Monday, April 27, 2009

How much would you pay for a piece of furniture?


I've been obsessed with the Alton coffee table from Hickory Chair (and designed by Thomas O'Brien) since I saw it in the Williams-Sonoma Home catalogue a few weeks ago. It's simple and timeless, but with just enough unique detailing (like magazine racks-turned-legs!) to make it interesting. It's also made here in the States by hand out of FSC-certified hardwood, so quality-wise, it's top of the line. Of course though, it's nearly $3,000 and way more than I would normally pay for a piece of furniture. In fact, that's roughly double what I spent on my sofa and, well, that was a sofa.

When Dave and I first bought our house, we bought a lot of inexpensive pieces from Bombay Company, Target and Crate&Barrel's Ready to Assemble collection. Now, as we contemplate moving into our "forever" house, I'm starting to consider replacing these temporary pieces with higher quality/longer lasting furniture. In doing so though, I'm feeling the sticker shock of "real" furniture. Sure, I want a beautiful home filled with beautiful furniture that will stand the test of time, but at what cost?

So, while I impatiently wait for my beloved coffee table to go on sale (the likelihood of which I'm unsure of), I wanted to put the table on the table (so to speak): What's the most you've ever spent on an item for your house (and what was the piece in question)? On a more theoretical level, what's the most you would even consider paying for a piece of furniture?

5 comments:

Christy said...

Very nice table! You'll have to let us know if you do end up buying it.

The most expensive piece of furniture we have is our family room sofa from Crate and Barrel. It's the Troy - we have a chaise, a two piecer and a one piecer all together. I think the total was around $3000 or so. We have another very nice sofa in our living room that cost about that - from a store called Storehouse that has since gone out of business. Loved that store.

On the theoretical side, I don't think I'd ever spend more than $5,000 on a single piece of furniture. And even then, my heart would certainly be racing as I handed over my payment. It'd have to be something that I was sure would last practically forever - like our two sofas. We've had both for 4-5 years, and they're as good as new, and timeless - for us anyway!

Great post!

Jody Harrington said...

Good question. I think the new leather sectional we bought for the new house takes the prize as the most I've ever spent on a single piece of furniture. And it was on sale!!!

Kara said...

I have paid $1000 - $1500 for two different couches and that is the most expensive thing I own. I love it and I have no regrets. I would love to buy an Eames Lounge Chair for $3600 but until I pay off my credit cards that is on the back burner.

Maple said...

Besides my TV, the most I've ever spent is on my bedroom set- $1000 from Star Furniture Outlet. The sky's the limit with furniture prices. I was looking around Noel with my parents, and their lowest priced couch was $3000. The one we liked the most was $8000!!

Laura Holland said...

The Alton Coffee Table is amazing! Did you know that it is available in over 60 finishes or a combination of two finishes? It look amazing when a different finish is selected on the surface underneath the glass top. Thomas loves using Antique Ivory paint under the glass and a wood stain finish on the rest of the table! I love seeing them being finished in our workshop in the variety of finishes. It really makes you wish you could see the rooms they are destined for!

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