Hold the phone, that’s fabric?

It’s smooth like a leather, cool like a leather, but it’s actually…fabric?

VIOLINO FABRIC

 

 

Here at Red Knot we have a selection of furniture pieces that feature a relatively new, high performance fabric called Ariapell.  It has quickly become popular among customers who want something that is a nice in between a traditional fabric and leather – you get the look and feel of leather but the affordability and maintenance of a fabric.

A blend of polyester and polyurethane, Ariapell is smooth to the touch and feels just like leather. In fact, some people don’t believe us when we tell them it’s actually just fabric! Besides the affordable cost of Ariapell compared to leather, one of it’s best features is it’s a breathable fabric!  This is one of the biggest concerns people have with living in a hot and humid place like Hawaii.

Maintenance with this fabric is a breeze! It’s easy to clean and wipe things off because of it’s finish which makes it easier to take care off on a day-to-day basis. You also don’t need to worry about conditioning it every few months like you would with any leather pieces, so that’s definitely a nice plus.

Ariapell comes from one of our fan favorite vendors, Violino. While we only currently have three different frames in our showrooms that are stocked in the Ariapell fabric, with our special order program you can order this fabric in a multitude of different colors on any of our many Violino frames.

Stop by your nearest Red Knot location and check out some of our pieces with this amazing fabric!

 

 

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T’was the night before Christmas…

…..and all through Red Knot,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the office with care
In hopes that Kanakaloka (Hawaiian Santa) will soon be there…

*****

May your Christmas sparkle
with love and laughter,
and we hope you experience 
all of the sweet magic,
with your family and loved ones
this Holiday Season!

 – From your friends here at Red Knot

RedKnotChristmas2015
Team Red Knot (L-R): Shawn Esteves, Jake Javier, Rogi Ramil, Honey Millon, Alex Takeda, Stephanie Vierra, Micah Eugenio, Tobias Vidaurri, Anson Barron

 

To Sectional or Not to Sectional

– that is the question.

For most furniture shoppers, this is one of the most common questions one ponders before finalizing their living room seating of choice.   Different factors come into play when making this decision such as looks, size, room layout, comfort, lifestyle and personal preference.

Let’s take a crash course on sectionals – defining common terminologies and identifying their pros and cons.  When we’re done you’ll be well on your way into making the right decision to sectional or not to sectional.

SECTIONAL 101

RandallSectional

sectional
[sek-shuh-nl]
n. a sofa composed of several independent sections that can be arranged individually or in various combinations.
(www.dictionary.com)

Sectionals come in a variety of shapes- L-shape, U-shape, or semi-circular.

SectiionalsModular

In regards to design, there are two types – stationary and modular.  Stationary sectionals are the most common. They are a set shape, and are locked in place by hooks or latches. The pieces cannot be separated besides for moving purposes.  Modular sectionals have pieces with finished edges, offering endless configurations and each section can be setup as a standalone piece.  They are basically big comfy lego blocks.

BASIC LINGO
Chaise – An extra long seat offering full leg room (great for lounging)
Corner Chair – A sectional piece that looks like a wedge intended in to be placed in a corner
Armless Chair – A single seat sectional piece with no arms
Ottoman – A footstool without arms or back. Primarily used as a footstool but in modular sectionals can be used as a seat or table.
RAF – (Right Arm Facing) When facing the piece or section, your arm is on the right. i,e. RAF chaise means the chaise is on the right when you are looking at it.
LAF – (Left Arm Facing), opposite of RAF 😉

AugustusSectional
Photo by Rogi Ramil, Red Knot Aiea

PROS
*Multiple seating looks cozy and inviting.
*Creates a nice setup to watch television without craning your neck (having a sofa and loveseat will do that to ya!)
*Offers lots of room not only for the whole family but also for guests and entertaining.
*The chaise is a great place for lounging, cuddling, sleeping and videogam-ing. 🙂

CONS
*Some sectionals (stationary) only have one configuration, which limits future rearranging plans.
*They can take up a lot of room visually and physically.
*The stationary sectionals also limit furniture add-ons.
*The wedge and corner seats can be awkward.

SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
*Does my space allow for the size and flexibility of a sectional?
*Where is it going and what will it be used for? (Family room? Parties?)
*How many people do you need to accommodate?
*Am I planning on moving homes in the near future?

So now the last question is … sectionals – yay! or nay?

8 Things We Are Thankful For

Oh my how has the year flown by!

It’s already Thanksgiving, one of our favorite holidays of the year!  Not just because of the food, festivities and the biggest shopping day Black Friday, but mainly because it is a time to reflect and be thankful.  It is a day we spend with friends and family and eat (and drink) way more than we can handle.

