[2BNTV]

What is you preference for buying furniture and at what store.

Do you go for quality and the price be dammed?

Do you look for something reasonable priced and very good, but not great quality?

What are your preferred recommendations?

[NoMoSno]

IMHO,
It depends how long you plan to keep the furniture.
If your the type who likes to change things up every couple years, go for a lesser quality. If it will get a lot of use, and you want it to last, you will have to spend more.
Don't overlook the many consignment stores around. You can find some good deals, on quality furniture.

[Patty55]

I've always gone for quality but tried to find it at a reasonable price. I tend to have semi-traditional tastes, so keeping it for a while is okay.

In the past I've had good luck with Clayton-Marcus on upholstered things. Wood furniture I've liked Henkel-Young (I think they are now part of Lexington). I really liked Bernhardt but from what I've seen at City Furniture not so much anymore.

If you're looking for leather don't buy "bonded leather", it's not a good thing.

I moved my things down with me, happy I did because IMO most of the stuff I see around here is not so great. Southern Lifestyles wasn't bad but I found that their help weren't really too informed and the good stuff was only in the catalogues.

I guess it's a personal taste thing but I don't like all the painted white things they sell. Painted white (to Me) translates to "We are using crappy scrap wood".

In the past I've gotten some nice stuff at Macy's and Thomasville. White's didn't seem so bad.

If I were buying new stuff now I'd have to think long and hard about do I really need a couch that lasts 15 years?

[ConnecticutYankee]

There are many really good consignment shops here. You can get really good quality furniture at a very reasonable price. Bargains & Treasures on 466, Nearlee New on 441 heading south, and Almost Perfect on 441 heading north. Also, many people sell good quality furniture here on TOTV! I'm all for recycling and repurposing everything!!

[JB in TV]

Babbette's in Leesburg. GREAT selection, very nice showroom, reasonable prices, honest and low key sales people. And they stand behind their products.

Late March 2013 I bought a Lane chair and ottomon. (they matched a Macy's online price) Early March 2014 wife decided she wanted a new chair for herself, so we were in Babbet's just looking, using same sales person. Kathy V. I sat in the floor model of my chair, and noticed how much firmer the seat cushion was, and mentioned this to the sales person. I guess the foam compressed over the year. She made a comment something like, well, that does happen, but let me ask what we can do, leavng me with the feeling that I shouldn't expect them to do anything.

Wife wasn't sure what she wanted, so we left. Next day I get a call from the sales gal saying they would take back the chair with a 10% restocking charge and I could use that money to buy anything else in the store. This at 11.5 months after purchase.

We ended up buying 2 lay z boy recliners.

If nothing else, the showroom is very nicely appointed and very enjoyable to wander through.

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by ConnecticutYankee

There are many really good consignment shops here. You can get really good quality furniture at a very reasonable price. Bargains & Treasures on 466, Nearlee New on 441 heading south, and Almost Perfect on 441 heading north. Also, many people sell good quality furniture here on TOTV! I'm all for recycling and repurposing everything!!

Furniture Barn also has nice pieces from time to time. They are a few blocks from Nearlee New.

[Uptown Girl]

It depends on how I am going to use the furniture. If it is a couch or chair,
it has to be something I can sit in for the duration of an evening. I always look for support in the seat. If it is upholstered, take the seat and back cushions off and look at the construction beneath. Pick up a corner- see how dense it feels. Sit all over the couch, on each end, in the middle - lay on it! Ask to see the underside of a chair! I DO.
Give everything the wiggle test.
For a dining table/chair set, look for 'elbow room' and a table you can put your feet under with a little comfort. (No wacking of ankles under the table or tripping over chair legs that stick out.)
We have purchased both high end and clearance- price is not necessarily an indicator of quality, today.

Look for materials that are easy care and can take daily use.
I have looked online (for room or arrangement inspiration) then shopped all over- I am not a furniture snob…. I buy what pleases me- wait if I have to and save for it if need be. I am willing to look around for what I want. I must confess, I have never purchased a whole house of furniture in one fell swoop… although that sounds rather fun, if done well.

If you ARE interested in looking around, try some out of the area showrooms for inspiration, Like Ethan Allen, La-Z Boy Galleria, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, West Elm (all in or near Millennium Mall) None of those are extremely high end and you can find some decent products to fit into any budget.
Room and Board is a quality store (and one I REALLY like)- but higher end. You can check any of these places online, before you head out- and get an idea if what they offer appeals to you.
I know this may sound tedious to a single guy, 2BNTV, but consider it kind of like
buying a new car. Gotta give it some thought and do some hands on investigating.

P.S. Take along the floor plan (from your model of home) with you when you shop- and maybe a tape measure. You want to make sure that what you like will fit in the allotted space.

[Nightengale212]

Last weekend I was donating some books to Salvation Army at their drop off center near me and I was surprised to see all the beautiful wood furniture people were donating so you may want to check out your local Sals.

Also, if you see some furniture there that you like but may be hesitant to buy because it looks dull and has some staining, Amish Wood Milk sold at Bed Bath & Beyond really does work miracles restoring wood. I just used this product on some antique maple end tables that belonged to my late mother and I am shocked how beautiful they came out.

[VT2TV]

Does anyone have any experience with Collier's Furniture in Orlando? They seem to have a lot of leather furniture, and we have 2 small dogs with medium to long- haired dogs. Would appreciate any experiences.

[graciegirl]

My neighbor in Hadley bought her furniture from Rooms to Go. Her home was similar to your style Joe, with a more modern flair and more linear lines. Her house was gorgeous.

We have bought Thomasville, Broyhill, Lexington, and some Bernhardt and Henredon over time as we have as you know a traditional style in this home. But those manufacturers do more contemporary looks too. I love some of the new painted pieces from Ethan Allan. But do not overlook some great finds at resale shops such as Bargains and Treasures that change daily. I like Babbettes now that Southern Lifestyles have exited stage right.

Just for fun look at Broyhill's site. They have all of the lines shown and they make decent furniture. Helene's bedroom furniture is Broyhill. Mirren Harbor.

[dewilson58]

Babettes

We like Tim