What is expensive furniture though??? Pine used to be seen as the poor man's furniture and oak as the untouchable unless you were an MP claiming expenses
With the huge import industry, oak furniture has now become so cheap it has devalued the product. So much so, you can now buy a solid oak table cheaper than a pine one.
When buying furniture go for what you like not what society tells you to go for. There are many company's out there that will supply you or build you your dream table or wardrobe at a very good price
One more point; please please please do not be put of by VEENERS. A dirty word by customers, a sound product by manufacturers. Often seen as a cheap alterertive, there is a reason why veeners are used. Solid woods have a tendancy to move and split. Veeners don't. If you are after that solid wood effect and you do not mind the splits and knots then go for solid, if you are after a product that is blemish free, go for veeners.