From house to home

[The Patriot]

From house to home

10-28-2012 05:35 PM

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Europe
family
Personal
News



From house to home


by: Jeana Coleman
Stripes UK
published: October 29, 2012

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Rented a house,* found one to buy, or just need a new look or new piece to tie a room together? Whether you’re looking for brand new American or European-styled furniture, one-of-a-kind antiques, or even hope to buy used, we’ll tell you about some great places to find what you are looking for, no matter the budget.

Probably one of the first stops you’ll make is right on base, at the local AAFES Exchange (BX/PX), a one-stop-shop for just about everything in the home, including American-style furniture, housewares, décor, electronics, clothing and toiletries. Prices average just a little under MSRP, but they have a price match program and also periodically have sales. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the store, visit their website www.shopmyexchange.com for more products and name brands. They will ship your order to the nearest Exchange location for pick up – big items like furniture and appliances will need to go through the trans-shipment program (inquire at your BX/PX Customer Service to order).

Some Exchanges also rent space to other stores that carry quality furniture, décor and art. You can find Turkish rugs, exotic décor, unusual European housewares, antiques and more. Just stop by and see what suits your tastes.

Another store that carries American-sized and styled furniture is United Furniture, with one location in the U.K. They have everything from bedroom, living and dining sets, an array of styles and sizes to fit your space.*

Notice how small or narrow the stairwells and hallways are in many older European homes? Oversized furniture and American queen or king-sized mattresses sometimes won’t fit, therefore compact, lighter and contemporary furnishings are popular. European mattresses are lighter, thinner but also comfortable. Instead of box springs, mattresses lay on lattenrost (German) or letto doghe (Italian), a slat system that allows you to specifically adjust the firmness of the mattress to your needs. Some also adjust to a reclining position.* Easier to transport, they are also easier to maneuver through spiral or narrow stairwells popular in European homes.* You can buy at either mattress stores or through local furniture retailers including a worldwide favorite, Ikea.* These large, hypermarket-styled furniture stores also carry housewares, décor and artwork. Visit the links in this article for several stores near you.

Want to capture the design of old world European charm? Visit one of the local antique shops for intricately carved and painstakingly restored full bedroom and dining sets, bookcases, wardrobes and more. Many stores carry the finest quality in pieces that are a couple of centuries old, so don’t be surprised by the price.

You might be surprised at the amazing deals you can find at one of the many antique flea markets across Europe. With hundreds to choose from, it will be easy to choose a date and find a market near you. Just do a quick online search for a handful in your area. Better yet, grab a friend and make it a weekend of scavenging. You’ll discover anything from artwork, décor, furniture to vintage or trendy clothing and historical memorabilia. The best deals are found early in the morning, and you may want to take a rolling cart. Also carry a flashlight; you will want to closely inspect the condition of antiques.

A great time to shop for both furnishings as well as gifts for family and friends back home is during the annual holiday and yuletide bazaars held from September to December on U.S. military bases in Europe. Hundreds of vendors display booths with unusual furnishings and antiques, décor, artwork, jewelry, leather clothing and bags, pottery, wine, rugs, etc. You name it; they have it, from all over Europe. See our links to help you figure out when and where to go.

And after you’ve bought too much stuff? Well, it’s out with the old, in with the new! List your gently used or oversized pieces on*www.stripes.com classifieds or local online yard sales site. These busy sites will have your items sold in no time. Who knows, you may also find another treasure or two. Remember, shopping is good … let’s keep the economy going.


Tags: Europe, family, Personal, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
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From house to home


by: Jeana Coleman
Stripes UK
published:

Share This:


Tweet

Comments
Email
Print


Rented a house,* found one to buy, or just need a new look or new piece to tie a room together? Whether you’re looking for brand new American or European-styled furniture, one-of-a-kind antiques, or even hope to buy used, we’ll tell you about some great places to find what you are looking for, no matter the budget.

Probably one of the first stops you’ll make is right on base, at the local AAFES Exchange (BX/PX), a one-stop-shop for just about everything in the home, including American-style furniture, housewares, décor, electronics, clothing and toiletries. Prices average just a little under MSRP, but they have a price match program and also periodically have sales. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the store, visit their website www.shopmyexchange.com for more products and name brands. They will ship your order to the nearest Exchange location for pick up – big items like furniture and appliances will need to go through the trans-shipment program (inquire at your BX/PX Customer Service to order).

Some Exchanges also rent space to other stores that carry quality furniture, décor and art. You can find Turkish rugs, exotic décor, unusual European housewares, antiques and more. Just stop by and see what suits your tastes.

Another store that carries American-sized and styled furniture is United Furniture, with one location in the U.K. They have everything from bedroom, living and dining sets, an array of styles and sizes to fit your space.*

Notice how small or narrow the stairwells and hallways are in many older European homes? Oversized furniture and American queen or king-sized mattresses sometimes won’t fit, therefore compact, lighter and contemporary furnishings are popular. European mattresses are lighter, thinner but also comfortable. Instead of box springs, mattresses lay on lattenrost (German) or letto doghe (Italian), a slat system that allows you to specifically adjust the firmness of the mattress to your needs. Some also adjust to a reclining position.* Easier to transport, they are also easier to maneuver through spiral or narrow stairwells popular in European homes.* You can buy at either mattress stores or through local furniture retailers including a worldwide favorite, Ikea.* These large, hypermarket-styled furniture stores also carry housewares, décor and artwork. Visit the links in this article for several stores near you.

Want to capture the design of old world European charm? Visit one of the local antique shops for intricately carved and painstakingly restored full bedroom and dining sets, bookcases, wardrobes and more. Many stores carry the finest quality in pieces that are a couple of centuries old, so don’t be surprised by the price.

You might be surprised at the amazing deals you can find at one of the many antique flea markets across Europe. With hundreds to choose from, it will be easy to choose a date and find a market near you. Just do a quick online search for a handful in your area. Better yet, grab a friend and make it a weekend of scavenging. You’ll discover anything from artwork, décor, furniture to vintage or trendy clothing and historical memorabilia. The best deals are found early in the morning, and you may want to take a rolling cart. Also carry a flashlight; you will want to closely inspect the condition of antiques.

A great time to shop for both furnishings as well as gifts for family and friends back home is during the annual holiday and yuletide bazaars held from September to December on U.S. military bases in Europe. Hundreds of vendors display booths with unusual furnishings and antiques, décor, artwork, jewelry, leather clothing and bags, pottery, wine, rugs, etc. You name it; they have it, from all over Europe. See our links to help you figure out when and where to go.

And after you’ve bought too much stuff? Well, it’s out with the old, in with the new! List your gently used or oversized pieces on*www.stripes.com classifieds or local online yard sales site. These busy sites will have your items sold in no time. Who knows, you may also find another treasure or two. Remember, shopping is good … let’s keep the economy going.


Tags: Europe, family, Personal, RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, News
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