Author Topic: generational furniture  (Read 5178 times)

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
generational furniture
« on: April 18, 2018, 12:54:02 PM »
I'm looking for some high-quality living room furniture, but I'm new to furniture buying. I want something that will outlast me and be handed down to my children's children.

I've looked at Furniture Row and La-z-boy. They have some nice stuff but it looks like it would only last a few years or so.

I've looked at a couple Amish places. I really like the high-quality, but I'm just not a fan of the rustic pioneer look.

I've looked on craigslist, but I'm not too sure what to look for. Most of the pieces I'm seeing look mass-produced and wobbly.

I don't mind spending some money on this, we've been saving for a while. I also don't mind buying used, if I can find it.

Anybody have any advice on furniture buying?

Fishindude

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3075
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2018, 12:58:00 PM »
You're going to pay for it, but Ethan Allen stuff is very well built furniture.   

Morning Glory

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4865
  • Location: The Garden Path
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2018, 01:01:17 PM »
Have you tried any antique and consignment shops. They are a little more expensive than Craigslist but cheaper than new, and there are some good quality pieces there.

LearnTo

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 48
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2018, 01:19:33 PM »
You're going to pay for it, but Ethan Allen stuff is very well built furniture.   

I agree, Ethan Allen seems very solid.
I also like Stickley.  I have some of both in my house.

swinginbeef

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 71
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2018, 02:04:27 PM »
Are you sure your children or children's children will want your furniture? You may try looking at estate sales to see what they're selling? You'll probably see items that you don't want, which is more than likely how your grand kids will look at your furniture.

Cromacster

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1695
  • Location: Minnesnowta
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2018, 02:09:32 PM »
Look for woodworkers on instagram or check out some of the woodworking/furniture making publications.  There are a ton of great craftsman making bespoke furniture that will fit whatever you are looking for.

I'll plug a friend of mine because that's who I know
http://hartmannbespokefurniture.com/

But I would encourage you to look locally because if it's a large piece shipping can easily be $500-$1000.

Pigeon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2018, 02:19:52 PM »
Are you sure your children or children's children will want your furniture? You may try looking at estate sales to see what they're selling? You'll probably see items that you don't want, which is more than likely how your grand kids will look at your furniture.

This.  Your kids are quite unlikely to want your furniture.  https://www.npr.org/2014/07/08/329804371/in-a-tough-market-for-old-furniture-manage-your-expectations
I've had to dissolve the houses of several elderly relatives.  You can hardly give old furniture away. 

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2018, 02:26:48 PM »
I'd check the 2nd hand market in its various forms.

And don't assume that your kids or grandkids want your stuff - do a quick google search on Boomers lamenting that their adult children don't want their stuff. Which incidentally is contributing to a generally healthy second hand market.

bocopro

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 31
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2018, 02:40:37 PM »
Hello!

A few disclaimers about my response:
1. I am a craigslist maven. But also kind of a minimalist, in a condo.
2. I have a really specific style (combo of West Elm, mid-century Lane stuff, eclectic art, etc.)
2b. Thus, I love finding the PERFECT tiny table, or lamp or whatever, at a steal, that fits my house.
3. My in-laws have had several older folks die recently, leaving behind huge piles of unwanted goods (stuffed basements, how I hate thee)
3b. They try to foist this stuff on us.
3c. Barring sentimental goods (no, MIL, a used mattress is admittedly Mustachian, but not sentimental), I do not want them.

Okay, background over. If I may offer a small bit of advice, buy furniture you, and your current house-mates, like, at good quality or dirt cheap, or ideally, both! Then, do not assume even one item will be an heirloom. Young folks just tend to want their own stuff (or live in 1 bedroom apartments, in urban locales, for longer than any previous generation), and cannot use a 40+ year old chair that grandpa bought "for a good value" decades ago. It's a really noble pursuit, but a nobler one might be to buy quirky, solid, antique, whatever you like furniture off craigslist and......invest the extra money.

People's furniture taste is also often trendy, divergent, and ever-changing (thanks, HGTV). It's a really noble pursuit to want to leave something for our kids, but in the deluge of recent estate liquidations in my life, I've decided I'll leave any (hypothetical, future) children cash money and my wedding ring and maybe a couple pieces of gold jewelry (which I'll encourage them to make into wearable pieces they themselves love.)

