Quality Made Bedroom Furniture

Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 13:39:

Well Clinman, you've got the right idea. If you are looking at a $2200 bed, buy in the US and ship down. You'll not find the quality in Colombia that you're probably wanting. Other than that its' your taste..obviously....

We went to www.maxfurniture.com (mostly built in china, but excellent quality). Takes about 6 weeks....did the whole cali house from this site.

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sloopskipper says on Apr 29, 2008, 15:58:

Frank, if those prices (even the specials) are in $US that is not a cheap place for Chinese furniture, even with the unfavorable exchange.

Can you bargain in a place like that (You can in Panamá)?

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:00:

It's all oversized stuff....which i love....yes you can bargin...we did 6 bedrooms
rooms, occasional tables and dining room.....very classy..but i love that style...they supply Brandons with most of their furniture.. http://brandonofhuntvalley.com/ ..so if you know brandons..you'll know the quality...

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Alma del Norte says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:26:

Frank, how was the importation process?

La vida es una rutina

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:31:

Hi, Alma..... sent everything to Miami....import through equipajes....attached to a ticket...about $2 / lb....direct to my door..in the house... (equipajes are for home goods)..thus..sometimes they asses more taxes...other times...it just clears...poco por poco...es mejor...

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sloopskipper says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:32:

I don't know Brandon's but we bought in Center City, IKEA at Plymouth Meeting, and great values on good quality Danish stuff at Warehouse Imports, in Mannyunk, but they went out of business some years ago.

I bought a really nice Natuzzi sofa at Dane Decor in Harrisburg, but they closed that store before I left.

Is there no Italian furniture in Colombia?

From what I see of Chinese here, they have an occassional elegent piece, but most is clunky and poorly designed/engineered.

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Alma del Norte says on Apr 29, 2008, 16:50:

Thanks for the link and info. Frank. Looks much better value than that currenty available in Europe. Importation doesn't sound too arduous either.

La vida es una rutina

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 17:09:

I've never shopped in IKEA..or warehouse imports....so i'd have no basis for comparison...the quality is as good as i've ever seen...this is not typical chineese mfg....all marble/granite topped night stands, dresser, etc...excellent fit and finish...and it should be for $8,500 for an alcoba...shipping to miami is free though... its' not roche bobois for sure.....but i really don't like that style anyway..or the price or rb..

Alma, they've been good so far......things can always change..you know how that goes...hahaha

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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 17:44:

Clinman, if you want quality and have the time, take a walk along the 30 in center Barranquilla (well, better in a taxi), buy your own wood, look for a good artisan and show him a picture of what you want to be done.
The fact that you're in Barranquilla does not help, but anyway...

Madera El Triunfo has got some good hard wood, teak, balsamo, sappan, etc.

I had all my furniture made in Santa Marta, from teak I cut from my finca. I showed the artisan the pictures of what I wanted and that's it. Very cheap. Decent finishing. Best quality. Big problem with the delivery schedule.
I also had to buy some tools for him to work such an hard wood.

This king size (2x2) four poster bed http://mydeco.com/product/labyrinth-four-poster-solid-teak-bed/7574e2a...
costed 400,000 Pesos plus wood (the cost of cutting and delivering it for me).
Bedside tables for 200,000 plus wood.
I did not want it painted for a natural look, so I just had teak oil applied, around 70,000 per gallon in Homecenter.

Wooden floor is teak, too.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 18:15:

Excellent work Robi.....i love oiled teak as well....what wood are your floors in?? Nice..!!

Oh..do you remember how much per inch you paid for your teak??

We got a lady that brings in teak and granadillo....from the rainforest...for 2000 cop per inch....excellent quality...huge blocks... 1000 inches min. per order.

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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 18:17:

Teak, 3.5 cms thick.
Teak was around 65,000 per sqm.
Sappan 35,000.

In Medellin teak is much more, Sappan the same.
Granadillo is LOVELY.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 18:20:

ahhhh....vigas tambien??? I was torn between teak and granadillo.....we ended up ripping all the wood out...everything from door frames to muebles....and went back in granadillo...

