LaDiff

We are a new business that just opened in the Richmond area and will be opening up many more, and thought it would be good to buy local. We settled on La Diff it since it was such a better quality for around the same price; also the lady that helped said that it would be put together and shipped in 4 – 8 weeks. Well, we hit the 5 week mark and I had not heard anything. I emailed and called and they said it was going to be closer to the 8 week mark due to shipping and mix up in the order (different model). A week later it showed up at La Diff and it sat there for a week without anyone calling to set up a shipment. Meanwhile we were sitting on boxes in the management office. So once I called they told me it was sitting there ready to be shipped; I asked them to please ship it out the next day. They did but she then told me that it would not be put together due to it being a different model. I just said to bring the boxes and we would take care of it.
That day came and we realized that 3 items that were suppose to be there weren’t. So I called and they said that only half the shipment came and they do not know when the other pieces were coming. So i then waited for another 4 weeks and still no contact with email or phone calls. So I called last week and they said that they were told it has been on the shipping container 3 time and when they went to get it off it was not there. Due to this they did not know when it would be coming in. I decide on my day off to go down there to get some answers and get this straightened out by a manager. When I walked in I was greeted by a nice lady at the front desk. I asked to speak to a manager and she informed me that everyone in management was gone on vacation and that they would not be back until that upcoming Tuesday. I was then directed to talk to the Back room lead. She said that it should be off the container and heading to the showroom by this Tuesday and be shipped free of charge (mind you for there mess up they were going to charge me another $ 95 to ship it). Now we were on the 12 Week mark. This was getting a bit ridiculous with no one giving me a straight answer and not being told any updates. It’s Tuesday, June 9^th and I just called because it is suppose to be shipped here today. I called and the manager answered and when I asked on it’s status I was told they had no idea what I was talking about and said he would talk to my sales person. Then she said that it was suppose to get here today but they haven’t heard anything from the driver yet but she would call when she hears, but it wont be shipped today because there drivers are gone for the day.
This is utterly ridiculous that a company would act like this to another company. if I knew this was how they handle business I would have just bought the office furniture at Ikea and would have called it a day. At least they have all there stuff stocked and it’s easy putting it together. I have lost faith in this company as a whole, we are opening up 3 – 4 more stores in the Richmond area and know we wished that we could just return all of this and just be done with it. I hope my trouble with this company has helped someone else so they do not have to deal with this as well.

I’ve been in La Diff multiple times, but usually I’m just wandering around coveting all of the furniture that I can’t afford. However, after some recurring back issues (read: lots of pain), I finally decided I needed to suck it up and purchase a nice office chair.
Working from home without a good office space is no bueno for posture or backs, so it really was high time for me to set up my home office in an appropriate manner. You see, it’s been way too easy to work from the dining room table or the living room couch or the comfort of my bed. I knew that the only way to break those habits would be to create a work space conducive to productivity and comfort (while still helping me to maintain good posture). Enter La Diff! During one of our previous visits, my fiancé and I had spotted these bungee office chairs that he went wild over. That’s been in the back of both our minds for months, so it truly is what prompted our visit a few weeks back.
La Diff itself is huge, with three levels of every kind of furniture imaginable, and pricing ranging from moderate to super duper expensive. Office furniture is located on the third floor of the space, so we made a beeline for the upstairs and proceeded to sit in every single office chair with any type of potential. I think we sat in nearly 25 chairs before deciding on the perfect one. And no, it didn’t end up being the bungee cord chair (although, if it was for my fiancé’s office, that would have been the pick). That one was a close second, but in the end, back support won out over cool factor. The chair we chose looks like your typical office chair, but it is insanely comfortable while providing much needed posture help. It wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it. I’d say that’s probably the best way to describe La Diff’s merchandise overall. If you’re looking for a nice, high quality piece — often with unique and cool design elements — then La Diff is the place.
*Oh, and an important note about parking that I didn’t discover until after a few visits. There is a lot for La Diff across from the shop on the other side of Dock Street, so no need to drive around looking for street parking. And you can pull up to the back warehouse entrance to pick up your furniture once you make your purchases.

