redfin.com

;-)

Honestly I might start with CL! Otherwise I wouldn't know where to begin, I'd be in the market for high end items and would probably come here to search for them. I do like the Dot and Bo site.

Since I don't play the lottery, I have absolutely no desire when it comes to things of chance such as that, but if I did come upon loads of money, I can't say that I'd spend it on furniture. I know, I'll probably be the odd one out here, but I much prefer finding something awesome/vintage at a great deal. If I had that kind of money, I'd put it toward cancer research or helping give adults with cancer something on their bucket list. They have charities like that for children, but not adults.

We'd fund retirement, college, then probably buy a vacation home. I'm a sucker for antique and vintage so I'd be haunting flea markets to furnish it. What's that big one in TX, round top? I'd go there. And antiquing in the mid-west.

1stdibs and Dering Hall.

If I won the lottery, I'd buy a different house and one for my daughter. I'd get it tricked out by someone else. I'd take more trips and fly first class.

In a weird way, I kind of feel like I did win the lottery with this house fire. I'm able to change so many things that I didn't like about our house. There are a lot of things that are changing that I wish we could have saved the way they were, but overall, I'm getting kind of excited about getting so many things I've always wanted - opening up dining room to kitchen, white cabinets in kitchen, new sofa, new windows, closets, new floors, new fridge. There is no way we could have afforded even one of those changes. And if we could have afforded it, I don't think I would have willingly chosen to put up with the inconvenience.

Daisy, now THAT'S a great attitude about a home disaster!

What new furnishings? Paying off the house would come first. My husband needs a new car. Two bathroom remodels and a kitchen next. Do I have any money left?

1st Dibs

Rago auctions

I'd go on a loooooong shopping trip to London.

Yes Please Please Please!

I'd go directly to the finest architect I could find and have them totally remodel my little house. After 40 years in what was supposed to be a starter home, I have drawn a zillion mental pictures of what I would do if I could. It would be a dream come true to see it all come to fruition. Of course, this is after I take care of family and friends, which would give me the greatest pleasure of all.

Man, I gotta go buy a ticket now.

The only furnishings I buy new are appliances and mattresses, so I'd probably go to the same old 'Big' store I've been frequenting since they moved to the area. But I'd give each employee a big tip. :)

my lifestyle or my furnishings probably wouldn't change too much, but I would travel more and i would love to volunteer for several weeks every year at kittymoonbeam's cheetah reserve!!

Same places I shop now (LOL) Craigslist, Ebay and Goodwill. But I would go buy some really nice arbors for the garden :)

mama goose and lavendarlass, I am totally with you. I remember years ago fantasizing about winning the lottery and realizing what I'd probably buy is a big ole truck so that I could haul home my "finds" easier.

Not to be even more of a curmudgeon than usual but if you won one of these large lotteries and you were a responsible person you could afford to buy good furniture And set up a foundation or give to charity. They would not be mutually exclusive. I have an acquaintance who will spend $1000 on a blouse but that doesn't curtail what she gives away. She can afford to do both.

Yes that's what I'm talking about, the BIG win. A win big enough that you can give lots away and still be sitting pretty. My charities will be battered women's shelters kicked up a notch to include full arts facilities for their children as a means of learning to express themselves in a healthful way. And, another idea I have that I have named " a pool and a pony" that targets at risk youths. But, after that I would buy myself some very beautiful furniture. I would also have the time of my life collecting fine objects for accessories. Part of my problem with accessorizing is that trendy mass produced things are my budget. It's hard for me to spend money on that.

Years ago, I sent my wedding dress to an organization that does a dream come true thing for women with breast cancer, so there is/was at least one organization that does that for adults. I forget the exact name but something like Making Memories?

There is also something online (?) about becoming a surrogate mother for cancer victims. My cousin who is financially comfortable with two beautiful healthy daughters chose to do a surrogacy for a young couple several states away. They now have a darling baby boy.

Hmmm... one new house for me, and one new house for my husband, not on the same lot of course!

For a big win (after homes, charities, helping out family) I'd skip the online site and just head to the nearby Design District, with a selected designer in tow (while keeping an eye on 1st dibs). I might finally lose my frugality.

Oh that would be fun.

I'd get started on my empty-nest house. I'd buy a smallish old house with "great bones" (but that needs work) in a certain neighborhood in Cambridge, MA. Then I'd spend time with a very talented architect to develop a plan to renovate it from top to bottom, but keep the old-house character. And then, of course, have a very talented builder do the work. I'd take my time choosing all the finishes because we aren't moving for about 5 more years!

Then I would have a fire pit built in the yard at my beach house. Maybe one for the above house, too, while I'm at it.

Ehh, it would put life in such sharp focus, I probably wouldn't care much anymore. I would help animal rescue organizations, start one and be on the board for such things. I would buy some nice furniture but be grateful I don't have to obsess anymore over how to "buy the best piece of furniture that will last forever and never go out of style".

I will read your question as "if money were no object".

First, I would visit with the Gates Foundation and ask to commingle my charitable funds, so that they can figure out the "best" causes. I would really love to have their expertise. If you are giving away smaller sums, you kind of give to whatever strikes your fancy (perhaps making sure the expense load is reasonable and that the organization has shared values, etc). But as you give away larger amounts, it's seems much more incumbent upon the donor to really think about what they can do that will be most effective to help any given cause. It's a responsibility, just the way one also researches major purchases more thoroughly, one needs to research donations, esp very large ones. Do I want to help those at home, or the neediest around the globe? Food, or the ability to fish? Education or medicine? Where can I have an impact?

