The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

By: Tiffany Sun, Associate Editor
For: Quick & Simple

You can furnish your home in style without ever setting foot out of the front door! Jennifer Litwin, author of Furniture Hot Spots, shares her secrets for getting great steals on the Web.

Timing Is Everything

Be a night owl – or an early bird. Many sellers post items in the wee hours, so you’ll find the most refreshed inventory then or first thing in the a.m.

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

Seek out sellers who provide bright, clear images of their items. Otherwise, that red velvet chair that caught your eye may turn out to be pumpkin orange when it arrives!

Make Your Mark

You’re not the only one with good taste, so if you really love something, show your interest immediately. Respond to a post as quickly as possible – a phone call (rather than an e-mail, which can be overlooked) may put you at the top of the list and separate you from the pack of potential buyers.

Shop Around

If you’re a Bargain Betty, you’ll need to look at more than one outlet to make sure you’re getting a fair price. Cross-reference your item or something similar to it with other online vendors, a local dealer or even a low-end auction house.

Ask For Proof

Some sellers may mention a name brand in the item description to draw in customers, when their actual product is generic or a knockoff. Ask to see a photo of the company’s sticker on the item or a scan of a certificate of authenticity.

Sniff Out Scams

Don’t fall prey to swindlers! Fraudulent sellers often only accept money by wire transfer, bank transfer or cash because they’re tough to trace. Instead, opt for well-established vendors who accept payment via credit card, PayPal or even an escrow service (a licensed company that will collect and send your payment to the seller based on instructions agreed upon by both parties).

What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You

A seller may be leaving out certain details for a reason. To make sure you’re getting the whole story, find out before you buy whether an item has any defects, if it requires assembly and what the return policy is. (For example: Is there a time limit on sending it back? Will you be charged a restocking fee, or get a full refund? Who pays for shipping and repairs if the item was damaged in transit?) Also, beware of hidden commission fees.

By: Money Magazine’s Andrea Bartz, Ismat Sarah Mangla, Noah Rothbaum and Wilson Rothman
For: CNN Money

To get the most for your money, you need to know two things: when the good stuff is worth paying extra for and when the economy choice is plenty good enough.

Sofa Restoration Hardware Grand-Scale Camelback sofa $1,725 to $2,635
Save or spend: Spend

“The sofa is the anchor of your living room,” says interior designer Thom Filicia. That alone may make it worth a splurge.

But also: Above $2,000 you tend to get something sturdier. “The biggest thing to consider is the frame,” says Jennifer Litwin, author of “Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!”

On cheaper couches, the frame may be made of metal or pressed wood. Kiln-dried hardwood like you’ll find in this sofa from Restoration Hardware is better; it gives, therefore it won’t crack.

Look for a down-foam mix in the cushions. “The best couches feature eight-way hand-tied coils too,” says Litwin.

Ask the salesperson whether the store has a cutaway. But also just lift it – a solidly constructed sofa shouldn’t be easy to pick up.

By: Jean Chatzky, TODAY Show contributor
For: Today Show on msnbc.com

We’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for,” but it’s not always so black and white. So how do you know when a cheaper version of a product is a good buy or when it would be better in the long run to pay top dollar? Luckily for us, that’s a question “Money” magazine’s September issue and and TODAY’s Financial editor Jean Chatzky tackled.

The kitchen

Microwave: Emerson MW8992RD, 0.9-Cubic-Foot 900W, $60 (Target.com)
Save or spend: Save

Most microwaves on the market are made by a Chinese outfit called Galanz, so the guts and functionality are remarkably similar. As for looks, Emerson’s red stainless model has lots of style.

Pepper mill: Seven-inch Peugeot Paris, $38 (money.cnn.com)
Save or spend: Spend

Just as with coffee, pepper tastes better if you grind it yourself. That’s why, according to chef Charlie Palmer, a good pepper mill is a must. It’ll produce a consistent texture, and you’ll be able to adjust the size of the grind. Peugeot (yes, it’s the automaker) has been making this mill since 1847, and the design hasn’t changed much in that time. Each grinder groove is individually cut and case hardened.

Knives: Global GS-14 Utility Scalloped Knife, $55 (Yuppiechef.com)
Save or spend: Spend

Cheaper knives are usually stamped out of sheets of low-quality stainless steel; they don’t keep an edge and can’t be sharpened. What you want instead is a hand-shaped knife that’s made from high-carbon stain-resistant steel, such as those from Global, MAC and Wüsthof. The carbon makes the metal harder, and as a result the knife stays sharp longer. No need to buy a huge set, however. “Most chefs use the same three or four knives,” says Eric Ripert, chef at New York City’s Le Bernardin restaurant. His must-haves: a 10-inch chef’s knife, a three-inch paring knife, a boning knife and a serrated knife. “If you take good care of them, you’ll have them for 20 years,” says Ripert.

