Latest news with #furniture
CNET
6 hours ago
- General
- CNET
This Simple Bed Frame Took Me Less Than 5 Minutes to Put Together. Yes, I Timed It
CNET's key takeaways The Helix Madison bed frame, available in natural wood or white, is $929 for a queen before sales. It's straightforward to put together and requires no tools. That said, the frame is a little expensive and incompatible with headboards. My beautiful, four-poster bed frame broke a few months ago. Immediately afterward, as I was lying there, slowly sliding to the corner of my mattress that had plummeted to the ground (from a decent height, I might add), I cursed that antique frame. It was creaky to the point it would wake me up, and it was higher off the floor than frames are nowadays. Part of me was happy to be rid of it. As my boyfriend and I yanked the wooden side rails apart from the headboard, I realized I wasn't ready to start looking for a new bed frame. They're expensive, and many are so low-quality that they break while you're assembling them or after just a few months. Through the years, I've seen plenty of sleep products not live up to the hype, and I was unwilling to lug another one up the stairs to my bedroom. However, after a few days of floor sleeping, I was neck deep in research for my next bed frame. I've tested plenty of bed frames and mattresses during my career, but even I was a little overwhelmed by the many options. All I knew was that I was done with complicated bed frames. I wanted something simple. Then I started testing the Helix Madison bed frame, and I haven't looked back. My experience with the Helix Madison bed frame The Helix Madison is the perfect choice for people (like me) who don't want to deal with a bunch of screws and sacrifice time deciphering the illustrations in the instructions packet. It's hands down the easiest piece of furniture I've put together. I should mention that I'm not the best at that -- the desk I put together in college shook if you put any weight on it. The Madison bed frame is foolproof. It has a brilliant interlocking design that doesn't require any tools. Taylor Leamey/CNET The outer frame consists of four corner pieces and four pieces of wood that fit together without screws or dowels. The outside wood pieces are notched so you can tell how they interlock with the legs. Then, you add the center support beam and the slats, and you're done. I timed the setup, and it took less than 5 minutes. Um, 5 minutes! It took us at least 30 minutes to get our old bed frame apart, and we had to break it to do so. The old pieces were heavy and difficult to move out of the bedroom. The Helix Madison bed frame was a breeze to move. My partner and I could easily pick up the box and carry it upstairs. I can't imagine the average person would have a difficult time lifting the bed frame in the box or once it's put together. It took longer to take the Helix bed frame out of the box than it did to put it together. It was pretty snuggly packaged, so unpacking took a little longer than 5 minutes, but once it was out and I had the pieces sorted, putting it together was simple. Taylor Leamey/CNET As easy as it was to put together, I was a little worried about the quality and stability of the bed, mainly because it has no screws. But I've been sleeping on this bed frame for a few months now, and it's a night-and-day difference compared with my vintage four-poster. I no longer wake up from the creaks that echo around my room when my partner rolls over. The specs: Besides being easy to put together, this bed has a few other key features you should know about. 30-night sleep trial Free shipping and five-year limited warranty Available in natural (what I have) or white Tool-free assembly Bedrails: 100% Appalachian hardwood; slats: 100% southern yellow pine; legs: 100% Appalachian maple Available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king Not compatible with headboards CNET's buying advice The Helix Madison bed frame is a no-brainer if you don't want a fancy bed frame but want something slightly more elevated than a bare metal one. It's a little on the expensive side for how simple it is to put together, but with sales, I've seen the price of a queen drop from $930 to around $695. Helix often runs sitewide sales around big holidays like Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day. The discount will vary by holiday, though in my experience, Helix averages around 25% off. I can't ignore that even with sales, it's still a big investment, especially if you compare it with a basic metal frame that costs only $60 on Amazon. However, I can vouch for the quality of this bed frame. The novelty of being able to put it together in 5 minutes may also make it more appealing, if you can afford it. I've had plenty of heavy frames that were a pain to put together, and sometimes worse to take apart. The Helix Madison bed frame was a breath of fresh air, every step of the way. I've only noticed a little chip in the protective coating around the wood side rail, but nothing that's worried me about the stability. Overall, it's a solid bed frame that I'd recommend to anyone. The only thing that bums me out about this product is that it's not compatible with headboards. But if you don't care about that or want a simple frame for your guest bed, you'll like the Helix Madison bed frame.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
