[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Table 5

We tend to buy used design-classics by quality manufacturers...ie Knoll, Haller, Vitra, Cassina, Herman Miller etc. It's often really well-built furniture that was designed in the first half of the 20th century...stuff that is considered timeless, so you never have to worry about it being some fad. It's not cheap, but often times it's a better value long term.

The key though is to buy quality (ie. stuff made by countries like Germany, USA, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, etc) not fakes or repros or stuff from the Brick (ie. stuff made in China). The good stuff is really well built, so it will last generations...which also means you can buy it used without worrying if it will hold up. All furniture will lose value from new, but a well-maintained design classic will not lose its value beyond a certain point. I like to buy it at that point!

We also buy for the long-term. If I'm buying a dining table, I want it to last for 20-30 years so I don't have to buy another. Which is why I'll buy the quality item...which again, will not lose any value after a certain point because it's a desirable item.

There is plenty of it out there. Kijiji, estate sales, online, etc. For example I see tons of great mid-century furniture on Kijiji that has 10x the build quality of anything new today.

Apart from the value aspect, I think buying quality items is better for the environment, and it feels good to support craftsmen who still give a crap.

I love that strategy. I tend to either get the best deal I can on something that I know is going to die, like a dishwasher or microwave, but if it is the type of thing I know I will use for a long time, I'll put the money in. I still use the speakers daily I bought in 1997. It hurt a bit dropping $700 back then, but it was better than buying a crappy integrated stereo that is disposable after 2 years. I've built a few of my own furniture pieces, and use some decent solid wood dressers my parents got from Ikea 30 years ago. If it is built well, it will hold up. I've got a nice hutch from my grandma that I am going to refinish, it's probably 60 years old, made in Canada.