Sat, 26 May 2012 00:43:52 -0800WeeblyTue, 03 Jan 2012 15:43:04 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2012/01/excited-to-be-featured-in-the-vail-business-journal.htmlOver the last year, we've worked hard to break into the Vail/Edwards market and we are happy to report that we've made some great connections in that area. 

One of those wonderful interior designers dropped Ryan's name to a writer for the Vail Business Journal.

Yesterday, a great article by writer, Kim Marquis, was published in the VBJ about our company.  We appreciate the thorough interview by Marquis and the resulting article. 

Read the article entitled "Turning beetle-kill into fine furniture" here: http://www.vailbusinessjournal.com/article/id/166/sid/4
]]>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:14:22 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/03/quick-ship-inventory-available-low-low-prices.htmlQuickShip Inventory Items

You won't find these products ever priced lower!

Here's what's currently available to be sold & shipped today:

2 SOLARIS side table (AL105 and one unfinished)
1 TERRA tv lift chest (AL109)
1 TE buffet (CH203)
1 PRIME server (similar to AL107)
1 DIMORA server (AL107)
1 SPRING side table (AL107)
2 MONOLITH nightstands (1 @ AL109 and 1 unfinished)
1 MONOLITH bed (Queen) (AL109)
1 FLOWER folding screen (similar to CH205)
1 MERCHANT bench (AL106)
1 HORIZON bench (AL109)
1 ELL entertainment cabinet (AL104)
1 COLORADO mirror (BK04)
1 MARINER (similar to AL107)
1 PALADIN (AL106)

*The A refers to finish color. See catalog section for finishes.

Call (970) 213-2353 for pricing TODAY! ]]>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:47:45 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/03/exotic-wood-and-the-rain-forests.htmlI knew this writing thing was difficult. Too long between posts! :(

I recently heard that interior design students at university are being taught to avoid exotic woods when it comes to specifying their projects whether it is furniture or flooring. Not really surprising, but certainly doing a disservice to the student and future interior designer by reducing current and future design options unnecessarily while educating on a generally false premise.

I have long suspected that our use of exotic wood in the U.S. would hardly have an impact the health of the rain forests as some believe. Rarely does any exotic wood furniture get made by large production manufacturers, usually it is used by small shops or amateur woodworkers. I myself, use it infrequently. Most of my needs are met by the domestic lumbers. Though occasionally I will use an exotic veneer or a small inlay to get a desired effect.

Much of the deforestation of the rain forests can be attributed to other reasons such as overpopulation, farming, and industrial development. One study states...

(1) world trade in tropical forest products represent roughly 4 percent of tropical deforestation;

(2) the United States consumed less than 4 percent of all tropical timber traded globally; and

(3) the furniture industry consumes less than 30 percent of the volume of U .S. tropical timber imports.

...The U.S. furniture industry's consumption of tropical timber product accounts for less than 5 hundredths of one percent of tropical forest harvest. (from www.thefreelibrary.com.)

These numbers say a lot about the impact of furniture on the rain forests. Perhaps furniture is the only way some of us see a tropical wood being used that we associate it with the deforestation issues of these countries.  We should all be good stewards of our environment while also being aware of the correct reasons for our environmental issues so we can address them properly.

Knowledge is power....
]]>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:27:24 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/02/worst-woods-for-splinters.htmlA random lighthearted post. Nothing serious, just an observation involving the day to day use of woods. These are my top three worst woods for splinters. I am sure there are more. Let me know if you got a better one.

3. Oak - Here I'm writing about regular red oak. The rift sawn oak does not have the same effect. Every time I work with oak I have irritated hands. A lot of small splinters, not too painful but plentiful. The body accepts them fairly well and basically shrugs and say "eh... they will go away in there own time". Meanwhile you fuss with them for the next 5 days.

2. Vertical Grain Fir -  This wood's soft and pronounced straight grain really packs a punch. Catch an edge and it will lance you with a gigantic splinter. I have had 8" splinters. Much like you were shot with an arrow. Very painful, but it doesn't last long as it is fairly easy to grab hold of such a large splinter and remove it. No tweezers needed, maybe just a band-aid.

1. Wenge - Worst by far. An exotic wood (Africa) that will give you splinters just looking at it; small dark splinters that will keep you uncomfortable for a couple days. It's very difficult to tweezer all of them. This wood species gives six splinters at a time instead of the traditional one. The bad thing (or good) is that the body will reject these intruders fairly quickly and work it out faster than most other woods (opposed to oak). I surmise this is owing to the exotic properties and natural oils in the wood. Keep gloves close by when using Wenge.

]]>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:49:28 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/02/stefan-sagmeister.htmlVery inspiring to me. Still trying to figure out how to articulate. Very good stuff. Video does not do the book justice. Love the use of words as graphics.

Click here for link. Things I have learned in my life so far.

Just thought I would share.
]]>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:24:31 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/02/visual-communications.htmlMy degree is officially titled "Visual Communications". Translated into reality this generally means graphic arts. Logos, product packaging, branding, advertising, etc. Like the "Madmen" A&E television series (they make it look so cool). This was the way to go to college for art and be confident you were going to be able to put food on the table.

I think I may be one of the few people with the "graphic arts" degrees making their living designing and building furniture. My impressions of graphic artists are that they tend towards their fine art ambitions should commercial art not hold their attention. I don't know any others with the similar education background working with furniture but I would like to meet them.

Sidenote.... Writing is hard. Amazing how much I deleted for fear of rambling nonsensically and appearing unfocused and amateurish. Practice makes perfect?


]]>Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:39:40 -0800http://www.rtsfurnituredesign.com/1/post/2011/01/first-post.htmlby Ryan

I will do this.... LOL. I have a few ideas and hope to be entertaining. I compose slowly so practice will be necessary.
Is this post even legit? Maybe a bit more worthwhile content....
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