B&M shoppers flock to buy home furniture to transform your kitchen scanning at just £2 instead of £20
B&M shoppers have spotted a huge bargain on a furniture piece that could transform your kitchen. A bargain hunter shared the find on the Facebook group Bargain Lovers - Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, Aldi, Asda & More. They said they'd picked up the Boucle Barstool in Beige for just £2, down from the usual price of £20. The savvy shopper said they'd picked up two of the classy-looking barstools. They pointed out that only the beige version is reduced and that other colours were still £20. The shopper also shared a screenshot appearing to show the stool selling for just £1 on the B&M website. However it appears to no longer be available. Stores often reduce the prices of items dramatically to get rid of stock. That means if you see something on clearance you'll need to snap it up fast as it's unlikely to be restocked. It's also worth bearing in mind that deals like this are subject to availability and they'll vary across stores. You can find your nearest B&M store here. B&M is also running some furniture deals online, with discounts up to 50% off. B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained For example, the Peyton Leather Effect Bench is now £45 down from £90. There's also the Home Collection Metal Side Table in Black, which is £9 down from £12. It's described as a "great addition to your living room" and "perfect for resting drinks and snacks on". The Hudson 3 Tier Corner Shelf is £10, down from £15. The corner shelf could be a good way of displaying books, photos or decorative items. Earlier this week, B&M shoppers also spotted a trendy furniture set scanning for just £40 down from £110. The Chicago table, which comes with two benches, has a huge 63% discount. One eagle-eyed customer spotted it in their local B&M branch and posted a picture on the B&M Scanner and Other Bargains Facebook page. How to bag a bargain at B&M B&M is known for selling items at bargain prices and has announced plans to expand across the UK this year. You can save even more at the discount retailer by downloading the B&M scanner app. It's free to download on your phone via the Google Play or Apple App Store. The app lets you use your phone camera to scan barcodes on items and it will give you a price. Sometimes the price on the app is cheaper than what you'll see on the label, meaning you can save money. Some shoppers have found products scanning for just 10p on the app. B&M super shopper Sam Penney also recently revealed her six top tips for bagging a bargain at the discount chain. The mum-of-two advised customers to look out for red and white stickers on products. These are not used by B&M often, but are worth keeping an eye out for as they are placed on products which have been reduced in price. Sam also said shoppers will get the best bargains on Wednesday mornings as this is when products are slashed in price by staff. She said it's worth speaking to B&M workers who can scan items and let you know if something is cheaper than its advertised price label. Why B&M is so good for bargains SENIOR Digital Writer, Abby Wilson, who loves a shopping trip to B&M, has shared her thoughts on why the chain is the place to go for bargain buys... WE all love B&M (especially me). It's a one-stop-shop where you can nab all things from gardenware and homeware, to snacks and cleaning supplies. Not only do we love the variety B&M offers (because after all, who can be bothered to go to five different shops anymore?!), but the prices are brilliant too. If you're on a budget, B&M is definitely worth vising - as it's full of cheap bargain buys. Not only will you find affordable items, but B&M is full of dupes too - so if you're after beauty buys without the designer price tag, you'll need to take a trip. Similar to this, the chain are eager to get on trends - so if you see something in H&M Home but are on a budget and can't justify the price, give it a few weeks and you'll probably spot something similar on the shelves in your local B&M.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Material (Matters) World: Aifunghi's Mycelium Bound, Fluffy Furniture