Thanksgiving is a day when we stop and take a moment to realize how truly blessed we are.

At Red Knot, we continue to be thankful.  For every thing Red Knot.  From our families within the different departments, our sisters stores and parent company C. S. Wo & Sons, Ltd., to our vendors and manufacturers, and of course to our loyal customers.  Thank you.

Thank you for allowing us to continue to not only make a difference, but also to enhance your lives through our passion of providing the very best home furnishing service.   

Of course we can’t do this without some of our magnificent lineup.  To continue our yearly “tradition” of sharing our current Red Knot favorites for this year, here are some things we are thankful for.

Thankful

HESTER COFFEE TABLE SET
“Our new Hester Coffee Table Set has become one of my absolute favorites since the day it arrived on the floor! This piece starts off as a coffee table with four storage ottomans and transforms into a dining table with just the press of a button. With its maximum functionality and comfortable style, this piece is perfect for those that need the ultimate space saver.” – Stephanie, Red Knot Honolulu

JACKSON SOFA
“I love it because of its very sleek and simply luxury modern style! Be sure to balance the lighting of your setup to have a better contrast. Since the Jackson sofa is black I would add white and grey with a little hint of teal.” – Rogi, Red Knot Aiea

AUGUSTUS SECTIONAL
“This sectional is very versatile, trendy and you can pick the color that you want. Three pieces would be perfect but you can add more if you want to make statement. It’s totally up to you the only limit is your imagination.”– Jake, Red Knot Aiea

TOMPKINS CHAISE STORAGE BED
“The not-so-shabby but chic chaise lounge, sofabed and storage all in one! I’m so thankful that we have the Tompkins here at Red Knot- I love that it has the neutral look and curves of a chaise, but the functionality of a bed and storage space. It also comes with all of these pillows! Great for small spaces that can’t accomodate a full size sofa. Proving again, that big things come in small packages :)” – Honey, Red Knot Team Leader

RANDALL SOFA CHAISE
“The Randall sofa chaise is my favorite piece at Red Knot. This is because of the quality of its construction (solid wood frame, 2.5 density foam cushion with Pirelli webbing), price (a steal at $1599), and contemporary style.” – Tobias, Red Knot Honolulu

CARMAN SOFA
“I’m thankful for the Carman sofa because for one, I love the color yellow and because it stands out from the rest of our sofas here in RK. Most importantly it makes me feel happy whenever I look at it and sit on it!” – Micah Ellah, Red Knot Honolulu

MAGUIRE COLLECTION
“My current favorite item is the McGuire living room set . It takes you back to a retro time period but still has a modern look . The clean lines makes this pieces versatile when designing a home or staging. I have had a lot of great comments from clients.” – Shawn, Red Knot Aiea

“I definitely don’t mind this piece photo bombing my selfie! The Maguire accent chair has great styling for a large high-backed chair and fits into many color schemes with its grey fabric. I especially like the extra space to get comfortable with a book, or get cozy when sharing the seat with someone, or maybe even both. Definitely a favorite of mine from the many new pieces here at Red Knot!” – Alex, Red Knot Aiea

YORK SWIVEL CHAIR
“I love the modern style and comfort of the York. It reminds me of a mini Papa San chair. Being that I grew up with a Papa San chair in my house, it brings that home feeling with a hint of modern style. C’mon who doesn’t love a swivel chair?!” – Anson, Red Knot Honolulu

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall…

…Who is the most stylish of them all?

Well, I don’t mean to brag, but Red Knot is definitely full of modern style that people of all ages can appreciate. In my opinion, one of the best ways to incorporate style and glam into any home is through the use of mirrors. They not only open up a room and give the illusion of more space, but it also has a glam factor no one can deny. Trust me, there are a lot of ways you can add mirrors into the mix.

There’s the classic floor length mirror which you can lean up against a wall to keep it more casual, or have it flush against a wall to create a clean look. An interesting placement would be to use a floor length mirror in a dining room setting. Not only can it elongate a small dining room, especially when placed at the end of the table, but it can also bring an interesting design element that most people won’t expect.

FLOORMIRROR

Though it goes against the rules of Feng Shui, mirrors are a popular design element in the bedroom. Depending on the type of mirror you have, it can be used to give the illusion of more space and be functional when getting ready in the morning! Fill up that empty space above your headboard with a mirror! It can be as simple or as elegant as you want it. Sunburst mirrors are a great option for this space, as well as above any simple piece of furniture you wish to spruce up. Mirrors also work great behind lamps on your bedside table to bring even more light into the room.

