I haven’t blogged much this past week because I’m stressed out over my condo. Yes, I’ve been living here only a few months shy of a year but I’ve been living in a state of disarray that I’m finally trying to wrangle so I can actually enjoy the place. Unfortunately this is an agonizing process of color matching, material co-ordinating, painting, carpentry, etc.
For instance, I thought I found the perfect media console/credenza today. I got it home (it weighs a ton), unpackaged most of it, but am now worried that its walnut doors conflict too much with the floors and cabinets in my place. Am I being too high maintenance? Probably.
If you too want to slit your wrists as a result of furniture over load I recommend the following:
In Seattle:
Area 51: They have a big show room on Capitol Hill with new and used pieces. Their used pieces are usually pretty pricey. I’d go with Great Stuff first for used. Most of their new stuff is in stock in at least one color. I hate waiting 6-16+ weeks so this place is good for no waits.
City Home Store: They have some good stuff and some bad stuff here. I got a shag rug on sale; wasn’t the size I wanted but the price could not be beat.
Design Within Reach: Yes, yes, DWR is within no one’s reach and should probably be on the list of places I can’t afford but I have received a few DWR pieces as gifts.
Great Stuff: The X21 of Seattle.
Ikea: The resourceful can always find a good piece or two that doesn’t scream Ikea. On the other hand, I’ve bought a lot of Ikea stuff that I ended up returning.
Kasala: Some good and some bad stuff here. I bought a lot of furniture for my old apartment here because, like Area 51, they have a lot in stock. For my current place I got a pair of Sapien bookshelves for cheaper than DWR. I also fell in love with a rug but balked at the $7200 price tag and 16 week wait.
Recycled Home Company: I have tried a few times to get here, it is right downtown after all, but its never open. Looks promising though!
Restore: For when you need a used claw foot bathtub. I found an old spotlight that will likely burn my condo down.
Retrofit Home: See Kartell and Bludot pieces in person. I bought a Bludot coffee table here and carried it home.
Space Oddity: A small space crammed full of old vintage pieces in Ballard. My kitchen table is from here and I’m hoping to pick up a desk and bench tomorrow.
In Seattle but out of my price range:
Bo Concept: They’re opening a store on Western.
Ligne Roset: If I had a proper loft I’d get a Togo sectional in something crazy like orange.
Online:
CB2: The more modern Crate and Barrel. Inexpensive. Step above Ikea but not too much.
High Brow Furniture: Unlike DWR, they have stuff in stock for quick shipment.
Room and Board: They stock the usual modern classics from Eames, etc. But also have a large array of everything else. I bought a sectional sofa here.
West Elm. Dare I say a cross between CB2 and Pottery Barn. I bought a stainless steel bed frame here. Overall pretty good but don’t look to close at the joints where the pieces don’t fit as well as they should.
Alrighty, back to my disaster. If I’m missing any of your faves let me know in the comments, though the last thing I need is yet another store to waste money at.
Bonus link: NY Times, Mystery on Fifth Avenue. Maybe I should live in a puzzle instead!
Popularity: 20% [?]
13 responses so far ↓
1 Mark // Jun 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm
You left out my favorite home furnishings stores: Modeles, Chartreuse, and Bell’Ochio !
2 Mark // Jun 16, 2008 at 7:35 pm
And you must see “The House”, a cool vintage mid-century furniture store that just opened in Magnolia. Good stuff and great prices.
3 Matt // Jun 16, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Oops, I should not have left off Chartreuse. I have to admit, I haven’t visited the other ones. Guess I know what I’m doing on my next free weekend.
4 j.s. // Jun 16, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Have you checked out Calligaris, which opened recently on Western? Another option for reasonably priced modern furnishings.
5 The MD // Jun 16, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Matt,
In Seattle, there is also a great furniture store at 2nd and Lenora called Alchemy Collections. They also have a sister store of italian furniture on Western called Callagaris. They’re both worth checking out.
6 Regan // Jun 17, 2008 at 8:58 am
I get a lot of inspiration & ideas from the “Better Living Through Design” blog: http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/ - the blogger posts a wide range of innovative furnishings, many of which are affordable.
7 vc // Jun 17, 2008 at 10:29 am
I am partial to Moss (mossonline.com). It’s the very best design store in the USA.
8 unearthly // Jun 17, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Furniture from reclaimed urban trees: Urban Hardwoods
9 kh // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:30 am
so where are the pics? :)
10 Seth // Jun 19, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Do not forget David & Smith Co, one of the coolest reclaimed teak furniture joints around the SLU area!
11 Lev // Jun 19, 2008 at 10:18 pm
just do what interior designers do. color boards. order samples of everything online paste them on a black foam core that’s the only way to visualize. tried http://www.roomandboard.com ? not too exciting but their sofas are very good quality according to my interior designer friend… kasala outlet by Safeco Field has nice coffee tables etc cb2.com for accessories.. Why carpet on the floors? visit artisan finishes website for some milestone finished floors - Don Latimar is the man! have you been to fix design’s showroom. their rep showed me a great range of prices for even my budget for prefab kitchens, baths, closets, fixtures etc… if you have the budget http://www.currancatalogue.com has very high quality furniture!! have you also been to http://www.3form.com for sustainable resins and acrylics? You could do a lot of cool things with those- anyway i’m getting carried away :)…
one quick note: have you guys seen this listing? http://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/121-32nd-Ave-E-98112/home/146291
I can’t believe they would put such photos on a listing. I guess when you are listing at almost 200K under the zillow estimate…
12 Michael Ferguson // Jun 22, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hey there. Occasionally I do a google search on my store, The Recycled Home Company. Thanks for the mention in your blog. There are only 3 of us running the place, with limited funds, but we will get there! And hopefully we will expand our hours! Currently they are Tuesday through Saturday, noon through 7pm, but I am often running late. Sometimes however, we are open as late as 10 or 11pm. Hope to see you soon! - Michael
13 Mike // Jun 24, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Glad to hear that I’m not the only Room and Board fan out here in Seattle. My favorites are the hand welded natural steel pieces and the chinese hardwood tables and stools that are made using joinery (no nails/screws)
I also recently ordered a memory foam mattress from Room and Board that is the most comfortable object I’ve ever known in my life.
Leave a Comment