I have no association (other than happy blog-reader) with the Frugalwoods, but I do think you may like point 5 of this link, below:
http://www.frugalwoods.com/2017/09/25/why-i-mostly-disagree-with-buy-it-for-life/

Enjoy decorating your home! Sounds like you've saved and it should be quite fun, regardless of what you decide to buy. Cheers!


solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2018, 02:57:11 PM »
SMH

Guys, I get it. I don't literally mean I want to hand it down. I just mean I want high quality stuff that will last a long time. If it only lasts my lifetime, that will be long enough.

bocopro

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 31
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2018, 03:13:53 PM »
Ah. Furniture that could HYPOTHETICALLY last through many years of wear and tear.

*rewinds* ... *apologizes*

Sorry about that. Anyway, for a bit of more practical advice, I have a saved search on Craigslist which I run every day, for:

"Crate and Barrel", "CB2", "West Elm", "Mid Century Modern", "Room and Board", "Pottery Barn", & "Restoration Hardware".
(or search woods you like - I like teak, so I search "solid teak furniture" sometimes.)

Keep one running and check often. It works a lot better, in my humble opinion, than typing in "dresser" (where usually, ridiculously tipsy, (subjectively) ugly, mostly plastic junk appears).




Maenad

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 643
  • Location: Minneapolis 'burbs
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2018, 03:15:38 PM »
SMH

Guys, I get it. I don't literally mean I want to hand it down. I just mean I want high quality stuff that will last a long time. If it only lasts my lifetime, that will be long enough.

Then why did you say:

Quote
I want something that will outlast me and be handed down to my children's children.

No need to be snippy because people read what you wrote and assumed that's what you meant.

I second the estate sale idea - you may have to hit a number of them to find something that fits with your style, but it's where you'll find a lot of the well-built stuff that's already lasted decades and will likely last more.

Basenji

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1031
  • Location: D.C.-ish
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2018, 03:23:26 PM »
SMH

Guys, I get it. I don't literally mean I want to hand it down. I just mean I want high quality stuff that will last a long time. If it only lasts my lifetime, that will be long enough.

LOL, I thought that as people piled on. There's a lot out there about what makes good quality furniture. Solid wood, good joinery, high quality cushion materials, etc. Secondhand consignment and estate sales get me the best balance of quality and value. But damn if I don't see some good stuff for practically nothing on my local NextDoor. The Tightwad Gazette lady thought furniture made from 1940 to 1960 is the sweet spot in terms of well-made versus price. Of course, now mid-century is all the rage, so YMMV. Nevertheless, we have bought a few 1960s pieces at secondhand/consignment stores and think they are good value. Not inexpensive, but simple classic style, solid wood, solidly built with good joinery, and these pieces will be hanging out at our house for a long time. It kind of depends on things like will kids be spilling juice all over your upholstered couch? Will the dogs be being doggy on it? Are you the type of person who will be careful not to ruin a glossy finish on the dining room table/coffee table or should you really get an old scarred farmhouse table because you'll be putting water rings all over that thing? Use and upkeep weighed against price and fanciness.

hadabeardonce

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 330
  • It's never too early to learn the value of money.
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2018, 03:31:41 PM »
Ashley Furniture has seasonal deals. We bought a bunch of their less expensive stuff ~10 years ago and it was a significant step up in quality from the disposable IKEA things we had.

marion10

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 390
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2018, 03:38:46 PM »
We have been very happy with furniture from Room and Board.  Simple lines, made in US.

Pigeon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #15 on: April 18, 2018, 06:32:23 PM »
Ashley Furniture has seasonal deals. We bought a bunch of their less expensive stuff ~10 years ago and it was a significant step up in quality from the disposable IKEA things we had.

I'm glad you had good luck with your Ashley furniture.  Ashley has the (well deserved, IMO) reputation for being the exact opposite of what the OP is looking for.

adamsputnik

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 39
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #16 on: April 18, 2018, 08:59:07 PM »
What are you looking for? I've made tables and chests/dressers, but not chairs. I'd like to think the stuff I have made is pretty solid though. I tend towards old fashioned-ish shaker style and such though.

Imma

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3193
  • Location: Europe
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2018, 03:23:14 AM »
I have the kind of furniture you want. One table was bought by my great-grandparents when they married in 1926. It was made completely by hand and I expect it to outlive me. It's a Jugendstil piece so it looks elegant and works with a more modern home.
My grandfather was a woodworker and made a lot of the furniture I have. Other pieces are from thrift shops or friends' grandparents.

If you can't find antique / thrift shop pieces you like, I think it's worth it to have it custom made. Prices are generally comparable to factory-made furniture from the more expensive brands.

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2018, 04:22:07 AM »
Sorry, but rustic is your only play.