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers. Aifunghi Netherlands-based design team Aifunghi debuted during the 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen. More from Sourcing Journal Brightplus Scores Growth Funding, Accelerates Circular Innovation Gen Phoenix Closes $15M Round, Enters 3-Year Supply Deal with Tapestry The Science of Sunwear The brand's first collection—aligned with the festival's theme of keeping it real—turned sustainable principles into functional furniture, spanning 10 pieces including seating, tables, lighting and upholstered furniture. 'Our mission was to start with a clean slate,' said Aifunghi's co-founders, husband-and-wife Marije and Bart Schilder. 'We envisioned furniture that not only genuinely embodies sustainability but disrupts traditional practices and sets a new benchmark for luxurious and environmentally responsible design.' Also announced were strategic collaborations with material innovators Savian and Agoprene. The former delivers on plant-based alternatives to fur and plush upholstery, while the latter provides seaweed-based comfort foam as an oil-free, biodegradable and low-carbon upholstery material. 'We often say Savian is crafted through a combination of fiber science, textile technology and savoir-faire; this has been truly realized through this collection,' said Roni GamZon, co-founder and chief commercial officer at Savian by BioFluff. 'Working in collaboration with nature is the ultimate luxury.' At the foundation of Aifunghi's ethos, the company said, is a mycelium-based composite (MBC). This material combines hemp fibers and 'the natural binding power of mycelium' to deliver durable and compostable (and recyclable) furniture. 'Nature doesn't produce waste, and neither should we. Aifunghi's commitment to building sustainability into every decision is inspiring,' said Celine Sandberg, co-founder of Agoprene. 'Collaborating with them reminds us that no single material or solution will fix everything, but many great ones working together can.' Sugarcup Sugarcup is recognized as the first-ever plant-based bra cup mass-produced, Gelmart and Braskem said. The intimate apparel industry is getting even closer with Sugarcup. Developed by Gelmart International in collaboration with Braskem, a Philadelphia-based polypropylene producer, the collaborators said Sugarcup is considered the world's first mass-produced, plant-based bra cup. The innovation in intimates is produced using Braskem's carbon-negative 'I'm Green' biobased polymers and made from over 70 percent renewable sugarcane. It can drop a product's carbon footprint by up to 83 percent—depending on foam variation and style—compared to polyurethane (PU) pads. The foam is 100 percent recyclable, the partners said, with foam waste (alongside plant byproducts) ready for reuse. Sugarcup's ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), meanwhile, is certified by the global sugarcane platform Bonsucro. While the initial version of Sugarcup, formerly known as BioFoam, initially launched in August 2021 as part of Gelmart's nascent sustainable intimates brand, Kindly, stocked solely by Walmart. To expand on its reported success, Gelmart spawned Fullstride Ventures as the private-label intimates manufacturer's venture capital and brand incubator. Its strategy, according to a February 2021 release, focuses on co-founding lead investors and manufacturing partners at Seed and Series A investment stages. Last year, the corporate venture arm introduced NanoFoam, the second generation of Sugarcup's foam upgraded for improved performance and adaptability across additional styles, while BioSoft Foam, the latest generation 'engineered for superior technical performance and greater environmental benefits,' was introduced earlier this year. Hyphyn The New York textile producer developed the market's reportedly first biodegradable vinyl as a 'mindful material innovation' that prioritizes both performance and environmental responsibility. Ideal for seating applications, the coated upholstery textile is embedded with a patented enzyme system that, in combination with its proprietary resin formulation, creates a biodegradable performance material. 'True innovation isn't just about creating something new—it's about rethinking what's possible,' said Iwan Nassimi, executive vice president at Nassimi, the company behind Hyphyn. 'Hyphyn reimagines vinyl's lifecycle, offering the performance the industry relies on while solving the long-term environmental impact challenges no other vinyl has addressed.' At the end of its useful life, then, Hyphyn reportedly biodegrades 90 percent within two years in landfill conditions. Because this enzyme is only catalyzed in anaerobic landfill conditions—aka it sits dormant while the material is in use and only breaks down into inert gases and non-toxic biomass when buried—Hyphyn's appearance and performance are that of traditional vinyl upholstery. As that biodegradation happens, the company said there aren't any toxins or microplastics left behind as Hyphyn biodegrades. Instead, the material converts into inert landfill gases—methane and carbon dioxide—that are reclaimed and potentially transformed into energy. Beyond biodegradation and soil safety, Hyphyn's tests for incineration and dioxin release report that the material emits over 99.5 percent less dioxin than conventional vinyl. 'Hyphyn isn't just about where a product begins or how it performs,' Nassimi said. 'It's about where it ends up—and what it leaves behind.' Hyosung Sustainable textile solutions provider Hyosung's Fashion Design Center (FDC), which explores style trends around the world to guide brands and retailers, reported the key trends shaping swimwear styles for Spring/Summer 2026 as health and wellness, the rise of sports tourism and a budding love for sustainable products. