Louis Shanks Furniture

Want Better Sleep?

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:52:41 -0500

1. Make a commitment for the amount of time you are going to sleep. Most people need around 8 hours.

2. Start winding down at least 30 minutes to one hour before bed time. This means limiting the amount f light exposure you have from TV, computers, mobile devices and overhead lights. Light decreases the amount of melatonin we produce.

3. Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol will make you fall asleep quicker but will decrease the quality of your sleep later in the night.

4. Eliminate all sources of caffeine in your diet. If you must have caffeine, limit it to the morning only.

5. Eliminate all noise in your environment. If you can not eliminate all noise, try using a white noise machine or ear plugs.

6. Take a warm bath or shower before bed. This actually decreases core body tempertaure which we need to have in order to fall asleep and stay asleep.

7. If your partner disturbs your sleep with movement or pulling on the sheets and blankets, try using separate sheets and blankets.

8. Make sure your bedroom is very cool. I recommend as cool as you can. Most people do well around 65 to 68 degrees. You can use blankets to keep your warm, but your head should be exposed to cool air.

9. Resolve snoring problems. See your physician for solutions. Snoring is not just a "noise issue" -- it's a serious issue that affects the health of both sleep partners.

10. Make sure you have the right mattress and pillow for you. The bedMatch system (powered by Sleep to Live) will help you find the right support for you. Our experts here at Louis Shanks can help you find the ideal sleep surface that can have immediate positive effects on your health.

*These health tips were contributed by Dr. Robert Oexman, Director of the Sleep to Live Institute, Inc.

Althorp Living History from Theodore Alexander: Coming Soon to Louis Shanks

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:23:30 -0500

Althorp Living History, an exclusive line from respected furniture manufacturer Theodore Alexander is coming soon to Louis Shanks! The line features beautifully crafted reproductions of the historic Spencer family collection, who have lived in Althorp and amassed a breathtaking collection of art and furniture for over 500 years and 19 generations. The new "Nine Earls" selection will encompass signature pieces in tribute to each of the Earls, correlating with his designated period in history. In the video, Lord Spencer explains how this collaboration came to be in his own words.

New at Louis Shanks Houston: The Loft

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:23:41 -0500

We invite you to come check out Louis Shanks' newest addition to the Houston showroom: The Loft. Located on the second floor, this newly renovated department is beautifully stocked with stylish new furnishings suitable for even the most fashion forward homes. The Loft is filled with an elegant selection of hand picked items from respected and innovative furniture manufacturers Vanguard, Southern Furniture and Dovetail.

At Louis Shanks, we are deeply committed to bringing you the finest home furnishings available and we are excited to bring you this new selection of timeless classics with a modern twist. Visit the Houston showroom today and experience The Loft.

Folio-Eighteen by Henredon Now Available!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:27:13 -0600

Folio Eighteen, a stunning new collection by Henredon, is now available at all 3 Louis Shanks showrooms. Come by the Austin, Houston or San Antonio stores to see what everyone is raving about. From the Henredon website:

Totally luxurious. Totally relaxed. With an adventurous spirit that’s completely irresistible. That’s Folio Eighteen-Neoclassical, art deco, and ancient architectural motifs enlivened with stone accents and casual finishes. Fashioned from distinctive hand-planed walnut, spiced with blackened nickel hardware and etched antique mirror. A thoroughly modern expression of classical traditionalism inspiring us to live life to the fullest.

Louis Shanks featured in Furniture/Today

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:52:16 -0600

Louis Shanks was recently profiled in a new column called “On the Road” in leading industry publication Furniture/Today. The objective of the series is to profile home furnishings merchants who are “winning in today’s challenging retail arena using a variety of innovative strategies.” Writer Clint Engle interviewed Louis Shanks president Mike Forwood to gain a little insight into what makes the store unique and successful.

Shanks’ diligent merchandising, attention to detail in display and operations and nimbleness that goes along with being a family-owned, family-run business are among the key factors that have kept the Top 100 company at the top of its game in Texas while some high-end contemporaries – in this state and in other markets – have fallen by the wayside.

Fifteen years ago this month, Louis Shanks was featured in a Furniture/Today series called America's Best Retailers. Back then, Shanks was noted in the story for its aggressive newspaper advertising, its comprehensive sales training and a tightly edited product lineup largely focused on a "Sweet 16" list of manufacturers.

