People today yearn for what helps them feel more connected to other people. Somehow the onslaught of cheap imported stuff gives us the option of owning more things than we need... golly, look at the number of toys kids get these days.

      We've all grown use to the availability of inexpensive and yes, inferior goods. In some areas of life this serves us well. Whether this has eroded the American economy I'm not sure, but I do know that you can go to Ikea or Walmart and get a table and chairs that will serve for parking your bottom and eating dinner...but it's not good stuff and you know it when you pick it out. A lot of that furniture winds up in the dumpster after a few years - the detritus of a disposable culture.

      Maybe you prefer antiques. Good for you. I like them too. Why build new furniture and cabinetry when you could get old, relatively well-made stuff, sometimes for a real bargain? I suppose it depends on your decor and storage needs.  Times have changed and present-day needs are different than even 20 years ago.

      And in this world of instant-gratification it will take some discipline on your part to have something made for your home.  There are many people who could afford and enjoy supporting the artisan furniture movement who choose not to - because they prefer the instant gratification of going to a store and having a whole houseful of goods delivered within the week.  This probably erodes our grassroots economy that keeps dollars in local communities, but it seems the way of things.