Target Furniture vs Pottery Barn / Ethan Allen type

[shortbun]

I've not read the rest of the thread. I've looked at Target furniture with my son(12) and he said we needed something 'better.' Pottery Barn stuff is high priced without the better construction features that Ethan Allen has. I have an Ethan Allen couch that my mil passed to me after years of use at her house. It's fabric is outdated but the darn thing will not die. It's now had 12years of abuse at my house and I'm thinking of rehabbing in rather than selling it. It's THAT sturdy.

 

[tink fan]

Are you interested in the Pottery Barn Basic slipcovered line in the couch and chair? I bought the couch, loveseat, chair and ottoman as a wedding gift for my daughter at nearly 1/2 the PB price.

I found out who manufactured it for PB and ordered it through a great furniture company I've been doing business with for years. I could give you the info if that is what you're looking for.

Lilstint- I would love to have this information as well. Could you send me a PM with it. Thanks!!!

 

[disneyofcourse]

I've got a white PB kids bookshelf/toybox combo thing (they dont' sell it anymore or I'd post a pic) but it has held up through like 4 moves. Of course it's scratched up since it is the white finish but that is so easily fixed if its bothersome. I only have a few other pieces of furniture that have lasted my adulthood and they are all ethan allen or ikea (back when Ikea was always solid good furniture).

You know I didn't realize this- I am thinking about ikea furniture from 5-10 years back! I didn't know it had gone so much downhill from then. I have a dresser that my parents bought a long time ago and its still in great condition. Then when I think about the dresser I bought three years ago its falling apart with drawers not closing etc...

 

[carrie_106]

I would love to have the information as well about the PB company. We need a new sofa and thought the slipcovers would be the way to go.

Thanks

 

[disneyofcourse]

I would love to get that link to the company who makes the pottery barn furniture! I'm thinking of buying just a few pieces to mix in. Thank you!!!!

 

[Kies99]

Furnishing a room, I would probably pass on Target. A piece here and there is fine.

For example, we have this chair in our living room:

http://www.target.com/Milano-Espres...565446?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k:chair&page=1

We've had it for two years and it still looks new. We had to put it together, but it's held up extremely well.

 

[Karenj2]

There was a great article in Smart Money (Oct. 2006) that was titled "Pottery Barn UnSTUFFED", which talks about many of the "high end" stores like Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Restoration Hardware, and how their construction methods didn't really justify the costs... I couldn't find it online, but I do have a PDF file of it, if you want to read it.

I have no idea about the quality of Target and EA, so I can't speak to that, but I just started working for Calico Corners, and I was blown away by the quality of the furniture they sell. 8-way, hand tied springs, solid kiln-dried wood, different choices of cushions, etc. (And you could pick out exactly what you wanted in furniture & fabric styles.) I don't know where you live, but you can find a nearby store by going to www.calicocorners.com. (They're also having a sale from the 5th through the 25th, and they have a Calico Credit card - not sure about the promotion on that.)

Good luck with your furniture buying! We've got to sell our house first, but if it sells anywhere close to the asking price, when we buy our NEXT house, I'm getting new furniture from Calico Corners! (I get a discount, so it's even MORE cost effective for me!)

 

[Todd&Copper]

PB, C&B, EA are all scholck. They are so overpriced and I have to laugh when people call EA "heriloom" - in your dreams, people! That is why my Pennysaver is FULL of ads for EA furniture at super low prices. All of it will look tacky in about 10 years, then who is going to want that "heriloom"?When I (eventually) have to replace my furniture, I am getting Amish stuff, or making the trip to NC.

 

[JandJ]

DH and I were just talking about this last night! We need a new sofa. I brought the sofa into the marriage and it's totally faded (thanks to living under a window in the Florida sun at my old place for 4 years) and doesn't match a single thing in our living room. It's a Sealy sleeper and I paid $500 for it almost 10 years ago so I feel I got my money's worth. I tried slip covers but even the ones that are guaranteed to fit and not bunch up, still don't fit and constantly bunch up. I have had it with slip covers! So, we've looked all over for sofas and last night decided to probably go with IKEA or RTG. Our parents all had Ethan Allen furniture and yes, it looks great and has lasted 35+ years, but EA is too expensive for us right now. Plus, at least for me, I get bored and want to change things up every so often. I can't see me loving the same couch in 10 or 15 years that I love today. I'd rather get a "decent" sofa from IKEA or RTG and change it in 10 years. DH's parents had their EA couches professionally recovered when they changed their color scheme and it cost almost as much as a new couch. Maybe one day we'll get really good quality furniture but for now "decent" furniture is fine.

