I know you specified local BUT
 

if you want to see it ALL and visit a gorgeous state at the same time(just a tad prejudice), go to the Furniture Market in High Point, North Carolina.

We purchased much of furniture from Kent in Belleview. They have things that the other stores don't have. But price is not a problem with southern Lifestyles. They will match the written price of any competitor, providing, of course, that they carry that line of furniture. Because we bought several rooms from Kent, we were able to negotiate the price and have been quite satisfied.

We had one of our guest rooms done with a murphy bed and it is wonderful. We went to Wall Beds Plus in the Southern Trace Shopping Center. They were the best, helped us design the entire room to fit all our needs. The mattress on the bed is as good as the one we purchased at Southern Lifestyles for our master bnedroom. It is a family owned business and they are great to work with, everything was delivered and installed exactly as promised. We are planning on scaling down to a smaller home in a few years and will definitely used their services again. Not to mention when the grandchildren visit they get the biggest kick out of closing their bed into a closet.

Like many who move here, we brought nothing from up north and completely furnished the house we built locally. We used Southern Lifestyles in Lake Sumter Landing for the following reasons:

(1) They have a large selection of some very high quality furniture.
(2) They have consultants (Debi in our case) whose taste is impeccable in putting together a package of great furniture to match the design concepts you are going for.
(3) They have access to new homes and can deliver and set up your furniture before you ever arrive.
(4) Discount to Villagers.
(5) We know they will stand behind their product.

Yep, they weren't cheap, but all things considered, they seemed like the best option for us, and we haven't been sorry.

My vote is for Babette's!
 

Babette's is terrific......large selection in all price ranges. After traipsing through every furniture store from Leesburg to Ocala we found exactly what we were looking for in the vast selection in Babette's showroom. They have great sales now and then where you can get several hundred dollars off a purchase. Unless things have improved I would not want my guests sleeping on a sofa bed (kids don't seem to mind). Personally, I have never slept on one that was comfortable. I see the value in a murphy bed as far as utilizing the room as an office, den, etc., but think about resale, too. Our new neighbors just went through removing a murphy bed so that they could have a conventional bed in the room. I think you just have to do what seems right to you and meets your needs.

We furnished our patio villa with all new stuff. Looked at several stores in TV , Ocala, and Leesburg. Ended up buying 90% of furniture at Southern Lifestyles...great service, low prices, nice selection. Had a couple issues after delivery and they resolved them asap.

If I had to do it again I would have saved several days 'shopping around".

We used Showcase Direct and Southern Lifestyles. Both give 5% discount to Villagers. No delivery charge. When they do deliver they give you an hour window of when they will come (not like in NY where it is 4 hours). They also have floor plans for the models in the Villages and will let you see how the size of the furniture will fit. We closed on a new home in January and we had picked out some of the furniture in Oct. It was delivered 2 days before closing and we had beds to sleep in that night and chairs to sit on. They make it very easy for people in our situation.

We bought most of our furniture at Babbette's and are happy with it. Also bought some thru Amazon (dining room table and chairs, entertainment center, furniture for study and TVs) and were also happy with that approach. If you have Amazon Prime (a great deal at $79/yr), you get free 2 day shipping things fulfilled by Amazon.

My wife and I have just recently purchased several rooms of furniture and a rug from the other Villages owned furniture store, Showcase Direct, up near Spanish Springs off of Bichara Blvd. It is in the center near Belk. The sales person we worked with was Linda Hayman, who also has a decorating background as well. She is very easy to work with and very helpful. With any futre needs, we will see her first. Also, extremly good delivery service after the sale.

Choice of furniture...
 

We bought new at Southern Lifestyles, Kent in Belleview (on 27/441) and Blockers in Ocala. Used at Bargains and Treasures.
In a three BR. Home, we have king bed, Posturepedic, in master BR, twin beds in guest room 1, and pull out sofa bed in den, where there is also desk, bookshelves and small recliner.
Lanai furniture, very nice, special order from Coral Casuals near Best Buy.
Rugs at Foxy near intersection 42 and 27/441.
God luck

I'm sorry but I just had to laugh when I read your post, wondering how many Canadians are six months worth?

I promise not to hijack another thread the rest of today.

Family leather Gallery in Leesburg. Love Murphy beds ... Gives you extra room when not being used! You can buy mechanism on line & have someone install!

Agree 100%. Price is not quality. Beware of some stores selling furniture made cheaply overseas with poor construction and material. Cheap is OK as long as you are aware of what you are getting.

Same here, and Debi is awesome as you said. And she has to be the most patient person I have met in a retail furniture environment.

I was not impressed at all with Bargains and Treasures! Went in there a few times over the last few months. Looks like a Goodwill store from the Virginia area- prices are too high for "used" furniture. Shop on this site--wait for what you want and you will save thousands. I wish I would have waited longer.
I purchased at Babbettes in Leesburg, Showcase Direct (Spanish Springs) and on this site.