I think that fin shape leg was around even pre-Hamill.

Those web chairs are pretty much "inspired by" by Jens Risom, I believe. I do like the web bench from that line, and like the blonde stuff in general as an alternative. But it all makes me want to move back to Florida and do a swanky beach condo. :(

Totally Jens Risom!.. But you forgot to mention West Elm also branching out even more in the ethnic realm with the new merch/new catalog. When they produce a raw driftwood version of their chunky wall-shelf, then I will become a complete WE convert.

the table is influenced by prouve, and the pivot lamps look french fifties. i was shocked also when i visited the chelsea store last week. the chairs with black webbing are solid wood! the collections look so much more evolved from spring's dorm room/first apartment look. there were things i had fantasies about owning.good work west elm.

I hope the "chocolate"-colored wood won't go, completely. I love some of it.

Just bought the "Parsons" Table...I'm very happy with the fit and finish. Maybe they are already addressing quality issues?

Any suggestions on finding platform beds made of quality wood? I saw some in switzerland that made me drool. I'm leary of WE because of their quality, but the price point is about right for my budget.

This is the first West Elm catalog that I haven't wanted to throw directly into the recycle bin, personally. I'm happy that they are ridding themselves of all of the cheap looking beaded materials.

If you want the real thing, go here:
http://www.silhofurniture.com/index.html

The table is clearly lifted from Frank Lloyd Wright's tables and chairs from the 1950s.

Does anyone know if West Elm has resolved the quality problems many had with their earlier platform beds?

Was in the West 17th Street Store and saw some of it in person. The blonde wood stuff definitely looks better made than the chocolate-colored pieces. I still can't get over that they display chipped and shop worn samples.

I was surprised to see the zabrino wood tray tables. In the catalog they look great. In person they have very little wood texture, and feel like contact paper. They are veneer over masonite, so maybe that's why they don't feel natural. Anyway, the chromed legs look better than their old stuff.

I always **want** to love West Elm. But always leave the store empty handed and a bit disappointed.

One way of looking at West Elm is that prior to their existence, the niche was pretty much unfilled. When low-budget and young people went to furnish their homes there were virtually no low-cost modern options. Have you ever walked into a 30-year-old guy's spanking new condo filled with Queen Anne repro furniture from Penny's and framed "Scarface" posters on the wall? It's a sad site, lol.

Speaking of WE, they're searching for new design directors for their furniture and their textiles. They're advertising on Craigslist (that could be a red flag about the salary they're offering, haha)-- one of you critics can go commandeer the machine and remake the budget modern world in your own vision!

I strongly disagree with the above categorization of the zebra wood tables. I very much liked the finish, and thought the matte feel made it seem more luxe, not less. They also did not scream veneer to me.

Since both table are a tray design, it would be very easy to safeguard the horizintal wood surface by dropping in a made-to-measure piece of glass.

As I said elsewhere, I wish I were in the market for a coffee table.

I have a bench from Ikea that has the exact same style/design...

Hmmmm

I was drooling over their new catalog too. Has anyone seen their cube cutout dressers in person in either chocolate or caramel? They are the ones with the off center square cut out finger pulls? I'm after a reasonably priced dresser but am concerned about the quality/scratchability.

Reef

I was kinda disappointed in the new catalog. I was like " I already have an Ikea catalog." I usually like everything, but this time not so much. I like the chocolate finish and don't really dig blond wood, but they have to have something for everyone.

Most everything they offer in blonde they also offer in their "signature chocolate."

Did anyone like the "White" sconces? Well guess what.. I walked to the store in the heat to have a salesperson show me in the catalog the sconces. They had the nerve to tell those were not "white" sconces but in fact powder blue! They are not made in white. They need someone at their press runs that is not color blind. West What?

HELP IF ANYONE CAN .... PLEASE ...... WE COULD ALL BENEFIT ......

How would I ever go about finding out who builds West Elms display tables.Not only are they all over the store, but they are by far the best looking pieces in the store. But, as luck would have it, they are not for sale ... and out I walked...

I need to find a disgrunteled x display team member to give up the goods or the 411 dor that matter - These tables are blond wood, very long, parsons style, with routing (valleys dug into the wood) throughout the entire surface. As if they took a knife to the wood.

Can anyone help. I had a look underneath and they are really well made, reinforces with steel bars , etc... The same wood is in the window.

Who in the world do they contract their display pieces to, because, I guarantee you, this is much greater quality and craftsmanship than junky west elm particle board. They are not producing these pieces in China - have a look .... These tables are awesome ... and let me know if you know the perfect person to make...

OH MY GAWD - I sooo agree! I walked into the West Elm store in Corte Madera, outside Sausalito, CA. And to my dismay (and definitely to the dismay of the sales person), I ran into that store specifically for those same blond & steel plywood tables... all I got was "I don't know where they're from... corporate orders them and just sends them to us.." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Burn everything else in that store - save those damn un-obtainable display tables. SO - yes, someone PLEASE find out where they come from... please!