Ikea is not a valid answer

[lipi]

me and bf are nesting prior to me moving up to Stockholm. I would like to go see some other furniture stores other than Ikea. We are a bit on the budget, but it's not too bad if I fall in love with something and have to wait till I find a job to afford it, that's what I'll do too. :p

Mostly I am interested in bedroom furniture (we have the bed already), bedside tables, chests of drawers, lamps, curtains (whole wall of them), a comfy sitting chair for my darling to sit in while he puts his socks on, and my cat to shed on most of the time, stuff like that.
Lamps and lighting is also of interest. I guess paint can be mixed to my specifications in any diy store like Bauhaus or Baumax.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be very grateful. I have time until Easter to gather all info I can, and then drag him there. Websites are truly welcome so I can sift through a bit beforehand.

Thanks

[Blitz]

http://www.mio.se/

[Kypris]

Mio is great but if you are on a budget it won't really fly

http://www.jysk.se/ will though.

And since it's not matresses why not raid blocket.se too? That's where most finds are.

I'm with you on Ikea not being an option though, I loathe the place. I must be the only woman on earth who finds spending time there as attractive as pulling wisdom teeth. Then again I am like a guy shopping wise, very in-and-out.

[lipi]

Thank you both so much! My suspicions have been confirmed; there is more than IKEA to Sweden!

None of these have what I am looking for, at least not on the websites, sadly. Any other suggestions? Even the not so cheap ones will do. The bedside tables are a killer to find, it seems, and they are the design focal point. So if I have to convince my bf that we need to spend a little bit more on that and can improvise and lower the budget on other stuff, that might work too.

Also, if anyone can suggest where to go look for a proper office chair, I'd appreciate it. He bought one at Ikea and ended up with neck and shoulder pain, as he spends his evenings learning a new language on the computer. Of course, he knows nothing but Ikea, and he's at a total loss.


Kypris; I'm an architect, so furniture browsing is a job-related deformity for me anyway (as in I0'm like a kid in a comic book/candy store). What I really dislike are the crowds at Ikea. Dislike a lot. Well, at least I can find faults in design/execution for distraction if I am not impressed :P

[pd]

Lauritz Auction Site
http://www.lauritz.com/ItemList/Item...=&LLan=s&New=0

[carolinaviking]

Originally Posted by lipi

Thank you both so much! My suspicions have been confirmed; there is more than IKEA to Sweden!

No, there really isn't. A casual glance will tell you that it is all the same stuff with different price tags. Straight lines, 90-degree angles, a bit of metal on the bottom, and - for the wilder set - the occasional stripe.

[shewi]

I think Halens* has some decent stuff at decent prices. I got my kitchen table from them and am very happy with it. Ellos* sometimes has nice stuff as well.

*website is in Swedish

[genni]

Watch out for MIO. I'm sure they ahve some good products, but the only thing I bought there, and diningroom table and chairs turned out total total crap. I'm going to stick with my obsession of buying everything I own off blocket.

[fondacey]

I am a big fan of auctions (blocket can work too, but people can be idiotic in their thoughts around pricing)

One thought about your interest to find alternative styles is that while IKEA might not be the only option out there, the style you find at IKEA/MIO/JYSK et al is about the same. Some of the snobbier folk are partial to English style furniture (whatever that means really...though for me it's darker woods, Chesterfield couches etc) The other option is the ultra design furniture where a chair will run you 20,000-80,000 kr.

What style of furniture are you looking for? Perhaps some examples can help us give you pointers.

[Feste]

I like Ritio - nice stuff, reasonable prices and privately owned and run. Good people.

Stalands is quite big with a fairly wide range of stuff. I've been there probably 50 times but I think the only thing I've actually bought there was a mirror.

[Zoot]

Bror Perssons down in Alvesta has some nice stuff.

[infinity]

Originally Posted by Feste

I like Ritio - nice stuff, reasonable prices and privately owned and run. Good people.

