There has been something weighing heavily on my mind.� I have remained silent on an issue in the interest of self preservation, trusting my silence would lead people to believe what they will.� Recently, though, I stumbled across a few blogs that led me to believe that I am not alone, and that some people actual revel in their wantonness. So I’m going to lay it all out on the table.� I don’t think Pottery Barn is all that bad.
Sinner.
I read the design blogs.� No self respecting design fan likes “Poverty Barn.”� It’s not really a beef with the store, I suppose, as it is with the overall aesthetic.� It’s homogenized.� It’s suburban.� It’s uninspired, impersonal, and pedestrian.� I get it, design people, I do.� But here is the thing–I kind of don’t really give a flying fig because I wouldn’t douse my living room in kerosene and strike a match if it looked like this:
Okay, maybe I would torch the lamps and that ridiculous trough o’ candles.� And the tables are kind of meh.� But other than that, it would be an uphill battle to convince me this look is so wretched as to inspire the diatribes I read online.
The same thing goes for this dining room.� I would gladly eat my Kashi Go Lean and fruit here after I took down that Count Dracula chandelier.
Really, it’s just not that awful.
Another sinful admission: my taste leans toward the traditional.� I think most modern furniture and decor is beautiful, but my tushy needs cushy.� I use tablecloths and cloth napkins.� I don’t like paper plates or plastic cups.� I have a 1960s grandma curio cabinet that I love because every single piece inside reminds me of a person or period in my life.
I’ve also been known to wear capris and drive an Expedition.� The horror!� The horror!
But, like I said earlier, I realized I am not alone–at least not on the internet.� At home it’s a different story because The Mister is a mid-century fan and would love to live in a spread out of Atomic Ranch.� In fact, it was after his seizure following my suggestion that we buy a sectional with rolled arms that I found my sisterhood.
First I found Melaine and her blog, My Sweet Savannah, by googling the ektorp sectional by IKEA.� Melaine bought the exact model I want (I am a sucker for ANYTHING linen) for her living room makeover.� Sadly, I can tell you she has about 25 pillows too many for The Mister on that sofa, but I still say her living room makeover on a reasonable budget looks lovely.
Speaking of reasonable budgets, I made sure to keep from The Mister the $10 kitchen remodel A. Ann from Resolved 2 Worship managed to pull out of left field.� It’s best that he doesn’t know things like this are possible because, truly, they aren’t.� Sure, I could do a room for $10, but only after I spent $57,000 on a creative personality transplant.
Layla from The Lettered Cottage seems like a very sincere, sweet girl, so when I saw her home was featured on Apartment Therapy my stomach dropped just a bit.� There is no harsher group of readers than that cantankerous bunch.� Many people had nice things to say, but there were a few of these:
I find the use of black and the ubiquitous baskets deeply repellent.
posted by monarda on September 12th 2009 at 8:04am
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That’s funny, monarda, because the use of ten dollar words like “ubiquitous” when referring to common baskets is also deeply repellent.
And there were also a few of these:
I had the same reaction as Alexis and Torgny — catalog-y and cliche. The lack of color is oppressive. The exception is the gorgeous wabi-sabi blue dresser in the guest room.
I LOVE this post! I’m thinking of framing it. Thanks for saying a lot of stuff that needed to be said.
Hooray!
It’s funny that a website like Apartment Therapy which was meant as a community for sharing and getting ideas has become an “I’m edgier than you”-fest and chance to diss other people homes. If someone pours their sweat and tears into a home in a style they love, who is anyone else to judge? It’s kind of like insulting someone else’s child, it’s a very personal thing.
I loved this post as well.. I’ve read Apartment Therapy (since I currently live in an apartment) and so does my friend, who lives in a ridiculously small apartment in Manhattan… I’ve been amazed at what some have said.. Alot of the apartments shown aren’t my taste, which is a little french country and traditional, but that doesn’t mean that they are ugly or distasteful.
I think that Apartment Therapy is must like our Congress.. too many people, with too many attitudes, not realizing that everyone can be right a little bit. And, it makes you wanna punch something.
And I really like that kitchen table..who cares where it comes from!! I’d be happiest if someone gave it to me.. LOL!
