What did you take back to the UK?

[cartingthingsback]

Heading back soon. I have some Asian teak furniture and I am not sure whether to take all of it back or not. At present the list includes: king size sleigh bed, chest of drawers, bed side tables, dining table (a bit small now for 6), wedding cabinet, shoe cupboard, teak cupboard and rice table. I like Asian furniture but I do not really want my house back in the UK dominated by it.

What did you take back, what do you regret taking, what looks naff back home?

Much appreciated. 

[mum 2-2]

Do bare in mind that a lot of stuff will be cheaper to purchase in the UK.
I was looking recently to purchase some outdoor furniture, but was in 2 minds as to buy new or look for 2nd hand as we may well be heading back in the next 12 months.
I checked B&Q online and was pretty shocked to see a similar one I viewed here for $3K+ was on sale in B&Q for £399:-(

Also, if something looks naff it probably is naff, where you are will not change that (IMHO)

[trending]

Do bare in mind that a lot of stuff will be cheaper to purchase in the UK.
I was looking recently to purchase some outdoor furniture, but was in 2 minds as to buy new or look for 2nd hand as we may well be heading back in the next 12 months.
I checked B&Q online and was pretty shocked to see a similar one I viewed here for $3K+ was on sale in B&Q for £399:-(

Also, if something looks naff it probably is naff, where you are will not change that (IMHO)

Cannot say for sure about UK but it's hard to come by Asian furniture in North America.
If found -  you can be sure it's definitely 10-15x overpriced, hyped up as 'one of a kind exotic Asian pieces' by the hip furniture stores, or the 'specialist' stores (the type that burn incense, and have trickling $100 bamboo fountains that only cost $2000 each).

I would keep those that are not obviously new replicas, the ones with aged patina and the real deals. Depends on your style of decorating, really. I like having these items around.

To fill an entire room with nothing but these pictures can be dark and 'much' but it's great for jazzing when creatively arranged with contemporary and even sterile minimalist stuff.

Juxtaposing this and that of Indonesian teak and Asian knick knacks to normal furniture can add warmth and character to even the blandest of the cookie-cutter Ikea range.

[Cheaper In UK]

Prices for excellent quality furniture of all designs, styles, materials are much cheaper in the UK. Why pay $3000 for a mahogany bed cobbled together in Indonesia, when you can buy a beautifully handcrafted bed in the UK for £300 to £1000? I am very fond of a lot of the pieces that we have collected during our many years in Asia, but the weather and moving have taken their toll and the prices now being asked here are nothing less than criminal. We will be taking very little back with us after many years in Asia and will dump almost everything we own before we go, apart from the very, very best pieces. I'm looking forward to filling our house there with some splendid new pieces and will relish the thought of not being ripped off, thanks to my white skin.

[afw]

Do bare in mind that a lot of stuff will be cheaper to purchase in the UK.
I was looking recently to purchase some outdoor furniture, but was in 2 minds as to buy new or look for 2nd hand as we may well be heading back in the next 12 months.
I checked B&Q online and was pretty shocked to see a similar one I viewed here for $3K+ was on sale in B&Q for £399:-(

Also, if something looks naff it probably is naff, where you are will not change that (IMHO)

Cannot say for sure about UK but it's hard to come by Asian furniture in North America.
If found -  you can be sure it's definitely 10-15x overpriced, hyped up as 'one of a kind exotic Asian pieces' by the hip furniture stores, or the 'specialist' stores (the type that burn incense, and have trickling $100 bamboo fountains that only cost $2000 each).

I would keep those that are not obviously new replicas, the ones with aged patina and the real deals. Depends on your style of decorating, really. I like having these items around.

To fill an entire room with nothing but these pictures can be dark and 'much' but it's great for jazzing when creatively arranged with contemporary and even sterile minimalist stuff.

Juxtaposing this and that of Indonesian teak and Asian knick knacks to normal furniture can add warmth and character to even the blandest of the cookie-cutter Ikea range.

American Furniture Warehouse, Colorado has all these "unique one of a kinds" and will deliver anywhere in the US!   

[OP]

Prices for excellent quality furniture of all designs, styles, materials are much cheaper in the UK. Why pay $3000 for a mahogany bed cobbled together in Indonesia, when you can buy a beautifully handcrafted bed in the UK for £300 to £1000? I am very fond of a lot of the pieces that we have collected during our many years in Asia, but the weather and moving have taken their toll and the prices now being asked here are nothing less than criminal. We will be taking very little back with us after many years in Asia and will dump almost everything we own before we go, apart from the very, very best pieces. I'm looking forward to filling our house there with some splendid new pieces and will relish the thought of not being ripped off, thanks to my white skin.

Very good point. I think you have answered my question. We do have a few beautiful pieces that we purchased from John E. 10 years ago before prices rocketed and quality fell there. These have kept really well and I think we will take them back. The other stuff I am going to dump. My husband is a bit against getting rid of things but to be honest we really want to buy a cottage or a barn conversion and I do not think that loads of Asian furniture is going to look too great. I think I am going to offload some things but then also pick up a few things too. I would love a very nice chinese wedding cabinet. I do have one that looks great on the outside, but is clearly made out of banana crates judging by the inside.



Thanks for all your points.

[Ex-pat]

The reason that the 'quality has dropped ' at some of the teak shops here is that the original old plank wood that used to be used in the recycled furniture is no longer available.  That said, if you have the very old stuff from the early noughties hang onto it or sell it to a collector.

[LoudSplittingNoise]

Er, no. It all cracks and splits and warps "back home" in central heating and low humidity. Don't let anyone tell you different.

[JRotten]

Teak furniture is easier for the looters to carry so please think of them when making your home furnishing choices.

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

Hmmm. You need to pay more attention. Looters and rioter are interested in things that are culturally important to them - trainers, xboxes, mobile phones, large flat screen tvs, bling. Teak furniture is way too white middle class. Don't you know anything?!

[Agent007]

Best bet is avoid UK at all cost. Its shagged.

[Ex-pat]

Quality old teak which has been kiln dried won't crack but the cheap stuff certainly does I agree. I have taken the good stuff back to australia with no problems.

[londonsfallingdown]

but the teak furniture should burn better!

[my thoughts]

When we went back after the last contract, we took a pile of teak stuff back.  Most of it ended up as firewood or given to charity - most of it split.

The most common furniture these days back home is the solid oak stuff. 

This time were bringing back almost nothing apart from our rice cooker and our personal things.

The shops back in the UK these days are far more modern / better than here anyway.  Electronics are cheaper, clothes are cheaper, furniture is higher quality and cheaper etc. 

[kate smith]

i would think twice before taking furniture back. The humidity here causes damage to the wood and will crack when you take it to a cold country. Take only favourite pieces of furniture. Pictures will also be damaged with humidity. sometimes the furniture here does not suit uk homes with carpets etc and the sizes too big.