A lot has changed since then, partly out of necessity but also because that's how Shanks has always operated - adjusting quickly to take advantage of opportunities as they arise or to squarely meet new challenges.

Many of the erstwhile Sweet 16 suppliers, including Barcalounger, Drexel Heritage, Highland House, King Hickory and Woodmark, Shanks no longer carries and/or they are out of business. The reason, according to Mike Forwood, is simply "product." Shanks buyers now go wherever it takes to find goods that fit its upscale niche. Some sources haven't been able to keep up. "It's not the Sweet 16 any more, it's the Great 48 or whatever you want to call it. It's because I've had to diversify," he said.

While it's more work, the broader variety has made the stores more interesting to walk through and helps Shanks offer what it has long strived to provide - a look that can't be duplicated in just any store. This dedication to creating unusual, unforgettable displays has never changed for the retailer, though the way Shanks goes about it is always evolving to deal with distribution challenges and the needs of consumers, who are savvier than ever before.

The third generation operator, who has brought his own two children into the business, said the retailer has navigated rough waters without having to change its core business model. "We still want to be known as the nicest store in this part of the country," said Forwood - not just in high-end furniture, but in all of retail.

-Excerpted from “On the Road: Louis Shanks keeps Evolving” Furniture/Today by Clint Engle

Louis Shanks and Toys for Tots

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:45:39 -0600

We would like to thank everyone who came out and contributed to the Louis Shanks Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. The collection was hugely successful, with enough toys donated to fill a 20 foot truck and a van from the Austin location alone. Combined with the donations from Houston and San Antonio, we are proud to say that thousands of children in need will be on the receiving end of a little extra holiday cheer. We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity and contributions from our loyal customers.

All of us at Louis Shanks would like to send warm holiday wishes and a heartfelt thanks to all who helped brighten this holiday season for local children in need.

Wall Coverings of Today

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:51:06 -0600

Wallpaper is back, and we're not talking about your grandmother's outdated floralswith the matching borders. The wall coverings of today have been designed with a fresh new look, including unique metallic graphics and tactile finishes. They include all major design preferences, from traditional to modern, so anyone call fall in love with the right wall covering for their space. It is a great way to add architectural interest, without a budget breaking expense.

The perfect paper can be used as the inspiration for a room, followed by fabrics and furniture to finish the look. A powder bath can be completely transformed by adding a fabulous textured paper in a deep rich color. Using wall covering on the main wall behind a bed adds to the focal point of the room, with the adjoining walls in a more subdued complementary paper.

Here at Louis Shanks, our designers will help you find the perfect wall covering to turn an ordinary room into an absolutely stunning space that you will enjoy for years to come.

Discovering the Problem Behind the Problem

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:46:24 -0600

Many of our clients come into one of our showrooms with a specific piece or room in mind they would like to change. They may have convinced their spouse that their living room sofa is old and that they need a new one so they can have a revitalized and updated look. While some times it can be as simple as the sofa, more times than not, we notice the visual problem is something completely different. It could be a bare wall behind the sofa, or a lack of accessories in the space. Make sure when deciding you want to refresh a room that you know what it is you like and don’t like about your space so that you don’t change something that may not fix your problem. If you are not sure what the source of the problem is have one of the designers at Louis Shanks come and help you determine the best change for your home.

Bob Timberlake visits Louis Shanks Houston

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:19:03 -0600

World-renowned artist and designer Bob Timberlake made an exclusive area appearance at Louis Shanks in Houston this past Tuesday, November 8th.

Best known for his American Realist style works, Bob Timberlake is celebrated for his lifelike paintings of his rural North Carolina home and eclectic, lifestyle approach to furniture design.

“Bob is a true legend in the furniture industry, and we are thrilled to have him come speak at our store,” said Mike Forwood, president at Louis Shanks. “We have carried his products for over 20 years now, and I personally feel his work is the perfect cross between down-home Texas comforts and fine furniture -- something we have always offered at Louis Shanks.”

Frequently described as a natural storyteller, Bob Timberlake spoke to fans about his more than 40 years of award winning work in fine art and the furniture industry, including his newest collections with Century Furniture and took time to speak with fans and sign autographs.

"I am so honored Louis Shanks asked me to come visit this November and see all the fine folks in Houston. For me, it's so exciting to share all the new designs I've developed with Century Furniture and to finally have a chance to share them with the consumers,” said Bob Timberlake.