When I think of a consignment store, the image is of a shop just a step above Goodwill. I envision a funny smell emerging from racks of jumbled clothing I have to search through to find some incredible treasure.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Goodwill. Goodwill clothed me through college and kids’ consignment shops clothe my daughter now, but it’s not where I go when I’m looking for nice furniture. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Gallerie Nouveau in SW Portland has taken the image of the furniture consignment shop to a whole new level.

Gallerie Nouveau, near SW Terwilliger and Taylors Ferry, sells gently used high-quality furniture displayed in a gorgeous showroom. The second-hand pieces are mixed with incredible artwork and brand new accessories like lamps, candleholders and other accent pieces to create a warm environment that invites you to sit down and relax in a big overstuffed chair for a while.

Owner Maureen Pulicella escaped from corporate America to open the Gallery a few years ago. She was frustrated with the lack of ambiance and customer service she found in other area furniture consignment shops. She was determined to create an alternative, a place where customers received the same quality service you’d expect at Ethan Allen while paying much lower prices. She has done just that and more. She goes above and beyond for her customers, digging out bargains from the shop’s basement for the budget-challenged and offering complete interior design services for those wanting to go all out.  I honestly didn’t believe any of the pieces were second-hand but Maureen assured me she only takes the best of the best in used furniture. In fact, she has a waiting list to get furniture into her store!

Now what could be more green in furniture than buying second-hand? Maureen is onto something by offering such a gem of a store in Portland, the greenest of cities, while making sure it remains both upscale and accessible;, a hard balance to achieve.

Maureen clearly has a great eye for design as she offers gorgeous pieces in just about every style you can imagine, from modern and hip to traditional antiques. The common thread is that they’ve been gently loved before, they are high-quality and they are fantastic pieces you’d be proud to have in your home.

For more on Gallery Nouveau, visit their website: www.gallerienouveau.com