I've been receiving the catalogs from this mail order furniture and home decor store for some time before finally ordering. I've placed several orders since, and have been so pleasantly surprised and totally satisfied with the quality, promptness, and prices. Almost all the items require assembly, and they are shipped "flat" in order to cut on shipping costs. The deliveries are scheduled a few days in advance, so you can be sure to be there to receive them. The instructions were clear, and within a little more than an hour, your furniture is ready to go.
The workmanship is great, and the engineering is also perfect. For most items, solid wood is used in constructions. Sometimes the back panels (like the flat pieces that are behind the books and against the wall on a bookcase) are made of veneer, but that's okay, because these areas don't tend to get wear & tear -- they are for stability/looks only. Usually only a screwdriver or hex wrench is required. (My tip is to treat yourself to an electric screwdriver if you don't have one -- will save mucho time!)
My first purchase was a beautiful 72" high glass-doored 5-shelf cabinet. It is gorgeous, and cost less than $300. I then ordered two Tiffany-style stained glass ceiling lights for my den. They are gorgeous and were only $39 apiece (a bargain for leaded glass of this quality). My latest order was for two enormous solid-oak craftsman-style bookcases, which together fill a 100" wall space, and are 74" high. These are in a light oak finish, and absolutely stunning. The packages were heavy, and my nephew came over to help us put them together. (I use "help" loosely -- he actually did all the work!) (Thanks again, Breton!) Together, the bookcases, including shipping, were less than $400.
I compared prices with Ikea and could find nothing close, especially given that most of the Ikea lines are laminate over particleboard, and they charge an arm and leg for shipping. Since I don't own a truck, it isn't feasible for me to haul home Ikea's large packages. I also compared prices with local wood-furniture stores, like Hoot Judkins. A similar set would have been close to $1000 there.
They also have a discount outlet, and I always check that website first, to see if what I'm looking for might be on sale. That website is: www.homedecoratorsoutlet.com. For example, right now they have a beautiful wine console on sale, the Canterbury Wine Console, which was: $419.00, and in the clearance is now: $81.99, a savings of $337.01. The outlet site also has incredible prices on rugs. read more