MIRROR(1)

MIRROR(3)

Don’t want a big mirror? Take a bunch of smaller mirrors and place them together on a wall for a gallery style look. Functionality and art make for a creative and interesting space.

For those who want to go even further, mirrored furniture accessories are an absolute must for me in any living space. Whether it’s a vanity, console table, or even night stand, you can open up any space with these mirrored pieces.

MIRRORFURNITURE

 

Here are some of the pieces we have here at Red Knot!

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  1. Red Embellished Mirror | $379
  2. Aluminum Wall Mirror | $239
  3. Mirror Glass Tray | $49-$59
  4. Circle Mirror Wall Art | $499
  5. Colorful Framed Mirror | $199
  6. Atom Floor Mirror | $299
  7. Mirren Mirror | $329
  8. Octagon Mirror | $149
  9. Moroccan Reflection White Mirror | $369
  10. Metal Mirror | $349
  11. Mirrored Wood Box | $59
  12. Rectangle Wall Mirror | $799
  13. Venetian Mirror | $369

Furniture Shopping 101

Since Red Knot first started, we have always believed that this store had a little something for everyone; we’re more than just a store for “young” people. We are a store full of fun, modern, and transitional pieces perfect for people of any age. We can’t ignore a huge part of our demographic though. Red Knot is the perfect place for those who are buying their first pieces of furniture because of our affordable style.

Shopping for furniture for the first time can be very daunting. It’s one of the first steps to becoming an independent adult and can sometimes be a challenge when you don’t know what to expect. Thankfully, here at Red Knot, we have a great team of professionals to help make your first time just a little bit easier. I asked my team members to help me out on what they think are important tips for shoppers to remember when buying their first pieces of furniture.

Jake Javier

  • Get as many measurements as possible. Knowing just how much space you have is vital to your shopping experience. Not only get measurements of your room but also the pieces of furniture you might already own so you know right away what will work and what won’t. You don’t want to fall in love with something, plan your whole room around it, and then find out the piece isn’t going to fit.
  • Pick a theme, color, and a style that you want with in your space. Showrooms can be overwhelming with the many options they offer, so narrowing down what you’re looking for can help make shopping go a little quicker.

Tobias Vidaurri

  • Do your research. Be knowledgeable about the basics of furniture (i.e. types of wood, fabrics, quality) so that you know what to look out for when you’re shopping.
  • Ask a team member for help. Now that you know the basics, you can ask your team member to help teach you about the pieces they have in their showroom. Not at all furniture is created equal and your team member should be able to help you find what works best for you.

Alex Takeda

  • Consider setting up an appointment. Here at Red Knot, you can either call or go online and schedule an appointment with a team member of your choice. This is a great way to communicate early on and save time by going over your needs and wants before you even come in to the store.
  • Figure out your budget and consider any financing opportunities. Furniture is a big investment so it’s important to know what your budget is and whether or not you can be flexible with it. There are often financing opportunities you can take advantage of if necessary.

Anson Barros

  • Watching out for your needs vs wants. We get it – shopping is so much fun and everyone can get a little ahead of themselves. It’s important to understand the difference between what you want and what you need. For each item you’re considering, look at the pros and cons it offers so you can find a way to fulfill both.
  • Take a look in person, especially when testing out sofas, chairs, etc. It’s one thing to look at an item online and it’s another to actually test it out in person. Testing out different sofas can help you determine what your personal comfort level is and how to find the right piece for you.

Stephanie Vierra

  • Never impulse buy furniture. I always tell my customers that it’s so important to make sure you really want a certain piece before making the commitment to buy it. Again, buying furniture is a huge investment so make sure what you’re getting is something you can live with for all the years to come.
  • Give yourself time to shop, especially if you’re looking at a specific deadline of when you’ll need furniture. Sometimes pieces are out of stock and you’ll need to wait for it to come in. Sometimes you’ll end up wanting to special order something. It’s also great to be able to look at more than one store to make sure you know all of your options. Give yourself time to have options or you’ll end up having to settle for something you don’t absolutely love.

Rogierick Ramil

  • Mix and match what you already have to compliment what you’re going to get. Some of us are fortunate enough to be passed down pieces from family members and friends. Who can pass up free furniture? Pick out pieces that compliment what you already have in your home to save money on having to buy new pieces.
  • Check the stock availability with your team member. Popular pieces tend to sell out quickly and the reality of living in Hawaii means that shipments can take awhile to get here. If you need something by a specific date, be sure to discuss that with your team member so they’re able to assist you better.

