Home Furnishings

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 3, 2004, 3:50 am

Well, now that I have a job, it will be time to start looking for a new apartment. When I left LA, I pretty much donated all my furniture to Salvation Army. There was really nothing that I had that I had actually bought as I have never really had any money to buy decent furniture...

This time, I have a chance to start anew and I am interested as to how folks lay their homes out as far as furniture. I am thinking of going piece by piece starting with the living room...dark mahogony or cherry wood with somewhat dark brown leather couches, etc.

This will take some time to complete of course, but I want it to be nice.

Also, my brother still works at Bose, so I can take advantage of Bose stereo gear + some discounts on Phillips. Seriously, I have jack shit for anything so this will indeed be a slow process.

Laliana · Post by **Laliana** » March 3, 2004, 4:07 am

Your bed should get top priority. You will use it for years to come so make sure you get the best mattresses you can afford.

Good luck to you. I've been picking up new pieces for my place since they remodeled it a year and a half ago. It is a slow process, but a lot of fun!

BTW... dark mahogany>cherrywood imo.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 3, 2004, 4:17 am

Right..forgot to mention the bed.

That will be first

Costco often has excellent prices on good quality pillow-top mattress sets.

A side note.... I will be able to borrow some things, like a nice 5.1 system and some sidetables, etc. My priority list is as follows:

Bed
Couch
Coffee table
TV(may buy cheap one to start and later move it to bedroom when I buy the one I want)
Kitchen table/chairs/barstools(if needed)
Loveseat or Chair + Ottoman (depending on space)
End tables
Sofa Table
Lamps
Bedroom end table
etc..

Small things get placed as needed like wine rack, etc...

Jarori Bloodletter · Post by **Jarori Bloodletter** » March 3, 2004, 5:05 am

Screw CosCo man, Mattress World has the better deals and they are all over Portland, <hell just watch chan 2,6,8,12 for thier commericals heh.

http://www.easteurotrade.com/

Try that place, Ive gotten a few pieces from them very nice AND solid wood stuff~

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 3, 2004, 9:30 am

I'm a mission oak fiend myself but I would recommend looking for solid hardwood pieces you will find (when you are writing your will long years from now) that they were worth it...

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » March 3, 2004, 9:51 am

"Like everyone else, I had become a slave to the IKEA nesting instinct."

"I would flip through catalogs and wonder, "What kind of dining set defines me as a person?" We used to read pornography. Now it was the Horchow Collection."

Sorry, first thing I thought of...

Phugg_Innay · Post by **Phugg_Innay** » March 3, 2004, 11:11 am

I work out and about in people's houses. Just a few weeks ago I got a $5,000 couch for $900. There are deals to be made

. My situation was just good timing though. This couple bought a furnished Model Home , and didnt like most of the stuff in the house. I asked politely if they were going to try and sell the stuff , and of course they said yes. I left them my email adress and poof , 2 days later they send me a note with a price. So the next day I am borrowing a co-workers truck and picking it up for almost nothing.
A suggestion to also think about is some of the local small antique dealers/Goodwill/Salv Army. You would be surprised at what some of the inventory is there. Great choices sometimes of dressers, coffee tables and such. I would'nt get matresses there , but a bed-frame maybe.
Godd luck in the consumer world man.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » March 3, 2004, 11:26 am

Don't forget that all that stuff you donated to Salvation Army is tax deductible if you need it. Gotta work the system any way you can man.

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » March 3, 2004, 12:12 pm

http://www.roomstogo.com/

Get all the stuff you want, not make a payment for years.... and there is no catch. Intrest Free, no payments... you just need good credit.

I have used them for years. As long as you pay off your balance before the due date... no intrest ever.

They have been putting conventional furniture shops out of business like mad... its nuts, but its no joke.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » March 3, 2004, 12:13 pm

Rooms to Go has really nice bedroom furniture, just make sure to look for the stuff that's solid wood, and not shitty composite.

DO NOT BUY THEIR OTHER FURNITURE!!! Their couches and chairs universally suck; the padding wears out in under 6 months.

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » March 3, 2004, 12:20 pm

Yeah, I bought my bedroom and dining room from rooms to go.

