apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Nice stuff...this should be posted over at AT:NY. This seems to me THE way to decorate a nice prewar with high ceilings and mouldings. Only I wish everything weren't so BROWN...and such a dark brown. I'd love to see some of theses pieces in other than autumn shades. I don't look good against pea green!

I think the line is a nice idea, but does anyone else think the sort of Baroque look is getting a little tired? After a few seasons of heavy, decorative mirrors and dark velvets I'm ready for something lighter and cleaner. A touch here and there is nice but these couches are so heavy looking.

Grace

Grace: totally agree.

I am actually dying to see the catalogue. I think offering stuff that is a little more glam than the usual offerings at a great price is really worth looking into. As a shopper, I am excited to have this alternative.

I got the catalogue on Monday. It is worthy to note that it was developed by the same product designer that launched West Elm.
Great looks and prices, and I for one love the colors.
Very well styled, I know nothing about the quality.
I would like to see how it evolves.

I felt like the catalog read sort of like an upscale version of Urban Outfitters' latest foray into furniture. Which is not a horrible thing necessarily, just one heck of an emphasis on Baroque detailing. Chandeliers, velvet, ornate mirrors and flocking. I just hope the collection will expand to focus on some simpler pieces as well. I don't think it's ever a bad thing to have more options in the market I just feel like the Baroque thing is a bit over saturated. And if I see more flocking I might pass out. I can't visit a bar or restaurant in Brooklyn without it these days so I feel like the backlash has to start soon. Well, I can only hope. ;)

D*S

Yeah, this is kind of the trend right now and there will be backlash. It's definitely not my thing -- I was doing "ethnic modern" since before West Elm launched. But the less over-the-top pieces are pretty classic, and can weather the trend. There's a way to use these pieces that's very Hollywood, which never goes completely out of style... in Hollywood.

Oh-- and there are a few dressers with carved wood detailing that I could see working in my bedroom, which is less baroque and more... harem.

Granted it does feel like an over saturation, but in moderation it could certainly work in a timeless, eclectic way. Remember that this is their entire line, but design savvy folk won't put together an entire Ikea/PotteryB/CB/DWR room, so why think they would do the same w/ Brocade?

Wow Grace, took the words right out of my mouth.

That said, I would imagine that this is a line that is targeting a limitted audience- the Elle aspirational, beer budget jet (blue) set- and they are out there in full force, as your site, and this site, and numerous other sites will easily attest... hey I'M one of them...

So, for a first offering it looks good.

Also, this is by the same lady that put together West Elm, and they deffinately over shot on their first catalogue and pulled back later.... remember that lovely purple satin tufted sectional in that first catalogue? I seriously considered several illegal actions in order to obtain that beuty... and then it was gone...... who bought it any way?

I was disappointed. I thought the idea was a softer, more feminine contemporary style. But it just went too far the other way for me. I echo the sentiment about the bood being too brown and colors too dark. Hopefully it will evolve.

I am not loving the catatlog - jut received it yesterday. In a strange way it reminds me of all those BAD slipcovered sofa's that was the trend back in the early 90's- I think Z Gallerie and Sofa U love sold them. Sorry but I didnt like it then not about to like it now.
The pieces are NOT styled well and the whole image of the catalog seems too dark and gothic.

Perhaps I could appreciate the peices if they were styled in a different way - unpredicted.

Good prices, but not sure how this trend will stick.

I agree completely with Neal, you don't ever have to buy everything from one source and you certainly end up with a much more interesting looking space if you combine pieces from many different sources/styles. I disagree with the "Baroque-is-so-over" attitude. Technically, Baroque IS over (in a good way!) - Baroque is a classical look, it just happens to be having a resurgence. The same can be said for MCM. That might make it a trend but I don't think that makes it 'trendy', if that makes sense. A little Baroque or a little Mid-Century mixed in with contemporary or modern pieces is fun and isn't going to look dated any time soon. But then again, I'm a firm believer in ignoring trends and buying what you love - then your space will just look like you and make you happy, and that's what really matters.

Mags~

Yeah, what you said.

Still waiting for my catalog to arrive and just flipped through the online thing... I don't view Brocade Home's aesthetic with the same fickle/jaded "been there, done that" attitude as others on this thread. First, this look was previously available only either on the higher-end or the very low-end (ie Urban Outfitters, as D*S noted). It's nice to have the option of (hopefully) better quality pieces at a more accessible price-point. Second, I do appreciate the styling of this catalog. Whether you're "over" this baroque modern look--or whatever the hell term the tastemakers and marketers are using--or not, the catalog does present a very strong, cohesive aesthetic. (Look to the horrific 3rd CB2 catalog for catalog styling gone wrong.) Third, I doubt that few people who frequent the AT sites would recreate entire rooms from a single catalog. I think there are several knock-out pieces here that could be incorporated into most everyone's homes. As a fickle consumer, I like to pick and choose from various trends and constantly evolve my living space a few pieces at a time. I think Brocade Home will be a good resource and source of inspiration for me.

i love it -
i'm curious to hear quality feedback on the furniture.
the fact that every sofa is down-filled is hopefully a good indication! that's a difficult thing to find in sofas that i like the styling of.

Well, I now know that the brocade home/baroque look is definitely NOT for me AT ALL.

Not even in tiny bites. I wouldn't know how to incorporate any of the pieces in my home.

Chalk it up to different taste.

I just reviewed the catalog on my little blog! I think there are definitely some pieces worth coveting, but I have a hard time picturing most of this stuff in an average home. It could look a little "costumey" in a house with less architectural detail...