IKEA is certainly a fantastic place to shop for interesting-looking furniture that is easy on your wallet. But do you know what IKEA isn’t fantastic for? Gorgeous, top-quality, heirlooms-in-the-making pieces that elevate and enrich the rooms they’re placed in. If you’re design-oriented and have the means to buy the best, we recommend these top-tier home furnishing retailers. We’ve arranged them in alphabetical order for this list.
Washington Street, Boston
Featuring sumptuous fabrics, modern furniture, and thousands of accessories, Lekker Home has pieces for every room in your home, as well as your outdoor space. Lekker offers complimentary design consultations for any project, including lighting. Their website is easy to navigate and their collection gives me major furniture envy!
Ligne Roset is not just another French design house. Their goal is to provide modern luxury, and they certainly deliver. All their pieces are designed by the best of the best and are made in their factory in France; and they follow strict environmental standards of manufacturing and production. You’ll love Ligne Roset’s furnishings if you’re a fan of sustainable, contemporary design. Needless to say, your home will look spectacular with their work in it.
If you’d like to get lost in a maze of original mid-century modern furniture, visit Machine Age in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Their showroom is packed from wall to wall with walnut tables, low-slung couches, and Mad Men-worthy artwork. They’ve been around for over 25 years, so they know what they’re doing and they do it perfectly.
With a motto of “comfort for all,” Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams combine beautifully designed home furnishings with practicality. They have a whole line of “kids and pets welcome” pieces that are gorgeous and easy to care for. But that’s not all they do; they offer eye-catching upscale collections for homeowners without the need to plan for kids and pets, and will do custom work, as well.
Concord Avenue, Cambridge
Reside specializes in authentic mid-century modern furnishings and decorative pieces. They are constantly buying, sourcing, and consigning furniture, lighting, fabrics, and even jewelry. Their showroom will look different every time you visit, and their personalized service is impeccable.
Room and Board’s Boston location gives you a great view of the city, never mind a huge collection of furnishings and decor. Truth be told, they may be a slight step below the others I've listed in terms of museum-quality pieces, but they still offer excellent design choices. They’re proud to have amassed a selection that manages to feel modern while still complimenting Boston’s unique architecture and home design. They also offer free design services.
A final note: Spend some time doing your research, both online and in person. If you’re new to high-end furnishings, look at a lot of places and pieces to get a sense of what design styles you like. Consider enlisting an in-house designer or hiring an independent designer to help with your decisions. You’re spending a lot of money on this stuff; make sure it’s exactly right.
