Question: What is the difference between these two pieces of furniture?

Armoire A:

1. Is from Pottery Barn.
2. 30% of the armoire is made of particle board.
3. This armoire came in two colors: dark stain and red.
4. It would have taken 8 weeks to be delivered to my house.
5. The total cost is $2,500, including shipping.

Armoire B:

1. Is in my living room and was custom made by El Paso Import Co.
2. 100% of the armoire is made of solid pine.
3. This armoire could have been made in any color. (I chose this particular stain because it complimented the rest of my living room furniture.)
4. It took 4 weeks to be built and delivered to my house.
5. The total cost was $1,200, including delivery.

Custom-built furniture is a great way to save a LOT of money on designer decor. My fellow tipsy girl AK introduced me to custom-built furniture and gave me a suggestion on where to go to have it done, but I have a great solution if you happen to live in a town that does not have an El Paso Import Co., and that is Craigslist.com.

With a simple search on Craigslist, I found two additional custom furniture builders located in the Houston area and both of their portfolios are impressive.

Here are some good resources and questions to ask before having your furniture made:

• Have some measurements in mind for the size of your furniture.
• Take some pictures to highlight the type of furniture you want made.
• Ask for references.
• Always get an exact price quote in writing before you commit.

So before you drop a lot of $$$ on your next furniture investment, do a little online research and see what you can find in your area. Having a piece of locally made, custom, furniture will not only leave a lot more cash in your pocket, but you’ll also be stimulating your local economy and that just feels good!