When you think about a company that has been around since the turn of the last century, contemporary styling might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet Stickley Furniture has thrived for 120 years by making fine furniture right here in the United States that’s built to exacting standards in timeless styles that effortless adapt to modern lifestyles.

When Gustav Stickley founded the company in 1900, he adopted a Flemish craftsman’s phrase Als Ik Kan – to the best of my ability – as its guiding motto.  The company pioneered Mission Oak designs that showcased what the Stickley brothers called Honest Furniture. To them, that meant solid construction that would stand the test of time using the highest quality woods and clear finishes that showcased their natural beauty.

Today, those same features are what make Stickley pieces ideal for our West Coast lifestyle. The Walnut Grove collection, for example, seamlessly blends flowing lines rooted in contemporary design with the richness of black walnut for a gorgeous contrast. As they describe it: “We’ve crafted each piece from solid black walnut and hand-applied a transparent finish that reveals the grain in all its beauty and complexity. Contours are carefully sculpted, and structural elements are set apart to incorporate air and create a floating lightness.”

Nothing in this collection feels heavy or overdone, making everything from sofas to chairs ideal options for casually understated West Coast homes and lifestyles.

For those who want a more traditional Arts & Crafts look with a softer, more organic touch, Park Slope is an ideal choice. With its curving lines and open framework, each piece feels light and airy while maintaining a solid presence – just look at the openwork and sensuous contours on this Park Slope bed.

Our designers adore how the company is always putting a creative twist on pieces that are destined to become tomorrow’s heirlooms. Stickley’s 2020 collector piece, for example, is a Coppertop Side Table that puts a unique spin on a classic design. Yes, it features a solid quarter sawn white oak base with the company’s iconic square cutouts. But it’s finished with a 22” round copper top handcrafted by artisans who use a torch to bring out the natural color variations in the metal.

Want to see these amazing pieces and many others for yourself? We are now offering Stickley at our South Bay store! Stop by and see which piece will become your next family heirloom.

February is the month when our thoughts naturally turn to romance, but we believe that your home should be glamorous all year long. Fortunately, our designers can help you add instant glam to your home in time for Valentine’s Day and help you keep that spark every day of the year. If you haven’t looked at “glam” lately, you might be in for a surprise. The style has evolved and become even more refined – think old fashioned Hollywood glamour without some of the over-the-top sparkle that defined the look in recent years. Here are a few of our favorite ways to spark some passion:

Whether it’s a curving chaise or a delightfully playful barrel swivel chair, there’s something sexy about the lack of a square, sharp edge in favor of more feminine lines. Finish the piece in a posh velvet and add a metallic base to complete the look.

Dining chairs in romantic florals are the perfect place to perch while you are getting to know each other – whether it’s an intimate chat for two or a large gathering. Add an oversized ottoman as the ideal spot to put your feet up or place a metallic tray to serve your beverage of choice.

A mirrored finish combined with the right metal is key to reflecting this classic style. Choose an end table or a drawer chest with mirrored glass door fronts, and add the shine of stainless steel or polished nickel – the Calista chest artfully combines both. If mirrors don’t fit your more traditional look, opt for a silver or gold leaf finish to get a similar look.

While we might think of red on Valentine’s Day, the romance of white and the addition of soft colors provide a timeless and flattering look all year long. Consider a washed finish to bring more muted tones into your space. Complement your furnishings with a soft watercolor to complete the look.

What better way to finish your space than with the perfect mirror? Choose a modern take on a classic shape to give your room a refined look, and top it off with a metallic finish like polished nickel to add an extra touch of sparkle.

Augment your space with playful pillows, romantic candles and soft lighting to keep your love affair with your rooms lasting long after your Valentine’s Day flowers have faded.

We all make resolutions as we turn the calendar page, but let’s face it – how long does it take before we break them? This year, we want to encourage everyone to find solutions for the things that bother them rather than making a fleeting resolution that will fade long before you can cancel that gym membership. When it comes to our homes, the solution is often getting a new look without sacrificing the pieces that matter.

But how exactly do you do that?

The first step is to determine what you really like. Ask yourself, if you had a completely blank canvas, what would you fill your home with? Would you choose Coastal Chic pieces that remind you of a day at the beach? Opt for a streamlined, modern take on traditional classics? Or would you go for straight up old school Hollywood Glamour? Don’t know exactly what you like? Talk to one of our designers and they’ll help you discover your personal style.

Then, determine how you want to live in your space and what’s missing from your existing room. Does your current living room, for example, lack ample seating when friends are over to watch the game? If so, consider multiple seating areas or sectionals for large spaces or furnishings like graciously sized ottomans that double as extra seating for small areas.

