Doppelganger

What is a Doppelgänger?

In common parlance, doppelganger has come to mean a "look alike" or "double". In German, the word literally means twice happening.

So, why is Traditions having a doppelganger sale this Labor Day Weekend? It is because our Overland Park location still has the Stickley Truckload Sale going on at 7911 Metcalf; and, because Stickley is offering a special Labor Day Sale of 45% off any special order in store.

What is not to like? Twice the opportunity to save. There are still some great buys on our Truckload items at last year's prices, but if you were waiting for that special piece, whether it is a Stickley sofa or chair, or whatever, buy it now and save big.

The Labor Day Sale ends Tuesday, so come in now and enjoy. Closed Sunday, open Monday, Labor Day.

The Morris Bow Arm Recliner

The Morris Bow Arm Recliner

William Morris (1834 - 1896) was one of the leading architects of the English Arts and Crafts Movement. Gustav Stickley (1858 -1942), the father of American Arts and Crafts acknowledged his indebtedness to Morris' ideals and concepts.

It was William Morris who deserves credit as the father of all reclining chairs by inserting pegs into a chair frame allowing the back to recline.

But it was Gustav Stickley who redesigned the chair making it both functional and beautiful. Gracefully curve the arm of the chair to conform to the contour of the body. Utilize quarter-sawn oak with its natural flaking pattern. Apply varnish and lacquer to highlight the unique grain pattern. Employ mortise and tenon joinery that strengthens the construction and demonstrates the talent of the craftsman who built the chair.

Gustav Stickley first produced the Morris chair in 1904. Over the years there have been many imitators, but none have surpassed the quality and beauty of the Stickley Morris chair. Today, that tradition of craftsmanship and attention to detail continues in the company still called Stickley Furniture, located in Manlius, upstate New York.

Tsuba Chair

Over the years, Stickley Furniture has continued to innovate and refine both its style and method of production to improve on quality and design. One innovation has been the adaption of the Bow Arm Recliner to the style of Stickley's Pasadena Bungalow Collection.

Let's talk value.

Here is one of Gustav Stickley’s most famous designs - the Bow Arm Morris Chair,  made by Gustav Stickley from 1901 to 1916 and still made today by the L. & J.G. STICKLEY of Manlius , New, York. The arched arms, pluralized by the arch along the seat apron gave this chair a little more sensitivity than Stickley’s straight lined recliners. How do you put a price on comfort and styling?

Discover what Sotheby's sold an original Bow Arm Morris Recliner for in 2010 by visiting Stickley's Antique of the Week Archive.

Strolling in Montpellier

Montpellier

Montpellier is perhaps better known to American school children as the capital of the state of Vermont. French children would beg to differ, and I would say, "Vive la différence!"

Montpellier is capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, located along the southern coast of France and facing the Mediterranean with its blue waters. Montpellier has a long tradition as a university city a distant relative to two medieval universities. Montpellier University. More than a quarter of Montpellier's 260.000 inhabitants are students.

We say, "Summer in France" - the French, "été en France". Either way, it is a time for vacation for students and others. Strolling in Montpellier by Hovely, evokes the sultry air of southern France and the quaint streets of Montpellior, even if it sizzles. 

And, if you can't get there for now, you can imagine the charm of the city and its cafes by purchasing this beautiful print at Traditions Furniture. C'est tres jolie.

Traditions

Life is a balancing act between work and family, between family and friends, between self and others. If we lean one way too far then we loose our balance, our way in the world.

The only way to keep from falling is to focus, to put one step in front of the other, eyes straight ahead. No worrying about kids when you are working, no worrying about work when you are with your kids. Spend time with the kids doing what they like to do, but relax with friends making adult conversation and sharing thoughts that matter. And sometimes, it is necessary to get away from it all and work on self improvement. Read a book, exercise, take a trip, whatever recharges the mental batteries and keeps the motor running.

