I've had to resort to the secondhand market to find furniture I actually like. I've found that the Ikea-alternatives (Bohus, Skeidar, Møbelringen) in Norway is in general not of a greater quality, just way more costly, and in general, not that much better looking (aside from beds, couches, and chairs). I'm not paying 20 000 NOK for a "vitrineskap" (google says "display cabinet") at Bohus when Ikea's is of similar quality, but for 1/10th of the price.

I hear you on those Danish design furniture, often ugly, impractical, and expensive. But, I like the biggest of the "ball/egg chairs", the ones were there's enough room for two in one chair. Used to have one when I lived in Oslo, outside on the balcony. Isn't that by some Danish designer?

http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ball-chai...