New furniture

[Slayduggee]

I moved last year into a 1930’s house. Previously all the furniture I had been given or cheap stuff I had bought which had seen better days.

I’m looking to buy some nice living and dining room furniture (that’s ideally not flat packed). I would describe my style as more classic (but not old fashioned) rather than modern. I’ve looked in John Lewis but I didn’t like what they had.

I’m quite excited but a bit flummoxed what to get and where to look. This is the first time I can actually think about what furniture I would like buy and how I would like my hallway, living room and kitchen/diner to look as opposed buying the cheapest thing I can get my hands on and thinking that will do and looking like I live in a student house!

Any ideas anyone? I’ve looked in Oak Furniture Land and I wasn’t sold on anything. I like Cotswold Company but I don’t have a branch near me.

I live in Devon so bonus points for any local retailers you can recommend.

If your style is classic have you considered second hand? You get much better quality for your money. Have a look at a local auction house or any community furniture facility to get a bargain. Look on pinterest and instagram to get an idea about what you like and how to put things together. What's your price range and shops do you like? Have you looked at: Made.com, Swoon, Habitat, IKEA, Next, M&S, La Redoute, H&M, Zara, Dunelm, The Range, Tikamoon, Wayfair, Heals? What didn't you like about John Lewis (and do they have things on the website you do like)?

Have you looked at Ercol, either old or their newer ranges. Classic and simple

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve discounted IKEA as I don’t want flat pack and I’ve looked in dunelm and the range and I’m looking for something better quality. I have considered second hand I have been slowly trawling second hand shops and reclamation/vintage shops but have found nothing suitable. Since I work and have DC I don’t have a huge amount of time.

I do like Ercol. It’s slightly out of my price range and I have found a shop that stocks it about 10 miles from me. I prefer to buy furniture in person rather than online if possible.

I had a look at John Lewis but a lot of their furniture at the moment seems to be wood and metal or glass or trendy. I don’t like furniture in a wood and metal combination and I can imagine the sticky finger prints on a glass coffee table. I guess that I’m looking for timeless/not trendy furniture and then be a bit more modern with accessories.

Vinterior is a good vintage website for second hand furniture, there are loads of different dealers on the site and the search function is excellent so you can search by style, size, price, material etc etc. But i's not the cheap option because someone has already done the curation. And it's obviously still online but you're at least dealing with real european businesses with a good reputation rather than who knows who on ebay.

Neptune is nice but pricey.

You can go into one of their branches and get the feel. They are selling a lifestyle really.

I love Loaf furniture. It's just as you describe, modern but not overly so. No flat pack or MDF either.