Hardwood, all hand crafted from France. Every corner dovetailed, with plus liners, soft corners, all the fine details. Ive had many moves in the military, went through around 3 sets of the cheap stuff over 7-8 years of moving. This new stuff from Rooms to Go is solid, I would expect it to last quite sometime... you get what you pay for, thats for sure.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 3, 2004, 12:23 pm

Xanupox wrote:http://www.roomstogo.com/

Get all the stuff you want, not make a payment for years.... and there is no catch. Intrest Free, no payments... you just need good credit.

I have used them for years. As long as you pay off your balance before the due date... no intrest ever.

They have been putting conventional furniture shops out of business like mad... its nuts, but its no joke.

Also no description of the actual construction of the pieces...

i would be dubious of a company who's high end sofas are auto racing themed...

...

Xanupox · Post by **Xanupox** » March 3, 2004, 12:25 pm

Thats just the webpage. Goto a show room if you live close enough and you can get to see first hand what you would be buying.

I saw the one I wanted in bedroom suit, pulled the drawers out of the sliders.. didnt come.. they lock in. You have to really look over the product, but if you emailed with a request I am sure they would provide specs of the item you wanted... as in place of manufacture, wood quality etc.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » March 3, 2004, 12:33 pm

my wife hates Rooms To Go for some reason. She claims she thinks their furniture sucks, but i'm not sure we own any of it.

i'm with Lali on the bed route. I will say that we bought ours from one of those Mattress stores, and those jackasses are all full of shit. Anyway, the annoying thing is that a Simmons Beautyrest mattress will have a different model name depending on which store you are in (Mattress Expo v. Mattress Firm). So pay attention to the overall 'model line name' when trying to compare mattresses from one store to another. Like Simmons Beautyrest Exceptionale level beds come in like 4 models. Those 4 things will be called different things at different stores, but it will still be a Sim. BR Exceptionale bed...that much you'll know.

that's how i compared when i was shopping last summer for one.

Also some mattress retailers are owned by the manufacturer.

And Mattress prices are somewhat negotiable, so make an offer lower than their asking price.

If you are a single guy then i would say spend more money on your stereo than your bed.

If you are married and buying a bed you want to last, remember you are going to spent 25-30% of your life on it! and buy a mattress pad that has some degree of absorbancy....nuff said

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » March 3, 2004, 12:57 pm

I bought a furniture set from RTG 4 years ago. When I went back to school, didn't have room for it so had to sell it. Absolutely loved that furniture. Only cost me a grand for a living room set (couch, loveseat, two end tables, two lamps, coffee table). It held up really well and now graces the living room of a good friend of mine.

I go visit it now and then.

Yes.

I liked the furniture that much.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 3, 2004, 1:04 pm

The really critical factors are:

Joints: look for notched or full dovetail as opposed to butt joints nailed or screwed together

carcass construction: good construction is full hardwood (usually ash these days) even good furniture uses some high density fiberboard but it shoud be minimal and not critical pieces with joins

veneer: look at joined edges for the depth of veneer if used...cheap furniture uses polymer based simulated woodgrain laminates. Make sure the veneer is thick and actual hardwood

Also check tolerance in the slides if they are wooden make sure there is no significant wobble or play in the slide as well as no sticking.

Fully remove drawers (the is often the best place to check the joinery) dragging a fingernail lightly across the inside of the drawer will tell you if you are dealing with covered fiberboard (your fingernail wil slide smoothly across the surface) or actual wood (your fingernail will catch) also check the drawer pulls internally, most good attatchments will be bolted through with internal fastening not simply screwed in

judge the weight of the pull itself as well

Also remove all drawers and check for the stability of the carcass... there should be absolutely no wiggle in the piece when it is bearing no weight...

hrmmm maybe I can find a good article on the web about furniture construction...I learned it from an ex girlfriends father who was a professional cabinet builder/wood joiner

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » March 3, 2004, 1:17 pm

dude
you are a bachelor
go buy a futon and use stacked up empy pizza boxes as end tables.
like you are going to do anything but walk into your apartment, hop on your computer or pass out on your bed.

just grab me this weekend we'll go furniture shopping, but we won't take cristin cause you want a man apartment, not a sissy fru fru one (like masteens!)

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 3, 2004, 1:23 pm

http://www.strictlywoodfurniture.com

Is an example of a manufacturer who makes pieces you will keep and use forever and will pass down.

Note the detailed descriptions of every piece's construction including joins. All the pieces are hardwood construction. There is also a section on joining techniques etc.