Food processor: Hamilton Beach ChefPrep 70610, $50 (Hamiltonbeach.com)
Save or spend: Save

You could pay several hundred dollars for a top-of-the-line model, but frequent TODAY guest Mark Bittman, author of the best-selling cookbook “How to Cook Everything,” says a cheaper machine will do the job just fine. The pricier processors do have mightier motors, but you don’t need that power, he says. A “value brand” (like Black & Decker, Hamilton Beach or Oster) with a 10-cup capacity will do well by home cooks. This Hamilton Beach model can slice, shred or chop, and the bowl and the blade are dishwasher-safe to boot.

The living room:

Sofa: Restoration Hardware Grand-Scale Camelback Sofa, $1,725 to $2,635(Restorationhardware.com)
Save or spend: Spend

As the piece that anchors your living room, you want a good one. “The biggest thing to consider is the frame,” says Jennifer Litwin, author of “Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!” On cheaper couches, the frame may be made of metal or pressed wood. Kiln-dried hardwood like you’ll find in this sofa from Restoration Hardware is better; it gives, therefore it won’t crack. Look for a down-foam mix in the cushions. “The best couches feature eight-way hand-tied coils, too,” says Litwin. PS: Don’t hesitate to try to lift it – a solidly constructed sofa shouldn’t be easy to pick up.

Cables: MonoPrice, Inc. Cables, $4.79 – $15.44 (money.cnn.com / Monoprice.com)
Save or spend: Save

When you’re getting your TV or home theater, a salesperson might try to sway you toward audio or video cables that are 10 to 20 times the price at more than $100 apiece. Don’t budge – a $5 to $10 gold-plated cable will suffice. The higher-end cables are indeed able to pass massive amounts of signal, but even the most super-duper HDTV (1080p) can pass through run-of-the-mill wires. Buy them online for lower prices; MonoPrice.com has some of the best deals around.

Coffee table: Pottery Barn, Chloe Coffee Table, $299(potterybarn.com)
Save or spend: Save

Increasingly, furniture is made from fiberboard and plywood. Since these can be labeled “wood,” it’s hard to tell what you’re buying. On the plus side, the finishes “are more convincing than ever, and the materials stronger,” says furniture expert Litwin. (This Pottery Barn table is part veneer over bentwood.) And since your coffee table doesn’t take much weight, you can safely buy on the lower end.

Cut flowers: $50 (money.cnn.com)
Save or spend: Spend

“Grocery stores and florists don’t generally sell the same quality of flowers, and they don’t handle them the same way,” says Amy Stewart, author of “Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers.” Because plants are their main source of revenue, florists are more likely to keep their inventory at the right temperature (near-freezing is best), frequently change the water and periodically recut stems, says Stewart. All these steps keep the blooms alive longer. Be especially wary of supermarket flowers kept too close to produce: The fruit gives off ethylene, which wilts plants.

Exercise equipment:

Stationary bike: Spinner Sport, $499(money.cnn.com / Spinner)
Save or spend: Save

The difference between home- and gym-quality exercise bikes isn’t that great, says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak: “Buy whatever you can afford and will use.” Even a simple spin bike with a heavy flywheel – like this Spinner Sport – will do. Pay more for electronic readouts and heart monitors if you want, but “those bells and whistles aren’t essential,” says Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise.

Treadmill: Cybex LCX 425T Treadmill, $4,795(money.cnn.com / PreCor)
Save or spend: Spend

These days you can buy a treadmill for as little as $100, but it’s really no bargain. The machine will lack stability and cushioning – and you could end up hurting yourself. “Step onto a cheap treadmill and it’ll wobble,” says personal trainer Paul Frediani, author of “Tri Power.” Quality treadmills are sturdier, with oversize steel rollers, welded-steel frames and big motors.

The bedroom

Headboard: West Elm Octagon Cutout Headboard, $359 (for queen-size) (money.cnn.com / West Elm)
Save or spend: Save

Framed beds are out, says furniture expert Jennifer Litwin. Headboards are in: “They make a room look finished without your spending in the thousands.” Because they don’t support weight, you don’t need to blow the budget.

