Before & Afters we Love

There's nothing better than a makeover! I'm not really sure if it's the rejuvenating feeling of getting a fresh clean start or the exhilaration of change that I love so much.  All I know is when someone takes my un-stylish hair and makes it awesome or a drab looking room and makes it pop I get happy! And in the furniture world, makeovers are happening all the time! It's amazing how sometimes it only takes one piece to completely transform your space.  Here are some before and afters we just love!

 Outdated Busy and Clustered Before

 

Beautiful Sleek Contrasted After

Boring Cramped Alcove Before

 

Elegant Sleek Dining After

Disjointed Awkward Living Before 

Clean Classic Contemporary After

 

Blank Dull & Drab Fireplace Before

Defined Vintage After!

What are your favorites?! We'd love to see yours!

How to Select a Mattress: Part 2 Series 4

Real Deal CONTEST! Find the Dan!

Besides all the fantastic furniture & great prices (of course) one thing that seems to keep people coming back is our wacky and crazy but oh so loveable salesman Dan! What started off as just another satisfied customer referring friends & family soon turned into one the most craziest off the wall best sales guys to ever hit our floor. Which is why when our most recent marketing materials arrived (wacky highlighters with bright orange hair) we naturally thought to call them Dans! 

And to celebrate three years as part of the Real Deal team our first official contest showcases Dan & the "dans"! Each of the following pictures has the"dan" hidden somewhere in our showroom.  The first person to find the "dan" in all three pictures wins a $100.00 gift certificate to one of the finest restaurants we love, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion located in CA, AZ, MD, IL, NV, FL & TX.  Post that you've found them all on our blog and we'll send you an email to send your found dan pictures too!  Happy hunting! Dan's a sneaky one too so good luck! ;). CONTEST ENDS 7/26/11.

How to Select a Mattress: Part 2 Series 3

http://realdealfurniture.com/catalog/22,0,mattresses.html

How to Select a Mattress: Part 2 Series 2

http://realdealfurniture.com/catalog/22,0,mattresses.html

How to Select a Mattress: Part 2 Series 1

http://realdealfurniture.com/catalog/22,0,mattresses.html

Is your mattress destined for the dumpster?

As a San Diego mattress store we get asked all the time for tips on how to buy a mattress.  So much of what to look for when are shopping for a mattress depends on your personal preference so we created a really quick guide to hopefully help a little.  The best way of course is to sleep on your mattress for at least 15mins and in the position you typically sleep in. Don't worry we aren't watching you.... ;)

If You Want
A Firm, Traditional Mattress
Invest In: An Innerspring Mattress
What Is It: Inside are springs -- tempered steel coils -- and layers of upholstery on either side to cushion you. Some come with cushy “pillow tops” for a thin layer of comfy fluff. They come attached (it’s almost like having a comforter that’s sewn to your mattress) or can be purchased separately. You’ll probably need to buy fitted sheets marked “deep”. The pillow top can potentially add several inches to your mattress’ depth and a normal-sized fitted sheet may slip off.

If You Want

A Mattress that Cradles Your Body
Invest In: A Foam Mattress
What Is It: This isn't the flimsy foam you'd find on a college dorm bed. New deluxe styles are made of solid foam, sometimes in just one piece -- or a multilayer combo.

If You WantSupport without a sinking feeling
Invest In: Latex
What is it: Rubber based material that comes from a tropical tree with air infused to create large open cells. Made to provide balance of pressure relief, support & durability.

If Your Current Mattress Is Fine
But It Could Be Comfier
Invest In: Memory Foam
What Is It: This cushy foam sits on top of a normal foam mattress. Developed by NASA in the '70s to provide comfort to astronauts during takeoff and landing, it molds to your body depending on your temperature (the more heat you emit, the softer is becomes).

But again, you have to try them to really know what you want. Our beds are always open ;)

Random Acts of Kindness

I'll never forget the day my uncle took our family out to eat in Arcadia just outside LA.  It had been a long day of family time so naturally we were all exhausted! So when the man across the room started approaching my uncle I could tell he wasn't exactly in the mood to indulge in a hour long conversation with a strange man. But as he neared, it turned our my uncle had actually known the man, quite some time ago and somehow lost touch. They talked for a few minutes and parted.  After our dinner, I'll never forget what my uncle did next.  He called our server over and asked to pick up the entire family's dinner bill.  "Don't tell him who's paying but I want to cover his bill", were the words he used.
Practice random acts of kindness! Turns out it's not just a semi-annoying bumper sticker we see on cars that cut us off in California traffic. We believe it's actually a winning business strategy. It’s a way to show customers how much we care and how much we appreciate your repeat business and referrals.  It’s not new, of course. For years our dry cleaner has been giving away hard fruit candies (which we do in our showroom) and mushy red apples. But that’s not what exactly what we're talking about.  We want to transform it into our times today and by that we mean utilizing the power of social media.  Yes, everyone's doing it and you should be too.  Marketing & trend watching firms say sites like Twitter and Facebook have taught today’s consumers to be more touchy-feely. And because people now reveal their most private thoughts and embarrassing moments online, they really don’t mind if some random business eavesdrops on them and sends a coupon for a free cupcake--or spa treatment or oil change or whatever--when they’re feeling tired or stressed or sad or hungry or etc. It seems super easy to surprise and delight consumers with a random act of kindness. Whether it's sending gifts, responding to publicly expressed moods or just showing you care, random acts of kindness are a fun and lighthearted demonstration of how Real Deal Furniture can access information locally in San Diego to hopefully brighten our customer's days.
Send us your ideas of how we can brighten or bring some positivity into your day! We'd love to know!

there's no greater love than one between a father son...broccoli house....super cute! http://ow.ly/5xhIm

It's that time of year! The 10news A-List voting has officially started! Please show your love and vote Real Deal... http://fb.me/J7hLdklE

JD got a little excited ordering T-shirts for our store! We have tons and we love our facebook fans! Come on down... http://fb.me/JOyLNOIC