And of course the prices are reflective of their attention to detail. While you probably won't be outfitting a room with their pieces in one purchase. This is the sort of price you will find for 100% oak. mahogany, cherry etc..
Note also the lifetime guarantee.

Admirable furniture though prolly more than you wish to spend..

http://www.havertys.com/web/Decorati.ns ... uying.html

has some good pointers

masteen · Post by **masteen** » March 3, 2004, 1:45 pm

Voronwë wrote:If you are a single guy then i would say spend more money on your stereo than your bed.

If you are married and buying a bed you want to last, remember you are going to spent 25-30% of your life on it! and buy a mattress pad that has some degree of absorbancy....nuff said

I bought a top of the line Serta bed, and it's some of the best money I've ever spent. Even as a single guy.

Good tip on the mattress pad. Even if you buy a pillow-top, you should at least double sheet it. Unless you don't have girls over. Fag.

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » March 3, 2004, 1:51 pm

Sylvos wrote: just grab me this weekend we'll go furniture shopping, but we won't take cristin cause you want a man apartment, not a sissy fru fru one (like masteens!)

Fuck that!!

I WANT TO COME SHOPPING!!!!!!!

:D:D:D:D

And we can have lunch!

And get our nails done!!

And have DRINKS!!!

You know who I'm more fun than Sylvos ;D

masteen · Post by **masteen** » March 3, 2004, 2:03 pm

Sylvos wrote:just grab me this weekend we'll go furniture shopping, but we won't take cristin cause you want a man apartment, not a sissy fru fru one (like masteens!)

You weren't complaining when I had your face pressed into the headboard.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » March 3, 2004, 2:58 pm

just go to ikea and stock up. it's all you need.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » March 3, 2004, 3:04 pm

ikea is the fucking devil.

Jack's Feminine Side wrote:Like so many others, I had become a slave to the IKEA nesting instinct.

If I saw something clever like coffee tables in the shape of a yin and yang, I had to have it.

The Klipske personal office unit, the Hovertrekke home exer-bike. Or the Johannshamnh sofa with the Strinne green stripe pattern...

Even the Rislampa wire lamps of environmentally-friendly unbleached paper.

I would flip through catalogs and wonder "What kind of dining set defines me as a person?"

I had it all. Even the glass dishes with tiny bubbles and imperfections, proof they were crafted by the honest, simple, hard working people of...wherever.

We used to read pornography. Now it was the Horchow Collection.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 3, 2004, 3:13 pm

My favorite piece of furniture is my bed. But it's like an albatross around my neck when I need to move. The headboard has to be 200 pounds. But it's oh so comfy!

Anyway, shop around at various furniture stores. They may have close outs or demo models. I paid $850 for my head/footboard because it was a floor model. Which was half off the listed price. Just make sure to look those over for scratches, etc.

However, that's probably not a very good technique of you're looking to purchase an entire matched set.

(And yeah, Fight Club was my initial thought as well when I read the title of this thread.)

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » March 3, 2004, 3:15 pm

ikea has the best shit on the planet for good prices. quoting a shitty, overrated novel isn't going to change that.

well okay probably the movie.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 3, 2004, 3:18 pm

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

A few points:

Ikea has some nice things, but not really the overall thing I am going for. Plus, I think the closest one is in Seattle area.

Although I am a bachelor, I am not a fratboy Sylvos! My pad is going to be bitchin, and certainly not frufru.

Regardless I am always up for checking out furniture, but I will have to wait to actually buy anything!

Oh! Anyone know where to get glass display cases for footballs? I have a ball signed by the 1987 Broncos as well as a Super Bowl official ball from 1997 with Elway's sig on it. Yes, I am that big of a Broncos fan.

Thanks!

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 3, 2004, 3:21 pm

Canelek wrote:Thanks for all of the suggestions. A few points:

Ikea has some nice things, but not really the overall thing I am going for. Plus, I think the closest one is in Seattle area.

Although I am a bachelor, I am not a fratboy Sylvos! My pad is going to be bitchin, and certainly not frufru. Regardless I am always up for checking out furniture, but I will have to wait to actually buy anything!

Oh! Anyone know where to get glass display cases for footballs? I have a ball signed by the 1987 Broncos as well as a Super Bowl official ball from 1997 with Elway's sig on it. Yes, I am that big of a Broncos fan.