Stalands is quite big with a fairly wide range of stuff. I've been there probably 50 times but I think the only thing I've actually bought there was a mirror.

I think this is the place she is going to want, but I always thought it was Stålands Möbler, shows what I know! ;-)

[Sodbuster]

Used to be Stalins but the previous owner lost everything in a red tag sale.
I'm like Feste, or even worse: I've gone through Stalands dozens of times but have never bought anything.

[lipi]

Yes, those two Feste linked seem closest in design to what I thought i was looking for. But, go figure, the only nightstand that is somewhat to my liking is over 3000 kr. And we need two :p Shewi's links seem to be promising too.
I think when I come over for Easter I'll spend some time browsing some of the stores you guys suggested. seeing it in person is different than glamed up photos
On this note, anyone wants to keep me company or meet up for a drink then? I think Jonas won't survive visiting all those stores, so I'll have to tackle some on my own.

[carolinaviking]

Originally Posted by Feste

Stalands is quite big with a fairly wide range of stuff. I've been there probably 50 times but I think the only thing I've actually bought there was a mirror.

How long did it take for buyer's remorse to set in?


To be fair, I have also visited Stalands a bazillion times and never once stood in front of one of their cash registers. I find their merchandise uninspiring and overpriced.

[fondacey]

There is some inspiration from Stalands but the overpricing has also kept me from making a true purchase. I really want one mirror they have, but for 3500 I am thinking I might just as well make my own or buy something at auction.

[Kypris]

http://www.stalands.se/fatoljer/corona__1106

Wow.... solid gold this must be. Is it pretty? Sure. Is it worth that kind of money? Heck no!

Never even knew this company existed -must be my price point- but I am not retrospectively missing that knowledge.

[lipi]

I did a double take on the price. Wowzer. Pay for the name or something (never heard of it myself, but I am not good with scandinavian designers either) ?

[infinity]

I saw a billboard today next to the E18, they were advertising a Lexus automobile for the very reasonable price of 4 500 000 kronor. The most expensive thing I have ever seen advertised with the price on it.

[Kypris]

Originally Posted by infinity

I saw a billboard today next to the E18, they were advertising a Lexus automobile for the very reasonable price of 4 500 000 kronor. The most expensive thing I have ever seen advertised with the price on it.

'Tis the Bergshamra entrance one, right? We had a heated discussion about it the other day. In my opinion that one's brilliant. It's branding at its best. They don't make those ads to sell cars and they don't make those cars to sell them, heck they don't even make them. They make them to establish the luxury line and ensure they lend Toyota the illusion of credibility on price and quality -"cheaper but still from the makers of the 4M one!"

[Fjord]

I've had some pieces of furniture made to order (on Åland, of ål places). Very nice, quality items that look good (I'll hear nothing to the contrary!) and will last. A high coffer kist for my bedroom, two bedside tables and a coffee table.

Best of all, it cost a great deal less than one would imagine. On the other hand, it can take quite a bit of time to get them knocked up.

[Debbie]

How does one "knock up" furniture?

[Sodbuster]

Glue. Screws. Fitting pieces together. Something like that.

[Debbie]

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

[fondacey]

Originally Posted by Fjord

I've had some pieces of furniture made to order (on Åland, of ål places). Very nice, quality items that look good (I'll hear nothing to the contrary!) and will last. A high coffer kist for my bedroom, two bedside tables and a coffee table.

Any links for references?

[Pandora]

I went here last week and was quite impressed, plus there were a few other furniture stores within the same centre.
http://www.ruminterior.se/index.php?id=7&docID=7

[indigo]

Here is one of my favourite furniture shops, a bit far for those in Stockholm but they do deliver and their prices are quite reasonable for good quality furniture.

http://www.teak-1.se/

[Ulrika]

A few more options:

http://www.boconcept.se/
http://www.bolia.com/sv-SE/catalog/Sweden/Bolia_SE
http://www.folkhemmet.com/
http://www.furniturebox.se/
http://www.em.com/web/mobler.aspx

Have fun!

Ulrika