Mattress and box spring: Sealy Silver Coast Ultra Plush Euro Pillowtop, $899 (for queen-size mattress and box spring)(money.cnn.com / Sealy)
Save or spend: Spend

This decision comes down mostly to comfort, but it’s safe to say that the cheapest mattresses don’t have much padding (you’ll feel the springs), are made with polyester (which can pack down over time), and have fewer coils (you want at least 350). As you go up in price, you gain layers of support, like body-molding memory foam or the “Posturepedic innerspring” featured in this Sealy. Tip: Ask the salespeople to start you from the bottom up, or they’ll have you test the priciest one first – and let you convince yourself that nothing less will do.

By: Penny Cockerell, The Oklahoman
For: The Daily Oklahoman

There was a time when decorating your college dorm room didn’t go much beyond a bedspread, a wall poster and, if you were lucky, a framed photo of your boyfriend.

Now, even though the dorm rooms themselves haven’t changed much, options for designing one that is both functional and fun make it not only possible, but a must.

Of course, colleges and universities have restrictions. And this may be your first real shot at decorating. Think of it as your first challenge with creativity.

The good news is, you’re not alone. Some really cool options are out there in bedding, wall decor, storage and more.

“Young people see a lot. There are magazines and TV shows with cool decor, and I think kids are into that. They want their rooms to be reflective of themselves,” said Bebe MacKellar, an interior decorator with Fanny Bolen Interiors in Oklahoma City.

Ruth Ellis, an Edmond interior designer, set up a mock dorm room in her home to illustrate the possibilities. The first thing she added was a circular theme of bright colors. Fuschia, lime green — all colors are available in draperies, bedding, wall art, stackable storage containers, you name it. Pick your scheme and go full tilt.

With so many inexpensive options, here’s your chance to be whimsical and sensible at the same time.

“Think about how you can make a huge splash of style without breaking the bank,” said Ellis, who just created “Girlie Girl Room,” an offshoot of her design firm, Fabulous Faces.

At the same time, pick items that can be easily moved.

Some of the top shoppers and designers offer these tips to get you started:

– Bedding is everything in a dorm room — and it can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and an achy sort of day. So buy an egg crate or featherbed padding and some decent pillows. And remember, most dorm room twin beds are extra long, so standard sheets won’t fit. Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Linens ‘N’ Things all carry extra long sheets at a reasonable cost.

If you tend to study and entertain on your bed, Ellis suggests buying a duvet cover that is machine washable. Throw pillows are another way to add color and turn your bed into a sofa.

– If your dorm allows it, consider setting up a loft, where stilts lift your bed to allow a desk and other belongings to go underneath. This is a great way to use your vertical space and create a wonderful sleep-study-storage-mini-kitchen area using very little floor space.

– Dorm rooms are always short on storage space, but you’re ahead if you think vertical. Plastic milk crates come in all colors, are great for books, papers, linens, and stack as high as you can reach. Better yet, pack your containers for what you will store in them before you move. Sheets, towels clothes stay in place until needed — just shove them under your bed.

– “Shop Cop” Jennifer Litwin recommends finding dual-purpose furniture and fixtures. Who hasn’t used a trunk for a coffee table at least once in their life? Urban Outfitters ( www.urbn.com) sells their Tufted Storage Chair in great colors like purple and lime. For $250 you can lift off the seat for storage, while keeping the room uncluttered.

– If you want to tune in, but not wake your roommate, consider the iBeanbag chair from Land’s End. This chair has two side speakers and a subwoofer and connects to MP3 players, laptops, personal DVD players or gaming systems so you can watch movies, play video games or listen to music while studying.

– Even lamps do more than turn on these days. Litwin recommends the Boogie Architect iLamp ( www.ilampstore.com). For only $89, this lamp holds and charges an iPod and stores pens, pencils and paper clips.

– Desk space is a premium in dorm rooms, so Ellis suggests using a floor lamp — halogen lamps give the most light. Or attach a clip-on light to your headboard for reading. Remember, most dorm rooms have just one overhead light, so consider a few lighting options.

An individual reading lamp, such as those that attach to books, is great for late-night studying while your roomie snoozes. Litwin, author of “Furniture Hot Spots” and “Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!” said she just bought her son a snake lamp. “You can wrap it around your head,” she said. “You don’t have to clamp it onto anything.”

– For the style-conscious, draperies can add depth to a room and steal the eye away from drab walls. Ellis suggests hanging colorful drapes over the headboard to create the illusion of a window. Coordinate the drapes with your bedding, hang matching fringe on an ordinary lamp and you’ve got style and drama.