Thanks!

Get a barristers bookcase

Spankes · Post by **Spankes** » March 3, 2004, 3:55 pm

IKEA Tempe
Opening Fall 2004!

(T-T)

Coatlicue [KoE] · Post by **Coatlicue [KoE]** » March 3, 2004, 4:02 pm

Bedroom furniture is uber important! We spent a hella lot of money on it, and we love it. Living room was important to be comfy since we do a lot of entertaining, and lots of couch room. Our living room is all golden oak, with a couch set that we got from my sister in law, until we can get something different. It's worked for us great and it's very comfortable.

Big entertainment center, with a so-so big TV, but high quality flatscreen, and a nice speaker system for when we watch DVD's. Our kitchen is off of the living room, so all the wood matches. We just recently added a small white china cabinet, until we can move into a bigger house that has a formal dining area, we'll stick with that one.

We also have a loft area that we have two computer desks and lots of computers on it, it's really messy too!

Our guest bedroom has Xunil's old bedroom furniture until we can remodel it and paint it, and we just added a futon to the 3rd bedroom, which I use as my arts and crafts room. All mix and match pretty much

We bought very dark cherry wood for our bedroom set, it's gorgeous and really goes well with the asian look we wanted. I have a pictures if you want it Canno, just lemme know and I'll be happy to send it to you.

Branndi · Post by **Branndi** » March 3, 2004, 4:02 pm

Too bad Vaemas gets full of dog hair when he visits his furniture

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » March 3, 2004, 4:03 pm

Psyloche · Post by **Psyloche** » March 3, 2004, 4:08 pm

Branndi wrote:Too bad Vaemas gets full of dog hair when he visits his furniture

So he humps the dogs on the furniture?

Siji · Post by **Siji** » March 3, 2004, 5:51 pm

Rooms-to-Go's new special is no payments until 01/2008.. I mean come on.. 4 years.. you'll be in jail by then and won't have to pay for it anyway.

Also something to consider.. bed size. If you're going to buy an expensive bed (frame or mattress or both) and think you might move into a house within the next 5 or so years, go ahead and get a king size. You don't want to spend a grand+ on a bed/frame/box, then another grand+ when you move into a house.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » March 3, 2004, 5:53 pm

Siji wrote:Rooms-to-Go's new special is no payments until 01/2008.. I mean come on.. 4 years.. you'll be in jail by then and won't have to pay for it anyway.

Also something to consider.. bed size. If you're going to buy an expensive bed (frame or mattress or both) and think you might move into a house within the next 5 or so years, go ahead and get a king size. You don't want to spend a grand+ on a bed/frame/box, then another grand+ when you move into a house.

you can always use your first bed as a guest bed.

in our condo we had a queen size and a futon. when we bought our house, we bought a king size, moved the queen to the guest bedroom, and the futon to another room.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 3, 2004, 10:06 pm

I will buy a queen size for the apartment, considering most apartment rooms are rather small for a king size. As far as futons go...FUCK FUTONS.

I slept on one of those uncomfortable hunks of shit for 5 years....

I visited 2 complexes today, both of which were quite reasonable for 2 bed/1 bath (all they had available to view). I will most likely go for the 1bed/1bth for the lower price of course, even though I like having an office....

I figure on late april/early may for the move, so I have time.

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » March 3, 2004, 11:04 pm

Psyloche wrote:
Branndi wrote:Too bad Vaemas gets full of dog hair when he visits his furniture
So he humps the dogs on the furniture?

While fantasizing about you.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 4, 2004, 7:02 pm

After looking at a few more places today (Oswego Pointe, Bay Roc and Kruse Way Commons), it looks like in most scenarios that a sofa + loveseat will be the way to go. End tables, sofa table and coffee table I will have to hunt around for as they are usually bought as personality rather than matching qualities.

I am pretty excited about being able to work from the ground up here--I really had never had this opportunity in the past.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » March 4, 2004, 7:05 pm

Canelek wrote:After looking at a few more places today (Oswego Pointe, Bay Roc and Kruse Way Commons), it looks like in most scenarios that a sofa + loveseat will be the way to go. End tables, sofa table and coffee table I will have to hunt around for as they are usually bought as personality rather than matching qualities.

I am pretty excited about being able to work from the ground up here--I really had never had this opportunity in the past.