We also have 2 bookcases from Target and have been happy with them. Yes, they're just particle board, but they look good. I wouldn't put a big TV or anything too heavy on them but they're fine for our needs (DVD storage and for my crafts).

 

[Anjelica]

Most of our furniture is EA and some is 7+ years old and still looks new. Target is not long term furniture but "fillers" in my opinion. Pottery Barn is "ok" as some of it is still compressed wood.

Sorry folks but Ethan Allen's quality is quite good. I like how they didn't charge you more for "furniture stain protection" or delivery. The other thing I really like about EA furniture is that the drawers are build very well and deep (i.e. they go the length of the furniture).

 

[antmaril]

I haven't read the whole thread, but I just wanted to mention the cost of shipping when ordering from Pottery Barn - YIKES -- it can really add up to big bucks! Love PB, but shipping can be outrageous.

 

[Melrosgirl]

PB, C&B, EA are all scholck. They are so overpriced and I have to laugh when people call EA "heriloom" - in your dreams, people! That is why my Pennysaver is FULL of ads for EA furniture at super low prices. All of it will look tacky in about 10 years, then who is going to want that "heriloom"?When I (eventually) have to replace my furniture, I am getting Amish stuff, or making the trip to NC.

Heirloom doesn't mean it increases in value. It means it is built to last. Most of my house is EA and compared to PB, it is much better.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Heirloom doesn't mean it increases in value. It means it is built to last. Most of my house is EA and compared to PB, it is much better.

OK, but you'd think if something was "heirloom" then (1) there wouldn't be such a large # of people trying to sell it; and (2) they wouldn't be selling it for approx. 10 - 25% of its original price when pieces are supposed "bulit to last" and are now only 2 - 5 years old.
I've looked in EA and I was very unimpressed with the styles of furniture they sold there. It all looked kind of "low-rent fancy" to me. I just was thoroughly impressed, particularly when you consider the prices.

 

[ladierayz]

PM'd you the info.

Could you send me the info too? I'd greatly appreciate it.

-Ladierayz

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Check higher end consignment stores for quality wood stuff. One near us regularly has EA tables/entertainment centers. I've seen PB less frequently, but sometimes. It's aroudn to be resold because it does hold up well.

 

[3boymthr]

If you want EA & PB wood pieces make sure to check Craigslist and e-bay and your local want-ad paper. There are tons of classic pieces out there from these makers that can be had at a bargain just slighly used. Many of them are like new because people baby them. I will say EA is definitely worth it's money. My kids and I have EA in our bedrooms - the pieces are 75 years old and still going strong. These are pieces my grandparents bought. My mother has a bunch of EA furniture and it's almost as old and also still going really strong (chest, hutch, dining chairs, etc.).

 

[Evi]

Why don't you visit each of the stores and then you can see and feel the difference for yourself. Honestly I think target furniture is cheap quality. I know its not what you want to hear but it really is its mostly plywood or mdf board. If you just think of the offgasing your furniture is going to have that alone is not worth it to me. You cannot compare particle board to solid wood. but if its feels ok to you then go for it. No one is judging you on your choice its just all a personal preference and opinion.

 

[daisyduck123]

You get what you pay for.
I consider Target furniture "dorm quality" and will probably send DD16 off to college next fall with some stuff purchased from there.

I would never buy any for my own home.

 

[Colleen27]

I like a lot of stuff from Target, but it isn't lasting, durable furniture like you'd get from Ethan Allen. I like it because as cheap way to bring in some more "trendy" things like side chairs, coffee/end tables, wall art, etc. that I know I'm not going to want to keep around forever, but I wouldn't want it for major, heavy-use pieces that are a hassle to replace.

 

[Colleen27]

PB, C&B, EA are all scholck. They are so overpriced and I have to laugh when people call EA "heriloom" - in your dreams, people! That is why my Pennysaver is FULL of ads for EA furniture at super low prices. All of it will look tacky in about 10 years, then who is going to want that "heriloom"?When I (eventually) have to replace my furniture, I am getting Amish stuff, or making the trip to NC.

Yeah, I think EA has moved away from some of the tings that earned them that "heirloom" reputation. We have a beautiful, solid wood kids' bedroom set from EA that I just adore, but when we were shopping for our living room we went into EA and just didn't find much with that sort of simple-design timelessness. They seem to be going for a much more trendy, modern, cutting edge image now, at least in the showroom (I found a better selection of traditional pieces online but I like to be able to see/touch furniture before I buy), and I don't want the style-of-the-moment.