unsuccessful shopping == tiring
Sep. 3rd, 2006 06:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaeclecticI decided to skip the T46 hike and instead get started on the furniture shopping which I had hoped to accomplish this weekend. Spent about an hour printing out addresses of stores to check out, then several hours driving around to visit them (with a few other errands tucked in between).
The result: basically nada.
I saw some beautiful beds that would cost a thousand dollars (or more) before even thinking about the mattress, and which I would have to order and therefore wait a couple of months for. I lay on some mattresses that would cost a couple thousand dollars before even thinking about the bed frame, which were indeed very comfy but I don't know if really need to spend that kind of money when, in truth, I was perfectly happy with my old mattress from IKEA. I went into showrooms that were supposed to have bedframes that looked like basically what I want, at a very reasonable price, but they had none on display in either the style or finish that I wanted, meaning I would have to buy sight unseen. I went back to IKEA and looked at the beds again, and lay on some of the mattresses, and just couldn't convince myself there was anything there worth going for.
I discovered that my furniture is all in colors that are out of style. Who knew that black furniture would go out of fashion? But the new thing is a color called (universally, in all stores) Espresso, which is a brown that is almost black but if you put it next to actually black furniture it would look stupid. And no place seems to carry honey oak anymore, either.
Besides a bed, the other main thing I'm looking for is a kitchen island. That was even worse. Why is it that I can find whole web sites dedicated to kitchen islands, but I can't find a bricks&mortar store in the Bay Area that carries a few? (even IKEA has just one or two, all in the same finish, not what I want.)
Bah.
It was all very annoying, and ridiculously tiring, and I need to keep trying tomorrow but have no clue where to go next.
The result: basically nada.
I saw some beautiful beds that would cost a thousand dollars (or more) before even thinking about the mattress, and which I would have to order and therefore wait a couple of months for. I lay on some mattresses that would cost a couple thousand dollars before even thinking about the bed frame, which were indeed very comfy but I don't know if really need to spend that kind of money when, in truth, I was perfectly happy with my old mattress from IKEA. I went into showrooms that were supposed to have bedframes that looked like basically what I want, at a very reasonable price, but they had none on display in either the style or finish that I wanted, meaning I would have to buy sight unseen. I went back to IKEA and looked at the beds again, and lay on some of the mattresses, and just couldn't convince myself there was anything there worth going for.
I discovered that my furniture is all in colors that are out of style. Who knew that black furniture would go out of fashion? But the new thing is a color called (universally, in all stores) Espresso, which is a brown that is almost black but if you put it next to actually black furniture it would look stupid. And no place seems to carry honey oak anymore, either.
Besides a bed, the other main thing I'm looking for is a kitchen island. That was even worse. Why is it that I can find whole web sites dedicated to kitchen islands, but I can't find a bricks&mortar store in the Bay Area that carries a few? (even IKEA has just one or two, all in the same finish, not what I want.)
Bah.
It was all very annoying, and ridiculously tiring, and I need to keep trying tomorrow but have no clue where to go next.
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no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 01:54 am (UTC)(http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/)
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 03:09 am (UTC)I remain utterly baffled by my inability to find a local store that carries kitchen island / work table / cart thingies. With all the foodies around here, surely they must furnish their kitchens?
*sigh*
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 06:05 am (UTC)I feel your pain on the kitchen island thing, been there. The only place I've ever found good kitchen island and worktable stuff at is Williams Sonoma which is not always reasonabley priced, unfortunately. You could also check out my old dotcom, BigTray.com, which is the online store front for a store called Economy Restaurant Fixtures. It's located at 1200 7th St, SF in SOMA and has restaurant grade worktables and carts and shipping is free on orders over $250.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 04:35 pm (UTC)fwhateveritsworth, my ikea bed frame hasn't held up at all. i just got one of the veneer ones, but it is *thrashed* a year later. [admittedly, i've moved twice, but there you go.] i so wouldn't buy it again.
and you've been to the east bay restaurant supply, yes? around jack london square on 3rd or 4th? i had planned to get everything from stove to napkins there. [you know, in the dreams where we actually got to stay in the bay area...:) ]
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 05:26 pm (UTC)And yeah, I am working my way around to spending a bit more for a bed, so that hopefully I'll be happy with it for a while -- I just want to find some middle ground, so I'm not buying a handcrafted work of art, just a reasonably sturdy and moderately attractive piece of furniture, you know?
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 05:28 pm (UTC)My theory today is I'll do another round in the East Bay, and venture into SF next weekend if need be...
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 05:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 05:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-05 05:34 pm (UTC)