• Mattresses


• Fabric Upholstery


• Leather Upholstery


• Wood Furniture


• Brass

Foundations are made to work with your mattress to provide a comfortable sleep environment. When you need a new mattress (at least every 10 years) you need a new foundation. If you don't do that it would be like buying a new car body and putting it on the old car chassis.... you'd be in for a pretty bumpy ride.

Mattress Pads
Due to the fact that most of us (like it or not) shed our skin, sweat in our sleep, or bring to bed foreign objects (grains of sand) at times, it is also a good idea to protect your mattress with a mattress pad. This will prevent anything from working its way through your sheets and into your mattress, sometimes causing friction that will break down the mattress.

Mattress Protection Plans
We currently offer our Guardmaster mattress pad and mattress protection warranty plan to protect you in the event of any mishaps with your mattress. Please visit our Warranty and Protection Plan section for more information on this plan.

Comfort Levels
You will hear people talking about Comfort Levels. This refers to the firmness of your mattress. Please see below for a brief description of each level.
• FIRM - (Also includes Cushion Firm) uses firmer padding, foam pads, and a tighter quilting pattern on the ticking to give a harder feel to the bedding, less conforming to the body, typically preferred by those people who sleep on their backs.

• PLUSH - uses more cotton/polyester blown fibers, convoluted (egg crate)foams, cushy fabrics and looser quilting patterns to create a softer, more conforming-to-the-body feel to the bedding, typically preferred by those who sleep primarily on their sides.

• PILLOWTOP - uses and extra layer of body-conforming padding, usually very soft feeling to the body (while still providing great support through the coil system on the inside).

• EUROTOP - differs from the Pillowtop by having the extra layer of comfort padding that is NOT pinched together on along its edges but is, rather, an extension of the mattress top. It creates a mattress with a lot of extra depth and extra comfort - right to the edge of the mattress top.However...this is sill in the "pillowtop" comfort level.

Mattress Sizes
Crib 28" x 52"
Twin 38" x 75"
Xtra-long Twin 38" x 80"
Full 53" x 75"
Queen 60" x 80"
King 76" x 80"
California King 72" x 84"

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• Begin your evaluation of upholstered furniture by considering the fiber content.

• Also consider quality, comfort, price, style and color.

Choosing upholstered furniture for your home can raise many questions and cause confusion. Upholstery fabrics have a wide range of quality and price. Be sure you know what you want from your upholstery before you buy.

Consider the amount and kind of use the piece of furniture will receive, the amount and kind of care you are willing to give for its upkeep, and the length of time you expect it to last.
Begin your evaluation with the fiber content. If the manufacturer's tag does not show the fiber content, ask a salesperson to provide that information. Table 1 shows the properties of fibers used in upholstery fabrics.

Performance Requirements
Consumers generally assume that furniture will be durable and meet their expectations about maintenance and appearance. Some types of upholstery fabric are better suited to specific areas. Consider where and how a piece will be used. Furniture in high use areas (family rooms, kitchens) must be durable and easy to maintain. Elegant textiles with complex textures may be more suitable for low traffic areas such as formal living rooms.

Choose upholstered furniture by evaluating the quality of furniture available in your price range. Be aware of the performance requirements for your needs and identify the criteria most important to you.

Health and Safety – Fire
Cigarettes are the most common cause of household fires. The Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) is a voluntary program designed by furniture manufacturers to promote guidelines and standards for flammability of upholstered furniture. Member firms display a UFAC hang tag on furniture telling Consumers how their upholstery fabrics have been classified in flammability tests.

Flame retardant finishes can be applied to cotton and rayon.

Fiber Properties
Wool Natural fiber from sheep, highly crimped Excellent hand, high resiliency, attacked by moths, fair abrasion resistance, poor sunlight resistance, burns slowly, self-extinguishes in flames, requires dry cleaning.

Cotton Natural plant fiber used for centuries Excellent absorbency, resistant to moths, dyes well, wrinkles easily, moderate abrasion resistance, moderate sunlight resistance, extremely flammable unless treated, easy to care for.

Rayon Manufactured fiber made from wood chips Inexpensive, good hand, may shrink or stretch when wet, poor abrasion resistance, moderate sunlight resistance, resistant to moths and mildew, extremely flammable unless treated with a flame retardant finish, requires dry cleaning.