Best thing...from my experience..is that termites will run the other way when they see teak or granadillo......they'll take out the knife and fork when they see cedro....ajajajaj

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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 20:29:

Bigas are in Abarco. Light and strong wood. Needs to be well poised.
This picture's bigas are sappan and teak the bigger ones at the corners.
To be sure, the teak went poisoned too. I have seen termites (the white ones) attacking iron.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 20:48:

jajajajjaj "attacking iorn."...... that IS funny....

Well i can say the house in medellin ..all the granadillo is in perfect shape...just needs re-finishing....NO TERMITE damage....but all the cedro...is eaten up....horrible....that's why we stayed with granadillo...and none of that damn MDF for the kitchen cabinets.....that stuff is just a snack for the termites.... every door, shelf, cornisa, cenefa...inside and out is all solid granadillo....

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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 20:57:

Frank, I was not joking... I have see termites making holes in (rusted) iron...
I am not talking about the sweet animals in Medellin, but the terrible white ones of La Sierra Nevada.
It is just unbelievable if you do not see it.

Anyway, Teak is known to be good, and a 20 years old Sappan floor survived as well.
I am curious to see if the Abarco will last... they say it will.

Frank, beautiful doors and cabinets... you can see Paisas work good when they want.
I went cheap on some of the doors... I suspect I will have to change them one day soon. Hope the poison will work.

Decks at the swimming pool are teak, too.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 21:27:

those damn little termites are survivors !! I had no idea.....so, do you use that white poison..that you paint on and then let soak in and dry, before finishing???

Very cool deck....looks like you've got some good space there.....

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robi666 says on Apr 29, 2008, 21:34:

Yes, but it is not white, more like an oil. Cannot remember the name, but you can buy it in 20 liters can at Homecenter.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on Apr 29, 2008, 21:39:

Yep..thats it....ours was kinda whitish....though.... its funny...here in hawaii...every 10 years or so...you cover your whole house with a circus tent...and they fumigate the whole thing for termites.....real bad out here....

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sloopskipper says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:06:

Great fotos Robi

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robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 04:22:

Thanks sloop.

I guess one should put the positive aspect of Colombia at work.
Work is cheap here and there are good artisans.
Wood is cheap and they export the best one abroad. Raw. Teak is always exported.

There is a good company doing teak furniture in Medellin http://www.bosquema.com.co/
But they do not do custom things and are expensive. Great quality.

Best thing is buy your wood and have your custom furniture done.
You could not do it in Italy, and I guess it is the same in the US.

I had the idea of organizing a business of doing custom furniture in rich wood for Italy.

Sloop, that's why I am planning in a year to buy an old classic sailboat, deliver it to Colombia and work on the interior.
I am looking at a Bowman 46 and a Kelley Peterson 44... ;)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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sloopskipper says on Apr 30, 2008, 05:07:

I'm jealous, Robi.

I have teak furniture that I bought in Puerto Rico, but is from Indonesia (wasn't so cheap).

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 10:03:

My inlaws had beautiful custom-made bedroom furniture and closets, all made in what they called cedro negro. Never had a termite in them and they had them for a long time, over at least 20 years. I had a dining room table and chairs made of white walnut (nogal blanco) and no termites, of course, the wood was treated.

I'd do exactly what robi said: buy the wood, get a good carpenter and have everything custom-made. I have also heard that you can find good woodwork down in Pasto and perhaps also Neiva.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 30, 2008, 10:30:

I'm not too familiar with carpentry in Colombia. But if I take pics of stuff I see like in a Pottery Barn catalogue, will they be able to make something like that for me? Are they that good?

Thanks!

Diana

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 10:46:

I haven't had any extensive carpentry done in Colombia, but I believe my inlaws had most of their furnityre custom-made; I don't recall them EVER buying any furniture at the stores. Of course, like most Colombians of their generation they loved the intricate patterns cut in wood and massive dark furniture. It was all Louis XV or whatever they used to call it. I would say, yes, you can find a skillfull carpenter in Colombia, with a little luck.

