So tired of junky furniture

11 years ago

We moved into a smaller, less formal house about a year ago. I still need to get quite a bit of furniture - mostly casegoods. Large dining table and chairs, low bookshelves, end tables, coffee table, something for the televisions.

I'm not attached to a particular style - I just want things that are graceful, well made and nicely finished.

Our antique stores are filled with formal, wobbly, smelly furniture. Craigslist is filled with marshmallow couches. Our furniture stores, even the good ones, are filled with things that look like they come from Home Goods.

Can anyone suggest some particular brands or manufacturers or stores that have consistently nice casegoods that aren't overly formal?

This post was edited by deee on Thu, Apr 11, 13 at 6:52

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Comments (11)

ellendi
11 years ago
I like Ethan Allen. We also have sofas by Rowes .
You might have to travel around a bit. I would not get sofas from CL. Too afraid of bedbugs.
Debbie Laird
11 years ago
I am drawn to Broyhill. They have a variety of styles, and aren't greatly overpriced. I like their attic collection. It is heavy and solid. Their web site will locate the dealer nearest you.
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graywings123
11 years ago
Living in S.C., you are not all that far away from the furniture capital of the US, High Point, NC. It might be worth the drive.

Also, you might want to expand your Craigslist looking to include large cities around you such as Charlotte, NC and Charleston.
camlan
11 years ago
Pennsylvania House comes to mind. I have a 15 year old sofa from them that's been moved 3 times and is still in excellent shape.

See if you can find a smaller furniture store--the kind that used to be family-owned and still might be. I guess what I mean is--not a big chain store. They tend to carry several lines of furniture, in different price ranges, and are very flexible--you can order upholstered pieces in any fabric you want, different finishes on casegoods, that sort of thing. Many have an interior designer on staff to help with choosing furniture.

Also check to see if there are any Amish furniture makers in your area. Good, solid wood furniture. You generally can customize it a bit--size, leg shape, stain colors, finishes. My SIL had a shelving unit custom-built for her family room and it wasn't very much more than buying good wood bookcases at a store. She's had it 6 years now, with three kids, a dog, four cats and a very messy husband (that would be my brother). The oldest kid uses a power wheelchair and slams into the part that's under the tv on a regular basis as he loads in DVDs--by all rights, there should be dents and scrapes in the wood, but there aren't. (Said kid is 13 and slow, gentle driving in the wheelchair just isn't happening these days.)
ILoveCookie
11 years ago
Try taking a look at the online catalog of Theodore Alexander and Maitland Smith.

I have a few pieces made by them. The finish on the wood is simply gorgeous. I consider both to be upper middle-high end.
Fun2BHere
11 years ago
I'd be heading to the North Carolina furniture mart with a U-Haul.
Sueb20
11 years ago
I like Stickley Mission furniture, but that style may not be for everyone. I also like the solid cherry, Shaker-esque furniture made by some furniture companies in VT (I don't know where you live, but look at Pompanoosuc Mills' web site -- pricey but the stuff is well made and lasts forever).

And sometimes, I like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. Not always, but sometimes.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
11 years ago
Not sure about your budget, but check out Maine Cottage. It is made in USA. Unbelievably excellent quality and lots of choices. Very comfortable, too! I just sold two of their swivel barrel chairs-DH wasn't crazy about them. Not sure why b/c he also thought they were really comfortable. I think he doesn't like swivel. Too bad. You can also use your own fabric.

Here is a link that might be useful: Maine cottage
funkyart
11 years ago
Pennsylvania House is out of business, no?

I am in the same position, Deee.. downsizing and needing to replace a LOT of furniture to better fit the much smaller scale. I am also on a budget and I don't want furniture -- especially case goods-- that look like they could be in everyone else's house-- or that they came out of a catalog spread. It can be overwhelming and a damn full time job to find the right pieces.

I am slowly learning to be patient... stopping in some of the better consignment stores when I am nearby, checking CL in bigger cities .. and scouring all the catalog/chains. I am with Sueb.. sometimes I like some things at PB, RH and C&B. With each of them, you need to check out quality. They have quite a range.

All that said, I havent bought a single thing for my new house yet-- but I havent moved in yet either. I am trying to hold off until I see what works and what doesnt.
quty88
11 years ago
Maybe you should take a look at Pastel products, very good quality, beautiful design, I love them. For example this: Akasha, but this is nice too: Sundance. Not so expensive, but good products.

Here is a link that might be useful: Barstools2U
graywings123
11 years ago
Go away spammer.

So tired of junky furniture

Comments (11)

ellendi

Debbie Laird

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