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06.27.08, 10:39 AM New York City
22 replies
Has anyone used a decorator to get ideas on how to furnish/what to buy for your apartment? I know that some furniture stores have allegedly "free consultations," but I'm skeptical. It's time to get rid of our old stuff and upgrade, but I have no clue about these things. tia. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 06.27.08, 10:39 AM Flag
 

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The danger in using the store's consultant is that you are going to walk away with a housefull of furniture from the same showroom, and it will look a page from their catalogue. A designer is a good idea, in that they can get you a trade discount on a lot of items, which essentially balances off the cost of their services. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:45 AM Flag
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I wouldn't call that a danger - I would love it if my house looked like a page from a catalog! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:46 AM Flag
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Depends on the catalog. I've seen friends who drank the kool aid from Ethan Allen, and it just has no personality to it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:50 AM Flag
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Oh please - right now my carpet has Gatorade stains, my armoire is covered in crayon and my couch and upholstered chairs are used as trampolines. Give me Ethan Allen Koolaide any day. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:53 AM Flag
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Fair enough! Here are some great furniture places to check out for ideas/inspiration: BDDW, Jonathan Adler (great sofas - custom fabrics and not over the top expensive), Room & Board, Modernica - all of these stores are in SoHo. If you can tell me your aesthetic, I could recommend some more relevant options. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:04 AM Flag
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Oh, thanks. I don't like furniture that is too modern or minimalist. I tend to like things from Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn. Nothing too decorated or fancy (like Ethan Allen, imo). Also, I'm looking to re-do the living room, so... couch, entertainment center, wall hangings. tia! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:07 AM Flag
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Would still recommend Adler (see Blakeley sofa), then a field trip to ABC to get a better feel for what you're looking for (also, Mitchell Gold has a showroom there). Overstock has some great rugs from Safavieh (not id'd as such) for around $500. I'm also a big fan of Craigslist and eBay, when I know what I want but can't afford it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:34 AM Flag
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^Also, check out Apartment Therapy's website for inspiration. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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Ethan Allen is different from your perception and unlike PB has sales peopel who are trained as designers [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:38 AM Flag
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np: It's really the luck of the draw whether you get a good one or someone stuck in the 1980s. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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what does that mean, Drank the Kool Aid?? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:34 AM Flag
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Mindlessly agreeing to whatever someone tells you to do (cult term). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:38 AM Flag
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Ah. Thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 06:02 AM Flag
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OP: can you recommend a store? I think Ethan Allen does this... but I'm frankly not so keen on their stuff. Pottery Barn? Crate & Barrel? do they do that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:48 AM Flag
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An independant furniture store would absolutely offer this service [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:50 AM Flag
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OP: I'm sorry to be so seemingly helpless... but do you know of any independent furniture stores on the UWS? I could google, obviously... but I'd have to check them all out. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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just pick up some home design magazines to get a sense of what you would like, then go from there [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:12 AM Flag
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do the magazines generally say where you can purchase the stuff? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:17 AM Flag
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I love Room & Board, and the store in SoHo has design consultants. Their style is a mix of contemporary with classic mid-century modern pieces, and the showroom is really well-done with interesting fabrics, etc., and much funkier and creative than their catalog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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any suggestions on a painter for the UES looking to paint two bed apt this summer? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.27.08, 05:10 PM Flag
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Go to Domino Magazine.com -- they had a list up and coming designers, many of which would work with you just to help you lay out the room. ABC has services as well. I agree with the Kool Aid poster -- go through a few magazines and you will see (Domino, Traditional Home, Country Living if that's your thing) how nice rooms have stuff from all different places and include some "used" pieces no matter what your style is. If you get too much from Pottery Barn or Room and Board it is going to look dated in a few years. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 05:44 AM Flag
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