mondoboston.com

Posted by Pam on July 14th, 2009 in Life in Boston

Earlier this year, we were in the market for a new couch. We wanted something sleek with clean lines. We wanted something classic in a modernist sort of way. We wanted something that might last us for 10 years and that we wouldn’t be embarrassed to own in 2019. What we didn’t want: the lumpy, frumpy overstuffed couches that seem to be part of the American oeuvre.

That meant that most of the usual furniture stores around Boston — Jordan’s, Bob’s, Bernie and Phyl’s, etc.— were pretty much out of the picture.

One of the furniture stores that did seem to be worth considering: BoConcept. We’ve visited the Cambridge store of this Danish furniture maker a couple of times. Both times we found understated European-styled furniture, some of which we could picture in our own home. One thing we particularly appreciated were a number of designs geared toward small-space living, including multi-functional coffee tables that can become dining and work tables, footrests that can turn into beds, and beds that can also store linens and other objects. All in all, BoConcept should be on the list of anyone looking for modern furniture at reasonable prices. (Meaning less than many high-end contemporary furniture stores.) That being said, we had a few nagging uncertainties about old Bo. We noticed the quality and choice of fabrics for upholstered furniture seemed to be lacking. We could see pulls and wrinkles on floor samples that you would think would be pristine. If it doesn’t look good in the store, it probably won’t look good for too long in your own home. And while we appreciate clean lines, we also felt the styling at Bo Concept seemed a shade too dark, hard-edged and masculine. A matter of taste, of course, but BoConcept offers no other vision. Finally, we’ve heard some bad reviews about service and long waits for delivery from this manufacturer. What has been your experience with BoConcept?

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