I am having the same trouble finding a new easy
chair. I just want one, nice chair! :) The
colors are the problem with me too.

Don't want brown, don't want tan, don't even want
Orange. Talk about Retro - look at pics from the 60's.
Browns, oranges, etc.

Like you, I am just going without and feeling sorry
for myself. LOL

Why not just reuphoster and refinish what you have?

I have had that problem for years. I like nice trim modern furniture, not ultra modern, but not huge and bulky. I have also noticed the dirty look to furniture. I am having so much trouble with my shoulders, I need an armless chair so my arms can hang instead of resting on a raised arm. I guess I will have to buy a sofa so I can set away from the arms and I don't want one. I have a 42 inch TV in my living room with 3 chairs. I like the roomy/large look.

Your deodorant example is why we do a lot of out shopping on-line.
As to furniture?? I would shop on-line, and if you find a store within decent travel distance - go there.

As to reuphostering--the new house has both a family room and a living room. I'm leaving a house with just a living room, so I actually do NEED more furiture. What I have is old, but doesn't need reuphostering. It's just ear-marked for the family room once we make the move.

But I'll just wait until I fall in love with something.

I just think it's so odd--controlling?--of the various industries to make up our minds for us, and to expect us to all be little stepford families who want and are happy with the exact same thing as the person next door. I tend to be an 'out of step' person anyway. When we had our windows replaced last week, I chose a style that I've only seen on 2 other houses--in the three counties I travel. It's different, looks very nice, and I cannot tell you how many enthusiastic compliments I've already gotten on wonderful the new windows look. I have my own mind, my own style--my preferences aren't always what 'everyone' else is doing. And in my book, there's absolutely nothing at all wrong with being an individual.

Don't manufacturers and retailers realize that they might actually make MORE sales if they offered a few more options? I'm ready willing and able to plunk down a few thousand $$$ in cash, for new furniture--but only if it's furniture I really like.

It is crazy if they don't make or sell the kind of deodorant that you want. But I find that sometimes the number of choices in some products is just overwhelming. Like tooth paste........ it is daunting to try to find just PLAIN toothpaste. Who needs a bazillion choices in ONE brand of toothpaste? I sure don't!

I was irritated recently trying to find Curel brand foot lotion. I looked in 2 different big box stores. Couldn't find it. Well Curel USED TO come in a blue container...... NOW it is all white & blends in with several other brands. That was a stupid move on their part to radically change how their product LOOKS!

As to online shopping--normally, I would consider that, but with furniture--it's such a big ticket item, and you really do want to 'try it before you buy it'. Comfort is a big issue with me, so furniture I must buy in person.

I actually did see some upholstered chairs without arms--so whoever needed that option, keep looking and you may find some.

I like to go to thrift shops for furniture. I like fixing up other people's cast-offs. A coat of paint or varnish and they look new. They built things better back in the day-solid wood, not so much plastica and mica, etc. You can put together all kinds and styles of furniture for a very custom look. W also habve some pieces of furniture bought at flea markets, garage sales, and given to us by relatives. It looks just fine put togetrher. Don't buy stuff just because oit's all you can find. Widen your sources.

Our Walmart recently changed out all their bath towels, and have an ugly choice now (IMO) I wouldnt even bring home if they were free. And where we live, if Walmart doesnt have it, there is no where else to go. So, I do alot of on-line shopping too.

"Don't manufacturers and retailers realize that they might actually make MORE sales if they offered a few more options?

But most furniture manufacturers DO give you options. Ask the salesman to show you the fabric choices. There is usually a large "book" type of thing that has all of the various fabrics (sometimes even includes leather) that the furniture comes in. You may have to pay a little more depending on the fabric quality "level" that you choose, but there should be a wide variety of colors and patterns, etc. Just because a floor sample has a particular fabric on it doesn't mean that's the only way it's offered.

Lindsay, you're absolutely right--there are lots of fabric choices (although right now, most of them are in the 'mud' family), but that still doesn't help with the fact that the STYLES are all big, square, boxy designs, unfortunately. I've been to a number of furniture stores, and have seen only ONE loveseat that the STYLE (not talking color/fabric here) halfway appealed to me. And yes, there's a lot of leather out there--yuck. Aside from the political objections to that, I just don't find it comfortable to sit on. When I visit people, I'll sit on the floor (I'm 60, btw) before I'll sit on a leather chair or sofa. And, okay, this is a personal quirk, but that microfiber stuff gives me the willies when I touch it. Don't know why, but it just feels creepy. Awful lot of that around, too.