Next, take an inventory of what you already have. Be ruthless in assessing pieces based on three criteria: Does it fit your new style? Does it have sentimental value? Is it in good shape or is it past its prime? If it has too many dents and dings and no sentimental value, it’s time to donate it. Pieces with sentimental value can and should be salvaged. If their style doesn’t seem to fit, one of our designers can help you find a proper place for them or help you re-imagine them to fit into your new space. (Think of enlivening a favorite chair with new fabric that blends with new pieces you’ll select.) Of course, if the furniture fits your new style and your space, keep it. If not, don’t be afraid to eliminate it and start fresh.

Then, take an inventory of what you have left to work with. In some cases, you might have an entire room of furnishings that just need refreshed with some vibrant new accessories – like a rug to ground your new design, pillows to add texture, artwork to make a statement and accessories to create a story. Other times, you might need to fill in major pieces to add function and style. Our designers love to mix old and new to create a look that’s all your own.

The result will be a solution that reflects your style and lasts far beyond the typical gym membership!

We’ve all done it before at least once, and probably been a bit embarrassed by it. Surely, you’ve visited a friend’s house and literally sunk into their sofa, necessitating several borderline athletic moves to get up without looking too awkward. Or perhaps you’ve wanted to relax into what you thought was a comfortable couch, only to discover that its plush-looking cushions were as hard as a rock. The truth is that there’s both an art and science to selecting the perfect sofa. Here’s some advice from the design experts at West Coast Living.

Frame your options. One of the most critical parts of a sofa is something you’ll never see – its frame. The more solid the frame, the more durable your furniture will be. That’s why we carry lines that are made from solid, hardwood frames crafted of oak, beech or ash. Stay away from plastic, metal or particleboard frames that won’t endure and often result in you feeling as if you are sitting on the floor.

Construction matters. Believe it or not, some sofas are held together with glue, staples, nails and other joinery options that are less than permanent, to say the least. As with any furniture you want to last, look for wooden dowels and corner blocks, metal screws and brackets, like those used on our West Coast Living Leather collection. Also, double check the arms to make sure they are secure and not tacked on as an afterthought, particularly if you have children in the house who are likely to sit or lean on them.

Consider the cushions. Next, think about the upholstery. Seat cushions should fit snugly against the frame. They should be soft, yet resilient, and you should never feel the frame through them – even in minimalist designs like the West Coast Living sofa pictured here  – because if you can when the piece is new, imagine what it will be like in a few years! Cushions should be underpinned by quality springs, eight-way, hand-tied are best.

Fabric first. No matter how good it looks, the real test of a quality piece of furniture is whether it will stand the test of time, and the fabric that finishes the piece has much to do with that. Seriously consider performance fabrics that can take daily abuse and spills. These fabrics have come a long way and are now available in endless beautiful patterns that are soft to the touch – and tough enough to withstand the rigors of daily life. Lines like Thomas West allow you customize not just the fabric, but every detail of your sofa to make it work for you.

Size matters. Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to make certain that the piece you select is the right scale, shape and size for your room and your family. The designers at West Coast Living can guide you toward properly fitting choices, like this gorgeous sectional from Studio West, but your family should be the final determinant of fit. Have family members sit on the sofa or loveseat to make certain the scale is comfortable for them.

When you take all of these factors into consideration, you’re certain to have the best seat in the house.

Don’t you love those gorgeous interiors you see in magazines that are completely decked out from floor to ceiling with holiday décor? Don’t cry or pout if you can’t change out everything from sofas to settees to match your holiday theme; you can achieve the same effect with some accessories that are merry enough to put Mrs. Claus on the naughty list for envy. Here are a few of our designers’ favorite tricks.

Start with dramatic lighting. Any holiday party requires the right lighting to set the mood. Start with a show-stopping chandelier like this one from John-Richard and then add candles and glistening lights to turn your backdrop into a winter wonderland. (The best part? A chandelier like this looks magical during the holidays but effortlessly transitions to any season.)

Floor your guests. Nothing sets the foundation for entertaining like a show-stopping rug. As the holidays approach, think warm whites, deep textures and touches of natural color like this Restoration rug from Surya. Of course, you could opt for shades of blue, red, or green to add pops of color, but if you want the space to have longevity after the decorations come down, think neutrals.

Pile on the Style. One place where you can go as Griswold as you want is with pillows. That’s because unlike some of the other more permanent pieces (like lighting fixtures) pillows are easy to change out with the seasons. Opt for rich, bright or classic hues to complement your holiday theme – then add texture, pattern or holiday sentiments that showcase your spirit.

Express yourself. Artwork is an accessory that truly allows you to showcase your personal style. During the holidays, don’t be afraid to switch out some of your more familiar pieces with dramatic pieces that are departure from your normal style. If you have a more traditional or transitional style, consider a wintery scene. More minimalistic? Consider adding sparkle with a metal finish.

No matter what your style, accessories can help you get your home ready for its very own holiday family photo shoots.