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I am an IKEA fan not for its modern stylings but more for the fact that sometimes you want some inexpensive furniture. I'm looking for a few bookcases and cabinets. I don't need anything terribly swanky, just a little more stylish than what I can find at HD or Lowes. Target didn't have what I was looking for. Can anyone recommend some places in the triangle I should check out?
I really wish they had an IKEA in the area. It would do so well here. Then again, they do well no matter where they open.
You could try HD or Lowe's. The problem is that it will likely be pretty generic. IKEA always has unique design elements on their furnishings.
You could also try consignments shops. I have not had any luck finding storage furniture around here... everything I have seen has been pretty low or average quality - at prices that are just too high for what you get, IMO.
How about World Market? Even Homegoods might work for your purposes.
this is JMO, but Homegoods storage furnishings are very low quality. Everything I've seen is made from particle board or "wood-like" materials... made in China and quite expensive considering what you get. I don't mind spending $150 or $200 on a storage solution that's decent quality.
Last edited by RecentlyMoved; 08-18-2014 at 10:52 AM..
I drove to IKEA Charlotte a few weeks ago because I used to go to IKEA all the time in the 90s - I guess I liked it more in the 90s. Target really has similar stuff, but I wanted to look at the countertops.
I have some bookcases from World Market - they look nice and serve their purpose, though the quality isn't great.
I just bought a sofa from Area Modern in Durham - got a great deal and it was nice to not just buy NC-made furniture but buy it at a small local store - maybe check them out too?
I have often wondered if there is a store which sells surfaced/ polished wooden strips to make a few things on my own, with hammer and nails - like a patio bench or a book case.
I have often wondered if there is a store which sells surfaced/ polished wooden strips to make a few things on my own, with hammer and nails - like a patio bench or a book case.
Depending on what I'm doing - how much time I have, and how much I want to spend - I have done all these:
* Taken trees to a sawmill, and had them cut into lumber and planed for me to build with - I know you probably won't be doing this for a while
* Bought rough lumber from Lowes/Home Depot and built with that
* Bought fairly smooth, already-cut wood from Lowes/Home Depot and built with that. This is one of the two things I recommend for you. The wood is expensive for what it is, because of the low quantity. But you can get pine, poplar, red oak typically. It is fairly smooth, so needs little or no sanding, depending on your specific need. Again, depending on the project, no or minimal cuts are needed. This is a good way to go for a quick project or to try something out. Be warned: if you are going to build something large, the cost of the wood will seem very high (because it is...this is the equivalent of buying groceries at the gas station - sure, you can do it, but it's not the most cost-effective way in the long run).
* Bought melanine finished MDF (medium density fiberboard) at Lowes/Home Depot and built with that. You can saw it easily. If you need to make a simple shelf or something, this is great because you can avoid sanding and finishing for a quick-and-dirty project. You can have any color you want - as long as it's white or brown
One more thing... If you want to build something outdoor, then I would get raw lumber and not worry about a high quality finish, since it will be outside. You can buy treated lumber, which will last better - but I would not build something I (or my children) sat on a lot. If you use "regular" lumber, you need to finish it with something somewhat waterproof so it won't rot.
And if you really want to get into woodworking, take a trip to Woodcraft on Glenwood Avenue. Bring your wallet
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