we have some stuff from taobao that turned out pretty decent. we have also bought some furniture from the city's "Furniture district". This is pretty basic, laminated wood, not something worth moving on to the next apartment. 

According to my taste most furniture stores in China only have "Ugly Expensive" stuff. I like simple. 

There is actually a second hand place here in town that sells some stuff that is pretty decent. But the things that are in good shape is also pretty much same price as the new stuff. The concept of second hand doesn't work well in China. 

Have you seen that incredibly bad 'french monarchy revival'/brothel stuff?

Hideous!