Defense Communities September/October 2010

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of the new furniture. Similarly, at The Inn at Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii, polymer-based products stole the show in a major dining room renovation. Coordinating stylish dining chairs and pedestal tables created an eye-catching space for staff, officers, and guests, welcoming them not just to eat but to unwind and dine. Asking for staff or user input can create excitement when determining future purchases. For example, sharing a chair with military personnel and staff will allow the community to experience first-hand the durability and strength of the product and offer feedback. Allowing them to choose between styles will generate good will when the redesign is completed, making them more likely to utilize the space moving forward.

Space and frequency Sometimes space limitations or floor plans drive a decision. First identifying the needs of a space and figuring out

Furniture Selection Tips Selecting durable yet stylish furniture, fabrics, and hardware options is the key to success. • Look for products that require little to no maintenance and thrive on the simplest cleaning solutions yet look stunning while providing comfort. • Determining the facility’s style, whether traditional or contemporary—or somewhere between the two, transitional—goes a long way in establishing a facility’s overall look and feel by incorporating this style throughout. • Ask for staff or user input when determining future purchases. Share a chair with staff and military personnel to allow the community to experience firsthand the usability of the piece and offer feedback for their space. • Developing strategic goals for planning integrated spaces, furniture arrangements, or custom solutions can maximize efficiency and improve quality of life for staff and military personnel.

users and frequency of use goes a long way in determining an appropriate solution. Then, integrating the room style and maximizing space efficiency with products like built-in corner units or custom headwalls can make all the difference in personnel housing and lodging facilities. Solutions for facilities that cannot settle for out-of-the-

box furniture and wall protection set the precedent for innovative, custom design. This level of customization proves that design and user needs can synthesize for solutions that change the lives of personnel and staff. n Michael Zusman is the CEO of Kwalu. Reach him at info@kwalu.com.

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CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT Trade Products Corporation (TPC), a GSA Package Furniture Contractor, is a small business that stands large in the performance of turnkey projects throughout CONUS and OCONUS. One of the original GSA Packaged Furniture Contract holders, TPC is equally adept at handling D&Q Packaged Rooms, Packaged Offices, and Packaged Health Care. Trade Products works with many fine manufacturers and can supply virtually all quarters-related products and services required for Dorm/Barracks projects. A stable, financially reliable company that can be counted on to complete projects to the full satisfaction of its customers, Trade Products’ reputation for meeting challenges is unsurpassed and in keeping with the trust that customers place in it every day. Trade Products Corporation would like to thank all past customers for their business, and we invite them and all new prospects looking for a savvy, experienced, and quality-oriented Dorm and Quarters Furniture Contractor to check with us. We believe that you will be pleased. For further information, please contact Allyn Richert, President, Trade Products Corporation, toll-free at 888/352-3580 or via e-mail at sales@tradeproductscorp.com.

CERAMIC COOK TOPS the Sustainable Design Choice • 1 or 2 Burner Knobs • 120, 208 or 240 Volts • White, Black, or Subtly Textured Black • Round or Beveled Edge • ADA-Compliant

Space Saving and Cost Effective! • Barracks, Billeting, Lodging • 3-year Replacement Warranty • Veteran Owned Small Business Established 1931 • GSA Contract GS-21F-0091H (under Intirion Corp) • Made in U.S.A. • UL/C-UL Approved

Manufacturer of the World’s Finest Cook Tops Clinton, CT 06413 U.S.A. Tel. (860) 664-4906 Fax. (860) 664-4907 www.kenyonappliances.com

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