On to the even funner part, and the gist of the OP's question I think.

If money were no object, I would be a serial house buyer. I fall in love with real estate all the time. And no one house can fulfill everything; no matter how much money you have, your ski lodge does not have an ocean view, and your pied a terre does not offer winding paths over babbling brooks. So I would own many houses in many styles and have a ball decorating them. I totally get John McCain not remembering how many houses he had when he was on the campaign trail (and got ridiculed for it) If i'd married a beer heiress, I'd have a portfolio of houses, too!

M, I have often thought about that element in regards to animals and with enough money, in most states for instance, stricter laws would be most helpful and yet small rescue groups often achieve the most practical of results. In other countries, I'm not sure billions would make a dent in cultural practices eons old.

I'd need to win several significant lotteries to even make a slight difference.

While an American pays to kill a lion.

However, I would still enjoy micromanaging my house! And lots of doggies.

Strictly talking furnishings, I'd be all over the Stickley Audi site. And I agree with Pal about the Rago auctions.

hhireno, all I could find under that name was about scrapbooking and a song.

JGTBM,

Sorry, I don't remember the name, it was 10+ years ago? Try googling donated wedding dresses plus breast cancer or something like that.

The organization resold the used, but clean, dresses and used the money to fund the wishes of breast cancer patients. I sent my dress, shoes, purse, and a friend's dress and veil (from her cancelled wedding).

Maybe not enough people would part with their dress and the charity didn't survive? That would be a pity. I thought it was a brilliant idea. Very few people wear their mother's dress or make a christening dress out of the old one. They just sit around collecting dust. Why not let someone resell it when it might still be 'in style'. I vaguely recall I shipped the stuff to the west coast.

ETA: I was so happy to be rid of the stuff that had served it purpose and wouldn't be used again.

I would buy a massive ranch that was completely self sustaining with gardens, orchards, wind, solar, water powered, cattle and a rescue dog kennel. All my employees can live on the property and receive education and healthcare...uh oh, this is sounding a little cultish.

This rug would be in my ranch house:

Oh man, nice rug!

I don't think I need any new furniture. I would get my sofa and about 4 chairs recovered.

I might also look a mile or so west of here (away from so many new houses and traffic), buy up more acreage and build a Santa Fe style house. OTOH, that sounds exhausting. If I stayed here (and I do like my 3 long time neighbors), I'd fence in my acres.

I'd set money aside to help single parents when the car breaks, washer dies etc. Things like that can be devastating to a single parent on a limited income.

I'd probably buy a new car and hire someone to drive me on my errands (few that they are). I just don't like traffic anymore.

One of the first places I'd go online for furniture/home decor items if I won the lottery would be One Kings Lane.

I'd probably move to a better neighborhood before buying new furniture. My daughter is starting at a well-respected middle school this year, but the high school we are zoned for has a terrible reputation. There's really only one high school in all of Oakland with a good reputation. I'd move to Berkeley, or Piedmont.

Then I'd like to hire household help. A housekeeper, cook, and gardener. Because there's no sense having nice furniture if you can't keep your house neat.

I would like to buy a painting by Thomas McGlynn if I ever come into some money.

. . . I would build a house just for me, because that's been a lifelong dream. Wouldn't go to just one place for furniture though!

I can't help but post this...

Seriously?! Who wouldn't pay bills, donate to charity, move, travel and take care of loved ones...maybe even not so loved ones!

justterrilyn was asking specifically where would you shop online for "stuff for your home" if you won the lottery. It's not a difficult question to answer, we all like to shop and decorate...this is a home decorating thread after all, LOL!

I would start to use Antiques Roadshow as a shopping list!

I would shop exclusively through a decorator "for to the trade only" items and décor. I'd leave the online shopping to the disappearing middle class. :-(

Although if it pleased me, I would also let you buy things through my decorator. Sounds a little boring, doesn't it? The hunt is usually more fun....maybe we'll have to hunt for new and better decorators. :)

I was just on Kings Lane today, and saw four Gien plates for sale--$225. So, I checked at Michael C Fina and Replacements .com and saw the same thing, same size, same everything, for $45 at Fina and $39 at Replacements. I can understand their getting away by overpricing things that have no comparables, but when the same plates are on sale nationally/internationally for less, it makes me very leery of all of their pricing.

I'd help out so many that I know and leave a little to buy a villa in Italy so we could live there in the winter.

First I would buy all four children (my 3 sweeties plus my sweet step daughter) the house of their dreams. I would buy land, lots of it to build my dream home and DH's dream garages. Staff it so I had fresh sheets and a totally clean house everyday and wonderful food. I would give the rest to many organizations. The SPCA would be top on my list, next Havanese Rescue. I have a soft spot for animals and could happily leave most of my estate to them.

I would shop locally, there are some mighty fine antique stores in my town!

I would also do the same as dedtired, hand the keys over to an architect, and come back in 6 months. :-)

I would hire my Handy Guy back from his current employers, salary no object!

kswl2, that is the perfect answer.

:-(

I don't like to shop. I still have the furniture I inherited from my MIL in the 70s. I'd keep it - I like it.

it would also be really fun, imo, to do some serious 'secret santa-ing' during the holidays..... as long as it stayed secret! (I wouldn't want to be very rich and have it be public knowledge---)