Nice modern furniture can be well made (I have some pieces from room and board and crate and barrel) but if they are damaged they need to be refinished which is a bitch.  I got a $2000 room and board dresser on Craigslist  for $100.  It had significant damage but was solid wood. I patched it up, sanded it down, and painted it.  Looks great, but it was a lot of work and definitely lost the character it originally had.  If it had been a more rustic piece I wouldn’t even need to repaint

I have the same issue with my solid wood floors.  They were given a really nice flat sanded finish, but my dog has scratched them up.  If they were a rustic style it would be unnoticeable, but on a modern finish it really stands out

In the future I’m going to go more rustic for longevity.  A modern wood table will eventually get scuffed and it will look out of place.  Even the best wood scratches.  A rustic wood table can get beat up and look magnificent

Just my 2 cents

runbikerun

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 539
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #19 on: April 19, 2018, 04:47:24 AM »
I may get flamed for this, but...

IKEA. Outside of their absolute bottom-of-the-range offerings, their stuff is extremely decent, and the price differential is so severe compared to equivalent non-flatpack stuff that I suspect it makes more sense from a financial point of view - especially if you invest the price difference. A 3:1 price ratio (which I suspect is conservative) and a 4% return would see an IKEA item pay for itself in about a decade. If the price difference is 4:1, the breakeven point drops to around seven years or so.

There's a tendency for people to assume that IKEA stuff is short-lived; I suspect that's a consequence of the fact that most people's initial exposure to it is when they're buying a couple of essential bits from the cheapest possible range when they start living on their own. Take even one step up the ladder, and the quality shoots up. Will it last your lifetime? Quite possibly, especially if you don't move house.

dragoncar

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9922
  • Registered member
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #20 on: April 19, 2018, 04:55:28 AM »
I may get flamed for this, but...

IKEA. Outside of their absolute bottom-of-the-range offerings, their stuff is extremely decent, and the price differential is so severe compared to equivalent non-flatpack stuff that I suspect it makes more sense from a financial point of view - especially if you invest the price difference. A 3:1 price ratio (which I suspect is conservative) and a 4% return would see an IKEA item pay for itself in about a decade. If the price difference is 4:1, the breakeven point drops to around seven years or so.

There's a tendency for people to assume that IKEA stuff is short-lived; I suspect that's a consequence of the fact that most people's initial exposure to it is when they're buying a couple of essential bits from the cheapest possible range when they start living on their own. Take even one step up the ladder, and the quality shoots up. Will it last your lifetime? Quite possibly, especially if you don't move house.

Gotta agree on their solid stuff.  I won’t buy MDF but they have some good options at ikea.

Also reminded me of the saying “Moving three times is as bad as a fire. ”

This applies to expensive stuff just as must as ikea cardboard (yes I have cut ikea furniture open to expose the cardboard sadness)

Cranky

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3842
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #21 on: April 19, 2018, 05:01:09 AM »
The Amish furniture stores here have a lot of stuff that isn't "rustic". It's plain, and it's custom made. I'm contemplating a dining room table...

runbikerun

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 539
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #22 on: April 19, 2018, 06:29:03 AM »
I may get flamed for this, but...

IKEA. Outside of their absolute bottom-of-the-range offerings, their stuff is extremely decent, and the price differential is so severe compared to equivalent non-flatpack stuff that I suspect it makes more sense from a financial point of view - especially if you invest the price difference. A 3:1 price ratio (which I suspect is conservative) and a 4% return would see an IKEA item pay for itself in about a decade. If the price difference is 4:1, the breakeven point drops to around seven years or so.

There's a tendency for people to assume that IKEA stuff is short-lived; I suspect that's a consequence of the fact that most people's initial exposure to it is when they're buying a couple of essential bits from the cheapest possible range when they start living on their own. Take even one step up the ladder, and the quality shoots up. Will it last your lifetime? Quite possibly, especially if you don't move house.

Gotta agree on their solid stuff.  I won’t buy MDF but they have some good options at ikea.

Also reminded me of the saying “Moving three times is as bad as a fire. ”

This applies to expensive stuff just as must as ikea cardboard (yes I have cut ikea furniture open to expose the cardboard sadness)

Something I have noticed in the past few years is that a lot of restaurants are opting to fit out their dining rooms with IKEA stuff - tables, chairs, lighting, plates, the lot. I'm inclined to assume that if it's robust enough for restaurant use, it's probably going to be robust enough in a home.

Cgbg

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 142
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #23 on: April 19, 2018, 06:51:41 AM »
Check locally. We have a local furniture store -the Joinery- that makes furniture. Takes about 3 months to make a piece and they’ll last forever. Before we had kids, we’d buy new stuff from them each year, slowly outfitting a room. Now we look on Craigslist it I’m sure we’ll still buy a few pieces new over the next few years.