I have no idea what kind of furniture you're talking about and perhaps they are just skillful in the styles that are popular in Colombia.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Mononoke28 says on Apr 30, 2008, 12:56:

It's definitely not that nasty Louis stuff. It's pretty contemporary and simple.

I remember when we lived in Colombia my grandmother had a dining set that my granfather had built. He used cow skin and I just remember those hairs tickling my legs and my back every time I sat on them. They were nice looking though.

Diana

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robi666 says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:05:

I do not like that style, too.
But, I promise that when you see an artisan at work, carving those intricate patterns, well... you kind of start loving it.
Yes, Mononoke, you definitely can find good skilled artisan. Of course there are differences between a top one and a good one... and it is not a matter of paying more.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 13:20:

That's pretty much what happened with me. I've seen enough modern, Scandinavian furniture for a lifetime now and just looking an experienced artisan carving into the wood with precision and love for his art makes you appreciate those leaf and flower patterns. A skilled artisan carpenter loves the wood and it becomes the vessel to express his love and creativity. I used to make fun of my mum-in-law and her petite bourguoise tastes....give me an IKEA Billy bookcase any time...now I'm not so sure any more.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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billyb says on Apr 30, 2008, 14:34:

"give me an IKEA Billy bookcase any time..."

Hey leave me out of this :))

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 14:49:

It doesn't get any more boring.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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billyb says on Apr 30, 2008, 15:58:

"It doesn't get any more boring"

Desi, are implying that is why they named it the "Billy" bookcase ;)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 30, 2008, 16:05:

You tell me.
Is that why you chose that handle?

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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billyb says on Apr 30, 2008, 18:19:

hmmm, I might have to change it to "billybookcase".

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sloopskipper says on May 1, 2008, 04:34:

Desideria says on Wednesday April 30th, 2008 14:49:

"It doesn't get any more boring."

To me they are only boring when empty. I had four white Billys (two, CD size), side by side with top lighting in a guest room in Pennsylvania.

I found them functional and attractive, when filled.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 1, 2008, 10:09:

I was just teasing billy...I have three billy bookcases (dark brown) in my living room, filled with mostly...well, books. There's nothing wrong with them:)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Clinman says on May 1, 2008, 10:47:

Thanks Robi for your advice...where is the 30 in center Barranquilla. A taxi driver would know there area if I mentioned the "30". Also is the places where I can buy the wood, are they close to wear the artisans that make the the furniture are located.

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robi666 says on May 1, 2008, 11:09:

Clinman, I don't know any artisan in Barranquilla.

La Calle 30 is one of the main streets in Barranquilla. Just tell to the taxi driver that you have to buy madera, all the shops are within a few blocks.
Maderas El Triunfo is a huge almacen on Calle 30 # 33-226. Ask for Luz Stella Quiroga, the owner, and tell her that "Roberto, el Italiano" sent you. They are the only one selling real Abarco and Teak in Barranquilla.
They get most of their wood from Choco by ship.
If you order something, do not pay in advance more than 50%. They are far from being reliable with their schedule.
I am sure that Luz Stella could give you a good advice about a skilled artisan.

Another problem that you will have is to deliver your big blocks to the artisan. They can help you getting a Dacia to deliver it.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on May 1, 2008, 11:14:

(If it's anything like granadillo).... don't forget 3 weeks in the oven after the cuts have been made....eh robi????

Don't let 'em start making stuff till the wood is completely dry...if it's big blocks...make sure it's all cut down to proper size for building first...dry in the oven...then build....they wont always tell you that...and you'll get cracks like mad...deep and wide..in all the wood..

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robi666 says on May 1, 2008, 11:22:

Yes, Frank, they won't "treat" wood if you do not ask them.
But I am not sure that you need an oven in Barranquilla...

To be honest, a good artisan would not even begin to work if the wood is not completely dry.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Frank Rizzo says on May 1, 2008, 11:30:

"To be honest, a good artisan would not even begin to work if the wood is not completely dry."

Good point Robi.......!! But the hungry ones that are broke..will start work on some wood while the rest dries....jajajajaaja

If the humidity is high in Baranquilla....they'll still need an oven...(i've not been there)...or it'll take 2 years to dry in the open...

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