You might also consider a sideboard for use as a bar...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 4, 2004, 7:15 pm

The cool thing is, most of these types of apartments have a breakfast bar, which is perfect for dinner parties and slanging appetizers and drinks on while I prepare dinner, etc.

Back the the apartments I saw today, the model I was shown had a great view of the Willamette River, but the price jumps up rather severely for that kind of view. I think I will stick with a non-view apt and have more cash for all the things I need to buy!

Here is a link to Oswego Pointe, the front-runner so far:

http://www.rent.com/apartments/oregon/p ... go/438070/

It is on the river and in a quiet area, so it is pretty damn nice.

Then again, most places I have seen around here are luxury resorts compared to places in the San Fernando valley!

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » March 7, 2004, 4:42 pm

Spankes wrote:
IKEA Tempe
Opening Fall 2004!
(T-T)

I'm so there dude!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 7, 2004, 8:12 pm

The only bad part about buying a lot of new furniture is that you'll have to move it to a new place eventually.

That part isn't fun.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » March 7, 2004, 11:06 pm

kyoukan wrote:just go to ikea and stock up. it's all you need.

I was a slave to the Ikea nesting instinct

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 8, 2004, 12:52 am

I may end up getting some things from Ikea if I feel like driving to Seattle. However, most of the scheme I want will be piece by piece. As far as moving crap later on...well, I don't plan on having the credit to actually buy a house anytime soon, so am just looking for a nice apt/condo which will suit my needs for a few years.

Arundel Pajo · Post by **Arundel Pajo** » March 8, 2004, 1:01 am

On just a cursory preview of this topic, I don't think anybody mentioned this, so I might as well...

If you're choice is between cherry or mahogany, go with the mahogany. Mahogany is the only wood that appreciates in value. Kept in good shape, it will be worth more in 50 years than it is today. No other wood holds its value.

Dovetail joints = good.

Lots of frilly scrollwork on it looks impressive, but can be bad. Check where the furniture is made. In order to keep costs down, lots of furniture companies (even really expensive ones) have certain lines that are made overseas and then shipped here to the US. Salt air on ships can harm delicate woodwork, so a lot of these companies will make the delicate bits out of fiberglass, and then stain it to match the wood. It can look quite convincing, so be sure to ask, and tap around on anything that looks suspect. Seriously - you'll find this on even the highest, most premium brands of furniture...buyer beware.

...I used to work for Thomasville. (and yep, they did the fiberglass thing, too)

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » March 8, 2004, 1:26 am

Ill comment on the thing I know about on this thread... DONT, I repeat DONT go get a discount on that Phillips TV from Bose.... Bose is also a Sharp dealer and they have a great employee purchase program that your brother can participate in... The 30 and 37" LCD's from sharp are far superior to anything Phillips has on the market.

Or if Bose gets Panasonic as is rumored, check them out... for Tube TV's they are a great value, also Samsung has actually started to produce a pretty good quality video product these days (IE. DLP rear projection, Plasma, LCD) but I dont know that Bose and Samsung will be forming a relationship anytime soon, Bose has in the past year pissed off CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) with a frivilous lawsuit... so many manufacturers are not entering into talks with them about new product lines in thier stores.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » March 8, 2004, 2:09 am

I am pretty sure that all I saw in the store was along the lines of Phillips products(for TVs). Of course, I can inquire.

I did really dig that 34" widescreen hdtv Phillips though!

Now that prices are dropping like mad, it seems like a sweet deal! (Apparently, Phillips is doing away with tube TVs and going all panel sometime soon....

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » March 8, 2004, 11:53 am

my company has an agreement with Philips, and we get to buy some of their shit at discounts at annual sales.

I have bought 4-5 DVD players for family members as well as 2 TVs.

there have been some problems with the TVs. I really wanted to grab that 34" widescreen HDTV at last year's sale, but i just couldnt pull the trigger knowing the problems my family members have had (which were eventually fixed by Phillips).

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » March 8, 2004, 1:38 pm

Phillips TV's are junk... if you want a good deal on a 34" widescreen tube TV, look at the Panasonic or the Samsung, great reliability, and nice features/picture quality. The Panasonic is the better set though.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » March 8, 2004, 3:01 pm

Why do people still buy Bose, anyway?

Just goes to show what marketing can do for you.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » March 8, 2004, 3:16 pm

omg but they are small Aslanna!!!