at this year's furniture market and past events like Down2Earth, so why not come in for an informal chat about these new trends? I can blog all day long about how great they are but maybe you would like a panel of experts accompanied by a fine wine? "Green With Envy" will be taking place at our Alewife store next week, Thursday April 24th from 6-9. Circle has partnered up with a few great local organizations to host a free event which will include expert speakers, wine, light far, gift bags and a raffle with great prizes! Gail Ravgiala from Design New England will speak to the latest trends and Interior Designer Martha Wells will talk about new lines of eco-friendly furniture. All proceeds from the raffle go to Hope in Bloom, and founder Roberta Dehman Hershon will be there to talk about the organization. I spoke with Martha Wells to get the scoop, "This event will be a great opportunity for folks to change their perspective on what they think “green furniture” is. We have come a long way from burlap bags and twigs! Bright colors and designer styles will be highlighted, and of course, Circle Furniture has always been environmentally conscious. Come and check out how fun “green” can be!"

The Dude Abides

2008-04-08T13:18:00.013-04:00

Rugs, they really tie the room together.

Whether your style is bold and colorful and you need to lay the thread work down to link a red sofa to your yellow walls; or your style is more clean and classic and you want to spice up the neutral tones, rugs are a great way to bring some color into a room.

Here are a couple of guidelines:

Firstly, what is your color inspiration? Check out tips from HGTV's color guru David Bromstad or bring in some pictures or swatches of the colors on pieces you want to keep in the room.

Second, talk to a circle designer about what the best options are for you. Do you want the eco friendly FLOR tiles that you can mix and match to create any size carpet? Or perhaps one of the many ready to go colorful patterns ready to take home in the store.

Third, see how it feels. As you start embracing the warmth and added sass of color you can expand, maybe add a few pillows or a cute accent chair.

Fourth, rent the Big Lebowski from your local video store if you missed earlier quote references.

Stay tuned for info on Circle's "Green With Envy" event coming up on April 24th!

***********UPDATE: I keep talking about how great this FLOR stuff is and showing you to their website, however (shame on me) I forgot to mention the SWEET DEALS on shipping you get by ordering through Circle! You can also come in to check it out and touch and play with our exclusive in store display.*******************************

Hip to Be Square is so 1986

2008-04-03T16:57:00.005-04:00

This is 2008! Get with the times, get with Circle! Down2Earth was a smashing success. Tons of people passing through, many of which had furniture from Circle in their homes. BUT not everyone knew about our dedication to staying SUSTAINABLE: business wise we keep it in the family, and GREEN: furniture wise we keep it in New England, check out the article from NHFA on the last post for details. One of the biggest hits at the event was our, customized exclusively for Circle, FLOR display. What is FLOR you ask? FLOR makes do it yourself rug tiles made of recycled materials. FLOR tiles can be seen displayed in out store and our designers can help match your rug design to the room or vice versa. Come in now for our special, FREE shipping now through earth day. For more information on this amazing product, in case you missed the fun at Down2Earth check out the FLOR website. Stay tuned for more on rugs, they really tie the room together.

NHFA Comes Full Circle

2008-04-03T16:45:00.003-04:00

Nationa Home Furnishing Association wants the dish on the Green trends, so where do they turn? Why Circle of course! Our own Queen Bee and Sarah Cooney share their knowledge, check it out.