We'll be headed to Chicago for a weekend this spring and would like to look for a new sofa while we're there. Any suggestions for fun places to shop for furniture?

We bought an oversized chair at Room and Board last year and love it, so we'll definitely look there.

Crate and Barrel tends to be a bit out of our price range for furnture, so we're looking more for the R&B level.

Am I correct in thinking that a new furniture store went into R&B's old location on Michigan Ave when they moved to the new store? Any thoughts on it?

In general we'll be in the NMA/Loop area, but if there's a really great store in one of the further out neighborhoods we'd considering visiting it, so all ideas are welcome.

Thanks!

JLM, I'm not sure about the old R & B space but check out Field's on State St. not only do they run some great sales but they also have floor sample sales on the 9th floor. We've gotten some great stuff there. Also, Crate and Barrel outlet on Halsted just north of North. That area also has a regular Crate and Barrel and a Restoration Hardware to check out. I believe they might have opened a CB2 around there also that is C & B's cheaper line.

Never heard of CB2. Will have to check that out online!

Do you know if Fields will deliver furniture purchased from the floor sample sales out of the area? We're coming from Michigan.

That I don't know...try Fields.com to see if they can answer that question. Also, there's Ikea in Schaumburg (aka the Mecca of the Midwest). It can be a zoo though get there early if you decide to venture out of the city.

Yeah, I was at that Ikea this past fall. I think I'll avoid it at all costs! I think we're looking for higher end than what I've seen there, so not a huge loss. And we're supposed to be getting one here in SE Michigan next year I hear.

Thanks for all your helpful info!

Marshall Field's (State St. store) has expanded its regular furniture department into the space where the samples/rejects used to be. Last time I was there, they only had one little corner devoted to samples/rejects. Field's now sells that stuff at their warehouse on West Diversey. Best to call them for times and directions. Bloomingdale's has a housewares/furniture store just off Michigan Ave -- at the corner of Ontario and Wabash.

The Bloomingdales store mentioned by AnnieKath may be out of JLM's pricerange but it is well worth the visit as the store, in the old Medina Temple is gorgeous. One of my favorite stores, POSH, is across the street too.