Micah Eugenio

  • Shop big pieces first like your sofa, bed frame, kitchen table, etc. and then finish with smaller items like occasional tables, wall art, and accessories. Once you have the bigger items selected, you’ll be able to find out how much space you have left to accessorize.
  • In furniture shopping, you need to be optimistic and have a plan B. Whatever the case might be for not having your first choice, keep an open mind on other options that work for you.

Honey Millon

  • Design your space to tell a story; let your space show a history about you, what you value, and what inspires you. Regardless of what it is, anything that you purchase should always have meaning to you. Find pieces that show who you are and can help turn your house or apartment in to a home.
  • Invest in an interesting piece of art. They make great conversation starters, brain teasers, and aha! moments. Think the Mona Lisa smile and the effect it has on the viewer to this very day. Even just one piece of art can be the finishing touch you need to make your place truly feel like home.

Through Rose (Gold)-Colored Glasses

Silver can be so cold, gold can be too lavish, but rose gold….it has a certain charm to it. I’ve noticed in recent years that rose gold and copper metal has all but taken over a lot of the home decor world, particularly when it comes to millennials. Watch any home decor haul on Youtube and I promise you’ll see at least one piece of rose gold or copper in almost every single video. But what makes these two warm metals so special? Well, let’s talk about the difference between the two.

Both are a variation of the well beloved gold shade. While copper has a very orange based undertone, rose gold is a mixture between copper and gold with a more pink undertone. Copper is seen more often in home decor but a touch of rosy metallic shine is not unheard of either.

What I love about this rose gold and copper trend is it’s warmth. Gold can often times be too loud or bright, where as rose gold and copper brings a warmer yet luxurious feel. From light fixtures to accessories, take a look at some of the great ways you can welcome this new metal into your home!

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  1. Pendant Light | $294.99-$614.99
  2. Wall Stag Head | $29.99
  3. Metallic Pendant Light (With Edison Bulb) | $115.99-$199.99
  4. Mule Shot Glass (Set of 4) | $29.95
  5. Photo Frame | $34.95
  6. Shopper Bag | $14.99
  7. Copper Chair | $299.99
  8. Sequined Cushion Cover | $17.99
  9. Metal Basket | $17.99
  10. 4 Piece Canister Set | $113.99
  11. Task Lamp With White Marble Base | $54.99

Doze off in style

We spend about a third of our life sleeping – that’s an average of 8 hours a day or 229,961 hours in a lifetime! Unless you work from home, your bed is a piece of furniture that gets used the most. At Red Knot, we offer a few different options when it come to styling up your bedroom.

Let’s start with the Nevis.  It’s one of our most popular bedroom collections made in Indonesia with solid tropical mahogany and eastern ashwood veneer. All of the drawers feature full extension, ball-bearing glides for easy access to all of your belongings. The floating platform bed frame works great in the middle of a room or under a window. One of the amazing features of the Nevis bed – the convenient storage on either side of the bed. It’s an added benefit for those with smaller spaces.

* Red Knot tip:  For those who love this bed frame but want a headboard: try a headboard wall decal! They’re cost efficient, easy to apply/remove, and come in many different styles.


Next up is the Element collection. Also made in Indonesia, this collection is made of solid tropical mahogany and mahogany veneer. It also features ball-bearing glides and similar clean lines. What sets the Element apart is it’s clean design without any hardware or handles on it’s drawers. This hardware-less design provides a clean palette for your modern bedroom decor and it helps to keep you from getting caught on anything!

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* Red Knot tip:  This particular set is great for the minimalist at heart, but to spice things up a bit you could decorate the headboard by draping some sheer cloth on either side or hang lights along the top for a little bit of sparkle!.


If the Nevis and the Element had a baby, it would probably look like our Icon collection. The Icon is an imported collection crafted with melamine over MDF in a rich coffee finish. With aluminum and chrome accents both on the bed frame and the drawer hardware, it’s low profile creates the illusion of a larger space.

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* Red Knot tip:  For those with small spaces, give the illusion of a bigger room by hanging your curtains higher than just your window height. By bringing your curtains closer to the ceiling, it adds the illusion of height within a small space.


If you like the Icon, but just want a fresh light color? Look no further! Coming soon to our stores is something we all have been waiting for: a white bedroom set! Please give a big warm welcome to our new Bellmar bedroom collection. Sister to the Icon, the Bellmar boasts the same stylish features but without the glass paneled drawer accents.

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*Red Knot tip: White bedroom furniture can give a modern, clean look to any room. However, be mindful of using too much white as it can make your cozy room feel a little cold and one dimensional. An easy way to break up all of that white is to layer on colorful accessories.