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing self-care and travel for sport, according to Gary Oh, general manager of Hyosung FDC. It's driving demand for versatile, multi-function apparel crafted from sustainable materials to enhance their experiences. Hyosung, the world's largest manufacturer of spandex by market share, said it provides a broad portfolio of solutions that meet these forecasted trends as well as brand and retailers' varying needs. 'Advancements in sustainable design—particularly through the integration of recycled materials and high-performance, long-lasting fibers—are driving innovation across the industry,' said Claire O'Neill, Hyosung's director of European brand marketing, textiles, 'delivering measurable value to brands and meaningful product differentiation for consumers.' Swimwear brands introducing collections made with Hyosung's Creora and Regen textile solutions for 2026 include Panache, Speedo, Yamamay, Curvy Kate and Hanna Andersson, among others. Panache will introduce suits featuring 100 percent recycled PalmTree fabric, made with Regen Spandex across five styles. Hyosung's Regen is completely recycled and RCS-certified, made from the reclaimed waste from its spandex manufacturing process. Speedo, too, used 100 percent recycled Regen Spandex to introduce the first fully recycled four-way stretch board short. Yamamay's Basic Essential swimwear collection will be made with FishTale, a new-generation fabric developed through a partnership with Hyosung and Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing. FishTale fabric is made from a blend of Hyosung Regen Ocean post-consumer recycled nylon (partially sourced from discarded fishing nets) and 100 percent recycled Regen Spandex. Several of Curvy Kate's collections, along with Hanna Andersson's children's swimwear line, will feature Hyosung's Creora Highclo Spandex. Developed for chlorine resistance, Creora Highclo offers greater durability than conventional spandex commonly used in swimwear, with superior compression to preserve the garment's shape and fit. 'For Spring/Summer 2026, the future of swimwear is where fashion, performance, and sustainable choices all come together,' said O'Neill. 'We are happy to help provide brands solutions to deliver pieces that fit the way people really live, move and travel.' Desserto x OtterBox Smartphone case brand OtterBox has teamed with Adriano di Marti's Desserto on another collection of plant-based accessories: the Cactus Leather Embroidery Collection. 'When designing the line, we were aiming for heritage styling that evoked a sense of nostalgia, so we kept coming back to the idea of embroidery for its timeless appeal and creative touch,' said Erika Johnson, senior color material finish designer at OtterBox. 'After extensive product testing, we are confident that we have created a line that is both delicate and durable for a one-of-a-kind look that's effortlessly chic and eco-friendly.' Available in two designs—Pickleball Club and Amalfi Lemon—the case is fully wrapped in a plant-based leather alternative derived from nopal cacti. Desserto's nopal cacti varieties are grown on a plantation in Zacatecas, Mexico, where they can flourish without intervention. They support a biodiverse ecosystem and the Desserto farm reportedly absorbs 8,100 tons of CO2 while only generating 15.3 tons annually. Thanks to its strong molecular bonding, the company said, Desserto offers a high resistance to abrasion alongside durability. Continuous Composites Advanced composite manufacturer Continuous Composites (CCI) has been awarded multi-million-dollar funding from the U.S. Air Force as part of a multi-year contract to advance the development of high-performance materials using the Spokane, Washington-based company's patented continuous fiber 3D printing (CF3D) technology. This process uses rapid-curing resins and continuous fibers to create a moldless manufacturing method for composites. Divided into two parts, the funding's first phase is focused on establishing baseline materials and a performance validation campaign to benchmark CF3D-produced components against traditional manufacturing methods, such as those used for materials like carbon-carbon. CCI said the second phase will support the expansion of the first phase's efforts by enabling full-scale component production and testing. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
B.C. tribunal settles dispute over ‘altered' love seat receipt, orders full refund
