Special ordering might give you greater satisfaction with your purchases. Many customers visit Kornmeyer's anxious to make a purchase that can be delivered immediately. With our tremendous selection, we can do that. But, sometimes it makes more sense to consider custom ordering.

A world of options is possible through custom orders. Practically anything imaginable can be created for you. That's worth the typical six- to ten-week wait. In fact, customers who try special ordering tell me the time flies. If you're planning for a summer party, think about sprucing up your home now so you'll have time to order things if necessary.

I think furniture is an investment. It will be with you for a long time. Taking your time to decide about the exact item you want -- and then being certain that you're getting that item is the best way to be happy with your purchase for the long term.

Create an illustration of the final concept first. Begin with background treatments including paint colors, wallpaper samples and drapery treatments, then add furnishings, rugs, lighting and accessories. Remember to incorporate your existing furniture (any you'll continue using) along with new purchase you'll make. A licensed interior designer is practiced at crating such design diagrams.

Then, take your time purchasing quality items over a period of time to make the illustration come alive. Purchasing in this way ensures your home's interior design will present your unique personality, and it is much easier on the budget than buying an entire house of furniture at once.

This method works beautifully whether you are starting with a new house or are reworking your existing interiors.

Not at all. Showroms often display matched sets (sofa, loveseat, and chair), but that's not your only option. Mixing one or more leather pieces with some fabric upholstery is a great idea for many reasons:

Mixing gives you comfort, fashion, and a lasting look. Because leather provides such tremendous durability, you should try to use leather on the piece that will be used most often. Mixing leather with fabric upholstery is also cost effective because it isn't necessary to replace all of your furniture at once. Finally, mixing the two looks great. Matching a leather sofa with some cloth accent chairs can be wonderful combination. Or, a single leather chair and ottoman can be the right option in an all-fabric room.

To find out what turns you on, go to art galleries or look through magazines. then study all of the images that really caught your attention. There's something in those images that reflects your personality. Maybe it's the colors or hues, the lighting, or maybe it's the way accessories are used.

Yes, you may like a lot of the different styles on our floor, but when you rank them, one style will stand out above the rest. And, you can always incorporate pieces from secondary styles to help personalize your home.

Another tip: work around the most expensive piece in your room -- an Oriental rug or a sofa, for example -- because it is an investment that will be with you the longest.

Most people can live comfortably in the same colors they wear most often. Occasionally, you'll wear a particular color that isn't your preference. But, using your wardrobe as a key is generally a good idea.

Once you've decided what colors you'd like use in your home, you should announce them in the entrance to your home. This can be done in the wallpaper you choose for your entry, or maybe in a painting that will hang there, or possibly the rug you use. The color scheme may appear in two or all three of these items. These will be the colors, then, that you will repeat throughout your home, together and separately. It's usually easiest to work with three colors. For example, you may choose to work with navy, burgundy, and green. Neutrals, such as cool taupes and grays or warmer beiges, will be incorporated into the home and should also be addressed in the entrance. However, they don't count as any of your three colors.

Yes, as long as one dominant color is present throughout the home and a secondary color is present in maybe the master bedroom, dining room, etc. Also, a third or fourth color can be used for accent areas such as a small half-bath or a breakfast room.

Yes and no. For example: If you are home's floors are oak, you could easily use cherry or mahogany tables, armoires, etc. However, if your major piece of furniture is oak, you should not mix it with cherry or mahogany tables, etc. because the woods clash.

Kornmeyer's offers free interior design consultation with any furniture purchase. This is to help you be more comfortable in your furniture buying decisions.

Generally, to decorate your entire home, you should figure on spending about 25% to 33% of the cost of the home on furnishings, accessories,paint, wallpaper, etc. The first thing you should do when considering decorating your home is to contact a professional licensed interior designer for advice -- The most expensive furniture is a mistake.

One of the biggest helps for a designer is if you already have an idea of what you like and what you don't like. Gathering magazine photographs is a good way to give the designer an idea of your preferences. Also, you should have three or four specific questions ready before you meet with the designer, putting them in order of priority. Finally, have clear budget limits so that we can set priorities and a decorating timetable if you need to spread out your budget.