Oh Pottery Barn...you wiley little temptress. As much as I resist, you get me every time.
I sometimes tell myself I can't like Pottery Barn because it's too commercial, not original enough, too expensive (it IS too expensive by the way...you listening Pottery Barn?), but I'm still entranced every time they come out with a new collection.
The thing is, I think Pottery Barn is genius at selling a lifestyle...and, I don't know about you, but sometimes I kind of want that lifestyle. It's kind of like how I secretly want a J. Crew boyfriend...but that's another story .
I really want to go outside on a sunny Saturday morning and soak in some rays on these outdoor sofas.
And then later in the day I really want to have a summer evening dinner party that looks like this (and yes, a built in grill would be great).
"Cold drink anyone?"
"Oh wait, I'll bring it to you on this adorable galvanized tray."
"What?! You brought me a present. Oh you shouldn't have. I'll set it right here on my perfectly organized and accessorized desk."
"Where did the guys go? Oh, you say they're inside watching the game on our ginormous 60 inch flatscreen? Oh...those silly guys...."
"What do you say we take our stemless glassware inside?..."
"...And sit and chat by the fire?"
"Oh the game's over already? Thanks everyone. That was a great night. I'm off to take a soak in my tub..."
" ...And then curl up in my incredibly fluffy and inviting bed."
Um...is anyone still reading? Please say you'll keep reading my blog :)....
I love my imperfectly perfect life and I wouldn't change a thing about it, but it is kind of fun to pretend sometimes, isn't it?
Oh, and if you know my J. Crew boyfriend give him my email address...HA! Seriously, don't start giving strange men my email address. I was totally kidding about that.
48 Suburbanites Said:
I LOVE Pottery Barn! I actually had never even heard of them until about a year ago, and I have been in LOVE ever since. I totally want that Pottery Barn lifestyle. :)
Well, I should know in a few days whether I'm going to work for Pottery Barn.Just think, employee discounts! Now I have to say, I might change my mind for that boyfriend from J.Crew,L.O.L. What was I thinking, I'm already married for goodness sakes! I loved all of your selections, by the way. Hope you have a great week, and keep on dreaming, I like the way you think.
I loved this post. I too would LOVE to live the PB life! Ugh, I read on someone's blog that the PB catalog is like p*rn for women. It made me laugh out loud. Loved all the pics you chose and your captions were hilarious. Ah, Pottery Barn, take me away.
They do an awesome job at marketing that lifestyle, don't they?! Their stuff works because you could take almost any piece and put it in ANY room and it would work great. You made me laugh out loud!!
Phew! I was worried this post was a little too out there. Kathy - I've always thought it would be fun to work at Pottery Barn. And Sarah, you're absolutely right about them being able to make almost anything look amazing. Genius I tell you :).
Hi Annicole, i have not ever left a comment even though I am a regular reader of your blog. It is always one of my favorites. Today I had to leave a comment because I work part time at Pottery Barn. It is a wonderful place to work, not like work at all. I call it my dream job and my husband calls it his nightmare. I spend way more money than I make! Keep the interesting blogs coming, you are just great!
Pat
Oh, I know what you mean about Pottery Barn, but I am suckered in as well. I have a few of their things. My sunporch furniture is their latest seagrass stuff, I love any of their galvanized items ( I have that tray, BTW), I love that desk and I would take Mr. J. Crew anyday! But I tell you what, kathy if you get the job at PB, please don't walk around with that ear-thingy and hold a conversation with someone on it while helping out a customer - that is so annoying! ~ Robyn
I am laughing out loud! I think we could be sisters except that j-crew guy would have to be Paul Walker! Love this post! Your home is to me wayyyy more inviting though! I just love it! Melaine
You read my mind! I curse the Pottery Barn catalog whenever I receive it yet I still mark up the pages and find myself daydreaming about how wonderful my life would be if I had that perfect bed.
I'm reading! :) I get almost all of my PB stuff on sale either online or at the store ... but you have to be quick, and check online often. It's definitely worth it though - sometimes you get things at 70% off or more!
I too am a PB employee. 4 plus years of loving the discount and learning all I can from one of the best merchandising teams ever. I always feel bad when people say it's too expensive because I automatically adjust the price for the discount. Really, there are some great idea's online and in the catalog.
I read the whole thing, primarily because I've had that same internal monologue every time I've flipped from the PB catalogue...and J.Crew. ; )
Be still by beating heart. I LOVE Pottery Barn. I keep everyone of their magazines. I have to keep wiping the drool off, so I like to keep a spare. ;)
They DO paint a pretty picture! I'd NEVER buy their stuff b/c it's SO expensive, but I will buy stuff LIKE theirs, and study the colors and accessories, and placement. I mean, I seriously study the catalogs. And make lists. Supply lists & idea lists.
So, um, ya, I loved this post. :)
I secretly or not so secretly love Pottery Barn. I look a lot at how they style their catalog rooms. Sometimes I love the not-for-sale creative decor that they use more than I love the for-sale ones. But I do love that lifestyle look, even if I can't quite achieve it myself!
I loved this post! I dream in PB somedays too and I love to peruse the catalogs and get ideas. I really want to crawl into that big, fluffy bed right now and go back to sleep!
Has anyone noticed that JCPenney is creating more items to mimic Pottery Barn's. I've been getting a lot of stuff from them to have the Pottery Barn look for a lot less. And their stuff is pretty good quality,too. And speaking of the Pottery Barn being so expensive, it always surprises me when I hear some people refer to it as "affordable". Funny, huh?
P.S. I've already commented on this post, but I just had to come back to see what everyone else was saying. Thanks for this post. I'm glad that I'm not the only one that is enamored with PB. :)
I confess that I also imagine myself living within the pages of the PB catalog on occasion. So seductive...