Azzalea, instead of Walmart or Target type stores, try a regular pharmacy type store for your deodorant. I totally understand! I have a chemical reaction to a lot of deodorants, and sometimes after a few years can no longer wear what I have been. Maybe they change it. who knows, but I've had the problem since I was a teenager (now 51). I use Ban Unscented, and can't get it at Walmart, they only have scented. YUCK! Oh, and it can only be roll on, no solids. It's not just preference, solid doesn't work on me.

Tami

Do you have auctions in your area? Sometimes you can find good furniture there. Check the internet for Amish Furnishings. Also Ikea on line. We have a real good place in Minot we buy from. But most of the stuff has come from farm auctions.

I need new jeans. Have always worn Lee or Riders. Took back the last pair I bought Why? Because my favorite boot cut Riders have been ruined by stupid designers who design for stupid women who think they will look thinner in pants that have the pockets sewn together to make a "tummy slimming" panel. Like sewing fabric across the front really does something. Stupid designers. stupid women who buy into this carp. Wear a girdle. Yeah yeah I know they call them body smoothers and spankz etc. to to women "feel" feel better. but they're girdles. Stupid PC has hit the fashion world.

What does this do? It cuts the freaking pocket in half that's what. The depth of the pocket is now 1/2 the depth of the old style pocket which was already much shallower than a man's pocket.

Why even have pockets if you can't use them? They've already ruined the back pockets by convincing dumb broads that their butts will look smaller with smaller,higher pockets. Now they think they can do the same with the front pockets. Apparently they've succeeded since I seem to be the only one not buying.

Jeans are supposed to be functional. I need pockets. I need a place for my knife ,my keys and sometimes a folded bill or two that can go deep enough not to pop out when I sit. I need strong belt loops to hook my cell or my camera on when I want. I don't want to have to wear a utility belt for my gear.

I even looked at cargo pants. Same thing. Pockets are "fashion" for womens wear. If the pocket is a working pocket you may be able to fit a very small coin case in there at best. Most are just there for the "look".

Went to look for a jacket the other day. I need a medium weight one. Not a parka. here we go again. Little bitty pockets on the sides. No closures. No inside pockets.

So I give up. I'm looking a tech wear for my clothes now. Found a company that makes clothes with pockets. Lots of pockets. Like 22 pockets in a hoodie. Yay.

I got such a kick from reading these posts. I agree it's always sad to see that my favorite brands or colors disappear or change, but I often figure that I must be the odd one out.

Companies stock what they think will sell. They are not forcing their opinions on us. If we don't buy it, then the company will go out of business. You get to decide with your money!

I know your dilema.I found a shampoo I really liked,went back to get more,don't carry it in that formula anymore.
I know Wallyworld and some of the other stores like that are doing away with items and brands that aren't as "popular" as others.

Let me add how hard it is to find unscented hairspray! None of the regular supermarkets carry it. I happen to like VO 5 unscented - it's just a regular hold so your hair isn't glued into position. I have found it at my local CVS and I pick up 4 cans when I go - my DD uses it too. I just don't know why a supermarket can't carry at least 1 unscented hair spray.

Yup, I "swim upstream" too. And I don't like settling. I want what I want!

Azalea, you might want to see if you can find the "Kiss My Face" line of products or the Tom's of Maine line (they take out the bad stuff and charge you more! Ain't life grand...)

I use only spray deodorants (I know, the ozone layer.. But I don't like the sticky feeling that I've always gotten from roll-ons and solids, and seeing residue on my clothing; but I do have a small travel-size solid). You can't find many of those sprays around nowadays, either.

Azzalea, I think your best bet, furniture-wise, is estate sales and antique malls. I have furnished my house almost exclusively that way. It is a huge savings of money AND a much better product. Sometimes I wonder if in a hundred years there will be any antiques from this era, as the poorly made furniture of today won't hold up nearly long enough to qualify as an antique.

Furniture consignment stores are worth taking a look at, too.

A friend of mine who also shops the antique malls and estate sales often says to me, "Why would anyone want to buy furnishings from a furniture store?" I tend to agree. It may be more work, and take longer to acquire what you need, but the savings will be substantial and you will probably be happier with your purchases. And best of all, you can get away from the "look" that is pushed at us by current furniture designers/retailers and get what you really like.

And don't forget that most (at least in my area) antique malls give a 10% discount for the asking.

Estate sales/consignment stores/yard sales, etc are simply out of the question. With bedbugs being SUCH a serious problem in this area of the country, (they're reporting on the news that you can even bring them home with USED BOOKS), there is absolutely NO WAY I'm buying used furniture at this point. Not to mention, you really don't know what's been done on/to the furniture, and there's really no way of deep cleaning the stuffing. YUCK.

Yes, I readily agree that part of the problem is that I'm extremely picky about things. But even so, shouldn't there be options for us, as well? LOL