If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

I was in my school library today and looked at the October 2006 issue of Smart Money. There was an interesting article in it about furniture from Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware. Here's what I remember:

- their furniture has gotten increasingly expensive, but the quality is not always good- a lot of PB stuff, for example, is particle board and the veneers are not overly thick, so if you scratch anything, it'll be hard to repair.
- the reporters tore apart some of the pieces, including a Crate and Barrel chair, and were not impressed at how poorly it was made in terms of padding, etc.
-they did commend some pieces, like the Sumatra collection from PB, along with a few other pieces from C&B and RH.
-It was recommended that if you like the look of the things from those stores, that you look at Broyhill and another brand I forget- Chatham Collection maybe? Similar styles and better quality at 2/3 the price. And Ethan Allen was named- though pricier, the workmanship is superior to PB, etc.

I looked for an online link to the article, but was only able to find references to the article, not the article itself. Thought this might be of interest.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

While I love the stores you mentioned, I feel they are WAY overpriced, and always have been.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Looking through the PB catalogs kill me because everything is so pricey. But they do have great ideas and photos for inspiration.

We've stopped buying PB stuff and go to Gothic Cabinet Craft in Farmingdale. They made us a custom wood credenza for my orchidarium that came out beautiful, and the quality is great. I have a friend who is a woodworker who coached me through it, and gave me questions to ask that I would never have known otherwise.

We also purchased a baker's rack and rolling wood butcher's block from the Gothic in Westbury and wasn't thrilled with their customer service & delivery.

But we would definitely try them again. I'd rather pay good money for something that is going to last a lifetime than something trendy or cheaper, you know?

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

I couldn't agee more. I personally find them way over priced for not real wood and it kills me that they don't hold up. My sister and I went to the outlet and saw what a little wear and tear does to the Pottery Barn furniture.

I personally have all Broyhill ie Bedroom & Dining Room Sets. I love Broyhill. Its real wood.

I see girls spending a $100 on a Pottery Barn chair when they could go to All Wood Furniture and spend $75 and stain it. AND IT WILL LAST A LOT LONGER!

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

PB totally gets you in the presentation.

While I think a lot of their accessories are good quality, I do agree that their furniture is not the best quality. It always looks so much nicer in the catalouge than it does in person.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Plus I feel like they get you coming and going -- the pieces are really expensive and then delivery fees are outrageous too!

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Message edited 12/6/2006 9:29:00 AM.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

I used to be a furniture buyer at Bloomingdale's.

While I agree that PB is overpriced, having furniture with veneers is not bad. Veneers are used for decorative purposes and some of the most expensive, high quality furniture companies use them. What's behind the veneer is the important thing.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Broyhill prices are about average. They are made in N. Carolina and you can order direct which is great. Levitz, Macys, etc carry Broyhill. We actually got our bedroom set on 110 at a place going out of business. It was the floor model so we paid $1200 for the Queen size bed, 2 nightstands, full dresser with mirror. The armoir was already sold. We are on the hunt for one.
The dining room set we bought at a garage sale for $150 (no joke). It was 5 years old. They are both the Fontana Collection. There is tons of Broyhill on craigslist as well.

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

great thanks!

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

we are getting a dining room set from broyhill - its from the attic heirlooms collection. they have nice stuff!

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

here is some more info that appeared in the article. 3 pieces purchased and inspected (C&B, RH and PB).
____________


A $1200 Crate and Barrell Bed: "It looks positively grand, and the description is impressive: "handcrafted in Italy of European hardwood and walnut veneer." So we were surprised, upon hacking into the footboard, to find it's made of - particle board?"

"Like many of the beds, desks, and tables sold by the three chains, the undercarriage is fastened with screws. Retailers love furniture that can disassembled and shipped flat because it saves the cost of overseas shipping, but over time, metal screws gnaw away at lumber. First the bed will wiggle, and in five years it will start coming loose."

"If you want to avoid wobbly furniture, look for mortise-and-tenon joints - a regular peg and hole."

"The drawer fronts on an $850 Restoration Hardware bathroom cabinet were fastened with glue and nails, which is an inferior technique for creating joints. Restoration Hardware declined to comment on its cabinet."

"The $300 Pottery Barn Stefano chair. While the carved-out seat looks welcoming, the actual seat plane is level. A well designed seat tilts up so you don't slide into your dinner."

They liked the PB Sumatra desk, but said it's made of rough Asian pulai. "Pulai is typically used to make boxes and crates."

"The stores have to mask low grade lumbar and mismatched boards. This explains the ubiquitos use of paint and thick, dark stains with finish names like "mink brown" and "ebony" ".

"$400 Zoe Coffee Table from Pottery Barn: The mahogany veneer is one-fortieth of an inch thick - about as thick as a paper towel."

"$900 Crate and Barrel red chair. While the seat features springs and a quality high density foam cushion, the back offers no support beyond a cloud of polyester down. Hiding under the skirt, meanwhile, are hollow plastic legs."

"You can find better deals on similar looks at independant furniture stores since you're not adding on the cost of glossy catalogs and pricey retail real estate."

They recommend also checking out Broyhill, Chatham and Ethan Allen, stores which are making similar style furniture at better quality for the money. "The prices aren't any lower, but the craftmanship is often superior."

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Interesting. Thanks for posting all this information. I was considering purchasing some items from PB. Now I'll keep looking!

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Re: If you like Pottery Barn, etc. furniture- found an interesting article (summarized)

Skew- thanks for posting that info- for the life of me, I couldn't find the specifics!

I still do like the accessories from PB- we are redoing the bathroom and I bought the towel bar, hooks, light fixture, etc. from there, and I am pleased with everything- it's all really heavy! I saw similar things at LNT and Home Depot, and that stuff seemed flimsier but was not significantly cheaper (plus, I got the PB stuff on sale.)