The furniture industry refers to it as the "North Carolina problem". Local dealers feel that NC offers buyers an unfair advantage over local dealers. Large NC dealers who cater to out-of-state buyers deal in such volumes that they can typically offer large discounts. Several years ago, bending to pressures from their local dealer network, many furniture companies implemented a Minimum Retail Price (MRP) strategy which forces all dealers to sell furniture for a minimum price. Fortunately, not all mfg. have this policy and great discounts are available. Two retailers are mentioned frequently here. Boyles is located in the Hickory Furniture Mart in Hickory, NC. Boyles sells a lot of furniture and owns and operates their own fleet of delivery trucks as opposed to contracting out to delivery companies. Delivery is a recurring problem with members on this site and Boyles has, for the most part, negated such problems. I say most part because there is much involved in mfg., delivering and setting up furniture and things can go wrong. I have bought furniture from Boyles several times and they have been excellent. A number of members here recommend lexfurniture.com which is based in Lexington, Ky. They are aggressive with their discounts. I have never bought furniture from them but would based on feedback in this forum. There are a few to avoid in NC and I can mention one. Southern Designs in the Hickory Furniture Mart. We had problems from the beginning and their customer service was non-existent. Knowing which companies to avoid is as important as which ones to consider and that is true whether you are speaking of local or NC dealers.

Ilanab, To your question-In my case, I purchased two ways, I got the manufacture and sku #'s from the pieces on the showroom floor at the local retailer. Then called many of the wholesales in NC to compare prices and shipping costs. So I did see the pieces. When you purchase locally, you aren't usually buying the display pieces either. The second way that I have made selections is to spend 2-3 days in Hickory or High Point shopping the enormous furniture malls. This is like a vacation for me as I enjoy the experience. I bring samples, pictures, room dimensions, camera, and make voluminous notes on what I see. Then come home to think it though, call from home to make my order. This book is a MUST HAVE if you are serious about NC furniture shopping-whether you go to NC or shop from home. I went to a workshop that the author conducted in my town (Tampa). It was helpful but at that point I was a pretty seasoned buyer and it just confirmed what I had learned through my own experience. Here is a link that might be useful: The Furniture Factory Outlet Guide

Okay so you don't have prefect timing. Had you asked the question last August, timing would have been perfect and you could have done the reno. But if you follow the following guidelines, your weeds will be much nicer than anyone else's weeds. Basics of Lawn Care After reading numerous books and magazines on lawn care, caring for lawns at seven houses in my life, and reading numerous forums where real people write in to discuss their successes and failures, I have decided to side with the real people and dispense with the book and magazine authors. I don't know what star their planet rotates around but it's not mine. With that in mind, here is the collected wisdom of the Internet savvy homeowners and lawn care professionals summarized in a few words. If you follow the advice here you will have conquered at least 50% of all lawn problems. Once you have these three elements mastered, then you can worry about weeds (if you have any), dog spots, and striping your lawn. But if you are not doing these three things, they will be the first three things suggested for you to correct. Watering Water deeply and infrequently. Deeply means at least an inch in every zone, all at once. Infrequently means monthly during the cool months and no more than weekly during the hottest part of summer. Do not spread this out and water for 10 minutes every day. If your grass looks dry before the month/week is up, water longer next time. If that does not work, then you might have to water more than once per week during the summer's hottest period. Deep watering grows deep, drought resistant roots. Infrequent watering allows the top layer of soil to dry completely which kills off many shallow rooted weeds. You will have to learn to judge when to water your own lawn. If you live in El Paso your watering will be different than if you live in Vermont. Adjust your watering to your type of grass, temperature, humidity, wind, and soil type. It is worth noting that this technique is used successfully by professionals in Phoenix, so...just sayin.' The other factors make a difference. If you normally water 1 inch per week and you get 1/2 inch of rain, then adjust and water only 1/2 inch that week. Mowing Every week mulch mow at the highest setting on your mower. Most grasses are the most dense when mowed tall. However, bermuda, centipede, and bent grasses will become the most dense when they are mowed at the lowest setting on your mower. In fact there are special mowers that can mow these grasses down to 1/16 inch. Dense grass shades out weeds, keeps the soil cooler, and uses less water than thin grass. Tall grass can feed the deep roots you developed in #1 above. Tall grass does not grow faster than short grass nor does it look shaggy sooner. Once all your grass is at the same height, tall grass just looks plush. Fertilizing Fertilize regularly. I fertilize 5 times per year using organic fertilizer. Which fertilizer you use is much less important than numbers 1 and 2 above. Follow the directions on the bag and do not overdo it. Too much is better than too little*. At this point you do not have to worry about weed and feed products - remember at this point you are just trying to grow grass, not perfect it. Besides once you are doing these three things correctly, your weed problems should go away without herbicide. * This used to read, "Too little is better than too much." Recent test results show that you cannot get too much organic fertilizer unless you bury the grass in it.

Golden Prize is a nice simple one. It and Early Bird Cardinal are my favorites I think....I grew Diamond Dusted Borders years ago, but in my climate the color was just too muddy for my taste so it found another home. They like it just fine. Goes to show you...........Maryl