If I had unlimited money for furniture, I tell you where I'd go: an Amish furniture maker showroom. Have you ever seen Amish furniture? It is BEAUTIFUL. Just classic and lovely and it's made with real wood. I would love a house full of custom made Amish pieces. If you can afford it, for at least some of the pieces, consider this route.

Most of our C&B furniture has held up really well - you need to ask if it is made in the US. The stuff that is already put together is obviously better quality than anything you put together yourself

overstock.com actually has a lot of good stuff

Ballard Designs is good stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ethan Allen has always held up well. My parents always bought from there, and I have some pieces, and I cant think of anything thats ever had a problem, except for wearing out the upholstery on one side chair that I've used as my desk chair for 12 years. My childhood furniture is still good.

Ethan Allen used to make quality furniture when it was made here in the US. Now it's cheaply made abroad. Google Ethan Allen complaints and you'll see what I mean.

I have both cherry and maple wood tables and dressers from Ethan Allen, all purchased in the past 10 years, and they are very well-made. I have no doubt that they will hold up long enough to be passed to our kids when we downsize one day.

We have a higher end sofa from C&B in our family room. Kids abuse it. Dogs rub against it. DH has spilled wine, ice cream, etc... It is 10 years old and looks fantastic. It is covered in their faux suede - micro fiber - which I tested by smearing the fabric sample with all kinds of foods and then washed off with water. It is a great sofa.

Before that had a PB basic sofa. Slipcover was ruined in forst (done according to instrcutions) wash and they replaced it. The structural sofa stood up reallyy well. We just outgrew the style and so I sold it on Craigs List and got very good $$ for it.

We have several R&B pieces and are very happy with them. Great value (e.g., price for quality). We looked at dining sets from those other stores too and found them to be cute but cheaply made. We've also had great luck buying from reputable dealers on ebay.

Also, OP, Ikea does have inexpensive furniture--some pieces hold up and look better than others. It's located in College Park, and I think worth a look at if you need to buy a lot of furniture.

Room and Board furniture is made in the USA and has a pretty good reputation. I don't have any though, so not speaking from first hand experience. I think with Crate & Barrell, you have to look at the materials used - some of it is solid construction, but some of it is lower-end (although not Ikea-cheap). You can usually tell by price with Crate and Barrel. Our bed from their has held up well and feels solid. The TV stand has some scratches and dents. Of the companies you listed, West Elm is definitely at the lower range of quality.

Love Room & Board. For the money, I think it's worth it. Quality craftmanship and much of which is made in the USA.

Room & Board is excellent but very pricey.

I've had mixed feelings about C&B and PB. Some pieces seem very well made; others not.

I would go into the stores and get a feel for the furniture you're interested.

Anonymous wrote:Ethan Allen has always held up well. My parents always bought from there, and I have some pieces, and I cant think of anything thats ever had a problem, except for wearing out the upholstery on one side chair that I've used as my desk chair for 12 years. My childhood furniture is still good.

Ethan Allen used to make quality furniture when it was made here in the US. Now it's cheaply made abroad. Google Ethan Allen complaints and you'll see what I mean.

Ethan Allen has always held up well. My parents always bought from there, and I have some pieces, and I cant think of anything thats ever had a problem, except for wearing out the upholstery on one side chair that I've used as my desk chair for 12 years. My childhood furniture is still good.

I worked at CB and PB. I have a PB sofa.
Not holding up to well. Year 4.
Try Ethan Allen, their is a place around here that makes furniture urban retreat(I think) and there is always North Carolina.

I am fairly new to the US and have no idea which furniture companies build furniture that will actually last. We are looking for new dining room furniture (table, chairs and buffet/sideboard) and have been to Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn and Room & Board. Ignoring design, which of these companies sell furniture that will last more than 10 years? At the moment I'm thinking Room and Board, but it is at the very upper limit of our budget and I'm not sure we can justify the cost.

Any thoughts or other brands/companies we should be looking at?