Nylon First synthetic fiber, produced in 1928 Resilient, excellent abrasion resistance, poor sunlight resistance, burns slowly with melting, easy care and maintenance.

Polyester Synthetic fiber favored in blends to add dimensional stability Excellent resilience, resistant to insects and mildew, good abrasion resistance, good sunlight resistance, burns slowly with melting, resists waterborne stains.

Acrylic Synthetic fiber famous for wool-like feel Moderate resiliency, attractive hand, moderate abrasion resistance, excellent sunlight resistance, burns with melting, easy care.

Olefin One of the more recently developed synthetic fibers Inexpensive, extremely heat sensitive, resistant to chemicals and insects, excellent abrasion resistance, poor sunlight resistance, burns with melting, resists waterborne stains.

Leather Processed hides and skins from animals Excellent hand, durable, varies in quality, requires special care in cleaning,self-extinguishes in flames.

Durability
- Appearance Retention
How well upholstered furniture will wear depends on the fiber, fabric, color application, finish, color fastness and dimensional stability.

- Fiber
Fibers and their characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Complex or fancy yarns of any fiber type may snag and break with abrasion.

- Fabric
Upholstery fabric must be firmly woven. If fabric samples are available, hold the fabric up to the light. Is it compact? Closely woven? Examine the raw edges of the fabric. Do they fray or ravel easily? If so, yarns will shift and pull away at the seams, particularly in cushions and where upholstery fabric is attached to a sofa or chair frame. Stretch the fabric diagonally. Does it stretch and then completely recover? If it does, it will hold its shape without wrinkling.

A balanced weave, where all yarns are about the same size and strength, wears better than one with heavy yarns in one direction and thin yarns in the other. A twill weave resists wear and shows soil less than a plain weave of similar quality.

Flat-surfaced fabrics like damask, brocade and satin show the effects of abrasion because the long yarns on the surface are subject to wear.

Pile fabrics, like frieze, plush and velvet, withstand abrasion quite well if they are made of firm yarns with deep and close pile and firmly held to the ground cloth. A pile fabric with cut loops mats more easily than one with uncut loops.

A latex backing often is applied to upholstery fabrics to help stabilize them. The latex forms a coating that helps keep soil from sifting through. It prevents seam slippage and makes precise cutting possible. Loosely woven fabrics should have an applied backing to ensure stability and longer wear.

- Color Application
Pigment-printed fabrics may show color loss from abrasion. If you have a sample of the fabric, rub it 20 to 30 times with an emery board. Does the color change or rub off?

- Finish
Easy care and stain-resistant finishes allow water-based stains to be easily blotted up. Scotchgard® by the 3-M Company, Teflon® and Zepel® by DuPont are examples of stain-resistant finishes.

Some finishes of this type, however, may retain oily soil. Ask for information about the type of finish that the manufacturer has applied. Is the finish durable? Is it covered in the warranty?

- Colorfastness
Colorfastness is the ability of fabrics to withstand color changes due to sunlight, abrasion, chemicals and cleaning. Ultraviolet light can seriously damage textiles by increasing fading and by causing deterioration of fibers. Don't put upholstered furniture in intense sunlight for long periods. If this is not possible, choose fibers that withstand sunlight and consider window treatments that filter light.

Test fabrics for color loss by applying any chemicals or cleaning agents in an unobtrusive area before using them. Use a clean, white cloth so that you can see if color is transferred.

- Dimensional Stability
Dimensional stability refers to a textile's ability to resist shrinking or sagging. Loose weaves may become distorted or sag over time. Use appropriate care methods to prevent shrinkage.

Maintenance
Cleanability codes are listed on furniture tags to assist you in identifying the appropriate methods for caring for your furniture:

Cleanability Code W - Fabric Care: Spot clean, using the foam only from a water-based cleaning agent, such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo product. Apply foam with a soft brush in a circular motion. Vacuum when dry. Pretest a small area before proceeding. Call in a professional furniture cleaner to treat an overall soiled condition.

Cleanability Code X - Fabric Care: Clean this fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to prevent accumulation of dust or grime. Water-based foam or solvent-based cleaning agents of any kind may cause excessive shrinking, fading or possible pile distortion.

Cleanability Code S - Fabric Care: Spot clean, using a mild, water-free solvent or dry-cleaning product. Carefully follow instructions on such products. Avoid any product that contains carbon tetrachloride, which is highly toxic. Pretest a small area before proceeding. Call in a professional furniture cleaner to treat an overall soiled condition.

