Furnishing Futons To Fit Any Home

Alana Folen
Wednesday - October 26, 2011
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
| Share Del.icio.us

Rachael Mendes offers a wide range of styles at Island Futons & Furnishings in Kalihi. Photo courtesy Rachael Mendes

Rachael Mendes of Island Futons & Furnishings has always had a passion for interior design and is currently embarking on an entrepreneurial journey like no other. Island Futons & Furnishings opened its doors this summer and, as the only futon store/showroom on Oahu, provides local residents with upscale futons at an affordable price.

“The concept behind our business is to give Hawaii residents a convenient place to find functional, quality wood furniture that fits our island lifestyle,” the Kaneohe resident says. “We offer a place for shoppers to see a wide range of futon styles, sizes and mattress types, so they can see how great these dualpurpose pieces of furniture can look and feel.

“I knew there was a gap in the market for futons since the last futon specialty store closed about four years ago, and people were having a difficult time finding a futon around town,” she adds, noting that her specialty shop has daybeds, bunk beds and platform beds available as well.

Located off Nimitz Highway in Kalihi, Island Futons & Furnishings will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring giveaways, keiki games and prizes. Free shave ice also will be provided by Tat’s Shave Ice Truck until 1 p.m.


“Being a specialty futon shop allows us to offer people the best futons available,” Mendes says, adding that for this family-owned business, premier customer service is essential.

“Customers never have to feel pressured or hovered over, and we always try to go the extra mile to find what you’re looking for. In this economy, I think great customer service is the best way for any small business to compete with larger stores or even big box companies,” she says.

According to Mendes, Island Futons & Furnishings offers something for all budgets with sofa bed futon sets ranging from $490 to $940.

“The futons we see today have evolved from the traditional Japanese futons, which are still widely used in Japan. The thin cotton Japanese shikibutons that are slept on and rolled up and stored during the day have evolved into much thicker mattresses that now are supported by raised folding frames,” she explains.


“Futon mattresses are commonly known for being firm because of the cotton that is traditionally used in them. However, today, with the use of innersprings and high quality foams like memory foam futons are much thicker and more comfortable than they were 20 years ago,” she adds. “Futons work so well in Hawaii because they have great spacesaving and dual-purpose benefits. For example, for those in studio apartments or dorms, futons offer a sofa and a bed all in one piece of furniture in order to maximize living space.”

Island Futons & Furnishings is located at 1804 Kanakanui St. For more information, call 8423800 or visit islandfutonshawaii.com.

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS Comments (0) |

Most Recent Comment(s):

Posting a comment on MidWeek.com requires a free registration.

Username

Password

Auto Login

Forgot Password

Times Supermarket

 

 

 


Tiare Asia and Alex Bing
were spotted at the Sugar Ray's Bar Lounge