Furnishing your home is an investment.  High quality wooden furniture that's built to last a lifetime is bound to give you a better return than any instrument you can find on Wall Street. 

The idea that custom furniture is too expensive for you is a myth, but if you're going to take the plunge and invest your hard-earned dollars, be sure you do it wisely and get exactly what you want.

Here are some suggestions for success:

• Avoid big box stores and any furniture store that focuses on selling cheap, imported furniture, aka: curbside furniture (you know where this will be in 5 years).

• Go to a local fine furniture fair and meet the many talented furniture makers in your area.  Vermont has a fabulous fair in Woodstock every Fall.

• Visit with local furniture makers in their shops.  Examine their work.  Touch it, sit in it and page through their portfolios with them.  You'll be surprised at the quality and diversity of their work!

• Check references.  Most furniture makers will be happy to connect you with others who have purchased their furniture.  Don't be surprised if those customers invite you come to their homes and see their furniture.  It happens often!

• Ask the furniture makers where their wood comes from.  Usually it will be local, sustainably harvested wood.  If you're looking for mahogany or another wood that cannot be obtained locally, make sure the wood is green certified by a legitimate organization like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

• More suggestions tomorrow!  In the meantime, visit Vermont Woods Studios for custom furniture ideas.

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