Gingko's mission is to offer well-designed, practical, quality home furnishings at an affordable price point. Their collection is Asian-inspired, but with a light, contemporary touch. It doesn't have the heavy finishes or embellishment of traditional Asian furniture.

Gingko's furnishings have a modern, organic feel. They're made of solid wood, often repurposed. Ninety percent of their pieces are made from wood used in previous structures, such as old posts and beams, and doors. As Sarah Chang, one of the company's three partners, says, "Veneer doesn't speak to you." The Ironwood Dining Table ($1,650) is beautiful and full of character because of its age. Made from an old door, its texture invites touch.

Gingko's furnishings are beautiful yet functional. They're sized to fit into smaller rooms, and their features are carefully considered.

The Tansu TV Cabinet ($980) has sliding glass doors so that electronic equipment such as a DVD player can be somewhat hidden yet still accessed with a remote.

Gingko sells beds, sofas, tables, chairs, cabinets, and room dividers. They also carry accessories such as pillows ($50), mirrors, and rugs, but they only sell items that they love and feel enhance the look. Gingko recently began selling lamps -- but it took them over six months to find a lighting line that they loved and that was complementary to their wooden collection. (Lamps are not on the website yet; however, one example is The Tall Rex Lamp ($165)).

Gingko also customizes furniture by adding drawers or shelves, changing dimensions, and so on. A Portland store opened in April, in addition to their stores in San Francisco and Palo Alto. They can also ship throughout the U.S. and even internationally.

Update 02/07: Gingko's opened a new store in Mountain View and closed the Palo Alto location.

Store Mentions

• Gingko Home Furnishings