I've owned Ikea or similar grade furniture for most of my life. It actually bothers me that I have to keep re-buying the same things over and over again. It just seems very wasteful.

Non-Ikea furniture often seems horribly overpriced. I think there is a furniture store in Mountain View that sells $1000+ shelves or coffee tables. You'd think there is a middle ground.

I'm sure there used to be! But the introduction of the bargain option heavily polarized the market.

My solution has centered around two items; taking advantage of great sales at my preferred high-quality furniture retailer, and only going with the high-quality units for specific pieces of furniture.

Go to estate sales, buy excellent furniture for 10¢ on the dollar.

Maybe the problem is you live in Mountain View. Absent of good vintage/used furniture stores, try Blu Dot (made in the US, even) or Craigslist.