"We've developed a concept to use vertical height," Lebensburger explained.

A cantilever frame will allow the stores to stack sofas or dressers, and a "Hollywood Squares" style fixture will put nightstands high off the floor.

Ashley hasn't announced a name for the new chain yet, but the first prototype has opened in 3,800 square feet of space in a mall in Pottstown, Pa.

• Step 1) Insert portable CE device or handset
• Step 2) Used device automatically valued
• Step 3) Portables automatically binned inside. User receives trade-up coupon, gift card, and/or charitable contribution

IKEA Chief Executive Anders Dahlvig, due to step down on Sept. 1, said in an interview with Swedish daily Dagens Industri that the group's trend of rapid growth had been broken as the worst recession in living memory hit markets across the world. "(But) thanks to us having succeeded in swiftly cutting our costs we are spared the large losses that have hit other companies," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

"And it is of course positive to be able to post our best ever sales in the middle of the worst downturn in the modern era."

Boosted by the opening of new stores, the group currently sees sales rising 3 percent to 21.5 billion euros ($29.8 billion), excluding currency swings, in its fiscal year ending on Aug. 31, the newspaper said.

Williams-Sonoma has been introducing lower prices across its store brands, including its namesake outlets as well as Pottery Barn and West Elm. Among the best-selling merchandise, the company said, are inexpensive goods such as pillows.

The San Francisco-based retailer also is lowering prices on bigger-ticket items such as furniture to entice shoppers. The starting price of a sofa at its Pottery Barn stores has dropped to $999 from $1,299. At its value-oriented West Elm stores, it reintroduced the basic futon, furniture that can convert from a sofa to a bed.

Howard Lester, chairman and chief executive of Williams-Sonoma, said on a conference call with investors, "People's homes are still one of their most material assets, and they will invest in them over time. And when they do, our brands will be well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunity."

"All of our focus moving forward will be to fulfill customer's orders and provide the products that our customers have come to expect from Door Store. As for now, it is business as usual, but better," said the company in a statement.

According to the bankruptcy filing, the company estimates its current inventory to be near $1.7 million. Its showroom spaces average near 6,000 square feet, and, even with renegotiated leases, could still be costly to maintain when shoppers aren’t buying, according to retail experts.

"I'm sure their rents were pretty high," said Michael Appel, managing director of Quest Turnaround Advisors. "When the volume goes down so dramatically, like it has, it’s pretty hard to operate a business."

• Perfect Placement - Walk around your property and evaluate the various areas and views to be enjoyed. A seating area will be utilized more frequently if it takes advantage of a positive feature in the landscape, such as a cozy corner, a clearing along a path or a view of the garden.
• Find a Focal Point - Create a more satisfying experience by placing Adirondack chairs in view of a focal point. People will linger longer if they have something to look at, such as the flames of a fire pit, the water in a reflecting pool or birds at a feeder.
• Seated Up Front - Gathering spaces are often reserved for the backyard, but there is no reason not to create a seating area out front. Pair Adirondack chairs with flowers, statues and birdfeeders to develop a welcoming spot for visitors and neighbors to gather and enjoy.
• Expand Your Living Area - Dining and socializing outdoors are coveted activities, especially during the spring and summer months. Expand the boundaries of your home to the yard by placing Adirondack chairs around a dining table or fire pit to create an instant outdoor living space.
• Get Away From It All - Construct a private space for relaxation and rejuvenation by nestling an Adirondack chair, ottoman and side table into a secluded area of the property away from the house. This provides the perfect getaway spot for reading, napping or simply enjoying the surroundings.
• On the Flat and Level - Even the best-looking seating will be unappealing if it is placed off kilter. Always position Adirondack chairs on a level surface or change the grade around the chairs to create a flat area that is wider than the seat and deep enough for the sitter's feet to rest on the ground.
• "Back Up" Your Seating - Create a sense of security around your Adirondack chairs by settling them against a wall, fence or hillside. Placing a backdrop behind your seating creates an enclosed refuge that is comforting, while still providing a view of the surrounding world. Planting large shrubs, a dense bed of ornamental grasses or tall perennials provides a similar effect.
• Shelter from the Elements - Where possible, place Adirondack chairs in a garden house, gazebo or a pavilion, or build a simple arbor or trellis structure overhead. Covering a seating area allows people to remain outside whatever the weather.

The "Comfort Collection" sofa starts at $999, 30% below Pottery Barn's next-priced sofa, as Williams-Sonoma tries to reset its popular brand's image as more affordable.

It's an important shift for the chain, whose style -- dubbed "The Pottery Barn Look" -- is among the most copied in the home-furnishings industry. Historically, Pottery Barn has focused on higher priced products, counting on customers to reward it for style and quality.

Many retail consultants and analysts say Pottery Barn is smart to adjust. "You have to reflect the fact that we're in a much different environment than we were a few years ago," says Craig Johnson, president of the retail consulting firm Customer Growth Partners.