AMEN. And seriously, our house is pretty eclectic, but COMFY and our incredible neighbor, whom I love, has a fantastic house very modern, but really… where do you sit? I’m all about someone coming in and immediately feeling at home, not feeling like they are disturbing the design of the room by lounging on the couch.
I had a designer come to my house and tell me that I couldn’t possibly redo my bedroom for less than $15,000. She than walked through the rest of my house and told me I needed to re-tile my living room fireplace, replace my chandelier over my dining room table, get rid of the mirror above the dining room buffet, reupholster my sofas, blah blah blah blah blah…all so that it will look like every magazine on the newstand. My house was in built in 1925, has a fabulous original fireplace, the original chandelier etc.
I am also supposed to replace the oriental rugs in the house because they aren’t seagrass. And Grandma, sorry but the piano you bought in the 1930’s that comes with the bench you did the needlepoint for in 1938…yah that needs to go. Too crowded in the corner of the living room. Grandma, I know you died several years ago, but could you come pick that up as soon as possible? Didn’t I tell you Grandma, it is OUT!
And Grandma, once you have picked up the piano, can you dig out some space for me in your burial plot? I am going to need it if I ever mention to my husband that I paid money for this bi*#^&s opinion.
Jules, hands down one of the best posts I’ve ever read! Here’s my confession: When the Pottery Barn catalog arrives, I make sure I have a quiet moment to sit down and enjoy it with a cup of coffee and no interruptions. Yup, I like it. :-) Thanks for all the links too – although the Ikea section looks super comfy, I think I would spend ALL day constantly picking pillows off the floor – because that’s where my kids seem to think they belong. :-)
People would probably be aghast at my family room – big leather sofas with a few pillows and a basket (oh no!) full of throw blankets. I tried some new slipcovers on our throw pillows – they were a beautiful color and very chic. My husband and the kids immediately said, “Mom what did you do with the soft squooshy pillows? I don’t like these scratchy ones!” Yes, we’re all about the soft squooshy pillows – no matter what they look like.
I like white beadboard and my apartment has more Longaberger baskets than it does lighting fixtures.
Soooo-ahh… AMEN! :-)
Amen sister! While I may not love every piece and photo from Pottery Barn, I can’t help myself from ripping out photos from their catalogs (which I pick up every time I go and drool at their store) to keep in my inspiration notebooks. My workplace has not a stick of furniture that isn’t from Room and Board. While I love modern, I need my big sofa to sink into when I get home.
love it! i know i’ve said before less Pottery Barn, more me but you’ve hit it right on the head! it’s the judgemental tone that turns me off from those design snobs… there are great pieces in the catalog but of course no one is going to copy the whole look. when we moved into our house 3 years ago we splurged on a Pottery Barn dining table. It’s big, it’s square, it fits perfectly in our compact, square dining room. I swear it’s where everyone gathers and really makes the place homey. but i’ve gotten fed up too with all the design blogs and the glut of eames shell rockers. i felt so inadequate that there wasn’t one in the nursery (there’s an Ektorp chair in there! :) we like cooshy too! ps- my table runner is from Pier 1… OMG! the horror!
*insert standing ovation here* I love it! I’ve long been of the belief that true inspiration can come from anywhere – that the best way to decorate your home is by surrounding yourself with the people and things you love most – that a little of this, and a little of that are what make true fashion. That’s why I love design blogs. They help me see things in a different light.
Of course, I also live in Idaho. Home to the likes of Napoleon Dynamite and endless potato jokes … so I don’t suppose my opinion holds much sway. But, you know, whatever…
Amen sister !!!!! Who cares. My husband is a high end custom home builder so I have one of the nicest home ever, and I have had very high end dollar designers decorate my home. And in all honesty, I have never really liked the end results, so this last home I did it myself and I can honestly call it home, it is comfortable, it is a place my family can relax and really have a good time, not this out of a magazine type house. It is all about your taste and style of life. I have seen homes where the faucets in the bathrooms were gold. yes, real gold, and I hated it but, hey this is what these people liked. Just because I think its ugly does not mean its ugly right?? enough with my rambling…LOL
AMEN!!!!!! Honestly, if half these people had to share their homes with husbands, chocolate labrador retriever puppies or (GOD FORBID) children, they would realize the usefulness of “UBIQUITOUS BASKETS”.
