Modern furniture shops?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm in the process for buying furniture for my flat. I'm trying to get a more contemporary look, after the missus moaned that our previous place reminded me of her dead Gran's old house.
We haven't got a massive budget, I've been looking at places like Bluesuntree (which I like a lot), and Made/Dwell (which I don't like).
Does anyone know of any other furniture companies that may be of interest. My sister said look in Ikea, but the problem with Ikea things is that they all have a similar look. Or maybe I'm not looking at the right range?
Any ideas?
I'm in the process for buying furniture for my flat. I'm trying to get a more contemporary look, after the missus moaned that our previous place reminded me of her dead Gran's old house.
We haven't got a massive budget, I've been looking at places like Bluesuntree (which I like a lot), and Made/Dwell (which I don't like).
Does anyone know of any other furniture companies that may be of interest. My sister said look in Ikea, but the problem with Ikea things is that they all have a similar look. Or maybe I'm not looking at the right range?
Any ideas?
Orchid1 said:
Very nice indeed. Slightly too pricey for me, but lovely!Moominho said:
This is very true. And also my concern. I just can't find a middle ground, it's either old and fuddy duddy, or a bit too hip. I just don't have an eye for that sort of stuff really.
It's tough. Do you want your own look or someone else's?3-4 years ago my lounge needed a a complete overhaul. I went into Next and thought 'Ooh this is quite nice...' - then realised that if I just copied it my house would just look like a Next showroom. Change too much in one go and you lose identity, continuity/sense of self IMHO.
How old is your house? Auction houses are stuffed full of cheap antique/vintage furniture, as opposed to MDF that will end up in landfill.
What does Mrs Moominho like?
Some links in here from GnuBee https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Simpo Two said:
It's tough. Do you want your own look or someone else's?
3-4 years ago my lounge needed a a complete overhaul. I went into Next and thought 'Ooh this is quite nice...' - then realised that if I just copied it my house would just look like a Next showroom. Change too much in one go and you lose identity, continuity/sense of self IMHO.
How old is your house? Auction houses are stuffed full of cheap antique/vintage furniture, as opposed to MDF that will end up in landfill.
What does Mrs Moominho like?
I think you have hit the nail on the head. We have found bits we like from various shops, so we'll probably try and vary things, rather than rely on one place. 3-4 years ago my lounge needed a a complete overhaul. I went into Next and thought 'Ooh this is quite nice...' - then realised that if I just copied it my house would just look like a Next showroom. Change too much in one go and you lose identity, continuity/sense of self IMHO.
How old is your house? Auction houses are stuffed full of cheap antique/vintage furniture, as opposed to MDF that will end up in landfill.
What does Mrs Moominho like?
Mrs Moominho has expensive tastes. But not the income to match. She's been sending me photos of things she likes (from Pinterest, Selfridges and a few shops in London) and I have been trying to find cheaper versions.
I'll check out an auction house or two as well. But may leave her at home
If you want something middle-ish ground, the Alto range from Oak Furniture Land is good. It's what we decided for our living room.
Solid oak but with chunky clean straight lines. With touches like a nice smart table lamp in the corner you can enhance the "moderness". Might not be contemporary enough for you though? We went to Ikea but all the furniture just looked small and not chunky/big enough.
It is difficult to get the balance as originally I was looking at the super modern stuff that you're probably looking at but I found it too difficult to plan/decide what would look good with what, my wife didn't like most of it and it was all stupidly expensive.
Solid oak but with chunky clean straight lines. With touches like a nice smart table lamp in the corner you can enhance the "moderness". Might not be contemporary enough for you though? We went to Ikea but all the furniture just looked small and not chunky/big enough.
It is difficult to get the balance as originally I was looking at the super modern stuff that you're probably looking at but I found it too difficult to plan/decide what would look good with what, my wife didn't like most of it and it was all stupidly expensive.
Some different approaches:
To avoid furniture that dates, check out the classics at Vitra . Find something you like, google it and buy a cheap copy. Become a chair fetishist and spot it on every TV show you watch.
Swoon do some lovely handmade furniture in limited runs at very reasonable high street prices.
Made Bespoke furniture made to order, again cheaper than high street.
The Farrow and Ball site is excellent. Couple of really helpful guides:
http://www.farrow-ball.com/light-affects-colour/co...
http://www.farrow-ball.com/using-colour/content/fc...
Ha! Just spotted you don't like Made
To avoid furniture that dates, check out the classics at Vitra . Find something you like, google it and buy a cheap copy. Become a chair fetishist and spot it on every TV show you watch.
Swoon do some lovely handmade furniture in limited runs at very reasonable high street prices.
Made Bespoke furniture made to order, again cheaper than high street.
The Farrow and Ball site is excellent. Couple of really helpful guides:
http://www.farrow-ball.com/light-affects-colour/co...
http://www.farrow-ball.com/using-colour/content/fc...
Ha! Just spotted you don't like Made
Some great links provided already. Consider buying one or maybe two statement pieces and then augmenting them with with more "normal" items. You can get trapped into "buying" roomsets which can make things look very costly. Mix 'n' match is the the way to end up with something that's personal.
Don't underestimate eBay - you need patience to trawl through endless auctions, rare items that aren't but there are gems there if you can find them.
As others have said Swoon is a good site - lead times can be high BUT you're getting limited edition furniture, the only note of caution would be it's definitely aligned to the current penchant for mid-century.
Stocktons.co.uk is a good site to look through often with some good deals in the Clearance section. Barker and Stonehouse is another; they span the range between predictable and the more eclectic such as Timothy Oulton.
Sites like Houzz can help you crystallize the sort of things you like - for many the challenge is simply understanding the shear number of options out there: there's definitely life beyond the usual high street suspects.
Don't underestimate eBay - you need patience to trawl through endless auctions, rare items that aren't but there are gems there if you can find them.
As others have said Swoon is a good site - lead times can be high BUT you're getting limited edition furniture, the only note of caution would be it's definitely aligned to the current penchant for mid-century.
Stocktons.co.uk is a good site to look through often with some good deals in the Clearance section. Barker and Stonehouse is another; they span the range between predictable and the more eclectic such as Timothy Oulton.
Sites like Houzz can help you crystallize the sort of things you like - for many the challenge is simply understanding the shear number of options out there: there's definitely life beyond the usual high street suspects.
Barker and Stonehouse also provide an interior design service (I think it's £150 or something) where they will try and flog you their stuff, but it will at least flush out what it is you are looking for and give some inspiration that you can then take away and use. As above, they are getting more trendy and less footballer now.
Also avoid copper like the plague...
The interior of this house is very tastefully done (colours/tones/statement pieces - clearly an Eames fan which is a good thing). It takes a lot of effort to make something look this effortless. Shamlessly stolen from real estate pawn thread: http://www.rettie.co.uk/property-for-sale/edinburg...
Also avoid copper like the plague...
The interior of this house is very tastefully done (colours/tones/statement pieces - clearly an Eames fan which is a good thing). It takes a lot of effort to make something look this effortless. Shamlessly stolen from real estate pawn thread: http://www.rettie.co.uk/property-for-sale/edinburg...
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