American Home Gallery Showroom

How to Paint Furniture

2011-10-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

The key to a successful furniture painting project is in the preparation. Surfaces to be painted need to have a dull finish so that primer will adhere to it. TSP or TSP Substitite can be used to degloss and prep surfaces, but if you have a very glossy finish, as in the table example below, "liquid sandpaper" is great alternative to sanding for speed and dust control.

Using the liquid sandpaper is my preferred method of furniture prep. I don't like sanding because of the dust that it creates, However, you should take precautions when using the chemicals by reading their directions. For more information on deglosser products click here.

If you have flaking surfaces, you will have sand the surface. All flaking surfaces have to be removed. If you have veneer damage, simply remove the loose pieces and fill the voids with a wood-filler and sand until smooth.

My preferred primer is the Kilz Original oil-based spray primer. This makes for quick work, but you must have a well-ventilated space and a spray area to catch the over-spray. If you don't have that, Kilz Premium water-based liquid primer is the next best thing.

Use 4" high-density foam rollers.for a brush-free finish. I use a brush for the edges and corners first, then use the roller for overall surface painting. The trick for no drips is to remember not to brush the paint over into an edge, always brush "off" of the edges.

Typically, you will need one prime coat and two top coats. If you are distressing your finished piece, you may only need one top-coat.

Have fun transforming your pieces!

Gather the supplies.

Here is a dining table in need of a makeover.

Table primed and painted.

Table in it's new environment.

If you don't want to paint your own pieces, contact us and we can do it for you in our in-house workroom. Prices vary depending on condition and size of the piece.

Julie Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her studio and showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's clients are primarily in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, however, she will travel throughout the state and North East. www.JulieFergus.com |

Motorized Window Shades

2011-09-28T12:18:00.001-07:00

A video of an installation we did of nine Hunter Douglas Architella Honeycomb shades motorized with PoweRise Platinum technology. The PoweRise technology has a combination of Infared and Radio Frequency lifting. This allows you to group shades for mulitple lifting and lowering; and allow you to point to individual shades for lifting and lowering. Flexibility and ease when choosing motorized window shades from Hunter Douglas.

We offer professional installation and programming of the remotes. Contact us to discuss your window covering needs.

For detailed information about the PoweRise technology please click here.

2011-09-19T05:41:00.001-07:00

We email a newsletter every three weeks. The email includes design ideas, retail promotions, industry product information, and a recipe. Click here to read our most recent newsletter.

If you would like to recieve our email newsletter,, please sign up by clicking here.

Showroom

2011-03-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

Showroom - Main furnishings display area.

Fabric and Hunter Douglas samples. Cabinet showroom beyond.

Gallery art wall.

Drapery display showing different headers and hardware.

Vintage sofa reupholstered.

Vintage sofa with new fabric and pillows.

Showroom February 2011

2011-02-12T05:35:00.000-08:00

We are in the process of revamping our showroom. Drapery and custom upholstery will be the main focus.

Sofa will be upholstered in this with accent pillows.

Natural Elements showroom.

Natural Elements room.

Board mounted valance.

Board mounted valance detail.

Showroom Fabric Library

2011-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Click on the photo to enlarge.

Many fabric books are on display in the showroom. Come in and browse! Click here for current showroom hours.

Virtual Tour of our Fabric and Cabinetry Showroom

2010-01-14T13:15:00.000-08:00

Click here to watch a video tour of our fabric and cabinetry showroom.

Professional Installation

2009-11-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

Click the photo to enlarge.

Professional installation by us ensures that every custom made window treatment (drapery, curtains, blinds, shutters or shades) you purchase through American Home Gallery will level, plumb and securely fastened. We help you choose the best product for your budget, style and needs.

Drapery and Hardware on Display

2009-08-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

The retail showroom has several styles of drapery and decorative hardware on display. All window treatments are custom and make to compliment your decor. Make an appointment to discuss your window treatment needs. Elements and functions of treatments: privacy, light control, insulation, and / or just decoration.

Natural Element Homes Showroom

2009-05-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

An alliance has been formed between Tennesee Log Homes of NH, Cormack Construction Management and American Home Gallery. The alliance will allow you to receive design and construction of a timber frame style and or log home.

Natural Element Homes display in our showroom showcases timber frame construction and the variety of exterior siding options. Literature and a revolving DVD of images are available.

Visit the American Home Gallery showroom to see the quality details and to learn more about this beautiful home design style. Click here for showroom hours.

Click on photos to enlarge them.

Custom Upholstery Services

2008-12-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

These photos represent the sampling of our custom upholstery / furniture work.. All work is performed by skilled professionals. To make it easy for you, we pick up and redeliver your pieces. Choose from our multiple fabric lines to find a fabric that will meet your durability and decor needs.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Custom cushion and pillows.

