Cool places for furniture?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Whatever happened to a classic leather couch and plush leather chairs. That's what's in my living room, and probably will be for awhile because it's not "trendy" and won't go out of style.

Nothing "happened" to it - in fact, the overwhelming majority of sites suggested in this thread have many straightforward leather designs, for just the reason you mentioned (also, that's one of my major issues when shopping for the space I'm in - I don't want it to look like a '70s space station in 5 years).

[PeppyGPhiB]

The couch I bought from a local high-end furniture store three years ago is already wearing out. Meanwhile, my mom's five-year-old PB couch is as good as the first day she got it...it's cushions are like new, no creaking or squeaks. And my five-year-old PB bedside tables are still perfect.

Here's a secret for those who don't know: PB, Crate and Barrel, and I'm sure other stores, all have their furniture made by third party manufacturers in North Carolina. There's probably very little difference between them in terms of quality and how they're made. A saleswoman at C&B told me that when I was looking at furniture there.

I didn't read the CR story, but how can they test something like, say, a sofa, for quality/value? Don't they need to monitor the piece over time? For bookcases, tables, etc. maybe it's different, but for things like sofas, plush chairs it's really hard to tell.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

The couch I bought from a local high-end furniture store three years ago is already wearing out. Meanwhile, my mom's five-year-old PB couch is as good as the first day she got it...it's cushions are like new, no creaking or squeaks. And my five-year-old PB bedside tables are still perfect.

Just because you buy something from a "high end" store does not mean it is of good quality. Mercedes and BMW make lemons too. Expensive does not always equal quality.

Here's a secret for those who don't know: PB, Crate and Barrel, and I'm sure other stores, all have their furniture made by third party manufacturers in North Carolina. There's probably very little difference between them in terms of quality and how they're made. A saleswoman at C&B told me that when I was looking at furniture there.

Sort of.... although some of Pottery Barn's upholstered furniture does indeed come from North Carolina from the Mitchell Gold Co, (they supply to PB, C&B and Restoration Hardware-- all crap in my opinion) but much of Potterty Barn's merchandise is imported from China and Vietnam. (which is not necessarily a bad thing-- much high end furniture comes from there.. but so does a lot of junk).

I didn't read the CR story, but how can they test something like, say, a sofa, for quality/value? Don't they need to monitor the piece over time? For bookcases, tables, etc. maybe it's different, but for things like sofas, plush chairs it's really hard to tell.

They took the pieces apart to find out how they were made. For example, they found particle board instead of solid wood.

Pottery Barn is currently owned by Williams Sonoma. They're looking to dump the Pottery Barn chain for this reason-- and I think it tells you a little something about the catagory of furniture it's in!

Williams-Sonoma, which has a market capitalization of about $4 billion, has faced competition in its Pottery Barn chain as cheaper retailers such as Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. offer similar merchandise at lower prices.

http://www.gourmetretailer.com/gourm..._id=1003537861

I love interior design. It's fun to go in to the NY Design Center with my friend who is an interior designer and just take in the gorgeous furniture. Even the Metropolitan Museum has a whole antique furniture section on display.

If you want beautifully crafted furniture (at a high end price tag), then you'll have to go to manufacturers like EJ-Victor, Henredon, Auffrey and Henkel Harris.

For modern, you'd go to Design Lush http://www.designlush.com/
Breuton http://www.brueton.com/
Dennis Miller http://www.dennismiller.com/
Desegno by James Diperisa http://www.designlush.com/

My point is that if you don't have much money right now... go for Ikea. Like Pottery Barn, it's not good furniture-- but at least it's not overpriced.

[PeppyGPhiB]

We just got a Henredon here...that place is crazy expensive! Some nice stuff, but some of it is WAY too BIG to look normal in even a mansion. A lot of oversized stuff.

I was just trying to offer up a few options that were reasonable in price. Of course there are more expensive options out there, but I don't think that's what the OP was asking.

[Lil' Hannah]

Hav u herd of Ikea?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

Hav u herd of Ikea?

i herd its gr8 do u <3 ikea?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

Hav u herd of Ikea?

You mean the Fourth Circle of Hell?

I went in an Ikea one time, and I have never wanted to run from a store so badly. We were on the road back home, and my wife dropped me off to look for a few things for the house while she and the kids went to a Lego store. That, of course, took a while, so I had nothing to do and no way to leave. Neither of us had ever been in an Ikea before, but we had heard raves about it. I swear, they designed that place specifically to induce cluastrophobia and agoraphobia. The one-way design was beyond annoying.

I saw maybe two pieces of furniture/light fixtures that I would even consider putting in my house -- otherwise it was like walking in a Scandanavian/Danish modern/urban/particle board and chrome nightmare.

Can you tell I hated it? I mean really hated it?

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

You mean the Fourth Circle of Hell?

I went in an Ikea one time, and I have never wanted to run from a store so badly. We were on the road back home, and my wife dropped me off to look for a few things for the house while she and the kids went to a Lego store. That, of course, took a while, so I had nothing to do and no way to leave. Neither of us had ever been in an Ikea before, but we had heard raves about it. I swear, they designed that place specifically to induce cluastrophobia and agoraphobia. The one-way design was beyond annoying.

I saw maybe two pieces of furniture/light fixtures that I would even consider putting in my house -- otherwise it was like walking in a Scandanavian/Danish modern/urban/particle board and chrome nightmare.

Can you tell I hated it? I mean really hated it?

But, have you tried their Swedish Meatballs?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

We were on the road back home, and my wife dropped me off to look for a few things for the house while she and the kids went to a Lego store.

How could you tell the IKEA apart from the Lego store?

My question is, what happened to the 4 cushion couch that 1) isn't a sectional 2) is long enough to lay down on w/ out dangling your legs over the side and 3) isn't overstuffed to high heaven? For that matter, the furniture in general that isn't overstuffed to high heaven? I mean, it really makes me doubt all the reports of the growing obesity problem in the USA - I don't know how overly large people get out of these.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

Hav u herd of Ikea?

No shit. Jesus guys.

1.) IKEA SUCKS, STFU ABOUT F-ING IKEA, OBVIOUSLY I'VE BEEN THROUGH THEIR STUFF AKJALFDKFDJSLF - I should have put that instead of Pier1 in the OP, and now I know

2.) I believe I indicated "don't worry about price" - so saying "it's crap but at least it's cheap" is making me want to perform seppuku

3.) Everyone else: thanks a ton, it's been really helpful - a lot of good stuff, I appreciate it, thank you.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

No shit. Jesus guys.

1.) IKEA SUCKS, STFU ABOUT F-ING IKEA, OBVIOUSLY I'VE BEEN THROUGH THEIR STUFF AKJALFDKFDJSLF - I should have put that instead of Pier1 in the OP, and now I know

2.) I believe I indicated "don't worry about price" - so saying "it's crap but at least it's cheap" is making me want to perform seppuku

3.) Everyone else: thanks a ton, it's been really helpful - a lot of good stuff, I appreciate it, thank you.

I gave you links to some excellent contemporary furniture stores.

The comment "it's crap, but at least it's not overpriced" was not aimed at you.. but at those people who think Pottery Barn is decent furniture... and to those who said they can't afford high end.

Personally, I like French furniture, but I have info on some more high end contemporary furniture stores if you'd like more links.