A reclining leather loveseat is seen in this stock image. (Credit: Shutterstock) A man who paid for a new love seat but received a used floor model must be refunded, after a B.C. tribunal found the business 'altered' the receipt after the purchase was complete. In 2023, Dhawal Sehgal paid $1,900 for a reclining leather love seat from Budget Furniture Land Ltd., according to a decision on the dispute posted online Tuesday. 'He says after signing a contract to purchase the couch, the respondent changed the contract from a new couch to a floor display model. The applicant refused to accept the floor model and cancelled the contract,' Civil Resolution Tribunal vice-chair Christopher C. Rivers wrote, summarizing Seghal's argument for a refund. The business, for its part, said Sehgal 'knew' he would be receiving a floor model and had no right to cancel the contract. Rivers reached his decision by comparing two copies of a signed invoice: a white original submitted by the company, and a pink carbon copy submitted by the customer. 'There are significant changes between the two copies. The respondent's white copy includes the word [floor] in square brackets in a separate column after the words 'Reclining love seat.' The applicant's pink carbon copy does not,' the decision said. 'These are not two separately prepared invoices, but one showing additions made after the parties both signed the agreement.' A representative for the store didn't provide any explanation for the change, leading Rivers to accept Sehgal's version of events as more likely than not to have occurred. 'The applicant asks me to find the respondent altered their copy without his knowledge and then attempted to depend on it. I do,' he wrote. 'I find it changed the parties' contract after signing and then attempted to substitute a floor model for the agreed-upon new couch.' Given that, the tribunal found Sehgal was justified in refusing to accept the love seat and entitled to get his money back. In addition to a $1,900 refund, the business was ordered to pay Sehgal $125 in CRT fees.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
This concept ad for Ikea shows that AI ads don't have to be cringe
A new concept ad format for Ikea is going viral, and it shows that AI ads can actually be good. The concept, which appears to have first been created by X user @Salmaaboukarr, starts with a wide shot of a drab, dorm-esque room with a simple Ikea-branded cardboard box in the center. In a matter of seconds, the box explodes open, spewing a full rooms-worth of Ikea furniture throughout the space and immediately transforming it into a cozy haven. This clever play on Ikea's iconic build-it-yourself model is a glimpse into how far AI models have come in the past several months, and how much of a role they're poised to play in the future advertising landscape. While it's not actually a real ad for the brand, it looks convincing enough to be one. How the 'exploding box' ad exploded online The creator listed full instructions on how to achieve a similar result using step-by-step prompts on Google's Veo 3 model, and dozens of creators have since made their own. The original video has over one million views and 11,000 likes on X at the time of writing, and another iteration of the Ikea concept has raked in 34,000 likes on Instagram. One creator designed a spot for Amazon, and another made a video concept for a fake pet care company. The Ikea box ad visuals come with a satisfying mix of cardboard sounds and solid thunks as the digital furniture settles into place. This seems to be a result of using Veo 3 itself, which debuted this March and stands out from AI video generator competitors like OpenAI's Sora for its ability to generate dialogue and audio alongside near-photorealistic video. So far, netizens have used Veo 3's advanced capabilities for a range of content, from benign ASMR clips to alarmingly realistic deepfakes of riots and election fraud —and it's only going to get more powerful from here. These Ikea concepts show the possibility of AI-generated ads Many viewers of the original video are responding positively to the ad, with one calling it 'mesmerizing.' Predictably, though, the concept is also receiving its fair share of criticism. On the aforementioned Instagram post, which includes the caption, 'This is literally a ~$100,000 VFX ad made with one Veo 3 prompt,' some commenters criticized the video, noting it was likely trained on real (and expensive) projects by creative people. Another, noting the mismatched end tables and armoires, and the placement of the ceiling lamp, felt it pointed to AI's shortcomings. Ethical concerns around AI's use of copyrighted materials and its massive energy consumption are certainly valid. However, critiques of the small flaws in these Ikea concept ads—like the placement of an errant lamp—work to undersell how astronomically AI tools have improved in the past several months, and how useful they will inevitably be for marketers. Looking back just a year ago to Toys 'R' Us' cursed toy ad, which was billed as the first-ever fully AI-generated commercial, it's difficult to emphasize just how much worse that actual ad looks compared to today's fan-made AI content. Not only is the image quality markedly better today, but the prompting savvy of AI creators has also improved. In the case of these Ikea concepts, for example, the focus is on the product itself—an area where AI currently excels. If you observe the Ikea concept ads without a fine-tooth comb, it would be difficult to argue that they're not effective. Granted, we're likely still in for a lot of AI slop, and probably more of it. But, as with any other tool, the existence of bad AI-generated ads doesn't mean it's impossible for smart, creative people to make good ones. These Ikea concept ads show that, with the right concept, AI can showcase a product without coming off as cringeworthy.
