by webmaster on July 19, 2008

Posh Living LogoPosh Living, LLC is a charming, old fashioned design shop in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.  Owners Layla Altman and Kerry Ann Dame specialize in homes that are warm, personal, stylish and practical. 

Our philosophy of Substance & Style places an emphasis on stylish but relaxed living, keeping in mind practicality and sustainability.  We are proud to feature natural flooring, recycled products and American made furniture in our store.  Slipcovered furniture is our specialty. Our fabric department focuses on the classics - cotton solids and prints, linen and silk. 

Posh Living was started in 2001 with the name Bungalow Heaven, by the Dame family.  In spring of 2008,  we decided it was time to grow. Happily, Layla Altman decided to join us and we changed our name to Posh Living.

We hope you’ll take some time to read about our products and services shown at right. 

We’ve added some other links we’d like to share too.

Expand your knowledge of design by reading our blog articles.  The most recent are below, and there are more in our searchable archive.

To see pictures of our work, just click on the Flickr widget. 

On the lower part of the page, you will see links to our product lines.  Search for product by clicking a link and we’ll be more than happy to place an order for you.

Thanks for visiting, and we hope to see you in the shop soon!

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What’s On Sale Now

by webmaster on July 18, 2008

What’s On Sale Now….

 

In-Stock Wood Furnishings

20% off

Armoires, Chests, Tables and Benches

 

Now through July 31

 

 

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Outdoor Rooms

by Layla S. Altman on June 21, 2008

SIPPING ice tea, wiping a small bead of perspiration from the brow, and good conversations with friends. That should describe a true southern afternoon on the porch. And of course, a comfortable piece of furniture to sink into; durable, yet spunky tables and rugs, and maybe an outdoor window treatment for shade from the sun.

Our porches and decks have truly become an extension of our homes. It’s a place to entertain, relax, and spend time with family and friends. Luckily furniture companies have come out with a variety of furniture styles, colors and sizes to accommodate almost everyone’s needs.

Outdoor room with modern wicker and teak furniture.

As well, fabric mills have made it easy to maintain great looking fabrics that resist sun damage, mold and mildew growth, and are easy to clean. Just because your home may not have a grand terrace, with acres of lush green grass or a water view, does not mean you cannot create a “to die for” outdoor oasis! [click to continue...]

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Designing The Pet-Friendly Home

by Kerry Ann Dame on June 21, 2008

Website Logo“Pet-friendly” is a term often used to describe places that welcome pets with their owners. A pet-friendly home, then, is a home that considers the needs of pet owners as part of the interior design. To avoid your pet-loving home looking like a dog house, consider the many pet-friendly materials that can be incorporated easily into your home. [click to continue...]

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How To Make A House Into A Home

by Kerry Ann Dame on May 26, 2008

WE all know that a home is more than four walls; we want a comfortable, relaxed environment that is inviting to friends and expresses who we are. But to have the kind of home that offers even more, the kind of place where memories permeate the air, we must pay attention to more than just matching colors and hanging pictures. Just what sets apart such wonderful places? Some of the good design principles below, combined with personal touches and collections, make all the difference when creating a home.

A condo living room with plenty of seating, thanks to small scale furniture selections. [click to continue...]

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Three Things to Think About When Choosing Your Floors

by Layla S. Altman on April 21, 2008

FLOORING is an important component to our home environment. We live on it day in and day out. It needs to be durable, easy to maintain, attractive and affordable. Durability may be a top priority for a family with children and pets, but may not be for a couple who jet sets and is only at home on weekdays. Maintenance is usually an issue for all of us, but some individuals may desire a particular look that can’t be achieved unless a higher maintenance material is used. Last but not least, affordability! We are all drawn to images we see in fabulous design magazines, not realizing that what we are seeing can cost thousands, or even hundreds of thousands to actually buy and install. On a positive note, you can achieve a similar look for less, but you may purchase a ceramic or porcelain instead of a high priced natural stone. That is where a professional flooring sales representative or interior designer truly comes in handy. [click to continue...]

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Interior Design Trends for 2008

by Kerry Ann Dame on April 21, 2008

SPRING of 2008 marks a true change of direction for the design world; for the past few years we have heard more and more about eco-friendly products, sustainable design, and organically grown materials. Not only has this movement taken over both Hollywood and High Point, it is finally taking on significance nationwide. The result of this change is that not only will we seek more responsibly produced and healthier products for our homes, but shoppers will be looking for quality. [click to continue...]

