Furniture snob here -that's snob not slob! (Green Hill: consignment, buy)

[12buttons]

Hey folks, where can I find a drop dead high end designer or custom sofa or chair in the general Middle TN area ? Any showrooms or outlets? Or floor samples? Or stuff that got sent back from custom orders? Camel back, Queen Ann Victorian, Federal, Regency French Provincial,Jacobean, etc..I know there are lots of antique malls that sometimes get sofas but I don't want an old moldy sofa. I'd rather buy new reproduction if I can.

Anyway thanks for reading this far. Cheers

[Hey_Hey]

Check out Pia's Antiques on 8th Ave in Nashville. Really high end stuff that I'm not into. Lots of 18th and 19th century European furniture.

[sucrose]

There are loads of antique sofas on Craigslist. Not many people want those styles anymore so you can get them pretty cheap. You'd be better off reupholstering an old one. When you're done with it you still have an antique. With a repro you end up with a fake version of a style few people want, aka used furniture.

[CraigCreek]

The real thing - i.e., antique rather than reproduction - is likely to be far better constructed than the newer version. If you're concerned about an antique being "old and moldy", get it reupholstered, not just recovered: problem solved.

As others have pointed out, if you ever want to sell, you're far more likely to get your investment back. Not so with reproductions, unless you go for extremely pricey hand-crafted-by-a-cabinetmaker pieces (which cost more than the originals, in most cases).

so - check out some good antique shops, visit local museums which feature good period furniture, and do some reading. solid, well-tended antiques pay off in the long run.

(sorry for erratic capitalization - keyboard issues).

[travelhound]

One thing Mid TN has is tons of Estate Sales! Hey, people who have wealth can find and get anything, it's no different here, it depends on how high end you're talking . People who buy high end don't generally shop retail themselves do they? You hire a designer and they locate what you want anywhere in the world, or, you find it yourself online and have it shipped. Sure there are high end stores, if you have the time to shop retail. If I had wealth I'd rarely see the inside of a retail store. People also go to Atlanta if they like to shop retail.

[GolfMomTN]

I suggest Recreations both the retail store off of Hardy just east of I-65 and the outlet store located north of One Hundred Oaks mall. They have lots of designer sofas - prices are 50% off ridiculous retail prices but lots of neat things. These are new reproductions and they cater to designers.

[artemis]

Check out Classy Cat consignment store in Cool Springs. They sell high end furniture, they also have oriental rugs. They also have custom designed sofas and love seats.

check out their website for their online showroom.

[Vandy-bound]

Since you are looking for new reproduction rather than old, I'd suggest taking a peek at Restoration Hardware. Depending on the style, Mitchell + Gold might work for you as well--both of these are in the Green Hills Mall area. Alternatively, you might consider hiring a designer--they often have access to stores/showrooms/furniture makers that the rest of us don't; you may be able to have one commissioned to be exactly what you are looking for or they can help you find one that someone else has returned. I've frequented the consignment stores in the area, including Classy Cat, and have been generally unimpressed with the quality of the items they sell. Sometimes you can strike gold, but more often we have walked in and found mid-end furniture, nothing designer.

You could also look into reupholsterers in the area; they may be able to help you if you happen to find an older sofa with excellent bones but needs recovering/cushions. Again, if I were in your shoes, I'd first try the two retail stores, and then contact a designer to get what I am after.

[kcw1963]

Northgate Gallery in Cool Springs has high-end antiques, including English and European.

[12buttons]

hey thanks everybody for all that great info..I started my search on craigslist..found a real Hepplewhite and a Knowles -ra! ..the stuffing can be rather exotic..horse hair, pebbles, etc..you never know what's inside..

I got a price for full job..new stuffing and covering in COM fabric..but I wondered..how do you know for sure if they do replace the stuffing? I mean you can't exactly rip it open after they deliver it! lol

The new sofas are so cheap..Ashley, the stuff on Overstock..all made in China, and filled with questionable (toxic?) fillers...besides, how can you buy a sofa and not see the fabric beforehand..what a risk..cheers!