Good Furniture for Good Prices

When we moved into our apartment in Stamford I decided that I was pretty tired of living out of plastic sets of drawers and IKEA bookshelves. Not that there's anything wrong with IKEA, but I started looking around Stamford for second-hand shops that sold quality built furniture for relatively low prices.

The Treasure Shop is pretty hit-and-miss, like many second-hand stores. However, we found a nice solid wood, 3-shelf bookcase there and negotiated the owner down to $15. A similar particle board bookcase would have cost at least $30 at Target or IKEA. Win.

Treasure Shop

96 Franklin Street

Stamford, CT 06901

Phone: (203) 324-4858

http://stamford.patch.com/listings/treasure-shop-2

We also needed more space to store dishes, pots, pans, etc. in our living/dining/kitchen room, and I wanted something big and sturdy. I decided to look at antique stores (there are many along Dock Street near the train station in Stamford). Most of these antique stores are pretty expensive, but there is a "consignment" store called John Street Antique Center in the neighborhood. I was able to find a 60-70 year old Thomasville full-size china cabinet for a fraction of what it would have cost at the antique dealer across the street. Many of the antique dealers actually go to John Street Antique Center, purchase their items and then sell them for double or triple at other shops in the neighborhood. John Street Antique Center was also very good about helping me arrange delivery (I got my china cabinet on the same day I purchased it).

John Street Antiques Center

50 John Street

Stamford, CT 06902

Phone: (203) 324-4677

http://johnstreetantiques.com/