If your dorm doesn’t allow curtain rods, consider using tension rods, which sell for about $7 at Linens ‘N’ Things.

– For color without the penalty of hanging things on the wall, consider “Wallies,” a series of self-adhesive cutouts, such as a retro-cool tie-dye pattern, that provides temporary wall art. They’re easily removable and don’t leave a mark ( www.wallies.com).

– Every student needs a bulletin board to keep track of schedules and friends. Some students use laundry lines to string pictures or ticket stubs on the wall or across the room. Litwin recommends a print stretch-canvas board, such as one found at West Elm ( www.westelm.com). A set of four costs $59 and comes in chocolate brown and tan. The colors pop, and each takes only 12 inches of wall space.

– Invest in hanging wall shoe pockets for your closet door — and don’t limit their use to shoes. Store whatever will fit, from soda cans to pencils to socks. Litwin suggests finding a door hanger with pockets to hold your keys, sunglasses and cell phone, so you always know where they are.

– Don’t forget over-the-door hooks for robes and towels and a drying rack — Bed, Bath & Beyond offers one that folds down to 3 1/2 inches, yet has nine rows. Cost: $10. Other must-haves: A shower caddy and flip-flops.

– Create a space for everything — even your coffee mug deserves a spot on the bookshelf.

– When possible, coordinate with your roommate on such items as microwave ovens and coffee pots. No point in filling your space with the same things.

Finally, think of your dorm room as your first great decor experiment. Just like a first kiss, we have many that follow — but we never forget the first.

By: Marni Jameson / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
For: Dallas News

If there were laws against furniture abuse, I’d be in jail. All winter long, I leave my patio furniture outside, uncovered, to endure freezing temps, hammering rain, hide-peeling sun and berry-eating bird assaults. Meanwhile I stay warm, dry and sun-protected inside. Then, about this time of year, I expect my outdoor furniture and me to pick up where we left off.

Turns out I have some making up to do.

The cushions take the worst beating – and not all due to laziness, though that’s partly to blame. The main reason my cushions languish outside all year is because the time is never right to bring them in. When it’s nice out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s nice out. I might want to sit outside.

When it’s crummy out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s crummy out. I don’t want to be outside.

When the skies clear, the cushions are wet or snow-covered, and I don’t want to bring them in until they dry. So I wait until it’s nice again. The cycle continues until we’re back to warm weather.

So when I heard that outdoor-furniture makers had started making furniture and fabrics that could withstand this abuse, I got even more excited than I did when Starbucks got drive-through. I felt vindicated.

“Gone are the days of slip-covering outdoor furniture at the end of the season,” said Jennifer Litwin, a Sotheby-trained furniture expert and author of Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever! (House of Collectibles, $14.95), who was singing my song.

“Today’s outdoor furniture is durable and can withstand cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow,” she says. “It’s heartier, sturdier and has less chance of rust and deterioration.”

In other words, outdoor-furniture makers finally acknowledged that furniture abuse is a way of life.

For furniture abusers this means the price of neglect just got cheaper. If you buy frames and cushions that can weather four seasons, you won’t pay the price of replacement every five to seven years.

For next year, I hope someone comes out with self-cleaning furniture – even better than a Starbucks drive-through.

Marni Jameson is a nationally syndicated columnist.

KEEP IT CLEAN

• Use a hose to clean patio furniture. If you need a deeper clean, try a mild solution of dishwashing soap and warm water. Brighten cast-iron and aluminum furniture with car wax. Avoid harsh cleaning solutions. Don’t clean patio furniture in the swimming pool. The chlorinated water will degrade the finish.

• To clean straps on vinyl furniture, which get stained with suntan oil, pool chlorine, unfiltered irrigation water and sap, try the same soapy solution. If stains persist, add a couple tablespoons of bleach to a half gallon of the soapy solution. Apply and rinse well. If that doesn’t work, increase the strength of the bleach solution. If a 50/50 mix of bleach and soapy water doesn’t work, replace the straps. When choosing strap colors, note that darker colors get hotter and fade faster. Light colors wear better. Don’t put off replacing old straps. Worn straps break easily, which is embarrassing no matter how much you weigh.

• To clean cushions, beat them to get the dust out, then vacuum them, and wipe them with a damp sponge or rag, says Spooky Apple, spokesperson for Glen Raven, makers of Sunbrella all-weather fabric. To treat spots, mist the spot using a spray bottle filled with a mild laundry detergent solution. Rub the spot with a soft towel or sponge (not a brush). Then mist again with clear water to rinse. For a really bad stain, try a little diluted bleach, after first spot-testing.