So where can I start. I live in Richmond for years and always have loved this shop, and have stopped by many times. I moved to SC a couple years ago, and needed a bed frame, and I remembered La Difference.
I looked at their website and saw a bed frame that I really wanted. So I bought it. They called me and told me that the shipping would be over $ 700. Wow! So I rented a truck and drove the six hours to pick up the bed. While I was there I bought two more things over $ 200. I then drove the six hours home.
I bought the bed on a Friday, and on Monday unpacked it to put it together. When I did there were two broken parts, and missing pieces to put the bed together. I was upset, but there was a sticker that told me to call this 800 number to get my replacement parts. I called the number that went to voice-​mail, that stated for faster service to email them, so I did.
After about a week of nothing, I contact the store itself. The owner ANDY was rude, and took no ownership of the issue. He told me that «In 25 years he has never had any issues with the items that he sold. And to call the number that came with the bed.»
I responded that I did, and never heard anything back from them, he then stated «We have a process for getting you what you need.»
I told him «I followed the process and it must be broken because I have yet to get anything from them to fix my bed.»
He stated «Well I don’t know what you want me to do?»
I told him «I would like to return the bed for a refund.»
He said, «No»
So it has been 4 weeks and my bed is still in pieces on the floor, and I am out of a lot of money as the parts still haven’t come. Which I have called and emailed that «800#» over four times, once a week.
Just know that you can go to Ikea and get the same quality for half the price.

Wow. Stylish, hip, and still with substance. Great variety of options and materials, in a funky old building.
Definitely a place to browse for a lazy afternoon, or to visit for a power new house filling trip
They were even grilling in the outdoor furniture area when we visited to help you get the real sense of a backyard area

My mother first took me to La Diff (when they had a store in Charlottesville back in the day) as a kid — got my first table lamp there. Ever since then I’ve been slightly obsessed with their not-​quite-​austere design themes. La Diff has a really creative selection of furniture and accessories.
I really have to hand it to them — they’re pretty much on the design edge. Whenever I go to ‘trendier /​stylish’ areas of the country, I’m amazed at how many design themes I’ve already seen in the La Diff store.
On the plus side, they also have good sales and prices that reach a different demographic than those buying an $ 11,000 glove leather sofa — which is likely some crazy hue of purple. I got most of all of my living room and most of my lighting there and it didn’t put me in more debt than say, Can Can has.
Overall, great pieces, pricey but not overpriced (these are very relative terms, people) and very knowledgable /​friendly staff. I worked with a guy named Bryan who was really patient with me and dealt with things like: me running into the store 5min before close to buy a couch, chair and ottoman all at once.

La Diff will jack its prices up the day of a sale then offer a discount. Something I wanted to buy on Saturday was $ 699 — went on sale Wednesday but they jacked the price to $ 875 then gave a discount on the higher price. WE ARE BOYCOTTING! UNETHICAL!!! STAY AWAY!

When I relocated to Richmond earlier this year with no living room furniture, my first stop as a fan of mid-​century, contemporary and/​or modern styles was to head to La Diff. Even though this store has been here for years, I had never been during visits to the city. I had been planning to purchase furniture from Poros K Designs in Rockville, MD but La Diff’s website made me feel confident that I would find what I needed right here in Richmond. When I visited the 14^th/​Dock Street location, I was absolutely «floored» at the three levels and the large selection (be sure to wear comfortable shoes and to pace yourself). The sales staff was unpretentitious and helpful without being overly intrusive. The prices ranged from very reasonable to top dollar. Everything in there is made of quality materials, and they feature some of the more iconic pieces from these periods which for the Richmonder searching for a minimalist aesthetic for their digs is a welcome treat! There are so many products on the floor for sampling, and also a clearance area full of shop worn pieces at a discount. I also loved the fact that they had several pieces for the office, living, dining, bedroom and outdoor furniture. After a few weeks of research, I decided on a sofa and chair set that was featured during a LaDeals special, and actually ended up ordering the pieces through the Short Pump location (which is much smaller and more manageable). Coupled with a 4^th of July sale, I got a great deal! Delivery was prompt and the guys put on the legs to both pieces and were in and out within 20 minutes leaving me with nothing to do but to enjoy my new furniture. I have received so many compliments on my selections and they are gorgeous, sturdy and comfortable. I will be back to La Diff for more pieces in the future.