In all honesty, if I see one more Louis Ghost chair, or Eames rocker, or Tulip table I am going to barf. They (being the self-proclaimed style gurus) look down on Pottery Barn and Ikea because “everything is the same”- yet they all have the same chairs, the same kitchen table, the same “just-so” collection of antique metal [insert object name here] they “source” from various flea markets around New England or wherever the heck these people live.
I have a lovely house. It cost us a lot. I am going to LIVE IN IT, gosh darn it!! The walls are going to get chipped, the floor is going to get dinged, the sofas are going to get stained, and I will view each “imperfection” as a sign of my family (husband and dog) growing and changing and settling in…just like a scar on the shin of a child. My worst nightmare is to live in a house that is pretty to look at, but that you can’t touch.
Here here! I totally agree. And you know what, as long as you live with it and you like it, that really is all that matters. There are so many bloggers with no design experience but tons of great stuff that I drool over that probably aren’t considered beautiful or unique to a designer, but to a person with a real budget, a real life, and real everyday stress, they are beautiful and they actually work. I love this post – thank you!
I am sure you’ve just a lot of people out of the closet, hah! I like your style and yes it’s a style! I am so with ya on the tushy needing some cushy. I don’t believe that furniture that is meant for sitting, reading, napping, lolling should be just for ‘looks’. It is possible to find both and that my dear makes one truly creative:)
I must admit I like Pottery Barn, but because I am cheap I can find basically the same stuff at Pier One or Cost Plus and still be a “pretend” Pottery Barn shopper. I try to decorate, but always find that the “pieces” I try to put in place always get moved due to a toy, a beer bottle, or dog bone so really I don’t know why I even bother! LOL
I love everything about this post. I actually like Pottery Barn catalogs…but not the quality. But hey, I like something!
This post is awesome. I’m forwarding everywhere.
Bravo! Bravo! I’m standing here giving you a standing ovation. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Wow! What a heartwarming response! :) Thanks for all the pedestrian support–it was much needed today as I nursed an oncoming cold and a sick kindergartner in my horribly out of date sleigh bed. :)
And now for the world’s longest comment, since I’ve not done this all day like I normally do…
Nina & Brandi–yes, the comment section on that site can be frightening. Did you guys read the insanity that happened during the “best design blog” competition? Anna (Door 16) and Sherry (Young House Love) got some real heat in there. Anna really stepped into the fire and told all those curmudgeons in there what’s what.
Amy–I hear you! When we did our kitchen remodel (back when I was an attorney. ahem.) the designers wouldn’t step into my house if I didn’t commit to spending at least $50,000. Needless to say, I designed it my damn self.
Julie–all the pillows end up on my floor, too. I think Melaine has an additional 10 or so throw pillows on that sectional. I’m going to assume that once the family is on the sofa, pillow chaos ensues. At least that’s how I comfort myself. :)
Jessica–hilarious! Actually, I’ve always wanted one of those baskets. They have a neat company history.
Nicole–The Mr. loves Room and Board! So do I (how could I not? The furniture is gorgeous.) but with my two rascals I would be terrified they would stain, rip, or light the furniture on fire while I was in the shower. A more disposable (and washable!) IKEA sofa fits our family for now.
Roni–that’s exactly it. No one should have a room ripped from a catalog, but come on. Pottery Barn just isn’t that bad! Decorno had a great post on the ridiculousness of $7,000 sofas.
Amy–No one has ever put a thumb tack on a map with my city and marked it cool, either. :) I don’t always agree with the styles I see on design blogs, either, but you are right–I’ve learned a lot!
Esther–now I want to see your house! :)
Kathryn–OMG that stupid Ghost chair. If I see one more ghost chair alongside a rustic desk I am going to scream.
Sarah–I agree! And I think there is a difference between someone who loves something truly and someone who loves something because it is in style. I think Morgan from The Brick House has extremely modern taste but I LOVE her. First of all, she is authentic. She admits flatly that she doesn’t have the money to do what she wants, but she makes it work with her $100 budget. Secondly, I don’t get the impression that she is following a merry band of design bloggers. She seems to dance to the beat of her own drum. Not always something I could live with in my home, but always something I appreciate and admire.
Miss B–yes, it’s like a 12 step meeting in here. We’re all admitting were powerless over coporate design. :)
Caiona–that’s the beauty of this look (so hated my many). It’s easy to duplicate in whatever budget works for you. Mine right now is IKEA and Craigslist.