When we choose the name Traditions for the store, we had in mind the musical Fiddler on the Roof. At the heart of Fiddler on the Roof is the theme that life is a balancing act like that of a fiddler on the roof. The opening song Tradition itself refers to the precariousness of life against which tradition is our guide. But the story is also about new traditions, new ways of doing things, and our attitude toward this process can be deceptively tricky to pin down. So, take a deep breath and place the next foot in front of the other.

And how do we keep our balance? Traditions.

It takes Someone Special to be a Dad

Older now, I reflect back on my time with Dad.

From birth to the age of ten, I really needed him. Whether it was baseball and biking or books and homework, Dad was there to teach and show me the way. From 10 to 20 years, I would occasionally check in with him. My friends suddenly became a bigger part of my life and time spent with Dad was a second here and there.  From 20 to 30 years, I thought I knew everything and Dad was a phone call on weekends or a card on birthdays and holidays. From 30 to 40 years, I too became a Father. Then again, I saw my Father as a friend whose advice and wisdom I needed again. Maybe, I have finally grown up!

There are many quotes about fatherhood, but the one I like best is by Australian born photographer, Anne Geddes.

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a Dad."

 Although my Dad is no longer with me, I can still see him sitting in his chair at the end of a long day at work. I hear his voice when I speak to my own son and try to be the father my father was to me. I feel his spirit when from the closet I take out the hat he used to wear and put it on my own head. I know that he is not far away.

Father's Day celebrates all that Dad has done. So, for all those caring Dads out there who dedicate their time, give love beyond measure, and sacrifice endlessly in the hope of creating happiness for someone else – Relax and Happy Father's Day.

Tent Sale Through This Saturday, June 10th

Seeming far far far away, all the noise in my ear gets louder as if quite near; now sitting, thinking thoughts that mingle with dreams, of hills far away and their cool, cool, cool streams.

Sometimes, one needs to clear out the cob webs. And by cob webs, I mean the clutter that crowds in and confuses the mind with thoughts that really don't matter. So, it is nice to get a fresh start and wake up to something new and exciting.

Traditions Home is finishing its Tent Sale this week. We are clearing out the cob webs. No not old and dusty, but items that are slightly damaged, or items that have been around a little too long. And our wish to bring in the new is your advantage as we are selling all Yellow Tag items at great discounts.

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1971 Congress, with the passage of the National Holiday Act, established a three day weekend by making Memorial Day the last Monday in May.

While Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who have died serving the nation in war, it is only fitting that this weekend serve to remind us that tragedy makes all of us Americans.A shared sacrifice is an American value.

The tornado in Joplin last week devastated an area six miles long and up to three-fourths of a mile across. There are over 120 dead and hundreds still missing. The tornado was indiscriminate in its destruction. Along with hundreds of homes and dozens of businesses, it struck a hospital and three churches. The tragic stories of love ones pulled out of cars or from the arms of a mother fill us with heartache. Missouri Governor Nixon said: "You almost felt like you were walking on the hallowed ground of a battlefield. ... We are going to battle back."

On Sunday President Obama plans to visit Joplin. No doubt he will remind us of the many natural tragedies that have occurred recently.  These include other tornadoes in Reading, Kansas and in Oklahoma, along with the masive flood waters of the Mississippi. In a memorial service on Sunday, the President will recognize the significance of the loss in Joplin but also make plans to move forward. We are a resilient nation. Memorial Day reminds us of that.

This Memorial Day many Americans are spending the weekend helping out fellow Americans. You too can honor Memorial Day and help.

CNN - How to help Joplin, tornado victims.

KAKE - Find out how you can help Reading, Kansas.

Memorial Day has many other traditions - flying the flag, visiting the cemetery, simply remembering loved ones, wearing a poppy flower as a buttoneer, and yes, even the Memorial Day cook-out are all symbols that as a people we honor our traditions. Be American, take time off, come together, honor others on Memorial Day.