Sibley

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7428
  • Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #24 on: April 19, 2018, 08:01:28 AM »
1. estate sales
2. craigslist/facebook marketplace/whatever site is popular in your area
3. thrift stores
4. dedicated 2nd hand furniture stores.

Look for solid wood. You can definitely find older stuff that needs a bit of work but then will be good forever. Upholstery can be redone.

FIRE Artist

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1070
  • Location: YEG
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #25 on: April 19, 2018, 09:26:57 AM »
My Ikea leather Karlanda sofa bought in 2000 has been bulletproof.  It has circled the globe 2 times during 5 intercontinental moves and it looks and feels like new. 

solon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Age: 1823
  • Location: OH
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #26 on: April 19, 2018, 10:18:00 AM »
Thanks guys, this is great stuff. I'll be on the lookout for estate sales, although we live in a smaller market, so they don't happen as often. I love what I've seen on Ethan Allen and Stickley websites. And the saved craigslist search is great, I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier.

Laura33

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3479
  • Location: Mid-Atlantic
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #27 on: April 19, 2018, 12:59:03 PM »
I want to second (or looks like maybe fifteenth) the used market, because:

a.  It's cheaper
b.  Most furniture nowadays is made from fast-growing commercially-farmed wood.  This wood is not as tightly-grained and does not have the same structural stability as the wood that was generally used 100+ years ago, so even "solid wood" furniture will not be as durable.  If you need to buy something new, at least look for kiln-dried lumber, which will move less and thus create more stable joints.
c.  Survivor bias:  all the crappy furniture that was made 100 years ago has already died and gone to furniture heaven.  If you find a solid, 70-yr-old table at an estate sale, you can be pretty confident that it will hold up for years to come.

My one piece of "name" furniture that I bought was a Stickley dining room set -- the table was a wedding present, the chairs we bought.*  It has been solid as a rock for the past 22 years, although the fabric is fading on the chairs, and personally, I think it only looks better with age (we got a soft, satin-ey finish, not a shiny polyurethane look, so dings and scratches blend in a bit better).  So those guys I would recommend; everyone else, not so much. 

Also, read up on what makes quality construction for different types of furniture -- e.g., there are different ways of constructing a sofa, some of which will last and stay comfortable longer than others.  And also consider the durability of the fabric/leather; not much point buying an expensive couch that's made to last 30 years and cover it with a cotton twill that's going to be destroyed in 10. 

*Should have done it the other way around, as 8 chairs cost twice as much as the table.

Duke03

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 468
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #28 on: April 19, 2018, 01:47:30 PM »
Look into a company called Artistic Leathers.  http://artisticleathers.com/


I have a couple of their pieces and they are exactly what you are looking for.  Before I bought my furniture from them I actually spoke to the owner.  He assured me that if I bought a piece from him it would out last me and all of his furniture is built like a tank.  I kind of thought he was blowing smoke to make sale but after my stuff showed up I was blown away.  Just by sitting on their furniture you can tell it's top of the line.  Their leather is so thick they can and will actually hand tool different designs into the boarder of the furniture if you want something like that.  My furniture is 5 years old and still looks brand new and everyone that comes over give me a lot of compliments on it.  Their stuff is not cheap, but after owning it I'd pay double their asking price.  It's that good!

Hula Hoop

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1762
  • Location: Italy
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #29 on: April 19, 2018, 02:16:06 PM »
Are you sure your children or children's children will want your furniture? You may try looking at estate sales to see what they're selling? You'll probably see items that you don't want, which is more than likely how your grand kids will look at your furniture.

This.  Your kids are quite unlikely to want your furniture.  https://www.npr.org/2014/07/08/329804371/in-a-tough-market-for-old-furniture-manage-your-expectations
I've had to dissolve the houses of several elderly relatives.  You can hardly give old furniture away.

When my father in law died, none of my husband's three siblings or their adult children wanted any of his furniture, even though it was solid oak good quality furniture and a very classic non-dated style.  Luckily we'd just bought our apartment and needed furniture so we took it.  But if it had been up to the other siblings, it would have gone to an estate sale.

Greystache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 591
Re: generational furniture
« Reply #30 on: April 19, 2018, 03:36:13 PM »
Not for everyone, but I like to design and build my own furniture.  It's a great hobby for the retired among us.  I have a small and simple shop built onto the garage. I tend to favor mission style/craftsman style furniture because I like the look and the construction and joinery are pretty simple. I did a little mid-century style stuff for my son who likes that sort of thing. About half of the furniture in my house is made by me. Now I am furnishing my kids' houses. Hope the kids like it, because it will last forever.