Kelly–truth be told, I’ve never bought a sofa from them, but I did at one point have a sofa table from Pottery Barn and I thought the quality was fine. What problems did you have?
Patricia–Yay! I’m glad you agree. :)
Jules..
No, I didn’t read it. I’ll have to mosey on over to the sight and find out what they said.. I read Young House Love, and am in love with their creativity and re-purposing.. Admittedly, although I’m not a big fan of white ceramic things like Sherry.. I think her house is fabulous.. decorated wonderfully…and here’s the kicker.. it’s what THEY like.. not what someone else likes, which is how it should be. I do not like those Louis Ghost chairs either and in fact, I think they are horrible.. I’m more of the velvet slip-chair with a creamy chaise lounge kinda girl, but again, I’ve seen houses that they look really great in (well, the knock offs that is.. I would beat one of my friends if they actually paid a few thousand dollars for a plastic chair. Think of all the shoes!!!)
Either way, I’m tired of these attitudes as well. Conforming to a certain look or attitude, whether it’s the Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, Pottery Barn, West Elm or any ‘budget tier’ is absolutely no different than all designers doing the exact same thing in everyone’s house, just in different colors.
Maybe they are the ones who should go to Pottery Barn for a little change, and while they are at it, buy some of those ubiquitous baskets from Goodwill, spray paint them after watching Sherry’s ‘spray paint anything post’ from YHL and use it to stuff some more design magazines for new ideas!!!!
Thank you! I needed a laugh. You are right on!
I’ve never personally had a Pottery Barn experience (rural Ohio here remember?) however I must say this post reminded me of the Friends episode titled “The One with the Apothecary Table”. In which Rachel buys said Apothecary Table from PB and passes it off to Phoebe as an antique because she hates mass market chain stores. It’s hilarious. Really.
thanks for introducing me to The Brick House. love to see works in progress. my RSS just got a little more crowded :)
hahaha can we please be best friends? I heart pottery barn too! no, i don’t want everything out of the catalog but who the heck cares where your stuff came from if you love it?
i love the part ” Sure, I could do a room for $10, but only after I spent $57,000 on a creative personality transplant.” hilarious.
also, those ghost chairs are terrible. i can just imagine what squishy mass my behind would look like in one. Yikes.
Sara Jane–OMG that is so funny you made that comment about the ghost chairs! I always thought they were pretty (the first 2 billion times I saw them placed alongside a rustic table) until one day I was reading the comments on a design post and one designer said, “Ghost chairs are fine until you are at a dinner party and you can’t tear your eyes away from someone else’s flat ass under polycarbonate.”
I never looked at them the same again.
I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with Pottery Barn either. I might not want to live in the pictures above, but like you said, there are some great pieces that would be nice to have. It’s all about how you ‘work it.’
Thank you! I think everyone else covered it above, but someone needed to say it and bring the rest of us out of the woodwork. My living is room is straight out of a PB catalog and I’m proud of it.
I am not a fan of Pottery Barn, but it is for the pure and simple reason of…I work at the Home Office for Restoration Hardware, in Furniture, and PB is our “rival school”. I myself am a Crate and Barrel kinda gal (worked there for several years), and enjoy a modern look. But, as I get older and start my family, I say: “get what you like. Who wants to live in a no touch museum?”
Someone had to say it, right?
great post! to each his own. I can appreciate lots of different styles, as long as they are authentic in that they represent the person who lives in them.
funny, the trough 0′ candles and the lamp are my favorite parts of that top photo!
as for Pottery Barn, I was a tad peeved when I got my catalogue a few weeks ago, and it had some “knock offs” of some things I saw at an antique show in the spring. but I thought about for a minute and realized that that’s what “design for the masses” is about. not everyone has access to those kinds of things (that antique show is 2 hours from me) and PB (and others like it) bridge the gap.
Hello! How ironic that I found you today from Apartment Therapy! Yes, those commenters can be horrible! Even if I hated the design of a featured home I could not imagine saying so! I just move along to the next post and find something I like.
Just a note to tell you that after reading this post you’ve officially been Bookmarked!
we can punch our tickets to designer hell together. while driving suvs and sipping lattes. how gauche. wink.