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How to Wash a Slipcover

by webmaster on April 6, 2008

If your slipcover is 100% cotton and has been preshrunk, you can easily wash it at home.  The only way to be sure of the fabric content is to check with the manufacturer or point of purchase; all fabrics are tagged with the content when they arrive from the mill, and the store should have that information at hand.

It is very important to note that fabrics labeled preshrunk from the factory will still shrink further when washed and dried.    The best way to stabilize the fabric and be sure it has been preshrunk adequately is to wash it and dry it in the dryer on a medium to high heat setting before cutting and sewing the slipcover.  (This is also a great way to see how the fabric will hold up when washed).  If you are sure this was done ahead of time, you can feel confident about washing the cover.  All of the slipcovers we make at Posh Living are preshrunk this way, so if you have one of our slipcovers, you’re ready to go.

Most large slipcovers, like sofas, will fit nicely into two laundry loads, usually one for the cushions and one for the body of the sofa.

If you have stains, pretreat with a gentle stain remover such as SprayNWash.  For a stubborn or very messy stain, take the cover to the sink and use a gentle soap such as Ivory Liquid.  Put a few drops on the stain, add a little water, lather and rinse.  Follow with SprayNWash - spray once and leave overnight, then spray again just before washing. 

Wash light-colored slipcovers in lukewarm water; dark colors in cold water.  Use a permanent press cycle, since the gentler the fabric is treated, the longer the cover will last. 

Dry the cover for 10-15 minutes on a medium or permanent press setting.  This will release most wrinkles and take a lot of the moisture out.  Take the cover out of the dryer when the large flat areas of the fabric are nearly dry, but the seams are still very wet. 

This is a great time to iron corner pleats or the hem of the skirt for a crisp look.  Do not iron the whole cover, as wet ironing can stretch it and affect the fit.

Put the damp slipcover back on the furniture, leaving the areas that tuck in to the sides of the seat untucked and loose.  Line up the cover with the shape of the sofa, and smooth out any more wrinkles with your hands.  Put the covers back on the loose cushions and zip closed.  Stand the cushions on end next to the sofa (leaning against it for support but touching as little as possible so air can circulate.)

Your slipcover will dry completely in a few hours (depending on weather).  I like to wash mine in the evening and leave them to dry overnight while everyone’s asleep. 

Remember, all fabrics will wear and fade with repeated washing.  Cotton fabrics get softer and more worn with each washing, and darker colors can fade considerably, but that’s part of the charm of a slipcover.  Your slipcover should last several years, since most are washed just a few times a year.  If you have pets or small children and are washing frequently, it can be handy to have some extra matching fabric around to replace a cushion cover or make a repair.  Or, have an extra seat cushion so you’ll always have a clean one if there’s a spill. 

If you accidently leave the cover in the dryer too long and it shrinks a bit much, you can wash it again, put it on the furniture wet, and stretch the cotton back out again.

 

 

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How to Buy a Really Great Sofa

by Kerry Ann Dame on March 27, 2008

SHOPPING for a new sofa can be fun; you can freshen up the family room, have a more comfortable place to sit, and have a chance to show off your decorating skills. Why, then, do so many find it an exercise in frustration?

In my experience as a designer, I have learned that most shoppers lack basic information about upholstered furnishings. That really prevents them from making an accurate comparison of the different features and choices and arriving at a satisfying selection. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype in the marketplace, as manufacturers compete with promises of great quality and incredible sale prices. Who do you trust?

As with any major purchase (and yes, a sofa should be viewed as a major purchase), knowledge is power. Just as when buying a car, the savvy shopper learns about all of the features of the product, decides what features are important, weighs the various similarities and differences, and hopefully ends up with something that fits their taste, practical needs and budget. Let’s take a look at some of the things it is important to consider before bringing home your new sofa or chair. [click to continue...]

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Home Design Grows Green

by Kerry Ann Dame on March 20, 2008

THE MOVEMENT to a greener lifestyle has become a significant factor influencing the choices we are making in our lives every day. By now we’ve all probably bought some CFL bulbs to save electricity, taken steps to make our homes more insulated and energy efficient, and tried to cut down on our driving. These steps are a good start, but in actual fact we are on the threshhold of a true lifestyle revolution. Since most of the energy consumed in our modern lives is used to heat, cool, and illuminate our homes, the biggest impact on energy use will happen by making all of our buildings more energy efficient and our purchases less polluting. From new construction methods to chemical free paints and recycled carpet, environmentally friendly products that we’ve only seen in public buildings and schools are quickly becoming commonplace in private homes. People are actively seeking out products that have the least impact on the earth — reclaimed woods and organic crops, for example. Here are some of the amazing changes that may appear in your home soon. [click to continue...]

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