La Diff as it is called by locals has been doing business in Richmond for many years. Located in a converted warehouse space, it is a fun place to browse on a Sunday afternoon following brunch. The store is sunny with original hardwood floors and fixtures that harken back to the last century. The modern and mid-​century inspired furniture is a stark contrast to the surroundings and makes for an interesting juxtaposition.
While modern furniture is not my style per se, I have been to this store numerous times and found items that walk the line between stark modern and retro cool. I have purchased an office desk and chair from the «bargain floor» which is on the third level. There are also some pretty cool lighting fixtures that I have worked into some of my home renovations.
La Diff started in Charlottesville some 30 years ago and occupied its present building in 1998. They had been in Richmond since 1993. This store is locally owned and the owners live in Richmond city. They also do some amazing fund raisers that support arts and humanistic charities within the city. Gotta love a store that gives back!
What many are still unaware of is the new «Vive» spin off that is attached to the original building. This alter ego of a store carries old world finds that the owners pick up on buying trips throughout the world. In 2009 they received the award of «Best Modern Showroom» from Richmond Magazine.
There is also LaDiff kids and a cool selection of retro and modern inspired outdoor furniture. The strengths of this store are the ability to use the vast amount of square footage to stage the furniture appropriately and to provide a true selection. Strengths: Living room, dining room, and office.

This is the home of Euro-​chic in Richmond. If you love Ikea, La Diff carries the high-​end versions of contemporary furniture, lighting, and home accessories.
Even though my personal style is more what I would call «early attic», I love strolling through this store. It reminds me of being in Europe, in particular Germany, where expensive furniture, kitchen, and lighting stores are all the rage.
I have bought handbags here, as they have some European bags that are hard to find elsewhere. It’s not a store for the budget-​conscious, but they do have a couple of good sales a year.

Although the furniture shopping scene in Richmond is slowly expanding, La Diff is still your best bet for new, contemporary furniture. First off, the store is huge. It’s not one of those furniture boutiques where there are like 5 things to pick from. Think Haynes, but with upscale, awesome items. I must admit, I haven’t bought much in the way of furniture from here because it’s mostly out of my price range, but I do love to browse.
I also love the selection of gift items. These I can afford! You’ll find anything from vases made from recycled magazines to chic martini glasses and cosmetic bags made from the silver tags off soda cans. You never know what you’ll find in the ever-​changing inventory, which is why it’s cool. It’s also nice to be able to take something home, instead of just drooling over items I hope to have some day.
La Diff also has some pretty good sales throughout the year where you can get better deals on their glorious furniture.

I have been shopping at LaDiff since 1993 when I discovered their original Richmond store at 23^rd and Cary Streets and have been an ardent fan since. They have since moved to 14^th Street. Prior to that I had to shop at IKEA at Potomac Mills to find my desired contemporary furniture. Richmond is not the mecca of contemporary tastes (I am a native Richmonder so know this first hand). LaDiff’s items are high quality and, I will admit, a bit pricey, but well worth it. Through the years I have purchased many pieces from them and am completely pleased with my items. The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help with any request you may have. If you value contemporary furniture that resembles museum quality items, I highly recommend you visit LaDiff soon.

Who says you need to visit NYC SF or Seattle to visit great shop with high design furniture, lighting and housewares.
Just take a drive south to Richmond (the capital of the Confederacy, remember?) and have a walk around the charming shockoe bottom and canal walk. Visit Edgar Allan Poe’s house.
Buy some cool furniture, or just drool over what you can’t quite afford at the moment.
Don’t feel like driving to spend your dough, visit
you can also find some cool internet specials [note they don;t ‘all of the specials]