My parents bought some really nice modern furniture when they married in the early 1960s. 5 houses and 60 years later (and a few re-upholsterings), it still looks and works as beautifully as ever. My brother will probably inherit it in a few years, then his kids; it will likely get another 60 years at least.

One of my friends has a kitchen table her great grandmother owned.

Neither of us (or our parents) are rich, but good, well made furniture used to be an investment. Now most furniture is disposable.