Cleanability Code W-S - Fabric Care: Spot clean this fabric either with a mild solvent or dry-cleaning product. Follow instructions carefully and clean only in a well-ventilated room. Avoid any product that contains highly toxic carbon tetrachloride. You may also use an upholstery shampoo product or the foam from a mild detergent. With either method, pretest a small area before proceeding. Call in a professional furniture cleaner to treat an overall soiled condition.

Caution: For any cleanability code, never remove cushion covers for separate dry cleaning or washing. Any cleaning method that requires the removal of the covers from the cushions can destroy the backing, shrink, or otherwise damage upholstery fabric.

Stain Removal
Blot up stains as quickly as possible. Do not rub. Prompt attention to stains increases success in removing them. Even stain-resistant finishes offer only temporary protection. For all farbic upholstery purchases, you have the option of purchasing a Bernie & Phyl's Fabric Stain Protection Kit with a limited 5 year stain warranty. Click here for more information on this program,

Quality
Read all labels. Note and compare prices. Price alone is not a true guide to quality. A less expensive fabric might serve your purpose as well or better than a more costly one. Study the hang tags, labels and information imprinted on fabric selvages, if samples are available. Labels should specify whether a fabric is colorfast to light, cleaning or abrasion.

The label may have a number or letter that indicates fabric classification. The less expensive fabrics usually are labeled with low numbers or the first letters of the alphabet. For example, "11" would indicate a more expensive fabric than "4" and "K" a more expensive fabric than "D."

Indicators of quality for upholstered furniture also include:
• strong, stable frames that cannot be felt from the outside;
• straight application of fabric on grain;
• matched patterns;
• straight strong seams;
• secure buttons;
• joints closely fitted, dowelled, screwed, and glued;
• arms reinforced with metal where they meet the seat frame;
• closely-woven internal webbing, securely tacked;
• double coil springs, tied securely; and
• firm rolls of padding on sharp areas of frame.

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Please remember that leather is a natural product and, thus, breathes and can dry out or fade in the heat or sun. It is important with protected leathers to restore the moisture at least twice a year with a leather conditioner. We also recommend that you not leave leather pieces in direct sunlight, as this may cause them to fade. If your leather piece is in a high sun or heat area, it is recommended to use a leather conditioner more often.

Bernie & Phyl’s Leather Care Warranty Kit
We offer a Leather Care System that includes a 5 year warranty. Click here for more information on this program.

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Heat, Sunlight, and Moisture
Fine wood furniture should not be exposed to extreme heat or humid conditions, such as placing it near a heat outlet or an open window. Try to avoid direct sunlight which may cause certain finishes to fade.

Placing Objects On Wood Furniture
Do not place plastic, rubber or hot objects directly on a wood finish. Chemicals in plastic and some rubber may soften or discolor the finish if left in contact with the furniture for a long period of time. To avoid these markings, place a strip of felt, leather or cork under accessories.

Dusting
Remove household dust with a soft, clean cloth, dusting with the grain. The cloth may be dampened with a cream furniture polish may be used. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the product. Avoid products that leave an oily film on the furniture since they may cause a clouding of the finish and have a tendency to collect dust.

Polishing
Occasional polishing with a high quality, non-silicone furniture polish will enhance the beauty of the fine Bernhardt finish. Avoid using oily polishes or waxes.

Cleaning
Every six months or so, there may be a need or desire for more thorough cleaning of wood furniture than routine dusting. The furniture may be washed with a mild soap intended for that purpose or a furniture cleaning product available in most grocery stores. Following the directions on the product, use a soft cloth and wipe with the grain. A furniture polish may be applied if a little more shine is desired.

Scratches
Over time, scratches from normal use may be noticed on furniture. These can be touched up with a scratch remover or special touch-up pens or sticks available at your furniture dealer or at many paint stores.

Bernie & Phyl’s Wood Care Warranty Kit
We offer a Wood Care System that includes a 5 year warranty. Click here for more information on this program.

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IF IT DOES NOT: If it does NOT have a coating, you will have to get a good brass polish. There are many products out in today's marketplace that are easier to use than what our Grandmothers had to deal with. With a little polish and a little elbow grease will get your piece shining like new!

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