One of the seminars making big waves this year at the Woodworking In America conference was on what has historically been called Nailed Furniture. It is, in fact, exactly the kind of furniture that people are making here.
I wasn't able to attend the conference, but from the discussions about it I have gleaned the gist: there's no reason this kind of furniture can't also be fine furniture that lasts for generations.
One of the better discussions, with pictures, is here: http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2011/10/nailed-furniture-those-other…;
Definitely read the comments. There's a good discussion of meubleros at the bottom: craftsman in Mexico who can make furniture quickly and sell it on the streets at a price that beats the cheap stuff in the stores.
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