Wanting a mid-century modern vibe? The Palisades collection is a modern take on this popular trend. Similar to the Element, it has a clean facade without any hardware for drawer pulls. The legs taper out to give each piece a mid-century modern look. However, it’s best feature is the white upholstered headboard which gives it a soft, luxurious feel.

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* Red Knot tip: Put away all of those pillows and let your headboard shine through! Historically, headboards were used to isolate us from the cold, they’re now used as a focal point of a bedroom while adding a decorative element.


Last, but certainly not least (and definitely my favorite!) is our Cornith bedroom collection.  It’s constructed from Javanese hardwood with English dovetail joints. The Cornith is the only all solid wood bedroom collection at Red Knot and it’s affordable price tag makes it an absolute steal. With it’s gorgeous design and solid wood craftsmanship, what’s not to love? My fellow Red Knot team members would describe the Cornith as rustic, yet still refined and I would have to agree.

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* Red Knot tip:  One feature to note about the Cornith dresser is that it has 9 equal sized drawers. This is actually a more modern concept that is hard to find in a lot of traditional pieces. Have fun styling this collection by playing up accents with metal or chrome. The contrast between the natural wood and metal or chrome creates an interesting juxtaposition that will keep the room from feeling too rustic.

Let Your Style Shine Through: Custom order program

Furniture shopping tends to happen as often as once every few years, so it’s important to enjoy the whole process.  Buying furniture should not be hard, nor should it be stressful. It should be fun. Yes, technical factors such as design, size, quality and price should be taken into consideration, but also remember the most important factor of all is personality.  

Find and buy furniture that reflects you.     

Your home interior, just like your fashion choices, is a reflection of your personality.

At Red Knot, we take the term “personality” and give it meaning through our Custom Order Program.  We have never been your average cookie cutter furniture store and we are so proud to share that custom options are available for many of our upholstered pieces including sofa, loveseat and chairs.

Our frames from VIOLINO can be customized through different color selections and custom order options.

Hamlin, our only (and best selling) power reclining sofa and loveseat, can now be ordered in various colors.  So, for those who abide by the “no-white” rule for all kinds of reasons, fear no more, as we have black, brown, gray, and even burgundy available for our “lazy boys” (and gals) who wants to relax in their perfect reclining sofa after a long day.

The very modern and sleek Jackson sofa a.k.a the bachelor favorite, can now be ordered in a sectional.  You read it right, ladies.  Not just a sofa, but a sofa-chaise sectional.  That means more seating and leg room, which is a wonderful compromise between you and your-boyfriend-who-loves-it-because-it’s-perfect-for-his-mancave.  It’s a win-win situation!  Imagine, movie nights at his place with more room for cuddling!  Also, another thing to note – through our custom program, he can consider another color other than black that is not so…masculine. 🙂

Speaking of colors, Violino offers fabrications in different colors as well as textures.  Ariapelle and Dinera are both high-performance fabrics, the first having a more sheen, and the latter, a more matte finish. What they both have in common is they feel and look leather-like, but they are made of 100% high-quality and breathable polyester.  When it comes to color and texture, whichever fits your personality best, you decide.

ViolinoSwatches

(Photo by Red Knot Team Member Stephanie Vierra)

Not only do our Violino frames make fantastic options just by themselves, we had to kick it up a notch by providing another custom order program. In addition to custom colors and sectional preferences, the Whitney sofa is now available in a sleeper.  It’s an actual pull-out bed.  And to be even more precise, a Queen size memory-foam sleeper.  Great to have for those expected (and unexpected) guests.  Although we have to warn you, the memory foam mattress just might make them want to stay a little bit lo-onger than you planned.  You’re welcome.

Our BOLIYA frames, Barkly, Gilford, and Bannon offer (almost) endless possibilities of colors and fabrics.  With over 90 different fabrics to choose from, Boliya provides virtually the most custom options at Red Knot.  Fabrications include micro-fiber, twill and velvet to name a few.  Ranges of hues vary from grays to browns, denim, blues and reds.  You decide what color your sofa will be AND you can also choose the colors of the accompanying pillows on your frame.  So many options!

Swatches

(Photo by Taryn Kabei)

Think about who you are, what you love and what inspires you.  Incorporating these elements makes your home more comfortable for you and your guests.

Quoting one of my current favorite designers, “If you are comfortable in your home, everyone else will be too. That sense of authenticity is what gives a home its soul.”—Interior Designer Courtnay Daniels Haden

Let your style shine through your home with our custom order program.