You're not alone. I too confess to loving PB. Everything is so fresh and clean and perfect that I want to just move in.
I actually bought the Chesapeake outdoor dining set last fall when it went on super sale. It was still expensive, but it's lovely. Then my MIL bought me chair cushions for Christmas and I bought a few of the glass lanterns when they were about 70% off. While I love to wander around in the store and browse through the catalog, it hurts to pay full retail for anything PB offers. I much prefer the slow building of a PB life, one season-end sale at a time.
Pottery Barn = Porn for Women
I have a terminal case of Pottery Barn envy too. I like to check out the "imitations" at Target, now I'll have to follow another commenter to JCPenney too!
oh yes, I can relate! I can totally handle going to their store without a problem. I can evaluate my purchases sanely...but when it comes to the catalogue I totally lose my head and covet everything. It is the selling of the lifestyle.
Yeah, I get it!
I have this conversation with my husband every, oh week or so, when he catches me drooling on my Pottery Barn catalogs. "Yes, honey, I know PB is too expensive. I'm not buying. I'm just getting ideas!" Well, and daydreaming.
Yeah, and my husband, not so into the J. Crew. Oh well, ripped jeans and t-shirts are sexy too, right?
Comments make me giddy too.
Thanks for the reply.
Happy Spring.
*Tricia
You make me laugh! What would we do without our little fantasies? I love Pottery Barn so I visit thier sale self whenever I have a chance.
This was my first visit here & I've loved reading through your posts! Great inspiration :)!!
Wouldn't you just die to see Mr. JCrew actually IN a Pottery Barn styled room? Maybe that's what heaven is like, along with endless desserts!
You are ALL cracking me up. I am having so much fun reading all of your comments.
But Ms. Nonsense, you just made me laugh-out-loud! Can you imagine seeing Mr. J Crew in a PB room? I think that WOULD be heaven...lol!!! You know...as long as he was also kind, and funny, and intelligent, and spiritual and that kind of stuff :). I DO have some standards.
I love "out there" and I love Pottery Barn. So...great post. :) And you're right about the expensive thing.
That was quite entertaining!
What a great post! I'm so happy to have found your blog. It's so funny because I had the same sort of interior monologue when I got their most recent catalog. I flip through the glossy pages and "play house"....
You are SO SO right! I drool over my catalog every time I get one, and every trip to Houston is centered around my PB visit. It's so sad :( they get me every time with the marketing and the layouts - it's the LIFESTYLE I want, and can't afford it (However, it is really really well made stuff!) Loved your blog!
If money were not an issue, this is what my life would look like. Or what I'd like it to look like. Thanks for the little daydream.
I do love that white desk.
And the outdoor furniture.
oh! and the built in grill.
um..., and that pristine white bathroom.
There isn't room in these pictures for 2 toddlers.
I have a love hate relationship with Pottery Barn. If I explained it any more, it would be your above post!
LOVE this post! Too funny - I am right there with you. When I pass by the PB at the mall, I just want to unpack my things right there on the showroom floor and never leave. Who doesn't secretly want the Pottery Barn life? :) Thanks for making me laugh today!
Oh how I love the PB. Love. Heart it, even. With puffy rainbow hearts. IKEA has some super cool PB-esque stuff waaaaaay less expensive.
And I fully admit to wanting a J. Crew husband. Or Edward Cullen. You know, either one.
Great blog. I'm doing a give-away on mine to celebrate my 100th post. It involves chocolate!
Every single time I receive the PB catalog I begin hating every room in my house. Seriously. I had white bedroom furniture until their fall collection came out, so I painted everything espresso. Now they have this beautiful white bedroom and I hate my espresso furniture. Pottery Barn you make me crazy.
Boy you got this right! They do sell a lifestyle. Funny thing is, when I buy their things, it doesn't have the same effect in my home. Hmm...
An- Here's the secret: get a BFF that works at Pottery Barn and then come see me in Memphis where you can use the BFF's discount at the Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, and West Elm OUTLET. :) The last time my BFF came down, she got one of their awesome armoires for 80% off!! It was crazy cool! People come here with U Haul's to load up on the awesome bargains in the outlet stores- of course, you have a "standing invitation". :)
Now, see....this is why I love you! You are too cute for words! PB is awesome, and those pictures do make a great imaginary day. I was totally thrown by your photo change, I saw the name and didn't see the yellow shirt! Don't mess with me like that... : )
~Misti
You are hilarious....I just found your blog and was laughing the whole time. I will take one of those J. Crew boyfriends myself. I am happily married but...come one!
You know I love me some Pottery Barn Outlet...now those are some good prices!
I absolutely LOVE the little pink kitchen set!!! So cute!!!
I just found your blog and I love it! Thank you for the entertainment...oh how I love pottery barn! I would like a boyfriend from banana republic though. Thank you for your insight
This post was hilarious! And thanks for all the inspiration/envy/whatever you call it.
Lovin' your blog! I owe you rental viewing time in a big way tonite.
Donna
Hi AnNicole,
I can't locate an email of yours. I just wanted to notify you that I've spotlighted this blog entry on a post over at my blog. Please let me know if that's a problem. Thanks for the laugh!
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/07/funny-must-read-blog-entries.html
Donna
I love pottery barn, and I'm a dude. My wife and I both want to live that lifestyle, while I secretly aspire to look like Mr. J. Crew.
Haha...
I remember seeing Pottery Barn when my family and I visited New York City. I'd ooooh and ahhh walking past it as a little girl..I think it was 7th avenue..not too sure. I've been a huge fan especially when I became a homeowner in 2003..I've been collecting furniture and pieces ever since!
It is my dream, too. A Pottery Barn life I could certainly live!!
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