• If you can remove cushion covers from their fillers, machine-wash them in cold water using a mild detergent, such as Woolite, and air dry. Don’t put cushion covers in the dryer.

• If your cushions get soaked in a spring shower, turn them on their edges, so water runs out the sides, rather than collects. Often cushions that feel dry on the surface have water lurking inside. You don’t discover this soggy surprise until 10 minutes after you’ve sat down.

• If you have a pool, encourage people to use towels. Sparing the furniture from a barrage of suntan oil and chlorine could double its life.

By: Marni Jameson
For: Denver Post

If there were laws against furniture abuse, I’d be in jail. All winter long, I leave my patio furniture outside, uncovered, to endure freezing temps, hammering rain, hide-peeling sun and berry-eating bird assaults. Meanwhile I stay warm, dry and sun protected inside. Then, about this time of year, I expect my outdoor furniture and me to pick up where we left off.

Turns out I have some making up to do.

The cushions take the worst beating, and not all because of laziness, though that’s partly to blame. The main reason my cushions languish outside all year is the time is never right to bring them in. When it’s nice out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s nice out. I might want to sit outside.

When it’s crummy out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s crummy out. I don’t want to be outside. When the skies clear, the cushions are wet or snow-covered, and I don’t want to bring them in until they dry. So I wait till it’s nice again.

The cycle continues until, before I know it, we’re back to warm weather.

So when I heard that outdoor furniture makers had started making furniture and fabrics that could withstand this abuse, I got even more excited than I did when Starbucks got drive-through. I felt vindicated.

“Gone are the days of slip-covering outdoor furniture at the end of the season,” said Jennifer Litwin, a Sotheby- trained furniture expert and author of Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever, (Random House), who was singing my song. “Today’s outdoor furniture is durable, and can withstand cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow. It’s heartier, sturdier, and has less chance of rust and deterioration.”

In other words, outdoor furniture makers finally acknowledged that furniture abuse is a way of life. They addressed the pleas of time-pressed patio owners who demanded furniture that could stand the heat. Go the distance.

For furniture abusers this means the price of neglect just got cheaper. If you buy frames and cushions that can weather four seasons, you won’t pay the price of replacement every five to seven years. You will, however, have to give the furniture a good cleaning when the weather gets nice, or lose all friends who wear white pants.

For next year, I’m hoping someone comes out with self-cleaning furniture, even better than a Starbucks drive- through.

Jennifer Litwin, author of Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever, offers some ideas for reviving your outdoor furniture out of a season of neglect:

To clean patio furniture use a hose. If you need a deeper clean, try a mild solution of dishwashing soap and warm water. Brighten cast iron and aluminum furniture with car wax. Avoid harsh cleaning solutions. Don’t clean patio furniture in the swimming pool. The chlorinated water will degrade the finish.

To clean straps on vinyl sling or strap furniture, which get stained with suntan oil, pool chlorine, unfiltered irrigation water and tree debris try the same soapy solution. If stains persist, add a couple of tablespoons of bleach to a half-gallon of the soapy solution. Apply and rinse well. If that doesn’t work, increase the strength of the bleach solution. If a 50/50 mix of bleach and soapy water doesn’t work, replace the straps.

When vinyl straps stop bouncing back, don’t toss the chair. For just a few dollars you can replace straps in an updated color. When choosing strap colors, note that darker colors get hotter and fade faster. Light colors wear better. Don’t put off replacing old straps. Worn straps break easily, which is just embarrassing no matter how much you weigh.

To clean cushions, beat them to get the dust out, then vacuum them, and wipe them with a damp sponge or rag, says Spooky Apple, spokeswoman for Glen Raven Inc., makers of Sunbrella all- weather fabric. To treat spots, mist the spot using a spray bottle filled with a mild laundry detergent solution. Rub the spot with a soft towel or sponge (not a brush). Then mist again with clear water to rinse. For a really bad stain, try a little diluted bleach, after first spot-testing.

If you can remove cushion covers from their fillers, machine wash them in cold water using a mild detergent, like Woolite. Air dry. Don’t put cushion covers in the dryer.

If your cushions get soaked in a spring shower, turn them on their edges, so water runs out the sides, rather than collects. Often, cushions that feel dry on the surface have water lurking inside. You don’t discover this soggy surprise until 10 minutes after you’ve sat down.

If you have a pool, encourage people to use towels. Sparing the furniture from a barrage of suntain oil and chlorine could double its life.