Custom cushions and pillows.

Chairs in need of a makeover.

First we painted them in our work shop. Chose warm chenille and contrasting stripe.

Accent pillows transition these from boring side chair to comfy sitting chair.

Headboard made from scratch in our workroom, using a vibrant Duralee Fabric.

Leg detail: it bolts to your bed frame.

Button tufting gives a textured detail.

Welting frames with top and sides.

A wide stripe adds visual insterest.

Custom cushion.

Custom cushion, bolsters, pillows, and valance.

Day bed and pillows. (we did the shutters too)

Slip covered main chair - cushions in a different fabric.

The slip cover is an ideal way to easily launder your fabrics.

Window seat cushion (and custom valance)

Bench cushion and pillows for kitchen dining area.

Reupholstered sofa (sorry for the bad lighting)

Sofa reupholstery.

Everything here is custom made: mattress cover and all of the pillows in a variety of fabrics and shapes.


Choose poly or feather pillows. Lots of sizes and shapes to choose from.

Chair after.

Chair before

Custom slipcover using "outdoor" fabric for sun resistance properties.

Custom upholstered headboard. This one is very simple, but many shapes and details can be fabricated.


Custom headboard is secured to bedframe. It is a very sturdy and soft treatment.

Vintage sofa with nice wood detail and shape, but fabric and cushion were worn.

New upholstery, cushion and pillows. Now it's a pretty sofa.

Three fabrics were chosen to give this a very custom look.

Custom pillows.

Chair reupholstered with custom pillow.

Chair before.

Chair after.

This red fabric had faded and the chair was recovered with a fabric in a lighter background.

Chairs after.

Chairs before

Setee after.

Setee before.

Vintage chair - nice lines, dull visually.

Chairs painted and covered in fresh new fabrics.

Chairs from second-hand shop. Nice design by dull looking.

We painted the chairs and covered them in two fabrics.

This was the whole dining set as purchased.

Here is the dining set painted and recovered. Much more current style.

Long cushion with sun-resistance fabric to help with fading.

Chairs in two fabrics.

Home Improvement Services

2008-12-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

We're here to serve you for ALL of your home improvement needs. One-stop shopping is possible to maximize your time and budget when engaging in home improvement projects. When working with me, a certified, professional interior designer, your project will run smoothly and you can avoid costly mistakes and purchases. Get it right the first time to maximize your remodeling or redecorating project.

When planning window coverings come to us for custom window treatments and.Hunter Douglas shades and shutters. All are fabricated to suit your décor, privacy and light control needs. When buying through us, you’ll receive complimentary in-home measurements, assured of color, texture, and lifestyle co-ordination, assured of prompt accurate delivery, assured of complimentary top-notch installation by our own installers NOT subcontractors who are here today and gone tomorrow. You might be able to buy similar products cheaper, and we will match their price when they match our service!

You can't buy this product and installation from a catalog or the internet When you want custom, quality and expert installation, we are your choice.

Design a new kitchen or bathroom with our line of custom cabinetry by Rich Maid Kabinetry. Quality cabinet craftsmanship ensures that your new kitchen or bathroom will increase the value of your home. From exotic woods, painted and glazed finishes to simple pine and maple, you will have many choices to personalize your custom cabinetry.

Hunter Douglas Promotions

2008-10-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Click on this image to view it larger.

Contact us today to learn about current Hunter Douglas Promotions.

Exclusive offer for American Home Gallery customers and clients: Free measuring, quotes and installation on Hunter Douglas orders (shutter installations excluded). There are so many wonderful products that can personalize your home and fulfill your needs, whether it is privacy, room darkening or energy efficiency. Call today for an appointment. We bring samples to you!

Fabric Library

2008-05-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Fabrics from Kravet, Robert Allen, Fabricut, Schumacher, Lee Jofa, Duralee and Carole Fabrics are on display. Purchase fabric by the yard or have us fabricate custom window treatments and reupholster your furniture.

Browse the many fabric sample books on display. We can also do web search on manufacturer websites and order memo samples. This gives you access to thousands of fabrics!

Custom Cabinetry

2007-09-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

Rich Maid Kabinetry.
(click on image to make it larger - making it possible to read the text)

In an effort to provide clients and customers with one-stop shopping for home remodeling and design needs we evolve our product line to make it easy for you.

Rich Maid Kabinetry is a custom cabinet manufacturer. Anything you desire can be made. Quality cabinetry, design by nationally recognized interior designer Julie Fergus, ASID and the AHG remodeling team, you can have a kitchen and bathroom beyond your imagination.